bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Landscape Montage Technique for diagnosing frontotemporal dementia starting as primary progressive aphasia: a case report
Authors: Takaya Masahiko , Ishii Kazunari , Kubota Isao , Shirakawa Osamu
Published: January 2020

Background

The Landscape Montage Technique was originally developed by Hisao Nakai, a Japanese psychiatrist, to pursue the possibility and application of a psychotherapeutic approach using drawing for patients with schizophrenia. Drawing was initially adopted to evaluate patients with an impaired ability for verbal expression, particularly for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Since its development, the Landscape Montage Technique has been utilized in various clinical settings throughout Japan. This study aimed to evaluate the psychiatric conditions of a patient diagnosed as having primary progressive aphasia using the Landscape Montage Technique at a 3-year follow-up.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 64-year-old, right-handed Japanese woman initially diagnosed as having logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia or logopenic aphasia. At a 3-year follow-up, logopenic aphasia progressed to behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia or frontotemporal dementia. According to her husband, she began to have speech difficulties approximately 5 years before her first visit. The results of neurocognitive tests suggested mild cognitive impairment or early stages of dementia. Her clinical dementia rating score was 0.5, suggesting a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. She had a Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices score of 31 out of 36, which indicated a nonverbal cognitive ability that was greater than the 90th percentile for her age. The Japanese Standard Language Test of Aphasia, which was performed at two points during the follow-up, indicated the possibility for a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia given the progression of her aphasia. Based on her clinical symptoms and Japanese Standard Language Test of Aphasia results, a diagnosis of logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia was established. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed severe predominant left frontal and anterior temporal atrophy, as well as bilateral parietal atrophy. Amyloid beta deposition was negative. At the 3-year follow-up, logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia had progressed to behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia. However, the Landscape Montage Technique allowed for the diagnosis of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia only 2 years after baseline.

Conclusions

The present study showed that the Landscape Montage Technique can be useful for diagnosing behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia that starts as logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia at earlier stages.
Factors influencing livestock export in Somaliland’s terminal markets
Authors: Musa Ahmed M. , Wasonga Oliver Vivian , Mtimet Nadhem
Published: January 2020

Livestock export from Somaliland to the Arabian Peninsula countries is an important economic activity and the main source of Somaliland’s foreign exchange earnings. We have employed multiple regression time series analysis of secondary data to understand factors that influence the monthly volumes of small ruminants (sheep and goats) and cattle traded for export in three terminal markets in Somaliland. Results show that the Hajj season, number of livestock exporters active in the markets, market location and livestock ban imposed by the import countries are the main factors that influence the monthly volume of livestock transacted for export. Further, the results indicate that though drought does not influence the volume of small ruminants, it has an influence on the volume of cattle, while the implementation of quarantine stations has a significant influence on the volumes of livestock exports. Finally, border restrictions imposed by Ethiopia do not influence the volume of livestock transacted for export in the study markets. Most of the factors analysed to have influence on monthly volume livestock transacted for export are institutional and policy-related hence can be corrected though requisite regulatory, institutional and policy reforms in consultations with stakeholders.
A novel de novo partial xq duplication in a girl with short stature, nonverbal learning disability and diminished ovarian reserve - effect of growth hormone treatment and fertility preservation strategies: a case report and up-to-date review
Authors: Parissone Francesca , Pucci Mairi , Meneghelli Emanuela , Zuffardi Orsetta , Di Paola Rossana , Zaffagnini Stefano , Franchi Massimo , Santangelo Elisabetta , Cantalupo Gaetano , Cavarzere Paolo , Antoniazzi Franco , Piacentini Giorgio , Gaudino Rossella
Published: January 2020

Background

Xq duplication is a rare condition with a very variable phenotype, which could mimic other genetic syndromes involving the long arm of chromosome X. Sometimes short stature and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) may be present. Treatments with rGH (Recombinant growth Hormon) or with fertility preservation strategies have not been previously described.

Case presentation

We present the case of a female with a novel de novo Xq partial duplication (karyotype: 46,Xder(X)(qter→q21.31::pter→qter) confirmed by array-CGH analysis. She presented with short stature, Nonverbal Learning Disability, developmental delay during childhood, severe scoliosis, spontaneous onset of menarche and irregular menstrual cycles. AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) allowed detection of a preserved but severely diminished ovarian reserve with a POI (Premature Ovarian insufficiency) onset risk. She was effectively subjected to fertility preservation strategies and rGH therapy. We also reviewed other published cases with Xq duplication, reporting the main clinics characteristics and any adopted treatment.

Conclusions

rGH treatment and cryopreservation in a multidisciplinary approach are good therapeutic strategies for Xq duplication syndrome with short stature and premature ovarian failure.
On secure system performance over SISO, MISO and MIMO-NOMA wireless networks equipped a multiple antenna based on TAS protocol
Authors: Tran Thanh-Nam , Voznak Miroslav
Published: January 2020

This study examined how to improve system performance by equipping multiple antennae at a base station (BS) and all terminal users/mobile devices instead of a single antenna as in previous studies. Experimental investigations based on three NOMA down-link models involved (1) a single-input-single-output (SISO) scenario in which a single antenna was equipped at a BS and for all users, (2) a multi-input-single-output (MISO) scenario in which multiple transmitter antennae were equipped at a BS and a single receiver antenna for all users and (3) a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) scenario in which multiple transmitter antennae were equipped at a BS and multiple receiver antenna for all users. This study investigated and compared the outage probability (OP) and system throughput assuming all users were over Rayleigh fading channels. The individual scenarios also each had an eavesdropper. Secure system performance of the individual scenarios was therefore also investigated. In order to detect data from superimposed signals, successive interference cancellation (SIC) was deployed for users, taking into account perfect, imperfect and fully imperfect SICs. The results of analysis of users in these three scenarios were obtained in an approximate closed form by using the Gaussian-Chebyshev quadrature method. However, the clearly and accurately presented results obtained using Monte Carlo simulations prove and verify that the MIMO-NOMA scenario equipped with multiple antennae significantly improved system performance.
Bit error rate performance analysis of AC-MAP in multiple input single output wireless relay network
Authors: Khalaf Taha A. , Mohammed Hazem
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we propose a joint decoding scheme called AC-MAP decoder for multiple input single output (MISO) wireless cooperative communication network that consists of single source, single relay, and single destination. The proposed scheme is based on both Alamouti combining (AC) scheme and maximum a posteriori (MAP) decoder and is used to estimate the data at the destination. The AC-MAP decoder is optimal in the sense that it minimizes the end-to-end bit error rate (BER). In order to analyze performance of the proposed decoder, we derive a closed form expression for the upper bound (UB) on the end-to-end error probability. Distances between system nodes, transmit energy, and channel noise and fading effects are considered in the derivation of the UB. Numerical results show that the closed form UB is very tight and it almost coincides with the exact BER results obtained from simulations. Therefore, we use the derived UB expression to study the effects of the relay position on the BER performance and to find the optimal location of the relay node.
A systematic review protocol examining workplace interventions that aim to improve employee health and wellbeing in male-dominated industries
Authors: Hulls Paige M. , Richmond Rebecca C. , Martin Richard M. , de Vocht Frank
Published: January 2020

Background

The workplace environment potentially provides access to a large population who are employed, and it is an employer's responsibility to provide appropriate conditions for its employees. Whilst the aetiology of cardiovascular disease is multifactorial, it is generally acknowledged that working conditions, gender and age are involved in its development. Male-dominated industries (comprising > 70% male workers, e.g., agriculture, construction, manufacturing, mining, transport and technology) have a higher prevalence of health risk behaviours than other population subgroups. Working in a gender-dominated industry can impact an employee's health and wellbeing, particularly for the opposite sex. This systematic review examines workplace interventions that address the health and wellbeing of employees in male-dominated industries.

Methods

We will include randomised controlled trials and studies with non-randomised intervention groups. The interventions must aim to improve employee physical and/or mental health and wellbeing implemented in the workplace in male-dominated industries. There will be no limits on date. The following electronic databases will be searched for published studies: Web of Science, Embed, MedLine, PsycInfo and the Cochrane Database. The search strategy will include free-text terms and MeSH vocabulary, including ‘male-dominated industries’, ‘workplace interventions’, ‘occupational stress’, ‘mental health’, ‘cardiovascular disease’, ‘blood pressure’, ‘body mass index’ and ‘exercise’. Two authors will independently select, review and extract data from studies that meet the inclusion criteria. The Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool will be used to assess risk of bias. We will perform structured summaries of the included studies and, if possible, conduct meta-analyses or construct an Albatross plot.

Discussion

There are an increasing number of interventions designed to improve employee health and wellbeing in the workplace, but no prior review that systematically evaluates their effectiveness. A systematic review is required to prioritise the future implementation of those interventions found to be most effective.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42019161283
On HT-convexity and Hadamard-type inequalities
Authors: Bai Shu-Ping , Wang Shu-Hong , Qi Feng
Published: January 2020

In the paper, the authors define a new notion of “HT-convex function”, present some Hadamard-type inequalities for the new class of HT-convex functions and for the product of any two HT-convex functions, and derive some inequalities for the arithmetic mean and thep-logarithmic mean. These results generalize corresponding ones for HA-convex functions and MT-convex functions.
Technical and clinical evaluation of a closed loop TIVA system with SEDLineTM spectral density monitoring: Multicentric prospective cohort study
Authors: Castellanos Peñaranda Claudia , Casas Arroyave Fabián D. , Gómez Francisco J. , Pinzón Corredor Paola A. , Fernández Juan M. , Velez Botero Marcela , Bohórquez Bedoya Juan D. , Marulanda Toro Carlos
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Closed loop total intravenous anesthesia is a technique in which the patient’s hemodynamic and anesthetic depth variables are monitored, and based on this information, a computer controls the infusion rate of drugs to keep them within pre-established clinical parameters.

Objective

To describe the technical and clinical performance of a closed loop system for total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil, using the SEDLineTM monitor

Design

Multicentric prospective cohort study

Setting

Surgery room

Patients

ASA I-II undergoing elective surgery

Measurements

The authors designed a closed loop system that implements a control algorithm based on anesthetic depth monitoring and the Patient State Index (PSITM) of the SEDLine monitor for propofol, and on hemodynamic variables for remifentanil. The measurement of clinical performance was made based on the percentage of PSITM maintenance time in the range 20–50. Precision analysis was evaluated by measuring median performance error (MDPE) can be defined as the median difference between actual and desired values, which refers to the degree of precision in which the controller is able to maintain the control variable within the objective set by the anesthesiologist; it represents the direction (over-prediction or under-prediction) of performance error (PE) rather than size of errors, which is represented by MDAPE, median absolute percentage error, Wobble index, which is used for measuring the intrasubject variability in performance error.

Results

Data were obtained from 93 patients in three healthcare centers. The percentage of PSITM maintenance time in the 20–50 range was 92% (80.7–97.0). MDPE was 10.7 (− 11.0–18.0), MDAPE 21.0 (14.2–26.8) and wobble 10.7 (7.0–16.9). No adverse surgical or anesthetic events were found.

Conclusions

The closed loop total intravenous anesthesia system with SEDLine developed by the authors was used without major complication and appear to be feasible its use in clinical performance.
Risk factors for quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Dong-Mei , Li Qiu-Hong , Shen Yan , Zhang Qin
Published: January 2020

Background

Antimicrobial resistance to quinolone is rising worldwide, especially in Escherichia coli causing various infections. Although many studies have been conducted to identify the risk factors for quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli (QREC) infection, the results are inconsistent and have not been systematically reported. The aim of the present study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the potential risk factors for QREC infection.

Methods

A systematic search was performed to collect published data in the EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library up to April 2019. Risk factors were analyzed using the pooled odds ratio (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CIs).

Results

Twenty-seven trials involving 67,019 participants were included in the present study. The following risk factors associated with QREC infection were identified: (1) male (OR = 1.41), (2) hepatic cirrhosis (OR = 2.05), (3) diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.62), (4) cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.76), (5) neurogenic bladder (OR = 8.66), (6) renal dysfunction (OR = 2.47), (7) transplantation (OR = 2.37), (8) urinary tract infection (OR = 2.79) and urinary tract abnormality (OR = 1.85), (9) dementia (OR = 5.83), (10) heart failure (OR = 5.63), (11) neurologic disease (OR = 2.80), (12) immunosuppressive drugs (OR = 2.02), (13) urinary catheter (OR = 4.39), (14) nursing home resident (OR = 4.63), (15) prior surgery (OR = 2.54), (16) quinolones (OR = 7.67), (17) other antibiotics (OR = 2.74), (18) hospitalization (OR = 2.06) and (19) nosocomial infection acquisition (OR = 2.35).

Conclusions

QREC infection was associated with nineteen risk factors including prior quinolones use, hospitalization, and several comorbidities. Reducing exposure to these risk factors and modification of antibiotic use are important to prevent quinolone resistance.
Data science: developing theoretical contributions in information systems via text analytics
Authors: Rizk Aya , Elragal Ahmed
Published: January 2020

Scholars have been increasingly calling for innovative research in the organizational sciences in general, and the information systems (IS) field in specific, one that breaks from the dominance of gap-spotting and specific methodical confinements. Hence, pushing the boundaries of information systems is needed, and one way to do so is by relying more on data and less on a priori theory. Data, being considered one of the most important resources in research, and society at large, requires the application of scientific methods to extract valuable knowledge towards theoretical development. However, the nature of knowledge varies from a scientific discipline to another, and the views on data science (DS) studies are substantially diverse. These views vary from being seen as a new scientific (fourth) paradigm, to an extension of existing paradigms with new tools and methods, to a phenomenon or object of study. In this paper, we review these perspectives and expand on the view of data science as a methodology for scientific inquiry. Motivated by the IS discipline’s history and accumulated knowledge in using DS methods for understanding organizational and societal phenomena, IS theory and theoretical contributions are given particular attention as the key outcome of adopting such methodology. Exemplar studies are analyzed to show how rigor can be achieved, and an illustrative example using text analytics to study digital innovation is provided to guide researchers.
Sedimentation process of ashfall during a Vulcanian eruption as revealed by high-temporal-resolution grain size analysis and high-speed camera imaging
Authors: Miwa T. , Iriyama Y. , Nagai M. , Nanayama F.
Published: January 2020

We here examined the sedimentation process of falling ash particles during a short-lived Vulcanian eruption at Sakurajima volcano, Japan, using high-speed camera imaging of airborne ash particles, as well as grain size analyses of ash samples collected at high temporal resolution. Ashfalls from a sequence of two Vulcanian eruptions at 10:44 and 11:26 JST (Japan Standard Time) on 26 March 2016 were investigated. The field site for imaging and sampling was located approximately 3.5 km from the vent. The ash particles collected exhibit bimodal grain size distributions (GSDs). The median particle size of the main subpopulation decreased throughout the ashfall owing to size-dependent segregation of ash particles from a single source released from a constant height. The volume fraction of the subordinate subpopulation is interpreted to represent a component of ash aggregates and shows an increase in its volume fraction after the eruption onset. High-speed camera imaging reveals that the mean particle density decreased over time as the ashfall continued. These data suggest an increasing contribution of low-density aggregates during the course of the ashfall. The temporal changes in the density of airborne ash particles and in the GSD of ash samples demonstrate that the sedimentation process during a Vulcanian eruption at Sakurajima volcano is characterized by sedimentation of ash particles from transient eruption plumes at constant height, in which ash aggregation increases over time. Moreover, time series analysis of the ash falling rate shows that secondary thickening occurred during these Vulcanian eruptions and that this can be triggered by the settling of ash aggregates.
Disentangling the genetic bases of Saccharomyces cerevisiae nitrogen consumption and adaptation to low nitrogen environments in wine fermentation
Authors: Kessi-Pérez Eduardo I. , Molinet Jennifer , Martínez Claudio
Published: January 2020

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been considered for more than 20 years as a premier model organism for biological sciences, also being the main microorganism used in wide industrial applications, like alcoholic fermentation in the winemaking process. Grape juice is a challenging environment for S. cerevisiae, with nitrogen deficiencies impairing fermentation rate and yeast biomass production, causing stuck or sluggish fermentations, thus generating sizeable economic losses for wine industry. In the present review, we summarize some recent efforts in the search of causative genes that account for yeast adaptation to low nitrogen environments, specially focused in wine fermentation conditions. We start presenting a brief perspective of yeast nitrogen utilization under wine fermentative conditions, highlighting yeast preference for some nitrogen sources above others. Then, we give an outlook of S. cerevisiae genetic diversity studies, paying special attention to efforts in genome sequencing for population structure determination and presenting QTL mapping as a powerful tool for phenotype–genotype correlations. Finally, we do a recapitulation of S. cerevisiae natural diversity related to low nitrogen adaptation, specially showing how different studies have left in evidence the central role of the TORC1 signalling pathway in nitrogen utilization and positioned wild S. cerevisiae strains as a reservoir of beneficial alleles with potential industrial applications (e.g. improvement of industrial yeasts for wine production). More studies focused in disentangling the genetic bases of S. cerevisiae adaptation in wine fermentation will be key to determine the domestication effects over low nitrogen adaptation, as well as to definitely proof that wild S. cerevisiae strains have potential genetic determinants for better adaptation to low nitrogen conditions.
Assessment of drivers and dynamics of gully erosion in case of Tabota Koromo and Koromo Danshe watersheds, South Central Ethiopia
Authors: Hassen Getahun , Bantider Amare
Published: January 2020

Globally erosion has been considered as an environmental and agricultural problem since the first agricultural revolution. In Ethiopia gully erosion has been recorded as a very serious and common socio-economic and environmental problem of several watersheds. Therefore, the objective of this research was to assess the drivers, dynamics and impacts of gully erosion in case of Tabota Koromo and Koromo Danshe watersheds, South-Central Ethiopia. The intended objectives were achieved by triangulating the image analysis with the data obtained from GPS, group discussion, interview, house hold survey, field observation and field measurement. The result of the study indicated that gully erosion was initiated in the steep slope following the 1970s and 1980s land cover change and other anthropogenic factors. In addition, the soil properties and steep slope (gravity) of the land have contributed in exacerbating the problems. Gully erosion caused physical, social and economic impacts in the area. According to the participants on group discussion and interview, the socio-economic impacts of gully erosion were loss of life for a 12 year boy, injuries of five live stocks, and decline of yields throughout the year. Result from field measurement and observation depicted that loss of soil (1,080,782.6m3) and loss of biodiversity are the major physical impacts of gully erosion. Yet there are promising conditions to rehabilitate the gullied area for sustainable ecosystem services in the watersheds. These promising conditions are the availability of high labour forces, access of transportation, civic societies working on natural resource conservation and the green economy development policy of the country. Therefore, concerned government bodies and the local communities at different level need to set plan and work for implementation in a way to use the existing opportunities.
Performance of the counter-torque technique in the explantation of nonmobile dental implants
Authors: Anitua Eduardo , Fernandez-de-Retana Sofia , Alkhraisat Mohammad H.
Published: January 2020

Background

The application of the counter-torque technique has been proposed as a conservative and atraumatic alternative for the explantation of nonmobile dental implants. The objective of this report is to assess the performance of this technique in a large number of patients.

Results

Three hundred and fifty-five patients were treated for the explantation of 749 nonmobile dental implants. The explantations were performed by the application of counter-torque to break the bone-implant interface. Successful implant explantation was achieved in 98.4% of the implants. The frequency of complications was 1.3%, most commonly related to the appearance of fissure lines at the implant neck.

Conclusions

The counter-torque technique has a high success rate but is not exempt from complications, although at a very low rate.
Patient-reported outcome measures in the interaction between patient and clinician – a multi-perspective qualitative study
Authors: Mejdahl Caroline Trillingsgaard , Schougaard Liv Marit Valen , Hjollund Niels Henrik , Riiskjær Erik , Lomborg Kirsten
Published: January 2020

Background

This article addresses patient-reported outcome (PRO)-based follow-up used as a substitute for regularly scheduled follow-ups. In PRO-based follow-up, patients’ PRO data filled in by the patients at home are used by clinicians as a decision aid to identify those who need clinical attention based on an automated PRO algorithm, clinical attention being either a phone call or a physical consultation. A physical consultation in the outpatient clinic prompted by the patient’s PRO is termed a “PRO consultation.”

In this multi-perspective qualitative study, we explored the influence of patients’ self-reported data on patient-clinician interaction during PRO consultations in epilepsy outpatient clinics. Interpretive description was the methodological approach, applying data from participant observations, informal interviews with clinicians, and semi-structured interviews with clinicians and patients.

Results

We found that application and deliberate use of patients’ PRO measures can affect patient-clinician interaction, promoting patient involvement in terms of improved communication and increased patient activation. These findings reflect the general patterns that have been reported in the literature. In addition, we found that PRO measures also may induce unmet expectations among some patients that can have a negative effect on patients’ experiences of the interaction and their follow-up experience in general. We extracted two thematic patterns that represent PRO measures’ potential for patient involvement in the patient-clinician interaction. The first pattern represents enablers, and the second pattern represents barriers for PRO measures to affect patient involvement.

Conclusions

Applying PRO measures in clinical practice does not automatically enhance the patient-clinician interaction. To strengthen the benefits of PRO measures, the following supplementary clinical initiatives are suggested: summarizing and reporting the PRO measures back to the patient, considering carefully which PRO measures to include, training clinicians and assuring that the patients’ introduction to PRO-based follow-up clarifies expectations.
Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using marine macroalgae Padina sp. and its antibacterial activity towards pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Bhuyar Prakash , Rahim Mohd Hasbi Ab. , Sundararaju Sathyavathi , Ramaraj Rameshprabu , Maniam Gaanty Pragas , Govindan Natanamurugaraj
Published: January 2020

Background

Marine algae used as a food source for ocean life and range in color from red to green to brown grow along rocky shorelines around the world. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles by marine algaPadinasp. and its characterization were fulfilled by using UV-visible spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Results

UV-visible absorption spectrum revealed that the formation of Ag nanoparticles was increased by the addition of marine algae and the spectral peak observed between a wavelength of ~ 420 nm and 445 nm. In addition, SEM and FESEM images examined the surface morphology and the size of the synthesized NPs was relatively uniform in size ~ 25–60 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis confirmed the purity of Ag NPs with atomic percentage of 48.34% Ag. The synthesized Ag NPs showed highly potent antibacterial activity. TheStaphylococcus aureusandPseudomonas aeruginosawere found to be more susceptible to silver nanoparticles by forming 15.17 ± 0.58 mm and 13.33 ± 0.76 mm of diameter of the inhibition zone, respectively.

Conclusions

The study suggested that marine algaPadinasp. could be an alternative source for the production of Ag nanoparticles and are efficient antimicrobial compounds against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria which can be a promising material against infectious bacteria.
Gas hydrate petroleum systems: What constitutes the “seal”?
Authors: Jang Junbong , Waite William F. , Stern Laura A.
Published: January 2020

The gas hydrate petroleum system (GHPS) approach, which has been used to characterize gas hydrates in nature, uses three distinct components: a methane source, a methane migration pathway, and a reservoir that not only contains gas hydrate, but also acts as a seal to prevent methane loss. Unlike GHPS, a traditional petroleum system (PS) approach further distinguishes between the reservoir, a unit with generally coarser sediment grains, and a separate overlying seal unit with generally finer sediment grains. Adopting this traditional PS distinction in the GHPS approach facilitates assessments of reservoir growth and production potential. The significance of the seal for the formation of a gas hydrate reservoir as well as for efficiency in methane extraction from the reservoir as an energy resource is evident in findings from recent offshore field expeditions, such as India’s second National Gas Hydrate Program expedition (NGHP-02). In regard to gas hydrate-bearing reservoir formations, the NGHP-02 gas chemistry data indicate a primarily microbial methane source. Fine-grained seal sediment in contact with coarser grained reservoir sediment can facilitate that microbial methane production. Logging-while-drilling and sediment core data also indicate that the overlying fine-grained seal sediment is less permeable than the underlying, highly gas hydrate-saturated reservoir sediment. The overlying seal’s capacity to act as a low-permeability boundary is important not only for preventing methane migration out of the reservoir over time, but also for preventing water invasion into the reservoir during methane extraction from the reservoir. Ultimately, the presence of an overlying, fine-grained, low-permeability “seal” influences how gas hydrate initially forms in a coarse-grained reservoir and dictates how efficiently methane can be extracted as an energy resource from the gas hydrate reservoir via depressurization.
Suicide prevention in Brunei
Authors: Ho Hilda
Published: January 2020

Brunei Darussalam is a small country in Southeast Asia with a conservative Islamic government and culture. Suicide is a criminal offence under the civil Penal Code and the newly implemented sharia Penal Code. Suicide and mental illness are associated with significant stigma. Public discussion about suicide and mental illness has been considered taboo for many years. Recently, increased rates of media-reported suicides caused significant public alarm. This paper describes the initial steps that have been taken and possible future strategies for suicide prevention. The complex issues affecting suicide prevention in the national context are discussed.
Medical Training Initiative (MTI) fellowship – a personal reflection
Authors: Abdullahi Halilu , Wilson Jonathan
Published: January 2020

Dr Abdullahi was a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Medical Training Initiative (MTI) scheme at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, East Anglia, between 2015 and 2017. He has adopted a comparative approach to share some salient observations and anecdotes from that time.
Cardiac structure and function in schizophrenia: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Osimo Emanuele F. , Brugger Stefan P. , de Marvao Antonio , Pillinger Toby , Whitehurst Thomas , Statton Ben , Quinlan Marina , Berry Alaine , Cook Stuart A. , O'Regan Declan P. , Howes Oliver D.
Published: January 2020

Background

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in schizophrenia. However, there has been little research directly examining cardiac function in schizophrenia.

Aims

To investigate cardiac structure and function in individuals with schizophrenia using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) after excluding medical and metabolic comorbidity.

Method

In total, 80 participants underwent CMR to determine biventricular volumes and function and measures of blood pressure, physical activity and glycated haemoglobin levels. Individuals with schizophrenia (‘patients’) and controls were matched for age, gender, ethnicity and body surface area.

Results

Patients had significantly smaller indexed left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume (effect size d = −0.82, P = 0.001), LV end-systolic volume (d = −0.58, P = 0.02), LV stroke volume (d = −0.85, P = 0.001), right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volume (d = −0.79, P = 0.002), RV end-systolic volume (d = −0.58, P = 0.02), and RV stroke volume (d = −0.87, P = 0.001) but unaltered ejection fractions relative to controls. LV concentricity (d = 0.73, P = 0.003) and septal thickness (d = 1.13, P < 0.001) were significantly larger in the patients. Mean concentricity in patients was above the reference range. The findings were largely unchanged after adjusting for smoking and/or exercise levels and were independent of medication dose and duration.

Conclusions

Individuals with schizophrenia show evidence of concentric cardiac remodelling compared with healthy controls of a similar age, gender, ethnicity, body surface area and blood pressure, and independent of smoking and activity levels. This could be contributing to the excess cardiovascular mortality observed in schizophrenia. Future studies should investigate the contribution of antipsychotic medication to these changes.
Prognostic Significance of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cancer
Authors: Kerrigan Kathleen , Patel Shiven B. , Haaland Benjamin , Ose Dominik , Weinberg Chalmers Anna , Haydell Tyler , Meropol Neal J. , Akerley Wallace
Published: January 2020

PURPOSE:

Performance status (PS), an established prognostic surrogate of cancer survival, is a physician-synthesized metric of patient symptoms and mobility that is prone to bias and subjectivity. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System–Cancer (PROMIS-Ca) Bank, a patient-centric patient-reported outcome (PRO) evaluation of physical function (PF), fatigue, depression, anxiety, and pain, shares subject matter with PS and, therefore, may also be prognostic while eliminating physician interpretation.

METHODS:

Patients at Huntsman Cancer Institute were assessed using the NCI PROMIS-Ca Bank. Using tablets at routine office visits, PF, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and pain scores were collected from patients with advanced melanoma, non–small-cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. A PRO score collected at a single time point within 6 months of metastatic diagnosis for each patient was merged with curated clinical outcome data. The association of PROs, overall survival (OS), and hospitalization-free survival (HFS) were assessed in multivariable analysis that included sex and cancer type.

RESULTS:

Two hundred eighty-two complete sets of patient data were available for analysis. All 5 PRO domains were strongly prognostic of OS and HFS. While the PRO domains were interrelated with moderate to strong correlations (0.40-0.79), multivariable regression suggested that PF was most strongly associated with the clinical outcomes of OS ( P < .001) and HFS ( P < .001).

CONCLUSION:

NCI PROMIS-Ca PROs may be prognostic of both cancer survival and likelihood of hospitalization. Future prospective studies are needed for all major prognostic factors to fully understand the independent prognostic value of PROs.
Bariatric Surgery vs Lifestyle Intervention for Diabetes Treatment: 5-Year Outcomes From a Randomized Trial
Authors: Courcoulas Anita P , Gallagher James W , Neiberg Rebecca H , Eagleton Emily B , DeLany James P , Lang Wei , Punchai Suriya , Gourash William , Jakicic John M
Published: January 2020

Context

Questions remain about bariatric surgery for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatment.

Objective

Compare the remission of T2DM following surgical or nonsurgical treatments.

Design, setting, and participants

Randomized controlled trial at the University of Pittsburgh, in the United States. Five-year follow-up from February 2015 until June 2016.

Interventions

61 participants with obesity and T2DM who were initially randomized to either bariatric surgical treatments (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [RYGB] or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding [LAGB]) or an intensive lifestyle weight loss intervention (LWLI) program for 1 year. Lower level lifestyle weight loss interventions (LLLIs) were then delivered for 4 years.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Diabetes remission assessed at 5 years.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 47 ± 6.6 years, 82% were women, and 21% African American. Mean hemoglobin A1c level 7.8% ± 1.9%, body mass index (BMI) 35.7 ± 3.1 kg/m2, and 26 participants (43%) had BMI < 35 kg/m2. Partial or complete T2DM remission was achieved by 30% (n = 6) of RYGB, 19% (n = 4) of LAGB, and no LWLI participants (P = .0208). At 5 years those in the RYGB group had the largest percentage of individuals (56%) not requiring any medications for T2DM compared with those in the LAGB (45%) and LWLI (0%) groups (P = .0065). Mean reductions in percent body weight at 5 years was the greatest after RYGB 25.2% ± 2.1%, followed by LAGB 12.7% ± 2.0% and lifestyle treatment 5.1% ± 2.5% (all pairwise P < .01).

Conclusions

Surgical treatments are more effective than lifestyle intervention alone for T2DM treatment.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Signs and Metabolic Syndrome in Premenopausal Hispanic/Latina Women: the HCHS/SOL Study
Authors: Meyer Michelle L , Sotres-Alvarez Daniela , Steiner Anne Z , Cousins Larry , Talavera Gregory A , Cai Jianwen , Daviglus Martha L , Loehr Laura R
Published: January 2020

Context

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition of androgen excess in women, is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors; however, this association is not fully characterized in a population-based sample of premenopausal women and high-risk groups such as Hispanics/Latinas.

Objective

We examined the association of PCOS signs and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in premenopausal Hispanic/Latina women.

Methods

This cross-sectional analysis includes 1427 women age 24 to 44 years from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. PCOS signs included menstrual cycle greater than 35 days or irregular, self-reported PCOS, and oral contraceptive use to regulate periods or acne, and a composite of 1 or more PCOS signs. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI for MetS, accounting for sociodemographic factors and the complex survey design; an additional model included body mass index (BMI).

Results

The mean age was 34 years and 30% reported any PCOS sign. The odds of MetS were higher in women reporting cycles greater than 35 days or irregular (OR 1.63; CI: 1.07-2.49) vs cycles 24 to 35 days, self-reported PCOS (OR 2.49; CI: 1.38-4.50) vs no PCOS, and any PCOS sign (OR 1.58; CI: 1.10-2.26) vs none. We found no association between OC use to regulate periods or acne and MetS (OR 1.1; CI: 0.6-1.8). When adjusting for BMI, only the association of self-reported PCOS and MetS was attenuated (OR 1.78; CI: 0.92-3.44).

Conclusions

In Hispanic/Latina women, irregular menstrual cycles, self-reported PCOS, and any PCOS sign were associated with MetS and could indicate women at metabolic disease risk.
Dysregulation of Hypothalamic Gene Expression and the Oxytocinergic System by Soybean Oil Diets in Male Mice
Authors: Deol Poonamjot , Kozlova Elena , Valdez Matthew , Ho Catherine , Yang Ei-Wen , Richardson Holly , Gonzalez Gwendolyn , Truong Edward , Reid Jack , Valdez Joseph , Deans Jonathan R , Martinez-Lomeli Jose , Evans Jane R , Jiang Tao , Sladek Frances M , Curras-Collazo Margarita C
Published: January 2020

Soybean oil consumption has increased greatly in the past half-century and is linked to obesity and diabetes. To test the hypothesis that soybean oil diet alters hypothalamic gene expression in conjunction with metabolic phenotype, we performed RNA sequencing analysis using male mice fed isocaloric, high-fat diets based on conventional soybean oil (high in linoleic acid, LA), a genetically modified, low-LA soybean oil (Plenish), and coconut oil (high in saturated fat, containing no LA). The 2 soybean oil diets had similar but nonidentical effects on the hypothalamic transcriptome, whereas the coconut oil diet had a negligible effect compared to a low-fat control diet. Dysregulated genes were associated with inflammation, neuroendocrine, neurochemical, and insulin signaling. Oxt was the only gene with metabolic, inflammation, and neurological relevance upregulated by both soybean oil diets compared to both control diets. Oxytocin immunoreactivity in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus was reduced, whereas plasma oxytocin and hypothalamic Oxt were increased. These central and peripheral effects of soybean oil diets were correlated with glucose intolerance but not body weight. Alterations in hypothalamic Oxt and plasma oxytocin were not observed in the coconut oil diet enriched in stigmasterol, a phytosterol found in soybean oil. We postulate that neither stigmasterol nor LA is responsible for effects of soybean oil diets on oxytocin and that Oxt messenger RNA levels could be associated with the diabetic state. Given the ubiquitous presence of soybean oil in the American diet, its observed effects on hypothalamic gene expression could have important public health ramifications.
Establishment of a novel culture method for maintaining intestinal stem cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Kondo Satoshi , Mizuno Shota , Hashita Tadahiro , Iwao Takahiro , Matsunaga Tamihide
Published: January 2020

The small intestine plays an important role in the pharmacokinetics of orally administered drugs due to the presence of drug transporters and drug-metabolizing enzymes. However, few appropriate methods exist to investigate intestinal pharmacokinetics. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can form various types of cells and represent a potentially useful tool for drug discovery. We previously reported that differentiated enterocytes from human iPS cells are useful for pharmacokinetic studies; however, the process is time and resource intensive. Here, we established a new two-dimensional culture method for maintaining human iPS-cell-derived intestinal stem cells (ISCs) with differentiation potency and evaluated their ability to differentiate into enterocytes exhibiting appropriate pharmacokinetic function. The culture method used several factors to activate signalling pathways required for maintaining stemness, followed by differentiation into enterocytes. Functional evaluation was carried out to verify epithelial-marker expression and inducibility and activity of metabolic enzymes and transporters. Our results confirmed the establishment of an ISC culture method for maintaining stemness and verified that the differentiated enterocytes from the maintained ISCs demonstrated proper pharmacokinetic function. Thus, our findings describe a time- and cost-effective approach that can be used as a general evaluation tool for evaluating intestinal pharmacokinetics.
Enhancer transcription identifies cis-regulatory elements for photoreceptor cell types
Authors: Perez-Cervantes Carlos , Smith Linsin A. , Nadadur Rangarajan D. , Hughes Andrew E. O. , Wang Sui , Corbo Joseph C. , Cepko Constance , Lonfat Nicolas , Moskowitz Ivan P.
Published: January 2020

Identification of cell type-specific cis-regulatory elements (CREs) is crucial for understanding development and disease, although identification of functional regulatory elements remains challenging. We hypothesized that context-specific CREs could be identified by context-specific non-coding RNA (ncRNA) profiling, based on the observation that active CREs produce ncRNAs. We applied ncRNA profiling to identify rod and cone photoreceptor CREs from wild-type and mutant mouse retinas, defined by presence or absence, respectively, of the rod-specific transcription factor (TF) Nrl. Nrl-dependent ncRNA expression strongly correlated with epigenetic profiles of rod and cone photoreceptors, identified thousands of candidate rod- and cone-specific CREs, and identified motifs for rod- and cone-specific TFs. Colocalization of NRL and the retinal TF CRX correlated with rod-specific ncRNA expression, whereas CRX alone favored cone-specific ncRNA expression, providing quantitative evidence that heterotypic TF interactions distinguish cell type-specific CRE activity. We validated the activity of novel Nrl-dependent ncRNA-defined CREs in developing cones. This work supports differential ncRNA profiling as a platform for the identification of cell type-specific CREs and the discovery of molecular mechanisms underlying TF-dependent CRE activity.
Mitochondrial thermo-sensitivity in invasive and native freshwater mussels
Authors: Hraoui Georges , Bettinazzi Stefano , Gendron Andrée D. , Boisclair Daniel , Breton Sophie
Published: January 2020

Climate change is impacting many, if not all, forms of life. Increases in extreme temperature fluctuations and average temperatures can cause stress, particularly in aquatic sessile ectotherms such as freshwater mussels. However, some species seem to thrive more than others in face of temperature-related stressors. Thermal tolerance may for example explain invasive species success. It is also known that mitochondria can play a key role in setting an ectothermic species’ thermal tolerance. In this study, we aimed to characterize the mitochondrial thermo-tolerance in invasive and endemic freshwater mussels. With the use of high-resolution respirometry, we analyzed the mitochondrial respiration of two freshwater bivalve species exposed to a broad range of temperatures. We noticed that the invasive dreissenid Dreissena bugensis possessed a less thermo-tolerant mitochondrial metabolism than the endemic unionid Elliptio complanata. This lack of tolerance was linked with a more noticeable aerobic metabolic depression at elevated temperatures. This decrease in mitochondrial metabolic activity was also linked with an increase in leak oxygen consumption as well as a stable maintenance of the activity of cytochrome c oxidase in both species. These findings may be associated both with species’ life history characteristics, as D. bugensis is more adapted to unstable habitats, in which selection pressures for resistance adaptations are reduced. Our findings add to the growing body of literature characterizing the mitochondrial metabolism of many aquatic ectotherms in our changing world.