bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘First in family’ experiences in a Canadian medical school: A critically reflexive study
Authors: Wright Sarah R. , Boyd Victoria A. , Okafor Ike , Sharma Malika , Giroux Ryan , Richardson Lisa , Brosnan Caragh 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundMedical students from affluent and highly educated backgrounds remain overrepresented in Canadian medical schools despite widespread efforts to improve diversity. Little is known of the medical school experiences of students who are first in their family (FiF) to attend university. Drawing on Bourdieu and a critically reflexive lens, this study explored the experiences of FiF students in a Canadian medical school to better understand the ways in which the medical school environment can be exclusive and inequitable to underrepresented students.MethodsWe interviewed 17 medical students who self‐identified as being FiF to attend university. Utilising theoretical sampling, we also interviewed five students who identified as being from medical families to test our emerging theoretical framework. Participants were asked to discuss what ‘first in family’ meant to them, their journey into medical school and their experiences at medical school. Bourdieu's theories and concepts were used as sensitising concepts to explore the data.ResultsFiF students discussed the implicit messages they received about who belongs in medical school, challenges in shifting from their pre‐medical lives to a medical identity and competing with peers for residency programmes. They reflected on the advantages they perceived they had over their fellow students due to their less ‘typical’ social backgrounds.ConclusionWhile medical schools continue to make strides when it comes to increasing diversity, inclusivity and equity require increased attention. Our findings highlight the ongoing need for structural and cultural change at admissions and beyond—change that recognises the much‐needed presence and perspectives that underrepresented medical students, including those who are FiF, bring to medical education and healthcare. Engaging in critical reflexivity represents a key way that medical schools can continue to address issues of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Arctic rooting depth distribution influences modelled carbon emissions but cannot be inferred from aboveground vegetation type
Authors: Blume‐Werry Gesche , Dorrepaal Ellen , Keuper Frida , Kummu Matti , Wild Birgit , Weedon James T. 
Published: May 2023

Summary
The distribution of roots throughout the soil drives depth‐dependent plant–soil interactions and ecosystem processes, particularly in arctic tundra where plant biomass, is predominantly belowground. Vegetation is usually classified from aboveground, but it is unclear whether such classifications are suitable to estimate belowground attributes and their consequences, such as rooting depth distribution and its influence on carbon cycling.
We performed a meta‐analysis of 55 published arctic rooting depth profiles, testing for differences both between distributions based on aboveground vegetation types (Graminoid, Wetland, Erect‐shrub, and Prostrate‐shrub tundra) and between ‘Root Profile Types’ for which we defined three representative and contrasting clusters. We further analyzed potential impacts of these different rooting depth distributions on rhizosphere priming‐induced carbon losses from tundra soils.
Rooting depth distribution hardly differed between aboveground vegetation types but varied between Root Profile Types. Accordingly, modelled priming‐induced carbon emissions were similar between aboveground vegetation types when they were applied to the entire tundra, but ranged from 7.2 to 17.6 Pg C cumulative emissions until 2100 between individual Root Profile Types.
Variations in rooting depth distribution are important for the circumpolar tundra carbon‐climate feedback but can currently not be inferred adequately from aboveground vegetation type classifications.
Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for tubulointerstitial fibrosis
Authors: Rende Umut , Guller Anna , Goldys Ewa M. , Pollock Carol , Saad Sonia 
Published: May 2023

AbstractRenal fibrosis is the final common pathophysiological pathway in chronic kidney disease (CKD) regardless of the underlying cause of kidney injury. Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) is considered to be the key pathological predictor of CKD progression. Currently, the gold‐standard tool to identify TIF is kidney biopsy, an invasive method that carries risks. Non‐invasive diagnostics rely on an estimation of glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria to assess kidney function, but these fail to diagnose early CKD accurately or to predict progressive decline in kidney function. In this review, we summarize the current and emerging molecular biomarkers that have been studied in various clinical settings and in animal models of kidney disease and that are correlated with the degree of TIF. We examine the potential of these biomarkers to diagnose TIF non‐invasively and to predict disease progression. We also examine the potential of new technologies and non‐invasive diagnostic approaches in assessing TIF. Limitations of current and potential biomarkers are discussed and knowledge gaps identified.
image
Torus-Shaped Wave Energy Converter Attached to a Hinged Arm
Authors: Kamarlouei Mojtaba , Hallak Thiago S. , Gaspar José F. , Calvário Miguel , Soares C. Guedes 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
This study presents the adaptation of a torus-shaped prime mover of a wave energy converter to an onshore or nearshore fixed platform by a hinged arm, with the objective of providing more favorable conditions for device survivability at extreme sea state. An optimization code is developed to obtain the best prime mover and arm geometries, as well as the power take-off parameters, with the objective to maximize the total absorbed power. In this paper, the power take-off system is modeled as a simplified damper and spring system, where the parameters are optimized for the power absorption of the wave energy converter in each sea state, whereas the optimization process is performed with a genetic algorithm. The results indicate that better survivability performance may be achieved with the torus-shaped prime mover in comparison to a conventional one without a moonpool, despite a relatively lower wave-absorbed power.
A
Mesorhizobium japonicum
quorum sensing circuit that involves three linked genes and an unusual acyl-homoserine lactone signal
Authors: Suo Zehui , Cummings Dale A. , Puri Aaron W. , Schaefer Amy L. , Greenberg E. Peter 
Published: May 2023

ABSTRACT

Members of the genus
Mesorhizobium,
which are core components of the rhizosphere and specific symbionts of legume plants, possess genes for acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum sensing (QS). Here we show
Mesorhizobium japonicum
MAFF 303099 (formerly
M. loti
) synthesizes and responds to
N
-[(2
E
, 4
E
)-2,4-dodecadienoyl] homoserine lactone (2
E,
4
E-
C
12:2
-HSL). We show that the 2
E,
4
E-
C
12:2
-HSL QS circuit involves one of four
luxR-luxI
-type genes found in the sequenced genome of MAFF 303099. We refer to this circuit, which appears to be conserved among
Mesorhizobium
species, as R1-I1. We show that two other
Mesorhizobium
strains also produce 2
E,
4
E-
C
12:2
-HSL. The 2
E,
4
E-
C
12:2
-HSL is unique among known AHLs in its arrangement of two
trans
double bonds. The R1 response to 2
E,
4
E-
C
12:2
-HSL is extremely selective in comparison with other LuxR homologs, and the
trans
double bonds appear critical for R1 signal recognition. Most well-studied LuxI-like proteins use
S
-adenosylmethionine and an acyl-acyl carrier protein as substrates for synthesis of AHLs. Others that form a subgroup of LuxI-type proteins use acyl-coenzyme A substrates rather than acyl-acyl carrier proteins. I1 clusters with the acyl-coenzyme A-type AHL synthases. We show that a gene linked to the
I1
AHL synthase is involved in the production of the QS signal. The discovery of the unique I1 product enforces the view that further study of acyl-coenzyme A-dependent LuxI homologs will expand our knowledge of AHL diversity. The involvement of an additional enzyme in AHL generation leads us to consider this system a three-component QS circuit.

IMPORTANCE

We report a
Mesorhizobium japonicum
quorum sensing (QS) system involving a novel acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) signal. This system is known to be involved in root nodule symbiosis with host plants. The chemistry of the newly described QS signal indicated that there may be a dedicated cellular enzyme involved in its synthesis in addition to the types known for production of other AHLs. Indeed, we report that an additional gene is required for synthesis of the unique signal, and we propose that this is a three-component QS circuit as opposed to the canonical two-component AHL QS circuits. The signaling system is exquisitely selective. The selectivity may be important when this species resides in the complex microbial communities around host plants and may make this system useful in various synthetic biology applications of QS circuits.
Growth, allometry, and characteristics of a sexually selected structure in wolverine (Gulo gulo (Linnaeus, 1758)), northern river otter (Lontra canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758)), and sea otter (Enhydra lutris (Linnaeus, 1758))
Authors: Miller Edward H. , Jung Thomas S. , Kukka Piia M. , Reynolds John J. , Grove Robert A. , Stenson Garry B. , Rogers Robert P.W. 
Published: May 2023

Allometric analyses of sexually selected structures have revealed many patterns of evolutionary and behavioural significance, for example, in weapons, ornaments, and genitalia. We investigated allometry of the baculum (penis bone) relative to body size in post-growth adults of three large mustelids: wolverine ( Gulo gulo (Linnaeus, 1758)), northern river otter ( Lontra canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758)), and sea otter ( Enhydra lutris (Linnaeus, 1758)). The baculum grew over a longer period than did body size. Correlations among bacular variables were positive in post-growth adults. No regression slopes expressed positive allometry (i.e., slope > 1 for linear variables). These trends point to the possibility that bacular size is adapted to the average size of the reproductive tract of sexually mature female northern river otters and possibly sea otters, and that pre-ejaculatory (“pre-copulatory”) selection is highest in those species. Bacular size varied more than skull or limb-bone size, and bacular shape also varied greatly. Species differed in size and complexity of the urethral groove and bacular apex, suggesting functional differences in intromission. Substantial variation in bacular shape resulted from healed fractures, especially in sea otter. Knowledge of copulatory behaviour, age of breeding, female reproductive anatomy, and genitalic interactions during intromission is needed for comprehensive understanding of bacular anatomy, allometry, and variation for these species.
Outcomes of a modified, low-cost, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) for elective, periprocedural support of high-risk percutaneous cardiac interventions: An experience from a latinamerican center
Authors: Bulnes Juan F , Martínez Alejandro , Sepúlveda Pablo , Fuensalida Alberto , Besa Santiago , Garrido Luis , Martínez Gonzalo 
Published: May 2023

Introduction High-risk procedures in interventional cardiology include a wide spectrum of clinical and anatomical scenarios related to a higher periprocedural morbidity and mortality. The prophylactic use of short-term mechanical circulatory support (ST-MCS) may improve both the safety and efficacy of the intervention by leading to more stable procedural hemodynamics. However, the significant costs may limit its use in resource constrained settings. To overcome this limitation, we ideated a modified, low-cost, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (V-A ECMO) setup. Methods We conducted an observational prospective study including all patients undergoing a high-risk interventional cardiology procedure at our institution under prophylactic ST-MCS using a modified, low-cost version of V-A ECMO, where some components of the standard V-A ECMO circuit were replaced by supplies used for cardiac surgical cardiopulmonary bypass, achieving a cost reduction of 72%. We assessed in-hospital and mid-term outcomes, including procedural success, post-procedure complications and mortality. Results Between March 2016 and December 2021, ten patients underwent high-risk IC procedures with prophylactic use of V-A ECMO. Isolated percutaneous intervention (PCI) was performed in six patients, isolated transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in two, and a combined procedure (PCI + TAVR) in two. Mean ejection fraction was 34% (range 20–64%). Mean STS PROM was 16.2% (range 9.5–35.8%) and mean EuroScore was 23.7% (range 1.5–60%). The planned intervention was successfully performed in all cases. There were no reports of V-A ECMO malfunction. In nine patients the VA-ECMO was withdrawn immediately after the procedure but one patient required extended - 24 h - support with no significant issues. One patient experienced a periprocedural myocardial infarction and another developed a femoral pseudoaneurysm. In-hospital and 30-day survival were 100%, and 1-year survival was 80%. Conclusions High-risk procedures in interventional cardiology can be successfully performed under prophylactic ST-MCS using a modified, low-cost V-A ECMO, suitable for limited-resource settings.
Psychological Reactions of Lebanese Nurses to Workplace Violence in Critical Care Units
Authors: Morra Sana , Fawaz Mirna , Rayan Ahmad , Malak Malakeh Z. , Abdalrahim Asem , Al-Amer Rasmieh , Al Omari Omar , Ayed Ahmad , Al-Dwaikat Tariq , Ayasreh Ibrahim , Al-Osoufe Laith , Mohammad Khitam Ibrahem , Alhroub Nisser , Al Dameery Khloud , ALBashtawy Mohammed , Alkhawaldeh Abdullah 
Published: May 2023

Introduction Workplace violence (WPV) is a growing concern that constitutes a major threat to occupational health and safety, thereby comprising a priority issue for policymakers. Given the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and comorbidities among the Lebanese population, nurses working in critical care settings encounter intense workloads and high-risk interactions, potentially increasing the risk of WPV. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the traumatic and psychological reactions of Lebanese critical nurses who have been exposed to WPV, and the risk factors for depression and anxiety. Methods The study utilized a cross-sectional descriptive correlational design; 112 critical care nurses from diverse departments took part in this study during the period of June to July 2021. Results A positive, significant correlation between WPV exposure and self-reported anxiety was observed, p = .03 with high levels of WPV, especially among patients and their families. Although verbal abuse was found to be more prevalent among critical care nurses in Lebanon compared to physical and sexual violence, the severity of the situation and its impact on the nurses’ mental health and well-being cannot be ignored. Conclusions WPV for critical care nurses is a serious issue that needs to be considered. Policy-makers should develop the politics of regulating the nursing profession, especially for critical care nurses in Lebanon.
Diarrhea accompanies intestinal inflammation and intestinal mucosal microbiota dysbiosis during fatigue combined with a high-fat diet
Authors: Liu Jing , Qiao Bo , Cai Ying , Tan Zhoujin , Deng Na 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Objective
It was reported fatigue or a high-fat diet triggers diarrhea, and intestinal microbiota may play central roles in diarrhea. Therefore, we investigated the association between the intestinal mucosal microbiota and the intestinal mucosal barrier from fatigue combined with a high-fat diet.

Method
This study divided the Specific pathogen-free (SPF) male mice into the normal group (MCN) and the standing united lard group (MSLD). The MSLD group stood on water environment platform box for 4 h/day for 14 days, and 0.4 mL lard was gavaged from day 8, twice daily for 7 days.

Result
After 14 days, Mice in the MSLD group showed diarrhea symptoms. The pathological analysis showed structural damage to the small intestine in the MSLD group, with an increasing trend of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-17, and inflammation accompanied by structural damage to the intestine. Fatigue combined with a high-fat diet considerably decreased Limosilactobacillus vaginalis and Limosilactobacillus reuteri, and among them, Limosilactobacillus reuteri positively associated with Muc2 and negatively with IL-6.

Conclusion
The interactions between Limosilactobacillus reuteri and intestinal inflammation might be involved in the process of intestinal mucosal barrier impairment in fatigue combined with high-fat diet-induced diarrhea.
Development and clinical validation of a one-step pentaplex real-time reverse transcription PCR assay for detection of hepatitis virus B, C, E, Treponema pallidum, and a human housekeeping gene
Authors: Li Miaomiao , Lv Yan , Cui Dawei , Xu Yushan , Lin Mengjiao , Zhang Xiaojun , Wang Yongjun , Shen Cuifen , Xie Jue 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
With the safety of blood transfusion being a major public health concern, the development of a rapid, sensitive, specific, and cost-effective multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection of hepatitis B virus(HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), and Treponema pallidum(T. pallidum) in blood is crucial.

Methods
Five primer pairs and probes were designed towards conserved regions of target genes and used to establish a one-step pentaplex real-time reverse transcription PCR(qRT-PCR) assay for simultaneous detection of HBV, HCV, HEV, T. pallidum, and RNase P(housekeeping gene), providing sample quality check. The clinical performance of the assay was further determined with 2400 blood samples from blood donors and patients in Zhejiang province, and compared the results with commercial singleplex qPCR and serological assays.

Results
The 95% limit of detection(LOD) of HBV, HCV, HEV, and T. pallidum were 7.11 copies/µL, 7.65 copies/µL, 8.45 copies/µL, and 9.06 copies/µL, respectively. Moreover, the assay has good specificity and precision. Compared to the singleplex qPCR assay, the novel assay for detecting HBV, HCV, HEV, and T. pallidum presented 100% clinical sensitivity, specificity, and consistency. Several discrepant results between serological and pentaplex qRT-PCR assays were found. Of 2400 blood samples, there were 2(0.08%) HBsAg positive samples, 3(0.13%) anti-HCV positive samples, 29(1.21%) IgM anti-HEV positive samples and 6(0.25%) anti-T. pallidum positive samples proven negative in nucleic acid detection. 1(0.04%) HBV DNA positive sample and 1(0.04%) HEV RNA positive sample were detected negative by serological testing.

Conclusions
The developed pentaplex qRT-PCR is the first assay on simultaneous, sensitive, specific, and reproducible detection of HBV, HCV, HEV, T. pallidum, and RNase P in a single tube. It could detect pathogens in blood during the window period of infection and is a good tool for effectively screening blood donors and early clinical diagnosis.
Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of food insecurity among post-secondary students and non-students of similar age in Canada
Authors: Wang Yichun , St-Germain Andrée-Anne Fafard , Tarasuk Valerie 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
The results of several recent campus-based studies indicate that over half of post-secondary students in Canada are food insecure, but the vulnerability of this group has not been considered in research on predictors of food insecurity in the Canadian population. Our objectives were to (1) compare the prevalence of food insecurity among post-secondary students and non-students of similar age; (2) examine the relationship between student status and food insecurity among young adults while accounting for sociodemographic characteristics; and (3) identify the sociodemographic characteristics associated with food insecurity among post-secondary students.

Methods
Using data from the 2018 Canadian Income Survey, we identified 11,679 young adults aged 19–30 and classified them into full-time postsecondary students, part-time post-secondary students, and non-students. Food insecurity over the past 12 months was assessed with the 10-item Adult Scale from the Household Food Security Survey Module. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the odds of food insecurity by student status while accounting for sociodemographic characteristics, and to identify sociodemographic characteristics predictive of food insecurity among post-secondary students.

Results
The prevalence of food insecurity was 15.0% among full-time postsecondary students, 16.2% among part-time students, and 19.2% among non-students. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, full-time postsecondary students had 39% lower odds of being food insecure as compared to non-students (aOR 0.61, 95% CI 0.50–0.76). Among postsecondary students, those with children (aOR 1.93, 95%CI 1.10–3.40), those living in rented accommodation (aOR 1.60, 95%CI 1.08–2.37), and those in families reliant on social assistance (aOR 4.32, 95%CI 1.60-11.69) had higher adjusted odds of food insecurity, but having at least a Bachelor’s degree appeared protective (aOR: 0.63, 95% CI 0.41–0.95). Every $5000 increase in adjusted after-tax family income was also associated with lower adjusted odds of food insecurity (aOR 0.88, 95%CI 0.84–0.92) among post-secondary students.

Conclusions
In this large, population-representative sample, we found that young adults who did not attend post-secondary school were more vulnerable to food insecurity, particularly severe food insecurity, than full-time post-secondary students in Canada. Our results highlight the need for research to identify effective policy interventions to reduce food insecurity among young, working-age adults in general.
Alveolar bone changes following bi-maxillary vertical molars’ movements using clear aligners
Authors: Al-Warafi Leena Ali , Al-Worafi Naseem Ali , Al-Aroomi Maged Ali , Alhashimi Najah , Alsomairi Majedh Abdo Ali , Al-Rokhami Remsh Khaled , Chen Xi , Alhammadi Maged Sultan 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to assess the alveolar bone changes following maxillary and mandibular molars’ intrusion and extrusion movements using Clear Aligners using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).

Materials and methods
This is a retrospective clinical study in which 24 adult patients with pre-designed selection criteria and a mean age of 31.1 + 9.9 years were enrolled. The alveolar bone changes around one hundred thirty-three maxillary and mandibular molars intruded or extruded by Clear Aligners therapy were analyzed from CBCT using Invivo 6.0 software. Intra- and inter-examiner reliability analysis was performed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s Alpha statistics. The paired t-test was used to analyze significant differences before and after treatment (T0-T1). The significance level was considered at P < 0.05.

Result
The patients were divided into two groups: extrusion (48.9%, n = 65 molars’ root) and intrusion (51.1%, n = 68 molars’ root) group. There was a significant decrease in the alveolar bone changes in the buccal surface of the mandibular right and left 1st molars in the extrusion group (-1.05 ± 0.97, -0.76 ± 1.12 mm, respectively) and the maxillary left 2nd molars in intrusion group (-0.42 ± 0.77 mm), and the lingual surface of intrusion of the mandibular left 1st molar (-0.64 ± 0.76 mm). Comparing the mean maxillary and mandibular changes (T0-T1) of both studied groups showed that the buccal alveolar bone changes for the left 1st and right 2nd molars showed a significant difference in extrusion and intrusion groups, respectively.

Conclusions
The buccal alveolar bone changes is considered the most affected surface following maxillary and mandibular molars’ intrusion and extrusion movements using clear aligners, with mandibular molars being more affected than the maxillary ones.