bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rituximab exposure‐response in triweekly R‐CHOP treatment in DLBCL: A loading dose is recommended to improve clinical outcomes
Authors: Liu Shu , Wang Zhao , Chen Rongxin , Huang He , Wang Xueding , Peng Chen , Guan Yanping , Fang Xiaojie , Guan Shaoxing , Huang Hongbing , Liu Tao , Lin Tongyu , Huang Min
Published: November 2021

Previous exposure‐response analyses for rituximab suggest that higher rituximab concentrations were associated with an improvement in efficacy, however, clinical studies investigating a higher rituximab dose had mixed results. To further explore the exposure‐response relationship of rituximab, a prospective observational analysis was performed involving 121 newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma treated with triweekly rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R‐CHOP). The trough concentration in the first cycle (C1‐trough) was significantly higher in patients achieving complete response (CR) compared with patients that did not achieve CR (22.00 μg/ml vs. 16.62 μg/ml, p = 0.0016), however, this difference between the two groups disappeared in later cycles. The relationship between rituximab C1‐trough and achieving a CR was confirmed by matched‐pair logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 0.79; p = 0.0020). In addition, a higher C1‐trough (≥18.40 μg/ml) was associated with longer progression‐free survival (p < 0.0001) and overall survival (p = 0.0038). The percentages of patients that did not achieve a CR and had recurrence after CR within 24 months were 35% and 22.50%, respectively, for patients with a C1‐trough less than or equal to 18.40 μg/ml, compared with 12.35% and 6.17% for patients with C1‐trough greater than 18.40 μg/ml. Disease stage was found to be the most significant influencing factor of C1‐trough, with 51.02% of patients at stage IV with an observed C1‐trough less than 18.40 μg/ml. For these advanced patients, population pharmacokinetic simulations using an established model suggest that a loading dose of 800 mg/m2 may help to improve clinical outcomes.
Overabundant native herbivore impacts on native plant communities in south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Morgan John W.
Published: November 2021

Native herbivores can affect the structure and function of plant communities. Most studies of overabundant native herbivore effects on native plant communities in south‐eastern Australia are observational or compare, at most, two levels of herbivory (ambient vs. none), and typically do not separate out the impacts of multiple herbivores. Several studies show that high densities of herbivores had mostly negative effects on plant regeneration and growth. These effects were usually attributed to palatability differences amongst plant species. Surprisingly, few studies have quantified vegetation responses across a gradient of herbivore density, and impacts on plant communities (i.e. species richness, composition, beta diversity) have not been well studied. Hence, there remains a need to better understand how native herbivores impact plant communities at different densities.
Seasonal breeding of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo provides opportunities for improved animal welfare in kangaroo management
Authors: Lucas Zohara , Pulsford Stephanie , Wimpenny Claire , Snape Melissa
Published: November 2021

The challenge of maintaining biodiversity by managing overabundant native fauna is often a contentious issue. This study demonstrates a means of improving animal welfare in the culling of overabundant kangaroos. We studied five populations of Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) in the Australian Capital Territory and established the percentage of juveniles throughout the year. We focused on juveniles aged 8–12 months old, as these are identified at greatest risk of poor welfare outcomes if orphaned. Our findings support the timing of culls when the fewest vulnerable juveniles are present in the population. This paper provides a scientific basis for land managers to adjust the timing of kangaroo management activities to best balance animal welfare, land management and conservation objectives.
Rapid population expansion of Boodie (Burrowing Bettong, Bettongia lesueur) creates potential for resource competition with Mala (Rufous Hare‐wallaby, Lagorchestes hirsutus)
Authors: Treloar Shannon , Lohr Cheryl , Hopkins Anna J. M. , Davis Robert A.
Published: November 2021

Translocations to closed systems such as fenced reserves are commonly used for conservation of threatened fauna species worldwide; however, resources are limited in these areas, and natural processes that regulate populations in response to resource availability are unable to occur. This can result in overabundance followed by overuse of resources, potentially resulting in extreme declines or local extinctions. Resource exhaustion can negatively impact other fauna in the closed environment that exploit similar resources, through inter‐specific competition. This paper discusses the reintroduction of Boodie (Bettongia lesueur) and Mala (Lagorchestes hirsutus) to a fenced reserve on the Matuwa Indigenous Protected Area, Western Australia, and raises the concern of potential competition between the two threatened species.
Species composition, herbage mass and grass productivity influence pasture responses to kangaroo grazing in a temperate environment
Authors: Snape Melissa A. , Fletcher Don , Caley Peter
Published: November 2021

Understanding the complexities of pasture responses (the overall seasonal gains or losses in herbage mass) under different environmental conditions is critical to the effective management of total grazing pressure, whether to achieve agricultural, cultural or biodiversity conservation outcomes. Whilst large‐scale management programmes for kangaroos (Macropus spp. and Osphranter spp.) occur across much of south‐eastern Australia, there is limited understanding of how such programmes influence the overall pasture response across different environmental contexts in the temperate environment. This study investigates the effects of potential grass productivity (measured as the growth of pasture protected from large herbivore grazing), initial herbage mass (measured as the attached, above‐ground component of grass tussocks), kangaroo density (measured at the site scale) and season on the overall pasture response in plots dominated by six common grass types from south‐eastern Australia. Using generalised additive mixed modelling, we demonstrate potential grass productivity (related to but not synonymous with grass palatability) to be the major predictor variable for pasture responses across all six grass types. Kangaroo density, either directly or via an interaction with initial herbage mass, was related to overall pasture responses for most grasses in spring and remained an important variable in favoured areas dominated by preferred Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) and Redleg Grass (Bothriochloa macra) throughout the autumn survey period. Plots dominated by grazing‐tolerant species, including wallaby grasses (Rytidosperma spp.) and Phalaris (Phalaris aquatica; an introduced pasture grass), showed marginally positive pasture responses under higher kangaroo densities, whilst plots with Wild Oats (Avena fatua; an introduced annual grass) and less preferred native spear grasses (Austrostipa spp.) showed no significant effect of kangaroo density on pasture response. Results support a context‐specific mix of ‘bottom‐up’ (resource‐driven) and ‘top‐down’ (consumer‐driven) processes in temperate grassy ecosystems, highlighting the importance of considering landscape productivity, existing herbage mass and grass species composition when informing kangaroo management decisions.
Options and rationale for regional property‐based kangaroo production
Authors: Wilson George R. , Edwards Melanie
Published: November 2021

The larger kangaroos (Macropus giganteus, M. fuliginosus and Osphranter rufus) are widely distributed and have a national population which fluctuates in response to changes in grass growth and trends to 40 million. Most are outside parks and reserves and, on pastoral properties, particularly on the rangelands of southern Australia. High numbers compromise regenerative agriculture, pasture conservation, revegetation and stewardship programmes, and can have significant financial impacts on landholders by lowering livestock production and damaging sustainability. Some smaller macropods, wallabies and pademelons, also have a similar effect, especially in Tasmania and on other smaller Australian Islands where foxes are absent. Paradoxically, kangaroos have a wide range of potentially valuable production attributes and are unique, which should be a global comparative advantage. The kangaroo industry is established with a small domestic and international market, although demand has been falling in recent years. Non‐commercial culling is rising, which results in millions of carcasses being wasted and left to decompose in the field. Indigenous communities abhor such waste and its cultural implications. A stronger kangaroo industry would be a better solution to managing overabundant kangaroos than pest culling and exclusion fences. Because kangaroos move from property to property, populations need to be managed on a regional basis through ‘regional property‐based kangaroo production’. A form of proprietorship over this mobile resource would encourage landholders to play a role in creating greater demand for kangaroo products. They would have an incentive to raise the value of kangaroos. Through innovative harvesting, they could deliver high‐quality, environmentally branded, accurately described, gourmet, differentiated products integrated with other livestock industries. They could establish cooperatives and embark on promoting regional kangaroo products. Policy improvements are needed to achieve these production systems. Doing so would diversify their enterprises, convert a liability already on their properties into an asset, create employment, enhance rural economic resilience, and improve animal welfare and conservation outcomes while earning them carbon credits. These opportunities become even more profound as climate change progresses.
Harvesting Agile Wallabies for human consumption in the Northern Territory of Australia
Authors: Hunt Warren , Bedoya‐Perez Miguel , Geesink Geert , Van Den Heuvel Aaron , Mullen John , Frost David
Published: November 2021

Agile Wallaby (Notamacropus agilis) has been in the diet of Aboriginal inhabitants of northern Australia for millennia. The species inhabits riparian zones and savannah woodlands, has a high rate of natural increase and can become pests in modified agricultural or plantation systems. Although the profitability of market‐based game harvesting appears marginal, local consumption could be incorporated into existing employment programmes on Aboriginal lands as a social enterprise. The legal environment is discussed, and further investigation and a trial as a pilot enterprise are recommended.
Trends of outcomes and healthcare utilization following orthopaedic procedures in adults with haemophilia: A 3‐decade retrospective review
Authors: Lin Chu Yang , Hosseini Farshad , Squire Sandra , Jackson Shannon , Sun Haowei (Linda)
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Haemophilic arthropathy is a serious complication of haemophilia often requiring surgical intervention. It is unclear whether advances in comprehensive care are associated with a reduction in orthopaedic interventions and peri‐procedural resource utilization.

Aim

To determine temporal patterns of orthopaedic interventions in persons with haemophilia (PWH), and evaluate changes in healthcare utilization and outcomes.

Methods

In this Canadian multicentre retrospective cohort study, adult PWH from Northern Alberta and British Columbia who underwent orthopaedic procedures (1990‐2018) were included. Temporal changes in the type of procedures, length of stay (LOS), factor utilization and outcomes were examined.

Results

: Sixty‐five patients (78% haemophilia A) underwent 102 surgeries at a median age of 46.3. Of the 46 severe PWH, 28 (61%) were on prophylaxis at time of surgery. The proportion of total knee arthroplasties (TKA) declined over time (56% 1990–1999, 51% 2000–2009, 27% 2010–2018), with a concomitant rise in ankle arthrodesis (0% 1990–1999, 18% 2000–2009, 27% 2010–2018). Over time, PWH underwent orthopaedic procedures at an older age (P = .02). There was a significant reduction in perioperative factor VIII utilization (P = .003) and median LOS (P < .0001). Major bleeds, prosthetic joint infections and thrombosis were not observed in the last decade.

Conclusion

In the last three decades, there was a decline in the proportion of TKA, likely reflecting the impact of widespread use of tertiary prophylaxis. However, ankle arthrodesis rates increased, suggesting that higher trough levels may be required to prevent ankle arthropathy. We observed a significant reduction in LOS and factor utilization, reflecting improvements in perioperative management.
Super responders to guselkumab treatment in moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis: a real clinical practice pilot series
Authors: Ruiz‐Villaverde Ricardo , Rodriguez‐Fernandez‐Freire Lourdes , Armario‐Hita Jose C. , Pérez‐Gil Amalia , Galán‐Gutiérrez Manuel
Published: November 2021

Background

The term super responders defines a subset of patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis that present a rapid and higher rate of response to biological treatments in comparison to the general population. Little scientific evidence to explain the behavior and clinical characteristics of these psoriatic patients has been published thus far. Its characterization could be important to improve therapeutic optimization and to identify the profile of patients that will respond efficiently to biological treatments.

Objectives

The main objective of this study was to evaluate and characterize the proportion of super‐responder patients (who achieved PASI = 0 at week 12 and 24) in a total of 87 patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis treated with guselkumab. Also, our intent was to analyze and evaluate differences in response to guselkumab in absolute PASI, PASI 75, PASI 90, PASI 100, BSA, VAS pruritus, and DLQI between groups.

Results

A total of 14 out of 87 patients treated with guselkumab were characterized as SR. No differences in demographic characteristics were found. The percentage of patients reaching PASI 75, PASI 90, and PASI 100 were numerically greater for SR than N‐SR at week 12, 24, 36, and 52. These differences were more pronounced for PASI 100 > PASI 90 > PASI 75. SR performed better and faster to guselkumab treatment as assessed by absolute PASI, BSA, VAS pruritus, and DLQI. Statistically significant differences were found in absolute PASI, BSA, VAS pruritus, and DLQI between groups along the 52 weeks of study. No differences in drug survival were found between groups (P = 0.3326).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated for the first time, in a real clinical practice setting, the presence of a subpopulation of patients that super respond to guselkumab at week 12 and 24 and maintain this efficacy for 52 weeks. Further research must be performed to identify basal specific characteristics of this SR population.
IER3 (IEX‐1) dysregulation serves as a potential prognostic factor in acute myeloid leukemia patients
Authors: Ke Shandong , Zhang Xin , Xiang Xiuzhi , Lu Yalan , An Hongyu
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Immediate early response 3 (IER3) has association with hematological malignancies’ risk and prognosis, such as myelodysplastic syndrome, while its relation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is not clear. This study aimed to explore the correlation of IER3 with AML risk, clinical characteristics, complete remission (CR), event‐free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS).

Methods

A total of 93 de novo AML patients were included in this study. In addition, 30 patients with non‐hyperplasia hematologic malignancies requiring bone marrow testing (as disease controls) and 30 health donors (as health controls) were also recruited. Bone morrow samples of AML patients (before treatment), disease controls (before treatment), and health controls (at donation) were collected. IER3 in bone marrow mononuclear cells was detected by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

IER3 was increased in AML patients compared with disease controls and health donors (both P < .001), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that IER3 had certain capability of distinguishing AML patients from disease controls (area under curve (AUC): 0.735, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.650‐0.820), and health donors (AUC: 0.789, 95% CI: 0.712‐0.866). Meanwhile, IER3 was correlated with FLT3‐ITD mutation (P = .030) and poor NCCN risk stratification (P = .031) in AML patients. Moreover, IER3 had negative association with CR in AML patients (P = .022), and showed certain potential in discriminating CR patients from non‐CR patients (AUC: 0.655, 95% CI: 0.533‐0.777). Besides, IER3 was negatively associated with EFS (P = .033), but not OS (P = .083) in AML patients.

Conclusion

IER3 dysregulation serves as a potential prognostic factor in AML patients.
Responsibility and the Duty of Rescue
Authors: Miller David
Published: November 2021

What difference might it make to the duty of rescue if the victim is responsible for needing to be rescued? Having distinguished the natural duty of rescue owed as a result of a chance encounter from the artificial duties of rescue that may be created by agreement among participants in high‐risk activities, I examine three ways in which the victim's responsibility might lessen the stringency of the duty: by lowering the cost threshold above which rescue ceases to be a duty; by lessening the force of the duty when it competes with other duties of justice; and by making the duty unenforceable by third parties. I then consider different forms the victim's responsibility may take: simple negligence, deliberate risk taking, and engaging in wrongful behaviour. There are only two circumstances in which the duty of rescue is entirely eliminated as a duty: when by virtue of repeated risk taking, the victim unfairly imposes excessive costs on his rescuer, and when rescuing the victim would allow him to continue threatening harm to others. In other cases, however, responsibility considerations should qualify the natural duty of rescue: rescue should not be a responsibility‐free zone.
Identification of dissipative emissions for improved assessment of metal resources in life cycle assessment
Authors: Owsianiak Mikołaj , van Oers Lauran , Drielsma Johannes , Laurent Alexis , Hauschild Michael Z.
Published: November 2021

Environmental dissipation is a novel approach to account for impacts from mineral resources. In contrast to all other resource‐related life cycle impact assessment methods, which use data on extractions as input to calculation of indicator scores, environmental dissipation is characterized solely through emissions to the environment. Making environmental dissipation work as a viable resource use impact category in life cycle assessment requires, however, that truly dissipative emissions are differentiated from those anthropogenic releases which do not contribute to loss of accessibility of a given resource over the time frame considered. We present a new method that allows for this differentiation to be made for 65 metals and metalloids in a consistent way. It determines (1) whether an emission flow reported in a life cycle inventory actually contributes to loss of accessibility of a given element when environmental fate mechanisms are considered, and (2) whether the element comes from a source that would be considered as a mineral resource for any generation living between the present and the time frame of assessment. We apply the new method to four different emission inventories, and characterize the resulting list of truly dissipative emissions using recently proposed long‐term environmental dissipation potentials (EDP). This highlights the need to differentiate dissipative emissions from other anthropogenic, potentially nondissipative emission flows of elements in metal resource impact assessment.
Physical activity and sedentary behaviour among children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities during the COVID‐19 lockdown in China
Authors: Yuan Y. Q. , Ding J. N. , Bi N. , Wang M. J. , Zhou S. C. , Wang X. L. , Zhang S. H. , Liu Y. , Roswal G.
Published: November 2021

Background

In the wake of the COVID‐19 pandemic, preliminary research has reported a significant decline in physical activity (PA) and an increase in sedentary behaviour (SB) among typically developed children and adolescents. Limited research has looked at the current situation of PA and SB during this pandemic among children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID). This study investigated the situations about PA and SB among school‐aged children and adolescents with ID on China's mainland during the COVID‐19 outbreak.

Methods

In total, 837 parents of children and adolescents (ages 6–18 years) with ID from 15 special education schools of Shandong Province in China were recruited through convenience sampling in the study. Parents reported PA and SB among children and adolescents with ID through the Children's Leisure Activities Study Survey‐Chinese version (CLASS‐C) online questionnaires.

Results

From parents' reports, Chinese children and adolescents with ID during the COVID‐19 pandemic participated in approximately 10 min of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity, and engaged in approximately 530 min of SB every day. Meanwhile, only 17.4% of children and adolescents with ID were able to achieve the recommendation of 60 min of daily moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity and 76.1% of children and adolescents with ID spent more than 2 h on SB per day. Additionally, the problems of decrease PA and excessive SB were more prominent in older adolescents with ID compared with younger children with ID.

Conclusion

In China, the low level of PA and high level of SB is particularly evident in children and adolescents with ID during the outbreak of COVID‐19. The great majority of children and adolescents with ID did not meet the recommended amount of PA while undergoing excessive SB under the long‐term home quarantine environment. Therefore, immediate attention and great effort should be made to deal with this severe situation among this vulnerable population in the mainland of China.
New‐onset cutaneous kaposi’s sarcoma following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Magri Francesca , Giordano Stefania , Latini Alessandra , Muscianese Marta
Published: November 2021

Background

COVID‐19 is associated with several cutaneous manifestations, including chilbain‐like lesions, urticaria, erythema multiforme, and maculopapular lesions. Dermatoses may be directly linked to the viral infection or also represent a consequence of systemic therapies administrated for COVID‐19. A potential role of SARS‐CoV‐2 in triggering the reactivation of other viruses, such as HHV‐6, HHV‐7 and Epstein‐Barr virus has been hypothesized.

Objective

To better understand and hypothesize possible pathogenetic correlations of COVID‐19 with other dermatological conditions.

Methods

We report the case of an 83‐year‐old woman hospitalized in a nursing home for several years. On November 2020, the patient had been diagnosed with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, with repeated positive swabs until January 2021. After a month, new‐onset asymptomatic cutaneous purplish macular lesions and violaceous patches occurred bilaterally on the feet.

Results

An incisional cutaneous biopsy and the histological examination of the plantar lesion revealed the diagnosis of Kaposi Sarcoma.

Conclusion

We report a unique case of new‐onset bilateral Kaposi's sarcoma following COVID‐19, speculating on a possible role of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the reactivation of human herpes virus‐8 (HHV‐8) infection.
Reliability of 3‐dimensional surface imaging of the face using a whole‐body surface scanner
Authors: Xu Ya , Frank Konstantin , Kohler Lukas , Ehrl Denis , Alfertshofer Michael , Giunta Riccardo Enzo , Moellhoff Nicholas , Cotofana Sebastian , Koban Konstantin Christoph
Published: November 2021

Objective

To the knowledge of the authors, no data about the reproducibility and accuracy of 3‐dimensional surface imaging of the face using a whole‐body scanner are available. Thus, the objective of this investigation was to assess the reproducibility of facial scans acquired using a whole‐body imaging device.

Material and Methods

This investigation investigated 220 3‐D scans of a total of 22 healthy volunteers (with a mean age of 29.36 years). Two consecutive 3‐D images using a Vectra WB360 of the volunteers were obtained utilizing a whole‐body imaging device. Predefined distances in the face were performed in each scan and compared. Furthermore, surface deviation between two consecutively captured scans was assessed.

Results

The distance with the smallest statistical significance was found to be at the nose with p = 0.998, while the biggest statistical significance was found in the midface with p = 0.658. The area with the biggest surface deviation between the superimposed scans was the neck with a root mean square (RMS) of 1.62 ± 1.71, and the area with the smallest surface deviation was the forehead with a RMS of 0.17 ± 0.05.

Conclusion

The whole‐body imaging device investigated in this study can be utilized to capture the face and provides enough accuracy to compare scans. Even though not directly investigated, it can be hypothesized that the error caused by repositioning the patient between a baseline and a follow‐up scan will not be too big to consider measurements performed with the whole‐body imaging device as impractical.
Ovarian mass combined with pancreatic neoplasm in pregnancy: A rare case report and literature review
Authors: Lee Young Joo , Kim So‐Woon , Kim Youngsun
Published: November 2021

A 35‐year‐old woman presented with abdominal discomfort at 26 weeks gestation. The magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a huge unilocular cystic mass with mural nodules originated from body and tail of pancreas. There was also a cystic mass in the left ovary with suppressed intensity on fat saturated image. One week later, she complained of worsening left lower abdominal pain and dyspnea as a new symptom. Hence, distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and left ovarian cystectomy were performed. The huge cystic mass of pancreas was compressing the diaphragm, and left tubo‐ovarian torsion was observed. This is the second case wherein an MCN of the pancreas with mature cystic teratoma of the ovary caused different symptoms. The management of MCNs in pregnant women should consider multiple aspects such as the malignancy potential of imaging findings, severity of symptoms, and fetal well‐being.
What are the ethical issues involved in noninvasive prenatal testing in Japan?
Authors: Suzumori Nobuhiro
Published: November 2021

Aims

Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) of pregnant women has been performed worldwide since 2011, and it is currently performed in more than 90 countries. However, the rate of adoption in Japan remains at less than 2%. This review seeks to identify the ethical and practical issues surrounding noninvasive prenatal screening—including the purpose of the test, its pros and cons, issues surrounding fair treatment, and social factors—to better understand why the adoption rate remains low.

Methods

This study examines the complex ethical issues surrounding noninvasive prenatal testing, including the purpose of the test, its pros and cons, issues related to fair treatment, and social factors.

Results

Although cell‐free DNA analysis for common fetal trisomies using maternal blood is highly accurate, lack of access to such testing and discriminatory attitudes in society remain important barriers. Personal choices such as whether to undergo noninvasive prenatal screening and whether to continue a pregnancy are sometimes criticized by those who believe that it leads to the “selection of life” or discrimination against people with disabilities.

Conclusions

Obstetrics has changed dramatically in recent years, and prenatal diagnosis technology has also advanced. To keep up with these advances, better information should be provided to ensure the public has a more nuanced understanding of the screening beyond the overused argument that it leads to “selection of life.”
Dietary resveratrol alleviated lipopolysaccharide‐induced ileitis through Nrf2 and NF‐κB signalling pathways in ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)
Authors: Yang Hao , Wang Yingjie , Jin Sanjun , Pang Qian , Shan Anshan , Feng Xingjun
Published: November 2021

Gram‐negative bacteria contamination of feed can occur at all the stage of feed production, storage, transportation and utilization. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major toxic metabolite of Gram‐negative bacteria. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of dietary resveratrol on the duck ileitis caused by LPS and its optimum addition level in diet. The results showed that LPS‐induced duck ileitis with the destruction of intestinal structure, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory response and permeability alteration. Dietary resveratrol alleviated LPS‐induced intestinal dysfunction and the increase of intestinal permeability by linearly increasing mRNA levels of tight junction protein genes (Claudin‐1, Occludin‐1, ZO‐1) (p < 0.05) and protein expression of Claudin‐1 (p < 0.01). In addition, dietary resveratrol improved the antioxidant capacity of duck ileum by reducing the production of MDA and increasing the activity of T‐SOD (p < 0.01) and CAT. Lipopolysaccharide increased Keap1 at mRNA and protein level (p < 0.01) and decreased the protein level of Nrf2 (p < 0.05). Dietary resveratrol significantly downregulated expression of Keap1 and upregulated expression of Nrf2 in duck (p < 0.05). Dietary resveratrol suppressed the TLR4/NF‐κB signalling pathway and the expression of its downstream genes including IKK, TXNIP, NLRP3, Caspase‐1, IL‐6 and IL‐18. Meanwhile, the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐18 and TNF‐α) showed a linearly decrease (p < 0.01) with increasing dietary resveratrol level. These results demonstrated that resveratrol alleviated the LPS‐induced acute ileitis of duck through Nrf2 and NF‐κB signalling pathways, and the dietary resveratrol of 500 mg/kg is more efficiently.
Does moonlight affect movement patterns of a non‐obligate carnivore? Brown bears do not mind that the moon exists
Authors: Lamamy C. , Delgado M. M. , Kojola I. , Heikkinen S. , Penteriani V.
Published: November 2021

Moonlight plays a significant role in prey–predator relationships. At full moon, predators' hunting success and activity rates generally increase. Even though the analysis of facultative carnivore movement patterns can improve our knowledge of how moonlight can change the behaviour of such a group of species with diverse ecological needs, few studies have been conducted with facultative carnivores and none with telemetric data. Here, we studied whether moonlight influences brown bear,Ursus arctos,movement behaviours. By analysing data collected from 2002 to 2014 for 71 collared individuals inhabiting Finland and Russian Karelia, we found that some internal and external factors are influencing brown bear movement patterns. In particular, this facultative carnivore moves more slowly and over shorter distances during hyperphagia periods than during the mating season. However, moonlight does not affect brown bear movements. Although brown bears are large carnivores, they are opportunistic omnivores with a high fruit diet and, therefore, the prey–predator relationships that are behind the dependence of carnivores on moonlight seem to be weaker than in obligate carnivores.
High chromosomal mobility of rDNA clusters in holocentric chromosomes of Triatominae, vectors of Chagas disease (Hemiptera‐Reduviidae)
Authors: Pita S. , Lorite P. , Cuadrado A. , Panzera Y. , De Oliveira J. , Alevi K. C. C. , Rosa J. A. , Freitas S. P. C. , Gómez‐Palacio A. , Solari A. , Monroy C. , Dorn P. L. , Cabrera‐Bravo M. , Panzera F.
Published: November 2021

The subfamily Triatominae (Hemiptera‐Reduviidae) includes more than 150 blood‐sucking species, potential vectors of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, causative agent of Chagas disease. A distinctive cytogenetic characteristic of this group is the presence of extremely stable chromosome numbers. Unexpectedly, the analyses of the chromosomal location of ribosomal gene clusters and other repetitive sequences place Triatominae as a significantly diverse hemipteran subfamily. Here, we advance the understanding of Triatominae chromosomal evolution through the analysis of the 45S rDNA cluster chromosomal location in 92 Triatominae species. We found the 45S rDNA clusters in one to four loci per haploid genome with different chromosomal patterns: On one or two autosomes, on one, two or three sex chromosomes, on the X chromosome plus one to three autosomes. The movement of 45S rDNA clusters is discussed in an evolutionary context. Our results illustrate that rDNA mobility has been relatively common in the past and in recent evolutionary history of the group. The high frequency of rDNA patterns involving autosomes and sex chromosomes among closely related species could affect genetic recombination and the viability of hybrid populations, which suggests that the mobility of rDNA clusters could be a driver of species diversification.
Imperfect measures of dynamic identities: The changing impact of ethnolinguistic characteristics on political attitudes in Ukraine
Authors: Kulyk Volodymyr , Hale Henry E
Published: November 2021

This article analyses the changing relevance of ethnolinguistic characteristics as predictors of political attitudes in Ukraine, drawing on surveys conducted before and after the Euromaidan revolution and Russian aggression. We argue that the usefulness of certain characteristics as measures of ethnic identity reflects their cognitive and social usefulness for the population, necessarily influenced by prevalent discourses and power relations. Our analysis focuses on the changing impact of ethnic categories on political attitudes in response to changes in social context which affect widespread perceptions of these categories among the population. We distinguish between two types of social interaction that are likely to activate ethnic identity and make it more useful for individuals' social navigation: internal differentiation and external delimitation. We hypothesize that the former type increases the relevance of ethno‐linguistic categorization while the latter facilitates ethno‐national identification. Of particular importance are two types of contextual change: International conflicts can contribute to the priority of external delimitation and, therefore, the activation of national identity, while domestic conflicts or crises can accentuate the need for internal differentiation and thus the usefulness of ethnolinguistic identity. Our analysis detects such change for certain categories of ethnic identity in Ukraine.
Reversal of the effects of focal suppression on pharyngeal corticobulbar tracts by chemesthesis coupled with repeated swallowing
Authors: Michou Emilia , Hamdy Shaheen
Published: November 2021

Background

Previous reports suggested the potential benefit of chemesthesis in the form of carbonated water (CW) integrated within dysphagia rehabilitation protocols. Here, we examined the effects of CW within a repeated swallowing protocol following focal suppression to pharyngeal cortical representation as a prelude to its application in dysphagic patients.

Methods

Fourteen healthy volunteers participated in a 3‐arm study. Each participant underwent baseline corticobulbar pharyngeal and thenar motor‐evoked potential (MEP) measurements with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Subjects were then conditioned with 1Hz repetitive (r)TMS to induce focal unilateral suppression of the corticopharyngeal hotspot before randomization to each of three arms with 40 swallows of CW, non‐CW and saliva swallowing on separate days. Corticobulbar and thenar MEPs were collected for up to 1 h and analyzed using repeated measures (rm)ANOVA.

Results

A 2‐way rmANOVA for Intervention x Time showed a significant effect of Intervention (F(1,13) = 7.519, p = 0.017) in both ipsi‐ and contra‐lesional corticopharyngeal projections. Carbonation showed superiority in facilitating change by increasing pharyngeal cortical MEPs compared to non‐CW (z = −3.05, p = 0.002) and saliva swallowing (z = −2.6, p = 0.008). No change in thenar representation (control) was observed nor in MEP latencies from both pharyngeal and thenar musculature.

Conclusions

We conclude that interventional paradigms with CW have the capacity to reverse the effects of a focal suppression with 1Hz rTMS more strongly than non‐CW or saliva swallowing alone, producing site specific bi‐hemispheric changes in corticopharyngeal excitability. Our data suggest that carbonation produces the effects through a mainly cortical mechanism.
Does coexisting accommodative dysfunction impact clinical convergence measures, symptoms and treatment success for symptomatic convergence insufficiency in children?
Authors: Kulp Marjean T , Sinnott Loraine T , Cotter Susan A , Borsting Eric , Toole Andrew J , Chen Angela M , Jenewein Erin C , Morrison Ann M , Plaumann Maureen D , Jones‐Jordan Lisa , Mitchell G Lynn , Tea Yin C , Scheiman Mitchell M ,   The Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) Investigator Group,   The Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial – Attention, Reading Trial (CITT‐ART) Investigator Group
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To determine whether coexisting accommodative dysfunction in children with symptomatic convergence insufficiency (CI) impacts presenting clinical convergence measures, symptoms and treatment success for CI.

Methods

Secondary data analyses of monocular accommodative amplitude (AA; push‐up method), monocular accommodative facility (AF; ±2.00 D lens flippers) and symptoms (CI Symptom Survey [CISS]) in children with symptomatic CI from the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (N = 218) and CITT‐Attention and Reading Trial (N = 302) were conducted. Decreased AA was defined as more than 2D below the minimum expected amplitude for age (15 – ¼ age); those with AA < 5 D were excluded. Decreased AF was defined as <6 cycles per minute. Mean near point of convergence (NPC), near positive fusional vergence (PFV) and symptoms (CISS) were compared between those with and without accommodative dysfunction using analysis of variance and independent samples t‐testing. Logistic regression was used to compare the effect of baseline accommodative function on treatment success [defined using a composite of improvements in: (1) clinical convergence measures and symptoms (NPC, PFV and CISS scores) or (2) solely convergence measures (NPC and PFV)].

Results

Accommodative dysfunction was common in children with symptomatic CI (55% had decreased AA; 34% had decreased AF). NPC was significantly worse in those with decreased AA (mean difference = 6.1 cm; p < 0.001). Mean baseline CISS scores were slightly worse in children with coexisting accommodative dysfunction (decreased AA or AF) (30.2 points) than those with normal accommodation (26.9 points) (mean difference = 3.3 points; p < 0.001). Neither baseline accommodative function (p ≥ 0.12 for all) nor interaction of baseline accommodative function and treatment (p ≥ 0.50) were related to treatment success based on the two composite outcomes.

Conclusions

A coexisting accommodative dysfunction in children with symptomatic CI is associated with worse NPC, but it does not impact the severity of symptoms in a clinically meaningful way. Concurrent accommodative dysfunction does not impact treatment response for CI.
Lead extraction of an unintentional pacemaker lead implantation in the left ventricle from the left subclavian artery
Authors: Strubé Camille , Domain Guillaume , Dognin Nicolas , Dagenais François , Plourde Benoit , Jacques Frédéric , Gilbert Philippe , Steinberg Christian , Philippon François
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Inadvertent implantation from the subclavian/axillary arteries is uncommon and has been rarely reported. Complications are frequent, mainly driven by thromboembolic events. Lead extraction, depending on the dwell time may be challenging and associated with thromboembolic events Case Report: We report the case of an 87‐year‐old man who had involuntarily pacemaker lead implanted into the left ventricle through the left subclavian artery. An extraction procedure was performed with surgical dissection to the artery and simple traction of the probe without complication. Conclusion: Percutaneous lead extraction using surgical dissection is a therapeutic option for less than one year old left ventricle inadvertent lead implantation.
Reflections on a complex intervention targeting healthy eating in young children
Authors: Holmberg Fagerlund Bettina
Published: November 2021

In this article, the author offers her experiences of conducting a public health nursing intervention based on the use of the Medical Research Council framework for complex interventions. This article provides examples aimed at helping and inspiring others who might be interested in conducting a complex intervention study. The intervention focused on counseling about food and feeding practices provided by public health nurses in a sample of child health centers in Norway 2015–2018. Aspects of food and nutrition are central to public health nurses’ counseling at the child health center, and they experience challenges when counseling on these themes. This article offers an approach to handling the complexity of public health nursing interventions on counseling among families. The topics presented on planning and performing an intervention and the related challenges might have relevance for public health nursing in several countries.
Managing dissonance: Bureaucratic justice and public procurement
Authors: Craven Richard
Published: November 2021

This article puts forward an analytical framework for understanding administrative justice. It does so by reading a leading approach, Jerry Mashaw's administrative justice models, in conjunction with the pragmatic sociology of Luc Boltanski and Laurent Thévenot, and their orders of worth framework. This provides an enhanced framework, which, while remaining consistent with Mashaw, offers additional insights and is particularly suitable for analyzing decisionmaking environments in the modern contracting state. The article illustrates the workings of the new framework by looking at a controversy under UK and EU law concerning the inclusion of labor objectives in public procurement. The discussion reveals a decisionmaking environment characterized by system dissonance. Actors must navigate different sets of tensions and tradeoffs between competing normative and ethical visions for procurement decisionmaking.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐C*03:294 allele by sequencing‐based typing in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Chang Chia‐Ling , Lin Chun‐Ying
Published: November 2021

HLA‐C*03:294 differs from HLA‐C*03:04:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution at position 727 (T → C) in exon 4.
Drawing Perspectives Together: What Happens When Researchers Draw with Children?
Authors: Spray Julie
Published: November 2021

Reflecting on drawing together, a methodological intervention I developed through two child‐centered ethnographic projects, I explore what happens when researchers draw together with children. While anthropologists of childhood have called for critical attention to the use of child‐friendly participatory methods such as drawing, few have considered how researchers participate in these methods. Yet drawing is embedded with value‐laden cultural notions of age and social status. Soliciting children’s drawings for research is therefore a social act that produces identities and relationalities. I argue that researchers must make the nature of their participation a methodological choice rather than an unexamined default.
On the Extrapolation of Rim Sealing Performance From Test Bench to Real Engine: A Numerical Survey
Authors: Da Soghe Riccardo , Bianchini Cosimo , Mazzei Lorenzo , Bonini Alessio , Innocenti Luca , Di Benedetto Daniele , Orsini Lorenzo
Published: November 2021

The main annulus hot gas ingress into turbine wheel-spaces is still one of the most challenging problems designers face. During the decades, several experimental test benches were developed worldwide to improve the knowledge associated with the rim seal flow physics. Even if in some cases quite complex and advanced rig configurations were proposed, limitations in the operating conditions and in the reproduction of the real engine geometries/characteristics into the rig are present. In this paper, validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations are used to explore the impact of some experimental rigs design choices/limitations on the sealing effectiveness prediction and their ability to mimic the real engine configuration behavior. Attention is paid on several test rig-related aspects such as operating conditions, flow path configuration (blade and vane count), and accuracy in the real engine rim seal geometry reconstruction applied to the rig. From the computations, it emerges that a scaled geometry operated at lab conditions is able to mimic pretty well the real engine sealing performance when rig and engine experience the same flow path ΔCp. The ability of the rig to match the engine data is not affected by the differences in main annulus Mach number between test bench and engine. A further result that emerges from the computation regards the fact that the Φ0 − ΔCp0.5 curve is not linear, proving that the linear extrapolation of rim sealing performance from test bench to real engine when rig and engine are characterized by different ΔCp0.5 values is not of general application and an alternative approach is given. Finally, it is found that the impact of vane count on the rim sealing effectiveness is significant, making the extrapolation of data from rig to engine difficult.
Multirow Adjoint-Based Optimization of NICFD Turbomachinery Using a Computer-Aided Design-Based Parametrization
Authors: Agromayor Roberto , Anand Nitish , Pini Matteo , Nord Lars O.
Published: November 2021

Currently, most of the adjoint-based design systems documented in the open literature assume that the fluid behaves as an ideal gas, are restricted to the optimization of a single row of blades, or are not suited to impose geometric constraints. In response to these limitations, this paper presents a gradient-based shape optimization framework for the aerodynamic design of turbomachinery blades operating under nonideal thermodynamic conditions. The proposed design system supports the optimization of multiple blade rows, and it integrates a computer-aided design (CAD)-based parametrization with a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) flow solver and its discrete adjoint counterpart. The capabilities of the method were demonstrated by performing the design optimization of a single-stage axial turbine that employs isobutane (R600a) as working fluid. Notably, the aerodynamic optimization respected the minimum thickness constraint at the trailing edge of the stator and rotor blades and reduced the entropy generation within the turbine by 36%, relative to the baseline, which corresponds to a total-to-total isentropic efficiency increase of about 4 percentage points. The analysis of the flow field revealed that the performance improvement was achieved due to the reduction of the wake intensity downstream of the blades and the elimination of a shock-induced separation bubble at the suction side of the stator cascade.