bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological characterization of electrodermal activity enables scalable near real-time autonomic nervous system activation inference
Authors: Amin Rafiul , Faghih Rose T.
Published: July 2022

Electrodermal activities (EDA) are any electrical phxenomena observed on the skin. Skin conductance (SC), a measure of EDA, shows fluctuations due to autonomic nervous system (ANS) activation induced sweat secretion. Since it can capture psychophysiological information, there is a significant rise in the research work for tracking mental and physiological health with EDA. However, the current state-of-the-art lacks a physiologically motivated approach for real-time inference of ANS activation from EDA. Therefore, firstly, we propose a comprehensive model for the SC dynamics. The proposed model is a 3D state-space representation of the direct secretion of sweat via pore opening and diffusion followed by corresponding evaporation and reabsorption. As the input to the model, we consider a sparse signal representing the ANS activation that causes the sweat glands to produce sweat. Secondly, we derive a scalable fixed-interval smoother-based sparse recovery approach utilizing the proposed comprehensive model to infer the ANS activation enabling edge computation. We incorporate a generalized-cross-validation to tune the sparsity level. Finally, we propose an Expectation-Maximization based deconvolution approach for learning the model parameters during the ANS activation inference. For evaluation, we utilize a dataset with 26 participants, and the results show that our comprehensive state-space model can successfully describe the SC variations with high scalability, showing the feasibility of real-time applications. Results validate that our physiology-motivated state-space model can comprehensively explain the EDA and outperforms all previous approaches. Our findings introduce a whole new perspective and have a broader impact on the standard practices of EDA analysis.
Initiator tRNA lacking 1-methyladenosine is targeted by the rapid tRNA decay pathway in evolutionarily distant yeast species
Authors: Tasak Monika , Phizicky Eric M.
Published: July 2022

All tRNAs have numerous modifications, lack of which often results in growth defects in the budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaeand neurological or other disorders in humans. InS.cerevisiae, lack of tRNA body modifications can lead to impaired tRNA stability and decay of a subset of the hypomodified tRNAs. Mutants lacking 7-methylguanosine at G46(m7G46), N2,N2-dimethylguanosine (m2,2G26), or 4-acetylcytidine (ac4C12), in combination with other body modification mutants, target certain mature hypomodified tRNAs to the rapid tRNA decay (RTD) pathway, catalyzed by 5’-3’ exonucleases Xrn1 and Rat1, and regulated by Met22. The RTD pathway is conserved in the phylogenetically distant fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombefor mutants lacking m7G46. In contrast,S.cerevisiae trm6/gcd10mutants with reduced 1-methyladenosine (m1A58) specifically target pre-tRNAiMet(CAU)to the nuclear surveillance pathway for 3’-5’ exonucleolytic decay by the TRAMP complex and nuclear exosome. We show here that the RTD pathway has an unexpected major role in the biology of m1A58and tRNAiMet(CAU)in bothS.pombeandS.cerevisiae. We find thatS.pombe trm6Δmutants lacking m1A58are temperature sensitive due to decay of tRNAiMet(CAU)by the RTD pathway. Thus,trm6Δmutants had reduced levels of tRNAiMet(CAU)and not of eight other tested tRNAs, overexpression of tRNAiMet(CAU)restored growth, and spontaneous suppressors that restored tRNAiMet(CAU)levels had mutations indhp1/RAT1ortol1/MET22. In addition, deletion ofcid14/TRF4in the nuclear surveillance pathway did not restore growth. Furthermore, re-examination ofS.cerevisiae trm6mutants revealed a major role of the RTD pathway in maintaining tRNAiMet(CAU)levels, in addition to the known role of the nuclear surveillance pathway. These findings provide evidence for the importance of m1A58in the biology of tRNAiMet(CAU)throughout eukaryotes, and fuel speculation that the RTD pathway has a major role in quality control of body modification mutants throughout fungi and other eukaryotes.
Epidemiology of nodding syndrome in the Greater Mundri area, South Sudan: Prevalence, spatial pattern and environmental risk factors
Authors: Abd-Elfarag Gasim Omer Elkhalifa , Emmanuel Lukudu , Edridge Arthur W. D. , van Beers Stella , Sebit Mohamed B. , van Hensbroek Michaël B. , Rood Ente J. J.
Published: July 2022

Background

Nodding syndrome (NS) is a progressive neurological disease that has been described in several sub-Saharan African counties, but South Sudan is considered the most affected. However, knowledge about the exact burden and the epidemiological risk factors of NS in South Sudan is lacking.

Objective

To determine the prevalence, distribution and epidemiological risk factors of NS in the Greater Mundri area, the epicenter of NS in South Sudan.

Methods

A NS prevalence house-to-house survey was conducted in multiple villages between February 2018 and November 2019. Geographical distribution and clustering of NS cases was identified using spatial and binomial regression analysis. Epidemiological risk factors of NS were identified using univariate and multivariate models.

Results

Of the 22,411 persons surveyed in 92 villages, 607 (2.7%) persons with NS were identified, of which 114 (19%) were new-onset cases. The highest prevalence was found in Diko village with a prevalence of 13.7%. NS showed a significant spatial pattern with clustering of cases between adjacent households and along rivers. Risks factors for NS include all behaviors around rivers (drinking, cooking, handwashing and bathing) and exposure to poultry. On the other hand, ownership of mobile phone decreased the risk of NS. Many other factors, including prior ivermectin treatment and internal displacement were not associated with NS.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates a very high burden of the NS disease in the Greater Mundri area, strengthens the association with rivers, and identified possible new clues for an underlying cause.
Smoking in the workplace: A study of female call center employees in South Korea
Authors: Oh Hyunjin , Boo Sunjoo
Published: July 2022

Smoking among women is characteristically high among call center employees and is associated with various individual and work-related characteristics, which have been paid little attention so far. This study explored the differences in intrapersonal and interpersonal characteristics and environmental factors among Korean women working in call centers by smoking status, based on an ecological model. In this cross-sectional study, an anonymous online survey was conducted among a sample of female employees from three credit card-based call centers (N = 588). Differences in intrapersonal (social nicotine dependence, smoking attitudes, emotional labor), interpersonal (smoking among family or friends, social support), and environmental factors (smoking cessation education, and perceived and preferred smoking policy at work) were compared according to smoking status (smokers, ex-smokers, and never smokers). Approximately 20% (n = 115) were smokers. Smokers were younger, mostly unmarried, had lower education, and had poorer perceived health status than ex- and never smokers. The mean scores for social nicotine dependence and smoking attitude were the highest among smokers, indicating their tendency to underestimate the negative effects of smoking. They also reported the highest level of emotional labor, with about half (50.4%) and almost all (95.7%) reporting smoking behaviors in their families and friends, respectively. Smokers took a lenient stance on the smoking ban policy. The results indicated the necessity to develop tailored smoking cessation programs to motivate female call center employees to quit smoking. As call centers may have a smoking-friendly environment, comprehensive smoking prevention programs considering multilevel factors are required to support smoking cessation.
High-throughput image-based plant stand count estimation using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Khaki Saeed , Pham Hieu , Khalilzadeh Zahra , Masoud Arezoo , Safaei Nima , Han Ye , Kent Wade , Wang Lizhi
Published: July 2022

The landscape of farming and plant breeding is rapidly transforming due to the complex requirements of our world. The explosion of collectible data has started a revolution in agriculture to the point where innovation must occur. To a commercial organization, the accurate and efficient collection of information is necessary to ensure that optimal decisions are made at key points of the breeding cycle. In particular, recent technology has enabled organizations to capture in-field images of crops to record color, shape, chemical properties, and disease susceptibility. However, this new challenge necessitates the need for advanced algorithms to accurately identify phenotypic traits. This work, advanced the current literature by developing an innovative deep learning algorithm, named DeepStand, for image-based counting of corn stands at early phenological stages. The proposed method adopts a truncated VGG-16 network to act as a feature extractor backbone. We then combine multiple feature maps with different dimensions to ensure the network is robust against size variation. Our extensive computational experiments demonstrate that our DeepStand framework accurately identifies corn stands and out-performs other cutting-edge methods.
A burning issue: Reviewing the socio-demographic and environmental justice aspects of the wildfire literature
Authors: Thomas Alyssa S. , Escobedo Francisco J. , Sloggy Matthew R. , Sánchez José J.
Published: July 2022

Larger and more severe wildfires are becoming more frequent and impacting different communities and human settlements. Much of the scientific literature and media on wildfires has focused on area of ecosystems burned and numbers of structures destroyed. Equally unprecedented, but often less reported, are the increasing socioeconomic impacts different people and communities face from wildfires. Such information seems to indicate an emerging need to account for wildfire effects on peri-urban or wildland urban interface (WUI) areas, newer socio-demographic groups, and disadvantaged communities. To address this, we reviewed the socio-demographic dimensions of the wildfire literature using an environmental justice (EJ) lens. Specifically using a literature review of wildfires, human communities, social vulnerability, and homeowner mitigation, we conducted bibliometric and statistical analyses of 299 publications. The majority of publications were from the United States, followed by Canada and Australia, and most dealt with homeowner mitigation of risk, defensible space, and fuel treatments in WUI areas. Most publications studied the direct effects of wildfire related damage. Secondary impacts such as smoke, rural and urban communities, and the role of poverty and language were less studied. Based on a proposed wildfire-relevant EJ definition, the first EJ publication was in 2004, but the term was first used as a keyword in 2018. Studies in WUI communities statistically decreased the likelihood that a publication was EJ relevant. There was a significant relationship between EJ designation and inclusion of race/ethnicity and poverty variables in the study. Complexity across the various definitions of EJ suggest that it should not be used as a quantitative or binary metric; but as a lens to better understand socio-ecological impacts to diverse communities. We present a wildfire-relevant definition to potentially guide policy formulation and account for social and environmental justice issues.
An empirical evaluation of sampling methods for the classification of imbalanced data
Authors: Kim Misuk , Hwang Kyu-Baek
Published: July 2022

In numerous classification problems, class distribution is not balanced. For example, positive examples are rare in the fields of disease diagnosis and credit card fraud detection. General machine learning methods are known to be suboptimal for such imbalanced classification. One popular solution is to balance training data by oversampling the underrepresented (or undersampling the overrepresented) classes before applying machine learning algorithms. However, despite its popularity, the effectiveness of sampling has not been rigorously and comprehensively evaluated. This study assessed combinations of seven sampling methods and eight machine learning classifiers (56 varieties in total) using 31 datasets with varying degrees of imbalance. We used the areas under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC) and receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) as the performance measures. The AUPRC is known to be more informative for imbalanced classification than the AUROC. We observed that sampling significantly changed the performance of the classifier (paired t-tests P < 0.05) only for few cases (12.2% in AUPRC and 10.0% in AUROC). Surprisingly, sampling was more likely to reduce rather than improve the classification performance. Moreover, the adverse effects of sampling were more pronounced in AUPRC than in AUROC. Among the sampling methods, undersampling performed worse than others. Also, sampling was more effective for improving linear classifiers. Most importantly, we did not need sampling to obtain the optimal classifier for most of the 31 datasets. In addition, we found two interesting examples in which sampling significantly reduced AUPRC while significantly improving AUROC (paired t-tests P < 0.05). In conclusion, the applicability of sampling is limited because it could be ineffective or even harmful. Furthermore, the choice of the performance measure is crucial for decision making. Our results provide valuable insights into the effect and characteristics of sampling for imbalanced classification.
The Animal-Visitor Interaction Protocol (AVIP) for the assessment of Lemur catta walk-in enclosure in zoos
Authors: Pollastri Ilaria , Normando Simona , Florio Daniela , Ferrante Linda , Bandoli Francesca , Macchi Elisabetta , Muzzo Alessia , de Mori Barbara
Published: July 2022

Animal–Visitor Interactions (AVI) are activities offered by zoos and other tourism facilities, in which visitors come into close contact with animals. These activities can promote conservational and educational content, raise conservation mindedness and responsibility for the environment and animal welfare, but if not properly managed can jeopardize visitors’ and animals’ well-being and conservation efforts. The Animal-Visitor Interaction assessment Protocol (AVIP) has been designed to perform an integrated and multidisciplinary assessment of these activities, encompassing the “One Health, One Welfare” approach. AVIP throughout six different steps allows to assess the effects of AVIs both on animals, visitors, and the staff involved. Results can assist zoos to improve management decisions, ensure a transparent evaluation of their activities and promote conservation education goals. Lemurs walk-in enclosures have become increasingly popular among zoos, nevertheless studies focused on their assessment are still scarce. To validate AVIP to this particular AVI, we applied it to assess a walk-in enclosure hosting fiveLemur cattain an Italian zoo. Results of behavioural and physiological analyses suggested no changes in animal welfare level and the Animal Welfare Risk Assessment showed low animal welfare risks. Two Visitor Experience Surveys were used to interview 291 visitors, showing that the assessed AVI could help promote the zoo’s conservation objectives and visitor education. Risk Assessment found low and medium risks to the health and safety of visitors. Results were then combined to perform a final ethical assessment. Some potential ethical concerns were detected, but the outcomes indicated that these conflicts were well managed. In the context of recent findings AVIP demonstrated its potential for application also in assessing AVIs involving primates. Our findings confirmed the usefulness of AVIP in assessing and monitoring AVIs, allowing to gain key information in a single process on multiple welfare-related parameters, educational impact, safety of the main stakeholders involved, and ethical concerns.
The dynamic network of IS30 transposition pathways
Authors: Olasz Ferenc , Szabó Mónika , Veress Alexandra , Bibó Márton , Kiss János
Published: July 2022

The E. coli element IS30 has adopted the copy-out-paste-in transposition mechanism that is prevalent in a number of IS-families. As an initial step, IS30 forms free circular transposition intermediates like IS minicircles or tandem IS-dimers by joining the inverted repeats of a single element or two, sometimes distantly positioned IS copies, respectively. Then, the active IR-IR junction of these intermediates reacts with the target DNA, which generates insertions, deletions, inversions or cointegrates. The element shows dual target specificity as it can insert into hot spot sequences or next to its inverted repeats. In this study the pathways of rearrangements of transposition-derived cointegrate-like structures were examined. The results showed that the probability of further rearrangements in these structures depends on whether the IS elements are flanked by hot spot sequences or take part in an IR-IR junction. The variability of the deriving products increases with the number of simultaneously available IRs and IR-IR joints in the cointegrates or the chromosome. Under certain conditions, the parental structures whose transposition formed the cointegrates are restored and persist among the rearranged products. Based on these findings, a novel dynamic model has been proposed for IS30, which possibly fits to other elements that have adopted the same transposition mechanism. The model integrates the known transposition pathways and the downstream rearrangements occurring after the formation of different cointegrate-like structures into a complex network. Important feature of this network is the presence of “feedback loops” and reversible transposition rearrangements that can explain how IS30 generates variability and preserves the original genetic constitution in the bacterial population, which contributes to the adaptability and evolution of host bacteria.
Quantitative interpretation of Sedia LAg Assay test results after HIV diagnosis
Authors: Sempa Joseph B. , Grebe Eduard , Welte Alex
Published: July 2022

Background

Testing for ‘recent HIV infection’ is common in surveillance, where only population-level estimates (of incidence) are reported. Typically, ‘recent infection’ is acategory, obtained by applying a threshold on an underlying continuous biomarker from some laboratory assay(s). Interpreting the biomarker values obtained for individual subjects, as estimates of the date of infection, has obvious potential applications in the context of studies of early infection, and has also for some years attracted significant interest as an extra component of post-test counselling and treatment initiation. The applicable analyses have typically run aground on the complexity of the full biomarker growth model, which is in principle a non-linear mixed-effects model of unknown structure, the fitting of which seems infeasible from realistically obtainable data.

Methods

It is known that to estimate Mean Duration of Recent Infection (MDRI) at a given value of the recent/non-recent -infection discrimination threshold, one may compress the full biomarker growth model into a relation capturing the probability of a recent test result as a function of time t since infection, given a value of assay threshold h which defines the recent/non-recent discrimination. We demonstrate that the derivative (gradient), with respect to h. of the probability of recent infection, seen as a function of both t and h, is identical to the formal likelihood relevant to Bayesian inference of the time since seroconversion, for a subject yielding an assay result h, at or close to the date of their first positive HIV test. This observation bypasses the need for fitting a complex detailed biomarker growth model. Using publicly available data from the CEPHIA collaboration, we calibrated this likelihood function for the Sedia Lag assay, and performed Bayesian inference on hypothetical infection data.

Results

We demonstrate the generation of posteriors for infection date, for patients with various delays between their last negative and first positive HIV test, and a range of LAg assay results (ODn) hypothetically obtained on the date of the first positive result.

Conclusion

Depending on the last-negative / first-positive interval, there is a range of ODn values that yields posteriors significantly different from the uniform prior one would be left with based merely on interval censoring. Hence, a LAg ODn obtained on the date of, or soon after, diagnosis contains potentially significant information about infection dating. It seems worth analysing other assays with meaningful dynamic range, especially tests already routinely used in primary HIV diagnosis (for example chemiluminescent assays and reader/cartridge lateral flow tests which admit objective variable line intensity readings) which have a sufficient dynamic range that corresponds to a clinically meaningful range of times-since-infection that are worth distinguishing from each other.
Enhancing the scalability of distance-based link prediction algorithms in recommender systems through similarity selection
Authors: Su Zhan , Huang Zhong , Ai Jun , Zhang Xuanxiong , Shang Lihui , Zhao Fengyu
Published: July 2022

Slope One algorithm and its descendants measure user-score distance and use the statistical score distance between users to predict unknown ratings, as opposed to the typical collaborative filtering algorithm that uses similarity for neighbor selection and prediction. Compared to collaborative filtering systems that select only similar neighbors, algorithms based on user-score distance typically include all possible related users in the process, which needs more computation time and requires more memory. To improve the scalability and accuracy of distance-based recommendation algorithm, we provide a user-item link prediction approach that combines user distance measurement with similarity-based user selection. The algorithm predicts unknown ratings based on the filtered users by calculating user similarity and removing related users with similarity below a threshold, which reduces 26 to 29 percent of neighbors and improves prediction error, ranking, and prediction accuracy overall.
A piece of a puzzle—Patient and psychologist experiences of the Affect School as additional treatment in a Swedish eating disorder unit
Authors: Petersson Suzanne , Wåhlin Ingrid
Published: July 2022

Background

Emotion dysregulation has been shown to be a transdiagnostic characteristic of eating disorders. The Affect School aims to enhance emotional awareness and the ability to perceive and express emotions. This study was conducted as part of an RCT where patients with various eating disorders were randomised to participation in the Affect School as a supplement to treatment.

Aim

To explore Affect School participants’ and leaders’ experiences of the Affect school at an Eating Disorder outpatient unit in Sweden.

Method

Nine patients with eating disorder diagnoses and three Affect School leaders at an eating disorder outpatient clinic in Sweden were interviewed for their experiences of the intervention. The interviews were analysed with Thematic Analysis.

Result

Eight themes were revealed at the analysis, five from the participants: “Worries about group participation”, “Not alone anymore and gaining new insights about oneself”, “Shared stories can also be painful”, “Relationships outside the Affect School as a foundation for affective work”, and “A change is coming”, and three from the leaders:”Affect awareness is important in eating disorders”, “Group meetings create opportunities and challenges”, and “The Affect School setup needs more customisation”.

Conclusion

The results suggested that the Affect School provided an acceptance for experiencing all sorts of affects. Both leaders and participants considered working with affects necessary, although participants reported no changes in their life situation or condition after the intervention but considered the intervention as part of a process with gradual results. Being part of a group and sharing experiences was experienced as positive by participants and leaders, but the model could be further developed to better adapt to patients with an eating disorder.
How does the leniency of personal bankruptcy law affect entrepreneurship in EU countries?
Authors: Walter György , Illés Ferenc , Tóth Fanni
Published: July 2022

Several studies examined how some characteristics of personal bankruptcy laws influenced entrepreneurial developments during the last two decades. Our main objective is to analyze the association between self-employment and the leniency of the personal bankruptcy systems in 24 EU countries. Unlike previous studies, we measure differences and changes in the leniency of the regulations with a composite index that incorporates 35 variables. Based on a cross-country database of self-employment ratios and various control variables spanning the years 2000 to 2019, we apply a panel regression model. We find that the implementation of new regulations and reforms in personal bankruptcy legislation in more lenient directions positively correlates with entrepreneurial developments measured by self-employment rates. This is more significant in the group of countries where the eligibility criteria for entrepreneurs are not constrained. We find a one-year negative time-lag effect and conclude that strong anticipation of the law for a more lenient system can immediately change the risk-reward profile, and thereby influence entrepreneurship before implementing the actual reform. An important policy implication is that a major reform in regulation or the first implementation of conservative legislation has the same order of magnitude of effect on promoting entrepreneurship as other public policy reforms of similar purpose.
Survival outcomes of surgery for retroperitoneal sarcomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Guo Qiang , Zhao Jichun , Du Xiaojiong , Huang Bin
Published: July 2022

Background

Definitive evidence to guide clinical practice on the principles of surgery for retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPSs) is still lacking. This study aims to summarise the available evidence to assess the relative benefits and disadvantages of an aggressive surgical approach with contiguous organ resection in patients with RPS, the association between surgical resection margins and survival outcomes, and the role of surgery in recurrent RPS.

Methods

We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE for relevant randomised trials and observational studies published from inception up to May 1, 2021. Prospective or retrospective studies, published in the English language, providing outcome data with surgical treatment in patients with RPS were selected. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS).

Findings

In total, 47 articles were analysed. There were no significant differences in the rates of OS (HR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.83–1.03;P= 0.574) and recurrence-free survival (HR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.74–1.27;P= 0.945) between the extended resection group and the tumour resection alone group. Organ resection did not increase postoperative mortality (OR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.55–1.81;P= 0.997) but had a relatively higher complication rate (OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 0.94–5.34;P= 0.068). OS was higher in R0 than in R1 resection (HR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.23–1.44;P< 0.001) and in R1 resection than in R2 resection (HR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.35–2.36;P< 0.001). OS was also higher in R2 resection than in no surgery (HR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.07–1.45;P< 0.001), however, subgroup analysis showed that the pooled HR in the trials reporting primary RPS was similar between the two groups (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.87–1.42;P= 0.42). Surgical treatment achieves a significantly higher OS rate than does conservative treatment (HR: 2.42; 95% CI: 1.21–3.64;P< 0.001) for recurrent RPS.

Conclusions

For primary RPS, curative-intent en bloc resection should be aimed, and adjacent organs with evidence of direct invasion must be resected to avoid R2 resection. For recurrent RPS, surgical resection should be considered as a priority. Incomplete resection remains to have a survival benefit in select patients with unresectable recurrent RPS.
Impact of prenatal maternal psychological distress on fetal biometric parameters in household air pollution-exposed Nigerian women
Authors: Deji-Abiodun Oluwafunmilade , Adedokun Babatunde , Alexander Donee , Dutta Anindita , Ibigbami Tope , Olamijulo John , Adepoju Dayo , Adekunle Samuel , Ojengbede Oladosu , Olopade Christopher O.
Published: July 2022

Rationale

Studies identify prenatal household air pollution (HAP) exposure and maternal psychological distress (PMPD) as independent factors contributing to gestational ill-health and adverse birth outcomes.

Objective

We investigated the impact of PMPD on fetal biometric parameters (FBP) in HAP-exposed pregnant Nigerian women.

Methods

The randomized controlled trial (RCT; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02394574) investigated effects of HAP exposure in pregnant Nigerian women (n = 324), who customarily cooked with polluting fuels (firewood or kerosene). Half of the women (intervention group) were given CleanCook ethanol stoves to use for 156 days during the study. Once a month, all women were administered an abridged version of the SF-12v2TM health-related quality of life questionnaire to assess psychological distress. Using mixed effects linear regression models, adjusted for relevant covariates, we analyzed associations between the women’s exposure to PM2·5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter<2·5 microns) from HAP, their PMPD scores, and FBP (ultrasound estimated fetal weight [UEFW], head circumference [HC], abdominal circumference [AC], femur length [FL], biparietal diameter [BPD], estimated gestational age [GA] and intrauterine growth restriction [IUGR]), and birth anthropometric measures (birth weight [BW] and birth length [BL]).

Results

PMPD negatively impacted UEFW, HC, FL, BPD and BL (p<0·05). Controls (kerosene/firewood users) experienced significantly higher PMPD compared with ethanol-stove users (p<0·05). The mediation analysis revealed that the proportion of the outcome (fetal biometrics, birth anthropometrics, IUGR and GA), which can be explained via PMPD by groups (intervention vs. control) after adjusting for confounding variables was 6·2% (0·062). No significant correlation was observed between levels of PM2.5 exposure and PMPD scores.

Conclusions

PMPD was an independent mediator of adverse fetal biometric parameters in pregnant women, who were exposed to HAP from burning of firewood/kerosene. Formulating preventative measures to alleviate maternal distress during pregnancy and reducing exposure to HAP is important from public health perspectives.
Geneticin reduces mRNA stability
Authors: Durmaz Yavuz T. , Shatadal Alankrit , Friend Kyle
Published: July 2022

Messenger RNA (mRNA) translation can lead to higher rates of mRNA decay, suggesting the ribosome plays a role in mRNA destruction. Furthermore, mRNA features, such as codon identities, which are directly probed by the ribosome, correlate with mRNA decay rates. Many amino acids are encoded by synonymous codons, some of which are decoded by more abundant tRNAs leading to more optimal translation and increased mRNA stability. Variable translation rates for synonymous codons can lead to ribosomal collisions as ribosomes transit regions with suboptimal codons, and ribosomal collisions can promote mRNA decay. In addition to different translation rates, the presence of certain codons can also lead to higher or lower rates of amino acid misincorporation which could potentially lead to protein misfolding if a substituted amino acid fails to make critical contacts in a structure. Here, we test whether Geneticin—G418, an aminoglycoside antibiotic known to promote amino acid misincorporation—affects mRNA stability. We observe that G418 decreases firefly luciferase mRNA stability in anin vitrotranslation system and also reduces mRNA stability in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). G418-sensitive mRNAs are enriched for certain optimal codons that contain G or C in the wobble position, arguing that G418 blunts the stabilizing effects of codon optimality.
Gene module regulation in dilated cardiomyopathy and the role of Na/K-ATPase
Authors: Gao Yingnyu , Silva Lilian N. D. , Hurley John D. , Fan Xiaoming , Pierre Sandrine V. , Sodhi Komal , Liu Jiang , Shapiro Joseph I. , Tian Jiang
Published: July 2022

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause of cardiac death and heart transplantation. It has been known that black people have a higher incidence of heart failure and related diseases compared to white people. To identify the relationship between gene expression and cardiac function in DCM patients, we performed pathway analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) using RNA-sequencing data (GSE141910) from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and identified several gene modules that were significantly associated with the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and DCM phenotype. Genes included in these modules are enriched in three major categories of signaling pathways: fibrosis-related, small molecule transporting-related, and immune response-related. Through consensus analysis, we found that gene modules associated with LVEF in African Americans are almost identical as in Caucasians, suggesting that the two groups may have more common rather than disparate genetic regulations in the etiology of DCM. In addition to the identified modules, we found that the gene expression level of Na/K-ATPase, an important membrane ion transporter, has a strong correlation with the LVEF. These clinical results are consistent with our previous findings and suggest the clinical significance of Na/K-ATPase regulation in DCM.
Comparison of short-term clinical outcomes between low-dose prasugrel and clopidogrel as part of triple antithrombotic therapy in patients requiring oral anticoagulant therapy and percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Kitahara Hideki , Tateishi Kazuya , Shiko Yuki , Inaba Yusuke , Kobayashi Yoshio , Inoue Takahiro
Published: July 2022

Background

Triple antithrombotic therapy, including dual antiplatelet therapy and oral anticoagulant (OAC), is recommended for a short-term period after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients requiring anticoagulation therapy. The purpose of this study was to compare in-hospital clinical outcomes between low-dose prasugrel (3.75 mg/day) and clopidogrel, as part of triple antithrombotic therapy, using a large database in Japan.

Methods

Patients with ischemic heart disease who underwent PCI between January 2015 and December 2019, and were prescribed triple therapy with aspirin, a P2Y12 inhibitor (clopidogrel or low-dose prasugrel), and OAC (direct oral anticoagulant: DOAC or vitamin K antagonist: VKA), were selected from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes were myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, bleeding stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding, and blood transfusion.

Results

Overall, 5,777 patients were eligible in this analysis. The patients were divided into 4 subgroups according to the type of P2Y12 inhibitor and OAC: clopidogrel/DOAC (n = 1,628), clopidogrel/VKA (n = 1,334), prasugrel/DOAC (n = 1,607), and prasugrel/VKA (n = 1,208). There was no significant difference in the incidence of death and gastrointestinal bleeding among the 4 subgroups. The prasugrel/DOAC group had significantly lower incidence of MI (OR 0.566, 95% CI 0.348–0.921). The incidence of ischemic stroke was significantly lower in the prasugrel/DOAC group (OR 0.701, 95% CI 0.502–0.979), and significantly higher in the clopidogrel/VKA group (OR 1.680, 95% CI 1.273–2.216). Need for blood transfusion was less frequent in the prasugrel/DOAC group (OR 0.729, 95% CI 0.598–0.890), and more frequent in both the clopidogrel/VKA group (OR 1.424, 95% CI 1.187–1.708) and the prasugrel/VKA group (OR 1.633, 95% CI 1.367–1.950).

Conclusions

Combination of low-dose prasugrel and DOAC was associated with lower incidence of MI, ischemic stroke, and blood transfusion. Low-dose prasugrel may be feasible as part of triple therapy in patients undergoing PCI.
Gender and socio-economic stratification of ultra-processed and deep-fried food consumption among rural adolescents: A cross-sectional study from Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Mohammad Redwanul , Rahman Syed Moshfiqur , Rahman Md. Monjur , Pervin Jesmin , Rahman Anisur , Ekström Eva-Charlotte
Published: July 2022

Background

Although consumption of ultra-processed and deep-fried foods among adolescents is a global health concern, little is known about its gender and socio-economic stratification in rural settings of low- and middle-income countries. We, thus, aimed to describe ultra-processed and deep-fried food consumption among rural adolescents by gender and socio-economic factors, and to explore their relative importance in shaping consumption.

Methods

This cross-sectional study drew on data from a household survey in Matlab, a rural sub-district in Bangladesh. The analytic sample comprised 2463 adolescents. We assessed consumption of four ultra-processed food groups: ready-to-eat or “instant” foods; confectionery, sweets and similar packaged products; savory snacks; sugar-sweetened beverage; and of deep-fried foods with a 24-hour, qualitative recall. Asset scores were constructed. Proportion of consumption was calculated and compared by gender and household wealth. Logistic regression models were fitted to isolate socio-demographic variables associated with consumption.

Results

Approximately 83% (81.5–84.4) adolescents consumed at least one ultra-processed or deep-fried item. Confectioneries were the most consumed (53.5%), whereas sugar-sweetened beverage was the least consumed (12%) group. Boys had greater odds of consumption than girls for all food groups. The association was strongest for sugar-sweetened beverage (adjusted odds ratio = 2.57; 95% CI: 1.97, 3.37), followed by deep-fried foods (adjusted odds ratio = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.66, 2.32) and ready-to-eat foods (adjusted odds ratio = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.45, 2.38). Belonging to the richest households was associated with ready-to-eat food consumption (adjusted odds ratio = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.16). Adolescents with higher educational attainment had lower odds of consuming sugar-sweetened beverage (adjusted odds ratio = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.98).

Conclusion

Consumption of packaged confectioneries, savory snacks, and deep-fried foods appeared common, while SSB consumption was relatively low. Role of gender was pre-eminent as consumption was more likely among boys across the food groups. This may disproportionately expose them to the risk of diet-related non-communicable diseases.
Assembly and transport of filovirus nucleocapsids
Authors: Dolnik Olga , Becker Stephan
Published: July 2022

Filovirus-infected cells are characterized by typical cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs) located in the perinuclear region. The formation of these IBs is induced mainly by the accumulation of the filoviral nucleoprotein NP, which recruits the other nucleocapsid proteins, the polymerase co-factor VP35, the polymerase L, the transcription factor VP30 and VP24 via direct or indirect protein–protein interactions. Replication of the negative-strand RNA genomes by the viral polymerase L and VP35 occurs in the IBs, resulting in the synthesis of positive-strand genomes, which are encapsidated by NP, thus forming ribonucleoprotein complexes (antigenomic RNPs). These newly formed antigenomic RNPs in turn serve as templates for the synthesis of negative-strand RNA genomes that are also encapsidated by NP (genomic RNPs). Still in the IBs, genomic RNPs mature into tightly packed transport-competent nucleocapsids (NCs) by the recruitment of the viral protein VP24. NCs are tightly coiled left-handed helices whose structure is mainly determined by the multimerization of NP at its N-terminus, and these helices form the inner layer of the NCs. The RNA genome is fixed by 2 lobes of the NP N-terminus and is thus guided by individual NP molecules along the turns of the helix. Direct interaction of the NP C-terminus with the VP35 and VP24 molecules forms the outer layer of the NCs. Once formed, NCs that are located at the border of the IBs recruit actin polymerization machinery to one of their ends to drive their transport to budding sites for their envelopment and final release. Here, we review the current knowledge on the structure, assembly, and transport of filovirus NCs.
¿Dónde están las feministas? Intervenciones científico-militantes en torno a la pandemia
Authors: Lamarca Sofía Beatriz
Published: July 2022

Este trabajo se propone un rastreo de las intervenciones científico-militantes y también artísticas del movimiento feminista en Argentina, incluyendo también dos muestras del caso español, en el contexto de la pandemia por Covid-19. En principio, y teniendo en cuenta la centralidad discursiva que lo doméstico tomó en los confinamientos, se trabajará con esa categoría conocida y analizada bastamente en las disciplinas con perspectiva de género. El lema “quédate en casa” utilizado para alentar a la población a respetar y elegir la cuarentena fue problematizado desde los movimientos emancipatorios de mujeres. El trabajo estará organizado en tres apartados que darán cuenta de dos preocupaciones centrales desde los feminismos: la sobrecarga de las mujeres y subjetividades feminizadas en las tareas del cuidado, y la peligrosidad de la consideración del espacio doméstico como único espacio seguro frente a la amenaza constante del contagio. Por otro lado, se pondrán en escena ciertos espacios de intervención, pero también de resistencia ante esas problemáticas. Interesan particularmente para este escrito las intervenciones de activistas e investigadoras por medios no académicos, es decir, en medios de comunicación no hegemónicos, blogs personales y redes sociales. El corpus está conformado por textos e intervenciones del año 2020, y un caso español de comienzos de 2021, en un intento de comprender un clima de época cargado de incertidumbre. En ese mismo sentido, se propone poner de manifiesto cómo desde el comienzo de la pandemia y las medidas sanitarias de prevención las investigadoras y comunicadoras feministas que anticiparon su preocupación y pusieron en evidencia la necesidad de una perspectiva feminista y de género para entender el nuevo acontecimiento y sus consecuencias.
The Influence of British Directors on the Fundación Siglo de Oro and its Productions of Early Modern Drama, 2007-2021
Authors: Breden Simon
Published: July 2022

The Fundación Siglo de Oro –formerly Compañía Rakatá– has been staging Spanish Golden Age and Elizabethan theatre since it was founded in 2006. Over this time, the company has developed an identity associated not only with its staging of early modern drama, but also with the influence of a series of contemporary British theatre practitioners on its rehearsal process. Perhaps one of the most noteworthy constants in its work is a fruitful series of collaborations with British stage directors, beginning in 2007 with Laurence Boswell directing El perro del hortelano (revived in 2014), in 2009 Fuenteovejuna, and in 2015 co-directing Mujeres y criados with company founder and producer Rodrigo Arribas. While, at first, we can ascribe this collaboration to the impact of the Royal Shakespeare Company Golden Age season, curated by Boswell, which visited Madrid’s emblematic Teatro Español in 2004, the company have continued to seek out British directors including Tim Hoare on Don Juan en Alcalá (2016) and Trabajos de amor perdidos (2016), and most recently Dominic Dromgoole on a new production of El perro del hortelano (2021). This latter partnership is also the culmination of a collaboration with Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre which saw the company take part in the Cultural Olympiad with Enrique VIII (2012) and become the first company to perform Lope de Vega in Spanish at the London theatre, with El castigo sin venganza (2014). There has therefore been a clear exchange of ideas between Spanish classical theatre and contemporary British theatre practice. This article proposes to explore the methodological contributions of British directors to better understand how this has altered the in-rehearsal perspectives on the Spanish Golden Age to explain the benefits of this Anglo-Hispanic collaborative approach to the company’s work. This will be supported by an interview with Rodrigo Arribas, whose constant presence as founder, producer, actor and most recently as director can help us to understand the contributions made by Boswell, Hoare and Dromgoole to the company’s rehearsal methodology.
The Early Reception of Romeo and Juliet in Spain
Authors: Ruiz-Morgan Jennifer
Published: July 2022

The tragic story of the star-crossed lovers of Verona was first presented to Spanish theatergoers during the early decades of the nineteenth century. During this period Shakespeare was largely unknown to the general public. The article examines the early reception of Shakespeare in Spain focusing on one iconic play, Romeo and Juliet, and its earliest adaptations: Dionisio Solís’s Julia y Romeo (1803) and Manuel Bernardino García Suelto’s Romeo y Julieta (1817). At a time when the Spanish public was captivated by the allure displayed by adaptations of Othello, this article argues that the adaptations of Romeo and Juliet composed by Solís and García Suelto also enjoyed popularity, as evidenced by their several revivals and the prestige of some of the actors and actresses who intervened in the productions. The article examines the historical, political and sociocultural factors that contributed to the composition and popularity of Julia y Romeo and Romeo y Julieta. Historical contextualization is combined with an analysis of the sources and main features of each adaptation. The article also offers a detailed account of the reception and performance history of both plays on the Spanish stage from 1803 to 1836. These neoclassical versions remain –up to this day– largely unknown texts, but they deserve close attention since both plays strongly contributed to the gradual dissemination of Shakespeare and his work in Spain.