bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for isolation of fluconazole and echinocandin non-susceptible Candida species in critically ill patients
Authors: Papadimitriou-Olivgeris Matthaios , Spiliopoulou Anastasia , Fligou Fotini , Tsiata Ekaterini , Kolonitsiou Fevronia , Nikolopoulou Alexandra , Papamichail Chrysavgi , Spiliopoulou Iris , Marangos Markos , Christofidou Myrto
Published: August 2021

Introduction. Resistance rates to azoles and echinocandins of Candida spp. increased over the last decade.

Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Widespread use of antifungals could lead to development and dissemination of resistant Candida spp.

Aim. To identify risk factors for isolation of Candida spp. non-susceptible to either fluconazole or echinocandins.

Methodology. All patients hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University General Hospital of Patras, Greece with Candida spp. isolated from clinical specimens during a ten-year period (2010–19) were included. Candida isolates were identified using Vitek-2 YST card. Consumption of antifungals was calculated.

Results. During the study period, 253 isolates were included. C. non-albicans predominated (64.4 %) with C. parapsilosis being the most commonly isolated (42.3 %) followed by C. glabrata (nomenclatural change to Nakaseomyces glabrataa; 8.7 %) and C. tropicalis (11.9 %). Among all isolates, 45.8 and 28.5 % were non-susceptible and resistant to fluconazole, respectively. Concerning echinocandins, 8.7 % of isolates were non-susceptible to at least one echinocandin (anidulafungin or micafungin) and 3.1 % resistant. Multivariate analysis revealed that hospitalization during 2015–19, as compared to 2010–14, isolate being non-albicans or non-susceptible to at least one echinocandin was associated with isolation of fluconazole non-susceptible isolate. Administration of echinocandin, isolate being C. glabrata or C. tropicalis, or Candida spp. non-susceptible to fluconazole were independently associated with isolation of Candida spp. non-susceptible to at least one echinocandin. Fluconazole’s administration decreased during the study period, whereas liposomal-amphotericin B’s and echinoncandins’ administration remained stable.

Conclusion. Fluconazole’s non-susceptibility increased during the study period, despite the decrease of its administration. Although echinocandins’ administration remained stable, non-susceptibility among Candida spp. increased.
Longitudinal Study after Sputnik V Vaccination Shows Durable SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies and Reduced Viral Variant Escape over Time
Authors: Gonzalez Lopez Ledesma María M. , Sanchez Lautaro , Ojeda Diego S. , Rouco Santiago Oviedo , Rossi Andres H. , Varese Augusto , Mazzitelli Ignacio , Pascuale Carla A. , Miglietta Esteban A. , Rodríguez Pamela E. , Pallarés Horacio M. , Costa Navarro Guadalupe S. , Caramelo Julio J. , Rothlauf Paul W , Liu Zhuoming , Bloyet Louis-Marie , Pontelli Marjorie Cornejo , Rasetto Natali B. , Wenker Shirley D. , Ramis Lila Y. , Bialer Magalí G. , Jose de Leone María , Hernando C. Esteban , Bianchimano Luciana , Rios Antonella , Treffinger Cienfuegos María Soledad , Rodriguez García Diana R. , Longueira Yesica , Laufer Natalia , Alvarez Diego , Ceballos Ana , Ochoa Valeria , Monzani Cecilia , Turk Gariela , Salvatori Melina , Carradori Jorge , Prost Katherine , Rima Alejandra , Varela Claudia , Ercole Regina , Toro Rosana I. , Gutierrez Sebastian , Zubieta Martín , Acuña Dolores , Nabaes Jodar Mercedes S. , Torres Carolina , Mojsiejczuk Laura , Viegas Mariana , Velazquez Pilar , Testa Clarisa , Kreplak Nicolas , Yanovsky Marcelo , Whelan Sean , Geffner Jorge , Pifano Marina , Gamarnik Andrea V.
Published: August 2021

Recent studies have shown a temporal increase in the neutralizing antibody potency and breadth to SARS-CoV-2 variants in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent individuals. Here, we examined longitudinal antibody responses and viral neutralizing capacity to the B.1 lineage virus (Wuhan related), to variants of concern (VOCs: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta) and a local variant of interest (VOI: Lambda) in volunteers receiving the Sputnik V vaccine in Argentina. A collection of 472 serum samples obtained between January and September 2021 was used. The analysis indicates that while anti-spike IgG levels significantly wane over time, the neutralizing capacity to the first-wave linages of SARS-CoV-2 and VOC are maintained within four months of vaccination. In addition, an improved antibody cross-neutralizing ability to circulating variants of concern (Beta, Gamma and Delta) was observed over time of vaccination. The viral variants that displayed higher escape to neutralizing antibodies with respect to the original virus (Beta and Gamma variants) were the ones showing the largest increase in susceptibility to neutralization over time after vaccination. Our observations indicate that serum neutralizing antibodies are maintained for at least four month and show a reduction of VOC escape over time of vaccination.
A framework for building a sustainable digital nation: essential elements and challenges
Authors: Penmetsa Murali Krishna , Bruque-Camara Sebastián
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Nations around the globe are moving from digital transformation toward the realization of a digital nation, but they are facing challenges in the process. This study aims to build a digital nation framework by identifying these challenges and developing solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review process was followed, which included the development of a review protocol, selection of research papers, data extraction and analysis of results. In total, 41 research papers were selected from the 12,624 peer-reviewed academic and research papers initially identified.

Findings

Several challenges associated with the elements of a digital nation, including people, technology, institutions, policy, economics and sustainability, are identified; and solutions to these problems are presented. This study's primary objective is to build a digital nation framework by analyzing these challenges and finding solutions to them.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides direction for building a digital nation framework, but the literature review findings are limited to journals, conference papers and government publications. Moreover, it would have been helpful if the research findings had been crosschecked with a panel of experts. This study will correct this weakness in later research.

Practical implications

This study provides policymakers and leaders with a guide for building a digital nation. This study also provides direction for researchers working in this field as little relevant research is currently available.

Originality/value

This study analyses the existing literature on the challenges surrounding digital nations and gives direction to theory building for future studies.
Empathic organizational culture and leadership: conceptualizing the framework
Authors: Arghode Vishal , Lathan Ann , Alagaraja Meera , Rajaram Kumaran , McLean Gary N.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to conceptualize and discuss empathic organizational culture and leadership along with organizational implications.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors reviewed literature to conceptualize empathic organizational culture and leadership. They referred to Hofstede’s organizational culture concept and studies on empathy to explore how leader–follower relationships are influenced by a leader’s empathic disposition.

Findings

Organizational leadership is instrumental in shaping employee performance. While work design, culture, peer support and resource accessibility are discernible, leadership style, control and others are covert. Leaders’ empathic attitudes and dispositions can positively influence organizational functions for improved performance. This review suggests that organizational culture should support growth, proper functioning and effective coordination between employees for improved organizational effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

The authors conducted searches in leadership and management journals to help conceptualize leaders’ empathic disposition. Future researchers may explore other bodies of literature and the cultural demographic differences in exhibiting empathic leadership and its effectiveness. Researchers can explore how empathic culture relates to job motivation, satisfaction and commitment. The authors suggest that future research may explore how employees’ and supervisors’ behaviors and interactions can create an empathic organizational culture.

Practical implications

The authors identify the characteristics in an empathic leader to articulate the role of empathy in leadership. Alignment between person, group norms and organizational values is more important than the existence of culture.

Originality/value

Empathy is studied by researchers from various disciplines. Similarly, employee well-being has received attention from organizational researchers from many fields. However, researchers have given inadequate attention to conceptualizing an empathic organizational culture and its interrelationship with leadership. The authors offer a more positive perspective to the leader-member exchange (LMX) research by describing how leaders can sustain positive relationships with employees rather than the purely transactional exchanges that characterize LMX.
Board Gender Diversity and Cost of Debt: Do Firm Size and Industry type matter?
Authors: Kamil Rabiatu , Appiah Kingsley Opoku
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the nexus between gender-diverse boards and cost of debt in the developing economies context. Specifically, the authors examine whether firm size moderates the relationship between female board representation and cost of debt, regardless of the industry type.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use panel data from 17 non-financial listed Ghanaian firms over the period 2007–2017, ordinary least square, two-stage least square and generalised method of moments estimations to test the hypothesis.

Findings

The authors find that board gender diversity is positively related to cost of debt. Further evidence suggests the interaction of firm size and board gender diversity displays a negative association with cost of debt.

Practical implications

The study evidence suggests larger non-manufacturing firms with gender-diverse boards attract lower cost of capital in an environment with lax enforcement of rules and regulations in corporate governance.

Social implications

Lenders consider the size and industry of firms in pricing debt. This has implications on UN Goal 5, highlighting that shareholders of larger non-manufacturing firms benefit immensely from board gender diversity in the context of debt.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the board gender diversity and cost of debt literature by demonstrating that firm size and industry type matter in the developing economies context.
Simulations of reactive supersonic/subsonic flow interactions for space launcher applications
Authors: Charrier Lorris , Jubera Mathieu , Pont Grégoire , Marié Simon , Brenner Pierre , Grasso Francesco
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The design of a space launcher requires some considerations about the unsteady loads and heat transfer occurring at the base of the structure. In particular, these phenomena are predominant during the early stage of the flight. This paper aims to evaluate the ability of the unstructured, high order finite-volume CFD solver FLUSEPA, developed by Airbus Safran Launchers, to accurately describe these phenomena.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper first performs a steady simulation on a base flow around a four-clustered rocket configuration. Results are compared with NASA experiments and Loci-CHEM simulations. Then, unsteady simulations of supersonic H2/air reacting mixing layer based on the experiment of Miller, Bowman and Mungal are performed. Three meshes with different cells number are used to study the impact of spatial resolution. Instantaneous and time-averaged concentrations are compared with the combined OH/acetone planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging from the experiment.

Findings

FLUSEPA satisfactorily predicts the base heat flux at the base of a four-clustered rocket configuration. NASA Loci-CHEM reactive simulations indicate that afterburning plays an important role and should not be neglected. The unsteady reactive computation of a supersonic mixing layer shows that FLUSEPA is also able to accurately predict flow structures and interactions. However, the complexity of the experiment and the lack of details concerning the facility prevents from obtaining satisfactory converged results.

Originality/value

This study is the first step on the development of a cost-effective method aiming at predicting unsteady loads and heat transfer on space launchers using an unsteady and reactive model for the CDF calculations. It uses original techniques such as conservative CHIMERA-like overset grids, local re-centering of fluxes and local adaptive time-stepping to reduce computational cost while being robust and accurate.
Elucidating green branding among Muslim consumers: the nexus of green brand love, image, trust and attitude
Authors: Salehzadeh Reza , Sayedan Maryam , Mirmehdi Seyed Mehdi , Heidari Aqagoli Parisa
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Green brands are those brands that obtain attributes and benefits related to the reduction of the brands’ environmental impact. Green brand love is a very important issue for marketing managers. One of the main reasons for this degree of importance is because of the many positive outcomes that green brand love will have for organizations. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of green brand image, trust and attitude on green brand love among Muslim consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a cross-sectional survey is conducted based on the questionnaire method to collect data from a sample of 201 consumers of various automobile brands in Isfahan, Iran. Structural equation modeling is used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The findings show that green brand image has a significant direct effect on green brand attitude, love and trust. In addition, the results indicate that green brand attitude and trust have a significant direct effect on green brand love.

Practical implications

Considering the importance of the issue of automobility and environmental harm, this paper offers new insights to marketing managers of the automotive industry in Iran.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to explore the effect of green brand image, trust and attitude on green brand love.
Multi-scale simulation approach for identifying optimal parameters for fabrication ofhigh-density Inconel 718 parts using selective laser melting
Authors: Tran Hong-Chuong , Lo Yu-Lung , Le Trong-Nhan , Lau Alan Kin-Tak , Lin Hong-You
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Depending on an experimental approach to find optimal parameters for producing fully dense (relative density > 99%) Inconel 718 (IN718) components in the selective laser melting (SLM) process is expensive and offers no guarantee of success. Accordingly, this study aims to propose a multi-scale simulation framework to guide the choice of processing parameters in a more pragmatic manner.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed approach, a powder layer, ray tracing and heat transfer simulation models are used to calculate the melt pool dimensions and evaporation volume corresponding to a small number of laser power and scanning speed conditions within the input design space. A layer-heating model is then used to determine the inter-layer idle time required to maximize the temperature convergence rate of the solidified layer beneath the power bed. The simulation results are used to train surrogate models to construct SLM process maps for 3,600 pairs of the laser power and scanning speed within the input design space given three different values of the underlying solidified layer temperature (i.e., 353 K, 673 K and 873 K). The ideal selection of laser power and scanning speed of each process map is chosen based on four quality-related criteria listed as follows: without the appearance of key-hole melting; an evaporation volume less than the volume of the d90 powder particles; ensuring the stability of single scan tracks; and avoiding a weak contact between the melt pool and substrate. Finally, the optimal laser power and scanning speed parameters for the SLM process are determined by superimposing the optimal regions of the individual process maps.

Findings

The feasibility of the proposed approach is demonstrated by fabricating IN718 test specimens using the optimal processing conditions identified by the simulation framework. It is shown that the maximum density of the fabricated parts is 99.94%, while the average density is 99.88% and the standard deviation is less than 0.05%.

Originality/value

The present study proposed a multi-scale simulation model which can efficiently predict the optimal processing conditions for producing fully dense components in the SLM process. If the geometry of the three-dimensional printed part is changed or the machine and powder material is altered, users can use the proposed method for predicting the processing conditions that can produce the high-density part.
A comparison of dementia assessment services for people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Gardner Emile , Slater Sean
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to describe three dementia assessment services for people with intellectual disabilities to provide professionals with insight into planning this type of service.

Design/methodology/approach

Three services in England were contacted via email and telephone to collect data on their service provision. They were asked about the average age of individuals when receiving a baseline assessment, frequency of follow-up assessment, assessment instruments used and descriptive aspects of their services.

Findings

All three services offered proactive dementia assessment services to people with Down's syndrome (DS), with one service providing systematic screening via the GP. None offered proactive screening to people with intellectual disabilities who did not have a diagnosis of DS. All offered reactive assessment to this population if they experienced a decline in function. Services differed in terms of age at which baseline assessments were offered, frequency of follow-up and instruments used.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to compare dementia assessment provision between different services in England.
Long‐term empirical evidence shows post‐disturbance climate controls post‐fire regeneration
Authors: Guz Jaclyn , Gill Nathan S. , Kulakowski Dominik
Published: August 2021

Increased wildfire activity and climate change have intensified disturbance regimes globally and have raised concern among scientists and land managers about the resilience of disturbed landscapes. Here we test the effects of climate, topographic variation and pre‐fire stand structure on regeneration in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) forests following high‐severity fire over the past seven decades.

We surveyed lodgepole pine regeneration 8–67 years after eight high‐severity fires in western Colorado and southern Wyoming. We used dendroecological methods and machine learning to (a) identify temporal trends in post‐fire regeneration and (b) examine influences of climate on post‐fire regeneration, with focus on post‐fire establishment, initial post‐fire density and radial growth.

All burned sites reached a median stocking density of ≥150 seedlings/ ha, but there was a large range of spatial heterogeneity, with regeneration being absent or scarce in many plots, implying a trend of increasing patchiness with likely cascading effects on subsequent patterns and processes. Our analysis indicated that (a) post‐fire regeneration is influenced by pre‐fire stand structure (stand age and density), elevation and post‐fire minimum temperature; (b) pre‐fire densities of >14,000 stems/ha promoted successful stocking (≥150 seedlings/ha) and reduced lag between the disturbance and initial regeneration; and (c) minimum post‐fire temperatures >−1.6°C reduced lag of initial regeneration and promoted initial radial growth.

Synthesis. Our study demonstrates that lodgepole pine in high‐elevation forests are regenerating following fires under recent climatic trends, but that regeneration is affected by post‐fire climatic conditions. Importantly, forest patchiness may be increasing in a way that affects future ecological dynamics and may compromise the resilience of these systems.
The choline dehydrogenase BetA of Acinetobacter baumannii: a flavoprotein responsible for osmotic stress protection
Authors: Breisch Jennifer , Bendel Melanie , Averhoff Beate
Published: August 2021

Acinetobacter baumannii is outstanding for its ability to cope with low water activities which significantly contributes to its persistence in hospital environments. The vast majority of bacteria are able to prevent loss of cellular water by amassing osmoactive compatible solutes or their precursors into the cytoplasm. One such precursor of an osmoprotectant is choline that is taken up from the environment and oxidized to the compatible solute glycine betaine. Here, we report the identification of the osmotic stress operon betIBA in A. baumannii. This operon encodes the choline oxidation pathway important for the production of the solute glycine betaine. The salt‐sensitive phenotype of a betA deletion strain could not be rescued by addition of choline, which is consistent with the role of BetA in choline oxidation. We found that BetA is a choline dehydrogenase but also mediates in vitro the oxidation of glycine betaine aldehyde to glycine betaine. BetA was found to be associated with the membrane and to contain a flavin, indicative for BetA donating electrons into the respiratory chain. The choline dehydrogenase activity was not salt dependent but was stimulated by the compatible solute glutamate.
Lethal small bowel obstruction due to pica
Authors: Busch Johannes Rødbro , Löchte Lars , Lindh Anna‐Sofia , Jacobsen Christina
Published: August 2021

Up to 25% of institutionalized patients with cognitive deficiencies display pica‐like behavior, with an estimated annual incidence of small bowel obstruction of 2%. We present a case based on the forensic autopsy of a 41‐year‐old woman who died as a result of a missed diagnosis of small bowel obstruction after ingesting a foreign body. The case underlines the importance of precaution when treating patients with cognitive deficiency and/or language deficits and gastrointestinal symptoms. In such cases, it is important to employ a liberal threshold for radiological investigations and, if possible, obtain a medical history from a person close to the patient.
Artificial intelligence‐enhanced echocardiography in the emergency department
Authors: Stewart Jonathon E , Goudie Adrian , Mukherjee Ashes , Dwivedi Girish
Published: August 2021

A focused cardiac ultrasound performed by an emergency physician is becoming part of the standard assessment of patients in a variety of clinical situations. The development of inexpensive, portable handheld devices promises to make point‐of‐care ultrasound even more accessible over the coming decades. Many of these handheld devices are beginning to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) for image analysis. The integration of AI into focused cardiac ultrasound will have a number of implications for emergency physicians. This perspective presents an overview of the current state of AI research in echocardiography relevant to the emergency physician, as well as the future possibilities, challenges and risks of this technology.
Stabilization of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. anthocyanins by natural polyphenol extracts
Authors: Luan Guangxiang , Wang Yuwei , Ouyang Jian , He Yanfeng , Zhou Wu , Dong Qi , Wang Honglun , Hu Na
Published: August 2021

Anthocyanins are a group of flavonoids widely used as natural pigments and in functional foods. However, the sensitivity of anthocyanins to environment factors limits their utilization. The present study examined the stabilizing effects of polyphenol extracts from raspberry, sea‐buckthorn, Lonicera edulis, and blackcurrant on Lycium ruthenicum Murr (LRM)‐derived anthocyanins. After light and heat exposure, contents of total anthocyanins and the monomers were detected with the pH differential method and the HPLC. Remarkably, polyphenol extracts from raspberry, Lonicera edulis and blackcurrant extended the half‐lives of anthocyanins, while the effect of the sea‐buckthorn extracts was negligible. Noticeably, petunidin‐3‐O‐[6‐O‐(4‐O‐trans‐p‐coumaroyl‐alpha‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl)‐beta‐D‐glucopyranoside]‐5‐O‐[beta‐D‐glucopyranoside], the major component of LRM‐derived anthocyanins, exhibited a dramatic increase in half‐life with the presence of polyphenol extracts from raspberry, Lonicera edulis, and blackcurrant. In summary, our findings suggest the polyphenol extracts could be developed into copigments for stabilization of anthocyanins.
Effect of cavitation jets on the physicochemical properties and structural characteristics of the okara protein
Authors: Wu Changling , He Mingyu , Zheng Li , Tian Tian , Teng Fei , Li Yang
Published: August 2021

The structural andphysicochemical properties of okara protein (OP) subjected to different cavitation jet (CJ) treatment times (0–15 min) were analyzed. In this study, the microstructure and apparent morphology of OP were analyzed by Raman spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Physicochemical properties, such as emulsion ability (EA), emulsion stability index (ESI), foaming characteristics (FC), foaming stability (FS), and solubility analysis of the OPs, were characterized. Raman spectrum analysis showed that CJ treatment caused increases in the ordered structure of OPs (α‐helix, β‐sheet, and β‐turn), and the disulfide bond g‐g‐g and g‐g‐t modes, while it caused a decrease in the t‐g‐t mode. However, the tertiary structure of OP unfolded and mostly degraded into small subunits because of higher cavitation, shear and temperature effects. AFM observation indicated that CJ resulted in a more uniform distribution of OP. Moreover, changes in the structure of OP significantly affected its functional properties. The results showed that when CJ treatment time was 10 min, the solubility of OP was up to (28.72 ± 1.26)%, the soluble protein content of okara was up to (10.44 ± 0.03) g/100 g, and interface properties were better. In summary, OP has great potential for application in the food area, especially in emulsifying agent and foam system.

Practical Application

The cavitation jet technology improves the structure and physical and chemical properties of the protein extracted from soybean residue (okara) and provides new ideas for the further development and utilization of soybean residue protein, which may lead to the production of high‐value‐added functional ingredients from the processing of soybean byproducts.
Joint identification of sex and sex‐linked scaffolds in non‐model organisms using low depth sequencing data
Authors: Nursyifa Casia , Brüniche‐Olsen Anna , Garcia‐Erill Genis , Heller Rasmus , Albrechtsen Anders
Published: August 2021

Being able to assign sex to individuals and identify autosomal and sex‐linked scaffolds are essential in most population genomic analyses. Non‐model organisms often have genome assemblies at scaffold‐level and lack characterization of sex‐linked scaffolds. Previous methods to identify sex and sex‐linked scaffolds have relied on synteny between the non‐model organism and a closely related species or prior knowledge about the sex of the samples to identify sex‐linked scaffolds. In the latter case, the difference in depth of coverage between the autosomes and the sex chromosomes are used. Here, we present “sex assignment through coverage” (SATC), a method to assign sex to samples and identify sex‐linked scaffolds from next generation sequencing (NGS) data. The method works for species with a homogametic/heterogametic sex determination system and only requires a scaffold‐level reference assembly and sampling of both sexes with whole genome sequencing (WGS) data. We use the sequencing depth distribution across scaffolds to jointly identify: (i) male and female individuals, and (ii) sex‐linked scaffolds. This is achieved through projecting the scaffold depths into a low‐dimensional space using principal component analysis (PCA) and subsequent Gaussian mixture clustering. We demonstrate the applicability of our method using data from five mammal species and a bird species complex. The method is freely available at https://github.com/popgenDK/SATC as R code and a graphical user interface (GUI).
Chemogenetic inhibition of corticostriatal circuits reduces cued reinstatement of methamphetamine seeking
Authors: Kearns Angela M. , Siemsen Benjamin M. , Hopkins Jordan L. , Weber Rachel A. , Scofield Michael D. , Peters Jamie , Reichel Carmela M.
Published: August 2021

Methamphetamine (meth) causes enduring changes within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the nucleus accumbens (NA). Projections from the mPFC to the NA have a distinct dorsal‐ventral distribution, with the prelimbic (PL) mPFC projecting to the NAcore, and the infralimbic (IL) mPFC projecting to the NAshell. Inhibition of these circuits has opposing effects on cocaine relapse. Inhibition of PL‐NAcore reduces cued reinstatement of cocaine seeking and IL‐NAshell inhibition reinstates cocaine seeking. Meth, however, exhibits a different profile, as pharmacological inhibition of either the PL or IL decrease cued reinstatement of meth‐seeking. The potentially opposing roles of the PL‐NAcore and IL‐NAshell projections remain to be explored in the context of cued meth seeking. Here we used an intersectional viral vector approach that employs a retrograde delivery of Cre from the NA and Cre‐dependent expression of DREADD in the mPFC, in both male and female rats to inhibit or activate these parallel pathways. Inhibition of the PL‐NAcore circuit reduced cued reinstatement of meth seeking under short and long‐access meth self‐administration and after withdrawal with and without extinction. Inhibition of the IL‐NAshell also decreased meth cued reinstatement. Activation of the parallel circuits was without an effect. These studies show that inhibition of the PL‐NAcore or the IL‐NAshell circuits can inhibit reinstated meth seeking. Thus, the neural circuitry mediating cued reinstatement of meth seeking is similar to cocaine in the dorsal, but not ventral, mPFC‐NA circuit.
Acute kidney injury in infants with hypothermia‐treated hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy: An observational population‐based study
Authors: Robertsson Grossmann Katarina , Bárány Peter , Blennow Mats , Chromek Milan
Published: August 2021

Aim

To describe incidence and outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI) in infants with hypothermia‐treated hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Methods

This observational population‐based study included all term and near‐term infants with hypothermia‐treated HIE born between 2007 and 2009 in greater Stockholm. The KDIGO definition modified for neonatal patients was used to identify infants with AKI. We analysed association between AKI and neonatal morbidity/mortality. Furthermore, we calculated estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at the age of 10–12 years.

Results

Out of 83,939 live births in the Stockholm region, 66 infants underwent hypothermia treatment due to HIE. Out of 65 included infants, 45% suffered AKI. Degree of AKI correlated with HIE severity. One infant needed kidney replacement therapy; others were treated conservatively. AKI was associated with increased mortality and need for blood products (p < 0.05). eGFR at age 10–12 years was available for 72% of survivors. Nine children (21%) had subnormal eGFR, with no difference between those with and without a history of neonatal AKI.

Conclusion

Despite therapeutic hypothermia, AKI remains a common complication in infants with HIE and is associated with increased neonatal mortality. Twenty‐one per cent of children had subnormal eGFR at 10–12 years, highlighting the need for long‐term follow‐up of renal function.
“It was rigged”: Different types of identification predict activism and radicalism in the U.S. 2020 election
Authors: Wagoner Joseph A. , Rinella Mark J. , Barreto Nicolas B.
Published: August 2021

What motivated Trump Supporters to storm the US Capitol in protest of the US Election results? We examined how different dimensions of an identification (Trump, Republican) predicted intentions to engage in activism or radicalism in the wake of the 2020 US Presidential Election. We sampled self‐identified Republicans 3 weeks before (N = 273), and 10 days after (N = 277), the US Capitol Insurrection. We separately measured identification as a Republican and Trump Supporter before assessing people's perception that the 2020 Election was illegitimate. We then assessed two emotions (anger, contempt) and two forms of collective action intentions (activism, radicalism). Both studies showed that stronger Trump identification, but weaker Republican identification, predicted perceptions that the 2020 US Election was illegitimate. Perceptions of illegitimacy predicted feelings of anger and contempt, which differently predicted normative and nonnormative collective action. Results suggest that different dimensions of identification predispose people to different perceptions of events and, consequently, harbor different action intentions.
Para‐aminosalicylic acid significantly reduced tenofovir exposure in human subjects: Mismatched findings from in vitro to in vivo translational research
Authors: Parvez Md Masud , Kalkisim Said , Nguyen Phuong Thi Thu , Jung Jin Ah , Park Jeong‐Kon , Ghim Jong‐Lyul , Kim Eun‐Young , Cho Yong‐Soon , Babaoglu Melih O. , Shin Jae‐Gook
Published: August 2021

Aims

Tenofovir and para‐aminosalicylic acid (PAS) may be coprescribed to treat patients with concomitant infections of human immunodeficiency virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. Both drugs are known to have remarkable renal uptake transporter‐mediated clearance. Owing to the lack of clinical studies on drug–drug interaction between the 2 drugs, we conducted a translational clinical study to investigate the effect of PAS on tenofovir pharmacokinetics (PK).

Methods

Initially, we studied in vitro renal uptake transporter‐mediated drug–drug interactions using stably transfected cells with human organic anion transporters (OAT1 and OAT3). Later, we estimated clinical drug interactions using static and physiologically based PK modelling. Finally, we investigated the effects of PAS‐calcium formulation (PAS‐Ca) on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate PK in healthy male Korean subjects.

Results

PAS inhibited OAT1‐ and OAT3‐mediated tenofovir uptake in vitro. The physiologically based PK drug–drug interaction model suggested a 1.26‐fold increase in tenofovir peak plasma concentration when coadministered with PAS. By contrast, an open‐label, randomized, crossover clinical trial evaluating the effects of PAS‐Ca on tenofovir PK showed significantly altered geometric mean ratio (90% confidence intervals) of maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC0‐inf) by 0.33 (0.28–0.38) and 0.29 (0.26–0.33), respectively.

Conclusion

Our study findings suggest that the PAS‐Ca formulation significantly reduced systemic exposure to tenofovir through an unexplained mechanism, which was contrary to the initial prediction. Caution should be exercised while predicting in vivo PK profiles from in vitro data, particularly when there are potential confounders such as pharmaceutical interactions.
Contribution of dipeptidyl peptidase 10 to airway dysfunction in patients with NSAID‐exacerbated respiratory disease
Authors: Sim Soyoon , Choi Youngwoo , Lee Dong‐Hyun , Lee Hee‐Ra , Seob Shin Yoo , Park Hae‐Sim
Published: August 2021

Background

Genetic variants of dipeptidyl peptidase 10 (DPP10) have been suggested to contribute to the development of NSAID‐exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD). However, the mechanisms of how DPP10 contributes to NERD phenotypes remain unclear.

Objective

To demonstrate the exact role of DPP10 in the pathogenesis of NERD.

Methods

Patients with NERD (n = 110), those with aspirin‐tolerant asthma (ATA,n = 130) and healthy control subjects (HCs,n = 80) were enrolled. Clinical characteristics were analysed according to the serum DPP10 levels in both NERD and ATA groups. The function of DPP10 in airway inflammation and remodelling was investigated within vitro,ex vivoandin vivoexperiments.

Results

NERD patients had higher levels of serum DPP10 and TGF‐β1 with lower FEV1than ATA patients or HCs (p < .05 for each). NERD patients with higher DPP10 levels had higher TGF‐β1, but lower FEV1(p < .05 for all), whilst no differences were noted in ATA patients. Moreover, the seum DPP10 levels had a positive correlation with TGF‐β1 (r = 0.384,p < .001), but a negative correlation with FEV1(r = −0.230,p = .016) in NERD patients. Inin vitrostudies, expression of DPP10 in airway epithelial cells was enhanced by TGF‐β1 treatments. Furthermore, DPP10 was found to be produced from immune cells and this molecule induced the ERK phosphorylation in airway epithelial cells, which was suppressed by anti‐DPP10 treatment. In asthmatic mouse models, increased levels of DPP10 in the serum and TGF‐β1 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were noted, which were suppressed by anti‐DPP10 treatment. Moreover, anti‐DPP10 treatment inhibited the ERK phosphorylation and extracellular matrix deposition in the lungs.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

These findings suggest that increased production of DPP10 may contribute to TGF‐β1‐mediated airway dysfunction in NERD patients, where blockade of DPP10 may have potential benefits.
GONAD: A new method for germline genome editing in mice and rats
Authors: Namba Masumi , Kobayashi Tomoe , Koyano Takayuki , Kohno Mayumi , Ohtsuka Masato , Matsuyama Makoto
Published: August 2021

Recent advances in the CRISPR/Cas9 system have demonstrated it to be an efficient gene‐editing technology for various organisms. Laboratory mice and rats are widely used as common models of human diseases; however, the current standard method to create genome‐engineered animals is laborious and involves three major steps: isolation of zygotes from females, ex vivo micromanipulation of zygotes, and implantation into pseudopregnant females. To circumvent this, we recently developed a novel method named Genome‐editing via Oviductal Nucleic Acids Delivery (GONAD). This method does not require the ex vivo handling of embryos; instead, it can execute gene editing with just one step, via the delivery of a genome‐editing mixture into embryos in the oviduct, by electroporation. Here, we present a further improvement of GONAD that is easily applicable to both mice and rats. It is a rapid, low‐cost, and ethical approach fulfilling the 3R principles of animal experimentation: Reduction, Replacement, and Refinement. This method has been reconstructed and renamed as “improved GONAD (i‐GONAD)” for mice, and “rat improved GONAD (rGONAD)” for rats.
Investigation of relapse rate and factors affecting relapse after oral isotretinoin treatment in patients with acne vulgaris
Authors: Demirci Saadet Elif
Published: August 2021

Oral isotretinoin is the most effective treatment option used in acne treatment. However, varying rates of relapse have been reported after oral isotretinoin therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors that affect relapse after oral isotretinoin treatment in patients with acne. In this cross‐sectional study, 212 patients with acne using 0.3–1 mg/kg/day oral isotretinoin for at least 4 months were analyzed retrospectively regarding relapse frequency and factors that affected relapse. In the study, the female‐to‐male ratio was 3.15, with a mean age of 23.5 ± 6.2 years. The relapse rate was found as 37.3%. The median time to relapse was 10 months. The relapse rate was higher in younger patients (age ≤ 20 years), macrocomedone‐type acne, and those with residual lesions at the end of the treatment (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). To prevent relapse in patients with acne using oral isotretinoin, it is of great importance to continue the treatment until complete clinical improvement, and extend the treatment for at least one more month regardless of the cumulative dose. Relapse may also occur with younger age and macrocomedone‐type acne.
Short‐term positive effects of wildfire on diurnal insects and pollen transport in a Mediterranean ecosystem
Authors: Banza Paula , Evans Darren M. , Medeiros Renata , Macgregor Callum J. , Belo Anabela D. F.
Published: August 2021

Climate change is a key driver of increased wildfire activity globally. Whilst the recovery of plant communities after fire is generally understood, the impacts on ecological processes, such as pollen transport by insects, have received little attention. We investigated the effects of wildfire on diurnal insects and pollen transport over 2 years following a large fire in Southern Portugal. By comparing samples collected at burned and adjacent unburned sites, we examined wildfire effects on (a) abundance and species richness of insects across seasons, (b) pollen being transported, (c) three of the most abundant species: Oxythyrea funesta, Heliothaurus ruficolis (both Coleoptera), and Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera). Wildfire and season had significant, interacting effects on the abundance of insects but not species richness. Abundance and species richness increased over time at both burned and unburned sites, most notably each spring. Pollen loads, and species richness, found on individual insects were significantly higher in burned sites in the first spring only, but generally increased with time after the wildfire. The abundance of O. funesta was similar between burned and unburned sites in the spring, but in the winter was significantly higher in burned sites; there were no significant differences in summer and autumn. H. ruficolis abundance was higher in burned sites. A. mellifera abundance was unaffected. Overall, across almost all the community metrics, our results suggest that wildfire affects pollen transport by diurnal insects, at least in the short term, but with time, these become similar to unburned habitats.
Novel somatic alterations in unicentric and idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease
Authors: Goodman Aaron M. , Jeong Ah‐Reum , Phillips Alexis , Wang Huan‐You , Sokol Ethan S. , Cohen Philip R. , Sicklick Jason , Fajgenbaum David C. , Kurzrock Razelle
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Castleman disease (CD) is a heterogeneous group of disorders involving systemic inflammation and lymphoproliferation. Recently, clonal mutations have been identified in unicentric CD (UCD) and idiopathic multicentric CD (iMCD), suggesting a potential underlying neoplastic process.

Methods

Patients with UCD or iMCD with next generation sequencing (NGS) data on tissue DNA and/or circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) were included.

Results

Five patients were included, 4 with iMCD and 1 with UCD. Four patients (80%) were women; median age was 40 years. Three of five patients (60%) had ≥1 clonal mutation detected on biopsy among the genes included in the panel. One patient with iMCD had a 14q32‐1p35 rearrangement and a der(1)dup(1)(q42q21)del(1)(q42) (1q21 being IL‐6R locus) on karyotype. This patient also had a NF1 K2459fs alteration on ctDNA (0.3%). Another patient with iMCD had a KDM5C Q836* mutation, and one patient with UCD had a TNS3‐ALK fusion but no ALK expression by immunohistochemistry.

Conclusions

We report 4 novel somatic alterations found in patients with UCD or iMCD. The 1q21 locus contains IL‐6R, and duplication of this locus may increase IL‐6 expression. These findings suggest that a clonal process may be responsible for the inflammatory phenotype in some patients with UCD and iMCD.
Studies on women academics in Chinese academic journals: A review
Authors: Tang Li , Horta Hugo
Published: August 2021

This paper explores how women academics in Chinese higher education have been understood as a topic of research by conducting a comprehensive review of publications on the theme in Chinese national academic journals, that is, national journals written in Chinese. The study identifies publication trends and key research issues concerning academic women in China, adopting a knowledge mapping perspective that unveils research and methodological choices, including data collection methods used in Chinese national journals since the mid‐1980s, when the first publication on women academics was identified. The study finds that despite the rapid expansion of the population of women academics in the Chinese higher education system, this topic has been intermittently researched: interest in it peaked in the early 2010s but has declined since then. Past interest in the topic would be largely activated by governmental policy considerations and changes, but would become relatively dormant during periods of lower policy activity. The research has been mainly focused on policy and practice, and has lacked long‐term perspectives; it has not always acknowledged societal and structural challenges that academic women face, and has not engaged in theory building. The latter is probably because much of the knowledge production has been based on personal opinions and views, and has suffered from a lack of critical thinking, a reliance on largely unsophisticated methods, and findings that are not generalisable.
Effect of an opt‐out point‐of‐care HIV‐1 nucleic acid testing intervention to detect acute and prevalent HIV infection in symptomatic adult outpatients and reduce HIV transmission in Kenya: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sanders Eduard J. , Agutu Clara , van der Elst Elise , Hassan Amin , Gichuru Evanson , Mugo Peter , Farquhar Carey , Babigumira Joseph B. , Goodreau Steven M. , Hamilton Deven T. , Ndung'u Thumbi , Sirengo Martin , Chege Wairimu , Graham Susan M.
Published: August 2021

Background

In sub‐Saharan Africa, adult outpatients with symptoms of acute infectious illness are not routinely tested for prevalent or acute HIV infection (AHI) when seeking healthcare.

Methods

Adult symptomatic outpatients aged 18–39 years were evaluated by a consensus AHI risk score. Patients with a risk score ≥ 2 and no previous HIV diagnosis were enrolled in a stepped‐wedge trial of opt‐out delivery of point‐of‐care (POC) HIV‐1 nucleic acid testing (NAAT), compared with standard provider‐initiated HIV testing using rapid tests in the observation period. The primary outcome was the number of new diagnoses in each study period. Generalized estimating equations with a log‐binomial link and robust variance estimates were used to account for clustering by health facility. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03508908.

Results

Between 2017 and 2020, 13 (0.9%) out of 1374 participants in the observation period and 37 (2.5%) out of 1500 participants in the intervention period were diagnosed with HIV infection. Of the 37 newly diagnosed cases in the intervention period, two (5.4%) had AHI. Participants in the opt‐out intervention had a two‐fold greater odds of being diagnosed with HIV (odds ratio = 2.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.39–3.51) after adjustment for factors imbalanced across study periods.

Conclusions

Among symptomatic adults aged 18–39 years targeted by our POC NAAT intervention, we identified one chronic HIV infection for every 40 patients and one AHI patient for every 750 patients tested. Although AHI yield was low in this population, routinely offered opt‐out testing could diagnose twice as many patients as an approach relying on provider discretion.