bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review to characterise and map the growth mindset theory in health professions education
Authors: Wolcott Michael D. , McLaughlin Jacqueline E. , Hann Alice , Miklavec Amelia , Beck Dallaghan Gary L. , Rhoney Denise H. , Zomorodi Meg
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Growth mindset is a motivation theory proposed by Carol Dweck that posits our beliefs about intelligence, and the ability to change mindsets can have impacts on how we approach challenges, respond to criticism challenges and orient our goals. This study characterised articles on growth mindset theory in health professions education to: summarise the aspects of growth mindset being researched, describe the discussed benefits of growth mindset theory and outline strategies discussed that may promote a growth mindset.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature yielded 4927 articles—articles were reviewed and excluded if they were outside of health professions education and did not discuss Dweck's growth mindset theory. The final review yielded 14 research articles and 13 commentaries, which were characterised and analysed using content analysis.

Results

The included articles were published in 2016 and beyond; the articles represented a diverse context, participant type and approach. Most research studies measured participant mindsets and evaluated the correlation with other variables (eg grit, well‐being, anxiety). Articles often highlighted benefits and strategies to promote a growth mindset at the learner, educator and organisation level. The most common learner benefits were to help them be more receptive to feedback as well as increased resiliency and perseverance, educator benefits focused on supporting collaborative relationships and safe learning environments. The most prevalent strategies discussed were teaching learners about growth mindset theory, shifting faculty feedback to emphasise effort and to prioritise feedback across the organisation.

Conclusion

The growth mindset framework has been shown in other fields to help others manage educational challenges and enhance learning environments. Researchers are encouraged to explore how interventions such as teaching about and prioritising a growth mindset can support learners, health care professionals, educators and organisations.
Students' social networks are diverse, dynamic and deliberate when transitioning to clinical training
Authors: Atherley Anique E. N. , Nimmon Laura , Teunissen Pim W. , Dolmans Diana , Hegazi Iman , Hu Wendy
Published: September 2020

Context

Transitions in medical education are dynamic, emotional and complex yet, unavoidable. Relationships matter, especially in times of transition. Using qualitative, social network research methods, we explored social relationships and social support as medical students transitioned from pre‐clinical to clinical training.

Methods

Eight medical students completed a social network map during a semi‐structured interview within two weeks of beginning their clinical clerkships (T0) and then again four months later (T1). They indicated meaningful interactions that influenced their transition from pre‐clinical to clinical training and discussed how these relationshipsimpacted their transition. We conducted mixed‐methods analysis on this data.

Results

At T0, eight participants described the influence of 128 people in their social support networks; this marginally increased to 134 at T1. People from within and beyond the clinical space made up participants’ social networks. As new relationships were created (eg with peers and doctors), old relationships were kept (eg with doctors and family) or dissolved over time (eg with near‐peers and nurses). Participants deliberately created, kept or dissolved relationships over time dependent on whether they provided emotional support (eg they could trust them) or instrumental support (eg they provided academic guidance).

Conclusions

This is the first social networks analysis paper to explore social networks in transitioning students in medicine. We found that undergraduate medical students’ social support networks were diverse, dynamic and deliberate as they transitioned to clerkships. Participants created and kept relationships with those they trusted and who provided emotional or instrumental support and dissolved relationships that did not provide these functions.
Protecting wildlife habitat in managed forest landscapes—How can network connectivity models help?
Authors: Yemshanov Denys , Haight Robert G. , Rempel Rob , Liu Ning , Koch Frank H.
Published: September 2020

Industrial forestry in boreal regions increases fragmentation and may decrease the viability of some wildlife populations, particularly the woodland caribou,Rangifer tarandus caribou. Caribou protection often calls for changes in forestry practices, which may increase the cost and reduce the available timber supply. We present a linear programming model that assesses the trade‐off between habitat protection and harvesting objectives by combining harvest scheduling and optimal habitat connectivity problems. We formulate the habitat connectivity model as a network flow problem that maximizes the amount of habitat connected over a desired time span in a forested landscape, while the forestry objective maximizes net undiscounted revenues from timber harvest subject to even harvest flow and environmental sustainability constraints. We applied the approach to explore the trade‐off between caribou habitat protection and harvesting goals in the Armstrong‐Whitesand Forest, Ontario, Canada, a boreal forest area with prime caribou habitat. Our model also incorporates Dynamic Caribou Harvesting Scheduling (DCHS), a harvest policy currently in a place in Ontario that aims to balance the forest management and caribou protection goals in northern boreal regions. In our study area, the implementation of DCHS appears to have relatively minor impact on timber supply cost. By comparison, maximizing the protection of caribou habitat would lead to a noticeable increase of the mill gate timber cost by $3.3 m−3on average, while enabling habitat protection in an additional 5.0%–9.5% of the range area. Our model is generalizable and can be adapted for assessing habitat recovery and harvest goals in other regions.

Recommendations for Resource Managers:

Incorporating the concept of long‐term habitat connectivity into forest planning can help reduce the negative impacts of harvest activities on caribou populations.

Prioritizing habitat connectivity leads to a small increase in the overall harvest area because harvest has to be allocated to less productive and more geographically isolated sites to protect prime wildlife habitat containing old conifer stands.

Maximizing the habitat protection would lead to a noticeable increase of the timber supply cost (by $3.3 m−3on average), while enabling moderate increase of the protected habitat area (i.e., an additional 5.0%–9.5% of the range area).

Implementation of Dynamic Caribou Harvest Schedules, which is the current harvesting policy in Ontario's boreal forests when caribou populations are present, causes only a minor increase of the timber supply cost in our study area.
The presentation of recurrent odontogenic keratocysts of the mandible with an emphasis on the tooth‐bearing area: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Slusarenko da Silva Y. , Stoelinga P.J.W. , Naclério‐Homem M.G.
Published: September 2020

Aim

To gain insight in the actual ratio of recurrent odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) occurring in the tooth‐bearing area as compared to the posterior region of the mandible in order to come up with reliable data to base upon a rational treatment policy.

Material and Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar databases for studies reporting on the location of recurrent mandibular OKCs. Risk Difference with a confidence interval of 95% of having the lesion in the tooth‐bearing area versus the posterior region was the effect measure.Pvalue for the summary effect of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The 1411 records retrieved were reduced to 13 studies to be qualitative/quantitative assessed. The pooled values showed that the difference in the clinical risk of having recurrent OKCs in the posterior region of the mandible and in the tooth‐bearing area of the maxilla is of 7% (CI: −0.08, 0.22;P = 0.36), the posterior region being more susceptible to develop a recurrent OKC.

Conclusions

The recurrence rate of OKCs in the posterior mandible is not significantly higher than of those located in the tooth‐bearing part of the mandible; however, there is no reason to follow a more aggressive treatment policy for OKCs in the tooth‐bearing area.
Marker‐assisted introgression of QTLs for yield under moisture stress into elite varieties of rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: Bhukya Jeevula N. , Bollineni Swarajyalakshmi N. , Kadambari Gopalakrishna , Bommisetty Reddiyamini , Gudikati Eswar R. , Darsha Withanawasam M. , Issa Keerthi , Akkareddy Srividhya , Eslavath Suresh N. , Dokuparthi Ajay K. , Eragam Aparna , Moode Vinodkumar N. , Pottepalem Rameshbabu , Chintala Srilakshmi , Narrareddy Eswarareddy P. , Tanti Bahbhen , Nimai Mandal P. , Muniraju Pallavi , Janaki Yeswanth V. , Vemireddy Lakshminarayana R.
Published: September 2020

Rice production is severely constrained by the moisture stress. The present study was undertaken to transfer two important QTLs viz., (qDTY2.2 and qDTY4.1), which controls yield under moisture stress (DTY) into two elite varieties, that is, MTU1010 and NLR34449 through marker‐assisted breeding. Foreground and background selections of backcross generations, that is, BC1F1, BC2F1 and BC2F2 identified several promising introgression lines (ILs) with two QTLs and single QTLs with an appreciable level of recovery of recipient parent genome. In ILs, the recovery of MTU1010 genome content was estimated to be 83%–93% while the recovery of NLR34449 was 84%–92%. The two‐QTL ILs of MTU1010 and NLR34449 backgrounds (qDTY2.2 and qDTY4.1) have shown substantial yield advantage (32 to 84%) over the single‐QTL ILs (either qDTY2.2 or qDTY4.1) under moisture stress conditions. Among all, two ILs, MBC‐124 and NBC‐127 are the best high yielding lines under moisture stress conditions. These outyielded ILs have the potential to be released as varieties in rainfed ecosystem and also can be used as donors in the existing breeding programme in rice.
Thermal and spatial data integration for recreating rebuilding stages of wooden and masonry buildings
Authors: Lewińska Paulina , Maciuk Kamil
Published: September 2020

This paper describes the means of supporting virtual reconstruction of wooden and masonry buildings with the use of thermal infrared images. Not all remaining architectural heritage can be physically preserved. War, climate change and rapidly growing cities have caused damage and degradation to valuable historical buildings. In order to preserve them virtually, various methods of 3D modelling have been employed. This paper presents information on how to create a full 3D inventory of a building’s exterior. This includes a 3D thermal model of the building, merging thermal camera data with a spatial model, which aids the reconstruction of previous stages of a building’s existence. The authors argue that in cases when it is impossible to force heat transfer from inside the structure (via man‐made heating), 24 hours of observations using only solar heating can be sufficient to find heat bridges and other thermal anomalies that can be used for virtual reconstruction.
Characteristics and long‐term survival of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in China
Authors: Deng Limin , Quan Ruilin , Yang Yuanhua , Yang Zhenwen , Tian Hongyan , Li Shengqing , Shen Jieyan , Ji Yingqun , Zhang Gangcheng , Zhang Caojin , Wang Guangyi , Liu Yuhao , Cheng Zhaozhong , Yu Zaixin , Song Zhiyuan , Zheng Zeqi , Cui Wei , Chen Yucheng , Liu Shuang , Xiong Changming , Shan Guangliang , He Jianguo
Published: September 2020

This is the first multicentre prospective registry reporting baseline characteristics and estimated survival of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in China. A total of 593 patients with CTEPH were included. The long‐term survival rates are similar to those of patients in the international and Spanish registries. Pulmonary endarterectomy is an independent predictor of survival.

See related Editorial
Perinatal outcomes and central nervous system abnormalities following intrauterine fetal transfusion: 17 years' experience in a tertiary center
Authors: Sánchez‐Durán María Ángeles , Higueras María Teresa , Avilés‐García Mayte , Maiz Nerea , Rodríguez‐Aliberas Marta , Arévalo Silvia , Vázquez Elida , Ruiz Campillo César W. , Carreras Elena
Published: September 2020

Background

This study aimed to describe the perinatal outcome and central nervous system (CNS) anomalies in fetuses undergoing red blood cell (RBC) intrauterine transfusion (IUT).

Methods and Materials

This was an observational single‐cohort study carried out at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain, between 2002 and 2018 in women undergoing RBC IUT for suspected fetal anemia. Primary outcomes were adverse perinatal outcome (intrauterine or neonatal death and termination of pregnancy [TOP]), prenatal or postnatal CNS anomalies, and significant neurological impairment.

Results

A total of 145 RBC transfusions were performed in 68 pregnancies of 60 women. The median gestational age for the first transfusion was 26 weeks (range, 18‐32). Twenty‐two (32%) fetuses were hydropic at the first transfusion. Fifty‐eight pregnancies (85.3%) resulted in live births and 10 (14.7%) in adverse perinatal outcomes. Adverse perinatal outcomes were associated with hydrops (odds ratio [OR], 6.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53‐29.23; P = .012) and gestational age at first transfusion (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54‐0.89; P = .04). Four (5.9%) cases of cerebellar hemorrhage were diagnosed prenatally. In 14 (35%) of the 41 neonates undergoing brain ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities were reported. The median follow‐up was 6.5 years (range, 3 months to 19 years). Significant neurological impairment was reported in two cases (4.2%).

Conclusion

In fetuses undergoing intrauterine RBC transfusion, the survival rate is high, particularly in the absence of hydrops and if the gestational age at first transfusion is above 22 weeks. Significant neurological impairment is uncommon, despite the fact that postnatal CNS anomalies at ultrasound or MRI are frequent.
Import exposure and welfare effects from the expenditure channel: The case of Mexico
Authors: Blyde Juan
Published: September 2020

A rise in import competition can put downward pressure on local prices increasing consumer's welfare, but these gains might be unequal across households depending on the basket of goods consumed. Using a consumer price index that varies at the product and city level from Mexico, this paper analyses the impact of import competition from low‐wage countries, and particularly China, on price growth between 2002 and 2017. I find that the trade shock impacted prices. Had import competition remained unchanged, the 15‐year change in the consumer price index would have been seven percentage points higher, on average across all goods, with a much larger impact on the products highly exposed to the import competition. Second, using microdata from a household expenditure survey I find that all the households benefited from this access to cheaper goods, but the low‐income households benefited more. Finally, I show that the China shock only had a small effect on the evolution of the per capita expenditure inequality observed during this period.
Antimicrobial susceptibility monitoring of canine and feline skin and ear pathogens isolated from European veterinary clinics: results of the ComPath Surveillance programme
Authors: de Jong Anno , Youala Myriam , El Garch Farid , Simjee Shabbir , Rose Markus , Morrissey Ian , Moyaert Hilde
Published: September 2020

Background –The ComPath project is a pan‐European programme dedicated to the monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility of canine and feline pathogens using standardized methods and centralized minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination.Objectives –To report antimicrobial susceptibilities of major pathogens isolated from nontreated animals with acute clinical signs of skin, wound or ear infections in 2013–2014.Conclusion –Overall, antimicrobial resistance of cutaneous/otic pathogens isolated from dogs and cats was low (1–10%) to moderate (10–20%). For several pathogens, the paucity of CLSI recommended breakpoints for veterinary use is a bottleneck.
The influence of the choice of preemptive analgesia on long‐term postsurgical pain after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs
Authors: Pownall William , Rytz Ulrich , Schuepbach Gertraud , Spadavecchia Claudia , Rohrbach Helene
Published: September 2020

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs and to determine the influence of preemptive locoregional analgesia on CPSP.

Study design

Retrospective study.

Animals

One hundred twenty client‐owned dogs.

Methods

Medical records of dogs that underwent TPLO between 2012 and 2016 were reviewed for demographic information and type of preemptive analgesia. Owners were contacted to retrospectively assess the quality of life of their dogs by using the Helsinki Chronic Pain Index (HCPI) before and 6 months after surgery and at the time of questioning. An HCPI score > 12 was considered indicative of CPSP. Medical records were reviewed for demographic information and type of preemptive analgesia. A cumulative logit model was used to assess correlation of type of perioperative analgesia, HCPI, and demographic data.

Results

The HCPI score was consistent with CPSP in 41 of 101 dogs with long‐term follow‐up (2.9 ± 1.5 years after surgery). Chronic postsurgical pain was documented in 11 of 32 and 13 of 28 dogs that received a spinal or epidural injection, respectively, or in 28 of 80 and 25 of 67 dogs with sciatic‐femoral block at 6 months or with long‐term follow‐up after TPLO, respectively (P > .05). A negative correlation was found between HCPI and both weight and age 6 months after surgery. Only weight remained negatively correlated 2.9 years after surgery.

Conclusion

Forty‐one percent of dogs that were evaluated exhibited HCPI values compatible with CPSP long‐term after TPLO, regardless of the type of preemptive analgesia. Increased body weight was a negative prognostic factor for CPSP development.

Clinical significance: Additional studies are required to evaluate CPSP development after TPLO.
Multilocus and morphological analysis of south‐eastern Iberian Wall lizards (Squamata, Podarcis)
Authors: Bassitta Marta , Buades Joana M. , Pérez‐Cembranos Ana , Pérez‐Mellado Valentín , Terrasa Barbara , Brown Richard P. , Navarro Pilar , Lluch Javier , Ortega Jesús , Castro Jose A. , Picornell Antònia , Ramon Cori
Published: September 2020

The phylogenetic relationships among the wall lizards of the Podarcis hispanicus complex that inhabit the south‐east (SE) of the Iberian Peninsula and other lineages of the complex remain unclear. In this study, four mitochondrial and two nuclear markers were used to study genetic relationships within this complex. The phylogenetic analyses based on mtDNA gene trees constructed with ML and BI, and a species tree using *BEAST support three divergent clades in this region: the Valencia, Galera and Albacete/Murcia lineages. These three lineages were also corroborated in species delimitation analyses based on mtDNA using bPTP, mPTP, GMYC, ABGD and BAPS. Bayesian inference species delimitation method (BPP) based on both nuclear data and a combined data set (mtDNA + nuclear) showed high posterior probabilities for these three SE lineages (≥0.94) and another Bayesian analysis (STACEY) based on combined data set recovered the same three groups in this region. Divergence time dating of the species tree provided an estimated divergence of the Galera lineage from the other SE group (Podarcis vaucheri, (Albacete/Murcia, Valencia)) at 12.48 Ma. During this period, the Betic–Rifian arc was isolated, which could have caused the isolation of the Galera form distributed to the south of the Betic Corridor. Although lizards from the Albacete/Murcia and Galera lineage are morphologically similar, they clearly represent distinct genetic lineages. The noteworthy separation of the Galera lineage enables us to conclude that this lineage must be considered as a new full species.
Geographic distribution of microsatellite alleles in geladas (Primates, Cercopithecidae): Evidence for three evolutionary units
Authors: Trede Franziska , Lemkul Anna , Atickem Anagaw , Beehner Jacinta C. , Bergman Thore J. , Burke Ryan , Fashing Peter J. , Knauf Sascha , Mekonnen Addisu , Moges Amera , Nguyen Nga , Roos Christian , Zinner Dietmar
Published: September 2020

The subspecific taxonomy and distribution of geladas (Theropithecus gelada Rüppell, 1835) remains uncertain. Recent molecular studies based on mitochondrial sequence data revealed a geographically structured, three‐deme population, suggesting that there are three evolutionary units of geladas. However, mitochondrial distributions do not always recover population relationships, particularly in taxa with a complex history of isolation and gene flow. We therefore analysed the nuclear genetic population structure of the global gelada population based on 20 microsatellite loci in 43 samples from across its geographic range. FST values, a STRUCTURE analysis and a principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) confirmed the three‐deme population structure corresponding to the mitochondrial population structure. Therefore, our analyses provide additional support for three evolutionary units in geladas, corresponding to (a) a northern (north of Lake Tana, primarily in the Simien Mountains, previously classified as Theropithecus gelada gelada Rüppell, 1835), (b) a central (between Addis Ababa and the highlands east of Lake Tana, previously classified as Theropithecus gelada obscurus Heuglin, 1863) and (c) a southern (south of the Rift Valley, previously tentatively classified as Theropithecus gelada arsi Shotake et al., 2016, Anthropological Science, 124, 157) population. These results pave the way for future conservation decisions and highlight that the gelada population boundaries need more fine‐grained genetic sampling and phenotypic analyses, in particular for their taxonomic ranking.
No effect of endoperoxide 4 or thromboxane A2 receptor blockade on static mechanoreflex activation in rats with heart failure
Authors: Butenas Alec L. E. , Rollins Korynne S. , Matney Jacob E. , Williams Auni C. , Kleweno Talyn E. , Parr Shannon K. , Hammond Stephen T. , Ade Carl J. , Hageman Karen S. , Musch Timothy I. , Copp Steven W.
Published: September 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Do endoperoxide 4 and thromboxane A2 receptors, which are receptors for cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic metabolism, on thin fibre muscle afferents play a role in the chronic mechanoreflex sensitization present in rats with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF‐rEF)?

What is the main finding and its importance?

The data do not support a role for endoperoxide 4 receptors or thromboxane A2 receptors in the chronic mechanoreflex sensitization in HF‐rEF rats.

We investigated the role of cyclooxygenase metabolite‐associated endoperoxide 4 receptors (EP4‐R) and thromboxane A2 receptors (TxA2‐R) on thin fibre muscle afferents in the chronic mechanoreflex sensitization in rats with myocardial infarction‐induced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF‐rEF). We hypothesized that injection of either the EP4‐R antagonist L‐161,982 (1 µg) or the TxA2‐R antagonist daltroban (80 µg) into the arterial supply of the hindlimb would reduce the increase in blood pressure and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) evoked in response to 30 s of static hindlimb skeletal muscle stretch (a model of isolated mechanoreflex activation) in decerebrate, unanaesthetized HF‐rEF rats but not sham‐operated control rats (SHAM). Ejection fraction was significantly reduced in HF‐rEF (45 ± 11%) compared to SHAM (83 ± 6%; P < 0.01) rats. In SHAM and HF‐rEF rats, we found that the EP4‐R antagonist had no effect on the peak increase in mean arterial pressure (peak ΔMAP SHAM n = 6, pre: 15 ± 7, post: 15 ± 9, P = 0.99; HF‐rEF n = 9, pre: 30 ± 11, post: 32 ± 15 mmHg, P = 0.84) or peak increase in RSNA (peak ΔRSNA SHAM pre: 33 ± 14, post: 47 ± 31%, P = 0.94; HF‐rEF, pre: 109 ± 47, post: 139 ± 150%, P = 0.76) response to stretch. Similarly, in SHAM and HF‐rEF rats, we found that the TxA2‐R antagonist had no effect on the peak ΔMAP (SHAM n = 7, pre: 13 ± 7, post: 19 ± 14, P = 0.15; HF‐rEF n = 14, pre: 24 ± 13, post: 21 ± 13 mmHg, P = 0.47) or peak ΔRSNA (SHAM pre: 52 ± 43, post: 57 ± 67%, P = 0.94; HF‐rEF, pre: 108 ± 93, post: 88 ± 72%, P = 0.30) response to stretch. The data do not support a role for EP4‐Rs or TxA2‐Rs in the chronic mechanoreflex sensitization in HF‐rEF.
Del Código de 1917 al Código de 1983... y otros
Authors: Mazziaa Maria Maddalena
Published: September 2020

El derecho canónico es importante en la vida de La Iglesia ya que permite la materialización de la doctrina. Examinamos algunos pasajes importantes de la era moderna, comenzando con la Codificación de 1917, pasando por el Código de 1983 y llegando al día de hoy con algunas consideraciones para posibles cambios y actualizaciones, con miras a proveer un mejor servicio en pro del bien común y la salvación de las almas.
The Linguistics of Bacterial Conflict Systems Reveal Ancient Origins of Eukaryotic Innate Immunity
Authors: Kibby Emily M. , Whiteley Aaron T.
Published: September 2020

The arms race between bacteria and their competitors has produced an astounding variety of conflict systems that are shared via horizontal gene transfer across bacterial populations. In this issue of the
Journal of Bacteriology
, Burroughs and Aravind investigate how these biological conflict systems have been mixed and matched into new configurations, often with novel protein domains (A. M. Burroughs and L. Aravind, J Bacteriol 202:e00365-20, 2020,
https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.00365-20
).
Novel Use of Rapid Antigen Influenza Testing in the Outpatient Setting To Provide an Early Warning Sign of Influenza Activity in the Emergency Departments of an Integrated Health System
Authors: Larkin Paige M. K. , Manuel Vladimir , Hernandez Naureen , Garner Omai B.
Published: September 2020

Seasonal influenza virus is associated with high morbidity and mortality especially in vulnerable patient populations. Here, we demonstrate the novel use of Sofia influenza A+B fluorescent immunoassay (FIA), a rapid antigen-based influenza point-of-care test (POCT), combined with Virena software for automatic deidentified tracking of influenza activity across the Los Angeles area and for predicting surges of influenza cases in the emergency department (ED). We divided outpatient clinics into 6 geographic zones and compared weekly influenza activity.
Mycobacterium septicum: a 6-Year Clinical Experience from a Tertiary Hospital and Reference Laboratory
Authors: Go John Raymond , Wengenack Nancy L. , Abu Saleh Omar M. , Corsini Campioli Cristina , Deml Sharon M. , Wilson John W.
Published: September 2020

Mycobacterium septicum
is a rarely identified nontuberculous mycobacterium capable of causing infections in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals. Only a few cases of
M. septicum
infections have been reported, which makes recognizing corresponding clinical disease more challenging for clinicians. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles for this organism are not well described, and corresponding optimal therapeutic regimens have not been established. We report a tertiary care center’s experience with
M. septicum
from 2014 to 2020.
Generation of Comprehensive Ecosystem-Specific Reference Databases with Species-Level Resolution by High-Throughput Full-Length 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and Automated Taxonomy Assignment (AutoTax)
Authors: Dueholm Morten Simonsen , Andersen Kasper Skytte , McIlroy Simon Jon , Kristensen Jannie Munk , Yashiro Erika , Karst Søren Michael , Albertsen Mads , Nielsen Per Halkjær
Published: September 2020

High-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing is an essential method for studying the diversity and dynamics of microbial communities. However, this method is presently hampered by the lack of high-identity reference sequences for many environmental microbes in the public 16S rRNA gene reference databases and by the absence of a systematic and comprehensive taxonomy for the uncultured majority. Here, we demonstrate how high-throughput synthetic long-read sequencing can be applied to create ecosystem-specific full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence variant (FL-ASV) resolved reference databases that include high-identity references (>98.
The Small Protein RmpD Drives Hypermucoviscosity in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Walker Kimberly A. , Treat Logan P. , Sepúlveda Victoria E. , Miller Virginia L.
Published: September 2020

Capsule is a critical virulence factor in
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, in both antibiotic-resistant classical strains and hypervirulent strains. Hypervirulent strains usually have a hypermucoviscosity (HMV) phenotype that contributes to their heightened virulence capacity, but the production of HMV is not understood. The transcriptional regulator RmpA is required for HMV and also activates capsule gene expression, leading to the assumption that HMV is caused by hyperproduction of capsule. We have identified a new gene (
rmpD
) required for HMV but not for capsule production. This distinction between HMV and capsule production will promote a better understanding of the mechanisms of hypervirulence, which is in great need given the alarming increase in clinical isolates with both drug resistance and hypervirulence traits.
CRISPR-CBEI: a Designing and Analyzing Tool Kit for Cytosine Base Editor-Mediated Gene Inactivation
Authors: Yu Haopeng , Wu Zhaowei , Chen Xiangdan , Ji Quanjiang , Tao Shiheng
Published: September 2020

Life science has been in pursuit of precise and efficient genome editing in living cells since the very beginning of the first restriction cloning attempt. The introduction of RNA-guided CRISPR-associated (Cas) nucleases contributed to this ultimate goal through their ability to deliver a double-strand break (DSB) to a precise target location in various species, obsoleting the preceding editing tools, such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). The derivative technology, base editing, combines the catalytically inactivated Cas nuclease and nucleotide deaminase and mediates the genetic modifications at single-nucleotide precision without introducing a DSB. Moreover, the cytosine base editors (CBEs) are able to transform multiple codons into stop codons, rapidly inactivating a gene of interest and enabling loss-of-function study in some recombination-deficient species. Here, we present the CRISPR-CBEI tool kit to assist the design of sgRNAs for CBE-mediated gene inactivation.
Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with COVID-19 disease
Authors: Korem Sindhuja , Gandhi Haresh , Dayag Decerie Baculi
Published: September 2020

Clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are known to be variable with growing evidence of nervous system involvement. In this case report, we describe the symptoms of a patient infected with SARS-CoV-2 whose clinical course was complicated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). We present a case of a 58-year-old woman who was initially diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia due to symptoms of fever and cough. Two weeks later, after the resolution of upper respiratory tract symptoms, she developed symmetric ascending quadriparesis and paresthesias. The diagnosis of GBS was made through cerebrospinal fluid analysis and she was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin administration.
Impairments in path integration, rotational memory and balancing in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Dordevic Milos , Gruber Julia , Schmitt Friedhelm C , Mueller Notger
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The vestibulo-medial temporal lobe (MTL) axis model proposes that the vestibular system and the MTL are tightly linked both structurally and functionally so that alterations of one structure should entail disturbances in the other. Accordingly, patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with their functional and possible structural temporal lobe pathology should show deficits in vestibular-related behaviour. This study aimed at assessing behavioural deficits related to a suspected disturbance of the vestibulo-MTL axis in patients with TLE.

Methods

Twenty patients with TLE (46.7±15.1 years, seven females) and their age-matched and gender-matched controls (46.7±15.1, seven females) underwent three test batteries that challenged vestibular and MTL functions: balancing, path integration (triangle completion test) and rotational memory. In addition, participants underwent a structural MRI for grey matter analysis using voxel-based morphometry.

Results

Compared with controls, patients with TLE showed significantly inferior performance in all three behavioural tests, with large effect sizes. There were no significant grey matter differences between the two groups.

Conclusion

These results indicate a potential disturbance in the vestibulo-MTL axis in TLE; these are to be verified by future large-scale studies. In the current study, these behavioural deficits emerged without evidence of any brain volume differences between the patients and their controls as depicted by high-resolution MRI. This speaks for a dissociation between functional and structural alterations in TLE.
Rationale and description of a lifestyle intervention programme to achieve moderate weight loss in women with non-metastatic breast cancer: the lifestyle intervention part of the SUCCESS C Study
Authors: Hauner Dagmar , Rack Brigitte , Friedl Thomas , Hepp Philip , Janni Wolfgang , Hauner Hans
Published: September 2020

Objective

There is growing evidence from observational studies that lifestyle factors such as obesity, an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity are associated with poor long-term outcome in women with breast cancer. The primary objective of the lifestyle modification part of the Simultaneous Study of Docetaxel Based Anthracycline Free Adjuvant Treatment Evaluation, as well as Life Style Intervention Strategies (SUCCESS C) Trial is to investigate the effect of an individualised lifestyle intervention programme aiming at moderate weight loss on disease-free survival in women with HER2/neu-negative breast cancer. Secondary objectives include the effect of the intervention on body weight, cardiovascular risk and quality of life.

Methods

The SUCCESS C Trial is an open-label, multicentre, randomised controlled phase III study using a 2×2 factorial design in women with newly diagnosed HER2/neu-negative intermediate-risk to high-risk breast cancer. The first randomisation served to compare disease-free survival in patients treated with two different chemotherapy regimens (3642 participants). The second randomisation served to compare disease-free survival in patients with a body mass index of 24–40 kg/m² (2292 participants) receiving either a telephone-based individualised lifestyle intervention programme for moderate weight loss or general recommendations for a healthy lifestyle for 2 years. Outcome analyses will be conducted after 5 years of follow-up.

Perspective

This study will provide information on the efficacy and safety of a comprehensive lifestyle intervention programme on disease-free survival in a large cohort of women with breast cancer. EU Clinical Trials Identifier: 2008-005453-38.
Reformulation and strengthening of return-of-service (ROS) schemes could change the narrative on global health workforce distribution and shortages in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Mabunda Sikhumbuzo A , Angell Blake , Yakubu Kenneth , Durbach Andrea , Joshi Rohina
Published: September 2020

Despite policies for addressing shortages and maldistribution of health professionals, sub-Saharan Africa continues to experience shortages and maldistribution of skilled health professionals. Policies such as return-of-service schemes or state-funded educational initiatives do not seem to be achieving their intended objectives, potentially due to poor design, implementation; and lack of monitoring and evaluation of the strategies. A focus by global health experts on strengthening and reformulating educational initiatives offers potential for producing, retaining and recruiting health professionals.
‘Omics’ Approaches for Studying the Microbiome in Alopecia Areata
Authors: Pinto Daniela , Trink Anna , Sorbellini Elisabetta , Giuliani Giammaria , Rinaldi Fabio
Published: September 2020

Nowadays, the involvement of the microbiome in human health and many human diseases, including that strictly related to the scalphas been brought to the light. Indeed, more recently, authors highlighted the presence of a significant microbial shift both in nonscarring (Androgenetic alopecia and Alopecia areata) and scarring Alopecias. The advent of novel technologies together with the effort of many scientists in the microbiome field could provide in the nearest future a clearest framework about the strict relationship between human healthiness and symbiotic microorganism resident on different ecosystem of our body. In this view, the use of Omics approaches has to be considered as no longer negligible when studying the microbiome implication in human health and disease.
Malignant cell-specific CXCL14 promotes tumor lymphocyte infiltration in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Parikh Anuraag , Shin JuneHo , Faquin William , Lin Derrick T , Tirosh Itay , Sunwoo John B , Puram Sidharth V
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To explore lymphocyte infiltration as a potential mechanism behind CXCL14-mediated tumor growth suppression in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods

We analyzed single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from OSCC to identify expression changes among malignant cells in lymph nodes (LN) versus primary tumors. CXCL14 expression in murine OSCC cell lines was quantified using qRT-PCR. Short hairpin RNA knockdown of CXCL14 was performed in mouse oral cavity (MOC)1 cells, and CXCL14 overexpression was performed in MOC2 cells. Cells in each condition were injected into C57BL/6 mice with and without T cell depletion, and tumor volume was measured. At 30 days, tumors were dissociated and analyzed by flow cytometry for CD45+CD3+ T cells. CXCL14 expression was correlated with gene expression signatures of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in scRNA-seq data, as well as TCGA tumors.

Results

scRNA-seq revealed CXCL14 as the most significantly downregulated gene among malignant cells in LNs relative to primary tumor, supporting a role in preventing invasion and/or metastasis. In a murine immunocompetent model, CXCL14 expression was higher in indolent MOC1 cells than in more aggressive MOC2 cells. Tumor growth in vivo was significantly increased by CXCL14 knockdown in MOC1 cells relative to control, with a corresponding decrease in TIL. In MOC2 cells, tumor growth was significantly reduced by CXCL14 overexpression relative to control and TIL were increased. Both effects were lost with T cell depletion. In a human tumor scRNA-seq cohort, we found that only malignant cell CXCL14, but not non-malignant cell or fibroblast CXCL14, was associated with TIL. Bulk CXCL14 from the TCGA cohort had no association with TIL.

Conclusions

Higher CXCL14 expression by tumor cells is associated with reduced tumor growth and increased TIL, supporting immune-mediated suppression of tumor growth in OSCC. Given that CXCL14 is downregulated in LN metastases compared with primary tumors, our data raise the possibility that CXCL14-mediated immune infiltration may discourage invasion and metastasis. In human scRNA-seq data, only malignant cell-specific CXCL14 was associated with TIL, suggesting a critical context-dependent effect of CXCL14 expression.
Poly-IC enhances the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy by promoting T cell tumor infiltration
Authors: Sultan Hussein , Wu Juan , Fesenkova Valentyna I , Fan Aaron E , Addis Diane , Salazar Andres M , Celis Esteban
Published: September 2020

Background

Immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, have revolutionized cancer treatment and resulted in complete and durable responses in some patients. Unfortunately, most immunotherapy treated patients still fail to respond. Absence of T cell infiltration to the tumor site is one of the major obstacles limiting immunotherapy efficacy against solid tumors. Thus, the development of strategies that enhance T cell infiltration and broaden the antitumor efficacy of immunotherapies is greatly needed.

Methods

We used mouse tumor models, genetically deficient mice and vascular endothelial cells (VECs) to study the requirements for T cell infiltration into tumors.

Results

A specific formulation of poly-IC, containing poly-lysine and carboxymethylcellulose (PICLC) facilitated the traffic and infiltration of effector CD8 T cells into the tumors that reduced tumor growth. Surprisingly, intratumoral injection of PICLC was significantly less effective in inducing tumor T cell infiltration and controlling growth of tumors as compared with systemic (intravenous or intramuscular) administration. Systemically administered PICLC, but not poly-IC stimulated tumor VECs via the double-stranded RNA cytoplasmic sensor MDA5, resulting in enhanced adhesion molecule expression and the production of type I interferon (IFN-I) and T cell recruiting chemokines. Expression of IFNαβ receptor in VECs was necessary to obtain the antitumor effects by PICLC and IFN-I was found to directly stimulate the secretion of T cell recruiting chemokines by VECs indicating that this cytokine-chemokine regulatory axis is crucial for recruiting effector T cells into the tumor parenchyma. Unexpectedly, these effects of PICLC were mostly observed in tumors and not in normal tissues.

Conclusions

These findings have strong implications for the improvement of all types of T cell-based immunotherapies for solid cancers. We predict that systemic administration of PICLC will improve immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, adoptive cell therapies and therapeutic cancer vaccines.
Effects of feeding blend-pelleted co-products on nutrient intake, digestibility, and production performance of high producing dairy cows
Authors: Ismael Aya , Guevara-Oquendo Victor Hugo , Refat Basim , Feng Xin , Yu Peiqiang
Published: September 2020

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of feeding newly developed blend-pelleted carinata meal (BPPCR) and blend-pelleted canola meal (BPPCN) on nutrient intake, digestibility, and production performance of high producing dairy cows. In this study, nine mid-lactating Holstein cows (body weight, 679 ± 124 kg; days in milk, 96 ± 22) were used in a triplicated 3 × 3 Latin square study. Within each square, each cow was randomly assigned to one of three treatments: control (typical barley-based diet in Western Canada), BPPCR (soybean and canola meal in the control diet replaced by BPPCR), and BPPCN (soybean and canola meal in the control diet replaced by BPPCN). Each period lasted for 21 d, with the first 14 d as an adaptation period. The total collection of feces and urine were conducted on six cows from two Latin squares. The results showed that there were no treatment effects on milk yield, milk composition, and nutrient intake and digestibility (P > 0.10). The nitrogen balance among the three treatment groups was not different either. In conclusion, replacing soybean meal and canola meal with blend-pelleted co-products did not affect the nutrient intake, digestibility, and production performance in high producing dairy cows.
Short-term effects of loblolly pine thinning intensity on coverage of preferred white-tailed deer forage plants
Authors: Keene Kent A. , Gulsby William D. , Colter Allison G. , Miller Darren A. , Johannsen Kristina L. , Miller Karl V. , Martin James A.
Published: September 2020

Commercial thinning and prescribed fire can improve habitat quality for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands by increasing coverage of forage plants. However, the relationships among thinning intensity, prescribed fire, and deer forage have not been quantified. We estimated percent cover of deer forage plants in five loblolly pine stands thinned to basal areas of 11 m2·ha–1 (low), 14 m2·ha–1 (medium), and 18 (high) m2·ha–1 in 2017 in Georgia, USA. We applied prescribed fire in 2018. From years 1 to 2 post-treatment, cover of total deer forage increased 26% and 29% in the low and medium basal area treatments, respectively, compared with 19% in the high basal area treatment. Similarly, the increase in forb coverage was greater for the medium (13%) and low (11%) basal area treatments than for the high (6%) basal area treatment. Increases in vine and bramble coverage were greater in unburned medium basal area units. Woody browse was not affected by any treatment. Our results suggest that thinning loblolly pine stands to 14 m2·ha–1 can increase coverage of deer forage plants during the first two growing seasons post-thinning, but deer forage was not greater in stands thinned to <14 m2·ha–1 2 years post-thinning.
Inactivation of Salmonella Enteritidis on cherry tomatoes by ultrasound, lactic acid, detergent, and silver nanoparticles
Authors: de São José Jackline Freitas Brilhante , Ramos Afonso Mota , Vanetti Maria Cristina Dantas , de Andrade Nélio José
Published: September 2020

Ultrasound (US) combined with chemical agents could represent an effective method for decontaminating fruits and vegetables. This study aimed to evaluate the use of US (40 kHz for 5 min) alone or with 1% lactic acid (LA), 1% commercial detergent (DET), or 6 mg/L silver nanoparticles (AgNP, average diameter 100 nm) as an alternative treatment to 200 mg/L sodium dichloroisocyanurate for inactivating Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis present on cherry tomatoes. The interfacial tension between sanitizing solutions and bacterial adhesion was investigated. Sanitizers in solutions with DET and AgNP had lower surface tension. All treatments, except that with DET, reduced Salmonella Enteritidis by more than one logarithmic cycle. There was no significant difference between the mean values of log colony-forming units (CFU)/g reduction in all treatments. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the loss of the Salmonella Enteritidis capsule following treatment with US and with US + LA. Salmonella Enteritidis counts (2.29 log CFU/g) in cherry tomatoes were markedly reduced to safe levels by treatment with the combination of AgNP and US + LA (2.37 log CFU/g).