bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changing Pattern of Opioid Users Attending an Opioid Agonist Treatment Clinic in North India
Authors: Bhat Fazle R. , Rather Yasir H. , Rasool Ubaid
Published: February 2022

Objectives Illicit opioid use is a major concern across the globe due to its adverse health consequences. Pharmacological intervention is regarded as the cornerstone of management of opioid dependence and the Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) is the most effective intervention for this chronic relapsing disorder. Since the pattern of use of illicit substances, like opioids, changes with the course of time, we studied the profile of patients registered in an OAT clinic of a tertiary care center in North India over last 8 years.

Methods Retrospective chart review of patients registered in the OAT clinic was done. Comparisons were made among two periods (2012–2015 and 2016–2019).

Results Total number of opioid dependent patients registered in OAT clinic has increased from 139 in 2012 to 2015 to 309 in 2016 to 2019. Mean age at the first use of opioids has reduced significantly from 20.2 (± 2.7) years in 2012 to 2015 to 18.3 (± 3.2) years in 2016 to 2019 (p = 0.02). Parenteral route continues to remain as the dominant mode of use of opioids, though it has increased from 80.6 to 99% of users. There has been increased use of heroin over these years (12.2% in 2012–2015 to 72.5% in 2016–19) with concomitant decrease of pentazocine use (69.1–17.5%), respectively.

Conclusion The changing demographic and opioid use pattern in the last couple of years among patients attending OAT clinic should alert the policy makers, so that an integrated approach is put into action for effective prevention and management of opioid use disorders.
Comparison of Femoral Triangle Block in Combination with IPACK to Local Periarticular Injection in Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Li Xiang , Wang Yuanyuan , Chen Yancheng , Qian Jiatian , Li Shiao , Chen Song , Fu Peiliang
Published: February 2022

Objective This article studied the efficacy of two different analgesic methods after unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to find an effective analgesic method.

Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo, parallel, and controlled study was performed to evaluate the benefits of combining the femoral triangle block (FTB) and the interspace between the popliteal artery and the capsule of the posterior knee (IPACK). Forty patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis and underwent unilateral primary TKA with FTB and IPACK were divided grouped into the experimental group, and 40 patients undergoing TKA with intra-articular cocktail analgesic mixture local injection were grouped into the control group. All patients received the patient-controlled anesthesia pump for analgesia at postoperative 48 hours. The main indexes were postoperative knee joint rest and activity pain (visual analog scale) and muscle strength of the affected limb; secondary indexes were anesthetic consumption, total morphine consumption, range of motion, and complications (such as postoperative nausea and vomiting [PONV]).

Results There was no significant difference in the general data of each treatment group. Compared with the conventional group, the quadriceps muscle strength of the combined FTB and IPACK group was higher with significant statistical differences after surgery (p < 0.05). At postoperative 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours, active pain was better than in the conventional group (p < 0.05). Resting pain was significantly smaller than the traditional group only at postoperative 2, 6, 12, and 48 hours (p < 0.05). Morphine consumption, anesthetics consumption, and hospitalization time were lower than the conventional group, the difference being statistically significant. There were no significant differences between the two groups in postoperative wound healing, infection incidence, blood pressure, heart rate, rash, respiratory depression, deep vein thrombosis, and urinary retention. There were also no significant differences in PONV (p > 0.05).

Conclusion Combining FTB and IPACK significantly increased the quadriceps muscle in patients, together with relieving early pain and reducing the amount of anesthetic consumption at different postoperative intervals.
Scenario-Based Evaluation of Team Health Information Technology to Support Pediatric Trauma Care Transitions
Authors: Hoonakker Peter L. T. , Hose Bat-Zion , Carayon Pascale , Eithun Ben L. , Rusy Deborah A. , Ross Joshua C. , Kohler Jonathan E. , Dean Shannon M. , Brazelton Tom B. , Kelly Michelle M.
Published: February 2022

Background Clinicians need health information technology (IT) that better supports their work. Currently, most health IT is designed to support individuals; however, more and more often, clinicians work in cross-functional teams. Trauma is one of the leading preventable causes of children's death. Trauma care by its very nature is team based but due to the emergent nature of trauma, critical clinical information is often missed in the transition of these patients from one service or unit to another. Teamwork transition technology can help support these transitions and minimize information loss while enhancing information gathering and storage. In this study, we created a large screen technology to support shared situational awareness across multiple clinical roles and departments.

Objectives This study aimed to examine if the Teamwork Transition Technology (T3) supports teams and team cognition.

Methods We used a scenario-based mock-up methodology with 36 clinicians and staff from the different units and departments who are involved in pediatric trauma to examine T3.

Results Results of the evaluation show that most participants agreed that the technology helps achieve the goals set out in the design phase. Respondents thought that T3 organizes and presents information in a different way that was helpful to them.

Conclusion In this study, we examined a health IT (T3) that was designed to support teams and team cognition. The results of our evaluation show that participants agreed that T3 does support them in their work and increases their situation awareness.
Analysis of Blood Group Discrepancy in Healthy Blood Donors at a Tertiary Care Referral Hospital from Eastern India: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Sahu Ansuman , Prakash Satya , Das Niladri , Routray Suman Sudha , Naik Archana , Mukherjee Somnath
Published: February 2022

Objective ABO typing constitutes cell grouping and serum grouping. The discrepancy may arise in ABO typing due to a mismatch in cell grouping and serum grouping. It may be due to technical errors, missing or weak ABO antibodies (type I), weak ABO subgroups (type II), Rouleaux formation (type III), or other miscellaneous reasons (type IV). This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and cause of ABO blood group discrepancy in donor samples at our center.

Methods A retrospective study of ABO blood group typing of blood donors was conducted at our center. The blood group typing was routinely performed using gel cards and a microcentrifuge system (Tulip Diagnostics(P) Ltd, Goa, India). If any discrepancy in ABO typing was noted, the test was repeated using the conventional tube technique. After sorting clerical/technical error, the causes of discrepancy were analyzed and resolved using anti-A1, anti-H, anti-AB, and other immunohematological tests like antibody screening and identification, saliva inhibition test, adsorption-elution studies.

Results A total of 12,715 (98.6% males and 1.4% females) donor samples were tested. The number of ABO discrepancies detected were 15 (0.12%). The discrepancies were characterized as type I (6 cases; 40%), type II (1 case; 6.7%), type III (0 cases; 0%), and type IV (8 cases; 53.3%). Three cases, each of anti-M and anti-Leb, were detected in the study population. A single case of A3, a subgroup of A blood group, was found during the study.

Conclusion The prevalence of ABO group discrepancy was 0.12% at our center. Discrepancy arising during ABO typing of blood donor must be resolved before reporting ABO blood group to minimize the recipient's chances of transfusion reaction. The serum grouping is equally crucial as cell grouping for reporting the ABO group of an individual.
Clinical and Microbiological Profile of Patients with Bloodstream Infections Caused by Burkholderia cepacia Complex
Authors: Siddiqui Tasneem , Sahu Chinmoy , Patel Sangram Singh , Ghoshal Ujjala
Published: February 2022

Introduction Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is an emerging pathogen causing nosocomial bloodstream infections (BSIs), and its treatment is challenging due to its multidrug resistance. In India, there is a dearth of data on BSIs caused by BCC, therefore, an updated study is required to know the clinical and microbiological profile of these patients. We aimed to study the clinical epidemiology and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of BCC isolated from blood samples in our hospital.

Materials and Methods This observational study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2020 at a tertiary care center in northern India. All the blood cultures were done on an automated blood culture system. All BCC isolates of BSI were identified depending on their morphological properties and biochemical reactions, and underwent the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry system to confirm diagnosis. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done as per Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute guidelines.

Results BCC was isolated from 30 BSI patients over a 2-year period. Sixty-six percent (20/30) of patients had cancer and a majority of them were undergoing chemotherapy. The most common predisposing factors were the use of steroids, immunosuppressive drugs, and chemotherapy (93.3%), central lines (83.3%), use of higher antibiotics (60%), and diabetes mellitus type 2 (60%). The most common species isolated were B. cepacia (64%) and B. cenocepacia (30%). Isolates showed highest sensitivity to minocycline (100%), ceftazidime (73.3%), and meropenem (70%) and the least to ticarcillin–clavulanate.

Conclusion BCC is an emerging pathogen causing BSIs, especially in malignancy patients. Minocycline can be a good choice for these bacteria.
Obesity, Comorbidities, and the Associated Risk among Patients Who Underwent Total Knee Arthroplasty in Alberta
Authors: Baghbani-Naghadehi Fatemeh , Armijo-Olivo Susan , Prado Carla M. , Woodhouse Linda J.
Published: February 2022

Obesity, a common risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA), accelerates joint deterioration resulting in the need for early total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The role of obesity in the management of OA remains a controversial topic. In this study, we examined whether obesity along with other comorbidities is associated with peri/postoperative complications in patients who underwent primary unilateral TKA in Alberta, Canada. A retrospective secondary analysis was performed on data extracted from data repository of patients (n = 15,151) who underwent TKA between 2012 and 2016. The sample was divided into five groups based on body mass index (BMI) classification developed by the World Health Organization. The associations between dependent variable (presence or absence of a complication or comorbidity) with the independent variables (year of surgery, age, sex, length of surgery, and BMI groups) were examined using binomial logistic regression. Results showed that obese classes I, II, and III, irrespective of other covariates, were more likely to have diabetes and pulmonary embolism (p < 0.001) compared with the normal BMI group. Patients with obese class III compared with the patients in normal BMI group were more likely to have deep wound infection (p = 0.04). Patients with comorbidities were more likely to have a blood transfusion, infection, pulmonary embolism, and readmission. Patients in higher BMI groups or with comorbidities were more likely to experience peri/postoperative complications following TKA, though the level of risk depends on the severity of obesity. These findings may be used by health care providers to educate patients in higher BMI groups about the risks of TKA and optimize comorbidities prior to the surgery.
Sutureless Valve in Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis: Modified Technique and Midterm Outcome
Authors: Li Han-Yan , Tsai Feng-Chun , Lu Cheng-Hui , Chou An-Hsun , Huang Huei-Chiun , Gersak Borut
Published: February 2022

Background The sutureless valve has gained popularity for degenerative aortic valve stenosis but not congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) due to anatomical challenges. We reviewed our modified implant techniques for patients with BAV.

Methods From June 2015 to June 2019, 66 patients with aortic valve stenosis were treated with the Perceval sutureless valve, 20 of whom had BAV. The demographics, type of BAV (the Sievers classification), and associated pathologies, surgical outcomes, and midterm hemodynamics were recorded.

Results The median age was 64 (range: 49–81) years and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 2.186 (range: 0.407–6.384). Annular plication was performed in 9 (75%) of 12 type 0 and 3 (37.5%) of 8 type I, with implanted valve sizes of M, L, and XL in 6, 10, 4 cases, respectively. Three patients, all type 0 in the initial learning periods, required intraoperative redeployment due to malposition of the valve. The final implant was successful in all without conversion to traditional prosthesis. The median extubation time was 4 hours and the durations of intensive care unit and hospital stay were 1 and 6 days. At a median follow-up of 46 (23–72) months, there was one late mortality due to hemorrhagic stroke sequel. The last echo revealed none had more than mild paravalvular leakage and the mean transvalvular pressure gradient remained stable at 9.70 (range: 6.94–15.0) mm Hg.

Conclusion The sutureless valve can achieve satisfactory outcomes in BAV without paravalvular leakage and excellent hemodynamics. It may serve as the benchmark for transcatheter aortic valve implantation in this unique population.
Understanding of Behavioral Problems Among Young Persons with Intellectual Disability: A Self-Report
Authors: Ahmad Wasim , Arun Priti , Nazli Nazli , Ratnam Vani , Mehta Shivangi , Raina Deepti
Published: February 2022

Background Behavioral problems among young persons with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are pronounced, and it has been of significant concern for field practitioners. Different investigators have used various techniques and methods to study behavioral problems among persons with intellectual disabilities.

Objective The study was conducted to examine the concept of behavioral problems from persons with intellectual disabilities.

Materials and Methods Persons with ID (n = 13) with DSM 5 diagnosis of mild ID (IQ: 50–69) in ages ranging from 16 to 27 years were selected. For the present study, the qualitative method using Focused Group Discussion (FGD) was used.

Results The results suggest that persons with intellectual disabilities have an adequate understanding of their behavioral problems and can make efforts to control their anger and aggression.

Conclusion The study's findings showed that persons with an intellectual disability did not have knowledge of only the concept of behavioral problems, but they also employed methods to overcome these behavioral problems. The community needs to be made aware of this to get better opportunities in community participation, thus helping them contribute to society.
Magnetic accumulation effect on the inner and outer surfaces of pipeline magnetic penetration in natural environment
Authors: Li Kai , Ren Yajun , Gong Qingqing , Li Yuan , Han Yan
Published: February 2022

In view of the detection requirements of pipeline internal and external surface defects and pipeline special regular structure detection, based on the magnetic shielding effect inside and outside the pipeline, the principle of magnetic field refraction at the interface between the pipe wall and air, and the principle of the magnetic field concentration on the pipe surface and the gap, this article focuses on the natural environment (geomagnetic background). The magnetic field distribution inside and outside the pipeline has been theoretically analyzed. After that, the finite element simulation software is used to model the finite length pipeline, and the internal and external magnetic fields are simulated and researched in combination with the finite element method. Finally, the tunnel magneto resistance (TMR) magnetic sensor is used to collect and process the internal magnetic field of the actual pipeline model, which verifies the correctness of the theoretical analysis. This paper analyzes the magnetic field inside and outside the pipeline by means of principle deduction, finite element simulation, and sensor measurement. The analysis results show that the distribution of the magnetic field in the pipeline under the excitation of the geomagnetic field has a very obvious regularity, which can meet the needs of pipeline defect detection. In addition, because the pipelines of different structures have different magnetic field distribution laws, they can also be used for the detection and analysis of pipelines with special structures.
A simple electrical-circuit analogous phenomenological COVID-19 model valid
for all observed pandemic phases
Authors: Nolasco J. C. , García J. T. , Castro-Chacón A. , Castro-Carranza A. , Gutowski J.
Published: February 2022

In physics and engineering, circuit modeling together with simple element models has been used to study concurrent physical phenomena. By using simple calculations, the underlying mechanisms that determine certain patterns can be understood. Here, we present a simple mathematical model to describe the COVID-19 pandemic time evolution. The model accounts for three phases occurring at the same pandemic wave, which are influenced by different mechanisms represented by a linear, an exponential, and a power law term, corresponding to an early stage of the contagious spread, an unconstrained spread, and a power-law increase defined by the effectiveness of the social distancing, respectively. This approach is based on parallel and series natural phenomena occurring in electrical circuits. The generality of the present tool is demonstrated using empirical data of nine countries from different continents.
Effect of modifiers on bending recovery of fully degradable brush wire monofilament
Authors: Hang Zusheng , Liu Ben , Lv Zichun , Feng Liu , Zhang Chunxiang
Published: February 2022

In this paper, the effects of three modifiers, such as PEG, ATBC, and DOP, on the modification of PBAT/PLA-based fully degradable brush monofilaments were studied. The microstructure and the mechanical properties of the PBAT/PLA brush wire before and after modification were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and universal material testing machine. The effect of modifiers on bending recovery was discussed in detail and was analyzed combined with the results of differential scanning calorimetry and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results showed that with an increase in the content of modifiers, the tensile strength and the impact strength of the PBAT/PLA brush wire would decrease, and the bending recovery rate would increase. The effect of PEG and ATBC on bending recovery is weaker than that of DOP, and the bending recovery rate of the PBAT/PLA brush wire modified by DOP is close to 80%. With an increase in the content of modifiers, the melting enthalpy and transverse relaxation time T2 of PBAT/PLA would increase. This research has guiding significance for the preparation of fully degradable brush wires.
Common ringtail possums (
Authors: Beale Phillipa K. , Foley William J. , Saraf Isha , Singh Inder Pal , Marsh Karen J.
Published: February 2022

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) can influence the consumption of particular plants by herbivores. Unsubstituted B-ring flavanones (UBFs), which are compounds found in the leaves of Eucalyptus species from the Eucalyptus subgenus (common name monocalypt), deter feeding by common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) when added to artificial diets at concentrations that reflect those found naturally in foliage. We hypothesised that common ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) would tolerate higher UBF concentrations, because, unlike brushtail possums, they regularly eat monocalypt foliage. This proved to be the case; ringtail possums were not deterred by two different UBFs, pinocembrin and flavanone, at concentrations up to 4.7% dry matter, which is substantially higher than the concentrations that deter brushtail possums. These results extend and refine our understanding of how variation in tolerance or susceptibility to eucalypt PSMs affects the diets of sympatric marsupial folivores, potentially reducing competition for food.
Factors that drive koala roadkill: an analysis across multiple scales in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Lunney Daniel , Predavec Martin , Sonawane Indrie , Moon Chris , Rhodes Jonathan R.
Published: February 2022

A challenge to understanding the impacts of roads on koalas is that their effects operate across multiple scales. To determine what conditions underlie koala roadkill, we looked at koala roadkill at two spatial scales – the entire state of NSW, and a local government area (Coffs Harbour) – for three road types (primary, arterial and local). We also subdivided the state data into three regions – coast, tableland and inland – to look at regional differences. Our analyses show that koala roadkill is ubiquitous across the distribution of koalas. Similar numbers of roadkilled koalas were recorded on each road type, but because of the vastly different total length of roads in the three types (local roads 122 755 km; arterial 79 706 km; primary 12 972 km) it is clear that an individual koala is more likely to be killed on a primary road than the other two road types. The pattern shown at the LGA scale is similar to that seen across the state. Habitat type adjacent to a road appears to have little influence on the likelihood of a koala being killed on the road. Mitigation measures can reduce koala roadkill, but there is a need to correctly assess the relative importance of koala roadkill compared with other factors that impact on koala populations when allocating resources to koala conservation. We conclude that roadkill is an ever-present threat which will remove an ever-increasing proportion of decreasing koala populations in NSW.
Synchronisation of zinc application rates with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorus to maximise wheat growth and yield in zinc-deficient soil
Authors: Ilyas Fariha , Ali Muhammad Arif , Modhish Abdulaah , Ahmed Niaz , Hussain Sajjad , Bilal Muhammad , Arshad Muhammad , Danish Subhan , Ghoneim Adel M. , Ilyas Ayesha , Akram Arslan , Fahad Shah , Ansari Mohammad Javed , Datta Rahul
Published: February 2022

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are found to be causing the most abundant symbioses between fungi and roots of terrestrial plants. AMF act as a biofertiliser that stimulate plant growth and increase plant productivity under poor soil fertility. In addition, unbalanced application of zinc (Zn) and the antagonistic relationship with phosphorus (P) also play an imperative role in decreasing crop productivity. It is necessary to synchronise Zn application rate with applied inorganic P and AMF to achieve optimum crop yield. For tha purpose, a pot trial was conducted on Zn-deficient soil with five application rates of Zn, i.e. 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 mg kg−1. Two levels of inorganic P [0 (P0) and 21 (P1) mg kg−1] were applied with and without AMF inoculation. Results showed that more AMF colonisation was observed under deficient Zn and P conditions. Higher soil Zn (Zn120 and Zn150) significantly decreased the germination rate and plant growth. However, a significant improvement in germination, plant height, biomass, transpiration rate and 100-grain weight validated the productive functioning of AMF over no AMF. AMF inoculation alleviated P-induced Zn deficiency and Zn-induced P deficiency. Application of P0Zn60 and P0Zn30 with and without AMF is a better treatment to maximise wheat growth, yield and gas-exchange attributes in Zn-deficient conditions. It is also recommended to apply low Zn, (30 or 60 mg kg−1 Zn) when AMF is used, with 21 mg kg−1 P, or half of the recommended dose of P.
Integrative analysis reveals multiple modes of LXR transcriptional regulation in liver
Authors: Bideyan Lara , Fan Wenxin , Kaczor-Urbanowicz Karolina Elżbieta , Priest Christina , Casero David , Tontonoz Peter
Published: February 2022

Significance

LXRs are critical regulators of hepatic metabolism and function, but their mechanisms of action at the genome level are incompletely understood. We performed integrated analysis of genome-wide chromatin accessibility, gene expression, and transcription factor binding. We reveal distinct mechanisms of LXR transcriptional regulation of both metabolic and nonmetabolic genes in liver. We show that LXR can both activate and repress genes and that LXR binding impacts the activity of other transcription factors.
Heat rectification through single and coupled quantum dots
Authors: Tesser Ludovico , Bhandari Bibek , Erdman Paolo Andrea , Paladino Elisabetta , Fazio Rosario , Taddei Fabio
Published: February 2022

We study heat rectification through quantum dots in the Coulomb blockade regime using a master equation approach. We consider both cases of two-terminal and four-terminal devices. In the two-terminal configuration, we analyze the case of a single quantum dot with either a doubly-degenerate level or two non-degenerate levels. In the sequential tunneling regime we analyze the behaviour of heat currents and rectification as functions of the position of the energy levels and of the temperature bias. In particular, we derive an upper bound for rectification in the closed-circuit setup with the doubly-degenerate level. We also prove the absence of a bound for the case of two non-degenerate levels and identify the ideal system parameters to achieve nearly perfect rectification. The second part of the paper deals with the effect of second-order cotunneling contributions, including both elastic and inelastic processes. In all cases we find that there exists ranges of values of parameters (such as the levels’ position) where rectification is enhanced by cotunneling. In particular, in the doubly-degenerate level case we find that cotunneling corrections can enhance rectification when they reduce the magnitude of the heat currents. For the four-terminal configuration, we analyze the non-local situation of two Coulomb-coupled quantum dots, each connected to two terminals: the temperature bias is applied to the two terminals connected to one quantum dot, while the heat currents of interest are the ones flowing in the other quantum dot. Remarkably, in this situation we find that non-local rectification can be perfect as a consequence of the fact that the heat currents vanish for properly tuned parameters.
Primordial black holes from spectator field bubbles
Authors: Maeso David Navidad , Marzola Luca , Raidal Martti , Vaskonen Ville , Veermäe Hardi
Published: February 2022

We study the evolution of light spectator fields in an asymmetric polynomial potential. During inflation, stochastic fluctuations displace the spectator field from the global minimum of its potential, populating the false vacuum state and thereby allowing for the formation of false vacuum bubbles. By using a lattice simulation, we show that these bubbles begin to contract once they re-enter the horizon and, if sufficiently large, collapse into black holes. This process generally results in the formation of primordial black holes, which, due to the specific shape of their mass function, are constrained to yield at most 1% of the total dark matter abundance. However, the resulting population can source gravitational wave signals observable at the LIGO-Virgo experiments, provide seeds for supermassive black holes or cause a transient matter-dominated phase in the early Universe.
nProFit: A Tool for Fitting the Surface Brightness Profiles of Star Clusters with Dynamical Models
Authors: Cuevas-Otahola B. , Mayya Y. D. , Puerari I. , Rosa-González D.
Published: February 2022

The surface brightness profiles (SBPs) of star clusters hold invaluable information on the dynamical state of clusters. The observed SBPs of star clusters, especially that of globular clusters, are in good agreement with the SBPs expected for isothermal spheres containing stars of reduced kinetic energies. However, the SBPs of configurations that satisfy these theoretical criteria cannot be uniquely expressed by analytical formulae, which had hindered the analysis of dynamical state of observed clusters in external galaxies. To counter this shortcoming, it has become a practice to use empirical fitting formulae that best represent the core and halo characteristics of theoretical models. We here present a general purpose code, named nProFit, that allows fitting of the surface brightness profiles of extragalactic star clusters to theoretical star clusters, defined by dynamical models of King and Wilson. In addition, we also incorporated theoretical models that result in power-law surface brightness profiles represented by Elson et al. The code returns the basic size parameters such as core radius, half-light radius and tidal radius, as well as dynamically relevant parameters, such as the volume and surface density profiles, velocity dispersion profile, total mass and the binding energy for a user-fixed mass-to-light ratio. The usefulness of the code in the dynamical study of extragalactic clusters has been already illustrated in Cuevas-Otahola et al. The code, which is python-based at the user end, but makes calls to advanced routines in Pyraf and Fortran, is now available for public use. We provide example scripts and mock clusters in the installation package as guide to users.
Approaching a revolution in hemiparasitic plant biology? A commentary on ‘Distinguishing carbon gains from photosynthesis and heterotrophy in C3-hemiparasite–C3-host-pairs’
Authors: Těšitel Jakub , Těšitelová Tamara
Published: February 2022

This article comments on:

Philipp Giesemann and Gerhard Gebauer, Distinguishing carbon gains from photosynthesis and heterotrophy in C3-hemiparasite–C3-host pairs, Annals of Botany, Volume 129, Issue 6, 12 May 2022, Pages 647–656 https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcab153
Female countertactics to male feticide and infanticide in a multilevel primate society
Authors: Xiang Zuofu , Yu Yang , Yao Hui , Hu Qinglang , Yang Wanji , Li Ming
Published: February 2022

The occurrence of male feticide and/or infanticide represents an extreme case of sexual conflict: an adaptive strategy of male reproduction at the expense of females. Females are predicted to develop numerous countertactics; however, it has remained unclear whether countertactics can effectively shift the balance which likely depends on the social and mating system. We conducted a 15-year, detailed observation of female and male behavior during male replacement in free-ranging golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) of a multilevel society. We have identified several potential countertactics against feticide and/or infanticide, including pregnant or lactating females staying with ousted males or transferring to stay with the ousted male after being attacked, which lead to 2 of 11 fetuses succumbing to feticide, and extra-unit mating, female joint defense and transferring with their infants to other social units, which lead to 6 of 34 infants succumbing to infanticide. Female joint defenses crucially delay infanticide, providing mothers the opportunity to transfer with their vulnerable infants to another social unit where they have previously mated with the male leader or where they have female relatives. Importantly, in response to mothers starting to transfer, some males cease attacking infants, a change in behavior that is likely to be beneficial to males because during their tenures they can sire future offspring of the mothers who remain. Our findings show how dynamic interactions between males and females can be and how the conditions in multilevel societies can shift the outcome of intersexual conflict from males to females.
YAP1 activation promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition and cell survival of renal cell carcinoma cells under shear stress
Authors: Chen Xiaopeng , Zhang Xiaowei , Jiang Yitong , Zhang Xuemei , Liu Min , Wang Shanna , Liu Shaoqiong , Liang Haiyan , Liu Chunhua
Published: February 2022

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is characterized by substantial vasculatures and increased fluid movement in tumor microenvironment, and the fluid shear stress modulates malignance, extravasation and metastatic seeding of tumor cells. However, the precise mechanism remains largely unclear. In this study, we found that low shear stress induced the Yes-associated protein (YAP1) activation and nuclear localization in RCC cells, as well as the downregulation of phosphorylated YAP1 at Ser127. Moreover, inhibition of ROCK or RhoA partially abolished YAP1 accumulation in the nucleus, and targeting YAP1 activation by small molecular inhibitor or genetic manipulation decreased the low shear stress-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of RCC cells, and led to a decreased expression of N-cadherin as accompanied by downregulation of SNAIL1 and TWIST, accompanied by high shear stress-induced cell apoptosis. Salvianolic acid B, an aqueous component of danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), inhibited YAP1 and Hippo signaling activation, and abrogated low shear stress-induced EMT as a consequence. Taken together, our study suggests YAP1 is a fluid mechanosensor that transforms mechanical stimuli to cell signals, thereby facilitates anoikis resistance and tumor metastasis.
miR-9a regulates levels of both rhomboid mRNA and protein in the early Drosophila melanogaster embryo
Authors: Gallicchio Lorenzo , Griffiths-Jones Sam , Ronshaugen Matthew
Published: February 2022

MicroRNAs can have subtle and combinatorial effects on the levels of the targets and pathways they act on. Studying the consequences of a single microRNA knockout often proves difficult as many such knockouts exhibit phenotypes only under stress conditions. This has often led to the hypothesis that microRNAs buffer the effects of intrinsic and environmental stochasticity on gene expression. Observing and understanding this buffering effect entails quantitative analysis of microRNA and target expression in single cells. To this end, we have employed single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, and high-resolution confocal microscopy to investigate the effects of miR-9a loss on the expression of the serine-protease Rhomboid in Drosophila melanogaster early embryos. Our single-cell quantitative approach shows that spatially, the rhomboid mRNA pattern is identical in WT and miR-9a knockout embryos. However, we find that the number of mRNA molecules per cell is higher when miR-9a is absent, and the level and temporal accumulation of rhomboid protein shows a more dramatic increase in the miR-9a knockout. Specifically, we see accumulation of rhomboid protein in miR-9a mutants by stage 5, much earlier than in WT. The data, therefore, show that miR-9a functions in the regulation of rhomboid mRNA and protein levels. While further work is required to establish whether rhomboid is a direct target of miR-9 in Drosophila, our results further establish the miR-9 family microRNAs as conserved regulators of timing in neurogenic processes. This study shows the power of single-cell quantification as an experimental tool to study phenotypic consequences of microRNA mis-regulation.
Transgenic tools for targeted chromosome rearrangements allow construction of balancer chromosomes in non-melanogaster Drosophila species
Authors: Stern David L
Published: February 2022

Perhaps the most valuable single set of resources for genetic studies of Drosophila melanogaster is the collection of multiply inverted chromosomes commonly known as balancer chromosomes. Balancers prevent the recovery of recombination exchange products within genomic regions included in inversions and allow perpetual maintenance of deleterious alleles in living stocks and the execution of complex genetic crosses. Balancer chromosomes have been generated traditionally by exposing animals to ionizing radiation and screening for altered chromosome structure or for unusual marker segregation patterns. These approaches are tedious and unpredictable, and have failed to produce the desired products in some species. Here, I describe transgenic tools that allow targeted chromosome rearrangements in Drosophila species. The key new resources are engineered reporter genes containing introns with yeast recombination sites and enhancers that drive fluorescent reporter genes in multiple body regions. These tools were used to generate a doubly inverted chromosome 3R in Drosophila simulans that serves as an effective balancer chromosome.
Genome assembly of the Australian black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) reveals a novel fragmented IHHNV EVE sequence
Authors: Huerlimann Roger , Cowley Jeff A , Wade Nicholas M , Wang Yinan , Kasinadhuni Naga , Chan Chon-Kit Kenneth , Jabbari Jafar S , Siemering Kirby , Gordon Lavinia , Tinning Matthew , Montenegro Juan D , Maes Gregory E , Sellars Melony J , Coman Greg J , McWilliam Sean , Zenger Kyall R , Khatkar Mehar S , Raadsma Herman W , Donovan Dallas , Krishna Gopala , Jerry Dean R
Published: February 2022

Shrimp are a valuable aquaculture species globally; however, disease remains a major hindrance to shrimp aquaculture sustainability and growth. Mechanisms mediated by endogenous viral elements have been proposed as a means by which shrimp that encounter a new virus start to accommodate rather than succumb to infection over time. However, evidence on the nature of such endogenous viral elements and how they mediate viral accommodation is limited. More extensive genomic data on Penaeid shrimp from different geographical locations should assist in exposing the diversity of endogenous viral elements. In this context, reported here is a PacBio Sequel-based draft genome assembly of an Australian black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) inbred for 1 generation. The 1.89 Gbp draft genome is comprised of 31,922 scaffolds (N50: 496,398 bp) covering 85.9% of the projected genome size. The genome repeat content (61.8% with 30% representing simple sequence repeats) is almost the highest identified for any species. The functional annotation identified 35,517 gene models, of which 25,809 were protein-coding and 17,158 were annotated using interproscan. Scaffold scanning for specific endogenous viral elements identified an element comprised of a 9,045-bp stretch of repeated, inverted, and jumbled genome fragments of infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus bounded by a repeated 591/590 bp host sequence. As only near complete linear ∼4 kb infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus genomes have been found integrated in the genome of P. monodon previously, its discovery has implications regarding the validity of PCR tests designed to specifically detect such linear endogenous viral element types. The existence of joined inverted infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus genome fragments also provides a means by which hairpin double-stranded RNA could be expressed and processed by the shrimp RNA interference machinery.
The Branch Set of Minimal Disks in Metric Spaces
Authors: Creutz Paul , Romney Matthew
Published: February 2022

We study the structure of the branch set of solutions to Plateau’s problem in metric spaces satisfying a quadratic isoperimetric inequality. In our 1st result, we give examples of spaces with isoperimetric constant arbitrarily close to the Euclidean isoperimetric constant $(4\pi )^{-1}$ for which solutions have large branch set. This complements recent results of Lytchak–Wenger and Stadler stating, respectively, that any space with Euclidean isoperimetric constant is a CAT($0$) space and solutions to Plateau’s problem in a CAT($0$) space have only isolated branch points. We also show that any planar cell-like set can appear as the branch set of a solution to Plateau’s problem. These results answer two questions posed by Lytchak and Wenger. Moreover, we investigate several related questions about energy-minimizing parametrizations of metric disks: when such a map is quasisymmetric, when its branch set is empty, and when it is unique up to a conformal diffeomorphism.
Validation of Stability-Indicating RP-HPLC Method and Determination of Impurities by LC-QTOF-MS for Adenosine in Eye Drops
Authors: Çalışkan Cem , Koyuncu İkbal
Published: February 2022

Background

Presently, there is no validated method for stability-indicating related substances of adenosine used in the treatment of cataracts and found in different combined eye drop products.

Objective

A stability-indicating related substances analytical method for adenosine used in the treatment of cataracts and found in different combined eye drop products should be developed and validated.

Method

A new reverse phase-HPLC method of determination for adenosine-related compounds has been developed and validated according to the International Council for Harmonisation. In this method, all impurities were easily detected for adenosine, which is found in combination with different active ingredients such as nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. The impurities obtained by a stress test were purified and their structures were characterized by mass spectroscopy (LC-QTOF-MS).

Results

The concentration range for linearity was evaluated as 0.06–4.27 µg/mL for adenosine, 0.15–4.27 µg/mL for uridine, 0.15–4.17 µg/mL for inosine, 0.13–4.35 µg/mL for guanosine, and 0.12–4.26 µg/mL for adenine. Good linearity was achieved for each component, and it was determined that the correlation coefficient (r) met the acceptance criterion r ≥ 0.99. The accuracy of the method was good-to-excellent recoveries at each concentration level (from LOQ to 120% of the specification limit) were achieved within the limit range of 80.0–120.0%, and RSD of recoveries was found below 10.0% for both formulations.

Conclusions

With this economical and simple method validated in accordance with the ICH Q2 (R1) guideline, a new method has been created for adenosine, which is suitable for routine analysis.

Highlights

The validated method is a very simple and suitable method for green chemistry without any pre-processing, and the structure of the impurities obtained as a result of stress studies was confirmed by LC-QTOF-MS.
A nineteenth-century entrepreneur and collector
Authors: Legé Alice S
Published: February 2022

Members of the Parisian financial elite, Meyer Joseph Cahen d’Anvers (1804–1881) and his descendants belonged to an Ashkenazi community rooted in Germany and Belgium. In the late nineteenth century, as targets of the anti-Semitic press, the Cahen d’Anvers family experienced the consequences of the Dreyfus Affair and the horrors of the racial laws. In an earlier generation, the family adopted what could be defined as a ‘top-down’ model of integration. This essay focuses on its mechanisms and development, in relation to the construction of the family’s national and cultural identity. After tracing the patriarch’s origins, the text analyses the properties and collections of Cahen d’Anvers and explores their influence upon the subsequent development of the family’s place in society. As a showcase for their public identity, the Château de Nainville (Essonne) and the Petit Hôtel de Villars (Paris) distilled, in their architecture, furnishings and collections, Meyer Joseph’s civil rights and ambitions.
Yogurts Choose Consumers? Estimation of Random-Utility Models via Two-Sided Matching
Authors: Bonnet Odran , Galichon Alfred , Hsieh Yu-Wei , O’Hara Keith , Shum Matt
Published: February 2022

The problem of demand inversion—a crucial step in the estimation of random utility discrete-choice models—is equivalent to the determination of stable outcomes in two-sided matching models. This equivalence applies to random utility models that are not necessarily additive, smooth, nor even invertible. Based on this equivalence, algorithms for the determination of stable matchings provide effective computational methods for estimating these models. For non-invertible models, the identified set of utility vectors is a lattice, and the matching algorithms recover sharp upper and lower bounds on the utilities. Our matching approach facilitates estimation of models that were previously difficult to estimate, such as the pure characteristics model. An empirical application to voting data from the 1999 European Parliament elections illustrates the good performance of our matching-based demand inversion algorithms in practice.
PATIENT AND STAFF DOSES FOR VARIOUS INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY AND CARDIOLOGY EXAMINATIONS IN TURKEY
Authors: Erdem Onur , Ay Musa , Yalcin Asena , Bilgic Sadık , Sanlıdilek Umman , Amasyalı Basri , Sancak Tanzer , Olgar Turan
Published: February 2022

This study aims to determine the radiation doses of patients and staff during different interventional radiology and cardiology examinations. Dose measurements for interventional radiology examinations were performed in Ibn-i Sina Hospital of Ankara University using Siemens Artis-Zee medical imaging system. Patient dose measurement was carried out for interventional cardiology examinations in Cardiology Department of TOBB-ETU University, Medical Faculty Hospital using Philips Allura Centron interventional X-ray system. Patient doses were obtained in terms of kerma area product (KAP) and cumulative air kerma (CAK) from KAP meter attached to the angiography system. Performance tests of the angiography system were performed before patient dose measurements. Staff dose measurements were carried out with thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD-100) placed in certain areas on the staff. Patient dose measurements were performed for 15 different interventional radiology examinations on a total of 431 patients and for four different cardiology examinations on a total of 299 patients. Monte Carlo based PCXMC 2.0 program was used to calculate patient effective doses. Lower extremity arteriography was the most common examination with a mean KAP value of 30 Gy cm2 and mean effective dose value of 1.2 mSv for total number of 194 patients. Mean KAP values calculated for coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention, electrophysiological procedures and radiofrequency cardiac ablation examinations were 62.8, 162.8, 16.7 and 70.6 Gy cm2, respectively. Radiologist, nurse and technician effective dose normalised to the unit KAP of patient dose were 0.15, 0.11 and 0.14 μSv Gy−1 cm−2. Similarly, cardiologist, nurse and technician effective dose normalised to the unit KAP of patient dose were 0.22, 0.15 and 0.09 μSv Gy−1 cm−2. Measured KAP and CAK values vary depending on the type and complexity of the examination. The measured staff doses during cardiac examinations were higher when compared with that measured for interventional radiology as expected.