bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Clinical Effects of Intubation and Sphincterotomy With Wire-guided Incision Knife Plus Balloon Dilatation in the Treatment of Choledocholithiasis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Long Jianwu , Li Jing , Liu Longfei , Zhou Xiaojun , Lu Xianzhou
Published: October 2022

Background:

To investigate the clinical effects of intubation and sphincterotomy with wire-guided incision knife plus balloon dilatation (ISBD) in the treatment of choledocholithiasis, a randomized controlled trial was conducted.

Methods:

A total of 270 patients with choledocholithiasis confirmed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging from January 2016 to July 2018 in our hospital were enrolled in the research. All patients were randomly divided into 3 groups: ISBD group, endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) group, and endoscopic sphincterotomy plus balloon dilation group, respectively. The clinical effects, complications, and inflammation indexes of the 3 groups were detected. SPSS software was used for statistics and analysis of results.

Results:

There were no significant differences in basic characteristics of the 3 groups. Although there was no significant difference in the total stone clearance rate among the 3 groups, the first stone clearance rate and the large stone clearance rate in ISBD group were significantly higher than those in EST group. Compared with the other 2 groups, the total operation time and complications in ISBD group were significant lower. The serum levels of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and carcinoembryonic antigen in ISBD group were significant lower than those in EST group, and CRP and PCT in ISBD group were markedly lower than those in endoscopic sphincterotomy plus balloon dilation group.

Conclusions:

ISBD treatment simplifies the operation procedure, shortens the operation time, reduces postoperative inflammation and complications, and makes ERCP stone removal simpler, safer, and more efficient for patients with common bile duct stones.
Do young children track other's beliefs, or merely their perceptual access? An interactive, anticipatory measure of early theory of mind
Authors: Barone Pamela , Wenzel Lisa , Proft Marina , Rakoczy Hannes
Published: October 2022

This paper aimed to contribute to answering three questions. First, how robust and reliable are early implicit measures of false belief (FB) understanding? Second, do these measures tap FB understanding rather than simpler processes such as tracking the protagonist's perceptual access? Third, do implicit FB tasks tap an earlier, more basic form of theory of mind (ToM) than standard verbal tasks? We conducted a conceptual replication of Garnham & Perner's task (Garnham and Perner 2001Br. J. Dev. Psychol.19, 413–432) simultaneously measuring children's anticipatory looking and interactive behaviours toward an agent with a true or FB (N= 81,M= 40 months). Additionally, we implemented an ignorance condition and a standard FB task. We successfully replicated the original findings: children's looking and interactive behaviour differed according to the agent's true or FB. However, children mostly did not differentiate between FB and ignorance conditions in various measures of anticipation and uncertainty, suggesting the use of simpler conceptual strategies than full-blown ToM. Moreover, implicit measures were all related to each other but largely not related to performance in the standard FB task, except for first look in the FB condition. Overall, our findings suggest that these implicit measures are robust but may not tap the same underlying cognitive capacity as explicit FB tasks.
Environmental correlates of temporal variation in the prey species of Australian fur seals inferred from scat analysis
Authors: Kliska Kimberley , McIntosh Rebecca R. , Jonsen Ian , Hume Fiona , Dann Peter , Kirkwood Roger , Harcourt Robert
Published: October 2022

Marine ecosystems in southeastern Australia are responding rapidly to climate change. We monitored the diet of the Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus), a key marine predator, over 17 years (1998–2014) to examine temporal changes. Frequency of occurrence (FO) of prey was used as a proxy for ecosystem change. Hard part analysis identified 71 prey taxa, with eight dominant taxa in greater than 70% of samples and predominantly included benthic and small pelagic fish. FO changed over time, e.g. redbait (Emmelichthys nitidus) reduced after 2005 when jack mackerel (Trachurus declivis) increased, and pilchard (Sardinops sajax) increased after 2009. Using generalized additive models, correlations between FO and environmental variables were evident at both the local (e.g. wind, sea surface temperature (SST)) and regional (e.g. El Niño–Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), Southern Annular Mode (SAM)) scales, with redbait and pilchard showing the best model fits (greater than 75% deviance explained). Positive SAM was correlated to FO for both species, and wind and season were important for redbait, while SOI and SST were important for pilchard. Both large-scale and regional processes influenced prey taxa in variable ways. We predict that the diverse and adaptable diet of the Australian fur seal will be advantageous in a rapidly changing ecosystem.
An ecological-economic model of land-use decisions, agricultural production and biocontrol
Authors: Martinet V. , Roques L.
Published: October 2022

The regulation of agricultural pests by their natural enemies is a key step in the agroecological transition. The level of biocontrol seems, however, to highly depend on the agronomic and ecological context. It is thus important to identify the conditions under which this ecosystem service is efficient as well as the magnitude of its effects. An actual reduction of pesticide use depends on a change in farmers’ decisions, calling for the consideration of economic dimensions. We develop a dynamic agroecological-economic model representing land-use and agricultural intensity decisions as well as the dynamics of a crop pest and a natural enemy. Biocontrol is assessed considering both private benefits (increase in farmers’ profit) and public benefits (reduction of pesticide use) with respect to a situation without a natural enemy. We provide a theoretical assessment of the magnitude of biocontrol over a wide range of agronomic contexts (spatially explicit maps of agricultural production potential, with heterogeneous distribution and control of spatial fragmentation) and ecological contexts, described through various parameter values of a reaction–diffusion model. The contexts in which biocontrol plays a significant role are identified, and the role of key parameters is discussed. Our open-access model offers a tool to investigate alternative specifications.
Effects of social and environmental contexts on multi-male mating and mixed paternity in socially monogamous female prairie voles
Authors: Rice Marissa A. , Galindez Sydney M. , Garner Joshua T. , Ophir Alexander G.
Published: October 2022

With whom and how often to mate are fundamental questions that impact individual reproductive success and the mating system. Relatively few studies have investigated female mating tactics compared with males. Here, we asked how differential access to mates influences the occurrence of mixed paternity and overall reproductive success in socially monogamous female prairie voles (
Microtus ochrogaster
). We created male- and female-biased sex ratios of prairie voles living in semi-natural outdoor enclosures. We ran paternity analyses to determine the identity and number of mating partners females had and the number of offspring produced. We found that 57.1% of females had litters fathered by two or more males when males outnumbered females, and 87.5% of females had litters with more than one father when females outnumbered males. However, the percentage of mixed paternity and the total number of embryos were not statistically different between social contexts. We determined that female fecundity (i.e. number of embryos) correlated with the number of male fathers in each litter across social contexts. Although our study did not support the hypothesis that social context directly influences female mating decisions, it did suggest that female multi-male mating might lead to increased fertilization success under semi-natural conditions.
Random vortex dynamics via functional stochastic differential equations
Authors: Qian Zhongmin , Süli Endre , Zhang Yihuang
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we present a novel, closed, three-dimensional random vortex dynamics system, which is equivalent to the Navier–Stokes equations for incompressible viscous fluid flows. The new random vortex dynamics system consists of a stochastic differential equation which is, in contrast with the two-dimensional random vortex dynamics equations, coupled to a finite-dimensional ordinary functional differential equation. This new random vortex system paves the way for devising new numerical schemes (random vortex methods) for solving three-dimensional incompressible fluid flow equations by Monte Carlo simulations. In order to derive the three-dimensional random vortex dynamics equations, we have developed two powerful tools: the first is the duality of the conditional distributions of a couple of Taylor diffusions, which provides a path space version of integration by parts; the second is a forward type Feynman–Kac formula representing solutions to nonlinear parabolic equations in terms of functional integration. These technical tools and the underlying ideas are likely to be useful in treating other nonlinear problems.
Helical organization of DNA-like liquid crystal filaments in cylindrical viral capsids
Authors: Liu Pei , Arsuaga Javier , Calderer M. Carme , Golovaty Dmitry , Vazquez Mariel , Walker Shawn
Published: October 2022

We study equilibrium configurations of double-stranded DNA in a cylindrical viral capsid. The state of the encapsidated DNA consists of a disordered inner core enclosed by an ordered outer region, next to the capsid wall. The DNA configuration is described by a unit helical vector field, tangent to an associated centre curve, passing through properly selected locations. We postulate an expression for the energy of the encapsulated DNA based on that of columnar chromonic liquid crystals. A thorough analysis of the Euler–Lagrange equations yields multiple solutions. We demonstrate that there is a trivial, non-helical solution, together with two solutions with non-zero helicity of opposite sign. Using bifurcation analysis, we derive the conditions for local stability and determine when the preferred coiling state is helical. The bifurcation parameters are the ratio of the twist versus the bend moduli of DNA and the ratio between the sizes of the ordered and the disordered regions.
Sensory biases in response to novel complex acoustic signals in male and female grey treefrogs,
Hyla chrysoscelis
Authors: Reichert Michael S. , de la Hera Iván
Published: October 2022

The sensory bias hypothesis proposes that female preferences for male sexual signalling traits evolved in contexts other than mating. Individuals of both sexes may experience similar selection pressures in these contexts; thus males may have similar biases to females for variation in signal traits. We tested this prediction in the grey treefrog,
Hyla chrysoscelis
, in which males produce simple advertisement calls, but females are more attracted to certain novel complex stimuli. We recorded males' responses to playbacks of both simple advertisement calls and complex calls consisting of the advertisement call with an acoustic appendage (filtered noise, or heterospecific call pulses) either leading or following the call. We tested females’ preferences for the same stimuli in phonotaxis tests. We found evidence for a sensory bias in both sexes: males gave more aggressive calls in response to complex stimuli and females sometimes preferred complex over simple calls. These biases were not universal and depended on both temporal order and appendage characteristics, but how these effects manifested differed between the sexes. Ultimately, our approach of studying biases of both sexes in response to novel mating signals will shed light on the origin of mating preferences, and the mechanisms by which sensory biases operate.
Metatarsal fusion resisted bending as jerboas (Dipodidae) transitioned from quadrupedal to bipedal
Authors: Villacís Núñez Carla Nathaly , Ray Andrew P. , Cooper Kimberly L. , Moore Talia Y.
Published: October 2022

Hind limbs undergo dramatic changes in loading conditions during the transition from quadrupedal to bipedal locomotion. For example, the most early diverging bipedal jerboas (Rodentia: Dipodidae) are some of the smallest mammals in the world, with body masses that range between 2–4 g. The larger jerboa species exhibit developmental and evolutionary fusion of the central three metatarsals into a single cannon bone. We hypothesize that small body size and metatarsal fusion are mechanisms to maintain the safety factor of the hind limb bones despite the higher ground reaction forces associated with bipedal locomotion. Using finite-element analysis to model collisions between the substrate and the metatarsals, we found that body size reduction was insufficient to reduce bone stress on unfused metatarsals, based on the scaled dynamics of larger jerboas, and that fused bones developed lower stresses than unfused bones when all metatarsals are scaled to the same size and loading conditions. Based on these results, we conclude that fusion reinforces larger jerboa metatarsals against high ground reaction forces. Because smaller jerboas with unfused metatarsals develop higher peak stresses in response to loading conditions scaled from larger jerboas, we hypothesize that smaller jerboas use alternative dynamics of bipedal locomotion to reduce the impact of collisions between the foot and substrate.
Colour patterns influence symbiosis and competition in the anemonefish–host anemone symbiosis system
Authors: Hayashi Kina , Tachihara Katsunori , Reimer James Davis , Laudet Vincent
Published: October 2022

Colour patterns in fish are often used as an important medium for communication. Anemonefish, characterized by specific patterns of white bars, inhabit host anemones and defend the area around an anemone as their territory. The host anemone is used not only by the anemonefish, but also by other fish species that use anemones as temporary shelters. Anemonefish may be able to identify potential competitors by their colour patterns. We first examined the colour patterns of fish using host anemones inhabited by
Amphiprion ocellaris
as shelter and compared them with the patterns of fish using surrounding scleractinian corals. There were no fish with bars sheltering in host anemones, although many fish with bars were found in surrounding corals. Next, two fish models, one with white bars and the other with white stripes on a black background, were presented to an
A. ocellaris
colony. The duration of aggressive behaviour towards the bar model was significantly longer than that towards the stripe model. We conclude that differences in aggressive behaviour by the anemonefish possibly select the colour patterns of cohabiting fish. This study indicates that colour patterns may influence not only intraspecific interactions but also interspecific interactions in coral reef ecosystems.
Actinomyces israelii and Fusobacterium nucleatum brain abscess in an immunocompetent patient: case report.
Authors: LAMTIRI LAARIF Mouhsine , SCHILS Raphael , LIFRANGE Fréderic , VALKENBORGH Christophe , PITTI Pauline , BROUWERS Pauline , BIANCHI Elettra , MEEX Cécile , HAYETTE Marie-Pierre
Published: October 2022

Introduction . Brain abscess is the most common focal infectious neurological injury. Until the 19th century this condition was fatal, however the development of neuroimaging for early diagnosis, neurosurgery and antibiotic therapy in the 20th century has led to new therapeutic strategies decreasing mortality from 50% in the 1970s to less than 10% nowadays.
Case report .  A immunocompetent patient without any addiction presented to the emergency department with dysarthria and frontal headache at home. The clinical examination was normal. Further investigations revealed a polymicrobial brain abscess as a consequence of an ear, nose or throat (ENT) infection with locoregional extension with a dental starting point involving Actinomyces israelii and Fusobacterium nucleatum . In spite of a rapid diagnosis and a neurosurgical management associated with an optimal treatment by a dual therapy made of ceftriaxone and metronidazole the patient unfortunately died.
Conclusion. This case report shows that despite a low incidence and a good prognosis following the diagnosis, brain abscesses can lead to patient’s death. Thereby, a routine dental examination of patients with neurological signs may be useful to improve the diagnosis made by the clinician. The use of microbiological documentation, the respect of pre-analytical conditions, the interaction between the laboratory and the clinicians are indispensable for an optimal management of these pathologies.
FocA and its central role in fine-tuning pH homeostasis of enterobacterial formate metabolism
Authors: Kammel Michelle , Pinske Constanze , Sawers R. Gary
Published: October 2022

During enterobacterial mixed-acid fermentation, formate is generated from pyruvate by the glycyl-radical enzyme pyruvate formate-lyase (PflB). In

Escherichia coli

, especially at low pH, formate is then disproportionated to CO2 and H2 by the cytoplasmically oriented, membrane-associated formate hydrogenlyase (FHL) complex. If electron acceptors are available, however, formate is oxidized by periplasmically oriented, respiratory formate dehydrogenases. Formate translocation across the cytoplasmic membrane is controlled by the formate channel, FocA, a member of the formate-nitrite transporter (FNT) family of homopentameric anion channels. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of how FocA helps to maintain intracellular formate and pH homeostasis during fermentation. Efflux and influx of formate/formic acid are distinct processes performed by FocA and both are controlled through protein interaction between FocA’s N-terminal domain with PflB. Formic acid efflux by FocA helps to maintain cytoplasmic pH balance during exponential-phase growth. Uptake of formate against the electrochemical gradient (inside negative) is energetically and mechanistically challenging for a fermenting bacterium unless coupled with proton/cation symport. Translocation of formate/formic acid into the cytoplasm necessitates an active FHL complex, whose synthesis also depends on formate. Thus, FocA, FHL and PflB function together to govern formate homeostasis. We explain how FocA achieves efflux of formic acid and propose mechanisms for pH-dependent uptake of formate both with and without proton symport. We propose that FocA displays both channel- and transporter-like behaviour. Whether this translocation behaviour is shared by other members of the FNT family is also discussed.
Intravenous Antibiotics in Preterm Infants have a Long-Term Negative Effect upon Microbiome Development Throughout Preterm Life – an observational study
Authors: Hutchinson RA , Costeloe KL , Wade WG , Millar MR , Ansbro K , Stacey F , Fleming PF
Published: October 2022

Intestinal dysbiosis is implicated in the origins of necrotising enterocolitis and late-onset sepsis in preterm babies. However, the effect of modulators of bacterial growth (e.g. antibiotics) upon the developing microbiome is not well-characterised.

Using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing combined with contemporaneous clinical data collection, the within-subject relationship between antibiotic administration and microbiome development was assessed, in comparison to preterm infants with minimal antibiotic exposure.

During courses of antibiotics, diversity progression fell in comparison to that seen outside periods of antibiotic use (−0.71units/week vs. +0.63units/week, p<0.01); Enterobacteriaceae relative abundance progression conversely rose (+10.6%/week vs. -8.9%/week, p<0.01). After antibiotic cessation, diversity progression remained suppressed (+0.2units/week, p=0.02).

Antibiotic use has an acute and longer-lasting impact on the developing preterm intestinal microbiome. This has clinical implications with regard to the contribution of antibiotic use to evolving dysbiosis, and affects the interpretation of existing microbiome studies where this effect modulator is rarely accounted for.
Effect of justification of wife-beating on experiences of intimate-partner violence among men and women in Uganda: A propensity matched scores approach
Authors: Kadengye Damazo. T. , Izudi Jonathan , Kemigisha Elizabeth , Kiwuwa-Muyingo Sylvia
Published: October 2022

In some communities, rationalization of men’s controlling attitudes are associated with justification of gender norms such as wife-beating as a method of correcting spouse behaviour. In this quasi-experimental study, we investigate the causal effects of acceptability of gender norms justifying wife-beating on experiences of sexual, emotional and physical intimate partner violence (IPV) among Ugandan men and women. We analysed the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey data using propensity-score matching. The exposure variable is acceptability of gender norms justifying wife-beating measured on binary scale and the outcomes are respondent’s life-time experiences of sexual, physical, and emotional IPV. We matched respondents who accepted gender norms justifying wife-beating with those that do not using 1:1 nearest neighbor matching with a caliper to achieve comparability on selected covariates. We then estimated the causal effects of acceptability of gender norms justifying wife-beating on the study outcomes using a logistic regression model. Results showed that of the 4,821 (46.5%) out 10,394 respondents who reported that a husband is justified in beating his wife for specific reasons, the majority (3,774; 78.3%) were women compared to men (1,047; 21.7%). We found that at population level, men and women who accept gender norms justifying wife-beating are about 1.5 times more likely to experience each of the three forms of IPV. In the sub-group analysis, men who justify wife-beating were more likely to experience emotional and physical IPV but not sexual IPV. However, women who justify wife-beating were more likely to report experiences all of the three forms of IPV. In conclusion, acceptability of gender norms justifying wife-beating has a positive effect on experiences of different forms of IPV by men and women in Uganda. Government should tackle the drivers of acceptability of gender norms justifying wife-beating at the societal level.
Using machine learning-based systems to help predict disengagement from the legal proceedings by women victims of intimate partner violence in Spain
Authors: Escobar-Linero Elena , García-Jiménez María , Trigo-Sánchez María Eva , Cala-Carrillo María Jesús , Sevillano José Luis , Domínguez-Morales Manuel
Published: October 2022

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an actual social issue which poses a challenge in terms of prevention, legal action, and reporting the abuse once it has occurred. In this last case, out of the total of female victims that fill a complaint against their abuser and initiate the legal proceedings, a significant number withdraw from it for different reasons. In this field, it is interesting to detect the victims that disengage from the legal process so that professionals can intervene before it occurs. Previous studies have applied statistical models to use input variables and make a prediction of withdrawal. However, it has not been found in the literature any study that uses machine learning models to predict disengagement from the legal proceedings in IPV cases, which can be a better option to detect these events with a higher precision. Therefore, in this work, a novel application of machine learning techniques to predict the decision of victims of IPV to withdraw from prosecution is studied. For this purpose, three different ML algorithms have been optimized and tested with the original dataset to prove the great performance of ML models against non-linear input data. Once the best models have been obtained, explainable artificial intelligence (xAI) techniques have been applied to search for the most informative input features and reduce the original dataset to the most important variables. Finally, these results have been compared to those obtained in the previous work that used statistical techniques, and the set of most informative parameters has been combined with the variables of the previous study, showing that ML-based models have a better predictive accuracy in all cases and that by adding one new variable to the previous work’ subset, the accuracy to detect withdrawal improves by 7.5%.
Non-exercise Machine Learning Models for Maximal Oxygen Uptake Prediction in National Population Surveys
Authors: Liu Yuntian , Herrin Jeph , Huang Chenxi , Khera Rohan , Dhingra Lovedeep Singh , Dong Weilai , Mortazavi Bobak J. , Krumholz Harlan M. , Lu Yuan
Published: October 2022

Background

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), an indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), requires exercise testing and, as a result, is rarely ascertained in large-scale population-based studies. Non-exercise algorithms are cost-effective methods to estimate VO2max, but the existing models have limitations in generalizability and predictive power. This study aims to improve the non-exercise algorithms using machine learning (ML) methods and data from U.S. national population surveys.

Methods

We used the 1999-2004 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), in which a submaximal exercise test produced an estimate of the VO2max. We applied multiple supervised ML algorithms to build two models: a parsimonious model that used variables readily available in clinical practice, and an extended model that additionally included more complex variables from more Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and standard laboratory tests. We used Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) to interpret the new model and identify the key predictors. For comparison, existing non-exercise algorithms were applied unmodified to the testing set.

Results

Among the 5,668 NHANES participants included in the final study population, the mean age was 32.5 years and 49.9% were women. Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) had the best performance across multiple types of supervised ML algorithms. Compared with the best existing non-exercise algorithms that could be applied in NHANES, the parsimonious LightGBM model (RMSE: 8.51 ml/kg/min [95% CI: 7.73 -9.33]) and the extended model (RMSE: 8.26 ml/kg/min [95% CI: 7.44 -9.09]) significantly reducing the error by 15% (P <0.01) and 12% (P<0.01 for both), respectively.

Conclusion

Our non-exercise ML model provides a more accurate prediction of VO2max for NHANES participants than existing non-exercise algorithms.

What is Known

Although cardiorespiratory fitness is recognized as an important marker of cardiovascular health, it is not routinely measured because of the time and resources required to perform exercise tests.

Non-exercise algorithms are cost-effective alternatives to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness, but the existing models are restricted in generalizability and predictive power.

What the Study Adds

We improve non-exercise algorithms for cardiorespiratory fitness prediction using advanced ML methods and a more comprehensive and representative data source from U.S. national population surveys.

More health factors that are associated with cardiorespiratory fitness are newly identified.

Nationally representative estimates for cardiorespiratory fitness in the U.S. over the recent 20 years are generated.
Assessment of diversity-based approaches used by American Universities to increase recruitment and retention of biomedical sciences faculty members: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Petersen Britta , Koshy-Chenthittayil Sherli , Caromile Leslie A.
Published: October 2022

Considering the recent increased interest in diversifying the biomedical faculty workforce, a thorough assessment of the existing approaches is needed to provide guidance to universities. Hence this scoping review will be guided by the following research question, “What are the diversity-based approaches used by American Universities to increase recruitment and retention of biomedical sciences faculty members?”. The review follows the Population-Concept-Context methodology for Joanna Briggs Institution Scoping Reviews. Relevant peer-reviewed studies conducted during the last 10 years will be identified from electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Embase. The search strings using keywords such as “biomedical faculty/researcher,” “hiring/retention,” and “diversity/minority/underrepresented” will be conducted using Boolean logic. Two independent reviewers will conduct all title and abstract screening, followed by a full article screening and data extraction. Due to the possible heterogeneity of the studies, we hope to use either a narrative analysis and/or descriptive figures/tables to depict the results. The review will present various diversity programs that have been implemented and evaluated in American Universities to increase the recruitment and retention of biomedical sciences faculty.
Anemia and associated factors among 6-59 months age children attending health facilities in Northeast Ethiopia: A facility based cross sectional study
Authors: Fentaw Wubshet , Belachew Tefera , Andargie Assefa
Published: October 2022

Background

In the early stages of life, anemia leads to severe negative consequences on the cognitive, growth and development of children. The Ethiopian demographic and health survey showed an increasing trend of anemia nationally.

Objective

The aim of this study is to assess the magnitude and factors associated with anemia among under-five children.

Methods

A health facility based cross sectional study was conducted among 409 systematically selected children 6-59 months attending services at public and private health institutions in Kombolcha Town, Northeast Ethiopia. Data were collected using structured questioner from mother or caretakers. The data entry and analysis were done by SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression was fitted to determine associations. The odds ratio with the 95% confidence intervals were reported.

Results

From the total participant 213(53.9%) were males with the mean age of 26 months (SD+15.2). The overall prevalence of anemia was 52.2% (95% CI, 46.8%-57%). Being in the age of 6-11 months (AOR= 6.23, 95% CI: 2.44, 15.95), 12-23 months (AOR= 3.74, 95%CI: 1.63, 8.60), maternal age ≥30 years (AOR=0.37 (0.18, 0.77), exclusive breast feeding until six months (AOR=0.27, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.45), having low dietary diversity score (AOR=2.61, 95% CI: 1.55, 4.38), having history of diarrhea (AOR= 1.87, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.12) and having the lowest family monthly income (AOR=16.97, 95% CI: 4.95, 58.20) were identified as factors associated with anemia.

Conclusion

The magnitude of anemia in children was a public health problem in the study area. child age, maternal age, exclusive breastfeeding, dietary diversity score, diarrhea and family income were found to be associated with anemia.
Prospective Characterization of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy in a Multi-Ethnic Asian Cohort
Authors: Lim Shen-Yang , Dy Closas Alfand Marl F. , Tan Ai Huey , Lim Jia Lun , Tan Yi Jayne , Vijayanathan Yuganthini , Tay Yi Wen , Abdul Khalid Raihanah binti , Ng Wai Keong , Kanesalingam Ruban , Martinez-Martin Pablo , Foo Jia Nee , Lim Weng Khong , Lyn Ng Adeline Su , Tan Eng-King
Published: October 2022

Background

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare, disabling, neurodegenerative disease. There are limited studies on the spectrum of PSP predominance-types and their clinico-demographic features among Asian patients. We prospectively characterized the clinical features, disease severity, and caregiver burden in a multi-ethnic Asian PSP cohort.

Methods

Consecutively-recruited patients with PSP (n=104, 64.4% male; 67.3% Chinese, 21.2% Indians, 9.6% Malays) were extensively phenotyped by a movement disorders neurologist using the MDS-PSP clinical diagnostic criteria and PSP-Clinical Deficits Scale (PSP-CDS). Caregiver burden was measured using the modified Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Investigations were reviewed to help rule out potential PSP mimics.

Results

There were 104 patients, consisting of 48.1% Richardson syndrome (PSP-RS), 37.5% parkinsonian phenotype (PSP-P), and 10.6% progressive gait freezing phenotype (PSP-PGF). Mean age at motor onset was 66.3±7.7 years, with no significant differences between the PSP phenotypes. Interestingly, REM-sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) symptoms and visual hallucinations (considered rare in PSP) were reported in 23.5% and 22.8% of patients, respectively, and a family history of possible neurodegenerative or movement disorder in 20.4%. PSP-CDS scores were highest (worst) in PSP-RS; and correlated moderately with disease duration (rs=0.45, P<0.001) and weakly with caregiver burden (rs=0.22, P=0.029) in the overall cohort. Three of 48 (6.3%) patients who had whole-exome sequencing harboured pathogenic/likely pathogenic GBA variants.

Conclusions

This prospective characterization of a relatively large cohort of Asian PSP patients depicts significant heterogeneity in clinical features and disease burden. Unexpectedly high rates of RBD symptoms, visual hallucinations, and familial involvement warrant further study.
Teaching medical students about Kawasaki Disease: The development and evaluation of a digital educational resource
Authors: Song Jong Eun , Tombs Michal
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The use of digital educational resources has gained widespread popularity across all disciplines in medical education; paediatrics being no exception. This paper focuses on the development and in particular, the evaluation, of an e-learning resource on Kawasaki Disease which was primarily developed as a revision aid for undergraduate medical students.

Methods

This digital resource was created using Xerte Online toolkit and was guided by the instructional model ADDIE. The design and development of the resource was based on Mayer’s 12 Multimedia Principles, while Zaharias and Poylymenakou’s usability evaluation method informed the preliminary evaluation.

Findings

Feedback from the preliminary evaluation, which was based on the instructional design parameters of ‘navigation’, ‘visual design’ and ‘intrinsic motivation to learn’, was overwhelmingly positive. However, in light of this being a small-scale evaluation conducted on just seven undergraduate students, a protocol was developed for a more in-depth and robust evaluation.

Conclusions and further development

The evaluation of digital educational resources remains a fundamental and essential component in creating meaningful and effective e-learning material. In line with literature on evaluation of digital educational resources in medical education, the evaluation protocol set out in this paper considers three aspects; evaluating the ability of the resource to meet its intended outcomes; evaluating the ability of the resource to meet learners’ needs; and evaluating the educational context.
The capacity for adaptation to climate warming in an annual plant (Brassica rapa)
Authors: So Cameron P. , Grieshop Karl , Weis Arthur E.
Published: October 2022

The persistence of a declining population in the face of environmental change may depend on how fast natural selection restores fitness, a process called “evolutionary rescue”. In turn, evolutionary rescue depends on a population’s adaptive potential. Fisher’s theorem states that a population’s adaptive potential equals the additive genetic variance for fitness (VA(W)) divided by mean fitness . Both the numerator and denominator of this rate can differ across environments even when holding allele frequencies constant. However, little is known about how these rates change in wild populations during adaptation, including changes in additive and dominance variance. We assessed the change in adaptive potential and dominance variance in fitness (VD(W)) for a Québec population of wild mustard (Brassica rapa) under climate warming. We also assessed adaptive constraints that could arise from negative genetic correlations across environments. We grew a pedigreed population of 7000 plants under ambient and heated (+4°C) temperatures and estimated the change in , VA(W), VD(W), and the cross-environment genetic correlations (rA). As predicted, estimates of VA(W) and adaptive potentials were higher under heated conditions but non-significantly so. This is perhaps because, surprisingly, plants exposed to a warmer climate exhibited greater . Nevertheless, increased fitness in the warmer environment suggests a plasticity-based short-term potential for adaptation, and that weak but non-significant genetic correlations across environments will enable slow on-going adaptation to warming. Overall, this population of B. rapa harbours existing genetic architecture to persist under warmer temperatures through pre-adaptation but not through evolutionary rescue.
Arena3Dweb: Interactive 3D visualization of multilayered networks supporting multiple directional information channels, clustering analysis and application integration
Authors: Kokoli Maria , Karatzas Evangelos , Baltoumas Fotis A. , Schneider Reinhard , Pafilis Evangelos , Paragkamian Savvas , Doncheva Nadezhda T. , Jensen Lars Juhl , Pavlopoulos Georgios A.
Published: October 2022

Arena3Dwebis an interactive web tool that visualizes multi-layered networks in 3D space. In this update, Arena3Dwebsupports directed networks as well as up to nine different types of connections between pairs of nodes with the use of Bézier curves. It comes with different color schemes (light/gray/dark mode), custom channel coloring, four node clustering algorithms which one can run on-the-fly, visualization in VR mode and predefined layer layouts (zig-zag, star and cube). This update also includes enhanced navigation controls (mouse orbit controls, layer dragging and layer/node selection), while its newly developed API allows integration with external applications as well as saving and loading of sessions in JSON format. Finally, a dedicated Cytoscape app has been developed, through which users can automatically send their 2D networks from Cytoscape to Arena3Dwebfor 3D multi-layer visualization. Arena3Dwebis accessible athttp://arena3d.pavlopouloslab.infoorhttp://arena3d.org
An in silico evaluation of anthraquinone derivatives as potential inhibitors of DNA gyrase B of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Amorim Juliana C. , Cabrera Bermeo Andrea E. , Vásquez Urgilés Viviana E. , Martínez León Maritza R. , Carpio Arévalo Juan M.
Published: October 2022

The World Health Organization reported that tuberculosis remains on the list of the top ten threats to public health worldwide. Among the main causes is the limited effectiveness of treatments due to the emergence of a diverse spectrum of resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of the disease. One of the main drug targets studied to combat M. tuberculosis is DNA gyrase, the only enzyme responsible for regulating DNA topology in this specie and considered essential in all bacteria. In this context, the present work tested the ability of 2,824 anthraquinones retrieved from the PubChem database to act as competitive inhibitors through interaction with ATP-binding pocket of DNA gyrase B of M. tuberculosis. Virtual screening results based on molecular docking identified 7122772 (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-9,10-dioxoanthracene-2-sulfonamide) as the best-scored ligand. From this anthraquinone, a new derivative was designed harbouring an aminotriazole moiety, which exhibited higher binding energy calculated by molecular docking scoring and free energy calculation from molecular dynamics simulations. In addition, in these last analyses, this ligand showed to be stable in complex with the enzyme and further predictions indicated an acceptable pharmacokinetic profile. Taken together, the presented results show a new anthraquinone synthetically accessible and with promising potential to inhibit the GyrB of M. tuberculosis.
Bigger is better: Thicker maize brace roots are advantageous for both strength and nitrogen uptake
Authors: Rasmussen Amanda , Erndwein Lindsay , Stager Adam , Reneau Jonathan , Sparks Erin E.
Published: October 2022

Plant root systems provide critical functions to enable plant survival. From anchoring the plant in the soil to finding and acquiring water and nutrients, these organs are essential for plant productivity. Despite a variety of root functions, research typically focuses on defining only one function. In this study, we explore a trade-off hypothesis, that the optimization of one root function (i.e. anchorage) may negatively impact another root function (i.e. nitrogen uptake). Previous work has demonstrated that larger roots are stronger, but may also have a diminished capacity for nutrient acquisition due to a reduced surface area to volume ratio. Using maize brace roots that had entered the soil, we show here that larger roots are both stronger and take up more nitrogen. Despite this general relationship, there are subtle trade-offs between mechanics and uptake that occur when assessing individual genotypes. These trade-offs represent an opportunity to optimize one root function without compromising other root functions. Together these data demonstrate that our original trade-off hypothesis was incorrect for maize brace roots, and that larger roots are both stronger and take up more nitrogen.
Top-heavy trophic structure within benthic viral dark matter
Authors: Cissell Ethan C. , McCoy Sophie J.
Published: October 2022

Viruses exert considerable influence on microbial population dynamics and community structure, with cascading effects on ecosystem-scale biogeochemical cycling and functional trajectories. Creating broadly generalizable theory on viral trophic ecology requires further inquiry into historically unexplored microbial systems that currently lack empirically demonstrated patterns in viral infectivity, such as structurally complex benthic communities. This becomes increasingly relevant considering recently proposed revisions to the fundamental mechanisms that modulate the strength and direction viral trophic linkages. Here, we employed deep longitudinal multiomic sequencing to characterize the viral assemblage (includingssDNA,dsDNA, anddsRNA viruses) and profile lineage-specific host-virus interactions within benthic cyanobacterial mats sampled from Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands, over a complete diel time-series, and reconstruct patterns in intra-mat trophic structure. We recovered 11,020 unique viral populations spanning at least 10 viral families across the orders Caudovirales, Petitvirales, and Mindivirales, with evidence for extensive genomic novelty from reference and environmental viral sequences. Analysis of coverage ratios of viral sequences and computationally predicted hosts spanning 15 phyla and 21 classes revealed virus:host abundance and activity ratios consistently exceeding 1:1, with overall power-law scaling indicating an increasingly top-heavy intra-mat trophic structure with significant top-down pressure. Diel activity of cyanophages showed clear temporal patterns that seem to follow host physiological condition. These data generate important hypotheses concerning taxon-dependent variation in the relative contribution of top-down vs. bottom-up forcing in driving mat community dynamics, and establish a useful database of viral sequences from this previously unexplored system toward the generation of generalizable trans-system theory on viral trophic ecology.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Recent advances in viral ecological theory suggest a better understanding of system-specific viral ecology is needed from diverse environments to create generalizable theory that accurately predicts patterns of trophic interaction strengths across systems, especially in the Anthropocene. This study characterized viral-host trophic structure within coral reef benthic cyanobacterial mats - a globally proliferating cause and consequence of coral reef degradation - using paired multiomic sequencing. Recovered viral sequences displayed remarkable genomic novelty from other well-characterized viruses and spanned diverse viral taxa. Unexpectedly, lineage-resolved trophic linkages displayed a strongly active top-heavy trophic structure, suggesting extensive top-down forcing. These results highlight the context-dependence of viral trophic interaction strengths and suggest that viruses strongly influence reef cyanobacterial mat and reef ecosystem functional trajectories.
Dynein-mediated trafficking and degradation of nephrin in diabetic podocytopathy
Authors: Sun Hua , Weidner Jillian , Allamargot Chantal , Piper Robert , Misurac Jason , Nester Carla
Published: October 2022

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is characterized by increased endocytosis and degradation of nephrin, a protein that comprises the molecular sieve of the glomerular filtration barrier, but the key trafficking mechanism that connects the initial endocytic events and the homeostasis of nephrin is unknown. Our work implicates cytoplasmic dynein, a transport complex that is upregulated in DN, plays a critical role in triaging the endocytosed nephrin between recycling and proteolytic pathways. Using Nephroseq platform, our transcription analysis in public DN databases revealed dynein overexpression in human DN and diabetic mouse kidney, correlated with the severity of hyperglycemia and nephropathy. The increased expression of dynein subunits was confirmed in high glucose-treated podocytes and in glomeruli isolated from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Using live cell imaging, we illustrated that dynein-mediated post-endocytic sorting of nephrin was upregulated, resulting in accelerated nephrin degradation and disrupted nephrin recycling. In diabetic podocytopathy, Dynll1 is one of the most upregulated dynein components that was recruited to endocytosed nephrin. This was corroborated by observing enhanced Dynll1-nephrin colocalization in podocytes of diabetic patients, as well as dynein-mediated trafficking and degradation of nephrin in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Knockdown of Dynll1 attenuated lysosomal degradation of nephrin and promoted its recycling, suggesting the essential role of Dynll1 in dynein-mediated mistrafficking. Defining the role of dynein-mediated mistrafficking of nephrin in diabetes will not only fill the knowledge gap about the early events of DN, but also inspire novel therapeutics that target a broad spectrum of molecular events involved in the dynein-mediated trafficking.

Translational Statement

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), the leading cause of end stage kidney disease in the United States, is characterized by a podocytopathy with mistrafficking and depletion of the slit diaphragm protein nephrin, which in turn compromises the podocytes’ function in maintaining the glomerular filtration barrier. There is a critical need to define the trafficking mechanisms underlying the depletion of nephrin. Our work implicates cytoplasmic dynein, a trafficking complex that connects diabetes-triggered endocytosis with proteolytic pathways. Delineation of the dynein-driven pathogenesis of diabetic podocytopathy will inspire new therapies that potentially target a broad spectrum of molecules involved in dynein-mediated trafficking and degradation pathways.