bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cyclophosphamide‐induced posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: A case report
Authors: Shrestha Gentle S. , Nepal Gaurav , Basnet Babin , Bhandari Sandip , Poudyal Bishesh S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPosterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an acute neurological disorder of vascular origin characterized by headache, seizures, encephalopathy, visual disturbances, and focal neurological deficits. Characteristic clinical findings along with T2 or fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the bilateral parieto‐occipital region help confirm the diagnosis. In addition to common risk factors such as eclampsia, preeclampsia, renal failure, sepsis, and autoimmune diseases, PRES has also been reported in patients receiving chemotherapeutic drugs. We report a case of a 65‐year‐old woman with multiple myeloma who developed PRES following the administration of cyclophosphamide. Although our patients had multiple risk factors for PRES, such as renal insufficiency, bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and steroids, a comprehensive clinical evaluation pointed toward cyclophosphamide as the cause of PRES. Active treatment to lower blood pressure, the use of antiepileptic drugs, and the withdrawal of cyclophosphamide led to rapid and complete recovery with no residual neurological dysfunction.
Development of a parent experience measure for paediatric critical care transport teams
Authors: Evans Ruth E. C. , Barber Victoria , Seaton Sarah , Draper Elizabeth S. , Rajah Fatemah , Pagel Christina , Polke Eithne , Ramnarayan Padmanabhan , Wray Jo ,   the DEPICT Study Investigators
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundA third of children admitted to paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in the United Kingdom (UK) are transported by paediatric critical care transport services (PCCTs). Parents have described the transfer journey as particularly stressful. Critical care nurses have a key role in mitigating the impact of the journey on parents. Evaluating parents' experiences is important to inform service improvements.Aim and objectivesOur aim was to describe the development of a new measure of parents' experiences of PCCTs, derived from data collected in the Differences in access to Emergency Paediatric Intensive Care and care during Transport (DEPICT) study.DesignA descriptive cross‐sectional survey was used.MethodsAs part of the DEPICT study, a 17‐item transport experience questionnaire was developed and given to parents of children transported by PCCTs to 24 UK PICUs during a 12‐month period. Analyses included exploratory factor analysis and a validation review by a PCCT stakeholder group.ResultsFamilies of 1722 children (1798 journeys) completed questionnaires. Five items were excluded from further analysis as correlation coefficients were <0.3. Two factors explained 53% of the variance and all 12 items loaded on one of these factors. Factor 1 (8 items) explained 47% of the variance, had excellent internal reliability and the clustered items were conceptually coherent with a specific relevance to PCCTs; these were offered for consideration, with other items possibly discarded. Twenty‐eight PCCT clinicians reviewed the questions. Using a 70% agreement threshold, one additional, previously discarded, item was identified for inclusion, resulting in a nine‐item experience measure.ConclusionOur brief measure of parents' experience of critical care transport provides a standardized measure that can be used across all PCCTs, enabling national benchmarking of services and potentially increasing the collection and use of parent experience data to improve services.Relevance to clinical practiceBeing able to measure experience provides an opportunity to understand how to make services better to improve experience.
Light, nitrogen supply, and neighboring plants dictate costs and benefits of nitrogen fixation for seedlings of a tropical nitrogen‐fixing tree
Authors: Taylor Benton N. , Menge Duncan N. L. 
Published: May 2021

Summary

The ability to fix nitrogen may confer a competitive advantage or disadvantage to symbiotic nitrogen‐fixing plants depending on the availability of soil nitrogen and energy to fuel fixation. Understanding these costs and benefits of nitrogen fixation is critical to predicting ecosystem dynamics and nutrient cycling.

We grew inoculated (with symbiotic bacteria) and uninoculated seedlings of Pentaclethra macroloba (a nitrogen‐fixing tree species) both in isolation and with Virola koschnyi (a nonfixing species) under gradients of light and soil nitrogen to assess how the ability to fix nitrogen and fixation activity affect growth, biomass allocation, and responses to neighboring plants.

Inoculation itself did not provide a growth advantage to nitrogen fixers, regardless of nitrogen limitation status. Higher nitrogen fixation rates increased biomass growth similarly for nitrogen‐limited and nitrogen‐saturated fixers. Nodule production was offset by reduced fine‐root biomass for inoculated nitrogen fixers, resulting in no change in total belowground allocation associated with nitrogen fixation. Under nitrogen‐limited conditions, inoculated nitrogen fixers partially downregulated fixation in the presence of a nonfixing neighbor.

These results suggest that nitrogen fixation can provide a growth advantage, even under nitrogen‐saturated conditions, and that nitrogen fixers may reduce fixation rates to minimize facilitation of neighbors.
Evaluating physical environments for older people—Validation of the Swedish version of the Sheffield Care Environment Assessment Matrix for use in Finnish long‐term care
Authors: Wahlroos Niina , Stolt Minna , Nordin Susanna , Suhonen Riitta 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimTo validate a Finnish version of the Sheffield Care Environment Assessment Matrix (S‐SCEAM) instrument for assessing the physical environment of long‐term care settings and to describe the current status of the environmental quality of long‐term care settings for older people in Finland.BackgroundThe importance of providing a well‐designed physical environment for older people is supported by the research literature. There is limited research of the physical environments of long‐term care settings from the perspective of nursing science and nor is there much research into the instruments for assessing them.DesignA descriptive, correlational and observational study.MethodsForward and back translation process was used followed by structured observations with S‐SCEAM‐Fin in 20 long‐term care units in intensive residential care facilities for older people with 24‐h nursing assistance and with extensive support for daily activities. Spearman's rho correlation, Cohen's kappa, percentage of agreement and Kuder–Richardson formula coefficients were calculated to assess psychometric properties of the translated S‐SCEAM‐Fin. S‐SCEAM‐Fin standardised scores were calculated to describe the current status of the environmental quality.ResultsInter‐scale (domain) correlations showed low to moderate correlations between the domains. Consistency was acceptable in four of the domains. Cohen's kappa values indicated good (0.796 and 0.648) intra‐rater and inter‐rater (0.910 and 0.553) reliability. The overall mean of the standardised scores was 57.00, but there was variation between domains. Small units received the highest scores in the six domains.ConclusionsS‐SCEAM‐Fin was useful in assessing environmental quality. Assessment of the environmental quality disclosed deficiencies in ensuring settings adequate for older people.Implications for practiceThe increasing numbers of older people with health conditions are residing in long‐term care settings. It is essential to create supportive physical environments. The instrument can be useful when planning new facilities or proposing new recommendations for institutional living environments.
Development of a multiplex amplicon‐sequencing assay to detect low‐frequency mutations in poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) breeding programmes
Authors: Vilperte Vinicius , Boehm Robert , Debener Thomas 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPoinsettia is an economically important ornamental potted plant in which certain bract colour variants are often obtained by mutation breeding. Previously, in poinsettia, we identified Bract1, a GST gene involved in the sequestration and transport of anthocyanins to the vacuole. This gene carries a short, highly mutable 4‐bp repeat in its coding region. Loss of one repeat unit leads to a loss of function for Bract1, and in homozygous mutants, anthocyanin‐based coloration is absent, resulting in white or cream‐coloured bracts. Although mutation induction through ionizing radiation leads to a high frequency of mutations in Bract1, mutants are difficult to obtain from homozygous red genotypes. In this study, we used Bract1‐specific amplicon sequencing as a tool to identify mutations in pools of tissues, which enabled the detection of mutations in dilutions of up to one mutant in 50 nonmutated samples. This approach enabled efficient screening of recalcitrant homozygous genotypes for mutated alleles and the reduction of the mutation load in the application of ionizing radiation in mutation breeding programmes.
Dung beetle resistance to desiccation varies within and among populations
Authors: Nervo Beatrice , Roggero Angela , Chamberlain Dan , Rolando Antonio , Palestrini Claudia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe study of desiccation resistance and its underlying traits is key to understanding species responses to changes in water availability, especially in the context of predicted increases in the frequency and severity of droughts due to climate change. We performed laboratory experiments using dung beetles, important ecosystem service providers, to investigate variations in physiological traits within species, both at population and individual levels. Desiccation resistance, water loss tolerance and water content were measured in lowland and mountain populations to investigate whether physiological traits vary (i) according to elevation across four species, and (ii) according to sex or male morphology (minor and major morphs) in two species, and if these responses were consistent across species. Our results showed that desiccation resistance of dung beetles varies both at individual and population levels. We found that desiccation resistance varied between lowland and mountain populations, but no differences were found for other traits such as water loss tolerance. Moreover, differences in individual physiological responses between females, major and minor males suggest that females were more resistant to desiccation than minors and majors, but these responses were species‐dependent. Our analysis at two hierarchical levels, individual and population, emphasizes the importance of considering within‐species variability in predictions of how species may respond to future climatic conditions. Predictions of the responses of species to environmental change may produce different conclusions if they rely on observations from single populations or take into account only a limited range of phenotypes per population.
Immunological role of keratinocytes in leishmaniasis
Authors: Jafarzadeh Abdollah , Nair Arathi , Jafarzadeh Sara , Nemati Maryam , Sharifi Iraj , Saha Bhaskar 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFollowing inoculation of Leishmania, a protozoan parasite, into the skin of a mammal, the epidermal keratinocytes recognize the parasite and influence the local immune response that can give rise to different outcomes of leishmaniasis. The early keratinocyte‐derived cytokines and keratinocytes‐T cells interactions shape the anti‐leishmanial immune responses that contribute to the resistance or susceptibility to leishmaniasis. The keratinocyte‐derived cytokines can directly potentiate the leishmanicidal activity of monocytes and macrophages. As keratinocytes express MHC‐II and enhance the expression of costimulatory molecules, these cells act as antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Depending on the epidermal microenvironment, the keratinocytes induce various types of effector CD4+ T cells. Keratinocyte apoptosis and necrosis have been also implicated in ulceration in CL. Further, keratinocytes contribute to the healing of Leishmania‐related cutaneous wounds. However, keratinocyte‐derived IL‐10 may play a key role in the development of post‐kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). In this review, a comprehensive discussion regarding the multiple roles played by keratinocytes during leishmaniasis was provided, while highlighting novel insights concerning the immunological and pathological roles of these cells.
Sources of resistance to Pseudocercospora fijiensis, the cause of black Sigatoka in banana
Authors: Kimunye Janet , Were Evans , Swennen Rony , Viljoen Altus , Mahuku George 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBlack Sigatoka, caused by Pseudocercospora fijiensis, is one of the most devastating diseases of banana. In commercial banana‐growing systems, black Sigatoka is primarily managed by fungicides. This mode of disease management is not feasible for resource‐limited smallholder farmers. Therefore, bananas resistant to P. fijiensis provide a practical solution for managing the disease, especially under smallholder farming systems. Most banana and plantain hybrids with resistance to P. fijiensis were developed using few sources of resistance, which include Calcutta 4 and Pisang Lilin. To broaden the pool of resistance sources to P. fijiensis, 95 banana accessions were evaluated under field conditions in Sendusu, Uganda. Eleven accessions were resistant to P. fijiensis. Black Sigatoka symptoms did not progress past Stage 2 (narrow brown streaks) in the diploid accessions Pahang (AA), Pisang KRA (AA), Malaccensis 0074 (AA), Long Tavoy (AA), M.A. Truncata (AA), Tani (BB), and Balbisiana (BB), a response similar to the resistant control Calcutta 4. These accessions are potential sources of P. fijiensis resistance and banana breeding programmes can use them to broaden the genetic base for resistance to P. fijiensis.
Human ecological analysis of farmers’ pro‐environmental behaviour in the face of drought: Application of Norm Activation Theory
Authors: Hallaj Zeynab , Sadighi Hassan , Farhadian Homayoun , Bijani Masoud 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis study aims to investigate farmers’ pro‐environmental behaviour (FPB) under drought conditions. The epistemological perspective of the study was centred on human ecology and Norm Activation Theory (NAT). The study was designed as descriptive‐correlational research of causal relationships and was conducted using the survey method. The statistical population includes farmers who live around Lake Hamoun on the Iran‐Afghan border in the Sistan region. With NAT serving as the basis, the causal chain model of the impact of awareness of consequences, ascription of responsibility, subjective norms and personal norms on FPB was presented and tested. The proposed causal model is able to explain 34% of changes in FPB. The results of this study highlight the need for special attention to the fundamental changes that must be made in the environmental views of farmers as the most important stakeholders of water resources under drought conditions.
A framework for drinking water basin protection
Authors: Özdemir Ayfer 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMany countries have applied many measures, including preventing inappropriate activities in areas where drinking water is abstracted to protect drinking water resources. However, reaching good water quality based on human health has not been achieved in drinking water basins. Drinking‐Water Protected Areas Determination has been defined as a powerful protection method to restrict inappropriate activities affecting water quality and quantity. These areas are determined based on basin properties to provide sustainable drinking water management. This study aims to present a framework for drinking water protection by giving methodological study steps. Strengths, deficiencies and inadequacies in drinking water protection practices were shown by examining the implementations of Turkey and European Union member countries. Thus, by adding new methods to these applications, a standard approach was created to be applied to each different drinking water basin.
Absence of genetic differentiation in performance traits of Sinapis arvensis populations from crop and non‐crop habitats across Northern Algeria: Implications for management
Authors: Benchaa Sara , Bouchemousse Sarah , Abdelkrim Hacène , Müller‐Schärer Heinz 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWeeds can originate from adjacent habitats, dispersing naturally from non‐crop habitats as well as brought in from other crop fields by machinery or as contaminants of crop seeds. This constant dispersal may homogenise populations and transmit resistance genes. In this study, we examined (a) the genetic variation in quantitative traits and (b) the level of resistance to two widely used herbicides, amidosulfuron + iodosulfuron‐methyl‐sodium and florasulam + 2,4‐D, in eight population pairs of Sinapis arvensis from crop and adjacent non‐crop habitats across eight regions in Northern Algeria. Our quantitative genetic approach on phenotypic and phenological data of plants grown under controlled conditions from seeds of these populations showed similar levels of within‐population genetic variation and no genetic differentiation in quantitative traits between the two habitat types. This points to an important exchange of S. arvensis seeds and/or pollen between the two habitat types, but not among crop fields at the regional scale, as we found a strong regional effect for most of the plant traits for both habitat types that correlated with longitudinal temperature and precipitation gradients. We also found an absence of resistance against the two herbicides at a detection level of 10%. Florasulam + 2,4‐D showed a higher level and speed of phytotoxicity compared to amidosulfuron + iodosulfuron‐methyl‐sodium. Given our findings, we propose measures for more efficient management of S. arvensis, including minimisation of seed dispersal during transport of straw balls, crop rotation to avoid the build‐up of herbicide resistance, and management of populations in the close vicinity of crop fields.
Effects of Physically Active Lessons on Movement Behaviors, Cognitive, and Academic Performance in Elementary Schoolchildren: ERGUER/Aracaju Project
Authors: Barboza Luciana L.S. , Schmitz Heike , Tejada Julian , Silva Ellen Caroline M. , Oliveira Advanusia S.S. , B. Sardinha Luís , Silva Danilo R. 
Published: May 2021

Background: To evaluate the effects of the introduction of physically active lessons on movement behaviors, cognitive, and academic performance in schoolchildren. Methods: This was a cluster-controlled trial. A total of 61 students from the second year of elementary school in a public school in Brazil made up 2 intervention classes (n = 34) with the introduction of physically active lessons and 2 control classes (n = 27). Sedentary behavior, physical activity, cognitive, and academic performance were evaluated in 3 moments, which were compared using models of generalized estimating equations. Results: The intervention was effective for reducing the standing time between the baseline and 3 months while increasing the walking time between baseline and 3 months and baseline and 9 months. There was a reduction in time in stationary activities and increased time in light physical activities between all moments. The intervention group increased their performance in the go/no go test, showing a smaller number of errors between the baseline and 3 months and baseline and 9 months, and a reduction in the test time between baseline and 3 months. No impact on students’ academic performance was observed. Conclusion: Physically active lessons improve movement behaviors and cognitive functions among elementary schoolchildren.
Role of intrastromal vancomycin in recalcitrant corneal abscess after phacoemulsification
Authors: Chhabra Mohit , Goel Ruchi , Khanam Samreen , Singh Sonam 
Published: May 2021

Side port infection and corneal abscess after cataract surgery can produce devastating outcomes. Topical antibacterial drugs are the mainstay in management of these cases. Although intrastromal antifungal agents are an established modality for fungal keratitis, such use of antibacterial agents is rarely reported due to better pharmacokinetic profile of antibacterial agents.We report a case of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureuscorneal abscess following phacoemulsification that responded to intrastromal vancomycin injection in addition to conventional therapy.This case of postphacoemulsification corneal abscess highlights the importance of postoperative hygiene practices, use of anterior segment optical coherence tomography for monitoring these patients and use of intrastromal vancomycin as an adjunct to topical and systemic therapy.
Prospective, randomized, multicenter study of intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation for the treatment of chronic low back pain: 12-month results
Authors: Smuck Matthew , Khalil Jad , Barrette Kevin , Hirsch Joshua Adam , Kreiner Scott , Koreckij Theodore , Garfin Steven , Mekhail Nagy 
Published: May 2021

IntroductionVertebral endplates, innervated by the basivertebral nerve (BVN), are a source of chronic low back pain correlated with Modic changes. A randomized trial comparing BVN ablation to standard care (SC) recently reported results of an interim analysis. Here, we report the results of the full randomized trial, including the 3-month and 6-month between-arm comparisons, 12-month treatment arm results, and 6-month outcomes of BVN ablation in the former SC arm.MethodsProspective, open label, 1:1 randomized controlled trial of BVN ablation versus SC in 23 US sites with follow-up at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. SC patients were re-baselined and followed up for 6 months post BVN ablation. The primary endpoint was the between-arm comparison of mean Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) change from baseline. Secondary endpoints were Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Short Form (SF-36), EuroQual Group 5 Dimension 5-Level Quality of Life (EQ-5D-5L), responder rates, and rates of continued opioid use.Results140 were randomized. Results from BVN ablation (n=66) were superior to SC (n=74) at 3 months for the primary endpoint (mean ODI reduction, difference between arms of −20.3 (CI −25.9 to −14.7 points; p<0.001)), VAS pain improvement (difference of −2.5 cm between arms (CI −3.37 to −1.64, p<0.001)) and quality of life outcomes. At 12 months, basivertebral ablation demonstrated a 25.7±18.5 point reduction in mean ODI (p<0.001), and a 3.8±2.7 cm VAS reduction (p<0.001) from baseline, with 64% demonstrating ≥50% reduction and 29% pain free. Similarly, the former SC patients who elected BVN ablation (92%) demonstrated a 25.9±15.5 point mean ODI reduction (p<0.001) from baseline. The proportion of opioid use did not change in either group (p=0.56).Discussion/ConclusionBVN ablation demonstrates significant improvements in pain and function over SC, with treatment results sustained through 12 months in patients with chronic low back pain of vertebrogenic origin.