bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prescribing Pattern of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) and Histamine Blockers in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Goyal Anjali Manoj , Gor Alpa Pragnesh
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Gastric problems are the most common diseases seen in many countries for which majority of the population prefer Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) and Histamine (H2) Blockers. They are prescribed most commonly for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Dyspepsia, Peptic Ulcer Disease, along-with medications like Non-Steroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and other drugs. Concerns have been raised about the increasing costs associated with prescription of these drugs as they are often prescribed for minor symptoms and without clear indications. Prescribing pattern should be evaluated periodically to promote rational use of medicines. Aim: To assess the prescribing pattern of PPIs and H2 Blockers in Surgery and Medicine Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital. Materials and Methods: An observational study was conducted in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Karamsad over a period of one year from November, 2018 to October, 2019, among patients visiting to Out Patient Department (OPD) and In Patient Department (IPD) of Medicine and Surgery Department that were prescribed PPI and H2 Blockers. Total 1100 prescriptions and 1265 PPI, H2 Blockers were analysed. The data were analysed for socio-demographic variables along with details of PPI and H2 Blockers. co-prescribing drugs, Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) and drug interactions of each prescription was analysed. Results: In the study, PPI and H2 Blockers were prescribed more in males (54.36%). The predominant age group was 18-40 years (42%). Among studied drugs, most commonly prescribed single drug was Pantoprazole and FDC was Ranitidine + Domperidone. The drugs were most commonly prescribed through oral route (90.9%). They were most commonly prescribed along with an NSAID for gastroprotection (28.9%). Pharmacokinetic drug interactions were observed more in the study. Conclusion: This study showed that physicians prescribe PPI and H2 Blockers as a co-medication for gastroprotection. There is a need to increase documentation for prescribing PPI and H2 Blockers.
Fitting the task to a person with disabilities: A case of return-to-work support for a patient due to left-sided poststroke hemiplegia using tailor-made jigs-and-tools
Authors: Tani Naomichi , Ichikawa Fumiko , Mitani Risa , Akatsu Junichi , Oda Susumu
Published: February 2021

Background

A 45-year-old Japanese male pharmacist developed a stroke in December 2018; hence, he had left-sided hemiplegia due to the after-effects of cerebral stroke. This paper reports the return-to-work (RTW) and after RTW support for poststroke patients from a combined ergonomic and rehabilitation perspective.

Methods

From April 2019 to July 2020, we visited hospitals and workplaces multiple times, making various preparations for workplace accommodation and exchanging information as follows: allowing staggered working hours; securing the flow routes in the back room; equipping a cane holder on his working desk; and adjusting the position of the work tablet. In August 2020, after RTW, we conducted a brief evaluation of residual motor function and an on-site task analysis, and we subsequently made a support tool.

Results

In July 2020, his RTW was eventually realized. Moreover, as a result of introducing the tailor-made support tool, the duration of certain tasks that he had been claiming to be difficult was reduced when compared to that before support-tool use, and the average task duration before and after support-tool use was 32.8 s and 10 s, respectively (reduced by approximately 69.5%).

Conclusion

To augment our efforts, hospital staff, support staff in his workplace, and his employer collaborated to make various workplace accommodations for the smooth realization of RTW before and after RTW. In the present case, the ergonomic and rehabilitation approach after RTW might have contributed to ease of task, work efficiency, and the potential for future job retention.
Presence of Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Defined Inflammation Particularly in Overweight and Obese Women Increases Risk of Radiographic Knee Osteoarthritis: The POMA Study
Authors: Roemer Frank W. , Guermazi Ali , Hannon Michael J. , Fujii Tomoko , Omoumi Patrick , Hunter David J. , Eckstein Felix , Kwoh C. Kent
Published: February 2021

Objective

The present study was undertaken to assess whether the odds for incident radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) differ between men and women in regard to body mass index (BMI) and inflammatory magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers 1 and 2 years prior, and whether the presence of inflammation on MRI differs between normal‐weight and overweight/obese individuals who develop radiographic OA up to 4 years prior.

Methods

We studied 355 knees from the Osteoarthritis Initiative study that developed incident radiographic OA and 355 matched controls. MRIs were read for effusion‐synovitis and Hoffa‐synovitis for up to 4 consecutive annual time points. Subjects were classified as normal‐weight (BMI <25), overweight (BMI ≥25 and <30), or obese (BMI ≥30). Conditional logistic regression was used to assess odds of incident radiographic OA for effusion‐synovitis and Hoffa‐synovitis at 1 and 2 years prior to radiographic OA incidence (i.e., “P‐1” and “P‐2”) considering BMI category. Bivariate logistic regression was used to assess odds of inflammation for cases only.

Results

One hundred seventy‐eight (25.1%) participants were normal weight, 283 (39.9%) overweight, and 249 (35.1%) obese. At P‐2, being overweight with Hoffa‐synovitis, which had an odds ratio [OR] of 3.26 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.39−7.65), or effusion‐synovitis (OR 3.56 [95% CI 1.45–8.75]) was associated with greater odds of incident radiographic OA in women. For those with incident radiographic OA, there were no increased odds of synovitis in the overweight/obese subgroup for most time points, but increased odds for effusion‐synovitis were observed at P‐2 (OR 2.21 [95% CI 1.11–4.43]).

Conclusion

Presence of inflammatory markers seems to play a role especially in overweight women, while obese women have increased odds for radiographic OA also in the absence of these markers.
Remote Control of Time‐Regulated Stretching of Ligand‐Presenting Nanocoils In Situ Regulates the Cyclic Adhesion and Differentiation of Stem Cells
Authors: Min Sunhong , Ko Min Jun , Jung Hee Joon , Kim Wonsik , Han Seong‐Beom , Kim Yuri , Bae Gunhyu , Lee Sungkyu , Thangam Ramar , Choi Hyojun , Li Na , Shin Jeong Eun , Jeon Yoo Sang , Park Hyeon Su , Kim Yu Jin , Sukumar Uday Kumar , Song Jae‐Jun , Park Seung‐Keun , Yu Seung‐Ho , Kang Yun Chan , Lee Ki‐Bum , Wei Qiang , Kim Dong‐Hwee , Han Seung Min , Paulmurugan Ramasamy , Kim Young Keun , Kang Heemin
Published: February 2021

Native extracellular matrix (ECM) can exhibit cyclic nanoscale stretching and shrinking of ligands to regulate complex cell–material interactions. Designing materials that allow cyclic control of changes in intrinsic ligand‐presenting nanostructures in situ can emulate ECM dynamicity to regulate cellular adhesion. Unprecedented remote control of rapid, cyclic, and mechanical stretching (“ON”) and shrinking (“OFF”) of cell‐adhesive RGD ligand‐presenting magnetic nanocoils on a material surface in five repeated cycles are reported, thereby independently increasing and decreasing ligand pitch in nanocoils, respectively, without modulating ligand‐presenting surface area per nanocoil. It is demonstrated that cyclic switching “ON” (ligand nanostretching) facilitates time‐regulated integrin ligation, focal adhesion, spreading, YAP/TAZ mechanosensing, and differentiation of viable stem cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging reveals magnetic switching “ON” (stretching) and “OFF” (shrinking) of the nanocoils inside animals. Versatile tuning of physical dimensions and elements of nanocoils by regulating electrodeposition conditions is also demonstrated. The study sheds novel insight into designing materials with connected ligand nanostructures that exhibit nanocoil‐specific nano‐spaced declustering, which is ineffective in nanowires, to facilitate cell adhesion. This unprecedented, independent, remote, and cytocompatible control of ligand nanopitch is promising for regulating the mechanosensing‐mediated differentiation of stem cells in vivo.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbonylative Synthesis of 1,5‐Dihydro‐2H‐pyrrol‐2‐ones from Propargyl Amines and Benzyl Chlorides
Authors: Le Zhengjie , Zhu Yiwen , Bao Zhi‐Peng , Ying Jun , Wu Xiao‐Feng
Published: February 2021

A palladium‐catalyzed double carbonylation of propargyl amines and benzyl chlorides employing benzene‐1,3,5‐triyl triformate (TFBen) as the CO source has been developed. By using this protocol, various 1,5‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrrol‐2‐ones were produced in good yields.

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Ophthalmic phenotypes associated with biallelic loss‐of‐function PCDH12 variants
Authors: Mattioli Francesca , Voisin Norine , Preikšaitienė Eglė , Kozlovskaja Irina , Kučinskas Vaidutis , Reymond Alexandre
Published: February 2021

Individuals carrying biallelic loss‐of‐function mutations in PCDH12 have been reported with three different conditions: the diencephalic–mesencephalic junction dysplasia syndrome 1 (DMJDS1), a disorder characterized by global developmental delay, microcephaly, dystonia, and a midbrain malformation at the diencephalic–mesencephalic junction; cerebral palsy combined with a neurodevelopmental disorder; and cerebellar ataxia with retinopathy. We report an additional patient carrying a homozygous PCDH12 frameshift, whose anamnesis combines the most recurrent DMJDS1 clinical features, that is, global developmental delay, microcephaly, and ataxia, with exudative vitreoretinopathy. This case and previously published DMJDS1 patients presenting with nonspecific visual impairments and ophthalmic disorders suggest that ophthalmic alterations are an integral part of clinical features associated with PCDH12 loss‐of‐function.
An epidemiological approach to the analysis of cribra orbitalia as an indicator of health status and mortality in medieval and post‐medieval London under a model of parasitic infection
Authors: Godde Kanya , Hens Samantha M.
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Many individuals living in medieval and post‐medieval London suffered issues with sanitation, food insecurity, infectious disease, and widespread exposure to parasites from a multitude of sources, causing increased risk of death for many inhabitants. We examine this stressful environment and its relationship with various demographic and temporal dimensions, using cribra orbitalia (CO) as an indicator of stress, to model an increased risk of dying under the expectations of our proposed parasitic model of infection.

Materials and methods

We analyze the relationship between CO and mortality across seven medieval and post‐medieval cemeteries from London by the covariates of sex, status, and age‐at‐death. A survival analysis (Cox regression) and a binomial logit estimated hazard and odds ratios of dying with CO across age‐at‐death, sex, status, and time‐period within single statistical models. In addition, we provide new Bayesian age‐at‐death estimates for post‐medieval samples.

Results

The models show the rate of CO decreased over time and age‐at‐death, regardless of sex or status; post‐medieval individuals were ~72% less likely to die with lesions than their medieval counterparts. Further, individuals with CO had ~1% decrease in risk of dying with CO per year of age.

Discussion

These results suggest increased mortality risk for those with lesions indicative of anemia (CO), and selective mortality of younger individuals during the medieval period. Despite sex‐specific nutritional and occupational hazards, and status‐based access to resources, the prevalence of CO was similar across sex and status, which suggests living with parasitic infection that caused anemia was an everyday reality for medieval and post‐medieval Londoners.
A Fully Conjugated 3D Covalent Organic Framework Exhibiting Band‐like Transport with Ultrahigh Electron Mobility
Authors: Wang Shitao , Da Ling , Hao Jinsong , Li Jin , Wang Mao , Huang Yan , Li Zexu , Liu Zhiping , Cao Dapeng
Published: February 2021

Although π‐conjugated two dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been extensively reported, developing fully π‐conjugated 3D COFs is still an extremely difficult problem due to the lack of fully π‐conjugated 3D linkers. We synthesize a fully conjugated 3D COF (BUCT‐COF‐1) by designing a saddle‐shaped building block of aldehyde‐substituted cyclooctatetrathiophene (COThP)‐CHO. As a consequence of the fully conjugated 3D network, BUCT‐COF‐1 demonstrates ultrahigh Hall electron mobility up to ≈3.0 cm2 V−1 s−1at room temperature, which is one order of magnitude higher than the current π‐conjugated 2D COFs. Temperature‐dependent conductivity measurements reveal that the charge carriers in BUCT‐ COF‐1 exhibit the band‐like transport mechanism, which is entirely different from the hopping transport phenomena observed in common organic materials. The findings indicate that fully conjugated 3D COFs can achieve electron delocalization and charge‐transport pathways within the whole 3D skeleton, which may open up a new frontier in the design of organic semiconducting materials.
A Superstrong and Reversible Ionic Crystal‐Based Adhesive Inspired by Ice Adhesion
Authors: Liu Lili , Liu Ziyang , Ren Yongyuan , Zou Xiuyang , Peng Wansu , Li Weizheng , Wu Yiqing , Zheng Sijie , Wang Xiaoliang , Yan Feng
Published: February 2021

In this study, we developed a superstrong and reversible adhesive, which can possess a high bonding strength in the “adhesive” state and detach with the application of heating. An ionic crystal (IC) gel, in which an IC was immobilized within a soft‐polymer matrix, were synthesized via in situ photo‐crosslinking of a precursor solution composed of N, N‐dimethyl acrylamide (DMAA) and a melted IC. The obtained IC gel is homogenous and transparent at melt point. When cooled to the phase transition temperature of the IC, the gel turns into the adhesive with the adhesion strength of 5.82 MPa (on glasses), due to the excellent wetting of melted gel and a thin layer of crystalline IC with high cohesive strength formed on the substrates. The synergistic effects between IC, polymer networks and substrates were investigated by solid state 1H NMR and molecular dynamics simulation. Such an adhesive layer is reversable and can be detached by heating and subsequent re‐adhesion via cooling. This study proposed the new design of removable adhesives, which can be used in dynamic and complex environments.
Citrus aurantifulia extract as a capping agent to biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles: Characterization and evaluation of cytotoxicity, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticholinergics, and anti‐bladder cancer activity
Authors: Xing Haixia
Published: February 2021

In this study, new chemotherapeutic Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared to treat bladder cancer. AuNPs were synthesized using Citrus aurantifulia seed extract as the capping agent. Characterization of AuNPs was performed by Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), UV–Vis, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In UV–Vis, the exact peak in the wavelength of 522 nm revealed the formation of AuNPs. Besides, in the FE‐SEM and TEM images, the AuNPs were spherical with range size of 17 to 24 nm. To investigate the antioxidant properties of AuNPs, the DPPH test was used. AuNPs inhibited half of the DPPH molecules in the concentration of 248 μg/ml. MTT assay was used on bladder cancer (HT‐1376, Grade 3, carcinoma), TCCSUP (Grade IV, transitional cell carcinoma), SCaBER (squamous cell carcinoma), and UM‐UC‐3 (transitional cell carcinoma) cell lines. AuNPs had very low cell viability and anti‐bladder cancer properties dose dependently against HT‐1376, TCCSUP, SCaBER, and UM‐UC‐3 cell lines. The best result of the anti‐bladder cancer properties of AuNPs contrary to the above cell lines was observed in the case of SCaBER cell line. Additionally, these AuNPs were suitable inhibitors of the cholinesterase and α‐glycosidase enzymes with Ki values of 55.32 + 5.32 and 148.78 ± 23.83 μM for α‐glycosidase, 6.68 ± 0.67 and 23.98 ± 3.42 μM for BChE, and 26.29 ± 6.76 and 76.85 ± 6.46 μM for AChE, respectively. After confirming the recent results in the clinical trial studies, AuNPs may be used as antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticholinergics, and anti‐bladder cancer supplements in human.
Crystallization of a nonreplicating rotavirus vaccine candidate
Authors: Hong Moo Sun , Kaur Kawaljit , Sawant Nishant , Joshi Sangeeta B. , Volkin David B. , Braatz Richard D.
Published: February 2021

Nonreplicating rotavirus vaccine (NRRV) candidates are being developed with the aim of serving the needs of developing countries. A significant proportion of the cost of manufacturing such vaccines is the purification in multiple chromatography steps. Crystallization has the potential to reduce purification costs and provide new product storage modality, improved operational flexibility, and reduced facility footprints. This communication describes a systematic approach for the design of the crystallization of an NRRV candidate, VP8 subunit proteins fused to the P2 epitope of tetanus toxin, using first‐principles models and preliminary experimental data. The first‐principles models are applied to literature data to obtain feasible crystallization conditions and lower bounds for nucleation and growth rates. Crystallization is then performed in a hanging‐drop vapor diffusion system, resulting in the nucleation and growth of NRRV crystals. The crystals obtained in a scaled‐up evaporative crystallization contain proteins truncated in the P2 region, but have no significant differences with the original samples in terms of antibody binding and overall conformational stability. These results demonstrate the promise of evaporative crystallization of the NRRV.
Eggshell membrane as a bioactive agent in polymeric nanotopographic scaffolds for enhanced bone regeneration
Authors: Kim Daun , Gwon Yonghyun , Park Sunho , Kim Woochan , Yun Kwidug , Kim Jangho
Published: February 2021

A bone regeneration scaffold is typically designed as a platform to effectively heal a bone defect while preventing soft tissue infiltration. Despite the wide variety of scaffold materials currently available, such as collagen, critical problems in achieving bone regeneration remain, including a rapid absorption period and low tensile strength as well as high costs. Inspired by extracellular matrix protein and topographical cues, we developed a polycaprolactone‐based scaffold for bone regeneration using a soluble eggshell membrane protein (SEP) coating and a nanotopography structure for enhancing the physical properties and bioactivity. The scaffold exhibited adequate flexibility and mechanical strength as a biomedical platform for bone regeneration. The highly aligned nanostructures and SEP coating were found to regulate and enhance cell morphology, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro. In a calvaria bone defect mouse model, the scaffolds coated with SEP applied to the defect site promoted bone regeneration along the direction of the nanotopography in vivo. These findings demonstrate that bone‐inspired nanostructures and SEP coatings have high potential to be applicable in the design and manipulation of scaffolds for bone regeneration.
Fostering study time outside class using gamification strategies: An experimental study at tertiary‐level database courses
Authors: Zorrilla Pantaleón Marta Elena , García‐Saiz Diego , de la Vega Alfonso
Published: February 2021

The application of game principles to nongame contexts has proven to be a powerful pedagogical strategy in the educational area to motivate, engage, and improve learners' performance. In this study, gamification is applied to increase the time and the effort that learners spend in carrying out outside‐class activities, as well as to modify a quite common study pattern of working at the last minute, that is, near exams or deadlines. Our aim was to motivate students to work weekly on the contents of the subject by carrying out practical exercises that led to a deeper knowledge acquisition, development of skills, and the achievement of the learning outcomes gathered in the subject teaching guide. We describe here the gamification strategies applied to two tertiary database courses in two consecutive academic years, following, in one case, a ranking‐based strategy, that is, achieving points by performing different activities; and, in the other one, a strategy based on earning badges and experience points. Next, we analyze the student log activity data along with deadlines and exam information, to assess at what extent gamification helped fulfill our goal. Likewise, we discuss the results of an anonymous survey carried out at the end of the semester to gather the students' opinion. We can conclude that the gamification activities are well appreciated by the learners, especially those that take little time to complete and can be repeated many times to prepare their final exams.
Production of the Carboxylate Reductase from Nocardia otitidiscaviarum in a Soluble, Active Form for in vitro Applications
Authors: Weber Douglas , Patsch David , Neumann Annika , Winkler Margit , Rother Dörte
Published: February 2021

Accessing aldehydes from carboxylate moieties is often a challenging task. In this regard, carboxylate reductases (CARs) are promising catalysts provided by nature that are able to accomplish this task in just one step, avoiding over‐reduction to the alcohol product. However, the heterologous expression of CARs can be quite difficult due to the excessive formation of insoluble protein, thus hindering further characterization and application of the enzyme. Here, the heterologous production of the carboxylate reductase from Nocardia otitidiscaviarum (NoCAR) was optimized by a combination of i) optimized cultivation conditions, ii) post‐translational modification with a phosphopantetheinyl transferase and iii) selection of an appropriate expression strain. Especially, the selection of Escherichia coli tuner cells as host had a strong effect on the final 110‐fold increase in the specific activity of NoCAR. This highly active NoCAR was used to reduce sodium benzoate to benzaldehyde, and it was successfully assembled with an in vitro regeneration of ATP and NADPH, being capable of reducing about 30 mM sodium benzoate with high selectivity in only 2 h of reaction.
Mechanistic effects of arsenic trioxide on acute promyelocytic leukemia and other types of leukemias
Authors: Yousefnia Saghar
Published: February 2021

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia characterized with a translocation between promyelocytic leukemia gene (PML) on chromosome 15 and retinoic acid receptor alpha gene (RARα) on chromosome 17. Transcription of this fusion gene results in PML/RARα fusion protein blocking expression of critical genes involved in differentiation of myeloid cells through interaction with RAR element. PML/RARα fusion protein prevents normal function of PML and RARα as well as inhibiting apoptosis. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is an important agent for the treatment of relapsed and newly diagnosed APL. ATO induces apoptosis, autophagy, and partial cellular differentiation as well as inhibiting cell growth and angiogenesis. Recognition of signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms induced by ATO can be effective for discovering novel treatment strategies to target leukemia cells. Also, it can be developed for the treatment of a variety of cancer cells. This review provides a perspective on anticancerous effects of ATO on APL and leukemia cells.
Comparisons in perception of facial skin brightness, as influenced by differences in skin color: Asian observers
Authors: He Yuanyuan , Mikami Taiga , Tanaka Suguru , Kikuchi Kumiko , Mizokami Yoko
Published: February 2021

Human skin color is one of the most common colors that we see and perceive in everyday life. Previous research on skin color distribution in young Japanese women has revealed that yellowish skin has higher lightness than reddish skin. Furthermore, reddish skin appears brighter than yellowish skin when both have the same lightness (Yoshikawa et al., 2012). Despite these findings, it is unclear how brightness perception of facial skin color is influenced by the diversity of skin colors and observers. The present study investigated the perception of facial skin color among observers in three Asian countries. A young Japanese female face was used, and test faces of four skin color shades were prepared, corresponding to the average skin colors of Japanese, Thai, Caucasian, and African individuals. A test image (with constant lightness but different hue angles) and a scale image (with the original hue but varying lightness) were presented side‐by‐side on a color‐calibrated tablet display, and observers adjusted the brightness of the facial skin of the scale image to match that of the test image. The findings indicated that Japanese observers showed a trend in which reddish skin was perceived as brighter than yellowish skin; however, Thai and Chinese observers did not show this trend. This implies the potential influence of ethnicities or environments on brightness perception of facial skin.
TRACTOR: Traffic‐aware and power‐efficient virtual machine placement in edge‐cloud data centers using artificial bee colony optimization
Authors: Nabavi Sayyid Shahab , Gill Sukhpal Singh , Xu Minxian , Masdari Mohammad , Garraghan Peter
Published: February 2021

Technology providers heavily exploit the usage of edge‐cloud data centers (ECDCs) to meet user demand while the ECDCs are large energy consumers. Concerning the decrease of the energy expenditure of ECDCs, task placement is one of the most prominent solutions for effective allocation and consolidation of such tasks onto physical machine (PM). Such allocation must also consider additional optimizations beyond power and must include other objectives, including network‐traffic effectiveness. In this study, we present a multi‐objective virtual machine (VM) placement scheme (considering VMs as fog tasks) for ECDCs called TRACTOR, which utilizes an artificial bee colony optimization algorithm for power and network‐aware assignment of VMs onto PMs. The proposed scheme aims to minimize the network traffic of the interacting VMs and the power dissipation of the data center's switches and PMs. To evaluate the proposed VM placement solution, the Virtual Layer 2 (VL2) and three‐tier network topologies are modeled and integrated into the CloudSim toolkit to justify the effectiveness of the proposed solution in mitigating the network traffic and power consumption of the ECDC. Results indicate that our proposed method is able to reduce power energy consumption by 3.5% while decreasing network traffic and power by 15% and 30%, respectively, without affecting other QoS parameters.
Reef‐wide evidence that the presence of sharks modifies behaviors of teleost mesopredators
Authors: Lester E. K. , Langlois T. J. , Simpson S. D. , McCormick M. I. , Meekan M. G.
Published: February 2021

The idea that the presence of sharks impacts the behavior of mesopredatory reef fishes is controversial and lacks clear evidence at reef‐wide scales. We compared the abundance and behavior of these reef fishes in response to the presence of reef sharks using Baited Remote Underwater Video System (BRUVS) deployments in two adjacent reef systems where sharks have either been exclusively targeted by fishing or protected by a no‐take marine reserve. For a subset of videos, we also compared the behavior of mesopredatory reef fishes immediately before and after the appearance of sharks in the video. On reefs where sharks were more abundant, mesopredatory fishes spent less time swimming in midwater (i.e., away from shelter) and guarding bait compared to reefs where sharks have been selectively removed. The same responses occurred after the appearance of sharks in the video. Reactions to sharks varied both in strength and type among species of mesopredator and were mediated by the availability of shelter on the reef and, for one species, by the levels of activity of the reef sharks. In contrast, we did not find that the presence of sharks influenced the abundance of mesopredators at either reef system across hour‐long videos or immediately before and after a shark appeared in the video. Collectively, our findings show that the presence of sharks reduces the propensity of mesopredatory fish to engage in potentially risk‐prone behaviors over large spatial scales and that these interactions are mediated by the behavioral characteristics of both predators and prey, and the environment in which they co‐occur. Our results are consistent with the idea that sharks as predators or larger competitors initiate changes in the behavior of mesopredatory reef fishes likely to affect trophic structuring within coral reef ecosystems.
Association of recent hospitalisation with antidepressant initiation among community dwellers with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Tarvainen Anniina , Hartikainen Sirpa , Taipale Heidi , Tanskanen Antti , Koponen Marjaana , Tolppanen Anna‐Maija
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Antidepressant are commonly prescribed to persons with cognitive disorders to treat depressive and other neuropsychiatric symptoms despite the inconclusive evidence on their effectiveness on this indication. We studied whether recent hospitalisation was associated with antidepressant initiation in people with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

The register‐based Finnish nationwide Medication use and Alzheimer's disease cohort includes community‐dwelling persons diagnosed with AD during 2005–2011 in Finland (n = 70,718). This study was restricted to people who initiated antidepressant use after AD diagnosis and had no active cancer treatment and schizophrenia or bipolar disorder diagnoses. We performed a nested case‐control study with antidepressant initiators as cases. A matched noninitiator (sex, age and AD duration), was identified for each initiator (15,360 matched pairs). Recent hospitalisation was defined as hospital discharge within the past 14 days of initiation.

Results

Antidepressant initiators were four times more likely (adjusted odds ratio: 4.41, 95% confidence interval: 4.06–4.80) to have been hospitalised within the past 2 weeks before initiation (21.2%, n = 3250) than matched noninitiators (5.4%, n = 831) and the duration of hospital stay was significantly longer among initiators. Dementia was the most common main discharge diagnosis among both initiators (43.8%, n = 1423) and noninitiators (24.8%, n = 206).

Conclusion

Recent hospitalisation was strongly associated with antidepressant initiation in persons with AD. Further studies are needed to investigate whether this is due to neuropsychiatric symptoms leading to hospital admission, inpatient care triggering or worsening neuropsychiatric symptoms or other indications. Nonpharmacological treatments for neuropsychiatric symptoms should be prioritised and the threshold for prescribing antidepressants should be high.
T cell counts and IL-6 concentration in blood of North African COVID-19 patients are two independent prognostic factors for severe disease and death
Authors: Belaid Brahim , Lamara Mahammad Lydia , Mihi Belgacem , Rahali Sarah Yasmine , Djidjeli Asma , Larab Zineb , Berkani Lilya , Berkane Ismahane , Sayah Wafa , Merah Fatma , Lazli Nouzha Zhor , Kheddouci Lylia , Kadi Ahmed , Ouali Mourad , Khellafi Rachida , Mekideche Dalila , Kheliouen Assia , Ayoub Soraya , Hamidi Réda Malek , Derrar Fawzi , Gharnaout Merzak , Allam Ines , Djidjik Réda
Published: February 2021

The immune system plays a crucial role in the response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 with significant differences among patients. The study investigated the relationships between lymphocyte subsets, cytokines, and disease outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The measurements of peripheral blood lymphocytes subsets and cytokine levels were performed by flow cytometry for 57 COVID-19 patients. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the severity of the disease (nonsevere vs. severe). Total lymphocytes, T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells were decreased in COVID-19 patients and statistical differences were found among different severity of illness and survival states (P ˂ 0.01). The levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly higher in severe and death groups and negatively correlated with lymphocyte subsets counts. The percentages of Th17 in the peripheral blood of patients were higher than those of healthy controls whereas the percentages of Th2 were lower. For the severe cases, the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of IL-6 was the largest among all the immune parameters (0.964; 95% confidence interval: 0.927–1.000, P < 0.0001). In addition, the preoperative IL-6 concentration of 77.38 pg/ml was the optimal cutoff value (sensitivity: 84.6%, specificity: 100%). Using multivariate logistic regression analysis and ROC curves, IL-6 > 106.44 pg/ml and CD8+ T cell counts <150 cells/μl were found to be associated with mortality. Measuring the immune parameters and defining a risk threshold can segregate patients who develop a severe disease from those with a mild pathology. The identification of these parameters may help clinicians to predict the outcome of the patients with high risk of unfavorable progress of the disease.
Gastroenterology manifestations and COVID‐19 outcomes: A meta‐analysis of 25,252 cohorts among the first and second waves
Authors: Elshazli Rami M. , Kline Adam , Elgaml Abdelaziz , Aboutaleb Mohamed H. , Salim Mohamed M. , Omar Mahmoud , Munshi Ruhul , Mankowski Nicholas , Hussein Mohammad H. , Attia Abdallah S. , Toraih Eman A. , Settin Ahmad , Killackey Mary , Fawzy Manal S. , Kandil Emad
Published: February 2021

A meta‐analysis was performed to identify patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) presenting with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms during the first and second pandemic waves and investigate their association with the disease outcomes. A systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and EMBASE was performed up to July 25, 2020. The pooled prevalence of the GI presentations was estimated using the random‐effects model. Pairwise comparison for the outcomes was performed according to the GI manifestations' presentation and the pandemic wave of infection. Data were reported as relative risk (RR), or odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Of 125 articles with 25,252 patients, 20.3% presented with GI manifestations. Anorexia (19.9%), dysgeusia/ageusia (15.4%), diarrhea (13.2%), nausea (10.3%), and hematemesis (9.1%) were the most common. About 26.7% had confirmed positive fecal RNA, with persistent viral shedding for an average time of 19.2 days before being negative. Patients presenting with GI symptoms on admission showed a higher risk of complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (RR = 8.16), acute cardiac injury (RR = 5.36), and acute kidney injury (RR = 5.52), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (RR = 2.56), and mortality (RR = 2.01). Although not reach significant levels, subgroup‐analysis revealed that affected cohorts in the first wave had a higher risk of being hospitalized, ventilated, ICU admitted, and expired. This meta‐analysis suggests an association between GI symptoms in COVID‐19 patients and unfavorable outcomes. The analysis also showed improved overall outcomes for COVID‐19 patients during the second wave compared to the first wave of the outbreak.
Reorganization of brain structural networks in aging: A longitudinal study
Authors: Coelho Ana , Fernandes Henrique M. , Magalhães Ricardo , Moreira Pedro S. , Marques Paulo , Soares José M. , Amorim Liliana , Portugal‐Nunes Carlos , Castanho Teresa , Santos Nadine Correia , Sousa Nuno
Published: February 2021

Normal aging is characterized by structural and functional changes in the brain contributing to cognitive decline. Structural connectivity (SC) describes the anatomical backbone linking distinct functional subunits of the brain and disruption of this communication is thought to be one of the potential contributors for the age‐related deterioration observed in cognition. Several studies already explored brain network's reorganization during aging, but most focused on average connectivity of the whole‐brain or in specific networks, such as the resting‐state networks. Here, we aimed to characterize longitudinal changes of white matter (WM) structural brain networks, through the identification of sub‐networks with significantly altered connectivity along time. Then, we tested associations between longitudinal changes in network connectivity and cognition. We also assessed longitudinal changes in topological properties of the networks. For this, older adults were evaluated at two timepoints, with a mean interval time of 52.8 months (SD = 7.24). WM structural networks were derived from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, and cognitive status from neurocognitive testing. Our results show age‐related changes in brain SC, characterized by both decreases and increases in connectivity weight. Interestingly, decreases occur in intra‐hemispheric connections formed mainly by association fibers, while increases occur mostly in inter‐hemispheric connections and involve association, commissural, and projection fibers, supporting the last‐in‐first‐out hypothesis. Regarding topology, two hubs were lost, alongside with a decrease in connector‐hub inter‐modular connectivity, reflecting reduced integration. Simultaneously, there was an increase in the number of provincial hubs, suggesting increased segregation. Overall, these results confirm that aging triggers a reorganization of the brain structural network.
Employee engagement and organizational change initiatives: Does transformational leadership, valence, and trust make a difference?
Authors: Islam M. Nazmul , Furuoka Fumitaka , Idris Aida
Published: February 2021

The research investigates the role of transformationalleadership in enhancing employee engagement during organizational change, and the individual and sequential mediating role of valence and trust in leadership. Based on cross‐sectional data from a survey of employees in Bangladesh's banking sector, the study uses structural equation modeling to test four hypotheses related to employee engagement and organizational change. The results showed that transformational leadership positively associated with employee engagement, and that both valence and trust in leadership individually and sequentially mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and employee engagement. The research contributes to the areas of organizational change management and human resource management by clarifying the impact of transformational leadership on employee engagement. It also provides practical guidance on improving employee engagement in Bangladesh's banking sector, and elsewhere, during periods of organizational change.
Distribution of n‐alkan‐2‐ones in Qionghai Lake sediments, southwest China, and its potential for late Quaternary paleoclimate reconstruction
Authors: Wang Gen , Wang Yongli , Wei Zhifu , He Wei , Zhang Ting , Ma Xueyun , Yu Xiaoli
Published: February 2021

Studies on long‐chain n‐alkan‐2‐ones from lake sediments remain sparse. In this study, we present an n‐alkan‐2‐one record from Qionghai Lake, southwest China, to assess the paleoclimate significance of variations in their compositions. A homologous series of n‐alkan‐2‐ones ranging from C21 to C35 were identified, with maximum concentrations of the C29 or C31 chain lengths and a strong odd‐over‐even predominance. This type of n‐alkan‐2‐one is considered to derive mainly from microbial oxidation of the corresponding n‐alkanes, and partial inputs from plants. The n‐alkan‐2‐one‐derived average chain length (ACL) and carbon preference index (CPI) values changed significantly over the past 28k cal a bp, consistent with the sediment grain size and n‐alkane proxies from the same core. Generally, the high CPI27‐33‐ket and low ACL27‐33‐ket values indicated cold and dry climates such as for the Last Glacial Maximum (23.2–19.7k cal a bp), Heinrich 1 event (17.6–15.6k cal a bp) and Younger Dryas (12.8–11.6k cal a bp), but low CPI27‐33‐ket and high ACL27‐33‐ket values denoted a warm and humid Holocene Climatic Optimum (7.0–4.3k cal a bp). Therefore, n‐alkan‐2‐ones have great paleoclimatic potential and can be applied together with other biomarkers to reconstruct a reliable paleoclimate record in lake sediments.
The effects of female chief executive officers on corporate social responsibility
Authors: Lim Mi‐Hee , Chung Jee Yong
Published: February 2021

This study examines the effects of female chief executive officers (CEOs) on corporate social responsibility (CSR). Random‐effects models and Poisson models were used to test female CEOs' effects on overall CSR commitment and the different CSR types. Empirical analyses on 2166 US companies revealed that female CEOs had significant effects on CSR. Specifically, the companies led by female CEOs had an active overall CSR participation, but their effects differed by CSR type. Further, when the relative power of the board of directors was high, the positive effects of female CEOs on the social activities of institutional stakeholders were weakened.
As Basket and Papu: Making Manus Social Fabric
Authors: Rooney Michelle Nayahamui
Published: February 2021

Between 2012 and 2019, Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, hosted Australia's offshore detention centre for asylum seekers and refugees, known as the Regional Processing Centre (RPC). This paper analyses some of the social impacts of the RPC on Lorengau town, the urban centre of Manus, through the analytical lens of the Manus idiom, as basket (Tok Pisin). Materially this refers to the everyday Manus basket whilst metaphorically, it refers to an individual's or community's social, cultural, political and economic base. First, I examine asylum seekers and refugees as a social category that emerged during this period when they were referred to as papu by locals. Papu is an honorific kinship term for grandfather or elder man; for men who are symbols for family identity, social belonging, and rights to land. Second, I examine the changing materiality of Lorengau's markets as indicative of wider societal transformations and dissonance brought about by the RPC. My ethnographic data are based on long term involvement in Manus, including three recent visits to Lorengau in 2017, 2018, and 2019 where I studied the social impacts and the changing social practices of Manus people in response to the RPC.
Functional relationships of three NFU proteins in the biogenesis of chloroplastic iron‐sulfur clusters
Authors: Satyanarayan Manasa B. , Zhao Jun , Zhang Jessica , Yu Fei , Lu Yan
Published: February 2021

Iron‐sulfur clusters are required in a variety of biological processes. Biogenesis of iron‐sulfur clusters includes assembly of iron‐sulfur clusters on scaffold complexes and transfer of iron‐sulfur clusters to recipient apoproteins by iron‐sulfur carriers, such as nitrogen‐fixation‐subunit‐U (NFU)‐type proteins. Arabidopsis thaliana has three plastid‐targeted NFUs: NFU1, NFU2, and NFU3. We previously discovered that nfu2−/− nfu3−/− mutants are embryo lethal. The lack of viable nfu2−/− nfu3−/− mutants posed a serious challenge. To overcome this problem, we characterized nfu2‐1−/− nfu3‐2+/‐ and nfu2‐1+/‐ nfu3‐2−/− sesquimutants. Simultaneous loss‐of‐function mutations in NFU2 and NFU3 have an additive effect on the declines of 4Fe‐4S‐containing PSI core subunits. Consequently, the sesquimutants had much lower PSI and PSII activities, much less chlorophyll, and much smaller plant sizes, than nfu2‐1 and nfu3‐2 single mutants. These observations are consistent with proposed roles of NFU3 and NFU2 in the biogenesis of chloroplastic 4Fe‐4S. By performing spectroscopic and in vitro reconstitution experiments, we found that NFU1 may act as a carrier for chloroplastic 4Fe‐4S and 3Fe‐4S clusters. In line with this hypothesis, loss‐of‐function mutations in NFU1 resulted in significant declines in 4Fe‐4S‐ and 3Fe‐4S‐containing chloroplastic proteins. The declines of PSI activity and 4Fe‐4S‐containing PSI core subunits in nfu1 mutants indicate that PSI is the main target of NFU1 action. The reductions in 4Fe‐4S‐containing PSI core proteins and PSI activity in nfu3‐2, nfu2‐1, and nfu1 single mutants suggest that all three plastid‐targeted NFU proteins contribute to the biogenesis of chloroplastic 4Fe‐4S clusters. Although different insertion sites of T‐DNA lines may cause variations in phenotypic results, mutation severity could be an indicator of the relative importance of the gene product. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that NFU3 contributes more than NFU2 and NFU2 contributes more than NFU1 to the production of 4Fe‐4S‐containing PSI core subunits.
Properties and applications of precision oligomer materials; where organic and polymer chemistry join forces
Authors: van Genabeek Bas , Lamers Brigitte A. G. , Hawker Craig J. , Meijer E. W. , Gutekunst Will R. , Schmidt Bernhard V. K. J.
Published: February 2021

Precise oligomeric materials constitute a growing area of research with implications for various applications as well as fundamental studies. Notably, this field of science which can be termed macro‐organic chemistry, draws inspiration from both traditional polymer chemistry and organic synthesis, combining the molecular precision of organic chemistry with the materials properties of macromolecules. Discrete oligomers enable access to unprecedented materials properties, for example, in self‐assembled structures, crystallization, or optical properties. The degree of control over oligomer structures resembles many biological systems and enables the design of materials with tailored properties and the development of fundamental structure–property relationships. This Review highlights recent developments in macro‐organic chemistry from synthetic concepts to materials properties, with a focus on self‐assembly and molecular recognition. Finally, an outlook for future research directions is provided.
Restless sleep disorder, restless legs syndrome, and periodic limb movement disorder—Sleep in motion!
Authors: DelRosso Lourdes M. , Mogavero Maria P. , Ferri Raffaele
Published: February 2021

Sleep‐related movement disorders (SRMDs) represent an important part of pediatric sleep disorders. The most common complaint in SRMD is restless sleep at night. Restless sleep is reported in up to 80% of children with restless legs syndrome (RLS) and children with periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS) disorder (PLMD). However, restless sleep causing daytime behavioral consequences can be seen in children without another apparent condition and has recently been identified as a new independent primary pediatric sleep disorder, called restless sleep disorder (RSD). This study describes these three main SRMDs (RSD, RLS, and PLMD), explains the new consensus criteria for RSD, emphasizes the rapidly evolving areas of research in this field, and proposes recommendations for future research. In particular, the published data constitute convincing evidence that sleep‐related movements are disruptors of sleep quality and continuity. However, while important advancements have recently been reported in adults, a detailed analysis of the phenomenology and consequences of sleep‐related movements has just started in children. New approaches, standardized diagnostic methods, and specific guidelines are needed in the field of pediatric SRMD.