bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Awareness and use of psychosocial care among cancer patients and their relatives—a comparison of people with and without a migration background in Germany
Authors: Singer Susanne , Riccetti Nicola , Hempler Isabelle , Fried Marius , Knorrenschild Jorge Riera , Kalie Louma , Merbach Martin , Reiser Marcel , Mosthaf Franz , Heidt Vitali , Hermes-Moll Kerstin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

We examined how migration background is associated with awareness and usage of psycho-oncology services.

Methods

Oncologists in community-based practices and outpatient clinics asked their patients and their relatives to complete a questionnaire. Migrants were purposely over-sampled. The questionnaire was provided in Arabic, English, Farsi, French, German, Hindi, Kurdish, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

Results

From 9 collaborators, 177 participants were enrolled (130 with and 47 without migration background). The existence of outpatient cancer counselling centres was known to 38% of the participants without and 32% with migration background, self-help groups to 32 vs. 12%, and psychotherapy to 43 vs. 25%. Respondents from the Near and Middle East were less likely to know about psychotherapy (odds ratio (OR) 0.1, p = 0.01); those from the Commonwealth of the Independent States or former Yugoslavia were less often informed about self-help groups (OR 0.1, p = 0.06). Migrants retrieved information less frequently from the internet than non-migrants (10 vs. 25%). At least one service had been used by 27% of migrants and 42% of non-migrants (OR 0.5, p = 0.06). After adjusting for gender, age, education, and patient-relative status, there was no evidence for an association between migration background and service use.

Conclusions

Migrants should be better informed about psychotherapy and self-help groups, in particular the ones coming from the Near or Middle East and the Commonwealth of the Independent States or former Yugoslavia.

The under-use of psychosocial services can largely be explained by confounding factors. Therefore, these factors must always be taken into account when analysing the use of psychosocial services in the aforementioned populations.
Characterization of tongue worms, Linguatula spp. (Pentastomida) in Romania, with the first record of an unknown adult Linguatula from roe deer (Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus)
Authors: Barton Diane P. , Gherman Calin Mircea , Zhu Xiaocheng , Shamsi Shokoofeh
Published: June 2022

Specimens of the pentastomid parasite, Linguatula serrata, have been reported from several animals in Romania, including some domestic dogs translocated to other parts of Europe. In this study, gray wolves (Canis lupus, n = 80), golden jackals (C. aureus, n = 115), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes, n = 236), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus, n = 1) were examined for pentastomes. Overall, 17.5% of wolves were found to be infected with specimens of Linguatula, with a range of infections of one to five individuals per animal. Golden jackals and foxes had much lower infection levels, with 1.73% of golden jackals and 1.69% of foxes infected; both host species were found to be infected with one or two individual pentastomes per animal. The single deer specimen was infected with three individual pentastomes. The pentastomes collected from the wolves and golden jackals were determined to be immature and mature adult specimens of L. serrata based on morphological examination and molecular analysis using the 18S rRNA gene. No pentastomes collected from the red foxes were available for identification. The pentastomes collected from the roe deer were expected to be L. arctica but determined to be mature adult male specimens of an unknown Linguatula, herein, referred to as Linguatula sp. based on its morphology; the results of molecular sequencing for the Linguatula specimen collected from the deer were inconclusive, preventing a final species identification. This study presents the first report of L. serrata in any hosts from Romania through both morphological and molecular characterization, and also presents the first report of a Linguatula sp. in Ca. capreolus, utilizing morphological characterization. Issues of morphological variability are discussed, including the presence of spines in the hook pit of specimens of Linguatula. This study highlights the need to examine all specimens of Linguatula to confirm the stage of development. Despite the inconclusive molecular result for some specimens, the authors still urge future researchers to incorporate a combined molecular and morphological approach in identifying specimens of Linguatula.
Reduced-order multiscale modeling of plastic deformations in 3D alloys with spatially varying porosity by deflated clustering analysis
Authors: Deng Shiguang , Soderhjelm Carl , Apelian Diran , Bostanabad Ramin
Published: June 2022

Aluminum alloys are increasingly utilized as lightweight materials in the automobile industry due to their superior capability in withstanding high mechanical loads. A significant challenge impeding the large-scale use of these alloys in high-performance applications is the presence of manufacturing-induced, spatially varying porosity defects. In order to understand the impacts of these defects on the macro-mechanical properties of cast alloys, multiscale simulations are often required. In this paper, we introduce a computationally efficient reduced-order multiscale framework to simulate the behavior of metallic components containing process-induced porosity under irreversible nonlinear deformations. In our approach, we start with a data compression scheme that significantly reduces the number of unknown macroscale and microscale variables by agglomerating close-by finite element nodes into a limited number of clusters. Then, we use deflation methods to project these variables into a lower-dimensional space where the material’s elastoplastic behaviors are approximated. Finally, we solve for the unknown variables and map them back to the original, high-dimensional space. We call our method deflated clustering analysis and by comparing it to direct numerical simulations we demonstrate that it accurately captures macroscale deformations and microscopic effective responses. To illustrate the effect of microscale pores on the macroscopic response of a cast component, we conduct multi-scale simulations with spatially varying local heterogeneities that are modeled with a microstructure characterization and reconstruction algorithm.
Counting the social, psychological, and economic costs of COVID-19 for cancer patients
Authors: Kirby Ann , Drummond Frances J. , Lawlor Amy , Murphy Aileen
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Cancer patients were particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic given their reliance on the healthcare system, and their weakened immune systems. This systematic review examines the social, psychological, and economic impacts of COVID-19 on cancer patients.

Methods

The systematic search, conducted in March 2021, captures the experience of COVID-19 Wave I, when the most severe restrictions were in place globally, from a patient perspective.

Results

The search yielded 56 studies reporting on the economic, social, and psychological impacts of COVID-19. The economic burden associated with cancer for patients during the pandemic included direct and indirect costs with both objective (i.e. financial burden) and subjective elements (financial distress). The pandemic exasperated existing psychological strain and associated adverse outcomes including worry and fear (of COVID-19 and cancer prognosis); distress, anxiety, and depression; social isolation and loneliness. National and institutional public health guidelines to reduce COVID-19 transmission resulted in suspended cancer screening programmes, delayed diagnoses, postponed or deferred treatments, and altered treatment. These altered patients’ decision making and health-seeking behaviours.

Conclusion

COVID-19 compounded the economic, social, and psychological impacts of cancer on patients owing to health system adjustments and reduction in economic activity. Identification of the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients from a psychological, social, and economic perspective following the pandemic can inform the design of timely and appropriate interventions and supports, to deal with the backlog in cancer care and enhance recovery.
Technical nuances and approach-related morbidity of anterolateral and posterolateral lumbar corpectomy approaches—a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Wipplinger Christoph , Lener Sara , Orban Christoph , Wipplinger Tamara M. , Abramovic Anto , Lang Anna , Hartmann Sebastian , Thomé Claudius
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Approaches for lumbar corpectomies can be roughly categorized into anterolateral (AL) and posterolateral (PL) approaches. It remains controversial to date whether one approach is superior to the other, and no comparative studies exist for the two approaches for lumbar corpectomies.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed through a MEDLINE/PubMed search. Studies and case reports describing technique plus outcomes and possible complications were included. Thereafter, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of operation (LOO), utilized implants, neurological outcomes, complication rates, and reoperation rates were analyzed.

Results

A total of 64 articles reporting on 702 patients including 513 AL and 189 PL corpectomies were included in this paper. All patients in the PL group were instrumented via the same approach used for corpectomy, while in the AL group the majority (68.3%) of authors described the use of an additional approach for instrumentation. The EBL was higher in the AL group (1393 ± 1341 ml vs. 982 ± 567 ml). The LOO also was higher in the AL group (317 ± 178 min vs. 258 ± 93 min). The complication rate (20.5% vs. 29.1%, p = 0.048) and the revision rate (3.1% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.004) were higher in the PL group. Neurological improvement rates were 43.8% (AL) vs. 39.2% (PL), and deterioration was only noted in the AL group (6.0%), while 50.2% (AL) and 60.8% (PL) showed no change from initial presentation to the last follow-up.

Conclusion

While neurological outcomes of both approaches are comparable, the results of the present review demonstrated lower complication and revision rates in anterolateral corpectomies. Nevertheless, individual patient characteristics must be considered in decision-making.
Willingness to provide informal care to older adults in Germany: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: de Jong Lea , Schmidt Torben , Stahmeyer Jona Theodor , Eberhard Sveja , Zeidler Jan , Damm Kathrin
Published: June 2022

As the German population is continually aging and the majority of older adults still wish to ‘age in place’, the need for informal care provided by family and friends will correspondingly continue to increase. In addition, while the need for formal (professional) care services is also likely to increase, the supply already does not meet the demand in Germany today. The aim of our study is the elicitation of people’s willingness to provide informal care by means of a discrete choice experiment. The self-complete postal survey was disseminated to a random sample of the German general population in Lower Saxony. Data cleansing resulted in a final sample size of 280 participants. A conditional logit and a latent class model were estimated. All attributes were judged as highly relevant by the respondents. The results revealed that an increase in the care hours per day had the greatest negative impact overall on the willingness to provide informal care in our sample. The marginal willingness-to-accept for 1 h of informal care was €14.54 when having to provide informal care for 8 h in reference to 2 h per day. This value is considerably higher than the national minimum wage of €9.82. A three-class latent class model revealed preference heterogeneity. While a monetary compensation is often discussed to increase the willingness and availability of informal care in a country, our results show that this statement could not be generalized within our entire sample.
Neckband loss and its effect on apparent survival estimates in Greylag Geese (Anser anser): variation with season, sex and age
Authors: Schreven Kees H. T. , Voslamber Berend
Published: June 2022

Mark-recapture studies enable us to estimate population parameters such as survival, if marks do not impact survival and if marks are not lost. Mark loss can result from external wear and damage, but also behavioural factors may be important and could explain differences between seasons or sexes. We studied Greylag Geese (Anser anser) in eastern Netherlands, ringed with neckbands, leg bands and metal rings (912 geese), observed weekly during 1997–2019 (131,625 observations). Given the double marking and high annual resighting probabilities (neckbands: 0.974, leg rings: 0.639), we quantified neckband loss and the effect of neckbands on apparent survival, using multistate mark-recapture models. Annual neckband loss was 0.038, was higher in males (0.056) than females (0.021) and increased with years since marking, up to 0.098 for males more than 8 years after marking. Neckband loss tended to be higher during December–May than June–November, with most losses occurring in March–April. Both the higher loss in males and the peak in spring in both sexes could result from intraspecific fighting (pulling each other’s neck and neckband). Survival was underestimated in Cormack-Jolly-Seber models that did not account for neckband loss, by up to 0.096 for adult males 6–7 years after marking. Thus, ignoring neckband loss may give erroneous survival differences between sexes and seasons, and overestimate the effect of ageing on survival (i.e. senescence). We did not detect an effect of neckbands on mortality, but statistical power for this test was limited. Neckband loss, although lower nowadays than in studies of decades ago, still impacts survival estimates and should be considered in mark-recapture studies.
Development and Validation of a Simple, Selective, and Accurate Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatographic Method with Diode Array Detection (RP-HPLC/DAD) for the Simultaneous Analysis of 18 Free Amino Acids in Topical Formulations
Authors: Kahsay Birhanu Nigusse , Moeller Lucie , Imming Peter , Neubert Reinhard H. H. , Gebre-Mariam Tsige
Published: June 2022

Even though there are reported methods for the quantification of free amino acids (FAAs) in biological products, no work has been done on the analysis of these substances in formulations. Moreover, further research is required as the reported methods do not fulfill analytical method requirements. The objective of this study was, therefore, to develop and validate a rapid, reliable, and appropriate RP-HPLC/DAD method for the simultaneous determination of 18 FAAs (l-Ala, l-Arg, l-Asn, l-Asp, l-Gln, l-Glu, l-Gly, l-His, l-Ile, l-Lue, l-Lys, l-Met, l-Orn, l-Phe, l-Pro, l-Ser, l-Thr, and l-Val) in topical formulations. After appropriate method development, the technique was validated for selectivity, linearity and range, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, and accuracy. The samples were derivatized with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (Fmoc-Cl). Chromatographic separation was performed on InfinityLab Poroshell 120 E.C 18 (3 × 50) mm, 2.7 μm column at 25 °C. The mobile phase consisting of water and acetonitrile adjusted to appropriate pH was pumped in gradient mode at a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min. Ten microliters were injected and analyte detection was conducted using a DAD. The results indicate that the method was selective for these FAAs. It was linear over the concentration range of 5–80 µM with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.995. Moreover, it was sensitive, precise, accurate, and robust. All the reported drawbacks of RP-HPLC-based analysis of FAAs were resolved, and hence, this new method can be considered appropriate for the analysis of these FAAs in topical formulations.
Slope erosion induced by surges of debris flow: insights from field experiments
Authors: Zhao Tao , Zhou Gordon G. D. , Sun Qicheng , Crosta Giovanni B. , Song Dongri
Published: June 2022

We conducted field observations and experiments to explore debris flow dynamics, sediment transportation and slope erosion at an active natural debris flow gully in the headwaters of Jiangjia Ravine (Dongchuan region, Southwest China). In this region, the hillslopes were heavily jointed, weathered and sparsely vegetated, providing continuous and rich sediment supplies for initiating debris flows. The debris flow propagated in the channel as a sequence of surges, with periodical changes of flow flux, velocity, water content, and viscosity as controlled mainly by the conditions of erodible sediments and water supplies from the upstream. The water content of bank sediments ranged from 5 to 8%, while it was 16 to 26% for debris surges in the channel. The particle size distribution of sediments on the alluvial fan followed the Weibull’s cumulative distribution and the mean size was in the range of 2 ~ 4 mm. The coarse particles were primarily elongated or prismoidal and aspect ratios followed well a normal distribution with the mean value of 0.4. The angular particles entrained in dense viscous debris flow surges could effectively abrade and groove the channel bed and banks, increasing the intensity of slope erosion. The incised slope had a sequence of terraced depositional layers on both banks. The layer thickness decreased as the erosion depth moved deeper into the stratum where hard bed soil/rock layers existed. The water-soil mixture of debris flow exhibited a clear shear-thinning behavior with its viscosity decreasing gradually with the increase of shear rate following the widely accepted power-law model. The dense viscous debris flow can facilitate the transportation of coarse gravels in channel and contribute to slope erosion.
GIRAE: a generalised approach for linking the total impact of invasion to species' range, abundance and per-unit effects
Authors: Latombe Guillaume , Catford Jane A. , Essl Franz , Lenzner Bernd , Richardson David M. , Wilson John R. U. , McGeoch Melodie A.
Published: June 2022

The total impact of an alien species was conceptualised as the product of its range size, local abundance and per-unit effect in a seminal paper by Parker et al. (Biol Invasions 1:3–19, 1999). However, a practical approach for estimating the three components has been lacking. Here, we generalise the impact formula and, through use of regression models, estimate the relationship between the three components of impact, an approach we term GIRAE (Generalised Impact = Range size × Abundance × per-unit Effect). We discuss how GIRAE can be applied to multiple types of impact, including environmental impacts, damage and management costs. We propose two methods for applying GIRAE. The species-specific method computes the relationship between impact, range size, abundance and per-unit effect for a given species across multiple invaded sites or regions of different sizes. The multi-species method combines data from multiple species across multiple sites or regions to calculate a per-unit effect for each species and is computed using a single regression model. The species-specific method is more accurate, but it requires a large amount of data for each species and assumes a constant per-unit effect for a species across the invaded area. The multi-species method is more easily applicable and data-parsimonious, but assumes the same relationship between impact, range size and abundance for all considered species. We illustrate these methods using data about money spent managing plant invasions in different biomes of South Africa. We found clear differences between species in terms of money spent per unit area invaded, with per-unit expenditure varying substantially between biomes for some species—insights that are useful for monitoring and evaluating management. GIRAE offers a versatile and practical method that can be applied to many different types of data to better understand and manage the impacts of biological invasions.
On the mechanism for the highly sensitive response of cellulose nanofiber hydrogels to the presence of ionic solutes
Authors: Arola Suvi , Kou Zhennan , Rooijakkers Bart J. M. , Velagapudi Rama , Sammalkorpi Maria , Linder Markus B.
Published: June 2022

Hydrogels formed by cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) find use in a variety of applications. CNF hydrogels generally stiffen and ultimately flocculate with increasing salt concentrations. While charge repulsion explains the behavior of nanocellulose variants that have been stabilized by charged groups, it has been a puzzle why ions have such a pronounced effect also on CNFs with unmodified surfaces. We studied the effect of ionic solutes on native CNF hydrogels, and found that already at very low concentrations of around 1 mM, ions cause crowding of the hydrogels. The ionic solutes used were NaCl, Na2SO4, NaI, NaSCN, and sodium acetate. For the hydrogels, we used low densities of CNFs which lead to relatively weak gels that were highly sensitive to salts. Screening of the electrical double layer could not explain the results at such low ion concentrations. To understand cellulose-ion interactions, we used computational molecular dynamics simulations. The results provide an explanation by the effect of ions on the structure of the hydration layers of the cellulose. Understanding how and why ions affect the properties of native CNF hydrogels can help in for example manufacture of CNFs and when using CNFs as material components, substrates for enzymes, or as rheology modifiers. Ion-effects on the hydration layer of cellulose may also be important for more fundamental understanding of interfacial interactions of cellulose with water under different conditions.

Graphical abstract
Welfare Effects of Changing Technological Efficency in Regulated Open-Access Fisheries
Authors: Quaas Martin , Skonhoft Anders
Published: June 2022

Small-scale fisheries often operate under conditions of regulated open access; that is, the fishery is subject to natural or regulatory constraints on fishing technology, including regulations of fishing gear and fishing practices, but typically there is no direct regulation of catches. We study how an increase in harvesting efficiency changes the different components of welfare—consumer surplus and producer surplus—in such a regulated open-access fishery, taking t the feedback of harvesting on stock dynamics, i.e. the dynamic common-pool resource externality into account. We find that both components of welfare change in the same direction. If, and only if, initial efficiency is low enough so that there is no maximum sustainable yield (MSY) overfishing, an improvement of harvesting efficiency increases welfare.
Virtually special non-finitely presented groups via linear characters
Authors: Vankov Vladimir
Published: June 2022

We present a new method for showing that groups are virtually special. This is done by considering finite quotients and linear characters. We use this to show that an infinite family of groups, related to Bestvina-Brady groups and branching, provides new examples of virtually special groups outside of a hyperbolic context.
Microalgae cross-fertilization: short-term effects of Galdieria phlegrea extract on growth, photosynthesis and enzyme activity of Chlorella sorokiniana cells
Authors: Salbitani Giovanna , Carillo Petronia , Di Martino Catello , Bolinesi Francesco , Mangoni Olga , Loreto Francesco , Carfagna Simona
Published: June 2022

Galdieria spp. (Rhodophyta) are polyextremophile microalgae known for their important antioxidant properties in different biological systems. Nowadays, the beneficial and bio-stimulant effect of microalgal extracts is widely tested on crops. Here, for the first time, potential positive effects of aqueous extracts from Galdieria were tested on a second microalgal culture systems. Chlorella sorokiniana cultures were supplemented with Galdieria phlegrea extracts (EC) and the short-term (48 h) effects of extract addition on growth and biochemical and physiological parameters were monitored and compared to those of non-supplemented Chlorella (CC). Growth of Chlorella was improved in EC as shown by higher optical density and cells number in the enriched cultures. In addition, EC appreciably increased the pigments (chlorophyll (a and b) and carotenoids) contents of Chlorella cells. Increase of photosynthetic pigments was associated with higher photosynthesis and lower non-radiative dissipation of light in EC as indicated by chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and APX), but increased total antioxidant capacity (ABTS) were observed in EC, suggesting that this culture was under a low oxidative status, but can activate antioxidant defences if exposed to oxidative stress. In conclusion, a short-term positive effect of the addition of G. phlegrea extracts on growth and physiology of C. sorokiniana was demonstrated.
Quo Vadis, Dottore? Religious, Philosophical and Medical Perspectives on the Quest for Immortality
Authors: von Schwarz Ernst R. , Franco Miguel , Busse Nathalie , Bidzhoian Sofiia , Schwarz Aubriana Angel , de Kiev Laurent Cleenewerck
Published: June 2022

In the daily practice of medicine, health care providers oftentimes confront the dilemma of offering ‘maximum care’ based on available technologies and advances versus ethical concerns about futility. Regardless of cultural backgrounds and differences, most human beings aspire to an illness-free life, or better yet, a life lived with utmost quality and longevity. On account on ongoing advances in science and technology, the possibility of achieving “immortality” (a term used as a metaphor for an extremely long and disease-free life) is increasingly perceived as a realistic goal, which is aggressively pursued by some of the world’s wealthiest individuals and corporations. However, this quest is not taking place in a philosophical or religious vacuum, which is why we attempt to evaluate the current state of knowledge on religious beliefs revolving around immortality and their alignments with today’s medical advancements. The literature searches were performed using relevant databases including JSTOR and PubMed, as well as primary religious sources. Most religions present longevity as a blessing and believe in some sort of immortality, afterlife or reincarnation for the immortal soul. The quest for immortality beyond life in a “body of death” remains consistent with access to medical care and the legitimate possibility of achieving longevity—as long as certain ethical and religious parameters are preserved.
Operation extension in gas turbine-based advanced cycles with a surge prevention tool
Authors: Reggio Federico , Silvestri P. , Ferrari M. L. , Massardo A. F.
Published: June 2022

This work aims to present the development and testing of an innovative tool for surge prevention in advanced gas turbine cycles. The presence of additional components, such as a saturator in humid cycles, a heat exchanger for an external combustor, a solar receiver or fuel cell stack in a hybrid system, implies the presence of larger size volumes between compressor outlet and recuperator or expander inlet. This large volume increases the risk of incurring in surge instability, especially during dynamic operations. For these reasons, at the University of Genoa, the Thermochemical Power Group (TPG) has implemented four surge precursors in a new diagnostic real-time software which can recognise a surge incipience condition comparing the precursor values with a set of moving thresholds. The most innovative aspects of this work are: (i) operational range extension and safer management of advanced gas turbine systems for energy generation, (ii) positive impact in energy efficiency due to this range extension of high efficiency systems, (iii) development of a new diagnostic tool for surge prevention using standard probes, (iv) small impact of this tool on the control and sensor costs, (v) software flexibility for adaptation to different conditions and machines. This very important final aspect is obtained with thresholds able to change automatically to adapt themselves to the plant and machine operational regime. From the cost point of view, the utilization of standard measurements is an essential requirement to equip commercial machines without significant impact on the capital costs. The software performance has been demonstrated using experimental data from a test rig composed of a T100 microturbine connected with a modular vessel, which permits to generate the effect of additional components (especially from the volume size point of view). Vibro-acoustic data, collected during machine transients from a stable operative condition to surge, were used to tune all the software parameters and to obtain a good surge predictivity.
Comparative chloroplast genomes and phylogenetic analyses of Pinellia
Authors: Cui Ning , Chen Weixu , Li Xiwen , Wang Ping
Published: June 2022

Background

Pinellia Tenore (Araceae) is a genus of perennial herbaceous plants, all of which have medicinal value. The chloroplast (cp) genome data of Pinellia are scarce, and the phylogenetic relationship and gene evolution remain unclear.

Methods and results

We sequenced and annotated the Pinellia pedatisecta cp genome and combined it with previously published genomes for other Pinellia species. We used bioinformatics methods to analyse the genomic structure, repetitive sequences, interspecific variation, divergence hotspots, phylogenetic relationships, divergence time estimation and selective pressure of four Pinellia plastomes. Results showed that the cp genomes of Pinellia varied in length between 168,178 (P. pedatisecta MN046890) and 164,013 bp (P. ternata KR270823). A total of 68–111 SSR loci were identified as candidate molecular markers for further genetic diversity study. Eight mutational hotspot regions were determined, including psbI-trnG-UCC, psbM-rpoB, ndhJ-trnT-UGU, trnP-UGG-trnW-CCA, ndhF-trnN-GUU, ndhG-ndhE, ycf1-rps15 and trnR-ycf1. Gene selection pressure suggested that four genes were subjected to positive selection. Phylogenetic inferences based on the complete cp genomes revealed a sister relationship between Pinellia and Arisaema plants whose divergence was estimated to occur around 22.48 million years ago. All Pinellia species formed a monophyletic evolutionary clade in which P. peltata, rather than P. pedatisecta, earlier diverged, indicating that P. pedatisecta is not the basal taxon of Pinellia but P. peltata may be.

Conclusions

The cp genomes of Pinellia will provide valuable information for species classification, identification, molecular breeding and evolutionary exploration of the genus Pinellia.
Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of Candida krusei
Authors: Domán Marianna , Makrai László , Bányai Krisztián
Published: June 2022

Revealing the phylogenetic relationships of Candida krusei strains (sexual form Pichia kudriavzevii) is a prerequisite for understanding the evolution of its virulence-associated mechanisms and ecological lifestyles. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on entire internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) data were carried out with sequences available in public databases and Hungarian isolates from animals obtained for the study. The ITS haplotype network yielded a high frequency haplotype at the centre of the network (H1; n = 204) indicating that various selective pressure might resulted in population expansion from H1. MLST analysis identified three new genotypes among animal-derived isolates, therefore overall 203 sequence types were investigated to determine the population structure of C. krusei. The most commonly encountered sequence types were ST 17 and ST 67. Phylogenetic analyses showed diverse genetic construction of C. krusei population. Evidence of potential recombination events were also observed that might play some role in high intraspecies genetic variability among strains, however, the limited data of C. krusei genotypes from different countries prevented us to identify accurate evolutionary routes of commensal and pathogenic strains or species-specific lineages. Further expansion of C. krusei MLST database may promote the better understanding of the mixed evolutionary history of this species.
Lie Symmetries of Fundamental Solutions to the Leutwiler-Weinstein Equation
Authors: Aksenov Aleksandr V. , Orelma Heikki
Published: June 2022

In this article, we study Lie symmetries to fundamental solutions to the Leutwiler-Weinstein equation $$ Lu:={\Delta} u+\frac{k}{x^{n}}\frac{\partial u}{\partial x^{n}}+\frac{\ell}{(x^{n})^{2}}u=0 $$

L
u
:
=
Δ
u
+

k

x

n

∂
u

∂

x

n

+

ℓ

(

x

n

)

2

u
=
0

in the upper half-space $\mathbb {R}^{n}_{+}$

ℝ

+

n

. Starting from the infinitesimal generators of the equation Lu = 0, we deduce symmetries of the equation Lu = δ(x − x0), and using its invariant solutions, we construct a fundamental solution. As an application, we study a Green functions of the operator in the hyperbolic unit ball.
The Volatility of Housing Prices: Do Different Types of Financial Intermediaries Affect Housing Market Cycles Differently?
Authors: Braun Julia , Burghof Hans-Peter , Langer Julius , Einar Sommervoll Dag
Published: June 2022

Housing markets display several correlations to multiple economic sectors of an economy. Their enormous impact on economies’ health, wealth, and stability is uncontroversial. Interestingly, the forms of financing residential property vary widely between the different countries in terms of both, the available product types and the institutions offering them. This research examines the implications of different financial intermediaries on housing market cycles with special emphasis on two institutional types, conventional banks and building and loan associations. Introducing a heterogeneous agent-based model, the interactions of buyers, sellers, and the two types of credit institutions are assessed. Heterogeneous economic principles and expectations of agents create endogenous market conditions which are strongly influenced by the lending practices of financial intermediaries.

Focusing primarily on collateral values to decide about lending, conventional banks may contribute to volatile housing markets which are prone to recessions. Building and loan associations, on the other hand, rely to a greater extent on endogenously created borrower information. Thus, they are able to cushion the volatility of house prices caused by procyclical mortgage lending of conventional banks and increase the stability of the housing market. Simulations show that the most stable market conditions are attained if both types of financial intermediaries serve the mortgage lending market jointly. Furthermore, transaction and homeownership rates are the highest in this market setting. These findings advocate in favor of diversified financial markets.
Systemic inflammatory markers in relation to cognitive function and measures of brain atrophy: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Luo Jiao , le Cessie Saskia , Blauw Gerard Jan , Franceschi Claudio , Noordam Raymond , van Heemst Diana
Published: June 2022

Observational studies have implied associations between multiple cytokines and cognitive decline, anti-inflammatory drugs however did not yield any protective effects on cognitive decline. We aimed to assess the associations of systemic inflammation, as measured by multiple cytokine and growth factor, with cognitive performance and brain atrophy using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). Independent genetic instruments (p < 5e − 8 andp < 5e − 6) for 41 systemic inflammatory markers were retrieved from a genome-wide association study conducted in 8293 Finnish participants. Summary statistics for gene-outcome associations were obtained for cognitive performance (N = 257,841) and for brain atrophy measures of cerebral cortical surface area and thickness (N = 51,665) and hippocampal volume (N = 33,536). To rule out the heterogeneity in the cognitive performance, we additionally included three domains: the fluid intelligence score (N = 108,818), prospective memory result (N = 111,099), and reaction time (N = 330,069). Main results were computed by inverse-variance weighting; sensitivity analyses taking pleiotropy and invalid instruments into account were performed by using weighted-median estimator, MR-Egger, and MR PRESSO. After correcting for multiple testing using false discovery rate, only genetically predicted (withp < 5e − 6 threshold) per-SD (standard deviation) higher IL-8 was associated with − 0.103 (− 0.155, − 0.051,padjusted = 0.004) mm3smaller hippocampal volume and higher intelligence fluid score [β: 0.103 SD (95% CI: 0.042, 0.165),padjusted = 0.041]. Sensitivity analyses generally showed similar results, and no pleiotropic effect, heterogeneity, or possible reverse causation was detected. Our results suggested a possible causal association of high IL-8 levels with better cognitive performance but smaller hippocampal volume among the general healthy population, highlighting the complex role of inflammation in dementia-related phenotypes. Further research is needed to elucidate mechanisms underlying these associations.
Longitudinal associations between executive functions and metacognitive monitoring in 5- to 8-year-olds
Authors: Kälin Sonja , Roebers Claudia M.
Published: June 2022

Pronounced developmental progression during the transition to formal schooling can be found in executive functions (EF) and metacognition (MC). However, it is still unclear whether and how EF and MC influence each other during this transition. Previous research with young children suggests that inhibition may be a prerequisite for monitoring skills. Thus, the present longitudinal study investigated the association between the common subcomponents of EF (inhibition, working memory, and shifting) assessed in kindergarten (T1) and metacognitive monitoring assessed in 2nd grade (T2) in a sample of N = 84 children. In line with our hypothesis, the results revealed a significant link only between the EF subcomponent inhibition and later metacognitive monitoring. More precisely, children with better inhibition skills in kindergarten showed less overconfident monitoring in elementary school. Interestingly, the longitudinal relationship between inhibition and monitoring was not bidirectional. The findings indicate an essential role of early inhibition skills regarding emerging and developing elementary school children’s monitoring skills.
Preservation, modernization, and transformation: contesting bioeconomic imaginations of “manure futures” and trajectories toward a sustainable livestock system
Authors: Friedrich Jonathan , Zscheischler Jana , Faust Heiko
Published: June 2022

In discourses on sustainability, its underlying conceptualizations and meanings, the role of imaginations and their influence on concrete social practices and mutually dependent sociomaterial structures have been overlooked. Therefore, our article uses Adloff and Neckel’s (Sustain Sci 14(4):1015-1025, 2019) conceptual framework to explore the role of imaginations in generating different trajectories from a concrete environmental problem, namely issues attributed to manure surpluses in Germany, to assess the hurdles and conflicting goals of a transformation toward a sustainable livestock system. Our study builds on qualitative, semistructured, and problem-centered interviews with both new innovation actors and incumbent actors in the current system. Our results show that different trajectories of “manure futures” exist, as we identify “preservation”, “modernization” and “transformation” as trajectories representing ideal types of change. We discuss the results in light of the theory of imaginations and reflect on the usefulness of the concept of imaginations for analyzing environmental discourses and practices. Furthermore, we find that normative framings of problems rather than factual knowledge describe contesting imaginations as barriers to sustainability transformations, a point that must be acknowledged when developing a sustainable livestock system. We conclude that contesting imaginations could result in conflicts that must be moderated as drivers for change yet could also point to transformations that are already underway.
Ursodeoxycholic acid as adjuvant treatment to phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kuitunen Ilari , Kiviranta Panu , Sankilampi Ulla , Renko Marjo
Published: June 2022

Background

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is observed in most newborns, and 5–15% of neonates require phototherapy. Phototherapy is effective but often prolongs hospitalization and has both short-term and potential long-term harms. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the role of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) combined with phototherapy in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Methods

A literature search was conducted on September 1, 2021; 590 studies were screened, and 17 full texts were assessed by two authors. We included randomized controlled trials with or without placebo intervention. Primary outcomes were changes in total bilirubin levels at 24 hours and phototherapy duration. We calculated mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Six studies with 880 neonates were included. Of these studies, only two used a placebo-controlled double-blinded design. The overall risk of bias was high in one and moderate in four of the included studies. The mean decrease in the total bilirubin level during the first 24 hours was 2.06 mg/dL (95% CI 0.82–3.30; six studies) greater in the UDCA treatment group. The phototherapy duration was 19.7 hours (95% CI 10.4–29.1; five studies) shorter in the UDCA treatment group.

Conclusions

We found low-quality evidence that UDCA as an adjuvant to phototherapy seems to decrease total bilirubin faster and shorten phototherapy duration compared to standard treatment. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy, acute and long-term outcomes, and safety before implementing UDCA as an adjuvant to phototherapy in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
Investigation of the potential role of TGR5 in pancreatic cancer by a comprehensive molecular experiments and the liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS) based metabolomics
Authors: Lei Yangyang , Li Guoping , Li Jianke , Gao Shanshan , Lei Ming , Gong Gaoquan , Li Changyu , Chen Yi , Wang Chenggang , Wang Xiaolin
Published: June 2022

Background

Takeda G protein receptor 5 (TGR5) is widely recognized as a potential drug target for the treatment of metabolic diseases. TGR5 is not only a metabolic regulator, but also has a potential role that participating in developing and progressing of gastrointestinal cancer. We aimed to investigate the potential role of TGR5 in pancreatic cancer by utilizing molecular experiments and the liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS) based metabolomics.

Methods

Herein, we assessed pancreatic cancer proliferation, migration and invasion in response to TGR5 antagonist SBI-115 in vitro experiments. Cell death was examined by using TUNEL assay on agarose-embedded sections. Then we investigated the effects of TGR5 on PANC-1 and BXPC3 cells via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, LC–MS-based metabolomics was performed to explore the potential underlying mechanisms of TGR5 in pancreatic cancer. The correlations between TGR5 and the metabolism-related genes were further analysed by GEPIA 2 database.

Results

We found the proliferation capacities were decreased significantly in PANC-1 and BXPC3 cells after the treatment of SBI-115 for 48 h. The results of TUNEL assay showed that antagonism of TGR5 by SBI-115 had a remarkable effect on inducing cell death. Analysis of TEM demonstrated that SBI-115 treatment could impair the morphology of mitochondria in most PANC-1 and BXPC3 cells. The LC–MS-based analyses revealed that antagonism of TGR5 could alter the metabolic profiles of PANC-1 cells in vitro. Moreover, TGR5 was associated with some metabolism-related genes in pancreatic cancer.

Conclusion

Our data suggests that antagonism of TGR5 may suppress cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. TGR5 may affect the metabolism of pancreatic cancer, and TGR5 would be an attractive target for pancreatic cancer treatment.
Gene expression profiling and in vitro functional studies reveal RAD54L as a potential therapeutic target in multiple myeloma
Authors: Bong Ivyna Pau Ni , Ng Ching Ching , Othman Norodiyah , Esa Ezalia
Published: June 2022

Background

Current advances in the molecular biology of multiple myeloma (MM) are not sufficient to fully delineate the genesis and development of this disease.

Objective

This study aimed to identify molecular targets underlying MM pathogenesis.

Methods

mRNA expression profiling for 29 samples (19 MM samples, 7 MM cell lines and 3 controls) were obtained using microarray. We evaluated the in vitro effects of RAD54L gene silencing on the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle distribution in KMS-28BM human MM cells using siRNA approach. Cell proliferation was determined by MTS assay while apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analysed with flow cytometry. Gene and protein expression was evaluated using RT-qPCR and ELISA, respectively.

Results

Microarray results revealed a total of 5124 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), in which 2696 and 2428 genes were up-regulated and down-regulated in MM compared to the normal controls, respectively (fold change ≥ 2.0; P < 0.05). Up-regulated genes (RAD54L, DIAPH3, SHCBP1, SKA3 and ANLN) and down-regulated genes (HKDC1, RASGRF2, CYSLTR2) have never been reported in association with MM. Up-regulation of RAD54L was further verified by RT-qPCR (P < 0.001). In vitro functional studies revealed that RAD54L gene silencing significantly induced growth inhibition, apoptosis (small changes) and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase in KMS-28BM (P < 0.05). Silencing of RAD54L also decreased its protein level (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study has identified possible molecular targets underlying the pathogenesis of MM. For the first time, we reveal RAD54L as a potential therapeutic target in MM, possibly functioning in the cell cycle and checkpoint control.