bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symmetric and asymmetric bimanual coordination and freezing of gait in Parkinsonian patients in drug phases
Authors: Fathipour‐Azar Zeinab , Azad Akram , Akbarfahimi Malahat , Behzadipour Saeed , Taghizadeh Ghorban
Published: February 2022

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a debilitating symptom in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), which may be associated with motor control impairments in tasks other than gait. This study aimed to examine whether symmetric and asymmetric bimanual coordination is impaired in PD with FOG (PD +FOG) patients and whether dual‐task and drug phases may affect bimanual coordination in these patients. Twenty PD +FOG patients, 20 PD patients without FOG (PD –FOG) performed symmetric and asymmetric functional bimanual tasks (reach to and pick up a box and open a drawer to press a pushbutton inside it, respectively) under single‐task and dual‐task conditions. PD patients were evaluated during on‐ and off‐drug phases. Kinematic and coordination measures were calculated for each task. PD +FOG patients demonstrated exacerbated impairments of bimanual coordination while performing goal‐directed bimanual tasks, which was more evident in the asymmetric bimanual task and under dual‐task conditions, highlighting the need for rehabilitation interventions for bimanual tasks that include different cognitive loads in these patients. Interestingly, 25% and 5% of participants in the PD +FOG and –FOG groups developed upper limb freezing 2 years later, respectively. This study aimed to examine whether symmetric and asymmetric bimanual coordination is impaired in Parkinson's disease with freezing of gait (PD +FOG) patients and whether dual‐task and drug phases may affect bimanual coordination in these patients. PD +FOG patients demonstrated exacerbated impairment of bimanual coordination while performing goal‐directed bimanual tasks, highlighting the need for rehabilitation interventions for bimanual tasks that include different cognitive loads in these patients.
Shifts in climatic realised niches of Iberian species
Authors: Sillero Neftalí , Ribeiro‐Silva Joana , Arenas‐Castro Salvador
Published: February 2022

Climate change has strong effects on biodiversity. It causes shifts in the species' geographical range, towards other latitudes or elevations, while tracking its natural habitat. Here, the species maintains its realised niche stable (in the environmental space) and shifts its geographical range. Alternatively, a species might shift its realised niche through its fundamental niche, maintaining its geographical range stable, when tracking its natural habitat is not possible. Following this last hypothesis, we aimed to assess changes in species' environmental conditions based on their historical distribution. Within the environmental space, we compared the climatic realised niche of 300 species of several groups of flora and fauna between 1979 and 2013 in the Iberian Peninsula with ecospat R package, under the assumption of no distribution shift over time. We used the same species' distribution data in both periods. We used CHELSA yearly averaged time‐series data for 1979 and 2013. We analysed the differences in the climate between 1979 and 2013 with a Kruskal–Wallis test, by subtracting each pair of variables, and by subtracting the first three components of a PCA. For each species, we measured the realised niche similarity with Schoener's D index, the realised niche overlap with the stability, unfilling and expansion indices, and the distance between realised niche centroids. The climate between 1979 and 2013 changed in the Iberian Peninsula: climate variability reduces in 2013. Most of the species do not have equivalent realised niches. Although very few species had completely dissimilar niches, many species have shifted their realised niches to some degree. In only 35 years, it was already possible to observe how the realised niches of some species started to shift.
Hydroa vacciniforme‐like lymphoproliferative disorder: A retrospective study on clinicopathological characteristics of 32 cases
Authors: Xu Wenfeng , Tan Jingyi , Cai Chenyu , Lei Lei , Cao Xian , Zhou Hongling , Xu Man
Published: February 2022

The clinicopathological features of 32 patients (17 females and 15 males) with a median age of 8 years (range, 1.5–21 years) from Southwestern China diagnosed with hydroa vacciniforme‐like lymphoproliferative disorder (HVLPD) were reviewed. At presentation, 6 patients showed only skin lesions, while 26 patients showed both skin lesions and systemic symptoms, including fever, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. As the disease progressed, systemic symptoms occurred in all patients. Follow‐up data of 29 patients showed that 14 patients were still alive with disease with a median follow‐up time of 22 months (range 3.6–71 months), and 15 patients died within a median follow‐up of 6 months (range 0–60 months).
Sex ratio of Aphelenchoides besseyi within Oryza sativa seeds with relation to reproduction of rehydrated adult females
Authors: Togashi Katsumi , Hoshino Shigeru
Published: February 2022

The white‐tip nematode, Aphelenchoides besseyi, is a seedborne ectoparasite of rice, Oryza sativa. It enters dehydrated quiescence within maturing seeds. Soaking dry seeds in water causes the quiescent nematodes to revive and the rehydrated nematodes emerge from the seeds. Two field nematode populations in Japan exhibited female‐biased sex ratios of living and dead adults in seeds (the proportion of females [female ratio] = 0.816, 0.803) and no influence of the number of adults in a seed on the female ratio. Single rehydrated female adults recovered from seeds reproduced without males whereas single juveniles did not do so. Most rehydrated female adults had sperms in the spermatheca. If all females mate with males in a seed before dehydration, the expected number of mated females, E(n), is given by the product of the female ratio, the number of adults in a seed (n) and the probability that both sexes occur in a seed. The E(n) value peaked at an n‐specific female ratio (fopt). When the female ratio was invariable (ffix), the expected number of mated females per seed, , peaked at an ffix value (optimum ffix value) of 0.794 and 0.788 for the two populations, where g(n) expressed the proportion of seeds harbouring n adults (n ≥ 2). The overall fit of actual numbers of recovered females to the expectations obtained from the optimum ffix value was better than that to the expectations from the n‐specific fopt values. The optimum ffix values were close to the actual female ratios.
Detecting concealed information using functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) combined with skin conductance, heart rate, and behavioral measures
Authors: Wang Di , Wang Chongxiang , Yi Xingyu , Sai Liyang , Fu Genyue , Lin Xiaohong Allison
Published: February 2022

In this study, brain imaging data from functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) associated with skin conductance response (SCR), heart rate (HR), and reaction time (RT) were combined to determine if the combination of these indicators could improve the efficiency of deception detection in concealed information test (CIT). During the CIT, participants were presented with a series of names and cities that served as target, probe, or irrelevant stimuli. In the guilty group, the probe stimuli were the participants’ own names and hometown cities, and they were asked to deny this information. Our results revealed that probe items were associated with longer RT, larger SCR, slower HR, and higher oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentration changes in the inferior prefrontal gyrus (IFG), middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and the superior frontal gyrus (SFG) compared with irrelevant items for participants in the guilty group but not in the innocent group. Furthermore, our results suggested that the combination of RT, SCR, HR, and fNIRS indicators could improve the deception detection efficiency to a very high area under the ROC curve (0.94) compared with any of the single indicators (0.74–0.89). The improved deception detection efficiency might be attributed to the reduction of random error and the diversiform underlying the psychophysiological mechanisms reflected by each indicator. These findings demonstrate a feasible way to improve the deception detection efficiency by using combined multiple indicators.
The quasi‐static crush response of electron‐beam‐melt Ti6Al4V body‐centred‐cubic lattices: The effect of the number of cells, strut diameter and face sheet
Authors: Güden Mustafa , Alpkaya Alican Tuncay , Hamat Burcu Arslan , Hızlı Burak , Taşdemirci Alper , Tanrıkulu Ahmet Alptuğ , Yavaş Hakan
Published: February 2022

The effect of the number of cells, strut diameter and face sheet on the compression of electron‐beam‐melt (EBM) Ti6Al4V (Ti64) body‐centred‐cubic (BCC) lattices was investigated experimentally and numerically. The lattices with the same relative density (~0.182) were fabricated with and without 2‐mm‐thick face sheets in 10 and 5 mm cell size, 8–125 unit cell (two to five cells/edge) and 2 and 1 mm strut diameter. The experimental compression tests were further numerically simulated in the LS‐DYNA. Experimentally two bending‐dominated crushing modes, namely, lateral and diagonal layer crushing, were determined. The numerical models however exhibited merely a bending‐dominated lateral layer crushing mode when the erosion strain was 0.4 and without face‐sheet models showed a diagonal layer crushing mode when the erosion strain was 0.3. Lower erosion strains promoted a diagonal layer crushing mode by introducing geometrical inhomogeneity to the lattice, leading to strain localisation as similar to the face sheets which introduced extensive strut bending in the layers adjacent to the face sheets. The face‐sheet model showed a higher but decreasing collapse strength at an increasing number of cells, just as opposite to the without face‐sheet model, and the collapse strength of both models converged when the number of cells was higher than five‐cell/edge. The decrease/increase of the collapse strengths of lattices before the critical number of cells was claimed mainly due to the size‐imposed lattice boundary condition, rather than the specimen volume. The difference in the experimental collapse strengths between the 5‐ and the 10‐mm cell‐size lattices was ascribed to the variations in the microstructures—hence the material model parameters between the small‐diameter and the large‐diameter EBM‐Ti64 strut lattices.
3D optical flow for large CT data of materials microstructures
Authors: Nogatz Tessa , Redenbach Claudia , Schladitz Katja
Published: February 2022

We compute three‐dimensional displacement vector fields to estimate the deformation of microstructural data sets in mechanical tests. For this, we extend the well‐known optical flow by Brox et al. to three dimensions, with special focus on the discretization of nonlinear terms. We evaluate our method first by synthetically deforming foams and comparing against this ground truth and second with data sets of samples that underwent real mechanical tests. Our results are compared to those from state‐of‐the‐art algorithms in materials science and medical image registration. By a thorough evaluation, we show that our proposed method is able to resolve the displacement best among all chosen comparison methods.
Histologic grade has a higher‐weighted value than nodal status as predictor of outcome in dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumours and overtly metastatic sentinel lymph nodes
Authors: Guerra Dina , Faroni Eugenio , Sabattini Silvia , Agnoli Chiara , Chalfon Carmit , Stefanello Damiano , Del Magno Sara , Cola Veronica , Grieco Valeria , Marconato Laura
Published: February 2022

In canine cutaneous mast cell tumours (cMCTs), histologic grade and clinical stage are the most important prognostic factors, with high‐grade tumours and metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) significantly influencing the evolution of disease. However, it is uncertain whether histologic grade and clinical stage should be given equal weighting value in patient prognostication and management. Dogs with low‐ and high‐grade cMCTs and at least one overtly metastatic sentinel LN undergoing standardized treatment, consisting of surgical excision of the cMCT, lymphadenectomy and chemotherapy, were retrospectively included. The aim was to determine whether, at the same clinical stage, histologic grade retained prognostic relevance. Sixty dogs were included: 26 had a high‐grade cMCT tumour and 34 had a low‐grade cMCT. Median follow‐up was 367 days (range, 187–748) in the high‐grade group, and 1208 days (range, 180–2576) in the low‐grade group. Median time to progression was significantly shorter in the high‐grade group than in the low‐grade group (214 days versus not reached; p < .001), as well as tumour‐specific survival (545 days versus not reached; p < .001). On multivariable analysis, a high histologic grade and incomplete margins retained prognostic significance for both tumour progression and tumour‐specific death. In dogs with cMCT and at least one overtly metastatic LN undergoing multimodal treatment, histologic grade significantly correlated with outcome. Overall prognosis was not unfavourable, even in the high‐grade group, further supporting that a multimodal therapeutic approach, addressing primary tumour and sentinel LN, should be offered. Whether chemotherapy should be incorporated in the therapeutic planning of low‐grade cMCTs remains to be defined.
Validation of the 0–10 verbal numeric scale for assessment of pruritus severity in dogs
Authors: Strzok Emily , Torres Sheila M. F. , Koch Sandra N. , Rendahl Aaron K.
Published: February 2022

Background

The pruritus Visual Analog Scale (pVAS) is currently the only validated tool for assessing canine pruritus. A verbal numeric scale (VNS) offers an alternative if clients are not present or able to complete the pVAS.

Hypothesis/Objective

To validate the 0–10 VNS and evaluate its interchangeability with the pVAS.

Animals

251 dogs were included in the study.

Materials and methods

Dog owners were asked to assess their pet’s pruritus level using the pVAS, the 0–10 VNS and the verbal rating categories (mild, moderate, severe) in one or two subsequent visits. To be valid, VNS must satisfy the following: correlate with pVAS (criterion validity); indicate reduction in itch score after an antipruritic intervention (construct validity); and have scores related to the verbal rating categories that are significantly different (content validity). VNS and pVAS interchangeability and the percentage of clients that preferred the VNS and pVAS also were evaluated.

Results

The VNS and pVAS correlation for visits 1 and 2 was good (rICC = 0.9) and excellent (rICC = 0.94). The VNS scores were significantly decreased after antipruritic interventions (P < 0.001). The VNS scores associated with the verbal rating scale categories (mild, moderate and severe) were significantly different (P < 0.001). The 95% limits of agreement for the pVAS and VAS were outside the limit of acceptability of ±2 (–2.0, 2.57). Most clients (69%) preferred the pVAS to the VNS.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

The VNS is a valid scale to evaluate canine pruritus; however, the VNS and pVAS are not interchangeable.
Laparoscopic portosystemic shunt attenuation in 20 dogs (2018‐2021)
Authors: Poggi Edoardo , Rubio David Garcia , Pérez Duarte Francisco J. , del Sol Jorge Gutiérrez , Borghetti Luciano , Izzo Francesca , Cinti Filippo
Published: February 2022

Objective

To describe the technique, complications, and outcome of laparoscopic portosystemic shunt attenuation (LPSSA) in dogs.

Study design

Retrospective study.

Animals

Twenty client‐owned dogs.

Methods

Medical records were searched for dogs with a single congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (CEPSS) that was treated with LPSSA. Signalment, clinical signs, CEPSS location, diagnostic imaging, laparoscopic approach, operative technique, complications, and clinical outcome were reviewed.

Results

Fourteen dogs with CEPSS located in the epiploic foramen had a right (13/14) or left (1/14) paramedian approach. In 6 dogs a CEPSS was not located in the epiploic foramen, and a left paramedian approach was used. A 3 or 4‐port technique was used in 7 and 13 dogs, respectively. A thin film band was used for CEPSS attenuation in all dogs. The median operating time for LPSSA was 62 min (range 27‐98 min). Intraoperative complications requiring conversion to an open technique occurred in 5 dogs. Mild perioperative self‐limiting portal hypertension occurred in 3 dogs, while severe portal hypertension with surgical revision occurred in 1 case. The complications were resolved, and all dogs had a good outcome.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic portosystemic shunt attenuation can be performed in dogs, in particular for a CEPSS located in the epiploic foramen using a right paramedian approach. For CEPSS not located in the epiploic foramen, a left paramedian approach is recommended. Conversion to open celiotomy was required in around a third of cases.

Clinical significance

Laparoscopic attenuation of CEPSSs can be performed in dogs and has a good clinical outcome, particularly for CEPSS located in the epiploic foramen.
A REVIEW ON THE BENEFITS, BARRIERS OF THE DRONE EMPLOYMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITE
Authors: Alsamarraie Mundher , Ghazali Farid , M. Hatem Zaid , Flaih Alhamza Yassin
Published: February 2022

The use of drones in construction site surveillance increases gradually with a reasonably lower cost than hiring an additional workforce. At the same time, the construction industry was slow to adopt new technologies and reduce on-site problems such as cost overruns, poor quality, risks. This study is to review and investigate previous researches and illustrates the benefits and barriers of using drones. A questionnaire survey and an extensive literature review collected all the data needed to stand on critical points. The study revealed that the benefits of using drones permitted high effect sight in site safety, security, control on quality, cost of work, and documentation. On the other hand, privacy and security, environmental issues, public perception are the most frequent barriers to drone employment in construction sites. The authors conclude that drones in monitoring construction sites improve the fluent implementation of work on schedule and the high performance for entire project activities despite numerous addressed barriers. For future studies, the researchers suggest studying the effectiveness of using drones in the construction site during the covid-19 pandemic.
THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FREE FATTY ACID FRACTIONS FROM HYDROLYZED VIRGIN COCONUT OIL ON CHANGES OF LIPID PROFILE AND LIVER MORPHOLOGY INDUCED BY HIGH FAT DIET: AN IN VIVO STUDY
Authors: Nguyen Van T. A. , Tran Gia-Buu , Le Truong D. , Phan Uyen T. X
Published: February 2022

This study investigated effect of virgin coconut oil (VCO)-derived fatty acids on the alteration of lipid profiles and liver tissues of high fat diet (HFD) fed mice. The initial fatty acids mixture was successfully obtained via hydrolysis process using Candida rugosa lipase (CRL). Enrichment of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) from the initial fatty acid mixture using distillation process was developed to achieve 3 fractions of fatty acids mixture including Fraction I (MCFA mainly from C8 to C10), Fraction II of lauric acid (C12), and Fraction III (long chain fatty acids from C14 to C20). Among these agents, VCO only diminished ALT level but the initial FFA mixture decreased both ALT and AST levels compared with HFD-induced mice. Moreover, Fraction I and Fraction II showed an obvious difference in decreasing ALT, AST, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels as well as increasing HDL cholesterol level compared to other agents. It was observed a microvesicular steatosis and mild inflammation in liver section of mice fed with HFD whereas VCO, initial fatty acids, and Fraction II showed the beneficial effect on liver damage.
SIMULATION ON RED BLOOD CELL’S SEPARATION IN MICROCHANNEL BY USING COMSOL© MULTIPHYSICS
Authors: Ali Othman Nur Tantiyani , Sahul Hameed Halimunnisha , Rosli Masli Irwan
Published: February 2022

Plasma cell neoplasm disease was caused by the production of large amount of plasma cells which it is unnecessary for the body as it will accumulate in the bone marrow and cause blood thicken and damage the kidneys. Thus, there are several techniques that have been developed for the separation of plasma in blood e.g., viscosity-based sedimentation, size-based filtration, and complete blood count test. Yet, these techniques have some drawbacks such as blood cells easily damaged and do not meet the Point-of-Care (POCT) test features. Hence, in this study, an active separation technique; dielectrophoresis (DEP) force was applied in the X-shaped microchannel which was developed by using AutoCAD© software as it is easily to fabricate at a low cost, while resulting in a high rate of the separation efficiency. The flow profile of a blood distribution and movement along a microchannel was observed by COMSOL© Multiphysics software version 5.5 at various process conditions: blood inlet velocities; VIB=80-200 µm/s, concentration of blood cells; CIB=0.01-0.05 mol/dm3 and electrode voltages; E=-20-20V. It shows that as the inlet velocity is increases, the separation efficiency is increasing. While, as the concentration and electric field intensity is increases, the separation efficiency is decreases due to low DEP force. It shows 100% separation efficiency was obtained for plasma separation at VIB=120 µm/s, CIB= 0.01 mol/dm3, and E=±10V which resulted FDEP=-1.23×1014 N/m. This DEP separation technique can be applied to improve the efficiency of plasma separation process from blood cells and simultaneously increase the accuracy of the diagnostic.
Functorially finite hearts, simple-minded systems in negative cluster categories, and noncrossing partitions
Authors: Coelho Simões Raquel , Pauksztello David , Ploog David
Published: February 2022

Let $Q$ be an acyclic quiver and $w \geqslant 1$ be an integer. Let $\mathsf {C}_{-w}({\mathbf {k}} Q)$ be the $(-w)$-cluster category of ${\mathbf {k}} Q$. We show that there is a bijection between simple-minded collections in $\mathsf {D}^b({\mathbf {k}} Q)$ lying in a fundamental domain of $\mathsf {C}_{-w}({\mathbf {k}} Q)$ and $w$-simple-minded systems in $\mathsf {C}_{-w}({\mathbf {k}} Q)$. This generalises the same result of Iyama–Jin in the case that $Q$ is Dynkin. A key step in our proof is the observation that the heart $\mathsf {H}$ of a bounded t-structure in a Hom-finite, Krull–Schmidt, ${\mathbf {k}}$-linear saturated triangulated category $\mathsf {D}$ is functorially finite in $\mathsf {D}$ if and only if $\mathsf {H}$ has enough injectives and enough projectives. We then establish a bijection between $w$-simple-minded systems in $\mathsf {C}_{-w}({\mathbf {k}} Q)$ and positive $w$-noncrossing partitions of the corresponding Weyl group $W_Q$.
Una ciudad en lo alto: espiritualidad y ciudad en los Escritos teológicos de Ignacio Ellacuría
Authors: Coupeau José Carlos
Published: February 2022

Hace treinta años que siete jesuitas fueron asesinados en El Salvador. Su líder, Ignacio Ellacuría (1930-1989), fue un sacerdote de marcada y profunda espiritualidad. Al tiempo dio origen a una tradición de pensamiento filosófico-teológico. Al seguir una tendencia que también se observa en otras disciplinas, esta escuela ha venido a apreciar cada vez más cómo la dimensión de la espiritualidad es importante para su trabajo, sobre todo, en lo que respecta al tratamiento del tema de la trascendencia. En diciembre de 2019, un grupo de académicos se reunió en la Universidad Loyola Andalucía, en el marco del simposio “Espiritualidad, saberes y universidad”, y exploró esta cuestión del papel de la espiritualidad en el pensamiento de Ellacuría.El artículo que aquí se presenta incluye fragmentos que presenté en aquella conferencia. Se limitan a comentar secciones presentes en las fuentes escritas de Ellacuría, tal como fueron publicadas en la colección de ensayos Escritos teológicos. Aquí se estudia la explicación pastoral que Ellacuría hace del término “espiritualidad”, el campo semántico empleado para referirse a “lo espiritual”, y el protagonismo en el pensamiento de Ellacuría de las nociones de historia realizada y espiritualidad liberadora. El artículo relaciona la espiritualidad de Ellacuría con los urban studies, dado que las ciudades se han convertido en un contexto teológico. Señala que, aunque la vida en la ciudad proporcionó gran parte del contexto para la reflexión de Ellacuría no cuenta con las características espirituales de vivir en una ciudad explícitamente. No cae en cuenta de cómo la teología y la espiritualidad que propone pueden comprometerse con y beneficiarse del impacto distintivo de la realidad urbana y de sus posibilidades.Esta contribución intenta explicar dicha deficiencia, para que el pensamiento de Ellacuría sea puesto en relación con la vida urbana y sea haga más concreto. Para ello encuentra aspectos del pensamiento de Ellacuría revisables: el uso de algunos pasajes bíblicos, el uso de ideas agustinianas sobre la ciudad; y su comprensión teológica y formal del “carisma”. Por último, este texto invita a los investigadores a reconocer que la obra de Ellacuría puede constituir una base, aunque limitada, para el desarrollo posterior de diversos temas.
A unified perspective of seismicity and fault coupling along the San Andreas Fault
Authors: Liu Yuan-Kai , Ross Zachary E. , Cochran Elizabeth S. , Lapusta Nadia
Published: February 2022

The San Andreas Fault (SAF) showcases the breadth of possible earthquake sizes and occurrence behavior; in particular, the central SAF is a microcosm of such diversity. This section also exhibits the spectrum of fault coupling from locked to creeping. Here, we show that the observations of aseismic slip, temporal clustering of seismicity, and spatial variations in earthquake size distributions are tightly connected. Specifically, the creep rate along the central SAF is shown to be directly proportional to the fraction of nonclustered earthquakes for the period 1984–2020. This relationship provides a unified perspective of earthquake phenomenology along the SAF, where lower coupling manifests in weaker temporal clustering, with repeating earthquakes as an end-member. This new paradigm provides additional justification for characterizing the northwest ∼75 kilometers of the creeping segment as a transition zone, with potential implications for seismic hazard.
A cell-based GEF assay reveals new substrates for DENN domains and a role for DENND2B in primary ciliogenesis
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Francis Vincent , Kulasekaran Gopinath , Khan Maleeha , Armstrong Gary A. B. , McPherson Peter S.
Published: February 2022

Primary cilia are sensory antennae crucial for cell and organism development, and defects in their biogenesis cause ciliopathies. Ciliogenesis involves membrane trafficking mediated by small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) including Rabs, molecular switches activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). The largest family of Rab GEFs is the DENN domain–bearing proteins. Here, we screen all 60 Rabs against two major DENN domain families using a cellular GEF assay, uncovering 19 novel DENN/Rab pairs. The screen reveals Rab10 as a substrate for DENND2B, a protein previously implicated in cancer and severe mental retardation. Through activation of Rab10, DENND2B represses the formation of primary cilia. Through a second pathway, DENND2B functions as a GEF for RhoA to control the length of primary cilia. This work thus identifies an unexpected diversity in DENN domain–mediated activation of Rabs, a previously unidentified non-Rab substrate for a DENN domain, and a new regulatory protein in primary ciliogenesis.
In vivo mRNA delivery to virus-specific T cells by light-induced ligand exchange of MHC class I antigen-presenting nanoparticles
Authors: Su Fang-Yi , Zhao Qingyang Henry , Dahotre Shreyas N. , Gamboa Lena , Bawage Swapnil Subhash , Silva Trenkle Aaron D. , Zamat Ali , Phuengkham Hathaichanok , Ahmed Rafi , Santangelo Philip J. , Kwong Gabriel A.
Published: February 2022

Simultaneous delivery of mRNA to multiple populations of antigen (Ag)–specific CD8
+
T cells is challenging given the diversity of peptide epitopes and polymorphism of class I major histocompatibility complexes (MHCI). We developed Ag-presenting nanoparticles (APNs) for mRNA delivery using pMHCI molecules that were refolded with photocleavable peptides to allow rapid ligand exchange by UV light and site-specifically conjugated with a lipid tail for postinsertion into preformed mRNA lipid nanoparticles. Across different TCR transgenic mouse models (P14, OT-1, and Pmel), UV-exchanged APNs bound and transfected their cognate Ag-specific CD8
+
T cells equivalent to APNs produced using conventionally refolded pMHCI molecules. In mice infected with PR8 influenza, multiplexed delivery of UV-exchanged APNs against three immunodominant epitopes led to ~50% transfection of a VHH mRNA reporter in cognate Ag-specific CD8
+
T cells. Our data show that UV-mediated peptide exchange can be used to rapidly produce APNs for mRNA delivery to multiple populations of Ag-specific T cells in vivo.
Variable Freshwater Influences on the Abundance of
Vibrio vulnificus
in a Tropical Urban Estuary
Authors: Nigro Olivia D. , James-Davis La’Toya I. , De Carlo Eric Heinen , Li Yuan-Hui , Steward Grieg F.
Published: February 2022

Our data illustrate that, in the absence of strong seasonal variation in water temperature in the tropics, variation in salinity driven by rainfall becomes a primary controlling variable on
V. vulnificus
abundance. There is thus a tendency for a rainfall-driven seasonal cycle in
V. vulnificus
abundance which is inverted from the temperature-driven seasonal cycle at higher latitudes.
Reoccurring Bovine Anthrax in Germany on the Same Pasture after 12 Years
Authors: Braun Peter , Beyer Wolfgang , Hanczaruk Matthias , Riehm Julia M. , Antwerpen Markus , Otterbein Christian , Oesterheld Jacqueline , Grass Gregor
Published: February 2022

The zoonotic disease anthrax, caused by the endospore-forming bacterium
Bacillus anthracis
, is very rare in Germany. In the state of Bavaria, the last case occurred in July of 2009, resulting in four dead cows.
Penicillin Binding Proteins and β-Lactamases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Reexamination of the Historical Paradigm
Authors: Kumar Gaurav , Galanis Christos , Batchelder Hunter R. , Townsend Craig A. , Lamichhane Gyanu
Published: February 2022

M. tuberculosis
, the causative agent of tuberculosis, kills more humans than any other bacterium. β-lactams are the most widely used class of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Unlike in the historical model that describes the relationship between β-lactams and
M. tuberculosis
, we find that
M. tuberculosis
penicillin binding proteins are able to inactivate select β-lactams with high efficiency.
Functional Genetic Diversity and Plant Growth Promoting Potential of Polyphosphate Accumulating Bacteria in Soil
Authors: Srivastava Sonal , Anand Vandana , Kaur Jasvinder , Ranjan Manish , Bist Vidisha , Asif Mehar Hasan , Srivastava Suchi
Published: February 2022

Study discovered the abundance of
Pseudomonas
genera as a high phosphate accumulator in soil. The presence of functional genes (polyphosphate kinase [
ppk
] and exopolyphosphatase [
ppx
]) in all PAB depicts their importance in polyphosphate metabolism in bacteria.
Validating Flow Cytometry as a Method for Quantifying
Bdellovibrio
Predatory Bacteria and Its Prey for Microbial Ecology
Authors: Ogundero Ayo , Vignola Marta , Connelly Stephanie , Sloan William T.
Published: February 2022

The rise of antibiotic resistance and the unwanted growth of bacteria is a universally growing problem. Predatory bacteria can be used as a biological alternative to antibiotics because they grow by feeding on other bacteria.
Molecular Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman S. M. Mazidur , Rahman Arfatur , Nasrin Rumana , Ather Md. Fahim , Ferdous Sara Sabrina , Ahmed Shahriar , Uddin Mohammad Khaja Mafij , Khatun Razia , Sarker Mohammad Shahnewaz , Mahmud Asif Mujtaba , Rahman Md. Mojibur , Banu Sayera
Published: February 2022

Multidrug-resistant TB is considered to be the major threat to tuberculosis control activities worldwide, including in Bangladesh. Despite the fact that the number of MDR-TB cases is high, a major gap exists in our understanding of the molecular epidemiology of the MDR-TB isolates in Bangladesh.
Acidic/Alkaline Stress Mediates Responses to Azole Drugs and Oxidative Stress in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Song Jinxing , Shi Landan , Wang Sha , Wang Yunqiu , Zhu Yi , Jiang Jihong , Li Rongpeng
Published: February 2022

The human host combats fungal infections via phagocytic cells that recognize and kill fungal pathogens. Immune cells combat
Aspergillus fumigatus
infections with a potent mixture of chemicals, including reactive oxygen species, acidic/alkaline stress, and antifungal drugs.
Elasnin Effectively Eradicates Daptomycin-Resistant Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms
Authors: Sulaiman Jordy Evan , Long Lexin , Qian Pei-Yuan , Lam Henry
Published: February 2022

Due to the increased use of daptomycin for the treatment of MRSA infections, the emergence of daptomycin-resistant strains has become prevalent in recent years. In this study, we discovered that elasnin, a newly reported antibiofilm compound, has a superior activity in eradicating daptomycin-resistant MRSA strain biofilms compared to the wild type.
The Rumen Microbiota Contributes to the Development of Mastitis in Dairy Cows
Authors: Hu Xiaoyu , Li Shuang , Mu Ruiying , Guo Jian , Zhao Caijun , Cao Yongguo , Zhang Naisheng , Fu Yunhe
Published: February 2022

Mastitis is a common and frequently occurring disease of humans and animals, especially in dairy farming, which has caused huge economic losses and brought harmful substance residues, drug-resistant bacteria, and other public health risks. The traditional viewpoint indicates that mastitis is mainly caused by exogenous pathogenic bacteria infecting the mammary gland.
Hydrolytic Enzymes as Potentiators of Antimicrobials against an Inter-Kingdom Biofilm Model
Authors: Ruiz-Sorribas Albert , Poilvache Hervé , Kamarudin Nur Hidayatul Nazirah , Braem Annabel , Van Bambeke Françoise
Published: February 2022

Biofilms are recalcitrant to antimicrobial treatments. This problem is even more critical when dealing with polymicrobial, interkingdom biofilms, including both bacteria and fungi, as these microorganisms cooperate to strengthen the biofilm and produce a complex matrix.
Molecular Characterization of WCK 5222 (Cefepime/Zidebactam)-Resistant Mutants Developed from a Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolate
Authors: Pan Xiaolei , Zhao Xinrui , Song Yuqin , Ren Huan , Tian Zhenyang , Liang Qi’an , Jin Yongxin , Bai Fang , Cheng Zhihui , Feng Jie , Wu Weihui
Published: February 2022

Antibiotic resistance imposes a severe threat on human health. WCK 5222 is a β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination that is composed of cefepime and zidebactam.
Limited Recognition of Highly Conserved Regions of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Swaminathan Srividhya , Lineburg Katie E. , Ambalathingal George R. , Crooks Pauline , Grant Emma J. , Mohan Sonali V. , Raju Jyothy , Panikkar Archana , Le Texier Laetitia , Tong Zheng Wei Marcus , Chew Keng Yih , Neller Michelle A. , Short Kirsty R. , Gowda Harsha , Gras Stephanie , Khanna Rajiv , Smith Corey
Published: February 2022

T cells play a critical role in protection against SARS-CoV-2. Despite being highly topical, the protective role of preexisting preexisting memory CD8
+
T cells, induced by prior exposure to circulating common coronavirus strains, remains less clear.
‘The response is like a big ship’: community feedback as a case study of evidence uptake and use in the 2018–2020 Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: McKay Gillian , Baggio Ombretta , Camara Cheick Abdoulaye , Erlach Eva , Robles Dios Lucia , Checchi Francesco , Rohan Hana
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) took place in the highly complex protracted crisis regions of North Kivu and Ituri. The Red Cross developed a community feedback (CF) data collection process through the work of hundreds of Red Cross personnel, who gathered unprompted feedback in order to inform the response coordination mechanism and decision-making.

Aim

To understand how a new CF system was used to make operational and strategic decisions by Ebola response leadership.

Methods

Qualitative data collection in November 2019 in Goma and Beni (DRC), including document review, observation of meetings and CF activities, key informant interviews and focus group discussions.

Findings

The credibility and use of different evidence types was affected by the experiential and academic backgrounds of the consumers of that evidence. Ebola response decision-makers were often medics or epidemiologists who tended to view quantitative evidence as having more rigour than qualitative evidence. The process of taking in and using evidence in the Ebola response was affected by decision-makers’ bandwidth to parse large volumes of data coming from a range of different sources. The operationalisation of those data into decisions was hampered by the size of the response and an associated reduction in agility to new evidence.

Conclusion

CF data collection has both instrumental and intrinsic value for outbreak response and should be normalised as a critical data stream; however, a failure to act on those data can further frustrate communities.
‘Writing budgets for meetings and teas?’: a multitheoretical analysis of intragovernmental coordination for multisectoral action for health in Uganda
Authors: Ssennyonjo Aloysius , Ssengooba Freddie , Criel Bart , Titeca Kristof , Van Belle Sara
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Coordination across policy domains and among government agencies is considered critical for addressing complex challenges such as inequities, urbanisation and climate change. However, the factors influencing coordination among government entities in low-income and middle-income countries are not well known. Although theory building is well suited to explain complex social phenomena, theory-based health policy and systems studies are limited. This paper examined the factors influencing coordination among government entities at the central government level in Uganda.

Methods

This theory-based case study used a qualitative approach. Primary data were collected through 26 national-level key informant interviews supplemented with a review of 6 national strategic and policy documents. Data were analysed abductively using a multitheoretical framework combining the transaction cost economics theory, principal–agent theory, resource dependence theory and political economy perspective.

Results

Complex and dynamic interactions among different factors, both internal and external to the government, were found. Interdependencies, coordination costs, non-aligned interests, and institutional and ideational aspects were crucial factors. The power dynamics within the bureaucratic structures and the agency of the coordinated entities influence the effectiveness of coordination efforts. New public management principles promoted in the 1990s by donor institutional strengthening projects (characterised by agencification and setting up of independent agencies to circumvent ineffective big line ministries) created further fragmentation within the government. The donors and international agendas were occasionally supportive but sometimes counterintuitive to national coordination efforts.

Conclusion

The multitheoretical framework derives a deep analysis of the factors that influence organisational decision-making to coordinate with others or not. Achieving intragovernmental coordination requires more time and resources to guide the software aspects of institutional change—articulating a shared vision on coordination across government. Shaping incentives to align interests, managing coordination costs and navigating historical-institutional contexts are critical. Countervailing political actions and power dynamics should be judiciously navigated.
Role of mHealth applications for emergency medical system activation in reducing mortality in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Griswold Dylan , Rubiano Andres M
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Prehospital care is an essential component in reducing mortality for patients presenting with emergency medical conditions. Prehospital systems tend to be underdeveloped or non-existent in these areas, with less than 1% of low-income and middle-income country (LMIC) populations served by an organised prehospital system. Mobile health apps for activation of Emergency Medical System (EMS) have been shown to decrease mortality, but there has yet to be a systematic review and meta-analysis performed to clarify the role that these apps play in reducing mortality in LMICs. The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile health apps for EMS activation versus traditional EMS dispatches in survival and transport time in patients with emergency medical conditions.

Methods and analysis

The proposed systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised controlled trials (NRCTs) will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness evidence. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and EBSCO will be searched from January 2005 to March 2021. The search results will be presented according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram. Primary outcomes will include mortality and transport time. Critical appraisal will be assessed using the JBI SUMARI Risk-of-Bias Tool for RCTs, and Risk-of-Bias In Non-Randomised Studies tool for NRCTs. A narrative synthesis will be conducted for all included studies. If sufficient data are available, a meta-analysis will be conducted. I2statistics will be used to assess heterogeneity and identify their potential sources.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical approval will be required, as this review is based on already published data and does not involve interaction with human subjects. The plan for dissemination, however, is to publish the findings of the review in a peer-reviewed journal and present findings at high-level international conferences that engage the most pertinent stakeholders. Any amendments to this protocol will be documented in the final review.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021243041.
Protocol for a feasibility randomised control trial for continuous glucose monitoring in patients with type 1 diabetes at first-level hospitals in rural Malawi
Authors: Adler Alma J , Ruderman Todd , Valeta Francis , Drown Laura , Trujillo Celina , Ferrari Gina , Msekandiana Amos , Wroe Emily , Kachimanga Chiyembekezo , Bukhman Gene , Park Paul H
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The majority of people living with type 1 diabetes (PLWT1D) struggle to access high-quality care in low-income countries (LICs), and lack access to technologies, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), that are considered standard of care in high resource settings. To our knowledge, there are no studies in the literature describing the feasibility or effectiveness of CGM at rural first-level hospitals in LICs.

Methods and analysis

This is a 3-month, 2:1 open-randomised trial to assess the feasibility and clinical outcomes of introducing CGM to the entire population of 50 PLWT1D in two hospitals in rural Neno, Malawi. Participants in both arms will receive 2 days of training on diabetes management. One day of training will be the same for both arms, and one will be specific to the diabetes technology. Participants in the intervention arm will receive Dexcom G6 CGM devices with sensors and solar chargers, and patients in the control arm will receive Safe-Accu home glucose metres and logbooks. All patients will have their haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measured and take WHO Quality of Life assessments at study baseline and endline. We will conduct qualitative interviews with a selection of participants from both arms at the beginning and end of study and will interview providers at the end of the study. Our primary outcomes of interest are fidelity to protocols, appropriateness of technology, HbA1c and severe adverse events.

Ethics and dissemination

This study is approved by National Health Sciences Research Committee of Malawi (IRB Number IR800003905) and the Mass General Brigham (IRB number 2019P003554). Findings will be disseminated to PLWT1D through health education sessions. We will disseminate any relevant findings to clinicians and leadership within our study catchment area and networks. We will publish our findings in an open-access peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

PACTR202102832069874.
Effects of individual and parental educational levels on multimorbidity classes: a register-based longitudinal study in a Danish population
Authors: Schramm Stine , Møller Sanne Pagh , Tolstrup Janne Schurmann , Laursen Bjarne
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To assess the effects of individual educational level in adulthood and parental educational level during childhood, as well as combinations of individual and parental educational levels, on multimorbidity classes.

Design and setting

In this longitudinal study, we used data from a random sample of the Danish population aged 32–56 years without multimorbidity in 2010 (n=102 818). The study population was followed until 2018. Information on individual and parental educational levels and chronic conditions was obtained from national registers. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were adjusted for sex, age and ethnicity.

Outcome measure

Seven multimorbidity classes were identified using latent class analysis based on 47 chronic conditions. Persons deceased during follow-up comprised a separate class.

Results

We found an independent effect of individual educational level on five multimorbidity groups and death, most pronounced for the multimorbidity group ‘Many conditions’ (OR=1.89, 95% CI 1.58 to 2.26 for medium and OR=3.22, 95% CI 2.68 to 3.87 for short compared with long educational level) and of parental education on four groups and death, most pronounced for the multimorbidity group ‘Many conditions’ (OR=1.36, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.73 for medium and OR=1.48, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.89 for short compared with long educational level). Odds of belonging to four multimorbidity classes increased with lower combination of individual and parental educational levels, most pronounced for the multimorbidity group ‘Many conditions’.

Conclusion

As both individual and parental educational levels contribute to the risk of multimorbidity, it is important to address inequality throughout the life course to mitigate multimorbidity. Future studies could adopt a life course approach to investigate the mediating role of behavioural, clinical, environmental and other social factors.