bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extreme party animals: Effects of political identification and ideological extremity
Authors: Brown Joshua K. , Hohman Zachary P.
Published: February 2022

Many Americans’ political identity is more relevant, salient, and central than their American identity. Political parties provide party members with an identity and belief system. Political identities influence identity‐based ideologies which increase affective polarization and potential anti‐social intergroup conflict between political parties. The purpose of the current research is to determine how political party identification and ideological extremity influences affective polarization for Republicans and Democrats across two studies. Participants in both studies completed a survey which measured political identification, ideological extremity, and uniquely operationalized measures of affective polarization, including support for co‐partisans, attitudes about political rivals, emotions towards political rivals, action tendencies towards political rivals, and perceived threat from political rivals. Study 1 (N = 530) used responses to the survey from a convenience sample crowdsourced by Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT) in 2018. Study 1 showed that higher political party identification is associated with significantly higher affective polarization for members of both parties and that ideological extremity partially mediates this effect. Study 2 (N = 260) used a 2020 AMT sample to replicate Study 1’s results. Findings extend our understanding of identity‐based ideological extremity and suggest that affective polarization could be driven by political party identification and partisans’ ideological extremity.
Curcumin analog HO‐3867 triggers apoptotic pathways through activating JNK1/2 signalling in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Chen Chi‐Wei , Hsieh Ming‐Ju , Ju Po‐Chung , Hsieh Yi‐Hsien , Su Chun‐Wen , Chen Yen‐Lin , Yang Shun‐Fa , Lin Chiao‐Wen
Published: February 2022

Human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the common head and neck malignancy in the world. While surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are emerging as the standard treatment for OSCC patients, the outcome is limited to the recurrence and side effects. Therefore, patients with OSCC require alternative strategies for treatment. In this study, we aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and the mode of action of the novel curcumin analog, HO‐3867, against human OSCC cells. We analysed the cytotoxicity of HO‐3867 using MTT assay. In vitro mechanic studies were performed to determine whether MAPK pathway is involved in HO‐3867 induced cell apoptosis. As the results, we found HO‐3867 suppressed OSCC cells growth effectively. The flow cytometry data indicate that HO‐3867 induce the sub‐G1 phase. Moreover, we found that HO‐3867 induced cell apoptosis by triggering formation of activated caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9 and PARP. After dissecting MAPK pathway, we found HO‐3867 induced cell apoptosis via the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK)1/2 pathway. Our results suggest that HO‐3867 is an effective anticancer agent as its induction of cell apoptosis through JNK1/2 pathway in human oral cancer cells.
Enhanced antimicrobial activity against Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in apple juice by genome shuffling of Lactobacillus acidophilusNX2‐6
Authors: Sun Jing , Gao Yuqi , Zhu Xiaoyu , Lu Zhaoxin , Lu Yingjian
Published: February 2022

Food safety and quality are seriously compromised by the growth of spoilage bacteria in food. Various lactic acid bacteria (LAB) may inhibit the growth of spoilage bacteria in food and animal feed. In our study, the antibacterial activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus NX2‐6 was improved by genome shuffling. The starting populations were obtained via 60Coγ‐ray, diethyl sulfate mutagenesis, and UV mutagenesis of protoplasts. The optimal conditions for protoplast formation and regeneration were found to be 30 mg/ml of lysozyme at 37°C for 40 min. The protoplasts were inactivated by UV irradiation for 110 s or by heating at 58°C for 30 min. After two rounds of genome shuffling, the inhibitory activity of strain F50 was improved by 5.6‐fold compared to the original strain. The shuffled strain has broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity and is a promising candidate for bio‐preservative. The antibacterial substances produced by L. acidophilus NX2‐6 can be applied to the preservation of apple juice. The results showed that the growth of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in apple juice was significantly inhibited by the addition of 0.1% culture supernatant with acidocin NX2‐6 at 28°C and 0.2% culture supernatant with acidocin NX2‐6 at 45°C for 30 days. The sugar−acid ratio, pH value, clarity, and fruit flavor of apple juice were well maintained during storage. This study showed that genome shuffling was an effective strategy to improve the bacterial inhibitory activity of LAB and that the shuffled LAB and their metabolites are expected to be used as bio‐based food protectors for food safety.
Ustekinumab does not increase risk of new or recurrent cancer in inflammatory bowel disease patients with prior malignancy
Authors: Hasan Badar , Tandon Kanwarpreet Singh , Miret Rafael , Khan Sikandar , Riaz Amir , Gonzalez Adalberto , Rahman Asad Ur , Charles Roger , Narula Neeraj , Castro Fernando J.
Published: February 2022

Background and Aim

There is limited data on the rate of new or recurrent cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a history of prior or current malignancy who are initiated on biologic therapies. Furthermore, there is no data on this topic in patients using ustekinumab.

Methods

The retrospective study included 341 patients with IBD and a history of cancer who were subsequently treated with vedolizumab (VDZ; n = 34), ustekinumab (USK; n = 27), tumor necrosis factor α antagonists (anti‐TNF; n = 99), or had no immunosuppressive therapy (control; n = 181). Cox proportional hazard models were developed to determine the independent effect of post‐cancer immunosuppressive treatment on the occurrence of incident cancer.

Results

Over a median of 5.2 person‐years of follow up, cancer recurrence occurred in only one patient on anti‐TNF, while new cancers developed in one patient on VDZ, three patients on USK, and six patients on anti‐TNF, corresponding to cancer rates of 0.4, 1.8, and 0.7 per 100 person‐years, respectively. The rate of incident cancer in control patients was 2.4 per 100 person‐years and included 18 new and 9 recurrent cancers. Compared with controls, a stepwise Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for significant covariates found no increased risk of incident cancer in patients receiving post‐malignancy treatment with USK (hazard ratio [HR] 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25–3.03), VDZ (HR 0.18; 95% CI 0.03–1.35), or anti‐TNF (HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.20–1.12).

Conclusion

Use of biologic therapy in IBD patients with a previous history of malignancy was not associated with an increased risk of new or recurrent cancer.
Intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental correlates of moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary time in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Authors: Ptomey L. T. , Helsel B. C. , White D. A. , Lee J. , Sherman J. R. , Washburn R. A. , Gorczyca A. M. , Donnelly J. E.
Published: February 2022

Background

Although correlates of physical activity (PA) have been extensively examined in both children and adolescents who are typically developing, little is known about correlates of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Therefore, we examined intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental factors and their association with device‐based MVPA and sedentary time in adolescents with IDD.

Methods

MVPA and sedentary time was assessed using a hip‐worn ActiGraph model wGT3x‐BT tri‐axial accelerometer across a 7‐day period in adolescents with IDD and one of their parents. Pearson and point‐biserial correlations were calculated to inspect the associations of PA (MVPA, sedentary time) with intrapersonal factors (demographic characteristic, BMI, waist circumference, motor ability, muscle strength, grip strength, cardiovascular fitness and self‐efficacy for PA), interpersonal factors (parent demographics, parent BMI, parent MVPA and sedentary time, family social support for PA, parent barriers and support for PA, parent's beliefs/attitudes towards PA and number of siblings), and environmental factors (meteorologic season and COVID‐19). Ordinary least squares regression was used to estimate the unique contributions of key factors to PA after controlling for participants' age, sex, race, waist circumference and total wear time.

Results

Ninety‐two adolescents (15.5 ± 3.0 years old, 21.7% non‐White, 6.5% Hispanic, 56.5% female) provided valid accelerometer data. Average sedentary time was 494.6 ± 136.4 min/day and average MVPA was 19.8 ± 24.2 min/day. Age (r = 0.27, P = 0.01), diagnosis of congenital heart disease (r = −0.26, P = 0.01) and parent sedentary time (r = 0.30, P = 0.01) were correlated with sedentary time. BMI (r = −0.24, P = 0.03), waist circumference (r = −0.28, P = 0.01), identifying as White (r = −0.23, P = 0.03) and parent MVPA (r = 0.56, P < 0.001) were correlated with MVPA. After adjusting for the adolescent's age, sex, race, waist circumference, and total wear time, the association between parent and adolescent MVPA remained significant (b = 0.55, P < 0.01, partial η2 = 0.11).

Conclusion

The results of this study provide evidence that race, waist circumference and parental MVPA may influence the amount of MVPA in adolescents with IDD. The limited available information and the potential health benefits of increased MVPA highlight the need to evaluate the effectiveness of multi‐component interventions targeting both intrapersonal and interpersonal levels to promote increased PA in adolescents with IDD.
Salary and Workload of Midwives Across Birth Center Practice Types and State Regulatory Structures
Authors: Ross Lisa , Jolles Diana , Hoehn‐Velasco Lauren , Wright Jennifer , Bauer Kate , Stapleton Susan
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Expansion of the midwifery‐led birth center model of care is one pathway to improving maternal and newborn health. There are a variety of practice types among birth centers and a range of state regulatory structures of midwifery practice across the United States. This study investigated how those variations relate to pay and workload for midwives at birth centers.

Methods

Data from the American Association of Birth Centers Practice Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report on occupational employment and wage statistics were analyzed to explore how midwife salaries and workload at birth centers compare within and beyond the birth center model.

Results

Survey results from 161 birth centers across the United States demonstrate wide variation in nurse‐midwife salaries and are inconsistent with nurse‐midwife salaries across all settings as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The reported number of hours worked by midwives within the birth center model is high. Salaries of midwives who work in birth center–only practices were consistently lower than salaries of midwives who worked in blended birth center and hospital practices, independent of the midwife's level of experience, geographic region of the country, and state regulatory structure.

Discussion

Further research is needed to understand how to bring salaries and workload for midwives at birth centers into alignment with national averages.
Comparison of effectiveness and safety for low versus full dose of apixaban during extended phase oral anticoagulation in patients with venous thromboembolism
Authors: DeRemer Christina E. , Dietrich Eric A. , Kang Hye‐Rim , Huang Pei‐Lin , Lo‐Ciganic Wei‐Hsuan , Park Haesuk
Published: February 2022

Background

The optimal dose of apixaban therapy to prevent asecondary venous thromboembolism (VTE) event remains unconfirmed.

To investigate the effects of extended phase use of apixaban (2.5 vs. 5 mg twice daily) beyond 6 months of initial treatment on the risk of recurrent VTE and major bleeding events among patients with a history of VTE.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis of two large national insurance claims databases was conducted for patients diagnosed with VTE. Cox proportional hazard models after propensity score matching were used to compare the risk of recurrent VTE and major bleeding.

Results

There were no detected differences in recurrent VTE or major bleeding events between patients prescribed low versus full dose apixaban.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily is an alternative option for extended phase therapy for risk reduction of VTE recurrence compared to apixaban 5 mg twice daily.
Resolution of Excessive Interocclusal Restoration Space Post‐Mandibulectomy Using a Two‐Layer Retrievable Fixed Implant‐Supported Prosthesis: A Case Report
Authors: Lan Yi‐Hao , Yang Hsiao‐Ying , Chang Hao‐Hueng , Lin Li‐Deh , Wang Tong‐Mei
Published: February 2022

Patients treated with segmental mandibulectomy often require complicated rehabilitation. Maintenance of mandibular continuity and provision of adequate soft and hard tissue volumes are two key factors required for good clinical outcomes. Moreover, excessive interocclusal restoration space is a common problem in these patients. This case report describes the process of prosthetic rehabilitation from extensive surgical excision to final rehabilitation by using a creative two‐layer fixed implant prosthesis in a 70‐year‐old patient with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Exploring rural doctors’ early experiences of coping with the emerging COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Couper Ian , Walters Lucie , Williams Susan , Campbell David , White Isabella , Stewart Ruth , Konkin Jill
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To understand how rural doctors (physicians) responded to the emerging COVID‐19 pandemic and their strategies for coping.

Methods

Early in the pandemic doctors (physicians) who practise rural and remote medicine were invited to participate through existing rural doctors’ networks. Thirteen semi‐structured interviews were conducted with rural doctors from 11 countries. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using NVivo. A thematic analysis was used to identify common ideas and narratives.

Findings

Participants’ accounts described highly adaptable and resourceful responses to address the crisis. Rapid changes to organizational and clinical practices were implemented, at a time of uncertainty, anxiety, and fear, and with limited information and resources. Strong relationships and commitment to their colleagues and communities were integral to shaping and sustaining these doctors’ responses. We identified five common themes underpinning rural doctors’ shared experiences: (1) caring for patients in a context of uncertainty, fear, and anxiety; (2) practical solutions through improvising and being resourceful; (3) gaining community trust and cooperation; (4) adapting to unrelenting pressures; and (5) reaffirming commitments. These themes are discussed in relation to the Lazarus and Folkman stress and coping model.

Conclusions

With limited resources and support, these rural doctors’ practical responses to the COVID‐19 crisis underscore strong problem‐focused coping strategies and shared commitments to their communities, patients, and colleagues. They drew support from sharing experiences with peers (emotion‐focused coping) and finding positive meanings in their experiences (meaning‐based coping). The psychosocial impact on rural doctors working at the limits of their adaptive resources is an ongoing concern.
Visual–inertial structural acceleration measurement
Authors: Weng Yufeng , Lu Zheng , Lu Xilin , Spencer Billie F.
Published: February 2022

Structural vibration measurement is a crucial and necessary step for structural health monitoring. Recently, computer vision‐based techniques have been proposed by researchers to measure structural motion remotely. However, the direct application of vision‐based measurement to practical applications still faces some challenges, mainly because intrinsic camera vibration can introduce significant errors to the measurement results. In this study, a three‐stage approach using an embedded inertial measurement unit is proposed to compensate for the camera movement. First, camera rotations are estimated by employing a complementary filter with an adaptive gain to fuse gyroscope measurement and accelerometer data. Next, binary robust invariant scalable key‐point features are detected from the region of interest and tracked between video frames using a Kanade–Lucas–Tomasi tracker. Finally, structural acceleration is obtained by combining the information for the obtained structural features and the estimated nonstationary camera motion. The performance of the proposed approach is investigated using both a moving handheld camera and a camera mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle in the laboratory. These results demonstrate that the proposed method can be effectively applied to measure structural vibration, without requiring stationary background features to be available in the video.
The nonstructural protein NSs encoded by tomato zonate spot virus suppresses RNA silencing by interacting with NbSGS3
Authors: Chen Jianbin , Zheng Limin , Shi Xiaobin , Zhang Songbai , Tan Xinqiu , Zhao Xingyue , Lu Bingxin , Ye Qian , Miao Shuyue , Liu Yong , Zhang Deyong
Published: February 2022

Viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs) are encoded by diverse viruses to counteract the RNA silencing‐mediated defence mounted by the virus‐infected host cells. In this study, we identified the NSs protein encoded by tomato zonate spot virus (TZSV) as a potent VSR, and used a potato virus X (PVX)‐based heterologous expression system to demonstrate TZSV NSs as a viral pathogenicity factor that intensified PVX symptoms in Nicotiana benthamiana. We then used a yeast two‐hybrid screen to identify the suppressor of gene silencing 3 protein of N. benthamiana (NbSGS3), a known component of the plant RNA silencing pathway, as an interaction partner of TZSV NSs. We verified this interaction in plant cells with bimolecular fluorescence complementation, subcellular colocalization, and co‐immunoprecipitation. We further revealed that the NSs–NbSGS3 interaction correlated with the VSR activity of TZSV NSs. TZSV NSs reduced the concentration of NbSGS3 protein in plant cells, probably through the ubiquitination and autophagy pathways. Interestingly, TZSV infection, but not NSs overexpression, significantly up‐regulated the NbSGS3 transcript levels. Our data indicate that TZSV NSs suppresses RNA silencing of the host plant and enhances TZSV pathogenicity through its interaction with NbSGS3. This study reveals a novel molecular mechanism of NSs‐mediated suppression of plant host antiviral defence.
The MoPah1 phosphatidate phosphatase is involved in lipid metabolism, development, and pathogenesis in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Zhao Juan , Sun Peng , Sun Qiping , Li Renjian , Qin Ziting , Sha Gan , Zhou Yaru , Bi Ruiqing , Zhang Haifeng , Zheng Lu , Chen Xiao‐Lin , Yang Long , Li Qiang , Li Guotian
Published: February 2022

As with the majority of the hemibiotrophic fungal pathogens, the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae uses highly specialized infection structures called appressoria for plant penetration. Appressoria differentiated from germ tubes rely on enormous turgor pressure to directly penetrate the plant cell, in which process lipid metabolism plays a critical role. In this study, we characterized the MoPAH1 gene in M. oryzae, encoding a putative highly conserved phosphatidate phosphatase. The expression of MoPAH1 was up‐regulated during plant infection. The MoPah1 protein is expressed at all developmental and infection stages, and is localized to the cytoplasm. Disruption of MoPAH1 causes pleiotropic defects in vegetative growth, sporulation, and heat tolerance. The lipid profile is significantly altered in the Mopah1 mutant. Lipidomics assays showed that the level of phosphatidic acid (PA) was increased in the mutant, which had reduced levels of diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol. Using a PA biosensor, we showed that the increased level of PA in the Mopah1 mutant was primarily accumulated in the vacuole. The Mopah1 mutant was blocked in both conidiation and the formation of appressorium‐like structures at hyphal tips. It was nonpathogenic and failed to cause any blast lesions on rice and barley seedlings. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that MoPah1 regulates the expression of transcription factors critical for various developmental and infection‐related processes. The Mopah1 mutant was reduced in the expression and phosphorylation of Pmk1 MAP kinase and delayed in autophagy. Our study demonstrates that MoPah1 is necessary for lipid metabolism, fungal development, and pathogenicity in M. oryzae.
Effects of yoga on menopausal symptoms and sleep quality across menopause statuses: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Susanti Henny Dwi , Sonko Ismaila , Chang Pi‐Chen , Chuang Yeu‐Hui , Chung Min‐Huey
Published: February 2022

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of yoga on menopausal symptoms and sleep quality across menopause statuses. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group (n = 104 each), and those in the intervention group practiced yoga for 20 weeks. The participants completed the following questionnaires: the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale; Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support; Menopause Rating Scale; and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The results revealed that yoga effectively decreased menopausal symptoms, with the strongest effects noted in postmenopausal women (mean ± standard deviation: 14.98 ± 7.10), followed by perimenopausal women (6.11 ± 2.07). Yoga significantly improved sleep quality in postmenopausal and perimenopausal women after controlling for social support, depression, anxiety, stress, and menopausal symptoms (p < 0.001). However, yoga did not affect sleep quality in premenopausal women. Overall sleep quality significantly improved in postmenopausal and perimenopausal women. Our data indicate that yoga can help decrease menopausal symptoms, particularly in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, and improve their health.
Exploring the uses of virtues in woman‐centred care: A quest, synthesis and reflection
Authors: Kuipers Yvonne J.
Published: February 2022

Woman‐centred care is a philosophy authentic to the midwifery profession, scaffolding and preceding the capacity and utility of woman‐centred care in daily practice. Through providing guidance on the philosophical capacities—the virtues—the practical capacity and utility of woman‐centred care becomes more clear and more tangible. This paper discusses the virtues of woman‐centred care in midwifery practice. Eighteen virtues, described by Comte‐Sponville, serve as a philosophical lens to explore and understand how each specific virtue integrates into the woman‐centred care concept or vice versa, herewith becoming woman‐centred care virtuous acts. The virtues are politeness, fidelity, prudence, temperance, courage, justice, generosity, compassion, mercy, gratitude, humility, simplicity, tolerance, purity, gentleness, good faith, humour and love. Exploring these virtues provides a manageable view of the complexity of woman‐centred care. In this paper, first each virtue is discussed in relation to the body of knowledge of woman‐centred care in midwifery. Thereafter, a sketch of pragmatism is provided through translating the virtues into practical recommendations for the professional socialization and transformation of becoming, being and doing woman‐centred care.
A quantile regression analysis of mediating impacts of institutions in environmental quality‐health outcomes nexus in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Alimi Olorunfemi Yasiru , Ajide Kazeem Bello , Ayadi Folorunso Sunday
Published: February 2022

This study examines the role of institutions in reducing a presumably negative impact of poor environmental quality on health outcomes, using a panel of 45 sub‐Saharan African countries over the period, 1996–2016. The empirical estimation is based on the panel quantile regression estimator. The study established inter alia: first, the declining health status occasioned by environmental degradation resulted in low life expectancy, high child mortality and increasing health expenditure. Second, strong institutional settings are needed to reverse the adverse effects of poor environmental quality on health outcomes. Thus, the minimum thresholds of control of corruption, government effectiveness, regulatory quality and overall institutions that restore human age expectancy are −0.37, −0.59, −0.40 and −0.40, respectively. In the same order, 0.08, −0.18, −0.41 and −0.15 are needed for health spending, whereas 0.24 of control of corruption and −0.21 of regulatory quality are needed to minimise child mortality. Third, the net effects of interactions do not align with the hypothesised relationships. Finally, we acknowledged the importance of some auxiliary indicators specific to each measure of health outcomes. On the policy front, setting‐up an innovative and sustainable agenda of green environment and clean growth seems critical to realising improved health conditions.
Wiltse Approach Versus Conventional Transforaminal Interbody Fusion for Unstable Thoracolumbar Fracture with Intervertebral Disc Lesions
Authors: Wang Song , Duan Chunyan , Yang Han , Kang Jianping , Wang Qing
Published: February 2022

Objective

To compare the clinical results of two surgical techniques, Wiltse approach and conventional transforaminal interbody fusion, for the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar fracture associated with traumatic intervertebral disc lesion (TIDL).

Methods

A total of 76 patients with unstable thoracolumbar fracture associated with TIDL treated by posterior pedicle screw fixation and transforaminal thoracolumbar interbody fusion from June 2010 and July 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. These patients including 48 male and 28 female patients were divided into Wiltse approach transforaminal thoracolumbar interbody fusion (W‐TLIF) group (n = 38) and conventional transforaminal thoracolumbar interbody fusion (C‐TLIF) group (n = 38). Patients were followed up for about 33 months. Clinical and radiological records, kyphotic angle, fractured vertebral body height, visual analogue score (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), complications, neurological improvement and fusion rate were compared between two groups.

Results

All patients underwent posterior surgery successfully. Blood loss, operation time and hospital stay in the W‐TLIF group was 437.84 ± 143.98 ml, 118.64 ± 20.55 min and 12.32 ± 2.87 days, respectively. While those parameters in the C‐TLIF group was 862.70 ± 300.24 ml, 141.35 ± 31.72 min and 15.51 ± 2.08 days, respectively. Average operation time and hospital stay time were significantly shorter, and blood loss was significantly less in the W‐TLIF group than in the C‐TLIF group (P < 0.05). VAS and ODI in the W‐TLIF group were significantly less than those in the C‐TLIF group at 1 week after operation and final follow‐up. The kyphotic angle and vertebral body height were improved. There was 1–2 grade improvement in patients with neurological deficit. Thirty‐three patients in the W‐TLIF group and 32 patients in the C‐TLIF group had achieved fusion during follow‐up. No internal fixation failure was observed in two groups.

Conclusions

The both techniques of W‐TLIF and C‐TLIF were feasible and effective for unstable thoracolumbar fracture with TIDL. Compare to C‐TLIF, The technique of W‐TLIF was a relatively less invasive way to decompress the neural elements and an easy method to reconstruct the anterior column using the same posterior approach.
Correlation between bispectral index and patient state index in children under sevoflurane anesthesia
Authors: Kim Doyeon , Kim Jaeyoun , Kim Inho , Gil Nam‐Su , Shin Young Hee , Jeong Ji Seon
Published: February 2022

Background

Because the unanticipated arousal or hemodynamic instability during anesthesia may adversely affect the physical and emotional welfare of children, adequate management of the anesthesia depth is required. We aimed to compare Bispectral Index (BIS) and Patient State Index (PSI) in children during sevoflurane anesthesia and evaluate PSI as depth of anesthesia monitor in children aged 6 months–12 years.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, children aged 6 months–12 years old scheduled for elective surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia were enrolled from November 2018 to June 2019. We monitored BIS and PSI at different sevoflurane concentrations. The primary outcome was the correlation between BIS and PSI. The correlation between BIS and PSI at different sevoflurane concentrations (at 1, 1.5, and 2 MACs) and at different age groups (6 months–2 years, 2–7 years, and 8–12 years) was also investigated.

Results

Bispectral index and PSI showed a fair correlation (r = .430; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.297–0.546; p < .001). Two values were fairly correlated at 1, 1.5, and 2 MAC (r = .544; 95% CI, 0.314–0.716; p < .001, r = .509; 95% CI, 0.283–0.699; p < .001, and r = .315; 95% CI, 0.047–0.522; p = 0.007). BIS and PSI values showed a fair correlation in 6 months ‐ 2 year and 8–12 year groups (r = .696; 95% CI, 0.519–0.813; p < .001 and r = .297; 95% CI, −0.017 to 0.543; p < .021), but there was not significant correlation in 2–7 years group (r = .190; 95% CI, −0.015 to 0.374; p = .052).

Conclusions

There was a fair correlation between BIS and PSI in children under sevoflurane anesthesia. The use of BIS and PSI as an indicator for anesthesia depth by sevoflurane is not reliable in pediatric patients.
Quantitative trait loci underlying flooding tolerance in soybean (Glycine max)
Authors: Zhang Jun , McDonald Samuel Clay , Wu Chengjun , Ingwers Miles W. , Abdel‐Haleem Hussein , Chen Pengyin , Li Zenglu
Published: February 2022

Flooding stress typically causes oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) in plants, which damages roots and substantially affects soybean growth, survival and yield. Identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and understanding the inheritance of flooding tolerance will help in developing soybean cultivars with tolerance to flooding. The objective of this study was to map QTLs responsible for flooding tolerance using an F5‐derived recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a ‘Benning’ × PI 416937 cross. RILs, along with the parents ‘Benning’ and PI 416937, were grown in 2012, 2014 and 2015 at Stuttgart, AR, and phenotyped for flooding tolerance using a visual determination of plant health and the survival rate of plants in the field. The population was genotyped with the SoySNP6K Infinium BeadChips. Analysis of variance revealed significant effects of genotype, environment and genotype × environment interaction (P < .0001) on flooding tolerance. QTL analysis detected nine significant QTL (logarithm of the odds [LOD] > 3.0) for flooding tolerance on chromosomes (Chrs) 1, 4, 5, 16 and 18 for both flooding tolerance scores (FTSs) and survival rates (SRs) using best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) values over three years. Three QTLs, located on Chrs 1, 5 and 16, were in common for both FTS and SR traits, and individual QTLs explained 7.6% to 11.0% of the phenotypic variation. The results suggested that flooding tolerance is a complex trait, which is controlled by multiple QTLs and significantly affected by QTL × environment interactions. The QTL and marker information could be used to assist soybean breeders to develop flooding tolerant cultivars.
The time course of reactivity to social acceptance and rejection feedback: An examination of event‐related potentials and behavioral measures in a peer interaction task
Authors: Pegg Samantha , Lytle Marisa N. , Arfer Kodi B. , Kujawa Autumn
Published: February 2022

Measurement of social processes is of interest across areas of research. Event‐related potentials (ERPs) measured using electroencephalography (EEG) offer high temporal resolution, but little work has leveraged this strength to characterize the time course of social feedback processing. The present study aimed to replicate and extend previous research by systematically identifying the temporal dynamics of responses to both social acceptance and rejection feedback relative to neutral feedback, examining internal consistency of ERPs, and exploring correspondence with behavioral measures elicited during a peer interaction task. Emerging adults (N = 118) completed a computerized peer interaction task in which they made decisions to accept or reject peers and received rejection, acceptance, and neutral feedback while EEG data were recorded. Principal component analysis was used to derive temporally and spatially distinct ERP components sensitive to positive and negative social feedback. Participant voting patterns and post‐task liking ratings for computer‐controlled peers were also examined. Replicating prior work, components consistent with N1, P2, reward positivity (RewP), and P3 emerged, but distinct patterns of modulation by acceptance and rejection relative to neutral feedback were observed. Most components showed acceptable internal consistency. Sensitivity to peer feedback assessed through participant voting patterns and liking ratings for peers was correlated with RewP and P3 components. Results highlight the complexity of social feedback processing observable in a computerized peer interaction task and offer promising neural and behavioral measures that can be used to examine individual differences in sensitivity to both social acceptance and rejection feedback.
Follicular dynamics during the non‐reproductive season in Miranda jennies
Authors: Quaresma Miguel , Sara Ramalheira‐Martins , Nóvoa Miguel , Camillo Francesco , Payan‐Carreira Rita
Published: February 2022

Jennies’ follicular wave patterns have not yet been addressed during the non‐breeding and transition seasons in anoestrous jennies. Twelve non‐pregnant females of the Miranda donkey breed were followed to describe follicular wave characteristics during the non‐reproductive season and determine the anoestrous effect in follicular wave patterns. Five jennies enrolled in this study experienced anoestrus during the non‐breeding season, but all retained the continuous emergence of follicular waves. The average duration of the waves from emergence to peak was 11.2 ± 0.021 days (3–29 days). The duration of the different type of waves was 9.91 ± 0.034 days for minor waves,12.5 ± 0.232 days for major secondary waves and 12.5 ± 0.057 for major primary waves. The major waves were significantly longer than the minor waves (p < .001). Older jennies presented longer waves (p = .021). In the jennies presenting anoestrus, the wave duration during anoestrus (11.2 ± 0.125 days, n = 31) was not different from the waves detected in the preceding and subsequent ovulatory cycles (11.3 ± 0.084 days, n = 43) (p = .978). The number of follicular waves emerging in each ovulatory cycle (n = 59) was 2.36 ± 0.011, varied from 1 to 4. Only in a small proportion of cycles, one wave (0.8%) was recorded, with 41 cycles (67.2%) presenting two waves; fourteen cycles presenting three waves (24.6%); and three cycles (6.6%) showing 4 waves. It was concluded that follicular waves do occur in anoestrous jennies during the non‐breeding season with two‐wave cycles being common.
Approaches to Qualitative Comparative Analysis and good practices: A systematic review
Authors: Thomann Eva , Ege Jörn , Paustyan Ekaterina
Published: February 2022

The Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) methodology has evolved remarkably in social science research. Simultaneously, the use of QCA too often lags behind methodological recommendations of good practice. Improper use is a serious obstacle for QCA to enrich the social science ‑methodology toolkit. We explore whether the coherence of analytic approaches can help us understand good practices in applied QCA by performing a systematic review of 86 QCA studies. Although adherence to technical GPs has improved over time, we find a high prevalence of incoherent, “hybrid” approaches. As the hybridity of a study increases, its adherence to good practices decreases. The case‐oriented, realist, exploratory QCA studies do not consistently follow recommendations of good practice. Instead, the only consistently good‐practice approach is case‐oriented, realist, but explicitly theory‐evaluating. We conclude that consistently aligning methodological choice with the underlying analytic approach and the use of theory can help foster good practices in applied QCA.
Predicting vasovagal reactions to a virtual blood donation using facial image analysis
Authors: Rudokaite Judita , Ong Lee‐Ling Sharon , Janssen Mart P. , Postma Eric , Huis in 't Veld Elisabeth
Published: February 2022

Background

People with needle fear experience not only anxiety and stress but also vasovagal reactions (VVR), including nausea, dizziness, sweating, pallor changes, or even fainting. However, the mechanism behind needle fear and the VVR response are not yet well understood. The aim of our study was to explore whether fluctuations in facial temperature in several facial regions are related to the level of experienced vasovagal reactions, in a simulated blood donation.

Study design and methods

We recruited 45 students at Tilburg University and filmed them throughout a virtual blood donation procedure using an Infrared Thermal Imaging (ITI) camera. Participants reported their fear of needles and level of experienced vasovagal reactions. ITI data pre‐processing was completed on each video frame by detecting facial landmarks and image alignment before extracting the mean temperature from the six regions of interest.

Results

Temperatures of the chin and left and right cheek areas increased during the virtual blood donation. Mixed‐effects linear regression showed a significant association between self‐reported vasovagal reactions and temperature fluctuations in the area below the nose.

Discussion

Our results suggest that the area below the nose may be an interesting target for measuring vasovagal reactions using video imaging techniques. This is the first in a line of studies, which assess whether it is possible to automatically detect levels of fear and vasovagal reactions using facial imaging, from which the development of e‐health solutions and interventions can benefit.
On the trade effects of bilateral SPS measures in developed and developing countries
Authors: Santeramo Fabio Gaetano , Lamonaca Emilia
Published: February 2022

The agri‐food trade has expanded considerably over decades, with a remarkable increase in the market share of developing countries. The upward trend in trade flows has been parallel to the proliferation of non‐tariff measures, particularly of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures in the agri‐food sector. SPS measures may have a dual impact on trade, that is. standards as catalysts versus standards as barriers, and the net effect is likely to depend on the level of economic development of countries involved. We investigate whether the trade effects of SPS measures are correlated with the economic development of trading partners. In particular, we disentangle the trade effects of SPS measures implemented by developed and developing countries and look at differential impacts due to a mismatch in the economic development of trading partners. Using a structural gravity approach on bilateral trade and regulation data, we conclude that SPS measures are catalysts for developing importers, whereas no evidence is found for developed importers. We also find a pro‐trade effect of SPS measures when traders have different levels of economic development. Our findings have important policy implications: sharing SPS measures is strategic for economies characterised by different abilities to alter trade terms.
Acute‐phase proteins in cats with obstructive feline lower urinary tract disease
Authors: Dinallo Heloíse Rangel , Giuffrida Rogério , de Azevedo Maria Gabriela P. , Santarém Cecília L. , Andrade Silvia M. C. F. , Brinholi Rejane B. , da Motta Yudney Pereira , Schmidt Elizabeth M. S. , Ferreira João Carlos P. , García Henry David M. , de Brito Adriana Falco , Melchert Alessandra , Guimarães‐Okamoto Priscylla Tatiana Chalfun
Published: February 2022

Background

Feline obstructive disease of the lower urinary tract (FLUTD) is a common pathologic condition of cats. It can be related to sterile inflammation, which leads to acute impairment of renal function and the accumulation of electrolytes and acid‐base imbalance. Acute‐phase proteins (APPs) are biomarkers of tissue damage from inflammation that assist in monitoring treatment and prognosis.

Objective

Monitoring the inflammatory processes of obstructive feline lower urinary tract disease through the determination of plasma fibrinogen concentrations and serum concentrations of the acute‐phase proteins, serum amyloid A (SAA), alpha‐1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP), and albumin.

Methodology

Twenty‐five male cats were included in this study. They were divided into two experimental groups: a control group (CG) and an obstruction group (OG). There were 8 healthy cats in the CG group and 17 cats with obstructive FLUTD in the OG group. APP measurements were conducted using ELISA kits. Samples were collected for APP analyses, serum biochemical assays, urinalyses, and urine protein: creatinine ratio calculations at diagnosis, before urethral clearance (H0), and 12 (H12), 24 (H24), and 48 (H48) hours after urethral clearance from cats in the OG group. Samples were collected once from cats in the CG group cats.

Results

At H0, we found positive correlations of SAA, AGP, and fibrinogen with urea and creatinine, and negative correlations of albumin with hematuria, SAA, and potassium. At H48, we found positive correlations between SAA and AGP, AGP and urea, fibrinogen and urea, fibrinogen and creatinine, fibrinogen and AGP, and fibrinogen and SAA. In addition, a negative correlation of albumin with urea and creatinine was observed.

Conclusions

Serum amyloid A, AGP, fibrinogen, and albumin could be used as biomarkers of inflammatory processes in cats with obstructive FLUTD.
CFD Simulation on Permeability of Porous Scaffolds for Human Skeletal System
Authors: Jusoh Norhana , Azri Amirul , Mohd Noor Auni Nurhaziqah , Khair Azizul Hakim , Naja Amsan Azureen , Amir Hussein Muhammad Husaini , Abd Shukor Muhammad Syahmi Hafizi , Muhammad Aminnudin Tariq , Abdul Samad Adlisa
Published: February 2022

Human skeletal system provides the protection of all organs and supports the loads from various daily activities. Therefore, the main objective of bone scaffold is to have mechanical strength to support the load and have the permeability that will have mass fluid transfer to enhance the healing of defects. In this study, we simulated the permeability of hexagonal unit cells at different pore sizes (1.0 mm, 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm) and at different inlet velocities (0.001 mm/s, 0.5 mm/s and 1 mm/s) by using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) in Ansys software. Our finding shows that pressure drop from inlet to the outlet of the unit cell’s pore increased corresponding to the decreasing of pores diameter.  In contrast, increasing the velocities has increased the pressure drop from inlet to the outlet. The pressure drop at 0.001 mm/s, 0.5 mm/s and 1mm/s inlet velocities were 1.40×10-4 Pa, 7.02×10-2 Pa and 1.41×10-1 Pa, respectively for 1.0 mm pore size.  The gradual decreased of the pressure will give the cell and nutrient to be diffused to the inner part of the scaffold. We calculated the permeability for each unit cell, and it can be acceptable based on the upper limit of human bone permeability. The variation in velocities did not gave significant differences for the scaffold permeability. However, the different of pore sizes gave significant effect in the scaffold permeability. The permeability value at 0.001 mm/s for 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm pore size were 2.900×10-8 m2, 4.863×10-8 m2 and 8.529×10-8 m2, respectively. By taking into accounts the pressure drop and permeability value, unit cell with 1 mm pore size is predicted to show a better performance in promoting cell growth due to the better flow characteristics in the scaffold. Permeability prediction will help in producing a functional bone scaffold that crucial in bone regeneration of the human skeletal system.
Volleyball Competition on Consecutive Days Modifies Jump Kinetics but Not Height
Authors: Ruggiero Luca , Pritchard Samantha E. , Warmenhoven John , Bruce Tavis , MacDonald Kerry , Klimstra Marc , McNeil Chris J.
Published: February 2022

Purpose: In volleyball, jump execution is critical for the match outcome. Game-play-related neuromuscular impairments may manifest as decreased jump height (JH) or increased jump total duration, both of which are pivotal for performance. To investigate changes in JH and kinetics with game play, the authors conducted a prospective exploratory analysis using minimal-effect testing (MET) and equivalence testing with the 2 one-sided tests procedure, univariate, and bivariate functional principal component analysis, respectively. Methods: Twelve male varsity athletes completed 3-set matches on 2 consecutive days. Countermovement jumps were performed on a force platform immediately prematch and postmatch on days 1 and 2 and once on days 3 and 4. Results: Across sessions, JH was equivalent (P < .022, equivalence test), while total duration reported inconclusive changes (P > .227). After match 2, MET indicated that relative force at zero velocity (P = .036) decreased, while braking duration (P = .040) and time to peak force (P = .048) increased compared with baseline. With the first and second functional principal components, these alterations, together with decreased relative braking rate of force development (P = .092), were already evident after match 1. On day 4, MET indicated that relative peak force (P = .049), relative force at zero velocity (P = .023), and relative braking rate of force development (P = .021) decreased, whereas braking duration (P = .025) increased from baseline. Conclusions: Impairments in jump kinetics were evident from variables related to the countermovement-jump braking phase, while JH was equivalent. In addition to these experimental findings, the present research provides information for the choice of sample size and smallest effect size of interest when using MET and 1- and 2-dimensional analyses for countermovement-jump height and kinetics.