bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Widely distributed breeding populations of Canada warbler (Cardellina canadensis) converge on migration through Central America
Authors: Roberto-Charron A. , Kennedy J. , Reitsma L. , Tremblay J. A. , Krikun R. , Hobson K. A. , Ibarzabal J. , Fraser K. C.
Published: July 2020

Background

To effectively conserve migratory species, the entire range encompassed by their annual life cycle needs to be considered. Most research on Nearctic-Neotropical migratory birds has focused on the breeding grounds resulting in a general lack of knowledge regarding the wintering and migratory periods. The Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) has declined by 71% from 1970 to 2012, at a rate of 2.9% per year, and is listed as Threatened in Canada. As with most Nearctic-Neotropical migrants, conservation efforts outside the breeding range are limited by a poor understanding of migration routes and the connectivity between specific breeding and wintering populations.

Results

To determine migratory routes of multiple breeding populations of Canada Warblers, we directly-tracked individuals using light-level geolocators deployed at four sites across the breeding range, spanning approximately 43 degrees in longitude (Alberta, Manitoba and Québec, Canada, and New Hampshire, USA). Twenty-five geolocators with usable data were recovered from three sites and were analyzed using FlightR to determine fall migration routes (n = 18) and individual wintering sites (n = 25). Individuals from all breeding populations took a western fall migration route at the Gulf of Mexico; with 77.8% of birds funnelling into a narrow geographic space along the western side of the Gulf of Mexico (97°W-99°W). We found no evidence for population-specific, parallel migration routes. Most individuals (72%) overwintered in Colombia. The remaining individuals overwintered in Venezuela.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate convergence of migratory routes around a migration barrier for individuals originating from widely distributed breeding areas. Further, we suggest the potential importance of habitat around the Gulf of Mexico during migration and Andean forest in Colombia as overwintering habitat for this threatened species. Future research should be directed at understanding how these areas are used by Canada Warblers.
Variation of picture angles and its effect on the Concealed Information Test
Authors: Hsu Ann , Lo Yu-Hui , Ke Shi-Chiang , Lin Lin , Tseng Philip
Published: July 2020

Background

The reaction time-based Concealed Information Test (RT-CIT) is a memory paradigm used to detect crime-related knowledge. However, this would also imply that the RT-CIT would be vulnerable to factors that are known to compromise object recognition or memory integrity. From this perspective, one key issue is whether “guilty” memory can be detected if the crime-related images are photographed at different angles from what the perpetrator saw, which is almost always the case in the field. To investigate this, here we manipulated the deviation angles, from 0° to 330° in 11 steps, between the study and test phases to assess how the RT-CIT holds up against angular rotations.

Results

We observed a robust RT-CIT effect at all deviation angles for both deep-encoders (Experiment 1) and shallow-encoders (Experiment 2). The RT-CIT was effective within the first 250 or so trials for both encoding groups, with smaller probe-irrelevant differences beyond that.

Conclusions

With appropriate encoding and memory strength, RT-CIT images do not necessarily have to match the exact angle of the perpetrator’s perspective at the time of the crime. Unnatural angles such as 90° and 270° or unconventional rotational axes may require caution. Trial number under 250 trials show maximal Probe-Irrelevant difference, but more trials may add power to improve detection accuracy.
The interaction between the endocannabinoid system and the renin angiotensin system and its potential implication for COVID-19 infection
Authors: Sainz-Cort Alberto , Heeroma Joost H.
Published: July 2020

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading fast all around the world with more than fourteen millions of detected infected cases and more than 600.000 deaths by 20th July 2020. While scientist are working to find a vaccine, current epidemiological data shows that the most common comorbidities for patients with the worst prognosis, hypertension and diabetes, are often treated with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).

Body

Both ACE inhibitors and ARBs induce overexpression of the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor, which has been identified as the main receptor used by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to enter into the alveolar cells of the lungs. While cannabinoids are known to reduce hypertension, the studies testing the hypotensive effects of cannabinoids never addressed their effects on ACE-2 receptors. However, some studies have linked the endocannabinoid system (ECS) with the renin angiotensin system (RAS), including a cross-modulation between the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and angiotensin II levels.

Conclusion

Since there are around 192 million people using cannabis worldwide, we believe that the mechanism underlying the hypotensive properties of cannabinoids should be urgently studied to understand if they can also lead to ACE-2 overexpression as other antihypertensive drugs do.
Applications of CRISPR technology in studying plant-pathogen interactions: overview and perspective
Authors: Gosavi Gokul , Yan Fang , Ren Bin , Kuang Yongjie , Yan Daqi , Zhou Xueping , Zhou Huanbin
Published: July 2020

Targeted genome editing technology is becoming one of the most important genetic tools and widely employed in the plant pathology community. In recent years, CRISPR (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) and CRISPR-associated proteins discovered in the adaptive immune system in prokaryotes have been successfully reprogrammed into various genome editing tools and have caught the attention of the scientific community due to its simplicity, high efficiency, versatility. Here, we provide an overview of various CRISPR/Cas systems, the derived tools and their applications in plant pathology. This review highlights the advantages of knocking-out techniques to target major susceptibility genes and negative regulators of host defense pathways for gaining resistance to bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens in model and crop plants through utilizing the CRISPR/Cas-based tools. Besides, we discuss the possible strategies of employing the CRISPR-based tools for both fundamental studies on plant-pathogen interactions and molecular crop breeding towards the improvement of resistance in the future.
Efficient object location determination and error analysis based on barycentric coordinates
Authors: Bodonyi Andrea , Kunkli Roland
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we propose an efficient computational method for converting local coordinates to world coordinates using specially structured coordinate data. The problem in question is the computation of world coordinates of an object throughout a motion, assuming that we only know the changing coordinates of some fixed surrounding reference points in the local coordinate system of the object. The proposed method is based on barycentric coordinates; by taking the aforementioned static positions as the vertices of a polyhedron, we can specify the coordinates of the object in each step with the help of barycentric coordinates. This approach can significantly help us to achieve more accurate results than by using other possible methods. In the paper, we describe the problem and barycentric coordinate-based solution in detail. We then compare the barycentric method with a technique based on transformation matrices, which we also tested for solving our problem. We also present various diagrams that demonstrate the efficiency of our proposed approach in terms of precision and performance.
CT chest for COVID-19, a multicenter study—experience with 220 Egyptian patients
Authors: Sabri Youssriah Yahia , Nassef Amr A. , Ibrahim Iman Mohamed Hamdy , Abd El Mageed Mohammed Raafat , Khairy Mostafa Ahmed
Published: July 2020

Background

COVID-19 has become a national and an international pre-occupation to all doctors. Dealing with patients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 is a daily markedly growing professional issue for radiologists. The number of COVID-19 cases we deal with is peaking since last March and so is our experience in recognizing the disease patterns and in assessing its severity. The purpose of this study is to assess the role of CT chest in the diagnosis of COVID-19 based on our experience with 220 Egyptian cases.

Results

A cross-sectional multicenter study involving 220 patients; 68 (30.9%) females and 152 (69.1%) males, their age range was 10-92 years (average 49.198 years). Non-contrast MSCT chest was done to patients with clinically suspected COVID-19. Data assessment and analysis for lesions probability, pattern, localization, and severity were done.

Bilateral affection was seen in 168/220 cases (76.36%). Multilobar affection was noted in 186/220 cases (84.54%). Lower lobes affection was noted in 179/220 cases (81.36%). Peripheral/subpleural affection was noted in 203/220 cases (92.27%). The common CT patterns (ground-glass opacities, consolidation, crazy paving, vascular thickening, traction bronchiectasis, vacuolar sign, architectural distortion signs, and reversed halo sign) and the uncommon CT patterns (halo sign, masses, nodules, lobar affection, tree in-bud-pattern and cysts) were discussed. Associated extra-pulmonary lesions described. Temporal changes, severity scoring, reporting, and possible pitfalls were all assessed.

Conclusion

In our experience, CT plays a basic essential role in diagnosing COVID-19 in the current declared pandemic.
Practice facilitation to implement alcohol-related care in Veterans Health Administration liver clinics: a study protocol
Authors: Frost Madeline C. , Ioannou George N. , Tsui Judith I. , Edelman E. Jennifer , Weiner Bryan J. , Fletcher Olivia V. , Williams Emily C.
Published: July 2020

Background

Alcohol-related care, including screening, brief intervention, and provision of/referral to medication or behavioral treatments for alcohol use disorder, could be delivered in liver clinics to better reach patients with chronic liver conditions. However, the provision of alcohol-related care in liver clinics is currently suboptimal. Practice facilitation is an evidence-based implementation strategy that may address barriers, harness facilitators, and optimize the implementation of alcohol-related care in liver clinic settings using a clinic-centered approach. We report the protocol of a study to test a practice facilitation intervention to implement alcohol-related care in four Veterans Health Administration liver clinics.

Methods

This study will employ a Hybrid Type 3 effectiveness-implementation design, in which implementation outcomes are considered primary and clinical outcomes secondary. Intervention and evaluation design were informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Qualitative data collected from clinical stakeholders and patients were used to tailor the intervention. The intervention involves a 6-month period of external practice facilitation, including regular meetings to identify clinic goals, challenges, and solutions; engagement of clinic champions; provision of training and development of educational materials for clinic staff and patients; and performance monitoring and feedback. Ongoing formative evaluation involves the collection of quantitative facilitator tracking data and qualitative data from meeting notes and patient interviews to describe intervention acceptability, feasibility, and adoption, and adjust implementation as needed. In the summative evaluation, implementation outcomes (clinic rates of screening, brief intervention, and treatment referral/receipt) and clinical outcomes (unhealthy alcohol use, liver health) will be assessed among patients in participating clinics using secondary electronic health record data and interrupted time series analysis.

Discussion

This will be the first study to our knowledge to test practice facilitation to implement alcohol-related care in liver clinic settings. Results from formative and summative evaluation will inform a framework for the successful implementation of effective alcohol-related care through practice facilitation in liver clinics, which may ultimately lead to better health outcomes for patients with chronic liver disease.
Recent advances in mesalamine colonic delivery systems
Authors: Bayan Mohammad F. , Bayan Rana F.
Published: July 2020

Background

Increased attention has been focused on the continuous development and improvement of mesalamine colonic specific delivery systems, for the effective treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases; thus enhancing therapeutic efficacy and reducing potential side effects. Mesalamine is a class IV drug, according to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System, used usually to treat inflammation associated with colon related diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Main text

An ideal colon targeting system aims to deliver a therapeutic agent, selectively and effectively, to the colon. This system should ideally retain the drug release in the upper GI tract (stomach and small intestine); while trigger the drug release in the colon. Several approaches have been used to fabricate formulations to achieve a colon specific delivery of mesalamine such as; time dependent, pH responsive, enzymatic/microbial responsive and ultrasound mediated approaches. This overview outlines the recent advances in mesalamine-colon delivery approaches for the potential treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’ disease.

Conclusion

A combined pH-time dependent delivery system can improve mesalamine colonic drug delivery via employing carriers capable of retarding mesalamine release in the stomach and delivering it at predetermined time points after entering the intestine. The existence of specific enzymes, produced by various anaerobic bacteria present in the colon advocates the advantage of designing enzyme sensitive systems and combining it with pH-time dependent system to improve mesalamine colonic delivery. The use of ultrasound has shown promises to effectively treat inflammatory bowel diseases.
Evaluation of antitumor potential of synthesized novel 2-substituted 4-anilinoquinazolines as quinazoline-pyrrole hybrids in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line and A-549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines
Authors: Bathula Raju , Mondal Presenjit , Raparla Ramakrishna , Satla Shobha Rani
Published: July 2020

Background

A series of novel 2 substituted 4-anilinoquinazolines-pyrrole hybrids were synthesized, and cytotoxic activity were evaluated using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay.

Methods

The cell line used for the activity was MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and A459 human lung adenocarcinoma cell line. The newly quinazoline-pyrrole hybrid compounds have been synthesized from the 4-chloro-7-(3-chloropropoxy)-6-methoxy-2-phenylquinazoline derivatives. The chemical structure of the synthesized compounds has been confirmed by FTIR, 1HNMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectral data. The cytotoxic study was conducted using morphological study and MTT assay against adenocarcinoma and human breast cancer cell lines.

Results

The results of cytotoxic evaluation revealed that few compounds show moderate to promising activity when compared with standard doxorubicin (IC50 value 41.05 μM at 72 h). The synthesized compounds 7d and 7f were found effective in breast cancer cell line with IC50 values 40.64 μM and 44.98 μM at 72 h, respectively. The synthesized compounds 7d, 7f, 7g, and 7h were found effective in adenocarcinoma cell line with IC50 values of 41.05 μM, 45.54 μM, 46.93 μM, and 48.62 μM, respectively.

Conclusion

Based on the experimental evidences, we proposed structure activity relationship to provide significant information for the design and development of further potent anticancer agents.
In vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Sterculia urens Roxb. root extract and its bioactive phytoconstituents evaluation
Authors: Shukla Anjali , Desai Krishna , Modi Nainesh
Published: July 2020

Background

The plantSterculia urensRoxb. of Malvaceae family is comparatively understudied. GenusSterculiais widely recognized by its phytomedicinal and ethnomedicinal attributes. The study is aimed to evaluate the qualitative analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thin layer chromatography (TLC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the crude hydro-methanolic extract ofS. urensroot.

Results

The antioxidant activity, antimicrobial assay for clinical isolates, and TPC were measured by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity, agar well diffusion method, and Folin–Ciocalteu assay respectively. Hydro-methanolic extract confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins, steroids, and glycosides as primary and secondary metabolites, which was later confirmed by TLC. FT-IR spectroscopy revealed the presence of alkanes, alkenes, alkyl halides, halogen compounds, primary alcohol, tertiary alcohol, aldehyde, aromatic amine, secondary amines, amide group, and carboxylic acid. The crude extract was composed of a significant quantity of total phenolic content with 705 ± 0.40 mg GAE/g. Synergistically, the IC50value of the crude extract and ascorbic acid was found to be 27.055 μg/ml and 37.244 μg/ml, respectively, which suggests that root extract possesses strong antioxidant properties. The majority of the microbial strains exhibited varying degrees of sensitivity to the root extract with a notable inhibitory effect againstEscherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae, andPenicillium glaucum.

Conclusion

The findings of this analysis suggest that the hydro-methanolic extract fromS. urensroot exhibit antioxidant activity quantified by its ability to scavenge DPPH; antimicrobial activity displayed appreciable microbial sensitivity. These properties are associated with the presence of high phenolic content, different secondary metabolites, and their functional groups. The results are suggestive thatS. urensroot is rich in bioactive compounds, which serve as a novel natural source for potential therapeutic applications.

Graphical abstract
Perceived Fears, Barriers, and Benefits Regarding Breast Cancer Screening: A Comparison of Lebanese and Lebanese-American Women
Authors: Bourdeanu Laura , Alatrash Manal , Ketchedjian Nayiri , Pate Barbara
Published: July 2020

Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among Lebanese women, and nearly half of these women are age < 50 years at diagnosis. Despite the current screening guidelines in Lebanon to start mammograms at 40 years of age, monthly self-breast examination, and yearly clinical breast examination, compliance with these recommendations remains low in both Lebanese and Lebanese-American women. This study aimed to examine different factors associated with breast cancer screening compliance in Lebanese and Lebanese-American women and determine and compare factors that predict breast cancer screening for these 2 groups. A cross-sectional study design was used to examine the factors associated with breast cancer screening compliance in Lebanese and Lebanese-American women. A total of 250 Lebanese women and 105 Lebanese-American women completed the questionnaires. Of these, 74.3% of Lebanese-American women and 72.5% of Lebanese women had ever had a mammogram, and 58.4% of Lebanese women had had a clinical breast examination, compared with 84.8% of Lebanese-American women. In both groups, health care provider recommendation was a predictor of having had a mammogram. Although the breast cancer screening practices of both groups are higher than previously reported, they continue to fall below the recommended rate of 81% according to the Healthy People Project. Given the susceptibility of Lebanese women age > 40 years to develop breast cancer, promotional breast cancer screening campaigns must emphasize the importance of adhering to screening guidelines for both Lebanese and Lebanese-American women.
The Effectiveness of High-Flow Nasal Oxygen During the Intraoperative Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Spence Emily A. , Rajaleelan Wesley , Wong Jean , Chung Frances , Wong David T.
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND:

High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) is increasingly being used in intensive care units for management of hypoxemia and respiratory failure. However, the effectiveness of HFNO for preventing hypoxemia in the intraoperative period is unclear. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare patient oxygenation and end-tidal CO2 (Etco
2), between HFNO and conventional oxygenation, during the intraoperative period in surgical patients.

METHODS:

Standard databases were searched from inception to February 2020. Studies involving intraoperative use of HFNO with 1 of the 4 outcomes: (1) oxygen (O2) desaturation, (2) minimum O2 saturation, (3) safe apnea time, or (4) Etco
2 were included. Intraoperative period was divided into 2 phases: at induction with general anesthesia and during surgical procedure under sedation without tracheal intubation.

RESULTS:

Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs; 4 induction, 4 procedure, 2314 patients) were included for systematic review and meta-analyses. We found the risk of intraoperative O2 desaturation was lower in HFNO versus conventional oxygenation control group; at induction with an odds ratio (OR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) of 0.06 (0.01–0.59, P = .02), and during procedure, OR (95% CI) of 0.09 (0.05–0.18; P < .001). The minimum O2 saturation was higher in HFNO versus conventional oxygenation; at induction by a mean difference (MD) (95% CI) of 5.1% (3.3–6.9; P < .001), and during procedure, by a MD (95% CI) of 4.0% (1.8–6.2; P < .001). Safe apnea time at induction was longer in HFNO versus conventional oxygenation by a MD (95% CI) of 33.4 seconds (16.8–50.1; P < .001). Etco
2 at induction was not significantly different between HFNO and conventional oxygenation groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

This systematic review and meta-analysis show that, in the intraoperative setting, HFNO compared to conventional oxygenation reduces the risk of O2 desaturation, increases minimum O2 saturation, and safe apnea time. HFNO should be considered for anesthesia induction and during surgical procedures under sedation without tracheal intubation in patients at higher risk of hypoxemia.
Utilization Patterns of Perioperative Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal in the United States: A Retrospective Observational Study From the Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group
Authors: Dubovoy Timur Z. , Saager Leif , Shah Nirav J. , Colquhoun Douglas A. , Mathis Michael R. , Kapeles Steven , Mentz Graciela , Kheterpal Sachin , Vaughn Michelle T.
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND:

Following the introduction of sugammadex to the US clinical practice, scarce data are available to understand its utilization patterns. This study aimed to characterize patient, procedure, and provider factors associated with sugammadex administration in US patients.

METHODS:

This retrospective observational study was conducted across 24 Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group institutions in the United States with sugammadex on formulary at the time of the study. All American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I–IV adults undergoing noncardiac surgery from 2014 to 2018 receiving neuromuscular blockade (NMB) were eligible. The study established 3 periods based on the date of first documented sugammadex use at each institution: the presugammadex period, 0- to 6-month transitional period, and 6+ months postsugammadex period. The primary outcome was reversal using sugammadex during the postsugammadex period—defined as 6 months after sugammadex was first utilized at each institution. A multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression model controlling for institution was developed to assess patient, procedure, and provider factors associated with sugammadex administration.

RESULTS:

A total of 934,798 cases met inclusion criteria. Following the 6-month transitional period, sugammadex was used on average in 40.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 39.8–40.2) of cases receiving NMB. Multivariable analysis demonstrated sugammadex use to be associated with train-of-four count of 0–1 (adjusted odds ratio = 4.06; 95% CI, 33.83–4.31) or 2 (2.45; 2.29–2.62) vs 3–4 twitches before reversal; the amount of NMB administered (3.01; 2.88–3.16) for the highest effective dose 95 quartile compared to the lowest quartile; advanced age (1.83; 1.71–1.95) compared to age <41; male sex (1.36; 1.32–1.39) compared to female sex; major thoracic surgery (1.26; 1.13–1.39); congestive heart failure (1.17, 1.07–1.28); and ASA III or IV (1.13; 1.10–1.16) versus ASA I or II.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data demonstrate broad early clinical adoption of sugammadex following Food and Drug Administration approval. Sugammadex is used preferentially in cases with higher degrees of NMB before reversal and in patients with greater burden of comorbidities and known risk factors for residual blockade or pulmonary complications.
Saddle Up: Anticoagulation for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Pulmonary Embolism and Ischemic Stroke—A Case Report
Authors: Rezny Benjamin R. , Tyagi Aaron , Crumley Jennifer P. , Rappaport Kristina A. , Arora Lovkesh
Published: July 2020

This case describes an anticoagulation strategy in a postpartum patient on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) for a pulmonary embolism (PE) with a concurrent ischemic stroke. After receiving systemic lysis, the patient had impending cardiovascular collapse, right heart strain, worsening clinical picture, prompting VA ECMO cannulation and subsequent cautious management of the patient’s anticoagulation. There have been no similar cases published describing an ECMO anticoagulation strategy and management for this complex clinical situation. By withholding a heparin bolus and delaying initiation of a heparin drip for 24 hours, thromboelastogram (TEG) R-time and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) could be closely monitored while the patient began to recover.
Ventilator Failure Following Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Case Report
Authors: Markar Jerry J. , Disque Andrew A.
Published: July 2020

We present 3 cardiothoracic surgery cases during which the Drager Perseus A500 anesthesia machine and the iNOmax Delivery System were used concurrently, resulting in ventilator failures while attempting to separate from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The failure was found to be caused by the iNOmax Delivery System sampling line, where negative pressure on the Perseus A500 breathing circuit precipitated a ventilator failure when the machine was brought out of “standby mode.” To our knowledge, there is no discussion of this interaction in the literature, and we find this to be an important issue for patient safety during cardiothoracic surgery.
The New Old Imperialism in the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Caton Steven C.
Published: July 2020

This essay argues that the horrific war in Yemen (2015–present) waged by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against the Houthis who control the northern part of the country is not really a Sunni-Schi’a conflict or a proxy war against Iran or a replay of the Cold War—all of which have been put forward to explain it—but rather is better understood as the actions of belligerent imperialist powers located in the Arabian Peninsula, acting in their own right (rather than as puppets of Western powers). Such an explanation, however, flies in the face of what we have understood imperialism to be historically. This essay looks at two understandings of imperialism, one coming out of Marxist theory and another out of a Foucauldian understanding of power as developed by Hardt and Negri in their book Empire (2000), and then goes on to show that both are helpful, though in different ways, in explaining the Yemen war as an imperialist intervention.
Maltodextrin-induced intestinal injury in a neonatal mouse model
Authors: Singh Pratibha , Sanchez-Fernandez Lady Leidy , Ramiro-Cortijo David , Ochoa-Allemant Pedro , Perides George , Liu Yan , Medina-Morales Esli , Yakah William , Freedman Steven D. , Martin Camilia R.
Published: July 2020

Prematurity and enteral feedings are major risk factors for intestinal injury leading to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). An immature digestive system can lead to maldigestion of macronutrients and increased vulnerability to intestinal injury. The aim of this study was to test in neonatal mice the effect of maltodextrin, a complex carbohydrate, on the risk of intestinal injury. The goal was to develop a robust and highly reproducible murine model of intestinal injury that allows insights into the pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions of nutrient driven intestinal injury. Five to 6-day old C57BL/6 mice were assigned to the following groups: dam fed (D); D+hypoxia+Klebsiella pneumoniae; maltodextrin-dominant human infant formula (M) only; M+hypoxia; and M+hypoxia+Klebsiella pneumoniae. The mice in all M groups were gavage fed five times a day for 4 days. Mice were exposed to hypoxia twice a day for 10 min prior to the first and last feedings and Klebsiella pneumoniae was added to feedings per group assignment. Mice in all M groups demonstrated reduced body weight, increased small intestinal dilatation, and increased intestinal injury scores. Maltodextrin-dominant infant formula with hypoxia led to intestinal injury in neonatal mice accompanied by loss of villi, increased MUC2 production, altered expression of tight junction proteins, enhanced intestinal permeability, increased cell death, and higher levels of intestinal inflammatory mediators. This robust and highly reproducible model allows for further interrogation of the role of nutrients on pathogenic factors leading to intestinal injury and NEC in preterm infants.
Irreversible sterility of workers and high-volume egg production by queens in the stingless bee Tetragonula carbonaria
Authors: Garcia Bulle Bueno Francisco , Gloag Rosalyn , Latty Tanya , Ronai Isobel
Published: July 2020

Social insects are characterised by a reproductive division of labour between queens and workers. However, in the majority of social insect species the workers are only facultatively sterile. The Australian stingless bee Tetragonula carbonaria is noteworthy as workers never lay eggs. Here we describe the reproductive anatomy of T. carbonaria workers, virgin queens , and mated queens. We then conduct the first experimental test of absolute worker sterility in the social insects. Using a controlled microcolony environment, we investigate whether the reproductive capacity of adult workers can be rescued by manipulating the workers’ social environment and diet. The ovaries of T. carbonaria workers that are queenless and fed unrestricted, highly nutritious royal jelly remain non-functional, indicating they are irreversibly sterile and that ovary degeneration is fixed prior to adulthood. We suggest that T. carbonaria might have evolved absolute worker sterility because colonies are unlikely to ever be queenless.
Unusual tertiary pairs in eukaryotic tRNAAla
Authors: Westhof Eric , Liang Shubo , Tong Xiaoling , Ding Xin , Zheng Lu , Dai Fangyin
Published: July 2020

tRNA molecules have well-defined sequence conservations that reflect the conserved tertiary pairs maintaining their architecture and functions during the translation processes. An analysis of aligned tRNA sequences present in the GtRNAdb database (the Lowe Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz) led to surprising conservations on some cytosolic tRNAs specific for alanine compared to other tRNA species, including tRNAs specific for glycine. First, besides the well-known G3oU70 base pair in the amino acid stem, there is the frequent occurrence of a second wobble pair at G30oU40, a pair generally observed as a Watson–Crick pair throughout phylogeny. Second, the tertiary pair R15/Y48 occurs as a purine–purine R15/A48 pair. Finally, the conserved T54/A58 pair maintaining the fold of the T-loop is observed as a purine–purine A54/A58 pair. The R15/A48 and A54/A58 pairs always occur together. The G30oU40 pair occurs alone or together with these other two pairs. The pairing variations are observed to a variable extent depending on phylogeny. Among eukaryotes, insects display all variations simultaneously, whereas mammals present either the G30oU40 pair or both R15/A48 and A54/A58. tRNAs with the anticodon 34A(I)GC36 are the most prone to display all those pair variations in mammals and insects. tRNAs with anticodon Y34GC36 have preferentially G30oU40 only. These unusual pairs are not observed in bacterial, nor archaeal, tRNAs, probably because of the avoidance of A34-containing anticodons in four-codon boxes. Among eukaryotes, these unusual pairing features were not observed in fungi and nematodes. These unusual structural features may affect, besides aminoacylation, transcription rates (e.g., 54/58) or ribosomal translocation (30/40).
Insecticide resistance selection and reversal in two strains of Aedes aegypti
Authors: Thornton Jonathan , Gomes Bruno , Ayres Constância , Reimer Lisa
Published: July 2020

Background:Laboratory reared mosquito colonies are essential tools to understand insecticide action. However, they differ considerably from wild populations and from each other depending on their origin and rearing conditions, which makes studying the effects of specific resistance mechanisms difficult. This paper describes our methods for establishing multiple resistant strains ofAedes aegyptifrom two colonies as a new resource for further research on metabolic and target site resistance.

Methods:Two resistant colonies ofAe. aegypti, from Cayman and Recife, were selected through 10 generations of exposure to insecticides including permethrin, malathion and temephos, to yield eight strains with different profiles of resistance due to either target site or metabolic resistance. Resistance ratios for each insecticide were calculated for the selected and unselected strains. The frequency ofkdralleles in the Cayman strains was determined using TaqMan assays. A comparative gene expression analysis among Recife strains was conducted using qPCR in larvae (CCae3A, CYP6N12, CYP6F3, CYP9M9) and adults (CCae3A, CYP6N12, CYP6BB2, CYP9J28a).

Results:In the selected strain of Cayman, mortality against permethrin reduced almost to 0% andkdrbecame fixated by 5 generations. A similar phenotype was seen in the unselected homozygous resistant colony, whilst mortality in the susceptible homozygous colony rose to 82.9%. The Recife strains showed different responses between exposure to adulticide and larvicide, with detoxification genes in the temephos selected strain staying similar to the baseline, but a reduction in detoxification genes displayed in the other strains.

Conclusions:These selected strains, with a range of insecticide resistance phenotypes and genotypes, will support further research on the effects of target-site and/or metabolic resistance mechanisms on various life-history traits, behaviours and vector competence of this important arbovirus vector.
Evolution of Martensitic Nanostructure in NiAl Alloys: Tip Splitting and Bending
Authors: M. Roy Arunabha
Published: July 2020

A phase-field (PF) model for the phase transformation (PT) between austenite and martensite and twinning between two martensite is presented where PT is described by a single order parameter. Such a description helps us to obtain the analytical solution of interface energetics and kinetics. PF-elasticity problems are solved for cubic-to-tetragonal PT in NiAl. The stress and temperature-induced PT and corresponding twinning and growth of the martensitic phase inside a nanocrystal are simulated. It reproduces nontrivial experimentally observed nanostructure such as splitting and bending of martensitic nanostructure as well as twins crossing. The evolution and morphology of such interesting nanostructures are discussed.
Structural, Vibrational, and Electronic Properties of Trigonal Cu2SrSnS4 Photovoltaic Absorber from First-Principles Calculations
Authors: Poyyapakkam Ramkumar Sriram
Published: July 2020

In the search for sustainable alternate absorber materials for photovoltaic applications, the family of chalcogenides provide a promising solution. While the most commonly studied Cu2ZnSnS4 based kesterite solar cells seem to have intrinsic drawbacks such as low-efficiency arising from defects and anti-disorder in the Cu-Zn sites, substituting other elements in the Cu/Zn sites have been considered. In this direction, Cu2(Ba,Sr)SnS4 provide an interesting alternative as they possibly help limit the intrinsic anti-site disorder in the system which is of primary concern with regard to efficiency loses. In this study, we report the structural, vibrational, and electronic properties of trigonal structured Cu2SrSnS4 quarternary system computed from first-principles density functional theory paving way for further characterization and analysis within this class of materials.
Restoration of normal knee kinematics with respect to tibial insert design in mobile bearing lateral unicompartmental arthroplasty using computational simulation
Authors: Koh Yong-Gon , Lee Jin-Ah , Chung Hyun-Seok , Kim Hyo-Jeong , Kang Kyoung-Tak
Published: July 2020

Aims

Mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) with a flat tibial plateau has not performed well in the lateral compartment, leading to a high rate of dislocation. For this reason, the Domed Lateral UKA with a biconcave bearing was developed. However, medial and lateral tibial plateaus have asymmetric anatomical geometries, with a slightly dished medial and a convex lateral plateau. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the extent at which the normal knee kinematics were restored with different tibial insert designs using computational simulation.

Methods

We developed three different tibial inserts having flat, conforming, and anatomy-mimetic superior surfaces, whereas the inferior surface in all was designed to be concave to prevent dislocation. Kinematics from four male subjects and one female subject were compared under deep knee bend activity.

Results

The conforming design showed significantly different kinematics in femoral rollback and internal rotation compared to that of the intact knee. The flat design showed significantly different kinematics in femoral rotation during high flexion. The anatomy-mimetic design preserved normal knee kinematics in femoral rollback and internal rotation.

Conclusion

The anatomy-mimetic design in lateral mobile UKA demonstrated restoration of normal knee kinematics. Such design may allow achievement of the long sought normal knee characteristics post-lateral mobile UKA. However, further in vivo and clinical studies are required to determine whether this design can truly achieve a more normal feeling of the knee and improved patient satisfaction. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(7):421–428.
First report of clear cell renal carcinoma metastasizing to the ischiorectal fossa 17 years after radical nephrectomy: an additional reason for lifelong follow-up
Authors: Zygomalas A , Papachristou DJ , Katsiakis N , Karatzas A , Kourelis T , Georgostathis K , Karavias D
Published: July 2020

Renal cell carcinoma has a high propensity for metastatic spread. There are several case reports of metastatic renal cell carcinomas associated with rare metastatic sites, in many cases more than ten years after the initial diagnosis. We present a 60-year-old man with perianal pain and a mass in the ischiorectal space, revealed by computed tomography. The patient had a history of clear cell renal carcinoma operated on 17 years ago. A wire localization surgical excision of the ischiorectal fossa mass was performed. The pathological report revealed a metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a clear cell renal carcinoma metastasizing to the ischiorectal fossa reported in the literature. We therefore recommend that any newly discovered mass in any site of a patient with a history of renal cell carcinoma should be carefully explored and biopsied.
Diffuse liver hamartomatosis (diffuse von Meyenburg complexes) mimicking hepatic metastases on a background of previous cancer
Authors: Monteiro de Barros J , Stell D , Bracey TS , Mavroeidis VK
Published: July 2020

Bile duct hamartomas are typically small benign liver lesions that can radiologically mimic metastases on ultrasound and computed tomography, as well as macroscopically. We present a rare and interesting case and review the relevant literature. A 49-year-old woman underwent ultrasound investigation for right upper quadrant pain, which revealed diffuse liver lesions. In the setting of her previous vulval cancer, it was suspected that she had hepatic metastases. This was strongly reinforced with computed tomography and elevated CA 19-9 levels. A liver biopsy revealed diffuse and multifocal bile duct hamartomas and positron emission tomography was negative for metastases or features of cancer recurrence. A diagnosis of diffuse liver hamartomatosis was made. In view of the continuing clinical and laboratory picture, she required regular follow-up. The collective features of this case are unique, as the isolated characteristics of particular interest have not been previously described in the context of a single case. Bile duct hamartomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of multiple liver lesions. CA 19-9 is not a reliable marker for differential diagnosis of this entity.
A case of recurrent hepatic haemangioendothelioma
Authors: Kuan LL , Tan LT , Jepson S , Pollard C , Dennison AR
Published: July 2020

Hepatic haemangioendothelioma is a rare (1:1,000,000) mesenchymal tumour of the liver of vascular origin. Metastatic malignancies, other primary liver tumours and cholangiocarcinomas all have significantly worse prognoses and may mimic hepatic haemangioendothelioma. Hence, careful pathological assessment with appropriate tumour markers and immunohistochemistry are essential. We present a rare case of recurrence of hepatic haemangioendothelioma after 10 years post-hemihepatectomy. Surgical approaches include liver resection, liver transplantation and ablative techniques with chemotherapy and radiotherapy reserved for patients where a surgical approach is not possible. Hepatic haemangioendothelioma has an unpredictable course that is generally indolent and it is associated with a significantly better long-term survival. Consequently, it is important that these tumours are recognised and the approach to the diagnosis should be methodical. Owing to the protracted course of the disease, a prolonged duration of surveillance and an aggressive approach towards disease recurrence are essential for long-term survival.
Feeding jejunostomy in upper gastrointestinal resections: a UK-wide survey
Authors: Ireland P , Jaunoo S
Published: July 2020

Introduction

The usage of a feeding jejunostomy has been a well-established practice in maintaining nutrition in patients undergoing resections for upper gastrointestinal cancer. As surgical technique has evolved, together with the adoption of enhanced recovery after surgery pathways, the routine insertion of feeding jejunostomy tubes appears to be changing.

Materials and methods

A survey was constructed using Google Forms. The link was distributed to consultant upper gastrointestinal surgeons via the Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons’ membership database. Results were collated and analysed using Microsoft Excel.

Results

A total of 55 responses were received from 28 units across the UK; 27 respondents (49.1%) no longer routinely use feeding jejunostomy in upper gastrointestinal resections, oesophagectomy or gastrectomy. The most common primary feeding modality used by these respondents was oral diet 17 (65.4%), with total parenteral nutrition (19.2%) and nasojejunal (11.5%) routes also being used. Respondents who used feeding jejunostomies inserted them primarily for oesophagectomy (n = 27; 96.4%), with fewer surgeons using them in extended total gastrectomy (n = 12; 42.9%) and total gastrectomy (n = 11; 39.3%). Of the total, 20 surgeons (71.4%) would insert the jejunostomy using an open approach, with 19 (67.9%) employing a Witzel tunnel. Eleven respondents (39.3%) would continue feeding via the jejunostomy after discharge. Some 24 responders thought that feeding jejunostomies did not facilitate the enhanced recovery after surgery pathway (strongly and slightly disagree), whereas 17 considered that they did (strongly and slightly agree); 13 responders did not have strong views either way.

Conclusions

There is a split in current practice regarding the usage of feeding jejunostomies. There is also a division of opinion on the role of feeding jejunostomy in enhanced recovery after surgery.
Double vest lipodermal flaps for depressed facial scars
Authors: Qassim YN , Ali AA , Alfeehan MJ , Albayati WK
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Depressed tethered scar is a common problem that can cause emotional, social and behavioural problems, especially when it involves the exposed body parts. Several techniques have been described for treating these depressed scars, but none of these can fulfil the optimal results.

Aim

Evaluating the aesthetic outcome of using a double vest lipodermal flaps for treating depressed facial scars.

Materials and methods

The study included 25 patients with depressed facial scars who underwent scar revision. Their mean age was 31 years. Under local anaesthesia, the scarred area was de-epithelialised and double dart lipodermal flaps were used for revision. Visual analogue and Vancouver scar scales were used as subjective and objective parameters of evaluation, respectively.

Results

All the patients followed up for five to eight months. No complications were observed during the scar healing period. Patients satisfaction according to the visual analogue scale showed an average value of 8. The mean total scale according to the Vancouver scar scale was 2.6.

Conclusion

The new technique of using double vest lipodermal flaps is simple and offers a promising alternative for revising depressed scars.
Combination of the two styles of the multiple-wavelength range-gated active imaging principle for four-dimensional imaging
Authors: Matwyschuk Alexis
Published: July 2020

Having previously reported the foundations of the multiple-wavelength range-gated active imaging (WRAI) principle in juxtaposed style and in superimposed style, its use in combination of both styles was studied. The juxtaposed style consists of restoring the 3D scene directly. Each emitted light pulse with a different wavelength corresponds to a visualized zone with a different distance in the scene. In superimposed style, each wavelength is superimposed in the scene at a specific moment in time. By combining these two styles and independently of the video frequency, it is possible to deduce the trajectory and direction of the object in 3D space as well as its speed between two consecutive positions from a single recorded image. Furthermore, with the help of range gating, the object visibility through scattering environments is improved. In order to separate both styles in the image, the wavelengths were separated into warm colors for depth and cold colors for time. The experimental tests confirmed the ability to record a moving object in a 4D space represented by a single image, thus validating the combined WRAI principle.