bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mono-transition-metal-substituted polyoxometalates as shuttle redox mediator for Z-scheme water splitting under visible light
Authors: Tomita Osamu , Naito Hiroki , Nakada Akinobu , Higashi Masanobu , Abe Ryu
Published: November 2021

Z-scheme water splitting into H2and O2was demonstrated under visible light using a V-substituted Keggin-type polyoxometalate as shuttle redox mediator that is highly reversible and chemically stable under wide pH range of 2.5–6.5.
Kognitive Fähigkeiten von Kindern mit Defiziten in der Sprachentwicklung – Ergebnisse zur WPPSI-IV
Authors: Fiedler Sören , Walter Franziska , Krüger Nina , Daseking Monika
Published: November 2021

In dieser Case-Control-Studie wurden kognitive Leistungen (WPPSI-IV) von Vorschulkindern mit rezeptiven und/oder expressiven Sprachdefiziten mit den Leistungen einer nach Alter, Geschlecht gematchten sprachunauffälligen Kontrollgruppe verglichen (N = 186).

Insbesondere die sprachbezogenen Indizes sowie umgebungsbedingte Faktoren, wie mütterlicher Bildungshintergrund und Mehrsprachigkeit, werden in der Teilstichprobe der sprachbeeinträchtigten Kinder exploriert.

Jeweils die Leistungen der beiden Gruppen im Sprachverständnis, Wortschatzerwerb, Allgemeinen Fähigkeitsindex und Gesamt-IQ unterscheiden sich signifikant mit kleinen bis mittleren Effekten voneinander.

Signifikante Unterschiede der sprachbezogenen Indizes in Abhängigkeit des mütterlichen Bildungsniveaus und der Ein-/Mehrsprachigkeit der Kinder verweisen auf die hohe Bedeutung der häuslichen Umgebung für die Sprachentwicklung. Praktische Implikationen bezüglich des Einsatzes der WPPSI-IV bei sprachbeeinträchtigen Kindern werden erörtert.
Interstitielle Zystitis: Was gibt es Neues zur Ätiopathogenese?
Authors: Gonsior Andreas , Neuhaus Jochen
Published: November 2021

Neue Erkenntnisse bringen Fortschritte in das Verständnis der komplizierten Ätiopathogenese
der Interstitiellen Zystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrom (IC/BPS), deren Kausalitäten bisher nur in
Fragmenten entschlüsselt wurden. Dabei zeigt sich ein immer komplexeres Netzwerk von
Pathomechanismen, in denen die oft genannten Mastzellen und Urothelveränderungen nur ein
Fragment der pathologischen Veränderungen zu sein scheinen. Neueste Erkenntnisse für eine
mögliche genetische und epigenetische Veranlagung basieren auf Stammbaumanalysen, Nachweisen
von Einzelnukleotid-Polymorphismen und eindeutigen Veränderungen bei Differentiell
Exprimierten Genen. Multiple Veränderungen lassen sich auf molekularer Ebene nachweisen. Der
Plättchenaktivierende Faktor, VEGF, das Corticotropin Releasing Hormone und das Inflammasom
sind wichtige Player im Verständnis der Erkrankung. Der Pathomechanismus der „Aktivierung“ der
IC/BPS bleibt immer noch ungeklärt. Neue Ansatzpunkte könnten Virusnachweise (Epstein-Barr
Virus, BK Polyomaviren) oder bakterielle Entzündungen durch in Standardkulturen nicht
nachweisbaren Erregern geben.
Liquid Embolics: A Guide to Currently Available and Pipeline Products
Authors: Young Shamar , Gasparetto Alessandro , Golzarian Jafar
Published: November 2021

Over the last decade, several publications have reported the safety and efficacy of liquid embolics in a wide range of clinical indications. The expansion of clinical scenarios in which liquid embolics are utilized has been in part driven by some of the advantages these materials hold over other embolic agents. For instance, liquid embolics do not rely on the patient's ability to form clot and can be delivered more distally then coils at times. While several liquid embolics are commercially available, and in some cases have been for decades, there are limitations to these materials as well. The potential benefits of liquid embolics combined with the limitations of available materials have led to the ongoing development of several new agents. This review aims to familiarize the reader with both available liquid embolics and those that are relatively new or in development.
Binuclear s = 1/2 single molecular magnets with the symmetry restrictions
Authors: Zhuravlev A. V.
Published: November 2021

Exchange anisotropy effects in equal-spin s(1) = s(2) dimeric single-molecule magnets exhibiting C2 point- group symmetry have been studied. The Hamiltonian, which is written in two-spin 4 × 4 Pauli matrixes representation in the appropriate noncollinear local coordinates systems, has been transformed to common coordinates and used to derive energy levels and spin eigenstates. An anomalous variation of the magnetic system average spin depending on the misalignment of the local anisotropy axes has been found. Particularly, a fully nonmagnetic state of an s = 1/2 spin dimer and “silent” EPR mode has been predicted. The angular boundaries of the EPR existence have been determined for any possible mutual deflections of the local ion axes for each of the 6 possible transitions between the levels of the spin system, both in zero and in a nonzero magnetic field.
Long-lasting radioluminescent batteries now 10 times more efficient
Authors: Patrick Chris
Published: November 2021

An improved X-ray radioluminescent battery demonstrates an output power and an energy conversion efficiency sufficient for implanted medical devices and other potential applications.
A Computational Comparative Study for the Spectroscopic Evaluation of Triazine Derivative Dyes in Implicit Solvation Model Systems Using Semi-Empirical and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory Approaches
Authors: Akpe Victor , Biddle Timothy J. , Madu Christian , Brown Christopher L. , Kim Tak H. , Cock Ian E.
Published: November 2021

The spectroscopic data for a range of cyclopenta-[d][1,2,3]-triazine derivative dyes have been evaluated using various standard computational approaches. Absorption data of these dyes were obtained using the ZINDO/S semi-empirical model for vertical excitation energies of structures optimised with the AM1, PM3, and PM6 methods. These studies were conducted under vacuum and solution states using the polarisation continuum model (PCM) for implicit solvation in the linear response model. The accuracy, along with the modest computational costs of using the ZINDO/S prediction, combined with the PM3 optimisation method for absorption data was reliable. While a higher computational cost is required for the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), this method offers a reliable method for calculating both the absorption and emission data for the dyes studied (using vertical and adiabatic excitation energies, respectively) via state-specific solvation. This research demonstrates the potential of computational approaches utilising solvation in evaluating the spectroscopic properties of dyes in the rational design of fluorescent probes.
Alcohol availability and prevalent
Authors: Bingham Amie L. , De Silva Anurika P. , Vaisey Alaina M. , Temple-Smith Meredith J. , Spark Simone Y. , Hocking Jane S.
Published: November 2021

Background Prevalence of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) has been associated with availability of alcohol. This paper investigates potential associations between prevalent cases of chlamydia in young people in Australia and the availability of alcohol within their local area, defined as postcode of residence. Methods Alcohol availability was determined at the postcode level using liquor licensing data, classified as total number of licences, number of ‘take-away’ licences and number of licenses by population. Participant data were drawn from a survey targeting Australians aged 16–29 years in rural and regional Australia, capturing demographic details including postcode of residence, indicators of sexual behaviour including condom use and chlamydia test results. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to examine potential associations between first, alcohol availability and chlamydia, and second, between condom use and chlamydia. Results We found little evidence of associations between alcohol availability and chlamydia in either unadjusted or adjusted models. After adjusting for alcohol availability, we observed significant associations between inconsistent condom use and chlamydia prevalence, whether alcohol availability was measured as total number (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20, 3.70), number of take-away licenses (AOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.30, 3.69) or licenses per 1000 population (AOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.30, 3.68). Conclusion Little evidence of association between alcohol availability and chlamydia at the postcode level was found. Further research is required to determine appropriate measures of ‘local area’ and how characteristics thereof may impact on sexual health.
The use of questions posed by professors in English and Montenegrin academic lectures
Authors: Živković Branka
Published: November 2021

Although questions are considered as important linguistic devices employed by lecturers to communicate facts and ideas to students and facilitate the learning process, they have not been a topic of extensive research. With that in mind, this paper explores the types and functions of questions asked by British and Montenegrin lecturers. It examines similarities and differences between two corpora – standard British academic corpora and a specially created corpus of Montenegrin lectures. Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies were used to conduct a contrastive analysis of lecturers’ questions. The results demonstrate that the differences in frequency, forms and functions of questions prevail over the similarities, which could be the impact of two different linguistic backgrounds and national academic cultures. The findings of this study could be useful in designing lecture-listening and note-taking courses for students in which they can get familiar with the forms and purpose of questions posed by professors. Research findings could be applied in training courses for novice lecturers and might also be useful to professors who give lectures to students with diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Opioid use during Pregnancy: An Analysis of Comment Data from the 2016 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Survey
Authors: O'Connor Megan , Czarnik Michaila , Morrow Brian , D'Angelo Denise
Published: November 2021

ABTSTRACT

Background: Opioid misuse during pregnancy has been associated with adverse infant outcomes including preterm birth, stillbirth, and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is an on-going state-based surveillance system of maternal behaviors, attitudes, and experiences prior to, during, and after pregnancy. Methods: We analyzed qualitative comments related to opioid use during pregnancy collected in 2016 from an open-ended prompt at the end of the PRAMS survey in 35 states ( N = 40,408). Key word searches were conducted on the open-ended responses ( n = 9,549) to identify opioid-related content with an automated function using Microsoft Excel. All responses from the initial screening ( n = 1,035) were manually reviewed, and 69 responses were confirmed to relate to the respondent's personal experience with opioid use during pregnancy. Content analysis was conducted by 3 independent coders; key themes were compiled, discussed, and finalized by the coding team. Results: Five key themes related to opioid use during pregnancy were identified: (1) gratitude for treatment, recovery, and healthy infants; (2) pregnancy as motivation to seek treatment; (3) difficulty finding prenatal care providers with training in substance use disorders; (4) concern about the effects of treatment on the infant; and (5) experiences of discrimination and stigma in the hospital around the time of delivery. Conclusions: Women may be aware of the potential impact of opioid use during pregnancy on the health of their infants and motivated to seek treatment. Findings may help inform new and ongoing initiatives designed to improve care and reduce stigma for women needing or seeking treatment.
Life history consequences of miniaturization in turtles: evidence from the subfamily Kinosterninae (Testudines: Kinosternidae)
Authors: Heston Lark , Meylan Peter , Goessling Jeffrey M
Published: November 2021

A miniaturized species is one that has endured ecological, physiological or life history costs due to small size and has implemented discrete strategies to compensate for those costs. We studied the impact of small size on the reproductive biology of the miniaturized turtle, Sternotherus minor (Kinosternidae: Kinosterninae), by exploring two alternative hypotheses that explain within-clutch trade-offs: the Optimal Egg Size Theory (OEST) and the Morphological Constraint Hypothesis (MCH). Female S. minor in this study showed a combination of reproductive parameters that support both the MCH and the OEST. Small individuals follow the MCH and larger individuals follow the OEST, fitting the previously proposed ‘threshold size-constrained’ model of egg size to female size. The large proportion of suboptimally-sized eggs (31.1%) produced in our study population is evidence that a novel strategy that compensates for very small size exists in this kinosternine turtle. Early reproduction in our study population, as well as a mobile plastron made up of a reduced number of bones and scutes in all members of this subfamily, is strong evidence of paedomorphosis, a frequent consequence of miniaturization. Re-examination of reproduction in other kinosternines will further test how this life history strategy facilitated miniaturization in testudines.
Preparation of fatty acid solutions exerts significant impact on experimental outcomes in cell culture models of lipotoxicity
Authors: Römer Axel , Rawat Divya , Linn Thomas , Petry Sebastian F
Published: November 2021

Free fatty acids are essentially involved in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. They promote mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, respiratory chain uncoupling, and endoplasmic reticulum stress and modulate stress-sensitive pathways. These detrimental biological effects summarized as lipotoxicity mainly depend on fatty acid carbon chain length, degree of unsaturation, concentration, and treatment time. Preparation of fatty acid solutions involves dissolving and complexing. Solvent toxicity and concentration, amount of bovine serum albumin (BSA), and ratio of albumin to fatty acids can vary significantly between equal concentrations, mediating considerable harmful effects and/or interference with certain assays such as 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Herein, we studied the impact of commonly used solvents ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide and varying concentrations of BSA directly and in solution with oleic acid on MTT to formazan conversion, adenosine triphosphate level, and insulin content and secretion of murine β-cell line MIN6 employing different treatment duration. Our data show that experimental outcomes and assay readouts can be significantly affected by mere preparation of fatty acid solutions and should thus be carefully considered and described in detail to ensure comparability and distinct evaluation of data.
Gyral hinges account for the highest cost and the highest communication capacity in a corticocortical network
Authors: He Zhibin , Du Lei , Huang Ying , Jiang Xi , Lv Jinglei , Guo Lei , Zhang Shu , Zhang Tuo
Published: November 2021

Prior studies reported the global structure of brain networks exhibits the “small-world” and “rich-world” attributes. However, the underlying structural and functional architecture highlighted by these graph theory findings hasn’t been explicitly related to the morphology of the cortex. This could be attributed to the lower resolution of used folding patterns, such as gyro-sulcal patterns. By defining a novel gyral folding pattern, termed gyral hinge (GH), which is the conjunction of ordinary gyri from multiple directions, we found GHs possess the highest length and cost in the white matter fiber connective network, and the shortest paths in the network tend to travel through GHs in their middle part. Based on these findings, we would hypothesize GHs could reside in the centers of a network core, thereby accounting for the highest cost and the highest communication capacity in a corticocortical network. The following results further support our hypothesis: 1) GHs possess stronger functional network integration capacity. 2) Higher cost is found on the connection with GHs to hinges and GHs to GHs. 3) Moving GHs introduces higher extra network cost. Our findings and hypotheses could reveal a profound relationship among the cortical folding patterns, axonal wiring architectures, and brain functions.
Dynamic subcortical modulators of human default mode network function
Authors: Harrison Ben J , Davey Christopher G , Savage Hannah S , Jamieson Alec J , Leonards Christine A , Moffat Bradford A , Glarin Rebecca K , Steward Trevor
Published: November 2021

The brain’s “default mode network” (DMN) enables flexible switching between internally and externally focused cognition. Precisely how this modulation occurs is not well understood, although it may involve key subcortical mechanisms, including hypothesized influences from the basal forebrain (BF) and mediodorsal thalamus (MD). Here, we used ultra-high field (7 T) functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the involvement of the BF and MD across states of task-induced DMN activity modulation. Specifically, we mapped DMN activity suppression (“deactivation”) when participants transitioned between rest and externally focused task performance, as well as DMN activity engagement (“activation”) when task performance was internally (i.e., self) focused. Consistent with recent rodent studies, the BF showed overall activity suppression with DMN cortical regions when comparing the rest to external task conditions. Further analyses, including dynamic causal modeling, confirmed that the BF drove changes in DMN cortical activity during these rest-to-task transitions. The MD, by comparison, was specifically engaged during internally focused cognition and demonstrated a broad excitatory influence on DMN cortical activation. These results provide the first direct evidence in humans of distinct BF and thalamic circuit influences on the control of DMN function and suggest novel mechanistic avenues for ongoing translational research.
How common is hyperkalaemia? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and incidence of hyperkalaemia reported in observational studies
Authors: Humphrey Toby , Davids Mogamat Razeen , Chothia Mogamat-Yazied , Pecoits-Filho Roberto , Pollock Carol , James Glen
Published: November 2021

Background

The prevalence and incidence of hyperkalaemia, a potassium abnormality that can potentially have life-threatening consequences, are unclear.

Methods

The objective was to provide the most comprehensive overview of the epidemiology of hyperkalaemia to date within the general population, across different continents, in different healthcare settings and within pre-specified subgroups. Embase and MEDLINE were searched from database inception to 2 February 2021 using the Ovid SP platform. Relevant congress proceedings from 2018 to 2020 were also reviewed for inclusion. There was no language constraint applied. Observational studies from any time period and language reporting prevalence or incidence of hyperkalaemia within both adult and paediatric populations. Four investigators independently screened abstracts and assessed study quality of those meeting the pre-determined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data extraction was conducted by the lead author with oversight from the senior author and data were pooled using a random-effects model. The measures assessed were the prevalence and incidence of hyperkalaemia. Prevalence was reported as a percentage, whilst incidence was reported as the rate per 100 person years.

Results

In total, 542 articles were included from an initial search of 14 112 articles. Across all adult studies, we report a prevalence of hyperkalaemia (by any definition/threshold) of 6.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 5.8–6.8%], with an incidence of hyperkalaemia in the adult population of 2.8 (2.3–3.3) cases per 100 person years. Prevalence within the general population was 1.3% (1.0–1.8%), whilst incidence was 0.4 (0.2–0.8) cases per 100 person years. There was a variation by sex with a prevalence of 6.3% (4.9–8.0%) in males and 5.1% (4.0–6.6%) in females. Prevalence also varied according to the definition/threshold of hyperkalaemia used: >5 mmol/L—8.0% (7.2–8.9), ≥5.5 mmol/L—5.9% (3.5–10.0) and ≥6.0 mmol/L—1.0% (0.8–1.4); hyperkalaemia (by any definition/threshold) was highest amongst patients with end-stage kidney disease (21.5%; 18.3–25.3), kidney transplant patients (21.8%; 16.1–29.5) and patients with acute kidney injury (24.3%; 19.3–30.7).

Conclusions

This novel review provides a comprehensive and valuable resource on the prevalence and incidence of hyperkalaemia to better inform clinicians, healthcare providers and health policy makers on the burden of hyperkalaemia across different healthcare settings, patient populations and continents.
Evaluation of the implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Colombia
Authors: Guzman-Tordecilla Deivis Nicolas , Llorente Blanca , Vecino-Ortiz Andres I
Published: November 2021

Evidence-based interventions recommended in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of the World Health Organization (WHO FCTC) are subject to implementation factors that might affect their actual effectiveness. The Colombian law enacting key commitments from WHO’s FCTC was signed in 2009. This study aims at evaluating the potential impact of the enactment and implementation of these WHO FCTC on four outcomes for tobacco consumption (last-year cigarette smoking prevalence, prevalence of heavy smokers, prevalence of lower-intensity smokers and monthly smoking incidence). We used data from the National Psychoactive Substances Consumption Survey (NPSCS) in 2008 (n = 29 164) and 2013 (n = 32 605), and assessed changes in these four outcomes WHO FCTC using propensity score matching (PSM). Propensity scores were obtained using key socio-demographic variables and by matching through a ‘Kernel’ estimation. Matching quality tests were performed. The common support for both survey samples was 60 793. Sub-analyses were conducted using a governance index to assess the effect of heterogeneous governance levels, proxying implementation, over the country. We found that cigarette year-prevalence and cigarette month-incidence decreased after matching around 8 and 1.2 percentage points between 2008 and 2013, respectively. Consumption might have shifted, at least partially, from heavy smoking towards lower-intensity smoking. Departments with a higher governance index showed larger reductions of tobacco use, possibly associated to a stronger WHO FCTC implementation. This study highlights the impact that the WHO FCTC had on tobacco consumption in a middle-income country and shows the importance of governance strength as a mediating mechanism for WHO FCTC impact. These results advance current knowledge on the effectiveness of WHO FCTC and shed light on the relevance of governance as a key factor in the WHO FCTC implementation.
Impact of preoperative tumor rupture timing on gastrointestinal stromal tumor prognosis: a retrospective multicentric cohort study
Authors: Chiguchi Gaku , Cho Haruhiko , Sato Shinsuke , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Nabeshima Kazuhito , Maruyama Tsunehiko , Kataoka Mikinori , Katayanagi Sou , Kikuchi Hirotoshi
Published: November 2021

Background

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor rupture entails a high risk of recurrence even after curative surgery. However, the definition of rupture is unclear, and the question of whether patients with a minor rupture should be treated with adjuvant imatinib remains controversial.

Methods

The present, retrospective, multicentric study enrolled 57 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor with a minor/major tumor rupture, of whom 46 were finally found to be eligible for analysis. Tumor ruptures were subclassified by their degree, timing and cause. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the risk factors of all types of recurrence as well as of peritoneal recurrence only.

Results

The study cohort included minor (n = 24), intraoperative (n = 19) and iatrogenic (n = 20) ruptures besides the typical types (major, preoperative and spontaneous). All intraoperative ruptures were iatrogenic. In total, 27 patients (58.7%) had a recurrence in the peritoneum (n = 17) and/or the liver (n = 13) during a median follow-up period of 5.8 years, but no recurrence was observed in patients with tumor rupture as a single, high-risk factor. Multivariate analysis found the timing of tumor rupture to be an independent risk factor of poor recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio: 2.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.02–5.49; P = 0.045).

Conclusions

Preoperative tumor rupture in patients with a ruptured gastrointestinal stromal tumor was associated with poor recurrence-free survival. Our results suggested that a distinction should be made between preoperative and intraoperative tumor ruptures when considering the indications for adjuvant imatinib therapy for gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients with tumor rupture as a single, high-risk factor of recurrence.
Cockayne syndrome group B protein regulates fork restart, fork progression and MRE11-dependent fork degradation in BRCA1/2-deficient cells
Authors: Batenburg Nicole L , Mersaoui Sofiane Y , Walker John R , Coulombe Yan , Hammond-Martel Ian , Wurtele Hugo , Masson Jean-Yves , Zhu Xu-Dong
Published: November 2021

Cockayne syndrome group B (CSB) protein has been implicated in the repair of a variety of DNA lesions that induce replication stress. However, little is known about its role at stalled replication forks. Here, we report that CSB is recruited to stalled forks in a manner dependent upon its T1031 phosphorylation by CDK. While dispensable for MRE11 association with stalled forks in wild-type cells, CSB is required for further accumulation of MRE11 at stalled forks in BRCA1/2-deficient cells. CSB promotes MRE11-mediated fork degradation in BRCA1/2-deficient cells. CSB possesses an intrinsic ATP-dependent fork reversal activity in vitro, which is activated upon removal of its N-terminal region that is known to autoinhibit CSB’s ATPase domain. CSB functions similarly to fork reversal factors SMARCAL1, ZRANB3 and HLTF to regulate slowdown in fork progression upon exposure to replication stress, indicative of a role of CSB in fork reversal in vivo. Furthermore, CSB not only acts epistatically with MRE11 to facilitate fork restart but also promotes RAD52-mediated break-induced replication repair of double-strand breaks arising from cleavage of stalled forks by MUS81 in BRCA1/2-deficient cells. Loss of CSB exacerbates chemosensitivity in BRCA1/2-deficient cells, underscoring an important role of CSB in the treatment of cancer lacking functional BRCA1/2.
Brexit and labour market inequalities: potential spatial and occupational impacts
Authors: Davenport Alexander , Levell Peter
Published: November 2021

In this paper we examine the possible distributional impacts of new trade barriers associated with the new Trade and Cooperation Agreement governing relations between the UK and EU after Brexit. We use a model of labour demand that incorporates input–output links across industries, and that allows for demand substitution by firms and consumers and worker reallocation across industries. We find that workers’ exposure is moderately increasing across the earnings distribution. Exposure is greater for men than for women as they are more likely to work in manufacturing industries that are relatively harder hit by new trade barriers. Looking across areas, we find that exposure to new Brexit trade barriers is uncorrelated with measures of local deprivation and the impacts of the recent Covid-19 pandemic.
Heat adaptation of phage T7 under an extended genetic code
Authors: Cole Austin W , Tran Steven D , Ellington Andrew D
Published: November 2021

While bacteriophages have previously been used as a model system to understand thermal adaptation, most adapted genomes observed to date contain very few modifications and cover a limited temperature range. Here, we set out to investigate genome adaptation to thermal stress by adapting six populations of T7 bacteriophage virions to increasingly stringent heat challenges. Further, we provided three of the phage populations’ access to a new genetic code in which Amber codons could be read as selenocysteine, potentially allowing the formation of more stable selenide-containing bonds. Phage virions responded to the thermal challenges with a greater than 10°C increase in heat tolerance and fixed highly reproducible patterns of non-synonymous substitutions and genome deletions. Most fixed mutations mapped to either the tail complex or to the three internal virion proteins that form a pore across the E. coli cell membrane during DNA injection. However, few global changes in Amber codon usage were observed, with only one natural Amber codon being lost. These results reinforce a model in which adaptation to thermal stress proceeds via the cumulative fixation of a small set of highly adaptive substitutions and that adaptation to new genetic codes proceeds only slowly, even with the possibility of potential phenotypic advantages.
Distribution and Incidence of Tomato Bacterial Wilt Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in the Central Region of Togo
Authors: Bamazi Bitang , Banito Agnassim , Ayisah Kwasi Dzola , Sikirou Rachidatou , Paret Mathews L. , Kunwar Sanju , Kamde Kpatcha , Tchalla Pouwéréou , Sister-Love N. A. Afole
Published: November 2021

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetables in Togo. Unfortunately, tomato is susceptible to many diseases, among which bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum causes major yield losses. In this study, incidence of bacterial wilt and its distribution was evaluated in the central region of Togo, the major tomato-producing area in the country. Overall, 16 localities were surveyed in four prefectures. In each locality, three fields were visited, the incidence of the disease was recorded, and diseased samples were collected for laboratory investigation. The results showed that bacterial wilt occurred in all of the fields visited, indicating a field incidence of 100%, whereas the plant incidence ranged from 10.00 ± 00 to 43.33 ± 3.33%, with an average of 20.94 ± 1.77%. The antibody-based ImmunoStrip test was positive for R. solanacearum in 100% of the visited fields. From 144 samples collected from fields, 45 R. solanacearum isolates were isolated on modified selective medium from South Africa. These survey results show that tomato bacterial wilt is a real threat to tomato production in the central region of Togo.
A Selective Medium for the Recovery and Enumeration of Fomitopsis meliae, Causing Lemon Canker and Brown Wood Rot
Authors: Hu Jiahuai
Published: November 2021

A selective medium was developed for the isolation and quantification of Fomitopsis meliae (FMS medium), the causal agent of lemon canker and brown wood rot, from plants, soil, and air. The optimal concentration and combination of fungicides and antibiotics was evaluated to determine the most selective condition for growing F. meliae. The resultant composition of the FMS medium per liter (pH 3.5) was 16 mg of thiophanate-methyl, 8 mg of dichloran, 5 mg of 2-phenylphenol, 100 mg of fluopyram, 0.5 mg of fludioxonil, 100 mg of chloramphenicol, 100 mg of streptomycin, 15 g of malt extract, 2.5 g of mycological peptone, and 15 g of agar. The fungus was successfully isolated and enumerated from air, soil, and plant tissues using FMS medium. Furthermore, FMS medium almost completely inhibited the growth of other plant-pathogenic fungi and soil and air saprophytes. This selectivity was high enough to estimate spore inoculum of F. meliae in an air sample or as a spore-trapping device in commercial lemon orchards. FMS medium will be useful for studying epidemiology and management of F. meliae.
Stress predicts depression symptoms for women living with bipolar disorder during the menopause transition
Authors: Perich Tania , Ussher Jane
Published: November 2021

Objective:

Although sleep disturbance is an important feature in bipolar disorder, the relationship between mood symptoms, sleep disturbances, and hot flash symptom severity during menopause for women with bipolar disorder is largely unknown.

Methods:

Women with bipolar disorder (n = 100) who were categorized as perimenopausal using the STRAW and Monash criteria took part in an international online survey. The survey contained questions on history of reproductive health; the clinical course of bipolar disorder; menopausal symptoms (Menopause Rating Scale [MRS]); depression, anxiety, and stress (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale—21) and the Altman Mania Rating Scale.

Results:

MRS sleep problems and hot flash severity were positively correlated with each other and with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Mania scores were not significantly correlated with sleep or hot flash severity scores. A stepwise regression analysis on depression symptoms, using MRS sleep disturbance and MRS hot flash severity scores as predictors with anxiety and stress symptoms in the model, found that stress alone predicted 40% of the variance in total depression scores.

Conclusion:

Stress plays an important role in the experience of depression for women living with bipolar disorder during the perimenopausal phase. More research is needed to determine if stress management programs may be helpful for women living with bipolar disorder during this time of life and if these in turn, may improve depressive symptoms.
Denervation of the Joints of the Hand and Wrist: Surgical Techniques and a Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tieman Thomas E. , Duraku Liron S. , van der Oest Mark J. W. , Hundepool Caroline A. , Selles Ruud W. , Zuidam J. Michiel
Published: November 2021

Background:

Joint denervation of the wrist, basal joint of the thumb, and the finger is an option for patients with chronic pain. Compared with other surgical treatment options, function is preserved and the rehabilitation time is limited. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed for each joint to determine whether the choice of technique and choice of denervation of specific articular sensory branches lead to a different outcome.

Methods:

Embase, MEDLINE (OvidSP), Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed publisher, Cochrane, and Google Scholar database searches yielded 17 studies with reported outcome on denervation of the wrist, eight on the basal joint of the thumb, and five on finger joints.

Results:

Overall, the level of evidence was low; only two studies included a control group, and none was randomized. Meta-analysis for pain showed a 3.3 decrease in visual analogue scale score for wrist pain. No difference was found between techniques (total versus partial denervation), nor did different approaches influence outcome. The first carpometacarpal joint showed a decrease for visual analogue scale score for pain of 5.4. Patient satisfaction with the treatment result was 83 percent and 82 percent, respectively. Reported pain in finger joints decreased 96 percent in the metacarpophalangeal joints, 81 percent in the proximal interphalangeal joint, and 100 percent in the distal interphalangeal joint. The only reported case in the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb reported an increase of 37 percent.

Conclusions:

Only denervation of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb reported an increase in pain; however, this was a single patient. Wrist and first carpometacarpal joint and finger joint denervation have a high satisfaction rate and decrease the pain. There was no difference between techniques.
Clinical Applications of Meshed Multilayered Anatomical Models by Low-Cost Three-Dimensional Printer
Authors: Mitsuno Daisuke , Ueda Koichi , Nuri Takashi , Katayama Misato
Published: November 2021

In recent years, even low-cost fused deposition modeling–type three-dimensional printers can be used to create a three-dimensional model with few errors. The authors devised a method to create a three-dimensional multilayered anatomical model at a lower cost and more easily than with established methods, by using a meshlike structure as the surface layer. Fused deposition modeling–type three-dimensional printers were used, with opaque polylactide filament for material. Using the three-dimensional data-editing software Blender (Blender Foundation, www.blender.org) and Instant Meshes (Jakob et al., https://igl.ethz.ch/projects/instant-meshes/) together, the body surface data were converted into a meshlike structure while retaining its overall shape. The meshed data were printed together with other data (nonmeshed) or printed separately. In each case, the multilayer model in which the layer of the body surface was meshed could be output without any trouble. It was possible to grasp the positional relationship between the body surface and the deep target, and it was clinically useful. The total work time for preparation and processing of three-dimensional data ranged from 1 hour to several hours, depending on the case, but the work time required for converting into a meshlike shape was about 10 minutes in all cases. The filament cost was $2 to $8. In conclusion, the authors devised a method to create a three-dimensional multilayered anatomical model to easily visualize positional relationships within the structure by converting the surface layer into a meshlike structure. This method is easy to adopt, regardless of the available facilities and economic environment, and has broad applications.
Rhinogoniometer: Validation of an Instrument for Rhinoplasty
Authors: Silva Eduardo Nascimento , dos Santos Therency Kamila , Ferreira Lydia Masako
Published: November 2021

The position of the lower lateral cartilages is directly related to good nasal functionality. When these cartilages exhibit cephalic malposition, the angle of divergence between cartilages is usually less than 60 degrees, which can cause external nasal valve insufficiency. The objective of this study was to validate the rhinogoniometer, an innovative surgical instrument that allows for diagnosing the position of this cartilage intraoperatively. In the intraoperative period, the angle of divergence, which is the angle formed between the two lateral branches of the lower lateral cartilages, was measured in 31 primary rhinoplasty patients. The rhinogoniometer measurement was compared with that of the computerized analysis, and the reproducibility of measurements with the rhinogoniometer between two different surgeons was determined. When comparing the values obtained by the two methods, a significant difference was found (p = 0.034). On average, the angles measured by the rhinogoniometer were 3.7 degrees smaller than the measurements made by the software. It was observed that when the angles measured by both methods were above 75 degrees, the differences between the two measurements were higher (p = 0.022). However, for angles up to 75 degrees, the measurement using the rhinogoniometer was, on average, 0.79 degrees higher than the measurement taken by the software. When the difference in angles obtained by the two methods between different surgeons was evaluated, there was a significant difference (p < 0.023). In conclusion, at angles up to 75 degrees, the rhinogoniometer showed a negligible difference of 0.79 degrees higher than the measurement obtained via software. Measurements with the rhinogoniometer were also shown to be reproducible with different surgeons.
Senotherapeutic Drugs: A New Avenue for Skincare?
Authors: Lee Ben P. , Harries Lorna W.
Published: November 2021

Skin aging is an outward manifestation of other cellular and molecular aging processes occurring elsewhere in the body. These processes are known collectively as the “hallmarks” of aging, which are a series of basic health maintenance mechanisms that fail over time. Cellular senescence is one of the most studied of the hallmarks of aging; senescent cells accumulate over time and are major drives of the aging process. Here, we discuss the impact of cellular senescence in the context of skin aging, and discuss the emerging landscape of interventions designed for their selective removal by targeted cell death (senolytics) or rejuvenation (senomorphics). We discuss the serotherapeutic strategies that are currently under investigation for systemic aging, which may bring eventual benefits for skin health. Next, we discuss a newly discovered hallmark of aging, dysregulated mRNA processing, which can be targeted for the senomorphic effect. Finally, we highlight a new modality for manipulation of disrupted mRNA processing, oligonucleotide therapeutics. The emerging field of senotherapeutics is set to revolutionize how we view and treat skin aging, and senotherapies are now poised to become a new class of skincare interventions.
Corynebacterium zhongnanshanii sp. nov. isolated from trachea of Marmota himalayana, Corynebacterium lujinxingii sp. nov. and Corynebacterium wankanglinii sp. nov. from human faeces
Authors: Zhang Gui , Yang Jing , Lai Xin-He , Jin Dong , Lu Shan , Ren Zhihong , Qin Tian , Pu Ji , Ge Yajun , Cheng Yanpeng , Yang Caixin , Lv Xianglian , Jiao Yifan , Huang Ying , Xu Jianguo
Published: November 2021

Six novel facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-haemolytic bacteria (zg-320T/zg-336, zg-917T/zg-910 and zg-913T/zg-915) isolated from animal tissues and human faeces were found to belong to the genus

Corynebacterium

based on the phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene and 262 core genes set. Based on the greatest degree of 16S rRNA similarity, zg-320T/zg-336 had the highest 16S rRNA gene similarity to

Corynebacterium falsenii

DSM 44353T (97.51 %), zg-917T/zg-910 to

Corynebacterium coyleae

DSM 44184T (98.68 %), and zg-913T/zg-915 to

Corynebacterium afermentans

subsp.

lipophilum

CIP 103500T (98.79 %). The three novel type strains had a relatively high DNA G+C content (61.2–64.4 mol%), low DNA relatedness and ANI values with their respective neighbours: 23.5/72.7 %, 25.0/72.3%and 22.6/73.1 % (zg-320T vs.

Corynebacterium auriscanis

CIP 106629T,

Corynebacterium resistens

DSM 45100T and

Corynebacterium suicordis

DSM 45110T); 24.4/82.3% and 23.7/81.3 % (zg-917T vs.

C. coyleae

DSM 44184T and

Corynebacterium jeddahense

JCBT); 26.8/83.7% and 27.7/84.4 % (zg-913T vs.

Corynebacterium mucifaciens

ATCC 700355T and

C. afermentans

subsp.

lipophilum

CCUG 32105T). The three novel species had C16 : 0, C18 : 0, C18 : 1
 ω9c and C18 : 0 ante/C18 : 2
 ω6,9c as the major cellular fatty acids; MK-8(H2) in strain zg-917T and MK-9(H2) in strains zg-320T and zg-913T were found to be the major respiratory quinones. For the three novel species, the detected major polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyl inositol mannoside, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol, the cell-wall peptidoglycan was based on meso-DAP, and the whole-cell sugars mainly included ribose, arabinose and galactose. The three novel species grew optimally at 35–37 °C, 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 7.0–8.0; notably, they were tolerant of 10.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Based on the results of these comprehensive analyses, three novel species in the genus

Corynebacterium

are proposed, aptly named Corynebacterium zhongnanshanii sp. nov. (zg-320T = GDMCC 1.1719T = JCM 34106T), Corynebacterium lujinxingii sp. nov. (zg-917T = GDMCC 1.1707T = JCM 34094T) and Corynebacterium wankanglinii sp. nov. (zg-913T = GDMCC 1.1706T = JCM 34398T).
Dyadobacter sandarakinus sp. nov., isolated from Arctic tundra soil, and emended descriptions of Dyadobacter alkalitolerans, Dyadobacter koreensis and Dyadobacter psychrophilus
Authors: Zhang Yongping , Peng Xiaoya , Qin Kun , Liu Jia , Xu Qiang , Niu Jingjing , Zheng Yanyan , Peng Fang
Published: November 2021

Strain Q3-56T, isolated from Arctic tundra soil, was found to be a Gram-stain-negative, yellow-pigmented, oxidase- and catalase-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped and aerobic bacterium. Strain Q3-56T grew optimally at pH 7.0 and 28 °C. The strain could tolerate up to 1 % (w/v) NaCl with optimum growth in the absence of NaCl. The strain was not sensitive to oxacillin and ceftazidime. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain Q3-56T belonged to the genus

Dyadobacter

. Strain Q3-56T showed the highest sequence similarities to

Dyadobacter luticola

T17T (96.58 %),

Dyadobacter ginsengisoli

Gsoil 043T (96.50 %),

Dyadobacter flavalbus

NS28T (96.43 %) and

Dyadobacter bucti

QTA69T (96.43 %). The predominant respiratory isoprenoid quinone was identified as MK-7, The polar lipid profile of strain Q3-56T was found to contain one phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids, three unidentified lipids and one unidentified phospholipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 49.1 mol%. The main fatty acids were summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1
 ω7c/C16 : 1
 ω6c), iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1
 ω5c and iso-C16 : 1 3-OH. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, a novel species of the genus

Dyadobacter

, Dyadobacter sandarakinus sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain Q3-56T (=CCTCC AB 2019271T=KCTC 72739T). Emended descriptions of

Dyadobacter alkalitolerans

,

Dyadobacter koreensis

and

Dyadobacter psychrophilus

are also provided.
Chitinophaga rhizophila sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of banana
Authors: Zhang Xian-Jiao , Feng Guang-Da , Yang Fan , Zhu Honghui , Yao Qing
Published: November 2021

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated as strain B61T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of banana collected from Dongguan, Guangdong Province, PR China. Growth occurred at 15–40 °C, within a pH range of pH 6.0–9.0. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and phylogenetic analyses showed that strain B61T was most closely related to ‘Chitinophaga agri’ KACC 21303 (98.9 %) and

Chitinophaga pinensis

DSM 2588T (98.8 %). The genome size was 7.6 Mb with a G+C content of 45.2 mol%. The genome-inferred average nucleotide identity values between strain B61T and two closely related strains were 79.2 and 79.3 %, respectively, with corresponding digital DNA–DNA hybridization values of 22.3 and 22.6 %. The major fatty acids of the novel strain were iso-C15:0, C16:1
ω5c and iso-C17:0 3-OH and the sole respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, five unidentified aminolipids, four unidentified glycolipids and six unidentified lipids. The phenotypic and phylogenetic results clearly supported that strain B61T represents a novel species of the genus

Chitinophaga

, for which the name Chitinophaga rhizophila, sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain B61T (=GDMCC 1.2608T=KCTC 82856T).