bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive metabolomic profiling in early IgA nephropathy patients reveals urine glycine as a prognostic biomarker
Authors: Park Sehoon , Lee Jueun , Yang Seung Hee , Lee Hajeong , Kim Joo Young , Park Minkyoung , Kim Kyu Hong , Moon Jong Joo , Cho Semin , Lee Soojin , Kim Yaerim , Lee Hajeong , Lee Jung Pyo , Jeong Chang Wook , Kwak Cheol , Joo Kwon Wook , Lim Chun Soo , Kim Yon Su , Hwang Geum‐Sook , Kim Dong Ki
Published: May 2021

Identification of a urinary metabolite biomarker with diagnostic or prognostic significance for early immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is needed. We performed nuclear magnetic resonance‐based metabolomic profiling and identified 26 metabolites in urine samples. We collected urine samples from 201, 77, 47, 36 and 136 patients with IgAN, patients with membranous nephropathy, patients with minimal change disease, patients with lupus nephritis and healthy controls, respectively. We determined whether a metabolite level is associated with the prognosis of IgAN through Cox regression and continuous net reclassification improvement (cNRI). Finally, in vitro experiments with human kidney tubular epithelial cells (hTECs) were performed for experimental validation. As the results, the urinary glycine level was higher in the IgAN group than the control groups. A higher urinary glycine level was associated with lower risk of eGFR 30% decline in IgAN patients. The addition of glycine to a predictive model including clinicopathologic information significantly improved the predictive power for the prognosis of IgAN [cNRI 0.72 (0.28‐0.82)]. In hTECs, the addition of glycine ameliorated inflammatory signals induced by tumour necrosis factor‐α. Our study demonstrates that urinary glycine may have diagnostic and prognostic value for IgAN and indicates that urinary glycine is a protective biomarker for IgAN.
cIAP1/2 are involved in the radiosensitizing effect of birinapant on NSCLC cell line in vitro
Authors: Sun Hao , Du Yanan , Yao Ming , Wang Qin , Ji Kaihua , Du Liqing , Xu Chang , He Ningning , Wang Jinhan , Zhang Manman , Liu Yang , Wang Yan , Wen Kaixue , Liu Qiang
Published: May 2021

Tumour radioresistance is a major problem for cancer radiation therapy. To identify the underlying mechanisms of this resistance, we used human non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and focused on the Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (IAP) family, which contributes to tumourigenesis and chemoresistance. We investigated the possible correlation between radioresistance in six NSCLC cell lines and IAP protein levels and tested the radiosensitizing effect of birinapant in vitro, a molecule that mimics the second mitochondria‐derived activator of caspase. We found that birinapant‐induced apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells after exposure to radiation. These effects were induced by birinapant downregulation of cIAP protein levels and changes of cIAP gene expression. Overall, birinapant can inhibit tumour growth of NSCLC cell lines to ironizing radiation and act as a promising strategy to overcome radioresistance in NSCLC.
6‐Shogaol induces apoptosis in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells by targeting p53 signalling pathway and generation of reactive oxygen species
Authors: Najafi Dorcheh Somayeh , Rahgozar Soheila , Talei Daryush
Published: May 2021

Combination therapies, using medicinal herbs, are broadly recommended to attenuate the chemotherapy adverse effects. Based on our previous findings considering the anti‐leukaemic effects of ginger extract on acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) cells, the present study was aimed to investigate the anti‐cancer role of this pharmaceutical plant on ALL mice models. Moreover, we worked towards identifying the most anti‐leukaemic derivative of ginger and the mechanism through which it may exert its cytotoxic impact. In vivo experiments were performed using five groups of six C57BL/6 nude mice, and the anti‐leukaemic activity of ginger extract alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) was examined. Results showed increased survival rate and reduced damages in mice brain and liver tissues. Subsequently, MTT assay demonstrated synergistic growth inhibitory effect of 6‐shogaol (6Sh) and MTX on ALL cell lines and patients primary cells. Eventually, the molecular anti‐neoplastic mechanism of 6Sh was evaluated using Bioinformatics. Flow cytometry illustrated 6Sh‐mediated apoptosis in Nalm‐6 cells confirmed by Western blotting and RT‐PCR assays. Further analyses exhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through 6Sh. The current study revealed the in vivo novel anti‐leukaemic role of ginger extract, promoted by MTX. Moreover, 6‐shogaol was introduced as the major player of ginger cytotoxicity through inducing p53 activity and ROS generation.
Comparative clinical outcomes of insulin degludec and insulin glargine 300 U/mL after switching from other basal insulins in real‐world patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Oya Junko , Nakagami Tomoko , Hasegawa Yukiko , Katamine Aki , Kondo Yuichiro , Babazono Tetsuya
Published: May 2021

Aims/Introduction

To evaluate and compare the efficacy of insulin degludec (IDeg) and insulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla300) 6 months after switching from other basal insulins by assessing the changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), and insulin doses in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in a real‐world clinical setting.

Materials and Methods

A total of 307 patients with type 1 diabetes and 294 patients with type 2 diabetes with HbA1c >7.0% were studied. Adjusted mean changes in HbA1c, BMI, and insulin doses were compared between IDeg (IDeg group) and Gla300 (Gla300 group) switchers. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to examine whether the IDeg or Gla300 group was associated with HbA1c or insulin dose reduction and BMI gain.

Results

HbA1c was significantly decreased in both the IDeg and Gla300 groups. Adjusted mean changes in HbA1c (approximately −0.3% and −0.5% in type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes patients, respectively) and BMI were similar between both groups. The mean change in insulin dose was slightly larger for dose reduction in the IDeg group than in the Gla300 group. Multivariable logistic regression models showed that the IDeg group was significantly associated with insulin dose reduction after adjusting for basal insulin type, insulin dose, and number of basal insulin injections at baseline and other confounding factors.

Conclusions

The current study suggested that IDeg and Gla300 have similar effects in reducing HbA1c and gaining BMI after switching from other basal insulins in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. IDeg selection was associated with insulin dose reduction.
Reply to comment on: Referral criteria to specialist palliative care for patients with dementia—A systematic review
Authors: Mo Li , Hui David
Published: May 2021

This letter comments on the letter by Li Feng Tan.
Economy‐wide material system analysis: Mapping material flows through the economy
Authors: Kovanda Jan
Published: May 2021

This article proposes a new approach for mapping material flows through the economy referred to as economy‐wide material system analysis (EW‐MSA). EW‐MSA monitors material flows along production chains, connects manufacturing and use of various products with related emission flows, and shows how waste is recycled. The quantification of material flows in EW‐MSA is carried out by unambiguously defined EW‐MSA indicators. The data on EW‐MSA indicators are organized in an EW‐MSA database while the results of EW‐MSA can be clearly presented with Sankey flow charts. The proposed method was tested using the Czech Republic as a case study. It shows that the Czech Republic is an open economy, as more manufactured products are exported than used domestically. The total physical stock of materials in the economy is continuously growing and only about 7% of total material input into manufacturing is composed of secondary materials. Manufacturing of motor vehicles and transport equipment is highly dependent on imported materials and a significant amount of waste from motor vehicles’ manufacture and use is exported instead of being recycled and returned to the manufacturing process. Further development and use of EW‐MSA should go hand in hand with the development of needed data sources: Only a fraction of data was directly accessible in the official statistics while the rest had to be modeled with the use of other data and various coefficients. This burdened the results with some uncertainties.
Assessing the role of mid upper arm circumference in identification of low birthweight and wasting in early infancy in India
Authors: Seth Bageshree , Chorghe Jagravi , Revathi Natesan , Setia Maninder S
Published: May 2021

Aim

We conducted this study to examine the mid upper‐arm circumference (MUAC) of full‐term infants from birth to 6 months; construct gender‐specific MUAC graphs; and assess the role of MUAC as a surrogate marker for low birthweight and wasting in infants younger than 6 months.

Methods

This is a prospective longitudinal study of 268 (133 female and 135 male) new‐borns in a tertiary care centre in Navi Mumbai, India. We measured weight, length, head circumference and MUAC. We drew the MUAC curves for the first 6 months using the mean MUAC and standard deviation (SD) values and assessed the diagnostic test properties of MUAC at birth as a marker of low birthweight.

Results

The mean (SD) birthweight of the male and female new‐borns was 2756.2 g (368.1) and 2803.8 g (326.2), respectively (P = 0.25). The mean (SD) MUAC at birth was 8.7 (0.3) cm in males and 8.8 (0.2) cm in females, respectively (P = 0.14). The plotted mean MUAC curve in infants who were classified with wasting was between the −1SD and −2SD in both genders. The sensitivity and NPV for detecting low birthweight were 100% at cut‐off of 8.6 cm in females and 8.7 cm in males, respectively (area under the curve: 0.92 (females) and 0.96 (males)).

Conclusion

MUAC may be a good proxy for low birthweight at birth and the curves from our study show that it may also help in the diagnosis of wasting in infants below 6 months of age in the community, particularly in resource‐constrained settings.
Efficient cloning of tilapia lake virus complementary DNAs using an in vivo strategy in baker's yeast
Authors: Cueva Mario D. , Villena Gretty K. , Kitazono Ana A.
Published: May 2021

Cloning and protein expression in heterologous systems are very useful tools for the study of viral proteins. In this work, an in vivo cloning strategy was applied using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as an efficient and low‐cost method to clone several cDNAs from the tilapia lake virus (TiLV). Samples of infected tilapia Oreochromis niloticus tissues were taken and used to isolate their RNA and to obtain and clone the ten viral cDNAs in a shuttle plasmid. The cloning efficiencies range from 5 to 100% but for seven of the cDNAs the values were above 40%, demonstrating the high efficiency of the method.
Size‐based survival of cultured Argopecten purpuratus (L, 1819) under severe hypoxia
Authors: Cueto‐Vega Rosa , Flye‐Sainte‐Marie Jonathan , Aguirre‐Velarde Arturo , Jean Fred , Gil‐Kodaka Patricia , Thouzeau Gérard
Published: May 2021

During recent years, mass mortalities of cultured scallops became more frequent in Peruvian bays. One of the main drivers related to these mortalities was hypoxic events. This study was designed to understand the hypoxia phenomenon in these bays and to assess how the Peruvian scallop, Argopecten purpuratus, can cope with reduced oxygen levels in seawater based on individual size. First, we analyzed the relationships between dissolved oxygen saturation and other environmental parameters (the Coastal El Niño Index, temperature, salinity and pH) in bottom seawater, the frequency and intensity of hypoxic events in two main culture areas (Sechura and Paracas Bays), and their relationship with scallop mass mortalities. Then, we performed experiments with two size groups of A. purpuratus (31 and 80 mm shell height; seed and commercial size, respectively) to assess their respective survival time under severe hypoxia (1% oxygen saturation) at 16°C and a salinity of 35. Finally, the results of the field records and the experimental data are used to suggest ways to improve scallop cultivation along the Peruvian coast.
Role of enteric dopaminergic neurons in regulating peristalsis of rat proximal colon
Authors: Nakamori Hiroyuki , Noda Kenta , Mitsui Retsu , Hashitani Hikaru
Published: May 2021

Background

Constipation is commonly seen in patients with Parkinson's disease associated with a loss of dopaminergic neurons in both central and enteric nervous systems. However, the roles of enteric dopaminergic neurons in developing constipation remain to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the roles of enteric dopaminergic neurons in the generation of colonic peristalsis.

Methods

Cannulated segments of rat proximal colon were situated in the organ bath, abluminally perfused with physiological salt solution and luminally perfused with 0.9% saline. Drugs were applied in the abluminal solution. Changes in diameter along the length of the colonic segment were captured by a video camera and transformed into spatio‐temporal maps. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry was also carried out.

Key Results

Blockade of nitrergic neurotransmission prevented oro‐aboral propagation of peristaltic waves and caused a colonic constriction without affecting ripples, non‐propagating myogenic contractions. Blockade of cholinergic neurotransmission also prevented peristaltic waves but suppressed ripples with a colonic dilatation. Tetrodotoxin (0.6 μM) abolished peristaltic waves and increased ripples with a constriction. SCH 23390 (20 μM), a D1‐like dopamine receptor antagonist, slowed the peristaltic waves and caused a constriction, while GBR 12909 (1 μM), a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, diminished the peristaltic waves with a dilatation. Bath‐applied dopamine (3 μM) abolished the peristaltic waves associated with a colonic dilation in an SCH 23390 (5 μM)‐sensitive manner. D1 receptor immunoreactivity was co‐localized to nitrergic and cholinergic neurons.

Conclusions and Inferences

Dopaminergic neurons appear to facilitate nitrergic neurons via D1‐like receptors to stabilize asynchronous contractile activity resulting in the generation of colonic peristalsis.
The role of muscular traction in the occurrence of skeletal relapse after advancement bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO): A systematic review
Authors: Van den Bempt Maxim , Vinayahalingam Shankeeth , Han Michael D. , Bergé Stefaan J. , Xi Tong
Published: May 2021

The aim of this systematic review was (i) to determine the role of muscular traction in the occurrence of skeletal relapse after advancement BSSO and (ii) to investigate the effect of advancement BSSO on the perimandibular muscles. This systematic review reports in accordance with the recommendations proposed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Electronic database searches were performed in the databases MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria were as follows: assessment of relapse after advancement BSSO; assessment of morphological and functional change of the muscles after advancement BSSO; and clinical studies on human subjects. Exclusion criteria were as follows: surgery other than advancement BSSO; studies in which muscle activity/traction was not investigated; and case reports with a sample of five cases or fewer, review articles, meta‐analyses, letters, congress abstracts or commentaries. Of the initial 1006 unique articles, 11 studies were finally included. In four studies, an intervention involving the musculature was performed with subsequent assessment of skeletal relapse. The changes in the morphological and functional properties of the muscles after BSSO were studied in seven studies. The findings of this review demonstrate that the perimandibular musculature plays a role in skeletal relapse after advancement BSSO and may serve as a target for preventive strategies to reduce this complication. However, further research is necessary to (i) develop a better understanding of the role of each muscle group, (ii) to develop new therapeutic strategies and (iii) to define criteria that allow identification of patients at risk.
Dealing with multiple principals in at arm's length organizations: A qualitative study of Dutch municipally owned corporations
Authors: Voorn Bart , van Genugten Marieke
Published: May 2021

While we have increasing knowledge of causes and effects of municipal corporatization, we know relatively little about governance of municipally owned corporations (MOCs). The literature has pointed to various governance problems that can occur when MOCs are owned by multiple municipalities. We conduct six case studies into Dutch jointly owned MOCs to understand governance problems that occur in these MOCs and coordination mechanisms used to overcome these problems. We find various governance problems, including free‐riding and duplication in governance and lobbying of MOCs. We also find coordination mechanisms in place that help bridge differences in interests between municipalities, wherein local civil services play a particularly large role. The result is a level of consensus and stewardship in MOCs, regardless of context. However, this is undermined by interventions of municipal councils of individual municipal owners in private‐law MOCs, and the conflict of interest of the municipal executive board as both principal and agent in public‐law MOCs.
Do organizational differences matter for the use of social media by public organizations? A computational analysis of the way the German police use Twitter for external communication
Authors: Jungblut Marc , Jungblut Jens
Published: May 2021

Using a neo‐institutional framework, this study investigates how German police use Twitter for their communication. This is relevant, because the police increasingly use social media to bypass the media's gatekeeping function and attain increased agency in communication activities. However, little is known about their different communication strategies and their impact on user engagement. The analysis is based on an automated content analysis of all tweets (N = 137,771) sent out by the German police in 2019. It identifies different patterns regarding the usage of Twitter between police entities on different levels of governance and in differing types of environments and examines how these patterns translate into different levels of user engagement. We find that German police entities differ in their use of Twitter and that environmental and organizational aspects can explain these differences. Moreover, different patterns of social media usage also lead to differing levels of user engagement.
Cephalic biomechanics underpins the evolutionary success of trilobites
Authors: Esteve Jorge , Marcé‐Nogué Jordi , Pérez‐Peris Francesc , Rayfield Emily
Published: May 2021

Arthropods (i.e. insects, spiders, crustaceans, myriapods and others), are the most successful Phanerozoic animals. The group is characterized by the possession of a segmented body, jointed limbs and a hard cuticle that is episodically moulted. One highly successful but now extinct group of arthropods is the trilobites. Trilobites underwent episodic moulting (ecdysis), and most trilobites possess facial sutures, lines of weakness in the cephalon, via which the exuviae is shed and the animal emerges. However, zones of weakness appear to represent a structural trade‐off or constraint, particularly during burrowing; sacrificing a consolidated head region useful in burrowing for the ability to moult. Here we reconcile this trade‐off by using biomechanical modelling to demonstrate that facial sutures exist in regions of low stress during the application of burrowing loads. Furthermore, facial sutures and the structure of the cephalon enable sutured trilobites to withstand greater stresses than their non‐suture counterparts. We suggest that this ability to withstand greater burrowing loads enabled trilobites to successfully invade bioturbated and more consolidated sediments of the Cambrian Sediment Revolution, thus facilitating their diversification in the Cambrian and Ordovician and contributing to the evolutionary success of this iconic arthropod group.
OsPHR2modulates phosphate starvation‐inducedOsMYC2signalling and resistance toXanthomonas oryzaepv.oryzae
Authors: Kong Yaze , Wang Gang , Chen Xian , Li Linying , Zhang Xueying , Chen Sangtian , He Yuqing , Hong Gaojie
Published: May 2021

Phosphate (Pi) and MYC2‐mediated jasmonate (JA) pathway play critical roles in plant growth and development. In particular, crosstalk between JA and Pi starvation signalling has been reported to mediate insect herbivory resistance in dicot plants. However, its roles and mechanism in monocot‐bacterial defense systems remain obscure. Here, we report that Pi starvation in rice activates the OsMYC2 signalling and enhances resistance toXanthomonas oryzaepv.oryzae(Xoo) infection. The direct regulation of OsPHR2 on theOsMYC2promoter was confirmed by yeast one‐hybrid, electrophoretic mobility shift, dual‐luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Molecular analyses and infection studies usingOsPHR2‐Ov1andphr2mutants further demonstrated that OsPHR2 enhances antibacterial resistance via transcriptional regulation ofOsMYC2expression, indicating a positive role of OsPHR2‐OsMYC2crosstalk in modulating the OsMYC2 signalling andXooinfection. Genetic analysis and infection assays usingmyc2mutants revealed that Pi starvation‐induced OsMYC2 signalling activation and consequentXooresistance depends on the regulation ofOsMYC2. Together, these results reveal a clear interlink between Pi starvation‐ and OsMYC2‐ signalling in monocot plants, and provide new insight into how plants balance growth and defence by integrating nutrient deficiency and phytohormone signalling.

We highlighted a molecular link connecting OsMYC2‐mediated JA pathway and phosphate starvation signalling in monocot plant. We demonstrated that phosphate starvation promoted OsMYC2 signalling to enhance rice defence to bacterial blight via transcriptional regulation of OsPHR2 onOsMYC2.
Compliance with North Dakota’s smoke‐free law among vape and tobacco specialty shops
Authors: Buettner‐Schmidt Kelly , Miller Donald , Orr Megan , Rykal Katelyn , Swanson Kathleen , Berry Missy
Published: May 2021

Objective

To determine compliance with North Dakota's smoke‐free law in vape shops and other tobacco specialty shops selling electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or e‐liquids.

Design

In this 2019 descriptive study, shops (n = 35) were assessed for compliance with the smoke‐free law by observation of indoor and outdoor areas for smoking or vaping, or evidence of such activity in prohibited areas, and the presence of required no‐smoking signs.

Results

Only two shops (5.7%) were fully compliant with the smoke‐free law. Full compliance for indoor and outdoor environments was 8.5% and 42.8%, respectively. Vaping occurred inside five shops (14.3%), and smoking occurred outdoors within required smoke‐free areas in two (5.7%) shops. Four (11.4%) and 17 (48.6%) shops complied with indoor and outdoor signage requirements, respectively.

Conclusions

Overall compliance remained low, although much of the noncompliance was related to signage. Use or evidence of ENDS use occurred both indoors and outdoors where prohibited by law. Classifying ENDS as tobacco products would require tobacco licensure of shops selling ENDS and e‐liquids, aiding in identification of the shops for education and enforcement efforts to ensure compliance with the law and to improve public health protection.
Behavior in the use of face masks in the context of COVID‐19
Authors: Kellerer Jan D. , Rohringer Matthias , Deufert Daniela
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Investigation of potential erroneous behavior in the general public's use of face masks during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Design

We conducted a naturalistic observational study in the period from April to June 2020.

Sample

In two western Austrian provinces, a total of 2080 persons were observed in front of 24 grocery stores.

Measurement

The frequencies and types of erroneous behavior in the use of face masks were collected using a standardized observation form.

Results

A total of 2080 persons were observed. Almost one‐third of all observations (n = 648; 31.2%) showed erroneous behavior before positioning the face masks. Another 935 (45.0%) persons touched the face mask front during the adjustment via mouth and nose, 501 (24.1%) persons touched the face mask front in the period after the adjustment. A total of 116 (5.6%) persons showed erroneous behavior in each sequence of the observation unit. Overall, almost half of all people observed showed at least one erroneous behavior within the observation period.

Conclusions

The behavior of the general public in handling face masks is highly error‐prone. Decision makers must increasingly provide accompanying information and educational measures in order to encourage the population at risk to use face masks correctly.
Morphological, physiological and biochemical changes in Magnolia zenii Cheng seed during development
Authors: Wang Shan , Shen Yongbao , Bao Huapeng
Published: May 2021

An understanding of the seed dynamics of endangered plant species, such as Magnolia zenii Cheng, is important for successful conservation. This study examined the morphological, physiological and biochemical changes that occur in M. zenii Cheng during seed development to determine the appropriate harvest stage. The appearance of the seeds was influenced by the physiological and biochemical changes occurring during the developmental period, during which the colour of the fruits changed from green to red, while that of the seed changed from light brown to dark brown. There was a significant decrease in the seed moisture content from 90 to 120 days after flowering (DAF); however, there was no significant change from 135 to 165 DAF. The seeds from 135 DAF onwards showed developed cotyledonary embryos. The seed viability exceeded 95% from 135 DAF onwards; however, the germination percentage was 0, hypothesising that the seeds of M. zenii Cheng might exhibit physiological dormancy under certain conditions of this experiment. There was a significant increase in the fat, soluble sugar and soluble starch content of the seeds while approaching maturity. There were significant changes in malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G‐6‐PDH), 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6‐PGDH) and β‐amylase activities in the seeds during the developmental period. At 135–165 DAF, the MDH activity remained stable, whereas that of 6‐PGDH reached its maximum, indicating that the seeds underwent vigorous metabolism. The findings of this study provide a theoretical basis for researching seed dormancy and seed harvest time.
The Effect of Health and Economic Costs on Governments’ Policy Responses to COVID‐19 Crisis under Incomplete Information
Authors: Bel Germà , Gasulla Óscar , Mazaira‐Font Ferran A.
Published: May 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has become an unprecedented health, economic, and social crisis. The present study has built a theoretical model and used it to develop an empirical strategy, analyzing the drivers of policy‐response agility during the outbreak. Our empirical results show that national policy responses were delayed, both by government expectations of the healthcare system capacity and by expectations that any hard measures used to manage the crisis would entail severe economic costs. With decision‐making based on incomplete information, the agility of national policy responses increased as knowledge increased and uncertainty decreased in relation to the epidemic's evolution and the policy responses of other countries.
Learning from Local Government Research Partnerships in a Fragmented Political Setting
Authors: Mullin Megan
Published: May 2021

Research partnerships between scholars and local governments offer promise to advance scholarly understanding of local public administration and to improve the lives of people living and working in local communities. Yet political fragmentation complicates the prospect of broader learning from these partnerships and creates the risk that research partnerships will amplify disparities in local government performance. If scholars and practitioners are attentive to these risks, they can design research to facilitate learning across local government settings. Lessons from policy diffusion, program evaluation, and team science inform a set of recommendations for the conduct of local government research partnerships and the distribution of results.
How Asymptomatic Transmission Influences Mitigation and Suppression Strategies during a Pandemic
Authors: Biggs Adam T. , Littlejohn Lanny F.
Published: May 2021

Asymptomatic transmission complicates any public health strategies to combat a pandemic, which proved especially accurate in the case of COVID‐19. Although asymptomatic cases are not unique to COVID‐19, the high asymptomatic case rate raised many problems for developing effective public health interventions. The current modeling effort explored how asymptomatic transmission might impact pandemic responses in four key areas: isolation procedures, changes in reproduction rate, the potential for reduced transmission from asymptomatic cases, and social adherence to public health measures. A high rate of asymptomatic cases effectively requires large‐scale public health suppression and mitigation procedures given that quarantine procedures alone could not prevent an outbreak for a virus such as SARS‐CoV‐2. This problem only becomes worse without lowering the effective reproduction rate, and even assuming the potential for reduced transmission, any virus with a high degree of asymptomatic transmission will likely produce a pandemic. Finally, there is a concern that asymptomatic individuals will also refuse to adhere to public health guidance. Analyses indicate that, given certain assumptions, even half of the population adhering to public health guidance could reduce the peak and flatten the curve by over 90%. Taken together, these analyses highlight the importance of taking asymptomatic cases into account when modeling viral spread and developing public health intervention strategies.
Hemodialysis catheter malpositioned into the mediastinum: Lessons from two cases
Authors: Kang Seok Hui , Kim A Young , Do Jun Young
Published: May 2021

Hemodialysis catheter (HDC) using a tunneled cuffed catheter (TCC) is a viable option for acute hemodialysis. Vessel injury during catheter insertion can lead to malpositioning of the HDC into the mediastinum. We herewith present two malpositioned HDCs in various clinical settings. For the first case, the HDC was inserted without fluoroscopic guidance, but in the second case, the HDC was inserted under fluoroscopic guidance. Our first case involved HDC insertion via the right internal jugular vein (IJV), and the second case involved HDC insertion via the left IJV. We clinically suspected HDC malposition because of poor aspiration, despite good infusion via the two lumens. Chest radiography, computed tomography, and venography showed various abnormal positions of the HDC. Our case report provides additional information about malpositioned or malfunctioning HDCs in various clinical settings.
Drug dosing considerations in continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Jang Soo Min , Awdishu Linda
Published: May 2021

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in critically ill patients, which is associated with increased in‐hospital mortality. Delivering effective antibiotics to treat patients with sepsis receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (RRT) is complicated by variability in pharmacokinetics, dialysis delivery, lack of primary literature, and therapeutic drug monitoring. Pharmacokinetic alterations include changes in absorption, distribution, protein binding (PB), metabolism, and renal elimination. Drug absorption may be significantly changed due to alterations in gastric pH, perfusion, gastrointestinal motility, and intestinal atrophy. Volume of distribution for hydrophilic drugs may be increased due to volume overload. Estimation of renal clearance is challenged by the effective delivery of RRT. Drug characteristics such as PB, volume of distribution, and molecular weight impact removal of the drug by RRT. The totality of these alterations leads to reduced exposure. Despite our best knowledge, therapeutic drug monitoring of patients receiving continuous RRT demonstrates wide variability in antimicrobial concentrations, highlighting the need for expanded monitoring of all drugs. This review article will focus on changes in drug pharmacokinetics in AKI and dosing considerations to attain antibiotic pharmacodynamic targets in critically ill patients receiving continuous RRT.
Vascular access, membranes and circuit for CRRT
Authors: Juncos Luis A. , Chandrashekar Kiran , Karakala Nithin , Baldwin Ian
Published: May 2021

The advances in the technology for providing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) have led to an increase in its utilization throughout the world. However, circuit life continues to be a major problem. It leads not only to decreased delivery of dialysis but also causes blood loss, waste of disposables, alters dose delivery of medications and nutrition, and increases nurse workload, all of which increases healthcare cost. Premature circuit failure can be caused by numerous factors that can be difficult to dissect out. The first component is the vascular access; without a well‐placed, functioning access, delivery of CRRT becomes very difficult. This is usually accomplished by placing a short‐term dialysis catheter into either the right internal jugular or femoral vein. The tips should be located at the caval atrial junction or inferior vena cava. In addition to establishing suitable vascular access, a comprehensive understanding of the circuit facilitates the development of a methodical approach in providing efficient CRRT characterized by optimal circuit life. Moreover, it aids in determining the cause of circuit failure in patients experiencing recurrent episodes. This review therefore summarizes the essential points that guide providers in establishing optimal vascular access. We then provide an overview of the main components of the CRRT circuit including the blood and fluid pumps, the hemofilter, and pressure sensors, which will assist in identifying the key mechanisms contributing to premature failure of the CRRT circuit.
The structural roots of food insecurity: How racism is a fundamental cause of food insecurity
Authors: Bowen Sarah , Elliott Sinikka , Hardison‐Moody Annie
Published: May 2021

Rates of food insecurity skyrocketed during the COVID‐19 pandemic, doubling overall and tripling among households with children. Even before the pandemic, the rate of food insecurity in the United States was “unusually high” compared to other rich democracies, and rates have not improved substantially over the last 25 years. What explains the lack of progress in addressing food insecurity? This article maps out an overview of the experiences, causes, and consequences of food insecurity in the United States. We demonstrate that racism is a fundamental cause of food insecurity, both because racism contributes to racial disparities in income and wealth, and because racism is linked to food insecurity independent of poverty and socioeconomic status. For example, people of color are more likely to experience racial discrimination, which is associated with food insecurity, and to live in states where stricter regulations and harsher punishments are tied to social assistance programs, including food assistance programs. Because racism is a fundamental cause of food insecurity, eliminating it requires going beyond “just” eliminating poverty. Instead, the fundamental cause must be tackled directly: racism itself, which is built into the structure of American society and entrenched in its institutions.
Fugitive coproduction: Conceptualising informal community practices in Scotland's hospitals
Authors: Stewart Ellen
Published: May 2021

Within public administration, coproduction is a ubiquitous policy discourse, and increasingly an analytic lens through which public relationships with public services are viewed. This article reports an interpretive qualitative study of community practices around three changing hospitals in the Scottish NHS, comprising semi‐structured qualitative interviews with citizens, NHS staff, politicians and journalists, as well as non‐participant observation of community and NHS events. Initially focused on community opposition to top‐down hospital change, the study identified a surprising range of supportive community actions for their local hospitals, including volunteering, fundraising and innovative co‐delivered service models. Building on these examples, the paper presents a model of ‘fugitive coproduction,’ where individuals and groups within communities collaborate with local staff in ways which significantly shape the provision of local services, without permission or authorisation from relevant authorities, and in modes that are centrally concerned with immediate perceived need not strategic change. I argue that these forms of public action can make valuable contributions to public services, and that they hold lessons for the wider reform of public administration.
Identification and management of fetal anaemia: a practical guide
Authors: Castleman James , Gurney Leo , Kilby Mark , Morris R Katie
Published: May 2021

Key content

Fetal anaemia can be caused by alloimmune or infectious red cell destruction, disorders of fetal red cell production, fetal haemorrhage and as a complication of monochorionic multifetal pregnancy.

A fetus at risk from maternal alloimmunisation can be detected by maternal serum screening for red cell antibodies and by fetal ultrasonography.

Undiagnosed cases may present in routine obstetric practice, so awareness of the identification and initial management of fetal anaemia is important.

Pregnancies must be triaged depending on clinical urgency, with input from fetal medicine specialists required.

Developments in fetal ultrasound assessment and in fetal therapy have improved outcomes and contemporary research will focus on improving long term outcomes for neonatal survivors.

Learning objectives

To understand the varied aetiologies and pathophysiology of fetal anaemia and to adopt a system for reaching a diagnosis.

To appreciate the different diagnostic tools available, comprising ultrasonography, microbiological testing, noninvasive and invasive tests in fetal medicine units and electronic fetal monitoring in the acute setting.

Ethical issues

Management involves balancing maternal and fetal risks.

Research ethics should be considered in relation to experimental treatments and trials in fetal therapy.
Design Engineering in the Age of Industry 4.0
Authors: Jiao Roger , Commuri Sesh , Panchal Jitesh , Milisavljevic-Syed Jelena , Allen Janet K. , Mistree Farrokh , Schaefer Dirk
Published: May 2021

Industry 4.0 is based on the digitization of manufacturing industries and has raised the prospect for substantial improvements in productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction. This digital transformation not only affects the way products are manufactured but also creates new opportunities for the design of products, processes, services, and systems. Unlike traditional design practices based on system-centric concepts, design for these new opportunities requires a holistic view of the human (stakeholder), artefact (product), and process (realization) dimensions of the design problem. In this paper we envision a “human-cyber-physical view of the systems realization ecosystem,” termed “Design Engineering 4.0 (DE4.0),” to reconceptualize how cyber and physical technologies can be seamlessly integrated to identify and fulfil customer needs and garner the benefits of Industry 4.0. In this paper, we review the evolution of Engineering Design in response to advances in several strategic areas including smart and connected products, end-to-end digital integration, customization and personalization, data-driven design, digital twins and intelligent design automation, extended supply chains and agile collaboration networks, open innovation, co-creation and crowdsourcing, product servitization and anything-as-a-service, and platformization for the sharing economy. We postulate that DE 4.0 will account for drivers such as Internet of Things, Internet of People, Internet of Services, and Internet of Commerce to deliver on the promise of Industry 4.0 effectively and efficiently. Further, we identify key issues to be addressed in DE 4.0 and engage the design research community on the challenges that the future holds.
Carpal Arch Changes in Response to Thenar Muscle Loading
Authors: Zhang Hui , Loss Jeremy , Li Zong-Ming
Published: May 2021

This study investigated the biomechanical effects of thenar muscles (abductor pollicis brevis (APB), superficial head of flexor pollicis brevis (sFPB), opponens pollicis (OPP)) on the transverse carpal ligament formed carpal arch under force application by individual or combined muscles (APB, sFPB, OPP, APB-sFPB, sFPB-OPP, APB-OPP, and APB-sFPB-OPP). In ten cadaveric hands, thenar muscles were loaded under 15% of their respective maximal force capacity, and ultrasound images of the cross section of the distal carpal tunnel were collected for morphometric analyses of the carpal arch. The carpal arch height and area were significantly dependent on the loading condition (p < 0.01), muscle combination (p < 0.05), and their interaction (p < 0.01). The changes to arch height and area were significantly dependent on the muscle combinations (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The arch height and area increased under the loading combinations of APB, OPP, APB-sFPB, APB-OPP, or APB-sFPB-OPP (p < 0.05), but not under the combinations of sFPB (p = 0.893) or sFPB-OPP (p = 0.338). The carpal arch change under the APB-sFPB-OPP or APB-OPP loading was greater than that under the loading of APB-sFPB (p < 0.001). This study demonstrated that thenar muscle forces exert biomechanical effects on the transverse carpal ligament to increase carpal arch height and area, and these increases were different for individual muscles and their combinations.
Reviews of acoustical patents
Authors: Fulop Sean A.
Published: May 2021

The purpose of these acoustical patent reviews is to provide enough information for a Journal reader to decide whether to seek more information from the patent itself. Any opinions expressed here are those of the reviewers as individuals and are not legal opinions. Patents are available via the internet at the USPTO website.
Pump-probe localization technique of varying solid contacts
Authors: Terzi M. , Chehami L. , Farin M. , Moulin E. , Aleshin V. , Smagin N. , de Rosny J. , Benmeddour F.
Published: May 2021

A baseline-free defect localization method in thin plates is proposed and tested. In this proof-of-concept work, a steel ball pressed against an aluminum plate is used to mimic a surface contact defect. The technique takes benefit of a repetitive nonlinear pump-probe interaction with a backpropagation imaging algorithm. High-frequency probe waves are periodically emitted by a piezoelectric patch transducer glued to the plate. Propagated flexural waves are recorded using a distributed array of transducers. At the same time, a continuous low-frequency pump vibration provided by a shaker fixed to the plate modulates the contact state. By combining multiple probe signals, the contact can be successfully localized. Contrast of the localization images is finally improved by a factor of 3 to 5 by implementing a modified version based on synchronous detection of the imaging algorithm.
COVID-19–related anosmia is associated with viral persistence and inflammation in human olfactory epithelium and brain infection in hamsters
Authors: de Melo Guilherme Dias , Lazarini Françoise , Levallois Sylvain , Hautefort Charlotte , Michel Vincent , Larrous Florence , Verillaud Benjamin , Aparicio Caroline , Wagner Sebastien , Gheusi Gilles , Kergoat Lauriane , Kornobis Etienne , Donati Flora , Cokelaer Thomas , Hervochon Rémi , Madec Yoann , Roze Emmanuel , Salmon Dominique , Bourhy Hervé , Lecuit Marc , Lledo Pierre-Marie
Published: May 2021

SARS-CoV-2 infects the olfactory epithelium of hamsters and humans and persists in it in individuals with COVID-19 for several months after infection.
Staphylococcus saprophyticus Causing Infections in Humans Is Associated with High Resistance to Heavy Metals
Authors: Lawal Opeyemi U. , Fraqueza Maria J. , Worning Peder , Bouchami Ons , Bartels Mette D. , Goncalves Luisa , Paixão Paulo , Goncalves Elsa , Toscano Cristina , Empel Joanna , Urbaś Malgorzata , Domínguez Maria A. , Westh Henrik , de Lencastre Hermínia , Miragaia Maria
Published: May 2021

Staphylococcus saprophyticus
is a common pathogen of the urinary tract, a heavy metal-rich environment, but information regarding its heavy metal resistance is unknown. We investigated 422
S. saprophyticus
isolates from human infection and colonization/contamination, animals, and environmental sources for resistance to copper, zinc, arsenic, and cadmium using the agar dilution method.
SARS Wars: the Fomites Strike Back
Authors: Goldman Emanuel
Published: May 2021

Controversy continues about the significance of fomite transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Recent papers continue to advocate concern.
On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Manure Reduces the Abundance of Antibiotic Resistance-Associated Gene Targets and the Potential for Plasmid Transfer
Authors: Tran Tam T. , Scott Andrew , Tien Yuan-Ching , Murray Roger , Boerlin Patrick , Pearl David L. , Liu Kira , Robertson James , Nash John H. E. , Topp Edward
Published: May 2021

Using livestock manure for fertilization can entrain antibiotic-resistant bacteria into soil. Manure on some dairy farms is anaerobically digested before being land applied.
Particulate Metabolites and Transcripts Reflect Diel Oscillations of Microbial Activity in the Surface Ocean
Authors: Boysen Angela K. , Carlson Laura T. , Durham Bryndan P. , Groussman Ryan D. , Aylward Frank O. , Ribalet François , Heal Katherine R. , White Angelicque E. , DeLong Edward F. , Armbrust E. Virginia , Ingalls Anitra E.
Published: May 2021

Fueled by light, phytoplankton produce the organic matter that supports ocean ecosystems and carbon sequestration. Ocean change impacts microbial metabolism with repercussions for biogeochemical cycling.