bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time among the taunted: The moderating effect of time perspective on bullying victimization and self‐esteem in adolescents☆
Authors: Moon Julia , Mello Zena R.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Bullying victimization is detrimental to psychosocial wellbeing in adolescents. It is paramount that factors that mitigate the harmful effects of bullying victimization be identified. Time perspective may be a potential mechanism. Thus, we examined the moderating effect of time perspective on the associations between traditional and cyberbullying victimization (being bullied in person and on electronic media) and self‐esteem in adolescents. Time perspective refers to feelings and thoughts about the past, present, and future. We examined time feelings (positive and negative feelings about the time periods), time frequency (frequency of thoughts about the time periods), and time relation (the perceived relationship among the time periods).

Methods

Two cross‐sectional survey studies were conducted. Study 1 examined traditional bullying victimization in 721 American adolescents (Mage = 15.84, SD = 1.20; 57% female). Study 2 examined cyberbullying victimization in 190 American adolescents (Mage = 15.83, SD = 1.28; 59% female).

Results

Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that time perspective dimensions moderated the associations between high levels of traditional and cyberbullying victimization and self‐esteem in adolescents who (a) had strong positive and weak negative feelings about the present and future (time feelings); (b) thought a little about the past (time frequency); or (c) perceived all time periods as interrelated (time relation).

Conclusions

Time perspective dimensions (feelings, frequency, and relation) moderated the associations between traditional and cyberbullying victimization and self‐esteem in adolescents. Findings have implications for bullying victimization prevention efforts. Findings also demonstrate the multidimensional and multi‐temporal qualities of time perspective.
Sexual Health Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob-Gyn) Residencies—A Resident Physician Survey
Authors: Worly Brett , Manriquez Maria , Stagg Amy , Blanchard May Hsieh , Ogburn Tony , Carson Sandra Ann , Woodland Mark B.
Published: May 2021

Background

Many women will experience a sexual health concern and present to their Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob-Gyn) care provider, yet a large portion of graduating Ob-Gyn resident physicians in the United States may not feel comfortable helping patients with some sexual health issues.

Aim

To perform a cross-sectional study of U.S. Ob-Gyn resident physicians that assesses sexual health education didactic sessions and comfort level with sexual health clinical vignettes.

Methods

A 32-item anonymous survey was sent to all 4,065 Ob-Gyn residents on June 7, 2016. Respondents voluntarily completed the survey electronically.

Outcomes

The primary outcome measures are the comfort level of Ob-Gyn resident physicians in taking a sexual history and providing counseling to patients represented in clinical vignettes, which were based on sexual health learning objectives from the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG).

RESULTS

Of the 4,065 eligible U.S. examinees, 968 (23.8%) agreed to participate in the study, and 802 (19.7%) completed the survey and were included in the final analysis. Nearly two-thirds of the residents indicated that sexual health training was a priority in residency. However, more than half were not able to describe the disorders of sexual function or list common medications that effect sexual function. When posed with clinical vignettes, residents felt very comfortable obtaining a sexual history (98.5%) and providing counseling (97.0%) for a 16-year-old seeking contraception, yet fewer felt very comfortable obtaining a history and providing counseling for a 26-year-old who is a refugee from Somalia (77.2% and 73.8%). Smaller cohorts felt prepared to take a sexual history and provide counseling for a 17-year-old who discloses that she is a victim of sex trafficking (61.2% and 57.7%), and for a 58-year-old transgender patient planning hormone therapy and surgery (49.9% and 37.9%). In logistic regression analysis, the factors that were influential in an Ob-Gyn resident physician’s program to prepare them to describe the disorders of sexual function were post-graduate year (OR 1.387, 95% CI 1.189, 1.618; P = .0001), those that rated the importance of a sexual health curriculum highly (OR 0.701, 95% CI 0.569, 0.864; P = .0012), and a greater number of didactic sessions on sexual health in the residency curriculum (OR 0.685, 95% CI 0.626, 0.750; P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight strengths in the comfort of Ob-Gyn resident physicians about sexual health and illustrate areas of opportunity to engage resident learners by improving the sexual health curriculum.
Coffin Commerce
Authors: Cooney Kathlyn M.
Published: May 2021

This discussion will be centered on one ubiquitous and rather simple Egyptian object type – the wooden container for the human corpse. We will focus on the entire 'lifespan' of the coffin – how they were created, who bought them, how they were used in funerary rituals, where they were placed in a given tomb, and how they might have been used again for another dead person. Using evidence from Deir el Medina, we will move through time from the initial agreement between the craftsman and the seller, to the construction of the object by a carpenter, to the plastering and painting of the coffin by a draftsman, to the sale of the object, to its ritual use in funerary activities, to its deposit in a burial chamber, and, briefly, to its possible reuse.
Paper Lives of Chinese Migrants and the History of the Undocumented
Authors: Lew-Williams Beth
Published: May 2021

Historians know a great deal more about the laws and policies that first created unauthorized status than the people who had to live within these constraints. What if we tell the history of the undocumented as a history of a people, rather than a history of a state-constructed category? Scholars have noted that unauthorized status exerts broad effects on the conditions of migrants’ everyday lives, but they have focused primarily on Latinx migrants in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. The case of unauthorized migrants produced by the Chinese exclusion laws (1882–1943) demonstrates how the study of the undocumented must begin a century earlier. In order to denaturalize the conditions of the present, we must interrogate the shifting nature of undocumented life in the past.
THE BEAUTIFUL GIRL: AN EROTIC READING OF SOCRATES’ FIRST ARGUMENT IN PLATO'S HIPPIAS MAJOR
Authors: Gold Solveig Lucia
Published: May 2021

This article looks to Attic comedy to explain Socrates’ first argument in Plato's Hippias Major: his refutation of Hippias’ claim that the Beautiful is a beautiful girl. As part of his argument, Socrates introduces three examples of beautiful things—a mare (θήλεια ἵππος), a lyre (λύρα) and a pot (χύτρα)—all of which are used in comedy as metaphorical obscenities for sexualized women. The author contends that an erotic reading of the text accomplishes what no other interpretation can: (1) a unified account of the passage that (2) allows for Socrates’ successful refutation of (3) a proposal in keeping with Hippias’ character. In addition, it explains (4) Socrates’ choice of examples—in particular, the rarely cited χύτρα—and (5) Hippias’ otherwise inexplicable reaction to the χύτρα, as well as (6) the analogous relationship of monkeys and men to pots and girls.
Fulminant intracranial hypertension as a result of otological surgery: case report and discussion of management
Authors: Morris A , Higgins J N , Axon P R
Published: May 2021

Background

Dural venous sinus injury is a rare complication of otological surgery that can lead to life-threatening sequelae, the management of which is complex and poorly described.

Case report

This paper describes the case of a 40-year-old female who underwent routine right myringoplasty complicated by sigmoid sinus laceration. The patient subsequently developed right-sided lateral sinus thrombosis leading to fulminant intracranial hypertension. The patient underwent successful emergency management by surgical reconstruction of the sigmoid sinus, followed by endovascular thrombolysis, catheter balloon angioplasty and endovascular stenting.

Conclusion

Torrential haemorrhage following otological procedures is uncommon and rarely requires packing of a bleeding venous sinus. This case highlights that injury to a highly dominant venous sinus can lead to venous outflow obstruction and life-threatening intracranial hypertension. To our knowledge, the development of this complication following otological surgery and its management has not been reported previously.
First record of swimming speed of the Pacific sleeper shark Somniosus pacificus using a baited camera array
Authors: Fujiwara Yoshihiro , Matsumoto Yasuyuki , Sato Takumi , Kawato Masaru , Tsuchida Shinji
Published: May 2021

The Pacific sleeper shark Somniosus pacificus is one of the largest predators in deep Suruga Bay, Japan. A single individual of the sleeper shark (female, ~300 cm in total length) was observed with two baited camera systems deployed simultaneously on the deep seafloor in the bay. The first arrival was recorded 43 min after the deployment of camera #1 on 21 July 2016 at a depth of 609 m. The shark had several remarkable features, including the snout tangled in a broken fishing line, two torn anteriormost left-gill septums, and a parasitic copepod attached to each eye. The same individual appeared at camera #2, which was deployed at a depth of 603 m, ~37 min after it disappeared from camera #1 view. Finally, the same shark returned to camera #1 ~31 min after leaving camera #2. The distance between the two cameras was 436 m, and the average groundspeed and waterspeed of the shark were 0.21 and 0.25 m s−1, respectively, which were comparable with those of the Greenland shark Somniosus microcephalus (0.22–0.34 m s−1) exhibiting the slowest comparative swimming speed among fish species adjusted for size. The ambient water temperature of the Pacific sleeper shark was 5.3 °C, which is considerably higher than that of the Greenland shark (~2 °C). Such a low swimming speed might be explained by the ‘visual interactions hypothesis’, but it is not a consequence of the negative effects of cold water on their locomotor organs.
The genomic distribution map of human papillomavirus in Western China
Authors: Chen Ling , Dong Yan , Li Jiao , Zhao Jinqiu , Wang Dan , Xu Li , Wu Yue , Liu Huandong , Lu Jungao , Yao Zuoyi , Li Xiaosong
Published: May 2021

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been confirmed as the causative agent for cervical cancer. In this study, a total of 301 880 women were recruited from four different regions of Western China, with 301 880 exfoliated cervical cell samples collected from women for DNA isolation and purification. The HPV genotype was tested by polymerase chain reaction. The overall HPV prevalence rate, high-risk (HR) HPV infection rate, low-risk (LR) HPV infection rate and mixed HPV infection rate was 18.24%, 79.14%, 12.56% and 8.30%, respectively. The four most common HR HPV subtypes were HPV-52, 16, 58 and 53, which accounted for 20.49%, 19.93%, 14.54% and 10.01%, respectively. In LR HPV genotype, HPV-6 ranked the highest (28.17%), followed by HPV-81 (9.09%) and HPV-11 (3.78%). HPV genotype subgroup analysis also showed that single-type infection was the most common (77.26%) among HPV-positive individuals. Among multi-infection genotypes, double infection was the most common with frequencies of 76.04%. The overall prevalence of HPV is high in Western China, whose distribution demonstrates different patterns across different ages and regions. Viral genotypes HPV 53, 6 were frequently detected in this population, which is worth of significant clinical attention.
Breeding behaviour of colour-aberrant Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) at Cape Crozier, Ross Island, Antarctica
Authors: Levinson Parker M. , Schmidt Annie E. , Morandini Virginia , Elrod Megan , Jongsomjit Dennis , Ballard Grant
Published: May 2021

Plumage colour variation occurs widely among bird species and is often associated with individual fitness. More specifically, colouration can affect thermoregulatory ability, mate selection and conspicuousness during foraging. Colour aberrations can be caused by genetic mutations, dietary imbalances, environmental conditions or disease and are rare. Plumage variations have previously been noted in Adélie penguins, although without any follow-up to measure implications for behaviour or fitness. To assess how this low-frequency condition affects breeding in Adélie penguins, we monitored the breeding of several colour-aberrant Adélie penguins during the 2019–2020 nesting season at the large Cape Crozier, Ross Island colony (> 300,000 pairs). In total, we found 12 individuals with unusual plumage for a frequency of 1:50,000 breeding penguins. There were seven dark brown Adélie penguins, three progressive greying Adélie penguins, one dilute Adélie penguin and one brown Adélie penguin, of which five were female, three male and four of unknown sex. Six colour aberrants initiated breeding with a normal-coloured mate, and five raised at least one chick to crèche. The likelihood of breeding and breeding success of colour aberrants were similar to those of normal-coloured Adélie penguins, suggesting that colour aberrations do not negatively affect breeding.
Revisiting the Chinese Room: Looking for Agency in a World Packed with Archaeological Things
Authors: Ribeiro Artur
Published: May 2021

Posthumanist approaches in archaeology have given plenty of focus to things in the last decade. This focus on things is a reaction to the over-anthropocentric view of social life advanced by postprocessual archaeologists. Whereas agency of more than 10 years ago was about how individuals expressed purpose and identity, agency today is about how both humans and non-human objects affect one another in a symmetrical manner. It seems without doubt that Posthumanism has contributed greatly to new understandings of social reality, but in the process it has also forced archaeologists to sacrifice many topics of interest, namely those involving consciousness and purpose. But is this sacrifice really necessary? This is one of the central problems of Posthumanism: it disallows a compromise of ideas from more conventional social theory (e.g. norms, purpose, practice) with those of posthumanist theory. This paper revisits John Searle's ‘Chinese Room’ and reiterates what this thought-experiment meant to understanding consciousness and purpose. The thought-experiment highlighted the differences between humans and machines and demonstrated that, even if a machine could replicate human purpose, it would still not be considered human because, unlike mechanical processes, human purpose is based on ethics. The thought-experiment was the first step in debunking the computational theory of mind. In light of this thought-experiment, the paper argues that, in a world where things interact with humans, we should think of agency in terms of ethics and keep the focus on humans.
Snowball Sampling and Facebook: How Social Media Can Help Access Hard-to-Reach Populations
Authors: Dosek Tomas
Published: May 2021

The snowball sampling method (SSM) is one of the most widely used methods to collect information about hard-to-reach populations and in low-information contexts. This article argues that SSM can be enhanced by the use of Facebook in at least three ways. This social-networking site helps to address some of the inherent limitations of SSM by learning about local contexts and identifying principal political actors, by gathering background information about and establishing contact with them, and by triangulating information they provide and reaching out to additional key informants. Thus, this article shows how Facebook can provide leverage in overcoming the problem of biased samples and offers concrete empirical illustrations from research on local politics in Latin American countries.
District magnitude and electoral mobilization: how uneven electoral systems shift the focus of campaign efforts by political parties
Authors: Umeda Michio
Published: May 2021

This paper shows how an uneven electoral system in Japan shapes political parties' mobilization strategies by utilizing a majoritarian electoral system with heterogeneous district magnitudes, which in turn contributes to the gap in turnout across districts. Scholars have long debated the relationship between electoral systems and turnout; it is known that countries with proportional representation electoral systems – those with larger district magnitude – tend to have higher turnout rates than countries with majoritarian electoral systems, especially single-member district (SMD) systems. The current discussion on turnout and district magnitude of an electoral system assumes a monotonic relationship between these factors: the larger the district magnitude of the electoral system, the more (or less) participatory the electorate, due to competitiveness and mobilization efforts by political parties and other relevant groups. In contrast, this paper shows a mixed relationship between district magnitude of the electoral system and party mobilization and subsequent turnout, investigating a majoritarian electoral system with uneven district magnitude in the Japanese Upper House. During the survey period, the party system in Japan consisted of two major parties and a few smaller parties; consequently, the two major parties focused their efforts on SMDs in order to maximize their seat share, while smaller parties focused their resource on districts electing more than two members (where they have some chance to elect their party's candidates). In combination, these party strategies have resulted in the lowest mobilization and turnout rates in districts with two members.
Localized Scenarios and Latitudinal Patterns of Vertical and Lateral Resilience of Tidal Marshes to Sea‐Level Rise in the Contiguous United States
Authors: Holmquist James R. , Brown Lauren N. , MacDonald Glen M.
Published: May 2021

Coastal wetlands have two dimensions of vulnerability to sea‐level rise (SLR), a vertical one, in cases where SLR outpaces their capacity to vertically accrete, and a lateral one, in cases where they are restricted from migrating inland by topography and land use. We conducted a meta‐analysis of accretion rates, standardized our analysis by using only 137Cs based estimates, and used model intercomparison to generate a vertical resilience index, a function of local SLR, tidal range, and tidal elevation category for the tidal wetlands of the contiguous US. We paired the vertical resilience index with a lateral resilience index made up of elevation, water level, and land cover maps, then projected them both into the future using localized SLR scenarios. At the regional scale, the vertical resilience index predicts changes from marsh aggradation to submergence for the coastal US Mid‐Atlantic, Southeast, and portions of the Northeast by 2100. At the sub‐regional scale, there is a geographic tradeoff between vertical and lateral resilience with more northerly wetlands vulnerable to the lack of suitable proportional area to migrate into, and more southerly wetlands vulnerable to accretion deficit. We estimate between 43% and 48% of the existing contiguous US wetland area, almost entirely located in watersheds along the Gulf of Mexico and Mid‐Atlantic coasts, is subject to both vertical and lateral limitations. These vertical and lateral resilience indices could help direct future research, planning, and mitigation efforts at a national scale, as well as supplement more processed informed approaches by local planners and practitioners.
Scientists Mine 16th Century Ship Logs for Geophysical Research
Authors: Duncombe Jenessa
Published: May 2021

Compass measurements held a key to unlocking the mystery of Earth’s magnetic field and its changes over time. A historian-turned-geoscientist found the measurements in an unlikely place—merchant ship logs.
Author Correction: Investigation of the fine structure of antihydrogen
Authors:   The ALPHA Collaboration, Ahmadi M. , Alves B. X. R. , Baker C. J. , Bertsche W. , Capra A. , Carruth C. , Cesar C. L. , Charlton M. , Cohen S. , Collister R. , Eriksson S. , Evans A. , Evetts N. , Fajans J. , Friesen T. , Fujiwara M. C. , Gill D. R. , Granum P. , Hangst J. S. , Hardy W. N. , Hayden M. E. , Hunter E. D. , Isaac C. A. , Johnson M. A. , Jones J. M. , Jones S. A. , Jonsell S. , Khramov A. , Knapp P. , Kurchaninov L. , Madsen N. , Maxwell D. , McKenna J. T. K. , Menary S. , Michan J. M. , Momose T. , Munich J. J. , Olchanski K. , Olin A. , Pusa P. , Rasmussen C. Ø. , Robicheaux F. , Sacramento R. L. , Sameed M. , Sarid E. , Silveira D. M. , So C. , Starko D. M. , Stutter G. , Tharp T. D. , Thompson R. I. , van der Werf D. P. , Wurtele J. S.
Published: May 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03367-9.
Inflammatory responses to metal oxide ceramic nanopowders
Authors: Jamieson Shannon , Mawdesley Amy , Deehan David , Kirby John , Holland James , Tyson-Capper Alison
Published: May 2021

Ceramic orthopaedic implants are increasingly popular due to the need for robust total joint replacement implants that have a high success rate long-term and do not induce biological responses in patients. This study was designed to investigate the biological effects of ceramic nanopowders containing aluminium oxide or zirconium oxide to activate the human macrophage THP-1 cell line. In vitro investigation of pro-inflammatory gene expression and chemokine secretion was performed studied using RT-qPCR and ELISA, respectively. TLR4 inhibition, using a small-molecule inhibitor, was used to determine whether ceramic-mediated inflammation occurs in a similar manner to that of metals such as cobalt. THP-1 macrophages were primed with ceramics or LPS and then treated with ATP or ceramics, respectively, to determine whether these nanopowders are involved in the priming or activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome through IL-1β secretion. Cells treated with ceramics significantly increased pro-inflammatory gene expression and protein secretion which was attenuated through TLR4 blockade. Addition of ATP to cells following ceramic treatment significantly increased IL-1β secretion. Therefore, we identify the ability of ceramic metal oxides to cause a pro-inflammatory phenotype in THP-1 macrophages and propose the mechanism by which this occurs is primarily via the TLR4 pathway which contributes to inflammasome signalling.
Predicting language treatment response in bilingual aphasia using neural network-based patient models
Authors: Grasemann Uli , Peñaloza Claudia , Dekhtyar Maria , Miikkulainen Risto , Kiran Swathi
Published: May 2021

Predicting language therapy outcomes in bilinguals with aphasia (BWA) remains challenging due to the multiple pre- and poststroke factors that determine the deficits and recovery of their two languages. Computational models that simulate language impairment and treatment outcomes in BWA can help predict therapy response and identify the optimal language for treatment. Here we used the BiLex computational model to simulate the behavioral profile of language deficits and treatment response of a retrospective sample of 13 Spanish-English BWA who received therapy in one of their languages. Specifically, we simulated their prestroke naming ability and poststroke naming impairment in each language, and their treatment response in the treated and the untreated language. BiLex predicted treatment effects accurately and robustly in the treated language and captured different degrees of cross-language generalization in the untreated language in BWA. Our cross-validation approach further demonstrated that BiLex generalizes to predict treatment response for patients whose data were not used in model training. These findings support the potential of BiLex to predict therapy outcomes for BWA and suggest that computational modeling may be helpful to guide individually tailored rehabilitation plans for this population.
Kokumi taste perception is functional in a model carnivore, the domestic cat (Felis catus)
Authors: Laffitte A. , Gibbs M. , Hernangomez de Alvaro C. , Addison J. , Lonsdale Z. N. , Giribaldi M. G. , Rossignoli A. , Vennegeerts T. , Winnig M. , Klebansky B. , Skiles J. , Logan D. W. , McGrane S. J.
Published: May 2021

Kokumi taste is a well-accepted and characterised taste modality and is described as a sensation of enhancement of sweet, salty, and umami tastes. The Calcium Sensing Receptor (CaSR) has been designated as the putative kokumi taste receptor for humans, and a number of kokumi-active ligands of CaSR have been discovered recently with activity confirmed both in vivo and in vitro. Domestic cats (Felis catus) are obligate carnivores and accordingly, their diet is abundant in proteins, peptides, and amino acids. We hypothesised that CaSR is a key taste receptor for carnivores, due to its role in the detection of different peptides and amino acids in other species. Using in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches, here we compare human CaSR to that of a model carnivore, the domestic cat. We found broad similarities in ligand specificity, but differences in taste sensitivity between the two species. Indeed our in vivo data shows that cats are sensitive to CaCl2 as a kokumi compound, but don’t show this same activity with Glutathione, whereas for humans the reverse is true. Collectively, our data suggest that kokumi is an important taste modality for carnivores that drives the palatability of meat-derived compounds such as amino acids and peptides, and that there are differences in the perception of kokumi taste between carnivores and omnivores.
Predictors for affected stroke territory and outcome of acute stroke treatments are different for posterior versus anterior circulation stroke
Authors: Handelsmann H. , Herzog L. , Kulcsar Z. , Luft A. R. , Wegener S.
Published: May 2021

Distinct patient characteristics have been proposed for ischaemic stroke in the anterior versus posterior circulation. However, data on functional outcome according to stroke territory in patients with acute stroke treatment are conflicting and information on outcome predictors is scarce. In this retrospective study, we analysed functional outcome in 517 patients with stroke and thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy treated at the University Hospital Zurich. We compared clinical factors and performed multivariate logistic regression analyses investigating the effect of outcome predictors according to stroke territory. Of the 517 patients included, 80 (15.5%) suffered a posterior circulation stroke (PCS). PCS patients were less often female (32.5% vs. 45.5%, p = 0.031), received thrombectomy less often (28.7% vs. 48.3%, p = 0.001), and had lower median admission NIHSS scores (5 vs. 10, p < 0.001) as well as a better median three months functional outcome (mRS 1 vs. 2, p = 0.010). Predictors for functional outcome were admission NIHSS (OR 0.864, 95% CI 0.790–0.944, p = 0.001) in PCS and age (OR 0.952, 95% CI 0.935–0.970, p < 0.001), known symptom onset (OR 1.869, 95% CI 1.111–3.144, p = 0.018) and admission NIHSS (OR 0.840, 95% CI 0.806–0.876, p < 0.001) in ACS. Acutely treated PCS and ACS patients differed in their baseline and treatment characteristics. We identified specific functional outcome predictors of thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy success for each stroke territory.
Evaluation of schistosomula crude antigen (SCA) as a diagnostic tool for Schistosoma mansoni in low endemic human population
Authors: Oyeyemi Oyetunde Timothy , Corsini Camila Amormino , Gonçalves Gustavo , de Castro Borges William , Grenfell Rafaella Fortini Queiroz
Published: May 2021

The study aimed to determine the potential of schistosomula crude antigen (SCA) as a diagnostic target for anti-S. mansoni antibody detection. Cercariae were transformed into schistosomula, homogenized through sonication, and then centrifuged to obtain the SCA. SCA was evaluated using ELISA and dot blots immunoassays on 30 S. mansoni infected sera samples obtained from chronic patients and 30 non-infected humans’ sera samples. Either Kato-Katz or saline gradient method or both were employed as the diagnostic reference. Dot blots immunoassay was further performed on protein eluted from 10 to 12 kDa immunoreactive band identified by Western blot analysis. The area under the ROC curve was 0.95 (AUC 0.95, CI 0.88–1.01, p < 0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of SCA-ELISA and dot blots assays were 96.67% and 86.67% respectively. The human IgG-specific response against SCA was significantly higher in S. mansoni infected individuals (OD = 0.678 ± 0.249) compared to the non-infected population (OD = 0.235 ± 0.136) (p < 0.0001). Our study showed that SCA and its 10–12 kDa component could be useful as diagnostic tools for chronic schistosomiasis.
Author Correction: NanoBRET binding assay for histamine H2 receptor ligands using live recombinant HEK293T cells
Authors: Grätz Lukas , Tropmann Katharina , Bresinsky Merlin , Müller Christoph , Bernhardt Günther , Pockes Steffen
Published: May 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Pharmacokinetics of anti-infective agents during CytoSorb hemoadsorption
Authors: Schneider Antoine G. , André Pascal , Scheier Joerg , Schmidt Monika , Ziervogel Heiko , Buclin Thierry , Kindgen-Milles Detlef
Published: May 2021

Cytokine hemoadsorption might be beneficial in patients with sepsis. However, its effect on anti-infective agents' disposition remains largely unknown. We sought to determine the influence of hemoadsorption on the pharmacokinetics of common anti-infective agents. This is an interventional experimental study, conducted in 24 healthy pigs. Animals were randomly allocated to either hemoadsorption (cases) or sham extracorporeal circuit (controls) and to drug combinations (3 cases and 3 controls for each combination). Hemoadsorption was performed with CytoSorb (CytoSorbents Corporation, USA). We evaluated 17 drugs (clindamycin, fluconazole, linezolid, meropenem, piperacillin, anidulafungin, ganciclovir, clarithromycin, posaconazole, teicoplanin, tobramycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, liposomal amphotericin B, flucloxacillin and cefepime). Repeated blood sampling from the extracorporeal circulation (adsorber inlet/outlet, sham circuit) was performed over six hours following administration. Total clearance and adsorber-specific clearance were computed. Hemoadsorption was associated with increased clearance of all study drugs, except ganciclovir. Its impact on total body clearance was considered as moderate for fluconazole (282%) and linezolid (115%), mild for liposomal amphotericin B (75%), posaconazole (32%) and teicoplanine (31%) and negligible for all other drugs. Hemoadsorber clearance declined over time, with even delayed desorption for beta-lactams. It was moderately correlated with drug's lipophilicity (p = 0.01; r2 = 0.43). Hemoadsorption with CytoSorb appears to increase to a clinically significant extent the clearance of five among 17 tested anti-infectives. Studies in human patients are required to confirm the need for dosage adjustment of these agents.
Visual motion integration of bidirectional transparent motion in mouse opto-locomotor reflexes
Authors: Kirkels L. A. M. H. , Zhang W. , Rezvani Z. , van Wezel R. J. A. , van Wanrooij M. M.
Published: May 2021

Visual motion perception depends on readout of direction selective sensors. We investigated in mice whether the response to bidirectional transparent motion, activating oppositely tuned sensors, reflects integration (averaging) or winner-take-all (mutual inhibition) mechanisms. We measured whole body opto-locomotor reflexes (OLRs) to bidirectional oppositely moving random dot patterns (leftward and rightward) and compared the response to predictions based on responses to unidirectional motion (leftward or rightward). In addition, responses were compared to stimulation with stationary patterns. When comparing OLRs to bidirectional and unidirectional conditions, we found that the OLR to bidirectional motion best fits an averaging model. These results reflect integration mechanisms in neural responses to contradicting sensory evidence as has been documented for other sensory and motor domains.
AAV-mediated YAP expression in cardiac fibroblasts promotes inflammation and increases fibrosis
Authors: Francisco Jamie , Zhang Yu , Nakada Yasuki , Jeong Jae Im , Huang Chun-Yang , Ivessa Andreas , Oka Shinichi , Babu Gopal J. , Del Re Dominic P.
Published: May 2021

Fibrosis is a hallmark of heart disease independent of etiology and is thought to contribute to impaired cardiac dysfunction and development of heart failure. However, the underlying mechanisms that regulate the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts and fibrotic responses remain incompletely defined. As a result, effective treatments to mitigate excessive fibrosis are lacking. We recently demonstrated that the Hippo pathway effector Yes-associated protein (YAP) is an important mediator of myofibroblast differentiation and fibrosis in the infarcted heart. Yet, whether YAP activation in cardiac fibroblasts is sufficient to drive fibrosis, and how fibroblast YAP affects myocardial inflammation, a significant component of adverse cardiac remodeling, are largely unknown. In this study, we leveraged adeno-associated virus (AAV) to target cardiac fibroblasts and demonstrate that chronic YAP expression upregulated indices of fibrosis and inflammation in the absence of additional stress. YAP occupied the Ccl2 gene and promoted Ccl2 expression, which was associated with increased macrophage infiltration, pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, collagen deposition, and cardiac dysfunction in mice with cardiac fibroblast-targeted YAP overexpression. These results are consistent with other recent reports and extend our understanding of YAP function in modulating fibrotic and inflammatory responses in the heart.
Regeneration linked miRNA modify tumor phenotype and can enforce multi-lineage growth arrest in vivo
Authors: Salehi Siamak , Tavabie Oliver D. , Villanueva Augusto , Watson Julie , Darling David , Quaglia Alberto , Farzaneh Farzin , Aluvihare Varuna R.
Published: May 2021

Regulated cell proliferation is an effector mechanism of regeneration, whilst dysregulated cell proliferation is a feature of cancer. We have previously identified microRNA (miRNA) that regulate successful and failed human liver regeneration. We hypothesized that these regulators may directly modify tumor behavior. Here we show that inhibition of miRNAs -503 and -23a, alone or in combination, enhances tumor proliferation in hepatocyte and non-hepatocyte derived cancers in vitro,driving more aggressive tumor behavior in vivo. Inhibition of miRNA-152 caused induction of DNMT1, site-specific methylation with associated changes in gene expression and in vitro and in vivo growth inhibition. Enforced changes in expression of two miRNA recapitulating changes observed in failed regeneration led to complete growth inhibition of multi-lineage cancers in vivo. Our results indicate that regulation of regeneration and tumor aggressiveness are concordant and that miRNA-based inhibitors of regeneration may constitute a novel treatment strategy for human cancers.
Scrutinizing the stability and exploring the dependence of thermoelectric properties on band structure of 3d-3d metal-based double perovskites Ba2FeNiO6 and Ba2CoNiO6
Authors: Mir Shabir Ahmad , Gupta Dinesh C.
Published: May 2021

Through the conventional DFT computation, we have designed new oxide double perovskites Ba2FeNiO6 and Ba2CoNiO6. The structural and thermodynamic stabilities are predicted by optimizing the crystal structure and evaluation of enthalpy of formation, respectively. Then by using the optimized lattice constant, we have explored the different physical properties. The GGA + mBJ electronic band-structure illustrates Ba2FeNiO6 is a half-metal with 100% spin polarization at the Fermi level. While Ba2CoNiO6 shows a ferromagnetic semiconducting nature. The change in the electronic structure when Fe is replaced by Co is explained with the help of the orbital diagram and exchange interaction. The eg-eg hybridization that happens via O-p states is strong because Fe–O–Ni and Co–O–Ni bond angles are strictly 180°. The narrow bandgaps in the semiconducting channels prompted us to analyze the applicability of these materials towards thermoelectric technology. Besides this, we have investigated the dependency of transport properties on electronic band structure. The semiconducting nature in Ba2CoNiO6 results in a significant ZT around 0.8 at room temperature makes it suitable for wasted-energy regeneration
Investigation of characteristics as endodontic sealer of novel experimental elastin-like polypeptide-based mineral trioxide aggregate
Authors: Kim Hyun-Jung , Jang Ji-Hyun , Kim Sun-Young
Published: May 2021

Although mineral trioxide aggregates (MTA) have been adopted as an endodontic sealer because of excellent sealing effect and bioactive property and been modified with improvement of its characteristics, the developed MTA sealers have not yet satisfied all the ideal requirements of endodontic sealers. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of elastin-like polypeptide (ELP)-incorporated MTA for use as an endodontic sealer and compare them with those of commercial MTA sealers. Two commercial MTA sealers and three experimental ELP-incorporated MTA sealers with 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 liquid/powder (L/P) ratio for 10 wt% ELP liquid were evaluated. The push-out bond strength, flow rate, sealer penetrability and wash-out resistance were tested and the sealer-dentin interface was observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Our study revealed the ELP-incorporated MTA sealer, especially in 0.4 L/P ratio, exhibited the higher push-out bond strength and flow rate (P < 0.05), and equal or superior sealer penetration and remarkable wash-out resistance compared to commercial MTA sealers. The groups of ELP-based experimental sealers also exhibited more intimate contact with dentin compared to the commercial MTA sealers. Our research will suggest the possible adoption of the ELP-incorporated MTA as endodontic sealer for clinical use.
Development of marker-free transgenic pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) expressing a pod borer insecticidal protein
Authors: Sarkar Snehasish , Roy Souri , Ghosh Sudip K.
Published: May 2021

Pigeon pea, a grain legume of the semiarid tropics, is a rich source of high-quality protein. The productivity of this pulse is seriously affected by lepidopteron insect pests. To generate a sustainable insect-resistant plant, synthetically prepared bioactive key constituents of a crystal protein (Syn Cry1Ab) of Bacillus thuringiensis were expressed in pigeon pea under the guidance of a tissue-specific promoter of the RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase small subunit (rbcS) gene. Regenerated transgenic plants with the cry1Ab expression cassette (cry1Ab-lox-bar-lox) showed the optimum insect motility rate (90%) in an in vitro insect bioassay with second instar larvae, signifying the insecticidal potency of Syn Cry1Ab. In parallel, another plant line was also generated with a chimaeric vector harbouring a cre recombinase gene under the control of the CaMV 2 × 35S promoter. Crossing between T1 plants with a single insertion of cry1Ab-lox-bar-lox T-DNA and T1 plants with moderate expression of a cre gene with a linked hygromycin resistance (hptII) gene was performed to exclude the bialaphos resistance (bar) marker gene. Excision of the bar gene was achieved in T1F1 hybrids, with up to 35.71% recombination frequency. Insect-resistant pigeon pea plants devoid of selectable marker genes (syn Cry1Ab- bar and cre-hptII) were established in a consecutive generation (T1F2) through genetic segregation.
Revealing the developmental dynamics in male strobilus transcriptome of Gnetum luofuense using nanopore sequencing technology
Authors: Hou Chen , Tian Yuxin , Wang Yingli , Lian Huiming , Liang Dongcheng , Shi Shengqing , Deng Nan , He Boxiang
Published: May 2021

Gnetumis a pantropical distributed gymnosperm genus. As being dioecious,Gnetumspecies apply female and male strobili to attract and provide nutrition to insect pollinators. Due to its unique gross morphology, aGnetummale strobilus receives much attention in previous taxonomic and evolutionary studies. However, underlying molecular mechanisms that control male strobilus development and pollination adaptation have not been well studied. In the present study, nine full-length transcriptomes were sequenced from three developmental stages of theG. luofuensemale strobili using Oxford Nanopore Technologies. In addition, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and RT-qPCR analysis were performed. Our results show that a total of 3138 transcription factors and 466 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were identified, and differentially expressed lncRNAs and TFs reveal a dynamic pattern during the male strobilus development. Our results show that MADS-box and Aux/IAA TFs were differentially expressed at the three developmental stages, suggesting their important roles in the regulation of male strobilus development ofG. luofuense. Results of WGCNA analysis and annotation of differentially expressed transcripts corroborate that the male strobilus development ofG. luofuenseis closely linked to plant hormone changes, photosynthesis, pollination drop secretion and reproductive organ defense. Our results provide a valuable resource for understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive organ evolution and pollination biology inGnetum.
Low serum TSH levels are associated with low values of fat-free mass and body cell mass in the elderly
Authors: Ittermann Till , Markus Marcello R. P. , Bahls Martin , Felix Stephan B. , Steveling Antje , Nauck Matthias , Völzke Henry , Dörr Marcus
Published: May 2021

Previous studies on the association between thyroid function and body composition are conflicting and showed strong differences across age groups. Our aim was to clarify age-specific associations of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels with markers of body composition including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM) and body cell mass (BCM). We used data from two independent population-based cohorts within the framework of the Study of Health in Pomerania. The study population included 5656 individuals aged 20 to 90 years. Markers of body composition were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Serum TSH levels were significantly positively associated with BMI (β = 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06 to 0.27), waist circumference (β = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.62) and FM (β = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.52), but not with FFM and BCM. Interaction analysis revealed positive associations of serum TSH levels with BMI, waist circumference, FM, FFM and BCM in individuals older than 60 years, while no such associations were observed in younger individuals. We demonstrated that lower serum TSH levels were accompanied with lower values of BMI, waist circumference, FM, FFM, and BCM in the elderly, while no such associations were observed in younger individuals.
Do sleep quality and caffeine consumption mediate the relationship between late chronotype and body mass index?
Authors: Bodur Mahmut , Baspinar Busra , Özçelik Ayşe Özfer
Published: May 2021

Aim: To determine the role of sleep quality and caffeinated beverage consumption in the effect of late chronotype on body mass index (BMI).
Decellularized scaffold and its elicited immune response towards the host: the underlying mechanism and means of immunomodulatory modification
Authors: Tan Jie , Zhang Qing-Yi , Huang Li-Ping , Huang Kai , Xie Hui-Qi
Published: May 2021

The immune response of the host towards a decellularized scaffold is complex.
Extension of the CAVS model to the simulation of helical peptides in a membrane environment
Authors: Shen Hujun , Wu Zhenhua , Lu Chan
Published: May 2021

The CAVS model demonstrated that the insertion of a KALP peptide increased the dipole potential of the DMPC bilayer, and the aggregation of KALP peptides could reduce the tilt angle.
Half-sandwich organometallic Ru and Rh complexes of (N,N) donor compounds: effect of ligand methylation on solution speciation and anticancer activity
Authors: Mészáros János P. , Pape Veronika F. S. , Szakács Gergely , Németi Gábor , Dénes Márk , Holczbauer Tamás , May Nóra V. , Enyedy Éva A.
Published: May 2021

Synthesis of organometallic half-sandwich polypyridyl Ru and Rh complexes. Anticancer activity against resistant cancer cell lines and effects of ligand methylation on aqueous chemistry and structure.
Green to blue-green-emitting cationic iridium complexes with a CF3-substituted phenyl-triazole type cyclometalating ligand: synthesis, characterization and their use for efficient light-emitting electrochemical cells
Authors: Yu Renyou , Song Yongjun , Chen Mengzhen , He Lei
Published: May 2021

Highly efficient green to blue-green-emitting cationic iridium complexes were developed with 4-diphenyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole as the cyclometalating ligand.
1,2,4-Triazolo[4,3-c]quinazolines: a bioisosterism-guided approach towards the development of novel PCAF inhibitors with potential anticancer activity
Authors: El-Shershaby Mohamed H. , Ghiaty Adel , Bayoumi Ashraf H. , Ahmed Hany E. A. , El-Zoghbi Mona S. , El-Adl Khaled , Abulkhair Hamada S.
Published: May 2021

Targeting PCAF with small inhibitor molecules has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer.
A family of uranyl oxide hydrate phases with bivalent cations [MII(H2O)4][(UO2)3O3(OH)2]·H2O (MII– Mn, Co, Ni, Zn): synthesis, characterization and chemical stability in aqueous solutions
Authors: Chernorukov Nikolay G. , Nipruk Oxana V. , Klinshova Kseniya A. , Tumaeva Olga N. , Sokolov Dmitry V.
Published: May 2021

A series of new uranium compounds [MII(H2O)3][(UO2)3O3(OH)2]·2H2O (MII– Mn, Co, Ni, Zn) were synthesized for binding radionuclides in the environment and nuclear fuel cycle.
A DNA tetrahedron-loaded natural photosensitizer with aggregation-induced emission characteristics for boosting fluorescence imaging-guided photodynamic therapy
Authors: Zhu Wei , Ma Ke , Yan Zhi-Chao , Wu Qian , Wang Dong , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: May 2021

A natural AIE-active PS (PaH) is utilized to bind into DNA-T for cancer theranostics. The constructed PaH@DNA-T exhibits highly boosted fluorescence intensity and ROS generation, as well as much higher cell uptake efficiency.
Stabilizing an ultrathin MoS2 layer during electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution with a crystalline SnO2 underlayer
Authors: Englhard Jonas , Cao Yuanyuan , Bochmann Sebastian , Barr Maïssa K. S. , Cadot Stéphane , Quadrelli Elsje Alessandra , Bachmann Julien
Published: May 2021

A molybdenum disulfide coating deposited on a macroporous substrate as an electrocatalyst is mobile on an underlying amorphous tin dioxide substrate, but remains continuous and impervious to acidic conditions on crystalline tin dioxide.
Investigation of the biological activity, mechanical properties and wound healing application of a novel scaffold based on lignin–agarose hydrogel and silk fibroin embedded zinc chromite nanoparticles
Authors: Eivazzadeh-Keihan Reza , Moghim Aliabadi Hooman Aghamirza , Radinekiyan Fateme , Sobhani Mohammad , Farzane khalili  , Maleki Ali , Madanchi Hamid , Mahdavi Mohammad , Shalan Ahmed Esmail
Published: May 2021

Given the important aspects of wound healing approaches, in this work, an innovative biocompatible nanobiocomposite scaffold was designed and prepared based on cross-linked lignin–agarose hydrogel, extracted silk fibroin solution, and zinc chromite (ZnCr2O4) nanoparticles.
The fabrication of TiO2-supported clinoptilolite via F− contained hydrothermal etching and a resultant highly energetic {001} facet for the enhancement of its photocatalytic activity
Authors: Gul Anadil , Ullah Raza , Sun Jihong , Munir Tallat , Bai Shiyang
Published: May 2021

TiO2-supported clinoptilolite (TiO2/CP) was synthesized in the presence of F− ions.