bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the impact of a family empowerment program on asthma control and medication use in children with asthma: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Dardouri Maha , Bouguila Jihene , Sahli Jihene , Ajmi Thouraya , Mtiraoui Ali , Zedini Chekib , Mallouli Manel 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPurposeIn pediatric asthma, family empowerment education has been beneficial for the quality of life, pulmonary function, and family functioning. Few studies addressed the impact of a family empowerment program on asthma symptom control, acute healthcare use (AHCU), and medication use in children with asthma. This study aimed to assess the effect of a family empowerment intervention on asthma symptom control, AHCU, inhaler technique, and controller adherence in children with asthma.Design and MethodsA single‐center study using a randomized controlled design was conducted in a university hospital in the center of Tunisia from May 2018 to September 2019. Eighty‐two families were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 41) of 8 weeks of group training sessions, or to the control group (n = 41) of usual care education. Thirty‐seven families in the intervention group and 39 families in the control group received allocated intervention at baseline. Thirty‐four families in each group completed the study at the 12‐month follow‐up.ResultsAt baseline, the intervention and control groups were statistically comparable (p > .05). At follow‐up, there were significant differences between the intervention and the control group in asthma symptom control, χ2 (1, N = 34) = 9.950, p = .002, and inhalation technique, χ2 (1, N = 34) = 5.916, p = .01. For AHCU and adherence to asthma controller, there was no significant difference between groups, χ2 (1, N = 34) = 3.219, p = .07, χ2 (1, N = 34) = 0.541, p = .46, respectively. The difference within time in asthma symptom control and inhalation technique was significant (p = 10−3, p = .001; respectively).Practice ImplicationsThis study demonstrated that a family empowerment program significantly improved asthma symptom control and inhaler technique in children with asthma aged 7–17 years. This intervention could be clinically useful and time‐saving for pediatric nurses.
Sensory quantitative descriptive analysis of African slimy okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) preparations and its correlation with instrumental parameters
Authors: Savouré Timoty , Dornier Manuel , Maraval Isabelle , Collignan Antoine 
Published: January 2021

AbstractOkra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is one of the ingredients used in traditional West and Central African gastronomy because of the slimy texture it gives to sauces, soups and stews. However, in the literature, the definition of “sliminess” is unclear, the textural perception of these slimy preparations has not been described, and the possibility of measuring the textural quality of these sauces instrumentally has not been established. This study therefore aims (a) to identify the sensory attributes adapted to describe the texture of these slimy sauces and (b) to verify that the instrumental measurements adapted to characterize the rheology and texture of these sauces are well correlated to these attributes. Nine okra sauces were prepared by varying their formulation and the preparation process. A quantitative descriptive sensory analysis and a ranking test were carried out with a trained panel of 16 panelists. The texture of the okra‐based slimy sauces prepared can be described using 11 attributes referring to their consistency and to their adhesive, elastic, elongation and functional properties. Results showed that sliminess is a complex textural property resulting from the combined perception of stringiness and viscosity of semi‐solid matrices. Therefore, it is not possible to correctly predict the sensory perception of sliminess with a single instrumental measurement. However, measuring their consistency index K and their stringiness is necessary and sufficient to characterize the texture of these sauces and to predict the sensory perception of their consistency and elongational properties.
Serum spexin concentration, body condition score and markers of obesity in dogs
Authors: Kolodziejski Pawel Antoni , Pruszynska‐Oszmalek Ewa , Nowak Tomasz , Lukomska Anna , Sassek Maciej , Wlodarek Jan , Nogowski Leszek , Cieslak Adam , Nowak Krzysztof W. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundSpexin (SPX) is a peptide hormone that regulates body weight, adipose tissue metabolism, and food intake.HypothesisSerum SPX concentration correlates with body condition score (BCS) and markers of obesity in dogs.AnimalsFifty‐seven dogs of varying body condition assessed using a 5‐point BCS.MethodsProspective, nonblinded, observational cohort study. Serum SPX concentration was measured using commercially available radioimmunoassay (RIA) in dogs with varying BCS. Spexin mRNA and protein expression were detected using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence staining.ResultsSerum SPX concentration was lower in dogs with BCS4 (8.56 +/‐ 2.86) and BCS5 (6.7 +/‐ 2.12) compared to BCS2 (11.96 +/‐ 2.23) and BCS3 (10.51 +/‐ 2.19; BCS2 vs BCS5, P < .001 and BCS2 vs BCS4, P = .005; BCS3 vs BCS5, P = .002). Spexin mRNA was detected in adipose tissue, liver and pancreas. Spexin protein was expressed in adipose tissue and liver but not in pancreas. There were negative correlations between SPX and serum concentration of insulin (P < .05); leptin (P < .01), triglycerides (P < .01), total cholesterol (P < .01), nonesterified fatty acids (P < .01), and fructosamine (P < .01). There was a positive correlation between SPX and serum concentration of adiponectin (P < .01).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceSpexin could be involved in pathogenesis of obesity in dogs, and might be considered as a potential marker for obesity.
Effect of aerosolized bacterial lysate on development of naturally occurring respiratory disease in beef calves
Authors: Bassel Laura L. , Kaufman Emily I. , Alsop Sarah‐Nicole A. , Buchan Jordan , Hewson Joanne , McCandless Erin E. , Tiwari Raksha , Sharif Shayan , Vulikh Ksenia , Caswell Jeff L. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundBovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a major problem affecting beef cattle after arrival to feedlots. Alternatives to antibiotics are needed for prevention.HypothesisStimulation of pulmonary innate immune responses at the time of arrival to a feedlot reduces the occurrence and severity of BRD.AnimalsSixty beef steers at high risk of BRD.MethodsRandomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study. Calves received saline or a lysate of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by aerosol, at 16 hours after feedlot arrival. Calves were monitored for 28 days for disease outcomes and levels of Mycoplasma bovis and Mannheimia haemolytica in nasal swabs.ResultsDeath from M bovis pneumonia was significantly greater in lysate‐treated animals (6/29, 24%) compared to controls (1/29, 3%; odds ratio = 10.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1‐96.0; P = .04). By 28 days after arrival, 29/29 lysate‐treated calves had ultrasonographic pulmonary consolidation compared to 24/29 control calves (P = .05). Lysate‐treated calves had lower weight gain compared to control calves (−8.8 kg, 95% CI = −17.1 to −0.5; P = .04), and higher body temperatures on days 4, 7, and 21 (0.19°C; 95% CI = 0.01‐0.37; P = .04). Nasal M bovis numbers increased over time and were higher in lysate‐treated calves (0.76 log CFU, 95% CI = 0.3‐1.2; P = .001).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceAerosol administration of a bacterial lysate exacerbated BRD in healthy high‐risk beef calves, suggesting that respiratory tract inflammation adversely affects how calves respond to subsequent natural infection with M bovis and other respiratory pathogens.
Latitude, life history and sexual size dimorphism correlate with reproductive seasonality in rodents
Authors: Heldstab Sandra A. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Rodents show an immense variation in reproductive seasonality, spanning the whole spectrum from strictly seasonal to continuous reproduction throughout the year. However, the factors causing this variation have so far mostly been investigated in single‐species studies that could not address phylogenetic constraints.

By applying both a categorical description and a quantitative measure, the present study characterises the degree of reproductive seasonality in the wild of 272 rodent species.

Using a comparative approach, the relationships of 12 variables, comprising five life‐history variables, three abiotic variables, two niche variables and two allometric variables, with reproductive seasonality in rodents, were tested.

The majority of rodents reproduced non‐seasonally and had particularly high intraspecific variation in reproductive seasonality compared to other mammalian groups. Their opportunistic breeding strategies, their large geographic ranges with wide latitude and elevation ranges, and their ability to live in human‐made environments may be related to this broad intraspecific variation of birth season length in rodents.

The most important variables associated with rodent reproductive seasonality were mid‐latitude of the species’ geographical range, temperature, litters per year, weaning age, age at sexual maturity and sexual size dimorphism. Birth seasons become shorter with increasing latitude and colder temperatures, corresponding to the decreasing length of the favourable season. Species with more pronounced birth seasonality have fewer litters, which are weaned earlier and reach sexual maturity later, corresponding to the shorter period of optimal environmental conditions for reproduction. Sexual size dimorphism was weakly associated with birth seasonality, with more seasonal species having a higher degree of male‐biased sexual dimorphism, potentially because male–male competition and female monopolisation are more likely to evolve in species with short mating seasons.

In conclusion, habitat seasonality and life‐history adaptations are most strongly associated with reproductive seasonality in rodents, which has important implications for zoo husbandry and for the effects of climate change on rodents.
The missing human baculum: a victim of conspecific aggression and budding self‐awareness?
Authors: Jakovlić Ivan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUnlike most primates and all other great apes, humansHomo sapiensdo not possess a baculum (penile bone). I discuss the shortcomings of previous hypotheses to explain the loss of the baculum, argue that they fail to explain it fully, and show that the evolutionary history of this loss remains enigmatic. I also propose a new hypothesis: that conspecific aggression, in combination with the development of self‐awareness, may have played a role in the loss. If the presence of a baculum exacerbated the prevalence and severity of penile injuries resulting from blunt trauma to a flaccid penis, increasing ability to foresee the consequences of their actions would also enable hominins to realise that these injuries are a useful tool in male–male competition. This behavioural innovation, planned conspecific aggression with the goal of temporary exclusion of competitors from the breeding pool, would create an environment in which a genetic mutation for a penis without a baculum (or with an unossified baculum) would strongly increase the fitness of the mutant phenotype. Along with the hominin propensity for social learning and cultural transmission, this hypothetical scenario may explain why this phenotype became fixed in all human populations.
Thermal sensitivity of the Spiroplasma–Drosophila hydei protective symbiosis: The best of climes, the worst of climes
Authors: Corbin Chris , Jones Jordan E. , Chrostek Ewa , Fenton Andy , Hurst Gregory D. D. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe outcome of natural enemy attack in insects is commonly influenced by the presence of protective symbionts in the host. The degree to which protection functions in natural populations, however, will depend on the robustness of the phenotype and symbiosis to variation in the abiotic environment. We studied the impact of a key environmental parameter—temperature—on the efficacy of the protective effect of the symbiont Spiroplasma on its host Drosophila hydei, against attack by the parasitoid wasp Leptopilina heterotoma. In addition, we investigated the thermal sensitivity of the symbiont's vertical transmission, which may be a key determinant of the ability of the symbiont to persist. We found that vertical transmission was more robust than previously considered, with Spiroplasma being maintained at 25°C, at 18°C and with 18/15°C diurnal cycles, with rates of segregational loss only increasing at 15°C. Protection against wasp attack was ablated before symbiont transmission was lost, with the symbiont failing to rescue the fly host at 18°C. We conclude that the presence of a protective symbiosis in natural populations cannot be simply inferred from the presence of a symbiont whose protective capacity has been tested under narrow controlled conditions. More broadly, we argue that the thermal environment is likely to represent an important determinant of the evolutionary ecology of defensive symbioses in natural environments, potentially driving seasonal, latitudinal and altitudinal variation in symbiont frequency.
Cutaneous sensory and autonomic denervation in progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Dubbioso Raffaele , Provitera Vincenzo , Vitale Floriana , Stancanelli Annamaria , Borreca Ilaria , Caporaso Giuseppe , De Michele Giovanna , De Rosa Anna , Picillo Marina , Barone Paolo , Iodice Rosa , Manganelli Fiore , De Michele Giuseppe , Santoro Lucio , Nolano Maria 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAimProgressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a progressive neurodegenerative tauopathy characterised by motor, behavioural and cognitive dysfunction. While in the last decade, sensory and autonomic disturbances as well as peripheral nerve involvement are well‐recognised in Parkinson's Disease (PD), little is known in this regard for PSP. Herein, we aim to assess peripheral sensory and autonomic nerve involvement in PSP and to characterise possible differences in morpho‐functional pattern compared to PD patients.MethodsWe studied 27 PSP and 33 PD patients without electrophysiological signs of neuropathy, and 33 healthy controls (HC). In addition to motor impairment, evaluated by means of UPDRS‐III and the PSP rating scale, all patients underwent clinical, functional and morphological assessment of sensory‐autonomic nerves through dedicated questionnaires, sympathetic skin response, dynamic sweat test and skin biopsies. The analysis of cutaneous sensory and autonomic innervation was performed using indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy.ResultsPSP patients displayed a length‐dependent loss of sensory and autonomic nerve fibres associated with functional impairment compared to HC and, overall, a more severe picture than in PD patients. The disease severity correlated with the loss of intraepidermal nerve fibre density in the leg of PSP patients (p < 0.05).ConclusionWe demonstrated a length‐dependent small fibre pathology in PSP, more severe compared to PD, and paralleling disease severity. Our findings suggest the morphological and functional study of cutaneous nerves as possible biomarkers to monitor disease progression and response to new treatments.
Infantile thiamine deficiency in South and Southeast Asia: An age‐old problem needing new solutions
Authors: Smith T. J. , Hess S. Y. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractInfantile beriberi, a potentially fatal disorder caused by thiamine deficiency, is often viewed as a disease confined to history in regions of the world with predominant white rice consumption. Recent case reports have, however, highlighted the persistence of thiamine deficiency as a cause of infant mortality in South and Southeast Asia. Low infant thiamine status and incidence of beriberi is attributable to maternal thiamine deficiency and insufficient breast milk thiamine. Poor dietary diversity, food preparation and cooking practices and traditional post‐partum food restrictions likely play a role in these high‐risk regions. Given the contribution of thiamine deficiency to infant mortality and emerging evidence of long‐lasting neurodevelopmental deficits of severe and even subclinical deficiency in early life, public health strategies to prevent thiamine deficiency are urgently needed. However, efforts are hampered by uncertainties surrounding the identification and assessment of thiamine deficiency, due to the broad non‐specific clinical manifestations, commonly referred to as thiamine deficiency disorders (TDD), that overlap with other conditions resulting in frequent misdiagnosis and missed treatment opportunities, and secondly the lack of readily available and agreed upon biomarker analysis and cut‐off thresholds. This review will discuss the key challenges and limitations in the current understanding of TDD and explore how ongoing initiatives plan to fill persistent knowledge gaps, namely in the development of a standardised case definition to help more accurately diagnose and treat TDD in low‐resource settings. Given more attention and ensuring greater recognition of TDD will support the design and implementation of treatment and prevention programmes, and ensure beriberi can truly be considered ‘the forgotten disease of Asia’.
Artificial Intelligence and Technology in Teaching Negotiation
Authors: Dinnar Samuel “Mooly” , Dede Chris , Johnson Emmanuel , Straub Carrie , Korjus Kristjan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), affective computing, and big‐data techniques are improving the ways that humans negotiate and learn to negotiate. These technologies, long deployed in industry and academic research, are now being adopted for educational use. We describe several systems that help human negotiators evaluate and learn from role‐play simulations as well as applications that help human instructors teach negotiators at the individual, team, and organizational levels. AI can enable the personalization of negotiation instruction, taking into consideration factors such as culture and bias. These tools will enable improvements not only in the teaching of negotiation, but also in teaching humans how to program and collaborate with technology‐based negotiation systems, including avatars and computer‐controlled negotiation agents. These advances will provide theoretical and practical insights, require serious consideration of ethical issues, and revolutionize the way we practice and teach negotiation.
PRD1, a homologous recombination initiation factor, is involved in spindle assembly in rice meiosis
Authors: Shi Wenqing , Ji Jianhui , Xue Zhihui , Zhang Fanfan , Miao Yongjie , Yang Han , Tang Ding , Du Guijie , Li Yafei , Shen Yi , Cheng Zhukuan 
Published: January 2021

Summary

The bipolar spindle structure in meiosis is essential for faithful chromosome segregation. PUTATIVE RECOMBINATION INITIATION DEFECT 1 (PRD1) previously has been shown to participate in the formation of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). However, the role of PRD1 in meiotic spindle assembly has not been elucidated.

Here, we reveal by both genetic analysis and immunostaining technology that PRD1 is involved in spindle assembly in rice (Oryza sativa) meiosis.

We show that DSB formation and bipolar spindle assembly are disturbed in prd1 meiocytes. PRD1 signals display a dynamic pattern of localization from covering entire chromosomes at leptotene to congregating at the centromere region after leptotene. Centromeric localization of PRD1 signals depends on the organization of leptotene chromosomes, but not on DSB formation and axis establishment. PRD1 exhibits interaction and co‐localization with several kinetochore components. We also find that bi‐orientation of sister kinetochores within a univalent induced by mutation of REC8 can restore bipolarity in prd1. Furthermore, PRD1 directly interacts with REC8 and SGO1, suggesting that PRD1 may play a role in regulating the orientation of sister kinetochores.

Taken together, we speculate that PRD1 promotes bipolar spindle assembly, presumably by modulating the orientation of sister kinetochores in rice meiosis.
The lifecycle of skeletal muscle mitochondria in obesity
Authors: Pileggi Chantal A. , Parmar Gaganvir , Harper Mary‐Ellen 
Published: January 2021

SummarySkeletal muscle possesses dramatic metabolic plasticity that allows for the rapid adaptation in cellular energy transduction to meet the demands of the organism. Obesity elicits changes in skeletal muscle structure and function, resulting in the accumulation of intramuscular lipids. The accumulation of intramuscular lipids in obesity is associated with impaired skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and function. Mitochondria exist as a dynamic network that is regulated by the processes of biogenesis, fusion, fission, and mitophagy. In this review, we outline adaptations in molecular pathways that regulate mitochondrial structure and function in obesity. We highlight the emerging role of dysregulated skeletal muscle macroautophagy and mitochondrial turnover in obesity. Future research should further elucidate the role of mitophagy in observed reductions in mitochondrial content and function during obesity.
The impact of, and views on, school food intervention and policy in young people aged 11–18 years in Europe: A mixed methods systematic review
Authors: Rose Kelly , O'Malley Claire , Eskandari Fatemeh , Lake Amelia A. , Brown Laura , Ells Louisa Jane 
Published: January 2021

SummaryUnderstanding the social and environmental influencers of eating behaviours has the potential to improve health outcomes for young people. This review aims to explore the effectiveness of school nutrition interventions and the perceptions of young people experiencing a nutrition focused intervention or change in school food policy. A comprehensive systematic search identified studies published between 1 December 2007 to 20 February 2020. Twenty‐seven studies were included: 22 quantitative studies of nutrition related outcomes and five qualitative studies reporting views and perceptions of young people (combined sample of 22,138 participants, mean ages 12–18 years). The primary outcome was nutrition knowledge/dietary behaviours, with secondary outcomes exploring body mass index (BMI) and wellbeing. Due to the heterogeneity of studies, a narrative results description is presented. The findings demonstrate that school nutrition programmes can be effective in reducing sugar, sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) and saturated fat and increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. The lived experiences of young people in a school context provide valuable insights that should be considered in the development of effective school food policy and interventions. This review affirms the significant role that schools can play in supporting good nutrition in all young people and provides opportunities to inform the school food agenda.