bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drought affects the synchrony of aboveground and belowground phenology in tropical potato
Authors: Hoelle Julia , Khan Awais , Asch Folkard 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe literature describes the belowground and aboveground phenology of potato to be linearly related. Bud formation is synchronous with tuber initiation and flowering with tuber filling. Many agronomic and breeding studies on potato use non‐destructive aboveground phenology to assess belowground development. No information is currently available on the influence of water deficit on the synchrony of above‐ and belowground development in potato. Five contrasting potato genotypes were subjected to four irrigation treatments on two different soil types. The irrigation treatments were as follows: fully watered, early drought, intermediate drought, and late drought. In 5‐day intervals after withholding water, detailed belowground and aboveground development was recorded. Results showed that the synchrony between aboveground and belowground development is strongly influenced by both water deficit and development stage at drought initiation. Under early drought, the aboveground development was hastened and belowground development was delayed. The opposite was found in later development stages. The earlier the drought was initiated, the longer the tuber filling phase was, while the bulking phase was shortened. We concluded that under terminal drought conditions aboveground development and belowground development need to be evaluated separately and cannot follow the standard evaluation system that uses aboveground phenology as a proxy for tuber formation belowground development rates.
Barriers to cardiac rehabilitation and patient perceptions on the usage of technologies in cardiac rehabilitation: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chong Mei Sin , Sit Janet Wing Hung , Choi Kai Chow , Suhaimi Anwar , Chair Sek Ying 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAims and ObjectivesThe study aimed to identify factors associated with participation in Phase II cardiac rehabilitation and to assess patient perceptions towards the usage of technologies in cardiac rehabilitation.BackgroundDespite efforts to promote utilisation of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), participation among patients remains unsatisfactory. Little is known of patient decision to participate Phase II CR in a multi‐ethnic country.DesignA cross‐sectional study design.MethodsA consecutive sampling of 240 patients with coronary heart disease completed Coronary Artery Disease Education Questionnaire (CADE‐Q) II, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS).ResultsSeventy per cent of patients (mean age 60.5 [SD = 10.6] years, 80.8% male) participated in phase II cardiac rehabilitation. Self‐driving to cardiac rehabilitation centres, higher barriers in perceived need/health care and logistical factors were significantly associated with decreased odds of participation. Patients with more barriers from comorbidities/functional status, higher perceived social support from friends, and anxiety were more likely to participate. Chinese and Indians were less likely to participate when compared with Malays. More than 80% of patients used both home and mobile broadband internet, and 72.9% of them would accept the usage of technologies, especially educational videos, instant messenger, and video calls to partially replace the face‐to‐face, centre‐based cardiac rehabilitation approach.ConclusionSeveral barriers were associated with non‐participation in phase II cardiac rehabilitation. With the high perceived acceptance of technology usage in cardiac rehabilitation, home‐based and hybrid cardiac rehabilitation may represent potential solutions to improve participation.Relevance to clinical practiceBy addressing the barriers to cardiac rehabilitation, patients are more likely to be ready to adopt health behaviour changes and adhere to the cardiac rehabilitation programme. The high perceived acceptance of using technologies in cardiac rehabilitation may provide insights into new delivery models that can improve and overcome barriers to participation.
Knowledge, familiarity, and impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on barriers to seeking mental health services among older people: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Khalil Marwa Ibrahim Mahfouz , Elnakeeb Mayar , Hassanin Hany Ibrahim , Sorour Dina Metwally 
Published: November 2023

AimThe COVID‐19 pandemic caused drastic changes in older people's daily activities with a negative impact on their mental health, yet older people are less likely to seek mental health services. This study aims to explore the relationship between knowledge of and familiarity with mental health services, along with the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic, and barriers to seeking mental health services among older people.MethodsA descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 352 older people, recruited among community‐dwelling adults who attended randomly selected postal offices and pension outlets. Three tools were used: a structured interview schedule for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of older people, the revised version of the Knowledge and Familiarity of Mental Health Services Scale (KFFMHS‐R), and the Barriers to Mental Health Services Scale Revised (BMHSS‐R).ResultsAll participants reported experiencing mental health distress during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Intrinsic barriers had a higher mean score than extrinsic barriers, and 27.4% of the variance of overall barriers to seeking mental health could be explained through regression analysis by familiarity, knowledge of mental health services, and age. Overall barriers explained 24.4% of the variance of older people's perceived distress as an impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic (F = 22.160, P < 0.001).ConclusionsKnowledge of mental health services was the most significant predictor of barriers to seeking mental health services during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Higher barriers predicted higher distress as an impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The results of the study suggest the need for a multidisciplinary mental health team for older people.
Centralidade do Trabalho e Políticas de Governo
Authors: Grillo Coutinho Sayonara 
Published: November 2023

A Reforma Trabalhista espanhola de 2021 está na agenda de pesquisa de juristas e sociólogos do trabalho no Brasil, país em que se discute uma necessária reformulação de seu Direito do Trabalho. O que a experiência espanhola do último quinquênio (2018/2023) evidencia? A partir do acompanhamento do debate público trabalhista e de uma cartografia da legislação espanhola, o artigo argumenta que mais que uma contrarreforma corretiva das políticas de austeridade adotadas em 2012, com vistas a reduzir a temporalidade dos contratos, diminuir a precariedade e reequilibrar a negociação coletiva, a Espanha vivenciou um processo de reformas mais amplo, para melhorar as condições de vida das pessoas no trabalho e acenar com a construção de um Direito do Trabalho voltado para contra-arrestar os graves problemas derivados das transformações tecnológicas e digitais e do poder das grandes corporações transnacionais. Um olhar estrangeiro, deslocado das controvérsias hermenêuticas, permite concluir pela transversalidade da temática laboral nas políticas de governo, do qual emerge a centralidade do trabalho na abordagem de temas emergentes no século XXI.

Palavras-chave: Direito do Trabalho; reformas trabalhistas; políticas de governo.
Draft genome of
Lysinibacillus fusiformis
PwPw_T2 isolated from
Ananas comosus
revealing acetic acid producing and xenobiotic degrading enzymes
Authors: Adefiranye Oyetayo Olaoluwa , Adeniji Adetomiwa Ayodele , Obidi Olayide Folashade , Oyetibo Ganiyu Oladunjoye , Babalola Olubukola Oluranti 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

Lysinibacillus fusiformis
PwPw_T2 isolated from deteriorating
Ananas comosus
sample collected from Lagos State, Nigeria putatively possesses genomic features like potential enzymes catalyzing acetic acid production and xenobiotic compounds degradation via various pathways as indicated by its genome sequences. These could make the organism relevant in food waste valorization and micro-biotechnology.
Complete genome sequence of a
Clostridioides difficile
cryptic C-III strain isolated from horse feces
Authors: Schüler Miriam Antonia , Daniel Rolf , Poehlein Anja 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

We provide the complete genome of a non-toxigenic
Clostridioides difficile
strain isolated from horse feces. The strain represents a sub-cluster in the cryptic clade C-III. The genome consists of one chromosome (4,144,784 bp) and one plasmid (10,144 bp) and encodes 3,798 putative genes.
Gut bacteria mediated adaptation of diamondback moth,
Plutella xylostella,
to secondary metabolites of host plants
Authors: Xia Xiaofeng , Wang Qian , Gurr Geoff M. , Vasseur Liette , Han Shuncai , You Minsheng 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

The diamondback moth (DBM),
Plutella xylostella,
has successfully adapted to the potent chemical defenses of Brassicaceae plants that deter most other herbivores. Gut bacteria are increasingly recognized as key to the biology of many species but their role in DBM adaptation to plant defense compounds is not well known. In this study, the secondary metabolites of radish seedlings, rich in flavonoids, were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. These secondary metabolites reduced the larval growth of DBM lacking gut bacteria. The effect was rapidly eclipsed by the re-introduction of gut microbiota, which was dominated by
Enterobacter
(Proteobacteria). Similarly, while treatment with the flavonoid kaempferol adversely affected growth and extended the development time, these were alleviated by the re-introduction of
Enterobacter
sp. EbPXG5 (EbPXG5) to the DBM gut. EbPXG5 not only degrades kaempferol both
in vitro
and DBM gut, but is also shown to colonize the gut epithelium, forming a protective biofilm. Genomic sequencing of EbPXG5 showed that metabolic genes were the most abundant, especially those involved in xenobiotic degradation, and the metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides, which could participate in the degradation of plant secondary metabolites such as kaempferol. Overall, our results showed that EbPXG5 is a bacterium common in the gut of DBM larvae and has the
in vitro
and
in vivo
capacity to detoxify a major secondary metabolite that is produced in brassica plants as a defense against herbivores. This insect-bacterial association may be an important contributor to the status of DBM as a major pest of brassica crops worldwide.

IMPORTANCE
In this study, we identify an important role of gut bacteria in mediating the adaptation of diamondback moth (DBM) to plant secondary metabolites. We demonstrate that kaempferol’s presence in radish seedlings greatly reduces the fitness of DBM with depleted gut biota. Reinstatement of gut biota, particularly Enterobacter sp. EbPXG5, improved insect performance by degrading kaempferol. This bacterium was common in the larval gut of DBM, lining the epithelium as a protective film. Our work highlights the role of symbiotic bacteria in insect herbivore adaptation to plant defenses and provides a practical and mechanistic framework for developing a more comprehensive understanding of insect-gut microbe-host plant co-evolution.
The variations of native plasmids greatly affect the cell surface hydrophobicity of sphingomonads
Authors: Song Da , Chen Xingjuan , Yao Hui , Kong Guannan , Xu Meiying , Guo Jun , Sun Guoping 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

The organic pollutant-degrading microorganisms with high cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) are generally favorable due to the positive role of high CSH in pollutant capture and cell colonization. Sphingomonads, an important bacterial group with metabolic versatility, have significant potential for biodegradation and bioremediation of organic pollutants and generally harbor higher CSH than typical Gram-negative bacteria. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their high CSH are still unclear. In this study,
Sphingobium xenophagum
C1, the most hydrophobic sphingomonad ever known, and its hydrophilic variant C2 were used to identify the genome variations responsible for the CSH difference by comparative genome and transcriptome analysis, as well as gene knockout verification. Our results indicated that the high CSH of strain C1 was largely attributed to the low copy number of the native plasmid p3, which mainly affected the transcriptional levels of outer membrane protein genes through direct and indirect means. In addition, loss of the genes on the native plasmid p5 involved in polysaccharide synthesis and secretion could increase CSH and cell surface friction. The bioinformatics analysis further revealed that some sphingomonad genomes also contained the long homologous fragments and/or key genes of p3 and p5. This study demonstrated the important role of native plasmids in regulating the CSH of sphingomonads, suggesting a novel CSH regulation strategy and evolution process.

IMPORTANCE
Microbial cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) reflects nonspecific adhesion ability and affects various physiological processes, such as biofilm formation and pollutant biodegradation. Understanding the regulation mechanisms of CSH will contribute to illuminating microbial adaptation strategies and provide guidance for controlling CSH artificially to benefit humans. Sphingomonads, a common bacterial group with great xenobiotic-degrading ability, generally show higher CSH than typical Gram-negative bacteria, which plays a positive role in organic pollutant capture and cell colonization. This study verified that the variations of two native plasmids involved in synthesizing outer membrane proteins and polysaccharides greatly affected the CSH of sphingomonads. It is feasible to control their CSH by changing the plasmid copy number and sequences. Additionally, considering that plasmids are likely to evolve faster than chromosomes, the CSH of sphingomonads may evolve quickly to respond to environmental changes. Our results provide valuable insights into the CSH regulation and evolution of sphingomonads.
Mucorales-disseminated infection in burn wound
Authors: Herbst Isabella , Helleberg Marie , Overgaard-Steensen Christian , Holmgaard Rikke 
Published: November 2023

A previously fit and well man in his 50s was rescued from a burning apartment with Glasgow Coma Scale 3 and admitted to the burn intensive care unit with 18% mixed dermal and full thickness burns and inhalation injury. He received standardised acute burn treatment according to the Emergency Management of Severe Burn guidelines and was found to have acute kidney injury requiring dialysis and cerebral watershed infarcts. The burns were deep especially on the left leg that was deemed unsalvageable and on day 8, he underwent a mid-femoral amputation.A wound swab on day 8 grew mould and with progression of skin necrosis,Mucoralesinfection was clinically suspected. Microbiological assessment of the swab confirmedMucoralesinfection—an invasive fungus with the ability to invade blood vessels leading to vessel thrombosis and tissue necrosis and associated with high mortality. Recommended radical debridement with free cutaneous margins was not possible due to the widespread disease, and the patient was treated conservatively with antifungal therapy and survived.
Health-related quality of life and economic burden of childhood pneumonia in China: a multiregion study
Authors: Gao Junyang , Fan Jingzhi , Zhou Huijun , Jit Mark , Wang Pei 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveTo systematically investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and economic burden of children with pneumonia in different regions of China.Study designThe study recruited a series of children under 5 years hospitalised for pneumonia in Shanghai, Zhengzhou and Kunming from January to October 2019.Health utility was assessed using the proxy version of EQ-5D-Y by interviewing patients’ guardians face to face. The assessment was administered twice at patients’ admission and discharge. Cost incurred for receiving the hospitalisation was collected. Multiple linear regression and quantile regression were used to explore factors of EQ-5D-Y Health Utility Score (HUS) and costs, respectively.ResultsA total of 501 paediatric patients with a median age (IQR) of 1.5 (0.83–2.71) years were included in the analysis. The mean HUS (SD) of the patients was 0.78 (0.18) at admission, and increased to 0.96 (0.10) at discharge. Some patients (14.2%) still felt worried, sad or unhappy after hospitalisation. The mean hospitalisation cost and total cost were RMB5859 (€773) and RMB6439, respectively. The HUS was lower and the economic burden was heavier for the children in Zhengzhou. Apart from region, type of work, insurance status and hospital days were also related to the baseline HUS or HUS increment after treatment; insurance status, Visual Analogue Scale score at discharge, guardians’ employment and hospitalisation days were associated with the costs.ConclusionThe children with pneumonia have poor baseline HRQOL, and many of them still have psychological well being problems after treatment. The economic burden varied significantly across regions and is heavy for the patients’ families in less developed areas (ie, Zhengzhou and Kunming).
Gender disparity among psychiatry departments awarded Canadian Institutes of Health Research grants: a retrospective study
Authors: Tao Brendan , Mah Kaitlyn , Tsang Vivian W L , Varnals Tyler , Naveed Sadiq , Khosa Faisal 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveAlthough medical institutions aim to promote equity within the workplace, gender disparities persist in academic psychiatry. Previous evidence indicates that women in psychiatry encounter gender-based barriers to career advancement, resulting in slower rates of promotion, lower research productivity and less grant funding than men. Here, we investigate gender disparity in Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) grant funding decisions for researchers from Canadian Departments of Psychiatry.MethodData since inception from the CIHR funding decision database were searched for awards to applicants affiliated with Canadian psychiatry departments. For each grant, we collected the principal investigator’s (PI) name, conferral year, duration and total funding contribution. PI gender was extracted from an agreement between self-reported gender identity on provincial or territorial physician directories, from an official institutional website biography, and a validated gender application programming interface. Primary analysis was conducted for all recipients from Canadian psychiatry departments (including physician and non-physician scientists), and secondarily within a subgroup of physician scientists alone.ResultsWomen (both physician and non-physician scientists) consistently received fewer grants (40.75%) and were less likely to obtain multiple awards in a year than men. Most strikingly, women received a total of US$110 658 191 while men received over double this amount, totalling US$253 339 865. Women (both physician and non-physician scientists) also received shorter award durations (p=2.312e-06, rg=0.179), fewer awards per year (p=0.002128, rg=0.662) and less money per grant (p=1.583e-07, rg=0.205). Within the subgroup of physician scientists, women were awarded a total of US$22 901 569 altogether, while men received a total of US$144 451 178. Women also received significantly fewer grants per year than men (p=3.565e-05, rg=0.889).ConclusionsGender disparity in CIHR funding decisions may pose another barrier to career progression for psychiatrists who are women. Further work is recommended to reduce gender funding gap in medical academia.
Determination of black holes by boundary measurements
Authors: Eskin G. 
Published: November 2023

For a wave equation with time-independent Lorentzian metric consider an initial-boundary value problem in [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the time variable and [Formula: see text] is a bounded domain in [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] be a subdomain of [Formula: see text]. We say that the boundary measurements are given on [Formula: see text] if we know the Dirichlet and Neumann data on [Formula: see text]. The inverse boundary value problem consists of recovery of the metric from the boundary measurements. In the author’s previous works a localized variant of the boundary control method was developed that allows the recovery of the metric locally in a neighborhood of any point of [Formula: see text] where the spatial part of the wave operator is elliptic. This allows the recovery of the metric in the exterior of the ergoregion. The goal of this survey paper is to recover the black holes. In some cases the ergoregion coincides with the black hole. In the case of two space dimensions we recover the black hole inside the ergoregion assuming that the ergosphere, i.e. the boundary of the ergoregion, is not characteristic at any point of the ergosphere.
Abbreviated Score to Assess Adherence to the 2018 WCRF/AICR Cancer Prevention Recommendations and Risk of Cancer in the UK Biobank
Authors: Malcomson Fiona C. , Parra-Soto Solange , Ho Frederick K. , Celis-Morales Carlos , Sharp Linda , Mathers John C. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background:
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Cancer Prevention Recommendations are lifestyle-based guidelines which aim to reduce cancer risk. This study investigated, in the UK Biobank, associations between an abbreviated score to assess adherence to these Recommendations and the risk of all cancers combined and of 14 cancers for which there is strong evidence for links with diet, adiposity, and physical activity.

Methods:
We used data from 288,802 UK Biobank participants (mean age 56.2 years), cancer-free at baseline. An abbreviated version of the 2018 WCRF/AICR Score was calculated to assess adherence to five Recommendations on (i) body weight, (ii) physical activity, (iii) fruits, vegetables, and dietary fiber, (iv) red and processed meat, and (v) alcohol. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze associations between the abbreviated score (range, 0–5 points) and cancer incidence, adjusting for confounders.

Results:
During a median follow-up of 8.2 years (interquartile range, 7.4–8.9), 23,448 participants were diagnosed with cancer. The abbreviated score was inversely associated with risk of cancer overall [HR: 0.93; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92–0.95 per 1-point increment], and breast (HR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.87–0.94), colorectal (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.83–0.90), lung (HR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.84–0.94), kidney (HR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.76–0.90), pancreatic (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.79–0.94), uterine (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.73–0.86), esophageal (HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.75–0.90), stomach (HR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.79–0.99), and liver (HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.72–0.90) cancers.

Conclusions:
Greater adherence to the Cancer Prevention Recommendations, assessed using an abbreviated score, was associated with reduced risk of all cancers combined and of nine site-specific cancers.

Impact:
Our findings support compliance to these Recommendations for cancer prevention.