bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drosophila myosin mutants model the disparate severity of type 1 and type 2B distal arthrogryposis and indicate an enhanced actin affinity mechanism
Authors: Guo Yiming , Kronert William A. , Hsu Karen H. , Huang Alice , Sarsoza Floyd , Bell Kaylyn M. , Suggs Jennifer A. , Swank Douglas M. , Bernstein Sanford I.
Published: August 2020

Background

Distal arthrogryposis (DA) is a group of autosomal dominant skeletal muscle diseases characterized by congenital contractures of distal limb joints. The most common cause of DA is a mutation of the embryonic myosin heavy chain gene, MYH3. Human phenotypes of DA are divided into the weakest form–DA1, a moderately severe form–DA2B (Sheldon-Hall Syndrome), and a severe DA disorder–DA2A (Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome). As models of DA1 and DA2B do not exist, their disease mechanisms are poorly understood.

Methods

We produced the first models of myosin-based DA1 (F437I) and DA2B (A234T) using transgenic Drosophila melanogaster and performed an integrative analysis of the effects of the mutations. Assessments included lifespan, locomotion, ultrastructural analysis, muscle mechanics, ATPase activity, in vitro motility, and protein modeling.

Results

We observed significant defects in DA1 and DA2B Drosophila flight and jump ability, as well as myofibril assembly and stability, with homozygotes displaying more severe phenotypes than heterozygotes. Notably, DA2B flies showed dramatically stronger phenotypic defects compared to DA1 flies, mirroring the human condition. Mechanical studies of indirect flight muscle fibers from DA1 heterozygotes revealed reduced power output along with increased stiffness and force production, compared to wild-type controls. Further, isolated DA1 myosin showed significantly reduced myosin ATPase activity and in vitro actin filament motility. These data in conjunction with our sinusoidal analysis of fibers suggest prolonged myosin binding to actin and a slowed step associated with Pi release and/or the power stroke. Our results are supported by molecular modeling studies, which indicate that the F437I and A234T mutations affect specific amino acid residue interactions within the myosin motor domain that may alter interaction with actin and nucleotide.

Conclusions

The allele-specific ultrastructural and locomotory defects in our Drosophila DA1 and DA2B models are concordant with the differential severity of the human diseases. Further, the mechanical and biochemical defects engendered by the DA1 mutation reveal that power production, fiber stiffness, and nucleotide handling are aberrant in F437I muscle and myosin. The defects observed in our DA1 and DA2B Drosophila models provide insight into DA phenotypes in humans, suggesting that contractures arise from prolonged actomyosin interactions.
Poultry feeds carry diverse microbial communities that influence chicken intestinal microbiota colonisation and maturation
Authors: Haberecht Sarah , Bajagai Yadav S. , Moore Robert J. , Van T. T. Hao , Stanley Dragana
Published: August 2020

Microbial colonisation of the gastrointestinal tract of newly hatched chicks starts at hatch, seeded from the immediate hatching environment, and quickly results in dense colonisation. The role of ecological factors in gut colonisation has been extensively investigated, as well as the role of micro- and macronutrients in supporting and selecting for bacterial species highly adapted for utilising those nutrients. However, the microbial community contained in poultry feed and its influence on colonisation and maturation of gut microbiota has not been directly addressed. In this study, we compared the microbiota found in poultry feed, with the microbiota of ileum, cecum and excreta, to identify substantial overlap in core microbiotas of the compared groups. We then investigated the microbiota present in raw feedstuffs: meat and bone meal, wheat, corn, canola, barley, soybean, millrun, sorghum, poultry oil, oats, limestone and bloodmeal from four geographically distinct feedstuff suppliers. Each of the feedstuffs had diverse microbial communities. The meat and bone meal and bloodmeal samples had the most complex and distinct microbial populations. There was substantial overlap in the phylogenetic composition found in the grain and seed samples: barley, canola, corn, millrun, oats, sorghum, soybean meal and wheat. Issues related to methodology, viability of microbial communities in the gut and feed, and the implications for biosecurity are discussed.
Development and testing of a 3D-printable polylactic acid device to optimize a water bioremediation process
Authors: Marconi Patricia Laura , Trentini Andrea , Zawoznik Myriam , Nadra Carlos , Mercadé Juan Manuel , Sánchez Novoa Juan Gabriel , Orozco Daniel , Groppa María Daniela
Published: August 2020

In the present work, a remediation bioprocess based on the use of a native isolate of Chlorella vulgaris immobilized in an alginate matrix inside a polylactic acid (PLA) device is proposed. This microalga immobilized in alginate beads was previously shown to be useful for the reduction of several chemical and microbial contaminants present in the highly polluted water from the Matanza–Riachuelo watershed. However, these beads had a relatively short shelf life in the natural environment. To overcome this limitation, a 3D-printed PLA device was designed. PLA is a biocompatible and biodegradable material suitable for biotechnological applications. We used Erlenmeyers and stirred-tank bioreactors fed batch with Murashige Skoog (MS) culture medium or water from the Cildáñez stream (one of the water bodies of the aforementioned watershed) to estimate the growth kinetics parameters and the bioremediation capacity of immobilized-microalgal cells as an unconfined system (UcS) or a confined system (CfS) inside PLA devices on Cildáñez water. Although alga’s growth parameters were maximum in the UcS fed with MS medium as substrate, successful bioremediation of the target water was possible using the CfS: all inorganic nitrogen forms and total phosphorus were reduced at least by 90% after 5 days of bioprocess in an agitated bioreactor, whereas aerobic mesophilic bacteria decreased by about 85%. The number of coliforms also decreased. Standardized cytotoxicity tests using Allium cepa seeds carried out to prove the effectiveness of the bioremediation process, confirmed the high degree of decontamination achieved by the use of immobilized microalga confined in a 3D-printable PLA-device.
Isoperimetric inequalities of the fourth order Neumann eigenvalues
Authors: Deng Yanlin , Du Feng
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we obtain some isoperimetric inequalities for the first$(n-1)$(n−1)eigenvalues of the fourth order Neumann Laplacian on bounded domains in ann-dimensional Euclidean space. Our result supports strongly the conjecture of Chasman.
Scope of a weekly infection control team rounding in an acute-care teaching hospital: a pilot study
Authors: Jeong Yeon Su , Kim Jin Hwa , Lee Seungju , Lee So Young , Oh Sun Mi , Lee Eunjung , Kim Tae Hyong , Park Se Yoon
Published: August 2020

Regular and well-organized inspection of infection control is an essential element of an infection control program. The aim of this study was to identify the functional scope of weekly infection control team rounding (ICTR) in an acute care hospital. We conducted weekly ICTR between January 18 and December 26, 2018 to improve the compliance to infection control and prevention measures at a 734-bed academic hospital in the Republic of Korea and analyzed the results retrospectively. We categorized the results into five groups: “well maintained,” “improvement needed,” “long-term support, such as space or manpower, needed,” “not applicable,” or “could not be observed”. A total of nine categories and 85 sub-elements of infection control and prevention practices were evaluated. The median number of infection control team (ICT) visits per department was 7 (interquartile range [IQR]: 6–7). The ICT assessed a median of 16 elements (IQR: 12–22), and a total of 7452 results were obtained. Of those, 75% were monitored properly, 22% were “not applicable”, and 4% were difficult to observe. The most common practices that were difficult to observe were strategies to prevent catheter-related surgical site infections, pneumonia, and occupationally acquired infections as well as injection safety practices. Although the ICTR was able to maintain regular visits to each department, further strategies beyond regular ICTR are needed to reduce category of “could not observed”. This pilot study may provide an important reference for institutional infection prevention practices as it is the first study to investigate the functional coverage of ICTR.
Zerumbone attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of BV-2 microglial cells via NF-κB signaling
Authors: Gu Min Ji , Lee Pyeongjae , Ha Sang Keun , Hur Jinyoung
Published: August 2020

The brain is considered an immune-privileged organ. However, it has been found that inflammation mediated by microglia, which were once believed to support the brain structure, plays important roles in neuronal cell survival and death. Whether activated microglia has beneficial or detrimental effects on neurons remain controversial. Activated microglia could contribute to maintaining homeostasis in the brain by removing damaged cells. Nonetheless, dysregulation of microglial activation leads to neuronal cell death. Therefore, much attention has been paid to compounds that regulate microglial activation. Zerumbone, a constituent of Zingiber zerumbet, has been reported to exert several biological activities such as anticancer, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of zerumbone on lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of BV-2 microglial cells and elucidate the underlying mechanism of action. Zerumbone suppressed nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 production induced by lipopolysaccharides through inhibiting the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. Blocking of mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-κB activation, if not completely, is considered to be due to the anti-inflammatory effect of zerumbone against microglial activation.
Unmixing biogenic and terrigenous magnetic mineral components in red clay of the Pacific Ocean using principal component analyses of first-order reversal curve diagrams and paleoenvironmental implications
Authors: Yamazaki Toshitsugu , Fu Wei , Shimono Takaya , Usui Yoichi
Published: August 2020

Red clay widely occupies the seafloor of pelagic environments in middle latitudes, and potentially preserves long paleoceanographic records. We conducted a rock-magnetic study of Pacific Ocean red clay to elucidate paleoenvironmental changes. Three piston cores from the western North Pacific Ocean and IODP Hole U1365A cores in the South Pacific Ocean were studied here. Principal component analyses applied to first-order reversal curve diagrams (FORC-PCA) reveals three magnetic components (endmembers EM1 through EM3) in a core of the western North Pacific. EM1, which represents the features of interacting single-domain (SD) and vortex states, is interpreted to be of terrigenous origin. EM2 and EM3 are carried by non-interacting SD grains with different coercivity distributions, which are interpreted to be of biogenic origin. The EM1 contribution suddenly increases upcore at a depth of ~ 2.7 m, which indicates increased eolian dust input. The age of this event is estimated to be around the Eocene–Oligocene (E/O) boundary. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that EM2 is dominated by magnetofossils with equant octahedral morphology, while EM3 has a higher proportion of bullet-shaped magnetofossils. An increased EM3 contribution from ~ 6.7 to 8.2 m suggests that the sediments were in the oxic–anoxic transition zone (OATZ), although the core is oxidized in its entire depth now. The chemical conditions of OATZ may have been caused by higher biogenic productivity near the equator. FORC-PCA of Hole U1365A cores identified two EMs, terrigenous (EM1) and biogenic (EM2). The coercivity distribution of the biogenic component at Hole U1365A is similar to that of the lower coercivity biogenic component in the western North Pacific. A sudden upcore terrigenous-component increase is also evident at Hole U1365A with an estimated age around the E/O boundary. The increased terrigenous component may have been caused by the gradual tectonic drift of the sites on the lee of arid continental regions in Asia and Australia, respectively. Alternatively, the eolian increase may have been coeval in the both hemispheres and associated with the global cooling at the E/O boundary.
An investigation of the characteristics, causes, and consequences of June 13, 2017, landslides in Rangamati District Bangladesh
Authors: Abedin Joynal , Rabby Yasin Wahid , Hasan Ikramul , Akter Humaira
Published: August 2020

The primary purpose of this study is to find out and discuss the characteristics, causes, and consequences of the landslides of June 13, 2017, in the Rangamati district Bangladesh. Since rainfall triggered the landslides, debris flow accounts for 40.45% of the landslides. Most of the landslides are small (mean 274. 2 m2with a standard deviation of 546.1 m2). Size of 62.30% of the landslides was < 100 m2. The probability density of 50–100 m2landslides is the highest and with the increase of the size of landslides, probability density decreases. It indicates the chance of large landslides (> 1000 m2) is low. Frequency ratio, logistic regression, and Spearman’s rank correlation were used to find out the relationship between 15 landslide causal factors including elevation, slope, rainfall, aspect, land use/land cover, land use/land cover change and distance to the road network with the occurrences and size of landslides. Among the land use/land cover types built-up areas [frequency ratio (FR) = 5.67], among land-use land-cover change types: vegetation to built-up (FR = 5.31) are the most prone areas to landslides. Logistic regression models found six causal factors were statistically significant, including slope (Coefficient, ß = 1.05), and distance to the road network (ß = 0.44). The size of the landslides had a significant relationship with five causal factors, including annual rainfall (ρ = 0.52), and elevation (ρ = 0.24). Paired sample t-test on pre-event and post-event monthly incomes revealed that landslides had a significant impact on different occupations of the local people. People involved in primary economic activities like the slash and burn agriculture (locally known as jhum cultivation) and fishing are the worst sufferers of landslides as they experienced a significant fall of income after the landslides. The findings of the study would help the policymakers to mitigate landslide hazards in the Rangamati district.
Physiological and psychological neck load imposed by ballistic helmets during simulated military activities
Authors: Kim Siyeon , Jeong Wonyoung
Published: August 2020

The wearing of ballistic helmets commonly coordinated with a night vision device (NVD) often imposes a load to the neck of a soldier. A lighter ballistic helmet promises comfort and enhanced combat performance, but technological developments have not provided a complete solution satisfying all the requirements, including cost. Moreover, the change in munition has led to increasing demand for the attachment of more accessories to the helmet, providing advanced functions but additional weight. Therefore, the current study quantified the neck muscle strain caused by the varying weight of a ballistic helmet, particularly during simulated infantry activities with moderate neck flexion and neck extension against a head-weight in the prone position. Eight healthy males participated on four separate days. On each day, different loads were placed on the head: 0 kg (no helmet, NH) to 2.07 kg (1.5 kg helmet with a 0.5 kg night vision device, HH&NVD). The results showed that prone shooting imposed substantial muscular strain on the splenius capitis (neck extensor), resulting in a 7–9% maximal voluntary contraction depending on the overall helmet loads. In addition, a gradual increase in the subjective neck load and pain in proportion to the overall weight of the helmet assembly was noted, and the heaviest loads caused severe complaints for muscular discomfort. This paper recommends strategies for designing and developing ballistic helmets as well as further methodological issues on evaluating neck muscle strain caused by the helmet weight.
Large airway-obstructing retropharyngeal lipoma in an asymptomatic patient: a case report
Authors: Ehlers Scott A. , Bozanich John M. , Arashlow Mehrnaz Tahmasbi , Liang Hui , Nair Madhu K.
Published: August 2020

Background

Lipomas are common benign mesenchymal tumors that appear in the head and neck region in approximately 25% of cases where they are noted. Lipomas of the airway region are exceedingly rare, accounting for less than 1% of airway obstruction tumors. Correlation of radiographic findings from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a rare retropharyngeal lipoma has not been previously reported. CBCT studies acquired for implant and/or other diagnostic purposes may be the first line of detection as an incidental finding.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old female presented for a pre-implant CBCT with no history of other complaints or signs/symptoms. CBCT imaging depicts a large, well-defined, low-attenuation/soft tissue density lesion with an undulating appearance extending from the posterior left pharyngeal wall and occluding two-thirds of the airway from C2 to C4. The lesion extends laterally into the left parapharyngeal space and inferiorly beyond the field of view of the study. Evidence of faint internal septations was noted. The patient was immediately referred for an ENT consult. Laryngoscopy, MRI, and contrast-enhanced MDCT imaging were conducted to determine the full extent and nature of the lesion, as well as to potentially plan for biopsy and/or surgical resection. Removal of the lesion was successful, and histopathologic evaluation confirmed lipoma. Periodic follow-up was recommended to monitor for possible recurrence.

Discussion

The slower growth pattern of some benign lesions may obscure any symptoms as changes the patient may normally notice take place over an extended period. Furthermore, soft tissue lesions and especially those in the posterior midline, such as in this case, may not be easily visible on routine panoramic imaging or clinical exam, allowing for substantially large growth before detection. While the soft tissue contrast of the CBCT volume is poor, enough information was present to establish an initial differential diagnosis and the need for more advanced imaging modalities. With the growing popularity and adoption of CBCT in maxillofacial imaging, a thorough understanding of the appearance of hard and soft tissue lesions, as well as a strong understanding of the baseline appearance of normal anatomy, is important to ensure no incidental pathoses go undiagnosed.
Disparities in fertility knowledge among women from low and high resource settings presenting for fertility care in two United States metropolitan centers
Authors: Hoffman Jacquelyn R. , Delaney Meaghan A. , Valdes Cecilia T. , Herrera Diana , Washington Samuel L. , Aghajanova Lusine , Smith James F. , Herndon Christopher N.
Published: August 2020

Background

Few studies have examined health literacy and fertility knowledge among women from low income, socio-culturally diverse communities presenting for fertility care in the United States. Our study sought to examine demographic predictors of fertility-related knowledge among infertile women from low and high-resource communities in two major metropolitan centers in the United States.

Methods

Fertility Knowledge Assessments were administered to women presenting for fertility care at county medical centers serving low-resource, largely immigrant patients and to women from largely affluent populations presenting to comprehensive fertility centers in two cities. The influence of demographic predictors on fertility knowledge was examined through regression analysis.

Results

A total of 143 women were included in our analysis. In the county hospital/low resource clinic (LR, n = 70), the mean age was 32.8 ± 6.1 years vs 35.0 ± 5.0 years in the fee-for-service/high resource clinic (HR, n = 73). Among the LR patients, 74% were immigrants, 71% had an annual income <$25,000 and 52% had completed high school. Among HR patients, 36% were immigrants, 60% had an annual income >$100,000, and 95% had some college or above. On average, women from HR settings scored 3.0 points higher on the Fertility Knowledge Assessment than their LR counterparts (p < 0.001). Upon multivariate analysis, education level remained the sole independent factor associated with fertility knowledge assessment score (p < 0.001). Stratifying by resource level revealed that income was highly associated with fertility knowledge (p < 0.01) among high resource individuals even when adjusting for education level.

Conclusions

Women from low resource, largely immigrant communities, seeking fertility care have greater disparities in fertility knowledge and lower health literacy compared to women from high resource clinical settings. Further studies are needed to understand these barriers and to develop targeted inventions to lower disparities and improve care for these vulnerable populations.
The effect of exercise on baseline SCAT5 performance in male professional Rugby players
Authors: Tucker Ross , Brown James , Falvey Eanna , Fuller Gordon , Raftery Martin
Published: August 2020

Background

Rugby Union requires annual baseline testing using the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT5) as part of its head injury assessment protocols. Scores achieved during baseline testing are used to guide return-to-play decisions at the time of head impact events during matches, and concussion diagnosis during subsequent diagnostic screens. Baseline values must be valid, accurate representations of a player’s capability in the various SCAT5 sub-modes, including symptom report, cognitive function and balance. The extent to which prior exercise may affect performance is an important consideration, and the present cross-sectional study aimed to explore how SCAT5 performance differs when assessed at rest (RSCAT) compared to after 30 min of exercise (EXSCAT) in 698 male professional rugby players for whom paired exercise and rest SCAT5 data were available.

Results

Symptom endorsement was greater when assessed after exercise than at rest. Fatigue/Low energy was 1.5 times more likely to be reported when assessed during EXSCAT. Orientation score was improved during SCAT5s performed after exercise, but only when rest and exercise SCAT5s were conducted on the same day, suggesting a learning effect. Concentration score was impaired during EXSCAT. No other cognitive sub-modes were affected by exercise. Total errors during Modified Balance Error Scoring System (MBESS) increased during EXSCAT, as a result of increased errors made during single leg balance, irrespective of testing sequence, with 42% of players making more errors in EXSCAT, compared to 28% making more errors in RSCAT.

Conclusions

Symptoms, cognitive sub-modes and balance sub-modes are all affected by exercise. These may be the result of learning effects that improve cognitive performance, and the direct effects of exercise on sub-mode performance. The clinical implications of these changes may be assessed in the future through a study of diagnostic screens in players after head impact events, to confirm whether an exercise baseline screen is required annually, or whether specific sub-modes of the SCAT5 should be obtained at rest and after exercise.
A 3D-printed nasopharyngeal swab for COVID-19 diagnostic testing
Authors: Ford Jonathan , Goldstein Todd , Trahan Sean , Neuwirth Allison , Tatoris Kyle , Decker Summer
Published: August 2020

The nasopharyngeal swab is a critical component of the COVID-19 testing kit. Supply chain remains greatly impacted by the pandemic. Teams from USF Health Radiology and Northwell Health System developed a 3D-printed stopgap alternative. This descriptive study details the workflow and provides guidance for hospital-based 3D printing labs to leverage the design to make a positive impact on the pandemic. Swab use is also outlined, and the early information regarding clinical use is described, including an ongoing multicenter trial methodology.
A CRH Receptor Type 1 Agonist Increases GABA Transmission to GnRH Neurons in a Circulating-Estradiol-Dependent Manner
Authors: Phumsatitpong Chayarndorn , De Guzman Rose M , Zuloaga Damian G , Moenter Suzanne M
Published: August 2020

GnRH neurons are central regulators of reproduction and respond to factors affecting fertility, such as stress. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is released during stress response. In brain slices from unstressed controls, CRH has opposite, estradiol-dependent effects on GnRH neuron firing depending on the CRH receptor activated; activating CRHR-1 stimulates whereas activating CRHR-2 suppresses activity. We investigated possible direct and indirect mechanisms. Mice were ovariectomized and either not treated further (OVX) or given a capsule producing high positive feedback (OVX + E) or low negative feedback (OVX + low E) physiologic circulating estradiol levels. We tested possible direct effects on GnRH neurons by altering voltage-gated potassium currents. Two types of voltage-gated potassium currents (transient IA and sustained IK) were measured; neither CRHR-1 nor CRHR-2 agonists altered potassium current density in GnRH neurons from OVX + E mice. Further, neither CRH nor receptor-specific agonists altered action potential generation in response to current injection in GnRH neurons from OVX + E mice. To test the possible indirect actions, GABAergic postsynaptic currents were monitored. A CRHR-1 agonist increased GABAergic transmission frequency to GnRH neurons from OVX + E, but not OVX, mice, whereas a CRHR-2 agonist had no effect. Finally, we tested if CRH alters the firing rate of arcuate kisspeptin neurons, which provide an important excitatory neuromodulatory input to GnRH neurons. CRH did not acutely alter firing activity of these neurons from OVX, OVX + E or OVX + low E mice. These results suggest CRH increases GnRH neuron activity in an estradiol-dependent manner in part by activating GABAergic afferents. Mechanisms underlying inhibitory effects of CRH remain unknown.
The Controversy of Surgical Intervention for Anal Canal Duplication in Children
Authors: Akova Fatih , Altinay Serdar , Aydin Emrah
Published: August 2020

Objective: Since the first definition of anal canal little has been discovered about the etiology of this rare condition. We present four asymptomatic cases of anal canal duplication with diverse clinical and surgical findings.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on four infants presenting with asymptomatic anal canal duplication, born between 2014 and 2016. Clinical characteristics and pathologic findings of patients either by radiological imaging or pathology were evaluated. The primary outcome measure was the complications.

Results: All patients were followed-up with physical examination and ultrasound for a mean of 3.5±1.0 years, lastly seen at the beginning of 2018. The female to male ratio was 3:1. Duplicate anal canal length varied between 12-20mm, and two of the four patients had a presacral cystic mass confirmed as a tail gut cyst following surgery. At follow-up, none of the patients had developed symptoms related to anal canal duplication, regardless of whether they had surgical intervention.

Conclusion: Though surgical management is the preferred treatment for anal canal duplication, it seems that patients who do not undergo surgery might remain free of symptoms, suggesting that surgical intervention may be unnecessary.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.1832

How to cite this:Akova F, Altinay S, Aydin E. The Controversy of Surgical Intervention for Anal Canal Duplication in Children. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1330-1333. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.1832

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Bloodstream infections in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Wang Jian-rong , Huang Jin-yu , Hu Wei , Cai Xue-ying , Hu Wei-hang , Zhu Ying
Published: August 2020

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of bloodstream infections (BSIs) during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment in a Chinese population.

Methods: Patients receiving ECMO treatment from January 2013 to August 2019 were retrospectively studied. The incidence of BSIs was calculated. The clinical characteristics between patients with a BSI (BSI group) and without a BSI (non-BSI group).

Results: Among 69 included patients, 19 (27.5%) developed at least one BSI. Gram-negative bacteria (73.7%) were mainly responsible for the BSIs, with Klebsiella pneumoniae (6/19, 31.5%) ranking as the top related pathogen. The BSI group had a greater proportion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prophylactic regimens (52.6% vs. 26.0%, P = 0.036), a higher pre-ECMO Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (11 vs. 8, P = 0.008), more applications of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) during ECMO (63.1% vs. 36.1%, P = 0.042). Longer ECMO support duration, period of ventilator use before ECMO weaning and hospital stay were observed in the BSI group. The SOFA score (OR: 1.174; 95% CI: 1.039–1.326; P = 0.010) was an independent risk factor for BSIs.

Conclusion: BSIs during ECMO therapy frequently involve Gram-negative bacteria. Stringent care and monitoring should be provided for patients with high SOFA scores.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2882

How to cite this:Wang JR, Huang JY, Hu W, Cai XY, Hu WH, Zhu Y. Bloodstream infections in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1171-1176. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2882

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Liquid-crystal splitter for generating and separating autofocusing and autodefocusing circular Airy beams
Authors: Wei Bingyan , Zhang Yuan , Li Peng , Liu Sheng , Hu Wei , Lu Yanqing , Wu Yunlong , Dou Xianan , Zhao Jianlin
Published: August 2020

A unique splitter is proposed and demonstrated to realize the generation and separation of autofocusing and autodefocusing circular Airy beams (CABs). The design of the splitter is derived from the Fourier transform of a CAB associated with the Pancharatnam–Berry phase, and the fabrication is carried out via a liquid-crystal photo-patterning technique. Autofocusing and autodefocusing CABs of orthogonal circular polarization states are spatially diffracted under the modulation of the splitter, and the energy distribution between these two CABs can be controlled by the incident polarization. A focal length of 40 cm is obtained, which can be customized as required. The propagation dynamics of the generated autofocusing and autodefocusing CABs are investigated, and the experimental results are in good accordance with the corresponding simulations. The additional merits of the splitter, such as reconfigurability, tunability, high efficiency, and wide operating wavelength range, may motivate novel applications of CABs in the areas of laser optics, biomedicine, and modern displays.
Jitter suppression for resonant galvo based high-throughput laser scanning systems
Authors: Lin Jianian , Cheng Zongyue , Gan Wenbiao , Cui Meng
Published: August 2020

Laser scanning has been widely used in material processing and optical imaging. Among the established scanners, resonant galvo scanners offer high scanning throughput and 100% duty cycle and have been employed in various laser scanning microscopes. However, the common applications of resonant galvo often suffer from position jitters which could introduce substantial measurement artifacts. In this work, we systematically quantify the impact of position sensor, data acquisition system and air turbulence and provide a simple solution to achieve jitter free high-throughput measurement.
The concentration of androgen receptor and protein kinase A in male chicken following the administration of a combination of the epididymis and testicular extracts
Authors: Akmal Muslim , Gholib Gholib , Nasution Mustafa Kamal , Wahyuni Sri , Rinidar Rinidar , Masyitha Dian , Yaman M. Aman
Published: August 2020

Background and Aim: Testis (T) and epididymis (E) are waste from the abattoir that is rarely used. In fact, both organs contain important chemicals needed for spermatogenesis (e.g., hormones, proteins, and other molecules). Therefore, administration of a combination of testis and epididymis (CTE) extracts may activate androgen receptors (AR) and protein kinase A (PKA) molecules that play a prominent role in spermatogenesis. We, therefore, aimed at investigating the influence of the CTE extracts on the concentration of AR and PKA in male chicken.

Materials and Methods: This study used a completely randomized design with four treatment groups (K0, K1, K2, and K3) and five replications per group. K0 is a control group that received 1 mL normal saline, whereas K1, K2, and K3 are the test groups that received 1, 2, and 3 mL of CET extracts, respectively. Twenty male chickens (strain: broiler Mb 89), 3 weeks of age, weighing 500-700 g were used. We administered the injections in a 13-day period and on the 14th day; we collected and processed blood samples as serum to measure the AR and PKA concentrations using commercial chicken AR and PKA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, respectively. We performed analyses by analysis of variance using SPSS 20.0.

Results: The AR concentrations in K1, K2, and K3 groups increased by 4.26%, 10.97%, and 28.04%, respectively, compared to the K0 (control group). However, this increase was not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). Moreover, the PKA concentrations increased by 2.97%, 2.60%, and 4.08% in K1, K2, and K3 groups, respectively, compared to the control group. However, this increase was not significantly different between the groups as well (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The CTE extracts tended to increase the AR and PKA concentrations even though it is not significant. Therefore, it needs further study when using the CTE extracts for spermatogenesis in male chicken.
Trypanocidal activity of methanol extracts of the hemolymph of Sarcophaga argyrostoma larva against Trypanosoma evansi infected mice
Authors: Farghaly Doaa S. , Sadek Al-Shaimaa M.
Published: August 2020

Background and Aim: Many natural products worldwide are used for medicinal purposes. Various insect-isolated compounds were investigated in pursuit of new therapeutic agents. This study aimed to compare the effects of methanol extract of hemolymph of Sarcophaga argyrostoma larvae with diminazene aceturate on some hematological and biochemical indices of mice infected with Trypanosoma evansi.

Materials and Methods: Sixteen albino mice were randomly divided into four groups, of four mice, which received different treatments: In Group 1 (G1), mice were infected intraperitoneally with 1×104 T. evansi and received no treatment (positive control), in Group 2 (G2), infected mice were treated with 0.5 mL/kg of diminazene aceturate, in Group 3 (G3), infected mice were treated with 0.5 mL/kg methanol extract of the hemolymph of S. argyrostoma larvae, and in Group 4 (G4), uninfected mice received 0.5 ml of distilled water (negative control). In G3, treatment was started 3 days before injecting the parasite, while for the other groups, a single dose of treatment was applied when the parasite appeared in the blood.

Results: Mice from G3 showed low parasitemia of 29×104/mm3 4 days post-infection until the infection completely disappeared on the 5th day, which was earlier than for other groups. The results showed that the numbers of red blood corpuscles (red blood cells [RBCs]) and white blood cells (WBCs) per unit volume were significantly different (p<0.05) between the four groups. The highest RBC (9.09×103 cell/ mm3) and WBC (14.30×103 cell/ mm3) counts were recorded in G3, whereas the lowest values of 6.60 and 4.60×103cell/ mm3, respectively, were recorded for G2. In addition, there were significant differences (p<0.05) between the different groups for platelet counts per unit volume, with G3 having the most (943×103 cell/ mm3) and G2 having the least (357×103 cell/ mm3). There was a significant (p<0.05) difference in the indices of biochemical activities between the extract-treated infected groups and the standard drug-treated group.

Conclusion: This study suggests that the methanol extract of the hemolymph of S. argyrostoma larva exhibits trypanocidal activity, so it may be exploited as a suitable candidate for the development of trypanocidal drugs.
The rules for predicting remission in patients with Cushing disease after successful endoscopic transnasal adenomectomy
Authors: Nadezhdina Elena Y. , Rebrova Olga Yu. , Grigoriev Andrey Yu.
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND: The recurrence rate after successful transnasal adenomectomy in Cushings disease (CD) can reach 47%. We have previously shown that patients with ACTH levels less than 7 pg/ml recurred over 3 years 4.5 times less often than patients with higher levels of ACTH, patients with cortisol levels below 123 nmol/l in 3.4 times less than at higher values of this hormone, however, these indicators are dissociated in 41% of cases, so it is not possible use them for prediction separately.
AIM: To develop a method for managing patients after successful transnasal adenomectomy depending on prognosis.
METHODS: A monocenter retrospective comparative study included 349 patients (52 men, 297 women) with a confirmed diagnosis of CD, who underwent effective endoscopic transsphenoidal adenomectomy in 20072014. Various combinations of postoperative morning levels of ACTH and cortisol were analyzed.
RESULTS: Based on the developed forecasting methods and their best characteristics, the following rules were formulated. If postoperative morning ACTH is less than 7 pg/ml and/or postoperative morning cortisol is less than 123 nmol/l, then the patient will remain in remission for 1 year with probability of 99% (95% CI 97%100%) and for 3 years with probability of 86% (95% CI 80%91%).
CONCLUSION: The rules for predicting remission for 1 and 3 years for patients after neurosurgical treatment for CD are proposed. These rules are based on combinations of ACTH and cortisol levels.
CAUSES OF SCAFFOLD ACCIDENTS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Authors: Sanni-Anibire Muizz , Mahmoud Abubakar , Al-Ayouni Majed
Published: August 2020

The construction industry is recognized as one of the most hazardous industries globally. Moreover, the rising trend of urbanization in many developing countries has ushered in a new era of high-rise construction, thus increasing the frequency of hazards related to working at height. Accident records in Saudi Arabia reveal that the construction industry accounted for 46.4% of industrial accidents, while fall-related injury accounted for 27% of the recorded injuries. Scaffolding is the most common access equipment used to work at height. Thus, the first stage in controlling the risks of falls from a height may be to identify the causes of scaffold accidents. This study presents 36 causes of scaffold accidents classified into five relevant groups, which have been identified through a thorough review of the extant literature. Additionally, the causes have been arranged in a survey designed based on a Likert scale of importance. Subsequently, 120 copies were administered to construction professionals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, with a 75% response rate. The Relative Importance Index (RII) was adopted to analyze the feedback. The results revealed that the top three causes of scaffold accidents include: “insufficient bracing/anchorage” (RII of 0.927), “scaffolding erected by incompetent professionals” (RII of 0.926), and “missing/faulty guardrails” (RII of 0.919). This study is of potential benefit to concerned stakeholders in the construction industry.
SEISMIC ISOLATION OF WHOLE CITY QUARTERS FOR AN EFFECTIVE AND PRESERVATIVE RECONSTRUCTION
Authors: Mezzi Marco , Fulco Alessandro
Published: August 2020

The post-earthquake reconstruction should solve the problem to rebuild with safety but preserving the historical aspect of buildings and landscapes. This paper proposes a particular application of seismic isolation for the reconstruction of entire urban quarter or entire small centers with integral seismic protection. This involves the construction of large floating slabs having the size of entire compartments supported by seismic isolators and/or dampers, above which to construct buildings that can present the aesthetic and constructive characteristics of the collapsed traditional ones. The solution is suited for the reconstruction of villages or quarters collapsed or damaged. Buildings of any type (masonry, stone, r/c, steel, wood) and of different characteristics also significantly irregular can be freely built above slabs and all of them will be fully protected from the consequences of future expected quakes. Paper illustrates a case study related to a quarter of a historic town in Central Italy.
Modeling of the Vibratory Tube Finisher Container
Authors: Zanevskyy Ihor , Zanevska Lyudmyla
Published: August 2020

The paper is dedicated to the problem of modeling the container of vibratory tube finisher additive manufacturing technology. The aim of the research is to develop an engineering approach of designing a rational model of deformative oscillations of a big size container. A thin-walled open cross section cylindrical beam is used as a model of bend and rotation of the vibratory tube finisher container. A method of division of all components of a strain and deformative state into the main and secondary is used to evaluate variants of a model of the vibratory tube finisher container. A ratio of the principle dimension of a cross section and changing of the stress-strain state is used as a weight parameter of components of potential and kinetic energy. A shear model of a thin-walled beam can be used to study the dynamic deformations not only in the elongated containers but in containers with commensurable quantities of its specific dimensions, too. Accuracy regarding the main natural frequency will be satisfied (with error about 1 %) when the length of the container is two times greater than a specific dimension of a cross section. Conditions of the rational models of deformation vibrations of containers are presented in a graph form that is comfortable in engineering practice.
Assessment of the Potential for Genomic Selection To Improve Husk Traits in Maize
Authors: Cui Zhenhai , Dong Haixiao , Zhang Ao , Ruan Yanye , He Yan , Zhang Zhiwu
Published: August 2020

Husk has multiple functions such as protecting ears from diseases, infection, and dehydration during development. Additionally, husks comprised of fewer, shorter, thinner, and narrower layers allow faster moisture evaporation of kernels prior to harvest. Intensive studies have been conducted to identify appropriate husk architecture by understanding the genetic basis of related traits, including husk length, husk layer number, husk thickness, and husk width. However, marker-assisted selection is inefficient because the identified quantitative trait loci and associated genetic loci could only explain a small proportion of total phenotypic variation. Genomic selection (GS) has been used successfully on many species including maize on other traits. Thus, the potential of using GS for husk traits to directly identify superior inbred lines, without knowing the specific underlying genetic loci, is well worth exploring. In this study, we compared four GS models on a maize association population with 498 inbred lines belonging to four subpopulations, including 27 lines in stiff stalk, 67 lines in non-stiff stalk, 193 lines in tropical-subtropical, and 211 lines in mixture subpopulations. Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction with principal components as cofactor, performed the best and was selected to examine the impact of interaction between sampling proportions and subpopulations. We found that predictions on inbred lines in a subpopulation were benefited from excluding individuals from other subpopulations for training if the training population within the subpopulation was large enough. Husk thickness exhibited the highest prediction accuracy among all husk traits. These results gave strategic insight to improve husk architecture.
An Epistasis Analysis of recA and recN in Escherichia coli K-12
Authors: Klimova Anastasiia N , Sandler Steven J
Published: August 2020

RecA is essential for double-strand-break repair (DSBR) and the SOS response in Escherichia coli K-12. RecN is an SOS protein and a member of the Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes family of proteins thought to play a role in sister chromatid cohesion/interactions during DSBR. Previous studies have shown that a plasmid-encoded recA4190 (Q300R) mutant had a phenotype similar to ∆recN (mitomycin C sensitive and UV resistant). It was hypothesized that RecN and RecA physically interact, and that recA4190 specifically eliminated this interaction. To test this model, an epistasis analysis between recA4190 and ∆recN was performed in wild-type and recBC sbcBC cells. To do this, recA4190 was first transferred to the chromosome. As single mutants, recA4190 and ∆recN were Rec+ as measured by transductional recombination, but were 3-fold and 10-fold decreased in their ability to do I-SceI-induced DSBR, respectively. In both cases, the double mutant had an additive phenotype relative to either single mutant. In the recBC sbcBC background, recA4190 and ∆recN cells were very UVS (sensitive), Rec−, had high basal levels of SOS expression and an altered distribution of RecA-GFP structures. In all cases, the double mutant had additive phenotypes. These data suggest that recA4190 (Q300R) and ∆recN remove functions in genetically distinct pathways important for DNA repair, and that RecA Q300 was not important for an interaction between RecN and RecA in vivo. recA4190 (Q300R) revealed modest phenotypes in a wild-type background and dramatic phenotypes in a recBC sbcBC strain, reflecting greater stringency of RecA’s role in that background.
Göğüs hastalıkları polikliniğine başvuran hastaların inhaler kullanım becerilerinin araştırılması
Authors: Başlılar Şeyma , Şaylan Bengü , Oludağ Gülay , Sarıman Nesrin
Published: August 2020

Amaç: Obstrüktif akciğer hastalıklarının tedavisinde, bronkodilatör ve antiinflamatuvar ilaçlar çoğunlukla inhalasyon yolu ile kullanılmaktadır. İnhaler ilaç uygulamasında görülen hatalar, hastaların hedeflenen dozlarda ilaç alamamalarına hatta tedavisiz kalmalarına neden olabilmektedir. Bu çalışmada inhaler cihazların doğru kullanımını etkileyen faktörlerin belirlenmesi hedeflenmiştir.Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmamızda 01.06.2010-30.12.2010 tarihleri arasında Ümraniye Eğitim Araştırma Hastanesi Göğüs Hastalıkları polikliniğine başvuran daha önce astım/KOAH tanısıyla inhaler tedavi verilmiş hastaların, retrospektif olarak inhaler ilaç kullanma becerileri değerlendirilerek hatalı kullanıma etkili faktörler araştırıldı. Çalışmaya inhaler cihaz kullanmakta olan 751 hasta (E/K:254/497) alındı. Hastaların yaş, cinsiyet, eğitim durumu, yakınma süresi, kullanılan cihaz bilgileri ve inhaler cihazlarını kullanma yöntemleri kayıtlardan elde edildi. Kullanım becerileri Türkiye Solunum Araştırmaları Derneği ‘İnhalasyon Tedavileri’ Çalışma Grubunun hazırladığı inhaler ilaç kullanma beceri çizelgesine göre değerlendirildi.Bulgular: Hastaların %74’ü ilaçlarını doğru olarak kullanmaktaydı. Doğru kullanım oranları ölçülü doz inhaler (ÖDİ)’de % 66.3 ve kuru toz inhalerde (KTİ) % 76-81 arasında değişmekteydi (p=0.03, p