bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Left rotation and dorsoventral collapse of the trachea on an adult Dartmoor cross‐gelding: Imaging diagnosis
Authors: Rosa M. J. , Rubio‐Martinez L. M.
Published: February 2022

A 9‐year‐old Dartmoor cross‐gelding was referred for investigation and treatment of exercise intolerance, cough and abnormal respiratory noise. Endoscopic examination revealed the presence of left 90‐degree rotation and dorsoventral collapse of the entire cervical trachea. Although the tracheal collapse was not obvious on laterolateral radiographs, these showed the abnormal presence of tracheal cartilages along with the dorsal and ventral limits of the trachea. Oblique radiographs showed partial tracheal collapse in the caudal aspect of the neck. Ultrasound examination revealed the presence of tracheal cartilages on the right side of the neck, dorsal tracheal ligament along with the left side of the neck and the junction between tracheal cartilage and dorsal tracheal ligament coursing over the ventral aspect of the neck. This report highlights the value of detailed examination of standard and non‐standard radiographic and ultrasound imaging of the trachea to achieve correct diagnosis of tracheal collapse when associated with tracheal rotation.
A‐to‐I RNA editing of Filamin A regulates cellular adhesion, migration and mechanical properties
Authors: Jain Mamta , Weber Andreas , Maly Kathrin , Manjaly Greeshma , Deek Joanna , Tsvyetkova Olena , Stulić Maja , Toca‐Herrera José L. , Jantsch Michael F.
Published: February 2022

A‐to‐I RNA editing by ADARs is an abundant epitranscriptomic RNA‐modification in metazoa. In mammals, Flna pre‐mRNA harbours a single conserved A‐to‐I RNA editing site that introduces a Q‐to‐R amino acid change in Ig repeat 22 of the encoded protein. Previously, we showed that FLNA editing regulates smooth muscle contraction in the cardiovascular system and affects cardiac health. The present study investigates how ADAR2‐mediated A‐to‐I RNA editing of Flna affects actin crosslinking, cell mechanics, cellular adhesion and cell migration. Cellular assays and AFM measurements demonstrate that the edited version of FLNA increases cellular stiffness and adhesion but impairs cell migration in both, mouse fibroblasts and human tumour cells. In vitro, edited FLNA leads to increased actin crosslinking, forming actin gels of higher stress resistance. Our study shows that Flna RNA editing is a novel regulator of cytoskeletal organisation, affecting the mechanical property and mechanotransduction of cells.
Soil fauna drives vertical redistribution of soil organic carbon in a long‐term irrigated dry pine forest
Authors: Guidi Claudia , Frey Beat , Brunner Ivano , Meusburger Katrin , Vogel Michael E. , Chen Xiaomei , Stucky Tobias , Gwiazdowicz Dariusz J. , Skubała Piotr , Bose Arun K. , Schaub Marcus , Rigling Andreas , Hagedorn Frank
Published: February 2022

Summer droughts strongly affect soil organic carbon (SOC) cycling, but net effects on SOC storage are unclear as drought affects both C inputs and outputs from soils. Here, we explored the overlooked role of soil fauna on SOC storage in forests, hypothesizing that soil faunal activity is particularly drought‐sensitive, thereby reducing litter incorporation into the mineral soil and, eventually, long‐term SOC storage.

In a drought‐prone pine forest (Switzerland), we performed a large‐scale irrigation experiment for 17 years and assessed its impact on vertical SOC distribution and composition. We also examined litter mass loss of dominant tree species using different mesh‐size litterbags and determined soil fauna abundance and community composition.

The 17‐year‐long irrigation resulted in a C loss in the organic layers (−1.0 kg C m−2) and a comparable C gain in the mineral soil (+0.8 kg C m−2) and thus did not affect total SOC stocks. Irrigation increased the mass loss ofQuercus pubescensandViburnum lantanaleaf litter, with greater effect sizes when meso‐ and macrofauna were included (+215%) than when excluded (+44%). The enhanced faunal‐mediated litter mass loss was paralleled by a many‐fold increase in the abundance of meso‐ and macrofauna during irrigation. Moreover, Acari and Collembola community composition shifted, with a higher presence of drought‐sensitive species in irrigated soils. In comparison, microbial SOC mineralization was less sensitive to soil moisture. Our results suggest that the vertical redistribution of SOC with irrigation was mainly driven by faunal‐mediated litter incorporation, together with increased root C inputs.

Our study shows that soil fauna is highly sensitive to natural drought, which leads to a reduced C transfer from organic layers to the mineral soil. In the longer term, this potentially affects SOC storage and, therefore, soil fauna plays a key but so far largely overlooked role in shaping SOC responses to drought.
Wood density and hydraulic traits influence species’ growth response to drought across biomes
Authors: Serra‐Maluquer Xavier , Gazol Antonio , Anderegg William R. L. , Martínez‐Vilalta Jordi , Mencuccini Maurizio , Camarero Jesús Julio
Published: February 2022

Tree species display a wide variety of water‐use strategies, growth rates and capacity to tolerate drought. However, if we want to forecast species capacity to cope with increasing aridity and drought, we need to identify which measurable traits confer resilience to drought across species. Here, we use a global tree ring network (65 species; 1931 site series of ring‐width indices—RWI) to evaluate the relationship of long‐term growth‐drought sensitivity (RWI‐SPEI drought index relationship) and short‐term growth response to extreme drought episodes (resistance, recovery and resilience indices) with functional traits related to leaf, wood and hydraulic properties. Furthermore, we assess the influence of climate (temperature, precipitation and climatic water deficit) on these trait‐growth relationships. We found a close correspondence between the long‐term relationship between RWI and SPEI and resistance and recovery of tree growth to severe drought episodes. Species displaying a stronger RWI‐SPEI relationship to drought and low resistance and high recovery to extreme drought episodes tended to have a higher wood density (WD) and more negative leaf minimum water potential (Ψmin). Such associations were largely maintained when accounting for direct climate effects. Our results indicate that, at a cross‐species level and global scale, wood and hydraulic functional traits explain species’ growth responses to drought at short‐ and long‐term scales. These trait‐growth response relationships can improve our understanding of the cross‐species capacity to withstand climate change and inform models to better predict drought effects on forest ecosystem dynamics.
R Packages for Analyzing Spatial Data: A Comparative Case Study with Areal Data
Authors: Bivand Roger
Published: February 2022

The count of open source software packages hosted by the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN) using key spatial data handling packages has now passed 1,000. Providing a comprehensive review of these packages is beyond the scope of an article. Consequently, this review takes the form of a comparative case study, reproducing some of the approach and workflow of a spatial analysis of a data set including almost all the census tracts in the coterminous United States. The case study moves from visualization and the construction of a spatial weights matrix, to exploratory spatial data analysis and spatial regression. For comparison, implementations of the same steps in PySAL and GeoDa are interwoven, and points of convergence and divergence noted and discussed. Conclusions are drawn about the usefulness of open source software, the significance of sharing contributions both in software implementation but also more broadly in reproducible research, and in opportunities for exchanging ideas and solutions with other research domains.
PARP1 is activated by membrane damage and is involved in membrane repair through poly(ADP‐ribosyl)ation
Authors: Mashimo Masato , Kita Momoko , Nobeyama Akari , Nomura Atsuo , Fujii Takeshi
Published: February 2022

Mono(ADP‐ribosyl)ation and poly(ADP‐ribosyl)ation are posttranslational modifications evolutionarily conserved in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. They entail transfer of one or more ADP‐ribose moieties from NAD+ to acceptor proteins with the simultaneous release of nicotinamide. The resultant ADP‐ribosylated acceptor proteins regulate diverse cellular functions. For instance, ADP‐ribosyltransferase 1 (ART1) catalyzes mono(ADP‐ribosyl)ation of arginine residues in Trim72, a protein specifically expressed in muscle cells and involved in cell membrane repair, which is enhanced upon its ADP‐ribosylation. By contrast, the contribution made by ADP‐ribosylation to membrane repair in epithelial cells remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the involvement of ADP‐ribosylation in cell membrane repair in HEK293T and HeLa cells. We found that upon induction of membrane damage using streptolysin‐O, poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) catalyzed poly(ADP‐ribosyl)ation. In scratch assays, inhibition of PARP1 activity using the nonspecific PARP inhibitor PJ34 or shRNA targeting PARP1 delayed wound healing, suggesting that PARP1‐catalyzed poly(ADP‐ribosyl)ation plays a key role in membrane repair in epithelial cells.
A critical analysis of research methods and experimental models to study biocompatibility of endodontic materials
Authors: Hosseinpour Sepanta , Gaudin Alexis , Peters Ove A.
Published: February 2022

Materials used for endodontics and with direct contact to tissues have a wide range of indications, from vital pulpal treatments to root filling materials and those used in endodontic surgery. In principle, interaction with dental materials may result in damage to tissues locally or systemically. Thus, a great variety of test methods are applied to evaluate a materials' potential risk of adverse biological effects to ensure their biocompatibility before commercialization. However, the results of biocompatibility evaluations are dependent on not only the tested materials but also the test methods due to the diversity of these effects and numerous variables involved. In addition, diverse biological effects require equally diverse assessments on a structured and planned approach. Such a structured assessment of the materials consists of four phases: general toxicity, local tissue irritation, pre‐clinical tests and clinical evaluations. Various types of screening assays are available; it is imperative to understand their advantages and limitations to recognize their appropriateness and for an accurate interpretation of their results. Recent scientific advances are rapidly introducing new materials to endodontics including nanomaterials, gene therapy and tissue engineering biomaterials. These new modalities open a new era to restore and regenerate dental tissues; however, all these new technologies can also present new hazards to patients. Before any clinical usage, new materials must be proven to be safe and not hazardous to health. Certain international standards exist for safety evaluation of dental materials (ISO 10993 series, ISO 7405 and ISO 14155‐1), but researchers often fail to follow these standards due to lack of access to standards, limitation of the guidelines and complexity of new experimental methods, which may cause technical errors. Moreover, many laboratories have developed their testing strategy for biocompatibility, which makes any comparison between findings more difficult. The purpose of this review was to discuss the concept of biocompatibility, structured test programmes and international standards for testing the biocompatibility of endodontic material biocompatibility. The text will further detail current test methods for evaluating the biocompatibility of endodontic materials, and their advantages and limitations.
A critical analysis of laboratory and clinical research methods to study root and canal anatomy
Authors: Ahmed Hany Mohamed Aly
Published: February 2022

The technical execution of root canal treatment procedures demands a thorough understanding and knowledge of root and canal anatomy. Over the decades, and with the aid of various research methods such as staining and clearing, 2D radiographic imaging, sectioning procedures, cone beam computed tomography and micro‐computed tomography, many laboratory and clinical studies have been undertaken to understand the root and canal anatomy of the human dentition. This has resulted in a tremendous increase in the body of knowledge with a wide range of qualitative and quantitative presentations of the root and canal anatomy. This review aims to provide a critical analysis for the laboratory and clinical research methods in root and canal anatomy studies. In addition, it aims to identify existing gaps and present insights for directions of future research and ways for translation to clinical endodontics.
The effects of self‐awareness on consumer evaluation of experiential creation
Authors: Min Bora , Wakslak Cheryl
Published: February 2022

Self‐awareness is increasingly invoked in consumer contexts. The current studies find that self‐awareness heightened during product creation interacts with consumers’ chronic self‐focus tendency and the level of autonomy‐constraint of the task to influence consumer experience. Prior findings suggest that (a) self‐awareness makes individually valued standards salient and (b) consumers who are chronically more (less) self‐conscious value conformity (autonomy). In line with these two prior findings, results of six studies show that when experiential creation involves constraints on autonomy (i.e., explicit guidance), self‐aware consumers who are chronically more self‐conscious evaluate experiential creation more favorably. In contrast, when products impose less constraints on autonomy (i.e., no explicit guidance), the opposite results emerge. The perceived fit between individuals’ esteemed standards and the level of autonomy‐constraint inherent to the product interaction mediates these effects. This research advances the understanding of self‐awareness theory by considering self‐awareness evoked during experiential creation (vs. recalled in retrospect) and shedding new light on the effect of self‐awareness on a task with rich experiential value.
Substratification of patients with highest‐risk non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer helps to identify the candidates for immediate radical cystectomy: A two‐center study
Authors: Yang Tao , Liang Hua , Pei Xinqi , Zhang Nan , Liang Xiao , Zhang Mengzhao , Shao Qiuya , Wang Lu , Ma Minghai , Shi Xinyu , Fan Jinhai
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Performing immediate radical cystectomy in all patients with the highest‐risk non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer results in overtreatment. We confirm whether the substratification of highest‐risk patients can more effectively select suitable patients for radical cystectomy.

Methods

Patients with primary T1 high grade bladder cancer from two centers were included and roughly stratified into high‐risk or highest‐risk. The highest‐risk patients were further substratified according to the number of risk factors. Endpoints were tumor recurrence and progression. The predictive accuracy was assessed with internal validation that consists of time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curve and calibration curves.

Results

A total of 262 patients were included. Although highest‐risk patient had a poor prognosis, after further substratification, we found that those with only one factor showed the same prognosis with high‐risk patients (recurrence: hazard ratio 1.79, P = 0.105; progression: hazard ratio 1.38, P = 0.532), while those with ≥2 factors had worst prognosis than high‐risk patients. The 3‐year area under the curve showed that the predictive accuracy of substratification in terms of recurrence and progression were superior to that of non‐substratification (0.685 vs 0.622 and 0.666 vs 0.599, respectively). Additionally, calibration curves showed perfect agreement between the predicted and the actual recurrence and progression.

Conclusions

Substratification of highest‐risk enables us to further optimize the surgical decisions‐making. Highest‐risk patients with one factor show the similar outcomes as high‐risk patients and deserve to try bladder‐sparing treatment, whereas those with ≥2 risk factors were strongly recommended to undergo radical cystectomy.
Pilus proteins from Streptococcus pyogenes stimulate innate immune responses through Toll‐like receptor 2
Authors: Takahashi Risa , Radcliff Fiona J , Proft Thomas , Tsai Catherine J‐Y
Published: February 2022

The group A Streptococcus (GAS) pilus is a long, flexible, hair‐like structure anchored to the cell surface that facilitates the adherence of GAS to host cells, thus playing a critical role in initiating infections. Because of its important role in GAS virulence, the pilus has become an attractive target for vaccine development. While current research mainly focuses on pilus function and its potential as a vaccine component, there is a lack of knowledge on how the host immune system recognizes and responds to this abundant surface structure. Here we show that both assembled GAS pili and individual pilus proteins induce a potent release of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor and interleukin‐8. We further show that the surface‐exposed backbone pilin and ancillary pilin 1 subunits are Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) agonists. Using reporter cell lines coexpressing human TLR2 in combination with either TLR1 or TLR6, we determined that activation was mediated by the TLR2/TLR6 heterodimer. Finally, we used solid‐phase and flow cytometry binding assays to illustrate a direct interaction between the pilus subunits and TLR2. These results provide further support for the suitability of the pilus as a vaccine component and opens potential avenues for using GAS pili as an adjuvant or immune‐modulation agent.
Effects of cerium on structures and electrical properties of (Nb, Ta) modified Bi4Ti3O12 piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Zhang Feifei , Xu Yugen , Yang Heng , Guan Shangyi , Shi Wei , Chen Yulin , Huang Chenting , Xing Jie , Liu Hong , Chen Qiang
Published: February 2022

Bi4Ti3O12 high‐temperature piezoelectric ceramics composed of 0.03 mol (Nb, Ta)5+ substituting B site and x mol CeO2 (x = 0–0.05, abbreviated as BCTNT100x) substituting A site were synthesized by the conventional solid‐state reaction method. The effects of Ce additive on the structures and electrical properties of resulting Bi4Ti3O12‐based ceramics were systematically investigated. In‐situ temperature‐dependent X‐ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that the phase structure of BCTNT100x ceramics change from orthorhombic structure to tetragonal structure as temperature increased. The ceramics at Ce content x = 0.03 illustrated optimal performances with superior piezoelectric constant (d33 = 36.5 pC/N), high Curie temperature (TC = 649 °C), and large remanent polarization (2Pr = 21.6 μC/cm2). BCTNT3 ceramics also possessed high d33 of 32.5 pC/N at an annealing temperature of 600°C, with electrical resistivity preserved at 106 Ω cm at 500 °C. These results demonstrate that BCTNT100x ceramics can be used as high‐temperature piezoelectric devices.
Purification and characterization of cellulase produced by Novosphingobium sp. Cm1 and its waste hydrolysis efficiency and bio-stoning potential
Authors: Goswami Kongkana , Deka Boruah Hari Prasanna , Saikia Ratul
Published: February 2022

Aim

The aim of the study was to purify and characterize cellulase from a previously isolated Novosphingobium sp. strain Cm1 and to evaluate its waste hydrolysis and bio-stoning efficiency.

Materials and Methods

There is a growing demand for cellulase, a multipurpose enzyme widely used in industrial applications. Here, we purified cellulase from Novosphingobium sp. Cm1 by cellulose chromatography. SDS-PAGE revealed a molecular mass of 25 kDa. After 18-fold purification, the cellulase had an activity of 31.4 U/mg at pH of 5 and 40°C, and it retained activity at a wide range of pH and temperatures. The presence of Fe2+ and Co2+ boosted the enzyme activity by 57% and 25% respectively. The hydrolysing capacity of the strain towards cellulosic material was assessed for two paper types and the highest activity (2.6 ± 0.05 U/ml) was found with filter paper as the sole carbon source. Alterations in the structure of the papers as a result of bacterial hydrolysis were confirmed by scanning electron microscope and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The strain was also tested for its potential in various industrial applications and exhibited pectinolytic activity (6.78 ± 0.68 U/ml), xylanolytic activity (0.22 ± 0.14 U/ml) and bio-stoning ability.

Conclusion

The highly active purified cellulase has a broad pH and temperature range. The strain possesses waste-hydrolysing ability, pectinolytic and xylanolytic ability along with bio-stoning capacity.

Significance and Impact of the Study

The efficacy and versatility of the enzyme from Novosphingobium sp. Cm1 make it an excellent candidate for diverse industrial applications.
New and emerging conditions of acquired cutaneous mucinoses in adults
Authors: Rongioletti F.
Published: February 2022

Cutaneous mucinoses are a heterogenous group of conditions, characterized by the deposition of glycosaminoglycans (mucin) in the dermis, follicles, or in the epidermis. Major cutaneous mucinoses include lichen myxedematosus, scleredema, mucinoses associated with thyroid disease, reticular erythematous mucinosis, papulonodular mucinosis associated with connective tissue diseases, and cutaneous focal mucinosis. The aim of this review is to provide an update of what has currently been reported in the last 30‐year literature about several new or emerging conditions of acquired cutaneous mucinoses in adults. Two new clinico‐pathologic entities have been described: (i) Obesity‐associated lymphedematous mucinosis and pretibial stasis mucinosis; (OACM) (ii) Nodular mucinosis of the breast (NMB). Two relatively new disease categories encompassing cutaneous mucinoses with a common pathogenetic mechanism have been identified: (i) Cutaneous mucinoses associated with drug exposure including biologic therapy, anti–colony‐stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) and subcutaneous intralesional interferons (toxic dermal mucinoses); (ii) Cutaneous mucinosis following physical agents including mechanical traumas and after knee replacement.
Heterogeneity of ferrous iron‐containing endolysosomes and effects of endolysosome iron on endolysosome numbers, sizes, and localization patterns
Authors: Halcrow Peter W. , Kumar Nirmal , Afghah Zahra , Fischer Jalyn P. , Khan Nabab , Chen Xuesong , Meucci Olimpia , Geiger Jonathan D.
Published: February 2022

Endolysosomes are key regulators of iron metabolism and are central to iron trafficking and redox signaling. Iron homeostasis is linked to endolysosome acidity and inhibition of endolysosome acidity triggers iron dysregulation. Because of the physiological importance and pathological relevance of ferrous iron (Fe2+), we determined levels of Fe2+ specifically and quantitatively in endolysosomes as well as the effects of Fe2+ on endolysosome morphology, distribution patterns, and function. The fluorescence dye FeRhoNox‐1 was specific for Fe2+ and localized to endolysosomes in U87MG astrocytoma cells and primary rat cortical neurons; in U87MG cells the endolysosome concentration of Fe2+ ([Fe2+]el) was 50.4 μM in control cells, 73.6 μM in ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) treated cells, and 12.4 μM in cells treated with the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO). Under control conditions, in primary rat cortical neurons, [Fe2+]el was 32.7 μM. Endolysosomes containing the highest levels of Fe2+ were located perinuclearly. Treatment of cells with FAC resulted in endolysosomes that were less acidic, increased in numbers and sizes, and located further from the nucleus; opposite effects were observed for treatments with DFO. Thus, FeRhoNox‐1 is a useful probe for the study of endolysosome Fe2+, and much more work is needed to understand better the physiological significance and pathological relevance of endolysosomes classified according to their heterogeneous iron content

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Cover Image for this issue: https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15396
Clinicopathological and molecular profile of grade 3 gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms
Authors: Taboada Rodrigo , Claro Laura , Felismino Tiago , de Jesus Victor Hugo , Barros Milton , Riechelmann Rachel P.
Published: February 2022

The 2019 Word Health Organization (WHO) subclassified grade 3 (G3) gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) into neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) or tumours (G3 NET) based on morphology and proliferation. Yet, few data exist on molecular profiles for G3 NEN. We compared clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of these two groups. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive G3 GEP NEN patients and had their tumour tissues reviewed, reclassified as per the WHO 2019, and analyzed by a next‐generation sequencing (NGS) panel. Between 2000 and 2019, 43 patients had pathology revision: 29 (67%) were NEC and 14 (33%) were G3 NET, with a 23% change in diagnosis. Median overal survival for G3 NET and NEC patients was 55.6 and 11.9 months, respectively (hazard ratio = 2.78 [95% confidence interval = 1.09–7.11], p = .042), which was confirmed by an adjusted analysis (hazard ratio = 2.90 NEC vs. G3 NET; p = .03). NGS was performed in 32 cases: 21 NEC and 11 G3 NET. Mutations in RB1 and PTEN were exclusively encountered in NEC. Median tumour mutational burden was 5 (0–67) mutations per megabase in NEC and 4.5 (0–9) among G3 NET. Microsatellite instability was found in 3 (14.3%) NEC cases. In conclusion, pathology revision is essential to estimate prognosis and therapeutic plan. G3 GEP NEN generally harbour low tumor mutation burden and fewer actionable mutations, but 14% of NEC cases were microsatellite unstable and could benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Carboxytherapy in dermatology: A systematic review
Authors: Ahramiyanpour Najmeh , Shafie'ei Mohammad , Sarvipour Nastaran , Amiri Rezvan , Akbari Zahra
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The overall effects of Carboxytherapy, defined as the administration of carbon dioxide, have been studied for many years. It has been suggested that by improving oxygenation, interacting with the tissue perfusion regulators, and disrupting the adipose cell membranes, the method can lead to notable improvements in different esthetic and pathological conditions. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the available studies evaluating the potential benefits of carboxytherapy in dermatological conditions and how it objectively stands against scientific scrutiny.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases, including the studies exploring the method's efficacy in managing any dermatological condition.

Results

A total 27 of studies were identified (with a pooled sample of over 700 cases), most of which were clinical trials. Facial wrinkles, periorbital hyperpigmentation, skin laxity deficiency, scars, striae distensae, localized lipolysis and cellulite, alopecia, chronic diabetic wounds, and psoriatic plaques comprised the package of the dermatological conditions that were studied. Except for a few studies, the method mainly demonstrated significant improvements on all of the mentioned conditions. The inter‐ and post‐operational adverse events were mild and transient, including erythema, pain, crepitus, and ecchymoses.

Discussion

Carboxytherapy can provide those practicing in the field with sustainably favorable results. However, the numbers of cases on whom the fat‐reducing capabilities of the method were studied and experienced varying degrees of recurrence caught our eye. In addition, we observed a notable disparity between the outcome measures utilized in the studies. The modest sample size in each condition also added to the injury, as the conditions on which the method was evaluated are pretty common in the general population. Therefore, for a definite conclusion, more randomized controlled trials with the shortcomings mentioned well addressed need to be conducted.
Incentive pay for policy‐makers?
Authors: Britz Volker , Ebrahimi Afsoon , Gersbach Hans
Published: February 2022

We study how to efficiently motivate policy‐makers to solve political multitask problems. Political multitask problems typically have some outcomes that are difficult to measure. Moreover, there are conflicts among citizens about optimal policies and policy‐makers have the power to tax the citizens to invest in better outcomes for some tasks. We develop a political agency model with two tasks and only one measurable outcome. In such an environment, policy‐makers choose socially inefficient public good levels and expropriate minorities. A judicious combination of constitutional limits on taxation and incentive pay for policy‐makers is second‐best. Incentive pay is conditional on the public good level.
Thymbra capitata essential oil has a significant antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pre-formed biofilms
Authors: Almeida L. , Lopes N. , Gaio V. , Cavaleiro C. , Salgueiro L. , Silva V. , Poeta P. , Cerca N.
Published: February 2022

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogen with a great ability to form biofilms. Herein, the antimicrobial potential of Thymbra capitata essential oil (EO) against MRSA biofilms was investigated. The determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum lethal concentration (MLC) of the T. capitata EO was first investigated on a group of clinical isolates from septicaemias, diabetic foot ulcers and osteomyelitis. Biofilms were incubated with the EO at the MLC and its anti-biofilm potential was investigated. A strong antimicrobial activity was observed, with MIC and MLC values between 0·32 and 0·64 mg l−1. However, the concentration of EO necessary for the eradication of planktonic cells was insufficient to significantly reduce the biofilm biomass of some isolates. Nevertheless, cell culturability and overall cellular metabolism was strongly reduced in all biofilms tested, only when the EO was tested. Contrary to the tested antibiotics, T. capitata EO showed a significant antimicrobial activity against MRSA biofilms, by reducing cellular metabolism and cellular culturability.
Pythium and Phytopythium species associated with weeds collected in vegetable production fields in Brazil
Authors: Barboza E.A. , Cabral C.S. , Rossato M. , Martins F.H.S.R. , Reis A.
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to identify Pythium and Phytopythium species from weeds collected in vegetable fields and test their pathogenicity. Weeds with symptoms of damping-off, root rot or wilt were sampled in the Brazilian states of Ceará, Goiás and Pernambuco, as well as in the Distrito Federal, for isolation and identification of the causal agents. Once isolated, colonies with typical Pythium and Phytopythium characteristics grew in selective V8 medium. Procedures for species identification included morphology and amplification of the ITS and Cox II regions, which were compared with other accessions available at GenBank. The phylogenetic relationships among the isolates and pathogenicity to their original hosts were evaluated. Six Pythium species were identified: P. aphanidermatum, P. oopapillum, P. orthogonon, P. ultimum var. ultimum, P. myriotylum and P. sylvaticum, and two species of Phytopythium, Phy. chamaehyphon and Phy. oedochilum. In the pathogenicity tests, the 10 weed hosts showed symptoms of damping-off or root rot after inoculation, with exception of Portulaca oleraceae in which none of the isolates was pathogenic. Therefore, common weeds in vegetable fields areas can host different Pythium and Phytopythium species and play an important role in the epidemiology of vegetable diseases, in particular on pathogen survival and population increase.
Investigating Effects of Bilingualism on Syntactic Processing: Testing Structural Sensitivity Theory
Authors: Siu Tik‐Sze Carrey , Ho Suk‐Han Connie
Published: February 2022

The present study compared Chinese‐English bilinguals and English monolinguals within three age groups to examine whether bilinguals have an advantage in syntactic processing. Participants were tested on morphosyntactic awareness, word‐order awareness, artificial syntax learning, and general cognitive abilities. Bilinguals within the three age groups performed better than their monolingual peers in acquiring a novel syntax and in processing morphosyntax specific to English. The bilingual adults also outperformed their monolingual peers in processing language‐specific word order. Overall, the findings give credence to the structural sensitivity theory in accounting for bilingual syntactic processing. A bilingual advantage in language processing appears not confined to knowledge of and strategies specific to the additional language but constitutes a more abstract representation of underlying linguistic structure. Bilingual effects are also qualified by cross‐language differences in linguistic features, age, and the amount of bilingual experience.
Developing reverse genetics systems of northern cereal mosaic virus to reveal superinfection exclusion of two cytorhabdoviruses in barley plants
Authors: Fang Xiao‐Dong , Qiao Ji‐Hui , Zang Ying , Gao Qiang , Xu Wen‐Ya , Gao Dong‐Min , Yang Yi‐Zhou , Xie Liang , Wang Ying , Wang Xian‐Bing
Published: February 2022

Recently, reverse genetics systems of plant negative‐stranded RNA (NSR) viruses have been developed to study virus–host interactions. Nonetheless, genetic rescue of plant NSR viruses in both insect vectors and monocot plants is very limited. Northern cereal mosaic virus (NCMV), a plant cytorhabdovirus, causes severe diseases in cereal plants through transmission by the small brown planthopper (SBPH, Laodelphax striatellus) in a propagative manner. In this study, we first developed a minireplicon system of NCMV in Nicotiana benthamiana plants, and then recovered a recombinant NCMV virus (rNCMV‐RFP), with a red fluorescent protein (RFP) insertion, in SBPHs and barley plants. We further used rNCMV‐RFP and green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged barley yellow striate mosaic virus (rBYSMV‐GFP), a closely related cytorhabdovirus, to study superinfection exclusion, a widely observed phenomenon in dicot plants rarely studied in monocot plants. Interestingly, cellular superinfection exclusion of rBYSMV‐GFP and rNCMV‐RFP was observed in barley leaves. Our results demonstrate that two insect‐transmitted cytorhabdoviruses are enemies rather than friends at the cellular level during coinfections in plants.
Intermodality differences in statistical learning: phylogenetic and ontogenetic influences
Authors: Polyanskaya Leona , Manrique Héctor M. , Samuel Arthur G. , Marín Antonio , García‐Palacios Azucena , Ordin Mikhail
Published: February 2022

In Basque–Spanish bilinguals, statistical learning (SL) in the visual modality was more efficient on nonlinguistic than linguistic input; in the auditory modality, we found the reverse pattern of results. We hypothesize that SL was shaped for processing nonlinguistic environmental stimuli and only later, as the language faculty emerged, recycled for speech processing. This led to further adaptive changes in the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying speech processing, including SL. By contrast, as a recent cultural innovation, written language has not yet led to adaptations. The current study investigated whether such phylogenetic influences on SL can be modulated by ontogenetic influences on a shorter timescale, over the course of individual development. We explored how SL is modulated by the ambient linguistic environment. We found that SL in the auditory modality can be further modulated by exposure to a bilingual environment, in which speakers need to process a wider range of diverse speech cues. This effect was observed only on linguistic, not nonlinguistic, material. We conclude that ontogenetic factors modulate the efficiency of already existing SL ability, honing it for specific types of input, by providing new targets for selection via exposure to different cues in the sensory input.
Exploring the foundational origins of public service motivation through the lens of behavioral genetics
Authors: Florczak Christoffer , Rasmussen Stig Hebbelstrup Rye , Jensen Ulrich Thy , Stritch Justin M. , Christensen Kaare , Nørgaard Asbjørn Sonne , Klemmensen Robert
Published: February 2022

Despite the proliferation of research on public service motivation (PSM), fundamental questions about its origins continue to evade scholars: Is PSM driven by genetics, socialized through experiences, or both? If PSM is socialized, when does socialization occur? Answering these questions is critical for reconciling the state versus trait debate, and for assessing the validity of practical implications prescribed by PSM studies. Utilizing “nature's own experiment,” we adopt a classical twin design with 1035 twin pairs to identify how genetic heritability, a common environment, or unique environment and experiences can explain variation in PSM. Results show that PSM is heavily influenced by individuals' unique environments and experiences; not by genetics. This lends strong evidence to PSM's uniqueness as a motivational construct as related “other‐regarding” concepts show sizeable genetic components. Finally, our results corroborate that PSM is a human resource with dynamic properties organizations can cultivate to enhance productivity in public service workforces.
Barriers to delivering trauma‐focused interventions for people with psychosis and post‐traumatic stress disorder: A qualitative study of health care professionals’ views
Authors: Chadwick Eleanor , Billings Jo
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Trauma‐focused interventions have been shown to be effective treatments for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and clinical guidelines support their use with people with psychosis. Despite this, they are used relatively infrequently in this population. We sought to explore UK health care professionals’ perceptions of what impedes or facilitates the use of trauma‐focused interventions among people with psychosis and PTSD.

Design

A qualitative study using constructivist grounded theory methodology.

Methods

We conducted semi‐structured interviews with 18 health care professionals working within the commissioning and delivery of clinical services for people with psychosis.

Results

Three inter‐related barriers to the use of trauma‐focused interventions were conceptualized: coherent understanding; structural support; and safe space.

Conclusions

Delivery of trauma‐focused interventions within routine clinical practice may be supported by attention to the coherent integration of discussion of trauma into the clinical discourse of services; the processes, pathways, and organizational culture that facilitate access to treatment; and training that targets clinician confidence and skills.
Short‐term and long‐term associations with sleep onset latency in school children in Japan
Authors: Fujimura Yuko , Sekine Michikazu , Yamada Masaaki
Published: February 2022

Background

This study aims to examine the relationships between sleep onset latency and multiple sleep‐related factors of seventh and tenth graders during the transition from childhood to adolescence.

Methods

Regarding sleep onset latency, we examined the short‐term associations in Phase IV (2002) and long‐term associations in Phase V (2005) of the Toyama Birth Cohort Study. In total, 4,673 boys and 4,694 girls in Phase IV and 2,969 boys and 3,108 girls in Phase V answered the questionnaire items regarding sleep, physical and mental health, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, and family and school factors. Considering sleep onset latency as the outcome and 13 sleep‐related factors as independent variables, we calculated the odds ratio using binary logistic regression. The longitudinal study was conducted with 1,703 boys and 1,919 girls whose sleep onset latency was within 30 min in Phase IV.

Results

The following factors were found to be related to longer sleep onset latency in the short term: sleep duration, physical activity, game time, and self‐esteem in boys and sleep duration, bedroom environment, game time, abdominal pain, long‐standing illness, onset of puberty, mental health difficulties, and school avoidance feelings in girls. Regarding its long‐term effects, having a single parent and self‐esteem in boys and breakfast, game time, long‐standing illness, obesity, onset of puberty, and school avoidance feelings in girls were associated with longer sleep onset latency.

Conclusions

Education of adolescent health and sleep hygiene at home and school should include both short‐term and long‐term associations between sleep and a healthy lifestyle by gender.
Aerial surveys reveal biotic drivers of mangrove expansion along a Thai salt flat ecotone
Authors: Pranchai Aor , Jenke Michael , Pokavanich Tanuspong , Puangchit Ladawan , Berger Uta
Published: February 2022

Rapid sea level rise (SLR) could overwhelm the adaptive capacity of many mangrove forests. The conservation of functional mangrove ecosystems will rely on their expansion into upper intertidal areas, including salt marshes and salt flats, in advance of SLR. The development of new mangrove habitats could be accelerated by amplifying positive biotic interactions among herbaceous plants, macrofauna, and mangrove trees, such as trapping of hydrochorous propagules or site amelioration. It was investigated how biotic and abiotic factors influenced the expansion of mixed‐species mangrove stands along a mangrove‐salt flat ecotone. Multi‐temporal unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery (< 1 cm/pixel) was used to monitor seedlings of Avicennia alba, Bruguiera cylindrica, and Lumnitzera racemosa in three sample plots (0.7–0.9 ha) over 2 years. The aerial images were used to map mangrove crowns, sedges (Fimbristylis tetragona), substrate elevation, and microtopography. The spatial distribution of seedlings was modeled using point pattern processes; mixed‐effects models were used to analyze how environmental factors influenced seedling survival and growth. The spatio‐temporal patterns of mangrove regeneration revealed that sedges and macrofauna facilitated the regeneration of mangroves into higher‐elevated areas of low tree density. Sedges not only trapped seeds but also increased the likelihood of survival among seedlings of all species. Large‐sized propagules established in undulating microtopography created through the bioturbation of macrofauna. Herbaceous vegetation expanded the range of macrofauna in the absence of trees. Thus, the migration of mangroves into hypersaline retreat areas may be accelerated by enhancing the growth of herbaceous vegetation and promoting burrowing macrofauna.
Amenorrhea, premenstrual tension syndrome, and dysmenorrhea among women of reproductive age on hemodialysis: A national study in Egypt
Authors: Shemies Rasha Samir , El‐Gilany Abdel‐Hady , Sayed‐Ahmed Nagy , Megahed Abir Farouk , El‐Behnasawy Hebat‐Allah M. , Farouk Hanan Nagah , Saad Hany Helmy , El‐Anwar Mohamed H. , Gaber Tamer
Published: February 2022

Background and aim

The current literature concerning the reproductive health of end stage renal disease (ESRD) females is scarce, outdated, and largely unknown in women living in developing countries. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of menstrual abnormalities and their associated factors among ESRD women in reproductive age undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD) in Egypt.

Methods

Thirty‐five dialysis centers were selected by simple random sampling to represent the different regions of Egypt. Non‐pregnant women in the reproductive age (15–50 years) receiving dialysis at the participating centers completed a questionnaire about their menstrual health during a routine hemodialysis session. Their responses were verified by reviewing the medical records and assessing their clinical data.

Results

Out of the 472 women, 32.6% had amenorrhea. Menstrual irregularities were reported in 37% of the menstruating women. Premenstrual tension syndrome (PMS) was reported in 70% while dysmenorrhea in 58%. Amenorrhea was more prevalent in non‐working women who started hemodialysis after the age of 30. PMS was more encountered in women with hypertension or in those with obstructive uropathy or autoimmune disease as a cause of ESRD. Dysmenorrhea was more prevalent among patients with autoimmune disease or chronic hepatitis C virus and those who started dialysis after the age of 30.

Conclusion

Secondary amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and PMS are common among premenopausal women with ESRD on dialysis. Several factors including socio‐economic factors, cause of ESRD, and hypertension contribute to these disorders. Future studies are needed to understand the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms and management of these abnormalities.
Distinctive lithofacies architecture of sand ridges built by storm and ocean currents: An example from a Middle Pleistocene shallow‐marine succession on the Boso Peninsula, Japan
Authors: Shimano Yasushi , Ito Makoto
Published: February 2022

Sand ridges are present in modern storm‐dominated and tide‐dominated shallow‐marine environments worldwide, but the number of published ancient examples is limited. The role of ocean currents in the formation of sand ridges is also poorly understood. This study investigated the lithofacies architecture of a lenticular sandstone body (ca 70 m thick and ca 30 km long) in the upper Mandano Formation (ca 0.6 Ma) on the Boso Peninsula, Japan, to establish criteria for identifying sand ridge deposits built by storm and ocean currents. The sandstone body is unconformably underlain by coastal and valley‐fill deposits and fines upward to outer‐shelf muddy deposits. It consists mainly of medium‐grained to very coarse‐grained sandstones and pebbly sandstones that are moderately to intensely bioturbated and are represented by three‐dimensional compound dune deposits. The body consists of six 10 to 20 m thick units (units 1 to 6 in ascending order), which are each defined by an erosional base and locally capped by storm‐induced fluid mud deposits. Each unit also contains low‐angle (ca 5°) large stratification inclined obliquely to palaeocurrents, indicating lateral accretion surfaces. Units 1 and 2 are characterized by south‐eastward migration (locally north‐westward), smaller dune deposits, storm‐induced sedimentary structures and cold‐water molluscs indicating a palaeowater depth of up to 50 m. The other units are represented by east/north‐eastward migration, larger dune deposits, warm‐water molluscs indicating a palaeowater depth of up to 200 m, and a general lack of storm‐induced sedimentary structures. Temporal changes in the migration directions and lithofacies features of the units indicate that sand ridge formation was initially controlled by storm‐induced currents that were subsequently replaced by the northward or north‐eastward intruding palaeo‐Kuroshio Current in response to the expansion of the shelf during an overall transgression. The initiation and development of the sand ridges may have been supported by the supply of clastic sediments eroded from the underlying coastal and valley‐fill deposits.