bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immune response variations and intestinal flora changes in mastitis induced by three Streptococcus uberis strains
Authors: Fu Shaodong , Zhou Yuanyuan , Qiu Yawei , Chen Wei , Zhang Jinqiu , Miao Jinfeng 
Published: November 2021

AbstractStreptococcus uberis is a common cause of mastitis. The pathogenicity among different strains of S. uberis and the resultant host immune responses remain to be elucidated. Herein, we document immune responses among three strains of S. uberis, and preliminary explore whether and how intestinal immunity plays a role in host anti‐infection processes. Mice have been proved to be effective experimental animals for bovine mastitis, so utilizing a mouse intramammary infection model, we assay immune responses and gut flora changes of three S. uberis strains by histopathologic examination, RT‐PCR, Western blot, and 16s ribosomal DNA sequencing. We find that the immune responses among the three sequence‐type (ST) S. uberis strains may be linked to the hasA/B and lbp virulence genes, and the beta diversity of the intestine may be independent of the ST of S. uberis. Twenty phyla and 30 genera of intestinal flora were identified, with Verrucomicrobia and Akkermansia being the most prominent phylum and genus, respectively. These bacteria have strong anti‐inflammatory and protective effects against S. uberis challenge. These data provide a foundation for further studies to elucidate gut flora function and exploration of therapeutic targets for mastitis.
Answering Causal Questions: Angrist, Imbens and the Nobel Prize
Authors: Mealli Fabrizia 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis year's Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to David Card, Joshua Angrist and Guido Imbens for their research showing how natural experiments can be used to answer causal questions. Card was cited for his “empirical contributions to labour economics”, while Angrist and Imbens were cited for their “methodological contributions to the analysis of causal relationships”. Here, Fabrizia Mealli explains the work of Angrist and Imbens, and how it has helped to transform the study of key policy questions in areas including education, immigration and labour markets
Repurposing phytochemicals as anti‐virulent agents to attenuate quorum sensing‐regulated virulence factors and biofilm formation inPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Chadha Jatin , Harjai Kusum , Chhibber Sanjay 
Published: November 2021

SummaryUnregulated consumption and overexploitation of antibiotics have paved the way for emergence of antibiotic‐resistant strains and ‘superbugs’.Pseudomonas aeruginosais among the opportunistic nosocomial pathogens causing devastating infections in clinical set‐ups globally. Its artillery equipped with diversified virulence elements, extensive antibiotic resistance and biofilms has made it a ‘hard‐to‐treat’ pathogen. The pathogenicity ofP. aeruginosais modulated by an intricate cell density‐dependent mechanism called quorum sensing (QS). The virulence artillery ofP. aeruginosais firmly controlled by QS genes, and their expression drives the aggressiveness of the infection. Attempts to identify and develop novel antimicrobials have seen a sharp rise in the past decade. Among different proposed mechanisms, a novelanti‐virulence approachto target pseudomonal infections by virtue of anti‐QS and anti‐biofilm drugs appears to occupy the centre stage. In this respect, bioactive phytochemicals have gained prominence among the scientific community owing to their significant quorum quenching (QQ) properties. Recent studies have shed light on the QQ activities of various phytochemicals and other drugs in perturbing the QS‐dependent virulence inP. aeruginosa. This review highlights the recent evidences that reinforce the application of plant bioactives for combating pseudomonal infections, their advantages and shortcomings in anti‐virulence therapy.
A Practical Proposal to end Corporate Tax Abuse: METR, a Minimum Effective Tax Rate for Multinationals
Authors: Cobham Alex , Faccio Tommaso , Garcia‐Bernardo Javier , Janský Petr , Kadet Jeffery , Picciotto Sol 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAn initiative is needed to break the logjam in the international negotiations to reform taxation of multinational enterprises (MNEs). The explosion of profit shifting observed since the 1990s has resulted in hundreds of billions of dollars of tax revenues being lost around the world each year – but reform efforts have thus far failed to deliver measurable progress on the primary agreed goal of better aligning MNEs' taxable profits with the location of their real economic activity. More recently, countries have committed also to ensure that MNEs’ global profits are subject to a minimum effective tax rate, but international agreement depends on designing an approach that can gain wide support. Our proposal for a minimum effective tax rate (METR) could be applied to MNEs by any countries that choose to do so, whether they are home to MNEs, host of MNEs, or both. The METR would be compatible with existing tax treaties, but being non‐discriminatory it also complies with other international obligations and could be introduced unilaterally. Economic modelling shows the METR would deliver major revenue gains for participating countries, and adoption would also contribute to, rather than impede, momentum for a more comprehensive multilateral agreement.
Patients' views and experiences of live supervised tele‐exercise classes following bariatric surgery during the COVID‐19 pandemic: The BARI‐LIFESTYLE qualitative study
Authors: Jassil Friedrich C. , Richards Rebecca , Carnemolla Alisia , Lewis Neville , Montagut‐Pino Gemma , Kingett Helen , Doyle Jacqueline , Kirk Amy , Brown Adrian , Chaiyasoot Kusuma , Devalia Kalpana , Parmar Chetan , Batterham Rachel L. 
Published: November 2021

SummaryThe BARI‐LIFESTYLE trial is a randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of a post‐surgery nutritional and behavioural tele‐counselling, and supervised exercise programme to maximize the health benefits of bariatric surgery. Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, the in‐person supervised exercise component had to be converted to remote tele‐exercise. However, patients' acceptability of this method of exercise provision is unknown. Between 3 and 6 months following bariatric surgery, 13 adults participated in weekly, structured, 60‐min supervised exercise classes delivered via Zoom by a trained exercise therapist. A total of 12 participants (n = 8 female), with a mean age of 46.3 (range 33–63) years, who had undergone either sleeve gastrectomy (n = 8) or Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (n = 4) surgery, participated in one‐to‐one semi‐structured interviews following the tele‐exercise classes. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Participants described how the tele‐exercise classes helped them to cope with the changes to their lives brought about by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Participants found the tele‐exercise schedule, content and intensity to be acceptable, and were satisfied with the privacy, security and safety of the technology and classes. Professional supervision and guidance from an exercise therapist were described as central to the tele‐exercise provision. Importantly, participation in the tele‐exercise provided physical, emotional and social benefits. Few participants reported barriers to participation. Overall, the tele‐exercise classes were deemed acceptable and compared favourably to in‐person exercise classes.
Heterogeneity in transplant center responses to the minimum acceptance criteria across UNOS regions
Authors: Roth Eve M. , Haque Omar J. , Yuan Qing , Kotton Camille N. , Markmann James F. , Eckhoff Devin E. , Elias Nahel 
Published: November 2021

AbstractTransplantation of organs from increased risk donors for infection transmission (IRDs) is increasing. These organs confer survival benefit to recipients. This study examined transplant center acceptance policies for IRD kidneys across United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) regions, based on transplant centers’ annual responses to the Minimum Acceptance Criteria (MAC) for acceptance of IRD kidneys, and the association with national and regional IRD kidney utilization. De‐identified MAC responses from all transplant centers in the United States from 2007 to 2019 were obtained. Implementation of MAC responses into practice was evaluated based on annual rates of recovery and transplantation of IRD kidneys, by MAC and UNOS region. Nationally, the number of transplant centers willing to accept IRD kidneys across all criteria increased from 22% in 2007 to 64% in 2019. Acceptance rates increased markedly from donors with intravenous drug use and other potential HIV exposures. However, significant heterogeneity exists in transplant center willingness to accept IRD kidneys, both regionally and between criteria. Trends towards increasing acceptance are strongly associated with higher rates of recovery and transplantation of IRD kidneys. Further research on provider‐ and center‐based refusal to consider IRD kidneys for waitlisted patients is needed to improve utilization of this organ pool.
Dental Continuing Professional Development – Part I: Background on Dental Continuing Professional Development in Europe
Authors: Meli Attard Ann , Bartolo Adam , Millar Brian J. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIntroductionContinuing Professional Development (CPD) is mandatory in most European countries and evidence shows a move towards mandatory CPD across all Member States in the near future. Malta is one of seven Member States where dental CPD is still voluntary.DiscussionAlthough dental CPD is a legal requirement for recertification in many countries, integral aspects of dental CPD remain under debate, like whether CPD is truly effective. This is because the methods with which CPD programmes are evaluated are not sufficiently robust to give concrete evidence to determine whether CPD will actually improve quality of care, treatment outcomes and safety for the public. Evaluating the effect of CPD programmes on the public is an extremely difficult task that would require an enormous amount of resources and logistics. The minimum requirements for the number of compulsory CPD hours imposed by regulatory bodies are not evidence‐based but purely arbitrary, and the core topics selected for CPD programmes, although supported by research to some extent, may not reflect the public's and profession's needs.The Dental Association of Malta recognised need for further research on dental CPD and embarked on a 3‐year Dental CPD Research Project. This project will be presented in a two‐part series of articles. This first article is focused on the background of dental CPD in Europe. An understanding of the current issues with CPD and flaws in methods of evaluation formed the basis of the Malta CPD Pilot Project, which will be covered in the next paper.
Orofacial pain among Chinese older adults in the last year of life
Authors: Pei Yaolin , Qi Xiang , Chen Xi , Wu Bei 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the prevalence of orofacial pain and associated factors in Chinese older adults at the end of life.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included 1646 participants (65 years or older) in their last year of life from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). We used the 6‐month prevalence questions to measure two specific orofacial pain symptoms: toothache, and jaw or facial pain. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors, such as socioeconomic status, health behaviours and chronic diseases, that were associated with these two orofacial pain symptoms in the last year of life.ResultsThe 6‐month prevalence estimates for toothache and jaw pain or facial pain for older adults in the last year of life were 14.1% and 4.5% respectively. Higher socioeconomic status was associated with lower odds of toothache and jaw pain or facial pain. Smoking was associated with high odds of toothache. Participants who brushed their teeth at least once a day were more likely to have toothache and jaw or facial pain than those who did not. Having any chronic conditions was associated with higher odds of toothache and jaw or facial pain. Older adults who had at least one tooth were more likely to have jaw or facial pain than those without any teeth.ConclusionA considerable proportion of Chinese older adults in their last year of life reported toothache and/or jaw pain or facial pain. These findings suggest that appropriate measures need to be taken to address the oral health needs in these vulnerable individuals, especially those of low socioeconomic status and chronic conditions.
El género y la COVID‐19: trabajadoras y trabajadores en las cadenas mundiales de valor
Authors: TEJANI Sheba , FUKUDA‐PARR Sakiko 
Published: November 2021

ResumenEste artículo plantea un marco para analizar el impacto diferenciado de la COVID‐19 según el género en las cadenas mundiales de valor de la confección, la electrónica y la externalización de procesos empresariales. Se distingue entre efectos derivados de las repercusiones sobre la salud y derivados de los confinamientos, y entre consecuencias de la interrupción de suministros y de la contracción de la demanda, a partir de una visión multidimensional del bienestar, considerando las esferas productiva y reproductiva, así como las normas sociales y las estructuras de poder que producen desigualdades de género. Se observa que la pandemia expone y amplifica las vulnerabilidades de las trabajadoras en las cadenas mundiales de valor.
Valuing and Supporting Introverted Students in the Virtual Design Classroom
Authors: Callahan Kristin 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn‐person, introverted students fade into the background. Online they disappear. Typically, introverts are expected to conform, but it’s valuable to allow them to participate on their terms. Thoughtful introverts synthesise information and share feedback based on deep reflection, which is valuable to the design process. This article discusses how to support introverted students in the virtual design classroom. It addresses the challenges of the digital environment and presents strategies to engage students in activities and collaboration. Considering the needs of the full spectrum of learners in the virtual space offers faculty the opportunity to create an inclusive and equitable learning environment.
Taking Art School Online in Response to COVID 19: From Rapid Response to Realising Potential
Authors: Charters Mark , Murphy Correy 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn response to COVID 19 higher education worldwide underwent a rapid shift, moving learning and teaching to the online environment. This shift in pedagogy and practice fundamentally challenged a number of disciplines and disciplinary norms, none more so than studio‐based art and design institutions. As a result, academic staff and those in professional service roles were required to rapidly engage with digital technologies with which they were unfamiliar, adjusting their pedagogic approach and innovating within the online environment. This article presents a small‐scale study investigating the impact of this rapid change on a small specialist studio‐based higher education institution which prioritises physical making and in person teaching within its educational provision. The study focused on how the shift influenced the perceptions and practices of teaching and professional support staff in their use of learning technologies and what newly adopted approaches to technology enhanced art and design education may likely continue post COVID 19.
Innovating through Hybridisation: Art‐Based Pedagogy in Leadership Development
Authors: Holtham Clive , Biagioli Monica 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis study outlines a multi‐year collaboration journey between academics in two widely disparate disciplines: art/design and business/management. Eventually this culminated in co‐designing and co‐developing a folded paper zine, and related processes, to improve private reflective practice, particularly of managers and students of management. This zine co‐design journey was articulated through the lens of Schumpeter’s hybridity perspective ‘new combinations’, in the context of transdisciplinarity. As both commercial and social organisations face increasing complexity and uncertainty, the rationally oriented tools developed for planning and decision‐making in more stable times need to be augmented by those which assume or even welcome ambiguity and not‐knowing. This creates an opportunity to draw on art‐based methods such as zines, given that the arts acknowledge, value and address such uncertainty.
Intra‐industry spillover effects: Evidence from bankruptcy filings
Authors: Le Nhan , Ngo Phong T.H. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractFirms contract capital expenditure, reduce new debt issuance and face a higher cost of debt following the bankruptcy of an industry peer. The spillover effect declines with industrial distance and strengthens with the saliency of the bankruptcy. Furthermore, industries that are externally financially dependent are more vulnerable to the contagion effect. The investment contraction is not driven by industry asset reallocation, the presence of distressed firms or strategic competitive behavior by peers. We establish causality by identifying idiosyncratic bankruptcies and implementing an instrumental variable estimation to mitigate the confounding effect of general industry conditions.
Genetics of tolerance to heat stress in milk yield of dairy buffaloes assessed by a reaction norm model
Authors: Stefani Gabriela , Santana Júnior Mário Luiz , El Faro Lenira , Tonhati Humberto 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to assess the effects of heat stress on the milk yield and investigate the presence of genotype × environment interaction (G × E) in Brazilian Murrah buffaloes reared under tropical conditions. With this, 58,070 test‐day (TD) records for milk yield from 3,459 first lactations of buffaloes collected between 1987 and 2018 were evaluated. A mixed model considering days in milk (DIM) and temperature–humidity index (THI) was applied to quantify milk yield losses due to heat stress. The most detrimental effect of THI on TD milk yield was observed in the mid‐stages of lactation, after lactation peak, in DIM 105–154 and 155–204 days (−0.020 and −0.015 kg/day per THI, respectively). The least‐squares means of TD milk yield were used to identify a heat stress threshold using a piecewise linear regression model. A substantial reduction in TD milk yield due to heat stress was observed for THI values above 77.8 (−0.251 kg/day per increase of 1 THI unit). An analysis using a single‐trait random regression animal model was carried out to estimate variance components and genetic parameters for TD milk yield over THI and DIM values. Increased additive genetic variance and heritability estimates were observed for extreme THI values (THI = 60 and 80) combined with mid‐lactation stages. The lowest genetic correlation (0.50) was observed between TD records at opposite extremes of the THI scale (THI = 60 vs. THI = 80). The genetic trends observed for the regression coefficients related to the general level of production (0.02) and specific ability to respond to heat stress (−0.002) indicated that selection to increase milk yield did not affect the specific ability to respond to heat stress until the present moment. These trends reflect the low genetic correlation between these components (0.05 ± 0.14). In this sense, monitoring trends of genetic components related to response to heat stress is recommended.
Clinical benefits of empagliflozin in very old patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalized for acute heart failure
Authors: Pérez‐Belmonte Luis M. , Sanz‐Cánovas Jaime , Millán‐Gómez Mercedes , Osuna‐Sánchez Julio , López‐Sampalo Almudena , Ricci Michele , Jiménez‐Navarro Manuel , López‐Carmona Maria D. , Bernal‐López María Rosa , Barbancho Miguel A. , Lara José P. , Gómez‐Huelgas Ricardo 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundThere is little evidence on the use of sodium−glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in older patients with heart failure. This work analyzed the clinical efficacy and safety of empagliflozin continuation in very old patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure.MethodsWe conducted a real‐world observational study between September 2015 and June 2021. Patients ≥80 years were grouped by antihyperglycemic regimen: (1) continuation of preadmission empagliflozin combined with basal insulin regimen and (2) conventional basal‐bolus insulin regimen. A propensity score matching analysis matched patients in both groups in a 1:1 manner. The primary outcome was differences in clinical efficacy measured by the visual analogue scale dyspnea score, NT‐proBNP levels, diuretic response, and cumulative urine output. Safety endpoints such as adverse events, worsening heart failure, discontinuation of empagliflozin, length of hospital stay, and in‐hospital deaths were also analyzed.ResultsAfter propensity score matching, 79 patients were included in each group. At discharge, the N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels were lower in the empagliflozin continuation group than in the insulin group (1699 ± 522 vs. 2303 ± 598 pg/ml, p = 0.021). Both the diuretic response and cumulative urine output were greater in patients treated with empagliflozin than in patients with basal‐bolus insulin during the hospitalization (at discharge: −0.14 ± −0.06 vs. −0.24 ± −0.10, p = 0.044; and 16,100 ± 1510 vs. 13,900 ± 1220 ml, p = 0.037, respectively). No differences were observed in safety outcomes.ConclusionsIn very old patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalized for acute heart failure, continuing preadmission empagliflozin reduced NT‐proBNP levels and increased diuretic response and urine output compared to a basal‐bolus insulin regimen. The empagliflozin regimen also showed a good safety profile.
Pecan‐enriched diets increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation in adults at‐risk for cardiovascular disease in a randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Guarneiri Liana L. , Paton Chad M. , Cooper Jamie A. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundResearch indicates that diets enriched with unsaturated fatty acids improve energy metabolism, although studies on tree nuts, which are a rich source of those fats, are limited. The present study aimed to examine the impact of daily pecan consumption for 8 weeks on energy metabolism in adults with hypercholesterolaemia or at higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) (body mass index ≥ 28 kg m–2).MethodsFor this randomised, controlled trial, 56 sedentary adults were randomised into one of three treatments for an 8‐week intervention: two pecan groups and a nut‐free control group (n = 18). The ADD group (n = 16) consumed pecans as part of a free‐living diet, whereas the SUB group (n = 18) substituted the pecans for isocaloric foods from their habitual diet. At baseline and 8 weeks, a high saturated fat meal was consumed along with indirect calorimetry measurements at fasting and for 4 h postprandially to determine changes in resting metabolic rate (RMR), diet induced thermogenesis (DIT) and substrate utilisation (primary outcomes). Forty‐seven participants completed the trial and were included in analyses.ResultsIn the SUB group, there was an increase in fasting RMR (1607 ± 117 to 1701 ± 114 kcal day–1; p = 0.01) and fasting fat oxidation (0.83 ± 0.08 to 0.99 ± 0.08 g/15 min; p = 0.009) and a decrease in fasting respiratory exchange ratio (0.85 ± 0.01 to 0.83 ± 0.01; p = 0.05) from pre‐ to post‐intervention. In the ADD group, there was an increase in postprandial DIT (p < 0.001). There were no changes within the control group or between groups for any outcome measure.ConclusionsDaily consumption of pecans may increase select measures of energy expenditure and fat oxidation in adults at‐risk for CVD.