bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symbolic Awards in Buyer–Supplier Relations
Authors: Beer Ruth , Ahn Hyun-Soo , Leider Stephen
Published: July 2021

Problem definition: Giving out a symbolic “supplier of the year” or “outstanding supplier” award can be beneficial for a buyer as it may incentivize a supplier to exert higher efforts. However, when a good supplier is scarce, the award announces which supplier is particularly good and may increase the cost of building and maintaining the relationship. This paper studies both positive and negative effects of a symbolic award and offers explanations on underlying behavioral mechanisms. Academic/practical relevance: We show that symbolic awards can effectively incentivize suppliers to provide high effort, improving a buyer’s bottom line. This is particularly relevant in cases in which certain aspects of a buyer–supplier relationship are not contractible and suppliers have discretion over the quality provided. The award format significantly influences the award’s effectiveness. Methodology: We develop a game-theoretical model that captures a supplier’s utility for the award in a competitive setting and test the predictions of the model with laboratory experiments. Results: Our experimental results confirm that private symbolic awards have motivating effects and lead to higher buyer profits. When the awards are public, this profit premium diminishes as buyers pay higher prices to get the good suppliers. When the buyer is given the option to make the award public or private, buyers prefer that awards are public over private, anticipating a negative supplier response to their choice of the private award format. Managerial implications: Expressing praise or gratitude for a supplier’s efforts can be highly beneficial for a buyer. However, when there is scarcity of good suppliers, buyers should expect increased competition and accompany the award with efforts to preserve the relationship. Finally, if buyers choose to offer a distinctive award format, private recognitions may be perceived as greedy or self-interested and backfire.
Pulmonary Embolism in a COVID-19-Positive Primigravida After Caesarean Section Despite Prophylaxis
Authors: Kripalani Yash , Parulekar Lipeeka
Published: July 2021

The prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in COVID-19 patients is higher than in non-COVID-19 patients. Since the beginning of the pandemic, deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke and pulmonary embolism (PE) have been reported in patients with COVID-19. D-dimer levels are now routinely measured in hospitalized patients so that prophylaxis can be initiated. However, a standardized protocol for prophylaxis has yet to be developed for pregnant women with COVID-19, who have an increased risk of VTE. We describe the case of a young primigravida woman with a positive COVID RT-PCR test who developed PE despite receiving adequate prophylaxis.
On masculinities: navigating the tension between individual and structural considerations
Authors: Levell Jade
Published: July 2021

In this short piece the author uses the recent publication of an edited collection, Men, Masculinities and Intimate Partner Violence (Gottzen et al, 2021) as a springboard to focus on the pertinent questions this raises within feminist academic, policy and practitioner work. This book highlights a greater awareness of the multiplicity of masculinities and the impact this is having on work in the domestic abuse sector, particularly in perpetrator interventions. Focusing on individual experiences of masculinity and associated traumas humanises perpetrators, but the risk is that it individualises abuse perpetration away from a structural understanding of patriarchy. This is a tension within the movement, which raises questions about how we seek to understand men’s individual lives with respect, yet view masculinity through a feminist lens.
Rate-of-Kill (RoK) assays to triage large compound sets for Chagas disease drug discovery: Application to GSK Chagas Box
Authors: Cantizani Juan , Gamallo Pablo , Cotillo Ignacio , Alvarez-Velilla Raquel , Martin Julio
Published: July 2021

Chagas disease (CD) is a human disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Whilst endemic in Latin America, the disease is spread around the world due to migration flows, being estimated that 8 million people are infected worldwide and over 10,000 people die yearly of complications linked to CD. Current chemotherapeutics is restricted to only two drugs, i.e. benznidazole (BNZ) and nifurtimox (NIF), both being nitroaromatic compounds sharing mechanism of action and exerting suboptimal efficacy and serious adverse effects. Recent clinical trials conducted to reposition antifungal azoles have turned out disappointing due to poor efficacy outcomes despite their promising preclinical profile. This apparent lack of translation from bench models to the clinic raises the question of whether we are using the right in vitro tools for compound selection. We propose that speed of action and cidality, rather than potency, are properties that can differentiate those compounds with better prospect of success to show efficacy in animal models of CD. Here we investigate the use of in vitro assays looking at the kinetics of parasite kill as a valuable surrogate to tell apart slow- (i.e. azoles targeting CYP51) and fast-acting (i.e. nitroaromatic) compounds. Data analysis and experimental design have been optimised to make it amenable for high-throughput compound profiling. Automated data reduction of experimental kinetic points to tabulated curve descriptors in conjunction with PCA, k-means and hierarchical clustering provide drug discoverers with a roadmap to guide navigation from hit qualification of a screening campaign to compound optimisation programs and assessment of combo therapy potential. As an example, we have studied compounds belonging to the GSK Chagas Box stemmed from the HTS campaign run against the full GSK 1.8 million compounds collection [1].
Genotypes and phenotypes of G6PD deficiency among Indonesian females across diagnostic thresholds of G6PD activity guiding safe primaquine therapy of latent malaria
Authors: Satyagraha Ari Winasti , Sadhewa Arkasha , Panggalo Lydia Visita , Subekti Decy , Elyazar Iqbal , Soebianto Saraswati , Mahpud Nunung , Harahap Alida Rosita , Baird J. Kevin
Published: July 2021

Background

Plasmodium vivax occurs as a latent infection of liver and a patent infection of red blood cells. Radical cure requires both blood schizontocidal and hypnozoitocidal chemotherapies. The hypnozoitocidal therapies available are primaquine and tafenoquine, 8-aminoquinoline drugs that can provoke threatening acute hemolytic anemia in patients having an X-linked G6PD-deficiency. Heterozygous females may screen as G6PD-normal prior to radical cure and go on to experience hemolytic crisis.

Methods & findings

This study examined G6PD phenotypes in 1928 female subjects living in malarious Sumba Island in eastern Indonesia to ascertain the prevalence of females vulnerable to diagnostic misclassification as G6PD-normal. All 367 (19%) females having <80% G6PD normal activity were genotyped. Among those, 103 (28%) were G6PD wild type, 251 (68·4%) were heterozygous, three (0·8%) were compound heterozygotes, and ten (2·7%) were homozygous deficient. The variants Vanua Lava, Viangchan, Coimbra, Chatham, and Kaiping occurred among them. Below the 70% of normal G6PD activity threshold, just 18 (8%) were G6PD-normal and 214 (92%) were G6PD-deficient. Among the 31 females with <30% G6PD normal activity were all ten homozygotes, all three compound heterozygotes, and just 18 were heterozygotes (7% of those).

Conclusions

In this population, most G6PD heterozygosity in females occurred between 30% and 70% of normal (69·3%; 183/264). The prevalence of females at risk of G6PD misclassification as normal by qualitative screening was 9·5% (183/1928). Qualitative G6PD screening prior to 8-aminoquinoline therapies against P. vivax may leave one in ten females at risk of hemolytic crisis, which may be remedied by point-of-care quantitative tests.
The role of personal data value, culture and self-construal in online privacy behaviour
Authors: Fleming Piers , Bayliss Andrew P. , Edwards S. Gareth , Seger Charles R.
Published: July 2021

Personal data is ubiquitous in the digital world, can be highly valuable in aggregate, and can lead to unintended intrusions for the data creator. However, individuals’ expressions of concern about exposure of their personal information are generally not matched by their behavioural caution. One reason for this mismatch could be the varied and intangible value of personal data. We present three studies investigating the potential association between personal data value and privacy behaviour, assessing both individual and cross-cultural differences in personal data valuation, comparing collectivist and individualistic cultures. Study 1a, using a representative UK sample, found no relationship between personal data value and privacy behaviour. However, Study 1b found Indian (collectivist) participants’ privacy behaviour was sensitive to personal data value, unlike US (individualist) participants. Study 2 showed that in a UK sample, privacy behaviour was sensitive to personal data value but only for individuals who think of themselves as more similar to others (i.e., self-construe as similar, rather than different). We suggest those who prioritise group memberships are more sensitive to unintentional disclosure harm and therefore behave in accordance with personal data valuations—which informs the privacy concern-behaviour relationship. Our findings can suggest approaches to encourage privacy behaviours.
Effects of six codend meshes on the size selection of juvenile white croaker (Pennahia argentata) in demersal trawl fishery of the South China Sea
Authors: Yang Bingzhong , Herrmann Bent , Yan Lei , Li Jie , Wang Teng
Published: July 2021

White croaker (Pennahia argentata) is a commercially important but overexploited species that is often caught in trawl fishery of the South China Sea (SCS). The codend size selectivity for this species in the local commercial trawl fishery is of concern when considering the established minimum landing size (MLS). This study investigated the size selectivity of white croaker for six different diamond-mesh codends with mesh size from 25 to 54 mm. We paid special attention to two codends, made with meshes of 25 and 40 mm in size, which are currently used according to the regulations established in the SCS. The results demonstrated that the legal codends do not perform satisfactorily in the fishing grounds where juvenile white croaker is relatively abundant. This is because at a length similar to the minimum landing size of the species (MLS = 15.0 cm), all white croaker were retained, and the estimated discard ratio was >97% in both cases of legal codends. Our study showed that by increasing the mesh size, the size selection of tested codends could be improved for white croaker, and the retention rates for juvenile fish would decrease. However, none codend was proved efficient to release undersized white croaker suggesting that other gear design changes may be necessary.
Health care seeking patterns of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis patients in Harare, Zimbabwe: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Tadokera Rebecca , Huo Stella , Theron Grant , Timire Collins , Manyau-Makumbirofa Salome , Metcalfe John Z.
Published: July 2021

Background

Delays in seeking and accessing treatment for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) and multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) are major impediments to TB control in high-burden, resource-limited settings.

Method

We prospectively determined health-seeking behavioural patterns and associations with treatment outcomes and costs among 68 RR-TB patients attending conveniently selected facilities in a decentralised system in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Results

From initial symptoms to initiation of effective treatment, patients made a median number of three health care visits (IQR 2–4 visits) at a median cost of 13% (IQR 6–31%) of their total annual household income (mean cost, US$410). Cumulatively, RR-TB patients most frequently first visited private facilities, i.e., private pharmacies (30%) and other private health care providers (24%) combined. Median patient delay was 26 days (IQR 14–42 days); median health system delay was 97 days (IQR 30–215 days) and median total delay from symptom onset to initiation of effective treatment was 132 days (IQR 51–287 days). The majority of patients (88%) attributed initial delay in seeking care to “not feeling sick enough.” Total delay, total cost and number of health care visits were not associated with treatment or clinical outcomes, though our study was not adequately powered for these determinations.

Conclusions

Despite the public availability of rapid molecular TB tests, patients experienced significant delays and high costs in accessing RR-TB treatment. Active case finding, integration of private health care providers and enhanced service delivery may reduce treatment delay and TB associated costs.
Medical practitioner’s knowledge on dengue management and clinical practices in Bhutan
Authors: Tsheten Tsheten , Clements Archie C. A. , Gray Darren J. , Gyeltshen Kinley , Wangdi Kinley
Published: July 2021

Background

Dengue has emerged as a major public health problem in Bhutan, with increasing incidence and widening geographic spread over recent years. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and clinical management of dengue among medical practitioners in Bhutan.

Methods

We administered a survey questionnaire to all practitioners currently registered under the Bhutan Medical and Health Council. The questionnaire contained items on four domains including transmission, clinical course and presentation, diagnosis and management, and surveillance and prevention of dengue. Participants were able to respond using an online Qualtrics survey, with the invitation and link distributed via email.

Results

A total of 97 respondents were included in the study (response rate: 12.7%), of which 61.86% were Health Assistants/Clinical Officers (HAs/COs) and 38.14% were medical doctors. The afternoon feeding behaviour ofAedesmosquito was correctly identified by only 24.7% of the respondents, and ~66.0% of them failed to identify lethargy as a warning sign for severe dengue. Knowledge on diagnosis using NS1 antigen and the clinical significance of elevated haematocrit for initial fluid replacement was strikingly low at 47.4% and 27.8% respectively. Despite dengue being a nationally notifiable disease, ~60% of respondents were not knowledgeable on the timing and type of cases to be reported. Respondent’s median score was higher for the surveillance and reporting domain, followed by their knowledge on transmission of dengue. Statistically significant factors associated with higher knowledge included respondents being a medical doctor, working in a hospital and experience of having diagnosed dengue.

Conclusion

The study revealed major gaps on knowledge and clinical management practices related to dengue in Bhutan. Physicians and health workers working in Basic Health Units need training and regular supervision to improve their knowledge on the care of dengue patients.
A scoping review of HIV epidemiologic, sociocultural and programmatic studies related to transgender women and men who have sex with men in Cambodia, 1999-2019
Authors: de Lind van Wijngaarden Jan W. , van Griensven Frits , Sun Ly Penh , Wignall Stephen
Published: July 2021

Background

Cambodia is widely credited for its successful HIV epidemic control. However, in recent years there have been signs of increasing HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW). This paper reviews HIV epidemiological, social science and HIV program implementation studies conducted over the past 20 years to explore possible reasons for the rising HIV prevalence among these groups and to formulate recommendations for improved policies, HIV programmatic interventions and further research.

Methods

For this scoping review, we searched the PubMed and Google Scholar databases for scientific publications related to HIV and MSM and TGW in Cambodia published since 1999. From each of the returned citations we subsequently studied reference lists to find additional data sources. We also searched websites for reports commissioned by national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Results

Twenty-seven relevant studies and papers were found and reviewed; most were epidemiological in nature. Recent epidemiological studies and reports show an increase in HIV prevalence among Cambodian MSM and TGW. The epidemiology of HIV infection in these groups has been relatively well-described and analyzed. While initially MSM and TGW were grouped together, in more recent years they have been studied in their own right, recognizing their specific HIV and other prevention needs. Few studies were found investigating Cambodian same-sex cultures and social and cultural contexts in which HIV transmission among MSM and TGW occurs. A few evaluation studies were found, but it remains unknown how effective current HIV service implementation modalities are, or how successful strategies to increase access to essential HIV prevention, testing and treatment services have been employed for MSM and TGW in Cambodia.

Conclusions

Research about Cambodian MSM and TGW in the context of HIV primarily concerns bio-behavioral knowledge generation. Cambodia is unlikely to achieve control of the HIV epidemic among MSM and TGW without doing better in-depth social science research on its multiple sexual- and gender minority cultures, and without understanding what differentiated implementation modalities, strategies and approaches are most effective to address HIV among its increasingly diverse MSM and TGW populations.
Models of provider care in long-term care: A rapid scoping review
Authors: Hamel Candyce , Garritty Chantelle , Hersi Mona , Butler Claire , Esmaeilisaraji Leila , Rice Danielle , Straus Sharon , Skidmore Becky , Hutton Brian
Published: July 2021

Introduction

One of the current challenges in long-term care homes (LTCH) is to identify the optimal model of care, which may include specialty physicians, nursing staff, person support workers, among others. There is currently no consensus on the complement or scope of care delivered by these providers, nor is there a repository of studies that evaluate the various models of care. We conducted a rapid scoping review to identify and map what care provider models and interventions in LTCH have been evaluated to improve quality of life, quality of care, and health outcomes of residents.

Methods

We conducted this review over 10-weeks of English language, peer-reviewed studies published from 2010 onward. Search strategies for databases (e.g., MEDLINE) were run on July 9, 2020. Studies that evaluated models of provider care (e.g., direct patient care), or interventions delivered to facility, staff, and residents of LTCH were included. Study selection was performed independently, in duplicate. Mapping was performed by two reviewers, and data were extracted by one reviewer, with partial verification by a second reviewer.

Results

A total of 7,574 citations were screened based on the title/abstract, 836 were reviewed at full text, and 366 studies were included. Studies were classified according to two main categories: healthcare service delivery (n = 92) and implementation strategies (n = 274). The condition/ focus of the intervention was used to further classify the interventions into subcategories. The complex nature of the interventions may have led to a study being classified in more than one category/subcategory.

Conclusion

Many healthcare service interventions have been evaluated in the literature in the last decade. Well represented interventions (e.g., dementia care, exercise/mobility, optimal/appropriate medication) may present opportunities for future systematic reviews. Areas with less research (e.g., hearing care, vision care, foot care) have the potential to have an impact on balance, falls, subsequent acute care hospitalization.
Simple mapping-based quantification of a mock microbial community using total RNA-seq data
Authors: Moriya Shigeharu
Published: July 2021

Most microbes in the natural environment are difficult to cultivate. Thus, culture-independent analysis for microbial community structure is important for the understanding of its ecological functions. An immense ribosomal RNA sequence collection is available from phylogenetic research on organisms in all domains. These sequences are available for use in genetic research. However, the amplicon-seq process using PCR requires the construction of a sequence library. Construction can introduce bias into quantitative analyses, and each domain of species needs its own primer set. Total RNA sequencing has the advantage of analyzing an entire microbial community, including bacteria, archea, and eukaryote, at once. Such analysis yields large amounts of ribosomal RNA sequences that can be used for analysis without PCR bias. Evaluation using total RNA-seq for quantitative analysis of microbial communities and comparison with amplicon-seq is still rare. In the present study, we developed a mapping-based total RNA-seq analysis to obtain quantitative information on microbial community structure and compared our results with ordinary amplicon-seq methods. We read total RNA sequences from a commercially available mock community (ATCC MSA-2003) and divided reads into small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssrRNA) origin reads and others, such as mRNA origin reads. We then mapped ssrRNA origin reads on annotated assembled contigs and obtained quantitative results under several analysis strategies. Removal of low complexity sequences, sorting ssrRNA with paired-in mode, and performing homology-based taxonomical assignments (BLAST+ or vsearch) showed superior outcomes to other strategies. Results with this approach showed a median relative abundance among ten mock community members of ~10%; ordinary amplicon-seq showed a much lower percentage. Thus, total RNA-seq can be a powerful tool for analyzing microbial community structure and is not limited to analyzing gene expression profiling of microbiomes.
Acute effects of a single dose of 2 mA of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on executive functions in patients with schizophrenia—A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Schilling Thomas M. , Bossert Magdalena , König Miriam , Wirtz Gustav , Weisbrod Matthias , Aschenbrenner Steffen
Published: July 2021

Objective

Cognitive impairments are a frequent and difficult to treat symptom in patients with schizophrenia and the strongest predictor for a successful reintegration in occupational and everyday life. Recent research suggests transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance cognition in this patient group. However, the question regarding its acute effectiveness on executive functions remains largely unanswered. Here, we examined in a randomized, double blind, sham-controlled repeated-measures design the impact of tDCS on performance in several executive functions in patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or acute transient psychotic disorder.

Methods

Patients (N = 48) were tested twice using standardized, well-constructed and clinically validated neuropsychological tests assessing verbal working memory, response inhibition, mental flexibility and problem solving. In session 1 they solely underwent the neuropsychological assessment, whereas in session 2 they additionally received 2 mA of anodal tDCS stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), cathode right supraorbital ridge, or sham stimulation for 20 minutes.

Results

Patients of both groups were not able to correctly discriminate the type of stimulation received confirming the success of the blinding procedure. However, analyzing the whole sample the change in performance from session 1 to session 2 was the same in the verum as in the sham condition (all p >.5). Moreover, a subsequent exploratory analysis showed that performance in the response inhibition task was worse for patients that engaged in the task within 20 minutes after the end of the verum stimulation.

Conclusion

Hence, 2 mA of anodal tDCS applied over the left DLPFC did not acutely enhance executive functions in patients with schizophrenia or related disorders but impaired performance in the response inhibition task shortly after. Future studies should continue to seek for effective stimulation configurations for this patient group.

Clinical trial registration

The study is registered in the “Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien DRKS”, German Clinical Trial Register and has been allocated the following number: DRKS00022126.
A pilot cohort study assessing the feasibility of complete revascularization with balloon pulmonary angioplasty for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Fujii Shinya , Nagayoshi Shinya , Ogawa Kazuo , Muto Makoto , Tanaka Toshikazu D. , Minai Kosuke , Kawai Makoto , Yoshimura Michihiro
Published: July 2021

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty improves prognosis by alleviating pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, even with incomplete revascularization. However, hypoxia or the requirement for pulmonary vasodilators often remain even after pulmonary hypertension relief. With this cohort study, we aimed to examine whether complete revascularization by additional balloon pulmonary angioplasty on residual lesions, even after pulmonary hypertension relief, could resolve hypoxia or the requirement for pulmonary vasodilators. During complete revascularization with balloon pulmonary angioplasty in 42 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, we investigated therapeutic effects at baseline (T1), pulmonary hypertension relief phase (T2), and at 6 months post-final balloon pulmonary angioplasty (T3). The pulmonary hypertension relief phase was defined as the first time that a mean pulmonary artery pressure ≤ 25 mmHg or pulmonary vascular resistance ≤ 240 dyn-s/cm5 was reached in right heart catheterization before balloon pulmonary angioplasty. The partial pressure of oxygen increased progressively over T1, T2, and T3 (59.2±8.5, 69.0±9.7, and 80.0±9.5 mmHg, respectively; P<0.001 T2 vs. T3). Minimum oxygen saturation levels during the 6-minute walk distance test were 87% (81‒89%), 88% (84‒92%), and 91% (89‒93.3%), respectively (P<0.001 T2 vs. T3), with gradual increase in the 6-minute walk distance (346±125 m, 404±90 m, 454±101 m, respectively; P<0.001 T2 vs. T3). The percentages of patients using pulmonary vasodilators (54.8%, 45.2%, 4.8%, respectively; P<0.001 T2 vs. T3) and requiring oxygen therapy (26%, 26%, 7%, respectively; P = 0.008 T2 vs. T3) decreased significantly without hemodynamic exacerbation or major complications. Despite the discontinuation of pulmonary vasodilators, mean pulmonary artery pressure improved (36.0 [31.0‒41.3], 21.4±4.2, 18.5±3.6 mmHg, respectively; P<0.001 T2 vs. T3). Complete revascularization with balloon pulmonary angioplasty beyond pulmonary hypertension relief benefits patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension; it may improve oxygenation and exercise capacity, and reduce the need for pulmonary vasodilators and oxygen therapy.
The advantages of abdominal compression with shallow breathing during left-sided postmastectomy radiotherapy by Helical TomoTherapy
Authors: Pratoomchart Chalardchay , Klunklin Pitchayaponne , Wanwilairat Somsak , Nobnop Wannapha , Kittidachanan Kittikun , Chitapanarux Imjai
Published: July 2021

Background

Left-sided post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) certainly precedes some radiation dose to the cardiopulmonary organs causing many side effects. To reduce the cardiopulmonary dose, we created a new option of the breathing adapted technique by using abdominal compression applied with a patient in deep inspiration phase utilizing shallow breathing. This study aimed to compare the use of abdominal compression with shallow breathing (ACSB) with the free breathing (FB) technique in the left-sided PMRT.

Materials and methods

Twenty left-sided breast cancer patients scheduled for PMRT were enrolled. CT simulation was performed with ACSB and FB technique in each patient. All treatment plans were created on a TomoTherapy planning station. The target volume and dose, cardiopulmonary organ volume and dose were analyzed. A linear correlation between cardiopulmonary organ volumes and doses were also tested.

Results

Regarding the target volumes and dose coverage, there were no significant differences between ACSB and FB technique. For organs at risk, using ACSB resulted in a significant decrease in mean (9.17 vs 9.81 Gy, p<0.0001) and maximum heart dose (43.79 vs 45.45 Gy, p = 0.0144) along with significant reductions in most of the evaluated volumetric parameters. LAD doses were also significantly reduced by ACSB with mean dose 19.24 vs 21.85 Gy (p = 0.0036) and the dose to 2% of the volume (D2%) 34.46 vs 37.33 Gy (p = 0.0174) for ACSB and FB technique, respectively. On the contrary, the lung dose metrics did not show any differences except the mean V5 of ipsilateral lung. The positive correlations were found between increasing the whole lung volume and mean heart dose (p = 0.05) as well as mean LAD dose (p = 0.041) reduction.

Conclusions

The ACSB technique significantly reduced the cardiac dose compared with the FB technique in left-sided PMRT treated by Helical TomoTherapy. Our technique is uncomplicated, well-tolerated, and can be applied in limited resource center.
Mutants of human ACE2 differentially promote SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 spike mediated infection
Authors: Shukla Nidhi , Roelle Sarah M. , Suzart Vinicius G. , Bruchez Anna M. , Matreyek Kenneth A.
Published: July 2021

SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 encode spike proteins that bind human ACE2 on the cell surface to enter target cells during infection. A small fraction of humans encode variants of ACE2, thus altering the biochemical properties at the protein interaction interface. These and other ACE2 coding mutants can reveal how the spike proteins of each virus may differentially engage the ACE2 protein surface during infection. We created an engineered HEK 293T cell line for facile stable transgenic modification, and expressed the major human ACE2 allele or 28 of its missense mutants, 24 of which are possible through single nucleotide changes from the human reference sequence. Infection with SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudotyped lentiviruses revealed that high ACE2 cell-surface expression could mask the effects of impaired binding during infection. Drastically reducing ACE2 cell surface expression revealed a range of infection efficiencies across the panel of mutants. Our infection results revealed a non-linear relationship between soluble SARS-CoV-2 RBD binding to ACE2 and pseudovirus infection, supporting a major role for binding avidity during entry. While ACE2 mutants D355N, R357A, and R357T abrogated entry by both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, the Y41A mutant inhibited SARS-CoV entry much more than SARS-CoV-2, suggesting differential utilization of the ACE2 side-chains within the largely overlapping interaction surfaces utilized by the two CoV spike proteins. These effects correlated well with cytopathic effects observed during SARS-CoV-2 replication in ACE2-mutant cells. The panel of ACE2 mutants also revealed altered ACE2 surface dependencies by the N501Y spike variant, including a near-complete utilization of the K353D ACE2 variant, despite decreased infection mediated by the parental SARS-CoV-2 spike. Our results clarify the relationship between ACE2 abundance, binding, and infection, for various SARS-like coronavirus spike proteins and their mutants, and inform our understanding for how changes to ACE2 sequence may correspond with different susceptibilities to infection.
CryoEM structure of the Nipah virus nucleocapsid assembly
Authors: Ker De-Sheng , Jenkins Huw T. , Greive Sandra J. , Antson Alfred A.
Published: July 2021

Nipah and its close relative Hendra are highly pathogenic zoonotic viruses, storing their ssRNA genome in a helical nucleocapsid assembly formed by the N protein, a major viral immunogen. Here, we report the first cryoEM structure for a Henipavirus RNA-bound nucleocapsid assembly, at 3.5 Å resolution. The helical assembly is stabilised by previously undefined N- and C-terminal segments, contributing to subunit-subunit interactions. RNA is wrapped around the nucleocapsid protein assembly with a periodicity of six nucleotides per protomer, in the “3-bases-in, 3-bases-out” conformation, with protein plasticity enabling non-sequence specific interactions. The structure reveals commonalities in RNA binding pockets and in the conformation of bound RNA, not only with members of the Paramyxoviridae family, but also with the evolutionarily distant Filoviridae Ebola virus. Significant structural differences with other Paramyxoviridae members are also observed, particularly in the position and length of the exposed α-helix, residues 123–139, which may serve as a valuable epitope for surveillance and diagnostics.
Acyl-CoA oxidase ACOX-1 interacts with a peroxin PEX-5 to play roles in larval development of Haemonchus contortus
Authors: Shi Hengzhi , Huang Xiaocui , Chen Xueqiu , Yang Yi , Wang Zhao , Yang Yimin , Wu Fei , Zhou Jingru , Yao Chaoqun , Ma Guangxu , Du Aifang
Published: July 2021

Hypobiosis (facultative developmental arrest) is the most important life-cycle adaptation ensuring survival of parasitic nematodes under adverse conditions. Little is known about such survival mechanisms, although ascarosides (ascarylose with fatty acid-derived side chains) have been reported to mediate the formation of dauer larvae in the free-living nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans. Here, we investigated the role of a key geneacox-1, in the larval development ofHaemonchus contortus, one of the most important parasitic nematodes that employ hypobiosis as a routine survival mechanism. In this parasite,acox-1encodes three proteins (ACOXs) that all show a fatty acid oxidation activityin vitroandin vivo, and interact with a peroxin PEX-5 in peroxisomes. In particular, a peroxisomal targeting signal type1 (PTS1) sequence is required for ACOX-1 to be recognised by PEX-5. Analyses on developmental transcription and tissue expression show thatacox-1is predominantly expressed in the intestine and hypodermis ofH.contortus, particularly in the early larval stages in the environment and the arrested fourth larval stage within host animals. Knockdown ofacox-1andpex-5in parasiticH.contortusshows that these genes play essential roles in the post-embryonic larval development and likely in the facultative arrest of this species. A comprehensive understanding of these genes and the associated β-oxidation cycle of fatty acids should provide novel insights into the developmental regulation of parasitic nematodes, and into the discovery of novel interventions for species of socioeconomic importance.
Beneficios de los compuestos bioactivos del mangostán en la enfermedad de Alzheimer: Revisión narrativa
Authors: Navarro-González Inmaculada , Andreo-Martínez Pedro , García-Martínez Nuria
Published: July 2021

La enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa irreversible, acompañada de pérdida de memoria y de déficit neurocognitivo progresivo. Los cambios fisiopatológicos asociados a esta enfermedad son la formación extracelular de depósitos de placas del péptido insoluble ß-amiloide, la hiperfosforilación de la proteína tau formando ovillos neurofibrilares, además de neuroinflamación, estrés oxidativo, alteración del metabolismo energético, pérdida de neuronas y sinapsis en el cerebro. La patogénesis de la EA no es conocida en su totalidad porque es multifactorial. Por lo tanto, no existe un tratamiento preventivo exitoso. En este sentido, existe un reciente interés sobre los compuestos bioactivos presentes en productos naturales y hierbas medicinales para el tratamiento de la EA por sus efectos beneficiosos. El mangostán, Garcinia mangostana L (familia de Guttifereae), es un árbol tropical que produce una fruta comestible con un sabor dulce y picante; cuyo pericarpio es una fuente de compuestos bioactivos, que han mostrado una excelente actividad farmacológica. El pericarpio del mangostán se ha utilizado en la medicina tradicional contra varias enfermedades como úlceras, infecciones de la piel, diarrea o heridas. Muchos estudios han reportado que el pericarpio del mangostán contiene compuestos fenólicos, vitaminas (B1, B2, C) y otras sustancias bioactivas. Las xantonas y sus derivados pertenecen a la familia de los polifenoles, y están muy presentes en el mangostán. Se ha demostrado que poseen una amplia actividad biológica como antioxidantes, antiinflamatorios, anticancerígenos, antimicrobianos y actividades neuroprotectoras tanto en estudios in vitro como in vivo. La evidencia científica sugiere que las xantonas (obtenidas de pericarpio del mangostán) pueden atenuar la neurotoxicidad y algunos de los cambios fisiopatológicos asociados con la EA en modelos celulares y animales. En la presente revisión, se describe el estado actual del potencial efecto terapéutico del extracto del mangostán y las xantonas en modelos celulares y animales en la EA, describiendo también los efectos observados y las vías moleculares propuestas.
Residuos de plaguicidas y el trastorno del espectro autista
Authors: Andreo-Martínez Pedro , Navarro-González Inmaculada , García-Martínez Nuria
Published: July 2021

El trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) engloba a un conjunto de trastornos del neurodesarrollo que se caracterizan por una interacción social deficiente, comunicación restringida y comportamientos repetitivos y estereotipados. La etiología del TEA es desconocida a día de hoy, por lo que diversos equipos de investigación multidisciplinares están realizando grandes esfuerzos para intentar dilucidar los factores y mecanismos que intervienen en su aparición. En este sentido, existe un creciente interés en el estudio de factores ambientales como la exposición a residuos de plaguicidas ya que se dispone de suficiente evidencia científica sobre los efectos neurotóxicos que éstos pueden provocar. Por lo tanto, pueden ser formuladas hipótesis de asociaciones específicas entre el TEA y los residuos de plaguicidas. Este trabajo realiza una revisión sistemática sobre la influencia de la exposición a residuos de plaguicidas y la aparición del TEA. La metodología para llevar a cabo este trabajo de revisión sistemática siguió las directrices marcadas por el método PRISMA, encontrándose un total de siete artículos elegibles para su discusión. Los residuos de plaguicidas estudiados por los artículos seleccionados fueron los organofosforados y sus metabolitos; los organoclorados, incluidos el endosulfán y los bifenilos policlorados junto a sus metabolitos; los carbamatos; los piretroides, incluida la cipermetrina; y el glufosinato de amonio. El estudio de la acción de estos plaguicidas se centró en el periodo prenatal, investigándose su exposición en madres gestantes que vivían en zonas próximas a campos de cultivo donde se aplican pesticidas, en modelos animales de ratón y en cultivos de células cerebrales. Se encontró que existe relación entre la exposición a plaguicidas en el periodo prenatal y el riesgo de aparición de TEA en la descendencia junto a una disbiosis en la microbiota intestinal en ratones. Por lo tanto, es importante evaluar el factor de riesgo de exposición a residuos de plaguicidas en la aparición del TEA con más datos, para lo cual se requieren más estudios tanto in vitro como in vivo con el fin de dilucidar los mecanismos bioquímicos precisos involucrados.
Química de la alimentación vegana relacionada con la salud mental
Authors: Martínez-Casamayor Susana , Andreo-Martínez Pedro
Published: July 2021

La popularidad de una dieta basada en productos vegetales, tradición inveterada en las culturas orientales, está proliferando en el mundo occidental. El veganismo es un destacado movimiento social del siglo XXI al que se le atribuyen multitud de beneficios relacionados con el bienestar físico entre los que se reconocen un menor riesgo de obesidad, diabetes, problemas cardiovasculares (altos niveles de colesterol y presión arterial), e incluso el de padecer algunos tipos de cáncer. Sin embargo, son escasos los estudios que relacionan esta dieta con los posibles efectos adversos que puede tener en la salud mental. “The Vegan Society” enumera el calcio, los ácidos grasos esenciales, el yodo, el hierro, las proteínas, y las vitaminas D y B12 como los nutrientes esenciales que pueden ser de preocupación al seguir una dieta vegana. Es por ello que los veganos pueden presentar, en algunos casos, carencias nutricionales relacionadas en la actualidad con una salud mental. La transición a esta dieta ha de llevarse a cabo contando con suficiente información para permitir alcanzar un equilibrio nutricional adecuado, que puede estar mermada o sensacionalizada en los medios de comunicación más empleados en la actualidad. También debe ser considerada la emergente psiquiatría nutricional para estudiar, de manera científica, la influencia de la dieta en las enfermedades mentales, tanto a nivel preventivo como para su tratamiento, las cuales son la principal causa de discapacidad en el mundo. Es por ello que los trastornos mentales y de comportamiento, que están en aumento en nuestra sociedad, pueden estar relacionados con los déficits nutricionales contribuyendo a la aparición y/o mantenimiento de muchos de ellos debido a una nutrición deficitaria y/o a un desequilibrio químico. Por consiguiente, futuros estudios deberían tener presente, entre otras consideraciones, la mencionada psiquiatría nutricional a largo plazo para concluir con información científica rigurosa sus resultados.
Risk factors associated with dystocia in swine
Authors: Nam Nguyen Hoai , Sukon Peerapol
Published: July 2021

Background and Aim: Dystocia in swine can increase the stillbirth rate; however, its importance in pig-breeding systems has been underestimated. Until now, few studies have investigated dystocia and associated risk factors. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of various risk factors on dystocia in swine.

Materials and Methods: Out of 5,557 piglets, we included 4,997 piglets in risk analysis study. The dependent variable was dystocia, which was recorded when a birth interval exceeded 45 min or when obstetric assistance was applied. The independent variables were parity, gestation length, litter size, birth order, gender, presence of a dead piglet, birthweight, crown rump length, body mass index, ponderal index, and oxytocin use. We used generalized linear mixed models to examine the associations between potential risk factors and dystocia at the piglet level.

Results: A total of 6% of the piglets were born with a dystocia event, and 47.2% of the farrowing experienced at least one event. Dead piglets and piglets with a crown rump length of >31 cm were associated with an increased dystocia rate. This rate decreased from birth order 2 to 7, stabilized to 11, and then increased till the end of the fetal expulsion process.

Conclusion: Dystocia is common in swine. Therefore, this condition should be carefully addressed by veterinarians and farrowing house personnel so that its adverse effect on welfare and productivity of sows and survivability of piglets can be reduced. Further studies investigating dystocia status and risk factors in different swine farrowing systems should be undertaken to provide more knowledge about this neglected condition.
Sequestration and Storage Capacity of Carbon in the Mangrove Vegetation of Sundarban Forest, Bangladesh
Authors: Datta Anupa , Rashid Towhida , Biswas Mithun Kumar
Published: July 2021

In this study, the sequestration and storage capacity of carbon were quantified in canopy trees of Sundarbans - Sundari, Gewa, Baen, Keora, Golpata and Tiger fern- represent the largest part of the whole forest. Different parts of the trees such as branch, leaf, skin and wood were collected to measure carbon in the study area. They have also been selected according to their DBHâ‰¥ 10cm. The capacity of sequestration of C fluctuates in different components of a single species. C capture in Gewa, branches having diameter less than 5 cm, was 41.48% and for Sundari it was 41.3 %.
Avaliação de riscos à saúde de trabalhadores expostos a baixas temperaturas em abatedouro de frangos
Authors: Takeda Fabiano , Moro Antonio Renato Pereira , Guths Saulo
Published: July 2021

O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar a exposição a baixas temperaturas em atividades de cortes de frangos e verificar se há exposição a riscos à saúde ocupacional de acordo com os resultados da avaliação conforme critérios normativos da Organização Internacional de Normalização (ISO) e dos resultados da avaliação utilizando um sistema de monitoramento de temperatura corporal. Para mensurar os dados foram realizadas avaliações quantitativas de temperatura em sítios corporais específicos da mão e pé de trabalhadores e também foi realizada avaliação ambiental nos postos de trabalho. Os resultados mostraram que apesar da atividade representar um PMV adequado, conforme critérios da ISO, os resultados do sistema de monitoramento de temperatura corporal apresentam condições de frio e dor no dedo da mão e no hálux durante quase toda jornada de trabalho. Conclui-se que é arriscado afirmar que condições de exposição a baixas temperaturas podem ser percebidas como confortáveis e sem exposição a riscos à saúde quando avaliadas utilizando apenas os parâmetros estabelecidos nas normas ISO.
Como melhorar o conforto do usuário no ambiente construído: modelo para seleção de sistemas construtivos em habitações de interesse social
Authors: Campos Stefanie Almeida , Felix Francisco Regis Ribeiro , Bertini Alexandre Araujo , Campos Vanessa Ribeiro
Published: July 2021

A escolha do sistema construtivo utilizado influencia no conforto do usuário, na quantidade de energia consumida e na viabilidade econômica do empreendimento. A construção civil carece de ferramentas modernas em seus processos de gestão, sendo necessário o desenvolvimento de metodologias que cooperem com o melhor planejamento do projeto. Devido a isto, este estudo tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento de um modelo de tomada de decisão para a seleção de um sistema construtivo destinado à habitação de interesse social. Foram realizadas entrevistas com especialistas em construção para a consolidação dos critérios de avaliação mais importantes, obtenção das preferências e performances das alternativas. Como resultados, foram definidos como critérios importantes: custo, produtividade, satisfação com fornecedor, resíduos gerados, isolamento térmico e acústico. A validação da metodologia proposta foi realizada com a aplicação do método multicritério PROMETHEE II em um projeto-padrão multifamiliar de habitação de interesse social. Os resultados numéricos mostram que a ordem dos sistemas construtivos foi: paredes de concreto, steel frame, alvenaria estrutural e alvenaria tradicional. Por fim, obteve-se um modelo, que pode ser utilizado para diferentes projetos de habitação de interesse social como uma ferramenta útil e simplificada na melhoria do processo de decisão.