bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gonadotropin‐Releasing Hormone Infusion Interval: Importance in Pharmacodynamics
Authors: Schmutzler Rita , Elkind‐Hirsch Karen , Hahn Do Won , McGuire J.L. , Simon James A. , Danforth Douglas R. , Hodgen Gary D.
Published: August 2020

Circulating gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) levels were measured during and after intravenous infusion intervals ranging from 0.08 minutes to 5 minutes and doses ranging from 1 to 25 μg per pulse. In all dose groups (1 vs. 5 vs. 25 μg), the peak levels of GnRH decreased from the 0.08 minute to the 5 minute infusion interval. Our results suggest that the infusion interval over which GnRH is administered has profound effects on the amount, duration, and pattern of GnRH measured in the peripheral circulation.
Experimental Infection of African Green Monkeys and Cynomolgus Monkeys With a SIVAGM Strain Isolated From a Healthy African Green Monkey
Authors: Honjo Shigeo , Narita Toyoko , Kobayashi Rieko , Hiyaoka Akio , Fujimoto Koji , Takasaka Masao , Sakakibara Ippei , Mukai Ryozaburo , Ishikawa Koichi , Ohta Yoshihiro , Hayami Masanori
Published: August 2020

An infection occurred in all African green monkeys and cynomolgus monkeys experimentally inoculated with SIVAGM [TYO‐1], as demonstrated by the appearance of an antibody to SIVAGM [TYO‐1] and the isolation of the virus. No monkey exhibited overt clinical disorders throughout the experimental period of 42 weeks. Thus, SIVAGM was not pathogenic to its original host or to macaques, This system is proposed as a model for HIV infection manifesting no overt disease.
Interventional Ultrasound in Pregnant Macaques: Embryonic/Fetal Applications
Authors: Tarantal Alice F.
Published: August 2020

Similarities in developmental biology between human and nonhuman primates have resulted in the use of macaque species as models in perinatal research. Studies have frequently included invasive surgical procedures or may have required “blind” injections. Several techniques have been established in human subjects using ultrasound as a guide such as cordocentesis and fetal therapy. These techniques have been applied to the nonhuman primate laboratory setting, which significantly decreases the risk of pregnancy loss due to experimental intervention.
Mortality Causes of Owl Monkeys (Aotus nancymae and Aotus vociferans) in Captivity
Authors: Gozalo Alfonso , Montoya Enrique
Published: August 2020

To determine the main causes of death in “owl monkeys” (Aotus nancymae and A. vociferans) in captivity, 115 necropsies were performed. According to the macroscopic findings and clinical data, results are as follow: acute lobular pneumonia (25.2%), chronic nephropathy (10.4%), acute catarrhal enteritis (8.7%), acute hemorrhagic enteritis (7%), acute toxic hepatitis (5.2%), trauma (5.2%), and others.
Atomic structure of hot compressed borosilicate glasses
Authors: Ding Linfeng , Lee Kuo‐Hao , Zhao Tongyao , Yang Yongjian , Bockowski Michal , Ziebarth Benedikt , Wang Qingwei , Ren Jinjun , Smedskjaer Morten M. , Mauro John C.
Published: August 2020

Borosilicate glasses have been in widespread use for over a century; however, a detailed understanding of the structural response to densification is still lacking. In this work, two commercial borosilicate glasses, viz., SCHOTT N‐BK7® (N‐BK7) and Borofloat33® (Boro33), are hot compressed up to 2 GPa with nitrogen gas, and the structural response to this densification is explored via 11B solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The molar volume (Vm) of N‐BK7 and Boro33 decreases ~5% and ~10%, respectively, as a result of hot compression at 2 GPa. The NMR results demonstrate the presence of three different types of fourfold coordinated boron species (B[4]), which are confirmed in MD simulations to be (0B,4Si[4]), (1B[3],3Si[4]), and (1B[4],3Si[4]) (where subscripts represent different B[4] types and brackets indicate the next nearest neighbors (NNN)). The NMR results also show that the fraction of B[4] increases by ~13% in N‐BK7 glass upon hot compression at 2 GPa via the trigonal boron to tetrahedral boron (B[3] to B[4]) conversion, while the fraction of B[4] in Boro33 glass only increases by ~2% at the same pressure, despite the fact that the Vm decrease in N‐BK7 is double that of Boro33. The MD simulations capture the experimental trends in B[4] populations, despite an underestimation of the B[4] increase of N‐BK7 (only ~6%) at 2 GPa. Moreover, the MD simulations suggest that the Vm reduction is a linear function of bond angle change and the fraction of Si‐O‐Si and B[4]‐O‐Si. The modifiers and boron coordination conversion also influence the volume densification of borosilicate glasses by increasing the difficulty of bond bending, decreasing the bond lengths, and increasing the population of B[4]‐O‐Si linkages. Finally, the B[4] to B[4] conversion, that is, (1B[3],3Si[4]) and (1B[4],3Si[4]) to (0B,4Si[4]), is observed in hot compressed N‐BK7 and Boro33 from NMR and qualitatively confirmed in MD.
Optimization of Ce3+ concentration and Y4MgSi3O13 phase in Mg2+‐Si4+ Co‐doped Ce: YAG ceramic phosphors
Authors: Tian Yanna , Tang Yanru , Yi Xuezhuan , Chen Jie , Sun Shiyu , Zhao Di , Lin Hui , Zhou Shengming
Published: August 2020

As a promising replacement for nitride red phosphors, Ce: Y3(Mg1.8Al1.4Si1.8)O12 (Ce: YMASG) ceramic phosphors have attracted significant attention recently for their advantages in inorganic encapsulation and massive red‐shifting of Ce3+ emission. In this work, Ce: YMASG with different doping concentrations of Ce3+ and Al2O3, was fabricated by vacuum sintering to investigate its effects on the elimination of the impurity phase and the enhancement of the luminescent properties of white light‐emitting diodes (w‐LEDs). It was discovered that the emission wavelength redshifts from 592 to 606 nm as the Ce3+ concentration increases, while at 450 K, the emission intensity deteriorates from 0.47 to 0.36 of its initial value. The Rietveld analysis revealed the presence of an impurity phase of Y4MgSi3O13 with a concentration of 17.021 wt% in Ce: YMASG. With the introduction of Al2O3, the impurity phase was eliminated from the matrix completely, the emission peak shifted to a shorter wavelength, and the thermal stability was greatly improved. When the correlated color temperature was controlled at around 3000 K in the packaged w‐LEDs, the commission international de l'éclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates shifted toward the bottom left corner of the diagram with increasing concentration of Ce3+. Conversely, the luminous efficiency (LE) increased from 36 lm/W to 58.6 lm/W as the concentration of Al2O3 increased from 0 to 10 wt%, which demonstrated the application prospect of the fabricated phosphor in warm w‐LEDs.
Interface engineering of nanoceramic hematite photoelectrode for solar energy conversion
Authors: Freitas Andre L. M. , Muche Dereck N. F. , Leite Edson R. , Souza Flavio L.
Published: August 2020

This work addresses the role of different modifiers on the overall photocurrent response, which allowed a dual material insertion, increasing the charge separation without compromise the surface catalysis. Sn‐addition onto nanoceramic hematite photoelectrodes clearly increased flat band potential, promoting a good charge separation, and shifting the onset to a higher potential, attributed to the surface‐trapping state created by this modification. Notoriously, Sn‐hematite photoelectrodes loaded with NiFeOx exhibited the highest photocurrent density, suggesting a partially recovered surface‐trapping states created during the electrode designing. The well‐known cocatalyst acted in the overall photoelectrocatalytic response with no significant effect on the turn‐on voltage, in other words, with minor effect related to catalytic efficiency. The dual modification contributes to understand the role of different modifiers allowing to satisfactorily improve charge separation while maintaining the conductivity attributed to IV‐group ions.
Pleistocene climatic oscillations associated with landscape heterogeneity of the South American dry diagonal explains the phylogeographic structure of the narrow‐billed woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris, Dendrocolaptidae)
Authors: Rocha A. V. , Cabanne G. S. , Aleixo A. , Silveira L. F. , Tubaro P. , Caparroz R.
Published: August 2020

Based on phylogeographic and niche model analyses of the narrow‐billed woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes angustirostris, we evaluated the predictions of two diversification hypotheses related to the dry diagonal of South America: (I) isolation by distance (IBD) and (II) landscape heterogeneity. We also investigated the influence of the Pleistocene climatic oscillations on the diversification and population dynamic of this species, and discussed the implications of our findings for the taxonomy of this woodcreeper. We sampled 63 individuals including all subspecies described for L. angustirostris, and compared them using a mitochondrial (ND2) and a nuclear (FIB5) fragments. We performed a Mantel test and spatial autocorrelation analysis, reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships among haplotypes, investigated changes in population size and estimated divergence time among the genetic lineages. We refuted the hypothesis that bird species associated with open environments have shallow geographic differentiation and showed that strong genetic structure observed in L. angustirostris can not be explained by IBD. Paleo‐modeling showed strong association between climatic stable areas and the genetic lineages, suggesting that Pleistocene climatic oscillations have primarily driven the intraspecific diversification of this species. In addition, the association between genetic lineages and the dry diagonal biomes supports that landscape heterogeneity may be acting as a secondary barrier restricting gene flow among the lineages. The genetic lineages found in L. angustirostris do not correspond to the subspecies described, indicating that this species can be considered as a single species with strong genetic structure. In conclusion, our data corroborate other studies indicating that Pleistocene climatic oscillations may have had a strong influence in the intraspecific divergence of dry diagonal fauna and that biomes of the dry diagonal should be considered as independent units in further biogeographic studies.
Wintering grounds, population size and evolutionary history of a cryptic passerine species from isotopic and genetic data
Authors: de la Hera Iván , Gómez Jordi , Dillane Eileen , Unanue Azaitz , Pérez‐Rodríguez Antón , Pérez‐Tris Javier , Torres‐Sánchez María
Published: August 2020

Cryptic species pose a particular challenge to biologists in the context of life history investigations because of the difficulty in their field discrimination. Additionally, there is normally a lag in their widespread acceptance by the scientific community once they are formally recognised. These two factors might constrain our ability to properly assess the conservation status of the different species conforming a cryptic complex. In this study, we analysed isotopic and genetic data to shed light into the still unclear wintering grounds, population size and evolutionary history of the Iberian chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus, a species included within the common chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita until two decades ago due to their phenotypic similarity. We used molecular methods to identify spring‐migrating Phylloscopus species captured in northern Iberia, and by comparing the Hydrogen isotopic ratios of their claw tips (δ2Hc; which would reflect the signatures of their wintering grounds), we detected that δ2Hc values of Iberian chiffchaffs were similar to willow warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus; a renowned trans‐Saharan migrant), and higher than common chiffchaffs (mostly a pre‐Saharan migrant). These results strongly support the idea that Iberian chiffchaffs winter in tropical Africa. We additionally reconstructed the phylogeny and evolutionary history of the Iberian chiffchaff's clade using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Our results revealed relatively high values of nucleotide diversity (and, hence, high Ne) for the species that were greater than the values of the common/Iberian most recent common ancestor. This suggests that the Iberian chiffchaff did not experience strong bottlenecks after diverging from the common chiffchaff approximately one million years ago. Ultimately, our study provides another illustrative example of how isotopic and genetic analysis tools can help to enhance our understanding of avian ecology and evolution.
Evolution of Trans‐fatty acid consumption in Thailand and strategies for its reduction
Authors: Chavasit Visith , Photi Juntima , Dunkum Paisarn , Krassanairawiwong Tares , Ditmetharoj Mayuree , Preecha Sirirat , Martinez Fernando
Published: August 2020

Eliminating industrially produced trans‐fatty acids (TFAs) from the food supply is one of the World Health Organization's (WHO's) priority targets to control and prevent non‐communicable diseases. This review paper describes the strategies used to reduce TFA consumption in Thailand based on a situation analysis consisting of an assessment of TFA content in the national food supply, its intake, and stakeholder‐based analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT). The analysis resulted in the drafting of a regulatory approach, which was then considered by stakeholders. Bakery products containing partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) are the major sources of TFAs in Thailand. Palm and coconut oil as well as blending technology are locally available as PHO replacements. Thailand's Food and Drug Administration has taken legal action to prohibit the production, import, and distribution of PHOs and their products. Post‐marketing TFA levels are currently being monitored, ie, TFAs in fat/oil and butter must not exceed 2% and 6% of fat content, respectively. For other food categories, TFAs must not exceed 0.5 g per serving unless the TFAs are from ruminant sources. The key factor to successfully reducing TFAs in Thailand is the partnership between public and private sectors, professional associations, and consumers, based on scientific evidence regarding the negative impact of TFA intake on cardiovascular health.
Mucins in pancreatic cancer: A well‐established but promising family for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy
Authors: Wang Shunda , You Lei , Dai Menghua , Zhao Yupei
Published: August 2020

Mucins are a family of multifunctional glycoproteins that mostly line the surface of epithelial cells in the gastrointestinal tract and exert pivotal roles in gut lubrication and protection. Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with poor early diagnosis, limited therapeutic effects, and high numbers of cancer‐related deaths. In this review, we introduce the expression profiles of mucins in the normal pancreas, pancreatic precursor neoplasia and pancreatic cancer. Mucins in the pancreas contribute to biological processes such as the protection, lubrication and moisturization of epithelial tissues. They also participate in the carcinogenesis of pancreatic cancer and are used as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Herein, we discuss the important roles of mucins that lead to the lethality of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, particularly MUC1, MUC4, MUC5AC and MUC16 in disease progression, and present a comprehensive analysis of the clinical application of mucins and their promising roles in cancer treatment to gain a better understanding of the role of mucins in pancreatic cancer.
The impact of anatomical location and sun exposure on the dermoscopic recognition of atypical nevi and early melanomas: usefulness of an integrated clinical‐dermoscopic method (iDScore)
Authors: Tognetti L. , Cartocci A. , Cinotti E. , Moscarella E. , Farnetani F. , Lallas A. , Tiodorovic D. , Carrera C. , Longo C. , Puig S. , Perrot J.L. , Argenziano G. , Pellacani G. , Cataldo G. , Balistreri A. , Cevenini G. , Rubegni P.
Published: August 2020

Background

The anatomical location of atypical melanocytic skin lesion (aMSL) was never combined into an algorithm for discriminating early melanomas (EM) from atypical nevi (AN).

Aims

To investigate the impact of body location on the intuitive diagnosis performed in teledermoscopy by dermatologists of different skill levels. A further aim was to evaluate how the integration of the body location could improve an algorithm‐aided diagnosis.

Methods

We retrospectively collected 980 standardized dermoscopic images of aMSL cases (663 AN, 317 EM): data on the anatomical location were collected according to 15 body sites classified into 4 macro‐areas of chronically/frequently/seldom/rarely exposure. Through a teledermatology web platform, 111 variously skilled dermoscopists performed either the intuitive diagnosis and 3 algorithm‐assisted diagnostic tests (i.e. iDScore, 7‐point checklist, ABCD rule) on each case, for a total of 3330 examinations.

Results

In the rarely photoexposed area (side, bottom, abdomen), AN were the most tricky (i.e. highest quote of false positives), due to a frequent recognition of dermoscopic features usually considered as suggestive for melanoma in these lesions; the EM at these sites received the highest quote of false negatives, being generally interpreted as ‘featureless’ according to these traditional parameters, that were more frequently displayed on the chronically photoexposed area. In rarely and seldom photoexposed area, intuitive diagnosis fails to achieve adequate accuracy for all aMSLs, as the ABCD rule and the 7‐point checklist; by applying the iDScore algorithm the diagnostic performance was increased by 15% in young and 17% in experts.

Conclusions

The body location of an aMSL can affect the quality of intuitive dermoscopic diagnosis, especially in sun‐protected areas. Accuracy can be improved by using the iDScore algorithm that assigns a different partial score of each body site.
Impact of COVID‐19 outbreak on the care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A comparison before and after the outbreak in South China
Authors: Zhang Ying‐Fan , Qiu Yun , He Jin‐Shen , Tan Jin‐Yu , Li Xiao‐Zhi , Zhu Liang‐Ru , Chen Yan , Liu Zhan‐Ju , Iacucci Marietta , Chen Bai‐Li , He Yao , Ben‐Horin Shomron , Shen Bo , Zeng Zhi‐Rong , Ghosh Subrata , Chen Min‐Hu , Mao Ren
Published: August 2020

Background and Aims

Epidemics pose a great challenge to health care of patients. However, the impact of unprecedented situation of COVID‐19 outbreak on health care of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in real‐world setting has seldom been investigated.

Methods

We performed an observational study in a tertiary referral IBD center in China. The mode of health care and medication use was compared before and after COVID‐19 outbreak. Electronic questionnaire surveys were performed among gastroenterologists and IBD patients to investigate the impact of COVID‐19 outbreak on their attitudes towards telemedicine.

Results

COVID‐19 outbreak resulted in substantial decrease of patients participating in standard face‐to‐face visit during 1 month post‐outbreak (n = 51) than pre‐outbreak (n = 249), whereas the participation in telemedicine was significantly higher than comparable period in 2019 (414 vs 93). During the 1 month after COVID‐19 outbreak, 39 (39/56, 69.6%) patients had their infliximab infusion postponed with the mean delay of 3 weeks. The immunomodulator use was similar between pre‐outbreak and post‐outbreak. Six elective surgeries were postponed for a median of 43 days. In post‐outbreak period, 193 (193/297, 64.98%) of the surveyed physicians have used telemedicine with an increase of 18.9% compared with 46.13% (137/292) in the pre‐outbreak period (P < 0.001); 331 (331/505, 65.54%) of the surveyed IBD patients supported that the use of telemedicine should be increased in future health care.

Conclusion

COVID‐19 outbreak resulted in a great change in health‐care access among IBD patients including decrease in standard face‐to‐face visit and delay of biologics use. There was an increased use and need of telemedicine after COVID‐19 outbreak.
An introduction to cryo‐FIB‐SEM cross‐sectioning of frozen, hydrated Life Science samples
Authors: HAYLES M.F. , DE WINTER D.A.M.
Published: August 2020

The introduction of cryo‐techniques to the focused ion‐beam scanning electron microscope (FIB‐SEM) has brought new opportunities to study frozen, hydrated samples from the field of Life Sciences. Cryo‐techniques have long been employed in electron microscopy. Thin electron transparent sections are produced by cryo‐ultramicrotomy for observation in a cryo‐transmission electron microscope (TEM). Cryo‐TEM is presently reaching the imaging of macromolecular structures. In parallel, cryo‐fractured surfaces from bulk materials have been investigated by cryo‐SEM.

Both cryo‐TEM and cryo‐SEM have provided a wealth of information, despite being 2D techniques. Cryo‐TEM tomography does provide 3D information, but the thickness of the volume has a maximum of 200–300 nm, which limits the 3D information within the context of specific structures. FIB‐milling enables imaging additional planes by creating cross‐sections (e.g. cross‐sectioning or site‐specific X‐sectioning) perpendicular to the cryo‐fracture surface, thus adding a third imaging dimension to the cryo‐SEM. This paper discusses how to produce suitable cryo‐FIB‐SEM cross‐section results from frozen, hydrated Life Science samples with emphasis on ‘common knowledge’ and reoccurring observations.

Lay Description

Life Sciences studies life down to the smallest details. Visualising the smallest details requires electron microscopy, which utilises high‐vacuum chambers. One method to maintain the integrity of Life Sciences samples under vacuum conditions is freezing. Frozen samples can remain in a suspended state. As a result, research can be carried out without having to change the chemistry or internal physical structure of the samples.

Two types of electron microscopes equipped with cryo‐sample handling facilities are used to investigate samples: The scanning electron microscope (SEM) which investigates surfaces and the transmission electron microscope (TEM) which investigates thin electron transparent sections (called lamellae). A third method of investigation combines a SEM with a focused ion beam (FIB) to form a cryo‐FIB‐SEM, which is the basis of this paper. The electron beam images the cryo‐sample surface while the ion beam mills into the surface to expose the interior of the sample. The latter is called cross‐sectioning and the result provides a way of investigating the 3rd dimension of the sample. This paper looks at the making of cross‐sections in this manner originating from knowledge and experience gained with this technique over many years. This information is meant for newcomers, and experienced researchers in cryo‐microscopy alike.
The neurodevelopmental spectrum of synaptic vesicle cycling disorders
Authors: John Abinayah , Ng‐Cordell Elise , Hanna Nancy , Brkic Diandra , Baker Kate
Published: August 2020

In this review, we describe and discuss neurodevelopmental phenotypes arising from rare, high penetrance genomic variants which directly influence synaptic vesicle cycling (SVC disorders). Pathogenic variants in each SVC disorder gene lead to disturbance of at least one SVC subprocess, namely vesicle trafficking (e.g. KIF1A and GDI1), clustering (e.g. TRIO, NRXN1 and SYN1), docking and priming (e.g. STXBP1), fusion (e.g. SYT1 and PRRT2) or re‐uptake (e.g. DNM1, AP1S2 and TBC1D24). We observe that SVC disorders share a common set of neurological symptoms (movement disorders, epilepsies), cognitive impairments (developmental delay, intellectual disabilities, cerebral visual impairment) and mental health difficulties (autism, ADHD, psychiatric symptoms). On the other hand, there is notable phenotypic variation between and within disorders, which may reflect selective disruption to SVC subprocesses, spatiotemporal and cell‐specific gene expression profiles, mutation‐specific effects, or modifying factors. Understanding the common cellular and systems mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental phenotypes in SVC disorders, and the factors responsible for variation in clinical presentations and outcomes, may translate to personalized clinical management and improved quality of life for patients and families.

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Clinical outcomes of topical bimatoprost for nonsegmental facial vitiligo: A preliminary study
Authors: Kanokrungsee Silada , Pruettivorawongse Duangrat , Rajatanavin Natta
Published: August 2020

Background

Vitiligo is a common acquired pigmentary disorder. Bimatoprost ophthalmic solution was indicated in the treatment of open‐angle glaucoma and eyebrow hypotrichosis. However, lid hyperpigmentation was reported as a complication.

Objective

To study the efficacy and safety of 0.01% bimatoprost solution compared with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment in patients with nonsegmental facial vitiligo.

Methods

Patients with more than 2 vitiliginous patches on the face were enrolled. Vitiliginous patches were randomized to receive topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment or 0.01% bimatoprost ophthalmic solution, applied twice daily for 12 weeks. The vitiligo surface area (VSA, cm2) was calculated, and the percentage of repigmentation was assessed.

Results

Ten patients completed the study. At the baseline, the mean VSA was comparable between the two groups. By week 12, the VSA decreased at a statistically significant level among both groups compared to the baseline (P < .05). However, there was not a statistically significant difference between both groups. In terms of repigmentation at week 12, 20% of the patients in the bimatoprost group and 10% in the tacrolimus group achieved >50% repigmentation; the overall grading score between two groups were not different at a statistically significant level. The side effects of bimatoprost were reported as itching and burning. There were no changes in intraocular pressure in 2 patients who had lid involvement.

Conclusion

Topical bimatoprost solutions were safe and effective for the treatment of nonsegmental facial vitiligo with comparable results to tacrolimus ointment. It can be considered as an alternative treatment for facial vitiligo.
PURPOSE T in Swedish hospital wards and nursing homes: A psychometric evaluation of a new pressure ulcer risk assessment instrument
Authors: Hultin Lisa , Karlsson Ann‐Christin , Öhrvall Margareta , Coleman Susanne , Gunningberg Lena
Published: August 2020

Aim

To evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Pressure Ulcer Risk Primary or Secondary Evaluation Tool (PURPOSE T); reliability (inter‐rater and test–retest) and validity (convergent validity) in a Swedish context.

Background

Pressure ulcers are considered as an adverse event and are a problem in healthcare worldwide. The first step in pressure ulcer prevention is to identify patients that are at risk. PURPOSE T is a new pressure ulcer risk assessment instrument that was developed in the UK using “golden standard” instrument method.

Design

Observational, descriptive and comparative.

Methods

A total of 235 patients and 28 registered nurses were recruited (May 2018–November 2018) from six hospital wards at a university hospital and two community nursing homes in Sweden. Blinded (ward/nursing home nurses and expert nurses) PURPOSE T assessments and follow‐up retests were undertaken. Cross‐tabulation and kappa statistics were used to examine the reliability, and phi correlation was used to test the convergent validity. The study followed the STROBE guideline.

Results

The clinical evaluation showed “very good” (kappa) inter‐rater and test–retest reliability for PURPOSE T assessment decision overall. The agreement of “at risk”/“not at risk” for both inter‐rater and test–retest was also high, at least 95.5%. The convergent validity between PURPOSE T and other traditional assessment instruments was moderate.

Conclusion

The evaluation of PURPOSE T demonstrated good psychometric characteristics. Further research is needed to evaluate PURPOSE T’s usability among registered nurses.

Relevance to clinical practice

There is a lack of evidence‐based validated pressure ulcer risk assessment instruments for use in health care. According to our findings, the Swedish version of PURPOSE T could be used in hospitals and nursing homes to identify patients in risk or with pressure ulcers.
The impact of HPV vaccination on the prevalence of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) in a hospital‐based population: A cross‐sectional study of patient’s registry
Authors: Katz Joseph
Published: August 2020

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been used for the prevention of cervical cancers, and their clinical efficacy has not been well established in the prevention of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), in spite of the common viral etiology. Therefore, they are still not routinely prescribed for the prevention of this cancer.

Methods

We have used the i2b2 data repository to analyze the interrelations between the hospital population, OPC, vaccinated patients, and patients that were both vaccinated and developed OPC.

Results

From a total hospital population of 1 310 334 patients, 23 174 (1.76%) patients were vaccinated for HPV. One third were males, and two thirds were females. The total number of OPC was 4380 (0.3%) from the total population, of which 3013 (69%) were men. The highest prevalence of OPC was found in the age‐group of 65‐74 (37% of all cases). Four patients (0.017%) of the vaccinated group had developed OPC. Patients who were not vaccinated for HPV had a 19 times increased risk of developing OPC compared with those who were vaccinated (RR 19.3657, 95% CI 7.2655 to 51.6177, P = .0001). The risk was increased in both sexes. The RR in the male group was 23.8 (P = .0015, 95% CI) and in the female group 9.34 (P = .0001, 95% CI 3.0110 to 29.0121). The age distribution in the OPC group was significantly different from the age distribution in the HPV‐vaccinated group (P = .0418) by Mann‐Whitney test. 4376 non‐vaccinated patients have developed OPC.

Conclusions

The present study showed that HPV‐vaccinated group had a reduced prevalence of OPC compared with the non‐vaccinated group.
Acid Effects on the Physical Properties of Different CAD/CAM Ceramic Materials: An in Vitro Analysis
Authors: Al‐Thobity Ahmad M. , Gad Mohammed M. , Farooq Imran , Alshahrani Abdullah S. , Al‐Dulaijan Yousif A.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To evaluate the flexural strength, elastic modulus, microhardness, and surface roughness of monolithic zirconia, lithium disilicate ceramics, and feldspathic ceramics after being exposed to different acidic solutions.

Materials and Methods

Rectangular specimens (n = 180) were prepared from three different ceramic materials: lithium disilicate, monolithic zirconia, and feldspathic porcelain. Initial Surface roughness of ninety specimens (n = 30/material) was evaluated using an optical noncontact profilometer. Thirty specimens of each material were immersed in one of the following solutions (n = 10/group): citric acid; acidic beverage; and artificial saliva, which served as the control. Post immersion surface roughness, flexural strength, and elastic modulus were determined using an optical noncontact profilometer and three‐point bending test. Another thirty specimens of each material were immersed in the aqueous solutions (n = 10/group) following the same protocol and subjected to microhardness test using a Vickers diamond microhardness tester. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the surface characteristics changes. ANOVA and Post‐hoc Tukey's Kramer tests were used for data analysis (α = 0.05).

Results

Immersion in different solutions did not affect the flexural strength and elastic modulus of lithium disilicate or zirconia. Microhardness and surface roughness were significantly affected in all groups (p < 0.05). For feldspathic porcelain groups, the flexural strength and elastic modulus were significantly decreased in the citric acid group (p = 0.045 and p = 0.019). Also, there were significant differences among all feldspathic porcelain groups (p = 0.001) in terms of microhardness and surface roughness values.

Conclusions

The tested acidic agents significantly affected the flexural strength, elastic modulus, surface roughness, and microhardness of feldspathic porcelain. However, the flexural strength and elastic modulus of evaluated lithium disilicate and zirconia did not change significantly.
Pharmacogenetic impact of UGT1A1 polymorphisms on pulmonary neuroendocrine tumours treated with metronomic irinotecan-based chemotherapy in Chinese populations
Authors: Ma Xu , Han Sen , Liu Ying , Liu Jing-Tao , Fang Jian , Zhang Yan-Hua
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 polymorphisms on the safety and efficacy of metronomic irinotecan-based chemotherapy (IBC) in Chinese patients with pulmonary neuroendocrine tumours (PNTs).

Methods

Sixty-eight PNT patients who received metronomic IBC were observed. The quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction was used to detect UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 polymorphisms. The follow-up data were collected to investigate the relationship between different genotypes and adverse drug reactions. The clinical outcomes of metronomic IBC were also evaluated.

Key findings

In the genotype–toxicity association analysis, patients with homozygous UGT1A1*6 had the highest incidence of grade 3-4 diarrhoea (P = 0.010). Compared to other groups, patients with the haplotype of UGT1A1*28 showed a trend towards an increased incidence of grade 4 neutropaenia (P = 0.047). A higher incidence of grade 3–4 leucopaenia was found in groups with UGT1A1*1/*28 (P = 0.023) and UGT1A1*28/*28 (P = 0.022). Grade 1 total bilirubin elevation was associated with the homozygous UGT1A1*6 mutation (P = 0.027) or any UGT1A1*6 variants (P = 0.047). However, neither UGTA1A*28 nor UGT1A1*6 showed any significant association with tumour response or clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

The impact of UGT1A1 polymorphisms varies in different irinotecan-based chemotherapies. UGT1A1*6 and UGTA1A*28 were useful for the prediction of irinotecan-related severe toxicity in Chinese PNT patients treated with metronomic IBC.
The Transformation of the Innovation Process: How Digital Tools are Changing Work, Collaboration, and Organizations in New Product Development*
Authors: Marion Tucker J. , Fixson Sebastian K.
Published: August 2020

Over the past several decades, digitization has invaded all areas of human activity, including innovation. The result of digitization of existing tools for design and collaboration, and the introduction of entirely new digital tools, is a far more substantive change of innovation than previous generations of tools enabled. It affects not only the quality of the output and speed of its generation, but it affects the innovation work itself, changes work content, collaboration patterns, decision authority, organizational set‐ups, governance structures, firm boundaries, and ultimately entire ecosystems.

In this paper, the digitization of New Product Development (NPD), a subset of innovation, is studied to pursue two research questions: (1) How has the digital tool landscape in NPD changed over the past 15 years, and (2) how have these changes affected how firms innovate?

This research uses a longitudinal multi‐method, qualitative approach to deep dive into actual use cases of digital design tools such as computer‐aided design CAD and new tools such as collaborative information technology (CIT). The changes in these tools and observations into how these tools are transforming the very nature of how things are designed is the research focus of this study.

These tools have become increasingly more sophisticated while being easier to use and are integrated earlier in the design process. As a result, digital tools have a far broader reaching impact than previous generation of tools. Not only do they affect output and process efficiency, but they also increase depth and breadth of the work of individual innovators, they lead to rearrangement of the entire innovation processes, enable new configurations of people, teams, and firms, and rewrite the rules on how knowledge management acts as a critical competitive capability. The progression of digitization is laying the groundwork for changes to what firms are and do and points to different ways of organizing, specializing, and training for NPD professionals.
Taxonomic Shift Over a Phosphorus Gradient Affects the Stoichiometry and Fatty Acid Composition of Stream Periphyton
Authors: Iannino Alessandra , Vosshage Alexander Tim Ludwig , Weitere Markus , Fink Patrick
Published: August 2020

Phosphorus enrichment of stream ecosystems generally increases primary production in the benthos, but the consequences of eutrophication for the nutritional quality of periphyton for grazers are less clear. On short timescales, high phosphorus inputs may lead to reduced C:P ratios and high essential fatty acid contents of periphyton, which are both considered important determinants of food quality for grazers. However, nutrient enrichment may alter the taxonomic composition of periphyton and favor the growth of less palatable algal taxa. In this study, periphyton was grown under a gradient of dissolved phosphorus availability from 5 to 100 µg P · L−1, to investigate eutrophication effects on periphyton taxonomy, C:N:P stoichiometry, and fatty acid composition. After 1 month, periphyton grown under oligotrophic conditions was mainly composed of diatoms (~86%). With increasing phosphorus availability, diatoms were gradually outcompeted by chlorophytes and cyanobacteria, which were the predominant taxon under eutrophic conditions. Unexpectedly, periphyton C:P ratios increased with greater phosphorus supply, from ~280 under oligotrophic conditions up to ~790 at 100 µg · L−1, reflecting a tendency of chlorophytes and cyanobacteria to produce more biomass per unit of assimilated phosphorus compared to diatoms. Periphyton content of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids relative to biomass followed a unimodal relationship with phosphorus availability and peaked at intermediate phosphorus levels, likely as a result of both taxonomic and nutrient effects. Our results demonstrate that phosphorus‐driven eutrophication of freshwater ecosystems may worsen periphyton nutritional quality due to taxonomic sorting, which may further lead to lower growth and reproduction of herbivores.
Long‐term outcome of Miniature Schnauzers with genetically confirmed demyelinating polyneuropathy: 12 cases
Authors: Farré Mariné Alba , Granger Nicolas , Bertolani Coralie , Mascort Boixeda Joan , Shelton G. Diane , Luján Feliu‐Pascual Alejandro
Published: August 2020

Background

A demyelinating polyneuropathy with focally folded myelin sheaths was reported in 3 Miniature Schnauzers in France in 2008 and was predicted to represent a naturally occurring canine homologue of Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth (CMT) disease. A genetic variant of MTRM13/SBF2 has been identified as causative in affected Miniature Schnauzers with this polyneuropathy.

Objective

To provide data on the long‐term progression in affected Miniature Schnauzers from Spain confirmed with the MTRM13/SBF2 genetic variant.

Animals

Twelve Miniature Schnauzers presented between March 2013 and June 2019.

Methods

Only dogs presented with consistent clinical signs and homozygous for the MTRM13/SBF2 genetic variant were included. Clinical signs, age of onset and presentation, time from onset to presentation, treatment, outcome, and time from diagnosis to final follow‐up were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

The hallmark clinical signs at the time of presentation were regurgitation with radiologically confirmed megaesophagus (11/12) and aphonic bark (11/12) with or without obvious neuromuscular weakness despite electrodiagnostic evidence of appendicular demyelinating polyneuropathy. Age of onset and clinical presentation were 3‐18 and 4‐96 months, respectively. Treatment was mostly symptomatic and consisted of head elevation during meals, antacids, prokinetics, bethanechol, sildenafil, mirtazapine, or some combination of these. During the follow‐up period (7‐73 months), clinical signs were unchanged in (11/12) cases with aspiration pneumonia developing occasionally (6/12) and being the cause of death in 1 dog.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Demyelinating polyneuropathy of Miniature Schnauzers tends to remain stable over the long term leading to a good prognosis with preventive feeding measures and symptomatic treatment to control aspiration pneumonia.
Sublethal mechanical shear stress increases the elastic shear modulus of red blood cells but does not change capillary transit velocity
Authors: McNamee Antony P. , Tansley Geoff D. , Simmonds Michael J.
Published: August 2020

Blood exposure to supraphysiological shear stress within mechanical circulatory support is suspected of reducing red blood cell (RBC) deformability and being primal in the pathogenesis of several secondary complications. No prior works have explored RBC dynamics with the resolution required to determine shear elastic modulus, and/or cell capillary velocity, following exposure to mechanical stresses. Healthy RBCs were exposed to 0, 5, 50, and 100 Pa in a Couette shearing system. For comparison, blood was also exposed to heat treatment—a method that predictably increases RBC rigidity. Shear modulus assessment required aspiration of single RBCs through narrow micropipettes at known suction force. Cell transit velocities were measured within microchannels in regions of fully developed flow. Supraphysiological shear stress increased the elastic shear modulus by 39% and 69% following exposure to 50 and 100Pa, respectively. Cell transit velocity, however, did not change following shear, with concurrent decreases in cell volume likely nullifying increased shear modulus‐friction interactions. Differences observed were consistent with our internal control (heat treatment), supporting that cell mechanics are significantly impaired following supraphysiological‐sublethal shear exposure. Given mechanical circulatory support operates at shear stresses consistent with the present study, it is plausible that these devices induce fundamental impairment to the material properties of RBCs.
SMC and the bactofilin/PadC scaffold have distinct yet redundant functions in chromosome segregation and organization in Myxococcus xanthus
Authors: Anand Deepak , Schumacher Dominik , Søgaard‐Andersen Lotte
Published: August 2020

In bacteria, ParABS systems and structural maintenance of chromosome (SMC) condensin‐like complexes are important for chromosome segregation and organization. The rod‐shaped Myxococcus xanthus cells have a unique chromosome arrangement in which a scaffold composed of the BacNOP bactofilins and PadC positions the essential ParB∙parS segregation complexes and the DNA segregation ATPase ParA in the subpolar regions. We identify the Smc and ScpAB subunits of the SMC complex in M. xanthus and demonstrate that SMC is conditionally essential, with Δsmc or ΔscpAB mutants being temperature sensitive. Inactivation of SMC caused defects in chromosome segregation and organization. Lack of the BacNOP/PadC scaffold also caused chromosome segregation defects but this scaffold is not essential for viability. Inactivation of SMC was synthetic lethal with lack of the BacNOP/PadC scaffold. Lack of SMC interfered with formation of the BacNOP/PadC scaffold while lack of this scaffold did not interfere with chromosome association by SMC. Altogether, our data support that three systems function together to enable chromosome segregation in M. xanthus. ParABS constitutes the basic and essential machinery. SMC and the BacNOP/PadC scaffold have different yet redundant roles in chromosome segregation with SMC supporting individualization of daughter chromosomes and BacNOP/PadC making the ParABS system operate more robustly.
Association between flower stalk elongation, anArabidopsisdevelopmental trait, and the subcellular location and movement dynamics of the nonstructural protein P3 ofTurnip mosaic virus
Authors: López‐González Silvia , Navarro José Antonio , Pacios Luis F. , Sardaru Papaiah , Pallás Vicente , Sánchez Flora , Ponz Fernando
Published: August 2020

Virus infections affect plant developmental traits but this aspect of the interaction has not been extensively studied so far. Two strains ofTurnip mosaic virusdifferentially affectArabidopsisdevelopment, especially flower stalk elongation, which allowed phenotypical, cellular, and molecular characterization of the viral determinant, the P3 protein. Transiently expressed wild‐type green fluorescent protein‐tagged P3 proteins of both strains and selected mutants of them revealed important differences in their behaviour as endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐associated peripheral proteins flowing along the reticulum, forming punctate accumulations. Three‐dimensional (3D) model structures of all expressed P3 proteins were computationally constructed through I‐TASSER protein structure predictions, which were used to compute protein surfaces and map electrostatic potentials to characterize the effect of amino acid changes on features related to protein interactions and to phenotypical and subcellular results. The amino acid at position 279 was the main determinant affecting stalk development. It also determined the speed of ER‐flow of the expressed proteins and their final location. A marked change in the protein surface electrostatic potential correlated with changes in subcellular location. One single amino acid in the P3 viral protein determines all the analysed differential characteristics between strains differentially affecting flower stalk development. A model proposing a role of the protein in the intracellular movement of the viral replication complex, in association with the viral 6K2 protein, is proposed. The type of association between both viral proteins could differ between the strains.
Breakthrough invasive fungal infections: Who is at risk?
Authors: Jenks Jeffrey D. , Cornely Oliver A. , Chen Sharon C.‐A. , Thompson George R. , Hoenigl Martin
Published: August 2020

The epidemiology of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in immunocompromised individuals has changed over the last few decades, partially due to the increased use of antifungal agents to prevent IFIs. Although this strategy has resulted in an overall reduction in IFIs, a subset of patients develop breakthrough IFIs with substantial morbidity and mortality in this population. Here, we review the most significant risk factors for breakthrough IFIs in haematology patients, solid organ transplant recipients, and patients in the intensive care unit, focusing particularly on host factors, and highlight areas that require future investigation.