bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anthropogenic habitat modification alters calling phenology of frogs
Authors: Liu Gracie , Kingsford Richard T. , Callaghan Corey T. , Rowley Jodi J. L.
Published: August 2022

Anthropogenic habitat modification significantly challenges biodiversity. With its intensification, understanding species' capacity to adapt is critical for conservation planning. However, little is known about whether and how different species are responding, particularly among frogs. We used a continental‐scale citizen science dataset of >226,000 audio recordings of 42 Australian frog species to investigate how calling—a proxy for breeding—phenology varied along an anthropogenic modification gradient. Calling started earlier and breeding seasons lengthened with increasing modification intensity. Breeding seasons averaged 22.9 ± 8.25 days (standard error) longer in the most modified compared to the least modified regions, suggesting that frog breeding activity was sensitive to habitat modification. We also examined whether calls varied along a modification gradient by analysing the temporal and spectral properties of advertisement calls from a subset of 441 audio recordings of three broadly distributed frog species. There was no appreciable effect of anthropogenic habitat modification on any of the measured call variables, although there was high variability. With continued habitat modification, species may shift towards earlier and longer breeding seasons, with largely unknown ecological consequences in terms of proximate and ultimate fitness.
Reducing academic flying beyond COVID‐19: Drivers, alternatives, and avenues for change
Authors: van de Glind Bram , Gomez‐Baggethun Erik
Published: August 2022

This paper seeks to advance our understanding of the underlying reasons that sustain high levels of academic flying, and examines how a low‐carbon academia with less air travel might come about. Data from 30 interviews with academics showed that expectations of internationalisation, networking, and ideals of a productive academic stand among the strongest drivers of academic flying. These drivers come forth from underlying objectives such as pursuing excellence in research and working towards successful careers. Findings from this research suggest that institutional and cultural change are prerequisites to mainstream practical alternatives to academic flying, such as wider use of digital communication tools, grounded travelling, and low‐carbon conferences and meetings. We see a role for universities, grant‐providing authorities, and other academic organisations to include environmental standards and criteria in internationalisation strategies, the concept of excellence, and funding evaluation processes. From our analysis of academics' experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic, we identify three factors that appear essential in determining whether digital communication tools can substitute for physical presence: (1) desired type of interaction, (2) existing social relations among participants, and (3) number of participants. Finally, we discuss whether and to what extent voluntary guidelines, the adoption of digital tools, and other soft measures may lead to cuts in academic flying at the scale and pace required for meeting climate targets, suggesting that enforcing limits on academic air travel might be unavoidable.
Therapeutic horticulture and desistance from crime
Authors: DelSesto Matthew
Published: August 2022

A growing number of organisations and institutions are using sustainability and horticultural interventions in the correctional context for their supposed healing, rehabilitative or therapeutic benefits. This article thematically reviews a range of qualitative, quantitative, case study, meta‐analysis, and controlled experimental research studies – to compare what is known about therapeutic horticulture interventions with research on pathways to desistance from crime. It finds the following areas are both evidence‐based outcomes in therapeutic horticulture and factors that likely contribute to desistance from crime: identity transformation; education and vocational training; mental health and wellness; social support; and spirituality and religion. Overall, the review will be of interest to practitioners implementing therapeutic horticulture in correctional or community settings, and researchers studying re‐entry or resettlement programmes, therapeutic horticulture, and desistance.
New approach for hair keratin characterization: Use of the confocal Raman spectroscopy to assess the effect of thermal stress on human hair fibre
Authors: Essendoubi Mohammed , Andre Nada , Granger Bérengère , Clave Celine , Manfait Michel , Thuillier Isabelle , Piot Olivier , Ginestar Jose
Published: August 2022

Objective

The objective of our research was to investigate the heat‐protecting effect of a product ex vivo and in vivo on human hair fibres.

Methods

A preparatory study was carried out in order to determine an optimal threshold of thermal stress. For this, the structure of cross‐sections of the hair fibre was observed by optical microscopy. Then, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Confocal Raman Spectroscopy (CRS) were applied to analyse ex vivo and in vivo morphological and molecular damage in hair structure after heat stress. Finally, in vivo tests were used to collect consumer perception.

Results

The preparatory study enabled us to determine an optimal stress threshold of 10 heating cycle for SEM and 5 heating cycle for CRS. Based on spectral hierarchical classification using Ward's clustering algorithm, the ex vivo Raman results show that the spectral signature of the hair treated and heated is very close to the negative control. This shows that the product preserves the keratin structure after thermal stress. These results were also confirmed by an in vivo Raman analysis performed on hair samples from 5 donors. In concordance with Raman results, SEM shows that treated hair presents lesser “bubbles” and “crackling” on the hair surface. Finally, the in vivo studies proved that hair was more protected from heat.

Conclusion

The authors concluded that the product shows protective properties with respect to morphological and molecular heat damage. We also demonstrate that the product promotes the α‐helix keratin conformation and preserves the S‐S disulfide bands.
Does drought increase the antioxidant nutrient capacity of tomatoes?
Authors: Dere Sultan , Kusvuran Sebnem , Dasgan Hayriye Yildiz
Published: July 2022

Tomato fruit has long been regarded as a valuable functional food due to its potential role in the prevention of chronic diseases and thus its positive impacts on human health. In this study, the effect of drought under the climate change threat on increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and non‐enzymatic antioxidants in terms of functional food properties of tomato fruits was investigated. Nine drought‐tolerant tomato genotypes and two commercial cultivars were grown in an open field that was well watered and exposed to drought stress conditions. The biochemical effects of drought stress in fruit were determined by evaluating the fruits' contents of lipid peroxidation, vitamin C (l‐ascorbic acid), total phenols, total flavonoids, lycopene, and beta‐carotene and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR), total soluble solids and pH. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between tomato genotypes in the antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, total phenolics, flavonoids, TSS and beta‐carotene increased, in tomato fruit under drought. However, pH was slightly decreased. A slight increase in lycopene was observed. The activities of the antioxidative enzymes SOD, CAT, APX and GR were significantly increased in tomato fruit under drought. The increased antioxidant capacity of drought‐tolerant tomatoes has been found promising in terms of human nutrition under the threat of climate change.
Increased monocyte distribution width in COVID‐19 and sepsis arises from a complex interplay of altered monocyte cellular size and subset frequency
Authors: Cusinato Martina , Hadcocks Linda , Yona Simon , Planche Timothy , Macallan Derek
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Monocyte distribution width (MDW), a parameter generated alongside full blood counts (FBC) in new‐generation haematology analysers, has been proposed as a diagnostic test for severe infection/sepsis. It represents the standard deviation (SD) of the monocyte mean volume (MMV).

Methods

This study aimed to compare monocyte volumetric parameters retrieved by the UniCel DxH 900 haematology analyser (MMV and MDW) against corresponding parameters from the same sample measured using flow cytometry (forward scatter [FSC] mean and SD) in combination with phenotypic characterization of monocyte subtypes. We analysed blood samples from healthy individuals (n = 11) and patients with conditions associated with elevated MDW: sepsis (n = 26) and COVID‐19 (n = 15).

Results

Between‐instrument comparisons of monocyte volume parameters (MMV vs. FSC‐mean) showed relatively good levels of correlation, but comparisons across volume variability parameters (MDW vs. FSC‐SD) were poor. Stratification on sample type revealed this lack of correlation only within the sepsis group. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that in healthy controls intermediate monocytes are the largest and non‐classical the smallest cells. In each disease state, however, each monocyte subset undergoes different changes in volume and frequency that together determine the overall configuration of the monocyte population. Increased MDW was associated with reduced classical monocyte frequency and increased intermediate monocyte size. In COVID‐19, the range of monocyte sizes (smallest to largest) reduced, whereas in sepsis it increased.

Conclusion

Increased MDW in COVID‐19 and sepsis has no single flow cytometric phenotypic correlate. It represents—within a single value—the delicate equipoise between monocyte subset frequency and size.
Study on aptamer based high throughput approach identifies natural ingredients against RGNNV
Authors: Wei Hongling , Liu Mingzhu , Ke Ke , Xiao Shuangyan , Huang Lin , He Qiongyu , Mo Changping , Pang Hai , Xiao Guozhu , Li Pengfei , Yu Qing
Published: August 2022

Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) is one of the most destructive pathogens in marine fish aquaculture and is capable of infecting more than 50 fish species worldwide, which resulted in great economic losses. Effective drugs for managing NNV infection are urgently required. Medicinal plants have been known for thousands of years and benefit of medicinal plants against pathogens in aquaculture have emerged. Nowadays, the most commonly used method for detecting virus infection and assessing antiviral drugs efficacy is reverse transcription‐quantitative real‐time PCR. However, the application is limited on account of high reagent costs, complex time‐consuming operations and long detection time. Aptamers have been widely applied in application of pathogens or diseases diagnosis and treatments because of high specificity, strong affinity, good stability, easy synthesized and low costs. This study aimed to establish an aptamer (GBN34)‐based high‐throughput screening (GBN34‐AHTS) model for efficient selection and evaluation of natural ingredients against NNV infection. GBN34‐AHTS is an expeditious rapid method for selecting natural ingredients against NNV, which is characterized with high‐speed, dram, sensitive and accurate. AHTS strategy could reduce work intensity and experimental costs and shorten the whole screening cycle of effective ingredients. AHTS should be suitable for rapid selection of effective ingredients against other viruses, which is important for improving the prevention and controlling of aquatic diseases.
Preventive health therapy and behavior outcomes from a brown bag medication review for older adults
Authors: Chang Feng , O'Connell Mary Beth , Mills Megan E. , Hwang Jamie M. , Khreizat Hanan S. , Garwood Candice L. , Houser Ashley
Published: July 2022

Background

Morbidity and mortality associated with preventable diseases can be reduced with the use of preventive health services. We evaluated the uptake and retention of preventive health behaviors and management of accidental medication poisonings in older adults after a health prevention educational component was combined with a brown bag medication review.

Methods

This study used a cohort design and was conducted in six urban senior centers and three independent senior living communities in Detroit, Michigan. Participants included 85 older adults (>60 years old) taking five or more medications with 63 participants returning follow up materials. Pharmacy personnel conducted brown bag medication reviews that were combined with a preventive health education component. Information was collected on medications, vaccinations, supplement use, and accidental medication poisoning management. Participants were given written recommendations on prescription medications and preventive health therapies to improve health and medication use. An investigator developed program satisfaction survey was administered immediately after the review. An investigator‐developed follow‐up preventive health implementation survey was conducted at least 3 months later to assess recommendation implementation.

Results

Participants' mean age was 75.9 ± 8.5 years. Fifty‐six older adults had 124 recommendations in preventive health in total (1–5/participant). Eleven participants had no recommendations. Sixty‐three participants (74%) returned follow‐up preventive health surveys. Twenty‐three percent of recommendations were already implemented with 34% planned to be done in the future. Poisoning management knowledge increased for 13 participants, reporting they would call the poison control center. The program was well received, with participants reporting high satisfaction scores (4.8 ± 0.7 out of 5).

Conclusions

Brown bag medication reviews can be an effective method to promote the uptake of preventive health behaviors among older adults, but additional accidental medication poisoning management education is still needed.
Mental health and COVID‐19: The impact of a virtual course for family caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Authors: Lake J. K. , Volpe T. , St. John L. , Thakur A. , Steel L. , Baskin A. , Durbin A. , Chacra M. A. , Lunsky Y.
Published: August 2022

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has significantly impacted family caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This study evaluated a virtual course for family caregivers from across Canada, focused on supporting the mental health and well‐being of adults with IDD and their families. The evaluation examined the feasibility and acceptability of the course, as well as the impact of the intervention on participants' overall health and well‐being.

Methods

The 6‐week virtual course, informed by a parallel Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) course for service providers, combined didactic instruction with applied activities. A total of 126 family caregiver course participants consented to be part of the research evaluation delivered over three cycles between October 2020 and April 2021.

Attendance was measured at each weekly session. Satisfaction was assessed weekly and post‐program. Learning, self‐efficacy, and well‐being were assessed pre‐ and post‐course, and again at follow‐up (8 weeks post‐course). Mixed‐effects models assessed changes between and within individuals across time.

Results

Participants had consistent attendance, low‐dropout rates, and reported high satisfaction, with 93% of participants reporting that their expectations for the course were met. Compared with pre‐course, participants reported improved self‐efficacy and well‐being post‐course, which were maintained at follow‐up.

Conclusions

An interactive and applied virtual education course delivered to a large group of family caregivers of adults with IDD was both feasible and acceptable. It positively impacted participants' well‐being by offering much needed mental health support and creating a peer‐led community of practice.
Expression of mitochondrial dynamic markers in adenoid cystic carcinoma
Authors: Sant'Ana Maria Sissa Pereira , de Cáceres Cínthia Verónica Bardález López , Lima Lucas Ambrosio , Soares Ciro Dantas , Radhakrishnan Raghu , Gomez Ricardo Santiago , Vargas Pablo Agustin , Fonseca Felipe Paiva
Published: August 2022

Background

Mitochondrial fission and fusion processes are known as mitochondrial dynamics and the occurrence of imbalances in the mitochondrial activity is related to the pathogenesis of many human cancers. However, the importance of mitochondrial dynamics in malignant salivary gland tumours remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate its prognostic significance in adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Methods

Fifty‐seven formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded cases were retrieved and disposed in tissue microarray. Histological sections were submitted to immunohistochemical reactions against AMT, DRP1, FIS1, MFN1, MFN2 and OPA1 proteins. Clinical data were retrieved from the patients' medical files, including specific and disease‐free survival data.

Results

It was observed that 50.9% of the cases were strongly positive for AMT and DRP1, and 49.1%, 21.1%, 22.8% and 24.6% strongly positive for FIS1, MFN1, MFN2 and OPA1, respectively. Reactions were observed in both epithelial and myoepithelial components of the tumour. The higher expression of MFN2 was associated with solid microscopic pattern (p = 0.016). DRP1 overexpression showed a trend towards a shorter overall survival (p = 0.054), while negative/weak OPA1 showed a trend towards a lower disease‐free survival (p = 0.051) in the univariate analysis, but no mitochondrial marker represented an independent prognostic determinant under multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mitochondrial dynamics markers do not seem to carry a prognostic significance for adenoid cystic carcinoma patients, but these proteins may play an important role in its pathogenesis.
Thrive, survive, or perish: The impact of regional autonomy on the demographic dynamics of Italian Alpine territories
Authors: Matsiuk Nadiia
Published: August 2022

Mountain communities face the threat of depopulation, as residents age or move to large cities in the lowland. This issue is pressing for Italy, where a large portion of the territory is mountainous and the overall population is rapidly aging. This paper analyses whether the autonomous status of a region affects the demographic dynamics of its mountain areas. The question is currently being fiercely debated in Italy, with border municipalities seeking to switch region in pursuit of perceived benefits, mainly in the form of the direct management of a larger portion of taxes. The analysis relies on an adjacency‐based estimation approach, including spatial regression discontinuity techniques, to compare population changes in mountain areas randomly selected from Northern Italian regions with special statutes versus neighboring regions without special statute. Measuring population changes in the 2000s shows a significant difference in the demographic dynamics in border regions, with areas in autonomous regions experiencing more favorable population dynamics. Our hypothesis is that fiscal autonomy contributes to sustainable local development and the survival of mountain communities.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Chronic Disease Predictors Among American High School Students*
Authors: Alexander Janae , Gilreath Tamika , Grant Morgan , Curran Laurel
Published: August 2022

Background

Few studies have attempted to define clusters of chronic disease predictors with additional focus on racial/ethnic differences. The purpose of this study was to highlight differences in predictors of chronic diseases among American high school students by identifying subgroups using latent class analysis (LCA).

Methods

The chronic disease predictor variable used in the analysis was created from 5 modified items in the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance that were identified to be critical to healthy lifestyles in Healthy People 2020. Descriptive, bivariate, multinomial logistic regression and LCA were performed using SAS 9.4 and Mplus in 9th to 12th grade students, using data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N = 13,677).

Results

Three distinct classes emerged for US high school students and were characterized as high, moderate, and low risk of chronic disease (38%, 33%, and 29%, respectively). Black and Asian students had a higher chance of being in the high‐risk class of chronic diseases.

Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity

Emphasis should be placed on sociocultural and socio‐environmentally structured prevention programs for at risk/students, ensuring that policy formation reflects the language, identity, and needs of the populations at risk.

Conclusions

The behavioral similarities of the classes identified highlight the need for continued research, novel interventions, and culturally sensitive strategies and policies in US high schools.
BLIND SPOTS IN MUSEUM ANTHROPOLOGY: Ancient Egypt in the Ethnographic Museum
Authors: Stevenson Alice , Williams Alice
Published: July 2022

abstract

In the past few decades, the literature in museum anthropology has advocated efforts to be more transparent about its colonial origins, address the historical injustices of imperial collecting, and rethink display narratives in collaboration with source communities. In this paper, however, we question the extent to which the epistemic and political predicaments underlying ethnographic representations are being fundamentally and systematically confronted. As we highlight with the example of ancient Egyptian material, it is apparent that significant parts of museum holdings remain freighted by unquestioned colonial and Eurocentric discourses. We employ a case study of the Egyptian material redisplayed in the “World Cultures” gallery of the Horniman Museum, London, to demonstrate how the ethnographic museum continues to unwittingly produce “silences” around collections. To redress the lacunae we provide examples of the way in which this body of material could be more meaningfully integrated within museological discourses that have informed the rethinking of other aspects of world culture.
Epidemiological cut‐off values for itraconazole and ravuconazole for Madurella mycetomatis, the most common causative agent of mycetoma
Authors: Nyuykonge Bertrand , Siddig Emmanuel E. , Mhmoud Najwa Adam , Nyaoke Borna A. , Zijlstra Eduard E. , Verbon Annelies , Bakhiet Sahar , Fahal Ahmed H. , van de Sande Wendy W. J.
Published: July 2022

Background

Eumycetoma is a neglected tropical disease. It is a chronic inflammatory subcutaneous infection characterised by painless swellings which produce grains. It is currently treated with a combination of itraconazole and surgery. In an ongoing clinical study, the efficacy of fosravuconazole, the prodrug of ravuconazole, is being investigated. For both itraconazole and ravuconazole, no clinical breakpoints or epidemiological cut‐off values (ECV) to guide treatment are currently available.

Objective

To determine tentative ECVs for itraconazole and ravuconazole in Madurella mycetomatis, the main causative agent of eumycetoma.

Materials and Methods

Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for itraconazole and ravuconazole were determined in 131 genetically diverse clinical M. mycetomatis isolates with the modified CLSI M38 broth microdilution method. The MIC distributions were established and used to determine ECVs with the ECOFFinder software. CYP51A sequences were sequenced to determine whether mutations occurred in this azole target gene, and comparisons were made between the different CYP51A variants and the MIC distributions.

Results

The MICs ranged from 0.008 to 1 mg/L for itraconazole and from 0.002 to 0.125 mg/L for ravuconazole. The M. mycetomatis ECV for itraconazole was 1 mg/L and for ravuconazole 0.064 mg/L. In the wild‐type population, two CYP51A variants were found for M. mycetomatis, which differed in one amino acid at position 499 (S499G). The MIC distributions for itraconazole and ravuconazole were similar between the two variants. No mutations linked to decreased susceptibility were found.

Conclusion

The proposed M. mycetomatis ECV for itraconazole is 1 mg/L and for ravuconazole 0.064 mg/L.
Within‐eye and between‐subject variability for reflectance of the retinal nerve fibre layer
Authors: Cheung Hin , Swanson William H. , King Brett J.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Reflectance of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) can contribute to detecting the presence of glaucomatous damage and defining its extent. As a step towards developing a normative database for RNFL reflectance, we assessed within‐eye and between‐subject variability for RNFL reflectance in healthy eyes.

Methods

Vertical 30° × 15° volume scans at the optic disc were gathered using SD‐OCT (Spectralis OCT) from people free of eye disease. Scans were gathered for both eyes of 30 younger adults (mean ± SD = 27 ± 3 years) and for one eye of 30 older adults (68 ± 8 years). Reflectance was quantified for each voxel as the depth‐resolved attenuation coefficient (AC). Values for AC were extracted for four slabs (0–52, 24–52, 24–36 and 36–60 μm) and at depths from 24 to 60 μm below the inner limiting membrane (ILM) in 4 μm steps.

Results

Between‐subject and within‐eye standard deviations (SDs) for the logarithm of AC were similar; median differences were 0.02–0.03 log unit across all four slabs and depths from 24 to 48 μm. Means for the logarithm of AC were higher for younger than older eyes by ~0.1 log unit; this age effect was not due to differences in the raw reflectance of the RNFL, but rather to age‐related changes in reflectance of deeper retina affecting the calculation of AC.

Conclusions

In both groups, within‐eye variability in RNFL reflectance near the optic disc was similar to between‐subject variability. A better understanding of within‐eye variability would be useful for developing normative databases.
Antenatal magnesium sulfate and ritodrine increased potassium levels in preterm infants: A cohort study
Authors: Hira Seigo , Ban Ryoichi , Ogawa Satoru , Sakai Kyoko , Takitani Kimitaka , Ashida Akira
Published: July 2022

Background

Ritodrine and magnesium sulfate are administered to prevent preterm labor. Magnesium sulfate is also administered to prevent preeclampsia. These drugs have been reported to increase potassium levels in pregnant women and neonates. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between potassium levels in preterm infants and antenatal treatment.

Methods

This prospective cohort study was conducted at Saiseikai Suita Hospital. Preterm infants born at <35 weeks' gestation between October 2012 and September 2014 were recruited and divided into four groups based on the antenatal treatment their mothers received. Serum and urine electrolyte levels at birth and serum potassium levels 1 day after birth were measured.

Results

The mothers of 16 infants received no antenatal treatment (condition C); the mothers of 29 infants received antenatal ritodrine (R); the mothers of seven infants received magnesium sulfate (M); and the mothers of 15 infants received both magnesium sulfate and ritodrine (M + R). At birth, potassium levels were similar among the four groups. However, potassium levels a day after birth were significantly higher in the M + R group than in the other groups: median (min.–max.) mEq/L 4.8 (3.8–6.2), 4.8 (3.6–6.0), and 4.4 (3.8–5.9) vs. 5.8 (4.9–7.2), in the C, R, and M groups versus the M + R group, respectively (P < 0.01). Significantly more infants in the M + R group exhibited a fractional excretion of potassium of <10% compared with those in the other groups.

Conclusion

The increased potassium levels we observe in preterm infants of mothers who received antenatal magnesium sulfate and ritodrine administration on postnatal day 1 warrant monitoring by neonatologists.
Moderate Low UVB Irradiation Modulates Tumor‐associated Macrophages and Dendritic Cells and Promotes Antitumor Immunity in Tumor‐bearing Mice†
Authors: Park Gayoung , Cui Yan‐Hong , Yang Seungwon , Sun Ming , Wilkinson Emma , Li Haixia , Zhang Yuhan Blair , Chen Jing , Bissonnette Marc , Lin Wenbin , He Yu‐Ying
Published: July 2022

Excessive, high doses of ultraviolet B (UVB) UVB irradiation are known to cause skin cancer, aging and immunosuppression. On the contrary, moderate low doses of UVB irradiation are shown to be essential and beneficial to human health, including a tumor‐suppressive effect. However, the mechanism by which low levels of UVB suppress tumorigenesis remains unclear. Here, using tumor‐bearing mouse models, we show that moderate low repetitive UVB irradiation increases the percentage of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and CD103+ conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s), while it decreases the number of immunosuppressive, M2‐like macrophages in the tumors. Finally, in mice, deletion of Batf3, a transcription factor critical for the development of conventional dendritic cells, including the CD103+ cDC1s, showed increased tumor growth in both sham‐ and UVB‐irradiated mice. Our findings demonstrate that moderate low UVB irradiation inhibits M2‐like tumor‐associated macrophages, increases CD103+ cDC1s and promotes antitumor immunity in mice with an established tumor.
Conservative seed fertility maintains hermaphrodites in gynodioeciousDaphne jezoensis: a test of the sex‐differential plasticity hypothesis
Authors: Shibata A. , Kudo G.
Published: July 2022

Gynodioecy is assumed to be an evolutionary transition from hermaphroditism to dioecy. However, if hermaphrodites can better flexibly regulate seed production depending on resource availability than females,i.e.sex‐differential plasticity (SDP), gynodioecy can be a stable state. In the gynodioecious shrubDaphne jezoensis, hermaphrodites generally exhibit low seed fertility and largely act as males. We examined the SDP hypothesis and the cost of fruit production to clarify whyD. jezoensisdid not evolve into unisexual morphs.

We evaluated the size and resource dependency of reproduction in field experiments by manipulating soil nutrient and light conditions. We compared the plant size and pollen production among females, fruiting hermaphrodites and non‐fruiting hermaphrodites. We then analysed the effect of current fruit production on subsequent flower production,i.e.the cost of fruit production.

The fruiting ability was independent of plant size and resource availability in both sexual phenotypes, indicating the absence of SDP inD. jezoensis. Hermaphrodites produced larger‐sized pollen and allocated more resources to pollen production in the non‐fruiting year than in the fruiting year. In contrast, the cost of fruit production was not revealed for either sexual phenotype, even in the absence of pollen limitation, and even when fruit production was maximized.

SDP could not explain the maintenance of hermaphrodites inD. jezoensis. Alternatively, the lower cost of fruit production in hermaphrodites due to their potentially low fruiting ability may hinder the evolutionary shift to dioecy.
Crystal idioblasts are involved in the anther dehiscence of Nicotiana tabacum
Authors: Liu Jing , Bi Baoxia , Tian Guanghua , Li Ziwei , Wang Weirui , Ma Fang , Shi Hongyong , Liu Wenzhe
Published: August 2022

In Nicotiana tabacum, the degeneration of connective tissue and stomium tissue (the stomium and circular cell cluster [CCC]) is essential for anther dehiscence. Both connective cells and CCC cells are crystal idioblasts, and these cells will undergo degeneration after accumulating calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals. However, detailed data concerning this process are minimal. Therefore, this study used cellular biological and physiological methods to illustrate this relationship. Results demonstrated that tobacco anther dehiscence is a series of timed programmed cell death (PCD) processes that include the CCC, connective tissue, and stomium. The degenerating crystal idioblasts of the tobacco anther were found to possess two hallmark characteristics that distinguished them from normal PCD cells, namely dynamic changes in CaOx crystals and the appearance of numerous peroxisomes. The accumulation of CaOx and the production of H2O2 occurred simultaneously or successively before PCD. The peak H2O2 content was found to appear after the insoluble oxalate. Further, CeCl3 cytochemistry staining was used to detect subcellular H2O2, and the precipitate of H2O2 was primarily present in peroxisomes and around CaOx crystals. These results show that anther dehiscence in N. tabacum is a PCD process in which crystal idioblasts play a vital role in CaOx degradation and H2O2 production.
Drug‐associated bone resorption with potential dental and implant implications
Authors: Romanos Georgios E. , Vaglica Michael , Sculean Anton
Published: August 2022

Every year more and more innovative pharmacological agents are introduced medicine, to treat systemic diseases. Due to these rapid and recent advancements, many patients are receiving treatment with a high variety of drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, bisphosphonates, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α inhibitors, cyclosporine, and steroids. Since implant and osseous surgery are common treatment modalities used, within dentistry, it is of critical important to acknowledge and discuss the potential effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, bisphosphonates, TNF‐α inhibitors, cyclosporine, and steroids, on bone healing. The present paper discusses the possible detrimental ramifications and risks these drug classes may have on bone healing.
On the edge: habitat restoration priorities for three critically endangered bird species on Sangihe, Indonesia
Authors: Martin Robert W. , Collar Nigel J. , Fauzen Panji , Bashari Hanom , Widyanto Adi , Tasirin John S. , Marsden Stuart J.
Published: July 2022

Remnant forests on the small Wallacean island of Sangihe north of Sulawesi hold the entire ranges of more critically endangered (CR) bird species than any other comparable area on earth. We develop habitat association models for three of these CR species to identify critical habitat features as well as areas where habitat falls slightly short of suitability, and to determine whether another area of forest away from the largest block might be suitable as an insurance site for a translocated population. Hopes for all three species appear almost totally pinned to forest within a 13 km2 area of the Sahendaruman crater, with virtually no near‐suitable habitat away from this site. There is, however, little overlap in habitats between one CR species and the other two: cerulean flycatcher Eutrichomyias rowleyi is associated with mature streamside forest with full canopy cover, lianas, and mid‐level growth, while Sangihe whistler Coracornis sanghirensis and Sangihe golden bulbul Hypsipetes platenae are restricted to ridgetop forest with full canopy cover and large trees. We pinpoint small areas (around 5 km2) of forest in the crater that are already suitable or can be made so with habitat management, and these are absolute priorities for conservation action. We show how habitat characteristics identified within models might be enhanced, and how features, especially certain tree species, can be used as indicators of future habitat improvement.
Calibrating states' emissions reduction due diligence obligations with reference to the right to life
Authors: McCluskey Susan
Published: July 2022

The 2017 Advisory Opinion of the Inter‐American Court of Human Rights broke new ground in finding that States' failure to regulate with due diligence the activities taking place within its territory could constitute a breach of the human rights of persons located elsewhere. How might this finding inform the law on prevention of transboundary harm? Similarly, how might it inform an identification of the standard of care required of States in respect of climate change? This article argues that the law on transboundary harm should now be understood as requiring States to regulate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with stabilizing global warming at a temperature, which, at a minimum, prevents widespread threat to life around the globe. States' differing capacities to invest in mitigation strategies, their varying historic contributions to climate change and the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions are also factors affecting a reasonable standard of care.
High‐speed running during match‐play before and after return from hamstring injury in professional footballers
Authors: Whiteley Rodney , Gregson Warren , Bahr Roald , Tabben Montassar , Chamari Karim , Lolli Lorenzo , Salvo Valter Di
Published: July 2022

Hamstring injuries constitute the single largest cause of lost playing time in professional football. While restoring high‐speed running ability is paramount for rehabilitation from these injuries, little evidence exists regarding the extent of return to sport running performance after hamstring injury in football. We examined medical and match performance data available from a sample of 38 professional soccer players competing in the Qatar Stars League (N = 1426 observations) to describe high‐speed running performance during match‐play prior and subsequent to a hamstring strain injury. Multivariable‐adjusted random‐effects generalized additive models estimated post‐ versus pre‐hamstring injury differences in maximal speed (km/h), high‐speed running (>20 km/h), and sprinting (>25 km/h) distance. Mean effects and uncertainty (95% confidence interval, CI) were interpreted against the estimated random match‐to‐match variability in maximal sprinting speed, high‐speed running distance, and sprinting running distance of ±1.67 km/h (95% CI, 1.62–1.72 km/h), ±102 m (95% CI, 99–105 m), and ±60 m (95% CI, 58–61 m), respectively. The estimated post‐ versus pre‐hamstring injury mean differences in maximal sprinting speed, high‐speed running distance, and sprinting running distance primary outcomes were −0.25 km/h (95% CI, −0.38 to −0.12 km/h), −43 m (95% CI, −56 to −30 m), and −22 m (95% CI, −29 to −16 m). Players returning to football match‐play after hamstring strain injury experienced reductions in high‐speed match physical performance that were well within normal match‐to‐match variation in performance.
Outcomes reported in trials of treatments for severe malaria: The need for a core outcome set
Authors: Lampro Lamprini , George Elizabeth C.
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Malaria is one of the most important parasitic infectious diseases worldwide. Despite the scale‐up of effective antimalarials, mortality rates from severe malaria (SM) remain significantly high; thus, numerous trials are investigating both antimalarials and adjunctive therapy. This review aimed to summarise all the outcome measures used in trials in the last 10 years to see the need for a core outcome set.

Methods

A systematic review was undertaken to summarise outcomes of individually randomised trials assessing treatments for SM in adults and children. We searched key databases and trial registries between 1 January 2010 and 30 July 2020. Non‐randomised trials were excluded to allow comparison of similar trials. Trial characteristics including phase, region, population, interventions, were summarised. All primary and secondary outcomes were extracted and categorised using a taxonomy table.

Results

Twenty‐seven of 282 screened trials met our inclusion criteria, including 10,342 patients from 19 countries: 19 (70%) trials from Africa and 8 (30%) from Asia. A large amount of heterogeneity was observed in the selection of outcomes and instruments, with 101 different outcomes measures recorded, 78/101 reported only in a single trial. Parasitological outcomes (17 studies), neurological status (14 studies), death (14 studies) and temperature (10 studies), were the most reported outcomes. Where an outcome was reported in >1 study it was often measured differently: temperature (4 different measures), renal function (7 measures), nervous system (13 measures) and parasitology (10 measures).

Conclusion

Outcomes used in SM trials are inconsistent and heterogeneous. Absence of consensus for outcome measures used impedes research synthesis and comparability of different interventions. This systematic review demonstrates the need to develop a standardised collection of core outcomes for clinical trials of treatments for SM and next steps to include the development of a panel of experts in the field, a Delphi process, and a consensus meeting.
IntrauterineHIVexposure is associated with linear growth restriction among Ethiopian children in the first 18 months of life
Authors: Szanyi Joshua , Walles John König , Tesfaye Fregenet , Gudeta Adugna Negussie , Björkman Per
Published: August 2022

Objective

The role of HIV exposure in determining growth among HIV‐uninfected children is debated. We determined whether intrauterine HIV exposure influences linear growth in a cohort of Ethiopian children followed up to 18 months of age in public health facilities in Adama city, Ethiopia.

Methods

Participants were offspring of pregnant women enrolled in a prospective cohort study that included screening for HIV infection during antenatal care. Growth patterns of HIV‐exposed and uninfected (HEU) and HIV‐unexposed (HU) children were compared up to 18 months of age, with length‐for‐age z‐score (LAZ) and proportion with stunting as primary outcomes. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were constructed to investigate the associations between HIV exposure and linear growth, controlling for socio‐demographic factors and breastfeeding status.

Results

Of 1705 included infants (164 HEU), 1276 remained in follow‐up at 18 months. Among HIV‐positive mothers, 132 (80.5%) were receiving antiretroviral therapy at enrolment. At the 18‐month visit, mean LAZ was −1.08 among HEU children and −0.74 among HU children (p = 0.052). Proportions of HEU and HU children with stunting at the 18‐month visit were 27.8% and 18.7%, respectively (p = 0.010). In multivariable models, HIV exposure was associated with lower LAZ at all follow‐up visits, and with stunting at the 18‐month visit (adjusted odds ratio 2.29, 95% confidence interval 1.40–3.71). HIV exposure was not associated with weight‐related growth outcomes.

Conclusions

HEU children in Ethiopia had inferior linear growth compared with HU children, implying that intrauterine HIV exposure impacts early childhood growth in this setting.
Offline memory replay in recurrent neuronal networks emerges from constraints on online dynamics
Authors: Milstein Aaron D. , Tran Sarah , Ng Grace , Soltesz Ivan
Published: July 2022

During spatial exploration, neural circuits in the hippocampus store memories of sequences of sensory events encountered in the environment. When sensory information is absent during ‘offline’ resting periods, brief neuronal population bursts can ‘replay’ sequences of activity that resemble bouts of sensory experience. These sequences can occur in either forward or reverse order, and can even include spatial trajectories that have not been experienced, but are consistent with the topology of the environment. The neural circuit mechanisms underlying this variable and flexible sequence generation are unknown. Here we demonstrate in a recurrent spiking network model of hippocampal area CA3 that experimental constraints on network dynamics such as population sparsity, stimulus selectivity, rhythmicity and spike rate adaptation, as well as associative synaptic connectivity, enable additional emergent properties, including variable offline memory replay. In an online stimulus‐driven state, we observed the emergence of neuronal sequences that swept from representations of past to future stimuli on the timescale of the theta rhythm. In an offline state driven only by noise, the network generated both forward and reverse neuronal sequences, and recapitulated the experimental observation that offline memory replay events tend to include salient locations like the site of a reward. These results demonstrate that biological constraints on the dynamics of recurrent neural circuits are sufficient to enable memories of sensory events stored in the strengths of synaptic connections to be flexibly read out during rest and sleep, which is thought to be important for memory consolidation and planning of future behaviour.

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Key points

A recurrent spiking network model of hippocampal area CA3 was optimized to recapitulate experimentally observed network dynamics during simulated spatial exploration.

During simulated offline rest, the network exhibited the emergent property of generating flexible forward, reverse and mixed direction memory replay events.

Network perturbations and analysis of model diversity and degeneracy identified associative synaptic connectivity and key features of network dynamics as important for offline sequence generation.

Network simulations demonstrate that population over‐representation of salient positions like the site of reward results in biased memory replay.
Comprensión y función de la espiritualidad en la vida de la mujer adulta mayor
Authors: Mafla Terán Nelson , Acero Montañez José Ricardo
Published: August 2022

Este artículo expone la comprensión que tienen las adultas mayores del Centro Día Cafam de la ciudad de Bogotá sobre su espiritualidad y el papel que ella cumple en sus vidas. Este deriva de una investigación de campo en la cual participaron docentes de teología y docentes de enfermería. El fin del estudio fue ofrecer elementos académicos que permitan cualificar el acompañamiento espiritual de las adultas mayores en el ámbito médico y de la pastoral geriátrica. Los estudios de esta naturaleza ponen el énfasis en la descripción de la experiencia espiritual del adulto mayor, pero dejan a un lado el análisis de la calidad espiritual que rige la vida de estas personas.Nuestro estudio analiza los tipos de representación divina en la que sustentan su universo espiritual las adultas mayores del Centro Día Cafam,los tipos de espiritualidad que se derivan de dicha representación y los riesgos espirituales inherentes a situaciones en las que los dioses y la espiritualidad se funden en una dinámica retributiva de miedo y obediencia.El estudio se apoya en los fundamentos teóricos del método antropológico trascendental, que plantea la premisa de que el ser humano es capaz de vivir una experiencia profunda de la realidad de Dios en su propia interioridad, experiencia trascendental que sucede sin más mediación que nosotros mismos, mientras que la realidad de Dios acontece en un acto de autocomunicaciónen nuestro propio ser.El escrito consta de tres partes: en primer lugar se expone el método que sustenta la investigación; a renglón seguido se indica el procedimiento de la misma (participantes y procedimiento implementado en la construcción de los datos); se finaliza con la exposición de los resultados y algunas conclusiones derivadas del proceso investigativo.
Estimating chorusing activity by quantifying total acoustic energy
Authors: Simmons Andrea Megela , Ming Chen , Kloepper Laura N.
Published: August 2022

Passive acoustics provides a powerful method for localizing vocalizing animals and estimating species abundance. A passive acoustics method previously used to census dense populations of flying bats is applied here to estimate chorusing activity of male bullfrogs vocalizing against anthropogenic noise. There are significant links between manual counts of the numbers of advertisement call notes and automatically detected notes and two measures of acoustic energy. These data provide a foundation for the use of acoustic energy measures to census vocal activity in different habitats.