bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formación profesional de grado medio y abandono temprano de la educación y la formación en España: una aproximación territorial
Authors: Salvà-Mut Francesca , Ruiz-Pérez Maurici , Psifidou Irene , Oliver-Trobat Miquel F.
Published: December 2020

INTRODUCCIÓN. España combina elevadas tasas de abandono temprano de la educación y la formación (ATEF) y baja titulación y participación en la formación profesional. En este artículo se realiza un análisis territorial de la participación y la titulación en Formación Profesional de Grado Medio (FPGM) y su relación con el ATEF. MÉTODO. La metodología utilizada se ha basado en la selección y, en su caso, en la elaboración de indicadores y en el análisis de sus relaciones. Se ha realizado un indicador de titulación y uno sobre participación en FPGM para cada una de las comunidades autónomas que conforman el Estado español. Se ha llevado a cabo un análisis territorial de los mismos, así como del indicador ATEF y un análisis estadístico exploratorio de la correlación entre estos. A continuación se ha efectuado un análisis estadístico clasificatorio de las comunidades autónomas aplicando el método K-medias. RESULTADOS. Las comunidades autónomas se han clasificado de acuerdo con su posición en cada uno de los indicadores. Se ha observado una correlación positiva entre la elevada participación en FPGM y el bajo ATEF en los hombres. Se han identificado cuatro grupos de comunidades en función de los indicadores educativos, que se relacionan con diversos factores de contexto. Se advierten enormes disparidades territoriales, dándose las situaciones más ventajosas en algunos territorios situados al norte y las de mayor desventaja en los insulares y en los del sur. DISCUSIÓN. El análisis realizado abre nuevos interrogantes sobre las razones de las desigualdades territoriales y sobre las posibles estrategias para el desarrollo de la FPGM y su contribución a la disminución del ATEF, evidenciando claramente la necesidad de mejorar el sistema actual de indicadores y de incluir la participación y los resultados educativos en FPGM en el centro de las políticas contra el ATEF.
Aprendizaje cooperativo, autoimagen y percepción del ambiente de aprendizaje en educación secundaria
Authors: Santos Rego Miguel Ángel , Lorenzo Moledo Mar , Godás Otero Agustín , Sotelino Losada Alexandre
Published: December 2020

INTRODUCCIÓN. En este trabajo pretendemos observar los efectos que tiene el aprendizaje cooperativo (AC) sobre una serie de variables que inciden directamente sobre el logro académico del alumnado. Concretamente, vamos a analizar sus efectos sobre la autoimagen de los chicos y chicas como estudiantes y su percepción del centro educativo en el que estudian. MÉTODO. Con este objetivo llevamos a cabo un estudio cuasiexperimental de grupos de control no equivalentes con pretest y postest, implicando a cuatro centros educativos de enseñanza secundaria caracterizados por su diversidad étnico-cultural. RESULTADOS. Realizamos distintos análisis estadísticos intra e intergrupo que apuntan a una mejora general en el rendimiento de los alumnos, si bien no de forma significativa. Esta mejora se explica por el efecto positivo del aprendizaje cooperativo sobre la autoimagen como estudiantes, la percepción del ambiente de aprendizaje en las clases y el sentimiento de protección y cuidado por parte del centro educativo. DISCUSIÓN. La introducción del aprendizaje cooperativo como estrategia de aula ayudará al docente a desarrollar una mayor creatividad y autonomía, ajustando determinados elementos de las técnicas a la realidad de su grupo. Por tanto, estas técnicas de aprendizaje constructivista redundarán no solo en beneficios para el alumnado, sino también para el profesorado, estableciendo diferentes canales comunicativos y simbólicos para la mejora de los procesos didácticos.
Preferencias vocacionales, transición y adaptación a la enseñanza universitaria: un análisis desde la perspectiva del alumnado de bachillerato
Authors: Álvarez-Pérez Pedro Ricardo , López-Aguilar David , Garcés-Delgado Yaritza
Published: December 2020

INTRODUCCIÓN. Factores como el rendimiento académico preuniversitario, el desarrollo de expectativas de resultados favorables, la información académica y el dominio de competencias básicas ayudan a predecir la integración social y académica del alumnado en la enseñanza universitaria. En este artículo se aborda el tema de las transiciones académicas, resaltando la importancia que tiene la orientación para ayudar a los jóvenes a preparar el acceso a los estudios universitarios. Las consecuencias que pueden derivarse de una mala transición vienen a destacar la importancia de la orientación en las etapas previas a la universidad. MÉTODO. En relación con este planteamiento, el objetivo del estudio es analizar la percepción que tiene una muestra de estudiantes de bachillerato respecto a distintos factores claves para afrontar la transición a la educación superior. Siguiendo un enfoque de investigación de corte cuantitativo basado en un estudio empírico-analítico que desarrolla una metodología ex post facto, se trabajó con una muestra representativa de 616 estudiantes de bachillerato de la provincia de Santa Cruz de Tenerife.RESULTADOS. Los resultados ponen de relieve que los estudiantes de bachillerato se perciben competentes para abordar las tareas académicas, muestran expectativas favorables de terminar con éxito sus estudios y destacan el apoyo de sus familiares y amigos a la hora de tomar decisiones. DISCUSIÓN. Los datos obtenidos constituyen un referente interesante para proponer actuaciones orientadoras de carácter preventivo, que sirvan para ayudar a los estudiantes a preparar la transición de la secundaria a la universidad. Para ello se requiere una mejor colaboración entre profesionales y la creación de redes de apoyo destinadas al seguimiento del alumnado a lo largo de su trayectoria académica.
Liver metabolic activities of Pasundan cattle induced by irradiated chitosan
Authors: Andi Mushawwir  , ARIFIN JOHAR , DARWIS DARMAWAN , PUSPITASARI TITA , PENGERTENI DEWI SEKAR , NURYANTHI NUNUNG , PERMAN RONNIE
Published: December 2020

Abstract. Mushawwir A, Arifin J, Darwis D, Puspitasari T, Pengerteni DS, Nuryanthi N, Perman R. 2020. Liver metabolic activities of Pasundan cattle induced by irradiated chitosan. Biodiversitas 21: 5571-5578. A total of one hundred and twenty-five, 2-3 year old male Pasundan cattle were used as livestock samples during the three months of this research. They were selected from the local cattle breeding and development center in Ciamis. The animal samples were randomly allocated to 5 treatment groups. One group served as the control, or without irradiated chitosan, while the others were used as treatment in varying levels. Each treatment group involved five replicates with 25 Pasundan bulls per treatment i.e five Pasundan bulls per replication. Each group was provided with the following rations: C0 = Control group, without IC (0 ppm IC); C1 = 350 ppm Irradiated Chitosan (IC); C2 = 400 ppm IC; C3 = 450 ppm IC; and C4 = 500 ppm IC. Irradiated chitosan was obtained through the following steps: extraction, deacetylation, and irradiation of chitin using gamma rays. Five mL of blood samples were collected from each bull at the beginning of each month of this experiment, which totaled three months. The blood samples were sucked from the tail/coccygeal vein using a sterilized syringe and vacuum tube containing K3EDTA. The plasma was used to determine the concentration of parameters related to liver metabolism through an automatic biochemical analyzer Kenza 240TX model from Biolabo, using a commercial kit. Each procedure was followed based on the Biolabo kit (Franch) and Randox kit (UK). This study showed that IC reduces the activity of glycogenolysis and glycolysis, but is accompanied by improvements in the biochemical conditions of liver cells. This is a favorable condition for the metabolism of Pasundan bulls in order to enhance their growth and reproduction.
Population density, geographical distribution and habitat of Talaud bear cuscus (Ailurops melanotis Thomas, 1898)
Authors: Repi Terri , MASY’UD BURHANUDDIN , MUSTARI ABDUL HARIS , PRASETYO LILIK BUDI
Published: December 2020

Abstract. Repi T, Masy’ud B, Mustari AH, Prasetyo LB. 2020. Population density, geographical distribution and habitat of Talaud bear cuscus (Ailurops melanotis Thomas, 1898). Biodiversitas 21: 5621-5631. The Talaud bear cuscus (Ailurops melanotis) has been reported from Sangihe (the largest island in the Sangihe Island group) and Salibabu (within the Talaud Islands). As an endemic species of Indonesia, this species is rare and there is no certainty regarding its precise geographic distribution or population size. This research aimed to estimate population density and provide the first preliminary data on its geographical distribution, as well as general description of its habitat. Our research shows that A. melanotis occurs on three islands: Salibabu Island, Nusa Island, and Bukide Island, and probably also exists in the Sahandaruman mountain on Sangihe Island. Our population surveys estimate, population density on each island as: Salibabu: 3.69 ± 2.54 ind/km2, with an estimated total population of 28.95 individuals, Nusa Island: was 12.31 ± 2.58 ind/km2, with an estimated population of 19.08 individuals, and Bukide Island: 7.17 ± 1.79/km2, with an estimated population of 10.40 individuals. Information regarding population is a key guiding factor in conservation efforts, where population size is related to extinction risk (threat status) and its geographical distribution, this can help to determine conservation priorities for species or habitats.
Flora of Danau Dusun Besar conservation forest in Bengkulu Province, Indonesia
Authors: WIRYONO WIRYONO , Mersyah Rohidin , Tarantona Mariska
Published: December 2020

Abstract. Wiryono Mersyah R, Tarantona M. 2020. Flora of Danau Dusun Besar conservation forest in Bengkulu Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 5640-5649. Few studies on flora of freshwater swamp forest in Sumatra have been published and accessible online. This study aimed to assess the composition and diversity of plant species and to describe the dominant species in conservation forest of Danau Dusun Besar Nature Reserve and Nature Tourism Park in Bengkulu which consists mostly of freshwater swamp forests and a lake. Data collection was done using a combination of quantitative methods with systematic plots and qualitative methods through observation. The quantitative data were analyzed to determine indexes of diversity, evenness and importance value. This study recorded 23 species of trees with diversity index (H′) and evenness index (E) of 0.29 and 0.09, respectively, and recorded 136 species of shrubs and herbs with H′ and E values of 3.68 and 0.75, respectively. The most dominant species of trees was Alstonia spatulata, of shrubs and herbs Stenochlaena palustris. The small diameter class of trees and the covering of trees with climbers indicated that the large trees had been cut. We recommend further studies with more and better-located plots to get better data on the vegetation composition and structure, including the invasion of alien species Ludwigia peruviana and the effect of climbers on trees.
Non-Apis bee diversity in an experimental pollinator garden in Bengaluru – a Silicon Valley of India
Authors: Shivalingaswamy Timalapur Maharudrappa , Udayakumar Amala , Gupta Ankita , Anjanappa Raghavendra
Published: December 2020

Necessity of pollinators in ecosystem services and their decline has raised concern for their conservation both in farm lands and urban areas. With the aim of conservation of these pollinators, we initiated developing a pollinator garden at Yelahanka Campus of ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources in an area of one acre by planting over 50 diverse plant species. Thirty-nine different species of bees were documented from the flora of the pollinator garden. Out of the thirty-nine species of bees, nineteen species of bees belong to non-apis families viz., Megachilidae and Halictidae. Apart from foraging on the flowers, the solitary bees like Megachile sp. were found nesting in the stems, fallen dried flowers in the pollinator garden. The bees were found year-round foraging upon the flora in the pollinator garden. Pollinator garden is a way to in-situ conserve the native bees to sustain the valuable pollination service in various crop plants provided by them.
Social Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae) from Northeastern Brazil: State of the Art
Authors: Dos Santos Luan Victor Brandão , Monteiro Daniel Pereira , Somavilla Alexandre , Almeida Neto José Rodrigues , Silva Paulo Roberto Ramalho
Published: December 2020

For many years, research about social wasps in the Northeast was neglected due to its climatic and vegetative characteristics, insufficient incentive for training researchers to study these animals and perpetuation of low diversity of these groups in arid environments proposed by Ducke. This study carried out a bibliographic survey of research about social wasps in a 40 years period from January/1979 to December/2019, to determine the overall reality of biodiversity and richness knowledge for social wasps species. One hundred and twenty-four (124) social wasp species have been registered in the Northeast Region, distributed among 20 genera. Epiponini stands out with 84 species, followed by Mischocyttarini (24) and Polistini (16). Sergipe is the only state with no studies and records of species thus far. Such results show the importance of continuing taxonomic studies of these insects to expand their geographic distribution and to determine areas for environmental preservation in the Northeastern biomes, i.e., the Caatinga sensu lato, Cerrado and Amazon rainforest and their transition zones, as they have been insufficiently studied and present high potential for new discoveries. We suggest Alagoas, Ceará, Pernambuco and, especially Sergipe as priority areas since there is a lacking data in these states. Finally, we recommend continuing research on species reports in states like Bahia, using the map created herein to choose future study areas.
Structural Changes in the Male Reproductive Tract of the Stingless Bee Scaptotrigona xanthotricha Moure 1950 (Meliponini, Apidae) During Sexual Maturation
Authors: Araujo Vinícius Albano , Serrão José Eduardo , Antonini Yasmine , Dias Lucimar Gomes , Neto José Lino
Published: December 2020

Stingless bees are social insects widely distributed in the Neotropical region but the loss of habitats and the increased use of pesticides in agriculture have threatened the bee populations. Thus, the knowledge of the biology of these insects, including reproductive biology is important for their conservation and management. This study describes the morphological changes in the male reproductive tract during the sexual maturation in the stingless bee Scaptotrigona xanthotricha (Moure 1950). The reproductive tract was investigated under light microscopy from young pupae to 22 days old adults. The male reproductive organs in S. xanthotricha are a pair of testes, each with four follicles, pair of vasa deferentia with enlarged region forming the seminal vesicle that open in an ejaculatory duct. In the male reproductive system of these bees there is no structure that can be recognized as accessory glands as seen in insects in general. From brown-eyed pupae to newly-emerged adults, the epithelia of the seminal vesicles and post-vesicular vasa deferentia have prismatic cells that release secretion to the organs lumen. In 5-days old adults the testes undergo degeneration, the seminal vesicles filled with secretion and spermatozoa, and the epithelium has cubic cells rich in inclusions in the basal region suggesting that this is the age in which males reach the sexual maturation. Structural modifications in the reproductive tract during sexual maturation are discussed concerning the reproductive biology of Meliponini.
Evaluating Efficiency of Different Sampling Methods for Arboreal Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in A West African Forest-Savanna Mosaic
Authors: Yode Christine-Vincent Dakele , Dosso Kanvaly , Kouakou Lombart M Maurice , Kolo Yeo , Dekoninck Wouter , Konate Souleymane , Kouassi Kouassi Philippe
Published: December 2020

Ants constitute an important part of arboreal arthropod biomass in rainforests. Nevertheless, there are only a few methods which permit a rapid assessment of these insects in the canopy layer. This study aims at evaluating the efficiency of a new variant type of pitfall trap i.e. “the funnel trap”, to sample arboreal ants in a secondary and gallery forest in Lamto reserve (Côte d’Ivoire). This method was compared to standard arboreal pitfall trap and beating. In total, the 3 methods yielded 7072 ant workers belonging to 43 species, 14 genera and 5 subfamilies. Tree beating recorded the highest ant’s numerical abundance (3670 workers), with 27 species, 12 genera and 3 subfamilies followed by the “funnel trap” that yielded 2800 ant workers, with 23 species belonging to 12 genera and 5 subfamilies. Finally, arboreal pitfall traps caught the lowest individual with 602 ant workers from 20 species belonging to 9 genera and 3 subfamilies. The composition of species which are caught by arboreal pitfall trap and “funnel trap” was similar at 53 percent. Tree beating showed a distinct species composition compared to arboreal pitfall trap and “funnel trap”. The “funnel trap” could be a fast and efficient way to quickly assess ant-biodiversity in forest canopies and agroecosystems as it looks like a non-destructive sampling method.
Biodiversity of Insecta in Amazonia: Updating the geographic records of social wasps (Vespidae: Polistinae) in Acre and Rondônia States, Brazil
Authors: Somavilla Alexandre , De Morais Junior Raimundo Nonato , Barroso Paulo Cézar Salgado , Oliveira Marcio Luiz , Rafael José Albertino
Published: December 2020

The Acre and Rondônia states in Brazil are part of Western Amazon rainforest in Brazil, an area harboring high biodiversity and high degree of endemisms Nevertheless, there are few studies on diversity of social wasps occurring in both states. This study presents a list of social wasps (Vespidae: Polistinae) collected using three modified Malaise traps model: Townes, Gressit and Gressit, and suspended traps in two localities in Acre and two in Rondônia state.  A total of 60 species were collected, 20 of these species are new distribution records to Acre state and 54 species, 15 of these species are new distribution records to Rondônia state. Some species are not commonly found in the collections and lists of species, and some are recorded for the first or second time to Brazil or the Amazon region. Now there are 114 species (19 genera) for Acre and 116 species (19 genera) for Rondônia. This increase may be an indication that the Polistinae richness is probably higher in the regions studied and that Acre and Rondônia may well contain a number of additional (as yet unrecorded) social wasp species. He we present an updated about the geographic records of social wasps’ fauna in both states.
SiPM-based gamma detector with a central GRIN lens for a visible/NIRF/gamma multi-modal laparoscope
Authors: Han Young Been , Song Seong Hyun , Kang Han Gyu , Lee Ho-Young , Hong Seong Jong
Published: December 2020

Intraoperative imaging has been studied using conventional devices such as near infrared (NIR) optical probes and gamma probes. However, these devices have limited depth penetration and spatial resolution. In a previous study, we realized a multi-modal endoscopic system. However, charge-coupled device (CCD)-based gamma imaging required long acquisition times and lacked gamma energy information. A silicon photomultiplier (SiPM)-based gamma detector is implemented in a multi-modal laparoscope herein. A gradient index (GRIN) lens and CCD are used to transfer and readout visible and NIR photons. The feasibility of in-vivo sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping was successfully performed with the proposed system.
Cell membrane components of Brucella melitensis play important roles in the resistance of low-level rifampicin
Authors: Yang Xiaowen , Wu Tonglei , Liu Wenxiao , Tian Guozhong , Zhao Hongyan , Piao Dongri , Jiang Hai , Wu Qingmin
Published: December 2020

Brucella spp. are facultative intracellular pathogens that can persistently colonize host cells and cause the zoonosis- brucellosis. The WHO recommended a treatment for brucellosis that involves a combination of doxycycline, rifampicin, or streptomycin. The aim of this study was to screen rifampicin-resistance related genes by transcriptomic analysis and gene recombination method at low rifampicin concentrations and to predict the major rifampicin- resistance pathways in Brucella spp. The results showed that the MIC value of rifampicin for B. melitensis bv.3 Ether was 0.5 μg / mL. Meanwhile, B. melitensis had an adaptive response to the resistance of low rifampicin in the early stages of growth, while the SNPs changed in the rpoB gene in the late stages of growth when incubated at 37°C with shaking. The transcriptome results of rifampicin induction showed that the functions of significant differentially expressed genes were focused on metabolic process, catalytic activity and membrane and membrane part. The VirB operon, β-resistance genes, ABC transporters, quorum-sensing genes, DNA repair- and replication -related genes were associated with rifampicin resistance when no variations of the in rpoB were detected. Among the VirB operons, VirB7-11 may play a central role in rifampicin resistance. This study provided new insights for screening rifampicin resistance-related genes and also provided basic data for the prevention and control of rifampicin-resistant Brucella isolates.
Detection of meat from horse, donkey and their hybrids (mule/hinny) by duplex real-time fluorescent PCR
Authors: Wang Dan , Wang Liping , Xue Chenyu , Han Yuebei , Li Hejing , Geng Jianqiang , Jie Jiang
Published: December 2020

Meat adulteration is currently a common practice worldwide. In China, adulteration of donkey meat products with the similar species (horse and mule/hinny) meat and mislabeling are becoming widespread concerns. In this study, a sensitive and species-specific duplex real-time PCR assay based on the simultaneous amplification of fragments of the creatine kinase muscle gene family, was developed and optimized for the identification of horse, donkey and mule /hinny species in raw and heat-processed meat products. Duplex real-time PCR results showed different fluorescence amplification curves for horse and donkey. Both kinds of fluorescence amplification curves appeared simultaneously for mule/hinny. The limit of detection (LOD) of the method was up to 0.01 ng /μL. The method and strategy developed in this study could be applied to detect the presence of adulterants from horse and mule /hinny meat in raw donkey meat and meat products.
DNA damage induces Yap5-dependent transcription of ECO1/CTF7 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Mfarej Michael G. , Skibbens Robert V.
Published: December 2020

Yeast Eco1 (ESCO2 in humans) acetyltransferase converts chromatin-bound cohesins to a DNA tethering state, thereby establishing sister chromatid cohesion. Eco1 establishes cohesion during DNA replication, after which Eco1 is targeted for degradation by SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase. SCF E3 ligase, and sequential phosphorylations that promote Eco1 ubiquitination and degradation, remain active throughout the M phase. In this way, Eco1 protein levels are high during S phase, but remain low throughout the remaining cell cycle. In response to DNA damage during M phase, however, Eco1 activity increases—providing for a new wave of cohesion establishment (termed Damage-Induced Cohesion, or DIC) which is critical for efficient DNA repair. To date, little evidence exists as to the mechanism through which Eco1 activity increases during M phase in response to DNA damage. Possibilities include that either the kinases or E3 ligase, that target Eco1 for degradation, are inhibited in response to DNA damage. Our results reveal instead that the degradation machinery remains fully active during M phase, despite the presence of DNA damage. In testing alternate models through which Eco1 activity increases in response to DNA damage, the results reveal that DNA damage induces new transcription ofECO1and at a rate that exceeds the rate of Eco1 turnover, providing for rapid accumulation of Eco1 protein. We further show that DNA damage induction ofECO1transcription is in part regulated by Yap5—a stress-induced transcription factor. Given the role for mutatedESCO2(homolog ofECO1) in human birth defects, this study highlights the complex nature through which mutation ofESCO2, and defects inESCO2regulation, may promote developmental abnormalities and contribute to various diseases including cancer.
Categorisation of myopia progression by change in refractive error and axial elongation and their impact on benefit of myopia control using orthokeratology
Authors: Cho Pauline , Cheung Sin Wan , Boost Maureen V.
Published: December 2020

Aims

To compare the value of pre-treatment axial elongation (AE) and changes in refractive sphere (M change) for predicting the success in orthokeratology (ortho-k), in order to better identify suitable candidates for myopia control.

Methods

This study further analysed the data of 66 subjects receiving 7-month ortho-k treatment, following a 7-month observation period, during which single-vision spectacles were worn. Rate of myopia progression was determined by AE and M change and subjects categorised as slow, moderate, or rapid progressors based on these changes. Outcomes of myopia control, based on the AE reduction after ortho-k, were classified as ‘ineffectual’, ‘clinically insignificant’, or ‘beneficial’.

Results

Of the 20 subjects, initially categorised as slow by AE and, of whom 95% were similarly categorised by M change, none benefitted from ortho-k. In contrast, of the 22 subjects with moderate AE, 77% and 23% displaying slow and moderate M change, respectively, the majority (73%) benefitted from ortho-k lens wear. The 24 subjects with rapid AE were poorly identified by M change, with only 21% correctly categorised. The vast majority of rapid progressors showed significant benefit after ortho-k.

Conclusion

Progression of AE is a good indicator of subsequent success of ortho-k treatment. Delaying commencement of therapy is prudent for children with slow progression as results indicate that they would be unlikely to benefit from this intervention. As change in refractive error frequently underestimates rapid progression of AE, its value for identifying appropriate candidates for myopia control is poor.
Excessive premature mortality among children with cerebral palsy in rural Uganda: A longitudinal, population-based study
Authors: Namaganda Lukia H. , Almeida Rita , Kajungu Dan , Wabwire-Mangen Fred , Peterson Stefan , Andrews Carin , Eliasson Ann Christin , Kakooza-Mwesige Angelina , Forssberg Hans
Published: December 2020

Background

Studies from high-income countries reported reduced life expectancy in children with cerebral palsy (CP), while no population-based study has evaluated mortality of children with CP in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to estimate the mortality rate (MR) of children with CP in a rural region of Uganda and identify risk factors and causes of death (CODs).

Methods and findings

This population-based, longitudinal cohort study was based on data from Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance System in eastern Uganda. We identified 97 children (aged 2–17 years) with CP in 2015, whom we followed to 2019. They were compared with an age-matched cohort from the general population (n = 41 319). MRs, MR ratios (MRRs), hazard ratios (HRs), and immediate CODs were determined.

MR was 3952 per 100 000 person years (95% CI 2212–6519) in children with CP and 137 per 100 000 person years (95% CI 117–159) in the general population. Standardized MRR was 25·3 in the CP cohort, compared with the general population. In children with CP, risk of death was higher in those with severe gross motor impairments than in those with milder impairments (HR 6·8; p = 0·007) and in those with severe malnutrition than in those less malnourished (HR = 3·7; p = 0·052). MR was higher in females in the CP cohort, with a higher MRR in females (53·0; 95% CI 26·4–106·3) than in males (16·3; 95% CI 7·2–37·2). Age had no significant effect on MR in the CP cohort, but MRR was higher at 10–18 years (39·6; 95% CI 14·2–110·0) than at 2–6 years (21·0; 95% CI 10·2–43·2). Anaemia, malaria, and other infections were the most common CODs in the CP cohort.

Conclusions

Risk of premature death was excessively high in children with CP in rural sub-Saharan Africa, especially in those with severe motor impairments or malnutrition. While global childhood mortality has significantly decreased during recent decades, this observed excessive mortality is a hidden humanitarian crisis that needs to be addressed.
Assessment of Amide proton transfer weighted (APTw) MRI for pre-surgical prediction of final diagnosis in gliomas
Authors: Durmo Faris , Rydhög Anna , Testud Frederik , Lätt Jimmy , Schmitt Benjamin , Rydelius Anna , Englund Elisabet , Bengzon Johan , van Zijl Peter , Knutsson Linda , Sundgren Pia C.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Radiological assessment of primary brain neoplasms, both high (HGG) and low grade tumors (LGG), based on contrast-enhancement alone can be inaccurate. We evaluated the radiological value of amide proton transfer weighted (APTw) MRI as an imaging complement for pre-surgical radiological diagnosis of brain tumors.

Methods

Twenty-six patients were evaluated prospectively; (22 males, 4 females, mean age 55 years, range 26–76 years) underwent MRI at 3T using T1-MPRAGE pre- and post-contrast administration, conventional T2w, FLAIR, and APTw imaging pre-surgically for suspected primary/secondary brain tumor. Assessment of the additional value of APTw imaging compared to conventional MRI for correct pre-surgical brain tumor diagnosis. The initial radiological pre-operative diagnosis was based on the conventional contrast-enhanced MR images. The range, minimum, maximum, and mean APTw signals were evaluated.

Conventional normality testing was performed; with boxplots/outliers/skewness/kurtosis and a Shapiro–Wilk’s test. Mann-Whitney U for analysis of significance for mean/max/min and range APTw signal. A logistic regression model was constructed for mean, max, range and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves calculated for individual and combined APTw signals

Results

Conventional radiological diagnosis prior to surgery/biopsy was HGG (8 patients), LGG (12 patients), and metastasis (6 patients). Using the mean and maximum: APTw signal would have changed the pre-operative evaluation the diagnosis in 8 of 22 patients (two LGGs excluded, two METs excluded). Using a cut off value of >2.0% for mean APTw signal integral, 4 of the 12 radiologically suspected LGG would have been diagnosed as high grade glioma, which was confirmed by histopathological diagnosis. APTw mean of >2.0% and max >2.48% outperformed four separate clinical radiological assessments of tumor type, P-values = .004 and = .002, respectively.

Conclusions

Using APTw-images as part of the daily clinical pre-operative radiological evaluation may improve diagnostic precision in differentiating LGGs from HGGs, with potential improvement of patient management and treatment.
Phosphoproteomic analysis of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) reveals starch and sucrose metabolism functions during bolting induced by high temperature
Authors: Qin Xiaoxiao , Li Panpan , Lu Shaowei , Sun Yanchuan , Meng Lifeng , Hao Jinghong , Fan Shuangxi
Published: December 2020

High temperatures induce early bolting in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), which decreases both quality and production. However, knowledge of the molecular mechanism underlying high temperature promotes premature bolting is lacking. In this study, we compared lettuce during the bolting period induced by high temperatures (33/25 °C, day/night) to which raised under controlled temperatures (20/13 °C, day/night) using iTRAQ-based phosphoproteomic analysis. A total of 3,814 phosphorylation sites located on 1,766 phosphopeptides from 987 phosphoproteins were identified after high-temperature treatment,among which 217 phosphoproteins significantly changed their expression abundance (116 upregulated and 101 downregulated). Most phosphoproteins for which the abundance was altered were associated with the metabolic process, with the main molecular functions were catalytic activity and transporter activity. Regarding the functional pathway, starch and sucrose metabolism was the mainly enriched signaling pathways. Hence, high temperature influenced phosphoprotein activity, especially that associated with starch and sucrose metabolism. We suspected that the lettuce shorten its growth cycle and reduce vegetative growth owing to changes in the contents of starch and soluble sugar after high temperature stress, which then led to early bolting/flowering. These findings improve our understanding of the regulatory molecular mechanisms involved in lettuce bolting.
Perioperative changes of response to antiplatelet medication in vascular surgery patients
Authors: Hummel Thomas , Meves Saskia Hannah , Breuer-Kaiser Andreas , Düsterwald Jan-Ole , Mühlberger Dominic , Mumme Achim , Neubauer Horst
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Reduced antiplatelet activity of aspirin (ALR) or clopidogrel (CLR) is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events. The reported prevalence data for low-responders vary widely and there have been few investigations in vascular surgery patients even though they are at high risk for thromb-embolic complications. The aim of this prospective observational monocentric study was to elucidate possible changes in ALR or CLR after common vascular procedures.

Methods

Activity of aspirin and clopidogrel was measured by impedance aggregometry using a multiple electrode aggregometer (Multiplate®). Possible risk factors for ALR or CLR were identified by demographical, clinical data and laboratory parameters. In addition, a follow-up aggregometry was performed after completion of the vascular procedure to identify changes in antiplatelet response.

Results

A total of 176 patients taking antiplatelet medications aspirin and/or clopidogrel with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and/or carotid stenosis (CS) were included in the study. The prevalence of ALR was 13.1% and the prevalence of CLR was 32% in the aggregometry before vascular treatment. Potential risk factors identified in the aspirin group were concomitant insulin medication (p = 0.0006) and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.0021). The overall ALR increased significantly postoperatively to 27.5% (p = 0.0006); however, there was no significant change in CLR that was detected. In a subgroup analysis elevation of the platelet count was associated with a post-procedure increase of ALR incidence.

Conclusion

The incidence of ALR in vascular surgery patients increases after vascular procedures. An elevated platelet count was detected as a risk factor. Further studies are necessary to analyse this potential influence on patency rates of vascular reconstructions.
The effect of tree age, daily sap volume and date of sap collection on the content of minerals and heavy metals in silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) tree sap
Authors: Staniszewski Paweł , Bilek Maciej , Szwerc Wojciech , Tomusiak Robert , Osiak Paweł , Kocjan Ryszard , Moskalik Tadeusz
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the age of trees, daily sap volume as well as the term of tapping birch sap collected in the forest environment on the content of selected minerals (zinc, copper and manganese) and heavy metals (lead, nickel, chromium and cadmium). The study was performed on material taken from two stands (aged 34 and 84 years) in a moist broadleaved forest habitat with a dominant share of silver birch (Betula pendulaRoth).

The research results confirmed the presence of both nutritional essential minerals and hazardous heavy metals in the birch sap. At the same time, the content of minerals and heavy metals was found to be very variable and the differences between their concentrations, recorded on the same day of collecting in several trees of the same age group, can be even several dozen times higher. Depending on the examined elements, the factors influencing their content vary. The age of the trees determines only the manganese content; daily sap volume significantly affects the content of manganese and copper, and date of collection differentiates the content of zinc, lead, nickel and cadmium.

The results may be interesting in the context of developing procedures for collecting birch sap for the purpose of obtaining raw material with beneficial nutritional values and a high level of health safety. For this reason, our recommendation for guaranteeing the health safety and high nutritional value of birch sap is to combine batches of raw material taken from as many trees as possible, and at the same time to publicize the fact that collecting birch sap from just one single tree may result in a raw material that is both dangerous and has no nutritional benefits.
Addressing the drug-resistant tuberculosis challenge through implementing a mixed model of care in Uganda
Authors: Kasozi Samuel , Kirirabwa Nicholas Sebuliba , Kimuli Derrick , Luwaga Henry , Kizito Enock , Turyahabwe Stavia , Lukoye Deus , Byaruhanga Raymond , Chen Lisa , Suarez Pedro
Published: December 2020

Worldwide, Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) remains a big problem; the diagnostic capacity has superseded the clinical management capacity thereby causing ethical challenges. In Sub-Saharan Africa, treatment is either inadequate or lacking and some diagnosed patients are on treatment waiting lists. In Uganda, various health system challenges impeded scale-up of DR-TB care in 2012; only three treatment initiation facilities existed, with only 41 of the estimated 1010 RR-TB/MDR-TB cases enrolled on treatment yet 300 were on the waiting list and there was no DR-TB treatment scale-up plan. To scale up care, the National TB and leprosy Program (NTLP) with partners rolled out a DR-TB mixed model of care. In this paper, we share achievements and outcomes resulting from the implementation of this mixed Model of DR-TB care. Routine NTLP DR-TB program data on treatment initiation site, number of patients enrolled, their demographic characteristics, patient category, disease classification (based on disease site and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status), on co-trimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) statuses, culture results, smear results and treatment outcomes (6, 12, and 24 months) from 2012 to 2017 RR-TB/MDR-TB cohorts were collected from all the 15 DR-TB treatment initiation sites and descriptive analysis was done using STATA version 14.2. We presented outcomes as the number of patient backlog cleared, DR-TB initiation sites, RR-TB/DR-TB cumulative patients enrolled, percentage of co-infected patients on the six, twelve interim and 24 months treatment outcomes as per the Uganda NTLP 2016 Programmatic Management of drug-resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT) guidelines (NTLP, 2016). Over the period 2013–2015, the RR-TB/MDR-TB Treatment success rate (TSR) was sustained between 70.1% and 74.1%, a performance that is well above the global TSR average rate of 50%. Additionally, the cure rate increased from 48.8% to 66.8% (P = 0.03). The Uganda DR-TB mixed model of care coupled with early application of continuous improvement approaches, enhanced cohort reviews and use of multi-disciplinary teams allowed for rapid DR-TB program expansion, rapid clearance of patient backlog, attainment of high cumulative enrollment and high treatment success rates. Sustainability of these achievements is needed to further reduce the DR-TB burden in the country. We highly recommend this mixed model of care in settings with similar challenges.
Resting-state functional connectivity and quantitation of glutamate and GABA of the PCC/precuneus by magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 7T in healthy individuals
Authors: Gonen Ofer M. , Moffat Bradford A. , Kwan Patrick , O’Brien Terence J. , Desmond Patricia M. , Lui Elaine
Published: December 2020

The default mode network (DMN) is the main large-scale network of the resting brain and the PCC/precuneus is a major hub of this network. Glutamate and GABA (γ-amino butyric acid) are the main excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the CNS, respectively. We studied glutamate and GABA concentrations in the PCC/precuneus via magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at 7T in relation to age and correlated them with functional connectivity between this region and other DMN nodes in ten healthy right-handed volunteers ranging in age between 23–68 years. Mean functional connectivity of the PCC/precuneus to the other DMN nodes and the glutamate/GABA ratio significantly correlated with age (r = 0.802, p = 0.005 and r = 0.793, p = 0.006, respectively) but not with each other. Glutamate and GABA alone did not significantly correlate with age nor with functional connectivity within the DMN. The glutamate/GABA ratio and functional connectivity of the PCC/precuneus are, therefore, independent age-related biomarkers of the DMN and may be combined in a multimodal pipeline to study DMN alterations in various disease states.
Genome-wide identification and analysis of highly specific CRISPR/Cas9 editing sites in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
Authors: Li Guanliang , Zhou Ziyan , Liang Lingrui , Song Zhao , Hu Yafei , Cui Junjie , Chen Weili , Hu Kailin , Cheng Jiaowen
Published: December 2020

The CRISPR/Cas9 system is an efficient genome editing tool that possesses the outstanding advantages of simplicity and high efficiency. Genome-wide identification and specificity analysis of editing sites is an effective approach for mitigating the risk of off-target effects of CRISPR/Cas9 and has been applied in several plant species but has not yet been reported in pepper. In present study, we first identified genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 editing sites based on the ‘Zunla-1’ reference genome and then evaluated the specificity of CRISPR/Cas9 editing sites through whole-genome alignment. Results showed that a total of 603,202,314 CRISPR/Cas9 editing sites, including 229,909,837 (~38.11%) NGG-PAM sites and 373,292,477 (~61.89%) NAG-PAM sites, were detectable in the pepper genome, and the systematic characterization of their composition and distribution was performed. Furthermore, 29,623,855 highly specific NGG-PAM sites were identified through whole-genome alignment analysis. There were 26,699,38 (~90.13%) highly specific NGG-PAM sites located in intergenic regions, which was 9.13 times of the number in genic regions, but the average density in genic regions was higher than that in intergenic regions. More importantly, 34,251 (~96.93%) out of 35,336 annotated genes exhibited at least one highly specific NGG-PAM site in their exons, and 90.50% of the annotated genes exhibited at least 4 highly specific NGG- PAM sites, indicating that the set of highly specific CRISPR/Cas9 editing sites identified in this study was widely applicable and conducive to the minimization of the off-target effects of CRISPR/Cas9 in pepper.
Real-world efficacy of biological agents in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: An analysis of 75 patients in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Yu-Chen , Huang Yi-Ting , Yang Chao-Chun , Lai Edward Chia-Cheng , Liu Cheng-Han , Hsu Chao-Kai , Wong Tak-Wah , Chao Sheau-Chiou , Sheu Hamm-Ming , Lee Chaw-Ning
Published: December 2020

Background

Real-world clinical data on psoriasis patients receiving different biological agents is needed, especially in Asian populations.

Objectives

Our aim is to compare and analyze the efficacy and safety profile of four biological agents (etanercept, adalimumab, ustekinumab and secukinumab) in a real-world setting in Taiwan.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of all patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ≥ 10) who received etanercept, adalimumab, ustekinumab or secukinumab between January 2011 and December 2018 in a tertiary hospital in Taiwan.

Results

A total of 119 treatment episodes in 75 patients were included in this study. Ustekinumab was used in 49 treatment episodes, followed by secukinumab in 46 treatment episodes, adalimumab in 14 treatment episodes and etanercept in 10 treatment episodes. The proportion of the biologic-naïve was highest in etanercept (100%) and lowest in secukinumab (23.9%). The PASI-75, -90 and -100 were the highest in secukinumab (91.3%, 82.6%, 41.3%, respectively), followed by ustekinumab (79.6%, 44.9%, 16.3%), adalimumab (64.3%, 28.6%, 7.1%) and etanercept (50.0%, 30.0%, 0%). The rate of adverse events that required treatment was highest for secukinumab (15.2%), followed by adalimumab (14.3%), ustekinumab (8.2%), and etanercept (0%), including 4 cases of infections, 2 cases of cardiovascular diseases and 4 cases of cancers.

Conclusions

This real world data showed differential efficacy and safety of the four biological agents.
Recognition of vocoded words and sentences in quiet and multi-talker babble with children and adults
Authors: Goupell Matthew J. , Draves Garrison T. , Litovsky Ruth Y.
Published: December 2020

A vocoder is used to simulate cochlear-implant sound processing in normal-hearing listeners. Typically, there is rapid improvement in vocoded speech recognition, but it is unclear if the improvement rate differs across age groups and speech materials. Children (8–10 years) and young adults (18–26 years) were trained and tested over 2 days (4 hours) on recognition of eight-channel noise-vocoded words and sentences, in quiet and in the presence of multi-talker babble at signal-to-noise ratios of 0, +5, and +10 dB. Children achieved poorer performance than adults in all conditions, for both word and sentence recognition. With training, vocoded speech recognition improvement rates were not significantly different between children and adults, suggesting that improvement in learning how to process speech cues degraded via vocoding is absent of developmental differences across these age groups and types of speech materials. Furthermore, this result confirms that the acutely measured age difference in vocoded speech recognition persists after extended training.
Comparison of subclinical dermatophyte infection in short- and long-haired cats
Authors: Sattasathuchana Panpicha , Bumrungpun Chunyaput , Thengchaisri Naris
Published: December 2020

Background and Aim: Long-haired cats may have an increased risk of dermatophytosis due to insufficient grooming and their thick hair coat trapping fungal spores. The prevalence of subclinical dermatophytosis in long-haired cats was evaluated using fungal culture and Wood's lamp test. Hematology and blood chemistry results were compared between cats negative and positive for dermatophytosis.

Materials and Methods: A total of 127 cats (median age, 3 years [range, 10 months-10 years]) without feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus infection were classified into short-haired (n=64) and long-haired (n=63) groups. Hair samples were cultured on a fungal culture medium (dermatophyte test medium, enhanced sporulation agar, and Sabouraud agar).

Results: The prevalence of dermatophytosis in short-haired and long-haired cats was 6.25% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.15-12.28) and 34.92% (95% CI, 22.94-46.90), respectively. The odds of long-haired cats having dermatophytosis were 8.05 (95% CI, 2.44-33.97) times greater than that in short-haired cats. The number of positive dermatophytosis found in domestic short-haired cats (2/50, 4.0%) was significantly lower than that in Persian cats (17/47, 36.17%; p<0.001) and long-haired mixed breed cats (3/7, 42.86%; p=0.011). The overall sensitivity and specificity of the Wood's lamp test for diagnosing Microsporum canis infection were 37.5% (95% CI, 21.2-57.3%) and 96.1% (95% CI, 90.4-98.5%), respectively. Cats with dermatophytosis had significantly lower hematocrit and serum albumin levels than cats without dermatophytosis.

Conclusion: Subclinical dermatophytosis was more common in long-haired cats; therefore, dermatophyte examinations should be performed routinely.