bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of ischaemic postconditioning on mucosal integrity and function in equine jejunal ischaemia
Authors: Verhaar Nicole , Breves Gerhard , Hewicker‐Trautwein Marion , Pfarrer Christiane , Rohn Karl , Burmester Marion , Schnepel Nadine , Neudeck Stephan , Twele Lara , Kästner Sabine
Published: May 2021

Background

Ischaemic postconditioning (IPoC) has been shown to ameliorate ischaemia reperfusion injury in different species and tissues.

Objectives

To assess the feasibility of IPoC in equine small intestinal ischaemia and to assess its effect on histomorphology, electrophysiology and paracellular permeability.

Study design

Randomised in vivo experiment.

Methods

Experimental jejunal ischaemia was induced for 90 min in horses under general anaesthesia. In the control group (C; n = 7), the jejunum was reperfused without further intervention. In the postconditioning group (IPoC; n = 7), reocclusion was implemented following release of ischaemia by clamping the mesenteric vessels in three cycles of 30 seconds. This was followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion in both groups. Intestinal microperfusion and oxygenation was measured during IPoC using spectrophotometry and Doppler flowmetry. Histomorphology and histomorphometry of the intestinal mucosa were assessed. Furthermore, electrophysiological variables and unidirectional flux rates of 3H‐mannitol were determined in Ussing chambers. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the tight junction protein levels of claudin‐1, claudin‐2 and occludin in the intestinal mucosa. Comparisons between the groups and time points were performed using a two‐way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) or non‐parametric statistical tests for the ordinal and not normally distributed data (significance P < .05).

Results

IPoC significantly reduced intestinal microperfusion during all clamping cycles yet affected oxygen saturation only during the first cycle. After reperfusion, Group IPoC showed significantly less mucosal villus denudation (mean difference 21.5%, P = .02) and decreased mucosal‐to‐serosal flux rates (mean difference 15.2 nM/cm2/h, P = .007) compared to Group C. There were no significant differences between the groups for the other tested variables.

Main limitations

Small sample size, long‐term effects were not investigated.

Conclusions

Following IPoC, the intestinal mucosa demonstrated significantly less villus denudation and paracellular permeability compared to the untreated control group, possibly indicating a protective effect of IPoC on ischaemia reperfusion injury.
Profiling beneficial and potential adverse effects of MeCP2 overexpression in a hypomorphic Rett syndrome mouse model
Authors: Vermudez Sheryl Anne D. , Gogliotti Rocco G. , Arthur Bright , Buch Aditi , Morales Clarissa , Moxley Yuta , Rajpal Hemangi , Conn P. Jeffrey , Niswender Colleen M.
Published: May 2021

De novo loss‐of‐function mutations in methyl‐CpG‐binding protein 2 (MeCP2) lead to the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome (RTT). Despite promising results from strategies aimed at increasing MeCP2 levels, additional studies exploring how hypomorphic MeCP2 mutations impact the therapeutic window are needed. Here, we investigated the consequences of genetically introducing a wild‐type MECP2 transgene in the Mecp2 R133C mouse model of RTT. The MECP2 transgene reversed the majority of RTT‐like phenotypes exhibited by male and female Mecp2 R133C mice. However, three core symptom domains were adversely affected in female Mecp2R133C/+ animals; these phenotypes resemble those observed in disease contexts of excess MeCP2. Parallel control experiments in Mecp2Null/+ mice linked these adverse effects to the hypomorphic R133C mutation. Collectively, these data provide evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of genetically overexpressing functional MeCP2 in Mecp2 R133C mice and suggest that personalized approaches may warrant consideration for the clinical assessment of MeCP2‐targeted therapies.
Morphological traits of reef corals predict extinction risk but not conservation status
Authors: Raja Nussaïbah B. , Lauchstedt Andreas , Pandolfi John M. , Kim Sun W. , Budd Ann F. , Kiessling Wolfgang
Published: May 2021

Aim

The current assessment of extinction risk in reef corals by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has been criticized, because coral life‐history traits associated with resilience are not reflected in the conservation status. We aimed to carry out a quantitative assessment of the link between reef coral traits and species extinction risk informed by extinctions of reef corals observed in the fossil record.

Location

Global.

Time period

Plio‐Pleistocene and present day.

Major taxa studied

Scleractinian reef corals.

Methods

We used morphological traits, phylogenetic information and evidence of extinction during the Plio‐Pleistocene to predict the extinction risk of contemporary reef corals. Our model was trained using 138 Caribbean fossil coral species and an automatic machine learning algorithm. We then used this model to predict the extinction risk of 674 modern coral species.

Results

Model validation confirmed 77% accuracy in predicting extinction risk of fossil corals. Extinction risk predicted by our model showed a near‐random (57%) match with the IUCN conservation status. Our model also suggested that corals in the Least Concern or Near Threatened categories might be at higher risk of extinction than currently believed.

Main conclusions

Morphological traits of fossil corals linked to their extinction risk in the Plio‐Pleistocene Caribbean Sea are known to reflect the vulnerability of extant corals. However, the results from our fossil‐calibrated model do not match the IUCN assessment of reef corals, with increased overall extinction risk. This does not necessarily indicate near‐future extinction risk, because fossil extinctions are spread over thousands of years. However, we show the applicability of using fossil data to inform the extinction risk of modern corals and recommend that future assessments of extinction risk of reef corals should consider incorporating the relationship between morphological traits and resilience, calibrated by fossil data, to maximize the utility of the extinction risk assessment.
Does local democracy improve public health interventions? Evidence from India
Authors: Costa‐Font Joan , Parmar Divya
Published: May 2021

Health care decisions in many low‐income countries often require a close political agency relationship between healthcare decision makers and constituents. This is especially the case for maternal and child care as well as preventative interventions when resources are scarce. This article examines the effect of the introduction of the National Rural Health Mission in India, introducing Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNC), a self‐governance mechanism to strengthen the political agency in village health care decision making. We study the effect of exposure to VHSNC on both maternal and preventative child health care. We find that exposure to VHSNC's increase the utilization of several maternal health care services, but does not systematically increase the uptake of preventive health care. The effect of VHSNC is more intense in larger villages and areas closer to district headquarters, and is driven by an increase in the utilization of the public healthcare network.
Role of the prognostic nutritional index in predicting survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with regorafenib
Authors: Rimini Margherita , Yoo Changoon , Lonardi Sara , Masi Gianluca , Piscaglia Fabio , Kim Hyung‐Don , Rizzato Mario D. , Salani Francesca , Ielasi Luca , Forgione Antonella , Bang Yeonghak , Soldà Caterina , Catanese Silvia , Sansone Vito , Ryu Min‐Hee , Ryoo Baek‐Yeol , Burgio Valentina , Cucchetti Alessandro , Cascinu Stefano , Casadei‐Gardini Andrea
Published: May 2021

Aim

A link has been established between malnutrition, immunological status, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) has been recognized as a prognostic indicator in early‐stage HCC and in patients treated with first‐line therapy. However, to date, the role of the PNI in HCC patients treated with regorafenib has not been reported.

Methods

We undertook a multicentric analysis on a cohort of 284 patients affected by advanced HCC treated with regorafenib. The PNI was calculated as follows: 10 × serum albumin concentration (g/dl) + 0.005 × peripheral lymphocyte count (number/mm3). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the association between PNI and survival outcomes.

Results

A PNI cut‐off value of 44.45 was calculated by a receiver operating characteristic analysis. The median overall survival was 12.8 and 7.8 months for patients with high (>44.45) and low (≤44.45) PNI, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.43–0.77; p = 0.0002). In the univariate and multivariate analyses, low PNI value and increased serum bilirubin level emerged as independent prognostic factors for overall survival. No differences were found between high and low PNI in terms of progression‐free survival (p = 0.14).

Conclusion

If validated, the PNI could represent an easy‐to‐use prognostic tool able to guide the clinical decision‐making process in HCC patients treated with regorafenib.
A hole in the wall of fortress Europe: The trans‐European posting of third‐country labour migrants
Authors: Lens Dries , Mussche Ninke , Marx Ive
Published: May 2021

This article documents and discusses the importance of the intra‐EU posting of third‐country national (TCN) labour migrants. TCN labour migrants have traditionally been fixed to one Member State where they reside and work based on a work and residence permit. Case‐law of the European Court of Justice allowed TCNs to be posted across the EU based on the free movement of services. We reveal that an increasing number of TCNs from a large variety of citizenships are indeed mobile across the EU as posted workers. We additionally show that most of these workers are low‐ and medium‐skilled and would – in a traditional labour migration setting – have difficulty obtaining a work and residence permit from Member States that privilege highly skilled labour migration. We also demonstrate that the posting of TCNs has the potential to grow into a mobility channel on equal footing with “traditional” TCN labour migration.
Plasma microparticles from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus modulate the content of miRNAs in U937 cells
Authors: Carmona‐Pérez Liseth , Rojas Mauricio , Muñoz‐Vahos Carlos , Vanegas‐García Adiana , Vásquez Gloria
Published: May 2021

In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the clearance of apoptotic cells and microparticles (MPs) is reduced. Some MPs contain molecules that can modulate immune responses. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of miR‐126 and miR‐146a in plasma MPs of patients with SLE (SLE MPs) and analyse the ability of MPs to modulate some events in the promonocytic U937 cell line. Circulating MPs were isolated from plasma samples of healthy controls (HCs), patients with SLE and other autoimmune diseases (OAD). MPs were analysed for size and cell origin by flow cytometry and content of miR‐126 and miR‐146a by RT‐qPCR. MPs were then added to U937 cell cultures to evaluate changes in cell phenotype, cytokine expression, content of miR‐126 and miR‐146a, and levels of IRF5. Patients with active SLE (aSLE) showed an increase in concentration of plasma MPs that positively correlated with the SLEDAI (SLE Disease Activity Index) score. CD14+ MPs were significantly more abundant in patients with SLE than HCs. SLE MPs contained decreased levels of miR‐146a, but the miR‐126 content in aSLE MPs was increased. The miR‐126 content in SLE MPs correlated positively with the SLEDAI score. The treatment of U937 cells with MPs from HCs and patients induced reduced expression of HLA‐DR, CD18 and CD119, increased frequency of IL‐6+ and TNF‐α+ cells, accumulation of IL‐8 in culture supernatants, increased miR‐126 levels and decreased miR‐146a content, but no change in the expression of IRF5. These findings suggest that plasma MPs, especially SLE MPs, could modulate some biological events in U937 cells.
CD300a contributes to the resolution of articular inflammation triggered by MSU crystals by controlling neutrophil apoptosis
Authors: Valiate Bruno V. S. , Queiroz‐Junior Celso M. , Levi‐Schaffer Francesca , Galvão Izabela , Teixeira Mauro M.
Published: May 2021

Gout is an inflammatory disease triggered by deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joints, resulting in high neutrophil influx and pain. Here, we studied the role of the inhibitory receptor CD300a in the resolution process in a murine model of gout. We found increased CD300a expression on neutrophils emigrated to the joint. When compared to WT mice, CD300a−/− mice had persistent neutrophil influx till 24 hr after MSU injection. This was associated with increased concentration of IL‐1β and greater tissue damage in the joints of CD300a−/− mice. There was an increase in the percentage of apoptotic neutrophils in the synovial lavage of WT mice, as compared to CD300a−/− mice. This difference was reflected in the decline of efferocytic events in the synovial cavity of CD300a−/− mice 24 hr after MSU injection. A CD300a agonistic antibody was shown, for the first time, to increase apoptosis of human neutrophils, and this was associated with cleavage of caspase‐8. In conclusion, our results reveal an important role of CD300a in the control of leucocyte infiltration, IL‐1β production and caspase‐8 cleavage in neutrophils, contributing to the resolution of inflammation triggered by MSU injection.
SfM‐3DULC: Reliability of a new 3D wound measurement procedure and its accuracy in projected area
Authors: Sánchez‐Jiménez David , Buchón‐Moragues Fernando F. , Escutia‐Muñoz Begoña , Botella‐Estrada Rafael
Published: May 2021

Three‐dimensional (3D) wound measurement lacks a gold standard to test accuracy. It is useful to develop procedures to scan wounds and reconstruct their 3D model with low‐cost techniques. We present a new procedure (Structure from Motion [SfM]‐3DULC) that uses photographs for measuring nine wound variables. We also propose a new variant of ImageJ in which an orthophoto is used to measure the projected area (Ortho‐ImageJ). In addition, we compare the wound measurements made by dermatologists and non‐experts. A group of five experts in dermatology and five non‐specialists measured 33 leg wounds five times per procedure. Intra‐rater and inter‐rater reliability scores of SfM‐3DULC were evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 2,1). The accuracy of the two new procedures (SfM‐3DULC and Ortho‐ImageJ) in the measurement of projected area was assessed by comparing their values with those obtained using ImageJ, with the Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed rank test (α = 0.05). This test was also used to analyse the differences between the measurements made by dermatologists and non‐experts. All the variables measured by dermatologists using SfM‐3DULC showed excellent scores of intra‐rater reliability (ICC > 0.99) and inter‐rater reliability (ICC > 0.98). No significant differences between the three procedures were found when comparing their projected area values. Significant differences between the measurements of dermatologists and non‐experts were found in most of the variables: circularity coefficient, perimeter, projected area, surface area, and reference surface area. The wound measurement procedure SfM‐3DULC has an excellent reliability, is accurate for the measurement of projected area, and can be used by dermatologists for wound monitoring in everyday clinical practice.
Contribution of students to nursing practice settings during clinical training: Design and validation of a questionnaire
Authors: Fernández‐Feito Ana , García‐Cueto Eduardo , Díaz‐Alonso Julián , Valcárcel‐Álvarez Yolanda , Parás‐Bravo Paula , Andina‐Díaz Elena , Lana Alberto
Published: May 2021

Background

A validated questionnaire to measure the contributions of nursing students to clinical settings could potentially assist in the improved management of students in healthcare institutions.

Aim

To develop and test the psychometric properties of the questionnaire ‘Nursing Student Contributions to Clinical Settings’ (CEEEC, Spanish acronym for ‘Contribuciones de los Estudiantes de Enfermería a los Entornos Clínicos’).

Design

Instrument design and psychometric testing.

Participants/settings

A multicentre study involving 1,098 nursing professionals from three universities and five hospitals of Spain, between January 2019 and March 2020.

Methods

The study was carried out in two phases. Phase 1 involved the questionnaire design by experts (n = 28), which required a review of the available literature, cognitive interviews and Delphi rounds, and a preliminary validity study, which included a pilot test with responses from a sample of nurses (n = 143). Phase 2 involved a formal validation with a wider sample of nurses (n = 927), including factor analysis and a study of convergent validity with the Practice Environment Scale‐Nursing Work Index and Health Sciences‐Evidence Based Practice.

Results

Experts selected 42 items on student contributions. After cognitive interviews, three items were eliminated and seven failed to reach the minimum content validity index (78%). Based on the remaining 32 items, the discrimination index of each item was calculated, and those with <0.3, eight items were sequentially eliminated. The resulting questionnaire contained 24 items grouped into a single factor, which explained 41% of the variance. The internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's alpha: 0.94), and the convergent validity was confirmed.

Conclusions

A 24‐item questionnaire was designed and validated to measure the contributions of nursing students to clinical practice settings.

Impact

Most hospitals are also teaching centres where nursing students undergo clinical practice. The application of this test will provide insight into the nursing professionals’ perception of the students’ role.
Islet β‐cells physiological difference study of old and young mice based on single‐cell transcriptomics
Authors: Zheng Zeyu , Zhan Qiufeng , Chen Ayun , Yu Zhen , Chen Gang
Published: May 2021

Aims/Introduction

Body aging is a universal biological process. With aging, cells undergo a series of physiological changes. The main feature is cell proliferation decline, although the cells still have normal functions. Pancreatic β‐cells are no exception. However, the physiological senescence of β‐cells, and the resulting function and transcriptome changes have rarely attracted attention. The specific senescence phenotype of β‐cells remains unknown.

Materials and Methods

Pancreatic samples from three female C57BL/6 mice with aged 2.5 months (young) mice and 20 months (old) were digested to a single‐cell suspension and analyzed, with 10× Genomics single‐cell ribonucleic acid sequencing, β‐cells were determined by biosynthesis analysis, and differences between old and young mice were identified.

Results

A total of 47 differential genes with significant and statistical significance were screened in β‐cells (fold change >1.5, P < 0.05). In old mice, 27 genes were upregulated and 20 genes were downregulated. Genes Mt1, Mt2, Pyy, Gcg and Pnlip, and mitochondrial genes mt‐Nd1, mt‐Nd3, mt‐Co1, mt‐Co2 and mt‐Co3 were found to be involved in cellular senescence. Transcription factors Jund and Fos were important regulators of senescence.

Conclusions

An overall difference was found between the pancreatic β‐cells of old and young mice. Transcription factors facilitate transitions between pancreatic β‐cells. These findings are worthy of deep exploration, and provide new resources and directions for the research of pancreatic aging in mice.
Commentary to Shetty A, Janda M, Fry K et al. Clinical utility of skin cancer and melanoma risk scores for population screening: TRoPICS study
Authors: Peris K.
Published: May 2021

Linked article: A. Shetty et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 35: 1094–1098. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.17062.
The ROBINS‐I and the NOS had similar reliability but differed in applicability: A random sampling observational studies of systematic reviews/meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Yuhui , Huang Litao , Wang Dandan , Ren Pengwei , Hong Qi , Kang Deying
Published: May 2021

Objective

There is a lack of evidence on the usage of the quality assessment tool‐the Risk Of Bias In Nonrandomized Studies‐of Interventions (ROBINS‐I). This article aimed to measure the reliability, criterion validity, and feasibility of the ROBINS‐I and the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS).

Methods

A sample of systematic reviews or meta‐analyses of observational studies were selected from Medline (2013‐2017) and assessed by two reviewers using ROBINS‐I and the NOS. We reported on reliability in terms of the first‐order agreement coefficient (AC1) statistic. Correlation coefficient statistic was used to explore the criterion validity of the ROBINS‐I. We compared the feasibility of the ROBINS‐I and NOS by recording the time to complete an assessment and the instances where assessing was difficult.

Results

Five systematic reviews containing 41 cohort studies were finally included. Interobserver agreement on the individual domain of the ROBINS‐I as well as the NOS was substantial with a mean AC1 statistic of 0.67 (95% CI: 0.50‐0.83) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.65‐0.81), respectively. The criterion validity of the ROBNS‐I was moderate (K = 0.52) against NOS. The time in assessing a single study by ROBINS‐I varied from 7 hours initially to 3 hours compared with 30 minutes for the NOS. Both reviewers rated “bias due to departure from the intended interventions” the most time‐consuming domain in the ROBINS‐I, items in the NOS were equal.

Conclusions

The ROBINS‐I and the NOS seem to provide the same reliability but vary in applicability. The over‐complicated feature of ROBINS‐I may limit its usage and a simplified version is needed.
Modifications of the nucleoprotein of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus showed gain of virulence in intraperitoneally infected rainbow trout
Authors: Alencar Anna Luiza Farias , Kwon Se Ryun , Rasmussen Thomas Bruun , Mérour Emilie , Olesen Niels Jørgen , Cuenca Argelia
Published: May 2021

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) is the cause of an important listed disease in European rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) aquaculture and can be present in a wide range of fish species, including marine fish, which can act as viral reservoir. Recent studies revealed putative genetic virulence markers of VHSV to rainbow trout highlighting the roles of the nucleoprotein, phosphoprotein and non‐virion protein. Using reverse genetics, we produced recombinant viruses by introducing parts of or the entire nucleoprotein from a high‐virulent isolate VHSV into a low‐virulent backbone. Furthermore, we also made recombinant viruses by introducing residue modifications in the nucleoprotein that seem to play a role in virulence. Rainbow trout challenged with these recombinant viruses (rVHSVs) by intraperitoneal injection (IP) developed clinical signs and showed lower survival when compared to the parental rVHSV whereas fish challenged by immersion did not show clinical signs except for the high‐virulent control. The mutations did not influence the viral growth in cell culture. The recombinant viruses and parental recombinant were unable to replicate and show cytopathic effect in EPC cells whereas the high‐virulent control was well adapted in all the fish cell lines tested. We showed evidence that corroborates with the hypothesis that the nucleoprotein has virulence motifs associated with VHSV virulence in rainbow trout.
A unique photosystem I reaction center from a chlorophyll d‐containing cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina
Authors: Xu Caihuang , Zhu Qingjun , Chen Jing‐Hua , Shen Liangliang , Yi Xiaohan , Huang Zihui , Wang Wenda , Chen Min , Kuang Tingyun , Shen Jian‐Ren , Zhang Xing , Han Guangye
Published: May 2021

Photosystem I (PSI) is a large protein supercomplex that catalyzes the light‐dependent oxidation of plastocyanin (or cytochrome c6) and the reduction of ferredoxin. This catalytic reaction is realized by a transmembrane electron transfer chain consisting of primary electron donor (a special chlorophyll (Chl) pair) and electron acceptors A0, A1, and three Fe4S4 clusters, FX, FA, and FB. Here we report the PSI structure from a Chl d‐dominated cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina at 3.3 Å resolution obtained by single‐particle cryo‐electron microscopy. The A. marina PSI exists as a trimer with three identical monomers. Surprisingly, the structure reveals a unique composition of electron transfer chain in which the primary electron acceptor A0 is composed of two pheophytin a rather than Chl a found in any other well‐known PSI structures. A novel subunit Psa27 is observed in the A. marina PSI structure. In addition, 77 Chls, 13 α‐carotenes, two phylloquinones, three Fe‐S clusters, two phosphatidyl glycerols, and one monogalactosyl‐diglyceride were identified in each PSI monomer. Our results provide a structural basis for deciphering the mechanism of photosynthesis in a PSI complex with Chl d as the dominating pigments and absorbing far‐red light.
Effects of flipped learning on nursing students: A mixed methods study
Authors: Kim Younkyoung , Kim Nooree , Chae Myeongjeong
Published: May 2021

Aim

Improving the learning capability of nursing students is imperative to their development as healthcare professionals. This study aimed to verify the effects of flipped learning on class participation, academic self‐regulation, co‐regulation, and academic performance, and to offer suggestions regarding educational strategies related to flipped learning.

Method

In the Community Health Nursing I course, 32 junior‐year students (the experimental group) were provided with flipped learning, and 30 other junior‐year students (the control group) received traditional instructor‐led education. Flipped learning consisted of pre‐learning, readiness assessment, a mini‐lecture, group activities, and formative assessment. The pretest‐posttest quasi‐experimental and convergent parallel study designs were used in this study.

Results

After participating in flipped learning, the experimental group exhibited a significant improvement in class participation, academic self‐regulation, and co‐regulation compared to the control group, but academic performance exhibited an insignificant improvement. The participants experienced a “change in attitude toward academic participation,” “improved academic competence,” and “pressure from learning” related to flipped learning.

Conclusion

Flipped learning can positively change students' approach to learning. We propose that flipped learning be applied more widely to the education of nursing students.
Reconstruction of 3D greyscale image for reservoir rock from a single image based on pattern dictionary
Authors: Li Zhengji , He XiaoHai , Teng Qizhi , Li Yang , Wu Xiaohong
Published: May 2021

Most methods that model 3D porous media from 2D images are based on binary images. In this paper, we propose a method for reconstructing 3D greyscale isotropic porous media images from a single image. Our proposed method incorporates a fast‐sampling procedure to control the continuity and variability between adjoining reconstruction layers, a new similarity calculation method to obtain the most similar patterns from a pattern dictionary, and a central area simulation procedure to solve the block effect problem. The reconstruction results from application of our proposed method to a real reservoir 3D model obtained via computed tomography (CT) and a comparison with the original CT structure demonstrate that our proposed method can reproduce properties such as autocorrelation function, linear function, shape distribution, average shape factor, average pore radius size, average throat radius size, average pore volume, permeability and grey histogram. Further, the comparison results indicate that the statistical characteristics of the reconstructions match the training image and the CT model perfectly.
Network analysis reveals important genes in human placenta
Authors: Lin Peihong , Lai Xuedan , Wu Ling , Liu Wei , Lin Shiqiang , Ye Jianwen
Published: May 2021

Aim

To determine which genes are important in placenta by network analysis.

Methods

Placenta expressing genes were screened from RNA‐Seq data. Protein–protein interaction data were downloaded from STRING (v11.0) database. Google PageRank (PR) algorithm was used to identify important placental genes from protein interaction network. Six placental disease‐related datasets were downloaded from NCBI GEO database, and the differential expression of the 99 genes was identified.

Results

We calculated PR for each placenta expressing gene and defined the top 99 genes with high PR as important genes. GAPDH has the highest PR. The 99 genes had different expression pattern in placental cell types. FN1 is up‐regulated in 8 w EVT compared to 8 w CTB and 24 w EVT compared to 8 w EVT. HSPA4 is down‐regulated in 8 w EVT compared to 8 w CTB and 24 w EVT compared to 8 w EVT. MIB2, TLR4, and UBB are consistently changed in preeclampsia (PE). UBB and ACTG1 were identified to be down‐regulated in fetal growth restriction (FGR). SOD1 is down‐regulated in preterm birth placenta.

Conclusion

Our findings confirmed that the importance of these genes in placenta‐related diseases, and provide new candidates (MIB2, UBB, ACTG1, and SOD1) for placenta‐related disease diagnosis and treatment.
Hidden Likeness: Avoidance and Iconicity in Batek
Authors: Rudge Alice
Published: May 2021

In Batek, both iconic and avoidant speech forms only have the desired effect when their sounds are at the same time like, and different to, their referents. This necessary coexistence of likeness and difference in particular speech forms resonates with the sought for coexistence of alterity and affinity in Batek interpersonal relationships. Attention to how likeness and difference co‐exist in moments when iconic and avoidant speech forms are uttered, thus challenges entrenched, binary notions of alterity and affinity in anthropological practice more broadly.
Delayed access to care and late presentations in children during the COVID‐19 pandemic New Zealand‐wide lockdown: A New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance Unit study
Authors: Duncanson Mavis , Wheeler Benjamin J , Jelleyman Timothy , Dalziel Stuart R , McIntyre Peter
Published: May 2021

Aim

Describe paediatricians' experience of adverse health outcomes for children during the New Zealand‐wide level 4 lockdown in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Weekly national survey of paediatricians with an open‐ended questionnaire.

Results

During the 6‐week study survey period, the New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance Unit received 33 reports about 55 instances where paediatricians believed care may have been compromised, about half (56%) relating to infants aged from birth to 6 weeks. Compromised care was for acute presentations in 75%, acute complications of a chronic illness in 14%, with 11% for chronic conditions. Paediatricians reported the outcome as moderately severe (short‐term morbidity, increased length of stay, higher level of care) in 38 cases (69%) and in a further 4 (7%) as severe (potential to be life‐threatening or result in permanent disability).

Conclusion

Despite clear messaging, hospital avoidance and reduced access to primary and secondary care were associated with significant potential harm for children in New Zealand during a strict lockdown, with newborn infants disproportionately affected. During the implementation of interventions to eliminate community transmission of COVID‐19, New Zealand paediatricians note the importance of face‐to‐face post‐natal visits for newborns and primary care services for children with acute illness, to avoid preventable harm.
Sleep disturbances in children with cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia and typically developing children during COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Sismanlar Eyuboglu Tugba , Aslan Ayse Tana , Ramaslı Gursoy Tugba , Asfuroglu Pelin , Soysal Azime Sebnem , Yapar Dilek , İlhan Mustafa Necmi
Published: May 2021

Aim

We aimed to investigate sleep disturbances in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and typically developing (TD) children during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Primary care givers of children with CF and PCD aged 3–16 years were asked to enrol in the study. Primary care givers of TD children were included as control group. The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) was used, and questions related to sleep habits during the pandemic were asked. Results of the three groups were compared.

Results

Primary care givers of 33 children with CF, 16 children with PCD and 66 TD children were included in the study. There were no differences in terms of age and gender between the three groups. Changes in sleep patterns during the pandemic were more common among TD children and their families, with 75% of the children and 80% of their families sleeping later than before. The sleep initiation and maintenance disorder scores were higher in TD children (P = 0.001), whereas the sleep breathing disorder scores were higher in children with PCD (P = 0.001), and the sleep hyperhidrosis scores were higher in children with CF and PCD (P = 0.011). No relationships were found between sleep parameters and clinical findings of children with lung disease.

Conclusions

Children's sleep habits have changed during the pandemic. Children with chronic lung diseases and even TD children may experience sleep disturbances during this period.
Diversity and taxonomic revision of tribes Rhipileae and Rhipiliopsideae (Halimedaceae, Chlorophyta) based on molecular and morphological data
Authors: Lagourgue Laura , Payri Claude E.
Published: May 2021

Genera and species of the tribes Rhipileae and Rhipiliopsideae are abundant in most coral reef ecosystems worldwide. However, the group has been largely overlooked, and very little genetic data is available to accurately assess its diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and geographic distribution. Our study provided an in‐depth reassessment of tribes Rhipileae and Rhipiliopsideae based on a species‐rich dataset and the combination of molecular species delimitation, multilocus phylogenetic analyses (tufA, rbcL, and 18S rDNA), and morpho‐anatomic observations. Our results revealed an unexpected diversity of 38 morphologically validated species hypotheses, including 20 new species, two of which are described in this paper and one resurrected species (Rhipilia diaphana). Based on our phylogenetic results we proposed to redefine the genera Rhipilia and Rhipiliopsis and described two new genera, Kraftalia gen. nov. (Rhipileae) and Rhipiliospina gen. nov. (Rhipiliopsideae). Finally, we validated Rhipiliella Kraft and included it in the tribe Rhipileae. Although Rhipilia and Rhipiliopsis have a pantropical distribution, none of the species studied here appeared cosmopolitan; instead, they have restricted distributions.
Clinical characteristics of non‐infectious inflammatory myopathy in the boxer dog
Authors: Hong H. P. , Thomovsky S. A. , Lewis M. J. , Bentley R. T. , Shelton G. D.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment, outcome and potential association between non‐infectious inflammatory myopathy and malignancy in boxer dogs.

Materials and Methods

Boxer dogs histologically diagnosed with non‐infectious inflammatory myopathy at the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory, University of California San Diego from 2010 to 2018 and with complete medical records were included in this retrospective study. Signalment, history, clinical signs, clinicopathologic findings, treatment and outcome were documented.

Results

Twenty‐eight boxer dogs with non‐infectious inflammatory myopathy, aged 1 to 11 years, were included. Eighteen were male (16 neutered; two entire) and 10 were female (seven spayed; three entire). Clinical signs included generalised weakness (n=17), dysphagia (n=11) and weight loss (n=10). Serum creatine kinase activity was elevated in all 20 cases tested (range 908 to 138,000 IU/L). One dog had undifferentiated round cell neoplastic infiltration within the muscle at the time of inflammatory myopathy diagnosis. Five dogs historically had mast cell tumours and 21 dogs were not diagnosed with neoplasia prior, at the time of or after inflammatory myopathy diagnosis. Treatment included glucocorticoid monotherapy (n=12), cyclosporine monotherapy (n=1) or multiple immune‐suppressive medications (n=14). Six dogs neurologically improved, 11 improved but relapsed while on treatment, seven did not improve. Eight dogs were euthanased, one died, four were lost to follow‐up.

Clinical Significance

Boxer dogs with non‐infectious inflammatory myopathy can present for generalised weakness and dysphagia; long‐term successful outcome is uncommon. The relationship between neoplasia and non‐infectious inflammatory myopathy in boxer dogs remains unclear; future prospective studies evaluating a larger cohort are warranted.
Seizure frequency discrepancy between subjective and objective ictal electroencephalography data in dogs
Authors: Ukai Masayasu , Parmentier Thomas , Cortez Miguel A. , Fischer Andrea , Gaitero Luis , Lohi Hannes , Nykamp Stephanie , Jokinen Tarja S. , Powers Danielle , Sammut Veronique , Sanders Sean , Tai Tricia , Wielaender Franziska , James Fiona
Published: May 2021

Background

Many studies of epilepsy in veterinary medicine use subjective data (eg, caregiver‐derived histories) to determine seizure frequency. Conversely, in people, objective data from electroencephalography (EEG) are mainly used to diagnose epilepsy, measure seizure frequency and evaluate efficacy of antiseizure drugs. These EEG data minimize the possibility of the underreporting of seizures, a known phenomenon in human epileptology.

Objective

To evaluate the correlation between reported seizure frequency and EEG frequency of ictal paroxysmal discharges (PDs) and to determine whether seizure underreporting phenomenon exists in veterinary epileptology.

Animals

Thirty‐three ambulatory video‐EEG recordings in dogs showing ≥1 ictal PD, excluding dogs with status epilepticus.

Methods

Retrospective observational study. Ictal PDs were counted manually over the entire recording to obtain the frequency of EEG seizures. Caregiver‐reported seizure frequency from the medical record was categorized into weekly, daily, hourly, and per minute seizure groupings. The Spearman rank test was used for correlation analysis.

Results

The coefficient value (rs) comparing reported seizure to EEG‐confirmed ictal PD frequencies was 0.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.048‐0.64, P = .03). Other rs values comparing history against various seizure types were: 0.36 for motor seizures and 0.37 for nonmotor (absence) seizures.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

A weak correlation was found between the frequency of reported seizures from caregivers (subjective data) and ictal PDs on EEG (objective data). Subjective data may not be reliable enough to determine true seizure frequency given the discrepancy with EEG‐confirmed seizure frequency. Confirmation of the seizure underreporting phenomenon in dogs by prospective study should be carried out.
Cosmogenic noble gas nuclides in zircons from the Estherville mesosiderite
Authors: Haba Makiko K. , Nagao Keisuke
Published: May 2021

Zirconium produces cosmogenic Kr through spallation reactions with cosmic rays. Meteoritic zircons (ZrSiO4) therefore possibly contain a significant amount of cosmogenic Kr in addition to other cosmogenic nuclides. Detection of cosmogenic nuclides from meteoritic zircons would make it possible to determine precise cosmic ray exposure (CRE) ages without knowing the whole rock chemistry because of the robust nature of zircons and limited target elements that produce cosmogenic nuclides in a zircon crystal. Herein, we report the noble gas compositions of zircons separated from the Estherville mesosiderite in addition to those of the silicate and metal parts. The zircons contain cosmogenic noble gas nuclides, and more importantly, cosmogenic 81Kr (t1/2 = 2.29 × 105 years) was successfully detected in the zircons. The 81Kr‐Kr exposure age of the zircons was calculated to be 76 ± 5 million years (Ma). This age corresponds to the CRE ages obtained from cosmogenic 3He and 21Ne (82 ± 8 and 88 ± 9 Ma, respectively) of the silicate part and the previously reported 36Cl‐36Ar age of the metal part (77 ± 9 Ma). The consistent CRE ages using different dating methods demonstrate that the 81Kr‐Kr dating using meteoritic zircons is a new promising tool for determining the CRE age of meteorites. Moreover, based on the 81Kr‐Kr age of the zircons, the production rates of cosmogenic 3He and 21Ne in a meteoritic zircon were estimated to be (15 ± 2) × 10−9 and (0.69 ± 0.04) × 10−9 cm3 STP g−1 Ma−1, respectively.
Recovery from hybrid breakdown reveals a complex genetic architecture of mitonuclear incompatibilities
Authors: Pereira Ricardo J. , Lima Thiago G. , Pierce‐Ward N. Tessa , Chao Lin , Burton Ronald S.
Published: May 2021

Reproductive isolation is often achieved when genes that are neutral or beneficial in their genomic background become functionally incompatible in a foreign genomic background, causing inviability, sterility or other forms of low fitness in hybrids. Recent studies suggest that mitonuclear interactions are among the initial incompatibilities to evolve at early stages of population divergence across taxa. Yet, the genomic architecture of mitonuclear incompatibilities has rarely been elucidated. We employ an experimental evolution approach starting with low‐fitness F2 interpopulation hybrids of the copepod Tigriopus californicus, in which frequencies of compatible and incompatible nuclear alleles change in response to an alternative mitochondrial background. After about nine generations, we observe a generalized increase in population size and in survivorship, suggesting efficiency of selection against maladaptive phenotypes. Whole genome sequencing of evolved populations showed some consistent allele frequency changes across three replicates of each reciprocal cross, but markedly different patterns between mitochondrial backgrounds. In only a few regions (~6.5% of the genome), the same parental allele was overrepresented irrespective of the mitochondrial background. About 33% of the genome showed allele frequency changes consistent with divergent selection, with the location of these genomic regions strongly differing between mitochondrial backgrounds. In 87% and 89% of these genomic regions, the dominant nuclear allele matched the associated mitochondrial background, consistent with mitonuclear co‐adaptation. These results suggest that mitonuclear incompatibilities have a complex polygenic architecture that differs between populations, potentially generating genome‐wide barriers to gene flow between closely related taxa.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb: The power dynamics of interprofessional education
Authors: Gillespie Hannah , Dornan Tim
Published: May 2021

The authors explore the power dynamics at play in inter‐professional education to ask the question ‘should we sanction or support inter‐professional workplace learning and practice?’
Values, culture, narrative and medical education: The case for a renewed focus
Authors: Samuriwo Ray
Published: May 2021

To improve quality, equity, safety and sustainability of healthcare through medical education, Samuriwo argues we need better understanding of sub‐culture(s) and their concomitant values
Balloon cells promote immune system activation in focal cortical dysplasia type 2b
Authors: Zimmer Till S. , Broekaart Diede W. M. , Luinenburg Mark , Mijnsbergen Caroline , Anink Jasper J. , Sim Nam Suk , Michailidou Iliana , Jansen Floor E. , van Rijen Peter C. , Lee Jeong Ho , François Liesbeth , van Eyll Jonathan , Dedeurwaerdere Stefanie , van Vliet Erwin A. , Mühlebner Angelika , Mills James D. , Aronica Eleonora
Published: May 2021

Aims

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type 2 is an epileptogenic malformation of the neocortex associated with somatic mutations in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Histopathologically, FCD 2 is subdivided into FCD 2a and FCD 2b, the only discriminator being the presence of balloon cells (BCs) in FCD 2b. While pro‐epileptogenic immune system activation and inflammatory responses are commonly detected in both subtypes, it is unknown what contextual role BCs play.

Methods

The present study employed RNA sequencing of surgically resected brain tissue from FCD 2a (n = 11) and FCD 2b (n = 20) patients compared to autopsy control (n = 9) focusing on three immune system processes: adaptive immunity, innate immunity and cytokine production. This analysis was followed by immunohistochemistry on a clinically well‐characterised FCD 2 cohort.

Results

Differential expression analysis revealed stronger expression of components of innate immunity, adaptive immunity and cytokine production in FCD 2b than in FCD 2a, particularly complement activation and antigen presentation. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed these findings, with strong expression of leukocyte antigen I and II in FCD 2b as compared to FCD 2a. Moreover, T‐lymphocyte tissue infiltration was elevated in FCD 2b. Expression of markers of immune system activation in FCD 2b was concentrated in subcortical white matter. Lastly, antigen presentation was strongly correlated with BC load in FCD 2b lesions.

Conclusion

We conclude that, next to mutation‐driven mTOR activation and seizure activity, BCs are crucial drivers of inflammation in FCD 2b. Our findings indicate that therapies targeting inflammation may be beneficial in FCD 2b.
Pediatric problematic severe asthma: Recent advances in management
Authors: Scotney Elizabeth , Burchett Saskia , Goddard Thomas , Saglani Sejal
Published: May 2021

Problematic severe asthma remains a significant challenge to manage, accounting for the majority of healthcare utilization among children with asthma. The heterogeneity is recognized and the clinical phenotypes of “difficult‐to‐treat” asthma (DA) and “severe therapy‐resistant asthma” (STRA) help to guide management. Recent evidence supports molecular distinctions between these phenotypes and shows poor correlations between peripheral and airway markers of inflammation, especially in STRA. Airway neutrophils in the context of childhood severe asthma have been explored, but their role in disease causation, protection, or as bystanders remain unknown, and thus, treatment implications are unclear. Several novel management strategies, including once‐daily maintenance therapy, single‐device maintenance and reliever therapy, and novel biological treatments are being increasingly used for DA and STRA. However, pediatric data for efficacy of novel treatments is scarce, and when available, is restricted to adolescents. The aim of this review is to highlight recent advances in objective biomarkers that aid stratification and management of childhood severe asthma and to highlight gaps in pediatric evidence. Specifically, the urgent need for efficacy studies to improve the management of problematic severe asthma in children younger than 12 years.
The impact of excess taxing capacity on short‐term resources
Authors: Lofton Michelle L.
Published: May 2021

Local governments aim to accumulate slack resources to mitigate economic turbulence. Yet efforts to increase multiple slack resources could hinder accumulation. This paper examines whether increasing one form of slack is detrimental to the accumulation of another. By using data from 672 New York local governments from 1996 to 2016, this article examines the impact of excess taxing capacity, or unused property taxing authority, on unrestricted cash and short‐term borrowing. Regression results indicate that short‐term resources are reduced to boost excess taxing capacity for counties to suggest cash flows can be hindered by increasing political forms of slack.