bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biodiversity and social aspects of the Sawo-Lahewa Marine Protected Area, North Nias: a social-ecological mapping
Authors: Abdurrahim A Y , Siringoringo R M , Abrar M , Triyono  , Sari N W P
Published: October 2020

Sawo-Lahewa sea waters, North Nias District, North Sumatra Province was determined to become one of the marine conservation areas on December 22, 2017 through the Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Republic of Indonesia Number 54/Kepmen-KP/2017. This stipulation aims to protect, preserve, and utilize the potential of fisheries and important habitats (coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass) and important species (turtles, dolphins, manta rays, napoleons, lola, dugongs, whale sharks, sea bamboo Isis puridis, Black Coral Anthipatharia, etc.) to support tourism development. This paper aims to map the condition of biodiversity and social aspects in the Sawo-Lahewa Marine Conservation Area by using the social-ecological framework. Using the data on ecological and social conditions were collected during 2014-2015 and updated with 2019-2020 data. The mapping of ecological aspects have involved the condition of coastal-marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, reef fish abundance, reef megabentos abundance, mangroves, and seagrasses) and also oceanographic conditions, meanwhile, the mapping of social aspects including socio-demography and socio-economics aspects. To enrich the analysis, this paper is was also equipped with a discussion of zoning arrangements. Important findings from this study that the sustainability of biodiversity is influenced by the sustainability of local social activities; vice versa.
Identification of marine bacteria HPP.4A and HPP.T13 and its anticancer activity against P388 murine leukaemia cell
Authors: Wijaya A P , Bondar K G , Frederick E H , Igarashi Y , Sibero M T
Published: October 2020

Sea cucumber has been widely studied as a source of bioactive compounds with various biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anticancer. However, there are a few studies have reported on the biological activity of its associated bacteria. The purpose of this study were to determine the potential of sea cucumber associated bacteria from Panjang Island, Jepara, Central Java, Indonesia as a natural source of anticancer compounds and identify the prospective isolates through DNA barcoding. Bacteria HPP.4A and HPP.T13 were isolated from the gut of sea cucumber Holoturia atra. The bacteria were cultivated in three different media (A3, A11, and A16) then extracted using 1-butanol with maceration method. Cytotoxic assay of each extract was conducted against P388 murine leukaemia cell. Bacteria HPP.4A and HPP.T13 were identified through molecular approach as Sallinicoccus roseus and Sphingobium yanoikuyae with 99.73% similarity. The strongest anticancer activity was showed by Sallinicoccus roseus extract which cultivated in A11 medium while Sphingobium yanoikuyae extract in A3 medium.
Age, growth, and mortality of starspotted smooth-hound, Mustelus manazo (Bleeker, 1854) in southern West Nusa Tenggara waters
Authors: Jatmiko I , Sentosa A A
Published: October 2020

Mustelus manazo (Starspotted smooth-hound shark) is one of the important catch for small scale fisheries in West Nusa Tenggara. This species belongs to the family Triakidae. According to the IUCN Red List, the conservation status of this species is data deficient, which means that there is insufficient information to conduct a proper assessment of conservation status. The objective of this study is to estimate the age, growth and mortality of M. manazo in southern West Nusa Tenggara waters. Length data were collected from January to December 2016 in Tanjung Luar Port, West Nusa Tenggara. Electronic length-frequency analysis (ELEFAN) in R Statistics with package “TropFishR” was used to estimate the population parameter. Length converted catch curve analysis was used to estimate the total mortality. The results showed that von Bertalanffy growth model for male was Lt=122 (1-e(-0.1(t+0.01))), for female was Lt=130 (1-e(-0.18(t+0.02))) and for combined sex was Lt=132 (1-e(-0.1(t+0.01))). Total mortality was estimated at 0.25 year
−1. The results from this study represent basic information to support fisheries management of M. manazo in Indonesia.
Status of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) contamination in several marine and freshwater sediments in the world during the last three decades
Authors: Umasangaji H , Ramili Y , Najamuddin
Published: October 2020

Despite the research on PCBs occurrence in the various matrices in the world, no review has been carried out on the status of these substance contaminations in marine and freshwater sediments during the current periods throughout the globe. The objectives of this paper are to briefly discuss the occurrence of PCBs concentrations within marine and freshwater sediments in several places in the world and to determine which part of marine and freshwater sediments are the most contaminated in the world. The emphasis is on the last three decades namely from 1985 to 2020. The results suggested that during 1985 to 2010, the PCBs concentrations in the sediments ranged between 2 μg.kg−1 and 1648 μg.kg−1. The most elevated was found in Ionian Sea, Italia as the site where connected with high activities of industries, urban and harbor. The lowest one was reported in Bering sea and the Gulf of Alaska as the uncontaminated site during this era. Subsequently, a decade later which was recorded from 2011 to 2020 found the PCBs concentrations in the sediments ranged from 0.036 to 3730 μg.kg−1. The highest concentration was reported at coastal area at the center of Vietnam where linked with the urban and industries sites. Conversely, the lowest one was found at Chao River sediments where connected with the agriculture field. The evaluation of sediments guide lines quality through ERL (Effects Ranged Low) and ERM (Effects Ranged Medium) showed that the most contaminated marine and freshwater sediment in the world during 1985 to 2010 was at Ionian Sea, Italy, whereas in the recent period (2011 to 2020) was found in the Coastal area of Vietnam. According to this evaluation, these locations are high risk to the toxic effect particularly to the benthic organisms. Therefore, these places are high concerned in terms of protection and conservation of some marine biotas.
Genetic diversity information of seagrass Enhalus acoroides and Cymodocea rotundata for the local genetic conservation at North Maluku
Authors: Ramili Y , Bengen D G , Madduppa H , Kawaroe M
Published: October 2020

This study is aimed at analyzing the molecular identification and the level of the genetic diversity of seagrass species as a basis information for the local genetic conservation. Sampling of both species, Enhalus acoroides and Cymodocea rotundata, was carried out at four small islands at North Maluku, namely Hiri, Ternate, Maitara, and Tidore Island. Locus used in genetic analysis is the chloroplast genome (rbcL and matK). The results of this work indicated that the rbcL genetic marker were able to identify species well but were low in discrimination and divergence of species, thus is not give the good results for genetic diversity level. Conversely, matK genetic marker, although a little weak in identifying species, have good results in the discrimination and divergence of species. matK genetic marker were able to provide a description of genetic diversity level. The results of this study found that the level of genetic diversity of E. acoroides (Hn: 13; Hd: 0.862; π: 0.273) and C. rotundata (Hn: 19; Hd: 0.975; π 0.119) were higher at Tidore Island compared to the three others. This indicated that the high genetic diversity at Tidore Island can be used as a basis for local genetic conservation and maintenance of biodiversity.
Institutional capacity building of Bina Hang Tuah youth organization and Tambaan Indah waste bank in the context of plastic waste management in Tambaan Urban Village, Pasuruan City, East Java Province, Indonesia
Authors: Rudianto  , Yudaningtyas E , Kasitowati R D
Published: October 2020

Plastic waste in Indonesia has reached 64 million tons per year of which 3.2 million tons per year is discharged into the sea. Because of this condition, Indonesian coastal waters experience degradation. Plastic waste on the coast can be utilized to add value in the form of premium fuel, diesel and kerosene, using a destilator machine. The study was carried out on the coast of Tambaan Village, Pasuruan, East Java. The results indicate that the beach is clean and the processing results are in line with the community expectations. However, the beach has become dirty again and plastic waste has accumulated. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between youth organizations which are responsible for processing plastic waste, and waste banks that currently receive waste from the community. The methods used are analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Partial Least Square (PLS). The two methods are used in the analysis of organizational capacity building and cooperative relations between Bina Hangtuah Youth organization and waste banks. The results of the analysis indicate that operating agreements and revenue sharing based on a “win-win” solution including increasing human resources are an important basis for increasing institutional capacity.
Reproductive biology, growth and mortality of silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) in Tarakan waters, North Kalimatan
Authors: Prihatiningsih  , Lestari P , Chodrijah U
Published: October 2020

Silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) was a demersal fish of the family Stromateidae and high economical value. The fish was caught by the mini trawler. This research aims to study the reproductive biology, growth and mortality of silver pomfret in North Kalimantan. The research was conducted in January-November 2016 in Tarakan, North Kalimantan. The length of the silver pomfret was 9.5-32 cmFL, sex ratio between female and male was unbalanced (0,55:1). The peak of spawning season in January and august. The fecundity of silver pomfret ranges from 57,969 – 248,520 eggs and the spawning type was a multispawner. length weight relationship was negative allometric. Length at first captured (Lc) was smaller than length at first matured (Lm). The Von Bertalanffy’s growth equation was Lt = 36.6 (1-e 0.51 (t +-0.30274)). The natural mortality rate (M) of silver pomfret was smaller than fishing mortality rate (F).
A review on status of marine radioecology in Indonesia after Fukushima accident
Authors: Prihatiningsih W R , Suseno H , Makmur M , Yahya M N , Putra D I P , Priasetyono Y
Published: October 2020

A brief overview of the current status of marine radioecology in Indonesia after the Fukushima accident is given. Indonesia waters as a part of a global oceanic current, taking an essential role in distributing radionuclide releases from the Fukushima accident. Recent years have seen significant work conducted on the radioactivity marine environmental monitoring on the seawater, sediment, and biota both in offshore and coastal of Indonesia marine area. This article mainly focuses on the radiocesium (137Cs and134Cs) as an essential conservative radionuclide released from the Fukushima accident. The distribution of anthropogenic radiocesium was comprehensively monitored from the West part Aceh to Papua in the East. Moreover, seawater masses bringing radiocesium at inflow and outflow of Indonesian Through Flow (ITF) was also observed. The activity ratios of134Cs/137Cs measured at several locations are evaluated to gain an insight of radiocesium origins. It is important to note that the137Cs radionuclides detected in the Indonesia marine area have been very low and comparable to other regional marine areas. On the other side,134Cs radionuclide has been not detected over the Indonesia marine area.
Brackish water pond management strategies based on salinity and pyrite distribution in the Mahakam Delta, East Kalimantan
Authors: Rizal S , Hutabarat J , Anggoro S , Prayitno S B
Published: October 2020

Brackish water ponds in the Mahakam delta are located in the area that has acidic soil and is affected by the distribution of salinity. This study aims to analyze brackish water pond management strategies based on salinity and pyrite distribution. The location of this research was in the local farmers’ brackish water ponds in the Mahakam delta, East Kalimantan. Sampling collection was carried out on several brackish water ponds with different salinity, namely salinity of 0 – 10 ppt, 11 – 20 ppt, and 21 – 30 ppt. Each type of salinity was represented by 10 brackish water ponds. Samples were selected using a purposive sampling technique in which respondents consisted of farmers, academics, and the government. Data were analyzed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process and qualitative descriptive methods. The results indicated that the alternative pond management strategies employed in the Mahakam delta were brackish water pond management with salinity and pyrite management approaches (0.312), brackish water pond management with pyrite management approach (0.222), and brackish water pond biophysical management (0.155).
Plastic pollution on the beaches of outer Ambon Bay
Authors: Tuahatu J W , Noya Y A , Manuputty G D
Published: October 2020

Plastic pollution in the marine environment is a global problem, which is currently in particular concern because this pollutant can be a negative impact on ecosystems. Identification of group plastic can be a solution to plastic debris management strategy throughout Outer Ambon Bay (OAB). The purpose of this study was to determine and analyze the composition and percentage of plastic debris in OAB and analyze the density of plastic debris in OAB according to the plastic group. The research findings from 20 sampling sites showed that the plastic debris category found was mostly plastic packaging, 86% on the coast of the Jasirah Leitimur and 78% on the Jasirah Leihitu. The highest density of plastic waste was found at Tantui and Mardika shores located in Jasirah Leitimur. The sampling site in Jasirah Leihitu shows that Rumahtiga and Liliboy have the highest density of plastic. Overall, the dominant group of plastic found on the shores of Outer Ambon Bay is plastic packaging.
Distribution map and first record of Nomorhamphus sp. (Beloniformes, Zenarchopteridae) in Southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Oetama D , Lawelle S A , Mokodongan D F , Takwir A , Arsal L O M , Hasuba T F , Permatahati Y I
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study were to know the distribution of Nomorhamphus genus in Southeastern Sulawesi and to examine the first record of Nomorhamphus sp. in Loea river east Kolaka Regency Southeast Sulawesi Indonesia. Nomorhamphus is as one of Sulawesi’s endemic fish. The distribution map of Nomorhamphus based on primary and secondary data. Both visualized using System Information Geography (SIG) through QGIS application. First record of Nomorhamphus sp. in Loea river describe by morphometric and meristic data. Nomorhamphus sp. catched by used a beach seine. Each individual caught was put into a plastic sample which was given formalin about 4%. This study recorded the fiftythree specimen consist of twentytwo males and thirtyone females. Several locations are known as the Nomorhamphus sp. habitat, namely Fotuno fountain, Moramo waterfall, Balano fountain, Laweau river, Moramo river, Anduna river and Asinua river. Furthermore, other Nomorhamphus found in Wawolambo river (N. lanceolatus) and Mangolo river (N. sagittarius). Several characters of male and female of present study including total length, standard length and head length about 30.0-87.7 mm, 24.2-70.5 mm and 7.3-30.7 mm, respectively. The meristic showed both males and females have relatively the same number of fin rays. The relationship between total length and body weight of male and female followed the equation W = 0.0385L1.1355 (r = 0.90664) and W = 0.0647L2.2221 (r = 0.87756), respectively.
Mangrove vegetation health index analysis by implementing NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) classification method on sentinel-2 image data case study: Segara Anakan, Kabupaten Cilacap
Authors: Akbar M R , Arisanto P A A , Sukirno B A , Merdeka P H , Priadhi M M , Zallesa S
Published: October 2020

Segara Anakan, Cilacap District is an area that embodies the largest mangrove forest in Indonesia, namely 8,576.06 ha in 2016. The observation and mapping of vegetation index surrounding the forest are done by utilizing remote sensing to acquire satellite images. Plants have adequate reflectance to Near Infrared (NIR) lights. Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) is classified to have high accuracy in mapping mangrove in an area. The concept of NDVI is considerably simple, namely by observing the best NIR light reflected by the chlorophyll and red light radiation absorbed by green plants. Algorithm or equation used is (NIR - RED)/(NIR + RED). The results from the algorithm will then be used to derive index value ranging from -1 to 1. This index value will be employed as a parameter to indicate whether the mangroves are healthy or not. This study is done in 2020 incorporating data from 2017 to 2020 that are relevant to Segara Anakan, Cilacap District and implementing NDVI method to analyze the mangroves’ health. Results from the satellite images show that mangroves in Segara Anakan are experiencing a negative trend regarding their health from year to year. The result in 2017 shows a majority of 0.9 index with pixel vegetation frequency of 17,500 which drastically declined in 2020 to only 7,000 with majorities of 0,2;0,6;0,8 which is caused by deforestation and natural causes inhibiting the sowing and growth of mangroves.
Symmetry-protected dual quasi-bound states in the continuum with high tunability in metasurface
Authors: Wang Meng , Li Baoying , Wang Wudeng
Published: October 2020

We propose a split ring metasurface supporting simultaneously symmetry-protected dual bound states in the continuum (BIC) under normal excitation. Such two BICs can be classified as symmetry protected toroidal dipole (TD) BIC and magnetic dipole (MD) BIC, and the asymmetrically distributed holes can convert these two BICs into TD quasi-BIC and MD quasi-BIC with ultrahigh Q-factors, respectively. Two eigenmodes reveal the existence of symmetry protected BICs with an infinite lifetime and exhibit the intrinsic TD and MD characters by multipole analysis. In addition, it is shown that the two quasi-BICs can be switched on and off at orthogonal incident polarization orientations simultaneously. Further, such two quasi-BICs can be efficiently modulated by varying the Fermi energy of the graphene covered on the dielectric metasurface, indicating that the TD and MD quasi-BICs in the proposed metasurface have potential applications in designing novel quasi-BIC-based optical modulator and switching.
Enhanced photoluminescence of a CsPbBr3/Al2O3 film heterojunction enabled by coupling of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Bai Zhongchen , Wang Xueqin , Zhang Zhengping , Qin Shuijie
Published: October 2020

We studied an enhanced photoluminescence (PL) effect of CsPbBr3/Al2O3 heterojunction by using gold nanoparticls (NPs). The CsPbBr3/Al2O3 heterojunction and CsPbBr3/Au/Al2O3 heterojunction were respectively prepared on porous Al2O3 film by using a colloidal self-assembly method. The defect fluorescence of CsPbBr3/Al2O3 heterojunction was enhanced up to 40 times due to the transfer of photo-generated carriers from the CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs) to the porous Al2O3 film. To suppress the defect fluorescence of heterojunction, the CsPbBr3/Au/Al2O3 heterojunction was prepared by loading the gold NPs between the CsPbBr3 QDs film and the porous Al2O3 film. The results showed that the gold NPs facilitated the transfer of the photo-generated carriers from the CsPbBr3 QDs to the surface of porous Al2O3 film. Compared with the porous Al2O3 film and CsPbBr3/Al2O3 heterojunction, the peak fluorescence of CsPbBr3/Au/Al2O3 heterojunction was enhanced to 6.4 times and 2.8 times, respectively. This method of enhanced fluorescence of QD heterojunction provides a new pathway in the applications of photovoltaic, photodetector, LED, image sensor, photocatalysis.
RETRACTED: The application of hierarchy MoS2 particles for NIR induced drug delivery towards liver cancer treatment
Authors: Wang Kai , Li Chengfang , Li Yin , Wang Jinjing , Ma Aiqing
Published: October 2020

This paper applied hierarchy MoS2 particles for near-infrared induced drug delivery towards liver cancer treatment. MoS2 particles were used as the photothermal responsive agent, 1-tetradecanol was used as the phase change material, doxorubicin was encapsulated into the particles, and MoS2/1-tetradecanol@doxorubicin composite was synthesized. The drug release was tested under near-infrared irradiation. Within the MoS2/1-tetradecanol@doxorubicin composite, the photothermal response of MoS2 to near-infrared facilitated the phase change of 1-tetradecanol and the release of doxorubicin. The release of doxorubicin could be regulated by both the MoS2 concentration and the irradiation power. The cytotoxicity study indicated that MoS2/1-tetradecanol had negligible toxicity to the HepG2 cells, while MoS2/1-tetradecanol@doxorubicin had more tumor-killing effects than free doxorubicin. This research showed that hierarchy MoS2 particles had the potential of delivering anti-tumor drugs through photothermal stimuli.
Simulation as a Tool for Teaching and Learning Epidemiologic Methods
Authors: Rudolph Jacqueline E , Fox Matthew P , Naimi Ashley I
Published: October 2020

In aspiring to be discerning epidemiologists, we must learn to think critically about the fundamental concepts in our field and be able to understand and apply many of the novel methods being developed today. We must also find effective ways to teach both basic and advanced topics in epidemiology to graduate students, in a manner that goes beyond simple provision of knowledge. Here, we argue that simulation is one critical tool that can be used to help meet these goals, by providing examples of how simulation can be used to address 2 common misconceptions in epidemiology. First, we show how simulation can be used to explore nondifferential exposure misclassification. Second, we show how an instructor could use simulation to provide greater clarity on the correct definition of the P value. Through these 2 examples, we highlight how simulation can be used to both clearly and concretely demonstrate theoretical concepts, as well as to test and experiment with ideas, theories, and methods in a controlled environment. Simulation is therefore useful not only in the classroom but also as a skill for independent self-learning.
Comparison of IV oncology infusions compounded via robotics and gravimetrics-assisted workflow processes
Authors: Pang Bob , Earl Marc , Knoer Scott , Yaniv Angela , Willner Marc , Boyd Anthony
Published: October 2020

Purpose

A study was conducted to compare an intravenous (IV) gravimetric technology–assisted workflow (TAWF) platform to an IV robotic system. In the study we reviewed both IV technology platforms using the same gravimetric quality assurance system, which allowed for direct comparison.

Methods

All oncology preparations compounded from January 2016 through December 2018 using either system were included in our retrospective analysis. Final preparation accuracy, IV system precision, and workflow throughput (analyzed using lean process methodologies) were evaluated.

Results

Data analysis indicated that use of the IV gravimetric TAWF system was associated with a significantly lower percentage of accuracy errors compared to the IV robotics system (1.58% vs 2.47%, P < 0.001), with no significant difference in absolute precision (1.12 vs 1.12 P = 0.952). Lean analysis demonstrated that overall completion time (17:49 minutes vs 24:45 minutes) and compound preparation time (2:39 minutes vs 6:07 minutes) were less with the IV gravimetric TAWF vs the IV robotics system.

Conclusion

Implementation of either an IV gravimetric TAWF system or IV robotics system will result in similar compounding accuracy and precision. Preparation time was less with use of the IV gravimetric TAWF vs the IV robotic system, but the IV robotic system required less human intervention. Both systems ensure medication safety for patients, although the IV robotic system has increased safeguards in place. Therefore, the primary driver for implementing these systems is alternative factors such as cost of systems implementation and maintenance, employee safety, and drug waste.
Association between opioid dose escalation and time to death in a comfort measures only population
Authors: Abraham Dana L , Hernandez Inmaculada , Ayers Gina T , Pruskowski Jennifer A
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Opioids are crucial to the relief of pain and dyspnea experienced by patients dying in the hospital setting; however, there are concerns about the association of opioid dosage with hastened death via opioid-induced respiratory depression, and there is little published evidence regarding the association between opioid dose escalation and time to death in the inpatient comfort measures only (CMO) population.

Methods

The medical records of adult patients admitted to 2 hospitals who had an active CMO order at the time of death and received opioid dose escalations after CMO pronouncement were assessed in a retrospective cohort study. Patients were categorized into higher and lower opioid dose escalation groups according to an institutional palliative care symptom guide. A Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to test the associations between dose escalation group, patient sex, opioid naivety, palliative care consultation, and opioid dosage after CMO pronouncement (independent variables) and time to death (dependent variable).

Results

In the 71-patient cohort, 39 patients (54.9%) were male and 32 (45.1%) were female. The mean (SD) age of patients was 67.2 (16.6) years. Higher dose escalation (n = 46, 64.8%) was associated with a nonsignificant decrease in survival time compared to lower dose escalation (n = 25, 35.2%), with a mean difference in time to death of 19.8 hours (hazard ratio [HR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-2.97). Receipt of a palliative care consult (n = 56, 78.9%) during the final hospital visit was associated with increased survival time (mean difference, 20.1 hours; HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.16-0.63).

Conclusion

Time to death in an inpatient CMO population was not significantly associated with the degree of opioid dose escalation.
Drug Exposure and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration Predict Pulmonary Tuberculosis Treatment Response
Authors: Zheng Xubin , Bao Ziwei , Forsman Lina Davies , Hu Yi , Ren Weihua , Gao Yazhou , Li Xuliang , Hoffner Sven , Bruchfeld Judith , Alffenaar Jan-Willem
Published: October 2020

Background

Prospective studies correlating pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) indices to clinical responses are urgently needed. This study aimed to find clinically relevant PK/PD thresholds that can be used for treatment optimization.

Methods

Pharmacokinetic sampling and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) measurements were performed for patients with culture-confirmed tuberculosis (TB). Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was applied to obtain PK and/or PD thresholds for first-line drugs predictive of 2-week/month culture conversion, treatment outcome determined at 6–8 months, acute kidney injury (AKI), and drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression was used for model development and validation.

Results

Finally, 168 and 52 patients with TB were included in development and validation cohorts for analysis, respectively. Area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)/MIC below CART-derived thresholds for pyrazinamide of 8.42, pyrazinamide of 2.79, or rifampicin of 435.45 were the predominant predictors of 2-week culture conversion, 2-month culture conversion, or treatment success, respectively. Isoniazid AUC >21.78 mg · h/L or rifampicin AUC >82.01 mg · h/L were predictive of DILI or AKI during TB treatment. The predictive performance of trained LASSO models in the validation cohort was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curves and ranged from 0.625 to 0.978.

Conclusions

PK/PD indices and drug exposure of TB drugs were associated with clinical outcome and adverse events. The effect of CART-derived thresholds for individualized dosing on treatment outcome should be studied in a randomized controlled trial.
Different Transmission Dynamics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Influenza Suggest the Relative Efficiency of Isolation/Quarantine and Social Distancing Against COVID-19 in China
Authors: Lei Hao , Wu Xifeng , Wang Xiao , Xu Modi , Xie Yu , Du Xiangjun , Cowling Benjamin J , Li Yuguo , Shu Yuelong
Published: October 2020

Background

Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are vital to reducing transmission risks. However, the relative efficiency of social distancing against COVID-19 remains controversial, since social distancing and isolation/quarantine were implemented almost at the same time in China.

Methods

In this study, surveillance data of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza in 2018–2020 were used to quantify the relative efficiency of NPIs against COVID-19 in China, since isolation/quarantine was not used for the influenza epidemics. Given that the relative age-dependent susceptibility to influenza and COVID-19 may vary, an age-structured susceptible/infected/recovered model was built to explore the efficiency of social distancing against COVID-19 under different population susceptibility scenarios.

Results

The mean effective reproductive number, Rt, of COVID-19 before NPIs was 2.12 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.02–2.21). By 11 March 2020, the overall reduction in Rt of COVID-19 was 66.1% (95% CI, 60.1–71.2%). In the epidemiological year 2019–20, influenza transmissibility was reduced by 34.6% (95% CI, 31.3–38.2%) compared with transmissibility in epidemiological year 2018–19. Under the observed contact pattern changes in China, social distancing had similar efficiency against COVID-19 in 3 different scenarios. By assuming the same efficiency of social distancing against seasonal influenza and COVID-19 transmission, isolation/quarantine and social distancing could lead to 48.1% (95% CI, 35.4–58.1%) and 34.6% (95% CI, 31.3–38.2%) reductions of the transmissibility of COVID-19, respectively.

Conclusions

Though isolation/quarantine is more effective than social distancing, given that the typical basic reproductive number of COVID-19 is 2–3, isolation/quarantine alone could not contain the COVID-19 pandemic effectively in China.
How biocompatible haemodialysers can conquer the need for systemic anticoagulation even in post-dilution haemodiafiltration: a cross-over study
Authors: Vanommeslaeghe Floris , Josipovic Iván , Boone Matthieu , van der Tol Arjan , Dhondt Annemie , Van Biesen Wim , Eloot Sunny
Published: October 2020

Background

While systemic anticoagulation is most widely used in haemodialysis (HD), contraindications to its use might occur in particular settings. The Solacea™ haemodialyser with an asymmetric triacetate membrane claims improved biocompatibility and has already shown promising results when used in combination with only half dose of anticoagulation. To quantify the performance of the Solacea™ when further decreasing anticoagulation to zero, fibre blocking was assessed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).

Methods

Ten maintenance HD patients underwent six dialysis sessions at midweek using a Solacea™ 19H dialyser, consecutively in pre-dilution haemodiafiltration (pre-HDF), HD and post-dilution HDF (post-HDF). After the first three sessions with only a quarter of their regular anticoagulation dose (one-quarter), the last three sessions were performed without anticoagulation (zero). Dialyser fibre blocking was quantified in the dialyser outlet potting using a 3D micro-CT scanning technique post-dialysis.

Results

Even in case of reduced (one-quarter) anticoagulation, the relative number of open fibres post-dialysis was almost optimal, i.e. 0.96 (0.87–0.99) with pre-HDF, 0.99 (0.97–0.99) with HD and 0.97 (0.92–0.99) with post-HDF. Fibre patency was mildly decreased for pre-HDF and HD when anticoagulation was decreased from one-quarter to zero, i.e. to 0.76 (0.61–0.85) with pre-HDF (P = 0.004) and to 0.80 (0.77–0.89) with HD (P = 0.013). Comparing the results for zero anticoagulation, post-HDF [i.e. 0.94 (0.82–0.97)] performed as well as HD and pre-HDF.

Conclusions

The Solacea™ dialyser provides promising results for use in conditions where systemic anticoagulation is contraindicated. Post-HDF, although inducing haemoconcentration in the dialyser, is equally effective for fibre patency in case of zero anticoagulation as pre-HDF and HD when using Solacea™.
EACVI survey on investigations and imaging modalities in chronic coronary syndromes
Authors: Bularga Anda , Saraste Antti , Fontes-Carvalho Ricardo , Holte Espen , Cameli Matteo , Michalski Blazej , Williams Michelle C , Podlesnikar Tomaz , D’Andrea Antonello , Stankovic Ivan , Mills Nicholas L , Manka Robert , Newby David E , Schultz-Menger Jeanette , Haugaa Kristina H , Dweck Marc R
Published: October 2020

Aims

The European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) Scientific Initiatives Committee performed a global survey to evaluate current practice for the assessment and management of patients with suspected and confirmed chronic coronary syndromes.

Methods and results

One-hundred and ten imaging centres from 37 countries across the world responded to the survey. Most non-invasive investigations for coronary artery disease were widely available, except cardiovascular magnetic resonance (available 40% centres). Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and nuclear scans were reported by a multi-disciplinary team in only a quarter of centres. In the initial assessment of patients presenting with chest pain, only 32% of respondents indicated that they rely on pre-test probability for selecting the optimal imaging test while 31% proceed directly to CCTA. In patients with established coronary artery disease and recurrent chest pain, respondents opted for stress echocardiography (27%) and nuclear stress perfusion scans (26%). In asymptomatic patients with coronary artery disease and an obstructive (>70%) right coronary artery stenosis, 58% of respondents were happy to pursue medical therapy without further testing or intervention. This proportion fell to 29% with left anterior descending artery stenosis and 1% with left main stem obstruction. In asymptomatic patients with evidence of moderate-to-severe myocardial ischaemia (15%), only 18% of respondents would continue medical therapy without further investigation.

Conclusion

Despite guidelines recommendations pre-test probability is used to assess patients with suspected coronary artery in a minority of centres, one-third of centres moving directly to CCTA. Clinicians remain reticent to pursue a strategy of optimal medical therapy without further investigation or intervention in patients with controlled symptoms but obstructive coronary artery stenoses or myocardial ischaemia.
English medium instruction and the English language practitioner
Authors: Galloway Nicola , Rose Heath
Published: October 2020

The paper explores the impact of the growth in English medium instruction (EMI) on the field of ELT. Increasing studies report students’ language-related challenges and linguistic preparedness to be major barriers to successful implementation of EMI. These challenges, which have accompanied an unfettered growth in EMI provision, impact on practitioners and students and highlight the role of ELT practitioners in providing language support. This paper outlines how EMI is changing the role of ELT practitioners in the internationalized and ‘Englishized’ higher education sector, who increasingly teach on EAP programmes. EMI research is in a relative stage of infancy, yet a growing body of evidence highlights the importance of academic and language support. Drawing on evidence from recent research, we explore the integral role that ELT instructors have in helping students with their content learning, and make suggestions to facilitate greater integration of ELT within EMI contexts.
‘Water dripping on a stone’: a feasibility study of a healthy weight management conversation approach in routine general practice consultations
Authors: Hilder Jo , Gray Lesley , Stubbe Maria , Duncan Sarah , Dowell Anthony C
Published: October 2020

Background

Primary health care has an important role to play in the management of weight and yet discussions of healthy weight management do not occur optimally, indicating a need for simple tools and training in brief weight counselling. The ‘FABS’ approach (focusing on four topic areas: Food, Activity, Behaviour and Support) was developed to address this.

Objectives

To explore the feasibility of the ‘FABS’ approach within routine general practice consultations and its effectiveness in facilitating healthy weight conversations.

Method

The FABS approach was run for a trial period in five New Zealand general practices. The approach entailed staff training, the addition to the practice patient management system of a template outlining potential topics for discussion and a patient handout. GPs were asked to use the approach with any adult patient with a body mass index of over 28 kg/m2. A descriptive analysis of anonymized quantitative practice data was conducted, with limited qualitative data from an online clinician questionnaire and interviews with GPs and patients.

Results

Over 4 months, the template was opened 862 times by 27 clinicians in 830 patient consultations. All FABS topics were raised at least once. Physical activity was raised most frequently, followed by two food-related topics. There was variation between practices and between GPs. GPs tended to raise more topics within a single consultation than the training recommended. The limited clinician survey results and patient interviews also indicated positive responses to the approach.

Conclusions

It is possible to provide an infrastructure for healthy weight conversation approaches within general practice so that patients receive supportive and consistent messages on a regular basis. General practice is an appropriate setting for this due to the ongoing relationships with patients and team-based approach, but there is a need for effective training and education to ensure appropriate and effectively delivery.
Islands in the sand: are all hypolithic microbial communities the same?
Authors: Lebre Pedro H , Bottos Eric , Makhalanyane Thulani P , Hogg Ian , Cowan Don A
Published: October 2020

Hypolithic microbial communities (hypolithons) are complex assemblages of phototrophic and heterotrophic organisms associated with the ventral surfaces of translucent minerals embedded in soil surfaces. Past studies on the assembly, structure and function of hypolithic communities have tended to use composite samples (i.e. bulked hypolithic biomass) with the underlying assumption that samples collected from within a ‘homogeneous’ locality are phylogenetically homogeneous. In this study, we question this assumption by analysing the prokaryote phylogenetic diversity of multiple individual hypolithons: i.e. asking the seemingly simple question of ‘Are all hypolithons the same’? Using 16S rRNA gene-based phylogenetic analysis of hypolithons recovered for a localized moraine region in the Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, we demonstrate that these communities are heterogeneous at very small spatial scales (<5 m). Using null models of phylogenetic turnover, we showed that this heterogeneity between hypolithons is probably due to stochastic effects such as dispersal limitations, which is entirely consistent with the physically isolated nature of the hypolithic communities (‘islands in the sand’) and the almost complete absence of a liquid continuum as a mode of microbial transport between communities.
Methanogenic archaea in peatlands
Authors: L. Bräuer Suzanna , Basiliko Nathan , M. P. Siljanen Henri , H. Zinder Stephen
Published: October 2020

Methane emission feedbacks in wetlands are predicted to influence global climate under climate change and other anthropogenic stressors. Herein, we review the taxonomy and physiological ecology of the microorganisms responsible for methane production in peatlands. Common in peat soils are five of the eight described orders of methanogens spanning three phyla (Euryarchaeota, Halobacterota and Thermoplasmatota). The phylogenetic affiliation of sequences found in peat suggest that members of the thus-far-uncultivated group Candidatus Bathyarchaeota (representing a fourth phylum) may be involved in methane cycling, either anaerobic oxidation of methane and/or methanogenesis, as at least a few organisms within this group contain the essential gene, mcrA, according to metagenomic data. Methanogens in peatlands are notoriously challenging to enrich and isolate; thus, much remains unknown about their physiology and how methanogen communities will respond to environmental changes. Consistent patterns of changes in methanogen communities have been reported across studies in permafrost peatland thaw where the resulting degraded feature is thermokarst. However much remains to be understood regarding methanogen community feedbacks to altered hydrology and warming in other contexts, enhanced atmospheric pollution (N, S and metals) loading and direct anthropogenic disturbances to peatlands like drainage, horticultural peat extraction, forestry and agriculture, as well as post-disturbance reclamation.
Interregulation between fragile X mental retardation protein and methyl CpG binding protein 2 in the mouse posterior cerebral cortex
Authors: Arsenault Jason , Hooper Alexander W M , Gholizadeh Shervin , Kong Tian , Pacey Laura K , Koxhioni Enea , Niibori Yosuke , Eubanks James H , Wang Lu-Yang , Hampson David R
Published: October 2020

Several X-linked neurodevelopmental disorders including Rett syndrome, induced by mutations in the MECP2 gene, and fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by mutations in the FMR1 gene, share autism-related features. The mRNA coding for methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) has previously been identified as a substrate for the mRNA-binding protein, fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which is silenced in FXS. Here, we report a homeostatic relationship between these two key regulators of gene expression in mouse models of FXS (Fmr1 Knockout (KO)) and Rett syndrome (MeCP2 KO). We found that the level of MeCP2 protein in the cerebral cortex was elevated in Fmr1 KO mice, whereas MeCP2 KO mice displayed reduced levels of FMRP, implicating interplay between the activities of MeCP2 and FMRP. Indeed, knockdown of MeCP2 with short hairpin RNAs led to a reduction of FMRP in mouse Neuro2A and in human HEK-293 cells, suggesting a reciprocal coupling in the expression level of these two regulatory proteins. Intra-cerebroventricular injection of an adeno-associated viral vector coding for FMRP led to a concomitant reduction in MeCP2 expression in vivo and partially corrected locomotor hyperactivity. Additionally, the level of MeCP2 in the posterior cortex correlated with the severity of the hyperactive phenotype in Fmr1 KO mice. These results demonstrate that MeCP2 and FMRP operate within a previously undefined homeostatic relationship. Our findings also suggest that MeCP2 overexpression in Fmr1 KO mouse posterior cerebral cortex may contribute to the fragile X locomotor hyperactivity phenotype.
The Sections of the Weyl Group
Authors: Adrian Moshe
Published: October 2020

We compute all sections of the Weyl group that satisfy the braid relations, in the case that $G$ is an almost-simple connected reductive group defined over an algebraically closed field. We then demonstrate that this set of sections gives rise to an interesting partially ordered structure and also give some applications.
Identification of thresholds in relationships between specific antibiotic use and carbapenem-resistantAcinetobacter baumannii(CRAb) incidence rates in hospitalized patients in Jordan
Authors: Hayajneh Wail A , Al-Azzam Sayer , Yusef Dawood , Lattyak William J , Lattyak Elizabeth A , Gould Ian , López-Lozano José-María , Conway Barbara R , Conlon-Bingham Geraldine , Aldeyab Mamoon A
Published: October 2020

Background

Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health worldwide. The relationship between the intensity of antibiotic use and resistance might not be linear, suggesting that there might be a threshold of antibiotic use, beyond which resistance would be triggered.

Objectives

To identify thresholds in antibiotic use, below which specific antibiotic classes have no significant measurable impact on the incidence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAb), but above which their use correlates with an increase in the incidence of CRAb.

Methods

The study took place at a tertiary teaching hospital in Jordan. The study was ecological in nature and was carried out retrospectively over the period January 2014 to December 2019. The outcome time series for this study was CRAb cases. The primary explanatory variables were monthly use of antibiotics and the use of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR). Non-linear time-series methods were used to identify thresholds in antibiotic use.

Results

Non-linear time-series analysis determined a threshold in third-generation cephalosporin and carbapenem use, where the maximum use of third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems should not exceed 8 DDD/100 occupied bed days (OBD) and 10 DDD/100 OBD, respectively. ABHR had a significant reducing effect on CRAb cases even at lower usage quantities (0.92 L/100 OBD) and had the most significant effect when ABHR exceeded 3.4 L/100 OBD.

Conclusions

The identification of thresholds, utilizing non-linear time-series methods, can provide a valuable tool to inform hospital antibiotic policies through identifying quantitative targets that balance access to effective therapies with control of resistance. Further studies are needed to validate the identified thresholds, through being prospectively adopted as a target for antimicrobial stewardship programmes, and then to evaluate the impact on reducing CRAb incidence.
Biochemical characterization of four splice variants of mouse Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Iδ
Authors: Akizuki Kazutoshi , Ono Ayaka , Xue Houcheng , Kameshita Isamu , Ishida Atsuhiko , Sueyoshi Noriyuki
Published: October 2020

Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase Iδ (CaMKIδ) is a Ser/Thr kinase that plays pivotal roles in Ca2+ signalling. CaMKIδ is activated by Ca2+/CaM-binding and phosphorylation at Thr180 by CaMK kinase (CaMKK). In this study, we characterized four splice variants of mouse CaMKIδ (mCaMKIδs: a, b, c and d) found by in silico analysis. Recombinant mCaMKIδs expressed in Escherichia coli were phosphorylated by CaMKK; however, only mCaMKIδ-a and c showed protein kinase activities towards myelin basic protein in vitro, with mCaMKIδ-b and mCaMKIδ-d being inactive. Although mCaMKIδ-a and mCaMKIδ-c underwent autophosphorylation in vitro, only mCaMKIδ-c underwent autophosphorylation in 293T cells. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that the autophosphorylation site is Ser349, which is found in the C-terminal region of only variants c and b (Ser324). Furthermore, phosphorylation of these sites (Ser324 and Ser349) in mCaMKIδ-b and c was more efficiently catalyzed by cAMP-dependent protein kinase in vitro and in cellulo as compared to the autophosphorylation of mCaMKIδ-c. Thus, variants of mCaMKIδ possess distinct properties in terms of kinase activities, autophosphorylation and phosphorylation by another kinase, suggesting that they play physiologically different roles in murine cells.