bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction in determination of specific activity of radionuclides by gamma spectrometry in building materials
Authors: Polouckova V
Published: June 2021

For more accurate determination of specific activities of radionuclides by gamma spectrometry in materials, it is necessary to take into account two important factors. These are the effect of true coincidences and self-absorption of gamma radiation directly in the measured sample. The corrections for these factors are determined for the specific measurement geometry defined by the detector, the measuring vessel and their relative positions. Corrections are calculated by Monte Carlo simulation. The results show a significant effect of material bulk density on the correction values.
General analytic theory of classical collinear three-wave mixing in a monolithic cavity
Authors: Santandrea Matteo , Stefszky Michael , Silberhorn Christine
Published: June 2021

Integrated, monolithic nonlinear cavities are of great interest in both classical and quantum optics experiments due to their high efficiency and stability. However, a general analytic theory of classical three-wave mixing in such monolithic systems, including both linear and nonlinear regions with arbitrary finesse and non-zero propagation losses, is a challenging task. Here, we derive such a model for any three-wave mixing process (second harmonic, sum frequency and difference frequency generation) under the sole assumption of low single-pass conversion efficiency. We demonstrate remarkable agreement between the presented model and the experimentally obtained highly complex second-harmonic spectrum of a titanium-indiffused lithium niobate waveguide cavity that includes both a linear and nonlinear section. We then show the effect that reversing the linear and nonlinear regions has on the output spectrum, highlighting the importance of system design. Finally, we demonstrate that the model can be extended to include the effect of phase modulation applied to the cavity.
Effect of solution treatment on the microstructure of dissimilar welding joints of Ta-10W and GH3128
Authors: Tao Fu , Li Dong , Jia Shudang , Fan Linhao , Chen Jieshi
Published: June 2021

Electron beam welding (EBW) process is employed to weld Ta-10W and GH3128 plates of 2 mm thick, which is very beneficial to the development of aerospace engine combustor. The microstructure of the as-welded (AW) and solution-treated (ST) samples are characterized. The phase transformation program of the fusion zone (FZ) of GH3128 and Ta-10W joints is

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23

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Whether in the AW or ST state, the reaction layers formed by hard intermediate phases are found between the FZ and Ta-10W. Comparing the two states, voids zone is formed at the interface of the reaction layer near the FZ in the ST state. Additionally, it is also found that the growth of the reaction layer was promoted at the solution temperature. It is certain that the solution treatment keeps many positive significances. First of all, the banded P phase worsening the properties of materials has not been formed. Secondly, the performance of the FZ is strengthened by the dispersed granular M6C. Thirdly, the distribution of coincident-site lattice (CSL) grain boundaries (GBs) in the FZ is more uniform than that in the AW state.
Effect of WC content on microstructure, hardness, and wear properties of plasma cladded Fe–Cr–C–WC coating
Authors: Yuan Renyue , Bai Xuewei , Li Haozhe , Zhang Zhicong , Sun Shijie , Zhai Yankun
Published: June 2021

The Q235 sample was coated with ball-milled Fe–Cr–C–WC powder using plasma cladding technology, and the influence of tungsten carbide (WC) content on the surface microstructure, hardness, and wear properties of the coated steel was evaluated. The single factor test of optimal WC content was carried out on DML-02BD plasma cladding machine, and the material after cladding was analyzed. The microstructure distribution, elemental composition and phase composition of the coating were observed by MIRA3-XMH scanning electron microscopy. The microhardness of cladding layer can indirectly reflect the properties of cladding layer to a certain extent, which is measured by the Vickers microhardness tester. The wear quality, friction coefficient and wear mark morphology can directly reflect the wear resistance of the test blocks. These are observed by the ring block friction and wear tester and the ultra depth of field microscope, respectively. With an increasing WC content, the microhardness of the cladding layer shows an upward trend. The main hard phases of the cladding layer after adding WC are (Cr, Fe)7C3, (Fe, Ni)23C7, and the other phases are γ-Fe, Fe3W3C, WCandFe2W. After 6 h friction and wear test, the cladding layer with 30%WC showed the best wear resistance. The total wear amount, wear volume, wear rate and friction coefficient were 0.01 g, 4.22 mm3, 2.344 × 10–4 mm3/(N·m), and 0.35, which were 1/10, 1/5, 1/5, and 7/10 of those without WC cladding layer, respectively. It can be concluded that different WC contents affect the surface microstructure and properties of Fe–Cr–C alloy coating treated by plasma cladding technology. At a WC content of 30%, the microstructure and properties of the cladding layer reach the best.
Characterization of cissus quadrangularis fiber polymer composites along with properties analysis
Authors: M Sankarasubramanian , P Pitchipoo
Published: June 2021

The natural fibers such as coir, flax, oil palm, jute etc are widely used in civil construction and automobile industries based on their advantages like eco friendlyness as well as their enhanced performances whereas the synthetic fibers namely kevlar, carbon and glass yield higher production costs. Hence in this present work, a new natural fiber, the Cissus Quadrangularis, which is made from the Cissus Quadrangularis plant, has been introduced and it is bio-degradable, renewable, and eco friendly. The chemical composition, density, mechanical properties and water absorption potential of fiber bundles are investigated and impressive results are obtained. The composite material has been fabricated by the fiber with different weight percentage in the form of powder and its characterizations and the mechanical properties have been studied. The results reveal that the fabricated composite is suitable for structural applications and a better replacement of synthetic fibers. The mechanical features of Cissus Quadrangularis are reinforced with unsaturated polyester composite and it is optimized by changing the fiber content.
Effects of current output modes on the growth kinetics and corrosion resistance of micro-arc oxidation coatings on magnesium alloy
Authors: Yuan Junwen , Liu Cancan , Xu Tong , Jiang Bailing , Li Hongtao , Yang Bo
Published: June 2021

Abstracts

Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coatings were prepared on the AZ31 Mg alloy under the constant/gradient current control modes. The effects of current output modes on the growth rate, energy consumption, microstructure, and corrosion resistance of MAO coatings were studied. The results shows that the current step-down mode (G852) exhibited a lower unit energy consumption than the constant current mode (C5) and the current step-up mode (G258), even though the same average current density current was used during MAO process. Meanwhile, the G852 is conducive to a thick and dense coating, resulting in a better corrosion resistance. The method of energy saving preparation of corrosion resistant MAO coating by adjusting the current mode is of great significance for practical production.
Design and novel turn-off mechanism in transistor lasers
Authors: Wu Bohao , Dallesasse John M , Leburton Jean-Pierre
Published: June 2021

We provide a quantitative analysis of the spontaneous recombination time in the quantum well (QW) of a transistor laser (TL) that shows that owing to the heavy doping in the base of the transistor, Auger recombination is responsible for the short carrier lifetime and low quantum efficiency of the device. By taking advantage of the QW location close to the collector in the TL three-terminal configuration, we devise a new turn-off mechanism that results in quick electron tunneling through the QW barrier by applying a high base-collector reverse bias to deplete the QW and suppress further recombination. For practical base-collector reverse bias, tunneling time from the QW is on the order of 10th of picosecond, which with a lighter base doping density would simultaneously achieve a fast TL turn-off response, while reducing Auger recombination.
SANS serif: alignment-free, whole-genome-based phylogenetic reconstruction
Authors: Rempel Andreas , Wittler Roland
Published: June 2021

SANS serif is a novel software for alignment-free, whole-genome-based phylogeny estimation that follows a pangenomic approach to efficiently calculate a set of splits in a phylogenetic tree or network.

Availability and implementation

Implemented in C++ and supported on Linux, MacOS and Windows. The source code is freely available for download at https://gitlab.ub.uni-bielefeld.de/gi/sans.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
ClusTCR: a python interface for rapid clustering of large sets of CDR3 sequences with unknown antigen specificity
Authors: Valkiers Sebastiaan , Van Houcke Max , Laukens Kris , Meysman Pieter
Published: June 2021

Motivation

The T-cell receptor (TCR) determines the specificity of a T-cell towards an epitope. As of yet, the rules for antigen recognition remain largely undetermined. Current methods for grouping TCRs according to their epitope specificity remain limited in performance and scalability. Multiple methodologies have been developed, but all of them fail to efficiently cluster large datasets exceeding 1 million sequences. To account for this limitation, we developed ClusTCR, a rapid TCR clustering alternative that efficiently scales up to millions of CDR3 amino acid sequences, without knowledge about their antigen specificity.

Results

Benchmarking comparisons revealed similar accuracy of ClusTCR as compared to other TCR clustering methods, as measured by cluster retention, purity and consistency. ClusTCR offers a drastic improvement in clustering speed, which allows the clustering of millions of TCR sequences in just a few minutes through ultraefficient similarity searching and sequence hashing.

Availability and implementation

ClusTCR was written in Python 3. It is available as an anaconda package (https://anaconda.org/svalkiers/clustcr) and on github (https://github.com/svalkiers/clusTCR).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Assessing the Victim–Offender Overlap in Prison Victimization and Misconduct Among Taiwanese Male Inmates
Authors: Kuo Shih-ya , Chang Kuang-ming , Chen Yu-shu , Lai Yung-lien , Chang Yuan-song , Li Yi
Published: June 2021

A substantial body of research supports the existence of the victim–offender overlap in the general population. However, few scholars have investigated this phenomenon in the prison context. Drawing on survey data collected from 2,065 male inmates residing in Taiwan’s nine prisons, this study tested the victim–offender overlap hypothesis and identified the most common characteristics of inmates assuming the dual role. Bivariate probit analyses revealed that the victim–offender overlap in the general population also applies to the incarcerated. Four common risk factors were found among inmates who were both victims and offenders. The findings have clear implications for researchers, practitioners and policymakers and shed light on the understudied topic of the victim–offender overlap phenomenon in prison.
A Study Exploring How Social Work AMHPs Experience Assessment under Mental Health Law: Implications for Human Rights-Oriented Social Work Practice
Authors: Abbott Simon
Published: June 2021

There is little empirical research focusing on how social workers experience the law in their everyday professional practice, and still less on how mental health social workers experience assessment for compulsory admission under mental health law. The article is informed by a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, drawing on in-depth interviews and practitioner diaries with social work Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs), providing exploration of how social work AMHPs experience compulsory assessment under mental health law in practice. This is revealed as a socio-relational process, involving a focus on the person in their environment in relation to others, such as family and professionals. Ethical challenges realising human rights social work practice are illuminated. This draws attention to how space for such practice can be eroded by systems conditions. The importance of amplifying the voice of the person assessed is highlighted in the context that their voice is severely diminished during the process of assessment. The article provides insights on the complexity involved in compulsory mental health practice, drawing attention to trust as an important concept. Finally, the article argues that realising human rights-oriented AMHP practice requires social work to challenge systems conditions that erode the ability to do so.
Sleep Enhances Consolidation of Memory Traces for Complex Problem-Solving Skills
Authors: van den Berg N H , Pozzobon A , Fang Z , Al-Kuwatli J , Toor B , Ray L B , Fogel S M
Published: June 2021

Sleep consolidates memory for procedural motor skills, reflected by sleep-dependent changes in the hippocampal-striatal-cortical network. Other forms of procedural skills require the acquisition of a novel strategy to solve a problem, which recruit overlapping brain regions and specialized areas including the caudate and prefrontal cortex. Sleep preferentially benefits strategy and problem-solving skills over the accompanying motor execution movements. However, it is unclear how acquiring new strategies benefit from sleep. Here, participants performed a task requiring the execution of a sequence of movements to learn a novel cognitive strategy. Participants performed this task while undergoing fMRI before and after an interval of either a full night sleep, a daytime nap, or wakefulness. Participants also performed a motor control task, which precluded the opportunity to learn the strategy. In this way, we subtracted motor execution-related brain activations from activations specific to the strategy. The sleep and nap groups experienced greater behavioral performance improvements compared to the wake group on the strategy-based task. Following sleep, we observed enhanced activation of the caudate in addition to other regions in the hippocampal-striatal-cortical network, compared to wakefulness. This study demonstrates that sleep is a privileged time to enhance newly acquired cognitive strategies needed to solve problems.
Novel Causal Relations between Neuronal Networks due to Synchronization
Authors: Wang Sentao , Chen Hongbiao , Zhan Yang
Published: June 2021

In the process of information transmission, information is thought to be transmitted from the networks that are activated by the input to the networks that are silent or nonactivated. Here, via numerical simulation of a 3-network motif, we show that the silent neuronal network when interconnected with other 2 networks can exert much stronger causal influences on the other networks. Such an unexpected causal relationship results from high degree of synchronization in this network. The predominant party is consistently the network whose noise is smaller when the noise level in each network is considered. Our results can shed lights on how the internal network dynamics can affect the information flow of interconnected neuronal networks.
Inside the Sickchamber in Early Modern England: The Experience of Illness through Six Objects
Authors: Newton Hannah
Published: June 2021

This article transports the reader imaginatively into the early modern sickchamber, a space that has rarely attracted much historiographical attention. Focusing on England c.1600–1720, it reconstructs the patient’s sensory and emotional experiences of this environment. To do so, a material culture approach is adopted, which involves the analysis of six objects from the sickroom: a physic vessel, bedcurtains, clock, mattress, sheets, and blankets. The central argument is that sickness radically altered the way people related to the things around them. When seriously unwell, the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and tactile sensations of the items which, during health, gave rise to feelings of comfort, became sources of distress. Through this research, the article showcases the mutual benefits that an object-driven approach can bring to the twin fields of medical and material history. For the former, it sheds fresh light on the very meaning of disease in this period, showing that it was conceived as a form of dis-possession. A focus on objects also reveals a number of hitherto overlooked forms of suffering, such as ‘swallowing a lothsome potion’, tinnitus, and sleeplessness. For material studies, the article demonstrates the vital role of the senses in the ‘emotive agency’ of objects, as well as offering an opportunity to tackle the notorious challenge of the silence of many historical records on ‘everyday objects’. Confined to the sickchamber for a stretch of time, the attention of the sick rested on the things around them, eliciting comments which would have rarely been voiced in health.
Efficacy and safety of the GOLD FORCE multicentre randomized clinical trial: multielectrode phased radiofrequency vs. irrigated radiofrequency single-tip catheter with contact force ablation for treatment of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Wintgens Lisette I S , Klaver Martijn N , Maarse Moniek , Spitzer Stefan G , Langbein Anke , Swaans Martin J , Van Dijk Vincent F , Balt Jippe C , Wijffels Maurits C E F , Tijssen Jan G P , Elvan Arif , Boersma Lucas V A
Published: June 2021

Aims

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) has become increasingly safe and effective with the evolution of single-tip ablation catheters aided by contact force sensing (ST-CF) and single-shot devices such as the second-generation pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) Gold multi-electrode array. The multicentre randomized GOLD FORCE trial was conducted to evaluate non-inferiority of safety and efficacy of PVAC Gold PVI compared to ST-CF ablation for paroxysmal AF.

Methods and results

The primary efficacy endpoint documented AF recurrence ≥30 s was assessed by time-to-first-event analysis after a 90-day blanking period using repeated 7-day Holters. Secondary endpoints include acute success and procedural characteristics. Safety endpoints included procedural complications, stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA), tamponade, bleeding, and access site complications. Two hundred and eight patients underwent randomization and PVI (103 assigned to PVAC Gold, 105 to ST-CF). Acute success rates were 95% and 97% for PVAC Gold and ST-CF, respectively. At 12 months, AF recurrence was observed in 46.6% of the PVAC Gold group and in 26.2% of the ST-CF group [absolute efficacy difference 20.4% (95% confidence interval, CI 7.5–33.2%), hazard ratio 2.05 (95% CI 1.28–3.29), P = 0.003]. PVAC Gold had significantly shorter procedure and ablation times. Complication rates were 5.7% and 4.9% for PVAC Gold and ST-CF, respectively (P = 0.782).

Conclusion

In this multicentre randomized clinical trial, ablation with ST-CF and PVAC Gold ablation catheters non-inferiority for efficacy was not met. AF recurrence was significantly more frequent in the PVAC Gold group compared to single-tip contact force group. Both groups had similarly low rates of adverse events. PVAC Gold ablation had significantly shorter procedure and ablation times.
The European Food Regulatory Environment Index: a tool to monitor progress in implementing food environment policies
Authors: Madureira Lima Joana , Rayner Mike , Breda João , Jewell Jo
Published: June 2021

Background

Evidence based health policy, such as that put forward in the European Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015–2020 and the WHO Global Action Plan on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, has a role in curbing the consumption of unhealthful foods and drink. We ask how countries are performing in the adoption of these policies and how the comprehensiveness of their food environment policies explains variations in consumption of unhealthful products across Europe.

Methods

In order to assess the state of policy adoption, we developed a composite indicator—the Food Regulatory Environment Index (FREI) for which we calculated unweighted and weighted formulations according to the strength of the evidence base. We used linear regression models to explain variations in the consumption of unhealthful products as well as variations in a composite indicator of obesogenic diets.

Results

Overall, wealthier countries in the Region perform better. The weighting of the constituent policies does not affect the rankings. We find negative associations between unweighted and weighted formulations of the Index and household consumption of sugary and carbonate drinks as well as with the composite indicator for obesogenic diets.

Conclusions

The main strength of this study is the comprehensiveness and comparability of the policy data across the relatively large number of countries covered. There is a negative association that is statistically significant, between all formulations of the FREI and the household consumption of sugary and carbonated drinks. There is also a negative association between some FREI formulations and obesogenic diets.
The effectiveness of teleconsultations in primary care: systematic review
Authors: Carrillo de Albornoz Sara , Sia Kah-Ling , Harris Anthony
Published: June 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has focussed attention on models of healthcare that avoid face-to-face contacts between clinicians and patients, and teleconsultations have become the preferred mode of primary care delivery. However, the effectiveness of remote consultations in this setting remains unclear.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of telephone or video consultations compared to those conducted face-to-face on key patient-relevant outcomes and healthcare utilisation in primary care, mental health and allied health services, which have had a critical role in the management of the wider and longer-term consequences of COVID-19.

Methods

A systematic review of primary studies comparing telephone or video consultations versus face-to-face visits, following the PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Overall, consultations delivered by telephone and videoconference were as effective as face-to-face in-person visits to improve clinical outcomes in adults with mental health conditions and those attending primary care services. Patient satisfaction with telephone and video consultations and the therapeutic alliance was high across the studies. However, high discontinuation rates in patients receiving teleconsultations indicate this may not be a suitable modality of healthcare delivery for all patients. Teleconsultations offer significant patient time savings in primary care, but appropriate implementation, including training of healthcare professionals and management of technical issues, is essential to ensure effective and valuable clinical interventions.

Conclusions

Teleconsultations via telephone or videoconference are an effective alternative to face-to-face consultations for many patients attending primary care and mental health services. Teleconsultations have the potential to deliver time-efficient and lower-cost interventions at a distance while improving access to healthcare.
Disulfide bond formation in microtubule-associated tau protein promotes tau accumulation and toxicity in vivo
Authors: Saito Taro , Chiku Tomoki , Oka Mikiko , Wada-Kakuda Satoko , Nobuhara Mika , Oba Toshiya , Shinno Kanako , Abe Saori , Asada Akiko , Sumioka Akio , Takashima Akihiko , Miyasaka Tomohiro , Ando Kanae
Published: June 2021

Accumulation of microtubule-associated tau protein is thought to cause neuron loss in a group of neurodegenerative diseases called tauopathies. In diseased brains, tau molecules adopt pathological structures that propagate into insoluble forms with disease-specific patterns. Several types of posttranslational modifications in tau are known to modulate its aggregation propensity in vitro, but their influence on tau accumulation and toxicity at the whole-organism level has not been fully elucidated. Herein, we utilized a series of transgenic Drosophila models to compare systematically the toxicity induced by five tau constructs with mutations or deletions associated with aggregation, including substitutions at seven disease-associated phosphorylation sites (S7A and S7E), deletions of PHF6 and PHF6* sequences (ΔPHF6 and ΔPHF6*), and substitutions of cysteine residues in the microtubule binding repeats (C291/322A). We found that substitutions and deletions resulted in different patterns of neurodegeneration and accumulation, with C291/322A having a dramatic effect on both tau accumulation and neurodegeneration. These cysteines formed disulfide bonds in mouse primary cultured neurons and in the fly retina, and stabilized tau proteins. Additionally, they contributed to tau accumulation under oxidative stress. We also found that each of these cysteine residues contributes to the microtubule polymerization rate and microtubule levels at equilibrium, but none of them affected tau binding to polymerized microtubules. Since tau proteins expressed in the Drosophila retina are mostly present in the early stages of tau filaments self-assembly, our results suggest that disulfide bond formation by these cysteine residues could be attractive therapeutic targets.
Defining the Role of Cellular Immune Signatures in Diagnostic Evaluation of Suspected Tuberculosis
Authors: Halliday Alice , Masonou Tereza , Tolosa-Wright Mica R , Guo Yanping , Hoang Long , Parker Robert , Boakye Aime , Takwoingi Yemisi , Badhan Amarjit , Jain Pooja , Marwah Ishita , Berrocal-Almanza Luis C , Deeks Jonathan , Beverley Peter , Kon Onn Min , Lalvani Ajit
Published: June 2021

Background

Diagnosis of paucibacillary tuberculosis (TB) including extrapulmonary TB is a significant challenge, particularly in high-income, low-incidence settings. Measurement of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific cellular immune signatures by flow cytometry discriminates active TB from latent TB infection (LTBI) in case-control studies; however, their diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility in routine clinical practice is unknown.

Methods

Using a nested case-control study design within a prospective multicenter cohort of patients presenting with suspected TB in England, we assessed diagnostic accuracy of signatures in 134 patients who tested interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA)-positive and had final diagnoses of TB or non-TB diseases with coincident LTBI. Cellular signatures were measured using flow cytometry.

Results

All signatures performed less well than previously reported. Only signatures incorporating measurement of phenotypic markers on functional Mtb-specific CD4 T cells discriminated active TB from non-TB diseases with LTBI. The signatures measuring HLA-DR+IFNγ + CD4 T cells and CD45RA−CCR7−CD127− IFNγ −IL-2−TNFα + CD4 T cells performed best with 95% positive predictive value (95% confidence interval, 90–97) in the clinically challenging subpopulation of IGRA-positive but acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear-negative TB suspects.

Conclusions

Two cellular immune signatures could improve and accelerate diagnosis in the challenging group of patients who are IGRA-positive, AFB smear-negative, and have paucibacillary TB.
Commitment to dendritic cells and monocytes
Authors: Ohteki Toshiaki , Kawamura Shunsuke , Onai Nobuyuki
Published: June 2021

Dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes are widely conserved immune cells in vertebrates that arise from hematopoietic stem cells via intermediate progenitors. The progenitors that strictly give rise to DCs or monocytes have been recently identified both in humans and in mice, thereby revealing their differentiation pathways. Advances in analysis technologies have further deepened our understanding of the development of DCs and monocytes from progenitor population-based to individual progenitor cell-based commitment. Since DC-committed progenitors, common DC progenitors (CDPs) and precursor conventional DCs (pre-cDCs) do not differentiate into monocytes, DCs are a distinct lineage from monocytes, although monocytes can acquire DC functions upon activation at tissues where they arrive.
Macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium in Catalonia, Spain: a 1 year prospective study
Authors: Lucena Nemirosky J , Espelt R , López Grado E , Sobrino J , Acera A , Pérez J , Jensen J S , Sánchez-Reus F , Prim N
Published: June 2021

Background

Mycoplasma genitalium is an emergent cause of sexually transmitted disease (STD). The first-line treatment is azithromycin, but macrolide resistance is increasing due to mutations in the 23S rRNA gene.

Objectives

To determine the rates of M. genitalium infection and macrolide resistance in an area adjacent to Barcelona.

Methods

This 1 year prospective study was performed in a heterogenous population that included both low- and high-risk patients. M. genitalium was detected in all specimens sent to our institution for STD detection. Epidemiological and relevant clinical data were collected in the positive cases. Characterization of macrolide-associated resistance was performed by 23S rDNA sequencing.

Results

Of the 3540 patients included, 132 (3.7%) were positive for M. genitalium. Another sexually transmitted bacteria was detected in 20.4% of the M. genitalium cases, and Chlamydia trachomatis (11%) was the most frequently co-detected microorganism. Only 61.4% of patients received an adequate initial treatment against M. genitalium. The test of cure (TOC) was performed in 42% of patients, and therapeutic failure was detected in 10 cases. The rate of macrolide resistance was 12.6% and the most prevalent mutation was A2058G. There was an association between macrolide resistance and a previous history of M. genitalium detection (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our results support the contribution of the previous use of macrolides in resistant strains. Given the difficulties in performing TOC in all patients, the inclusion of macrolide resistance in the detection test should be mandatory.
An adamantamine derivative as a drug candidate for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Pomel Sébastien , Cojean Sandrine , Pons Valérie , Cintrat Jean-Christophe , Nguyen Laetitia , Vacus Joël , Pruvost Alain , Barbier Julien , Gillet Daniel , Loiseau Philippe M
Published: June 2021

Background

This study aimed to investigate compounds acting on the host cell machinery to impair parasite installation with the possible advantage of limiting drug resistance. The strategy therefore consisted of selecting compounds that are poorly active on the axenic parasite, but very active on the intramacrophage form of Leishmania.

Objectives

To identify a drug candidate from focused screening of adamantamine derivatives that can inhibit the development of Leishmania infantum in macrophages.

Methods

In vitro screening was performed on a library of 142 adamantamine derivatives with axenic and intramacrophage forms of L. infantum, as well as cytotoxicity assays, allowing selection of the most promising compound. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) experiments, including pharmacokinetics and microsomal stability, were performed and finally the physicochemical stability of the compound was investigated to assess its suitability for further drug development.

Results

VP343 was identified first in vitro, with a CC50 value of 63.7 μM and an IC50 value of 0.32 μM for L. infantum intramacrophage amastigotes and then in vivo, with a 59% reduction of the liver parasite burden after oral administration at 10 mg/kg/day for 5 days. In addition, the ADME data were compatible with moving this compound further through the antileishmanial drug candidate pipeline.

Conclusions

VP343 has the properties of a good drug candidate and merits further investigations.
Characterizing the hyper-viscoelastic behavior of adhesive films
Authors: Hsu Hao-Hsun , Tsai Jia-Lin
Published: June 2021

In this study, the hyper-viscoelastic behavior of adhesive films was characterized. A constitutive model was developed by combining the Mooney–Rivlin hyperelastic model and a viscoelastic model expressed in terms of the Prony series to describe the constitutive behavior of the adhesive films. The material parameters of the developed constitutive model were determined through single-step stress relaxation tests conducted for 30 min at four strain levels: 100%, 200%, 300% and 400%. Based on the reduced gradient method, the optimized material parameters were then evaluated by curve fitting the experimental data. To validate the proposed constitutive model, we performed the tensile tests at different strain rates from 5 × 10−4 to 5 × 10−1 s−1 and the multistep stress relaxation tests on the adhesive films. The model predictions and experimental data were in good agreement. Thus, the proposed hyper-viscoelastic constitutive model with parameters determined through single-step stress relaxation tests is effective in characterizing the mechanical behavior of adhesive films.
Azilsartan ameliorates ventricular hypertrophy in rats suffering from pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy by activating the Keap1–Nrf2 signalling pathway
Authors: Hou Ning , Li Li-Rong , Shi Yong-Ying , Yuan Wen-Chang , Zhao Gan-Jian , Liu Xia-Wen , Cai Shao-Ai , Huang Yin , Zhan Hao-Xin , Pan Wei-Biao , Luo Cheng-Feng
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Investigate if azilsartan protects against myocardial hypertrophy by upregulating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated pathways.

Methods

Abdominal aortic constriction (AAC)-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats was applied. Azilsartan or vehicle was administered daily for 6 weeks in sham or AAC rats. Cardiac morphology and ventricular function were determined. Azilsartan effects upon neonatal rat cardiomyocyte (NRCM) hypertrophy and molecular mechanisms were studied in angiotensin (Ang) II-stimulated NRCMs in vitro. Nrf2-small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knockdown Nrf2 expression. Messenger RNA (mRNA)/protein expression of Kelch-like erythroid cell-derived protein (Keap)1 and Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant enzymes was determined by real-time reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively.

Key findings

Azilsartan treatment ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy/fibrosis significantly in AAC rats. Azilsartan increased expression of Nrf2 protein but decreased expression of Keap1 protein. Upregulation of protein expression of Nrf2’s downstream antioxidant enzymes by azilsartan treatment was observed. Azilsartan inhibited Ang II-induced NRCM hypertrophy significantly and similar effects on the Keap1–Nrf2 pathway were observed in vivo. Nrf2 knockdown markedly counteracted the beneficial effects of azilsartan on NRCM hypertrophy and the Keap1–Nrf2 pathway.

Conclusions

Azilsartan restrained pressure overload-induced cardiac remodelling by activating the Keap1–Nrf2 pathway and increasing expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes to alleviate oxidative stress.
Definitions of biodiversity from urban gardeners
Authors: Norton Briony A , Shang Bowen , Ramsey Andrew D , Sheffield David
Published: June 2021

Living in urban environments can leave people disconnected from nature and less likely to engage with biodiversity conservation. Within urban areas, residential gardens can occupy large proportions of greenspace and provide important habitat for biodiversity. Understanding the views and knowledge of garden owners who have collective responsibility for managing these areas is therefore important. We aimed to understand how urban garden owners understand biodiversity. We surveyed garden owners in Derby, UK, across 20 census output areas spanning a socioeconomic spectrum. Residents were asked to explain their understanding of ‘biodiversity’ in a short definition format. Responses were classified using thematic and word frequency analyses. Of 255 respondents, approximately one-third were unable to provide a definition. Themes that emerged in frequency order were as follows: variety of species or environments, coexistence of organisms, conservation of nature, a synonym for habitat and uncommon answers not clearly related to biodiversity. Members of wildlife or gardening charities and people with higher levels of formal education were more likely to provide definitions in line with formal definitions. We detected no difference between keen and less keen gardeners and little association between definitions and gardening for wildlife behaviours. These short-form responses captured many themes longer and/or qualitative assessments have identified, illustrating a diversity and depth of understanding of the concepts of biodiversity, without necessarily adhering to the formal definition. Given the variety of understanding, at this critical period, technical terms, even common ones, should be used with an open mind about how people interpret and act on them.
The Evolutionary History of Wild, Domesticated, and FeralBrassica oleracea(Brassicaceae)
Authors: Mabry Makenzie E , Turner-Hissong Sarah D , Gallagher Evan Y , McAlvay Alex C , An Hong , Edger Patrick P , Moore Jonathan D , Pink David A C , Teakle Graham R , Stevens Chris J , Barker Guy , Labate Joanne , Fuller Dorian Q , Allaby Robin G , Beissinger Timothy , Decker Jared E , Gore Michael A , Pires J Chris
Published: June 2021

Understanding the evolutionary history of crops, including identifying wild relatives, helps to provide insight for conservation and crop breeding efforts. Cultivated Brassica oleracea has intrigued researchers for centuries due to its wide diversity in forms, which include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, and Brussels sprouts. Yet, the evolutionary history of this species remains understudied. With such different vegetables produced from a single species, B. oleracea is a model organism for understanding the power of artificial selection. Persistent challenges in the study of B. oleracea include conflicting hypotheses regarding domestication and the identity of the closest living wild relative. Using newly generated RNA-seq data for a diversity panel of 224 accessions, which represents 14 different B. oleracea crop types and nine potential wild progenitor species, we integrate phylogenetic and population genetic techniques with ecological niche modeling, archaeological, and literary evidence to examine relationships among cultivars and wild relatives to clarify the origin of this horticulturally important species. Our analyses point to the Aegean endemic B. cretica as the closest living relative of cultivated B. oleracea, supporting an origin of cultivation in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Additionally, we identify several feral lineages, suggesting that cultivated plants of this species can revert to a wild-like state with relative ease. By expanding our understanding of the evolutionary history in B. oleracea, these results contribute to a growing body of knowledge on crop domestication that will facilitate continued breeding efforts including adaptation to changing environmental conditions.
Implementation of an Infectious Diseases Telehealth Consultation and Antibiotic Stewardship Program for 16 Small Community Hospitals
Authors: Vento Todd J , Veillette John J , Gelman Stephanie S , Adams Angie , Jones Peter , Repko Katherine , Stenehjem Edward A
Published: June 2021

Background

Telehealth improves access to infectious diseases (ID) and antibiotic stewardship (AS) services in small community hospitals (SCHs), but the optimal model has not been defined. We describe implementation and impact of an integrated ID telehealth (IDt) service for 16 SCHs in the Intermountain Healthcare system.

Methods

The Intermountain IDt service included a 24-hour advice line, eConsults, telemedicine consultations (TCs), daily AS surveillance, long-term AS program (ASP) support by an IDt pharmacist, and a monthly telementoring webinar. We evaluated program measures from November 2016 through April 2018.

Results

A total of 2487 IDt physician interactions with SCHs were recorded: 859 phone calls (35% of interactions), 761 eConsults (30%), and 867 TCs (35%). Of 1628 eConsults and TCs, 1400 (86%) were SCH provider requests, while 228 (14%) were IDt pharmacist generated. Six SCHs accounted for >95% of interactions. Median consultation times for each initial telehealth interaction type were 5 (interquartile range [IQR], 5–10) minutes for phone calls, 20 (IQR, 15–25) minutes for eConsults, and 50 (IQR, 35–60) minutes for TCs. Thirty-two percent of consults led to in-person ID clinic follow-up. Bacteremia was the most common reason for consultation (764/2487 [31%]) and Staphylococcus aureus the most common organism identified. ASPs were established at 16 facilities. Daily AS surveillance led to 2229 SCH pharmacist and 1305 IDt pharmacist recommendations. Eight projects were completed with IDt pharmacist support, leading to significant reductions in meropenem, vancomycin, and fluoroquinolone use.

Conclusions

An integrated IDt model led to collaborative ID/ASP interventions and improvements in antibiotic use at 16 SCHs. These findings provide insight into clinical and logistical considerations for IDt program implementation.
Procedural Justice: New Approaches to Parliament’s Engagement with the Public?
Authors: Bochel Catherine
Published: June 2021

This article utilises the idea of procedural justice (‘fair processes’) as a tool for analysing the ways in which Parliament engages with the public. It concludes that the engagement work of individual services in Parliament often reflects such ideas, and suggests that procedural justice could have value in bringing new insights to the work of Parliament in this area.
Populist but Pluralist? Populist Attitudes and Preferences for Political Pluralism in Parliament and Government
Authors: Ellenbroek Victor , Meijers Maurits J , Krouwel André
Published: June 2021

In the ideational approach to populism, populism and pluralism do not go together. While evidence indeed suggests that populist politicians consider a politically pluralist parliament as an obstacle to the expression of the true people’s will in politics, it is however an open question whether ‘the people’, and especially those with high populist attitudes, are just as opposed towards pluralism in parliament and coalition government. Thus far, evidence of a negative relationship between populist attitudes and preferences for pluralism in politics has been inconclusive. We asked ca. 2000 Dutch respondents—raked to be representative of the population—to draw up their ideal assembly and to select the parties that they wish to be part of coalition government. Results show that populist attitudes positively associate with the total number of parties included in the assembly, and non-negatively with the number of parties in the coalition. Parties with government experience, however, are much less preferred. These results shed new light on the presumed incompatibility between populism and pluralism.
Not Just a Simple Sugar: Arabinose Metabolism and Function in Plants
Authors: Mariette Alban , Kang Hee Sung , Heazlewood Joshua L , Persson Staffan , Ebert Berit , Lampugnani Edwin R
Published: June 2021

Growth, development, structure as well as dynamic adaptations and remodeling processes in plants are largely controlled by properties of their cell walls. These intricate wall structures are mostly made up of different sugars connected through specific glycosidic linkages but also contain many glycosylated proteins. A key plant sugar that is present throughout the plantae, even before the divergence of the land plant lineage, but is not found in animals, is l-arabinose (l-Ara). Here, we summarize and discuss the processes and proteins involved in l-Ara de novo synthesis, l-Ara interconversion, and the assembly and recycling of l-Ara-containing cell wall polymers and proteins. We also discuss the biological function of l-Ara in a context-focused manner, mainly addressing cell wall–related functions that are conferred by the basic physical properties of arabinose-containing polymers/compounds. In this article we explore these processes with the goal of directing future research efforts to the many exciting yet unanswered questions in this research area.
Altered Subprocesses of Working Memory in Patients with Fibromyalgia: An Event-Related Potential Study Using N-Back Task
Authors: Mercado Francisco , Ferrera David , Fernandes-Magalhaes Roberto , Peláez Irene , Barjola Paloma
Published: June 2021

Objective

Cognitive dysfunction in fibromyalgia has become a key symptom considered by patients as more disabling than pain itself. Experimental evidence from neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies indicates that such cognitive impairments are especially robust when patients need to set in motion working memory processes, suggesting the existence of an altered functioning underlying the cerebral cortices of the frontoparietal memory network. However, the temporal dynamics of working memory subprocesses have not yet been explored in fibromyalgia.

Subjects

Thirty-six right-handed women participated in the experiment, comprising 18 patients with fibromyalgia and 18 healthy controls.

Methods

Event-related potentials (ERPs) and behavioral responses were recorded while participants were engaged in a two-back working memory task. Principal component analyses were used to define and quantify the ERP components associated with working memory processes.

Results

Patients with fibromyalgia exhibited worse performance than the control group, as revealed by their number of errors in the working memory task. Moreover, both scalp parieto-occipital P2 and parieto-occipital P3 amplitudes were lower for patients than for healthy control participants. Regression analyses revealed that lower P3 amplitudes were observed in those patients with fibromyalgia reporting higher pain ratings.

Conclusions

The present results suggest that both encoding of information (as reflected by P2) and subsequently context updating and replacement (as seen in lower P3 amplitudes), as a part of working memory subprocesses, are impaired in fibromyalgia. Studying the temporal dynamics of working memory through the use of ERP methodology is a helpful approach to detect specific impaired cognitive mechanisms in this chronic pain syndrome. These new data could be used to develop more specific treatments adapted for each patient.
COVID-19 vaccination and dialysis patients: why the variable response
Authors: Yen J -S , Wang I -K , Yen T -H
Published: June 2021

Uremia affects all parts of the immune system. Since hemodialysis patients travel to the dialysis center three times per week and are surrounded by many other patients and staffs, these could predispose them to a greater risk of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Mortality associated with COVID-19 infection is high in patients receiving dialysis. Currently, the World Health Organization has approved six types of vaccines (ChAdOx1-S, Ad26.COV2.S, BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, BBIBP-CorV and CoronaVac) for COVID-19. Literature data regarding the response rate toward COVID-19 vaccination in dialysis patients is inconclusive. The published response rates varied from 29.6% to 96.4%. The variable response rates across these clinical trials may be explained by different vaccine types, vaccine doses, criteria for positive immune response, timings of antibody detection, races and ethnicities. Side effects of COVID-19 vaccination comprise of pain at injection site, fatigue, myalgia, headache, low fever, syncope, pericarditis, etc. Clinical predictors of positive response toward COVID-19 vaccination include age, previous infection, immunosuppressive therapy, body mass index and serum albumin level. No one is safe until everyone is safe. Therefore, vaccination against COVID-19 infection in dialysis patients is an urgent issue of worldwide concern.