bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid evolution allows coexistence of highly divergent lineages within the same niche
Authors: Ward Ben A. , Collins Sinead
Published: June 2022

Marine microbial communities are extremely complex and diverse. The number of locally coexisting species often vastly exceeds the number of identifiable niches, and taxonomic composition often appears decoupled from local environmental conditions. This is contrary to the view that environmental conditions should select for a few locally well‐adapted species. Here we use an individual‐based eco‐evolutionary model to show that virtually unlimited taxonomic diversity can be supported in highly evolving assemblages, even in the absence of niche separation. With a steady stream of heritable changes to phenotype, competitive exclusion may be weakened, allowing sustained coexistence of nearly neutral phenotypes with highly divergent lineages. This behaviour is robust even to abrupt environmental perturbations that might be expected to cause strong selection pressure and an associated loss of diversity. We, therefore, suggest that rapid evolution and individual‐level variability are key drivers of species coexistence and maintenance of microbial biodiversity.
Reproduction and genetic causal attribution of epilepsy
Authors: Ottman Ruth , Wetmore John B. , Camarillo Itzel A. , Rodriguez Sophia , Misiewicz Sylwia , Siegel Karolynn , Chung Wendy K. , Phelan Jo C. , Leu Chen‐Shiun , Yang Lawrence H. , Choi Hyunmi
Published: June 2022

Objective

This study addresses the contribution of genetics‐related concerns to reduced childbearing among people with epilepsy.

Methods

Surveys were completed by 606 adult patients with epilepsy of unknown cause at our medical center. Poisson regression analysis was used to assess the relations of number of offspring to: (1) genetic attribution (GA: participants' belief that genetics was a cause of their epilepsy), assessed via a novel scale developed from four survey items (Cronbach's alpha = .89), (2) participants' estimates of epilepsy risk in the child of a parent with epilepsy (1%, 5%–10%, 25%, and 50%–100%), and (3) participants' reports of the influence on their reproductive decisions of “the chance of having a child with epilepsy” (none/weak/moderate, strong/very strong). Analyses were adjusted for age, education, race/ethnicity, religion, type of epilepsy (generalized, focal, and both/unclassifiable), and age at epilepsy onset (<10, 10–19, and ≥20 years).

Results

Among participants 18–45 years of age, the number of offspring decreased significantly with increasing GA (highest vs lowest GA quartile rate ratio [RR] = .5, p < .001), and increasing estimated epilepsy risk in offspring (with 5%–10% as referent because it is closest to the true value, RR for 25%: .7, p = .05; RR for 50%–100%: .6, p = .03). Number of offspring was not related to the reported influence of “the chance of having a child with epilepsy” on reproductive decisions. Among participants >45 years of age, the number of offspring did not differ significantly according to GA quartile or estimated offspring epilepsy risk. However, those reporting a strong/very strong influence on their reproductive decisions of “the chance of having a child with epilepsy” had only 60% as many offspring as others.

Significance

These findings suggest that overestimating the risk of epilepsy in offspring can have important consequences for people with epilepsy. Patient and provider education about recurrence risks and genetic testing options to clarify risks are critical, given their potential influence on reproductive decisions.
Multi‐night territorial behavior, chorus attendance, and mating success in red‐eyed treefrogs
Authors: Dougherty Ryan P. , Pulica Rachael M. , Caldwell Michael S.
Published: June 2022

For many frog species that aggregate around ponds or streams, chorus attendance, the percentage of time or nights a given male is present and actively calling at an aggregation, is the strongest documented predictor of inter‐male variation in reproductive success in the wild. Males are, thus, thought to compete via endurance rivalry, where available energetic reserves and individual physiology interact to determine chorus tenure. Frogs often exhibit territorial behavior within these aggregations, and territorial status is likely to influence a male's rate of energy expenditure. While males of several anuran species have been shown to hold territories across nights, it is not well understood whether such calling site fidelity is correlated with chorus attendance or mating success. Using subdermal RFID (PIT) tags to minimize disturbance to chorus structure, we quantified site fidelity, chorus attendance, and mating success for all male red‐eyed treefrogs (Agalychnis callidryas) within a breeding aggregation in Panama across 50 consecutive nights. We found that nearly half of these males held territories across nights, that this cross‐night territorial behavior was highly correlated with chorus attendance, and that chorus attendance was, in turn, the strongest predictor of male mating success. Males were most faithful to calling sites containing vegetation contiguous with adjacent sites and were more likely to remain at a site if they were successful in acquiring a mate there on the previous night. To our knowledge, this is the first study linking male site fidelity to chorus attendance and mating success in anurans. While female mate choice is an established driver of lineage diversification and the evolution of sexual signals, agonistic interactions between males at breeding aggregations are well‐documented from a wide range of anuran taxa. The relationship between male–male interactions and mating success deserves broader research attention among anuran species.
To negotiate, mediate or litigate? Examining the durability of divorce outcomes in the Singapore family courts
Authors: Quek Anderson Dorcas , Chua Eunice , Ning Yilin
Published: June 2022

For many years, the courts have been grappling with the paradox of marriages—the most intimate of relationships—being dissolved in the courts that represent a public and adversarial setting. Despite the growth of divorce interventions, the perennial struggle remains in many courts on how to reduce the intense acrimony of divorce litigation. The question remains on the scope of “mainstream” interventions to be offered by the courts to divorce litigants. The current study therefore explores the use of court‐connected negotiation, mediation, and litigation in the Singapore Family Justice Courts. It uses a statistical method of survival analysis to produce insights on re‐litigation trends over time and to predict the future risk of re‐litigation. Mediated divorces were found to have consistently higher durability than litigated cases and negotiated settlements. Negotiated divorce outcomes had the worst durability when the survival analysis was done in relation to re‐litigation caused by extraneous factors. These findings strongly suggest that mediation should be a highly recommended mode of dispute resolution for divorcing parties, especially when there are children to the marriage, and that there are benefits of having a neutral third party to help the parties reach a sustainable settlement.
Cutaneous metastases of internal malignancies: a single‐institution experience
Authors: Vernemmen Astrid I P , Li Xiaofei , Roemen Guido M J M , Speel Ernst‐Jan M , Kubat Bela , Hausen Axel zur , Winnepenninckx Véronique J L , Samarska Iryna V
Published: June 2022

Aims

Cutaneous metastases of internal malignancies occur in 1–10% of cancer patients. The diagnosis can sometimes be challenging, especially in cases with an unknown primary cancer.

Materials and methods

A retrospective case review was performed including all cases of skin metastases from primary internal malignancies diagnosed at the Department of Pathology at the Maastricht University Medical Centre+ from 2007 to 2021. The clinicopathological data were collected and immunohistochemical and molecular diagnostic tests were performed to confirm the primary origin of the metastases.

Results

We identified 152 cases (71 female; 31 male patients) of cutaneous metastases of internal malignancies. 28 patients (20 women and 8 men) were diagnosed with multiple cutaneous metastases. Among the female patients, the most common primary tumour was breast cancer (50% of the cases), followed by lung (13.6%), gynaecological (7.3%), and gastrointestinal origin (7.3%). Among the male patients, the most common primary sites were gastrointestinal and lung origin (altogether, 50% of the cases). In 19 patients, the cutaneous metastasis was the first presentation of a clinically silent internal malignancy (18.6%), of which most (78.9%) represented metastatic lung carcinomas. Finally, metastasizing patterns were different across tumour types and gender.

Conclusion

Breast, lung, gastrointestinal, and gynaecologic cancers are the most common primary tumours demonstrating skin metastases. Infrequently, cutaneous metastases can be the first clinically visual manifestation of an underlying not yet diagnosed internal malignancy; therefore, occasional broad immunohistochemical profiling, molecular clonal analysis, and a continuous high level of awareness are necessary for a precise diagnosis of cutaneous metastases of internal malignancies.
Neuroendocrine differentiation in the setting of prostatic carcinoma: contemporary assessment of a consecutive series
Authors: Gopalan Anuradha , Al‐Ahmadie Hikmat , Chen Ying‐Bei , Sarungbam Judy , Sirintrapun S. Joseph , Tickoo Satish K , Reuter Victor E , Fine Samson W
Published: June 2022

Aim

Clinicopathologic characterisation of a contemporary series of neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation in the setting of prostatic carcinoma (PCa) was examined.

Methods and results

We reviewed institutional databases for in‐house cases with a history of PCa and histopathologic evidence of NE differentiation during the disease course. In all, 79 cases were identified: 32 primary and 47 metastases. Metastatic lesions were in liver (n = 15), lymph node (n = 9), bone (n = 6), lung (n = 3), brain (n = 1), and other sites (n = 13). In all, 63 of 76 (82%) cases with NE differentiation and available history were posttherapy: six postradiation therapy (RT), 24 post‐ androgen–deprivation therapy (ADT), and 33 post‐RT + ADT. Morphologic assessment (n = 79): (i) 23 pure small‐cell/high‐grade NE carcinoma (HGNEC): 20/23 metastatic; (ii) 10 combined high‐grade PCa and small‐cell/HGNEC: 9/10 primary; (iii) 15 PCa with diffuse NE immunohistochemistry (IHC) marker positivity/differentiation, associated with nested to sheet‐like growth of cells with abundant cytoplasm and prominent nucleoli, yet diffuse positivity for at least one prostatic and one NE IHC marker: all metastatic; (iv) 11 PCa with patchy NE differentiation, displaying more than single‐cell positivity for NE IHC: five primary / six metastatic; (v) nine PCa with focal NE marker positive cells: four primary / five metastatic; (vi) 11 PCa with ‘Paneth cell‐like’ change: all primary.

Conclusions

In this contemporary series, the majority of NE differentiation in the setting of PCa was seen posttherapy. We highlight the tendencies of small‐cell/HGNEC and PCa with diffuse NE differentiation by IHC to occur in metastatic settings, while morphologically combined high‐grade PCa + small‐cell/HGNEC and ‘Paneth cell‐like’ change occur in primary disease.
Give your hunger a new option: Understanding consumers' continuous intention to use online food delivery apps using trust transfer theory
Authors: Raza Aleem , Asif Muhammad , Akram Mubasher
Published: June 2022

The recent growth of online food delivery apps (OFDAs) centralized the restaurant's business in electronic distribution platforms. Recently, a few researchers have attempted to understand consumer behaviour towards using OFDAs. However, various aspects related to the usage of OFDAs have not been explored. Drawing from trust transfer theory, the purpose of this study is to fill this gap by investigating the trust transfer from OFDAs to restaurants and to address the boundary condition of trust transfer by examining the moderating effect of perceived effectiveness of dispute resolution (PEDR) between trust in OFDAs and trust in a restaurant. The model was tested via structural equation modelling (SEM) using data obtained from 836 users of OFDAs through structured questionnaire. The results show that trust in OFDAs positively influence the trust in restaurant, which ultimately leads to the consumers' continuous purchase intention. Further, PEDR positively moderates the relationship between trust in OFDAs and trust in a restaurant. Additionally, disposition to trust and online reviews significantly develops consumer trust in OFDAs. The present research makes substantial theoretical and practical contributions as it develops a trust transfer mechanism by considering an emerging mobile‐commerce field. The study provides a first theoretical outlook on consumers' continuous intention to use OFDAs, using trust transfer theory, which has not been considered so far. The findings provide information for food delivery platforms on how to manage conflict resolution to succeed in the market and help restaurants in selecting the most effective food delivery platforms with which to collaborate.
The diverse terminology of reptile eggshell microstructure and its effect on phylogenetic comparative analyses
Authors: Legendre Lucas J. , Choi Seung , Clarke Julia A.
Published: June 2022

Reptile eggshell ensures water and gas exchange during incubation and plays a key role in reproductive success. The diversity of reptilian incubation and life history strategies has led to many clade‐specific structural adaptations of their eggshell, which have been studied in extant taxa (i.e. birds, crocodilians, turtles, and lepidosaurs). Most studies on non‐avian eggshells were performed over 30 years ago and categorized reptile eggshells into two main types: “hard” and “soft” – sometimes with a third intermediate category, “semi‐rigid.” In recent years, however, debate over the evolution of eggshell structure of major reptile clades has revealed how definitions of hard and soft eggshells influence inferred deep‐time evolutionary patterns. Here, we review the diversity of extant and fossil eggshell with a focus on major reptile clades, and the criteria that have been used to define hard, soft, and semi‐rigid eggshells. We show that all scoring approaches that retain these categories discretize continuous quantitative traits (e.g. eggshell thickness) and do not consider independent variation of other functionally important microstructural traits (e.g. degree of calcification, shell unit inner structure). We demonstrate the effect of three published approaches to discretizing eggshell type into hard, semi‐rigid, and soft on ancestral state reconstructions using 200+ species representing all major extant and extinct reptile clades. These approaches result in different ancestral states for all major clades including Archosauria and Dinosauria, despite a difference in scoring for only 1–4% of the sample. Proposed scenarios of reptile eggshell evolution are highly conditioned by sampling, tree calibration, and lack of congruence between definitions of eggshell type. We conclude that the traditional “soft/hard/semi‐rigid” classification of reptilian eggshells should be abandoned and provide guidelines for future descriptions focusing on specific functionally relevant characteristics (e.g. inner structures of shell units, pores, and membrane elements), analyses of these traits in a phylogenetic context, and sampling of previously undescribed taxa, including fossil eggs.
Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder supplementation in laying hens' diet on production performance, blood biochemical parameters and egg quality traits
Authors: Mosayyeb Zadeh Amir , Mirghelenj Seyyed Ali , Hasanlou Peyman , Shakouri Alishah Hossein
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of turmeric powder (TP) supplementation on laying hens' performance, blood biochemical parameters and egg quality parameters. In total, 144 laying hens (Hy‐line W36) ageing 53 weeks were used in this study. Birds were randomly assigned to three treatments (6 replicates, 8 birds in each). The diets contained 0 (control), 0.25, and 0.5% TP based on the maize−soybean meal. It was found that the TP supplementation significantly reduced egg production, weight and mass throughout the experiment (p < 0.05). However, the feed conversion ratio increased (p < 0.05), whereas feed intake remained unaffected. Yolk percentage, height and index reduced, and the yolk colour, accompanied by the egg‐shell percentage, increased (p< 0.05) during the first 4 weeks of the experiment. Interestingly, only the albumen pH was affected by TP supplementation during the second 4 weeks (p < 0.05). The serum malondialdehyde level reduced significantly, and the total antioxidant capacity increased in the groups fed on the diets supplemented with TP (p < 0.05). Serum lipids levels, including triglyceride, cholesterol and very‐low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL), and the yolk triglyceride level reduced due to TP supplementation (p < 0.05). The interactive effect of all three independent factors on the internal quality traits of the stored eggs was significant only for yolk pH (p < 0.05). Thus, TP could be a potential lipid reducing factor, especially triglycerides, and a natural antioxidant in laying hens' diet. However, it may significantly impair the productive performance of laying hens under normal environmental conditions.
Effect of amount of high‐fibre pellet in the diet and bedding type on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, eating behaviour and rumination in bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus)
Authors: Świerk Samanta , Hasior Katarzyna , Garus‐Piętak Aleksandra , Przybyło Marcin , Głuch Milena , Waliczek Agnieszka , Różański Łukasz , Kański Jarosław , Górka Paweł
Published: June 2022

Two studies were conducted to determine the impact of the amount of high‐fibre pellet (HFP) in the diet and bedding material on feed intake, eating behaviour, rumination, activity and resting behaviour, and also nutrient digestibility in bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus). In Study 1, bongo were fed meadow hay (ad libitum), lucerne hay (0.5 kg/day), browse (0.7 kg/day) and a ‘basal diet’ containing 0.75 kg/day (low; LP), 1.50 kg/day (medium; MP) or 2.25 kg/day (high; HP) of HFP consisting mostly of insoluble fibre sources (dehydrated grass, dehydrated lucerne, wheat bran). In Study 2, experimental diets resembled those used in Study 1 with the main difference being that bongo were fed 1 or 2 kg of HFP/day and pens were bedded with straw (SB) or wood shavings (WB) (2 × 2 factorial design). In Study 1, dry matter (DM) intake of meadow hay decreased linearly (p < 0.01) with an increasing amount of HFP in the diet but total DM intake increased (p < 0.01). Eating time of basal diet (min/day) increased linearly (p = 0.01), whereas eating time of meadow hay tended to (p = 0.06) decrease linearly with an increasing amount of HFP in the diet. In Study 2, total DM intake was greater for HP treatments compared to LP treatments (p < 0.01) but meadow hay DM intake did not differ between treatments. Straw was consumed by animals and its usage as a bedding material increased meadow hay DM intake and browse DM intake (p ≤ 0.02), and consequently total DM intake (p = 0.03), compared with wood shavings bedding. Feeding more HFP to bongo tended to (p = 0.07) decrease rumination time per day and increased rumination rate (g DM/min). In conclusion, an increased amount of HFP (>1.5−2 kg/day/animal) rich in insoluble fibre in the diet consisting mostly of meadow hay may decrease the intake of roughages by bongo and reduce rumination time. On the other hand, the usage of straw (instead of wood shavings) as bedding unexpectedly increased the intake of roughages by bongo.
Coordinating Behaviors: Is social interaction scripted?
Authors: Eickers Gen
Published: June 2022

Some philosophical and psychological approaches to social interaction posit a powerful explanatory tool for explaining how we navigate social situations: scripts. Scripts tell people how to interact in different situational and cultural contexts depending on social roles such as gender. A script theory of social interaction puts emphasis on understanding the world as normatively structured. Social structures place demands, roles, and ways to behave in the social world upon us, which, in turn, guide the ways we interact with one another and the ways we coordinate our behaviors. In this paper, I explore the phenomenon of coordinated behaviors in social interactions in humans. I argue that looking closely at everyday interactions, for which social coordination is central, strongly points to a fundamental role of scripts for social cognition and interaction. In order to explain some social interactions, like those based on social coordination, we do not need to recourse to mental state attribution. Rather, I argue, scripts are a powerful resource for explaining social interaction and especially coordinated behaviors. Scripts have been neglected in standard approaches to social cognition but are (re‐)gaining attention via the normative turn in social cognition.
Biochemical, histological, and gene expression analysis in brain and heart in Phoxinus lagowskii under sustained and diel‐cycling hypoxia
Authors: Yao Tiehui , Wang Sihan , Xu Kexin , Zhang Xiaoping , Zhang Tianxu , Wang Jing , Wang Zhen , Mu Weijie
Published: June 2022

Sustained and diel‐cycling hypoxia frequently occurs in high‐latitude environments; however, fish's biochemical, physiological, and histological responses to these two conditions remain unknown. Current hypotheses posit that the heart and the brain of fish from high latitudes are integral to their hypoxia tolerance and that fish exhibit different response mechanisms to cope with sustained and diel‐cycling hypoxic conditions. To test this, we acclimated Phoxinus lagowskii, a high‐latitude fish, to ecologically relevant sustained and diel‐cycling hypoxia conditions over 28 days. Histological analysis revealed changes in the relative thickness of the layers in the midbrain. There was a prominent upsurge of oxidative stress biomarkers in diel‐cycling hypoxia (DCH) treatments, with superoxide dismutase and catalase activity. Our data suggested that triglycerides in the heart were elevated in DCH groups but remained unchanged regardless of sustained hypoxia (SH) treatments. The majority of enzyme activities (LDH, PK, PFK, and HK) increased in DCH groups, especially at day 28. The gene expression results indicated that HIF mainly regulated long‐term DCH in the heart and regulated SH in the brain. Collectively, these findings reveal that P. lagowskii exhibits varied adaptation strategies to the exposure of sustained and diel‐cycling hypoxia.
Proteomic changes associated with predator‐induced morphological defences in oysters
Authors: Evans Tyler G. , Bible Jillian M. , Maynard Ashley , Griffith Kaylee R. , Sanford Eric , Kültz Dietmar
Published: June 2022

Inducible prey defences occur when organisms undergo plastic changes in phenotype to reduce predation risk. When predation pressure varies persistently over space or time, such as when predator and prey co‐occur over only part of their biogeographic ranges, prey populations can become locally adapted in their inducible defences. In California estuaries, native Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida) populations have evolved disparate phenotypic responses to an invasive predator, the Atlantic oyster drill (Urosalpinx cinerea). In this study, oysters from an estuary with drills, and oysters from an estuary without drills, were reared for two generations in a laboratory common garden, and subsequently exposed to cues from Atlantic drills. Comparative proteomics was then used to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying conserved and divergent aspects of their inducible defences. Both populations developed smaller, thicker, and harder shells after drill exposure, and these changes in shell phenotype were associated with upregulation of calcium transport proteins that could influence biomineralization. Inducible defences evolve in part because defended phenotypes incur fitness costs when predation risk is low. Immune proteins were downregulated by both oyster populations after exposure to drills, implying a trade‐off between biomineralization and immune function. Following drill exposure, oysters from the population that co‐occurs with drills grew smaller shells than oysters inhabiting the estuary not yet invaded by the predator. Variation in the response to drills between populations was associated with isoform‐specific protein expression. This trend suggests that a stronger inducible defence response evolved in oysters that co‐occur with drills through modification of an existing mechanism.
A systematic review of relationship maintenance: Reflecting back and looking to the future
Authors: Ogolsky Brian G. , Stafford Laura
Published: June 2022

Relationship maintenance processes include a wide range of activities and cognitions that romantic partners engage in to sustain or enhance their relationships. In this article, we review literature from the past two decades (2002–2021). We focus on key definitional and conceptual issues in the study of relational maintenance. Guided by a lens of intersectionality, we then perform a theoretically‐driven review of the empirical articles published over the last 20 years paying careful attention to the nature of the samples, methods, and privileged research questions. We conclude by offering a reflection on the current state of this literature and provide suggestions for future research.
Risky belief
Authors: Smith Martin
Published: June 2022

In this paper I defend the claim that justification is closed under conjunction, and confront its most alarming consequence — that one can have justification for believing propositions that are unlikely to be true, given one's evidence.
Current trends in image‐guided chest interventions
Authors: Lau Kenneth K. , Steinke Karin , Reis Stephen , Cherukuri Srinivas P. , Cejna Manfred
Published: June 2022

Interventional radiology (IR) is a rapidly expanding medical subspecialty and refers to a range of image‐guided procedural techniques. The image guidance allows real‐time visualization and precision placement of a needle, catheter, wire and device to deep body structures through small incisions. Advantages include reduced risks, faster recovery and shorter hospital stays, lower costs and less patient discomfort. The range of chest interventional procedures keeps on expanding due to improved imaging facilities, better percutaneous assess devices and advancing ablation and embolization techniques. These advances permit procedures to be undertaken safely, simultaneously and effectively, hence escalating the role of IR in the treatment of chest disorders. This review article aims to cover the latest developments in some image‐guided techniques of the chest, including thermal ablation therapy of lung malignancy, targeted therapy of pulmonary embolism, angioplasty and stenting of mediastinal venous/superior vena cava occlusion, pulmonary arteriovenous malformation treatment and bronchial artery embolization for haemoptysis.
Meiosis in allopolyploid Arabidopsis suecica
Authors: Nibau Candida , Gonzalo Adrián , Evans Aled , Sweet‐Jones William , Phillips Dylan , Lloyd Andrew
Published: June 2022

Polyploidy is a major force shaping eukaryote evolution but poses challenges for meiotic chromosome segregation. As a result, first‐generation polyploids often suffer from more meiotic errors and lower fertility than established wild polyploid populations. How established polyploids adapt their meiotic behaviour to ensure genome stability and accurate chromosome segregation remains an active research question. We present here a cytological description of meiosis in the model allopolyploid species Arabidopsis suecica (2n = 4x = 26). In large part meiosis in A. suecica is diploid‐like, with normal synaptic progression and no evidence of synaptic partner exchanges. Some abnormalities were seen at low frequency, including univalents at metaphase I, anaphase bridges and aneuploidy at metaphase II; however, we saw no evidence of crossover formation occurring between non‐homologous chromosomes. The crossover number in A. suecica is similar to the combined number reported from its diploid parents Arabidopsis thaliana (2n = 2x = 10) and Arabidopsis arenosa (2n = 2x = 16), with an average of approximately 1.75 crossovers per chromosome pair. This contrasts with naturally evolved autotetraploid A. arenosa, where accurate chromosome segregation is achieved by restricting crossovers to approximately 1 per chromosome pair. Although an autotetraploid donor is hypothesized to have contributed the A. arenosa subgenome to A. suecica, A. suecica harbours diploid A. arenosa variants of key meiotic genes. These multiple lines of evidence suggest that meiosis in the recently evolved allopolyploid A. suecica is essentially diploid like, with meiotic adaptation following a very different trajectory to that described for autotetraploid A. arenosa.
Lebanese medical students’ knowledge on and attitude toward xenotransplantation and its ethical issues: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Safi Steven , Mansour Perla C. , Kaady Thea , El Kareh Antonio , Mokled Elie , Salameh Pascale
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Xenotransplantation is the transplantation of animal parts into humans. This study's aim is to assess the Lebanese medical students’ attitude toward xenotransplantation and their knowledge of its related ethical issues.

Methods

A questionnaire was answered by 120 Lebanese medical students. Statistical analysis and ethical reflections were performed on the results.

Results

Out of the 120 participants, 100 already knew about xenotransplantation, and 61.7% of the students believe that it is applied clinically. Only 25% trust that the animals need to be genetically modified for the organs to be eligible for transplantation. About 25.8% and 46.7% of the students, respectively, strongly agree that the patients’ and physicians’ beliefs play an important role in agreeing to the procedure. Students were likely to accept the animal organ for transplantation if the transplant could completely cure or improve the course of an untreatable disease (86.6% and 75.0%) or if the outcomes and risks were the same as with a human transplant with a shorter waiting period (71.7%). Students who agreed that animal rights and welfare/wellbeing should be respected tended to disagree with the statement that it is acceptable to use animals for human ends (p = .026).

Conclusion

Medical students proved to be knowledgeable on the ethical dilemmas related to xenotransplantation and showed a favorable attitude toward this procedure, which is crucial in its establishment as an absolute clinical reality in the near future and in the development and strengthening of research in this field.
Laser Ablation Tomography for Rapid Three-Dimensional Tissue Imaging and Analysis
Authors: Lanba Asheesh , Hall Benjamin , Huff Wesley
Published: June 2022

Laser ablation tomography (LATscan) produces three-dimensional (3D) tissue models at micron-scale resolution within a few minutes, being amenable to high-throughput applications. Red-green-blue images obtained from LATscan allow for enhanced and accurate feature segmentation and quantification. The technology uses an ultrafast, ultraviolet pulsed laser to continually ablate a sample as it is fed into the laser ablation plane. Laser ablation or photo-ablation is the process of removal of material via a pulsed laser. The ultrafast nature of the laser pushes the process into being athermal, minimizing structural damage to the material being imaged. The surfaces are imaged at the ablation plane. Precise motion control allows for submicron separation between consecutive images. The ablation results in color images due to the ultraviolet laser inducing multispectral fluorescence. The LATscan system can also be programmed prior to imaging to allow for coregistration of cross section under different lighting conditions. The images are then stacked, further processed and reconstructed into volume renderings with a voxel size that can go down to 0.2 μm3 for further analysis and virtual dissection. Image processing allows for the 3D visualization and quantification of desired anatomy. LATscan has been successfully applied in the fields of plant science, entomology, and materials science. It shows great promise for biomedical imaging and tissue analysis, and this paper presents a few results from the LATscan imaging of murine tissue. Various murine organs have been imaged, including the gut, kidney, and brain (inside the skull). The imaging and analysis combined have the potential to provide pathologists, researchers, and diagnosticians with insights and solutions not available to them before.
“¿JUNTOS EN LA SALUD Y LA ENFERMEDAD?” COMPARACIÓN INTERCULTURAL DE ESTRATEGIAS Y RECURSOS SOCIALES QUE UTILIZAN PAREJAS ARGENTINAS Y ESPAÑOLAS PARA ENFRENTAR UNA ENFERMEDAD CRÓNICA REUMÁTICA.
Authors: Cuesta Ramunno Estibaliz
Published: June 2022

Esta comunicación tiene como propósito presentar los resultados de un estudio comparativo e intercultural realizado en España y Argentina. El principal objetivo fue identificar y comprender qué aspectos personales, sociales y culturales condicionan un afrontamiento favorable o negativo (considerando a éste último como el efecto menos deseable: la separación) de las parejas (matrimonio o parejas de hecho) en las cuales uno ellos sufre una enfermedad crónica, discapacitante y muy dolorosa como es la Artritis Reumatoide. Las enfermedades reumáticas son una de las mayores causas de discapacidad en el mundo y a pesar de ello, el estado actual del conocimiento no puede dar cuenta del modo en que lo afrontan y experimentan (“experiencia próxima”) las personas que se transforman de cónyuges a cuidadores “a tiempo completo” El diseño del estudio fue mixto: primera fase de tipo cuantitativa -para evaluar la adaptación a la enfermedad- y en una fase posterior, entrevistas abiertas a parejas de ambos países. También se realizó un intenso trabajo de campo. El estudio, que fue interdisciplinario (antropólogos, psicólogos, médicos reumatólogos y enfermeras) fue dirigido por el Departamento de Psicología Social y Antropología y el de Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamientos Psicológicos de la Universidad de Salamanca, en el marco del doctorado “Antropología Aplicada: Salud y Desarrollo comunitario” Se pretende aplicar sus resultados a la confección de herramientas culturalmente prácticas que favorezcan una buena adaptación de la pareja a una enfermedad crónica y los/las fortalezca para evitar padecimientos producidos por la fuerte crisis biográfica que sufren ante la aparición y durante la convivencia con ella. Algunos de estos padecimientos son: el desconocimiento del rol que lleva a la pérdida de identidad marital y la conversión hacia un rol exclusivamente de cuidador, subestimación o sobreestimación del dolor del cónyuge enfermo, depresiones, entre otros.
Getting Outside the Cell: Versatile Holin Strategies Used by Distinct Phages to Leave Their Bacillus thuringiensis Host
Authors: Leprince Audrey , Nuytten Manon , July Elise , Tesseur Coralie , Mahillon Jacques
Published: June 2022

The phage life cycle ends with the host cell lysis, thereby releasing new virions into the environment for the next round of bacterial infection. Nowadays, there is renewed interest in phages as biocontrol agents, primarily due to their ability to cause bacterial death through lysis.
Draft Genome Sequence of Clostridium botulinum Subtype
bont
/A5(B2′)
Authors: Kruemmel Ana Rafaela , Halpin Jessica L. , Foltz Victoria , Dykes Janet , Lúquez Carolina
Published: June 2022

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Clostridium botulinum
strain CDC76130, which harbors a rare botulinum toxin gene (
bont
) complex arrangement of
bont
/A5 and truncated
bont
/B2 within the same
ha
toxin gene cluster.
Divergent Effects of Peptidoglycan Carboxypeptidase DacA on Intrinsic β-Lactam and Vancomycin Resistance
Authors: Park Si Hyoung , Choi Umji , Ryu Su-Hyun , Lee Han Byeol , Lee Jin-Won , Lee Chang-Ro
Published: June 2022

Bacterial PG hydrolases play important roles in various aspects of bacterial physiology, including cytokinesis, PG synthesis, quality control of PG, PG recycling, and stress adaptation. Of all the PG hydrolases, the role of PG carboxypeptidases is poorly understood, especially regarding their impacts on antibiotic resistance.
Inhibition of BET Family Proteins Suppresses African Swine Fever Virus Infection
Authors: Zhao Yaru , Niu Qingli , Yang Saixia , Yang Jifei , Zhang Zhonghui , Geng Shuxian , Fan Jie , Liu Zhijie , Guan Guiquan , Liu Zhiqing , Zhou Jia , Hu Haitao , Luo Jianxun , Yin Hong
Published: June 2022

Due to the continuing spread of the ASFV in the world and the lack of commercial vaccines, the development of improved control strategies, including antiviral drugs, is urgently needed. BRD4 is an important epigenetic factor and has been commonly used for drug development for tumor treatment.
Supplemental Material: Autobrecciation and fusing of mafic magma preceding explosive eruptions
Authors: Marshall Aaron A. , al. et
Published: June 2022

Detailed sampling methods and locations, stratigraphic descriptions for samples analyzed in this study, operating conditions for sample imaging, crystal size distribution analyses of Valdivia et al. (2022), and Pearson coefficients for regressions in Figure 3. 
First reported case of corneal infection caused byAtopobium vaginae
Authors: Singh Nimish Kumar , Sahu Srikant , Priyadarshini Smruti Rekha , Behera Himanshu Sekhara
Published: June 2022

A man in his 20s, with irritation, pain and photophobia in the left eye, was clinically diagnosed with herpes simplex virus nummular keratitis at our institute and advised topical antivirals and corticosteroids, causing resolution of active infiltrates. The infection recurred after 7 months and the patient did not respond to the previous regimen, so corneal scraping was sent for microbiological evaluation. Gram-positive bacilli grew on culture, which were identified asAtopobium vaginaeusing VITEK 2 Compact system (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France). Gatifloxacin eye drops were added based on antibiotic sensitivity patterns. Infiltrates resolved completely, leaving behind residual scars without any recurrences. This is the first reported case of corneal infection caused byA. vaginae, a bacterium known to reside in the urogenital tract. It caused secondary corneal infection in a case of recurrent herpes simplex keratitis. Species identification systems like VITEK 2 Compact can help identify such rare bacteria with great accuracy.
Obstructed hemivagina with ipsilateral renal and urinary tract anomaly presenting as an unusual cause of acute abdomen: a radiologic perspective
Authors: Mendoza Kim Ivan R , Nicer Dan Philippe C
Published: June 2022

Obstructed hemivagina with ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA) is a rare congenital genitourinary defect with a triad of unilateral vaginal obstruction, uterine anomaly and ipsilateral renal agenesis. This paper reports an unusual presentation of OHVIRA, with our patient experiencing severe abdominal pain from a left tubo-ovarian abscess that is contralateral to the side of the vaginal outflow obstruction. Another reportable finding is our patient’s rare association of a trifid ureter that fuses distally before inserting ectopically in her vaginal canal. Lastly, this case report also emphasises the importance of radiologists’ expertise in suspecting the diagnosis early on and in contributing to the preoperative evaluation of patients with OHVIRA, thereby providing adequate management for these patients.
Mindfulness for academic performance in health professions students: a systematic review
Authors: Balasooriya Lekamge Roshini , Gasevic Danijela , Karim Md Nazmul , Ilic Dragan
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To systematically review the impact of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on the academic performance of undergraduate medicine, nursing and allied health students.

Methods

Randomised controlled trials that examined the effects of MBIs in medicine, nursing and allied health students on academic performance were eligible for inclusion. Electronic database searches were conducted across Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL Plus), PsycINFO and ERIC databases. Two authors independently reviewed citations, extracted data and assessed the quality of evidence using the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool. A descriptive analysis of included studies and a meta-analysis using a random-effects model of standardised mean difference were performed.

Results

A total of 267 studies were returned from the search, of which 2 met the inclusion criteria. The overall risk of bias was assessed as unclear risk of bias for one study and high risk of bias for second included study. A meta-analysis of MBIs on student academic performance as measured by marks in written examination indicated no statistical difference between interventions (Standardised Mean Difference (SMD)=0.43, 95% CI −1.77 to 2.62, I2=96%).

Discussion

Our systematic review highlights a lack of evidence to either support, or refute, the use of mindfulness interventions on the academic performance of undergraduate medical students. We encourage that future randomised controlled trials pay heed to the dosing of mindfulness and include a measurement of mindfulness to enable us to draw a clearer causal relationship.
‘What puts the ‘Hic’ into Hiccups?’
Authors: Seifi Ali , Fox Mark R
Published: June 2022

Recurrent and persistent bouts of hiccups impact the quality of life by interfering with eating, social interaction and work. Popular home remedies, such as breath holding and drinking ice water, target activity in the vagal and phrenic nerves that are thought to trigger these repetitive, myoclonic contractions. However, the pathophysiology of hiccups and the mechanism by which any of these methods work are unclear. Indeed, so little is known that there is no agreement whether the ‘Hic’ sound is due to the abrupt closure of the epiglottis or the glottis, including the vocal cords.

Investigations were performed in a 50-year-old, otherwise healthy male with recurrent hiccups, in whom contractions persisted for up to 4 hours. Hiccups were initiated by drinking carbonated soda. The aerodigestive tract was visualised by video fluoroscopy. Hiccups were terminated by drinking a non-viscous contrast agent through a forced inspiratory suction and swallow tool. This device requires significant suction pressure (−100 mm Hg) to draw fluid into the mouth and is effective in approximately 90% of cases. The images were analysed together with concurrent audio recordings to gain insight into ‘what causes the ’hic’ in hiccups’ and how this commonplace but annoying problem can be treated.
Geospatial clustering and correlates of deaths during the Ebola outbreak in Liberia: a Bayesian geoadditive semiparametric analysis of nationally representative cross-sectional survey data
Authors: Amoako Johnson Fiifi , Sakyi Barbara
Published: June 2022

Objective

To investigate the extent of geospatial clustering of reported deaths during the Ebola outbreak in Liberia and the covariates associated with the observed clustering.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Participants

Male and female respondents from the 2019–2020 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey. The analysis covered 11 928 (women=7854 and men=4074) respondents for whom complete data were available.

Outcome measures

The outcome variable was the death of a household member or relative during the Ebola outbreak in Liberia, coded 1 if the respondent reported death and 0 otherwise.

Methods

We applied the Bayesian geoadditive semiparametric regression to examine the extent of geospatial clustering of deaths at the district-level and community-level development and socioeconomic factors associated with the observed clustering.

Results

Almost a quarter (24.8%) of all respondents reported the death of a household member or relative during the Ebola outbreak. The results show that deaths were clustered within districts in six (Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Monsterrado, Margibi, Gbarpolu and Lofa) of the 15 counties in Liberia. Districts with high death clustering were all near or shared borders with Sierra Leone and Guinea. The community-level development indicators (global human footprint, gross cell production and population density) had a non-linear associative effect with the observed spatial clustering. Also, respondents’ characteristics (respondent’s age (non-linear effect), educational attainment and urban-rural place of residence) were associated with the observed clustering. The results show that death clustering during outbreaks was constrained to poor settings and impacts areas of moderate and high socioeconomic development.

Conclusion

Reported deaths during the Ebola outbreak in Liberia were not randomly distributed at the district level but clustered. The findings highlight the need to identify at-risk populations during epidemics and respond with the needed interventions to save lives.
Managerial thinking in neonatal care: a qualitative study of place of care decision-making for preterm babies born at 27–31 weeks gestation in England
Authors: Cupit Caroline , Paton Alexis , Boyle Elaine , Pillay Thillagavathie , Armstrong Natalie
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Preterm babies born between 27 and 31 weeks of gestation in England are usually born and cared for in either a neonatal intensive care unit or a local neonatal unit—with such units forming part of Operational Delivery Networks. As part of a national project seeking to optimise service delivery for this group of babies (OPTI-PREM), we undertook qualitative research to better understand how decisions about place of birth and care are made and operationalised.

Design

Qualitative analysis of ethnographic observation data in neonatal units and semi-structured interviews with neonatal staff.

Setting

Six neonatal units across two neonatal networks in England. Two were neonatal intensive care units and four were local neonatal units.

Participants

Clinical staff (n=15) working in neonatal units, and people present in neonatal units during periods of observation.

Results

In the context of real-world neonatal practice, with multiple (and rapidly-evolving) uncertainties relating to mothers, babies and unit/network capacity, ‘best place of care’ protocols were only one element of much more complex decision-making processes. Staff often made judgements from a less-than-ideal starting point, and were forced to respond to evolving clinical and organisational factors. In particular, we report that managerial considerations relating to demand and capacity organised decision-making; demand and capacity management was time-consuming and generated various pressures on families, and tensions between staff.

Conclusions

Researchers and policymakers should take account of the organisational context within which place of care decisions are made. The dominance of demand and capacity management considerations is likely to limit the impact of other improvement interventions, such as initiatives to integrate families into the neonatal care provision. Demand and capacity management is an important element of neonatal care that may be overlooked, but significantly organises how care is delivered.