bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling of biosignal based decision making model for intracranial haemorrhage diagnosis in IoT environment
Authors: Hilal Anwer Mustafa , Alabdan Rana , Othman Mohamed Tahar Ben , Hassine Siwar Ben Haj , Al‐Wesabi Fahd N. , Rizwanullah Mohammed , Yaseen Ishfaq , Motwakel Abdelwahed
Published: March 2022

In recent times, the Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare is a novel and promising emerging area that offers a number of benefits to users and healthcare professionals, enabling real time monitoring of diseases, convenience, and ease of use. With respect to aid the patients by the use of IoT with biosignals enabled solutions, recent researches make use of machine learning (ML) techniques for decision making, particularly haemorrhage diagnosis. In this view, this paper presents an intelligent intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) diagnosis using biosignals (IICHD‐BS) in IoT environment. The IICHD‐BS technique performs data acquisition process using two sensors namely complementary metal oxide semiconductor sensor and ESP8266 Wi‐Fi module. They are employed to collect CT images of the CT scanner and transforms them into electrical signals for storing them in the server. Besides, the IICHD‐BS technique employs optimal region growing based segmentation approach for detecting the infected brain regions in the CT images. In addition, EfficientNet based feature extraction and functional link neural network (FLNN) based classification approach is used for detecting and classifying the existence of ICH. For experimental validation, a set of two benchmark dataset ICH datasets are used and the experimental outcomes are evaluated with respect to different measures. The simulation outcomes demonstrated the improved performances of the proposed algorithm over the current state of art techniques.
Impact of structural dynamics on biological functions of flaviviruses
Authors: Stiasny Karin , Medits Iris , Roßbacher Lena , Heinz Franz X.
Published: March 2022

Flaviviruses comprise a number of mosquito‐ or tick‐transmitted human pathogens of global public health importance. Advances in structural biology techniques have contributed substantially to our current understanding of the life cycle of these small enveloped RNA viruses and led to deep insights into details of virus assembly, maturation and cell entry. In addition to large‐scale conformational changes and oligomeric rearrangements of envelope proteins during these processes, there is increasing evidence that smaller‐scale protein dynamics (referred to as virus “breathing”) can confer extra flexibility to these viruses for the fine‐tuning of their interactions with the immune system and possibly with cellular factors they encounter in their complex ecological cycles in arthropod and vertebrate hosts. In this review, we discuss how work with tick‐borne encephalitis virus has extended our view on flavivirus breathing, leading to the identification of a novel mechanism of antibody‐mediated infection enhancement and demonstrating breathing intermediates of the envelope protein in the process of membrane fusion. These data are discussed in the context of other flaviviruses and the perspective of a potential role of virus breathing to cope with the requirements of adaptation and replication in evolutionarily very different hosts.
The intricate balance between microRNA‐induced mRNA decay and translational repression
Authors: Naeli Parisa , Winter Timothy , Hackett Angela P. , Alboushi Lilas , Jafarnejad Seyed Mehdi
Published: March 2022

Post‐transcriptional regulation of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) (i.e., mechanisms that control translation, stability and localization) is a critical focal point in spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression in response to changes in environmental conditions. The human genome encodes ~ 2000 microRNAs (miRNAs), each of which could control the expression of hundreds of protein‐coding mRNAs by inducing translational repression and/or promoting mRNA decay. While mRNA degradation is a terminal event, translational repression is reversible and can be employed for rapid response to internal or external cues. Recent years have seen significant progress in our understanding of how miRNAs induce degradation or translational repression of the target mRNAs. Here, we review the recent findings that illustrate the cellular machinery that contributes to miRNA‐induced silencing, with a focus on the factors that could influence translational repression vs. decay.
Incongruent latitudinal patterns of taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity reveal different drivers of caddisfly community assembly across spatial scales
Authors: Grigoropoulou Afroditi , Schmidt‐Kloiber Astrid , Múrria Cesc
Published: March 2022

Aim

Community assembly processes are difficult to observe in nature but can be inferred from species diversity patterns. However, taxonomic patterns may be consistent with multiple explanations, such as habitat filtering or biogeographical processes, which can also act differently across spatial scales. Here, we assessed multiple facets of diversity to determine the relative contributions of local versus regional processes and historical versus contemporary factors in establishing macroecological patterns.

Location

From the Mediterranean peninsulas to northern Scandinavia.

Time period

Species occurrence data gathered since c. 1980.

Major organism group studied

Trichoptera (Insecta).

Methods

Based on an extensive functional space and a phylogenetic tree including 197 and 509 species, respectively, and the composition of 180 communities, we assessed the distribution of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity within 18 ecoregions (local α‐ and β‐diversity) and among those ecoregions (regional γ‐ and β‐diversity).

Results

Local estimates of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic α‐ and β‐diversity were similar across Europe, which reveals that all streams have similar carrying capacity even though the local abiotic factors involved are likely different among ecoregions. In contrast, regional taxonomic and phylogenetic diversities decreased as latitude increased, whereas functional richness and functional dispersion displayed unimodal relationships. The position of species on the functional space was not conserved, while northern species pools were found to be phylogenetically clustered and southern ones overdispersed. The nestedness component mainly contributed to the taxonomic and phylogenetic β‐diversity among northern communities, whereas in southern latitudes the turnover was dominant.

Main conclusions

Decoupled latitudinal patterns of taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity reveal the importance of regional environmental filtering over local factors in limiting species range and shaping the regional species pool. The biogeographical signature is still present; the northern recolonizations following the Pleistocene glaciations originated exclusively from central regions, instead of Mediterranean refugia, as was previously accepted.
Methodology and outcome of trials involving older adults in UK care homes: A rapid review
Authors: Choong Elaine Kar Man , Gallagher Jennifer E. , Patel Rakhee
Published: March 2022

Background

The United Kingdom (UK) has a well‐developed health and social care system, and strong research governance. However, there is limited evidence to guide best research practice among vulnerable older people in care homes and there is no consensus on clinical trial methodology that is deliverable in this setting.

Objectives

To review the literature on trials conducted among older adults residing in care homes within the UK and collate evidence on their methodological characteristics and outcomes.

Methods

A systematic rapid review methodology was employed. MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL were searched in two incremental stages: stage 1 searched for oral health‐related trials conducted within the UK care homes up to July 2021, whereas stage 2 sought for general health‐related trials in the same setting from 2011 to 2021. The quality of included studies was assessed using Cochrane's RoB 2 and ROBINS‐I tools. Findings were summarised descriptively.

Results

Five oral health and 33 general health‐related trials involving care home residents were included for analysis. The most common trial design was parallel group with two arms (n = 25) involving individual randomisation (n = 21). Consent was mainly obtained from residents and/or their proxies (n = 24), followed by residents only (n = 13) and care homes only (n = 1). Based on available data, the number needed to screen to recruit one participant ranged from 2 to 40 (median: 3; Q1‐Q3: 2‐9). Attrition rates ranged from 0% to 73% (median: 21%; Q1‐Q3: 13%‐32%) for follow‐up periods between 1 and 52 weeks. The studies were of mixed methodological quality.

Conclusion

This rapid review outlines the methodological characteristics and outcomes of trials conducted among older adults in UK care homes. The findings of this review provide valuable information to assist in navigating and designing future research in this complex setting.
Autoantibodies directed against glutamate decarboxylase interfere with glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in dispersed rat islets
Authors: Kamat Varun , Radtke Jared R. , Hu Qingxun , Wang Wang , Sweet Ian R. , Hampe Christiane S.
Published: March 2022

Islet autoantibodies, including autoantibodies directed against the 65kDa isoform of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD65Ab), are present in the majority of patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D). Whereas these autoantibodies are historically viewed as an epiphenomenon of the autoimmune response with no significant pathogenic function, we consider in this study the possibility that they impact the major islet function, namely glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion. Two human monoclonal GAD65Ab (GAD65 mAb) (b78 and b96.11) were investigated for uptake by live rat beta cells, subcellular localization and their effect on glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion. The GAD65 mAbs were internalized by live pancreatic beta cells, where they localized to subcellular structures in an epitope‐specific manner. Importantly, GAD65 mAb b78 inhibited, while GAD65 mAb b96.11 enhanced, glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). These opposite effects on GSIS rule out non‐specific effects of the antibodies and suggest that internalization of the antibody leads to epitope‐specific interaction with intracellular machinery regulating insulin granule release. The most likely explanation for the alteration of GSIS by GAD65 Abs is via changes in GABA release due to inhibition or change in GAD65 enzyme activity. This is the first report indicating an active role of GAD65Ab in the pathogenesis of T1D.
Inhibition of acrylamide formation in potato strip by ultrasonic‐treated methylcellulose batter
Authors: Lua Hwee Ying , Naim Mohd Nazli , P. Mohammed Mohd Afandi , Hamidon Fariza , Abu Bakar Noor Fitrah , Vangnai Kanithaporn , Jittanit Weerachet , Teh Huey Fang
Published: March 2022

The ultrasonic (US)‐treated batter mixtures of commercial methylcellulose (MC) as the fried potato strips' coating layer were demonstrated. The layer formed a rapid gel that absorbs the substrate's water content and related functional groups that contribute to acrylamide formation reduction. Different concentrations of MC (0.5‐2.0 w/v %) mixtures were subjected to US at 20 W to evaluate coating layers' effect prior to the deep‐frying process. At 1% w/v concentration batter mixture, the USMC layer reduced the highest acrylamide value. For comparison purposes, the differences in the acrylamide content of the USMC, the non‐USMC and the uncoated samples were 64.7 ± 5.04, 156.4 ± 7.44 and 344.1 ± 5.39 ng g‐1, respectively. The results were supported with lower oil uptake and water retention of the USMC compared with the non‐USMC with the values of 2.2 g/100g and 28.6 g/100g with 5.1 g/100g and 47 g/100g, respectively.
Effectiveness of bacteriophage JN01 incorporated in gelatin film with protocatechuic acid on biocontrol of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in beef
Authors: Li Ya‐Xing , Zhong Chan , Zhang Hui‐Zhen , Zhao Yuan‐Yang , Shu Mei , Wu Guo‐Ping
Published: March 2022

A new gelatin‐protocatechuic acid (PCA) film with Escherichia coli O157:H7 phage JN01 was developed and characterised. After incorporated with JN01, swelling value, water vapour permeability, water solubility and elongation at break of gelatin‐PCA film were not significantly different. The addition of JN01 increased b value and transparency of film, while it decreased L value, a value and tensile strength of film. Moreover, the gelatin‐PCA‐JN01 film presented antioxidant activity of 60.07%. Furthermore, JN01 could be steadily released from gelatin‐JN01 and gelatin‐PCA‐JN01 films in aqueous solution, and their release rates were 7.56% and 0.12% after 11 h, respectively. The microstructure analysis showed that JN01 particles were clustered and uniformly distributed in film, and the aggregation would be attenuated in the presence of PCA. Meanwhile, E. coli O157:H7 counts were 1.13 log10CFU mL−1 and 0.45 log10CFU mL−1 lower in gelatin‐JN01 and gelatin‐PCA‐JN01 films compared with pure gelatin film in vitro at 4 °C for 24 h, respectively. After stored at 4 °C for 7 days, Escherichia coli O157:H7 counts were 1.00 log10CFU g−1 and 0.80 log10CFU g−1 lower in beef packed with these two gelatin films, compared with beef without gelatin film, respectively. In conclusion, the developed gelatin‐PCA‐JN01 film has potential application in food preservation.
An evaluation of professional development for staff working with nursing students in distress
Authors: Ryan Colleen , Mulvogue Jennifer
Published: March 2022

Clinical learning experiences are known to exacerbate nursing student anxiety, causing them to present to clinical placement in distressed, meaning anxious, states. Students already living with anxiety are also more likely to suffer setbacks at this time. Supervising Registered Nurses (RNs), in the clinical settings, struggle to support this student cohort. A professional development activity was designed to introduce RNs to higher education and nursing students’ known mental health concerns (such as anxiety) and to arm them with strategies for working with distressed students. A research approach that enabled researchers to collaborate with participants was employed to design the intervention. A study evaluated the impact of the educational intervention with 45 Australian RN supervisors. Two tailed T‐tests were chosen to explore the statistical difference between pre‐ and post‐test mean results across the survey items. A 95% confidence interval was used. Statistical significance was set at <0.05. The evaluation indicated the activity could be useful for improving supervising RNs’ mental health literacy, thus enhancing their understanding of how to work with distressed students. Participants recommended the activity be offered to any staff supporting student clinical learning. Collaboration between nursing researchers and nursing clinical staff produced a meaningful professional development activity and motivated the participants to increase their mental health literacy and understanding of strategies to support distressed students. Future projects should adopt similar approaches that would support both RNs’ ability to support students’ during clinical learning and students in distress would also benefit.
The burden of diabetes‐related foot disease among older adults in Australia
Authors: Ahmed Moin Uddin , Tannous Wadad Kathy , Agho Kingsley Emwinyore , Henshaw Frances , Turner Deborah , Simmons David
Published: March 2022

Diabetes‐related foot disease (DFD) is imposing an enormous burden on the health system and society due to the rapid growth of diabetes worldwide. Given the paucity of robust data on the disease burden of DFD in Australia, this study aimed to estimate the burden of disease due to DFD. The burden of DFD was estimated using the disability‐adjusted life‐years (DALY) approach. Data of 27 931 individuals aged 45 years and older with diabetes residing in New South Wales (NSW) from the 45 and Up Study survey were used in this study by linking it with the emergency department, hospital admissions and the deaths' registry data. The disease burden of DFD was estimated as 8915 DALY in NSW and 27 164 DALY in Australia in 2011. The burden was prominent among males and people aged 65 years and older. Most of the DALY (87%) was attributed to years of life lost or the fatal burden due to diabetes‐related lower limb amputation (DRLEA). The total monetary values of DALY of DFD for NSW and Australia were estimated at approximately AUD 2 billion and AUD 6 billion annually, respectively. Preventative and curative priorities should be given to DRLEA to reduce this burden and target males, especially those aged 65 years and older.
Anti‐drug antibodies of IL‐23 inhibitors for psoriasis: a systematic review
Authors: Norden A. , Moon J.Y. , Javadi S.S. , Munawar L. , Maul J.‐T. , Wu J.J.
Published: March 2022

Anti‐drug antibodies (ADAs) can form with certain biological medications, but their clinical significance is not fully understood. ADA formation in psoriasis patients treated with IL‐23 inhibitors was evaluated, looking at the incidence of ADAs, impact on clinical outcomes and association with adverse events. A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases yielded 318 articles, which were manually reviewed. A total of 19 articles met the eligibility criteria. The incidence of ADAs with the IL‐23 inhibitors was as follows: 4.1–14.7% with guselkumab, 141–31% with risankizumab and 6.51–18% with tildrakizumab. The incidence of neutralizing antibodies ranged from 01–0.6% with guselkumab, 21–16% with risankizumab and 2.5 to 3.2% with tildrakizumab. There was no evidence of reduced efficacy of psoriasis treatment with ADA presence alone. However, some studies found a reduction in clinical response with high ADA titres or with the presence of neutralizing antibodies. A few studies reported that patients with ADAs to guselkumab and risankizumab had a higher incidence of injection site reactions (ISRs). There do not appear to be other adverse events associated with ADAs with IL‐23 inhibitors. Testing for presence of ADAs alone in this patient group does not appear to be predictive of treatment response. Clinically, it may be more productive to test for neutralizing antibodies or ADA titre values, although further investigation is required to show a definitive correlation.
Analysis of the mesh resolution of an .STL exported from an intraoral scanner file
Authors: Abad‐Coronel Cristian , Atria Pablo J. , Romero Muñoz Carla , Conejo Julián , Mena Córdova Nancy , Pendola Martin , Blatz Markus
Published: March 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to provide information on the accuracy of exported digital files with the different resolutions available in the CEREC 4.6.2 software obtained by means of an intraoral scanner (IOS), in addition to establishing differences between materialized models with different exported resolutions, and how these different exported files can influence finite element analysis (FEA) simulations.

Materials and Methods

The upper complete arch of 10 patients was scanned through an IOS (CEREC Omnicam 1.0/Dentsply Sirona). Files of three resolution meshes digitalized by a CAD software (Cerec SW, 4.6.2) high, medium and low (IOSH, IOSM, and IOSL) were exported. Each file was evaluated by a software (NETFABB) about the number of triangles obtained and compared with the number announced by the manufacturer. Also, with a superimposition with a specialized software (GEOMAGIC X), the digital models were compared. The files of each resolution were printed (Sprintray 3D Printer), and the printed models were scanned with IOS (Omnicam 1.0) and compared with the control group (intraoral scanned high‐resolution file, IOSH).

FEA simulations were imported into COMSOL and analyzed under different loading conditions.

Results

The number of exported triangles coincided with that reported by the manufacturer. The digital models from files of different resolution did not show significant differences (less than 1.5 um) between each other. Models printed (H, M, L) from files of the same resolution mesh (H, M, L) did not show significant differences between them either in partial measures of the arch and neither in the complete arch. FEA showed significant differences in stress concentration between different exported models.

Clinical Significance

Digital models can be exported and printed in three resolutions of the mesh, without differences clinically significative. On the other hand, for future FEA applications further research should be performed in order to determine the optimal number of triangles.
Dose Matters in Evaluation of a School‐Based Adolescent Sexual Health Education Program
Authors: Benton Amy D. , Nason Erica , Lewis Carol , Vinklarek Aubrey , Santana Alda
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Research on the effects of intervention dose on outcomes within adolescent sexual health education programming is lacking. Existing research on dose typically utilizes the number of sessions as a variable. In a school setting, there are scheduling limitations, student absences, and other logistical barriers that have the potential to affect the number of sessions for an intervention and, in turn, impact the efficacy of programming.

METHODS

This article evaluates the effectiveness of a school‐based, peer‐led adolescent comprehensive sexual health education program, with a focus on dose. A repeated measures MANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of individual difference variables and intervention variables on changes in participants' knowledge and attitudes across 2 time points. Additionally, paired t‐tests were used to evaluate changes in specific behaviors.

RESULTS

Results indicated that knowledge improved following the intervention, and specifically larger doses, measured in minutes, of the intervention were associated with larger improvements in knowledge. There were no significant effects related to attitudes or behavioral outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study adds to the knowledge base by including analysis of how the dose of intervention may impact youth outcomes. Implications for school health practices and research are discussed.
Rapid onset functional tic‐like behaviours in children and adolescents during COVID‐19: Clinical features, assessment and biopsychosocial treatment approach
Authors: Han Velda X , Kozlowska Kasia , Kothur Kavitha , Lorentzos Michelle , Wong Wui Kwan , Mohammad Shekeeb S , Savage Blanche , Chudleigh Catherine , Dale Russell C
Published: March 2022

Aim

To report the prevalence and clinical characteristics of children with rapid onset functional tic‐like behaviours during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Single centre, retrospective cohort study of children (<18 years) referred to the tic clinic from January 2018 to July 2021. We calculate the prevalence of newly diagnosed functional tics, and compare the clinical features to chronic tic disorder/Tourette syndrome (CTD/TS).

Results

A total of 185 new patients were referred to the tic clinic between 2018 and 2021. There was a significant increase in the percentage of functional tics in 2020 and 2021 (2% in 2018, 5.6% in 2019, 10.6% in 2020 and 36% in 2021). Differences between functional tics (n = 22) and CTD/TS (n = 163) include female predominance (100 vs. 28%, P < 0.0001), later age of onset (mean age 13.8 vs. 6.8 years, P < 0.0001) and higher rates of anxiety/depression (95 vs. 41%, P < 0.0001). The functional tic group were more likely to present with coprolalia‐like behaviours (77 vs. 10%, P < 0.0001), complex phrases (45 vs. 0.6%, P < 0.0001), copropraxia (45 vs. 2%, P < 0.0001), self‐injury (50 vs. 4%, P < 0.0001), hospitalisation/emergency visits (36 vs. 2%, P < 0.0001) and school absenteeism (56 vs. 7%, P < 0.0001). A total of 18.2% of patients with functional tics reported preceding exposure to social media content involving tics.

Conclusions

There is an increase in adolescent females presenting with rapid onset functional tic‐like behaviours during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We highlight differences in clinical features between the functional tic group and CTD/TS to aid diagnosis and management in the community. Based on our findings, we propose a mixed model of neuropsychiatric vulnerability and social media contagion in this group of adolescents with functional tics.
Effects of incremental increases in grass silage proportions from different harvest years on methane emissions, urinary nitrogen losses, and protein and energy utilisation in dairy cows
Authors: Birkinshaw Amy , Sutter Michael , Reidy Beat , Kreuzer Michael , Terranova Melissa
Published: March 2022

Dairy cows, methane and global warming have become publicly related terms. However, appropriate dairy cow management may in fact be part of the climate solution when viewed as part of the biogenic carbon cycle. Accordingly, governments and consumers are encouraging more sustainable, locally produced, climate friendly dairy production that often includes grassland‐based feeding. However, this system is presumed to result in greater methane emissions compared to corn silage‐ or concentrate‐based diets. An increase in urine nitrogen, associated with increased ammonia and nitrous oxide emission potential, questions the environmental usefulness of this strategy pertaining to global warming. This study is the first to compare the effects of incremental increases of grass silage proportion on enteric methane production as well as N and energy losses in dairy cows. Twenty‐four mid‐ to end‐lactation dairy cows were each fed one of 24 different diets, from two different harvest years, gradually increasing in grassland‐based feeds (grass silage and hay) from about 500 to 1000 g/kg and concomitantly decreasing in corn silage. Each cow underwent a 7‐day total collection period and was housed for 48 h in respiration chambers. Incremental data were subjected to an approved parametric regression analysis approach. The dietary increase in grassland‐based feeds did not impair milk yield, N and energy utilisation. Simplified regression equations revealed that, contrary to current assumptions, there was a decline in methane production from 373 to 303 g/day when increasing grassland‐based feeds from 500 to 1000 g/kg diet, and there was a trend for a decline in emission intensity from 20.6 to 17.6 g/kg of energy‐corrected milk. However, urine nitrogen emissions clearly increased even when related to nitrogen intake; the latter from 260 to 364 g/kg when increasing grassland‐based feeds from 500 to 1000 g/kg. Methane and urine nitrogen emissions were not affected by year of harvest.
Comparison of lung ultrasound, chest radiographs, C‐reactive protein, and clinical findings in dogs treated for aspiration pneumonia
Authors: Fernandes Rodrigues Nina , Giraud Léna , Bolen Géraldine , Fastrès Aline , Clercx Cécile , Boysen Søren , Billen Frédéric , Gommeren Kris
Published: March 2022

Background

Comparison of clinical findings, chest radiographs (CXR), lung ultrasound (LUS) findings, and C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentrations at admission and serial follow‐up in dogs with aspiration pneumonia (AP) is lacking.

Hypothesis

Lung ultrasound lesions in dogs with AP are similar to those described in humans with community‐acquired pneumonia (comAP); the severity of CXR and LUS lesions are similar; normalization of CRP concentration precedes resolution of imaging abnormalities and more closely reflects the clinical improvement of dogs.

Animals

Seventeen dogs with AP.

Methods

Prospective observational study. Clinical examination, CXR, LUS, and CRP measurements performed at admission (n = 17), 2 weeks (n = 13), and 1 month after diagnosis (n = 6). All dogs received antimicrobial therapy. Lung ultrasound and CXR canine aspiration scoring systems used to compare abnormalities.

Results

B‐lines and shred signs with or without bronchograms were identified on LUS in 14 of 17 and 16 of 17, at admission. Chest radiographs and LUS scores differed significantly using both canine AP scoring systems at each time point (18 regions per dog, P < .001). Clinical and CRP normalization occurred in all dogs during follow up. Shred signs disappeared on LUS in all but 1 of 6 dogs at 1 month follow‐up, while B‐lines and CXR abnormalities persisted in 4 of 6 and all dogs, respectively.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Lung ultrasound findings resemble those of humans with comAP and differ from CXR findings. Shred signs and high CRP concentrations better reflect clinical findings during serial evaluation of dogs.
Mandarin essential oil as an antimicrobial in ethanolic fermentation: Effects on Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Varano A. , Shirahigue L. D. , Azevedo F. A. , Altenhofen da Silva M. , Ceccato-Antonini S. R.
Published: March 2022

The antibacterial activity of citrus essential oils (EOs) in the context of combating Limosilactobacillus fermentum, one of the most important bacterial contaminants in the bioethanol production industry, has never been explored previously. Industrial processes usually utilize sulfuric acid for cell treatment to decrease bacterial contamination. However, due to the hazardous nature of sulfuric acid, an alternative to it is highly desirable. Therefore, in the present study, the efficacy of Fremont IAC 543 mandarin EO against a strain of L. fermentum (ATCC® 9338™) was evaluated under proliferative/nonproliferative conditions, in both pure culture and co-culture with an industrial strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The mandarin EO exhibited higher effectiveness against L. fermentum compared to that against S. cerevisiae under nonproliferative conditions (added to water rather than to culture medium). At the concentration of 0·05%, the EO was as effective as the acid solution with pH 2·0 in reducing the count of L. fermentum almost 5 log CFU ml–1 cycles, while the concentration of 0·1% led to the complete loss of bacterial culturability. When L. fermentum was co-cultured with S. cerevisiae, the efficacy of the EO against the bacterial strain was reduced. However, despite this reduced efficacy in co-culture, mandarin EO may be considered effective in combating L. fermentum and could be applied in processes where this bacterium proves to be unfavourable and does not interact with S. cerevisiae.
A cholestatic pattern predicts major liver‐related outcomes in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Pennisi Grazia , Pipitone Rosaria Maria , Cabibi Daniela , Enea Marco , Romero‐Gomez Manuel , Viganò Mauro , Bugianesi Elisabetta , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Fracanzani Anna Ludovica , Sebastiani Giada , Berzigotti Annalisa , Di Salvo Francesca , Giannone Antonino Giulio , La Mantia Claudia , Lupo Giulia , Porcasi Rossana , Vernuccio Federica , Zito Rossella , Di Marco Vito , Cammà Calogero , Craxì Antonio , de Ledinghen Victor , Grimaudo Stefania , Petta Salvatore
Published: March 2022

Background & Aims

NAFLD patients usually have an increase in AST/ALT levels, but cholestasis can also be observed. We aimed to assess in subjects with NAFLD the impact of the (cholestatic) C pattern on the likelihood of developing major liver‐related outcomes (MALO).

Methods

Five hundred and eighty‐two consecutive patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD or a clinical diagnosis of NAFLD‐related compensated cirrhosis were classified as hepatocellular (H), C and mixed (M) patterns, by using the formula (ALT/ALT Upper Limit of Normal‐ULN)/(ALP/ALP ULN). MALO were recorded during follow‐up. An external cohort of 1281 biopsy‐proven NAFLD patients was enrolled as validation set.

Results

H, M and C patterns were found in 153 (26.3%), 272 (46.7%) and 157 (27%) patients respectively. During a median follow‐up of 78 months, only 1 (0.6%) patient with H pattern experienced MALO, whilst 15 (5.5%) and 38 (24.2%) patients in M and C groups had MALO. At multivariate Cox regression analysis, age >55 years (HR 2.55, 95% CI 1.17–5.54;p = .01), platelets <150 000/mmc (HR 0.14, 95% CI 0.06–0.32;p < .001), albumin <4 g/L(HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.35–1.08;p = .09), C versus M pattern (HR 7.86, 95% CI 1.03–60.1;p = .04), C versus H pattern(HR 12.1, 95% CI 1.61–90.9;p = .01) and fibrosis F3–F4(HR 35.8, 95% CI 4.65–275.2;p < .001) were independent risk factors for MALO occurrence. C versus M pattern(HR 14.3, 95% CI 1.90–105.6;p = .008) and C versus H pattern (HR 15.6, 95% CI 2.10–115.1;p = .0068) were confirmed independently associated with MALO occurrence in the validation set. The immunohistochemical analysis found a significantly higher prevalence of moderate‐high‐grade ductular metaplasia combined with low‐grade ductular proliferation in C pattern when compared with the biochemical H pattern. Gene expression analysis showed a lower expression ofNR1H3, RXRα and VCAM1in patients with the C pattern.

Conclusions

The presence of a cholestatic pattern in patients with NAFLD predicts a higher risk of MALO independently from other features of liver disease.
Occult hepatitis B virus infection in hepatitis C virus negative chronic liver diseases
Authors: Franzè Maria Stella , Pollicino Teresa , Raimondo Giovanni , Squadrito Giovanni
Published: March 2022

Data concerning the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) occult infection (OBI) varies greatly in the different studies according to the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic approaches and the HBV prevalence in the different populations examined. The clinical implications of OBI are still debated. While the impact of OBI in HBV transmission as well as in HBV reactivation under immunosuppression are well established, the role of OBI in liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development are still not definitively elucidated. It has been hypothesized that OBI might contribute to worsening the liver disease course when other causes of liver damage co‐exist. Furthermore, much evidence suggests a role of OBI in the hepato‐carcinogenesis processes through both indirect and direct oncogenic mechanisms that might favour HCC development. Data on the OBI clinical implications mainly come from studies performed in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, HCV prevalence has dramatically fallen in the past years also because of the advent of specific and highly effective direct acting antivirals, with a consequent abrupt change of the worldwide scenario of chronic liver disease. Information about OBI prevalence and possible clinical impact in non‐HCV‐related liver disease are fragmentary, and the objective of this review is to critically summarize the available data in this field.
A nodal‐based evolutionary optimization algorithm for frame structures
Authors: Zhang Xuyu , Xie Yi Min , Zhou Shiwei
Published: March 2022

This work proposes a nodal‐based evolutionary design optimization algorithm to design frame structures whose edges are the Delaunay triangulation of homogeneously distributed nodes in the design domain. The remaining nodes can freely sway in the design domain except for the loading nodes and boundary nodes. As a result, it can extend the space of admissible solutions to this optimization problem and reduce the number of design variables. Then, the sensitivity of the objective function, namely, the sum of compliance and its volume, is input into the method of moving asymptotes to update the nodal coordinates and member thickness. The most inefficient node is deleted in each iteration based on the average nodal strain energy until its number reaches a prescribed limit. 2D numerical examples for the Michell arch, L‐shaped bracket, and Messerschmidt–Bölkow–Blohm beam show that the proposed algorithm can get the optimal structure within a few iterations. Compared with initial configurations in 3D, the optimal crane arm, transmission tower, and aquatic dome have less strain energy and fewer materials, showing a great potential of the proposed method to design actual space frames.
Identification of novel virulence factors in Erwinia amylovora through temporal transcriptomic analysis of infected apple flowers under field conditions
Authors: Schachterle Jeffrey K. , Gdanetz Kristi , Pandya Ishani , Sundin George W.
Published: March 2022

The enterobacterial pathogen Erwinia amylovora uses multiple virulence‐associated traits to cause fire blight, a devastating disease of apple and pear trees. Many virulence‐associated phenotypes have been studied that are critical for virulence and pathogenicity. Despite the in vitro testing that has revealed how these systems are transcriptionally regulated, information on when and where in infected tissues these genes are being expressed is lacking. Here, we used a high‐throughput sequencing approach to characterize the transcriptome of E. amylovora during disease progression on apple flowers under field infection conditions. We report that type III secretion system genes and flagellar genes are strongly co‐expressed. Likewise, genes involved in biosynthesis of the exopolysaccharide amylovoran and sorbitol utilization had similar expression patterns. We further identified a group of 16 genes whose expression is increased and maintained at high levels throughout disease progression across time and tissues. We chose five of these genes for mutational analysis and observed that deletion mutants lacking these genes all display reduced symptom development on apple shoots. Furthermore, these induced genes were over‐represented for genes involved in sulphur metabolism and cycling, suggesting the possibility of an important role for maintenance of oxidative homeostasis during apple flower infection.
MdMTA‐mediated m6A modification enhances drought tolerance by promoting mRNA stability and translation efficiency of genes involved in lignin deposition and oxidative stress
Authors: Hou Nan , Li Chaoshuo , He Jieqiang , Liu Yu , Yu Sisi , Malnoy Mickael , Mobeen Tahir Muhammad , Xu Lingfei , Ma Fengwang , Guan Qingmei
Published: March 2022

Although the N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most prevalent RNA modification in eukaryotes, the global m6A modification landscape and its molecular regulatory mechanism in response to drought stress remain unclear.

Transcriptome‐wide m6A methylome profiling revealed that m6A is mainly enriched in the coding sequence and 3′ untranslated region in response to drought stress in apple, by recognizing the plant‐specific sequence motif UGUAH (H=A, U or C). We identified a catalytically active component of the m6A methyltransferase complex, MdMTA. An in vitro methyl transfer assay, dot blot, LC‐MS/MS and m6A‐sequencing (m6A‐seq) suggested that MdMTA is an m6A writer and essential for m6A mRNA modification.

Further studies revealed that MdMTA is required for apple drought tolerance. m6A‐seq and RNA‐seq analyses under drought conditions showed that MdMTA mediates m6A modification and transcripts of mRNAs involved in oxidative stress and lignin deposition. Moreover, m6A modification promotes mRNA stability and the translation efficiency of these genes in response to drought stress. Consistently, MdMTA enhances lignin deposition and scavenging of reactive oxygen species under drought conditions.

Our results reveal the global involvement of m6A modification in the drought response of perennial apple trees and illustrate its molecular mechanisms, thereby providing candidate genes for the breeding of stress‐tolerant apple cultivars.
A rust fungus effector directly binds plant pre‐mRNA splice site to reprogram alternative splicing and suppress host immunity
Authors: Tang Chunlei , Xu Qiang , Zhao Jinren , Yue Mingxing , Wang Jianfeng , Wang Xiaodong , Kang Zhensheng , Wang Xiaojie
Published: March 2022

Alternative splicing (AS) is a crucial post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanism in plant resistance. However, whether and how plant pathogens target splicing in their host remains mostly unknown. For example, although infection by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), a pathogenic fungus that severely affects the yield of wheat worldwide, has been shown to significantly influence the levels of alternatively spliced transcripts in the host, the mechanisms that govern this process, and its functional consequence have not been examined. Here, we identified Pst_A23 as a new Pst arginine‐rich effector that localizes to host nuclear speckles, nuclear regions enriched in splicing factors. We demonstrated that transient expression of Pst_A23 suppresses plant basal defence dependent on the Pst_A23 nuclear speckle localization and that this protein plays an important role in virulence, stable silencing of which improves wheat stripe rust resistance. Remarkably, RNA‐Seq data revealed that AS patterns of 588 wheat genes are altered in Pst_A23‐overexpressing lines compared to control plants. To further examine the direct relationship between Pst_A23 and AS, we confirmed direct binding between two RNA motifs predicted from these altered splicing sites and Pst_A23 in vitro. The two RNA motifs we chose occur in the cis‐element of TaXa21‐H and TaWRKY53, and we validated that Pst_A23 overexpression results in decreased functional transcripts of TaXa21‐H and TaWRKY53 while silencing of TaXa21‐H and TaWRKY53 impairs wheat resistance to Pst. Overall, this represents formal evidence that plant pathogens produce ‘splicing’ effectors, which regulate host pre‐mRNA splicing by direct engagement of the splicing sites, thereby interfering with host immunity.
Silicon, biological seed treatment and cutting reduce the intensity of leaf spot diseases affecting Lolium multiflorum
Authors: Victoria Arellano Alfonso D. , Furtado Emanueli B. , Holz Tailine M. , Pazdiora Paulo C. , da Silva Gustavo M. , Del Ponte Emerson M. , Dallagnol Leandro J.
Published: March 2022

Italian ryegrass is a major pasture crop cultivated mainly for feeding cattle in southern Brazil. The choice of crop is based on nutritional quality and the shortage of pastures that occur during the winter in the southernmost part of Brazil. In this region, the production of biomass and seeds are threatened by diseases, in particular fungal diseases that affect the foliage. In this study we identified and monitored the natural occurrence of a complex of leaf spotting diseases and evaluated the effects of combined management practices to reduce the intensity of foliar diseases: seed treatment with Trichoderma atroviride, soil amendment with silicon and cutting frequency (none, one or two cuts). Three diseases were present in a two‐season experiment: grey leaf spot (Pyricularia oryzae), brown leaf spot (Bipolaris sorokiniana) and parrot's eye leaf spot (Cercospora sp.). Grey leaf spot had the highest severity, regardless of treatment, during the first season, and was the only disease present in the following season. Grey leaf spot dominated, and plants receiving only one cut were more prone to P. oryzae infection. The treatments with silicon or T. atroviride reduced the relative disease by 40% to 80%, in relation to untreated and uncut regimes. This study showed the main leaf spot diseases associated with L. multiflorum. Moreover, it demonstrates for the first time in the region the effectiveness of reducing leaf spot via the application of silicon in the soil, inoculation of seeds with T. atroviride and managing the cutting regime.
A Semi-Parametric Integer-Valued Autoregressive Model with Covariates
Authors: Rao Yao , Harris David , McCabe Brendan
Published: March 2022

We consider a low count data INAR (Integer Autoregressive Regression) model in which the arrivals are modelled non-parametrically and are allowed to contain covariates. Accommodating possible covariates is important as exogenous variability, such as seasonality, often needs to be catered for. The main challenge is to maintain the axiomatic properties of the arrivals non-parametric mass function while, at the same time, incorporating covariates directly into the associated probabilities. Compared with models that impose standard distributions such as Poisson or Negative Binomial for the arrivals, our approach is more flexible and provides a general arrival specification. The dependence structure is parametric and uses the standard binomial thinning operator. The parameters are estimated by the Maximum Likelihood. Monte Carlo simulations show that our proposed model performs very well with good finite sample results. Two empirical issues are addressed where incorporating covariates is a prerequisite for successful modelling. The first incorporates seasonal covariates into a semi-parametric model for forecasting the numbers of claimants of wage loss benefits in the logging industry in British Columbia, Canada. The second investigates if macro-economic indicators in an economy may be useful in predicting the number of bank failures in the US financial sector.
Conservation agriculture practice influences soil organic carbon pools in intensive rice‐based systems of the Eastern Indo‐Gangetic Plain
Authors: Islam Md. Ariful , Bell Richard W. , Johansen Chris , Jahiruddin M. , Haque Md. Enamul , Vance Wendy
Published: March 2022

Studies of rice‐based systems in the Indo‐Gangetic Plain (IGP) have demonstrated the beneficial effects of Conservation Agriculture on soil organic carbon (SOC) status, along with increased soil health and crop productivity. However, it remains unclear as to the time for such treatments to have a positive effect. In this study of lentil‐mung bean‐rice and wheat‐mung‐rice rotations in Bangladesh positive effects of strip planting or bed planting, along with residue return, on SOC pools were apparent after 1.5 years, compared with intensive conventional tillage and limited residue return. Conventional tillage resulted in higher CO2 emission compared with strip planting or bed planting as did high residue return. In the cereal‐dominated rotation, the strip planting system sequestered carbon at a rate of 0.24–0.53 Mg C ha−1 year−1 (at 0–0.15 m depth) while conventional tillage was associated with a carbon loss of 0.52–0.82 Mg C ha−1 year−1. In the legume‐dominated rotation, neither practice sequestered SOC. Under strip planting, a minimum annual crop residue input of 1.7 Mg C ha−1 for the cereal‐dominated system and 5.2 Mg C ha−1 for the legume‐dominated system was required to maintain SOC at equilibrium. We conclude that strip planting with high levels of crop residue return can be an effective and quick strategy in either slowing the loss of SOC or improving C sequestration in the intensive rice‐based systems of the Eastern IGP.
How do I perform cell salvage during vaginal obstetric hemorrhage?
Authors: Phillips Jaclyn M. , Sakamoto Sara , Buffie Alexandra , Su Selma , Waters Jonathan H.
Published: March 2022

Background

Obstetric hemorrhage is a leading cause of preventable maternal mortality. To combat this, obstetric organizations worldwide recommend consideration of autotransfusion during severe peripartum bleeding to minimize allogenic transfusion. Current guidelines for autotransfusion in obstetrics are limited to patients undergoing cesarean birth. At present, women experiencing vaginal obstetric hemorrhage are excluded from many obstetric autotransfusion protocols. However, emerging data suggest that autotransfusion of vaginally shed blood is both safe and feasible in the obstetric patient population.

Methods and Materials

In this review, we will provide an overview of the current literature surrounding cell salvage of vaginally send blood and a detailed outline of our institution's blood collection protocol.

Results

Recent data suggests autotransfusion of vaginally shed blood is both safe and effective.

Discussion

Implementation of autotransfusion technology into the delivery room is a critical next step for the advancement of transfusion medicine in obstetrics. This review provides an overview of the data surrounding autotransfusion of vaginally shed blood during maternal hemorrhage and describes practical suggestions for how it can be effectively implemented into routine practice.