bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are religious farmers more risk taking? Empirical evidence from Ethiopia
Authors: Kahsay Goytom Abraha , Kassie Workineh Asmare , Medhin Haileselassie , Hansen Lars Gårn
Published: February 2022

There is growing evidence that religiosity affects important socio‐economic outcomes. A potential channel through which religiosity affects these outcomes is by shaping individuals’ risk preferences. We combine a lab‐in‐the‐field experiment, survey, and focus‐group discussions to investigate the effect of religiosity on risk‐taking among rural people in Ethiopia. We find evidence that religious farmers are more risk‐taking. The effect is likely driven by the trust/belief in God as the omniscient and just power in determining outcomes under uncertainty. This is further corroborated by results from follow‐up focus‐group discussions.
Characteristics and treatment preferences of individuals with opioid use disorder seeking to transition from buprenorphine to extended‐release naltrexone in a residential setting
Authors: Mannelli Paolo , Douaihy Antoine B. , Akerman Sarah C. , Legedza Anna , Fratantonio James , Zavod Abigail , Sullivan Maria A.
Published: February 2022

Background and Objectives

Treatment for individuals receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) should follow an informed patient‐centered approach. To better support patient autonomy in the decision‐making process, clinicians should be aware of patient preferences and be prepared to educate and assist patients in transitioning from one MOUD to another, when clinically indicated. This posthoc analysis describes the characteristics of clinical trial participants (NCT02696434) with a history of opioid use disorder (OUD) seeking to transition from buprenorphine (BUP) to extended‐release naltrexone (XR‐NTX).

Methods

The posthoc analysis included adults with OUD currently receiving BUP (≤8 mg/day) and seeking transition to XR‐NTX (N = 101) in a residential setting. Baseline participant characteristics and OUD treatment history were reviewed. All patients completed a screening questionnaire that asked about their reasons for seeking transition to XR‐NTX and for choosing BUP.

Results

The most common reasons for initiating a transition to XR‐NTX were “Seeking to be opioid‐free” (63.4%) and “Tired of daily pill taking” (25.7%). Positive predictors of transition included a more extensive BUP treatment history and a history of prescription opioid abuse. Most participants stated they were not aware of XR‐NTX as a treatment option when initiating BUP (78.2%).

Discussions and Conclusions

Patients' reasons for seeking XR‐NTX transition, more extensive BUP treatment history, and a history of prescription opioid abuse, may positively predict outcomes.

Scientific Significance

These findings may assist clinicians in optimizing outcomes of the BUP to XR‐NTX transition and supporting patients to make better informed MOUD decisions.
Investigating the prevalence of anxiety and depression during the first COVID‐19 lockdown in the United Kingdom: Systematic review and meta‐analyses
Authors: Dettmann Luca Marie , Adams Sally , Taylor Gemma
Published: February 2022

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health. Specifically, the stringent lockdown restrictions have heightened anxiety and depression. Therefore, monitoring and supporting the mental health of the population during these unprecedented times is an immediate priority.

Methods

In this systematic review and meta‐analyses, articles that explored the prevalence of anxiety and depression during the first COVID‐19 lockdown in the United Kingdom were included. We searched the databases Embase, Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, and PsycINFO for cross‐sectional studies. We conducted meta‐analyses of prevalence rates using a random‐effects model, and the heterogeneity of studies was examined using the I2 index.

Results

Fourteen studies involving 46,158 participants were included in the review. The studies use clinical cut‐off scores on anxiety and depression measures to define cases. While the prevalence of anxiety was 31.00% (95% CI = 26.00 to 35.00), the prevalence of depression was 32.00% (95% CI = 29.00 to 35.00). The prevalence of anxiety pre‐pandemic was 4.65%, indicating a 26.35% increase. Whereas the prevalence of depression pre‐pandemic was 4.12%, indicating a 27.88% increase. Moreover, participants experienced a slightly greater prevalence of depression than anxiety by 1.00%.

Conclusions

To conclude, the first COVID‐19 lockdown in the United Kingdom increased the prevalence of anxiety and depression among the general population, compared to pre‐pandemic data. Hence, it is vital that policymakers and mental health services maximize their efforts to monitor mental health and provide interventions to support those in need.

Practitioner points

Clinical implications

Awareness of the high prevalence of anxiety and depression during the first lockdown in the United Kingdom can inform policy development that substantial effort, time, and funding of mental health services are required to support those in need.

Similarly, awareness of the prevalence of anxiety and depression in the United Kingdom can contribute to the development of nation‐specific interventions and initiatives.

Limitations

The current review focuses on the UK general population which does not allow the findings to be generalized to the global population.

The indirect comparison of the current prevalence rates with the corresponding pre‐pandemic prevalence rates obtained from a different study sample increases individual differences, weakening the reliability of the findings.
The beginning of the end of the great confinement: Institutional scandals and inquiries in the immediate post‐world war II era
Authors: Stainton Tim
Published: February 2022

Background

The immediate post‐world war II era was a critical turning point in the history of learning disability in the United Kingdom and much of the global north. Most notably the gradual move away from institutional provision to a community‐oriented approach. While many diverse threads contributed to this change, a key influence was the slow, and incomplete, recognition that institutional provision was not an acceptable option. From the mid 1950s onward a number of commissions and inquiries considered the question of institutions both generally and in response to specific incidents and scandals. This paper traces the history and influence of this early discourse in the third quarter of the 20th century and locates it within the long history of scandals and abuse.

Methods

Methods included a review of original documents from the period along with scholarly and grey literature review.

Findings and Conclusions

The recurring scandals and public outcry that surrounded the long‐stay institutions of this period was a pivotal piece in spurring the move away from institutions towards community care. While significant progress was made deinstitutionalization remains a work in progress and institutions remain remarkably resilient despite a long and consistent history of failure.
Lower versus higher starting tacrolimus dosing in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Chua Justin C. M. , Mount Peter F. , Lee Darren
Published: February 2022

Achieving therapeutic tacrolimus levels is an essential component of balancing immunosuppression in kidney transplantation. At our institution, the starting tacrolimus dose was reduced from .075 mg/kg BD (higher dose [HD]) to .050 mg/kg BD (lower dose [LD]), to better achieve our target level of 6–10 μg/L in the early posttransplant period. Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) transplanted 1‐year before (HD: n = 64) and after (LD: n = 63) the starting dose reduction were retrospectively compared. Achieved tacrolimus levels were significantly lower in the LD group during the first 14 days posttransplant, but not at day 21 or day 28. A higher proportion of LD KTRs achieved therapeutic levels (day 1–3: 36.1% vs. 18.8%; day 4–7: 50.8% vs. 40.6%, day 8–14: 83.6% vs. 71.7%), while the HD KTRs were more likely to have supratherapeutic levels. Tacrolimus dose was significantly lower on day 5 compared to day 0 in the HD group but similar in the LD group. Rates of delayed graft function, posttransplant diabetes, and treated rejection at 6 months and graft outcomes at 3 years were all similar. Lowering the starting tacrolimus dose increased the proportion of KTRs achieving therapeutic range and minimized dose changes early posttransplant without an impact on clinical outcomes.
Changing opportunities for liver transplant for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zendel Alex , Watkins Randall , Moon Andrew M. , Gerber David A. , Barritt A. Sidney , Desai Chirag S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Aim was to study the early impact of acuity circle‐based allocation implementation system on liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods

We assessed characteristics of HCC and non‐HCC deceased donor orthotopic liver transplants (OLT) in the year before (2/2019–2/2020) and after (3/2020–2/2021) introduction of the acuity circle policy using the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)/United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database.

Results

Total OLTs reduced from 6699 in the preacuity circle era to 6660 in the postacuity circle era (−.6%); this decrease is mostly driven by a decrease in HCC transplants (1529 to 1351; −11.6%). Six out of 11 regions had a reduction in the absolute number and percentage of HCC transplants with significant reductions in regions 2 (−37.8%, p < .001) and 4 (−28.3%, p = .001).

Discussion

The introduction of median model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) at transplant minus 3 (MMaT‐3) exception points, has created differential opportunities for HCC patients, in low‐MELD as opposed to high‐MELD areas, despite having the same disease. This effect has become more prominent following the implementation of acuity circle‐based allocation system. Ongoing investigation of these trends is needed to ensure that HCC patients are not disparately disadvantaged due to their location.
A randomized, controlled, feasibility study of RD‐X19 in subjects with mild‐to‐moderate COVID‐19 in the outpatient setting
Authors: Stasko Nathan , Cockrell Adam S. , Kocher Jacob F. , Henson Ibrahim , Emerson David , Wang Ye , Smith Jonathan R. , Henderson Nathan H. , Wood Hillary , Bradrick Shelton S. , Jones Terry , Santander Jorge , McNeil John G.
Published: February 2022

The RD‐X19 is an investigational, handheld medical device precisely engineered to emit blue light through the oral cavity to target the oropharynx and surrounding tissues. At doses shown to be noncytotoxic in an in vitro three‐dimensional human epithelial tissue model, the monochromatic visible light delivered by RD‐X19 results in light‐initiated expression of immune stimulating cytokines IL‐1α and IL‐1β, with corresponding inhibition of severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) replication. A single exposure of 425 nm blue light at 60 J/cm2 led to greater than 99% reductions against all SARS‐CoV‐2 strains tested in vitro, including the more transmissible (Alpha) and immune evasive (Beta) variants. These preclinical findings along with other studies led to a randomized, double‐blind, sham‐controlled early feasibility study using the investigational device as a treatment for outpatients with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The study enrolled 31 subjects with a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 antigen test and at least two moderate COVID‐19 signs and symptoms at baseline. Subjects were randomized 2:1 (RD‐X19: sham) and treated twice daily for 4 days. Efficacy outcome measures included assessments of SARS‐CoV‐2 saliva viral load and clinical assessments of COVID‐19. There were no local application site reactions and no device‐related adverse events. At the end of the study (day 8), the mean change in log10 viral load was −3.29 for RD‐X19 and −1.81 for sham, demonstrating a treatment benefit of −1.48 logs (95% confidence internal, −2.88 to −0.071, nominal p = 0.040). Among the clinical outcome measures, differences between RD‐X19 and sham were also observed, with a 57‐h reduction of median time to sustained resolution of COVID‐19 signs and symptoms (log rank test, nominal p = 0.044).
Fish zeta diversity responses to human pressures and cumulative effects across a freshwater basin
Authors: Iacarella Josephine C.
Published: February 2022

Aim

Declining biodiversity across ecosystems and myriad human pressures necessitate high‐level regional assessments for effective management. Evaluation of biodiversity patterns and stressor accumulation through beta diversity and cumulative effect analyses are two key methods for management prioritization. This study links these concepts to develop a novel cumulative effect metric based on beta diversity responses.

Location

Fraser River basin, British Columbia, Canada.

Methods

Multi‐Site Generalized Dissimilarity Models were used to evaluate nonlinear relationships between fish species compositional differences (ζn, number of shared species across any number of watersheds compared) and human pressure, environmental, and geospatial differences among all watersheds and within low, mid‐, and high elevation clusters. A cumulative effect metric was calculated as the sum of response values generated by the model for each human pressure variable specific to each watershed, when evaluated for ζ2 (equivalent to pairwise beta diversity). This metric was tested against the local contribution of each watershed to beta diversity to determine whether watersheds with unique communities had low cumulative effects and are, therefore, candidates for conservation and conversely, whether watersheds with non‐distinctive communities had high cumulative effects and warrant restoration. Species contributions to beta diversity were also assessed across the basin.

Results

Zeta diversity across low elevation watersheds indicated stronger filtering by human pressures than mid‐ and high elevation watersheds, which showed more stochastic community assembly. The relative importance and response to human pressures varied based on the diversity component (i.e., total diversity including compositional nestedness vs. turnover) and order of zeta (number of watersheds compared). Cumulative effects were negatively related to community uniqueness, supporting the use of these metrics for developing management priorities.

Main Conclusions

This assessment contributes to biodiversity conservation efforts by identifying important watersheds, species, and human pressures to manage as well as providing a cumulative effect metric directly based on biodiversity responses.
Altered motor cortex physiology and dysexecutive syndrome in patients with fatigue and cognitive difficulties after mild COVID‐19
Authors: Ortelli Paola , Ferrazzoli Davide , Sebastianelli Luca , Maestri Roberto , Dezi Sabrina , Spampinato Danny , Saltuari Leopold , Alibardi Alessia , Engl Michael , Kofler Markus , Quartarone Angelo , Koch Giacomo , Oliviero Antonio , Versace Viviana
Published: February 2022

Background and purpose

Fatigue and cognitive difficulties are reported as the most frequently persistent symptoms in patients after mild SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. An extensive neurophysiological and neuropsychological assessment of such patients was performed focusing on motor cortex physiology and executive cognitive functions.

Methods

Sixty‐seven patients complaining of fatigue and/or cognitive difficulties after resolution of mild SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were enrolled together with 22 healthy controls (HCs). Persistent clinical symptoms were investigated by means of a 16‐item questionnaire. Fatigue, exertion, cognitive difficulties, mood and ‘well‐being’ were evaluated through self‐administered tools. Utilizing transcranial magnetic stimulation of the primary motor cortex (M1) resting motor threshold, motor evoked potential amplitude, cortical silent period duration, short‐interval intracortical inhibition, intracortical facilitation, long‐interval intracortical inhibition and short‐latency afferent inhibition were evaluated. Global cognition and executive functions were assessed with screening tests. Attention was measured with computerized tasks.

Results

Post COVID‐19 patients reported a mean of 4.9 persistent symptoms, high levels of fatigue, exertion, cognitive difficulties, low levels of well‐being and reduced mental well‐being. Compared to HCs, patients presented higher resting motor thresholds, lower motor evoked potential amplitudes and longer cortical silent periods, concurring with reduced M1 excitability. Long‐interval intracortical inhibition and short‐latency afferent inhibition were also impaired, indicating altered GABAB‐ergic and cholinergic neurotransmission. Short‐interval intracortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation were not affected. Patients also showed poorer global cognition and executive functions compared to HCs and a clear impairment in sustained and executive attention.

Conclusions

Patients with fatigue and cognitive difficulties following mild COVID‐19 present altered excitability and neurotransmission within M1 and deficits in executive functions and attention.
Preclinical stage abundance and nuclear antigen reactivity of faecal Immunoglobulin A vary among males and females of lupus‐prone mouse models
Authors: Gudi Radhika , Roy Soumyabrata , Sun Wei , Vasu Chenthamarakshan
Published: February 2022

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the production of pathogenic autoantibodies with nuclear antigen (nAg) specificity. Using (SWRxNZB)F1 (SNF1) mice, we showed higher levels of Immunoglobulin A (IgA) production in the intestine and the nAg reactivity of faecal IgA under lupus susceptibility. Here, we determined whether the faecal IgA abundance and nAg reactivity are higher in, different among, various lupus‐prone preclinical models (MRL/lpr, NZBxNZW‐F1, SNF1, NZM2410 and NZM2328). We also determined whether the faecal IgA nAg reactivity at preseropositive ages correlates with the eventual serum autoantibody levels in males and females of these mouse models. We show that age‐dependent increase in the abundance and nAg reactivity of faecal IgA can vary among different lupus‐prone mouse models. Importantly, faecal IgA in these mice show significant levels of nAg reactivity, starting as early as at juvenile age. Furthermore, the pre‐seropositive stage nAg reactivity of faecal IgA in most lupus‐prone strains correlates well with that of eventual, seropositive stage systemic autoantibody levels. Gender differences in serum autoantibody levels were preceded by similar differences in the faecal IgA abundance and nAg reactivity. These observations suggest that faecal IgA features, nAg reactivity particularly, could serve as a biomarker for early prediction of the eventual systemic autoimmunity in lupus‐prone subjects.
Efficacy and safety of the new TightRail™ mechanical sheath for transvenous lead extraction: Results of a French multicenter study
Authors: Artus Adrien , Mansourati Jacques , Fatemi Marjaneh , Pierre Bertrand , Schatz Alexandre , Badoz Marc , Laurent Gabriel , Guenancia Charles , Garnier Fabien
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the TightRail™ sheath for pacemaker/defibrillator transvenous lead extraction (TLE).

Methods

Multicenter observational study including patients who underwent a TLE with the TightRail™ sheath in five French university hospitals from September 2014 to January 2020.

Results

Two hundred and twenty‐five patients (76% males, 71 ± 12 years) underwent a TLE procedure with the TightRail™. A total of 438 leads were extracted using the TightRail™, and the mean age of the extracted leads was 128 ± 85 months; of these, 344 (79%) were pacing leads and 94 (21%) were implantable cardioverter defibrillator leads. The overall clinical success of the extraction procedures was 93%. Overall, 410 of the 438 leads (95%) were extracted (complete or incomplete removal). After multilevel mixed‐effects logistic regression model, we found that lead age (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI] for a 1 year increase: 1.11 [1.07–1.15], p < .001) and number of leads extracted (OR, 95% CI: 2.09 [1.50–2.96], p < .001) were the two independent factors associated with complete lead removal failure. Finally, there were 7 (3%) cases of major complications but no per‐procedural death.

Conclusion

This is the first large‐scale survey assessing the efficacy and safety profile of the Tightrail™ mechanical sheath. The clinical success rate was 93%, and the lead removal failure was dependent on the age and number of leads. We show a satisfactory safety profile in this cohort of patients from primarily low‐volume centers with older leads.
TUSC3 inhibits cell proliferation and invasion in cervical squamous cell carcinoma via suppression of the AKT signalling pathway
Authors: Sun Fei , Jie Qiuling , Li Qi , Wei Yunjian , Li Hong , Yue Xiaojing , Ma Yanlin
Published: February 2022

The decreased expression of tumour suppressor candidate 3 (TUSC3) is associated with proliferation in several types of cancer, leading to an unfavourable prognosis. The present study aimed to assess the cellular and molecular function of TUSC3 in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). Levels of mRNA expressions of TUSC3 were analysed in CSCC tissues and six cell lines using qRT‐PCR. Immunohistochemistry(IHC) was used to evaluate the protein expression level of TUSC3 in four paired specimens, 220 paraffin‐embedded CSCC specimens and 60 cases of normal cervical tissues(NCTs), respectively. Short hairpin RNA interference was employed for TUSC3 knockdown. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated using growth curve, MTT assay, wound healing, transwell assay and xenograft tumour model, respectively. The results demonstrated that TUSC3 mRNA and protein expression levels were downregulated in CSCC samples. Multivariate and univariate analyses indicated that TUSC3 was an independent prognostic factor for patients with CSCC. Decreased TUSC3 expression levels were significantly associated with proliferation and an aggressive phenotype of cervical cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the knockdown of TUSC3 promoted migration and invasion of cancer cells, while the increased expression of TUSC3 exhibited the opposite effects. The downregulation of TUSC3 facilitated proliferation and invasion of CSCC cells through the activation of the AKT signalling pathway. Our data demonstrated that the downregulation of TUSC3 promoted CSCC cell metastasis via the AKT signalling pathway. Therefore, TUSC3 may serve as a novel prognostic marker and potential target for CSCC.
Flood risk and residential real‐estate prices: Evidence from three US counties
Authors: Miller Ryan G. , Pinter Nicholas
Published: February 2022

This article analyzes residential property transactions to better understand the impact of urban flooding events and property distributions on the floodplain on real‐estate markets. We studied patterns before and after major fluvial flooding events in three counties that experienced such events between 2009 and 2013: Benton County, Oregon; Boulder County, Colorado; and Cass County, North Dakota. We tested for the presence and distribution of price discounting before and following these flood events using a hedonic difference‐in‐difference regression model. Floodplain discounts were detected in all three counties, over the full study period, including before and after flooding. However, only Boulder County exhibited a statistically significant price discount in the wake of the flooding event at the center of our analysis, with prices falling by 6.26% in the 100‐year floodplain until they rebounded after approximately 2–3 years. In Benton County, we were not able to detect a post‐flood price effect, but prices throughout the study period were 9.4% lower in the 100‐year floodplain compared to comparable properties outside the floodplain. Cass County experienced weaker discounting and only in the 500‐year floodplain, but a large flood control project was widely discussed after the 2009 flood event, which may have prevented widespread price discounting. The Boulder County case study confirms the phenomenon of post‐flood real estate discounting and subsequent rebound, as documented by other researchers. The other two case studies, interestingly, document that such discounting is not universal. We suggest that the difference seems to be explained by differing levels of pre‐flood local flood‐risk awareness, along with the magnitude of the triggering flood event. The new availability of nationwide real‐estate data allows for new and more detailed assessment of these important distinctions.
Exploration of diet, physical activity, health knowledge and the cardiometabolic profile of young adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Zwack C. C. , McDonald R. , Tursunalieva A. , Lambert G. W. , Lambert E. A.
Published: February 2022

Background

Young adults with intellectual disability (ID) are experiencing early mortality, and it is suggested that they are living with undiagnosed cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors (hereafter referred to as cardiometabolic).

Methods

We investigated the association between modifiable risk factors and cardiometabolic health profile in adults with ID aged 18–45 years through clinical evaluation of traditional cardiometabolic parameters, and assessment of physical activity levels, diet and associated health knowledge.

Results

We found that young adults with ID have an increased obesity (mean body mass index; ID group: 32.9 ± 8.6 vs. control group: 26.2 ± 5.5, P = 0.001), are engaging in less physical activity than the age‐matched general population (total activity minutes per week; ID group: 172.2 ± 148.9 vs. control group: 416.4 ± 277.1, P < 0.001), and overall have unhealthier diets. Additionally, knowledge about nutrition and physical activity appears to be an important predictor of cardiometabolic risk in this population. If young people with ID are to improve their cardiometabolic health to reduce morbidity and early mortality, we need to further explore how to consistently apply health messaging to get lasting behavioural change in this population.
Values diversity in the United Kingdom Supreme Court: abandoning the ‘don't‐ask‐don't‐tell’ policy
Authors: MALLESON KATE
Published: February 2022

The case for greater judicial diversity has generally been constructed in terms of the need to appoint more women and those from minority ethnic groups. This article shifts the focus from demographic to cognitive diversity. Drawing on new insights and methodologies from the behavioural sciences on judges’ personal values and analysing the relationship between demographic diversity and values diversity, it sets out the case for the potential benefits of values diversity on the United Kingdom Supreme Court. The article argues that values are already implicitly taken into account in judicial appointments and challenges the claim that seeking values diversity among the Justices would inevitably lead to a United States‐style partisan political court. It proposes greater openness around values in the judicial appointments process to make explicit what is currently tacit and to lift the judicial values blackout, which has given rise to a ‘don't‐ask‐don't‐tell’ approach to the role of Justices’ values in decision making.
Subcutaneous nodules following vaccination
Authors: Collinson Anne C , Moore Lynette , Cheung Abigail , Gold Michael S , Goh Day Way
Published: February 2022

Five patients presented to surgical clinics at our institution with subcutaneous nodules of the upper arm or thigh present for 6–18 months. Excisional or fine‐needle biopsy was performed due to diagnostic uncertainty and parental concern. Histopathological examination revealed these to be cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia in reaction to vaccine components. Nodular reactions with this histopathological pattern are well recognised within vaccine‐related literature, but less commonly recognised in patients presenting to general paediatric or surgical clinics. This article reviews literature on delayed‐onset nodule formation after vaccination and recommends observation and reassurance as mainstays of management of this largely benign entity.
Green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles and evaluate their effect on the expression of ERG3, ERG11 and FKS1 antifungal resistance genes in Candida albicans and Candida glabrata
Authors: Hosseini Bafghi M. , Zarrinfar H. , Darroudi M. , Zargar M. , Nazari R.
Published: February 2022

Drug resistance in Candida species has been considerably increased in the last decades. Given the opposition to antifungal agents, toxicity and interactions of the antimicrobial drugs, identifying new antifungal agents seems essential. This study assessed the antifungal effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on the standard strains of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata and determined the expression genes, including ERG3, ERG11 and FKS1. Selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) were biosynthesized with a standard strain of C. albicans and approved by several methods including, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction technique, Fourier-transform infrared analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and EDX diagram. The antifungal susceptibility testing performed the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) using the CLSI M27-A3 and M27-S4 broth microdilution method. The expression of the desired genes was examined by the real-time PCR assay between untreated and treated by antifungal drugs and Se-NPs. The MICs of itraconazole, amphotericin B and anidulafungin against C. albicans and C. glabrata were 64, 16 and 4 µg ml−1. In comparison, reduced the MIC values for samples treated with Se-NPs to 1 and 0·5 µg ml−1. The results obtained from real-time PCR and analysis of the ∆∆Cq values showed that the expression of ERG3, ERG11 and FKS1 genes was significantly down-regulated in Se-NPs concentrations (P < 0·05). This study's evidence implies biosafety Se-NPs have favourable effects on the reducing expression of ERG3, ERG11 and FKS1 antifungal resistance genes in C. albicans and C. glabrata.
A mini-review of advances in intestinal flora and necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Zhao Q. , Shi Q. , Zhu Q. , Hu Y. , Zhang X.
Published: February 2022

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a digestive disease that frequently occurs in premature infants with low gestational age and low birth weight, and seriously threatens the life of NEC patients. NEC pathogenesis is recognized to be affected by multiple factors, such as preterm birth, formula feeding and low birth weight. As a popular object for the past decades, intestinal flora is commonly used in NEC-related studies, and intestinal disorder is considered as a critical risk factor for the occurrence and development of NEC. The colonization of abnormal microbiota into gastrointestinal micro-ecosystem can easily lead to the damage of intestinal mucosal barrier, destruction of immune function, inflammatory reaction and further the occurrence of NEC. Although it is a low-cost and safe way to prevent and treat the NEC by early intervention of oral probiotics to regulate the intestinal homoeostasis, more studies in the future are still encouraged to narrow the gap between theoretical guidance and practical application.
Comparative electrocardiogram in two anesthetized pinnipeds, the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) and the Southern sea lion (Otaria byronia), with analysis of ECG parameters allometry
Authors: Dassis Mariela , De León Carolina , Diaz Alejandro , Rodríguez Edgardo M. , Rodríguez Diego H. , Giardino Gisela V. , Castro Eduardo F.
Published: February 2022

The mammalian heart has been described as a highly evolutionarily conserved structure and the cardiovascular system allometry has been fully studied among many mammalian species, but few of these studies have been focused on marine mammals. Previously reported electrocardiogram (ECG) of anesthetized Southern sea lions (SSL; n = 13) and South American fur seals (SAFS; n = 19) females were compared, and linear models were used to examine variations of ECG parameters with body mass (BM) and heart rate (HR). Electrocardiograms resulted in qualitatively similar characteristics (rhythm, polarity patterns, mean electrical axes orientation, and waves/complex forms), but there were significant quantitative differences in HR and all ECG parameters. With few exceptions, duration and amplitude parameters were significantly higher in the SSL, whereas the SAFS had a significantly higher HR. Allometric scaling was verified for most duration variables (P, T, QRS, and PR interval) and P wave amplitude, which were all significantly and positively associated with BM, with no significant effect found for HR. Results suggest that the cardiac conduction system is highly conserved, and allometry occurs for these species even in anesthetized subjects, particularly in atrial contraction and atrioventricular conduction, which was proposed as potentially related to optimal atrioventricular activation sequence and high hemodynamic efficiency.
Herbert McCabe on the Eucharist: Entering a New World
Authors: Wynn Mark
Published: February 2022

In this discussion, I aim to offer a sympathetic reading of some central themes in Herbert McCabe's 1969 paper ‘Transubstantiation and the Real Presence’. I begin by setting out McCabe's core claims, before introducing an analytical framework that is intended to throw further light on their import and importance.
Reduction of larval resistance and adult reproductive capacity in Spodoptera littoralis at different degrees of superparasitization by Microplitis rufiventris
Authors: Hegazi Esmat M. , Khafagi Wedad E.
Published: February 2022

The solitary endoparasitoid, Microplitis rufiventris Kok, attacks and can develop in the first three instars of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) larvae with preference for third‐instar. We used the last three instars to show the effect of increasing superparasitization on host resistance and reproductive capacity of surviving moths of S. littoralis that had been parasitized during their newly moulted fourth, fifth and sixth instar larvae. The degree of resistance of late instars and reproductive capacity of surviving moths varied significantly as a function of both, the virulence factors (number of wasp eggs, venom and polydnavirus) and size of host instars. Increasing number of parasitism events overcame resistance in larger host instars. The host survival was increased with the host instar and decreased with the number of ovipositions, while the chances that at least one wasp emerges follow a reverse pattern. When the survived parasitized hosts were able to pupate, parasitism usually reduced their weight, but sometimes the host pupal weight was increased. Furthermore, for surviving hosts, the weight of egg masses produced in female moths, decreased with increasing superparasitization, that is, the number of ovipositions during their larval stage. The ‘threshold’ number of parasitoid eggs, which allows the development of host, accounts for three parasitoid eggs in the fourth and fifth host instar and five parasitoid eggs in the sixth instar. The survived parasitized hosts (L4–L6) exhibited fitness‐related costs in terms of smaller size and lower reproductive output.
In Defense of Hart’s Supposedly Refuted Theory of Rules
Authors: Kaplan Jeffrey
Published: February 2022

H. L. A. Hart’s “practice theory” of rules is widely thought to face two problems: (1) It fails to account for the normativity of law and (2) it is susceptible to a decisive counterexample dating back to Warnock (1971). In this paper, I offer solutions to both problems. In response to (2), I appeal to an old, but underappreciated, distinction made by Rawls (1955) and argue that the counterexample is no counterexample at all. In response to (1), I apply a newly popular distinction regarding the nature of law’s normativity and argue that Hart’s practice theory has no problem accounting for the normativity of law.
Viability and developmental potential of porcine blastocysts preserved for short term in a chemically defined medium at ambient temperature
Authors: Lin Qingyi , Le Quynh Anh , Takebayashi Koki , Hirata Maki , Tanihara Fuminori , Thongkittidilok Chommanart , Sawamoto Osamu , Kikuchi Takeshi , Otoi Takeshige
Published: February 2022

This study developed an efficient method for liquid storage of in vitro‐derived porcine blastocysts at ambient temperature for 24 hr. We evaluated the effects of new chemically defined media (cell wash and preservation solution, Cellstor®‐W [Cell‐W] and cell suspension and preservation solution, Cellstor®‐S [Cell‐S]) for short‐term storage. In the first experiment, in vitro‐derived blastocyst were stored at 25ºC for 24 hr in Cell‐W solution, Cell‐S solution and pig embryo culture (PBM) medium. There were no differences in the rates of survival and development of stored blastocysts between the Cell‐S and Cell‐W solutions, but the total cell number of embryos that survived after storage in Cell‐S solution was significantly higher (p < .05) than that in the Cell‐W solution. In the second experiment, Cell‐S solution was used to store the in vitro‐derived blastocysts at 20°C, 25°C and 30°C. Storage at 20°C resulted in a significant decrease in the rates of survival and development of stored blastocysts compared to storage at 25°C or 30°C. No differences in survival and development rates were observed between storage at 25°C and 30°C, but the damage to the embryo quality after storage and culture was significantly lower at 25°C than at 30°C. In the third experiment, Cell‐S solution was supplemented with β‐mercaptoethanol and curcumin, either alone or in combination, as antioxidant agents. Although the supplementation with curcumin did not improve survival, it significantly increased the development rate of stored blastocysts compared with the control blastocysts stored without antioxidants. In conclusion, when porcine blastocysts were stored at 25°C for 24 hr, a Cell‐S solution may be effective for maintaining the survival and development of in vitro embryos.
The Sceptical Bayes Factor for the Assessment of Replication Success
Authors: Pawel Samuel , Held Leonhard
Published: February 2022

Replication studies are increasingly conducted but there is no established statistical criterion for replication success. We propose a novel approach combining reverse-Bayes analysis with Bayesian hypothesis testing: a sceptical prior is determined for the effect size such that the original finding is no longer convincing in terms of a Bayes factor. This prior is then contrasted to an advocacy prior (the reference posterior of the effect size based on the original study), and replication success is declared if the replication data favour the advocacy over the sceptical prior at a higher level than the original data favoured the sceptical prior over the null hypothesis. The sceptical Bayes factor is the highest level where replication success can be declared. A comparison to existing methods reveals that the sceptical Bayes factor combines several notions of replicability: it ensures that both studies show sufficient evidence against the null and penalises incompatibility of their effect estimates. Analysis of asymptotic properties and error rates, as well as case studies from the Social Sciences Replication Project show the advantages of the method for the assessment of replicability.
Can cardiac auscultation accuracy be improved with an additional app‐based learning tool?
Authors: Garvick Sarah , Gillette Chris , Gao Hong , Bates Nathan , Waynick Joshua , Crandall Sonia
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Many institutions use simulation ‘events’ to instruct cardiac auscultation. Research shows that these ‘one and done’ events limit repetition, are costly and do not incorporate learning science techniques, such as spaced learning and retrieval practice. The Littmann Learning™ mobile app, which has unlimited access to a large library of real patient heart sounds, is a cost‐effective tool that we considered could be leveraged by educators to provide this training.

Methods

This was a quasi‐experimental pre‐ and post‐design consisting of an intervention group (PA22) and a non‐equivalent comparator group (PA21). The intervention group used a novel mobile app cardiac auscultation curriculum (MACAC), while the comparator group received standard didactic instruction. One‐way analyses of variance were used to analyse the data.

Results

A total of 174 PA students participated in the study. There was a significant (p < 0.001) difference in knowledge and auscultation scores between those who did and did not complete the MACAC. PA22 didactic year knowledge scores were 4.11 and 2.96 points higher than PA21 didactic and clinical year knowledge scores (p < 0.001, d = 1.61 and p < 0.001, d = 1.32), respectively. On average, PA22 didactic year auscultation scores were 0.83 points higher than PA21 clinical year scores (p < 0.001, d = 0.6).

Conclusion

Results indicate that students in their didactic year achieved proficiency in clinically identifying heart sounds, despite not having access to a mannequin simulator and not having an opportunity to identify these sounds bedside. Overall, a MACAC may be an effective method to teach cardiac auscultation to medical learners.
How to Supplement Mentalist Evidentialism: What Are the Fundamental Epistemological Principles?
Authors: Berghofer Philipp
Published: February 2022

Evidentialism and mentalism enjoy much popularity. In fact, mentalist evidentialism is often considered the most plausible internalist approach towards epistemic justification. However, mentalist evidentialism does not amount to a comprehensive theory of epistemic justification. In their attempt to complete their epistemological system and to answer the question of why experiences are justifiers, Conee and Feldman supplement mentalist evidentialism with explanationism. They take principles of best explanation to be the fundamental epistemic principles. In this paper, I show that explanationist mentalist evidentialism is plagued by severe shortcomings. What is more, I argue for an alternative in the spirit of Conee and Feldman's internalism that avoids the problems of explanationism, offering a straightforward commonsense account of epistemic justification. The fundamental epistemological principles are phenomenological principles.
The relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin level and red blood cell storage lesion in blood donors
Authors: Li Hongyan , Fang Kuiming , Peng Haibo , He Li , Wang Yongjun
Published: February 2022

Background

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), not routinely screened in blood donors, is associated with morphological, biochemical, and functional abnormalities of red blood cells (RBCs) and with enhanced oxidative stress. We aimed to explore HbA1c levels in blood donors and their effect on RBC storage.

Study Design and Methods

An analytical cross‐sectional study was conducted on 875 eligible blood donors aged 18–60 years from May 1, 2021, to August 30, 2021. Two selected groups of donors (HbA1c <6.5%, n = 10; HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, n = 10) exhibiting as similar as possible baseline values (such as age, sex, and living habits, etc.) were recruited for blood donation in leukoreduced CPDA‐1 units. RBC morphological, biochemical, structural, and oxidative stress states were measured during 5–35 days of storage.

Results

Elevated HbA1c prevalence was 37%, including 31.7% (277/875) in the prediabetes range (HbA1c 5.7%–6.4%) and 5.4% (47/875) in the diabetes range (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%). Age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and alcohol consumption were the main factors influencing the HbA1c levels. During storage, high‐HbA1c group had abnormal RBC morphology, impaired membrane function, and ion imbalance (higher mean corpuscular volume, distribution width, hemolysis rate, potassium ion efflux, and phosphatidylserine exposure) as compared with low HbA1c group. Additionally, RBC oxidative stress was significantly increased in donors with high HbA1c levels during 21–35 days.

Discussion

Blood donors proportion with abnormal HbA1c levels was relatively high, and donor HbA1c levels may be associated with stored RBCs capacity. Our study provides new insights into the different effects of donor HbA1c levels on RBC storage lesions.
Comparison of error rates between four pretrained DenseNet convolutional neural network models and 13 board‐certified veterinary radiologists when evaluating 15 labels of canine thoracic radiographs
Authors: Adrien‐Maxence Hespel , Emilie Boissady , Alois De La Comble , Michelle Acierno , Kate Alexander , Mylene Auger , David Biller , Marie de Swarte , Jason Fuerst , Eric Green , Séamus Hoey , Kevin Koernig , Alison Lee , Megan MacLellan , Hester McAllister , Jaime Rechy Jr , Zhu Xiaojuan , Micaela Zarelli , Federica Morandi
Published: February 2022

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are commonly used as artificial intelligence (AI) tools for evaluating radiographs, but published studies testing their performance in veterinary patients are currently lacking. The purpose of this retrospective, secondary analysis, diagnostic accuracy study was to compare the error rates of four CNNs to the error rates of 13 veterinary radiologists for evaluating canine thoracic radiographs using an independent gold standard. Radiographs acquired at a referral institution were used to evaluate the four CNNs sharing a common architecture. Fifty radiographic studies were selected at random. The studies were evaluated independently by three board‐certified veterinary radiologists for the presence or absence of 15 thoracic labels, thus creating the gold standard through the majority rule. The labels included “cardiovascular,” “pulmonary,” “pleural,” “airway,” and “other categories.” The error rates for each of the CNNs and for 13 additional board‐certified veterinary radiologists were calculated on those same studies. There was no statistical difference in the error rates among the four CNNs for the majority of the labels. However, the CNN's training method impacted the overall error rate for three of 15 labels. The veterinary radiologists had a statistically lower error rate than all four CNNs overall and for five labels (33%). There was only one label (“esophageal dilation”) for which two CNNs were superior to the veterinary radiologists. Findings from the current study raise numerous questions that need to be addressed to further develop and standardize AI in the veterinary radiology environment and to optimize patient care.
Pulsation, translation and P1 deformation of two aspherical bubbles in liquid
Authors: Wu Yaorong , Chen Weizhong , Zhang Lingling , Shen Yang , Zhao Guoying
Published: February 2022

In this work, the interactions between the axial translational motions and aspherical oscillations of two gas bubbles in an incompressible liquid are considered. Representing the surface function by the Legendre polynomial of first order, we derive a dynamic model to describe the motions of two aspherical bubbles in Lagrangian mechanics. An apple-shaped bubble from simulations based on the model can be well consistent with known experimental observation. The bubble appears as the shape of a sphere at maximum expansion. The maximum asymmetry of the bubbles occurs during collapse. The surface tension is a key factor to stable oscillatory deformation. It is also found that the aspherical amplitudes of two bubbles decrease with increasing distance or decreasing driving pressure.
Organomercurial Lyase (MerB)-Mediated Demethylation Decreases Bacterial Methylmercury Resistance in the Absence of Mercuric Reductase (MerA)
Authors: Krout Ian N. , Scrimale Thomas , Vorojeikina Daria , Boyd Eric S. , Rand Matthew D.
Published: February 2022

Mercury is a globally distributed pollutant that poses a risk to wildlife and human health. The toxicity of mercury is influenced largely by microbially mediated biotransformation between its organic (methylmercury) and inorganic [Hg(II) and Hg
0
] forms.