bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transport von Verstorbenen nach abgeschlossenem Nachweis des irreversiblen Hirnfunktionsausfalls zur Multiorganentnahme
Authors: Frings Gero , Jansen Scarlett
Published: April 2024

Viele Krankenhäuser verfügen nicht mehr über genügend Infrastruktur, um Multiorganentnahmen
durchzuführen. Daher kann es mitunter erforderlich sein, potentielle Organspender nach Feststellung
des irreversiblen Hirnfunktionsausfalls an ein anderes Krankenhaus zu transportieren. Damit die Organe
später transplantiert werden können, sind auch während des Transports intensiv-medizinische
Bedingungen erforderlich. Dem entgegen stehen jedoch prima facie viele Bestattungsgesetze der Länder,
die den Transport von Verstorbenen teils nur in Leichenwagen zulassen. Es stellt sich daher die Frage,
ob hirntote potentielle Organspender als Leiche im Sinne dieser Gesetze gelten oder ob auf anderem Wege
der Transport mit geeigneten Beförderungsmitteln ermöglicht werden kann. Insoweit kommt auch
eine Reform des Transplantationsgesetzes in Betracht.
The confidence and competence of primary school staff to administer an adrenaline auto-injector
Authors: Donovan P. , O’Connor P.
Published: April 2024

School teachers are often inadequately prepared to use an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI), resulting in potentially dangerous treatment delays. The purpose of this study was to assess the observed competence, and self-reported confidence, of primary school teachers in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) to use an AAI. An evaluation of whether there was a link between confidence and competence was also assessed. Teachers from four primary schools in the RoI completed a questionnaire to assess their prior level of experience, training, and confidence levels with AAI administration. The four steps in administrating trainer AAI to a mannequin simulator were then assessed. A total of 61 teachers participated (out of a population of 80). The mean self-reported confidence was 1.82 out of 5 (SD = 0.96). There was no significant difference in confidence between trained and untrained participants (U = 240.5, NS). Participants who had received AAI administration training performed significantly more of the steps correctly (mean = 3.85, SD = 0.95) as compared to those who had received no training (mean = 2.97, SD = 1.10; U = 180.5, p = 0.008). There was no correlation between confidence in administrating AAI and the percentage of steps in the procedure performed correctly (rho =  −0.17, NS).

  Conclusion: Improvements in readiness to administer AAIs can be achieved through the application of more effective approaches to teaching clinical skills, changes to school policies and practices, and consideration of the design of AAIs in order to make their operation safer and simpler. It is important that teachers have the confidence and competence to safely administer an AAI.

What is Known:• Poor ability in adrenaline auto-injector use seen across population groups—healthcare professionals, patients, carers, and school staff• Training in the use of adrenaline auto-injectors has positive impact on competency

What is New:• Irish school teachers show poor levels of competency in adrenaline auto-injector use• No observed correlation between reported confidence and competency
Camalexin quantification using HPLC and the novel internal standard thiabendazole
Authors: Großkinsky Dominik K. , Primisser Stefanie M. , Reichenauer Thomas , Pfeifhofer Hartwig
Published: April 2024

Camalexin is the key phytoalexin in Arabidopsis thaliana and crops such as Camelina sativa. It is typically quantified by liquid chromatographic methods using camalexin dilutions as external standards. Alternatively, 6-fluoroindole-3-carboxaldehyde (6-FICA) is used as an internal standard with the advantage that identical conditions can be used for the analyte and standard, but two detectors are needed (ideally fluorescence for camalexin; UV for 6-FICA). We established an easy method to use readily available, cheap thiabendazole as a novel internal standard, facilitating the use of a fluorescence detector for standard and analyte for fast, reliable camalexin quantification in samples of diverse biological origin.
Correlates of teachers’ classroom management self-efficacy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Duan Siyu , Bissaker Kerry , Xu Zhan
Published: April 2024

This meta-analysis examined literature from the last two decades to identify factors that correlate with teachers’ classroom management self-efficacy (CMSE) and to estimate the effect size of these relationships. Online and reference list searches from international and Chinese databases yielded 1085 unique results. However, with a focus on empirical research the final sample consisted of 87 studies and 22 correlates. The findings cluster the correlates of CMSE into three categories: teacher-level factors (working experience, constructivist beliefs, teacher stress, job satisfaction, teacher commitment, teacher personality, and teacher burnout), classroom-level factors (classroom climate, classroom management, students’ misbehaviour, students’ achievement, classroom interaction, and student-teacher relationship), and school-level factors (principal leadership and school culture). The results of this meta-analysis show small to large correlations between these 15 factors with CMSE. How these factors are associated with teachers’ CMSE and recommendations for future CMSE research are discussed.
LC/MS-Based Metabolomics Reveals Chemical Variations of Two Broccoli Varieties in Relation to Their Anticholinesterase Activity: In vitro and In silico Studies
Authors: Ibrahim Rana M. , El-Shiekh Riham A. , Mohamed Osama G. , Al-Karmalawy Ahmed A. , Tripathi Ashootosh , Abdel-Baki Passent M.
Published: April 2024

Broccoli is commonly consumed as food and as medicine. However, comprehensive metabolic profiling of two broccoli varieties, Romanesco broccoli (RB) and purple broccoli (PB), in relation to their anticholinergic activity has not been fully disclosed. A total of 110 compounds were tentatively identified using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS metabolomics. Distinctively different metabolomic profiles of the two varieties were revealed by principal component analysis (PCA). Furthermore, by volcano diagram analysis, it was found that PB had a significantly higher content of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and glucosinolates, indicating the different beneficial health potentials of PB that demonstrated higher antioxidant and anticholinergic activities. Moreover, Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed 18 metabolites, mainly phenolic and sulfur compounds, as the main bioactive. The binding affinity of these biomarkers to the active sites of acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase enzymes was further validated using molecular docking studies. Results emphasize the broccoli significance as a functional food and nutraceutical source and highlight its beneficial effects against Alzheimer’s disease.
Am I a good puppet? A review essay of Escaping Paternalism: Rationality, Behavioral Economics, and Public Policy
Authors: Quintas André
Published: April 2024

What would it truly mean to treat individuals “as real people” when designing public policies? This paper addresses this question by critically assessing the arguments put forth by Mario Rizzo and Glen Whitman’s Escaping Paternalism: Rationality, Behavioral Economics, and Public Policy (2019). Rizzo and Whitman argue that the endeavor of Behavioral Economics to reintroduce psychology into economics and to critique the narrow concept of homo economicus used by neoclassical economics was commendable. However, Behavioral Economics failed to deliver the theoretical breakaway from Neoclassical Economics that it promised. They argue that while Behavioral Economics rejects neoclassical rationality descriptively, it still adheres to it normatively, a move the authors find unjustified. The authors critique libertarian paternalism, a normative branch of Behavioral Economics, for its narrow concept of rationality, emphasizing the ambiguity in determining decision failures and true preferences. Moreover, even when it is apparent that agents are behaving erroneously, implementing policy measures to rectify the situation would be an almost impossible task or, in a worst-case scenario, could have unintended negative consequences. Overall, the book excels in scrutinizing the methodological foundations of libertarian paternalism. Building on their critique, in the final chapter of the book, the authors endeavor to outline their vision for the future of behavioral public policy. They advocate for treating humans as intricate beings rather than mere marionettes.
A Qualitative Exploration of the Built Environment as a Key Mechanism of Safety and Social Cohesion for Youth in High-Violence Communities
Authors: Moss Lolita , Wu Kimberly , Tucker Amber , Durbin-Matrone Reanna , Roude Gabriella D. , Francois Samantha , Richardson Lisa , Theall Katherine P.
Published: April 2024

The characteristics of a neighborhood’s built environment may influence health-promoting behaviors, interactions between neighbors, and perceptions of safety. Although some research has reported on how youth in high-violence communities navigate danger, less work has investigated how these youth perceive the built environment, their desires for these spaces, and how these desires relate to their conceptions of safety and perceptions of other residents. To fill this gap, this study used focus group data from 51 youth ages 13–24 living in New Orleans, Louisiana. Four themes were developed using reflexive thematic analysis: community violence is distressing and disruptive, youth use and want to enjoy their neighborhood, systemic failure contributes to negative outcomes, and resources and cooperation create safety. This analysis indicates that young people desire to interact with the built environment despite the threat of community violence. They further identified built environment assets that facilitate socialization and recreation, such as local parks, and social assets in the form of cooperation and neighbor-led civic engagement initiatives. In addition, the youth participants demonstrated awareness of structural inequities that influence neighborhood health and violence-related outcomes. This study contributes to efforts to understand how youth with high levels of community violence exposure understand and interact with the built and social environments.
Soil Water Stress Effects on Potato Tuber Starch Quality Formation
Authors: Ma Yong Zhen , Pan Nian , Su Wang , Zhang Feng Jun , Ye Guang Ji , Pu Xiu Qin , Zhou Yun , Wang Jian
Published: April 2024

Soil water stress has a significant impact on crop physiology, however, the specific response of starch quality formation in potato tubers remains unreported. Here, two potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties, one with high, and the other with low tuber starch content, were grown in pots under three different soil water stress treatments, maintaining 75, 50 and 25% of soil field capacity, respectively. Soil water stress restricted potato plant growth and development, and severe stress reduced tuber yield by 47.8% relative to the control. It also inhibited tuber starch biosynthesis, which declined by 62.4% (AGPase activity) relative to the control. Furthermore, water stress reduced tuber starch accumulation by 23.6% (total starch content) relative to the control, and finally, it shortened the tuber starch gelatinization process by 1.44% (pasting temperature) compared to the control. These results reflect the soil water stress regulation mechanism on starch formation and potato tuber quality. Moreover, the study provides a scientific basis for breeding of varieties with high starch content, for improving starch quality and high-efficiency cultivation in dryland potato production.
Isaiah Berlin and Feminism: Liberty and Value Pluralism
Authors: Crowder George
Published: April 2024

Isaiah Berlin’s account of freedom is more useful for feminists than is generally recognized, especially when seen in the context of his value pluralism. Focusing on the work of Nancy Hirschmann and Sharon Krause, I argue, first, that Berlin’s concept of negative liberty can be used to resist patriarchy when his notion of the ‘conditions’ of negative liberty is taken into account. Second, positive liberty is also useful to feminists, but Berlin does not, as some feminist (and other) writers suppose, simply reject positive liberty; on the contrary, he sees it as a fundamental human value of great importance. Third, Berlin’s value pluralism makes a crucial contribution. It explains why he distinguishes negative liberty from its conditions and why he does not reject positive liberty as a value. It also explains how feminists can see the value in both negative and positive liberty without trying, paradoxically, to fit them both into a single concept. Further, my liberal-pluralist extension of Berlin’s pluralism locates all these insights within a complex but coherent political outlook which provides a sympathetic resource for feminism.
Acute adverse events of ultra-hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery for early breast cancer in Japan: an interim analysis of the multi-institutional phase II UPBEAT study
Authors: Tokuda Peter J. K. , Mitsuyoshi Takamasa , Ono Yuka , Kishi Takahiro , Negoro Yoshiharu , Okumura Setsuko , Ikeda Itaru , Sakamoto Takashi , Kokubo Yumi , Ashida Ryo , Imagumbai Toshiyuki , Yamashita Mikiko , Tanabe Hiroaki , Takebe Sayaka , Tokiwa Mariko , Suzuki Eiji , Yamauchi Chikako , Yoshimura Michio , Mizowaki Takashi , Kokubo Masaki ,   the Kyoto Radiation Oncology Study Group
Published: April 2024

Background

The applicability of ultra-hypofractionated (ultra-HF) whole-breast irradiation (WBI) remains unknown in Japanese women. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this approach among Japanese women and report the results of an interim analysis performed to assess acute adverse events (AEs) and determine whether it was safe to continue this study.

Methods

We enrolled Japanese women with invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ who had undergone breast-conserving surgery, were aged ≥ 40 years, had pathological stages of Tis–T3 N0–N1, and had negative surgical margins. Ultra-HF-WBI was delivered at 26 Gy in five fractions over one week. When the number of enrolled patients reached 28, patient registration was paused for three months. The endpoint of the interim analysis was the proportion of acute AEs of grade ≥ 2 (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0) within three months.

Results

Of the 28 patients enrolled from seven institutes, 26 received ultra-HF-WBI, and 2 were excluded due to postoperative infections. No AEs of grade ≥ 3 occurred. One patient (4%) experienced grade 2 radiation dermatitis, and 18 (69%) had grade 1 radiation dermatitis. The other acute grade 1 AEs experienced were skin hyperpigmentation (n = 10, 38%); breast pain (n = 4, 15%); superficial soft tissue fibrosis (n = 3, 12%); and fatigue (n = 1, 4%). No other acute AEs of grade ≥ 2 were detected.

Conclusions

Acute AEs following ultra-HF-WBI were within acceptable limits among Japanese women, indicating that the continuation of the study was appropriate.
Simulation-based process parameter optimization for wire arc additive manufacturing
Authors: Tröger Jendrik-Alexander , Hartmann Stefan , Treutler Kai , Potschka Andreas , Wesling Volker
Published: April 2024

During manufacturing of components using wire arc additive manufacturing, specific cooling times are required to prevent overheating of the structure and geometrical distortions. Currently, these cooling times are inserted based on experience at certain interlayer temperatures — which reduces the reproducibility, leads to unwanted component properties, and increases the process time. In this contribution, instationary thermal finite element simulations are applied to compute the temperature evolution of additively manufactured components using the inactive element method. This allows to optimize the process parameters, which are — in our considerations here — the welding velocity and the cooling time of each layer, to reduce the total process time while achieving sufficient component properties. The optimization is carried out with the gradient-free Nelder–Mead simplex algorithm, where certain constraints of the process parameters are considered via penalty functions. To obtain reasonable simulation results, the temperature-dependent heat transfer of the experimental setup is modeled and calibrated with experimental data beforehand. It becomes apparent that thermal finite element simulations combined with a gradient-free optimization procedure are a suitable numerical tool to perform the optimization of process parameters for wire arc additive manufacturing. The optimized process parameters fulfill certain requirements regarding the cooling of the manufactured component. Moreover, the optimized parameters can significantly reduce the process time compared to manually chosen parameters. In our example, this is around 48 %.
Confronting the Bullies, Comforting the Victim, or Reporting to University Staff? Prosocial Intentions Towards Social Exclusion in University Students
Authors: Brehmer Mareike , Meyer Jennifer
Published: April 2024

Social exclusion as a form of in-person relational bullying in higher education (HE) leads to loneliness in students and puts their mental well-being at risk. Utilising and extending the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), we investigated prosocial intentions towards bullying in HE students. We included empathic concern and anticipated regret to potentially explain differences in three behavioural intentions towards bullying: comforting the victim, confronting the bullies, and reporting the bullying to the university. The sample comprised 419 participants in an online sample from the UK (MAge = 22.76 years, SDAge = 4.02 years; 47.0% male, 50.6% female, 2.4% other) who filled in a digital questionnaire consisting of a short vignette describing an in-person situation of relational bullying. Applying structural equation modelling, we examined the three prosocial behavioural intentions towards bullying as outcome variables in two models while controlling for age, gender, and socially desirable responding. Traditional TPB predictors were positively associated with confronting the bullies. Empathic concern and anticipated regret were positively associated with comforting the victim. These results demonstrate how cognitive and emotional predictors uniquely contribute to prosocial intentions towards bullying among students. We discuss practical implications for the design of anti-bullying strategies in HE.
Cities as nodes of conflict: The role of transnational corporations in urban supply chain conflicts
Authors: Jenss Alke
Published: April 2024

Much conflict studies scholarship on cities has focused on post-war urban reconstruction. However, high rates of violence and perceptions of urban insecurity, particularly in Latin America, have diluted the clear distinction between armed conflict and peace. From a different perspective, logistics studies have pointed out the conflictive impacts of goods movement on urban communities where efficient supply chains are the ultimate priority. This contribution offers an explorative reading of the 2021 protests in Colombia (‘paro urbano’) as the manifestation of a conflict in supply chain urbanism, and foregrounds the role of TNCs (transnational corporations) in escalating the conflict. Particularly in the city of Cali, protesters blocked roads and access for businesses for weeks. While contesting the national government and highlighting the extreme urban inequality exacerbated by policies primarily catered to TNCs and direct investments, they employed the role of the city as an essential logistics node as leverage in the conflict.
Revisiting soil fungal biomarkers and conversion factors: Interspecific variability in phospholipid fatty acids, ergosterol and rDNA copy numbers
Authors: Camenzind Tessa , Haslwimmer Heike , Rillig Matthias C. , Ruess Liliane , Finn Damien R. , Tebbe Christoph C. , Hempel Stefan , Marhan Sven
Published: April 2024

Refined conversion factors for soil fungal biomarkers are proposed.

High interspecific variability is present in all fungal biomarkers.

A modeling approach supports the validity of biomarker estimates in diverse soils.

ITS1 copies vary strongly, but are fungal-specific with least phylogenetic bias.

A combination of fungal biomarkers will reveal soil fungal physiology and activity.

The abundances of fungi and bacteria in soil are used as simple predictors for carbon dynamics, and represent widely available microbial traits. Soil biomarkers serve as quantitative estimates of these microbial groups, though not quantifying microbial biomass per se. The accurate conversion to microbial carbon pools, and an understanding of its comparability among soils is therefore needed. We refined conversion factors for classical fungal biomarkers, and evaluated the application of quantitative PCR (qPCR, rDNA copies) as a biomarker for soil fungi. Based on biomarker contents in pure fungal cultures of 30 isolates tested here, combined with comparable published datasets, we propose average conversion factors of 95.3 g fungal C g−1 ergosterol, 32.0 mg fungal C µmol−1 PLFA 18:2ω6,9 and 0.264 pg fungal C ITS1 DNA copy−1. As expected, interspecific variability was most pronounced in rDNA copies, though qPCR results showed the least phylogenetic bias. A modeling approach based on exemplary agricultural soils further supported the hypothesis that high diversity in soil buffers against biomarker variability, whereas also phylogenetic biases impact the accuracy of comparisons in biomarker estimates. Our analyses suggest that qPCR results cover the fungal community in soil best, though with a variability only partly offset in highly diverse soils. PLFA 18:2ω6,9 and ergosterol represent accurate biomarkers to quantify Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. To conclude, the ecological interpretation and coverage of biomarker data prior to their application in global models is important, where the combination of different biomarkers may be most insightful.
How culture shapes choices related to fertility and mortality: Causal evidence at the Swiss language border
Authors: Faessler Lisa , Lalive Rafael , Efferson Charles
Published: April 2024

Results from cultural evolutionary theory often suggest that social learning can lead cultural groups to differ markedly in the same environment. Put differently, cultural evolutionary processes can in principle stabilise behavioural differences between groups, which in turn could lead selection pressures to vary across cultural groups. Separating the effects of culture from other confounds, however, is often a daunting and sometimes intractable challenge for the working empiricist. To meet this challenge, we exploit a cultural border dividing Switzerland in ways that are independent of institutional, environmental and genetic variation. Using a regression discontinuity design, we estimate discontinuities at the border in terms of preferences related to fertility and mortality, the two basic components of genetic fitness. We specifically select six referenda related to health and fertility and analyse differences in the proportion of yes votes across municipalities on the two sides of the border. Our results show multiple discontinuities and thus indicate a potential role of culture in shaping stable differences between groups in preferences and choices related to individual health and fertility. These findings further suggest that at least one of the two groups, in order to uphold its cultural values, has supported policies that could impose fitness costs on individuals relative to the alternative policy under consideration.
Stable three-dimensional vortex families consistent with Jovian observations including the Great Red Spot
Authors: Zhang Aidi , Marcus Philip S.
Published: April 2024

Detailed observations of the velocities of Jovian vortices exist at only one height in the atmosphere, so their vertical structures are poorly understood. This motivates this study that computes stable three-dimensional, long-lived planetary vortices that satisfy the equations of motion. We solve the anelastic equations with a high-resolution pseudo-spectral method using the observed Jovian atmospheric temperatures and zonal flow. We examine several families of vortices and find that constant-vorticity vortices, which have nearly uniform vorticity as a function of height, and horizontal areas that go to zero at their tops and bottoms, converge to stable vortices that look like the Great Red Spot (GRS) and other Jovian anticyclones. In contrast, the constant-area vortices proposed in previous studies, which have nearly uniform areas as a function of height, and vertical vorticities that go to zero at their tops and bottoms, are far from equilibrium, break apart, and converge to constant-vorticity vortices. Our late-time vortices show unexpected properties. Vortices that are initially non-hollow become hollow (i.e. have local minima of vertical vorticity at their centres), which is a feature of the GRS that cannot be explained with two-dimensional simulations. The central axes of the final vortices align with the planetary spin axis even if they align initially with the local direction of gravity. We present scaling laws for how vortex properties change with the Rossby number and other non-dimensional parameters. We prove analytically that the horizontal mid-plane of a stable vortex must lie at a height above the top of the convective zone.
Turbulence induced by a swarm of rising bubbles from coarse-grained simulations
Authors: Zamansky Rémi , Le Roy De Bonneville Florian , Risso Frédéric
Published: April 2024

We performed numerical simulations of a homogeneous swarm of bubbles rising at large Reynolds number,

$Re=760$

, with volume fractions ranging from 1 % to 10 %. We consider a simplified model in which the interfaces are not resolved, but which allows us to simulate flows with a large number of bubbles and to emphasize the interactions between bubble wakes. The liquid phase is described by solving, on an Eulerian grid, the Navier–Stokes equations, including sources of momentum which model the effect of the bubbles. The dynamics of each bubble is determined within the Lagrangian framework by solving an equation of motion involving the hydrodynamic forces exerted by the fluid accounting for the correction of the fictitious self-interaction of a bubble with its own wake. The comparison with experiments shows that this coarse-grained simulations approach can reliably describe the dynamics of the resolved flow scales. We use conditional averaging to characterize the mean bubble wakes and obtain in particular the typical shear imposed by the rising bubbles. On the basis of the spectral decomposition of the energy budget, we observe that the flow is dominated by production at large scales and by dissipation at small scales and we rule out the presence of an intermediate range in which the production and dissipation are locally in balance. We propose that the

$k^{-3}$

subrange of the energy spectra results from the mean shear rate imposed by the bubbles, which controls the rate of return to isotropy.
Validating nutrient selection for product-group-specific nutrient indices for use as functional units in life cycle assessment of foods
Authors: Kårlund Anna , Kyttä Venla , Pellinen Tiina , Tuomisto Hanna L. , Pajari Anne-Maria , Kolehmainen Marjukka , Saarinen Merja
Published: April 2024

The ability to provide adequate nutrition is considered a key factor in evaluating the sustainability of foods and diets. Nutrient indices are used as functional units (FU) in life cycle assessment of foods to include nutritional performance in the environmental assessment of a product. Several general and food-group-specific nutrient indices exist but many lack validation, particularly when used as FU. In addition, the nutrient selection strategies and reference units for nutrient intake can vary considerably among studies. To validate intake-based product-group-specific nutrient indices previously developed for protein (NR-FIprot) and carbohydrate (NR-FIcarb) foods and for fruits and vegetables (NR-FIveg), we applied principal component analysis to investigate correlations between nutrients in foods and dishes representing a typical Finnish diet. The reference amounts for meal components were based on a plate model that reflected Finnish dietary recommendations. The portion sizes for the different food groups were anchored at 100 g, 135 g and 350 g for proteins, carbohydrates and fruits/vegetables, respectively. Statistical modelling largely validated the NR-FI indices, highlighting protein foods as sources of niacin, vitamin B12 and Se, carbohydrate foods as sources of Mg, Fe and phosphorous, and fruits/vegetables as sources of potassium, vitamin K, vitamin C, fibre and thiamine. However, in contrast to the intake-based approach applied in NR-FIprot, the dietary recommendation-based validation process suggested that fruits and vegetables should be favoured as sources of riboflavin and vitamin B6.
Enhancing selection of alcohol consumption-associated genes by random forest
Authors: Lyu Chenglin , Joehanes Roby , Huan Tianxiao , Levy Daniel , Li Yi , Wang Mengyao , Liu Xue , Liu Chunyu , Ma Jiantao
Published: April 2024

Machine learning methods have been used in identifying omics markers for a variety of phenotypes. We aimed to examine whether a supervised machine learning algorithm can improve identification of alcohol-associated transcriptomic markers. In this study, we analysed array-based, whole-blood derived expression data for 17 873 gene transcripts in 5508 Framingham Heart Study participants. By using the Boruta algorithm, a supervised random forest (RF)-based feature selection method, we selected twenty-five alcohol-associated transcripts. In a testing set (30 % of entire study participants), AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve) of these twenty-five transcripts were 0·73, 0·69 and 0·66 for non-drinkers v. moderate drinkers, non-drinkers v. heavy drinkers and moderate drinkers v. heavy drinkers, respectively. The AUC of the selected transcripts by the Boruta method were comparable to those identified using conventional linear regression models, for example, AUC of 1958 transcripts identified by conventional linear regression models (false discovery rate < 0·2) were 0·74, 0·66 and 0·65, respectively. With Bonferroni correction for the twenty-five Boruta method-selected transcripts and three CVD risk factors (i.e. at P < 6·7e-4), we observed thirteen transcripts were associated with obesity, three transcripts with type 2 diabetes and one transcript with hypertension. For example, we observed that alcohol consumption was inversely associated with the expression of DOCK4, IL4R, and SORT1, and DOCK4 and SORT1 were positively associated with obesity, and IL4R was inversely associated with hypertension. In conclusion, using a supervised machine learning method, the RF-based Boruta algorithm, we identified novel alcohol-associated gene transcripts.
Seasonal and site specific variation in the component community structure of intestinal helminths in Apodemus sylvaticus from three contrasting habitats in south-east England
Authors: Abu-Madi M.A. , Behnke J.M. , Lewis J.W. , Gilbert F.S.
Published: April 2024

Seasonal fluctuations in the prevalence and abundance of infection with intestinal helminths were studied in Apodemus sylvaticus (wood mouse, n = 399), from three contrasting habitats in southern England, to test the hypothesis that both intrinsic (host sex, age) and extrinsic (season, site) factors influence parasite species richness and abundance. Five species of helminths were recovered but only one of these (Capillaria murissylvatici) was site-specific (Dungeness). Total species richness was therefore 5 at Dungeness and 4 at the other two sites. Mean species richness was 1.4, but in adult mice there was a pronounced difference between the sites, and an independent highly significant effect of season. Syphacia stroma and Corrigia vitta both showed marked differences between sites in respect of prevalence and abundance of infection. Capillaria murissylvatici was encountered at Dungeness mostly in the spring whereas seasonal changes in abundance ofS. stroma were consistent across all three sites. Seasonal fluctuations in the abundance of Catenotaenia pusilla were compounded by differences between sites. Host sex was not a significant factor in any species, although a posteriorianalysis of S. stromaworm burdens for the Isle of Wight site revealed a moderate local sex effect. Overall the principal determinants of variation in helminth burdens were the extrinsic factors, site and season.
Prevalence and distribution of pig helminths in the Dongting Lake Region (Hunan Province) of the People's Republic of China
Authors: Boes J. , Willingham A.L. , Fuhui Shi , Xuguang Hu , Eriksen L. , Nansen P. , Stewart T.B.
Published: April 2024

The prevalence of helminths in pigs was investigated in five rural communities situated on the embankment of Dongting Lake in Zhiyang County, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China, in an area known to be endemic for Schistosoma japonicum. The helminth prevalences identified on the basis of faecal egg count analysis were: Oesophagostomum spp. (86.7%), Ascaris suum (36.7%), Metastrongylus spp. (25.8%), Strongyloides spp. (25.8%), Trichuris suis (15.8%), Globocephalus spp. (6.7%), Gnathostoma spp. (4.2%), Schistosoma japonicum (5.0%) and Fasciola spp. (1.3%). Post mortem examinations of a small number of pigs depositing eggs of different helminth species revealed the presence of Oesophagostomum dentatum, O. quadrispinulatum, A. suum, Metastrongylus apri, M. pudendotectus, T. suis, G. hispidum and Ascarops dentata. Prevalences of all helminths, with the exception of Oesophagostomum spp., were higher in young pigs (< 8 months old) compared with adult pigs. Prevalences of trematodes were very low, especially for S. japonicum which had decreased dramatically compared with previous reports from this area of P.R. China, whereas prevalences of nematodes were generally in agreement with those reported from other Yangtze River Provinces. Results from helminth prevalence studies in pigs, conducted in other provinces of P.R. China between 1987 and 1997, are presented and discussed. It was concluded that a government helminth control programme, implemented in 1995 to control S. japonicum infection in pigs in Hunan Province, may have resulted in a greatly reduced prevalence of S. japonicum in pigs in this region.
Pomphorhynchus heronensis and restricted movement of Lutjanus carponotatus on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Cribb T.H. , Anderson G.R. , Dove A.D.M.
Published: April 2024

Samples of Lutjanus carponotatus(Lutjanidae) from reef flat (shallow) and reef slope (deep) sites around Heron and Wistari reefs on the southern Great Barrier Reef were examined for Pomphorhynchus heronensis(Acanthocephala). Individual fish from the reef slope had 0–9 (2.6) worms as compared with 1–122 (39.6) worms for individuals from the reef flat (P < 0.0001). Other variables (year, season, size of fish) made little contribution to the variation. Reef flat and reef slope sites were separated by as little as 300 m. These results imply both that the fish have very limited local movement and that transmission of the parasite is concentrated locally.
Regional specializations of the tegument of the metacercaria of Timoniella imbutiforme
Authors: El-Darsh H.E.M. , Whitfield P.J.
Published: April 2024

The ultrastructure of the spinous body tegument of the metacercaria of Timoniella imbutiforme (Molin, 1859) has recently been described. Other regions of the metacercarial tegument, including those of the oral sucker, pharynx, and nephridiopore, demonstrate considerable specializations. The oral sucker tegument had an aspinous outer syncytial layer that possessed a pimpled apical surface as well as enclosing two types of secretory bodies. The pharyngeal tegument likewise lacked spines, but possessed only one type of secretory body, and a smooth but folded outer surface. The nephridiopore tegument, however, showed the greatest degree of specialization possessing a single type of secretory body specific only to this region of the tegument. Also associated with the syncytium here was a prominent long filamentous glycocalyx, and microtubules which were observed for the first time in this region of the tegument.
Occurrence and distribution of the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema spp. and Heterorhabditis indica in Indonesia
Authors: Griffin C.T. , Chaerani R. , Fallon D. , Reid A.P. , Downes M.J.
Published: April 2024

Soil samples from 79 sites on five islands of Indonesia were baited with insects for the recovery of entomopathogenic nematodes. Heterorhabditis and Steinernema were equally prevalent, and were recovered from 11.7% of samples representing 20.3% of sites sampled. Both genera were recovered from coastal sites only. Entomopathogenic nematodes were more prevalent on the Moluccan islands of Ambon and Seram than on Java or Bali. They were not detected on Sulawesi, where non-coastal sites only were sampled. RFLP analysis was used in the identification of nematode isolates. Heterorhabditis indica was the only heterorhabditid identified. Two RFLP types ofSteinernema were identified.
Survey of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei in frogs in Taiwan and its experimental infection in cats
Authors: Ooi H.K. , Chang S.L. , Huang C.C. , Kawakami Y. , Uchida A.
Published: April 2024

Eighteen of 56 (32.1%) wild Rana limnocharis from central and south Taiwan were found to contain plerocercoids of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei. This is the first report of S. erinaceieuropaei infections in frogs in Taiwan, with the plerocercoids being recovered from the thigh and back muscles or under the skin. Other species of frogs examined, including nine wild R. latouchii, one wild Buergeria robustus and 110 cultured R. rugulosa were free of infection. The plerocercoids were orally inoculated into four cats; three of which were each given a single plerocercoid and one a dose of three plerocercoids. Daily faecal examination showed that two cats started shedding eggs of S. erinaceieuropaei on day 8 postinfection (PI) and the other two on day 10 PI. The highest eggs per gram and eggs per day for a single worm was found to be 428,000 and 14,416,000 respectively. Only the cat inoculated with three plerocercoids shed proglottids in its faeces during the 2 month observation period.
Effect of praziquantel on the strobilar development of Mesocestoides corti in vitro
Authors: Britos L. , Domínguez L. , Ehrlich R. , Marín M.
Published: April 2024

The effect of praziquantel (PZQ) on the strobilar development of the cyclophyllidean cestode Mesocestoides corti was explored. Mesocestoides corti larvae were cultivated under conditions reported to favour their differentiation to the adult stage. Parasites were exposed to 0.1 μg ml-1 PZQ for 16 h and subsequently transferred to drug-free medium. The ocurrence of segmentation — an early event of the larval somatic differentiation to the adult worm — was considered as quantitative data. This phenomenon was evidenced earlier in worms transiently exposed to PZQ with respect to control cultures. Moreover, the rate of segmentation of drug-treated worms at the end of the experiment almost doubled that of control worms. To date, no similar effect on any cestode developmental process has been reported for an anthelmintic drug. In the light of the existing knowledge and understanding of PZQ mechanisms of action, the proposed experimental approach could contribute to the elucidation of pathways and mechanisms involved in cestode strobilar development.
Parasite community similarity between four Irish lakes
Authors: Byrne C.J. , Grey C. , Holland C. , Poole R.
Published: April 2024

A total of 140 trout were examined from four lakes in north west Ireland, Loughs Craghy, Waskel, Meela and Owennamarve. Eleven species of metazoan parasite were recorded, ten of which were of freshwater origin and Anisakissp. was the only marine species. No acanthocephalan species were found. Diphyllobothrium ditremum, D. dendriticum and Anisakissp. were the only allogenic species. Lough Owennamarve had the largest component community with nine species recorded. Lough Meela, the only brackish water lake had the smallest component community with six species recorded. Lough Waskel and Craghy had intermediate component community values. Lough Meela showed the lowest levels of similarity to any of the other lakes. Values for the Shannon-Wiener diversity index were highest for Lough Owennamarve and lowest for Lough Meela and intermediate for the other two lakes. Lough Meela had the highest values for the Simpson's dominance index and the Berger-Parker index. Lough Owennamarve had the highest Brillouin's index and Lough Meela had the lowest. The use of multiple regression techniques to control for the potentially confounding effect of geographical distance as a predictor of community similarity was discussed. No parasite species found could be considered as regionally and locally abundant and therefore described as a core species. The helminth community appears to have some degree of predictability, but chance colonization events are also important.
Molecular phylogeographic studies on Paragonimus westermani in Asia
Authors: Iwagami M. , Ho L.Y. , Su K. , Lai P.F. , Fukushima M. , Nakano M. , Blair D. , Kawashima K. , Agatsuma T.
Published: April 2024

The lung fluke, Paragonimus westermani (Kerbert, 1878), is widely distributed in Asia, and exhibits much variation in its biological properties. Previous phylogenetic studies using DNA sequences have demonstrated that samples from north-east Asia form a tight group distinct from samples from south Asia (Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia). Among countries from the latter region, considerable molecular diversity was observed. This was investigated further using additional DNA sequences (partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and the second internal transcribed spacer of the nuclear ribosomal gene repeat (ITS2)) from additional samples of P. westermani. Phylogenies inferred from these again found three or four groups within P. westermani, depending on the method of analysis. Populations of P. westermani from north-east Asia use snail hosts of the family Pleuroceridae and differ in other biological properties from populations in south Asia (that use snail hosts of the family Thiaridae). It is considered that the populations we sampled can be divided into two species, one in north-east Asia and the other in south Asia.
Spatial distribution and coexistence of monogenean gill parasites inhabiting two damselfishes from Moorea island in French Polynesia
Authors: Lo C. M. , Morand S.
Published: April 2024

The ectoparasite fauna of two damselfishes,Stegastes nigricansandDascyllus aruanus, from Moorea Island in French Polynesia was investigated. Gills of these damselfishes were infected with congeneric Monopisthocotylea Monogenea belonging to the genusHaliotrema.Stegastes nigricanswere found to harbour a guild of threeHaliotremaspecies whereas only one species inhabitedD. aruanus. Microhabitat distribution, inter- and intraspecific competition and interspecific associations on the gill were studied. Observations on site preference revealed no spatial segregation between the three congeneric species inhabiting the gills ofS. nigricans. Juvenile and adult monogeneans of that guild occurred on the same microhabitat. The dominant speciesHaliotremasp. 1 did not expand on the microhabitat when the intensity of infection increased. Interspecific association tests revealed positive and negative associations.Haliotremasp. 4 expanded its distribution on the gills ofDascyllus aruanuswhen the intensity of infection increased suggesting the likelihood of intraspecific competition. Juvenile and adult monogeneans ofHaliotremasp. 4 appeared to segregate as a result of intraspecific competition. This competition may exist to enhance resource availability when the gill habitat is limited. Overlaps between niche breadth and species microhabitat were revealed for monogenean species inhabitingS. nigricans. Interspecific competition did not appear to play an important role in the distribution ofS. nigricanscongeneric ectoparasites. Reinforcement of reproductive barriers may have led to the avoidance of hybridization.
Biological control of trichostrongylid infections in calves on pasture in Lithuania using Duddingtonia flagrans a nematode-trapping fungus
Authors: Šarkunas M. , Larsen M. , Nansen P. , Hansen J.W.
Published: April 2024

The effect on the pasture contamination level with infective trichostrongylid larvae by feeding the nematode-trapping fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans at two dose levels to first time grazing calves was examined in Lithuania. Thirty heifer-calves, aged 3–6 months, were divided into three comparable groups, A, B and C. Each group was turned out on a 1.07 ha paddock (a, b and c). The paddocks were naturally contaminated with infective trichostrongylid larvae from infected cattle grazing the previous year. Fungal material was fed to the animals daily during a two month period starting 3 weeks after turnout. Groups A and B were given 106 and 2.5×105 chlamydospores per kg of live weight per day, respectively, while group C served as a non-dosed control group. Every two weeks the heifers were weighed and clinically inspected. On the same dates, faeces, blood and grass samples were collected. From mid-July onwards, the number of infective larvae in grass samples increased markedly (P<0.05) on paddock c, whereas low numbers of infective larvae were observed on paddocks a and b grazed by the fungus treated groups. However, the results indicate that administering fungal spores at a dose of 2.5×105 chlamydospores per kg live weight per day did not significantly prevent parasitism in calves, presumably due to insufficient suppression of developing infective larvae in the faeces. In contrast, a dose of 106 chlamydospores per kg lowered the parasite larval population on the pasture, reduced pepsinogen levels (P<0.05), and prevented calves from developing parasitosis.
Toxocariasis in humans: clinical expression and treatment dilemma
Authors: Pawlowski Z.
Published: April 2024

A new scheme of clarifying clinical forms of toxocariasis is proposed to include: (i) systemic forms: classical VLM and incomplete VLM; (ii) compartmentalized forms: ocular and neurological toxocariasis; (iii) covert toxocariasis; and (iv) asymptomatic toxocariasis. The following markers are helpful in defining clinical forms namely, patient characteristics and history, clinical symptoms and signs, positive serology, eosinophilia and increased levels of IgE. Amongst the available drugs albendazole is the most commonly used, although other benzimidazole compounds have a similar efficacy. The recommended dose of albendazole is 15 mg kg-1 body weight daily for 5 days and in some cases with VLM syndrome the treatment needs to be repeated. An evaluation of treatment efficacy can be made by observing a rise in eosinophilia within a week followed by any improvement in clinical symptoms and signs, lower eosinophilia and serological tests taken over a period of at least 4 weeks. In addition to clinical rationales for the specific treatment of VLM and OLM, preventive treatment needs to be considered bearing in mind the increasing risk of larvae localizing in the brain during the course of an infection. To reduce migration of Toxocara larvae a single course of albendazole is suggested in cases where eosinophilia and serology are at least moderately positive.