bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Cognitive Outcomes in Children With HIV in Zambia: 2-Year Outcomes From the HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders in Zambia (HANDZ) Study
Authors: Patil Gauri , Mbewe Esau G. , Kabundula Pelekelo P. , Smith Hannah , Mwanza-Kabaghe Sylvia , Buda Alexandra , Adams Heather R. , Potchen Michael J. , Mweemba Milimo , Johnson Brent A. , Schifitto Giovanni , Gelbard Handy , Birbeck Gretchen L. , Bearden David R.
Published: June 2022

Objective:

To describe longitudinal outcomes and predictors of cognitive outcomes in children with HIV in Zambia.

Background:

Multiple studies have shown that children with HIV are at risk for impaired cognition. However, there are limited data on longitudinal cognitive outcomes in children with HIV.

Methods:

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 208 perinatally infected children with HIV ages 8–17 years, all treated with antiretroviral therapy, and 208 HIV-exposed uninfected controls. Participants were followed for 2 years. Cognition was assessed with a custom NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery, and tests were combined to generate a Summary Cognition Score (SCS). The contribution of potential risk factors to outcomes was explored using regression models and group-based trajectory modeling.

Results:

HIV was strongly associated with lower SCS at baseline [β-14, 95% confidence interval (CI): −20 to −7, P < 0.001]. Change scores over time were similar between groups, but poorer average performance in children with HIV persisted at the 2-year follow-up visit (adjusted β = −11, 95% CI: −22 to −0.3, P = 0.04). Other than HIV, the strongest predictors of baseline SCS included socioeconomic status index (β =3, 95% CI: 1, 5, P = 0.004), history of growth stunting (β=−14, 95% CI: −23 to −6, P = 0.001), history of CD4 count below 200 (β = −19, 95% CI: −35 to −2, P = 0.02), and history of World Health Organization stage 4 disease (β = −10, 95% CI: −19 to −0.2, P = 0.04). In the group-based trajectory model, HIV+ status predicted membership in the lowest performing trajectory group (odds ratio 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2 to 5.1, P = 0.01).

Conclusions:

Children with HIV are at risk of poor cognitive outcomes, despite chronic treatment with antiretroviral therapy.
Long-term Clinical Outcomes and Predictive Factors for Living-donor Liver Transplant Recipients With Biliary Strictures
Authors: Han Ji Won , Choi Jong Young , Lee Soon Kyu , Sung Pil Soo , Jang Jeong Won , Yoon Seung Kew , Choi Young Hoon , Lee In Seok , Oh Jung Suk , Chun Ho Jong , Choi Ho Joong , You Young Kyoung
Published: June 2022

Background.

Biliary strictures frequently occur in living-donor liver transplant (LDLT) recipients. However, long-term clinical outcomes and their associated factors are unclear.

Methods.

We analyzed an historical cohort of 228 recipients who underwent LDLT with post-liver transplantation biliary strictures. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage were performed to treat biliary strictures. Patients that experienced persistent jaundice over 3 mo after the initial treatment were defined as a remission-failure group.

Results.

Median observation period was 8.5 y after the diagnosis of biliary stricture. The 15-y graft survival (GS) rate was 70.6%, and 15-y rate of developing portal hypertension (PH) was 26.1%. Remission failure occurred in 25.0% of study participants. In the multivariate analysis, biopsy-proven acute rejection, and portal vein/hepatic artery abnormalities were risk factors for remission failure. Development of PH, retransplantation, and death were significantly more frequent in the remission-failure group. Remission failure and PH were associated with poor GS. In multivariate analyses, hepatic artery abnormality and biloma were common significant factors that were associated with a poor GS and development of PH.

Conclusions.

The insufficient blood supply reflected by hepatic artery abnormality and biloma might be the most important factor that can predict poor long-term survival in LDLT patients with biliary strictures. Future large-scale prospective studies are needed to validate our observations.
Neuronal subset-specific phosphatase and tensin homolog knockout mice exhibit age and brain region-associated alterations in microglia/macrophage activation
Authors: Narvaiz David A. , Sullens D. Gregory , Santana-Coelho Danielle , Lugo Joaquin N.
Published: June 2022

Seizures induce brain region-dependent enhancements in microglia/macrophage activation. Neuronal subset–specific phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) knockout (KO) mice display hyperactive mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and cortex followed by seizures that increase in severity with age. To determine if KO mice also exhibit alterations in the spatiotemporal activation pattern of microglia, we used flow cytometry to compare the percentage of major histocompatibility complex-II activated microglia/macrophages between KO and wildtype (WT) mice at 5, 10, and 15 weeks of age. At 5 weeks, microglia/macrophage activation was greater in the cortex, P < 0.001, cerebellum, P < 0.001, and hippocampus, P < 0.001, of KO compared to WT mice. At 10 weeks, activation was greatest in the cortex of KO mice, P < 0.001, in the cerebellum of WT mice, P < 0.001, but similar in the hippocampus, P > 0.05. By 15 weeks, activation in the hippocampus was more than 25 times greater in KO mice compared to WT mice, P < 0.001. We show that hyperactive mTOR signaling is associated with an altered spatiotemporal pattern of microglia/macrophage activation in the brain and induces an enhanced neuroimmune response in the hippocampus.
Repertoire-Scale Measures of Antigen Binding
Authors: Arora Rohit , Arnaout Ramy
Published: June 2022

Antibodies and T-cell receptors (TCRs) are the fundamental building blocks of adaptive immunity. Repertoire-scale functionality derives from their epitope-binding properties, just as macroscopic properties like temperature derive from microscopic molecular properties. However, most approaches to repertoire-scale measurement, including sequence diversity and entropy, are not based on antibody or TCR function in this way. Thus, they potentially overlook key features of immunological function. Here we present a framework that describes repertoires in terms of the epitope-binding properties of their constituent antibodies and TCRs, based on analysis of thousands of antibody-antigen and TCR-peptide-major-histocompatibility-complex binding interactions and over 400 high-throughput repertoires. We show that repertoires consist of loose overlapping classes of antibodies and TCRs with similar binding properties. We demonstrate the potential of this framework to distinguish specific responses vs. bystander activation in influenza vaccinees, stratify CMV-infected cohorts, and identify potential immunological “super-agers.” Classes add a new dimension to assessment of immune function.
Integrated analysis of intestinal microbiota and metabolomic reveals that decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1) infection induces secondary bacterial infection and metabolic reprogramming in Marsupenaeus japonicus
Authors: He Zihao , Zhong Yunqi , Liao Minze , Dai Linxin , Wang Yue , Zhang Shuang , Sun Chengbo
Published: June 2022

In recent years, with global warming and increasing marine pollution, some novel marine viruses have become widespread in the aquaculture industry, causing huge losses to the aquaculture industry. Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1) is one of the newly discovered marine viruses that has been reported to be detected in a variety of farmed crustacean and wild populations. Previous studies have found that DIV1 can induce the Warburg effect. To further explore the effect of DIV1-induced metabolic reprogramming on Marsupenaeus japonicus intestinal metabolome and microbiota and the consequence on immune response, histological analysis, enzyme activity analysis and the integrated analysis of intestinal microbiome and metabolomics were performed in this study. The results showed that obvious injury in the intestinal mucosa was observed after DIV1 infection. The oxidative and antioxidant capacity of the shrimp intestine was unbalanced, the activity of lysozyme was decreased, and the activities of digestive enzymes were disordered, causing secondary bacterial infection. In addition, the increased abundance of harmful bacteria, such as Photobacterium and Vibrio, synergized with DIV1 to promote the Warburg effect and induce metabolic reprogramming, thereby providing material and energy for DIV1 replication. This study is the first to report the changes of intestinal microbiota and metabolites of M. japonicus under DIV1 infection, demonstrating that DIV1 can induce secondary bacterial infection and metabolic reprogramming, and several highly related bacteria and metabolites were screened as biomarkers. These biomarkers can be leveraged for diagnosis of pathogenic infections or incorporated as exogenous metabolites to enhance immune response.
Neutrophils reprograms the bone marrow to impair T-cell immunity during tuberculosis
Authors: Saqib Mohd. , McDonough Elizabeth , Das Shreya , Cheng Zhongshan , Sankar Poornima , Li Fuxiang , Yang Qianting , Xu Yuzhong , Wang Weifei , Chen Xinchun , Ojha Anil K , Ginty Fiona , Cai Yi , Mishra Bibhuti B
Published: June 2022

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection induces persistent influx of neutrophils that associates with poor bacterial control and clinical outcome from tuberculosis (TB). Although implicated in TB pathology, the mechanism by which these cells contribute to pathogenesis is poorly understood. Using Cell-DIVE multiplexed immunofluorescence imaging and spatial analysis of inflammatory TB lesions, we demonstrated that persistent neutrophil infiltration affects the spatiotemporal organization of T-lymphocytes and impairs their function. Instead of directly suppressing T-cells, neutrophils produce granulocyte colony stimulating factor (CSF3/G-CSF) that collaborates with type I interferon (IFN-I) to promote a granulocyte-skewed hematopoiesis impacting T-lymphocyte production. Importantly, neutrophil-intrinsic IFN-I receptor 1 (IFNAR1) is both necessary and sufficient to promote pathologic granulopoiesis. Finally, inhibition of IFNAR1-signaling alone mitigates immunopathogenesis by restoring hematopoietic equilibrium. Collectively, our work uncovers a potential immunevasion strategy by which virulent Mtb strains induce IFN-I to generate pathogen-permissive neutrophils that produce G-CSF and sustain pathogenic hematopoiesis to impair T-cell immunity during TB.
The association between mental status, personality traits, and discrepancy in social isolation and perceived loneliness among community dwellers
Authors: Watanabe-Miura Kumi , Sekiguchi Takuya , Otake-Matsuura Mihoko
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To examine the factors associated with social asymmetry, which refers to the discrepancy between actual social isolation and perceived loneliness, focusing on an individual’s mental status and personality traits.

Methods

This study introduced a cross-sectional study design that was utilizing the data from the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study (HRS) from waves during 2014 and 2016. The participants were community dwellers aged 50 years and older. The outcome measurement, social asymmetry, was defined as the discrepancy between social isolation according to six criteria and loneliness as assessed by the three-item version of the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Multinomial logistic regression models were conducted to examine the factors associated with social asymmetry.

Results

Fewer depressive symptoms and higher extraversion were consistently associated with social asymmetry, compared with both isolation and loneliness. Participants with higher neuroticism were likely to be lonely even in the absence of isolation, whereas those with lower neuroticism were likely to not be lonely even with social isolation. In addition, participants with fewer depressive symptoms, lower neuroticism, and higher extraversion were more likely to be not lonely even with social isolation, compared with lonely even in the absence of isolation.

Conclusions

Mental status and personality traits may closely relate to social asymmetry. This study suggests that incorporating social, mental, and psychological factors may be essential for interventions in social isolation and loneliness.

Highlights

Social asymmetry is a phenomenon reflecting the discrepancy between actual social isolation and perceived loneliness. This gap between situation and emotion may be associated with health risks. However, little information is available on social asymmetry, and its related factors remain poorly understood. Thus, we examined the factors associated with social asymmetry using data from the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study (HRS). We hypothesized that both mental status and personality traits play a role in social asymmetry due to their effect on individuals’ perceptions.

As a result, depressive symptoms, neuroticism, and extraversion, as well as demographic and socioeconomic status were consistently associated with both social asymmetry outcomes: 1) only social isolation (without loneliness) and 2) only loneliness (without social isolation). This result implies that mental and psychological factors were associated with social asymmetry in a complex manner and that incorporating social, mental, and psychotherapeutic aspects in social interventions may be essential for future intervention strategies for social isolation and loneliness.
Upstream open reading frames control PLK4 translation and centriole duplication in primordial germ cells
Authors: Phan Thao P. , Boatwright Christina A. , Drown Chelsea G. , Skinner Marnie W. , Strong Margaret A. , Jordan Philip W. , Holland Andrew J.
Published: June 2022

Centrosomes are microtubule-organizing centers comprised of a pair of centrioles and the surrounding pericentriolar material. Abnormalities in centriole number are associated with cell division errors and can contribute to diseases such as cancer. Centriole duplication is limited to once per cell cycle and is controlled by the dosage-sensitive Polo-like kinase 4 (PLK4). Here, we show that PLK4 abundance is translationally controlled through conserved upstream open reading frames (uORFs) in the 5′ UTR of the mRNA. Plk4 uORFs suppress Plk4 translation and prevent excess protein synthesis. Mice with homozygous knockout of Plk4 uORFs (Plk4Δu/Δu) are viable but display dramatically reduced fertility because of a significant depletion of primordial germ cells (PGCs). The remaining PGCs in Plk4Δu/Δu mice contain extra centrioles and display evidence of increased mitotic errors. PGCs undergo hypertranscription and have substantially more Plk4 mRNA than somatic cells. Reducing Plk4 mRNA levels in mice lacking Plk4 uORFs restored PGC numbers and fully rescued fertility. Together, our data uncover a specific requirement for uORF-dependent control of PLK4 translation in counterbalancing the increased Plk4 transcription in PGCs. Thus, uORF-mediated translational suppression of PLK4 has a critical role in preventing centriole amplification and preserving the genomic integrity of future gametes.
An investigation of key precursors of megaproject crises
Authors: Wang Aimin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Detecting precursory signals is critical to increasing the resilience of megaprojects to crises. This study aims to investigate key crisis precursors to better apprehend traces of megaproject crises and proactively respond to approaching crises, thereby increasing project resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the theory of weak signals, 25 potential precursors of megaproject crises are extracted. Using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), four models were tested to identify key crisis precursors based on a questionnaire survey of 168 megaproject participants in China. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to examine the differences in participants’ perceptions of key crisis precursors.

Findings

Four key crisis precursors were identified: Imbalance of Benefits and Costs, Irresponsible and Unqualified Key Participants, Regulatory Mechanisms Lacking Transparency and Flexibility, and Information Uncertainty and Asymmetry. Compared with senior executives, team members think that key crisis precursors related to regulatory mechanisms and key participants are more likely to trigger crises, which affects responsive actions toward detected crisis precursors. The findings help identify problems at an early stage and enable timely intervention to mitigate crises.

Research limitations/implications

Detection of key crisis precursors allows for proactive and targeted actions to mitigate crises. Megaproject development is affected by institutional mechanisms. The influence of institutions on the effectiveness of crisis management needs further investigation.

Originality/value

Limited attention has been paid to recognizing precursors of megaproject crises. This study identifies four key crisis precursors by uncovering the interrelationships among potential precursors, which enables rapid adaptation to future crises.
Analysing the sustainability competencies of preservice teachers in Spain
Authors: Baena-Morales Salvador , García-Taibo Olalla , Merma-Molina Gladys , Ferriz-Valero Alberto
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Physical education has been described as an essential material to contribute to sustainable development. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the proficiency of higher education students in the three dimensions of sustainable development. This paper aims to analyse both the competences associated with the sustainability of preservice physical education teachers and the curriculum's influence on them.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 341 students (112 women) completed the validated Physical Education for Sustainable Development – Future Teacher PESD-FT questionnaire. This instrument assesses sustainable competences in its three dimensions (social, economic and environmental). In order to determine the influence of the curriculum on sustainability competences, the academic year studied was used as a variable. Variables such as gender, age and competitive experience in institutionalised sport were also considered in the statistical analysis.

Findings

The results showed that the total set of students scored above average in their self-perception of competences associated with sustainable development in all three dimensions. The Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis statistics showed no differences attributed to gender and grade, respectively.

Originality/value

This could help to rule out the influence of the curriculum as the main factor in the acquisition of these sustainable competences. However, greater competitive experience in institutionalised sports was associated with greater proficiency in social competence within sustainable development.
The impact of digital trust on firm value and governance: an empirical investigation of US firms
Authors: Kluiters Leon , Srivastava Mohit , Tyll Ladislav
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of firm- and governance-specific characteristics on digital trust (DT) and firm value. Firm-specific factors include return on assets (ROA), market-to-book ratio (M/B ratio), size and leverage, whilst governance-related factors comprise board size, percentage of female board members, board independence and institutional ownership. All listed US firms over the period of 2011–2016 were analysed in this study.

Design/methodology/approach

This study provides a novel method to empirically measure DT by combining multiple variables to create a combined DT score. The variables include security and privacy scores, security rankings and data breaches, amongst others. Subsequently, a linear regression was performed to evaluate the effect of firm- and governance-specific characteristics on DT, as well as the effect of DT on firm value.

Findings

By using signalling theory, this study finds significant evidence that a firm’s profitability (ROA) decreases whilst its size increases DT. This could be due to the fact that firms with lower DT monetise data more actively, decrease DT and increase short-term profitability. Significant evidence also shows that increasing DT leads to an increase in firm value.

Originality/value

Although numerous studies have been conducted on developing customers’ trust by incorporating corporate social responsibility to improve firm value, the literature remains still on its digital analogue. Therefore, this study extends the knowledge of corporate digital responsibility (CDR) by providing a novel method for calculating DT across industries as an antecedent of CDR. Specifically, it sheds light on how firms can enhance DT by utilising firm- and governance-level factors. This enhanced DT can subsequently increase firm value. The study provides important managerial implications by providing empirical evidence that cybersecurity investments increase firm value. This value increase is related to the rise in shareholder value amongst investors and the increase in the organisation’s consumer perceptions as the latter’s interests are better managed.
Epidemiological and hematological investigation of dengue virus infection
Authors: Anwar Faheem , Ullah Sami , Aziz Aziz ur Rehman , Rehman Abid Ur , Khan Jawad , Tayyab Muhammad , Haq Ihteshamul , Mahmood Muhammad Tariq
Published: June 2022

Dengue is a mosquito‐borne viral illness that infects humans. For the past few decades, it has been declared a global public health problem. The current study, conducted at the district headquarter hospital (DHQ) Bannu between June to September 2018, was based on the seroprevalence of antibodies against dengue virus serotypes and their hematological parameters among the patients. A total of 1738 individuals suspected of having dengue were diagnosed through NS1, IgG, and IgM antibodies and RT‐PCR techniques. Of all the samples, 716 (41.19%) were found to be positive for dengue. A higher infection rate was found in males (65.92%) compared with females (34.07%). The most affected age group was 16–40 years, whereas the most affected tehsil was Bannu, where the DENV‐3 serotype was prevalent. The rare serotype (DENV‐4) was found in 1% of cases. Symptoms including fever (100%), myalgia (100%), headache (61.31%), vomiting (34.63%), and rashes were common among the dengue patients. However, the mild cases showed fewer clinical signs compared with the severely infected cases. The study also revealed a significant association (P < 0.05) between hematological parameters and dengue infection, showing a significant decrease in TC, eosinophils, neutrophils, and platelets and a significant increase in monocytes and lymphocytes. Based on the current report, it is concluded that patients with the above symptoms and hematological changes may have an increased probability of dengue and should be kept under observation to separate dengue‐positive patients and to enhance the treatment process.
Genetic characterization of the cyclohexane carboxylate degradation pathway in the denitrifying bacterium Aromatoleum sp. CIB
Authors: Sanz David , Díaz Eduardo
Published: June 2022

The alicyclic compound cyclohexane carboxylate (CHC) is anaerobically degraded through a peripheral pathway that converges with the central benzoyl‐CoA degradation pathway of aromatic compounds in Rhodopseudomonas palustris (bad pathway) and some strictly anaerobic bacteria. Here we show that in denitrifying bacteria, e.g. Aromatoleum sp. CIB strain, CHC is degraded through a bad‐ali pathway similar to that reported in R. palustris but that does not share common intermediates with the benzoyl‐CoA degradation pathway (bzd pathway) of this bacterium. The bad‐ali genes are also involved in the aerobic degradation of CHC in strain CIB, and orthologous bad‐ali clusters have been identified in the genomes of a wide variety of bacteria. Expression of bad‐ali genes in strain CIB is under control of the BadR transcriptional repressor, which was shown to recognize CHC‐CoA, the first intermediate of the pathway, as effector, and whose operator region (CAAN4TTG) was conserved in bad‐ali clusters from Gram‐negative bacteria. The bad‐ali and bzd pathways generate pimelyl‐CoA and 3‐hydroxypimelyl‐CoA, respectively, that are metabolized through a common aab pathway whose genetic determinants form a supraoperonic clustering with the bad‐ali genes. A synthetic bad‐ali‐aab catabolic module was engineered and it was shown to confer CHC degradation abilities to different bacterial hosts.
Colorado Basin Incentive‐Based Urban Water Policies: Review and Evaluation
Authors: Colby Bonnie G. , Hansen Hannah
Published: June 2022

Major cities located in the Colorado River Basin (CRB) rely on incentive‐based policies to address water use and supply reliability challenges, through programs provided by cities themselves, by state and federal agencies, and by NGOs. This review examines water use trends across cities, the phenomena of declining per capita use, and finds that most large cities have adopted municipal rate structures designed to incentivize lower use. A number of urban areas provide incentives to use gray water and effluent for outdoor use and to harvest rainwater. Incentive‐based programs to protect watershed health have become a water supply strategy implemented through programs and partnerships across the CRB. The paper concludes by reviewing the ways that incentive‐based urban water policies are being evaluated, and by providing guidelines for designing and evaluating programs to reduce urban use and protect watersheds that provide urban supplies.
Erlotinib with or without bevacizumab as a first‐line therapy for patients with advanced nonsquamous epidermal growth factor receptor‐positive non‐small cell lung cancer: Exploratory subgroup analyses from the phase II JO25567 study
Authors: Hosomi Yukio , Seto Takashi , Nishio Makoto , Goto Koichi , Yamamoto Noboru , Okamoto Isamu , Tajima Kosei , Kajihara Yusuke , Yamamoto Nobuyuki
Published: June 2022

Background

In the phase II JO25567 study (JapicCTI‐111390), erlotinib plus bevacizumab demonstrated a significant clinical benefit in Japanese patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation‐positive (EGFR+) non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we present an exploratory analysis investigating the impact of baseline pleural/pericardial effusion (PPE) on patient outcomes.

Methods

Patients with stage IIIB/IV or postoperative recurrent EGFR+ NSCLC were randomized 1:1 to receive erlotinib (150 mg/day) plus bevacizumab (15 mg/kg every 3 weeks) or erlotinib monotherapy. Progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and safety were evaluated according to the presence or absence of baseline PPE.

Results

The population comprised 152 patients, 66 with baseline PPE and 86 without. Median PFS was longer with erlotinib plus bevacizumab than with erlotinib alone, with (hazard ratio [HR] 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25–0.82) or without (HR 0.62; 95% CI: 0.37–1.04) baseline PPE. Median OS was also prolonged with erlotinib plus bevacizumab relative to erlotinib regardless of the presence (HR 0.82; 95% CI: 0.46–1.47) or absence (HR 0.84; 95% CI: 0.46–1.55) of baseline PPE. ORR was higher with erlotinib plus bevacizumab (70.0%) than with erlotinib (55.6%) in patients with baseline PPE, but similar (68.9% vs. 70.7%) in patients without. Most common grade ≥3 adverse events were hypertension and rash in the erlotinib plus bevacizumab arm, and rash in the erlotinib arm, regardless of baseline PPE status.

Conclusions

Erlotinib plus bevacizumab may be a beneficial treatment strategy in patients with EGFR+ NSCLC, especially for those with baseline PPE.
Shaping ability of different NiTi rotary systems during the preparation of printed mandibular molars
Authors: Falakaloğlu Seda , Silva Emmanuel João Nogueira Leal , Yeniçeri Özata Merve , Gündoğar Mustafa
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the shaping ability of XP‐endo Shaper, TruNatomy and EdgeFile X3 during the preparation of resin‐printed mandibular molar mesial root canals. Thirty‐three resin‐based mandibular mesial roots with two canals, obtained from extracted tooth cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) image and printed on a three‐dimensional (3D) printer, were divided into three experimental groups according to the different nickel–titanium (NiTi) systems used for root canal preparation. The specimens were scanned using CBCT imaging before and after root canal preparation. Then images were registered using a dedicated software and changes in the canal area, volume, untouched canal surface and the maximum and minimum dentine wall wear were calculated. The XP‐endo Shaper instruments showed improved shaping ability with lower untouched root canal surface and better preservation of root canal anatomy during the preparation of resin‐printed mandibular mesial root canals compared with TruNatomy and EdgeFile X3 systems.
Butterflies' biodiversity of Souk Ahras Forest (Mechroha and Ouled Driss North east of Algeria)
Authors: Saouli Hamza , Boucif Abdelhak , Djabourabi Ryma , Soualah Alila Hana
Published: June 2022

This study investigated for the first time species richness, abundance of butterflies and disturbed habitats in Souk Ahras Forest. The assessment of butterflies' diversity and relative abundance was conducted from July 2019 to July 2021. We recorded 60,696 individuals of 49 butterfly species belonging to six families (Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Hesperiidae and Sphingidae). Nymphalidae was dominant by 19 species, followed by Lycaenidae 13 species, Pieridae 10 species, Hesperiidae 4 species, Papilionidae 2 species and diurnal moths ‘Sphingidae’ with only one species. The highest number of species was recorded in oaks groves (medium high altitude) with 35 species; in terms of abundance, grassland (low altitude) dominates in number (n = 20,094). The lowest species diversity (S = 7) and number of individuals (n = 1227) were recorded in the Dense tree stratum scrub station which records significant water pollution. We notice that the abundance of butterflies was important during the spring and summer periods but less important during the winter. Landscape composition and habitat influence butterfly diversity and their dynamics. Many species used more than one distinct habitat type, or just one special habitat; we suggest that vegetation cover is an important mechanism for butterfly diversity persistence in forest ecosystems mosaics.
Short recce transects or camera trap surveys—Short recce surveys highlighted as a useful supplement for rapid biodiversity assessments in the Republic of the Congo
Authors: Gaugris Jerome , Orban Ben , Niemand Lukas , Walsh Gina , Burger Marius , Morley Robert , Melville Haemish , Drescher Karsten , Kabafouako Gérard , Vasicek Gaugris Caroline
Published: June 2022

A rapid biodiversity assessment was conducted in the Republic of the Congo including a systematic biodiversity study (including a targeted study of mammals), implemented over two seasons. One hundred thirteen recce transects (250 m by 2 m) were undertaken over 34 days of fieldwork. A total of 19 species were detected (3 to genus level only). The encounter rate was 26.65 mammalian signs per km; no differences in numbers of signs between season appeared; however, the dry‐season species accumulation pattern was higher than during wet season. Correlation analysis showed increasing density of mammals as distance away from villages, lakes and coast increased. The correlation result is deemed to highlight not only a substantial hunting pressure and avoidance of humans, but also preference for forested habitats noted to appear from 20 km distance from the coast. Using high numbers of relatively short recce transect proved a useful supplementary method for assessing mammalian diversity during rapid biodiversity assessments. Results suggest that 70 recce transects (with a minimum of eight per habitat type) would have been sufficient to yield this information.
Association of age, hormonal, and lifestyle factors with the Leydig cell biomarker INSL3 in aging men from the European Male Aging Study cohort
Authors: Anand‐Ivell Ravinder , Heng Kee , Severn Katie , Antonio Leen , Bartfai Gyorgy , Casanueva Felipe F. , Huhtaniemi Ilpo T. , Giwercman Aleksander , Maggi Mario , O'Neill Terence W. , Punab Margus , Rastrelli Giulia , Slowikowska‐Hilczer Jolanta , Tournoy Jos , Vanderschueren Dirk , Wu Frederick C. W. , Ivell Richard
Published: June 2022

Background

Aging in men is accompanied by a broad range of symptoms, including sexual dysfunction, cognitive and musculoskeletal decline, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension, organ degeneration/failure, and increasing neoplasia, some of which are associated with declining levels of Leydig cell‐produced testosterone. High natural biological variance, together with multiple factors that can modulate circulating testosterone concentration, may influence its interpretation and clinical implications. Insulin‐like peptide 3 is a biomarker of Leydig cell function that might provide complementary information on testicular health and its downstream outcomes.

Objectives

To characterize insulin‐like peptide 3 as a biomarker to assess gonadal status in aging men.

Methods and materials

A large European multicenter (European Male Aging Study) cohort of community‐dwelling men was analyzed to determine how insulin‐like peptide 3 relates to a range of hormonal, anthropometric, and lifestyle parameters.

Results and discussion

Insulin‐like peptide 3 declines cross‐sectionally and longitudinally within individuals at approximately 15% per decade from age 40 years, unlike testosterone (1.9% per decade), which is partly compensated by increasing pituitary luteinizing hormone production. Importantly, lower insulin‐like peptide 3 in younger men appears to persist with aging. Multiple regression analysis shows that, unlike testosterone, insulin‐like peptide 3 is negatively dependent on luteinizing hormone and sex hormone‐binding globulin and positively dependent on follicle‐stimulating hormone, suggesting a different mechanism of gonadotropic regulation. Circulating insulin‐like peptide 3 is negatively associated with increased body mass index or waist circumference and with smoking, and unlike testosterone, it is not affected by weight loss in obese individuals. Geographic variation in mean insulin‐like peptide 3 within Europe appears to be largely explained by differences in these parameters. The results allowed the establishment of a European‐wide reference range for insulin‐like peptide 3 (95% confidence interval) adjusted for increasing age.

Conclusion

Insulin‐like peptide 3 is a constitutive biomarker of Leydig cell functional capacity and is a robust, reliably measurable peptide not subject to gonadotropin‐dependent short‐term regulation and within‐individual variation in testosterone.
Applying persuasive messages to reduce public outdoor smoking: A pseudo‐randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nijssen Sari R. R. , Müller Barbara C. N. , Gallinat Jürgen , Kühn Simone
Published: June 2022

Despite efforts to create dedicated smoking areas and no‐smoking signs, many smokers continue to light their cigarettes in front of public building entrances—leading to concerns over health consequences for non‐smokers passing by. To increase compliance with no‐smoking requests, behavioral interventions that tap into habitual and automatic processes seem promising. A pseudo‐randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the differential impact of seven behavioral interventions based on Cialdini's principles of persuasion. Over a period of 9 weeks, the number of smokers was counted (total n = 17,930 observations) in front of a German University Medical Center. Relative to a baseline and a control condition, interventions based on the principles of reciprocity, scarcity, and authority were most effective in reducing the number of observed smokers in front of the building entrance (41.5%, 45.7%, and 52.1% reduction rates, respectively). Having observed smokers' behavior in vivo, this study provides substantial evidence for the impact of persuasive strategies on outdoor smoking. In the future, this knowledge should be used to protect non‐smokers from second‐hand smoke by increasing the use of designated smoking areas, leave to another place to smoke, or not smoke at all.
Understanding anti‐TNF treatment failure: does serum triiodothyronine‐to‐thyroxine (T3/T4) ratio predict therapeutic outcome to anti‐TNF therapies in biologic‐naïve patients with active luminal Crohn's disease?
Authors: Lin Simeng , Chanchlani Neil , Carbery Isabel , Janjua Malik , Nice Rachel , McDonald Timothy J. , Bewshea Claire , Kennedy Nicholas A. , Ahmad Tariq , Selinger Christian P. , Goodhand James R. ,   PANTS consortium
Published: June 2022

Background

During illness, adaptations of the hypothalamic–pituitary‐thyroid axis reduce energy expenditure, protein catabolism and modulate immune responses to promote survival. Lower serum free triiodothyronine‐to‐thyroxine (fT3/fT4) ratio has been linked to non‐response to treatment in a range of diseases, including in biologic‐treated patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Aim

To assess whether baseline serum fT3/fT4 ratio predicted primary non‐response (PNR) and non‐remission to infliximab and adalimumab in patients with Crohn's disease

Methods

Thyroid function tests were undertaken in stored serum from biologic‐naïve adult patients with active luminal Crohn's disease immediately prior to treatment with infliximab (427 originator; 122 biosimilar) or adalimumab (448) in the Personalised Anti‐TNF Therapy in Crohn's Disease study (PANTS).

Results

Baseline median [IQR] fT3/fT4 ratios were lower in women than men (0.30 [0.27–0.34] vs 0.32 [0.28–0.36], p < 0.001), in patients with more severe inflammatory disease, and in patients receiving corticosteroids (0.28 [0.25–0.33] vs. 0.32 [0.29–0.36], p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that fT3/fT4 ratio was independently associated with PNR at week 14 (odds ratio [OR] 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31–0.85, p = 0.009), but not non‐remission or changes in faecal calprotectin concentrations at week 54. The optimal threshold to determine PNR was 0.31 (area under the curve 0.57 [95% CI 0.54–0.61], sensitivity 0.62 [95% CI 0.41–0.74], and specificity 0.53 [95% CI 0.42–0.73]).

Conclusions

Lower baseline serum fT3/fT4 ratio was associated with female sex, corticosteroid use and disease activity. It predicted PNR to anti‐TNF treatment at week 14, but not non‐remission at week 54.
Paternal use of medications for inflammatory bowel disease and the risk of hospital‐diagnosed infections in the offspring: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Friedman Sonia , Garvik Olav Sivertsen , Nielsen Jan , Nørgård Bente Mertz
Published: June 2022

Background

Information regarding the impact of paternal inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) medications on child outcomes is scarce.

Aim

To examine the risk of childhood infections associated with fathers' use of anti‐inflammatory/immunosuppressive medications taken before conception.

Methods

This is a nationwide cohort study based on Danish health registries, comprising all live‐born singleton children born between January 1997 and February 2019 who were fathered by men with IBD. Exposed cohorts included children fathered by men treated with 5‐aminosalicylates (5‐ASAs), thiopurines, corticosteroids or anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐α (anti‐TNF‐α) agents within 3 months before conception. The unexposed cohort included children not exposed to paternal IBD medications. Outcomes were the first infection, diagnosed in the hospital setting in the first year of life, and from the age of 1 to 3 years.

Results

In all, 2178 children were fathered by men exposed to 5‐ASAs, 843 to thiopurines, 417 to systemic corticosteroids and 436 to anti‐TNF‐α agents; 6799 children were unexposed. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for infections within the first year of life for 5‐ASAs was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.66–0.91), thiopurines 0.89 (95% CI, 0.73–1.09), systemic corticosteroids 0.95 (95% CI, 0.70–1.29), and anti‐TNF‐α agents 1.17 (95% CI, 0.94–1.46). The aHR for infections from 1 to 3 years for 5‐ASAs was 0.97 (95% CI, 0.83–1.13), thiopurines 0.87 (95% CI, 0.71–1.07), systemic corticosteroids 1.25 (95% CI, 0.94–1.65), and anti‐TNF‐α agents 0.79 (95% CI, 0.60–1.03).

Conclusion

Fathers' use of anti‐inflammatory/immunosuppressive medications before conception was not significantly associated with childhood infections. These results fill an important research gap regarding paternal medication safety.
Late Miocene unroofing of the Inner Lesser Himalaya recorded in the NW Himalaya foreland basin
Authors: Exnicios Elise M. , Carter Andrew , Najman Yani , Clift Peter D.
Published: June 2022

Testing models that link climate and solid Earth tectonics in mountain belts requires independent erosional, structural and climatic histories. Two well‐preserved stratigraphic sections of the Himalayan foreland basin are exposed in NW India. The Jawalamukhi (13–5 Ma) and Joginder Nagar sections (21–13 Ma) are dated by magnetostratigraphy and span a period of significant climate change and tectonic evolution. We combine sediment geochemistry, detrital zircon U–Pb dating and apatite fission track analyses to reconstruct changes in the patterns of erosion and exhumation in this area from the Early Miocene to Pliocene. The provenance of the foreland sediments reflects a mixture of Tethyan and Greater Himalayan sources from 21 to 11 Ma, with influx from the Inner Lesser Himalaya starting after 11 Ma, and a strong increase in Crystalline Inner Lesser Himalayan erosion after 8 Ma. This distinct shift in provenance most likely reflects exhumation of the Kullu‐Rampur Window, as well as the northward motion of the Jawalamukhi section towards the Himalayas, drainage reorganization in the foreland, and/or tectonically driven drainage capture in the mountains. Prior to 10.5 Ma sediment came from a large river whose sources were Greater Himalaya and Haimanta dominated, likely a palaeo‐Sutlej, while after 8 Ma the source river was dominated by a more local drainage. Our work is consistent with Nd isotope and mica Ar‐Ar constraints from the same sections that demonstrate initial Inner Lesser Himalayan unroofing in this region from 11 Ma, earlier than the 2 Ma implied from the marine record and during a period of summer monsoon weakening when fission track data indicate very rapid cooling and erosion of the Lesser Himalaya sources from no later than 10 Ma. Tectonically driven rock uplift coupled with southerly migration of the maximum rainfall belt during a time of drying, may have focused erosion over the Lesser Himalayan Duplex and created the Kullu‐Rampur Window.
Processing capacity‐based decision mechanism edge computing model for IoT applications
Authors: Premkumar S. , Sigappi A.N.
Published: June 2022

The handling of complex tasks in IoT applications becomes difficult due to the limited availability of resources in most IoT devices. There arises a need to offload the IoT tasks with huge processing and storage to resource enriched edge and cloud. In edge computing, factors such as arrival rate, nature and size of task, network conditions, platform differences and energy consumption of IoT end devices impacts in deciding an optimal offloading mechanism. A model is developed to make a dynamic decision for offloading of tasks to edge and cloud or local execution by computing the expected time, energy consumption and processing capacity. This dynamic decision is proposed as processing capacity‐based decision mechanism (PCDM) which takes the offloading decisions on new tasks by scheduling all the available devices based on processing capacity. The target devices are then selected for task execution with respect to energy consumption, task size and network time. PCDM is developed in the EDGECloudSim simulator for four different applications from various categories such as time sensitiveness, smaller in size and less energy consumption. The PCDM offloading methodology is experimented through simulations to compare with multi‐criteria decision support mechanism for IoT offloading (MEDICI). Strategies based on task weightage termed as PCDM‐AI, PCDM‐SI, PCDM‐AN, and PCDM‐SN are developed and compared against the five baseline existing strategies namely IoT‐P, Edge‐P, Cloud‐P, Random‐P, and Probabilistic‐P. These nine strategies are again developed using MEDICI with the same parameters of PCDM. Finally, all the approaches using PCDM and MEDICI are compared against each other for four different applications. From the simulation results, it is inferred that every application has unique approach performing better in terms of response time, total task execution, energy consumption of device, and total energy consumption of applications.
An optimized method for obtaining clinical‐grade specific cell subpopulations from human umbilical cord‐derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Jia Yali , Wang Ailin , Zhao Bichun , Wang Chao , Su Ruyu , Zhang Biao , Fan Zeng , Zeng Quan , He Lijuan , Pei Xuetao , Yue Wen
Published: June 2022

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are heterogeneous populations with broad application prospects in cell therapy, and using specific subpopulations of MSCs can enhance their particular capability under certain conditions and achieve better therapeutic effects. However, no studies have reported how to obtain high‐quality specific MSC subpopulations in vitro culture. Here, for the first time, we established a general operation process for obtaining high‐quality clinical‐grade cell subpopulations from human umbilical cord MSCs (hUC‐MSCs) based on particular markers. We used the MSC‐CD106+ subpopulations, whose biological function has been well documented, as an example to explore and optimize the crucial links of primary preparation, pre‐treatment, antibody incubation, flow sorting, quality and function test. After comprehensively evaluating the quality and function of the acquired MSC‐CD106+ subpopulations, including in vitro cell viability, apoptosis, proliferation, marker stability, adhesion ability, migration ability, tubule formation ability, immunomodulatory function and in vivo wound healing ability and proangiogenic activity, we defined an important pre‐treatment scheme which might effectively improve the therapeutic efficiency of MSC‐CD106+ subpopulations in two critical clinical application scenarios—direct injection after cell sorting and post‐culture injection into bodies. Based on the above, we tried to establish a general five‐step operation procedure for acquiring high‐quality clinical‐grade MSC subpopulations based on specific markers, which cannot only improve their enrichment efficiency and the reliability of preclinical studies, but also provide valuable methodological guidance for the rapid clinical transformation of specific MSC subpopulations.