bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Canine and feline uveal melanocytic tumours: Histologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of 32 cases
Authors: Moreira Matheus Vilardo Lóes , Langohr Ingeborg Maria , Campos Marina Rios de Araújo , Ferreira Enio , Carvalho Bárbara , Blume Guilherme Reis , Montiani‐Ferreira Fabiano , Ecco Roselene
Published: February 2022

Objective

Gross, histopathological, and immunohistochemical characteristics of uveal melanocytic neoplasms in dogs and cats were investigated.

Samples

Thirty‐two enucleated globes with uveal melanocytic neoplasms, 27 from dogs and 5 from cats, were examined.

Procedures

Morphological characteristics of uveal melanocytic neoplasms in dogs and cats were evaluated with anti‐PNL2, anti‐Melan‐A, anti‐Ki‐67, anti‐caspase‐3, and anti‐BAP1 immunomarkers. Statistical analysis was performed to compare canine melanocytomas and melanomas.

Results

The 32 uveal neoplasms were classified as melanocytomas (19/27 in dogs) or melanomas (8/27 in dogs, 5/5 in cats). Most tumours (84%) were located in the anterior uvea. Neoplastic cells were classified as epithelioid, spindle‐shaped, mixed, or special type (balloon and signet ring cells). The percentage of cells with melanin, melanin concentration within cells, anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, mitotic count, lymphocytic inflammation, necrosis, vascular invasion, and glaucoma were also characterized. Anisocytosis, percentage of neoplastic cells with melanin, mitotic count, and indices (proliferation and apoptotic) varied significantly between canine uveal melanomas and melanocytomas; in general, melanomas had greater cell variability, were less pigmented, and had a higher mitotic count. The melanocytic origin of the neoplasms was confirmed by positive anti‐PNL2 immunolabelling (29/32) and positive anti‐Melan‐A immunolabelling (3/32). In canine uveal melanomas, anisocytosis and anisokaryosis correlated with less pigmentation and minimal pigmentation correlated with a high percentage of immunolabelling for caspase‐3.

Conclusions

Uveal melanocytomas were more common in dogs, and uveal melanomas were more frequent in cats. Anisocytosis, percentage of neoplastic cells with melanin, and mitotic count are important histologic characteristics of malignancy to evaluate in uveal melanocytic neoplasms. The proliferation and apoptotic indices are relevant when comparing malignant tumours with benign tumours.
The Circular Metabolic Urban Landscape
Authors: Mazzarella Chiara , Amenta Libera
Published: February 2022

The study of the city as a living organism in constant transformation is especially linked to the investigation of its metabolic flows and their impacts on urban systems. The interplay of urban metabolic flows with the natural and anthropic landscape, including the built environment and its discarded parts, is connected in various ways. Urban Metabolism has been mainly studied by environmentalists and engineers so far, but it is recently acquiring growing significance also for urban planners, architects, and policymakers to determine and evaluate the impacts of human transformation on the human-natural ecosystem. Considering the urban landscape and the metabolism of its resources as an integrated system requires the recognition of which materials, methods, approaches, and general issues should be considered in planning and design for the transition toward a Circular Metabolic Urban Landscape. The process of transition to circular cities should necessarily involve actors from different research fields. Thus, this study aims at systematizing the recent and constantly evolving knowledge on this topic. This chapter presents a Systematic Review of the recent scientific literature by analyzing the production of the last 10 years on Urban Metabolism and Circular Economy in the context of spatial design and planning. The criteria set as a guide were made explicit through the coding of the selected papers by employing ATLAS.ti and grouping the subjects coded in five main clusters: theoretical issues, UM-specific topics, planning and design research, interdisciplinary studies and research and applications, and open issues. A semantic network links the cross-disciplinarity topics. The challenges and research topics to consider for a Circular Metabolic Urban Landscape are then considered as a set of links in the recent scientific literature selected.
Outsourced Enforcement: Improving the Public Accountability of Building Inspectors
Authors: Naderpajouh Nader , Zhang Rita Peihua , Hayes Jan
Published: February 2022

Regulatory enforcement of building safety and quality has been outsourced with a move to partially privatised building inspectors in both the UK and Australia. The Grenfell Tower fire and other near misses in Australia highlight the problems this has introduced. This chapter reviews the role of building inspectors using a public administration accountability framework and recommends structural changes to improve safety for occupants of high-rise buildings.
Outsourcing Risk Governance: Using Consultants to Deliver Regulatory Functions
Authors: Hayes Jan , Chester Lynne , King Dolruedee Kramnaimuang
Published: February 2022

The Australian gas supply industry provides a case study of outsourcing by economic regulators. These regulatory agencies rely on the engagement of external consultants for technical expertise who are effectively tasked with finding ways to reduce proposed expenditure, even for safety-related items. Empirical evidence shows that economic regulators uncritically accept this advice. Such outsourcing raises the possibility of significant impact on technical regulatory outcomes.
CDNF and MANF regulate ER stress in a tissue-specific manner
Authors: Pakarinen Emmi , Lindholm Päivi , Saarma Mart , Lindahl Maria
Published: February 2022

Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) and mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) display cytoprotective effects in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. These endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident proteins belong to the same protein family and function as ER stress regulators. The relationship between CDNF and MANF function, as well as their capability for functional compensation, is unknown. We aimed to investigate these questions by generating mice lacking both CDNF and MANF. Results showed that CDNF-deficient Manf−/− mice presented the same phenotypes of growth defect and diabetes as Manf−/− mice. In the muscle, CDNF deficiency resulted in increased activation of unfolded protein response (UPR), which was aggravated when MANF was ablated. In the brain, the combined loss of CDNF and MANF did not exacerbate UPR activation caused by the loss of MANF alone. Consequently, CDNF and MANF deficiency in the brain did not cause degeneration of dopamine neurons. In conclusion, CDNF and MANF present functional redundancy in the muscle, but not in the other tissues examined here. Thus, they regulate the UPR in a tissue-specific manner.
Visualization of complicated fractures by 3D-printed models for teaching and surgery: hands-on transitional fractures of the ankle
Authors: Neijhoft Jonas , Henrich Dirk , Mörs Katharina , Marzi Ingo , Janko Maren
Published: February 2022

Aims

Understanding the orientation of fracture lines and mechanisms is the essential key to sufficient surgical therapy, but there is still a lack of visualization and teaching methods in traumatology and fracture theory. 3D-printed models offer easy approach to those fractures. This paper explains the use of the teaching possibility with 3-dimensional models of transitional fractures of the ankle.

Methods and results

For generating 3D printable models, already obtained CT data were used and segmented into its different tissues, especially parts concerning the fracture. After the segmentation process, the models were produced with FFF (fused filament fabrication) printing technology. The fracture models then were used for hands-on teaching courses in AO course (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen) of pediatric traumatology in 2020 in Frankfurt. In the course fracture anatomy with typical fracture lines, approaches, and screw placement could be shown, discussed and practiced.

Conclusion

The study shows the use of 3D-printed teaching models and helps to understand complicated fractures, in this case, transitional fractures of the ankle. The teaching method can be adapted to numerous other use cases.
The listed, delisted, and sustainability of therapeutic medicines for dementia patients: the study is specific to South Korea
Authors: Lee Jong Hoon
Published: February 2022

The Dementia Management Act (DMA) came into effect on August 4, 2011, in South Korea. Diagnosis and medication were rapidly performed for dementia in a short time. We investigated the cardiac effects of increased drug prescription following DMA. We observed a correlation between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and anti-AD drug (AAD) groups from 2010 to 2019 on the National Health Insurance System (NHIS) of South Korea. This study investigated the increase and decrease in deaths of AD patients with AAD. We analysed the mortality per 100,000 population with the R2 Calculator. Moreover, we made the up or down datum line for the simple decision on the listed, delisted, and sustainable drug examined by a linear equation and R2. We observed that life expectancy was diminished by AAD in Sorokdo National Hospital. In the NHIS, donepezil and rivastigmine increased the number of deaths decided on R2 > 0.75. Memantine was sustainable. We could not decide on galantamine because it is one of the other groups. We made a straightforward decision-maker of delisted, listed, or sustainable criteria based on mortality and datum line.
Mean Curvature Flow in Null Hypersurfaces and the Detection of MOTS
Authors: Roesch Henri , Scheuer Julian
Published: February 2022

We study the mean curvature flow in 3-dimensional null hypersurfaces. In a spacetime a hypersurface is called null, if its induced metric is degenerate. The speed of the mean curvature flow of spacelike surfaces in a null hypersurface is the projection of the codimension-two mean curvature vector onto the null hypersurface. We impose fairly mild conditions on the null hypersurface. Then for an outer un-trapped initial surface, a condition which resembles the mean-convexity of a surface in Euclidean space, we prove that the mean curvature flow exists for all times and converges smoothly to a marginally outer trapped surface (MOTS). As an application we obtain the existence of a global foliation of the past of an outermost MOTS, provided the null hypersurface admits an un-trapped foliation asymptotically.
FungalTraits vs. FUNGuild: Comparison of Ecological Functional Assignments of Leaf- and Needle-Associated Fungi Across 12 Temperate Tree Species
Authors: Tanunchai Benjawan , Ji Li , Schroeter Simon Andreas , Wahdan Sara Fareed Mohamed , Hossen Shakhawat , Delelegn Yoseph , Buscot François , Lehnert Ann-Sophie , Alves Eliane Gomes , Hilke Ines , Gleixner Gerd , Schulze Ernst-Detlef , Noll Matthias , Purahong Witoon
Published: February 2022

Recently, a new annotation tool “FungalTraits” was created based on the previous FUNGuild and FunFun databases, which has attracted high attention in the scientific community. These databases were widely used to gain more information from fungal sequencing datasets by assigning fungal functional traits. More than 1500 publications so far employed FUNGuild and the aim of this study is to compare this successful database with the recent FungalTraits database. Quality and quantity of the assignment by FUNGuild and FungalTraits to a fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS)–based amplicon sequencing dataset on amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were addressed. Sequencing dataset was derived from leaves and needles of 12 temperate broadleaved and coniferous tree species. We found that FungalTraits assigned more functional traits than FUNGuild, and especially the coverage of saprotrophs, plant pathogens, and endophytes was higher while lichenized fungi revealed similar findings. Moreover, ASVs derived from leaves and needles of each tree species were better assigned to all available fungal traits as well as to saprotrophs by FungalTraits compared to FUNGuild in particular for broadleaved tree species. Assigned ASV richness as well as fungal functional community composition was higher and more diverse after analyses with FungalTraits compared to FUNGuild. Moreover, datasets of both databases showed similar effect of environmental factors for saprotrophs but for endophytes, unidentical patterns of significant corresponding factors were obtained. As a conclusion, FungalTraits is superior to FUNGuild in assigning a higher quantity and quality of ASVs as well as a higher frequency of significant correlations with environmental factors.
Changes in Spanish lifestyle and dietary habits during the COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Casas Rosa , Raidó-Quintana Blanca , Ruiz-León Ana María , Castro-Barquero Sara , Bertomeu Isabel , Gonzalez-Juste Jordi , Campolier Marta , Estruch Ramon
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The COVID-2019 pandemic forced many governments to declare the “to stay at home” which encouraged social distancing and isolation among citizens. The aim of this study was to assess the dietary and lifestyle habit changes that occurred during home confinement in Spain.

Methods

An European online survey was launched in April 2020. This included 70 questions on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, dietary habits, including key Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) foods. A total of 945 Spanish adults from 1268 European that completed the online survey were included in the analysis.

Results

Most of the Spanish participants adopted healthier dietary habits during home lockdown, which was translated to a higher MedDiet adherence. However, a negative impact on physical activity levels, sleep quality or smoking rates was observed. Low MedDiet adherence was associated with a higher risk of weight gain (OR = 1.53, CI 1.1–2.1; p = 0.016), while no snacking between meals reduced the risk by 80% (OR = 0.20, CI 0.09–0.45, p < 0.001) and eating more quantity, considering portion size, increased body weight gain risk almost sixfold more.

Conclusion

To conclude, although dietary habits were improved during home lockdown, certain unhealthy behaviours (e.g. increased snacking between meals, increased food intake, and an increase in sedentary behaviour) were increased.
Long-term growth patterns of vestibular schwannomas after stereotactic radiotherapy: delayed re-growth
Authors: Conlan Owen , Kontorinis Georgios
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To determine the long-term outcomes of patients with vestibular schwannomas (VS) after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) who experience delayed tumour regrowth.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective case series in tertiary university settings. We included patients with VS with initial response to SRS and delayed regrowth, assessing a database of 735 patients with VS and 159 patients who had SRS as sole treatment. Following SRS, all patients had clinical follow-up and serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We documented the post-SRS clinical assessment, pre- and post-SRS VS size as per MRI in predetermined time periods, response to treatment and rate of (re-) growth and the final outcome in each case.

Results

We identified six patients with good initial response but delayed VS regrowth at a faster rate than pre-SRS. The mean growth rate for these VS was 0.347 mm/month (range 0.04–0.78 mm/month) prior to treatment; the mean growth rate at the time of delayed re-growth was 0.48 mm/month (range 0.17–0.75 mm/month); this did not reach the level of statistical significance (p = 0.08). This regrowth occurred at a mean time of 42 months (range 36–66 months) post-SRS and stopped 22 months (mean, range 12–36 months) post regrowth detection in all cases.

Conclusions

Given that delayed post-SRS VS regrowth can occur in approximately 4% of the treated cases, it is important to continue close clinical and radiological follow-up. Despite this abnormal behaviour, VS do stop growing again; still, patients should be made aware of the possibility of this uncommon VS behaviour following SRS.
Ectoparasite load of small mammals in the Serengeti Ecosystem: effects of land use, season, host species, age, sex and breeding status
Authors: Shilereyo M. , Magige F. , Ranke P. S. , Ogutu J. O. , Røskaft E.
Published: February 2022

Ectoparasite load in small mammals can be influenced by both environmental conditions and host species characteristics. However, the nature of these influences is poorly understood in many ecosystems. We used zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression models with a log link function to assess variation in ectoparasite load among 19 small mammal host species across different land uses (protection in a park, pastoralism and agriculture), habitat types, seasons, age classes, sexes and breeding statuses. We collected 4258 ectoparasites from 612 individual belonging to 19 different species of small mammals. The average ectoparasite load per individual was higher in the pastoral and agricultural lands than in the National Park. Ectoparasite load varied among species and was the highest for the four common and generalist small mammal species (Aethomyssp.,Arvicanthis niloticus,Mastomys natalensis, andGerbilliscus vicinus), most notably in the disturbed pastoral and agricultural lands. It was also higher in the dry than the wet season and for adult males than adult females. These patterns partly reflect the greater mobility of small mammals in the drier conditions; in addition the large body size and home range of males increase the likelihood of encountering parasites. Human disturbance was associated with elevated ectoparasitic load among the small mammals and hence elevated risk of transmission of ectoparasites to humans. As a result, understanding the effect of habitat disturbance on ectoparasite load and its link to zoonotic disease risk should be an important conservation goal and public health priority. Moreover, effective pest control strategies should consider variation in ectoparasite load with land use, habitat type, season and species characteristics.
Australian oncology health professionals’ knowledge, perceptions, and clinical practice related to cancer-related cognitive impairment and utility of a factsheet
Authors: He Sharon , Lim Chloe Yi Shing , Dhillon Haryana M. , Shaw Joanne
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) can have debilitating effects on cancer survivors’ quality of life. Despite this, patients often report a lack of information provided by health professionals (HPs) to assist with understanding and managing cognitive changes. This study aimed to explore Australian oncology HPs’ understanding of and clinical practice related to CRCI including the use of a Cancer Council Australia CRCI factsheet.

Methods

Australian oncology HPs (medical oncologists, cancer nurses, and clinical psychologists) completed a questionnaire that assessed CRCI knowledge, prior to receiving the factsheet. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore their perceptions of CRCI and the factsheet. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using framework analysis to identify key themes.

Results

Questionnaires were completed by twenty-nine HPs. Most HPs had moderate to high knowledge of CRCI, yet low knowledge of the relationship between CRCI and cancer. Twenty-six (response rate 90%) HPs; medical oncologists (n = 7), cancer nurses (n = 12), and clinical psychologists (n = 7), consented to be interviewed. Three main themes were identified: (1) Is CRCI impact real or over-rated?; (2) If it is important, they will tell me: identifying and responding to CRCI in clinical practice; and (3) Using a factsheet in clinical practice.

Conclusion

This study’s multi-disciplinary exploration of Australian oncology HPs’ perceptions of CRCI highlighted that health professional perceptions drive CRCI discussions with patients. Further education to support clinicians to discuss CRCI is required. Consideration of the barriers and facilitators within healthcare settings is important for successful integration of the factsheet into routine care.
Multiple solutions for the nonlinear Choquard equation with even or odd nonlinearities
Authors: Cingolani Silvia , Gallo Marco , Tanaka Kazunaga
Published: February 2022

We prove existence of infinitely many solutions $$u \in H^1_r({\mathbb {R}}^N)$$

u
∈

H
r
1

(

R

N

)

for the nonlinear Choquard equation $$\begin{aligned} - {\varDelta } u + \mu u =(I_\alpha *F(u)) f(u) \quad \hbox {in}\ {\mathbb {R}}^N, \end{aligned}$$

-
Δ
u
+
μ
u
=

(

I
α

∗
F

(
u
)

)

f

(
u
)

in

R

N

,

where $$N\ge 3$$

N
≥
3

, $$\alpha \in (0,N)$$

α
∈
(
0
,
N
)

, $$I_\alpha (x) := \frac{{\varGamma }(\frac{N-\alpha }{2})}{{\varGamma }(\frac{\alpha }{2}) \pi ^{N/2} 2^\alpha } \frac{1}{|x|^{N- \alpha }}$$

I
α

(
x
)

:
=

Γ
(

N
-
α

2

)

Γ

(

α
2

)

π

N
/
2

2
α

1

|
x
|

N
-
α

, $$x \in {\mathbb {R}}^N \setminus \{0\}$$

x
∈

R

N

\

{
0
}

is the Riesz potential, and F is an almost optimal subcritical nonlinearity, assumed odd or even. We analyze the two cases: $$\mu $$
μ
is a fixed positive constant or $$\mu $$
μ
is unknown and the $$L^2$$

L
2

-norm of the solution is prescribed, i.e. $$\int _{{\mathbb {R}}^N} |u|^2 =m>0$$

∫

R

N

|
u
|

2

=
m
>
0

. Since the presence of the nonlocality prevents to apply the classical approach, introduced by Berestycki and Lions (Arch Ration Mech Anal 82(4):347–375, 1983), we implement a new construction of multidimensional odd paths, where some estimates for the Riesz potential play an essential role, and we find a nonlocal counterpart of their multiplicity results. In particular we extend the existence results due to Moroz and Van Schaftingen (Trans Am Math Soc 367(9):6557–6579, 2015).
Kleinräumige Verteilung von Gesundheitsbedingungen in Städten
Authors: Spenger David , Geiselhart Klaus
Published: February 2022

Debatten um Umweltgerechtigkeit gehen davon aus, dass ärmere Menschen von höheren gesundheitsrelevanten Umweltbelastungen betroffen sind, als wohlhabende. Untersuchungen in Erlangen zeigen jedoch, dass dies nicht zwangsläufig der Fall ist und nur einzelne sozioökonomisch benachteiligte Gebiete tatsächlich hohen Belastungen ausgeliefert sind. Andere hingegen verfügen durchaus über gute Umweltausstattungen. Zwar lassen sich einzelne besonders privilegierte Gebiete mit geringen Belastungen und guter sozioökonomischer Lage identifizieren aber andere eher wohlhabendere Gegenden zeigen sich als durchaus belastet. Im Zuge neuerer Innenentwicklung gibt es allerdings die Tendenz, dass Umweltressourcen und Umweltbelastungen zunehmend kleinräumiger nach Finanzkraft verteilt werden. Der Artikel entwirft eine leicht übertragbare Methode, die es ermöglicht, anhand der Kernindikatoren Lärmbelastung, Ausstattung mit öffentlichem/privatem Grün und Sozialdaten, Fragen der Umweltgerechtigkeit sehr kleinräumig zu betrachten und im Sinne eines „Frühwarnsystems“ Entwicklungen im Zeitverlauf zu beobachten. Zudem kann der praxisnahe Ansatz als ein Ausgangspunkt für integriertes Verwaltungshandeln gesehen werden, das insbesondere beim Zusammenhang Umwelt und Gesundheit häufig noch defizitär ist.
Taurine supplementation enhances endurance capacity by delaying blood glucose decline during prolonged exercise in rats
Authors: Komine Shoichi , Miyazaki Teruo , Ishikura Keisuke , Matsui Takashi , Miyoshi Takashi , Ra Song-Gyu , Honda Akira , Soya Hideaki , Miyakawa Shumpei , Ohmori Hajime
Published: February 2022

Taurine enhances physical performance; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study examined the effect of taurine on the overtime dynamics of blood glucose concentration (BGC) during endurance exercise in rats. Male F344 rats were subjected to transient treadmill exercise until exhaustion following 3 weeks of taurine supplementation or non-supplementation (TAU and CON groups). Every 10 min during exercise, BGC was measured in blood collected through cannulation of the jugular vein. Gluconeogenesis-, lipolysis-, and fatty acid oxidation-related factors in the plasma, liver, and skeletal muscles were also analyzed after 120-min run. Exercise time to exhaustion was significantly longer with taurine supplementation. BGC in the two groups significantly increased by 40 min and gradually and significantly decreased toward the respective exhaustion point. The decline in BGC from the peak at 40 min was significantly slower in the TAU group. The time when the once-increased BGC regressed to the 0-time level was significantly and positively correlated with exercise time until exhaustion. At the 120-min point, where the difference in BGC between the two groups was most significant, plasma free fatty acid concentration and acetyl-carnitine andN-acetyltaurine concentrations in skeletal muscle were significantly higher in the TAU group, whereas glycogen and glucogenic amino acid concentrations and G6Pase activity in the liver were not different between the two groups. Taurine supplementation enhances endurance capacity by delaying the decrease in BGC toward exhaustion through increases of lipolysis in adipose tissues and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscles during endurance exercise.
Efficacy of photobiomodulation in reducing pain and improving the quality of life in patients with idiopathic burning mouth syndrome. A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Camolesi Gisela Cristina Vianna , Marichalar-Mendía Xabier , Padín-Iruegas Maria Elena , Spanemberg Juliana Cassol , López-López Jose , Blanco-Carrión Andrés , Gándara-Vila Pilar , Gallas-Torreira Mercedes , Pérez-Sayáns Mario
Published: February 2022

Burning mouth syndrome is a chronic condition, which is characterised by a burning sensation or pain in the mucosa of the oral cavity. Treatment options include antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, analgesics, hormone replacement therapies and more recently photobiomodulation. This study aims to perform a systematic review with meta-analysis in order to determine the effect of photobiomodulation on pain relief and the oral health-related quality of life associated with this condition. A bibliographical search of the Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus databases was conducted. Only randomised clinical trials were included. Pain and quality of life were calculated as mean difference and pooled at different treatment points (baseline = T0 and final time point = Tf) and laser modality. From a total of 103 records, 7 articles were retrieved for inclusion. PBM group had a greater decrease in pain than control group at Tf with a mean difference =  − 2.536 (IC 95% − 3.662 to − 1.410; I2 = 85.33%, p < 0.001). An improvement in oral health-related quality of life was observed in both groups, although this was more significant in the photobiomodulation group mean difference =  − 5.148 (IC 95% − 8.576 to − 1.719; I2 = 84.91%, p = 0.003). For the red laser, a greater improvement than infrared was observed, in pain, mean difference =  − 2.498 (IC 95% − 3.942 to − 1.053; I2 = 79.93%, p < 0.001), and in quality of life, mean difference =  − 8.144 (IC 95% − 12.082 to − 4.206; I2 = 64.22%, p = 0.027). Photobiomodulation, in particular, red laser protocols, resulted in improvement in pain and in quality of life of burning mouth syndrome patients.
Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and survival in molecular subtypes of resectable gastric cancer: a post hoc analysis of the D1/D2 and CRITICS trials
Authors: Biesma Hedde D. , Soeratram Tanya T. D. , Sikorska Karolina , Caspers Irene A. , van Essen Hendrik F. , Egthuijsen Jacqueline M. P. , Mookhoek Aart , van Laarhoven Hanneke W. M. , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I. , Nordsmark Marianne , van der Peet Donald L. , Warmerdam Fabienne A. R. M. , Geenen Maud M. , Loosveld Olaf J. L. , Portielje Johanneke E. A. , Los Maartje , Heideman Daniëlle A. M. , Meershoek-Klein Kranenbarg Elma , Hartgrink Henk H. , van Sandick Johanna , Verheij Marcel , van de Velde Cornelis J. H. , Cats Annemieke , Ylstra Bauke , van Grieken Nicole C. T.
Published: February 2022

Background

Epstein–Barr virus positivity (EBV+) and microsatellite instability (MSI-high) are positive prognostic factors for survival in resectable gastric cancer (GC). However, benefit of perioperative treatment in patients with MSI-high tumors remains topic of discussion. Here, we present the clinicopathological outcomes of patients with EBV+, MSI-high, and EBV−/MSS GCs who received either surgery only or perioperative treatment.

Methods

EBV and MSI status were determined on tumor samples collected from 447 patients treated with surgery only in the D1/D2 trial, and from 451 patients treated perioperatively in the CRITICS trial. Results were correlated to histopathological response, morphological tumor characteristics, and survival.

Results

In the D1/D2 trial, 5-year cancer-related survival was 65.2% in 47 patients with EBV+, 56.7% in 47 patients with MSI-high, and 47.6% in 353 patients with EBV−/MSS tumors. In the CRITICS trial, 5-year cancer-related survival was 69.8% in 25 patients with EBV+, 51.7% in 27 patients with MSI-high, and 38.6% in 402 patients with EBV−/MSS tumors. Interestingly, all three MSI-high tumors with moderate to complete histopathological response (3/27, 11.1%) had substantial mucinous differentiation. No EBV+ tumors had a mucinous phenotype. 115/402 (28.6%) of EBV−/MSS tumors had moderate to complete histopathological response, of which 23/115 (20.0%) had a mucinous phenotype.

Conclusions

In resectable GC, MSI-high had favorable outcome compared to EBV−/MSS, both in patients treated with surgery only, and in those treated with perioperative chemo(radio)therapy. Substantial histopathological response was restricted to mucinous MSI-high tumors. The mucinous phenotype might be a relevant parameter in future clinical trials for MSI-high patients.
Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Provide Insights into the Growth and Development Advantages of Triploid Apostichopus japonicus
Authors: Xie Jiahui , Sun Yi , Cao Yue , Han Lingshu , Li Yuanxin , Ding Beichen , Gao Chuang , Hao Pengfei , Jin Xin , Chang Yaqing , Song Jian , Yin Donghong , Ding Jun
Published: February 2022

Polyploid breeding is widely used in aquaculture as an important area of new research. We have previously grownApostichopus japonicustriploids with a growth advantage. The body length, body weight, and aestivation time of triploid and diploidA. japonicuswere measured in this study, and the transcriptome and metabolome were used to examine the growth advantage of triploidsA. japonicus. The results showed that the proportion of triploidA. japonicuswith a body length of 6–12 cm and 12–18 cm was significantly higher than that of diploidA. japonicus, and triploidA. japonicushad a shorter aestivation time (39 days) than diploid (63 days). We discovered 3296 differentially expressed genes (DEGs); 13 DEGs (for example,cyclin-dependent kinase 2) related to growth advantage, immune regulation, and energy storage were screened as potential candidates. According to Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, DEGs were significantly enriched in the cytoplasm (cellular component), ATP binding process (molecular function), oxidation–reduction process (biological process), and other pathways. According to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment data, DEGs were significantly enriched in ribosome production and other areas. We discovered 414 significant differential metabolites (SDMs), with 11 important SDMs (for example, nocodazole) linked to a growth advantage. SDMs are significantly enriched in metabolic pathways, as well as other pathways, according to the KEGG enrichment results. According to a combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis, 6 DEGs have regulatory relationships with 11 SDMs, which act on 11 metabolic pathways together. Our results further enrich the biological data of triploidA. japonicusand provide useful resources for genetic improvement of this species.
Structure and management of traditional agroforestry vineyards in the high valleys of southern Bolivia
Authors: Oliva Oller Pablo , Notaro Martin , Langer Erick , Gary Christian
Published: February 2022

In the south of Bolivia, a group of traditional wine growers are distinguished by the cultivation of grapevines on native trees that serve as tutors. These growers currently represent one of the few examples of agroforestry vineyards in the world. They offer an opportunity to analyze the structure and management of these cropping systems, and to identify the ecosystem services provided by the combination of grapevines that are trained on trees. We characterize 29 agroforestry vineyards located in three high valleys in southern Bolivia, describing the main farm features, the structure and management of the vineyards, and the advantages of on-tree vine staking as recorded by the farmers. Farms were small (2.2 ha on average), with about half viticulture and half other crops and forage. The workforce was about half family and half employees. The most commonly used tree species were the molle tree (Schinus molle) and chañar tree (Geoffroea decorticans), and the majority of grape varieties grown were landraces such as “Negra criolla” and “Vicchoqueña.” The main cultivation techniques were pruning of the trees and vines, application of manure more than mineral fertilizers, gravity irrigation, and application of few pesticides. The main services farmers expected from trees were protection against climate hazards and flooding, disease control, maintenance of soil fertility, and higher yields. Agroforestry is a promising option for the agroecological transition of viticulture, which deserves further studies at both plot and farm scales.
Bt cotton, pink bollworm, and the political economy of sociobiological obsolescence: insights from Telangana, India
Authors: Najork Katharina , Friedrich Jonathan , Keck Markus
Published: February 2022

After genetically engineered Bt cotton lost its effectiveness in central and southern Indian states, pink bollworm infestations have recently returned to farmers’ fields and have substantially shifted their vulnerability context. We conceive Bt cotton as a neoliberal technology that is built to protect farmers only temporarily from Lepidopteran pests while ultimately driving the further concentration of capital. Based on data from a representative survey of the three major cotton-producing districts of the state of Telangana (n = 457), we find that pink bollworm pest infestations are a shock to farmers that lead to severe losses in yield and income. Using the vulnerability concept as a framework, we embed our findings in a political-economic context by drawing on Harvey’s notion of accumulation by dispossession. We argue that Bt cotton includes an inherent sociobiological obsolescence that results in a systematic dispossession of resource-poor households while providing appropriation opportunities for other actors. Finally, reproduced hegemonic structures facilitate the accumulation of capital through a redistribution of assets from the bottom to the top of the agricultural sector. Claims that considered Bt cotton as a pro-poor technology were thus flawed from the outset.
Oral-Genital Contact and the Meaning of “Had Sex”: The Role of Social Desirability
Authors: Den Haese Jessica , King Bruce M.
Published: February 2022

Previous studies have found that a large proportion of college students do not consider oral-genital contact as having “had sex.” In all studies, the questions posed were hypothetical. In the present study, university students were asked about their own personal sexual experiences. From a large pool of participants, two subgroups were identified: those who responded “No” to having “had sex” but responded “Yes” to having had oral-genital contact (No–Yes), and those who responded “Yes” to having had both sex and oral-genital contact (Yes–Yes). None of the participants in these two subgroups self-reported vaginal or anal intercourse. The No–Yes group was significantly higher in social desirability (p < .0005) as measured by the Marlowe-Crowne scale and was also significantly higher in religiosity (p < .01) as measured on a 7-point Likert scale. There was a modest correlation between level of religiosity and social desirability (r = .25, p < .01). It was concluded that many students who have had oral-genital contact but deny having had sex do so because of impression management, i.e., a desire to present themselves more positively. These results provide further evidence that social desirability responding is a serious problem for sex researchers, one that affects even the most basic questions about having had sex.
Love in the Time of Corona: Predicting Willingness to Engage in Sexting During the First COVID-19-Related Lockdown
Authors: Thomas Marina F. , Binder Alice , Matthes Jörg
Published: February 2022

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, in early 2020, lockdowns limited the options for physical intimacy and many resorted to technology-mediated forms of intimacy such as sexting. However, it is unclear what predicted willingness to engage in sexting during the lockdown. The present study filled this gap by investigating COVID-19-related social isolation, privacy concerns, age, and gender as predictors of willingness to engage in sexting. We further examined an interaction of COVID-19-related social isolation and privacy concerns on willingness to engage in sexting. We conducted online surveys with 494 young adults (Study 1) and with a quota-based sample of 437 adults (Study 2) in Austria. In both studies, negative binomial regressions revealed a positive effect of COVID-19-related social isolation on willingness to engage in sexting. Privacy concerns hindered young adults in Study 1 from engaging in sexting but not relatively older adults in Study 2. However, in neither study did privacy concerns moderate the effect of COVID-19-related social isolation on willingness to engage in sexting: Even individuals with high privacy concerns were more willing to sext under conditions of social isolation, suggesting that the need for intimacy outweighed the need for privacy protection. Gender had no effect in either study, indicating that men and women used sexting to cope with the unprecedented COVID-19-related situation.
Adsorption of paper strength additives to hardwood fibres with different surface charges and their effect on paper strength
Authors: Zhao Mengxiao , Robertsén Leif , Wågberg Lars , Pettersson Torbjörn
Published: February 2022

Light-weight paper products that contain less fibres, but with a maintained bulk and improved strength properties, are highly desirable due to the low cost of raw materials and improved logistics of packaged goods. In this respect, the adsorption capacity of dry strength additives onto fibres, which is affected by the surface charge of said fibres, is very important for the development of these mechanically robust paper products. The influence of the surface charge on the adsorption of strength additives was investigated for, dissolving grade fibres, kraft fibres and kraft fibres modified with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with different surface charge densities, but the same fibre dimensions. The strength additives investigated were cationic starch (CS), anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) and polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), containing CS and APAM. A linear relationship was found between the surface charge of the fibres and the saturated adsorbed amount of CS. However, when either APAM or PECs adsorbed as secondary layers onto the CS, no correlation between cellulose charge and the saturation adsorption could be observed. The adsorption of APAM was dramatically affected by the pre-adsorbed amount of CS, whereas PECs were less influenced. Moreover, the additives improved the tensile strength (60%) and strain at break (> 100%) of handsheets formed with the kraft fibres and adsorbed APAM. It was also found that CS/APAM increased the sheet density while CS/PECs lowered it. In conclusion, the gained fundamental understanding of these adsorption of additives is of significant importance to facilitate the industrial development of sustainable low-cost high-end packaging products.

Graphical abstract
Method development to characterise elephant tail hairs by LA-ICP-MS to reflect changes in elemental chemistry
Authors: Sach Fiona , Fields Lorraine , Chenery Simon , Yon Lisa , Henley Michelle D. , Buss Peter , Dierenfeld Ellen S. , Langley-Evans Simon C. , Watts Michael J.
Published: February 2022

This paper evaluated analytical methods used to generate time-series data from elephant tail hairs, which can be used to reflect changing exposure to environmental geochemistry. Elephant tail hairs were analysed by three methods sequentially, each providing data to inform subsequent analysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Microanalysis visually showed the structure of the hair, specific structures such as tubules, and the mineral crusting around the edge of the hair, informing targeting of subsequent analysis by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). LA-ICP-MS generated time-series data which informed sectioning of the tail hairs for subsequent quantitative analysis for potentially toxic elements and micronutrients using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) of dissolved tail hairs. This novel approach to characterise the tail hair enabled time-series analysis to reflect changes in environmental exposure which may result from seasonal or geochemical spatial variation and could inform elephant movement patterns. The seasonal change between wet and dry seasons was reflected down the length of the hair. Correlations were seen between LA-ICP-MS data and ICP-MS data in several elements including Mg, P, Ca, Fe, Na, Mn and U. This study provided time-series data for the analysis of elephant tail hairs by evaluating analytical challenges to obtaining quantitative data, such as improving protocols to ensure removal of extraneous material, determining where to section the tail hairs to best reflect environmental changes/exposure and ensuring representative analyses. A protocol was established to determine mineral status across a 12–18 month time period utilizing single elephant tail hairs.
On Robustly Convergent and Efficient Iterative Methods for Anisotropic Radiative Transfer
Authors: Dölz Jürgen , Palii Olena , Schlottbom Matthias
Published: February 2022

This paper considers the iterative solution of linear systems arising from discretization of the anisotropic radiative transfer equation with discontinuous elements on the sphere. In order to achieve robust convergence behavior in the discretization parameters and the physical parameters we develop preconditioned Richardson iterations in Hilbert spaces. We prove convergence of the resulting scheme. The preconditioner is constructed in two steps. The first step borrows ideas from matrix splittings and ensures mesh independence. The second step uses a subspace correction technique to reduce the influence of the optical parameters. The correction spaces are build from low-order spherical harmonics approximations generalizing well-known diffusion approximations. We discuss in detail the efficient implementation and application of the discrete operators. In particular, for the considered discontinuous spherical elements, the scattering operator becomes dense and we show that $$\mathcal {H}$$
H
- or $$\mathcal {H}^2$$

H

2

-matrix compression can be applied in a black-box fashion to obtain almost linear or linear complexity when applying the corresponding approximations. The effectiveness of the proposed method is shown in numerical examples.
The Universal and Primary Prevention of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): A Systematic Review
Authors: Jacobsen Britta , Lindemann Christina , Petzina Rainer , Verthein Uwe
Published: February 2022

Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) comprises multiple neurodevelopmental disorders caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. With a global prevalence rate of 7.7 per 1000 population, FASD is a leading cause of prenatal developmental disorders. The extent of physical, mental, and social consequences for individuals with FASD can be vast and negatively affect their social environment, daily life, school, relationships, and work. As treatment for FASD is labour- and cost-intensive, with no cure available, prevention is key in reducing FASD prevalence rates. As most systematic reviews conducted so far have focused on specific FASD risk groups, we investigated the effectiveness of universal FASD prevention and primary preventive strategies. We identified a total of 567 potentially pertinent records through PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, PubPsych, and DAHTA published from 2010 to May 2020, of which 10 studies were included in this systematic review. Results showed a substantial heterogeneity in the studies’ quality, although all preventive measures, except one, proved effective in both increasing knowledge and awareness of FASD, as well as decreasing the risk of an alcohol exposed pregnancy. Limiting factors such as small sample sizes and a lack of behavioural change testing require further studies to support existing evidence for FASD prevention and its implementation, as well as detecting the best course of action for FASD prevention when creating and implementing prevention and intervention approaches.
A Target Recognition Algorithm of Multi-Source Remote Sensing Image Based on Visual Internet of Things
Authors: Sun Xue-jun , Lin Jerry Chun-Wei
Published: February 2022

Multi-source remote sensing images have the characteristics of large differences in texture and gray level. Mismatch and low recognition accuracy are easy to occur in the process of identifying targets. Thus, in this paper, the target recognition algorithm of multi-source remote sensing image based on IoT vision is investigated. The infrared sensor and SAR radars are set in the visual perception layer of the iVIOT. The visual perception layer transmits the collected remote sensing image information to the application layer through the wireless networks. The data processing module in the application layer uses the normalized central moment idea to extract the features of multi-source remote sensing image. Contourlet two-level decomposition is performed on the image after feature extraction to realize multi-scale and multi-directional feature fusion. A two-step method of primary fineness is used to match the fused features and the random sampling consensus algorithm is used to eliminate false matches for obtaining the correct match pairs. After the image feature matching is completed, the BVM target detection operator is used to complete the target recognition of multi-source remote sensing image. Experimental results show that the use of the IoT to visually recognizing the desired remote sensing image target has low communication overhead, and the recognition reaches 99% accuracy.