bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antifungal siderophore conjugates for theranostic applications in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis using low molecular TAFC scaffolds
Authors: Pfister Joachim , Petrik Milos , Bendova Katerina , Matuszczak Barbara , Binder Ulrike , Kühbacher Alexander , Gsaller Fabio , Misslinger Matthias , Haas Hubertus , Decristoforo Clemens
Published: April 2021

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening form of fungal infection, primarily in immunocompromised patients and associated with a significant mortality. Diagnostic procedures are often invasive and/or time consuming and existing antifungals can be constrained by dose limiting toxicity and drug interaction. In this study, we modified triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC), the main siderophore produced by the opportunistic pathogenAspergillus fumigatus, with antifungal molecules to perform antifungal susceptibility tests and molecular imaging.

Methods

A variation of small organic molecules (eflornithine, fludioxonil, thiomersal, fluoroorotic acid (FOA), cyanine 5 (Cy5)) with antifungal activity were coupled to TAFC, resulting in a “Trojan horse” to deliver antifungal compounds specifically intoAspergillus fumigatushyphae by the major facilitator transporter MirB. Radioactive labelling with gallium-68 allowed to performin vitrocharacterization (LogD, stability, uptake assay) as well as biodistribution experiments and PET/CT imaging in an IPA rat infection model. Compounds labelled with stable gallium were used for antifungal susceptibility tests.

Results

[Ga]DAFC-fludioxonil, -FOA and Cy5 revealed a MirB dependent active uptake with fungal growth inhibition at 16 μg/mL after 24 h. Visualization of anAspergillus fumigatusinfection in lungs of a rat was possible with gallium-68 labelled compounds using PET/CT. Heterogeneous biodistribution patterns revealed the immense influence of the antifungal moiety conjugated to DAFC.

Conclusion

Overall, novel antifungal siderophore conjugates with promising fungal growth inhibition and the possibility to perform PET-imaging, combine both therapeutic and diagnostic potential in a theranostic compound for IPA caused byAspergillus fumigatus.
X-ray tomographic reconstruction and segmentation pipeline for the long-wavelength macromolecular crystallography beamline at Diamond Light Source
Authors: Kazantsev Daniil , Duman Ramona , Wagner Armin , Mykhaylyk Vitaliy , Wanelik Kazimir , Basham Mark , Wadeson Nicola
Published: April 2021

In this paper a practical solution for the reconstruction and segmentation of low-contrast X-ray tomographic data of protein crystals from the long-wavelength macromolecular crystallography beamline I23 at Diamond Light Source is provided. The resulting segmented data will provide the path lengths through both diffracting and non-diffracting materials as basis for analytical absorption corrections for X-ray diffraction data taken in the same sample environment ahead of the tomography experiment. X-ray tomography data from protein crystals can be difficult to analyse due to very low or absent contrast between the different materials: the crystal, the sample holder and the surrounding mother liquor. The proposed data processing pipeline consists of two major sequential operations: model-based iterative reconstruction to improve contrast and minimize the influence of noise and artefacts, followed by segmentation. The segmentation aims to partition the reconstructed data into four phases: the crystal, mother liquor, loop and vacuum. In this study three different semi-automated segmentation methods are experimented with by using Gaussian mixture models, geodesic distance thresholding and a novel morphological method, RegionGrow, implemented specifically for the task. The complete reconstruction-segmentation pipeline is integrated into the MPI-based data analysis and reconstruction framework Savu, which is used to reduce computation time through parallelization across a computing cluster and makes the developed methods easily accessible.
Plant neighbours shape fungal assemblages associated with plant roots: A new understanding of niche‐partitioning in plant communities
Authors: Mony Cendrine , Gaudu Valentin , Ricono Claire , Jambon Olivier , Vandenkoornhuyse Philippe
Published: April 2021

Understanding the assembly rules of mycorrhizal fungi is crucial, given their tremendous importance in plant nutrition and health. Differentiation in plant‐associated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is likely driven by a host‐preference effect. Coexisting plant species may then affect a focal plant microbiota through fungal dispersal among plants, and plant preferential recruitment of AMF. Both mechanisms are likely shaped by the plant's phylogenetic and functional strategies.

We expected that (a) the structure of AMF assemblages associated with a focal plant depends on the identity of the neighbouring plant species; (b) this effect would be predicted by the phylogenetic and functional similarity between the focal and neighbouring plant species. These predictions were tested during the first stages of growth, by simulating the early development of plants within a community

Using an experimental matrix‐focal plant species design testing 15 neighbouring plants from five taxonomic families, we demonstrated that the neighbouring plants provided different species pools for the focal plant, Medicago truncatula, and influenced AMF communities associated with focal plant, especially in terms of richness but not relative evenness. Medicago truncatula grown with Brassicaceae or other Poaceae species displayed respectively no or low AMF richness compared to those grown with Rosaceae and Asteraceae species. These effects were weakly dependent on the phylogenetic distance from the neighbouring plant but were predicted by the functional proximity. AMF assemblages were enriched and bore more resemblance to the neighbouring plants when the neighbouring plants were functionally dissimilar from the focal one. Functional dissimilarity was only a significant predictor when based on traits characterizing the nutrient use and uptake strategy rather than on a more integrated growing strategy of the plant.

Microbiota composition was shown to be dependent on the identity of the neighbouring plant, particularly on its functional below‐ground niche. At the colonization stage, when the plant arrives in a community, plant mycobiota might be influenced by the spatial distribution of plants already present in the community. This work suggests a new view of the concept of niche partitioning in space for plants based on microorganism–plant interactions.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
‘Aerobic scope protection’ reduces ectotherm growth under warming
Authors: Jutfelt Fredrik , Norin Tommy , Åsheim Eirik R. , Rowsey Lauren E. , Andreassen Anna H. , Morgan Rachael , Clark Timothy D. , Speers‐Roesch Ben
Published: April 2021

Temperature has a dramatic effect on the physiology of ectothermic animals, impacting most of their biology. When temperatures increase above optimal for an animal, their growth gradually decreases. The main mechanism behind this growth rate reduction is unknown.

Here, we suggest the ‘aerobic scope protection’ hypothesis as a mechanistic explanation for the reduction in growth.

After a meal, metabolic rate, and hence oxygen consumption rate, transiently increase in a process called specific dynamic action (SDA). At warmer temperatures, the SDA response usually becomes temporally compressed, leading to a higher peak oxygen consumption rate. This peak in oxygen consumption rate risks taking up much of the animal's aerobic scope (the difference between resting and maximum rates of oxygen consumption), which would leave little residual aerobic scope for other aerobic functions.

We propose that water‐breathing ectothermic animals will protect their postprandial residual aerobic scope by reducing meal sizes in order to regulate the peak SDA response during times of warming, leading to reductions in growth.

This hypothesis is consistent with the published literature on fishes, and we provide predictions that can be tested.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
The investigation of the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Wright and Ayre Stuttering Self‐Rating Profile (WASSP)
Authors: Uysal Halil Tayyip , Köse Ayşen
Published: April 2021

Background

Self‐assessments for adults who stutter are recommended as a primary evaluation tool for including their views on stuttering. Evaluating adults who stutter with self‐assessment scales is important. However, there is no tool in the Turkish literature that provides this measurement.

Aims

To develop the Turkish version of The Wright and Ayre Stuttering Self‐Rating Profile (WASSP) in order to analyse its validity and reliability, and investigate its applicability for Turkish‐speaking individuals.

Methods & Procedures

The study included 120 adults who stutter (aged 18–54 years). All the participants completed The Wright and Ayre Stuttering Self‐Rating Profile—Turkish version (WASSP‐TR) and the SF‐36 form. The reliability analysis involved the calculation of Cronbach's alphas for test–retest and the Pearson product‐moment correlation coefficient for internal consistency. The validity analysis, in turn, involved a confirmatory factor analysis for construct validity and testing correlations with the SF‐36 for criterion validity.

Outcomes & Results

Internal consistency coefficients of the WASSP‐TR were reported to be high (> 0.70). The correlations between the WASSP‐TR and its subscales showed significant results (0.858–0.966) (p < 0.01). The correlation between the subscales of the WASSP‐TR and the SF‐36 was reported to be consistent (from −0.492 to 0.747). There was a positive correlation between stuttering severity groups and the WASSP‐TR scores (p < 0.01).

Conclusions & Implications

The WASSP‐TR is a valid and reliable scale for Turkish‐speaking adults who stutter.

What this paper adds

What is already known on the subject

Self‐assessment tools are recommended as a primary use when assessing adults who stutter. The WASSP is one of these measurement tools. However, the adaptation, validity and reliability study of the WASSP to Turkish has not been investigated.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge

This study shows that the Turkish version of the WASSP scale is valid and reliable and can be used with adults who stutter. Furthermore, the present adaptation study has been developed in order to evaluate social–emotional aspects of stuttering.

What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?

A tool that includes evaluating the behaviour, cognition, affect and participation areas as well as the stuttering behaviours of adults who stutter was adapted. This tool is expected to be useful for comprehensive evaluation of adults who stutter in clinics, in research and for pre/post‐therapy.
Proteomic response of the marine ammonia‐oxidising archaeon Nitrosopumilus maritimus to iron limitation reveals strategies to compensate for nutrient scarcity
Authors: Shafiee Roxana T. , Snow Joseph T. , Hester Svenja , Zhang Qiong , Rickaby Rosalind E. M.
Published: April 2021

Dissolved iron (Fe) is vanishingly low in the oceans, with ecological success conferred to microorganisms that can restructure their biochemistry to maintain high growth rates during Fe scarcity. Chemolithoautotrophic ammonia‐oxidising archaea (AOA) are highly abundant in the oceans, constituting ~30% of cells below the photic zone. Here we examine the proteomic response of the AOA isolate Nitrosopumilus maritimus to growth‐limiting Fe concentrations. Under Fe limitation, we observed a significant reduction in the intensity of Fe‐dense ferredoxins associated with respiratory complex I whilst complex III and IV proteins with more central roles in the electron transport chain remain unchanged. We concomitantly observed an increase in the intensity of Fe‐free functional alternatives such as flavodoxin and plastocyanin, thioredoxin and alkyl hydroperoxide which are known to mediate electron transport and reactive oxygen species detoxification, respectively. Under Fe limitation, we found a marked increase in the intensity of the ABC phosphonate transport system (Phn), highlighting an intriguing link between Fe and P cycling in N. maritimus. We hypothesise that an elevated uptake of exogenous phosphonates under Fe limitation may either supplement N. maritimus' endogenous methylphosphonate biosynthesis pathway ‐ which requires Fe ‐ or enhance the production of phosphonate‐containing exopolysaccharides known to efficiently bind environmental Fe.
Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation in Minas Frescal cheese packaging
Authors: Carvalho Lucas Guzella , Alvim Mariana Massi Afonso , Fabri Rodrigo Luiz , Apolônio Ana Carolina Morais
Published: April 2021

Despite food safety criteria for some specific foodborne pathogens that exist all over the world, the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in raw milk cheese is high. The biofilm formation capacity of S. aureus ATCC25923 in Minas Frescal cheese packaging at 5 °C was investigated. Surface adhesion and quantification of viable adherent cells, detachment of adherent cells, biofilm viable cell count during long incubation periods and total cell count were investigated. Biofilm formation and detachment of viable cells during storage occurred at all times studied in the presence of whey. Thus, improvements in the hygiene of the packaging process are strongly recommended.
The four models for forecasting the peak period of Dendrolimus punctatus (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampiade) for the second generation egg
Authors: Zhang Nan , Qian Guangjing , Zhang Lin , Song Xueyu , Zou Yunding , Bi Shoudong
Published: April 2021

To improve the accuracy of forecasting the peak period of Dendrolimus punctatus, stationary time series, periodic distance method, stepwise regression model and the Bayes discriminant analysis were used. RSME value, kappa coefficient and accuracy were used as evaluation criteria to predict the peak period for the second generation egg of D. punctatus with over 33 years from 1983 to 2016 in Qianshan County, Anhui Province. The predictions of these models were verified in 2017 and 2018. The prediction of the stationary time model and Bayes discriminant analysis for 2017 was one level lower than the actual result and for 2018 was one level higher than the actual result, while the prediction of the periodic distance method was identical to the actual result for 2017 and greatly different from the actual result for 2018. The accuracy for stationary time series (RMSE = 0.92 kappa = 0.76) and periodic distance method (RMSE = 2.96, kappa = 0.81) from 1983 to 2018 were 87.88% and 85.71%, respectively. When taking into consideration the standard error was based on differential, the accuracy for the prediction of stepwise regression model (RMSE = 0.25, kappa = 1.00) from 1983 to 2018 was 100%. The accuracy of Bayes discriminant method (RMSE = 0.71, kappa = 0.96) was 97.14%. Comparatively speaking, the stepwise regression model and Bayes discriminant analysis method were better than the stationary time series and periodic distance method in RMSE value, kappa coefficient and accuracy. So they were relatively ideal forecast methods.
Comestible and temperature effects on the biological traits of fall armyworms, Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Li Fen , Wang Likui , Lu Rongcai , Peng Zhengqiang , Malhat Farag , Lyu Baoqian , Wu Shaoying
Published: April 2021

Spodoptera frugiperda is considered a serious pest for many crops throughout the world. Here, we develop an easy and quick‐to‐prepare solid medium with multiple benefits, including reductions in cost, post‐rearing waste, storage space, and labor, for rearing S. frugiperda larvae. The body length and weight at each development stage showed no differences with those of the corn leaves treatment group (P > 0.05). The development time of F0 generation from the first to adults stage was 51.27 ± 4.62 days when the larvae were reared on artificial diet, which is slightly longer than the 50.69 ± 4.56 days for those reared on corn leaves diet (P > 0.05). The temperature changes have no effect on body length and weight when the fall armyworms are reared on artificial diet, however, the influence of temperature change on development was more obvious. The development time was significantly longer at 18°C and shorter at 35°C than that at 25°C (P < 0.05). Furthermore, in the age‐specific two‐sex life table method, the life table parameters (i.e., r, λ, R0, GRR) significantly decreased at 18°C and 35°C compared with those at 25°C. The age–stage survival rate of S. frugiperda was higher on artificial diet at 25°C than 18°C, 35°C, and on corn leaves at 25°C in all stages. The 35°C temperature change had more influence on the age–stage survival than the other temperatures. This study provided ideal indoor breeding conditions for fall armyworm and sufficient materials for further indoor and outdoor research.
Quantifying the relative importance of direct and indirect effects influencing bird nestling growth
Authors: SEGURA Luciano N. , PALACIO Facundo X.
Published: April 2021

Nestling growth parameters are integral components of avian life‐history strategies as they are crucial determinants of individual survival. Although many factors impact on nestling growth, the relative contribution of each one is still debated in the literature. Most studies rely on the assumption that each factor directly affects nestling growth, but indirect effects mediated by other factors are usually the rule in nature. In this study, we present a comprehensive view of both direct and indirect factors affecting nestling growth using the Red‐crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata) as model system. We evaluated the relative importance of different habitat (forest structure), biotic interactions (botfly larvae ectoparasitism, number of siblings, hatching order), and temporal factors (time of breeding) on nestling growth parameters in 278 nestlings of 128 nests by using piecewise structural equation models. We found that botfly ectoparasitism had the strongest direct effect on nestling growth and, in turn, forest structure increased the probability of botfly occurrence. Besides, the interaction between the number of siblings and hatching order influenced nestling growth, indicating that the first and second nestlings had disproportionately higher growth rates in large than in small clutches. Time of breeding also showed a strong positive indirect effect on botfly occurrence, as well as a weak direct positive effect on nestling growth. Our results demonstrate that, under natural conditions, nestling growth is driven by different factors acting not only directly, but also indirectly on this essential life history trait, and that these factors weave a complex web of interrelated variables.
Vocal performance reflects individual quality in male Great Himalayan leaf‐nosed bats (Hipposideros armiger)
Authors: SUN Congnan , ZHANG Chunmian , LUCAS Jeffrey R. , GU Hao , FENG Jiang , JIANG Tinglei
Published: April 2021

Signals containing parameter trade‐offs are likely to be honest indicators of signaler quality because they are difficult to produce. Signals with a trill‐rate/bandwidth trade‐off have been described for many songbird species, one mouse, and one non‐human primate species. However, there were no reports about whether there is a vocal performance trade‐off in social calls of bats. This study investigated (1) a possible vocal performance trade‐off in territorial calls of male Great Himalayan leaf‐nosed bats,Hipposideros armiger, recorded from 9 locations in south China, and (2) the relationships between vocal performance (vocal deviation and consistency) and caller's quality (body mass) to determine whether vocal performance honestly indicates a caller's quality. Vocal deviation measures the deviation of a call relative to an extreme call and vocal consistency measures the spectral consistency across a string of syllables. Our results showed a significant negative correlation between syllable repetition rate and frequency bandwidth, suggesting a vocal performance trade‐off similar to the one in songbirds. Further, there was a significant negative relationship between body mass and vocal deviation, but no significant correlation between body mass and vocal consistency. This study provides the first empirical evidence for a vocal performance trade‐off of social calls in bats, and the potential for the level of performance to indicate caller quality.
Most emergency department patients meeting sepsis criteria are not diagnosed with sepsis at discharge
Authors: Litell John M. , Guirgis Faheem , Driver Brian , Jones Alan E. , Puskarich Michael A.
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Effective sepsis resuscitation depends on useful criteria for prompt identification of eligible patients. These criteria should reliably predict a discharge diagnosis of sepsis, ensuring that interventions are triggered for those who need it while avoiding potentially harmful interventions in those who do not. We sought to determine the proportion of patients meeting sepsis criteria in the emergency department (ED) that was ultimately diagnosed with sepsis and to quantify the subset of nonseptic patients with risk factors for harm from fluid resuscitation.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study of adult ED patients at a tertiary academic medical center included vital signs and laboratory results from the first 6 hours, plus administration of intravenous antibiotics, to determine if patients met 2016 Sepsis‐3 consensus criteria. If these patients also had hypotension and lactic acidosis, we categorized them as Sepsis‐3 plus shock. We used discharge ICD‐9 codes to determine if patients were ultimately diagnosed with sepsis.

Results

Over 8 years, 3,121 ED patients met 2016 Sepsis‐3 criteria in the first 6 hours. Of these, only 25% and 48% met explicit and implicit criteria for a discharge diagnosis of sepsis. Of 1,032 patients with Sepsis‐3 plus shock, 48% and 62% met explicit and implicit criteria. Overall, 60% to 75% of ED patients meeting Sepsis‐3 criteria with or without shock did not receive a sepsis discharge diagnosis. At least one plausible risk factor for harm from large‐volume fluid resuscitation was identified among 19% to 36% of patients meeting sepsis criteria in the ED but not ultimately diagnosed with sepsis at discharge.

Conclusions

Most patients meeting sepsis criteria in the ED were not diagnosed with sepsis at discharge. Urgent treatment bundles triggered by consensus criteria in the early phase of ED care may be administered to several patients without sepsis, potentially exposing some to interventions of uncertain benefit and possible harm.
Interventions for frail older inpatients: A systematic review of frailty measures and reported outcomes in randomised controlled trials
Authors: King Shannon J. , Raine Kate A. , Peel Nancye M. , Hubbard Ruth E.
Published: April 2021

Objective

To summarise frailty measures and outcomes reported in trials involving frail older inpatients.

Methods

Databases were searched for randomised controlled trials enrolling frail older inpatients.

Results

Twenty‐four articles describing twelve trials were included. Seven trials applied six tools to measure frailty, whilst five trials employed ad hoc measures. Eighty outcomes were examined with survival and functional status reported most commonly. Nine studies trialled multidisciplinary, geriatrician‐led interventions. Statistically significant between‐group differences were detected for at least one outcome in ten trials. All studies represented high risk of bias within at least one domain.

Conclusions

Heterogeneity of interventions, measurement of frailty and outcomes reported limit generalisability of findings. Many articles purport to study frail patients, yet do not enrol patients using any frailty measurement tool. Utilising validated instruments to measure frailty and a standard set of health outcomes relevant to older people would assist consistent reporting and evaluation of future studies.
Smartphone‐controlled patch electro‐acupuncture versus conventional pain relief during colonoscopy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Joan Gan Cheau Yan , Chan Koon Khee , Tan Jih Huei , Tan Chor Lip Henry , Louis Ling Leong Liung , Mohd Azman Zairul Azwan
Published: April 2021

Background

Smartphone‐controlled patch electro‐acupuncture (SCEA) is a novel device which gives the same analgesic effect as with conventional acupuncture. There are no published articles in the English literature on the use of this device as a primary mode of pain relief during colonoscopy. Primary aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy of SCEA as a substitute for pain relief during colonoscopy.

Methods

Thirty‐seven patients were randomized to receive SCEA (n = 19) or placebo (n = 18) during colonoscopy. Additional rescue sedation was administered to patients if they had pain or discomfort during the procedure. Visual analogue scale was used to quantify the intensity of pain from the beginning to end of the procedure. Other variables analysed were the amount of sedation used, duration from start to caecal intubation, length of time for completion of colonoscopy and recovery time to home discharge.

Results

Patients who received SCEA had a lower median pain score of 4.6 (interquartile range 5.7) compared to the placebo group of 6.0 (interquartile range 3.2). Statistical analysis comparing the groups revealed a non‐significant P‐value of 0.12, although more than 90% of the patients indicated willingness for SCEA as the primary analgesia if they were to repeat the procedure. Throughout the study, there were no adverse complications that occurred during the use of SCEA.

Conclusions

Even though this study did not demonstrate, a significance in pain reduction, SCEA remains a safe modality which, more than 90% of patients favoured as a substitute for pain relief during colonoscopy.
Left ventricular assist device implantation in patients with left ventricular thrombus
Authors: Dogan Günes , Mariani Silvia , Hanke Jasmin S. , Deniz Ezin , Merzah Ali , Li Tong , Haverich Axel , Schmitto Jan D.
Published: April 2021

An intra‐cavitary left ventricular (LV) thrombus is a relative contraindication to LV assist device (LVAD) implantation based on increased thromboembolic risks. Herein, we present our experience with LVAD patients with or without preoperative diagnosis of LV‐thrombus. We retrospectively investigated 563 patients who received LVAD implantation between 2004 and 2018. Diagnosis of LV‐thrombus was verified with computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography, or intraoperative LV inspection. The primary endpoint was 30‐day survival free of stroke and pump thrombosis. Overall, 72 patients (12.8%) had a diagnosis of LV‐thrombus. They were younger (51 years; IQR:41‐59), affected by severely reduced ejection fraction (15%; IQR:10‐20), more often presenting with dilated cardiomyopathy (61.8%) and INTERMACS profile 1 (33.3%). Preoperative atrial fibrillation was frequent in patients without LV‐thrombus (38.9%). Conventional sternotomy was the preferred approach in LV‐thrombus patients (77.8%), based on more HMII implantations in these patients (41.7%). Survival free of strokes and pump thrombosis at 30 days was comparable (P = .5751) between patients with (83.3%) or without LV‐thrombus (80.9%). LVAD implantation in patients with preoperative LV‐thrombus is safe and feasible. When managed through correct diagnostic and intraoperative strategies including accurate inspection of the LV cavity, these patients show similar 30‐day outcomes compared to patients without LV‐thrombus.
Language delay was associated with a smaller head circumference at birth in asymptomatic infants prenatally exposed to the Zika virus
Authors: Andrade Laura Medeiros , Baker Meio Maria Dalva , Gomes Saint Clair , Souza Juliana Paiva , Figueiredo Mirza R. , Costa Roozemeria Pereira , Brasil Patricia , Nielsen‐Saines Karin , Brickley Elizabeth , Moreira Maria Elisabeth Lopes
Published: April 2021

Aim

Our aim was to analyse 12‐month outcomes of children who were prenatally exposed to the Zika virus and asymptomatic at birth.

Methods

This was an observational, exploratory study of infants exposed to the Zika virus during gestation and born between March 2016 and April 2017 without congenital Zika syndrome. They were followed until the age of 22 months. The outcome measure was neurodevelopment at 12 months of life, which was evaluated with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third edition (Bayley‐III). The scores were adjusted for maternal education and prematurity.

Results

A total of 96 infants were included in the study and 35.4% scored below the normal range in at least one Bayley‐III domain. The majority (91.2%) of the infants with delayed scores presented with language delay, which was not associated with the gestational age at exposure. Receptive language was more affected by exposure than expressive language (27.0% vs 19.8%). There was a direct, and significant, association between the head circumference Z‐score at birth and language delay.

Conclusion

Language delay was associated with a smaller head circumference at birth in infants prenatally exposed to the Zika virus and born asymptomatic. This may indicate future learning difficulties.
Optimization of sampling designs for pedigrees and association studies
Authors: David Olivier , Le Rouzic Arnaud , Dillmann Christine
Published: April 2021

In many studies, related individuals are phenotyped in order to infer how their genotype contributes to their phenotype, through the estimation of parameters such as breeding values or locus effects. When it is not possible to phenotype all the individuals, it is important to properly sample the population to improve the precision of the statistical analysis. This article studies how to optimize such sampling designs for pedigrees and association studies. Two sampling methods are developed, stratified sampling andDoptimality. It is found that it is important to take account of mutation when sampling pedigrees with many generations: as the size of mutation effects increases, optimized designs sample more individuals in late generations. Optimized designs for association studies tend to improve the joint estimation of breeding values and locus effects, all the more as sample size is low and the genetic architecture of the trait is simple. When the trait is determined by few loci, they are reminiscent of classical experimental designs for regression models and tend to select homozygous individuals. When the trait is determined by many loci, locus effects may be difficult to estimate, even if an optimized design is used.
Development and validation of a new short form of the self‐management ability questionnaire for patients with chronic periodontitis
Authors: Li Mengying , He Songlin , Wang Jinhua
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To establish and validate a short form of the self‐management ability questionnaire (SMAQ) for chronic periodontitis patients.

Methods

A total of 480 chronic periodontitis patients were recruited and divided randomly in into two groups: development group and validation group. The item reduction process of the SMAQ was based on item response theory (IRT) and classical test theory (CTT). The resulting short form of the SMAQ was then validated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), convergent validity, internal consistency and test‐retest reliability.

Results

The item reduction process produced a 12‐item short‐form SMAQ (SMAQ‐12). EFA results on the twelve items extracted three factors consistent with the original SMAQ and CFA results demonstrated acceptable goodness‐of‐fit indices of this three‐factor structure. Moreover, the SMAQ‐12 scores had high correlations with the original measure (rs ≥0.904), good internal consistency and test‐retest reliability.

Conclusions

The SMAQ‐12 is an easy‐to‐use, reliable and valid measure for assessing self‐management ability in patients with chronic periodontitis.
“Homes with Value”: Mortgage Finance and the Reconfiguration of Home Value in Urban Mexico
Authors: Hartman Georgia
Published: April 2021

Mexico is in the midst of a major urban transformation. State‐subsidized mortgage credit has facilitated the emergence of an affordable housing market and transformed the urban periphery into vast tracts of tiny concrete “social interest” housing developments. Easily available credit has allowed millions of Mexican workers to pursue the cultural and moral imperative to possess “patrimonio” by becoming homeowners. Patrimonio can be understood as a kind of inalienable possession tied to gendered notions of the family, inheritance, and economic security. Yet ballooning mortgage debts associated with these homes inverts the promise of patrimonio, turning the home into a source of economic instability and insecurity. I argue that this paradoxical situation derives from the convergence of different logics for understanding a home’s value—as patrimonio, as social good, and as financialized commodity. The mortgage contract reconfigures the patrimonial desires of homeowners into a vehicle for marco‐economic growth and a source of private profits. Drawing on twenty‐two months of ethnographic field research in Mexico City and Cancún, I highlight frictions in the meanings of home as a cultural imperative, social good, and financial commodity that arise in the context of its mobilization as marketized commodity in contemporary urban Mexico.
Against Teleological Essentialism
Authors: Neufeld Eleonore
Published: April 2021

In two recent papers, Rose and Nichols present evidence in favor of the view that humans represent category essences in terms of a telos, such as honey‐making, and not in terms of scientific essences, such as bee DNA. Here, I challenge their interpretation of the evidence and show that it is directly predicted by the main theory they seek to undermine. I argue that their results can be explained as instances of diagnostic reasoning about scientific essences.
Limits to the exaggeration and diversification of a male sexual trait in the false blister beetle Oedemera sexualis
Authors: Satomi Daisuke , Ogasa Wataru , Takashima Hiroshi , Fujimoto Syota , Koshio Chiharu , Kudo Shin‐ichi , Takami Yasuoki , Tatsuta Haruki
Published: April 2021

Differentiation in sexual traits among populations is one of the major predictions of theories of sexual selection and sexual conflict. A balance between maximizing reproductive benefits and minimizing survival costs could explain variation in sexual traits within and between populations. The false blister beetle Oedemera sexualis (Coleoptera: Oedemeridae) has exaggerated sexual traits, that is, sexually dimorphic hindlegs. In this study, we characterized scaling relationships in populations of O. sexualis to evaluate the determinants of sexual trait variation in the species. We quantified sexual dimorphism in body size and hindleg sizes in three representative populations based on distance measurements and an elliptical Fourier analysis. We found significant variation in the degree of sexual dimorphism for body and hindleg sizes among populations. In particular, differentiation in the male hind femur shape, especially the femur width, was conspicuous. Scaling relationships between male hind femur width and body size were best described by logistic models, showing that increases in male hind femur width were constrained for large individuals in all three populations. The degree of constrained growth of the hind femur width differed among populations in accordance with the population means, while the basal growth rates did not. Populations with smaller mean values for sexual traits showed more limited sexual trait exaggeration, contrary to the predictions based on resource competition among body parts. The latitudinal cline in femur widths suggests that environmental constraints on exaggeration might be responsible for sexual trait diversification in O. sexualis.
Parents’ Beliefs, Depressive Symptoms, and Emotion Regulation Uniquely Relate to Parental Responses to Adolescent Positive Affect
Authors: Nyquist Alex C. , Luebbe Aaron M.
Published: April 2021

Parents’ socialization of positive affect is relevant during adolescence, given that parents play a key role in the development of youth emotional competency. The current study hypothesized that parent characteristics (emotion regulation, belief that positive emotions are costly, and depressive symptoms) would be uniquely related to both dampening and enhancing responses to youth positive affect. Parents (n = 373) of adolescents (youth ages 10–17 years) were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk. Parents reported on their own regulation of both positive and negative emotions, depressive symptoms, beliefs about youth emotions, and responses to adolescent expressions of positive affect. The final structural regression model partially supported the hypothesis with respect to parental dampening responses. Depressive symptoms, over‐controlled emotion regulation, and beliefs about positive emotions each uniquely related to dampening. Only the coping emotion regulation strategies factor was uniquely associated with parents’ enhancing responses. These findings support existing theories of parental emotion socialization, though the final model in this sample provides more insight into parental dampening than parental enhancing responses to positive affect. The finding that emotion regulation strategies (over‐controlled and coping) were differentially related to parental responses to youth positive affect suggests a connection between parents’ regulation of their own emotions and responses to their offspring’s emotion expressions.
Risk factors of SARS‐CoV‐2 seroprevalence among hospital employees in Italy: a single‐centre study
Authors: Daperno Marco , Guiotto Cristina , Casonato Ines , Pagana Guido , Micalizzi Sergio , Azzolina Maria C. R. , Norbiato Claudio , Cosseddu Domenico , Rocca Rodolfo ,   the COVID‐Serology in HCP Group
Published: April 2021

Background

The SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreak early in 2020 overwhelmed the Italian national health system, and hospitals were considered places at high risk of spreading the infection. We explored specific antibody seroprevalence of all employees at a single hospital in the epicentre of the outbreak, to identify areas of risk in nosocomial setting and to evaluate the usefulness of antibody testing.

Aims

Aim of this study was to explore SARS‐CoV‐2 seroprevalence in a single hospital workers cohort.

Methods

All hospital workers were invited to fill in a questionnaire and undergo a blood test for SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG, using two commercial tests (DiaSorin and Abbott). Seropositivity was determined overall and according to demographic and occupations characteristics, for both tests singly and combined.

Results

The study enrolled 1562 hospital workers (95% of the eligible population). Overall, 153 (9.8%) participants were positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG on DiaSorin test, and 150 (9.6%) were positive on Abbott test; both tests were positive in 123 (7.9%) cases and at least one was positive in 180 (11.5%) cases. Factors associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 seropositivity included: being a smoker, working in emergency or medicine departments, being a healthcare practitioner, self‐reporting a relative with COVID‐19 or symptoms suggestive of COVID‐19, and having undergone a nasopharyngeal swab test. The tests were accurate in discriminating infected cases, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.867 using manufacturer‐suggested cut‐offs and 0.929 using optimised cut‐offs. For discriminating symptomatic subjects, this value was 0.915 using optimised cut‐offs.

Conclusions

Seroprevalence for SARS‐CoV‐2 in this population of hospital workers was overall about 10%, with an excess prevalence in roles and departments associated with contacts with COVID‐19 patients.
Predicting the dissolution rate of borosilicate glasses using QSPR analysis based on molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Du Jincheng , Lu Xiaonan , Gin Stéphane , Delaye Jean‐Marc , Deng Lu , Taron Melanie , Bisbrouck Nicolas , Bauchy Mathieu , Vienna John D.
Published: April 2021

Quantitative Structure Property Relationship (QSPR) analysis based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations is a promising approach for establishing the composition‐property relationships of glasses and other materials with complex structures. A series of 20 borosilicate, aluminosilicate, and boroaluminosilicate glasses have been modeled using MD simulations with recently developed effective potentials. Short‐ and medium‐range structures of these glasses were analyzed and, based on the structural information, QSPR analysis of the initial dissolution rates (r0) of these glasses that were measured at 90°C and pH 9 by using various structural descriptors such as percentage of bridging oxygen species, network connectivity, and average ring size. The structural descriptor, Fnet, which contains both energetic information such as single bond strength and structural information such as cation coordination number and Qn distribution, was also used. It was found that while the overall network connectivity, average ring size and Fnet provide reasonable correlations with r0 of studied glasses, Fnet gives the best correlation among the descriptors. For glasses that show incongruent dissolution, it was found that modification of glass compositions to account for preferential release of modifier cations is necessary to achieve best correlations. The findings were discussed with results of recent studies on evaluating the compositional dependence of glass dissolution behavior using the topological‐constraints‐based models.
Systematic review of factors associated with hope in family carers of persons living with chronic illness
Authors: Duggleby Wendy , Lee HeunJung , Nekolaichuk Cheryl , Fitzpatrick‐Lewis Donna
Published: April 2021

Aims

To identify factors associated with hope in family carers of persons living with chronic illness.

Design

A systematic review of quantitative and mixed method studies on hope in carers of persons living with chronic illness.

Data Sources

Five electronic databases (Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations and PsycINFO) were searched from inception to 13 July 2020.

Review Methods

Inclusion criteria were the following: (a) study population of adult (18 years of age and older) carers of persons living with chronic illness, (b) hope was measured as a variable, (c) reported factors associated with hope, (d) employed either quantitative or mixed methods design, (e) written in English and (f) was published in peer reviewed journals. All included studies were evaluated for quality using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool.

Results

Twenty‐six studies were included in the systematic review. Quality of life, physical and mental health, life satisfaction and the hope of care recipients were found to be positively associated with hope. Carer's coping increased (self‐efficacy and caregiver preparedness) as hope increased with a decrease in maladaptive coping strategies. Anxiety, depression, distress, grief and guilt were negatively associated with carers’ hope. Carers’ hope did not appear to be associated with carer or care–recipient demographic variables.

Conclusion

Carers’ hope appears to be associated with the carers’ over all positive health. The factors associated with carers’ hope provide potential areas to focus intervention development such as strategies that increase self‐efficacy. More research is needed to clarify if factors such as stage of disease and resilience are associated with hope. Research on carers’ hope assessment and intervention development should also focus on factors associated with hope.

Impact

The findings underscore the need to assess and work with carers of persons living with chronic illness to enhance their hope.
Development of a portable electronic nose for in‐situ detection of submerged fermentation of Tremella aurantialba
Authors: Dai Chunxia , Huang Xingyi , Sun Jun , Tian Xiaoyu , Aheto Joshua H. , Niu Shuai
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to develop a portable electronic nose (e‐nose) system for the rapid and convenient detection of saponin in submerged fermentation of Tremella aurantialba (T. aurantialba) in situ. The system was built using hardware and software systems. The hardware system consisted of a gas path module and a circuit module, and the software framework provided a friendly human–computer interface and multivariate computational tools. Subsequently, the e‐nose system was used to detect off‐gas in fermentation tanks every 12 hr in situ. Saponin content was simultaneously determined by the traditional measurement method. On the basis of odor data from the e‐nose, partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to establish a quantitative model for the prediction of saponin content. For the PLSR model, the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) was 0.2247 and the correlation coefficients of prediction (Rp) were 96.76% in the prediction set. These results showed that the feasibility of the device designed to detect the fermentation degree of the process and proved to be a valuable tool for real‐time and in‐situ detection of the fermentation process of T. aurantialba.
Current use of botulinum neurotoxin in esthetic practice—Clinical guide and review
Authors: Friedman Or , Singolda Roei , Mehrabi Joseph N. , Artzi Ofir , Boggio Ricardo Frotta , Bento Adriano Mesquita
Published: April 2021

Background

Botulinum neurotoxin is one of the most versatile and widely used medical products in the world.

Aims

The review's focus is the plastic and dermatologic uses of botulinum neurotoxin currently supported by published data.

Methods

Relevant clinical articles regarding botulinum neurotoxin use in plastic surgery, dermatology, and general esthetic literature were searched and reviewed.

Results

The search yielded 258 studies. Two hundred articles were excluded following title and abstract review. Twenty‐one studies were excluded following full‐text screening. A total of 37 studies remained and were discussed in this review.

Conclusions

Botulinum neurotoxin is widely used for numerous off‐label indications from head to toe. Some uses are well documented, and their safety has been demonstrated in controlled trials, yet most remain poorly researched.