bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Beyond the Grave: Use of Medical Information from the Deceased to Guide Care of Living Relatives
Authors: Tadros Shereen , Carley Helena , Lucassen Anneke
Published: November 2020

Purpose of Review

In order to inform patients of their genetic risks, access to the medical records and/or stored samples of their relatives is often helpful. We consider some of the obstacles to such access when these relatives are deceased and suggest how they might be navigated.

Recent Findings

We explore an issue first highlighted in 2004 by Lucassen et al. (Br Med J 328:952–953, 2004) and re-evaluate it in the wake of novel technologies and mainstreaming of genomic medicine. We find that it is still an issue in practice despite professional guidelines advocating access to familial information (Joint Committee on Genomics in Medicine 2019) and that the Human Tissue Act 2004 is often wrongly constructed as a reason to block access. Access is often obstructed by failing to adopt the necessary relational concept of autonomy that applies in genetic medicine as reported by Horton and Lucassen (Curr Genet Med Rep 7:85–91, 2019) and by considering confidentiality to be absolute, even after death. In response to a recent legal case about the confidentiality of genetic test results, and their disclosure to family members (ABC v St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust 2020), Dove et al. (J Med Ethics 45:504–507, 2019) suggested that a duty to consider the interests of genetic relatives could co-exist alongside a duty of confidentiality to a patient. In this way, healthcare professionals can use professional judgement about the relative value of genetic information to family members. This is equally relevant in accessing deceased relatives’ information. A recent systematic review found a high level of acceptability of postmortem use of genetic data for medical research amongst participants and their relatives, and it is reasonable to assume that this acceptability would extend to clinical practice as reported by Bak et al. (Eur J Hum Genet 28:403–416, 2020).

Within clinical practice, access to medical records/samples of deceased relatives is often obstructed unnecessarily, potentially resulting in harm to the living relatives seeking advice. Consent to such access is important but need not be the bureaucratic hurdle that is often imposed.
On the global convergence of a new spectral residual algorithm for nonlinear systems of equations
Authors: Papini Alessandra , Porcelli Margherita , Sgattoni Cristina
Published: November 2020

We present a derivative-free method for solving systems of nonlinear equations that belongs to the class of spectral residual methods. We will show that by endowing a previous version of the algorithm with a suitable new linesearch strategy, standard global convergence results can be attained under mild general assumptions. The robustness of the new method is therefore potentially improved with respect to the previous version as shown by the reported numerical experiments.
Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD): indicazioni ed efficacia nel trattamento dell’obesità
Authors: Currenti Walter , Galvano Fabio
Published: November 2020

Sommario

La very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) è un protocollo alimentare fortemente ipocalorico e ipoglucidico che ha il fine di indurre la chetosi. Rispetto a una dieta ipocalorica tradizionale è vantaggiosa sulla fame, sul mantenimento della muscolatura, sull’infiammazione e sul decremento ponderale. Può essere attuata anche mediante l’utilizzo di prodotti sostitutivi in concomitanza a un percorso di educazione alimentare. La VLCKD rappresenta una valida opzione terapeutica nel trattamento dell’obesità.
Rückkehr zur Herkunft
Authors: Blome Eva
Published: November 2020

Der Artikel setzt sich mit einem in jüngster Zeit vermehrt zu beobachtenden Narrativ auseinander: der Erzählung von der Herkunft aus einem deklassierten Milieu. Im Mittelpunkt stehen dabei autosoziobiografische Texte und Filme, die aus der Perspektive einer erworbenen sozialen Distanz den Anspruch verfolgen, individuelle Erfahrungen des Klassenwechsels mit einer Analyse aktueller gesellschaftlicher Problemlagen zu verbinden. Diese Darstellungen werden zum einen hinsichtlich ihrer hybriden Gattungszugehörigkeit und ihres kommunikativen Anspruchs befragt. Zum anderen werden ihre dominierenden Erzählweisen untersucht. Dabei zeigt sich, dass genealogisch-kollektivierende Konstellationen eine wichtige Rolle spielen: Erstens werden Klassenverhältnisse als Generationenverhältnisse narrativiert; zweitens wird ein die einzelne Autosoziobiografie sprengendes Erzählverfahren verwendet, durch das sich ein intertextueller Zusammenhang von aufeinander verweisenden Geschichten des Klassenwechsels konstituiert.
Die digitale Transformation als reflexiver turn: Einführende Literatur zur digitalen Geschichte im Überblick
Authors: König Mareike
Published: November 2020

Die digitale Transformation prägt seit einigen Jahrzehnten die Art und Weise, wie Geschichtswissenschaft betrieben, geschrieben, verbreitet, diskutiert und gelehrt wird. Dabei ist die Spannbreite dessen, was sich unter dem Sammelbegriff „Digitale Geschichte“ summieren lässt, riesig: Sie reicht von digitalen Praktiken, wie sie im Computerzeitalter für alle Forschenden alltäglich geworden sind, über Digitalität als Thema, bis hin zum Einsatz digitaler Methoden und Werkzeuge für die historische Erkenntnisgewinnung. Das an den Rändern offene transdisziplinare Praxisfeld ist zudem allein durch technische Entwicklungen im ständigen Fluss. Sehr unterschiedlich sind folglich Einführungen in die digitale Geschichte oder in die Digital Humanities, von denen in diesem Beitrag einige deutsch-, englisch- und französischsprachige Bände besprochen werden. Neben einer Einordnung dieses speziellen Literaturgenres zwischen Theorie und Praxis liegt der Fokus dabei zum einen auf den Änderungen von Forschung, Lehre, Kommunikation und Publikation durch die Digitalität. Zum anderen werden gegenwärtige Diskussionen und Kontroversen in und um die digitale Geschichte skizziert, wie sie zugleich in anderen Publikationen verhandelt werden.
New promising developments for potential therapeutic applications of high-dose ascorbate as an anticancer drug
Authors: Testa Ugo , Pelosi Elvira , Castelli Germana
Published: November 2020

Vitamin C (ascorbate) is an essential dietary requirement, with fundamental redox, antioxidant functions at physiologic concentrations. Vitamin C is a cofactor for Fe2+ and 2- oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, englobing large families of enzymes, including also epigenetic regulators of DNA and histone methylation. Importantly, vitamin C is involved in the control of the activity of TET (ten-eleven translocation) enzymes, key epigenetic regulators. For this spectrum of activities, often involving pathways deregulated in cancer cells, vitamin C possesses some pharmacologic activities that can be exploited in anticancer therapy. In particular, the capacity of pharmacological doses of vitamin C to target redox imbalance and to rescue deregulated epigenetic program observed in some cancer cells represents a consistent therapeutic potentiality. Several recent studies have identified some cancer subsets that could benefit from the pharmacological activities of vitamin C. The identification of these potentially responsive patients will help to carefully define controlled clinical trials aiming to evaluate the anticancer activity of Vitamin C.
Dose-adjusted bendamustine as a replacement for carmustine in autologous stem cell transplant conditioning for patients with relapsed lymphoma
Authors: AlJohani Naif I. , Nasani Momen , Ahmed Hosam E. , Ur Rehman Jalil , Nawaz Azhar , Alzahrani Zayed , Albeirouti Bassim
Published: November 2020

BEAM conditioning regimen (carmustine [BCNU], etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan) has been widely used for autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma. However, BCNU-associated toxicities have prompted research to explore other options. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of bendamustine as an alternative to BCNU. We compared 71 patients who received either bendamustine (Benda-EAM group) or BCNU (BEAM group) conditioning. Considering previous reports of increased cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and mucositis, we adopted a lower bendamustine dose of 160 mg/m2/day administered for 2 days. There was no increase in nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. Further, positive results were also obtained for neutrophil and platelet engraftment, appearing earlier in patients treated with Benda-EAM (10 vs. 14 days and 16 vs. 27 days, respectively). However, caution is warranted because an increased frequency of Grade 3 mucositis was observed in the Benda-EAM group (82.4% vs. 48%). This was accompanied by an increased need for parenteral nutrition. Despite the lower dose of bendamustine, the overall and progression-free survival rates were comparable between the Benda-EAM and BEAM groups. In conclusion, a lower dose of ben- damustine may be an attractive alternative to BCNU as a tolerable treatment modality for patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma.
Introduction to Engineering Heat Transfer
Authors: Nellis G. F. , Klein S. A.
Published: November 2020

This new text integrates fundamental theory with modern computational tools such as EES, MATLAB®, and FEHT to equip students with the essential tools for designing and optimizing real-world systems and the skills needed to become effective practicing engineers. Real engineering problems are illustrated and solved in a clear step-by-step manner. Starting from first principles, derivations are tailored to be accessible to undergraduates by separating the formulation and analysis from the solution and exploration steps to encourage a deep and practical understanding. Numerous exercises are provided for homework and self-study and include standard hand calculations as well as more advanced project-focused problems for the practice and application of computational tools. Appendices include reference tables for thermophysical properties and answers to selected homework problems from the book. Complete with an online package of guidance documents on EES, MATLAB®, and FEHT software, sample code, lecture slides, video tutorials, and a test bank and full solutions manual for instructors, this is an ideal text for undergraduate heat transfer courses and a useful guide for practicing engineers.
The epidemiology of carbapenem resistant Enterobacter spp: A case–case–control matched analysis
Authors: Cohen Mendel Leore , Amity Keren , Katz David E. , Lazarovitch Tsilia , Zaidenstein Ronit , Marchaim Dror
Published: November 2020

A case–case–control investigation (216 patients) examined the risk factors and outcomes of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter (CR-En) acquisition. Recent exposure to fluoroquinolones, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and rapidly fatal McCabe condition were independent predictors for acquisition. Acquiring CR-En was independently associated with discharge to a long-term care facility after being admitted from home.
A Paper Tiger No More? The Media Portrayal of the Notwithstanding Clause in Saskatchewan and Ontario
Authors: Nicolaides Eleni , Snow Dave
Published: November 2020

Since 2017, four provincial legislatures have introduced bills invoking the controversial notwithstanding clause. We present an original dataset of news articles from 10 different outlets that discussed the clause while these bills were being debated in Saskatchewan and Ontario. Empirically, although the clause is typically portrayed accurately, we find over one-fifth of articles about the clause did not indicate that it must be included in legislation. Normatively, the clause was twice as likely to be portrayed negatively as it was positively, and the type of portrayal was strongly associated with the ideological orientation of the news outlet. The rate of negative portrayals was similar across the two provinces, which suggests that attitudes toward the clause may endure beyond the policy issue itself or the level of media visibility.
Public Tears: Populism and the Politics of Emotion in AKP's Turkey
Authors: Aslan Senem
Published: November 2020

This article analyzes the increased visibility and frequency of public weeping by the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Building on the literature that conceptualizes populism as a particular political style, I argue that crying in public can be understood as a populist performative act of legitimation, serving to dramatize the basic components of the populist discourse. I also contend that the increased frequency of public weeping by Erdoğan relate to two major dilemmas that populists in power encounter. Both dilemmas stem from the growing discrepancy between populist rhetoric and practice, diminishing the credibility of the populist leader. Signaling emotional authenticity, Erdoğan’s tearfulness serves to communicate a message of closeness to the people and sustain the anti-elite rhetoric at a time when his political power and economic wealth increasingly set him apart from the politically and economically marginalized. It also attempts to justify authoritarian practices while sustaining the claim to rule in the name of popular power and mobilize constituents against the opposition.
Cherokee Political Thought and the Development of Tribal Citizenship
Authors: Kushner Aaron
Published: November 2020

Citizenship, a fundamental political idea, exists in many forms in the United States. In this study, I apply the analytical strategies of American political development to examine the evolution of Cherokee constitutional citizenship law since 1827. The lack of political development studies on Cherokee governance presents a unique opportunity to identify foundational and second-story ideas underpinning Cherokee political thought. I contribute to the ongoing discussion of indigenous political development by creating a new theoretical framework for interpreting and analyzing durable shifts in Cherokee citizenship law. As America expands and diversifies, alternate, nonliberal views of citizenship increase in political relevance. Understanding why certain laws exist and where they came from is crucial for cultivating political engagement, engaging in productive discourse, and creating humanizing policies.
‘Dust seeds’ with undifferentiated embryos and their germination in mycoheterotrophic Monotropoideae (Ericaceae)
Authors: Baskin Jerry M. , Baskin Carol C.
Published: November 2020

‘Dust seeds’ with an undifferentiated (organless) embryo are known to be produced by mycoheterotrophic species (MH) in nine families of angiosperms. However, aside from the numerous studies on seed germination of orchids, relatively little is known about germination in MH families. In the Ericaceae, some degree of mycoheterotrophy (full, partial or initial) and dust seeds with an undifferentiated embryo occur in all species in the three tribes of Monotropoideae, the only subfamily of Ericaceae with this combination of characters. In most species, the seed is <0.90 mm in the greatest dimension, the endosperm is absent (Pityopus) or consists of few to many (30–40) cells, and the embryo is minute, consisting of as few as two cells inMonotropa. Germination in Monotropoideae is monopolar, with only the radicular pole of the embryo participating in germination. Thus, germination polarity differs from that of the dust seeds of orchids in which only the plumular pole of the embryo (protocorm) participates in germination. The dust seeds in Monotropoideae require the presence of fungi, either direct contact with a fungus or the presence of a diffusible substance therefrom, to germinate (symbiotic germination). Recently, representatives of the four genera of tribe Pyroleae have been successfully germinated asymbioticallyin vitro. We present a broad overview of dust-size seeds in angiosperms and conclude that they should be subdivided into at least two major categories.
Into the Promised Land: Modelling the Role of Take-Up Agents in Realising Welfare Rights
Authors: Holler Roni , Benish Avishai
Published: November 2020

Throughout the years, social policy scholars have advanced a multi-level perspective of non-take-up, viewing it as is a complex process shaped by a broad range of interacting barriers and actors. However, a comparatively small amount of that scholarship has addressed the key role of take-up agents: professionals or semi-professionals who actively help clients realise their welfare rights. Moreover, most of this scant literature has tended to focus on the agents’ impact rather than on their role and practices. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with Israeli take-up agents from the public, business, and non-profit sectors, this study seeks to understand better the work of take-up agents in realising their clients’ welfare rights. Our findings show that in order to pass their clients through the gateways of welfare, agents use four keys: knowledge, networking, emotions, and power. The meaning of these keys and related practices is discussed.
Developing a New Conceptual Framework of Meaningful Interaction for Understanding Social Isolation and Loneliness
Authors: Wigfield Andrea , Turner Royce , Alden Sarah , Green Marcus , Karania Vinal K.
Published: November 2020

Academic debate about social isolation and loneliness, and their adverse health and well-being implications, has resulted in many policy and programme interventions directed towards reducing both, especially among older people. However, definitions of the two concepts, their measurement, and the relationship between the two are not clearly articulated. This article redresses this and draws on theoretical constructs adapted from symbolic interactionism, together with the Good Relations Measurement Framework, developed for the Equality and Human Rights Commission in the UK, to challenge the way in which social isolation and loneliness are currently understood. It argues for a need to understand experiences of social relationships, particularly those which facilitate meaningful interaction, suggesting that opportunities and barriers to meaningful interaction are determined by wider societal issues. This is set out in a new conceptual framework which can be applied across the life course and facilitates a new discourse for understanding these challenging concepts.
The Opposition Advantage: Islamist Opposition Parties and Security Cooperation
Authors: Munir Syed Rashid
Published: November 2020

This paper highlights the impact of religious oppositions in Muslim-majority states towards security cooperation with the U.S. Such cooperation provides security but is risky as the U.S. can coerce its weaker allies and push for regime change. To protect against this possibility, this paper suggests that incumbents in recipient states strategically extend or limit cooperation based on the strength of Islamist opposition parties. Weaker Islamist oppositions pose a threat to incumbents in recipient states as the U.S. can coerce and replace them without fear of bringing anti-U.S. elements to power, which results in lower cooperation. In case of a stronger Islamist opposition, the regime's replacement cannot offer better policy concessions to the U.S.; hence, a strong Islamist opposition leads to more extensive cooperation. This mechanism is demonstrated through U.S. military aid acceptance in 40 Muslim-majority states during 2002–2015, and a comparison of U.S. security relations with Algeria and Tunisia.
Faith and Friendship: Religious Bonding and Interfaith Relations in Muslim Countries
Authors: Sumaktoyo Nathanael Gratias
Published: November 2020

Studies have documented more negative attitudes and a higher level of social hostilities toward religious minorities in Muslim than in non-Muslim countries. I seek to explain what contributes to these poor interfaith relations. Diverging from the mainstream approaches that focus on cultural, institutional, or psychological explanations, I argue that the poorer interfaith relations in Muslim countries are driven by high levels of religious bonding or religiously homogeneous friendships among Muslims in these countries. Analyzing a global survey of more than 17,000 Muslims and a report documenting how religious groups in a country restrict or discriminate against each other, I show that religious bonding is related to more negative attitudes toward religious minorities, that a country's level of religious bonding is positively related to its level of social hostilities, and that religious bonding is indeed higher among Muslims in Muslim countries than among Catholics in Catholic-majority Latin American countries.
Efficiency of the Summer Monsoon in Generating Streamflow Within a Snow‐Dominated Headwater Basin of the Colorado River
Authors: Carroll Rosemary W. H. , Gochis David , Williams Kenneth H.
Published: November 2020

The North American Monsoon occurs July–September in the central Rocky Mountains bringing significant rainfall to Colorado River headwater basins. This rain may buffer streamflow deficiencies caused by reductions in snow accumulation. Using a data‐modeling framework, we explore the importance of monsoon rain in streamflow generation over historical conditions in an alpine basin. Annually, monsoon rain contributes 18 ± 7% water inputs and generates 10 ± 6% streamflow. The bulk of rain supports evapotranspiration in lower subalpine forests. However, rains have the potential to produce appreciable streamflow at higher elevations where soil moisture storage, forest cover, and aridity are low and rebound late season streamflow 64 ± 13% from simulated reductions in spring snowpack as a function of monsoon strength. Interannual variability in monsoon efficiency to generate streamflow declines with low snowpack and high aridity, implying the ability of monsoons to replenish streamflow in a warmer future with less snow accumulation will diminish.
Small‐Scale Variability of Bottom Oxygen in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Ruiz Xomchuk Veronica , Hetland Robert D. , Qu Lixin
Published: November 2020

While the occurrence of seasonal bottom hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico is an extensively studied subject, most research effort has been put on understanding and quantifying hypoxic extent, and little is known about internal variability and short‐term shifts. We use a realistic hydrodynamic model with a simple oxygen parametrization to demonstrate that hypoxia development in the far‐field of the Mississippi plume is subject to physical processes with spatial scales ranging from (10) to (100 km) and temporal scales from the near‐inertial period to seasonality. We use a budget decomposition of the oxygen equation to explore patterns. The mean spatial structure of the local rate of change reveals features shaped as oxygen loss rings enclosing oxygenation cores. This structure is mainly a balance between net advection (horizontal and vertical) and sediment oxygen demand. In terms of temporal variability, we found a large near‐inertial signal in advection, following a convergence‐divergence pattern, at all spatial scales, and a strong subinertial signal at smaller scales only. Variability in advection increases with decreasing temporal and spatial scales, consistently with a field rich in instabilities introducing small‐scale, strong anomalies. Through a Reynolds decomposition of the budget, we separate anomalies from the main flow and identify the total vertical perturbation flux as the primary counterbalance to sediment oxygen demand during periods when the hypoxic extent is maintained or destroyed. Vertical flux anomalies manifest as bottom water intrusions into the mid water column, which have been captured by high‐resolution observations.
Physical Processes Determine Spatial Structure in Water Temperature and Residence Time on a Wide Reef Flat
Authors: Reid E. C. , Lentz S. J. , DeCarlo T. M. , Cohen A. L. , Davis K. A.
Published: November 2020

On coral reefs, flow determines residence time of water influencing physical and chemical environments and creating observable microclimates within the reef structure. Understanding the physical mechanisms driving environmental variability on shallow reefs, which distinguishes them from the open ocean, is important for understanding what contributes to thermal resilience of coral communities and predicting their response to future anomalies. In June 2014, a field experiment conducted at Dongsha Atoll in the northern South China Sea investigated the physical forces that drive flow over a broad shallow reef flat. Instrumentation included current and pressure sensors and a distributed temperature sensing system, which resolved spatially and temporally continuous temperature measurements over a 3‐km cross‐reef section from the lagoon to reef crest. Spectral analysis shows that while diurnal variability was significant across the reef flat—a result expected from daily solar heating—temperature also varied at higher frequencies near the reef crest. These spatially variable temperature regimes, or thermal microclimates, are influenced by circulation on the wide reef flat, with spatially and temporally variable contributions from tides, wind, and waves. Through particle tracking simulations, we find the residence time of water is shorter near the reef crest (3.6 h) than near the lagoon (8.6 h). Tidal variability in flow direction on the reef flat leads to patterns in residence time that are different than what would be predicted from unidirectional flow. Circulation on the reef also determines the source (originating from offshore vs. the lagoon) of the water present on the reef flat.
Examining the Climate Effects of a Regional Nuclear Weapons Exchange Using a Multiscale Atmospheric Modeling Approach
Authors: Wagman Benjamin M. , Lundquist Katherine A. , Tang Qi , Glascoe Lee G. , Bader David C.
Published: November 2020

Recent studies examine the potential for large urban fires ignited in a hypothetical nuclear exchange of one hundred 15 kt weapons between India and Pakistan to alter the climate (e.g., Mills et al., 2014, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013EF000205, and Reisner et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JD027331). In this study, the global climate forcing and response is predicted by combining two atmospheric models, which together span the micro‐scale to global scale processes involved. Individual fire plumes are modeled using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, and the climate response is predicted by injecting the WRF‐simulated black carbon (BC) emissions into the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) atmosphere model Version 1 (EAMv1). Consistent with previous studies, the radiative forcing depends on smoke quantity and injection height, examined here as functions of fuel loading and atmospheric conditions. If the fuel burned is 1 g cm−2, BC is quickly removed from the troposphere, causing no global mean climate forcing. If the fuel burned is 16 g cm−2 and 100 such fires occurred simultaneously with characteristics similar to historical large urban firestorms, BC reaches the stratosphere, reducing solar radiation and causing cooling at the Earth's surface. Uncertainties in smoke composition and aerosol representation cause large uncertainties in the magnitude of the radiative forcing and cooling. The approximately 4 yr duration of the radiative forcing is shorter than the 8 to 15 yr that has previously been simulated. Uncertainties point to the need for further development of potential nuclear exchange scenarios, quantification of fuel loading, and improved understanding of fire propagation and aerosol modeling.
A systematic review of contamination (aerosol, splatter and droplet generation) associated with oral surgery and its relevance to COVID-19
Authors: Gallagher Jennifer E. , K.C. Sukriti , Johnson Ilona G. , Al-Yaseen Waraf , Jones Rhiannon , McGregor Scott , Robertson Mark , Harris Rebecca , Innes Nicola , Wade William G.
Published: November 2020

Introduction

The current COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has impacted the delivery of dental care globally and has led to re-evaluation of infection control standards. However, lack of clarity around what is known and unknown regarding droplet and aerosol generation in dentistry (including oral surgery and extractions), and their relative risk to patients and the dental team, necessitates a review of evidence relating to specific dental procedures. This review is part of a wider body of research exploring the evidence on bioaerosols in dentistry and involves detailed consideration of the risk of contamination in relation to oral surgery.

Methods

A comprehensive search of Medline (OVID), Embase (OVID), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS and ClinicalTrials.Gov was conducted using key terms and MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) words relating to the review questions. Methodological quality including sensitivity was assessed using a schema developed to measure quality aspects of studies using a traffic light system to allow inter- and intra-study overview and comparison. A narrative synthesis was conducted for assessment of the included studies and for the synthesis of results.

Results

Eleven studies on oral surgery (including extractions) were included in the review. They explored microbiological (bacterial and fungal) and blood (visible and/or imperceptible) contamination at the person level (patients, operators and assistants) and/or at a wider environmental level, using settle plates, chemiluminescence reagents or air samplers; all within 1 m of the surgical site. Studies were of generally low to medium quality and highlighted an overall risk of contaminated aerosol, droplet and splatter generation during oral surgery procedures, most notably during removal of impacted teeth using rotatory handpieces. Risk of contamination and spread was increased by factors, including proximity to the operatory site, longer duration of treatment, higher procedural complexity, non-use of an extraoral evacuator and areas involving more frequent contact during treatment.

Conclusion

A risk of contamination (microbiological, visible and imperceptible blood) to patients, dental team members and the clinical environment is present during oral surgery procedures, including routine extractions. However, the extent of contamination has not been explored fully in relation to time and distance. Variability across studies with regards to the analysis methods used and outcome measures makes it difficult to draw robust conclusions. Further studies with improved methodologies, including higher test sensitivity and consideration of viruses, are required to validate these findings.
Common diseases alter the physiological age-related blood microRNA profile
Authors: Fehlmann Tobias , Lehallier Benoit , Schaum Nicholas , Hahn Oliver , Kahraman Mustafa , Li Yongping , Grammes Nadja , Geffers Lars , Backes Christina , Balling Rudi , Kern Fabian , Krüger Rejko , Lammert Frank , Ludwig Nicole , Meder Benjamin , Fromm Bastian , Maetzler Walter , Berg Daniela , Brockmann Kathrin , Deuschle Christian , von Thaler Anna-Katharina , Eschweiler Gerhard W. , Milman Sofiya , Barziliai Nir , Reichert Matthias , Wyss-Coray Tony , Meese Eckart , Keller Andreas
Published: November 2020

Aging is a key risk factor for chronic diseases of the elderly. MicroRNAs regulate post-transcriptional gene silencing through base-pair binding on their target mRNAs. We identified nonlinear changes in age-related microRNAs by analyzing whole blood from 1334 healthy individuals. We observed a larger influence of the age as compared to the sex and provide evidence for a shift to the 5’ mature form of miRNAs in healthy aging. The addition of 3059 diseased patients uncovered pan-disease and disease-specific alterations in aging profiles. Disease biomarker sets for all diseases were different between young and old patients. Computational deconvolution of whole-blood miRNAs into blood cell types suggests that cell intrinsic gene expression changes may impart greater significance than cell abundance changes to the whole blood miRNA profile. Altogether, these data provide a foundation for understanding the relationship between healthy aging and disease, and for the development of age-specific disease biomarkers.
High-throughput laboratory evolution reveals evolutionary constraints in Escherichia coli
Authors: Maeda Tomoya , Iwasawa Junichiro , Kotani Hazuki , Sakata Natsue , Kawada Masako , Horinouchi Takaaki , Sakai Aki , Tanabe Kumi , Furusawa Chikara
Published: November 2020

Understanding the constraints that shape the evolution of antibiotic resistance is critical for predicting and controlling drug resistance. Despite its importance, however, a systematic investigation of evolutionary constraints is lacking. Here, we perform a high-throughput laboratory evolution of Escherichia coli under the addition of 95 antibacterial chemicals and quantified the transcriptome, resistance, and genomic profiles for the evolved strains. Utilizing machine learning techniques, we analyze the phenotype–genotype data and identified low dimensional phenotypic states among the evolved strains. Further analysis reveals the underlying biological processes responsible for these distinct states, leading to the identification of trade-off relationships associated with drug resistance. We also report a decelerated evolution of β-lactam resistance, a phenomenon experienced by certain strains under various stresses resulting in higher acquired resistance to β-lactams compared to strains directly selected by β-lactams. These findings bridge the genotypic, gene expression, and drug resistance gap, while contributing to a better understanding of evolutionary constraints for antibiotic resistance.
HLH-11 modulates lipid metabolism in response to nutrient availability
Authors: Li Yi , Ding Wanqiu , Li Chuan-Yun , Liu Ying
Published: November 2020

The ability of organisms to sense nutrient availability and tailor their metabolic states to withstand nutrient deficiency is critical for survival. To identify previously unknown regulators that couple nutrient deficiency to body fat utilization, we performed a cherry-picked RNAi screen in C. elegans and found that the transcription factor HLH-11 regulates lipid metabolism in response to food availability. In well-fed worms, HLH-11 suppresses transcription of lipid catabolism genes. Upon fasting, the HLH-11 protein level is reduced through lysosome- and proteasome-mediated degradation, thus alleviating the inhibitory effect of HLH-11, activating the transcription of lipid catabolism genes, and utilizing fat. Additionally, lipid profiling revealed that reduction in the HLH-11 protein level remodels the lipid landscape in C. elegans. Moreover, TFAP4, the mammalian homolog of HLH-11, plays an evolutionarily conserved role in regulating lipid metabolism in response to starvation. Thus, TFAP4 may represent a potential therapeutic target for lipid storage disorders.
Th17-related mammary immunity, but not a high systemic Th1 immune response is associated with protection against E. coli mastitis
Authors: Cebron Nathan , Maman Sarah , Walachowski Sarah , Gausserès Blandine , Cunha Patricia , Rainard Pascal , Foucras Gilles
Published: November 2020

Vaccination against bovine mastitis lags behind despite high demand from the dairy industry and margin for efficacy improvement. We previously compared two immunization protocols against E. coli using either only the intramuscular route or a combination of intramuscular and mammary ductal routes, also known as ‘prime and pull’ strategy. A homologous mammary challenge during the memory phase showed that immunization favorably modified the mastitis course, notably in locally immunized cows in comparison to intramuscular and control adjuvant-only groups. Here, we performed whole-blood profiling through RNA-seq transcriptome and plasma cytokine 15-plex analyses at time points of the E. coli mastitis that showed significant clinical and laboratory differences among the groups. Diminished production of inflammatory cytokines and increased IFNγ were detected in the blood of immunized cows, where a T lymphocyte activation profile was evidenced at 12-h post infection. Acute phase neutropenia was less severe in these cows, and pathways related to neutrophil diapedesis and monocyte activation were also present. Furthermore, three intramammary-immunized cows showing faster healing and shorter mastitis duration had gene profiles that differed from their counterparts, but without any clue for the mastitis susceptibility difference. Inasmuch, when gene expression of CD4 T cells was assessed in mammary tissue, enrichment of IL-17-associated pathways was identified in the quarters of intramammary-immunized cows not only after challenge but also in the control quarters that were not infected. These findings indicate that local immunization mobilizes protective mechanisms that rely on the settlement of type 3 immunity-related CD4 T cells prior to infection.
Dietary flavanols improve cerebral cortical oxygenation and cognition in healthy adults
Authors: Gratton Gabriele , Weaver Samuel R. , Burley Claire V. , Low Kathy A. , Maclin Edward L. , Johns Paul W. , Pham Quang S. , Lucas Samuel J. E. , Fabiani Monica , Rendeiro Catarina
Published: November 2020

Cocoa flavanols protect humans against vascular disease, as evidenced by improvements in peripheral endothelial function, likely through nitric oxide signalling. Emerging evidence also suggests that flavanol-rich diets protect against cognitive aging, but mechanisms remain elusive. In a randomized double-blind within-subject acute study in healthy young adults, we link these two lines of research by showing, for the first time, that flavanol intake leads to faster and greater brain oxygenation responses to hypercapnia, as well as higher performance only when cognitive demand is high. Individual difference analyses further show that participants who benefit from flavanols intake during hypercapnia are also those who do so in the cognitive challenge. These data support the hypothesis that similar vascular mechanisms underlie both the peripheral and cerebral effects of flavanols. They further show the importance of studies combining physiological and graded cognitive challenges in young adults to investigate the actions of dietary flavanols on brain function.
A randomised controlled single-centre open-label pharmacokinetic study to examine various approaches of nicotine delivery using electronic cigarettes
Authors: Ebajemito James K. , McEwan Michael , Gale Nathan , Camacho Oscar M. , Hardie George , Proctor Christopher J.
Published: November 2020

Smokers who switch completely to e-cigarettes may reduce their relative risk of tobacco-related disease. Effective nicotine delivery from e-cigarettes is important in consumer acceptance. We assessed whether protonated nicotine and e-cigarette devices delivering greater aerosol mass increase nicotine delivery and product liking. A randomised controlled non-blinded eight-arm crossover study was used to assess plasma nicotine pharmacokinetics and product liking for two e-cigarettes (Vype ePen3 and Vype ePen) with various nicotine e-liquid formulations and a conventional cigarette among 24 healthy dual-users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Product use and puff count were also assessed. Results show that nicotine bioavailability was greater for Vype ePen3 with greater aerosol mass delivery than for Vype ePen (Cmax, p = 0.0073; AUC0–120 min, p = 0.0102). Protonated nicotine (18 mg/mL, medium protonation) e-liquid yielded higher nicotine bioavailability than unprotonated nicotine (18 mg/mL) e-liquid (Cmax, p = 0.0001; AUC0–120 min, p = 0.0026). There was no significant difference in Tmax between e-liquids. Nicotine bioavailability did not differ between nicotine benzoate formulation (30 mg/mL nicotine, high protonation) and combustible cigarettes (Cmax, p = 0.79; AUC0–120 min, p = 0.13). Vype ePen3 with protonated nicotine delivers nicotine more efficiently with the potential to increase product liking relative to earlier devices using unprotonated e-liquid.
Dynamics of chiral solitons driven by polarized currents in monoaxial helimagnets
Authors: Laliena Victor , Bustingorry Sebastian , Campo Javier
Published: November 2020

Chiral solitons are one dimensional localized magnetic structures that are metastable in some ferromagnetic systems with Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interactions and/or uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. Though topological textures in general provide a very interesting playground for new spintronics phenomena, how to properly create and control single chiral solitons is still unclear. We show here that chiral solitons in monoaxial helimagnets, characterized by a uniaxial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction, can be stabilized with external magnetic fields. Once created, the soliton moves steadily in response to a polarized electric current, provided the induced spin-transfer torque has a dissipative (nonadiabatic) component. The structure of the soliton depends on the applied current density in such a way that steady motion exists only if the applied current density is lower than a critical value, beyond which the soliton is no longer stable.
A new tool to sense pH changes at the neuromuscular junction synaptic cleft
Authors: Blaustein Matías , Wirth Sonia , Saldaña Gustavo , Piantanida Ana Paula , Bogetti María Eugenia , Martin María Eugenia , Colman-Lerner Alejandro , Uchitel Osvaldo D.
Published: November 2020

Synaptic transmission triggers transient acidification of the synaptic cleft. Recently, it has been shown that pH affects the opening of postsynaptic channels and therefore the production of tools that allow to study these behaviors should result of paramount value. We fused α-bungarotoxin, a neurotoxin derived from the snakeBungarus multicinctusthat binds irreversibly to the acetylcholine receptor extracellular domain, to the pH sensitive GFP Super Ecliptic pHluorin, and efficiently expressed it inPichia pastoris. This sensor allows synaptic changes in pH to be measured without the need of incorporating transgenes into animal cells. Here, we show that incubation of the mouse levator auris muscle with a solution containing this recombinant protein is enough to fluorescently label the endplate post synaptic membrane. Furthermore, we could physiologically alter and measure post synaptic pH by evaluating changes in the fluorescent signal of pHluorin molecules bound to acetylcholine receptors. In fact, using this tool we were able to detect a drop in 0.01 to 0.05 pH units in the vicinity of the acetylcholine receptors following vesicle exocytosis triggered by nerve electrical stimulation. Further experiments will allow to learn the precise changes in pH during and after synaptic activation.
Transcriptome analyses reveals the dynamic nature of oil accumulation during seed development of Plukenetia volubilis L.
Authors: Liu Guo , Wu Zhihua , Peng Yan , Shang Xiuhua , Xie Yaojian , Arnold Roger J.
Published: November 2020

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) is a shrub native to Amazon rainforests that’s of commercial interest as its seeds contain 35–60% edible oil (dry weight). This oil is one of the healthiest vegetable oils due to its high polyunsaturated fatty acid content and favourable ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. De novo transcriptome assembly and comparative analyses were performed on sacha inchi seeds from five stages of seed development in order to identifying genes associated with oil accumulation and fatty acid production. Of 30,189 unigenes that could be annotated in public databases, 20,446 were differentially expressed unigenes. A total of 14 KEGG pathways related to lipid metabolism were found, and 86 unigenes encoding enzymes involved in α-linolenic acid (ALA) biosynthesis were obtained including five unigenes encoding FATA (Unigene0008403), SAD (Unigene0012943), DHLAT (Unigene0014324), α-CT (Unigene0022151) and KAS II (Unigene0024371) that were significantly up-regulated in the final stage of seed development. A total of 66 unigenes encoding key enzymes involved in the synthesis of triacylglycerols (TAGs) were found, along with seven unigenes encoding PDCT (Unigene0000909), LPCAT (Unigene0007846), Oleosin3 (Unigene0010027), PDAT1 (Unigene0016056), GPDH (Unigene0022660), FAD2 (Unigene0037808) and FAD3 (Unigene0044238); these also proved to be up-regulated in the final stage of seed development.
Autologous culture method improves retention of tumors’ native properties
Authors: Tang Yao , Xu Qian , Yan Meiling , Zhang Yimin , Zhu Ping , Li Xianghong , Sang Limin , Zhang Ming , Huang Wenhe , Lin Lianxing , Wu Jundong , Xin Yue , Fu Junhui , Zhang Li , Zhang Shuming , Gu Jiang
Published: November 2020

No current in vitro tumor model replicates a tumor’s in vivo microenvironment. A culturing technique that better preserves a tumor’s pathophysiological conditions is needed for some important clinical applications, including personalized drug-sensitivity/resistance assays. In this study, we utilized autologous serum or body fluid to build a 3D scaffold and grow a patient’s tumor. We named this technique “3D-ACM” (autologous culture method). Forty-five clinical samples from biopsies, surgically removed tumor tissues and malignant body fluids were cultured with 3D-ACM. Traditional 3D-FBS (fetal bovine serum) cultures were performed side-by-side for comparison. The results were that cells cultured in 3D-ACM rebuilt tissue-like structures, and retained their immuno-phenotypes and cytokine productions. In contrast, the 3D-FBS method promoted mesenchymal cell proliferation. In preliminary chemo drug-sensitivity assays, significantly higher mortality was always associated with FBS-cultured cells. Accordingly, 3D-ACM appears to more reliably preserve a tumor’s biological characteristics, which might improve the accuracy of drug-testing for personalized cancer treatment.
Macroscopic fluorescence-lifetime imaging of NADH and protoporphyrin IX improves the detection and grading of 5-aminolevulinic acid-stained brain tumors
Authors: Erkkilä Mikael T. , Reichert David , Gesperger Johanna , Kiesel Barbara , Roetzer Thomas , Mercea Petra A. , Drexler Wolfgang , Unterhuber Angelika , Leitgeb Rainer A. , Woehrer Adelheid , Rueck Angelika , Andreana Marco , Widhalm Georg
Published: November 2020

Maximal safe tumor resection remains the key prognostic factor for improved prognosis in brain tumor patients. Despite 5-aminolevulinic acid-based fluorescence guidance the neurosurgeon is, however, not able to visualize most low-grade gliomas (LGG) and infiltration zone of high-grade gliomas (HGG). To overcome the need for a more sensitive visualization, we investigated the potential of macroscopic, wide-field fluorescence lifetime imaging of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) in selected human brain tumors. For future intraoperative use, the imaging system offered a square field of view of 11 mm at 250 mm free working distance. We performed imaging of tumor tissue ex vivo, including LGG and HGG as well as brain metastases obtained from 21 patients undergoing fluorescence-guided surgery. Half of all samples showed visible fluorescence during surgery, which was associated with significant increase in PPIX fluorescence lifetime. While the PPIX lifetime was significantly different between specific tumor tissue types, the NADH lifetimes did not differ significantly among them. However, mainly necrotic areas exhibited significantly lower NADH lifetimes compared to compact tumor in HGG. Our pilot study indicates that combined fluorescence lifetime imaging of NADH/PPIX represents a sensitive tool to visualize brain tumor tissue not detectable with conventional 5-ALA fluorescence.