bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Being Edgy in Health Professions Education: Concluding the Philosophy of Science Series
Authors: MacLeod Anna , Ellaway Rachel H. , Paradis Elise , Park Yoon Soo , Young Meredith , Varpio Lara
Published: February 2020

The philosophy of science is concerned with what science is, its conceptual framing and underlying logic, and its ability to generate meaningful and useful knowledge. To that end, concepts such as ontology (what exists and in what way), epistemology (the knowledge we use or generate), and axiology (the value of things) are important if somewhat neglected topics in health professions education scholarship. In an attempt to address this gap, Academic Medicine has published a series of Invited Commentaries on topics in the philosophy of science germane to health professions educational science. This Invited Commentary concludes the Philosophy of Science series by providing a summary of the key concepts that were elucidated over the course of the series, highlighting the intent of the series and the principles of ontology, epistemology, axiology, and methodology. The authors conclude the series with a discussion of the benefits and challenges of cross-paradigmatic research.
Lower Success Rate of Débridement and Implant Retention in Late Acute versus Early Acute Periprosthetic Joint Infection Caused by Staphylococcus spp. Results from a Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Wouthuyzen-Bakker Marjan , Sebillotte Marine , Huotari Kaisa , Escudero Sánchez Rosa , Benavent Eva , Parvizi Javad , Fernandez-Sampedro Marta , Barbero José Maria , Garcia-Cañete Joaquín , Trebse Rihard , Del Toro Maria , Diaz-Brito Vicens , Sanchez Marisa , Scarborough Matthew , Soriano Alex ,   on behalf of the ESCMID Study Group for Implant-Associated Infections (ESGIAI)
Published: February 2020

Background

Surgical débridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) is currently recommended by international guidelines for both early acute (postsurgical) and late acute (hematogenous) periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). However, due to a different pathogenesis of infection, a different treatment strategy may be needed.

Questions/purposes

(1) Compared with early acute PJIs, are late acute PJIs associated with a higher risk of DAIR failure? (2) When stratified by microorganism, is the higher risk of failure in late acute PJI associated with Staphylocococcus aureus infection? (3) When analyzing patients with S. aureus infection, what factors are independently associated with DAIR failure?

Methods

In this multicenter observational study, early acute and late acute PJIs treated with DAIR were retrospectively evaluated and matched according to treating center, year of diagnosis, and infection-causing microorganism. If multiple matches were available, the early acute PJI diagnosed closest to the late acute PJI was selected. A total of 132 pairs were included. Treatment success was defined as a retained implant during follow-up without the need for antibiotic suppressive therapy.

Results

Late acute PJIs had a lower treatment success (46% [60 of 132]) compared with early acute PJIs (76% [100 of 132]), OR 3.9 [95% CI 2.3 to 6.6]; p < 0.001), but the lower treatment success of late acute PJIs was only observed when caused by Staphylococcus spp (S. aureus: 34% versus 75%; p < 0.001; coagulase-negative staphylococci: 46% versus 88%; p = 0.013, respectively). On multivariable analysis, late acute PJI was the only independent factor associated with an unsuccessful DAIR when caused by S. aureus (OR 4.52 [95% CI 1.79 to 11.41]; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Although DAIR seems to be a successful therapeutic strategy in the management of early acute PJI, its use in late acute PJI should be reconsidered when caused by Staphylococcus spp. Our results advocate the importance of isolating the causative microorganism before surgery.

Level of Evidence

Level III, therapeutic study.
Incidence of diabetes according to metabolically healthy or unhealthy normal weight or overweight/obesity in postmenopausal women: the Women's Health Initiative
Authors: Cordola Hsu Amber R. , Ames Susan L. , Xie Bin , Peterson Darleen V. , Garcia Lorena , Going Scott B. , Phillips Lawrence S. , Manson JoAnn E. , Anton-Culver Hoda , Wong Nathan D.
Published: February 2020

Objective:

To determine the relationship of metabolic weight categories with incident diabetes mellitus (DM) in postmenopausal women.

Methods:

The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) enrolled 161,808 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years. We included those with cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers and free of CVD and prevalent DM (n = 17,043) at baseline. Normal weight was defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥18.5 and <25 kg/m2, and waist circumference (WC) <88 cm and overweight/obesity as a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 or WC ≥88 cm. Metabolically healthy was based on <2 and metabolically unhealthy ≥2 traits of the following: triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL, systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥130 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥85 mm Hg, or antihypertensives or diuretics, fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL or DM medication, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <50 mg/dL. Cox regression was performed to determine the risk of incident DM among metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUHNW), metabolically healthy overweight/obese (MHO), and metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese (MUHO).

Results:

Among our sample, 2,253 (13.3%) participants developed DM over a mean ± standard deviation follow-up time of 15.6 ± 3.4 years. Compared with MHNW (n = 162 incident DM cases), an increased risk of incident DM was observed in MUHNW (n = 102 cases) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.74-2.88, P < 0.0001), MHO (n = 624 cases) (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.40-2.00, P < 0.0001), and MUHO (n = 1,365 cases) (HR 4.51, 95% CI 3.82-5.35, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

Among postmenopausal women, MUHNW and MHO confer an approximate doubling in the risk and MUHO more than a four-fold increased risk for developing DM.
Using cationic polyurethane-short branch PEI as microRNA-driven nano-delivery system for stem cell differentiation
Authors: Chien Chian-Shiu , Wang Chien-Ying , Yang Yi-Ping , Chou Shih-Jie , Ko Yu-Ling , Tsai Fu-Ting , Yu Wen-Chung , Chang Chia-Ching , Cherng Jong-Yuh , Yang Meng-Yin
Published: February 2020

Background:

Non-viral gene delivery, such as using biodegradable polyurethane short-branch polyethylenimine (PU-PEI), has been considered a potentially safer gene delivery system in comparison to conventional virus systems.

Methods:

The polycationization of DNA complexes protects DNA from nuclease degradation, and these DNA complexes are nanoscale in size to enter the cell through endocytosis.

Results:

Due to the net positive surface charge of the cell, these polyplexes efficiently bind to the cell through electrostatic interactions with negatively charged membrane components. Cationic PU-PEI has been shown to be non-cytotoxic and has a high transfection efficiency, making it a practical gene delivery material in diseases.

Conclusion:

We developed a PU-PEI nanomedicine-based platform to efficiently deliver microRNA in promoting differentiation capacity of stem cells, especially on induced pluripotent stem cells.
Second revolution in cardiovascular prevention
Authors: Chiang Chern-En , Wang Kang-Ling , Cheng Hao-Min , Sung Shih-Hsien , Chao Tze-Fan
Published: February 2020

Type 2 diabetes has become a major disease burden in twenty-first century. Both incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes have quadrupled between 1980 and 2004 in the whole world. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the major complication of type 2 diabetes. The introduction of statins in clinical settings is the first revolution in our battle against ASCVD. Most ASCVDs could be prevented or treated with statins. However, statin failed to reduce chronic kidney diseases (CKD) and heart failure (HF). Owing to a mandate from US Food and Drug Administration in 2008 that every new antidiabetic drug should be tested in clinical trials to demonstrate its safety, we now have a good opportunity to look for better antidiabetic drugs not only to decrease blood sugar but also to decrease CVD or renal disease. Among them, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2 i) are two most extensively studied ones. SGLT-2 i, in particular, prevent CKD and end-stage renal disease, and prevent HF. In the recent CREDENCE trial, canagliflozin reduced renal endpoints by 34% and end-stage renal disease by 32%. Furthermore, in the recent DAPA-HF trial, dapagliflozin decreased hospitalization for HF/cardiovascular death by 26%, and total death by 17%, in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction, irrespective of diabetes or nondiabetes. The beneficial effects of SGLT-2 i in CKD and HF are complementary to the effects of statins. The introduction of SGLT-2 i in clinical practice is the second revolution in cardiovascular prevention.
Mastopexy
Authors: Cohen-Shohet Rachel , Bloom Joshua , Mast Bruce
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Training residents for cosmetic surgery is challenging. This study's goal is to identify the mastopexy spectrum, comparing private and academic practice, and determine the impact on resident training and readiness.

Methods

An institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis of the senior author's mastopexy practice was performed: 5 years private; 5 years academics consecutively. Indications for surgery, type of surgery, and complications (return to operating room, hospital readmission, prosthesis loss, nonoperative hematoma, seroma, wound dehiscence, infection) were recorded. Surveys were sent to all graduated, board-certified plastic surgeons (all in private practice) who trained in performing mastopexy with the lead surgeon in our apprenticeship model.

Results

A total of 246 mastopexies were reviewed (155 in private practice and 91 in academic setting). There were 7 main indications for mastopexy identified: ptosis, postpartum atrophy, nonsurgical weight loss, surgical weight loss, asymmetry, reconstruction/balancing, revision from previous augmentation. Fisher exact test was performed. Primary mastopexy alone was significantly more prevalent in private practice (P = 0.0184). Revisional mastopexy/augmentation was significantly more prevalent in academic practice (P = 0.0047). There was no statistical difference in major or minor complications between private and academic setting (P = 0.077 and P = 0.219, respectively). All graduated trainees reported being “comfortable” or “very comfortable” performing mastopexies.

Discussion

Primary mastopexy is more commonly performed in a private practice setting. Mastopexy, in academics, is more likely in conjunction with reconstruction/balancing. Despite lesser representation of pure cosmetic mastopexy, trainees are well prepared for mastopexy. This indicates that principles and techniques of aesthetic surgery are adequately taught.
The Cost of the “July Effect” in Microsurgery
Authors: Ayyala Haripriya S. , Weisberger Joseph S. , Malhotra Radhika , Lee Edward S.
Published: February 2020

The existence of the “July effect,” or the idea that the new academic year intrinsically has an increased complication rate is evaluated in microsurgical free tissue transfer procedures. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry was queried for all free flap procedures performed between 2005 and 2016 (n = 3405). Cases were grouped as having occurred in the first academic quarter (Q1: July 1–September 30) or fourth quarter (Q4: April 1–June 30). Demographical data and complications were compared using univariate χ
2 analysis, multivariate logistic regression was used to control for confounding variables, and inpatient stay and operating cost estimates were created. Of a total of 1722 cases, 905 were performed in the first academic quarter and 817 were performed in the fourth academic quarter. There was no significant difference between Q1 and Q4 in readmission rate (P = 0.378) or reoperation rate (P = 0.730). Patients in Q1 had significantly longer operative times (P = 0.001) and length of stay (P = 0.002) compared with those in Q4. In addition, cost of inpatient stay and operating costs associated with each free flap were significantly increased in Q1 compared with Q4 (P = 0.029; P = 0.001). The total cost per quarter for free flaps was also significantly more expensive in Q1 vs Q4, with the highest average difference in cost of $350,010.64 (P = 0.001). Having surgery early in the academic year does not put patients at any increased risk for major complications but is associated with increased operating time, length of stay, and total cost.
LncRNA cancer susceptibility candidate (CASC7) upregulates phosphatase and tensin homolog by downregulating miR-10a to inhibit neuroblastoma cell proliferation
Authors: Zhou Xianjun , Lu Hongting , Li Fujiang , Han Lulu , Zhang Hong , Jiang Zhong , Dong Qian , Chen Xin
Published: February 2020

Long non-coding (lncRNA) cancer susceptibility candidate (CASC7) plays a tumor-suppressive role in several malignancies. In this study, the role of CASC7 in neuroblastoma was investigated for the first time. We observed the downregulation of CASC7 in neuroblastoma tissues compared to non-cancer tissues of neuroblastoma patients. Across neuroblastoma tissues, CASC7 was inversely correlated with microRNA-10a (miR-10a) but positively correlated with phosphatase and tensin homolog mRNA. In neuroblastoma cells, CASC7 overexpression led to downregulated miR-10a but upregulated phosphatase and tensin homolog. Furthermore, miR-10a overexpression led to downregulated phosphatase and tensin homolog and reduced effects of CASC7 overexpression. CASC7 overexpression resulted in inhibition, while miR-10a overexpression resulted in increased proliferation rate of neuroblastoma cells. We therefore concluded that lncRNA CASC7 may upregulate phosphatase and tensin homolog by downregulating miR-10a to inhibit neuroblastoma cell proliferation.
The effect of autopolyploidy on population genetic signals of hard sweeps
Authors: Monnahan Patrick , Brandvain Yaniv
Published: February 2020

Searching for population genomic signals left behind by positive selection is a major focus of evolutionary biology, particularly as sequencing technologies develop and costs decline. The effect of the number of chromosome copies (i.e. ploidy) on the manifestation of these signals remains an outstanding question, despite a wide appreciation of ploidy being a fundamental parameter governing numerous biological processes. We clarify the principal forces governing the differential manifestation and persistence of the selection signal by separating the effects of polyploidy on the rates of fixation versus rates of diversity (i.e. mutation and recombination) using coalescent simulations. We explore the major consequences of polyploidy, finding a more localized signal, greater dependence on dominance and longer persistence of the signal following fixation, and discuss what this means for within- and across ploidy inference on the strength and prevalence of selective sweeps. As genomic advances continue to open doors for interrogating natural systems, simulations such as this aid our ability to interpret and compare data across ploidy levels.
Is mere exposure enough? The effects of bilingual environments on infant cognitive development
Authors: D'Souza Dean , Brady Daniel , Haensel Jennifer X. , D'Souza Hana
Published: February 2020

Bilinguals purportedly outperform monolinguals in non-verbal tasks of cognitive control (the ‘bilingual advantage'). The most common explanation is that managing two languages during language production constantly draws upon, and thus strengthens, domain-general inhibitory mechanisms (Green 1998
Biling. Lang. Cogn.
1
, 67–81. (
doi:10.1017/S1366728998000133
)). However, this theory cannot explain why a bilingual advantage has been found in preverbal infants (Kovacs & Mehler 2009
Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA
106
, 6556–6560. (
doi:10.1073/pnas.0811323106
)). An alternative explanation is needed. We propose that exposure to more varied, less predictable (language) environments drive infants to sample more by placing less weight on consolidating familiar information in order to orient sooner to (and explore) new stimuli. To confirm the bilingual advantage in infants and test our proposal, we administered four gaze-contingent eye-tracking tasks to seven- to nine-month-old infants who were being raised in either bilingual (
n
= 51) or monolingual (
n
= 51) homes. We could not replicate the finding by Kovacs and Mehler that bilingual but not monolingual infants inhibit learned behaviour (experiment 1). However, we found that infants exposed to bilingual environments do indeed explore more than those exposed to monolingual environments, by potentially disengaging attention faster from one stimulus in order to shift attention to another (experiment 3) and by switching attention more frequently between stimuli (experiment 4). These data suggest that experience-driven adaptations may indeed result in infants exposed to bilingual environments switching attention more frequently than infants exposed to a monolingual environment.
Diversity of arthropods on
Acacia mangium
(Fabaceae) and production of this plant with dehydrated sewage sludge in degraded area
Authors: Silva Júlia Leticia , Demolin Leite Germano Leão , de Souza Tavares Wagner , Souza Silva Farley William , Sampaio Regynaldo Arruda , Azevedo Alcinei Mistico , Serrão José Eduardo , Zanuncio José Cola
Published: February 2020

Sewage sludge is an organic matter-rich material with abundant fractions of nitrogen and other macro and micronutrients, essential for plant growth and development such as
Acacia mangium
Willd. (Fabales: Fabaceae) used in recovering actions of degraded areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate over 24 months the abundance and diversity of chewing and pollinator insects and arthropod predators on
A. mangium
plants and the mass production and soil coverage by this plant, fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge, in a degraded area. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with two treatments (with and without dehydrated sewage sludge) and 24 replications. The number of leaves per branch and branches per plant, defoliation percentage by chewing insects, soil cover and abundance of chewing and pollinator insects and arthropod predators were higher on
A. mangium
plants fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge.
Nasutitermes
sp. (Blattodea: Termitidae) and
Trigona spinipes
F. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) were the most observed insects on trunks and leaves, respectively, of
A. mangium
plants fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge. The
A. mangium
fertilization increases the populations of different insect and spider groups on this plant.
KITE: high-performance accurate modelling of electronic structure and response functions of large molecules, disordered crystals and heterostructures
Authors: João Simão M. , Anđelković Miša , Covaci Lucian , Rappoport Tatiana G. , Lopes João M. V. P. , Ferreira Aires
Published: February 2020

We present KITE, a general purpose open-source tight-binding software for accurate real-space simulations of electronic structure and quantum transport properties of large-scale molecular and condensed systems with tens of billions of atomic orbitals (
N
∼ 10
10
). KITE’s core is written in C++, with a versatile Python-based interface, and is fully optimized for shared memory multi-node CPU architectures, thus scalable, efficient and fast. At the core of KITE is a seamless spectral expansion of lattice Green’s functions, which enables large-scale calculations of generic target functions with uniform convergence and fine control over energy resolution. Several functionalities are demonstrated, ranging from simulations of local density of states and photo-emission spectroscopy of disordered materials to large-scale computations of optical conductivity tensors and real-space wave-packet propagation in the presence of magneto-static fields and spin–orbit coupling. On-the-fly calculations of real-space Green’s functions are carried out with an efficient domain decomposition technique, allowing KITE to achieve
nearly ideal linear scaling
in its multi-threading performance. Crystalline defects and disorder, including vacancies, adsorbates and charged impurity centres, can be easily set up with KITE’s intuitive interface, paving the way to user-friendly large-scale quantum simulations of equilibrium and non-equilibrium properties of molecules, disordered crystals and heterostructures subject to a variety of perturbations and external conditions.
Population variability under stressors is dependent on body mass growth and asymptotic body size
Authors: Färber Leonie , van Gemert Rob , Langangen Øystein , Durant Joël M. , Andersen Ken H.
Published: February 2020

The recruitment and biomass of a fish stock are influenced by their environmental conditions and anthropogenic pressures such as fishing. The variability in the environment often translates into fluctuations in recruitment, which then propagate throughout the stock biomass. In order to manage fish stocks sustainably, it is necessary to understand their dynamics. Here, we systematically explore the dynamics and sensitivity of fish stock recruitment and biomass to environmental noise. Using an age-structured and trait-based model, we explore random noise (white noise) and autocorrelated noise (red noise) in combination with low to high levels of harvesting. We determine the vital rates of stocks covering a wide range of possible body mass (size) growth rates and asymptotic size parameter combinations. Our study indicates that the variability of stock recruitment and biomass are probably correlated with the stock's asymptotic size and growth rate. We find that fast-growing and large-sized fish stocks are likely to be less vulnerable to disturbances than slow-growing and small-sized fish stocks. We show how the natural variability in fish stocks is amplified by fishing, not just for one stock but for a broad range of fish life histories.
On a new fractional uncertainty relation and its implications in quantum mechanics and molecular physics
Authors: El-Nabulsi Rami Ahmad
Published: February 2020

A new generalized uncertainty relation is constructed based on Li-Ostoja-Starzewski fractional gradient operator of order 0 < 
α
 ≤ 1 introduced recently in literature which is motivated from dimensional regularization method. The new generalized uncertainty relation leads to a new form of Schrödinger equation and emergent position-dependent mass. Special forms of position-dependent mass were studied and the problem of a particle in a box was explored. Dissimilar forms of allowed quantum energies were obtained which lead to different scenarios. We have confronted the theory with observations by evaluating the maximum wavelength obtained in the 1,3-butadiene molecule. Several features were discussed accordingly.
Environmental decomposition of olefinic cuticular hydrocarbons of
Periplaneta americana
generates a volatile pheromone that guides social behaviour
Authors: Hatano Eduardo , Wada-Katsumata Ayako , Schal Coby
Published: February 2020

Once emitted, semiochemicals are exposed to reactive environmental factors that may alter them, thus disrupting chemical communication. Some species, however, might have adapted to detect environmentally mediated breakdown products of their natural chemicals as semiochemicals. We demonstrate that air, water vapour and ultraviolet (UV) radiation break down unsaturated cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) of
Periplaneta americana
(American cockroach), resulting in the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In behavioural assays, nymphs strongly avoided aggregating in shelters exposed to the breakdown VOCs from cuticular alkenes. The three treatments (air, water vapour, UV) produced the same VOCs, but at different time-courses and ratios. Fourteen VOCs from UV-exposed CHCs elicited electrophysiological responses in nymph antennae; 10 were identified as 2-nonanone, 1-pentanol, 1-octanol, 1-nonanol, tetradecanal, acetic acid, propanoic acid, butanoic acid, pentanoic acid and hexanoic acid. When short-chain fatty acids were tested as a mix and a blend of the alcohols and aldehyde was tested as a second mix, nymphs exhibited no preference for control or treated shelters. However, nymphs avoided shelters that were exposed to VOCs from the complete 10-compound mix. Conditioned shelters (occupied by cockroaches with faeces and CHCs deposited on the shelters), which are normally highly attractive to nymphs, were also avoided after UV exposure, confirming that breakdown products from deposited metabolites, including CHCs, mediate this behaviour. Our results demonstrate that common environmental agents degrade CHCs into behaviourally active volatile compounds that potentially may serve as necromones or epideictic pheromones, mediating group dissolution.
Dietary morphology of two island-endemic murid rodent clades is consistent with persistent, incumbent-imposed competitive interactions
Authors: Rowsey Dakota M. , Keenan Ryan M. , Jansa Sharon A.
Published: February 2020

A lineage colonizing a geographic region with no competitors may exhibit rapid diversification due to greater ecological opportunity. The resultant species diversity of this primary-colonizing (incumbent) clade may limit subsequent lineages' ability to persist unless these non-incumbent lineages are ecologically distinct. We compare the diversity in diet-related mandibular morphology of two sympatric murid rodent clades endemic to Luzon Island, Philippines—incumbent Phloeomyini and secondary-colonizing Chrotomyini—to the mandibular morphological diversity of Sahul Hydromyini, the sister clade of Chrotomyini and the incumbent murid lineage on the supercontinent of Sahul. This three-clade comparison allows us to test the hypothesis that incumbent lineages can force persistent ecological distinction of subsequent colonists at the time of colonization and throughout the subsequent history of the two sympatric clades. We find that Chrotomyini forms a subset of the diversity of their clade plus Sahul Hydromyini that minimizes overlap with Phloeomyini. We also infer that this differentiation extends to the stem ancestor of Chrotomyini and Sahul Hydromyini, consistent with a biotic filter imposed by Phloeomyini. Our work illustrates that incumbency has the potential to have a profound influence on the ecomorphological diversity of colonizing lineages at the island scale even when the traits in question are evolving at similar rates among independently colonizing clades.
Into the wild: microbiome transplant studies need broader ecological reality
Authors: Greyson-Gaito Christopher J. , Bartley Timothy J. , Cottenie Karl , Jarvis Will M. C. , Newman Amy E. M. , Stothart Mason R.
Published: February 2020

Gut microbial communities (microbiomes) profoundly shape the ecology and evolution of multicellular life. Interactions between host and microbiome appear to be reciprocal, and ecological theory is now being applied to better understand how hosts and their microbiome influence each other. However, some ecological processes that underlie reciprocal host–microbiome interactions may be obscured by the current convention of highly controlled transplantation experiments. Although these approaches have yielded invaluable insights, there is a need for a broader array of approaches to fully understand host–microbiome reciprocity. Using a directed review, we surveyed the breadth of ecological reality in the current literature on gut microbiome transplants with non-human recipients. For 55 studies, we categorized nine key experimental conditions that impact the ecological reality (EcoReality) of the transplant, including host taxon match and donor environment. Using these categories, we rated the EcoReality of each transplant. Encouragingly, the breadth of EcoReality has increased over time, but some components of EcoReality are still relatively unexplored, including recipient host environment and microbiome state. The conceptual framework we develop here maps the landscape of possible EcoReality to highlight where fundamental ecological processes can be considered in future transplant experiments.
Alpha oscillations govern interhemispheric spike timing coordination in the honey bee brain
Authors: Popov Tzvetan , Szyszka Paul
Published: February 2020

In 1929 Hans Berger discovered the alpha oscillations: prominent, ongoing oscillations around 10 Hz in the electroencephalogram of the human brain. These alpha oscillations are among the most widely studied brain signals, related to cognitive phenomena such as attention, memory and consciousness. However, the mechanisms by which alpha oscillations affect human cognition await demonstration. Here, we suggest the honey bee brain as an experimentally more accessible model system for investigating the functional role of alpha oscillations. We found a prominent spontaneous oscillation around 18 Hz that is reduced in amplitude upon olfactory stimulation. Similar to alpha oscillations in primates, the phase of this oscillation biased both timing of neuronal spikes and amplitude of high-frequency gamma activity (40–450 Hz). These results suggest a common role of alpha oscillations across phyla and provide an unprecedented new venue for causal studies on the relationship between neuronal spikes, brain oscillations and cognition.
Thermonuclease test accuracy is preserved in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates
Authors: Canning Benjamin , Mohamed Iskandar , Wickramasinghe Nimal , Swindells Jonathan , O'Shea Matthew K.
Published: February 2020

Introduction. The nuc gene encodes a thermonuclease which is present in Staphylococcus aureus but not in coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and is the target of the rapid phenotypic thermonuclease test. The effect of nuc gene variation in methicillin-resistant

S. aureus

(MRSA) on the performance of PCR testing has been noted, although there are no reports about the effect of MRSA on the activity of the thermonuclease enzyme.

Aim. Our goals were to examine the sensitivity and specificity of the thermonuclease test used to distinguish

S. aureus

from CoNS cultured from blood. In addition, we aimed to assess differences in the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the thermonuclease test between methicillin-sensitive

S. aureus

(MSSA) and MRSA isolates.

Methodology. We performed a retrospective analysis of 1404 isolates. Each isolate from a positive blood culture was identified as a Gram-positive coccus by microscopy then analysed with the thermonuclease test (Southern Group Laboratory) prior to confirmatory identification using VITEK microbial identification platforms (bioMérieux) and cefoxitin disc diffusion testing.

Results. Of 1331 samples included in the final analysis, 189 were thermonuclease-positive, of which 176 were identified as

S. aureus

. Of the 1142 thermonuclease-negative samples, 13 were finally identified as

S. aureus

, giving a sensitivity of 93.1 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 88.5–96.3) and specificity of 98.9 % (95 % CI 98.1–99.4). Of the nine proven MRSA samples, eight were thermonuclease-positive, giving a sensitivity of 88.9 % (95 % CI 51.8–99.7). Thermonuclease test accuracy for MSSA and MRSA isolates was 98.1 % (95 % CI 97.2–98.8) versus 98.8 % (95 % CI 98.0–99.3), respectively.

Conclusions. In the era of increasing use of molecular-based microbiology assays, the thermonuclease test remains a simple, inexpensive and robust test for the presumptive identification of

S. aureus

cultured from blood, irrespective of methicillin sensitivity.
Clinical and pathological characteristics of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a systematic reviews
Authors: Mao Yaqian , Lin Wei , Wen Junping , Chen Gang
Published: February 2020

Abstracts

Importance

In 2002-2003, a severe pulmonary infectious disease occurred in guangdong, China. The disease was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), 17 years apart, also happen in China, and also a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), this epidemic has posed a significant hazard to people’s health both China and the whole world.

Objective

Summarized the latest epidemiological changes, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination and pathological characteristics of COVID-19.

Evidence Review

PubMed database were searched from 2019 to 2020 using the index terms “novel coronavirus” or “COVID-19” or “2019-nCoV” or “SARS-CoV-2” and synonyms. Articles that reported clinical characteristics, laboratory results, imageological diagnosis and pathologic condition were included and were retrospectively reviewed for these cases. This paper adopts the method of descriptive statistics.

Results

34 COVID-19-related articles were eligible for this systematic review,Four of the articles were related to pathology. We found that Fever (86.0%), cough (63.9%) and Malaise/Fatigue (34.7%) were the most common symptoms in COVID-19. But in general, the clinical symptoms and signs of COVID-19 were not obvious. Compared with SARS, COVID-19 was transmitted in a more diverse way. The mortality rates of COVID-19 were 2.5%, and the overall infection rate of healthcare worker of COVID-19 was 3.9%. We also found that the pathological features of COVID-19 have greatly similar with SARS, which manifested as ARDS. But the latest pathological examination of COVID-19 revealed the obvious mucinous secretions in the lungs.

Interpretation

The clinical and pathological characteristics of SARS and COVID-19 in China are very similar, but also difference. The latest finds of pathological examination on COVID-19 may upend existing treatment schemes, so the early recognition of disease by healthcare worker is very important.

Key Points

Question

What can we learn from the clinical manifestations and pathological features of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)?

Findings

In this review, we found COVID-19 was transmitted in a more diverse way than Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Fever, cough and Malaise/Fatigue were the most common symptoms. We also found that the SARS-CoV-2 has the same cell entry receptor ACE2 as SARS-CoV, and they have similar pathological mechanisms like Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Meaning

This review aims to give people a more comprehensive understanding of COVID-19 and to continuously improve the level of prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment.
Control of E-S Potentiation at two different sites in the dendro-somatic axis
Authors: Clark Jason K. , Madison Daniel V.
Published: February 2020

EPSP-Spike (E-S) Potentiation occurs alongside synaptic Long-Term Potentiation (LTP), both triggered by high-frequency synaptic stimulation (HFS). In this study, we confirm the earlier findings that E-S potentiation appears to be prevented by prior reduction of GABAAreceptor-mediated inhibitory synaptic transmission. However, we demonstrate that this is a result of an occlusion of E-S potentiation, not a block. E-S potentiation and GABAAantagonism each saturate postsynaptic action potential discharge, but E-S potentiation can still be induced by high frequency activation of synapses, even in the presence of pharmacological GABAAblockade. These results suggest that GABAAblockers/antagonists and E-S potentiation share an expression mechanism, namely the reduction of GABAA-mediated synaptic inhibition. We also assayed changes in the electrical coupling between dendrite and soma, and were surprised to find that this coupling is decreased following HFS, a change that would oppose E-S potentiation. This decrease in dendritic-soma electrical coupling (D-S coupling) was induced through the action of GABABreceptors, but not maintained or expressed via the activity of these receptors. These data all together suggest that there are two distinct and opposing changes that occur as a result of HFS: 1) A decrease in passive dendro-somatic electrical coupling, and 2), an increase in coupling between the somatic EPSP and action potential generation. These two opposing influences may function as a homeostatic mechanism to balance the excitatory/inhibitory relationship between primary neurons and interneurons, and may represent a separate mechanism by which feedback and feed-forward synaptic inhibition can influence E-S coupling in opposite directions.

Significance statement

E-S Potentiation is an activity-dependent form of plasticity that boosts the efficiency of the coupling between synaptic input and action potential output in a neuron. Because it is induced by synaptic activity in series with the more familiar long-term potentiation (LTP), and is similarly persistent, it represents an additional mechanism by which memory traces may be stored within neural circuits. The significance of this paper is that it shows that there are at least two points of control for E-S potentiation which influence it in opposite directions, thereby providing additional basic mechanisms by which memory traces may be modulated.
SARS-CoV-2 transmission in cancer patients of a tertiary hospital in Wuhan
Authors: Yu Jing , Ouyang Wen , Chua Melvin L.K. , Xie Conghua
Published: February 2020

In December 2019, an outbreak of atypical pneumonia known as 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred in Wuhan, China. This new type of pneumonia is characterized by rapid human-to-human transmission. Among the different disease types, cancer patients are often recalled to the hospital for treatment and disease surveillance, and the majority of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy are immunosuppressive. This prompts us to consider if cancer patients were at an elevated risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A total of 1,524 cancer patients who were managed at our tertiary cancer institution – Zhongnan hospital of Wuhan University were reviewed during the period of Dec 30, 2019 to Feb 17, 2020. It was found that cancer patients had an estimated 2-fold increased risk of COVID-19 than the general population. We identified twelve patients who were infected with SARS-CoV-2, with two recorded deaths (16.7%), albeit one patient passed away from a COVID-19 unrelated cause. Interestingly, only five of these patients were ongoing treatment at the time of contracting the virus, suggesting that hospital visitation was the likely factor contributing to the elevated incidence in cancer patients. Moreover, we also observed that the incidence of severe COVID-19 was not higher than in the general population. Consequently, for cancer patients who require treatment, proper isolation protocols must be in place to mitigate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Chiasserini Davide , Bijnsdorp Irene , Bellomo Giovanni , Orvietani Pier Luigi , Piersma Sander R. , Pham Thang V. , Parnetti Lucilla , Jiménez Connie R.
Published: February 2020

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contains different types of extracellular vesicles (EVs) with undisclosed biomarker potential for neurodegenerative diseases. The aims of the present study were: i) to compare the proteome EVs isolated using different ultracentrifugation speed ii) to preliminary explore the EVs proteome in a common neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) compared to neurological controls. CSF samples from control subjects and AD patients were pooled separately (15 mL) and subjected to ultracentrifugation (UC) at different speeds (20,000g and 100,000g) to isolate separate EV fractions (P20 and P100). The proteome was analysed using high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and comparisons were made using bioinformatic analysis. EVs isolated at 100,000g (P100) had a proteome consistent with vesicles secreted via an ESCRT-dependent mechanism, being highly enriched in alix (PDCD6IP), syntenin-1 (SDCBP) and TSG101. EVs isolated at 20,000g were substantially different, showing enrichment in cytoskeletal and cell adhesion molecules. The pools from patients diagnosed with AD showed a distinct protein profile of CSF EVs, with increased levels of ADAM10, SPON1, CH3IL1 and MDK in the P100 fraction. CSF EV offer a new potential biosource of protein markers for AD detection and a complementary framework to the analysis of whole biological fluids for biomarker discovery.
Global Motion Detection and Censoring in High-Density Diffuse Optical Tomography
Authors: Sherafati Arefeh , Snyder Abraham Z. , Eggebrecht Adam T. , Bergonzi Karla M. , Burns-Yocum Tracy M. , Lugar Heather M. , Ferradal Silvina L. , Robichaux-Viehoever Amy , Smyser Christopher D. , Palanca Ben J. , Hershey Tamara , Culver Joseph P.
Published: February 2020

Motion-induced artifacts can significantly corrupt optical neuroimaging, as in most neuroimaging modalities. For high-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT) with hundreds to thousands of source-detector pair measurements, motion detection methods are underdeveloped relative to both functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and standard functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). This limitation restricts the application of HD-DOT in many challenging situations and subject populations (e.g., bedside monitoring and children). Here, we evaluate a new motion detection method for multichannel optical imaging systems that leverages spatial patterns across channels. Specifically, we introduce a global variance of temporal derivatives (GVTD) metric as a motion detection index. We show that GVTD strongly correlates with external measures of motion and has high sensitivity and specificity to instructed motion - with area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.88, calculated based on five different types of instructed motion. Additionally, we show that applying GVTD-based motion censoring on both task and resting state HD-DOT data with natural head motion results in an improved spatial similarity to fMRI mapping for the same respective protocols (task or rest). We then compare the GVTD similarity scores with several commonly used motion correction methods described in the fNIRS literature, including correlation-based signal improvement (CBSI), temporal derivative distribution repair (TDDR), wavelet filtering, and targeted principal component analysis (tPCA). We find that GVTD motion censoring outperforms other methods and results in spatial maps more similar to matched fMRI data.
Relationship Between Liver Cancer Mortality and Racial Residential Segregation Across Wisconsin Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Bemanian Amin , Cassidy Laura D. , Fraser Raphael , Laud Purushottam W. , Saeian Kia , Beyer Kirsten M. M.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This cross-sectional study tested relationships between racial segregation and liver cancer across several different metropolitan areas in Wisconsin.

Methods

Tract level liver cancer mortality rates in Wisconsin were calculated using cases from 2003-2012. Hotspot analysis was conducted and segregation scores in high, low, and baseline mortality tracts were compared with ANOVA. Spatial regression analysis was done controlling for socioeconomic advantage and rurality.

Results

Black isolation scores were significantly higher in high mortality tracts compared to baseline and low mortality tracts, but stratification by metropolitan areas found this relationship was driven by two of the five metropolitan areas. Hispanic isolation was predictive for higher mortality in regression analysis, but this effect was not found across all metropolitan areas.

Conclusions

This study showed associations between liver cancer mortality and racial segregation, but found this relationship was not generalizable to all metropolitan areas in the study area.
Evidence of accelerated epigenetic aging in patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease: Results of the LipidCardio study
Authors: Banszerus Verena Laura , Vetter Valentin Max , König Maximilian , Landmesser Ulf , Demuth Ilja
Published: February 2020

DNA methylation (DNAm) age acceleration, defined as the deviation of chronological and epigenetic age determined by an epigenetic clock, has been proposed as a biomarker of biological aging. To address the above hypothesis in the context of cardiovascular disease, we evaluated whether patients (N=827, mean chronological age: 69.82±11.01 years, DNAm age: 71.91±16.11, residual DNAm age acceleration: 0.00±9.65 years), who were diagnosed with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) by coronary angiography were aged prematurely, i.e. had an increase in the DNAm age acceleration, in comparison with patients for whom obstructive CAD was ruled out (controls).

Stratified analysis yielded a significant acceleration in DNAm age (determined by a seven cytosine-phosphate-guanine epigenetic clock) in patients diagnosed with obstructive CAD, defined by at least one >50% coronary stenosis (N=588, rDNA age acceleration=0.58±9.47, corrected p= 2.05⨯10−3) compared to control subjects (N=145, residual (r)DNAm age acceleration= -3.11±10.51 years). Moreover, rDNAm age acceleration was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (ß=0.069, 95% CI 0.027 – 0.112, p= 1.44⨯10−3), sex (ß=-2.438, 95% CI -4.591 - -0.285, p= 2.65⨯10−2), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, ß=0.040, 95% CI 0.011 – 0.069, p= 6.87⨯10−9) and smoking status (ß=-8.538, 95% CI -10.772 - -6.303, p= 2,45⨯10−13).

Across studies, assessing CAD and its risk factors in the context of epigenetic age acceleration findings are remarkably inconclusive. While the here employed seven-cytosine-phosphate-guanine epigenetic clock suggests premature biological aging in CAD patients, compared to controls without coronary stenosis, its association with cardiovascular risk factors was limited.
Clinical features and laboratory inspection of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) in Xiangyang, Hubei
Authors: Cao Weiliang , Shi Li , Chen Lin , Xu Xuemei , Wu Zirong
Published: February 2020

Background

Since December 2019, a novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) rapidly spread in China, reached multiple continents currently.We aimed to reveal the infectious characteristics of COVID-19 that provide more information for the research of novel coronavirus.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study on the clinical characteristics of 128 COVID-19 cases with laboratory-confirmed from Xiangyang No 1 Hospitalad during January 2020 to 16 February 2020.

Results

Female patients account for 53.1%. The aged below 20 years that accounts for 1.6% of overall patients. The aged in 21∼50, 51∼65, over 66 years were accounts for 44.5%, 35.1%,18.8%, respectively. In the difference age spectrum, all severe groups compared with non-severe groups were difference significantly (P < 0.01). Fever (89.8%) and Cough (67.2%) were common clinical symptoms. The rate of patients with sore throats (14.1%) was rare. The rate of chest computed tomography scan showing ground glass opacity in overall, non-severe, severe groups were 63.3%, 60.7%, 76.2%, respectively. White blood cell counts in the normal range of overall patients, but severe group patients were increased significantly (P < 0.01). Lymphocytes of overall patients were decreased. Alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in the normal range of overall patients, but its were elevated in the severe group. Creatinine (CR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of overall patients in the normal range. C-reactive protein (CRP) level of all patients were increased markedly, but it in the severe group was significantly higher than that in the non-severe group (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Our data provide more information that advanced age, lower lymphocytes levels at the diagnosed COVID-19 patients may be a risk factor for unfavourable prognosis. The white blood cells and C-reactive protein level elevated in severe COVID-19 patients may be accompanying bacterial infection. 2019-nCov may be carries a risk factor of impaired liver and kidney function.