bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Confessional data selfies and intimate digital traces
Authors: Robards Brady , Lyall Ben , Moran Claire
Published: June 2020

Data selfies are representations of self through personal quantitative data: from graphs of Tinder dating outcomes, through to the story of brain surgery told through daily step counts. In this article, we explore practices around what we call ‘confessional data selfies’ shared on the reddit forum r/DataIsBeautiful, where more than 14 million subscribers – predominantly straight men – share often complex and intimate quantitative self-representations of their lives. We draw on an analysis of the top 1000 posts on r/DataIsBeautiful, and a sub-sample of 59 data selfies, to identify patterns in confessional data selfie practices. We identify three themes: families and relationships, routine management, and body rhythms. We argue that these data selfies generate opportunities for self-reflection, connection, discussions of mental health, grief and other personal experiences. Significantly, this occurs largely between men, modulating processes of gendered impression management and expanding the conceptualisation of selfie work.
Evaluation of Musculoskeletal and Pulmonary Bacterial Infections With [124I]FIAU PET/CT
Authors: Cho Steve Y. , Rowe Steven P. , Jain Sanjay K. , Schon Lew C. , Yung Rex C. , Nayfeh Tariq A. , Bingham Clifton O. , Foss Catherine A. , Nimmagadda Sridhar , Pomper Martin G.
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

Imaging is limited in the evaluation of bacterial infection. Direct imaging of in situ bacteria holds promise for noninvasive diagnosis. We investigated the ability of a bacterial thymidine kinase inhibitor ([124I]FIAU) to image pulmonary and musculoskeletal infections.

Methods:

Thirty-three patients were prospectively accrued: 16 with suspected musculoskeletal infection, 14 with suspected pulmonary infection, and 3 with known rheumatoid arthritis without infection. Thirty-one patients were imaged with [124I]FIAU PET/CT and 28 with [18F]FDG PET/CT. Patient histories were reviewed by an experienced clinician with subspecialty training in infectious diseases and were determined to be positive, equivocal, or negative for infection.

Results:

Sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value, negative-predictive value, and accuracy of [124I]FIAU PET/CT for diagnosing infection were estimated as 7.7% to 25.0%, 0.0%, 50%, 0.0%, and 20.0% to 71.4% for musculoskeletal infections and incalculable-100.0%, 51.7% to 72.7%, 0.0% to 50.0%, 100.0%, and 57.1% to 78.6% for pulmonary infections, respectively. The parameters for [18F]FDG PET/CT were 75.0% to 92.3%, 0.0%, 23.1% to 92.3%, 0.0%, and 21.4% to 85.7%, respectively, for musculoskeletal infections and incalculable to 100.0%, 0.0%, 0.0% to 18.2%, incalculable, and 0.0% to 18.2% for pulmonary infections, respectively.

Conclusions:

The high number of patients with equivocal clinical findings prevented definitive conclusions from being made regarding the diagnostic efficacy of [124I]FIAU. Future studies using microbiology to rigorously define infection in patients and PET radiotracers optimized for image quality are needed.
A review on non-terrestrial wireless technologies for Smart City Internet of Things
Authors: Wang Aihua , Wang Peisen , Miao Xiaqing , Li Xiangming , Ye Neng , Liu Yun
Published: June 2020

Smart City Internet of Things will become a fundamental infrastructure to support massive machine-type communications between the widely deployed sensors serving big cities. Since there exists many location constraints for the existing terrestrial Internet of Things, the non-terrestrial Internet of Things sheds light on breaking these limits. Therefore, this article conducts a comprehensive survey on non-terrestrial Internet of Things technologies for Smart City, which is an important complement to terrestrial Internet of Things. We first present the application scenarios of Internet of Things and point out where the existing terrestrial Internet of Things cannot work perfectly. Two non-terrestrial Internet of Things technical proposals are then introduced, namely satellite Internet of Things and unmanned aerial vehicle Internet of Things. However, the focuses of these non-terrestrial Internet of Things are distinct, that is, the major problems of satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle Internet of Things are the high dynamic nature of channel and high maneuverability of unmanned aerial vehicles, respectively. The key technologies for satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle Internet of Things are then reviewed separately. Both physical and non-physical layer technologies are surveyed for satellite Internet of Things, and the route planning is mainly investigated for the unmanned aerial vehicle Internet of Things. Finally, we draw a conclusion and give some potential research directions of non-terrestrial Internet of Things.
Elderly Well-Being and Alcohol: A Tricky Cocktail
Authors: Klausen Søren Harnow , Engelsen Søren , Christiansen Regina , Emiliussen Jakob
Published: June 2020

This interdisciplinary study is concerned with the well-being of older adults and how this relates to alcohol. Older adults’ use of alcohol in nursing homes is a rising challenge in Western societies, expected to increase in the coming 10–15 years. Alcohol use has consequences that go beyond mere health concerns and stretch into social, personal, and institutionalized life. The present study aims to develop procedures and guidelines for handling alcohol in elderly care, assist in handling value conflicts, ease the work of care workers, and more generally ensure a better quality of life for older adults. The study has four phases: (1) exploration, (2) interpretation in collaboration with practitioners, (3) developing practice-oriented product, and 4) implementation. Phase 1 was conducted in 2018. In this phase, observations were carried out in five care institutions in a Danish Municipality for a total of 25 days. These observations led to the development of interview guides. Based on the interview guides, 31 participants (residents, care workers, relatives and managers) were interviewed for 30–60 min at the five institutions. In Phase 2, data will be analyzed and interpreted by the researchers in collaboration with representatives from the five institutions. Phases 3 and 4 are forthcoming, and the study is scheduled to terminate in 2021.
Multiautonomous underwater vehicle consistent collaborative hunting method based on generative adversarial network
Authors: Cai Lei , Sun Qiankun
Published: June 2020

The time-varying ocean currents and the delay of underwater acoustic communication have caused the uncertainty of single autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) tracking target and the inconsistency of multi-AUV coordination, which make it difficult for multiple AUVs to form a hunting alliance. To solve the above problems, this article proposes the multi-AUV consistent collaborative hunting method based on generative adversarial network (GAN). Firstly, the three-dimensional (3D) kinematic model of AUV is established for the underwater 3D environment. Secondly, combined with the Laplacian matrix, the topology of the hunting alliance in the ideal environment is established, and the control rate of AUV is calculated. Finally, using the GAN network model, the control relationship after environmental interference is used as the input of the generative model. The control rate in the ideal environment is used as the comparison object of the discriminative model. Using the iterative training of GAN to generate a control rate that adapts to the current interference environment and combining multi-AUV topological hunting model to achieve successful hunting of noncooperative target, the experimental results show that the algorithm reduces the average hunting time to 62.53 s and the success rate of hunting is increased to 84.69%, which is 1.17% higher than the particle swarm optimization-constant modulus algorithm (PSO-CMA) algorithm.
The transnational reception of bestselling books between Canada and Australia
Authors: Driscoll Beth , Rehberg Sedo DeNel
Published: June 2020

This study investigates the circulation and reception of six bestsellers between Canada and Australia (2005–2014). We ask which contemporary bestselling books travel between Canada and Australia, how and by whom these books are mediated, and how they are received by readers. Through content analysis of Canadian and Australian print media mentions and online reader reviews (n = 4407), we find variation in reception of bestsellers, influenced by genre and author profile. Bestsellers’ national origins are usually disregarded by media and reader reviews.
Light-induced synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Ocimum tenuiflorum extract: Characterisation and application
Authors: Pandey Vivek Kumar , Upadhyay Siddh Nath , Mishra Pradeep Kumar
Published: June 2020

Stable silver nanoparticles of various sizes are synthesised using the aqueous extract of Tulsi ( Ocimum tenuiflorum) as the reducing agent as well as a stabilising agent under the influence of light of wavelength ranging from 200 to 900 nm. The formation of silver nanoparticles is monitored using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer and the particle shape, size and stability are analysed using scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurement techniques. It is observed that the size of the silver nanoparticles decreases on increasing the wavelength of irradiating light. The silver nanoparticles show antimicrobial activity against gram-positive ( Bacillus subtilis), as well as gram-negative ( Escherichia coli) bacteria. The antimicrobial activity shows an inverse relationship with the size of the silver nanoparticles. The bio-synthesised silver nanoparticles are successfully embedded in a polymeric film to act as an active antimicrobial film that can potentially release the active constituents.
Performance of the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Burgos Lucrecia M , Trivi Marcelo , Costabel Juan P
Published: June 2020

Introduction

A rapid rule-out or rule-in protocol based on the 0-hour/1-hour algorithm using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) is recommended by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC); recently multiple studies have validated it in their settings. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the 2015 ESC guidelines for management of acute coronary syndrome in patients without ST-segment elevation 0-hour/1-hour algorithm using hs-cTn for the early rule-out and rule-in of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on presentation.

Methods

Systematic searches were conducted using PubMed, the Cochrane Library and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to identify prospective studies from 2015 to October 2019 involving adults presenting to the emergency department with possible acute coronary syndrome in which hs-cTn measurements were obtained according to the ESC algorithm and AMI outcomes were adjudicated during the initial hospitalization.

Results

Eleven studies, involving 19,213 patients, were identified. Pooled prevalence of AMI during the index hospitalization was 11.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9–18.8%). Summary sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing AMI were 99% (95% CI 98–99%; I2 63%) and 91% (95% CI 91–92%; I2 96%) respectively. The summary positive likelihood ratio was 11.6 (95% CI 8.5–15.8; I2 97%) and the pooled likelihood ratio negative 0.02 (0.01–0.03; I2 52%). Cumulative all-cause mortality at 30 days in the rule-out group was 0.11%, and 2.8% in the rule-in group, and 30 days AMI in the rule-out group was 0.08%.

Conclusion

The ESC 0-hour/1-hour algorithm using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin has high diagnostic accuracy; it allows safe rule-out as well as accurate rule-in of AMI, with low cumulative 30-day mortality and AMI in patients assigned the rule-out zone.
The protective effect of human adiposederived mesenchymal stem cells on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is dependent on their level of expression of heme oxygenase-1
Authors: Cho Hyun Seop , Jang Ha Nee , Jung Myeong Hee , Jang Si Jung , Jeong Sang-Ho , Lee Tae Won , Bae Eunjin , Chang Se-Ho , Park Dong Jun , Kim Jin Hyun
Published: June 2020

The therapeutic efficacy of adipose mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSCs) for acute kidney injury (AKI) has been investigated extensively, and the anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and proangiogenic effects of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) reportedly ameliorate AKI. We hypothesized that the therapeutic efficacy of Ad-MSCs is dependent on their expression level of HO-1. The viability and migration ability of cisplatin-treated human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells were assessed. Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into control, cisplatin (10 mg/kg), and cisplatin plus Ad MSCs (with high and low HO-1 expression) groups. The HO-1 expression level in hAd-MSCs increased with increasing passage number, peaking at passage 4 and decreasing thereafter. The viability and migratory ability of hAd-MSCs with high HO-1 expression were greater than those of hAd-MSCs with low HO-1 expression. Renal tubular toxicity in cisplatin-treated rats was ameliorated by administration of hAd-MSCs with high HO-1 expression, although the levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine did not differ according to the level of HO-1 expression. The magnitude of reactive oxygen species induced DNA damage was lower in hAd-MSCs with high HO-1 expression than in those with low HO-1 expression. Administration of hAd-MSCs significantly suppressed cisplatin induced apoptosis. Also, hAd-MSCs with high HO-1 expression were more resistant to cisplatin-induced apoptosis than were those with low HO-1 expression. hAd MSCs with high HO-1 expression have therapeutic potential for cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity, based on our in vitro and in vivo results. These findings will facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies for cisplatin-induced AKI.
Arthroscopic Modified Bosworth Procedure for Refractory Lateral Elbow Pain With Radiocapitellar Joint Snapping
Authors: Jeon In-Ho , Kwak Jae-Man , Zhu Bin , Sun Yucheng , Kim Hyojune , Koh Kyoung-Hwan , Kholinne Erica
Published: June 2020

Background:

Radiocapitellar joint snapping due to the presence of synovial plica has been described as a contributory intra-articular pathology of lateral epicondylitis (LE).

Hypothesis:

The arthroscopic modified Bosworth technique can provide a safe and favorable outcome for refractory LE with radiocapitellar snapping.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Patients treated with the arthroscopic modified Bosworth procedure for refractory LE with radiocapitellar joint snapping were included in this study. The sequential surgical procedures included excision of the upper portion of the anterolateral annular ligament, removal of the synovial plicae, and release of the extensor carpi radialis brevis for all patients. Clinical outcomes were measured at a minimum 1-year follow-up.

Results:

A total of 22 patients with a mean ± SD age of 51.2 ± 10.4 years were included in this study. The mean follow-up was 29.4 ± 7.7 months (range, 21-42 months). The overall visual analog scale score (from preoperative to final follow-up) was 7.5 ± 1.2 vs 2.5 ± 1.8 ( P < .001); flexion-extension motion arc was 133.8° ± 11.2° vs 146.4° ± 7.1° ( P = .001); pronation-supination motion arc was 101.8° ± 9.2° vs 141.7° ± 10.2° ( P = .001); Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 54.5 ± 13.2 vs 3.6 ± 4.1 ( P < .001); and Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 51.9 ± 12.2 vs 84.3 ± 10.3 ( P < .001).

Conclusion:

Radiocapitellar joint snapping may coexist with LE as a disease spectrum. The arthroscopic modified Bosworth technique provides safe and favorable outcomes for patients with refractory LE associated with radiocapitellar joint snapping.
Analytical solution for vibration characteristics of rotating graphene nanoplatelet-reinforced plates under rub-impact and thermal shock
Authors: Zhao Tian Yu , Wang Yu Xuan , Pan Hong Gang , Gao Xiang Sheng , Cai Yi
Published: June 2020

This article presents an analytical investigation on vibration characteristics of rotating graphene nanoplatelet (GPL)-reinforced plates subjected to rub-impact and thermal shock. The effective material properties are assumed to vary continuously and smoothly along the thickness direction of the plate and are determined via the Halpin–Tsai micromechanics model together with the rule of mixture. Considering the gyroscopic effect, the equations of motion are derived by adopting the Hamilton’s principle based on the Kirchhoff’s plate theory. Then, the Galerkin method and the small parameter perturbation method are utilized to obtain the free and forced vibration results for the rotating plate. A detailed parametric study is conducted to examine the effects of the GPL weight fraction, GPL distribution pattern, length-to-thickness ratio and length-to-width ratio of GPLs, and the rotating speed on free vibration characteristics of the nanocomposite plate. Attention is also given to the influences of the GPL weight fraction, thermal flow, and friction coefficient on forced vibration responses of the plate. The obtained results can play a role in the design of a rotating GPL-reinforced plate structure to achieve significantly improved mechanical performance.
Key diagnostic markers for autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome with molecular genetic diagnosis
Authors: Molnár Emese , Radwan Nesrine , Kovács Gábor , Andrikovics Hajnalka , Henriquez Frances , Zarafov Anton , Hayman Matthew , Linzner Daniela , Thrasher Adrian J. , Buckland Matthew , Burns Siobhan O. , Gilmour Kimberly C.
Published: June 2020

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a rare immunodeficiency caused by mutations in genes affecting the extrinsic apoptotic pathway (FAS, FASL, CASP10). This study evaluated the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and molecular genetic results of 215 patients referred as possibly having ALPS. Double-negative T-cell (DNT) percentage and in vitro apoptosis functional tests were evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting; interleukin 10 (IL-10) and IL-18 and soluble FAS ligand (sFASL) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Genetic analysis was performed by next-generation sequencing. Clinical background data were collected from patients’ records. Patients were categorized into definite, suspected, or unlikely ALPS groups, and laboratory parameters were compared among these groups. Of 215 patients, 38 met the criteria for definite ALPS and 17 for suspected ALPS. The definite and suspected ALPS patient populations showed higher DNT percentages than unlikely ALPS and had higher rates of lymphoproliferation. Definite ALPS patients had a significantly more abnormal in vitro apoptosis function, with lower annexin, than patients with suspected ALPS (P = .002) and patients not meeting ALPS criteria (P < .001). The combination of elevated DNTs and an abnormal in vitro apoptosis functional test was the most useful in identifying all types of ALPS patients; the combination of an abnormal in vitro apoptosis functional test and elevated sFASLs was a predictive marker for ALPS-FAS group identification. Lymphoproliferation, apoptosis functional test, and DNTs are the most sensitive markers; elevated IL-10 and IL-18 are additional indicators for ALPS. The combination of elevated sFASLs and abnormal apoptosis function was the most valuable prognosticator for patients with FAS mutations.
Genetic mutations and features of mantle cell lymphoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hill Holly A. , Qi Xinyue , Jain Preetesh , Nomie Krystle , Wang Yucai , Zhou Shouhao , Wang Michael L.
Published: June 2020

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an incurable rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is subject to relapse and therapeutic resistance. Molecular aberrations in MCL affect pathogenesis, prognosis, and therapeutic response. In this systematic review, we searched 3 databases and selected 32 articles that described mutations in MCL patients. We then conducted a meta-analysis using a Bayesian multiregression model to analyze patient-level data in 2127 MCL patients, including prevalence of mutations. In tumor or bone marrow samples taken at diagnosis or baseline, ATM was the most frequently mutated gene (43.5%) followed by TP53 (26.8%), CDKN2A (23.9%), and CCND1 (20.2%). Aberrations were also detected in IGH (38.4%) and MYC (20.8%), primarily through cytogenetic methods. Other common baseline mutations were NSD2 (15.0%), KMT2A (8.9%), S1PR1 (8.6%), and CARD11 (8.5%). Our data also show a change in mutational status from baseline samples to samples at disease progression and present mutations of interest in MCL that should be considered for future analysis. The genes with the highest mutational frequency difference (>5%) are TP53, ATM, KMT2A, MAP3K14, BTK, TRAF2, CHD2, TLR2, ARID2, RIMS2, NOTCH2, TET2, SPEN, NSD2, CARD11, CCND1, SP140, CDKN2A, and S1PR1. These findings provide a summary of the mutational landscape of MCL. The genes with the highest change in mutation frequency should be included in targeted next-generation sequencing panels for future studies. These findings also highlight the need for analysis of serial samples in MCL. Patient-level data of prevalent mutations in MCL provide additional evidence emphasizing molecular variability in advancing precision medicine initiatives in MCL.
Nationwide survey of systemic chronic active EBV infection in Japan in accordance with the new WHO classification
Authors: Yonese Ichiro , Sakashita Chizuko , Imadome Ken-Ichi , Kobayashi Tohru , Yamamoto Masahide , Sawada Akihisa , Ito Yoshinori , Fukuhara Noriko , Hirose Asao , Takeda Yusuke , Makita Masanori , Endo Tomoyuki , Kimura Shun-ichi , Ishimura Masataka , Miura Osamu , Ohga Shouichi , Kimura Hiroshi , Fujiwara Shigeyoshi , Arai Ayako
Published: June 2020

Systemic chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (sCAEBV) was defined as a T- or NK-cell neoplasm in the 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) classification. To clarify the clinical features of sCAEBV under this classification and review the effects of chemotherapy, we performed a nationwide survey in Japan from 2016 through 2018 of patients with sCAEBV newly diagnosed from January 2003 through March 2016. One hundred cases were evaluated. The patients were aged 1 to 78 years (median, 21) and included 53 males and 47 females. Spontaneous regression was not observed in patients with active disease. In the childhood-onset group (age, <9 years), 78% of the patients were male. In contrast, 85% of the patients in the elderly-onset group (age, >45 years) were female. The prognosis of the childhood-onset group was better than those of the adolescent/adult- and elderly-onset groups. The main chemotherapies used were a combination of cyclosporine A, steroids, and etoposide (cooling therapy) in 52 cases and cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CHOP) in 45 cases. The rate of complete response (CR), defined as complete resolution of disease activity, was 17% for cooling therapy and 13% for CHOP. Virological CR was not observed. The 3-year overall survival rates in patients treated with chemotherapy only (n = 20), chemotherapy followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT; n = 47), and allo-HSCT only (n = 12) were 0%, 65%, and 82%, respectively. Distinct characteristics were observed between childhood- and elderly-onset sCAEBV, and they appeared to be different disorders. Chemotherapy is currently insufficient to resolve disease activity and eradicate infected cells. The development of an effective treatment is urgently needed.
Methylation data imputation performances under different representations and missingness patterns
Authors: Lena Pietro Di , Sala Claudia , Prodi Andrea , Nardini Christine
Published: June 2020

Background

High-throughput technologies enable the cost-effective collection and analysis of DNA methylation data throughout the human genome. This naturally entails missing values management that can complicate the analysis of the data. Several general and specific imputation methods are suitable for DNA methylation data. However, there are no detailed studies of their performances under different missing data mechanisms –(completely) at random or not- and different representations of DNA methylation levels (β and M-value).

Results

We make an extensive analysis of the imputation performances of seven imputation methods on simulated missing completely at random (MCAR), missing at random (MAR) and missing not at random (MNAR) methylation data. We further consider imputation performances on the popular β- and M-value representations of methylation levels. Overall, β-values enable better imputation performances than M-values. Imputation accuracy is lower for mid-range β-values, while it is generally more accurate for values at the extremes of the β-value range. The MAR values distribution is on the average more dense in the mid-range in comparison to the expected β-value distribution. As a consequence, MAR values are on average harder to impute.

Conclusions

The results of the analysis provide guidelines for the most suitable imputation approaches for DNA methylation data under different representations of DNA methylation levels and different missing data mechanisms.
Wingless and Archipelago, a fly E3 ubiquitin ligase and a homolog of human tumor suppressor FBW7, show an antagonistic relationship in wing development
Authors: Nam Sujin , Cho Kyung-Ok
Published: June 2020

Background

Archipelago (Ago) is a Drosophila homolog of mammalian F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBW7, also known as FBXW7). In previous studies, FBW7 has been addressed as a tumor suppressor mediating ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of several oncogenic proteins. Ubiquitination is a type of protein modification that directs protein for degradation as well as sorting. The level of beta-catenin (β-cat), an intracellular signal transducer in Wnt signaling pathway, is reduced upon overexpression of FBW7 in human cancer cell lines. Loss of function mutations in FBW7 and overactive Wnt signaling have been reported to be responsible for human cancers.

Results

We found that Ago is important for the formation of shafts in chemosensory bristles at wing margin. This loss of shaft phenotype by knockdown of ago was rescued by knockdown of wingless (wg) whereas wing notching phenotype by knockdown of wg was rescued by knockdown of ago, establishing an antagonistic relationship between ago and wg. In line with this finding, knockdown of ago increased the level of Armadillo (Arm), a homolog of β-cat, in Drosophila tissue. Furthermore, knockdown of ago increased the level of Distal-less (Dll) and extracellular Wg in wing discs. In S2 cells, the amount of secreted Wg was increased by knockdown of Ago but decreased by Ago overexpression. Therefore, Ago plays a previously unidentified role in the inhibition of Wg secretion. Ago-overexpressing clones in wing discs exhibited accumulation of Wg in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), suggesting that Ago prevents Wg protein from moving to Golgi from ER.

Conclusions

We concluded that Ago plays dual roles in inhibiting Wg signaling. First, Ago decreases the level of Arm, by which Wg signaling is downregulated in Wg-responding cells. Second, Ago decreases the level of extracellular Wg by inhibiting movement of Wg from ER to Golgi in Wg-producing cells.
Counterbalancing the time-dependent effect on the human mitochondrial DNA molecular clock
Authors: Cabrera Vicente M.
Published: June 2020

Background

The molecular clock is an important genetic tool for estimating evolutionary timescales. However, the detection of a time-dependent effect on substitution rate estimates complicates its application. It has been suggested that demographic processes could be the main cause of this confounding effect. In the present study, I propose a new algorithm for estimating the coalescent age of phylogenetically related sequences, taking into account the observed time-dependent effect on the molecular rate detected by others.

Results

By applying this method to real human mitochondrial DNA trees with shallow and deep topologies, I obtained significantly older molecular ages for the main events of human evolution than were previously estimated. These ages are in close agreement with the most recent archaeological and paleontological records favoring the emergence of early anatomically modern humans in Africa 315 ± 34 thousand years ago (kya) and the presence of recent modern humans outside of Africa as early as 174 ± 48 thousand years ago. Furthermore, during the implementation process, I demonstrated that in a population with fluctuating sizes, the probability of fixation of a new neutral mutant depends on the effective population size, which is in better accordance with the fact that under the neutral theory of molecular evolution, the fate of a molecular mutation is mainly determined by random drift.

Conclusions

I suggest that the demographic history of populations has a more decisive effect than purifying selection and/or mutational saturation on the time-dependent effect observed for the substitution rate, and I propose a new method that corrects for this effect.
Contribution to understanding the evolution of holometaboly: transformation of internal head structures during the metamorphosis in the green lacewing Chrysopa pallens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)
Authors: Zhao Chenjing , Ang Yuchen , Wang Mengqing , Gao Caixia , Zhang Kuiyan , Tang Chufei , Liu Xingyue , Li Min , Yang Ding , Meier Rudolf
Published: June 2020

Background

Metamorphosis remains one of the most complicated and poorly understood processes in insects. This is particularly so for the very dynamic transformations that take place within the pupal sheath of holometabolous insects. Only few studies address these transformations especially with regard to cranial structures of those holometabolous species where the larval and adult forms have a similar diet. It thus remains unclear to what extent the internal structures undergo histolysis and rebuilding. Here, the development of the brain and skeleto-muscular system of the head ofChrysopa pallens(Rambur, 1838) is studied. This species is a predator of aphids in the larval and adult stage.

Results

We used micro-computed-tomography (μ-CT) to study the transformations of the larval, prepupal and pupal head within the cocoon. We first assessed the morphological differences and similarities between the stages. We then determined the point in time when the compound eyes appear and describe the re-orientation of the head capsule which transforms the prognathous larva into a hypognathous adult. The internal head muscles are distinctly more slender in larvae than adults. In addition, the adults have a significantly larger brain which is likely needed for the processing of the signals obtained by the adults vastly expanded sensory organs that are presumably needed for dispersal and mating. Our study shows that the histolysis and modification of the inner muscles and skeletal elements take place within the prepupa. The central nervous system persists throughout metamorphosis but its morphology changes significantly.

Conclusion

Our study reveals that not only the inner structures, but also the outer morphology continues to change after the final larval moult. The adult cuticle and internal structures form gradually within the cocoon. The histolysis and rebuilding begin with the skeletal elements and is followed by changes in the central nervous system before it concludes with modifications of the musculature. This order of events is likely ancestral for Holometabola because it is also known from Hymenoptera, Diptera, Mecoptera, and Coleoptera.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of multiple C2 domains and transmembrane region proteins in Gossypium hirsutum
Authors: Hao Pengbo , Wang Hantao , Ma Liang , Wu Aimin , Chen Pengyun , Cheng Shuaishuai , Wei Hengling , Yu Shuxun
Published: June 2020

Background

Multiple C2 domains and transmembrane region proteins (MCTPs) may act as transport mediators of other regulators. Although increased number of MCTPs in higher plants implies their diverse and specific functions in plant growth and development, only a few plant MCTPs have been studied and no study on the MCTPs in cotton has been reported.

Results

In this study, we identified 31 MCTPs in G. hirsutum, which were classified into five subfamilies according to the phylogenetic analysis. GhMCTPs from subfamily V exhibited isoelectric points (pIs) less than 7, whereas GhMCTPs from subfamily I, II, III and IV exhibited pIs more than 7.5, implying their distinct biological functions. In addition, GhMCTPs within subfamily III, IV and V exhibited more diverse physicochemical properties, domain architectures and expression patterns than GhMCTPs within subfamily I and II, suggesting that GhMCTPs within subfamily III, IV and V diverged to perform more diverse and specific functions. Analyses of conserved motifs and pIs indicated that the N-terminus was more divergent than the C-terminus and GhMCTPs’ functional divergence might be mainly contributed by the N-terminus. Furthermore, yeast two-hybrid assay indicated that the N-terminus was responsible to interact with target proteins. Phylogenetic analysis classified multiple N-terminal C2 domains into four subclades, suggesting that these C2 domains performed different molecular functions in mediating the transport of target proteins.

Conclusions

Our systematic characterization of MCTPs in G. hirsutum will provide helpful information to further research GhMCTPs’ molecular roles in mediating other regulators’ transport to coordinate growth and development of various cotton tissues.
Prevalence and molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with mupirocin, fusidic acid and/or retapamulin resistance
Authors: Chen Wenjing , He Chunyan , Yang Han , Shu Wen , Cui Zelin , Tang Rong , Zhang Chuanling , Liu Qingzhong
Published: June 2020

Background

The data on the prevalence of resistance to mupirocin (MUP), fusidic acid (FA) and retapamulin (RET) in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from China are still limited. This study aimed to examine these three antibiotics resistance in 1206 MRSA clinical isolates from Eastern China. Phenotypic MUP, FA and RET resistance was determined by minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), and genotypic by PCR and DNA sequencing of the mupA/B, fusB-D, cfr, vgaA/Av/ALC/B/C/E, lsaA-C/E and salA and mutations in ileS, fusA/E, rplC, and 23S RNA V domain. The genetic characteristics of resistance isolates were conducted by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST).

Results

Overall MRSA MUP, FA and RET resistance was low (5.1, 1.0 and 0.3%, respectively). MupA was the mechanism of high-level MUP resistance. All low-level MUP resistance isolates possessed an equivocal mutation N213D in IleS; of these, 2 reported an additional V588F mutation with an impact on the Rossman fold. FusA mutations, such as L461K, H457Q, H457Y and V90I were the primary FA mechanisms among high-level resistance isolates, most of which also contained fusC; however, all low-level resistance strains carried fusB. Except lsaE gene detected in one isolate, no other resistance mechanisms tested were found among RET-resistant isolates. Additionally, sixteen PFGE types (A-P) were observed, among which type B was the most common (49/76, 64.5%), followed by types E and G (4/76, 5.3% each) and types C and M (3/76, 3.9% each). All resistant strains were divided into 15 ST types by MLST. ST764 (24/76, 31.6%), ST630 (11/76, 14.5%), ST239 (9/76, 11.8%) and ST5 (7/76, 9.2%) were the major types. PFGE type B isolates with the aforementioned STs were mainly found in mupirocin resistant isolates.

Conclusions

MUP, FA and RET exhibited highly activity against the MRSA isolates. Acquired genes and chromosome-borne genes mutations were responsible for MUP and FA resistance; however, the mechanism for some RET-resistant isolates remains to be further elucidated. Also, the surveillance to MUP in MRSA should be strengthened to prevent elevated resistance due to the expansion of clones.
Don’t dismiss logistic regression: the case for sensible extraction of interactions in the era of machine learning
Authors: Levy Joshua J. , O’Malley A. James
Published: June 2020

Background

Machine learning approaches have become increasingly popular modeling techniques, relying on data-driven heuristics to arrive at its solutions. Recent comparisons between these algorithms and traditional statistical modeling techniques have largely ignored the superiority gained by the former approaches due to involvement of model-building search algorithms. This has led to alignment of statistical and machine learning approaches with different types of problems and the under-development of procedures that combine their attributes. In this context, we hoped to understand the domains of applicability for each approach and to identify areas where a marriage between the two approaches is warranted. We then sought to develop a hybrid statistical-machine learning procedure with the best attributes of each.

Methods

We present three simple examples to illustrate when to use each modeling approach and posit a general framework for combining them into an enhanced logistic regression model building procedure that aids interpretation. We study 556 benchmark machine learning datasets to uncover when machine learning techniques outperformed rudimentary logistic regression models and so are potentially well-equipped to enhance them. We illustrate a software package,InteractionTransformer, which embeds logistic regression with advanced model building capacity by using machine learning algorithms to extract candidate interaction features from a random forest model for inclusion in the model. Finally, we apply our enhanced logistic regression analysis to two real-word biomedical examples, one where predictors vary linearly with the outcome and another with extensive second-order interactions.

Results

Preliminary statistical analysis demonstrated that across 556 benchmark datasets, the random forest approach significantly outperformed the logistic regression approach. We found a statistically significant increase in predictive performance when using hybrid procedures and greater clarity in the association with the outcome of terms acquired compared to directly interpreting the random forest output.

Conclusions

When a random forest model is closer to the true model, hybrid statistical-machine learning procedures can substantially enhance the performance of statistical procedures in an automated manner while preserving easy interpretation of the results. Such hybrid methods may help facilitate widespread adoption of machine learning techniques in the biomedical setting.
Evaluation of breath, plasma, and urinary markers of lactose malabsorption to diagnose lactase non-persistence following lactose or milk ingestion
Authors: Shrestha Aahana , Barnett Matthew P. G. , Perry Jo K. , Cameron-Smith David , Milan Amber M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Adult lactase non-persistence (LNP) is due to low lactase expression, resulting in lactose malabsorption (LM). LNP is a genetic trait, but is typically determined by LM markers including breath H2, blood glucose, and urinary galactose after a lactose tolerance test. Known validity of these markers using milk is limited, despite being common practice. Compositional variation, such as β-casein variants, in milk may impact diagnostic efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy to detect LNP using these commonly measured LM markers after both lactose and milk challenges.

Methods

Fourty healthy young women were challenged with 50 g lactose then randomized for separate cross-over visits to ingest 750 mL milk (37.5 g lactose) as conventional (both A1 and A2 β-casein) and A1 β-casein-free (a2 Milk™) milk. Blood, breath and urine were collected prior to and up to 3 h following each challenge. The presence of C/T13910 and G/A22018 polymorphisms, determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism, was used as the diagnostic reference for LNP.

Results

Genetic testing identified 14 out of 40 subjects as having LNP (C/C13910 and G/G22018). All three LM markers (breath H2, plasma glucose and urinary galactose/creatinine) discriminated between lactase persistence (LP) and LNP following lactose challenge with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 1.00, 0.75 and 0.73, respectively. Plasma glucose and urinary galactose/creatinine were unreliable (AUC < 0.70) after milk ingestion. The specificity of breath H2 remained high (100%) when milk was used, but sensitivity was reduced with conventional (92.9%) and a2 Milk™ (78.6%) compared to lactose (sensitivities adjusted for lactose content). The breath H2 optimal cut-off value was lower with a2 Milk™ (13 ppm) than conventional milk (21 ppm). Using existing literature cut-off values the sensitivity and specificity of breath H2 was greater than plasma glucose to detect LNP following lactose challenge whereas values obtained for urinary galactose/creatinine were lower than the existing literature cut-offs.

Conclusion

This study showed accurate diagnosis of LNP by breath H2 irrespective of the substrate used, although the diagnostic threshold may vary depending on the lactose substrate or the composition of the milk.

Trial registration

ACTRN12616001694404. Registered prospectively on December 9, 2016.
A novel stop-gain mutation in DPYS gene causing Dihidropyrimidinase deficiency, a case report
Authors: Mirzaei Malihe , Kavosi Arghavan , Sharifzadeh Mahboobeh , Mahjoub Ghazale , Faghihi Mohammad Ali , Habibzadeh Parham , Yavarian Majid
Published: June 2020

Background

Dihidropyrimidinase (DHP) deficiency is an inherited inborn error of pyrimidine metabolism with a variable clinical presentation and even asymptomatic subjects. Dihydropyrimidinase is encoded by the DPYS gene, thus pathogenic mutations in this gene can cause DHP deficiency. To date, several variations in the DPYS gene have been reported but only 23 of them have been confirmed to be pathogenic. Therefore, the biochemical, clinical and genetic aspects of this disease are still unclear.

Case presentation

Here, we report a 22-year-old woman with DHP deficiency. To identify the genetic cause of DHP deficiency in this patient, Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) was performed, which revealed a novel homozygote stop gain mutation (NM_001385: Exon 9, c.1501 A > T, p.K501X) in the DPYS gene. Sanger sequencing was carried out on proband and other family members in order to confirm the identified mutation. According to the homozygote genotype of the patient and heterozygote genotype of her parents, the autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance was confirmed. In addition, bioinformatics analysis of the identified variant using Mutation Taster and T-Coffee Multiple Sequence Alignment showed the pathogenicity of mutation. Moreover, mRNA expression level of DPYS gene in the proband’s liver biopsy showed about 6-fold reduction compared to control, which strongly suggested the pathogenicity of the identified mutation.

Conclusions

This study identified a novel pathogenic stop gain mutation in DPYS gene in a DHP deficient patient. Our findings can improve the knowledge about the genetic basis of the disease and also provide information for accurate genetic counseling for the families at risk of these types of disorders.
Assessment of the necessity of uterine artery embolization during suction and curettage for caesarean scar pregnancy: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Ou Jie , Peng Ping , Li Chunying , Teng Lirong , Liu Xinyan
Published: June 2020

Background

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) followed by suction and curettage is a common conservative treatment for caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP), but the advantages of suction and curettage alone are underestimated due to the lack of standards for selecting appropriate cases for which this approach would be applicable. We sought to identify indicators with which to assess the need for UAE during suction and curettage.

Methods

The prospective cohort consisted of 105 women diagnosed with CSP in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2016 and September 2018 who were followed up until 60 days after surgery. The main outcome was the therapy used, and secondary outcomes included recovery, bleeding, surgery time, length of hospital stay, and total cost.

Results

We found that β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05), foetal cardiac activity was significantly lower (P < 0.05), the myometrial layer was significantly thicker (P < 0.05), expenditures were lower and lengths of hospital stay were shorter in patients who received suction and curettage alone (the non-UAE group) than in those who received UAE followed by suction and curettage (the UAE+ group). In addition, for CSP patients, UAE might be less necessary when the myometrial thickness is ≥2 mm and the gestational sacmeasures ≤5 cm, and suction and curettage alone may be safer for these patients.

Conclusion

Suction and curettage alone is a more suitable option than UAE followed by suction and curettage because the former carries a lower cost, shorter length of hospital stay, and lower risk of adverse events. Regarding risk factors, patients with a lower uterine segment thickness ≥ 2 mm and a gestational mass diameter ≤ 5 cm have an increased probability of being successfully treated with suction and curettage alone.
Body mass index increases the lymph node metastasis risk of breast cancer: a dose-response meta-analysis with 52904 subjects from 20 cohort studies
Authors: Wang Junyi , Cai Yaning , Yu Fangfang , Ping Zhiguang , Liu Li
Published: June 2020

Background

Since body mass index (BMI) is a convincing risk factor for breast cancer, it is speculated to be associated with lymph node metastasis. However, epidemiological studies are inconclusive. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of BMI on the lymph node metastasis risk of breast cancer.

Methods

Cohort studies that evaluating BMI and lymph node metastasis in breast cancer were selected through various databases including PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), Web of science, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals (VIP) and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (WanFang) until November 30, 2019. The two-stage, random effect meta-analysis was performed to assess the dose-response relationship between BMI and lymph node metastasis risk. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using I2. Subgroup analysis was done to find possible sources of heterogeneity.

Results

We included a total of 20 studies enrolling 52,904 participants. The summary relative risk (RR) (1.10, 95%CI: 1.06–1.15) suggested a significant effect of BMI on the lymph node metastasis risk of breast cancer. The dose-response meta-analysis (RR = 1.01, 95%CI: 1.00–1.01) indicated a positive linear association between BMI and lymph node metastasis risk. For every 1 kg/m2 increment of BMI, the risk of lymph node metastasis increased by 0.89%. In subgroup analyses, positive linear dose-response relationships between BMI and lymph node metastasis risk were observed among Asian, European, American, premenopausal, postmenopausal, study period less than 5 years, and more than 5 years groups. For every 1 kg/m2 increment of BMI, the risk of lymph node metastasis increased by 0.99, 0.85, 0.61, 1.44, 1.45, 2.22, and 0.61%, respectively.

Conclusion

BMI significantly increases the lymph node metastasis risk of breast cancer as linear dose-response reaction. Further studies are needed to identify this association.