bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiresidue Analytical Method for Pesticides in Soybean Extract
Authors: Marques Isadora Dias , Carriço Murilo Ricardo Sigal , Gayer Mateus Cristofari , de Jesus Soares Jefferson , Roehrs Rafael , Denardin Elton Luis Gasparotto , Paim Clésio Soldateli
Published: December 2020

Developed and validated a fast, simple and effective method based on the use of DLLME technique and determination by GC–MS of 26 pesticides in SE. To carry out the extraction of the pesticides of the matrix, 70 μL of mix of pesticides (1.5 μg/mL) was added to 5.0 mL of SE, containing 1.0 g of sodium chloride and 3.0 mL of acetonitrile. The results of validation were suitable. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.500–5.0 μg/mL. The method showed a limit of detection and quantification of 0.17 μg/mL and 0.50 μg/mL, respectively. The recovery recovering between 47% and 115%, with relative standard deviation (RSD) of <20% for fortification levels (range of 1.0–3.0 μg/mL). The method validated can be applied for routine analysis in soy-based drinks, considering it is fast, easy to perform and has satisfactory validation results.
Stroke risk prediction in patients with atrial fibrillation with and without rheumatic heart disease
Authors: Benz Alexander P , Healey Jeff S , Chin Ashley , Commerford Patrick , Marsden Tamara , Karthikeyan Ganesan , McIntyre William F , Wong Jorge A , Damasceno Albertino , Hohnloser Stefan H , Oldgren Jonas , Wallentin Lars , Ezekowitz Michael D , Eikelboom John W , Yusuf Salim , Connolly Stuart J
Published: December 2020

Aims

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), especially mitral stenosis, are assumed to be at high risk of stroke, irrespective of other factors. We aimed to re-evaluate stroke risk factors in a contemporary cohort of AF patients.

Methods and results

We analysed data of 15 400 AF patients presenting to an emergency department and who were enrolled in the global RE-LY AF registry, representing 47 countries from all inhabited continents. Follow-up occurred at 1 year after enrolment. A total of 1788 (11.6%) patients had RHD. These patients were younger (51.4±15.7 vs. 67.8±13.6 years), more likely to be female (66.2% vs. 44.7%) and had a lower mean CHA2DS2-VASc score (2.1±1.7 vs. 3.7±2.2) as compared to patients without RHD (all P<0.001). Significant mitral stenosis (average mean transmitral gradient 11.5±6.5 mmHg) was the predominant valve lesion in those with RHD (59.6%). Patients with RHD had a higher baseline rate of anticoagulation use (60.4% vs. 45.2%, P<0.001). Unadjusted stroke rates at 1 year were 2.8% and 4.1% for patients with and without RHD, respectively. The performance of the CHA2DS2-VASc score was modest in both groups [stroke at 1 year, c-statistics 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60–0.78 and 0.63, 95% CI 0.61–0.66, respectively]. In the overall cohort, advanced age, female sex, prior stroke, tobacco use, and non-use of anticoagulation were predictors for stroke (all P<0.05). Mitral stenosis was not associated with stroke risk (adjusted odds ratio 1.07, 95% CI 0.67–1.72, P=0.764).

Conclusion

The performance of the CHA2DS2-VASc score was modest in AF patients both with and without RHD. In this cohort, moderate-to-severe mitral stenosis was not an independent risk factor for stroke.
Right heart failure due to benign metastasizing leiomyoma: a case report of this exceedingly rare condition and review of the literature
Authors: Pedrosa Cesar , Miotto Heberth Cesar , Drumond Leonardo Ferber , Andrade Mariana Magalhães , Zille Paula Chaves , Palhares Gisele Tubertini , Abrahao-Machado Lucas Faria
Published: December 2020

Background

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a smooth muscle tumour of genital origin occurring in women with a history of uterine or pelvic leiomyoma. Although histologically benign, it exhibits metastatic behaviour. Lungs are the most common site of metastasis. The heart is a rare site and metastasis at this location has been described in just few cases.

Case summary 

A 42-year-old woman with a resected uterine leiomyoma and a subsequent and still not-resected left periovarian solid mass began complaining of shortness of breath 2 weeks before presentation. Echocardiography showed a mass located in the right ventricular cavity, enlargement of the right ventricle, and severe tricuspid regurgitation. Cardiac magnetic resonance revealed two masses suggestive of tumours in the right ventricle causing right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Cardiac surgery was performed and, intraoperatively, a third small mass was detected on the tricuspid valve. The masses were resected, and tricuspid valve replacement was performed. Ten days later, the patient underwent an abdominal surgery for the pelvic mass resection. Immunohistochemical analysis of the cardiac and pelvic masses corroborated the diagnosis of benign leiomyomas. The patient was discharged in good clinical condition.

Discussion 

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma to the heart is a rare condition. The pathogenesis remains controversial and includes: (i) vascular or lymphatic spread of myomatous tissue cells when leiomyoma resection or hysterectomy is performed and (ii) smooth muscle cell proliferation in multiple regions. The more usual locations of BML in the heart seem to be the tricuspid valve and the right face of the interventricular septum.
Pentose metabolism and conversion to biofuels and high-value chemicals in yeasts
Authors: Ruchala Justyna , Sibirny Andriy A
Published: December 2020

Pentose sugars are widespread in nature and two of them, D-xylose and L-arabinose belong to the most abundant sugars being the second and third by abundance sugars in dry plant biomass (lignocellulose) and in general on planet. Therefore, it is not surprising that metabolism and bioconversion of these pentoses attract much attention. Several different pathways of D-xylose and L-arabinose catabolism in bacteria and yeasts are known. There are even more common and really ubiquitous though not so abundant pentoses, D-ribose and 2-deoxy-D-ribose, the constituents of all living cells. Thus, ribose metabolism is example of endogenous metabolism whereas metabolism of other pentoses, including xylose and L-arabinose, represents examples of the metabolism of foreign exogenous compounds which normally are not constituents of yeast cells. As a rule, pentose degradation by the wild-type strains of microorganisms does not lead to accumulation of high amounts of valuable substances; however, productive strains have been obtained by random selection and metabolic engineering. There are numerous reviews on xylose and (less) L-arabinose metabolism and conversion to high value substances; however, they mostly are devoted to bacteria or the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This review is devoted to reviewing pentose metabolism and bioconversion mostly in non-conventional yeasts, which naturally metabolize xylose. Pentose metabolism in the recombinant strains of S. cerevisiae is also considered for comparison. The available data on ribose, xylose, L-arabinose transport, metabolism, regulation of these processes, interaction with glucose catabolism and construction of the productive strains of high-value chemicals or pentose (ribose) itself are described. In addition, genome studies of the natural xylose metabolizing yeasts and available tools for their molecular research are reviewed. Metabolism of other pentoses (2-deoxyribose, D-arabinose, lyxose) is briefly reviewed.
The non-SaccharomycesyeastPichia kluyverifor the production of aromatic volatile compounds in alcoholic fermentation
Authors: Méndez-Zamora Andrés , Gutiérrez-Avendaño Daniel Oswaldo , Arellano-Plaza Melchor , De la Torre González Francisco Javier , Barrera-Martínez Iliana , Gschaedler Mathis Anne , Casas-Godoy Leticia
Published: December 2020

Alcoholic fermentation is influenced by yeast strain, culture media, substrate concentration and fermentation conditions, which contribute to taste and aroma. Some non-Saccharomyces yeasts are recognized as volatile compound producers that enrich aromatic profile of alcoholic beverages. In this work, 21 strains of Pichia kluyveri isolated from different fermentative processes and regions were evaluated. A principal component analysis (PCA) showed statistical differences between strains mainly associated with the variety and concentration of the compounds produced. From the PCA, two strains (PK1 and PK8) with the best volatile compound production were selected to evaluate the impact of culture media (M12 medium and Agave tequilana juice), stirring speeds (100 and 250 rpm) and temperatures (20°C, 25°C and 30°C). Increased ester production was observed at 250 rpm. Greatest effect in alcohols and ester production was found with A. tequilana, identifying PK1 as higher alcohol producer, and PK8 as better ester producer. Regarding temperature, PK1 increased ester production with decreased fermentation temperature. PK8 presented maximum levels of ethyl acetate and ethyl dodecanoate at 20°C, and finally isoamyl acetate increased its production at 30°C. Therefore, P. kluyveri strains are of great interest to produce different aromatic profiles that are affected by factors including medium, agitation and temperature.
Dose–Response Effect of Dietary Nitrate on Muscle Contractility and Blood Pressure in Older Subjects: A Pilot Study
Authors: Gallardo Edgar J , Gray Derrick A , Hoffman Richard L , Yates Brandon A , Moorthi Ranjani N , Coggan Andrew R
Published: December 2020

We have recently demonstrated that dietary nitrate, a source of nitric oxide (NO) via the nitrate → nitrite → NO enterosalivary pathway, can improve muscle contractility in healthy older men and women. Nitrate ingestion has also been shown to reduce blood pressure in some, but not all, studies of older individuals. However, the optimal dose for eliciting these beneficial effects is unknown. A pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study was therefore performed to determine the effects of ingesting 3.3 mL/kg of concentrated beetroot juice containing 0, 200, or 400 µmol/kg of nitrate in 9 healthy older subjects (mean age 70 ± 1 years). Maximal knee extensor power (Pmax) and speed (Vmax) were measured ~2.5 hours after nitrate ingestion using isokinetic dynamometry. Blood pressure was monitored periodically throughout each study. Pmax (in W/kg) was higher (p < .05) after the lower dose (3.9 ± 0.4) compared to the placebo (3.7 ± 0.4) or higher dose (3.7 ± 0.4). Vmax (in rad/s) also tended to be higher (p = .08) after the lower dose (11.9 ± 0.7) compared to the placebo (10.8 ± 0.8) or higher dose (11.2 ± 0.8). Eight out of 9 subjects achieved a higher Pmax and Vmax after the lower versus the higher dose. These dose-related changes in muscle contractility generally paralleled changes in breath NO levels. No significant changes were found in systolic, diastolic, or mean arterial blood pressure. A lower dose of nitrate increases muscle speed and power in healthy older individuals, but these improvements are lost at a higher dose. Blood pressure, on the other hand, is not reduced even with a higher dose.
Local Coupling and Conversion of Surface Waves due to Earth’s Rotation. Part 2: Numerical Examples
Authors: Sens-Schönfelder Christoph , Bozdağ Ebru , Snieder Roel
Published: December 2020

Rotation of the Earth affects the propagation of seismic waves. The global coupling of spheroidal and toroidal modes by the Coriolis force over time is described by normal-mode theory. The local action of the Coriolis force on the propagation of surface waves can be described by coefficients for the coupling between propagating Rayleigh and Love waves as derived by (Landau & Lifshitz 1959). Using global wavefield simulations we show how the Coriolis force leads to coupling and conversion between both surface wave types depending on latitude, propagation direction, frequency, and local velocity structure. Surface wave coupling is most efficient for periods where the modes have similar phase velocities, a condition that is equivalent to the selection rules of the angular degree in the normal-mode framework, a phenomenon that we refer to as resonant coupling. In the time-domain, resonant coupling gradually converts energy from one wave type–Rayleigh waves or Love wave–into the other, which then propagates independently. Due to the lateral heterogeneity, the condition of equal phase velocity renders the rotational coupling location-dependent. East-west oriented ray path segments and segments at high latitudes (across the Poles) only weakly couple the fundamental mode Rayleigh and Love waves while coupling is strongest for propagation along the meridians across the equator. At 250 s period, where Love and Rayleigh waves have similar phase velocities, the net energy transfer from Rayleigh to Love wave reaches about 10% for one orbit.
Germline EGFR variants are over-represented in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with adrenocortical carcinoma
Authors: Akhavanfard Sara , Yehia Lamis , Padmanabhan Roshan , Reynolds Jordan P , Ni Ying , Eng Charis
Published: December 2020

Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine tumor with poor overall prognosis and 1.5-fold overrepresentation in females. In children, ACC is associated with inherited cancer syndromes with 50–80% of childhood-ACC associated with TP53 germline variants. ACC in adolescents and young adults (AYA) is rarely due to germline TP53, IGF2, PRKAR1A and MEN1 variants. We analyzed exome sequencing data from 21 children (<15y), 32 AYA (15-39y), and 60 adults (>39y) with ACC, and retained all pathogenic, likely pathogenic, and highly prioritized variants of uncertain significance. We engineered a stable lentiviral-mutant ACC cell line, harboring an EGFR variant (p.Asp1080Asn) from a 21-year-old female without germline-TP53-variant and with aggressive ACC. We found that 4.8% of the children (P = 0.004) and 6.2% of AYA (P < 0.0001), all-female participants, harbored germline EGFR variants, compared to only 0.3% of the control group. Expanding our analysis to the RTK-RAS-MAPK pathway, we found that the RTK genes have the highest number of highly prioritized germline variants in these individuals amongst all three arms of this pathway. We showed EGFR mutant cells migrate faster and are characterized by a stem-like phenotype compared to wild type cells. While EGFR inhibitors did not affect the stemness of mutant cells, Sunitinib, a multireceptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, significantly reduced their stem-like behavior. Our data suggest that EGFR could be a novel underlying germline predisposition factor for ACC, especially in the Childhood-AYA (C-AYA) population. Further clinical validation can improve precision oncology management of this disease, which is known to have limited therapeutic options.
Impact of the Trophic Effects of the Secretome From a Multistrain Probiotic Preparation on the Intestinal Epithelia
Authors: Petito Valentina , Greco Viviana , Laterza Lucrezia , Graziani Cristina , Fanali Caterina , Lucchetti Donatella , Barbaro Maria Raffaella , Bugli Francesca , Pieroni Luisa , Lopetuso Loris Riccardo , Sgambato Alessandro , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Scaldaferri Franco , Urbani Andrea , Gasbarrini Antonio
Published: December 2020

Background

Probiotics are defined as live, nonpathogenic bacteria that confer health benefits beyond their nutritional value. In particular, VSL#3 exhibits demonstrated efficacy in the management of diseases characterized by an increased intestinal permeability. Our study aimed to understand how VSL#3 promotes gut health by secreting bioactive factors and identify which human pathways are modulated by secretome derived from the VSL#3 formula.

Methods

Two different lots of VSL#3 were used, and Caco-2 cell line was treated with conditioned media (CM) prepared using 1 g of the probiotic formula. We evaluated the effects of the probiotics on cellular proliferation and apoptosis by cytometry and the expression of tight junction proteins by western blotting. A proteomics analysis of both culture media and the whole proteome of Caco-2 cells treated with VSL#3-CM was performed by nano-ultra performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass (nUPLC MS/MS) spectrometry.

Results

The probiotic formula increased cell proliferation, decreased cellular apoptosis cells, and increased re-epithelialization in the scratch assay. Several peptides specifically synthetized by all the species within the probiotic preparation were recognized in the proteomics analysis. Human proteins synthesized by CaCo-2 cells were also identified.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this manuscript describes the first evaluation of the probiotic secretome, and the results showed that the improvement in intestinal barrier functions induced by probiotics seems to be accompanied by the modulation of some human cellular pathways.
Assessing Patient Decision-Making on Biologic and Small-Molecule Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Insights From a Conjoint Analysis in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom
Authors: Patel Devin B , van Deen Welmoed K , Almario Christopher V , Khalil Carine , Warui Esther , Bonthala Nirupama , Melmed Gil Y , Spiegel Brennan M R
Published: December 2020

Background

Recent drug approvals have increased the number of therapies available for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), making it difficult for patients to navigate available treatment options. We examined patient decision-making surrounding biologic and small-molecule therapies in an international cohort of patients from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom using conjoint analysis (CA), a form of tradeoff analysis examining how respondents make complex decisions.

Methods

We performed a CA survey that quantified the relative importance of therapy attributes (eg, efficacy, adverse effects) in decision-making. Patients with IBD were recruited from the general population and through specialty IBD clinics. We used a hierarchical Bayes analysis to model individual patients’ preferences and compared the relative importance of medication attributes between countries and practice settings. Using a series of multivariable linear regression models, we assessed whether demographic and clinical characteristics (eg, IBD subtype, severity) predicted how patients made decisions.

Results

Overall, 1077 patients in 3 countries completed the survey. No differences in the relative importance of medication attributes were observed between the 3 countries’ general IBD populations. However, efficacy was more important for patients in the US-based IBD specialty care cohort than for the general IBD population (29% and 23% importance, respectively; P < 0.0001). A few demographic and clinical characteristics were associated with small changes in individual preferences.

Conclusions

In this large international CA study, patients prioritized efficacy as the most important therapeutic attribute. Decision-making seemed to be highly personalized in that therapeutic preferences were hard to predict based on patient characteristics.
Serrated Epithelial Change Is Associated With High Rates of Neoplasia in Ulcerative Colitis Patients: A Case-controlled Study and Systematic Review With Meta-analysis
Authors: Parian Alyssa M , Limketkai Berkeley N , Chowdhury Reezwana , Brewer Gala Godoy , Salem George , Falloon Katie , Selaru Florin , Melia Joanna , Lazarev Mark G
Published: December 2020

Background

Patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis (UC) are at an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Risk stratification is important to identify patients who require more frequent endoscopic surveillance. Serrated epithelial change (SEC) found in patients with long-standing colitis may be associated with neoplasia and serve as a marker to stratify patients at higher risk of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

A case-control study was performed to compare the rates of neoplasia between UC patients with SEC and UC patients without SEC who were matched for age, disease duration, and disease extent. Paired tests, conditional logistic regression, and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to compare groups. A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed, combining our local data with previously published data.

Results

This study included 196 UC patients without prior neoplasia, 98 with SEC and 98 without SEC. Ulcerative colitis patients with SEC had a significantly higher rate of synchronous or metachronous neoplasia than UC patients without SEC (26.5% vs 3.1%; P < 0.001). Synchronous or metachronous high-grade dysplasia and CRC were found more frequently in UC patients with SEC than UC patients without SEC (11.2% vs 2.0%; P = 0.02). A meta-analysis was consistent with these findings, showing a higher rate of neoplasia in patients with SEC compared with those without SEC (16.4% vs 3.9%; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Serrated epithelial change is associated with a significantly increased risk of synchronous and metachronous neoplasia including high-grade dysplasia and CRC in patients with UC. Histopathological findings of SEC should warrant closer endoscopic surveillance for CRC.
The Role of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 as a Therapeutic Target and Serum Biomarker in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Melo Francisco Jorge , Pinto-Lopes Pedro , Estevinho Maria Manuela , Magro Fernando
Published: December 2020

Background

The roles dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), aminopeptidase N (APN), and their substrates in autoimmune diseases are being increasingly recognized. However, their significance in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is not entirely understood. This systematic review aims to discuss the pathophysiological processes related to these ectopeptidases while comparing findings from preclinical and clinical settings.

Methods

This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. We performed a literature search in PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science to identify all reports from inception until February 2020. The search included validated animal models of intestinal inflammation and studies in IBD patients. Quality assessment was performed using SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool and CASP qualitative and cohort checklists.

Results

From the 45 included studies, 36 were performed in animal models and 12 in humans (3 reports included both). Overall, the methodological quality of preclinical studies was acceptable. In animal models, DPP4 and APN inhibition significantly improved intestinal inflammation.Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and GLP-2 analogs and GLP-2-relase-inducing drugs also showed significant benefits in recovery from inflammatory damage. A nonsignificant trend toward disease remission with the GLP-2 analog teduglutide was observed in the sole interventional human study. All human studies reported an inverse correlation between soluble DPP4/CD26 levels and disease severity, in accordance with the proposal of DPP4 as a biomarker for IBD.

Conclusions

The use of DPP4 inhibitors and analogs of its substrates has clear benefits in the treatment of experimentally induced intestinal inflammation. Further research is warranted to validate their potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications in IBD patients.
Domain decomposition preconditioners for high-order discretizations of the heterogeneous Helmholtz equation
Authors: Gong Shihua , Graham Ivan G , Spence Euan A
Published: December 2020

We consider one-level additive Schwarz domain decomposition preconditioners for the Helmholtz equation with variable coefficients (modelling wave propagation in heterogeneous media), subject to boundary conditions that include wave scattering problems. Absorption is included as a parameter in the problem. This problem is discretized using $H^1$-conforming nodal finite elements of fixed local degree $p$ on meshes with diameter $h = h(k)$, chosen so that the error remains bounded with increasing $k$. The action of the one-level preconditioner consists of the parallel solution of problems on subdomains (which can be of general geometry), each equipped with an impedance boundary condition. We prove rigorous estimates on the norm and field of values of the left- or right-preconditioned matrix that show explicitly how the absorption, the heterogeneity in the coefficients and the dependence on the degree enter the estimates. These estimates prove rigorously that, with enough absorption and for $k$ large enough, GMRES is guaranteed to converge in a number of iterations that is independent of $k,p$ and the coefficients. The theoretical threshold for $k$ to be large enough depends on $p$ and on the local variation of coefficients in subdomains (and not globally). Extensive numerical experiments are given for both the absorptive and the propagative cases; in the latter case, we investigate examples both when the coefficients are nontrapping and when they are trapping. These experiments support (i) our theory in terms of dependence on polynomial degree and the coefficients; and (ii) the sharpness of our field of values estimates in terms of the level of absorption required.
Efficacy of a Dengue Vaccine Candidate (TAK-003) in Healthy Children and Adolescents 2 Years after Vaccination
Authors: López-Medina Eduardo , Biswal Shibadas , Saez-Llorens Xavier , Borja-Tabora Charissa , Bravo Lulu , Sirivichayakul Chukiat , Vargas Luis Martinez , Alera Maria Theresa , Velásquez Hector , Reynales Humberto , Rivera Luis , Watanaveeradej Veerachai , Rodriguez-Arenales Edith Johana , Yu Delia , Espinoza Felix , Dietze Reynaldo , Fernando Lak Kumar , Wickramasinghe Pujitha , Duarte Moreira Edson , Fernando Asvini D , Gunasekera Dulanie , Luz Kleber , da Cunha Rivaldo Venâncio , Tricou Vianney , Rauscher Martina , Liu Mengya , LeFevre Inge , Wallace Derek , Kosalaraksa Pope , Borkowski Astrid
Published: December 2020

Background

Takeda’s dengue vaccine is under evaluation in an ongoing phase 3 efficacy study; we present a 2-year update.

Methods

Children (20 099, 4–16 years old) were randomized to receive 2 doses of TAK-003 or placebo 3 months apart and are under surveillance to detect dengue by serotype-specific RT-PCR.

Results

Cumulative efficacy against dengue approximately 27 months since first dose was 72.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 67.1%–77.3%), including 67.0% (95% CI, 53.6%–76.5%) in dengue-naive and 89.2% (95% CI, 82.4%–93.3%) against hospitalized dengue. In the second year, decline in efficacy was observed (56.2%; 95% CI, 42.3%–66.8%) with the largest decline in 4–5 year olds (24.5%; 95% CI, −34.2% to 57.5%); efficacy was 60.6% (95% CI, 43.8%–72.4%) in 6–11 year and 71.2% (95% CI, 41.0%–85.9%) in 12–16 year age groups. As TAK-003 efficacy varies by serotype, changes in serotype dominance partially contributed to efficacy differences in year-by-year analysis. No related serious adverse events occurred during the second year.

Conclusions

TAK-003 demonstrated continued benefit independent of baseline serostatus in reducing dengue with some decline in efficacy during the second year. Three-year data will be important to see if efficacy stabilizes or declines further.

Clinical Trials Registration. NCT02747927.

Takeda’s tetravalent dengue vaccine (TAK-003) continued to demonstrate benefit in reducing dengue independent of baseline serostatus up to 2 years after completing vaccination with some decline in efficacy during the second year in 4–16 year olds in dengue-endemic countries.
Systematic Position of the Enigmatic Psocid Family Lesneiidae (Insecta: Psocodea: Psocomorpha), With Description of Two New Species
Authors: Yoshizawa Kazunori , Marusik Yuri M , Yao Izumi , Lienhard Charles
Published: December 2020

The systematic placement of an enigmatic psocid family restricted to Africa, Lesneiidae, was estimated by using a multiple gene data set. The candidates for its close relatives are now classified under two different infraorders, the family Archipsocidae of the infraorder Archipsocetae or the families Elipsocidae/Mesopsocidae of the infraorder Homilopsocidea. The maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of the molecular data set strongly suggested that the Lesneiidae belongs to Homilopsocidea and forms a clade with Elipsocidae/Mesopsocidae/Eolachesillinae (Lachesillidae). However, the relationships among these (sub)families and Lesneiidae, including the monophyly of Elipsocidae and Mesopsocidae, were ambiguous or questionable, showing the necessity of further investigations for elucidating their relationships and validating the status of these families. Two species, L. johnsoni Yoshizawa & Lienhard, n. sp. and L. testudinata Yoshizawa & Lienhard, n. sp. (Psocodea: Lesneiidae), were described from South Africa. There appears to be a tight association between the reproductive biology and morphological specialization of this group.
Inter-prescriber variability in the decision to prescribe antibiotics to febrile patients attending primary care in Myanmar
Authors: Swe Myo Maung Maung , Ashley Elizabeth A , Althaus Thomas , Lubell Yoel , Smithuis Frank , Mclean Alistair R D
Published: December 2020

Background

Most antibiotic prescribing occurs in primary care. Even within the same health facility, there may be differences between prescribers in their tendency to prescribe antibiotics, which may be masked by summary data. We aimed to quantify prescriber variability in antibiotic prescription to patients with acute fever in primary care clinics in Myanmar.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of prescribing data from 1090 patient consultations with 40 prescribing doctors from a trial investigating the effect of point-of-care C-reactive protein (CRP) tests on antibiotic prescription for acute fever. We used multilevel logistic regression models to assess inter-prescriber variability in the decision to prescribe antibiotics.

Results

The median odds ratio (MOR) in the unadjusted model was 1.82 (95% CI: 1.47–2.56) indicating that when two prescribers from this population are randomly selected then in half of these pairs the odds of prescription will be greater than 1.82-fold higher in one prescriber than the other. The estimated variability from this sample of prescribers corresponds to a population of prescribers where the top 25% of prescribers will prescribe antibiotics to over 41% of patients while the bottom 25% will prescribe antibiotics to less than 23% of patients. Inter-prescriber variation in antibiotic prescribing remained after adjustment for patient characteristics and CRP information (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Despite sharing the same management guidelines, there was substantial inter-prescriber variation in antibiotic prescription to patients with acute fever. This variation should be considered when designing trials and stewardship programmes aiming to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing.
Screening of 154 Veterinary Drug Residues in Foods of Animal Origin Using LC–MS/MS: First Action 2020.04
Authors: Desmarchelier Aurélien , Bessaire , Thomas , Savoy Marie-Claude , Tarres Adrienne , Mujahid Claudia , Beck Andrea , Mottier Pascal , Delatour Thierry
Published: December 2020

Background

Veterinary drug residues in food are substances (>200 compounds) exhibiting potential health risks for consumers, thus being regulated in national legislations and the Codex Alimentarius. Most of the compounds are regulated based upon a maximum residue limit (MRL) while a few of them are banned in food for humans. The food sector needs a reliable and consensus analytical platform able to monitor these substances in a wide range of food commodities.

Objective

Several confirmatory methods based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry are available in the literature for either screening or quantification of veterinary drug residues in food, but usually applicable to limited scope of matrices. The current work describes the single-laboratory validation (SLV) of a method for screening 154 veterinary drug residues in several food categories.

Methods

This work describes a streamlined platform making use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for screening 105 antibiotics, 41 antiparasitics, 5anti-inflammatory agents, and 3 tranquilizers in foods of animal origin. For the best performance across the commodities (dairy-, meat-, fish-, and egg-based materials), four method streams were established. As a screening tool, probabilities of detection (PODs) were assessed at the screening target concentration (STC < MRL) and the blank.

Results

The SLV led to PODs at the STC >94% and PODs in the blank < 4%.

Conclusion

Performance is in agreement with the acceptance criteria defined in SMPR 2018.010.

Highlights

The Expert Review Panel approved the present method as AOAC Official First Action 2020.04.
Identification and analysis of short open reading frames (sORFs) in the initially annotated noncoding RNA LINC00493 from human cells
Authors: Yeasmin Fouzia , Imamachi Naoto , Tanu Tanzina , Taniue Kenzui , Kawamura Takeshi , Yada Tetsushi , Akimitsu Nobuyoshi
Published: December 2020

Whole transcriptome analyses have revealed that mammalian genomes are massively transcribed, resulting in the production of huge numbers of transcripts with unknown functions (TUFs). Previous research has categorized most TUFs as noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) because most previously studied TUFs do not encode open reading frames (ORFs) with biologically significant lengths [>100 amino acids (AAs)]. Recent studies, however, have reported that several transcripts harbouring small ORFs that encode peptides shorter than 100 AAs are translated and play important biological functions. Here, we examined the translational capacity of transcripts annotated as ncRNAs in human cells, and identified several hundreds of ribosome-associated transcripts previously annotated as ncRNAs. Ribosome footprinting and polysome profiling analyses revealed that 61 of them are potentially translatable. Among them, 45 were nonnonsense-mediated mRNA decay targets, suggesting that they are productive mRNAs. We confirmed the translation of one ncRNA, LINC00493, by luciferase reporter assaying and western blotting of a FLAG-tagged LINC00493 peptide. While proteomic analysis revealed that the LINC00493 peptide interacts with many mitochondrial proteins, immunofluorescence assays showed that its peptide is mitochondrially localized. Our findings indicate that some transcripts annotated as ncRNAs encode peptides and that unannotated peptides may perform important roles in cells.
Population-Mediated Responses of Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) to Different Diagnostic Protocols for Phosphine Efficacy
Authors: Sakka Maria K , Athanassiou Christos G
Published: December 2020

We evaluated different monitoring protocols for phosphine resistance in adults of three populations of the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.), termed LB, 2KT, and E1. The protocols evaluated were as follows: 1) the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) bioassay, i.e., the exposure at 30 ppm of phosphine for 20 h, 2) the dose response, based on the exposure at 50–1,000 ppm of phosphine for 3 d, 3) the Cooperation Center for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) bioassay, which is based on exposures of 4 d at 200 ppm, and, if there are surviving individuals, of 10 d at 700 ppm, and 4) Detia Degesch Phosphine Tolerance Test Kit (DDPTTK), based on the evaluation of the exposed insects for short intervals of exposure (in our case 90 min) at 3,000 ppm. From the populations tested, E1 indicated the highest survival in the FAO bioassay. Moreover, adults of this population were able to survive at 200 ppm, in the dose response, in contrast with the other populations. However, both 2KT and E1 gave similar results in DDPTTK, but only E1 had survivors after 7 d postexposure. Finally, only adults of E1 survived the CORESTA bioassay for 200 ppm and 4 d, but not for 700 ppm and 10 d. Our results show that, at least in the range of the populations tested here, there are some trends that are comparable among the different diagnostics for L. serricorne, which can be utilized further in designing a widely adopted standardized protocol.
Temporal Occurrence of Plusiinae on Soybean in the Mississippi River Delta
Authors: Allen K Clint , Little Nathan S , Perera Omaththage P
Published: December 2020

The subfamily Plusiinae of the moth family Noctuidae is made up 400 species worldwide. Two species of the subfamily, the soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens (Walker), and the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), are important defoliating insect pests of various field crops and have been the subject of previous Plusiinae surveys in the Southern U.S. Soybean fields were sampled in the Mississippi Delta from 2010 to 2012 to determine the temporal occurrence of various Plusiinae species on soybean. As in previous surveys, C. includens was the most common Plusiinae species in soybean during the 3-yr survey, especially in late season collections (July–September). Rachiplusia ou (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was the predominant species observed in early season collections (May–early July). Populations of R. ou during the first sample dates during 2010 were much higher than those observed during the other years of the survey. Only three collected larvae successfully developed into T. ni adults, one each collected during May, June, and July. Although R. ou was not commonly reported in previous studies on soybean, it occurred in low numbers during June and July during the 3-yr study. The temporal occurrence and species composition followed a predictable pattern in all 3 yr of the study.
Evaluation of Larval Therapy Compared to Antibiotic Therapy in the Treatment of Skin Wounds in Rabbits
Authors: Barros Luciano Antunes , Sant’Anna Lucas Xavier , Lessa Claudia Soares , Aguiar Coelho Valéria Magalhães , Nunes Mariana dos Passos , de Souza Cláudio Maurício Vieira , Holanda Duarte Maria Carmela Kasnowski , Fonseca Ana Beatriz Monteiro , Sakamoto Cláudio Alessandro Massamitsu , Leite Juliana da Silva
Published: December 2020

Larval therapy (LT) is a therapeutic modality that uses larvae of necrophagous flies for the treatment of wounds. The use of this therapy presents several benefits, due to the action of the larvae that remove necrotic tissue selectively, exercising antimicrobial action, and promoting healing. There are situations in which LT proves to be the only or the best alternative for the patient, such as wounds infected by multidrug-resistant microorganisms or when treatment difficulties may lead to an indication for amputation. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency of LT, using larvae of Chrysomya megacephala, with that of antibiotic therapy in the treatment of cutaneous wounds infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Twenty-four rabbits were used to perform the experiment, distributed in four groups: group 1, induced wound without bacterial infection; group 2, induced wound with bacterial infection; group 3, induced wound with bacterial infection and antibiotic therapy; group 4, induced wound with bacterial infection and LT. The macroscopic, microscopic, and statistical analyses indicated that LT was as effective as antibiotic therapy in wound healing.
The Nocturnal Ovipositon Behavior of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Brazil and Its Forensic Implications
Authors: Carneiro L T , Azevedo W T A , Aguiar V M , Couri M S
Published: December 2020

Chrysomya megacephala (Fab. 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a very important species for forensic entomology, mainly contributing estimations of the postmortem interval (PMI) in judicial investigations. There are some doubts about the nocturnal oviposition of these flies, which could lead to errors in the PMI calculation. This study aimed to monitor the nocturnal oviposition behavior of this species through four experimental conditions carried out in laboratory. Ten cages, each containing five males and females (n = 100), were kept in a fume hood and subjected to total darkness or to artificial light for 11 consecutive hours. Two verifications were performed to determine whether the females deposited eggs on the substrate of ~20 g of chicken gizzards per cage. The first verification occurred at 9:00 pm in nocturnal experiments and at 09:00 am in diurnal experiments. The second verification occurred at 05:00 am in nocturnal experiments and at 05:00 pm in diurnal experiments. Each experiment lasted 5 d. Chrysomya megacephala deposited eggs at night under artificial light and in total darkness, but the amount of eggs was significantly lower when compared with the daytime experiments in dark conditions and under natural light. Oviposition occurred when the average temperature was around 25°C (± 2°C) and relative humidity around 73% (± 6%). Night oviposition is a possibility which should not be ruled out. Thus, future experiments are recommended.
‘Burning Violin’: The Medically Important Spider GenusLoxosceles(Araneae: Sicariidae) in Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan, With Two New Species
Authors: Zamani Alireza , Mirshamsi Omid , Marusik Yuri M
Published: December 2020

The taxonomic status of the medically important spider genus Loxosceles Heineken et Lowe, 1832 (Sicariidae) in Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan is revised. Two species are described as new to science: Loxosceles coheni sp. n. (♂♀, southwestern Iran) and Loxosceles turanensis sp. n. (♂♀, southern Turkmenistan and eastern Iran). Additionally, Loxosceles alicea Gertsch, 1967 syn. n. (♀, Peru) is synonymized with Loxosceles rufescens (Dufour, 1820). The local distribution of all treated species is mapped (including several new records), and reported cases of loxoscelism from this region are briefly reviewed.
Practice patterns for postoperative radiation therapy in patients with metastases to the long bones: a survey of the Japanese Radiation Oncology Study Group
Authors: Kubota Hikaru , Nakamura Naoki , Shikama Naoto , Tonari Ayako , Wada Hitoshi , Harada Hideyuki , Nagakura Hisayasu , Heianna Joichi , Ito Kei , Nozaki Miwako , Tago Masao , Fushiki Masato , Uchida Nobue , Araki Norio , Sekii Shuhei , Kosugi Takashi , Takahashi Takeo , Kawamoto Terufumi , Saito Tetsuo , Yamada Kazunari
Published: December 2020

Evidence regarding postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) for metastases to the long bones is lacking. Characterizing the current practice patterns and identifying factors that influence dose-fractionation schedules are essential for future clinical trials. An internet-based survey of the palliative RT subgroup of the Japanese Radiation Oncology Study Group was performed in 2017 to collect data regarding PORT prescription practices and dose-fractionation schedules. Responders were also asked to recommend dose-fractionation schedules for four hypothetical cases that involved a patient with impending pathological fractures and one of four clinical features (poor prognosis, solitary metastasis, radio-resistant primary tumor or expected long-term survival). Responders were asked to indicate their preferred irradiation fields and the reasons for the dose fractionation schedule they chose. Responses were obtained from 89 radiation oncologists (67 institutions and 151 RT plans) who used 22 dose-fractionation schedules, with the most commonly used and recommended schedule being 30 Gy in 10 fractions. Local control was the most common reason for preferring longer-course RT. High-dose fractionated schedules were preferred for oligometastasis, and low-dose regimens were preferred for patients with a poor prognosis; however, single-fraction RT was not preferred. Most respondents recommended targeting the entire orthopedic prosthesis. These results indicated that PORT using 30 Gy in 10 fractions to the entire orthopedic prosthesis is preferred in current Japanese practice and that single-fraction RT was not preferred. Oligometastasis and poor prognosis influenced the selection of high- or low-dose regimens.
Two cases of giant peritoneal inclusion cysts requiring treatment after total laparoscopic hysterectomy
Authors: Kozasa Katsumi , Takemoto Yuki , Goto Takeshi , Kobayashi Mariya , Sakaguchi Hitomi , Fujiwara Sho , Ichikawa Fuyuki , Kuroda Misako , Komura Naoko , Tanaka Asuka , Masuda Kumi , Otsuka Hirofumi , Yokoi Takeshi
Published: December 2020

Peritoneal inclusion cysts (PICs) often develop in post-operative patients. Since the incidence of adhesions is lower with laparoscopic surgery than with open surgery, PICs are less likely to occur in the former. Although post-operative adhesions or PICs rarely develop after laparoscopic surgery (such as total laparoscopic hysterectomy: TLH), we encountered two cases of giant PICs with abdominal pain after TLH. In Case 1, strong adhesion was already present when TLH was performed. Therefore, this case may have been predisposed to the development of adhesions in the abdominal cavity. However, no adhesions were observed during TLH in case 2, and there were no risk factors, such as pre-operative adhesions and endometriosis. Therefore, adhesions and PICs may develop even after TLH, and approaches need to be considered for their prevention.
Knowledge of uncertain worlds: programming with logical constraints
Authors: Liu Yanhong A , Stoller Scott D
Published: December 2020

Programming with logic for sophisticated applications must deal with recursion and negation, which together have created significant challenges in logic, leading to many different, conflicting semantics of rules. This paper describes a unified language, DA logic, for design and analysis logic, based on the unifying founded semantics and constraint semantics, that supports the power and ease of programming with different intended semantics. The key idea is to provide meta-constraints, support the use of uncertain information in the form of either undefined values or possible combinations of values and promote the use of knowledge units that can be instantiated by any new predicates, including predicates with additional arguments.
About the characterization of a fine line that separates generalizations and boundary-case exceptions for the Second Incompleteness Theorem under semantic tableau deduction
Authors: Willard Dan E
Published: December 2020

Our previous research showed that the semantic tableau deductive methodology of Fitting and Smullyan permits boundary-case exceptions to the second incompleteness theorem, if multiplication is viewed as a 3-way relation (rather than as a total function). It is known that tableau methodologies prove a schema of theorems verifying all instances of the law of the excluded middle. But if one promotes this schema of theorems into formalized logical axioms, then the meaning of the pronoun of ‘I’, used by our self-referencing engine, changes quite sharply. Our partial evasions of the second incompleteness theorem shall then come to a complete halt.
The ALMaQUEST survey – VI. The molecular gas main sequence of ‘retired’ regions in galaxies
Authors: Ellison Sara L , Lin Lihwai , Thorp Mallory D , Pan Hsi-An , Sánchez Sebastian F , Bluck Asa F L , Belfiore Francesco
Published: December 2020

In order to investigate the role of gas in the demise of star formation on kpc-scales, we compare the resolved molecular gas main sequence (rMGMS: $\Sigma _{\rm H_2}$ versus Σ⋆) of star-forming regions to the sequence of ‘retired’ regions that have ceased to form new stars. Using data from the ALMaQUEST survey, we find that retired spaxels form a rMGMS that is distinct from that of star-forming spaxels, offset to lower $\Sigma _{\rm H_2}$ at fixed Σ⋆ by a factor of ∼5. We study the rMGMS of star-forming and retired spaxels on a galaxy-by-galaxy basis for eight individual ALMaQUEST(ALMA MaNGA QUEnching and STar formation) galaxies. Six of these galaxies have their retired spaxels concentrated within the central few kpc. Molecular gas is detected in 40–100 per cent of retired spaxels in the eight galaxies in our sample. Both the star-forming and retired rMGMS show a diversity in normalization from galaxy to galaxy. However, in any given galaxy, the rMGMS for retired regions is found to be distinct from the star-forming sequence and gas fractions of retired spaxels are up to an order of magnitude lower than the star-forming spaxels. We conclude that quenching is associated with a depletion (but not absence) of molecular gas via a mechanism that typically begins in the centre of the galaxy.