bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Nasal Septal Body Size Associated With Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy and Allergic Rhinitis?
Authors: Hizli Omer , Kayabasi Serkan , Ozkan Deniz
Published: January 2020

Nasal septal body is a thickened mucosal area of nasal septum with an unknown certain role. In this study, the authors aimed to investigate the association between the area, length, and width of the nasal septal body with inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) and allergic rhinitis (AR). A total of 106 patients with ITH (54 with AR and 52 without AR), and 49 patients without ITH and AR (control group) were included in this study. Using axial and coronal paranasal computed tomography scans, the area, length, and width of nasal septal body were measured, and the mean values between the groups were compared. Mean area, length, and width of nasal septal body significantly differed among 3 groups (P < 0.001). Septal body area was significantly greater in ITH with AR group, compared to ITH without AR group (P < 0.001) and the control group (P < 0.001). Also, it was significantly greater in ITH without AR group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Septal body width was significantly greater in ITH with AR group, compared to ITH without AR group (P < 0.001) and the control group (P < 0.001). Also, it was significantly greater in ITH without AR group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Patients with ITH had a greater nasal septal body area, length, and width, compared to the patients without. Moreover, AR had an additional increasing effect on the area and width of the nasal septal body.
Modified Micromarsupialization as Treatment of Ranula in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Silva Diego Filipe Bezerra , Neves Gabriella de Vasconcelos , Moura Rodrigo Queiroga de , Carvalho Sérgio Henrique Gonçalves de , Pereira Jozinete Vieira , Gomes Daliana Queiroga de Castro
Published: January 2020

Ranulas are mucoceles located on the floor of the mouth. The main form of treatment for these lesions is surgical excision, but this can lead to complications such as hemorrhage, recurrence of the lesion, and damage to the lingual nerve. Thus, other therapeutic modalities are indicated, such as modified micromarsupialization, which is a simple technique and not associated with recurrences, and without the need of a new intervention in the postoperative period. An 11-year-old female child, nonwhite, presented with bubble-shaped lesion located on floor of the mouth, on the left side, with exophytic growth, sessile base, bluish coloration, measuring about 4.0 cm in diameter, showing well-defined limits, well-delimited contours and borders, smooth surface, and softened consistency. Under the diagnostic hypothesis of the ranula, a modified micromarsupialization was performed. After 90 days of observation, complete regression and repair of the lesion were observed, without recurrence. Modified micromarsupialization is a simple therapeutic modality, low cost, and well-tolerated by the patient, mainly the pediatric one, being considered very effective in the treatment of lesions of difficult clinical management, as the ranula.
Is Transnasal Endoscopic Marsupialization Sufficient in Thornwaldt Cysts?
Authors: Turan Şükrü , Gürbüz Melek Kezban , Kaya Ercan , Pinarbaşli Mehmet Özgür , Uzun Tankut , Çakli Hamdi
Published: January 2020

Objective:

Thornwaldt cyst is a rare nasopharyngeal lesion that develops from primitive notochord residues. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term results of transnasal endoscopic marsupialization surgery in the treatment of Thornwaldt's cyst, its success and its qualification in the treatment.

Method:

The data of 21 patients who underwent transnasal endoscopic marsupialization surgery for symptomatic Thornwaldt cyst in our hospital between 2009 and 2015 and followed up regularly after the operation were reviewed retrospectively.

Results:

Eleven patients were female and 10 were male. The mean age of the patients was 35.5 years (15–60). All patients underwent transnasal endoscopic marsupialization as a surgical technique. No intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed. In all cases, the complaints regressed postoperatively. There was no recurrence at 4-year follow-up.

Conclusion:

Transnasal endocopic marsupialization as a surgical method can be performed safely in Thornwaldt cyst cases because of its easy applicability, short surgical time, low recurrence rates and efficacy in treatment.
Recurrent Bilateral Chronic Subdural Hematoma After Interventional Embolization Combined With Drilling and Drainage Treatment
Authors: Wang Henglu , Wang Chao , Li Zefu
Published: January 2020

The main treatment for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is surgical drilling and drainage. Meanwhile, the most accepted treatment strategy for bilateral CSDHs (bCSDHs) is unilateral evacuation only on the larger or symptomatic side because the contralateral hematoma is generally either small or asymptomatic. However, the probability of recurrence is high. To effectively reduce this recurrence rate, embolization has been proposed. Because middle meningeal artery embolization may effectively block the blood supply of the CSDH, its combination with drilling and drainage could be an effective treatment strategy for addressing unilateral CSDH (uCSDH). In addition, the recurrence mechanism of bCSDH may be not completely same as that of the uCSDH. Hence, the authors need find a more effective treatment for it.
Field Management of Facial Injuries in Sports
Authors: Hwang Kun
Published: January 2020

This study reviews the epidemiology, diagnostic heuristics, and field management of sports-related facial injuries for sideline physicians.

Facial injuries account for 3% to 29% of sports injuries, and sports injuries account for 11.3% to 42.1% of facial fractures. In a previous series, fractures of the nasal bone were the most common in all sports (40%–60.5%); mandibular fractures were common in martial arts (33.3%) and soccer (11.1%), orbital bone fractures were common in basketball (20.0%), ice sports (18.2%), and baseball (15.8%), and fractures of the zygoma occurred frequently in martial arts (13.3%) and soccer (10.0%).

Facial lacerations may injure nerves (facial and trigeminal), salivary ducts (parotid or submandibular), and the lacrimal apparatus. Facial fractures are inspected by palpating the bony prominences bilaterally. For simple lacerations, if the player does not have to return to the court, the wound should be cleansed as needed, and surgical adhesives can be applied in the field. However, if return to play is an issue, sutures are recommended rather than surgical adhesives.

For nasal injuries involving a gross deformity, immediate closed reduction may not be necessary unless airway competency is compromised. Severe cases of nasal fracture treated immediately by closed reduction should be evaluated by a trained plastic surgeon.

In sports, facial injuries are prone to be missed, but their importance should not be neglected. Therefore, sideline physicians should be aware of the relatively high frequency of facial injuries, including facial bone fractures. They should have the knowledge needed to manage these injuries, and must prepare emergency management kits.
The Type and Content of Collagen Fibers of the Levator Aponeurosis in Patients With Simple Congenital Blepharoptosis
Authors: Miao Xiaoteng , Shan Tao , Wang Jiaqi
Published: January 2020

Background:

The pathogenesis of congenital blepharoptosis remains controversial and most of the studies focused on the histologic changes of the levator muscle. However, thickening of the aponeurosis was reported in congenital blepharoptosis. And the thickness of the levator aponeurosis was found to be correlated with the levator function in congenital dysmyogenic blepharoptosis.

Purpose:

The authors conducted this research to investigate the histological changes of the levator aponeurosis of simple congenital blepharoptosis patients.

Patients and Methods:

The authors analyzed 12 levator aponeurosis from ptosis patients and 21 levator aponeurosis from the cadaver specimens without relative medical history. The specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin as well as Sirius red. The sections were examined under light-microscopy. The content and type of collagen fibers were examined with the photos taken of the sections stained with Sirius red under polarized light-microscopy.

Results:

The content and proportion of type I collagen increased significantly in the patient group compared with the cadaver group. The proportion of type I collagen was 97.5% in the patient group, while it was 51.5% in the cadaver group. However, no correlation was found either between the levator strength, degree of ptosis and the proportion of type I collagen in the patient group or between age, gender and proportion of type I collagen in the cadaver group.

Conclusions:

To our knowledge, this is the first time this phenomenon was discovered. The increase of type I collagen in the levator aponeurosis of the simple congenital blepharoptosis patients may imply the increased stiffness and undermined ability of transmitting forces, dissipate energy and prevent mechanical failure in the levator aponeurosis.
Rigid Fiber-Optic Device Intubation in a Child With Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis
Authors: Vitkovic Bibiana , Milic Morena , Filipan Dorotea , Dediol Emil
Published: January 2020

The authors present a case of rigid fiber-optic device intubation in an 8-year-old boy with posttraumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis. For this intention, a 5 mm diameter Bonfils fiberscope was used. Such practice has never been described before in pediatric patients with temporomandibular joint ankylosis. The procedure was successful and without complications. Therefore, the authors conclude that this method represents a useful alternative in difficult airway management in children with limited mouth opening.
Adenoviral.βARKct Cardiac Gene Therapy Ameliorates Cardiac Function Following Cardiopulmonary Bypass in A Swine Model
Authors: Cong Mulin , Fan Yiou , Zhu Fangfang , Ji Xianfei , Sun Liangong , Yang Ming , Li Na , Li Qiao , Tan Qi
Published: January 2020

Objective:

This study is to evaluate the effects of the Adenoviral βARKct (Adv. βARKct) myocardial gene transfection following cardioplegic arrest on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in a swine model.

Methods:

Swine models of cardioplegic arrest on CPB were established after 5 days of myocardial injection of Adv. βARKct or Adv. luciferase. The pigs were randomized into Adv. βARKct, Control, and Sham groups. Invasive hemodynamics, cardiac function, biomarkers, and tissue morphology were assessed.

Results:

Baseline data were similar among these groups. Hemodynamics and cardiac function showed a deteriorating trend throughout 6 h after weaning in βARKct and Control groups. Compared with Control group, Adv. βARKct treatment significantly elevated global and regional ventricular function (cardiac output, dp/dtmax, Ejection fraction, peak systolic longitudinal strain, and peak systolic strain rate) and altered hemodynamics (cardiac cycle efficiency and systemic vascular resistance). Moreover, inotropic score in βARKct group was gradually decreased to 5.0 ± 1.1, compared with Control group (6.2 ± 0.9), at 6 h after weaning. Biomarkers in βARKct group were significantly better than in Control group. Meanwhile, βARKct treatment reduced the histopathologic injuries, rescued β1-AR, SERCA2a, and RyR2 levels, and decreased the GRK2 levels in myocardial cells.

Conclusion:

Adv.βARKct inhibits GRK2 and ameliorates myocardial injuries following cardioplegic arrest on CPB, via stabilizing β1-AR, reducing mitochondrial damages and restoring sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-handling protein expression.
Detection of Cryptic Mosaicism in X-linked Alport Syndrome Prompts to Re-evaluate Living-donor Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Pinto Anna Maria , Daga Sergio , Fallerini Chiara , Bruttini Mirella , Baldassarri Margherita , Giliberti Annarita , Frullanti Elisa , Guarnieri Andrea , Garosi Guido , Renieri Alessandra
Published: January 2020

Background.

Alport syndrome is a hereditary nephropathy caused by mutations in collagen IV genes and characterized by ultrastructural lesions of the glomerular basement membrane. Some patients have a negative family history with apparently de novo mutations. Although somatic mosaicism has been postulated, as cryptic mosaicism cannot be detected from mutational screening on peripheral blood samples, cases in kidney-confined mosaic form have been missed.

Methods.

We report the case of a 24-year-old male patient with X-linked Alport syndrome diagnosis due to a COL4A5 pathogenic mutation (c.3334_3337dup [p.Gly1113Alafs*25]). The same mutation had not been previously detected on a peripheral blood sample of maternal DNA. However, the mother, who was undertaking a clinical re-evaluation to take in consideration the possibility of a living-kidney transplantation, had experienced persistent microhematuria since the age of 10 years.

Results.

A next-generation sequencing approach performed on maternal DNA from both peripheral blood sample and urine-derived podocyte-lineage cells unmasked the COL4A5 mutation only in the podocyte-lineage cells.

Conclusions.

This finding unveils an early postzygotic event which can explain both the renal involvement and germline mosaicism. It changes the inheritance risk for each pregnancy raising it to 50% and underlines the need for different clinical management in the mother. This seems to indicate that a case-by-case more cautious approach is needed with mother-to-son kidney transplants.
Three-month Storage of Human Corneas in an Active Storage Machine
Authors: Garcin Thibaud , Gauthier Anne-Sophie , Crouzet Emmanuel , He Zhiguo , Herbepin Pascal , Perrache Chantal , Acquart Sophie , Cognasse Fabrice , Forest Fabien , Gain Philippe , Thuret Gilles
Published: January 2020

Background.

Corneal storage for the very long term, without degradation, would make it possible to optimize a very limited resource worldwide. We previously demonstrated the superiority, compared to conventional 4-week passive organ culture (OC), of an active storage machine (ASM) that restores intraocular pressure and medium renewal. Here, we investigate eye banking for up to 3 months.

Methods.

In a randomized preclinical trial with 24 paired corneas, 1 was stored in OC and the other in ASM, using the same medium. Assessments were done on the second day and at 3 months: endothelial cell density (ECD in cells/mm2), corneal transparency and thickness. At day 86, OC corneas were deswelled in a common hyperosmotic medium, but not the ASM corneas, which had remained thin. In addition, at day 88, viable ECD was measured using a live/dead assay, and endothelial expression of Na+/K+ ATPase, Cox IV, ZO-1, N-CAM, and CD166 was observed.

Results.

The ASM extended storage to 3 months with unprecedented endothelial cell quality: no OC corneas remained suitable for transplantation, but one-third of ASM corneas were compliant (ECD > 2000/mm2). Given that corneas with ECD > 1600/mm2 were also usable for emergency, 58% of ASM corneas were usable versus 33% in OC. EC survival was 53% higher in ASM (P < 0.001), structural and functional proteins of ECs were much better preserved in ASM, and it prevented the constant major edema of OC.

Conclusions.

By extending graft survival to 3 months, the ASM will optimize eye banking and open up new perspectives in experimental research.
Neuronal fibroblast growth factor 22 signaling during development, but not in adults, is involved in anhedonia
Authors: Terauchi Akiko , Durlacher Emily , Pitino Julia , Umemori Hisashi
Published: January 2020

Growth factor signaling in the brain is implicated in many neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, autism, and epilepsy. Fibroblast growth factor 22 is a growth factor that regulates excitatory synapse development and neurogenesis in the brain. We have previously shown that adult mice in which fibroblast growth factor 22 is constitutively inactivated in all cells throughout life (fibroblast growth factor 22-null mice) show anhedonia, a core feature of depression in humans, suggesting that fibroblast growth factor 22 signaling contributes to the regulation of affective behavior. Here we asked (1) whether inactivation of fibroblast growth factor 22 specifically in neurons is sufficient to induce anhedonia in mice and (2) whether fibroblast growth factor 22 signaling is important during development or in adults for the regulation of affective behavior. To address these questions, we performed the sucrose preference test, which is used as an indicator of anhedonia, with neuron-specific conditional fibroblast growth factor 22 knockout mice, in which fibroblast growth factor 22 is inactivated in neurons at birth (neonatal-fibroblast growth factor 22-knockout mice) or in adults (adult-fibroblast growth factor 22-knockout mice). We found that neonatal-fibroblast growth factor 22-knockout mice show anhedonia (decreased preference for sucrose), while adult-fibroblast growth factor 22-knockout mice do not. Therefore, neuronal fibroblast growth factor 22 signaling is critical during development, and not in adults, for the regulation of affective behavior. Our work also implies that defects in growth factor-dependent synapse development, neurogenesis, or both may underlie depression of a developmental origin.
Binary and analog variation of synapses between cortical pyramidal neurons
Authors: Dorkenwald Sven , Turner Nicholas L. , Macrina Thomas , Lee Kisuk , Lu Ran , Wu Jingpeng , Bodor Agnes L. , Bleckert Adam A. , Brittain Derrick , Kemnitz Nico , Silversmith William M. , Ih Dodam , Zung Jonathan , Zlateski Aleksandar , Tartavull Ignacio , Yu Szi-Chieh , Popovych Sergiy , Wong William , Castro Manuel , Jordan Chris S. , Wilson Alyssa M. , Froudarakis Emmanouil , Buchanan JoAnn , Takeno Marc , Torres Russel , Mahalingam Gayathri , Collman Forrest , Schneider-Mizell Casey , Bumbarger Daniel J. , Li Yang , Becker Lynne , Suckow Shelby , Reimer Jacob , Tolias Andreas S. , Maçarico da Costa Nuno , Reid R. Clay , Seung H. Sebastian
Published: January 2020

Learning from experience depends at least in part on changes in neuronal connections. We present the largest map of connectivity to date between cortical neurons of a defined type (L2/3 pyramidal cells), which was enabled by automated analysis of serial section electron microscopy images with improved handling of image defects. We used the map to identify constraints on the learning algorithms employed by the cortex. Previous cortical studies modeled a continuum of synapse sizes (Arellano et al. 2007) by a log-normal distribution (Loewenstein, Kuras, and Rumpel 2011; de Vivo et al. 2017; Santuy et al. 2018). A continuum is consistent with most neural network models of learning, in which synaptic strength is a continuously graded analog variable. Here we show that synapse size, when restricted to synapses between L2/3 pyramidal cells, is well-modeled by the sum of a binary variable and an analog variable drawn from a log-normal distribution. Two synapses sharing the same presynaptic and postsynaptic cells are known to be correlated in size (Sorra and Harris 1993; Koester and Johnston 2005; Bartol et al. 2015; Kasthuri et al. 2015; Dvorkin and Ziv 2016; Bloss et al. 2018; Motta et al. 2019). We show that the binary variables of the two synapses are highly correlated, while the analog variables are not. Binary variation could be the outcome of a Hebbian or other synaptic plasticity rule depending on activity signals that are relatively uniform across neuronal arbors, while analog variation may be dominated by other influences. We discuss the implications for the stability-plasticity dilemma.
Designing signaling environments to steer transcriptional diversity in neural progenitor cell populations
Authors: Chen Sisi , Park Jong H. , Jiang Jialong , Tsou Tiffany , Rivaud Paul , Thomson Matt
Published: January 2020

Stem and progenitor populations within developing embryos are diverse, composed of different subpopulations of precursor cells with varying developmental potential. How these different subpopulations are coordinately regulated by their signaling environments is not well understood. In this paper we develop a framework for controlling progenitor population structure in cell culture using high-throughput single cell mRNA-seq and computational analysis. We find that the natural transcriptional diversity of neural stem cell populations from the developing mouse brain collapses during in vitro culture. Cell populations are depleted of committed neuroblast progenitors and become dominated by a single pre-astrocytic cell population. By analyzing the response of neural stem cell populations to forty combinatorial signaling conditions, we demonstrate that signaling environments can restructure cell populations by modulating the relative abundance of pre-astrocytic and pre-neuronal subpopulations according to a simple log-linear model. Our work demonstrates that single-cell RNA-seq can be applied to learn how to modulate the diversity of stem cell populations, providing a new strategy for population-level stem cell control.

Highlights

Natural progenitor diversity in the brain collapses during in vitro culture to a single progenitor type

Loss of progenitor diversity alters fate potential of cells during differentiation

Large scale single-cell signaling screen identifies signals that reshape population structure towards neuronal cell types

Signals regulate population structure according to a simple log-linear model

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
The color appearance of three-dimensional, curved, transparent objects
Authors: Ennis Robert , Doerschner Katja
Published: January 2020

Studies on the perceived color of transparent objects have elucidated potential mechanisms but have mainly focused on flat filters that overlay a flat background. However, studies with flat filters have not captured all aspects of physical transparency, such as caustics, specular reflections/highlights, and shadows. Here, we investigate color matching experiments with three-dimensional transparent objects for different matching stimuli: a uniform patch and a flat filter overlaying a variegated background. Two different instructions were given to observers: change the color of the matching stimulus until it has the same color as the transparent object (for the patch and flat filter) or until it has the same color as the dye that was used to tint the transparent object (for the patch). Regardless of instruction or matching element, observers match the mean chromaticity of the glass object, but the luminance of matches depends on the backgrounds of the test image and the matching element, indicating that a color constancy-esque discounting operation is at work. We applied three models from flat filter studies to see if they generalize to our stimuli: the convergence model and the ratio of either the means (RMC) or standard deviations (RSD) of cone excitations. The convergence model does not generalize to our stimuli, but the RMC generalizes to a wider range of stimuli than the RSD. However, there is an edge case where RMC also breaks down and there may be additional features that trade-off with RMC when observers match the color of thick, curved transparent objects.
Quality assessment of single-cell RNA sequencing data by coverage skewness analysis
Authors: Abugessaisa Imad , Noguchi Shuhei , Cardon Melissa , Hasegawa Akira , Watanabe Kazuhide , Takahashi Masataka , Suzuki Harukazu , Katayama Shintaro , Kere Juha , Kasukawa Takeya
Published: January 2020

Analysis and interpretation of single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) experiments are compromised by the presence of poor quality cells. For meaningful analyses, such poor quality cells should be excluded to avoid biases and large variation. However, no clear guidelines exist. We introduce SkewC, a novel quality-assessment method to identify poor quality single-cells in scRNA-seq experiments. The method is based on the assessment of gene coverage for each single cell and its skewness as a quality measure. To validate the method, we investigated the impact of poor quality cells on downstream analyses and compared biological differences between typical and poor quality cells. Moreover, we measured the ratio of intergenic expression, suggesting genomic contamination, and foreign organism contamination of single-cell samples. SkewC is tested in 37,993 single-cells generated by 15 scRNA-seq protocols. We envision SkewC as an indispensable QC method to be incorporated into scRNA-seq experiment to preclude the possibility of scRNA-seq data misinterpretation.
Accuracy and Reproducibility of Somatic Point Mutation Calling in Clinical-Type Targeted Sequencing Data
Authors: Karimnezhad Ali , Palidwor Gareth A. , Thavorn Kednapa , Stewart David J. , Campbell Pearl A. , Lo Bryan , Perkins Theodore J.
Published: January 2020

Background

Treating cancer depends in part on identifying the mutations driving each patient’s disease. Many clinical laboratories are adopting high-throughput sequencing for assaying patients’ tumours, applying targeted panels to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour tissues to detect clinically-relevant mutations. While there have been some benchmarking and best practices studies of this scenario, much variant-calling work focuses on whole-genome or whole-exome studies, with fresh or fresh-frozen tissue. Thus, definitive guidance on best choices for sequencing platforms, sequencing strategies, and variant calling for clinical variant detection is still being developed.

Results

Because ground truth for clinical specimens is rarely known, we used the well-characterized Coriell cell lines GM12878 and GM12877 to generate data. We prepared samples to mimic as closely as possible clinical biopsies, including formalin fixation and paraffin embedding. We evaluated two well-known targeted sequencing panels, Illumina’s TruSight 170 panel and the Oncomine Focus panel. Sequencing was performed on an Illumina NextSeq500 and an Ion Torrent PGM respectively. We performed multiple biological replicates of each assay, to test reproducibility. Finally, we applied five different public and freely-available somatic single-nucleotide variant (SNV) callers to the data, MuTect2, SAMtools, VarScan2, Pisces and VarDict. Although the TruSight 170 and Oncomine Focus panels cover different amounts of the genome, we did not observe major differences in variant calling success within the regions that each covers. We observed substantial discrepancies between the five variant callers. All had high sensitivity, detecting known SNVs, but highly varying and non-overlapping false positive detections. Harmonizing variant caller parameters or intersecting the results of multiple variant callers reduced disagreements. However, intersecting results from biological replicates was even better at eliminating false positives.

Conclusions

Reproducibility and accuracy of targeted clinical sequencing results depends less on sequencing platform and panel than on downstream bioinformatics and biological variability. Differences in variant callers’ default parameters are a greater influence on algorithm disagreement than other differences between the algorithms. Contrary to typical clinical practice, we recommend analyzing replicate samples, as this greatly decreases false positive calls.
Genetic structure of Italian population of the grapevine downy mildew agent, Plasmopara viticola
Authors: Maddalena Giuliana , Delmotte François , Bianco Piero Attilio , De Lorenzis Gabriella , Toffolatti Silvia Laura
Published: January 2020

Downy mildew, caused by the Oomycete Plasmopara viticola, is one of the most important diseases affecting the Eurasian grapevine, Vitis vinifera. The pathogen originated in Northern America and its presence was signalled for the first time into Europe in 1878. In this study, the genetic variability and structure of Italian P. viticola population was investigated by genotyping 106 P. viticola strains belonging to 12 different regions, at 31 microsatellite markers. As a result of the high percentage of missing data, 96 strains and 19 loci were retained for the data analysis. The overall Italian population presents absence of clones, evidence of sexual and asexual reproduction and a low genetic diversity, as expected for an introduced pathogen, but a slightly higher genetic diversity than that found in other European populations, based on allelic diversity at the investigated microsatellite loci. Out of 19 loci, half shows deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and, indeed, structure analysis indicates the presence of two separate genetic clusters, with little but significantly different distribution according to geography (west–east gradient) and climatic conditions. Overall, the analysis of the P. viticola population, 140 years after its appearance in Italy, provides indication on the pathogen adaptability. This should be taken into consideration in the future for preserving the durability of disease resistant varieties in open field. In this view, all the disease control methods available should be integrated in order to reduce the selection of pathogen strains able to overcome plant resistance.
Women’s experiences and satisfaction with having a cesarean birth: An integrative review
Authors: Coates Dominiek , Thirukumar Purshaiyna , Henry Amanda
Published: January 2020

Background

With around one third of woman having a cesarean birth, better understanding of women's experiences of having a cesarean is vital to improve women's experiences of care. The aim of this review was to gain insight into women's experiences of and satisfaction with cesarean and to identify factors that contribute to women's poor experiences of care.

Methods

Using an integrative methodology, evidence was systematically considered in relation to women's experiences of cesarean birth and whether they were satisfied with their experience of care. To identify studies, PubMed, Maternity and Infant Care, MEDLINE, and Web of Science were searched for the period from 2008 to 2018, and reference lists of included studies were examined.

Results

Twenty‐six studies were included. Although the majority of women were satisfied with their cesarean, a large minority of women were dissatisfied and reported a negative experience. In particular, women who had an emergency cesarean were less satisfied than women who had a vaginal birth. Nonmedical factors or experiences that appear associated with dissatisfaction include (a) feeling ignored and disempowered; (b) experiencing a loss of control; (c) not being informed; and (d) birth values that favor vaginal birth.

Conclusions

Women's experiences of cesarean birth appear influenced by the circumstances (emergency vs planned), the extent to which they felt involved in decision‐making and in control of their experience, and their birth values and beliefs. Increasing antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum communication and shared decision‐making may help engage women as an active participant in their own birth.
The familial hypercholesterolaemia phenotype: Monogenic familial hypercholesterolaemia, polygenic hypercholesterolaemia and other causes
Authors: Mariano Cibelle , Alves Ana Catarina , Medeiros Ana Margarida , Chora Joana Rita , Antunes Marília , Futema Marta , Humphries Steve E. , Bourbon Mafalda
Published: January 2020

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a monogenic disorder characterised by high low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) concentrations and increased cardiovascular risk. However, in clinically defined FH cohorts worldwide, an FH‐causing variant is only found in 40%‐50% of the cases. The aim of this work was to characterise the genetic cause of the FH phenotype in Portuguese clinical FH patients. Between 1999 and 2017, 731 index patients (311 children and 420 adults) who met the Simon Broome diagnostic criteria had been referred to our laboratory. LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, APOE, LIPA, LDLRAP1, ABCG5/8 genes were analysed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and Sanger sequencing. The 6‐SNP LDL‐C genetic risk score (GRS) for polygenic hypercholesterolaemia was validated in the Portuguese population and cases with a GRS over the 25th percentile were considered to have a high likelihood of polygenic hypercholesterolaemia. An FH‐causing mutation was found in 39% of patients (94% in LDLR, 5% APOB and 1% PCSK9), while at least 29% have polygenic hypercholesterolaemia and 1% have other lipid disorders. A genetic cause for the FH phenotype was found in 503 patients (69%). All known causes of the FH phenotype should be investigated in FH cohorts to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Differentiating keratoacanthoma from squamous cell carcinoma—In quest of the holy grail
Authors: Nagarajan Priyadharsini
Published: January 2020

To distinguish keratoacanthomas from squamous cell carcinomas remains a diagnostic challenge in dermatopathology. Several immunohistochemical and cytogenetic markers have been evaluated; however, so far there has been no unequivocal evidence supporting practical application of any of these markers. Recent studies have evaluated the composition of tumor‐associated immune infiltrate, in particular the number and distribution of CD123‐positive plasmacytoid dendritic cells in making this distinction; but these cells also do not appear to be a consistent biomarker in distinguishing keratoacanthoma from squamous cell carcinoma.
First genetic evidence that invasive bullhead (Cottus L. 1758) in Scotland is of English origin and the difficulty of resolving the European Cottus species taxonomy
Authors: McLeish Jenny , Briers Rob A. , Dodd Jennifer A. , Rueckert Sonja
Published: January 2020

The European bullhead (Cottus gobio) is widely distributed across Europe, and within the UK is native to England and Wales, where it is protected under the Habitats Directive. In Scotland, however, the species is considered invasive and thriving populations are recorded in the Forth and Clyde river catchments, and the Ale Water in the Scottish Borders. The genetic identity of the Scottish populations has not been established. There is also debate about the status of the European bullhead and its validity as single species, a species complex with several unresolved species, or distinct different species in its European distribution range. There is therefore a need to determine the taxonomy and likely source of the novel Scottish populations. Genetic analyses using cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI) mitochondrial DNA sequences were undertaken on specimens from the Forth and Clyde catchments, and combined with the results of morphological characteristics to provide a comprehensive assessment of the taxonomic classification for Scottish bullheads. There was considerable variation in morphological characteristics between populations within Scotland and a wider range of variability than previously recorded for English populations. Genetically the Scottish populations were very closely related to English specimens, supporting the hypothesis of introduction directly from England to Scotland. In terms of broader relationships, Scottish specimens are genetically more closely related to the ostensible species Chabot fluviatile Cottus perifretum, which has been suggested as one of a complex of species across Europe. Morphologically they exhibit characteristics on the spectrum between C. perifretum and C. gobio. There is an urgent need for the clarification of the taxonomy of Cottus sp(p). to avoid confusion in future publications, legislation and management practices relating to bullheads throughout the UK and Europe.
Rapid cooling via dry ice preserves the genetic and morphological integrity of fish embryos
Authors: Fost Brooks , Morey Kevin , Ferguson Bryan , Bourque Danielle , Naaum Amanda , Bradley Doug , Hanner Robert
Published: January 2020

Larval fishes provide a valuable metric for assessing and monitoring species, populations, and ecosystem trends and condition. However, taxonomic resolution for this life stage is inherently problematic because of their individual sizes, limited morphological characteristics and high tissue degradation rates. There is little research on methods that rapidly preserve larval tissues for later morphological and molecular identification. The goal of this study was to test methods of rapidly killing fish embryos that maintain both morphological and molecular integrity. Rapid cooling with dry ice successfully maintained morphological and molecular integrity and may offer a simple and cost‐effective approach for larval fish identification.
Preparation and evaluation of two microbiological media from shrimp heads and hulls
Authors: Stephens N L , Bough W A , Beuchat L R , Heaton E K
Published: January 2020

Two peptones were extracted from raw shrimp waste after autolytic digestion. Digests were derived from shrimp heads and shrimp hulls, both of which are by-products of the shrimp processing industry. Digests were evaluated for suitability in supporting growth of microorganisms by measuring the total cell mass produced by five genera of bacteria and five genera of fungi in broths formulated from the peptones. Comparison was made to five commercially available medium preparations and a catfish peptone. A 0.5% solution of the lyophilized shrimp head digest, heated at 121 C for 15 min, resulted in a cloudy suspension. However, the digest supported excellent growth of fungi and good growth of bacteria. A heated 0.5% solution of the hull digest was clear and supported good growth of both bacteria and fungi.
Purification and some properties of an extracellular maltase from Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Wang L H , Hartman P A
Published: January 2020

Bacillus subtilis P-11, capable of producing extracellular maltase, was isolated from soil. Maximum enzyme production was obtained on a medium containing 2.0% methyl-alpha-D-glucose, 0.5% phytone, and 0.2% yeast extract. After the removal of cells, extracellular maltase was precipitated by ammonium sulfate (85% saturation). The enzyme was purified by using the following procedures: Sephadex G-200 column chromatography, diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex A-50 ion-exchange column chromatography, and a second Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. A highly purified maltase without amylase or proteinase activities was obtained. Some properties of the extracellular maltase were determined: optimum pH, 6.0; optimum temperature, 45 C, when the incubation time was 30 min; pH stability, within 5.5 to 6.5; heat stability, stable up to 45 C; isoelectric point, pH 6.0 (by gel-isoelectric focusing); molecular weight, 33,000 (by gel filtration with Sephadex G-200); substrate specificity: the relative rates of hydrolysis of maltose, maltotriose, isomaltose, and maltotetraose were 100:15:14:4, respectively, and there was no activity toward alkyl or aryl-alpha-D-glucosides, amylose, or other higher polymers. Transglucosylase activity was present. Glucose and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane were competitive inhibitors with Ki values of 4.54 and 75.08 mM, respectively; cysteine was a noncompetitive inhibitor. Michaelis constants were 5 mM for maltose, 1 mM for maltoriose, and 10 mM for isomaltose. A plot of pKm (-log Km) versus pH revealed two deflection points, one each at 5.5 and 6.5; these probably corresponded to an imidazole group of a histidine residue in or near the active center; this assumption was supported by the strong inhibition of enzyme activity by rose bengal.
Effect of norleucine on mycelial fragmentation in Cephalosporium acremonium
Authors: Drew S W , Winstanley D J , Demain A L
Published: January 2020

DL-Norleucine, which is known to replace methionine for stimulation of cephalosporin C formation, also mimics methionine's effect on arthrospore formation. Thus, hyphal fragmentation, like antibiotic biosynthesis, is divorced from a sulfur donation role.
Use of the Hungate anaerobic technique in the isolation of phloroglucinol-negative mutants of Coprococcus species
Authors: Thompson L A , Gates D M , Ingledew W M , Jones G A
Published: January 2020

The Hungate anaerobic technique was used with a standard procedure for bacterial mutagenesis employing N-methyl-N-nitro-N'-nitrosoguanidine to obtain mutants of an obligate anaerobe. Three mutant strains were derived from a Coprococcus sp., strain Pe15, a rumen anaerobe capable of growing on phloroglucinol. The mutants did not grow on phloroglucinol but did degrade the compound in anaerobic washed-cell suspensions, producing the same end products in approximately the same proportions as the wild type. It was concluded that the mutants were blocked in a unique step or steps necessary for carbon skeleton or energy synthesis from phloroglucinol and not in formation of an enzyme involved in the pathway of phloroglucinol degradation.
Influence of growth temperature on glucose metabolism of a psychotrophic strain of Bacillus cereus
Authors: Chung B H , Cannon R Y , Smith R C
Published: January 2020

The influence of temperature on glucose metabolism of a psychotrophic strain of Bacillus cereus was investigated. The pH of the growth medium and spore-forming frequencies of B. cereus varied when grown at 32, 20, or 7 C. Radiorespirometric analyses revealed that vegetative cells of B. cereus metabolized glucose by simultaneous operation of the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway and the pentose phosphate pathway. As the growth temperature decreased, glucose was metabolized with increased participation of the pentose phosphate pathway. The shift of cells grown at a higher temperature to a lower temperature increased the relative participation of the pentose phosphate pathway, whereas the shift of cells grown at low temperatures to a higher temperature had the opposite effect. Cells of late logarithmic phase grown at 20 and 7 C oxidized acetate by the tricarboxylic acid cycle reaction. However, cells grown at 32 C failed to oxidize acetate to CO2 to any appreciable extent. The extracellular products resulting from the metabolism of glucose decreased as the growth temperature was lowered. Organic acids were the major extracellular products of cultures grown at 32 and 20 C. Acetic acid, lactic acid, and pyruvic acid together accounted for 86.1 and 78.9% of extracellular radioactivity, respectively, at the two temperatures. The relative ratio of these three acids varied between the temperatures. Little or no acid accumulated at 7 C.
Metabolic Activities of the Intestinal Microflora of a Deep-Sea Invertebrate
Authors: Schwarz J. R. , Yayanos A. A. , Colwell R. R.
Published: January 2020

The intestinal microflora of deep-sea amphipods, in enrichment culture employing starch, urea, and
N
-acetyl-
d
-glucosamine and when examined under simulated in situ conditions, exhibited growth rates and substrate conversion approximately equal to, or greater than, atmospheric controls during short-term incubation. These observations are significant since these microorganisms may play an important role in biodegradation in the deep sea.
Preliminary studies on the characterization and distribution of Staphylococcus and Micrococcus species on animal skin
Authors: Kloos W E , Zimmerman R J , Smith R F
Published: January 2020

A total of 221 strains of staphylococci and 98 strains of micrococci isolated from the skins of Eastern gray squirrels, Southern flying squirrels, raccoons, opossums, squirrel monkeys, swine, sheep, horses, cattle, and dogs were characterized in a preliminary attempt to resolve their natural relationships and distribution in nature. Staphylococci demonstrating the widest host range included Staphylococcus xylosus and unnamed Staphylococcus sp. 3. Unnamed Staphylococcus sp. 2 was isolated only from sheep, Staphylococcus sp. 4 only from opossums, Staphylococcus sp. 5 only from squirrel monkeys, and Staphylococcus sp. 6 only from swine. The predominant species isolated from human skin, including S. epidermidis, S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, and S. capitis, were either not isolated or only rarely isolated from animal skin. Micrococcus varians was the predominant Micrococcus species isolated from animal skin. M. luteus was only occasionally isolated. M. lylae, M. sedentarius, M. roseus, M. kristinae, and M. nishinomiyaensis, species occasionally isolated from human skin, were not isolated from animal skin.
Pathways of microbial metabolism of parathion
Authors: Munnecke D M , Hsieh D P
Published: January 2020

A mixed bacterial culture, consisting of a minimum of nine isolates, was adapted to growth on technical parathion (PAR) as a sole carbon and energy source. The primary oxidative pathway for PAR metabolism involved an initial hydrolysis to yield diethylthiophosphoric acid and p-nitrophenol. A secondary oxidative pathway involved the oxidation of PAR to paraoxon and then hydrolysis to yield p-nitrophenol and diethylphosphoric acid. Under low oxgen conditions PAR was reduced via a third pathway to p-aminoparathion and subsequently hydrolyzed to p-aminophenol and diethylthiophosphoric acid. PAR hydrolase, an enzyme produced by an isolate from the mixed culture, rapidly hydrolyzed PAR and paraoxon (6.0 mumol/mg per min). This enzyme was inducible and stable at room temperature and retained 100% of its activity when heated for 55 C for 10 min.
Enzymatic epoxidation: synthesis of 7,8-epoxy-1-octene, 1,2-7,8-diepoxyoctane, and 1,2-Epoxyoctane by Pseudomonas oleovorans
Authors: Schwartz R D , McCoy C J
Published: January 2020

The kinetics of the enzymatic formation of 7,8-epoxy-1-octene, 1,2-7,8-diepoxyoctane, and 1,2-epoxyoctane by growing and resting cell suspensions of Pseudomonas oleovorans are described. Formation of 1,2-epoxyoctane occurs concurrently with exponential growth on 1-octene, providing that 1-octene is in excess. Conversion of 1,7-octadiene to 7,8-epoxy-1-octene by cells growing on octane lags behind exponential growth and continues into the stationary phase, terminating upon cell death. Formation of 1,2-7,8-diepoxyoctane does not begin until the cells are well into the stationary phase and also continues until cell death. Results with growing and resting cell suspensions suggest that the various substrates compete for the same enzyme system; that viable cells are essential for substrate transport and epoxidation by whole cells; and that whole cells may concentrate and sequester the epoxides, rendering them unrecoverable by our current methods.
Characterization of anaerobic heterotrophic bacteria isolated from freshwater lake sediments
Authors: Molongoski J J , Klug M J
Published: January 2020

Strict anaerobic culture techniques were used to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the anaerobic heterotrophic bacteria present at the sediment-water interface of hyperutrophic Wintergreen Lake (Augusta, Mich.). Anaerobic plate counts remained constant from March through December, 1973, ranging from 2.4 X 10(6) to 5.7 X 10(6) organisms/g (dry weight) of sediment. The isolatable bacteria represented a small percentage of the total microbial community, which was shown by direct microscopic counts to be 2.0 X 10'' organisms/g (dry weight) of sediment during June and July. Bacteria of the genus Clostridium dominated the isolates obtained, accounting for 71.8% of the 960 isolates examined. A single species, Clostridium bifermentens, comprised 47.7% of the total. Additional bacterial groups and the percentage in which they were isolated included: Streptococcus sp. (10.8%), unidentified curved rods (9.5%y, gram-positive nonsporing rods (5.6%), and motile gram-negative rods (1.9%). Temperature growth studies demonstrated the ability of all the isolates to grow at in situ sediment temperatures. Gas-liqid radiochromatography was used to determine the soluble metabolic end products from [U-14C]glucose and a U-14C-labeled amino acid mixture by representative sedimentary clostridial isolates and by natural sediment microbial communities. At in situ temperatures the natural sediment microflora produced soluble fermentative end products characteristic of those elaborated by the clostridial isolates tested. These results are considered strong presumptive evidence that clostridia are actively metabolizing in the sediments of Wintergreen Lake.