bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aerial baiting and wild dog mortality in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Ballard G. , Fleming P. J. S. , Meek P. D. , Doak S.
Published: February 2020

Abstract
ContextWild dogs, including dingoes and dingo cross-breeds, are vertebrate pests when they cause financial losses and emotional costs by harming livestock or pets, threaten human safety or endanger native fauna. Tools for lethal management of these animals currently include aerial baiting with poisoned baits. In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, aerial baiting was previously permitted at a rate of 40 baits km−1 but a maximum rate of 10 baits km−1 was subsequently prescribed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. The efficacy of these baiting rates has not been quantified in eastern Australia, undermining the value of the policy and rendering adaptive management efforts difficult, at best.
AimTo quantify the mortality rate of wild dogs exposed to aerial baiting at historic and currently approved rates, i.e. 40 baits per kilometre and 10 baits per kilometre, respectively.
MethodsWild dog mortality rates were measured at sites in mesic north-eastern NSW, where aerial baiting was applied to control wild dogs and contrasted with sites and individuals where no baiting was undertaken. In total, 132 wild dogs were trapped and fitted with GPS-VHF telemetry collars before annual aerial baiting programs. Collars were used to locate animals after aerial baiting and to determine the fates of individuals.
Key results90.6% of collared wild dogs exposed to aerial baiting at 40 baits km−1 died, whereas only 55.3% of those exposed to 10 baits km−1 died (Welsh’s t=4.478, P=0.004, v=6.95). All wild dogs that were not exposed to toxic baits survived during the same periods.
ConclusionManagers using aerial baiting to maximise wild dog mortality in mesic south-eastern Australia should use 40 baits km−1 rather than 10 baits km−1.
ImplicationsWild dog population reduction for mitigation of livestock and faunal predation requires the application of efficacious control. The currently prescribed maximum aerial baiting rate of 10 baits km−1 is inadequate for controlling wild dog populations in mesic forest environments in NSW.
Introduction
Authors: Giaxoglou Korina , Johansson Marjut
Published: February 2020

This introduction to the Special Issue on Networked Emotion and Stancetaking summarizes the individual and
collective contribution of the included five research articles. We argue for the relevance of discourse-pragmatic theories,
methods, and concepts for furnishing cross-disciplinary perspectives into the study of emotion online. Such perspectives are
arguably needed in order to clarify the intricate connections between (re)presentations of emotion online and changing practices
of news-making and news consumption, story sharing and participation, and public stancetaking in social media and beyond. We
propose that empirical analyses of networked practices of stancetaking – epistemic, affective, or narrative – can
pinpoint the construction and dissemination of different types of participant positions and stances, including multimodal ones, as
well as the creation and uptake of specific frames for interpreting events and crises affectively.
Escape from planned obsolescence: Hepatitis C, the cirrhotic liver, and clonal expansions
Authors: Branch Andrea D.
Published: February 2020

Eliminating the burden of disease caused by hepatitis C virus infection is proving difficult, despite the availability of curative drug treatments. Progress will require innovations in healthcare delivery and a deeper understanding of how the liver and other vital organs survive damage caused by chronic injury.
Development of aluminum paste with/without boron content for crystalline silicon solar cells
Authors: Uzum Abdullah , Ashikaga Taiki , Noguchi Takuma , Kanda Hiroyuki , Fukui Hidehito , Harada Tomitaro , Ito Seigo
Published: February 2020

Improvement of aluminum alloyed p + back surface fields (p + BSF) which is an essential requirement for achieving high efficiency silicon solar cells has been an important task. One of the ways to have better quality BSFs can be to introduce screen printable aluminum pastes with boron content. Two type of pastes were developed in this work and recipes were provided in detail: screen-printable aluminum paste without boron content (B-free-Al-paste), screen-printable aluminum paste with boron content (Al-B-paste). The ingredients of the pastes were optimized and basically evaluated in terms of alloying and impurity characteristics by measurement of sheet resistances, carrier lifetimes and SIMS analysis. Carrier lifetimes of the wafers processed by Al-B-paste maintained at around 300 μs relatively higher than the wafers processed by B-free-Al-paste. P-type silicon solar cells were fabricated using developed pastes and were compared with those of the cells fabricated by commercial aluminum pastes. Best efficiency of 17.8% was achieved with totally vacuum-less cell production process and Suns-Voc analysis were also carried out for fabricated solar cells.
Reflexponents
Authors: Williams Nathan
Published: February 2020

Certain classical generating functions for elements of reflection groups can be expressed using fundamental invariants called exponents. We give new analogues of such generating functions that accommodate orbits of reflecting hyperplanes using similar invariants we call reflexponents. Our verifications are case-by-case.
Reduction of the Berge-Fulkerson conjecture to cyclically 5-edge-connected snarks
Authors: Máčajová Edita , Mazzuoccolo Giuseppe
Published: February 2020

The Berge-Fulkerson conjecture, originally formulated in the language of mathematical programming, asserts that the edges of every bridgeless cubic (

3
3

-valent) graph can be covered with six perfect matchings in such a way that every edge is in exactly two of them. As with several other classical conjectures in graph theory, every counterexample to the Berge-Fulkerson conjecture must be a non-

3
3

-edge-colorable cubic graph. In contrast to Tutte’s 5-flow conjecture and the cycle double conjecture, no nontrivial reduction is known for the Berge-Fulkerson conjecture. In the present paper, we prove that a possible minimum counterexample to the conjecture must be cyclically

5
5

-edge-connected.
S100A4 promotes the progression of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute epididymitis in mice†
Authors: Wu Yingjie , Li Haoran , Qin Yinghe
Published: February 2020

S100A4 has been suggested to be a critical regulator of tumor metastasis and is implicated in the progression of inflammation. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression and possible role of S100A4 in epididymitis. Using a mouse model of epididymitis induced by the injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the deferent duct, we found that LPS administration induced an upregulation of S100a4 transcription (P < 0.05) and a recruitment of S100A4 positive cells in the epididymal interstitium of wild type (WT) mice. Co-immunofluorescence showed that S100A4 was mainly expressed by granulocytes, CD4 lymphocytes, and macrophages. Deficiency of S100A4 reduced epididymal pathological reaction and the mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α (P < 0.01), suggesting that S100A4 promotes the progression of epididymitis. Furthermore, S100A4 deficiency alleviated the decline of sperm motility and rectified the abnormal expression of sperm membrane protein AMAD3, which suggested that in the progression of epididymitis, S100A4 aggravates the damage to sperm vitality. In addition, both Ki-67 marked cell proliferation and transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling detected cell apoptosis were reduced in S100a4−/− mice compared with WT mice after LPS treatment, indicating that S100A4 promotes both cell proliferation and cell apoptosis in epididymitis. Overall, these results demonstrate that S100A4 promotes the progression of LPS-induced epididymitis and facilitates a decline in sperm vitality, and its function may be related to the process of cell proliferation and apoptosis during inflammation.
Genetic Analysis of Ulcerative Colitis in Japanese Individuals Using Population-specific SNP Array
Authors: Okamoto Daisuke , Kawai Yosuke , Kakuta Yoichi , Naito Takeo , Torisu Takehiro , Hirano Atsushi , Umeno Junji , Fuyuno Yuta , Li Dalin , Nakano Takeru , Izumiyama Yasuhiro , Ichikawa Ryo , Hiramoto Keiichiro , Moroi Rintaro , Kuroha Masatake , Kanazawa Yoshitake , Shiga Hisashi , Tokunaga Katsushi , Nakamura Minoru , Esaki Motohiro , Matsumoto Takayuki , McGovern Dermot P B , Nagasaki Masao , Kinouchi Yoshitaka , Masamune Atsushi
Published: February 2020

Background

To clarify the genetic background of ulcerative colitis (UC) in the Japanese population, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using a population-specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array.

Methods

We performed a GWAS and replication study including 1676 UC patients and 2381 healthy controls. The probability of colectomy was compared between genotypes of rs117506082, the top hit SNP at HLA loci, by the Kaplan-Meier method. We studied serum expression of miR-622, a newly identified candidate gene, from 32 UC patients and 8 healthy controls by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results

In the GWAS, only the HLA loci showed genome-wide significant associations with UC (rs117506082, P = 6.69E-28). Seven nominally significant regions included 2 known loci, IL23R (rs76418789, P = 6.29E-7) and IRF8 (rs16940202, P = 1.03E-6), and 5 novel loci: MIR622 (rs9560575, P = 8.23E-7), 14q31 (rs117618617, P = 1.53E-6), KAT6B (rs12260609, P = 1.81E-6), PAX3-CCDC140-SGPP2 (rs7589797, P = 2.87E-6), and KCNA2 (rs118020656, P = 4.01E-6). Combined analysis revealed that IL23R p.G149R (rs76418789, P = 9.03E-11; odds ratio [OR], 0.51) had genome-wide significant association with UC. Patients with GG genotype of rs117506082 had a significantly lower probability of total colectomy than those with the GA+AA genotype (P = 1.72E-2). Serum expression of miR-622 in patients with inactive UC tended to be higher than in healthy controls and patients with active UC (inactive UC vs healthy controls, P = 3.03E-02; inactive UC vs active UC, P = 6.44E-02).

Conclusions

IL23R p.G149R is a susceptibility locus for UC in Japanese individuals. The GG genotype of rs117506082 at HLA loci may predict a better clinical course.
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine Reduces Fibrosis and Improves Muscle Function After Acute Compartment Syndrome Injury
Authors: Yosef Benyam , Zhou Yu , Mouschouris Kathryn , Poteracki James , Soker Shay , Criswell Tracy
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Upon injury, skeletal muscle undergoes a multiphase process beginning with degeneration of the damaged tissue, which is accompanied by inflammation and finally regeneration. One consequence of an injured microenvironment is excessive production of reactive oxygen species, which results in attenuated regeneration and recovery of function ultimately leading to fibrosis and disability. The objective of this research was to test the potential of the antioxidant, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), as a mediator of reactive oxygen species damage that results from traumatic muscle injury in order to support repair and regeneration of wounded muscle tissue and improve function recovery.

Materials and Methods

Adult female Lewis rats were subjected to compartment syndrome injury as previously published by our group. Rats received intramuscular injections of NAC or vehicle at 24, 48, and 72 hours postinjury. Muscle function, tissue fibrosis, and the expression of myogenic and angiogenic markers were measured.

Results

Muscle function was significantly improved, and tissue fibrosis was significantly decreased in NAC-treated muscles.

Conclusions

These results suggest that NAC treatment of skeletal muscle after injury may be a viable option for the prevention of long-term fibrosis and scar formation, facilitating recovery of muscle function.
Proteomic Analysis of Inflammatory Biomarkers Associated With Breast Cancer Recurrence
Authors: Bera Alakesh , Russ Eric , Srinivasan Muthu , Eidelman Ofer , Eklund Michael , Hueman Matthew , Pollard Harvey B , Hu Hai , Shriver Craig D , Srivastava Meera
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer detected for women, and while our ability to treat breast cancer has improved substantially over the years, recurrence remains a major obstacle. Standard screening for new and recurrent breast cancer involves clinical breast imaging. However, there is no clinically approved noninvasive body fluid test for the early detection of recurrent breast cancer. Materials and Method: In this study, we analyzed serum samples from both recurrent and nonrecurrent breast cancer patients by different proteomics methods to identify biomarkers in patients with recurrence of disease.

Results

Comparative data analysis identified several histone deacetylase (HDAC) proteins, which were found at significantly higher levels in the serum of recurrent breast cancer patients: HDAC9 (C-term) (P = 0.0035), HDAC5 (C-term) (P = 0.013), small ubiquitin-like modifier 1 (N-term) (P = 0.017), embryonic stem cell-expressed Ras (inter) (P = 0.018), and HDAC7 (C-term) (P = 0.020). Chronic inflammation plays a critical role in the development of the breast cancer recurrence, and we identified several proinflammatory cytokines that were present at elevated levels only in recurrent breast cancer patient serum.

Conclusions

Our data indicated that the epigenetic regulation of inflammatory processes plays a critical role in breast cancer recurrence. The identified proteins could lay the groundwork for the development of a serum-based breast cancer recurrence assay.
Ultrasound Evaluation of the Peroneal Tendons in an Asymptomatic Elite Military Population: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Martin Kevin , Wake Jeffrey , Van Buren J Preston
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to identify the location of the peroneal tendons in relationship to the fibular groove in an asymptomatic population of elite U.S. Military Service members.

Materials and Methods

The peroneal tendons of 41 active duty U.S. Army Rangers were examined. Subjects were placed in a lateral recumbent position with the ankle in a resting neutral position to visualize the tendon in a retromalleolar short-axis view. Maximum active ankle eversion followed by gravity inversion was facilitated while the ultrasound probe was maintained in its original position. Distance from the fibrous lateral ridge of the retromalleolar groove to the anterior aspect of the peroneal brevis was measured in the short axis in neutral, eversion, and inversion.

Results

The mean sagittal distance and standard deviation was 0.48 ± 0.9 mm. No subjects demonstrated greater than 1 mm difference between positions, and no dislocations were identified. Side-to-side difference and dominant vs nondominant differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that the distance between the peroneal brevis and the lateral fibular ridge is consistent throughout extremes of motion. These results further the understanding of peroneal tendon function under dynamic examination. Our findings also establish side-to-side consistency prompting a bilateral examination to help identify abnormal pathology.
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Unreported and Untreated in an Army Population
Authors: Escolas Sandra M , Luton Margie , Ferdosi Hamid , Chavez Bianca D , Engel Scot D
Published: February 2020

Introduction

In 2008, it was reported that 19.5% of service members previously deployed experienced a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Fifty-seven percent of those did not seek medical care. It was suggested that concerns with seeking care involved confidentiality and career issues. Objective: This study addressed mTBI history, medical treatment history, and stigmas associated with mTBI/concussion.

Materials and Methods

An anonymous questionnaire was developed. Data collection occurred throughout March 2018 in conjunction with Brain Injury Awareness Month activities.

Results

All 5,174 volunteers were Army; 86% male; 87% were between 18 and 34 years old; 89% had <14 years in the military; 35% had a combat deployment; and 10% reported having one or more mTBIs in their military careers. Of the Soldiers who reported a concussion, 52% sought medical care. Of those not seeking care, 64% reported they did not think the injury required care, followed by 18% fearing negative impact on their career. Twenty-eight percent who experienced an mTBI versus 11% who have not reported that there is a stigma associated with an mTBI.

Conclusions

Soldiers sometimes failed to report their suspected concussions and did not seek medical care. Educational efforts may increase reporting of and medical screening for potentially concussive events. Future research to determine the ramifications of unreported and untreated mTBIs/concussions is recommended.
Hand Surgeon Perspectives on Upper Extremity Allograft: A Survey of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Authors: Archual Anthony J , Lee Andy C H , DeGeorge Brent R
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Allograft tissue products have widespread applications across surgical specialties, but little data exist about surgeon attitudes toward the use of these products in the upper extremity.

Methods

Using a web-based survey, we sought to investigate the use of and feelings toward allograft products among hand surgeons. A short questionnaire was distributed to all active members of American Society for Surgery of the Hand as of October 2015 (N = 2,578). Demographic and practice setting information was collected. Additionally, questions concerning the use of human allograft tissue products of various types including bone, skin, and soft tissues were asked.

Results

Of 2,578 American Society for Surgery of the Hand members, 406 hand surgeons (15.8%) responded to the survey. A large majority (92%) reported having used allograft products in the upper extremity. Orthopedic-trained surgeons were more likely to have used bone and tendon allograft, whereas plastic and general surgery-trained surgeons were more likely to have used nerve and dermis allograft. Reduced donor site morbidity and complication rates were factors motivating surgeons to use allograft tissue.

Conclusions

In spite of variation with respect to their use, allograft tissue products are popular and interest in new products, especially to improve flexor tendon pulley reconstruction, is high.
Assessing Surgical Task Load and Performance: A Comparison of Simulation and Maritime Operation
Authors: Spitzer Holly V , Hoang Tuan , Pierce Eric , Franciose Reginald J , Pena Matthew , Shattuck Nita L , Bass Cameron R , Blankenship Jeffrey , Juliano Michael , Lindemann Cameron B , Springer Hayden A , LaPorta Anthony J
Published: February 2020

Introduction

This study examined the effects of simulated and actual vessel motion at high seas on task load and surgical performance.

Methods

This project was performed in phases. Phase I was a feasibility study. Phase II utilized a motion base simulator to replicate vessel motion. Phase III was conducted aboard the U.S. Naval Ship Brunswick. After performing surgical tasks on a surgical simulation mannequin, participants completed the Surgical Task Load Index (TLX) designed to collect workload data. Simulated surgeries were evaluated by subject matter experts.

Results

TLX scores were higher in Phase III than Phase II, particularly at higher sea states. Surgical performance was not significantly different between Phase II (84%) and Phase III (89%). Simulated motions were comparable in both phases.

Conclusions

Simulated motion was not associated with a significant difference in surgical performance or deck motion, suggesting that this simulator replicates the conditions experienced during surgery at sea on the U.S. Naval Ship Brunswick. However, Surgical TLX scores were dramatically different between the two phases, suggesting increased workload at sea, which may be the result of time at sea, the stress of travel, or other factors. Surgical performance was not affected by sea state in either phase.
Comparison of Three Devices to Measure Pressure for Acute Compartment Syndrome
Authors: Merle Geraldine , Comeau-Gauthier Marianne , Tayari Vahid , Kezzo Mohamad Nizar , Kasem Chrouk , Al-Kabraiti Faisal , Laverdiere Carl , Xereas George , Harvey Edward J
Published: February 2020

Introduction: Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a well-recognized and common emergency. Undiagnosed ACS leads to muscle necrosis, limb contracture, intractable pain, and may even result in amputation. Methods: Three devices (Synthes, Stryker, and MY01) were compared in a pre-clinical rat abdominal compartment syndrome simulation. Simultaneous measurements of intracompartmental pressures allowed concurrent comparison among all devices. Results: Large variations from the reference values are seen with the Synthes and Stryker devices. Variances are large in these two devices even under ideal conditions. The MY01 device was the truest indicator of reference pressure in this ACS model (over 600% more accurate). Conclusions: The MY01 device was the most accurate device in tracking pressure changes in this rat model of abdominal compartment syndrome.
Diffusion Tensor Tractrography Visualizes Partial Nerve Laceration Severity as Early as 1 Week After Surgical Repair in a Rat Model Ex Vivo
Authors: Farinas Angel F , Manzanera Esteve Isaac V , Pollins Alonda C , Cardwell Nancy L , Does Mark D , Dortch Richard D , Thayer Wesley P
Published: February 2020

Background: Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that a magnetic resonance imaging method called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can differentiate between crush and complete transection peripheral nerve injuries in a rat model ex vivo. DTI measures the directionally dependent effect of tissue barriers on the random diffusion of water molecules. In ordered tissues such as nerves, this information can be used to reconstruct the primary direction of diffusion along fiber tracts, which may provide information on fiber tract continuity after nerve injury and surgical repair. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with different degrees of partial transection of the sciatic nerve followed by immediate repair and euthanized after 1 week of recovery. Nerves were then harvested, fixed, and scanned with a 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging to obtain DTIand fiber tractography in each sample. Additional behavioral (sciatic function index, foot fault asymmetry) and histological (Toluidine blue staining) assessments were performed for validation. Results: Tractography yielded a visual representation of the degree of injury that correlated with behavioral and histological evaluations. Conclusions: DTI tractography is a noninvasive tool that can yield a visual representation of a partial nerve transection as early as 1 week after surgical repair.
The Prehospital Evaluation and Care of Moderate/Severe TBI in the Austere Environment
Authors: Gurney Jennifer M , Loos Paul E , Prins Mayumi , Van Wyck David W , McCafferty Randall R , Marion Donald W
Published: February 2020

Increased resource constraints secondary to a smaller medical footprint, prolonged evacuation times, or overwhelming casualty volumes all increase the challenges of effective management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the austere environment. Prehospital providers are responsible for the battlefield recognition and initial management of TBI. As such, targeted education is critical to efficient injury recognition, promoting both provider readiness and improved patient outcomes. When austere conditions limit or prevent definitive treatment, a comprehensive understanding of TBI pathophysiology can help inform acute care and enhance prevention of secondary brain injury. Field deployable, noninvasive TBI assessment and monitoring devices are urgently needed and are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. Evidence shows that the assessment, monitoring, and treatment in the first few hours and days after injury should focus on the preservation of cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. For cases where medical management is inadequate (eg, evidence of an enlarging intracranial hematoma), guidelines have been developed for the performance of cranial surgery by nonneurosurgeons. TBI management in the austere environment will continue to be a challenge, but research focused on improving evidence-based monitoring and therapeutic interventions can help to mitigate some of these challenges and improve patient outcomes.
Analysis of Casualties That Underwent Airway Management Before Reaching Role 2 Facilities in the Afghanistan Conflict 2008–2014
Authors: Hudson Ian L , Blackburn Megan B , Staudt Amanda M , Ryan Kathy L , Mann-Salinas Elizabeth A
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Airway compromise is the second leading cause of potentially survivable death on the battlefield. The purpose of this study was to better understand wartime prehospital airway patients.

Materials and Methods

The Role 2 Database (R2D) was retrospectively reviewed for adult patients injured in Afghanistan between February 2008 and September 2014. Of primary interest were prehospital airway interventions and mortality. Prehospital combat mortality index (CMI-PH), hemodynamic interventions, injury mechanism, and demographic data were also included in various statistical analyses.

Results

A total of 12,780 trauma patients were recorded in the R2D of whom 890 (7.0%) received prehospital airway intervention. Airway intervention was more common in patients who ultimately died (25.3% vs. 5.6%); however, no statistical association was found in a multivariable logistic regression model (OR 1.28, 95% CI 0.98–1.68). Compared with U.S. military personnel, other military patients were more likely to receive airway intervention after adjusting for CMI-PH (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.07–1.64).

Conclusions

In the R2D, airway intervention was associated with increased odds of mortality, although this was not statistically significant. Other patients had higher odds of undergoing an airway intervention than U.S. military. Awareness of these findings will facilitate training and equipment for future management of prehospital/prolonged field care airway interventions.
Evidence of Pathogen-Induced Immunogenetic Selection across the Large Geographic Range of a Wild Seabird
Authors: Levy Hila , Fiddaman Steven R , Vianna Juliana A , Noll Daly , Clucas Gemma V , Sidhu Jasmine K H , Polito Michael J , Bost Charles A , Phillips Richard A , Crofts Sarah , Miller Gary D , Pistorius Pierre , Bonnadonna Francesco , Le Bohec Céline , Barbosa Andrés , Trathan Phil , Raya Rey Andrea , Frantz Laurent A F , Hart Tom , Smith Adrian L
Published: February 2020

Over evolutionary time, pathogen challenge shapes the immune phenotype of the host to better respond to an incipient threat. The extent and direction of this selection pressure depend on the local pathogen composition, which is in turn determined by biotic and abiotic features of the environment. However, little is known about adaptation to local pathogen threats in wild animals. The Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) is a species complex that lends itself to the study of immune adaptation because of its circumpolar distribution over a large latitudinal range, with little or no admixture between different clades. In this study, we examine the diversity in a key family of innate immune genes—the Toll-like receptors (TLRs)—across the range of the Gentoo penguin. The three TLRs that we investigated present varying levels of diversity, with TLR4 and TLR5 greatly exceeding the diversity of TLR7. We present evidence of positive selection in TLR4 and TLR5, which points to pathogen-driven adaptation to the local pathogen milieu. Finally, we demonstrate that two positively selected cosegregating sites in TLR5 are sufficient to alter the responsiveness of the receptor to its bacterial ligand, flagellin. Taken together, these results suggest that Gentoo penguins have experienced distinct pathogen-driven selection pressures in different environments, which may be important given the role of the Gentoo penguin as a sentinel species in some of the world’s most rapidly changing environments.
Evaluation of Renal Safety Between Imipenem/Relebactam and Colistin Plus Imipenem in Patients With Imipenem-Nonsusceptible Bacterial Infections in the Randomized, Phase 3 RESTORE-IMI 1 Study
Authors: Brown Michelle L , Motsch Johann , Kaye Keith S , File Thomas M , Boucher Helen W , Vendetti Neika , Aggrey Angela , Joeng Hee-Koung , Tipping Robert W , Du Jiejun , DePestel Daryl D , Butterton Joan R , Paschke Amanda
Published: February 2020

Background

In the randomized controlled RESTORE-IMI 1 clinical trial (NCT02452047), imipenem/cilastatin (IMI) with relebactam (IMI/REL) was as effective as colistin plus IMI for the treatment of imipenem-nonsusceptible gram-negative infections. Differences in nephrotoxicity were observed between treatment arms. As there is no standard definition of nephrotoxicity used in clinical trials, we conducted analyses to further understand the renal safety profile of both treatments.

Methods

Nephrotoxicity was retrospectively evaluated using 2 acute kidney injury assessment criteria (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes [KDIGO] and Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End-stage Kidney Disease [RIFLE]). Additional outcomes included time to onset of protocol-defined nephrotoxicity and incidence of renal adverse events.

Results

Of 47 participants receiving treatment, 45 had sufficient data to assess nephrotoxicity (IMI/REL, n = 29; colistin plus IMI, n = 16). By KDIGO criteria, no participants in the IMI/REL but 31.3% in the colistin plus IMI group experienced stage 3 acute kidney injury. No IMI/REL-treated participants experienced renal failure by RIFLE criteria, vs 25.0% for colistin plus IMI. Overall, the time to onset of nephrotoxicity varied considerably (2–22 days). Fewer renal adverse events (12.9% vs 37.5%), including discontinuations due to drug-related renal adverse events (0% vs 12.5%), were observed in the IMI/REL group compared with the colistin plus IMI group, respectively.

Conclusions

Our analyses confirm the findings of a preplanned end point and provide further evidence that IMI/REL had a more favorable renal safety profile than colistin-based therapy in patients with serious, imipenem-nonsusceptible gram-negative bacterial infections.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT02452047.
Parental Separation during Childhood and Adult Children’s Wealth
Authors: Lersch Philipp M , Baxter Janeen
Published: February 2020

This study examines the association between parental separations during childhood and economic wealth of adult children. We provide a new test of this relationship and address two unresolved debates in the literature concerning (1) the pathways linking parental separation and adult children’s wealth and (2) the relevance of the timing of exposure. We use data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey on 16,652 individuals and estimate mixed effects models after matching to predict adult children’s wealth. We find that parental separation is associated with about 46 percent less net wealth for adult children. The negative association is limited to adult children who experienced parental divorce before age 15. The association does not differ between children who experienced parental divorce before age 6 and between age 6 and 14. We identify reduced education and earning capacities, unstable family structures among adult children and less future-oriented time preferences as likely mechanisms through which parental separation influences adult children’s wealth.
Angioedema without urticaria: novel findings which must be measured in clinical setting
Authors: Veronez Camila Lopes , Grumach Anete Sevciovic
Published: February 2020

Purpose of review

Angioedema without urticaria is composed of an increasing subtype's variety and presents a challenging diagnosis. This review summarizes the subtypes recently described and subsequent new findings helpful within their classification.

Recent findings

New methods to measure cleaved high molecular weight kininogen and activated plasma kallikrein have emerged as potential biochemical tests to identify bradykinin-mediated angioedema. Three new subtypes of hereditary angioedema (HAE) with normal C1 inhibitor were described in the past two years: HAE due to mutation in plasminogen gene, in kininogen gene, and in angiopoietin-1 gene; implicating the fibrinolytic and contact systems, and the regulation of vasculature, respectively. The understanding of some mechanisms in angioedema has been improved, compatible to the dominant-negative for some C1 inhibitor variants; furthermore, the increased activation of truncated F12 mutants by plasma kallikrein; and the diminished binding of angiopoietin-1 to its receptor.

The validation of biomarkers for the contact system activation could be beneficial in differentiating bradykinin – from histaminergic-mediated angioedema. Currently, the available laboratorial tests are still somewhat restricted to the evaluation of the complement activation and the mediators of nonhistaminergic and nonbradykinin-mediated angioedema remain to be identified.
Quality improvement in neurocritical care: current state and looking to the future
Authors: Moheet Asma M. , Livesay Sarah L.
Published: February 2020

Purpose of review

Neurocritical care has matured as a field and there is now a growing body of literature on the subject of quality improvement in neurocritically ill patients. This review will highlight major recent contributions in this field and discuss future directions.

Recent findings

Articles published in the past 18 months have evaluated neurocritical care unit staffing, structure, and disease-specific protocols including subarachnoid hemorrhage and severe traumatic brain injury management. An assessment of current quality improvement practices in neurocritical care was also conducted. A neurocritical care-specific metric bundle is being proposed.

The quality improvement movement is gaining momentum in neurocritical care with evaluation of general medical and surgical critical care quality improvement approaches in this specific patient population. Future work should focus on improving systems of neurocritical care delivery through iterative evaluation of structure, staffing, minimizing unnecessary variation, and evaluation of neurocritical care-specific metrics.
Kidney transplantation following uncontrolled donation after circulatory death
Authors: Summers Dominic M. , Pettigrew Gavin J.
Published: February 2020

Purpose of review

The identification and utilization of kidneys from uncontrolled donation after circulatory death (uDCD) donors for transplantation may increase transplantation rates markedly. This article summarizes the latest international results from successful uDCD kidney transplant programmes and considers how such programmes may impact on the transplant waiting list.

Recent findings

The results of more than 1000 uDCD donor kidney transplants have been reported since 2007 from France and Spain. Estimates from France, Spain and Sweden suggest that effective utilization of the potential uDCD donor pool might increase donation rates by 25%. The main concern relating to uDCD kidney transplantation is the high incidence of primary nonfunction with the incidence of primary nonfunction reported as 7–8% even with careful donor selection and the use of normothermic regional perfusion at the time of organ recovery. Notwithstanding, reported 1- year graft survival figures are equivalent to those from expanded criteria donors (ECD) and 10-year graft survival of between 72 and 82% was reported in the two single-centre series with longest reported follow-up period.

Uncontrolled DCD kidney transplantation has been successfully implemented in several regions in France and Spain. Wider implementation of uDCD programmes would increase substantially the number of kidneys for transplantation, while maintaining acceptable transplant outcomes.
Current status of pediatric intestinal transplantation in the United States
Authors: Venick Robert S. , Duggan Emily , Whatley Jordan
Published: February 2020

Purpose of review

The present review aims to describe in detail the characteristics, outcomes, and recent trends in the field of pediatric intestinal transplantation in the United States. It will examine the route cause and future implications of these developments. The review will draw from recent publications in the field, the Intestinal Transplant Registry, and contemporary data from large U.S. single centers.

Recent findings

More than 1500 pediatric intestinal transplants have been performed in the United States since 1985, however, over the past decade there have been fewer than 50 transplants/year nationwide. This trend is largely a result of stagnant long-term ITx outcomes and advancements in intestinal rehabilitation programs. Nationally the overall 1-year and 5-year graft survival are 68 and 50% respectively, whereas certain high-volume centers have experienced significantly better results. Sepsis is the leading cause of death following pediatric ITx, whereas rejection is the leading cause of graft loss. Chronic kidney disease and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder are significant and relatively prevalent long-term complications. The majority of pediatric ITx recipients receive T-cell depleting induction agents and are on Tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. Most recipient are off parenteral nutrition, but may require supplemental tube feeds. Many pediatric ITx recipients require special education, and in certain domains some report lower health related quality of life.

As intestinal rehabilitation has improved in the modern era, the volume of pediatric ITx in the United States has decreased. Although pediatric ITx results have room for improvement nationwide, successful outcomes have been reported at experienced American centers.
First Case of High-Level Azithromycin-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in North Carolina
Authors: Palavecino Elizabeth L. , Kilic Abdullah , Schmerer Matthew W. , Dobre-Buonya Oana , Toler Cindy , McNeil Candice J.
Published: February 2020

We report on the first high-level azithromycin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolate (minimum inhibitory concentration, ≥256 μg/mL) in North Carolina isolated from a pharyngeal swab of a 33-year-old HIV-negative man who has sex with men. In addition, the isolate was found to be susceptible to cefixime, ceftriaxone, and penicillin and resistant to tetracycline. By whole-genome sequencing, the strain was assigned as MLST ST9363, NG-MAST ST5035, and a novel NG-STAR sequence type, ST1993.
Serious video games and virtual reality for prevention and neurorehabilitation of cognitive decline because of aging and neurodegeneration
Authors: Sokolov Arseny A. , Collignon Amélie , Bieler-Aeschlimann Mélanie
Published: February 2020

Purpose of review

Cognitive decline because of aging and neurodegeneration has become increasingly prevalent. This calls for the implementation of efficacious, motivating, standardized and widely available cognitive interventions for the elderly. In this context, serious video games and virtual reality may represent promising approaches. Here, we review recent research on their potential for cognitive prevention and neurorehabilitation of age-related cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Recent findings

The majority of currently available data in this evolving domain lacks the methodological quality to draw reliable conclusions on the potential of novel technology for cognitive training in older people. However, single well designed randomized controlled trials have reported promising effects of cognitive interventions involving serious video games and virtual reality. The cognitive benefits of exergames promoting physical exercise with and without combined cognitive training remain unclear.

The immersion into stimulating and motivating environments along with training content based on neuroscientific and neuropsychological models may represent a significant advance as compared with conventional computerized cognitive training. Additional research with sound methodology including sufficient sample sizes, active control groups and meaningful outcome measures of everyday function is needed to elucidate the potential of serious video games and virtual reality in multifactorial neurorehabilitation of cognitive decline in aging and neurodegeneration.
Robotic modelling of snake traversing large, smooth obstacles reveals stability benefits of body compliance
Authors: Fu Qiyuan , Li Chen
Published: February 2020

Snakes can move through almost any terrain. Although their locomotion on flat surfaces using planar gaits is inherently stable, when snakes deform their body out of plane to traverse complex terrain, maintaining stability becomes a challenge. On trees and desert dunes, snakes grip branches or brace against depressed sand for stability. However, how they stably surmount obstacles like boulders too large and smooth to gain such ‘anchor points’ is less understood. Similarly, snake robots are challenged to stably traverse large, smooth obstacles for search and rescue and building inspection. Our recent study discovered that snakes combine body lateral undulation and cantilevering to stably traverse large steps. Here, we developed a snake robot with this gait and snake-like anisotropic friction and used it as a physical model to understand stability principles. The robot traversed steps as high as a third of its body length rapidly and stably. However, on higher steps, it was more likely to fail due to more frequent rolling and flipping over, which was absent in the snake with a compliant body. Adding body compliance reduced the robot's roll instability by statistically improving surface contact, without reducing speed. Besides advancing understanding of snake locomotion, our robot achieved high traversal speed surpassing most previous snake robots and approaching snakes, while maintaining high traversal probability.
A re-description ofSandownia harrisi(Testudinata: Sandownidae) from the Aptian of the Isle of Wight based on computed tomography scans
Authors: Evers Serjoscha W. , Joyce Walter G.
Published: February 2020

Sandownidae is an enigmatic group of Cretaceous–Paleogene turtles with highly derived cranial anatomy. Although sandownid monophyly is not debated, relationships with other turtles remain unclear. Sandownids have been recovered in significantly different parts of the turtle tree: as stem-turtles, stem-cryptodires and stem-chelonioid sea turtles. Latest phylogenetic studies find sandownids as the sister-group of the Late Jurassic thalassochelydians and as stem-turtles. Here, we provide a detailed study of the cranial and mandibular anatomy ofSandownia harrisifrom the Aptian of the Isle of Wight, based on high resolution computed tomography scanning of the holotype. Our results confirm a high number of anatomical similarities with thalassochelydians and particularlySolnhofia parsonsi, which is interpreted as an early member of the sandownid lineage. Sandownids +Solnhofiashow many cranial modifications related to the secondary palate and a durophagous diet.Sandowniais additionally highly derived in features related to its arterial circulation and neuroanatomy, including the endosseous labyrinth. Our results imply rapid morphological evolution during the early history of sandownids. Sandownids likely evolved in central Europe from thalassochelydian ancestors during the Late Jurassic. The durophagous diet of sandownids possibly facilitated their survival of the Cretaceous/Paleogene mass extinction.
Single-cell Analysis of ACE2 Expression in Human Kidneys and Bladders Reveals a Potential Route of 2019-nCoV Infection
Authors: Lin Wei , Hu Longfei , Zhang Yan , Ooi Joshua D. , Meng Ting , Jin Peng , Ding Xiang , Peng Longkai , Song Lei , Xiao Zhou , Ao Xiang , Xiao Xiangcheng , Zhou Qiaoling , Xiao Ping , Fan Jue , Zhong Yong
Published: February 2020

Since December 2019, a novel coronavirus named 2019 coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has emerged in Wuhan of China and spread to several countries worldwide within just one month. Apart from fever and respiratory complications, acute kidney injury has been observed in some patients with 2019-nCoV. In a short period of time, angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE2), have been proposed to serve as the receptor for the entry of 2019-nCoV, which is the same for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS). To investigate the possible cause of kidney damage in 2019-nCoV patients, we used both published kidney and bladder cell atlas data and an independent unpublished kidney single cell RNA-Seq data generated in-house to evaluate ACE2 gene expressions in all cell types in healthy kidneys and bladders.

Our results showed the enriched expression of all subtypes of proximal tubule cells of kidney and low but detectable levels of expression in bladder epithelial cells. These results indicated the urinary system is a potential route for 2019-nCoV infection, along with the respiratory system and digestion system. Our findings suggested the kidney abnormalities of SARS and 2019-nCoV patients may be due to proximal tubule cells damage and subsequent systematic inflammatory response induced kidney injury. Beyond that, laboratory tests of viruses and related indicators in urine may be needed in some special patients of 2019-nCoV.
Estimating the Case Fatality Risk of COVID-19 using Cases from Outside China
Authors: Wilson Nick , Kvalsvig Amanda , Barnard Lucy Telfar , Baker Michael G
Published: February 2020

There is large uncertainty around the case fatality risk (CFR) for COVID-19 in China. Therefore, we considered symptomatic cases outside of China (countries/settings with 20+ cases) and the proportion who are in intensive care units (4.0%, 14/349 on 13 February 2020). Given what is known about CFRs for ICU patients with severe respiratory conditions from a meta-analysis, we estimated a CFR of 1.37% (95%CI: 0.57% to 3.22%) for COVID- 19 cases outside of China.
Contacts in context: large-scale setting-specific social mixing matrices from the BBC Pandemic project
Authors: Klepac Petra , Kucharski Adam J , Conlan Andrew JK , Kissler Stephen , Tang Maria L , Fry Hannah , Gog Julia R
Published: February 2020

Social mixing patterns are crucial in driving transmission of infectious diseases and informing public health interventions to contain their spread. Age-specific social mixing is often inferred from surveys of self-recorded contacts which by design often have a very limited number of participants. In addition, such surveys are rare, so public health interventions are often evaluated by considering only one such study. Here we report detailed population contact patterns for United Kingdom based self-reported contact data from over 36,000 volunteers that participated in the massive citizen science project BBC Pandemic. The amount of data collected allows us generate fine-scale age-specific population contact matrices by context (home, work, school, other) and type (conversational or physical) of contact that took place. These matrices are highly relevant for informing prevention and control of new outbreaks, and evaluating strategies that reduce the amount of mixing in the population (such as school closures, social distancing, or working from home). In addition, they finally provide the possibility to use multiple sources of social mixing data to evaluate the uncertainty that stems from social mixing when designing public health interventions.