bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction of an in‐house allelic ladder for Canine Genotypes™ Panel 2.1 Kit
Authors: Lee Minji , Hwang In Kwan , Jung Ju Yeon , Kim Joo‐Young , Chang Miwha , Moon Seohyun
Published: July 2021

Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are among the most common companion animals in the Republic of Korea. Recently, there have been many criminal cases of dog cruelty, injury, and theft, among others. This has increased the importance of dog‐related biological evidence at crime scenes. The National Forensic Service of the Republic of Korea conducts short tandem repeat (STR) analysis using the Thermo Scientific Canine Genotypes™ Panel 2.1 Kit (Canine Kit) to identify individual dogs through forensic analysis. The Canine Kit was developed as a forensic STR kit for the identification of individual dogs. However, an allelic ladder was neither developed nor included in the commercial kit, leaving an issue of accurate genotyping. Primer details for the 18 markers used in the Canine Kit are proprietary information, and thus, unavailable to end‐users. In this study, an allelic ladder was constructed with 160 fragments by combining 158 fragments of STR alleles obtained by nested PCR and two fragments artificially obtained from the sex‐determination marker. By including the new allelic ladder in analysis of samples amplified with the Canine Kit, the accuracy and reliability of data analysis were improved. Application of this allelic ladder would be helpful for interlaboratory data sharing and standardization of canine genotype databases.
Risk factors for mortality in critically ill infants with acute kidney injury: A resource‐limited setting experience
Authors: Mishra Om P. , Verma Avdhesh Kumar , Abhinay Abhishek , Singh Akanksha , Singh Ankur , Prasad Rajniti
Published: July 2021

Infants with acute kidney injury (AKI) who are critically ill often will have multiorgan dysfunctions. Objective of the present study was to find out mortality, recovery of kidney function at discharge and at 3 months, and to determine risk factors for mortality. Fifty‐two infants (24 newborns and 28 postneonatal) with AKI were included. Staging was done as per Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes classification. Patients were subjected to medical treatment and peritoneal dialysis (PD), wherever indicated. Kidney function tests were performed at admission, discharge, and at 3 months follow‐up. Median age of neonates was 8 days and postneonatal infants were 4.5 months. Stage 1, 2, and 3 AKI were present in 14 (26.9%), 16 (30.7%), and 22 (42.3%) cases, respectively. PD was required in 22 (42.3%) infants, and significantly higher in postneonatal than in neonates (57.1% vs. 25%, p < 0.05). Significant recovery of kidney function occurred at discharge and cases had normal parameters at 3 months. Mortality was 17.3%. Patients had significantly higher risk of mortality, if they had metabolic acidosis (OR 13.22, CI 2.33–74.94, p = 0.002) and needed ventilation (OR 14.93, 95% CI 1.7–130.97, p = 0.006) and PD (OR 6.53, 95% CI 1.20–35.48, p = 0.026). In logistic regression analysis, fluid overload (p < 001), hypotension (p < 0.01), and higher PRISM‐III score (p < 0.05) were found as significant risk factors for mortality. Medical management including PD led to good recovery of kidney function. Presence of fluid overload, hypotension, and higher PRISM‐III score adversely affected the outcome.
Objects Don't Have Desires: Toward an Anthropology of Technology beyond Anthropomorphism
Authors: Hornborg Alf
Published: July 2021

“Postdualist” approaches, such as the material turn in the humanities and social sciences, represent understandable reactions to the humanist and idealist traditions in Western thought, but tend to be deluded by a focus on individual artifacts rather than on the global, material relations on which their existence depends. The attribution of agency and even desires to abiotic objects, championed by posthumanist researchers such as Bruno Latour and Donna Haraway, is cognate to the category mistakes recurrently identified by social theorists as fetishism and anthropomorphism. Paradoxically, given their subversive ambitions, proponents of the new concern with materiality and artifactual agency are offering an ideology that ultimately buttresses the capitalist world order by ignoring the materiality of world trade and the causality inherent in the artifact of money. The concerns with distributed agency also tend to displace responsibility and accountability from humans to artifacts. Moreover, in converging with a deep genealogy of ideas that blur the boundary between nature and artifice, the material turn depoliticizes technology by naturalizing it. The article proposes a new anthropology of technology that acknowledges the reliance of modern technology on asymmetric global resource flows orchestrated by money and the fictive reciprocity of market prices. [material turn, posthumanism, fetishism, technology, postdualism]
Retrospective observational study of neonatal attendances to a children's emergency department
Authors: Blakey Sarah J. , Lyttle Mark D. , Magnus Dan
Published: July 2021

Aim

Attendances to emergency departments (EDs) in the UK are increasing, particularly for younger children. Community services are under increasing pressure and parents may preferentially bring their babies to the ED, even for non‐urgent problems. This study aimed to characterise the presenting features, management and disposition of neonatal attendances to a children's ED (CED).

Methods

Retrospective observational review of neonatal attendances (≤28 days) to the CED at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC) from 01/01/2016 to 31/12/2016. Further information was obtained from investigation results and discharge summaries. Data abstracted included sex, age, referral method, presenting complaint, diagnosis, investigations and treatments.

Results

Neonatal attendances increased from 655 to 1,205 from 2008 to 2016. The most common presenting complaints were breathing difficulty (18.1%) and vomiting (8.3%). The most common diagnoses were ‘no significant medical problem’ (41.9%) and bronchiolitis (10.5%). Half of neonatal attendances to the CED had no investigations performed and most (77.7%) needed advice or observation only.

Conclusion

Many neonates presenting to the CED were well and discharged with observation only. This suggests potential for improving community management and in supporting new parents. Drivers of health policy should consider developing enhanced models of out of hospital care which are acceptable to clinicians and families.
The pharmacokinetic properties of artemether and lumefantrine in Malaysian patients with Plasmodium knowlesi malaria
Authors: Sugiarto Sri Riyati , Singh Balbir , Page‐Sharp Madhu , Davis Wendy A. , Salman Sam , Hii King Ching , Davis Timothy M. E.
Published: July 2021

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetic properties of artemether, lumefantrine and their active metabolites in Plasmodium knowlesi malaria.

Methods

Malaysian adults presenting with uncomplicated P. knowlesi infections received six doses of artemether (1.7 mg/kg) plus lumefantrine (10 mg/kg) over 3 days. Venous blood and dried blood spot (DBS) samples were taken at predetermined time‐points over 28 days. Plasma and DBS artemether, dihydroartemisinin, lumefantrine and desbutyl‐lumefantrine were measured using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Multi‐compartmental population pharmacokinetic models were developed using plasma with or without DBS drug concentrations.

Results

Forty‐one participants (mean age 45 years, 66% males) were recruited. Artemether‐lumefantrine treatment was well tolerated and parasite clearance was prompt. Plasma and DBS lumefantrine concentrations were in close agreement and were used together in pharmacokinetic modelling, but only plasma concentrations of the other analytes were used because of poor correlation with DBS levels. The areas under the concentration–time curve (AUC0–∞) for artemether, dihydroartemisinin and lumefantrine (medians 1626, 1881 and 625 098 μg.h/L, respectively) were similar to those reported in previous pharmacokinetic studies in adults and children. There was evidence of auto‐induction of artemether metabolism (mean increase in clearance relative to bioavailability 25.2% for each subsequent dose). The lumefantrine terminal elimination half‐life (median 9.5 days) was longer than reported in healthy volunteers and adults with falciparum malaria.

Conclusion

The disposition of artemether, dihydroartemisinin and lumefantrine in knowlesi malaria largely parallels that in other human malarias. DBS lumefantrine concentrations can be used in pharmacokinetic studies but DBS technology is currently unreliable for the other analytes.
Virtue and virtuousness in organizations: Guidelines for ascribing individual and organizational moral responsibility
Authors: Constantinescu Mihaela , Kaptein Muel
Published: July 2021

This article advances research on moral responsibility in organizations by drawing on both philosophical virtue ethics grounded in the Aristotelian tradition and Positive Organizational Scholarship research concerned with virtuousness. The article discusses the very conditions that make possible the realization of virtues and virtuousness, respectively. These conditions ground notions of moral responsibility and the resulting praise or blame on organizational contexts. Thus, we analyze the way individuals and organizations may be ascribed interconnected degrees of retrospective moral responsibility and blame as depending on the interplay between the individual conditions leading to virtue and the organizational conditions leading to virtuousness. Based on this analysis, we develop a two‐level account of moral responsibility in organizations that connects individual and organizational moral responsibility through the concepts of virtue and virtuousness. This is further operationalized into practical guidelines to ascribe degrees of individual and organizational blame, which can be used as a tool by managers, policymakers, or industry regulators.
RNA‐sequencing highlights differential regulated pathways involved in cell cycle and inflammation in orbitofacial neurofibromas
Authors: Imada Eddie Luidy , Strianese Diego , Edward Deepak P. , alThaqib Rawan , Price Antionette , Arnold Antje , Al‐Hussain Hailah , Marchionni Luigi , Rodriguez Fausto J.
Published: July 2021

Although most commonly benign, neurofibromas (NFs) can have devastating functional and cosmetic effects in addition to the possibility of malignant transformation. Orbitofacial NFs, in particular, may cause progressive, disfiguring tumors of the lid, brow, temple, face, and orbit, and clinical evidence suggests that they may have increased local aggressiveness compared to NFs developing at other sites. The purpose of this study was to identify biological differences between orbitofacial NFs and those occurring at other anatomic sites. We performed RNA‐sequencing in orbitofacial (n = 10) and non‐orbitofacial (n = 9) NFs. Differential gene expression analysis demonstrated that a variety of gene sets including genes involved in cell proliferation, interferon, and immune‐related pathways were enriched in orbitofacial NF. Comparisons with publicly available databases of various Schwann cell tumors and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) revealed a significant overlap of differentially expressed genes between orbitofacial versus non‐orbitofacial NF and plexiform NF versus MPNST. In summary, we identified gene expression differences between orbitofacial NF and NFs occurring at other locations. Further investigation may be warranted, given that orbitofacial NF are notoriously difficult to treat and associated with disproportionate morbidity.
Anti‐GQ1b antibody: Recent topics
Authors: Uchibori Ayumi
Published: July 2021

Studies on antibodies against glycolipids, mainly gangliosides, have advanced the understanding of the pathophysiology of Guillain–Barré syndrome. Glycolipid antibody research began with the study of isolated ganglioside antigens, and further expanded that area with the discovery of antibodies against complex antigens of two glycolipids. In Fisher syndrome‐related disorders, immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti‐GQ1b antibody is detected at a high rate, but 10–30% of the cases are antibody‐negative. Recently, an antibody that requires Ca2+ to react with ganglioside GQ1b (Ca2+‐dependent GQ1b antibody) was discovered in the antibody‐negative cases. Ca2+ interacts with the disialosyl group (NeuAc[α2‐8]NeuAc[α2‐])of GQ1b, and the antibody is thought to recognize the structure to which Ca2+ is bound. Anti‐GQ1b antibody is considered to be more involved in Fisher syndrome‐related disorders than was previously shown.
What predicts mothers' use of spanking in the first 6 years of early childhood? A latent growth curve analysis
Authors: Chung Gerard , Lanier Paul , Chen Ding‐Geng
Published: July 2021

Parents' use of spanking with infants and toddlers is of concern because this early onset of spanking may escalate over early childhood heightening the risk for child abuse. This study has two goals. First, using latent growth modelling, we examined the changes in parents' use of spanking across 6 years starting from infancy. Second, we identified predictors that can explain differences in parents' use of spanking. We analysed longitudinal data using a sample of 397 low‐income ethnic minority mothers (mean age = 24.53 years; 66% single) with infants/toddlers. Results showed that 40% of mothers endorsed spanking their infants and toddlers. Higher use of spanking was associated with younger mothers, African American mothers, and married/cohabiting mothers. The use of spanking was also found to increase across the first 6 years of childhood with steeper increase found among mothers with higher parental stress or with boys. Depressive symptoms were associated with higher spanking use at age 3. Given the high use of spanking and its trajectory of increase during early childhood, spanking at a young age could be a marker for elevated risk of maltreatment. Practice implications include expanding early childhood services to support parenting and to assess the psychological well‐being of mothers.
RNA‐binding protein ELAVL2 plays post‐transcriptional roles in the regulation of spermatogonia proliferation and apoptosis
Authors: Yang Chao , Yao Chencheng , Ji Zhiyong , Zhao Liangyu , Chen Huixing , Li Peng , Tian Ruhui , Zhi Erlei , Huang Yuhua , Han Xia , Hong Yan , Zhou Zhi , Li Zheng
Published: July 2021

Objectives

RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) play essential post‐transcriptional roles in regulating spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) maintenance and differentiation. We identified a conserved and SSCs‐enriched RBP ELAVL2 from our single‐cell sequencing data, but its function and mechanism in SSCs were unclear.

Materials and methods

Expressions of ELAVL2 during human and mouse testis development were validated. Stable C18‐4 and TCam‐2 cell lines with overexpression and knockdown of ELAVL2 were established, which were applied to proliferation and apoptosis analysis. RNA immunoprecipitation and sequencing were used to identify ELAVL2 targets, and regulatory functions of ELAVL2 on target mRNAs were studied. Proteins interacting with ELAVL2 in human and mouse testes were identified using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometric, which were validated by in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Results

ELAVL2 was testis‐enriched and preferentially expressed in human and mouse SSCs. ELAVL2 was down‐regulated in NOA patients. ELAVL2 promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of C18‐4 and TCam‐2 cell lines via activating ERK and AKT pathways. ELAVL2 associated with mRNAs encoding essential regulators of SSCs proliferation and survival, and promoted their protein expression at post‐transcriptional level. ELAVL2 interacted with DAZL in vivo and in vitro in both human and mouse testes.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results indicate that ELAVL2 is a conserved SSCs‐enriched RBP that down‐regulated in NOA, which regulates spermatogonia proliferation and apoptosis by promoting protein expression of targets.
The different biological effects of TMPyP4 and cisplatin in the inflammatory microenvironment of osteosarcoma are attributed to G‐quadruplex
Authors: Chen Jianqiang , Jin Xiangxiang , Mei Yanan , Shen Zhe , Zhu Jufan , Shi Hongyi , Wang Minshan , Zheng Xiaohui , Liang Guang
Published: July 2021

Objective

Osteosarcoma (OS) is characterized by high levels of the tumour‐associated inflammatory microenvironment. Moreover, in approximately 60% of OS, telomere length is maintained by alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. Whether the ALT pathway can be exploited for OS therapeutic treatment and how the OS inflammatory microenvironment influences the anti‐cancer drug effect remains unknown. Here, we examined the biological effects of TMPyP4 and cisplatin in the inflammatory microenvironment of OS cells.

Materials and methods

Immunofluorescence in situ hybridization (IF‐FISH) and C‐circle experiments were used to detect the G‐quadruplex and ALT activity. The redox potential of single guanine, G‐quadruplex and G‐quadruplex/TMPyP4 was evaluated by the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (LUMO), zeta potential and cyclic voltammetry. Cell viability, flow cytometry and apoptosis, Western blot, comet assay, adhesion, transwell and scratch experiments were performed to compare the anti‐tumour proliferation and migration effects of TMPyP4 and cisplatin in the inflammatory microenvironment.

Results

This study indicated that compared with cisplatin, TMPyP4 could induce the formation of human telomeres and FAK G‐quadruplex in vitro and in vivo, and TMPyP4‐treated OS cells showed fewer extrachromosomal C‐circles and fewer ALT‐associated promyelocytic leukaemia bodies. Consequently, the ALT activity and FAK‐related cell migration were suppressed by TMPyP4. Mechanistically, the formation of G‐quadruplex resulted in both lower redox potential than G within the genome and FAK transcription inhibition, and TMPyP4 could enhance this phenomenon, especially in the inflammatory microenvironment.

Conclusions

Our results reveal that TMPyP4 is more suitable for OS treatment than cisplatin.
Accuracy of administrative database estimates of national surgical volume: Solid organ transplantation in the National Inpatient Sample
Authors: Fielding‐Singh Vikram , Grogan Tristan R. , Neelankavil Jacques P.
Published: July 2021

Background

Little is known about the accuracy of procedural coding in the National Inpatient Sample, in part because it is challenging to validate population‐level estimates.

Methods

We evaluated the accuracy of the National Inpatient Sample by comparing estimates of solid organ transplantation to known national transplant volumes from the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network.

Results

The mean deviation of National Inpatient Sample point estimates from true transplant volume for the study period was 17.5 ± 20.8%. The mean deviation of point estimates from 2005 to 2011 was 26.4 ± 22.8% compared to 4.9 ± 6.3% from 2012 to 2016 (P < .001).

Conclusions

Although future National Inpatient Sample transplantation research may be limited by the inability to subgroup procedures by donor type, surgical procedure coding of solid organ transplantation within the National Inpatient Sample appears to be accurate and reliable for generating national estimates, particularly after the National Inpatient Sample redesign in 2012.
Early childhood neurodevelopmental outcome after open prenatal spina bifida aperta repair
Authors: Hepp Zehra S , Haas Verena M , Latal Beatrice , Meuli Martin , Möhrlen Ueli , Schauer Sonja M , Steinfeld Robert , Padden Beth A , Wille David A
Published: July 2021

Aim

To investigate neurodevelopmental outcome of children with open prenatal spina bifida aperta (SBA) repair.

Method

Prenatal SBA repair was performed in 130 fetuses at the Zurich Center between 2010 and 2019. Seventy‐seven children underwent 1 year assessment with the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales (Griffiths) and 65 with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley‐III) at 2 years. Anatomical and functional level and ambulation status were assessed. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analyses for risk factors were performed.

Results

The Bayley‐III cognition composite score in children with prenatal SBA repair was within normal limits but lower compared to population norms (mean=95.15, SD=14.683 vs norm=100, SD=15, p=0.01). Fine motor development (mean=9.58, SD=2.744, p=0.227) was typical while gross motor development was lower than the norm (mean=3.02, SD=2.758 vs norm=10, SD=3, p<0.001). Griffiths developmental quotient subscales correlated significantly with corresponding Bayley‐III scores (all p<0.001, r=0.519–0.594). At 2 years, 50.8% could walk.

Interpretation

Children with non‐trial open prenatal SBA repair show favourable cognitive outcome in the low‐average range at 1 and 2 years of age. While gross motor function remained delayed, fine motor function was age appropriate. The correlation between Griffiths and Bayley‐III allows a prediction about neurodevelopmental outcome at the age of 1 year.

What this paper adds

Children with non‐trial open prenatal spina bifida repair show favourable cognitive outcome.

Gross motor function remains impaired, while fine motor function is age appropriate.

At 2 years of age, 50.8% of children were walking.

Neurodevelopmental testing correlated between 1 (Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales) and 2 (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition) years.
TEE image quality improvement with our devised probe cover
Authors: Morita Yoshihisa , Kariya Taro , El‐Bashir Jaber , Galusca Dragos , Guruswamy Jayakar , Tanaka Kenichi
Published: July 2021

Objective(s)

Our hypothesis was that our devised transesophageal echocardiography probe cover with the capacity for pinpoint suction would improve image quality.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Single tertiary medical center.

Participants

Patients undergoing surgery requiring intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography.

Interventions

Suctioning with inserted orogastric tube.

Measurements and main results

Changes in image quality with suctioning were assessed by 2 methods. In method #1, investigators categorized the quality of all acquired images on a numeric scale based on each investigator's impression (1: very poor, 2: poor, 3: acceptable, 4: good, and 5: very good). In method #2, the reproducibility of the left ventricular fraction area change (LV FAC) was assessed, assuming that improved transgastric midpapillary short‐axis view image quality would yield better LV FAC reproducibility.

With method #1, for midesophageal views, 26.5%, 70.5%, and 3.0% of images showed improved, the same, and worsened image quality, respectively. For transgastric views, 55.3%, 43.3%, and 1.4% showed improved, the same, and worsened image quality, respectively. For deep transgastric views, 60.0%, 38.0%, and 2.0% showed improved, the same, and worsened image quality, respectively.

With method #2, the presuction group had an ICC of 0.942 (95% CI: 0.91, 0.965). The postsuction group had an ICC of 0.988 (95% CI: 0.981, 0.993).

Conclusions

Our investigation validates the potential image quality improvement withour devised TEE probe cover. However, its clinical validity needs to be confirmed by further studies.
Fatter or fitter? On rewarding and training in a contest
Authors: Clark Derek J. , Nilssen Tore
Published: July 2021

Competition between heterogeneous participants leads to low‐effort provision in contests. A principal can divide her fixed budget between skill‐enhancing training and the contest prize. Training can reduce heterogeneity, increasing effort. It also reduces the contest prize, making effort fall. We set up an incomplete‐information contest with heterogeneous players and show how this trade‐off is related to the size of the budget of an effort‐maximizing principal. A selection problem arises implying a cost associated with a win by the inferior player. The principal has a larger incentive to train the laggard, reducing the prize on offer.
The objective stance and the boundary problem
Authors: Bagnoli Carla
Published: July 2021

This paper investigates some unexplored ambivalences of Strawson's distinction between the participant stance marked by reactive attitudes and the objective stance in which such attitudes are deemed inappropriate. First, a distinction between recipient‐oriented and agent‐oriented reasons for taking the objective stance is introduced. These are both practical reasons rooted in the agent's position. The former category of reasons refers to the recipient's capacities for moral agency, and the latter to the agent's interests and concerns. Second, it is shown that taking the objective stance for recipient‐oriented reasons (a) is a moral move, which alters one's normative relation to others; and (b) it may have severe disempowering effects on others. Third, departing from current debates, this investigation refocuses on cases in which the objective stance is grounded on self‐defensive or adversarial reasons. The examination of such cases shows that the objective/participant divide stands behind and organizes the complex dynamics through which moral membership is negotiated. Once agent‐oriented reasons are brought into focus, it appears that the divide is contestable and renegotiable: the boundaries of the relevant community can be alteredbyclaiming and reclaiming responsibility. Correspondingly, reactive attitudes should be acknowledged as means and drives of the struggle for moral and political recognition.
Precise estimation of dodecylbenzenesulfonate in aqueous solution containing dissolved organic matter extracted from soil using UV‐spectrometry
Authors: Hossain Md. Imam , Ishiguro Munehide
Published: July 2021

Precise estimation of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS) is essential for understanding its adsorption in soils, transport, toxicity, fate, and its application in the remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater. DBS can be easily identified by its conjugated double bond systems of benzene rings under the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum of a spectrophotometer. However, benzene group components of dissolved organic matter (DOM) also absorb light in the UV spectrum, and this effect is responsible for the excess quantities of DBS that are falsely measured by spectrophotometers. This study was conducted to propose a method for accurately measuring the DBS concentration of a solution containing DOM. To elucidate the influence of DOM during the UV‐spectroscopic measurement of DBS in an aqueous solution, 222.5 nm UV and 400 nm UV–vis spectra were measured. The DOM was extracted from a highly humic non‐allophanic volcanic ash (Andosol) soil by using 1 mmol NaCl/L and 100 mmol NaCl/L solutions as the extractants. The absorbances at both 222.5 and 400 nm increased in proportion to the increase in the DOM concentration. The relationship between the absorbances at the two different wavelengths could be expressed as a linear relationship. On the other hand, the absorbance at 400 nm did not increase with the increase in the DBS concentration, whereas the absorbance at 222.5 nm increased with the increase in the DOM concentration. Therefore, we inferred that the influence of DOM on the absorbance value of the DBS–DOM complex solution at 222.5 nm could be eliminated by using the linear relationship between the two different absorbances of the DBS‐free DOM solution. This method makes it possible to easily measure the DBS concentration of a solution from soil water, streams or industrial effluents containing DOM, without using reagents.

Highlights

Dodecylbenzenesulfonate in a solution is overestimated in the presence of dissolved organic matter.

Dodecylbenzenesulfonate becomes precisely detectable using 222.5 and 400 nm spectrophotometry.

Our proposed method is simple, rapid, efficient, and requires no special reagent or recurring cost.

This method can be used for precise DBS estimation in soil water, streams, or industrial effluents.
Decomposition and nutrient release from legume and non‐legume residues in a tropical soil
Authors: da Silva Jônatas Pedro , Teixeira Rafael da Silva , da Silva Ivo R. , Soares Emanuelle M. B. , Lima Augusto M. N.
Published: July 2021

Understanding the dynamics of decomposition and release of nutrients from plant residues of different covers, in association or succession, is essential to define more sustainable management strategies in tropical soils. The objective of this study was to estimate the decomposition rates and the release of nutrients during the decomposition of different crop residues with different chemical compositions when in association (Mix) or in succession as residue management. A study was carried out with the respective treatments in a (2 × 6) + 1 factorial scheme: (a) without and with the addition ofPennisetum americanumresidue (L); and (b) six residue crops (legumes and non‐legumes) and one additional treatment with residue of millet only; with destructive samples over time (0; 0.08, 0.25 and 0.41 years after incubation). The treatments were distributed in a randomized block design with four replicates. The plant material was processed, and the contents of macro‐ and micronutrients were determined. The decomposition rates and release of nutrients from the residues were estimated by fitting nonlinear regression models. Residues of only non‐legumes, with the exception of sunflower, tend to accumulate and degrade more slowly, resulting in a slow release of nutrients to the soil. Legume residues are more easily decomposed, enabling faster delivery of the nutrients available to the soil. Despite the faster degradation of legume residues, brown hemp was more resistant to decomposition. A combined supply of legume and non‐legume residues favoured a diversified pattern of decomposition and release of nutrients among the different residues studied. The knowledge of the biochemical composition, as well as the dynamics of decomposition and release of nutrients from leguminous and non‐leguminous residues, will directly influence the management to be adopted and the functionality of the residues in the soil.

Highlights

Decomposition of associated plant residues as soil fertility management strategies for tropical soil were explored.

Interactions of decomposition dynamics of plant residues applied to tropical soils were investigated.

The combined supply of legume/non‐legume residues favours greater decomposition and release of nutrients.

Biochemical composition of plant residues directly influences the sustainable soil fertility management strategies to be adopted.
Blockchain technology: A DNN token‐based approach in healthcare and COVID‐19 to generate extracted data
Authors: Mallikarjuna Basetty , Shrivastava Gulshan , Sharma Meenakshi
Published: July 2021

The healthcare technologies in COVID‐19 pandemic had grown immensely in various domains. Blockchain technology is one such turnkey technology, which is transforming the data securely; to store electronic health records (EHRs), develop deep learning algorithms, access the data, process the data between physicians and patients to access the EHRs in the form of distributed ledgers. Blockchain technology is also made to supply the data in the cloud and contact the huge amount of healthcare data, which is difficult and complex to process. As the complexity in the analysis of data is increasing day by day, it has become essential to minimize the risk of data complexity. This paper supports deep neural network (DNN) analysis in healthcare and COVID‐19 pandemic and gives the smart contract procedure, to identify the feature extracted data (FED) from the existing data. At the same time, the innovation will be useful to analyse future diseases. The proposed method also analyze the existing diseases which had been reported and it is extremely useful to guide physicians in providing appropriate treatment and save lives. To achieve this, the massive data is integrated using Python scripting language under various libraries to perform a wide range of medical and healthcare functions to infer knowledge that assists in the diagnosis of major diseases such as heart disease, blood cancer, gastric and COVID‐19.
Climate change adaptation in fisheries
Authors: Galappaththi Eranga K. , Susarla Vasantha B. , Loutet Samantha J. T. , Ichien Stephanie T. , Hyman Amanda A. , Ford James D.
Published: July 2021

We conducted a global systematic literature review of climate change adaptation in fisheries. We addressed three specific questions: (i) What are fisheries adapting to? (ii) How are fisheries adapting? and (iii) What research gaps need to be addressed? We identified, characterized and examined case studies published between 1990 and 2019 that lie at the intersection of the domains of climate change, adaptation and fisheries. We characterized the documented climate change effects in fisheries that are being adapted to multiple stressors, general climate impacts, extreme events, ocean conditions, marine system shifts, climate variability, fishery dynamics, species distribution and atmospheric warming. Three categories of adaptive responses came to light: coping mechanisms (e.g. changing fishing location, use of traditional knowledge); adaptive strategies (e.g. livelihood diversification, incorporation of technology); and management responses (e.g. adaptive management, adaptation planning). We identified key potential areas for future research, including studies on the limits and barriers for adaptation, studies using specific conceptual and methodological approaches, and studies focussing on the top‐producing countries such as China, Indonesia, Peru and Russia. This analysis gives broader insights to the fisheries industry and to climate change adaptation research to proceed in the face of new global challenges.
Structural and chemical heterogeneity of Proterozoic organic microfossils of the ca. 1 Ga old Angmaat Formation, Baffin Island, Canada
Authors: Nabhan Sami , Kah Linda C. , Mishra Bhoopesh , Pollok Kilian , Manning‐Berg Ashley R. , van Zuilen Mark A.
Published: July 2021

Organic microfossils in Meso‐ and Neoproterozoic rocks are of key importance to track the emergence and evolution of eukaryotic life. An increasing number of studies combine Raman spectroscopy with synchrotron‐based methods to characterize these microfossils. A recurring observation is that Raman spectra of organic microfossils show negligible variation on a sample scale and that variation between different samples can be explained by differences in thermal maturation or in the biologic origin of organic precursor material. There is a paucity of work, however, that explores the extent to which the petrographic framework and diagenetic processes might influence the chemical structure of organic materials. We present a detailed Raman spectroscopy‐based study of a complex organic microfossil assemblage in the ca. 1 Ga old Angmaat Formation, Baffin Island, Canada. This formation contains abundant early diagenetic chert that preserves silicified microbial mats with numerous, readily identifiable organic microfossils. Individual chert beds show petrographic differences with discrete episodes of cementation and recrystallization. Raman spectroscopy reveals measurable variation of organic maturity between samples and between neighboring organic microfossils of the same taxonomy and taphonomic state. Scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy performed on taphonomically similar coccoidal microfossils from the same thin section shows distinct chemical compositions, with varying ratios of aromatic compounds to ketones and phenols. Such observations imply that geochemical variation of organic matter is not necessarily coupled to thermal alteration or organic precursor material. Variation of the Raman signal across single samples is most likely linked to the diagenetic state of analyzed materials and implies an association between organic preservation and access to diagenetic fluids. Variation in the maturity of individual microfossils may be a natural outcome of local diagenetic processes and potentially exceeds differences derived from precursor organic material. These observations stress the importance of detailed in situ characterization by Raman spectroscopy to identify target specimens for further chemical analysis.
A survey of health information seeking by cancer patients indicates some problems over medical explanations and terminology
Authors: Akbolat Mahmut , Amarat Mustafa , Ünal Özgün , Şantaş Gülcan
Published: July 2021

Background

Cancer patients may experience stress because of insufficient information about their illness, health condition, or treatment, but some may fear what the information reveals.

Objective

This study aims to determine health information‐seeking behaviour, the attitudes of cancer patients, the barriers they face in seeking health information and their sociodemographic and disease characteristics.

Methods

A survey was conducted with 84 cancer patients in Turkey. Descriptive statistics were performed to determine the characteristics of information seeking and barriers found.

Results

Cancer patients are likely to seek health information, often confident about finding resources easily. The main problems are as follows: (1) insufficient information from health care providers; (2) understanding medical terminology; and (3) lack of help from health care providers to explain information retrieved.

Discussion

The information‐seeking behaviour of cancer patients in this sample in Turkey resembles studies elsewhere, with (overall) evidence of monitoring behaviour (wanting to find out more about the disease, treatment and effects on lived experience).

Conclusions

The cancer patients in this survey were generally willing and confident in their information seeking to find out more about the disease, treatment and effects on lifestyle. The main barriers were medical terminology, insufficient explanations and information from healthcare providers.
Information seeking behaviour differences indicate which US population groups lack information about human papilloma virus and associated cancer risks
Authors: Ansari Bahareh
Published: July 2021

Background

The majority of the US population have poor knowledge of cancers related to human papillomavirus (HPV). Identifying best sources for communicating this information can guide strategies to promote HPV vaccination.

Objectives

To assess the relationship between sources of health information and individuals’ knowledge of HPV‐related cervical and oropharyngeal cancer.

Methods

This study conducts logistic regression on the most recent wave (2019) of the Health Information National Trends Survey. Dependent variables are indicators for self‐reported awareness that HPV causes (a) cervical cancer and (b) oropharyngeal cancer. The primary indicator is a variable for different sources of health information: The Internet, professional sources, print materials, friends/family and never looked for health information.

Results

Being female, young, non‐Hispanic White and having college education is associated with higher odds of knowing about HPV‐related cervical cancer. Controlling for demographic factors, individuals using professionals and the Internet are more likely to know that HPV causes cervical cancer (aOR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.66, 4.25; aOR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.75, 3.50, respectively) compared to those who have never looked for health information. Similar results were found for HPV‐related oropharyngeal cancer.

Conclusion

Findings provide implications for targeted messaging through effective channels to improve HPV vaccination uptake.
Client‐led care in HIV: perspectives from community and practice
Authors: Crawford David , Allan Brent , Cogle Aaron , Brown Graham
Published: July 2021

Objectives

While current antiretroviral and care strategies can effectively suppress HIV, achieving optimal quality of life (QoL) requires a wider consideration of clients’ well‐being, the complexity of individuals’ lives and social determinants of health. The objective of this commentary was to develop a definition of client‐led care in the Australian context and its key supporting principles for people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Methods

The authors used two sources of evidence to support their HIV community experience with client‐led care: (1) a scoping review of the literature, and (2) consultations with colleagues who were PLHIV advocates or HIV specialist physicians. The findings from the scoping review and consultations were summarised and the key principles of client‐led care compared with those identified by the authors.

Results

Seven articles met the inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis in the scoping review. Five PLHIV advocates and three HIV specialist physicians were consulted. Key principles supporting client‐led care identified by the authors based on their experience centred around the themes of: (1) clients and healthcare providers working in partnership, (2) information and communication, (3) coordinating access to care, (4) building trust, and (5) respect for client's needs and preferences. The principles identified by the authors were supported by those of the scoping review and colleague consultations.

Conclusions

A client‐led approach can complement conventional HIV care strategies and enable empowerment and greater engagement with care, potentially improving the care continuum and overall QoL for individuals living with HIV who can, and want to, lead their own care.
A comparison of immune receptor recombination databases sourced from tumour exome or RNAseq files: Verifications of immunological distinctions between primary and metastatic melanoma
Authors: Patel Dhruv N. , Yeagley Michelle , Arturo Juan F. , Falasiri Shayan , Chobrutskiy Boris I. , Gozlan Etienne C. , Blanck George
Published: July 2021

It became apparent several years ago that RNAseq and exome files prepared from tissue could be mined for adaptive immune receptor (IR) recombinations, which has given extra value to datasets originally intended for gene expression or mutation studies. For example, recovery of IR recombination reads from tumour specimen genomics files can correlate with survival rates. In particular, many benchmarking processes have been applied to the two sets of the IR recombination reads obtained from the cancer genome atlas files, but these two sets have never been directly compared. Here we show that both sets largely agree regarding several parameters. For example, recovery of TRB recombination reads from both WXS and RNAseq files representing metastatic melanoma was associated with a better outcome (p < .0004 in both cases); and T‐cell receptor recombination read recovery, for both genomics file types, associated very strongly with T‐cell gene expression markers. However, the use of CDR3 chemical features for survival distinctions was not consistent. This topic, and the surprising result that both datasets indicated that primary melanoma with recovery of IR recombination reads, in stark contrast to metastatic melanoma, represents a worse outcome, are discussed.
Functional analysis of a putative Bombyx mori cypovirus miRNA BmCPV‐miR‐10 and its effect on virus replication
Authors: Wang Y. , Lin S. , Zhao Z. , Xu P. , Gao K. , Qian H. , Zhang Z. , Guo X.
Published: July 2021

Bombyx mori cypovirus (BmCPV) is an important pathogen of silkworm (B. mori), the economically beneficial insect. The mechanism of its interaction with host immune defence system in the process of infection is still not yet completely clear. Researches have demonstrated that virus‐encoded microRNAs (miRNA) play a crucial role in regulating host–pathogen interaction, but few reports are available so far on miRNAs encoded by insect viruses, especially the RNA viruses. In this study, a putative miRNA encoded by the 10th segment of BmCPV genomic RNA, BmCPV‐miR‐10, was identified and functionally analysed. The expression of the putative BmCPV‐miR‐10 could be detected via stem‐loop RT‐PCR (reverse transcription‐Polymerase Chain Reaction) in the midgut of silkworm larvae infected with BmCPV. BmCSDE1 (B. mori cold shock domain E1 protein) gene was predicted to be a candidate target gene for BmCPV‐miR‐10 with the miRNA binding site located in 3′ untranslated region of its mRNA. The regulation effect of the putative BmCPV‐miR‐10 on BmCSDE1 was verified in HEK293 cells by lentiviral expression system, in BmN cells by transfecting BmCPV‐miR‐10 mimics. The qRT‐PCR (quantitative real‐time PCR) results showed that the putative BmCPV‐miR‐10 could suppress the expression of BmCSDE1. By injection of BmCPV‐miR‐10 mimics into the silkworm larvae infected with BmCPV, it was further proved that the putative BmCPV‐miR‐10 could suppress the expression of BmCSDE1 in vivo, then inhibit the expression of BmApaf‐1 (B. mori apoptotic protease activating factor 1), while enhance the replication of BmCPV genomic RNAs to a certain extent. These results implied that the putative BmCPV‐miR‐10 could down‐regulate the expression of BmCSDE1, then suppress the expression of BmApaf‐1, thereby created a favourable intracellular environment for virus replication and proliferation.
Calcium silicate and calcium aluminate cements for dentistry reviewed
Authors: Primus Carolyn , Gutmann James L. , Tay Franklin R. , Fuks Anna B.
Published: July 2021

Calcium silicate cements were identified as excellent materials for dentistry, particularly for dental procedures contacting the dental pulp or root system. Both calcium silicate and calcium aluminate cements cause the biomineralization (precipitation of hydroxyapatite [HA] phenomena and shield dental tissues from the underlying cement (a foreign body material). The cements also elute ions to stimulate cytokines that contribute to the healing of the dental pulp or in the tissue surrounding the root of a tooth. The cements serve as a foundation for other dental restorative materials. This paper reviews the cement phases, properties, in vivo reactions, and clinical benefits from the use of calcium silicate and calcium aluminate ceramic cements.
Genotyping of enterotoxigenic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) among commensal rodents in North Sinai, Egypt
Authors: Eidaroos Nada H. , Youssef Ahmed I. , El- Sebae Ali , Enany Mohamed E. , Farid Doaa S.
Published: July 2021

Aim

This study aimed to identify genotype enterotoxigenic antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus aureus species, mainly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) among commensal rodents.

Methods and results

A total of 280 samples were collected from nasal and mouth swabs, heart blood, intestinal content and lung tissues of 56 commensal rodents trapped from North Sinai, Egypt. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed to bacteriologically identified S. aureus isolates against 15 antimicrobial agents by disc diffusion method. Detection was conducted for identifying coagulase gene (coA), antimicrobial-resistant genes (mecA and vanA/B), enterotoxigenic and virulence determinant genes (hlg, seb, sed and see) among the MRSA and VRSA isolates.

Results

Staphylococcus aureus species were isolated from 24 (42.86%) out of 56 rodents. Phenotypic examination revealed that all the isolates were multidrug-resistant, whereas two isolates were multiple antibiotic resistant (MAR). Out of 33 examined isolates, 33 (100%) were resistant to oxacillin and amoxicillin, 31 (93.93%) to cefoxitin and 12 (36.36%) to vancomycin. PCR assay revealed that 24 isolates revealed (100%) positivity to coA gene, 17 (70.83%) to mecA gene and 12 (50%) to vanA/B genes. Enterotoxin genes and haemolysin genes were detected among MRSA and VRSA isolates. There was a strong positive correlation between the tested antimicrobial-resistant genes and virulence genes (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the occurrence of MRSA and VRSA strains among commensal rodents in North Sinai, Egypt. The detection of enterotoxigenic and virulence genes of the isolated MRSA and VRSA strains indicated the health hazards of food contamination and zoonotic infections.

Significance and impacts of the study.

This study emphasizes the role of commensal rodents in maintaining and disseminating multidrug-resistant MRSA and VRSA strains to the environment, animals and human beings.