bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pollen colour morphs take different paths to fitness
Authors: Koski Matthew H. , Berardi Andrea E. , Galloway Laura F.
Published: February 2020

Colour phenotypes are often involved in communication and are thus under selection by species interactions. However, selection may also act on colour through correlated traits or alternative functions of biochemical pigments. Such forms of selection are instrumental in maintaining petal colour diversity in plants. Pollen colour also varies markedly, but the maintenance of this variation is little understood. InCampanula americana, pollen ranges from white to dark purple, with darker morphs garnering more pollinator visits and exhibiting elevated pollen performance under heat stress. Here, we generate an F2 population segregating for pollen colour and measure correlations with floral traits, pollen attributes and plant‐level traits related to fitness. We determine the pigment biochemistry of colour variants and evaluate maternal and paternal fitness of light and dark morphs by crossing within and between morphs. Pollen colour was largely uncorrelated with floral traits (petal colour, size, nectar traits) suggesting it can evolve independently. Darker pollen grains were larger and had higher anthocyanin content (cyanidin and peonidin) which may explain why they outperform light pollen under heat stress. Overall, pollen‐related fitness metrics were greater for dark pollen, and dark pollen sires generated seeds with higher germination potential. Conversely, light pollen plants produce 61% more flowers than dark, and 18% more seeds per fruit, suggesting a seed production advantage. Results indicate that light and dark morphs may achieve fitness through different means—dark morphs appear to have a pollen advantage whereas light morphs have an ovule advantage—helping to explain the maintenance of pollen colour variation.
Effect of genetic line, protein source, and protein level on growth, survival, and immune‐related gene expression of Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Rodriguez‐Anaya Libia Z. , Casillas‐Hernández Ramón , Flores‐Pérez María B. , Lares‐Villa Fernando , Lares‐Jiménez Luis F. , Luna‐Nevarez Pablo , Gonzalez‐Galaviz Jose R.
Published: February 2020

Two shrimp genetic lines (LGR: faster growth and LWR: higher white spot syndrome virus resistance) were evaluated with six dietary treatments containing different sources (animal and plant), and three protein levels (low, medium and high). A five‐week bioassay was conducted using Litopenaeus vannamei with an average initial weight of 2.08 ± 0.06 g to determine the influence of the genetic line, protein source, and protein level on the weight gained per week, survival, and expression of immune‐related genes. The overall mean of weight gain was 1.02 g/week for LGR and 0.71 g/week for LWR. Survival was 71.7% for LGR and 78.9% for LWR. The genetic line influenced weekly weight gain and survival while a significant interaction between genetic line, protein source, and protein level, influenced the expression of immune‐related genes of shrimp. The data suggested that a diet containing plant‐based protein (30–35%) at medium level was sufficient to obtain adequate values of weekly weight gain and survival without affecting the immune response. However, LGR showed higher weight gain, and LWR increased survival and gene expression levels related to the immune response. These results could be of interest on feed formulation for aquatic organisms and feeding strategies of farmed shrimp.
Eyewitness metamemory predicts identification performance in biased and unbiased line‐ups
Authors: Saraiva Renan Benigno , van Boeijen Inger , Hope Lorraine , Horselenberg Robert , Sauerland Melanie , van Koppen Peter J.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Distinguishing accurate from inaccurate identifications is a challenging issue in the criminal justice system, especially for biased police line‐ups. That is because biased line‐ups undermine the diagnostic value of accuracy post‐dictors such as confidence and decision time. Here, we aimed to test general and eyewitness‐specific self‐ratings of memory capacity as potential estimators of identification performance that are unaffected by line‐up bias.

Methods

Participants (N = 744) completed a metamemory assessment consisting of the Multifactorial Metamemory Questionnaire and the Eyewitness Metamemory Scale and took part in a standard eyewitness paradigm. Following the presentation of a mock‐crime video, they viewed either biased or unbiased line‐ups.

Results

Self‐ratings of discontentment with eyewitness memory ability were indicative of identification accuracy for both biased and unbiased line‐ups. Participants who scored low on eyewitness metamemory factors also displayed a stronger confidence–accuracy calibration than those who scored high.

Conclusions

These results suggest a promising role for self‐ratings of memory capacity in the evaluation of eyewitness identifications, while also advancing theory on self‐assessments for different memory systems.
The paradox of the Hauraki Gulf snapper population: Testing the nursery habitat concept
Authors: Parsons Darren M. , Buckthought Dane , Edhouse Scott , Lohrer Andrew Martin
Published: February 2020

Juvenile nursery habitats are a critical requirement for the maintenance of some fish populations. Snapper in northern New Zealand is hypothesised to fit this nursery habitat model; however, nursery habitat association and dependency are poorly understood for New Zealand's largest snapper population in the Hauraki Gulf. To better understand habitat usage by post‐settlement snapper and identify potential nursery habitats, we surveyed fish communities across a range of structured benthic habitats using fixed‐position seabed cameras in Kawau Bay, in the northwestern Hauraki Gulf. Results indicated a low overall abundance of post‐settlement snapper, relative to previous surveys at a nearby harbour outside of the Hauraki Gulf. There were also amongst‐habitat differences in Kawau Bay, with post‐settlement snapper and fish diversity higher in association with horse mussels relative to bare sediment. We anticipated high abundance of post‐settlement snapper at restored green‐lipped mussel bed sites, but abundance was again low relative to previous surveys outside of the Gulf. While Hauraki Gulf locations other than Kawau Bay may serve as nursery habitats with abundant populations of post‐settlement snapper, another possibility is that post‐settlement snapper habitat may not be as limiting within the expansive semi‐sheltered Hauraki Gulf (potentially following an Effective Juvenile Habitat model). This hypothesis requires further investigation, as the answer could alter the emphasis of habitat conservation and restoration efforts in the area.
Using multiple self‐regulated learning measures to understand medical students' biomedical science learning
Authors: Gandomkar Roghayeh , Yazdani Kamran , Fata Ladan , Mehrdad Ramin , Mirzazadeh Azim , Jalili Mohammad , Sandars John
Published: February 2020

Context

Understanding self‐regulated learning (SRL) is complicated due to the different measures used to identify the key SRL processes. There is a growing trend in applying event measures of SRL (microanalysis and trace) but aptitude measures (questionnaires) continue to be widely used in medical education. A major concern is whether aptitude measures are a valid approach to capture the dimensions of SRL processes. This study examined correlations between SRL microanalysis, SRL trace and the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) and how these measures were associated with biomedical science performance.

Methods

An SRL microanalysis assessment interview was administered to 76 first‐year medical students individually when performing a biomedical science learning task. All written materials by students were collected for further trace analysis. Students completed an MSLQ 2 weeks before completing their biomedical science course. Correlation analyses were used to determine the correlations between the three SRL assessment measures. Bivariate and multiple analyses were conducted to compare students on different course or task performance using the three SRL assessment measures.

Results

Microanalytic metacognitive monitoring (κ = 0.30, P < .001) and causal attributions (κ = 0.17, P = .009) had statistically significant correlations with use of the SRL trace strategy. MSLQ self‐efficacy correlated with microanalytic self‐efficacy (r = .39, P = .001). Bivariate tests showed that microanalytic metacognitive monitoring, causal attributions and adaptive inferences, and SRL trace strategy use had significant associations with task performance (P < .05). Microanalytic self‐efficacy, metacognitive monitoring and causal attributions, SRL trace strategy use and MSLQ self‐efficacy had significant associations with course performance (P < .05). Measures of use of the SRL trace strategy and MSLQ subscales did not show significant associations with task and course outcomes in multiple analyses (P > .05).

Conclusions

Event measures, specifically SRL microanalysis, had greater associations with both task and course outcomes compared with the MSLQ measure. The SRL microanalysis is recommended for the assessment of SRL in biomedical science learning. However, to fully understand medical students’ SRL a multidimensional assessment approach that combines event and aptitude measures should be used.
No context, no content, no problem
Authors: Nowak Ethan
Published: February 2020

Recently, philosophers have offered compelling reasons to think that demonstratives are best represented as variables, sensitive not to the context of utterance, but to a variable assignment. Variablists typically explain familiar intuitions about demonstratives—intuitions that suggest that what is said by way of a demonstrative sentence varies systematically over contexts—by claiming that contexts initialize a particular assignment of values to variables. I argue that we do not need to link context and the assignment parameter in this way, and that we would do better not to.
“We Confess that we are Atheists”
Authors: Bullivant Stephen
Published: February 2020

In the immortal words of Herbert McCabe, ‘Whatever we are referring to when we use the word “God” it can no more be a god than it can be a model aeroplane or half-past eleven’ (God Still Matters). This striking idea – the “atheism” of true Christianity – has, in fact, a long pedigree. This paper traces its history from the early Church to the Angelic Doctor himself. The essential point is this: if our God really is who Christians claim God is, then all our words about God – including the word “god” – must necessarily fall short.
Mildew Locus O facilitates colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in angiosperms
Authors: Jacott Catherine N. , Charpentier Myriam , Murray Jeremy D. , Ridout Christopher J.
Published: February 2020

Loss of barley Mildew Resistance Locus O (MLO) is known to confer durable and robust resistance to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis), a biotrophic fungal leaf pathogen. Based on the increased expression of MLO in mycorrhizal roots and its presence in a clade of the MLO family that is specific to mycorrhizal‐host species, we investigated the potential role of MLO in arbuscular mycorrhizal interactions.

Using mutants from barley (Hordeum vulgare), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and Medicago truncatula, we demonstrate a role for MLO in colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis.

Early mycorrhizal colonization was reduced in mlo mutants of barley, wheat, and M. truncatula, and this was accompanied by a pronounced decrease in the expression of many of the key genes required for intracellular accommodation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

These findings show that clade IV MLOs are involved in the establishment of symbiotic associations with beneficial fungi, a role that has been appropriated by powdery mildew.
Why young women gain weight: A narrative review of influencing factors and possible solutions
Authors: Pegington Mary , French David P. , Harvie Michelle N.
Published: February 2020

Significant weight gain occurs in women during young adulthood, which increases risk of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many cancers. This review aims to inform future individually targeted weight gain prevention programmes and summarizes possible targets: key life events, mediators that influence energy intake and physical activity levels, and moderators that could identify groups of women at greatest risk. Life events affecting weight include pregnancy and motherhood, smoking cessation, marriage and cohabiting, attending university, and possibly bereavement. Research has identified successful methods for preventing weight gain associated with pregnancy and motherhood, which could now be used in practice, but evidence is inconclusive for preventing weight gain around other life events. Weight gain is mediated by lack of knowledge and skills around food and nutrition, depression, anxiety, stress, satiety, neural responses, and possibly sleep patterns and premenstrual cravings. A paucity of research exists into altering these to limit weight gain. Moderators include socioeconomic status, genetics, personality traits, and eating styles. More research is required to identify at‐risk females and engage them in weight gain prevention. There is a need to address evidence gaps highlighted and implement what is currently known to develop effective strategies to limit weight gain in young women.
Investigating self‐concept in self‐harm: A repertory grid study
Authors: Taylor Peter J. , Usher Sunny , Jomar Khowla , Forrester Rebecca
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The way that individuals perceive themselves and others may be relevant in understanding difficulties with self‐harm. Repertory grids provide a relatively underutilized means of investigating self‐concept in people who self‐harm. This study aimed to examine the association between self‐concept, captured through a repertory grid method, and self‐harm.

Method

Ninety‐eight participants with a history of self‐harm took part in the study. A repertory grid was used to derive distances between four elements (‘current self’, ‘ideal self’, ‘self‐harming self’, and ‘others who self‐harm’). Associations between these distances and measures of self‐harm behaviour, well‐being and perceived recovery, were estimated.

Results

Repertory grid distances were significantly associated with self‐harm. When adjusting for covariates, self‐harm in the past year was positively associated with a greater distance (or less perceived similarity) between current and ideal self, and a smaller distance (greater perceived similarity) between current self and others who self‐harm. Repertory grid distances were also associated with well‐being and perceived recovery.

Conclusions

The results are consistent with the idea that self‐perception is associated with self‐harm and related difficulties. The results also highlight the potential utility of repertory grids as a tool for exploring self‐concept. The cross‐sectional nature of the study precludes inferences about directionality or the temporal characteristics of associations.

Practitioner points

More recent experiences of self‐harm may be reflected in the way individuals perceive or construe themselves.

The way in which individuals who self‐harm perceive or construe themselves may also be related to their current well‐being and perceived recovery.

Repertory grids may be a useful tool in clinical practice for investigating self‐concept in those who self‐harm.

Repertory grids may provide a more idiographic, clinical outcome assessment in those who self‐harm.
Genomic prediction of grain yield in commercial Finnish oat (Avena sativa) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) breeding programmes
Authors: Haikka Hanna , Knürr Timo , Manninen Outi , Pietilä Leena , Isolahti Mika , Teperi Esa , Mäntysaari Esa A. , Strandén Ismo
Published: February 2020

Genomic selection has been adopted in many plant breeding programmes. In this paper, we cover some aspects of information necessary before starting genomic selection. Spring oat and barley breeding data sets from commercial breeding programmes were studied using single, multitrait and trait‐assisted models for predicting grain yield. Heritabilities were higher when estimated using multitrait models compared to single‐trait models. However, no corresponding increase in prediction accuracy was observed in a cross‐validation scenario. On the other hand, forward prediction showed a slight, but not significant, increase in accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values for breeding cohorts when a multitrait model was applied. When a correlated trait was used in a trait‐assisted model, on average the accuracies increased by 9%–14% for oat and by 11%–28% for barley compared with a single‐trait model. Overall, accuracies in forward validation varied between breeding cohorts and years for grain yield. Forward prediction accuracies for multiple cohorts and multiple years’ data are reported for oat for the first time.
Association between tumor characteristics and second primary cancers with cutaneous melanoma survival: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Zheng Guoqiao , Chattopadhyay Subhayan , Sundquist Kristina , Sundquist Jan , Försti Asta , Hemminki Akseli , Hemminki Kari
Published: February 2020

The increased survival in malignant cutaneous melanoma (melanoma) is probably due to early diagnosis combined with improved treatment most recently. National health campaigns and screening programs for melanoma detection were started in Sweden several decades ago. We want to assess the influence of tumor characteristics, based on the TNM classification, and of second primary cancers on overall survival in melanoma. We used the Swedish Cancer Registry to assess all‐cause survival in melanoma from 2003 to 2015. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using multivariable Cox regression models. A total of 19,773 melanoma patients were diagnosed with TNM data. Survival showed a strong improving trend over time (p‐trend <.001). T1a was the most common classification (48.0% of all), while higher T class was associated systematically with worse survival (p‐trend <.001). For distant metastases, the HR was 3.17, accounting for 0.9% of the patients. Any types of second primary cancers, other than melanoma, were associated with an HR of 2.00, accounted for 6.7% of all cases. Even if melanoma survival in Sweden ranks among the best national rates, the large percentage of patients with advanced tumors (T3b, T4a, and T4b, 17%) and 21% of deaths with T1a call for improved preventive and follow‐up strategies.
Activity limitation in children with cerebral palsy and parenting stress, depression, and self‐esteem: A structural equation model
Authors: Park Eun‐Young , Kim Jung‐Hee
Published: February 2020

Background

The challenges associated with the activity limitation and participation constraints of children with cerebral palsy may increase their parents' stress. The present study aims to identify the factors associated with parenting stress in mothers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to test the multidimensional assumptions of the condition, focusing on the relationship between stress, self‐esteem, and depression among parents and the activity limitation of their children.

Methods

We used structural equation modeling to examine the relationships between activity limitation (gross and fine motor, and communication function) in children with CP and their mothers' depression, self‐esteem, and parenting stress. The participants were 217 children with CP (123 boys; 94 girls). The mean age of the children involved in the study was 6.61 (SD = 2.76). The types of CP were spastic (71.0%), dyskinetic / athetotic (7.8%), ataxic (4.6%), and mixed (5.5%). We further used structural equation modeling to investigate the mediating influence of depression and self‐esteem on parent‐child relationships, and the direct effects on parenting stress.

Results

The proposed model showed excellent fit indices. Activity limitation had an indirect effect and depression had a direct effect on self‐esteem. Activity limitation and depression had effects on parenting stress both directly and indirectly, whereas self‐esteem had only a direct effect on parenting stress.

Conclusions

The results highlight the importance of identifying parental depression and self‐esteem as predictive variables for parenting stress among parents of children with CP, as well as children's activity limitation.
Chaetopterus variopedatus Bioluminescence: A Review of Light Emission within a Species Complex
Authors: Mirza Jeremy D. , Migotto Álvaro E. , Yampolsky Ilia V. , de Moraes Gabriela V. , Tsarkova Aleksandra S. , Oliveira Anderson G.
Published: February 2020

Chaetopterus variopedatus has been studied for over a century in terms of its physiology, ecology and life history. One focus of research is on its intrinsic bioluminescent emissions, which can be observed as a blue light emitted from the extremities of individual body segments, or as a secreted mucus. Even though research shows that C. variopedatus is a species complex miscategorized as a single species, all of the variants of this polychaete produce light, which has been investigated in terms of both physiology and biochemistry. Despite decades of study, there are still many questions about the luminescence reaction, and, as of yet, no clear function for light emission exists. This review summarizes the current knowledge on C. variopedatus luminescence in addition to briefly describing its morphology, life cycle and ecology. Possible functions for luminescence were discussed using observations of specimens found in Brazil, along with a comparison of previous studies of other luminescent organisms. Further study will provide a better understanding of how and why C. variopedatus produces luminescence, and purifying the protein and luciferin involved could lead to new bioanalytical applications, as this reaction is unique among all known luminescent systems.
An eggplant SmICE1a gene encoding MYC‐type ICE1‐like transcription factor enhances freezing tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Zhou L. , He Y. J. , Li J. , Li L. Z. , Liu Y. , Chen H. Y.
Published: February 2020

Low temperature is a crucial environmental factor affecting the quality and production of eggplant. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the molecular mechanisms of low temperature response.

We isolated an ICE (inducer of CBF expression) gene from Solanum melongena, named SmICE1a. We then analysed structure, transcriptional activity and expression patterns of SmICE1a. Moreover, we also expressed SmICE1a in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Bioinformatics and expression analysis showed that SmICE1a has a typical S‐rich motif, ZIP region, bHLH and ACT‐like domain. The gene SmICE1a had transcriptional activity in yeast and was localized to the nucleus following transient expression in tobacco leaves, which suggests that SmICE1a is a transcription factor. A dual‐LUC assay revealed that SmICE1a can enhance expression of SmCBF. Overexpression of SmICE1a in Arabidopsis increased freezing tolerance and caused multiple biochemical changes: transgenic lines have higher proline content and lower electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde than the wild type in cold conditions. The expression of AtCBF and their target genes, AtCOR15A, AtCOR47, AtKIN1 and AtRD29A, were up‐regulated in SmICE1a‐overexpressing plants under low temperatures.

Based on these results, we suggest that SmICE1a plays an important role in cold response, which may help to understand the cold response mechanism in eggplant and could be used to enhance cold tolerance of eggplant in future.
Prenatal dietary exposures and offspring body size from 6 months to 18 years: A systematic review
Authors: Litvak Jacqueline , Parekh Niyati , Deierlein Andrea
Published: February 2020

Background

In utero dietary exposures may influence childhood obesity.

Objectives

To evaluate the relationship between prenatal dietary exposures and offspring body size from 6 months to 18 years.

Data sources

Articles were identified in PubMed and Web of Science (January 2010‐March 2018) using the PRISMA guidelines. Additional studies were identified through a reference review of articles that met the inclusion criteria and related reviews.

Study selection

Prospective cohort studies that assessed dietary patterns, foods, macronutrients, or beverages during healthy pregnancy and offspring body size. The extraction of articles was done using predefined data fields.

Synthesis

One author extracted all information and evaluated bias with the NHLBI's Quality Assessment Tool.

Results

A total of 851 research articles were evaluated. Twenty‐one studies assessing dietary patterns, macronutrients, foods, and beverages met inclusion criteria. Consumption of a Mediterranean dietary pattern during pregnancy was associated with reduced body size, while refined carbohydrates were associated with offspring obesity. No association was observed between data‐driven dietary patterns and offspring body size, as well as a pro‐inflammatory diet pattern and offspring body size. Mixed and null findings were observed for the relationship between total carbohydrates, n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, protein, sugar‐sweetened beverages, and artificially sweetened beverages and offspring body size.

Conclusions

Adhering to a Mediterranean diet and limiting refined carbohydrates during pregnancy may influence offspring body size between 6 months and 18 years. The diverging results that exist between studies highlight the complexity of this topic.
Lasers in the surgical treatment of canine prostatic neoplasia and selected tumours of the male reproductive system
Authors: Tunikowska Joanna , Prządka Przemysław , Kiełbowicz Zdzisław
Published: February 2020

Light‐based technologies are applied in various fields of medicine: for example optical diagnostics, light‐activated therapy and surgery. Although light‐based surgical procedures had hardly been a novelty, the revolutionizing moment for surgery came with the first use of light to cut tissue. Nowadays, surgical lasers are routinely used across numerous medical specialties, including gynaecology and urology. They are a part of the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate carcinoma, penis carcinoma, genital skin lesions and orchidectomy. While in human urology lasers continue to establish their position as one of the standard surgical tools, veterinary patients are rarely treated with what here is still considered a technical innovation. However, through research on laser treatment of the prostate hyperplasia conducted on a canine model, veterinary medicine has gained a massive portion of data. It may prove beneficial for our clinical patients. In this review, we introduce the very principles of laser surgery as well as its current and future applications in oncologic surgery of the canine prostate gland and the male reproductive system.
Atypical presentation and pathogenesis of a macaque lymphocryptoviral‐associated B‐cell lymphoma in a cynomolgus monkey
Authors: Adedeji Adeyemi O. , Vemireddi Vimala , Tripathi Niraj , Durinck Steffen , Maher Jonathan M. , Vucic Domagoj , Halpern Wendy
Published: February 2020

We report the unique pathogenesis and presentation of a rapidly progressive B‐cell lymphoma in a 3‐year‐old female cynomolgus monkey on day 50 of a 13‐week toxicity study. Clinical pathology evaluation revealed a marked leukocytosis with bicytopenia. A serum protein electrophoresis was consistent with monoclonal gammopathy. The architecture of the lymph node, spleen, and thymus were variably effaced by neoplastic cells, which also infiltrated other tissues. Immunohistochemistry of the affected tissues confirmed a predominant population of CD20+, CD79a+, CD3‐, CD68‐, and CD34‐neoplastic cells. The full data best support a diagnosis of Stage V lymphoma. Nextgen sequencing and negative prestudy serology results suggested a recent infection by macaque lymphocryptovirus (mLCV) with a unique transcriptional profile comparable with a rarely observed direct LCV infection model. This infection model might be associated with a temporary lack of an LCV antigen‐specific cytotoxic T‐cell adaptive immune response. Consistent with the established mechanisms of LCV‐related lymphoproliferation, MYC and BCL2L11 gene expression were increased and decreased, respectively. While there was no overt immunosuppression, immunophenotyping revealed the index animal had a relatively low NK cell count, which further decreased by >50% on day 24 of the study. In addition to the temporary lack of adaptive immunity, the low NK cell counts were suggestive of an impaired innate immunity to control the virally‐transformed cells and the subsequent unchecked lymphoproliferation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Stage V lymphoma with a unique pathogenesis in an otherwise immunocompetent cynomolgus monkey.
Aspectos biomédicos del accidente ofídico
Authors: Sarmiento Acuña Karen
Published: February 2020

En Colombia el accidente ofídico constituye un problema de salud pública que tiene su mayor incidencia en la zona rural, donde se ha observado un déficit de conocimientos en los médicos en cuanto al diagnóstico y tratamiento del ofidismo, así como en el adecuado manejo de los sueros antiofídicos.Debido a esto se decidió hacer una revisión sistemática de artículos en Pubmed y bibliotecas especializadas, con el objetivo de revisar la información disponible a nivel nacional sobre el ofidismo, que dio como resultado el presente artículo, que abarca de manera general las bases diagnósticas del envenenamiento ofídico y el tratamiento médico basado en los antídotos disponibles en el país.Como conclusión, cabe resaltar la importancia de tener en cuenta lo que no se debe hacer en casos de accidente ofídico, ya que representa la principal medida preventiva de complicaciones.
Identificación de los factores de riesgo encontrados en pacientes mayores de sesenta años que desarrollaron delírium durante su hospitalización en el Hospital Universitario de San Ignacio, en Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Torres Diana , Ruiz Sánchez Carolina , Zarco Luis Alfonso
Published: February 2020

Introducción: La presencia de factores precipitantes de delírium, sumados a los factores predisponentes, incrementa significativamente el riesgo de desarrollarlo durante una hospitalización.Objetivos: Conocer los factores predisponentes y precipitantes de delírium en un hospital de cuarto nivel de Bogotá.Metodología: Un estudio prospectivo de casos y controles en que se incluyeron pacientes mayores de sesenta años de edad, durante dos años (junio de 2005-junio de 2007), para identificar los factores de riesgo predisponentes y precipitantes de delírium más frecuentes. Se incluyeron 56 pacientes, de los cuales 28 desarrollaron delírium durante la hospitalización y en ellos se analizaron los factores de riesgo predisponentes y precipitantes. Se incluyeron 28 pacientes como controles que no tenían criterios de delírum y se compararon con los casos.Resultados: Dentro de los factores predisponentes más frecuentes está el uso de lentes, la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica de base, la insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva, el cáncer de base y los medicamentos; pero no se determinó que estos incrementaran de manera significativa el riesgo de delírium; mientras que dentro de los factores precipitantes fue significativa la presencia de infecciones, en particular las de vías urinarias, y neumonías, para incrementar el riesgo con un OR de 3,66 y una p = 0,028.Conclusiones: Las infecciones deben ser tenidas en cuenta como factor que incrementa el riesgo de delírium.
Effects of Mindfulness Practice on Performance and Factors Related to Performance in Long-Distance Running: A Systematic Review
Authors: Corbally Linda , Wilkinson Mick , Fothergill Melissa A.
Published: February 2020

Fatigue, boredom, pain, performance anxiety, and negative thoughts are challenges characteristic of competitive running. One psychological technique that is gaining support and has been successfully implemented in sport is the practice of mindfulness. Where conventional psychological skills training interventions aim to change dysfunctional thoughts and emotions, mindfulness focuses on altering the relationship to physiological and psychological states. This could help in dealing with the demands of distance running but this has yet to be examined. This article was focused on reviewing mindfulness interventions on performance and performance-based factors in long distance running, assessing (a) mindfulness scores, (b) physiological performance-related factors, (c) psychological performance-related factors, and (d) performance outcomes. A search of relevant electronic databases yielded seven studies which met the inclusion criteria. The review provided some tentative support for the use of mindfulness interventions regarding: reducing competitive anxiety, attenuating immune responses to high-intensity running, and increasing state mindfulness. However, due to the methodological weaknesses of studies more research is required using high-quality randomized controlled trial designs.
NIH director pledges action on harassment after report
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: February 2020

Panel recommends a process parallel to one for research misconduct.
AAAS Local Science Engagement Network gets under way
Authors: Hoy Anne Q.
Published: February 2020

Scientists seek to inform Missouri and Colorado policy-makers and climate solutions for communities
Mitochondrial DNA promotes autoimmunity
Authors: Crow Mary K.
Published: February 2020

Stressed mitochondria leak DNA fragments that induce inflammation
Peptidic catalysts for macrocycle synthesis
Authors: Collar Aarón Gutiérrez , Gulder Tanja
Published: February 2020

A heptapeptide pulls aldehyde groups of a molecule together for elusive ring-closing reactions
Piezoelectricity drives organic synthesis
Authors: Xia Hesheng , Wang Zhenhua
Published: February 2020

Ball milling allows for solvent-free mechanoredox catalysis
Targeted drugs ramp up cancer mutability
Authors: Gerlinger Marco
Published: February 2020

Drug-induced mutagenesis may accelerate cancer evolution and resistance
Free at last: Bose metal uncaged
Authors: Phillips Philip W.
Published: February 2020

A metallic phase disrupts the classic two-state superconductor-insulator picture
Potency of Vaborbactam Is Less Affected than That of Avibactam in Strains Producing KPC-2 Mutations That Confer Resistance to Ceftazidime-Avibactam
Authors: Tsivkovski Ruslan , Lomovskaya Olga
Published: February 2020

Resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam due to mutations in KPC genes has been reported both
in vitro
and in clinical settings. The most frequently reported mutation leads to the amino acid substitution D179Y in the Ω loop of the enzyme. Bacterial cells that carry mutant KPC acquire a higher level of ceftazidime resistance, become more sensitive to other cephalosporins, and almost completely lose resistance to carbapenems. In this study, we demonstrated that two substitutions in KPC-2, D179Y and L169P, reduce the ability of avibactam to enhance the activity of ceftazidime, cefepime, or piperacillin against isogenic efflux-deficient strains of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, 8- to 32-fold and 4- to 16-fold for the D179Y and L169P variants, respectively, depending on the antibiotic.
The Toxoplasma gondii Cyst Wall Interactome
Authors: Tu Vincent , Tomita Tadakimi , Sugi Tatsuki , Mayoral Joshua , Han Bing , Yakubu Rama R. , Williams Tere , Horta Aline , Ma Yanfen , Weiss Louis M.
Published: February 2020

A model of the cyst wall interactome was constructed using proteins identified through BioID. The proteins within this cyst wall interactome model encompass several proteins identified in a prior characterization of the cyst wall proteome. This model provides a more comprehensive understanding of the composition of the cyst wall and may lead to insights on how the cyst wall is formed.
Listeria monocytogenes Exploits Mitochondrial Contact Site and Cristae Organizing System Complex Subunit Mic10 To Promote Mitochondrial Fragmentation and Cellular Infection
Authors: Carvalho Filipe , Spier Anna , Chaze Thibault , Matondo Mariette , Cossart Pascale , Stavru Fabrizia
Published: February 2020

Pathogenic bacteria can target host cell organelles to take control of key cellular processes and promote their intracellular survival, growth, and persistence. Mitochondria are essential, highly dynamic organelles with pivotal roles in a wide variety of cell functions. Mitochondrial dynamics and function are intimately linked. Our previous research showed that
Listeria monocytogenes
infection impairs mitochondrial function and triggers fission of the mitochondrial network at an early infection stage, in a process that is independent of the presence of the main mitochondrial fission protein Drp1. Here, we analyzed how mitochondrial proteins change in response to
L. monocytogenes
infection and found that infection raises the levels of Mic10, a mitochondrial inner membrane protein involved in formation of cristae. We show that Mic10 is important for
L. monocytogenes
-dependent mitochondrial fission and infection of host cells. Our findings thus offer new insight into the mechanisms used by
L. monocytogenes
to hijack mitochondria to optimize host infection.
RNA-Seq Analysis Illuminates the Early Stages of
Plasmodium
Liver Infection
Authors: Toro-Moreno Maria , Sylvester Kayla , Srivastava Tamanna , Posfai Dora , Derbyshire Emily R.
Published: February 2020

The LS of
Plasmodium
infection is an asymptomatic yet necessary stage for producing blood-infective parasites, the causative agents of malaria. Blocking the liver stage of the life cycle can prevent clinical malaria, but relatively less is known about the parasite’s biology at this stage. Using the rodent model
P. berghei
, we investigated whole-transcriptome changes occurring as early as 2 hpi of hepatocytes. The transcriptional profiles of early time points (2, 4, 12, and 18 hpi) have not been accessible before due to the technical challenges associated with liver-stage infections. Our data now provide insights into these early parasite fluxes that may facilitate establishment of infection, transformation, and replication in the liver.
Patients’ perspectives of tuberculosis treatment challenges and barriers to treatment adherence in Ukraine: a qualitative study
Authors: Aibana Omowunmi , Dauria Emily , Kiriazova Tetiana , Makarenko Olena , Bachmaha Mariya , Rybak Natasha , Flanigan Timothy Palen , Petrenko Vasyl , Becker Anne E , Murray Megan B
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To understand the challenges faced by patients with tuberculosis (TB) and factors that influence TB treatment adherence in Ukraine.

Design

Qualitative study.

Setting

TB treatment facilities in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine.

Participants

Sixty adults who had undergone treatment for drug-sensitive TB between June 2012 and August 2015.

Methods

We conducted semistructured, in-depth, individual interviews among a purposively selected clinical sample of patients previously treated for drug-sensitive TB. Interview content encompassed WHO’s framework for barriers to adherence to long-term therapies and included questions about patient preferences and motivators concerning treatment adherence. We examined treatment experience across strata defined by previously identified risk correlates of non-adherence.

Results

Among 60 participants, 19 (32.8%) were HIV positive, 12 (20.3%) had substance use disorder and 9 (15.0%) had not completed TB treatment. Respondents discussed the psychological distress associated with hospital-based TB care, as well as perceived unsupportive, antagonistic interactions with TB providers as major challenges to treatment adherence. An additional barrier to successful treatment completion included the financial toll of lost income during TB treatment, which was exacerbated by the additional costs of ancillary medications and transportation to ambulatory TB clinics. The high pill burden of TB treatment also undermined adherence. These challenges were endorsed among participants with and without major risk factors for non-adherence.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight important barriers to TB treatment adherence in this study population and suggest specific interventions that may be beneficial in mitigating high rates of poor treatment outcomes for TB in Ukraine.
Using the Kirkpatrick Model to evaluate the Maternity and Neonatal Emergencies (MANE) programme: Background and study protocol
Authors: Cullinane Meabh , McLachlan Helen L , Newton Michelle S , Zugna Stefanie A , Forster Della A
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Over 310 000 women gave birth in Australia in 2016, with approximately 80 000 births in the state of Victoria. While most of these births occur in metropolitan Melbourne and other large regional centres, a significant proportion of Victorian women birth in local rural health services. The Victorian state government recently mandated the provision of a maternal and neonatal emergency training programme, called Maternal and Newborn Emergencies (MANE), to rural and regional maternity service providers across the state. MANE aims to educate maternity and newborn care clinicians about recognising and responding to clinical deterioration in an effort to improve clinical outcomes. This paper describes the protocol for an evaluation of the MANE programme.

Methods and analysis

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of MANE in relation to: clinician confidence, skills and knowledge; changes in teamwork and collaboration; and consumer experience and satisfaction, and will explore and describe any governance changes within the organisations after MANE implementation. The Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model will provide a framework for the evaluation. The participants of MANE, 27 rural and regional Victorian health services ranging in size from approximately 20 to 1000 births per year, will be invited to participate. Baseline data will be collected from maternity service staff and consumers at each health service before MANE delivery, and at four time-points post-MANE delivery. There will be four components to data collection: a survey of maternity services staff; follow-up interviews with Maternity Managers at health services 4 months after MANE delivery; consumer feedback from all health services collected through the Victorian Healthcare Experience Survey; case studies with five regional or rural health service providers.

Ethics and dissemination

This evaluation has been approved by the La Trobe University Science, Health and Engineering College Human Ethics Sub-Committee. Findings will be presented to project stakeholders in a deidentified report, and disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
Scoping review of pharmacy-based initiatives for preventing unintended pregnancy: protocol
Authors: Buckingham Philippa , Amos Natalie , Hussainy Safeera Yasmeen , Mazza Danielle
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Due to a high global incidence of unintended pregnancy, finding novel ways to increase the accessibility of contraceptive products and information is critical. One proposed strategy is to use the accessibility of community pharmacies and expand the role of pharmacists to deliver these services. This protocol reports the methods of a proposed scoping review of pharmacy-based initiatives for preventing unintended pregnancy. We intend to identify the range of interventions employed by pharmacists worldwide and their outcomes and aim to infer the value of task sharing for reducing certain access and equity barriers to contraception.

Methods and analysis

This protocol was developed with guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute Methodology for Scoping Reviews. Reporting is compliant with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) protocols. The scoping review will be reported according to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. Seven electronic databases (PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) were systematically searched for relevant literature published in English from 2000, on 22 August 2019. Two authors will individually screen articles for eligibility in Covidence and data will be charted and reported using a tool developed for the purpose of this review.

Ethics and dissemination

Findings will be disseminated in publications and presentations with relevant stakeholders. Ethical approval is not required as we will be using data from publicly available literature sources. We will map available evidence across the breadth of studies that have been conducted and identify the effectiveness and acceptability of interventions.
ABO blood groups and hepatitis B virus infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jing Wenzhan , Zhao Siyu , Liu Jue , Liu Min
Published: February 2020

Objective

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem worldwide. Several studies have reported that ABO blood groups may be associated with HBV infection. However, its association is still controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate whether ABO blood groups were associated with HBV infection.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Relevant studies available before 1 December 2019 were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and the Cochrane Library.

Eligibility criteria

All cross-sectional or cohort studies from which the data of ABO blood group distribution and HBV infection could be extracted.

Data extraction and synthesis

Studies were identified and extracted by two reviewers independently. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs were pooled by random-effect models to quantify this association.

Results

Thirty-eight eligible articles including 241 868 HBV-infected subjects and 6 487 481 uninfected subjects were included. Overall, the risk of HBV infection had decreased by 8% in subjects with blood group B when compared with non-B blood group (RR=0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.98). In the subgroup analyses, the inverse relationship between blood group B and HBV infection remained stable in higher endemic areas (HBV prevalence ≥5%), Asian people, larger sample size studies (≥2000), general population and blood donors, lower middle income group and studies published before the year 2010. Additionally, subjects with blood group O had a 12% increased risk of HBV infection (RR=1.12, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.24) in higher endemic areas. In the sensitivity analysis, the pooled risk estimates of blood group B and HBV infection were still stable.

Conclusions

Our data suggested that the blood group B was associated with a lower risk of HBV infection. More research is needed to clarify the precise role of the ABO blood group in HBV infection to address the global question of HBV infection.