bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electromagnetic interference from left ventricular assist devices in patients with subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators
Authors: Ishida Yuji , Payne Joshua E. , Field Michael E. , Gold Michael R.
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Interactions of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) with transvenous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator systems (ICDs) have been widely reported. However, less is known regarding the impact of electromagnetic interference (EMI) from LVADs on subcutaneous ICD function.

Methods and Results

A comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane central registry, and Google Scholar using the search terms “subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator and left ventricular assist devices,” “electromagnetic interference, LVAD, and subcutaneous ICD,” “EMI and S‐ICD,” and “inappropriate shocks, LVAD, and ICD.” Demographic and programming data were extracted from the reports and authors as needed. A total of seven cases of EMI in LVAD patients with subcutaneous ICD (S‐ICD) devices were found. In addition three previously unreported cases from our center were included. All cases involved either a heartware ventricular assist device or HeartMate III LVAD with a pre‐existing S‐ICD. In all patients, both the primary and secondary vectors had inappropriate sensing due to EMI. Three patients were reprogramed to the alternate vector with appropriate sensing. The S‐ICD was either inactivated or replaced with a transvenous device in six patients. A single patient was left sensing in the alternate vector. There were no reports of inability to interrogate S‐ICD systems in patients with LVADs.

Conclusion

The risk of inappropriate shocks from LVADs should be considered in pre‐existing patients with S‐ICD, particularly when the heartware ventricular assist device or HeartMate III LVAD device is present. Reprogramming of the sensing vector can occasionally avoid this issue but often the S‐ICD needs to be inactivated.
Repeat UCrit and endurance swimming in juvenile shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)
Authors: Kieffer James D. , May Lindsay E.
Published: March 2020

Previous results show that juvenile shortnose sturgeon are steady swimmers and, compared with salmonids, generally have low critical swimming (UCrit) and endurance swimming capacities. Most studies on swimming capacities of sturgeon, and other fishes, include those where fish have only been swum once and the metrics of swimming performance are assessed (e.g., time swum, speed achieved). Under natural conditions, there are ample instances where fish undergo multiple swimming cycles when traversing fish ways, culverts and other sources of fast water flow. While some evidence exists for salmonids, the effects of repeat swimming are not well known for sturgeon. The current study consisted of two experiments. The first examined the UCrit of juvenile shortnose sturgeon following three consecutive swimming trials with a 30 min recovery period between subsequent tests. The second examined the endurance swimming capacities of juvenile shortnose sturgeon following three consecutive swimming trials with a 60 min recovery period between subsequent tests. Our findings indicate that (i) UCrit was consistent (~2 body lengths/s) among swimming trials; (ii) significant individual variation exists between individuals in the endurance swimming trials; and (iii) consistent results exist for individuals across swimming trials in both the UCrit and the endurance swimming tests. These results suggest that juvenile shortnose sturgeon have a high recovery capacity, and their behaviour and morphology likely reflect aspects of their swimming capacities.
Efficacy of low‐dose versus high‐dose simethicone with polyethylene glycol for bowel preparation: A prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li De‐feng , Luo Ming‐han , Du Qing‐qing , Zhang Hai‐yang , Tian Yan‐hui , Liu Ting‐ting , Shi Rui‐yue , Xiong Feng , Lai Ming‐guang , Li Ying‐xue , Luo Su , Song Yang , Wu Ben‐hua , Xu Zheng‐lei , Zhang Ding‐guo , Yao Jun , Wang Li‐sheng
Published: March 2020

Background and Aim

Additional simethicone (SIM) can improve adequate bowel preparation and adenoma detection rate (ADR). However, there is no consensus on the optimal dose of SIM. In this study, we compared the adequate bowel preparation rate with supplementation of split‐dose 2 L polyethylene glycol (PEG) with low‐dose SIM (200 mg) versus high‐dose SIM (1200 mg).

Methods

This was a prospective, randomized, observer‐blinded trial involving consecutive subjects undergoing colonoscopy. The primary outcome was adequate bowel preparation as assessed by Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) score.

Results

Four hundred subjects were randomly allocated to low‐dose SIM or high‐dose SIM group. Baseline characteristics were comparable in the two groups (P > 0.05). No significant between‐group differences were observed with respect to total bubble scale (BS) (8.49 ± 1.00 vs 8.39 ± 1.10, P = 0.07), total BBPS score (8.70 ± 0.81 vs 8.29 ± 1.18, P = 0.98), ADR (33.68% vs 31.79%, P = 0.69) or withdrawal time (13 [range, 10–16] min vs 13 [10–15] min, P = 0.96). The intubation time in low‐dose SIM group was significantly shorter than that in high‐dose SIM group (8 (4–16) min vs 10 [6–17] min, P = 0.04). In addition, BS scores as well as diminutive ADR in right colon were superior in the low‐dose SIM group (2.68 ± 0.59 vs 2.52 ± 0.73, P = 0.03 and 54.29% vs 30.30%, P = 0.046, respectively).

Conclusion

Addition of low‐dose SIM to split‐dose 2 L PEG was as effective as addition of high‐dose SIM with respect to adequate bowel preparation, ADR and patient tolerance. However, low‐dose SIM was superior with respect to intubation time, right colon BS scores, right colon diminutive ADR and cost savings.
A bHLH transcription activator regulates defense signaling by nucleo‐cytosolic trafficking in rice
Authors: Meng Fanwei , Yang Chao , Cao Jidong , Chen Huan , Pang Jinhuan , Zhao Qiqi , Wang Zongyi , Qing Fu Zheng , Liu Jun
Published: March 2020

Crosstalk between plant hormone signaling pathways is vital for controlling the immune response during pathogen invasion. Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) often play important but antagonistic roles in the immune responses of higher plants. Here, we identify a basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription activator, OsbHLH6, which confers disease resistance in rice by regulating SA and JA signaling via nucleo‐cytosolic trafficking in rice (Oryza sativa). OsbHLH6 expression was upregulated during Magnaporthe oryzae infection. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsbHLH6 display increased JA responsive gene expression and enhanced disease susceptibility to the pathogen. Nucleus‐localized OsbHLH6 activates JA signaling and suppresses SA signaling; however, the SA regulator OsNPR1 (Nonexpressor of PR genes 1) sequesters OsbHLH6 in the cytosol to alleviate its effect. Our data suggest that OsbHLH6 controls disease resistance by dynamically regulating SA and JA signaling.
Maize WI5 encodes an endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase required for secondary cell wall synthesis and water transport in xylem
Authors: Hu Xiaojiao , Cui Yang , Lu Xiaomin , Song Weibin , Lei Lei , Zhu Jinjie , Lai Jinsheng , E Lizhu , Zhao Haiming
Published: March 2020

Water transport from roots to leaves through xylem is important for plant growth and development. Defects in water transport can cause drought stress, even when there is adequate water in the soil. Here, we identified the maize (Zea mays) wilty5 (wi5) mutant, which exhibits marked dwarfing and leaf wilting throughout most of its life cycle under normal growth conditions. wilty5 seedlings exhibited lower xylem conductivity and wilted more rapidly under drought, NaCl, and high temperature treatments than wild‐type plants. Map‐based cloning revealed that WI5 encodes an active endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase from glycosyl dehydration family 10, which mainly functions in degrading and reorganizing cell wall xylan. Reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and β‐glucuronidase assays revealed that WI5 is highly expressed in stems, especially in internodes undergoing secondary wall assembly. RNA sequencing suggested that WI5 plays a unique role in internode growth. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy confirmed that wi5 is defective in xylan deposition and secondary cell wall thickening. Lignin deposition and xylan content were markedly reduced in wi5 compared to the wild‐type plants. Our results suggest that WI5 functions in xylem cell wall thickening through its xylanase activity and thereby regulates xylem water transport, the drought stress response, and plant growth in maize.
High‐P granulites of the Songshugou area (Qinling Orogen, east‐central China): Petrography, phase relations, and U/Pb zircon geochronology
Authors: Bader Thomas , Zhang Lifei , Li Xiaowei , Xia Bin , Franz Leander , de Capitani Christian , Li Qingyun
Published: March 2020

High‐pressure (HP) granulites provide telling records of mineral reactions at upper mantle to lower crustal levels and key information on the fate of material in subduction systems. The latter especially applies when they abut eclogite and mantle dunite because such rock associations are crucial for understanding the incompletely known processes at the interface of converging plates. A continental arc, active c. 520–395 Ma ago, formed an enigmatic example of such a rock association in the Songshugou area, Qinling Orogen. To unravel the juxtaposition of the distinct rocks, this study combines petrography, phase equilibria modelling, conventional thermobarometry, and zircon U–Th–Pb–Ti–REE analysis. Two mafic HP granulites, which contain the mineral assemblages garnet–clinopyroxene–plagioclase–rutile–mesoperthite–quartz and garnet–clinopyroxene–plagioclase–rutile, experienced peak metamorphic conditions of ≤1.4 GPa, 860°C and ~1.3 GPa, ≥910°C, respectively. During decompression and cooling, at 489 ± 4 Ma, amphibole lamellae unmixed from a clinopyroxene solid solution and orthopyroxene in part replaced garnet. A felsic HP granulite shows equilibration of garnet, perthite, antiperthite, kyanite, quartz, and rutile at 810–860°C, ~1.2 GPa, sillimanite growth during decompression, and upper amphibolite facies cooling at 510 ± 4 Ma. Though the thermobarometric data are just within the methodological errors, the U/Pb zircon ages imply the HP granulites did not evolve coherently. The HP granulites either represent foundered lower arc crust or originated from subduction erosion because their geochemistry is indistinguishable from that of the hanging‐wall plate. Published and new pressure–temperature–time–deformation paths converge at ~710°C, ~0.9 GPa, and ≲470 Ma, implying exhumation tectonics juxtaposed the HP granulites with a mélange of eclogite and mantle dunite at lower crustal levels. This study highlights that lower arc crust can comprise material of diverse evolution.
Fracture risk after three bariatric surgery procedures in Swedish obese subjects: up to 26 years follow‐up of a controlled intervention study
Authors: Ahlin S. , Peltonen M. , Sjöholm K. , Anveden Å. , Jacobson P. , Andersson‐Assarsson J. C. , Taube M. , Larsson I. , Lohmander L. S. , Näslund I. , Svensson P‐A. , Carlsson L. M. S.
Published: March 2020

Background

Previous studies have reported an increased fracture risk after bariatric surgery.

Objective

To investigate the association between different bariatric surgery procedures and fracture risk.

Methods

Incidence rates and hazard ratios for fracture events were analysed in the Swedish Obese Subjects study; an ongoing, nonrandomized, prospective, controlled intervention study. Hazard ratios were adjusted for risk factors for osteoporosis and year of inclusion. Information on fracture events were captured from the Swedish National Patient Register. The current analysis includes 2007 patients treated with bariatric surgery (13.3% gastric bypass, 18.7% gastric banding, and 68.0% vertical banded gastroplasty) and 2040 control patients with obesity matched on group level based on 18 variables. Median follow‐up was between 15.1 and 17.9 years for the different treatment groups.

Results

During follow‐up, the highest incidence rate for first‐time fracture was observed in the gastric bypass group (22.9 per 1000 person‐years). The corresponding incidence rates were 10.4, 10.7 and 9.3 per 1000 person‐years for the vertical banded gastroplasty, gastric banding and control groups, respectively. The risk of fracture was increased in the gastric bypass group compared with the control group (adjusted hazard ratio [adjHR] 2.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.02–3.31;P < 0.001), the gastric banding group (adjHR 1.99; 95%CI 1.41–2.82;P < 0.001), and the vertical banded gastroplasty group (adjHR 2.15; 95% CI 1.66–2.79;P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The risk of fracture is increased after gastric bypass surgery. Our findings highlight the need for long‐term follow‐up of bone health for patients undergoing this treatment.
Ethnic influence on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence and lack of disease awareness in the United States, 2011–2016
Authors: Le M. H. , Yeo Y. H. , Cheung R. , Wong V. W.-S. , Nguyen M. H.
Published: March 2020

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a rising global disease associated with clinical and economic burdens.

Objectives

We aimed to quantify NAFLD prevalence and awareness to provide stakeholders necessary information to combat NAFLD burden.

Methods

This study utilizes data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2016 and included 4538 adult participants who did not have heavy drinking or viral hepatitis history. The US fatty liver index defined NAFLD and NAFLD fibrosis score defined fibrosis. NAFLD awareness was captured by questionnaire.

Results

Amongst the study population of 4538 persons, NAFLD prevalence was 32.5%, lowest in non‐Hispanic Blacks (18.0%) and Asians (18.1%), highest amongst Mexican Americans (48.4%). Within the NAFLD group, advanced fibrosis was highest in non‐Hispanic Blacks (28.5%) and lowest amongst non‐Hispanic Asians (2.7%). Of the 1473 (97.5%) NAFLD participants who answered NAFLD awareness question, 90% visited a healthcare centre at least once in the past year, but only 5.1% were aware of having NAFLD. On weighted population estimates, 77.33 million persons had NAFLD, 17.63 million had advanced fibrosis, and 73.39 million NAFLD participants were not aware of having NAFLD.

Conclusions

Of 77.33 million people in the United States have NAFLD with 17.63 million having advanced fibrosis, with lowest prevalence in non‐Hispanic Asians and highest in Mexican Americans. A conundrum exists amongst non‐Hispanic Blacks who have low NAFLD prevalence but highest prevalence of advanced fibrosis. Awareness of NAFLD was low across all ethnicities. Effort is needed to improve disease awareness whilst addressing NAFLD clinical burden across ethnicities.
Clinical and molecular insights into BCG immunotherapy for melanoma
Authors: Kremenovic M. , Schenk M. , Lee D. J.
Published: March 2020

The incidence of cutaneous melanoma and the mortality rate of advanced melanoma patients continue to rise globally. Despite the recent success of immunotherapy including ipilimumab and pembrolizumab checkpoint inhibitors, a large proportion of patients are refractory to such treatment modalities. The application of mycobacteria such as Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) in the treatment of various malignancies, including cutaneous melanoma, has been clearly demonstrated after almost a century of observations and experimentation. Intralesional BCG (IL‐BCG) immunotherapy is a highly efficient and cost‐effective treatment option for inoperable stage III in‐transit melanoma, as recommended in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines. IL‐BCG has shown great efficacy in the regression of directly injected metastatic melanoma lesions, as well as distal noninjected nodules in immunocompetent patients. Clinical and preclinical studies have shown that BCG serves as a strong immune modulator, inducing the recruitment of various immune cells that contribute to antitumour immunity. However, the specific mechanism of BCG‐mediated tumour immunity remains poorly understood. Comparative genome analyses have revealed that different BCG strains exhibit distinct immunological activity and virulence, which might impact the therapeutic response and clinical outcome of patients. In this review, we discuss the immunostimulatory potential of different BCG substrains and highlight clinical studies utilizing BCG immunotherapy for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma. Furthermore, the review focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the BCG‐induced immune responses of both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Furthermore, the review discussed the administration of BCG as a monotherapy or in combination with other immunotherapeutic or chemotherapeutic agents.
Exploring the Mechanisms Through Which Social Ties Affect Fertility Decisions in Turkey
Authors: Kavas Serap , de Jong Julie
Published: March 2020

Background

Although there is extensive evidence that social interactions within different types of social ties affect fertility decisions and behavior both in western and nonwestern settings, there is no available data to evaluate the impact within the Middle Eastern context, leading to difficulty in explaining fully the ways in which interactions in personal networks influence fertility behavior among the region's populations.

Aims

This study aims to explore the mechanisms through which social ties affect fertility decisions in Turkey. We examine various social mechanisms such as social support, social pressure,social influence and social learning to explore how and why these mechanisms exert influence on women's fertility decision‐making processes.

Method

Using semi‐structured interviewing (N = 51),the study draws on mothers' retrospective accounts of the childbearing process and current intentions for higher order births.

Results

Our findings point to the substantial role played by family networks in women's fertility behavior in Turkey. While family and nonfamily network partners stimulate social pressure and social influence respectively, social support exclusively operates through family members. Also, the majority of social learning occurs within the family. Our findings also show how kin and non‐kin network partners operate through these mechanisms and differentially influence specific stages of the fertility process such as the transition to parenthood and parity progression.

Conclusion

The overarching finding of this study is that the personal networks have effects on fertility decisions in Turkey. Our findings pointed to the role of the social and cultural context of the Middle Eastern setting where childbearing is a substantive issue that matters to extended family and the community. An important contribution of this study is that it is the first of its kind to explore social mechanisms vis‐à‐vis fertility decision‐making in the Middle Eastern context and provides a nonwestern and comparative perspective to the research in this area.
HSP105 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Correlation with clinicopathological features and outcomes
Authors: Arvanitidou Souzana , Martinelli‐Kläy Carla P. , Samson Jacky , Lobrinus Johannes A. , Dulguerov Nicolas , Lombardi Tommaso
Published: March 2020

Background

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are released in response to stress situations, such as heat, inflammation, and infection. They are also involved in the tumor cell proliferation and prevention of apoptosis. Heat shock protein 105 (Hsp105/110) is a high‐molecular‐weight protein, which has been reported in many cancer types but few studies have been carried out on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In the current study, we have focused on HSP105 expression on OSCC and evaluated their correlation with tumor clinicopathological parameters and patients' survival.

Methods

A retrospective study included 70 patients with OSCC of which 50 patients (71.4%) were male and 20 (28.6%) were female. The patient's information, including age, location, TNM stage, histological grade, regional metastasis, recurrence, and survival, were collected. Immunohistochemical staining for HSP105 was performed. The healthy oral mucosa (n = 10) was used as a control. The staining intensity and percentage of stained cells were semi‐quantitatively evaluated, and HSP105 expression was correlated with tumor clinicopathological features and patient survival.

Results

Statistical analysis for HSP105 showed that there was no significant correlation with tumor clinicopathological features. However, HSP105 overexpression was associated with a decrease in the duration of patients' survival (P = .042).

Conclusion

This result suggests that the increased expression of the HSP105 in the OSCC could be a prognostic factor for malignancy.
Digital Workflow for Producing Oral Positioning Radiotherapy Stents for Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Bruno Julia Stephanie , Miranda‐Silva Wanessa , Guedes Victor da Silva , Parahyba Claudia Joffily , Moraes Fabio Ynoe de , Fregnani Eduardo Rodrigues
Published: March 2020

Oral positioning radiotherapy stents are devices that protect healthy structures adjacent to the target volume of head and neck radiotherapy treatment, leading to reduced acute and chronic side effects. This study describes a digital workflow to produce an oral positioning radiotherapy stent and analyze its efficacy by measuring dosimetric variations with and without this stent. An oral positioning radiotherapy stent was created according to a digital workflow that included intraoral scanning, digital design, and 3D printing for a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. The patient underwent computed tomography to evaluate radiotherapy treatment by intensity‐modulated radiation therapy with and without the use of the 3D‐printed oral stent. The use of a 3D‐printed oral positioning radiotherapy stent is a feasible and reproducible technique that reduced the planning target volume and radiation doses delivered to the hard palate, right parotid gland, and left parotid gland by 42%, 21%, and 8.5%, respectively.
Information sharing in neonatal intensive care: Parental perceptions and preferences
Authors: Williams Logan , I'Anson Julie , Malarkey Moira , Purcell Anevili , de Vries Nathalie , McKinlay Christopher
Published: March 2020

Aim

Information sharing is a key component of family‐centred care, which has traditionally occurred through patient information leaflets. Although patients' access to health information is rapidly changing with internet and mobile technologies, there are few data on parents' perception and preferences for information sharing. Our aim was to evaluate parents' perception of information sharing in neonatal care, to determine parents' preferred medium for health information and to identify priority content for inclusion in a smartphone application.

Methods

Parents at Kidz First Neonatal Care (KFNC) were eligible to take part in our survey, which comprised five sections: (i) demographics, (ii) information in neonatal care, (iii) printed information in neonatal care, (iv) parental views about development of a neonatal smartphone application and (v) general feedback. Parental satisfaction with information sharing in KFNC was assessed with a modified version of the Empowerment of Parents in the Intensive Care‐neonatology questionnaire. Descriptive and summary statistics were calculated, and free text data were analysed by content analysis.

Results

Forty‐one surveys were received, with 62% completed by mothers. Parents were supportive of electronic information, with 88% highly scoring the question ‘I would download and use a free neonatal care app’. However, parental views on the need to continue printed material if a neonatal care smartphone application was provided were mixed. Of those parents who provided free‐text recommendations, priority content included information about neonatal conditions, preparing for discharge and available supports.

Conclusion

Parents had positive perceptions of information sharing in neonatal care and were strongly supportive of the introduction of a neonatal phone application.
Performance of an Escherichia coli phytase expressed in Lactococcus lactis on nutrient retention, bone traits and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens
Authors: Mohammadi Ziarat Masoud , Kermanshahi Hassan , Nasiri Mogaddam Hassan , Majidzadeh Heravi Reza
Published: March 2020

The availability of plant phosphorus in the gut chicken can be improved by increasing phosphorus retention using phytase enzyme or a probiotic with phytase activity as an alternative. In this study, the efficacy of a recombinant probiotic, Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis), with a potential of phytase production was evaluated in broiler chickens. To this aim, 360 one‐day‐old male broiler Cobb 500 were divided into six treatments with six replicates and reared to 42 days of age. The experimental treatments included positive control diet containing adequate phosphorus (PC), negative control diet containing reduced available phosphorus (NC), negative control diet involving recombinant L. lactis (RLL), negative control diet containing both recombinant L. lactis and Lactobacillus salivarius (RLL + LBS), negative control diet including non‐recombinant L. lactis (LL) and negative control diet containing Hostazym®. Growth performance, total tract apparent disappearance of phytate‐P and nutrient retention, mineral content of the tibia and histomorphology of jejunum were evaluated at the age of 35 days. Based on the results, the phosphorus (P) deficiency in the diet reduced body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), length and strength of tibia and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to PC group. However, the supplementation of Hostazym® or RLL probiotic into the feed improved BW, ADG, FCR, disappearance of Phytate‐P and retention of P, length and strength of the tibia in a level similar to PC treatment. Phosphorus content of tibia in the chickens fed P‐deficient diets containing RLL was similar to that of the tibia in the control group. Excreta phytate and total P excretion of the chickens decreased when diets contained Hostazym®, RLL and RLL + LBS. In addition, the diet containing RLL + LBS probiotic increased villi height compared with other treatments (p < .05). Further, recombinant L. lactis could represent phytase activity in the gut environment of the chickens and could be an alternative to the commercial phytase.
Fecal microbiota in horses with asthma
Authors: Leclere Mathilde , Costa Marcio C.
Published: March 2020

Background

Gastrointestinal microbiota can be influenced by several factors, including diet and systemic inflammation, and in turn could act as a modulator of the allergic response. Fecal microbiota of horses with asthma has not been described.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Analyze the bacterial fecal microbiota of horses with and without asthma under different environment and diet conditions, during both remission and exacerbation.

Methods

Prospective observational study. Feces from 6 asthmatic and 6 healthy horses were collected under 3 different conditions: on pasture, housed indoors receiving good quality hay (“good hay”), and housed indoors receiving poor quality hay (“dusty hay”). Sequencing was performed using an Illumina MiSeq platform and data were processed using the software mothur v.1.41.3 and LEfSe.

Results

In horses with asthma, low‐abundance bacteria were more affected by changes in environment and diet (ie, when horses were experiencing an exacerbation), as shown by changes in membership and results from the LEfSe analysis. There was a significant increase in the relative abundance of Fibrobacter in healthy horses eating hay, a change that was not observed in horses with asthma.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The intestinal microbiota of horses with asthma does not adapt in the same way to changes in diet and environment compared to the microbiota of healthy horses. Mechanisms explaining how airway obstruction and inflammation could influence the intestinal microbiota and how in turn this microbiota could modulate systemic inflammation in asthmatic horses deserves further investigation.
Aldosterone and the mineralocorticoid receptor in renal injury: A potential therapeutic target in feline chronic kidney disease
Authors: Spencer Sarah , Wheeler‐Jones Caroline , Elliott Jonathan
Published: March 2020

There is a growing body of experimental and clinical evidence supporting mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation as a powerful mediator of renal damage in laboratory animals and humans. Multiple pathophysiological mechanisms are proposed, with the strongest evidence supporting aldosterone‐induced vasculopathy, exacerbation of oxidative stress and inflammation, and increased growth factor signalling promoting fibroblast proliferation and deranged extracellular matrix homeostasis. Further involvement of the MR is supported by extensive animal model experiments where MR antagonists (such as spironolactone and eplerenone) abrogate renal injury, including ischaemia‐induced damage. Additionally, clinical trials have shown MR antagonists to be beneficial in human chronic kidney disease (CKD) in terms of reducing proteinuria and cardiovascular events, though current studies have not evaluated primary end points which allow conclusions to made about whether MR antagonists reduce mortality or slow CKD progression. Although differences between human and feline CKD exist, feline CKD shares many characteristics with human disease including tubulointerstitial fibrosis. This review evaluates the evidence for the role of the MR in renal injury and summarizes the literature concerning aldosterone in feline CKD. MR antagonists may represent a promising therapeutic strategy in feline CKD.
Testing general self‐efficacy, perceived competence, resilience, and stress among nursing students: An integrator evaluation
Authors: Orkaizagirre‐Gómara Aintzane , Sánchez De Miguel Manuel , Ortiz de Elguea Javier , Ortiz de Elguea Amaia
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study was to develop a predictive model for perceived competence and to obtain an integrator evaluation of the nursing curriculum with measures of nursing self‐efficacy, general self‐efficacy, resilience, and stress among nursing students. A correlational study with nursing students (N = 265) from the degree in nursing was conducted. A factor analysis was used to test the construct validity of nursing self‐efficacy and perceived competence. The correlational and discriminant analyses evaluated the factors in the four academic levels of the degree (2016–2017) to identify the variables involved in the classification of the students in each level. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of nursing self‐efficacy and perceived competence revealed a statistically significant good fit and consistency. Nursing self‐efficacy, general self‐efficacy, resilience, and year of the degree course predicted 34% of perceived competence scores. The discriminant function of nursing self‐efficacy, perceived competence, and resilience classified 76% of participants in the first and last years of the degree. Nursing self‐efficacy, perceived competence, and resilience increased with academic level. They help chart nursing students' progress through the curriculum.
Xylem cavitation isolates leaky flowers during water stress in pyrethrum
Authors: Bourbia Ibrahim , Carins‐Murphy Madeline R. , Gracie Alistair , Brodribb Timothy J.
Published: March 2020

Flowers underpin plant evolution, genetic legacy and global food supply. They are exposed to similar evaporative conditions as leaves, yet floral physiology is a product of different selective forces. We used Tanacetum cinerariifolium, a perennial daisy, to examine the response of flowers to whole‐plant water stress, determining if flowers constitute a liability during drought, and how this species has adapted to minimize risk associated with reproduction.

We determined the relative transpiration cost of flowers and leaves and confirmed that flowers in this species are xylem‐hydrated. The relative water stress tolerance of leaves and flowers then was compared using xylem vulnerability measurements linked with observed tissue damage during an acute drought treatment.

Flowers were a major source of water loss during drought but the xylem supplying them was much more vulnerable to cavitation than leaves. This xylem vulnerability segmentation was confirmed by observations that most flowers died whereas leaves were minimally affected during drought.

Early cavitation and hydraulic isolation of flowers during drought benefits the plant by slowing the dehydration of perennial vegetative organs and delaying systemic xylem damage. Our results highlight the need to understand flower xylem vulnerability as a means of predicting plant reproductive failure under future drought.
The S. mutans mntE gene encodes a manganese efflux transporter
Authors: O'Brien Joseph , Pastora Alexander , Stoner Andrew , Spatafora Grace
Published: March 2020

Streptococcus mutans is a colonizer of the human dentition, and under conditions of dysbiosis is the primary causative agent of dental caries. The pathogenic potential of S. mutans depends, in part, on its ability to regulate the transport of metal ions across the plasma membrane to maintain intracellular metal ion homeostasis. Research in our laboratory has focused on the Mn2+‐specific SloC lipoprotein importer and its regulator encoded by the S. mutans sloR gene. Herein, we used a bioinformatics approach to identify a gene on the S. mutans UA159 chromosome, SMU_1176, as a metal ion efflux transporter that contributes to S. mutans manganese ion homeostasis. Metal ion sensitivity assays performed with the wild‐type S. mutans UA159 strain and an isogenic SMU_1176 insertion‐deletion mutant, called GMS3000, revealed significantly heightened sensitivity of GMS3000 to MnSO4 challenge. 54Mn uptake experiments support the accumulation of 54Mn in GMS3000 cell pellets when compared to 54Mn concentrations in UA159 or in a complemented strain of GMS3000, called GMS3001. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) studies were performed in parallel to quantify intracellular manganese concentrations in these strains, the results of which corroborate the 54Mn uptake studies, and support the SMU_1176 gene product as a Mn2+ efflux protein. Expression profiling experiments revealed de‐repression of SMU_1176 gene transcription in the SloR‐deficient GMS584 strain of S. mutans, especially under high manganese conditions. In conclusion, the S. mutans SMU_1176 gene, which we renamed mntE, is a manganese efflux transporter that contributes to essential metal ion homeostasis as part of the SloR regulon.
Management of recalcitrant vitiligo in Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada syndrome: Adjuvant ablative fractional laser
Authors: Botsali Ayşenur , Caliskan Ercan
Published: March 2020

The course of dermatologic findings in Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada disease is variable. Herein, we report the remarkable repigmentation of widespread facial vitiligo lesions in an adolescent girl with Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada disease. The patient was treated with a combination of fractional erbium:YAG laser, topical tacrolimus, and phototherapy.
Evaluation of growth and nutritional value of Brassica microgreens grown under red, blue and green LEDs combinations
Authors: Kamal Khaled Y. , Khodaeiaminjan Mortaza , El‐Tantawy Ahmed A. , Moneim Diaa A. , Salam Asmaa Abdel , Ash‐shormillesy Salwa M. A. I. , Attia Ahmed , Ali Mohamed A. S. , Herranz Raúl , El‐Esawi Mohamed A. , Nassrallah Amr A. , Ramadan Mohamed Fawzy
Published: March 2020

Microgreens are rich functional crops with valuable nutritional elements that have health benefits when used as food supplements. Growth characterization, nutritional composition profile of 21 varieties representing five species of the Brassica genus as microgreens were assessed under light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) conditions. Microgreens were grown under four different LEDs ratios (%); red:blue 80:20 and 20:80 (R80:B20 and R20:B80), or red:green:blue 70:10:20 and 20:10:70 (R70:G10:B20 and R20:G10:B70). Results indicated that supplemental lighting with green LEDs (R70:G10:B20) enhanced vegetative growth and morphology, while blue LEDs (R20:B80) increased the mineral and vitamin contents. Interestingly, by linking the nutritional content with the growth yield to define the optimal LEDs setup, we found that the best lighting to promote the microgreen growth was the green LEDs combination (R70:G10:B20). Remarkably, under the green LEDs combination (R70:G10:B20) conditions, the microgreens of Kohlrabi purple, Cabbage red, Broccoli, Kale Tucsan, Komatsuna red, Tatsoi and Cabbage green, which can benefit human health in conditions with limited food, had the highest growth and nutritional content.
State Tax Policy, Municipal Choice, and Local Economic Development Outcomes: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach to Performance Assessment
Authors: Hall Jeremy L. , Kanaan David Z.
Published: March 2020

Do state policies that allow municipal governments to levy economic development taxes stimulate economic development? Texas allows municipal‐level economic development corporation dedicated local option sales taxes (LOST), effectively diverting revenue from general fund purposes exclusively toward local economic development efforts. Drawing from a performance management framework focused on policy outcomes, the authors use a structural equation model to estimate the effects of local tax choices on economic development performance. The results reveal that municipalities implementing the 4a LOST tax choice (traditional industry‐related efforts) experienced a significant and positive effect on economic development as measured through a latent construct assessing five years of growth in population, property value, and new home construction. The observed impact of tax choice, though weaker than preexisting municipal economic capacity, suggests that states and municipalities can influence economic development activity by permitting municipal choice in the allocation of tax revenues dedicated to economic development.
Influence of mentoring and professional communities on the professional development of a cohort of early career secondary mathematics and science teachers
Authors: Surrette Timothy N.
Published: March 2020

A challenge for public schools is to successfully support and professionally develop early career teachers (ECTs) and thereby prepare them for long and successful careers in education. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to describe how the professional practices of early career science and mathematics teachers, some of whom are career changers, were influenced by their interactions with mentors and professional communities. Topics examined included the contextual elements that influenced the ECTs’ interactions with mentors and professional communities, how teachers positioned themselves within multiple professional communities, and how they perceived these experiences had influenced the development of their teaching practice. An extensive semi‐structured interview of the ECTs generated data that were analyzed to identify emergent themes and patterns. The findings of this study indicated that navigating professional communities and interacting with mentors had influenced the ECTs’ decisions to adopt important components of a learner‐centered approach to teaching that included engaging students in active learning processes, utilizing formative assessment, and responding to students' individual needs. These findings have implications for school policies and approaches related to supporting and professionally developing unique cohorts of ECTs.
Developing an understanding procedures observation rubric for mathematics intervention teachers
Authors: Crawford Angela R. , Johnson Evelyn S. , Zheng Yuzhu Z. , Moylan Laura A.
Published: March 2020

This study describes the initial psychometric evaluation of an Understanding Procedures observation rubric. The instrument is intended to provide feedback to teachers working in mathematics intervention settings. The rubric translates the research base from mathematics education and special education into practice in the form of specific items and descriptors of performance levels. A sample of 16 intervention teachers across three states provided three videos each of their instruction of students in mathematics intervention classes. Ten external raters evaluated the videos. We analyze the ratings using many‐facet Rasch measurement. Analyses of the teacher, item, rater, and lesson facets show good psychometric quality for the instrument. Implications for research and professional development are discussed.
The donors perceived positive and negative effects of blood donation
Authors: Teglkamp Janni , Handgaard Linda , Hansen Thomas , Pedersen Ole Birger , Rigas Andreas Stribolt , Mikkelsen Susan , Erikstrup Christian , Hjalgrim Henrik , Paarup Helene Martina , Burgdorf Kristoffer Sølvsten , Ullum Henrik
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Occasionally blood donation has a negative influence on some donors, while others express feelings of increased energy or wellbeing after donation. Some donors even report symptoms such as headache or feelings of unease indicating “it is time to donate blood again.” This study aims to determine symptoms and frequencies of blood donors experiencing positive and negative effects of blood donation, and study possible associations with sex, age, body mass index, smoking status, and hemoglobin level.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We developed and validated a questionnaire with eight predefined physical and psychological symptoms related to blood donation using a 5‐point Likert Scale. Participants in The Danish Blood Donor Study were asked to indicate if they experienced the present symptom prior to and/or after the donation.

RESULTS

A total of 6,073 donors were included. Of the donors, 61% experienced one or more effects of blood donation. Positive effects were experienced by 18% of the donors, 29% experienced negative effects, and 14% experienced both. Most notable positive effects were alleviated headache (14%), feeling lighter (14%), and less tiredness (7%). Most notable negative effects were less energy (25%), more dizziness (22%), and more tiredness (21%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that positive effects were more likely among donors with higher BMI, older donors, and smokers. Negative effects were more likely among younger donors, donors with lower BMI, and among female donors.

CONCLUSION

Analyses indicate that susceptibility to blood donation effects varies by BMI, sex, smoking status, and age, and therefore should be taken into consideration when informing donors about potential effects of blood donation.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding blood donation among sudanese population
Authors: Sayedahmed Ahmed Mahmoud Sayed , Mohamedali Abdalla Mohamed Abdalla , Mohamed Ghalib Khalid Bashir , Mohammed Alkhair Abdelrahman Abdelgader , Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Sabri , Alyas Fadul Tebyan Abdalgader
Published: March 2020

Background and Objectives

Blood transfusion plays a vital and crucial role in the management of a variety of ailments. The blood donation system in Sudan depends on two types of donors, voluntary and replacement donors. The aim of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards blood donation among the Sudanese population.

Methods

A hospital‐based cross‐sectional multicentre survey was conducted from 28 March to 18 July 2019 in the main blood banks of Khartoum state. Using pretested, structured interviewing questionnaire composed of 38 questions to interview blood donors and their companions. About 384 adults were interviewed. Bivariate regression analyses were used to identify the significant predictors of blood donation, with the significance level set at P < 0·05.

Results

Only 13(3·4%) of the participants were females. The majority, 70·3% of the study participants reported that they had donated blood before, but 88·9% had donated blood as replacement donators before. This study determined that only 25% of the study participants had good knowledge. Moreover, the majority (57%) did not know that the women could undergo blood donation. On the other hand, 87% had a positive attitude regarding blood donation. Good knowledge was significantly associated with the practice of voluntary blood donation (AOR = 2·060 95% CI: 1·107, 3·835). The main reported reason for not donating (78·9%) is ‘not asked before’.

Conclusion

Replacement blood donation is more common than voluntary blood donation in Sudan; this might be due to misconceptions and poor knowledge. Therefore, educational programs should be done to increase the level of knowledge.
Application of a simazine degrading bacterium, Arthrobacter ureafaciens XMJ‐Z01 for bioremediation of simazine pollution
Authors: Zhu Jiangwei , Zhao Yan , Fu Li , Liu Zongmin , Li Xiaolou , Meng Zili
Published: March 2020

A bacterium named XMJ‐Z01 is screened from soil and identified as Arthrobacter ureafaciens, which can efficiently degrade simazine. The strain XMJ‐Z01 is highly resistant to simazine and can tolerate simazine at a level of not less than 2000 mg/L. The degradation efficiency of simazine (100 mg/L) in liquid medium by strain XMJ‐Z01 can reach about 99.1% in 7 days. Adding a small amount of fresh soil during the degradation of simazine (in culture medium) by strain XMJ‐Z01 can improve the degradation efficiency. The use of strain XMJ‐Z01 in simazine‐contaminated farmland will accelerate the degradation of simazine residues in the soil and reduce its leakage into the deep soil; in addition, it is also beneficial to reduce the adverse effects of simazine on soil enzyme. Therefore, it is considered that strain XMJ‐Z01 can be used for bioremediation of simazine pollution in soil.
A novel bioreactor design for enhanced aerobic granular sludge formation: effects of cationic polymer and boric acid addition
Authors: Karabey Burcin , Azbar Nuri , Ozdemir Guven
Published: March 2020

Compared to the conventional activated sludge, granular sludge has many advantages like good settling ability, high biomass retention and ability to withstand a high organic loading rate. In this study, the effects of boric acid and chitosan addition on granule formation was investigated in a novel Custom‐made upflow aerobic granular sludge reactor for 22 days. According to the microscopic results, granulation in all reactors started at 5–7 days. The polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR–DGGE) results indicate the evolution of the bacterial community during the granulation process. In addition, high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that 100 mg/L of terephthalic acid (TA) was totally degraded in all reactors during 24 hours period. To date, chitosan was generally used in anaerobic granulation studies. Thus, there is little known about the role of chitosan in aerobic granulation. The findings in this study constitute important information about the process of granule formation and the factors that are essential to aerobic granulation.
Removal of nitrate from aqueous solution using nano zerovalent iron‐reduced graphene oxide composite: optimization of parameters
Authors: Khoshro Soheila , Mirbagheri Naghmeh Sadat , Sabbaghi Samad
Published: March 2020

In this study, nitrate removal from aqueous solution was performed using nano zerovalent iron–reduced graphene (nZVI‐rGO) composite. The effect of operational parameters including initial nitrate concentration, composite dosage, solution pH, and contact time on the removal process was examined using design expert software. Our investigation revealed that the nitrate‐contaminated water can be easily treated by applying the synthesized composite within the short contact time of 1 min. In the presence of nZVI‐rGO composite, about 96% of nitrate reduced to nitrogen gas (~64%) and small amounts of ammonium (~32%) and nitrite (~0.3%) were released. The kinetics results confirmed that the adsorption and chemical reduction of nitrate by the composite are well fitted to the pseudo‐second‐order and pseudo‐first‐order kinetic models, respectively. The thermodynamic results showed that the removal of nitrate by the composite is a spontaneous and endothermic process.