bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sixfold Increase in Historical Northern Hemisphere Concurrent Large Heatwaves Driven by Warming and Changing Atmospheric Circulations
Authors: Rogers Cassandra D. W. , Kornhuber Kai , Perkins-Kirkpatrick Sarah E. , Loikith Paul C. , Singh Deepti
Published: November 2021

Simultaneous heatwaves affecting multiple regions (referred to as concurrent heatwaves) pose compounding threats to various natural and societal systems, including global food chains, emergency response systems, and reinsurance industries. While anthropogenic climate change is increasing heatwave risks across most regions, the interactions between warming and circulation changes that yield concurrent heatwaves remain understudied. Here, we quantify historical (1979–2019) trends in concurrent heatwaves during the warm season [May–September (MJJAS)] across the Northern Hemisphere mid- to high latitudes. We find a significant increase of ∼46% in the mean spatial extent of concurrent heatwaves and ∼17% increase in their maximum intensity, and an approximately sixfold increase in their frequency. Using self-organizing maps, we identify large-scale circulation patterns (300 hPa) associated with specific concurrent heatwave configurations across Northern Hemisphere regions. We show that observed changes in the frequency of specific circulation patterns preferentially increase the risk of concurrent heatwaves across particular regions. Patterns linking concurrent heatwaves across eastern North America, eastern and northern Europe, parts of Asia, and the Barents and Kara Seas show the largest increases in frequency (∼5.9 additional days per decade). We also quantify the relative contributions of circulation pattern changes and warming to overall observed concurrent heatwave day frequency trends. While warming has a predominant and positive influence on increasing concurrent heatwave frequency, circulation pattern changes have a varying influence and account for up to 0.8 additional concurrent heatwave days per decade. Identifying regions with an elevated risk of concurrent heatwaves and understanding their drivers is indispensable for evaluating projected climate risks on interconnected societal systems and fostering regional preparedness in a changing climate.

Significance Statement

Heatwaves pose a major threat to human health, ecosystems, and human systems. Simultaneous heatwaves affecting multiple regions can exacerbate such threats. For example, multiple food-producing regions simultaneously undergoing heat-related crop damage could drive global food shortages. We assess recent changes in the occurrence of simultaneous large heatwaves. Such simultaneous heatwaves are 7 times more likely now than 40 years ago. They are also hotter and affect a larger area. Their increasing occurrence is mainly driven by warming baseline temperatures due to global heating, but changes in weather patterns contribute to disproportionate increases over parts of Europe, the eastern United States, and Asia. Better understanding the drivers of weather pattern changes is therefore important for understanding future concurrent heatwave characteristics and their impacts.
The Gluteal Thigh Flap in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Groin Reconstruction: A Case Report
Authors: Alhuzaim Raghad A. , AlAjmi Salma Z. , Ashkanani Fawzia , Abdullatif Mahmoud A.
Published: November 2021

Different methods have been reported to reconstruct groin defects brought about by hidradenitis suppurativa (HS); however, it has been challenging to achieve favourable outcomes that serve both cosmetic and functional purposes. In this report, we present a case of a groin HS defect that was reconstructed using a combination of abdominal flap and gluteal thigh flap (GTF). A 47-year-old female patient underwent extensive excision of the infra-umbilical abdominal and bilateral groin HS, resulting in a defect that was reconstructed using a combination of abdominoplasty, skin grafts, and bilateral GTFs. The use of the GTF in this reconstruction has achieved beneficial outcomes.
Identification of DNA methylation-driven genes and construction of a nomogram to predict overall survival in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Deng G.C , Sun D.C , Zhou Q , Lv Y , Yan H , Han Q.L , Dai G.H
Published: November 2021

Background

The incidence and mortality of pancreatic cancer (PC) has gradually increased. The aim of this study was to identify survival-related DNA methylation (DNAm)-driven genes and establish a nomogram to predict outcomes in patients with PC.

Methods

The gene expression, DNA methylation database, and PC clinical samples were downloaded from TCGA. DNAm-driven genes were identified by integrating analyses of gene expression and DNA methylation data. Survival-related DNAm-driven genes were screened via univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analyses to develop a risk score model for prognosis. Based on analyses of clinical parameters and risk score, a nomogram was built and validated. The independent cohort from GEO database were used for external validation.

Results

A total of 16 differentially expressed methylation-driven genes were identified. Based on LASSO Cox regression and multivariate Cox regression analysis, six genes (FERMT1, LIPH, LAMA3, PPP1R14D, NQO1, VSIG2) were chosen to develop the risk score model. In the Kaplan–Meier analysis, age, T stage, N stage, AJCC stage, radiation therapy history, tumor size, surgery type performed, pathological type, chemotherapy history, and risk score were potential prognostic factors in PC (P < 0.1). In the multivariate analysis, stage, chemotherapy, and risk score were significantly correlated to overall survival (P < 0.05). The nomogram was constructed with the three variables (stage, chemotherapy, and risk score) for predicting the 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates of PC patients. Nomogram performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calibration curves. 1-year, 2-year and 3-year AUC of nomogram model was 0.899, 0.765 and 0.776, respectively.

Conclusions

In our study, we successfully identified the six DNAm-driven genes (FERMT1, LIPH, LAMA3, PPP1R14D, NQO1, VSIG2) with a relationship to the outcomes of PC patients. The nomogram including stage, chemotherapy, and risk score could be used to predict survival in PC patients.
Natural immunogenic properties of bioinformatically predicted linear B-cell epitopes of dengue envelope and pre-membrane proteins
Authors: Nadugala Mahesha N. , Jeewandara Chandima , Jadi Ramesh S. , Malavige Gathsaurie N. , de Silva Aravinda M. , Premaratne Prasad H. , Goonasekara Charitha L.
Published: November 2021

Background

The natural antibody responses to B-cell epitopes from dengue structural proteins were assessed using immune sera from people having well-defined past dengue infections with one of the four serotypes.

Method

Based on an immune-computational analysis previously conducted, nineteen epitopes from the envelope (E) and eight epitopes from pre-membrane (prM), which were more than 50% conserved across all the four DENV serotypes, were selected. Peptides to represent these B-cell epitopes were obtained from commercially available arrays, and were subjected to enzyme linked immunosorbent assay with sera obtained from dengue seropositive healthy volunteers (DENV1 n = 12: DENV2 n = 12: DENV3 n = 12 and DENV4 n = 12), and 10 dengue seronegative healthy volunteers from Sri Lanka. The cut-off value for the positive antibody response was set by taking the mean response of a peptide to the negative sera plus three standard deviations. The peptides (N = 7) showing the broad immune responses were used to generate antibodies in three mice (Balb/c) batches. The mice antisera were then subjected to microneutralization assays against all the four DENV serotypes. An EC50viral neutralization ≥ 40 times the serum dilution was considered as neutralizing.

Results

Five of the E-peptide and two prM peptides were recognised by most individuls exposed to infections with each of the four serotypes, showing a serotype cross-reactive broad antibody response. The mice immune sera against the peptides representing the five E protein epitopes neutralized all the four DENV serotypes. Two of these five epitopes are from the Domain II, whereas one of them includes the whole bc-loop region.

Conclusion

The antibody responses of highly conserved epitopes across the serotypes, were broadly responsive with sera of all four DENV serotypes collected from individuals infected with only one DENV serotype. Weakly conserved epitopes showed rather specific antibody responses dominated by one or few serotypes.
Antibacterial and antiplaque efficacy of a lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen-peroxide-system-containing lozenge
Authors: Welk A. , Patjek S. , Gärtner M. , Baguhl R. , Schwahn Ch. , Below H.
Published: November 2021

Background

Antimicrobial agents are considered valuable adjuncts to mechanical methods of plaque control. However, their long-term use can be limited because of side effects.

Therefore, using physiological substances is promising due to no risk of development, for example, of microbial resistances, allergies or DNA damaging. The lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide system (LPO-system) is a highly effective antimicrobial system. This study aimed to evaluate in a randomized study with a four-replicate cross-over design the effectiveness of two oral hygiene lozenges containing LPO-system in oral hygiene.

Results

After using the mouth rinse as positive control (A) and allocated test lozenges (B) (0.083% H2O2) & (C) (0.04% H2O2) for 4 days instead of the normal oral hygiene procedures (tooth brushing etc.), Listerine rinse (A) was statistically significantly more effective than the LPO-system-lozenge with 0.083% H2O2, the LPO-system-lozenge with 0.04% H2O2, and the placebo lozenge (D) in inhibiting plaque. Lozenges B and C were statistically significantly more effective than the placebo lozenge, but no statistically significant differences could be observed between them.

The LPO-system-lozenge (B) reduced statistically significantly more S. mutans than the LPO-system-lozenge with (C) and the placebo lozenge (D). The LPO-system-lozenge (C) reduced statistically significantly more Lactobacilli than Listerine (A), the LPO-system-lozenge (B) and the placebo lozenge (D). There were no statistically significant differences in the total CFUs between Listerine rinse, the LPO-system-lozenge with 0.083% H2O2 (B), the LPO-system-lozenge with 0.04% H2O2 (C), and the placebo lozenge (D). On day 5 there were no differences of the OSCN−-values between all A, B, C, and D. However, the SCN−-values increased over the days in both LPO-system-lozenges (B/C). The statistically significant differences between B/C and A/D on day 5 were as followed: A to B p = 0.0268; A to C p = 0.0035; B to D p = 0.0051; C to D p = 0.0007. Only in the group of Listerine (A) increased the NO3−/NO2−-quotient over the test time, which indicates a reduction of nitrate-reducing bacteria. On Day 5 the statistically significant difference between A and B was p = 0.0123.

Conclusions

The results indicate that lozenges containing a complete LPO-system, inhibiting plaque regrowth and reducing cariogenic bacteria, may be used in the daily oral hygiene.
The association between diabetes mellitus and HRQoL of older people in Shanghai
Authors: Tian Shiyin , Wang Rui , Qian Mengxing , Liu Lijuan , Shao Zhenyi , Wu Cheng , Sun Jinhai
Published: November 2021

Background

This study aimed to explore the association between diabetes mellitus and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older people in Shanghai, China, especially regarding the differences in each aspect of the EQ-5D and how large the score gaps are between older people with and without diabetes.

Methods

A total of 11,103 people of either sex older than 60 years were enrolled from 17 districts of Shanghai. The EQ-5D-3L was used to assess the HRQoL of older people. The Wilcoxon rank sum test and t-test were used to compare the difference in HRQoL between people with or without diabetes. After univariate regression, multiple linear regression and ordinal logistic regression were conducted to evaluate the influence of diabetes mellitus and other confounding variables on the EQ VAS scores and on the five dimensions of the EQ-5D.

Results

Twelve percent of all participants had diabetes mellitus, and the proportion was almost the same between men and women. The EQ VAS scores of people with diabetes mellitus were approximately 3.70 points lower than those of people without diabetes (95% CI = -4.40,  -2.99,p < 0.001) after adjusting for confounding variables. People with diabetes mellitus had increased problems with mobility (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.33, 1.85), self-care (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.35, 2.01), usual activities (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.51, 2.11), pain/discomfort (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.24, 1.64), and anxiety/depression (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.64).

Conclusions

This study showed that diabetes mellitus was associated with the HRQoL of older people and that older people with diabetes had poorer performance in every aspect of EQ-5D measurements.
TNFA -308G>A and IL10 -1082A>G polymorphisms seem to be predictive biomarkers of chronic HCV infection
Authors: Santiago Angélica Menezes , da Silva Graça Amoras Ednelza , Queiroz Maria Alice Freitas , da Silva Conde Simone Regina Souza , Cayres-Vallinoto Izaura Maria Vieira , Ishak Ricardo , Vallinoto Antonio Carlos Rosário
Published: November 2021

Background

Genetic changes may induce dysregulated cytokine production and affect the progression of the chronic disease caused by the hepacivirus C (HCV) because the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines determines the outcome of infection. This study evaluated the TNFA -308G>A and IL10 -1082A>G polymorphisms in the susceptibility and progress of chronic hepatitis C.

Method

The study included 101 samples from patients with chronic hepatitis C and 300 samples from healthy donors. Polymorphisms were typed by real-time PCR and were analyzed for associations with histopathological parameters (according to METAVIR classification) and HCV viral load.

Results

The polymorphic genotype for the TNFA -308G>A variant was not present in the group of patients with chronic hepatitis C and its absence could be associated with protection against HCV infection (p = 0.0477). Patients with the polymorphic genotype of the IL10 -1082A>G polymorphism had higher HCV viral load than wild-type patients (p = 0.0428). Neither polymorphism was associated with different levels of necroinflammatory activity or fibrosis scores.

Conclusion

Our results suggest the polymorphic genotype at TNFA -308G>A as protective against chronic HCV infection, and the polymorphic genotype at the IL10 -1082A>G variant associated with higher HCV viral load. Further studies must be performed in order to confirm these associations.
Laxative use and mortality in patients on haemodialysis: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Honda Yu , Itano Seiji , Kugimiya Aiko , Kubo Eiji , Yamada Yosuke , Kimachi Miho , Shibagaki Yugo , Ikenoue Tatsuyoshi
Published: November 2021

Background

Patients on haemodialysis (HD) are often constipated. This study aimed to assess the relationship between constipation and mortality in such patients. In this study, constipation was defined as receiving prescription laxatives, based on the investigation results of “a need to take laxatives is the most common conception of constipation” reported by the World Gastroenterology Organization Global Guidelines.

Methods

This cohort study included 12,217 adult patients on HD enrolled in the Japan-Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns study phases 1 to 5 (1998 to 2015). The participants were grouped into two based on whether they were prescribed laxatives during enrolment at baseline. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality in 3 years, and the secondary endpoint was cause-specific death. Missing values were imputed using multiple imputation methods. All estimations were calculated using a Cox proportional hazards model with an inverse probability of treatment weighting using the propensity score.

Results

Laxatives were prescribed in 30.5% of the patients, and there were 1240 all-cause deaths. There was a significant association between laxative prescription and all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR), 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03 to 1.21]. Because the Kaplan-Meier curves of the two groups crossed over, we examined 8345 patients observed for more than 1.5 years. Laxative prescription was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (AHR, 1.35; 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.55). The AHR of infectious death was 1.62 (95% CI: 1.14 to 2.29), and that of cancerous death was 1.60 (95% CI: 1.08 to 2.36). However, cardiovascular death did not show a significant inter-group difference.

Conclusions

Constipation requiring use of laxatives was associated with an increased risk of death in patients on HD. It is important to prevent patients receiving HD from developing constipation and to reduce the number of patients requiring laxatives.
Analysis of in-hospital mortality among people with and without diabetes in South Western Sydney public hospitals (2014–2017)
Authors: Gao Tina , Agho Kingsley E. , Piya Milan K. , Simmons David , Osuagwu Uchechukwu L.
Published: November 2021

Background

Diabetes is a major public health problem affecting about 1.4 million Australians, especially in South Western Sydney, a hotspot of diabetes with higher than average rates for hospitalisations. The current understanding of the international burden of diabetes and related complications is poor and data on hospital outcomes and/or what common factors influence mortality rate in people with and without diabetes in Australia using a representative sample is lacking. This study determined in-hospital mortality rate and the factors associated among people with and without diabetes.

Methods

Retrospective data for 554,421 adult inpatients was extracted from the population-based New South Wales (NSW) Admitted Patient Data over 3 financial years (from 1 July 2014–30 June 2015 to 1 July 2016–30 June 2017). The in-hospital mortality per 1000 admitted persons, standardised mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated. Binary logistic regression was performed, adjusting for potential covariates and co-morbidities for people with and without diabetes over three years.

Results

Over three years, 8.7% (48,038 people) of admissions involved people with diabetes. This increased from 8.4% in 2014–15 to 8.9% in 2016–17 (p = 0.007). Across all age groups, in-hospital mortality rate was significantly greater in people with diabetes (20.6, 95% Confidence intervals CI 19.3–21.9 per 1000 persons) than those without diabetes (11.8, 95%CI 11.5–12.1) and more in men than women (23.1, 95%CI 21.2–25.0 vs 17.9, 95%CI 16.2–19.8) with diabetes. The SMR for those with and without diabetes were 3.13 (95%CI 1.78–4.48) and 1.79 (95%CI 0.77–2.82), respectively. There were similarities in the factors associated with in hospital mortality in both groups including: older age (> 54 years), male sex, marital status (divorced/widowed), length of stay in hospital (staying longer than 4 days), receiving intensive care in admission and being admitted due to primary respiratory and cardiovascular diagnoses. The odds of death in admission was increased in polymorbid patients without diabetes (28.68, 95%CI 23.49–35.02) but not in those with diabetes.

Conclusions

In-patients with diabetes continue to have higher mortality rates than those without diabetes and the Australian population. Overall, similar factors influenced mortality rate in people with and without diabetes, but significantly more people with diabetes had two or more co-morbidities, suggesting that hospital mortality may be driven by those with pre-existing health/comorbidities. Urgent measures in primary care to prevent admissions among people with multiple co-morbidities are needed.
Mini-laparoscopic cholecystectomy: evolution of a new technique
Authors: Warsi Ali , Wilson Andrew Natsuki , Tong Kin Seng , Gan Jonathan , Chong Ho Lun
Published: November 2021

Background

Since the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in 1985, there has been much advancement in laparoscopic surgery in terms of reduction in number and size of ports. We report a new technique of performing mini laparoscopic cholecystectomy using only three ports, 5 mm each. The indications of this procedure include GB polyps, GB dyskinesia, microlithiasis, and idiopathic pancreatitis.

Case presentation

In this case report, we present a new technique that has been performed safely in a 49-year-old male patient with pancreatitis caused by microlithiasis. This was performed using a novel three port procedure consisting of only 5 mm ports, and he was discharged as a day case without complications. Informed patient consent was obtained.

Conclusions

The fundamentals of this mini-LC technique remain the same as that of a standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy throughout the procedure. It is a feasible option in selected cases, and it has the potential to further augment the inherent benefits of minimal access surgery namely less analgesia, improved cosmesis and faster recovery. Further trials will help ascertain its potential advantages.
Nicotine regulates autophagy of human periodontal ligament cells through α7 nAchR that promotes secretion of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-8
Authors: Du Yang , Yang Kuan , Zhou Zhifei , Wu Lizheng , Wang Lulu , Chen Yujiang , Ge Xin , Wang Xiaojing
Published: November 2021

Background

Nicotine is an important risk factor and the main toxic component associated with periodontitis. However, the mechanism of nicotine induced periodontitis is not clear. To investigated the mechanism through which nicotine regulates autophagy of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) through the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) and how autophagy further regulates the release of IL-1β and IL-8 secretion in hPDLCs.

Methods

HPDLCs were obtained from root of extracted teeth and pre-incubated in alpha-bungarotoxin (α-BTX) or 3-Methyladenine (3-MA), followed by culturing in nicotine. We used a variety of experimental detection techniques including western blotting, immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and RT-qPCR to assess the expression of the LC3 protein, autolysosome, and release of IL-1β and IL-8 from hPDLCs.

Results

Western blots, immunofluorescence and TEM results found that the nicotine significantly increased the autophagy expression in hPDLCs that was time and concentration dependent and reversed by α-BTX treatment (p < 0.05). RT-qPCR and ELISA results revealed a noticeable rise in the release of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-8 from hPDLCs in response to nicotine. RT-qPCR and ELISA results showed that nicotine can significantly up-regulate the release of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-8 in hPDLCs, and this effect can be inhibited by 3-MA (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Nicotine regulated autophagy of hPDLCs through α7 nAChR and in turn the regulation of the release of inflammatory factors 1L-1β and 1L-8 by hPDLCs.
Quality of life and health-related utility after trans-oral surgery for head and neck cancers
Authors: Parimbelli Enea , Simon Christian , Soldati Federico , Duchoud Lorry , Armas Gian Luca , de Almeida John R. , Quaglini Silvana
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess utility coefficients of health states following two minimally invasive surgical approaches for head and neck cancer, namely trans-oral robotic surgery and trans-oral laser microsurgery. Those utility coefficients will be later exploited in an economic evaluation study comparing the two approaches.

Methods

The above cited economic evaluation will be done from the Swiss healthcare system perspective and, as such, Swiss healthcare professionals were interviewed to elicit utility coefficients. Health states, ranging from remission to palliative care, were described using clinical vignettes. A computerized tool (UceWeb) implementing standard gamble and rating scale methods was used.

Results

Utility coefficients for 18 different health states were elicited with the two methods from 47 individuals, for a total of 1692 values. Elicited values varied from 0.980 to 0.213. Comparison with values elicited in previous studies show the need for population-specific elicitation, mainly for the worst health states.

Conclusion

Herein we report health utility coefficients for the Swiss population for health states following minimally invasive trans-oral surgery. This study provides utility values that can be used not only for a specific cost-utility analysis, but also for future studies involving the same health states.
Reframing a debate in chiropractic
Authors: Pollard Henry
Published: November 2021

The chiropractic profession is 125 years old and has evolved a culture beset with internal conflict. The internal ructions have been particularly noticeable during the last 20 years. These polarising viewpoints are worsening to the degree that there are calls for the profession to break into two separate entities. Key to the recognition of the differences within the profession is the recognition of title for particular sub populations of patients presenting to chiropractors. For many of the sub populations such as sport or paediatrics there has grown appropriate post professional specialist educational training sometimes leading to a protected title. However, this is not occurring in that group of practitioners that choose to focus on wellness care. A recommendation is made that wellness chiropractic be viewed as a post professional specialty program within chiropractic, as it is in medicine and elsewhere, and that recognition follow after appropriate post professional educational programs have been completed, as is customary in the other special interest groups. In order to do so, consensus will be required from all stakeholders within the profession on the level, scope and depth of such programs. Furthermore, it is possible that different jurisdictions around the world may require different post graduate educational levels based on local competitive, legal and professional circumstances. In such cases, transitioning to the higher level over a period of time may be undertaken. Recognition of the wellness specialty by the profession would allow for vertical integration with other healthcare providers as well as help bridge a gap between the entrepreneur and academic groups that would be responsible for creating these programs at tertiary education institutions. Finally, should these programs acquire evidence to underpin them, a process that would be taught within the programs, it is likely that recognition of an extended scope of practice would occur increasing the appeal of chiropractic to the public.
Sex without crossing over in the yeast Saccharomycodes ludwigii
Authors: Papaioannou Ioannis A. , Dutreux Fabien , Peltier France A. , Maekawa Hiromi , Delhomme Nicolas , Bardhan Amit , Friedrich Anne , Schacherer Joseph , Knop Michael
Published: November 2021

Background

Intermixing of genomes through meiotic reassortment and recombination of homologous chromosomes is a unifying theme of sexual reproduction in eukaryotic organisms and is considered crucial for their adaptive evolution. Previous studies of the budding yeast speciesSaccharomycodes ludwigiisuggested that meiotic crossing over might be absent from its sexual life cycle, which is predominated by fertilization within the meiotic tetrad.

Results

We demonstrate that recombination is extremely suppressed during meiosis inSd. ludwigii. DNA double-strand break formation by the conserved transesterase Spo11, processing and repair involving interhomolog interactions are required for normal meiosis but do not lead to crossing over. Although the species has retained an intact meiotic gene repertoire, genetic and population analyses suggest the exceptionally rare occurrence of meiotic crossovers in its genome. A strong AT bias of spontaneous mutations and the absence of recombination are likely responsible for its unusually low genomic GC level.

Conclusions

Sd. ludwigiihas followed a unique evolutionary trajectory that possibly derives fitness benefits from the combination of frequent mating between products of the same meiotic event with the extreme suppression of meiotic recombination. This life style ensures preservation of heterozygosity throughout its genome and may enable the species to adapt to its environment and survive with only minimal levels of rare meiotic recombination. We proposeSd. ludwigiias an excellent natural forum for the study of genome evolution and recombination rates.
Safety and efficacy of autologous non-hematopoietic enriched stem cell nebulization in COVID-19 patients: a randomized clinical trial, Abu Dhabi 2020
Authors: Ventura-Carmenate Yendry , Alkaabi Fatima Mohammed , Castillo-Aleman Yandy Marx , Villegas-Valverde Carlos Agustin , Ahmed Yasmine Maher , Sanna Pierdanilo , Almarzooqi Ayesha Abdulla , Abdelrazik Abeer , Torres-Zambrano Gina Marcela , Wade-Mateo Maura , Quesada-Saliba David , Abdel Hadi Loubna , Bencomo-Hernandez Antonio Alfonso , Rivero-Jimenez Rene Antonio
Published: November 2021

Background

The novel SARS-CoV-2 has caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Currently, with insufficient worldwide vaccination rates, identifying treatment solutions to reduce the impact of the virus is urgently needed.

Method

An adaptive, multicentric, open-label, and randomized controlled phase I/II clinical trial entitled the “SENTAD-COVID Study” was conducted by the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center under exceptional conditional approval by the Emirates Institutional Review Board (IRB) for COVID-19 Research Committee from April 4th to July 31st, 2020, using an autologous peripheral blood non-hematopoietic enriched stem cell cocktail (PB-NHESC-C) administered by compressor (jet) nebulization as a complement to standard care therapy. The primary endpoints include safety and efficacy assessments, adverse events, the mortality rate within 28 days, and the time to clinical improvement as measured by a 2-point reduction on a seven-category ordinal scale or discharge from the hospital whichever occurred first.

Results

The study included a total of 139 randomized COVID-19 patients, with 69 in the experimental group and 70 in the control group (standard care). Overall survival was 94.20% for the cocktail-treated group vs. 90.27% for the control group. Adverse events were reported in 50 (72.46%) patients receiving PB-NHESC-C and 51 (72.85%) in the control group (p = 0.9590), with signs and symptoms commonly found in COVID-19. After the first 9 days of the intervention, 67.3% of cocktail-treated patients recovered and were released from hospitals compared to 53.1% (RR = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.56–1.28) in the control group. Improvement, i.e., at least a 2-point reduction in the severity scale, was more frequently observed in cocktail-treated patients (42.0%) than in controls (17.0%) (RR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.56–0.88).

Conclusions

Cocktail treatment improved clinical outcomes without increasing adverse events. Thus, the nebulization of PB-NHESC-C was safe and effective for treatment in most of these patients.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT04473170. It was retrospectively registered on July 16th, 2020.
Systematic review on the microbiological quality of fresh vegetables and ready-to-eat salad in Nigeria
Authors: Profit Igba , Yunus Adebayo Sami’a , Adeshina Gbonjubola Olusesan , Tytler Babajide Akinyele , Suleiman Ahmed Babangida , Olayinka Busayo Olalekan
Published: November 2021

Background

The consumption of fresh vegetables and salads has become popular, and because of a greater understanding of health benefits, these are most often eaten raw or with minimal processing.

Main body of the abstract

The microbiological safety of these vegetables is necessary and the possible source of contamination includes microbial contamination of raw produce, workers hygiene and the condition of the environment and equipment used to process the salad and fresh vegetable for distribution. This article reviewed the previously published literature on the microbiological quality of fresh vegetable and salad. There was 100% isolation of bacteria in all of the studies review which include Escherichia coli, Aspergillus spp., Staphyloccocus aureus, Salmonella, Klebsiella spp., Actinomycetes, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphyloccocus epidermidis, Bacillus spp., Shigella spp., Lactobacillus and Streptoccocus spp.

Short conclusion

The review study recommended that fresh vegetables and salad should be properly washed with clean water before preparing.
Education in psychiatry: the art of getting published
Authors: Skuse David H.
Published: November 2021

Getting an article published in a scientific journal requires skills that are rarely taught, but are almost invariably learned by (bitter) experience. Yet, there are generally applicable guidelines that facilitate the process. This article summarises them.
High-Throughput Nucleotide Resolution Predictions of Assay Limitations Increase the Reliability and Concordance of Clinical Tests
Authors: Bieler Jonathan , Pozzorini Christian , Garcia Jessica , Tuck Alex C. , Macheret Morgane , Willig Adrian , Couraud Sébastien , Xing Xiaobin , Menu Philippe , Steinmetz Lars M. , Payen Léa , Xu Zhenyu
Published: November 2021

PURPOSE

The ability of next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays to interrogate thousands of genomic loci has revolutionized genetic testing. However, translation to the clinic is impeded by false-negative results that pose a risk to patients. In response, regulatory bodies are calling for reliability measures to be reported alongside NGS results. Existing methods to estimate reliability do not account for sample- and position-specific variability, which can be significant. Here, we report an approach that computes reliability metrics for every genomic position and sample interrogated by an NGS assay.

METHODS

Our approach predicts the limit of detection (LOD), the lowest reliably detectable variant fraction, by taking technical factors into account. We initially explored how LOD is affected by input material amount, library conversion rate, sequencing coverage, and sequencing error rate. This revealed that LOD depends heavily on genomic context and sample properties. Using these insights, we developed a computational approach to predict LOD on the basis of a biophysical model of the NGS workflow. We focused on targeted assays for cell-free DNA, but, in principle, this approach applies to any NGS assay.

RESULTS

We validated our approach by showing that it accurately predicts LOD and distinguishes reliable from unreliable results when screening 580 lung cancer samples for actionable mutations. Compared with a standard variant calling workflow, our approach avoided most false negatives and improved interassay concordance from 94% to 99%.

CONCLUSION

Our approach, which we name LAVA (LOD-aware variant analysis), reports the LOD for every position and sample interrogated by an NGS assay. This enables reliable results to be identified and improves the transparency and safety of genetic tests.
Exploring by Believing
Authors: Aronowitz Sara
Published: November 2021

Sometimes, we face choices between actions most likely to lead to valuable outcomes, and actions which put us in a better position to learn. These choices exemplify what is called the exploration/exploitation trade-off. In computer science and psychology, this trade-off has fruitfully been applied to modulating the way agents or systems make choices over time. This article extends the trade-off to belief. We can be torn between two ways of believing, one of which is expected to be more accurate in light of current evidence, whereas the other is expected to lead to more learning opportunity and accuracy in the long run. Further, it is sometimes rationally permissible to choose the latter. The article breaks down the features of action which give rise to the trade-off, and then argues that each feature applies equally well to belief. This conclusion is an instance of a systematic, foreseeable way in which what is rational to believe now depends on what one expects to be doing in the future. That is, epistemic rationality fundamentally concerns time.
Defining Energy in Nineteenth-Century Native American Literature
Authors: Linthicum Kent , Relford Mikaela , Johnson Julia C.
Published: November 2021

Native American authors in the first half of the nineteenth century—the dawn of the Anthropocene in some accounts—were witness to the rapid expansion of settler-colonialism powered by new ideologies of energy and fueled by fossil capitalism. These authors, though, resisted extractive metaphors for energy and fuel, offering more organic and intimate visions of energy instead. Using energy humanities theories developed by Warren Cariou (Métis) and Bob Johnson, among others, this article will analyze Mary Jemison’s (Seneca) autobiography; Jane Johnston Schoolcraft’s (Ojibwe) poem, “On the Doric Rock, Lake Superior”; and John Rollin Ridge’s (Cherokee) novel, The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta. These works show how Native American authors defined energy as cyclical and intimate in contrast to the growing settler society’s vision of linear, unending extraction. This article argues that nineteenth-century Native American Anglophone literatures expand the scope of the energy humanities by describing energy intimacy while also extending the histories of Indigenous resistance to settler energy imaginaries. Nineteenth-century Native American literatures can make important contributions to the scope of the energy humanities and need to be integrated into the field to grasp the full scale of current environmental crises.
Suspicion
Authors: Charles Nicole
Published: November 2021

In 2014 Barbados introduced a vaccine to prevent certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and reduce the risk of cervical cancer in young women. Despite the disproportionate burden of cervical cancer in the Caribbean, many Afro-Barbadians chose not to immunize their daughters. In Suspicion, Nicole Charles reframes Afro-Barbadian vaccine refusal from a question of hesitancy to one of suspicion. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, black feminist theory, transnational feminist studies and science and technology studies, Charles foregrounds Afro-Barbadians' gut feelings and emotions and the lingering trauma of colonial and biopolitical violence. She shows that suspicion, far from being irrational, is a fraught and generative affective orientation grounded in concrete histories of mistrust of government and coercive medical practices foisted on colonized peoples. By contextualizing suspicion within these longer cultural and political histories, Charles troubles traditional narratives of vaccine hesitancy while offering new entry points into discussions on racialized biopolitics, neocolonialism, care, affect, and biomedicine across the Black diaspora.

Duke University Press Scholars of Color First Book Award recipient
Η ενεργειακή διπλωματία της Ρωσίας
Authors: Κουτρουμπής Ιωάννης
Published: November 2021

Με αφορμή τον στρατηγικό σχεδιασμό των χωρών για την διαμόρφωση της ενεργειακής ατζέντας για το 2030, η διατριβή αυτή έχει ως στόχο την χαρτογράφηση του δικτύου αλληλεξάρτησης της Ευρώπης με την Ρωσία και την περαιτέρω διερεύνηση της επεκτατικής πολιτικής της τελευταίας στην Ανατολική Ευρώπη μέσω των μοτίβων των συνεργασιών. Στόχος της έρευνας είναι να εκπονήσει μελλοντικά πιθανά σενάρια της εξέλιξης του ρωσικού ενεργειακού τομέα. Ακόμη, εφαρμόζοντας την θεωρία του ανασχετικού δακτυλίου των Spykman και Mackinder, θα προβεί στην πρόβλεψη των επόμενων κινήσεων της ρωσικής εξωτερικής πολιτικής σε ότι αφορά την ενέργεια. Το κύριο ερώτημα που προκύπτει μέσα από την υπάρχουσα διεθνή βιβλιογραφία είναι το εξής: Ποιος είναι ο στόχος των Ρωσικών κινήσεων ενεργειακής επέκτασης στην Ευρώπη. Ποια είναι τα μοτίβα συνεργασίας της Ρωσίας ως προς την σύναψη ενεργειακών συμφωνιών. Ποια θα είναι η επόμενη κίνηση της Ρωσίας με βάση τις μακροπρόθεσμες οικονομικές προβλέψεις.Στην απάντηση των παραπάνω ερωτήσεων θα βοηθήσουν οι παρακάτω υποθέσεις εργασίας. Καταρχήν, υπόθεση εργασίας αποτελεί η ενεργειακή επέκταση της Ρωσίας στην νοτιοανατολική Ευρώπη, αλλά και ποιος είναι ο στόχος αυτής της στρατηγικής. Επίσης υπόθεση εργασίας αποτελεί η διαμάχη ΗΠΑ και Ρωσίας για τα αποθέματα που βρίσκονται στον Αρκτικό Κύκλο, αλλά και πως δρουν τα κράτη δορυφόροι (πχ Νορβηγία) πάνω στο ζήτημα αυτό. Τέλος, υπόθεση εργασίας αποτελεί και η Ανατολική Μεσόγειος ως προς την ενεργειακή αντιπαράθεση μεταξύ Ρωσίας και Ευρώπης.Σε γενικές γραμμές, ως προς την ενέργεια, η μεν Ρωσία προσπαθεί να διατηρήσει την πρωτοκαθεδρία στο φυσικό αέριο, αλλά και να διατηρήσει τη θέση που κατέχει σε ότι αφορά το πετρέλαιο, προκειμένου να αντισταθμίσει την ενεργειακή ανεξαρτησία που έχουν πετύχει οι ΗΠΑ μέσω της παραγωγής σχιστολιθικού πετρελαίου. Όπως γίνεται αντιληπτό η ενεργειακή ανεξαρτησία των ΗΠΑ πρόκειται να αλλάξει το παγκόσμιο χάρτη ισχύος.
Εντοπισμός και υποστήριξη εφήβων μέσων και υψηλών ικανοτήτων με υποεπίδοση
Authors: Μπελογιάννη Βασιλική
Published: November 2021

Η ακαδημαϊκή υποεπίδοση αποτελεί ένα ιδιαίτερα συχνό και σύνθετο φαινόμενο που απαντά σε μαθητές απ’ όλο το εύρος των γνωστικών και μαθησιακών ικανοτήτων και ιδιαίτερα στους μαθητές με υψηλές ικανότητες. Παρά τη συχνότητά της, ωστόσο, η υποεπίδοση αποτελεί ζήτημα που έχει απασχολήσει ελάχιστα την ελληνική εκπαιδευτική έρευνα. Η ανεπαρκής μελέτη του φαινομένου και των παραγόντων που συνδέονται με την εμφάνισή του, καθώς και η απουσία μεθόδων εντοπισμού μαθητών υψηλών ικανοτήτων με υποεπίδοση συνεπάγεται την απουσία στοχευμένων κι αποτελεσματικών μεθόδων για την αντιμετώπισή του. Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τα παραπάνω, η παρούσα εργασία απέβλεπε στην κατανόηση του πλαισίου εμφάνισης της υποεπίδοσης και στην συνακόλουθη διαμόρφωση ενός στοχευμένου προγράμματος παρέμβασης για την αντιμετώπισή της. Προς το σκοπό αυτό πραγματοποιήθηκε εκπαιδευτική έρευνα δράση με την αξιοποίηση πολλαπλών πηγών δεδομένων και μικτών μεθόδων. Επιπλέον, σχεδιάστηκε κι εφαρμόστηκε ένα πρόγραμμα εστιασμένης στη λύση σχολικής μεντορείας σε δείγμα 18 μαθητών Γυμνασίου (12 μαθητές υψηλών ικανοτήτων, 6 μαθητές μέσων ικανοτήτων) μέσης ηλικίας 14,1 ετών. Από τα δεδομένα προέκυψε η δημιουργία ενός ετεραρχικού θεωρητικού μοντέλου διαμόρφωσης και αναπαραγωγής μιας αρνητικής ακαδημαϊκής ταυτότητας που φαινόταν να είναι συνυφασμένη με την υποεπίδοση. Ακολούθως, τα αποτελέσματα κατέδειξαν ότι η εφαρμογή μαθητοκεντρικών ψυχοπαιδαγωγικών προσεγγίσεων μπορούσε να συμβάλει τόσο στη βελτίωση της ακαδημαϊκής επίδοσης, όσο και στην αναδιαπραγμάτευση της αρνητικής ακαδημαϊκής ταυτότητας των μαθητών με υποεπίδοση, καθώς και στην αναπλαισίωση της σχέσης τους με το σχολικό περιβάλλον. Τα ευρήματα της έρευνας θα μπορούσαν να αξιοποιηθούν περαιτέρω για την εφαρμογή ολιστικών παρεμβάσεων για την υποστήριξη μαθητών με υποεπίδοση και αυξημένο κίνδυνο σχολικής διαρροής.
Regulating moral risk in reproductive technologies
Authors: Δελιοπούλου Γεωργία
Published: November 2021

Η τεχνολογία της ανθρώπινης υποβοηθούμενης αναπαραγωγής και η ρύθμισή της αποτελούν ένα αντικείμενο που παρουσιάζει συνεχώς αυξανόμενο ενδιαφέρον, όχι μόνο επειδή προκαλεί σημαντικές δημόσιες αντιπαραθέσεις, αλλά επειδή αφορά μια σημαντική περιοχή ανθρώπινης δραστηριότητας: τη δημιουργία της ανθρώπινης ζωής. Σκοπός αυτής της διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι να αποδείξει ότι η θεωρία της διαχείρισης ρίσκου παίζει ιδιαίτερο ρόλο στον τομέα της υποβοηθούμενης αναπαραγωγής, και να καταδείξει ότι, από όλα τα ρίσκα που εμπλέκονται σε αυτή τη τεχνολογία, ένα συγκεκριμένο έχει παίξει το πιο σημαντικό ρόλο στη ψήφιση νόμου: το ηθικό ρίσκο. Αυτό το ρίσκο είναι καινούργιο, ελλιπώς αναπτυγμένο και δεν φαίνεται να έχει διερευνηθεί από άλλους τρόπους ρύθμισης. Λόγω της ειδικής φύσης της υποβοηθούμενης αναπαραγωγής και της ύπαρξης του ηθικού ρίσκου, υποστηρίζω ότι ο καταλληλότερος τρόπος να ρυθμιστεί αυτό το πεδίο είναι η μέθοδος της συμμετοχικής δημοκρατίας, η οποία δεν έχει αναπτυχθεί επαρκώς έως σήμερα.Προκειμένου να αποδείξω την υπόθεσή μου, εξετάζω τη νομική ρύθμιση στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, στην οποία διαφαίνονται τέσσερα μοντέλα ρύθμισης. Χρησιμοποιώ στοιχεία από ένα εύρος χωρών, συγκεκριμένα το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, τη Γαλλία και την Ελλάδα, ως παραδείγματα μελέτης της ρύθμισης της υποβοηθούμενης αναπαραγωγής. Αφού εξερευνήσω τους λόγους που καθιστούν τις χώρες αυτές ιδανικές για μία τέτοια σύγκριση, καταλήγω στους λόγους που επιβάλλουν τη ρύθμιση αυτής της τεχνολογίας. Υποστηρίζω ότι η θεωρία της ρύθμισης ρίσκου συνδέεται στενά με αυτή την περιοχή και αναγνωρίζω τρείς βασικές εκδηλώσεις διαχείρισης ρίσκου. Δίνω έμφαση σε ένα νέο ρίσκο, και συγκεκριμένα το ηθικό ρίσκο, το οποίο θεωρώ ότι είναι ο βασικός λόγος για τη ρύθμιση της υποβοηθούμενης αναπαραγωγής.Λόγω της σπουδαιότητας του ηθικού ρίσκου, μελετώ τη νομολογία και τις κοινοβουλευτικές και δημόσιες συζητήσεις των τριών υπό εξέταση χωρών, προκειμένου να ανακαλύψω αν η ανάγκη διαχείρισης του ηθικού ρίσκου είναι εμφανής. Υποστηρίζω ότι είναι εμφανής και αναγνωρίζω το νόημά του σύμφωνα με αυτούς που συμμετείχαν στις σχετικές συζητήσεις και στη διαμόρφωση της νομολογίας. Συνεχίζω εξετάζοντας τους τρόπους ρύθμισης που έχει μια κοινωνία στη διάθεσή της προκειμένου να ρυθμίσει τα ρίσκα που η τεχνολογία αυτή γεννά. Επίσης, αναφέρω ποιο τρόπο ρύθμισης έχουν επιλέξει οι τρείς υπό εξέταση χώρες. Ωστόσο, υποστηρίζω ότι η ύπαρξη του ηθικού ρίσκου υποδηλώνει ότι ο μόνος τρόπος για να είναι αποτελεσματική η ρύθμισή του είναι με τη χρήση της μεθόδου της συμμετοχικής δημοκρατίας, η οποία όμως δεν έχει αναφερθεί σε καμία από τις υπό εξέταση χώρες.
Lightning Behaviour during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Yusfiandika Fazandra , Lim Siow Chun , Gomes Chandima , Chockalingam Aravind , Cheng Pay Lee
Published: November 2021

Background

COVID-19 has drastically dampened human activities since early 2020. Studies have shown that this has resulted in changes in air temperature and humidity. Since lightning activities are dependent on air temperature and humidity, this study is conducted to evaluate the correlation between the intensity of lightning activities with the atmospheric changes, and investigates the changes, in lightning activities due to atmospheric changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

The hypothesis was tested through a t-test and Pearson’s correlation study. The variation trend of lightning strikes count (LSC) in Europe and Oceania during the five months COVID-19 lockdown period (March – July) compared to the same period in the previous five years from 2015 to 2019 is investigated.

Results

Statistical analysis shows the LSC in Europe and Oceania during the lockdown period dropped significantly by more than 50% and 44% respectively compared to the same period in previous five years. Furthermore, LSC was found to be positively correlated with air temperature and relative humidity in Europe. However, in Oceania, LSC seems to be only positively correlated with air temperature but negatively correlated with relative humidity.

Conclusions

This study seems to suggest that lightning activities have significantly changed during this pandemic due to reduction in human activities.