bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposure to chewing tobacco promotes primary oral squamous cell carcinoma and regional lymph node metastasis by alterations of SDF1α/CXCR4 axis
Authors: Ray Sudipta , Saha Depanwita , Alam Neyaz , Mitra Mustafi Saunak , Mandal Shyamsundar , Sarkar Aniruddha , Majumder Biswanath , Murmu Nabendu
Published: March 2021

A high incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is observed in South‐East Asian countries due to addictions such as chewing tobacco. Local invasion and distant metastases are primary causes of poor prognosis in OSCC. This study aimed to understand the alterations in metastasis biomarkers, such as stromal cell–derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1 or SDF1α) and its receptor C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), in OSCC patient samples that were stratified based on the history of addiction to chewing tobacco. Targeted immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting were performed on primary tumour and metastatic lymph node (LN) tissues in parallel. Overexpression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), activated form of its cognate receptor tyrosine kinase, c‐Met (p‐Met), GRB2‐associated‐binding protein 1 (Gab1), phospho‐protein kinase B (pAkt), nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) were observed in primary tumour and metastatic lymph nodes in both chewer and non‐chewer cohorts. Variance analysis showed significant positive correlation between them (P < .0001) indicating upregulation of these biomarkers upon ligand‐induced activation of c‐Met in both tobacco chewers and non‐chewers. Significantly higher expressions of SDF1α and CXCR4 were observed in both primary tumours and metastatic lymph nodes of tobacco chewers (P < .0001) and coincided with overexpressed HGF. In contrast, no significant correlation was observed between expression of HGF and that of SDF1α and CXCR4 in non‐chewers. Together, our findings provide important insights into the association of HGF/c‐Met and the SDF1α/CXCR4 axis in lymph node metastasis and to an aetiological link with the habit of chewing tobacco.
Exploring the relationship between first‐year nursing student self‐esteem and dropout: A cohort study
Authors: Dancot Jacinthe , Pétré Benoît , Dardenne Nadia , Donneau Anne‐Françoise , Detroz Pascal , Guillaume Michèle
Published: March 2021

Aim

To describe nursing student self‐esteem prior to the influence of nursing education and to explore the relationship between self‐esteem and dropout.

Design

Cohort study.

Methods

At the beginning of their first year of study, in October 2017, 464 nursing students completed a questionnaire that assessed their self‐esteem level via Tafarodi & Swann Scale and self‐esteem profile following Mruk's model, along with sociodemographic information, state anxiety, self‐efficacy, intention to continue and social support. One year later, data on grades and re‐enrolment were collected. Multivariate analyses explored the factors influencing self‐esteem level (multiple regression), self‐esteem profile (multinomial logistic regression) and dropout (binary logistic regression).

Results/Findings

The mean level of self‐esteem was 50.8 (9.0), scale of 16 to 80. Forty‐nine per cent of self‐esteem profiles were classified as ‘high’, 20.1% as ‘defensive acceptance based’, 11.2% as ‘defensive achievement based’ and 19.6% as ‘low’. State anxiety (p < 0.0001), self‐efficacy about completion of the nursing programme (p < 0.0001) and self‐efficacy about internship (p < 0.0001) were associated with self‐esteem. The dropout rate was 21.5%. Self‐esteem level (p = 0.039) and academic performance (p < 0.0001) were associated with dropout.

Conclusion

While nursing student self‐esteem is often described as low, we know little about its baseline before entering the nursing programme and the factors that influence it. The dropout rate among first‐year nursing students is high, but self‐esteem is rarely explored as a possible explanation. We found that students had medium, and potentially fragile, self‐esteem when starting their nursing education, and that self‐esteem was associated with dropout.

Impact

Given that association and the impact of self‐esteem on well‐being and professional behaviour, educational institutions should foster self‐esteem both generally and in students with anxiety or low self‐efficacy. Future research should explore nursing student self‐esteem using a longitudinal mixed methods approach. Society should value nurses and nursing students.
Examining the bidirectional association between emotion recognition and social autistic traits using observational and genetic analyses
Authors: Reed Zoe E. , Mahedy Liam , Jackson Abigail , Davey Smith George , Penton‐Voak Ian , Attwood Angela S. , Munafò Marcus R.
Published: March 2021

Background

There is mixed evidence for an association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and emotion recognition deficits. We sought to assess the bidirectionality of this association using phenotypic and genetic data in a large community sample.

Methods

Analyses were conducted in three stages. First, we examined the bidirectional association between social autistic traits at age 8 years and emotion recognition task (ERT) responses at age 24 years (Study 1; N = 3,562); and between Diagnostic Analysis of Non‐Verbal Accuracy (DANVA) emotion recognition responses at age 8 years and social autistic traits at age 10 years (Study 2; N = 9,071). Next, we used genetic analyses (Study 3) to examine the association between polygenic risk scores for ASD and outcomes for the ERT and DANVA. The genetic correlation between ASD and ERT responses at age 24 was also estimated. Analyses were conducted in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

Results

Social autistic traits at age 8 years were negatively associated with later total correct responses on ERT in Study 1 (b = −0.18; 95% CI: −0.27 to −0.09). We also found evidence of an association in Study 2 (b = −0.04; 95% CI: −0.05 to −0.03). We found the opposite association, that is positive, between the ASD polygenic risk score and ERT (b = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.70); however, this association varied across different p‐value thresholds and would not survive multiple testing, so should be interpreted with caution. We did not find evidence of a genetic correlation between ASD and ERT.

Conclusion

We found an observational association between poorer emotion recognition and increased social autistic traits. Our genetic analyses may suggest a shared genetic aetiology between these or a potential causal pathway; however, future research would benefit from using better powered GWAS to examine this further. Our results may inform interventions targeting emotion recognition.
Effect of water temperature on the morbidity of Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (Myxozoa) to brown trout (Salmo trutta) under laboratory conditions
Authors: Waldner Karoline , Borkovec Martin , Borgwardt Florian , Unfer Günther , El‐Matbouli Mansour
Published: March 2021

Proliferative kidney disease (PKD) is a disease found in salmonid fish that is widespread in Europe and North America. The dependency of the clinical signs on the water temperature is extensively reported in rainbow trout, but detailed information on brown trout is lacking. In this study, juvenile brown trout were exposed to the spores of Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae and then kept at different ambient water temperatures (16°C, 19°C and 22°C) for 10 weeks along with recording of morbidity throughout the experiment. At 6, 8 and 10 weeks post‐exposure, fish from each temperature group were sampled and underwent pathoanatomical examination to survey disease progression. At 16°C, brown trout showed a significantly higher survival probability compared to those kept in 19°C and 22°C water. Additionally, the parasitic burden (MSQ) was higher and the clinical signs were more pronounced in the brown trout kept at 19°C and 22°C compared with the ones kept at 16°C. This study highlights the correlation of PKD outbreaks and water temperature increases related to global climate change, which will impact the future distribution of brown trout in natural waters.
The regulation of food intake by insulin in the central nervous system
Authors: Mitchell Caitlin S. , Begg Denovan P.
Published: March 2021

Food intake and energy expenditure are regulated by peripheral signals providing feedback on nutrient status and adiposity to the central nervous system. One of these signals is the pancreatic hormone, insulin. Unlike peripheral administration of insulin, which often causes weight gain, central administration of insulin leads to a reduction in food intake and body weight when administered long‐term. This is a result of feedback processes in regions of the brain that regulate food intake. Within the hypothalamus, the arcuate nucleus (ARC) contains subpopulations of neurones that produce orexinergic neuropeptides agouti‐related peptide (AgRP)/neuropeptide Y (NPY) and anorexigenic neuropeptides, pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC)/cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART). Intracerebroventricular infusion of insulin down‐regulates the expression of AgRP/NPY at the same time as up‐regulating expression of POMC/CART. Recent evidence suggests that insulin activity within the amygdala may play an important role in regulating energy balance. Insulin infusion into the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) can decrease food intake, possibly by modulating activity of NPY and other neurone subpopulations. Insulin signalling within the CeA can also influence stress‐induced obesity. Overall, it is evident that the CeA is a critical target for insulin signalling and the regulation of energy balance.
The interplay of vitamin D and body mass index in acne patients vs. controls
Authors: Singh Ajeet , Dorjay Konchok , Sinha Surabhi , Chitkara Anubhuti
Published: March 2021

Background

Acne vulgaris is a disease of pilosebaceous units and manifests with polymorphic lesions. Vitamin D acts at various stages in its pathogenesis. Recently, vitamin D and metabolic syndrome have shown to be associated with acne vulgaris and its severity.

Aims

To see the effects of serum 25(OH)D3 levels and body mass index on acne vulgaris and their correlation with the severity of acne.

Patients/Methods

Fifty patients of acne vulgaris and thirty age‐ and sex‐matched healthy volunteers were recruited. Global Acne Grading System was used to grade the acne severity. Body mass index of all patients and control group was calculated, and serum levels of 25(OH)D3 were measured using chemiluminescence immunoassay.

Results

Vitamin D deficiency was detected in 28% of patients with acne but only in 6.7% of the healthy controls (p value 0.022). However, there was no significant difference in mean serum 25(OH)D levels in acne patients and controls. Vitamin D deficiency was seen in 60% of the very severe and 33% of the severe acne cases. Eighty percent of patients with very severe acne and 73.33% of severe acne patients had high body mass index. The relationship between severity of acne and body mass index was statistically significant.

Conclusion

Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent in acne, and with the increase in severity of acne, an inverse relation between serum levels of vitamin D and body mass index was seen, but statistically significant relation was found only in the very severe cases of acne vulgaris.
Characterization of rosacea in Chinese: An analysis of 254 cases
Authors: Chang Jinxiu , Wang Yulan , Sun Dongjie , Zhang Liyuan , Man Mao‐Qiang , Tu Ying , Jiang Xin , He Li , Gu Hua
Published: March 2021

Background

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory dermatosis with uncertainty of etiology. Although clinical features and risk factors of the disease in Caucasians have been reported, this information in Chinese is largely unavailable.

Aims

To analyze the clinical features and associated risk factors of rosacea in Chinese.

Methods

A questionnaire was given to outpatients with rosacea who visited the dermatology department of the first affiliated hospital of Kunming Medical University from June 2018 to March 2019. Analyses included demographic characteristics of subjects, clinical characteristics, and risk factors of rosacea.

Results

A total of 254 outpatients completed the questionnaire. The ratio of female to male was 5.68:1.00. The mean age at onset was 31.18 ± 10.23 years. Erythematotelangiectatic subtype accounted for 51.60%, while 39% of the subjects were of papulopustular subtype. The rest were phymatous type (9.40%). Subjects with flushing, persistent facial erythema, and telangiectasia accounted for 91.73%, 90.55%, and 83.07%, respectively. One hundred and thirteen subjects (44.49%) had papules or pustules, and 24 subjects (9.40%) were with phymatous changes. The most commonly involved sites were the cheeks (93.31%), followed by the nose (82.68%), the perioral area (61.42%), and the forehead (51.97%). The clinical symptoms included burning (93.70%), dryness (90.55%), and itching (75.59%). The main risk factors were sun exposure (90.94%), temperature change (87.40%), etc. Fifty‐one (20.08%) patients had comorbidities.

Conclusions

Rosacea mainly affects young females. The common signs and symptoms include flushing, persistent facial erythema, and burning. Sun exposure and temperature changes are the common risk factors. Patients can have comorbidities of systemic disorders.
Prevalence of acne vulgaris and its clinico‐epidemiological pattern in adult patients: Results of a prospective, observational study
Authors: Shah Nidhi , Shukla Ratnakar , Chaudhari Parag , Patil Sharmila , Patil Anant , Nadkarni Nitin , Goldust Mohamad
Published: March 2021

Background

Acne is a common disorder in adolescents. The prevalence of acne in adults is also increasing. There are only a few Indian studies on the prevalence and clinical features of adult acne.

Aims

To evaluate the prevalence and possible etiological and aggravating factors of acne in adult population.

Methods

Adult patients more than 25 years with acne were enrolled, and detailed history and examination were recorded. Type of acne, age, gender, area of involvement, and associated factors were noted.

Results

Out of 24,056 adult patients, 180 had acne, with the prevalence of 0.74%. Mean age of patients with acne was 30.1 years. A total of 81.7% patients with acne were female and 68.3% had persistent type of acne. Inflammatory papular acne (72.8%) was the most common type of acne in our study population. Cheek (85%) was the predominant site of involvement; 62.8% patients developed scarring. Underlying chronic stress was present in 23.9% and family history of acne in 60.6%. A total of 43.5% patients reported aggravation with cosmetics and 42.8% provided history of oily and high glycemic food conduction. Premenstrual flare and hirsutism were seen in 61.9% and 16.3% female patients, respectively.

Conclusion

Acne is more common in people with 25–35 years of age with female preponderance and a gradual decline in the prevalence is seen thereafter. Inflammatory nature is more common with cheeks being commonest site of affection. Facial scarring is more common that emphasizes the importance of early and adequate intervention.
Alterations in symptoms and health‐related quality of life as kidney function deteriorates: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Yapa Harith Eranga , Purtell Louise , Chambers Shirley , Bonner Ann
Published: March 2021

Aims and objectives

To compare symptoms and health‐related quality of life and to examine the relationship between these as kidney function deteriorates.

Background

Chronic kidney disease is a global health problem, and while knowledge of symptom burden and health‐related quality of life is understood in kidney failure (previously end‐stage kidney disease), there is limited understanding about symptoms and health‐related quality of life across the chronic kidney disease trajectory.

Design

Cross‐sectional design reported using the STROBE guidelines.

Methods

Eight hundred eighty‐six adults with varying levels of kidney function (chronic kidney disease grades 3b–5 including those receiving dialysis) completed the renal version of the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale and the Quality of Life Short Form‐36 version 2. Socio‐demographic and renal characteristics were also collected. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

Participants had a mean age of 57 years and were mostly male. Regardless of chronic kidney disease grade, pain, poor mobility, weakness, anxiety and depression were the most prevalent and severe symptoms reported. Health‐related quality of life was significantly associated with physical and psychological symptom scores. As kidney function deteriorated, both physical and mental health‐related quality of life decreased, and prevalence and severity of symptoms increased.

Conclusions

There is substantial symptom burden irrespective of chronic kidney disease grade, which overwhelmingly affects health‐related quality of life. Early identification by nurses would enable proactive management plans to be implemented.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses, whether in specialist renal services or in primary healthcare, are ideally placed to regularly assess symptoms and health‐related quality of life in those with chronic kidney disease. Timely assessment could assist in the targeting of earlier interventions designed to reduce symptom burden and to increase health‐related quality of life.
Life satisfaction and emotional distress in people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The mediating effect of cognitive function
Authors: Lee Li‐Yen , Hsieh Chia‐Jung , Lin Ya‐Ting
Published: March 2021

Aims and objectives

To explore the relationships among emotional distress, cognitive function and life satisfaction in people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to verify the mediating role of cognitive function.

Background

People with T2DM face cognitive decline caused by age and disease complications. Emotional distress will reduce their life satisfaction, and cognitive function will also affect the life satisfaction, but whether cognitive function mediates the effect of emotional distress on life satisfaction has not been verified.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

A total of 200 people living with T2DM in the community by convenience sampling were enrolled from November–December 2018. Data collection involved a demographic and disease characteristic questionnaire, Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale, Subjective and Objective Cognitive Function Evaluation and Life Satisfaction Questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling. This report followed the STROBE guideline.

Results

The emotional distress and subjective memory complaints of cognitive function had a significant positive correlation, while both emotional distress and cognitive function showed significant negative correlations with life satisfaction. In addition, cognitive function completely mediated the relationship between emotional distress and life satisfaction.

Conclusion

The cognitive function played a mediating role in life satisfaction and explains how emotional distress affects life satisfaction of people with T2DM. Therefore, it is suggested that diabetes nurses should early identify the decline of cognitive function, and to intervene at an early stage.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study provides opinions on the mediating factors of cognitive function. Coping strategies and supporting resources to help the T2DM people to improve their life satisfaction are suggested.
Understanding the Needs of Ontario Educators in Supporting Students With Acquired Brain Injury in the Classroom
Authors: Stevens Sara A. , Provvidenza Christine , Zheng Sally , Agnihotri Sabrina , Hunt Anne , Scratch Shannon E.
Published: March 2021

Background

When a child sustains an acquired brain injury (ABI), the impact extends to significant environments in their life, including school. Educator knowledge of ABI can influence a child's success with academic and social reintegration. An assessment of educator ABI knowledge was conducted to determine what information they require to support school reintegration.

Methods

A mixed‐methods approach included a sampling of educators in a needs assessment survey and workshop. The survey determined levels of educator knowledge regarding ABI in the classroom, and the workshop scoped educator views in the development of a user‐driven ABI learning program to enrich their expertise.

Results

Our sample reported being somewhat knowledgeable about ABI and the impact on students. There were no differences based on respondents' educational role. Teachers reported having minimal and inadequate supports for students following ABI during school transitions, feeling unprepared to assist students during these transitions, and that families also appeared unprepared for school reintegration following ABI. The workshop identified the need for a 2‐part educational course.

Conclusions

Supportive school environments are essential for the reintegration of students following ABI. This study identified educators' needs for ABI knowledge and resources to support their existing expertise.
Point‐of‐care lung ultrasound in the diagnosis and monitoring of paediatric patients with spontaneous pneumothorax in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Musolino Anna M , Boccuzzi Elena , Supino Maria C , Scialanga Barbara , De Sanctis Francesco , Buonsenso Danilo , Sinibaldi Serena , Tomà Paolo
Published: March 2021

Point‐of‐care lung ultrasound is a widely used tool in the diagnosis and management of patients with pulmonary diseases and now with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. We describe two cases of pneumothorax which are, as far as we know, among the first reported in COVID‐19 patients younger than 18 years. The diagnostic and monitoring role of point‐of‐care lung ultrasound has been extremely useful in the management of patients.
Olisthodiscus represents a new class of Ochrophyta
Authors: Barcytė Dovilė , Eikrem Wenche , Engesmo Anette , Seoane Sergio , Wohlmann Jens , Horák Aleš , Yurchenko Tatiana , Eliáš Marek
Published: March 2021

The phylogenetic diversity of Ochrophyta, a diverse and ecologically important radiation of algae, is still incompletely understood even at the level of the principal lineages. One taxon that has eluded simple classification is the marine flagellate genus Olisthodiscus. We investigated Olisthodiscus luteus K‐0444 and documented its morphological and genetic differences from the NIES‐15 strain, which we described as Olisthodiscus tomasii sp. nov. Phylogenetic analyses of combined 18S and 28S rRNA sequences confirmed that Olisthodiscus constitutes a separate, deep, ochrophyte lineage, but its position could not be resolved. To overcome this problem, we sequenced the plastid genome of O. luteus K‐0444 and used the new data in multigene phylogenetic analyses, which suggested that Olisthodiscus is a sister lineage of the class Pinguiophyceae within a broader clade additionally including Chrysophyceae, Synchromophyceae, and Eustigmatophyceae. Surprisingly, the Olisthodiscus plastid genome contained three genes, ycf80, cysT, and cysW, inherited from the rhodophyte ancestor of the ochrophyte plastid yet lost from all other ochrophyte groups studied so far. Combined with nuclear genes for CysA and Sbp proteins, Olisthodiscus is the only known ochrophyte possessing a plastidial sulfate transporter SulT. In addition, the finding of a cemA gene in the Olisthodiscus plastid genome and an updated phylogenetic analysis ruled out the previously proposed hypothesis invoking horizontal cemA transfer from a green algal plastid into Synurales. Altogether, Olisthodiscus clearly represents a novel phylogenetically distinct ochrophyte lineage, which we have proposed as a new class, Olisthodiscophyceae.
Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile in neonatal foals and mares at a referral hospital
Authors: Weese Jeffrey Scott , Slovis Nathan , Rousseau Joyce
Published: March 2021

Background

Understanding the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile is important for the development and assessment of infection prevention and control practices, as well as surveillance methods and interpretation of diagnostic testing results.

Objective

Our objective was to longitudinally evaluate C. difficile shedding in neonatal foals and mares admitted to a referral hospital neonatal intensive care unit.

Animals

Foals admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, along with their dams.

Methods

Rectal swabs were collected from mares and foals at admission, and then approximately every 3 days, when possible. Selective culture for C. difficile was performed and isolates were characterized by toxin gene PCR and ribotyping.

Results

Clostridium difficile was isolated from 103/409 (25%) samples; 65/208 (31%) from foals and 38/201 (19%) from mares. Cumulatively, C. difficile was isolated from at least 1 sample from 50/113 (44%) foals and 30/97 (31%) mares. No association was found between hospitalization day and isolation of C. difficile (P = .13). Twenty‐three different ribotypes were identified, with ribotype 078 predominating. Fifteen foals had 2 positive samples during hospitalization. In only 6/15 (40%) foals was the same strain identified both times (5 ribotype 078 and 1 ribotype 012).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Clostridium difficile is an important pathogen in adult horses and foals, and our findings highlight the complexity surrounding the epidemiology of this opportunistic pathogen. It can be found commonly, transiently, and cluster within a facility in the absence of identifiable disease occurrences or clusters.
Factors associated with treatment failure of direct‐acting antivirals for chronic hepatitis C: A real‐world nationwide hepatitis C virus registry programme in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chi‐Yi , Huang Chung‐Feng , Cheng Pin‐Nan , Tseng Kuo‐Chih , Lo Ching‐Chu , Kuo Hsing‐Tao , Huang Yi‐Hsiang , Tai Chi‐Ming , Peng Cheng‐Yuan , Bair Ming‐Jong , Chen Chien‐Hung , Yeh Ming‐Lun , Lin Chih‐Lang , Lin Chun‐Yen , Lee Pei‐Lun , Chong Lee‐Won , Hung Chao‐Hung , Huang Jee‐Fu , Yang Chi‐Chieh , Hu Jui‐Ting , Lin Chih‐Wen , Chen Chun‐Ting , Wang Chia‐Chi , Su Wei‐Wen , Hsieh Tsai‐Yuan , Lin Chih‐Lin , Tsai Wei‐Lun , Lee Tzong‐Hsi , Chen Guei‐Ying , Wang Szu‐Jen , Chang Chun‐Chao , Mo Lein‐Ray , Yang Sheng‐Shun , Wu Wen‐Chih , Huang Chia‐Sheng , Hsiung Chou‐Kwok , Kao Chien‐Neng , Tsai Pei‐Chien , Liu Chen‐Hua , Lee Mei‐Hsuan , Liu Chun‐Jen , Dai Chia‐Yen , Kao Jia‐Horng , Chuang Wan‐Long , Lin Han‐Chieh , Yu Ming‐Lung
Published: March 2021

Background/aims

Direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) are highly effective in treating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected patients. The real‐world treatment outcome in Taiwanese patients on a nationwide basis is elusive.

Methods

The Taiwan HCV Registry (TACR) programme is a nationwide registry platform including 48 study sites, which is organized and supervised by the Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver. The primary endpoint was sustained virological response (SVR12, undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks after end‐of‐treatment).

Results

A total of 13 951 registered patients with SVR12 data available were analysed (mean age, 63.0 years; female, 55.9%; HCV genotype‐1 [GT1], 57.9%; cirrhosis, 38.4%; preexisting hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC], 10.6%; and hepatitis B virus coinfection, 7.7%). The overall SVR12 rate was 98.3%, with 98.7%, 98.0%, 98.4% and 97.4% in treatment‐naïve noncirrhotic, treatment‐naïve cirrhotic, treatment‐experienced noncirrhotic and treatment‐experienced cirrhotic patients, respectively. The SVR12 rate was > 95% across all subgroups except treatment‐experienced cirrhotic patients who received sofosbuvir/ribavirin (88.7%), treatment‐naïve noncirrhotic patients (94.8%) and treatment‐experienced cirrhotic (94.8%) patients who received daclatasvir/asunaprevir. The most important factor associated with treatment failure was DAA adherence < 60% ( adjusted odds ratio [aOR]/95% confidence interval [CI]: 117.1/52.4‐261.3, P < .001), followed by GT3/GT2 (aOR/CI: 5.78/2.25‐14.9, P = .0003 and aOR/CI: 1.55/1.05‐2.29, P = .03, compared with GT1), active hepatocellular carcinoma (aOR/CI: 4.29/2.57‐7.16, P < .001), the use of sofosbuvir/ribavirin (aOR/CI: 2.51/1.67‐3.77, P < .001) and daclatasvir/asunaprevir (aOR/CI: 3.29/1.94‐5.58, P < .001), decompensated liver cirrhosis (aOR/CI: 2.50/1.20‐5.22, P = .02) and high HCV viral loads (aOR/CI: 2.16/1.57‐2.97, P < .001).

Conclusions

DAAs are highly effective in treating Taiwanese HCV patients in the real‐world setting. Maintaining DAA adherence and selecting highly efficacious regimens are keys to ensure treatment success.
Antiviral prophylaxis against hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation: Current concepts
Authors: Orfanidou Afroditi , Papatheodoridis George V. , Cholongitas Evangelos
Published: March 2021

The advance in treatment against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with the development of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) with high genetic barrier to resistance, including entecavir and tenofovir, has improved clinical outcomes of patients transplanted for HBV infection, by preventing HBV recurrence after liver transplantation (LT) effectively. Currently, after LT, the combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and a high‐barrier NA is considered as the standard of care for prophylaxis against HBV recurrence. However, because of the high cost of intravenous high‐dose HBIG, other routes of HBIG administration, such as intramuscular or subcutaneous, have come to the foreground. In addition, several transplant centres tend to use a NA as monoprophylaxis, following a short post‐LT period of HBIG and NA combination. Lately, studies using HBIG‐free prophylactic regimens with entecavir or tenofovir have shown promising outcomes in preventing HBV recurrence, mostly regarding patients with undetectable HBV DNA at the time of LT. Although vaccination against HBV has been an attractive prophylactic approach, its efficacy has been controversial. Moreover, further studies are needed regarding long‐term outcomes of complete withdrawal anti‐HBV prophylaxis. For patients transplanted for HBV/HDV co‐infection, combined regimen should be administered for a longer period post‐LT. Finally, the use of grafts from hepatitis B core antibody‐positive donors is safe for HBV‐negative recipients, with the administration of lifelong antiviral prophylaxis.
Size‐matching as an important driver of plant–pollinator interactions
Authors: Naghiloo S. , Nikzat‐Siahkolaee S. , Esmaillou Z.
Published: March 2021

One of the greatest challenges in ecology is to understand and predict the functional outcome of interaction networks. Size‐matching between plants and pollinators is one of the key functional traits expected to play a major role in structuring plant–pollinator interactions. However, the community‐wide patterns of size‐matching remain largely unexplored.

We studied the association between the degree of size‐matching and foraging efficiency, pollination efficiency and the probability of pairwise interactions in a community of Lamiaceae.

Our study revealed that foraging efficiency is maximal when bee proboscis length corresponds to the corolla tube depth of the flower visited. Pollination efficiency was maximal when the bee body height corresponds to the corolla width of the flower visited. While the degree of size‐matching did not influence the probability of interaction, it significantly influenced the strength of the interaction in terms of visitation frequency.

We suggest a size‐matching index as a reliable metric to predict the frequency of interactions as well as the effectiveness of visits in terms of foraging efficiency and pollination efficiency.
Effect of sedentary behavior interventions on vascular function in adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zheng Chen , Zhang Xiaoyuan , Sheridan Sinead , Ho Robin Sze‐Tak , Sit Cindy Hui‐Ping , Huang Yu , Wong Stephen Heung‐Sang
Published: March 2021

Sedentary behavior (SB) results in hemodynamic alterations within the vasculature, leading to vascular dysfunction that may be attenuated by various interventions. This systematic review and meta‐analysis examined the effect of SB interventions on vascular function in adults using seven databases searched on December 17, 2020. All types of SB interventions were included such as short‐ and long‐term interventions (≥7 days) in participants aged ≥18 years. The pooled effect (mean difference) of intervention on three outcomes, namely, flow‐mediated dilation (FMD), shear rate (SR), and pulse wave velocity (PWV), was evaluated using random effects meta‐analyses. The revised Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool for randomized trials was employed to assess the quality of the included studies. Twenty‐six studies (21 short‐term and six long‐term interventions) involving 669 participants from eight countries were included. Evidence from meta‐analysis showed that short‐term interventions targeting SB improved FMD by 1.50% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.99) and increased SR by 12.70 S−1 (95% CI 7.86–17.54); no significant pooled effect was found for PWV. Long‐term SB interventions resulted in a 0.93% increase in FMD (95% CI 0.25–1.62) and had no significant effect on PWV. Findings of this systematic review and meta‐analysis suggest that both short‐ and long‐term SB interventions improved FMD but had no effect on PWV. Short‐term interventions had a greater effect in improving lower extremity arterial function. Further studies targeting long‐term SB interventions on vascular function in adults are warranted.
An improved direct shear characterisation technique for soft gelatinous and elastomeric materials
Authors: Millar David , Mennu Matlock , Upadhyay Kshitiz , Morley Cameron , Ifju Peter
Published: March 2021

Soft materials such as hydrogels and elastomers exhibit very low stiffness and strength as well as large deformations, which makes their mechanical characterisation extremely difficult through conventional methods. This paper presents a novel experimental technique for the mechanical shear property characterisation of these materials. Agarose hydrogels were chosen as a model material for this study. The new in‐plane shear test method incorporates 3‐D‐printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) grips for specimen mounting and digital image correlation (DIC) for full‐field strain measurement on both sides of the specimen gauge section. These grips utilise barb‐like pegs to secure the specimen while load is applied. In order to evaluate the methodology, four concentrations of agarose hydrogel (4.0%, 2.5%, 1.5%, and 0.5% wt./solvent volume) were tested. Results for the agarose hydrogel demonstrated excellent repeatability. The obtained shear moduli show a monotonic increase with gel concentration. Furthermore, the range of shear moduli applicable to the novel testing method was determined.
Judge not? The pedagogical puzzle of right interpretation and wrong interpretation
Authors: Esterson Rebecca K.
Published: March 2021

When studying the reception history of the Bible, should students be asked to suspend judgment on a particular interpretation for the sake of the pedagogical goals of the course? Or is their judgment essential to the process of learning and understanding? This essay explores the pedagogical puzzle of right interpretation and wrong interpretation through the context of my classroom, where neither the troubling events of a nation in turmoil nor our own social, religious, and cultural locations as readers could be bracketed from the learning environment, despite my best efforts. In particular, this essay integrates the approach outlined by Gary Weissman, who argues for an embrace of student misreading in his book The Writer in the Well. His suggestion that misreading and rewriting are fundamental to the process of understanding is provocative, and its application to biblical studies presents special challenges, but this paper argues for its relevance to the pedagogical puzzle at hand.
Address points of landmarks and paratransit services as a credible reference database for geocoding
Authors: Dumedah Gift
Published: March 2021

Address and location challenges are global, yet sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) is the most poorly referenced geographically due to poor spatial referencing of mobility infrastructure and landmarks, poor road layout, and informal settlements. But there is a widespread use of informal geographic referencing especially for paratransit service, and landmarks including schools, hospitals, and markets, which are not mapped. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to generate a reference database for geocoding purposes by taking advantage of address points of landmarks and paratransit (trotro) services. The reference database was generated for the Oforikrom municipality of the Ashanti region in Ghana, and validated by geocoding 108 preprocessed local addresses. The results show a 100% match rate between the 108 addresses and the reference database, with 10% of those matches determined by qualitative and approximate spatial relations. The match‐rate was 88% with no preprocessing of the input addresses. Point‐based geocoding was found to be the most practicable approach to develop a reference database for geocoding addresses in SSA, or areas characterized by lack of geographical referencing. The widespread usage of landmarks and paratransit for geographic referencing in SSA provides the potential to adapt this study to countries/areas with informal settlements and poor geographic referencing.
Assessment of high school teachers on their digital competences
Authors: Dias-Trindade Sara , Moreira José António
Published: March 2021

Digital Technologies’ potential has brought new challenges to teachers, making it essential to acquire digital competences that will allow them to effectively use those technologies. The aim of this research is to assess the Portuguese high school teachers’ digital competence level. The quantitative methodology used emphasises the teachers’ perception of their digital competences in three focal dimensions: teachers’ professional and pedagogic competences and learners’ competences. The findings show that teachers’ digital competence level is moderate; the dimensions with the lowest values are “teachers’ pedagogic competences” and “learners’ competences”. Subdimensions Assessment, Empowering Learners and Facilitating Learners’ Digital Competence are the weakest.
A Simple Air Ejector
Authors: Keenan J. H. , Neumann E. P.
Published: March 2021

This paper reports the results of an investigation in which the authors studied the performance of the simplest form of ejector which would function in a useful manner. An attempt was made to analyze the data as nearly independent of other work on ejectors as possible, and to compare the performance with that predicted analytically. The primary purpose of the study was to test the utility and validity of a method of analysis, and not to devise a new type of ejector.
An Analytical Method for Determining the Flexibility of Piping Having Two or More Anchorages
Authors: Miller Harry
Published: March 2021

Reference is made to an analytical method for determining the flexibility of piping having two anchorages, as developed by H. C. E. Meyer and Prof. W. Hovgaard. This paper is an attempt to amplify the method in such a manner that the flexibility of piping having reverse bends may be conveniently and accurately computed. It is the author’s objective also to remove the restriction on the number of anchorages. The mathematical development of the method was suggested in a previous paper by H. Poritsky and H. D. Snively.
A matched-field processing approach to ranging surface vessels using a single hydrophone and measured replica fields
Authors: Lo Kam W.
Published: March 2021

A matched-field processing (MFP) approach is proposed to provide instantaneous estimates of the horizontal range of a surface vessel moving in shallow water, using a single hydrophone located above the sea bottom. The field to be matched is the cepstrum of the acoustic signal received at the hydrophone. A set of replica fields (cepstra), each at a known horizontal range, is generated using the recorded acoustic data for a typical surface vessel transit in the area of interest. The instantaneous horizontal range of any surface vessel moving in the same area of interest is estimated by finding the replica field that best matches the observed field. The proposed method is tested using real acoustic data recorded from a bottom-mounted linear array of eight hydrophones, for six transits of a small ship and a single transit of a rigid-hulled inflatable boat in shallow water. In this experiment, the replica fields are generated using the acoustic data from the two hydrophones at both ends of the array for one of the small ship transits. The proposed MFP method is applied, in turn, to the acoustic data from each hydrophone for each vessel transit, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
The Contribution of Leisure Center Usage to Physical Activity in the United Kingdom: Evidence From a Large Population-Based Cohort
Authors: Hanson Coral L. , Kelly Paul , Neubeck Lis , Bell Jordan , Gibb Holly , Jin Kai
Published: March 2021

Background: Physical activity (PA) levels vary across specific population groups, contributing to health inequalities. Little is known about how local authority leisure centers contribute to population PA and whether this differs by age, sex, or socioeconomic group. Methods: The authors calculated weekly leisure center–based moderate/vigorous PA for 20,904 registered adult users of local authority leisure facilities in Northumberland, United Kingdom, between July 2018 and June 2019, using administrative data. The authors categorized activity levels (<30, 30–149, and ≥150 min/wk) and used ordinal regression to examine predictors for activity category achieved. Results: Registered users were mainly female (58.7%), younger (23.9% of users aged 18–29 y vs 10.1% of those aged 70+ y), and from the 2 most affluent socioeconomic quintiles (53.7%). Median weekly moderate/vigorous leisure center–based activity was 55 minutes per week (interquartile range: 30–99). Being female (odds ratio: 2.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.95–2.35), older (odds ratio: 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–1.16), and using a large facility (odds ratio: 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.42) were positive predictors of leisure center–based PA. Conclusion: Older adults and females were more likely to be active and achieve the recommended PA levels through usage of the centers. Widespread use of this novel measure of leisure center–based activity would improve the understanding of how local authority leisure centers can address physical inactivity and its associated inequalities.
Antisense oligonucleotide therapy in a humanized mouse model of
MECP2
duplication syndrome
Authors: Shao Yingyao , Sztainberg Yehezkel , Wang Qi , Bajikar Sameer S. , Trostle Alexander J. , Wan Ying-Wooi , Jafar-nejad Paymaan , Rigo Frank , Liu Zhandong , Tang Jianrong , Zoghbi Huda Y.
Published: March 2021

Antisense oligonucleotides are efficacious and safe in a humanized mouse model of
MECP2
duplication syndrome.
BMPR1A maintains skeletal stem cell properties in craniofacial development and craniosynostosis
Authors: Maruyama Takamitsu , Stevens Ronay , Boka Alan , DiRienzo Laura , Chang Connie , Yu Hsiao-Man Ivy , Nishimori Katsuhiko , Morrison Clinton , Hsu Wei
Published: March 2021

Stemness of skeletal stem cells in the calvarium is maintained by BMPR1A; disruption depletes stem cells and causes cranial bone fusion.
Teplizumab improves and stabilizes beta cell function in antibody-positive high-risk individuals
Authors: Sims Emily K. , Bundy Brian N. , Stier Kenneth , Serti Elisavet , Lim Noha , Long S. Alice , Geyer Susan M. , Moran Antoinette , Greenbaum Carla J. , Evans-Molina Carmella , Herold Kevan C. ,   Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Study Group, DiMeglio Linda A. , Gitelman Stephen E. , Gottlieb Peter A. , Marks Jennifer B. , Moore Wayne , Rodriguez Henry , Russell William E. , Schatz Desmond , Tsalikian Eva , Wherrett Diane K. , Ziegler Anette-Gabriele
Published: March 2021

Teplizumab treatment of nondiabetic relatives at high risk for T1D induces partially exhausted CD8
+
T cells and improves beta cell function.
Broad neutralization of H1 and H3 viruses by adjuvanted influenza HA stem vaccines in nonhuman primates
Authors: Darricarrère Nicole , Qiu Yu , Kanekiyo Masaru , Creanga Adrian , Gillespie Rebecca A. , Moin Syed M. , Saleh Jacqueline , Sancho Jose , Chou Te-Hui , Zhou Yanfeng , Zhang Ruijun , Dai Shujia , Moody Anthony , Saunders Kevin O. , Crank Michelle C. , Mascola John R. , Graham Barney S. , Wei Chih-Jen , Nabel Gary J.
Published: March 2021

Nonhuman primates immunized with adjuvanted stabilized headless HA stem nanoparticles generated influenza-specific broadly neutralizing antibodies.
Human Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Molnupiravir, a Novel Broad-Spectrum Oral Antiviral Agent with Activity against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Painter Wendy P. , Holman Wayne , Bush Jim A. , Almazedi Firas , Malik Hamzah , Eraut Nicola C. J. E. , Morin Merribeth J. , Szewczyk Laura J. , Painter George R.
Published: March 2021

Molnupiravir (EIDD-2801/MK-4482), the prodrug of the active antiviral ribonucleoside analog β-
d
-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC; EIDD-1931), has activity against a number of RNA viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and seasonal and pandemic influenza viruses. Single and multiple doses of molnupiravir were evaluated in this first-in-human, phase 1, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers, which included evaluation of the effect of food on pharmacokinetics.
Vegetable-Derived Carbapenemase-Producing High-Risk Klebsiella pneumoniae ST15 and Acinetobacter baumannii ST2 Clones in Japan: Coexistence of
bla
NDM-1
,
bla
OXA-66
,
bla
OXA-72
, and an AbaR4-Like Resistance Island in the Same Sample
Authors: Soliman Ahmed M. , Nariya Hirofumi , Tanaka Daiki , Yu Liansheng , Hisatsune Junzo , Kayama Shizuo , Kondo Kohei , Sugai Motoyuki , Shimamoto Toshi , Shimamoto Tadashi
Published: March 2021

Carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria (CPGNB) cause severe health care-associated infections and constitute a major public health threat. Here, we investigated the genetic features of CPGNB isolated from fresh vegetable samples in Japan and found CPGNB, including
Klebsiella pneumoniae
and
Acinetobacter baumannii
, with dissimilar carbapenemases.
Complete Genome Sequence of Peptacetobacter (Clostridium) hiranonis Strain DGF055142, Isolated from Dog Feces from Flagstaff, Arizona, USA, 2019
Authors: Stone Nathan E. , Nunnally Amalee E. , Roe Chandler C. , Hornstra Heidie M. , Wagner David M. , Sahl Jason W.
Published: March 2021

A single-chromosome closed genome of
Peptacetobacter
(
Clostridium
)
hiranonis
strain DGF055142 was generated using Illumina MiSeq short reads paired with Oxford Nanopore MinION long reads. This isolate was obtained from a canine in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 2019.
Peptacetobacter
(
C.
)
hiranonis
was hypothesized to contribute to canine
Clostridium difficile
infection resistance.
Complete Genome Sequence of a
Pseudomonas
Species Isolated from Tailings Pond Water in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Shideler Steven , Headley John , Gauthier Jeff , Kukavica-Ibrulj Irena , Levesque Roger C. , Lewenza Shawn
Published: March 2021

We report the complete genome sequence of strain OST1909, belonging to a
Pseudomonas
species. The genome size is 6,306,352 bp, with a G+C content of 59.6%. The isolate was recovered from oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), despite the numerous toxic compounds that accumulate in oil sands tailings ponds.
Genome Sequences of Mycobacterium smegmatis Phages Purgamenstris and PhancyPhin
Authors: Ramirez Rendon Amairani D. , Diaz-Sanchez Angelica , Pool Ryan J. , Ahmed Fatin , Mendez Aissa , Medellin Rosa C. , Mendoza Fabian A. , Anderson Richard , Sanchez Marlen A. , Ramos Jacqueline R. , Sadana Rachna , Saha Sanghamitra
Published: March 2021

Two novel mycobacteriophages, PhancyPhin and Purgamenstris, were isolated from the Houston, Texas, area. They were isolated in the same year with the soil enrichment method using the host
Mycobacterium smegmatis
mc
2
155. They exhibit a 99.55% nucleotide identity with each other.