bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of intravertebral cleft on cement leakage in percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a case-control study
Authors: Tang Benqiang , Xu Songjie , Chen Xueming , Cui Libin , Wang Yanhui , Yan Xin , Liu Yadong
Published: September 2021

Background

The impact of intravertebral cleft (IVC) on cement leakage in percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) has been discussed. However, the results were conflicting, as the study population and cement leakage classification were heterogeneous. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of IVC on the incidence of leakage through vein, leakage through cortex as well as general leakage in PVP for OVCFs.

Methods

All patients with OVCFs who underwent PVP between January 2016 and June 2019 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were eligible for this case-control study if they were diagnosed as single level fracture in spine. After inclusive and exclusive criteria were met, a total of 139 patients with IVC were enrolled as the study group. Non-IVC controls were matched in a 1:1 ratio in age (within 3 years), sex and fracture severity with patients in study group. Cement leakage were classified into four types [type B (through basivertebral vein), type S (through segmental vein), type-C (through a cortical defect), and type D (intradiscal leakage)], furtherly into two types [venous type (type-B or/and type S) and cortical type (type-C or/and type-D)]. A general leakage rate and a specific leakage rate per each type were compared between both groups.

Results

Each group included 139 patients. Groups were homogenous for age, sex, fracture severity, fracture location, fracture type, cement volume, puncture approach and property of cement. Compared with control group, IVC group had a significantly lower rate of type-B (20.9% vs. 31.7%, P = 0.041), type-S (24.5% vs. 52.5%, P = 0.000), and venous type leakage (37.4% vs. 67.6%, P = 0.000), a significantly higher rate of type-C (25.9% vs. 12.2%, P = 0.004), type-D (16.5% vs. 6.5%, P = 0.009), and cortical type leakage (40.3% vs. 16.5%, P = 0.000), no significant difference on the rate of general leakage (67.6% vs. 76.3%, P = 0.109).

Conclusion

IVC decreased the risk of cement leakage through vein and increased the risk of cement leakage through cortex. However, it had no significant effect on the occurrence of general leakage.
Challenges, coping responses and supportive interventions for international and migrant students in academic nursing programs in major host countries: a scoping review with a gender lens
Authors: Merry Lisa , Vissandjée Bilkis , Verville-Provencher Kathryn
Published: September 2021

Background

International and migrant students face specific challenges which may impact their mental health, well-being and academic outcomes, and these may be gendered experiences. The purpose of this scoping review was to map the literature on the challenges, coping responses and supportive interventions for international and migrant students in academic nursing programs in major host countries, with a gender lens.

Methods

We searched 10 databases to identify literature reporting on the challenges, coping responses and/or supportive interventions for international and migrant nursing students in college or university programs in Canada, the United-States, Australia, New Zealand or a European country. We included peer-reviewed research (any design), discussion papers and literature reviews. English, French and Spanish publications were considered and no time restrictions were applied. Drawing from existing frameworks, we critically assessed each paper and extracted information with a gender lens.

Results

One hundred fourteen publications were included. Overall the literature mostly focused on international students, and among migrants, migration history/status and length of time in country were not considered with regards to challenges, coping or interventions. Females and males, respectively, were included in 69 and 59% of studies with student participants, while those students who identify as other genders/sexual orientations were not named or identified in any of the research. Several papers suggest that foreign-born nursing students face challenges associated with different cultural roles, norms and expectations for men and women. Other challenges included perceived discrimination due to wearing a hijab and being a ‘foreign-born male nurse’, and in general nursing being viewed as a feminine, low-status profession. Only two strategies, accessing support from family and other student mothers, used by women to cope with challenges, were identified. Supportive interventions considering gender were limited; these included matching students with support services' personnel by sex, involving male family members in admission and orientation processes, and using patient simulation as a method to prepare students for care-provision of patients of the opposite-sex.

Conclusion

Future work in nursing higher education, especially regarding supportive interventions, needs to address the intersections of gender, gender identity/sexual orientation and foreign-born status, and also consider the complexity of migrant students’ contexts.
Implementation of active learning methods by nurse educators in undergraduate nursing students’ programs – a group interview
Authors: Pivač Sanela , Skela-Savič Brigita , Jović Duška , Avdić Mediha , Kalender-Smajlović Sedina
Published: September 2021

Background

Modern and active learning methods form an important part in the education of Nursing students. They encourage the development of communication and critical thinking skills, and ensure the safe health care of patients. Our aim was to obtain naturalistic data from nurse educators regarding want the use and effects of implementing active learning methods (Peyton’s Four-Step Approach, Mind Mapping, Debriefing and Objective Structured Clinical Examination methods) in the study process of students of Nursing after a completed education module,Clinical skills of mentors, as part of the Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project. We wish to learn about the perception of nurse educators regarding the use of active learning methods in the study process of Nursing in the future.

Methods

Qualitative research was conducted and a group interview technique was used for data collection. Beforehand, research participants were included in a two-day education module,Clinical skills of mentors, as part of the Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project. Content analysis of the discussion transcriptions was conducted.

Results

Fourteen nurse educators participated. Group interviews were conducted in September 2019. The obtained categories form four topics: (1) positive effect on the development of students’ communication skills (2) positive effect of learning methods on the development of students’ critical thinking skills (3) ensuring a safe learning environment (4) implementation of active learning methods.

Conclusions

The use of various active learning methods in simulation settings improves the Nursing students’ critical thinking and communication skills. Therefore, we believe that Peyton’s Four-Step Approach, Mind Mapping and Debriefing methods should be included as tools for effective student learning and as preparation for directly performing safe nursing interventions with a patient. Effective approaches to the assessment of Nursing students may ensure quality patient health care in accordance with the vision of the nursing profession.
Comparison of various insulin resistance surrogates on prognostic prediction and stratification following percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhao Qi , Cheng Yu-Jing , Xu Ying-Kai , Zhao Zi-Wei , Liu Chi , Sun Tie-Nan , Zhou Yu-Jie
Published: September 2021

Background

Insulin resistance (IR), evaluation of which is difficult and complex, is closely associated with cardiovascular disease. Recently, various IR surrogates have been proposed and proved to be highly correlated with IR assessed by the gold standard. It remains indistinct whether different IR surrogates perform equivalently on prognostic prediction and stratification following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

The present study recruited patients who were diagnosed with NSTE-ACS and successfully underwent PCI. IR surrogates evaluated in the current study included triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, visceral adiposity index, Chinese visceral adiposity index, lipid accumulation product, and triglyceride-to-high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, calculations of which were conformed to previous studies. The observational endpoint was defined as the major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal ischemic stroke.

Results

2107 patients (60.02 ± 9.03 years, 28.0% female) were ultimately enrolled in the present study. A total of 187 (8.9%) MACCEs were documented during the 24-month follow-up. Despite regarding the lower median as reference [hazard ratio (HR) 3.805, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.581–5.608, P < 0.001] or evaluating 1 normalized unit increase (HR 1.847, 95% CI 1.564–2.181, P < 0.001), the TyG index remained the strongest risk predictor for MACCE, independent of confounding factors. The TyG index showed the most powerful diagnostic value for MACCE with the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.715. The addition of the TyG index, compared with other IR surrogates, exhibited the maximum enhancement on risk stratification for MACCE on the basis of a baseline model (Harrell’s C-index: 0.708 for baseline model vs. 0.758 for baseline model + TyG index, P < 0.001; continuous net reclassification improvement: 0.255, P < 0.001; integrated discrimination improvement: 0.033, P < 0.001). The results were consistent in subgroup analysis where similar analyses were performed in patients with and without T2DM, respectively.

Conclusion

The TyG index, which is most strongly associated with the risk of MACCE, can be served as the most valuable IR surrogate for risk prediction and stratification in NSTE-ACS patients receiving PCI, with and without T2DM.
Potential of combination of DCE-MRI and DWI with serum CA125 and CA199 in evaluating effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Jun , Huang Yongbo , Chen Jianghui , Wang Xia , Ma Hongyu
Published: September 2021

Background

To determine the potential of the combination of DCE-MRI imaging method with DWI and serum CA125 and CA199 levels in the evaluation of the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Methods

Sixty-five breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy in our hospital from April 2016 to April 2017 were selected as research subjects. The patients received 4 courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Lesions were monitored using DCE-MRI and DWI, while ELISA was used to measure the serum expression levels of the tumour markers CA125 and CA199. The patients were divided into the remission group and ineffective group based on pathological diagnosis.

Results

There were significant differences in Kep, Ktrans, ADCmin, ADCmean, tumour volume, and serum levels of CA125 and CA199 in patients in the remission group, before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and there were significant differences in post-chemotherapy values of these indexes between the remission group and the ineffective group (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Combination of DCE-MRI diagnostic imaging with DWI can directly reflect the lesions in breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Serum levels of CA125 and CA199 levels are useful for evaluation of the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on breast cancer patients, including risk of cancer cell metastasis and changes in some small lesions.
High-fat diet increases gliosis and immediate early gene expression in APOE3 mice, but not APOE4 mice
Authors: Jones Nahdia S. , Watson Katarina Q. , Rebeck G. William
Published: September 2021

Background

APOE4 is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and obesity is a strong environmental risk factor for AD. These factors result in multiple central nervous system (CNS) disturbances and significantly increase chances of AD. Since over 20% of the US population carry the APOE4 allele and over 40% are obese, it is important to understand how these risk factors interact to affect neurons and glia in the CNS.

Methods

We fed male and female APOE3 and APOE4 knock-in mice a high-fat diet (HFD-45% kcal fat) or a "control" diet (CD-10% kcal fat) for 12 weeks beginning at 6 months of age. At the end of the 12 weeks, brains were collected and analyzed for gliosis, neuroinflammatory genes, and neuronal integrity.

Results

APOE3 mice on HFD, but not APOE4 mice, experienced increases in gliosis as measured by GFAP and Iba1 immunostaining. APOE4 mice on HFD showed a stronger increase in the expression of Adora2a than APOE3 mice. Finally, APOE3 mice on HFD, but not APOE4 mice, also showed increased neuronal expression of immediate early genes cFos and Arc.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that APOE genotype and obesity interact in their effects on important processes particularly related to inflammation and neuronal plasticity in the CNS. During the early stages of obesity, the APOE3 genotype modulates a response to HFD while the APOE4 genotype does not. This supports a model where early dysregulation of inflammation in APOE4 brains could predispose to CNS damages from various insults and later result in the increased CNS damage normally associated with the APOE4 genotype.
The Global Fund: why anti-corruption, transparency and accountability matter
Authors: Chang Zhihao , Rusu Violet , Kohler Jillian C.
Published: September 2021

Background

The creation of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, also known as the Global Fund, was prompted by the lack of a timely and effective global response, and the need for financing to fight against three devastating diseases: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. During the formation of the Global Fund, necessary anti-corruption, transparency, and accountability (ACTA) structures were not put in place to prevent fraud and corruption in its grants, which resulted in the misuse of funds by grant recipients and an eventual loss of donor confidence in 2011. The Global Fund has instituted various ACTA mechanisms to address this misuse of funding and the subsequent loss of donor confidence, and this paper seeks to understand these implementations and their impacts over the past decade, in an effort to probe ACTA more deeply.

Results

By restructuring the governing committees in 2011, and the Audit and Finance; Ethics and Governance; and Strategy Committees in 2016, the Global Fund has delineated committee mandates and strengthened the Board’s oversight of operations. Additionally, the Global Fund has adopted a rigorous risk management framework which it has worked into all aspects of its functioning. An Ethics and Integrity Framework was adopted in 2014 and an Ethics Office was established in 2016, resulting in increased conflict of interest disclosures and greater considerations of ethics within the organization. The Global Fund’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has effectively performed internal and external audits and investigations on fraud and corruption, highlighted potential risks for mitigation, and has implemented ACTA initiatives, such as the I Speak Out Now! campaign to encourage whistleblowing and educate on fraud and corruption.

Conclusions

From 2011 onwards, the Global Fund has developed a number of ACTA mechanisms which, in particular, resulted in reduced grant-related risks and procurement fraud as demonstrated by the decreased classification from high to moderate in 2017, and the reduction of investigations in 2018 respectively. However, it is crucial that the Global Fund continues to evaluate the effectiveness of these mechanisms; monitor for potential perverse impacts; and make necessary changes, when and where they are needed.
BRAF mutation correlates with worse local–regional control following radiation therapy in patients with stage III melanoma
Authors: Wolfe Adam R. , Chablani Priyanka , Siedow Michael R. , Miller Eric D. , Walston Steve , Kendra Kari L. , Wuthrick Evan , Williams Terence M.
Published: September 2021

Background

In patients with stage III melanoma, the use of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) after lymph node dissection (LND) may be currently considered in selected high-risk patients to improve tumor control. Melanomas harbor BRAF mutations (BRAF+) in 40–50% of cases, the majority of which are on the V600E residue. This study sought to compare the clinical outcomes after RT between patients with BRAF+ and BRAF− melanoma.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of 105 Stage III melanoma patients treated at our institution with LND followed by adjuvant RT from 2006 to 2019. BRAF mutational status was determined on the primary skin or nodal tissue samples from all patients. We compared characteristics of the BRAF+ and BRAF− groups using Fisher’s exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test and performed univariate and multivariate analysis using Kaplan–Meier estimates, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards modeling with the clinical outcomes of local–regional lymph node control, distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

Fifty-three (50%) patients harbored a BRAF mutation (92%, pV600E). BRAF+ patients were younger and had primary tumors more commonly found in the trunk vs head and neck compared to BRAF- patients (p < 0.05). The 5 year local–regional control in the BRAF + patients was 60% compared to 81% in the BRAF- patients (HR 4.5, 95% CI 1.3–15.5, p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in 5-year DMFS, RFS, and OS rates between the two BRAF patient groups. The presence of 4 or more positive LNs remained a significant prognostic factor for local–regional lymph node control, RFS, and OS in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Stage III melanoma patients with BRAF mutation treated with adjuvant RT had > 4 times increased risk of local recurrence or regional lymph node recurrence. These results could be useful for adjuvant RT consideration in lymph node positive melanoma patients and supports other data that BRAF mutation confers radiation resistance.
The incidence of acute myocardial infarction after elective spinal fusions or joint replacement surgery in the United States: a large-scale retrospective observational cohort study in 322,585 patients
Authors: Arena Patrick J. , Mo Jingping , Liu Qing , Zhou Xiaofeng , Gong Richard , Wentworth Charles , Murugesan Sundaresan , Huang Kui
Published: September 2021

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an uncommon but fatal complication among patients undergoing elective spinal fusion surgery (SF), total hip arthroplasty (THA), and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Our objective was to estimate the incidence of AMI among adults undergoing elective SF, THA, and TKA in different post-operative risk windows and characterize high-risk sub-populations in the United States.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from a longitudinal electronic healthcare record (EHR) database from January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2018. ICD codes were used to identify SF, THA, TKA, AMI, and selected clinical characteristics. Incidence proportions (IPs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated in the following risk windows: index hospitalization, ≤ 30, ≤ 90, ≤ 180, and ≤ 365 days post-operation.

Results

A total of 67,533 SF patients, 87,572 THA patients, and 167,480 TKA patients were eligible for the study. The IP of AMI after SF, THA, and TKA ranged from 0.36, 0.28, and 0.25% during index hospitalization to 1.05, 0.93, and 0.85% ≤ 365 days post-operation, respectively. The IP of AMI was higher among patients who were older, male, with longer hospital stays, had a history of AMI, and had a history of diabetes.

Conclusion

The IP of post-operative AMI was generally highest among the SF cohort compared to the THA and TKA cohorts. Additionally, potential high-risk populations were identified. Future studies in this area are warranted to confirm these findings via improved confounder control and to identify effect measure modifiers.
ZNF507 affects TGF-β signaling via TGFBR1 and MAP3K8 activation in the progression of prostate cancer to an aggressive state
Authors: Kwon Wookbong , Choi Seong-Kyoon , Kim Daehwan , Kim Hyeon-Gyeom , Park Jin-Kyu , Han Jee Eun , Cho Gil-Jae , Yun Sungho , Yu Wookyung , Han Se-Hyeon , Ha Yun-Sok , Lee Jun Nyung , Kwon Tae Gyun , Cho Dong-Hyung , Yi Jun-Koo , Kim Myoung Ok , Ryoo Zae Young , Park Song
Published: September 2021

Background

The progression of prostate cancer (PC) to the highly aggressive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) or neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a fatal condition and the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we identified the novel transcriptional factor ZNF507 as a key mediator in the progression of PC to an aggressive state.

Methods

We analyzed ZNF507 expression in the data from various human PC database and high-grade PC patient samples. By establishment of ZNF507 knockdown and overexpression human PC cell lines, we assessed in vitro PC phenotype changes including cell proliferation, survival, migration and invasion. By performing microarray with ZNF507 knockdown PC cells, we profiled the gene clusters affected by ZNF507 knockdown. Moreover, ZNF507 regulated key signal was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. Finally, we performed xenograft and in vivo metastasis assay to confirm the effect of ZNF507 knockdown in PC cells.

Results

We found that ZNF507 expression was increased, particularly in the highly graded PC. ZNF507 was also found to be associated with metastatic PC of a high grade. Loss- or gain-of-function–based analysis revealed that ZNF507 promotes the growth, survival, proliferation, and metastatic properties of PC (e.g., epithelial-mesenchymal transition) by upregulating TGF-β signaling. Profiling of gene clusters affected by ZNF507 knockdown revealed that ZNF507 positively regulated the transcription of TGFBR1, MAP3K8, and FURIN, which in turn promoted the progression of PC to highly metastatic and aggressive state.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that ZNF507 is a novel key regulator of TGF-β signaling in the progression of malignant PC and could be a promising target for studying the development of advanced metastatic PCs.
Fever during pregnancy as a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders: results from a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Antoun Stephanie , Ellul Pierre , Peyre Hugo , Rosenzwajg Michelle , Gressens Pierre , Klatzmann David , Delorme Richard
Published: September 2021

Background

Fever during pregnancy is a relatively common and most often trivial event. However, under specific conditions, it could affect significantly fetal brain development. Few studies, with inconsistent results, investigated whether fever, regardless the pathogen, could represent a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) in the offspring. We aimed to explore further this question by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

Peer-reviewed studies exploring the occurrence of NDD in offspring after a fetal exposure to maternal fever were included. We specifically considered the impact of fever severity and duration, taking into consideration some confounding variables such as the use of antipyretic during pregnancy, the trimester in which the fever arose, the maternal age or smoking at time of gestation. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane and Web of Science were searched without language restriction. PRISMA recommendations were followed. Odds ratio (OR) were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity in effect size across studies was studied using random-effects meta-regression analysis. (PROSPERO CRD42020182801).

Results

We finally considered ten studies gathering a total of 10,304 children with NDD. Among them, 1394 were exposed to fever during pregnancy. The selected studies were divided into 5 case–control studies and 5 cohort studies. Maternal exposure to fever during pregnancy increased the risk of NDD in offspring with an OR of 1.24 [95% CI: 1.12–1.38]. Secondary analysis revealed an increased risk for NDD when fever occurred during the first trimester of gestation [OR 1.13–95% CI: 1.02–1.26].

Limitations

We excluded studies that considered infections with no evidence of fever. Another potential limitation may be the possible heterogeneity between study designs (cohorts and case–control).

Conclusion

Additional evidence supported the association between fever during pregnancy and increased risk for NDD in offspring. Careful monitoring should be considered for children born from mothers with a febrile episode during pregnancy (specifically during the first trimester).
Effect of COVID-19 on demand for healthcare in Togo
Authors: Tossou Yaovi
Published: September 2021

Background

Demand-side barriers to health care are as important as supply-side factors in deterring patients from obtaining effective treatment during COVID-19. Developing countries, including Togo, have focused on reducing the risk of health care utilization during this period by ensuring basic health care services as an important policy to improve health outcomes and meet international obligations to make health services accessible.

Methods

The data used to cover all 44 districts in the six (6) health regions of Togo, are from a national home survey. They are collected from July 8th to 17th, 2020. In each district chief town, a minimum of thirty (30) households were included by a systematic two-stage random draw (neighborhood and then home). Based on these data, the multinomial regression model was used to identify risk factors for the request for health care services during COVID-19.

Results

A total of 1946 (with a response rate of 98.3%) participants were addressed in the study. The finding on households with age above 60 years indicated that the relative risk ratio (RRR = 23.97; 95% CI = 0.93; 615.38) allowed them to practice self-medication in lieu of modern healthcare facilities. The multinomial model revealed that the relative risk ratio of pre-COVID-19 activities (RRR = 4.87; 95% CI = 1.018; 23.38) permits households to rely on their self-medication choice and (RRR = 3.14; 95% CI = 0.91; 0.83) prefer public health facilities. Given that the head of the households (RRR = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.017, 2.11) is educated, he prefers the choice of private health centers during COVID-19 pandemic to public health facilities.

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated that the majority (30.49%) of patients sought health care. The analysis shows that the loss of employment, activities before COVID-19 in households and areas not infected by the pandemics allow them to ask for health care (self-medication and public hospitals) despite the COVID-19 impacts. However, higher education and age determine a different choice of health care delivery by households. Thus, policy makers need to cast special emphasis on social policies to address home health shocks.
First detected case of rabbit Haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) in the Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus)
Authors: Kennedy Aideen , Britton Louise , Byrne Andrew W. , Byrne Christina , Casey Mícheál , Flynn Orla , Lozano Jose Maria , Marnell Ferdia , McElroy Maire , Reid Neil , Wilson Margaret , FitzGerald William
Published: September 2021

Background

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is aLagovirus, a subgroup of the familyCaliciviridae. RHDV2 is a variant first described in France in 2010, and has since spread globally. It has been reported in several Lagomorph species (rabbits, hares, and their relatives) as well as other mammals including voles and shrews. The disease has raised international concerns for its potential impact on population abundance trajectories, particularly as 25% of Lagomorphs are currently Red-Listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is a subspecies of the mountain hare,L. timidus, and is endemic to Ireland, making it an Evolutionarily Significant Unit of intrinsic value.

Case presentation

The first case of RHDV2 was detected in a wild Irish hare in July 2019. The individual exhibited atypical neurological behaviour (running in circles) prior to death. On necropsy, pink tinged foam was seen in the trachea and congestion was noted in the lungs, but there was no evidence of haemorrhages in any other organ. Both the liver and spleen were tested by reverse transcription real time qPCR confirming high levels of RHDV2 RNA. Histopathology confirmed multifocal necrotising hepatitis.

Conclusion

The Irish hare is susceptible to RHDV2 infection. Further investigation is warranted to explore the clinical, epidemiological, and population biology implications.
Quantifying effects of snow depth on caribou winter range selection and movement in Arctic Alaska
Authors: Pedersen Stine Højlund , Bentzen Torsten W. , Reinking Adele K. , Liston Glen E. , Elder Kelly , Lenart Elizabeth A. , Prichard Alexander K. , Welker Jeffrey M.
Published: September 2021

Background

Caribou and reindeer across the Arctic spend more than two thirds of their lives moving in snow. Yet snow-specific mechanisms driving their winter ecology and potentially influencing herd health and movement patterns are not well known. Integrative research coupling snow and wildlife sciences using observations, models, and wildlife tracking technologies can help fill this knowledge void.

Methods

Here, we quantified the effects of snow depth on caribou winter range selection and movement. We used location data of Central Arctic Herd (CAH) caribou in Arctic Alaska collected from 2014 to 2020 and spatially distributed and temporally evolving snow depth data produced by SnowModel. These landscape-scale (90 m), daily snow depth data reproduced the observed spatial snow-depth variability across typical areal extents occupied by a wintering caribou during a 24-h period.

Results

We found that fall snow depths encountered by the herd north of the Brooks Range exerted a strong influence on selection of two distinct winter range locations. In winters with relatively shallow fall snow depth (2016/17, 2018/19, and 2019/20), the majority of the CAH wintered on the tundra north of the Brooks Range mountains. In contrast, during the winters with relatively deep fall snow depth (2014/15, 2015/16, and 2017/18), the majority of the CAH caribou wintered in the mountainous boreal forest south of the Brooks Range. Long-term (19 winters; 2001–2020) monitoring of CAH caribou winter distributions confirmed this relationship. Additionally, snow depth affected movement and selection differently within these two habitats: in the mountainous boreal forest, caribou avoided areas with deeper snow, but when on the tundra, snow depth did not trigger significant deep-snow avoidance. In both wintering habitats, CAH caribou selected areas with higher lichen abundance, and they moved significantly slower when encountering deeper snow.

Conclusions

In general, our findings indicate that regional-scale selection of winter range is influenced by snow depth at or prior to fall migration. During winter, daily decision-making within the winter range is driven largely by snow depth. This integrative approach of coupling snow and wildlife observations with snow-evolution and caribou-movement modeling to quantify the multi-facetted effects of snow on wildlife ecology is applicable to caribou and reindeer herds throughout the Arctic.
Stochastic maximum power point tracking of photovoltaic energy system under partial shading conditions
Authors: Iqbal Bushra , Nasir Ali , Murtaza Ali Faisal
Published: September 2021

A large portion of the available power generation of a photovoltaic (PV) array could be wasted due to partial shading, temperature and irradiance effects, which create current/voltage imbalance between the PV modules. Partial shading is a phenomenon which occurs when some modules in a PV array receive non-uniform irradiation due to dust, cloudy weather or shadows of nearby objects such as buildings, trees, mountains, birds etc. Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques are designed in order to deal with this problem. In this research, a Markov Decision Process (MDP) based MPPT technique is proposed. MDP consists of a set of states, a set of actions in each state, state transition probabilities, reward function, and the discount factor. The PV system in terms of the MDP framework is modelled first and once the states, actions, transition probabilities, and reward function, and the discount factor are defined, the resulting MDP is solved for the optimal policy using stochastic dynamic programming. The behavior of the resulting optimal policy is analyzed and characterized, and the results are compared to existing MPPT control methods.
Endophytic fungi confirmed as entomopathogens of the new invasive pest, the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), infesting maize in South Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Herlinda Siti , Gustianingtyas Mimma , Suwandi Suwandi , Suharjo Radix , Sari Jelly Milinia Puspita , Lestari Ragil Putri
Published: September 2021

Background

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a new invasive pest in Indonesia causing financial losses. S. frugiperda larvae hide in the leaf midrib all day. To overcome the hidden larvae, pathogenic endophytic fungi are needed. The objective of this research was to molecularly identify the endophytic fungal species from South Sumatra and determine the most pathogenic species against S. frugiperda larvae. Endophytic fungal identification was based on morphological and molecular characteristics. The molecular identification was based on gene sequential analysis of Intergenic Transcribed Spacer (ITS) 1 and ITS 4. Bioassay of the endophytic fungal species was treated against the 2nd larval instar of S. frugiperda.

Result

The results of molecular identification revealed endophytic fungal species consisted of Chaetomium sp. (GaTpeOi, JgTjPr, PiCrPga, and CaCjPga isolates), Aspergillus niger (L.) Van Tieghem (PsgTjPr, JgByU, and JaBuBys), Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (JgSPK, JaGiP, JaSpkPGA(2), JgCrJr, and JaTpOi (1) isolates), Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boed. (JaGiPRB, CMTJP, JaMsBys, JaSpkPga(3), and JgTgSr isolates), Aspergillus flavus Link. (JgPWSR isolate), Penicillium citrinum Thom F 1539 (JaTpOi(2) isolate), and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin (CaTpPGA isolate). All fungal isolates were deposited in the GenBank. The endophytic fungal species of B. bassiana (JgSPK isolate) caused up to (22.67%) mortality, C. lunata (JaSpkPga(3) isolate) caused (17.33%) mortality, and M. anisopliae (CaTpPga isolate) caused (8%) mortality of the pest’s larvae. First report of B. bassiana and C. lunata isolated from maize (Zea mays L.), while M. anisopliae was isolated from red chili (Capsicum annuum L.) as entomopathogenic endophytic fungi against S. frugiperda larvae in Indonesia.

Conclusion

The endophytic fungi species of B. bassiana, C. lunata, and M. anisopliae had potentials as entomopathogens of S. frugiperda.
Historical perspectives, challenges, and future directions of implantable brain-computer interfaces for sensorimotor applications
Authors: Chandrasekaran Santosh , Fifer Matthew , Bickel Stephan , Osborn Luke , Herrero Jose , Christie Breanne , Xu Junqian , Murphy Rory K. J. , Singh Sandeep , Glasser Matthew F. , Collinger Jennifer L. , Gaunt Robert , Mehta Ashesh D. , Schwartz Andrew , Bouton Chad E.
Published: September 2021

Almost 100 years ago experiments involving electrically stimulating and recording from the brain and the body launched new discoveries and debates on how electricity, movement, and thoughts are related. Decades later the development of brain-computer interface technology began, which now targets a wide range of applications. Potential uses include augmentative communication for locked-in patients and restoring sensorimotor function in those who are battling disease or have suffered traumatic injury. Technical and surgical challenges still surround the development of brain-computer technology, however, before it can be widely deployed. In this review we explore these challenges, historical perspectives, and the remarkable achievements of clinical study participants who have bravely forged new paths for future beneficiaries.
Why morphology matters: the negative consequences of hasty descriptions of putative novelties in asexual ascomycetes
Authors: Koukol Ondřej , Delgado Gregorio
Published: September 2021

Recent progress in the discovery of fungal diversity has been enabled by intensive mycological surveys in centres of global biodiversity. Descriptions of new fungal species have been almost routinely based on phenotypic studies coupled with single or multigene phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data. However, high accessibility of sequencing services together with an increasing amount of available molecular data are providing easier and less critical support for taxonomic novelties without carefully studying the phenotype, particularly morphology. As a result, the accelerated rate of species descriptions has been unfortunately accompanied by numerous cases of overlooking previously described and well documented species, some of them that have been known for more than a century. Here, we critically examined recent literature, phenotypic and molecular data, and detected multiple issues with putative novelties of asexualAscomycotatraditionally known as hyphomycetes. In order to fix these taxonomic problems, three new combinations within the generaPleopunctum,CamposporiumandSporidesmium, and two new names inCamposporiumare proposed. Moreover, three genera,Aquidictyomyces,FusiconidiumandPseudohelminthosporium, together with nine species are reduced to synonymy. The examples outlined here clearly show the relevance of morphology in modern phylogenetic studies and the importance of more stringent ‘quality controls’ during biodiversity studies documenting the extensive fungal diversity in a speedy manner.
A Fictional Commons
Authors: Bourdaghs Michael K.
Published: September 2021

Modernity arrived in Japan, as elsewhere, through new forms of ownership. In A Fictional Commons, Michael K. Bourdaghs explores how the literary and theoretical works of Natsume Sōseki (1867–1916), widely celebrated as Japan's greatest modern novelist, exploited the contradictions and ambiguities that haunted this new system. Many of his works feature narratives about inheritance, thievery, and the struggle to obtain or preserve material wealth while also imagining alternative ways of owning and sharing. For Sōseki, literature was a means for thinking through—and beyond—private property. Bourdaghs puts Sōseki into dialogue with thinkers from his own era (including William James and Mizuno Rentarō, author of Japan’s first copyright law) and discusses how his work anticipates such theorists as Karatani Kōjin and Franco Moretti. As Bourdaghs shows, Sōseki both appropriated and rejected concepts of ownership and subjectivity in ways that theorized literature as a critical response to the emergence of global capitalism.
Energy security in the East Mediterranean region
Authors: Φλούρος Φλώρος
Published: September 2021

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή έχει συνταχθεί και υποβληθεί στο τμήμα Πολιτικής Επιστήμης και Διεθνών Σχέσεων στο Πανεπιστήμιο Πελοποννήσου. Ξεκίνησε με αρχικές σκέψεις που αφορούσαν σε ζητήματα ενέργειας και ασφάλειας σε επίπεδο έθνους-κράτους και τελικά μετουσιώθηκε σε μια συγκεκριμένη μελέτη που εξετάζει προσεκτικά το επιλεγμένο θέμα και συμβάλλει στην υπάρχουσα βιβλιογραφία και την ακαδημαϊκή κοινότητα. Η ενέργεια αποτελεί κινητήρια δύναμη για τις κοινότητες και η ενεργειακή ασφάλεια είναι ύψιστης σημασίας για αυτές. Σε αυτή τη διατριβή μελετάται η ενεργειακή ασφάλεια στην ευρύτερη περιοχή της ανατολικής Μεσογείου και η επίδρασή της στην εθνική ασφάλεια ορισμένων χωρών που βρίσκονται εκεί. Το κύριο ερευνητικό ερώτημα ήταν εάν η ενεργειακή ασφάλεια αποτελεί απειλή για την εθνική ασφάλεια μιας χώρας ή/και μια ευκαιρία γι 'αυτήν. Έτερη υποερώτηση έρευνας ήταν να προσδιοριστούν οι παράμετροι που συνθέτουν τόσο τις έννοιες της ενεργειακής ασφάλειας όσο και της εθνικής ασφάλειας, καθώς θα ήταν ευκολότερο να γίνει κατανοητή οποιαδήποτε λειτουργική σχέση μεταξύ των παραμέτρων και στη συνέχεια να καταστεί δυνατή η μελέτης τους. Η επιλογή των δύο χωρών, του Ισραήλ και της Κύπρου, έλαβε χώρα διότι πρόκειται για περιπτώσεις με κοινά χαρακτηριστικά που θα ήταν χρήσιμο να συγκριθούν. Με βάση την ανάλυση αυτής της διατριβής, παρέχεται μια επικαιροποιημένη μεθοδολογία όπου περιγράφονται τα απαραίτητα στάδια σχετικά με τον σχεδιασμό και την εφαρμογή ενός εννοιολογικού πλαισίου υπό το πρίσμα της Διεθνούς Πολιτικής Οικονομίας. Επιπλέον, ακολουθείται μια διεπιστημονική προσέγγιση, η οποία παρέχει μια νέα οπτική για το πώς είναι δυνατόν να συμβαίνουν τα πράγματα. Η εξεταζόμενη σχέση μεταξύ της ενεργειακής ασφάλειας και της εθνικής ασφάλειας ενός έθνους κράτους εξετάστηκε και μελετήθηκε υπό την σκέπη της Διεθνούς Πολιτικής Οικονομίας και ειδικότερα μέσω του πρίσματος της θεωρίας του ρεαλισμού. Τα κύρια ερευνητικά ζητήματα που τέθηκαν αρχικά, εξετάστηκαν τελικά. Τα αποτελέσματα της ερευνητικής διαδικασίας που περιγράφονται λεπτομερώς σε αυτή τη διατριβή, δίνουν χρήσιμα συμπεράσματα σχετικά με τα εξεταζόμενα έθνη-κράτη ενώ ακολούθως παρουσιάζονται προτάσεις πολιτικής και συστάσεις τόσο σε βραχυπρόθεσμο όσο και μακροπρόθεσμο ορίζοντα.
Έκρηξη λύσεων σε μη-τοπικά και εκφυλισμένα προβλήματα διήθησης και πορωδών μέσων
Authors: Ντόγκας Δημήτριος
Published: September 2021

Μελετούμε το μη-τοπικό πρόβλημα αρχικών-συνοριακών τιμών με μη γραμμική διάχυση (Διήθηση): όπου, , φραγμένος τόπος του , , με αρκούντως λείο σύνορο . Αρχικές συνθήκες , με συμπαγή φορέα εντός του πεδίου , μη αρνητικές, όχι ταυτοτικά μηδέν. και είναι πραγματικές συναρτήσεις, θετικές, αύξουσες και κυρτές, για . Εάν έχουμε εκφυλισμό του παραβολικού τελεστή για , και εάν , έχουμε λύση με χρονικά επεκτεινόμενο φορέα. Θεωρούμε γενικευμένες λύσεις (πολύ ασθενείς λύσεις). Ορίζουμε την έννοια της έκρηξης της λύσης σε πεπερασμένο χρόνο. Στο Κεφάλαιο 2 δίνουμε τον ορισμό για τα πάνω - κάτω ζεύγη λύσεων. Επίσης ορίζουμε τους μέσους όρους Steklov για μία συνάρτηση. Στο Κεφάλαιο 4 αποδεικνύουμε έκρηξη για το πρόβλημα Neumann για κάθε και για όλα τα . Επίσης για τα προβλήματα Dirichlet ή Robin, (όταν το πεδίο είναι κυρτό), είτε για αρκούντως μεγάλα και για όλα τα είτε για αρκούντως μεγάλες αρχικές συνθήκες ανεξάρτητα με την τιμή της παραμέτρου . Υποθέτουμε κάποιες συνθήκες μεταξύ των και . Στο Κεφάλαιο 5 εξετάζουμε το φαινόμενο της πεπερασμένης ταχύτητας διάδοσης της διαταραχής για το εκφυλισμένο μη-τοπικό πρόβλημα Διήθησης. Στο Κεφάλαιο 7 μελετούμε την ευστάθεια των λύσεων του στάσιμου μη-τοπικού προβλήματος Διήθησης, όταν το διάγραμμα διακλάδωσης είναι κλειστό από δεξιά. Στο Κεφάλαιο 8 αποδεικνύουμε έκρηξη για το τοπικό πρόβλημα Διήθησης, υπό ορισμένες συνθήκες μεταξύ και και κατάλληλα αρχικά δεδομένα, όταν . Στο Κεφάλαιο 9 και για το μη-τοπικό πρόβλημα γραμμικής διάχυσης, αποδεικνύουμε έκρηξη της λύσης υπό κατάλληλες αρχικές συνθήκες, όταν . Στο Κεφάλαιο 10 και για το μη-τοπικό πρόβλημα Διήθησης, αποδεικνύουμε έκρηξη της λύσης σε πεπερασμένο χρόνο για , υπό ορισμένες συνθήκες μεταξύ και και κατάλληλα αρχικά δεδομένα. Τέλος, στα υπόλοιπα κεφάλαια αναπτύσσονται τεχνικές που χρησιμοποιούνται στα ανωτέρω κεφάλαια.
Σίγμα υποδοχείς
Authors: Σερέτη Ευαγγελία
Published: September 2021

Οι σίγμα υποδοχείς έχουν προσελκύσει το ερευνητικό ενδιαφέρον καθώς έχουν προταθεί ως θεραπευτικοί στόχοι για την αντιμετώπιση διαφόρων ασθενειών και παθολογικών καταστάσεων, μεταξύ των οποίων και ορισμένοι τύποι καρκίνου. Αποτελούνται από δύο υπότυπους, σίγμα-1 (σ1) και σίγμα-2 (σ2), ωστόσο, η ταυτοποίηση του σ2 βρίσκεται υπό διερεύνηση. Μέχρι πρόσφατα σχετίζονταν με τον υποδοχέα PGRMC1 ενώ μεταγενέστερη θεωρία τον ταυτίζει με τον υποδοχέα TMEM97. Επίσης, ορισμένοι σ προσδέτες επιδεικνύουν σημαντική αντιπολλαπλασιαστική και κυτταροτοξική δράση σε διάφορους τύπους καρκίνου. Ωστόσο, ο ακριβής μηχανισμός δράσης τόσο των σίγμα υποδοχέων όσο και των προσδετών τους παραμένει αδιευκρίνιστος και μένει να αποσαφηνιστεί.Στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή, διερευνήθηκαν τα επίπεδα έκφρασης των σ υποδοχέων (σ1, σ2/PGRMC1 και σ2/TMEM97) σε ανθρώπινες εγκαθιδρυμένες και πρωτογενείς καρκινικές κυτταρικές σειρές. Για πρώτη φορά στη βιβλιογραφία, πραγματοποιήθηκε ο ταυτόχρονος προσδιορισμός των επιπέδων έκφρασης του υποδοχέα σ1 και των υποδοχέων σ2/TMEM97 και σ2/PGRMC1. Στη συνέχεια, μελετήθηκε η in vitro αντικαρκινική δράση κάποιων ευρέως χρησιμοποιούμενων σ1 και σ2 προσδετών, έναντι διαφόρων τύπων καρκίνου. Η δραστικότητά τους συγκρίθηκε υπό τις ίδιες πειραματικές συνθήκες και διερευνήθηκε ο πιθανός μηχανισμός δράσης τους. Τέλος, ο σ προσδέτης που επέδειξε την καλύτερη in vitro αντιπολλαπλασιαστική δράση (Siramesine), μελετήθηκε εκτενέστερα σε πρωτογενείς κυτταρικές σειρές και ξενομοσχεύματα προερχόμενα από ασθενείς (PDX). Ο προσδιορισμός των επιπέδων έκφρασης των σ υποδοχέων πραγματοποιήθηκε με ανοσοαποτύπωση κατά Western. Η αντιπολλαπλασιαστική δράση των σ προσδετών μελετήθηκε με τη χρήση της μεθόδου SRB. Ο αλγόριθμος COMPARE χρησιμοποιήθηκε για την εκτίμηση του μηχανισμού δράσης των σ προσδετών. Ο έλεγχος της δράσης της Siramesine (μονοθεραπεία ή συνδυαστικά με τη Gemcitabine) έγινε σε ζωικά πρότυπα καρκίνου προερχόμενα από ασθενείς με καρκίνο του παγκρέατος (PDX), που αναπτύχθηκαν στο εργαστήριό μας. Από την παρούσα μελέτη δεν προκύπτει κάποια άμεση συσχέτιση των υποδοχέων σ1 και σ2 με το είδος αλλά και την επιθετικότητα του όγκου. Φαίνεται ότι οι ουσίες που δοκιμάσθηκαν, ακόμη κι αν έχουν σημαντική in vitro αντικαρκινική δράση ασκούν τη δράση αυτή μέσω μηχανισμών στους οποίους δεν εμπλέκονται οι σ υποδοχείς. Από τις ουσίες που δοκιμάσθηκαν, η Siramesine φάνηκε να είναι η περισσότερη υποσχόμενη. Οι μελέτες της, σε ξενομοσχεύματα όγκων από ασθενείς, που για πρώτη φορά έγιναν στο πλαίσιο της παρούσας διατριβής (PDX), επιβεβαίωσαν την καλή αντικαρκινική της δράση. Επίσης, τα πειραματικά μας δεδομένα δείχνουν ότι η ουσία μπορεί να συνδυασθεί με άλλα χημειοθεραπευτικά ώστε να βελτιωθεί το θεραπευτικό αποτέλεσμα. Το βασικό μειονέκτημα της ουσίας φαίνεται να είναι η κάποια αυξημένη τοξικότητά της που όμως μπορεί να ξεπερασθεί, όπως έδειξε η αντίστοιχη μελέτη με τη χρήση νανοφορέων ελεγχόμενης αποδέσμευσης φαρμάκων, όπως είναι τα λιποσώματα.