bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flagellin triggers mesophyll dehydration: An early PTI defense against bacterial establishment in intercellular spaces
Authors: Dalal Ahan , Attia Ziv , Moshelion Menachem
Published: January 2021

Plants have evolved various mechanisms to defend themselves against pathogens. Many pathogens induce the formation of water-soaked lesions during early infection under conditions of high atmospheric humidity. These water-soaked spots are caused by the disruption of the plasma membrane or cell wall integrity due to various activities of effector proteins during infection. We hypothesized that bacterial PAMP-flagellin plays a role in modulating the cell-membrane permeability that controls the availability of water in the apoplast, to prevent bacterial establishment on the cell wall during the early stages of the PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) response. Our results revealed that the conductivity of hydraulic pathways in the leaf was reduced in response to flagellin22 (flg22). The cellular osmotic water permeability (Pf) of both mesophyll cells and bundlesheath cells was dramatically reduced in response to flg22 treatment. Moreover, the whole-leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf) was also reduced in response to flg22 treatment. The fact that the Pfof mesophyll cells of an aquaporin (AQP) mutant was not affected by the flg22 treatment suggests the involvement of AQP channels in the flg22-induced Pfreduction signal transduction pathway. We conclude that the binding of flagellin to their receptors elicits signals to close AQPs, consequently reducing the water content of the cell wall and intercellular spaces and leading to a more negative water potential. This serves as an early PTI response to pathogen attack, which, in turn, might decrease the rate of bacterial growth and establishment in the apoplast.

Significance statement

We report that the membrane osmotic water permeability of both leaf mesophyll and vascular bundle-sheath cells is reduced in response to treatment with flagellin22. We suggest that this mechanism for cell dehydration may serve as an apoplastic defense response, to limit the chances of bacterial pathogens becoming established on the walls of leaf mesophyll cells.
Intermittent Bulk Release of Human Cytomegalovirus
Authors: Flomm Felix J. , Soh Timothy K. , Schneider Carola , Wedemann Linda , Britt Hannah M. , Thalassinos Konstantinos , Pfitzner Søren , Reimer Rudolph , Grünewald Kay , Bosse Jens B.
Published: January 2021

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can infect a variety of cell types by using virions of varying glycoprotein compositions. It is still unclear how this diversity is generated, but spatio-temporally separated envelopment and egress pathways might play a role. So far, one egress pathway has been described in which HCMV particles are individually enveloped into small vesicles and are subsequently exocytosed continuously. However, some studies have also found enveloped virus particles inside multivesicular structures but could not link them to productive egress or degradation pathways.

We used a novel 3D-CLEM workflow allowing us to investigate these structures in HCMV morphogenesis and egress at high spatio-temporal resolution. We found that multiple envelopment events occurred at individual vesicles leading to multiviral bodies (MViBs), which subsequently traversed the cytoplasm to release virions as intermittent bulk pulses at the plasma membrane to form extracellular virus accumulations (EVAs). Our data support the existence of a novelbona fideHCMV egress pathway, which opens the gate to evaluate divergent egress pathways in generating virion diversity.
A genome wide copper-sensitized screen identifies novel regulators of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity
Authors: Garza Natalie M. , Griffin Aaron T. , Zulkifli Mohammad , Qiu Chenxi , Kaplan Craig D. , Gohil Vishal M.
Published: January 2021

Copper is essential for the activity and stability of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), the terminal enzyme of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Loss-of-function mutations in genes required for copper transport to CcO result in fatal human disorders. Despite the fundamental importance of copper in mitochondrial and organismal physiology, systematic characterization of genes that regulate mitochondrial copper homeostasis is lacking. To identify genes required for mitochondrial copper homeostasis, we performed a genome-wide copper-sensitized screen using DNA barcoded yeast deletion library. Our screen recovered a number of genes known to be involved in cellular copper homeostasis while revealing genes previously not linked to mitochondrial copper biology. These newly identified genes include the subunits of the adaptor protein 3 complex (AP-3) and components of the cellular pH-sensing pathway-Rim20 and Rim21, both of which are known to affect vacuolar function. We find that AP-3 and the Rim mutants impact mitochondrial CcO function by maintaining vacuolar acidity. CcO activity of these mutants could be rescued by either restoring vacuolar pH or by supplementing growth media with additional copper. Consistent with these genetic data, pharmacological inhibition of the vacuolar proton pump leads to decreased mitochondrial copper content and a concomitant decrease in CcO abundance and activity. Taken together, our study uncovered a number of novel genetic regulators of mitochondrial copper homeostasis and provided a mechanism by which vacuolar pH impacts mitochondrial respiration through copper homeostasis.
Benchmarking Oxford Nanopore read assemblers for high-quality molluscan genomes
Authors: Sun Jin , Li Runsheng , Chen Chong , Sigwart Julia D. , Kocot Kevin M.
Published: January 2021

Choosing the optimum assembly approach is essential to achieving a high-quality genome assembly suitable for comparative and evolutionary genomic investigations. Significant recent progress in long-read sequencing technologies such as PacBio and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) also brought about a large variety of assemblers. Although these have been extensively tested on model species such asHomo sapiensandDrosophila melanogaster, such benchmarking has not been done in Mollusca which lacks widely adopted model species. Molluscan genomes are notoriously rich in repeats and are often highly heterozygous, making their assembly challenging. Here, we benchmarked 10 assemblers based on ONT raw reads from two published molluscan genomes of differing properties, the gastropodChrysomallon squamiferum(356.6Mb, 1.59% heterozygosity) and the bivalveMytilus coruscus(1593Mb, 1.94% heterozygosity). By optimising the assembly pipeline, we greatly improved both genomes from previously published versions. Our results suggested that 40-50X of ONT reads are sufficient for high-quality genomes, with Flye being the recommended assembler for compact and less heterozygous genomes exemplified byC. squamiferum, while NextDenovo excelled for more repetitive and heterozygous molluscan genomes exemplified byM. coruscus. A phylogenomic analysis utilising the two updated genomes with other 32 published high-quality lophotrochozoan genomes resulted in maximum support across all nodes, and we show that improved genome quality also leads to more complete matrices for phylogenomic inferences. Our benchmarking will ensure the efficiency in future assemblies for molluscs and perhaps also other marine phyla with few genomes available.
Rejuveinix Reverses Severe Inflammatory Lung Damage in a Mouse Model of Fatal Sepsis
Authors: Uckun Fatih M. , Ozercan Ibrahim H. , Orhan Cemal , Gitterle Marcus , Sahin Kazim
Published: January 2021

We set out to determine if our anti-sepsis drug candidate Rejuveinix (RJX) can effectively treat systemic inflammation in a mouse model of sepsis when used at a dose level that is >10-times lower than its maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for human subjects. Our findings obtained in the LPS-GalN mouse model of fatal sepsis provide experimental evidence that RJX exhibits potent single-agent anti-inflammatory activity and reverses very severe inflammatory lung injury when used therapeutically, thereby significantly improving the survival outcome. These findings demonstrate the clinical impact potential of RJX for the treatment of severe sepsis.
Rapid inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 on copper touch surfaces determined using a cell culture infectivity assay
Authors: Bryant Catherine , Wilks Sandra A. , Keevil C. William
Published: January 2021

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, was first reported in China in 2019 and has transmitted rapidly around the world, currently responsible for 83 million reported cases and over 1.8 million deaths. The mode of transmission is believed principally to be airborne exposure to respiratory droplets from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients but there is also a risk of the droplets contaminating fomites such as touch surfaces including door handles, stair rails etc, leading to hand pick up and transfer to eyes, nose and mouth. We have previously shown that human coronavirus 229E survives for more than 5 days on inanimate surfaces and another laboratory reproduced this for SARS-CoV-2 this year. However, we showed rapid inactivation of Hu-CoV-229E within 10 minutes on different copper surfaces while the other laboratory indicated this took 4 hours for SARS-CoV-2. So why the difference? We have repeated our work with SARS-CoV-2 and can confirm that this coronavirus can be inactivated on copper surfaces in as little as 1 minute. We discuss why the 4 hour result may be technically flawed.
Unveiling everyday discrimination. Two field experiments on discrimination against religious minorities in day‐to‐day interactions
Authors: Aidenberger Amelie , Doehne Malte
Published: January 2021

In recent years—particularly since the beginning of the refugee crisis in 2015—the political debate about issues of Islamophobia and resentment of Muslims has gained new momentum. Our research contributes to the growing experimental literature focusing on these phenomena. Unlike most previous empirical investigations, the present study does not examine “large scale” discrimination against Muslim minorities in situations which occur only periodically throughout an individual's life (e.g., on the rental‐, labor‐, or partner market); rather, it sheds light on (minor) discrimination events that occur on a day‐to‐day basis. Such “everyday discrimination” has been shown to be particularly detrimental to physical and psychological health. Specifically, our research examines the effect of open displays of religious identification—wearing a Muslim headscarf—on everyday discrimination against female Muslims. We report the results of two natural field experiments in Switzerland designed to examine such forms of day‐to‐day discrimination. Study 1 focuses on differential sanctioning, whereas study 2 investigates differences regarding helping behavior. We found pronounced discrimination against women wearing a headscarf in two distinctly different types of everyday interactions. In both scenarios, headscarf‐wearing confederates were treated less favorably than bare‐headed ones: they were sanctioned more often for violating the “stand right, walk left”‐norm on escalators and received less help when asking for a favor (borrowing a mobile phone for an urgent call).
Staying at home or going out? Leadership response to the COVID‐19 crisis in Greece and Sweden
Authors: Petridou Evangelia , Zahariadis Nikolaos
Published: January 2021

In this article, we investigate the leadership response to the COVID‐19 pandemic crisis in Greece and Sweden based on the strategic leadership framework put forth by Boin, 't Hart, Stern and Sundelius. We seek to understand the contextual (institutional, administrative and political) factors explaining the differences in stringency of measures and centralization of response in Greece and Sweden, respectively. What trade‐offs did public leaders implement between effectiveness and efficiency to successfully manage the crisis? We find that reliance on expertise plays out differently in centralized and decentralized structure, while a salient lesson drawn for practitioners is that there is more than one path to successful crisis leadership response contingent on institutional capacity, bureaucratic autonomy and political system. The article concludes with implications for leadership response during crises and practical lessons for crisis managers.
Low‐grade albuminuria is associated with high cardiovascular risk in CVD‐free and normoalbuminuric Chinese adults: Results from the REACTION study
Authors: Li Bing , Chen Kang , Wang Jie , Wang Yuxia , Li Binqi , Li Ran , Gao Zhengnan , Tang Xulei , Yan Li , Wan Qin , Wang Weiqing , Qin Guijun , Chen Lulu , Mu Yiming
Published: January 2021

Background

Data are limited with regard to the association between low‐grade albuminuria (below the threshold of microalbuminuria) and high cardiovascular risk in normoalbuminuric Chinese adults free of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods

A total of 32 650 participants aged over 40 years from seven regional centers in China were included in this study. The single‐void first morning urine sample was collected to measure the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) and the data were divided into sex‐specific quartiles. The Framingham Risk Score (FRS) was used to identify participants at high risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) over the next 10 years and the association between low‐grade albuminuria and high 10‐year Framingham risk for CHD (FRS ≥20%) was investigated.

Results

Among males and females, the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) increased markedly with the elevation of UACR quartiles. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratios (ORs) for high 10‐year risk of CHD increased significantly from the second quartile in males (UACR: 4.78 ~ 7.53 mg/g, OR = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05‐1.40) and the third quartile in females (UACR: 9.13 ~ 15.04 mg/g, OR = 3.07, 95% CI: 1.75‐5.40). Stratified analysis showed that in males, the association was especially pronounced in elderly, overweight/obese participants and those without diabetes and hypertension whereas in females, the association was especially pronounced in elderly, overweight/obese participants and those without diabetes and with hypertension.

Conclusions

Low‐grade albuminuria was significantly associated with high 10‐year cardiovascular risk among CVD‐free and normoalbuminuric Chinese adults.
The Kindergarten Hotspot: Literacy Skill Convergence Between Boston Prekindergarten Enrollees and Nonenrollees
Authors: Weiland Christina , Unterman Rebecca , Shapiro Anna
Published: January 2021

Preschool improves children’s kindergarten readiness, but the cognitive outcomes of preschool enrollees and nonenrollees tend to converge partially or fully in elementary school. In older programs, most of this convergence occurs in kindergarten (Li et al., 2016), but evidence from today’s programs is sparse. Using data on 4,971 children who applied to the Boston Public School Prekindergarten program and a quasi‐experimental approach, we examine convergence in kindergarten through third grade (K‐3) literacy outcomes of prekindergarten enrollees and nonenrollees. Consistent with previous literature, most of the convergence in K‐3 literacy outcomes occurred in kindergarten. Our findings suggest that detailed investigations into the kindergarten teaching and learning context may be particularly important for solving the widely noted preschool convergence pattern.
Interpretation of Pumping Tests in Heterogeneous Aquifers with Constant Head Boundary
Authors: Pechstein Armin , Copty Nadim K.
Published: January 2021

This paper investigates the impact of heterogeneity of the transmissivity field on the interpretation of steady‐state pumping test data from aquifer systems delimited by constant head boundaries such as aquifers adjacent to lakes or rivers. Spatially variable transmissivity fields are randomly generated and used to simulate the drawdown due to a pumping well located at different distances from a constant head boundary. The steady‐state drawdown simulated at different observation wells are then interpreted using the Hantush method (Hantush 1959). The numerical simulations show that, in contrast to the case of infinite aquifer domains, the interpreted transmissivity varies depending on well locations and the separation distance between pumping well and boundary relative to the correlation length. The ensemble‐averaged estimated transmissivity varies between the geometric mean and the arithmetic mean, and can even exceed the arithmetic mean in a narrow domain adjacent to the boundary. It approaches the geometric mean of the underlying transmissivity field only if the distance between the pumping well is more than 20 times the characteristic length of the transmissivity field.
Clinical cell‐based versus cell‐free regenerative endodontics: clarification of concept and term
Authors: Lin L. M. , Huang G. T‐J. , Sigurdsson A. , Kahler B.
Published: January 2021

There is no consensus on the true meaning of clinical regenerative endodontics, and there is confusion over the concept and the term. Commonly used terms include revitalization and revascularization. The clinical methods for endodontic revitalization procedures and the tissue engineering concept differ depending on whether there is exogenous delivery of cells – called cell therapy, or not. Here, in this review, the difference is clarified by emphasizing the correct terminology: cell‐free versus cell‐based regenerative endodontic therapy (CF‐RET versus CB‐RET). The revitalization procedures practised clinically do not fit into the modern tissue engineering concepts of pulp regeneration but can be categorized as CF‐RET. The modern tissue engineering concept in pulp regeneration is a CB‐RET, which so far is at the clinical trial stage. However, histological examination of teeth following regenerative endodontic treatments reveals healing with repair derived from stem cells that originate from the periodontal, bone and other tissues. The aim of regenerative endodontics is regeneration of the pulp–dentine complex. This review discusses why CF‐RET is unlikely to regenerate a pulp–dentine complex with current protocols. The American Association of Endodontists and the European Society of Endodontology have not yet recommended autologous stem cell transplantation (CB‐RERT) which aspires for regeneration. Therefore, an understanding of the concept, term, difficulties and differences in current protocols is important for the clinician. However, rather than being discouraged that ideal regeneration has not been achieved to date, repair can be an acceptable outcome in clinical regenerative endodontics as it has also been accepted in medicine. Repair should also be considered in the context that resolution of the clinical signs/symptoms of pulp necrosis/apical periodontitis is generally reliably obtained in clinical regenerative endodontics.
Val‐Val‐Tyr‐Pro protects against non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice by modulating the gut microbiota and gut‐liver axis activation
Authors: Xie Xinshu , Zhang Lang , Yuan Shun , Li Huilan , Zheng Chaojun , Xie Saisai , Sun Yongbing , Zhang Changhua , Wang Rikang , Jin Yi
Published: January 2021

Val‐Val‐Tyr‐Pro (VVYP) peptide is one of the main active components of Globin digest (GD). Our previous studies indicated that VVYP could protect against acetaminophen and carbon tetrachloride‐induced acute liver failure in mice and decrease blood lipid level. However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of VVYP in the treatment of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have not been discovered. Our present study was designed to investigate the preventive effect of VVYP on NASH and its underlying specific mechanisms. We found that VVYP inhibited the cytotoxicity and lipid accumulation in L‐02 cells that were exposed to a mixture of free fatty acid (FFA). VVYP effectively alleviated the liver injury induced by methionine‐choline‐deficient (MCD) diet, demonstrated by reducing the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/triglycerides (TG)/non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and improving liver histology. VVYP decreased expression levels of lipid synthesis‐related genes and reduced levels of the proinflammation cytokines in the liver of mice fed by MCD diet. Moreover, VVYP inhibited the increased level of LPS and reversed the liver mitochondria dysfunction induced by MCD diet. Meanwhile, VVYP significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Eubacteriaceae, coriobacteriacease, Desulfovibrionaceae, S24‐7 and Bacteroidia in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed mice, however, VVYP reduced the abundance of Lactobacillus. Moreover, VVYP conferred the protective effect of intestinal barrier via promoting the expression of the mucins and tight junction (TJ)‐associated genes and inhibited subsequent liver inflammatory responses. These results indicated that the protective role of VVYP on NASH is mediated by modulating gut microbiota imbalance and related gut‐liver axis activation. VVYP might be a promising drug candidate for NASH.
Older patients’ perspectives and experience of hospitalisation during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a qualitative explorative study
Authors: Nielsen Dorthe Susanne , Hansen Rikke Frøslev , Beck Sanne Have , Wensien Jette , Masud Tahir , Ryg Jesper
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives

The aim of this study was to gain in‐depth knowledge and an increased understanding on how isolation from close relatives and carers, during the COVID‐19 pandemic, impacted older patients during hospitalisation in a Geriatric department.

Method

We conducted a qualitative study using semi‐structured interviews and a phenomenological‐hermeneutic approach, to get an understanding of the older participants' perspectives and lived experiences. Complete interviews were available for 11 patients—six men and five women, between 69 and 91 years of age.

Results

The participants' narratives identified several themes. Feeling isolated from and having no contact with close relatives or carers was prominent. The COVID‐19 pandemic created fear and anxiety among hospitalized patients. Relationships with family members and some staff became strained. The transformation from being “a person” to being “a patient” and loss of dignity, autonomy and a “sense of self” were themes identified in the analysis. Although virtual contact can't replace the real world, the use of technology to maintain contact with family and carers, and the need for help from hospital staff in facilitating this contact was deemed important. The environment of care was a prominent theme. The attitude of staff made a difference to how patients felt and some patients expressed a loss of decision‐making capability. The interviews were challenging in some cases because the interviews had to be interrupted or shortened due to ethical considerations around the individual person's needs and condition.

Conclusions and implication for practice

Our study provided in‐depth knowledge on how older patients experienced hospitalisation during the COVID‐19 pandemic in a Danish hospital. The results emphasise that compassionate care includes a willingness to listen to older patients' narratives and to imagine life as depicted by them. This can lead to better understanding of an individual person's needs and increase the quality of care provided.
CORRELATION BETWEEN INTENSITY MEASURE PARAMETERS OF GROUND MOTION EARTHQUAKES AND STRUCTURAL RESPONSE OF MOMENT RESISTING STEEL FRAMES
Authors: Elhout Emad Ali
Published: January 2021

Identify and select a suitable ground motion intensity measure (IMs) parameters associated with the structural response to specific levels of damages or collapse in structures are very important in the seismic response of structural analyses. This paper investigated the correlation between 25 intensity measure (IMs) parameters of earthquakes and the structural response parameters of 3-, 6- and 12-story moment resisting steel frames (MRSFs). Nonlinear time history analyses are performed for these frames under near- and far-source ground motion records. The maximum story drift ratio (MSDR), the roof drift ratio (RDR), and the maximum base shear force (SF) are chosen as the structural response parameters. The Pearson correlation coefficient with the regression analyses is utilized to display the correlation between the structural response parameter and the ground motion IMs parameters. The results reveal that MSDR appears to be a suitable engineering demand parameter to correlate with most of the ground motion IMs parameters compared to both the RDR and the SF parameters. Also, Max. Incremental velocity (MIV) parameter is considered as the highest correlated IMs parameters with MSDR in both near- and far-source earthquakes.
STUDY OF WATER QUALITY AND ITS HEALTH EFFECTS DUE TO INDUSTRIALIZATION IN NOAPARA AND CHHATIAIN UNION OF HABIGANJ, BANGLADESH
Authors: Jenat Tanje Un , Islam Md. Tariqul , Alam Md. Jahir Bin
Published: January 2021

In this paper, an attempt has been taken to assess the water quality and its impact on local inhabitants along with their health problems due to industrialization without treatment plant in Noapara and Chhatiain Union of Habiganj. To assess the water quality, physico-chemical analysis of water was carried out based on their importance in different usage. Water samples of different locations have DO in the ranges of 2.1mg/l to 9.8mg/l. According to WQI, during dry period, about 42% water samples are ranked as “Unsuitable” whereas 28.5% as “Excellent” during monsoon.CDI value from dermal absorption was evaluated using USEPA guidelines and found the highest amount as 140mg and 150mg for children and adult respectively for only elements related with nitrate and ammonia.
Sensitivity in allergic asthmatic subjects towards house dust mite allergens

Authors: Dhaliwal Amandeep Kaur , Singh Devinder , Randhawa Ramanpreet Kaur , Singh Atinderpal
Published: January 2021

Asthma is a common problem that affects about 20 million peoples in India and can be often under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed. It can be allergic or non-allergic though the former type is more common and prevalent. Allergic asthma can be triggered by many allergens and house dust mites (HDM) are one of the common indoor allergens. The present study emphasizes the significance of house dust mites in allergic asthmatic subjects which is based on 115 asthmatic subjects in Punjab, India. For the quantification and the estimation of total serum Immunoglobulin E and HDM specific IgE, a mixture of 14 allergens and a mixture of two mite allergens viz. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae were used respectively. Total and specific IgE levels were detected on ImmunoCAP Phadia 100. A statistically significant correlation between total and HDM specific IgE levels of 115 asthmatic subjects was found as compared to control group of 30 non-allergic individuals. The specific IgE levels of 54.78% subjects against the allergen of two mite species were found to be positive. Dust samples were taken from various localities of the houses to identify the diversity of house dust mites which were responsible for allergic asthma. Five common house dust mite species viz. D. pteronyssinus Trouessart, D. farinae Hughes, D. microceras Griffiths and Cunnington, D. aureliani Fain and Euroglyphus maynei Cooreman were identified from the dust. The present study observed that total IgE levels were higher with higher specific IgE levels against the mixture of two mite allergens viz. D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae in the blood serum.  D. pteronyssinus was the most abundant and prevalent mite species followed by D. farinae. Therefore, present study concluded that HDM specific IgE levels against the mite allergen of D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae in the serum of allergic asthmatic subjects were found to be higher because of the higher prevalence of these two mites (D. pteronyssinus i.e. 69.80% and D. farinae i.e. 20.72%) in the house of allergic asthmatic subjects as compared to other identified mites.
New species of Kuzinellus Wainstein and redescription of Kuzinellus querellus (Ueckermann & Loots) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) with morphological and DNA barcode data

Authors: Santos Jandir C. , Young Monica R. , Demite Peterson R. , Hebert Paul D. N.
Published: January 2021

In this paper, a new species of Kuzinellus Wainstein, K. gabonensis sp. nov., is described based on specimens collected in Gabon. This new species is morphologically similar to K. querellus (Ueckermann & Loots), but it can be distinguished mainly by the knobbed tip of the dorsal setae Z4, spermatheca shape and by its possession of more than 15% divergence in the DNA barcode region of COI. Additionally, Kuzinellus querellus is reported for the first time from Kenya and accompanied by a redescription of morphological and DNA barcode data.
Evaluation of Pragmatic Methods to Rapidly Assess Habitual Beverage Intake and Hydration Status in U.S. Collegiate Athletes
Authors: Kostelnik Samantha B. , Rockwell Michelle S. , Davy Kevin P. , Hedrick Valisa E. , Thomas D. Travis , Davy Brenda M.
Published: January 2021

Fluid intake recommendations have been established for the athletic population in order to promote adequate hydration. The Beverage Intake Questionnaire (BEVQ-15) is a quick and reliable food frequency questionnaire that quantifies habitual beverage intake, which has been validated in children, adolescents, and adults. However, no validated beverage consumption questionnaire is available for collegiate athletes. Urine color (UC), while feasible for determining hydration status, has not been validated within a variety of collegiate athletes. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the comparative validity and reliability of pragmatic methods to rapidly assess BEVQ-15 and UC rating in U.S. Division I collegiate athletes. Student-athletes (n = 120; 54% females; age 19 ± 1 years) from two universities were recruited to complete three study sessions. At the first and third sessions, the participants completed the BEVQ-15 and provided a urine sample to determine UC and urinary specific gravity. All sessions included completion of a 24-hr dietary recall. Total fluid intake (fl oz) was 111 ± 107 and 108 ± 42 using the BEVQ-15 and the mean of three 24-hr dietary recalls, respectively, which was not different between methods (p > .05). There were moderate associations between the BEVQ-15 and dietary recall results for total beverage intake fl oz and kcal(r = .413 and r = 4.65; p ≤ .05, respectively). Strong associations were noted between both researcher-rated and participant-rated UC with urinary specific gravity measures (r = .675 and r = .884; p ≤ .05, respectively). Therefore, these rapid assessment methods demonstrated acceptable validity and may be used as practical methods to determine whether athletes are meeting their hydration recommendations.
Controlling electrochemical growth of metallic zinc electrodes: Toward affordable rechargeable energy storage systems
Authors: Zheng Jingxu , Archer Lynden A.
Published: January 2021

Zinc anodes are a powerful platform for understanding metal deposition and for low-cost electrical energy storage.
Controlled emission time statistics of a dynamic single-electron transistor
Authors: Brange Fredrik , Schmidt Adrian , Bayer Johannes C. , Wagner Timo , Flindt Christian , Haug Rolf J.
Published: January 2021

Accurate control of the emission time statistics is demonstrated for a dynamic single-electron transistor.
Coding-Complete Genome Sequences of Emerging Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2 Isolates Detected in 2020 in the United States
Authors: O’Donnell V. K. , Xu L. , Moran K. , Mohamed F. , Boston T. , Pauszek S. J. , Vierra D. A. , Faburay B. , Dodd K. A. , Barrette R. W.
Published: January 2021

Five rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2) coding-complete genome sequences were obtained from the livers of domestic and wild rabbits during the 2020 outbreak in the United States. These represent the first available RHDV2 sequences from the United States.
Near-Complete Sequence of a Highly Divergent Reovirus Genome Recovered from Callinectes sapidus
Authors: Zhao Mingli , Flowers Emily M. , Schott Eric J.
Published: January 2021

This report describes the sequence of a reovirus genome, discovered in
Callinectes sapidus
in Brazil. The genome sequence of CsRV2 consists of 12 segments that encode 13 putative proteins. The predicted RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is highly similar to that of
Eriocheir sinensis
reovirus 905, suggesting that CsRV2 also belongs to the genus
Cardoreovirus
.
Draft Genome Sequence of Terrestrial
Streptomyces
sp. Strain VITNK9, Isolated from Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India, Exhibiting Antagonistic Activity against Fish Pathogens
Authors: Saha Subhasish , Ishaque Nabila Mohammad , Burgsdorf Ilia , Macho Markéta , Ewe Daniela , Steindler Laura , Hrouzek Pavel , Kannabiran Krishnan , Saurav Kumar
Published: January 2021

We report the draft genome sequence of
Streptomyces
sp. strain VITNK9, isolated from a soil sample collected in Vellore district (12.9165°N, 79.1325°E), Tamil Nadu, India, with an assembly size of 7,920,076 bp and 72.7% GC content.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Streptomyces
Phage Shady
Authors: Ortega Carlos , Hernandez Isla , Clark James , Liu Mei , Burrowes Ben
Published: January 2021

Streptomyces
spp. are saprophytic soil bacteria that produce secondary metabolites with therapeutic potential. This announcement describes the isolation and genome annotation of
Streptomyces
sp. strain Mg1 siphophage Shady. Learning more about Shady’s novel 45-kb genome, containing 76 predicted protein-coding genes, could be industrially advantageous when using streptomycetes for their products.
Supplemental Material: A new model for the optimal structural context for giant porphyry copper deposit formation
Authors: Piquer Jose , al. et
Published: January 2021

Tables S1 and S2, a summary of all the relevant data from mineral deposits and active volcanic systems compiled for testing the model presented in this work.
Body mass index, prudent diet score and social class across three generations: evidence from the Hertfordshire Intergenerational Study
Authors: Carter Sarah , Parsons Camille , Ward Kate , Clynes Michael , Dennison Elaine M , Cooper Cyrus
Published: January 2021

Background

Studies describing body mass index (BMI) and prudent diet score have reported that they are associated between parents and children. The Hertfordshire Intergenerational Study, which contains BMI, diet and social class information across three generations, provides an opportunity to consider the influence of grandparental and parental BMI and prudent diet score across multiple generations, and the influence of grandparental and parental social class on child BMI.

Methods

Linear regressions examining the tracking of adult BMI and prudent diet score across three generations (grandparent (F0), parent (F1) and child (F2)) were run from parent to child and from grandparent to grandchild. Linear mixed models investigated the influence of F0 and F1 BMI or prudent diet score on F2 BMI and prudent diet score. Linear regressions were run to determine whether social class and prudent diet score of parents and grandparents influenced the BMI of children and grandchildren.

Results

BMI was significantly associated across each generational pair and from F0 to F1 in multilevel models. Prudent diet score was significantly positively associated between grandparents and grandchildren. Lower grandparental and parental social class had a significantly positive association with F2 BMI (F0 low social class: b=1.188 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.060 to 2.315, p=0.039; F1 middle social class: b=2.477 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.726 to 4.227, p=0.006).

Conclusion

Adult BMI tracks across generations of the Hertfordshire Intergenerational Study, and child BMI is associated with parental and grandparental social class. The results presented here add to literature supporting behavioural and social factors in the transmission of BMI across generations.
Distribution of vitamin D status in the UK: a cross-sectional analysis of UK Biobank
Authors: Lin Liang-Yu , Smeeth Liam , Langan Sinead , Warren-Gash Charlotte
Published: January 2021

Objective

No recent large studies have described the distribution of vitamin D status in the UK. Understanding the epidemiology of vitamin D deficiency is important to inform targeted public health recommendations. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of factors associated with serum vitamin D status in a large national cohort.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

The UK Biobank, a prospective cohort study following the health and well-being of middle-aged and older adults recruited between 2006 and 2010.

Participants

A total of 449 943 participants aged 40–69 years with measured serum vitamin D status were eligible for the analysis. Participants completed a questionnaire about sex, age, ethnic background, vitamin D supplementation, smoking, drinking and socioeconomic status.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We investigated the distribution of serum vitamin D status and the association between demographic factors and vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level <25 nmol/L. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between demographic factors and vitamin D status.

Results

Asian (n=4297/8000, 53.7%) and black (n=2459/7046, 34.9%) participants had a higher proportion of vitamin D deficiency than white participants (n=50 920/422 907, 12%). During spring and winter, the proportion of vitamin D deficiency was higher across the UK and higher in the north than in the south. Male sex, abnormal body mass index, non-white ethnic backgrounds, smoking and being more socioeconomically deprived were associated with higher odds of vitamin D deficiency. Increasing age, taking vitamin D supplements and drinking alcohol were associated with lower odds of deficiency.

Conclusions

Vitamin D status varied among different ethnic groups and by season and geographical area within the UK. Taking supplements was associated with a lower risk of vitamin D deficiency. These findings support the vitamin D supplementation recommendations of Public Health England.
Short-term effects of cold spells on hospitalisations for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a time-series study in Beijing, China
Authors: Liu Yanbo , Chen Yuxiong , Kong Dehui , Liu Xiaole , Fu Jia , Zhang Yongqiao , Zhao Yakun , Chang Zhen'ge , Zhao Xiaoyi , Xu Kaifeng , Jiang Chengyu , Fan Zhongjie
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Our work aimed at exploring the relationship between cold spells and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) hospitalisations in Beijing, China, and assessing the moderating effects of the intensities and the durations of cold spells, as well as identifying the vulnerable.

Design

A time-series study.

Setting

We obtained time-series data of AECOPD hospitalisations, meteorological variables and air quality index in Beijing, China during 2012–2016.

Participants

All AECOPD hospitalisations among permanent residents in Beijing, China during the cold seasons (November–March) of 2012–2016 were included (n=84 571).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

A quasi-Poisson regression with a distributed lag model was fitted to investigate the short-term effects of cold spells on AECOPD hospitalisations by comparing the counts of AECOPD admissions during cold spell days with those during non-cold spell days.

Results

Cold spells under different definitions were associated with increased risk of AECOPD hospitalisations, with the maximum cumulative relative risk (CRR) over 3 weeks (lag0–21). The cumulative effects at lag0–21 increased with the intensities and the durations of cold spells. Under the optimal definition, the most significant single-day relative risk (RR) was found on the days of cold spells (lag0) with an RR of 1.042 (95% CI 1.013 to 1.072), and the CRR at lag0–21 was 1.394 (95% CI 1.193 to 1.630). The elderly (aged ≥65) were more vulnerable to the effects of cold spells on AECOPD hospitalisations.

Conclusion

Cold spells are associated with increased AECOPD hospitalisations in Beijing, with the cumulative effects increased with intensities and durations. The elderly are at particular risk of AECOPD hospitalisations triggered by cold spells.
Demographic and social correlates and indicators for behavioural compliance with personal protection among Chinese community-dwellers during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Xu Xin , Chew Kimberly Ann , Xu Xiaolin , Wu Zhihua , Xiao Xiaohua , Yang Qian
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Examine compliance with personal protective measures in communities for the prevention and control of local transmission of the COVID-19, and explore indicators for such behavioural compliance.

Design

Cross-sectional design with a self-selecting sample. Data collected in February 2020.

Setting

Community dwellers in China.

Participants

2956 participants aged 16 and above completed the study and were included in the analysis.

Outcome measures

Nationwide COVID-19 survey. Demographics and self-reported compliance with four personal protective measures—home quarantine, mask-wearing, temperature-taking and hand-sanitising were collected. Outbreak severity and timeliness of personal protection order were obtained from the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between demographic and social indicators and behavioural compliance.

Results

Compliance with home quarantine was only associated with gender (men, OR=0.61 (0.51–0.73), inverse association) but no other indicators. In contrast, men had higher compliance with mask-wearing (OR=1.79 (1.49–2.16)) and temperature-taking (OR=1.27 (1.05–1.53)). Compared with younger adults (≤20 years), the middle-age groups (31–40 and 41–50 years of age) were more compliant with all protective behaviours, except for home quarantine (OR=0.71 (0.54–0.93) and 0.67 (0.46–0.97), respectively).

Conclusion

Male gender was associated with lower compliance with home quarantine yet higher compliance with mask-wearing and temperature-taking. The middle-age participants (31–50 years) had lower compliance with home quarantine but higher with other measures. These findings may be supported by the economic considerations and the long-inherited Confucian values among Chinese. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, public health authorities should tailor policy implementation to disparities in psychosocial indicators.
Experiences of general practice of children with complex and palliative care needs and their families: a qualitative study
Authors: Mitchell Sarah , Harding Stephanie , Samani Mohini , Slowther Anne-Marie , Coad Jane , Dale Jeremy
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To investigate the views and experiences of general practice of children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their family members, through secondary analysis of a qualitative serial interview study. Thematic analysis was conducted on all interview data relating to experiences of primary care.

Setting

West Midlands, UK.

Participants

A total of 31 participants (10 children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and 21 family members) from 14 families.

Study design and setting

Secondary thematic analysis of qualitative interview data from a study carried out in the West Midlands, UK.

Method

41 serial interviews with 31 participants from 14 families: 10 children aged 5–18 years with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and 21 of their family members.

Results

Three key themes emerged: (1) poor experiences of general practice cause children and families to feel isolated, (2) children and families value support from general practice, and (3) there are practical ways through which general practice has the potential to provide important aspects of care. Children and families reported benefits from fostering their relationship with their general practice in order to access important aspects of care, including the assessment and management of acute illness, chronic disease and medication reviews, and holistic support.

Conclusion

Children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families value the involvement of general practice in the care, alongside their paediatric specialists. Ways of developing and providing such support as part of an integrated system of care need to be developed.
How can we build and maintain the resilience of our health care professionals during COVID-19? Recommendations based on a scoping review
Authors: Rieckert Anja , Schuit Ewoud , Bleijenberg Nienke , ten Cate Debbie , de Lange Wendela , de Man-van Ginkel Janneke M , Mathijssen Elke , Smit Linda C , Stalpers Dewi , Schoonhoven Lisette , Veldhuizen Jessica D , Trappenburg Jaap CA
Published: January 2021

Objective

To explore how to build and maintain the resilience of frontline healthcare professionals exposed to COVID-19 outbreak working conditions.

Design

Scoping review supplemented with expert interviews to validate the findings.

Setting

Hospitals.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, bioRxiv and medRxiv systematically and grey literature for articles focusing on the impact of COVID-19-like working conditions on the physical and/or mental health of healthcare professionals in a hospital setting. Articles using an empirical design about determinants or causes of physical and/or mental health and about interventions, measures and policies to preserve physical and/or mental health were included. Four experts were interviewed to reflect on the results from the scoping review.

Results

In total, 4471 records were screened leading to an inclusion of 73 articles. Recommendations prior to the outbreak fostering resilience included optimal provision of education and training, resilience training and interventions to create a feeling of being prepared. Recommendations during the outbreak consisted of (1) enhancing resilience by proper provision of information, psychosocial support and treatment (eg, create enabling conditions such as forming a psychosocial support team), monitoring the health status of professionals and using various forms and content of psychosocial support (eg, encouraging peer support, sharing and celebrating successes), (2) tasks and responsibilities, in which attention should be paid to kind of tasks, task mix and responsibilities as well as the intensity and weight of these tasks and (3) work patterns and working conditions. Findings of the review were validated by experts.

Conclusions

Recommendations were developed on how to build and maintain resilience of frontline healthcare professionals exposed to COVID-19 outbreak working conditions. These practical and easy to implement recommendations can be used by hospitals and other healthcare organisations to foster and preserve short-term and long-term physical and mental health and employability of their professionals.