bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of the evidence for the efficacy of opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in community-dwelling older adults
Authors: O’Brien Michael David Cory , Wand Anne Pamela Frances
Published: December 2019

Introduction

the ageing global population and concomitant increase in the use of opioid analgesia have highlighted the need to evaluate the effectiveness of opioids for chronic pain in older people.

Methods

a systematic review of the evidence for the efficacy of opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in community-dwelling people aged 65 years or more was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Pubmed and PsychINFO were searched. The quality of studies was assessed. Secondary aims were to assess correlates of opioid use and the decision-making processes of prescribers.

Results

seven studies were identified of low to high quality. The majority of older people experienced ongoing pain despite continuing opioid therapy. There were mixed results regarding benefits of opioids in terms of activities of daily living and social engagement. In nursing home residents, opioid use at baseline was associated with severe pain, severe impairment in activities of daily living and a diagnosis of depression. Fear of causing harm to older people was common amongst opioid prescribers, limiting prescription. Facilitators of opioid prescription included educational interventions and access to an evidence base for opioid use.

Conclusion

there is limited evidence supporting the use of long-term opioid use in older people for chronic non-cancer pain and a lack of trials in this age group. Age-specific guidelines are required addressing initial assessment, indications, monitoring and de-prescribing.
Plasticity in the growth habit prolongs survival at no physiological cost in a monocarpic perennial at high altitudes
Authors: Cotado Alba , Munné-Bosch Sergi
Published: December 2019

Background and Aims

Monocarpic plants are those that flower, produce seeds and then die. Although most monocarpic plants are annual or biennial, some of them are perennial. However, relatively little is known regarding the biology of monocarpic perennials. Pyrenean saxifrage (Saxifraga longifolia) is a monocarpic perennial that is well adapted to high-mountain ecosystems. Here, we evaluated altitudinal changes in clonality in various populations growing in their natural habitat with particular emphasis on the physiological costs of clonal growth.

Methods

We assessed the percentage of clonal plants in nine populations growing in their natural habitat, as well as the plant stress response of clonal and non-clonal plants, in terms of photoprotection and accumulation of stress-related phytohormones, in a 3-year study at Las Blancas (2100 m a.s.l.). We also evaluated the influence of plant size on the activation of defensive responses to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Key Results

We found that 12 % of Pyrenean saxifrage plants growing at the highest altitudes (2100 m a.s.l.) produced lateral rosettes which survived the flowering of the main rosette and shared the same axonomorphic root, thus escaping monocarpic senescence. This clonal growth did not worsen the physiological performance of plants growing at this altitude. Furthermore, increased plant size did not negatively affect the physiology of plants, despite adjustments in endogenous stress-related phytohormones. In contrast, maturity led to rapid physiological deterioration of the rosette, which was associated with monocarpic senescence.

Conclusions

This study shows that the evolution of clonality has allowed Pyrenean saxifrage to survive harsh environmental conditions and it provides evidence that harsh environments push plant species to their limits in terms of life form and longevity.
EPSD: a well-annotated data resource of protein phosphorylation sites in eukaryotes
Authors: Lin Shaofeng , Wang Chenwei , Zhou Jiaqi , Shi Ying , Ruan Chen , Tu Yiran , Yao Lan , Peng Di , Xue Yu
Published: December 2019

As an important post-translational modification (PTM), protein phosphorylation is involved in the regulation of almost all of biological processes in eukaryotes. Due to the rapid progress in mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics, a large number of phosphorylation sites (p-sites) have been characterized but remain to be curated. Here, we briefly summarized the current progresses in the development of data resources for the collection, curation, integration and annotation of p-sites in eukaryotic proteins. Also, we designed the eukaryotic phosphorylation site database (EPSD), which contained 1 616 804 experimentally identified p-sites in 209 326 phosphoproteins from 68 eukaryotic species. In EPSD, we not only collected 1 451 629 newly identified p-sites from high-throughput (HTP) phosphoproteomic studies, but also integrated known p-sites from 13 additional databases. Moreover, we carefully annotated the phosphoproteins and p-sites of eight model organisms by integrating the knowledge from 100 additional resources that covered 15 aspects, including phosphorylation regulator, genetic variation and mutation, functional annotation, structural annotation, physicochemical property, functional domain, disease-associated information, protein-protein interaction, drug-target relation, orthologous information, biological pathway, transcriptional regulator, mRNA expression, protein expression/proteomics and subcellular localization. We anticipate that the EPSD can serve as a useful resource for further analysis of eukaryotic phosphorylation. With a data volume of 14.1 GB, EPSD is free for all users at http://epsd.biocuckoo.cn/.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Decreases Emotional Memory Schemas
Authors: Bovy Leonore , Berkers Ruud M W J , Pottkämper Julia C M , Varatheeswaran Rathiga , Fernández Guillén , Tendolkar Indira , Dresler Martin
Published: December 2019

Mood-congruent memory bias is a critical characteristic of depression, but the underlying neural mechanism is largely unknown. Negative memory schemas might enhance encoding and consolidation of negative experiences, thereby contributing to the genesis and perpetuation of depressive pathology. To investigate this relationship, we aimed to perturb medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) processing, using neuronavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) targeting the mPFC. Forty healthy volunteers first underwent a negative mood induction to activate negative schema processing after which they received either active inhibitory (N = 20) or control (N = 20) stimulation to the mPFC. Then, all participants performed the encoding of an emotional false memory task. Recall and recognition performance was tested the following morning. Polysomnographic data were recorded continuously during the night before and after encoding. We observed a significantly lower false recognition of negative critical lures following mPFC inhibition, but no differences in veridical memory. These findings were supported by reaction time data, showing a relative slower response to negative compared with positive critical lures. The current findings support previous causal evidence for a role of the mPFC in schema memory processing and further suggest a role of the mPFC in memory bias.
Penetration of Digital Payments in Greece after Capital Controls: Determinants and Impact on VAT Revenues
Authors: Danchev Svetoslav , Gatopoulos Georgios , Vettas Nikolaos
Published: December 2019

The use of payment cards in Greece more than tripled in value between 2014 and 2017. Their penetration lifted off with the imposition of capital controls in 2015 and then remained on an uptrend, aided further by the measures of law 4446/2016. According to the findings of the study: (i) the law had a statistically significant, positive impact on card usage, especially in the second half of 2017, controlling for the effects of macroeconomic factors and capital controls and (ii) the penetration of electronic payments had a significant positive impact on tax compliance. Nevertheless, the average level of card use in Greece has remained lower than the EU average, while it presents significant heterogeneity across sectors and geographical areas. In conclusion, more targeted measures are warranted in order to enhance further the penetration of electronic payments, which would yield even greater fiscal benefits.
Reproduction ecology of the recently invasive snake Hemorrhois hippocrepis on the island of Ibiza
Authors: Montes Elba , Feriche Mónica , Ruiz-Sueiro Leticia , Alaminos Esmeralda , Pleguezuelos Juan M
Published: December 2019

Knowing the causes of biological invasion success can be relevant to combat future invasive processes. The recent invasion of the horseshoe whip snake Hemorrhois hippocrepis on the island of Ibiza provides the opportunity to compare natural history traits between invasive and source populations, and to unravel what makes this snake a successful invader that is threatening the only endemic vertebrate of the island, Podarcis pityusensis. This study compares the basic reproductive traits of mainland native and invasive populations of the snake. Our results revealed that invasive populations were characterized by female maturity at a smaller size, extended reproductive period, and much lower reproduction frequency compared to the native population. In contrast, some major reproductive traits—the abdominal fat body cycle, clutch size, hatchling body size, and hatchling body condition, did not differ between the two populations. Some of these results must reflect the environmental differences in the recently invaded island with respect to the source area, and overall plasticity of reproductive traits. Plasticity is evolutionarily interesting, and may aid the successful growth of this species in their invasiveness of Mediterranean islands like Ibiza. The most significant finding is that this expression of phenotypic plasticity occurred rapidly in this invasive population, within a period of 14 years maximum. Our results on the reproduction ecology of the invasive population were not conclusive regarding the factors determining the invasiveness of the snake and pointed to alternative causes.
Morphological determinants of jumping performance in the Iberian green frog
Authors: Moreno-Rueda Gregorio , Requena-Blanco Abelardo , Zamora-Camacho Francisco J , Comas Mar , Pascual Guillem
Published: December 2019

Predation is one of the main selective forces in nature, frequently selecting potential prey for developing escape strategies. Escape ability is typically influenced by several morphological parameters, such as morphology of the locomotor appendices, muscular capacity, body mass, or fluctuating asymmetry, and may differ between sexes and age classes. In this study, we tested the relationship among these variables and jumping performance in 712 Iberian green frogs Pelophylax perezi from an urban population. The results suggest that the main determinant of jumping capacity was body size (explaining 48% of variance). Larger frogs jumped farther, but jumping performance reached an asymptote for the largest frogs. Once controlled by structural body size, the heaviest frogs jumped shorter distances, suggesting a trade-off between fat storage and jumping performance. Relative hind limb length also determined a small but significant percentage of variance (2.4%) in jumping performance—that is, the longer the hind limbs, the greater the jumping capacity. Juveniles had relatively shorter and less muscular hind limbs than adults (for a given body size), and their jumping performance was poorer. In our study population, the hind limbs of the frogs were very symmetrical, and we found no effect of fluctuating asymmetry on jumping performance. Therefore, our study provides evidence that jumping performance in frogs is not only affected by body size, but also by body mass and hind limb length, and differ between age classes.
Postharvest Burial of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Infested Fruit Waste Reduces Adult Emergence
Authors: Hooper Holly , Grieshop Matthew J
Published: December 2019

The arrival of spotted wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), to the United States has caused many berry and cherry growers to replace IPM programs with calendar-based broad-spectrum insecticide programs. Alternative management tactics are urgently needed to mitigate the current dependency on chemical control. Postharvest burial is a cultural crop sanitation strategy that has the potential to reduce D. suzukii reproductive habitat and eliminate infested fruit wastes. This study revealed that D. suzukii rarely pupate on the soil’s surface or below 1 cm, but are capable of unburying themselves from depths up to 48 cm. Although zero emergence was not obtained in the field, adult emergence decreased exponentially with deeper burial depths. A burial depth of 24 cm reduced D. suzukii emergence by 97%, although soil texture may influence this optimal burial depth. Soils that had a higher concentration of sand had a negative impact on D. suzukii survival at shallower burial depths. The mechanism behind the reduction in adult emergence from differing burial depths remains unclear as the lipid concentration between emerging D. suzukii was the same regardless of burial depth.
Aortic valve endocarditis with root abscess causing superior vena cava obstruction: a case report
Authors: Scullion Malo Marcel Francois , Lynn Peter , Marshall Adam , MacDougall David
Published: December 2019

Background

To our knowledge, we report the first case of endocarditis with root abscess causing compressive superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction.

Case summary

An 84-year-old gentleman with previous tissue aortic valve replacement presented with fevers and systemic upset. Blood cultures grew Streptococcus anginosus and transoesophageal echocardiogram identified prosthetic valve vegetations with an associated root abscess. Antibiotics were commenced and referral made for surgical consideration. Several days into treatment the patient developed clinical signs of SVC obstruction and computed tomography demonstrated an enlarging root abscess with SVC compression. The patient was discussed with local cardiothoracic centres, but surgery was not an option primarily due to abscess size and vascular involvement. Priority moved from active to palliative treatment given no improvement with antibiotics, unsuitability for surgery, and patient discomfort. Within several weeks, symptoms/signs of SVC obstruction actually improved, likely due to collateral venous circulation formation and the patient was discharged home with palliative care input.

Discussion

There are previous reports of SVC obstruction related to infected SVC thrombus, indwelling intravascular devices, and para-aortic abscess, but none related to infective endocarditis. Streptococcus anginosus endocarditis is rare but often associated with abscess formation, and male gender, increasing age, and previous surgery are recognized risk factors.
Safety and efficacy of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 studies and 440 281 patients
Authors: Silverio Angelo , Di Maio Marco , Prota Costantina , De Angelis Elena , Radano Ilaria , Citro Rodolfo , Carrizzo Albino , Ciccarelli Michele , Vecchione Carmine , Capodanno Davide , Galasso Gennaro
Published: December 2019

Aims

The aim of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K oral antagonists (NOACs) vs. vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and indirectly compare NOACs in this population.

Methods and results

MEDLINE, Cochrane, ISI Web of Sciences, and SCOPUS were searched for randomized or adjusted observational studies comparing NOACs vs. VKAs for stroke prevention in AF patients ≥75 years. The primary efficacy and safety outcomes of this meta-analysis were the composite of stroke and systemic embolism (SSE) and major bleedings, respectively. Other secondary outcomes were also analysed. The analysis included 22 studies enrolling 440 281 AF patients ≥ 75 years. The risk of SSE was significantly lower with NOACs vs. VKAs [hazard ratio (HR) 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70–0.89], whereas no differences were found for major bleedings (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.85–1.05). NOACs reduced the risk of intracranial bleeding (HR 0.46; 95% CI 0.38–0.58), haemorrhagic stroke (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.48–0.79) and fatal bleeding (HR 0.46; 95% CI 0.30–0.72) but increased gastrointestinal (GI) bleedings (HR 1.46; 95% CI 1.30–1.65), compared to VKAs. The adjusted indirect comparison showed no significant differences in term of SSE between NOAC agents. Conversely, the risk of major bleeding was higher for rivaroxaban vs. apixaban (HR 1.69; 95% CI 1.39–2.08) and edoxaban (HR 1.37; 95% CI 1.14–1.67), and for dabigatran vs. apixaban (HR 1.47; 95% CI 1.18–1.85).

Conclusion

In elderly patients with AF, NOACs are associated to a lower risk of SSE, intracranial bleeding, haemorrhagic stroke and fatal bleeding than VKAs, but increase GI bleedings. In this analysis, the safety profile of individual NOAC agents was significantly different.
Optimal Continuous Cover Forest Management with a Lower Bound Constraint on Dead Wood
Authors: Rämö Janne , Assmuth Aino , Tahvonen Olli
Published: December 2019

We analyze economically optimal continuous cover forestry with dead wood as a biodiversity indicator. We study mixed-species stands consisting of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.), birch (Betula pendula Roth.), and other broadleaves (e.g., oak [Quercus sp.], maple [Acer sp.]). The analysis is based on an economic description of continuous cover forest management using an empirically estimated size-structured transition matrix model. We use size-specific decomposition rates for dead wood, with the lower limit on total dead wood volume varying between 0 and 40 m3 ha–1. The optimization problem is solved in its general dynamic form using gradient-based interior point methods. Increasing the dead wood volume requirement affects total stand density only slightly, but increases stand heterogeneity as other broadleaves are grown in higher numbers. In addition, increasing the dead wood requirement has only a minor effect on the total felled volume, but harvests shift from timber harvests to biodiversity fellings to maintain the required dead wood volume. In the optimal steady state with a high dead wood requirement, two harvesting cohorts emerge: one for timber harvests and the other for biodiversity fellings. Increasing the dead wood requirement decreases steady-state net timber income by up to 30 percent compared to the unconstrained solution.
Endoscopic stricturotomy and ileo-colonic resection in patients with primary Crohn’s disease-related distal ileum strictures
Authors: Lan Nan , Hull Tracy L , Shen Bo
Published: December 2019

Background

Stricture is a common presentation of Crohn’s disease with the site of prevalence being the distal ileum. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of patients with primary distal ileum stricture treated with endoscopic stricturotomy (ESt) vs ileo-colonic resection (ICR).

Methods

All consecutive patients with primary distal ileum stricture that were treated with ESt and/or ICR were extracted from the interventional inflammatory bowel disease (i-IBD) unit from 2001 to 2016. All patients with a stricture >5 cm or those with anastomotic strictures were excluded from the study. The primary outcomes were surgery-free survival and post-procedural complications.

Results

A total of 13 patients receiving ESt and 32 patients receiving ICR were included in this study. Although the length of the stricture is comparable between the two groups (2.4 ± 0.9 vs 3.0 ± 1.1 cm, P = 0.17), patients who received surgery had a more complicated obstruction presented by the high pre-stenosis proximal dilation rate (67.7% vs 9.1%, P = 0.001). All patients in both groups achieved immediate technical success after treatment. The median follow-up durations were 1.8 and 1.5 years in the ESt and ICR groups, respectively. The subsequent surgery rates were similar between the two groups (15.4% vs 18.8%, P = 0.79) and the overall surgery-free survival was also comparable between the two groups (P = 0.98). Post-procedural adverse events were seen in 2/29 ESt procedures (6.9% per procedure) and 8/32 (25.0%) patients receiving ICR (P = 0.05).

Conclusions

ESt achieved comparable stricture-related surgery-free survival as ICR, while ESt had a numerically lower post-operative complication rate.
Functional Genomics of a Symbiotic Community: Shared Traits in the Olive Fruit Fly Gut Microbiota
Authors: Blow Frances , Gioti Anastasia , Goodhead Ian B , Kalyva Maria , Kampouraki Anastasia , Vontas John , Darby Alistair C
Published: December 2019

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae is a major pest of olives worldwide and houses a specialized gut microbiota dominated by the obligate symbiont “Candidatus Erwinia dacicola.” Candidatus Erwinia dacicola is thought to supplement dietary nitrogen to the host, with only indirect evidence for this hypothesis so far. Here, we sought to investigate the contribution of the symbiosis to insect fitness and explore the ecology of the insect gut. For this purpose, we examined the composition of bacterial communities associated with Cretan olive fruit fly populations, and inspected several genomes and one transcriptome assembly. We identified, and reconstructed the genome of, a novel component of the gut microbiota, Tatumella sp. TA1, which is stably associated with Mediterranean olive fruit fly populations. We also reconstructed a number of pathways related to nitrogen assimilation and interactions with the host. The results show that, despite variation in taxa composition of the gut microbial community, core functions related to the symbiosis are maintained. Functional redundancy between different microbial taxa was observed for genes involved in urea hydrolysis. The latter is encoded in the obligate symbiont genome by a conserved urease operon, likely acquired by horizontal gene transfer, based on phylogenetic evidence. A potential underlying mechanism is the action of mobile elements, especially abundant in the Ca. E. dacicola genome. This finding, along with the identification, in the studied genomes, of extracellular surface structure components that may mediate interactions within the gut community, suggest that ongoing and past genetic exchanges between microbes may have shaped the symbiosis.
Diet Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Call to the Dining Table
Authors: Limketkai Berkeley N , Gordon Morris , Mutlu Ece A , De Silva Punyanganie S , Lewis James D
Published: December 2019

There is vigorous interest among patients, caregivers, clinicians, and scientists to identify useful dietary interventions for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Through the Cochrane Collaboration, we recently performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of dietary interventions for the induction or maintenance of remission in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) to assess the latest state of research. The current quality of evidence was formally graded to be low or very low for various methodological reasons, such as small sample sizes, heterogeneity among studies, and incomplete reporting. There are nonetheless emerging observational studies that progressively advance our knowledge and provide hope for a role of diet among traditional therapies to improve inflammation and symptoms. Further investments and concerted efforts in research are needed to significantly move the needle in identifying effective dietary therapies for IBD.
Fecal IgA Levels and Gut Microbiota Composition Are Regulated by Invariant Natural Killer T Cells
Authors: de Aguiar Cristhiane Favero , Castoldi Angela , Amano Mariane T , Ignacio Aline , Terra Fernanda Fernandes , Cruz Mario , Felizardo Raphael J F , Braga Tárcio Teodoro , Davanzo Gustavo Gastão , Gambarini Victor , Antonio Tiago , Antiorio Ana Tada Fonseca Brasil , Hiyane Meire Ioshie , Morais da Fonseca Denise , Andrade-Oliveira Vinicius , Câmara Niels Olsen Saraiva
Published: December 2019

Background

The gut microbiota is a key element to support host homeostasis and the development of the immune system. The relationship between the microbiota and immunity is a 2-way road, in which the microbiota contributes to the development/function of immune cells and immunity can affect the composition of microbes. In this context, natural killer T cells (NKT cells) are distinct T lymphocytes that play a role in gut immunity and are influenced by gut microbes. In our work, we investigated the involvement of invariant NKT cells (iNKT) in intestinal homeostasis.

Results

We found that iNKT-deficient mice (iNKT-KO) had reduced levels of fecal IgA and an altered composition of the gut microbiota, with increased Bacteroidetes. The absence of iNKT cells also affected TGF-β1 levels and plasma cells, which were significantly reduced in knockout (KO) mice. In addition, when submitted to dextran sodium sulfate colitis, iNKT-KO mice had worsening of colitis when compared with wild-type (WT) mice. To further address iNKT cell contribution to intestinal homeostasis, we adoptively transferred iNKT cells to KO mice, and they were submitted to colitis. Transfer of iNKT cells improved colitis and restored fecal IgA levels and gut microbiota.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that intestinal NKT cells are important modulators of intestinal homeostasis and that gut microbiota composition may be a potential target in the management of inflammatory bowel diseases.
Parameter-dependent robust H∞ filtering for uncertain two-dimensional discrete systems in the FM second model
Authors: Badie Khalid , Alfidi Mohammed , Oubaidi Mohamed , Chalh Zakaria
Published: December 2019

This paper deals with the problem of robust $H_{\infty }$ filtering for uncertain two-dimensional discrete systems in the Fornasini–Marchesini second model with polytopic parameter uncertainties. Firstly, a new $H_{\infty }$ performance criterion is derived by exploiting a new structure of the parameter-dependent Lyapunov function. Secondly, based on the criterion obtained, a new condition for the existence of a robust $H_{\infty }$ filter that ensures asymptotic stability, and a prescribed $H_{\infty }$ performance level of the filtering error system, for all admissible uncertainties is established in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness and advantage of the proposed method.
Randomized exponential integrators for modulated nonlinear Schrödinger equations
Authors: Hofmanová Martina , Knöller Marvin , Schratz Katharina
Published: December 2019

We consider the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with dispersion modulated by a (formal) derivative of a time-dependent function with fractional Sobolev regularity of class $W^{\alpha ,2}$ for some $\alpha \in (0,1)$. Due to the loss of smoothness in the problem, classical numerical methods face severe order reduction. In this work, we develop and analyze a new randomized exponential integrator based on a stratified Monte Carlo approximation. The new discretization technique averages the high oscillations in the solution allowing for improved convergence rates of order $\alpha +1/2$. In addition, the new approach allows us to treat a far more general class of modulations than the available literature. Numerical results underline our theoretical findings and show the favorable error behavior of our new scheme compared to classical methods.
Adverse infant outcomes associated with caesarean section delivery in India
Authors: Gondwe Tamala , Betha Kalpana , Kusneniwar G N , Bunker Clareann H , Tang Gong , Simhan Hyagriv , Haggerty Catherine L
Published: December 2019

Background

Caesarean section delivery is increasing worldwide and in India, yet little is known about the effect on infants. We examined the association between caesarean delivery and adverse infant outcomes in an Indian national survey, accounting for factors related to the mode of delivery.

Methods

Inverse probability weighted logistic regression analysis of the 2015–2016 India National Family Health Survey obtained adjusted ORs (aORs) and 95% CIs. Infant outcomes were maternal report of recent concomitant diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection (ARI) in infants age ≤6 mo and neonatal death.

Results

Of the 189 143 reported most recent singleton births, 15.4% were delivered by caesarean, 860 (3.2%) of all infants age ≤6 mo had concomitant diarrhoea and ARI and 3480 (1.8%) neonatal deaths were reported. In adjusted analysis, caesarean delivery was not associated with concomitant diarrhoea and ARI (aOR 0.96 [95% CI 0.71 to 1.32]) but was associated with neonatal death (aOR 1.19 [95% CI 1.02 to 1.39]).

Conclusions

Using nationally representative cross-sectional data for India, caesarean section delivery was found to be associated with neonatal death after accounting for factors associated with the mode of delivery. Prospective exploration of the relationship between caesarean delivery and adverse infant outcomes is warranted.
Grazing behavior and production characteristics among cows differing in residual feed intake while grazing late season Idaho rangeland
Authors: Sprinkle James E , Taylor J Bret , Clark Patrick E , Hall John B , Strong Nicole K , Roberts-Lew Meghan C
Published: December 2019

The objectives were to determine whether cows previously classified during a postweaning test as either low or high residual feed intake (LRFI or HRFI) differed in BW, BCS, and winter grazing activity while consuming poor-quality forage. Thirty Hereford × Angus (LRFI = 16; HRFI = 14) 2-yr-old mid- to late-gestation cows (pregnant with second calf) grazed sagebrush steppe for 78 d beginning 29 September 2015. BW and BCS were collected before and after grazing. Five cows of each RFI classification were fitted with global positioning system (GPS) collars on 16 November 2015 with data collection commencing 3 d later and continuing for 25 d in a 323-ha pasture. The GPS units collected location coordinates every 2 min from which total daily travel distance (DTD) was calculated. Visual counts for bite rate were obtained from collared cows over 8 d. Coordinate data, daily bite rate, BW, and BCS were analyzed as repeated measures using a mixed model, which included RFI group, day, and RFI group × day as fixed effects and cow within RFI group as the random effect. Change in BW and BCS was analyzed by ANOVA with RFI group as the main effect. Cow BCS and BW differed for both day (P < 0.0001) and day × RFI (P < 0.05). Body condition was less (P < 0.05) in LRFI cows at the beginning (5.8 ± 0.13 vs. 6.2 ± 0.14 BCS), but similar (P = 0.67) to HRFI at the end of the study (4.6 ± 0.13 vs. 4.6 ± 0.14). BW among the RFI groups did not differ (P = 0.20) prior to going to range. However, BW-change and BCS-change differed (P < 0.05) between RFI groups. Not only did the LRFI cows lose less BW (−50.0 ± 5.41 kg vs. −66.6 ± 5.78 kg) over the trial, they also were less variable with respect to BW loss. Cows did not differ (P > 0.21) by RFI for DTD or bite rate, but day was significant (P < 0.0001) with cows increasing bite rate as the season of year progressed (55.2 ± 5.63 bites/min for day 4 vs. 84.8 ± 5.32 bites/min for day 21) and increasing DTD as snow storms occurred. Although LRFI cows were leaner than HRFI cows at the commencement of the project, they lost less BW in a late season rangeland environment.
Inclusion of the direct-fed microbial Clostridium butyricum in diets for weanling pigs increases growth performance and tends to increase villus height and crypt depth, but does not change intestinal microbial abundance
Authors: Casas Gloria A , Blavi Laia , Cross Tzu-Wen L , Lee Anne H , Swanson Kelly S , Stein Hans H
Published: December 2019

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that inclusion of the direct fed microbial Clostridium butyricum in diets for weanling pigs will improve growth performance, systemic immune function, microbiota composition, and gut morphology in weaned pigs. A total of 275 newly weaned pigs (20 ± 2 d of age) with an average initial BW of 6.4 ± 0.8 kg were allotted to a randomized complete block design with 11 pens per treatment. Diets included a positive control diet containing Carbadox, a negative control diet without Carbadox, and three treatment diets in which 1,250 × 108 cfu/kg, 2,500 × 108 cfu/kg, or 3,500 × 108 cfu/kg of C. butyricum was added to the negative control diet. A two-phase feeding program was used (phase 1, 14 d; phase 2, 21 d). At the conclusion of the experiment (day 35), a blood sample was collected from one pig per pen (11 pigs per treatment) and this pig was then euthanized and digesta and tissues samples were collected. Results indicated that for the overall phase, pigs fed the positive control diet had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI and tended (P = 0.064) to have greater final BW than pigs fed the negative control diet. The ADG and G:F increased and then decreased as increasing doses of C. butyricum were included in the diet (quadratic, P < 0.05). The concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α was less (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the positive control diet compared with pigs fed the negative control diet or diets containing C. butyricum. Crypt depth tended (P = 0.08) to be less in pigs fed the negative control diet compared with pigs fed the positive control diet and villus height tended to increase as the doses of C. butyricum increased in the diets (quadratic, P = 0.08). Villus height also tended (P = 0.084) to be greater in pigs fed diets containing C. butyricum compared with pigs fed the positive control diet. Crypt depth increased as the dose of C. butyricum increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) and villus width at the bottom tended to increase (linear, P = 0.072) as the dose of C. butyricum increased in the diet. Alpha and beta diversity indices of ileal and colonic microbiota were not affected by diet. In conclusion, addition of 1,250 × 108 cfu/kg of C. butyricum, but not greater levels, to diets fed to weanling pigs increased growth performance and tended to increase villus height and crypt depth, but changes in the abundance of intestinal microbiota were not observed.
Determination of Morphine, Fentanyl and Their Metabolites in Small Sample Volumes Using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Gleba Jessica , Kim Jonghan
Published: December 2019

The USA and numerous other countries worldwide are currently experiencing a public health crisis due to the abuse of heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. We have developed a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS)-based method for the detection of morphine, fentanyl and their metabolites, including morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G), morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G), normorphine, norfentanyl and deuterated internal standards in limited sample volumes with the limit of detection of 5.0/0.5 ng/mL (morphine, M3G, M6G, normorphine/fentanyl, norfentanyl). The inter-assay precision (%CV) was less than 12% for all assays, and the inter-assay bias (%) was less than 5%. The ruggedness of the method, dilution effect and carryover were also investigated as part of the study. The simultaneous quantification of morphine, fentanyl and its metabolites via this simple and time- and cost-efficient method could be successfully applied to samples taken for pharmacokinetic evaluation (antemortem and postmortem) after a single dose of morphine or co-administration of morphine with other drugs (e.g., fentanyl) in rats.
The Disruption of the Prudential Regulatory Framework
Authors: Siciliani Paolo
Published: December 2019

This article first explores how the prudential regulatory framework may be drastically changed as a result of the adoption of regtech and suptech innovations. The adoption of a shared data architecture, whereby the regulator is provided with seamless access to the accounts of regulated firms, may result in the development of a centralized approach to regulatory modelling, thus bypassing the existing partition between internal models and standardized approaches. Secondly, this article discusses how, thanks to the adoption of advanced predictive analytics, non-bank fintech lenders can gain insights into borrowers’ creditworthiness irrespective of banks’ control over traditional sources of information for credit scoring. This, though, may give rise to a new type of strategic gaming, this time by borrowers keen to maximize their chances of being granted a loan. In any case, preventing banks from adopting these new methods for the purpose of regulatory modelling might weaken their competitiveness. Thirdly, this article explores whether the transition to a centralized approach for credit risk management would conflate the distinction between microprudential and macroprudential interventions, in particular with respect to the countercyclical macroprudential policy. Finally, the article argues that non-bank (fintech) firms could be persuaded to coalesce behind endorsement of the new regulatory shared data platform in return for the support from the central bank. In this way, the regulatory perimeter could be extended in order to steer the adoption of financial innovations in a manner that benefits society overall.
Histological and Immunohistochemical Study of Wounds in Sheep Skin in Maggot Therapy by Using Protophormia terraenovae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Larvae
Authors: Durán David , Galapero Javier , Frontera Eva , Bravo-Barriga Daniel , Blanco Juan , Gómez Luis
Published: December 2019

A study was performed to evaluate the implication of Protophormia terraenovae larvae as a surgical therapy for wounded skin. Three groups of sheep (n = 25) were considered based on larval doses. Groups 1 and 2 were artificially infested with low and high concentrations of L1 stage P. terraenovae, respectively, and group 0 served as a control. Skin biopsies were taken at 4 and 14 d postinfestation (D.P.If). A histopathological study was carried out to evaluate the lesions with a score, numbers of eosinophils and mast cells, and an immunohistochemical analysis of CD3, CD79α, and CD68 as T lymphocytes, B lymphosytes, and macrophages, respectively. The results indicated that higher larval doses led to faster regeneration by 14 D.P.If. Furthermore, the higher larval doses showed a high number of the CD68 marker and eosinophils and a low number of CD3 and CD79α markers and mast cells. In addition, the number of mast cells, T lymphocytes, and macrophage markers increased when the lesion progressed; however, a low number of immunolabeled CD79α cells and eosinophils were observed. The results indicate a possible positive effect of larvae in the healing of certain wounds.
Pathogenicity and Transgenerational Effects of Metarhizium anisopliae on the Demographic Parameters of Aedes albopictus (Culicidae: Diptera)
Authors: Shoukat Rana Fartab , Hassan Babar , Shakeel Muhammad , Zafar Junaid , Li Shuzhong , Freed Shoaib , Xu Xiaoxia , Jin Fengliang
Published: December 2019

Dengue fever is a vector-borne infectious disease that spreads swiftly and threatens human lives in several tropical countries. Most of the strategies employed for the control of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) involve synthetic chemicals. The indiscriminate use of synthetic chemicals has led to the development of resistance and is unsafe for human and environmental health. Therefore, there is a need to develop ecologically safe tactics, such as the use of the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff 1879) (Met-11.1). The following study investigated the effectiveness of EPF-Met-11.1 on different demographic parameters of Ae. albopictus. Mortality bioassays showed 92.5% mortality when adult Ae. albopictus were treated with M. anisopliae. Metarhizium anisopliae absorbs the hemolymph sugar which results in retarded development. Metarhizium anisopliae LC50 not only affected the parental generation (F0) but also affected the demographic parameters of the offspring (F1). Transgenerational results (F1) with Met-11.1 showed decreased net reproductive rates (Ro), intrinsic rates of increase (r), and mean generation times (T) compared to those of uninfected controls. The larval developmental duration in the treatment group was 8.22 d, compared to 8.00 d in the control. There was a significant decrease in mean fecundity in the treated group (208.87 eggs) compared to that of the control group (360.27 eggs), and adult longevity was also significantly reduced in the treated group. Therefore, it is concluded that M. anisopliae can have lasting effects on the developmental parameters of Ae. albopictus, indicating that it can be an integral part of mosquito control strategies.
First Report on the Use of Larvae of Cochliomyia macellaria (Diptera: Calliphoridae) for Wound Treatment in Veterinary Practice
Authors: Masiero F S , Aguiar E S V , Pereira D I B , Thyssen P J
Published: December 2019

Factors contributing to the delay or prevention of the natural wound healing process include infection and ineffective conventional treatment. Alternative therapies, such as the maggot debridement therapy (MDT), may be helpful for successful treatment in these cases. Aiming to disseminate information about the possibility of using other species of flies for wound treatment, besides the best known Lucilia sericata Meigen, 1826 (Diptera, Calliphoridae), we report here a successful MDT case with the application of Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775) larvae to treat an infected wound with extensive area of necrotic tissue in a dog. Five sterile larvae were applied to each square-cm of lesion and kept on the animal for only 48 h. The healing was successful, from both qualitative and quantitative points of view. The ratio of wound healing (RWH) reached almost 50% on the 5th day and 100% on the 14th day after MDT. Although the overall animal prognosis had been unfavorable, mainly due to the sepsis, the patient began to recover and had improved clinical condition from the fifth day after MDT. This study shows the importance and effectiveness of MDT in promoting faster and more complete healing of a complex wound.
Effects of Methamphetamine on the Development and Its Determination in Aldrichina grahami (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Authors: Wang Shiwen , Zhang Changquan , Chen Wei , Ren Lipin , Ling Jiang , Shang Yanjie , Guo Yadong
Published: December 2019

Age determination of necrophagous flies serves as an important tool for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation in forensic investigations. Drugs or toxins in cadavers may alter the developmental time of larvae, and lead to deviation in PMI estimation. Methamphetamine (MA), as one of the most abused psychostimulant drugs in Asia and North America, is often involved in forensic entomotoxicological cases. This study investigated the effects of MA (0, 45, 90, and 180 ng/mg) on the developmental rate, morphology, and survival of Aldrichina grahami (Aldrich, 1930). The results showed that 1) the developmental time to reach the pupal instar was statistically slower for the larvae reared on rabbit mince containing MA than for the control; 2) the mean length of the larvae exposed to MA concentrations was longer than those of the control; 3) the mean weight of the pupae exposed to the highest concentration of MA was significantly lighter than those of the control; 4) the GC–MS method can detect the content of MA in A. grahami immatures and empty puparia (EP).
Scanning Electron Microscopy and Geometric Contour Morphometry for Identifying Eggs of Three Amazonian Species of Mansonia (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: da Silva Ferreira Francisco Augusto , Simões Rejane de Castro , Ferreira-Keppler Ruth Leila , Alencar Jeronimo , Scarpassa Vera Margarete , Tadei Wanderli Pedro
Published: December 2019

The eggs of three Amazonian species of the genus Mansonia (Diptera: Culicidae) were analyzed using morphological and morphometric characters. Eggs of Mansonia humeralis Dyar & Knab, 1916 were morphologically different from those of Mansonia titillans (Walker, 1848) and Mansonia amazonensis (Theobald, 1901), which were more similar to each other according to linear and geometric morphometry. A principal component analysis generated from elliptic Fourier contour data (PC1—92.6% and PC2—2.61%) indicated that Ma. amazonensis and Ma. titillans are more similar to each other than either is to Ma. humeralis. Discriminant multivariate analysis was highly accurate with only four classification errors and a 90% accuracy rate. The results indicate that the three Amazonian species can be precisely distinguished in the egg stage and that geometric morphometry based on elliptic Fourier contours is a promising method for distinguishing eggs of species of Mansonia. An identification key based on egg morphology is provided to distinguish the four Neotropical species.
DATA SHARING IN IOT ECOSYSTEMS AND COMPETITION LAW: THE EXAMPLE OF CONNECTED CARS
Authors: Kerber Wolfgang
Published: December 2019

This paper analyzes whether competition law can help to solve problems of access to data and interoperability in Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems, where often one firm has exclusive control of the data produced by a smart device (and of the technical access to this device). Such a gatekeeper position can lead to the elimination of competition for aftermarket and other complementary services in such IoT ecosystems. This problem is analyzed both from an economic and a legal perspective and also generally for IoT ecosystems as well as for the much discussed problems of “access to in-vehicle data and resources” in connected cars, where the “extended vehicle” concept of the car manufacturers leads to such positions of exclusive control. The paper analyzes, in particular, the competition rules about abusive behavior of dominant firms (Art. 102 TFEU) and of firms with “relative market power” (§ 20 (1) GWB) in German competition law. These provisions might offer (if appropriately applied and amended) at least some solutions for these data access problems. Competition law, however, might not be sufficient for dealing with all or most of these problems, that is, that also additional solutions might be needed (data portability, direct data (access) rights, or sector-specific regulation).
The 1912 Douglas-Fir Heredity Study: Long-Term Effects of Climatic Transfer Distance on Growth and Survival
Authors: St. Clair J Bradley , Howe Glenn T , Kling Jennifer G
Published: December 2019

The 1912 Douglas-Fir Heredity Study is one of the first studies undertaken by the US Forest Service, and one of the first forest genetics studies in North America. The study considers provenance variation of 120 parent trees from 13 seed sources planted at five test sites in the Pacific Northwest. The unique, long-term nature of the study makes it valuable to revisit and consider its biological and historical significance. This analysis considers how far climatically Douglas-fir populations may be moved without incurring unacceptable declines in growth and survival. Results indicate that Douglas-fir seed sources may be moved at least 2° C cooler or warmer and still retain good long-term survival and productivity. However, projected future climate change beyond 2° C may lead to lower survival and productivity. One option to address these concerns is assisted migration; however, if seed sources are moved beyond 2–3° C to a cooler climate in anticipation of warming, or from a more continental to a maritime climate, we are likely to see increased mortality and associated losses in productivity in the near-term. Lessons from this study include: (1) pay attention to good experimental design; we were able to overcome limitations from the design by using new statistical approaches; (2) maladaptation may take time to develop; poorer survival was not evident until more than two decades after planting; and (3) long-term studies may have value for addressing new, unforeseen issues in the future.