bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mode of action of nisin on Escherichia coli
Authors: Galván Márquez Imelda J. , McKay Bruce , Wong Alex , Cheetham James J. , Bean Cody , Golshani Ashkan , Smith Myron L.
Published: November 2019

Nisin is a class I polycyclic bacteriocin produced by the bacterium Lactococcus lactis, which is used extensively as a food additive to inhibit the growth of foodborne Gram-positive bacteria. Nisin also inhibits growth of Gram-negative bacteria when combined with membrane-disrupting chelators such as citric acid. To gain insight into nisin’s mode of action, we analyzed chemical–genetic interactions and identified nisin-sensitive Escherichia coli strains in the Keio library of knockout mutants. The most sensitive mutants fell into two main groups. The first group accords with the previously proposed mode of action based on studies with Gram-positive bacteria, whereby nisin interacts with factors involved in cell wall, membrane, envelope biogenesis. We identified an additional, novel mode of action for nisin based on the second group of sensitive mutants that involves cell cycle and DNA replication, recombination, and repair. Further analyses supported these two distinct modes of action.
Simultaneous measurement of net nitrogen mineralization and denitrification rates in soil using nitrification inhibitor 3,5-dimethylpyrazole
Authors: Zebarth B.J. , Burton D.L. , Spence J. , Khosa M.K.
Published: November 2019

A practical means to quantify the response of the rates of net N mineralization and denitrification over a wide range of soil water contents is generally lacking. This study examined the potential to use a nitrification inhibitor (NI) assay system to simultaneously estimate the rates of net N mineralization and denitrification, and applied the NI assay to assess the effect of water content on net N mineralization and denitrification rates in two soils with contrasting soil texture. The compound 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (DMP) applied at a rate of 200 mg kg−1 was found to provide essentially complete inhibition of nitrification over the duration of the soil incubation for two soils with contrasting soil texture (clay loam vs. sandy loam) and over a range of soil water contents (35%, 55%, and 85% water-filled pore space). This allowed net N mineralization to be estimated as the accumulation of soil ammonium ([Formula: see text]) and of denitrification as the disappearance of added nitrate ([Formula: see text]). Addition of DMP resulted in a small increase in soil respiration rate but did not appear to influence the rate of net soil N mineralization. The NI assay provides a practical means to quantify the rates of net N mineralization and denitrification simultaneously over a wide range of soil water contents. The assay can be readily scaled up to routinely test multiple soils in an efficient manner, has limited material costs, and is also relatively simple to perform.
Epitaxial growth and in-plane dielectric properties of DyMnO3 by pulsed-laser deposition
Authors: Wang Weitian
Published: November 2019

Perovskite manganites DyMnO3 thin film was grown epitaxially on LaAlO3 (110) substrate by using pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) technique. The film showed perfectly orthorhombic crystallization and was well-aligned with the substrates. The in-plane dielectric properties of DyMnO3 film were measured as functions of temperature (80–300 K) and frequency (120–100 kHz) by using parallel-plate interdigital electrodes (IDEs). Distinct transitions can be observed in the complex permittivity and loss tangent and the respective peaks shifted to higher temperatures as the measuring frequency increased. By the Arrhenius plots, the determined activation energy of the thermally activated dielectric relaxations was about 0.20 eV. According to the relationship of the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivity, the in-plane dielectric properties of epitaxial DyMnO3 thin film can be described as the universal dielectric response (UDR) behavior.
A 3D Autonomous System with Infinitely Many Chaotic Attractors
Authors: Yang Ting , Yang Qigui
Published: November 2019

Intuitively, a finite-dimensional autonomous system of ordinary differential equations can only generate finitely many chaotic attractors. Amazingly, however, this paper finds a three-dimensional autonomous dynamical system that can generate infinitely many chaotic attractors. Specifically, this system can generate infinitely many coexisting chaotic attractors and infinitely many coexisting periodic attractors in the following three cases: (i) no equilibria, (ii) only infinitely many nonhyperbolic double-zero equilibria, and (iii) both infinitely many hyperbolic saddles and nonhyperbolic pure-imaginary equilibria. By analyzing the stability of double-zero and pure-imaginary equilibria, it is shown that the classic Shil’nikov criteria fail in verifying the existence of chaos in the above three cases.
Complete Intersection Monomial Curves and the Cohen—Macaulayness of Their Tangent Cones
Authors: Katsabekis Anargyros
Published: November 2019

Let C(n) be a complete intersection monomial curve in the 4-dimensional affine space. In this paper we study the complete intersection property of the monomial curve C(n + wv), where w > 0 is an integer and v ∈ ℕ4. In addition, we investigate the Cohen–Macaulayness of the tangent cone of C(n + wv).
Categories and Weak Equivalences of Graded Algebras
Authors: Gordienko Alexey , Schnabel Ofir
Published: November 2019

In the study of the structure of graded algebras (such as graded ideals, graded subspaces, and radicals) or graded polynomial identities, the grading group can be replaced by any other group that realizes the same grading. Here we come to the notion of weak equivalence of gradings: two gradings are weakly equivalent if there exists an isomorphism between the graded algebras that maps each graded component onto a graded component. Each group grading on an algebra can be weakly equivalent to G-gradings for many different groups G; however, it turns out that there is one distinguished group among them, called the universal group of the grading. In this paper we study categories and functors related to the notion of weak equivalence of gradings. In particular, we introduce an oplax 2-functor that assigns to each grading its support, and show that the universal grading group functor has neither left nor right adjoint.
Plasma and Renal Cortex Meropenem Concentrations in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Renal Biopsy
Authors: Sepúlveda Rodrigo A. , Downey Patricio , Soto Dagoberto , Wong Kwok-Yin , Leung Yun-Chung , So Lok-Yan , Andresen Max
Published: November 2019

Background. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common bacterial infection in the world. Some cases can have serious complication as death by septic shock. With the increasing spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria, the therapeutic possibilities against the complicated UTI are exhausted, forcing the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as meropenem. Objectives. To evaluate the penetrating ability of meropenem to renal tissue using an enzymatic biosensor in samples of renal cortex and its correlation with plasma levels. Method. We conducted a descriptive study in humans with indication of kidney biopsy. Meropenem was administered 1 hour before performing the biopsy, and the concentrations of meropenem in a series of samples of plasma and renal biopsy were determined. Results. Renal biopsy and plasma samples of 14 patients, 64% women with body mass index of 26.3 kg/m2 (SD ± 2.9) and estimated glomerular filtration rate of 57.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 (SD ± 44.1), were examined. Renal biopsy was done at 68.9 minutes (SD ± 20.3), and the second plasma sample was obtained at 82.1 minutes (SD ± 21.2) and the third at 149.6 minutes (SD ± 31.5). The mean kidney meropenem concentration was 3.1 μg/mL (SD ± 1.9). For each patient, a decay curve of plasma meropenem concentration was constructed. The proportion of meropenem concentrations in renal tissue and plasma at biopsy moment was 14% (SD ± 10) with an interquartile range of 5.5–20.3%. With normal renal function, meropenem can achieve a bactericidal effect towards bacteria with MIC-90 < 0.76 μg/mL in the renal parenchyma. Conclusions. Meropenem is effective to treat the most frequent uropathogens with the bactericidal effect. Nevertheless, for resistant bacteria, it is necessary to adjust the dose to achieve adequate parenchymal concentration.
Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance of WW Domain Binding Protein 5 Expression in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Qian Yangyang , Pan Zongfu , Guo Zhenying , Ge Xinyang , Zheng Guowan , Cao Jun , Huang Ping , Zhu Xin , Zhu Xuhang , Wen Qingliang , Ge Minghua
Published: November 2019

Objectives. Many patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) have a high recurrence risk and poor prognosis, and the main obstacle to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of PTC is lack of effective predictive molecular markers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic implications of WW domain binding protein 5 (WBP5) expression in PTC. Materials and Methods. Immunohistochemistry of WBP5 was performed using tissue microarrays of 131 patients with PTC who underwent surgery during January 2006 and January 2010 in the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between WBP5 expression and the clinicopathological features and to analyze the disease-free survival (DFS) and prognostic factors. Results and Conclusion. The positive expression rate of WBP5 in PTC and the adjacent normal tissues was 42.75% (56/131) and 45.45% (10/22), respectively. WBP5 expression was significantly correlated with bilaterality, capsule invasion, and N-stage, and it was a favorable factor of DFS. Moreover, patients with a high WBP5 expression exhibited reduced risk of disease recurrence compared with that in patients with low WBP5 expression in the univariate analysis, whereas the multivariate analysis suggested that WBP5 was not an independent prognostic factor. Our results indicate that WBP5 might be a favorable prognosis indicator of PTC.
Risk Factors for Bacterial Contamination of Bovine Meat during Slaughter in Ten Indonesian Abattoirs
Authors: Diyantoro  , Wardhana Dhandy Koesoemo
Published: November 2019

Provision of beef meat which does not exceed the maximum microbial contamination limit is expected to meet the requirements to obtain safe, healthy, wholesome, and halal beef. Bacterial contamination during slaughtering process is a safety problem and concern for shelf life in meat production. This study was designed to determine the value of microbial contamination and its risk factors at the stage of the slaughtering process in the abattoirs. This research was conducted by visual observation accompanied by questionnaires and laboratory examination for bacterial contamination testing. The results showed the factor that significantly affected the total plate count (TPC) was carcass cutting (mean: 0.46 × 106 CFU/g; p=0.035) which was not carried out by the abattoir. The factor that had the greatest effect on the MPN of Escherichia coli was blood removal on the floor position (mean: 40.34 × 106 CFU/g; p=0.039) while the factors that significantly affected Staphylococcus aureus contamination were blood removal on the floor position (mean: 52.88 × 106 CFU/g; p=0.025) and carcass cutting which were not carried out by the abattoir (mean: 66.42 × 106 CFU/g; p=0.015).
Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects of Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and Its Main Compounds
Authors: Kalmarzi Rasool Nasiri , Naleini Seyyed Nima , Ashtary-Larky Damoon , Peluso Ilaria , Jouybari Leila , Rafi Alireza , Ghorat Fereshteh , Heidari Nishteman , Sharifian Faezeh , Mardaneh Jalal , Aiello Paola , Helbi Sobhan , Kooti Wesam
Published: November 2019

Berberis vulgaris is a well-known herb in Iran that is widely used as a medicinal plant and a food additive. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Barberry and its main compounds. This narrative review was conducted by searching keywords such as B. vulgaris, Barberry, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, medicinal herbs, plants, and extract, separately or combined in various databases, such as Web of Sciences, PubMed, and Scopus. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, just English language articles, which reported effective whole plants or herbal compounds, were included. 21 articles were reviewed in this study. In the in vivo models (mice, rats, and human cells) and in the in vitro models (some organ cells such as the spleen, kidney, blood, and brain), B. vulgaris and its main components showed anti-inflammatory effects in both models. The main mechanisms were the shift of cell immune response to Th2, T reg induction, inhibition of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF, and IFN-γ), and stimulation of IL-4 and IL-10. The induction of apoptosis in APCs and other effector cells was another important mechanism.
Monitoring of Superparamagnetic Particle Sizes in the Langevin Law Regime
Authors: Henrard Daniel , Vuong Quoc Lam , Delangre Sébastien , Valentini Xavier , Nonclercq Denis , Gonon Maurice François , Gossuin Yves
Published: November 2019

In this work, aqueous solutions of magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) are studied. Magnetite NPs are very useful in biomedicine for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for drug delivery therapy, and also for hyperthermia. In order to predict the NP efficiency in these applications, it is crucial to accurately characterize their size distribution and their magnetization. Magnetometry, through the dependence of NP magnetization on the magnetic induction (MB curve), can provide interesting information on these physical properties. In this work, the extraction of the NP size distribution and magnetization from experimental MB curves of aqueous solutions of magnetite NPs is discussed. The results are compared to TEM and XRD characterizations. It is shown that an expression taking into account the size distribution better fits the results than the commonly used simple Langevin function. The size distributions obtained by magnetometry seem comparable to those obtained by TEM measurements. However, a closer look at the results shows some nonnegligible discrepancies: the size distributions obtained by magnetometry vary with the temperature and are closer to the TEM ones at room temperature. Our study suggests that it could be explained by the nonnegligible anisotropy energy of the NPs at low temperature and the lack of NP Brownian rotation below the freezing point of water. This demonstrates that care must be taken when interpreting the results obtained by magnetometry of magnetite NPs: only the size and size distribution obtained at room temperature should be used.
Myoferlin, a Membrane Protein with Emerging Oncogenic Roles
Authors: Dong Yimin , Kang Honglei , Liu Huiyong , Wang Jia , Guo Qian , Song Chao , Sun Yunlong , Zhang Ya , Zhang Honghua , Zhang Zheng , Guan Hanfeng , Fang Zhong , Li Feng
Published: November 2019

Myoferlin (MYOF), initially identified in muscle cells, is a member of the Ferlin family involved in membrane fusion, membrane repair, and membrane trafficking. Dysfunction of this protein is associated with muscular dysfunction. Recently, a growing body of studies have identified MYOF as an oncogenic protein. It is overexpressed in a variety of human cancers and promotes tumorigenesis, tumor cell motility, proliferation, migration, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis as well as metastasis. Clinically, MYOF overexpression is associated with poor outcome in various cancers. It can serve as a prognostic marker of human malignant disease. MYOF drives the progression of cancer in various processes, including surface receptor transportation, endocytosis, exocytosis, intercellular communication, fit mitochondrial structure maintenance and cell metabolism. Depletion of MYOF demonstrates significant antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that targeting MYOF may produce promising clinical benefits in the treatment of malignant disease. In the present article, we reviewed the physiological function of MYOF as well as its role in cancer, thus providing a general understanding for further exploration of this protein.
PET Imaging of the EPR Effect in Tumor Xenografts Using Small 15 nm Diameter Polyethylene Glycols Labeled with Zirconium-89
Authors: Beckford Vera Denis R. , Fontaine Shaun D. , VanBrocklin Henry F. , Hearn Brian R. , Reid Ralph , Ashley Gary W. , Santi Daniel V.
Published: November 2019

The goal was to develop and characterize a companion diagnostic for the releasable PEG40kDa∼SN-38 oncology drug, PLX038, that would identify tumors susceptible to high accumulation of PLX038. PEG conjugates of the zirconium ligand desferroxamine B (DFB) of similar size and charge to PLX038 were prepared that contained one or four DFB, as well as one that contained three SN-38 moieties and one DFB. Uptake and associated kinetic parameters of the 89Zr-labeled nanocarriers were determined in tumor and normal tissues in mice using μPET/CT imaging. The data were fit to physiologically based pharmacokinetic models to simulate the mass-time profiles of distribution of conjugates in the tissues of interest. The time–activity curves for normal tissues showed high levels at the earliest time of measurement due to vascularization, followed by a monophasic loss. In tumors, levels were initially lower than in normal tissues but increased to 9% to 14% of injected dose over several days. The efflux half-life in tumors was very long, approximately 400 hours, and tumor levels remained at about 10% injected dose 9 days after injection. Compared with diagnostic liposomes, the PEG nanocarriers have a longer serum half-life, are retained in tumors at higher levels, remain there longer, and afford higher tumor exposure. The small PEG40kDa nanocarriers studied here show properties for passive targeting of tumors that are superior than most nanoparticles and might be effective probes to identify tumors susceptible to similar size therapeutic nanocarriers such as PLX038.
Increasing Nephrologist Awareness of Symptom Burden in Older Hospitalized End-Stage Renal Disease Patients
Authors: Jawed Areeba , Moe Sharon M. , Moorthi Ranjani N. , Torke Alexis M. , Eadon Michael T.
Published: November 2019

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have significant symptom burden. Reduced provider awareness of symptoms contributes to underutilization of symptom management resources. Method: We hypothesized that improved nephrologist awareness of symptoms leads to symptom improvement. In this prospective, multicenter interventional study, 53 (age >65) ESRD inpatients underwent symptom assessment using the modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) at admission and 1-week post-discharge. Physicians caring for the enrollees were asked if they felt their patients would die within the year, and then sequentially randomized to receive the results of the baseline survey (group 1) or to not receive the results (group 2). Results: Fifty-two patients completed the study; 1 died. Baseline characteristics were compared. For 70% of the total cohort, physicians reported that they would not be surprised if their patient died within a year. There was no difference in baseline scores of the patients between the 2 physician groups. Severity ratings were compared between in-hospital and post discharge scores and between physicians who received the results versus those that did not. Total ESAS scores improved more in group 1 (12.9) than in group 2 (9.2; p = 0.04). Among individual symptoms, there was greater improvement in pain control (p = 0.02), and nominal improvement in itching (p = 0.03) in group 1 as compared to group 2. There were 3 palliative care consults. Conclusions: Our findings reinforce the high symptom burden prevalent in older ESRD patients. The improvement in total scores, and individual symptoms of pain and itching in group 1 indicates better symptom control when physician awareness is increased. Residual symptoms post hospitalization and low utilization of palliative care resources are suggestive of a missed opportunity by nephrologists to address the high symptom burden at the inpatient encounter, which is selective for sick patients and/or indication of inadequacy of dialysis to control these symptoms.
MRAS
Variants Cause Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy in Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Higgins Erin M. , Bos J. Martijn , Dotzler Steven M. , John Kim CS , Ackerman Michael J.
Published: November 2019

Background:

MRAS
was identified recently as a novel Noonan syndrome (NS)-susceptibility gene. Phenotypically, both patients with NS, harboring pathogenic
MRAS
variants, displayed severe cardiac hypertrophy. This study aimed to demonstrate both the necessity and sufficiency of a patient-specific variant (p.Gly23Val-MRAS) to cause NS through the generation and characterization of patient-specific, isogenic control, and disease modeled induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines.

Methods:

iPSCs were derived from a patient with a p.Gly23Val-MRAS variant to assess the effect of
MRAS
variants on pathogenesis of NS-associated cardiac hypertrophy. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing was used to correct the pathogenic p.Gly23Val-MRAS variant in patient cells (isogenic control) and to introduce the pathogenic variant into unrelated control cells (disease modeled) to determine the necessity and sufficiency of the p.Gly23Val-MRAS variant to elicit the disease phenotype in iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs). iPSC-CMs were analyzed by microscopy and immunofluroesence, single-cell RNAseq, Western blot, room temperature-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and live-cell calcium imaging to define an in vitro phenotype of
MRAS
-mediated cardiac hypertrophy.

Results:

Compared with controls, both patient and disease modeled iPSC-CMs were significantly larger and demonstrated changes in gene expression and intracellular pathway signaling characteristic of cardiac hypertrophy. Additionally, patient and disease modeled iPSC-CMs displayed impaired Ca
2+
handling, including increased frequency of irregular Ca
2+
transients and changes in Ca
2+
handling kinetics.

Conclusions:

p.Gly23Val-MRAS is both necessary and sufficient to elicit a cardiac hypertrophy phenotype in iPSC-CMs that includes increased cell size, changes in cardiac gene expression, and abnormal calcium handling-providing further evidence to establish the monogenetic pathogenicity of p.Gly23Val-MRAS in NS with cardiac hypertrophy.
Looking Beyond Ruins
Authors: Cheng (鄭藝超) Christopher
Published: November 2019

Many qiaoxiang in southern Fujian and Guangdong appear derelict, but documenting the material heritage and interviewing people about its social significance reveals another image. The homeland of Overseas Chinese was not only found to be significant for the diaspora but serves as an enduring reminder of a grassroots-based modernity in rural China. The qiaoxiang effectively became a transnational legacy of migration from southern China that has undergone the following stages of transformation: exodus-led emergence of a remittance landscape, sudden abandonment, and sometimes revival. Today, it has become a “repository” or “living museum” where tourists and scholars alike can visit and ponder how humans adapted to post-rural life.
The 2019 William B. Hunter Lecture of the scrc: Paleness versus Eloquence: The Ideologies of Style in the English Renaissance
Authors: Strier Richard
Published: November 2019

This essay considers the contrast between plainness and eloquence in some canonical English (secular) lyrics and plays from Wyatt through Shakespeare. Its claim is that in the relevant body of work, and in the culture as a whole, each of the styles bore a specifiable ideological charge. It shows that English secular poetry and drama in the sixteenth and early seventeenth century was profoundly aware of the ideologies associated with the two levels or kinds of style, and profoundly divided in its commitments. In lyric poetry, this is true in Wyatt at the beginning of the sixteenth century and of Sidney at the end. In drama, Shakespeare is profoundly aware both of the styles and of the ideologies with which they are associated. He uses and also critiques both of these in the poems and the plays. Othello is the culmination of both the use and the critique.
A new species of Hyalella Smith, 1874 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyalellidae) from Oklahoma, USA
Authors: DE PÁDUA BUENO ALESSANDRA ANGÉLICA , OLIVEIRA KEVIN MARTINS , WELLBORN GARY
Published: November 2019

The genus Hyalella is endemic to the North and South America. There are currently 14 species described in North America and the Caribbean. For a long time, it had been assumed that different populations of these animals represented a single species, Hyalella azteca (Saussure, 1858). However, molecular analyses have demonstrated H. azteca sensu lato to be a complex of multiple species, so some species that occur in the United States have been mistakenly identified. Our aim in this paper was to describe a new species of Hyalella, found in Oklahoma, USA. The new species can be differentiated from the others, mainly because it presents serrated setae in the maxilla 2, because it does not have flanges on the surface of the body, presents the palm of the gnathopod 2 of the same size as the distal-posterior margin of the propodus, by shape and number of setae on the uropod 3 and telson. The description of this new species of Hyalella increases to 15 the number of species of the genus for the USA. It is important to understand the diversity of Hyalella with consideration of their possible role as bioindicators of environmental quality, and further consideration of their conservation status, and especially for species known from a single spring.
Synthesis and characterization of Sr-doped HAp-incorporated polyether ether ketone composite
Authors: Pal Anindya , Biswas Bhabatosh , Das Ankita , Chakraborty Arindam , Datta Pallab , Roy Chowdhury Amit , Sinha Arijit
Published: November 2019

Hydrothermally synthesized undoped and Sr-doped hydroxyapatite-dispersed polyether ether ketone composites has been fabricated by using hot isostatic pressing technique with 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.% as the dispersoids content. The detailed structural investigation of the fabricated composites has been performed by scanning electron microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction technique that confirmed the uniform dispersion of the dispersoids with the polyether ether ketone matrix. The microindentation measurements show that the mechanical properties of the polyether ether ketone matrix improved remarkably with incorporation of the hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles. The nondestructively evaluated elastic modulus so obtained for the matrix and composites were further validated through finite element analysis. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxic of the fabricated nanocomposites were also evaluated to assess its potential as a bioactive material.
Pregnancy Status, Risk Factors, and Opportunities for Referral to Care Among Reproductive-Aged Women With Newly Reported Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Tennessee
Authors: Oliver Cassandra , Black Jennifer , De Pont Shannon , Sizemore Lindsey , Wester Carolyn
Published: November 2019

Objectives:

From 2006 through 2012, the number of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections increased 364% among persons aged ≤30, including reproductive-aged women, in Central Appalachian states. Outreach to reproductive-aged women with newly diagnosed HCV infection affords a unique opportunity to provide counseling, further testing, and linkage to treatment. We modeled a centrally located statewide effort to reach this population and their health care providers to ascertain pregnancy status, HCV risk factors, and opportunities for linkage to additional services.

Methods:

Using the Tennessee Department of Health’s surveillance database, we identified women aged 18-45 residing in Tennessee with newly reported chronic HCV infection from May through October 2017. We contacted health care providers and patients to request information on pregnancy status and HCV risk factors as well as to provide linkage to treatment services.

Results:

Of 1548 women included in this study, health care provider or patient contact information was available for 1316 (85.0%) women. Of the 1316 women, 806 (61.2%) women had a health care provider or patient response, of whom 242 (30.0%) were pregnant. Of 296 patients contacted, 194 (65.5%) reported intranasal drug use, 193 (65.2%) reported having been incarcerated for more than 24 hours, and 180 (60.8%) reported injection drug use. Ninety-eight (33.1%) patients were referred for confirmatory testing, and 174 (58.8%) were referred to treatment.

Conclusion:

A high proportion of reproductive-aged women with newly diagnosed HCV infection were pregnant. Surveillance-informed outreach to this population was feasible and provided opportunities for counseling and linkage to confirmatory testing and treatment. Future studies should evaluate whether a similar model would enhance testing and linkage to care of HCV-exposed infants.
Cuisine, Health and Table Manners: Food Boundaries and Forms of Distinction among Primary School Children
Authors: Oncini Filippo
Published: November 2019

Using data gathered during ethnographic fieldwork in two primary school canteens, this article investigates how pupils from different social origins perform and embody social class through food knowledge and demeanour. I employ Bourdieu’s concept of habitus to highlight three main oppositions concerning children’s relationship with food, which are rooted in the social and material environment of their families. Their gastronomic horizons (wide versus narrow), their awareness of the links between nutrients and health (specific versus general) and their embodiment of table manners (etiquette versus ludic) unveil how children’s dispositions are simultaneously structured by familial endowments and actively at work in the construction of social divisions.
Sociologies of Personal Relationships and the Challenge of Climate Change
Authors: Jamieson Lynn
Published: November 2019

The substantive concerns and theoretical insights of sociologies of family, intimate and personal life ought to place this body of work in closer dialogue with environmental sociology over the ‘big issue’ of climate change. However, its research active practitioners typically have a narrower repertoire of engagement with global issues and those who are outside the topic area often miss the value of its contributions. This article discusses common ground between this specialist area and sociologies of environmental issues in unpacking processes of social change through empirically grounded theoretical work. This includes the renewed theoretical emphasis on relationality, empirically based critique of the ‘individualisation thesis’, uses of ‘practice’ to transcend ‘micro’–‘macro’ and ‘social’–‘natural’ divisions, and interest in I/we boundary shifts. More fully recognising the potential of this overlapping territory may help leverage more effective sociological responses to the global challenge of climate change.
Multifunctional organic cotton fabric based on silver nanoparticles green synthesized from sodium alginate
Authors: Mahmud Sakil , Pervez Nahid , Taher Muhammad Abu , Mohiuddin Kazi , Liu Hui-Hong
Published: November 2019

This study presents the functionalization of organic cotton fabric (OCF) by green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Nontoxic sodium alginate (SA) was utilized as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV–vis spectroscopy, color coordinates, Ag content, and release (%) were used for characterization of the AgNPs and the functionalized OCF. The results reveal that AgNPs were successfully deposited on the surface fibrils of the OCF. Optimistic colors were observed from the treated OCF due to the localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of AgNPs. Moreover, studies of mechanical properties in terms of breaking strength and elongation at break (%), crease recovery angle, bending length, and hand-feel were performed, and better results were found in comparison with the control OCF. It was also observed that the presence of AgNPs significantly enhanced the UV resistance and antibacterial activity of the OCF.
Thirty-day postoperative outcome of patients with non-traumatic gastroduodenal perforations in southwestern Uganda
Authors: Okidi Ronald , Sambo Vanusa D , Ogwang Martin D , Mutiibwa David , Benitez Noralis P , Bongomin Felix
Published: November 2019

We studied our 30-day postoperative outcomes in patients with non-traumatic gastroduodenal perforation (NTGDP) in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, southwestern Uganda. We conducted a one-year prospective study of patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy for suspected NTGDP between June 2016 and July 2017. Twenty-nine patients had NTGDP, the male-to-female ratio was 3:1 and median age was 60 years (range = 13–80 years). Most (83%) patients were negative for Helicobacter pylori on histology. One patient had a gastric adenocarcinoma. A total of 26 (90%) patients had Graham's omentopexy performed. The 30-day mortality rate was 34%. Pyrexia at hospital admission, pre-surgical delay (> 72 h), preoperative shock and peritoneal contamination, were associated with higher mortality rates with preoperative shock being an independent predictor of mortality. H. pylori-negative NTGDP presents a unique challenge in our setting, affecting mainly middle-aged and elderly patients. One-third of our patients did not survive one month.
The Polemical Origin of Luke 6.5D: Dating Codex Bezae’s Sabbath-Worker Agraphon
Authors: Combs Jason Robert
Published: November 2019

In the late fourth- or early fifth-century bilingual Codex Bezae (D), Lk. 6.5 includes the following agraphon in Greek and Latin: ‘On the same day, when [Jesus] saw someone working on the Sabbath, he said to him, “Man, if you know what you are doing you are blessed, but if you do not know then you are cursed and a transgressor of the law”’. Although scholars generally agree that this passage did not originate with the author of Luke, its precise origin and meaning remain contested. Previous studies implicitly agreed that the agraphon’s origin must be sought in the texts and traditions of the earliest Christian era. Based on literary parallels between Lk. 6.5D and the writings of Church Fathers, especially from the fourth century ce, this article argues that the Sabbath-Worker agraphon originated in the throes of later Christian polemic against Jewish and Judaizing practices of Sabbath observance.
Laughing to the Grave and Back Again: The Humor of Acts 20.7-12
Authors: Thompson Alexander P.
Published: November 2019

The humorous story of Eutychus’ death and subsequent revival in Acts 20.7-12 is the source of several disagreements among recent interpreters. While some reject the humorous element and read this passage as a serious moral lesson, others recognize it but down-play its significance by focusing on the more serious framework of worship. Using recent work on the philosophy of humor, this article argues for interpreting Acts 20.7-12 as thoroughly humorous through an appeal to ancient parallels of nomastic wordplay, sleep-inducing speech, and examples of tragic deaths through falling. These elements fulfill the criteria of both shared knowledge and shared feeling between author and the original reader(s) necessary for detecting humor. It concludes by demonstrating how the humorous interpretation of Acts 20.7-12 can be integrated into the wider liturgical setting.
Kernel principal component analysis-based least squares support vector machine optimized by improved grey wolf optimization algorithm and application in dynamic liquid level forecasting of beam pump
Authors: Zhongda Tian
Published: November 2019

Considering the blind parameters selection and the high dimension of input data in least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) modeling process, a kernel principal component analysis (KPCA)-based LSSVM forecasting method optimized by improved grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm is proposed. As an excellent forecasting model, the regression forecasting performance of LSSVM is greatly affected by parameters selection of the model. An improved GWO algorithm with better performance is proposed to determine the optimal parameters of LSSVM. This improved GWO algorithm improves the optimization precision and global optimization ability of the standard GWO algorithm. The parameters of LSSVM model are taken as the optimization object that is optimized by improved GWO algorithm. At the same time, the input variables of LSSVM are correlated and redundant. KPCA algorithm can eliminate the correlation and redundancy between input variables. The reduction of input variables reduces the complexity and training time of modeling process, and the coupling between input variables, to improve the prediction accuracy of LSSVM. The dynamic liquid level of beam pump is chosen as the research object. The proposed forecasting method is applied to the prediction of dynamic liquid level. The simulation comparison on actual collected dynamic liquid level data is performed. The simulation results show that the proposed forecasting method has better predictive performance for the dynamic liquid level.
Comparison of Sublingual Immunotherapy in Patients With Allergic Rhinitis Sensitive to House Dust Mites in Korea
Authors: Jung Joo Hyun , Kang Tae Kyu , Kang Il Gyu , Kim Seon Tae
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) using 2 kinds of SLIT medications (LAIS and Staloral) in patients with allergic rhinitis for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae. We have evaluated the patient’s characteristics, safety, and compliance in 293 patients and also analyzed the symptom score, medication score, satisfaction rate, and immunologic measurement in 84 patients who have continued the treatment over 1 year. The symptom scores were significantly improved in both treatment groups, 51% versus 44% (LAIS vs Starloral) at 1 year ( P < .05). The medication score was also significantly decreased in both treatment groups ( P < .05), 50.8% versus 60%. The subjective improvement score was 44.4% versus 46.1%, and satisfaction rate was 29% versus 40% ( P < .05). The serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) level was significantly increased in Staloral group ( P < .05). The adverse events were 6.2% versus 33.3% and the compliance was 37.7% versus 25.1%. In conclusion, the improvements in symptom score and medication scores were not significant different between 2 SLIT medications at 1 year. LAIS was more compliant, less side effects and Staloral has shown increased satisfaction rate and IgG4 level.
The Equine Hoof: Laminitis, Progenitor (Stem) Cells, and Therapy Development
Authors: Yang Qingqiu , Lopez Mandi J
Published: November 2019

The equine hoof capsule, composed of modified epidermis and dermis, is vital for protecting the third phalanx from forces of locomotion. There are descriptions of laminitis, defined as inflammation of sensitive hoof tissues but recognized as pathologic changes with or without inflammatory mediators, in the earliest records of domesticated horses. Laminitis can range from mild to serious, and signs can be acute, chronic, or transition from acute, severe inflammation to permanently abnormal tissue. Damage within the intricate dermal and epidermal connections of the primary and secondary lamellae is often associated with lifelong changes in hoof growth, repair, and conformation. Decades of research contribute to contemporary standards of care that include systemic and local therapies as well as mechanical hoof support. Despite this, consistent mechanisms to restore healthy tissue formation following a laminitic insult are lacking. Endogenous and exogenous progenitor cell contributions to healthy tissue formation is established for most tissues. There is comparably little information about equine hoof progenitor cells. Equine hoof anatomy, laminitis, and progenitor cells are covered in this review. The potential of progenitor cells to advance in vitro equine hoof tissue models and translate to clinical therapies may significantly improve prevention and treatment of a devastating condition that has afflicted equine companions throughout history.
Appropriateness of Otic Quinolone Use among Privately Insured US Patients
Authors: Tran Phuong T. , Winterstein Almut G. , Wang Xi , Rhew Kiyon , Antonelli Patrick J.
Published: November 2019

Objective

Considering emerging safety concerns involving otic quinolones, we assessed the extent of otic quinolone use for questionable indications.

Study Design

Descriptive cross‐sectional study of a national sample of privately insured patients.

Setting

Outpatient encounters in the United States.

Subjects and Methods

Children and adults with outpatient pharmacy‐dispensing claims for new prescriptions of otic or ophthalmic quinolones in 2017 were identified within the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims & Encounters and the Medicare Supplemental Database. Each dispensing ≥30 days apart constituted a unique episode. Only claims with supporting ear‐related diagnoses on outpatient encounters ±3 days of dispensing were considered. Ophthalmic drops were excluded if eye‐related diagnoses were found ±30 days. Prescribing was classified as appropriate, questionable, or undetermined.

Results

We found 214,897 episodes in 200,270 patients. Adults were twice as likely as children to have otic treatment with questionable indications (6.2% vs 3.0%). Sensitivity analyses with broader time windows to ascertain diagnoses showed similar proportions of questionable use. Otalgia and cerumen impaction constituted 90% of questionable indications. Family physicians (6.8%) and internists (8.0%) had higher percentages of questionable use than other specialties.

Conclusion

Based on the demonstrated risks of quinolone ear drops, opportunities exist to decrease otic quinolone use, especially in adults.
Comparing embedded and non-embedded visual scene displays for one adult diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: A clinical application of single case design
Authors: Hyppa-Martin Jolene K , Stromberg Angela M , Chen Mo , Mizuko Mark I
Published: November 2019

This study provides an example of using single case experimental design to guide data-driven, low-inference interventions for an individual using customized displays on a speech-generating device and can serve as an example for interventionists who need to compare intervention strategies to identify approaches that are most appropriate for a specific learner. This study compared the performance of locating vocabulary in embedded and non-embedded visual scene displays (VSDs) on a speech-generating device by one 19-year-old male diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. A single case experimental alternating treatment design was applied and the participant was taught to locate 48 vocabulary items that were equally divided among eight VSDs (i.e. four embedded and four non-embedded VSDs, each containing six vocabulary items). Accuracy and latency data for locating target VSDs and vocabulary items were measured over 12 intervention sessions and one maintenance session. Results show that the participant was initially more accurate and faster in locating vocabulary among embedded VSDs, when compared to non-embedded VSDs. However, over the course of 12 intervention sessions and the maintenance session, his performance became similar among both embedded and non-embedded VSDs. Implications regarding the clinical utility of the single case alternating treatment design and limitations are discussed.
Baseline characteristics, diagnostic efficacy, and peri-examinational safety of IV gadoteric acid MRI in 148,489 patients
Authors: Braun Joachim , Busse Reinhard , Darmon-Kern Elisabeth , Heine Oliver , Auer Jonas , Meyl Tobias , Maurer Martin , Hamm Bernd , de Bucourt Maximilian
Published: November 2019

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations with intravenous (IV) contrast are performed worldwide in routine daily practice. In order to detect and enumerate even rare adverse events (AE) and serious adverse events (SAE), and to relate them with patients’ baseline characteristics and diagnostic effectiveness, high quantity sample size is necessary.

Purpose

To assess safety, diagnostic effectiveness, and baseline characteristics of patients undergoing IV gadoteric acid (Dotarem®) MRI in routine practice.

Material and Methods

Data from two observational post-marketing surveillance (PMS) databases compiled by 139 and 52 German centers in 2004–2011 and 2011–2013, respectively, were pooled, yielding data on a total of 148,489 patients examined over a 10-year period. Radiologists used a standardized questionnaire to report data including patient demographics, characteristics of MR examinations, and results in terms of diagnosis and patient safety.

Results

Overall, 712 AEs were reported in 467 (0.3%) patients, mainly nausea (n = 224, 0.2%), vomiting (n = 29, <0.1%), urticaria (n = 20, <0.1%), and feeling hot (n = 13, <0.1%). AEs were considered related to gadoteric acid in 362 (0.2%) patients. Higher frequencies of AEs were observed among patients with a previous reaction to a contrast agent (2.0%), liver dysfunction (0.7%), bronchial asthma (0.7%), and a history of allergies (0.6%). There were 49 SAEs in 18 (<0.1%) patients, including two children. No fatal SAE was reported. Examinations were diagnostic in 99.8% of all patients, and image quality was excellent or good in 97.7% of the patients.

Conclusion

Gadoteric acid is a safe peri-examinational and effective contrast agent for MRI in routine practice.
Response evaluation for immunotherapy through semi-automatic software based on RECIST 1.1, irRC, and iRECIST criteria: comparison with subjective assessment
Authors: Lai Ying-Chieh , Chang Wen-Cheng , Chen Chun-Bing , Wang Chi-Liang , Lin Yu-Fen , Ho Ming-Mo , Cheng Chi-Yuan , Huang Pei-Wei , Hsu Chao-Wei , Lin Gigin
Published: November 2019

Background

Pseudoprogression is difficult to diagnose in patients undergoing immunotherapy. Subjective response assessment is still common in clinical practice.

Purpose

To evaluate the differences between response evaluation criteria in solid tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1), immune-related response criteria (irRC), and modified RECIST 1.1 for immunotherapy (iRECIST) through semi-automatic software, and to compare iRECIST-based response evaluation with subjective assessment.

Material and Methods

The best overall response of each patient based on RECIST 1.1, irRC, and iRECIST was determined on CT scans through semi-automatic software and the differences between the criteria were evaluated. Criteria-based response evaluation through semi-automatic software was compared with subjective assessment on radiology report by correlating the best overall response to overall survival.

Results

A total of 21 patients were included (five patients with melanoma, 12 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, and four patients with hepatocellular carcinoma). Two patients with progressive disease by RECIST 1.1 but non-progressive disease by irRC and iRECIST eventually experienced tumor response and had favorable outcomes, indicating pseudoprogression. The survival difference between patients with non-progressive disease and progressive disease was better stratified through iRECIST-based response evaluation ( P = 0.078) than that through subjective assessment ( P = 0.501).

Conclusion

Pseudoprogression in immunotherapy may be captured through semi-automatic software utilizing irRC or iRECIST criteria. iRECIST-based response evaluation may provide a better survival stratification compared with subjective assessment.