bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating animal size or distance in camera trap images: Photogrammetry using the pinhole camera model
Authors: Leorna Scott , Brinkman Todd , Fullman Timothy
Published: May 2022

As camera trapping has become a standard practice in wildlife ecology, developing techniques to extract additional information from images will increase the utility of generated data. Despite rapid advancements in camera trapping practices, methods for estimating animal size or distance from the camera using captured images have not been standardized. Deriving animal sizes directly from images creates opportunities to collect wildlife metrics such as growth rates or changes in body condition. Distances to animals may be used to quantify important aspects of sampling design such as the effective area sampled or distribution of animals in the camera's field‐of‐view.

We present a method of using pixel measurements in an image to estimate animal size or distance from the camera using a conceptual model in photogrammetry known as the ‘pinhole camera model’. We evaluated the performance of this approach both using stationary three‐dimensional animal targets and in a field setting using live captive reindeer Rangifer tarandus ranging in size and distance from the camera.

We found total mean relative error of estimated animal sizes or distances from the cameras in our simulation was −3.0% and 3.3% and in our field setting was −8.6% and 10.5%, respectively. In our simulation, mean relative error of size or distance estimates were not statistically different between image settings within camera models, between camera models or between the measured dimension used in calculations.

We provide recommendations for applying the pinhole camera model in a wildlife camera trapping context. Our approach of using the pinhole camera model to estimate animal size or distance from the camera produced robust estimates using a single image while remaining easy to implement and generalizable to different camera trap models and installations, thus enhancing its utility for a variety of camera trap applications and expanding opportunities to use camera trap images in novel ways.
Endodontic knowledge, attitudes and referral patterns in Australian general dentists
Authors: Bulmer JA , Currell SD , Peters CI , Peters OA
Published: May 2022

Background

General dental practitioners often perceive root canal treatments as complex, and specialist referrals are commonplace in general dental practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to better understand the knowledge of Australian general dentists and their attitudes regarding endodontics in general, and specifically (RCT), to highlight barriers and facilitating factors in the provision of endodontic care.

Methods

A combined paper‐based and online survey was sent to general dental practitioners. The questionnaire consisted of 27 items, presented as checkboxes and in Likert scale format. Responses were tabled and statistically contrasted using Chi‐square tests and linear regression analysis.

Results

A significant proportion of surveyed dentists were not confident in their ability to provide endodontic care, specifically root canal treatments (RCT). Confidence depended on factors, such as time in practice, participation in continuing professional development as well as fear of litigation and type of treatment. Other factors such as the availability of appropriate instruments and referral options, had comparatively little impact on practitioner confidence.

Discussion

While almost all general dental practitioners (GDPs) surveyed in this study believe RCT is important for improving the long‐term retention of a tooth, just over half of the GDPs say they feel confident in their knowledge and provision of root canal treatment procedures.
Thinner peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer and macular retinal thickness in adolescents with surgically treated hydrocephalus in infancy
Authors: Taha Najim Rezhna , Mybeck Lovisa , Andersson Susann , Andersson Grönlund Marita
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To map the morphology of the retina and optic disc in adolescents with surgically treated hydrocephalus (HC) in infancy and to compare the results with healthy controls.

Methods

The study comprised 26 adolescents (16 male, mean age 15 years) with HC and 31 sex‐ and aged‐matched controls. The following optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters were obtained: macular retinal thickness (MRT) and volume (MRV), thickness of the macular and peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (ppRNFL), and area of the optic disc, cup and rim.

Results

The MRT was thinner amongst those with HC compared with controls (right eye (RE) 262.2 ± 15.3 and 275.8 ± 15.1 μm; p = 0.0051), and the MRV was smaller (RE 7.37 ± 0.36 and 7.83 ± 0.35 mm3; p = 0.0002). The HC group showed a thinner ppRNFL (RE 88.3 ± 14.9 and 103.5 ± 8.1 μm; p = 0.0002) but a thicker central macular RNFL (RE 11.6 ± 10.4 and 2.07 ± 3.00 μm; p = <0.0001) and foveal minimum (RE 211.1 ± 32.0 and 186.3 ± 15.9 μm; p = 0.0013). Optic disc variables showed no difference between groups. Correlations were found in the HC group between best corrected visual acuity (expressed in logMAR) and ppRNFL (RE r = −0.56, p = 0.018), and disc area (RE r = −0.52, p = 0.033).

Conclusion

Thinner ppRNFL and MRT and smaller MRV were found in adolescents with surgically treated HC in infancy compared with controls. In contrast, the central macular RNFL and foveal minimum were thicker. Further studies are required to evaluate the diagnostic value of OCT to indicate increased intracranial pressure timely and follow‐up in individuals with surgically treated HC.
How moral neuroenhancement impacts autonomy and agency
Authors: Møller Sofie
Published: May 2022

This paper challenges the role individual autonomy has played in debates on moral neuroenhancement (MN). It shows how John Hyman's analysis of agency as consisting of functionally integrated dimensions allows us to reassess the impact of MN on practical agency. I discuss how MN affects what Hyman terms the four dimensions of agency: psychological, ethical, intellectual, and physical. Once we separate the different dimensions of agency, it becomes clear that many authors in the debate conflate the different dimensions in the concept they call ‘autonomous agents’. They contend that, for example, reason‐giving and previous autonomous acts are relevant to agency as such, when in fact they capture only one aspect of functionally integrated agency. This paper reconsiders MN in light of the functional integration of reason and emotions in practical agency. To illustrate the impact of MN on different aspects of agency, I consider examples from legal practice, which show that autonomy cannot be our sole focus when evaluating the moral implications of MN.
Real‐world data on prognostic value of measurable residual disease assessment by fragment analysis or next‐generation sequencing in multiple myeloma
Authors: Cho Hyunsoo , Shin Saeam , Chung Haerim , Jang Ji Eun , Kim Yu Ri , Cheong June‐Won , Min Yoo Hong , Lee Seung‐Tae , Choi Jong Rak , Kim Jin Seok
Published: May 2022

Measurable residual disease (MRD) negativity is a strong prognostic indicator in multiple myeloma (MM). However, the optimal use of MRD in daily clinical practice has been hampered by the limited feasibility of MRD testing. Therefore, we examined the clinical relevance of commercially available MRD modalities based on clonality assays by fragment analysis with IdentiClone® (n = 73 patients) and next‐generation sequencing (NGS) with LymphoTrack® (n = 116 patients) in newly diagnosed patients with MM who received autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). MRD was assessed at the end of induction (pre‐ASCT) and/or at 100 days after ASCT (post‐ASCT). MRD could not predict survival when assessed by fragment analysis. However, NGS‐based MRD negativity at pre‐ or post‐ASCT was beneficial in terms of progression‐free and overall survival. Moreover, NGS‐based MRD negativity was independently associated with improved progression‐free and overall survival, and MRD‐positive patients both pre‐ and post‐ASCT had worst outcome. Indeed, initial adverse prognostic features by high‐risk cytogenetics could be mitigated upon achieving MRD negativity by NGS. We demonstrate the feasibility and clinical benefit of achieving MRD negativity by commercially available clonality‐based MRD assays in MM and support incorporating NGS, but not fragment analysis, to tailor therapeutic strategies in real‐world practice.
The disease course of Castleman disease patients with fatal outcomes in the ACCELERATE registry
Authors: Fajgenbaum David C. , Pierson Sheila K. , Kanhai Karan , Bagg Adam , Alapat Daisy , Lim Megan S. , Lechowicz Mary Jo , Srkalovic Gordan , Uldrick Thomas S. , van Rhee Frits ,   ACCELERATE Registry Team
Published: May 2022

Castleman disease (CD) describes a group of rare, potentially fatal lymphoproliferative disorders. To determine factors associated with mortality in CD, we analysed data from deceased patients in the ACCELERATE registry and compared them with matched controls. We analysed demographic, treatment and laboratory data from all deceased CD patients, matched controls and a subgroup of idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) patients. Of the 140 patients in ACCELERATE with a confirmed CD diagnosis, 10 had died. There were 72 patients with confirmed iMCD; six were deceased. The deceased CD cohort had more hospitalisations per year, higher overall hospitalisations and more days hospitalised per month, and received more treatment regimens per year than the matched‐control group. Analysis of laboratory values showed a significantly decreased absolute lymphocyte count at months 3 and 6 in the deceased cohort compared with controls. Among iMCD patients, there was a higher proportion of iMCD‐TAFRO (thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin myelofibrosis, renal dysfunction and organomegaly) cases in the deceased group. The deceased iMCD group had significantly lower immunoglobulin M, international normalised ratio and platelet count. These data demonstrate that there may be differences between patients who have fatal and non‐fatal outcomes, and provide preliminary suggestions for parameters to evaluate further.
Children's Covid‐19 writing and drawings and the existential imperative to educate for uncertainty
Authors: Kirby Perpetua , Villani Michela , Webb Rebecca
Published: May 2022

The Covid‐19 pandemic provokes a pedagogic crisis: education is ill‐adapted to accommodate multiple uncertainties in students' lives. We examine how pandemic uncertainty is registered in a global collection of writing and drawing from 4 to 17‐years‐old, during the 2020 lockdowns. The study engages with Biesta's (2021) philosophical work on 'world‐centred education', offering empirical examples from the collection that goes beyond the immediacy of everyday lives. We identify educational implications: acknowledging students' present experiences of the world; a slowing of pedagogical tempo; supporting students to navigate desires and fears; a language for expressing uncertainty; and engaging students in ethical and existential difficulty.
Climate change vulnerability of terrestrial vertebrates in a major refuge and dispersal corridor in North America
Authors: Zhu Gengping , Papeş Monica , Armsworth Paul R. , Giam Xingli
Published: May 2022

Aim

The Appalachian forests ecoregion in eastern North America supports a diverse and highly endemic temperate biota, which is potentially threatened by rapid climate change. We investigated possible outlooks for biodiversity in this biologically important ecoregion under future climate change.

Location

Appalachian forests ecoregion, USA.

Methods

We estimated distributional shifts for 258 forest‐dependent vertebrates of conservation concern in four major taxonomic groups (amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles) under short‐ (2040) and long‐term (2080s) climate change using ecological niche modelling. We examined which groups are likely most vulnerable to climate change and identified places predicted to experience the greatest changes in their species assemblages and those predicted to support high species richness under various future scenarios. To assess species' vulnerability, we compared and regressed future projected range against present range estimates for each species. To evaluate which places could see greatest changes, we mapped species richness and turnover in each taxonomic group.

Results

A total of 30%–33% and 31%–38% of species were predicted to lose > 50% of area that is currently climatically suitable under short‐ and long‐term climate change, respectively. We expect climate change to impact amphibians and mammals more than birds and reptiles: a much larger fraction of amphibian and mammal (22%–48% in 2040; 29%–56% in 2080s) species were predicted to lose more than half of their present climatically suitable habitat area compared with birds and reptiles (1%–12% in 2040; 6%–12% in 2080s). While species were predicted to move northward and upslope assuming full dispersal, the Blue Ridge, Cumberland Plateau and southern Central Appalachians subregions are poised to remain as richness hotspots under the broad range of scenarios explored in this study.

Main conclusions

Our results highlighted species groups and locations that policymakers and conservation practitioners should emphasize in planning vertebrate conservation efforts in the Appalachians under future climate scenarios.
Four‐dimensional quantification on left atrial volume‐strain in coronary heart disease patients without regional wall motion abnormalities: Correlation with the severity of coronary stenosis
Authors: Fei Mengyao , Li Miao , Ran Hong , Sheng Zongxiang , Dong Jing , Zhang Pingyang
Published: May 2022

Objective

Echocardiography is a time and cost‐effective imaging modality, providing evidence of myocardial ischemia by detecting the regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA). However, quite a few coronary heart disease (CHD) patients do not present RWMA. The left atrium (LA) plays an irreplaceable role in determining the prognosis and risk stratification of cardiovascular disease including CHD. In this present study, we intend to explore the myocardial mechanics changes of LA mainly using four‐dimensional (4D) LA quantitative volume‐strain in CHD patients without RWMA at rest but were confirmed by coronary angiography (CAG) and to figure out several variables of the LA that could contribute to the identification of those patients.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 76 patients who underwent two‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE), four‐dimensional echocardiography (4DE), and CAG for suspected CHD but without echocardiographic visible RWMA at rest. Patients diagnosed with CHD by CAG were furtherly divided into three groups according to the extent of coronary stenosis accessed by Gensini score (GS) as the mild, moderate, and severe CHD group. Twenty‐four subjects with negative CAG results served as the control group. LA end‐systolic anteroposterior diameter (LAAPD) and biplane LV ejection fraction (Biplane LVEF) were measured by 2DE; LA maximum volume (LAVmax), LA minimum volume (LAVmin), LA volume at the onset of atrial contraction (LAVpreA), LAVmax index (LAVmaxI), LA ejection volume (LAEV), LA ejection fraction (LAEF) accompanied by LA longitudinal strain during reservoir phase (LASr), conduit phase (LAScd), contraction phase (LASct) and LA circumferential strain during reservoir phase (LASr_c), conduit phase (LAScd_c), contraction phase (LASct_c) were measured by 4DE automatically. We compared these parameters between groups, explored how they change and whether they are related to the CHD severity.

Results

LAEF, LASr_c, and LASct_c was lower in CHD group compared with the control group (p = .031, .002, .004, respectively). Pearson correlation analysis showed that LASr, LASct, LASr_c, and LASct_c negatively correlated with the GS. Additionally, LASr of patients in the severe CHD group decreased significantly compared with those in the mild CHD group, moderate CHD group, and control group, demonstrating the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) (AUC = .736 [p = .003, 95% CI .589–.884], sensitivity 67.8%, specificity 70.6%) with the cut‐off value of 17.5% for predicting severe CHD patients.

Conclusion

Four‐dimensional LA strain may provide new insight into identification and management for CHD patients and correlate with CHD severity. LASr showed good sensitivity (67.8%) and specificity (70.6%) for diagnosing severe CHD individuals.
KLF4 prevented angiotensin II‐induced smooth muscle cell senescence by enhancing autophagic activity
Authors: Xu Hongjie , Yu Manli , Yu Yongchao , Li Yang , Yang Fan , Liu Yang , Han Lin , Xu Zhiyun , Wang Guokun
Published: May 2022

Background

Vascular aging is an important risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases. Transcription factor krüppel‐like factor 4 (KLF4) could regulate the phenotypic transformation of the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) in the pathogenesis of aortic diseases. The present study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of KLF4 in angiotensin II (Ang II)‐induced VSMC senescence.

Methods

The VSMC senescence mouse model was induced by sustained release of Ang II (1.0 μg/kg/min) for 4 weeks. The premature senescent VSMCs were induced by Ang II (0.1 μmol/L) for 72 h. Cellular senescence was measured by senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) activity and p53/p16 expression. The autophagic activity was evaluated by autophagic flux and autophagic marker expression.

Results

The expression of KLF4 was extremely increased in abdominal aorta tissues after 1‐week Ang II stimulation (p < .01) but began to decrease in later periods. Decreased expression of KLF4 was also detected in premature senescent VSMCs. Overexpression of KLF4 could enhance the antisenescence ability of VSMCs. Significantly decreased amounts of SA‐β‐gal‐positive cells and lower p53/p16 expression were detected in KLF4‐overexpressing VSMCs (p < .01). Next, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) was identified as a direct downstream target of KLF4 in VSMCs. Overexpression of KLF4 in VSMCs prevented the decreased expression of TERT under Ang II stimulation condition, which could in turn, contribute to the enhanced autophagic activity, and ultimately to the improved antisenescence ability of VSMCs.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that overexpression of KLF4 prevented Ang II‐induced VSMC senescence by promoting TERT‐mediated autophagy. These findings provided novel potential targets for the prevention and therapy of vascular aging.
Do EITC eligibility rules encourage college enrollment?
Authors: Ohannessian Shogher , Ost Ben
Published: May 2022

EITC benefits are substantially more generous for households with more qualifying children, and children ages 19–23 only qualify if they enroll in college. These eligibility rules result in an implicit college attendance subsidy – up to $4000 per year. The maximum subsidy is targeted at households earning approximately $20,000, so it represents a large fraction of both total earnings and net tuition. We find no evidence that college enrollment responds to these substantial financial incentives and can statistically rule out moderate effects.
Clinical and prognostic features of Heidenhain variant of Creutzfeldt−Jakob disease: A retrospective case series study
Authors: Yang Shi‐Lin , Zhang Lin‐Yuan , Zhang Shu‐Fan , Zhang Miao‐Yi , Zhu Ming , Dong Qiang , Wang Qiao‐Shu , Han Xiang
Published: May 2022

Background

Heidenhain variant of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) remains a diagnostic challenge in clinical practice. We aimed to describe the clinical and prognostic features of Heidenhain cases, through a case series study.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the definite or probable CJD cases admitted to two tertiary referral university hospitals over a decade to identify Heidenhain cases and investigated their survival status by telephone follow‐up. Their clinical characteristics, neuroimaging features, electroencephalography (EEG) results, cerebrospinal fluid profiles, and PRNP gene mutations were also analyzed.

Results

Of a total of 85 CJD cases, 20 (24%) Heidenhain cases (11 women [55%]; median age, 64 years [range, 44–72 years]) were identified. The median survival time was 22 weeks (range, 5–155 weeks). The median duration of isolated visual symptoms was 3 weeks (range, 1–12 weeks). The most common early visual symptom was blurred vision (16/20, 80%), followed by diplopia (6/20, 30%). The prevalence significantly increased for complex visual hallucination (p = 0.005) and cortical blindness (p = 0.046) as the disease progressed. The positive rate of serial magnetic resonance images (20/20, 100%) was higher than that of serial EEGs (16/20, 80%). Two patients (2/10, 20%) had pathogenic PRNP mutations, E196A and T188K, respectively. Heidenhain cases with PRNP mutations had significantly longer survival time than those without PRNP mutations (p = 0.047).

Conclusions

Besides blurred vision (80%), diplopia (30%) was also a frequent early visual symptom among Heidenhain cases. Heidenhain phenotype can occur in genetic CJD cases. PRNP mutation status might be an important prognostic factor for Heidenhain cases.
Comparison of anatomical thermal ablation and routine thermal ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma≤50 mm: A propensity score matching
Authors: Li Kai , Long Yinglin , He Xuqi , Wu Yuxuan , Xu Jianliang , Ye Huolin , Xu Erjiao , Zeng Qingjing , Chen Jianning , Yuan Lianxiong , Zheng Rongqin
Published: May 2022

Aim

The present study was to evaluated the clinical value of anatomical thermal ablation to treat hepatocellular carcinoma compared with routine thermal ablation.

Methods

Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with tumor diameter ≤50 mm treated by thermal ablation at our center were retrospectively enrolled from October 2015 to December 2018. Enrolled patients were grouped into the anatomical ablation group and routine ablation group, respectively. To minimize the effects of potential confounders from selection bias, a propensity score matching was carried out. Technical efficacy, recurrence and survivals rates were compared.

Results

Altogether 101 patients (119 lesions) were grouped into the anatomical ablation group and 101 patients (131 lesions) into the routine ablation group. The ablation zone volume of the anatomical ablation group was 36.8 (2.5–176.9) ml, significantly larger than that of the routine ablation group (28.5 [28.5 (2.8–184.3) ml] (p = 0.005)). Adjusted with propensity score matching, The 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year local recurrence rates were 0.0%, 0.0%, and 0.0% for the anatomical ablation group and 6.9%, 10.1%, and 10.1% for the routine ablation group, respectively (p = 0.013). The cumulative 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year progression‐free survival rates were 93.4%, 82.7%, and 79.0% for the anatomical ablation group, 74.2%, 56.9%, and 51.6% for the routine ablation group (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Anatomical ablation could be a favorable ablation strategy to improve therapeutic effect of thermal ablation for HCC with visible feeding vessels and reserved liver function.
Failure is not an option: Entrepreneurship and the existential crisis of internationalization in the U.S.
Authors: Glass Chris R. , Cruz Natalie I.
Published: May 2022

Internationalization has become intertwined with efforts for institutions to compensate for declines in public funding with the development of new revenue streams. The purpose of this study is to understand the social construction of entrepreneurship in internationalization in the United States as well as explore the multiple meanings of entrepreneurship and its contradictions in discourse among senior international officers. The findings discuss and explore competing views, tensions and ethical complexities of the ‘new entrepreneurism’ increasingly common in internationalization, which blends creative problem‐solving with pressures for revenue generation. The findings of this study illustrate that as the world faces genuine existential crises that threaten the continued existence of our species on the planet, internationalization is in the midst of an identity crisis. The drift towards privatization is proving to be increasingly unsustainable and an entirely insufficient response to the existential threats that face the world.
Searched and found? The association between use of health information sources and success in getting the desired information
Authors: Rosenberg Dennis
Published: May 2022

Background

Although many health information seeking studies are concerned with longer range outcomes (e.g. patient‐provider communication) the immediate outcomes for the searchers are whether they found the desired information, for whom and how successfully.

Objectives

To examine the association between health information seeking via various sources and the reported extent of success in getting the desired information the information needs perspective.

Methods

Data were obtained from the 2017 Israel Social Survey and analysed using multinomial regression models. The sample included individuals who reported engaging in seeking health information prior to the survey and mentioned the extent of success in obtaining the desired health information (fully, partially, or not‐at‐all) (N = 2197). Multinominal regression technique served for the multivariable analysis.

Discussion

Engagement in health information seeking via friends, family and using various websites (excluding those by Ministry of Health and Health Funds) was associated with the increased likelihood of partial success in getting the desired information. Education level and population group, affected level of success.

Conclusions

The (partial) success in meeting health consumers' information needs is associated with the turn to particular sources. Public health professionals and health provider institutions should improve provision and delivery of health information to meet consumer health information needs.
The cGMP‐dependent protein kinase gene can regulate trail‐following behaviour and locomotion in the termite Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder
Authors: Xu Huan , Yu Yichun , Gao Yongyong , Hassan Ali , Jia Bao , Huang Qiuying
Published: May 2022

Social behaviours in termites are closely related to the chemical communication between individuals. It is well known that foraging worker termites can use trail pheromones to orient and locomote along trails so as to take food resources back to the nest. However, it is still unclear how termites recognize trail pheromones. Here, we cloned and sequenced the cGMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKG) gene from the termite Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder, and then examined the response of termites to trail pheromones after silencing PKG through RNA interference. We found that PKG knockdown impaired termite ability to follow trail pheromones accurately and exhibited irregular behavioural trajectories in response to the trail pheromone in the termite R. chinensis. Our locomotion assays further showed that PKG knockdown significantly increased the turn angle and angular velocity in the termite R. chinensis. These findings help us better understanding the molecular regulatory mechanism of foraging communications in termites.
Analysis of circRNA‐mRNA expression profiles and functional enrichment in diabetes mellitus based on high throughput sequencing
Authors: Zhao Wanni , Meng Xue , Liang Jianfeng
Published: May 2022

To study the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM) and identify new biomarkers, high‐throughput RNA sequencing provides a technical means to explore the regulatory network of MD gene expression. To better elucidate the genetic basis of DM, we analysed the circRNA and mRNA expression profiles in serum samples from diabetic patients. The circRNAs and mRNAs with abnormal expression in the DM group and non‐diabetic group (NDM) were classified by RNA sequencing and differential expression analysis. The circRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA regulatory network reveals the mechanism by which competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) regulate gene expression. The biological functions and interactions of circRNA and mRNA were analysed by gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Differential expression analysis showed that 441 circRNAs (366 up‐regulated, 75 down‐regulated) and 683 mRNAs (354 up‐regulated, 329 down‐regulated) were significantly differentially expressed in the DM group compared with the NDM group. Screening of the differential genes at the nodes of the interaction network showed that a single circRNA could interact with multiple miRNAs and then jointly regulate more mRNAs. In addition, the expressions of circRNA CNOT6 and AXIN1 as well as mRNA STAT3, MYD88, and B2M were associated with the progression of diabetes. Enrichment pathway analysis indicated that differentially expressed circRNA and mRNA may participate in Nod‐like receptor signalling pathway, insulin signalling pathway, sphinolipid metabolism pathway, and ribosome pathway, and play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes. This study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanism of DM occurrence and development at circRNA and mRNA levels.
Endogenous hormones improve the salt tolerance of maize (Zea mays L.) by inducing root architecture and ion balance optimizations
Authors: Hu Dan‐dan , Dong Shuting , Zhang Jiwang , Zhao Bin , Ren Baizhao , Liu Peng
Published: May 2022

The growth and development of maize is affected in a crucial way by the salinity of the soil it grows in. Therefore, if we want to improve the salt tolerance of maize, it is of paramount importance to understand how it responds to salt stress. To explore how maize adapts to a saline environment, we chose one salt‐tolerant maize variety, Jingnongyu 658 (JNY658), and one salt‐sensitive variety, Yunyu7 (YY7), and treated the seedlings of both varieties with a 100 mM NaCl solution. After harvesting them, we analysed the adaptive responses to salt stress with respect to various characteristics of the root architecture and water and nutrient acquisition. We found that when subjected to salt stress, both varieties exhibited a reduction in biomass, root activity, 15N and H218O uptake amount, lateral root branching density, lateral root length, total root length, root surface area and root volume, where the YY7 suffered a greater reduction than the JNY658. Salt stress also induced a decreased absorption of K+, passively promoted the absorption of Na+ and gave rise to an increased Na+/K+ ratio in the roots of both varieties. It should be noted that JNY658 exposed to salt stress developed a lower Na+/K+ ratio than YY7. Compared with the control group, the expression of ZmSOS1, ZmSOS2 and ZmNHX genes in the roots of JNY658 subjected to salt stress was significantly upregulated, which enabled them to maintain a lower Na+ content. In both varieties, the salicylic acid (SA) and gibberellin19 acid (GA19) content increased significantly, but the auxin (IAA), jasmonic acid (JA) and trans‐zeatin (TZ) content was reduced. In addition, JNY658 in salt stress significantly increased their abscisic acid (ABA) content, due to the increased expression of its key biosynthesis genes, NCED. Compared with JNY658, the reductions in IAA, JA and TZ content in YY7 were greater, while the increases in ABA and SA content were smaller. The varieties in the ABA, JA, SA and IAA of roots subjected to salt stress significantly or extremely significantly correlated with the lateral root branching density, lateral root length, root surface area, Na+ content, K+ content and Na+/K+ ratio. We conclude that the salt‐tolerant maize variety mitigated the toxic effect of salinity on maize root growth and development by regulating the hormone content and enhancing its expression of stress‐responsive genes while maintaining ion homeostasis and promoting water and nutrient acquisition, which ultimately resulted in a less pronounced decrease in plant biomass.
Comparison of methodological approaches to the study of young sex chromosomes: A case study in Poecilia
Authors: Darolti Iulia , Almeida Pedro , Wright Alison E. , Mank Judith E.
Published: May 2022

Studies of sex chromosome systems at early stages of divergence are key to understanding the initial process and underlying causes of recombination suppression. However, identifying signatures of divergence in homomorphic sex chromosomes can be challenging due to high levels of sequence similarity between the X and the Y. Variations in methodological precision and underlying data can make all the difference between detecting subtle divergence patterns or missing them entirely. Recent efforts to test for X‐Y sequence differentiation in the guppy have led to contradictory results. Here, we apply different analytical methodologies to the same data set to test for the accuracy of different approaches in identifying patterns of sex chromosome divergence in the guppy. Our comparative analysis reveals that the most substantial source of variation in the results of the different analyses lies in the reference genome used. Analyses using custom‐made genome assemblies for the focal population or species successfully recover a signal of divergence across different methodological approaches. By contrast, using the distantly related Xiphophorus reference genome results in variable patterns, due to both sequence evolution and structural variations on the sex chromosomes between the guppy and Xiphophorus. Changes in mapping and filtering parameters can additionally introduce noise and obscure the signal. Our results illustrate how analytical differences can alter perceived results and we highlight best practices for the study of nascent sex chromosomes.
The crown lengthening double guide and the digital Perio analysis
Authors: Coachman Christian , Valavanis Konstantinos , Silveira Fernanda Camargo , Kahn Sergio , Tavares Alexandra Dias , Mahn Eduardo , Parize Hian , Saliba Felipe Miguel P.
Published: May 2022

Objective

This article describes a surgical crown lengthening double guide, which was digitally obtained to improve diagnosis, treatment outcome, and follow‐up.

Clinical considerations

The rehabilitation of anterior dental esthetics should involve interdisciplinary and facially driven planning for achieving pleasant long‐term outcomes. Surgical crown lengthening is one of the most common periodontal surgery, which can be assisted by digital tools to improve surgical planning and follow‐up.

Conclusion

The double guide for surgical crown lengthening allows the proper management of hard and soft tissues for achieving a predefined goal based on biological requirements and facially driven planning. In addition, the digital quality control allows the follow‐up compared with the pre‐operative condition and planned treatment plan.

Clinical significance

The use of digital tools allow the clinician to develop a facially driven planning with proper communication with the team and patient, leading to a shorter, more predictable, and less invasive surgical technique, reducing postoperative inflammation and increasing patient comfort.
Flood impact on income inequality in the Itapocu River basin, Brazil
Authors: Silva Araújo Rafael , Ohara Miho , Miyamoto Mamoru , Takeuchi Kuniyoshi
Published: May 2022

Disasters worldwide tend to affect the poorest more severely and increase inequality. Brazil is one of the countries with high income‐inequality rates and has unplanned urbanization issues and an extensive disaster risk profile with little knowledge on how those disasters affect people's welfare. Thus, disasters often hit the poorest hardest, increasing the country's income inequality and poverty rates. This study proposes a method to assess the impact of floods on households spatially based on their income levels by conducting flood analysis and income analysis. The method is applied to the Itapocu River basin (IRB) located in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. The flood is assessed by conducting rainfall analysis and hydrological simulation and generating flood inundation maps. The income is evaluated using downloaded 2010 census data and a dasymetric approach. Flood and income information is combined to analyze flood‐impacted households by income level and flood return period. The results confirm the initial assumption that flood events in the IRB are more likely to affect the lowest‐income households rather than the highest‐income levels, thus, increasing the income inequality.
Expanding Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Priority Areas: The Role of Certified Nurse‐Midwives
Authors: Kane Claire , Topmiller Michael
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Perinatal opioid use disorder (OUD) is associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity, and treatment has been definitively shown to improve outcomes for both. As of 2018, certified nurse‐midwives (CNMs) can prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD by obtaining a Drug Addiction Treatment Act waiver. This research aims to identify the number of CNMs who are waivered to prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD and who practice in priority areas for treatment expansion.

Methods

Through a descriptive study design, authors collected and analyzed publicly available data from August 2020 to January 2021. Using the software GeoDa, authors identified priority counties in the United States and the number of waivered and nonwaivered CNMs in these areas. Counties were designated as priority if they had drug‐poisoning mortality rates in the top 20th percentile of all US counties and no health care providers waivered to treat OUD or had a waivered health care provider per population rate in the bottom 20th percentile.

Results

Analysis identified 141 priority counties in 23 states concentrated in rural areas throughout the Appalachian region of the United States. Tennessee had the most priority counties of any state. As of 2020, only 26 CNMs in the United States were waivered to prescribe buprenorphine, none of whom practiced in priority counties. Of the CNMs practicing in priority counties and without waivers, 59% (39 of 66) practiced in states where CNMs have independent practice authority.

Discussion

CNMs are uniquely positioned to treat perinatal OUD given their scope of practice as primary and reproductive health care providers, especially in rural, underserved areas. To increase the number of midwives prescribing buprenorphine and expand treatment access, researchers, educators, practice leaders, and policy makers must address barriers to and experiences of treating OUD.
Assessing deterioration using impairment and functional outcome measures in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: A post‐hoc analysis of the immunoglobulin overtreatment in CIDP trial
Authors: van Veen Robin , Wieske Luuk , Lucke Ilse , Adrichem Max E. , Merkies Ingemar S. J. , van Schaik Ivo N. , Eftimov Filip
Published: May 2022

It is unclear whether frequently used cutoff values for outcome measures defining minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) can accurately identify meaningful deterioration in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). We used data from the immunoglobulin overtreatment in CIDP (IOC) trial, in which 60 clinically stable patients with CIDP were randomized to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) withdrawal or continuation. We calculated change scores of the Inflammatory Rasch‐Built Overall Disability Scale (I‐RODS), grip strength, and Medical Research Council‐sum score (MRC‐SS) and classified visits based on a treatment anchor (ie, decision to restart/increase treatment after reaching a predefined early endpoint of deterioration). The variability of scores in patients without deterioration was calculated using the limits of agreement. We defined optimized MCIDs for deterioration and specific combinations of MCIDs from different outcome measures, and subsequently calculated the accuracies of the (combined) MCIDs. Substantial variability was found in scores of the I‐RODS, grip strength and MRC‐SS in patients without deterioration over time, and most MCIDs were within the limits of the variability observed in patients without deterioration. Some MCID cut‐offs were insensitive but highly specific for detecting deterioration, for example, the MCID‐SE of −1.96 of the I‐RODS and −2 point on the MRC‐SS. Others were sensitive, but less specific, for example, −4 centiles of the I‐RODS. Some combined MCIDs resulted in high specificities and moderate sensitivities. Our results suggest that clinically important deterioration cannot be distinguished from variability over time with currently used MCIDs on the individual level. Combinations of MCIDs might improve the accuracy of determining deterioration, but this needs validation.
Clinical study of auricular point seed burying combined with fire dragon pot moxibustion in perimenopausal women with insomnia
Authors: Feng Huan , Pan Aihong , Zheng Guohua , Yu Weihua
Published: May 2022

Objective

To intervene the insomnia symptoms of perimenopausal women by auricular point seed burying combined with fire dragon pot moxibustion, in order to improve the quality of sleep and life of the participants.

Methods

Seventy female participants with perimenopausal insomnia who were treated with Chinese medicine techniques from January 2020 to October 2020 were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 35 participants in each group. Participants in the control group were treated with the traditional Chinese medicine nursing intervention of burying seeds at auricular points. And participants in the observation group were additionally treated with fire dragon pot moxibustion. After 10 weeks of intervention, the Pittsburgh Sleepiness Index (PSQI), self‐assessment scores of anxiety (SAS) and depression (SDS), and treatment efficacy of the two groups were compared, respectively.

Results

Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in general information, sleep index scores, SAS, SDS scores between the two groups (p > 0.05). After the intervention, the SAS, SDS, and PSQI scores were significantly lower than the control group. Compared with the control group, the time to fall asleep was shorter and the duration of total sleep was longer in the observation group (p < 0.05). The treatment efficacy was better in the observation group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Auricular point seed burying combined with fire dragon pot moxibustion therapy can be more effect than auricular point seed burying alone in treating perimenopausal women with insomnia.
Profiling of grazed cultures of the chlorophyte alga Dunaliella tertiolecta using an untargeted LC–MS approach
Authors: Deore Pranali , Barlow Christopher K. , Schittenhelm Ralf B. , Beardall John , Noronha Santosh
Published: May 2022

Extracellular signals are reported to mediate chemical cross‐talk among pelagic microbes, including microalgal prey and predators. Water‐soluble mediator compounds play a crucial role in extracellular communication which is vital for prey recognition, attraction, capture, and predator deterrence. A range of exo‐metabolites including oxylipins and vitamins are released by prey in response to grazing stress. The temporal dynamics of such exo‐metabolites largely remains unknown, especially in large‐scale cultivation of microalgae such as closed or open ponds. In open ponds, infestation of predators is almost inevitable but highly undesirable due to the imminent threat of culture collapse. The early production of exo‐metabolites emitted by microalgal prey in response to predator attack could be leveraged as diagnostic markers of possible culture collapse. This study uses an untargeted approach for temporal profiling of Dunaliella tertiolecta‐specific exo‐metabolites under grazing pressure from Oxyrrhis marina. We report 24 putatively identified metabolites, belonging to various classes such as short peptides, lipids, indole‐derivatives, and free amino acids, as potential markers of grazing‐mediated stress. In addition, this study outlines a clear methodology for screening of exo‐metabolites in marine algal samples, the analysis of which is frequently hindered by high salt concentrations. In future, a chemistry‐based targeted detection of these metabolites could enable a quick and on‐site screening of predators in microalgal cultures.
Sleep, insomnia and mental health
Authors: Palagini Laura , Hertenstein Elisabeth , Riemann Dieter , Nissen Christoph
Published: May 2022

While sleep serves important regulatory functions for mental health, sleep disturbances, in particular insomnia, may favour a state of allostatic overload impairing brain neuroplasticity and stress immune pathways, hence contributing to mental disorders. In this framework, the aim of this work was to link current understanding about insomnia mechanisms with current knowledge about mental health dysregulatory mechanisms. The focus of the present work was on mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders, which represent important challenges in clinical practice. Literature searches were conducted on clinical, neurobiological, and therapeutic implications for insomnia comorbid with these mental disorders. Given the complexity and heterogeneity of the existing literature, we ended up with a narrative review. Insomnia may play an important role as a risk factor, a comorbid condition and transdiagnostic symptom for many mental disorders including mood/anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. Insomnia may also play a role as a marker of disrupted neuroplasticity contributing to dysregulation of different neurobiological mechanisms involved in these different mental conditions. In this framework, insomnia treatment may not only foster normal sleep processes but also the stress system, neuroinflammation and brain plasticity. Insomnia treatment may play an important preventive and neuroprotective role with cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia being the treatment with important new evidence of efficacy for insomnia, psychopathology, and indices of disrupted neuroplasticity. On the other hand, pharmacological pathways for insomnia treatment in these mental conditions are still not well defined. Therapeutic options acting on melatonergic systems and new therapeutic options acting on orexinergic systems may represents interesting pathways of interventions that may open new windows on insomnia treatment in mental disorders.
Pathological features of inflammatory myopathy as a manifestation of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Shiota Tomo , Eura Nobuyuki , Hasegawa Atsushi , Kiriyama Takao , Sugie Kazuma
Published: May 2022

Chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGVHD) is the most important complication resulting in the death of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) survivors. It is also a relatively rare cause of inflammatory myopathy (IM). We report the case of a 46‐year‐old woman who developed severe cGVHD‐related IM after BMT for myelodysplastic syndrome. She presented with severe muscle pain and weakness with cGVHD‐related symptoms in other organs. Myopathological analysis showed moderate cell infiltration with remarkable necrotic and regenerative fibers. Sarcoplasm and capillaries expressed C5b9 and myxovirus resistance protein 1. Non‐necrotic fibers in perifascicular regions expressed MHC‐II. Steroid therapy did not sufficiently control cGVHD‐related IM, and the patient was concurrently treated with an immunosuppressant. Our findings show that IM is a key manifestation of cGVHD and that the expression of interferon‐inducible proteins in muscle pathology is useful for identifying cGVHD‐related IM.