bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Language, Sexuality, History
Authors: Leap William L.
Published: July 2020

Discussions of language and sexuality within history typically aim to produce a chronology tracing how language use related to sexuality at some previous time became language use related to sexuality in more recent settings. But there are “far more possibilities for living than time as measurement would lead us to believe” (Dinshaw 2012: 137), and historical inquiry needs to capture those possibilities. This chapter proposes that a queer historical linguistics offers a useful framework for exploring those possibilities. Applying “scavenger methodology” to examples from an ongoing project (Leap 2020), the chapter explores relationships between language and sexuality in the years preceding the so-called Stonewall rebellion (late June 1969).
Diasporic Sexual Citizenship: Queer Language, (Im)Possible Subjects, and Transfiliation
Authors: Provencher Denis M. , Peterson David
Published: July 2020

This chapter reviews scholarship on queer language in the diaspora through the lens of flexible accumulation and neoliberal citizenship. The relevance of these ideas to queer linguistic data is illustrated through an analysis of ethnographic fieldwork with 2Fik (pronounced “Toufik”), a French citizen of Moroccan descent and multidisciplinary artist living in Québec, Canada. Queer diasporic speakers like 2Fik stake claims of belonging to multiple spatiotemporalities, drawing on new intersectional possibilities involving families of origin, various local communities, and still wider diasporic terrains—for example, the Maghrebi homeland(s), French society and Francophone global cities, and the broader global and often queer North Atlantic. Yet the use of flexible language(s) associated with “queer diasporic citizenship” differs from previous examples in the extant scholarship. 2Fik’s use of performance and virtual-mediated spaces questions the response to his invitations to participate in a diasporic citizenry, highlighting elements of hypersubjectivity, dis-identification, transgressive filiation (transfiliation), and dissidence.
The Politics of Energy Regionalism
Authors: Hancock Kathleen J. , Palestini Stefano , Szulecki Kacper
Published: July 2020

States have increasingly become linked through regional energy-related institutions, markets, infrastructure, and politics. ASEAN, EU, SADC, ECOWAS, Eurasian Union, NAFTA, and UNASUR, inter alia, have formal agreements and institutions covering energy. Renewable, nuclear, and fossil fuel energy sources, as well as pipelines and electricity grids, are all covered in the variety of regional formal and informal arrangements. In parallel, the scholarly body of literature on comparative regionalism is expanding, but generally without energy as a focus area. In a systematic review of eighty-six international relations and politics journals, this chapter finds fifty-two articles over a seventeen-year period linking regions and energy. While scholars are giving more attention to the empirics of energy regionalism, research now needs to turn to more systematic theory building along with comparisons between regions and across energy sources and infrastructure types. The chapter concludes with recommendations for a research agenda that focuses on three sets of questions about drivers, institutional design, and effects.
The Accuracy of Personality Trait Judgments
Authors: Spain Jana S.
Published: July 2020

How accurately can we judge the personality traits of ourselves and others? What are the factors that influence our ability to make correct judgments? How can we use this information to improve our social interactions and relationships? In this introduction to the Oxford Handbook of Accurate Personality Judgment, the reader is introduced to the study of personality trait accuracy. Foundations of this research are reviewed and an overview of the volume is provided. Chapters explore current judgment models and review empirical work on moderators of accuracy, including characteristics of judges, targets, traits, and information. They explain the challenges encountered when judging different types of targets and examine how different kinds of information contribute to the judgment process. The applications and implications of this work for relationships, workplace interactions, and evaluations of psychological health and functioning are discussed. Ways to improve accuracy and future directions for research on trait accuracy are offered.
The Phenomenal Unity of Consciousness
Authors: Masrour Farid
Published: July 2020

Philosophical interest in unity of consciousness goes back at least to Kant. A recent revival of interest among analytic philosophers of mind focuses on unity of consciousness, construed as phenomenal unity. This chapter will survey some of the issues and questions that have been central to this recent work before sketching an alternative to what may be seen as a dominant, though implicit, tendency in the recent literature on unity: to formulate the idea that phenomenal unity is a natural feature of consciousness in terms of what the chapter will term the Unity Thesis. According to this thesis, all synchronous experiences of a conscious subject at a moment are phenomenally unified with each other. The chapter then rebuts another trend in recent literature: the tendency to understand phenomenal unity as obtaining in virtue of a type of oneness or singularity. The chapter advances an alternative that sees phenomenal unity as obtaining in virtue of connectivity conditions over relations among phenomenal experiences.
Temporal Consciousness
Authors: Chuard Philippe
Published: July 2020

The temporal aspects of experience raise three related questions, central to our understanding of temporal consciousness: how do sensory experiences carry information about, or make us aware of, some of the temporal features of perceived events (if at all)—in what format, by what mechanisms?; do the temporal properties of conscious experiences—including the arrangement of their temporal parts—play any role in how these experiences present or represent the temporal properties of perceived events?; how does such temporal representation manifest itself in the phenomenology of the relevant experiences? Most theories of temporal consciousness can be divided in terms of how they treat these questions. This chapter begins with a brief sketch of the main theories currently on the market and some of their background assumptions; it then moves to a—also brief—critical review of some of the arguments at the centre of the dispute.
Trade Unions, Labour, and Politics in Zimbabwe since the Late 1990s
Authors: Raftopoulos Brian
Published: July 2020

In the context of the deepening economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe from the late 1990s, the labour movement emerged as a key focus of both opposition mobilization and state repression. In the political narratives that emerged, the labour movement was caught between conflicting positions. On the one hand, the authoritarian nationalist and selective redistribution politics of the ruling party cast the movement as an agent of ‘regime change’. On the other, and in addition to its desire for a more equitable social contract on the economy, the labour movement cast itself as in pursuit of its long-held goals of political autonomy, civic participation, human rights, and broader democratic accountability of the state. In its pursuit of these goals, the trade unions faced major hurdles. These included persistent state coercion, the decimation of their membership pursuant to the rapid informalization of the economy from the early 2000s, the depletion of funding, internal divisions, and questions around their continued relevance as workers lost confidence in a predictable vision of the future. As in much of the global economy, trade unions in Zimbabwe had to confront the growing indeterminacy of their organizational future. These questions remain a central challenge for one of the great organizational legacies of the anti-colonial struggles.
Feminist archaeologies and gender studies
Authors: Fries Jana Esther , Gutsmiedl-Schümann Doris
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses the influence of feminist theories on theory construction, self-conception, and the public perception of archaeology and its various sub-disciplines. The theoretical foundations of gender archaeology are also considered. As there are many feminist theories as well as archaeologies, the chapter also summarizes what can be described as broad sets of overlaps, and to an extent simplifies the variety of different points of view. Feminist criticism as well as new questions, models, and methods based on it reached archaeology in the 1980s, later than the other humanities. Initial efforts could be classified as women’s studies that mostly aimed to balance a male-biased view of the past by adding a female view to it. Since the 1990s, the term ‘gender’ with its various aspects is the focus of discussion. The number, convertibility, and history of genders are also important topics. In addition, feminist archaeology focuses on archaeology’s own institutions, their social rules, their language, and their image, which are also linked to the gender expectations of the surrounding society. These aspects are also connected to the way images of the past are presented to the public, and which effects they have on gender discourses.
Perspective: Science policy through public engagement
Authors: Loureiro Rafael , Markovitch Omer , Riley Crystal S , Cleaves H James , Mogoșanu I Haritina , Paulino-Lima Ivan G , Marlow Jeffrey J , Som Sanjoy M
Published: July 2020

While tensions may lie between science and policy, we argue that dissemination and public engagement are key in alleviating those perceived tensions. Science being valued by society results in fact-based policy-making being demanded by constituents. Constituents’ demands will yield representatives who are familiar with the scientific process and research to inform policy decisions.
RETINAL VASCULITIS, A COMMON MANIFESTATION OF IDIOPATHIC PEDIATRIC UVEITIS?
Authors: Yang Peizeng , Zhong Zhenyu , Su Guannan , Ye Xingsheng , Tan Shiyao , Li Fuzhen , Du Liping , Zhou Chunjiang , Cao Qingfeng , Wang Yao , Kijlstra Aize
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

Pediatric idiopathic uveitis typically shows anterior segment involvement. Whether retinal vasculitis is an important manifestation of this disease remains unknown and was therefore the subject of this study.

Methods:

This study was performed involving patients with pediatric idiopathic uveitis. Fundus fluorescein angiography was used to assess the presence of retinal vasculitis.

Results:

A total of 1,867 patients with pediatric uveitis were seen between December 2008 and January 2018, of whom 1,364 had undergone fundus fluorescein angiography examination. Idiopathic uveitis was the most common entity, accounting for 81.2%. Among these patients with idiopathic uveitis, 79.6% had retinal vasculitis in at least one eye. After 1-year treatment with oral prednisone mostly combined with cyclosporine, 76.3% patients in the retinal vasculitis group achieved control of their ocular inflammation, which was significantly lower as compared with 85.1% in those without (P = 0.008). Retinal vasculitis was an independent predictor for a lower probability of inflammation control after 1-year treatment. Visual function (best-corrected visual acuity > 20/25 in the better seeing eye) was worse in the retinal vasculitis group than in the control group after 5 years.

Conclusion:

Almost 80% of patients with pediatric idiopathic uveitis show manifestations of retinal vasculitis, which is associated with a lower probability of inflammation control resulting in a worse visual prognosis.
Modified Need for Trauma Intervention Criteria Reduces Cribari Trauma Overtriage Rate
Authors: Harrell Kevin N. , Spain Stephanie J. , Whiteaker Kayla A. , Poulson Jana L. , Barker Donald E.
Published: July 2020

Introduction:

The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-CoT) sets standards for appropriate trauma activation criteria. Overtriage and undertriage rates are traditionally determined by the Cribari matrix using the Injury Severity Score (ISS). In 2016, the Need for Trauma Intervention (NFTI) criteria were developed by Baylor University Medical Center to overcome weaknesses in the Cribari matrix methodology.

Methods:

A retrospective review of trauma triage rates was conducted from March 2018 to February 2019. Overtriage rates were calculated using the Cribari matrix and then further evaluated using modified NFTI (MNFTI) criteria. Overtriaged patients meeting MNFTI criteria were considered appropriately triaged and deleted from the overtriage category, and adjusted triage rates were determined. Demographic, injury, and outcome data were compared between MNFTI-positive and MNFTI-negative groups. A logistic regression analysis was performed to assess for predictors of patient mortality.

Results:

Using the Cribari matrix, 248 patients were identified as overtriaged. Of these, 133 (53.6%) were found to meet MNFTI criteria. The average monthly overtriage rate was reduced from 55% using the Cribari matrix to 26% after applying the MNFTI criteria. Within the Cribari overtriage patient group, MNFTI-positive patients had significantly longer hospital length of stay (LOS) (3.7 vs. 6.0 days, p = .016), intensive care unit LOS (1.2 vs. 4.2 days, p < .001), and ventilator days (0.6 vs. 1.6 days, p = .002) than MNFTI-negative patients. A multivariable logistic regression analysis found that meeting any of the MNFTI criteria significantly increased the odds of mortality (OR = 10.38; 95% CI [3.87, 27.84], p < .001).

Conclusions:

Discharge ISS may not accurately reflect the patient's acuity on presentation. Applying MNFTI criteria to the Cribari matrix improved overtriage rates and may more accurately reflect need for full trauma team activation. Patients meeting MNFTI criteria had worse outcomes overall and had a 10-fold increase in the odds of mortality.
Effect of myrtol on chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Liu Liyun , Li Shuiqin , Wu Yongcan , Wang Xiaomin , Huang Demei , Pei Caixia , Wang Fei , Wang Zhenxing
Published: July 2020

Background:

The key to the management of chronic obstructive (CB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is to control symptoms of the disease and to prevent deterioration in the health of affected patients. Myrtol has been proved to be effective in treating the symptoms of patients with CB and COPD and preventing the deterioration in their health. However, there has been no systematic review of the efficacy and safety of myrtol in the treatment of CB or COPD. The purpose of this study is going to evaluate the effects of myrtol on the management of CB or COPD based on randomized controlled trials.

Methods:

Electronic literature and other ongoing studies will be searched before November 31, 2019. Randomized controlled trials that report the use of myrtol in the treatment of CB or COPD (in the absence and presence of concurrent treatments) will be selected for inclusion regardless of language. Primary outcomes will include cumulative numbers of exacerbation events and the number of days of disability including days in bed, days off work due to breathing complications, and days on which the participant was unable to undertake normal activities due to breathing complications. Study selection, data extraction, and deviation the derivation risk assessment will be carried out by 2 independent investigators. Meta-analysis will be carried out by the RevMan5.3 software.

Results:

The study will provide summary results for estimating the efficacy and safety of myrtol for future treatments of CB or COPD.

Conclusions:

This systematic review will determine if myrtol is an effective and a safe intervention on the symptoms and the prevention of exacerbation of CB or COPD.

Ethics and dissemination:

Ethical approval will not be required for this study because no identifying patient data will be used. The review will be published as an article or a conference presentation in a peer-reviewed journal.

Registration:

OSF registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/PXRBV
Coping strategies adopted by Iranian families of children with Down syndrome
Authors: Gashmard Roqayeh , Ahmadi Fazlollah , Kermanshahi Sima Mohammad Khan
Published: July 2020

Down syndrome (DS) is the leading cause of intellectual disability. Previous quantitative studies have examined the effects of DS on families of children with DS. This study explored the coping strategies adopted by the families of children with DS. This was a qualitative content analysis study, in which the participants were selected using purposive sampling from the families of children with DS. Semi-structured interviews were performed and collected data were analyzed. A total of 20 family members (10 mothers, 6 fathers, 2 brothers, and 2 sisters) were interviewed. Six categories were extracted in this study, namely “searching for information,” “paying attention to children's healthcare needs,” “concentration on spirituality,” “teaching socially appropriate behavioral skills,” “efforts to increase self-reliance in children,” and “development of family support circle.” The participating families were able to use positive adaptive mechanisms and cope well with the problems associated with having a child with DS. However, they still needed more support from healthcare providers and support organizations. Receiving more support from healthcare providers, such as nurses, can help them in better management of their children.
Retrograde recanalization of native right coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO) through left coronary artery CTO after bypass graft failure
Authors: Qin Qing , Ma Jianying , Ge Junbo
Published: July 2020

Rationale:

With the development and standardization of modern chronic total occlusions (CTOs) recanalization technique, percutaneous coronary intervention has become a promising treatment alternative to surgery after bypass graft failure. Treatment of a native coronary CTO lesion is preferable to treatment of a saphenous vein graft (SVG) CTO supplying the same territory; however, technical expertise is required.

Patient concerns:

This is a 69-year-old male with prior history of coronary artery bypass grafting presented with severe dyspnea at mild exertion (NYHA III) of 2 months duration.

Diagnosis:

The patient was diagnosed as heart failure caused by ischemia after SVG failure (SVG to right coronary artery) according to electrocardiogram, plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels, and coronary angiogram.

Interventions:

We recanalized native right coronary artery CTO by retrograde approach using septal collaterals by surfing technique after recanalization of totally occluded left coronary artery.

Outcomes:

Dyspnea was relieved at discharge. At 6-month follow-up, the patient had no recurrence of dyspnea.

Lessons:

In case of SVG failure, percutaneous coronary intervention of native vessel should be considered as a treatment option. Retrograde approach through native vessel is safe but has requirements for operators’ volume, skill, and experience.
A novel surgical approach for en-bloc resection laparoscopic total pancreatectomy
Authors: Cai Yunqiang , Gao Pan , Peng Bing
Published: July 2020

Laparoscopic total pancreatectomy (LTP) is technical challenging and rarely reported in the literature. Herein, we introduced a safe and feasible approach to perform LTP basing on our own experience.

Over the period of July 2015 to August 2018, we performed 13 cases of LTP at our institution. Demographic characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative variables, and follow-up outcomes were prospectively collected. The surgical procedures were also described in this study.

Seven male and six female patients were included in this study. The median age of the patients was 51 years (range 29–79 years). The median operative time was 355 minutes (range 300–470 minutes). The median estimated blood loss was 200 mL (range 50–1000 mL). The median postoperative hospital stay was 17 days (range 12–23 days). One patient suffered from bile leakage and another patient suffered from delayed gastric emptying. Both patients cured with conservative therapy.

Laparoscopic total pancreatectomy can be safely and feasibly performed in well-selected patients.
The level of GNE and its relationship with behavioral phenotypes in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Yang Xiaolei , Li Hongjie , Ge Jie , Chao Hong , Li Gang , Zhou Zhongguang , Liu Jicheng
Published: July 2020

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a serious nervous system disease, and the cause is not known. Sialic acid (SA) is an indispensable nutrient for early brain development. In previous study, it was found that the SA level of ASD group was lower than that of control group. However, the reason for this has not well explained. A case-control study was conducted to understand the association between the SA synthase enzyme regulatory gene and ASD. The study sample included 65 ASD children and 64 healthy children. The levels of the GNE gene were measured, which encodes UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase/ManNAc kinase (GNE), a key enzyme in SA biosynthesis. The symptom severity, intelligence development level, and behavioral performance of ASD children were estimated. There was a significant difference in the levels of GNE between the ASD and control groups (t = 2.028, P = .045). Moreover, the levels of GNE were negatively related to stereotypical behaviors according to the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) assessment (r = −0.386, P = .039). However, there is no the correlation between the levels of GNE and autistic severity. As evaluated through the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), the levels of GNE were negatively associated with autistic mannerisms scores, social cognition scores and SRS total scores in the children with ASD (r = −0.314, P = .020). These results indicate that the GNE gene may be associated with autism spectrum disorder, and it is also related to autistic behavioral performance, such as stereotypical behaviors, autistic mannerisms, and social cognition ability. Our data suggest that future studies to explore the causal relationship between GNE and the etiology of ASD may be needed.
Assessment of pain and structure after an intra-articular injection of adalimumab in osteoarthritis of the knee
Authors: Vasudeva Abhimanyu , Yadav Shiv Lal , Nanda Srishti , Sahu Samantak
Published: July 2020

Introduction:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) mediated inflammation has been implicated, in knee osteoarthritis, despite being a predominantly degenerative condition.

Patient Concerns:

A 56-year old female, a case of left knee pain not responding to conventional conservative strategies.

Diagnosis:

A diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis of the left knee, grade 3 osteoarthritis as per the Kellgren-Lawrence Scale was established.

Interventions:

She was administered an intra-articular injection of 10 mg of Adalimumab, a commonly used anti-TNF agent.

Outcomes:

The patient was evaluated at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and at 6 months. There was a marked improvement in pain intensity (visual analog scale) and quality of life, despite no objective change on the parameters seen on ultrasound of the knee.

Conclusion:

Injection of adalimumab via the intra-articular route into the knee joint in primary osteoarthritis yields promising results.
Reliability of digital PCR in detecting KRAS mutation in colorectal cancer using plasma sample
Authors: Ye Peng , Cai Peiling , Xie Jing , Zhang Jie
Published: July 2020

Background:

Test on the KRAS somatic mutation status is necessary before cetuximab and panitumumab treatments are given to colorectal cancer patients. Metastatic colorectal cancer patients sometimes lack tumor tissue samples, and the testing of KRAS mutation in plasma samples requires highly sensitive methods.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of digital PCR in detecting KRAS mutation in plasma samples of colorectal cancer patients.

Data sources:

Literature research was conducted in Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library.

Study eligibility criteria, participants, and interventions:

Database searching found 188 relevant studies. After removing duplicates, eligible studies were selected from 151 publications using the following exclusion criteria:

Study appraisal and synthesis methods:

Data were extracted from the eligible studies by 2 independent researchers. Pooled accuracy parameters were calculated from those extracted data using Meta-DiSc and STATA software.

Results:

Twelve eligible studies were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis. After calculation, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.83 (95% CI: 0.79–0.86) and 0.91 (95%CI: 0.88–0.93), respectively. Pooled positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio were 7.30 (95%CI: 4.78–11.17), 0.22 (95%CI: 0.15–0.32), and 41.00 (95%CI: 21.07–79.78), respectively. Area under curve of the summarized ROC curve was 0.9322.

Limitations:

Although no significant bias was identified, number of included studies was still quite small, especially in subgroup analysis.

Conclusions and implication of key findings:

Digital PCR showed high accuracy and could be a reliable detection method for KRAS mutation in plasma samples. Large-cohort prospective study is required to further confirm the usefulness of digital PCR in KRAS mutation detection.
The association between sleep duration and prostate cancer
Authors: Liu Ranlu , Wu Shangrong , Zhang Baoling , Guo Mingyu , Zhang Yang
Published: July 2020

The association between sleep duration and prostate cancer (PCa) risk is still unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore if sleep duration is associated with PCa in men.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in November 2019 based on the Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. After extracting the data, the random effects model was used to calculate the pooled Risk Ratio (RR) and it's 95% confidence interval (CI) to represent the correlation between sleep duration and PCa risk.

Overall, we included 6 studies in our meta-analysis. Our pooled results showed that neither short sleep (RR = 0.99; 95%CI:0.91-1.07, P = .74) nor long sleep (RR = 0.88; 95%CI:0.75-1.04, P = .15) was associated with the risk of PCa.

Sleep duration has no significant effect on PCa risk. Long sleep may have a potential protective effect on PCa incidence.
Neurodevelopmental delay according to severity of deformational plagiocephaly in children
Authors: Kim Dong Han , Kwon Dong Rak
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of neurodevelopmental delay among deformational plagiocephaly (DP) children, and to confirm relationship between neurodevelopmental delay and severity of DP.

This study is retrospective study. Five hundred thirteen children who visited for abnormal head shape through outpatient department were recruited. To identify the children with neurodevelopmental delay among the 513 children with DP, Denver Development Screening Test (DDST) was performed in 38 children who suspected of neurodevelopmental delay. Cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) was measured by using caliper, and cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) was calculated. Thirty eight children with DP who conducted DDST were divided into 2 groups according to the degree of CVA; group 1 included 21 children with CVA under 10 mm, and group 2 included 17 children with CVA over 10 mm.

There was a significant difference in number of neurodevelopmental delay between group 1 (n = 7) and group 2 (n = 14) (P < .05). Mean grade of DP, CVA, and CVAI (1.76 ± 0.44, 5.90 ± 2.21 mm, 4.20 ± 1.51%) in group 1 was smaller than that in group 2 (3.41 ± 0.8, 12.71 ± 3.22 mm, 8.83 ± 2.18%), respectively (P < .05).

Our results found that the frequency of developmental delay was significantly increased in children with CVA more than 10 mm. Doctors who take care of children with DP had better keep developmental delays in mild.
Cervus and cucumis peptides combined umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells therapy for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Qi Tao , Gao Hongxiang , Dang Yazheng , Huang Shigao , Peng Minfei
Published: July 2020

Cervus and cucumis peptides (Lugua polypeptides, LG) are traditional Chinese medicine, which are active components of polypeptide extracted from Sika deer bone and melon seed, and they contain bone induced polypeptide biological factors. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell, (UC-MSC) have tissue repair multiple effects, anti-inflammatory, and immune regulation function, which become a very promising start in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. Hence, LG combined UC-MSC can significantly enhance the UC-MSC treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

To explore the clinical curative effect and therapeutic mechanism of LG combined UC-MSC for treating RA.

119 patients were divided into control and treatment groups, and both groups were treated with methotrexate tablets, leflunomide, and UC-MSC. But, LG were added to the treatment group. In vitro, the effects of LG on UC-MSC cell secretion of anti-inflammatory factors were also performed.

The Health Assessment Questionnaire; the 28 joint disease activity score; C reactive protein; the erythrocyte sedimentation rate; rheumatoid factor; and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody were significantly reduced in treatment group 1 year after treatment (P < .05). In vitro, compared with the control group, the number of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), the secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 protein (TSG6) increased significantly (P < .05).

LG combined UC-MSCs can significantly improve the curative effect of RA patients, while LG may reduce inflammatory cytokines, regulate immunity, improve microcirculation, and are conducive to UC-MSCs migration and the repair of damaged tissue.
Tuina (massage) therapy for diarrhea in COVID-19
Authors: Zhou Ke-Lin , Dong Shuo , Fu Guo-Bing , Cui Shu-Sheng , Guo Sheng
Published: July 2020

Background:

In the beginning of December 2019, the novel coronavirus pneumonia was first detected in Wuhan, China. Its widespread infectivity and strong pathogenicity has posed a great threat to public health, seriously affecting social production and life. Accumulating evidence suggests that gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, are common among patients with COVID-19. Tuina (massage) therapy is 1 of the widely employed complementary and alternative medicine interventions in the world. It can act on the subcutaneous muscular layer, enhance the local blood circulation and tissue metabolism of the skin, thus exert its effects on digestive systems and alleviate aversive diarrhea symptoms. This systematic review and meta-analysis will summarize the current evidence of tuina (massage) used as an intervention for diarrhea symptoms in COVID-19.

Methods:

We will search the following electronic databases for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy in treating exercise-induced fatigue: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and Pubmed Database, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Excerpta Medica database and MEDLINE. Each database will be searched from inception to June 2020. The entire process will include study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment and meta-analyses.

Results:

This proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for diarrhea symptoms in COVID-19 patients. The outcomes will include the improvement of diarrhea symptoms and adverse effect.

Conclusions:

This proposed systematic review will evaluate the existing evidence on the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for diarrhea symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

Dissemination and ethics: The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. Because all of the data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis has been published, this review does not require ethical approval. Furthermore, all data will be analyzed anonymously during the review process.
Process-Oriented In Situ Simulation Is a Valuable Tool to Rapidly Ensure Operating Room Preparedness for COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Lie Sui An , Wong Loong Tat , Chee Marianne , Chong Shin Yuet
Published: July 2020

Summary Statement

Process-oriented in situ simulation has been gaining widespread acceptance in the evaluation of the safety of new healthcare teams and facilities. In this article, we highlight learning points from our proactive use of in situ simulation as part of plan-do-study-act cycles to ensure operating room facility preparedness for COVID-19 outbreak. We found in situ simulation to be a valuable tool in disease outbreak preparedness, allowing us to ensure proper use of personal protective equipment and protocol adherence, and to identify latent safety threats and novel problems that were not apparent in the initial planning stage. Through this, we could refine our workflow and operating room setup to provide timely surgical interventions for potential COVID-19 patients in our hospital while keeping our staff and patients safe. Running a simulation may be time and resource intensive, but it is a small price to pay if it can help prevent disease spread in an outbreak.
Meta-analysis of Ginkgo biloba Preparation for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Liao Ziwei , Cheng Liping , Li Xiaoxue , Zhang Miaomiao , Wang Sha , Huo Ruimin
Published: July 2020

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Ginkgo biloba preparation for the treatment of Alzheimer disease (AD).

Methods

Both English (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register) and Chinese (WanFang, Chinese Biomedical, CNKI, and VIP databases) databases were systematically and independently searched by 2 authors from their inception until July 3, 2019. All relevant studies included AD patients who were treated with Ginkgo biloba. The efficacy and safety of the medicine were used as the main measurement index.

Results

Seven studies (N = 939) were identified and analyzed. When compared with placebo, Ginkgo biloba showed exact validity in cognitive function and global clinical assessment (cognitive function section: risk ratio = 1.98, 95% confidence interval = 1.52–2.59, Z = 5.12, P < 0.001; according to Clinical Global Impression Change: odds ratio = 3.119, 95% confidence interval = 2.206–4.410, Z = 6.44, P < 0.001). Adverse events were mild.

Conclusions

Ginkgo biloba preparation has reliable efficacy of cognitive function and global clinical assessment and safety in the treatment of AD.
Roles of two glutathioneS-transferases in the final step of the β-aryl ether cleavage pathway inSphingobiumsp. strain SYK-6
Authors: Higuchi Yudai , Sato Daisuke , Kamimura Naofumi , Masai Eiji
Published: July 2020

Sphingobiumsp. strain SYK-6 is an alphaproteobacterial degrader of lignin-derived aromatic compounds, which can degrade all the stereoisomers of β-aryl ether-type compounds. SYK-6 cells convert four stereoisomers of guaiacylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether (GGE) into two enantiomers of α-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-β-hydroxypropiovanillone (MPHPV) through GGE α-carbon atom oxidation by stereoselective Cα-dehydrogenases encoded byligD, ligL, andligN. The ether linkages of the resulting MPHPV enantiomers are cleaved by stereoselective glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) encoded byligF, ligE, andligP, generating (βRβS)-α-glutathionyl-β-hydroxypropiovanillone (GS-HPV) and guaiacol. To date, it has been shown that the gene products ofligGand SLG_04120 (ligQ), both encoding GST, catalyze glutathione removal from (βRβS)-GS-HPV, forming achiral β-hydroxypropiovanillone. In this study, we characterized the enzyme properties of LigG and LigQ and elucidated their roles in β-aryl ether catabolism. Purified LigG showed an approximately 300-fold higher specific activity for (βR)-GS-HPV than that for (βS)-GS-HPV, whereas purified LigQ showed an approximately six-fold higher specific activity for (βS)-GS-HPV than that for (βR)-GS-HPV. Analyses of mutants ofligG, ligQ, and both genes revealed that SYK-6 converted (βR)-GS-HPV using both LigG and LigQ, whereas only LigQ was involved in converting (βS)-GS-HPV. Furthermore, the disruption of bothligGandligQwas observed to lead to the loss of the capability of SYK-6 to convert MPHPV. This suggests that GSH removal from GS-HPV catalyzed by LigG and LigQ, is essential for cellular GSH recycling during β-aryl ether catabolism.

IMPORTANCE

The β-aryl ether linkage is most abundant in lignin, comprising 45%–62% of all intermonomer linkages in lignin; thus, cleavage of the β-aryl ether linkage together with the subsequent degradation process is considered the essential step in lignin biodegradation. The enzyme genes for β-aryl ether cleavage are useful for decomposing high-molecular-weight lignin, converting lignin-derived aromatic compounds into value-added products, and modifying lignin structures in plants to reduce lignin recalcitrance. In this study, we uncovered the roles of the two glutathioneS-transferase genes,ligGandligQ, in the conversion of GS-HPV isomers, which are generated in the β-aryl ether cleavage pathway in SYK-6. Adding our current results to previous findings allowed us to have a whole picture of the β-aryl ether cleavage system in SYK-6.
Bayesian inference of population prevalence
Authors: Ince Robin A. A. , Paton Angus T. , Kay Jim W. , Schyns Philippe G.
Published: July 2020

Within neuroscience, psychology and neuroimaging, the most frequently used statistical approach is null-hypothesis significance testing (NHST) of the population mean. An alternative approach is to perform NHST within individual participants and then infer, from the proportion of participants showing an effect, the prevalence of that effect in the population. We propose a novel Bayesian method to estimate such population prevalence that offers several advantages over population mean NHST. This method provides a population-level inference that is currently missing from study designs with small participant numbers, such as in traditional psychophysics and in precision imaging. Bayesian prevalence delivers a quantitative population estimate with associated uncertainty instead of reducing an experiment to a binary inference. Bayesian prevalence is widely applicable to a broad range of studies in neuroscience, psychology, and neuroimaging. Its emphasis on detecting effects within individual participants can also help address replicability issues in these fields.
Expansion Microscopy provides new insights into the cytoskeleton of malaria parasites including the conservation of a conoid
Authors: Bertiaux Eloïse , Balestra Aurélia C , Bournonville Lorène , Brochet Mathieu , Guichard Paul , Hamel Virginie
Published: July 2020

Malaria is caused by unicellularPlasmodiumparasites.Plasmodiumrelies on diverse microtubule cytoskeletal structures for its reproduction, multiplication or dissemination. Due to the small size of this parasite, its cytoskeleton has been primarily observable by electron microscopy. Here, we demonstrate that the nanoscale cytoskeleton organization is within reach using ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM). In developing microgametocytes, U-ExM allows to monitor the dynamic assembly of axonemes and concomitant tubulin polyglutamylation in whole cells. In the invasive merozoite and ookinete forms, U-ExM unveils the subpellicular microtubule arrays that confer cell rigidity. In ookinete, we additionally identify an apical tubulin ring above the subpellicular microtubules that colocalises with markers of the conoid in related Apicomplexa parasites. This microtubule structure was presumed to be lost inPlasmodiumdespite its crucial role in both motility and invasion in most apicomplexans. Here, U-ExM reveals that a divergent and reduced form of the conoid is actually conserved in thePlasmodiumgenus.
Multi-influential genetic interactions alter behaviour and cognition through six main biological cascades in Down syndrome mouse models
Authors: Duchon Arnaud , del Mar Muñiz Moreno Maria , Lorenzo Sandra Martin , de Souza Márcia Priscilla Silva , Chevalier Claire , Nalesso Valérie , Meziane Hamid , de Sousa Paulo Loureiro , Noblet Vincent , Armspach Jean-Paul , Brault Veronique , Herault Yann
Published: July 2020

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic form of intellectual disability caused by the presence of an additional copy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21). To provide novel insights into genotype–phenotype correlations, we used standardized behavioural tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and hippocampal gene expression to screen several DS mouse models for the mouse chromosome 16 region homologous to Hsa21. First, we unravelled several genetic interactions between different regions of chromosome 21 and how they contribute significantly to altering the outcome of the phenotypes in brain cognition, function and structure. Then, in-depth analysis of misregulated expressed genes involved in synaptic dysfunction highlighted 6 biological cascades centred around DYRK1A, GSK3β, NPY, SNARE, RHOA and NPAS4. Finally, we provide a novel vision of the existing altered gene-gene crosstalk and molecular mechanisms targeting specific hubs in DS models that should become central to better understanding of DS and improving the development of therapies.
Public and private human T cell clones respond differentially to HCMV antigen when boosted by CD3 co-potentiation
Authors: Becher Laura R.E. , Nevala Wendy K. , Sutor Shari S. , Abergel Megan , Hoffmann Michele M. , Parks Christopher A. , Pease Larry R. , Schrum Adam G. , Markovic Svetomir N. , Gil Diana
Published: July 2020

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) induces long-lasting T cell immune responses that control but do not clear infection. Typical responses involve private T cell clones, expressing T cell antigen receptors (TCR) unique to a person, and also public T cell clones with identical TCRs active in different people. Here, we report the development of a pre-therapeutic immunostimulation modality against HCMV for human T cells,CD3 co-potentiation, and the clonal analysis of its effects in recall assays at single-cell resolution. CD3 co-potentiation of human T cells required identification of an intrinsically inert anti-CD3 Fab fragment that conditionally augmented signaling only when TCR was co-engaged with antigen. When applied in recall assays, CD3 co-potentiation enhanced the expansion of both public and private T cell clones responding to autologous HLA-A2(+) antigen-presenting cells and immunodominant NLV peptide from HCMV pp65 protein. Interestingly, public versus private TCR expression was associated with distinct clonal expansion signatures in response to recall stimulus. This implied that besides possible differences in their generation and selection in an immune response, public and private T cells may respond differently to pharmaco-immunomodulation. Furthermore, a third clonal expansion profile was observed upon CD3 co-potentiation of T cell clones from HLA-A2(-) donors and one HLA-A2(+) presumed-uninfected donor, where NLV was of low intrinsic potency. We conclude that human T cell copotentiation can increase the expansion of different classes of T cell clones responding to recall antigens of different strengths, and this may be exploitable for therapeutic development against chronic, persistent infections such as HCMV.

Key Points

Human CD3 co-potentiation can enhance the clonal expansion of several classes of recall T cells responding to antigens.

Enhanced expansion follows a unique pattern based on the immunodominance or weakness of antigen, and public or private TCR status.
Sex-Specific Evolution of the Genome-wide Recombination Rate
Authors: Peterson April L. , Payseur Bret A.
Published: July 2020

Although meiotic recombination is required for successful gametogenesis in most species that reproduce sexually, the rate of crossing over varies among individuals. Differences in recombination rate between females and males are perhaps the most striking form of this variation. To determine how sex shapes the evolution of recombination, we directly compared the genome-wide recombination rate in females and males across a common set of genetic backgrounds in house mouse. Our results reveal highly discordant evolutionary trajectories in the two sexes. Whereas male recombination rates show rapid evolution over short timescales, female recombination rates measured in the same strains are mostly static. Strains with high recombination in males have more double-strand breaks and stronger crossover interference than strains with low recombination in males, suggesting that these factors contribute to the sex-specific evolution we document. Our findings provide the strongest evidence yet that sex is a primary driver of recombination rate evolution.
GrgA controlsChlamydia trachomatisgrowth and development by regulating expression of transcription factors Euo and HrcA
Authors: Wurihan Wurihan , Zou Yi , Weber Alec M. , Weldon Korri , Huang Yehong , Gong Zheng , Lou Zhongzi , Sun Samantha , Zhu Chengsheng , Wu Xiang , Zhou Jizhang , Wang Yaqun , Lai Zhao , Fan Huizhou
Published: July 2020

The obligate intracellular bacteriumChlamydia trachomatisis an important human pathogen whose biphasic developmental cycle consists of an infectious elementary body and a replicative reticulate body. Whereas σ66, the primary sigma factor, is necessary for transcription of most chlamydial genes throughout the developmental cycle, σ28is required for expression of some late genes. We previously showed that theChlamydia-specific transcription factor GrgA physically interacts with both of these sigma factors and activates transcription from σ66- and σ28-dependent promotersin vitro. Here, we investigate the organismal functions of GrgA. We show that GrgA overexpression decreased RB proliferation via time-dependent transcriptomic changes. Significantly, σ66-dependent genes that code for two important transcription repressors are among the direct targets of GrgA. One of these repressors is Euo, which prevents the expression of late genes during early phases. The other is HrcA, which regulates gene expression in response to heat shock. The direct regulon of GrgA also includes a σ28-dependent gene that codes for the putative virulence factor PmpI. Conditional overexpression of Euo and HrcA also inhibited chlamydial growth and affected GrgA expression. Transcriptomic studies suggest that GrgA, Euo, and HrcA have distinct but overlapping indirect regulons. Furthermore, overexpression of either GrgA leads to decreased expression of numerous tRNAs. These findings indicate that a GrgA-mediated transcriptional regulatory network controlsC. trachomatisgrowth and development.

IMPORTANCE

Chlamydia trachomatisis the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen worldwide and is a leading cause of preventable blindness in under-developed areas as well as developed countries. Previous studies showed that the novel transcription factor GrgA activated chlamydial gene transcriptionin vitro, but did not addressed the organismal function of GrgA. Here, we demonstrate growth inhibition inC. trachomatisengineered to conditionally overexpress GrgA. GrgA overexpression immediately increases the expression of two other critical transcription factors (Euo and HrcA) and a candidate virulence factor (PmpI), among several other genes. We also reveal chlamydial growth reduction and transcriptomic changes including decreased GrgA mRNA levels in response to either Euo or HrcA overexpression. Thus, the transcription network controlled by GrgA likely plays a crucial role in chlamydial growth and pathogenesis.