bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glucokinase activation leads to an unsustained hypoglycaemic effect with hepatic triglyceride accumulation in db/db mice
Authors: Kawata Shinichiro , Nakamura Akinobu , Miyoshi Hideaki , Yang Kelaier , Shigesawa Ikumi , Yamauchi Yuki , Tsuchida Kazuhisa , Omori Kazuno , Takahashi Kiyohiko , Nomoto Hiroshi , Kameda Hiraku , Cho Kyu Yong , Terauchi Yasuo , Atsumi Tatsuya
Published: October 2021

Aim

To investigate how subchronic administration of a glucokinase activator (GKA) results in attenuation of the hypoglycaemic effect in the diabetic condition.

Materials and Methods

Six‐week‐old db/db mice were fed standard chow containing a GKA or the sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor ipragliflozin for 1, 6, 14 or 28 days. We performed histological evaluation and gene expression analysis of the pancreatic islets and liver after each treatment and compared the results to those in untreated mice.

Results

The unsustained hypoglycaemic effect of GKAs was reproduced in db/db mice in conjunction with significant hepatic fat accumulation. The initial reactions to treatment with the GKA in the liver were upregulation of the gene expression of carbohydrate response element‐binding protein beta (Chrebp‐b) and downregulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (Pepck) on day 1. Subsequently, the initial changes in Chrebp‐b and Pepck disappeared and increases in the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis, including acetyl‐CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase, were observed. There were no significant changes in the pancreatic β cells nor in hepatic insulin signalling.

Conclusions

The GKA showed an unsustained hypoglycaemic effect and promoted hepatic fat accumulation in db/db mice. Dynamic changes in the expression of hepatic genes involved in lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis could affect the unsustained hypoglycaemic effect of the GKA despite no changes in pancreatic β‐cell function and mass.
Setting priorities for climate change adaptation of Critical Sites in the Africa‐Eurasian waterbird flyways
Authors: Breiner Frank T. , Anand Mira , Butchart Stuart H. M. , Flörke Martina , Fluet‐Chouinard Etienne , Guisan Antoine , Hilarides Lammert , Jones Victoria R. , Kalyakin Mikhail , Lehner Bernhard , van Leeuwen Merijn , Pearce‐Higgins James W. , Voltzit Olga , Nagy Szabolcs
Published: October 2021

Despite their importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems globally. The conservation of many migratory waterbirds depends on the conservation of a network of key sites along their flyways. However, the suitability of these sites is changing under climate change, and it is important that management of individual sites in the network adapts to these changes. Using bioclimatic models that also account for changes in inundation, we found that projected climate change will reduce habitat suitability for waterbirds at 57.5% of existing Critical Sites within Africa‐Eurasia, varying from 20.1% in Eastern Europe to 87.0% in Africa. African and Middle East sites are particularly threatened, comprising 71 of the 100 most vulnerable sites. By highlighting priority sites for conservation and classifying Critical Sites into Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (CCAS) classes, our results can be used to support the climate change adaptation of both individual sites and the entire site network.
Fire disturbance promotes biodiversity of plants, lichens and birds in the Siberian subarctic tundra
Authors: Heim Ramona J. , Heim Wieland , Bültmann Helga , Kamp Johannes , Rieker Daniel , Yurtaev Andrey , Hölzel Norbert
Published: October 2021

Fire shapes the world's terrestrial ecosystems and has been influencing biodiversity patterns for millennia. Anthropogenic drivers alter fire regimes. Wildfires can amplify changes in the structure, biodiversity and functioning of the fast‐warming tundra ecosystem. However, there is little evidence available, how these fires affect species diversity and community composition of tundra ecosystems over the long term. We studied long‐term fire effects on community composition and diversity at different trophic levels of the food web in the subarctic tundra of Western Siberia. In a space‐for‐time approach we compared three large fire scars (>44, 28 and 12 years old) to unburnt controls. We found that diversity (measured as species richness, Shannon index and evenness) of vascular and non‐vascular plants and birds was strongly affected by fire, with the greatest species richness of plants and birds for the intermediate‐age fire scar (28 years). Species composition of plants and birds still differed from that of the control >44 years after fire. Increased deciduous shrub cover was related to species richness of all plants in a hump‐shaped manner. The proportion of southern (taiga) bird species was highest in the oldest fire scar, which had the highest shrub cover. We conclude that tundra fires have long‐term legacies with regard to species diversity and community composition. They may also increase landscape‐scale species richness and facilitate range expansions of more southerly distributed species to the subarctic tundra ecosystem.
Early walking time is associated with recovery of activities of daily living during hospitalization in older patients with community‐acquired pneumonia: A single‐center prospective study
Authors: Woo Hyunjae , Aoki Hideki , Kataoka Hideki , Yamashita Junichiro , Yoshitake Takatoshi , Morishita Tatsuya , Tanaka Takako , Ishimatsu Yuji , Kozu Ryo
Published: October 2021

Aim

Pneumonia is a common disease with a high mortality rate among older adults that is associated with a decline in activities of daily living (ADL) during hospitalization. The aims of this study were to investigate the following: (i) early physical activity time among older patients hospitalized with community‐acquired pneumonia; and (ii) the association of physical activity time with the recovery of ADL.

Methods

A prospective observational study was carried out in patients aged ≥65 years hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia. We measured the time spent standing and walking as physical activity time using the activPAL accelerometer from the third to the ninth day of admission. Patients underwent rehabilitation during their hospitalization, and rehabilitation effectiveness was calculated using the motor Functional Independence Measure on admission and at day 10. We used stepwise multiple regression to examine the relationship between physical activity time and rehabilitation effectiveness.

Results

A total of 87 patients were included in the analysis. Median (interquartile range) physical activity time was 69 min/day (43–103 min/day). In the multiple regression model, a greater daily walking time, higher cognitive and physical function, and ADL at admission were independently associated with rehabilitation effectiveness (adjusted R2 = 0.32, P < 0.0001). For every increase of 10 min/day of walking time, ADL improved by 7.8% (B = 7.8, 95% CI 1.3–14.2, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Older patients hospitalized with community‐acquired pneumonia have low levels of physical activity, and increasing early walking time might be an effective strategy to accelerate the recovery of ADL. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 1099–1104.
The burden of seasonal influenza in Italy: A systematic review of influenza‐related complications, hospitalizations, and mortality
Authors: Giacchetta Irene , Primieri Chiara , Cavalieri Riccardo , Domnich Alexander , de Waure Chiara
Published: October 2021

Reliable country‐specific data on influenza burden play a crucial role in informing prevention and control measures. Our purpose was to provide a comprehensive summary of the available evidence on the burden of seasonal influenza in Italy. We performed a systematic literature review of articles published until July 31, 2020. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched using terms related to burden, influenza, and Italian population. We included studies investigating seasonal influenza‐related complications, hospitalizations, and/or mortality. Sixteen studies were included: eight (50%) analyzed influenza‐related complications, eight (50%) hospitalizations, and seven (43.8%) influenza‐related deaths. Only three studies (19.7%) concerned pediatric age. The synthesis of results showed that patients with chronic conditions have an increased risk for complications up to almost three times as compared with healthy people. Hospitalizations due to influenza can occur in as much as 5% of infected people depending on the study setting. Excess deaths rates were over sixfold higher in the elderly as compared with the rest of population. Although there are still gaps in existing data, there is evidence of the significant burden that influenza places each year especially on high‐risk groups. These data should be used to inform public health decision‐making.
Imaging of pediatric nasal masses: A review
Authors: Cunha Bruno , Kuroedov Danila , Conceição Carla
Published: October 2021

Several conditions may present as nasal masses in pediatric age, including congenital and developmental disorders, inflammatory and infectious conditions, neoplastic and neoplastic‐like lesions, and other miscellaneous disorders. A confident presurgical diagnosis can be challenging and imaging is often key in the management of these lesions. We provide a pictorial review of pediatric nasal masses and discuss a location‐based approach to the diagnosis of these lesions on imaging studies. Acquaintance with the most common pathologies and awareness for its characteristic imaging features can aid the physician in the differential diagnosis. Location and extension of the lesion can be particularly helpful. Midline masses raise suspicion for developmental nasal midline lesions, including frontoethmoidal cephalocele, dermoid/epidermoid cyst, and neuroglial heterotopia. In case of trauma, nasal septum hematoma/abscess should be considered. Developmental or odontogenic cystic lesions and osseous neoplasms and neoplasm‐like lesions can originate from the maxilla and palate. Although most nasal tumors show overlapping imaging characteristics, some have suggestive features, such as nasopharyngeal angiofibroma and esthesioneuroblastoma. Malignant tumors tend to be locally aggressive, demonstrating invasive features, bony erosion, intermediate signal on T2‐weighted images, and restricted diffusion on diffusion‐weighted imaging. In certain cases, a definite diagnosis can only be made histologically. Nonetheless, detailed characterization of the lesion is crucial prior to invasive procedures in order to avoid complications.
Quality of life of caregivers of end‐stage kidney disease patients: Caregivers or care recipients?
Authors: Vovlianou Stavroula , Koutlas Vasilios , Ikonomou Margarita , Vassilikopoulos Theodore , Papoulidou Fani , Dounousi Evangelia
Published: October 2021

Background

End‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients require specific and continuous care, which affects caregivers' quality of life (QOL). It is necessary to define the basic problems and restrictions upon family caregivers of renal patients affecting their physical and psychological status.

Objectives

The main objectives of this narrative review were to examine the literature over the past 10 years, to describe factors associated with QOL of caregivers of patients with ESKD, and to identify the level of subjective burden reported by caregivers.

Methods

A literature search was carried out using the following electronic databases: PubMed, Medscape, Science Direct, Scopus, PsychINFO and other scientific sources. Keywords included 'quality of life', 'caregivers', 'end stage kidney or renal disease patients', 'burden' and a combination of these terms. Only studies from January 2010 to December 2020 were included in this study.

Results

The results found that there was significant burden and distress experienced by caregivers that affected their QOL. Patients' QOL is associated with caregivers' QOL. The hours of caring per day and the long‐term replacement therapy are associated with great burden.

Conclusions

More awareness to caregivers' QOL is required to meet their needs, reduce anxiety and to improve patients' QOL. Caregiver support could empower and prepare them for initiation of replacement therapy. This can potentially enhance their diseased family members' QOL and could also restrict the use of health care system resources. Given how difficult it is to conceptualize QOL, a holistic approach to patients and caregivers require QOL assessment in each stage of the kidney disease.
Patient centered dental home: Building a framework for dental quality measurement and improvement
Authors: Reynolds Julie C. , Damiano Peter C. , Herndon Jill Boylston
Published: October 2021

Introduction

This article presents results of the second phase of a project to develop a patient‐centered dental home (PCDH) model. Aims of PCDH model development include broadening the scope of prior dental home definitions to include populations across the lifespan, developing a quality measurement framework to facilitate quality assessment and improvement, and promoting opportunities for medical‐dental integration through alignment with existing PCMH models. This phase determined the components, or conceptual subdivisions, associated with a previously developed PCDH definition and characteristics.

Methods

We used a modified Delphi process to obtain structured feedback and gain consensus among the project national advisory committee (NAC). The process included a web‐based survey that asked NAC members to rank the importance of each potential component on a scale of 1–9. Criteria for consensus on component inclusion/exclusion combined a median rating and measure of disagreement. Respondents were also encouraged to provide open‐ended feedback regarding rationale for component ratings and additional suggested components.

Results

A total of 47 out of 51 members completed the survey. All 34 components met the quantitative criteria for inclusion in the PCDH model. Changes were made to components based on open‐ended feedback.

Conclusions

This project phase further developed a PCDH measurement framework that aims to guide practice transformation, quality measurement and improvement in dental care delivery, as well as integration between medicine and dentistry. Using a Delphi approach with a broad group of stakeholders ensured that components had face validity and were conceptually aligned with the PCDH definition and characteristics.
Adaptive divergence in bill morphology and other thermoregulatory traits is facilitated by restricted gene flow in song sparrows on the California Channel Islands
Authors: Gamboa Maybellene P. , Ghalambor Cameron K. , Scott Sillett T. , Morrison Scott A. , Chris Funk W.
Published: October 2021

Disentangling the effects of neutral and adaptive processes in maintaining phenotypic variation across environmental gradients is challenging in natural populations. Song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) on the California Channel Islands occupy a pronounced east‐west climate gradient within a small spatial scale, providing a unique opportunity to examine the interaction of genetic isolation (reduced gene flow) and the environment (selection) in driving variation. We used reduced representation genomic libraries to infer the role of neutral processes (drift and restricted gene flow) and divergent selection in driving variation in thermoregulatory traits with an emphasis on the mechanisms that maintain bill divergence among islands. Analyses of 22,029 neutral SNPs confirm distinct population structure by island with restricted gene flow and relatively large effective population sizes, suggesting bill differences are probably not a product of genetic drift. Instead, we found strong support for local adaptation using 3294 SNPs in differentiation‐based and environmental association analyses coupled with genome‐wide association tests. Specifically, we identified several putatively adaptive and candidate loci in or near genes involved in bill development pathways (e.g., BMP, CaM, Wnt), confirming the highly complex and polygenic architecture underlying bill morphology. Furthermore, we found divergence in genes associated with other thermoregulatory traits (i.e., feather structure, plumage colour, and physiology). Collectively, these results suggest strong divergent selection across an island archipelago results in genomic changes in a suite of traits associated with climate adaptation over small spatial scales. Future research should move beyond studying univariate traits to better understand multidimensional responses to complex environmental conditions.
Role of internalin proteins in the pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Ireton Keith , Mortuza Roman , Gyanwali Gaurav Chandra , Gianfelice Antonella , Hussain Mazhar
Published: October 2021

Listeria monocytogenes is a food‐borne bacterium that causes gastroenteritis, meningitis, or abortion. L. monocytogenes induces its internalization (entry) into human cells and either spreads laterally in tissues or transcytoses to traverse anatomical barriers. In this review, we discuss mechanisms by which five structurally related proteins of the “internalin” family of L. monocytogenes (InlA, InlB, InlC, InlF, and InlP) interact with distinct host receptors to promote infection of human cells and/or crossing of the intestinal, blood–brain, or placental barriers. We focus on recent results demonstrating that the internalin proteins InlA, InlB, and InlC exploit exocytic pathways to stimulate transcytosis, entry, or cell‐to‐cell spread, respectively. We also discuss evidence that InlA‐mediated transcytosis contributes to traversal of the intestinal barrier, whereas InlF promotes entry into endothelial cells to breach the blood–brain barrier. InlB also facilitates the crossing of the blood–brain barrier, but does so by extending the longevity of infected monocytes that may subsequently act as a “Trojan horse” to transfer bacteria to the brain. InlA, InlB, and InlP each contribute to fetoplacental infection by targeting syncytiotrophoblast or cytotrophoblast layers of the placenta. This work highlights the diverse functions of internalins and the complex mechanisms by which these structurally related proteins contribute to disease.
The diffusible signal factor synthase, RpfF, in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is required for the maintenance of membrane integrity and virulence
Authors: Singh Prashantee , Verma Raj Kumar , Chatterjee Subhadeep
Published: October 2021

The Xanthomonas group of phytopathogens communicate with a fatty acid‐like cell–cell signalling molecule, cis‐11‐2‐methyl‐dodecenoic acid, also known as diffusible signal factor (DSF). In the pathogen of rice, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, DSF is involved in the regulation of several virulence‐associated functions, including production and secretion of several cell wall hydrolysing type II secretion effectors. To understand the role of DSF in the secretion of type II effectors, we characterized DSF synthase‐deficient (rpfF) and DSF‐deficient, type II secretion (xpsE) double mutants. Mutant analysis by expression analysis, secretion assay, fatty acid analysis, and physiological studies indicated that rpfF mutants exhibit hypersecretion of several type II effectors due to a perturbed membrane and DSF is required for maintaining membrane integrity. The rpfF mutants exhibited significantly higher uptake of 1‐N‐phenylnapthylamine and ethidium bromide, and up‐regulation of rpoE (σE). Increasing the osmolarity of the medium could rescue the hypersecretion phenotype of the rpfF mutant. The rpfF mutant exhibited highly reduced virulence. We report for the first time that in X. oryzae pv. oryzae RpfF is involved in the maintenance of membrane integrity by playing a regulatory role in the fatty acid synthesis pathway.
Two decades of chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) research: Existing evidence and persistent gaps from epidemiological studies in Sri Lanka
Authors: Pett Jennifer , Mohamed Fahim , Knight John , Linhart Christine , Osborne Nicholas J. , Taylor Richard
Published: October 2021

Background

Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown origin (CKDu) excludes known primary renal conditions or systemic disease (such as diabetes mellitus or hypertension). Prominence of CKDu has been noted for some decades in Sri Lanka, especially among men in particular rural areas, prompting many studies directed towards environmental causation. This article critically reviews relevant primary studies.

Methods

Articles for this literature review (n = 86) were found by searching Medline, Embase, Global Health and ProQuest databases over 2000–2020 utilizing a standard algorithm. Articles were critiqued according to criteria for diagnosis of CKDu, aetiological agents investigated, analytic methods employed and findings.

Results

Criteria for diagnosis of CKDu varied significantly, including pre‐selection by proteinuria, eGFR and biopsy proven interstitial nephritis. Prevalence studies have been largely conducted in the North Central Province, with recent studies demonstrating the presence of CKDu in other regions. Aetiological factors investigated in primary studies included water source, use of agrochemicals, agricultural work, heavy metals, snake bites, ayurvedic medication, heat stress, infectious diseases and usage of tobacco and betel leaf. There is no conclusive evidence for any one aetiological agent despite consistent evidence of distal factors such as male sex, rural residence and farming.

Conclusions

The current body of evidence for any aetiological agent as the cause of CKDu in Sri Lanka is limited. Further research with stronger study designs is necessary to increase knowledge of aetiology of CKDu in Sri Lanka to identify and eliminate exposure to possible causative agent(s) prior to concluding that the disease is multifactorial.
What does the distribution of fitness effects of new mutations reflect? Insights from plants
Authors: Chen Jun , Bataillon Thomas , Glémin Sylvain , Lascoux Martin
Published: October 2021

The distribution of fitness effects (DFE) of new mutations plays a central role in molecular evolution. It is therefore crucial to be able to estimate it accurately from genomic data and to understand the factors that shape it. After a rapid overview of available methods to characterize the fitness effects of mutations, we review what is known on the factors affecting them in plants. Available data indicate that life history traits (e.g. mating system and longevity) have a major effect on the DFE. By contrast, the impact of demography within species appears to be more limited. These results remain to be confirmed, and methods to estimate the joint evolution of demography, life history traits, and the DFE need to be developed.
Corruption in social relations: Bribe‐taking, corruptibility, and corruption risks
Authors: Su Su , Ni Xing
Published: October 2021

This inquiry aims to investigate how the relational dynamics are imprinted on two critical dimensions of bribe‐taking: corruptibility and corruption risks. Two treatments were randomly administered to 1400 subjects: single versus repeated interactions and strangers versus weak ties. The findings suggest that repeated interactions induce bigger bribe sizes, but also increase risks from whistleblowing and internal auditing. Weak ties mitigate bribe‐taking willingness. Nevertheless, when coupled with repeated interactions, weak ties suppress the risks from whistleblowing, testifying the bifurcated effects. The tensions between corruptibility and corruption risks suggest that bribe‐taking decisions are fraught with internal tensions, with the overall effects likely being a priori determined only in specific contexts. Such tensions are more intensified among true bureaucrats as they tend to claim bigger bribes and report more risks from internal auditing.
Citrus heat shock transcription factor CitHsfA7‐mediated citric acid degradation in response to heat stress
Authors: Li Shao‐jia , Liu Sheng‐chao , Lin Xia‐hui , Grierson Donald , Yin Xue‐ren , Chen Kun‐song
Published: October 2021

Heat stress is a major abiotic stress for plants, which can generate a range of biochemical and genetic responses. In ‘Ponkan’ mandarin fruit, hot air treatment (HAT) accelerates the degradation of citric acid. However, the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of citrate degradation in response to HAT remain to be elucidated. Here, 17 heat shock transcription factor sequences were isolated, and dual‐luciferase assays were employed to investigate whether the encoded proteins that could trans‐activate the promoters of key genes in the GABA shunt, involved in citrate metabolism. We identified four heat shock transcription factors (CitHsfA7, CitHsfA3, CitHsfA4b and CitHsfA8) that showed trans‐activation effects on CitAco3, CitIDH3 and CitGAD4, respectively. Transient expression of the CitHsfs in citrus fruits indicated that CitHsfA7 was the only factor that resulted in a significant lowering of the citric acid content, and these results were confirmed by a virus‐induced gene silencing system (VIGS). Sub‐cellar localization showed that CitHsfA7 is located in the nucleus and is capable of binding directly to a putative HSE in the CitAco3 promoter and enhance its expression. We proposed that the induction of CitHsfA7 transcript level contributes to citric acid degradation in citrus fruit, via modulation of CitAco3 in response to HAT.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the mental health symptoms during the Covid‐19 pandemic in Southeast Asia
Authors: Pappa Sofia , Chen Jiyao , Barnett Joshua , Chang Anabel , Dong Rebecca Kechen , Xu Wen , Yin Allen , Chen Bryan Z. , Delios Andrew Yilong , Chen Richard Z. , Miller Saylor , Wan Xue , Zhang Stephen X.
Published: October 2021

Aims

The Covid‐19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the mental health of the general public and high‐risk groups worldwide. Due to its proximity and close links to China, Southeast Asia was one of the first regions to be affected by the outbreak. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety, depression and insomnia in the general adult population and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Southeast Asia during the course of the first year of the pandemic.

Methods

Several literature databases were systemically searched for articles published up to February 2021 and two reviewers independently evaluated all relevant studies using pre‐determined criteria. The prevalence rates of mental health symptoms were calculated using a random‐effect meta‐analysis model.

Results

In total, 32 samples from 25 studies with 20 352 participants were included. Anxiety was assessed in all 25 studies and depression in 15 studies with pooled prevalence rates of 22% and 16%, respectively. Only two studies assessed insomnia, which was estimated at 19%. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was similar among frontline HCWs (18%), general HCWs (17%), and students (20%) while being noticeably higher in the general population (27%).

Conclusions

This is the first systematic review to investigate the mental health impact of the Covid‐19 pandemic in Southeast Asia. A considerable proportion of the general population and HCWs reported mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression; the pooled prevalence rater, however, remain significantly lower than those reported in other areas such as China and Europe.
Characteristics and etiology of infection in febrile infants aged ≤90 days
Authors: Tanaka Yuhei , Miyata Ippei , Nakamura Yoshitaka , Kondo Eisuke , Gotoh Kenji , Oishi Tomohiro , Nakano Takashi , Ouchi Kazunobu
Published: October 2021

Background

Infants ≤90 days old can exhibit non‐specific signs of infection, even in cases of serious bacterial infection (SBI).

Methods

This prospective study included infants aged ≤90 days hospitalized for fever from June 2017 to August 2019. Nasopharyngeal swabs were tested using multiplex real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and 16S ribosomal RNA analysis of whole blood to determine causative microorganisms. Data pertaining to inflammatory markers, maximum body temperature (BT), and respiratory symptoms of infants and their cohabiting families were collected at admission.

Results

A total of 110 infants were enrolled (age range, 9–90 days), 17 (15.5%) of whom presented with SBIs. White blood cell (WBC) count and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) were significantly higher in patients with SBIs than in those without, although maximum BT did not significantly differ between the SBI and non‐SBI groups (n = 93). One or more viruses were detected in 82 infants (74.5%). Viruses were detected more frequently in infants with respiratory symptoms than in those without respiratory symptoms (P = 0.038), and patients with SBIs experienced significantly less respiratory symptoms than those without SBIs (P = 0.049). Moreover, viruses were more often detected in infants from cohabiting families with respiratory symptoms than in those whose family members did not exhibit respiratory symptoms (P = 0.0018).

Conclusion

White blood cell count, and ANC were significantly higher, and respiratory symptoms were less in infants ≤90 days old with SBIs than in those without SBIs. Microorganisms from nasopharyngeal by multiplex real‐time PCR swabs could not be judged as SBI or non‐SBI.
Latent profile analysis of self‐perceptions of ageing among Chinese community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Yao Gui‐Ying , Luo Yan‐Yan , Zhu Bo , Wu Hui‐Min , Liu Kai‐Li
Published: October 2021

Background

Self‐perceptions of ageing (SPA) is an important predictor for physical and mental health of older adults in successful ageing. SPA is mainly studied from negative or positive perspectives using variable‐centred methodologies. The aim of the current study was to explore distinct profiles of SPA among Chinese community‐dwelling older adults using a person‐centred method and validate the SPA profiles by examining associations with psychological outcomes.

Methods

Participants aged 65 and over were randomly divided into test and validation samples (n = 451, respectively). SPA was measured by the Brief Ageing Perceptions Questionnaire using latent profile analysis.

Results

Three SPA profiles were identified. One adaptive subgroup was designated as ‘Low ageing awareness and high positive control’ (LAPC, 84.7% and 75% in both samples, respectively). Two maladaptive SPA subgroups were designated as ‘Low positive consequences and control’ (LPCC, 3.9% and 8.2% in both samples, respectively), and ‘High ageing awareness and negative control’ (HANC, 11.4% and 16.8% in both samples, respectively). Similar to negative/positive SPA, the HANC and LAPC subgroups showed the highest and lowest levels of depressive symptoms and cognitive decline. Low cognitive function was found in the LPCC subgroup.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the heterogeneity of older adults' SPA. SPA profiles may aid community healthcare providers in China to identify individuals with high risk of maladaptive SPA and to tailor targeted interventions for psychological health in later life. Distinct SPA profiles require different interventions targeting negative or positive control or both aspects. More positive control strategies might be beneficial for cognitive functioning in older adults from the LPCC subgroup.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms and cerebrovascular risk in non‐demented elders: cross‐sectional study using the mild behavioural impairment checklist (MBI‐C)
Authors: Stella Florindo , Pais Marcos V. , Loureiro Júlia C. , Radanovic Marcia , Forlenza Orestes V.
Published: October 2021

Background

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) may represent early clinical manifestations of evolving brain diseases. Studies underpin the occurrence of NPS in the context of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and prodromal Alzheimer's disease, where symptoms referred to as ‘mild behavioural impairment’ (MBI) have been shown to predict conversion to dementia and to hasten cognitive/functional decline. However, the association between NPS and cerebrovascular risk factors has been poorly investigated, despite the high prevalence of the latter among individuals with MCI. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between MBI and cerebrovascular risk in a clinical sample of non‐demented elders.

Methods

Sixty‐five MCI and 15 cognitively unimpaired older adults were cross‐sectionally assessed with the Mild Behavioural Impairment Checklist (MBI‐C), using the cut‐off score > 6.5 to define positive screening. Participants were submitted to the Hachinski Ischaemic Score (HIS) to account for cerebrovascular symptoms, vascular risk, and related comorbidities. Neuroimaging scans (magnetic resonance imaging and/or 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography) and apolipoprotein E genotype were obtained.

Results

Positive associations were found between total MBI‐C scores and increasing number of comorbidities present (0–2 comorbidities), but not with three comorbidities. Two domains of the MBI‐C—impulse dyscontrol and social inappropriateness—followed the same trend of the MBI‐C total score, with higher scores with the increasing numbers of comorbidities. No significant associations were found between MBI symptoms and HIS or cerebrovascular burden in neuroimaging assessment.

Conclusion

We found weak associations between MBI‐C total score and the presence of comorbidities with cerebrovascular risk, but not with structural or functional neuroimaging abnormalities or HIS. This finding may represent that the presence of comorbidities adds limited risk to the occurrence of MBI in this sample of non‐demented elders.
Risk‐based Decision Making Definition: A Scoping Review of Food, Agricultural, Environmental, and Medical Literature
Authors: Morgan Kara M. , Crawford Ashley , Kowalcyk Barbara B.
Published: October 2021

Risk‐based decision making (RBDM) is a term that is used frequently as an aspirational goal in many fields, including health, engineering, environmental science, regulatory and, more recently, food safety. When RBDM is used in the literature, many different types of criteria are used to characterize a decision process as being “risk‐based.” Like the parable about the blind men and the elephant, everyone is confident they know what RBDM means even though there is no universal definition. The use of RBDM is gaining wide acceptance and implies a level of rigor and focus that many decisionmakers and stakeholders are interested in adopting. However, without one clear definition, there are questions about what a RBDM approach really means. This study summarizes peer‐reviewed and gray literature that uses the term “RBDM” from the last 50 years in the agricultural, environmental, and medical areas. The criteria discussed were identified and organized into themes. A foundational definition is proposed to represent the most fundamental use of RBDM in the literature, and three themes covering the additional concepts presented in some of the literature were identified and added as themes within the definition. Results from this research will inform practitioners interested in following the principles of RBDM, and will help guide researchers who are interested in advancing this approach. The most immediate use will be to guide the development of a roadmap for a risk‐based food safety system for low‐ and middle‐income countries and to aid the global food safety community in moving toward RBDM.
A computable general equilibrium model as a banking sector regulatory tool in South Africa
Authors: Beyers Frederik J.C. , De Freitas Allan , Essel‐Mensah Kojo A. , Seymore Reyno , Tsomocos Dimitrios P.
Published: October 2021

A computable general equilibrium (CGE) model is used as a regulatory tool for the banking sector in South Africa. The model is used to determine the effects of regulatory penalties, capital adequacy requirements (CAR) and the monetary policy on the economy. Our results indicate that there is a trade‐off between the default and the CAR regulation. For example, when reducing the default penalty, the banks' profits increase, whereas reducing the CAR violation penalty, banks' profits decrease. Changes to the default penalty have a stronger impact than changes in the CAR violation penalty (i.e. when both penalties are reduced, the banks' profits increase). Moreover, regulatory policies that are targeted at different banks produce asymmetric results, as well capitalised banks with richer portfolios swiftly readjust their balance sheet and transfer the default externality to the more constrained banks and/or the private sector agents.
The unified transform for evolution equations on the half‐line with time‐periodic boundary conditions*
Authors: Fokas A. S. , van der Weele M. C.
Published: October 2021

This paper elaborates on a new approach for solving the generalized Dirichlet‐to‐Neumann map, in the large time limit, for linear evolution PDEs formulated on the half‐line with time‐periodic boundary conditions. First, by employing the unified transform (also known as the Fokas method) it can be shown that the solution becomes time‐periodic for large . Second, it is shown that the coefficients of the Fourier series of the unknown boundary values can be determined explicitly in terms of the coefficients of the Fourier series of the given boundary data in a very simple, algebraic way. This approach is illustrated for second‐order linear evolution equations and also for linear evolution equations containing spatial derivatives of arbitrary order. The simple and explicit determination of the unknown boundary values is based on the “‐equation”, which for the linearized nonlinear Schrödinger equation is the linear limit of the quadratic ‐equation introduced by Lenells and Fokas [Proc. R. Soc. A, 471, 2015]. Regarding the latter equation, it is also shown here that it provides a very simple, algebraic way for rederiving the remarkable results of Boutet de Monvel, Kotlyarov, and Shepelsky [Int. Math. Res. Not. issue 3, 2009] for the particular boundary condition of a single exponential.
Acid–base balance and cerebrovascular regulation
Authors: Caldwell Hannah G. , Carr Jay M. J. R. , Minhas Jatinder S. , Swenson Erik R. , Ainslie Philip N.
Published: October 2021

The regulation and defence of intracellular pH is essential for homeostasis. Indeed, alterations in cerebrovascular acid–base balance directly affect cerebral blood flow (CBF) which has implications for human health and disease. For example, changes in CBF regulation during acid–base disturbances are evident in conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetic ketoacidosis. The classic experimental studies from the past 75+ years are utilized to describe the integrative relationships between CBF, carbon dioxide tension (PCO2), bicarbonate (HCO3–) and pH. These factors interact to influence (1) the time course of acid–base compensatory changes and the respective cerebrovascular responses (due to rapid exchange kinetics between arterial blood, extracellular fluid and intracellular brain tissue). We propose that alterations in arterial [HCO3–] during acute respiratory acidosis/alkalosis contribute to cerebrovascular acid–base regulation; and (2) the regulation of CBF by direct changes in arterial vs. extravascular/interstitial PCO2 and pH – the latter recognized as the proximal compartment which alters vascular smooth muscle cell regulation of CBF. Taken together, these results substantiate two key ideas: first, that the regulation of CBF is affected by the severity of metabolic/respiratory disturbances, including the extent of partial/full acid–base compensation; and second, that the regulation of CBF is independent of arterial pH and that diffusion of CO2 across the blood–brain barrier is integral to altering perivascular extracellular pH. Overall, by realizing the integrative relationships between CBF, PCO2, HCO3– and pH, experimental studies may provide insights to improve CBF regulation in clinical practice with treatment of systemic acid–base disorders.

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Physiological mechanisms of unexplained (functional) gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Burns Grace L. , Hoedt Emily C. , Walker Marjorie M. , Talley Nicholas J. , Keely Simon
Published: October 2021

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) encompass a range of complex conditions with similar clinical characteristics and no overt pathology. Recent recognition of sub‐clinical pathologies in FGIDs, in conjunction with physiological and biochemical abnormalities including increased intestinal permeability, microbial profile alterations, differences in metabolites and extra‐intestinal manifestations of disease, call into question the designation of these conditions as ‘functional’. This is despite significant heterogeneity in both symptom profile and specifics of reported physiological abnormalities hampering efforts to determine defined mechanisms that drive onset and chronicity of symptoms. Instead, the literature demonstrates these conditions are disorders of homeostatic imbalance, with disruptions in both host and microbial function and metabolism. This imbalance is also associated with extraintestinal abnormalities including psychological comorbidities and fatigue that may be a consequence of gastrointestinal disruption. Given the exploitation of such abnormalities will be crucial for improved therapeutic selection, an enhanced understanding of the relationship between alterations in function of the gastrointestinal tract and the response of the immune system is of interest in identifying mechanisms that drive FGID onset and chronicity. Considerations for future research should include the role of sex hormones in regulating physiological functions and treatment responses in patients, as well as the importance of high‐level phenotyping of clinical, immune, microbial and physiological parameters in study cohorts. There is opportunity to examine the functional contribution of the microbiota and associated metabolites as a source of mechanistic insight and targets for therapeutic modulation.

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Introducing Archie – A Useful Tool for Teaching Archimedes’ Principle
Authors: Wannous Jarier , Kovác Milan
Published: October 2021

Archimedes’ principle has been and still is a complicated concept to understand by introductory students, especially as typically stated in physics textbooks. Take for example its statement by Bierman: “When a body is fully or partially submerged in a fluid, a buoyant force from the surrounding fluid acts on the body. The force is directed upward and has a magnitude equal to the weight of the fluid that has been displaced by the body.” The principle may seem confusing to some students when introduced using the variation of pressure between the top and bottom of an object. Such students “cannot apply Archimedes’ principle even in very simple situations.” For this reason, a 3D-printed instrument, Archie, was developed that can be used to help with the introduction of Archimedes’ principle using simple experiments and observations. This article offers an introductory description and sample measurements showing how Archie works in practice.
A Forgotten Simple Pendulum Period Equation
Authors: Hinrichsen Peter F.
Published: October 2021

The variation of the period of oscillation of a pendulum with the amplitude is known as “circular error” to clockmakers, and can easily be observed even without modern laboratory instruments. There have therefore been many approximate formulae for the pendulum period as a function of the amplitude, but the simple equation due to Denman, TD(φ0)=T0/(1−φ02/16),(1) which is more accurate than many in the literature, seems to have been forgotten.
Comparison of heuristics and metaheuristics for topology optimisation in acoustic porous materials
Authors: Ramamoorthy Vivek T. , Özcan Ender , Parkes Andrew J. , Sreekumar Abhilash , Jaouen Luc , Bécot François-Xavier
Published: October 2021

When designing sound packages, often fully filling the available space with acoustic materials is not the most absorbing solution. Better solutions can be obtained by creating cavities of air pockets, but determining the most optimal shape and topology that maximises sound absorption is a computationally challenging task. Many recent topology optimisation applications in acoustics use heuristic methods such as solid-isotropic-material-with-penalisation (SIMP) to quickly find near-optimal solutions. This study investigates seven heuristic and metaheuristic optimisation approaches including SIMP applied to topology optimisation of acoustic porous materials for absorption maximisation. The approaches tested are hill climbing, constructive heuristics, SIMP, genetic algorithm, tabu search, covariance-matrix-adaptation evolution strategy (CMA-ES), and differential evolution. All the algorithms are tested on seven benchmark problems varying in material properties, target frequencies, and dimensions. The empirical results show that hill climbing, constructive heuristics, and a discrete variant of CMA-ES outperform the other algorithms in terms of the average quality of solutions over the different problem instances. Though gradient-based SIMP algorithms converge to local optima in some problem instances, they are computationally more efficient. One of the general lessons is that different strategies explore different regions of the search space producing unique sets of solutions.
Maturity-Associated Differences in Match Running Performance in Elite Male Youth Soccer Players
Authors: Parr James , Winwood Keith , Hodson-Tole Emma , Deconinck Frederik J.A. , Hill James P. , Cumming Sean P.
Published: October 2021

Purpose: To investigate the influence of maturation on match running performance in elite male youth soccer players. Methods: A total of 37 elite male youth soccer participants from an English professional soccer academy from the U14s, U15s, and U16s age groups were assessed over the course of 1 competitive playing season (2018–2019). Relative biological maturity was assessed using percentage of predicted adult height. A global positioning system device was used between 2 and 30 (mean = 8 [5]) times on each outfield player. The position of each player in each game was defined as defender, midfielder, or attacker and spine or lateral. A total of 5 match-running metrics were collected total distance covered, high-speed running distance, very high-speed running distance, maximum speed attained, and number of accelerations. Results: Relative biological maturity was positively associated with all global positioning system running metrics for U14s. The U15/16s showed variation in the associations among the global positioning system running metrics against maturity status. A multilevel model which allowed slopes to vary was the best model for all parameters for both age groups. In the U14 age group, advanced maturation was associated with greater high-speed running distance. However, maturation did not contribute toward variance in any of the indices of running performance in the U15/16s. In the U15/16 age group, significance was observed in the spine/lateral playing positions when undertaking actions that required covering distance at high speeds. Conclusions: Maturation appeared to have an impact on match-running metrics within the U14s cohort. However, within the U15/16s, the influence of maturation on match-running metrics appeared to have less of an impact.