bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current and projected impacts of the parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (causative to proliferative kidney disease) on Central European salmonid populations under predicted climate change
Authors: Ros Albert , Baer Jan , Basen Timo , Chucholl Christoph , Schneider Ernst , Teschner Ruben , Brinker Alexander
Published: April 2021

Proliferative kidney disease (PKD) caused by the myxozoan parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae is an emerging salmonid disease implicated in recent declines in salmonid populations. Laboratory experiments have shown that the clinical symptoms of PKD exacerbate with increasing temperature. However, empirical evidence for a relationship between climate change and PKD driven declines in wild salmonid stocks is scarce.

The current study uses both empirical data and ecological niche modelling to extrapolate future changes in temperature and precipitation on the spread of PKD in relation to changes in suitability of rivers for its primary bryozoan and secondary salmonid hosts.

A 20‐year dataset on brown trout density using standardised method shows a decline of more than 50% in the population of the river Wutach, south‐western Germany at 536–755 m elevation. The decline coincides with higher prevalence of PKD. This decline was temperature related and driven by reduced local survival of parr to yearlings. Kidney hyperplasia was highest at low elevations and correlated negatively with trout density.

Niche models based on state‐wide data show strong overlap in the areas suitable for T. bryosalmonae and its primary bryozoan hosts, and a strong link with temperature. Projections based on moderate to high emission‐case climate change scenarios predict a 50%–82% decrease in the area suitable for salmonids within this century, linked to PKD.

The empirical data identify temperature‐mediated PKD as the underlying cause of the population decline. This relationship was corroborated by the niche modelling results. The highest losses are expected in projected salmonid suitable areas where salmonid habitats currently overlap with areas suitable for T. bryosalmonae.

With ongoing climate change, both current and future populations are at severe risk to T. bryosalmonae and its associated disease PKD. Conservation efforts of salmonid stocks are dependent on climate mitigation and measures to help salmonids adapt to the disease.
Variations of carbon allocation and turnover time across tropical forests
Authors: Yang Hui , Ciais Philippe , Wang Yilong , Huang Yuanyuan , Wigneron Jean‐Pierre , Bastos Ana , Chave Jérôme , Chang Jinfeng , E. Doughty Christopher , Fan Lei , Goll Daniel , Joetzjer Emilie , Li Wei , Lucas Richard , Quegan Shaun , Le Toan Thuy , Yu Kailiang
Published: April 2021

Aim

The carbon sink in tropical forests is a highly uncertain component of the global carbon budget. An understanding of the processes controlling this sink requires better quantification of carbon allocation, stocks and turnover times.

Location

Tropical forests.

Time period

2010–2017.

Major taxa studied

Tropical forest ecosystem.

Methods

We develop a novel data assimilation system using satellite‐based annual above‐ground biomass derived from L‐band vegetation optical depth with 25 km × 25 km grid spacing, together with leaf area, to constrain the 25 km × 25 km carbon allocation patterns of net primary productivity (NPP) into the wood, leaf and root pools, and their turnover times. Our average data‐driven estimates of these variables are broadly consistent with independent ground‐based estimates of NPP allocation and wood turnover from forest inventory plots.

Results

In tropical forest, on average, the NPP allocation into wood (0.30 ± 0.04) is significantly higher than that into leaves (0.24 ± 0.07). From the wet to dry tropics, forest NPP allocation into both wood and leaves declines slightly. The turnover times of forest leaf pools exhibit little spatial variation, whereas the turnover times of wood pools in Africa (median and interquartile range: years) are slightly longer than those in South America ( years) and Southeast Asia ( years). Our datasets reveal emergent trade‐offs across climatic and vegetation gradients between growth and life span/turnover for both wood and leaves. The spatial gradients of NPP allocation to wood/leaves are associated with canopy height, adjusted by climate condition and nutrient acquisition. The spatial gradients of wood and leaf turnover times are influenced mainly by climate and leaf characteristics.

Main conclusions

Our data‐driven estimates of carbon allocation and turnover times provide a basis for more detailed exploration of these mechanisms in field studies. This highlights that improved model representation of carbon allocation and turnover is necessary for more accurate prediction of future carbon dynamics.
Environmental heterogeneity explains contrasting plant species richness between the South African Cape and southwestern Australia
Authors: van Mazijk Ruan , Cramer Michael D. , Verboom G. Anthony
Published: April 2021

Aim

Given the importance of environmental heterogeneity as a driver of species richness through its effects on species diversification and coexistence, we asked whether the dramatic difference in species richness per unit area between two similar Mediterranean‐type biodiversity hotspots is explained by differences in environmental heterogeneity.

Location

The Greater Cape Floristic Region, South Africa (GCFR) and Southwest Australian Floristic Region (SWAFR).

Taxon

Vascular plants (tracheophytes).

Methods

Comparable, geospatially explicit environmental and species occurrence data were obtained for both regions and used to generate environmental heterogeneity and species richness raster layers. Heterogeneity in multiple environmental variables and species richness per unit area were compared between the two regions at a range of spatial scales. At each scale, richness was also regressed against these individual axes and against a major axis of heterogeneity, derived by principal component analysis (PCA).

Results

The GCFR is generally more environmentally heterogeneous and species‐rich than the SWAFR. Species richness per unit area is significantly related to the major axis of heterogeneity across both regions, the latter describing c. 38%–50% of overall heterogeneity, the slope of this relationship differing between the two regions only at the finest spatial scale. Multivariate regressions, and regressions against the first axes of the PCAs (PC1), revealed variations in the dependence of species richness on environmental heterogeneity between the two regions.

Main conclusions

Notwithstanding some region‐specific effects, we present evidence of a common positive relationship between floristic richness and environmental heterogeneity across the GCFR and SWAFR. This is dependent on spatial scale, being strongest at the coarsest level of sampling. The generally greater richness per unit area of the GCFR compared to the SWAFR is thus explained by the former's generally greater environmental heterogeneity and is concordant with its greater levels of floristic turnover.
Alteration of gut microbiota with a broad‐spectrum antibiotic does not impair maternal care in the European earwig
Authors: Van Meyel Sophie , Devers Séverine , Dupont Simon , Dedeine Franck , Meunier Joël
Published: April 2021

The microbes residing within the gut of an animal host often increase their own fitness by modifying their host's physiological, reproductive and behavioural functions. Whereas recent studies suggest that they may also shape host sociality and therefore have critical effects on animal social evolution, the impact of the gut microbiota on maternal care remains unexplored. This is surprising, as this behaviour is widespread among animals, often determines the fitness of both juveniles and parents, and is essential in the evolution of complex animal societies. Here, we tested whether life‐long alterations of the gut microbiota with rifampicin—a broad‐spectrum antibiotic—impair pre‐ and post‐hatching maternal care in the European earwig. Our results first confirm that rifampicin altered the mothers’ gut microbial communities and indicate that the composition of the gut microbiota differs before and after egg care. Contrary to our predictions, however, the rifampicin‐induced alterations of the gut microbiota did not modify pre‐ or post‐hatching care. Independent of maternal care, rifampicin increased the females’ faeces production and resulted in lighter eggs and juveniles. By contrast, rifampicin altered none of the other 21 physiological, reproductive and longevity traits measured over the 300 days of a female's lifetime. Overall, these findings reveal that altering the gut microbiota with a large spectrum antibiotic such as rifampicin does not necessarily affect host sociality. They also emphasize that not all animals have evolved a co‐dependence with their microbiota and call for caution when generalizing the central role of gut microbes in host biology.
Applying artificial intelligence in the microbiome for gastrointestinal diseases: A review
Authors: Zeng Tao , Yu Xiangtian , Chen Zhangran
Published: April 2021

For a long time, gut bacteria have been recognized for their important roles in the occurrence and progression of gastrointestinal diseases like colorectal cancer, and the ever‐increasing amounts of microbiome data combined with other high‐quality clinical and imaging datasets are leading the study of gastrointestinal diseases into an era of biomedical big data. The “omics” technologies used for microbiome analysis continuously evolve, and the machine learning or artificial intelligence technologies are key to extract the relevant information from microbiome data. This review intends to provide a focused summary of recent research and applications of microbiome big data and to discuss the use of artificial intelligence to combat gastrointestinal diseases.
Right‐to‐left shunt detection using transforaminal insonation of the basilar artery
Authors: Chhabra Nikita , Kumar Gyanendra , Fruin Jennifer , Dumitrascu Oana M.
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Investigation for patent foramen ovale (PFO) is warranted in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS), as PFO closure is recommended in select CS patients for secondary stroke prevention. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is noninvasive and has high sensitivity for PFO screening. However, 10% of the population has insufficient temporal bone windows to perform standard TCD monitoring of the middle cerebral arteries (MCAs). Prior reports showed similar diagnostic accuracy between the basilar artery and MCAs insonation. Our objective was to assess the accuracy of transforaminal insonation of the basilar artery (TIBA) in diagnosis of right‐to‐left shunt (RLS) in patients with inadequate temporal windows.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective, single‐center, observational study of TIBA in patients with CS and inadequate temporal windows. We compared the PFO screening accuracy using TIBA versus echocardiogram, either transthoracic (TTE) or transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE).

RESULTS

Sixteen females and four males were included (mean age 63.2). All patients underwent TTE, 10 (50%) underwent gold‐standard TEE. Nine patients had positive PFO with both TCD and echocardiogram. Two patients with negative echocardiogram had TCD‐positive shunt. Three patients had PFO present on echocardiogram, whereas TCD was negative. Six patients had absent shunt with both TCD and echocardiogram. The sensitivity and specificity of TIBA for RLS detection were 75%, positive predictive value 82%, and negative predictive value 67%.

CONCLUSION

PFO screening accuracy using TIBA was 75%. Prospective evaluation of CS patients with TIBA and comparison to the gold‐standard TEE should be performed to further guide clinical practice.
Identification of prognostic marker genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A study based on The Cancer Genome Atlas database and experimental validation
Authors: Zhong Qilong , Zhou Li , Zhu Dan
Published: April 2021

Background

Early detection and prognostic prediction are crucial in improving the survival of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Therefore, we provided potential molecular markers in this study for early diagnosis and prognosis of this cancer based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database analysis and experimental validations.

Methods

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HNSCC tumor and normal samples were identified by TCGA database–based analyses. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were applied, respectively, to identify survival‐related DEGs and independent prognostic factors in HNSCC. Further, RT‐qPCR was employed to verify expression of DEGs in cancer and adjacent tissues from HNSCC patients recruited in our hospital, in which we also clarified the correlation between candidate genes and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of HNSCC patients.

Results

TCGA data analyses yielded 59 DEGs. Cox analyses identified 13 candidate genes closely related to prognosis of HNSCC patients and established a five‐gene signature comprising AC103702.2, LINC00941, RPL29, FOXL2, and CCL11. This five‐gene signature could classify patients into high‐ and low‐risk groups. The survival rate of the high‐risk group was significantly lower than that of the low‐risk group. Clinical tissue experiments further confirmed that AC103702.2, LINC00941, CCL11, and RPL29P19 genes were inversely associated with the prognosis of HNSCC patients, while CCL11 gene was positively associated. We also found that high‐risk HNSCC patients presented a higher incidence of lymph node metastasis.

Conclusion

Five prognostic marker genes (AC103702.2, LINC00941, CCL11, RPL29P19, and FOXL2) as a gene cluster may serve as prognostic marker genes in HNSCC.
Low potential of circulating interleukin 1 receptor antagonist as a prediction marker for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Boldrup Linda , Coates Philip , Gu Xiaolian , Wang Lixiao , Fåhraeus Robin , Wilms Torben , Sgaramella Nicola , Nylander Karin
Published: April 2021

Background

Circulating markers are attractive molecules for prognosis and management of cancer that allow sequential monitoring of patients during and after treatment. Based on previous protein profiling data, circulating interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra) was evaluated as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN). In this study, we aimed at confirming the clinical relevance of plasma IL‐1Ra in SCCHN and exploring its potential as a prediction marker for SCCHN.

Methods

Plasma from 87 patients with SCCHN, control plasma from 28 healthy individuals and pre‐diagnostic plasma from 44 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue (SCCOT) and 88 matched controls were analysed with IL‐1Ra electrochemiluminescence immunoassays from mesoscale diagnostics.

Results

Plasma IL‐1Ra was found to be up‐regulated in patients with oral tongue, gingiva and base of tongue tumours compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.01). IL‐1Ra levels positively correlated with tumour size (p < 0.01) and body mass index (p = 0.013). Comparing pre‐diagnostic plasma to the matched controls, similar IL1‐Ra levels were seen (p = 0.05).

Conclusion

The anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐1Ra could be a diagnostic marker for SCCHN, whereas its potential as a cancer prediction marker was not supported by our data.
Spectral arc length as a method to quantify pharyngeal high‐resolution manometric curve smoothness
Authors: Scholp Austin J. , Hoffman Matthew R. , Rosen Sarah P. , Abdelhalim Suzan M. , Jones Corinne A. , Jiang Jack J. , McCulloch Timothy M.
Published: April 2021

Background

Pharyngeal high‐resolution manometry (HRM) has emerged over the last decade as a valuable assessment tool for oropharyngeal dysphagia. Data analysis thus far has focused primarily on measures of pressure and duration within key anatomic regions. We apply spectral arc length (SPARC), a dimensionless metric for quantifying smoothness felt to indirectly reflect neuromuscular coordination, as a new method of describing manometric curves. We then use it to distinguish swallows from healthy subjects and those with dysphagia related to stroke.

Methods

Previously collected pharyngeal HRM data from eight subjects with history of stroke and eight age‐ and sex‐matched controls were reviewed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to optimize SPARC inputs. SPARC was then computed for the velopharynx, tongue base, hypopharynx, and upper esophageal sphincter (UES), and the values were compared between the two subject groups.

Results

Optimized parameter settings yielded an ROC curve with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.953. Mean SPARC values differed between control and stroke subjects for the velopharynx (t = 3.25, p = 0.0058), tongue base (t = 4.77, p = 0.0003), and hypopharynx (t = 2.87, p = 0.0124). Values were similar for the UES (t = 0.43, p = 0.671).

Conclusions

In this preliminary study, SPARC analysis was applied to distinguish control from post‐stroke subjects. Considering alternative methods of analyzing pharyngeal HRM data may provide additional insight into the pathophysiology of dysphagia beyond what can be gleaned from measures of pressure and duration alone.
Haplotype variations of major flowering time genes in quinoa unveil their role in the adaptation to different environmental conditions
Authors: Patiranage Dilan S.R. , Asare Edward , Maldonado‐Taipe Nathaly , Rey Elodie , Emrani Nazgol , Tester Mark , Jung Christian
Published: April 2021

Response to photoperiod is of major importance in crop production. It defines the adaptation of plants to local environments. Quinoa is a short‐day plant which had been domesticated in the Andeans regions. We wanted to understand the adaptation to long‐day conditions by studying orthologues of two major flowering time regulators of Arabidopsis, FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and CONSTANS (CO) in quinoa accessions with contrasting photoperiod response. By searching the quinoa reference genome sequence, we identified 24 FT and six CO homologs. CqFT genes displayed remarkably different expression patterns between long‐ and short‐day conditions, whereas the influence of the photoperiod on CqCOL expressions was moderate. Cultivation of 276 quinoa accessions under short‐ and long‐day conditions revealed great differences in photoperiod sensitivity. After sequencing their genomes, we identified large sequence variations in 12 flowering time genes. We found non‐random distribution of haplotypes across accessions from different geographical origins, highlighting the role of CqFT and CqCOL genes in the adaptation to different day‐length conditions. We identified five haplotypes causing early flowering under long days. This study provides assets for quinoa breeding because superior haplotypes can be assembled in a predictive breeding approach to produce well‐adapted early flowering lines under long‐day photoperiods.
When Zero May Not Be Zero: A Cautionary Note on the Use of Inter-Rater Reliability in Evaluating Grant Peer Review
Authors: Erosheva Elena A. , Martinková Patrícia , Lee Carole J.
Published: April 2021

Considerable attention has focused on studying reviewer agreement via inter-rater reliability (IRR) as a way to assess the quality of the peer review process. Inspired by a recent study that reported an IRR of zero in the mock peer review of top-quality grant proposals, we use real data from a complete range of submissions to the National Institutes of Health and to the American Institute of Biological Sciences to bring awareness to two important issues with using IRR for assessing peer review quality. First, we demonstrate that estimating local IRR from subsets of restricted-quality proposals will likely result in zero estimates under many scenarios. In both data sets, we find that zero local IRR estimates are more likely when subsets of top-quality proposals rather than bottom-quality proposals are considered. However, zero estimates from range-restricted data should not be interpreted as indicating arbitrariness in peer review. On the contrary, despite different scoring scales used by the two agencies, when complete ranges of proposals are considered, IRR estimates are above 0.6 which indicates good reviewer agreement. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, with a small number of reviewers per proposal, zero estimates of IRR are possible even when the true value is not zero.
Transfusion‐related adverse reactions: Data from the National Healthcare Safety Network Hemovigilance Module — United States, 2013–2018
Authors: Kracalik Ian , Mowla Sanjida , Basavaraju Sridhar V. , Sapiano Mathew R.P.
Published: April 2021

Background

Despite current blood safety measures, transfusion recipients can experience transfusion‐related adverse reactions. Monitoring these reactions can aid in understanding the effectiveness of current transfusion safety measures. Data from the National Healthcare Safety Network Hemovigilance Module were used to quantify adverse reaction risk.

Methods

Facilities reporting at least one month of transfused blood components and transfusion‐related adverse reactions during January 2013–December 2018 were included. Adverse reaction rates (number per 100,000 components transfused) were calculated for transfused components stratified by component type, collection, and modification methods.

Results

During 2013–2018, 201 facilities reported 18,308 transfusion‐related adverse reactions among 8.34 million blood components transfused (220/100,000). Adverse reactions were higher among apheresis (486/100,000) and pathogen‐reduced platelets (579/100,000) than apheresis red blood cells (197/100,000). Allergic reactions (41%) were most common. There were 23 fatalities and 9% of all adverse reactions were serious (severe, life‐threatening, or fatal). Reactions involving pulmonary complications (transfusion‐associated circulatory overload, transfusion‐related acute lung injury and transfusion‐associated dyspnea) accounted for 35% of serious reactions but 65% of fatalities. Most (76%) of the 37 transfusion‐transmitted infections were serious; none involved pathogen‐reduced components.

Conclusions

One in 455 blood components transfused was associated with an adverse reaction although the risk of serious reactions (1 in 6224) or transfusion‐transmitted infections (1 in 225,440) was lower. Some serious reactions identified were preventable, suggesting additional safety measures may be beneficial. Higher reaction rates identified among pathogen‐reduced platelets require further study. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring reactions through national hemovigilance to inform current safety measures and the need for strategies to increase healthcare facility participation.
Successful treatment of distichiasis in a cow using a direct‐contact 810‐nm diode laser
Authors: Arteaga Kevin , Crasta Manuela
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To describe the use of direct‐contact diode laser as a new treatment for distichiasis.

Study design

Case report.

Animals

A 2‐month‐old Italian Friesian calf with bilateral excessive tearing and corneal opacification was presented to the Visionvet Eye Clinic. Abnormalities on ophthalmic examination included epiphora, seromucous discharge, bilateral distichiasis and secondary chronic keratitis affecting both eyes.

Methods

Distichiae were surgically removed after insertion of the 810‐nm diode laser tip into the associated meibomian gland.

Results

Clinical signs gradually improved postoperatively with minimal and transient post‐operative complications. Ophthalmic examination was within normal limits 6 months later beyond distichiae.

Conclusion

Treatment of distichiasis with direct‐contact 810‐nm diode laser resulted in long‐term resolution of signs in the case described here.
The subiculum sensitizes retrosplenial cortex layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons
Authors: Gao Mengxuan , Noguchi Asako , Ikegaya Yuji
Published: April 2021

Key points

Neurons in the retrosplenial cortex (RSC), a cerebral region that connects synaptically with various brain regions, are known to increase neuronal activity in accordance with hippocampal sharp wave‐ripples.

Pyramidal cells in granular RSC (gRSC) layer 2/3, but not layer 5, exhibit slowly ramping depolarization and considerably delayed spikes in response to a step‐pulse current injection.

The latencies of delayed spikes in RSC layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons were shortened by a preceding current injection.

This effect was mimicked by activation of axonal afferents from the subiculum, but not of neocortical afferents.

The subiculum is likely to facilitate information processing and flow in the RSC.

The retrosplenial cortex (RSC), a cerebral region involved in diverse cognitive functions, is an anatomical hub that forms monosynaptic connections with various brain areas. Here, we report a unique form of short‐term intrinsic plasticity in mouse granular RSC layer 2/3 pyramidal cells. These cells exhibited delayed spikes in response to somatic current injection, but the spike latencies were shortened by a preceding brief depolarization (priming). This priming‐induced sensitization is distinct from desensitization, which is commonly observed in other cortical neurons. The facilitatory priming effect lasted for more than 3 s, providing a time window for increased sensitivity to RSC inputs. Based on in vitro and in vivo patch‐clamp recordings following optogenetic stimulation of axonal fibres, we found that preactivation of subicular afferents replicated the facilitatory priming effect. The results suggest that subicular inputs to RSC layer 2/3 neurons may modulate subsequent information integration in the RSC layer 2/3 circuits.
Late gestation fetal hyperglucagonaemia impairs placental function and results in diminished fetal protein accretion and decreased fetal growth
Authors: Cilvik Sarah N. , Wesolowski Stephanie R. , Anthony Russ V. , Brown Laura D. , Rozance Paul J.
Published: April 2021

Key points

Fetal glucagon concentrations are elevated in the setting of placental insufficiency, hypoxia and elevated stress hormones.

Chronically elevated glucagon concentrations in the adult result in profound decreases in amino acid concentrations and lean body mass.

Experimental elevation of fetal glucagon concentrations in a late‐gestation pregnant sheep results in lower fetal amino acid concentrations, lower protein accretion and lower fetal weight, in addition to decreased placental function.

This study demonstrates a negative effect of glucagon on fetal protein accretion and growth, and also provides the first example of a fetal hormone that negatively regulates placental nutrient transport and blood flow.

Fetal glucagon concentrations are elevated in the setting of placental insufficiency and fetal stress. Postnatal studies have demonstrated the importance of glucagon in amino acid metabolism, and limited fetal studies have suggested that glucagon inhibits umbilical uptake of certain amino acids. We hypothesized that chronic fetal hyperglucagonaemia would decrease amino acid transfer and increase amino acid oxidation by the fetus. Late gestation singleton fetal sheep received a direct intravenous infusion of glucagon (GCG; 5 or 50 ng/kg/min; n = 7 and 5, respectively) or a vehicle control (n = 10) for 8–10 days. Fetal and maternal nutrient concentrations, uterine and umbilical blood flows, fetal leucine flux, nutrient uptake rates, placental secretion of chorionic somatomammotropin (CSH), and targeted placental gene expression were measured. GCG fetuses had 13% lower fetal weight compared to controls (P = 0.0239) and >28% lower concentrations of 16 out of 21 amino acids (P < 0.02). Additionally, protein synthesis was 49% lower (P = 0.0005), and protein accretion was 92% lower in GCG fetuses (P = 0.0006). Uterine blood flow was 33% lower in ewes with GCG fetuses (P = 0.0154), while umbilical blood flow was similar. Fetal hyperglucagonaemia lowered uterine uptake of 10 amino acids by >48% (P < 0.05) and umbilical uptake of seven amino acids by >29% (P < 0.04). Placental secretion of CSH into maternal circulation was reduced by 80% compared to controls (P = 0.0080). This study demonstrates a negative effect of glucagon on fetal protein accretion and growth. It also demonstrates that glucagon, a hormone of fetal origin, negatively regulates maternal placental nutrient transport function, placental CSH production and uterine blood flow.
Stiffness Characteristics of Crossed Roller Bearings With Roller Roundness Deformation
Authors: Tong Van-Canh , Hong Seong-Wook
Published: April 2021

This study investigated the stiffness characteristics of crossed-roller bearings (XRBs) subjected to various loading and boundary conditions. A five-degrees-of-freedom XRB model was adopted that considers the effect of roller roundness deformation, which was developed by the authors in a prior study. The analytical formulation for a fully occupied (5 × 5) stiffness matrix of XRB was obtained. Extended simulations were performed to determine the XRB stiffness and internal load distribution considering the effects of the external loads, axial preloads, axial clearance, and angular misalignment. The numerical results confirmed that the bearing stiffness possessed significant nonlinearity with respect to the external loads. Increasing the axial clearance reduced the stiffness of the bearing under radial and moment loading, but it did not affect the stiffness of the pure axially loaded bearing. The stiffness of the bearing with axial clearance increased consistently with the misalignment angle. The stiffness behavior of the preloaded bearing depended on the misalignment angle.
Space-time computation and visualization of the electromagnetic fields and potentials generated by moving point charges
Authors: Filipovich Matthew J. , Hughes Stephen
Published: April 2021

We present a computational method to directly calculate and visualize the directional components of the Coulomb, radiation, and total electromagnetic fields, as well as the scalar and vector potentials generated by moving point charges in arbitrary motion with varying speeds. Our method explicitly calculates the retarded time of the point charge along a discretized grid, which is then used to determine the fields and potentials. The computational approach, implemented in python, provides an intuitive understanding of the electromagnetic waves generated by moving point charges and can be used as a pedagogical tool for undergraduate and graduate-level electromagnetic theory courses. Our computer code, freely available for download, can also approximate complicated time-varying continuous charge and current densities, and can be used in conjunction with grid-based numerical modeling methods to solve real-world computational electromagnetics problems such as experiments with high-energy electron sources. We simulate and discuss several interesting example applications and lab experiments including electric and magnetic dipoles, oscillating and linear accelerating point charges, synchrotron radiation, and Bremsstrahlung.
Gutterballs and rolling down the tubes
Authors: Zengel Keith
Published: April 2021

A ball placed inside a hollow cylinder and spun around an axis perpendicular to the cylinder wall will roll back and forth along the cylinder wall, as expected, but it will also oscillate along the axial direction of the cylinder. These axial oscillations occur in horizontal, tilted, and even vertical cylinders. Here, the equations of motion for this setup are derived and discussed, and experimental results are presented along with a discussion of the observed energy losses.
Speech recognition as a function of the number of channels for an array with large inter-electrode distances
Authors: Berg Katelyn A. , Noble Jack H. , Dawant Benoit M. , Dwyer Robert T. , Labadie Robert F. , Gifford René H.
Published: April 2021

This study investigated the number of channels available to cochlear implant (CI) recipients for maximum speech understanding and sound quality for lateral wall electrode arrays—which result in large electrode-to-modiolus distances—featuring the greatest inter-electrode distances (2.1–2.4 mm), the longest active lengths (23.1–26.4 mm), and the fewest number of electrodes commercially available. Participants included ten post-lingually deafened adult CI recipients with MED-EL electrode arrays (FLEX28 and STANDARD) entirely within scala tympani. Electrode placement and scalar location were determined using computerized tomography. The number of channels was varied from 4 to 12 with equal spatial distribution across the array. A continuous interleaved sampling-based strategy was used. Speech recognition, sound quality ratings, and a closed-set vowel recognition task were measured acutely for each electrode condition. Participants did not demonstrate statistically significant differences beyond eight channels at the group level for almost all measures. However, several listeners showed considerable improvements from 8 to 12 channels for speech and sound quality measures. These results suggest that channel interaction caused by the greater electrode-to-modiolus distances of straight electrode arrays could be partially compensated for by a large inter-electrode distance or spacing.
Draft Genome Sequence of Persistent Klebsiella grimontii AT013-Mero-001, Isolated from Human Feces
Authors: Bühler Sarah , Rödel Jürgen , Löffler Bettina , Bauer Michael , Busch Anne
Published: April 2021

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Klebsiella grimontii
AT013-Mero-001, which was isolated from feces from a sepsis patient treated with meropenem. This isolate is an antibiotic-susceptible but persistent
Enterobacteriaceae
strain.
Complete Genome Sequences of Thermus thermophilus Strains HB5002 and HB5008, Isolated from Mine Hot Spring in Japan
Authors: Miyazaki Kentaro , Moriya Toshiyuki , Tokito Natsuko , Oshima Tairo , Yura Kei , Bessho Yoshitaka
Published: April 2021

We isolated
Thermus thermophilus
strains HB5002 and HB5008 from Mine Hot Spring in Japan. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that they showed ∼100% average nucleotide identity to each other, ≥98.53% to the
T. thermophilus
strains originating from the same spot, but ≤97.64% to the
T. thermophilus
strains from geographically different places in Japan.
Intimate partner violence and child outcomes at age 10: a pregnancy cohort
Authors: Gartland Deirdre , Conway Laura J , Giallo Rebecca , Mensah Fiona K , Cook Fallon , Hegarty Kelsey , Herrman Helen , Nicholson Jan , Reilly Sheena , Hiscock Harriet , Sciberras Emma , Brown Stephanie J
Published: April 2021

Objective

Assess the mental health, physical health, cognitive and language development of 10-year old children in families where mothers have reported intimate partner violence (IPV) compared with children with no reported IPV exposure.

Design

Prospective pregnancy cohort. Maternal report of IPV (Composite Abuse Scale) at 1, 4 and 10 years. Maternal and direct assessment of child mental health (probable psychiatric diagnosis, anxiety and emotional/behavioural difficulties), cognition (IQ and executive function), language (general, pragmatic and receptive) and physical health at 10 years.

Setting

A subsample of 615 mother–child dyads drawn from a pregnancy cohort of 1507 nulliparous women recruited from six public hospitals in Melbourne, Australia.

Results

Any IPV exposure from infancy to age 10 was associated with poorer child outcomes at age 10. Specifically, twice the odds of a probable psychiatric diagnosis, emotional/behavioural difficulties, impaired language skills (general and pragmatic), and having consulted a health professional about asthma or sleep problems. IPV exposure at age 10 associated with two to three times higher odds of all mental health outcomes, elevated blood pressure and sleep problems. Early life exposure alone (at 1 and/or 4 years) associated with three times higher odds of a general language problem and asthma at age 10.

Conclusion

The high prevalence of IPV and increased risk of poorer health and development among children exposed highlights the burden of ill health carried by children in families experiencing IPV. Fewer difficulties where exposure was limited to the early years builds the case for better identification, understanding and resourcing of effective early intervention.
Ultrasound for the diagnosis of malrotation and volvulus in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nguyen HaiThuy N , Kulkarni Madhulika , Jose Jisha , Sisson Amy , Brandt Mary L , Sammer Marla B K , Pammi Mohan
Published: April 2021

Context

Despite the advantages of ultrasound (US), upper gastrointestinal contrast series (UGI) remains the first-line diagnostic modality in the diagnosis of midgut malrotation and volvulus in children.

Objective

Evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of US in the diagnosis of malrotation with or without volvulus in children and adolescents aged 0–21 years, compared with the reference standard (diagnosis by surgery, UGI, CT, MRI, and clinical follow-up individually or as a composite).

Data sources

We searched the electronic databases Ovid-MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and the Cochrane library in October 2019 and updated on 18 August 2020.

Study selection

Studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of US for diagnosis of midgut malrotation with or without volvulus in children (0–21 years).

Data extraction and synthesis

The data were extracted independently by two authors and a bivariate model was used for synthesis.

Results

Meta-analysis of 17 cohort or cross-sectional studies and 2257 participants estimated a summary sensitivity of 94% (95% CI 89% to 97%) and summary specificity of 100% (95% CI 97% to 100%) (moderate certainty evidence) for the use of US for the diagnosis of malrotation with or without midgut volvulus compared with the reference standard. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression revealed better diagnostic accuracy in malrotation not complicated by volvulus, in the neonatal population and enteric fluid administration before US.

Conclusions

Moderate certainty evidence suggests excellent diagnostic accuracy and coupled with the advantages, a strong case exists for the use of abdominal US as the first-line diagnostic test for suspected midgut malrotation with or without volvulus in children and adolescents.
Chronic myeloid leukaemia-associated retinopathy
Authors: Khalsa Ashish , Agarwal Tushar , Padhi Tapas Ranjan
Published: April 2021

A 38-year-old man presented with mild blurring of vision in both eyes for the past 1 week. On examination, the retinal vessels were dilated and tortuous, along with multiple dot blot haemorrhages all over the fundus with yellowish white focal retinal infiltrates at the macula temporal to the fovea. The salmon pink discolouration of the blood column made us look at the peripheral blood smear, which was suggestive of chronic myeloid leukaemia, leading to a diagnosis of leukaemic retinopathy in both the eyes.
Fatal SARS-CoV-2 andMycobacterium tuberculosiscoinfection in an infant: insights from Botswana
Authors: Mulale Unami Koolebogile , Kashamba Thanolo , Strysko Jonathan , Kyokunda Lynnette Tumwine
Published: April 2021

We report a fatal case of SARS-CoV-2 andMycobacterium tuberculosiscoinfection in an infant, Botswana’s first paediatric COVID-19-associated fatality. The patient, a 3-month-old HIV-unexposed boy, presented with fever and respiratory distress in the setting of failure to thrive. Both the patient and his mother tested positive for rifampin-sensitiveM. tuberculosis(Xpert MTB/Rif) and SARS-CoV-2 (real time-PCR). Initially stable on supplemental oxygen and antitubercular therapy, the patient experienced precipitous clinical decline 5 days after presentation and subsequently died. Autopsy identified evidence of disseminated tuberculosis (TB) as well as histopathological findings similar to those described in recent reports of SARS-CoV-2 infections, including diffuse microthrombosis. TB remains a serious public health threat in hyperendemic regions like sub-Saharan Africa, and is often diagnosed late in infants. In addition to raising the question of additive/synergistic pathophysiology and/or immune reconstitution, this case of coinfection also highlights the importance of leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic response to strengthen efforts for TB prevention, screening and detection.
Postpartum lumbosacral radiculopathy: a neuraxial anaesthesia complication or an intrinsic obstetric palsy?
Authors: Sousa Leonor Silva , Pacheco Jânia , Reis-de-Carvalho Catarina , Lança Filipa
Published: April 2021

Postpartum peripheral nerve disorders are an uncommon obstetrical complication, with most cases resulting from intrinsic obstetric palsies. We present the case of a full-term nulliparous pregnant 33-year-old woman with a vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery due to a prolonged second stage of labour and occipitoposterior position of the fetal head. For analgesia, a combined spinal–epidural technique was used. Four hours after delivery, the patient experienced a painless asymmetric motor deficit and hypoesthesia in the lower limbs, followed by sphincter disturbance. Emergent MRI was unremarkable. Electromyography showed signs of a bilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy. The patient experienced a gradual recovery over the following 2 months. Although a definitive aetiological diagnosis could not be confirmed, a lumbosacral polyradiculopathy due to intrinsic obstetric complication was considered. The patient presented several risk factors known to be associated with intrinsic obstetric palsies. Obstetricians and anaesthesiologists have an important role in preventing and diagnosing postpartum peripheral nerve disorders.
Alleviating diabetes distress and improving diabetes self-management through health coaching in a primary care setting
Authors: Chima Charles C , Swanson Brenna , Anikpezie Nnabuchi , Salemi Jason L
Published: April 2021

Considering the rising global burden of diabetes and its complications, effective interventions for addressing barriers to diabetes self-management are needed. Diabetes distress, a psychological barrier to diabetes self-management, has become increasingly recognised in the literature, but effective and feasible ways of addressing it in routine primary care settings are not known. We present the case of a middle-aged non-Hispanic white American woman with poorly controlled diabetes (haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): 13.9%) and elevated diabetes distress (baseline Diabetes Distress Scale Score: 2.53) who participated in a health coaching intervention. After the 5-month programme, which included eight 45 minute long sessions with a trained health coach, the patient achieved and sustained a 0.8-point reduction in diabetes distress, an improvement in insulin adherence and a 3.6-point reduction in HbA1c. This case demonstrates a novel approach to managing diabetes distress that entails providing patients a safe, nonjudgemental space to express their feelings and explore challenges with diabetes self-management.
Autosomal recessive congenital hereditary corneal dystrophy associated with a novel SLC4A11 mutation in two consanguineous Tunisian families
Authors: Chibani Zohra , Abid Imen Zone , Söderkvist Peter , Feki Jamel , Aifa Mounira Hmani
Published: April 2021

Background

Autosomal recessive congenital hereditary corneal dystrophy (CHED) is a rare isolated developmental anomaly of the eye characterised by diffuse bilateral corneal clouding that may lead to visual impairment requiring corneal transplantation. CHED is known to be caused by mutations in the solute carrier family 4 member 11 (SLC4A11) gene which encodes a membrane transporter protein (sodium bicarbonate transporter-like solute carrier family 4 member 11).

Methods

To identify SLC4A11 gene mutations associated with CHED (OMIM: #217700), genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood and sequenced for all exons and intron-exon boundaries in two large Tunisian families.

Results

A novel deletion SLC4A11 mutation (p. Leu479del; c.1434_1436del) is responsible for CHED in both analysed families. This non-frameshift mutation was found in a homozygous state in affected members and heterozygous in non-affected members. In silico analysis largely support the pathogenicity of this alteration that may leads to stromal oedema by disrupting the osmolarity balance. Being localised to a region of alpha-helical secondary structure, Leu479 deletion may induce protein-compromising structural rearrangements.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical and genetic study exploring CHED in Tunisia. The present work also expands the list of pathogenic genotypes in SLC4A11 gene and its associated clinical diagnosis giving more insights into genotype–phenotype correlations.
A novel approach to improve detection of glucocorticoid doping in sport with new guidance for physicians prescribing for athletes
Authors: Ventura Rosa , Daley-Yates Peter , Mazzoni Irene , Collomp Katia , Saugy Martial , Buttgereit Frank , Rabin Olivier , Stuart Mark
Published: April 2021

The systemic effect of glucocorticoids (GCs) following injectable routes of administration presents a potential risk to both improving performance and causing harm to health in athletes. This review evaluates the current GC antidoping regulations defined by the World Anti-Doping Agency and presents a novel approach for defining permitted and prohibited use of glucocorticoids in sport based on the pharmacological potential for performance enhancement (PE) and risk of adverse effects on health. Known performance-enhancing doses of glucocorticoids are expressed in terms of cortisol-equivalent doses and thereby the dose associated with a high potential for PE for any GC and route of administration can be derived. Consequently, revised and substance-specific laboratory reporting values are presented to better distinguish between prohibited and permitted use in sport. In addition, washout periods are presented to enable clinicians to prescribe glucocorticoids safely and to avoid the risk of athletes testing positive for a doping test.
Diagnostic accuracy and reliability of sideline concussion evaluation: a prospective, case-controlled study in college athletes comparing newer tools and established tests
Authors: Harmon Kimberly G , Whelan Bridget M , Aukerman Douglas F , Bohr Adam D , Nerrie J Matthew , Elkinton Heather A , Holliday Marissa , Poddar Sourav K , Chrisman Sara P D , McQueen Matthew B
Published: April 2021

Objective

To assess diagnostic accuracy and reliability of sideline concussion tests in college athletes.

Methods

Athletes completed baseline concussion tests including Post-Concussion Symptom Scale, Standardised Assessment of Concussion (SAC), modified Balance Error Scoring System (m-BESS), King-Devick test and EYE-SYNC Smooth Pursuits. Testing was repeated in athletes diagnosed acutely with concussion and compared to a matched teammate without concussion.

Results

Data were collected on 41 concussed athletes and 41 matched controls. Test–retest reliability for symptom score and symptom severity assessed using control athletes was 0.09 (−0.70 to 0.88) and 0.08 (−1.00 to 1.00) (unweighted kappa). Intraclass correlations were SAC 0.33 (−0.02 to 0.61), m-BESS 0.33 (−0.2 to 0.60), EYE-SYNC Smooth Pursuit tangential variability 0.70 (0.50 to 0.83), radial variability 0.47 (0.19 to 0.69) and King-Devick test 0.71 (0.49 to 0.84). The maximum identified sensitivity/specificity of each test for predicting clinical concussion diagnosis was: symptom score 81%/94% (3-point increase), symptom severity score 91%/81% (3-point increase), SAC 44%/72% (2-point decline), m-BESS 40%/92% (5-point increase), King-Devick 85%/76% (any increase in time) and EYE-SYNC Smooth Pursuit tangential variability 48%/58% and radial variability 52%/61% (any increase). Adjusted area under the curve was: symptom score 0.95 (0.89, 0.99), symptom severity 0.95 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.99), SAC 0.66 (95% CI 0.54 to 0.79), m-BESS 0.71 (0.60, 0.83), King-Devick 0.78 (0.69, 0.87), radial variability 0.47 (0.34, 0.59), tangential variability 0.41 (0.30, 0.54)

Conclusion

Test–retest reliability of most sideline concussion tests was poor in uninjured athletes, raising concern about the accuracy of these tests to detect new concussion. Symptom score/severity had the greatest sensitivity and specificity, and of the objective tests, the King-Devick test performed best.