bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial diversity through an oceanographic lens: refining the concept of ocean provinces through trophic‐level analysis and productivity‐specific length scales
Authors: Hörstmann Cora , Buttigieg Pier Luigi , John Uwe , Raes Eric J. , Wolf‐Gladrow Dieter , Bracher Astrid , Waite Anya M.
Published: November 2021

In the marine realm, microorganisms are responsible for the bulk of primary production, thereby sustaining marine life across all trophic levels. Longhurst provinces have distinct microbial fingerprints; however, little is known about how microbial diversity and primary productivity change at finer spatial scales. Here, we sampled the Atlantic Ocean from south to north (~50°S–50°N), every ~0.5° latitude. We conducted measurements of primary productivity, chlorophyll‐a and relative abundance of 16S and 18S rRNA genes, alongside analyses of the physicochemical and hydrographic environment. We analysed the diversity of autotrophs, mixotrophs and heterotrophs, and noted distinct patterns among these guilds across provinces with high and low chlorophyll‐a conditions. Eukaryotic autotrophs and prokaryotic heterotrophs showed a shared inter‐province diversity pattern, distinct from the diversity pattern shared by mixotrophs, cyanobacteria and eukaryotic heterotrophs. Additionally, we calculated samplewise productivity‐specific length scales, the potential horizontal displacement of microbial communities by surface currents to an intrinsic biological rate (here, specific primary productivity). This scale provides key context for our trophically disaggregated diversity analysis that we could relate to underlying oceanographic features. We integrate this element to provide more nuanced insights into the mosaic‐like nature of microbial provincialism, linking diversity patterns to oceanographic transport through primary production.
Migrant and Refugee Women in the Hostile Environment Immigration System: Deliberately Silenced and Preferably Unheard
Authors: Bralo Zrinka
Published: November 2021

Immigration is one of those issues about which everyone has an opinion, but those opinions are rarely informed by facts. Rather, they are sustained by feelings of alienation, powerlessness and fear. That governments draft legislation based on these depictions is highly problematic. It demonstrates at best a capitulation of leadership and at worst an explicit acceptance of a racist right‐wing populist agenda. When combined with systemic misogyny, a framework of oppression emerges that makes the lives of migrant and refugee women even more precarious than it is for men. These, like many other aspects of the ‘hostile environment’, force people into destitution; they fear reprisals by the system if they speak out and in many cases feel ashamed. All this sounds, and is, rather bleak, but it is not the complete story. Despite the hostility—or because of it—there is a thriving grassroots community of solidarity that is organising resistance against misogyny and the hostile immigration policy. The way forward starts with the reframing of the ‘good/bad refugee/migrant’ discourse from which a new narrative emerges: that of a fair immigration system based on principles of dignity, justice and welcome.
Effect of the icariin on endothelial microparticles, endothelial progenitor cells, platelets, and erectile function in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Li Xu , Yang Hai‐Fan , Chen Yong , Pei Li‐Jun , Jiang Rui
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To investigate the effect of icariin on endothelial microparticles, endothelial progenitor cells, platelets, and erectile function in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Materials and methods

Twelve 8‐week‐old healthy male Wistar‐Kyoto rats and 12 spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into four following groups: Wistar‐Kyoto control group (normal saline 1 ml/d given by gavage), Wistar‐Kyoto + icariin group (icariin 10 mg/kg × d dissolved in 1 ml normal saline and given by gavage), spontaneously hypertensive rats control group (normal saline 1 ml/d given by gavage), and spontaneously hypertensive rats + icariin group (icariin 10 mg/kg × d dissolved in 1 ml normal saline and given by gavage). Four weeks later, the maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure, platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, endothelial microparticles, endothelial progenitor cells, and vitronectin receptor were measured in each group.

Results

Under 3 or 5 V electrical stimulation, the maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure in the spontaneously hypertensive rats + icariin group (0.23 ± 0.03, 0.38 ± 0.02) was significantly higher compared to the spontaneously hypertensive rats control group (0.12 ± 0.02, 0.20 ± 0.02) (p<0.05). Platelet count, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width in the spontaneously hypertensive rats + icariin group (1103.67 ± 107.70 × 109/L, 9.08 ± 0.50 fl, 11.87 ± 0.45%) were significantly lower than those in the spontaneously hypertensive rats control group (1298.00 ± 89.54 × 109/L, 9.72 ± 0.44 fl, 13.03 ± 0.59%) (all p < 0.05). Endothelial microparticles, endothelial progenitor cells, and vitronectin receptor in the spontaneously hypertensive rats + icariin group (1.01 ± 0.28%, 1.53 ± 0.65%, 2.13 ± 0.53%) were significantly lower than those in the spontaneously hypertensive rats control group (1.58 ± 0.19%, 2.71 ± 0.64%, 3.76 ± 0.52%) (all p < 0.05). Moreover, maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure was strongly negatively correlated with platelet distribution width and vitronectin receptor (r > 0.7), and maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure was moderately negatively correlated with mean platelet volume, endothelial microparticles, and endothelial progenitor cells (0.5 < r<0.7).

Conclusion

Icariin may improve erectile function in spontaneously hypertensive rats by reducing the content of endothelial microparticles in blood and inhibiting the activation of the platelets. Endothelial microparticles, endothelial progenitor cells, and platelet activation‐related (mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and vitronectin receptor) can be used as indicators for icariin to improve erectile function in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
A higher preconceptional paternal body mass index influences fertilization rate and preimplantation embryo development
Authors: Hoek Jeffrey , Schoenmakers Sam , van Duijn Linette , Willemsen Sten P. , van Marion Eva S. , Laven Joop S. E. , Baart Esther B. , Steegers‐Theunissen Régine P. M.
Published: November 2021

Background

Obesity is a worldwide problem affecting the health of millions of people throughout the life course. Studies reveal that obesity impairs sperm parameters and epigenetics, potentially influencing embryonic development.

Objective

To investigate the association between preconceptional paternal body mass index (BMI) and embryo morphokinetics using a time‐lapse incubator and in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes.

Materials and methods

Participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital in this prospective periconceptional cohort study. A total of 211 men were included: 86 with normal weight (BMI < 25.0), 94 overweight (BMI 25–29.9), and 41 obese (BMI ≥ 30). These men were part of a couple that underwent IVF/ICSI treatment with ejaculated sperm after which 757 embryos were cultured in a time‐lapse incubator. The main outcome parameters consisted of fertilization rate, embryo developmental morphokinetics, embryo quality assessed by a time‐lapse prediction algorithm (KIDScore), and live birth rate.

Results

A higher paternal BMI was associated with faster development of the preimplantation embryo, especially during the first cleavage divisions (t2: −0.11 h (p = 0.05) and t3: −0.19 h (p = 0.01)). Embryo quality using the KIDScore was not altered. The linear regression analysis, after adjustment for confounders (paternal age, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol use, education, total motile sperm count, and maternal age and BMI), showed an inverse association between paternal BMI and fertilization rate (effect estimate: −0.01 (p = 0.002)), but not with the live birth rate.

Discussion and conclusion

Our data demonstrate that a higher preconceptional paternal BMI is associated with a reduced fertilization rate in IVF/ICSI treatment. Our findings underline the importance of a healthy paternal weight during the preconception period.
Pre‐approval and post‐approval availability of evidence and clinical benefit of conditionally approved cancer drugs in Europe: A comparison with standard approved cancer drugs
Authors: Bloem Lourens T. , Bot Rosa E. , Mantel‐Teeuwisse Aukje K. , van der Elst Menno E. , Sonke Gabe S. , Klungel Olaf H. , Leufkens Hubert G. M. , Hoekman Jarno
Published: November 2021

Aims

Cancer drugs are increasingly approved through expedited regulatory pathways including the European conditional marketing authorization (CMA). Whether, when taking CMA post‐approval confirmatory trials into account, the level of evidence and clinical benefit between CMA and standard approved (SMA) drugs differs remains unknown.

Methods

We identified all CMA cancer indications converted to SMA in 2006–2020 and compared these to similar SMA indications with regard to pivotal trial and CMA post‐approval confirmatory trial design, outcomes and demonstrated clinical benefit (per the European Society for Medical Oncology Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale). We tested for differences in clinical benefit and whether substantial clinical benefit was demonstrated. To account for the clinical benefit of unconverted CMA indications, we performed sensitivity analyses.

Results

We included 15 SMA and 15 converted CMA cancer indications (17 remained unconverted). Approval of 11 SMA (73%) and four CMA indications (27%) was supported by a controlled trial. Improved overall survival (OS) was demonstrated for four SMA indications (27%). Improved quality of life (QoL) was demonstrated for three SMA (20%) and one CMA indication(s) (7%). Of subsequent CMA post‐approval confirmatory trials, 11 were controlled (79%), one demonstrated improved OS (7%) and five improved QoL (36%). After conversion, CMA indications were associated with similar clinical benefit (P = .31) and substantial clinical benefit as SMA indications (risk ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval 0.57–3.4).

Conclusion

While CMA cancer indications are initially associated with less comprehensive evidence than SMA indications, levels of evidence and clinical benefit are similar after conversion from CMA to SMA.
DPYD polymorphisms c.496A>G, c.2194G>A and c.85T>C and risk of severe adverse drug reactions in patients treated with fluoropyrimidine‐based protocols
Authors: Božina Nada , Bilić Ivan , Ganoci Lana , Šimičević Livija , Pleština Stjepko , Lešnjaković Lucija , Trkulja Vladimir
Published: November 2021

Aims

Cancer patients with reduced dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity are at increased risk of severe fluoropyrimidine (FP)‐related adverse events (AE). Guidelines recommend FP dosing adjusted to genotype‐predicted DPD activity based on four DPYD variants (rs3918290, rs55886062, rs67376798 and rs56038477). We evaluated the relationship between three further DPYD polymorphisms: c.496A>G (rs2297595), *6 c.2194G>A (rs1801160) and *9A c.85T>C (rs1801265) and the risk of severe AEs.

Methods

Consecutive FP‐treated adult patients were genotyped for “standard” and tested DPYD variants, and for UGT1A1*28 if irinotecan was included, and were monitored for the occurrence of grade ≥3 (National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria) vs. grade 0–2 AEs. For each of the tested polymorphisms, variant allele carriers were matched to respective wild type controls (optimal full matching combined with exact matching, in respect to: age, sex, type of cancer, type of FP, DPYD activity score, use of irinotecan/UGT1A1, adjuvant therapy, radiotherapy, biological therapy and genotype on the remaining two tested polymorphisms).

Results

Of the 503 included patients (82.3% colorectal cancer), 283 (56.3%) developed grade ≥3 AEs, mostly diarrhoea and neutropenia. Odds of grade ≥3 AEs were higher in c.496A>G variant carriers (n = 127) than in controls (n = 376) [OR = 5.20 (95% CI 1.88–14.3), Bayesian OR = 5.24 (95% CrI 3.06–9.12)]. Odds tended to be higher in c.2194G>A variant carriers (n = 58) than in controls (n = 432) [OR = 1.88 (0.95–3.73), Bayesian OR = 1.90 (1.03–3.56)]. c.85T>C did not appear associated with grade ≥3 AEs (206 variant carriers vs. 284 controls).

Conclusion

DPYD c.496A>G and possibly c.2194G>A variants might need to be considered for inclusion in the DPYD genotyping panel.
Rejoinder to discussions of “distributional independent component analysis for diverse neuroimaging modalities”
Authors: Wu Ben , Pal Subhadip , Kang Jian , Guo Ying
Published: November 2021

We thank the editors for organizing the discussions and the discussants for insightful comments. Our rejoinder provides results and comments to address the questions raised in the discussions. Specifically, we present results showing DICA largely demonstrates better or comparable stability as compared with standard ICA. We also validate the DICA in real fMRI application by showing DICA generally shows higher reliability in reproducibly recovering major brain functional networks as compared with the standard ICA. We provide details on the computational complexity of the method. The computational cost of DICA is very reasonable with the analysis of the fMRI and DTI data easily implementable on a PC or laptop. Finally, we include discussions on several directions for extending the DICA framework in the future.
Education as a catalyst for the social inclusion of people with learning disabilities
Authors: Robinson Deborah , Codina Geraldene , Strogilos Vasilis , Dimitrellou Eleni
Published: November 2021

Accessible summary

The social inclusion of people with learning disabilities is an important topic because we all have a right to participate in society.

Articles in this special issue talk about how education can help to make social inclusion better so that people with learning disabilities can join in and belong, just like everyone else.

The articles talk about how changes in the way people think about learning disabilities can help make education better at making social inclusion happen.

They also talk about how this can happen by supporting transitions to adulthood (e.g., into paid work), learning in universities and getting people with learning disabilities involved in writing courses about health.
Limited sampling strategies for estimation of tacrolimus exposure in kidney transplant recipients receiving extended‐release tacrolimus preparation
Authors: El‐Nahhas Toqa , Popoola Joyce , MacPhee Iain , Johnston Atholl
Published: November 2021

Tacrolimus is the key component of most contemporary immunosuppressive drug regimens for the prevention of transplant rejection. Area under the concentration time curve over 24 h (AUC0–24) predicts efficacy, but predose (trough) tacrolimus blood concentration (C0) is currently used to guide dosing. In clinical or research situations where an estimate of AUC is required, collection of a full 24 h pharmacokinetic (PK) profile is cumbersome. Limited sampling strategies (LSSs) have been developed for some tacrolimus preparations but not for the new, extended‐release, once‐daily formulation of tacrolimus, ENVARSUS XR. Twenty‐four kidney transplant recipients were enrolled in this study. Twenty‐four tacrolimus PK profiles were obtained over 24 h. Multiple linear regression was used to generate LSSs with the best subset selection for accurate estimation of tacrolimus AUC0–24. The predictive performance of each model was assessed in the evaluation group. The correlation between actual and predicted AUC0–24 was evaluated and mean percentage prediction error (MPE%), mean absolute percentage prediction error (MAE%), and root mean squared error (RMSE) were calculated for each prediction model to assess bias and precision. The selected LSSs were highly correlated to AUC0–24 compared with the correlation between C0 and AUC0‐24. Two and three sampling points limited sampling strategies: C0, C2, and C10 provide the most reliable and effective LSS for estimation of tacrolimus AUC0–24 in routine clinic use. These limited sampling models can be applied in therapeutic drug monitoring schemes to personalize tacrolimus dosing for kidney transplant recipients on treatment with extended‐release tacrolimus.
Glycated haemoglobin levels among 3295 hospitalized COVID‐19 patients, with and without diabetes, and risk of severe infection, admission to an intensive care unit and all‐cause mortality
Authors: Alhakak Amna , Butt Jawad H. , Gerds Thomas A. , Fosbøl Emil L. , Mogensen Ulrik M. , Krøll Johanna , Pallisgaard Jannik L. , Gislason Gunnar H. , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Køber Lars , Weeke Peter E.
Published: November 2021

Aim

To determine the risk of adverse outcomes across the spectrum of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels among hospitalized COVID‐19 patients with and without diabetes.

Materials and methods

Danish nationwide registries were used to study the association between HbA1c levels and 30‐day risk of all‐cause mortality and the composite of severe COVID‐19 infection, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and all‐cause mortality. The study population comprised patients hospitalized with COVID‐19 (3 March 2020 to 31 December 2020) with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and an available HbA1c ≤ 6 months before the first positive PCR test. All patients had at least 30 days of follow‐up. Among patients with diabetes, HbA1c was categorized as <48 mmol/mol, 48 to 53 mmol/mol, 54 to 58 mmol/mol, 59 to 64 mmol/mol (reference) and >64 mmol/mol. Among patients without diabetes, HbA1c was stratified into <31 mmol/mol, 31 to 36 mmol/mol (reference), 37 to 41 mmol/mol and 42 to 47 mmol/mol. Thirty‐day standardized absolute risks and standardized absolute risk differences are reported.

Results

We identified 3295 hospitalized COVID‐19 patients with an available HbA1c (56.2% male, median age 73.9 years), of whom 35.8% had diabetes. The median HbA1c was 54 and 37 mmol/mol among patients with and without diabetes, respectively. Among patients with diabetes, the standardized absolute risk difference of the composite outcome was higher with HbA1c < 48 mmol/mol (12.0% [95% confidence interval {CI} 3.3% to 20.8%]) and HbA1c > 64 mmol/mol (15.1% [95% CI 6.2% to 24.0%]), compared with HbA1c 59 to 64 mmol/mol (reference). Among patients without diabetes, the standardized absolute risk difference of the composite outcome was greater with HbA1c < 31 mmol/mol (8.5% [95% CI 0.5% to 16.5%]) and HbA1c 42 to 47 mmol/mol (6.7% [95% CI 1.3% to 12.1%]), compared with HbA1c 31 to 36 mmol/mol (reference).

Conclusions

Patients with COVID‐19 and HbA1c < 48 mmol/mol or HbA1c > 64 mmol/mol had a higher associated risk of the composite outcome. Similarly, among patients without diabetes, varying HbA1c levels were associated with higher risk of the composite outcome.
A global synthesis of the small‐island effect in amphibians and reptiles
Authors: Gao De , Wang Yanping
Published: November 2021

The small‐island effect (SIE) is an important pattern in the research fields of island biogeography and biodiversity science. Amphibians and reptiles, while playing important roles in ecosystems, are experiencing global declines. However, to date, no study has explicitly examined the generality and processes underlying the SIE in amphibians and reptiles. Here, we complied 105 global data sets to systematically evaluate the prevalence and underlying factors determining the occurrence of SIEs, area threshold (T) and difference in area threshold (ΔT) between amphibians and reptiles. We applied 27 species–area relationship (SAR) models to the 105 global data sets of amphibians and reptiles to test for the existence of SIEs. We obtained 12 island characteristics, 5 environmental variables, 2 anthropogenic influence variables and 8 species traits that are linked to species survival, which were then tested separately and in combination to examine their roles in determining the occurrence of SIEs, area threshold and ΔT between amphibians and reptiles. We found SIEs in 20 out of 45 (44%) archipelagos for amphibians and 35 out of 60 (58%) archipelagos for reptiles. The occurrence of SIEs was affected by the number of islands, mean annual precipitation and minimum range size for amphibians, whereas only by the number of islands for reptiles. Area thresholds of amphibians were significantly higher than those of reptiles within the same true island system. Area thresholds were affected by mean island area and mean annual temperature for amphibians, whereas by mean island area, temperature seasonality and minimum range size for reptiles. ΔT was affected only by island type. Our study demonstrates that the determinants of the occurrence of SIEs and area thresholds comprised both extrinsic and intrinsic variables but differed substantially between amphibians and reptiles.
Single organ microenvironment and the common features of tumors of leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma cells growing there: A literature review
Authors: Cunningham Isabel , Sánchez Sosa Sergio , Hamele‐Bena Diane
Published: November 2021

Objective

To explore whether the growth and treatment resistance of lymphoma and myeloma tumors is similar to that previously observed in leukemic and solid tumors growing in the same organ microenvironment.

Methods

All published cases of 3 primary hematologic malignancies in breast, without systemic involvement, were identified, with follow‐ups solicited from authors. Treatment approaches were analyzed to highlight the most effective.

Results

Similar histologic features and biology among primary tumors of leukemia, lymphoma, plasmacytoma, and solid breast cancer was revealed. Review of treatments: tumor‐directed, chemotherapy, or combination showed the benefit of tumor removal, and use of systemic agents in adjunct, not primary, treatment. Optimal assessment is limited by few cases of PET/CT verifying limited tumor extent. The common biology observed and cases of long survival after tumor/stroma eradication point to the complicity of organ microenvironment in the chemoresistance and treatment failure commonly observed in patients.

Conclusions

The interaction of an organ microenvironment, particularly its adipocytes, with malignant cells, results in similar histologic changes, metastatic potential, and chemoresistance in 3 hematologic malignancies and solid cancers. Improved survival in hematologic malignancies could result from adopting PET/CT to find tumor and its extent, eradicating tumor, and elucidating common therapeutic targets.
Soil carbon stocks in temperate grasslands differ strongly across sites but are insensitive to decade‐long fertilization
Authors: Keller Adrienne B. , Borer Elizabeth T. , Collins Scott L. , DeLancey Lang C. , Fay Philip A. , Hofmockel Kirsten S. , Leakey Andrew D.B. , Mayes Melanie A. , Seabloom Eric W. , Walter Christopher A. , Wang Yong , Zhao Qian , Hobbie Sarah E.
Published: November 2021

Enhancing soil carbon (C) storage has the potential to offset human‐caused increases in atmospheric CO2. Rising CO2 has occurred concurrently with increasing supply rates of biologically limiting nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). However, it is unclear how increased supplies of N and P will alter soil C sequestration, particularly in grasslands, which make up nearly a third of non‐agricultural land worldwide. Here, we leverage a globally distributed nutrient addition experiment (the Nutrient Network) to examine how a decade of N and P fertilization (alone and in combination) influenced soil C and N stocks at nine grassland sites spanning the continental United States. We measured changes in bulk soil C and N stocks and in three soil C fractions (light and heavy particulate organic matter, and mineral‐associated organic matter fractions). Nutrient amendment had variable effects on soil C and N pools that ranged from strongly positive to strongly negative, while soil C and N pool sizes varied by more than an order of magnitude across sites. Piecewise SEM clarified that small increases in plant C inputs with fertilization did not translate to greater soil C storage. Nevertheless, peak season aboveground plant biomass (but not root biomass or production) was strongly positively related to soil C storage at seven of the nine sites, and across all nine sites, soil C covaried with moisture index and soil mineralogy, regardless of fertilization. Overall, we show that site factors such as moisture index, plant productivity, soil texture, and mineralogy were key predictors of cross‐site soil C, while nutrient amendment had weaker and site‐specific effects on C sequestration. This suggests that prioritizing the protection of highly productive temperate grasslands is critical for reducing future greenhouse gas losses arising from land use change.
The perceived quality of wooden building materials—A systematic literature review and future research agenda
Authors: Harju Charlotta
Published: November 2021

In order to develop strategies for sustainable practices and to enhance the replacement of non‐renewable materials with sustainable alternatives such as wood, it is essential to recognize the variables affecting consumers’ quality perceptions. Despite this, there is still limited knowledge about the perceived quality of wooden building materials. Wood industry studies have to date approached quality mainly by investigating quality indicators related to the product or supplier, while overlooking the effects of the consumer characteristics on the quality perception process. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap by implementing a systematic literature review of peer‐reviewed articles published in international scientific journals during the 2000s using the “Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews” (SPAR‐4‐SLR) protocol. Literature searches are implemented in two scientific databases (ISI Web of Knowledge and Scopus) to gather the material to be analyzed according to two organizing frameworks (i.e., the TCCM framework and the Model of the Quality Perception Process). The results suggest that the perceived quality of wooden building materials is affected by different quality cues and attributes of wood (i.e., sensory, social, economic, technical, and sustainability properties). Furthermore, different personal variables (consumers’ socio‐demographic and psychographic characteristics) and situational variables influence consumer behavior regarding wooden building materials. The study contributes to wood products literature by providing new theoretical insights about the perceived quality of wooden building materials and developing a future research agenda that brings forward a number of propositions for future studies based on identified research gaps.
Role of lipid deterioration on the quality of aquatic products during low‐temperature storage: a lipidomics‐based study using large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea)
Authors: Zhao Tengfei , Sheng Bulei , Ying Xiaoguo , Sanmartin Chiara , Benjakul Soottawat , Ma Lukai , Xiao Gengsheng , Liu Guoqin
Published: November 2021

This work investigated the effects of different storage periods (0 day, 90 days, 120 days) on the quality of large yellow croaker oil. The lipomics of large yellow croaker oil was quantitatively detected by GC‐MS, the content of triglyceride in large yellow croaker oil reached 52.56% at 0 day. With the extension of storage time, the content of large yellow croaker oil components decreased gradually. Differential lipid histogram clearly indicates that the extension of the storage period will affect the change of fish oil, due to the rise in the temperature of large yellow croaker oil; the color of the hot map is bright from the dark. Additionally, the fatty acid composition and volatile components were measured. At 120 days, the decomposition rate of lipid molecular in large yellow croaker oil is increased by oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, and its oxidised metabolite produced small substance such as aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and acids. During storage, the waxy, fat, and floral flavour in the oil aroma of large yellow croaker oil decreased gradually, while the yeast flavour and oil flavour increased gradually. These results provide insights for the study of lipid transformation and quality of large yellow croaker oil during different storage.
Non‐conventional high‐pressure extraction process: A comparative study for astaxanthin recovery from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous
Authors: Torres‐Haro Alejandro , Arellano‐Plaza Melchor , Mateos‐Díaz Juan C. , Espinosa‐Andrews Hugo , Castillo‐Herrera Gustavo A.
Published: November 2021

Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous is one of the most attractive natural sources of astaxanthin. The yeast produces the compound intracellularly, therefore, it is necessary to evaluate cell rupture methods using clean and efficient technologies for its extraction and it subsequent use in industries. At present work, two non‐conventional high‐pressure extraction methods were evaluated for astaxanthin recovery: Supercritical fluid extraction and microfluidisation. Results: Effect of pressure (15, 30, and 45 Megapascals; MPa), Temperature (313 and 343 °K) and usage of co‐solvent were studied in supercritical extraction process, meanwhile the effect of microfluidisation process (five stages and 160 MPa) for cell rupture and its combination with conventional technics (lithic enzymes, glass beads and ultrasonication) for the recovery of astaxanthin were evaluated. Supercritical fluid extraction presented a higher astaxanthin recovery, 54% yield extraction, at 32.5 MPa and 313 °K, and using ethanol as co‐solvent, compared to a 31% yield extraction by mean microfluidisation process at 160 MPa combined with 15 min of sonication (amplitude of 80%).
Attitudes, practices and experiences of medical specialists towards email communication with their patients
Authors: Clark Morgan , Kennard Alice , Watson D. Ashley
Published: November 2021

Background

The medical profession has been slow in embracing email as a means of improving communication with patients.

Aims

To explore the attitudes, practices and experiences of senior medical specialists towards email communication with their patients.

Methods

A cross‐sectional qualitative interview of 30 medical staff specialists employed by Canberra Health Services, administered through one‐on‐one interviews conducted between June and August 2020 (several months into the COVID‐19 pandemic). Main outcome measures are the comments extracted from the interviews that were categorised into five domains: (i) integration of email use with patients; (ii) issues addressed through email; (iii) benefits of email communication; (iv) concerns and barriers to email communication; and (v) practice pointers for email use with patients.

Results

Regular email correspondence with patients was not widespread. The main benefits identified were improved efficiency and flexibility, especially in the context of managing chronic disease and patient follow up. Participants also identified barriers, including time commitments, privacy and confidentiality, patient expectations and potential for misuse. Most participants were hesitant to endorse email with patients in their practices, citing concerns over the utility and safety of the medium and lack of established protocols and recommendations for email usage.

Conclusions

There is a want and need for comprehensive and accessible professional guidance on email use with patients. Our results indicate opportunities to inform good clinical practice in respect of doctor–patient relationships, clinical workloads and risk management. There is also a need for formal guidelines on emailing with patients. The COVID‐19 pandemic has heightened the need for such guidelines.
To combine or not to combine? Applying protection motivation theory and the theory of reasoned action to explain and predict intention to reduce meat consumption
Authors: Chen Mei‐Fang
Published: November 2021

Reducing meat consumption is one of the most crucial recommendations for achieving more sustainable food consumption and mitigating the harm caused by climate change. The aim of this study was to provide a more comprehensive framework for understanding consumer intention to reduce meat consumption. This study examined three models that were based on protection motivation theory (PMT), the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and a combination of PMT and the theory of reasoned action (TRA). These three models were evaluated against each other with respect to their ability to effectively explain and predict consumer intention to reduce meat consumption. The sample comprised 671 respondents in Taiwan. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed that the explanatory power of the combined PMT and TRA model and the original PMT model are almost equivalent; they could explain more than 85% of the variation in consumer intention to reduce meat consumption. However, the combined PMT and TRA model can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the determinants of consumer intention to reduce meat consumption. Both threat appraisal and coping appraisal contributed to consumer protection motivation. The TPB model explained more than 75% of the variance in consumer intention to reduce meat consumption; moreover, attitude, subjective norms, and self‐efficacy (a proxy for perceived behavioral control) were positive contributors. Although the TPB model is simple and has satisfactory explanatory power, the combined PMT and TRA model provided greater insights with higher explanatory power for consumer intention to reduce meat consumption.
Determination of VP2 sequence‐based virulence motifs and phylogenetic analysis of domestic Turkish IPNV ısolates
Authors: Tamer Cuneyt , Isıdan Hakan , Kalaycı Gulnur , Ozan Emre , Ozkan Buket , Albayrak Harun
Published: November 2021

Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is a highly contagious disease of young salmonid fish and is one of the most severe economic diseases in aquaculture. In Turkey, an increase in infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) outbreaks in freshwater rainbow trout have been reported in recent years. This study aimed to analyze the VP2 gene from recent IPNV isolates from Turkey to determine whether there are epidemiological links between IPNV isolates from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss; 62) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax; 1), wild turbot (Scophthalmus maximus; 1) and the environment in order to investigate potential wild and farmed fish interactions. In this study, 62 Turkish IPNV isolates collected over 10 years (2005–2014) from rainbow trout, sea bass and turbot were genotypically characterized. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that Turkish IPNV isolates are closely related to strains from Denmark, Iran and Spain and that all Turkish IPNV isolates belong to genogroup V, serotype A2 (Sp strain). Furthermore, low genetic diversity was found among the Turkish isolates (identity, 95.5%–100% nucleotides and 97.8%–100% amino acids). The result of the analysis of the amino acid residues found at positions 217, 221 and 247 (proline, threonine and alanine, respectively) could be associated with virulence.
Evaluation of the use of ampicillin‐ and streptomycin‐resistant Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli to reduce the burden of background microbiota during food safety studies
Authors: Hayman Kaylan , Oguadinma Ikechukwu Chukwuma , Mishra Abhinav , Kumar Govindaraj Dev
Published: November 2021

Tracking artificially seeded foodborne pathogens in foods with high background microbiota is challenging. Wheat flour and its subsidiary products are known to carry a high native microbial load, which could interfere with tracking and enumeration of target organisms in such matrices. Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serogroups O26, O121, and O157:H7 were transformed with the pGFPuv plasmid encoding ampicillin resistance (+Amp) and green fluorescent protein and were additionally conferred resistance to streptomycin (+Amp + Strep) through exposure to incremental concentrations of the antibiotic. Growth characteristics of these antibiotic‐resistant strains were compared to those of the nonresistant native strains (NR). The supplementation of ampicillin and ampicillin + streptomycin in growth media was evaluated for its ability to suppress growth of the native microbial load of three different commercial cake mixes. Antibiotic supplementation in growth media was successful in suppressing the native microbiota of the cake mixes, while the growth characteristics of the +Amp + Strep variants of the three STEC strains did not differ significantly from the NR strains (p > .05). These results indicate that STEC strains with ampicillin and streptomycin resistance markers have improved trackability over their wild‐type counterparts when isolated from food matrices with high background microbiota. These strains would be advantageous for use in laboratory experiments on STEC survival in wheat and wheat derived products as their detection and enumeration can occur without interference from native microbial load.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection for giant esophageal lipomatous tumors
Authors: Geng Zi‐Han , Xu Xiao‐Yue , Zhu Yan , Su Wei , Li Quan‐Lin , Zhou Ping‐Hong
Published: November 2021

Background and Aim

Thoracotomy is the foremost choice of giant esophageal lipomatous tumors in previous studies, but it is highly traumatic and possibly diminishes the quality of patients' lives. To minimize such impacts, a minimally invasive method without loss of curability is desirable for giant lipomatous tumors of the esophagus. With recent progress in endoscopic techniques and devices, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been successfully used to remove esophageal or gastric submucosal tumors. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of ESD for giant esophageal lipomatous tumors.

Methods

Design, single‐center, retrospective study; setting, academic medical center; patients, six patients with six giant lipomatous tumors of the esophagus between February 2013 and December 2020; interventions, ESD; and main outcome measurements, procedure duration, en bloc resection rate, complications, local recurrence, and distant metastases.

Results

Endoscopic en bloc resections of esophageal lipomatous tumors were successfully performed in all patients, with a mean duration of 56.5 ± 26.0 min. All en bloc resection lesions showed both lateral and deep tumor‐free margins. The average maximum diameter of the esophageal lipomatous tumors was 171.7 ± 66.2 mm. No complications such as bleeding and perforations happened during hospitalization with 4.0 ± 1.6 days. Besides, local recurrence and distant metastasis have not occurred during the follow‐up period.

Conclusions

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is a safe and effective way to dissect giant lipomatous tumors of the esophagus thoroughly.
Communication in Persons with Acquired Speech Impairment: The Role of Family as Language Brokers
Authors: Rubio‐Carbonero Gema
Published: November 2021

More than 170 million people in the world have some kind of speech impairment. The lack of professional interpreters in this domain causes their families to need to learn new communicative strategies to interact with them and assist them as interpreters. The aim of this paper is to analyze the role of these non‐professional interpreters for adults with a speech impairment caused by an acquired brain injury. Data come from 13 qualitative interviews and participant observations of 7 persons with acquired brain injury and their families during 18 months. The paper shows the communicative and multimodal strategies these ad‐hoc interpreters use to understand the person with impaired speech and the strategies such persons use to make themselves understandable. It also shows how meaning is negotiated and jointly constructed, the power dynamics that emerge from interpreting practices and the impact this has on the speech‐impaired persons’ agency.
Associations Between Multiple Health‐Promoting Behaviors and Subjective Well‐Being in High School Age Youth
Authors: Smith Nicholas David W. , Bradley‐Klug Kathy L. , Suldo Shannon M. , Dedrick Robert F. , Shaffer‐Hudkins Emily J.
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Conceptualizations of health have expanded to include indicators of adolescents' physical and mental wellness, rather than solely the absence of diseases or disorders. Although extensive research has identified links between mental and physical wellness, few studies have investigated the relationship between health promotion and happiness, particularly in adolescent populations who may be at particular risk for engaging in health‐compromising behaviors, such as alcohol consumption.

METHODS

This cross‐sectional study examined the relationship between 12 health‐promoting behaviors and subjective well‐being in a sample of 450 high school students from 2 states. Participants reported on their diet, physical activity, sleep hygiene habits, as well as abstinence from tobacco and alcohol products, and completed a multidimensional assessment of subjective well‐being.

RESULTS

Findings demonstrated that 7 of the 12 health‐promoting behaviors were significantly correlated with adolescents' subjective well‐being. A sizeable portion of the variance in adolescents' subjective well‐being (39.8%) was accounted for by the linear combination of the 12 health‐promoting behaviors of interest. Increased physical activity, sleep hygiene cognitive/emotional factors, and bedtime routine all were identified as unique predictors of subjective well‐being.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings bring attention to the salience of daily physical activity and sleep hygiene and their associations with adolescents' happiness.
Practice patterns and outcomes associated with intravenous albumin in patients with cirrhosis and acute kidney injury
Authors: Patidar Kavish R. , Adibuzzaman Mohammad , Naved Mobasshir A. , Rodriquez Dylan , Slaven James E. , Grama Ananth , Desai Archita P. , Gomez Eduardo V. , Ghabril Marwan S. , Nephew Lauren , Samala Niharika R. , Anderson Melissa , Chalasani Naga P. , Orman Eric S.
Published: November 2021

Background & Aims

Guidelines recommend albumin as the plasma‐expander of choice for acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhosis. However, the impact of these recommendations on patient outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to determine the practice‐patterns and outcomes associated with albumin use in a large, nationwide‐US cohort of hospitalized cirrhotics with AKI.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed in hospitalized cirrhotics with AKI using Cerner‐Health‐Facts database from January 2009 to March 2018. 6786 were included for analysis on albumin‐practice‐patterns, and 4126 had available outcomes data. Propensity‐score‐adjusted model was used to determine the association between albumin use, AKI‐recovery and in‐hospital survival.

Results

Median age was 61‐years (60% male, 70% white), median serum‐creatinine was 1.8 mg/dL and median Model for End‐stage Liver Disease Sodium (MELD‐Na) score was 24. Albumin was given to 35% of patients, of which 50% received albumin within 48‐hours of AKI‐onset, and 17% received appropriate weight‐based dosing. Albumin was used more frequently in patients with advanced complications of cirrhosis, higher MELD‐Na scores and patients admitted to urban‐teaching hospitals. After propensity‐matching and multivariable adjustment, albumin use was not associated with AKI‐recovery (odds ratio [OR] 0.70, 95% confidence‐interval [CI]: 0.59‐1.07, P = .130) or in‐hospital survival (OR 0.76 [95% CI: 0.46‐1.25], P = .280), compared with crystalloids. Findings were unchanged in subgroup analyses of patients with varying cirrhosis complications and disease severity.

Conclusions

USA hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and AKI frequently do not receive intravenous albumin, and albumin use was not associated with improved clinical outcomes. Prospective randomised trials are direly needed to evaluate the impact of albumin in cirrhotics with AKI.
Point mutations in the squalene epoxidase erg1 and sterol 14‐α demethylase erg11 gene of T indotineae isolates indicate that the resistant mutant strains evolved independently
Authors: Burmester Anke , Hipler Uta‐Christina , Elsner Peter , Wiegand Cornelia
Published: November 2021

Background

The T indotineae population shows a high amount of terbinafine resistant isolates based on different point mutations of squalene epoxidase erg1 (ergosterol) gene. A significant proportion of these isolates also show azole resistance.

Objectives

Elucidation of the molecular mechanism for azole resistance, especially the identification of mutations in the sterol 14‐α demethylase Erg11 genes, which encode for enzymes interacting with azoles.

Methods

Sequencing of putative Erg11 genes and analysis of phenotypic resistance pattern using a microplate‐laser‐nephelometry‐based growth assay.

Results

Four different types of Erg11B mutants were detected; two double mutants with Ala230Thr/Asp441Gly, respectively, Ala230/Tyr444His and single mutants with Gly443Glu, Tyr444Cys and Tyr444His. All isolates featured the wild type genotype of Erg11A. All strains demonstrated different combinations of Erg1 and Erg11 genotypes.

Conclusion

Resistance against terbinafine and azoles developed several times independently within the T indotineae population. The challenge for fungal treatment is, therefore, that species identification is not enough for prediction of therapeutic efficacy of antifungals. In the future, it will also become important to analyse genes involved in resistance mechanisms.
Photoprotective Effect of Artemisia sieversiana Ehrhart Essential Oil Against UVB‐induced Photoaging in Mice
Authors: Zhou Ying , He Lei , Zhang Nan , Ma Li , Yao Lei
Published: November 2021

Photoaging refers to the extrinsic aging resulting from ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, which impacts skin appearance and is accompanied by the risk of skin carcinoma. Developing natural products as photoprotective agents is of great interest in cosmetic industry nowadays. The present study aimed at investigating the possible use of Artemisia sieversiana Ehrhart essential oil (AEO) for the prevention of photoaging induced by UVB. AEO was characterized by chamazulene, which accounted for 38.92% among total 51 identified compounds. In in vitro assays, AEO was found to be a moderate antioxidant and good UVB filter with photostability. A UVB‐induced photoaging mice model was established with three AEO formulations (0.1%, 0.5% and 1.5%, w/w) topically applied prior to UVB irradiation. The activities of catalase, particularly superoxide dismutase of skin increased, while malondialdehyde content decreased in AEO groups as compared with model controls. The production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐1 and MMP‐3) and depletion of hydroxyproline in skin were inhibited by AEO in a dose‐dependent manner. Histological evaluation indicated that AEO decreased epidermal thickness, inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen degradation and elastin aberrance. These findings indicated that AEO could be a promising sunscreen agent in protecting the skin against photoaging.