bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation and stabilization of C4a‐hydroperoxy‐FAD by the Arg/Asn pair in HadA monooxygenase
Authors: Pimviriyakul Panu , Chaiyen Pimchai
Published: August 2022

HadA monooxygenase catalyses the detoxification of halogenated phenols and nitrophenols via dehalogenation and denitration respectively. C4a‐hydroperoxy‐FAD is a key reactive intermediate wherein its formation, protonation and stabilization reflect enzyme efficiency. Herein, transient kinetics, site‐directed mutagenesis and pH‐dependent behaviours of HadA reaction were employed to identify key features stabilizing C4a‐adducts in HadA. The formation of C4a‐hydroperoxy‐FAD is pH independent, whereas its decay and protonation of distal oxygen are associated with pKa values of 8.5 and 8.4 respectively. These values are correlated with product formation within a pH range of 7.6–9.1, indicating the importance of adduct stabilization to enzymatic efficiency. We identified Arg101 as a key residue for reduced FAD (FADH−) binding and C4a‐hydroperoxy‐FAD formation due to the loss of these abilities as well as enzyme activity in HadAR101A and HadAR101Q. Mutations of the neighbouring Asn447 do not affect the rate of C4a‐hydroperoxy‐FAD formation; however, they impair FADH− binding. The disruption of Arg101/Asn447 hydrogen bond networking in HadAN447A increases the pKa value of C4a‐hydroperoxy‐FAD decay to 9.5; however, this pKa was not altered in HadAN447D (pKa of 8.5). Thus, Arg101/Asn447 pair should provide important interactions for FADH− binding and maintain the pKa associated with H2O2 elimination from C4a‐hydroperoxy‐FAD in HadA. In the presence of substrate, the formation of C4a‐hydroxy‐FAD at the hydroxylation step is pH insensitive, and it dehydrates to form the oxidized FAD with pKa of 7.9. This structural feature might help elucidate how the reactive intermediate was stabilized in other flavin‐dependent monooxygenases.
Gangs, gang members, and geography
Authors: Bloch Stefano
Published: August 2022

Gangs are geographically oriented social entities as evidenced by the display of cardinal points in their graffiti, the use of neighborhood namesakes, a focus on territoriality as their raison d'être, as well as in the way they are policed and legally cordoned. Despite gang members' real and imagined penchant for transgressive place‐making and demarcation, it has been sociologists and criminologists, not geographers, who have produced the lion's share of spatially nuanced research on gangs. In this article, I provide a review of the social scientific literature on gangs, concluding with a call for how to make the discipline of geography more inclusive for gang researchers who possess real‐world experience with assertive place‐making practices.
Relationship between oral health and social activity among community‐dwelling older adults in Korea: Focusing on the mediating effect of depressive symptoms
Authors: Park Han Nah , Yoon Ju Young
Published: August 2022

Aim

This study aimed to examine the relationship between oral health and social activity, and explore the mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the relationship between oral health and social activity among community‐dwelling older adults in Korea.

Methods

A total of 5033 community‐dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years were included in the analysis. Data were obtained from the seventh wave (2018) of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation analysis and path analysis for mediation analysis were used.

Results

Path analysis showed that older adults with better oral health had more social activities (β = 0.177, P < 0.001) and fewer depressive symptoms (β = −0.174, P < 0.001). Depressive symptoms had a mediating role partially in the relationship between oral health and social activity (β = 0.014, P < 0.001). The results of in‐depth exploration using oral health subdomains showed that physical oral function and oral pain or discomfort were directly related to the social activity (β = 0.083 and β = 0.149, respectively) and indirectly mediated by depressive symptoms (β = 0.006 and β = 0.004, respectively). However, psychosocial oral function only had an indirect effect on social activity mediated by depressive symptoms (β = 0.006, P = 0.005).

Conclusions

Better oral health had a significant association with higher levels of social activities, which was partially mediated by decreased depressive symptoms. It is necessary to pay more attention to oral health promotion for older adults to decrease depressive symptoms and increase participation in social activities. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 766–772.
Extrarenal renal cell carcinoma arising in the kidney proximity but without an identifiable renal primary – an intriguing dilemma: report of three cases and review of the literature
Authors: Mansoor Mehdi , Young‐Speirs Morgan , Ren Bing , Gotto Geoffrey , Merten Larissa , Sawhney Summit , Siadat Farshid , Acosta Andres M , Agaimy Abbas , Trpkov Kiril
Published: August 2022

Aim

To raise awareness of the existence of extrarenal renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods and results

We report three patients with extrarenal RCC found in the renal proximity, but unattached to the kidney. None had a history of RCC or an identifiable primary renal neoplasm at the time of the diagnosis and on follow‐up. The patients included two males and one female aged 57, 77, and 63 years, respectively. One carcinoma was found in the perirenal tissue adjacent to the adrenal, one involved the adrenal gland, and one was a retroperitoneal mass found within the lymph nodes. Two extrarenal RCCs represented clear‐cell RCCs and one was an unclassifiable RCC. No patient had evidence of metastases at presentation and disease progression during the follow‐up. This report adds to the literature on this unusual clinical scenario and further supports the concept of extrarenal RCC, which is not a well‐recognized clinical phenomenon. We also reviewed other similar reports documenting the absence of identifiable renal primaries in the setting of either disseminated metastatic disease or isolated distant metastases of presumed renal origin. Similarly, some carcinomas of apparent renal derivation have been also identified during a work‐up of metastatic carcinomas of unknown primary.

Conclusions

There should be an awareness of this unusual and intriguing clinical scenario that currently lacks a definitive explanation and standardized therapy strategies. Establishing a correct diagnosis may allow treatment with specific targeted therapies in selected clinical cases.
Location matters: survival of artificial nests is higher in small grassland patches and near the patch edge
Authors: Pretelli Matías G. , Cavalli Matilde , Chiaradia Nicolás M. , Cardoni Augusto , Isacch Juan P.
Published: August 2022

Nest survival is an important part of breeding success in grassland ecosystems, and the location of nests can determine vulnerability to different predators. We conducted an experiment with artificial nests to evaluate jointly the predation rate on nests at different spatial scales (landscape, patch and tussock) and the relative abundance of potential nest predators (small mammals and birds) in a temperate grassland area. In November 2014 and 2016, we installed 288 artificial nests in Common Pampas Grass Cortaderia selloana grasslands in the southeastern Pampas region, Argentina. The nests were placed in two 10‐ha plots in a continuous grassland patch (c. 900 ha) within a reserve and in two small grassland patches (1.5 and 1.8 ha) in an agricultural matrix (landscape‐scale), at the patch edge and inside the patches (patch‐scale), and at two heights within the tussock grass (tussock‐scale). In 2016, we also conducted live trapping of small mammals and surveyed birds along strip transects at the sampling sites. Nests located in patches within an agricultural matrix and near the edge had greater relative survival than those set in the reserve and inside the patches, respectively. This might be explained by the lower relative abundance of small mammals that we found outside the reserve. Artificial nest survival values recorded at the landscape‐scale contrasted with those previously observed for natural nests. Our results could be partly explained by differences in nest density between agro‐patches and those within the reserve. Future studies could also evaluate the role of parental nest defence on nest survival.
Novel boron‐rich aluminum nitride advanced ceramic materials
Authors: Zagorac Dejan , Zagorac Jelena , Fonović Matej , Prikhna Tatiana , Matović Branko
Published: August 2022

Aluminum nitride (AlN) and boron nitride (BN) are well‐known ceramic materials with numerous valuable properties, whereas recently there is a growing field of research on the AlN/BN advanced ceramic materials. Here, we present a study on boron‐rich AlN, structural and electronic properties, and structure–property relationship. Several AlxB1−xN solid solutions (x = 1, .875, .75, and .625) have been investigated, and structure optimization has been performed for four different structure types: h‐BN, wurtzite, sphalerite, and rock salt. First‐principles calculations were performed using hybrid B3LYP functional. New modifications and compounds have been predicted as a function of boron concentration in AlN, and especially, interesting phase transitions were found at extreme pressure conditions. Electronic properties and band structures were computed, and the possibility for bandgap tuning has been discovered. The present study, and especially the structure–property relationship, gives new possibilities for bandgap engineering in boron‐rich AlN electroceramic materials.
Incidence and risk factors of delayed wound healing in patients who underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty
Authors: Li Jia , Jia Guoxing , Dong Wei , Zhao Feng , Zhao Zhenshuan , Yu Xiaoguang , Zhu Chaohua , Li Jun , Liu Sen , Jiang Xiangming , Liu Guobin
Published: August 2022

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has been proven as an ideal alternative surgical procedure to treat symptomatic isolated knee osteoarthritis, and recently this technique has gained its popularity. However, postoperative complications would inevitably compromise the effectiveness and patients' satisfaction. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the incidence and risk factors of delayed wound healing (DWH) after UKA. This retrospective cohort study was conducted from February 2021 to May 2022 and a total of 211 patients were enrolled. Demographic characteristics, operation‐related variables, and laboratory indexes were extracted. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to detect the optimum cut‐off value for continuous variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to demonstrate the risk factors of DWH. There were 155 female and 56 male patients with an average age of 64. 6 ± 6.9 years included in this study. After 6.6 ± 4.9 months’ follow‐up, 12 cases of DWH were observed which indicated an incidence of DWH of 5.7%, mean wound healing duration for 12 patients was 43.1 ± 19.3 days. In the univariate analysis, age > 62.5 years, postoperative hospital stay < 5.5 days, surgical incision < 10.5 cm, barbed suture, body mass index (BMI) > 32.0 kg/m2, operation duration > 102.5 minutes, intraoperative blood loss > 102.5 mL, preoperative white blood cell count > 5.95*109/L, preoperative seroglobulin (GLB) > 29.6 g/L, postoperative total protein < 63.4 g/L, postoperative serum albumin < 36.4 g/L, and postoperative GLB > 26.8 g/L were significantly different between patients with and without DWH (P < .05). In final multivariate logistic analysis, results showed that intraoperative blood loss > 102.5 mL (odds ratio [OR], 3.09; P = .001), postoperative hospital stay < 5.5 days (OR, 1.74; P = .014), surgical incision < 10.5 cm (OR, 1.67; P = .000), and BMI > 32.0 kg/m2 (OR, 4.47; P = .022) were independent risk factors for DWH. DWH prolongs hospital stay in UKA patients and increases healthcare expenditure; also affected the implementation schedule of postoperative functional exercise plans. Surgeons should identify patients at risk, meanwhile, make timely and correct clinical interventions to decrease the incidence of this complication.
Childhood cancer survivors' and their parents' experiences with participation in a physical and social intervention during cancer treatment: A RESPECT study
Authors: Petersen Natasha Nybro , Larsen Hanne Bækgaard , Pouplier Anna , Schmidt‐Andersen Peter , Thorsteinsson Troels , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Fridh Martin Kaj
Published: August 2022

Aims

This study explores experiences of childhood cancer survivors and their parents with a combined physical and social activity intervention during treatment, including how the survivors and their parents perceive physical activity post‐treatment.

Design

A process evaluation using semi‐structured interviews.

Methods

Using a criterion‐sampling strategy, 18 Danish childhood cancer survivors (aged 11–18 years) and their parents were interviewed from September 2019 through May 2020. Data analysis used an inductive thematic approach focused on meaning.

Results

Three themes emerged: (1) being physically active during hospitalization; (2) peers as motivators and (3) physical activity post‐treatment. During hospitalization, daily motivation to do physical activity was dependent on the daily well‐being, that is, presence of the side effects from the child's treatment. Healthy classmates provided distraction, reduced loneliness and promoted normality for those hospitalized. For most of the survivors, their healthy peers provided motivation for being physically active during treatment. When surplus energy was lacking, some survivors preferred doing physical activity alone with a professional. Those who were physically active in the hospital sustained being physically active post‐treatment while their parents continued seeking advice about appropriate activity levels.

Conclusion

Childhood cancer survivors and their parents benefited from the intervention which also provided guidance to remaining physically active post‐treatment. This was particularly true for the participants with leukaemia.

Impact

Healthcare professionals should support children with cancer to be physically active during hospitalization. Including social and physical components in their care plan and being aware of individual preferences is pivotal to improving the survivors' level of physical and social well‐being during and post‐treatment.

Patient or Public Contribution

The participants were involved in designing the interview guides to ensure that the interview guides were understandable for the participants to provide rich descriptions of their experiences with a physical and social activity intervention during hospitalization.
Isolated nocturnal hypertension in relation to host and environmental factors and clock genes
Authors: Huang Jian‐Feng , Zhang Dong‐Yan , Sheng Chang‐Sheng , An De‐Wei , Li Mingxuan , Cheng Yi‐Bang , Guo Qian‐Hui , Wang Ying , Wang Ji‐Guang , Li Yan
Published: August 2022

Isolated nocturnal hypertension (INH) is a special type of out‐of‐office hypertension. Its determinants and pathophysiology remain unclear. In a nested case‐control study, we intend to investigate the host, environmental, and genetic factors in relation to INH. Among 2030 outpatients screened from December 2008 till June 2015, 128 patients with INH were identified, and then 128 normotensives were matched according to sex and age. INH was an elevated nocturnal blood pressure (BP ≥120/70 mmHg) in the presence of a normal daytime BP (< 135/85 mmHg). Host factors included age, sex, body mass index, smoking and drinking, sleep time and duration, heart rate, serum lipids, and serum creatinine. Environmental cues encompassed season, ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and wind speed, and genetic cues 29 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 12 clock genes. Daytime and nighttime BPs averaged 124.9/80.7  and 114.5/73.7 mmHg, respectively, in the INH patients and 121.0/76.5 and 101.8/63.3 mmHg in the normotensive controls. Stepwise logistic regression analyses revealed that INH was associated with nighttime heart rate (P = .0018), sleep duration (P = .0499), and relative humidity (P = .0747). The odds ratios (95% CI) for each 10 beats/min faster nighttime heart rate and 10% lower relative humidity were 1.82 (1.25‐2.65) and 0.82 (0.67‐1.00), respectively. Irrespective of the genetic models, no significant association was observed between INH and the SNPs (P ≥ .054). In conclusion, INH was associated with host and environmental factors rather than genetic markers.
The unconventional prefoldin RPB5 interactor mediates the gravitropic response by modulating cytoskeleton organization and auxin transport in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yang Yi , Liu Fang , Liu Le , Zhu Mingyue , Yuan Jinfeng , Mai Yan‐Xia , Zou Jun‐Jie , Le Jie , Wang Yonghong , Palme Klaus , Li Xugang , Wang Yong , Wang Long
Published: August 2022

Gravity‐induced root curvature involves the asymmetric distribution of the phytohormone auxin. This response depends on the concerted activities of the auxin transporters such as PIN‐FORMED (PIN) proteins for auxin efflux and AUXIN RESISTANT 1 (AUX1) for auxin influx. However, how the auxin gradient is established remains elusive. Here we identified a new mutant with a short root, strong auxin distribution in the lateral root cap and an impaired gravitropic response. The causal gene encoded an Arabidopsis homolog of the human unconventional prefoldin RPB5 interactor (URI). AtURI interacted with prefoldin 2 (PFD2) and PFD6, two β‐type PFD members that modulate actin and tubulin patterning in roots. The auxin reporter DR5rev:GFP showed that asymmetric auxin redistribution after gravistimulation is disordered in aturi‐1 root tips. Treatment with the endomembrane protein trafficking inhibitor brefeldin A indicated that recycling of the auxin transporter PIN2 is disrupted in aturi‐1 roots as well as in pfd mutants. We propose that AtURI cooperates with PFDs to recycle PIN2 and modulate auxin distribution.
Re‐Evaluating the Offshoring Decision: A Behavioural Approach to the Role of Performance Discrepancy
Authors: Elia Stefano , Goerzen Anthony , Piscitello Lucia , Valentino Alfredo
Published: August 2022

Firms are in a continuous process of critically re‐evaluating their offshoring strategies due to performance discrepancies. While prior research has focused on the implementation of organizational responses to performance shortfalls, we examine the offline search process, a key antecedent of organizational change, during which firms simultaneously explore alternative solutions when facing either a positive or a negative discrepancy between performance and aspirations. We adopt the Behavioural Theory of the Firm (BTOF) to investigate how the search process is affected by the size and nature (as being positive or negative) of the discrepancy as well as how it is moderated by cognitive biases. By examining 441 offshoring initiatives, we study firms' search processes in a novel context that refers either to ‘local’ solutions that are close to the current activity (i.e., expansion in the same host country) or ‘distant’ solutions that are far from the current one (i.e., relocation to a third country or to the home country). Our results provide new insights into organizational search, namely that performance shortfalls lead to distant search unless this choice is moderated by a location‐specific anchor bias relating to the strategic importance of host location, while positive discrepancies trigger local search with decision‐makers more inclined to consider expansion in the current host country.
Evaluation of Candida albicans Adherence to CAD‐CAM Milled, 3D‐Printed, and Heat‐Cured PMMA Resin and Efficacy of Different Disinfection Techniques: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Koujan Amir , Aggarwal Himanshi , Chen Po‐Hsu , Li Zhaofei , Givan Daniel A. , Zhang Ping , Fu Chin‐Chuan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Candida albicans has been regarded as the most predominant oral fungal pathogen and the main cause of denture stomatitis. This study aimed to investigate C. albicans adherence to three types of denture base polymers: heat‐cured polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), CAD‐CAM milled and 3D‐printed. The efficacy of four common disinfection techniques, glutaraldehyde, brushing, microwave irradiation, and Polident overnight tablets, were also examined.

Material and methods

Sixty blocks of pink acrylic specimens were fabricated from each polymer group. To investigate the C. albicans adherence, as well as the efficacy of different disinfection techniques on removing the yeast from the different materials, specimens were cultured within the fungal culture overnight followed by disinfection. The adhered C. albicans on the materials were then obtained by vortexing in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and the numbers of the yeast in the suspensions were evaluated by measuring the optical density and/or colony‐forming units on agar plates. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM (standard error of the mean). Statistical differences were evaluated by one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the post hoc Tukey HSD tests.

Results

Significant differences in C. albicans adherence to the three polymers were noted. CAD‐CAM milled and heat‐cured PMMA showed significantly less C. albicans adherence compared with 3D printed PMMA. No significant difference was noted between milled and heat‐cured PMMA. In the disinfection test, microwave irradiation, mechanical brushing, and Polident tablets were found to be effective in removing fungal attachment on the different denture materials, while glutaraldehyde was found to be the least effective.

Conclusion

C. albicans adherence to the polymers varies greatly based on the types of PMMA. 3D‐printed had the highest fungal biofilm attachment. Microwave irradiation, mechanical brushing, and Polident overnight tablets had comparable results in removing C. albicans from all types of PMMA, while glutaraldehyde was not as effective.
Joyful noise and abatement: idle chatter and the undercommons of oracy education
Authors: Rackley Lea , Bradford Tishawn
Published: August 2022

This paper imagines oracy education as a reaching‐out for connection with the irreducible socialities of black study. In the wake of imperialist functions of literacy, classroom talk has been left to defend its value against traditionalist views which rebuke, as one UK education minister put it, “idle chatter in class.” We argue that oracy education risks doubling down on the value system outlined by this rebuke – and the white settler‐colonial onto/auto‐epistemology mobilised therein – if it measures the value of talk within this purview. We follow the undercommons of black study and the poetics of relation toward revaluations of idle chatter and noise as modes of thought. We explore the abundant participations of noise beyond the colonial errand of abatement, and we elaborate the relational stakes that idle chatter may invent. We reorient the stakes of the learning conversation with its single guiding lesson into the vibrant jazz riff of a learning cacophony that leaves the continuous echo of possible lessons behind it, proposing new ways of valuing oracy education and new possibilities for participation. Our chatty inquiry practices this ethics, overlapping our shared classroom experiences with discussions of theory and our discussions of theory with yet new possible experiences.
Optimization and performance of metafoundations for seismic isolation of small modular reactors
Authors: Guner Tugberk , Bursi Oreste S. , Erlicher Silvano
Published: August 2022

This paper aims to study the seismic mitigation of a typical nuclear small modular reactor (SMR) where extreme loading conditions are considered by the safe shutdown earthquake. For this purpose, to reproduce the main dynamic properties of the reactor's reinforced concrete system, a detailed structural model was synthetized, also taking into account the presence of the reactor pools. Thus, to protect the reactor from strong earthquakes, finite locally resonant multiple degrees of freedom metafoundations were developed; and resonator parameters were optimized by means of an improved frequency domain multivariate and multiobjective optimization procedure. Also, the stochastic nature of the seismic input was taken into account. It is proposed: (i) a linear metafoundation endowed with multiple cells, linear springs, and linear viscous dampers; and (ii) a foundation equipped with additional nonlinear vertical quasi‐zero stiffness (QZS) cells. QZS cells were obtained by horizontally precompressed springs in an unstable state with vertical springs in parallel. With this arrangement, additional flexibility and dissipation against nonsymmetrical modes of the SMR and vertical seismic loadings are proposed. It was shown in both cases, how each metafoundation was successfully optimized via a sensitivity‐based parameter grouping strategy and a hybrid grid searching algorithm. Thus, the performance of the optimized metafoundations was assessed by means of frequency and time history analyses; and finally, results were compared with an SMR endowed with both rigid foundation and conventional base‐isolation solutions.
Voriconazole is superior to combined itraconazole/isotretinoin therapy and itraconazole monotherapy in recalcitrant dermatophytosis
Authors: Khattab Fathia , Elkholy Basma M. , Taha Mohamed , Abd‐Elbaset Aya , Fawzy Manal
Published: August 2022

Background

There has been an emergence of recalcitrant, recurrent, and difficult‐to‐treat tinea. Monotherapy with oral antifungals leads to partial clearance or high recurrence of lesions. Isotretinoin is a good adjuvant to systemic antifungals in chronic dermatophytosis. Voriconazole could be a future alternative due to its efficacy against dermatophytes and little resistance.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral itraconazole, combined itraconazole/isotretinoin therapy, and voriconazole for recalcitrant tinea.

Patients and Methods

This study included 90 patients with chronic, recurrent and/or recalcitrant tinea. They were equally divided into three groups: itraconazole monotherapy, combined itraconazole/isotretinoin therapy, and voriconazole monotherapy. All patients received treatments for 6 weeks. The clinical response was classified as either a complete or incomplete clinical cure. Potassium hydroxide microscopy and culture were performed to identify mycological cure. Patients with complete cure were followed up for another 6 months to detect any recurrence.

Results

Complete clinical cure was observed in 53.3% of the itraconazole group, 70% of the itraconazole/isotretinoin group, and 83.3% of the voriconazole group. Mycological cure was detected in 56.7% of the itraconazole group, 83.3% of the itraconazole/isotretinoin group, and 86.7% of the voriconazole group. There was a statistically significant difference between the three groups in favour of voriconazole, then the combined group. No significant adverse effects were observed. The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the voriconazole group compared with the other two groups.

Conclusions

Voriconazole could be a future alternative for the treatment of recalcitrant dermatophytosis.
Leadless pacemaker implantation in dextrocardia with situs viscerum inversus: A case report and literature review
Authors: Bontempi Luca , Fundaliotis Angelica , Moretti Marina , Sammartino Antonio Maria , Saino Antonio Tommaso , Arabia Gianmarco , Pitì Antonino , Curnis Antonio , Dell'Aquila Andrea
Published: August 2022

Leadless pacemaker implantation (LPI) has fewer device complications and reduced chance of infection compared to conventional pacemakers. Dextrocardia with situs viscerum inversus (DC+SVI) is a rare condition, which seldom leads to cardiac complications. However, its presence poses a challenge to operators in cardiac procedures. LPI reports in DC patients are scarce. We report a case of LPI in a DC+SVI patient, followed by a brief but comprehensive literature review.
Rethinking Global Food Demand for 2050
Authors: Falcon Walter P. , Naylor Rosamond L. , Shankar Nikhil D.
Published: August 2022

Published estimates of 2050 food demand exhibit an enormous range of values. This paper projects a 50–60 percent increase in total global food demand between 2019 and 2050. Our analysis indicates a substantial slowing of rice demand, a growing share of palm oil in world fats and oils markets, and a continued shift to poultry as the dominant form of meat consumption. In contrast to most existing food models, we integrate fish consumption into the analysis of vegetable and animal protein and highlight the dangers of using commonly cited feed ratios for projecting feed grain demand. More broadly, we demonstrate the value of a commodity by region approach for understanding complexities in the world food system.
Design and validation of a codominant molecular marker for fruit acidity in muskmelon (Cucumis melo)
Authors: Dattha Reddy Geddi Purna , Eguru Sreenivasa Rao , Lakshmanareddy Dhoranalapalli Chinnapareddy , Sudhakar Rao Darisi Venkata , Yuvaraj Kotha Madduri , Syamsundar Reddy Petlur
Published: August 2022

An experiment was conducted to analyse a germplasm panel of 92 Cucumis sp. accessions predominantly from India for fruit acidity and validate the involvement of ‘CmpH’ locus for this trait through design of suitable marker and association analysis. Among 92 accessions, 28 accessions were found to be sour with fruit pH < 5.0 and titratable acidity value >0.20%. We designed a primer pair ‘Dupl‐12’ flanking the causal polymorphism of 12 bp duplication in the earlier reported candidate gene ‘CmpH’ for fruit acidity. It amplified two types of alleles (180 and 192 bp) depending upon the absence or presence of 12 bp duplication and was codominant in nature. This was used to perform association analysis in the germplasm panel and was found to be significantly associated with titratable acidity (R2 = 73.43%) and pH (R2 = 70.76%), validating the role of ‘CmpH’ gene for fruit acidity. ‘Dupl‐12’ marker can therefore be employed for marker‐assisted transfer of acidity into elite backgrounds.
Assessment of functional relevance of genes associated with local temperature variables in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Jiang Yuan , Wang Zhixue , Du Hui , Dong Runlong , Yuan Yaping , Hua Jian
Published: August 2022

How likely genetic variations associated with environment identified in silico from genome wide association study are functionally relevant to environmental adaptation has been largely unexplored experimentally. Here we analyzed top 29 genes containing polymorphisms associated with local temperature variation (minimum, mean, maximum) among 1129 natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana. Their loss‐of‐function mutants were assessed for growth and stress tolerance at five temperatures. Twenty genes were found to affect growth or tolerance at one or more of these temperatures. Significantly, genes associated with maximum temperature more likely have a detect a function at higher temperature, while genes associated with minimum temperature more likely have a function at lower temperature. In addition, gene variants are distributed more frequently at geographic locations where they apparently offer an enhanced growth or tolerance for five genes tested. Furthermore, variations in a large proportion of the in silico identified genes associated with minimum or mean‐temperatures exhibited a significant association with growth phenotypes experimentally assessed at low temperature for a small set of natural accessions. This study shows a functional relevance of gene variants associated with environmental variables and supports the feasibility of the use of local temperature factors in investigating the genetic basis of temperature adaptation.
Diversity of polerovirus‐associatedRNAsin the virome of wild and cultivated carrots
Authors: Schönegger Deborah , Babalola Bisola Mercy , Marais Armelle , Faure Chantal , Candresse Thierry
Published: August 2022

The self‐replicating polerovirus‐associated RNAs have recently been classified as tombusvirus‐like associated RNAs (tlaRNAs). In a metagenomic comparison of the virome of wild (Daucus carotasubsp.carota) and cultivated (D.carotasubsp.sativus) carrots, four tlaRNAs were identified: carrot red leaf virus‐associated RNA (CtRLVaRNA), beet western yellows virus‐associated RNA (BWYVaRNA), and two other tlaRNAs detected for the first time in carrots, arracacha latent virus E‐associated RNA (ALVEaRNA) and a new tlaRNA tentatively named carrot red leaf virus‐associated RNA 2 (CtRLVaRNA‐2). Their genomic sequences show a typical tlaRNA genome organization with a very short 5′ untranslated region (UTR), a long 3′ UTR and consecutive open reading frames (ORFs), ORF1a and ORF1b, separated by an amber stop codon, leading to the production of an ORF1a/ORF1b RdRp fusion protein. The genetic diversity and prevalence of these various agents were analysed in carrot populations in France and Spain. CtRLVaRNA was the most frequently detected in both wild and cultivated carrot populations and was genetically more heterogeneous than ALVEaRNA and CtRLVaRNA‐2. ALVEaRNA was detected both in France and Spain and showed preferential association with cultivated carrots. In contrast, CtRLVaRNA‐2 was only detected from one region of France and was preferentially associated with wild carrot populations. Analysis of the virome of individual plants showed the presence of CtRLV but not that of the expected helper virus for ALVEaRNA and BWYVaRNA, suggesting a degree of flexibility in their associations with helper viruses, which in turn may have biological and epidemiological consequences.
Role of phenylalanine/tyrosine ammonia lyase and anthocyanidin synthase enzymes for anthocyanin biosynthesis in developing Solanum melongena L. genotypes
Authors: Sharma Himanshu , Chawla Neena , Dhatt Ajmer Singh
Published: August 2022

Solanum melongena is a widely consumed vegetable crop comprising health‐benefiting phenolic compounds. It has a complex network of biosynthetic enzymes involved in synthesizing nutraceuticals, including anthocyanins. The present study was conducted to investigate the activities of key enzymes involved in biosynthesis and accumulation of anthocyanins in developing genotypes, such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), tyrosine ammonia lyase (TAL), and anthocyanidin synthase (ANS). As inadequate information is available in this context, fruit and leaf tissues were analyzed for enzyme activities and anthocyanin accumulation. The study included characterization of extracted anthocyanin followed by expression studies for gateway enzyme (ANS) involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Delphinidin was a major anthocyanidin present in fruit tissues (1.46–110.49 mg/100 g) of S. melongena. Anthocyanin accumulation is backed up by the correlation between biochemical analysis and expression studies. The study has shown variation for PAL, TAL and ANS enzymes in different tissues at developmental stages. Enzyme activities had a strong positive correlation with anthocyanin biosynthesis.
Foliar‐applied manganese and phosphorus in deficient barley: Linking absorption pathways and leaf nutrient status
Authors: Arsic Maja , Persson Daniel P. , Schjoerring Jan K. , Thygesen Lisbeth G. , Lombi Enzo , Doolette Casey L. , Husted Søren
Published: August 2022

Foliar fertilization delivers essential nutrients directly to plant tissues, reducing excessive soil fertilizer applications that can lead to eutrophication following nutrient leaching. Foliar nutrient absorption is a dynamic process affected by leaf surface structure and composition, plant nutrient status, and ion physicochemical properties. We applied multiple methods to study the foliar absorption behaviors of manganese (Mn) and phosphorus (P) in nutrient‐deficient spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) at two growth stages. Nutrient‐specific chlorophyll a fluorescence assays were used to visualize leaf nutrient status, while laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) was used to visualize foliar absorption pathways for P and Mn ions. Rapid Mn absorption was facilitated by a relatively thin cuticle with a low abundance of waxes and a higher stomatal density in Mn‐deficient plants. Following absorption, Mn accumulated in epidermal cells and in the photosynthetically active mesophyll, enabling a fast (6 h) restoration of Mn‐dependent photosynthetic processes. Conversely, P‐deficient plants developed thicker cuticles and epidermal cell walls, which reduced the penetration of P across the leaf surface. Foliar‐applied P accumulated in trichomes and fiber cells above leaf veins without reaching the mesophyll and, as a consequence, no restoration of P‐dependent photosynthetic processes was observed. This study reveals new links between leaf surface morphology, foliar‐applied ion absorption pathways, and the restoration of affected physiological processes in nutrient‐deficient leaves. Understanding that ions may have different absorption pathways across the leaf surface is critical for the future development of efficient fertilization strategies for crops in nutrient‐limited soils.
Oral health status and dental care for individuals with visual impairment. A narrative review
Authors: Blanco López Miguel Angel , Diniz Freitas Márcio , Limeres Posse Jacobo , Hernández‐Vallejo Gonzalo , López‐Pintor Rosa María
Published: August 2022

Visual impairment is a highly prevalent condition worldwide. Oral health care in this group of patients is not always adequate. This is due to the low awareness of the importance of oral health in this population group and the fact that these patients prioritize their general health over oral health. Therefore, caries and periodontal disease are frequent in this population group. Especially, periodontal status is worse in patients with acquired visual impairment compared to patients with congenital visual impairment. On the other hand, the proportion of treated caries in this group is very low. This may be due to the poorer access of this population to dental care, which is limited by physical, social, and information barriers. Dental phobia and the lack of dental professionals capable of treating this population group have been identified as one of the most important factors. Therefore, establishing oral hygiene routines that are adapted to individuals’ skills and needs is essential to achieve good oral health and improve patient's quality of life. This narrative review also updates those dental treatment considerations, depending on each dental specialty, that can help improve patient satisfaction when they come to the dental office.
The relationship between the level of trust in nurses and nursing care quality perceptions of patients treated for Covid‐19
Authors: Çoşkun Palaz Simge , Kayacan Semra
Published: August 2022

Background

During the pandemic process, nursing care has gained more importance. So, it is critical to evaluate the level of trust in nurses and the perception of care in terms of the patient, in order to improve the care service provided, to achieve the desired successful patient results, to ensure patient satisfaction in nursing care and to create a healthy society in the long term.

Aim

This study aimed to examine the relationship between the level of trust in nurses, care perceptions of patients receiving care with the diagnosis of Covid‐19, and the level of trust in nurses and care quality perceptions of patients.

Methods

This descriptive, cross‐sectional, correlational study was conducted in the Covid‐19 unit of a state hospital in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey between May and October 2021. The sample size was calculated as 227 using the sample calculation formula whose population is unknown in the literature. ‘Personal Information Form’, ‘Trust in Nurses Scale’ and ‘Patient Perception of Hospital Experience with Nursing (PPHEN)’ was used to collect data. Ethical approval was obtained from the clinical research ethics committee,

Results

The total mean score of the patients' trust in nurses scale was 27.67 ± 3.29 (min: 15, max: 30); the mean score of the patients' Perception of Nursing Care scale was determined as 69.52 ± 12.51 (min:15, max:75). It has been determined that the level of trust in nurses and the perception of nursing care of patients receiving Covid‐19 treatment are high. A positive, significant and weak relationship (r = 0.348, p < 0.01) was found between the patients' level of trust in nurses and their perceptions of nursing care.

Conclusion

During the pandemic process, trust in the patient–nurse relationship increases the patient's perception of nursing care and positively affects the quality of care.
Solid organ transplantation from COVID positive donors in the United States: Analysis of United Network for Organ Sharing database
Authors: Dhand Abhay , Okumura Kenji , Nabors Christopher , Nishida Seigo
Published: August 2022

Background

Significant uncertainties remain regarding the utilization of organs for solid organ transplantation (SOT) from donors with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The aim of this study was to assess the trends in utilization of organs from donors with COVID‐19 and their short‐term outcomes.

Methods

Deceased donors between March 2020 and December 2021 with a positive COVID nucleic acid test from respiratory tract within 14 days of transplantation were analyzed using the de‐identified United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database. Donor and recipient characteristics of COVID‐19 positive (COVID+) organs were compared to COVID‐19 negative (COVID−) organs during this period. We analyzed the trends in the utilization of SOT from COVID+ donors across the United States, donor characteristics, and the quality of donor organ and recipient outcomes (length of hospitalization, rates of organ rejection, delayed graft function, 30‐day graft/patient survival).

Results

During the study period, 193 COVID+ donors led to the transplantation of 281‐kidneys, 106‐livers, and 36‐hearts in 414 adult recipients. COVID+ patients donated a median of two organs. These donors were younger and had a lower median Kidney Donor Profile Index (0.37 vs. 0.50, p < .001), lower median serum creatinine (0.8 vs. 1.0 mg/dl, p = .003), similar median serum total bilirubin (0.6 mg/dl, p = .46), and similar left ventricular ejection fraction (60%, p = .84) when compared to COVID− donors. Short‐term outcomes, including 30‐day graft/patient survival, were similar in both groups.

Conclusions

Analysis of short‐term outcomes from the UNOS database indicates that a positive COVID test in an otherwise medically suitable donor should not preclude consideration of non‐lung solid organ transplantation.

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Pneumococcal vaccination coverage and willingness in mainland China
Authors: Shao Weihao , Chen Xiaorui , Zheng Caifang , Wang Gaili , Zhang Bowen , Zhang Weidong
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To estimate the coverage and willingness of pneumococcal vaccination and further explore the influencing factors of vaccination willingness among people in mainland China.

Methods

Literature searches were conducted independently by two researchers in English‐ and Chinese‐language databases from database inception to 6 October 2021. A random‐effects meta‐analysis model was used to derive summary vaccination coverage and willingness. Predefined subgroup analysis and meta‐regression were performed to explore the sources of heterogeneity.

Results

A total of 97 studies were included in this meta‐analysis. The summary vaccination coverage in 76 included studies was 21.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.2%–26.5%). Subgroup analysis shows that the summary coverage was 29.0% (95% CI, 20.4%–39.1%) among the permanent residents and 20.7% (95% CI, 12.4%–35.9%) among the floating residents. The eastern and central regions presented higher coverage than the western region. Notable differences were observed between the various study populations. A total of 27 studies provided an estimation of vaccination willingness, with a summary willingness of 51.2% (95% CI, 40.4%–61.9%). In subgroup analysis, the summary willingness was 57.9% (95% CI, 48.3%–67.2%) in urban areas and 52.3% (95% CI, 40.8%–63.8%) in rural areas. Parents with children and people with a history of pneumonia were more willing to be vaccinated than the elderly. Recommendations by family members and physicians, previous pneumococcal and influenza vaccination, perceived vaccination effectiveness and severity of disease and a history of pneumonia contributed to vaccination willingness.

Conclusions

Compared to global estimates and other countries, pneumococcal vaccination coverage and willingness are at a lower level in mainland China. Recommendations for vaccination by family members and doctors, a history of vaccination and the perception of pneumonia and vaccination are associated with greater willingness to be vaccinated.
Assessing phenovariant species pairs of moray eels: Hybridization, introgression, and morphology
Authors: Huang Wen‐Chien , Chen Hong‐Ming , Tseng Yung‐Che , Liao Te‐Yu
Published: August 2022

Phenovariant is a pair of populations or species with distinct phenotypes but little to no genetic divergence, which may have resulted from strong assortative mating, hybridization, or incomplete lineage sorting that changes in the phenotype have exceeded the genotype. Previous studies had mainly tackled this issue on small, colourful reef fishes, but little effort has been made to the barely seen and solitary taxa like the morays (family Muraenidae). In the present study, three species pairs of sympatric morays from Taiwanese waters revealed as phenovariant in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) were examined from the molecular and morphological perspectives, with three dissimilar scenarios discovered: (1) no hybridization was found between the morphologically most distinct Gymnothorax intesi and Gymnothorax neglectus; (2) Gymnothorax kidako bidirectionally hybridized with Gymnothorax prionodon instead of its closely related species Gymnothorax pseudokidako; and (3) frequently bidirectional hybridization and introgression were detected between Gymnothorax pseudothyrsoideus and Gymnothorax reevesii, a species pair that overlapped in all the morphometric and meristic characters. Nevertheless, the principal component analysis indicated that each species pair has evolved significant morphological divergence, further supporting their taxonomic validities. Our results document the natural hybridization of marine eel taxa for the first time and reveal a diverse evolutionary process among the morays.
In Vitro
Susceptibility Testing of Eravacycline against Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
Authors: Brown-Elliott Barbara A. , Wallace Richard J.
Published: August 2022

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections are increasing worldwide.
Mycobacterium avium
complex (MAC) and the
M. abscessus
species are the most commonly cultured NTM and treatment options are limited, especially for the
M. abscessus
species. In this study, the
in vitro
activity of eravacycline, a new tetracycline derivative, was tested against 110 clinical isolates of NTM.
Biochemical Characterization of the Subclass B3 Metallo-β-Lactamase PJM-1 from Pseudoxanthomonas japonensis
Authors: Yamada Kageto , Ishii Yoshikazu , Tateda Kazuhiro
Published: August 2022

Biochemical properties of the novel subclass B3 metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) PJM-1 expressed in
Pseudoxanthomonas japonensis
, which is often isolated from the environment, were determined. The 906-bp
bla
PJM-1
gene in
P. japonensis
is a species-specific MBL gene, and PJM, with 301 predicted amino acids, has 81.8% amino acid identity with AIM-1.
Interrelated Effects of Zinc Deficiency and the Microbiome on Group B Streptococcal Vaginal Colonization
Authors: Burcham Lindsey R. , Burcham Zachary M. , Akbari Madeline S. , Metcalf Jessica L. , Doran Kelly S.
Published: August 2022

The presence of group B
Streptococcus
(GBS) in the vaginal tract, perturbations in the vaginal microbiota, and dietary zinc deficiency are three factors that are independently known to be associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Here, we developed an experimental mouse model to assess the impact of dietary zinc deficiency on GBS vaginal burden and persistence and to determine how changes in GBS colonization impact vaginal microbial structure.