bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐microbial resistance of Salmonella isolates from raw meat‐based dog food in Japan
Authors: Yukawa Shoichiro , Uchida Ikuo , Takemitsu Hiroshi , Okamoto Asako , Yukawa Motomi , Ohshima Seinosuke , Tamura Yutaka
Published: January 2022

Background

Salmonella contamination of raw meat‐based diets (RMBDs) for pets poses a major public health concern but has not been investigated in Japan.

Objective

To investigate Salmonella contamination in RMBDs for dogs marketed in Japan and the anti‐microbial resistance profiles of the Salmonella isolates.

Methods

Sixty commercial RMBD samples were collected in the Okayama and Osaka Prefectures, Japan, between December 2016 and March 2017. The obtained Salmonella isolates were serotyped, their anti‐microbial resistance patterns were determined, and the anti‐microbial‐resistant isolates were screened for the presence of resistance genes by polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica was detected in seven of the 60 RMBD samples. Among them, five isolates were identified as S. Infantis (n = 3), S. Typhimurium (n = 1) and S. Schwarzengrund (n = 1), while the serotypes of two isolates were unable to be identified. All isolates were susceptible to ampicillin, cefazolin, cefotaxime and gentamycin. Two isolates were resistant to more than one anti‐microbial agent; one of the S. Infantis isolates was resistant to streptomycin, kanamycin, tetracycline and trimethoprim, while the S. Typhimurium isolate was resistant to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol. The S. Schwarzengrund isolate was resistant to tetracycline. Additionally, the S. Typhimurium isolate harboured the anti‐microbial resistance gene gyrA with a mutation corresponding to Ser‐83→Phe amino acid substitution.

Conclusion

The study findings suggest that RMBDs for dogs marketed in Japan can be a potential source of Salmonella infection for dogs and humans including infections caused by quinolone‐resistant isolates.
Medical management of dermatitis‐associated morbidity and mortality in endangered Houston toads (Anaxyrus houstonensis)
Authors: Romano Noriega Jacobo , Oliveira Fabiano , Crump Paul S. , Tocidlowski Maryanne E. , Howard Lauren L.
Published: January 2022

The Houston toad (Anaxyrus [Bufo] houstonensis) is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and is endemic to east central Texas. Since 2007, the Houston Zoo Inc. participated in Houston toad recovery through captive breeding, re‐introduction and maintenance of a captive assurance colony. During 2012 and 2013, the zoo's Houston toad colony experienced increased morbidity and mortality attributed to dermatitis of various aetiologies. An 8‐month time period, from September 2012 through April 2013, was selected to evaluate disease aetiology, treatments administered and success of therapy. A total of 248 toad records were reviewed. During this time, 52 toads that died with dermatitis associated with a fungal or bacterial aetiology or a combination of both were included in the review. Toads that survived (n = 196) had been treated with either oral enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg once daily), itraconazole baths (0.01% solution for 10–15 minutes once daily), enhanced nutrition or a combination of these therapies.
Impacts of climate change on organized sport: A scoping review
Authors: Orr Madeleine , Inoue Yuhei , Seymour Russell , Dingle Greg
Published: January 2022

The relationship between sport and the environment has been primarily examined to understand how sport impacts the natural environment. However, as the influence of climate change has become more apparent, there is a need to establish a systematic understanding of the impacts of climate change on the operations of sport. The aim of this review is to take stock of existing literature on climate change's impacts on organized competitive sport entities, with further attention paid to their adaptation efforts. A scoping review was conducted to identify relevant studies published between 1995 and 2021. After evaluating more than 2100 publications, we retained 57 articles and analyzed them to answer the research questions: (1) What evidence is available regarding the impacts of climate change on the operation of organized competitive sport entities? (2) What is known from the literature about the measures taken by organized competitive sport entities to adapt to the impacts of climate change? Our analysis yielded five major themes: (1) Heat impacts on athlete and spectator health; (2) heat impacts on athlete performance; (3) adaptive measures taken in sport; (4) suitability of various cities for event hosting; and (5) benchmarking and boundary conditions. This review reveals that there is evidence of some climate change impacts on sport, but the literature reflects only a small share of the global sport sector. Equally, much remains to be understood about the nature of adaptation.

This article is categorized under:

Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Evaluating Future Impacts of Climate Change
Assessing Public Preference for Construction of Giant Seawalls Using the Best–Worst Scaling Approach
Authors: Tsuge Takahiro , Shoji Yasushi , Onuma Ayumi
Published: January 2022

Giant seawalls have been constructed in areas stricken by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake to protect nearby townships from tsunamis, but their construction has caused great controversy. This study conducted a survey using the best–worst scaling (BWS) method in Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures, where the seawalls are constructed to understand what specific factors citizens think should be taken into consideration during construction. The results revealed that the negative impacts on the natural environment and seawall height (safety) were ranked most highly. Additionally, the results of regression analysis with respondents’ B-W scores for the negative impacts on the natural environment and seawall height (safety) as the explained variables demonstrated that people who less strongly recognized the need for a seawall were more likely to think the negative impact on the natural environment should be taken into consideration than did people who strongly recognized the need for a seawall; however, people who did not know much about seawalls were more likely to think seawall height should be considered than people who did. The regression analysis also found that people who more strongly felt there was a need to build seawalls were more likely to think seawall height should be a key consideration, whereas people who personally had suffered harm in the tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake were more likely to think seawall height should be a key consideration than did those who were not personally affected.
Toward Social Infrastructure: Typological Idea for Evaluating Implementation Potential of Green Infrastructure
Authors: Osawa Takeshi , Nishida Takaaki
Published: January 2022

Green infrastructure (GI) comprises widely distributed objects in human residential communities. However, because of the variety of certain objects, it is sometimes difficult to improve public awareness and enhance social implementation of GI. To expand the idea of GI and apply it widely in our society, we should understand clearly what exactly GI is and where and how it can be applied. In this article, we classify the types of GI and present a basic approach to evaluate their implementation potential as the first step for expanding the application of GI in human society. First, based on the definition of GI, we classified it as the infrastructure involving the natural ecosystem, seminatural ecosystem, and artificial ecosystem in each. The essential differences among these types arise from their installability depending on human activities. Then, we considered the principle of evaluation of the implementation potential of GI for the three types GI based on three dimensions, natural condition, top-down regulation, and bottom-up regulation, in human society. Additionally, appropriate ideas for the evaluation of each dimension were considered. Relative importance of the natural condition, top-down regulation, and bottom-up regulation differs among the types of GI. We believe that the findings of this work will be useful for decision makers dealing with the application of GI in their administrative areas.
The central dogma and cosmological horizons
Authors: Shaghoulian Edgar
Published: January 2022

Abstract

The central dogma of black hole physics — which says that from the outside a black hole can be described in terms of a quantum system with exp(Area/4GN) states evolving unitarily — has recently been supported by computations indicating that the interior of the black hole is encoded in the Hawking radiation of the exterior. In this paper, we probe whether such a dogma for cosmological horizons has any support from similar computations. The fact that the de Sitter bifurcation surface is a minimax surface (instead of a maximin surface) causes problems with this interpretation when trying to import calculations analogous to the AdS case. This suggests anchoring extremal surfaces to the horizon itself, where we formulate a two-sided extremization prescription and find answers consistent with general expectations for a quantum theory of de Sitter space: vanishing total entropy, an entropy of A/4GN when restricting to a single static patch, an entropy of a subregion of the horizon which grows as the region size grows until an island-like transition at half the horizon size when the entanglement wedge becomes the entire static patch interior, and a de Sitter version of the Hartman-Maldacena transition.
Supersymmetric inhomogeneous field theories in 1+1 dimensions
Authors: Kwon O-Kab , Kim Chanju , Kim Yoonbai
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We study supersymmetric inhomogeneous field theories in 1+1 dimensions which have explicit coordinate dependence. Although translation symmetry is broken, part of supersymmetries can be maintained. In this paper, we consider the simplest inhomogeneous theories with one real scalar field, which possess an unbroken supersymmetry. The energy is bounded from below by the topological charge which is not necessarily nonnegative definite. The bound is saturated if the first-order Bogomolny equation is satisfied. Non-constant static supersymmetric solutions above the vacuum involve in general a zero mode although the system lacks translation invariance. We consider two inhomogeneous theories obtained by deforming supersymmetric sine-Gordon theory and ϕ6 theory. They are deformed either by overall inhomogeneous rescaling of the superpotential or by inhomogeneous deformation of the vacuum expectation value. We construct explicitly the most general supersymmetric solutions and obtain the BPS energy spectrum for arbitrary position-dependent deformations. Nature of the solutions and their energies depend only on the boundary values of the inhomogeneous functions. The vacuum of minimum energy is not necessarily a constant configuration. In some cases, we find a one-parameter family of degenerate solutions which include a non-vacuum constant solution as a special case.
The Additive Problem for the Number of Representations as a Sum of Two Squares
Authors: Chamizo Fernando
Published: January 2022

We improve a previous unconditional result about the asymptotic behavior of $$\sum _{n\le x} r(n)r(n+m)$$

∑

n
≤
x

r

(
n
)

r

(
n
+
m
)

with r(n) the number of representations of n as a sum of two squares when m may vary with x.
The ALR-RSI score is a valid and reproducible scale to assess psychological readiness before returning to sport after modified Broström-Gould procedure
Authors: Pioger Charles , Guillo Stéphane , Bouché Pierre-Alban , Sigonney François , Elkaïm Marc , Bauer Thomas , Hardy Alexandre
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Psychological readiness scores have been developed to optimize the return to play in many sports-related injuries. The purpose of this study was to statistically validate the ankle ligament reconstruction-return to sport injury (ALR-RSI) scale after modified Broström-Gould (MBG) procedure.

Methods

A similar version of the ACL-RSI scale with 12 items was adapted to quantify the psychological readiness to RTS after MBG and to describe construct validity, discriminant validity, feasibility, reliability and internal consistency of the scale, according to the COSMIN methodology. The term “knee” was replaced by “ankle”. The AOFAS and Karlsson scores were used as references patient-related outcome measurements (PROMs).

Results

A total of 71 patients were included. The ALR-RSI score after MBG procedure was highly (r > 0.5) correlated to the AOFAS and Karlsson scores, with a Pearson coefficient r = 0.69 [0.54–0.80] and 0.72 [0.53–0.82], respectively. The mean ALR-RSI score was significantly greater in the subgroup of 55 patients who resumed sports activity compared to those that no longer practiced sport: 61.9 (43.8–79.6) vs 43.4 (25.0–55.6), (p = 0.01). The test–retest showed an “excellent” reproducibility with a ρ intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.93 [0.86–0.96]. The Cronbach’s alpha statistic was 0.95, attesting an “excellent” internal consistency between the 12 ALR-RSI items.

Conclusion

The ALR-RSI score is a valid and reproducible tool for the assessment of psychological readiness to RTS after an MBG procedure for the management of CLAI, in a young and active population. The ALR-RSI score may help to identify and counsel athletes on their ability to return to sport.

Level of evidence

III.
Omental Procedures During Peritoneal Dialysis Insertion: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Kim Jin K. , Lolas Marisol , Keefe Daniel T. , Rickard Mandy , Yadav Priyank , Ming Jessica M. , Milford Karen , Koyle Martin A. , Lorenzo Armando J. , Chua Michael E.
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an option for ultrafiltration for patients with end‐stage renal disease. Once placed, PD catheters may malfunction often due to omental wrapping. Omental procedures such as omentectomy and omentopexy may reduce this risk. This investigation aims to perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the literature on the role of omental procedures on PD catheter insertions.

Methods

Following protocol registration on PROSPERO (CRD42020218950), a systematic review was performed in accordance with the Cochrane Collaboration. A literature search was performed in February 2021 across Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Records with patients who underwent PD catheter insertion with and without omental manipulation were included. The records underwent screening, full‐text review, and data extraction. Study qualities were assessed using RoBINS‐I and RoB2. Effect estimates were extracted as risk ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using inverse variance method with random‐effect model.

Results

Of 510 records identified, 15 studies were included in the meta‐analysis (1 RCT, 2 prospective, 12 retrospective). With omental procedures, there was decreased the likelihood of failure requiring removal of PD catheter (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.38, 0.58) and PD catheter obstruction (RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.14, 0.39); there was no difference in likelihood of catheter malposition or migration (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.23, 3.29) or peritonitis (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.40, 1.35).

Conclusion

Based on the current low to moderate quality of evidence, omental manipulation at the time of PD catheter insertion confers benefits of decreased obstruction and failure requiring removal.
Large Nipple Volume as a Risk Factor of Nipple–areola Complex Necrosis Following Nipple‐sparing Mastectomy
Authors: Yamada Miki , Jinno Hiromitsu , Naruse Saki , Isono Yuka , Tsukahara Daisuke , Umemoto Yasuko , Matsumoto Akiko , Dogo Kyoko , Sasajima Yuko
Published: January 2022

Background

Nipple–areola complex (NAC) necrosis, which is caused by local ischemia, remains one of the complications associated with nipple‐sparing mastectomy. Obesity, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and immediate breast reconstruction have been identified as risk factors of NAC necrosis. The current study examined the correlation between NAC necrosis and nipple volume.

Materials and methods

A total of 83 patients who underwent NSM for primary breast cancer from January 2016 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Nipple volume was determined using the formula: volume (mm3) = length × width × height (mm), with measurements determined using contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Total and partial NAC necrosis was defined as full‐thickness necrosis requiring surgical procedures and epidermal necrosis managing local wound care, respectively.

Results

NAC necrosis was observed in 30 patients (36%), with 3 and 27 patients having total and partial necrosis, respectively. Large nipple volume (56% vs. 24%, p = 0.006), as well as smoking and immediate breast reconstruction (57 vs. 28%, p = 0.017; 48% vs. 20%, p = 0.009, respectively), were significantly correlated with NAC necrosis. Multivariate analysis identified nipple volume as an independent risk factor for NAC necrosis (OR, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.23–11.44; p = 0.02). Smoking (OR, 4.68; 95% CI, 1.37–15.94; p = 0.014) and immediate breast reconstruction (OR, 3.43; 95% CI, 1.05–11.23; p = 0.042) were also independently associated with NAC necrosis.

Conclusions

This study suggested that a large nipple volume could be one of the risk factors for NAC necrosis following NSM.
Einsatz von künstlicher Intelligenz im Screening auf diabetische Retinopathie an einer diabetologischen Schwerpunktklinik
Authors: Paul Sebastian , Tayar Allam , Morawiec-Kisiel Ewa , Bohl Beathe , Großjohann Rico , Hunfeld Elisabeth , Busch Martin , Pfeil Johanna M. , Dähmcke Merlin , Brauckmann Tara , Eilts Sonja , Bründer Marie-Christine , Grundel Milena , Grundel Bastian , Tost Frank , Kuhn Jana , Reindel Jörg , Kerner Wolfgang , Stahl Andreas
Published: January 2022

Hintergrund

Seit 2018 ist mit IDx-DR ein Verfahren auf dem Markt, welches den Grad der diabetischen Retinopathie (DR) mittels künstlicher Intelligenz (KI) bestimmt.

Methoden

Wir haben IDx-DR in die Sprechstunde an einer diabetologischen Schwerpunktklinik integriert und berichten über die Übereinstimmung zwischen IDx-DR (IDx Technologies Inc., Coralville, IA, USA) und Funduskopie sowie IDx-DR und ophthalmologischer Bildbeurteilung sowie über den Einfluss unterschiedlicher Kamerasysteme.

Ergebnisse

Mit der Topcon-Kamera (n = 456; NW400, Topcon Medical Systems, Oakland, NJ, USA) konnte im Vergleich zur Zeiss-Kamera (n = 47; Zeiss VISUCAM 500, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Deutschland) häufiger eine ausreichende Bildqualität in Miosis erreicht werden. Insgesamt war bei etwa 60 % der Patienten eine IDx-DR-Analyse in Miosis möglich. Alle Patienten, bei denen keine IDx-DR-Analyse in Miosis möglich war, konnten in Mydriasis funduskopiert werden. Innerhalb der Gruppe der auswertbaren Befunde zeigte sich eine Übereinstimmung zwischen IDx-DR und augenärztlicher Funduoskopie in ca. 55 %, ein Überschätzen des Schweregrads durch IDx-DR in ca. 40 % und ein Unterschätzen in ca. 4 %. Die Sensitivität (Spezifität) für das Erkennen einer schweren, behandlungsbedürftigen Retinopathie lag bei 95,7 % (89,1 %) für Fälle mit auswertbaren Fundusaufnahmen und bei 65,2 % (66,7 %), wenn alle Fälle betrachtet werden (inklusive derjeniger ohne verwertbare Aufnahme in Miosis). Der Kappa-Koeffizient zeigt mit 0,334 (p < 0,001) eine ausreichende Übereinstimmung zwischen IDx-DR und ärztlicher Bildauswertung anhand des Fundusfotos unter Berücksichtigung aller Patienten mit auswertbarer IDx-DR-Analyse. Der Vergleich zwischen IDx-DR mit der ärztlichen Funduskopie ergibt unter denselben Voraussetzungen eine geringe Übereinstimmung mit einem Kappa-Wert von 0,168 (p < 0,001).

Schlussfolgerung

Die vorliegende Studie zeigt Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des KI-gestützten DR-Screenings auf. Eine wesentliche Einschränkung liegt in der Tatsache, dass bei ca. 40 % der Patienten keine ausreichenden Aufnahmen in Miosis gewonnen werden konnten. Wenn ausreichende Aufnahmen vorlagen, stimmten IDx-DR und augenärztliche Diagnose in über 50 % der Fälle überein. Ein Unterschätzen des Schweregrades durch IDx-DR kam selten vor. Für die Integration in augenärztlich unterstützten Sprechstunden erscheint uns das System grundsätzlich geeignet. Die hohe Rate an fehlenden Aufnahmen in Miosis stellt allerdings eine Limitation dar, die einen Einsatz ohne augenärztliche Kontrollmöglichkeit schwierig erscheinen lässt.
Synergistic effect of El Niño and the North Pacific Oscillation on wintertime precipitation over Southeastern China and the East China Sea Kuroshio area
Authors: Sun Yue , Li Jianping
Published: January 2022

Wintertime precipitation in China is most pronounced over the southeastern area, and the Kuroshio in the East China Sea anchors a prominent precipitation band over the warm side of the sea surface temperature front. Previous studies have suggested that many factors contribute to the interannual variation of the precipitation over southeastern China (SC), whereas less attention has been paid to precipitation variability over the East China Sea Kuroshio (ECSK) area. This study focuses on the interannual variation of wintertime precipitation over the SC and ECSK areas. Empirical orthogonal function analysis reveals a spatially uniform pattern from SC to the ECSK area. Composite analysis shows that an El Niño event intensifies wintertime precipitation over our target region, and this effect is tripled when an El Niño follows a positive North Pacific Oscillation (NPO) event in the previous winter. The positive NPO event in the previous winter intensifies the El Niño event via the Victoria mode ocean bridge and the subsequent Bjerknes feedback. In comparison with single-factor El Niño events, a much weaker Walker cell induced by the joint event induces a much weaker regional Hadley cell through anomalous descending motion over the western tropical Pacific. The weakened regional Hadley circulation over the western Pacific directly enhances the precipitation over the SC and ECSK area. In this study, the synergistic effect of an El Niño event and a positive NPO event indicates that the influence of the El Niño event can be amplified by the positive NPO event in the previous winter.
Association between compliance with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols and postoperative outcome in patients with primary liver cancer undergoing hepatic resection
Authors: Feng Jinhua , Li Ka , Xu Ruihua , Feng Huan , Han Qiang , Ye Hui , Li Fuyu
Published: January 2022

Background

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multidisciplinary, stress-minimizing approach that is associated with improved postoperative outcomes. However, whether the level of compliance with ERAS protocols impacts the postoperative outcome of patients with primary liver cancer undergoing liver resection is unknown. The study aimed to analyze the association between compliance with ERAS protocols and liver resection outcomes.

Methods

This prospective cohort study consecutively recruited patients with primary liver cancer who were scheduled for elective liver surgery between January 2019 and December 2020 at the Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Twenty individual ERAS items were assessed in all patients. The patients were divided into two groups according to their degree of compliance with the ERAS interventions: an ERAS-compliant (ERAS-C) group of individuals who complied with over 75% of the ERAS components and an ERAS-noncompliant (ERAS-N) group. The primary outcomes were ERAS compliance, occurrence of major complications within 30 days postoperatively, and length of postoperative hospital stay. The secondary outcomes were 30-day readmissions, reoperations and other rehabilitation indicators. The study was registered at www.chictr.org.cn (identity number ChiCTR2000040021).

Results

Overall, 436 patients were enrolled; their mean age was 54 years (interquartile range [IQR], 47–66). Of these patients, 206 were allocated to the ERAS-C group, and the other 230 patients comprised the ERAS-N group. The overall compliance rate was 70% (IQR, 65%-80%). The ERAS-C group had higher compliance rates [80.00% (IQR, 75.00–85.00%)] than the ERAS-N group [65.00% (IQR, 65.00–70.00%)], P < 0.001). The ERAS-C group had significantly fewer major complications (7.77% vs. 15.65%, OR, 0.449, 95% CI, 0.241–0.836, P = 0.012) and shorter postoperative hospital stays (5 days [IQR, 4–6] vs. 6 days [IQR, 5–7], P < 0.001) than the ERAS-N group. Subgroup analysis indicated that compliance rates greater than 80%, between 65 and 80%, and lower than 65% were associated with decreased major complication rates (6.25%, 8.48% and 22.83%, respectively) and shorter postoperative hospital stays. However, the rates of ICU stay, readmission, reoperation and mortality within 30 days after surgery were not different between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that higher compliance with ERAS components is associated with a lower incidence of major postoperative complications and a shorter postoperative hospital stay.
Clinical effects and safety of different transarterial chemoembolization methods for bridging and palliative treatments in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Mohr Isabelle , Vogeler Marie , Pfeiffenberger Jan , Sprengel Simon David , Klauss Miriam , Radeleff Boris , Teufel Andreas , Chang De-Hua , Springfeld Christoph , Longerich Thomas , Merle Uta , Mehrabi Arianeb , Weiss Karl Heinz , Mieth Markus
Published: January 2022

Purpose

We assessed and compared clinical effects and safety endpoints of three methods of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), conventional (cTACE), with drug-eluting beads (DEB-TACE), and with degradable starch microspheres (DSM-TACE), used in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the bridging to liver transplant (LT) and the palliative setting.

Methods

In our center, 148 patients with HCC underwent 492 completed TACE procedures between 2008 and 2017 (158 for bridging to LT; 334 for palliative treatment) which we analyzed retrospectively. Of these procedures, 348 were DEB-TACE, 60 cTACE, and 84 DSM-TACE.

Results

The cTACE procedure revealed a significantly longer period of hospitalization (p = 0.02), increased occurrence of nausea (p = 0.025), and rise in alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (p = 0.001), especially in the palliative setting. In the bridging to LT cohort, these clinical endpoints did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

The clinical safety of different TACE methods for HCC in both the palliative and the bridging to LT setting was equivalent. In the palliative setting, the cTACE procedure revealed an increased risk for adverse clinical effects such as nausea, elevation of ALT, and a prolonged period of hospitalization what might either be related to the systemic effects of the chemotherapeutic agent or to the differences in both collectives. Thus, further studies must be conducted on a larger number of TACE procedures to effectively explore the clinical side effects of the various TACE variants.
Identification of bacterial lipo-amino acids: origin of regenerated fatty acid carboxylate from dissociation of lipo-glutamate anion
Authors: Hueber Amandine , Gimbert Yves , Langevin Geoffrey , Galano Jean-Marie , Guy Alexandre , Durand Thierry , Cenac Nicolas , Bertrand-Michel Justine , Tabet Jean-Claude
Published: January 2022

The identification of bacterial metabolites produced by the microbiota is a key point to understand its role in human health. Among them, lipo-amino acids (LpAA), which are able to cross the epithelial barrier and to act on the host, are poorly identified. Structural elucidation of few of them was performed by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry based on electrospray combined with selective ion dissociations reach by collision-induced dissociation (CID). The negative ions were used for their advantages of yielding only few fragment ions sufficient to specify each part of LpAA with sensitivity. To find specific processes that help structural assignment, the negative ion dissociations have been scrutinized for an LpAA: theN-palmitoyl acyl group linked to glutamic acid (C16Glu). The singular behavior of [C16Glu-H]¯ towards CID showed tenth product ions, eight were described by expected fragment ions. In contrast, instead of the expected product ions due to CONH-CH bond cleavage, an abundant complementary dehydrated glutamic acid and fatty acid anion pair were observed. Specific to glutamic moiety, they were formed by a stepwise dissociation via molecular isomerization through ion–dipole formation prior to dissociation. This complex dissociated by partner splitting either directly or after inter-partner proton transfer. By this pathway, surprising regeneration of deprotonated fatty acid takes place. Such regeneration is comparable to that occurred from dissociation to peptides containing acid amino-acid. Modeling allow to confirm the proposed mechanisms explaining the unexpected behavior of this glutamate conjugate.
Cultural biodiversity unpacked, separating discourse from practice
Authors: Mariani Mariagiulia , Cerdan Claire , Peri Iuri
Published: January 2022

In this article, we question to what extent origin-food labels, namely Geographical Indications (GIs) and Slow Food Presidia, may effectively account for cultural biodiversity (CB). Building on Foucault’s discourse theory, we question how the Slow Food movement and GI promoters have developed their own discourse and practice on CB, how these discourses contrast, and how they inform projects. Focusing on the practices to cultivate the microbiological life of three origin labeled cheeses (from France and Italy), we have revealed the gap between these institutional discourses and what happens on the ground. We argue that how actors’ relationships in the marketplace unfold, from public authorities to the collectives of producers to consumers, may threaten the effects that these experiences of alternative food productions may have in the defense of biodiversity, causing, for instance, the loss of diversity of the invisible microbial ecosystems of artisan raw milk cheese. However, we conclude that, despite limitations, the mediatized institutional narrative on CB can amplify the political voice of local actors by fostering community and social relationships between the farmers.
Understanding metabolic alterations and heterogeneity in cancer progression through validated immunodetection of key molecular components: a case of carbonic anhydrase IX
Authors: Takacova Martina , Kajanova Ivana , Kolarcikova Maria , Lapinova Jana , Zatovicova Miriam , Pastorekova Silvia
Published: January 2022

Cancer metabolic heterogeneity develops in response to both intrinsic factors (mutations leading to activation of oncogenic pathways) and extrinsic factors (physiological and molecular signals from the extracellular milieu). Here we review causes and consequences of metabolic alterations in cancer cells with focus on hypoxia and acidosis, and with particular attention to carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX). CA IX is a cancer-associated enzyme induced and activated by hypoxia in a broad range of tumor types, where it participates in pH regulation as well as in molecular mechanisms supporting cancer cells’ invasion and metastasis. CA IX catalyzes reversible conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate ion plus proton and cooperates with a spectrum of molecules transporting ions or metabolites across the plasma membrane. Thereby CA IX contributes to extracellular acidosis as well as to buffering intracellular pH, which is essential for cell survival, metabolic performance, and proliferation of cancer cells. Since CA IX expression pattern reflects gradients of oxygen, pH, and other intratumoral factors, we use it as a paradigm to discuss an impact of antibody quality and research material on investigating metabolic reprogramming of tumor tissue. Based on the validation, we propose the most reliable CA IX-specific antibodies and suggest conditions for faithful immunohistochemical analysis of molecules contributing to heterogeneity in cancer progression.
Resveratrol Alleviates Hepatic Fibrosis in Associated with Decreased Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Apoptosis and Inflammation
Authors: Ma Zhenyu , Sheng Lulu , Li Juan , Qian Jianmin , Wu Gang , Wang Zhengxin , Zhang Yi
Published: January 2022

Abstract—

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is the typical response to chronic liver disease and is characterized by deposition of abundant extracellular matrix. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of resveratrol (RSV) in a CCl4-induced rat model of HF. We demonstrate that the administration of RSV effectively improves liver function and ameliorates liver fibrosis by reducing collagen deposition and reversing the expression of COL1A1 and PPAR-γ. Treatment efficacy of RSV could be attributed to reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition progress with upregulated expression of E-cadherin and downregulated N-cadherin, vimentin, and α-SMA. Moreover, RSV significantly decreased the levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related proteins CHOP; Bip; cleaved caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-12; Bax; and Bak while promotes the expression of anti-apoptosis protein Bcl2. The important role of ERS in HF was confirmed by using 4-PBA, an ERS inhibitor, which markedly ameliorated CCl4-induced HF. Further, mechanistic studies demonstrated that RSV significantly decreased CCl4-induced transforming growth factor-β synthesis and inflammatory factor (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) expression and reduced the inflammation of hepatic stellate cells by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, the results suggested that RSV ameliorated HF in associated with decreased ERS-induced apoptosis and inflammation in rats.
Is strategic interaction among governments just a modern phenomenon? Evidence on welfare competition under Britain’s 19th-century Poor Law
Authors: Brueckner Jan K.
Published: January 2022

Drawing on data from mid-19th century Britain, this paper studies strategic interaction among local governments in the choice of welfare benefits under the Poor Law, the local welfare system of the time. The paper exploits a national reform that reduced the length of residency required for welfare eligibility, which should have increased the incentive for welfare migration and thus led to both stronger strategic interaction and lower levels of equilibrium spending. The results show evidence of a positive but small degree of baseline interaction, suggesting that modern models of welfare competition may apply even in settings with relatively high migration costs. While the change in post-reform equilibrium spending is negative as predicted, the results show no evidence of stronger interaction after the reform.
Exceptional sequences of 8 line bundles on $$({\mathbb {P}}^1)^3$$
Authors: Altmann Klaus , Altmann Martin
Published: January 2022

We investigate maximal exceptional sequences of line bundles on $$({\mathbb {P}}^1)^r$$

(

P

1

)

r

, i.e., those consisting of $$2^r$$

2
r

elements. For $$r=3$$

r
=
3

we show that they are always full, meaning that they generate the derived category. Everything is done in the discrete setup: Exceptional sequences of line bundles appear as special finite subsets $${s}$$
s
of the Picard group $${\mathbb {Z}}^r$$

Z

r

of $$({\mathbb {P}}^1)^r$$

(

P

1

)

r

, and the question of generation is understood like a process of contamination of the whole $${\mathbb {Z}}^r$$

Z

r

out of an infectious seed $${s}$$
s
.
The Role of Grandparental Sensitivity and Parental Sensitivity in Infant Cognitive Development in China: A Pilot Study
Authors: Li Wei , Emmen Rosanneke , Woudstra Mi-lan , Branger Marjolein , Wang Lamei , Alink Lenneke , Mesman Judi
Published: January 2022

Grandparental caregiving is common in China, which can directly impact grandchild development. In addition, grandparents may have an indirect impact on children through their relationship with and support of the parents. However, associations between grandparenting, parenting, and child outcomes are rarely investigated. The current study is a pilot study which includes 42 mothers, fathers, and co-residing grandparents in China, and examines whether grandparental sensitivity relates to parental sensitivity (biological child of the grandparent), and whether grandparental sensitivity and maternal and paternal sensitivity each uniquely contribute to 14-month-old children’s Executive Function (EF). Results did not show a significant relation between parental and grandparental sensitivity or a unique contribution of sensitivity from mothers, fathers, or grandparents to infant EF. Our findings from exploratory analyses showed differences in sensitivity of grandparents and parents towards the third generation but did not confirm a combined effect of multiple caregivers on infant EF development in China.
Impact of catheter contact angle on lesion formation and durability of pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Ohta Masayuki , Hayashi Kentaro , Sato Hiroyuki , Noto Takahiro , Kawahatsu Kandoh , Katagiri Masaya , Mita Tomohiro , Kazuno Yoshio , Sasaki Shunsuke , Doi Takahiro , Hirokami Mitsugu , Yuda Satoshi
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study is aimed to evaluate the impact of catheter contact angle on lesion formation and durability of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods

Both in vitro experiment and retrospective observational study were conducted. For in vitro experiment, radiofrequency lesions were created on explanted swine hearts in three different catheter contact angles (0°, 45°, and 90°). In the retrospective observational study, we assessed patients who had undergone repeat catheter ablation due to atrial fibrillation recurrence after initial PVI. When pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection was observed, we analyzed the previous ablation points within and without the gap area. The gap areas were where ablation had changed the PV activation sequence or eliminated the PV potential in the repeat session.

Results

In the in vitro experiment, lesion width was the smallest (5.3 ± 0.4 mm) in perpendicular contact compared to 0° (vs 5.8 ± 0.5 mm, p = 0.040) and 45° (vs 6.4 ± 0.4 mm, p < 0.001). In the retrospective observational study, we assessed 666 tags of 16 patients with PV reconnections, and 60 tags were in the gap area. Tags in the gap area had longer interlesion distance (odds ratio [OR] 1.49, p < 0.001), greater contact force variability (OR 1.03, p = 0.008), and higher rate of perpendicular contact (OR 3.26, p < 0.001) on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Perpendicular contact was associated with a smaller lesion and higher rate of PV reconnection.
Phosphate Fixation and P Mineralogy on Natural and Ca-Modified Zeolites During Simultaneous Nutrient Removal
Authors: Stocker Kristina , Ellersdorfer Markus
Published: January 2022

The recovery and recycling of nutrients (N&P) from wastewater are one of the major topics to save primary energy and resources, to raise the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants, and to foster a future circular economy. In the present study, the removal of ammonium (NH4+) and phosphate (PO43−) using natural and Ca-treated zeolite is investigated in detail. Special emphasis is put on the simultaneous removal of both species from model solutions followed by elaborate mineralogical analyses (XRD, EPMA, FEG-SEM) for zeolite characterization and in order to determine the type, structure, and crystal sizes of CaP-phases precipitating on the zeolites surface. The effectivity of the phosphate segregation and chemical composition and the crystalline structure of the CaP-phase precipitating on the surface of the zeolite depend on the physico chemical conditions in particular on pH, molar ratio of Ca and P (due to zeolite modification), and the presence of NH4+. Results of simultaneous removal experiments of N&P revealed that Ca pretreatment enhances P segregation and increases the obtainable P-loadings of Ca–zeolites. Maximum P-loadings of 25 mg g−1 Ca–zeolite in binary solutions containing both ammonium and phosphate were obtained. Simultaneous phosphate removal by surface precipitation of CaP-phases does not significantly influence ammonium ion exchange and the type of CaP-precipitates formed on the zeolite surface is assumed to be mainly brushite and apatite.
Distribution and source of plutonium in sediments from the southern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Corcho-Alvarado José A. , Díaz-Asencio Misael , Röllin Stefan , Herguera Juan Carlos
Published: January 2022

Here, we report on new data (75 analyses) of plutonium (Pu) isotopes to elucidate activity concentrations, inventories, sources, and their transport from the ocean surface to the seafloor from a collection of six deep-sea sediment cores (depths ranging from 257 to 3739 m) in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Sediment cores collected from the continental shelf and upper slope region of the Gulf of Mexico showed 240Pu/239Pu ratios of 0.15 to 0.26, and 239+240Pu-inventories ranging from 14.7 to 33.0 Bq m−2. Inventories and ratios are consistent with global fallout Pu for this tropical region. In contrast, sediment cores collected from the lower slope region and abyssal plain showed low 240Pu/239Pu ratios of 0.07 to 0.13 and much lower 239+240Pu inventories below 6.8 Bq m−2. This implies that only a small fraction of the expected global fallout Pu has reached the deep-sea sediments. The low 240Pu/239Pu isotope ratios indicate that fallout from the Nevada testing site was an important source of Pu in deep-sea sediments, and that this Pu was likely more efficiently scavenged from the water column than Pu from global fallout. We estimated that up to 44% of the total inventory of 239+240Pu in deep-sea sediments is due to the Nevada source. Low values and a progressive decrease of 240Pu/239Pu ratios and 239+240Pu inventories with increasing water depth have been previously reported for the Gulf of Mexico. Analysis of Pu isotopes in two sediment traps from the upper slope regions shows 240Pu/239Pu ratios comparable to those observed in global fallout. These results indicate that global fallout Pu is currently the main source of Pu in sinking particles in the water column. Therefore, a significant fraction of global fallout Pu must still be present, either in a dissolved phase, or as biologically recycled material in the water column, or scavenged on the shelf and shelf break. Our results bring to light important questions on the application of Pu isotopes to establish sediment chronologies in deep-sea sediments, since global fallout features such as the 1963 maximum are not available.
Walls of silence and organized crime: a theoretical and empirical exploration into the shielding of criminal activities from authorities
Authors: Roks Robert A. , Kruisbergen Edwin W. , Kleemans Edward R.
Published: January 2022

In this article, we aim to further our understanding of the social embeddedness of organized crime by exploring the (possible) ways the social environment adds to the shielding of organized crime or criminal activities by organized crime groups. We argue that the metaphor of ‘walls of silence’ provides a fruitful way to examine the shielding of organized crime. Based on a theoretical and empirical exploration of 30 cases from the fifth data sweep of Dutch Organized Crime Monitor, we illustrate how organized crime offenders in the Netherlands depend on the silence and secrecy of co-offenders, victims, bystanders, and others who are aware of their (criminal) activities. Furthermore, we present a framework of the shielding of organized crime activities to provide insight into how offenders not only make use of the social environment to shield their activities, but also how the social environment can (purposely) act as walls of silence and secrecy.
Migration and Sexual Health Services Use – Results from the German Health and Sexuality Survey (GeSiD)
Authors: Wiessner Christian , von dem Knesebeck Olaf , Gerlich Miriam G. , Briken Peer , Becher Heiko
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Migration background is an important predisposing characteristic of health service use (HSU). In this cross-sectional survey, we aim to explore the association between migration background and HSU in the context of sexual health.

Methods

In a population-representative sample of 4,955 persons from all German federal states (data collection 2018/2019), we examined the HSU of first-generation (15.9% of the total sample) and second-generation migrants (9.8%) compared to non-migrants (74.3%). Outcomes of sexual HSU ranged from primary and secondary prevention measures such as human papillomaviruses (HPV) vaccination and chlamydia test to HSU due to sexual problems in the relationship, and consultations on contraceptives, and HIV or other STIs.

Results

Generally, first-generation migrants used sexual health services less often than non-migrants. Notably, first-generation migrant women had lower odds of being vaccinated against HPV (OR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.14; 0.38), of a lifetime use of both a chlamydia test in the context of a screening program for young women (OR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.11; 0.39), and a HSU due to contraceptives (OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.28; 0.58). Second-generation migrants resembled more closely the non-migrants, only showing differences regarding the use of the HPV vaccination (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.30; 0.76).

Policy Implications

First-generation migrants showed remarkable differences in the HSU compared to non-migrants. Therefore, this group should be targeted with the aim of a more equitable HSU that is mainly based on the needs for health services and not restricted due to formal or informal barriers. Both migration generations had lower odds of being vaccinated against HPV indicating the need for a better education regarding the benefits and risks of vaccinations.
Demography, trade and state power: a tripartite model of medieval farming/language dispersals in the Ryukyu Islands
Authors: Jarosz Aleksandra , Robbeets Martine , Fernandes Ricardo , Takamiya Hiroto , Shinzato Akito , Nakamura Naoko , Shinoto Maria , Hudson Mark
Published: January 2022

Hunter–gatherer occupations of small islands are rare in world prehistory and it is widely accepted that island settlement is facilitated by agriculture. The Ryukyu Islands contradict that understanding on two counts: not only did they have a long history of hunter–gatherer settlement, but they also have a very late date for the onset of agriculture, which only reached the archipelago between the eighth and thirteenth centuries AD. Here, we combine archaeology and linguistics to propose a tripartite model for the spread of agriculture and Ryukyuan languages to the Ryukyu Islands. Employing demographic growth, trade/piracy and the political influence of neighbouring states, this model provides a synthetic yet flexible understanding of farming/language dispersals in the Ryukyus within the complex historical background of medieval East Asia.
The support of singular stochastic partial differential equations
Authors: Hairer Martin , Schönbauer Philipp
Published: January 2022

We obtain a generalisation of the Stroock–Varadhan support theorem for a large class of systems of subcritical singular stochastic partial differential equations driven by a noise that is either white or approximately self-similar. The main problem that we face is the presence of renormalisation. In particular, it may happen in general that different renormalisation procedures yield solutions with different supports. One of the main steps in our construction is the identification of a subgroup

$\mathcal {H}$

of the renormalisation group such that any renormalisation procedure determines a unique coset

$g\circ \mathcal {H}$

. The support of the solution then depends only on this coset and is obtained by taking the closure of all solutions obtained by replacing the driving noises by smooth functions in the equation that is renormalised by some element of

$g\circ \mathcal {H}$

.

One immediate corollary of our results is that the

$\Phi ^4_3$

measure in finite volume has full support, and the associated Langevin dynamic is exponentially ergodic.