bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using high-throughput multiple optical phenotyping to decipher the genetic architecture of maize drought tolerance
Authors: Wu Xi , Feng Hui , Wu Di , Yan Shijuan , Zhang Pei , Wang Wenbin , Zhang Jun , Ye Junli , Dai Guoxin , Fan Yuan , Li Weikun , Song Baoxing , Geng Zedong , Yang Wanli , Chen Guoxin , Qin Feng , Terzaghi William , Stitzer Michelle , Li Lin , Xiong Lizhong , Yan Jianbing , Buckler Edward , Yang Wanneng , Dai Mingqiu
Published: June 2021

Background

Drought threatens the food supply of the world population. Dissecting the dynamic responses of plants to drought will be beneficial for breeding drought-tolerant crops, as the genetic controls of these responses remain largely unknown.

Results

Here we develop a high-throughput multiple optical phenotyping system to noninvasively phenotype 368 maize genotypes with or without drought stress over a course of 98 days, and collected multiple optical images, including color camera scanning, hyperspectral imaging, and X-ray computed tomography images. We develop high-throughput analysis pipelines to extract image-based traits (i-traits). Of these i-traits, 10,080 were effective and heritable indicators of maize external and internal drought responses. An i-trait-based genome-wide association study reveals 4322 significant locus-trait associations, representing 1529 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and 2318 candidate genes, many that co-localize with previously reported maize drought responsive QTLs. Expression QTL (eQTL) analysis uncovers many local and distant regulatory variants that control the expression of the candidate genes. We use genetic mutation analysis to validate two new genes, ZmcPGM2 and ZmFAB1A, which regulate i-traits and drought tolerance. Moreover, the value of the candidate genes as drought-tolerant genetic markers is revealed by genome selection analysis, and 15 i-traits are identified as potential markers for maize drought tolerance breeding.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that combining high-throughput multiple optical phenotyping and GWAS is a novel and effective approach to dissect the genetic architecture of complex traits and clone drought-tolerance associated genes.
Detection of cell-free microbial DNA using a contaminant-controlled analysis framework
Authors: Zozaya-Valdés Enrique , Wong Stephen Q. , Raleigh Jeanette , Hatzimihalis Athena , Ftouni Sarah , Papenfuss Anthony T. , Sandhu Shahneen , Dawson Mark A. , Dawson Sarah-Jane
Published: June 2021

Background

The human microbiome plays an important role in cancer. Accumulating evidence indicates that commensal microbiome-derived DNA may be represented in minute quantities in the cell-free DNA of human blood and could possibly be harnessed as a new cancer biomarker. However, there has been limited use of rigorous experimental controls to account for contamination, which invariably affects low-biomass microbiome studies.

Results

We apply a combination of 16S-rRNA-gene sequencing and droplet digital PCR to determine if the specific detection of cell-free microbial DNA (cfmDNA) is possible in metastatic melanoma patients. Compared to matched stool and saliva samples, the absolute concentration of cfmDNA is low but significantly above the levels detected from negative controls. The microbial community of plasma is strongly influenced by laboratory and reagent contaminants introduced during the DNA extraction and sequencing processes. Through the application of an in silico decontamination strategy including the filtering of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with batch dependent abundances and those with a higher prevalence in negative controls, we identify known gut commensal bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides and Ruminococcus, and also other uncharacterised ASVs. We analyse additional plasma samples, highlighting the potential of this framework to identify differences in cfmDNA between healthy and cancer patients.

Conclusions

Together, these observations indicate that plasma can harbour a low yet detectable level of cfmDNA. The results highlight the importance of accounting for contamination and provide an analytical decontamination framework to allow the accurate detection of cfmDNA for future biomarker studies in cancer and other diseases.
Genomic analysis of halophilic bacterium, Lentibacillus sp. CBA3610, derived from human feces
Authors: Ahn Seung Woo , Lee Se Hee , Son Hong-Seok , Roh Seong Woon , Choi Yoon-E
Published: June 2021

Background

Lentibacillusspecies are gram variable aerobic bacteria that live primarily in halophilic environments.Previous reports have shown that bacteria belonging to this species are primarily isolated from salty environments or food. We isolated a bacterial strain CBA3610, identified as a novel species of the genusLentibacillus, from a human fecal sample. In this report, the whole genome sequence ofLentibacillussp. CBA3610 is presented, and genomic analyses are performed.

Results

Complete genome sequence of strain CBA3610 was obtained through PacBio RSII and Illumina HiSeq platforms. The size of genome is 4,035,571 bp and genes estimated to be 4714 coding DNA sequences and 64 tRNA and 17 rRNA were identified. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed that it belongs to the genusLentibacillus. In addition, there were genes related to antibiotic resistance and virulence, and genes predicted as CRISPR and prophage were also identified. Genes related to osmotic stress were found according to the characteristics of halophilic bacterium. Genomic differences from otherLentibacillusspecies were also confirmed through comparative genomic analysis.

Conclusions

Strain CBA3610 is predicted to be a novel candidate species ofLentibacillusthrough phylogenetic analysis and comparative genomic analysis with other species in the same genus. This strain has antibiotic resistance gene and pathogenic genes. In future, the information derived from the results of several genomic analyses of this strain is thought to be helpful in identifying the relationship between halophilic bacteria and human gut microbiota.
Some set-valued and multi-valued contraction results in fuzzy cone metric spaces
Authors: Rehman Saif Ur , Aydi Hassen , Chen Gui-Xiu , Jabeen Shamoona , Khan Sami Ullah
Published: June 2021

This paper aims to present the concept of multi-valued mappings in fuzzy cone metric spaces and prove some basic lemmas, a Hausdorff metric, and fixed point results for set-valued fuzzy cone-contraction and for multi-valued fuzzy cone-contraction mappings. We prove a fixed point theorem for multi-valued rational type fuzzy cone-contractions in fuzzy cone metric spaces. Our results extend and improve some results given in the literature.
Global solutions of wave equations with multiple nonlinear source terms under acoustic boundary conditions
Authors: Jin Shoubo , Li Jian
Published: June 2021

Under the acoustic boundary conditions, the initial boundary value problem of a wave equation with multiple nonlinear source terms is considered. This paper gives the energy functional of regular solutions for the wave equation and proves the decreasing property of the energy functional. Firstly, the existence of a global solution for the wave equation is proved by the Faedo–Galerkin method. Then, in order to obtain the nonexistence of global solutions for the wave equation, a new functional is defined. When the initial energy is less than zero, the special properties of the new functional are proved by the method of contraction. Finally, the conditions for the nonexistence of global solutions of the wave equation with acoustic boundary conditions are analyzed by using these special properties.
Some new Opial type dynamic inequalities via convex functions and applications
Authors: Saker S. H. , Alzabut J. , Sayed A. G. , O’Regan D.
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we prove some new Opial-type dynamic inequalities on time scales. Our results are obtained in frame of convexity property and by using the chain rule and Jensen and Hölder inequalities. For illustration purpose, we obtain some particular Opial-type inequalities reported in the literature.
Common fixed point theorems on quasi-cone metric space over a divisible Banach algebra
Authors: Fulga Andreea , Afshari Hojjat , Shojaat Hadi
Published: June 2021

In this manuscript, we investigate the existence and uniqueness of a common fixed point for the self-mappings defined on quasi-cone metric space over a divisible Banach algebra via an auxiliary mapping ϕ.
Using the absolute advantage coefficient (AAC) to measure the strength of damage hit by COVID-19 in India on a growth-share matrix
Authors: Yang Daw-Hsin , Chien Tsair-Wei , Yeh Yu-Tsen , Yang Ting-Ya , Chou Willy , Lin Ju-Kuo
Published: June 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic occurred and rapidly spread around the world. Some online dashboards have included essential features on a world map. However, only transforming data into visualizations for countries/regions is insufficient for the public need. This study aims to (1) develop an algorithm for classifying countries/regions into four quadrants inn GSM and (2) design an app for a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation.

Methods

We downloaded COVID-19 outbreak numbers daily from the Github website, including 189 countries/regions. A four-quadrant diagram was applied to present the classification of each country/region using Google Maps run on dashboards. A novel presentation scheme was used to identify the most struck entities by observing (1) the multiply infection rate (MIR) and (2) the growth trend in the recent 7 days. Four clusters of the COVID-19 outbreak were dynamically classified. An app based on a dashboard aimed at public understanding of the outbreak types and visualizing of the COVID-19 pandemic with Google Maps run on dashboards. The absolute advantage coefficient (AAC) was used to measure the damage hit by COVID-19 referred to the next two countries severely hit by COVID-19.

Results

We found that the two hypotheses were supported: India (i) is in the increasing status as of April 28, 2021; (ii) has a substantially higher ACC(= 0.81 > 0.70), and (iii) has a substantially higher ACC(= 0.66 < 0.70) as of May 17, 2021.

Conclusion

Four clusters of the COVID-19 outbreak were dynamically classified online on an app making the public understand the outbreak types of COVID-19 pandemic shown on dashboards. The app with GSM and AAC is recommended for researchers in other disease outbreaks, not just limited to COVID-19.
Intra-articular fibrous bands at the tibiotalar joint: diagnosis and outcomes of arthroscopic removal in 4 ankles
Authors: Beaudet Philippe , van Rooij Floris , Saffarini Mo , Nogier Alexis
Published: June 2021

The authors retrieved the records of 4 patients that exhibited unusual structural anomalies or pathologies, notably the presence of a fibrous band at the anterior aspect of the tibiotalar joint, observed during arthroscopic exploration or treatment between January and December 2019. Only 1 patient had surgical antecedents on the ipsilateral ankle (extra-articular tenodesis 10 years earlier). The remaining 3 patients had no surgical antecedents on the ipsilateral ankle. The fibrous band was removed in all patients during arthroscopic Brostöm procedure or exploration. For the first 3 patients, the intra-articular fibrous band was not observed prior to arthroscopy by either the senior surgeon or radiologist on any of the images (2 MRIs and 1 CTA), but retrospective inspection confirmed that the intra-articular fibrous band was present but had been overlooked.

At a follow-up of 22.3 ± 5.0 months (range, 15–26), all patients reported a decrease in pVAS (− 5.0 ± 2.6, range, 2–8), and an improvement in AOFAS (51.0 ± 17.7, range, 26–65), EFAS (14.5 ± 8.7, range, 6–23) and EFAS sport (8.0 ± 5.3, range, 2–10).

This case report corroborates the findings of an earlier discovery of an intra-articular fibrous band in 4 ankles, with more detailed information for clinical and radiologic diagnosis, as well as outcomes of arthroscopic removal. Clinicians should beware of such foreign bodies in the ankle, particularly in patients with history of sprains, and consider arthroscopic removal in cases with persistent pain and/or functional impairment.
Preservation of renal endothelial integrity and reduction of renal edema by aprotinin does not preserve renal perfusion and function following experimental cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Dekker Nicole A. M. , van Leeuwen Anoek L. I. , van Meurs Matijs , Moser Jill , Pankras Jeannette E. , van der Wel Nicole N. , Niessen Hans W. , Vervloet Marc G. , Vonk Alexander B. A. , Hordijk Peter L. , Boer Christa , van den Brom Charissa E.
Published: June 2021

Background

Acute kidney injury is a severe complication following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and is associated with capillary leakage and microcirculatory perfusion disturbances. CPB-induced thrombin release results in capillary hyperpermeability via activation of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1). We investigated whether aprotinin, which is thought to prevent thrombin from activating PAR1, preserves renal endothelial structure, reduces renal edema and preserves renal perfusion and reduces renal injury following CPB.

Methods

Rats were subjected to CPB after treatment with 33.000 KIU/kg aprotinin (n = 15) or PBS (n = 15) as control. A secondary dose of 33.000 KIU/kg aprotinin was given 60 min after initiation of CPB. Cremaster and renal microcirculatory perfusion were assessed using intravital microscopy and contrast echography before CPB and 10 and 60 min after weaning from CPB. Renal edema was determined by wet/dry weight ratio and renal endothelial structure by electron microscopy. Renal PAR1 gene and protein expression and markers of renal injury were determined.

Results

CPB reduced cremaster microcirculatory perfusion by 2.5-fold (15 (10–16) to 6 (2–10) perfused microvessels,p < 0.0001) and renal perfusion by 1.6-fold (202 (67–599) to 129 (31–292) au/sec,p = 0.03) in control animals. Both did not restore 60 min post-CPB. This was paralleled by increased plasma creatinine (p < 0.01), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL;p = 0.003) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1;p < 0.01). Aprotinin treatment preserved cremaster microcirculatory perfusion following CPB (12 (7–15) vs. 6 (2–10) perfused microvessels,p = 0.002), but not renal perfusion (96 (35–313) vs. 129 (31–292) au/s,p > 0.9) compared to untreated rats. Aprotinin treatment reduced endothelial gap formation (0.5 ± 0.5 vs. 3.1 ± 1.4 gaps,p < 0.0001), kidney wet/dry weight ratio (4.6 ± 0.2 vs. 4.4 ± 0.2,p = 0.046), and fluid requirements (3.9 ± 3.3 vs. 7.5 ± 3.0 ml,p = 0.006) compared to untreated rats. In addition, aprotinin treatment reduced tubulointerstitial neutrophil influx by 1.7-fold compared to untreated rats (30.7 ± 22.1 vs. 53.2 ± 17.2 neutrophil influx/section,p = 0.009). No differences were observed in renal PAR1 expression and plasma creatinine, NGAL or KIM-1 between groups.

Conclusions

Aprotinin did not improve renal perfusion nor reduce renal injury during the first hour following experimental CPB despite preservation of renal endothelial integrity and reduction of renal edema.
Back to living well: community-based management of low back pain: a feasibility study
Authors: Macedo Luciana G. , Richardson Julie , Battie Michele C. , Hancock Mark , Kwan Matthew , Hladysh Genevieve , Zhuo Linda
Published: June 2021

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is a long-term health condition with an unpredictable pattern of symptomatic episodes, remission, and recurrence. Recently published systematic reviews suggest that exercise is the most effective intervention for preventing recurrences of LBP in persons that have recovered. Similar programs may also be effective in preventing flare-ups in persistent LBP. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of the Back to Living Well program (Physical activity + Education + Self-management) developed to prevent recurrence or flare-ups of LBP. The study evaluated feasibility in terms of recruitment rate, adherence, satisfaction with the exercise and education sessions, and the data collection procedures. We also aimed to evaluate barriers and facilitators to the engagement in the program.

Methods

Seventeen participants with non-specific LBP recently discharged from care from physiotherapy, chiropractors or physician care (< 3 months) were referred to the study by health care providers or community advertisements between December 2018 and February 2019. Participants underwent a 12-week (1 session/week) individualized, group-based exercise in the community and 4 sessions (30 min each) of education. All participants completed an action plan weekly for 12 weeks and wore an activity monitor for 6 months. All participants responded to weekly pain measures and completed study questionnaires at baseline, 3- and 6-months. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, attrition rates and satisfaction. At the end of the intervention, participants completed an end-of-program survey.

Results

Twenty-nine participants were screened for eligibility; 20 were deemed eligible, while 17 were included over a 2-month period meeting our feasibility targets. In total, 16 completed follow-up study questionnaires at 3 months, and 15 completed the 6-month follow-up. Fourteen participants responded to weekly messages, while 3 participants reported not having a mobile device or Internet access. In total, 15 participants responded to our end-of-program survey. Average age was 54.9 (11.7); 9 were female (53%), and the mean duration of LBP was 62.9 (69.7) months. All satisfaction responses in relation to the exercise program, education program and data collection procedures reached our threshold of 70% out of 100%. Reported barriers to engagement in the program included fear of injury, lack of motivation and travel. Facilitators included proximity to home, low cost, flexible schedule and friendly location.

Conclusion

The results show the program is feasible in terms of recruitment, low attrition, and patient satisfaction. Participants highlighted the excellent, relevant education program and the positive, personalized exercise. Future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention within a fully powered randomized controlled trial.

Trial registration

NCT03328689
Accessing the public workforce: Organisational recruitment practices and the inclusion or exclusion of individuals of immigrant origin
Authors: Lang Christine
Published: June 2021

Organisations are important gatekeepers in the labour market inclusion of immigrants and their children. Research has regularly documented ethnic discrimination in hiring decisions. Aiming to further our understanding of the role of organisations in influencing the professional trajectories of individuals of immigrant origin, this paper investigates the recruitment practices of public administrations. Drawing on approaches from organisational sociology and a qualitative case study of public administrations in the German state of Berlin, the article identifies three crucial elements of organisational decision-making affecting the recruitment of staff of immigrant origin: decisions regarding advertisement strategies, formal criteria, and individual candidates. Further, the article shows the underlying decision-making rationalities and the role of organisational contexts and ethnic stereotypes for recruitment-related decisions.
On the changes of the intention to leave the parental home during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison among five European countries
Authors: Luppi Francesca , Rosina Alessandro , Sironi Emiliano
Published: June 2021

With the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Europe during the first months of 2020, most of the governments imposed restrictive measures to people mobility and physical distance (the lockdown), which severely impacted on the economic activities and performance of many countries. Thus, the health emergency turned rapidly into in an economic crisis. The COVID-19 crisis in Europe increased the uncertainty about the economic recovery and the end of health emergency. This situation is supposed to have conditioned individuals’ life course path with the effect of inducing people to postpone or to abandon many life plans.

This paper aims to explore and describe whether the rise of health emergency due to the COVID-19 has delayed or vanished young people’s intention to leave the parental home, in order to establish their own household, during 2020 in five European countries: Italy, Germany, France, Spain and the UK. Using data from an international survey from the “Youth Project”, carried out by the Toniolo Institute of Advanced Studies, this paper implements generalized logistic models for ordinal dependent variables to investigate the factors associated with a possible revision of the choice of leaving the parental home for a representative sample of 6000 respondents aged 18 to 34, interviewed between March and April 2020. In particular, we compare the effect of the occupational condition and the perceived income and employment vulnerability on the chance of confirmation, postponement or abandonment of the pre-pandemic plan across the five selected European countries.

Results show that Italy, Spain and the UK are the countries with the highest probability of a downward revision of the intentions of leaving the nest. Especially in these countries, having negative expectations about changes in the individual’s and family’s future income is associated with the choice of abandoning the purpose of leaving the parental home. However, the vulnerability of the category of temporary workers particularly arises in Southern European countries: young people with precarious jobs seem to be the most prone to negatively revise their intentions of leaving, even compared with those not working.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patient-reported outcomes signs and symptoms for the remote management of inflammatory bowel disease during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Pinto Sergio , Loddo Erica , Paba Salvatore , Favale Agnese , Chicco Fabio , Onali Sara , Usai Paolo , Fantini Massimo Claudio
Published: June 2021

Background and aims

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a deep reorganization of hospital services including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) units. In this situation, conversion of in-person routine follow-up visits into phone consultations might be necessary. Here we explored the feasibility of using the validated Crohn’s Disease (CD) or Ulcerative Colitis (UC) Patient-Reported Outcomes Signs and Symptoms (CD- and UC-PRO/SS) to collect data about abdominal symptoms (abdominal/S) and bowel signs and symptoms (bowel/SS) remotely.

Methods

CD- and UC-PRO/SS were collected during phone consultations and compared among patients with active and inactive disease. The effectiveness of therapeutic intervention in patients with active disease was assessed by PRO/SS variation.

Results

Twenty-one CD and 56 UC patients were evaluated by phone. Six (28.6%) CD and 15 (26.8%) UC patients were considered to have active disease. In CD the bowel/SS but not the abdominal/S module was significantly higher in active patients (mean bowel/SS 2.50 [SE ± 0.44] active vs 0.76 [SE ± 0.18] remission, p = 0.008, AUC 0.87; mean abdominal/S 1.11 [SE ± 0.38] active vs 0.24 [SE ± 0.13] remission, p = 0.066). UC-PRO/SS measures were significantly higher in active patients as compared to patients in remission (median bowel/SS 1.63 [SE ± 0.24] active vs 0.33 [SE ± 0.04] remission; p < 0.0001, AUC 0.91; mean abdominal/S 1.03 [SE ± 0.24] vs 0.37 [SE ± 0.12]; p = 0.009, AUC 0.71). Therapy was escalated in 12 patients (3 CD and 9 UC) due to disease relapse. Therapy escalation resulted in the reduction of PRO/SS as evaluated at the subsequent phone consultation.

Conclusions

PRO/SS might represent a feasible tool to evaluate disease activity and therapy outcome in IBD patients during periods of limited access to outpatient clinics.
Evaluation of a CTA-based convolutional neural network for infarct volume prediction in anterior cerebral circulation ischaemic stroke
Authors: Hokkinen Lasse , Mäkelä Teemu , Savolainen Sauli , Kangasniemi Marko
Published: June 2021

Background

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging is needed in current guideline-based stroke diagnosis, and infarct core size is one factor in guiding treatment decisions. We studied the efficacy of a convolutional neural network (CNN) in final infarct volume prediction from CTA and compared the results to a CT perfusion (CTP)-based commercially available software (RAPID, iSchemaView).

Methods

We retrospectively selected 83 consecutive stroke cases treated with thrombolytic therapy or receiving supportive care that presented to Helsinki University Hospital between January 2018 and July 2019. We compared CNN-derived ischaemic lesion volumes to final infarct volumes that were manually segmented from follow-up CT and to CTP-RAPID ischaemic core volumes.

Results

An overall correlation of r = 0.83 was found between CNN outputs and final infarct volumes. The strongest correlation was found in a subgroup of patients that presented more than 9 h of symptom onset (r = 0.90). A good correlation was found between the CNN outputs and CTP-RAPID ischaemic core volumes (r = 0.89) and the CNN was able to classify patients for thrombolytic therapy or supportive care with a 1.00 sensitivity and 0.94 specificity.

Conclusions

A CTA-based CNN software can provide good infarct core volume estimates as observed in follow-up imaging studies. CNN-derived infarct volumes had a good correlation to CTP-RAPID ischaemic core volumes.
Impact of home exercise program on self-efficacy and quality of life among primary knee osteoarthritis patients: a randomized controlled clinical study
Authors: Makarm Wafaa K. , Sharaf Doaa M. , Zaghlol Rabab S.
Published: June 2021

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common joint disorder in elderly individuals, causing pain, loss of physical functioning, disability, and reduction of life quality. Home exercise programs (HEP) serve as a crucial complement to outpatient rehabilitation therapy, as they save the cost of supervised physical therapy sessions, while also offering a high level of treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the 6-month HEP on pain, quality of life, and self-efficacy in patients with primary KOA and to identify the adherence level to exercises and associations with patients’ characteristics and clinical outcomes.

Results

After 6 months of HEP, there were statistically significant differences between groups for self-efficacy (p ≤ 0.001, from 58.29 to 71.5) (p = 0.23, from 55.98 to 57.72), quality of life (p ≤0.001, from 60.1 to 72.2) (p = 0.074, from 60.35 to 60.92), and pain severity (P ≤0.001, from 58.29 to 41.4) (P = 0.88, from 61.2 to 60.9) in favor of exercise group.

Conclusions

Home-based exercise program improves pain score, self-efficacy, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Adherence level to the exercise program may have a positive impact on patient improvement.
Increasing fetal hemoglobin as a possible key for improvement of hypoxia and saving last breath in COVID-19 patient: “postulating a hypothesis”
Authors: Abdelzaher Muhamed A. , Ibrahim Ashraf E. S. , Negm Essamedin M.
Published: June 2021

Background

COVID-19 patients normally experience mild cold-like symptoms that progress from the early viral response phase through the lung phase to the hyper-inflammation phase. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) characterizes the most critical stage of the illness with progressive respiratory failure. Hypoxemia is the most dangerous and challenging problem. We suggest an inductive study approach to postulate a hypothesis and synthesis of supporting evidence as a trial to resolve hypoxia in patients with COVID-19 by increasing the volume of fetal hemoglobin which has a high affinity for oxygen using methods for hypothesis related research evidence synthesis.

Conclusion

We recommend involving umbilical cord fetal blood transfusion or the use of hydroxyl urea as a clinical trial on COVID-19 patients and also for all other types of ARDS to determine its efficacy in correction of hypoxemia, controlling progression of the disease, and increasing survival rate.
Green care in first-episode psychosis: short report of a mixed-methods evaluation of a ‘woodland group’ in an early intervention service
Authors: Cuthbert Sharon , Sharp Harriet , Berry Clio
Published: June 2021

Aims and method

In the context of increasing recognition of the role of nature in well-being, but limited evidence for specific patient groups, we describe a mixed-methods evaluation of a 10-week green care intervention (a woodland group) for 18- to 30-year-olds who had experienced a first episode of psychosis. Data were collected using the Questionnaire on the Process of Recovery (QPR), semi-structured service evaluation questionnaires, the NHS Friends and Family Test (FFT), and focus group analysis.

Results

All participants present at week 10 (n = 5) would recommend this group to others; 4/8 participants showed reliable improvement on QPR outcome measures. Thematic analysis identified themes of connection with nature and others, development of a sense of well-being and ‘peacefulness’ and new perspectives on psychotic experience.

Clinical implications

This small retrospective evaluation describes patient-reported benefits, feasibility and acceptability of green care interventions within early intervention in psychosis services (EIS).
Mortality after electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Watts Bradley V. , Peltzman Talya , Shiner Brian
Published: June 2021

Background

There are limited studies examining mortality associated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and many studies do not include a control group or method to identify all patient deaths.

Aims

We aimed to evaluate the risk of death associated with ECT treatments over 30 days and 1 year.

Method

We conducted a study analysing electronic medical record data from the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system between 2000 and 2017. We compared mortality among patients who received ECT with a matched group of patients created through propensity score matching.

Results

Our sample included 123 479 individual ECT treatments provided to 8720 patients (including 5157 initial index courses of ECT). Mortality associated with individual ECT treatments was 3.08 per 10 000 treatments over the first 7 days after treatment. When comparing patients who received ECT with a matched group of mental health patients, those receiving ECT had a relative odds of all-cause mortality in the year after their index course of 0.87 (95% CI 0.79–1.11;P= 0.10), and a relative risk of death from causes other than suicide of 0.79 (95% CI 0.66–0.95;P< 0.01). The similar relative odds of all-cause mortality in the first 30 days after ECT was 1.06 (95% CI 0.65–1.73) for all-cause mortality, and 1.02 (95% CI 0.58–1.8) for all-cause mortality excluding suicide deaths.

Conclusions

There was no evidence of elevated or excess mortality after ECT. There was some indication that mortality may be reduced in patients receiving ECT compared with similar patients who do not receive ECT.
Novel Tool to Monitor Adherence to Oral Oncolytics: A Pilot Study
Authors: Sun Wendy , Reeve Rebecca , Ouellette Timothy , Stutsky Martha , De Jesus Rachel , Huffer Michael J. , Mougalian Sarah S.
Published: June 2021

PURPOSE

Nonadherence is a significant issue in cancer care, especially as more oral therapies become available. Measuring and optimizing adherence to such therapies is challenging. In this study, we tested a novel technology that records real-time medication-taking behavior from a smart prescription bottle and can communicate with patients via text message to intervene in cases of nonadherence.

METHODS

We conducted a 28-patient pilot study to assess the feasibility of this technology in measuring and improving adherence in patients taking capecitabine, an oral chemotherapy agent with a complex, cyclical regimen. The study had a preintervention stage, during which patients were monitored, and an intervention stage, during which the text messaging intervention was enabled.

RESULTS

During preintervention, patients had an average self-adherence of 89%, and during post intervention, they had an average adherence of 90%. We defined three categories of patients by change in adherence: category 1 (> 8%), category 2 (−8% to 8%), and category 3 (< −8%). Patients in category 1 tended to live in regions with lower average household income (mean = $58,937 in US dollars [USD]) than those in category 2 (mean = $77,482 USD) and category 3 (mean = $90,972 USD). Of poststudy survey respondents, most indicated that they would want to continue using this technology and that they would recommend it to others.

CONCLUSION

This novel technology is able to monitor, measure, and intervene for patients taking capecitabine in real time. Adherence overall was high, and some patients appeared to benefit more from text-message interventions. Future work should focus on patients deemed high risk for nonadherence.
Respiratory dysfunction in a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 7
Authors: Fusco Anna F. , Pucci Logan A. , Switonski Pawel M. , Biswas Debolina D. , McCall Angela L. , Kahn Amanda F. , Dhindsa Justin S. , Strickland Laura M. , La Spada Albert R. , ElMallah Mai K.
Published: June 2021

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the coding region of the ataxin-7 gene. Infantile-onset SCA7 patients display extremely large repeat expansions (>200 CAGs) and exhibit progressive ataxia, dysarthria, dysphagia and retinal degeneration. Severe hypotonia, aspiration pneumonia and respiratory failure often contribute to death in affected infants. To better understand the features of respiratory and upper airway dysfunction in SCA7, we examined breathing and putative phrenic and hypoglossal neuropathology in a knock-in mouse model of early-onset SCA7 carrying an expanded allele with 266 CAG repeats. Whole-body plethysmography was used to measure awake spontaneously breathing SCA7-266Q knock-in mice at baseline in normoxia and during a hypercapnic/hypoxic respiratory challenge at 4 and 8 weeks, before and after the onset of disease. Postmortem studies included quantification of putative phrenic and hypoglossal motor neurons and microglia, and analysis of ataxin-7 aggregation at end stage. SCA7-266Q mice had profound breathing deficits during a respiratory challenge, exhibiting reduced respiratory output and a greater percentage of time in apnea. Histologically, putative phrenic and hypoglossal motor neurons of SCA7 mice exhibited a reduction in number accompanied by increased microglial activation, indicating neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Furthermore, intranuclear ataxin-7 accumulation was observed in cells neighboring putative phrenic and hypoglossal motor neurons in SCA7 mice. These findings reveal the importance of phrenic and hypoglossal motor neuron pathology associated with respiratory failure and upper airway dysfunction, which are observed in infantile-onset SCA7 patients and likely contribute to their early death.
Three-dimensional geometry controls division symmetry in stem cell colonies
Authors: Chaigne Agathe , Smith Matthew B. , Lopez Cavestany Rocio , Hannezo Edouard , Chalut Kevin J. , Paluch Ewa K.
Published: June 2021

Proper control of division orientation and symmetry, largely determined by spindle positioning, is essential to development and homeostasis. Spindle positioning has been extensively studied in cells dividing in two-dimensional (2D) environments and in epithelial tissues, where proteins such as NuMA (also known as NUMA1) orient division along the interphase long axis of the cell. However, little is known about how cells control spindle positioning in three-dimensional (3D) environments, such as early mammalian embryos and a variety of adult tissues. Here, we use mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), which grow in 3D colonies, as a model to investigate division in 3D. We observe that, at the periphery of 3D colonies, ESCs display high spindle mobility and divide asymmetrically. Our data suggest that enhanced spindle movements are due to unequal distribution of the cell–cell junction protein E-cadherin between future daughter cells. Interestingly, when cells progress towards differentiation, division becomes more symmetric, with more elongated shapes in metaphase and enhanced cortical NuMA recruitment in anaphase. Altogether, this study suggests that in 3D contexts, the geometry of the cell and its contacts with neighbors control division orientation and symmetry.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Determinants of climbing energetic costs in humans
Authors: Kozma Elaine E. , Pontzer Herman
Published: June 2021

Previous studies in primates and other animals have shown that mass-specific cost of transport (J kg−1 m−1) for climbing is independent of body size across species, but little is known about within-species allometry of climbing costs or the effects of difficulty and velocity. Here, we assessed the effects of velocity, route difficulty and anatomical variation on the energetic cost of climbing within humans. Twelve experienced rock climbers climbed on an indoor wall over a range of difficulty levels and velocities, with energy expenditure measured via respirometry. We found no effect of body mass or limb proportions on mass-specific cost of transport among subjects. Mass-specific cost of transport was negatively correlated with climbing velocity. Increased route difficulty was associated with slower climbing velocities and thus higher costs, but there was no statistically significant effect of route difficulty on energy expenditure independent of velocity. Finally, human climbing costs measured in this study were similar to published values for other primates, suggesting arboreal adaptations have a negligible effect on climbing efficiency.
Temperature alone is insufficient to understand hibernation energetics
Authors: McGuire Liam P. , Johnson Emily M. , Frick Winifred F. , Boyles Justin G.
Published: June 2021

Energy conservation has long been a focal point in hibernation research. A long-standing assumption is that ambient temperature (Ta) largely defines the rate of energy expenditure because of well-known relationships between Ta, metabolic rate and frequency of arousal from torpor. Body condition and humidity also affect energy expenditure but are usually considered secondary factors. We held tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) in captivity under multiple environmental conditions to directly compare the importance of Ta, fat mass and humidity for hibernation energy expenditure. Fat mass was the best predictor of female mass loss, followed by Ta and humidity. However, males had less fat and adopted a more energetically conservative hibernation strategy. Our results demonstrate that understanding the evolution of behavior, physiology and ecology of hibernation requires disentangling the relative contributions of multiple drivers of hibernation energetics, and that Ta is not always the most important factor driving energy expenditure.
Competências organizacionais desenvolvidas pela Escola Nacional de Administração Pública como Escola de Governo (1986-2016)
Authors: Silva Ramos Manuela , Silva Monica de Aguiar Mac-Allister
Published: June 2021

Esse artigo versa sobre competência organizacional em administração pública. O objetivo é compreender as competências organizacionais desenvolvidas pela Escola Nacional de Administração Pública (ENAP) como escola de governo. Para cumprimento desse objetivo, adota-se uma abordagem teórico-metodológica histórica, utilizando-se, como técnicas de levantamento de informações, pesquisa documental e entrevista com recurso à história oral temática; e, como técnica de análise, a análise temática. Nessa compreensão histórica, evidenciaram-se como competências organizacionais desenvolvidas pela ENAP no cumprimento de seu propósito como escola de governo: ter a marca ENAP; formar competência para a gestão; ser espaço de encontro de competências; e interpretar demandas. A história dessas competências organizacionais foi marcada por processos adaptativos, emergentes e incrementais, o que fez a ENAP como escola de governo.
A elite salarial do funcionalismo público federal
Authors: Nunes Wellington , Teles Mendes José
Published: June 2021

Este artigo tem como objetivo a identificação e análise da elite salarial do funcionalismo público federal brasileiro. Por elite salarial, o trabalho compreende as categorias com maiores salários do Estado. Primeiro, a partir de dados da Relação Anual de Informações Sociais (Rais), identificamos as ocupações mais bem remuneradas do conjunto do serviço público no ano de 2018, analisando suas características principais e em quais poderes e esferas se concentravam. Em seguida, utilizando dois critérios de corte distintos, a mediana salarial do Judiciário e o salário de ministro do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) em 2018, verificamos também a evolução salarial da parcela com remunerações mais altas do serviço público federal nos últimos 20 anos. Em particular, focamos no estudo dos chamados supersalários, isto é, aqueles que superam a remuneração de juiz do STF. Demonstramos que, apesar de o poder mais numeroso em termos de vínculos empregatícios ser o Executivo, é o Judiciário que concentra a maior parte das ocupações da chamada elite salarial. Além disso, concluímos que, embora variável ao longo dos anos, o quantitativo dos chamados supersalários é menor do que o esperado no âmbito federal. Ainda assim, gera impacto fiscal relevante. Por fim, comparamos os achados à Proposta de Emenda Constitucional (PEC) 32/2020, fazendo sugestões para a construção de um projeto de reforma administrativa mais eficiente no combate a privilégios.
futuro dos shopping centers
Authors: Coelho Ferreira Alexandre , Sarfati Gilberto
Published: June 2021

Os chamados templos de consumo serão bem diferentes de como se apresentam hoje no Brasil. Traçamos quatro cenários possíveis para 2040, que irão depender de como o consumidor irá se comportar e comprar física e virtualmente.
ensino superior após a Covid-19
Authors: Aranha Francisco
Published: June 2021

A crise traz senso de urgência para universidades e faculdades implementarem mudanças organizacionais mais radicais em suas operações, em seus processos pedagógicos e nos papéis atribuídos aos corpos docente e discente.
Ponto cego
Authors: Betiol Luciana , Marzionna Paulo
Published: June 2021

Como lidar com comportamentos inadequados de colaboradores nas redes sociais.
rastro do blockchain
Authors: Kemmer Cernev Adrian , Karla Lacerda Moraes Trícia
Published: June 2021

Em 2020, as organizações fizeram mudanças profundas nos negócios em tempo recorde. agora, devem aproveitar para institucionalizar o que deu certo, ampliar oportunidades e repensar o modelo de atuar.
Caminhos para desenvolver software
Authors: Larieira Cláudio
Published: June 2021

O poder das tecnologias digitais permite que a sociedade e as empresas façam algo novo, diferente e melhor, que é a essência da transformação digital.
The effect of triple antibiotic paste as an intracanal medication with an anti-inflammatory drug on post-operative pain of asymptomatic uniradicular necrotic teeth: a double blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Omaia Mohamed , Negm Maged , Nashaat Yousra , Nabil Nehal , Othman Amal
Published: June 2021

Background:Flare-ups may occur after root canal treatment which consist of acute exacerbation of asymptomatic pulpal and/or periradicular pathologic condition. The causative factors of interappointment pain include mechanical, chemical or microbial irritation to the pulp or periradicular tissues. The potential role of microorganisms in interappointment pain is why the success of endodontic treatment depends on complete eradication of microorganisms capable of causing an intraradicular or extraradicular infection. This can be achieved by mechanical cleaning and shaping, in conjunction with irrigation and antibacterial agents. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of triple antibiotic paste with the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac potassium versus calcium hydroxide used as an intra-canal medication in reducing post-operative pain.

Methods:84 patients with asymptomatic uniradicular necrotic teeth were randomly assigned into two groups according to the intra-canal medication used: calcium hydroxide group (CH) and triple antibiotic paste with diclofenac potassium group (TAPC). In the first treatment session, intracoronal cavity preparation was performed after rubber dam isolation followed by chemo-mechanical preparation using rotary Protaper Universal files with saline irrigation followed by intra-canal medication placement then postoperative pain was assessed at 24, 48 and 72 hours postoperatively using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). In the second treatment session, intracanal medications were removed by irrigation using saline followed by obturation.

Results:Both intracanal medicaments resulted in a statistically significant decrease in mean pain value from 24 to 48 and 72 hours postoperatively. While when comparing both groups, TAPC intracanal medication showed less post-operative pain compared to that of the CH group at 24, 48 and 72 hours with a statistically significant difference at 48 hours only.

Conclusion:Both intracanal medicaments were efficient in reducing post-operative pain in asymptomatic uniradicular necrotic teeth.

Trial registration:Clinicaltrial.govNCT02907489, 20/09/2016.
Comparative cross-sectional assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice among university students and employees towards the use of the microbiology laboratory equipment
Authors: Muzaheed Muzaheed , El-Masry Omar S. , Rabaan Ali A. , Alzahrani Faisal , Alomar Amer , Farooqi Faraz Ahmed
Published: June 2021

Background: Continuous evaluation of students and employee’s knowledge and attitude in clinical laboratories is mandatory to ensure a high level of competency, proper practice and to assess the need for training, which shall be reflected on the quality of laboratory results. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice in microbiology laboratories among employees (at King Fahd Hospital of the University) and clinical laboratory students (at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University)   

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 30 2nd year students, 26 3rd year students, 24 4th year students in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences department, and 30 employees. Participants completed a survey comprising 30 questions to assess their knowledge and attitude towards the use of equipment and practice in the microbiology laboratory.

Results: The results indicated that there was no significant difference between the average scores of all levels of students regarding their knowledge (p = 0.85, 0.999, and 0.869), attitude (p = 0.883, 0.996, 0.853), and practice (p=0.633, 0.325, 0.858) in the microbiology laboratory. Employees scores (knowledge;5.03±2.646, attitude; 12.03±4.89, and practice; 7.7±6.11) were quite poor, as indicated by the lower average results than that of students (knowledge; 5.65±3.08, attitude; 13.25±5.33, and practice; 13.46±5.7).

Conclusions: It is concluded that the knowledge, attitude, and practice of students and employees in the microbiology laboratory needs to be meticulously monitored and improved to ensure high achievement of learning outcomes and better overall performance in the laboratory. This may be achieved through using frequent quizzes and continuous education programs.