bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global Governance of Human Genome Editing: What Are the Rules?
Authors: Marchant Gary E.
Published: March 2021

Human gene editing, particularly using the new CRISPR/Cas9 technology, will greatly increase the capability to make precise changes to human genomes. Human gene editing can be broken into four major categories: somatic therapy, heritable gene editing, genetic enhancement, and basic and applied research. Somatic therapy is generally well governed by national regulatory systems, so the need for global governance is less urgent. All nations are in agreement that heritable gene editing should not proceed at this time, but there is likely to be divergence if and when such procedures are shown to be safe and effective. Gene editing for enhancement purposes is not feasible today but is more controversial with the public, and many nations do not have well-developed regulatory systems for addressing genetic enhancement. Finally, different nations treat research with human embryos very differently based on deeply embedded social, cultural, ethical, and legal traditions. Several international governance mechanisms are currently in operation for human gene editing, and several other governance mechanisms have been proposed. It is unlikely that any single mechanism will alone be effective for governing human gene editing; rather, a polycentric or ecosystem approach that includes several overlapping and interacting components is likely to be necessary.
Evaluation of Leachate Recirculation Effect on the Acceleration of Waste Mineralization Process by Using a Coupled Numerical Model
Authors: Liu Hailong , Huyan Zhen , Cui Chunyi , Luo Xiang , Jiang Xingyao
Published: March 2021

Accelerating the waste mineralization is of great significance to control the settlement of transportation facilities nearby landfills. Mineralized waste can also be used as road construction materials to recycle waste resources and reduce the construction cost of transportation facilities. A biochem‐hydro‐mechanical‐solute migration‐coupled model for describing complex interactions in landfills with high kitchen waste content has been developed. The proposed model can consider large leachate production and landfill gas entrapment due to the fast degradation of kitchen waste. The quantitative effects of three leachate recirculation conditions are investigated in this article via a typical landfill cell. According to the simulation results, introducing methanogen into landfills with leachate recirculation can relieve acidification caused by fast hydrolysis of kitchen waste and speed up the mineralization process of landfills with high kitchen waste content significantly. Furthermore, landfill gas generation potential loss and fast degradation compression should be considered in the implementation of leachate recirculation in landfills with high kitchen waste content, which helps to maintain the operation of transportation facilities nearby landfills and improve the economic and environmental benefits of leachate treatment.
Prevalence of Malaria among Adults in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kendie Fasil Adugna , Hailegebriel W/kiros Tamirat , Nibret Semegn Endalkachew , Ferede Melaku Wale
Published: March 2021

Background. Malaria is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in tropical and subtropical regions. The bulk of the global malaria burden is in sub-Saharan African countries, including Ethiopia. Malaria adversely affects the health of the peoples as well as the economic development of many developing countries including Ethiopia. Methods. This review article was reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Related published articles were searched from online public databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. The search approach used to retrieve related articles were “prevalence,” “malaria,” “adults,” and “Ethiopia.” The quality of articles was assessed using Joana Brigg’s Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. The meta-analysis was computed using STATA version 14. The pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence interval were analyzed using a random-effect model, and the possible source of heterogeneity across studies was indicated through subgroup analysis, inverse of variance (I2), and time series analysis. The presence of publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger’s regression test. Results. Out of 144 studies collected, only eight full-text articles were screened and included in the final quantitative meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of malaria among adults in Ethiopia was 13.61%. Subgroup analysis based on types of malaria cases showed that the prevalence of malaria among symptomatic and asymptomatic adults was 15.34% and 11.99%, respectively. Similarly, regional subgroup analysis showed that the highest malaria prevalence was recorded in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) (16.17%) followed by Oromia Regional State (13.11%) and Amhara Regional State (12.41%). Discussion and Conclusion. The current systematic review and meta-analysis showed that the pooled prevalence of malaria among adults was found to be greater than the general population and nearly equal to pregnant women. Therefore, the current prevention and control measures, which are related to both vectors and parasites, should be strengthened.
Malonate Promotes Adult Cardiomyocyte Proliferation and Heart Regeneration
Authors: Bae Jiyoung , Salamon Rebecca J. , Brandt Emma B. , Paltzer Wyatt G. , Zhang Ziheng , Britt Emily C. , Hacker Timothy A. , Fan Jing , Mahmoud Ahmed I.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes undergo a metabolic switch from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation, which results in a significant increase in reactive oxygen species production that induces DNA damage. These cellular changes contribute to cardiomyocyte cell cycle exit and loss of the capacity for cardiac regeneration. The mechanisms that regulate this metabolic switch and the increase in reactive oxygen species production have been relatively unexplored. Current evidence suggests that elevated reactive oxygen species production in ischemic tissues occurs as a result of accumulation of the mitochondrial metabolite succinate during ischemia via succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and this succinate is rapidly oxidized at reperfusion. Mutations in SDH in familial cancer syndromes have been demonstrated to promote a metabolic shift into glycolytic metabolism, suggesting a potential role for SDH in regulating cellular metabolism. Whether succinate and SDH regulate cardiomyocyte cell cycle activity and the cardiac metabolic state remains unclear.

Methods:

Here, we investigated the role of succinate and SDH inhibition in regulation of postnatal cardiomyocyte cell cycle activity and heart regeneration.

Results:

Our results demonstrate that injection of succinate into neonatal mice results in inhibition of cardiomyocyte proliferation and regeneration. Our evidence also shows that inhibition of SDH by malonate treatment after birth extends the window of cardiomyocyte proliferation and regeneration in juvenile mice. Remarkably, extending malonate treatment to the adult mouse heart after myocardial infarction injury results in a robust regenerative response within 4 weeks after injury via promoting adult cardiomyocyte proliferation and revascularization. Our metabolite analysis after SDH inhibition by malonate induces dynamic changes in adult cardiac metabolism.

Conclusions:

Inhibition of SDH by malonate promotes adult cardiomyocyte proliferation, revascularization, and heart regeneration via metabolic reprogramming. These findings support a potentially important new therapeutic approach for human heart failure.
Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression and Signaling in Different Perivascular Adipose Tissue Depots of Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Zierold Sarah , Buschmann Katja , Gachkar Sogol , Bochenek Magdalena L. , Velmeden David , Hobohm Lukas , Vahl Christian‐Friedrich , Schäfer Katrin
Published: March 2021

Background

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is expressed in neuronal and nonneuronal cells and may affect vascular functions via its receptor, tropomyosin‐related kinase B (TrkB). In this study, we determined the expression of BDNF in different perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) depots of patients with established coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results

Serum, vascular tissue, and PVAT surrounding the proximal aorta (C‐PVAT) or internal mammary artery (IMA‐PVAT) was obtained from 24 patients (79% men; mean age, 71.7±9.7 years; median body mass index, 27.4±4.8 kg/m
2
) with coronary atherosclerosis undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery. BDNF protein levels were significantly higher in C‐PVAT compared with IMA‐PVAT, independent of obesity, metabolic syndrome, or systemic biomarkers of inflammation. mRNA transcripts of TrkB, the BDNF receptor, were significantly reduced in aorta compared with IMA. Vessel wall TrkB immunosignals colocalized with cells expressing smooth muscle cell markers, and confocal microscopy and flow cytometry confirmed BDNF receptor expression in human aortic smooth muscle cells. Significantly elevated levels of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, a negative regulator of TrkB signaling in the brain, were also observed in C‐PVAT. In vitro, inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B blunted the effects of BDNF on smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and collagen production, possibly by upregulation of low‐affinity p75 neurotrophin receptors. Expression of nerve growth factor or its receptor tropomyosin‐related kinase A did not differ between C‐PVAT and IMA‐PVAT.

Conclusions

Elevated expression of BDNF in parallel with local upregulation of negative regulators of neurotrophin signaling in perivascular fat and lower TrkB expression suggest that vascular BDNF signaling is reduced or lost in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.
Patient‐Reported Outcomes Predict Future Emergency Department Visits and Hospital Admissions in Patients With Stroke
Authors: Katzan Irene L. , Thompson Nicolas , Schuster Andrew , Wisco Dolora , Lapin Brittany
Published: March 2021

Background

Identification of stroke patients at increased risk of emergency department (ED) visits or hospital admissions allows implementation of mitigation strategies. We evaluated the ability of the Patient‐Reported Outcomes Information Measurement System (PROMIS) patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) collected as part of routine care to predict 1‐year emergency department (ED) visits and admissions when added to other readily available clinical variables.

Methods and Results

This was a cohort study of 1696 patients with ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or transient ischemic attack seen in a cerebrovascular clinic from February 17, 2015, to June 11, 2018, who completed the following PROs at the visit: Patient Health Questionnaire‐9, Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders cognitive function, PROMIS Global Health, sleep disturbance, fatigue, anxiety, social role satisfaction, physical function, and pain interference. A series of logistic regression models was constructed to determine the ability of models that include PRO scores to predict 1‐year ED visits and all‐cause and unplanned admissions. In the 1 year following the PRO encounter date, 1046 ED visits occurred in 548 patients; 751 admissions occurred in 453 patients. All PROs were significantly associated with future ED visits and admissions except PROMIS sleep. Models predicting unplanned admissions had highest optimism‐corrected area under the curve (range, 0.684–0.724), followed by ED visits (range, 0.674–0.691) and then all‐cause admissions (range, 0.628–0.671). PROs measuring domains of mental health had stronger associations with ED visits; PROs measuring domains of physical health had stronger associations with admissions.

Conclusions

PROMIS scales improve the ability to predict ED visits and admissions in patients with stroke. The differences in model performance and the most influential PROs in the prediction models suggest differences in factors influencing future hospital admissions and ED visits.
Technology and the Way: Buber, Heidegger, and Lao-Zhuang “Daoism”
Authors: Nelson Eric S.
Published: March 2021

I consider the intertextuality between Chinese and Western thought by exploring how images, metaphors, and ideas from the texts associated with Zhuangzi and Laozi were appropriated in early twentieth-century German philosophy. This interest in “Lao- Zhuang Daoism” encompasses a diverse range of thinkers including Buber and Heidegger. I examine (1) how the problematization of utility, usefulness, and “purposiveness” in Zhuangzi and Laozi becomes a key point for their German philosophical reception; (2) how it is the poetic character of the Zhuangzi that hints at an appropriate response to the crisis and loss of meaning that characterizes technological modernity and its instrumental technological rationality; that is, how the “poetic” and “spiritual” world perceived in Lao-Zhuang thought became part of Buber’s and Heidegger’s critical encounter and confrontation with technological modernity; and (3) how their concern with Zhuangzi does not signify a return to a dogmatic religiosity or otherworldly mysticism; it anticipates a this-worldly spiritual (Buber) or poetic (Heidegger) way of dwelling immanently within the world.
The EUMETSAT Polar System: 13+ Successful Years of Global Observations for Operational Weather Prediction and Climate Monitoring
Authors: Klaes K. Dieter , Ackermann Jörg , Anderson Craig , Andres Yago , August Thomas , Borde Régis , Bojkov Bojan , Butenko Leonid , Cacciari Alessandra , Coppens Dorothée , Crapeau Marc , Guedj Stephanie , Hautecoeur Olivier , Hultberg Tim , Lang Rüdiger , Linow Stefanie , Marquardt Christian , Munro Rosemarie , Pettirossi Carlo , Poli Gabriele , Ticconi Francesca , Vandermarcq Olivier , Vasquez Mayte , Vazquez-Navarro Margarita
Published: March 2021

After successful launch in November 2018 and successful commissioning of Metop-C, all three satellites of the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) are in orbit together and operational. EPS is part of the Initial Joint Polar System (IJPS) with the United States (NOAA) and provides the service in the midmorning orbit. The Metop satellites carry a mission payload of sounding and imaging instruments, which allow provision of support to operational meteorology and climate monitoring, which are the main mission objectives for EPS. Applications include numerical weather prediction, atmospheric composition monitoring, and marine meteorology. Climate monitoring is supported through the generation of long time series through the program duration of 20+ years. The payload was developed and contributed by partners, including NOAA, CNES, and ESA. EUMETSAT and ESA developed the space segment in cooperation. The system has proven its value since the first satellite Metop-A, with enhanced products at high reliability for atmospheric sounding, delivered a very strong positive impact on NWP and results beyond expectations for atmospheric composition and chemistry applications. Having multiple satellites in orbit—now three—has enabled enhanced and additional products with increased impact, like atmospheric motion vector products at latitudes not accessible to geostationary observations or increased probability of radio occultations and hence atmospheric soundings with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio-Occultation Atmospheric Sounder (GRAS) instruments. The paper gives an overview of the system and the embarked payload and discusses the benefits of generated products for applications and services. The conclusions point to the follow-on system, currently under development and assuring continuity for another 20+ years.
Large-Scale State and Evolution of the Atmosphere and Ocean during PISTON 2018
Authors: Sobel Adam H. , Sprintall Janet , Maloney Eric D. , Martin Zane K. , Wang Shuguang , de Szoeke Simon P. , Trabing Benjamin C. , Rutledge Steven A.
Published: March 2021

The Propagation of Intraseasonal Tropical Oscillations (PISTON) experiment conducted a field campaign in August–October 2018. The R/V Thomas G. Thompson made two cruises in the western North Pacific region north of Palau and east of the Philippines. Using select field observations and global observational and reanalysis datasets, this study describes the large-scale state and evolution of the atmosphere and ocean during these cruises. Intraseasonal variability was weak during the field program, except for a period of suppressed convection in October. Tropical cyclone activity, on the other hand, was strong. Variability at the ship location was characterized by periods of low-level easterly atmospheric flow with embedded westward propagating synoptic-scale atmospheric disturbances, punctuated by periods of strong low-level westerly winds that were both connected to the Asian monsoon westerlies and associated with tropical cyclones. In the most dramatic case, westerlies persisted for days during and after tropical cyclone Jebi had passed to the north of the ship. In these periods, the sea surface temperature was reduced by a couple of degrees by both wind mixing and net surface heat fluxes that were strongly (~200 W m−2) out of the ocean, due to both large latent heat flux and cloud shading associated with widespread deep convection. Underway conductivity–temperature transects showed dramatic cooling and deepening of the ocean mixed layer and erosion of the barrier layer after the passage of Typhoon Mangkhut due to entrainment of cooler water from below. Strong zonal currents observed over at least the upper 400 m were likely related to the generation and propagation of near-inertial currents.
Effect of educational lecture on the diagnostic accuracy of Japan NBI Expert Team classification for colorectal lesions
Authors: Okamoto Yuki , Oka Shiro , Tanaka Shinji , Kamigaichi Yuki , Tamari Hirosato , Shimohara Yasutsugu , Nishimura Tomoyuki , Inagaki Katsuaki , Tanaka Hidenori , Matsumoto Kenta , Yamashita Ken , Sumimoto Kyoku , Ninomiya Yuki , Hayashi Nana , Kitadai Yasuhiko , Yoshimura Kenichi , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: March 2021

Background

An educational and training program is required for generalization of Japan NBI Expert Team (JNET) classification. However, there is no detailed report on the learning curve of the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopists using JNET classification. We examined the effect of an educational lecture on beginners and less experienced endoscopists for improving their diagnostic accuracy of colorectal lesions by JNET classification.

Methods

Seven beginners with no endoscopy experience (NEE group), 7 less experienced endoscopists (LEE group), and 3 highly experienced endoscopists (HEE group) performed diagnosis using JNET classification for randomized NBI images of colorectal lesions from 180 cases (Type 1: 22 cases, Type 2A: 105 cases, Type 2B: 33 cases, and Type 3: 20 cases). Next, the NEE and LEE groups received a lecture on JNET classification, and all 3 groups repeated the diagnostic process. We compared the correct diagnosis rate and interobserver agreement before and after the lecture comprehensively and for each JNET type.

Results

In the HEE group, the correct diagnosis rate was more than 90% with good interobserver agreements (kappa value: 0.78–0.85). In the NEE and LEE groups, the correct diagnosis rate (NEE: 60.2 → 68.0%, P < 0.01; LEE: 66.4 → 86.7%, P < 0.01), high-confidence correct diagnosis rate (NEE: 19.6 → 37.2%, P < 0.01; LEE: 43.6 → 61.1%, P < 0.01), and interobserver agreement (kappa value, NEE: 0.32 → 0.43; LEE: 0.39 → 0.75) improved after the lecture. In the examination by each JNET type, the specificity and positive predictive value in the NEE and LEE groups generally improved after the lecture.

Conclusion

After conducting an appropriate lecture, the diagnostic ability using JNET classification was improved in beginners or endoscopists with less experience in NBI magnifying endoscopy.
Sputum smear grading and associated factors among bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Ethiopia
Authors: Kassa Getahun Molla , Merid Mehari Woldemariam , Muluneh Atalay Goshu , Fentie Dawit Tefera
Published: March 2021

Background

The sputum smear bacilliary load is a fundamental indicator of the level of infectiousness in DR-TB patients. However, evidence on DR-TB sputum smear grading and its factors in the study setting is limited. This study was aimed to determine the level of sputum smear grading and associated factors among DR-TB patients in Ethiopia.

Methods

This was an institution based cross-sectional study on 520 bacteriological confirmed pulmonary DR-TB patients from September 2010 to December 2017 in the northwest Ethiopia. Epidata 4.2.00 and SPSS 20 were used for data entry and management, respectively. Ordinary logistic regression was fitted. A cut of p-value less than 0.05 in the multivariable ordinary logistic regression was considered to declare statistically significant variables.

Results

Of all 520 bacteriological confirmed pulmonary DR-TB patients; 34.42% had 3+, 15.77% had 2+, 18.27% had 1+, 15.19% had scanty, and 16.35% had negative sputum smear grading results. The odds of having higher sputum smear grades were significantly associated with the patient’s educational status of secondary (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.43, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.21, 0.89), body mass index of 16 to 18.49 kg/m2 (AOR = 1.81, 95%CI: 1.16, 2.84), and TB treatment history of two and more times (AOR = 1.78, 95%CI: 1.24, 2.55).

Conclusions

More than a third of the bacteriological confirmed pulmonary DR-TB patients in the study setting was highly infectious with the highest bacillary load. The odds of having a high bacillary load were significantly associated with the patient’s TB treatment history, nutritional, and educational status.
Treatment patterns and outcomes in older women with early breast cancer: a population-based cohort study in China
Authors: Liu Xu , Zheng Dan , Wu Yanqi , Luo Chuanxu , Fan Yu , Zhong Xiaorong , Zheng Hong
Published: March 2021

Background

Despite the proportion of elderly breast cancer patients has been consistently increasing, the optimal treatment modalities for this population have not been well explored. We summarized the treatment outcomes of these patients in our hospital.

Methods

Older patients with early breast cancer were identified from the Breast Cancer Information Management System at West China Hospital, Sichuan University (2000–2019). We compared tumor characteristics and treatment outcomes between the older group (65–74 years old) and the elderly group (≥75 years old). The Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were conducted to determine significant prognostic factors.

Results

In total, 1094 patients were included. The median follow-up time for this cohort was 59 months. The majority of patients underwent surgery and benefited from surgical treatment. Elderly group patients were less likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy or postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) compared to the older group. However, adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.521, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.284–0.955, P = 0.035). Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with grade III disease best benefited from adjuvant chemotherapy. PMRT offered a significant improvement in local disease control, but not in OS. Furthermore, endocrine therapy improved the OS of HR-positive patients (HR 0.440, 95%CI 0.261–0.741, P = 0.002), especially for cases aged 65–74 years. Also, receipt of trastuzumab in HER2-positive patients was associated with better OS (HR 0.168, 95%CI 0.029–0.958, P = 0.045).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy, endocrine and targeted therapy are associated with improved OS in older breast cancer patients. Moreover, clinicopathological characteristics should be comprehensively considered when making treatment decisions for these patients.
Correction to: Changes in ocular surface and Meibomian gland after penetrating Keratoplasty
Authors: Kim Kang Yoon , Chung Byunghoon , Kim Eung Kweon , Seo Kyoung Yul , Jun Ikhyun , Kim Tae-im
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Disparities in influenza vaccination: Arab Americans in California
Authors: Jungquist Rose-Marie , Abuelezam Nadia N.
Published: March 2021

Background

Influenza vaccination among minoritized groups remains below federal benchmarks in the United States (US). We used data from the 2004–2016 California Health Interview Surveys (CHIS) to characterize influenza vaccination patterns among Arab Americans in California.

Methods

Influenza vaccination was self-reported by Arab American adults (N = 1163) and non-Hispanic Whites (NHW, N = 166,955). Differences in influenza vaccination prevalence and odds were compared using chi-squared tests and survey-weighted logistic regression, respectively.

Results

Across all years, 30.3% of Arab Americans self-reported receiving an influenza vaccine (vs. 40.5% for NHW, p < 0.05). After sequential adjustment by sociodemographic, health behavior, and acculturation variables no differences in odds of self-reported influenza vaccination were observed between Arab Americans and NHW (odds ratio: 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 0.76–1.38). Male and unemployed Arab Americans had higher odds of reporting influenza vaccination than female and employed Arab Americans.

Conclusions

Future work should consider specific barriers to influenza vaccination in Arab American communities.
Evaluation of parents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding self-medication for their children’s dental problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Sen Tunc Emine , Aksoy Emre , Arslan Hatice Nilden , Kaya Zeynep
Published: March 2021

Background

Self-medication refers to taking medicine without consultation with a doctor or dentist, and it is an important health issue, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are no data about parents’ SM practices for their children’s dental problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aims to evaluate parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding self-medication for their children’s dental problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Turkey.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the pediatric dental clinic at Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, immediately after the COVID-19 lockdown ended. A total of 389 parents who agreed to participate in the study completed the questionnaire from July 1 to October 1. A questionnaire with 18 items was designed to collect information on the parents’ knowledge and attitudes regarding when, why, and how to use drugs and on their practices on medicating their children. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics (chi-square test).

Results

The majority of parents (n = 273; 70.2%) practiced self-medication for their children's dental problems. Self-medication with a previously prescribed medications was usually preferred by parents (n = 179; 62.2%). Analgesics (98%) were the most commonly used medicines by parents in their self-medication for their children's dental problems.

Conclusion

Prevalence of self-medication practices for children's dental problems is high in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, new healthcare services, such as teledentistry, may be useful to overcome problems related to the self-medication of children during times when the ability to reach healthcare providers is limited, such as during pandemics.
Isolation and identification of Candida tropicalis in sows with fatal infection: a case report
Authors: Zhai Lufeng , Zhou Ying , Wu Yingxia , Jin Yunyun , Zhu Qiaoyan , Gao Shengguo , Li Xuefeng , Sun Zhe , Xiao Yan , Huang Baicheng , Tian Kegong
Published: March 2021

Background

Candida is the common conditionally pathogenic fungus that infected human and animal clinically. C. tropicalis had been isolated from the skin and hair of healthy pigs, but with no report of fatal infection in gastrointestinal diseases.

Case presentation

In a pig farm in Henan Province of China, about 20 % of pregnant and postpartum sows suffered from severe gastrointestinal diseases, with a mortality rate higher than 60 % in the diseased animals. The sows had gastrointestinal symptoms such as blood in stool and vomiting. Necropsy revealed obvious gastric ulcers, gastrointestinal perforation, and intestinal hemorrhage in the gastrointestinal tract, but no lesions in other organs. The microbial species in gastric samples collected from gastric ulcer of the diseased sows then was initially identified as Candida by using routine systems of microscopic examination, culture characteristics on the medium Sabouraud dextrose agar medium. The fungus was further identified as C. tropicalis by species-specific PCR and sequencing. This study revealed an infection of C. tropicalis in sows through gastrointestinal mucosa could cause fatal digestive system disease and septicemia.

Conclusions

For the first time, a strain of C. tropicalis was isolated and identified from the gastric tissue of sows with severe gastrointestinal diseases. PCR and sequencing of ITS-rDNA combined with morphology and histopathological assay were reliable for the identification of Candida clinically.
Correction to: Direct antivirals working against the novel coronavirus: azithromycin (DAWn-AZITHRO), a randomized, multicenter, open-label, adaptive, proof-of-concept clinical trial of new antivirals working against SARS-CoV-2—azithromycin trial
Authors:   on behalf of the DAWn-Azithro consortium, Gyselinck Iwein , Liesenborghs Laurens , Landeloos Ewout , Belmans Ann , Verbeke Geert , Verhamme Peter , Vos Robin , Janssens W.
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Patient-centered care: achieving higher quality by designing care through the patient’s eyes
Authors: Edgman-Levitan Susan , Schoenbaum Stephen C.
Published: March 2021

Patient centered care requires that health care organizations and health care professionals actively understand what patients value. Fortunately, there are methods for gaining that understanding. But, they need to be adopted much more widely, and patients need to be treated as full partners in their care.
Formation of a modern international legal concept for the exploration and use of outer space
Authors: Kapustin A. , Avhadeev V. , Golovina A. , Kashirkina A. , Kienko E. , Morozov A. , Morozova E. , Sayfullin E. , Stepanov O. , Shinkareckaya Galina , Shulyat'ev I.
Published: March 2021

The exploration and use of outer space, which began in the mid-twentieth century, led to the formation of international space law, designed to regulate the relations of States in this relatively new sphere of human activity. The undulating nature of the development of this branch of international law, for objective reasons, has led to the complication of international legal regulation of space activities. The dynamics of scientific and technological progress and the development of technologies in the space sphere exacerbates competition between space powers and international organizations, creates new challenges for international cooperation in space exploration and requires innovative legal solutions. The doctrine of international law is faced with the task of generalizing new problems and processes and developing conceptual models for the further development of international space law. The dynamics of the conceptual perception of international space law is traced, new theoretical approaches to the concept of the international legal status of outer space and individual regimes and concepts of its use in modern conditions are proposed. Taking into account the trends in the institutionalization of international space activities and the impact of economic integration processes on international cooperation in space, primarily in the Euro-Asian region, the role of international organizations in the international legal regulation of space activities and the harmonization of national legislation is analyzed. In addition, certain aspects of future space exploration are considered as a legal forecast. For researchers, teachers, postgraduates and students, civil servants and practicing lawyers, as well as for anyone interested in the problems of modern international law.
Structural Analysis of a Transport Aircraft Wing
Authors: ABBAS Yassir , ELSONNI Tariq , ABDULMAJID Abdul Aziz , KHALAFALLH Alnazir , ALNAZIR Mohammed
Published: March 2021

In this study the procedures of structural analysis of a typical transport aircraft wing has been followed. The wing model has been drawn using CATIA® V5; this model consists of several structural components such as spars, ribs and skin. The model has been exported into structural analysis
software ANSYS® 2016. Stresses, strains, deformations and safety factors were obtained for the model. It is found that the obtained stresses caused by the aerodynamic loads on the wing are within the design structural limits where the failure by yield or buckling has not been occurred
Comparison of safety and effectiveness between 23-gauge and 25-gauge vitrectomy surgery in common vitreoretinal diseases
Authors: Sedova Aleksandra , Steiner Irene , Matzenberger Rene Peter , Georgopoulos Michael , Scholda Christoph , Kriechbaum Katharina Franziska , Abela-Formanek Claudette , Mylonas Georgios , Sacu Stefan , Schmidt-Erfurth Ursula , Pollreisz Andreas
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To assess and compare safety and effectiveness between 23-gauge and 25-gauge vitrectomy systems for the treatment of common vitreoretinal diseases in non-vitrectomized eyes.

Methods

Retrospective evaluation of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy from April 2018 to December 2019 at the Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry at the Medical University of Vienna (MUV) for the following indications: macular epiretinal membrane, macular hole, macular lamellar hole, vitreous hemorrhage, vitreous opacities, vitreomacular traction syndrome and macular edema.

Results

201 eyes of 195 patients that underwent 23-gauge (n = 105 eyes) or 25-gauge (n = 96 eyes) vitrectomy were included in this study. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved at 1–3 months postoperatively and beyond 3 months in both gauge groups. Risk of any complication within 1 month postoperatively was lower in the 25-gauge group, but the difference was statistically not significant (HR [95% CI]: 0.95 [0.53; 1.70], p = 0.85). Intraocular pressure less than 5 mmHg was observed in 2 eyes (2%) in the 23-gauge group at the first postoperative day. Intraocular pressure elevation over 25 mmHg occurred in 5 eyes (2 eyes, 2%, in 23-gauge and 3 eyes, 3%, in 25-gauge group) at postoperative day 1, between 7 and 28 days in 5 cases (2 eyes, 2%, in 23-gauge and 3 eyes, 3%, in 25-gauge group), and in 2 eyes (2%) of the 23-gauge group at postoperative day 145 and 61, respectively. Retinal detachment occurred in 1 eye (1%) in the 23-gauge and in 3 eyes (3%) in the 25-gauge group. We did not observe any cases of endophthalmitis.

Conclusion

Results in terms of safety, surgical success and visual outcomes for the treatment of common vitreoretinal surgery indications seem to be comparable between 23-gauge and 25-gauge vitrectomy systems, indicating that the two gauge systems can be used equally in the clinical routine.
Key factors in Knowledge Sharing Behavior in Virtual Communities of Practice: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hernández Soto ROBERTO , Gutiérrez Ortega MÓNICA , Rubia Avi BARTOLOMÉ
Published: March 2021

Virtual Communities of Practice (VCOP) are environments widely recognized as knowledge management instruments, and their sociocultural contributions are being incipiently valued. However, VCOPs are complex participation contexts due to their sociotechnical and sociocultural nature. Participation mechanisms, particularly Knowledge Sharing Behavior (KSB), have been studied from heterogeneous theoretical foundations and practical research methods. Therefore, a wide dispersion of factors and dimensions has been identified. This paper aims to present an overview that summarizes and systematizes the key drivers of KSB in VCOPs. This paper presents a systematic review of KSB in VCOPs, based on 42 studies retrieved from WOS, SCOPUS and Science Direct. The review was conducted using the PRISMA model. The selection and qualitative synthesis of articles was enriched using Nvivo for coding and analysis of the full text documents. The results suggest that KSB in VCOPs have a multidimensional and multifactorial character that includes personal, interpersonal, contextual, and technological factors. The typology of factors presented could serve in academic settings to conduct new theoretical or empirical research, or in practitioner settings to implement VCOPs in institutions across diverse sectors. New assessment instruments of KSB in VCOPs could be based on this typology.
Oleanolic acid derivative HA-20 inhibits adipogenesis in a manner involving PPARγ-FABP4/aP2 pathway
Authors: Wang Jie , Zhang Yuchao , Shen Qi , Wu Jing , Li Jian-Xin
Published: March 2021

Obesity is a chronic disease that increases the risk of type II diabetes, heart diseases and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Unfortunately, to date, only a handful of drugs are approved for clinical use. This study aims at the discovery of anti-obesity agents based on naturally sourced oleanolic acid (OA) derivatives. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated into mature adipocytes for in vitro assays, and a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice model was established for in vivo studies. The screening of the OA derivatives was performed with 3T3-L1 cell, and resulted in a discovery of a novel compound HA-20 with a potent inhibitory activity on 3T3-L1 adipogenesis. In vitro data demonstrated that HA-20 markedly suppressed the adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 at the early stage without cytotoxicity. In vivo research using HFD mice revealed that HA-20 lowered the body weight, and possessed a lipid-lowering effect. Transcriptome analysis discovered that the mainly adipogenesis/lipogenesis genes regulated by HA-20 were Pparg, Cebpa, Fas, Acc, and Fabp4/aP2. Mechanism study revealed that HA-20 played its bioactive roles at least via downregulating PPARγ-FABP4/aP2 pathway in 3T3-L1, which was further confirmed in HFD-induced obesity mice. Our findings provided a new insight into fighting fat accumulation based on OA derivatives, and demonstrated that HA-20 may sever as a worthy leading compound for the further development of anti-obesity agents.
The style of Roy Eldridge in 1938
Authors: Zagalaz Juan
Published: March 2021

Improvisation is one of the most defining characteristics of jazz music. In the early 1940s, the emergence of bebop led to the birth of the modern vocabulary of jazz improvisation, despite the fact other musicians contributed in the past to create and develop the aforementioned vocabulary. Roy Eldridge was one of those musicians, originally attached to the swing era but with an advanced style of playing on which contribution to the modern jazz improvisation was determinant. In this article two versions of the tune ‘Body and Soul’ performed and recorded by Roy Eldridge in 1938 have been transcribed and analysed, in order to observe the way he was playing through the changes and the decisions he made in certain situations. Eldridge’s intellectual approach to improvisation represents one of the most advanced visions of the jazz improvisatory art prior to the birth of bebop.
CONFLICTING DISCOURSES OF ‘DEMOCRACY’ AND ‘EQUALITY’: A DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF THE LANGUAGE OF PRO- AND ANTI-LGBTQ+ INCLUSION IN THE RELATIONSHIPS AND SEX EDUCATION GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND
Authors: Sauntson Helen
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT New statutory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) guidance for schools in England was published in 2019. One of the major revisions since the preceding version has been the new inclusion of LGBTQ+ identities and relationships. Some groups in the UK have recently protested against this inclusion of positive teaching about LGBTQ+ identities and relationships, suggesting that, although there is overwhelming support for the new guidance, there are still groups in society who are opposed to democratic teaching about this dimension of equality. Focusing on publicly-available video recordings of the protests, this article firstly critically analyses the key discursive strategies deployed by the anti-LGBTQ+ protest groups to produce discrimination and denial. I then compare the language used by the protest groups against the language used by other UK groups who support and continue to campaign for LGBTQ+ inclusion in RSE. Positive discourse analysis, as a progressive dimension of critical discourse analysis, is used to examine how the language used by these groups functions to resist the discriminatory discourse used by the anti-LGBTQ+ groups analysed in the first part of the article. Analysis of the discourse used by the two sets of groups reveals conflicting discourses around what is perceived to constitute ‘democracy’ and ‘equality’ in the context of LGBTQ+ inclusion and schools, suggesting that these are fragile concepts in the current British political climate.
SWINGS AND SCALES OF DEMOCRACY: THE “TRANSGENDER EPIDEMIC” AND RESISTANCE TO ANTIGENDERISM
Authors: Borba Rodrigo , Silva Danillo da Conceição Pereira
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT Brazilian democracy moves like a pendulum: from time to time its limits are expanded or retracted (Avritzer 2019). After a virulent dictatorial period, re-democratization was strengthened in the first decade of the 21st century. Public policies for the enfranchisement of the LGBT+ population were particularly important in this process. The rise of bolsonarism has been pushing the democratic pendulum back to its extreme opposite. This, however, does not go unchallenged. Against this backdrop, we analyze the online circulation of a poster for a lecture about a “transgender epidemic”, which was due to take place the Legislative Assembly of Porto Alegre in March 2020. Such textual disputes may help us reconceptualize the current state of Brazilian democracy as a friction between distinct scalar projects (Carr and Lempert, 2016). The textual trajectories we analyze suggest that the back and forth movement of democracy is not linear as Avritzer (2019) seems to assume. The illiberal retraction of recent years coexists with values forged in periods of democratic expansion, which explains the fact that the lecture was canceled due to online protests. Such resistance suggests that de-democratizing scalar projects are neither homogeneous nor totalizing, which allows new political collectivities to contest attempts to disenfranchise them.
Targeted Single-Cell RNA-seq Identifies Minority Cell Types of Kidney Distal Nephron
Authors: Chen Lihe , Chou Chun-Lin , Knepper Mark A.
Published: March 2021

Significance Statement

A major objective in modern biology is generation of comprehensive atlases of various organs that identify all cell types and their expressed genes. In the kidney, extensive data describe proximal tubule and collecting duct cells but not the rarer intermediate epithelial cell types. Coupling of a cell enrichment protocol with single-cell RNA-seq analysis resolved the cellular composition and transcriptional profiles of the minority epithelial cell types of mouse kidney distal nephron. These data are provided in user-friendly websites that enable the mapping and comparison of genes of interest among cell types and renal tubule epithelia.

Background

Proximal tubule cells dominate the kidney parenchyma numerically, although less abundant cell types of the distal nephron have disproportionate roles in water and electrolyte balance.

Methods

Coupling of a FACS-based enrichment protocol with single-cell RNA-seq profiled the transcriptomes of 9099 cells from the thick ascending limb (CTAL)/distal convoluted tubule (DCT) region of the mouse nephron.

Results

Unsupervised clustering revealed Slc12a3
+/Pvalb
+ and Slc12a3
+/Pvalb
− cells, identified as DCT1 and DCT2 cells, respectively. DCT1 cells appear to be heterogeneous, with orthogonally variable expression of Slc8a1, Calb1, and Ckb. An additional DCT1 subcluster showed marked enrichment of cell cycle–/cell proliferation–associated mRNAs (e.g., Mki67, Stmn1, and Top2a), which fit with the known plasticity of DCT cells. No DCT2-specific transcripts were found. DCT2 cells contrast with DCT1 cells by expression of epithelial sodium channel β- and γ-subunits and much stronger expression of transcripts associated with calcium transport (Trpv5, Calb1, S100g, and Slc8a1). Additionally, scRNA-seq identified three distinct CTAL (Slc12a1
+) cell subtypes. One of these expressed Nos1 and Avpr1a, consistent with macula densa cells. The other two CTAL clusters were distinguished by Cldn10 and Ptger3 in one and Cldn16 and Foxq1 in the other. These two CTAL cell types were also distinguished by expression of alternative Iroquois homeobox transcription factors, with Irx1 and Irx2 in the Cldn10
+ CTAL cells and Irx3 in the Cldn16
+ CTAL cells.

Conclusions

Single-cell transcriptomics revealed unexpected diversity among the cells of the distal nephron in mouse. Web-based data resources are provided for the single-cell data.
Permen Jelly Coffee Sebagai Pemanfaatan Coffee Defect
Authors: Nurgemamega Sri Noviani , Subekti Sri , Rahmawati Yulia
Published: March 2021

Coffee defect merupakan kopi yang cacat dan tidak lulus quality control ditemukan dalam biji kopi pada tahap pensortiran, 10%-20% kopi defect dihasilkan pada musim panen tanpa adanya pemanfaatan lebih lanjut terhadap kopi tersebut, selain itu coffee defect mengalami penurunan cita rasa seperti asam yang berlebihan, sepat, berasa rumput sehingga kopi jenis ini kurang diminati konsumen. Salah satu pemanfaatan coffee defect tersebut dapat ditambahkan sebagai flavor dan aroma dengan komposisi yang berbeda, untuk menghasilkan cita rasa coffee defect. Pengembangan produk permen jelly dilakukan dengan menambahkan ekstrak coffee defect dengan komposisi yaitu UC1 (3%), UC2 (5%), dan UC3 (10%). Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hasil analisis daya terima terhadap produk berdasarkan indikator rasa, aroma, penampilan, tekstur dan kesan keseluruhan. Metode yang penulis gunakan adalah metode eksperimen dan desain penelitian Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) dengan dua kali pengulangan terhadap 80 panelis tidak terlatih. Analisis data menggunakan ANOVA. Hasil penelitian menyatakan bahwa penggunaan ekstrak coffee defect berpengaruh terhadap tingkat kesukaan permen jelly coffee. UC3 merupakan produk yang paling banyak disukai oleh panelis berdasarkan indikator rasa, aroma, penampilan dan kesan keseluruhan. Berdasarkan hasil dari analisis uji daya terima UC1 termasuk dalam kategori cukup diterima, UC2 dapat diterima dan UC3 sangat diterima.
Erosion Prediction Model using Fractional Vegetation Cover
Authors: Arif Nursida , Danoedoro Projo , Hartono Hartono , Mulabbi Andrew
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study was to  create an erosion prediction model in Serang Watershed, Indonesia. The erosion model used two input data, namely the slope derivied from Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data, and Fractional Vegetation Cover (FVC) from SPOT images. Assessment of the model was carried out using questionnaires and interviews with several experts by presenting the results of the model and its supporting data. Based on the DEM data, the level of slope steepness in the study area is very varied namely; flat (52.77%), sloping (7.62%), and rather steep to very steep (39.59%). Vegetation density according to the FVC results is dominated by medium density. The results of the analysis of the two input models can provide predictions of the level of erosion with an accuracy of 67.92%. Evaluation of the model was done by experts with conclusions that the method was very flexible and can be adapted to similar watersheds elsewhere.