bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential antibiotic dosing in critical care: survey on nurses’ knowledge, perceptions and experience
Authors: Fawaz Sarah , Barton Stephen , Whitney Laura , Nabhani-Gebara Shereen
Published: September 2020

Background

With the discovery of new antibiotics diminishing, optimizing the administration of existing antibiotics has become a necessity. Critical care nurses play a crucial role in combating antimicrobial resistance and are involved in preparing and administering antibiotics as well as monitoring their effects on patients. A dosing strategy proposed to reduce the development of ever-evolving antimicrobial resistance involves differential dosing regimens such as prolonged/continuous infusions.

Objectives

To assess critical care nurses’ knowledge, perceptions, comfort and experience in relation to prolonged/continuous infusion antibiotics.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an investigator-developed, self-administered survey consisting of open- and closed-ended questions. Obtained data were computed using SPSS. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data.

Results

Fifty-two critical care nurses participated in the survey. Data revealed that nurses have adequate levels of knowledge and comfort relating to the use of prolonged/continuous infusion antibiotics along with the ability to communicate effectively on the topic. Results indicate there is a need for further learning, especially in terms of multiplicity of methods for preparing and administering prolonged/continuous infusions and dose calculations. Overall, results are promising as nurses support the wider implementation of prolonged/continuous infusion treatment regimens in critical care.

Conclusion

Although critical care nurses had a good understanding surrounding the use of prolonged/continuous infusion antibiotics, there is a need for further learning beyond information gained from nursing education courses. Findings from this study indicate that nurses are supportive of prolonged/continuous infusion antibiotics. However, further research is needed to determine the most effective mode of antibiotic administration.
Effect of calfhood nutrition on metabolic hormones, gonadotropins, and estradiol concentrations and on reproductive organ development in beef heifer calves
Authors: Kelly Alan K , Byrne Colin , McGee Mark , Perry George A , Crowe Mark A , Sauerwein Helga , Kenny David A
Published: September 2020

This study examined the effect of plane of nutrition on the endocrinological regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis in beef heifer calves during a critical sexual developmental window early in calf hood. Forty Holstein-Friesian × Angus heifers (mean age 19 d, SEM = 0.63) were assigned to a high (HI; ADG 1.2 kg) or moderate (MOD; ADG 0.50 kg) nutritional level from 3 to 21 wk of life. Intake was recorded using an electronic calf feeding system, BW was recorded weekly, and blood samples were collected on the week of age 5, 10, 15, and 20 for metabolite, reproductive, and metabolic hormone determination. At 19 wk of age, on sequential days, an 8-h window bleed was carried out for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol analysis. To characterize anterior pituitary gland function, an intravenous GnRH challenge was conducted (19 wk of age). Blood was collected via a jugular catheter every 15 min for 135 min for the analysis of LH, FSH, and estradiol. Calves were subsequently euthanized at 21 wk of age; the anterior pituitary, metabolic organs, and reproductive tract were weighed, and ovarian surface follicular numbers and oocytes recovered were recorded. Mean ADG was 1.18 and 0.50 kg for HI and MOD, respectively, resulting in a 76.6-kg difference in BW (P < 0.001). Blood insulin, glucose, and IGF-1 concentrations were greater (P < 0.001) for HI compared with MOD. There was a diet × time interaction for leptin (P < 0.01); concentrations were greater in HI compared with MOD at 20 wk of age with no difference between treatments before this. Dietary treatment did not alter the concentrations of adiponectin or anti-mullerian hormone. There was a diet × time interaction for FSH, whereby MOD had greater concentrations than HI at 10, 15, and 20, but not at 5 wk of age. Over the duration of an 8-h window bleed (19 wk of age), serum concentrations of LH, LH pulse frequency, and LH pulse amplitude were unaffected by treatment, whereas FSH (0.23 vs. 0.43 ng/mL) and estradiol (0.53 vs. 0.38 ng/mL) concentrations were less than and greater, respectively, for HI than MOD (P < 0.05). Likewise, following a GnRH challenge, the area under the curve analysis revealed greater (P < 0.01) estradiol and lesser (P < 0.01) FSH concentrations in calves on the HI relative to MOD diet, whereas concentrations of LH were unaffected (P = 0.26) between treatments. Ovarian surface follicle numbers were greater (P < 0.05) in HI compared with MOD. Total reproductive tract, uterus, and ovarian tissue expressed relative to BW were greater (P < 0.05) for HI compared with MOD. In conclusion, enhanced nutrition in early calfhood advances the ontogeny development of the HPO axis.
The central melanocortin system and human obesity
Authors: Yang Yongjie , Xu Yong
Published: September 2020

The prevalence of obesity and the associated comorbidities highlight the importance of understanding the regulation of energy homeostasis. The central melanocortin system plays a critical role in controlling body weight balance. Melanocortin neurons sense and integrate the neuronal and hormonal signals, and then send regulatory projections, releasing anorexigenic or orexigenic melanocortin neuropeptides, to downstream neurons to regulate the food intake and energy expenditure. This review summarizes the latest progress in our understanding of the role of the melanocortin pathway in energy homeostasis. We also review the advances in the identification of human genetic variants that cause obesity via mechanisms that affect the central melanocortin system, which have provided rational targets for treatment of genetically susceptible patients.
Myelin Pathology Beyond White Matter in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Cortical Tubers
Authors: Mühlebner Angelika , van Scheppingen Jackelien , de Neef Andrew , Bongaarts Anika , Zimmer Till S , Mills James D , Jansen Floor E , Spliet Wim G M , Krsek Pavel , Zamecnik Josef , Coras Roland , Blumcke Ingmar , Feucht Martha , Scholl Theresa , Gruber Victoria-Elisabeth , Hainfellner Johannes A , Söylemezoğlu Figen , Kotulska Katarzyna , Lagae Lieven , Jansen Anna C , Kwiatkowski David J , Jozwiak Sergiusz , Curatolo Paolo , Aronica Eleonora
Published: September 2020

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a monogenetic disease that arises due to mutations in either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene and affects multiple organ systems. One of the hallmark manifestations of TSC are cortical malformations referred to as cortical tubers. These tubers are frequently associated with treatment-resistant epilepsy. Some of these patients are candidates for epilepsy surgery. White matter abnormalities, such as loss of myelin and oligodendroglia, have been described in a small subset of resected tubers but mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are unclear. Herein, we analyzed a variety of neuropathologic and immunohistochemical features in gray and white matter areas of resected cortical tubers from 46 TSC patients using semi-automated quantitative image analysis. We observed divergent amounts of myelin basic protein as well as numbers of oligodendroglia in both gray and white matter when compared with matched controls. Analyses of clinical data indicated that reduced numbers of oligodendroglia were associated with lower numbers on the intelligence quotient scale and that lower amounts of myelin-associated oligodendrocyte basic protein were associated with the presence of autism-spectrum disorder. In conclusion, myelin pathology in cortical tubers extends beyond the white matter and may be linked to cognitive dysfunction in TSC patients.
Multifocal Necrotizing Leukoencephalopathy With Preferential Microglia Toxicity in a Patient Treated With Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells and Review of the Literature
Authors: Marker Daniel F , Kofler Julia K , Mettenburg Joseph A , Agha Mounzer E , Wiley Clayton A
Published: September 2020

Neurotoxic side effects of traditional systemic chemotherapy are abundantly described. The introduction of newly developed biologic therapeutics and cellular immune effector therapies has expanded the spectrum of neurotoxicity. Multifocal necrotizing leukoencephalopathy (MNL) is a pathologic condition of unknown etiology that has been observed in patients after prolonged critical illness. We observed a case of MNL in a patient treated with extensive multimodal therapy including chimeric antigen receptor T cells. A month before death, MRI demonstrated signs of inflammation and developing edema in brainstem structures. At autopsy the abnormal MRI regions showed a wave-like loss of microglia with hemorrhagic MNL in regions closest to the brain surface. These findings reiterate the susceptibility of white matter to antineoplastic therapy and suggest new mechanisms of neurotoxicity when traditional chemotherapy is combined with biologic or cellular effector therapy.
Factorial estimating assembly base errors using k-mer abundance difference (KAD) between short reads and genome assembled sequences
Authors: He Cheng , Lin Guifang , Wei Hairong , Tang Haibao , White Frank F , Valent Barbara , Liu Sanzhen
Published: September 2020

Genome sequences provide genomic maps with a single-base resolution for exploring genetic contents. Sequencing technologies, particularly long reads, have revolutionized genome assemblies for producing highly continuous genome sequences. However, current long-read sequencing technologies generate inaccurate reads that contain many errors. Some errors are retained in assembled sequences, which are typically not completely corrected by using either long reads or more accurate short reads. The issue commonly exists, but few tools are dedicated for computing error rates or determining error locations. In this study, we developed a novel approach, referred to as k-mer abundance difference (KAD), to compare the inferred copy number of each k-mer indicated by short reads and the observed copy number in the assembly. Simple KAD metrics enable to classify k-mers into categories that reflect the quality of the assembly. Specifically, the KAD method can be used to identify base errors and estimate the overall error rate. In addition, sequence insertion and deletion as well as sequence redundancy can also be detected. Collectively, KAD is valuable for quality evaluation of genome assemblies and, potentially, provides a diagnostic tool to aid in precise error correction. KAD software has been developed to facilitate public uses.
Spinal Neurovascular Malformations in Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome: A Single Center Study
Authors: Larson Anthony , Covington Tristan , Anderson Katelyn , Tollefson Megha , Lanzino Giuseppe , Brinjikji Waleed
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

A number of studies have demonstrated spinal anomalies associated with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS). To date, there are no large consecutive series examining the prevalence and subtype distribution of spinal neurovascular malformations in patients with KTS.

OBJECTIVE

To report the spectrum and incidence of spinal neurovascular manifestations in the KTS population.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. Consecutive patients with definite KTS as defined by International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies criteria who underwent spinal neuroimaging at our institution were included. All studies were evaluated by a staff neuroradiologist and a senior radiology resident for the presence of developmental venous anomalies, cavernous malformations (CMs), and arteriovenous shunts (AVS).

RESULTS

A total of 116 patients with definite KTS who underwent spinal neuroimaging were included. A total of 23 neurovascular anomalies were found in 19 patients (16.4%), including 4 patients with multiple anomalies. These included 5 patients with spinal cord CMs (4.3%), 14 patients with a paraspinal or epidural venous malformation (12.1%), and 4 patients with an AVS (3.4%). Of the AVS, 3 were epidural arteriovenous fistulas, 1 of which likely formed de novo in an epidural venous malformation. One was a conus medullaris arteriovenous malformation.

CONCLUSION

Our study cohort of 116 KTS patients demonstrated a wide spectrum of spinal neurovascular anomalies with a relatively high prevalence. Potential phenotypic descriptions of KTS should include the possibility for spinal neurovascular anomalies.
Brexit and Anti-Parliament Discourses among Conservative MPs (2016–2019)
Authors: Alexandre-Collier Agnès
Published: September 2020

Brexit seems to have produced a new form of narrative in the Conservative Party in which some Conservative MPs brand themselves first and foremost as representatives of ‘the people’. Following on from the 2016 EU referendum, a new discourse has become prominent in the party and has also been developed as a new critique of the British Parliament. An analysis of Hansard debates between July 2016 and December 2019 helps identify different forms of anti-Parliament narrative which denounce the paralysis of the legislative process as well as its anti-democratic and conspiratorial features. By doing so, they reveal a radical departure from the historic values of the Conservative party such as the ‘veneration’ of Parliament but question the claim that this may signal the surge of a new type of populism.
RADON INHALATION EXPERIMENTS TO TEST RADON EXHALATION KINETICS
Authors: Fojtík P , Hůlka J , Bartl P , Jílek K , Malátová I , Kotík L , Rulík P , Rubovič P , Štekl I
Published: September 2020

Three experiments were conducted with a volunteer to test the kinetics of the 222Rn exhalation after a short­time exposure to an elevated 222Rn air concentration. Radon concentration in an exhaled air was measured, complemented by whole body counting of 222Rn decay products in a body. Exhaled activities are compared with the prediction of the recent ICRP biokinetic model for radon. While a rapid equilibration of the exhaled radon activity concentration with that in the air inhaled corresponded with the model, the measured 222Rn exhalation rate was significantly less than modelled. Five hours after termination of the inhalation phase, the radon concentration in the exhaled air decreased to levels expected for non-elevated indoor radon activity concentration. Whole body activities of the 222Rn decay products were found higher than expected. Inhalation of the unattached fraction or residual activity of decay products in the air inhaled may be the explanation.
Do environmental regulations affect FDI decisions? The pollution haven hypothesis revisited
Authors: Yoon Haeyeon , Heshmati Almas
Published: September 2020

This study attempts to verify the pollution haven hypothesis by investigating the impact of environmental regulations on foreign direct investment (FDI). It uses Korean outward FDI data covering the manufacturing sector for the period 2009–15. This study not only considers the stringency when measuring the degree of the host country’s environmental regulations but also the enforcement of these environmental regulations. Since the pollution haven’s effects indicate moving the polluting production stages from the home country to other (host) countries, we differentiate between investments in the ‘production’ part from those in the non-production part using location information about the host country. The main results of a FDI’s model estimation show that the stricter the regulations in host countries in Asia, the lower the FDI both intensively and extensively in these countries. This supports the prevalence of the effects of a pollution haven. However, before we separate FDI into the production and non-production parts, the effects of environmental regulations on FDI are hindered by FDI in the non-production part. The results indicate that while environmental regulations are determinants of FDI in the production part, they do not have a significant effect on FDI decisions when the entire FDI is considered.
Rearing in female-only groups and dietary mineral supplementation improves sow welfare in the early parities and lifetime performance
Authors: Hartnett Phoebe , Boyle Laura A , O’Driscoll Keelin
Published: September 2020

The lifetime performance of commercial sows relies on longevity, which is dependent on good health and reproductive performance. However, there is a high rate of wastage of sows in the early parities, which is influenced by the way they are managed and housed during rearing. This study investigated the carry-over effect of gilt rearing strategy on the measures of welfare and performance. Eighty sows were reared using a two by two factorial design: rearing group composition [GC; female-only (FEM) or mixed-sex (MIX) from weaning] with or without supplementary minerals (CON = control diet; SUPP = control + Cu, Zn, and Mn) from 5 wk into the finisher stage. Once served, gilts were managed in a dynamic group gestation pen and fed a standard gestating sow diet. Locomotory ability was scored (0 to 5) and salivary cortisol measured five times during the first gestation, and human approach tests were carried out on day 108. Hooves were scored for injuries and legs for bursas at day 70 of the first gestation, at first weaning, and at the second farrowing. Sow behavior in the hoof scoring crate (movement, vocalization, and handling ease) was also recorded. The number of piglets born alive and dead during the first five parities was recorded as was the performance of the first litter to finish. Data were analyzed using general or generalized linear mixed models, as appropriate, using SAS (v 9.4). There was no effect (P > 0.05) of rearing treatment on locomotory ability, bursa score, the total number of piglets born, or on offspring growth. However, there was an interaction between GC and supplementary minerals (P < 0.05) on salivary cortisol levels with MIX × SUPP sows having the highest levels. Total hoof scores and heel erosion scores were higher in sows reared in MIX groups (P < 0.01), and CON sows tended to have higher horizontal crack scores (P = 0.06). Sows from MIX kicked more at weaning than FEM (P < 0.05) and tended to be more fearful in the forced human approach test (P = 0.1) where they are scored on their reaction to being approached. They also had more stillborn piglets across all five parities than FEM (P < 0.05). Overall, rearing replacement sows in FEM groups and dietary mineral supplementation had minimal but beneficial effects on their subsequent welfare and performance.
SARS-CoV-2: how safe is it to fly and what can be done to enhance protection?
Authors: Harries Anthony D , Martinez Leonardo , Chakaya Jeremiah M
Published: September 2020

With lockdown restrictions over coronavirus disease 2019 being relaxed, airlines are returning to the skies. Published evidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 transmission on aircraft is limited, but in-flight transmission of respiratory infections such as tuberculosis, influenza and SARS has been well described. Risk factors include proximity to index patients and sitting in aisle seats. Personal protection on aircraft could be enhanced by always wearing a well-fitting face mask and face shield or sunglasses, wiping surfaces and hands with alcohol-based sanitizers, not touching the face, not queuing for washrooms, changing seats if nearby passengers are coughing and choosing a window rather than an aisle seat.
Validation of a Decision Support System for Blueberry Anthracnose and Fungicide Sensitivity of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Isolates
Authors: Gama Andre B. , Cordova Leandro G. , Rebello Carolina S. , Peres Natalia A.
Published: September 2020

Blueberry is an increasingly important crop in Florida. Anthracnose fruit rot (AFR), caused mostly by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is favored by long wetness periods and temperatures from 15 to 27°C. Currently, the model in the Strawberry Advisory System (StAS) guides fungicide applications targeting strawberry AFR. Given the similarity between blueberry and strawberry AFR, we hypothesized that the model used in StAS could be used in a decision support system (DSS) built for blueberry AFR. There is no information on inhibition posed by fungicides on C. gloeosporioides isolates from blueberry. Our objectives were to demonstrate that the model used in the StAS could be used for blueberry AFR management in Florida and to assess the sensitivity of isolates to fungicides. Four trials were undertaken in blueberry fields in Florida during two seasons to compare the effectiveness of fungicide applications according to the model with that of the growers’ standard calendar. Sensitivity of blueberry C. gloeosporioides isolates to azoxystrobin, benzovindiflupyr, penthiopyrad, pydiflumetofen, boscalid, thiophanate-methyl, fluazinam, and fludioxonil was evaluated. AFR incidence and yield were compared between treatments. Following recommendations from the model resulted in disease control as effective as the standard program and in some cases with fewer applications. All isolates were sensitive to benzovindiflupyr, penthiopyrad, fluazinam, and fludioxonil. Low frequency of in vitro inhibition of isolates by azoxystrobin, pydiflumetofen, boscalid, and thiophanate-methyl should raise concern about fungicide resistance. Our results indicate that the model used in StAS could be used in a DSS to help Florida growers to manage AFR in blueberry.
Characterization of an Incomplete Leaf Rust Resistance Gene on Chromosome 1RS and Development of KASP Markers for Lr47 in Wheat
Authors: Xu Xiangyang , Li Genqiao , Bai Guihua , Bernardo Amy , Carver Brett F. , St. Amand Paul , Bian Ruolin
Published: September 2020

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, is one of the most common wheat (Triticum aestivum) diseases in the Great Plains of the United States. A population of recombinant inbred lines from CI 17884 × ‘Bainong 418’ was evaluated for responses to leaf rust race Pt52-2 and genotyped using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Quantitative trait locus analysis identified a minor gene for resistance to leaf rust, designated QLr.stars-1RS, on the 1BL.1RS translocation segment in ‘Bainong 418’, and another leaf rust resistance gene, Lr47, on chromosome 7A of CI 17884. Lr47, originally identified in CI 17884 and located in a wheat-T. speltoides translocation segment 7S#1S, remains one of only a few race-specific resistance genes still effective in the Great Plains. A set of 7A-specific simple sequence repeat markers were developed and used to genotype CI 17884 and a pair of near-isogenic lines differing in the presence or absence of 7S#1S, PI 603918, and ‘Pavon F76’. Haplotype analysis indicated that the estimated length of 7S#1S was 157.23 to 174.42 Megabases, accounting for ∼23% of the 7A chromosome. Two SNPs on 7S#1S and four SNPs on the 1RS chromosome arm were converted to Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers, which were subsequently validated in a panel of cultivars and elite breeding lines released within the last decade. Of these, one- and two-KASP markers are specific to the 1RS chromosome arm and 7S#1S, respectively, indicating that they can facilitate the introgression of Lr47 and QLr.stars-1RS into locally adapted wheat cultivars and breeding lines.
Validation of a Questionnaire to Analyze the Expectations of First-Year Nursing Students
Authors: Hidalgo-Blanco Miguel Angel , Puig-Llobet Montserrat , Lluch-Canut Maria Teresa , Moreno-Arroyo Carmen , Vergara-Duarte Montserrat , Amador-Campos Juan Antonio
Published: September 2020

AIM

The aim of this study was to design and validate a questionnaire to analyze students’ expectations, along with their level of interest and overall satisfaction with their nursing studies.

BACKGROUND

The expectations of students on entering university are closely related to the level of interest that they have in their area of study and their general satisfaction with it. This is certainly a conditioning factor in their learning. In this regard, there are few quantitative instruments that measure the expectations of first-year nursing students.

METHOD

A mixed questionnaire was constructed using items validated in previous studies, along with new items formulated following a review of the literature. The questionnaire was validated with a sample of 339 first-year degree program nursing students.

RESULTS

The scales of expectations and degree of interest showed strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α > .7).

CONCLUSION

The questionnaire to evaluate the expectations and interest of students demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Harlequin Ichthyosis: A Case Report
Authors: Xia Qiu-Ling , Wang Xing , Huang Shuai , Li Jun-Nan
Published: September 2020

Harlequin ichthyosis is a severe autosomal recessive skin disorder. Most deaths occur within the first few days after birth, and the survivors still have severe chronic skin disease throughout their lives. Almost all cases were associated with a pathogenic variant of adenosine triphosphate binding cassette transporter, subfamily A, member 12 (ABCA12) gene. We described a case of HI diagnosed by ultrasound examination during the second-trimester and genetic diagnosis reveal two novel heterozygous ABCA12 mutations c.2563-2570delinsGGCAATT, p.(Leu855Glyfs∗13), and c.6116delT, p.(Met2039Argfs∗8) by the next-generation DNA sequencing, which further enriched our understanding of the pathogenic variation of ABCA12 gene.
Twin Anemia Polycythemia Sequence: Knowledge and Insights After 15 Years of Research
Authors: Tollenaar Lisanne S.A. , Lopriore Enrico , Oepkes Dick , Haak Monique C. , Klumper Frans J.C.M. , Middeldorp Johanna M. , Klink Jeanine M.M. Van , Slaghekke Femke
Published: September 2020

Twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS) is a chronic form of unbalanced feto-fetal transfusion through minuscule placental anastomoses in monochorionic twin pregnancies, leading to anemia in the donor twin and polycythemia in the recipient twin. TAPS can occur spontaneously in up to 5% of monochorionic twins or can arise in 2%–16% of cases after incomplete laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome. TAPS can develop across the entire second and third trimester. Antenatal diagnosis for TAPS is reached via Doppler measurement of the fetal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity, showing an increased velocity in the donor, combined with a decreased velocity in the recipient. Treatment options for TAPS include expectant management, preterm delivery, intrauterine blood transfusion with or without a partial exchange transfusion, fetoscopic laser surgery and selective feticide. The best treatment option is unclear and is currently being investigated in an international multicenter randomized trial (the TAPS trial). Spontaneous fetal demise occurs in 5%–11% of TAPS twins, more often in donors (8%–18%) than in recipients (2%–5%). Severe long-term neurodevelopmental impairment is seen in 9% of TAPS twins, with donors having an increased risk for cognitive impairment and hearing problems (15%).
Metastatic Breast Neuroendocrine Cancer in Pregnancy: A Case of an Oncologic Emergency and a Review of Literature
Authors: De Luca Caterina , Tosto Valentina , Badr Dominique A. , De Luca Laura , Porreca Roberta , Di Renzo Gian Carlo
Published: September 2020

Breast neuroendocrine carcinoma is a rare entity. It constitutes less than 0.5% of breast malignancies, and is usually diagnosed in older women. The occurrence of this type in young patients during pregnancy is extremely rare. Only 2 cases were previously reported. Both were diagnosed at earlier stage with the appearance of a palpable breast mass. Hereby, we present the case of a young patient at 28 weeks’ gestation admitted for severe diffuse back pain and neurologic deficit due to spinal cord compression at the level of C5 vertebra, and nerve root compression at the level of L5 vertebrae. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of oncologic emergency during pregnancy due to a metastatic poorly differentiated breast carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation in the absence of a detectable primary focus of malignancy in the breast. We also discuss the management and the obstetrical outcome of this patient.
Fetal Phenotype and Prenatal Diagnosis of Kabuki Syndrome
Authors: Pan Yan , Yao Hong , Chen Gongli , Tan Qiong , Chang Qing , Ma Yongyi , Liang Zhiqing
Published: September 2020

Kabuki syndrome (MIM 147920) is an autosomal dominant rare disease featured with multiple malformations and mental retardation. The main clinical manifestations of Kabuki syndrome are characteristic facial features, skeletal abnormalities, dermatoglyphic abnormalities, postpartum growth retardation, mild to moderate mental retardation, as well as other structural and functional abnormalities that may involve multiple systems. The establishment of diagnosis needs to be combined with clinical phenotype and the discovery of pathogenic mutation. Compared with the abundant descriptions and records of genotype-phenotype of postpartum patients, few prenatal diagnosis cases of Kabuki syndrome had been reported, which partially result from lacking the knowledge of its phenotype in fetuses that might suggest the diagnosis. This report performed comprehensive prenatal examinations to identify a fetus's etiology with multiple structural anomalies characterized by ascites, thickening of local skin, and cardiac abnormalities. We ruled out intrauterine infection, thalassemia, and chromosome abnormality by corresponding tests. Finally, trio whole-exome sequencing revealed a de novo heterozygous variation c.15641g > A (p.r5214h) in exon 48 of the KMT2D gene was the fetus's genetic pathogeny causing Kabuki syndrome. This result suggests that Kabuki syndrome should be in the suspected etiology list for prenatal hydrops/ascites. Our study confirmed that prenatal whole-exome sequencing is an efficient tool for diagnosing fetal abnormalities, and a multidisciplinary team is necessary for providing pregnancy guidance to patients.
BRANCH RETINAL ARTERY OCCLUSION WITH PARACENTRAL ACUTE MIDDLE MACULOPATHY PRESUMABLY RELATED TO HEAVY CANNABIS USE
Authors: Ramtohul Prithvi , Freund K. Bailey , Sarraf David
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

To report a case of branch retinal artery occlusion associated with paracentral acute middle maculopathy on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography presumably related to heavy cannabis consumption.

Methods:

Retrospective case report. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography angiography were performed.

Results:

A 21-year-old healthy man described the acute onset of superior visual field loss in his right eye. He admitted smoking approximately 15 g daily of cannabis for several weeks during COVID-19 confinement. Ophthalmoscopic examination of the right eye showed inferotemporal retinal whitening. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography illustrated evidence of the ischemic cascade with diffuse hyperreflectivity of the inner and middle retinal layers within the central region of the retinal infarct and paracentral acute middle maculopathy at the border of the infarct. Optical coherence tomography angiography demonstrated predominant flow signal loss at the level of the deep retinal capillary plexus. Fluorescein angiography and complete systemic workup were unremarkable.

Conclusion:

Branch retinal artery occlusion and paracentral acute middle maculopathy may be related to heavy cannabis use as the result of transient arterial vasospasm.
The Effect of Psychosocial Work Factors on Headache
Authors: Urhammer Caroline , Grynderup Matias Brødsgaard , Appel Andreas Moses , Hansen Åse Marie , Hansen Jakob Møller , Kaerlev Linda , Nabe-Nielsen Kirsten
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal association between psychosocial work factors, assessed as work-unit averages, and headache. For comparison, we also applied individual exposure measures.

Methods:

We used questionnaire-data on headache and psychosocial work factors (PWF). In total, 2247 employees were included in the cross-sectional analyses and 553 in the longitudinal analyses using work-unit averages. The corresponding numbers for the analyses using individual exposure measures were 4261 and 942 employees.

Results:

Low skill discretion and low decision authority were most consistently associated with higher odds of headache across all analyses. Role conflicts, bullying, and effort-reward imbalance were associated with headache in some analyses. All PWF were associated with headache in cross-sectional analyses with individual exposure measures.

Conclusion:

This study partly supports the hypothesis of an effect of PWF, as a source of psychological stress, on the risk of headache.
Narrative Identity, Metacognition, and Well-Being in Patients With Schizophrenia or HIV
Authors: Holm Tine , Thomsen Dorthe Kirkegaard , Huling Kelsey S. , Fischer Melanie W. , Lysaker Paul H.
Published: September 2020

It has been proposed that schizophrenia reflects disturbances in personal identity, which include sense of personal agency, sense of belonging within a social group, and metacognition. Less is known about how these different processes are related to one another and to well-being outcomes. To study this, we measured themes of agency and communion in narrative identity in 29 individuals with schizophrenia and 29 individuals with HIV. All participants had previously been assessed on metacognitive abilities using the Indiana Psychiatric Illness Interview (IPII) and completed scales measuring hopelessness and self-esteem. For the present study, themes of agency and communion were coded from the IPII transcripts. Results indicated that participants with schizophrenia had lower levels of agency and communion compared with participants with HIV. More presence of agency and communion themes were related to better metacognitive abilities as well as less hopelessness and higher self-esteem across groups. Agency predicted variance in hopelessness after controlling for metacognitive abilities. The results suggest that although the construction of narrative identity may depend on metacognitive abilities, agency themes predict outcomes beyond metacognition.
Pain perception and processing in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Tesarz Jonas , Baumeister David , Andersen Tonny Elmose , Vaegter Henrik Bjarke
Published: September 2020

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a known risk factor for the development of chronic pain conditions, and almost 1 in 5 individuals with chronic pain fulfills the criteria for PTSD. However, the relationship between PTSD and pain is poorly understood and studies on pain perception in patients with PTSD show inconsistent results suggesting that different sensory profiles exist among individuals with PTSD. Here, we (1) systematically summarize the current literature on experimentally evoked pain perception in patients with PTSD compared to subjects without PTSD, and (2) assess whether the nature of the traumatic event is associated with different patterns in pain perception. The main outcome measures were pain threshold, pain tolerance, and pain intensity ratings as well as measures of temporal summation of pain and conditioned pain modulation. A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and CINAHL identified 21 studies for the meta-analysis, including 422 individuals with PTSD and 496 PTSD-free controls. No main effect of PTSD on any outcome measure was found. However, stratification according to the nature of trauma revealed significant differences of small to medium effect sizes. Combat-related PTSD was associated with increased pain thresholds, whereas accident-related PTSD was associated with decreased pain thresholds. No clear relationship between PTSD and experimentally evoked pain perception exists. The type of trauma may affect pain thresholds differently indicating the presence of different subgroups with qualitative differences in pain processing.
Patient-centered prescription opioid tapering in community outpatients with chronic pain: 2- to 3-year follow-up in a subset of patients
Authors: Ziadni Maisa , Chen Abby L. , Krishnamurthy Parthasarathy , Flood Pamela , Stieg Richard L. , Darnall Beth D.
Published: September 2020

Objective:

We previously reported promising results for a 4-month patient-centered voluntary opioid tapering study. Key questions remain about the durability of effects and possible risks after opioid reduction. We provide the longest follow-up data to date for prospective opioid tapering: 2- to 3-year follow-up for pain intensity and daily opioid use in a subset of patients from our original 4-month opioid tapering study.

Methods:

Twenty-three patients (44% of original sample) responded to contact attempts through telephone and reported their average pain intensity and current opioid use. Opioid doses were converted to morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD). Data were analyzed within a repeated-measures model where time (baseline, 4 months, and 2–3 years) was the within-subject factor.

Results:

Among reachable patients, the effect of time on change in MEDD from baseline to 4 months to 2 to 3 years was significant. Since baseline, 20 (95%) of the current sample reduced MEDD, and 15 (71%) further reduced MEDD at 2- to 3-year follow-up. There was no effect of time on change in pain intensity from baseline to 4 months to 2 to 3 years. Since baseline, 11 (52%) of the current sample reported pain reduction, and 12 (57%) reported reduced pain from the 4-month follow-up to the 2- to 3-year follow-up. Five (24%) reported increased pain intensity.

Conclusion:

Study findings reveal continued MEDD reduction and enduring pain stability 2 to 3 years after a patient-centered voluntary opioid tapering program for a substantial fraction of patients. Notably, we were not able to verify current opioid use through medical records and were limited by self-report.
Reversal of Iris Heterochromia in Adult-Onset Acquired Horner Syndrome
Authors: Padungkiatsagul Tanyatuth , Leishangthem Lakshmi , Moss Heather E.
Published: September 2020

Iris heterochromia is typically seen in association with congenital Horner syndrome. A man in his 40s with congenital iris heterochromia, blue in the right and brown in the left, presented with left-sided Horner syndrome. This was associated with recent change in color of his brown left iris to blue similar to the right iris. This case demonstrates a unique case of adult-onset Horner syndrome with reversal of iris heterochromia.
The van Niel International Prize for Studies in Bacterial Systematics, awarded in 2020 to Tanja Woyke
Authors: Sutcliffe Iain C. , Whitman William B.
Published: September 2020

The Senate of The University of Queensland, on the recommendation of the Executive Board of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes, is pleased to present the van Niel International Prize for Studies in Bacterial Systematics for the triennium 2017–2020 to Dr Tanja Woyke in recognition of her contributions made to the field of bacterial systematics. The award, established in 1986 by Professor V. B. D. Skerman of The University of Queensland, honours the contribution of scholarship in the field of microbiology by Professor Cornelis Bernardus van Niel.
Estimation of COVID-19 cases in Mexico accounting for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR false negative results
Authors: Núñez Isaac J. , Belaunzarán-Zamudio Pablo F. , Caro-Vega Yanink
Published: September 2020

Underestimation of the number of cases during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a constant concern worldwide. Case confirmation is based on identification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in clinical samples. However, these tests have suboptimal sensitivity, especially during the early and late course of infection. Using open data, we estimated that among 1 343 730 people tested in Mexico since February 27th, there were 838 377 (95% CL 734 605 – 1 057 164) cases, compared with 604 376 considering only positive tests. ICU admissions and deaths were around 16% and 9% higher than reported. Thus, we show that accounting for the sensitivity of SARS-Cov-2 RT-PCR diagnostic tests is a simple way to improve estimations for the true number of COVID-19 cases in tested people, particularly in high-prevalence populations. This could aid to better inform public health measures and reopening policies.
Strong ‘functional’ divergence of tropical reef fish assemblages along the global diversity gradient
Authors: Parravicini V , Bender MG , Villéger S , Leprieur F , Pellissier L , Donati GFA , Floeter SR , Rezende EL , Mouillot D , Kulbicki M
Published: September 2020

Coral reefs are experiencing declines due to climate change and local human impacts. While at local scale biodiversity loss induces shifts in community structure, previous biogeographical analyses recorded consistent taxonomic structure of fish communities across global coral reefs. This suggest that regional communities represent a random subset of the global species and traits pool, whatever their species richness. Using distributional data on 3,586 fish species and latest advances in species distribution models we show that the global distribution of reef fishes is influenced by two major traits (body size and diet) and produces a strong divergence in the trait structure of assemblages across the biodiversity gradient. This divergence is best explained by the isolation of reefs during past unfavorable climatic conditions and highlights the risk of a global community re-organization if the ongoing climate-induced reef fragmentation is not halted.
Characterization and expression QTL analysis ofTaABI4, a pre-harvest sprouting related gene in wheat
Authors: Xiao Chunsheng , Liu Yujiao , Chen Wenshuai , Yang Jian , Cheng Mengping , Watt Calum , Cheng Jingye , Wang Zhenzhong , Tan Zhi , Li MaoLian , Wang Jirui
Published: September 2020

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) induced by the decline of seed dormancy causes a severe reduction in crop yield and flour quality. In this study, we isolated and characterizedTaABI4,an ABA-responsive transcription factor that participates in regulating seed germination in wheat. Sequence analysis revealed thatTaABI4has three homologues, located on chromosomes 1A/1B/1D. TaABI4 contains a conserved AP2 domain, and AP2-associated, LRP, and potential PEST motifs. Putativecis-acting regulatory elements (CE1-like box, W-box, ABRE elements, and RY-elements) were identified in theTaABI4promoter region that showed high conservation in 17 wheat cultivars and wheat-related species. Expression profiling ofTaABI4indicated that it is a seed-specific gene accumulating during the middle stages of seed development. Transcript accumulation ofTaABI4in wheat cultivar Chuanmai 32 (CM32, PHS susceptible) was 5.07-fold and 1.39-fold higher than that in synthetic hexaploidy wheat SHW-L1 (PHS resistant) at 15DPA and 20DPA, respectively. Six expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) ofTaABI4on chromosome 2A, 2D, 3B, and 4A were characterized based on the accumulated transcripts ofTaABI4in SHW-L1 and CM32 derived recombinant inbred lines. These QTLs explained from 10.7% to 46.1% of the trait variation with 4.53~10.59 of LOD scores, which contain genes that may affect the expression ofTaABI4.
Morphometric and Functional Brain Connectivity Differentiates Chess Masters from Amateur Players
Authors: RaviPrakash Harish , Anwar Syed Muhammad , Biassou Nadia M. , Bagci Ulas
Published: September 2020

A common task in brain image analysis includes diagnosis of a certain medical condition wherein groups of healthy controls and diseased subjects are analyzed and compared. On the other hand, for two groups of healthy participants with different proficiency in a certain skill, a distinctive analysis of the brain function remains a challenging problem. In this study, we develop new computational tools to explore the functional and anatomical differences that could exist between the brain of healthy individuals identified on the basis of different levels of task experience/proficiency. Towards this end, we look at a dataset of amateur and professional chess players, where we utilize resting-state functional magnetic resonance images to generate functional connectivity (FC) information. In addition, we utilize T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to estimate morphometric connectivity (MC) information. We combine functional and anatomical features into a new connectivity matrix, which we term as thefunctional morphometric similarity connectome(FMSC). Since, both the FC and MC information is susceptible to redundancy, the size of this information is reduced using statistical feature selection. We employ off-the-shelf machine learning classifier, support vector machine, for both single- and multi-modality classifications. From our experiments, we establish that the saliency and ventral attention network of the brain is functionally and anatomically different between two groups of healthy subjects (chess players). We argue that, since chess involves many aspects of higher order cognition such as systematic thinking and spatial reasoning and the identified network is task-positive to cognition tasks requiring a response, our results are valid and supporting the feasibility of the proposed computational pipeline. Moreover, we quantitatively validate an existing neuroscience hypothesis that learning a certain skill could cause a change in the brain (functional connectivity and anatomy) and this can be tested via our novel FMSC algorithm.
On the Mathematics of RNA Velocity I: Theoretical Analysis
Authors: Li Tiejun , Shi Jifan , Wu Yichong , Zhou Peijie
Published: September 2020

The RNA velocity provides a new avenue to study the stemness and lineage of cells in the development in scRNA-seq data analysis. Some promising extensions of it are proposed and the community is experiencing a fast developing period. However, in this stage, it is of prime importance to revisit the whole process of RNA velocity analysis from the mathematical point of view, which will help to understand the rationale and drawbacks of different proposals. The current paper is devoted to this purpose. We present a thorough mathematical study on the RNA velocity model from dynamics to downstream data analysis. We derived the analytical solution of the RNA velocity model from both deterministic and stochastic point of view. We presented the parameter inference framework based on the maximum likelihood estimate. We also derived the continuum limit of different downstream analysis methods, which provides insights on the construction of transition probability matrix, root and endingcells identification, and the development routes finding. The overall analysis aims at providing a mathematical basis for more advanced design and development of RNA velocity type methods in the future.