bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Residual positioning errors and uncertainties for pediatric craniospinal irradiation and the impact of image guidance
Authors: Gram Daniel , Haraldsson André , Brodin N. Patrik , Nysom Karsten , Björk-Eriksson Thomas , Munck af Rosenschöld Per
Published: June 2020

Background

Optimal alignment is of utmost importance when treating pediatric patients with craniospinal irradiation (CSI), especially with regards to field junctions and multiple isocenters and techniques applying high dose gradients. Here, we investigated the setup errors and uncertainties for pediatric CSI using different setup verification protocols.

Methods

A total of 38 pediatric patients treated with CSI were identified for whom treatment records and setup images were available. The setup images were registered retrospectively to the reference image using an automated tool and matching on bony anatomy, subsequently, the impact of different correction protocols was simulated.

Results

For an action-level (AL)-protocol and a non-action level (NAL)-protocol, the translational residual setup error can be as large as 24 mm for an individual patient during a single fraction, and the rotational error as large as 6.1°. With daily IGRT, the maximum setup errors were reduced to 1 mm translational and 5.4° rotational versus 1 mm translational and 2.4° rotational for 3- and 6- degrees of freedom (DoF) couch shifts, respectively. With a daily 6-DoF IGRT protocol for a wide field junction irradiation technique, the residual positioning uncertainty was below 1 mm and 1° for translational and rotational directions, respectively. The largest rotational uncertainty was found for the patients’ roll even though this was the least common type of rotational error, while the largest translational uncertainty was found in the patients’ anterior-posterior-axis.

Conclusions

These results allow for informed margin calculation and robust optimization of treatments. Daily IGRT is the superior choice for setup of pediatric patients treated with CSI, although centers that do not have this option could use the results presented here to improve their margins and uncertainty estimates for a more accurate treatment alignment.
Normoxic re-oxygenation ameliorates end-organ injury after cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Peng Yun-Wen , Major Terry , Mohammed Azmath , Deatrick Kristopher B. , Charpie John R.
Published: June 2020

Background

In a rabbit model of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cardioplegic arrest, we previously showed that hyperoxic myocardial reperfusion was associated with increased left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and myocardial injury compared with normoxic reperfusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate in our experimental model the impact of post-CPB reperfusion conditions on other organs potentially vulnerable to ischemic injury such as the brain and kidney.

Methods

After 60 min of CPB, aortic cross-clamp, and cold cardioplegic arrest, rabbits were reperfused under hyperoxic or normoxic conditions for 120 min. Left ventricular systolic contractility (LV + dP/dt) and diastolic relaxation (LV –dP/dt) were continuously recorded, and end-organ injury was assessed by measuring circulating biomarkers specific for kidney (cystatin C and creatinine) and brain injury [S100B and neuron specific enolase (NSE)]. At completion of the protocol, kidney and brain tissues were harvested for measuring oxidant stress (OS), inflammation and apoptosis.

Results

Following aortic cross-clamp removal, rabbits exposed to normoxic reperfusion demonstrated preserved LV systolic and diastolic function compared with hyperoxic reperfusion (LV + dP/dt: 70 ± 14% of pre-CPB vs. 36 ± 21%, p = 0.018; LV -dP/dt: 72 ± 36% of pre-CPB vs. 33 ± 20%, p = 0.023). Similarly, CPB increased plasma creatinine, S100B and NSE that were significantly attenuated by normoxic reperfusion compared with hyperoxic reperfusion (creatinine: 4.0 ± 0.5 vs. 7.1 ± 0.8 mg/dL, p = 0.004; S100B: 4.0 ± 0.8 vs. 6.7 ± 1.0 ng/mL, p = 0.047; NSE: 57.7 ± 6.8 vs. 101.3 ± 16.1 pg/mL, p = 0.040). Furthermore, both kidney and brain tissues showed increased mRNA expression and activation of pathways for OS, inflammation, and apoptosis, that were reduced under normoxic compared with hyperoxic conditions.

Conclusions

Normoxic reperfusion ameliorates cardiac, renal and neural injury compared with hyperoxic reperfusion in an in vivo animal model of CPB and cardioplegic arrest. This protective effect of normoxic reperfusion may be due to a reduction in signaling pathways for OS, inflammation, and apoptosis.
Infective endocarditis at a tertiary-care hospital in China
Authors: Ma Lulu , Ge Ying , Ma Haobo , Zhu Bo , Miao Qi
Published: June 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and outcome of infective endocarditis at a general hospital in China and to identify the risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted and all patients diagnosed with definite or possible infective endocarditis between January 2013 and June 2018 according to the modified Duke criteria were included.

Results

A total of 381 patients were included. The mean age was 46 years old and 66.9% patients were male patients. Community acquired IE was the most common type of infective endocarditis and Viridans Group Streptococci (37.5%) was still the most common causative pathogen. The microbial etiology of infective endocarditis varied with location of acquisition. 97 (25.5%) patients had culture-negative infective endocarditis. Vegetations were detected in 85% patients and mitral valve was the most common involved valve. Operations were performed in 72.7% patients and in-hospital mortality rate was 8.4%. The risk factors of in-hospital mortality were age old than 70 years old, heart failure, stroke and medical therapy.

Conclusions

Older age, heart failure, stroke and medical therapy were risk factors of in-hospital mortality. Infective endocarditis, were mainly caused by Viridans Group Streptococci, characterized by younger patients and lower mortality rate in China.
HIF-1α-dependent miR-424 induction confers cisplatin resistance on bladder cancer cells through down-regulation of pro-apoptotic UNC5B and SIRT4
Authors: Yu Meng , Ozaki Toshinori , Sun Dan , Xing Haotian , Wei Baojun , An Jun , Yang Jieping , Gao Ying , Liu Shuangjie , Kong Chuize , Zhu Yuyan
Published: June 2020

Background

Chemo-resistance of bladder cancer has been considered to be one of the serious issues to be solved. In this study, we revealed pivotal role of miR-424 in the regulation of CDDP sensitivity of bladder cancer cells.

Methods

The cytotoxicity of cisplatin and effect of miR-424 were assessed by flow cytometry and TUNEL. Transcriptional regulation of miR-424 by HIF-1α was assessed by Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Effect of miR-424 on expression of UNC5B, SIRT4 (Sirtuin4) and apoptotic markers was measured by QRT-PCR and/or Western blot. The regulation of miR-424 for UNC5B and SIRT4 were tested by luciferase reporter assay. The 5637-inoculated nude mice xenograft model was used for the in vivo study. The clinical significance of miR-424 was demonstrated mainly through data mining and statistical analysis of TCGA.

Results

In this study, we have found for the first time that cisplatin (CDDP) induces the expression of miR-424 in a HIF-1α-dependent manner under normoxia, and miR-424 plays a vital role in the regulation of CDDP resistance of bladder cancer cells in vitro. Mechanistically, we have found that UNC5B and SIRT4 are the direct downstream target genes of miR-424. CDDP-mediated suppression of xenograft bladder tumor growth was prohibited by the addition of miR-424, whereas ectopic expression of UNC5B or SIRT4 partially restored miR-424-dependent decrease in CDDP sensitivity of bladder cancer 5637 and T24 cells. Moreover, knockdown of UNC5B or SIRT4 prohibited CDDP-mediated proteolytic cleavage of PARP and also decreased CDDP sensitivity of these cells. Consistently, the higher expression levels of miR-424 were closely associated with the poor clinical outcome of the bladder cancer patients. There existed a clear inverse relationship between the expression levels of miR-424 and pro-apoptotic UNC5B or SIRT4 in bladder cancer tissues.

Conclusions

Collectively, our current results strongly suggest that miR-424 tightly participates in the acquisition/maintenance of CDDP-resistant phenotype of bladder cancer cells through down-regulation of its targets UNC5B and SIRT4, and thus combination chemotherapy of CDDP plus HIF-1α/miR-424 inhibition might have a significant impact on hypoxic as well as normoxic bladder cancer cells.
An unusual diagnosis for an usual test
Authors: Trombetta Andrea , Migliarino Vanessa , Faletra Flavio , Barbi Egidio , Tornese Gianluca
Published: June 2020

Background

Hereditary multiple osteochondromas (HMO) is a genetic condition characterized by the presence of multiple osteochondromas, usually at the lateral side of the most active growth plate of a long bone. These lesions may persist, be asymptomatic during childhood, and may increase in number and size until growth plates close. Therefore, diagnosis of HMO in children and young people can be challenging; while short stature can be more evident at the onset of puberty, asymptomatic ostheocondromas can progress into different degrees of orthopedic deformity. Moreover, multiple complications may arise due to the presence of osteochondromas, including tendon and compression muscle pain, neurovascular disorders, obstetric problems, scoliosis and malignant transformation into secondary peripheral chondrosarcoma in adulthood.

Case presentation

We report the case of a girl admitted to our Institute for growth delay. While laboratory tests, including growth hormone stimulation test, were normal, left hand X-ray revealed multiple osteochondromas, suggestive for HMO. The genetic test for EXT1 and EXT2 genes confirmed the radiological diagnosis, with a mutation inherited from the mother who displayed the same radiological abnormalities along with recurrent limb pain episodes.

Conclusions

HMO is a genetic condition whose diagnosis can be challenging, especially in females. Every pediatricians should consider a skeletal dysplasia in case of unexplained growth delay and a skeletal survey might be fundamental in reaching a diagnosis.
Revision of Macroponema Mawson, 1978 (Nematoda: Strongylida) from macropodid marsupials with the description of two new species
Authors: Sukee Tanapan , Jabbar Abdul , Beveridge Ian
Published: June 2020

Background

Species of Macroponema Mawson, 1978 are strongyloid nematodes which occur in the stomachs of macropodid marsupials in Australia. In this study, the genus Macroponema is revised, redescriptions of the two known species are provided, and two new species are added to the genus.

Methods

A molecular characterisation of the internal transcribed spacers of the nuclear ribosomal DNA of representative specimens of Macroponema from all known host species was undertaken to confirm the status of M. cf. comani. This resulted in the identification of a further new species within the genus. Consequently, a review of all available material in museum collections was undertaken.

Results

The two known species M. beveridgei Mawson, 1978 from Osphranter antilopinus (Gould) and O. robustus (Gould), and M. comani Mawson, 1978 from Macropus giganteus Shaw are re-described and their geographical distributions expanded. Two new species added to the genus are M. arundeli n. sp. from Ma. giganteus found in Queensland and the north east of New South Wales, and M. obendorfi n. sp. from O. antilopinus and O. robustus in the Northern Territory, the Kimberley Division of Western Australia and eastern Queensland. The latter species was formerly identified as M. cf. comani based on molecular studies. The specific identification of both of the new species is supported by ribosomal DNA sequence data.

Conclusions

Based on the morphological and molecular characterisation of nematodes, this study has revealed the existence of four species within the genus Macroponema. The current phylogenetic data suggest that Macroponema spp. plausibly evolved by host switching; however, further studies are required to test this hypothesis.
Transinfection of buffalo flies (Haematobia irritans exigua) with Wolbachia and effect on host biology
Authors: Madhav Mukund , Brown Geoff , Morgan Jess A. T. , Asgari Sassan , McGraw Elizabeth A. , James Peter
Published: June 2020

Background

Buffalo flies (Haematobia irritans exigua) (BF) and closely related horn flies (Haematobia irritans irritans) (HF) are invasive haematophagous parasites with significant economic and welfare impacts on cattle production. Wolbachia are intracellular bacteria found widely in insects and currently of much interest for use in novel strategies for the area wide control of insect pests and insect-vectored diseases. In this paper, we report the transinfection of BF towards the development of area-wide controls.

Methods

Three stages of BF; embryos, pupae and adult female flies, were injected with different Wolbachia strains (wAlbB, wMel and wMelPop). The success of transinfection and infection dynamics was compared by real-time PCR and FISH and fitness effects were assessed in transinfected flies.

Results

BF eggs were not easily injected because of their tough outer chorion and embryos were frequently damaged with less than 1% hatch rate of microinjected eggs. No Wolbachia infection was recorded in flies successfully reared from injected eggs. Adult and pupal injection resulted in higher survival rates and somatic and germinal tissue infections, with transmission to the succeeding generations on some occasions. Investigations of infection dynamics in flies from injected pupae confirmed that Wolbachia were actively multiplying in somatic tissues. Ovarian infections were confirmed with wMel and wMelPop in a number of instances, though not with wAlbB. Measurement of fitness traits indicated reduced longevity, decreased and delayed adult emergence, and reduced fecundity in Wolbachia-infected flies compared to mock-injected flies. Effects varied with the Wolbachia strain injected with most marked changes seen in the wMelPop-injected flies and least severe effects seen with wAlbB.

Conclusions

Adult and pupal injection were the most suitable methods for transinfecting BF and all three strains of Wolbachia successfully replicated in somatic tissues. The Wolbachia-induced fitness effects seen in transinfected BF suggest potential for use of the wMel or wMelPop strains in Wolbachia-based biocontrol programmes for BF.
Dynamic proteomic analysis of Aedes aegypti Aag-2 cells infected with Mayaro virus
Authors: Vasconcellos Anna Fernanda , Mandacaru Samuel Coelho , de Oliveira Athos Silva , Fontes Wagner , Melo Reynaldo Magalhães , de Sousa Marcelo Valle , Resende Renato Oliveira , Charneau Sébastien
Published: June 2020

Background

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is responsible for a mosquito-borne tropical disease with clinical symptoms similar to dengue or chikungunya virus fevers. In addition to the recent territorial expansion of MAYV, this virus may be responsible for an increasing number of outbreaks. Currently, no vaccine is available. Aedes aegypti is promiscuous in its viral transmission and thus an interesting model to understand MAYV-vector interactions. While the life-cycle of MAYV is known, the mechanisms by which this arbovirus affects mosquito host cells are not clearly understood.

Methods

After defining the best conditions for cell culture harvesting using the highest virus titer, Ae. aegypti Aag-2 cells were infected with a Brazilian MAYV isolate at a MOI of 1 in order to perform a comparative proteomic analysis of MAYV-infected Aag-2 cells by using a label-free semi-quantitative bottom-up proteomic analysis. Time-course analyses were performed at 12 and 48 h post-infection (hpi). After spectrum alignment between the triplicates of each time point and changes of the relative abundance level calculation, the identified proteins were annotated and using Gene Ontology database and protein pathways were annotated using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes.

Results

After three reproducible biological replicates, the total proteome analysis allowed for the identification of 5330 peptides and the mapping of 459, 376 and 251 protein groups, at time 0, 12 hpi and 48 hpi, respectively. A total of 161 mosquito proteins were found to be differentially abundant during the time-course, mostly related to host cell processes, including redox metabolism, translation, energy metabolism, and host cell defense. MAYV infection also increased host protein expression implicated in viral replication.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this first proteomic time-course analysis of MAYV-infected mosquito cells sheds light on the molecular basis of the viral infection process and host cell response during the first 48 hpi. Our data highlight several mosquito proteins modulated by the virus, revealing that MAYV manipulates mosquito cell metabolism for its propagation.
MicroRNA-7: expression and function in brain physiological and pathological processes
Authors: Zhao Juanjuan , Zhou Ya , Guo Mengmeng , Yue Dongxu , Chen Chao , Liang Guiyou , Xu Lin
Published: June 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and play critical roles in regulating physiological function, and are becoming worldwide research hot spot in brain development and diseases. However, the exact value of miRNAs in brain physiological and pathological processes remain to be fully elucidated, which is vital for the application of miRNAs as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers for brain diseases. MicroRNA-7 (miR-7), as a highly expressed miRNA molecule in the mammalian brain, is well documented to play a critical role in development of various diseases. Importantly, accumulating evidence has shown that miR-7 is involved in a range of developmental and pathological processes of brain. Expressively, miR-7, encoded by three genes located different chromosomes, is dominantly expressed in neurons with sensory or neurosecretory. Moreover, the expression of miR-7 is regulated at three levels including gene transcription, process of primary and precursor sequence and formation of mature sequence. Physiologically, miR-7 principally governs the physiological development of Pituitary gland, Optic nervous system and Cerebral cortex. Pathologically, miR-7 can regulate multiple genes thereby manipulating the process of various brain diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, neuroinflammation, and mental disorders and so on. These emerging studies have shown that miR-7, a representative member of miRNA family, might be a novel intrinsic regulatory molecule involved in the physiological and pathological process of brain. Therefore, in-depth studies on the role of miR-7 in brain physiology and pathology undoubtedly not only provide a light on the roles of miRNAs in brain development and diseases, but also are much helpful for ultimate development of therapeutic strategies against brain diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of current scientific knowledge regarding the expression and function of miR-7 in development and disease of brain and raise many issues involved in the relationship between miR-7 and brain physiological and pathological processes.
Disordered eating among Arab and Jewish youth in Israel: the role of eating dinner with the family
Authors: Elran-Barak Roni , Bromberg Michal , Shimony Tal , Dichtiar Rita , Mery Nisim , Nitsan Lesley , Keinan-Boker Lital
Published: June 2020

Background

Disordered eating (DE), defined as unhealthy eating attitudes and behaviors, is considered a major public health problem among adolescents. Nevertheless, rates of DE among Arab and Jewish adolescents in Israel are still unknown. Furthermore, while previous studies have highlighted the role of frequent family meals as a protective factor against DE, studies examining home family dinners relative to other common dinner options (e.g., eating at home alone, eating out of the home, not eating dinner at all) are largely unavailable. We sought to use representative data of middle and high-school children in Israel in order to identify rates of DE among Arabs and Jews, while examining the relations of home family dinners (vs. other dinner options) with DE.

Methods

A nationally representative school-based survey of 4926 middle and high-school children (11–19 years old) was conducted during 2015–2016. Participants indicated where and with whom they had eaten dinner the day before. The 5-item SCOFF questionnaire was used (> 2 affirmative items were considered a likely case of DE). Height and weight were measured by personnel.

Results

DE was more prevalent among girls (29.7%) relative to boys (12.2%), Arabs (25.1%) relative to Jews (19.5%), and older (25.3%) relative to younger (17.6%) adolescents. Arabs were more likely to eat dinner at home with parents/family (chi2 = 10.75, p = .001), or not to eat dinner at all (chi2 = 63.27, p < .001), while Jews were more likely to eat dinner alone (chi2 = 5.37, p = .021) or to eat dinner out of the home (chi2 = 67.65, p < .001). Logistic regressions (stratified by ethnicity and adjusted for gender, age, weight) revealed that family dinners acted as a protective factor against DE, relative to eating out of the home or relative to not eating dinner at all among both ethnic groups, and relative to eating dinner alone among Arabs.

Conclusion

There are differences between Arab and Jewish adolescents in terms of rates of yesterday’s family dinners and DE. Given that eating dinner with the family was linked with lower rates of DE, possible interventions to reduce DE may include educating parents of both Arab and Jewish adolescents regarding the importance of family meals.
Dyslipidemia in adolescents and young adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Kim Grace , DeSalvo Daniel , Guffey Danielle , Minard Charles G. , Cephus Constance , Moodie Douglas , Lyons Sarah
Published: June 2020

Background

Youth onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing and associated with earlier vascular complications and mortality. Dyslipidemia is an important modifiable cardiovascular (CVD) risk factor that is under-recognized and undertreated in youth with T1D and T2D. Given this, we evaluated the prevalence and associations between lipid concentrations and clinical CVD risk factors in youth with T1D compared to T2D at our large ethnically diverse diabetes center.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed, evaluating patients with T1D or T2D seen at least once in clinic from 2015 to 2017, age 10–22 years of age, duration of diabetes at least 6 months on the date of most recent LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration, and not on statin therapy. We performed independent and multivariable linear regressions of LDL-C and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations.

Results

There were 32.7% with T1D (n = 1701) and 47.7% with T2D (n = 298) with LDL-C above recommend goal (> 100 mg/dL/2.6 mmol/L). Furthermore, there were 9% with T1D and 16.4% with T2D with LDL > 130 mg/dL (> 3.4 mmol/L), who likely met criteria for starting statin therapy. Higher LDL-C and/or lower HDL-C were associated with increased age, diabetes duration, higher HbA1C, female sex, Hispanic ethnicity, obesity, and T2D. After adjusting for these risk factors in a multivariable linear regression model, the association of higher LDL-C and lower HDL-C was higher with T2D than T1D.

Conclusions

This highlights the need for more aggressive dyslipidemia screening and treatment in youth with diabetes, especially T2D. At our institution we have created and instituted quality improvement algorithms to try to address this need.
VIBRANT: automated recovery, annotation and curation of microbial viruses, and evaluation of viral community function from genomic sequences
Authors: Kieft Kristopher , Zhou Zhichao , Anantharaman Karthik
Published: June 2020

Background

Viruses are central to microbial community structure in all environments. The ability to generate large metagenomic assemblies of mixed microbial and viral sequences provides the opportunity to tease apart complex microbiome dynamics, but these analyses are currently limited by the tools available for analyses of viral genomes and assessing their metabolic impacts on microbiomes.

Design

Here we present VIBRANT, the first method to utilize a hybrid machine learning and protein similarity approach that is not reliant on sequence features for automated recovery and annotation of viruses, determination of genome quality and completeness, and characterization of viral community function from metagenomic assemblies. VIBRANT uses neural networks of protein signatures and a newly developed v-score metric that circumvents traditional boundaries to maximize identification of lytic viral genomes and integrated proviruses, including highly diverse viruses. VIBRANT highlights viral auxiliary metabolic genes and metabolic pathways, thereby serving as a user-friendly platform for evaluating viral community function. VIBRANT was trained and validated on reference virus datasets as well as microbiome and virome data.

Results

VIBRANT showed superior performance in recovering higher quality viruses and concurrently reduced the false identification of non-viral genome fragments in comparison to other virus identification programs, specifically VirSorter, VirFinder, and MARVEL. When applied to 120,834 metagenome-derived viral sequences representing several human and natural environments, VIBRANT recovered an average of 94% of the viruses, whereas VirFinder, VirSorter, and MARVEL achieved less powerful performance, averaging 48%, 87%, and 71%, respectively. Similarly, VIBRANT identified more total viral sequence and proteins when applied to real metagenomes. When compared to PHASTER, Prophage Hunter, and VirSorter for the ability to extract integrated provirus regions from host scaffolds, VIBRANT performed comparably and even identified proviruses that the other programs did not. To demonstrate applications of VIBRANT, we studied viromes associated with Crohn’s disease to show that specific viral groups, namely Enterobacteriales-like viruses, as well as putative dysbiosis associated viral proteins are more abundant compared to healthy individuals, providing a possible viral link to maintenance of diseased states.

Conclusions

The ability to accurately recover viruses and explore viral impacts on microbial community metabolism will greatly advance our understanding of microbiomes, host-microbe interactions, and ecosystem dynamics.
Evaluation of drive-through pharmacy service in Queen Elizabeth Hospital Malaysia
Authors: Liew Jerry Ee Siung , Abdul Gapar Aizan Adifarhan bin , Shim Lik Ting
Published: June 2020

Background

In 2015, the drive-through pharmacy was first introduced in Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Malaysia as one of the pharmacy value-added services. Therefore, it is imperative to review the service for further amelioration to fulfil patients’ needs and expectations.

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the drive-through pharmacy service in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Malaysia.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from July to December 2018. The questionnaire was developed and underwent thorough validation process which yielded a Cronbach’s alpha reliability score of 0.9130. Satisfaction was calculated by mean percentage score (0% (dissatisfied) to 100% (satisfied). All data were analysed descriptively and thematic analysis was used in analysing open-ended question.

Results

Compliance in obtaining medication was at 96.3% with a given two-week grace collection period. Insufficient quantity of medications (33.3%) was the highest near-missed medication errors occurred at the drive-through pharmacy. The mean satisfaction percentage score for all patients were 76.6% ± 8.1. A total of 69.2% (n = 83) were “very satisfied” while 30.8% (n = 37) were “satisfied” with the service. Among the reasons for satisfaction are convenience in getting medication refills (n = 74, 62%), short waiting time (n = 75, 63%) and knowledgeable dispensers (n = 87, 73%). A handful of patients were “dissatisfied” with the opening hours (n = 14, 11.7%) and the location of the drive-through pharmacy service (n = 19, 15.8%).

Conclusion

Compliance in medication collection is acceptable within stipulated grace period. Despite low occurrence, identification of near-missed medication errors provides useful insights for future improvement of the service. Generally, our patients are satisfied with the service. However, we need to re-evaluate on the opening hours and location of the service.
Optimized vs. Standard Automated Peritoneal Dialysis Regimens (OptiStAR): study protocol for a randomized controlled crossover trial
Authors: Bergling Karin , de Arteaga Javier , Ledesma Fabián , Öberg Carl Mikael
Published: June 2020

Background

It has been estimated that automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) is currently the fastest growing renal replacement therapy in the world. However, in light of the growing number of diabetic patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), the unwanted glucose absorption during APD remains problematic. Recent results, using an extended 3-pore model of APD, indicated that large reductions in glucose absorption are possible by using optimized bi-modal treatment regimens, having “UF cycles” using a higher glucose concentration, and “Clearance cycles” using a low concentration or, preferentially, no glucose. The present study is designed to test the theoretical prediction of a lower glucose absorption using these novel regimes.

Methods

This study is a randomized single-center, open-label, prospective study. Prevalent PD patients between 18 and 75 years old without known catheter problems or recent peritonitis are eligible for inclusion. Patients are allocated to a first treatment session of either standard APD (6 × 2 L 1.36% over 9 h) or optimized APD (7 × 2 L 2.27% + 5 × 2 L 0.1% over 8 h). A second treatment session using the other treatment will be performed in a crossover fashion. Samples of the dialysis fluid will be taken before and after the treatment, and the volume of the dialysate before and after the treatment will be carefully assessed. The primary endpoint is difference in glucose absorption between the optimized and standard treatment. Secondary endpoints are ultrafiltration, sodium removal, Kt/V urea, and Kt/V Creatinine. The study will be closed when a total of 20 patients have successfully completed the interventions or terminated according to interim analysis. A Monte Carlo power analysis shows that the study has 80% power to detect a difference of 10 g (in line with that of theoretical results) in glucose absorption between the two treatments in 10 patients.

Discussion

The present study is the first clinical investigation of optimized bi-modal treatments proposed by recent theoretical studies.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04017572. Registration date: July 12, 2019, retrospectively registered.
The impacts of pill contraceptive low-dose on plasma levels of nitric oxide, homocysteine, and lipid profiles in the exposed vs. non exposed women: as the risk factor for cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Momeni Zahra , Dehghani Ali , Fallahzadeh Hossein , Koohgardi Moslem , Dafei Maryam , Hekmatimoghaddam Seyed Hossein , Mohammadi Masoud
Published: June 2020

Background

Consuming oral contraceptive pills is one of the methods for preventing pregnancy worldwide. As using the pills has always caused the greatest concern for the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases and also given the limited conducted studies in this regard, this study was carried out to determine the impacts of low dose birth control pills on plasma levels of nitric oxide, homocysteine, and lipid profiles in the exposed vs. non exposed women as the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Methods

This was a combined cohort study conducted on 100 women, having the age range 20–35 years and normal menstrual cycles, referred to the health care centers in Yazd, Iran. The demographic data were obtained through face to face interviews performed by the researcher. Anthropometric indexes were measured and biochemical factors were determined by testing blood samples. Then, using SPSS 16 and statistical independent t-test and Chi- square, the data were analyzed.

Results

The mean ± standard deviations of plasma levels of homocysteine, nitric oxide, cholesterol, triglyceride, Low Density Lipoprotein, and High Density Lipoprotein levels in the group consumed low dose contraceptive pills were 3.84 ± 2.35 μmol/l, 181.36 ± 90.44 μM, 180.7 ± 38.28 mg/dl, 129.82 ± 47.92 mg/ dl, 101.42 ± 30.66 mg/dl, and 56.46 ± 8.42 mg/dl, There were significant statistical differences between those consuming the pills and those not consuming the pills regarding cholesterol (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Consuming Low Dose contraceptive pills can increase the plasma levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, and Low Density Lipoprotein levels; i.e. this condition is called dyslipidemia. On the other hand, there were no changes in the levels of homocysteine and nitric oxide in the healthy women consuming the pills; therefore, the pills may not develop cardiovascular diseases in healthy women. Accordingly, it is recommended that the health care providers prescribe the pills for the women with cautions.
Sea as a color palette: the ecology and evolution of fluorescence
Authors: Macel Marie-Lyne , Ristoratore Filomena , Locascio Annamaria , Spagnuolo Antonietta , Sordino Paolo , D’Aniello Salvatore
Published: June 2020

Fluorescence and luminescence are widespread optical phenomena exhibited by organisms living in terrestrial and aquatic environments. While many underlying mechanistic features have been identified and characterized at the molecular and cellular levels, much less is known about the ecology and evolution of these forms of bioluminescence. In this review, we summarize recent findings in the evolutionary history and ecological functions of fluorescent proteins (FP) and pigments. Evidence for green fluorescent protein (GFP) orthologs in cephalochordates and non-GFP fluorescent proteins in vertebrates suggests unexplored evolutionary scenarios that favor multiple independent origins of fluorescence across metazoan lineages. Several context-dependent behavioral and physiological roles have been attributed to fluorescent proteins, ranging from communication and predation to UV protection. However, rigorous functional and mechanistic studies are needed to shed light on the ecological functions and control mechanisms of fluorescence.
The effect of differences in group composition on knowledge transfer, group achievement, and learners’ affective responses during reciprocal concept mapping with the Kit-Build Approach
Authors: Sadita Lia , Hirashima Tsukasa , Hayashi Yusuke , Furtado Pedro G. F. , Junus Kasiyah , Santoso Harry Budi
Published: June 2020

Collaborative learning requires a structured and open environment where individuals can actively exchange and elaborate their ideas to achieve a high-quality problem-solving solution. The use of concept map has been extensively implemented to facilitate idea generation and maintain shared focus during discussion. This study employs the Reciprocal Kit-Build (RKB) approach as a designed activity to support collaborative concept mapping. Though previous studies show the RKB is promising to promote productive discussion and achieve high-quality group products, they have not investigated how individual knowledge differences may potentially influence the effectiveness of collaboration. This study aims to identify the effect of group composition on learning effectiveness at the level of interaction between individual and group and at the level of the group as a whole. At the interaction level, we investigate the amount of knowledge transfer from shared and unshared individual knowledge to group solutions, while at the group level, the quality of collaborative maps is evaluated. Moreover, we explore the affective responses of learners during designated activities. A single group design is applied to illustrate the learning activities in a practical classroom settings where all students receive the same treatment. Our findings show that the transfer of individual shared and unshared knowledge is considerably high in all group conditions. Group composition does not significantly affect knowledge transfer and final group-outcome products; however, it may induce learners to experience different affective states. The results are essential for practitioners who intend to apply the RKB in their classroom to determine the appropriate group settings.
Synaptic loss and amyloid beta alterations in the rodent hippocampus induced by streptozotocin injection into the cisterna magna
Authors: Ahn Yujin , Seo Jincheol , Park Junghyung , Won Jinyoung , Yeo Hyeon-Gu , Kim Keonwoo , Jeon Chang-Yeop , Huh Jae-Won , Lee Sang-Rae , Lee Dong-Seok , Lee Youngjeon
Published: June 2020

To date, researchers have developed various animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) to investigate its mechanisms and to identify potential therapeutic treatments. A widely recognized model that mimics the pathology of human sporadic AD involves intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection with streptozotocin (STZ). However, ICV injections are an invasive approach, which creates limitations in generalizing the results. In this study, we produced a rodent model of AD using STZ (3 mg/kg) injection via the cisterna magna (CM) once every week for 4 weeks, and analyzed at 4 weeks and 16 weeks after final injection. In the CM-STZ rodent model of AD, we observed increase in extracellular amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition and decrease and abnormal morphology of post-synaptic protein, PSD95 in 16 weeks STZ-injected group. The model developed using our less-invasive method induced features of AD-like pathology, including significantly increased extracellular amyloid-beta deposition, and decreased synaptic protein in the hippocampus. These findings supporting the success of this alternative approach, and thus, we suggest this is a promising, less invasive model for use in future AD research.
Role of early postoperative ultrasonography in prediction of AV fistula failure in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Abd-Elmageed Mohamed Kamel , Elsayed Basma Fathy , Elkholy Mohamed Ramadan
Published: June 2020

Background

Doppler ultrasonography (US) is the main imaging modality of hemodialysis AV fistula as it is safe non-invasive accurate modality. This study is to measure the arteriovenous (AV) fistula blood flow during early postoperative period (7–14 days) and assess its predictive role in AV fistula failure in hemodialysis patients. Color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) was used to estimate the blood flow in the AV fistula of 100 patients at (7–14 days) after the fistula creation. The performance of fistula blood flow during early postoperative periods for predicting fistula failure was evaluated, and optimal cutoff value was determined.

Results

During the follow-up period (6 months), we classified the fistulas as 82 mature, and 18 failed. The blood flow was considerably lower in the failure group than that in the mature group at the early postoperative period (P value = 0.001). The areas under the curves (AUC) were 0.952, and the cutoff value was 200.5 ml/min. The sensitivity of CDU in prediction of fistula failure is 99% with negative predictive value 94% and accuracy 97%, and with specificity 89% and positive predictive value 98%.

Conclusion

Measuring blood flow of the AV fistula at the early postoperative period probably has a predictive role in the AV fistula failure. There is risk of failure if the blood flow less than 200 ml/min at (day 7–14)
Ready, set, go!: exploring use of a readiness process to implement pharmacy services
Authors: Livet Melanie , Yannayon Mary , Richard Chloe , Sorge Lindsay , Scanlon Paul
Published: June 2020

Background

Readiness is an essential precursor of successful implementation; however, its conceptualization and application has proved elusive. R = MC2 operationalizes readiness for use in practice. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe the application of R = MC2 to assess and build readiness in nine healthcare sites responsible for implementing medication management services and (2) gain insights into the sites’ experience.

Methods

This mixed methods exploratory study used data collected as part of a process evaluation. Understanding application of the readiness process (Aim 1) involved examining team members’ involvement (who?), readiness challenges and readiness building strategies (what?), strategy execution (how much?), and resulting changes (for what purpose?). To understand the sites’ experience with the R = MC2 system (Aim 2), interviews were conducted with six of the sites to identify facilitators, barriers, and lessons learned. Data sources included a document review (e.g., sites’ action plans), survey results, and interview data.

Results

Sites included primary care and specialty clinics, pharmacies within health systems, and community pharmacies. Teams consisted of 4–11 members, including a lead pharmacist. The teams’ readiness activities clustered into five broad categories of readiness building strategies (e.g., building the operational infrastructure for service integration). Of the 34 strategies identified across sites, 68% were still in progress after 4 months. Engaging in the readiness process resulted in a number of outputs (e.g., data management systems) and benefits (e.g., an opportunity to ensure alignment of priorities and fit of the intervention). Based on the interviews, facilitators of the readiness process included assistance from a coach, internal support, and access to the readiness tools. Competing priorities and lack of resources, timely decision-making, and the timing of the readiness process were cited as barriers. The importance of service fit, stakeholder engagement, access to a structured approach, and rightsizing the readiness process emerged as lessons learned.

Conclusions

These findings provide valuable insights into the application of a readiness process. If readiness is to be integrated into routine practice as part of any implementation effort, it is critical to gain a better understanding of its application and value.
Analysis of the impact of social network sites and eWOM marketing, considering the reinforcing dimensions of the concept of luxury, on tendency toward luxury brand
Authors: MajlesiRad Zahra , Haji pour Shoushtari Abdol Hamid
Published: June 2020

This study, with regard to new ways of marketing in today’s digital world, has tried to analyze and evaluate the impact of marketing through social network sites as the most effective electronic word-of-mouth marketing strategy on tendency toward luxury brand or in other words, on purchase intent trigger toward this type of brand. It also outlines that “communication” policy plays a significant role on establishment of strong relationship with customers among luxury marketing mix strategies. The research has been done among users of social network sites that live in the north of Tehran (district nos. 1, 2 and 3). They are considered as social classes A and B, and there is high demand of purchasing luxury brands among them. The impact of structural factors of these sites, as well as demographic factors, with regard to the dimensions that reinforce the concept of “luxury” was studied on the tendency of people toward luxury brands. This study is considered as applied research, and the data collection method is survey-descriptive. The validity of the questionnaire was investigated by exploratory factor analysis through performing principal component analysis. Then the data analysis was conducted by structural equations modeling technique and also Spearman correlation test. At last, most of the hypotheses were confirmed and the results showed a significant impact of social network sites marketing on tendency to luxury brand. The research offers implications for developing effective marketing strategy through social network sites and helps luxury brand managers to build strong customer–brand relationship.
Toward a better understanding of low-frequency electrical relaxation — An enhanced pore space characterization
Authors: Kruschwitz Sabine , Halisch Matthias , Dlugosch Raphael , Prinz Carsten
Published: June 2020

The relaxation phenomena observed in the electrical low-frequency range (approximately 1 MHz–10 kHz) of natural porous media such as sandstones are often assumed to be directly related to the dominant (modal) pore throat sizes measured, for instance, with mercury intrusion porosimetry. Attempts to establish a universally valid relationship between pore size and peak spectral induced polarization (SIP) relaxation time have failed, considering sandstones from very different origins and featuring great variations in textural and chemical compositions as well as in geometric pore space properties. In addition working with characteristic relaxation times determined in Cole-Cole or Debye decomposition fits to build the relationship have not been successful. In particular, samples with narrow pore throats are often characterized by long SIP relaxation times corresponding to long “characteristic length scales” in these media, assuming that the diffusion coefficients along the electrical double layer were constant. Based on these observations, three different types of SIP relaxation can be distinguished. We have developed a new way of assessing complex pore spaces of very different sandstones in a multimethodical approach to combine the benefits of mercury intrusion porosimetry, micro-computed tomography, and nuclear magnetic resonance. In this way, we achieve much deeper insight into the pore space due to the different resolutions and sensitivities of the applied methods to pore constrictions (throats) and wide pores (pore bodies). We experimentally quantify pore aspect ratios and volume distributions within the two pore regions. We clearly observe systematic differences between three SIP relaxation types identified previously, and we can attribute the SIP peak relaxation times to measured characteristic length scales within our materials. We highlight selected results for a total of nine sandstones. It seems that SIP relaxation behavior depends on the size difference of the narrow pore throats to the wide pore bodies, which increases from SIP type 1 to type 3.
Uncertainty quantification in seismic facies inversion
Authors: Talarico Erick Costa e Silva , Grana Dario , Passos de Figueiredo Leandro , Pesco Sinesio
Published: June 2020

In seismic reservoir characterization, facies prediction from seismic data often is formulated as an inverse problem. However, the uncertainty in the parameters that control their spatial distributions usually is not investigated. In a probabilistic setting, the vertical distribution of facies often is described by statistical models, such as Markov chains. Assuming that the transition probabilities in the vertical direction are known, the most likely facies sequence and its uncertainty can be obtained by computing the posterior distribution of a Bayesian inverse problem conditioned by seismic data. Generally, the model hyperparameters such as the transition matrix are inferred from seismic data and nearby wells using a Bayesian inference framework. It is assumed that there is a unique set of hyperparameters that optimally fit the measurements. The novelty of the proposed work is to investigate the nonuniqueness of the transition matrix and show the multimodality of their distribution. We then generalize the Bayesian inversion approach based on Markov chain models by assuming that the hyperparameters, the facies prior proportions and transition matrix, are unknown and derive the full posterior distribution. Including all of the possible transition matrices in the inversion improves the uncertainty quantification of the predicted facies conditioned by seismic data. Our method is demonstrated on synthetic and real seismic data sets, and it has high relevance in exploration studies due to the limited number of well data and in geologic environments with rapid lateral variations of the facies vertical distribution.