bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decidual CD8+T cells exhibit both residency and tolerance signatures modulated by decidual stromal cells
Authors: Liu Lu , Huang Xixi , Xu Chunfang , Chen Chunqin , Zhao Weijie , Li Dajin , Li Liping , Wang Li , Du Meirong
Published: June 2020

Background

During early pregnancy, tolerance of the semi-allogeneic fetus necessitates comprehensive modifications of the maternal immune system. How decidual CD8+T (CD8+dT) cells balance maternal tolerance of the fetus with defense from invading pathogens remains undefined.

Methods

We investigated the distribution patterns of CD8+T cells and their heterogeneity in paired peripheral blood and decidual tissue in the first trimester of pregnancy using flow cytometry and mRNA-Seq. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis was utilized to determine the transcriptional features of CD8+dT cells. Moreover, we examined activation of T cells when they were cocultured with trophoblasts, in addition to the effect of the fetal–maternal environment on peripheral CD8+T (CD8+pT) cells.

Results

We found that, compared with CD8+pT cells, CD8+dT cells consisted mainly of effector memory cells (TEM) and terminally differentiated effector memory cells (TEMRA). Both TEMand TEMRAsubsets contained increased numbers of CD27+CD28−cells, which have been shown to possess only partial effector functions. In-depth analysis of the gene-expression profiles of CD8+dT cells revealed significant enrichment in T cell exhaustion-related genes and core tissue residency signature genes that have been found recently to be shared by tissue resident memory cells and tumor−infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). In accordance with gene expression, protein levels of the exhaustion-related molecules PD-1 and CD39 and the tissue resident molecules CD103 and CXCR3 were increased significantly with almost no perforin secretion in CD8+dT cells compared with CD8+pT cells. However, the levels of granzyme B, IFN-γ, and IL-4 in CD8+dT cells were increased significantly compared with those in CD8+pT cells. Both CD8+dT and CD8+pT cells were not activated after being cocultured with autologous trophoblast cells. Moreover, the production of granzyme B in CD103+CD8+dT cells decreased significantly compared with that in their CD103−counterparts. Coculture with decidual stromal cells and trophoblasts upregulated CD103 expression significantly in CD8+pT cells.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the selective silencing of effector functions of resident CD8+dT cells may favor maternal–fetal tolerance and that the decidual microenvironment plays an important role in promoting the residency of CD8+T cells and their tolerance–defense balance.
Parent-child sexual and reproductive health communication among very young adolescents in Korogocho informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Maina Beatrice W , Ushie Boniface Ayanbekongshie , Kabiru Caroline W
Published: June 2020

Background

Parents are an important source of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information for very young adolescents and are likely to have a significant influence on adolescents’ sexual attitudes, values, and risk-related beliefs. This study explored the nature and content of parent-child communication about SRH issues.

Methods

Thirty-two parents and 30 adolescent boys and girls aged between 11 and 13 years participated in narrative interviews in a resource-poor urban setting in Nairobi, Kenya. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated into English, and uploaded on Atlas.ti software for coding and analysis.

Results

Findings from the study show gender differences in parent-child communication. More girls than boys reported that they had talked with their parents about romantic relationships. Four approaches—no communication, fear-based communication, supportive communication, and involving an external person were used by parents in SRH communication. Parents hostile attitudes towards romantic relationships during adolescence discouraged adolescents from disclosing their relationship status. While communication did occur, it was mainly reactive, one-sided, and authoritarian, often initiated by parents.

Conclusions

Parents need to be empowered with adequate and factual SRH information and effective communication strategies to enhance communication with very young adolescents. There is a need for further research to identify the most effective parent-child communication approaches to improve SRH outcomes among adolescents.
From Devo to Evo: patterning, fusion and evolution of the zebrafish terminal vertebra
Authors: Cumplido Nicolás , Allende Miguel L. , Arratia Gloria
Published: June 2020

Background

With more than 30,000 species, teleosts comprise about half of today’s living vertebrates, enriched with a wide set of adaptations to all aquatic systems. Their evolution was marked by modifications of their tail, that involved major rearrangements of the metameric organization of the axial skeleton. The most posterior or ural caudal skeleton, primitively included more than 10 vertebrae and, through a series of fusions and losses, became reduced to a single vertebra in modern ostariophysans, one of the largest clades of teleosts. The ontogeny of the ostariophysan Danio rerio recapitulates this process by forming two or three separate vertebrae that become a single vertebra in adults. We characterize the developmental sequence of this change by describing the processes of patterning, fusion and differential growth on each of the constitutive elements that sculpt the adult terminal vertebra.

Results

The ontogenetic changes of the terminal vertebra were characterized, highlighting their shared and derived characters in comparison with other teleosts. In zebrafish, there is: i) a loss of the preural centrum 1, ii) the formation of an hourglass-shaped autocentrum only in the anterior but not the posterior border of the compound centrum, iii) the formation of a vestigial posterior centrum that does not form an autocentrum and becomes incorporated beneath the compound centrum during development, and iv) the elongated dorso-posterior process of the compound centrum or pleurostyle appears as an independent element posterior to the compound centrum, before fusing to the ural neural arches and the anterior portion of the compound centrum.

Conclusions

The unique features of the formation of the terminal vertebra in Danio rerio reflect the remarkable changes that occurred during the evolution of teleosts, with potential shared derived characteristics for some of the major lineages of modern teleosts. A new ontogenetic model is proposed to illustrate the development of the terminal vertebra, and the phylogenetic implications for the evolution of caudal skeleton consolidation in ostariophysans are discussed.
Immediate effects of a lumbar spine manipulation on pain sensitivity and postural control in individuals with nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fagundes Loss Jefferson , de Souza da Silva Luciano , Ferreira Miranda Iã , Groisman Sandro , Santiago Wagner Neto Edgar , Souza Catiane , Tarragô Candotti Cláudia
Published: June 2020

Background

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, there is strong evidence to show that vertebral mobilization and manipulation procedures can be used to improve spinal and hip mobility and reduce pain and incapacity in low back pain patients that fit the clinical prediction rule. Objectives: To evaluate the immediate effects of high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) manipulation on pain and postural control parameters in individuals with nonspecific low back pain.

Methods

This study used a participant-blinded and assessor-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial involving a single session, in which 24 participants were randomly distributed into control (simulated manipulation) and intervention (HVLA lumbar manipulation) groups. The primary (pain: subjective pain intensity and pressure pain threshold) and secondary outcomes (postural control: ellipse area, center of pressure [COP] excursion, COP RMS velocity, and differences between the COP and center of projected gravity) were evaluated before and after the session using a numerical pain scale, algometer, and a force platform. For all outcomes, multiple mixed 2 (group) × 2 (time) ANOVAs were performed.

Results

For the subjective pain intensity, only time was significant as a main effect, where pre-intervention presented a greater value then post-intervention (F [1.44] = 4.377; p = 0.042; r = 0.30). For the pressure pain threshold no significant effect was found. For the postural control parameters, as a main effect, only the ellipse area was significantly greater in the control group (F [1.44] = 6.760; p = 0.013; effect size = 0.36).

Conclusions

There was a reduction in subjective pain intensity, evaluated using a numerical scale, in both the intervention and control groups immediately after the intervention, suggesting that the spinal manipulation had a similar effect to the placebo procedure. No effect of HVLA lumbar manipulation was identified for postural control variables in either the intervention or control groups.

Trial registration

The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under the number NCT02312778, registered at 14 September 2014.
Targeted-gene sequencing of an undifferentiated gallbladder carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Xiao Ying , Xiang Canhong , Yang Di , Zhao Benqi , Li Yong , Yin Hongfang
Published: June 2020

Background

Undifferentiated carcinomas of the gallbladder are extremely rare. Most undifferentiated carcinomas are accompanied by adjacent foci of other conventional carcinomas, and a transition zone is shared between them. However, genetic alterations of undifferentiated gallbladder carcinoma and the similarities or differences between the undifferentiated carcinoma and the foci conventional carcinoma are unknown.

Case presentation

Herein, we report a case of undifferentiated gallbladder carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells with invasion into the liver, duodenum, and stomach in a 56-year-old man. The tumor was microscopically formed from the tubular adenocarcinoma (< 5% of the entire tumor), the undifferentiated carcinoma, and a transition zone between them. Four somatic mutations (TP53, TERT, ARID2, and CDH1), three amplifications (CCND1, FGF19, and MET), and a tumor mutation burden (TMB) of 3.45 muts/Mb were detected in the undifferentiated component using targeted gene sequencing, whereas 102 somatic mutations (including TP53, TERT, ARID2, and CDH1), one amplification (CCND1), and a higher TMB of 87.07 muts/Mb were detected in the tubular component. This patient died of tumor recurrence 2 months after the surgery.

Conclusions

The undifferentiated gallbladder carcinoma had its unique molecular alterations. The similarities in the genetic alterations of the undifferentiated carcinoma and adenocarcinoma provide evidence of a common origin at the genetic level. The occurrence of an undifferentiated carcinoma may be due to heterogeneity-associated branched evolution from the tubular adenocarcinoma.
Fluid removal associates with better outcomes in critically ill patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy: a cohort study
Authors: Hall Anna , Crichton Siobhan , Dixon Alison , Skorniakov Ilia , Kellum John A. , Ostermann Marlies
Published: June 2020

Background

Fluid overload is associated with morbidity and mortality in patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT). We aimed to explore whether fluid overload at initiation of RRT was independently associated with mortality and whether changes in cumulative fluid balance during RRT were associated with outcome.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the data of patients who were admitted to the multidisciplinary adult intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary care centre in the UK between 2012 and 2015 and received continuous RRT (CRRT) for acute kidney injury for at least 24 h. We collected baseline demographics, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, severity of illness, laboratory parameters at CRRT initiation, daily cumulative fluid balance (FB), daily prescribed FB target, fluid bolus and diuretic administration and outcomes. The day of the lowest cumulative FB during CRRT was identified as nadir FB.

Results

Eight hundred twenty patients were analysed (median age 65 years; 49% female). At CRRT initiation, the median cumulative FB was + 1772 ml; 89 patients (10.9%) had a cumulative FB > 10% body weight (BW). Hospital survivors had a significantly lower cumulative FB at CRRT initiation compared to patients who died (1495 versus 2184 ml; p < 0.001). In the 7 days after CRRT initiation, hospital survivors had a significant decline in cumulative FB (mean decrease 473 ml per day, p < 0.001) whilst there was no significant change in cumulative FB in non-survivors (mean decrease 112 ml per day, p = 0.188). Higher severity of illness at CRRT initiation, shorter duration of CRRT, the number of days without a prescribed FB target and need for higher doses of noradrenaline were independent risk factors for not reaching a FB nadir during CRRT. Multivariable analysis showed that older age, lower BMI, higher severity of illness, need for higher doses of noradrenaline and smaller reductions in cumulative FB during CRRT were independent risk factors for ICU and hospital mortality. Cumulative FB at CRRT initiation was not independently associated with mortality.

Conclusion

In adult patients receiving CRRT, a decrease in cumulative FB was independently associated with lower mortality. Fluid overload and need for vasopressor support at CRRT initiation were not independently associated with mortality after correction for severity of illness.
The promise and challenge of cancer microbiome research
Authors: Manzoor Sumeed Syed , Doedens Annemiek , Burns Michael B.
Published: June 2020

Many microbial agents have been implicated as contributors to cancer genesis and development, and the search to identify and characterize new cancer-related organisms is ongoing. Modern developments in methodologies, especially culture-independent approaches, have accelerated and driven this research. Recent work has shed light on the multifaceted role that the community of organisms in and on the human body plays in cancer onset, development, detection, treatment, and outcome. Much remains to be discovered, however, as methodological variation and functional testing of statistical correlations need to be addressed for the field to advance.
Systematic assessment of tissue dissociation and storage biases in single-cell and single-nucleus RNA-seq workflows
Authors: Denisenko Elena , Guo Belinda B. , Jones Matthew , Hou Rui , de Kock Leanne , Lassmann Timo , Poppe Daniel , Clément Olivier , Simmons Rebecca K. , Lister Ryan , Forrest Alistair R. R.
Published: June 2020

Background

Single-cell RNA sequencing has been widely adopted to estimate the cellular composition of heterogeneous tissues and obtain transcriptional profiles of individual cells. Multiple approaches for optimal sample dissociation and storage of single cells have been proposed as have single-nuclei profiling methods. What has been lacking is a systematic comparison of their relative biases and benefits.

Results

Here, we compare gene expression and cellular composition of single-cell suspensions prepared from adult mouse kidney using two tissue dissociation protocols. For each sample, we also compare fresh cells to cryopreserved and methanol-fixed cells. Lastly, we compare this single-cell data to that generated using three single-nucleus RNA sequencing workflows. Our data confirms prior reports that digestion on ice avoids the stress response observed with 37 °C dissociation. It also reveals cell types more abundant either in the cold or warm dissociations that may represent populations that require gentler or harsher conditions to be released intact. For cell storage, cryopreservation of dissociated cells results in a major loss of epithelial cell types; in contrast, methanol fixation maintains the cellular composition but suffers from ambient RNA leakage. Finally, cell type composition differences are observed between single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing libraries. In particular, we note an underrepresentation of T, B, and NK lymphocytes in the single-nucleus libraries.

Conclusions

Systematic comparison of recovered cell types and their transcriptional profiles across the workflows has highlighted protocol-specific biases and thus enables researchers starting single-cell experiments to make an informed choice.
Author Correction: Defining the relative and combined contribution of CTCF and CTCFL to genomic regulation
Authors: Nishana Mayilaadumveettil , Ha Caryn , Rodriguez-Hernaez Javier , Ranjbaran Ali , Chio Erica , Nora Elphege P. , Badri Sana B. , Kloetgen Andreas , Bruneau Benoit G. , Tsirigos Aristotelis , Skok Jane A.
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Behavioural plasticity of Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles arabiensis undermines LLIN community protective effect in a Sudanese-savannah village in Burkina Faso
Authors: Perugini Eleonora , Guelbeogo Wamdaogo Moussa , Calzetta Maria , Manzi Sara , Virgillito Chiara , Caputo Beniamino , Pichler Verena , Ranson Hilary , Sagnon N’Fale , della Torre Alessandra , Pombi Marco
Published: June 2020

Background

Despite the overall major impact of long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) in eliciting individual and collective protection to malaria infections, some sub-Saharan countries, including Burkina Faso, still carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. This study aims to analyse the possible entomological bases of LLIN limited impact, focusing on a LLIN-protected village in the Plateau Central region of Burkina Faso.

Methods

Human landing catches (HLCs) were carried out in 2015 for 12 nights both indoors and outdoors at different time windows during the highest biting activity phase for Anopheles gambiae (s.l.). Collected specimens were morphologically and molecularly identified and processed for Plasmodium detection and L1014F insecticide-resistance allele genotyping.

Results

Almost 2000 unfed An. gambiae (s.l.) (54% Anopheles coluzzii and 44% Anopheles arabiensis) females landing on human volunteers were collected, corresponding to a median number of 23.5 females/person/hour. No significant differences were observed in median numbers of mosquitoes collected indoors and outdoors, nor between sporozoite rates in An. coluzzii (6.1%) and An. arabiensis (5.5%). The estimated median hourly entomological inoculation rate (EIR) on volunteers was 1.4 infective bites/person/hour. Results do not show evidence of the biting peak during night hours typical for An. gambiae (s.l.) in the absence of bednet protection. The frequency of the L1014F resistant allele (n = 285) was 66% in An. coluzzii and 38% in An. arabiensis.

Conclusions

The observed biting rate and sporozoite rates are in line with the literature data available for An. gambiae (s.l.) in the same geographical area before LLIN implementation and highlight high levels of malaria transmission in the study village. Homogeneous biting rate throughout the night and lack of preference for indoor-biting activity, suggest the capacity of both An. coluzzii and An. arabiensis to adjust their host-seeking behaviour to bite humans despite bednet protection, accounting for the maintenance of high rates of mosquito infectivity and malaria transmission. These results, despite being limited to a local situation in Burkina Faso, represent a paradigmatic example of how high densities and behavioural plasticity in the vector populations may contribute to explaining the limited impact of LLINs on malaria transmission in holo-endemic Sudanese savannah areas in West Africa.
Draft genome sequence of “Candidatus Afipia apatlaquensis” sp. nov., IBT-C3, a potential strain for decolorization of textile dyes
Authors: Sánchez-Reyes Ayixon , Bretón-Deval Luz , Mangelson Hayley , Sanchez-Flores Alejandro
Published: June 2020

Objectives

In order to characterize a river-associated, enriched microbiome capable of degrading an anthraquinone dye from the oil blue family, as well as assessing its functional potential, we performed a taxa-specific metagenomic deconvolution analysis based on contact probability maps at the chromosomal level. This study will allow associating the genomic content of “Candidatus Afipia apatlaquensis” strain IBT-C3 with its phenotypic potential in the context of bioremediation of textile dyes. We anticipate that this resource will be very useful in comparative genomic clinical studies, contributing to understanding the genomic basis of Afipia pathogenicity.

Data description

Here, we report the first draft genome sequence of “Candidatus Afipia apatlaquensis” sp. nov., strain IBT-C3, obtained by deconvolution of a textile-dye degrader microbiome in Mexico. The genome composite was deconvoluted using a Hi-C proximity ligation method. Whole-genome-based comparisons and phylogenomics reconstruction indicate that strain IBT-C3 represents a new species of the genus Afipia. The assembly completeness was 92.5% with 5,604,749 bp in length and 60.72% G+C content. The genome complement of IBT-C3 suggests a functional potential for decolorization of textile dyes, contrasting with previous reports of Afipia genus focused on its pathogenic potential.
Androgens and the developing hippocampus
Authors: Kight Katherine E. , McCarthy Margaret M.
Published: June 2020

The hippocampus is central to spatial learning and stress responsiveness, both of which differ in form and function in males versus females, yet precisely how the hippocampus contributes to these sex differences is largely unknown. In reproductively mature individuals, sex differences in the steroid hormone milieu undergirds many sex differences in hippocampal-related endpoints. However, there is also evidence for developmental programming of adult hippocampal function, with a central role for androgens as well as their aromatized byproduct, estrogens. These include sex differences in cell genesis, synapse formation, dendritic arborization, and excitatory/inhibitory balance. Enduring effects of steroid hormone modulation occur during two developmental epochs, the first being the classic perinatal critical period of sexual differentiation of the brain and the other being adolescence and the associated hormonal changes of puberty. The cellular mechanisms by which steroid hormones enduringly modify hippocampal form and function are poorly understood, but we here review what is known and highlight where attention should be focused.
Identification of novel pig and human immunoglobulin G-binding proteins and characterization of the binding regions of enolase from Streptococcus suis serotype 2
Authors: Li Quan , Fu Yang , Guo Genglin , Wang Zhuohao , Zhang Wei
Published: June 2020

Streptococcus suis, a major emerging pathogen in swine and humans, expresses immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding proteins (IBPs), which contribute to the ability of organism to evasion of host immune system. The objective of this study was to identify novel pig IgG (pIgG) and human IgG (hIgG)-binding proteins and characterize the binding regions of enolase from Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (S. suis 2). Here, four pIgG-binding proteins (pIBPs) and five hIgG-binding proteins (hIBPs) were identified from S. suis 2 surface proteins by 2D-Far-western blot assays. All the newly captured proteins were expressed and further confirmed their binding activity to pIgG or hIgG by Far-western blot and dot blot. In addition to previously identified factor H, fibronectin, collagen, fibrinogen, plasminogen and laminin, we also found that both pIgG and hIgG can specifically interact with enolase. Binding assays indicated that interactions of S. suis 2 enolase with pIgG and hIgG is primarily mediated by the enolase C-terminal portion (Enolase-C, a.a. 142–432). We found that hIgG exhibited stronger binding ability to Enolase-C than pIgG. Further analysis of the C-terminal regions of enolase (Enolase-C1 and Enolase-C2) suggested that the C-terminus possessed two different binding domains with distinct host IgG proteins. Strikingly, we confirmed that pIgG interacted with the Enolase-C1 (a.a. 142–271) and hIgG interacted with the Enolase-C2 (a.a. 271–432). These observations of enolase provide interesting insights in the pathogenesis of S. suis infection.
Organizational factors associated with adherence to low tidal volume ventilation: a secondary analysis of the CHECKLIST-ICU database
Authors:   for the CHECKLIST-ICU Investigators and the Brazilian Research in Intensive Care Network (BRICNet), Midega Thais Dias , Bozza Fernando A. , Machado Flávia Ribeiro , Guimarães Helio Penna , Salluh Jorge I. , Nassar Antonio Paulo , Normílio-Silva Karina , Schultz Marcus J. , Cavalcanti Alexandre Biasi , Serpa Neto Ary
Published: June 2020

Background

Survival benefit from low tidal volume (VT) ventilation (LTVV) has been demonstrated for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and patients not having ARDS could also benefit from this strategy. Organizational factors may play a role on adherence to LTVV. The present study aimed to identify organizational factors with an independent association with adherence to LTVV.

Methods

Secondary analysis of the database of a multicenter two-phase study (prospective cohort followed by a cluster-randomized trial) performed in 118 Brazilian intensive care units. Patients under mechanical ventilation at day 2 were included. LTVV was defined as a VT ≤ 8 ml/kg PBW on the second day of ventilation. Data on the type and number of beds of the hospital, teaching status, nursing, respiratory therapists and physician staffing, use of structured checklist, and presence of protocols were tested. A multivariable mixed-effect model was used to assess the association between organizational factors and adherence to LTVV.

Results

The study included 5719 patients; 3340 (58%) patients received LTVV. A greater number of hospital beds (absolute difference 7.43% [95% confidence interval 0.61–14.24%]; p = 0.038), use of structured checklist during multidisciplinary rounds (5.10% [0.55–9.81%]; p = 0.030), and presence of at least one nurse per 10 patients during all shifts (17.24% [0.85–33.60%]; p = 0.045) were the only three factors that had an independent association with adherence to LTVV.

Conclusions

Number of hospital beds, use of a structured checklist during multidisciplinary rounds, and nurse staffing are organizational factors associated with adherence to LTVV. These findings shed light on organizational factors that may improve ventilation in critically ill patients.
Correction to: Early sepsis markers in patients admitted to intensive care unit with moderate‑to‑severe diabetic ketoacidosis
Authors: Blanchard Florian , Charbit Judith , Van der Meersch Guillaume , Popoff Benjamin , Picod Adrien , Cohen Regis , Chemouni Frank , Gaudry Stephane , Bihan Helene , Cohen Yves
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Optimal operation mode selection for energy-efficient light-weight multi-hop time synchronization in linear wireless sensor networks
Authors: Al Imran Md Abdullah , Dalveren Yaser , Tavli Bulent , Kara Ali
Published: June 2020

We explored the joint effect of synchronization window and offset/drift mode selection on the time synchronization of linear wireless sensor networks (LWSNs). Recent advances in the field along with the availability of capable hardware led to adoption of LWSNs in diverse areas like monitoring of roads, pipelines, and tunnels. The linear topology applications are susceptible to single point of failure; therefore, energy efficient operation of LWSNs is even more important than the traditional WSNs. To address the challenge, we investigate the time synchronization mode selection for the optimum operation of a multi-hop and low-overhead LWSN. We investigate two modes of synchronization: synchronization by using only offset and synchronization by using offset in addition to the clock drift. Furthermore, we investigate the effects of synchronization window size. Our experimental results reveal that computation of offset alone for smaller window sizes and resynchronization periods is sufficient in achieving acceptable degree of synchronization.
A crowdsourcing method for online social networks security assessment based on human-centric computing
Authors: Zhang Zhiyong , Jing Junchang , Wang Xiaoxue , Choo Kim-Kwang Raymond , Gupta Brij B.
Published: June 2020

Crowdsourcing and crowd computing are a trend that is likely to be increasingly popular, and there remain a number of research and operational challenges that need to be addressed. The human-centric computational abstraction called situation may be used to cope with these difficulties. In this paper, we focus on one such challenge, which is how to assign crowd assessment tasks about security and privacy in online social networks to the most appropriate users efficiently, effectively and accurately. Specifically, here we propose a novel task assignment method to facilitate crowd assessment, which improves the security and trustworthiness of social networking platforms, as well as a task assignment algorithm based on SocialSitu, which is a social-domain-focused situational analytics. Findings from our crowd assessment experiments on a real world social network Shareteches show that the precision and recall of the proposed method and algorithm are 0.491 and 0.538 higher than those of a random algorithm’s, as well as 0.336 and 0.366 higher than users’ theme-aware algorithm’s, respectively. Moreover, these results further suggest that our experimental evaluation enhance the security and privacy of online social networks.
Five-year change of prevalence and risk factors for infection and mortality of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection in a tertiary hospital in North China
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Li Jihong , Hu Tong , Hu Jia , Song Ning , Zhang Yu , Chen Yuan
Published: June 2020

Background

There are few studies focused on carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) bloodstream infection (BSI). The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence and risk factors for infection and mortality of CRKP BSI.

Methods

Susceptibility of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) isolated from blood samples and the proportion of CRKP were recorded annually. One hundred sixty-four patients with CRKP and 328 with carbapenem-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae (CSKP) BSI were categorized as the case group and control group to identify risk factors for CRKP infection and mortality by univariable analysis and multivariable logistic-regression analysis.

Results

The proportion and mortality of CRKP BSI increased significantly, with the percentage of KP in BSI increasing from 7 to 12% from 2014 to 2019 with a concomitant resistance to meropenem increasing from 16.7 to 41.8%. Compared with CSKP group, patients in CRKP group had longer hospitalization time before bacteremia (median 14 vs 4, P < 0.001) and longer total hospitalization time (median 31 vs 19, P < 0.001). The proportion of admission to ICU was higher (70.7% vs 17.7%, P < 0.001), and APACHE II score was higher (median 12 vs 8, P < 0.001). The mortality in CRKP group was 43.9% (72/164), while 14.9% (49/328) in CSKP group (p < 0.001). KP detection in other sites(P = 0.036, OR 1.964), blood purification(P = 0.018, OR 3.326), bronchoscopy(P = 0.011, OR 5.423), surgery (P = 0.001, OR 3.084), carbapenem use(P = 0.001, OR 3.395), tigecycline use(P = 0.006, OR 4.595) were independent risk factors for CRKP BSI. Previous hospitalization (P = 0.048, OR 2.755), long hospitalization (P = 0.003, OR 1.035), bone marrow puncture (P = 0.037, OR3.856), use of β-lactamase inhibitor (P = 0.005, OR 3.890) were independent risk factors for mortality in CRKP BSI.

Conclusion

The prevalence and mortality of CRKP BSI are still increasing. Timely treatment of KP infection in other site, strengthening the hospital infection control of blood purification, bronchoscopy and surgery, control the use of carbapenem and tigecycline, may help to prevent CRKP BSI. More preventative hospital resources are needed for severely ill patients with prolonged hospitalizations and intensive care.
Potential utility of geomagnetic data for geolocation of demersal fishes in the North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Nielsen J. K. , Mueter F. J. , Adkison M. D. , Loher T. , McDermott S. F. , Seitz A. C.
Published: June 2020

Background

Archival tags that measure the Earth’s magnetic field could provide a new geolocation method for demersal fishes in the North Pacific Ocean. However, the presence of local magnetic field anomalies caused by geological formations such as volcanic rock and temporal fluctuations from solar storms could complicate its use in some high-latitude areas of the North Pacific Ocean. We assessed the potential value of adding geomagnetic data to a depth-based state-space model for geolocation of demersal fishes in Glacier Bay National Park, USA, a high-latitude magnetic anomaly area. We developed a high-resolution (100 m) magnetic field map of the study area and assessed in situ tag resolution by deploying 5 geomagnetic archival tags on a stationary mooring for 8 months. We compared performance of 4 theoretical geomagnetic tag measurement resolutions (low = ± 1000 nT, medium = ± 500 nT, high = ± 300 nT, and very high = ± 150 nT), 2 map resolutions (coarse- or fine-scale), and 5 methods of geomagnetic variance specification by estimating locations of simulated random walk trajectories under the different treatment scenarios using a hidden Markov model.

Results

Geomagnetic data improved model performance for both fine-scale and coarse-scale magnetic maps when tag resolutions were medium to very high and geomagnetic variance specification was based on error between measured and mapped values instead of study area attributes such as slope or roughness. Overall, the best model performance was observed for the highest tag resolution, the fine-scale map, and variance based on anomaly magnitudes. However, the coarse-scale map with a constant variance of 165 nT resulted in improvements over depth alone for all tag resolutions. In situ testing of mooring data suggests that the precision of the geomagnetic archival tags was comparable to the low and medium tag measurement resolutions tested in simulations, but variation in performance was high among tags.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that inclusion of geomagnetic data could improve geolocation of demersal fishes in the North Pacific Ocean, but improvements to geomagnetic tags and additional information on magnetic field values measured at the seafloor compared to the sea surface are needed to ensure its utility.
The big five personality traits, perfectionism and their association with mental health among UK students on professional degree programmes
Authors: Lewis Elisa G. , Cardwell Jacqueline M.
Published: June 2020

Background

In view of heightened rates of suicide and evidence of poor mental health among healthcare occupational groups, such as veterinarians, doctors, pharmacists and dentists, there has been increasing focus on the students aiming for careers in these fields. It is often proposed that a high proportion of these students may possess personality traits which render them vulnerable to mental ill-health.

Aim

To explore the relationship between the big five personality traits, perfectionism and mental health in UK students undertaking undergraduate degrees in veterinary medicine, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and law.

Methods

A total of 1744 students studying veterinary medicine, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and law in the UK completed an online questionnaire, which collected data on the big five personality traits (NEO-FFI), perfectionism (Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale), wellbeing (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale), psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12), depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II) and suicidal ideation and attempts.

Results

Veterinary, medical and dentistry students were significantly more agreeable than law students, while veterinary students had the lowest perfectionism scores of the five groups studied. High levels of neuroticism and low conscientiousness were predictive of increased mental ill-health in each of the student populations.

Conclusions

The study highlights that the prevailing anecdotal view of professional students possessing maladaptive personality traits that negatively impact on their mental health may be misplaced.
Four plus one dimensions of transferability: defining a framework for the application of a landscape characterization in the USA
Authors: Staniscia Stefania , Yuill Charles , Cribari Vincenzo
Published: June 2020

This perspective article presents considerations based on an attempt for initiating a landscape characterization in the United States using the Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) method initially developed in Great Britain. Literature on LCA underlines the issue of its transferability and the necessity to address, both theoretically and practically, its adaptation when the method is transplanted to other territories. The authors focus on the development of a theoretical framework for the adaptation of the method to a different cultural, geographical, social, political, and institutional context from the one it was designed for. The region of application are West Virginia southern coalfields where mountaintop removal coal mining coexists with rural landscapes, forested mountains, and scarcely inhabited valleys. The significance of conducting a landscape characterization in such an area is acknowledged as well as the necessity to address five dimensions of the question of transferability: physical, cultural, disciplinary, political, and social. In the article the authors examine the British and USA character-based approaches to landscape highlighting the main differences. The environmental history of West Virginia southern coalfields is introduced, and the current landscape is described. Finally, the authors discuss how the five dimensions of transferability can be addressed in the USA context stimulating further theoretical developments and practical attempts of landscape characterization.
Simple hypertrophic tonsils have more active innate immune and inflammatory responses than hypertrophic tonsils with recurrent inflammation in children
Authors: Huang Qun , Hua Hu , Li Wei , Chen Xi , Cheng Lei
Published: June 2020

Background

Tonsil hypertrophy has negative impact on children's health, but its pathogenesis remains obscure despite the fact that numerous bacteriological studies have been carried out. Understanding the innate immune and inflammatory states of hypertrophic tonsils with different clinical manifestations is of great significance for defining the pathogenesis of tonsil hypertrophy and establishing treatment strategies. The present study was undertaken to examine the characteristics of innate immunity and inflammation in children with hypertrophic palatine tonsils and different clinical manifestations.

Methods

Tonsil tissues were surgically removed from the patients and classified based on the patients’ clinical manifestations. The patients were divided into three groups: 1) Control group; 2) Tonsil Hypertrophy (TH) group; and 3) Tonsil Hypertrophy combined with Recurrent Infection (TH + RI) group. The immune and inflammatory statuses of these tissues were characterized using qRT-PCR and ELISA methods.

Results

Viral protein 1 (VP1) was highly expressed in TH group, but not in TH + RI group. In TH group, elevated expression was observed in the innate immune mediators, including retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), interferon alpha (IFN-α), mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS), NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and TLR7. Consistent with the innate immune profile, the expression of inflammatory markers (IL-1β, NF-κB and IL-7) was also significantly elevated in TH group. Meanwhile, the COX-2/PGE2/EP4 signaling pathway was found to be involved in the inflammatory response and the formation of fibroblasts.

Conclusions

Innate immune and inflammatory responses are more active in simple hypertrophic tonsils, rather than hypertrophic tonsils with recurrent inflammation. A local relative immune deficiency in the hypertrophic tonsils may be a causative factor for recurrent tonsillitis in TH + RI. These differences, together with the patient's clinical manifestations, suggest that tonsillar hypertrophy might be regulated by diverse immune and/or inflammatory mechanism through which novel therapeutic strategies might be created.
33% hydrogen peroxide as a Neoadjuvant treatment in the surgical excision of non-melanoma skin cancers: A case series
Authors: Mundi N. , Jordan K. , Doyle P. , Moore C.
Published: June 2020

Background

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a product of respiration in mitochondria and an important oxidizing agent in biological systems. Previous investigations have shown the efficacy of H2O2 in treating skin conditions such as seborrheic keratosis and actinic keratosis. In an area like the face, reconstruction of excision defects and ultimately aesthetic outcomes are of utmost importance. Hydrogen peroxide may represent a simple yet effective method at shrinking non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) of the head and neck before they are excised.

Methods

Eleven consecutive patients presenting to our cutaneous malignancy clinic had their skin lesions evaluated by the senior author for participation in the study. Lesion length and width was measured. Hydrogen peroxide formulated at a concentration of 33% was rubbed into the lesion until blanching was observed. Lesions were re-measured at follow up. Excisional biopsy was then performed and histopathological diagnosis was obtained. Statistical analyses compared pre- and post-treatment lesion dimensions.

Results

Seventeen biopsy-proven NMSC lesions were included in this investigation. Statistically significant reductions in the length ( p < 0.001) and width ( p < 0.001) were observed with H2O2 treatment. For some lesions, H2O2 was the sole treatment required, with post-treatment biopsy demonstrating no evidence of malignancy. Patients endured minimal discomfort during treatment and no long-term side effects were observed. Follow up at 6 months revealed no recurrences.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated a significant reduction in the size of multiple lesions after application of 33% hydrogen peroxide, simplifying definitive excision and reconstruction. Hydrogen peroxide demonstrated an ability to successfully treat non-melanoma skin cancers as well.
Marginal bone loss around oral implants supporting fixed versus removable prostheses: a systematic review
Authors: Saravi Babak E. , Putz Maria , Patzelt Sebastian , Alkalak Amir , Uelkuemen Sara , Boeker Martin
Published: June 2020

Aim

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate and compare the marginal bone loss (MBL) around implants of fixed (FISP) versus removable implant-supported prosthesis (RISP).

Material and methods

This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of the literature on Web of Science and Ovid (MEDLINE) was conducted in March 2019 to identify randomized controlled trials/quasi-randomized trials, prospective and retrospective studies written in German and English. Two reviewers screened the identified papers for eligibility and performed an independent data extraction. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the level of evidence of the included studies.

Results

The search resulted in 2577 studies, of which 42 were selected for full-text evaluation. Finally, six studies were included in qualitative analyses, reporting results from 248 participants (81 FISP versus 167 RISP). Five of the included studies were prospective and one study was retrospective. MBL was highest in the first year after implant placement and ranged from 0.17 ± 0.07 mm to 2.1 ± 1.6 mm in FISP and from 0.22 ± 0.55 mm to 2.5 ± 2.7 mm in RISP. After 4 years, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups; MBL ranged from 0.36 ± 0.22 mm to 1.5 mm in FISP and 0.56 ± 0.45 mm to 1.4 mm in RISP. Of the six included studies, two each were rated as good quality, fair quality, and poor quality.

Conclusion

Fixed and removable implant-supported prostheses seem to have similar long-term outcomes regarding marginal bone loss. However, the evidence provided in this systematic review is limited due to the poor quality of two of the included studies. Future studies with study designs specified to the topic of this review are necessary to provide clear information about marginal bone level alterations in modern implant therapy.
Choroidal nevus and polypoidal vasculopathy: case series
Authors: Viana Karlos Ítalo S. , Dalgalarrondo Pedro F. , Correa Zelia , Jorge Rodrigo
Published: June 2020

Background

To report an association between choroidal nevus and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in three patients.

Case presentation

We have encountered 3 isolated patients in our center presenting with subretinal exudation and a choroidal nevus that were thoroughly evaluated by slit lamp biomicroscopy, fundus photos, Fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICG), B-scan ultrasound, and optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT—Heidelberg). The classic features of choroidal neovascularization seen on PVC were present in all 3 patients, all of whom had a substantial response to intravitreous antiangiogenic agent. OCT, Fluorescein and ICG Angiography, and Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) revealed similar findings in all cases.

Discussion and conclusions

We have identified a clinical pattern of PCV and choroidal nevus that can be diagnosed early using fluorescein angiography, ICG and OCT.
Transcriptional and free radical responses to LVAD therapy
Authors: Dhar Kajari , KC Asmini , Qiu Fang , Basma Hesham , Savalia Krupa K. , Jones Jocelyn , Moulton Alexandra M. , Zimmerman Matthew C. , Um John , Anderson Daniel , Hyden Marshall , Lowes Brian D.
Published: June 2020

Background

Myocardial recovery with Left ventricular assistant device (LVAD) therapy is dichotomous with some patients obtaining remission from end-stage heart failure whereas most require transplantation or remain on pump support long term. Our goal was to determine transcriptional and free radical responses to LVAD treatment.

Methods

Tissues were collected from patients before and after LVAD placement in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy patients (n = 14) along with controls (n = 3). RNA sequencing (RNASeq) analysis quantified transcriptional profiles by using a custom targeted panel of heart failure related genes on the PGM sequencer. The differential expression analysis between groups was conducted using edgeR (Empirical analysis of digital gene expression data in R) package in Bioconductor. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was carried out on differentially expressed genes to understand the biological pathways involved. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy was utilized to measure levels of free radicals in whole blood collected pre- and post-LVAD implantation (n = 16).

Results

Thirty-five genes were differentially expressed in pre-LVAD failing hearts compared to controls. In response to LVAD therapy, only Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) and period circadian protein homolog 1(PER1) were altered with 34 heart failure related genes still differentially expressed post-LVAD compared to controls. IPA showed that DNA methylation-related genes were upregulated in both pre- and post-LVAD and was persistent with a Z-score of 2.00 and 2.36 for DNA Methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B), respectively. Inhibition of micro RNA21 (mir21) was also significant on pathway analysis in the post-LVAD population with a Z-score of − 2.00. Levels of free radicals in blood of pre- and post-LVAD patients did not change significantly.

Conclusion

LVAD therapy does not reverse many of the transcriptional changes associated with heart failure. Persistent changes in gene expression may be related to ongoing oxidative stress, continued DNA methylation, or changes in metabolism. PDK4 is a key regulator of glucose metabolism and its increased expression by LVAD therapy inhibited pyruvate metabolism.