bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the immunogenicity of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac COVID-19 Vaccines in Hong Kong
Authors: Pun Mok Chris Ka , Cohen Carolyn A , Cheng Samuel M.S. , Chen Chunke , Kwok Kin-On , Yiu Karen , Chan Tat-On , Bull Maireid , Ling Kwun Cheung , Dai Zixi , Ng Susanna S , Lui Grace Chung-Yan , Wu Chao , Amerasinghe Gaya K. , Leung Daisy W , Shan Wong Samuel Yeung , Valkenburg Sophie A , Peiris Malik , Hui David S
Published: October 2021

Background

Few head-to-head evaluations of immune responses to difference vaccines have been reported.

Methods

Surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) antibody levels of adults receiving either 2 doses of BNT162b2 (n=366) or CoronaVac (n=360) vaccines in Hong Kong were determined. An age-matched subgroup (BNT162b2 (n=49) vs CoronaVac (n=49)) were tested for plaque reduction neutralizing (PRNT) and spike binding antibody and T cell reactivity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

Findings

One month after the second dose of vaccine, BNT162b2 elicited significantly higher PRNT50, PRNT90, sVNT, spike receptor binding, spike N terminal domain binding, spike S2 domain binding, spike FcR binding and antibody avidity levels than CoronaVac. The geometric mean PRNT50 titres in those vaccinated with BNT162b2 and CoronaVac vaccines were 251.6 and 69.45 while PRNT90 titres were 98.91 and 16.57, respectively. All of those vaccinated with BNT162b2 and 45 (91.8%) of 49 vaccinated with CoronaVac achieved the 50% protection threshold for PRNT90. Allowing for an expected seven-fold waning of antibody titres over six months for those receiving CoronaVac, only 16.3% would meet the 50% protection threshold versus 79.6% of BNT162b2 vaccinees. Age was negatively correlated with PRNT90 antibody titres. Both vaccines induced SARS-CoV-2 specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses at 1-month post-vaccination but CoronaVac elicited significantly higher structural protein-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses.

Conclusion

Vaccination with BNT162b2 induces stronger humoral responses than CoronaVac. CoronaVac induce higher CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to the structural protein than BNT162b2.

Summary At a Glance

Through the head-to-head comparison, vaccination with BNT162b2 induces significantly higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 specific binding and neutralizing antibody responses when compared to CoronaVac. CoronaVac induce higher CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to the structural protein than BNT162b2.
Genetic Diversity of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria among Symptomatic TB negative Patients in Kenya
Authors: Mwangi Zakayo M , Mukiri Nellie , Onyambu Frank G , Bulimo Wallace
Published: October 2021

Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) transmission to humans occurs through inhalation of dust particles or vaporized water containing NTM leading to pulmonary manifestations. NTM infections are often misdiagnosed for tuberculosis (TB) due to their similar clinical and radiological manifestations. We, therefore, performed a species-level identification of NTM in symptomatic TB negative patients through sequencing of the hsp65 gene. We conducted a cross-sectional study at the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory in the period between January to November 2020. One hundred and sixty-six mycobacterial culture-positive samples that tested negative for TB using capilia underwent Polymerase Chain Reaction targeting the hsp65 gene. Isolates showing a band with gel electrophoresis at 441 bp position were sequenced using Sanger technology. Geneious software was used to analyze the obtained sequences, and the National Center for Biotechnology Information gene database identified NTM species for each isolate. A phylogenetic tree was constructed from the DNA sequences and evolutionary distances computed using the general time-reversible method. Pearson chi-square was used to determine the association between NTM infection and participants’ characteristics

Our study identified 43 different NTM species. The dominant NTM belonged to Mycobacterium avium complex 37 (31%). Slow-growing NTM were the majority at 86 (71%) while rapid-growing NTM were 36 (29%). A significant association (p<0.05) was observed for regions and age, while patient type had a week likelihood of NTM infection. Our study characterized the diversity of NTM in Kenya for the first time and showed a high diversity of NTM species.
Toward a CRISPR-based point-of-care test for tomato brown rugose fruit virus detection
Authors: Bernabé-Orts Joan Miquel , Hernando Yolanda , Aranda Miguel A.
Published: October 2021

Implementing effective monitoring strategies is fundamental to protect crops from pathogens and to ensure the food supply as the world population continues to grow. This is especially important for emergent plant pathogens such as tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), which overcomes the genetic resistance resources used in tomato breeding against tobamoviruses and has become pandemic in less than a decade. Here we report the development of a CRISPR/Cas12a-based test to detect ToBRFV in the laboratory and potentially in a field setting. Using different tobamoviruses to assess specificity, our test showed a clear positive signal for ToBRFV-infected samples, while no cross-reactivity was observed for closely related viruses. Next, we compared the limit of detection of our CRISPR-based test with a reference real-time quantitative PCR test widely used, revealing similar sensitivities for both tests. Finally, to reduce complexity and achieve field-applicability, we used a fast nucleic acid purification step and compared its results side by side with those of a commonly used column-mediated protocol. The new protocol saved time and resources but at the expense of sensitivity. However, it still may be useful to confirm ToBRFV, detection in samples with incipient symptoms of infection. Although there is room for improvement, to our knowledge this is the first field-compatible CRISPR-based test to detect ToBRFV, which combines isothermal amplification with a simplified nucleic acid extraction protocol.
Polygenic effect on accelerated tau pathology accumulation in Alzheimer’s disease: implications for patient selection in clinical trials
Authors: Rubinski Anna , Frerich Simon , Malik Rainer , Franzmeier Nicolai , Ramirez Alfredo , Dichgans Martin , Ewers Michael ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)
Published: November 2021

Progression of fibrillar tau is a key driver of dementia symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but predictors of the rate of tau accumulation at patient-level are missing. Here we combined the to-date largest number of genetic risk variants of AD (n=85 lead SNPs) from recent GWAS to generate a polygenic score (PGS) predicting the rate of change in fibrillar tau. We found that a higher PGS was associated with higher rates of PET-assessed fibrillar-tau accumulation over a mean of 1.8 yrs (range = 0.6 – 4 yrs). This, in turn, mediated effects of the PGS on faster rates of cognitive decline. Sensitivity analysis showed that the effects were similar for men and women but pronounced in individuals with elevated levels of beta-amyloid and strongest for lead SNPs expressed in microglia. Together, our results demonstrate that the PGS predicts tau progression in Alzheimer’s disease, which could afford sample size savings by up to 34% when used alone and up to 61% when combined with APOE ε4 genotype in clinical trials targeting tau pathology.
Theoretical and computational improvements to the algebraic method for discovering cooperative rigid-unit modes
Authors: Campbell Branton J. , Stokes Harold T. , Averett Tyler B. , Machlus Shae , Yost Christopher J.
Published: November 2021

A linear-algebraic algorithm for identifying rigid-unit modes in networks of interconnected rigid units has recently been demonstrated. This article presents a series of enhancements to the original algorithm, which greatly improve its conceptual simplicity, numerical robustness, computational efficiency and interpretability. The improvements include the efficient isolation of constraints, the observation of variable-block separability, the use of singular value decomposition and a quantitative measure of solution inexactness.
The structural and magnetic properties of single-crystal Gd4Ga2O9
Authors: Yin Xunqing , Zhong Yunlei , Cao Yiming , Li Yunlong , Wang Guohua , Zhao Jiawang , Xu Kun , Li Zhe , Hong Guo , Qian Dong
Published: November 2021

The crystalline structures and magnetic and thermodynamic properties of a Gd4Ga2O9 single crystal grown with the optical floating zone technique have been investigated. Gd4Ga2O9 crystallizes in a monoclinic structure with the space group P21/c at room temperature. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements along the three crystallographic axes reveal a paramagnetic (PM) behavior between 2 and 300 K. A Curie–Weiss (CW) law fit was carried out and the CW temperature θCW and magnetic frustration parameter f were calculated; these suggest antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions between Gd3+ spins and a strong magnetic frustration. The field dependence of the magnetization at 2 K further confirms the magnetic frustration characteristics. A distinct λ-shaped peak at 1.4 K in the heat capacity curves suggests a transition from the PM to AFM phase. The magnetic entropy is contributed solely by Gd3+ ions.
A spectroscopic hike in the U–O phase diagram
Authors: Prieur Damien , Desagulier Marie-Margaux , Neuville Daniel R. , Guéneau Christine , Epifano Enrica , Dardenne Kathy , Rothe Joerg , Martin Philippe
Published: November 2021

The U–O phase diagram is of paramount interest for nuclear-related applications and has therefore been extensively studied. Experimental data have been gathered to feed the thermodynamic calculations and achieve an optimization of the U–O system modelling. Although considered as well established, a critical assessment of this large body of experimental data is necessary, especially in light of the recent development of new techniques applicable to actinide materials. Here we show how in situ X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) is suitable and relevant for phase diagram determination. New experimental data points have been collected using this method and discussed in regard to the available data. Comparing our experimental data with thermodynamic calculations, we observe that the current version of the U–O phase diagram misses some experimental data in specific domains. This lack of experimental data generates inaccuracy in the model, which can be overcome using in situ XANES. Indeed, as shown in the paper, this method is suitable for collecting experimental data in non-ambient conditions and for multiphasic systems.
Development of sustainable and resilient healthcare and non-cold pharmaceutical distribution supply chain for COVID-19 pandemic: a case study
Authors: Abdolazimi Omid , Salehi Esfandarani Mitra , Salehi Maryam , Shishebori Davood , Shakhsi-Niaei Majid
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study evaluated the influence of the coronavirus pandemic on the healthcare and non-cold pharmaceutical care distribution supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The model involves four objective functions to minimize the total costs, environmental impacts, lead time and the probability of a healthcare provider being infected by a sick person was developed. An improved version of the augmented e-constraint method was applied to solve the proposed model for a case study of a distribution company to show the effectiveness of the proposed model. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify the sensitive parameters. Finally, two robust models were developed to overcome the innate uncertainty of sensitive parameters.

Findings

The result demonstrated a significant reduction in total costs, environmental impacts, lead time and probability of a healthcare worker being infected from a sick person by 40%, 30%, 75% and 54%, respectively, under the coronavirus pandemic compared to the normal condition. It should be noted that decreasing lead time and disease infection rate could reduce mortality and promote the model's effectiveness.

Practical implications

Implementing this model could assist the healthcare and pharmaceutical distributors to make more informed decisions to minimize the cost, lead time, environmental impacts and enhance their supply chain resiliency.

Originality/value

This study introduced an objective function to consider the coronavirus infection rates among the healthcare workers impacted by the pharmaceutical/healthcare products supply chain. This study considered both economic and environmental consequences caused by the coronavirus pandemic condition, which occurred on a significantly larger scale than past pandemic and epidemic crises.
Undermining alienative commitment through spiritual leadership: a moderated mediation model of social capital and political skill
Authors: Ali Moazzam , Usman Muhammad , Aziz Shahzad , Rofcanin Yasin
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to examine the relationship between spiritual leadership and employees' alienative commitment to the organization, both directly and indirectly, via employee social capital. We also test the role of employee political skill as a boundary condition of the indirect spiritual leadership–alienative commitment link.

Design/methodology/approach

Time-lagged data were collected from 491 employees in various manufacturing and service organizations. Data were analyzed using structural modeling equation in Mplus (8.6).

Findings

Spiritual leadership was negatively associated with alienative commitment, both directly and indirectly, via social capital. Employee political skill moderated the indirect relationship between spiritual leadership and alienative commitment, such that the relationship was stronger when employee political skill was high (vs low).

Practical implications

The demonstration of spiritual leadership's behaviors by both managers and employees can develop employees' social capital at work, which in turn can reduce employees' negative commitment to the organization. Likewise, improving employees' political skills can help leadership diminish alienative commitment.

Originality/value

The present work contributes to the literature on spiritual leadership by foregrounding how and why spiritual leadership undermines employee alienative commitment to the organization. By doing so, the study also enhances the nomological networks of the antecedents and outcomes of social capital and contributes to the scant literature on negative alienative commitment. Given the prevalence and negative repercussions of alienative commitment for employees' and organizations' productivity and performance, our findings are timely and relevant.
Does participation in the workplace spill over into political participation? A latent class analysis approach to patterns of political behavior
Authors: Kim Jungook
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study examines Pateman's “spillover thesis” that democratic participation in the workplace will “spill over” into political participation. It applies a latent class analysis (LCA) to identify patterns of political behavior and uses workplace participation and political efficacy as predicting variables of political behavior patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzed the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) in 2014 General Social Survey (GSS) data. This study applied a LCA to identify distinct patterns in people's political behaviors and did a multinomial regression analysis to predict the patterns with workplace participation and political efficacy.

Findings

The study found partial support for the spillover thesis. Among three distinct political behavior patterns, two active patterns were associated with political efficacy. However, the mediation from workplace participation to political participation through political efficacy was not supported. Respondents involved in workplace units that collectively make work-related decisions were more likely to be active in political behaviors, but only one set of political activities. Higher political efficacy was found to lead to more active overall political participation of both patterns.

Originality/value

Unlike the previous studies of democratic spillover, which treated political behaviors either as independent types of behaviors or as a summative index of such binary coded variables, this study addressed such shortcomings of the previous studies by providing a more complex picture of political behavior patterns and their relationship with workplace participation. Future research can build on this unique methodological endeavor to explore a holistic picture of how workplace practices can influence politics and democracy through individual workers.
The RNA N6‐methyladenosine modulator HNRNPA2B1 is involved in the development of non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Jin Luming , Chen Chaoyang , Yao Jianyu , Yu Zhichen , Bu Liang
Published: October 2021

The key N6 methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation regulator is associated with multiple tumour progression. However, the m6A‐associated regulators that influence non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development have not been fully clarified. The m6A regulator expression pattern of NSCLC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset was identified. Aberrations of m6A modulators are related to NSCLC development via cBioPortal database. Furthermore, we found that IGF2BP2, IGF2BP3, HNRNPA2B1, and FTO are significantly correlated with advanced stage disease or clinical outcomes in NSCLC by UALCAN and Kaplan–Meier plot. Bioinformatics analysis showed that m6A modulators (IGF2BP2, IGF2BP3, HNRNPA2B1, and FTO) are associated with immunomodulator and immune infiltration expression in NSCLC via the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database. The co‐expression between these m6A‐associated modulators was analysed by protein‐protein interaction networks. Finally, we found that HNRNPA2B1 promotes NSCLC development in vitro by regulating cell proliferation and metastasis functions via Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) and transwell assay. Our study showed that HNRNPA2B1 is a promising target and biomarker for cancer therapy in NSCLC.
Safety in inclusive schools: what about persons with special educational needs and disabilities?
Authors: Gyimah Emmanuel Kofi
Published: October 2021

The study investigated safety‐related issues in inclusive schools in Ghana. A descriptive cross‐sectional survey design using a safety perception questionnaire was adopted for the study. Fourteen inclusive basic schools and 330 teachers were selected using the census technique. The response rate was 80% representing 264 teachers. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, that is, mean, standard deviation and pie‐chart diagram. It was revealed that the social relationship among children with special educational needs and disability (SEND), their peers without any disability and teachers was cordial. However, most aspects of the built environment were not accessible to children with SEND. It was also revealed that injuries such as bruises, cuts and abrasions were prevalent among the children. The study recommends that safety issues in inclusive schools should be taken seriously to build the self‐esteem of children with SEND.
Formation and biological effects of protein corona for food‐related nanoparticles
Authors: Cui Guoxin , Su Wentao , Tan Mingqian
Published: October 2021

The rapid development of nanoscience and nanoengineering provides new perspectives on the composition of food materials, and has great potential for food biology research and applications. The use of nanoparticle additives and the discovery of endogenous nanoparticles in food make it important to elucidate in vivo safety of nanomaterials. Nanoparticles will spontaneously adsorb proteins during transporting in blood and a protein corona can be formed on the nanoparticle surface inside the human body. Protein corona affects the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles and the structure and function of proteins, which in turn affects a series of biological reactions. This article reviewed basic information about protein corona of food‐related nanoparticles, elucidated the influence of protein corona on nanoparticles properties and protein structure and function, and discussed the effect of protein corona on nanoparticles in vivo. The effects of protein corona on nanoparticles transport, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and immune response were reviewed, and the reasons for these effects were also discussed. Finally, future research perspectives for food protein corona were proposed. Protein corona gives food nanoparticles a new identity, which makes proteins bound to nanoparticles undergo structural transformations that affect their recognition by receptors in vivo. It can have positive or negative impacts on cellular uptake and toxicity of nanoparticles and even trigger immune responses. Understanding the effects of protein corona have potential in evaluating the fate of the food‐related nanoparticles, providing physicochemical and biological information about the interaction between proteins and foodborne nanoparticles. The review article will help to evaluate the safety of protein coronas formed on nanoparticles in food, and may provide fundamental information for understanding and controlling nanotoxicity.
Petrogenesis of the Chaihulanzi Gneiss and its Tectonic Implications for the North China Craton
Authors: QU Yunwei , XIE Yuling , XIA Jiaming , YU Chao , XU Dong , LI Xu , SUN Li
Published: October 2021

The Chaihulanzi area in eastern Inner Mongolia is tectonically situated on the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). The main Precambrian lithologies of the area have been referred to the Archean Jianping Group meta‐supracrustal sequences. Based on field observations, petrographic, whole‐rock geochemical, and zircon U‐Pb geochronological results, a magmatic origin for the units is proposed. Our results show that the Chaihulanzi gneisses are mainly of granitic, dioritic and granodioritic compositions, and show typical magmatic rock textures and mineral assemblages. The dioritic and granodioritic gneisses show Na‐rich tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG)‐like affinity with zircon U‐Pb dates of ca. 2.57–2.59 Ga, representing a juvenile continental growth for the northeastern NCC. The granitic gneiss is indeed potassic granite and yielded a zircon U‐Pb date of ∼2.50 Ga, which is contemporaneous with the Jining–Jiaoliao microblock collision (2.53–2.49 Ga), implying another crustal growth event. The well‐developed gneissosity in 2.57–2.59 Ga dioritic and granodioritic gneisses together with the 2.5 Ga potassic granite, which crosscuts the gneissosity implies a 2.57–2.50 Ga (mainly 2.53–2.51 Ga) collisional orogeny, probably related to the Jining–Jiaoliao microblock collision. Our new geology and chronological results provide new evidence for the early Precambrian tectonic evolution of the NCC.
The ethics of climate change: a systematic literature review
Authors: Bridge Damian J.
Published: October 2021

Climate change has impacted the world as we know it and will continue to do so unless radical steps are taken. These steps involve complex ethical decisions that will need to be made by leaders worldwide. This systematic literature review on the ethics of climate change from 1992 to 2020 reveals three key areas of research: the ethics of who bears the cost of climate change, market solutions, and geoengineering and non‐market solutions. Emerging research areas relate to the ethics of population, displacement and resettlement, and leadership. This paper reveals an intrinsic relationship between ethics and climate change that extends beyond a purely economic and emissions‐based perspective. An ethical perspective must be utilised to ensure that any amelioration efforts are equitable and consider those at the margins, including those in developing nations.
Development and validation of the food allergy severity score
Authors: Fernández‐Rivas Montserrat , Gómez García Ismael , Gonzalo‐Fernández Alejandro , Fuentes Ferrer Manuel , Dölle‐Bierke Sabine , Marco‐Martín Guadalupe , Ballmer‐Weber Barbara K. , Asero Riccardo , Belohlavkova Simona , Beyer Kirsten , de Blay Frédéric , Clausen Michael , Datema Mareen R. , Dubakiene Ruta , Grimshaw Kate E. C. , Hoffmann‐Sommergruber Karin , Hourihane Jonathan O’B , Jedrzejczak‐Czechowicz Monika , Knulst André C. , Kralimarkova Tanya , Le Thuy‐My , Papadopoulos Nikolaos G. , Popov Todor A. , Poulsen Lars K. , Purohit Ashok , Seneviratne Suranjith L. , Simpson Angela , Sinaniotis Atanasios , Turkalji Mirjana , Vázquez‐Cortés Sonia , Vera‐Berrios Rosialzira N. , Muraro Antonella , Worm Margitta , Roberts Graham , van Ree Ronald , Fernández‐Pérez Cristina , Turner Paul J. , Mills Elizabeth N. Clare
Published: October 2021

Background

The heterogeneity and lack of validation of existing severity scores for food allergic reactions limit standardization of case management and research advances. We aimed to develop and validate a severity score for food allergic reactions.

Methods

Following a multidisciplinary experts consensus, it was decided to develop a food allergy severity score (FASS) with ordinal (oFASS) and numerical (nFASS) formats. oFASS with 3 and 5 grades were generated through expert consensus, and nFASS by mathematical modeling. Evaluation was performed in the EuroPrevall outpatient clinic cohort (8232 food reactions) by logistic regression with request of emergency care and medications used as outcomes. Discrimination, classification, and calibration were calculated. Bootstrapping internal validation was followed by external validation (logistic regression) in 5 cohorts (3622 food reactions). Correlation of nFASS with the severity classification done by expert allergy clinicians by Best‐Worst Scaling of 32 food reactions was calculated.

Results

oFASS and nFASS map consistently, with nFASS having greater granularity. With the outcomes emergency care, adrenaline and critical medical treatment, oFASS and nFASS had a good discrimination (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve [ROC‐AUC]>0.80), classification (sensitivity 0.87–0.92, specificity 0.73–0.78), and calibration. Bootstrapping over ROC‐AUC showed negligible biases (1.0 × 10−6–1.23 × 10−3). In external validation, nFASS performed best with higher ROC‐AUC. nFASS was strongly correlated (R 0.89) to best‐worst scoring of 334 expert clinicians.

Conclusion

FASS is a validated and reliable method to measure severity of food allergic reactions. The ordinal and numerical versions that map onto each other are suitable for use by different stakeholders in different settings.
Growth performance and meat quality from broiler chickens reared with zeolite and halloysite in feed and straw pellet
Authors: Banaszak Mirosław , Biesek Jakub , Adamski Marek
Published: October 2021

The study's aim was to analyze the effects of different levels of halloysite (H) and zeolite (Z) in feed and pellets on the growth and meat quality in chickens; 500 Ross 308 broilers were assigned to five groups (1 g, control; 2–5 g, experimental). In Groups 2–5, different proportions of Z and H in feed (25:75 ratio; 0.5% to 2%) and pellet in kg/m2 (2, 0.650H; 3, 0.325H and 0.325Z; 4, 0.650Z; 5, 0.160H and 0.490Z) were used. Body weight was higher than 1 in all experimental groups, and carcass weight was higher, except for Group 2. The feed consumption was lower in Groups 3 and 5 than in Group 4. The breast muscle weight was higher in Group 3 than in the control group. In Groups 2, 3, and 5, the water holding capacity in the breast muscles was better than in Group 4 and in the leg muscles in Groups 3 and 4 than in Groups 1 and 5. Most of the tested characteristics indicate a beneficial effect of aluminosilicates in feed and litter on the growth and quality of meat.
How important is it to distinguish between eczema and atopic dermatitis in infants? Implications for prognosis and epidemiological research
Authors: Chiesa Z.
Published: November 2021

Linked Article:  Endre et al. Br J Dermatol 2022; 186:50–58.
Evidence for the integration of total and free testosterone levels in the management of prostate cancer
Authors: Huynh Linda My , Huang Erica , Towe Maxwell , Liang Karren , el Khatib Farouk M. , Yafi Faysal A. , Ahlering Thomas E.
Published: October 2021

Objective

To comprehensively assess total and calculated free testosterone levels in a consecutive group of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and any potential impact on disease aggressiveness and recurrence outcomes.

Participants and Methods

The study included a single‐centre prospective cohort of 882 patients presenting for radical prostatectomy from 2009 to 2018. Data on total testosterone (TT), sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG), and calculated free testosterone (cFT) were prospectively collected. Stepwise logistic regression models were used to assess correlations of TT and cFT with pathological Gleason Grade Group (GGG), extraprostatic extension (EPE), seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) and biochemical recurrence (BCR).

Results

Total testosterone remained nearly constant across decades (40s–80s): 0.09 decrease/year (R = 0.02), while SHBG increased 0.87/year (R = 0.32) and cFT decreased 0.08/year (R = −0.02). Low cFT of <5.5 independently predicted: very‐high‐risk GGG (odds ratio [OR] 0.435, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.846–0.994; P = 0.036), EPE (OR 0.557, 95% CI 0.810–0.987; P = 0.011), SVI (OR 0.396, 95% CI 0.798–1.038; P = 0.059), and BCR within 1 year after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (OR 0.638, 95% CI 0.971–3.512, P = 0.046). TT was not a predictor.

Conclusion

In contrast to popular belief, testosterone remained stable in men aged 40–80 years, whereas free testosterone decreased by 2–3%/year. Low cFT was an independent predictor of very‐high‐risk PCa and BCR.
Oral myiasis in humans
Authors: Rauen C. A. , Lança M. L. , Jitumori C. , Inaoka S. , Bonan P. , Kaminagakura E.
Published: October 2021

Myiasis is a parasitic infestation resulting from flies laying eggs in the host tissues. It is common in animals, but can also occur in humans, including in the oral cavity. The diagnosis is usually quite clear in endemic regions such as Brazil, but it can be challenging to clinicians in nonendemic counties when faced with a patient who has acquired the infection elsewhere. We report two clinical cases of human intraoral myiasis and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Two men, both of whom were in situations of vulnerability presented with myiasis: the first patient had larvae infesting the alveolar ridge region after tooth extraction, while the second was diagnosed with inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia associated with larvae along the edges of the lesion. Both were treated with ivermectin and antibiotics, and given guidance on preventative care. Such infestations are often a clear sign of neglect, and clinicians need to pay attention to the general health of patients affected by oral myiasis.
Longitudinal myocardial function is more compromised in cardiac syndrome X compared to insignificant CAD: Role of stress echocardiography and calcium scoring
Authors: Bytyçi Ibadete , Bengrid Tarek M. , Henein Michael Y.
Published: October 2021

Background and Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the nature of myocardial dysfunction in the cardiac syndrome X (CSX) and insignificant coronary artery disease (ICAD) using dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and coronary calcium scoring (CAC).

Methods

We prospectively studied 35 consecutive patients who complained of exertional angina, had ≥1 mm ST shift on exercise stress test but normal or no obstructive CAD (<50%) on angiography. Patients were divided into CSX (n = 27) with normal arteries and ICAD (n = 8) with insignificant stenosis.

Results

CSX patients had more females, lower calcium score and less prevalent cardiac risk factors compared to ICAD (p < 0.05 for all). At peak stress, MAPSE and TAPSE failed to increase in both groups. LV septal and lateral s’ increased in the two groups but the increment increase was less in CSX than ICAD (p < 0.05) while other diastolic indices did not differ between groups (p > 0.05 for all). CAC correlated modestly with LV and RV systolic velocities: septal s' (r = −0.65, p < 0.001) lateral s' (r = −0.35, p = 0.04) and right s' (r = −0.53, p = 0.005) in CSX, while in ICAD patients only with RV s' (r = −0.58, p = 0.02). On multivariate model, only septal s' OR 1.816 (1.1090–3.820, p = 0.04) proved the most powerful independent predictor of CAC.

Conclusions

Compromised LV longitudinal systolic velocities were more pronounced and calcium score as a surrogate for atherosclerosis was lower in CSX than ICAD. These findings strengthen the evidence for different pathogenesis of CSX compared to ICAD, with microvascular disease in the former and calcification in the latter.
Visual field defects after vigabatrin treatment during infancy: retrospective population‐based study
Authors: Jonsson Henna , Lehto Mikko , Vanhatalo Sampsa , Gaily Eija , Linnankivi Tarja
Published: October 2021

Aim

To investigate the prevalence of vigabatrin‐attributed visual field defect (VAVFD) in infantile spasms and the utility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in detecting vigabatrin‐related damage.

Method

We examined visual fields by Goldmann or Octopus perimetry and the thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) with spectral‐domain OCT at school age or adolescence.

Results

Out of 88 patients (38 females, mean age at study 15y, SD 4y 3mo, range 6y 4mo–23y 3mo [n=65] or deceased [n=21] or moved abroad [n=2]) exposed to vigabatrin in infancy, 28 were able to perform formal visual field testing. Two had visual field defect from structural causes. We found mild VAVFD in four patients and severe VAVFD in one patient. Median vigabatrin treatment duration for those with normal visual field was 11 months compared to 19 months for those with VAVFD (p=0.04). OCT showed concomitant attenuated RNFL in three children with VAVFD, and was normal in one. The temporal half of the peripapillary RNFL was significantly thinner in the VAVFD group compared to the normal visual field group.

Interpretation

The overall prevalence of VAVFD is lower after exposure in infancy compared to 52% which has been reported after exposure in adulthood. The risk increases with longer treatment duration. Further studies should identify infants particularly susceptible to VAVFD and clarify the role of OCT.
Independent effects of amyloid and vascular markers on long‐term functional outcomes: An 8‐year longitudinal study of subcortical vascular cognitive impairment
Authors: Kang Sung Hoon , Woo Sook‐young , Kim Seonwoo , Kim Jun Pyo , Jang Hyemin , Koh Seong‐Beom , Na Duk L. , Kim Hee Jin , Seo Sang Won
Published: October 2021

Background and purpose

Subcortical vascular cognitive impairment (SVCI) is characterized by the presence of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) markers. Some SVCI patients also show Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy markers. However, the effects of these imaging markers on long‐term clinical outcomes have not yet been established. The present study, therefore, aimed to determine how these imaging markers influence functional disability and/or mortality.

Methods

We recruited 194 participants with SVCI from the memory clinic and followed them up. All participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging at baseline, and 177 (91.2%) participants underwent beta‐amyloid (Aβ) positron emission tomography. We examined the occurrence of ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes. We also evaluated functional disability and mortality using the modified Rankin scale. To determine the effects of imaging markers on functional disability or mortality, we used Fine and Gray competing regression or Cox regression analysis.

Results

During a 8.6‐year follow‐up period, 46 of 194 patients (23.7%) experienced a stroke, 110 patients (56.7%) developed functional disabilities and 75 (38.6%) died. Aβ positivity (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] = 2.73), greater white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume (SHR = 3.11) and ≥3 microbleeds (SHR = 2.29) at baseline were independent predictors of functional disability regardless of the occurrence of stroke. Greater WMH volume (hazard ratio = 2.07) was an independent predictor of mortality.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that diverse imaging markers may predict long‐term functional disability and mortality in patients with SVCI, which in turn may provide clinicians with a more insightful understanding of the long‐term outcomes of SVCI.
The photosynthetic response of C3 and C4 bioenergy grass species to fluctuating light
Authors: Lee Moon‐Sub , Boyd Ryan A. , Ort Donald R.
Published: October 2021

Bioenergy grass species are a renewable energy source, but their productivity has not been fully realized. Improving photosynthetic efficiency has been proposed as a mechanism to increase the productivity of bioenergy grass species. Fluctuating light, experienced by all field grown crops, is known to reduce photosynthetic efficiency. This experiment aimed to evaluate the photosynthetic performance of both C3 and C4 bioenergy grass species under steady state and fluctuating light conditions by examining leaf gas exchange. The fluctuating light regime used here decreased carbon assimilation across all species when compared to expected steady state values. Overall, C4 species assimilated more carbon than C3 species during the fluctuating light regime, with both photosynthetic types assimilating about 16% less carbon than expected based on steady state measurements. Little diversity was observed in response to fluctuating light among C3 species, and photorespiration partially contributed to the rapid decreases in net photosynthetic rates during high to low light transitions. In C4 species, differences among the four NADP‐ME species were apparent. Diversity observed among C4 species in this experiment provides evidence that photosynthetic efficiency in response to fluctuating light may be targeted to increase C4 bioenergy grass productivity.
The Importance of Groundwater in Critical Zone Science
Authors: Singha Kamini , Navarre‐Sitchler Alexis
Published: October 2021

The critical zone (CZ)—from treetops to groundwater—is an increasingly studied part of the earth system, where scientists study interactions between water, air, rock, soil, and life. Groundwater is both a boundary and an essential store in this integrated system, but is often not well considered in part because of the difficulty in accessing it and its slow movement relative to other parts of the system. Here, we describe some fundamental areas where groundwater hydrology is of fundamental importance to CZ science, including sustaining streamflow and vegetation, reacting with minerals to produce dissolved solutes and regolith, and influencing energy fluxes across the land‐atmosphere interface. As the timing and type of precipitation change with climate, groundwater may play an even more important role in CZ processes as a sustainable water source for plants and streamflow. Many open questions also exist about the role of CZ processes on groundwater. Many data streams are needed and important to quantifying the integrated response of the CZ to groundwater and vice versa, but long‐term data records are often incomplete or discontinued due to limited funding. We argue that the long timescales of processes that involve groundwater necessitate data collection efforts beyond typical federal funding timespans. Sustaining monitoring networks and developing new ones aimed at testing hypotheses related to slow‐moving, groundwater‐controlled CZ processes should be a scientific priority, and here we outline some open questions that we hope will motivate groundwater scientists to get involved in CZ science.
Advanced mosasaurs from the Upper Cretaceous Nakaminato Group in Japan
Authors: Kato Taichi , Nakajima Yasuhisa , Shiseki Kohei , Ando Hisao
Published: October 2021

Plotosaurus is a highly aquatically adapted mosasaur, which is supposed to inhabit the deep ocean basin. The geographic occurrence of this genus has been limited only to the west coast of North America. In this study, two Plotosaurus‐type mosasaur caudal vertebrae derived from the Upper Cretaceous Nakaminato Group in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, are described with discussion on the paleobiogeographic significance of the Late Cretaceous mosasaur fauna in the Northwestern Pacific region. The two specimens are an intermediate caudal vertebra found in a beach cobble, which presumably originated from the Hiraiso Formation (upper Campanian), and a terminal caudal vertebra found in situ in the lower Isoai Formation (lower Maastrichtian). Because their relative centrum lengths (ratio of centrum length/centrum height, ~0.7) are very close to that of Plotosaurus, the specimens are referred to cf. Plotosaurus sp. The two specimens provide the first evidence that highly specialized Plotosaurus‐type mosasaurs inhabited the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, suggesting that such forms had a wider distribution than previously recognized and might have existed since the late Campanian in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean.
An overview of pruritus in autoimmune connective tissue diseases
Authors: Pathania Yashdeep Singh
Published: October 2021

Autoimmune connective tissue diseases (ACTD) are a broad spectrum of diseases including dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren syndrome, systemic sclerosis, and mixed connective tissue diseases. Pruritus is an unpleasant sensation leading to scratching. It is most commonly seen in dermatomyositis patients among ACTD. Itch can be mild to severe, hampering daily activities. It is often associated with disease severity. Apart from ACTD, pruritus may be due to antimalarial agents or due to adverse effects of medications used in ACTD. Therefore, it is prudent to find the pathogenesis of pruritus for adequate treatment. Pruritus in ACTD is underreported and undertreated. The article gives a comprehensive view of pruritus in ACTD, its pathogenesis, and management.
Evaluating Polish nurses' working conditions and patient safety during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Malinowska‐Lipień Iwona , Wadas Tadeusz , Gabryś Teresa , Kózka Maria , Gniadek Agnieszka , Brzostek Tomasz , Squires Allison
Published: October 2021

Aim

To study the relationship between Polish nurses' working conditions and their attitudes towards patient safety during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Background

Facing the COVID‐19 pandemic, caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, healthcare worldwide has been reorganised. How these changes affected patient safety for hospitalised persons is not well understood.

Introduction

Difficult working conditions related to the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic may affect the provision of safe and effective care by healthcare staff.

Methods

This observational research was performed on the group of 577 nurses working during the COVID‐19 pandemic in isolation infection wards (n = 201) and non‐infectious diseases wards (n = 376) in Polish hospitals. The evaluation of working conditions was performed with an author's questionnaire, while the evaluation of factors influencing attitudes towards safety of the hospitalised patients was performed using Safety Attitudes Questionnaire. The STROBE checklist was used to report this study.

Results

The procedures developed by management in advance for COVID‐19 patient treatment had a statistically significant influence on nurses' ‘evaluation of teamwork climate, safety climate, job satisfaction, perception of management and work conditions’. Providing management with the ability to perform a swab polymerase chain reaction SARS‐CoV‐2 test for hospital staff in the workplace, and psychological support from professionals and employers were statistically significant for higher ratings of ‘teamwork climate, safety climate, job satisfaction, stress recognition, perception of management and work conditions’ by the Polish nurses. Hospital workload during the COVID‐19 pandemic was significantly correlated with lower evaluation of work conditions.

Discussion

Our study reinforces the existing literature on many fronts and demonstrates how even when operating under the COVID‐19 pandemic conditions, some factors remain critical for fostering a culture of patient safety. Reinforcing patient safety practices is a imperative under these conditions.

Conclusions and implications for nursing

Working conditions influence nurses' attitudes towards safety of the hospitalised patients. These are largely modifiable factors related to the workplace and include prior preparation of procedures, restrictions to extending daily work hours and psychological counselling for the staff.
Intercropping with Guiera senegalensis in a semi‐arid area to mitigate early‐season abiotic stress in A. hypogea and P. glaucum
Authors: Bayala Roger , Diedhiou Ibrahima , Bogie Nathaniel A. , Bright Matthew B. H. , Badiane Yacine Ndour , Ghezzehei Teamrat A. , Dick Richard P.
Published: November 2021

Recent research has shown that the native shrub, Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel, interplanted with crops dramatically increases crop yield in the Sahel. However, little is known about the crop development when grown alongside shrubs. The objectives were to determine the effect of shrub presence on crop development under varying fertilizer rates in northern Senegal. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.)) response in the presence or absence of shrubs was investigated from 2013 to 2016 under low to adequate rainfall. The experiment had a split‐plot factorial design with presence or absence shrubs (+shrub, −shrub) as the main plot (elevated densities of 1200 to 1500 shrubs ha−1) and fertilizer rate (0, 0.5, 1 or 1.5 times the recommended N–P–K rate) as the subplot factors. Major developmental phases, leaf counts and plant height were determined. Shrub presence made crops grow up to four times taller and reach 50% flowering when −shrub plots did not reach 50% in 2013 and 2015 (millet). Changes to crop development, even in low rainfall years, indicate that shrub intercropping buffers against crop water stress. Thus, under drought conditions, shrub‐based agroforestry can contribute to reduce fertilizer necessity and to mitigate against climate change.
The effectiveness of goal setting on glycaemic control for people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Whitehead Lisa , Glass Courtney , Coppell Kirsten
Published: October 2021

Aim

This review assessed the effectiveness of interventions using a goal‐setting approach on glycaemic control for people diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Design

A systematic review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for conducting systematic reviews of primary research studies was conducted.

Data Sources

Randomized controlled trials and experimental studies with a minimum follow‐up period of 6 months were considered for inclusion. The primary outcome was change in glycaemic control as measured by glycated haemoglobin (%) and/or fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl). A systematic search of seven electronic databases was completed in October 2020.

Review Methods

Papers meeting the inclusion criteria were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute tools for critical appraisal followed by data extraction. A Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation assessment was conducted to assess the overall certainty of the evidence. Fixed‐effect meta‐analyses were completed to demonstrate the mean effect for each outcome of interest.

Results

Twenty one studies were included in this review. Goal setting was more effective than usual care for glycaemic control in prediabetes at 6 months and at 12 months for fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl) and glycated haemoglobin (%). Goal setting was more effective than usual care for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes for fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl) at 6 months, fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl) at 12 months, glycated haemoglobin (%) at 6 months and glycated haemoglobin (%) at 12 months.

Conclusion

The evidence suggests goal setting is effective in supporting people to achieve glycaemic targets in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.