bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multipotential stromal cells in the talus and distal tibia in ankle osteoarthritis – Presence, potency and relationships to subchondral bone changes
Authors: Jones William G. , El‐Jawhari Jehan J. , Brockett C. L. , Koria Lekha , Ktistakis Ioannis , Jones Elena
Published: December 2020

A large proportion of ankle osteoarthritis (OA) has an early onset and is post‐traumatic. Surgical interventions have low patient satisfaction and relatively poor clinical outcome, whereas joint‐preserving treatments, which rely on endogenous multipotential stromal cells (MSCs), result in suboptimal repair. This study investigates MSC presence and potency in OA‐affected talocrural osteochondral tissue. Bone volume fraction (BV/TV) changes for the loading region trabecular volume and subchondral bone plate (SBP) thickness in OA compared with healthy tissue were investigated using microcomputed tomography. CD271‐positive MSC topography was related to bone and cartilage damage in OA tissue, and in vitro MSC potency was compared with control healthy iliac crest (IC) MSCs. A 1.3‐ to 2.5‐fold SBP thickening was found in both OA talus and tibia, whereas BV/TV changes were depth‐dependent. MSCs were abundant in OA talus and tibia, with similar colony characteristics. Tibial and talar MSCs were tripotential, but talar MSCs had 10‐fold lower adipogenesis and twofold higher chondrogenesis than IC MSCs (P = .01 for both). Cartilage damage in both OA tibia and talus correlated with SBP thickening and CD271+ MSCs was 1.4‐ to twofold more concentrated near the SBP. This work shows multipotential MSCs are present in OA talocrural subchondral bone, with their topography suggesting ongoing involvement in SBP thickening. Potentially, biomechanical stimulation could augment the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs for joint‐preserving treatments.
Horn ultrasonic‐assisted pregelatinized starch with various streamline patterns as a green process: Computational fluid dynamics and microbubble formation of process
Authors: Abedi Elahe , Mousavifard Maryam , Pourmohammadi Kiana , Tiwari Brijesh K.
Published: December 2020

The ultrasound‐assisted pregelatinization starch (UAPS) is considered as a physical method for starch modification. In this study, the effect of ultrasonic control parameters, including power, probe size, temperature, and time was investigated in order to predict microbubble formation and cavitation process as a two dimensional axisymmetric computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to optimize the UAPS process. The cavitation phenomenon and the bubble dynamics were further investigated with regards to the mentioned parameters. Results showed that with the increase in probe diameter from 20 mm to 100 mm, a new pattern of streamlines were generated at the bottom of the container, increasing the turbulence among bubbles. This is mainly due to collapsing bubbles, resulting in a huge amount of energy released which accelerates heat and mass transfer to the fluid. According to the results obtained from the dynamics of bubbles, the maximum radius of the bubbles had a rising pattern with the increase in the probe size (from 20 to 100 mm), amplitude (from 25 to 45%) and temperature (from 35 to 65°C); moreover, the energy of the bubble slightly increased with the increase in liquid temperature and probe size.

Practical applications

The physical modifications of starch structure are more widely employed since it is safer and without impurities, which have strong effects on different component functionalities. Pregelatinization is one of the most popular industrial methods of physically modifying starch. Pregelatinized. The ultrasound‐assisted pregelatinized starch as physical modification offers many advantages, mainly the declined utilize of chemicals and processing time, serving as an environment‐friendly processing technology, high selectivity method. Use of computational fluid dynamics is a suitable approach to assessing the data pertaining to the physical features of the ultrasonication process. We underscored the importance of filling the gaps of knowledge concerning modeling sonication process to produce the efficient ultrasound‐assisted pregelatinized starch under various ultrasound power, probe size and fluid temperature to predict microbubble formation, heat and energy transfer.
Cortical VIP+/ChAT+ interneurons: From genetics to function
Authors: Dudai Amir , Yayon Nadav , Soreq Hermona , London Michael
Published: December 2020

One of the urgent tasks of neuroscience is to understand how neuronal circuits operate, what makes them fail, and how to repair them when needed. Achieving this goal requires identifying the principal circuitry elements and their interactions with one another. However, what constitutes ‘an atom’ of a neuronal circuit, a neuronal type, is a complex question. In this review we focus on a class of cortical neurons that are exclusively identified by the expression of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). The genetic profile of these VIP+/ChAT+ interneurons suggests that they can release both γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and acetylcholine (ACh). This hints to a specific potential role in the cortical circuitry. Yet the VIP+/ChAT+ interneurons are sparse (a mere 0.5% of the cortical neurons), which raises questions about their potential to significantly affect the circuit function. In view of recent developments in genetic techniques that allow for direct manipulation of these neurons, we provide a thorough and updated picture of the properties of the VIP+/ChAT+ interneurons. We discuss their genetic profile, their physiological and structural properties, and their input–output mapping in sensory cortices and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Then, we examine possible amplification mechanisms for mediating their function in the cortical microcircuit. Finally, we discuss directions for further exploration of the VIP+/ChAT+ population, focusing on its function during behavioral tasks as compared to the VIP+/ChAT− population.

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Integration is opening the door to a new journey toward oral health value‐based care
Authors: McDonald John C. , Pedersen Da‐Nell
Published: December 2020

Oral health is a key component of overall health and there is a cost to not including it in the value‐based transformation conversation. Health care needs to break down the silos that exist between dentistry and medicine so we can leverage integration to achieve value‐based care.
Partnerships between providers and advocates: A key to oral health integration in a value‐based care environment
Authors: Fish‐Parcham Cheryl
Published: December 2020

Dental professionals and consumer advocates can work together toward oral health integration in a value‐based care environment. This provides examples from California and Massachusetts of successful advocacy partnerships.
How do you implement value‐based care methodologies in dentistry with existing dental organizational paradigms?
Authors: Sinnott Matthew , Mullins Joanna M. , Simmons Kristen L.
Published: December 2020

The U.S. healthcare sector is a paradox – achieving comparatively poor population health outcomes despite outspending the world – and the current paradigm is a dichotomy – pursuing value definition consisting of quality, outcome, and cost, but failing to act in aligned and informed manner. In 2018, U.S. dental spending was $136 billion, accounting for 3.7 percent of total healthcare spending, a relatively nominal amount when considering oral diseases are among the most prevalent and have serious health and economic burdens, greatly reducing quality of life for those affected. Consistent and growing evidence shows that primary care‐oriented systems achieve better health outcomes, more health equity, and lower costs; however, to date, there is little means to structuralize the role of oral health and quantify the value provided. To understand the reasons behind the abstract nature of value‐based care requires an in‐depth understanding of the drivers impeding the transition to a value based oral health system of care. One large clinically integrated network will provide detail of their experience.
System level interventions to reduce utilization of general anesthesia to treat dental caries: a practice brief
Authors: Ludwig Sharity , Tranby Eric P. , Mitchell Melissa , Fullman John , Allen Gary
Published: December 2020

Dental caries are the most common chronic disease of childhood. Untreated caries can result in severe pain and infection; and in some cases, difficulties in eating, speech, and education. Hospitalization and general anesthesia are often necessary for treating extensive disease in young children, which adds significant risk and expense. Interventions, such as community‐based preventative care, utilization of pre‐authorizations for treatment, and at‐risk contracts, have been deployed as innovative strategies to reduce the incidence of caries and the cost of treatment. Value‐based payment structures give payors flexibility to design a multipronged system to impact the health of consumers. This practice brief will identify interventions at a systems level that reduced the utilization of general anesthesia treating dental caries in children under the age of six. Dental claims data from the period of Q1 2011 to Q2 2020 were utilized to analyze the trends in utilization of the operating room (OR) to treat dental conditions among children under 6 years. Fixed effects analysis was utilized to identify key over time changes in the reduction of children's OR utilization. A reduction in utilization of general anesthesia and hospitalization for treating dental caries in young children was seen. The expansion of the community care team, metrics to reinforce the systems of provider education and training, and the use of incentive payments were all associated with reductions in the rate of OR utilization. Between 2012 and 2017, multiple initiatives were implemented without a systematic approach to quality improvement to evaluate.
Low association between bleeding on probing propensity and the salivary aMMP‐8 levels in adolescents with gingivitis and stage I periodontitis
Authors: Räisänen Ismo T. , Sorsa Timo , Tervahartiala Taina , Raivisto Teija , Heikkinen Anna Maria
Published: December 2020

Background and Objective

Bleeding on probing (BOP) is a widely accepted measure used in periodontal diagnostics. Previous studies suggest that several factors can affect BOP propensity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative impact of different local and modifying factors on BOP levels.

Materials and Methods

The oral health of five hundred and forty‐four adolescents (two birth cohorts) aged 15‐17 years living in Kotka, Finland, was examined including periodontal probing depth, visible plaque index, root calculus, and BOP. Whole saliva samples were collected and measured for active matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (aMMP‐8) by time‐resolved immunofluorometric assay (IFMA).

Results

Bacterial plaque/calculus accumulation (oral hygiene) had a major influence on BOP levels. The relative impact was several times greater compared with the extent of periodontal pocketing, aMMP‐8 levels, smoking, toothbrushing, or gender. Furthermore, BOP levels were significantly elevated among adolescents with poor oral hygiene than good oral hygiene even if adjusted for the extent of periodontal pocketing (P < .001). BOP levels could be low even if several ≥ 4 mm deep periodontal pockets existed. The difference in the extent of periodontal pocketing was not significant between the two birth cohorts of adolescents (P = .731).

Conclusions

BOP levels can be regarded as an important indicator of the extent of bacterial challenge and its adverse effects on the gingival inflammation. However, the level of oral hygiene may mask the association between the extent of gingival bleeding and the severity of the periodontal inflammatory condition. Thus, relying on BOP levels (below 10% or 20%) may provide insufficient information about the periodontal treatment need of an adolescent depending on his/her level of oral hygiene. Yet, more research is needed to confirm the results, also in adult populations.
Correction of serum chloride concentration in dogs with congestive heart failure
Authors: Adin Darcy , Atkins Clarke , Londoño Leonel , Del Nero Bruna
Published: December 2020

Background

Hypochloremia associated with congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs is likely multifactorial. Loop diuretics cause 1:2 sodium [Na+]:chloride [Cl−] loss, whereas water retention causes a 1:1 [Na+]:[Cl−] dilution. Mathematical [Cl−] correction separates these effects on [Cl−].

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that corrected [Cl−] (c[Cl−]) would not differ from measured [Cl−] (m[Cl−]) in dogs with controlled CHF because of loop diuretics, and dogs with refractory CHF would have higher c[Cl−] than m[Cl−], indicating relative water excess.

Animals

Seventy‐one client‐owned dogs with acquired heart disease, without CHF (NO‐CHF), 76 with Stage C CHF and 24 with Stage D CHF.

Methods

Clinicopathological data from a previous study were retrospectively analyzed. Corrected [Cl−], m[Cl−], and differences were compared among NO‐CHF, Stage C CHF, and Stage D CHF, using the formula: c[Cl−] = (mid‐reference range [Na+]/measured [Na+]) × m[Cl−].

Results

Corrected [Cl−] and m[Cl−] were lower in Stage D vs Stage C and NO‐CHF (all P < .0001). The c[Cl−] was higher than m[Cl−] in Stage D (P < .0001) but not Stage C or NO‐CHF. Median difference between c[Cl−] and m[Cl−] was higher for Stage D vs Stage C (P = .0003). No hypochloremic Stage D dogs had normal c[Cl−], but 11/24 had [Cl−] that was increased by >2 mmol/L.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Serum [Cl−] increased after mathematical correction in Stage D CHF dogs but not in Stage C and NO‐CHF dogs. Although c[Cl−] was higher than m[Cl−] in Stage D dogs supportive of relative water excess, hypochloremia persisted, consistent with concurrent loop diuretic effects on electrolytes. Future study correlating c[Cl−] to antidiuretic hormone concentrations is warranted.
Influence of temperature on growth and survival of juvenile winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum) reared under continuous light
Authors: Casey Paul , Zadmajid Vahid , Butts Ian A. E. , Sørensen Sune Riis , Litvak Matthew K.
Published: December 2020

Winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, has emerged as a promising candidate flatfish for cold‐water aquaculture and restocking. Here, juveniles were reared for 8 weeks at three temperatures: 10, 15, and 20°C under 24‐hr light. All fish were imaged at stocking and at 2‐week intervals, where growth was measured as changes in standard length (SL) and body area (BA). By week 2, fish reared at 15 and 20°C were larger than those grown at 10°C. At weeks 4 to 6, fish at 15°C were larger than fish at 20°C. Linear regressions were used to model growth dynamics over time at each temperature. Highly significant linear growth trajectories were detected over time for SL and BA. SL and BA regressions also showed a significant difference among the slopes across temperatures, where comparing slopes showed the best temperature to rear the flounder was 15°C. Weights of fish held at 15°C and 20°C were greater than at 10°C at the termination of the experiment. Within each temperature, the growth rate of malpigmented fish was not different from that of the normally pigmented fish. Overall, growth of winter flounder was comparable to that of other commercially produced flatfish species, providing strong evidence for this flatfish species as a potential species for aquaculture.
HCV reinfection rates after cure or spontaneous clearance among HIV‐infected and uninfected men who have sex with men
Authors: Adu Prince A. , Rossi Carmine , Binka Mawuena , Wong Stanley , Wilton James , Wong Jason , Butt Zahid A. , Bartlett Sofia , Jeong Dahn , Pearce Margo , Darvishian Maryam , Yu Amanda , Alvarez Maria , Velásquez García Héctor A. , Krajden Mel , Janjua Naveed Z.
Published: December 2020

Background & Aims

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection among high‐risk groups threatens HCV elimination goals. We assessed HCV reinfection rates among men who have sex with men (MSM) in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Methods

We used data from the BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort, which includes nearly 1.7 million individuals tested for HCV or HIV in BC. MSM who had either achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) after successful HCV treatment, or spontaneous clearance (SC) and had ≥1 subsequent HCV RNA measurement, were followed from the date of SVR or SC until the earliest of reinfection, death, or last HCV RNA measurement. Predictors of reinfection were identified by Cox proportional modelling. The earliest study start date was 6 November 1997 and latest end date was 13 April 2018.

Results

Of 1349 HCV‐positive MSM who met the inclusion criteria, 493 had SC while 856 achieved SVR. 349 (25.65%) had HIV coinfection. We identified 98 reinfections during 5203 person‐years (PYs) yielding a reinfection rate of 1.88/100PYs. The reinfection rate among SC (2.74/100PYs) was more than twice that of those with SVR (1.03/100 PYs). Problematic alcohol use (aHR 1.73, 95% CI 1.003‐2.92), injection drug use (aHR 2.60, 95% CI 1.57‐4.29) and HIV coinfection (aHR 2.04, 95% CI 1.29‐3.23) were associated with increased risk of HCV reinfection. Mental health counselling history (aHR 0.24, 95% CI 0.13‐0.46) was associated with reduced HCV reinfection risk.

Conclusions

There is the need to engage MSM in harm reduction and prevention services following treatment to reduce reinfection risk.
Aquatic food webs in deep temperate lakes: Key species establish through their autecological versatility
Authors: Qu Zhishuai , Forster Dominik , Bruni Estelle P. , Frantal Daniela , Kammerlander Barbara , Nachbaur Laura , Pitsch Gianna , Posch Thomas , Pröschold Thomas , Teubner Katrin , Sonntag Bettina , Stoeck Thorsten
Published: December 2020

Microbial planktonic communities are the basis of food webs in aquatic ecosystems since they contribute substantially to primary production and nutrient recycling. Network analyses of DNA metabarcoding data sets emerged as a powerful tool to untangle the complex ecological relationships among the key players in food webs. In this study, we evaluated co‐occurrence networks constructed from time‐series metabarcoding data sets (12 months, biweekly sampling) of protistan plankton communities in surface layers (epilimnion) and bottom waters (hypolimnion) of two temperate deep lakes, Lake Mondsee (Austria) and Lake Zurich (Switzerland). Lake Zurich plankton communities were less tightly connected, more fragmented and had a higher susceptibility to a species extinction scenario compared to Lake Mondsee communities. We interpret these results as a lower robustness of Lake Zurich protistan plankton to environmental stressors, especially stressors resulting from climate change. In all networks, the phylum Ciliophora contributed the highest number of nodes, among them several in key positions of the networks. Associations in ciliate‐specific subnetworks resembled autecological species‐specific traits that indicate adaptions to specific environmental conditions. We demonstrate the strength of co‐occurrence network analyses to deepen our understanding of plankton community dynamics in lakes and indicate biotic relationships, which resulted in new hypotheses that may guide future research in climate‐stressed ecosystems.
Sensory denervation increases potential of bisphosphonates to induce osteonecrosis via disproportionate expression of calcitonin gene–related peptide and substance P
Authors: Xie Dongni , Xu Yamei , Yang Yao , Hua Ziyi , Li Jiao , Fu Gang , Wu Qingqing
Published: December 2020

Bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a serious side effect of systematic administration of bisphosphonates (BPs). Sensory innervation is crucial for bone healing. We established inferior alveolar nerve injury (IANI) and inferior alveolar nerve transection (IANT) models characterized by disorganized periosteum, increased osteoclasts, and unbalanced neuropeptide expression. Zoledronate injection disrupted neuropeptide expression in the IANI and IANT models by decreasing calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP) and increasing substance P (SP); associated with this, BRONJ prevalence was significantly higher in the IANT model, followed by the IANI model and the sham control. CGRP treatment significantly reduced BRONJ occurrence, whereas SP administration had the opposite effect. In vitro, RAW 264.7 cells were treated with BPs and then CGRP and/or SP to study changes in zoledronate toxicity; combined application of CGRP and SP decreased zoledronate toxicity, whereas CGRP or SP applied alone showed no effects. These results demonstrate that sensory denervation facilitates the occurrence of BRONJ and that CGRP used therapeutically may prevent BRONJ progression, provided that SP is also present. Further studies are necessary to determine the optimal ratio of CGRP to SP for promoting bone healing and to uncover the mechanism by which CGRP and SP cooperate.
Fusion patterns of the spheno‐occipital synchondrosis in the age range of 9‐22: A computed tomography analysis
Authors: Dalili Kajan Zahra , Hadinezhad Arash , Khosravifard Negar , Gholinia Faegheh , Rafiei Elahe , Ghandari Farnaz
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To assess the fusion patterns of the spheno‐occipital synchondrosis (SOS) in the age range of 9‐22 using CT and CBCT images of an Iranian population.

Setting/Sample population

Spiral CT and CBCT scans of 763 subjects (459 males and 304 females) aged 9‐22 were evaluated. The scans had to cover the cranial base area, and those with diseases affecting the bone density, cranial base masses and history of trauma were excluded.

Materials and Methods

Two oral and maxillofacial radiologists scored the images with regard to the status of SOS fusion based on a 5‐stage system. Mann‐Whitney, Kruskal‐Wallis and Fisher's exact tests were used for data analysis. Age and SOS fusion stages were evaluated through Spearman correlation and linear regression methods (α = 0.01).

Results

The earliest age for onset of SOS fusion was 9 in both sexes. Open SOS could be observed until the age of 15 and 14 in males and females, respectively. The earliest age of complete fusion was 12 in males and 13 in females. Furthermore, there was a significant, positive correlation between age and the different stages of SOS fusion (P < .001).

Conclusion

A significant correlation exists between age and the fusion stages of SOS, rendering it an appropriate means of age estimation during growth periods. Fusion of SOS begins approximately 2 years earlier in females; however, it ends at the age of 17 in both sexes. The fusion scar can be detected up to the age of 12 and 13 in males and females, respectively.
COVID‐19: ensuring safe clinical teaching at university optometry schools
Authors: Jonuscheit Sven , Lam Andrew K C , Schmid Katrina L , Flanagan John , Martin Raul , Troilo David
Published: December 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic has been spreading across the globe for several months. The nature of the virus (SARS‐CoV‐2) with easy person‐to‐person transmissions and the severe clinical course observed in some people necessitated unprecedented modifications of everyday social interactions. These included the temporary suspension of considerable elements of clinical teaching at optometry schools worldwide. This article describes the challenges optometry schools were facing in early to mid 2020. The paper highlights the experiences of six universities in five countries on four continents. Strategies to minimise the risk of virus transmission, to ensure safe clinical optometric teaching and how to overcome the challenges presented by COVID‐19 are described. An outlook on opportunities to further improve optometric education is provided.
The Ineffability of Induction
Authors: Builes David
Published: December 2020

My first goal is to motivate a distinctively metaphysical approach to the problem of induction. I argue that there is a precise sense in which the only way that orthodox Humean and non‐Humean views can justify induction is by appealing to extremely strong and unmotivated probabilistic biases. My second goal is to sketch what such a metaphysical approach could possibly look like. After sketching such an approach, I consider a toy case that illustrates the way in which such a metaphysics can help us make progress on the problem of induction.
Mechanistic insights on melatonin‐mediated drought stress mitigation in plants
Authors: Tiwari Rahul Kumar , Lal Milan Kumar , Kumar Ravinder , Chourasia Kumar Nishant , Naga Kailash Chandra , Kumar Dharmendra , Das Sourav Kumar , Zinta Gaurav
Published: December 2020

Drought stress imposes a serious threat to crop productivity and nutritional security. Drought adaptation mechanisms involve complex regulatory network comprising of various sensory and signaling molecules. In this context, melatonin has emerged as a potential signaling molecule playing a crucial role in imparting stress tolerance in plants. Melatonin pretreatment regulates various plant physiological processes such as osmoregulation, germination, photosynthesis, senescence, primary/secondary metabolism, and hormonal cross‐talk under water deficit conditions. Melatonin‐mediated regulation of ascorbate‐glutathione (AsA–GSH) cycle plays a crucial role to scavenge reactive oxygen species generated in the cells during drought. Here, in this review, the current knowledge on the role of melatonin to ameliorate adverse effects of drought by modulating morphological, physiological, and redox regulatory processes is discussed. The role of melatonin to improve water absorption capacity of roots by regulating aquaporin channels and hormonal cross‐talk involved in drought stress mitigation are also discussed. Overall, melatonin is a versatile bio‐molecule involved in growth promotion and yield enhancement under drought stress that makes it a suitable candidate for eco‐friendly crop production to ensure food security.
Chemical composition and reproductive functionality of contrasting faba bean genotypes in response to water deficit
Authors: Muktadir Md Abdul , Adhikari Kedar N. , Ahmad Nabil , Merchant Andrew
Published: December 2020

Water deficit (WD), a major contributor to yield reductions in faba bean (Vicia faba), is a complex phenomenon that varies across daily to seasonal cycles. Several studies have identified various morphological and physiological indicators of WD tolerance, which generally show limited water use during WD. Limited information is available on the impact of WD on nutrient content and reproductive biology of the faba bean. We studied carbohydrates, amino acids, mineral nutrients and the abundance of naturally occurring carbon isotopes (δ13C) in leaf and grain tissues of faba bean genotypes grown under well‐watered (WW) and WD conditions. δ13C of leaf tissues were found to indicate changes in water use due to WD but this was not reflected in grain tissues. Nutrient concentrations with regard to amino acids and minerals were not influenced by WD. However, carbohydrate accumulation was found to be significant for WD, specifically through the presence of a higher concentration of myo‐inositol in WD leaf tissues. Alternatively, sucrose concentration in grain tissues was reduced under WD treatment. WD hampered reproductive functionality by reducing pollen viability and germination with the severity and duration of stress and this reduction was less prominent in the drought‐tolerant genotype (AC0805#4912) compared to the sensitive one (11NF010c‐4). It was also demonstrated that WD caused developmental impairment in the stamen and pistil, where the pistil appeared more sensitive than stamen. These findings suggest that WD impairs pollen viability and pistil function reducing yield volume, but the nutrient content of the resulting yield is not significantly affected.
AR regulates porcine immature Sertoli cell growth via binding to RNF4 and miR‐124a
Authors: Yang Xinpeng , Feng Yue , Li Yang , Chen Dake , Xia Xuanyan , Li Jialian , Li Fenge
Published: December 2020

Contents

Sertoli cells are the only somatic cells in the seminiferous epithelium which directly contact with germ cells. Sertoli cells exhibit polarized alignment at the basal membrane of seminiferous tubules to maintain the microenvironment for growth and development of germ cells, and therefore play a crucial role in spermatogenesis. Androgens exert their action through androgen receptor (AR) and AR signalling in the testis is essential for maintenance of spermatogonial numbers, blood–testis barrier integrity, completion of meiosis, adhesion of spermatids and spermiation. In the present study, we demonstrated that AR gene could promote the proliferation of immature porcine Sertoli cells (ST cells) and the cell cycle procession, and accelerate the transition from G1 phase into S phase in ST cells. Meanwhile, miR‐124a could affect the proliferation and cell cycle procession of ST cells by targeting 3′‐UTR of AR gene. Furthermore, AR bound to the RNF4 via AR DNA‐binding domain (DBD) and we verified that RNF4 was necessary for AR to regulate the growth of ST cells. Above all, this study suggests that AR regulates ST cell growth via binding to RNF4 and miR‐124a, which may help us to further understand the function of AR in spermatogenesis.
Robust Estimation for Small Domains in Business Surveys
Authors: Smith Paul A. , Bocci Chiara , Tzavidis Nikos , Krieg Sabine , Smeets Marc J. E.
Published: December 2020

Small area (or small domain) estimation is still rarely applied in business statistics, because of challenges arising from the skewness and variability of variables such as turnover. We examine a range of small area estimation methods as the basis for estimating the activity of industries within the retail sector in the Netherlands. We use tax register data and a sampling procedure which replicates the sampling for the retail sector of Statistics Netherlands’ Structural Business Survey as a basis for investigating the properties of small area estimators. In particular, we consider the use of the empirical best linear unbiased predictor (EBLUP) under a random effects model and variations of the EBLUP derived under (a) a random effects model that includes a complex specification for the level 1 variance and (b) a random effects model that is fitted by using the survey weights. Although accounting for the survey weights in estimation is important, the impact of influential data points remains the main challenge in this case. The paper further explores the use of outlier robust estimators in business surveys, in particular a robust version of the EBLUP, M-regression-based synthetic estimators and M-quantile small area estimators. The latter family of small area estimators includes robust projective (without and with survey weights) and robust predictive versions. M-quantile methods have the lowest empirical mean squared error and are substantially better than direct estimators, although there is an open question about how to choose the tuning constant for bias adjustment in practice. The paper makes a further contribution by exploring a doubly robust approach comprising the use of survey weights in conjunction with outlier robust methods in small area estimation.
A New Broyden rank reduction method to solve large systems of nonlinear equations
Authors: Mostafa Ouarit , Souissi Ali , Ziani Mohamed
Published: December 2020

We propose a modification of limited memory Broyden methods, called dynamical Broyden rank reduction method, to solve high dimensional systems of nonlinear equations. Based on a thresholding process of singular values, the proposed method determines a priori the rank of the reduced update matrix. It significantly reduces the number of singular values decomposition calls of the update matrix during the iterations. Local superlinear convergence of the method is proved and some numerical examples are displayed.
Experimental Assessment of a Sliding-Blade Inside-Out Ceramic Turbine
Authors: Thibault D. , Dubois P. K. , Picard B. , Landry-Blais A. , Plante J.-S. , Picard M.
Published: December 2020

In order to reach 40% efficiency, sub-MW turbines must operate in a recuperated gas Brayton cycle at a turbine inlet temperature (TIT) above 1300 °C. Current sub-MW turbines have material-related operating temperature limits. Still to this day, there is no cost-effective rotor design which operates at such high temperatures. This paper introduces a novel, sliding-blade, inside-out ceramic turbine (ICT) wheel configuration, which could enable high-efficiency sub-MW recuperated engines to be achieved with cheap monolithic ceramic blades. The inside-out configuration uses a rotating structural hoop, or shroud, to convert centrifugal forces into compressive blade loading. The sliding-blade architecture uses a hub with angled planes on which ceramic blades slide up and down, allowing to match the radial expansion of the structural shroud. This configuration generates low stress values in both ceramic and metallic components and can achieve high tip speeds. A prototype is designed and its reliability is calculated using cares software. The result is a design which has a single blade probability of failure (Pf) of 0.1% for 1000 h of steady operation. Analyses also demonstrate that reliability is greatly dependent on friction at ceramic-to-metal interfaces. Low friction could lead to acceptable reliability levels for engine applications. The prototype was successfully tested in a laboratory turbine environment at a tip speed of 350 m/s and a TIT of 1100 °C without any damage. These achievements demonstrate the robustness of the sliding-blade ICT configuration. Further research and development will focus on increasing tip speed and TIT to higher values.
Accuracy limitations for composition analysis by XPS using relative peak intensities: LiF as an example
Authors: Brundle Christopher Richard , Crist Bruce Vincent , Bagus Paul S.
Published: December 2020

Although precision in XPS can be excellent, allowing small changes to be easily observed, obtaining an accurate absolute elemental composition of a solid material from relative peak intensities is generally much more problematical, involving many factors such as background removal, differing analysis depths at different photoelectron kinetic energies, possible angular distribution effects, calibration of the instrument transmission function, and variations in the distribution of photoelectron intensity between “main” peaks (those usually used for analysis) and associated substructure following the main peak, as a function of the chemical bonding of the elements concerned. The last item, coupled with the use of photoionization cross sections and/or relative sensitivity factors (RSFs), is the major subject of this paper, though it is necessary to consider the other items also, using LiF as a test case. The results show that the above issues, which are relevant to differing degrees in most XPS analyses, present significant challenges to highly accurate XPS quantification. LiF, using the Li1s and F1s XPS peaks, appears, at first sight, to be an ideal case for high accuracy. Only 1s core levels are involved, removing any possible angular effects, and it is a wide bandgap material, resulting in the main Li1s and F1s peaks being well separated from the following scattered electron backgrounds. There are, however, two serious complications: (1) the main F1s and F2s levels have a major loss of intensity diverted into satellite substructure spread over ∼100 eV KE from the main line, whereas the Li1s level has very much less diversion of intensity; (2) there is serious overlap of the substructure from F2s (∼30 eV BE) with the main line of Li1s at ∼56 eV. We report here a detailed analysis of the LiF XPS, plus a supporting theory analysis of losses of intensity from Li1s and F1s to satellite structure, based on the cluster models of LiF. We conclude that, if the overlap from the F2s substructure is correctly subtracted from Li1s, and the intensity from satellites for F1s and Li1s properly estimated, the atomic composition of the single crystal LIF may be recovered to within 5%, using the photoionization cross sections of Scofield, inelastic mean free path lengths based on Tanuma, Powell, and Penn, and the calibrated instrument transmission function. This refutes the claim by Wagner et al., based on their empirical determination of RSFs, (which applied only to the instruments and the analysis procedure they used, in 1981) that Scofield values are too low in general and, for Li1s in particular, are low by a factor of ∼2. This is important because Wagner-based RSFs (sometimes modified and sometimes not) are still embedded in quantification software on modern commercial instruments, and so analysts need to be aware of how those RSFs were obtained/modified. Incorrect use can lead to large quantification errors.
Environmental parameters sensitivity analysis for the modeling of wind turbine noise in downwind conditions
Authors: Kayser Bill , Cotté Benjamin , Ecotière David , Gauvreau Benoit
Published: December 2020

Modeling a wind turbine sound field involves taking into account the main aeroacoustic sources that are generally dominant for modern wind turbines, as well as environmental phenomena such as atmospheric conditions and ground properties that are variable in both time and space. A crucial step to obtain reliable predictions is to estimate the relative influence of environmental parameters on acoustic emission and propagation, in order to determine the parameters that induce the greatest variability on sound pressure level. Thus, this study proposes a Morris sensitivity analysis of a wind turbine noise emission model combined with a sound propagation model in downwind conditions. The emission model is based on Amiet's theory and propagation effects are modeled by the wide-angle parabolic equation. The whole simulation takes into account ground effects (absorption through acoustic impedance and scattering through surface roughness) and micrometeorological effects (mean refraction through the vertical gradient of effective sound speed). The final results show that the parameters involved in atmospheric refraction and in ground absorption have a significant influence on sound pressure level. On the other hand, in the context of this study the relative air humidity and the ground roughness parameters appear to be negligible on sound pressure level sensitivity.
Evaluation of Overhand Throwing Among College Students With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Todd Teri A. , Ahrold Keely , Jarvis Danielle N. , Mache Melissa A.
Published: December 2020

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) typically demonstrate deficits in gross motor skills such as the overhand throw. It has not been determined whether such deficits persist into adulthood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the kinematics and developmental level of overhand throws among young adults with and without ASD. Three-dimensional motion-capture data were collected during overhand throwing trials performed by 20 college students (10 students with ASD). Individuals with ASD demonstrated similar throw duration, stride length, and step width but a longer acceleration phase and slower ball velocity than individuals without ASD. Young adults with ASD also performed the overhand throw with less developmental proficiency than those without ASD. Specifically, individuals with ASD exhibited developmental deficits in the backswing and composite throwing score. Motor skill interventions for individuals with ASD should address throwing skills, with a particular focus on the preparatory phase of the overhand throw.
Atmospheric circulation over Europe during the Younger Dryas
Authors: Rea Brice R. , Pellitero Ramón , Spagnolo Matteo , Hughes Philip , Ivy-Ochs Susan , Renssen Hans , Ribolini Adriano , Bakke Jostein , Lukas Sven , Braithwaite Roger J.
Published: December 2020

Reconstructed palaeoprecipitation reveals a persistent SCAND-like circulation and southerly storm track during the Younger Dryas.
CD4
+
T cell activation and concomitant mTOR metabolic inhibition can ablate microbiota-specific memory cells and prevent colitis
Authors: Zhao Qing , Duck Lennard W. , Huang Fengyuan , Alexander Katie L. , Maynard Craig L. , Mannon Peter J. , Elson Charles O.
Published: December 2020

Activation by multi-epitope peptide plus mTOR inhibition depletes flagellin-reactive CD4
+
T cells and prevents intestinal inflammation.
A Novel Antidipteran Bacillus thuringiensis Strain: Unusual Cry Toxin Genes in a Highly Dynamic Plasmid Environment
Authors: Fayad Nancy , Kambris Zakaria , El Chamy Laure , Mahillon Jacques , Kallassy Awad Mireille
Published: December 2020

Bacillus thuringiensis
, a soil entomopathogenic bacterium, is at the base of many sustainable eco-friendly bioinsecticides. Hence stems the need to continually characterize insecticidal toxins.
Optic nerve sheath diameter changes at high altitude and in acute mountain sickness: meta-regression analyses
Authors: Tsai Tou-Yuan , Gozari George , Su Yung-Cheng , Lee Yi-Kung , Tu Yu-Kang
Published: December 2020

Background/aims

To assess changes in optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) at high altitude and in acute mountain sickness (AMS).

Methods

Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched for articles published from their inception to 31st of July 2020. Outcome measures were mean changes of ONSD at high altitude and difference in ONSD change between subjects with and without AMS. Meta-regressions were conducted to investigate the relation of ONSD change to altitude and time spent at that altitude.

Results

Eight studies with 248 participants comparing ONSD from sea level to high altitude, and five studies with 454 participants comparing subjects with or without AMS, were included. ONSD increased by 0.14 mm per 1000 m after adjustment for time (95% CI: 0.10 to 0.18; p<0.01). Restricted cubic spline regression revealed an almost linear relation between ONSD change and time within 2 days. ONSD was greater in subjects with AMS (mean difference=0.47; 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.80; p=0.01; I2=89.4%).

Conclusion

Our analysis shows that ONSD changes correlate with altitude and tend to increase in subjects with AMS. Small study number and high heterogeneity are the limitations of our study. Further large prospective studies are required to verify our findings.
Inactivated trivalent influenza vaccination is associated with lower mortality among patients with COVID-19 in Brazil
Authors: Fink Günther , Orlova-Fink Nina , Schindler Tobias , Grisi Sandra , Ferrer Ana Paula S , Daubenberger Claudia , Brentani Alexandra
Published: December 2020

Objective

To estimate associations between trivalent influenza vaccination and COVID-19 mortality as well as severe clinical outcomes among hospitalised patients.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

This study was conducted among hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in Brazil.

Participants

We analysed all hospitalised patients with COVID-19 with available vaccination information captured in Brazil’s national electronic respiratory infection data system between 1 January 2020 and 23 June 2020.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcomes were age-specific mortality rates of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 with and without recent inactivated trivalent influenza vaccination.

Results

A total of 53 752 clinically confirmed COVID-19 cases were analysed. Controlling for health facility of treatment, comorbidities as well as an extensive range of sociodemographic factors, patients who received a recent influenza vaccine experienced on average 7% lower odds of needing intensive care treatment (95% CI 0.87 to 0.98), 17% lower odds of requiring invasive respiratory support (95% CI 0.77 to 0.88) and 16% lower odds of death (95% CI 0.78 to 0.90). Protective effects were larger when the vaccine was administered after onset of symptoms as well as among younger patients.

Conclusion

Patients with COVID-19 with recent inactivated influenza vaccination experience significantly better health outcomes than non-vaccinated patients in Brazil. Beneficial off-target effects of influenza vaccination through trained innate immune responses seem plausible and need to be further explored. Large-scale promotion of influenza vaccines seems advisable, especially in populations at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease progression.
Comparison of health service use and costs in stroke with and without comorbidities: a cross-sectional analysis using China urban medical claims data
Authors: Ding Ruoxi , Zhu Dawei , Ma Yong , Shi Xuefeng , He Ping
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability in China, but there is scare of evidence on whether and to what extent comorbidity affects the stroke-related costs in health system. We examined the association between comorbidity and stroke-related health service utilisation and costs in urban China.

Settings

The data used in this study were extracted by a 5% random sampling from claims data of China Urban Employees’ Basic Medical Insurance and Urban Residents’ Basic Medical Insurance from 2013 to 2016, which covered more than 93% of residents in urban China. The data included 89 cities and contained beneficiaries’ demographic information, medical diagnoses and expenditures of outpatient and inpatients services.

Participants

382 906 patients with stroke were identified as the study population in this study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The information on health service utilisation and cost was extracted based on the condition that stroke was claimed as the index disease.

Results

Among 382 906 patients with stroke, 41.0% had a comorbidity. The estimated number of annual outpatient visits among patients with 0, 1, 2 and 3 or more comorbidities were 1.97, 2.30, 2.34 and 2.37, respectively. The annual outpatient expenditure increased from 762.4 (95% CI 746.9 to 777.8) RMB among patients without any comorbidities to 1156.4 (1132.7 to 1180.2) RMB among patients with three or more comorbidities. The increased utilisation and costs among patients with comorbidity were also observed for inpatient services. Stroke-related services utilisation and costs were significantly increased among patients who comorbid conditions like hypertension or chronic pulmonary diseases.

Conclusion

Comorbidity among patients with stroke was associated with increased healthcare utilisation and cost. It poses an extra substantial healthcare burden in China. Our study provides information for both clinical management and health service planning and financing for patients with stroke.