bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of obstetric anal sphincter injury associated with female genital mutilation/cutting and timing of deinfibulation
Authors: Taraldsen Sølvi , Vangen Siri , Øian Pål , Sørbye Ingvil K.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

A greater risk of obstetric anal sphincter injury has been reported among African migrants in several host countries compared with the general population. To what degree female genital mutilation/cutting affects this risk is not clear. In infibulated women, deinfibulation prevents anal sphincter injury. Whether the timing of deinfibulation affects the risk, is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the risks of anal sphincter injury associated with female genital mutilation/cutting and timing of deinfibulation in Norway, and to compare the rates of anal sphincter injury in Somali‐born women and the general population.

Material and methods

In a historical cohort study, nulliparous Somali‐born women who had a vaginal birth in the period 1990–2014 were identified by the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and data collected from medical records. Exposures were female genital mutilation/cutting status and deinfibulation before labor, during labor or no deinfibulation. The main outcome was obstetric anal sphincter injuries.

Results

Rates of obstetric anal sphincter injury did not differ significantly by female genital mutilation/cutting status (type 1–2: 10.2%, type 3: 11.3%, none: 15.2% P = 0.17). The total rate of anal sphincter injury was 10.3% compared to 5.0% among nulliparous women in the general Norwegian population. Women who underwent deinfibulation during labor had a lower risk than women who underwent deinfibulation before labor (odds ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.27–0.86, P = 0.01).

Conclusions

The high rate of anal sphincter injury in Somali nulliparous women was not related to type of female genital mutilation/cutting. Deinfibulation during labor protected against anal sphincter injury, whereas deinfibulation before labor was associated with a doubled risk. Deinfibulation before labor should not be routinely recommended during pregnancy.
Breccia verde di Sparta, an elusive decorative stone used in antiquity
Authors: Athanasiadis Panos , Cesare Bernardo , Lazzarini Lorenzo
Published: August 2022

Breccia verde di Sparta is the traditional name given by the Roman marmorarii of the 19th century to a brecciated volcanic rock whose unknown precise provenance has been determined here for the first time through exploration of the broader area of Psefí (south of Krokees, province of Sparta, Peloponnese, Greece). This location was well known in antiquity and in modern times for having been exploited by the Romans for an important green porphyry named lapis lacedaemonius, nowadays also known as porfido verde antico. This breccia has been seldom used in Roman times for opera sectilia; in contrast, it appears more frequently reused in medieval floors; it is also frequently present in historical lithotecs formed in the 19th and 20th centuries. To fully characterise it and determine its relationships with green porphyry, breccia verde di Sparta samples from the newly discovered source have been thoroughly studied minero‐petrographically and geochemically, and their complex genesis has been reconstructed. It appears that after extrusion the original brecciated basaltic andesite underwent extensive hydrothermal low‐grade metamorphism, with a complete alteration of the igneous assemblage and minerals that preserved only part of the clinopyroxene phenocrysts. Alteration was accompanied by crystallisation of abundant epidote and chlorite, which imparted its predominant green colour to the rock. These breccias intruded in the lithoclases of the porphyry.
The first author takes it all? Solutions for crediting authors more visibly, transparently, and free of bias
Authors: Baum Myriam A. , Braun Moritz N. , Hart Alexander , Huffer Véronique I. , Meßmer Julia A. , Weigl Michael , Wennerhold Lasse
Published: August 2022

With the seventh edition of the publication manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), the APA style now prescribes bias‐free language and encourages accessibility even to non‐academic audiences. However, even with the newest guidelines, the way we credit authors in psychology remains anachronistic, intransparent, and prone to conflict. It still relies on a sequence‐determines‐credit approach in the byline, which concurrently is contradicted by the option to consider the last author as the position of the principal investigator depending on the field or journal. Scholars from various disciplines have argued that relying on such norms introduces a considerable amount of error when stakeholders rely on articles for career‐relevant decisions. Given the existing recommendations towards a credit‐based system, ignoring those issues will further promote bias that could be avoided with rather minor changes to the way we perceive authorship. In this article, we introduce a set of easy‐to‐implement changes to the manuscript layout that value contribution rather than position. Aimed at fostering transparency, accountability, and equality between authors, establishing those changes would likely benefit all stakeholders in contemporary psychological science.
Time as an instrument of settler evasion: Circumventing the implementation of truth and reconciliation in Canadian geography departments
Authors: White Isaac , Castleden Heather
Published: August 2022

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada released its final report on the Indian Residential Schools system and issued 94 calls to action. Education was identified as core to the reconciliation process. Universities across the country responded swiftly, acknowledging the calls as urgent and long overdue. Institution‐wide task forces were established, and glossy reports were produced with directives to faculties and departments. Given Geography's historic and ongoing implication in white settler colonialism, Geography departments were in unique positions to surface the truths, engage in healing, and reconcile their relationships to Indigenous Peoples and the Land. This paper presents findings from an exploratory case study that sought to understand precisely what Canadian Geography departments have been doing to operationalize the TRC's calls to action in the five years since the TRC report was released. Using Foucauldian discourse analysis of semi‐structured interviews with Geography department heads, we show how settler‐colonial space‐time geographies were often used as a scapegoat to circumvent responsibility at the department level. We are calling on Geography departments to take time away from their standing state of affairs to strategically, structurally, and systematically operationalize the calls to action.
CD155 mutation (Ala67Thr) increases the binding affinity for and the signaling via an inhibitory immunoreceptor TIGIT
Authors: Matsuo Tomohei , Iguchi‐Manaka Akiko , Shibuya Akira , Shibuya Kazuko
Published: August 2022

CD155 is a shared ligand for activating and inhibitory immunoreceptors DNAX accessory molecule 1 (DNAM‐1), also called CD226, and T cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibitory motif domain (TIGIT), which are expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and T cells, and positively and negatively regulates tumor immune responses, respectively. A recent study showed that the single nucleotide polymorphism rs1058402G>A causing a mutation to Thr from Ala at residue 67 of CD155 is associated with worse overall survival of patients with small cell lung cancer and suggested that this is caused by the decreased affinity of mutant CD155 for DNAM‐1 as a result of the 3D structural analysis. Unexpectedly, however, we found that the mutation increased the binding affinity for TIGIT rather than decreased the binding affinity for DNAM‐1 and induced a stronger signal than WT CD155. Our results suggest that the mutation suppresses tumor immune responses by generating a stronger inhibitory signal in immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.
Identifying developmental challenges of youth with congenital heart defects: A patient‐oriented perspective
Authors: Bolduc Marie‐Eve , Rennick Janet E. , Gagnon Isabelle , Sokol Eva , Brossard‐Racine Marie , Majnemer Annette
Published: August 2022

Background

Youth with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at high risk for a range of developmental impairments that become evident at different times across childhood and adolescence. This study aimed to explore perspectives of youth with CHD with respect to their developmental follow‐up across childhood.

Methods

Interpretive description was used as a methodological approach for this qualitative study. Youth aged 12–22 years with CHD requiring open‐heart surgery before 2 years of age and who had received health services in Canada since birth were enrolled.

Results

Ten youth with CHD, two males and eight females, aged 13–22 years (mean 19.8) participated in this study. With higher social and academic demands as well as increased level of autonomy associated with older age, some youth faced new challenges that they had not encountered as children. Youth with CHD identified four aspects of the continuum of care as needing to be changed to better respond to their needs. First, the format of developmental follow‐up needs to be adapted to their unique challenges. Second, resources must be more easily accessible throughout childhood and adolescence. Third, planning for transition to adult care is essential to ensure continuity of services. Finally, they identified that the school system is an essential component of the continuum of care.

Conclusions

Adolescents and young adults with CHD are at high risk of developing physical, academic and psychosocial challenges; however, timely identification of challenges does not appear to be optimal across domains and transition points, from the perspective of the youth themselves. Youth with CHD reported not having the resources and supports they required to optimize their functioning. Our findings suggest that several approaches could be adopted to enhance identification and outcomes to address the limitations of current Canadian practices.
Effective strategies for socio‐educational intervention during the process of transition to adult life of unaccompanied minors from Africa
Authors: Fernández‐Simo Deibe , Carrera‐Fernández María Victoria , Cid‐Fernández Xosé Manuel , Campos Edgar Correia
Published: August 2022

The arrival of unaccompanied minors from Africa in Spanish territory has been a constant since the last decade of the twentieth century. This migratory phenomenon has forced the child welfare system to attend to thousands of migrant children. The transition to adult life is a decisive stage in overcoming the situation of social exclusion. This research aims to analyse which socio‐educational intervention strategies are effective during the process of transition to independent living with unaccompanied minors of African origin. We designed a qualitative research according to the grounded theory, which we divided into two phases. Twenty‐nine young people (26 men and 3 women) participated. In phase 1, we performed two focus groups (N = 11), and in phase 2, we conducted longitudinal follow‐ups (N = 18) for 24 months through 180 interviews. The results indicate the effectiveness of designing socio‐educational accompaniment, prioritizing spaces of trust from which to attain the goals of emancipation. Young people consider effective those strategies that favour their knowledge of the social, labour and legal reality of the host society, designed considering each minor's individualized situation. We concluded that professional involvement acts as a buffer, reducing the bureaucratic obstacles implemented by the Spanish government.
Efficacy of vaccination against equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV‐1) infection: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled challenge trials
Authors: Marenzoni Maria Luisa , De Waure Chiara , Timoney Peter J.
Published: August 2022

Background

Equid herpesvirus type 1 (EHV‐1) infection can cause a range of disease syndromes of variable severity that can result in a lethal outcome and restriction of horse movements, especially in the case of outbreaks involving neurological disease. Vaccination is one of the tools used to control the infection. It is widely known that vaccination is not completely effective in ensuring protection against disease caused by this virus. In fact, the real efficacy of vaccination against EHV‐1 related disease has not been measured and no systematic reviews exist on this topic.

Objectives

To perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis on the efficacy of commercial or candidate vaccines against EHV‐1 in randomised controlled trials (RCT) all of which involved experimental challenge of the test subjects.

Study design

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

RCTs were searched using the search algorithm (([equid herpesvirus* OR equine herpesvirus* OR EHV‐1]) AND vaccin*) AND (trial OR experimental OR challenge) on PubMed, Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus, and CAB Abstracts. Where appropriate, meta‐analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.

Results

Eight studies were selected and were analysed for their respective characteristics and possible shortcomings. The results of RCTs revealed that there was a general improvement in the clinical and virological outcomes of EHV‐1 infection following vaccination, but that the effects were very slight. The reduced beneficial effect is probably amplified by the paucity of detailed data reported in the studies that did not allow for the comparison of parameters in many of the cases analysed.

Main limitations

The remarkable heterogeneity and the poor quality of reporting of the selected studies.

Conclusions

Meta‐analysis has shown that EHV‐1 vaccination generally results in a slight improvement in clinical and virological outcomes, although not to a significant extent. The cumulative results have probably been affected by the lack of information on some parameters not systematically reported in the studies. An improvement in the standard of reporting and better standardisation of the data collected would likely have improved the quality of each study and enabled more effective comparison of the studies with each other.
Housing Instability, Food Insecurity, and Barriers to Healthy Eating
Authors: Chang Yunhee , Chatterjee Swarn
Published: August 2022

This study uses the National Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS) to examine how housing instability is associated with food insecurity, the overall healthfulness of diet, and perceived barriers to healthy eating. The sample consisted of households with incomes not exceeding 185% of the federal poverty line. Logistic regressions showed that, after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and local food environment, housing instability was a strong predictor of food insecurity, very low food security, unhealthy diet, and perceiving cost as a barrier to healthy eating among low‐income households. Findings suggest the importance of accommodating varied housing conditions in policy and education.
The importance of considering the duration of extreme temperatures when investigating responses to climate change
Authors: Isotalo Teija , Rotenbiller Lilla , Candolin Ulrika
Published: August 2022

The frequency and duration of heatwaves are increasing because of human activities. To cope with the changes, species with longer generation times may have to rely on plastic responses. The probability that their responses are adaptive is higher if the species have experienced temperature fluctuations also in their evolutionary past. However, experimental studies investigating responses to heatwaves often use exposure times that are significantly shorter than recent heatwaves. We show that this can lead to faulty conclusions and that the duration of higher temperature has to be considered in experimental designs. We recorded the response of threespine stickleback to prolonged duration of higher temperature during the breeding season, using a population that has experienced large fluctuations in temperature in its past and, hence, is expected to endure temperature changes well. We found males to adaptively adjust their reproductive behaviours to short periods of higher temperature, but not to longer periods that extended across two breeding cycles. Males initially increased their reproductive activities—nest building, courtship and parental care—which ensured high reproductive success during the first breeding cycle, but decreased their reproductive activities during the second breeding cycle when exposed to sustained high temperature. This reduced their courtship success and resulted in fewer offspring. Thus, a species expected to cope well with higher temperature suffers fitness reductions when the duration of high temperature is prolonged. The results stress the importance of considering the duration of extreme environmental conditions when investigating the impact that human activities have on species. Responses to short‐term exposures cannot be extrapolated to assess responses to longer periods of extreme conditions.
Amphetamine‐related intoxications in people living with HIV: An observational study in an emergency department in Barcelona (Spain) from 2018 to 2020
Authors: Perello Rafael , Losada Aelajandra , Chen Qin Jiwei , Supervia August , Salgado Emilio , Smithson Alex , Xipell Marc , Inciarte Alexis , Vallecillo Gabriel
Published: August 2022

Background

Stimulant drugs, particularly amphetamines, are more commonly implicated in drug‐related deaths in people living with HIV; however, the clinical characteristics of amphetamine‐related intoxication in people living with HIV are poorly described.

Material and methods

We conducted a retrospective study in people living with HIV who were admitted for amphetamine‐related intoxication to an emergency department of a teaching hospital between 2018 and 2021. Severe intoxication (SI) was arbitrarily defined as requiring admission to the emergency medical support unit and receiving medical treatment for ≥6 h.

Results

In total, 170 male patients with a median age of 36.2 + 7.5 years were included in the study. A total of 77 (45.3%) individuals had mental disorders, and 120 (85.7%) had HIV‐1 RNA suppression, with a median CD4 cell count of 696 (interquartile range 490–905). In total, 61 (37.9%) individuals were on ritonavir/cobicistat‐based regimens. Presenting clinical syndromes included agitation in 60 (35.3%) subjects, anxiety in 37 (21.7%), psychosis in 27 (15.8%), chest pain in 26 (15.3%) and altered level of consciousness in 20 (11.7%). SI was observed in 48 (28.2%) individuals, 12 (7.1%) required admission to the intensive care unit, and two (1.2%) died.

Altered level of consciousness (odds ratio [OR] 6.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2–18.9; p < 0.01), psychosis (OR 5.8; 95% CI 2.2–15.1; p < 0.01) and suicide attempt (OR 4.6; 95% CI 1.8–11.6; p 0.01) were associated with SI in the adjusted analysis.

Conclusions

Amphetamine‐related intoxication causes high morbidity in people living with HIV. Healthcare providers serving these patients should consider incorporating harm‐reduction measures in the prevention of amphetamine‐related intoxication.
Compassionate use of long‐acting cabotegravir plus rilpivirine for people living with HIV‐1 in need of parenteral antiretroviral therapy
Authors: D'Amico Ronald , Cenoz Gomis Santiago , Moodley Riya , Van Solingen‐Ristea Rodica , Baugh Bryan , Van Landuyt Erika , Van Eygen Veerle , Min Sherene , Cutrell Amy , Foster Caroline , Chilton Daniella , Allard Sabine D. , Ruiter Annemiek
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Physicians could request compassionate use of oral and long‐acting (LA) cabotegravir + rilpivirine for people living with HIV‐1 under a single‐patient request programme supported by ViiV Healthcare and Janssen. Outcomes are reported.

Methods

Eligibility criteria included need for parenteral therapy, no primary resistance mutations to cabotegravir or rilpivirine, and established retention in care. Demographic, efficacy, and safety data were obtained from standardized programme applications and quarterly clinical updates. Individuals received a loading dose of LA cabotegravir 600 mg + rilpivirine 900 mg, followed by LA maintenance doses of 400 mg/600 mg every 4 weeks; some received lead‐in oral cabotegravir and rilpivirine.

Results

Through July 2020, 35 people living with HIV‐1 had data available. The most frequent reason for compassionate use request was chronic non‐adherence due to psychological conditions (n = 15). Of 35 people living with HIV‐1, 28 had detectable viremia (median viral load 60 300 copies/mL) and seven were virologically suppressed at programme entry; 16/28 and 6/7 achieved or maintained virological suppression at data cutoff, respectively. Seven people living with HIV‐1 discontinued for incomplete virological response, six with detectable viremia at initiation; six and four had new reverse transcriptase and integrase mutations at discontinuation, respectively. Six non‐fatal serious adverse events were reported, two considered possibly treatment related. Four deaths were reported; none were treatment related. One individual reported two pregnancies and continued LA dosing.

Conclusions

Most people living with HIV‐1 had advanced disease and achieved (16/28) or maintained (6/7) virological suppression with LA therapy. Cabotegravir LA + rilpivirine LA as compassionate use provided a valuable treatment option for individuals with adherence issues with oral therapy and advanced disease.
Bound phenolics release from dried bamboo shoots prepared by different processes during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion: bioaccessibility and bioactivity
Authors: Xiao Jianping , Li Anping , Tang Yumei , Li Dongyang , Yang Pei , Cheng Hexingzi
Published: August 2022

In this work, the release pattern of bound phenolics in salt‐dried bamboo shoots (SDBS), steamed dried bamboo shoots (TDBS), fumigation dried bamboo shoots (UDBS) and fermentation dried bamboo shoots (FDBS) during simulated in vitro digestion was studied. The result exhibited that polyphenols in dried bamboo shoots (DBS) mainly existed in the form of bound phenolics, amongst them the content of FDBS was the highest, followed by SDBS and TDBS, and UDBS was the lowest. In addition, release amounts of bound phenolics in SDBS, TDBS, UDBS and FDBS after gastrointestinal digestion were significantly higher than that after gastric digestion, accounting for 19.61%, 19.40%, 45.64% and 19.66% of the total, respectively. Moreover, IC50 values for scavenging ability of DPPH and ABTS radicals by gastric and gastrointestinal digestion supernatant for DBS were in a descending order: FDBS, UDBS, SDBS and TDBS. Rutin, p‐coumaric and ferulic acid were discovered to be the predominant compounds in digestion supernatant. Trustworthy, fluorescence microscope pictures of DBS at different digestion stages further confirmed the release regularity of bound phenolics. Therefore, these findings could provide a theoretical support for the optimal processing of DBS.
A Novel starch from bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia) seeds: a comparison of its physicochemical, structural, thermal, rheological and pasting properties with conventional starches
Authors: Tarahi Mohammad , Shahidi Fakhri , Hedayati Sara
Published: August 2022

In this study, a novel starch was isolated from bitter vetch and its chemical composition, morphology, particle size of the granules, swelling power and solubility, Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and rheological, pasting and thermal properties were compared with conventional starches (corn, potato and chickpea). Micrographs exhibited that bitter vetch starch has oval, kidney or irregularly shaped granules with an average size of 28.5 μm. The XRD showed a C‐type pattern with 28.14% crystallinity. Bitter vetch starch had the highest amylose content (33.54%), pasting temperature (77.28 °C) and final viscosity (4983 cP) compared with other starch samples. Also, the storage and loss moduli in bitter vetch starch were higher than corn starch, which suggested bitter vetch starch as a promising new source of starch.
Characterisation of fish tofu fortified with skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) eyeball scleral cartilage biocalcium
Authors: Pudtikajorn Khamtorn , Sae‐leaw Thanasak , Buamard Natchaphol , Zhou Aimei , Ma Lukai , Benjakul Soottawat
Published: August 2022

Skipjack tuna eyeball scleral cartilage biocalcium (SCBC) with reduced particle can be fortified as the source of calcium in fish tofu. Ultrasonication at various times (0–30 min) was applied for the treatment of SCBC. No differences in mean particle size were observed, but the polydispersity index of SCBC decreased with augmenting ultrasonication times. SCBC without ultrasonication treatment at different amounts (0–10.0%) (w/w) was fortified into fish tofu. Breaking force, a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) increased, whereas deformation, L* (lightness) and whiteness index decreased as SCBC levels increased. Likeness scores of appearance, colour, texture, flavour, taste and overall likeness decreased with augmenting levels of SCBC (P < 0.05). No differences in likeness scores for odour and sandy mouth feel were attained, regardless of SCBC amounts added (P > 0.05). Fish tofu fortified with 7.5% (w/w) SCBC had a similar overall likeness score to the control. It showed a denser microstructure with greater ash and calcium contents than the control. Nevertheless, cross‐linking of myosin heavy chain and actin became less when fish tofu was added with SCBC as witnessed by more retained protein bands. Therefore, the addition of SCBC up to 7.5 (w/w) increased the nutritive value of fish tofu without adverse effect on the sensory property.
Self‐efficacy, uncertainty and anxiety among nursing graduates in response to licensing test postponement due to the COVID‐19 pandemic: A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Zilber Rama , Hazan Hazoref Rivka , Kagan Ilya
Published: August 2022

Aim

To examine the relationships between self‐efficacy, uncertainty and anxiety among nursing graduates waiting for a mandatory nursing licensing test that was postponed due to the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

A total of 352 graduates of nursing education programs participated in this mixed‐methods study. The data were collected using an online questionnaire in June 2020.

Results

The participants demonstrated high uncertainty and anxiety and low self‐efficacy towards the ability to succeed in the licensing exam. Graduates, who started working, reported lower uncertainty. Self‐efficacy, uncertainty, gender and family status contributed significantly to the explanation of 24% of the variance of the anxiety. The qualitative analysis revealed three themes: (a) emotional distress, cognitive challenge and social implications, (b) consequences for significant others and (c) strengthening of professional values and norms.

Conclusions

A significant crisis like a pandemic is accompanied by acute cognitive burden and stressful emotional experiences and creates an unconventional situation that requires unusual solutions. Granting a temporary permit for employment as a nurse following the postponement of a licensing test contributed to the ability of nursing graduates to cope with the situation. Policies to deal with similar situations in the future emergencies should be developed and implemented.
Pelvic floor muscle training: A comparison between medical centres employed women, with and without urinary incontinence
Authors: Liebergall‐Wischnitzer Michal , Hopsink Tamar , Shimony‐Kanat Sarit , Idilbi Nasra , Woloski Wruble Anna , Noble Anita
Published: August 2022

What is the difference regarding pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) between women with and without UI, employed at a medical centre? There is a dearth of literature comparing PFMT between women with or without UI in the general population and none, specifically, for women employed at a medical centre. Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common problem for all ages, including females employed at medical centres. PFMT is the first‐line intervention recommended for women with UI. The study aimed to compare women with and without UI employed at a medical centre, regarding knowledge, source of knowledge and practices of PFMT. This was a cross‐sectional comparative study, with a convenience sample of 323 women who were employed at a medical centre, aged 20–50 years old. Two validated questionnaires were used: The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form (ICIQ‐SF) and a new questionnaire, developed for this study, entitled the PFMT Patient reported Outcome Measures (PFMT‐P). Ethical approval was granted with questionnaire completion and implied consent. Data was analysed by SPSS version 22, including descriptive statistics, independent t‐test and Mann–Whitney. From the 323 participants, 56 (17.3%) had UI (UI group—UIG), 221 (68. 4%) were without UI (continence group—CG), and 46 (14.2%) did not answer the ICIQ‐SF. Most of the participants were nurses (208 [66.5%]). There was a high level of knowledge for both groups without a significant difference between the groups. Regarding knowledge about recommended PFMT frequency, 37 (68.5%) in the UIG knew the correct answer compared to 108 (52.2%) in the CG, p = 0.03. The most common information source for all participants was the internet (79 [28.9%]). Most of the participants did not receive information from nurses, doctors and physiotherapists during their post‐partum period. For both groups, lower scores were found for PFMT practice, 9.9 [6.4] in the UIG, 7.8 [4.10] in the CG, (with a maximum score of 35), p = 0.02. Two hundred and ninety‐five (91%) participants reported that they are not currently practicing PFMT, and of them, 46 (15.6%) would like to learn PFMT. Knowledge and exposure to a source of knowledge regarding PMFT were not translated into actual technique practice. Women with UI practice PFMT more frequently than women without UI. A limitation of the study was that it was cross‐sectional with a convenience sample of women employees with the majority being nurses. This may also have affected the knowledge component, as PFMT is studied in nursing school. Future studies can assess the difference between women with and without UI regarding PFMT who are employed in other work settings, as well as in the general population.
Blocking RAGE improves wound healing in diabetic pigs
Authors: Johnson Jordan M , Takebe Yared , Zhang Geping , Ober Rebecca , McLuckie Alicia , Niedt George W , Johnson Lynne L
Published: August 2022

Receptor for Advanced Glycated End‐products (RAGE) is highly expressed in diabetes and impairs wound healing. We proposed that administering an antibody that blocks RAGE will hasten the healing of dorsal wounds in diabetic pigs compared with a non‐immune IgG. Two purpose‐bred diabetic (D) Yucatan minipigs (Sinclair, Auxvasse MO) each underwent 12 2 × 2 cm full thickness dorsal wounds: four wounds received decellularized porcine skin patches (Xylyx Bio, Bklyn NY): four anti‐RAGE Ab (CR‐3) infused patches, four saline infused patches and four wounds were left open. One pig received anti‐RAGE Ab (CR‐3) 1 mg/kg IM q 10 days and other received non‐immune IgG. Wounds were measured at 2 and 4 weeks followed by euthanasia and wound harvesting. At 2 weeks few of the patches appeared to be incorporated into the wound. By 4 weeks all patches in pigs treated systemically with CR‐3 were detached and the wounds almost healed. For all 24 wounds for both pigs regardless of presence of patch or type of patch, the average IgG treated pig wound size at 4 weeks was 69.2 ± 14.6% of initial size and the average CR‐3 treated pig wound size was 40.9 ± 11.3% of initial size (P = 0.0002). Quantitative immunohistology showed greater staining for collagen in the CR‐3 treated wounds compared with IgG treated. Staining was positive for RAGE, Mac, and IL‐6 in the IgG treated wounds and negative in the CR‐3 treated wounds. From these pilot experiments, we conclude that a RAGE blocking antibody given parenterally improved wound healing in a diabetic pig while patches were not effective.
Barium hexaferrites with narrow ferrimagnetic resonance linewidth tailored by site‐controlled Cu doping
Authors: Wu Chuanjian , Wang Wu , Li Qifan , Wei Meng , Luo Quanbang , Fan Yong , Jiang Xiaona , Lan Zhongwen , Jiao Zan , Tian Yin , Sun Ke , Yu Zhong
Published: August 2022

Barium hexagonal ferrites exhibiting unique self‐biasing characteristics have great potential for application in planar microwave devices, such as self‐biased circulators. Cu doping is an effective method to tailor their anisotropy field and ferrimagnetic resonance (FMR) linewidth to meet the requirements for low‐frequency low‐loss microwave devices. However, the regulation mechanism of Cu doping is still obscure, and its regulation effect is not optimized. Here, the magnetic and microwave properties of two groups of barium hexaferrites with site‐controlled Cu doping are reported. The diffusion dynamics of Cu2+ ions are comprehensively investigated, revealing significant differences in the concentration distribution and polycrystalline morphology, when comparing CuO as a reactant and sintering additive. The accumulation of Cu2+ ions at grain boundaries contributes to the increase in coercivity, whereas the dispersion of Cu2+ ions in crystallites leads to the decrease in the anisotropy field. Moreover, by introducing Cu2+ ions into the interstitial positions of the lattice, barium hexaferrites with a narrow FMR linewidth of 303 Oe and a high remanence ratio of 0.82 are achieved. These results represent the lowest FMR linewidth reported in polycrystalline hexagonal ferrites and prove the great technological value and commercial potential of Cu‐doped barium hexaferrites for next‐generation planar microwave devices.
Biofilms as a microbial hazard in the food industry: A scoping review
Authors: Sharan Manjeet , Vijay Deepthi , Dhaka Pankaj , Bedi Jasbir Singh , Gill Jatinder Paul Singh
Published: August 2022

Biofilms pose a serious public health hazard with a significant economic impact on the food industry. The present scoping review is designed to analyse the literature published during 2001–2020 on biofilm formation of microbes, their detection methods, and association with antimicrobial resistance (if any). The peer-reviewed articles retrieved from 04 electronic databases were assessed using PRISMA-ScR guidelines. From the 978 preliminary search results, a total of 88 publications were included in the study. On analysis, the commonly isolated pathogens were Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Bacillus spp., Vibrio spp., Campylobacter jejuni and Clostridium perfringens. The biofilm-forming ability of microbes was found to be influenced by various factors such as attachment surfaces, temperature, presence of other species, nutrient availability etc. A total of 18 studies characterized the biofilm-forming genes, particularly for S. aureus, Salmonella spp., and E. coli. In most studies, polystyrene plate and/or stainless-steel coupons were used for biofilm formation, and the detection was carried out by crystal violet assays and/or by plate counting method. The strain-specific significant differences in biofilm formation were observed in many studies, and few studies carried out analysis of multi-species biofilms. The association between biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance was not clearly defined. Further, viable but non-culturable form of the foodborne pathogens is posing an unseen (by conventional cultivation techniques) but potent threat to the food safety. The present review recommends the need for carrying out systematic surveys and risk analysis of biofilms in food chain to highlight the evidence-based public health concerns, especially in regions where microbiological food hazards are quite prevalent.
Dose–response analysis of Bacillus thuringiensis HD-1 cry- spore reduction on surfaces using formaldehyde with pre-germination
Authors: Gazi Ehsan , Bayliss Marc , O'Sullivan Christine , Butler-Ellis Clare , France Brian , Clapperton Richard M. , Payne Dean , Govan Norman
Published: August 2022

Aim

To establish a basis for rapid remediation of large areas contaminated with Bacillus anthracis spores.

Methods and Results

Representative surfaces of wood, steel and cement were coated by nebulization with B. thuringiensis HD-1 cry- (a simulant for B. anthracis) at 5.9 ± 0.2, 6.3 ± 0.2 and 5.8 ± 0.2 log10 CFU per cm2, respectively. These were sprayed with formaldehyde, either with or without pre-germination. Low volume (equivalent to ≤2500 L ha−1) applications of formaldehyde at 30 g l−1 to steel or cement surfaces resulted in ≥4 or ≤2 log10 CFU per cm2 reductions respectively, after 2 h exposure. Pre-germinating spores (500 mmol l−1  l-alanine and 25 mmol l−1 inosine, pH 7) followed by formaldehyde application showed higher levels of spore inactivation than formaldehyde alone with gains of up to 3.4 log10 CFU per cm2 for a given dose. No loss in B. thuringiensis cry- viability was measured after the 2 h germination period, however, a pre-heat shock log10 reduction was seen for B. anthracis strains: LSU149 (1.7 log10), Vollum and LSU465 (both 0.9 log10), LSU442 (0.2 log10), Sterne (0.8 log10) and Ames (0.6 log10).

Conclusions

A methodology was developed to produce representative spore contamination of surfaces along with a laboratory-based technique to measure the efficacy of decontamination. Dose–response analysis was used to optimize decontamination. Pre-germinating spores was found to increase effectiveness of decontamination but requires careful consideration of total volume used (germinant and decontaminant) by surface type.

Significance and Impact of the Study

To be practically achievable, decontamination of a wide area contaminated with B. anthracis spores must be effective, timely and minimize the amount of materials required. This study uses systematic dose–response methodology to demonstrate that such an approach is feasible.
High-throughput assay for effect screening of amphotericin B and bioactive components on filamentous Candida albicans
Authors: Haslene-Hox Hanne , Nærdal Guro Kruge , Mørch Yrr , Hageskal Gunhild , Tøndervik Anne , Turøy Anette Vikenes , Johnsen Heidi , Klinkenberg Geir , Sletta Håvard
Published: August 2022

Aims

The aim of this study was to develop a high-throughput robotic microtiter plate-based screening assay for Candida albicans, optimizing growth conditions to replicate the filamentous biofilm growth found in vivo, and subsequently, to demonstrate the assay by evaluating the effect of nutritional drinks alone and in combination with the antifungal amphotericin B (AmB).

Methods and Results

Candida albicans cultured in a defined growth medium showed filamentous growth in microcolonies, mimicking the morphology of oral mucosal disease (oral candidiasis). Addition of nutrient drinks containing fruit juices, fish oil and whey protein to the medium resulted in changed morphology and promoted growth as free yeast cells and with weak biofilm structures. Minimum inhibitory concentration of AmB on the biofilms was 0.25 μg ml−1, and this was eightfold reduced (0.0038 μg ml−1) in the presence of the nutritional drinks.

Conclusions

The established assay demonstrated applicability for screening of antifungal and anti-biofilm effects of bioactive substances on C. albicans biofilm with clinically relevant morphology.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Candida albicans is the causative agent of the majority of fungal infections globally. The filamentous morphology of C. albicans and the ability to form biofilm are traits known to increase virulence and resistance towards antifungals. This study describes the development of a plate-based in vitro screening method mimicking the filamentous morphology of C. albicans found in vivo. The assay established can thus facilitate efficient antifungal drug discovery and development.
Statistical comparison of DEC and DEC+J is identical to comparison of two ClaSSE submodels, and is therefore valid
Authors: Matzke Nicholas J.
Published: August 2022

Aim

Statistical model comparison has become common in historical biogeography, enabled by the R package BioGeoBEARS, which implements several models in a common framework, allowing models to be compared with standard likelihood‐based methods of statistical model comparison. Ree and Sanmartín (Journal of Biogeography, 45, 741–749, 2018) critiqued the comparison of Dispersal–Extinction–Cladogenesis (DEC) and a modification of it, DEC+J, which adds the process of jump dispersal at speciation. DEC+J provides highly significant improvements in model fit on most (although not all) datasets. They claim that the comparison is statistically invalid for a variety of reasons. I analyse the key claims made by the critique.

Location

Simulated data.

Taxon

Simulated data.

Methods

Likelihood calculations are checked by comparison between programs and by‐hand calculations, and by summing likelihoods across all possible datasets. Model adequacy of DEC versus DEC+J is checked by a simulation/inference experiment.

Results

Mistakes in the critique's example likelihood calculations are demonstrated. DEC+J fits better on datasets because the DEC model is statistically inadequate in the common situation when most species have geographical ranges of single areas; the DEC model requires long residence times of multi‐area ranges, and when these are not observed, a model that does produce such data patterns, such as DEC+J, prevails. More fundamentally, statistical comparison of DEC and DEC+J produces identical log‐likelihood differences to statistical comparison of two submodels of ClaSSE where extinction rates are fixed to 0.

Main Conclusions

DEC fails a basic model adequacy check for understandable reasons, while DEC+J does not. As Ree and Sanmartín recommend ClaSSE models as valid for comparison, the comparison of DEC and DEC+J is statistically valid according to their own criteria.
A novel monoclonal antibody associated with glucoside kills gastric adenocarcinoma AGS cells based on glycosylation target
Authors: Xu Heng , Dun Boying , Liu Beiyi , Mysona David , She Jin‐Xiong , Ma Rong
Published: August 2022

Glycosylation results in the production of glycans which are required for certain proteins to function. These glycans are also present on cell surfaces where they help maintain cell membrane integrity and are a key component of immune recognition. As such, cancer has been shown to alter glycosylation to promote tumour proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and immune envasion. Currently, there are few therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAb) which target glycosylation alterations in cancer. Here, we report a novel mAb associated with a glucoside, mAb 201E4, which is able induce cancer cell death and apoptosis based on a specific glycosylation target. This mAb evokes cancer cell death in vitro via caspase, fas, and mitochondrial associated apoptotic pathways. The efficacy of this mAb was further confirmed in vivo as treatment of mice with mAb 201E4 resulted in potent tumour shrinkage. Finally, the antibody was proven to be specific to glycosylation alterations in cancer and have no binding to normal tissues. This data indicates that mAb 201E4 successfully targets glycosylation alterations in neoplasms to induce cancer cell death, which may provide a new strategy for therapy in cancer.
Treatment of periodontitis and C‐reactive protein: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Luthra Shailly , Orlandi Marco , Hussain Syed Basit , Leira Yago , Botelho João , Machado Vanessa , Mendes José João , Marletta Debora , Harden Simon , D'Aiuto Francesco
Published: August 2022

Background

Systemic inflammation is implicated in the onset and progression of several chronic diseases. Periodontitis is a potential trigger of systemic inflammation.

Purpose

To comprehensively appraise all the evidence on the effects of the treatment of periodontitis on systemic inflammation assessed by serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels.

Data Sources

Six electronic databases were searched up to 10 February 2022 to identify and select articles in English language only.

Study Selection

Twenty‐six randomized controlled clinical trials reporting changes amongst 2579 participants about CRP levels at 6 months or more after treatment.

Data Extraction

Two reviewers independently extracted data and rated the quality of studies. Meta‐analyses were performed using random and fixed effect models.

Risk of Bias

Risk of bias (RoB 2.0 tool) and quality of evidence (GRADEpro GDT tool) analyses were completed.

Data Synthesis

Treatment of periodontitis reduced CRP levels by 0.69 mg/L (95% confidence interval: −0.97 to −0.40) after 6 months, but limited evidence was retrieved from studies with longer follow‐ups. Similar findings were observed in participants with other co‐morbidities in addition to periodontitis. Greatest reductions were observed in participants with concentrations of CRP >3 mg/L at baseline.

Limitations

High level of heterogeneity.

Conclusions

Treatment of periodontitis reduces serum CRP levels (up to 6 months follow‐up) to a degree equivalent to that observed after traditional lifestyle or drug interventions. This evidence supports a causal association between periodontitis and systemic inflammation.
Integrative analysis of genomic and exposomic influences on youth mental health
Authors: Choi Karmel W. , Wilson Marina , Ge Tian , Kandola Aaron , Patel Chirag J. , Lee S. Hong , Smoller Jordan W.
Published: August 2022

Background

Understanding complex influences on mental health problems in young people is needed to inform early prevention strategies. Both genetic and environmental factors are known to influence youth mental health, but a more comprehensive picture of their interplay, including wide‐ranging environmental exposures – that is, the exposome – is needed. We perform an integrative analysis of genomic and exposomic data in relation to internalizing and externalizing symptoms in a cohort of 4,314 unrelated youth from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.

Methods

Using novel GREML‐based approaches, we model the variance in internalizing and externalizing symptoms explained by additive and interactive influences from the genome (G) and modeled exposome (E) consisting of up to 133 variables at the family, peer, school, neighborhood, life event, and broader environmental levels, including genome‐by‐exposome (G × E) and exposome‐by‐exposome (E × E) effects.

Results

A best‐fitting integrative model with G, E, and G × E components explained 35% and 63% of variance in youth internalizing and externalizing symptoms, respectively. Youth in the top quintile of model‐predicted risk accounted for the majority of individuals with clinically elevated symptoms at follow‐up (60% for internalizing; 72% for externalizing). Of note, different domains of environmental exposures were most impactful for internalizing (life events) and externalizing (contextual including family, school, and peer‐level factors) symptoms. In addition, variance explained by G × E contributions was substantially larger for externalizing (33%) than internalizing (13%) symptoms.

Conclusions

Advanced statistical genetic methods in a longitudinal cohort of youth can be leveraged to address fundamental questions about the role of ‘nature and nurture’ in developmental psychopathology.