bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control of rice pre‐harvest sprouting by glutaredoxin‐mediated abscisic acid signaling
Authors: Xu Fan , Tang Jiuyou , Gao Shaopei , Cheng Xi , Du Lin , Chu Chengcai
Published: August 2019

Pre‐harvest sprouting (PHS) is one of the major problems in cereal production worldwide, which causes significant losses of both yield and quality; however, the molecular mechanism underlying PHS remains largely unknown. Here, we identified a dominant PHS mutant phs9‐D. The corresponding gene PHS9 encodes a higher plant unique CC‐type glutaredoxin and is specifically expressed in the embryo at the late embryogenesis stage, implying that PHS9 plays some roles in the late stage of seed development. Yeast two‐hybrid screening showed that PHS9 could interact with OsGAP, which is an interaction partner of the abscicic acid (ABA) receptor OsRCAR1. PHS9‐ or OsGAP overexpression plants showed reduced ABA sensitivity in seed germination, whereas PHS9 or OsGAP knock‐out mutant plants showed increased ABA sensitivity in seed germination, suggesting that PHS9 and OsGAP acted as negative regulators in ABA signaling during seed germination. Interestingly, the germination of PHS9 and OsGAP overexpression or knock‐out plant seeds was weakly promoted by H2O2, implying that PHS9 and OsGAP could affect reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling during seed germination. These results indicate that PHS9 plays an important role in the regulation of rice PHS through the integration of ROS signaling and ABA signaling.
Recombination suppression in heterozygotes for a pericentric inversion induces the interchromosomal effect on crossovers in Arabidopsis
Authors: Termolino Pasquale , Falque Matthieu , Aiese Cigliano Riccardo , Cremona Gaetana , Paparo Rosa , Ederveen Antoine , Martin Olivier C. , Consiglio Federica M. , Conicella Clara
Published: August 2019

During meiosis, recombination ensures allelic exchanges through crossovers (COs) between the homologous chromosomes. Advances in our understanding of the rules of COs have come from studies of mutations including structural chromosomal rearrangements that, when heterozygous, are known to impair COs in various organisms. In this work, we investigate the effect of a large heterozygous pericentric inversion on male and female recombination in Arabidopsis. The inversion was discovered in the Atmcc1 mutant background and was characterized through genetic and next‐generation sequencing analysis. Reciprocal backcross populations, each consisting of over 400 individuals, obtained from the mutant and the wild type, both crossed with Landsberg erecta, were analyzed genome‐wide by 143 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms. The negative impact of inversion became evident in terms of CO loss in the rearranged chromosome in both male and female meiosis. No single‐CO event was detected within the inversion, consistent with a post‐meiotic selection operating against unbalanced gametes. Cytological analysis of chiasmata in F1 plants confirmed that COs were reduced in male meiosis in the chromosome with inversion. Crossover suppression on the rearranged chromosome is associated with a significant increase of COs in the other chromosomes, thereby maintaining unchanged the number of COs per cell. The CO pattern observed in our study is consistent with the interchromosomal (IC) effect as first described in Drosophila. In contrast to male meiosis, in female meiosis no IC effect is visible. This may be related to the greater strength of interference that constrains the CO number in excess of the minimum value imposed by CO assurance in Arabidopsis female meiosis.
Cinnamate‐CoA ligase is involved in biosynthesis of benzoate‐derived biphenyl phytoalexin in Malus × domestica ‘Golden Delicious’ cell cultures
Authors: Teotia Deepa , Gaid Mariam , Saini Shashank S. , Verma Aparna , Yennamalli Ragothaman M. , Khare Satyajeet P. , Ambatipudi Kiran , Mir Javid Iqbal , Beuerle Till , Hänsch Robert , Roy Partha , Agrawal Pawan Kumar , Beerhues Ludger , Sircar Debabrata
Published: August 2019

Apple (Malus sp.) and other genera belonging to the sub‐tribe Malinae of the Rosaceae family produce unique benzoic acid‐derived biphenyl phytoalexins. Cell cultures of Malus domestica cv. ‘Golden Delicious’ accumulate two biphenyl phytoalexins, aucuparin and noraucuparin, in response to the addition of a Venturia inaequalis elicitor (VIE). In this study, we isolated and expressed a cinnamate‐CoA ligase (CNL)‐encoding sequence from VIE‐treated cell cultures of cv. ‘Golden Delicious’ (M. domestica CNL; MdCNL). MdCNL catalyses the conversion of cinnamic acid into cinnamoyl‐CoA, which is subsequently converted to biphenyls. MdCNL failed to accept benzoic acid as a substrate. When scab‐resistant (cv. ‘Shireen’) and moderately scab‐susceptible (cv. ‘Golden Delicious’) apple cultivars were challenged with the V. inaequalis scab fungus, an increase in MdCNL transcript levels was observed in internodal regions. The increase in MdCNL transcript levels could conceivably correlate with the pattern of accumulation of biphenyls. The C‐terminal signal in the MdCNL protein directed its N‐terminal reporter fusion to peroxisomes in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Thus, this report records the cloning and characterisation of a cinnamoyl‐CoA‐forming enzyme from apple via a series of in vivo and in vitro studies. Defining the key step of phytoalexin formation in apple provides a biotechnological tool for engineering elite cultivars with improved resistance.
Chlorella vulgaris genome assembly and annotation reveals the molecular basis for metabolic acclimation to high light conditions
Authors: Cecchin Michela , Marcolungo Luca , Rossato Marzia , Girolomoni Laura , Cosentino Emanuela , Cuine Stephan , Li‐Beisson Yonghua , Delledonne Massimo , Ballottari Matteo
Published: August 2019

Chlorella vulgaris is a fast‐growing fresh‐water microalga cultivated on the industrial scale for applications ranging from food to biofuel production. To advance our understanding of its biology and to establish genetics tools for biotechnological manipulation, we sequenced the nuclear and organelle genomes of Chlorella vulgaris 211/11P by combining next generation sequencing and optical mapping of isolated DNA molecules. This hybrid approach allowed us to assemble the nuclear genome in 14 pseudo‐molecules with an N50 of 2.8 Mb and 98.9% of scaffolded genome. The integration of RNA‐seq data obtained at two different irradiances of growth (high light, HL versus low light, LL) enabled us to identify 10 724 nuclear genes, coding for 11 082 transcripts. Moreover, 121 and 48 genes, respectively, were found in the chloroplast and mitochondrial genome. Functional annotation and expression analysis of nuclear, chloroplast and mitochondrial genome sequences revealed particular features of Chlorella vulgaris. Evidence of horizontal gene transfers from chloroplast to mitochondrial genome was observed. Furthermore, comparative transcriptomic analyses of LL versus HL provided insights into the molecular basis for metabolic rearrangement under HL versus LL conditions leading to enhanced de novo fatty acid biosynthesis and triacylglycerol accumulation. The occurrence of a cytosolic fatty acid biosynthetic pathway could be predicted and its upregulation upon HL exposure was observed, consistent with the increased lipid amount under HL conditions. These data provide a rich genetic resource for future genome editing studies, and potential targets for biotechnological manipulation of Chlorella vulgaris or other microalgae species to improve biomass and lipid productivity.
Rapid nitrogen and phosphorus homeostasis transformation in Eupatorium adenophorum during invasion
Authors: Wu A‐P , Liu L , Qi L‐Y , Zhong W , Liang Y‐S , Chen F‐L , He F‐F , Wang Y‐H
Published: August 2019

Exotic plants can compete well with native species because many invasive species are considered better nutrient users in both low‐ and high‐resource environments. However, whether invasive plants can outperform native plants at all stages of invasion is not very clear. We investigated the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and N:P homeostasis of an invasive Eupatorium adenophorum and a co‐occurring native plant Artemisia argyi in an area across the five invasion stages of E. adenophorum. The N homeostasis (HN) of E. adenophorum was higher than that of A. argyi, whereas the P and N:P homeostasis (HP and HN/P) were higher for A. argyi. For E. adenophorum, HN decreased, but HP and HN/P increased with the invasion time. For A. argyi, HN/P increased, HP and HN remained stable with the invasion time. The results demonstrated that E. adenophorum could maintain higher HN during invasion stages when N was limited and could maintain higher HN and HP at invasion stages when P was more limited. This rapid nitrogen and phosphorus homeostasis transformation of invasive E. adenophorum during its invasion stages guarantees its stronger competitive ability over native species and promotes its invasion success.
Assessment on Impact of Live Animal Export on Meat Export Performance in Ethiopia; Policy Implications
Authors: Mamo Gezahagn Dugassa
Published: August 2019

Ethiopia has one of the largest livestock populations in Africa. Due to lack of livestock market structure, performances, prices are poor and inadequate for designing policies and marketing system, the sector has remained stagnant. Despite fluctuation over years, the exports of meat (16,877 tonnes) and live animals (472,041 head) have significantly increased in 2010 -2012 Ethiopian Fiscal Year (EFY), recording 69 % increment from the previous years (kefyalew,2011). In 2018/19 EFY live animal contributes 33% of the earning, while 67 % was obtained from meat export (ERCA, 201819). However, lack of export routes and ports, illegal live animal trade, shortage of live animal and lack of appropriate breeding programs are some of the main challenges faced to the sector (kefaylew,2011). The presence of large livestock population with diverse and adaptable genotypes, and diverse agro-ecologies for production of different types of livestock; expansion of agro-industries and the increase of by product feedstuffs allowing for enhanced productivity; proximity of the middle east countries, high demand for meat and live animals including the domestic market are some of the opportunities that the sectors have. Therefore, the country would have been benefited more from the sector if the aforementioned challenges have been overcome. (Ameha,2011)
What's an Ark?
Authors: Payne Mark
Published: August 2019

An organism threatened with extinction is entrusted to safe storage in the hope that the conditions it needs to survive might one day be available to it again. The ark of Genesis has been widely used to imagine conservation projects of this kind. My paper circumscribes ark building as a conservation activity with other instances of ark building in contemporary culture, from Lars von Trier’s Melancholia to Lee Scratch Perry’s Black Ark. What is at stake when we decide that some form of life is, or is not, worthy of being set on its way to a life to come?
Three new species of Trachygamasus (Mesostigmata: Parasitidae) from China, with a key to world species of the genus

Authors: Yao Maoyuan , Yi Tian-Ci , Guo Jian-Jun , Jin Dao-Chao , Zhang Run-Zhi
Published: August 2019

Three new mite species of Trachygamasus Berlese, 1906, T. hyalinus Yao, Jin & Zhang sp. nov., T. multisetus Yao, Jin & Zhang sp. nov. and T. psuedogerdi Yao, Jin & Zhang sp. nov., are described from southern China. A key to world species of the genus is provided.
Robust binaural rendering with the time-domain underdetermined multichannel inverse prefilters
Authors: Bai Mingsian R. , Chen Yi Wen , Hsu Yi-Cheng , Wu Tsung Yu
Published: August 2019

In this paper, a robust binaural audio rendering system is proposed on the basis of a time-domain underdetermined multichannel inverse filtering approach. The celebrated multiple-input/output inverse theorem is reformulated into a general multichannel model-matching problem with the emphasis on binaural audio reproduction. Robustness with widened sweet spots is achieved by selecting multiple control points in the reproduction zones. The model-matching problem is formulated in the time domain as an underdetermined system, where the number of channels is selected in relation to the number of virtual sources and control points. Under the full-rank condition, exact solutions of inverse filters always exist to fulfill the ideal model-matching criterion. However, the gains of prefilters need to be limited in the design stage by using the Tikhonov regularization at a minor expense of matching performance. The proposed binaural audio system has been implemented on a six-element linear loudspeaker array. Three problems of binaural rendering, cross talk cancellation, source widening, and 5.1 virtual surround, are adopted to validate the proposed approach. Results of objective and subjective tests have demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed approach for binaural audio rendering.
N
6
-methyladenosine RNA modification–mediated cellular metabolism rewiring inhibits viral replication
Authors: Liu Yang , You Yuling , Lu Zhike , Yang Jiang , Li Panpan , Liu Lun , Xu Henan , Niu Yamei , Cao Xuetao
Published: August 2019

RNA modification meets immune metabolism

N
6
-methyladenosine (m
6
A) RNA modification regulates various cellular functions. Liu
et al.
found that host cells impair RNA m
6
A demethylase activity after viral infection, leading to increased m
6
A and reduced stability of α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) mRNA. As a result, reduced OGDH decreases the generation of itaconate, thereby inhibiting viral replication. The authors explore the function of OGDH and itaconate in viral infection, provide insights into m
6
A RNA modification and metabolic reprogramming in modulating virus-host interaction, and suggest potential therapeutic targets for the control of viral infection.

Science
, this issue p.
1171
Imaging-assisted nanoimmunotherapy for atherosclerosis in multiple species
Authors: Binderup Tina , Duivenvoorden Raphaël , Fay Francois , van Leent Mandy M. T. , Malkus Joost , Baxter Samantha , Ishino Seigo , Zhao Yiming , Sanchez-Gaytan Brenda , Teunissen Abraham J. P. , Frederico Yohana C. A. , Tang Jun , Carlucci Giuseppe , Lyashchenko Serge , Calcagno Claudia , Karakatsanis Nicolas , Soultanidis Georgios , Senders Max L. , Robson Philip M. , Mani Venkatesh , Ramachandran Sarayu , Lobatto Mark E. , Hutten Barbara A. , Granada Juan F. , Reiner Thomas , Swirski Filip K. , Nahrendorf Matthias , Kjaer Andreas , Fisher Edward A. , Fayad Zahi A. , Pérez-Medina Carlos , Mulder Willem J. M.
Published: August 2019

A nanoimmunotherapy reduces inflammation in mouse, rabbit, and pig models of atherosclerosis.
Neoantigen quality, not quantity
Authors: McGranahan Nicholas , Swanton Charles
Published: August 2019

Prioritizing expressed clonal neoantigens in genes required for cancer cell survival may reduce the likelihood of resistance to neoantigen therapies.
Blaming an unusual suspect for endosomal traffic jams in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Abalde-Atristain Leire
Published: August 2019

Accumulation of β–C-terminal fragments, not β-amyloid, drives early endosomal alterations in familial Alzheimer’s disease human neurons.
Therapeutic Effects of Intravitreously Administered Bacteriophage in a Mouse Model of Endophthalmitis Caused by Vancomycin-Sensitive or -Resistant Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Kishimoto Tatsuma , Ishida Waka , Fukuda Ken , Nakajima Isana , Suzuki Takashi , Uchiyama Jumpei , Matsuzaki Shigenobu , Todokoro Daisuke , Daibata Masanori , Fukushima Atsuki
Published: August 2019

Endophthalmitis due to infection with
Enterococcus
spp. progresses rapidly and often results in substantial and irreversible vision loss. Given that the frequency of this condition caused by vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus faecalis
has been increasing, the development of novel therapeutics is urgently required.
Screening the
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Nonessential Gene Deletion Library Reveals Diverse Mechanisms of Action for Antifungal Plant Defensins
Authors: Parisi Kathy , Doyle Stephen R. , Lee Eunice , Lowe Rohan G. T. , van der Weerden Nicole L. , Anderson Marilyn A. , Bleackley Mark R.
Published: August 2019

Plant defensins are a large family of proteins, most of which have antifungal activity against a broad spectrum of fungi. However, little is known about how they exert their activity. The mechanisms of action of only a few members of the family have been investigated and, in most cases, there are still a number of unknowns.
Designed Antimicrobial Peptides for Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Treatment
Authors: Woodburn Kathryn W. , Clemens L. Edward , Jaynes Jesse , Joubert Lydia-Marie , Botha Alfred , Nazik Hasan , Stevens David A.
Published: August 2019

Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is a widespread chronic infection that has a substantial negative impact on work and quality of life. The development of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation are speculated to contribute to
Candida
pathogenicity and treatment ineffectiveness. Designed antimicrobial peptides (dAMPs) are chemically modified from endogenous antimicrobial peptides that provide the first line of defense against pathogens.
Leishmania
Infection Induces Macrophage Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A Production in an ARNT/HIF-Dependent Manner
Authors: Weinkopff Tiffany , Roys Hayden , Bowlin Anne , Scott Phillip
Published: August 2019

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is characterized by vascular remodeling. Following infection with
Leishmania
parasites, the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A)/VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) signaling pathway mediates lymphangiogenesis, which is critical for lesion resolution. Therefore, we investigated the cellular and molecular mediators involved in VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 signaling using a murine model of infection.
Spiroplasma eriocheiris
Enters
Drosophila
Schneider 2 Cells and Relies on Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis and Macropinocytosis
Authors: Wei Panpan , Ning Mingxiao , Yuan Meijun , Li Xiangqian , Shi Hao , Gu Wei , Wang Wen , Meng Qingguo
Published: August 2019

Spiroplasma eriocheiris
causes great economic losses in the crustacean aquaculture industry. However, the mechanism of
S. eriocheiris
infecting host cells has been poorly studied. We established a
Spiroplasma
-infected
Drosophila
Schneider 2 (S2) cell model and investigated its pathogenic mechanism. First,
S. eriocheiris
induced S2 cell apoptosis and necrosis, seriously decreased cell viability, and increased the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species.
Interleukin-22 (IL-22) Binding Protein Constrains IL-22 Activity, Host Defense, and Oxidative Phosphorylation Genes during Pneumococcal Pneumonia
Authors: Trevejo-Nunez Giraldina , Elsegeiny Waleed , Aggor Felix E. Y. , Tweedle Jamie L. , Kaplan Zoe , Gandhi Pranali , Castillo Patricia , Ferguson Annabel , Alcorn John F. , Chen Kong , Kolls Jay K. , Gaffen Sarah L.
Published: August 2019

Streptococcus pneumoniae
is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia worldwide, and interleukin-22 (IL-22) helps contain pneumococcal burden in lungs and extrapulmonary tissues. Administration of IL-22 increases hepatic complement 3 and complement deposition on bacteria and improves phagocytosis by neutrophils. The effects of IL-22 can be tempered by a secreted natural antagonist, known as IL-22 binding protein (IL-22BP), encoded by
Il22ra2
.
Massive hemoptysis: an unusual presentation of papillary thyroid carcinoma due to tracheal invasion
Authors: Aslam Waqas , Shakespeare Andrew , Jones Shirley , Ghamande Shekhar
Published: August 2019

A 67-year-man presented to the emergency department with massive hemoptysis, coughing up about 250 mL frank blood in 2–3 hours. Physical examination was significant for tachycardia, tachypnea and blood around the mouth. A CT of the chest did not reveal any aetiology of hemoptysis. Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy was remarkable for an actively oozing 1×1 cm sessile subglottic polyp on the anterior tracheal wall. CT neck revealed a 2.5×2.4 cm pretracheal soft tissue mass, bulging into the subglottic trachea. Fine needle aspiration confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma with BRAF mutation. The patient underwent radical resection and surgical pathology confirmed a 2.5 cm papillary thyroid carcinoma with extensive extra-thyroid extension into the tracheal mucosa. Invasion of the trachea and surrounding structures like larynx and oesophagus is not usual for papillary thyroid carcinoma and may be associated with aggressive cancer behaviour and relatively poor outcome and prognosis.
Combined radio-immunotherapy leads to complete clinical regression of stage IV Merkel cell carcinoma
Authors: Principe Daniel R , Clark Joseph I , Emami Bahman , Borowicz Stanley
Published: August 2019

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive neuroendocrine tumour of the skin. While localised disease carries an overall favourable prognosis, metastatic disease is associated with poor clincal outcomes. Most cases of metastatic MCC are managed with systemic chemotherapy or immunotherapy, though 5-year survival for these patients remains a dismal 17%. Here, we present the case of a 79-year-old man with MCC of the right ear with metastases to regional lymph nodes, ipsilateral parotid gland and thoracic spine. He was treated with a combination of first-line radiotherapy and concurrent immune checkpoint inhibition (avelumab), which led to complete clinical regression of disease with minimal adverse effects. This observation suggests that combined radio-immunotherapy warrants larger-scale investigation for use in patients with unresectable MCC.
Equitable coverage? The roles of the private and public sectors in providing maternal, newborn and child health interventions in South Asia
Authors: Guo Sufang , Carvajal-Aguirre Liliana , Victora Cesar G , Barros Aluisio J D , Wehrmeister Fernando C , Vidaletti Luis Paulo , Gupta Gagan , Matin Md Ziaul , Rutter Paul
Published: August 2019

Introduction

The private sector accounts for an important share of health services available in South Asia. It is not known to what extent socioeconomic and urban–rural inequalities in maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) interventions are being affected by the presence of private providers.

Methods

Nationally representative surveys carried out from 2009 to 2015 were analysed for seven of the eight countries in South Asia, as data for Sri Lanka were not available. The outcomes studied included antenatal care (four or more visits), institutional delivery, early initiation of breast feeding, postnatal care for babies, and careseeking for diarrhoea and pneumonia. Results were stratified according to quintiles of household wealth and urban–rural residence.

Results

At regional level, the public sector played a larger role than the private sector in providing antenatal (24.8% vs 15.6% coverage), delivery (51.9% vs 26.8%) and postnatal care (15.7% vs 8.2%), as well as in the early initiation of breast feeding (26.1% vs 11.1%). The reverse was observed in careseeking for diarrhoea (15.0% and 46.2%) and pneumonia (18.2% and 50.5%). In 28 out of 37 possible analyses of coverage by country, socioeconomic inequalities were significantly wider in the private than in the public sector, and in only four cases the reverse pattern was observed. In 20 of the 37 analyses, the public sector was also more likely to be used by the wealthiest women and children.

Conclusion

The private sector plays a substantial role in delivering MNCH interventions in South Asia but is more inequitable than the public sector.
Long-read sequencing and haplotype linkage analysis enabled preimplantation genetic testing for patients carrying pathogenic inversions
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Liang Fan , Lei Caixia , Wu Junping , Fu Jing , Yang Qi , Luo Xiao , Yu Guoliang , Wang Depeng , Zhang Yueping , Lu Daru , Sun Xiaoxi , Liang Yu , Xu Congjian
Published: August 2019

Background

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) has already been applied in patients known to carry chromosomal structural variants to improve the clinical outcome of assisted reproduction. However, conventional molecular techniques are not capable of reliably distinguishing embryos that carry balanced inversion from those with a normal karyotype. We aim to evaluate the use of long-read sequencing in combination with haplotype linkage analysis to address this challenge.

Methods

Long-read sequencing on Oxford Nanopore platform was employed to identify the precise positions of inversion break points in four patients. Comprehensive chromosomal screening and genome-wide haplotype linkage analysis were performed based on SNP microarray. The haplotypes, including the break point regions, the whole chromosomes involved in the inversion and the corresponding homologous chromosomes, were established using informative SNPs.

Results

All the inversion break points were successfully identified by long-read sequencing and validated by Sanger sequencing, and on average only 13 bp differences were observed between break points inferred by long-read sequencing and Sanger sequencing. Eighteen blastocysts were biopsied and tested, in which 10 were aneuploid or unbalanced and eight were diploid with normal or balanced inversion karyotypes. Diploid embryos were transferred back to patients, the predictive results of the current methodology were consistent with fetal karyotypes of amniotic fluid or cord blood.

Conclusions

Nanopore long-read sequencing is a powerful method to assay chromosomal inversions and identify exact break points. Identification of inversion break points combined with haplotype linkage analysis is an efficient strategy to distinguish embryos with normal or balanced inversion karyotypes, facilitating PGT applications.
Sharps and needle-stick injuries among medical residents and healthcare professional students: pattern and reporting in Italy—a cross-sectional analytical study
Authors: Papadopoli Rosa , Bianco Aida , Pepe Davide , Pileggi Claudia , Pavia Maria
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Healthcare workers, in the course of their professional activity, are potentially exposed to chemical, physical and above all biological risks. The aims of our study were to investigate the extent and distribution of needle-stick and sharp injuries (NSIs) in healthcare students, the behaviours and circumstances most frequently associated with NSIs, the frequency of NSI reporting and the adherence to the post-exposure protocols.

Methods

This study involved, through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire, undergraduate and postgraduate students attending postgraduate medical schools and healthcare professional schools who underwent occupational health visits between January 2015 and July 2018.

Results

Of the 642 students that participated in the study, 95 (14.8%) sustained an NSI during the traineeship and, of these, 59 (62.1%) reported the NSI to the occupational health service. NSIs were significantly more frequent in older subjects (χ²=9.853, p=0.020) and, among medical residents, in surgical residents (χ²=31.260, p<0.0001); moreover, occurrence of NSIs increased with increasing duration of traineeship (t=−2.051, p=0.041). Reporting of NSIs significantly increased with increasing age (χ²=12.543, p=0.006), with medical residents significantly under-reporting NSIs compared with undergraduate healthcare professional students (χ²=10.718, p=0.001) and among medical residents, those attending critical care units had the highest under-reporting (χ²=7.323, p=0.026).

Conclusions

The study showed remarkable under-reporting, as well as a lack of preparedness of students for NSI preventive and post-exposure effective measures. Our findings underline that healthcare student education should be reinforced to ensure that safe practices are carried out when needles and sharps are involved, as well as stressing the importance of NSI reporting and adherence to post-exposure prophylaxis protocols.
Chloroprocaine versus prilocaine for spinal anesthesia in ambulatory knee arthroscopy: a double-blind randomized trial
Authors: Wesselink Elsbeth , Hurk Godelief Janssen-van den , Vegt Rien van der , Slagt Cornelis , Aa Jan van der , Franssen Eric , Ven Peter van de , Swart Noortje , Boer Christa , Leeuw Marcel de
Published: August 2019

Background

In ambulatory lower limb surgery, spinal anesthesia with rapid onset and a short duration of block is preferable. We hypothesized that the use of 2-chloroprocaine would be associated with a faster motor block recovery compared with prilocaine in knee arthroscopy. A difference of 15 min was considered clinically relevant.

Methods

150 patients were randomly allocated to receive intrathecally either 40 mg of 2-chloroprocaine or 40 mg of prilocaine. The primary outcome was the time to complete recovery from motor blockade. Secondary outcomes included time to full regression of sensory block, peak sensory block level, urine retention needing catheterization, time until hospital discharge, incidence of transient neurologic symptoms and patient satisfaction.

Results

Time to complete recovery from motor blockade was 15 min shorter for 2-chloroprocaine (median: 60 min; IQR: 60–82.5) than for prilocaine (median: 75 min; IQR: 60–90; p=0.004). 2-Chloroprocaine also resulted in faster full regression of sensory block (median: 120 min; IQR: 90–135 compared with median: 165 min; IQR: 135–190, p<0.001) and faster time to hospital discharge (mean difference: 57 min; 95% CI 38 to 77, p<0.001). Peak sensory block was higher in the 2-chloroprocaine group (median: T9; IQR: T6–T12 compared with median: T10; IQR: T8–T12, p<0.008). Patient satisfaction and urine retention needing catheterization were equal in both groups.

Conclusions

In knee arthroscopy, spinal anesthesia with 2-chloroprocaine results in a faster recovery of motor and sensory block, leading to quicker hospital discharge compared with prilocaine.

Trial registration number

NTR6796.
Impact of efficiency and practicality of CFRP anchor installation techniques on the performance of RC beams strengthened with CFRP sheets
Authors: Zaki Mohammed A. , Rasheed Hayder A.
Published: August 2019

Utilizing fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) anchors can enhance the strength and delay the debonding of flexural FRP in strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) beams. In this study, two different techniques are used for applying carbon FRP (CFRP) spike anchors to improve the performance of RC beams strengthened with CFRP sheets. These two techniques are compared with respect to the ease of application, time spent, size of installation team, and performance. The first technique involved applying the CFRP anchors to begin with, then installing CFRP sheets by separating the fibers at the location of anchors. The second technique applied the CFRP sheets first to the beam soffit right after drilling the holes. This was followed by inserting CFRP anchors through the sheets into the prepared holes. The conclusion indicates that the second technique is easier, faster, and more practical in real-world applications. In addition, the use of distributed CFRP anchors increased the flexural capacity of the strengthened beams.
Zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os dating and geological implications of the Shimadong porphyry molybdenum deposit in eastern Yanbian, northeastern China
Authors: Nie Xi-Tao , Sun Jing-Gui , Sun Feng-Yue , Li Bi-Le , Zhang Ya-Jing , Liu Wan-Zhen
Published: August 2019

The Shimadong porphyry Mo deposit is located in eastern Yanbian, in the eastern part of the north margin of the North China craton, northeastern China. Here, we present the whole-rock major and trace elements, zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope data, and molybdenite Re–Os data for the Shimadong deposit. The porphyry was emplaced at 163.7 ± 0.9 Ma and the mineralization at 163.1 ± 0.9 Ma, suggesting that the mineralization was associated with the emplacement of the Shimadong porphyritic monzogranite. The porphyritic monzogranite had high SiO2 (70.09–70.55 wt%) and K2O + Na2O (7.98–8.27 wt%) contents and low MgO (0.51–0.53 wt%), TFeO (2.4–2.47 wt%), CaO (2.19–2.26 wt%), and K2O/Na2O (0.8–0.82) contents. The porphyry was rich in large ion lithophile elements Rb, Ba, K, and Sr, depleted in high-field-strength elements Y, Nb, Ta, P, and Ti, without significant Eu anomaly (δEu = 0.86–1.00), and depleted in heavy rare earth elements with light rare earth elements/heavy rare earth elements = 18.25–20.72 and (La/Yb)N = 27.10–34.67. These features are similar to those of adakitic rocks derived from a thickened lower crust. Zircon εHf(t) values for the porphyritic monzogranite ranged from –19.2 to 6.3, and the two-stage Hf model ages (TDM2) were 2421–811 Ma. These data indicate that the primary magma of the Shimadong porphyritic monzogranite was mainly derived from partial melting of the thickened lower crust consisting of juvenile crust and pre-existing crust. Combined with the results of previous studies, our data suggest that the Shimadong porphyry Mo deposit was emplaced along an active continental margin related to the westward subduction of the paleo-Pacific Plate.
On the plane into plane mappings of hydrodynamic type. Parabolic case
Authors: Konopelchenko B. G. , Ortenzi G.
Published: August 2019

Singularities of plane into plane mappings described by parabolic two-component systems of quasi-linear partial differential equations of the first order are studied. Impediments arising in the application of the original Whitney’s approach to such a case are discussed. Hierarchy of singularities is analyzed by the double-scaling expansion method for the simplest [Formula: see text]-component Jordan system. It is shown that flex is the lowest singularity while higher singularities are given by [Formula: see text] curves which are of cusp type for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] Regularization of these singularities by deformation of plane into plane mappings into surface [Formula: see text] to plane is discussed. Applicability of the proposed approach to other parabolic type mappings is noted. We finally compare the results obtained for the parabolic case with non-generic gradient catastrophes for hyperbolic systems.
COMMITMENT DEVICES IN MARRIAGE FOR SAVINGS: EVIDENCE FROM JAPAN
Authors: KUREISHI WATARU , WAKABAYASHI MIDORI
Published: August 2019

We empirically test the hypothesis that, for married individuals with time-inconsistent preferences, leaving the management of family budgets to their spouse functions as a commitment device for savings. We conduct a cross-sectional analysis based on the micro-data of married Japanese couples obtained from waves 2009 and 2010 of Osaka University’s Preference Parameters Study. Our results show that when wives have time-inconsistent preferences, their household savings are more likely to go as planned if they leave household budgets to their husbands in comparison to when they make these decisions themselves. However, time-inconsistent individuals do not actively use leaving the management of family budgets to their spouse as a commitment device for savings. Considering these, we conclude that individuals do not recognize the benefits of leaving the management of family budgets to their spouse, but it can work as a commitment device.
Aperiodic Stochastic Resonance in the Fractional-Order Bistable System
Authors: Wu Chengjin , Jiao Qing , Tian Feng
Published: August 2019

The aperiodic stochastic resonance (ASR) in the bistable fractional-order system is further studied when the fractional-order lies in the interval (0, 2). In previous works, the ASR can only process aperiodic binary signal with large pulse width. However, for the signal with small pulse width, the method cannot work. Actually, the signals with small pulse width are also common in the information transmission field. It greatly limits the application of the fractional stochastic resonance. Hence, we mainly focus on the enhancement of aperiodic binary signal with small pulse width. To solve the aforementioned technical problem, the general scale transformation is introduced, which allows us to achieve the ASR successfully. By this method, the equivalent system with large system parameters is able to match the input character signal with arbitrary small pulse width well, where the scale parameter is a key to achieve resonance. During the process, the fractional-order system presents rich dynamical behaviors in processing the aperiodic binary signals. Especially, as the order increases, the output signal at optimal noise intensity might be better and be more similar to the input one. This indicates the fractional order can optimize the stochastic resonance. The results might provide some reference to the engineering field, such as digital transmission and image processing field.
Metabolomics for Investigating Physiological and Pathophysiological Processes
Authors: Wishart David S.
Published: August 2019

Metabolomics uses advanced analytical chemistry techniques to enable the high-throughput characterization of metabolites from cells, organs, tissues, or biofluids. The rapid growth in metabolomics is leading to a renewed interest in metabolism and the role that small molecule metabolites play in many biological processes. As a result, traditional views of metabolites as being simply the “bricks and mortar” of cells or just the fuel for cellular energetics are being upended. Indeed, metabolites appear to have much more varied and far more important roles as signaling molecules, immune modulators, endogenous toxins, and environmental sensors. This review explores how metabolomics is yielding important new insights into a number of important biological and physiological processes. In particular, a major focus is on illustrating how metabolomics and discoveries made through metabolomics are improving our understanding of both normal physiology and the pathophysiology of many diseases. These discoveries are yielding new insights into how metabolites influence organ function, immune function, nutrient sensing, and gut physiology. Collectively, this work is leading to a much more unified and system-wide perspective of biology wherein metabolites, proteins, and genes are understood to interact synergistically to modify the actions and functions of organelles, organs, and organisms.
Combining Intraoral and Face Scans for the Design and Fabrication of Computer-Assisted Design/Computer-Assisted Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) Polyether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK) Implant-Supported Bars for Maxillary Overdentures
Authors: Mangano Francesco , Mangano Carlo , Margiani Bidzina , Admakin Oleg
Published: August 2019

Purpose. To present a digital method that combines intraoral and face scanning for the computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) fabrication of implant-supported bars for maxillary overdentures. Methods. Over a 2-year period, all patients presenting to a private dental clinic with a removable complete denture in the maxilla, seeking rehabilitation with implants, were considered for inclusion in this study. Inclusion criteria were fully edentulous maxilla, functional problems with the preexisting denture, opposing dentition, and sufficient bone volume to insert four implants. Exclusion criteria were age<55 years, need for bone augmentation, uncompensated diabetes mellitus, immunocompromised status, radio- and/or chemotherapy, and previous treatment with oral and/or intravenous aminobisphosphonates. All patients were rehabilitated with a maxillary overdenture supported by a CAD/CAM polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) implant-supported bar. The outcomes of the study were the passive fit/adaptation of the bar, the 1-year implant survival, and the success rates of the implant-supported overdentures. Results. 15 patients (6 males, 9 females; mean age 68.8±4.7 years) received 60 implants and were rehabilitated with a maxillary overdenture supported by a PEEK bar, designed and milled from an intraoral digital impression. The intraoral scans were integrated with face scans, in order to design each bar with all available patient data (soft tissues, prosthesis, implants, and face) in the correct spatial position. When testing the 3D-printed resin bar, 12 bars out of 15 (80%) had a perfect passive adaptation and fit; in contrast, 3 out of 15 (20%) did not have a sufficient passive fit or adaptation. No implants were lost, for a 1-year survival of 100% (60/60 surviving implants). However, some complications (two fixtures with peri-implantitis in the same patient and two repaired overdentures in two different patients) occurred. This determined a 1-year success rate of 80% for the implant-supported overdenture. Conclusions. In this study, the combination of intraoral and face scans allowed to successfully restore fully edentulous patients with maxillary overdentures supported by 4 implants and a CAD/CAM PEEK bar. Further studies are needed to confirm these outcomes.
Quality of Service-Based Node Relocation Technique for Mobile Sensor Networks
Authors: Awan Adnan Anwar , Khan Muhammad Amir , Malik Aqdas Naveed , Shah Syed Ayaz Ali , Shahzad Aamir , Nazir Babar , Khan Iftikhar Ahmed , Jadoon Waqas , Shahzad Naveed , Nawaz Jadoon Rab
Published: August 2019

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) deployed in harsh and unfavorable environments become inoperable because of the failure of multiple sensor nodes. This results into the division of WSNs into small disjoint networks and causes stoppage of the transmission to the sink node. Furthermore, the internodal collaboration among sensor nodes also gets disturbed. Internodal connectivity is essential for the usefulness of WSNs. The arrangement of this connectivity could be setup at the time of network startup. If multiple sensor nodes fail, the tasks assigned to those nodes cannot be performed; hence, the objective of such WSNs will be compromised. Recently, different techniques for repositioning of sensor nodes to recover the connectivity have been proposed. Although capable to restore connectivity, these techniques do not focus on the coverage loss. The objective of this research is to provide a solution for both coverage and connectivity via an integrated approach. A novel technique to reposition neighbouring nodes for multinode failure is introduced. In this technique, neighbouring nodes of the failed nodes relocate themselves one by one and come back to their original location after some allocated time. Hence, it restores both prefailure connectivity and coverage. The simulations show our proposed technique outperforms other baseline techniques.
Electronegative LDL from Rabbits Fed with Atherogenic Diet Is Highly Proinflammatory
Authors: Chang Po-Yuan , Pai Jou-Hsiang , Lai Yu-Sheng , Lu Shao-Chun
Published: August 2019

Electronegative low-density lipoprotein (LDL(-)) has been found in the plasma of familial hypercholesterolemia and acute myocardial infarction and has been implicated in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. However, less is known about the involvement of LDL(-) in atherosclerosis-related inflammation. This study aims at investigating the inducibility of LDL(-) by atherogenic diet in rabbits and at exploring the proinflammatory potential of the diet-induced LDL(-) in macrophages. Rabbits were fed with an atherogenic diet; LDL was isolated from plasma by NaBr density gradient ultracentrifugation and was then resolved into nLDL and LDL(-) by anion-exchange chromatography. Isolated nLDL and LDL(-) were directly used or incubated with 10μM CuSO4for 24 h to produce copper- (Cu-) ox-nLDL and Cu-ox-LDL(-). The effects of these LDLs on inflammation were evaluated in THP-1-derived macrophages. Macrophages were treated with nLDL, LDL(-), and extensively oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), then the levels of interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-)αin a culture medium were determined by ELISA, and the levels of total and phosphorylated IκB, p65, p38, JNK, and ERK in cell lysates were determined by Western blotting. The LDL(-) induced significantly higher levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-αin the medium. The levels of phosphorylated/total IκB, p65, p38, JNK, and ERK were also upregulated by LDL(-). In contrast, nLDL, Cu-ox-nLDL, and Cu-ox-LDL(-) exhibited much less effect. Knockdown of lectin-type oxidized LDL receptor- (LOX-) 1 resulted in significant reduction in LDL(-)-induced IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. In addition, these LDL(-) effects were also markedly attenuated by inhibition of NF-κB and ERK1/2. The data suggested that LDL(-) induced inflammation through LOX-1-, NF-κB-, and ERK1/2-dependent pathways. Taken together, our results show that rabbits fed with atherogenic diet produce a highly proinflammatory LDL(-) that is more potent in inducing inflammation than nLDL and extensively oxidize LDL in macrophages. The results thus provide a novel link between diet-induced hypercholesterolemia and inflammation.
Comparing Project‐Based Collaborative Networks for BIM Implementation in Public and Private Sectors: A Longitudinal Study in Hong Kong
Authors: Tang Yixuan , Wang Guangbin , Li Heng , Cao Dongping , Li Xiaoying
Published: August 2019

Due to the great potential of building information modelling (BIM) to address traditional design and construction problems, the governments in many regions, such as Hong Kong, have released related policies to advocate the use of BIM in public projects in recent years. Therefore, BIM might advance differently in the public and private sectors in these regions. Using the social network perspective and a longitudinal data set on BIM‐based construction projects in Hong Kong from 2002 to 2017, this study quantitatively characterizes how the structural characteristics of the project‐based collaboration networks for BIM implementation in the public (PUCN) and private sectors (PRCN) evolve differently over time. The empirical results provide evidence that both PUCN and PRCN have become increasingly dense and developed around some “centered” nodes during the examined period. However, it is revealed that PUCN exhibits a more significant trend in network closeness and centralization. Through characterizing the “centered” nodes individually, the results also reveal that local owner organizations generally play more active roles in PUCN, while local design and construction organizations generally play more actively in PRCN. The results also provide evidence that the evolution of the two networks closely relate to each other, with the design and construction organizations involved in PUCN during early periods significantly influencing the evolution of PRCN in the later periods. The findings not only provide a dynamic network view of how industry organizations interact with each other in BIM implementation practices across different types of projects but also provide insights into how relationship networks can be managed to facilitate the diffusion of innovations in the construction industry.