bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Successful NGO–Business Relationships: A Social Capital Perspective
Authors: Moshtari Mohammad , Vanpoucke Evelyne
Published: October 2020

While NGO–business relationships have much in common with buyer–supplier relationships, the literature specifically indicates several additional challenges in achieving effective and efficient NGO–business relationships. The present study seeks to understand how NGOs and businesses can overcome these additional challenges. From a practitioner’s viewpoint, we not only strive to acknowledge the complementarity of NGOs and businesses for implementing successful relationship practices but also seek to understand how these understudied cross‐sector relationships can be successfully built. We use a multicase study design to investigate nine NGO–business relationships in a humanitarian context. This study contributes to the supply chain literature by demonstrating how social capital mitigates tensions within NGO–business relationships, that is, by indicating that social capital has not only a bonding, but also a bridging role when building cross‐sectoral relationships. In summary, our analysis enabled us to present a more generic process framework for creating social capital within NGO–business relationships. It shows that trust within NGO–business relationships appears to develop more naturally compared to commercial relationships, but that these relationships require more effort in terms of structural and cognitive capital to ensure that partners communicate and share knowledge efficiently, as there are inherent differences in goals and communication languages between NGOs and businesses.
Managing Outsourced Reverse Supply Chain Operations: Middle‐Range Theory Development
Authors: Russo Ivan , Pellathy Daniel , Omar Ayman
Published: October 2020

Reverse supply chain (RSC) operations have emerged as a critical component of overall supply chain management in manufacturing industries. Yet, relatively little is known about how companies define their approach to managing outsourced RSC operations and how outcomes vary across different approaches. This paper responds to numerous calls in the literature for research that delves deeply into the “how” and “when” (mechanisms and contexts) of RSC operations. Based on within‐ and cross‐case analysis of four manufacturer–3PL dyads, this paper develops a framework and detailed middle‐range theory that explains and predicts the way in which different approaches to managing outsourced RSC operations yield different results. By exploring the approach used in each dyad, this research offers managers a rich description of some of the ways that forward thinking on RSC operations can open the door to different potential benefits. The research also contributes to the development of a theory of outsourced RSC operations. Theoretical arguments combined with research propositions provide a wealth of opportunity for future researchers to engage in this topic area.
Shade alters savanna grass layer structure and function along a gradient of canopy cover
Authors: Pilon Natashi A. L. , Durigan Giselda , Rickenback Jess , Pennington R. Toby , Dexter Kyle G. , Hoffmann William A. , Abreu Rodolfo C. R. , Lehmann Caroline E. R.
Published: October 2020

Aim

In savannas, a grass‐dominated ground layer is key to ecosystem function via grass–fire feedbacks that maintain open ecosystems. With woody encroachment, tree density increases, thereby decreasing light in the ground layer and potentially altering ecosystem function. We investigated how light availability can filter individual grass species distributions and whether different functional traits are associated with response to a shade gradient in a landscape experiencing woody encroachment.

Location

Savanna–forest mosaic in the Cerrado domain, southeastern Brazil.

Methods

Along an encroachment gradient of increasing tree leaf area index (LAI) and shade, we determined how changing light availability alters grass diversity and ground layer structure relative to grass cover and grass functional traits (photosynthetic pathway, underground storage organs, bud protection and traits related to grass shape, size and leaf dimensions).

Results

Increasing shade led to a decrease in grass cover and grass species richness, and also compositional and functional changes. We found that where tree LAI reached 1, grass cover was reduced by 50% and species richness by 30%. While C4 grass species abundances decreased with increasing shade, the opposite pattern was true for C3 grasses. There were only small differences in light preferences among C4 subtypes, with phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) species tolerating slightly more shaded conditions. Persistence of some C4 species under more shaded conditions was possible, likely due to an ability to store starch reserves via underground storage organs.

Conclusions

Woody encroachment changes diversity and structure of the grassy layer that is critical to the functioning of savanna ecosystems, highlighting the dependence of the diverse grass layer on open and sunny conditions. Our results suggest a threshold of tree cover close to LAI ≈ 1 as being critical to cerrado grassy layer conservation.
Harnessing genomics to trace the path of a viral outbreak in African lions
Authors: Kamath Pauline L.
Published: October 2020

Predicting the emergence of novel infectious diseases requires an understanding of how pathogens infect and efficiently spread in alternative naïve hosts. A pathogen's ability to adapt to a new host (i.e. host shift) oftentimes is constrained by host phylogeny, due to limits in the molecular mechanisms available to overcome host‐specific immune defences (Longdon et al., 2014). Some pathogens, such as RNA viruses, however, have a propensity to jump hosts due to rapid mutation rates. For example, canine distemper virus (CDV) infects a broad range of terrestrial carnivores, as well as noncarnivore species worldwide, with a host range that is distributed across 5 orders and 22 families (Beineke et al., 2015). In 1993–1994, a severe CDV outbreak infected multiple carnivore host species in Serengeti National Park, causing widespread mortality and the subsequent decline of the African lion (Panthera leo) population (Roelke‐Parker et al., 1996). While previous studies established domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) as the disease reservoir, the precise route of transmission to lions remained a mystery, and a number of wild carnivore species could have facilitated viral evolution and spread. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Weckworth et al. (2020) used whole‐genome viral sequences obtained from four carnivore species during the CDV outbreak, in combination with epidemiological data, to illuminate the pathway and evolutionary mechanisms leading to disease emergence in Serengeti lions.
Two‐year follow‐up results of magnetic resonance imaging‐guided focused ultrasound unilateral pallidotomy for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Ito Hisashi , Yamamoto Kazuaki , Fukutake Shigeru , Kamei Tetsumasa , Yamaguchi Toshio , Taira Takaomi
Published: October 2020

Background

Posteroventral globus pallidus internus (GPi) pallidotomy is one of the therapeutic options for motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease (PD). Transcranial magnetic resonance imaging‐guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a new intervention to ablate an intracranial target.

Aim

To investigate the long‐term efficacy and safety of MRgFUS unilateral GPi pallidotomy for PD.

Methods

This was a prospective and open‐labeled study involving a single center. We enrolled 3 PD patients with medication‐refractory motor fluctuations (3 women, aged 59 to 78 years). Participants underwent MRgFUS unilateral GPi pallidotomy and were evaluated serially for 2 years using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS). Additionally, we assessed safety issues during the study period.

Results

Although motor fluctuations improved in 2 patients, the motor function in the off‐medication state and levodopa‐induced dyskinesia (LID) exacerbated in 1 of them. In the other patient, LID improved for 2 years; however, improvement of the motor function was limited and it exacerbated. Patients developed neither serious nor delayed complications.

Conclusion

The efficacy of MRgFUS unilateral GPi pallidotomy differed in each patient and might depend on the natural course of PD. No safety issues were observed.
Erythromycin stimulates phasic gastric contractility as assessed with an isovolumetric intragastric balloon pressure measurement
Authors: Goelen Nick , Tack Jan , Janssen Pieter
Published: October 2020

Background

A novel technique to assess gastric motility by measuring the pressure in a low‐volume intragastric balloon was developed to monitor (disordered) motility. We previously showed that this technique allows measuring pharmacologically induced inhibition of motility. In this study, we assessed whether it is possible to measure pharmacologically induced stimulation of gastric motility using 200 mg erythromycin. Erythromycin is a highly effective stimulator of gastric emptying and contractility.

Methods

After an overnight fast, a nasogastric balloon catheter was introduced in healthy subjects. After inflation with 120 ml of air, the catheter was connected to a pressure sensor. Intraballoon pressure was continuously recorded for 4 h. After a baseline recording of 2 h, 200 mg erythromycin was infused intravenously over 20 min while the recording continued for 2 h. Epigastric symptoms were surveyed on 100‐mm visual analogue scales. Motility was quantified from the pressure recording as a gastric balloon motility index. Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests were performed. Data are shown as median (interquartile range).

Key Results

Six subjects were enrolled and five completed the procedures (age: 28 (25–29) years, body mass index: 24.0 (23.8–24.5) kg m−2). One subject could not tolerate tube placement. Bloating, nausea, and epigastric sensation scores were 0 (0–3), 0 (0–1), and 1 (0–1) mm, respectively. Erythromycin significantly increased the motility index from 0.48 (0.41–0.51) to 0.79 (0.70–0.82) (p = 0.03).

Conclusions and Inferences

Gastric motility assessed via pressure measurement in a low‐volume intragastric balloon is able to detect pharmacologically stimulated motility in healthy subjects, which further validates this technique.
Evaluation of wild perennial Glycine species for resistance to soybean cyst nematode and soybean rust
Authors: Herman Theresa K. , Han Jaeyeong , Singh Ram J. , Domier Leslie L. , Hartman Glen L.
Published: October 2020

The genetic base for soybean cultivars is narrow compared to most other crop species. Twenty‐seven wild perennial Glycine species comprise the tertiary gene pool to soybean that may contain many genes of economic importance for soybean improvement. We evaluated 16 accessions of G. argyrea, G. clandestina, G. dolichocarpa, and G. tomentella for resistance to Heterodera glycines (HG), also known as the soybean cyst nematode, and to multiple isolates of Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the causal fungus of soybean rust. All 16 accessions were classified as resistant to H. glycines HG Type 2.5.7, based on number of cysts per root mass with plant introductions (PIs) 483227, 509501, 563892, and 573064 (all G. tomentella) void of any cysts indicating no reproduction by this pest. All 16 accessions had an immune reaction to one isolate of P. pachyrhizi. Regardless of isolate, no sporulating uredinia were observed on G. argyrea (PI 505151) and G. tomentella (PIs 483227, 509501, and 573064). These results demonstrate that some accessions within the perennial Glycine species harbour resistance to both H. glycines and P. pachyrhizi and would be good candidates for wide hybridization programs seeking to transfer potentially unique multiple resistance genes into soybean.
A HY5‐COL3‐COL13 regulatory chain for controlling hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Liu Bin , Long Hong , Yan Jing , Ye Lili , Zhang Qin , Chen Hongmei , Gao Sujuan , Wang Yaqin , Wang Xiaojing , Sun Shulan
Published: October 2020

CONSTANS‐LIKE (COL) family members are commonly implicated in light signal transduction during early photomorphogenesis. However, some of their functions remain unclear. Here, we propose a role for COL13 in hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that COL13 RNA accumulates at high levels in hypocotyls and that a disruption in the COL13 function via a T‐DNA insertion or RNAi led to the formation of longer hypocotyls of Arabidopsis seedlings under red light. On the contrary, overexpression of COL13 resulted in the formation of shorter hypocotyls. Using various genetic, genomic, and biochemical assays, we proved that another COL protein, COL3, directly binds to the promoter of COL13, and the promoter region of COL3 was targeted by the transcription factor LONG HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5), to form an HY5‐COL3‐COL13 regulatory chain for regulating hypocotyl elongation under red light. Additionally, further study demonstrated that COL13 interacts with COL3, and COL13 promotes the interaction between COL3 and CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1), suggesting a possible COP1‐dependent COL3‐COL13 feedback pathway. Our results provide new information regarding the gene network in mediating hypocotyl elongation.
Nationwide survey of late‐onset hemolysis in very low birthweight infants
Authors: Miyazono Yayoi , Arai Junichi , Kanai Yu , Hitaka Daisuke , Kajikawa Daigo , Takeuchi Shusuke , Nagafuji Motomichi , Fujiyama Satoshi , Saito Makoto , Takada Hidetoshi
Published: October 2020

Background

In Japan, some cases of late‐onset acute hemolysis in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants have been reported. These cases had common features but the cause of hemolysis was unknown. The incidence and prognosis of this disease are also unknown. However, there are only few reports of such hemolytic episodes in countries other than Japan. Thus, this study aimed to examine the incidence and clinical course of late‐onset acute hemolysis and to establish it as a new disease concept.

Methods

A nationwide prospective survey was conducted from 2011 to 2015 as a rare disease surveillance project of the Japan Society for Neonatal Health and Development.

Results

Twenty‐four cases were confirmed. The median (range) gestational age, birthweight, and onset of hemolytic episodes were 26 weeks and 2 days (23 weeks and 4 days–31 weeks and 2 days), 898 g (627–1,416 g), and 19 days after birth (9–33 days), respectively. Phototherapy, blood transfusion, and exchange transfusion were required in 22 (96%), 24 (100%), and 7 (29%) cases, respectively. During the observation period, no recurrence of the hemolytic episode occurred. All patients survived; however, one case developed kernicterus and suffered severe neurological sequelae.

Conclusions

In this study, at least 1 out of 1,259 VLBW infants developed hemolysis at 9–33 days after birth in Japan. Owing to the risk of kernicterus, this disease should be recognized as among the important pathological conditions of VLBW infants, suggesting the need to manage jaundice and anemia until 5 weeks after birth.
Sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder and typical development
Authors: Inthikoot Nipaporn , Chonchaiya Weerasak
Published: October 2020

Background

Although higher sleep problems have been mostly reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared with typically developing (TD) children, particularly in Western countries, such evidence is relatively scarce in developing countries. We therefore investigated sleep difficulties in Thai children aged 3‐16 years with ASD compared with age‐ and gender‐matched TD children by using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ)‐Thai version.

Methods

Sixty‐five children with ASD (mean age 97.7, SD 44.5 months; boys 70.8%) and 65 TD individuals (mean age 98.5, SD 43.5 months) were enrolled at a university‐based hospital in Bangkok. Background characteristics, sleep duration variables, and the CSHQ were completed by the participants' parents. The CSHQ subscales and total score between children with ASD and TD controls were then compared.

Results

Children with ASD were more likely to have longer sleep latency than TD individuals for both weekdays and the weekend. Those with ASD had higher CSHQ subscales including bedtime resistance, sleep onset delay, sleep anxiety, and night waking in addition to the CSHQ total scores than TD controls. In the ASD group, those who took psychostimulants for treatment of ADHD had lower scores on the sleep duration subscale compared with unmedicated individuals.

Conclusions

Sleep difficulties were more prevalent in children with ASD compared with TD individuals. Parents should be advised to be aware of sleep problems in individuals with ASD. As such, sleep disturbances will be identified early, resulting in appropriate management and improved quality of life, not only for those with ASD but also their families.
Kidney transplantation in children with CAKUT and non‐CAKUT causes of chronic kidney disease: Do they have the same outcomes?
Authors: Monteverde Marta Lidia , Paz Marcos , Ibáñez Juan Pedro , Chaparro Alicia Beatriz , Solernou Veronica , Sager Cristian , Tessi Catalina , Locane Fabrizio
Published: October 2020

Almost half the children who undergo kidney transplantation (KTx) have congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). We compared patient, graft survival, and kidney function at last follow‐up between CAKUT and non‐CAKUT patients after KTx. We divided the analysis into two eras: 1988‐2000 and 2001‐2019. Of 923 patients, 52% had CAKUT and 48% non‐CAKUT chronic kidney disease (CKD). Of the latter, 341 (77%) had glomerular disease, most frequently typical HUS (32%) and primary FSGS (27%); 102 had non‐glomerular disease. CAKUT patients were more often boys, younger at KTx, transplanted more frequently preemptively, but with longer time on chronic dialysis. They had less delayed graft function (DGF) and better eGFR, but higher incidence of urinary tract infection (1 year post‐KTx). In both eras, 1‐, 5‐, and 10‐year patient survival was similar in the groups, but graft survival was better in CAKUT recipients vs those with primary glomerular and primary recurrent glomerular disease: Era 1, 92.3%, 80.7%, and 63.6% vs 86.9%, 70.6%, and 49.5% (P = .02), and 76.7%, 56.6%, and 34% (P = .0003); Era 2, 96.2%, 88%, and 73.5% vs 90.3%, 76.1%, and 61% (P = .0075) and 75.4%, 54%, and 25.2% (P < .0001), respectively. Main predictors of graft loss were DGF, late acute rejection (AR), and age at KTx in CAKUT group and disease relapse, DGF, early AR, and number of HLA mismatches in recipients with glomerular disease. Graft survival was better in CAKUT patients. DGF was the main predictor of graft loss in all groups. Disease recurrence and early AR predicted graft failure in patients with glomerular disease.
Murder and Presidential Elections: A Cultivation‐Based Issue‐Ownership Theory of Local Television News and Its Geographic Structure
Authors: Ladewig Jeffrey W.
Published: October 2020

The theory that television, and in particular television violence, cultivates beliefs, attitudes, and actions in viewers, particularly heavy viewers, has long been a mainstay of media studies. Some critiques of the more recent empirical literature, however, argue that the current literature has lost some connection to the original theoretical formulations. This study attempts to answer some of these critiques by reengaging with the original conceptualization of cultivation analyses (i.e., institutional processes, message systems, and cultivation) as well as reaching out to find broader societal and political effects. Specifically, I argue and demonstrate that the rate of murder as funneled through the local television news cultivates voters in specific media markets, increasingly so in markets of resonance, toward a greater probability of voting for Republican presidential candidates.
Do shorter inter‐stimulus intervals in the go/no‐go task enable better assessment of response inhibition?
Authors: Hasegawa Akira , Matsumoto Noboru , Yamashita Yuko , Tanaka Keisuke , Kawaguchi Jun , Yamamoto Tetsuya
Published: October 2020

Young, Sutherland, and McCoy indicated that a Go/No‐Go Task (GNG) becomes more difficult as the inter‐stimulus intervals (ISIs) becomes shorter. However, is the number of commission errors under extremely short ISIs a useful metric for assessing response inhibition? This study challenges the assumption that a shorter ISI in the GNG enables better assessment of response inhibition. University students (N = 213) completed the GNG, the Conners Continuous Performance Test 3rd Edition (CCPT), and the Modified Stroop Task. The GNG comprised four blocks of 400, 600, 800, and 1000 ms ISIs, whereas the stimulus presentation was fixed at 250 ms. Consistent with Young et al., shorter ISIs in the GNG resulted in more commission errors. In the block with the shortest ISI, participants also failed more frequently in responses in go trials than in the other blocks, which appears to increase in error variance of commission errors. Consistent with this interpretation, the association between the number of commission errors in the block with 400 ms ISI and CCPT performance was weaker than those between the number of commission errors in other blocks and CCPT performance. It is concluded that using the number of commission errors in the condition with extremely short ISIs in the GNG might be inappropriate for assessing response inhibition.
A study of factors impacting elementary mathematics preservice teachers: Improving mindfulness, anxiety, self‐efficacy, and mindset
Authors: Tassell Janet , Gerstenschlager Natasha E. , Syzmanski Toni , Denning Savannah
Published: October 2020

Innovation is more imperative now than ever before given the upcoming shortage in prepared teachers and the need to produce students with a strong knowledge of mathematics. A sense of urgency is impacting teacher education/preparation programs as instructional practices need to discover how to arm teachers to increase the number of students to be not only college‐ready but also desiring to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics majors. As such, the purpose of this study, was to determine how the four variables (mindfulness, mathematics anxiety, self‐efficacy, and mindset) are interconnected within preservice elementary teachers (PSETs), and how we as teacher educators can better address these variables within our own PSETs. Each semester included three seminars with similar overall foci including the four variables. Participants in this study were recruited from Elementary Education students at an east south central regional university enrolled in a mathematics methods course. Thirty‐seven participants were divided into control (N = 20) and treatment (N = 17). In this article, we present both qualitative and quantitative results from our mixed‐methods study that considered these questions. With the results of this study revealing an inter‐connectedness among the four variables, this research further informs the teacher educator community.
Infiltrating Kaposi sarcoma presenting as acute kidney injury: An unexpected consequence of deliberate hepatitis C–positive organ transplantation
Authors: Story Maria T. , Sanders M. Lee , Bashir Amani A. , Longo Jude M. , Abel Stacy L. , Dollard Sheila C. , Grodstein Elliot I. , Thomas Christie P. , Katz Daniel A.
Published: October 2020

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) following kidney transplantation can result from recipient reactivation of latent human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) infection or activation of donor‐acquired HHV‐8 infection. Post‐transplant KS typically manifests with cutaneous pathology, but rare cases of renal allograft involvement have been reported. We describe two cases of donor‐derived HHV‐8 infection in two hepatitis C (HCV) viremia‐negative transplant recipients who each received a kidney from a donor with HCV viremia. One recipient did not develop KS while the other presented with acute kidney injury caused by extensive KS infiltration of the renal parenchyma and metastatic disease. This report reviews the literature for cases of KS involving the renal allograft and highlights an unexpected consequence of deliberate HCV‐positive organ transplantation.
Accurate detection of Zika virus IgG using a novel immune complex binding ELISA
Authors: Ehmen C. , Medialdea‐Carrera R. , Brown D. , de Filippis A.M. Bispo , de Sequeira P.Carvalho , Nogueira R.M. Ribeiro , Brasil P. , Calvet G.A. , Blessmann J. , Mallmann A.‐M. , Sievertsen J. , Rackow A. , Schmidt‐Chanasit J. , Emmerich P. , Schmitz H. , Deschermeier C. , Mika A.
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Accurate serological assays are urgently needed to support public health responses to Zika virus (ZIKV) infection with its potential to cause foetal damage during pregnancy. Current flavivirus serology for ZIKV infections lacks specificity due to cross‐reacting antibodies from closely related other flaviviruses. In this study, we evaluated novel serological tests for accurate ZIKV IgG detection.

Methods

Our ELISAs are based on immune complex binding. The high specificity is achieved by the simultaneous incubation of labelled ZIKV antigen and unlabelled flavivirus homolog protein competitors. Two assays were validated with a panel of 406 human samples from PCR‐confirmed ZIKV patients collected in Brazil (n = 154), healthy blood donors and other infections from Brazil, Europe, Canada and Colombia (n = 252).

Results

The highest specificity (100% [252/252, 95% confidence interval (CI) 98.5–100.0]) was shown by the ZIKV ED3 ICB ELISA using the ED3 antigen of the ZIKV envelope. A similar test using the NS1 antigen (ZIKV NS1 ICB ELISA) was slightly less specific (92.1% [232/252, 95% CI 88.0–95.1]). The commercial Euroimmun ZIKV ELISA had a specificity of only 82.1% (207/252, 95% CI 76.8–86.7). Sensitivity was high (93–100%) from day 12 after onset of symptoms in all three tests. Seroprevalence of ZIKV IgG was analysed in 87 samples from Laos (Asia) confirming that the ED3 ELISA showed specific reactions in other populations.

Conclusions

The novel ED3 ICB ELISA will be useful for ZIKV‐specific IgG detection for seroepidemiological studies and serological diagnosis for case management in travellers and in countries where other flavivirus infections are co‐circulating.
Detection of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika RNA in blood donors from Southeast Asia
Authors: Stanley Jean , Chongkolwatana Viroje , Duong Pham Tuan , Kitpoka Pimpun , Stramer Susan L. , Dung Nguyen Thi Thanh , Grimm Kacie E. , Pojanasingchod Anyarin , Suksomboonvong Panitita , Galel Susan A.
Published: October 2020

Background

Chikungunya (CHIKV), dengue (DENV), and Zika (ZIKV) viruses are of concern due to the potential of transfusion transmission in blood, especially in regions such as Southeast Asia where the viruses are endemic. The recent availability of nucleic acid testing (NAT) to screen blood donations on an automated platform provides the opportunity to detect potentially infectious units in asymptomatic donors.

Study Design and Methods

Three thousand blood donations from Vietnam and 6000 from Thailand were screened with a real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test (cobas CHIKV/DENV, Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN) and equal numbers on cobas Zika (Roche Diagnostics). Reactive samples were tested by alternative NAT with resolution of discordant results by heminested PCR. Throughput of simultaneous testing of the two assays on the cobas 8800 system (Roche Diagnostics) was evaluated.

Results

In Vietnam, 9 of 3045 samples were reactive for DENV and all were confirmed, for a prevalence (with 95% confidence interval [CI]) of 0.296% (0.135‐0.560). In Thailand, 2 of 6000 samples were reactive for CHIKV, 4 of 6000 for DENV, and 1 of 6005 for ZIKV, and all confirmed. The prevalence of CHIKV is 0.033% (0.004‐0.120), DENV 0.067% (0.018‐0.171), and ZIKV 0.017% (0.000‐0.093). The overall specificity for the cobas CHIKV/DENV and cobas Zika tests was 100% (99.959‐100).

For the simultaneous assay testing, 960 test results were available in 7 hours and 53 minutes.

Conclusion

Detection of CHIKV, DENV, and ZIKV RNA in donor samples in Vietnam and Thailand indicate the presence of the virus in asymptomatic blood donors. The cobas 6800/8800 systems (Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA) enable screening blood donations in endemic areas for these viruses together or separately.
Constructing Rigid-Foldable Generalized Miura-Ori Tessellations for Curved Surfaces
Authors: Hu Yucai , Zhou Yexin , Liang Haiyi
Published: October 2020

Origami has shown the potential to approximate three-dimensional curved surfaces by folding through designed crease patterns on flat materials. The Miura-ori tessellation is a widely used pattern in engineering and tiles the plane when partially folded. Based on constrained optimization, this article presents the construction of generalized Miura-ori patterns that can approximate three-dimensional parametric surfaces of varying curvatures while preserving the inherent properties of the standard Miura-ori, including developability, flat foldability, and rigid foldability. An initial configuration is constructed by tiling the target surface with triangulated Miura-like unit cells and used as the initial guess for the optimization. For approximation of a single target surface, a portion of the vertexes on the one side is attached to the target surface; for fitting of two target surfaces, a portion of vertexes on the other side is also attached to the second target surface. The parametric coordinates are adopted as the unknown variables for the vertexes on the target surfaces, while the Cartesian coordinates are the unknowns for the other vertexes. The constructed generalized Miura-ori tessellations can be rigidly folded from the flat state to the target state with a single degree-of-freedom.
Early development of the Neanderthal ribcage reveals a different body shape at birth compared to modern humans
Authors: García-Martínez Daniel , Bastir Markus , Gómez-Olivencia Asier , Maureille Bruno , Golovanova Liubov , Doronichev Vladimir , Akazawa Takeru , Kondo Osamu , Ishida Hajime , Gascho Dominic , Zollikofer Christoph P. E. , de León Marcia Ponce , Heuzé Yann
Published: October 2020

Neanderthal infants had a short and deep ribcage that was genetically determined and able to sustain the high metabolism of their massive bodies.
Generating spatially entangled itinerant photons with waveguide quantum electrodynamics
Authors: Kannan B. , Campbell D. L. , Vasconcelos F. , Winik R. , Kim D. K. , Kjaergaard M. , Krantz P. , Melville A. , Niedzielski B. M. , Yoder J. L. , Orlando T. P. , Gustavsson S. , Oliver W. D.
Published: October 2020

We experimentally demonstrate a new method of generating entangled itinerant photons using waveguide quantum electrodynamics.
What sets river width?
Authors: Dunne Kieran B. J. , Jerolmack Douglas J.
Published: October 2020

The width of river channels is controlled by the resistance to erosion of the most difficult to erode material lining the channel.
Fine structural tuning of the assembly of ECM peptide conjugates via slight sequence modifications
Authors: Qin Jingya , Sloppy Jennifer D. , Kiick Kristi L.
Published: October 2020

The thermoresponsiveness and structures of peptide-based nanocarriers can be altered to enable versatile mechanisms of cargo delivery.
De Novo
Resistance to Arg
10
-Teixobactin Occurs Slowly and Is Costly
Authors: Lloyd Daniel G. , Schofield Benjamin J. , Goddard Matthew R. , Taylor Edward J.
Published: October 2020

Bacterial pathogens are rapidly evolving resistance to all clinically available antibiotics. One part of the solution to this complex issue is to better understand the resistance mechanisms to new and existing antibiotics. Here, we focus on two antibiotics. Teixobactin is a recently discovered promising antibiotic that is claimed to “kill pathogens without detectable resistance” (L. L. Ling, T. Schneider, A. J. Peoples, A. L. Spoering, et al., Nature 517:455–459, 2015,
https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14098
).
Polymerase Fidelity Contributes to Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Pathogenicity and Transmissibility
In Vivo
Authors: Li Chen , Shi Jiabao , Wang Haiwei , Rivera-Serrano Efraín E. , Yang Decheng , Zhou Guohui , Sun Chao , Cameron Craig E. , Yu Li
Published: October 2020

Among the seven serotypes of FMDV, serotype O FMDV have the broadest distribution worldwide, which could be due to their high virulence and transmissibility induced by high genetic diversity. In this paper, we generated a single amino acid substitution FMDV variant with a high-fidelity polymerase associated with viral fitness, virulence, and transmissibility in a natural host. The results highlight that maintenance of viral population diversity is essential for interhost viral spread. This study provides evidence that higher genetic diversity of type O FMDV could increase both virulence and transmissibility, thus leading to their dominance in the global epidemic.
Aspergillus fumigatus G-Protein Coupled Receptors GprM and GprJ Are Important for the Regulation of the Cell Wall Integrity Pathway, Secondary Metabolite Production, and Virulence
Authors: Filho Aílton Pereira da Costa , Brancini Guilherme Thomaz Pereira , de Castro Patrícia Alves , Valero Clara , Ferreira Filho Jaire Alves , Silva Lilian Pereira , Rocha Marina Campos , Malavazi Iran , Pontes João Guilherme de Moraes , Fill Taícia , Silva Roberto Nascimento , Almeida Fausto , Steenwyk Jacob L. , Rokas Antonis , dos Reis Thaila F. , Ries Laure N. A. , Goldman Gustavo H.
Published: October 2020

A. fumigatus
is the main etiological agent of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, a life-threatening fungal disease that occurs in severely immunocompromised humans. Withstanding the host environment is essential for
A. fumigatus
virulence, and sensing of extracellular cues occurs primarily through G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that activate signal transduction pathways, which, in turn, regulate fungal development, metabolism, virulence, and mycotoxin biosynthesis. The
A. fumigatus
genome encodes 15 putative classical GPCRs, with only three having been functionally characterized to date. In this work, we show that the two GPCRs GprM and GprJ regulate the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase MpkA and thus control the regulation of the cell wall integrity pathway. GprM and GprJ are also involved in the regulation of the production of the secondary metabolites fumagillin, pyripyropene, fumigaclavine C, fumiquinazoline, melanin, and fumitremorgin, and this regulation partially occurs through the activation of MpkA. Furthermore, GprM and GprJ are important for virulence in the insect model
Galleria mellonella
. This work therefore functionally characterizes two GPCRs and shows how they regulate several intracellular pathways that have been shown to be crucial for
A. fumigatus
virulence.
Complete or High-Quality Draft Genome Sequences of Six Xanthomonas hortorum Strains Sequenced with Short- and Long-Read Technologies
Authors: Dia Nay C. , Rezzonico Fabio , Smits Theo H. M. , Pothier Joël F.
Published: October 2020

We report the genome sequences of six
Xanthomonas hortorum
species-level clade members,
X. hortorum
pathovars taraxaci, pelargonii, cynarae, and gardneri (complete genome sequences) and
X. hortorum
pathovars carotae and vitians (high-quality draft genome sequences). Both short- and long-read sequencing technologies were used.
Metagenome of a Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sample from a Confirmed COVID-19 Case in Quito, Ecuador, Obtained Using Oxford Nanopore MinION Technology
Authors: Márquez Sully , Prado-Vivar Belén , Guadalupe Juan José , Gutierrez Bernardo , Becerra-Wong Mónica , Jibaja Manuel , Tobar Milton , Barragán Verónica , Rojas-Silva Patricio , Coloma Josefina , Trueba Gabriel , Grunauer Michelle , Cárdenas Paúl
Published: October 2020

We report the metagenome analysis of a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid sample from a confirmed COVID-19 case in Quito, Ecuador. Sequencing was performed using MinION technology.
Epidemiological surveillance study of female genital mutilation in the UK
Authors: Hodes Deborah , Ayadi O’Donnell Najette , Pall Karina , Leoni Marina , Lok Wingsan , Debelle Geoff , Armitage Alice Jane , Creighton Sarah M , Lynn Richard M
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Describe cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) presenting to consultant paediatricians and sexual assault referral centres (SARCs), including demographics, medical symptoms, examination findings and outcome.

Design

The well-established epidemiological surveillance study performed through the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit included FGM on the monthly returns.

Setting

All consultant paediatricians and relevant SARC leads across the UK and Ireland.

Patients

Under 16 years old with FGM.

Interventions

Data on cases from November 2015 to November 2017 and 12 months later meeting the case definition of FGM.

Main outcome measures

Returns included 146 cases, 103 (71%) had confirmed FGM and 43 (29%) did not meet the case definition. There were none from Northern Ireland.

Results

The mean reported age was 3 years. Using the WHO classification of FGM, 58% (n=60) had either type 1 or type 2, 8% (n=8) had type 3 and 21% (n=22) had type 4. 13% (n=13) of the cases were not classified and none had piercings or labiaplasty. The majority, 70% had FGM performed in Africa with others from Europe, Middle East and South-East Asia. There were few physical and mental health symptoms. Only one case resulted in a successful prosecution.

Conclusions

There were low numbers of children presenting with FGM and in the 2 years there was only one prosecution. The findings may be consistent with attitude changes in FGM practising communities and those at risk should be protected and supported by culturally competent national policies
Interesting case of dual pathology: Crohn’s disease and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
Authors: Sehmbhi Mantej , Sellers Penelope , Segal Jonathan , Clark Susan
Published: October 2020

An 18-year-old man presented with fever, night sweats and progressive weight loss over 2 months. He had a history of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) complicated by previous intussusception requiring left hemicolectomy. Colonoscopy revealed deep punched out ulceration throughout the colon with multiple polyps. He was investigated for tuberculosis based on his occupation as dairy farmer. Following a negative QuantiFERON test, he was started on infliximab as emergency therapy and made a good recovery at 6 months follow-up. We describe a case of newly diagnosed Crohn’s disease (CD) in an adolescent with a background diagnosis of PJS. While inflammatory bowel disease, such as CD, is common in the UK, the association with PJS is very rare, with only two existing case reports in the literature.
Pancreatic mesothelial cyst
Authors: Chater Charbel , Obeid Joseph Obeid , Mhanna Seba
Published: October 2020

A 60-year-old woman was investigated for abdominal pain and increasing asthenia. Abdominal CT revealed a 25 mm hypodense cystic lesion in the tail of the pancreas. MRI showed a multiloculated cystic lesion, T1-hypointense and T2-hyperintense lesion, without wall enhancement. Endoscopic ultrasound detected a 25 mm multi-loculated cystic lesion, with regular margin and without pancreatic duct communication. Diagnosis of pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma was discussed and the patient was referred to surgery. She underwent distal pancreatectomy with spleen preservation. Pathological examination revealed the diagnosis of pancreatic mesothelial cyst. Histologically, the cyst was multiloculated, lined by cuboidal epithelium, ovoid nuclei and amphophilic cytoplasm, without mucin deposition or cytological atypia. Immunohistochemistry examination revealed positive staining for cytokeratin 5/6, vimentin and calretinin. At 1-year follow-up, she is in her usual health, without any symptoms.
Dangers of delayed diagnosis of perianal abscess and undrained perianal sepsis in Fournier’s gangrene: a case series
Authors: Solis Edgardo , Liang Yi , Ctercteko Grahame , Toh James Wei Tatt
Published: October 2020

Fournier’s gangrene (FG) is a rapidly progressing infective necrotising fasciitis of the perianal, perineal and genital region. It is characterised by its aggressive nature and high mortality rates of between 15% and 50%. While it has been commonly found to primarily develop from urological sources, there have been increasing reports of the role of colorectal sources as the underlying aetiology of FG. Presented is a case series of four FG presentations at a single institution during a 12-month period as a result of underlying untreated perianal disease highlighting its dangers in progressing to a deadly infection, advocating for early and aggressive surgical debridement, and the role of adjunct scoring systems, such as Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotising Fasciitis, in guiding clinical diagnosis.
Hemangiopericytoma of meningo-fronto-naso-orbito-maxillary complex
Authors: Vanza Bhavuk , Rai Anshul , Khare Neha , Verma HS
Published: October 2020

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare vascular tumour and difficult to diagnose clinically. Incidence is reported in fourth to fifth decade of life.With female predominance, 3%–5% cases affect the oral cavity, sinus lining and meninges. The patient presented with 8×6 cm swelling on her face, evaluation reported it to be HPC. Bilateral maxillary artery embolisation, wide local excision of the lesion, preserving the left eye and its function, was done. No recurrence is reported at 1-year follow-up. Response of such lesions to radiotherapy is questionable; with no lymphadenopathy and adequate encapsulation, embolisation of feeder vessel followed by a wide local excision of the lesion seems to be a fairly good option of treatment.
Multiregion whole-exome sequencing of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms reveals frequent somaticKLF4mutations predominantly in low-grade regions
Authors: Fujikura Kohei , Hosoda Waki , Felsenstein Matthäus , Song Qianqian , Reiter Johannes G , Zheng Lily , Beleva Guthrie Violeta , Rincon Natalia , Dal Molin Marco , Dudley Jonathan , Cohen Joshua D , Wang Pei , Fischer Catherine G , Braxton Alicia M , Noë Michaël , Jongepier Martine , Fernández-del Castillo Carlos , Mino-Kenudson Mari , Schmidt C Max , Yip-Schneider Michele T , Lawlor Rita T , Salvia Roberto , Roberts Nicholas J , Thompson Elizabeth D , Karchin Rachel , Lennon Anne Marie , Jiao Yuchen , Wood Laura D
Published: October 2020

Objective

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are non-invasive precursor lesions that can progress to invasive pancreatic cancer and are classified as low-grade or high-grade based on the morphology of the neoplastic epithelium. We aimed to compare genetic alterations in low-grade and high-grade regions of the same IPMN in order to identify molecular alterations underlying neoplastic progression.

Design

We performed multiregion whole exome sequencing on tissue samples from 17 IPMNs with both low-grade and high-grade dysplasia (76 IPMN regions, including 49 from low-grade dysplasia and 27 from high-grade dysplasia). We reconstructed the phylogeny for each case, and we assessed mutations in a novel driver gene in an independent cohort of 63 IPMN cyst fluid samples.

Results

Our multiregion whole exome sequencing identifiedKLF4, a previously unreported genetic driver of IPMN tumorigenesis, with hotspot mutations in one of two codons identified in >50% of the analyzed IPMNs. Mutations inKLF4were significantly more prevalent in low-grade regions in our sequenced cases. Phylogenetic analyses of whole exome sequencing data demonstrated diverse patterns of IPMN initiation and progression. Hotspot mutations inKLF4were also identified in an independent cohort of IPMN cyst fluid samples, again with a significantly higher prevalence in low-grade IPMNs.

Conclusion

Hotspot mutations inKLF4occur at high prevalence in IPMNs. Unique among pancreatic driver genes,KLF4mutations are enriched in low-grade IPMNs. These data highlight distinct molecular features of low-grade and high-grade dysplasia and suggest diverse pathways to high-grade dysplasia via the IPMN pathway.
Pallidal deep brain stimulation in primary Meige syndrome: clinical outcomes and psychiatric features
Authors: Hao Qingpei , Wang Dongliang , OuYang Jia , Ding Hu , Wu Gaungyong , Liu Zhi , Liu Ru'en
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To study the efficacy and safety of bilateral globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS) in refractory Meige syndrome (MS) and evaluate the psychiatric disorders before and after surgery.

Methods

Twenty-two patients with MS treated with bilateral GPi-DBS were retrospectively analysed before surgery and after continuous neurostimulation. Before surgery, patients were assessed by the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS), Self-Rating Depression Scale, Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form General Health Survey (SF-36) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PQSI), which corresponded to motor symptoms, depressive state, quality of life and sleep quality, respectively. The implantable pulse generator of each patient was activated at 1 month after surgery. At 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after continuous neurostimulation, all patients were evaluated by the same scales above.

Results

The BFMDRS movement scores decreased from 15.0±5.3 before surgery to 3.5±4.5 at 12 months after neurostimulation, with a mean improvement of 78% (p<0.001). The BFMDRS disability scores improved from 7.4±4.9 before surgery to 4.0±4.6 at 12 months after neurostimulation, with a mean improvement of 56% (p<0.001). The postoperative SF-36 scores had the remarkable improvement compared with baseline scores. Impaired sleep quality was found in 82% of patients and depression in 64% before surgery, which didn’t neither obtained amelioration after continuous neurostimulation.

Conclusions

Bilateral pallidal neurostimulation is a beneficial therapeutic option for refractory MS, which could improve the motor symptoms except for depression and sleep quality.
Analysis of submissions to the EU’s public consultation on tobacco traceability and security features
Authors: Gallagher Allen William Andrew , Evans-Reeves Karen , Joshi Ayush , Hatchard Jenny , Gilmore Anna B
Published: October 2020

Background

The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products requires all parties to establish a tobacco track and trace (T&T) system. In 2016, the European Commission held a public consultation on T&T implementation where parties were asked to respond online to 22 multiple-choice questions and were given additional opportunities to leave comments. In May 2019, the European Union’s (EU) T&T system became operational. This paper explores tobacco industry influence over and policy positions within the consultation process.

Methods

We identified consultation respondents and investigated any financial links with the tobacco industry and if these were transparent. Respondent’s answers to the consultation’s multiple-choice questions were collated to explore whether industry-linked respondents held the same policy positions as transnational tobacco companies (TTCs). Associations between policy positions and respondent’s financial link status were tested using χ2 and Cranmer’s V tests.

Findings

Of the 197 consultation respondents identified, 131 (66.4%) had financial links to the industry; 29 (22.1%) were not transparent about these links. A large number of trade associations responded (87), the majority of which (74/87) had financial links to the industry. There was a clear divide in the policy preferences of respondents with and without a financial link. Collectively, respondents with a financial link supported an industry-operated T&T solution.

Conclusions

There was an extensive lobbying effort by the tobacco industry over the EU’s T&T system, with TTCs’ interests being represented repeatedly through multiple trade associations. The transparency requirements regarding consultation respondents’ affiliations with relevant stakeholders (eg, tobacco manufacturers) should be improved for future consultations.