bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renal transplant evaluation: multimodality imaging of post-transplant complications
Authors: Ghonge Nitin P , Goyal Nidhi , Vohra Sandeep , Chowdhury Veena
Published: July 2021

With advancements in surgical techniques and immuno-suppression, renal transplantation is established as the most effective treatment option in patients with end-stage renal disease. Early detection of renal allograft complications is important for long-term graft survival. Late clinical presentation often causes diagnostic delays till the time allograft failure is advanced and irreversible. Imaging plays a key role in routine surveillance and in management of acute or chronic transplant dysfunction. Multimodality imaging approach is important with ultrasound-Doppler as the first-line imaging study in immediate, early and late post-transplant periods. Additional imaging studies are often required depending on clinical settings and initial ultrasound. Renal functional MRI is a rapidly growing field that has huge potential for early diagnosis of transplant dysfunction. Multiparametric MRI may be integrated in clinical practice as a noninvasive and comprehensive “one-stop” modality for early diagnosis and longitudinal monitoring of renal allograft dysfunctions, which is essential for guiding appropriate interventions to delay or prevent irreversible renal damage. With rapidly increasing numbers of renal transplantation along with improved patient survival, it is necessary for radiologists in all practice settings to be familiar with the normal appearances and imaging spectrum of anatomical and functional complications in a transplant kidney. Radiologist”s role as an integral part of multidisciplinary transplantation team continues to grow with increasing numbers of successful renal transplantation programs across the globe.
Soft tissue masses of the epitrochlear region
Authors: Tilden William , Saifuddin Asif
Published: July 2021

The epitrochlear lymph nodes (ELN) are rarely examined clinically and are difficult to identify radiologically in healthy patients. They are, therefore, generally under appreciated as a source of significant pathology. Despite this, enlargement of an ELN is almost always secondary to a pathological process, the differential for which is relatively narrow. The following pictorial review illustrates the spectrum of infectious, inflammatory and malignant conditions affecting the ELN, some of which are quite specific to this location. We also emphasise the importance of distinguishing enlarged ELNs from benign and malignant non-nodal soft tissue masses, which can have very similar clinical presentation and imaging appearances.
Ankle fractures in children
Authors: Cancino Benjamín , Sepúlveda Matías , Birrer Estefanía
Published: July 2021

Ankle fractures are common in children, and they have specific implications in that patient population due to frequent involvement of the physis in a bone that has growth potential and unique biomechanical properties. Characteristic patterns are typically evident in relation to the state of osseous development of the segment, and to an extent these are age-dependent. In a specific type known as transitional fractures – which occur in children who are progressing to a mature skeleton –a partial physeal closure is evident, which produces multiplanar fracture patterns. Computed tomography should be routine in injuries with joint involvement, both to assess the level of displacement and to facilitate informed surgical planning. The therapeutic objectives should be to achieve an adequate functional axis of the ankle without articular gaps, and to protect the physis in order to avoid growth alterations. Conservative management can be utilized for non-displaced fractures in conjunction with strict radiological monitoring, but surgery should be considered for fractures involving substantial physeal or joint displacement, in order to achieve the therapeutic goals.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:593-606. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200042
The role of the iliofemoral ligament as a stabilizer of the hip joint
Authors: D’Ambrosi Riccardo , Ursino Nicola , Messina Carmelo , Della Rocca Federico , Hirschmann Michael Tobias
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this systematic literature review is to analyse the role of the iliofemoral ligament (ILFL) as a hip joint stabilizer in the current literature. A total of 26 articles were included in the review. The ILFL is the largest hip ligament consisting of two distinct arms and is highly variable, both in its location and overall size, and plays a primary role in hip stability; in the case of hip dislocation, the iliofemoral ligament tear does not heal, resulting in a persistent anterior capsule defect. Clinically, the ILFL is felt to limit external rotation in flexion and both internal and external rotation in extension. The abduction–hyperextension–external rotation (AB-HEER) test is overall the most accurate test to detect ILFL lesions. Injuries of the ILFL could be iatrogenic or a consequence of traumatic hip instability, and can be accurately studied with magnetic resonance imaging. Different arthroscopic and open techniques have been described in order to preserve the ILFL during surgery and, in case of lesions, several procedures with good to excellent results have been reported in the existing literature. The current systematic review, focusing only on the ILFL of the hip, summarizes the existing knowledge on anatomy, imaging and function and contributes to the further understanding of the ILFL, confirming its key role in anterior hip stability. Future studies will have to develop clinical tests to evaluate the functionality and stability of the ILFL.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:545-555. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200112
Post-traumatic myositis ossificans: a benign lesion that simulates malignant bone and soft tissue tumours
Authors: Savvidou Olga , Papakonstantinou Olympia , Lakiotaki Eleftheria , Melissaridou Dimitra , Korkolopoulou Pinelopi , Papagelopoulos Panayiotis J.
Published: July 2021

Myositis ossificans (MO) is a benign bone formation in an extra-skeletal location. The most common subtype of MO, the post-traumatic, usually develops in young males after a traumatic event or sports injury. MO may simulate malignant bone lesions such as extra-skeletal or surface osteosarcomas, or soft tissue sarcomas such as synovial sarcoma or undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. In the early phase the diagnosis of MO is challenging because imaging and histopathological findings may be non-characteristic. Detailed medical history as well as clinical examination, follow-up imaging studies and histological assessment are crucial for a proper diagnosis. Early and accurate differential diagnosis between MO and malignant soft tissue and bone tumours is important to maximize.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:572-583. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.210002
Unattainable equipoise in randomized controlled trials
Authors: Phelps Emma Elizabeth , Tutton Elizabeth , Costa Matthew , Hing Caroline ,   On behalf of the STIFF-F research collaborators
Published: July 2021

Aims

To explore staff experiences of a multicentre pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing intramedullary nails and circular frame external fixation for segmental tibial fractures.

Methods

A purposeful sample of 19 staff (nine surgeons) involved in the study participated in an interview. Interviews explored participants’ experience and views of the study and the treatments. The interviews drew on phenomenology, were face-to-face or by telephone, and were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

The findings identify that for the treatment of segmental tibial fractures equipoise was a theoretical ideal that was most likely unattainable in clinical practice. This was conveyed through three themes: the ambiguity of equipoise, where multiple definitions of equipoise and a belief in community equipoise were evident; an illusion of equipoise, created by strong treatment preferences and variation in collective surgical skills; and treating the whole patient, where the complexity and severity of the injury required a patient-centred approach and doing the best for the individual patient took priority over trial recruitment.

Conclusion

Equipoise can be unattainable for rare injuries such as segmental tibial fractures, where there are substantially different surgical treatments requiring specific expertise, high levels of complexity, and a concern for poor outcomes. Surgeons are familiar with community equipoise. However, a shared understanding of factors that limit the feasibility of RCTs may identify instances where community equipoise is unlikely to translate into practice. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(7):486–492.
Hip implants can restore anatomical and medialized rotation centres in most cases
Authors: Scheerlinck Thierry , De Winter Elien , Sas Amelie , Kolk Sjoerd , Van Gompel Gert , Vandemeulebroucke Jef
Published: July 2021

Aims

Hip arthroplasty does not always restore normal anatomy. This is due to inaccurate surgery or lack of stem sizes. We evaluated the aptitude of four total hip arthroplasty systems to restore an anatomical and medialized hip rotation centre.

Methods

Using 3D templating software in 49 CT scans of non-deformed femora, we virtually implanted: 1) small uncemented calcar-guided stems with two offset options (Optimys, Mathys), 2) uncemented straight stems with two offset options (Summit, DePuy Synthes), 3) cemented undersized stems (Exeter philosophy) with three offset options (CPT, ZimmerBiomet), and 4) cemented line-to-line stems (Kerboul philosophy) with proportional offsets (Centris, Mathys). We measured the distance between the templated and the anatomical and 5 mm medialized hip rotation centre.

Results

Both rotation centres could be restored within 5 mm in 94% and 92% of cases, respectively. The cemented undersized stem performed best, combining freedom of stem positioning and a large offset range. The uncemented straight stem performed well because of its large and well-chosen offset range, and despite the need for cortical bone contact limiting stem positioning. The cemented line-to-line stem performed less well due to a small range of sizes and offsets. The uncemented calcar-guided stem performed worst, despite 24 sizes and a large and well-chosen offset range. This was attributed to the calcar curvature restricting the stem insertion depth along the femoral axis.

Conclusion

In the majority of non-deformed femora, leg length, offset, and anteversion can be restored accurately with non-modular stems during 3D templating. Failure to restore hip biomechanics is mostly due to surgical inaccuracy. Small calcar guided stems offer no advantage to restore hip biomechanics compared to more traditional designs. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(7):476–485.
32  Gbps heterogeneously integrated quantum dot waveguide avalanche photodiodes on silicon
Authors: Tossoun Bassem , Kurczveil Geza , Srinivasan Sudharsanan , Descos Antoine , Liang Di , Beausoleil Raymond G.
Published: July 2021

We report a heterogeneous GaAs-based quantum dot (QD) avalanche photodiode (APD) on silicon with an ultralow dark current of 10 pA at

−

1

V

, 3 dB bandwidth of 20 GHz and record gain-bandwidth product (GBP) of 585 GHz. Furthermore, open eye diagrams up to 32 Gb/s are demonstrated at 1310 nm. The k-factor has been measured for these devices to be as low as 0.14. A polarization dependence on gain and bandwidth has been observed and investigated. This shows the potential to integrate a high-speed receiver in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system on a QD-based silicon photonics platform.
COVID-19 in schools: Mitigating classroom clusters in the context of variable transmission
Authors: Tupper Paul , Colijn Caroline
Published: July 2021

Widespread school closures occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because closures are costly and damaging, many jurisdictions have since reopened schools with control measures in place. Early evidence indicated that schools were low risk and children were unlikely to be very infectious, but it is becoming clear that children and youth can acquire and transmit COVID-19 in school settings and that transmission clusters and outbreaks can be large. We describe the contrasting literature on school transmission, and argue that the apparent discrepancy can be reconciled by heterogeneity, or “overdispersion” in transmission, with many exposures yielding little to no risk of onward transmission, but some unfortunate exposures causing sizeable onward transmission. In addition, respiratory viral loads are as high in children and youth as in adults, pre- and asymptomatic transmission occur, and the possibility of aerosol transmission has been established. We use a stochastic individual-based model to find the implications of these combined observations for cluster sizes and control measures. We consider both individual and environment/activity contributions to the transmission rate, as both are known to contribute to variability in transmission. We find that even small heterogeneities in these contributions result in highly variable transmission cluster sizes in the classroom setting, with clusters ranging from 1 to 20 individuals in a class of 25. None of the mitigation protocols we modeled, initiated by a positive test in a symptomatic individual, are able to prevent large transmission clusters unless the transmission rate is low (in which case large clusters do not occur in any case). Among the measures we modeled, only rapid universal monitoring (for example by regular, onsite, pooled testing) accomplished this prevention. We suggest approaches and the rationale for mitigating these larger clusters, even if they are expected to be rare.
Identification of multiple odorant receptors essential for pyrethrum repellency in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Wang Qiang , Xu Peng , Andreazza Felipe , Liu Yahui , Nomura Yoshiko , Duran Phil , Jiang Lan , Chen Mengli , Takamatsu Genki , Ihara Makoto , Matsuda Kazuhiko , Isaacs Rufus , Oliveira Eugenio E. , Du Yuzhe , Dong Ke
Published: July 2021

Pyrethrum extract from dry flowers of Tanacetum cinerariifolium (formally Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium) has been used globally as a popular insect repellent against arthropod pests for thousands of years. However, the mechanistic basis of pyrethrum repellency remains unknown. In this study, we found that pyrethrum spatially repels and activates olfactory responses in Drosophila melanogaster, a genetically tractable model insect, and the closely-related D. suzukii which is a serious invasive fruit crop pest. The discovery of spatial pyrethrum repellency and olfactory response to pyrethrum in D. melanogaster facilitated our identification of four odorant receptors, Or7a, Or42b, Or59b and Or98a that are responsive to pyrethrum. Further analysis showed that the first three Ors are activated by pyrethrins, the major insecticidal components in pyrethrum, whereas Or98a is activated by (E)-β-farnesene (EBF), a sesquiterpene and a minor component in pyrethrum. Importantly, knockout of Or7a, Or59b or Or98a individually abolished fly avoidance to pyrethrum, while knockout of Or42b had no effect, demonstrating that simultaneous activation of Or7a, Or59b and Or98a is required for pyrethrum repellency in D. melanogaster. Our study provides insights into the molecular basis of repellency of one of the most ancient and globally used insect repellents. Identification of pyrethrum-responsive Ors opens the door to develop new synthetic insect repellent mixtures that are highly effective and broad-spectrum.
Smart deworming collar: A novel tool for reducing Echinococcus infection in dogs
Authors: Yang Shi-Jie , Xiao Ning , Li Jing-Zhong , Feng Yu , Ma Jun-Ying , Quzhen Gong-Sang , Yu Qing , Zhang Ting , Yi Shi-Cheng , Luo Zhao-Hui , Pang Hua-Sheng , Li Chuang , Shen Zhuo-Li , Hou Ke-Sheng , Zhang Bin-Bin , Zhou Yi-Biao , Jiang Hong-Lin , Zhou Xiao-Nong
Published: July 2021

Echinococcosis is a serious zoonotic parasitic disease transmitted from canines to humans and livestock. Periodic deworming is recommended by the WHO/OIE as a highly effective measure against echinococcosis. However, manual deworming involves significant challenges, particularly in remote areas with scarce resources. The insufficient awareness delivering praziquantel (PZQ) baits for dogs leads to low compliance rate. The aim of this study was therefore to develop a novel smart collar for dogs to address these challenges. We developed a smart Internet of Things (IoT)-based deworming collar which can deliver PZQ baits for dogs automatically, regularly, quantitatively with predominant characteristics of being waterproof, anti-collision, cold-proof and long life battery. Its performance was tested in two remote locations on the Tibetan Plateau. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate the compliance of the dog owners. Further, a randomized controlled study was performed to evaluate the difference between smart-collar deworming and manual deworming. The collar’s effectiveness was further assessed on the basis of Generalized Estimation Equations (GEE). The testing and evaluation was done for 10 smart deworming collars in factory laboratory, 18 collars attached for 18 dogs in Seni district, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, and 523 collars attached for 523 dogs in Hezuo city, Gansu province, China. The anti-collision, waterproof, and coldproof proportion of the smart collars were 100.0%, 99.5%, and 100.0%, respectively. When compared to manual deworming, the dogs’ risk of infection with Echinococcus on smart-collar deworming is down to 0.182 times (95% CI: 0.049, 0.684) in Seni district and 0.355 (95%CI: 0.178, 0.706) in Hezuo city, the smart collar has a significant protective effect. The owners’ overall compliance rate to attach the smart collars for their dogs was 89%. The smart deworming collar could effectively reduce the dogs’ risk of infection with Echinococcus in dogs, significantly increase the deworming frequency and coverage and rapidly remove worm biomass in dogs. Thus, it may be a promising alternative to manual deworming, particularly in remote areas on the Tibetan Plateau.
The impact of podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis, and leprosy on disability and mental well-being: A systematic review
Authors: Ali Oumer , Mengiste Asrat , Semrau Maya , Tesfaye Abraham , Fekadu Abebaw , Davey Gail
Published: July 2021

Leprosy, podoconiosis, and lymphatic filariasis (LF) are among the priority neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Ethiopia. The disability, psychosocial, and mental health status of people affected by these NTDs are still overlooked in global NTD discourse. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the existing evidence describing the disability, psychosocial, and mental health status of people affected by leprosy, podoconiosis, and LF prior to developing a holistic physical and psychosocial care package for these individuals. We searched papers reporting on disability, psychosocial, and mental health status linked to these 3 NTDs. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO with registration number CRD42019128400. Peer-reviewed articles were searched and extracted from Medline, PsycINFO, Global Health, and Embase. Articles published in English, irrespective of the year of publication, using a quantitative study methodology, were included. Abstracts and full texts were reviewed by 2 reviewers. Data were extracted and narratively summarized, as the studies were heterogeneous and used different outcome measures. Out of 1,318 titles/abstracts screened and 59 full text studies reviewed, 24 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Fourteen studies provided evidence of the disability associated with leprosy, podoconiosis, or LF. Ten studies provided evidence on the association between the 3 NTDs and mental health or psychosocial outcomes. The prevalence of grade 2 disability varied from 3.9% to 86%. The most commonly reported mental health impacts were depression and mental distress. A high burden of mental illness was reported, varying from 12.6% to 71.7%; the suicidal ideation was also high (18.5%). In conclusion, disability and poor psychosocial and mental health status are associated with leprosy, podoconiosis, and LF. For optimum management of these NTDs, holistic care including both physical and psychosocial interventions is vital.
Sodium channel activation underlies transfluthrin repellency in Aedes aegypti
Authors: Andreazza Felipe , Valbon Wilson R. , Wang Qiang , Liu Feng , Xu Peng , Bandason Elizabeth , Chen Mengli , Wu Shaoying , Smith Leticia B. , Scott Jeffrey G. , Jiang Youfa , Jiang Dingxin , Zhang Aijun , Oliveira Eugenio E. , Dong Ke
Published: July 2021

Background

Volatile pyrethroid insecticides, such as transfluthrin, have received increasing attention for their potent repellent activities in recent years for controlling human disease vectors. It has been long understood that pyrethroids kill insects by promoting activation and inhibiting inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels. However, the mechanism of pyrethroid repellency remains poorly understood and controversial.

Methodology/Principal findings

Here, we show that transfluthrin repels Aedes aegypti in a hand-in-cage assay at nonlethal concentrations as low as 1 ppm. Contrary to a previous report, transfluthrin does not elicit any electroantennogram (EAG) responses, indicating that it does not activate olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). The 1S-cis isomer of transfluthrin, which does not activate sodium channels, does not elicit repellency. Mutations in the sodium channel gene that reduce the potency of transfluthrin on sodium channels decrease transfluthrin repellency but do not affect repellency by DEET. Furthermore, transfluthrin enhances DEET repellency.

Conclusions/Significance

These results provide a surprising example that sodium channel activation alone is sufficient to potently repel mosquitoes. Our findings of sodium channel activation as the principal mechanism of transfluthrin repellency and potentiation of DEET repellency have broad implications in future development of a new generation of dual-target repellent formulations to more effectively repel a variety of human disease vectors.
Cholangiocyte Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a potential molecular mechanism driving ischemic cholangiopathy in liver transplantation
Authors: Wickramaratne Niluka , Li Ru , Tian Tao , Khoraki Jad , Kang Hae Sung , Chmielewski Courtney , Maitland Jerry , Liebrecht Loren K. , Fyffe-Freil Ria , Lindell Susanne Lyra , Mangino Martin J.
Published: July 2021

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) has expanded the donor pool for liver transplantation. However, ischemic cholangiopathy (IC) after DCD liver transplantation causes inferior outcomes. The molecular mechanisms of IC are currently unknown but may depend on ischemia-induced genetic reprograming of the biliary epithelium to mesenchymal-like cells. The main objective of this study was to determine if cholangiocytes undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) after exposure to DCD conditions and if this causally contributes to the phenotype of IC. Human cholangiocyte cultures were exposed to periods of warm and cold ischemia to mimic DCD liver donation. EMT was tested by assays of cell migration, cell morphology, and differential gene expression. Transplantation of syngeneic rat livers recovered under DCD conditions were evaluated for EMT changes by immunohistochemistry. Human cholangiocytes exposed to DCD conditions displayed migratory behavior and gene expression patterns consistent with EMT. E-cadherin and CK-7 expressions fell while N-cadherin, vimentin, TGFβ, and SNAIL rose, starting 24 hours and peaking 1–3 weeks after exposure. Cholangiocyte morphology changed from cuboidal (epithelial) before to spindle shaped (mesenchymal) a week after ischemia. These changes were blocked by pretreating cells with the Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGFβ) receptor antagonist Galunisertib (1 μM). Finally, rats with liver isografts cold stored for 20 hours in UW solution and exposed to warm ischemia (30 minutes) at recovery had elevated plasma bilirubin 1 week after transplantation and the liver tissue showed immunohistochemical evidence of early cholangiocyte EMT. Our findings show EMT occurs after exposure of human cholangiocytes to DCD conditions, which may be initiated by upstream signaling from autocrine derived TGFβ to cause mesenchymal specific morphological and migratory changes.
A novel approach to quantify metrics of upwelling intensity, frequency, and duration
Authors: Abrahams Amieroh , Schlegel Robert W. , Smit Albertus J.
Published: July 2021

The importance of coastal upwelling systems is widely recognized. However, several aspects of the current and future behaviors of these systems remain uncertain. Fluctuations in temperature because of anthropogenic climate change are hypothesized to affect upwelling-favorable winds and coastal upwelling is expected to intensify across all Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems. To better understand how upwelling may change in the future, it is necessary to develop a more rigorous method of quantifying this phenomenon. In this paper, we use SST data and wind data in a novel method of detecting upwelling signals and quantifying metrics of upwelling intensity, duration, and frequency at four sites within the Benguela Upwelling System. We found that indicators of upwelling are uniformly detected across five SST products for each of the four sites and that the duration of those signals is longer in SST products with higher spatial resolutions. Moreover, the high-resolution SST products are significantly more likely to display upwelling signals at 25 km away from the coast when signals were also detected at the coast. Our findings promote the viability of using SST and wind time series data to detect upwelling signals within coastal upwelling systems. We highlight the importance of high-resolution data products to improve the reliability of such estimates. This study represents an important step towards the development of an objective method for describing the behavior of coastal upwelling systems.
Clinical and economic impact of universal varicella vaccination in Norway: A modeling study
Authors: Pawaskar Manjiri , Burgess Colleen , Pillsbury Mathew , Wisløff Torbjørn , Flem Elmira
Published: July 2021

Background

Norway has not implemented universal varicella vaccination, despite the considerable clinical and economic burden of varicella disease.

Methods

An existing dynamic transmission model of varicella infection was calibrated to age-specific seroprevalence rates in Norway. Six two-dose vaccination strategies were considered, consisting of combinations of two formulations each of a monovalent varicella vaccine (Varivax®or Varilrix®) and a quadrivalent vaccine against measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (ProQuad®or PriorixTetra®), with the first dose given with a monovalent vaccine at age 15 months, and the second dose with either a monovalent or quadrivalent vaccine at either 18 months, 7 or 11 years. Costs were considered from the perspectives of both the health care system and society. Quality-adjusted life-years saved and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios relative to no vaccination were calculated. A one-way sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of vaccine efficacy, price, the costs of a lost workday and of inpatient and outpatient care, vaccination coverage, and discount rate.

Results

In the absence of varicella vaccination, the annual incidence of natural varicella is estimated to be 1,359 per 100,000 population, and the cumulative numbers of varicella outpatient cases, hospitalizations, and deaths over 50 years are projected to be 1.81 million, 10,161, and 61, respectively. Universal varicella vaccination is projected to reduce the natural varicella incidence rate to 48–59 per 100,000 population, depending on the vaccination strategy, and to reduce varicella outpatient cases, hospitalizations, and deaths by 75–85%, 67–79%, and 75–79%, respectively. All strategies were cost-saving, with the most cost-saving as two doses of Varivax®at 15 months and 7 years (payer perspective) and two doses of Varivax®at 15 months and 18 months (societal perspective).

Conclusions

All modeled two-dose varicella vaccination strategies are projected to lead to substantial reductions in varicella disease and to be cost saving compared to no vaccination in Norway.
Chloroplast genome features of Moricandia arvensis (Brassicaceae), a C3-C4 intermediate photosynthetic species
Authors: Zhu Bin , Hu Lijuan , Qian Fang , Gao Zuomin , Gan Chenchen , Liu Zhaochao , Du Xuye , Wang Hongcheng
Published: July 2021

Moricandia arvensis, a plant species originating from the Mediterranean, has been classified as a rare C3-C4 intermediate species, and it is a possible bridge during the evolutionary process from C3 to C4 plant photosynthesis in the family Brassicaceae. Understanding the genomic structure, gene order, and gene content of chloroplasts (cp) of such species can provide a glimpse into the evolution of photosynthesis. In the present study, we obtained a well-annotated cp genome of M. arvensis using long PacBio and short Illumina reads with a de novo assembly strategy. The M. arvensis cp genome was a quadripartite circular molecule with the length of 153,312 bp, including two inverted repeats (IR) regions of 26,196 bp, divided by a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,786 bp and a large single copy (LSC) region of 83,134 bp. We detected 112 unigenes in this genome, comprising 79 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNAs, and four rRNAs. Forty-nine long repeat sequences and 51 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci of 15 repeat types were identified. The analysis of Ks (synonymous) and Ka (non-synonymous) substitution rates indicated that the genes associated with “subunits of ATP synthase” (atpB), “subunits of NADH-dehydrogenase” (ndhG and ndhE), and “self-replication” (rps12 and rpl16) showed relatively higher Ka/Ks values than those of the other genes. The gene content, gene order, and LSC/IR/SSC boundaries and adjacent genes of the M. arvensis cp genome were highly conserved compared to those in related C3 species. Our phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that M. arvensis was clustered into a subclade with cultivated Brassica species and Raphanus sativus, indicating that M. arvensis was not involved in an independent evolutionary origin event. These results will open the way for further studies on the evolutionary process from C3 to C4 photosynthesis and hopefully provide guidance for utilizing M. arvensis as a resource for improvinng photosynthesis efficiency in cultivated Brassica species.
Multiple imputation with compatibility for high-dimensional data
Authors: Zahid Faisal Maqbool , Faisal Shahla , Heumann Christian
Published: July 2021

Multiple Imputation (MI) is always challenging in high dimensional settings. The imputation model with some selected number of predictors can be incompatible with the analysis model leading to inconsistent and biased estimates. Although compatibility in such cases may not be achieved, but one can obtain consistent and unbiased estimates using a semi-compatible imputation model. We propose to relax the lasso penalty for selecting a large set of variables (at most n). The substantive model that also uses some formal variable selection procedure in high-dimensional structures is then expected to be nested in this imputation model. The resulting imputation model will be semi-compatible with high probability. The likelihood estimates can be unstable and can face the convergence issues as the number of variables becomes nearly as large as the sample size. To address these issues, we further propose to use a ridge penalty for obtaining the posterior distribution of the parameters based on the observed data. The proposed technique is compared with the standard MI software and MI techniques available for high-dimensional data in simulation studies and a real life dataset. Our results exhibit the superiority of the proposed approach to the existing MI approaches while addressing the compatibility issue.
Scanning electron microscopy preparation of the cellular actin cortex: A quantitative comparison between critical point drying and hexamethyldisilazane drying
Authors: Schu Moritz , Terriac Emmanuel , Koch Marcus , Paschke Stephan , Lautenschläger Franziska , Flormann Daniel A. D.
Published: July 2021

The cellular cortex is an approximately 200-nm-thick actin network that lies just beneath the cell membrane. It is responsible for the mechanical properties of cells, and as such, it is involved in many cellular processes, including cell migration and cellular interactions with the environment. To develop a clear view of this dense structure, high-resolution imaging is essential. As one such technique, electron microscopy, involves complex sample preparation procedures. The final drying of these samples has significant influence on potential artifacts, like cell shrinkage and the formation of artifactual holes in the actin cortex. In this study, we compared the three most used final sample drying procedures: critical-point drying (CPD), CPD with lens tissue (CPD-LT), and hexamethyldisilazane drying. We show that both hexamethyldisilazane and CPD-LT lead to fewer artifactual mesh holes within the actin cortex than CPD. Moreover, CPD-LT leads to significant reduction in cell height compared to hexamethyldisilazane and CPD. We conclude that the final drying procedure should be chosen according to the reduction in cell height, and so CPD-LT, or according to the spatial separation of the single layers of the actin cortex, and so hexamethyldisilazane.
Electronic media use and symptoms of depression among adolescents in Norway
Authors: Kleppang Annette Løvheim , Steigen Anne Mari , Ma Li , Søberg Finbråten Hanne , Hagquist Curt
Published: July 2021

Background

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between electronic media use, including use of social media and gaming, and symptoms of depression, and whether gender or having friends moderated these associations.

Methods

This study was based on self-reported cross-sectional data from the Ungdata survey, conducted in 2018 by the Norwegian Social Research (NOVA) Institute in cooperation with seven regional drug and alcohol competence centres. The target group comprised 12,353 15–16 years old adolescents. Binominal logistic regression was used to analyse the association between electronic media use and symptoms of depression.

Results

The odds of having symptoms of depression were higher for those who used social media more than 3 hours per day (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.43–1.80), compared to those who used social media 3 hours or less per day. Additionally, the odds of having symptoms of depression was higher for those who used more than 3 hours on gaming per day (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.36–1.80), compared to those who used 3 hours and less on gaming per day after adjustment for potential confounders. There were no interaction effects between social media and gaming use with symptoms of depression. Neither were the associations between social media use and gaming with symptoms of depression moderated by gender or having friends.

Conclusions

The odds of having symptoms of depression were significantly higher for adolescents with a more frequent use of electronic media.
Contextualizing goal preferences in fear-avoidance models. Looking at fatigue as a disabling symptom in fibromyalgia patients
Authors: Peñacoba Cecilia , López-Gómez Irene , Pastor-Mira Maria Angeles , López-Roig Sofía , Ecija Carmen
Published: July 2021

The fear-avoidance model provides an explanation for the development of chronic pain, including the role of perception (i.e. pain catastrophism) as an explanatory variable. Recent research has shown that the relationship between pain catastrophism and avoidance is influenced in turn by different psychological and contextual variables, highlighting the affective-motivational ones. From this perspective, the Goal Pursuit Questionnaire (GPQ) was developed to measure the preference for hedonic goals (mood-management or pain-avoidance goals) over achievement goals in musculoskeletal pain patients. Recently, the Spanish version of the GPQ in fibromyalgia patients has been validated. Our aim has been to adapt the Spanish version of GPQ from pain to fatigue symptoms and to validate this new questionnaire (GPQ-F) in fibromyalgia. Despite the recognition of fibromyalgia as a complex disorder and the need for a differential study of its symptoms, fatigue, despite its high prevalence and limiting nature, remains the forgotten symptom. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 231 women with fibromyalgia. Previously, we adapted the Spanish GPQ for fatigue symptoms with three sub-studies (group structured interview, self-administration questionnaire and thinking-aloud; n = 15–27 patients). We explored the GPQ structure and performed path analyses to test conditional mediation relationships. Exploratory factor analysis showed two factors: ‘Fatigue-avoidance goal’ and ‘Mood-management goal’ (39.3% and 13.9% of explained variance, respectively). The activity avoidance pattern fully mediated the relation between both catastrophizing and fatigue-avoidance goals with fatigue. The study shows initial findings about the usefulness of the GPQ-F as a tool to analyze goal preferences related to fatigue in fibromyalgia. The results supported the mediational role of activity avoidance patterns in the relationship between preference for fatigue-avoidance goals and fatigue.
Oxygen systems and quality of care for children with pneumonia, malaria and diarrhoea: Analysis of a stepped-wedge trial in Nigeria
Authors: Graham Hamish R. , Maher Jaclyn , Bakare Ayobami A. , Nguyen Cattram D. , Ayede Adejumoke I. , Oyewole Oladapo B. , Gray Amy , Izadnegahdar Rasa , Duke Trevor , Falade Adegoke G.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of improved hospital oxygen systems on quality of care (QOC) for children with severe pneumonia, severe malaria, and diarrhoea with severe dehydration.

Design

Stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial (unblinded), randomised at hospital-level.

Setting

12 hospitals in south-west Nigeria.

Participants

7,141 children (aged 28 days to 14 years) admitted with severe pneumonia, severe malaria or diarrhoea with severe dehydration between January 2014 and October 2017.

Interventions

Phase 1 (pulse oximetry) introduced pulse oximetry for all admitted children. Phase 2 (full oxygen system) (i) standardised oxygen equipment package, (ii) clinical education and support, (iii) technical training and support, and (iv) infrastructure and systems support.

Outcome measures

We used quantitative QOC scores evaluating assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring practices against World Health Organization and Nigerian standards. We evaluated mean differences in QOC scores between study periods (baseline, oximetry, full oxygen system), using mixed-effects linear regression.

Results

7,141 eligible participants; 6,893 (96.5%) had adequate data for analysis. Mean paediatric QOC score (maximum 6) increased from 1.64 to 3.00 (adjusted mean difference 1.39; 95% CI 1.08–1.69, p<0.001) for severe pneumonia and 2.81 to 4.04 (aMD 1.53; 95% CI 1.23–1.83, p<0.001) for severe malaria, comparing the full intervention to baseline, but did not change for diarrhoea with severe dehydration (aMD -0.12; 95% CI -0.46–0.23, p = 0.501). After excluding practices directly related to pulse oximetry and oxygen, we found aMD 0.23 for severe pneumonia (95% CI -0.02–0.48, p = 0.072) and 0.65 for severe malaria (95% CI 0.41–0.89, p<0.001) comparing full intervention to baseline. Sub-analysis showed some improvements (and no deterioration) in care processes not directly related to oxygen or pulse oximetry.

Conclusion

Improvements in hospital oxygen systems were associated with higher QOC scores, attributable to better use of pulse oximetry and oxygen as well as broader improvements in clinical care, with no negative distortions in care practices.

Trial registration

ACTRN12617000341325
Definition of the immune evasion-replication interface of rabies virus P protein
Authors: Zhan Jingyu , Harrison Angela R. , Portelli Stephanie , Nguyen Thanh Binh , Kojima Isshu , Zheng Siqiong , Yan Fei , Masatani Tatsunori , Rawlinson Stephen M. , Sethi Ashish , Ito Naoto , Ascher David B. , Moseley Gregory W. , Gooley Paul R.
Published: July 2021

Rabies virus phosphoprotein (P protein) is a multifunctional protein that plays key roles in replication as the polymerase cofactor that binds to the complex of viral genomic RNA and the nucleoprotein (N protein), and in evading the innate immune response by binding to STAT transcription factors. These interactions are mediated by the C-terminal domain of P (PCTD). The colocation of these binding sites in the small globular PCTD raises the question of how these interactions underlying replication and immune evasion, central to viral infection, are coordinated and, potentially, coregulated. While direct data on the binding interface of the PCTD for STAT1 is available, the lack of direct structural data on the sites that bind N protein limits our understanding of this interaction hub. The PCTD was proposed to bind via two sites to a flexible loop of N protein (Npep) that is not visible in crystal structures, but no direct analysis of this interaction has been reported. Here we use Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, and molecular modelling to show N protein residues, Leu381, Asp383, Asp384 and phosphor-Ser389, are likely to bind to a ‘positive patch’ of the PCTD formed by Lys211, Lys214 and Arg260. Furthermore, in contrast to previous predictions we identify a single site of interaction on the PCTD by this Npep. Intriguingly, this site is proximal to the defined STAT1 binding site that includes Ile201 to Phe209. However, cell-based assays indicate that STAT1 and N protein do not compete for P protein. Thus, it appears that interactions critical to replication and immune evasion can occur simultaneously with the same molecules of P protein so that the binding of P protein to activated STAT1 can potentially occur without interrupting interactions involved in replication. These data suggest that replication complexes might be directly involved in STAT1 antagonism.
O prelo Haas-Galinha
Authors: Amaral Antonio Maia , Oldham Robert W.
Published: July 2021

Este artigo revê a história de um prelo manual conservado na Biblioteca Geral da Universidade de Coimbra. Reavaliando a sua possível origem, põe-se a hipótese de ter sido originalmente fabricado cerca de 1784 por Wilhelm Haas, em Basileia (Suíça), e recuperado por Manuel Bernardes Galinha, em Coimbra (Portugal), em 1845. Seria, nesse caso, o mais antigo prelo de corpo metálico conservado no mundo.
Cómo cambiar las conductas pasivas en el aula
Authors: Camarasa Rius Marina , Bravo Malo Agustina , García J. Mario
Published: July 2021

Uno de los objetivos que se pretende alcanzar en una educación integral es conseguir que el estudiante esté en disposición de afrontar el aprendizaje por sí mismo a lo largo de la vida. En el presente trabajo se analizan las pautas de actuación docente del profesor en el aula con el objetivo de influir en la motivación e interés de los estudiantes por aprender. Se describen algunas de las metodologías motivadoras que vienen desarrollándose en algunas asignaturas desde que se implantó el nuevo Plan de Estudios en la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería y Diseño Industrial (ETSIDI) de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) en el año 2010. En concreto se utilizan distintas estrategias de aprendizaje dependiendo del grupo al que van dirigidas. Se ha trabajado en 4 asignaturas, 2 de primer curso y otras 2 de segundo. Se ha analizado el rendimiento académico en algunos grupos de las asignaturas de Física I, Física II, Termodinámica y Transmisión del Calor, donde se ha trabajado con técnicas motivadoras y los resultados muestran un satisfactorio grado de éxito al compararlo con otros grupos análogos de la misma asignatura.
Access alkalmazás kialakítása dolgozói jelenlét nyilvántartására
Authors: Fabulya Zoltán
Published: July 2021

Egyedi, testreszabott program szolgáltatásait tudjuk biztosítani az Access adatbáziskezelő program segítségével. Felhasználóbarát kezelőfelületekkel rendelkező alkalmazásokat fejleszthetünk programozói ismeretek nélkül. Áttekintjük egy portán hasznosítható, dolgozók mozgását nyilvántartó adatbázis fejlesztését: az adatok tárolását biztosító relációs adatbázis tábláinak és kapcsolatainak kialakítása, a szükséges lekérdezések, űrlapok, jelentések és makrók elkészítése. A programszerű működést biztosító beállításokkal bárki számára könnyen használható felületeket alakíthatunk ki a program egyszerű kezeléséhez.
Parental control in different life contexts for paediatric cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Paixão Catiele , Alvarenga Patrícia , Barros Luisa , Souza Edna Lúcia
Published: July 2021

This study aimed to comprehensively describe parental control strategies (appropriate support, critical control or overprotection) in the distinct living contexts of paediatric cystic fibrosis patients (namely daily routine and peer interaction). Fourteen mothers and two fathers of children with cystic fibrosis participated in the study. Children’s ages ranged from 5 to 12 years old (M=7.00; SD=2.25). Participants answered the Interview on Childrearing Practices and The New Friends Vignettes and provided socio-demographic information concerning the family and clinical details about the child’s illness. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed. Appropriate support was the most frequently reported strategy in both contexts, with 83.9% in daily routine and 44.37% in peer interaction. In the daily routine context, reports of critical control were infrequent (15.68%), especially regarding the treatment for cystic fibrosis. In the peer interaction context, reports of overprotection were more frequent (38.48%) than reports of critical control (17.15%). Parents may be more flexible and responsive to children’s difficulties associated with treatments than to other types of disturbing behaviours in their daily routine, while problems in peer interactions tend to evoke overprotective strategies.
Мотивация труда творческих работников: нормативные представления и реальность трудовой жизни
Authors: Попкова Кристина Владимировна , Балабанова Евгения Сергеевна
Published: July 2021

Статья посвящена проблеме изучения специфики организации труда и влияния организационных управленческих практик на работников творческих профессий в условиях российского контекста.
Эмпирическая часть исследования основана на анализе данных, полученных в 2019-2020 гг. в ходе реализации двух этапов стратегии «последовательных вкладов» (mixed methods research) — глубинных интервью (N = 23) и стандартизованного онлайн-опроса (N = 302).
Один из важнейших результатов исследования — выявление противоречий между нормативным дискурсом, связанным со спецификой труда творческих работников, и результатами количественного этапа исследования. Приоритетность «содержательных» аспектов работы, автономии и возможностей самореализации для мотивации творческого труда, подчеркиваемая информантами в углубленных интервью, не получила подтверждения в массовом стандартизованном опросе. Результаты регрессионного анализа показали, что ведущую роль для удовлетворенности трудом творческих работников, их надролевого поведения, вовлеченности, эмоционального выгорания, намерений сменить работу играли аспекты, связанные с удовлетворением материальных потребностей и воспринимаемой справедливостью в оплате труда. Факторы же самореализации и автономии в большинстве моделей оказались незначимыми.
При этом результаты исследования подтверждают ранее выявленную в литературе и отраженную в глубинных интервью исключительно высокую значимость фактора групповых взаимодействий, командной работы. Обнаружено также достаточно терпимое отношение к конфликтам в трудовом процессе, что, на взгляд авторов, отражает специфику творческого труда.
Кроме того, было показано, что установки и поведение творческого работника обусловлены прежде всего организационно-управленческими факторами, а не социально-демографическими или индивидуально-личностными особенностями.