bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of a missed bronchial foreign body in an 8-year-old girl: a rare case report
Authors: Ashkan Moslehi Mohammad , Mohamadian Alireza
Published: February 2021

Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration (TB-FBA) with subsequent airway obstruction typically occurs in children younger than 4 years. TB-FBA results in significant morbidity and mortality in children requiring urgent recognition and prompt management. Some cases remain more indolent and cause unusual respiratory insults ranging from chronic respiratory symptoms such as persistent cough, wheezing, and recurrent pneumonia to life-threatening airway obstruction. This case report presents a rare case of TB-FBA in an 8-year-old girl with a prolonged history of cough and dyspnea for 15 months despite many medical treatments and a rigid bronchoscopy examination performed by a board-certified pediatric surgeon. The patient was referred to Namazi Hospital's Pediatric Interventional Pulmonology Division where fiberoptic bronchoscopic exploration was conducted to remove a foreign body (a 6-cm wheat cluster) from the right lower lobe bronchus. This case report demonstrates the importance of clinical history in the diagnosis of aspirated foreign bodies despite unusual age and normal radiological findings.
Human Fear of COVID-19: Social Protection Over Self Interest
Authors: Eissa Noura Abdel Maksoud
Published: February 2021

The aim of this article is to communicate a view of how fear as a human emotion transforms individual behavior, shapes state interests and changes country perceptions of self-interest, somehow colliding with their interests in the context of international relations and globalization. The article is a thought piece, supported by various theories embedded in the discussion of the COVID-19 pandemic events. Findings convey that overcoming fear and offering empathy in means of social protection, is the new self-interest that most countries followed in a domino pattern. The paper also provides meaningful insights for facing future crises within the very fast global pandemic events and within the context of available information. It has been written during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current lock down with academic originality on such a fresh topic. It is of value added because it brings in human emotions such as fear of uncertainty in pandemics and uses a macro-interdisciplinary approach to understand how they shape the behavior, perception, and actions of countries.
Comparison of State and Private Elementary School Students’ Motivational Attitudes Towards the English Course-Adana Province Example in Turkey
Authors: İDİKUT Serap , KUTLU Mahmut Oğuz , AKMAN Pınar
Published: February 2021

The role of motivation in foreign language teaching has been a debated issue for long years. One of the problematic issues is the motivation problem encountered in foreign language courses. Because, the most important factor affecting academic success is motivation. Most researchers argued that as the motivation level increases, the level of foreign language learning will increase and students will learn foreign languages more easily. In this research, motivation attitudes of state and private elementary school students in foreign language courses in Turkey were examined. At the same time, the relationship between foreign language and motivation attitude of state and private elementary school students was tried to be determined. The sample of the research is 747 students in 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades selected by random sampling from a Private Elementary School and a State Elementary School in Adana Province, Turkey, in 2018-2019 academic year. In the research, the participants were applied the Academic Motivation Scale-AMS and there was a significant effect on the motivation of different school type (state and private), gender, school and primary school was not examined. The difference between motivation levels of the students in state and private schools was tried to be determined. In the study, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficiency and Independent Sample t-test Analysis were performed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences—SPSS 22 Programme. According to the results, it was found that the motivation level differed according to the gender and school type.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mulching for Reducing Soil Erosion in Cut Slope and Fill Slope of Forest Roads in Hyrcanian Forests
Authors: Solgi Ahmad , Naghdi Ramin , Zenner Eric K. , Hemmati Vahid , Behjou Frashad Keivan , Masumian Ali
Published: February 2021

Forest operations often enhance runoff and soil loss in roads and skid trails, where cut slopes and fill slopes are the most important source of sediment. This study evaluated the effectiveness of four erosion control treatments applied to cut slope and fill slope segments of forest roads of different ages in the Hyrcanian forest in northern Iran. The treatment combinations, each replicated three times, included four classes of mulch cover (bare soil [BS], wood chips cover [WCH], sawdust cover [SC], and rice straw cover [RSC]), two levels of side slope (cut slope and fill slope), two levels of side slope gradient (20–25% and 40–45%), and three levels of road age (three, 10 and 20 years after construction). Mulch cover treatments significantly reduced average surface runoff volume and sediment yield compared to BS. Regardless of erosion control treatment, greater surface runoff volume and soil loss under natural rainfall occurred on steeper slope gradients in all road age classes and decreased with increasing road age on both slope gradients. On cut slopes, average runoff and soil loss from the plots covered with WCH (17.63 l per plot, 2.43 g m–2) was lower than from those covered with SC (22.81 l per plot, 3.50 g m–2), which was lower than from those covered with RSC (29.13 l per plot, 4.41 g m–2 and BS (34.61 l per plot, 4.94 g m–2). On fill slopes, average runoff and soil loss from the plots covered with WCH (14.13 l per plot, 1.99 g m–2) was lower than from plots covered with SC (20.01 l per plot, 3.23 g m–2), which was lower than from plots covered with RSC (24.52 l per plot, 4.06 g m–2) and BS (29.03 l per plot, 4.47 g m–2). Surface cover successfully controlled erosion losses following road construction, particularly on steep side slopes with high erosion potential.
Diagnostic challenges in paediatric foreign body aspiration: a case report
Authors: Morais Inês , Sousa Inês , Terra Carolina , Martins Ana , Pereira Tiago , Costa Vânia
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a potentially fatal paediatric emergency. Our objective was to highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to difficult/doubtful diagnosis.
Case Report: 34-month-old girl referred for urgent rigid bronchoscopy after suspected metallic blade ingestion (found chewing on it). She had a previous recurrent history of wheezing. The physical examination revealed face/lip wounds, traces of powder on her teeth but no breathing difficulty. The plain X-Ray revealed radiopaque images of the upper pulmonary field and gastric chamber. In the absence of FBA clinical signs but considering a previous history of bronchial hyperresponsiveness, a direct digital radiographic study was performed. There were no images compatible with foreign bodies: the results were interpreted as artefacts and no bronchoscopy was performed.
Conclusions: A careful pre-anaesthetic evaluation, a high level of suspicion and excellent multidisciplinary communication led to the recognition of false radiologic findings. A conservative approach was followed and invasive procedures in a remote location, with high anaesthetic risk for the paediatric population were avoided.
Quality of life analysis after Whipple procedure. Retrospective cohort study
Authors: Aristizábal-Linares Juan Pablo , Quevedo-Vélez Cristina , Sánchez-Zapata Paola
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Patient reported outcomes establish the patient’s own perception about his/her health and enable the development of policies designed to improve health/disease processes. These are particularly helpful in the case of diseases with a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life.
Objective: To compare the quality of life scores assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire in patients undergoing cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (Whipple procedure) and laparoscopic cholecystectomies in the same hospital.
Methodology: Retrospective cohort trial between July 2018 and February 2020. Patients programmed for cephalic duodenopancreatectomy were included, regardless of the type of pathology, and over 18 years old. Patients with carcinomatosis or vascular infiltration were excluded. The EQ-5D-5L was administered following Whipple surgery and compared against a control group (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). The demographic characteristics, the diagnosis, hospital stay and 60-day mortality were assessed.
Results: A total of 68 patients were included. The most frequent diagnosis was pancreatic cancer (30 %) in the Whipple group and lithiasis (100 %) in the control group. In the five dimensions assessed, there were no differences in terms of mobility (OR: 0.41, 95 % CI [0.30-0.57], p = 0.103) and in terms of personal care (OR: 0.42, 95 % CI [0.32-0.58], p = 0.254). There was a difference in daily life activities (OR: 0.38, 95 % CI [0.27-0.54], p = 0.017), pain/malaise (OR: 2.33, 95 % CI [0.99-5.48]), p = 0.013 and anxiety/depression (OR: 0.39, 95 % CI [0.28-0.55], p = 0.019). The overall health perception was 80 points for Whipple (IQR 60-90) vs. 100 points for the control group (IQR 90-100).
Conclusions: Patients undergoing a Whipple procedure experience a health perception slightly lower than patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This difference may be associated with increased pain, anxiety/depression and a reduction in their activities of daily life. The administration of the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire to measure quality of life is a friendly tool that used be used routinely to plan activities aimed at improving medical care.
MECANISMO BASEADO EM LÓGICA DEÔNTICA PARA O TRATAMENTO RACIONAL DE NORMAS DE OBRIGAÇÃO
Authors: Aragao Pedro Ivo , Campos Gustavo Augusto , Cortés Mariela Inés , Cruz Francisco Israel
Published: February 2021

Quando tratamos de organizações de agentes reativos simples na presença de normas, podemos incorrer em normas que obriguem o agente a executar ações desnecessárias e irracionais em seu ambiente de tarefa. Considerando ambientes com recursos escassos, é importante que o desempenho de cada agente seja otimizado. O presente artigo propõe uma abordagem para o tratamento adequado de normas de obrigação visando inibir a execução de ações desnecessárias e irracionais para o caso de agentes reativos simples.
Projeto e Implementação de Decodificadores de Código em Plataformas FPGA
Authors: Santos Ricardo , De Araújo Felipe
Published: February 2021

Esse artigo apresenta o projeto, implementação e caracterização de decodificadores de instruções sobre um processador que explora paralelismo em nível de instrução. O hardware projetado e implementado neste trabalho decodifica instruções previamente codificadas usando a técnica PBIW (Pattern Based Instruction Word). PBIW é uma técnica de codificação de instruções que não é dependente de um conjunto específico de instruções. O projeto e a implementação do decodificador de instruções PBIW possibilita avaliar os impactos reais da adoção de uma técnica de decodificação sobre o hardware do processador. Especificamente, os experimentos e resultados obtidos com o hardware decodificador revelam alternativas para minimizar o consumo de potência e a área ocupada pelo processador.
Análise e Implementação de Modelos Contextuais para Desambiguação de Entidades Nomeadas em Fluxos de Mensagens
Authors: C. M. Pereira Adriano , Davis Alexandre
Published: February 2021

Desambiguar entidades em fluxos de mensagens extraídos de mídias sociais é um novo desafio na área de processamento de linguagem natural. O baixo teor informacional e a má formação sintática desse tipo de texto prejudicam a aplicação de abordagens clássicas para resolver este problema. Neste trabalho, é proposta uma modelagem contextual das mensagens de microblogs, de forma a aperfeiçoar os modelos tradicionais de desambiguação, que utilizam apenas texto. Os modelos são baseados no comportamento dos usuários na rede social e no instante em que a mensagem foi postada. Nossos resultados mostram que esses modelos superam abordagens que levam em consideração apenas atributos textuais.
Local agricultural production in Kenya: legal framework, obstacles and challenges
Authors: KASHINDI George
Published: February 2021

Agriculture sector in Kenya is the fundamental part of the economy contributing 25 percent of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and another 27 percent indirectly.1 The sector employs over 40 percent of the total population and over 70 percent of the rural people. In Kenya, the agricultural sector is large and complex, with a multitude of public corporations, non-governmental and private actors. It accounts for 65 percent of the export earnings and provides livelihood (employment, income, and food security needs) for more than 80 percent of the Kenyan population.2 As with any system the agricultural sector in Kenya is governed by extensive regulatory framework that provides guidance to the whole system. These include policies, laws and regulations. The sector is regulated broadly by the Constitution of Kenya as well as regional and international instruments. The biggest challenge, however, is how effectively these regulatory instruments are implemented.3 The good performance the agricultural sector ensures good performance of the entire economy. Therefore the policy and institutional frameworks governing the agricultural sector play a vital role for the development of the whole economy.4 As a result, since 2003, there been much activity in an attempt to revitalize Kenyan agriculture and this has been undertaken through a number of regulatory and institutional reforms as will be seen from the analysis of the legal framework below.
Legal incentives to diversify agricultural production in Uganda (suggesting lessons for the EAC)
Authors: OSAPIRI John
Published: February 2021

This paper describes the East African Community regional integration cooperation in agriculture in a nutshell and gives a brief overview of the status of the agriculture sector in Uganda. The author furthermore considers in detail the relevant legal framework for the Agricultural sector in Uganda and finally discusses the legal incentives offered by the government to the agriculture in Uganda, from which the East African Partner States can draw lessons.
Hepatitis B Virus preS2 Domain Promotes Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Transcriptional Activation of VEGFA Promoter
Authors: Luan Fang , Liu Bin , Guo Xiangrui , Yong Wang
Published: February 2021

: Angiogenesis is closely related to the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Angiogenic factors have been confirmed to be overexpressed in HCC. The hepatitis B virus preS2 domain is a transactivator that plays an important role in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC. Here, we aimed to investigate the potential of the preS2 domain in inducing angiogenesis in HCC. A total of 25 cases of pathologically confirmed HCC were screened. The levels of preS2, CD34, and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) in HCC samples were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The proliferation of vascular endothelial cells was detected by CCK-8. Besides, VEGFA was analyzed by Western blot in HCC cells. The effect of preS2 on the VEGFA promoter was measured by dual-luciferase reporter assays. We found that preS2 domain-positive HCCs had significantly higher microvessel density (MVD) and VEGFA expression than preS2 domain-negative HCCs. Overexpression of preS2 upregulated VEGFA expression in HepG2 and activated vascular endothelial cell proliferation. However, blocking preS2 expression reduced VEGFA expression in HepG2.2.15 and inhibited the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells. In addition, a dual-luciferase assay indicated that the preS2 domain could activate VEGFA promoter activity. In conclusion, we showed that the expression of the preS2 domain promotes angiogenesis by transactivating the VEGFA promoter in HCC.
Forms of Self-immolation in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Sayemiri Kourosh , Tavan Hamed , Shohani Masoumeh , Valizadeh Reza
Published: February 2021

Context: Self-immolation is one of the most violent methods of suicide and is considered a psychosocial problem. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the forms of self-immolation in Iran using a systematic review and meta-analysis method. Data Sources: In this study, seven papers published from 1999 to January 2020 were selected using keywords such as self-immolation and Iran in SID, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science (ISI), Scopus, and Elsevier databases. Study Selection: Study selection was done by two independent researchers. The results of studies were pooled using the Freeman-Tukey Double Arcsine Transformation method. The heterogeneity among studies was checked using the Q-test and I2 index. Data Extraction: Data were extracted using a data extraction form. Results: The total sample size was 9,470. The mortality rate in self-immolation subjects was estimated at 64% (95% CI: 0.56 - 0.73). The most important means of self-immolation was oil [89% (95% CI: 82% - 96%). Winter had the highest numbers of self-immolation [29% (95% CI: 22% - 37%). Meta-regression showed no significant correlation between the mortality of self-immolation and the year of study. Conclusions: To reduce self-immolation, easy access to oil must be restricted in families, and high-risk people should have access to psychology consultation.
Necessidades de saúde das pessoas com tuberculose pulmonar
Authors: Oliveira Aliéren Honório , Pinto Antonio Germane Alves , Quirino Glauberto Da Silva , Cruz Rachel De Sá Barreto Luna Callou , Pereira Maria Lúcia Duarte , Cavalcante Edilma Gomes Rocha
Published: February 2021

Objetivo: analisar as necessidades de saúde das pessoas em tratamento para a tuberculose assistidas pelos serviços de saúde. Método: estudo descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado com dez pacientes assistidos pelas equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família e serviço de referência. As entrevistas foram submetidas à técnica de análise temática e analisadas conforme a Taxonomia Operacional de Necessidades de Saúde. Resultados: os pacientes relataram necessidades de alimentação e moradia, mostraram satisfeitos com o tratamento, acessibilidade e cordialidade dos profissionais de saúde, mas insatisfeitos com a investigação dos sintomas e evolução do quadro clínico. O vínculo com o enfermeiro foi positivo. Orientações e busca de informações subsidiaram a autonomia e o modo de andar a vida. Conclusão: os pacientes reconheceram as necessidades de saúde referentes ao acesso às tecnologias que melhoram e prolongam a vida, mas requererem investigação diagnóstica precisa, orientação para autonomia e ordenação da Atenção Primária à Saúde.
Dinâmicas territoriais e desafios ambientais na cidade de Barra (Bahia, Brasil)
Authors: Feitosa Júnior Francisco Rubens , Souza Ranieldo Barreiras Barbosa , Cedro Tâmara Andressa Pires , Valério Rayan Araújo , Dias Edimar Souza , Brandão Paulo Roberto Baqueiro , Santos José Yure Gomes dos
Published: February 2021

A presente pesquisa foi desenvolvida com imagens do Município de Barra/BA. O município possui uma população de 53.578 habitantes, situa-se no território da Cidadania Velho Chico, com uma área territorial de 11.428,112 km², pertence a região Oeste da Bahia, sob as coordenadas geográficas 11º 05’ S e 43º 09’ W, com limites com os municípios de Buritirama, Ibotirama, Mansidão, Muquém do São Francisco, Morpará, Pilão Arcado, Xique-Xique e Wanderley.  Com a finalidade de avaliar os usos e ocupações distintas do solo na área de estudo, e contribuir com o planejamento ambiental da cidade, foram analisadas as transformações ocorridas no uso do solo, utilizando imagens Landsat e Sentinel de 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 e 2020. A individualização das classes de uso e ocupação do solo foi realizada por meio do processo de vetorização em tela, sendo identificadas as classes Aeroporto, Lagoa do Saquinho, Lagoa do Saco Grande, Rios, Solo Exposto, Área Urbana e Vegetação. Os resultados apontaram que a área urbana no período analisado apresentou uma expansão de 2,59 km², que representa um aumento de 45% no período analisado. O solo exposto apresentou uma expansão de 1,8 km², que representa um aumento de 38%, enquanto que a vegetação nativa apresentou um decréscimo de 0,02 km². A retirada da cobertura vegetal e aumento da área urbana no município de Barra sem um planejamento que atende aos fenômenos socioescapiais que o município vem sofrendo pode acarretar como consequência o despejo de esgoto e outros dejetos em corpos hídricos, por isso é de extrema importância intervenções eficazes para conter o avanço da expansão urbana em áreas de riscos como as lagoas onde registra aumento de suas áreas influenciadas pelas chuvas nos últimos anos o que pode colocar em risco moradias e a saúde pública.
Translation Techniques applied in the Translation of Euphemisms for Hardship in the Quran
Authors: AL Qahtani Osama
Published: February 2021

Most sacred texts are filled with denotative and connotative meanings, thus making theses texts holy and sacred. This results in making these texts sensitive when dealing with the original text or the translated text. The reason for this sensitivity can be due to the content of the taboo or hidden message within the text. Euphemism is one of the used and evident linguistic features of many holy and sacred texts. This paper investigates and compares three different translations of the Quran with special focus on euphemisms for hardship in the Quran. It aimed at answering the question of what translation techniques and euphemism types are used to translate euphemism for hardship in the Quran. The paper argues that literal translation is the most applied technique in the translation of such euphemism.
Developing an English training course for local wisdom inheritance of one village one product in Thailand
Authors: Nithitwaraphakun Kannaphat
Published: February 2021

The purposes of this study were to 1) develop an English training course for local wisdom inheritance of One Tambon (Village) One Product (OTOP) in Amphawa district, Samut Songkhram province, 2) compare the English achievement results of the participants before and after the English language training 3) study learners’ English performance, including vocabulary and the communication about process of making Thai coconut palm sugar presentation with determine criteria, and 4) study learners’ satisfaction with the training course. The sample participants were 10 OTOP entrepreneurs in Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province who were selected by voluntary selection and they were interested and applied for the training course and all of them hold a bachelor degree. The research instruments were questionnaire assessing learners’ training needs, an academic achievement test, a performance evaluation form, and a satisfaction assessment form. The statistics for data analysis were percentage, mean, standard deviation and content analysis. The findings were as follows: 1) The developed an English course for Local Wisdom Inheritance of One Tambon (Village) One Product (OTOP) in Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province contains 9 components including conception of curriculum, principles, objectives, structures, activities, duration, teaching materials, evaluation and assessment, and expected outcomes, 2) the average scores from English achievement test after using the curriculum in English training course was higher than before testing. 3) learners’ English performance, including vocabulary and the communication about process of making Thai coconut palm sugar presentation, was at the high level (83.33%) which was higher than determine criteria, and 4) learners’ satisfaction with the English training course was at the highest level (X= 4.70).
Selfhood by means of Sisterhood in Gloria Naylor’s The Women of Brewster Place
Authors: Suleiman Sasa Ghada
Published: February 2021

This paper maintains that The Women of Brewster Place is a novel that celebrates women’s communion and its impact on the fulfillment of their quest of selfhood. It explains the way the novel rejects the restrictive sense of selfhood and calls for a more inclusive selfhood merged in collective experience. Despite the fact that the seven main female characters are totally different, they have shared memories and dreams. The latter plays a central role in women’s unity and fulfillment of selfhood. Shared memories and dreams function as a healing device and a mechanism that activates their collective consciousness and enable them to challenge pain, accomplish communal alliance, and fulfill their quest of selfhood and emancipation.. The women of the novel come to understand the power of their communion stemming initially from their shared memories and dreams. They also come to understand that only a selfhood born within a communal frame can survive and challenge the cycle of abuse they are subject to. As a result, the paper concludes with asserting that the women in the novel collectively break the wall that stands for their seclusion and misery.
BELF Courses and Iranian Learners’ Perception Regarding Success in Business Communication
Authors: Rashtchi Mojgan , Joze Ramezani Rahim
Published: February 2021

The present qualitative study aimed to investigate the role of Business English as Lingua Franca (BELF) courses in learners’ success in communication in an Iranian company. In doing so, 25 adult BELF learners were selected from an automotive parts manufacturing company in Tehran, Iran. They were the employees of a company consisting of men and women in the 30 to 45 age group who worked in different departments as bosses, middle managers, top managers, and directors. Their English proficiency levels were elementary, pre-intermediate, and intermediate. The participants took part in the interviews and answered a 20-item questionnaire. The questionnaire mainly focused on using English in the workplace. The interviews primarily focused on eliciting the respondents’ views regarding the benefits of using English at the workplace. The interviews and respondents’ answers to the questionnaire showed that BELF courses lead to job performance efficiency, higher self-confidence when communicating, willingness to use more English at the workplace, and fewer misunderstandings. It also could enhance participants’ language proficiency level and communication skills. Moreover, participation in BELF courses could facilitate English in the workplace and encourage a professional atmosphere compared to the past.
Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine-needle Aspiration Biopsy of a Renal Mass
Authors: Ha Jaehyun , Kim Daejin , Kim Hyunsoo , Park Chang Keun , Jung Jaekwon , Chung Yun Jin , Lee Jaekwang , Ryu Hanjun
Published: February 2021

Traditionally, tissue biopsies of kidney lesions are usually performed with CT or percutaneous ultrasound guidance, but biopsies using EUS have rarely been reported. In this report, we describe a case of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) diagnosed using EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. A 75-year-old woman taking aspirin due to stable angina continued to exhibit weight loss and anemia and visited the gastroenterology department. No bleeding was observed on upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. A contrast-enhanced mass was observed in the left kidney, accompanied by 8.9×10.8 cm-sized necrosis suggesting RCC on abdominal CT. Chest CT showed masses in both lungs. We planned to administer targeted therapy after pathological confirmation using EUS. Aspirin was continued, and we performed fine-needle biopsy using a 22-gauge needle three times. No adverse events were observed after the procedure. Pathological examination confirmed RCC, clear cell type, and the patient is currently undergoing treatment with sunitinib. EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy is safe for liver, pancreatic, or other tumors accessible from the upper gastrointestinal tract. This technique shows fewer adverse events. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no other reports on EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy to identify RCC in Korea.
Behavioral dominance interactions between Nicrophorus orbicollis and N. tomentosus burying beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae)
Authors: Schrempf Scott D. , Burke Kevin W. , Wettlaufer Jillian D. , Martin Paul R.
Published: February 2021

Asymmetric interference competition, where one species is behaviorally dominant over another, appears widespread in nature with the potential to structure ecological communities through trade-offs between competitive dominance and environmental tolerance. The details of how species interact and the factors that contribute to behavioral dominance, however, are poorly known for most species, yet such details are important for understanding when and why trade-offs occur. Here, we examine behavioral interactions between two species of burying beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) that compete for limited breeding resources (i.e., small vertebrate carcasses) in nature, to identify behaviors involved in interference competition and to test if large body size, species identity, or time of arrival best predict behavioral dominance among species. To test these ideas, we placed same-sex individuals of Nicrophorus orbicollis (early to mid-summer breeder) and N. tomentosus (late summer to fall breeder) into an enclosure together with a 25–30 g mouse carcass (Mus musculus). We then video-recorded all behaviors, including neutral and aggressive interactions, for 13 h per trial (N = 14 trials). For each interaction, we assigned a winner based on which beetle retained its position instead of fleeing or retained possession of the carcass; the overall behavioral dominant was determined as the individual that won the most interactions over the length of the trial. We found that large body size was the best predictor of behavioral dominance. In most interactions, N. orbicollis was larger and dominant over N. tomentosus; however, when N. tomentosus was larger they outcompeted smaller N. orbicollis, illustrating the importance of body size in aggressive contests. The order of arrival to the carcass (priority effects) did not predict behavioral dominance. The larger size and abundance of N. orbicollis in nature suggest a competitive asymmetry between the species, supporting the idea that N. orbicollis constrains the ability of N. tomentosus to breed earlier in the summer.
Characterization of the GRAS gene family reveals their contribution to the high adaptability of wheat
Authors: Liu Yanfeng , Wang Wei
Published: February 2021

GRAS transcription factors play important roles in many processes of plant development as well as abiotic and biotic stress responses. However, little is known about this gene family in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), one of the most important crops worldwide. The completion of a quality draft genome allows genome-wide detection and evolutionary analysis of the GRAS gene family in wheat. In this study, 188 TaGRAS genes were detected and divided into 12 subfamilies based on phylogenetic analyses: DELLA, DLT, HAM, LISCL, SCL3, SCL4/7, SCR, SHR, PAT1, Os19, Os4 and LAS. Tandem and segmental duplications are the main contributors to the expansion of TaGRAS, which may contribute to the adaptation of wheat to various environmental conditions. A high rate of homoeolog retention during hexaploidization was detected, suggesting the nonredundancy and biological importance of TaGRAS homoeologs. Systematic analyses of TaGRAS indicated the conserved expression pattern and function of the same subfamily during evolution. In addition, we detected five genes belonging to the LISCL subfamily induced by both biotic and abiotic stresses and they may be potential targets for further research through gene editing. Using degradome and ChIP-seq data, we identified the targets of miR171 and histone modifications and further analyzed the contribution of epigenetic modification to the subfunctionalization of TaGRAS. This study laid a foundation for further functional elucidation of TaGRAS genes.
Hemocyte siRNA uptake is increased by 5′ cholesterol-TEG addition in Biomphalaria glabrata, snail vector of schistosome
Authors: Portet Anaïs , Galinier Richard , Lassalle Damien , Faille Alexandre , Gourbal Benjamin , Duval David
Published: February 2021

Biomphalaria glabrata is one of the snail intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni, the causative agent of intestinal schistosomiasis disease. Numerous molecular studies using comparative approaches between susceptible and resistant snails to S. mansoni infection have helped identify numerous snail key candidates supporting such susceptible/resistant status. The functional approach using RNA interference (RNAi) remains crucial to validate the function of such candidates. CRISPR-Cas systems are still under development in many laboratories, and RNA interference remains the best tool to study B. glabrata snail genetics. Herein, we describe the use of modified small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules to enhance cell delivery, especially into hemocytes, the snail immune cells. Modification of siRNA with 5′ Cholesteryl TriEthylene Glycol (Chol-TEG) promotes cellular uptake by hemocytes, nearly eightfold over that of unmodified siRNA. FACS analysis reveals that more than 50% of hemocytes have internalized Chol-TEG siRNA conjugated to Cy3 fluorophores, 2 hours only after in vivo injection into snails. Chol-TEG siRNA targeting BgTEP1 (ThioEster-containing Protein), a parasite binding protein, reduced BgTEP1 transcript expression by 70–80% compared to control. The level of BgTEP1 protein secreted in the hemolymph was also decreased. However, despite the BgTEP1 knock-down at both RNA and protein levels, snail compatibility with its sympatric parasite is not affected suggesting functional redundancy among the BgTEP genes family in snail-schistosoma interaction.
M.J. (Susie) Bayarri
Authors: Armero Carmen , Berger James
Published: February 2021

Susie Bayarri was a Spanish statistician, who tragically died in 2014 at the age of 57. She was the first female Bayesian statistician. Her research encompassed outstanding theory, methodology, and interdisciplinary and applied work. She was a prominent statistical leader and a role model for future generations of statisticians.
Clinical efficacy of plasma exchange in patients with autoimmune encephalitis
Authors: Zhang Yan , Huang Hui‐jin , Chen Wei‐bi , Liu Gang , Liu Fang , Su Ying‐ying
Published: February 2021

Objective

To determine the clinical and antibody response after therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in patients with severe refractory antibody‐associated autoimmune encephalitis (AE).

Methods

This single‐center prospective cohort included all patients consecutively admitted to our hospital because of severe refractory AE over the period from July 2014 to June 2019. All patients received immunotherapy (steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and/or TPE). The primary outcome was evaluated at 1‐ and 2‐month postenrollment, and the long‐term outcome was followed up at 6 and 12 months. AE antibody titers in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma were evaluated before and after TPE/IVIG.

Results

This study enrolled 57 patients with severe refractory AE, including anti‐NMDA receptor encephalitis (n = 51), anti‐GABAb receptor encephalitis (n = 3), anti‐LGI 1 encephalitis (n = 2), and anti‐AMPA receptor encephalitis (n = 1). Of all 57 patients, 33 patients received TPE for a total of 193 procedures, and 24 patients with contraindications or refusal of TPE were in the non‐TPE group. Compared with the non‐TPE group, the TPE group exhibited greater clinical improvement: 21 (37%) versus 8 (14%) after 1 month (P = 0.03) and 31 (54%) versus 16 (28%) after 2 months (P = 0.01), respectively. Complications and adverse events associated with TPE occurred in 91 procedures (47%) without serious adverse events associated with the use of TPE.

Interpretation

TPE might be an effective rescue therapy associated with rapid functional improvement in patients with severe steroid/IVIG refractory antibody‐associated AE from this nonrandomized control trial.
Tactics for increasing resistance to misinformation
Authors: Bailey Natasha A. , Olaguez Alma P. , Klemfuss Jessica Zoe , Loftus Elizabeth F.
Published: February 2021

This study was the first to test both the independent and additive effects of change‐detection prompts and warnings about potential discrepancies between an event and post‐event information on susceptibility to misinformation. Participants (N = 239) viewed a mock crime video, read a post‐event narrative containing misinformation, and completed a memory test about the video content. Participants were randomly assigned to change‐detection and warning conditions. Ecological validity was enhanced by describing the materials as a police training exercise and by examining effects of one versus four misinformation items (opposed to typically higher rates in experimental research). Using a novel statistical approach for this topic (GLMM), we compared across the misinformation quantities participants received. Change‐detection prompts, but not a pre‐warning, decreased misinformation rates, and the effect of change‐detection was not enhanced by a pre‐warning. Results held regardless of misinformation quantity. These findings emphasize the utility of change‐detection mechanisms for increasing misinformation resistance.
The Impact of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) on Patient‐Reported Outcomes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Authors: Katz Patricia , Pedro Sofia , Trupin Laura , Yelin Edward , Michaud Kaleb
Published: February 2021

Background

Risk of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be elevated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but little research has studied the impact of these conditions on SLE outcomes. We examined prevalence, incidence, and impact of self‐reported asthma and COPD in two US‐based SLE cohorts (FORWARD and Lupus Outcomes Study [LOS]).

Methods

Prevalence of asthma and COPD were defined as presence of conditions at individuals’ first interviews; incidence was defined as new reports over the next 3 years. Cross‐sectional associations of asthma/COPD with patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) and longitudinal analyses associations with asthma/COPD at entry with PROs 3 years later were examined.

Results

In FORWARD, 19.8% and 8.3% participants reported asthma and COPD, respectively, at entry. In LOS, 36.0% reported the presence of either (US population comparisons: asthma, 9.7%; COPD, 6.1%). Cross‐sectionally, asthma/COPD was associated with worse PROs, including disease activity. In FORWARD, individuals with asthma experienced greater worsening of fatigue, pain, and global health ratings longitudinally; individuals with COPD experienced greater increases in self‐reported SLE activity. However, no such patterns were noted in the LOS.

Conclusion

Asthma and COPD appeared to be more common in SLE than in the general US population and were associated with worse status on PROs cross‐sectionally. Asthma was linked to decrements in PROs longitudinally.
Perspectives of Glucocorticoid Use in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Venter Gabriella , Tieu Joanna , Black Rachel , Lester Susan , Leonardo Nieves , Whittle Samuel L. , Hoon Elizabeth , Barrett Claire , Rowett Debra , Buchbinder Rachelle , Hill Catherine L.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Prednisolone is an effective oral glucocorticoid for managing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but has predictable and common adverse effects. We explored patient perspectives of prednisolone use in RA.

Methods

Patients with RA registered with the Australian Rheumatology Association Database (ARAD) who had completed an ARAD questionnaire in the preceding 12 months were invited to participate in an online survey. Responses were linked to already collected respondent demographics, medication use, and patient‐reported outcome measures. The Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ) measured patient beliefs on medication necessity and concerns. Free‐text responses outlining reasons for stopping or declining prednisolone underwent thematic analysis using NVivo 12.

Results

The survey response rate was 79.6% (804/1010), including 251 (31.2%) reporting current prednisolone use and 432 (53.7%) reporting previous use. Compared with previous users, current users were older (P = 0.0002) and had worse self‐reported pain, disease activity, health‐related quality of life, and function (all P < 0.001). Current users had higher BMQ scores for prednisolone‐specific necessity (3.6 versus 1.7; P <0.001) and concerns (2.7 versus 2.3; P <0.001). In previous prednisolone users (n = 432), the most frequent themes identified in free‐text responses for cessation were adequate disease control (30.3%), adverse effects (25.2%), and predetermined short courses (21.3%). Of respondents citing adverse effects for cessation (n = 131), weight gain (27.5%), osteoporosis (14.7%), and neuropsychiatric issues (13.8%) were most frequent.

Conclusions

In our cohort, patients with RA taking prednisolone believed it was necessary yet remained concerned about its use. Adequate disease control and adverse effects were important considerations for patients using prednisolone.
‘Secret shopper’ study finds many centers use unethical marketing tactics
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2021

A recent “secret shopper” study found that many residential treatment programs employed unethical tactics when three researchers, posing as patients, called them saying they wanted to pay with cash only and were addicted to heroin. The lapses, which include what the researchers called excessively high rates for treatment and pitches for so‐called luxury services, were particularly evident in for‐profit programs. The study, which received widespread media attention, including a piece on National Public Radio Feb. 15, was published in the February issue of Health Affairs. It focuses only on marketing, not clinical quality.
Depression and tobacco use in childhood increases opioid use
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2021

Researchers have found that childhood depression as well as tobacco use were associated with later opioid use in general, weekly opioid use and heroin use. The cohort study, based on the Great Smoky Mountains Study (GSMS), concluded that children with chronic depression may take opioids to alleviate the physical symptoms — including pain — that often accompany depression. While depression may not be an evident cause of such symptoms, these complaints may lead to unnecessary opioid prescriptions, and the child's first exposure to opioid‐associated euphoria. Childhood somatic complaints — and elevated inflammation and injury — were associated with progression from any to weekly nonheroin opioid use.
Magnetosensitive E‐Skins for Interactive Devices
Authors: Cañón Bermúdez Gilbert Santiago , Makarov Denys
Published: February 2021

Electronic skins (e‐skins) have established themselves as a versatile technology to restore or enhance human perception, and potentially enable softer robotics. So far, the focus has been mostly on reproducing the traditional functions associated with human skin, such as, temperature, pressure, and chemical detection. New developments have also introduced nonstandard sensing capabilities like magnetic field detection, to spawn the field of magnetosensitive e‐skins. Adding a supplementary information channel—an electronic sixth sense—allows humans to utilize the surrounding magnetic fields as stimuli for touchless interactions. Due to their vectorial nature, these stimuli can be used to track motion and orientation in 3D, opening the door to various kinds of gestural control for interactive devices. This approach to tracking provides an alternative or complement to optic‐based systems, which usually rely on cameras or infrared emitters, that cannot easily capture fine motion when objects are far from the source or the line‐of‐sight is obtruded. Here, the background, fabrication techniques, and recent advances of this field are reviewed; covering important aspects like: directional perception, geomagnetic field detection, on‐site conditioning, and multimodal approaches. The aim is to give the reader a general perspective and highlight some new avenues of research, toward artificial magnetoception.
Double Charge Transfer Dominates in Carrier Localization in Low Bandgap Sites of Heterogeneous Lead Halide Perovskites
Authors: Fakharuddin Azhar , Franckevičius Marius , Devižis Andrius , Gelžinis Andrius , Chmeliov Jevgenij , Heremans Paul , Gulbinas Vidmantas
Published: February 2021

Heterogeneous organic‐inorganic halide perovskites possess inherent non‐uniformities in bandgap that are sometimes engineered and exploited on purpose, like in quasi‐2D perovskites. In these systems, charge carrier and excitation energy migration to lower‐bandgap sites are key processes governing luminescence. The question, which of them dominates in particular materials and under specific experimental conditions, still remains unanswered, especially when charge carriers comprise excitons. In this study transient absorption (TA) and transient photoluminescence (PL) techniques are combined to address the excited state dynamics in quasi‐2D and other heterogeneous perovskite structures in broad temperature range, from room temperature down to 15 K. The data provide clear evidence that charge carrier transfer rather than energy migration dominates in heterogeneous quasi‐2D perovskite films.
Microneedle Patch Delivery of Capsaicin‐Containing α‐Lactalbumin Nanomicelles to Adipocytes Achieves Potent Anti‐Obesity Effects
Authors: Bao Cheng , Li Zekun , Liang Shuang , Hu Yulin , Wang Xiaoyu , Fang Bing , Wang Pengjie , Chen Shanan , Li Yuan
Published: February 2021

The development of a minimally invasive therapy for local targeting of adipose tissues could represent an attractive approach for treating obesity. Here, the development and successful application of a nanomedicine that uses α‐lactalbumin (α‐lac) nanomicelles (M) to encapsulate the known anti‐obesity agent capsaicin (Cap), which is delivered directly to adipose tissue via a microneedle patch (MP), is reported. Testing with a 3T3‐L1 adipocyte model shows that M (Cap) reduces lipid droplet content by regulating adipogenesis and improving mitochondrial biogenesis. The MP enables efficient M (Cap) penetration into abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, and M (Cap) can be endocytosed by white adipocytes. Experiments using a high fat diet‐induced obese mice model shows that MP‐delivered M (Cap) confers dramatic weight loss and adipose tissue browning, and follow‐up mechanistic investigations indicate (among other impacts) activated energy metabolism, increased mitochondrial biogenesis, and the induction of well‐known adipocyte browning markers. The study supports that MP‐M (Cap) treatment, which could be developed as a self‐administered therapy based on skin attachment for around 30 min, has a promising future as a non‐invasive approach for treating obesity.