bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of virtual reality on creativity performance and perceived immersion: A study of brain waves
Authors: Wang Yen‐Yin , Weng Tz‐Han , Tsai I‐Fan , Kao Jing‐Yueh , Chang Yu‐Shan
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of virtual reality (VR) application on creative performance and immersion, evaluated through electroencephalography brain wave data to achieve accurate and robust results. In this study, 72 middle school teachers were recruited as participants, and a non‐randomized control‐group pre‐test–post‐test design was employed. The experimental group received VR‐based design instruction, and the control group received lecture‐based design training. Our results revealed that VR significantly affects immersion, especially with regard to attention. Additionally, VR had a positive effect on the feasibility of the creative process, although its effects on variety and novelty were inconclusive. VR was significantly correlated with theta, beta, and gamma brain wave activity. VR also increased attention‐related and meditation‐related brain wave activity and desynchronized alpha waves.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

VR is used in many areas.

VR in education is getting more important day after day.

What this paper adds

VR significantly affects immersion, especially with regard to attention.

VR had a positive effect on the feasibility of the creative process, although its effects on variety and novelty were inconclusive.

VR was significantly correlated with theta, beta, and gamma brain wave activity.

VR also increased attention‐related and meditation‐related brain wave activity and desynchronized alpha waves.

Implications for practice and/or policy

User lack of familiarity with VR may also have influenced the results; more VR learning materials should be provided for learners.

In addition to using a larger sample, future studies should focus on creative novelty when developing VR content to improve creative processes and outcomes.

Familiarizing learners with the use of VR could effectively reduce the cognitive load, as well as contribute to the stimulation of creative brain waves.
Snowbirds and snowflakes: Mobility and aging across the Canada‐United States border
Authors: Kelly Melissa
Published: August 2022

Changes brought about by globalization such as the growth of the travel industry and increasing interconnectivity between places have opened up new lifestyle options for Canadian retirees. Commonly called “snowbirds,” thousands of Canadian retirees choose to spend their winters in warm destinations outside Canada, with most going to localities in the southern United States. Most snowbirds visit the same place every year and spend many years going back and forth between Canada and their chosen winter destination. Drawing on insights from both life‐course theory and the new mobilities paradigm, this paper considers how the cross‐border snowbird phenomenon links to wider processes related to aging. Qualitative interviews were conducted with retirees wintering in various communities in southern Florida. The findings of the study highlight the importance of understanding both aging and mobility as processes that intersect in variable ways over time to influence new geographies of aging.
Ecological livelihoods of farmers and pollinators in the Himalayas: Doing critical physical geography using citizen science
Authors: Luthra Aman , Cunningham Kiran , Fraser Ann M. , Pandey Anvita , Rana Shweta , Singh Vishal
Published: August 2022

In farming communities dependent on the cultivation of pollinator‐dependent crops, the livelihoods of farmers are inextricably linked with pollinator health. A global pollination crisis interlinked with a crisis of food production and farmer livelihoods, exacerbated by processes of socio‐environmental change, is emblematic of the Anthropocene and of the kinds of ecosocial problems with which critical physical geography (CPG) engages. We propose examining the farmer‐pollinator system in the Indian Himalayas through an ecological livelihoods approach using a range of collaborative citizen science methods including bloom observations to document pollinator visits, plant phenological observations to document year‐round floral resource availability, and farm diaries to document orchard management practices. An ecological livelihoods approach draws on posthumanist theory, which has remained largely disengaged with methodological questions that are of concern to CPG. Citizen science, although widely used across a range of disciplines, has seen limited engagement in CPG. After elaborating some of the opportunities and challenges that an engagement between CPG, posthumanist theory, and citizen science opens up, we propose a methodology that would be simultaneously epistemological (understanding interdependence between livelihoods of farmers and pollinators) and ontological (imagining and building worlds where farmer and pollinator habitats are recomposed).
Community attachment, job loss and regional labour mobility in Canada: Evidence from the Great Recession
Authors: Messacar Derek
Published: August 2022

Labour mobility is an important mechanism to equilibrate regional differences in labour market conditions. Yet, little is known about underlying differences between individuals that explain why some stay in place during times of economic hardship while others in objectively similar situations choose to leave. Using a novel dataset comprising 59,974 respondents of a national community health survey from Canada linked to their administrative tax records, this paper provides new insights into this important issue. Specifically, I investigate the extent to which individuals' objective and subjective ties to their local communities mitigate or exacerbate the decision to relocate following an exogenous job separation. To credibly identify this effect, I exploit variation in regional employment conditions over time caused by construction industry shocks during the Great Recession, based on an instrumental variables approach. The results indicate that job loss increases the likelihood of migrating within the same province by approximately 1.4 to 2.3 percentage points among men. Moreover, this effect is driven primarily by individuals with low sense of community belonging, which indicates “push and pull” between the need to relocate for work and the desire to stay near family and friends.
Silencing of OGDHL promotes liver cancer metastasis by enhancing hypoxia inducible factor 1 α protein stability
Authors: Dai Weiqi , Li Yueyue , Sun Weijie , Ji Meng , Bao Renjun , Chen Jianqing , Xu Shuqi , Dai Ying , Chen Yiming , Liu Wenjing , Ge Chao , Sun Wei , Mo Wenhui , Guo Chuanyong , Xu Xuanfu
Published: August 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant diseases associated with a high rate of mortality. Frequent intrahepatic spread, extrahepatic metastasis, and tumor invasiveness are the main factors responsible for the poor prognosis of patients with HCC. Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1) has been verified to play a critical role in the metastasis of HCC. HIFs are also known to be modulated by small molecular metabolites, thus highlighting the need to understand the complexity of their cellular regulation in tumor metastasis. In this study, lower expression levels of oxoglutarate dehydrogenase‐like (OGDHL) were strongly correlated with aggressive clinicopathologic characteristics, such as metastasis and invasion in three independent cohorts featuring a total of 281 postoperative HCC patients. The aberrant expression of OGDHL reduced cell invasiveness and migration in vitro and HCC metastasis in vivo, whereas the silencing of OGDHL promoted these processes in HCC cells. The pro‐metastatic role of OGDHL downregulation is most likely attributed to its upregulation of HIF‐1α transactivation activity and the protein stabilization by promoting the accumulation of L‐2‐HG to prevent the activity of HIF‐1α prolyl hydroxylases, which subsequently causes an epithelial–mesenchymal transition process in HCC cells. These results demonstrate that OGDHL is a dominant factor that modulates the metastasis of HCC.
Induction of potent antitumor immunity by intradermal DNA injection using a novel needle‐free pyro‐drive jet injector
Authors: Inoue Shinya , Mizoguchi Izuru , Sonoda Jukito , Sakamoto Eri , Katahira Yasuhiro , Hasegawa Hideaki , Watanabe Aruma , Furusaka Yuma , Xu Mingli , Yoneto Toshihiko , Sakaguchi Naoki , Terai Kazuhiro , Yamashita Kunihiko , Yoshimoto Takayuki
Published: August 2022

The current success of mRNA vaccines against COVID‐19 has highlighted the effectiveness of mRNA and DNA vaccinations. Recently, we demonstrated that a novel needle‐free pyro‐drive jet injector (PJI) effectively delivers plasmid DNA into the skin, resulting in protein expression higher than that achieved with a needle syringe. Here, we used ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen to investigate the potential of the PJI for vaccination against cancers. Intradermal injection of OVA‐expression plasmid DNA into mice using the PJI, but not a needle syringe, rapidly and greatly augmented OVA‐specific CD8+ T‐cell expansion in lymph node cells. Increased mRNA expression of both interferon‐γ and interleukin‐4 and an enhanced proliferative response of OVA‐specific CD8+ T cells, with fewer CD4+ T cells, were also observed. OVA‐specific in vivo killing of the target cells and OVA‐specific antibody production of both the IgG2a and IgG1 antibody subclasses were greatly augmented. Intradermal injection of OVA‐expression plasmid DNA using the PJI showed stronger prophylactic and therapeutic effects against the progression of transplantable OVA‐expressing E.G7‐OVA tumor cells. Even compared with the most frequently used adjuvants, complete Freund's adjuvant and aluminum hydroxide with OVA protein, intradermal injection of OVA‐expression plasmid DNA using the PJI showed a stronger CTL‐dependent prophylactic effect. These results suggest that the novel needle‐free PJI is a promising tool for DNA vaccination, inducing both a prophylactic and a therapeutic effect against cancers, because of prompt and strong generation of OVA‐specific CTLs and subsequently enhanced production of both the IgG2a and IgG1 antibody subclasses.
Genetic disorders of thyroid development, hormone biosynthesis and signalling
Authors: Moran Carla , Schoenmakers Nadia , Visser W. Edward , Schoenmakers Erik , Agostini Maura , Chatterjee Krishna
Published: August 2022

Development and differentiation of the thyroid gland is directed by expression of specific transcription factors in the thyroid follicular cell which mediates hormone biosynthesis. Membrane transporters are rate‐limiting for cellular entry of thyroid hormones (TH) (T4 and T3) into some tissues, with selenocysteine‐containing, deiodinase enzymes (DIO1 and DIO2) converting T4 to the biologically active hormone T3. TH regulate expression of target genes via hormone‐inducible nuclear receptors (TRα and TRβ) to exert their physiological effects. Primary congenital hypothyroidism (CH) due to thyroid dysgenesis may be mediated by defects in thyroid transcription factors or impaired thyroid stimulating hormone receptor function. Dyshormonogenic CH is usually due to mutations in genes mediating thyroidal iodide transport, organification or iodotyrosine synthesis and recycling. Disorders of TH signalling encompass conditions due to defects in membrane TH transporters, impaired hormone metabolism due to deficiency of deiodinases and syndromes of Resistance to thyroid hormone due to pathogenic variants in either TRα or TRβ. Here, we review the genetic basis, pathogenesis and clinical features of congenital, dysgenetic or dyshormonogenic hypothyroidism and disorders of TH transport, metabolism and action.
Diagnosis and therapy of Mycobacterium marinum: a single‐center 21‐year retrospective analysis
Authors: Strobel Katharina , Sickenberger Christina , Schoen Christoph , Kneitz Hermann , Kolb‐Mäurer Annette , Goebeler Matthias
Published: August 2022

Background and Objectives

In Europe, infections with Mycobacterium (M.) marinum are rare. We conducted a retrospective single‐center study to assess the clinical spectrum of M. marinum infection and its diagnosis, treatment and outcome under real‐world conditions.

Patients and Methods

Eighteen patients presenting with M. marinum infections between 1998 and 2018 were identified in the data warehouse of the University Hospital Würzburg and considered for detailed analysis.

Results

Twelve patients reported aquatic exposure. In 16/18 cases the upper extremities were affected. No invasive infections were detected. Mean time to diagnosis was 15 weeks. Histology revealed granulomatous inflammation in 14 patients while mycobacterial cultures were positive for M. marinum in 16 cases. Most patients received antibiotic monotherapy (14/18) while combination therapy was administered in four cases. Treatment (with a median duration of 10 weeks) was successful in 13 patients. Five patients were lost to follow‐up.

Conclusions

Our retrospective analysis of M. marinum infections at a German tertiary referral center revealed a considerable diagnostic delay and the relevance of microbiological culture, PCR and histology for diagnosis. Monotherapy with clarithromycin (rather than doxycycline) appeared as a reasonable treatment option while immunosuppressed or ‐compromised patients and those with extended disease received combination therapy.
Efficacy and safety of ultra‐rapid lispro versus lispro in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: The PRONTO‐Peds trial
Authors: Wadwa R. Paul , Laffel Lori M. , Franco Denise R. , Dellva Mary Anne , Knights Alastair W. , Pollom Robyn K.
Published: August 2022

Aims

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultra‐rapid lispro (URLi) versus lispro in a paediatric population with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in a Phase 3, treat‐to‐target study.

Materials and Methods

After a 4‐week lead‐in to optimize basal insulin, participants were randomized to double‐blind URLi (n = 280) or lispro (n = 298) injected 0 to 2 minutes prior to meals (mealtime), or open‐label URLi (n = 138) injected up to 20 minutes after start of meals (postmeal). Participants remained on pre‐study basal insulin (degludec, detemir or glargine). The primary endpoint was glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) change from baseline after 26 weeks (noninferiority margin 4.4 mmol/mol [0.4%]).

Results

Both mealtime and postmeal URLi demonstrated noninferiority to lispro for HbA1c: estimated treatment difference (ETD) for mealtime URLi −0.23 mmol/mol (95% confidence interval [CI] −1.84, 1.39) and postmeal URLi −0.17 mmol/mol (95% CI −2.15, 1.81). Mealtime URLi reduced 1‐hour postprandial glucose (PPG) daily mean (P = 0.001) and premeal to 1 hour postmeal PPG excursion daily mean (P < 0.001) versus lispro. The rate and incidence of severe, nocturnal or documented hypoglycaemia (<3.0 mmol/L [54 mg/dL]) were similar for all treatments. With mealtime URLi versus lispro, the rate of postdose hypoglycaemia (<3.0 mmol/L) was higher at ≤2 hours (P = 0.034). The incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events was similar for all treatments. More participants reported an injection site reaction with mealtime URLi (7.9%) versus postmeal URLi (2.9%) and lispro (2.7%).

Conclusions

In children and adolescents with T1D, URLi demonstrated good glycaemic control, and noninferiority to lispro in HbA1c change for mealtime and postmeal URLi. When dosed at the beginning of meals, URLi reduced 1‐hour PPG and PPG excursions versus lispro.
Adalimumab therapy is associated with increased faecal short chain fatty acids in hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Tatian Artiene , Bordbar Sara , Sarkissian Samuel Der , Woods Jane A. , Cains Geoffrey D. , Chong Chun Wie , Mariño Eliana , Frew John W.
Published: August 2022

Altered gut microbiota composition has been observed in individuals with hidradenitis suppurutiva (HS) and many other inflammatory diseases, including obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Here, we addressed whether adalimumab, a systemic anti‐inflammatory therapy, may impact the microbiota biochemical profile, particularly on beneficial metabolites such as short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs). We conducted an observational single‐arm pilot trial to assess gut microbiota composition by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and to detect metabolite signatures by gas chromatography in stool samples from participants with HS prior to and 12 weeks after commencing adalimumab therapy. HS individuals that better responded to adalimumab treatment showed a shift in the composition and function of the gut microbiota with significantly increased SCFA acetate and propionate compared to age, gender and BMI‐matched healthy controls. A positive correlation was observed between propionate with Prevotella sp and Faecalibacterium prausnitsii. Increased SCFAs, changes in gut microbiota composition, function and metabolic profile following 12 weeks of adalimumab suggest that targeting SCFAs may be considered a potential biomarker to be evaluated as a complementary protective factor or as a diagnostically relevant signal in HS.
Artificial neural network and symmetric key cryptography based verification protocol for 5G enabled Internet of Things
Authors: Nyangaresi Vincent Omollo , Ahmad Musheer , Alkhayyat Ahmed , Feng Wei
Published: August 2022

Driven by the requirements for entirely low communication latencies, high bandwidths, reliability and capacities, the Fifth Generation (5G) networks has been deployed in a number of countries. One of the most prevalent application scenarios of 5G networks is the Internet of Things (IoT) that can potentially boost convenience and energy savings. However, the information exchanged over the open wireless 5G networks is susceptible to numerous attacks such as malicious modifications. Although many protocols have been developed to protect against these attacks, the provision of optimum security and privacy issues in 5G networks is still an open challenge. This is attributed to the high device density, frequent handovers and resource constrained nature the 5G IoT nodes. In this article, a network selection and authentication protocol that securely verifies the authenticity of all the communicating entities is presented. The network selection is accomplished using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for increased efficiency. In addition, all the security tokens are independently derived at the end devices without the involvement of any central authority. Formal security analysis based on the Burrows–Abadi–Needham (BAN) logic shows that all the terminals securely authenticate each other before the onset of packet exchanges. In addition, it is shown that this protocol thwarts majority of the conventional 5G attack vectors and is robust under the Dolev–Yao (DY) threat model. Moreover, a comparison with other related schemes shows that the proposed protocol offers many adorable security features at relatively low communication and computation costs. The simulation results show that the deployed ANN yields low packet loss ratio and latency variations.
God and God’s beloved: A constructive re‐reading of Scotus’s supralapsarian Christological argument
Authors: van Driel Edwin Chr
Published: August 2022

In this essay I argue that John Duns Scotus offers two arguments to support his well‐known supralapsarian Christological position: a formal argument based on the ordering within God’s will, and a material argument based on the ordering of God’s love. While the latter is constructively more fruitful, its most natural reading, according to which God becomes incarnate so as to be loved not just by Godself but also by another, is also inconsistent with Scotus’s own account of the metaphysics of the incarnation. An alternative reading, according to which God hypostatically unites with the human soul of Christ because God falls in love with it, is equally untenable. I offer therefore an alternative reading that, while not consistent with the letter of Scotus’s argument, I believe nonetheless to be consistent with its spirit. On this reading, the love expressed in the incarnation is directed at creation. In deciding to become incarnate, God decides to give Godself to that what is not God; the embodiment of this decision is Christ. The incarnation is not an expression of divine self‐love, or love for one particular soul, but an expression of love for others.
Thermal processes improving antibrowning potential of mixed Aloe vera and pineapple core extract solution on browning inhibition of fresh‐cut apples
Authors: Takeungwongtrakul Sirima , Sai‐Ut Samart , Waraput Thidarat , Supapvanich Suriyan
Published: August 2022

Aloe vera and pineapple fruit extract have been applied as natural antibrowning agent for fresh‐cut products. The effect of different thermal treatment processes (high‐temperature–short‐time pasteurisation at 80 ± 1 °C for 15 s and sterilisation at 121 ± 1 °C for 20 min) of mixed A. vera and pineapple core extract solution at a ratio of 1:1 (v/v) (AP) on enzymatic browning control of fresh‐cut ‘Gala’ apples was investigated. Both thermal processes increased the antioxidant activities of AP solution compared to unheated AP solution. Coating of both thermal processed AP solutions alleviated the increased browning incidence of the fresh‐cut apples during storage. Compared to sterilised AP coating, the pasteurised AP coating maintained visual appearance, whiteness index (WI) and L* values as well as inhibited browning incidence due to the prevention of increased a*, b*, ΔE* and browning index (BI) values of fresh‐cut apples during storage. The fresh‐cut apples coated with pasteurised AP had lower total phenolic compounds and polyphenol oxidase activity compared to the samples coated with sterilised AP. These suggested that the suitable thermal process was helpful to enhance antibrowning ability of AP coating agents to control enzymatic browning reaction of fresh‐cut fruits.
Chitosan and gelatine biopolymer‐based active/biodegradable packaging for the preservation of fish and fishery products
Authors: Rathod Nikheel Bhojraj , Bangar Sneh Punia , Šimat Vida , Ozogul Fatih
Published: August 2022

Fish and fishery products (FFP) are considered nutraceutical foods that are believed to improve human health. FFP are highly prone to deterioration due to microorganisms, oxidation and enzymatic spoilage. Hence, packaging FFP in appropriate material has a pivotal role in shelf‐life extension. Considering the non‐degradable nature and toxicity issues associated with synthetic material, alternatives originating from natural sources have become popular. Chitosan and gelatine are known to exhibit a wide range of bioactivity making them suitable for individual and combined applications for preservation. Chitosan and gelatine films are used for the inclusion of other materials (antimicrobial and antioxidant) to form active packaging with improved properties. The active film formed using chitosan and gelatine exhibits inactivation of microorganisms and inhibits oxidation activity. This review describes the recent knowledge on the development and characterisation of active packaging material by using chitosan and gelatine as well as the application of chitosan and gelatine‐based active films for the preservation of FFP to extend the shelf‐life.
Utilisation of Kinnow peel as a functional ingredient in bread: Physicochemical, functional, textural and sensory attributes
Authors: Kaur Simranjeet , Sachdev Poonam Aggarwal , Singh Arashdeep , Surasani Vijay Kumar Reddy
Published: August 2022

Kinnow peel, a major by‐product (30%–34%) of Kinnow processing, is a rich source of dietary phytochemicals, and possesses biochemical and pharmacological properties with positive health benefits. The present study used kinnow peel powder (KPP) at 0%, 1%, 2% & 3% (on flour basis) as a functional ingredient and observed its effect on functional, baking, textural, antioxidant and sensory properties of bread. KPP significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the final viscosity of blends, while increased the bake absorption (60.10%–67.01%) and reduced the bake loss (14.30–11.16 g) of bread. Higher moisture binding and fibre content of KPP also hinders the leavening capacity of the bread as a result of which loaf‐specific volume decreased progressively, while increasing the bread crumb hardness (5.41–9.39 N). The presence of bioactive compounds in KPP increased the total phenolic (16.93–45.21 mg GAE 100 g−1), flavoniods (4.71–42.53 mg QE 100 g−1), carotenoid content (2.90–6.71 mg 100 g−1) of bread and enhance its antioxidant activities. Bread crumb with KPP exhibits increased lightness and yellowness value. Bread with 2% KPP presented better sensory properties that can be used to prepare acceptable bread. Principal component analysis also revealed bread with 2% KPP with better functional attributes.
High‐pressure homogenisation—Lactobacillus induced changes in the properties and structure of soymilk protein gels
Authors: Sun Bingyu , Li Zhimin , Huang Yuyang , Liu Linlin , Gu XueLian , Gao Yuan , Zhu Xiuqing , Zhu Ying , Xia Xiaoyu
Published: August 2022

In this study, we investigated the effects of high‐pressure homogenisation (HPH) combined withLactobacillus(LAC) induction (43 °C and 8 h) on the gel properties and structure of soymilk protein under different pressures (0,100,110,120,130 and 140 MPa). HPH significantly improved the fermentation rate and gel characteristics of the soymilk. The soybean protein treated at 120 MPa had the best gel characteristics, with shorter gel formation time, higher water‐holding capacity and stronger hardness and viscosity. Particle size and protein structure analyses confirmed that the particle size of soy protein was smaller and the protein was more folded at a homogenising pressure of 120 MPa. HPH accelerated the unfolding of protein structure and exposure of hydrophobic groups, facilitating the interaction between LAC and proteins, thereby accelerating the formation of macromolecular aggregates in gels and improving the gelation properties of soy protein. This work established the application prospect of HPH in dairy processing and soybean‐based fermentation product development.
Changes in unprofessional behaviour, teamwork and co‐operation among hospital staff during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Westbrook Johanna I. , McMullan Ryan , Urwin Rachel , Churruca Kate , Metri Joelle , Loh Erwin , Li Ling
Published: August 2022

A survey administered to staff at five hospitals investigated changes in unprofessional behaviour, teamwork and co‐operation during the COVID‐19 pandemic. From 1583 responses, 76.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 74.0–78.2%) reported no change or a decrease in unprofessional behaviours. Across all professional groups, 43.6% (n = 579, 95% CI: 41.0–46.3%) reported improvements in teamwork and co‐operation. Findings suggest that intensifying work demands, such as those resulting from the pandemic, are not a major trigger for unprofessional behaviour, and root causes lie elsewhere.
Prevalence and determinants of lower extremity amputations among type I and type II diabetic patients: A multicenter‐based study
Authors: Tuglo Lawrence Sena
Published: August 2022

The incidence of diabetes‐related lower‐extremity complications is increasing globally, yet the condition in developing countries, particularly those in sub‐Saharan Africa, is unclear. This study determined the prevalence and determinants of lower extremity amputations among type I and type II diabetic patients at health facilities in the Volta Region, Ghana. This was a multicenter‐based study involving 473 diabetic patients. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, medical, biochemical, and anthropometric data were obtained systematically with a pretested structured questionnaire. The prevalence rate of lower extremity amputations (LEAs) was 1.9%. LEAs were linked to the male gender (unadjusted odds ratio [UOR] = 5.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.44‐23.82; P = 0.013), smokers (UOR = 10.12; 95% CI = 2.63‐38.91; P = .001), type I diabetic patients (UOR = 4.74; 95% CI = 1.24‐18.10; P = .023), family history of diabetes mellitus (UOR = 9.18; 95% CI = 2.25‐37.46; P = .002), diabetic foot ulcers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 8.62; 95% CI = 1.58‐47.62; P = .013) and obesity (AOR = 6.20; 95% CI = 1.00‐38.04; P = .049). This study showed a relatively low prevalence rate compared to previous studies within Ghana. However, it is a major concern in public health that needs to be addressed since diabetes‐related LEAs are connected to global major morbidity and mortality.
Comparison of the risk of infection of human rotavirus and astrovirus according to fishing and swimming activities at Las Cañas beach, Uruguay
Authors: Viviana Bortagaray , Pablo Gamazo , Sebastián Castro , Marcos Grilli , Rodney Colina , Matias Victoria
Published: August 2022

Aims

To estimate the risk of human rotavirus (RV) and astrovirus (HAstV) infections for swimmers and fishers at Las Cañas beach, Uruguay.

Methods and Results

Surface water samples were collected monthly for 1 year. The dose–response models used were β-Poisson and 1F1 hypergeometric for RV and HAstV, respectively. The probabilities of infection were calculated using a kernel density estimate to fitting the data and then sampling from this distribution (Monte Carlo simulation). The probability of RV infection for fishers was between 0 and 65% and for swimmers was between 0 and 50% (<18 years old) and between 0 and 38% (>18 years old). For HAstV, the probability of infection for fishers was between 0% and 45% and for swimmers was between 0 and 38% (<18 years old) and between 0 and 18% (>18 years old).

Conclusions

This study suggests that fishers are at higher risk of infection for both viruses compared with swimmers mainly due to higher viral frequency and concentration at the site for fishing activities.
Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of thiazolidine-2,4-dione and 4-thioxo-thiazolidin-2-one derivatives against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates
Authors: Sena Kêsia X. F. R. , Mendes Raudiney F. V. , Bôtelho Evillyn X. , Araújo-Melo Rosilma O. , Silva Camila J. A. , Costa Júnior Henrique N. P. , Amorim-Carmo Bruno , Damasceno Igor Z. , Fernandes-Pedrosa Matheus F. , Aguiar Jaciana S. , Silva Teresinha G. , Lima Gláucia M. S. , Albuquerque Julianna F. C. , Ximenes Rafael M.
Published: August 2022

Aims

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the highest priorities in global public health with Staphylococcus aureus among the most important microorganisms due to its rapidly evolving antimicrobial resistance. Despite all the efforts of antimicrobial stewardship, research and development of new antimicrobials are still imperative. The thiazolidine ring is considered a privileged structure for the development of new antimicrobials. This study aimed to compare the antibacterial effects of two analogue series of thiazolidine-2,4-dione and 4-thioxo-thiazolidin-2-one against multidrug-resistant Staph. aureus clinical isolates.

Methods and Results

The derivatives 1a, 2a and 2b exhibited MIC between 1–32 μg ml−1, with time-to-kill curves showing a bactericidal effect up to 24 h. In the antibiofilm assay, the most active derivatives were able to inhibit about 90% of biofilm formation. The 4-thioxo-thiazolidine-2-one derivatives were more active against planktonic cells, while the thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives were able to disrupt about 50% of the preformed biofilm. In the in vivo infection model using Caenorhabditis elegans as a host, the derivatives 1a, 2a and 2b increased nematode survival with a concentration-dependent effect. Exposure of Staph. aureus to the derivatives 2a and 2b induced surface changes and decrease cell size. None of the derivatives was cytotoxic for human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) but showed moderate cytotoxicity for L929 fibroblasts.

Conclusion

The 5-(3,4-dichlorobenzylidene)-4-thioxothiazolidin-2-one (2b) was the most active derivative against Staph. aureus and showed higher selective indices.

Significance and Impact of the Study

4-thioxo-thiazolidin-2-one is a promising scaffold for the research and development of new antimicrobial drugs against multidrug-resistant Staph. aureus.
Altered molecular attributes and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor strains isolated from the cholera endemic regions of India
Authors: Shaw Sreeja , Samanta Prosenjit , Chowdhury Goutam , Ghosh Debjani , Dey Tanmoy Kumar , Deb Alok Kumar , Ramamurthy Thandavarayan , Miyoshi Shin-ichi , Ghosh Amit , Dutta Shanta , Mukhopadhyay Asish Kumar
Published: August 2022

Aims

The present study aimed to document the comparative analysis of differential hypervirulent features of Vibrio cholerae O1 strains isolated during 2018 from cholera endemic regions in Gujarat and Maharashtra (Western India) and West Bengal (Eastern India).

Methods and Results

A total of 87 V. cholerae O1 clinical strains from Western India and 48 from Eastern India were analysed for a number of biotypic and genotypic features followed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile. A novel polymerase chain reaction was designed to detect a large fragment deletion in the Vibrio seventh pandemic island II (VSP-II) genomic region, which is a significant genetic feature of the V. cholerae strains that have caused Yemen cholera outbreak. All the strains from Western India belong to the Ogawa serotype, polymyxin B-sensitive, hemolytic, had a deletion in VSP-II (VSP-IIC) region and carried Haitian genetic alleles of ctxB, tcpA and rtxA. Conversely, 14.6% (7/48) of the strains from Eastern India belonged to the Inaba serotype, polymyxin B-resistant, nonhemolytic, harboured VSP-II other than VSP-IIC type, classical ctxB, Haitian tcpA and El Tor rtxA alleles. Resistance to tetracycline and chloramphenicol has been observed in strains from both regions.

Conclusions

This study showed hypervirulent, polymyxin B-sensitive epidemic causing strains in India along with the strains with polymyxin B-resistant and nonhemolytic traits that may spread and cause serious disease outcomes in future.

Significance and impact of the study

The outcomes of this study can help to improve the understanding of the hyperpathogenic property of recently circulating pandemic Vibrio cholerae strains in India. Special attention is also needed for the monitoring of AMR surveillance because V. cholerae strains are losing susceptibility to many antibiotics used as a second line of defence in the treatment of cholera.
Efficacy and safety of COVID‐19 vaccines: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Toubasi Ahmad A. , Al‐Sayegh Thuraya N. , Obaid Yazan Y. , Al‐Harasis Sarah M. , AlRyalat Saif Aldeen S.
Published: August 2022

Objective

Several vaccines showed a good safety profile and significant efficacy against COVID‐19. Moreover, in the absence of direct head to head comparison between COVID‐19 vaccines, a network meta‐analysis that indirectly compares between them is needed.

Methods

Databases PubMed, CENTRAL, medRxiv, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched. Studies were included if they were placebo‐controlled clinical trials and reported the safety profile and/or effectiveness of COVID‐19 vaccines. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool for randomized trials and the Revised Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool for nonrandomized trials.

Results

Forty‐nine clinical trials that included 421,173 participants and assessed 28 vaccines were included in this network meta‐analysis. The network meta‐analysis showed that Pfizer is the most effective in preventing COVID‐19 infection whereas the Sputnik Vaccine was the most effective in preventing severe COVID‐19 infection. In terms of the local and systemic side, the Sinopharm and V‐01 vaccines were the safest.

Conclusion

We found that almost all of the vaccines included in this study crossed the threshold of 50% efficacy. However, some of them did not reach the previously mentioned threshold against the B.1.351 variant while the remainder have not yet investigated vaccine efficacy against this variant. Since each vaccine has its own strong and weak points, we strongly advocate continued vaccination efforts in individualized manner that recommend the best vaccine for each group in the community which is abundantly required to save lives and to avert the emergence of future variants.
Molecular prevalence and zoonotic potential of trichomonads from oral cavities in household dogs
Authors: Ito Noriyuki , Itoh Naoyuki , Nakanishi Rikako , Kameshima Satoshi , Kimura Yuya
Published: August 2022

This study investigated the molecular prevalence of oral trichomonads in household dogs. Of the 144 dogs, 21 (14.6%, 21/144) tested positive for oral trichomonads. The prevalence was significantly higher in dogs with severe gingivitis (gingival index 3: 30.0%, 8/26) than that in normal dogs (gingival index 0: 2.7%, 1/37). Therefore, an interaction between oral trichomonads and the development of periodontal disease is suggested. Of the 21 positive samples, 16 isolates were T. brixi, four isolates were T. tenax, and one was Tetratrichomonas sp. Considering T. tenax is recognized as a zoonotic agent, transmission between dogs and humans cannot be neglected.
Student Life on the Autism Spectrum: Exploring the Role of Student Housing in Experiences of Three Students
Authors: Tackx Elise , Nguyen Phuong , Leuven KU , Heylighen Ann , Leuven KU
Published: August 2022

People on the autism spectrum may experience difficulties with social interactions. When living in student housing—be it purpose–built student accommodations or a house with multiple occupants—students with autism share most spaces with their housemates. This could lead to social situations in which they feel uncomfortable. In the study reported here, we explored the role of student housing in experiences of three students on the autism spectrum (and their housemates/proxies). Using participative methods including photovoice, walk–along interviews, and co–analysis (taking initial findings back to participants), we identified four concepts that offer in–depth insight into the participants' experiences: independence, (not) feeling at home, finding rest and avoiding stress, and shared versus individual space. Zooming in on the latter, we identified spatial aspects that may contribute to making student life on the autism spectrum and beyond more comfortable, which can inform future work on designing student housing.
Prevalence and 24‐month recovery of olfactory dysfunction in COVID‐19 patients: A multicentre prospective study
Authors: Lechien Jerome R. , Vaira Luigi A. , Saussez Sven
Published: August 2022

Objective

To investigate the prevalence and recovery of olfactory dysfunction (OD) in COVID‐19 patients 24 months after the infection.

Methods

From 22 March 2020 to 5 June 2022, 251 COVID‐19 patients were followed in three European medical centres. Olfactory function was assessed with subjective patient‐reported outcome questionnaires and odour identification tests at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months postinfection. The predictive values of epidemiological and clinical data were investigated with multivariate analysis.

Results

One hundred and seventy‐one patients completed the evaluations. The odour identification test revealed that 123 patients (50.8%) had OD at baseline. The prevalence of persistent psychophysical abnormalities at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months post‐COVID‐19 was 24.2%, 17.9%, 5.8% and 2.9%, respectively (p = 0.001). Parosmia occurred in 40 patients (23.4%) and lasted 60 ± 119 days. At 2 years, 51 patients (29.8%) self reported that their olfaction was unnormalised. Older patients had better odour identification evaluations at baseline (p < 0.001) but those with OD reported lower odour identification test scores at the end of the follow‐up. Parosmia occurred more frequently in young patients. The olfactory training was significantly associated with higher values of Sniffin’ Sticks tests at 18 months postinfection (rs = 0.678; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Two years post‐COVID‐19, 29.8% of patients reported persistent OD, but only 2.9% had abnormal identification psychophysical evaluations.
Parallel Process of Posttraumatic Stress and Externalizing Problems Among Youth at High Risk for Victimization
Authors: Mendez Lucybel , Morelli Nick , Cromer Kelly D. , Villodas Miguel
Published: August 2022

Research shows comorbidity between posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and externalizing problems among polyvictimized youth. However, the impact of polyvictimization on the longitudinal co‐development of PTSS and distinct forms of externalizing problems remains unclear. Growth trajectory modeling was used to address this gap. At ages 8, 12, and 16, polyvictimization was measured using youth, caregiver, and official records; whereas youth self‐reported PTSS and caregivers reported aggression and delinquency. Results demonstrate that changes in PTSS and each externalizing domain were independent. Further, polyvictimization and PTSS/aggression were only associated at concurrent time points. In contrast, polyvictimization and delinquency were generally associated at concurrent and distal time points, suggesting that polyvictimization may have a more enduring impact on youths' delinquent behaviors than other symptoms.
Spondylodiscitis in children
Authors: Al Yazidi Laila S , Hameed Hina , Kesson Alison , Isaacs David
Published: August 2022

Paediatric spondylodiscitis (SD) (discitis) is a rare bacterial infection involving the inter‐vertebral disc space and adjacent vertebrae. The non‐specific manifestations of SD can lead to delayed diagnosis, which may ultimately result in spinal deformities and even devastating neurological complications. The main purpose of this review is to discuss the epidemiology, clinical, laboratory and radiological features, management and outcome of paediatric SD to help paediatricians recognise and treat this important condition.
Response to sequential treatment with prednisolone and vigabatrin in infantile spasms
Authors: Dzau Winston , Cheng Sally , Snell Penny , Fahey Michael , Scheffer Ingrid E , Harvey A Simon , Howell Katherine B
Published: August 2022

Aim

To report response to first treatment in infants with infantile spasms (IS), including incremental benefit of prednisolone 60 mg/day and vigabatrin following prednisolone 40 mg/day failure in infants commenced on the United Kingdom Infantile Spasms Study (UKISS) treatment sequence.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, we compared effectiveness of prednisolone, vigabatrin and nonstandard treatments as first treatment for IS. In infants who commenced the UKISS treatment sequence, we evaluated response to each step. Primary outcome was spasm cessation after 42 days. Secondary outcomes were severe side effects and spasm relapse after 42 days.

Results

Treatment response data were available for 151 infants. First treatment was prednisolone in 99 infants, vigabatrin in 18 and nonstandard treatment in 34. The rate of spasm cessation with first treatment was significantly higher with prednisolone (62/99, 63%) than vigabatrin (5/18, 28%, P = 0.01) or nonstandard treatment (2/34, 5.9%, P < 0.01). Of 112 infants who commenced the UKISS treatment sequence, 71/112 (63%) responded to prednisolone 40 mg/day. Among non‐responders, 12/29 (41%) subsequently responded to prednisolone 60 mg/day, and 10/22 (45%) to vigabatrin. Severe side effects and spasm relapse were not significantly different between each treatment.

Conclusion

We confirm higher rates of spasm cessation with initial treatment with prednisolone than vigabatrin and nonstandard therapy. Non‐use of prednisolone as first treatment in over one third of infants highlights a concerning treatment gap. The UKISS treatment sequence has high overall treatment response (total 93/112; 83%), with similar benefit of subsequent prednisolone 60 mg/day and vigabatrin in prednisolone 40 mg/day non‐responders.
Narcissistic CEOs' dilemma: The trade‐off between exploration and exploitation and the moderating role of performance feedback
Authors: Steinberg Philip J. , Asad Sarosh , Lijzenga George
Published: August 2022

Prior research has established a positive link between chief executive officer (CEO) narcissism and firm innovation. Notably, research shows that CEO narcissism is positively related to more radical innovation and breakthrough technologies, that is, manifestations of a firm's exploration orientation, and positively related to more incremental innovation, that is, manifestations of firms' exploitation orientations. However, it primarily examines these orientations in isolation or neglects their interplay and thereby ignores insights from organizational learning theorists that firms and managers face decisive trade‐offs between fundamentally distinct exploration and exploitation orientations. This overlooks the possibility that narcissistic CEOs may emphasize exploration over exploitation, and vice versa, to gain visibility, affecting the balance between those orientations. Consequently, we might draw incorrect conclusions about how CEO narcissism affects firms' innovation. Drawing on theoretical mechanisms from the narcissistic personality literature, we develop and test a competing logic that connects CEO narcissism with firms' relative exploration orientation, that is, firms' exploration relative to the exploitation orientation. In addition, we theorize on and investigate the moderating effects of accounting‐ and market‐based performance feedback that may alter narcissistic CEOs' attention to exploration or exploitation and, hence, affect the relationship with firms' relative exploration orientation. We test our hypotheses using panel data from 120 firms in the Standard and Poor's 100 index between 2008 and 2018, covering the personality profiles of 224 CEOs. Our findings indicate that CEO narcissism is negatively associated with firms' relative exploration orientation, that is, narcissistic CEOs emphasize an exploitation orientation. Furthermore, this relationship is pronounced with firms' increasing relative accounting‐based performance and attenuated with firms' increasing relative market‐based performance. We draw theoretical and managerial implications from these insights.
Pharmacokinetics of cefquinome in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after intravascular, intraperitoneal, and oral administrations
Authors: Durna Corum Duygu , Corum Orhan , Terzi Ertugrul , Coskun Devran , Bilen Soner , Cetin Gul , Uney Kamil
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to determine the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of cefquinome in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following intravascular (IV), intraperitoneal (IP), and oral (PO) administrations at 14 ± 1°C. In this study, three hundred and six clinically healthy rainbow trout (110–140 g) were used. The fish received single IV, IP, and PO injections of cefquinome at 10 mg/kg dose. The plasma concentrations of cefquinome were measured using HPLC‐UV and were evaluated using non‐compartmental analysis. Cefquinome was measured up to 96 h for PO route and 144 h for IV and IP routes in plasma. Following IV administration, t1/2ʎz, ClT, and Vdss were 18.85 h, 0.037 L/h/kg, and 0.84 L/kg, respectively. The Cmax of IP and PO routes was 9.75 and 1.64 μg/ml, respectively. The bioavailability following IP and PO administrations was 59.46% and 12.33%, respectively. Cefquinome at 10 mg/kg dose may maintain T > MIC above 40% at 72 and 96 h intervals, respectively, following the IP and IV routes for bacteria with MIC values of ≤2 μg/ml and at 24 h intervals following the PO route for bacteria with MIC value of ≤0.75 μg/ml. However, further studies are needed to determine in vitro and in vivo antibacterial efficacy and multiple dosage regimens of cefquinome against pathogens isolated from rainbow trout.