bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opioid Use Disorder Increases 30-Day Readmission Risk in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Hospitalizations: a Nationwide Matched Analysis
Authors: Charilaou Paris , Mohapatra Sonmoon , Joshi Tejas , Devani Kalpit , Gadiparthi Chiranjeevi , Pitchumoni Capecomorin S , Goldstein Debra
Published: December 2019

Background and Aims

The opioid epidemic has become increasingly concerning, with the ever-increasing prescribing of opioid medications in recent years, especially in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] patients with chronic pain. We aimed to isolate the effect of opioid use disorder [OUD] on 30-day readmission risk after an IBD-related hospitalization.

Methods

We retrospectively extracted IBD-related adult hospitalizations and 30-day, any-cause, readmissions from the National Readmissions Database [period 2010–2014]. OUD and 30-day readmission trends were calculated. Conventional and exact-matched [EM] logistic regression and time-to-event analyses were conducted among patients who did not undergo surgery during the index hospitalization, to estimate the effect of OUD on 30-day readmission risk.

Results

In total, 487 728 cases were identified: 6633 [1.4%] had documented OUD And 308 845 patients [63.3%] had Crohn’s disease. Mean age was 44.8 ± 0.1 years, and 54.3% were women. Overall, 30-day readmission rate was 19.4% [n = 94,546], being higher in OUD patients [32.6% vs 19.2%; p < 0.001]. OUD cases have been increasing [1.1% to 1.7%; p-trend < 0.001], while 30-day readmission rates were stable [p-trend = 0.191]. In time-to-event EM analysis, OUD patients were 47% more likely (hazard ratio 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.28–1.69; p < 0.001) to be readmitted, on average being readmitted 32% earlier [time ratio 0.68; 95% CI: 0.59–0.78; p < 0.001].

Conclusion

OUD prevalence has been increasing in hospitalized IBD patients from 2010 to 2014. On average, one in five patients will be readmitted within 30 days, with up to one in three among the OUD subgroup. OUD is significantly associated with increased 30-day readmission risk in IBD patients and further measures relating to closer post-discharge outpatient follow-up and pain management should be considered to minimize 30-day readmission risk.
Madurella mycetomatis, the main causative agent of eumycetoma, is highly susceptible to olorofim
Authors: Lim Wilson , Eadie Kimberly , Konings Mickey , Rijnders Bart , Fahal Ahmed H , Oliver Jason D , Birch Mike , Verbon Annelies , van de Sande Wendy
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Eumycetoma is currently treated with a combination of itraconazole therapy and surgery, with limited success. Recently, olorofim, the lead candidate of the orotomides, a novel class of antifungal agents, entered a Phase II trial for the treatment of invasive fungal infections. Here we determined the activity of olorofim against Madurella mycetomatis, the main causative agent of eumycetoma.

Methods

Activity of olorofim against M. mycetomatis was determined by in silico comparison of the target gene, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), and in vitro susceptibility testing. We also investigated the in vitro interaction between olorofim and itraconazole against M. mycetomatis.

Results

M. mycetomatis and Aspergillus fumigatus share six out of seven predicted binding residues in their DHODH DNA sequence, predicting susceptibility to olorofim. Olorofim demonstrated excellent potency against M. mycetomatis in vivo with MICs ranging from 0.004 to 0.125 mg/L and an MIC90 of 0.063 mg/L. Olorofim MICs were mostly one dilution step lower than the itraconazole MICs. In vitro interaction studies demonstrated that olorofim and itraconazole work indifferently when combined.

Conclusions

We demonstrated olorofim has potent in vitro activity against M. mycetomatis and should be further evaluated in vivo as a treatment option for this disease.
202 Repeatability of estrus detection patch readings and relationship with breeding success
Authors: Mercadante Vitor R G , White Robin R , Bradford Heather L , Dias Nicholas W , Timlin Claire , Pancini Stefania , Currin John , Clarke Sherrie , Stewart Jamie F
Published: December 2019

The objective of this study was to assess how well estrus detection patch readings correlated to successful AI breedings and to characterize the within-cow repeatability of estrus detection patch readings across breeding seasons. Data from the Virginia Department of Corrections beef cattle herds were collated for 7 locations over 7 years, with 2 calving seasons per year. Data from Spring of 2011 were missing. The full dataset contained 19,253 individual animal observations, of which 2,389 observations were omitted for failure to report estrus detection patch data. The relationship between estrus patch reading and pregnancy rate to fixed-time AI and subsequent natural service pregnancy rate was assessed by calculating the sensitivity and specificity of patch readings within each location during each breeding season. A true positive was defined as a patch activating and a cow being confirmed pregnant. A true negative was a patch remaining in the non activated state and a cow being confirmed open. A false positive was defined as a patch activating and a cow being confirmed open. A false negative was a patch failing to activate and a cow being confirmed pregnant. Pregnancy rate to AI sensitivity ranged from 0.2 to 1 with a mean of 0.583. Specificity ranged from 0 to 1 with a mean of 0.525. Subsequent natural service pregnancy rate), ranges in sensitivity (0.197 to 1.00, mean 0.563) and specificity (0 to 1, mean 0.545) were similar. Of the 6,249 animals with usable patch data, 934 never presented with an activated patch and 2,064 presented with an activated patch every breeding season. The remaining 3,251 animals averaged presenting with an activated patch 47% of the time and a non-activated patch 46% of the time. Odds of getting pregnant by AI for cows that always flag with the heat patch were 0.415.
41 Reproductive management of beef females in South America
Authors: Vasconcelos Jose Luiz Moraes , Cooke Reinaldo F , Meneghetti Mauro , Junior Isaias Claro , Peres Rogerio , Rodrigues Adnan , Aono Fernando , Costa Wedson , Sá Filho Ocilon
Published: December 2019

The majority of beef cow herds in South America are constituted by Bos indicus females, which have particular reproductive features that contribute to reduced reproductive efficiency compared with that of B. taurus cohorts. B. indicus heifers reach puberty at an older age compared with B. taurus heifers. Nutritional challenges are critical in cows maintained on low-quality tropical pastures, given that nutrient intake during the postpartum period is not sufficient to meet their requirements for growth and lactation. Several alternatives to enhance reproductive efficiency of B. indicus heifers and cows have been developed to address their inherent reproductive shortcomings. These research-based technologies include: a) hormonal protocols to induce puberty in nulliparous heifers, b) hormonal protocols to synchronize estrus and/or ovulation in B. indicus females to exploit their reproductive responses to artificial insemination, and c) genetic and environmental factors that influence reproductive success in beef herds, including reproductive diseases and excitable temperament of B. indicus females, which have been investigated to support/promote the development of appropriate mitigation technologies. The objective of this presentation is to discuss pharmacological and management technologies to improve reproductive performance of cow-calf systems from tropical areas in South America. Currently, there are hormonal treatments allowing South American B. indicus producers to reach the benchmark of 50% pregnancy rate to TAI, as well as enhance the percentage of cows becoming pregnant to AI at the beginning of the breeding season. This outcome is expected to optimize use of labor, and increase calf weaning age and weight via genetic improvement and concentration of births at the beginning of the calving season.
246 Salivary electrolyte turnover in mid-distance trained sled dogs during 12 weeks of incremental conditioning
Authors: Templeman James , McCarthy Noelle , Lindinger Michael , Shoveller Anna-Kate
Published: December 2019

Regular exercise improves the health status of dogs; however, extreme exertion in the absence of adequate fluid and electrolyte replacement may decrease performance due to dehydration and cardiovascular stress. Unlike humans and horses, exercising dogs thermoregulate predominantly through respiratory and salivary losses, yet there is limited literature defining changes due to exercise in canine salivary electrolytes. The objective was to investigate the effects of a stepwise exercise regimen on salivary electrolyte concentrations in sled dogs. A training regimen was implemented whereby exercise intensity and duration increased incrementally over 12 weeks and was only altered due to inclement weather. Using sterile gauze and forceps, saliva samples were collected from 16 client owned Siberian Huskies at week-0 (pre-run, post-5.7km-run), week-6 (pre-run, 5.7km, post-39km-run), week-12 (pre-run, 5.7km, post-39km-run). Samples were analyzed for sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous using photometric and indirect ion-selective electrode analysis. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (v.9.4; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Means were separated using the Tukey adjustment. When compared across weeks, sodium, chloride, potassium, and calcium did not differ at any sampling time point. Throughout the 12 weeks, pre-run and 5.7km phosphorus, and 5.7 and 39km magnesium had increased (P < 0.05). Data were then pooled to evaluate changes due to run distance. Pre-run calcium and phosphorus was higher than at 5.7 and 39km (P < 0.05). Magnesium at 39km was greater than 5.7km, and at 5.7km was greater than pre-run (P < 0.05). Pre-run sodium was lower than at 5.7 and 39km (P < 0.05). Chloride at 5.7km was similar to pre-run and 39km, and at 39km was greater than pre-run (P < 0.05). These data suggest that as dogs become conditioned, they do not employ mechanisms to conserve salivary electrolytes, and that an electrolyte supplement with magnesium, sodium and chloride could be beneficial for sporting dogs.
238 Effects of algae DHA on parameters of nutrient digestibility, blood coagulation and serum fatty acid profile
Authors: James Carrie , He Fei , Mangian Heather , Hoke Jolene , Davenport Gary , de Godoy Maria R C
Published: December 2019

Algae can be a sustainable alternative for dietary supplementation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (w3-PUFAs; DHA and EPA), however there is limited information on the safety and bioavailability of w3-PUFAs from algal sources in feline diets. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of Algal-DHA on plasma fatty acid profile, blood coagulation, and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility (ATTD) in adult cats. Three diets were formulated to contain poultry fat or a 2% inclusion of fish oil or DHA-algal meal. Thirty female and male adult cats (mean age: 1.8 ± 0.03 yrs, mean BW: 4.5 ± 0.8 kg) were used in a complete randomized design and fed assigned diets for 90 days. Fasted blood samples were collected on days 0, 30, 60 and 90 and analyzed for serum chemistry, complete blood count, coagulation factors, and plasma fatty acid profile. At the end of the experimental period, a 4-d total fecal collection was performed for determination of ATTD of macronutrients and fecal score. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in food intake, fecal output and scores among dietary treatments. Similarly, ATTD of dry matter and organic did not differ (P > 0.05) among diets. Dietary supplementation of fish oil or algal-DHA did not affect (P > 0.05) plasma prothrombin time or partial thromboplastin time. All cats remained healthy throughout the study. Serum triglyceride concentrations were within reference range, but were significantly higher for DHA on days 30 and 90 vs. day 0. Results gathered herein indicate that feeding an algal-DHA enriched diet is safe and will not negatively impact nutrient digestibility, food intake, or coagulation factors in adult cats.
167 Evaluation of an out-of-season breeding system for organic lamb production in missouri
Authors: Wuliji Tumen , Bax Amy , Wuri Liga , Wilbers Luke , Boeckmann Christopher
Published: December 2019

Organic production is one of the fastest growing food and agriculture industry. The seasonality of lamb production affects lamb markets and prices, whereas, an out-of-season breeding and organic fall lamb production scheme may enhance product availability and competiveness. Six rams and 100 Katahdin ewes were selected for an out-of-season breeding during April and May of 2017 and 2018, for two production years. Ewes were synchronized for estrus using CIDR® device (EaziBreed™) (12 d) before breeding and fed ‘flushing’ feed for four weeks. Ewes were bred in mixed sire groups for two estrus cycles (35 d). Animals were rotationally grazed and maintained good body condition score (3.0) throughout the seasons at certified organic farm in Missouri. Mean live weight measured monthly from breeding to lambing were 57.8, 60.1, 62.1, 64.7, and 59.3 kg. Eighty nine ewes lambed in fall 2017 giving birth to 121 lambs (136% lambing rate) and eighty eight ewes lambed in 2018 giving birth to 126 lambs (143% lambing rate). Ninety seven percent of weaned lambs were maintained as an organic production status for marketing. Lamb birth weight, average daily gain weight, weaning weight, and 30 d post weaning weight, post weaning average daily gain weight were recorded for 2017 born lambs as 3.74±0.03 kg, 21.00±0.24 kg, 24.78±0.28 kg, 176±2 g/d respectively. Organic weaner lambs were sold for 5 to 15% higher price values (P < 0.05) per unit than non-organic peer groups at a local livestock auction sale.
PSII-8 Effects of polyamines and trenbolone acetate on proliferation rates of murine myoblasts
Authors: Smith Laura A , Ineck Nikole E , Udy Brynne A , Erickson Chris L
Published: December 2019

Androgens, such as testosterone, increase growth of skeletal muscle, although the exact mechanism through which these molecules function to increase growth of skeletal muscle remains unknown. Recent research indicates that one of the mechanisms through which androgens improve skeletal muscle growth is by modulation of the polyamine biosynthetic pathway. Polyamines are naturally occurring amino acid derivatives that are found in many whole foods and are potent stimulators of cell proliferation in several different cell types. However, the effect that polyamines have on growth of skeletal muscle has not been well characterized. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect that trenbolone acetate (a testosterone analog, TBA), polyamines (putrescine, spermine, and spermidine), and polyamine precursors (methionine and ornithine) have on proliferation of Sol8 and C2C12 murine myoblasts. Cultures were treated with 1% fetal bovine serum and 10 nM TBA, 10 mM methionine, 8 mM ornithine, 3 mM putrescine, 1.5 mM spermidine, or 0.5 mM spermine and proliferation rates were compared to a control (1% fetal bovine serum). Sol8 cells that were treated with 10 nM TBA and 10 mM methionine had increased (P < 0.001) proliferation rates compared to the control. C2C12 cells that were treated with 10 nM TBA, 8 mM ornithine, or 1.5 mM spermidine had increased (P < 0.001) proliferation rates compared to the control. This research demonstrates that TBA, some polyamines, and some polyamine precursors increase proliferation of myoblasts and thus, are capable of enhancing the rate of skeletal muscle growth. However, further research is needed to understand the relationship between androgens and the polyamine biosynthetic pathway relative to skeletal muscle growth.
PSI-26 Effects of low-moisture, sugarcane molasses-based block supplementation on feed intake and ingestive behavior of Nellore steers fed low-quality forage
Authors: Feliciano Andresa L , Pereira-Junior Sérgio A G , Granja-Salcedo Yury , Grilo Livia Maria Sampaio Ferraz Sepini de Souza , Artioli Luís Felipe Arelaro , Barbosa Fabiano A
Published: December 2019

We evaluated the effects of low-moisture, sugarcane molasses-based block supplementation (LMB) on dry matter and nutrients intake and measurements of feeding behavior of steers fed low quality forage. Six rumen cannulated Nellore steers (23 months, 350 ± 10 kg) were distributed in a 3 × 3 double Latin square design. The treatments were Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu hay ad libtum as an exclusive source of bulky and supplements: complete mineral blend with urea [UR, (urea, salt, mineral-vitamin premix)], a commercial protein supplement [PS, (corn grain, soybean meal, urea, salt and mineral-vitamin premix)] or low-moisture, cooked sugarcane molasses-based protein block [LMB, (cane molasses, cottonseed meal, soybean oil, urea, salt and mineral-vitamin premix)]. Each experimental period (3) lasted 21 days (14 days of adaptation and 7 days of data collection). The animals were fed twice a day (7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.) and the offered and refused hay were weighed every morning to calculate DM and NDF intake. On feeding behavior measurements, trained observers assesed the animals behavior at 5-minute intervals for 24 hours. We evaluated the feeding time, water intake, rumination, idle and others. The rumination parameters and the average chewing time were observed using digital timer. The data were analyzed using Software R, having as fixed effect the treatments and as animal random effect, period, Latin square and error. The hay (P = 0.024), Total DM (g/day, P = 0.001 and % BW, P = 0.001), NDF (P = 0.027) and supplement (P < 0.001) intake was greater for animals supplemented with PS, besides the feeding time (P < 0.001). While no effect was observed on the other measurements. In summary, none of the supplements were able to increase DMI to its standard value of around 2 % of BW. Supplementation with LMB did not alter the feeding behavior in Nellore steers.
PSXII-2 DI/LC-MS/MS-based plasma metabolomics reveals the effects of sequestering agents on the metabolic status of dairy cows challenged with dietary aflatoxin B1
Authors: Ogunade Ibukun M , Jiang Yun , Adesogan Adegbola T
Published: December 2019

The study applied a targeted quantitative metabolomics approach using a combination of direct injection and tandem mass spectrometry (DI-MS/MS) with a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based plasma metabolomics to evaluate the effects of supplementing clay and/or a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) on the metabolic status of dairy cows challenged with aflatoxin B1. Eight lactating cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a balanced 4 × 4 Latin square design with 2 squares. Treatments were control, toxin (T; 1725 µg AFB1/head/day), T with clay (CL; 200 g/head/day), and CL with SCFP (CL+SCFP; 35 g of SCFP/head/day). Cows in T, CL, and CL+SCFP were dosed with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from d 26 to 30. The sequestering agents were top-dressed from d 1 to 33. On d 30 of each period, 15 mL of blood was taken from the coccygeal vessels and plasma samples were prepared by centrifugation. Plasma samples were analyzed using a kit that combines DI-MS/MS with LC-MS/MS. The data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. The model included the effects of treatment, period, and random effects of cow and square. Significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05. A total of 128 metabolites, including amino acids, biogenic amines, acylcarnitines, glycerophospholipids, and organic acids were quantified. Compared to the control, T decreased (P ≤ 0.05) plasma concentrations of 16 metabolites (6 amino acids, 6 acylcarnitines, and 4 glycerophospholipids). In contrast, T increased plasma concentrations of sarcosine, uric acid, and aspartic acid. Treatment with CL increased concentrations of arginine, lysine, and 5 organic acids. Treatment with CL+SCFP increased the concentrations of 7 amino acids and 4 acylcarnitines, but reduced the concentrations of sarcosine and 3 organic acids. Results of this study indicate that supplementing clay and/or SCFP altered plasma metabolomic profile in dairy cows challenged with AFB1.
PSX-36 Effect of forage neutral digestion fiber level for feedlot lambs: growth performance
Authors: Godinez Josue , Plascencia Alejandro , Castrejón-Pineda Francisco , Ramírez-Orejel Juan Carlos , Corona Luis
Published: December 2019

The main objective of sheep production in Mexico is the production of meat. The greater demand of sheep meat in relation to the offer generated an attractive market that favored the intensification of the fattening, to take advantage of the growth of lambs in its different stages, and reduce the days of fattening. Thirty-two lambs (28.50± 2.67 kg initial shrunk weight) were used in a 63-day feeding trial (4 pens per treatment, randomized complete block design) to evaluate neutral detergent fiber level (4, 8, 12, and 16% diet DM) on finishing-phase growth performance, dietary energetics and carcass traits. Dietary treatments consisted of a cracked corn-based diet in which the NDF concentration of diet was manipulated by replacing cracked corn grain by corn stubble. Dietary NDF level showed a quadratic response on average daily gain and gain efficiency, being those maximal at 8% NDF level. Lambs fed 8% NDF level tended (P = 0.07) to shown greater dry matter intake than others treatments. The ratio of observed-to-expected dietary net energy was 3% lower (0.97) for lambs fed 4% NDF, while the ratio of observed-to-expected dietary net energy for lambs that were fed with 8, 16 and 16% NDF were closely to 1.00. Hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing percentage (DP) were maximal for the lambs fed 8% NDF level (quadratic effect, P ≤ 0.03); beyond this level, HCW and DP percentage decreased as NDF level increased. Using corn stubble as source of NDF in growing-finishing diets for lambs, the optimal NDF level was 8%. Fiber level below 8% decreases net energy utilization, and this may be cause by digestive disorders. Fiber levels upper 8% did not affect energy utilization; however, affect negatively average daily gain, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics by effect of high levels of fiber on energy dilution of diet.
Using a Coproduction Approach to Map Future Forest Retention Likelihood in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Greene Rachel E , Evans Kristine O , Gray Michael T , Jones-Farrand D Todd , Wathen William G
Published: December 2019

Forestlands in the Southern United States provide important ecological and socioeconomic services that are under increasing pressure from development and other stressors. We used a coproduction approach with 50+ stakeholders to create a qualitative, spatially explicit Forest Retention Index to provide a gradient of future forest retention likelihood on presently forested lands. An estimated 17.7 million acres are at high risk of forest loss by 2060. These losses are largely driven by urbanization, but sea-level rise plays a key role in some coastal areas. Approximately 59 percent of southern forest is projected to be retained with High or Very High likelihood but is unevenly distributed among southern states. Approximately 8 percent of highly biodiverse forest is at high risk of land-use conversion. This tool provides a collaborative, transparent, and defensible mapping product that can aid in identification of key areas where retaining forest is critical to maintaining ecological and socioeconomic integrity.
But what about...: cosmic rays, magnetic fields, conduction, and viscosity in galaxy formation
Authors: Hopkins Philip F , Chan T K , Garrison-Kimmel Shea , Ji Suoqing , Su Kung-Yi , Hummels Cameron B , Kereš Dušan , Quataert Eliot , Faucher-Giguère Claude-André
Published: December 2019

We present and study a large suite of high-resolution cosmological zoom-in simulations, using the FIRE-2 treatment of mechanical and radiative feedback from massive stars, together with explicit treatment of magnetic fields, anisotropic conduction and viscosity (accounting for saturation and limitation by plasma instabilities at high β), and cosmic rays (CRs) injected in supernovae shocks (including anisotropic diffusion, streaming, adiabatic, hadronic and Coulomb losses). We survey systems from ultrafaint dwarf ($M_{\ast }\sim 10^{4}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$, $M_{\rm halo}\sim 10^{9}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) through Milky Way/Local Group (MW/LG) masses, systematically vary uncertain CR parameters (e.g. the diffusion coefficient κ and streaming velocity), and study a broad ensemble of galaxy properties [masses, star formation (SF) histories, mass profiles, phase structure, morphologies, etc.]. We confirm previous conclusions that magnetic fields, conduction, and viscosity on resolved ($\gtrsim 1\,$ pc) scales have only small effects on bulk galaxy properties. CRs have relatively weak effects on all galaxy properties studied in dwarfs ($M_{\ast } \ll 10^{10}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$, $M_{\rm halo} \lesssim 10^{11}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$), or at high redshifts (z ≳ 1–2), for any physically reasonable parameters. However, at higher masses ($M_{\rm halo} \gtrsim 10^{11}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) and z ≲ 1–2, CRs can suppress SF and stellar masses by factors ∼2–4, given reasonable injection efficiencies and relatively high effective diffusion coefficients $\kappa \gtrsim 3\times 10^{29}\, {\rm cm^{2}\, s^{-1}}$. At lower κ, CRs take too long to escape dense star-forming gas and lose their energy to collisional hadronic losses, producing negligible effects on galaxies and violating empirical constraints from spallation and γ-ray emission. At much higher κ CRs escape too efficiently to have appreciable effects even in the CGM. But around $\kappa \sim 3\times 10^{29}\, {\rm cm^{2}\, s^{-1}}$, CRs escape the galaxy and build up a CR-pressure-dominated halo which maintains approximate virial equilibrium and supports relatively dense, cool (T ≪ 106 K) gas that would otherwise rain on to the galaxy. CR ‘heating’ (from collisional and streaming losses) is never dominant.
On the model of the circumgalactic mist: the implications of cloud sizes in galactic winds and haloes
Authors: Liang Cameron J , Remming Ian
Published: December 2019

Ubiquitous detections of cold/warm gas around galaxies indicate that the circumgalactic medium (CGM) is multiphase and dynamic. Recent state-of-the-art cosmological galaxy simulations have generally underproduced the column density of cold halo gas. We argue that this may be due to a mismatch of spatial resolution in the circumgalactic space and the relevant physical scales at which the cold gas operates. Using semi-analytic calculations and a set of magnetohydrodynamic simulations, we present a multiphase model of the gaseous haloes around galaxies, the circumgalactic mist (CGmist). The CGmist model is based on the idea that the observed cold halo gas may be a composite of cold, dense, and small cloudlets embedded in a hot diffuse halo, resembling terrestrial clouds and mist. We show that the resulting cold gas from thermal instabilities conforms to a characteristic column density of $N_{\rm H}\approx 10^{17}\, \rm {cm^{-2}}$ as predicted by the cstcool ansatz. The model implies a large number of cold clumps in the inner galactic halo with a small volume filling factor but a large covering fraction. The model also naturally gives rise to spatial extents and differential covering fractions of cold, warm, and hot gas. To self-consistently model the co-evolution of the CGM and star formation within galaxies, future simulations must address the mismatch of the spatial resolution and characteristic scale of cold gas.
Asteroid masses obtained with INPOP planetary ephemerides
Authors: Fienga A , Avdellidou C , Hanuš J
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we present masses of 103 asteroids deduced from their perturbations on the orbits of the inner planets, in particular Mars and the Earth. These determinations and the INPOP19a planetary ephemerides are improved by the recent Mars orbiter navigation data and the updated orbit of Jupiter based on the Juno mission data. More realistic mass estimates are computed by a new method based on random Monte Carlo sampling that uses up-to-date knowledge of asteroid bulk densities. We provide masses with uncertainties better than 33${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for 103 asteroids. Deduced bulk densities are consistent with those observed within the main spectroscopic complexes.
Global simulations of galactic discs: violent feedback from clustered supernovae during bursts of star formation
Authors: Martizzi Davide
Published: December 2019

A suite of idealized, global, gravitationally unstable, star-forming galactic disc simulations with 2 pc spatial resolution, performed with the adaptive mesh refinement code ramses, is used in this paper to predict the emergent effects of supernova feedback. The simulations include a simplified prescription for the formation of single stellar populations of mass $\sim 100 \, {\rm M}_{\odot }$, radiative cooling, photoelectric heating, an external gravitational potential for a dark matter halo and an old stellar disc, self-gravity, and a novel implementation of supernova feedback. The results of these simulations show that gravitationally unstable discs can generate violent supersonic winds with mass-loading factors η ≳ 10, followed by a galactic fountain phase. These violent winds are generated by highly clustered supernovae exploding in dense environments created by gravitational instability, and they are not produced in simulation without self-gravity. The violent winds significantly perturb the vertical structure of the disc, which is later re-established during the galactic fountain phase. Gas resettles into a quasi-steady, highly turbulent disc with volume-weighted velocity dispersion $\sigma \gt 50 \, {\rm km\, s}^{-1}$. The new configuration drives weaker galactic winds with a mass-loading factor η ≤ 0.1. The whole cycle takes place in ≤10 dynamical times. Such high time variability needs to be taken into account when interpreting observations of galactic winds from starburst and post-starburst galaxies.
Music Therapists’ Goal and Objective Writing Practices
Authors: Abbott Elaine A
Published: December 2019

Maintaining current curricular materials for teaching goal and objective writing can be challenging. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the goal and objective writing practices of music therapists and compare them to the related music therapy literature. A survey was emailed to 6,643 board-certified music therapists asking them to describe their goal and objective writing and to share examples of such statements. Four hundred fifty-seven music therapists responded. Quantitative analysis of the results revealed that the majority of respondents participated in writing goals and objectives as well as nine other types of related statements. Qualitative analysis of the statement examples revealed that the statements were constructed using 15 different components. Comparison of study results and published literature demonstrate alignment with current practice in the descriptions it provides of the basic qualities of goal and objective statements. Data analysis also indicates that current practice encompasses a larger scope and complexity of ideas than those presented in the literature. Clinical and educational implications are discussed.
Spatially multiplexed RNA in situ hybridization to reveal tumor heterogeneity
Authors: Voith von Voithenberg Lena , Fomitcheva Khartchenko Anna , Huber Deborah , Schraml Peter , Kaigala Govind V
Published: December 2019

Multiplexed RNA in situ hybridization for the analysis of gene expression patterns plays an important role in investigating development and disease. Here, we present a method for multiplexed RNA-ISH to detect spatial tumor heterogeneity in tissue sections. We made use of a microfluidic chip to deliver ISH-probes locally to regions of a few hundred micrometers over time periods of tens of minutes. This spatial multiplexing method can be combined with ISH-approaches based on signal amplification, with bright field detection and with the commonly used format of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections. By using this method, we analyzed the expression of HER2 with internal positive and negative controls (ActB, dapB) as well as predictive biomarker panels (ER, PgR, HER2) in a spatially multiplexed manner on single mammary carcinoma sections. We further demonstrated the applicability of the technique for subtype differentiation in breast cancer. Local analysis of HER2 revealed medium to high spatial heterogeneity of gene expression (Cohen effect size r = 0.4) in equivocally tested tumor tissues. Thereby, we exemplify the importance of using such a complementary approach for the analysis of spatial heterogeneity, in particular for equivocally tested tumor samples. As the method is compatible with a range of ISH approaches and tissue samples, it has the potential to find broad applicability in the context of molecular analysis of human diseases.
Scalable and cost-effective ribonuclease-based rRNA depletion for transcriptomics
Authors: Huang Yiming , Sheth Ravi U , Kaufman Andrew , Wang Harris H
Published: December 2019

Bacterial RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) is a powerful approach for quantitatively delineating the global transcriptional profiles of microbes in order to gain deeper understanding of their physiology and function. Cost-effective bacterial RNA-seq requires efficient physical removal of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which otherwise dominates transcriptomic reads. However, current methods to effectively deplete rRNA of diverse non-model bacterial species are lacking. Here, we describe a probe and ribonuclease based strategy for bacterial rRNA removal. We implemented the method using either chemically synthesized oligonucleotides or amplicon-based single-stranded DNA probes and validated the technique on three novel gut microbiota isolates from three distinct phyla. We further showed that different probe sets can be used on closely related species. We provide a detailed methods protocol, probe sets for >5000 common microbes from RefSeq, and an online tool to generate custom probe libraries. This approach lays the groundwork for large-scale and cost-effective bacterial transcriptomics studies.
Golgi-endosome transport mediated by M6PR facilitates release of antisense oligonucleotides from endosomes
Authors: Liang Xue-hai , Sun Hong , Hsu Chih-Wei , Nichols Joshua G , Vickers Timothy A , De Hoyos Cheryl L , Crooke Stanley T
Published: December 2019

Release of phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides (PS-ASOs) from late endosomes (LEs) is a rate-limiting step and a poorly defined process for productive intracellular ASO drug delivery. Here, we examined the role of Golgi-endosome transport, specifically M6PR shuttling mediated by GCC2, in PS-ASO trafficking and activity. We found that reduction in cellular levels of GCC2 or M6PR impaired PS-ASO release from endosomes and decreased PS-ASO activity in human cells. GCC2 relocated to LEs upon PS-ASO treatment, and M6PR also co-localized with PS-ASOs in LEs or on LE membranes. These proteins act through the same pathway to influence PS-ASO activity, with GCC2 action preceding that of M6PR. Our data indicate that M6PR binds PS-ASOs and facilitates their vesicular escape. The co-localization of M6PR and of GCC2 with ASOs is influenced by the PS modifications, which have been shown to enhance the affinity of ASOs for proteins, suggesting that localization of these proteins to LEs is mediated by ASO-protein interactions. Reduction of M6PR levels also decreased PS-ASO activity in mouse cells and in livers of mice treated subcutaneously with PS-ASO, indicating a conserved mechanism. Together, these results demonstrate that the transport machinery between LE and Golgi facilitates PS-ASO release.
Small Police Agency Use of Social Media: Positive and Negative Outcomes Noted in a Case Study
Authors: Hu Xiaochen , Lovrich Nicholas P
Published: December 2019

Many studies on police use of social media focus on large police agencies. The current case study investigates how a rather small police agency has attracted broad attention on ‘Facebook’. By selecting a relatively small police agency that received a great many Facebook ‘likes’, the study investigates two social media-centered questions: (1) What are this police agency’s strategies of engaging so many citizens on Facebook? and (2) what are potential risks related to these strategies? Findings suggest that two major strategies were used to achieve such uncommon ‘subscriber success’ on Facebook: (1) maintaining the department’s Facebook page as a personal account page directed towards a Chief’s or Sheriff’s own philosophy of policing and (2) writing Facebook posts in a folksy vernacular featuring slang terms and relating humorous (often suspect deprecating) stories using such language. The current study proposes that law enforcement agencies may use informal communication to engage citizens, but they also need a formal team to give consistency and avoid dependency on a single person regarding managing their Facebook accounts. Burgoon’s (1978) expectancy violations theory is used to help explain both the positive and negative outcomes noted in the current study. The principal public policy implications regarding social media use by police agencies are discussed, along with implications for further research.
Do Fund Managers Misestimate Climatic Disaster Risk
Authors: Alok Shashwat , Kumar Nitin , Wermers Russ
Published: December 2019

We examine whether professional money managers overreact to large climatic disasters. We find that managers within a major disaster region underweight disaster zone stocks to a much greater degree than distant managers and that this aversion to disaster zone stocks is related to a salience bias that decreases over time and distance from the disaster, rather than to superior information possessed by close managers. This overreaction can be costly to fund investors for some especially salient disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes: a long-short strategy that exploits the overreaction generates a significant DGTW-adjusted return over the following 2 years.
A Simple and Effective Technique for Production of Pycnidia and Pycnidiospores by Macrophomina phaseolina
Authors: Zhao Xinbei , Ni Yunxia , Liu Xintao , Zhao Hui , Wang Jing , Chen Yung-Chun , Chen Weidong , Liu Hongyan
Published: December 2019

Production of pycnidia and pycnidiospores by Macrophomina phaseolina is not often seen in vitro. The objective of this study is to develop a simple and effective technique to obtain pycnidiospores of M. phaseolina isolates in vitro and to evaluate germination rates and pathogenicity of pycnidiospores. We found M. phaseolina isolates can produce pycnidia on oatmeal agar (OMA) under ultraviolet light with 365 nm wavelength (UV). For evaluating the effect of OMA and UV on growth of M. phaseolina, combinations of two agar media and three lighting conditions were tested. The results confirm that all six M. phaseolina isolates produced pycnidia only on OMA under UV. The pycnidiospores produced on OMA under UV had germination rates higher than 90%. In pathogenicity tests, inoculation with the pycnidiospores showed symptoms later than inoculation with hypha-colonized toothpicks. Significant differences in the pathogenicity is detected between isolates Mp2014003 and Mp2014024 when inoculation is done with the pycnidiospores (P < 0.001), but not when hypha-colonized toothpicks are used as inoculum (P = 0.091). This study provides a new method for obtaining pycnidiospores of M. phaseolina for future investigations.
New North American Isolates of Venturia inaequalis Can Overcome Apple Scab Resistance of Malus floribunda 821
Authors: Papp David , Singh Jugpreet , Gadoury David , Khan Awais
Published: December 2019

Apple scab, caused by Venturia inaequalis, is a destructive fungal disease of major apple cultivars worldwide, most of which are moderately to highly susceptible. Thus, development of scab resistant cultivars is one of the highest priorities of apple breeding programs. The principal source of resistance for breeding programs has been the scab resistance gene Rvi6 that originated from the Japanese crabapple Malus floribunda (Sieb.) sel. 821. Isolates of V. inaequalis able to overcome Rvi6 have been identified in Europe, but have not yet been reported on the American continents. We recently discovered scab infection on M. floribunda 821 trees in a research orchard at Geneva, NY, U.S.A., where approximately 10% of the leaves bore profusely sporulating apple scab lesions, many of which had coalesced to cover entire leaves. We observed both chlorosis, typical to Rvi6, and pinpoint pitting symptoms typical to failed infections by V. inaequalis on hosts bearing the Rvi7 gene. We assessed genetic diversity and population genetic structure of 11 V. inaequalis isolates in total, of North American and European origin, isolated from M. floribunda 821, ‘Nova Easygro’, ‘Golden Delicious’, TSR33T239, ‘Schone van Boskoop’, and ‘Prima’, using 16,321 genome-wide SNPs. Population genetic structure and PCA separated the isolates into distinct European and U.S. groups. The forgoing suggests that the new Rvi6 virulent isolates emerged within U.S. populations, rather than being transported from Europe. The complete resistance breakdown in M. floribunda 821 but not in descendant cultivars, which kept their field resistance, suggests that durable resistance to apple scab will require a more comprehensive understanding of Rvi6 mediated resistance in diverse genetic backgrounds.
The Endophytic Fungus Albifimbria verrucaria from Wild Grape as an Antagonist of Botrytis cinerea and Other Grape Pathogens
Authors: Li Zhi , Chang Pingping , Gao Linlin , Wang Xiping
Published: December 2019

Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is one of the most prevalent fungal diseases in table and wine grapes, affecting grape quality and yields. In this study, we isolated several endophytic fungi, including Alternaria alternata, Bipolaris cynodontis, Phoma sp., and Albifimbria verrucaria, from leaves of Amur grape (Vitis amurensis) cultivar Shuangyou and investigated their biocontrol activity against B. cinerea. In vitro dual assay showed that A. verrucaria isolate SYE-1 inhibited growth of B. cinerea. The isolate also had a wide range of biocontrol activity against Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Elsinoë ampelina. Mycelial growth and conidium germination of B. cinerea were significantly inhibited by metabolites of A. verrucaria in agar plates and culture extracts of A. verrucaria from liquid culture. The isolate produced a total chitinase activity of 0.4 U/ml after incubation for 10 days in Czapek’s liquid medium. In addition, application of culture extracts of A. verrucaria prior to B. cinerea inoculation significantly reduced disease severity on grape leaves of the susceptible cultivar Red Globe. Taken together, our results indicate that A. verrucaria has potential as a biocontrol agent to control grape gray mold.
MultitraitPseudomonasspp. Isolated from Monocropped Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Suppress Fusarium Root and Crown Rot
Authors: Ullah Habib , Yasmin Humaira , Mumtaz Saqib , Jabeen Zahra , Naz Rabia , Nosheen Asia , Hassan Muhammad Nadeem
Published: December 2019

Fusarium root and crown rot is the most common disease of wheat, especially wheat grown in arid zones where drought is a common issue. The development of environmentally safe approaches to manage diseases of food crops is important for humans. The monocropping system recruits beneficial bacteria that promote plant growth through nutrient solubilization and pathogen suppression. In this study, a field where wheat was monocropped for 5 successive years under rainfed conditions was identified. A total of 29 bacterial isolates were obtained from the rhizosphere, endosphere, and phyllosphere of wheat at its harvesting stage. The Gram-negative bacteria were less prevalent (41%) but the majority (75%) exhibited plant growth-promoting traits. The ability of strains to solubilize nutrients (solubilization index = 2.3 to 4), inhibit pathogenic fungi (25 to 56%), and produce antifungal compounds was highly variable. The rhizobacteria significantly promoted the growth and disease resistance of wheat varieties such as Pirsbak-2015 and Galaxy-2013 by inducing antioxidant enzyme activity (0.2- to 2.1-fold). The bacterial strains were identified as Ochrobactrum spp., Acinetobacter spp., and Pseudomonas mediterranea by 16S rRNA and rpoD sequence analysis. The endophytic bacterium P. mediterranea HU-9 exhibited maximum biocontrol efficacy against wheat root and crown rot diseases with a disease score/disease index from 1.8 to 3.1. The monocropping systems of rainfed agriculture are an ideal source of beneficial bacteria to use as bioinoculants for different crops.
Clinicopathologic analysis of 722 breast cancer patients who met the inclusion criteria of the TAILORx trial
Authors: Xiang Hong-Yu , Liu Yin-Hua , Zhang Hong , Zhang Shuang , Xin Ling , Xu Ling , Ye Jing-Ming , Li Ting , Duan Xue-Ning , Liu Qian
Published: December 2019

Background:

The results of the Trial Assigning IndividuaLized Options for Treatment (TAILORx) suggested that approximately 70% of T1-2N0M0, hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer patients can avoid chemotherapy and receive only adjuvant endocrine therapy. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors of patients with breast cancer who met the inclusion criteria of the TAILORx trial.

Methods:

According to the enrollment criteria of the TAILORx trial, a retrospective analysis was performed on patients with breast cancer who were treated from January 2008 to December 2015 at Peking University First Hospital. The clinicopathologic characteristics of all patients were analyzed, and prognoses were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and a Cox proportionate hazards model.

Results:

A total of 2430 patients with early stage breast cancer who were admitted at our hospital had complete clinicopathologic data and follow-up information. Of these patients, 722 met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the present study, accounting for 29.7% of all patients. Among them, 417 (57.8%) patients received only adjuvant endocrine therapy (the non-chemo group), and 305 (42.2%) patients received adjuvant chemotherapy followed by adjuvant endocrine therapy (the chemo group). No statistically significant difference was observed in overall survival (OS) between the two groups (non-chemo vs. chemo: 5-year OS: 97.9% vs. 97.9%, χ
2 = 1.00, P = 0.995; hazard ratio [HR] = 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46–2.21). A significant difference was observed in disease-free survival (DFS) between the two groups (non-chemo vs. chemo: 5-year DFS: 97.9% vs. 94.7%, χ
2 = 8.65, P = 0.003; HR = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.40–6.67). The choice of adjuvant therapy was associated with clinicopathologic factors, such as the age at diagnosis, T stage, histologic grade, the Ki67 index, the presence of intravascular tumor thrombus (P < 0.001), pathologic type, and menstrual status (P = 0.014).

Conclusions:

In the absence of internationally recognized multigene testing methods, for patients with early hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, clinicians can develop a treatment plan based on clinicopathologic features only, which can effectively screen some patients who do not need adjuvant chemotherapy. However, nearly half of patients still receive adjuvant chemotherapy, and whether these patients can be exempted from chemotherapy warrants further exploration.