bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhenium‐188 radiosynovectomy for chronic haemophilic synovitis: Evaluation of its safety and efficacy in haemophilic patients
Authors: Kachooei Amir R. , Heidari Arash , Divband Ghasemali , Zandinezhad Mohammad E. , Mousavian Alireza , Farhangi Hamid , Aminzadeh Behzad , Zarifian Ahmadreza , Bagheri Farshid , Badiei Zahra
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Radiocolloids labelled with less costly and more accessible radionuclides such as rhenium‐188 are of interest to developing countries compared with those labelled with rhenium‐186 and yttrium‐90.

Aim

This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiosynovectomy using rhenium‐188 in patients with chronic haemophilic synovitis and recurrent hemarthrosis.

Methods

In this quasi‐experimental prospective study, 20 haemophilic patients were evaluated at preinjection, and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done to measure synovial thickness and to calculate Denver score. Joint radiographs were taken to measure the Pettersson score. The Gilbert questionnaire, Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia (FISH) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain were completed, and the number of bleeding episodes and factor consumption were recorded at each follow‐up visit.

Results

The number of bleeding episodes, the amount of factor consumption per month, VAS pain scores and synovial thickness decreased significantly over time (P < .05). Gilbert and FISH scores showed significant improvement (P < .001). However, Pettersson score and Denver score showed no significant changes after injection. Minor complications including temporary pain and swelling occurred in 20% of patients, and no major complication was observed after rhenium‐188 injection.

Conclusion

Our results indicated high clinical impact, efficacy, safety and low invasion of rhenium‐188 in radiosynovectomy of haemophilic patients. Considering the availability and relatively low cost of rhenium‐188 in developing countries, this can be a good treatment option for haemophilic patients with recurrent hemarthrosis, particularly when the synovial hypertrophy is not massive yet.
A potential diagnostic pitfall for hobnail variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Wong Kristine S , Chen Tiffany Y , Higgins Sara E , Howitt Brooke E , Lorch Jochen H , Alexander Erik K , Marqusee Ellen , Cho Nancy L , Nehs Matthew A , Doherty Gerard M , Barletta Justine A
Published: December 2019

Aims

Hobnail variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is an aggressive PTC subtype characterised by a hobnail cytomorphology. However, some classic PTC have a ‘hobnail‐like’ cytomorphology associated with thick, hyalinised, variably oedematous fibrovascular cores that appears to be a form of ischaemic/degenerative atypia.

Methods and results

We studied three cohorts to compare the histopathological characteristics and clinical outcome of ‘hobnail‐like’ classic PTC and true hobnail variant of PTC: cohort 1, PTC consecutively resected between 2016 and 2017 (to assess frequency of ‘hobnail‐like’ cytomorphology); cohort 2, 20 ‘hobnail‐like’ classic PTC resected between 2005 and 2007 (to assess clinical outcome); and cohort 3, seven true hobnail variant of PTC. A ‘hobnail‐like’ cytomorphology was identified in 16% of consecutively resected PTC. Compared with true hobnail variant, ‘hobnail‐like’ classic PTC occurred in younger patients (mean age 40 years versus 68 years, P < 0.001), were smaller tumours (mean tumour size 2.1 cm versus 4.4 cm, P < 0.001), had a lower rate of gross extrathyroidal extension (0% versus 71%, P < 0.001), had a lower proliferative rate (≥3 mitoses per 10 high‐power fields seen in 0% versus 71%, P < 0.001; Ki67 index ≥5% in 0% versus 86%, P < 0.001), a lower rate of secondary pathogenic mutations (for cases with molecular data, 0% versus 100%, P = 0.0061) and improved survival (for cases with sufficient clinical outcome data, 10‐year disease‐free survival of 93% versus 0%, P = 0.0016).

Conclusion

Classic PTC can show ischaemic/degenerative atypia that mimics the hobnail cytomorphology of true hobnail variant; however, these tumours lack aggressive histopathological features and pursue an indolent clinical course.
Optimisation of protein‐enriched gluten‐free layer cakes using a mixture design
Authors: Bravo‐Núñez Ángela , Sahagún Marta , Bravo‐Núñez Andrés , Gómez Manuel
Published: December 2019

The effect of different protein mixtures (pea, whey and egg white proteins) on the physical characteristics of batters and baked gluten‐free layer cakes after substituting 45% of flour was evaluated. A mixture design approach was used to determine the interaction effects of the three proteins on the cakes physical characteristics. For batter density, two interactions were observed, and higher values were found for batters containing a mixture of 60–80% egg white and 20–40% whey than in batter containing only one of these proteins, or a pea content of 70–90% than in batter containing only pea. For batter viscosity, significant interactions between egg white and pea, and between whey and pea proteins were observed, which explains the gentler decrease in viscosity at higher egg white and/or whey protein ratios. Regarding hardness, an interaction between egg white and whey occurred, and increasing whey content helped to reduce hardness to a greater extent than increasing pea content.
ING4 alleviated lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation by regulating the NF‐κB pathway via a direct interaction with SIRT1
Authors: Yang Yunshu , Liu Yang , He Xiang , Yang Fangfang , Han Shichao , Qin Anhui , Wu Gaofeng , Liu Mengdong , Li Zhenzhen , Wang Jing , Yang Xuekang , Hu Dahai
Published: December 2019

Sepsis is a complex inflammatory disorder in which high mortality is associated with an excessive inflammatory response. Inhibitor of growth 4 (ING4), which is a cofactor of histone acetyltransferase and histone deacetylase complexes, could negatively regulate this inflammation. However, the exact molecular signaling pathway regulated by ING4 remains uncertain. As a pivotal histone deacetylase, Sirtuin1 (SIRT1), which is widely accepted to be an anti‐inflammatory molecule, has not been found to be linked to ING4. This study investigated how ING4 is involved in the regulation of inflammation by constructing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced macrophage and mouse sepsis models. Our results revealed that ING4 expression decreased, whereas the levels of proinflammatory cytokines increased in LPS‐stimulated cultured primary macrophages and RAW 264.7 cells. ING4 transfection was confirmed to alleviate the LPS‐induced upregulation of proinflammatory cytokine expression both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, ING4‐overexpressing mice were hyposensitive to an LPS challenge and displayed reduced organ injury. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation indicated a direct interaction between ING4 and the SIRT1 protein. Moreover, ING4 could block nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) P65 nuclear translocation and restrict P65 acetylation at lysine 310 induced by LPS treatment. These results are the first to clarify that the anti‐inflammatory role of ING4 is associated with SIRT1, through which ING4 inhibits NF‐κB signaling activation. Our studies provide a novel signaling axis involving ING4/SIRT1/NF‐κB in LPS‐induced sepsis.
Vocal pattern detection of depression among older adults
Authors: Smith Marianne , Dietrich Bryce Jensen , Bai Er‐wei , Bockholt Henry Jeremy
Published: December 2019

Depression is a serious problem for many older adults but is too often undetected by the person, family or providers. Although vocal patterns have been successfully used to detect and predict depression in adults aged 18 to 65 years, no studies to date have included older adults. The study purpose was to determine whether vocal patterns associated with clinical depression in younger people also signify depression in older adults. An observational, repeated measures design was used to enroll 46 volunteer older adults who completed a semi‐structured interview composed the 9‐item Patient Health Questionnaire or PHQ‐9 depression scale and selected speech measures. Recorded interviews were analysed by machine learning algorithms to evaluate whether vocal patterns may predict presence of depression in older adults. In this study, using the PHQ‐9 and a supervised machine learning algorithm accurately predicted high and low depression scores between 86% and 92% of the time. Change in raw PHQ‐9 scores between interview cycles was predicted within 1.17 points. These results provide strong and promising evidence that vocal patterns can be used effectively to detect clinical depression in adults who are 65 years and older.
Thermodynamics and crystallization kinetics of REEs in CaO–SiO2–Ce2O3 system
Authors: Lan Xi , Gao Jintao , Du Yu , Guo Zhancheng
Published: December 2019

Rare earth elements (REEs) have become increasingly important as ceramic materials. The RE‐bearing slags contain massive REEs resources, whereas the lack of thermodynamic and kinetic data of REEs has brought great difficulties to efficient recovery of REEs from RE‐bearing slags and the application in ceramics. According to the compositions of the RE‐bearing slags in industrial production, the isothermal phase equilibria of CaO–SiO2–Ce2O3 system at 1500°C and 1300°C were constructed by means of liquid‐quenching method combined with a series of analyses, which provides the thermodynamic data for the equilibria of REEs. On this basis, the crystallization behaviors of the RE phase (Ce9.33−xCax(SiO4)6O2−0.5x) was investigated, and the temperature range in which the RE phase crystallized singly in RE‐bearing slags with a selected compositions was acquired. CCT and TTT diagrams for CaO–SiO2–Ce2O3 system were established to characterize the crystallization kinetics of the RE phase, and the favorable conditions for its crystallization and growth in RE‐bearing slags were determined. In this study, the complete thermodynamic and kinetic basic data of REEs in CaO–SiO2–Ce2O3 system are provided for RE‐bearing slags.
Field‐assisted heating of Gd‐doped ceria thin film
Authors: Phuah Xin Li , Wang Han , Qi Zhimin , Misra Shikhar , Kalaswad Matias , Wang Haiyan
Published: December 2019

Flash sintering has recently been used to sinter various bulk ceramics under reduced sintering temperatures and sintering time by applying an electric field across the sample. In this work, we have demonstrated field‐assisted heating of 10 mol% Gd‐doped CeO2 thin films deposited by pulsed laser deposition. Microstructure analysis revealed the elongated grains aligned in the out‐of‐plane direction which is perpendicular to the direction of electric field. The overall microstructure of the flash‐heated thin film also contained a matrix of porous and clustered regions, which are distributed throughout the thin film from the anode to cathode electrode regions. The flash‐heated thin film showed significantly different conductivity and optical permittivity compared to the as‐grown thin films. This demonstration suggests a feasible approach for post‐deposition synthesis of thin films using field‐assisted heating toward novel morphologies and properties.
Well‐being and thriving in sheltered housing versus ageing in place: Results from the U‐age sheltered housing study
Authors: Corneliusson Laura , Sköldunger Anders , Sjögren Karin , Lövheim Hugo , Lindkvist Marie , Wimo Anders , Winblad Bengt , Sandman Per‐Olof , Edvardsson David
Published: December 2019

Aims

To explore to what extent type of residence (sheltered housing or ageing in place) contributes to thriving and well‐being in older adults, when controlling for age, sex, living alone, being a widow and adjusting for functional status, self‐rated health, and depressive mood.

Design

A matched cohort study.

Methods

A self‐report survey was sent out to a total population of residents in all sheltered housings in Sweden and a matched control group ageing in place (N = 3,805). The data collection took place between October 2016–January 2017.

Results

The interaction analyses related to thriving showed that with increasing level of depressive mood and decreasing levels of self‐rated health and functional status, those residing in sheltered housing generally reported higher levels of thriving, as compared with those ageing in place. Well‐being was not found to be significantly associated with type of accommodation.

Conclusion

There may be features in sheltered housing that are associated with resident thriving especially among individuals with impairments of function, health or mood, although further studies are required to identify these specific features.

Impact

This study informs staff and policymakers about thriving and well‐being in sheltered housing accommodations. These findings may be used to further the development of sheltered housing accommodations.
Asian management of hypertension: Current status, home blood pressure, and specific concerns in Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Hao‐Min , Lin Hung‐Ju , Wang Tzung‐Dau , Chen Chen‐Huan
Published: December 2019

Approximately 25% of the population in Taiwan has hypertension, and the rate has increased over time. Although age‐standardized cardiovascular mortality has decreased over the last 25 years, the annual stroke incidence has increased, and national health insurance reimbursement for cardiovascular disease (CVD) has grown by 22% over the last 10 years. Automatic oscillometric sphygmomanometer devices are increasingly available and affordable in Taiwan, making this the main method of out‐of‐office blood pressure (BP) measurement. Furthermore, home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM), along with shared informed decision making, could be beneficial in driving changes in health behavior and hypertension management. The 2015 Guidelines of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology and the Taiwan Hypertension Society for the Management of Hypertension recognize that home BP is a stronger predictor of CVD than office BP. Therefore, HBPM is recommended and implementation instructions provided. However, a home BP target that corresponds to the office BP used in the majority of clinical studies has yet to be clearly defined. Care for hypertension in Taiwan takes place more often in the hospital versus primary care setting. Combination therapy, often fixed drug combinations, is needed in 60% of patients to achieve BP control. Calcium channel blockers are the most commonly prescribed agents, followed by angiotensin receptor blockers. Overall, there is still substantial room for improvement in the awareness, treatment, and control rate of hypertension in Taiwan. HBPM has a central diagnostic and prognostic role in the management of hypertension.
Adenosine inhibits human astrocyte proliferation independently of adenosine receptor activation
Authors: Marcelino Helena , Nogueira Vanda C. , Santos Cecília R.A. , Quelhas Patrícia , Carvalho Tiago M.A. , Fonseca‐Gomes João , Tomás Joana , Diógenes Maria J. , Sebastião Ana M. , Cascalheira José F.
Published: December 2019

Brain adenosine concentrations can reach micromolar concentrations in stressful situations such as stroke, neurodegenerative diseases or hypoxic regions of brain tumours. Adenosine can act by receptor‐independent mechanism by reversing the reaction catalysed by S‐adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) hydrolase, leading to SAH accumulation and inhibition of S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM)‐dependent methyltransferases. Astrocytes are essential in maintaining brain homeostasis but their pathological activation and uncontrolled proliferation plays a role in neurodegeneration and glioma. Adenosine can affect cell proliferation, but the effect of increased adenosine concentration on proliferation of astrocytes is not clarified and was addressed in present work.

Human astrocytes (HA) were treated for 3 days with test drugs. Cell proliferation/viability was assessed by the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium assay and by cell counting. Cell death was evaluated by assessing lactate dehydrogenase release and by western blot analysis of αII‐Spectrin cleavage. 30 µM‐Adenosine caused a 40% ± 3% (p < .05, n = 5) reduction in cell proliferation/viability, an effect reversed by 2U/ml‐adenosine deaminase, but unchanged in the presence of antagonists of any of the adenosine receptors. Adenosine alone did not induce cell death. 100 µM‐Homocysteine alone caused 16% ± 3% (p < .05) decrease in HA proliferation. Combined action of adenosine and homocysteine decreased HA proliferation by 76% ± 4%, an effect higher (p < .05) than the sum of the effects of adenosine and homocysteine alone (56% ± 5%). The inhibitory effect of adenosine on HA proliferation/viability was mimicked by two adenosine kinase inhibitors and attenuated in the presence of folate (100 µM) or SAM (50‐100 µM). The results suggest that adenosine reduces HA proliferation by a receptor‐independent mechanism probably involving reversal of SAH hydrolase‐catalysed reaction.

image
Surgical resolution of uterine prolapse in three pet rabbits
Authors: Di Girolamo N. , D'Ovidio D. , Del Duca V. , Donnelly T. M. , Montani Alessandro , Selleri P.
Published: December 2019

This report describes a surgical technique for resolution of uterine prolapse in rabbits. Three pet rabbits presented within 24 hours of parturition with a red mass protruding from the vagina, which was diagnosed as uterine prolapse. In the first case, an attempt to reduce the prolapse by manual compression was ineffective. A laparotomy was used to apply internal uterine traction while simultaneously using gentle external pressure with cotton‐tip applicators and resulted in successful resolution. After repositioning, an ovariohysterovaginectomy was performed in all three rabbits. All rabbits recovered uneventfully. Laparotomic repositioning of the uterus and ovariohysterovaginectomy, not previously described in rabbits, was easy to perform and permitted resolution of uterine prolapse.
Historical ecology and ancient forests: Progress, conservation issues and scientific prospects, with some examples from the French case
Authors: Bergès Laurent , Dupouey Jean‐Luc
Published: December 2019

Forest area has dramatically increased since the beginning or middle of the 19th century in European countries. At least half of the forests present today have grown on formerly cultivated lands, pastures or heathlands. However, net forest expansion largely masks a slow but irretrievable erosion of ancient forests. Meanwhile, forest resource harvesting (biomass, litter) has fundamentally changed during the last two centuries, moving from intensive biomass removal to increased growing stocks in different European countries. This article reviews the current knowledge on the long‐term legacies of past land use and forest management practices and their effects on the functions, diversity and composition of understory vegetation of current forest ecosystems. First, we define the concepts of forest continuity and ancient forest. Then, based on the French case, we present the advances in historical sources, which make it possible to better reconstruct the change in land use and forest management practices over the last two hundred years. We review how understory plant communities and their traits respond to forest continuity and to different types of former agricultural uses, both at local and landscape scales. We then address three important issues for conservation and management: the conservation value of ancient forests, the impact of forest management on the ecological integrity of ancient forests, and the under‐explored legacies of former forest management practices on soil and understory vegetation. Lastly, we propose five main fronts for future research efforts: (a) explore all types of cartographic, written sources and environmental markers; (b) develop modelling approaches to understand how past land use shapes plant communities; (c) better define the conservation value of ancient forests in conservation and management policies; (d) investigate how drivers of global change interact with forest management and land use legacies and (e) explore land use legacies in mountain and Mediterranean socio‐ecological systems.
Genetic variants that associate with cirrhosis have pleiotropic effects on human traits
Authors: Chen Vincent L. , Chen Yanhua , Du Xiaomeng , Handelman Samuel K. , Speliotes Elizabeth K.
Published: December 2019

Background and Aims

Cirrhosis is characterized by extensive fibrosis of the liver and is a major cause of liver‐related mortality. Cirrhosis is partially heritable but genetic contributions to cirrhosis have not been systemically explored. Here, we carry out association analyses with cirrhosis in two large biobanks and determine the effects of cirrhosis associated variants on multiple human disease/traits.

Methods

We carried out a genome‐wide association analysis of cirrhosis as a diagnosis in UK BioBank (UKBB; 1088 cases vs. 407 873 controls) and then tested top‐associating loci for replication with cirrhosis in a hospital‐based cohort from the Michigan Genomics Initiative (MGI; 875 cases of cirrhosis vs. 30 346 controls). For replicating variants or variants previously associated with cirrhosis that also affected cirrhosis in UKBB or MGI, we determined single nucleotide polymorphism effects on all other diagnoses in UKBB (PheWAS), common metabolic traits/diseases and serum/plasma metabolites.

Results

Unbiased genome‐wide association study identified variants in/near PNPLA3 and HFE, and candidate variant analysis identified variants in/near TM6SF2, MBOAT7, SERPINA1, HSD17B13, STAT4 and IFNL4 that reproducibly affected cirrhosis. Most affected liver enzyme concentrations and/or aspartate transaminase‐to‐platelet ratio index. PheWAS, metabolic trait and serum/plasma metabolite association analyses revealed effects of these variants on lipid, inflammatory and other processes including new effects on many human diseases and traits.

Conclusions

We identified eight loci that reproducibly associate with population‐based cirrhosis and define their diverse effects on human diseases and traits.
The acquisition of event nominals and light verb constructions
Authors: He Angela Xiaoxue , Wittenberg Eva
Published: December 2019

In language acquisition, children assume that syntax and semantics reliably map onto each other, and they use these mappings to guide their inferences about novel word meanings: For instance, at the lexical level, nouns should name objects and verbs name events, and at the clausal level, syntactic arguments should match semantic roles. This review focuses on two cases where canonical mappings are broken—first, nouns that name event concepts (e.g., “a nap”) and second, light verb constructions that do not neatly map syntactic arguments onto semantic roles (e.g., “give a kiss”). We discuss the challenges involved in their acquisition, review evidence that suggests a close connection between them, and highlight outstanding questions.
Sacredness and Aesthetics: Kearney and Desmond on Prayer
Authors: Vanden Auweele Dennis
Published: December 2019

Heidegger famously asserted that one cannot pray to the God of onto‐theo‐logic. God is here made into a determinate concept, the highest idea of reason, and thereby loses its constitutive transcendence and personhood. To think of God appropriately after Heidegger means to think of God in a way amenable to prayer. It is widely recognized that deconstruction does not fare well on this score as it turns prayer into some form of meditation/contemplation. In response, one ought to look for something between onto‐theo‐logic and deconstruction. In this article, I explore and assess two attempts to do so, by Richard Kearney and William Desmond respectively. I argue that Kearney does not manage to escape the trap of deconstruction because he does not allow for an intimation of God in prayer. This is achieved in a more metaphysical register by Desmond.
Primary intraosseous carcinoma, NOS in a 17‐year‐old male: case report and literature review
Authors: Cox J. , Shuren M. , Chirila A. , Darling M.R.
Published: December 2019

Primary intraosseous carcinoma (PIOC), NOS is a rare malignancy occurring in the jaw bones. It may arise de novo, or more commonly develop from pre‐existing lesions such as odontogenic cysts or tumours. In this manuscript, we describe a case of PIOC in the mandible of a 17‐year‐old male. Complicating factors were a history of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and Griscelli syndrome. Management included surgical removal and planned adjuvant chemoradiation. The relevant literature is reviewed with respect to PIOC in a paediatric population.
Understanding sheath blight resistance in rice: the road behind and the road ahead
Authors: Molla Kutubuddin A. , Karmakar Subhasis , Molla Johiruddin , Bajaj Prasad , Varshney Rajeev K. , Datta Swapan K. , Datta Karabi
Published: December 2019

Rice sheath blight disease, caused by the basidiomycetous necrotroph Rhizoctonia solani, became one of the major threats to the rice cultivation worldwide, especially after the adoption of high‐yielding varieties. The pathogen is challenging to manage because of its extensively broad host range and high genetic variability and also due to the inability to find any satisfactory level of natural resistance from the available rice germplasm. It is high time to find remedies to combat the pathogen for reducing rice yield losses and subsequently to minimize the threat to global food security. The development of genetic resistance is one of the alternative means to avoid the use of hazardous chemical fungicides. This review mainly focuses on the effort of better understanding the host–pathogen relationship, finding the gene loci/markers imparting resistance response and modifying the host genome through transgenic development. The latest development and trend in the R. solani–rice pathosystem research with gap analysis are provided.
Early parenteral nutrition in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Yoshida Tomohide , Goya Hideki , Iida Nobuhiro , Arakaki Mayumi , Sanabe Naoya , Nakanishi Koichi
Published: December 2019

Background

The ideal nutritive strategy for a neonate with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of early parenteral nutrition (PN) in CDH neonates.

Methods

Thirty‐five CDH neonates admitted to a single hospital from January 2005 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. For the first 4 years of the study period, neonates received non‐early PN (n‐EPN) (2005–2008, amino acids [AA] <1.0 g/kg/day, no lipids administered). After the transitional period (TP) (2009–2011, AA 1.0–2.5 g/kg/day, lipid 1.0 g/kg/day), early PN (EPN) (2011–2014, AA ≥3.0 g/kg/day, lipid 1.0 g/kg/day) was performed. We investigated the clinical effect of PN for growth‐associated clinical variables and the outcomes.

Results

The first day of AA administration was late in the n‐EPN period (6.0 ± 4.6, 0.0 ± 0.8, 0.1 ± 0.3 ; n‐EPN, TP, EPN: in order). The final day of PN (11.0 ± 3.7, 9.2 ± 4.0, 12.4 ± 3.9) and the first day of enteral feeding (4.5 ± 1.9, 4.3 ± 1.4, 4.5 ± 3.2), the first day of full milk feeding (100 mL/kg/day) (10.8 ± 5.4, 9.2 ± 2.3, 11.5 ± 3.5) were statistically equal in every period. The date and body weight at discharge showed no significant differences among the three groups, but the weight‐gain rate from birth to discharge was higher in the EPN group than in the n‐EPN group (P = 0.023). The rate of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) gas administration and the duration of ventilation showed no significant differences among the three groups. Severe PN‐associated liver disease was not noted during the observation period.

Conclusions

Early PN for CDH neonates promotes weight gain in the neonatal intensive‐care unit. The long‐term efficacy and safety of EPN for CDH neonates should be elucidated by additional studies.
Clostridium difficile infection mimics intestinal acute cellular rejection in pediatric multivisceral transplant—A case series
Authors: Cheung Donna Ann , Beduschi Thiago , Tekin Akin , Selvaggi Gennaro , Ruiz Phillip , Vianna Rodrigo M. , Garcia Jennifer
Published: December 2019

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most common health care‐associated infection in the United States. Thirty‐nine percent of intestinal transplant recipients may develop CDI. Induction of rejection has been reported as a rare event. To our knowledge, this will be the second report of an association between CDI and rejection in the literature. We describe our experience with four pediatric MVT recipients, three of whom on treatment of their CDI alone had resolution of biopsy findings of intestinal ACR. Our patients were males aged 2‐5 years old who had their first CDI post‐MVT occurring from 2 months to 15 months post‐transplant. All first episodes of CDI were treated with a 10‐14 day course of metronidazole with one additionally receiving vancomycin. All four recipients had recurrent CDI, and two recipients had septic shock as a manifestation of their CDI. Three recipients had biopsies showing mild rejection during episodes of CDI, and treatment of the CDI resulted in resolution of biopsy findings of rejection. Our case series suggests CDI may mimic ACR on intestinal biopsy. Treatment of rejection during active CDI carries the risk of over‐suppression and worsening of CDI. Our experience has taught us that surveillance endoscopy for rejection may be deceiving during an active CDI, and if mild acute rejection is noted during active CDI, treatment of rejection can be safely delayed and potentially avoided.
‘The Rarer Action’: Winch goes to Maharbaleshwar
Authors: McGhee Michael
Published: December 2019

This is a response to Peter Winch’s Maharbaleshwar reflections on Simone Weil’s ideas about the exercise of power and its renunciation, and on her changing views about the nature of action as she draws out the implications of our ‘hesitation’ when confronted by beauty and by the presence of other human beings.
The outcome of arginase activity inhibition in BALB/c mice hosting Leishmania tropica
Authors: Nahidi Shima , Gholami Elham , Taslimi Yasaman , Habibzadeh Sima , Seyed Negar , Davarpanah Elaheh , Ghanadan Alireza , Rafati Sima , Taheri Tahereh
Published: December 2019

Two species of Leishmania (L), L. tropica and L. major, are among the main causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Arginase (ARG) is an essential enzyme for cell growth, thus an attractive drug target. In this study, we tried to survey the inhibitory impact of ARG by nor‐NOHA (N‐ω‐hydroxy‐L‐nor‐arginine) on in vivo infection caused by L. tropica. BALB/c mice were inoculated with L. tropicaEGFP‐LUC (Ltrop) or L. majorEGFP‐LUC (Lmj) and then were treated by nor‐NOHA. ARG inhibitor only indicated a delay in generation of a cutaneous lesion in inoculated footpad with nor‐NOHA‐Ltrop and nor‐NOHA‐Lmj. ARG activity has been significantly reduced in nor‐NOHA‐Ltrop group. In this group, ARG activity inhibition correlated with increased levels of nitric oxide (NO). In both inoculated mice with Ltrop or Lmj, parasite load showed a significant decrease at later steps during the CL course post‐treatment. In vivo bioluminescence intensity did not show any ARG's inhibitory effect on treated‐Ltrop. The findings verified that the ARG activity may partially control the L. tropica infection in BALB/c mice through reduction of parasite proliferation and parasite killing through NO generation. This effect is dose‐dependent.
Beneficial role of acetylcholine in chlorophyll metabolism and photosynthetic gas exchange in Nicotiana benthamiana seedlings under salinity stress
Authors: Qin C. , Ahanger M. A. , Zhou J. , Ahmed N. , Wei C. , Yuan S. , Ashraf M. , Zhang L.
Published: December 2019

Acetylcholine (ACh) is believed to improve plant growth. However, regulation at biochemical and molecular levels is largely unknown.

The present study investigated the impact of exogenously applied ACh (10 µm) on growth and chlorophyll metabolism in hydroponically grown Nicotiana benthamiana under salt stress (150 mm NaCl).

Salinity reduced root hydraulic conductivity while ACh‐treated seedlings exhibited a significant increase, resulting in increased relative water content. Salinity induced a reduction in chlorophyll biosynthetic intermediates, such as protoporphyrin‐IX, Mg‐photoporphyrin‐IX and protochlorophyllide, which were significantly ameliorated in the presence of ACh. This influence of ACh on chlorophyll synthesis was confirmed by up‐regulation of HEMA1, CHLH, CAO and POR genes. Gas exchange parameters, i.e. stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration and transpiration rate, increased with ACh, thereby alleviating the salinity effects on photosynthesis. In addition, the salinity‐induced enhancement of lipid peroxidation declined after ACh treatment through modulation of the activity of the assayed antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and peroxidase). Importantly, ACh significantly reduced the uptake of Na and increased uptake of K, resulting in a decline in the Na/K ratio.

Results of the present study indicate that ACh can be effective in ameliorating NaCl‐induced osmotic stress, altering chlorophyll metabolism and thus photosynthesis by maintaining ion homeostasis, hydraulic conductivity and water balance.
Taking down the wall: Transition and inequality
Authors: Cevik Serhan , Correa‐Caro Carolina
Published: December 2019

In this article, we investigate the main determinants of income inequality in the transition countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States during the period 1990–2018. To this end, we address a major methodological challenge that lies at the core of the cross‐country literature on income inequality: the potential endogeneity of income per capita, which is largely ignored by most empirical studies. We adopt a two‐pronged empirical strategy by (1) using trading partners’ weighted average real GDP as an instrumental variable and (2) estimating the model via the two‐stage least squares approach for static models and the generalized method of moments estimator for dynamic models. Our empirical findings are consistent with the Kuznets curve that illustrates a nonlinear relationship between income inequality and the level of economic development. We also find that the redistributive impact of fiscal policy is statistically insignificant and taxation and government spending appear to have the opposing effects on income inequality in transition economies over the sample period.
Th9 cells in allergic diseases: A role for the microbiota?
Authors: Badolati Isabella , Sverremark‐Ekström Eva , van der Heiden Marieke
Published: December 2019

Since their discovery about 10 years ago, Th9 cells have been increasingly linked to allergic pathologies. Within this review, we summarize the current knowledge on associations between Th9 cells and allergic diseases and acknowledge Th9 cells as important targets in future treatment of allergic diseases. However, until today, it is not fully understood how these Th9 cell responses are modulated. We describe current literature suggesting that these Th9 cell responses might be stimulated by microbial species such as Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, while on the other hand, microbial and dietary compounds such as retinoic acid (RA), butyrate and vitamin D show suppressive capacity on allergy‐related Th9 responses. By reviewing this recent research, we provide new insights into the modulating capacity of the microbiota on Th9 cell responses. Consequently, microbial and dietary factors may be used as innovative tools to target Th9 cells in the treatment of allergic diseases. However, further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind these interactions in order to translate this knowledge into clinical allergy settings.
Strengthening the assessment of self‐talk in sports through a multi‐method approach
Authors: De Muynck Gert‐Jan , Soenens Bart , Delrue Jochen , Comoutos Nikos , Vansteenkiste Maarten
Published: December 2019

Although self‐talk during competitive sports is common and predictive of athletes' motivation, experiences, and performance, it is difficult to accurately assess self‐talk. An important, yet underexplored, next step in the assessment of self‐talk is to rely on a multi‐method approach. The present study sought to examine whether tennis players' self‐talk assessed either via self‐reports or via a live‐recorded procedure would relate to each other. Competitive tennis players (N = 120; Mage = 25.22; SDage = 9.82) were asked to perform multiple tennis exercises while verbalizing their thoughts, which were audio‐recorded and subsequently coded. Prior to exercise engagement, they indicated their fear of failure, while, after exercise engagement, they reported on their experienced pressure and self‐talk using questionnaires. There was substantial correspondence between the coded and self‐reported measure, allowing the estimation of a latent factor representing a multi‐method assessment of self‐talk. Moreover, in a theory‐consistent way, both latent factors representing negative and positive self‐talk were related to a hypothesized antecedent (ie, fear of failure), with negative self‐talk also relating to a hypothesized consequence (ie, perceived pressure). Overall, the present study shows that athletes' self‐talk can be measured reliably through different methods. Guidelines for the assessment of self‐talk in future research are provided.
A meta‐analysis comparing confocal microscopy and dermoscopy in diagnostic accuracy of lentigo maligna
Authors: Hao Tian , Meng Xian‐Fu , Li Cheng‐Xin
Published: December 2019

Purpose

We aimed to summarize the sensitivity and specificity between RCM and dermoscopy in LM diagnosis.

Methods

A meta‐analysis was conducted to the study. PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Wiley Online Library database were searched for relevant studies. The basic information of the patients, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated. I2 was used for the assessment of the heterogeneity. A random‐effect model was used for analyzing the data of the literature study.

Results

A total of 498 patients from 7 articles were included in the study. The articles summarized the sensitivity and specificity between RCM and dermoscopy in the treatment of lentigo maligna. The overall sensitivity of RCM was 0.93, and the overall specificity was 0.89. RCM diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 104.38, RCM positive likelihood (+LR/PLR) was 8.50, and the negative LR (‐LR/NLR) was 0.08. The overall sensitivity of dermoscopy was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.58‐0.84), and the overall specificity was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.71‐0.92). The DOR, +LR, and −LR of dermoscopy were 14.48, 4.65, and 0.32, respectively.

Conclusion

RCM has a better accuracy than dermoscopy in the diagnosis of LM.
Isolation and characterization of a large photosystem I–light‐harvesting complex II supercomplex with an additional Lhca1–a4 dimer in Arabidopsis
Authors: Crepin Aurélie , Kučerová Zuzana , Kosta Artemis , Durand Eric , Caffarri Stefano
Published: December 2019

The biological conversion of light energy into chemical energy is performed by a flexible photosynthetic machinery located in the thylakoid membranes. Photosystems I and II (PSI and PSII) are the two complexes able to harvest light. PSI is the last complex of the electron transport chain and is composed of multiple subunits: the proteins building the catalytic core complex that are well conserved between oxygenic photosynthetic organisms, and, in green organisms, the membrane light‐harvesting complexes (Lhc) necessary to increase light absorption. In plants, four Lhca proteins (Lhca1–4) make up the antenna system of PSI, which can be further extended to optimize photosynthesis by reversible binding of LHCII, the main antenna complex of photosystem II. Here, we used biochemistry and electron microscopy in Arabidopsis to reveal a previously unknown supercomplex of PSI with LHCII that contains an additional Lhca1–a4 dimer bound on the PsaB–PsaI–PsaH side of the complex. This finding contradicts recent structural studies suggesting that the presence of an Lhca dimer at this position is an exclusive feature of algal PSI. We discuss the features of the additional Lhca dimer in the large plant PSI–LHCII supercomplex and the differences with the algal PSI. Our work provides further insights into the intricate structural plasticity of photosystems.
Estimation of Body Fluid Status by Fluid Balance and Body Weight in Critically Ill Adult Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Davies Hugh , Leslie Gavin , Jacob Elisabeth , Morgan David
Published: December 2019

Background

The charting of daily fluid balances and measurement of body weight changes are two noninvasive methods commonly used in the intensive care unit for estimating body fluid status. The determination of body fluid status plays an important role in the management of critically ill patients where aggressive fluid resuscitation is often required. This can adversely affect patient outcomes if changes in fluid distribution are not detected early in patients who are susceptible to fluid overload.

Aim

To synthesize the best available evidence on the accuracy of daily fluid balance charting compared with the measurement of body weight for the estimation of body fluid status in critically ill adult patients.

Methods

The review considered studies that investigated the accuracy of charting daily fluid balances or changes in body weight measurements or used both noninvasive methods in the estimation of body fluid status. The search sought to identify published, English language studies from 1980 until February 2018. Databases searched includedMEDLINE,CINAHL,EMBASE,TRIP, Scopus,TROVE, ProQuest Dissertations, Australian and New Zealand Trials Registry, and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials. Three reviewers independently assessed retrieved studies that matched inclusion criteria using standardized critical appraisal instruments.

Results

The review included 13 cohort studies. Effectiveness of daily fluid balance charting was affected by inaccuracies observed in seven studies. Inability to obtain consecutive daily body weight measurements reduced the accuracy of monitoring changes in five studies. Seven studies found measurement of daily fluid balance inconsistent with changes in body weight.

Linking Evidence to Action

The accuracy of charting fluid balance is suspect. Measurement of body weight is hard to accomplish. A combination of the two commonly used methods is more likely to be effective in estimating body fluid status than reliance on one single approach.
Particle Swarm Optimization to Obtain Weights in Neural Network
Authors: Warsito Budi , Yasin Hasbi , Prahutama Alan
Published: December 2019

This research discusses the use of a class of heuristic optimization to obtain the weights in neural network model for time series prediction. In this case, Feed Forward Neural Network (FFNN) was chosen as the class of network architecture. The heuristic algorithm determined to obtain the weights in network was Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). It is a non-gradient optimization technique. This method was used for optimizing the connection weights of network. The lags used as the input were selected based on the strong relationship with the current. The eight architectures were conducted to improve the accuracy of the neural network model. In each architecture, we repeated the running thirty times to get the statistics of mean and variance. The comparison of the performance of various architectures based on the minimum MSE and the stability of the results is presented in this paper. The optimal number of neurons in hidden layer was determined by these criteria. The proposed procedure was applied in air pollution data, i.e. Solid Particulate Matter (SPM). The results showed that the proposed procedure gave promising results in terms of prediction accuracy. A few neurons in hidden layer are strongly recommended in choosing the optimal architecture.
Pacemaker function and neural responsiveness of subserosal interstitial cells of Cajal in the mouse colon
Authors: Drumm Bernard T. , Rembetski Benjamin E. , Messersmith Katelyn , Manierka Marena S. , Baker Salah A. , Sanders Kenton M.
Published: December 2019

Key points

Rhythmic action potentials and intercellular Ca2+ waves are generated in smooth muscle cells of colonic longitudinal muscles (LSMC).

Longitudinal muscle excitability is tuned by input from subserosal ICC (ICC‐SS), a population of ICC with previously unknown function.

ICC‐SS express Ano1 channels and generate spontaneous Ca2+ transients in a stochastic manner.

Release of Ca2+ and activation of Ano1 channels causes depolarization of ICC‐SS and LSMC, leading to activation of L‐type Ca2+ channels, action potentials, intercellular Ca2+ waves and contractions in LSMC.

Nitrergic neural inputs regulate the Ca2+ events in ICC‐SS.

Pacemaker activity in longitudinal muscle is an emergent property as a result of integrated processes in ICC‐SS and LSMC.

Much is known about myogenic mechanisms in circular muscle (CM) in the gastrointestinal tract, although less is known about longitudinal muscle (LM). Two Ca2+ signalling behaviours occur in LM: localized intracellular waves not causing contractions and intercellular waves leading to excitation‐contraction coupling. An Ano1 channel antagonist inhibited intercellular Ca2+ waves and LM contractions. Ano1 channels are expressed by interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) but not by smooth muscle cells (SMCs). We investigated Ca2+ signalling in a novel population of ICC that lies along the subserosal surface of LM (ICC‐SS) in mice expressing GCaMP6f in ICC. ICC‐SS fired stochastic localized Ca2+ transients. Such events have been linked to activation of Ano1 channels in ICC. Ca2+ transients in ICC‐SS occurred by release from stores most probably via inositol trisphosphate receptors. This activity relied on influx via store‐operated Ca2+ entry and Orai channels. No voltage‐dependent mechanism that synchronized Ca2+ transients in a single cell or between cells was found. Nitrergic agonists inhibited Ca2+ transients in ICC‐SS, and stimulation of intrinsic nerves activated nitrergic responses in ICC‐SS. Cessation of stimulation resulted in significant enhancement of Ca2+ transients compared to the pre‐stimulus activity. No evidence of innervation by excitatory, cholinergic motor neurons was found. Our data suggest that ICC‐SS contribute to regulation of LM motor activity. Spontaneous Ca2+ transients activate Ano1 channels in ICC‐SS. Resulting depolarization conducts to SMCs, depolarizing membrane potential, activating L‐type Ca2+ channels and initiating contraction. Rhythmic electrical and mechanical behaviours of LM are an emergent property of SMCs and ICC‐SS.
Performance Assessment of Parallel Connected Ranque–Hilsch Vortex Tubes Using Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Air With Brass and Polyamide Nozzles: An Experimental Analysis
Authors: Kirmaci Volkan
Published: December 2019

In this study, heating and cooling performances of two vortex tubes connected in parallel using different working fluids were compared. In experimental studies, oxygen, nitrogen, and air were used as working fluids in counterflow Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube (RHVT) and performance evaluation was performed. Nozzles made of polyamide and brass are used, and the number of these nozzles is 2, 4, and 6. Compressed working fluids were used to operate the vortex tube system at different inlet pressure values varying from 150 kPa to 600 kPa with 50 kPa increment. The geometric characteristics of the vortex tube are the length of the hot tube and the diameter of the orifice, which are 100 mm and 7 mm, respectively. Experiments were performed with the hot flow outlet valve fully open. The thermodynamic performance of the parallel connected vortex tube system was determined by performing exergy analysis. As a result of experimental studies, the highest performance of parallel connected RHVT system was obtained when nitrogen was used as a working fluid with brass-six-nozzle at 600 kPa.