bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychological impacts of transition to distance learning due to COVID‐19 on nursing students
Authors: Rayan Ahmad
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to assess the psychological impacts of the abrupt transition to distance learning due to COVID‐19 and associated factors among Jordanian nursing students. A cross‐sectional online survey with a sample of 224 nursing students in three universities was carried out. The survey measured students' depression, anxiety, stress, post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), academic self‐efficacy, and demographic and distance learning‐related data. Students have moderate levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD were significantly associated with various demographic, disease‐related, and distance learning‐related variables. Further work is required to prepare professional psychological help for nursing students and develop future teaching plans that take into consideration factors underlying students' negative symptoms.
Informal workers and Kenya’s National Hospital Insurance Fund: Identifying barriers to voluntary participation
Authors: Indimuli Raphael , Torm Nina , Mitullah Winnie , Riisgaard Lone , Kamau Anne W.
Published: March 2023

This article investigates the barriers to informal workers’ voluntary participation in Kenya’s national health insurance scheme – the National Hospital Insurance Fund. Based on primary data from both qualitative and quantitative methods, we find that the key determinants of enrolment include social factors, such as marital status, which create demand for insurance, and the role of informal workers’ associations that promote the voluntary uptake of health insurance and prevent default through contribution support. Participation barriers and reasons for inactiveness stem from the nature of informal work characterized by irregular earnings, which combine with apprehension about having to pay penalty charges for the late payment of premiums, inadequate levels of knowledge about health insurance schemes, institutional constraints such as complex registration procedures, as well as premium costs and poor‐quality services, all of which discourage enrolment or the reactivation of lapsed membership. There is thus a need for health insurance schemes, such as Kenya’s National Hospital Insurance Fund, to educate informal workers on insurance services and protocols and to improve services to encourage uptake and reduce default behaviour.
Opting for Opt‐outs? National Identities and Support for a Differentiated EU
Authors: Moland Martin
Published: March 2023

An extensive literature investigates individual support for European integration. However, support for differentiated integration has only recently become an important topic of study for public opinion scholars. Previous literature on this issue has not probed how differentiated integration is shaped by exclusively national identities and whether the effect varies by how differentiation has been framed. Using survey data from 2020 to 2021, I show that exclusively national citizens are most likely to support differentiated integration that allows for greater national autonomy and may oppose differentiation whose primary goal is to facilitate further integration. However, I find no clear link between elite framing of differentiated integration and popular support for it. This raises important questions both about what kind of differentiated integration will enjoy public legitimacy and how cues shape support for European Union (EU) differentiation.
Editorial: Unsettling ‘settled’ science – the importance of questioning received wisdom about the causes of mental health and neuro‐developmental conditions
Authors: Jaffee Sara
Published: March 2023

The papers included in this year's Annual Research Review represent a heterogenous mix of concerns, zooming out, in some cases, to summarize the state of the science for a particular condition or developmental process and zooming in, in other cases, to identify effects of specific (and timely) risk factors for child and adolescent mental health. These papers highlight where the field has made significant strides in advancing our understanding of etiology or mechanisms of change or stability and they highlight how much is left to learn about the causes of psychopathology and the conditions under which developmental trajectories are maintained or disrupted.
Phylogenomics of novel ploeotid taxa contribute to the backbone of the euglenid tree
Authors: Lax Gordon , Cho Anna , Keeling Patrick J.
Published: March 2023

Euglenids are a diverse group of flagellates that inhabit most environments and exhibit many different nutritional modes. The most prominent euglenids are phototrophs, but phagotrophs constitute the majority of phylogenetic diversity of euglenids. They are pivotal to our understanding of euglenid evolution, yet we are only starting to understand relationships amongst phagotrophs, with the backbone of the tree being most elusive. Ploeotids make up most of this backbone diversity—yet despite their morphological similarities, SSU rDNA analyses and multigene analyses show that they are non‐monophyletic. As more ploeotid diversity is sampled, known taxa have coalesced into some subgroups (e.g. Alistosa), but the relationships amongst these are not always supported and some taxa remain unsampled for multigene phylogenetics. Here, we used light microscopy and single‐cell transcriptomics to characterize five ploeotid euglenids and place them into a multigene phylogenetic framework. Our analyses place Decastava in Alistosa; while Hemiolia branches with Liburna, establishing the novel clade Karavia. We describe Hemiolia limna, a freshwater‐dwelling species in an otherwise marine clade. Intriguingly, two undescribed ploeotids are found to occupy pivotal positions in the tree: Chelandium granulatum nov. gen. nov. sp. branches as sister to Olkasia, and Gaulosia striata nov. gen. nov. sp. remains an orphan taxon.
Autumn outmigrants in brown trout (Salmo trutta) are not a demographic dead‐end
Authors: Wynne Robert , Kaufmann Joshka , Coughlan Jamie , Phillips Karl. P. , Waters Catherine , Finlay Ross W. , Rogan Ger , Poole Russell , McGinnity Philip , Reed Thomas E.
Published: March 2023

Genetic identity analysis and PIT (passive integrated transponder) tagging were used to examine the freshwater return rates and phenotypic characteristics of n = 1791 downstream migrating juvenile Salmo trutta in the Burrishoole catchment (northwest Ireland) across the period September 2017 to December 2020. In this system, juveniles out‐migrate (move from freshwater into brackish or marine habitats) in every month of the year, with distinct seasonal peaks in spring (March through June; mostly silvered smolts) and autumn (September through December; mostly younger, unsilvered fry or parr). Both types exhibited a sex‐bias towards females, which was stronger in spring (78% females) than in autumn outmigrants (67%). Sixty‐nine returning fish were matched back to previous juvenile outmigrants, and similar return rates were found for spring outmigrants (5.0%), autumn outmigrants (3.3%) and fish that out‐migrated outside of spring or autumn (2.8%). Spring and autumn outmigrants returned at similar dates (typically mid to late July), but autumn fish were away for longer periods (median = 612 days; spring outmigrants = 104 days). Autumn outmigrants were 25% smaller than spring outmigrants at outmigration and 6% smaller on their return, and within both groups smaller/younger outmigrants spent longer away than larger/older outmigrants. Autumn outmigrants were more likely to return unsilvered as “slob” trout (84%) than spring outmigrants (31%), suggesting they make greater use of brackish habitats that might be safer, but less productive, than fully marine habitats. Nonetheless, both types also produced silvered “sea trout” (≥1+ sea‐age), implying neither is locked into a single life‐history strategy. The findings emphasise that autumn outmigrants and the transitional habitats that support their persistence should not be overlooked in salmonid management and conservation.
Association of low occlusal force as an oral hypofunction with the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in Japanese adults
Authors: Okuyama Yusuke , Matsui Daisuke , Ozaki Etsuko , Watanabe Yoshiyuki
Published: March 2023

Background and Aim

We investigated whether oral‐dental conditions may be associated with the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in a cross‐sectional study in Japan.

Methods

Information on lifestyle and abdominal symptoms was collected, and oral‐dental examinations were performed from 2013 to 2017. To investigate the association between oral‐dental conditions and IBS, this study used logistic regression analyses adjusted for relevant confounding factors, such as age, sex, BMI, stress, and eating between meals.

Results

The prevalence of IBS was 484 (13.4%) among 3626 participants. The mean maximum occlusal force in the IBS group was significantly lower than that in the non‐IBS group (0.306 ± 0.192 kN vs. 0.329 ± 0.205 kN, P = 0.014). The maximum occlusal force of the constipation‐type IBS was significantly lower than that of other types of IBS without constipation type (0.269 ± 0.164 kN vs. 0.317 ± 0.198 kN, P = 0.010). Compared with those who had high values of maximum occlusal force (≧0.265 kN), those with a low value of maximum occlusal force (<0.265 kN) had a significantly greater risk for IBS (OR, 1.426; 95% CI, 1.135–1.792; P = 0.002), by multivariate analyses, across different categories of oral‐dental condition in women, not in men. Women who had lowest third occlusal force (<0.206 kN) had approximately 35% significantly greater odds of having IBS compared with those who had highest third occlusal force (≧0.386 kN).

Conclusions

Results suggest that a reduction in the maximum occlusal force increases the risk of IBS in Japanese women.
Clinical outcomes in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients: a systematic review of prospective studies
Authors: Van Hecke Jonathan , Wauters Lucas , Veereman Gigi
Published: March 2023

Background and Aim

We studied response and remission rates in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease whose real‐world data were collected prospectively.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Improve Care Now registry from inception until March 17, 2022. Inclusion criteria were prospective studies with patients < 18 years at diagnosis (M0) and minimum follow‐up of 1 year (M12) mentioning disease phenotype and disease activity. Exclusion criteria were (i) reporting disease activity only at diagnosis, (ii) retrospective studies, and (iii) outcome limited to steroid‐free remission. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses Protocols guidelines and the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale were applied. Proportions between groups were compared using a chi‐square test (α = 0.05).

Results

The search yielded 394 records and 7 inclusions with a sample size ranging from 33 to 390 patients (total population: 888) and a median follow‐up of 1–5 years. Proportions of disease activity differed between M0 and M12 (P < 0.0001) with more inactive (χ2 = 5.5) and less moderate‐to‐severe disease (χ2 = 23) at M12. Interestingly, disease activity after 1 year did not differ globally (P = 0.53). Proportions of disease activity in Crohn's disease only and limited to Belgium significantly differed from baseline after 5 years (P < 0.0001 for evolution) but not between 1‐ and 5‐year follow‐up (P = 0.94).

Conclusions

The few available prospective cohorts reported a significant decrease in disease activity after 1 year, with no global differences. Proportions of disease activity did not differ between 1‐ and 5‐year follow‐up in the Belgian Crohn's disease cohort, suggesting stable disease activity.
Iron, ferroptosis, and ischemic stroke
Authors: Guo Jun , Tuo Qing‐zhang , Lei Peng
Published: March 2023

Over 30 million people suffer from the consequences of ischemic stroke. The precise molecular mechanism of neuronal damage during ischemic stroke remains unclear; therefore, the effective treatment of post‐ischemic stroke remains a critical challenge. Recently, iron has emerged as a crucial factor in post‐reperfusion injuries, participating in cell peroxidation, excitotoxicity, and a distinctive cell death pathway, namely, ferroptosis. Since iron is tightly regulated in the brain and important for brain functions, the imbalance of its metabolism, including its overload and deficiency, has been shown to impact ischemic stroke outcomes. This review summarizes the current understanding of pathological events associated with iron in ischemic stroke and discusses relevant drug development.

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Automated immunohistochemical quantification of hypoxia biomarkers shows correlation with dysplastic epithelial changes
Authors: Kujan Omar , Siddiqui Ismail , Lee Christopher , Idrees Majdy , Shearston Kate , Farah Camile S.
Published: March 2023

Background

Dysregulation of the hypoxia‐aerobic system has been postulated in various malignancies. Nonetheless, the contribution of hypoxia to oral carcinogenesis is yet to be elucidated. Understanding this mechanism is important for improving diagnostic tools and targeted therapies. This study aimed to assess the dysregulation of hypoxia‐related factors during different stages of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) development.

Methods

Ninety‐two patients diagnosed clinically with oral leukoplakia or OSCC were included and classified according to their histopathological diagnoses. A panel of seven hypoxia‐related antibodies were used for immunohistochemical staining of each case. Automated quantification of immunostaining was used for objective reporting. Microvessel density was also assessed.

Results

Significant associations were reported for non‐dysplastic epithelial changes and malignancy for Glut1, HIF‐1α, vascular endothelial growth factor, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(p < 0.005). Similarly, microvessel density significantly increased with the severity of epithelial disorders. A multiple regression model including the H‐score of HIF‐1α and microvessel density could statistically significantly predict the grade of epithelial disorder (p < 0.005). The associated diagnostic accuracy of this approach was 88%.

Conclusions

Hypoxia‐associated events are observed during early epithelial dysplastic changes and have a potential role in oral carcinogenesis. The level of hypoxia may assist in stratifying the severity of epithelial changes among patients with oral leukoplakia.
Examining Bullying Victimization, Bullying Perpetration, and Positive Childhood Experiences
Authors: Crouch Elizabeth , Figas Kristen , Radcliff Elizabeth , Hunt Ethan T.
Published: March 2023

Background

The National Academy of Sciences has recognized bullying as a serious public health issue, with the outcomes of bullying immediate and long‐term. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between 7 selected positive childhood experiences, such as having a mentor, and bullying victimization, and bullying perpetration.

Methods

We used cross sectional data from the 2019‐2020 National Survey of Children's Health, children ages 6 to 17 (n = 43,999). Bivariate analyses were used, with p < .05 deemed significant. To examine the association between experiences and bullying victimization or perpetration, multivariable regression models were used.

Results

Children who experienced any of the following positive childhood experiences had a lower odds of perpetration of bullying victimization: resilient family; safe neighborhood; supportive neighborhood; or connected caregiver. The following covariates had a lower odds of perpetrating bullying, across all models: race other than white, female sex, age of 13 or older, primary language not English, and a guardian education of a high school diploma or less.

Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity

Schools can play a formative role in promoting positive childhood experiences identified herein.

Conclusions

Findings from this study may be beneficial for educators, policy makers, and child advocacy stakeholders as they design and implement school or community‐based youth development programs.
β‐1,4‐Cellobiohydrolase is involved in full expression of phcA, contributing to the feedback loop in quorum sensing of Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum strain OE1‐1
Authors: Senuma Wakana , Tsuzuki Masayuki , Takemura Chika , Terazawa Yuki , Inoue Kanako , Kiba Akinori , Ohnishi Kouhei , Kai Kenji , Hikichi Yasufumi
Published: March 2023

After infecting roots of tomato plants, the gram‐negative bacterium Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum strain OE1‐1 activates quorum sensing (QS) to induce production of plant cell wall‐degrading enzymes, such as β‐1,4‐endoglucanase (Egl) and β‐1,4‐cellobiohydrolase (CbhA), via the LysR family transcriptional regulator PhcA and then invades xylem vessels to exhibit virulence. The phcA‐deletion mutant (ΔphcA) exhibits neither the ability to infect xylem vessels nor virulence. Compared with strain OE1‐1, the egl‐deletion mutant (Δegl) exhibits lower cellulose degradation activity, lower infectivity in xylem vessels, and reduced virulence. In this study, we analysed functions of CbhA other than cell wall degradation activity that are involved in the virulence of strain OE1‐1. The cbhA‐deletion mutant (ΔcbhA) lacked the ability to infect xylem vessels and displayed loss of virulence, similar to ΔphcA, but exhibited less reduced cellulose degradation activity compared with Δegl. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the phcA expression levels in ΔcbhA were significantly lower than in OE1‐1, with significantly altered expression of more than 50% of PhcA‐regulated genes. Deletion of cbhA led to a significant change in QS‐dependent phenotypes, similar to the effects of phcA deletion. Complementation of ΔcbhA with native cbhA or transformation of this mutant with phcA controlled by a constitutive promoter recovered its QS‐dependent phenotypes. The expression level of phcA in ΔcbhA‐inoculated tomato plants was significantly lower than in strain OE1‐1‐inoculated plants. Our results collectively suggest that CbhA is involved in the full expression of phcA, thereby contributing to the QS feedback loop and virulence of strain OE1‐1.
Reversible Malignant Cerebral Edema Following Cranioplasty
Authors: Klavansky Dana , Roa Jorge A. , Liang John , Kellner Christopher , Tsetsou Spyridoula
Published: March 2023

A 44‐year‐old female underwent cranioplasty 6 months after a malignant right MCA stroke. Three hours later, she became unresponsive, with new left‐gaze deviation and right‐side hemiparesis. CT head showed new right MCA hypodensity and diffuse edema. After aggressive medical management, she returned to baseline. A brain MRI showed no stroke. Malignant cerebral edema after uneventful cranioplasty is a rare and often fatal complication related to sudden intracranial negative pressure and altered cerebral autoregulation. This is a rare case in which a patient developed malignant cerebral edema and status epilepticus after cranioplasty and survived.
Effective root responses to salinity stress include maintained cell expansion and carbon allocation
Authors: Li Hongfei , Duijts Kilian , Pasini Carlo , van Santen Joyce E. , Lamers Jasper , de Zeeuw Thijs , Verstappen Francel , Wang Nan , Zeeman Samuel C. , Santelia Diana , Zhang Yanxia , Testerink Christa
Published: March 2023

Acclimation of root growth is vital for plants to survive salt stress. Halophytes are great examples of plants that thrive even under severe salinity, but their salt tolerance mechanisms, especially those mediated by root responses, are still largely unknown.

We compared root growth responses of the halophyteSchrenkiella parvulawith its glycophytic relative speciesArabidopsis thalianaunder salt stress and performed transcriptomic analysis ofS. parvularoots to identify possible gene regulatory networks underlying their physiological responses.

Schrenkiella parvularoots do not avoid salt and experience less growth inhibition under salt stress. Salt‐induced abscisic acid levels were higher inS. parvularoots compared with Arabidopsis. Root transcriptomic analysis ofS. parvularevealed the induction of sugar transporters and genes regulating cell expansion and suberization under salt stress.14C‐labeled carbon partitioning analyses showed thatS. parvulacontinued allocating carbon to roots from shoots under salt stress while carbon barely allocated to Arabidopsis roots. Further physiological investigation revealed thatS. parvularoots maintained root cell expansion and enhanced suberization under severe salt stress.

In summary, roots ofS. parvuladeploy multiple physiological and developmental adjustments under salt stress to maintain growth, providing new avenues to improve salt tolerance of plants using root‐specific strategies.
Browning, nutrient inputs, and fast vertical mixing from simulated extreme rainfall and wind stress alter estuarine phytoplankton productivity
Authors: Helbling E. Walter , Banaszak Anastazia T. , Valiñas Macarena S. , Vizzo Juan I. , Villafañe Virginia E. , Cabrerizo Marco J.
Published: March 2023

Browning and nutrient inputs from extreme rainfall, together with increased vertical mixing due to strong winds, are more frequent in coastal ecosystems; however, their interactive effects on phytoplankton are poorly understood. We conducted experiments to quantify how browning, together with different mixing speeds (fluctuating radiation), and a nutrient pulse alter primary productivity and photosynthetic efficiency in estuarine phytoplankton communities.

Phytoplankton communities (grazers excluded) were exposed simultaneously to these drivers, and key photosynthetic targets were quantified: oxygen production, electron transport rates (ETRs), and carbon fixation immediately following collection and after a 2‐d acclimation/adaptation period.

Increasing mixing speeds in a turbid water column (e.g. browning) significantly decreased ETRs and carbon fixation in the short term. Acclimation/adaptation to this condition for 2 d resulted in an increase in nanoplanktonic diatoms and a community that was photosynthetically more efficient; however, this did not revert the decreasing trend in carbon fixation with increased mixing speed.

The observed interactive effects (resulting from extreme rainfall and strong winds) may have profound implications in the trophodynamics of highly productive system such as the Southwest Atlantic Ocean due to changes in the size structure of the community and reduced productivity.
‘Study of the maxillary yaw on cone beam computed tomography: A preliminary report and comparison between two different dento‐skeletal malocclusions’
Authors: Vernucci R. A. , Da Mommio L. , Vellone V. , De Stefano A. , Barbato E. , Di Giorgio R. , Galluccio G.
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To assess the skeletal and dental maxillary transverse compensation (yaw) on the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) three‐dimensional reconstructed image of the skull in two groups of patients, both clinically affected by a class III malocclusion with deviation of the lower midline.

Materials and Methods

An observational retrospective study was designed to analyse differences in two groups of patients, the first one was composed by patients affected by horizontal condylar hyperplasia, the second one by patients affected by dento‐skeletal asymmetric class III malocclusion. Each group was composed by 15 patients. Transverse analysis was performed by measuring five landmarks (three bilateral and two uneven) with respect to a mid‐sagittal plane; sagittal analysis was performed by measuring the sagittal distance on the mid‐sagittal plane between bilateral points. Means were compared through inferential analysis.

Results

In the condylar hyperplasia group, all differences between the two sides were not statistically significant, nor for canines' difference (P = .0817), for molars (P = .1105) or for jugular points (.05871). In the class III group, the differences between the two sides were statistically significant for molars (P = .0019) and jugular points (P = .0031) but not for canines (P = .1158). Comparing the two groups, significant differences were found only for incisors' midline deviation (P = .0343) and canine (P = .0177).

Conclusion

The study of the yaw on CBCT should be integrated into three‐dimensional cephalometry and could help in differentiating the various malocclusion patterns.
What's Wrong with Prepunishment?
Authors: Kaiserman Alex
Published: March 2023

Punishing someone for a crime before they have committed it is widely considered morally abhorrent. But there is little agreement on what exactly is supposed to be wrong with it. In this paper, I critically evaluate several objections to the permissibility of prepunishment, making points along the way about the connections between time, knowledge, desert, deterrence and duty. I conclude that, although the conditions under which it could permissibly be administered are unlikely ever to arise in practice, nevertheless in principle, nothing is wrong with prepunishment after all.
Partial efficacy of early and temporary roguing to manage woodiness disease in pilot crops of passion fruit
Authors: Rezende Jorge Alberto Marques , Favara Gabriel Madoglio , de Oliveira Felipe Franco , Leite Décio , Bello Vinicius Henrique , Quagliato André Luiz , de Arruda Vieira Gustavo Ferraz , Paterniani Ricardo Stipp
Published: March 2023

The potyvirus cowpea aphid‐borne mosaic virus (CABMV) found in Brazil causes passion fruit woodiness, a difficult‐to‐control disease that limits the yield of the fruit crop. The present study assessed the effectiveness of systematic roguing of diseased plants as an alternative disease management strategy in three pilot passion fruit orchards. Passion fruit plants were grown on trellises and visually inspected for symptoms once or twice a week to identify and remove CABMV‐infected plants. Systematic roguing of infected plants was initiated immediately after the detection of the first symptomatic plants after transplantation of seedlings to the fields and continued until approximately 20% of the plants were rogued. This effectively delayed infection in the young plants, as 80% remained healthy from 181 to 285 days after transplanting. At this stage of development, plants are more tolerant to virus infection. However, once roguing was interrupted, 100% of the remaining plants became infected within 64 to 126 days. In fields without roguing, the incidence of infected plants ranged from 65% to 100% at 90 days after transplanting. Although this study confirms the difficulty in managing the disease, the results also substantiate the systematic removal of diseased plants to effectively delay CABMV spread, thereby improving subsequent plant development and yield. To delay the spread of the virus, growers in passion fruit‐producing regions are advised to inspect plants at least once a week after transplanting seedlings to the field and eradicating diseased plants during the first 5 months after transplantation.
Motivation, injury prevention, and the incidence of sports injuries: A three‐wave longitudinal test of self‐determination theory
Authors: Chiu Roni Man Ying , Zhang Lei , Teng Jun , Ip Patrick , Lai Agnes Yuen Kwan , Chan Derwin King Chung
Published: March 2023

This study applied self‐determination theory (SDT) as a psychological framework to examine whether psychological need support and autonomous motivation are predictive of sports injury preventive behaviors and the incidence of sports injuries. 2042 secondary school students (mean age = 14.33, male = 44.3%) from China completed a survey of the study variables (using established scales) at three time points (baseline, 1‐month follow‐up, 3‐month follow‐up). Structural equation modeling examined the core tenets of SDT by testing if the change‐scores of the SDT variables (i.e., psychological need support from PE teachers, students' motivation, and students' behavioral adherence) between baseline and 1‐month follow‐up, were predictive of sports injury incidence assessed at 3‐month follow‐up. Our model demonstrated acceptable goodness‐of‐fit parameters (CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.03, and SRMR = 0.05). The relationships between psychological need support, autonomous motivation, and behavioral adherence were both positive and significant. These SDT variables predicted the future incidence of sports injuries following the motivational pathways of SDT. Our study provides evidence of the predictive power of SDT variables on sports injury preventive behaviors and the incidence of sports injuries: Students who perceive their PE teachers as psychological need supportive possess higher autonomous motivation and behavioral adherence towards sports injury prevention, and are also less likely to encounter sports injuries in the future.
Identification of a new HLA‐DRB1 allele, HLA‐DRB1*04:361
Authors: Lorca‐Arce Daniel , Marti‐Morente Daniel , Arnaldos‐Perez Cristina , Bolaños Jennifer , Serra‐Pages Carles
Published: March 2023

A novel HLA‐DRB1*04 allele, officially designated HLA‐DRB1*04:361, was identified by next‐generation sequencing.
Identification of six novel HLA alleles, HLA‐A*31:208, ‐B*08:306, ‐C*03:582, ‐C*04:494, ‐C*18:18 and ‐DRB1*07:133
Authors: Balas Antonio , Planelles Dolores , Rodríguez‐Cebria Manuel , Moreno‐Hidalgo Miguel‐Ángel , Vicario José L.
Published: March 2023

Characterization of six novel HLA alleles by next‐generation sequencing.
Patterns of nodal metastases, biological behaviour and prognosis of canine mast cell tumours of the pinna: A multi‐institutional retrospective study
Authors: Chalfon Carmit , Finotello Riccardo , Sabattini Silvia , Gramer Irina , Morris Joanna Siriol , Aralla Marina , Morello Emanuela Maria , Ferraris Erica , Ramos Sofia , Polton Gerry , Schiavo Luca , Dobson Jane , Cola Veronica , Marconato Laura
Published: March 2023

Canine cutaneous mast cell tumours (cMCTs) of the pinna have been associated with an aggressive biological behaviour, although data remain scarce. The knowledge acquired over the past years on histologic gradings, and the value of lymph node (LN) staging, may help in better characterizing this anatomical presentation. The first aim was to describe the frequency, location, and histologic appearance of LN metastases in cMCT of the pinna. A second aim was to evaluate prognosis. Medical records of dogs with cMCT of the pinna, that underwent tumour and sentinel (SLN) or regional LN (RLN) excision, were reviewed. The influence of potential prognostic variables on time to progression (TTP) and tumour‐specific survival (TSS) was investigated. Thirty‐nine dogs were included: 19 (48.7%) had Kiupel high‐grade (K‐HG) and 20 (51.3%) had low‐grade (K‐LG) MCTs. Eighteen (46.1%) dogs underwent SLN mapping: the superficial cervical LN was at least one of SLN in 17 (94.4%) cases. Twenty‐two (56.4%) dogs had LN metastases; the superficial cervical LN was always involved. On multivariable analysis, only K‐HG was associated with increased risk of progression (p = .043) and tumour‐related death (p = .021). Median TTP and TSS were 270 and 370 days in K‐HG, respectively; these were not reached in dogs with K‐LG tumours (p < .01). cMCTs of the pinna are often K‐HG and are also associated with a higher frequency of LN metastasis; however, we confirmed the independent prognostic value of histologic grading. A multimodal treatment may lead to favourable long‐term outcome. Moreover, the superficial cervical LN is most often the SLN.
Genomic and clinical case characterisation of Staphylococcus haemolyticus isolated from dogs and cats in the United States, including strains with high‐level mupirocin tolerance
Authors: Citron Lindsey E. , Cain Christine L. , Dietrich Jaclyn , Cole Stephen D.
Published: March 2023

Background

Staphylococcus haemolyticus is a coagulase‐negative commensal organism of both people and companion animals. It has pathogenic potential and when cultured is often meticillin‐ and multidrug‐resistant.

Objectives

To characterise the clinical features of dogs and cats with clinical skin disease that had positive S. haemolyticus skin cultures, and to employ whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) to identify resistance genes and characterise the genetic relatedness of strains.

Materials and Methods

Isolates were identified by the institutional clinical microbiology laboratory by routine aerobic culture and susceptibility from seven veterinary hospitals across the United States. Then, WGS and analysis of each isolate were performed and clinical data collected via a retrospective clinician questionnaire.

Results

S. haemolyticus was identified from superficial (seven of 12) and deep (five of 12) cutaneous infections in our study. Most animals had received antimicrobials (10 of 12) and/or immunomodulatory drugs (nine of 12) within the six months before culture. WGS analysis revealed a variety of genetic lineages and a wide array of antimicrobial resistance genes. Meticillin resistance was identified in nine of 12 isolates and four of 12 isolates demonstrated mupirocin tolerance.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Staphylococcus haemolyticus may be an under‐recognised pathogen in companion animals, and its demonstrated potential for multidrug‐resistance, meticillin‐resistance, and high‐level mupirocin tolerance may create a therapeutic challenge. Further studies should evaluate the prior antimicrobial use and immunocompromised status as risk factors for infection with S. haemolyticus.
Digital polymerase chain reaction to monitor platelet transfusions in cardiac surgery patients
Authors: Ali Khaldoun , Müller Thomas H. , Garritsen Henk S. P. , Harringer Wolfgang , Doescher Andrea
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives

Corrected count increment (CCI) measurements monitor the effectiveness of platelet transfusions in haemato‐oncology, but they usually fail in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We investigated whether polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of mitochondrial single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is able to monitor the survival of transfused platelets in these patients.

Materials and Methods

Leukocyte‐free, platelet‐rich plasma was prepared from patients' blood to measure platelet counts based on patient‐/donor‐specific SNPs by digital PCR after DNA extraction. Platelet counts in samples from patients with severe thrombocytopenia were analysed by both PCR and flow cytometry. Ten patients undergoing cardiac surgery with the use of heart lung machine and without overt bleeding received a single apheresis platelet concentrate because of either dual platelet inhibition during a non‐elective intervention or a complex procedure. Blood samples were collected at nine defined intervals (0–120 h) post transfusion.

Results

The digital PCR of the seven SNPs reliably quantified levels ≥0.6 G/L platelets, in good agreement with flow cytometry and without interference by other SNPs or by platelet activation. A mean 24‐h CCI of 11.8 (range: 5.6–19.8) and a mean 120‐h area under the curve (AUC) of 1386 (915–1821) hxG/L were observed for the transfused platelets. The mean AUC of 14,103 (3415–27,305) hxG/L for the patients' endogenous platelets indicates that transfused platelets represented only 11% (5–25) of the total platelet counts during 120 h post transfusion.

Conclusion

PCR of mitochondrial SNPs offers a tool to assess the survival of platelets from apheresis concentrates in cardiac surgery patients to facilitate the implementation of improved transfusion strategies.
DSLK and Kg: Antithetical antigens in the RHAG blood group system, and characterization of anti‐DSLK antibody
Authors: Miyazaki Toru , Isa Kazumi , Kurita Ryo , Ohashi Wataru , Tone Yuichi , Ogasawara Kenichi , Miyata Shigeki , Satake Masahiro
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives

The RHAG blood group system contains five antigens: Duclos (RHAG001), Ola (RHAG002), DSLK (RHAG003), Kg (RHAG005) and SHER (RHAG006). Individuals who are DSLK‐negative and Kg‐positive have the same allele RHAG*01.–3, with a single‐nucleotide variation (rs144305805), c.490A>C (p.Lys164Gln), in exon 3 of the RHAG gene. We aimed to confirm whether DSLK and Kg are antithetical antigens.

Materials and Methods

Blood samples of the original DSLK‐negative proband with anti‐DSLK, her son and another DSLK‐negative individual were examined. The RHAG gene was analysed by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. Immunocomplex capture fluorescence assays (ICFAs) and monocyte phagocytosis assays were performed to characterize the anti‐DSLK antibody. Cross‐testing of alloanti‐DSLK and monoclonal anti‐Kg (OSK46) was performed using transduced HEK293 cells by inducing the construct of expression vectors encoding wild‐type RHAG*01 or the variant RHAG*01.–3.

Results

ICFA using monoclonal anti‐RHAG (LA18.18) revealed that the anti‐DSLK and anti‐Kg antibodies reacted with the wild‐type and variant RhAG (Rh‐associated glycoprotein), respectively. The proband and a DSLK‐negative individual appeared to be homozygous for variant RHAG*01.–3, and the proband's son was typed as RHAG*01/RHAG*01.–3 heterozygote. HEK293 cells with wild‐type RhAG reacted with the anti‐DSLK but not anti‐Kg antibody, whereas HEK293 cells expressing the variant RhAG reacted with the anti‐Kg but not anti‐DSLK antibody. Monocyte phagocytosis assays indicated that 64% of red cells sensitized with anti‐DSLK were phagocytosed by monocytes.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that DSLK and Kg are antithetical antigens in the RHAG blood group system. Anti‐DSLK may be a clinically significant antibody.
Victor Percy Snaith, 1944–2021
Authors: Jardine J. F.
Published: March 2023

Victor Snaith was born in Colchester, Essex, on 15 March 1944 and passed away in Bristol on 3 July 2021 at the age of 77. He completed his PhD at the University of Warwick in 1969 under the supervision of Luke Hodgkin. He held faculty positions in Canada, at the University of Western Ontario (1976–88) and McMaster University (1988–98), and became a leading figure in the Canadian mathematical research community during that time. He was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1984, and held the first Britton Professorship at McMaster University. He returned to the United Kingdom in 1998, to professorships at the University of Southampton (1998–2004) and the University of Sheffield (2004–2009) from where he retired in 2009. He was an active member of the Heilbronn Institute from 2006 until the time of his passing. Snaith made significant research contributions in various areas, including the Snaith splitting theorem in stable homotopy theory, the introduction of the Bott periodic form of algebraic K‐theory, and the explicit Brauer induction theorem with its applications in algebraic number theory. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, son Dan, and daughters Anna and Nina.
Unipotent nearby cycles and the cohomology of shtukas
Authors: Salmon Andrew
Published: March 2023

We give cases in which nearby cycles commute with pushforward from sheaves on the moduli stack of shtukas to a product of curves over a finite field. The proof systematically uses the property that taking nearby cycles of Satake sheaves on the Beilinson–Drinfeld Grassmannian with parahoric reduction is a central functor together with a ‘Zorro's lemma’ argument similar to that of Xue [Smoothness of cohomology sheaves of stacks of shtukas, Preprint (2020), arXiv:2012.12833]. As an application, for automorphic forms at the parahoric level, we characterize the image of tame inertia under the Langlands correspondence in terms of two-sided cells.
Application of co-design in residential aged care: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Zhang Angela R.Y. , Attrill Stacie , Eliott Jaklin , Ankeny Rachel A. , Moynihan Paula
Published: March 2023

Objective:

The objective of this review is to identify the extent and nature of the existing literature on co-design with residents residing in aged care facilities.

Introduction:

Involving older people in their own care is a key challenge facing the aged care sector. Co-design is an approach that focuses on involving end users in the design of services. Mapping the evidence on co-design in residential aged care will identify the nature and extent of how older people living in residential care have been engaged in the design and delivery of their care.

Inclusion criteria:

This scoping review will include peer-reviewed primary studies; systematic and scoping reviews; and gray literature, including abstracts and reports of governments and non-governmental organizations. Older people residing in aged care homes, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and/or living with dementia, who are involved in the co-design, co-creation, participation, involvement, and engagement in their care will be considered for inclusion.

Methods:

This review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The databases to be searched will include AgeLine, Cochrane, CINAHL, Embase, Emcare, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Scopus, Informit Health Collection, and Web of Science. Gray literature searches will include, GreyMatters, BASE, Google Advanced, and World Wide Science. The search will be limited to articles published after December 31, 1999, and to those written in English or with an English-language abstract or summary. Screening and data extraction will occur independently in duplicate. The review outcomes will be presented in tabular format and supported by a narrative summary.

Review registration:

Open Science Framework https://osf.io/6ukty
Wave Action Analysis of Multiple Bottom Fixed Semi-Circular Breakwaters in the Presence of a Floating Dock
Authors: Venkateswarlu V. , Sanjeeva Rayudu E. , Dhanunjaya E. , Vijay K. G.
Published: March 2023

The comprehensive usage of an array of natural or artificial semi-circular breakwaters (SCBs) as supporting structures to secure the floating/fixed structures are received increasingly more consideration in recent years. The performance characteristics of bottom-fixed SCB in the presence of a floating dock are investigated under the framework of linear wave theory. The edge conditions such as continuity of velocity and pressure along the SCB and zero-flow condition near rigid surfaces are adopted. The multi-domain boundary element method (MBEM) is used to examine the wave attenuation performance of the whole breakwater system in two dimensions. The correctness of the present study's numerical results is confirmed by performing the comparative study with the readily available experimental and analytical results reported by various researchers. The reflection, transmission, energy loss coefficients, and fluid force experienced by floating dock are examined as a function of incident wave properties and breakwater physical properties. The Bragg resonant reflection and performance comparison with other shapes are also studied. The study results strongly suggest that the damage of floating structures and leeward locales due to incident wave stroke is minimized with the introduction of porosity for SCB located on the seabed by dissipating the wave energy. A pair of bottom-fixed SCBs having 10–20% breakwater porosity placed far away from the dock is identified as the optimal choice to reduce the fluid force experienced by the dock and wave transmission coefficient.
Investigation of Performance Augmentation Due to Geometric Modification of Vortex Generators Placed in Fin-and-Tube Heat Exchangers
Authors: Arora Amit , Subbarao P. M. V.
Published: March 2023

Compact sizing of fin-and-tube heat exchangers is quite possible by integrating longitudinal vortex generators with the baseline fins. As geometry of the vortex generators is an important design parameter, the thrust of this three-dimensional numerical investigation is to identify the most favorable geometry of winglet type generators, if it exists. For that purpose, a thermo-hydraulic assessment of all the geometric designs, without any bias in the selection of potential contenders, is obligatory. Although past studies have reported the effect of winglet geometry on the performance augmentation, the selected designs were either biased or too less to draw conclusions. Each winglet design may be identified based on the geometric aspect ratio of the generators, which is varied over a wide range (0.5–1.5) in this study. Multiple favorable positions are considered, for installing the winglets around the tubes, before arriving at the favorable geometric design(s). Although highest thermal augmentation is delivered by the generators bearing smallest aspect ratio, linearized highest thermo-hydraulic augmentation is achieved when the ratio equals 0.85 irrespective of the generators’ position. After ascertaining the promising designs, their applicability is examined over a range of Reynolds number which spans from 2122 to 6367. Later part of the study discusses the change in the thermal and flow characteristics of the heat exchanger, due to variations in the winglet geometry. A study of the flow structures makes it evident that the spread of the longitudinal vortices widens, with eventual dissipation, in the flow direction, which has a discernible effect on the heat flux distribution over the fin surface. The study pertaining to the local changes suggests that the surfaces of both fins as well as the tubes undergo heat transfer augmentations, and the degree of augmentation grows with the decreasing aspect ratio of the vortex generators.
Physical Activity and Mental Health of Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxia , Kern Zackary G. , Yun Joonkoo
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to examine physical activity (PA) levels and mental health status (i.e., anxiety and depression) among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2018 National Health Interview Survey. We identified 139 parents of children with ASD and 4,470 parents of children with no disability. Their PA levels, anxiety, and depression were analyzed. Compared with parents of children with no disability, parents of children with ASD were significantly less likely to meet the PA guideline for Americans and had lower odds of vigorous PA (aOR = 0.702), strengthening PA (aOR = 0.885), and light to moderate PA (aOR = 0.994). Parents of children with ASD reported significantly higher odds of anxiety (aOR = 1.559) and depression (aOR = 1.885). This study revealed lower PA levels and higher risks of anxiety and depression in parents of children with ASD.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Granulicatella
sp. Strain S8, Isolated from a Marine Fish, Seriola quinqueradiata
Authors: Lee Myunglip , Farooq Adeel , Jeong Joon Bum , Jung Man-Young
Published: March 2023

In this study,
Granulicatella
sp. strain S8 was isolated from the gut of a marine fish,
Seriola quinqueradiata
, and the draft genome was sequenced. Various genes responsible for pathogenesis, metabolite biosynthesis, defense, and lactic acid production were predicted. The genome sequence of this facultative anaerobe provides insights into its distinctive features.
A Genome-Scale Atlas Reveals Complex Interplay of Transcription and Translation in an Archaeon
Authors: Lorenzetti Alan P. R. , Kusebauch Ulrike , Zaramela Lívia S. , Wu Wei-Ju , de Almeida João P. P. , Turkarslan Serdar , L. G. de Lomana Adrián , Gomes-Filho José V. , Vêncio Ricardo Z. N. , Moritz Robert L. , Koide Tie , Baliga Nitin S.
Published: March 2023

While the transcriptional regulation landscape of archaea has been extensively investigated, we currently have limited knowledge about post-transcriptional regulation and its driving mechanisms in this domain of life. In this study, we collected and integrated omics data from multiple sources and technologies to infer post-transcriptionally regulated genes and the putative mechanisms modulating their expression at the protein level in
Halobacterium salinarum
NRC-1.