bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Circulation Dynamics of the Five Main HIV Types in China
Authors: Vrancken Bram , Zhao Bin , Li Xingguang , Han Xiaoxu , Liu Haizhou , Zhao Jin , Zhong Ping , Lin Yi , Zai Junjie , Liu Mingchen , Smith Davey M. , Dellicour Simon , Chaillon Antoine
Published: September 2020

While traditional epidemiological studies are of great interest in describing the dynamics of epidemics, they struggle to fully capture the geospatial dynamics and factors driving the dispersal of pathogens like HIV as they have difficulties capturing linkages between infections. To overcome this, we used a discrete phylogeographic approach coupled to a generalized linear model extension to characterize the dynamics and drivers of the across-province spread of the five main HIV types circulating in China. Our results indicate that large urbanized areas with dense populations and developed transportation infrastructures are facilitators of HIV dispersal throughout China and highlight the need to consider harmonized country-wide public policies to control local HIV epidemics.
Elucidating the Basis for Permissivity of the MT-4 T-Cell Line to Replication of an HIV-1 Mutant Lacking the gp41 Cytoplasmic Tail
Authors: Fernandez Melissa V. , Hoffman Huxley K. , Pezeshkian Nairi , Tedbury Philip R. , van Engelenburg Schuyler B. , Freed Eric O.
Published: September 2020

The HIV-1 Env cytoplasmic tail (CT) is required for efficient Env incorporation into nascent particles and viral transmission in primary CD4+T cells. The MT-4 T-cell line has been reported to support multiple rounds of infection of HIV-1 encoding a gp41 CT truncation. Uncovering the underlying mechanism of MT-4 T-cell line permissivity to gp41 CT truncation would provide key insights into the role of the gp41 CT in HIV-1 transmission. This study reveals that multiple factors contribute to the unique ability of a gp41 CT truncation mutant to spread in cultures of MT-4 cells. The lack of a requirement for the gp41 CT in MT-4 cells is associated with the combined effects of rapid HIV-1 protein production, high levels of cell-surface Env expression, and increased susceptibility to cell-to-cell transmission compared to nonpermissive cells.
CsrA-Mediated Translational Activation of
ymdA
Expression in Escherichia coli
Authors: Renda Andrew , Poly Stephanie , Lai Ying-Jung , Pannuri Archana , Yakhnin Helen , Potts Anastasia H. , Bevilacqua Philip C. , Romeo Tony , Babitzke Paul
Published: September 2020

The Csr system of
E. coli
controls gene expression and physiology on a global scale. CsrA protein, the central component of this system, represses translation initiation of numerous genes by binding to target transcripts, thereby competing with ribosome binding. Variations of this mechanism are so common that CsrA is sometimes called a translational repressor. Although CsrA-mediated activation mechanisms have been elucidated in which bound CsrA inhibits RNA degradation, no translation activation mechanism has been defined. Here, we demonstrate that CsrA binding to two sites in the 5′ untranslated leader of
ymdA
mRNA activates translation by destabilizing a structure that otherwise prevents ribosome binding. The extensive role of CsrA in activating gene expression suggests the common occurrence of similar activation mechanisms.
Antiviral Activity of Type I, II, and III Interferons Counterbalances ACE2 Inducibility and Restricts SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Busnadiego Idoia , Fernbach Sonja , Pohl Marie O. , Karakus Umut , Huber Michael , Trkola Alexandra , Stertz Silke , Hale Benjamin G.
Published: September 2020

Repurposing existing, clinically approved, antiviral drugs as COVID-19 therapeutics is a rapid way to help combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Interferons (IFNs) usually form part of the body’s natural innate immune defenses against viruses, and they have been used with partial success to treat previous new viral threats, such as HIV, hepatitis C virus, and Ebola virus. Nevertheless, IFNs can have undesirable side effects, and recent reports indicate that IFNs upregulate the expression of host ACE2 (a critical entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2), raising the possibility that IFN treatments could exacerbate COVID-19. Here, we studied the antiviral- and ACE2-inducing properties of different IFN types in both a human lung cell line model and primary human bronchial epithelial cells. We observed differences between IFNs with respect to their induction of antiviral genes and abilities to enhance the cell surface expression of ACE2. Nevertheless, all the IFNs limited SARS-CoV-2 replication, suggesting that their antiviral actions can counterbalance increased ACE2.
Defining Genomic and Predicted Metabolic Features of the
Acetobacterium
Genus
Authors: Ross Daniel E. , Marshall Christopher W. , Gulliver Djuna , May Harold D. , Norman R. Sean
Published: September 2020

Acetogens are anaerobic bacteria capable of fixing CO
2
or CO to produce acetyl-CoA and ultimately acetate using the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway (WLP). This autotrophic metabolism plays a major role in the global carbon cycle and, if harnessed, can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, the data presented here provide a framework for examining the ecology and evolution of the
Acetobacterium
genus and highlight the potential of these species as a source for production of fuels and chemicals from CO
2
feedstocks.
Fifteen-minute consultation: Approach to investigation and management of childhood dystonia
Authors: Forman Eva Bridget , King Mary D , Gorman Kathleen M
Published: September 2020

Dystonia is a hyperkinetic movement disorder characterised by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing abnormal movements, postures or both. Dystonia is a challenging condition to diagnose and treat. Dystonia is often under-recognised in children, particularly in cerebral palsy, and frequently coexists with spasticity. This guide aims to simplify the approach to diagnosis, investigation and treatment of childhood-onset dystonia. The principle of treatment is similar regardless of the underlying aetiology: identification of potential triggers and consideration of both pharmacological and surgical options.
Does the first hour of continuous electroencephalography predict neonatal seizures?
Authors: Macdonald-Laurs Emma , Sharpe Cynthia , Nespeca Mark , Rismanchi Neggy , Gold Jeffrey J , Kuperman Rachel , Wang Sonya , Lee Ngoc Minh D , Michelson David J , Haas Richard , Reed Peter , Davis Suzanne L
Published: September 2020

Objective

Prolonged continuous video-electroencephalography (cEEG) is recommended for neonates at risk of seizures. The cost and expertise required to provide a real-time response to detected seizures often limits its utility. We hypothesised that the first hour of cEEG could predict subsequent seizures.

Design and setting

Retrospective multicentre diagnostic accuracy study.

Patients

266 term neonates at risk of seizure or with suspected seizures.

Intervention

The first hour of cEEG was graded by expert and novice interpreters as normal, mildly, moderately or severely abnormal; seizures were identified.

Main outcome measures

Association between abnormalities in the first hour of cEEG and the presence of seizures during total cEEG monitoring.

Results

50/98 (51%) of neonates who developed seizures had their first seizure in the first hour of cEEG monitoring. The ‘time-to-event’ risk of seizure from 0 to 96 hours was 0.38 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.44) while the risk in the first hour was 0.19 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.24). cEEG background was normal in 48% of neonates, mildly abnormal in 30%, moderately abnormal in 13% and severely abnormal in 9%. Inter-rater agreement for determination of background was very good (weighted kappa=0.81, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.91). When neonates with seizures during the first hour were excluded, an abnormal background resulted in 2.4 times increased risk of seizures during the subsequent monitoring period (95% CI 1.3 to 4.4, p<0.003) while a severely abnormal background resulted in a sevenfold increased risk (95% CI 3.4 to 14.3, p<0.0001).

Conclusions

The first hour of cEEG in at-risk neonates is useful in identifying and predicting whether seizures occur during cEEG monitoring up to 96 hours. This finding enables identification of high-risk neonates who require closer observation.
Neuro-ophthalmological consequences of acute influenza A encephalitis in a genetically predisposed child
Authors: Xavier Catarina , Boncquet Vieira Miguel , Ferreira Cristina , Tavares Ferreira Joana
Published: September 2020

Acute necrotising encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare disease that corresponds to a rapidly progressive encephalopathy induced by a viral infection. It is frequently associated with a mutation on the RAN-binding protein 2 (RANBP2) gene–ANE1. We present a case of a 5-year-old boy with a clinical picture of influenza aggravated to an acute encephalopathy picture after the 3rd day. Complementary examinations came back positive for the influenza A virus, and MRI showed aspects compatible with ANE. He was treated accordingly with subsequent improvement of the clinical picture. During ambulatory follow-up, a mutation was detected on theRANBP2gene and, at the ophthalmological level, bilateral peripheral constriction on the campimetry and a significant reduction of bilateral peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer was reported. Our case contributes to the enrichment of the neuro-ophthalmological literature and expands the spectrum of sequelae of this rare entity in the Caucasian population.
Hepatorenal syndrome: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
Authors: Simonetto Douglas A , Gines Pere , Kamath Patrick S
Published: September 2020

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), the extreme manifestation of renal impairment in patients with cirrhosis, is characterized by reduction in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. Hepatorenal syndrome is diagnosed when kidney function is reduced but evidence of intrinsic kidney disease, such as hematuria, proteinuria, or abnormal kidney ultrasonography, is absent. Unlike other causes of acute kidney injury (AKI), hepatorenal syndrome results from functional changes in the renal circulation and is potentially reversible with liver transplantation or vasoconstrictor drugs. Two forms of hepatorenal syndrome are recognized depending on the acuity and progression of kidney injury. The first represents an acute impairment of kidney function, HRS-AKI, whereas the second represents a more chronic kidney dysfunction, HRS-CKD (chronic kidney disease). In this review, we provide critical insight into the definition, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of hepatorenal syndrome.
Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH) Cohort Study: influences of complex environmental exposures on maternal and child health in Suriname
Authors: Zijlmans Wilco , Wickliffe Jeffrey , Hindori-Mohangoo Ashna , MacDonald-Ottevanger Sigrid , Ouboter Paul , Landburg Gwendolyn , Codrington John , Roosblad Jimmy , Baldewsingh Gaitree , Ramjatan Radha , Gokoel Anisma , Abdoel Wahid Firoz , Fortes Soares Lissa , Alcala Cecilia , Boedhoe Esther , Grünberg Antoon W , Hawkins William , Shankar Arti , Harville Emily , Drury S S , Covert Hannah , Lichtveld Maureen
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health prospective environmental epidemiologic cohort study addresses the impact of chemical and non-chemical environmental exposures on mother/child dyads in Suriname. The study determines associations between levels of environmental elements and toxicants in pregnant women, and birth outcomes and neurodevelopment in their children.

Participants

Pregnant women (N=1143) were enrolled from December 2016 to July 2019 from three regions of Suriname: Paramaribo (N=738), Nickerie (N=204) and the tropical rainforest interior (N=201). Infants (N=992) were enrolled at birth. Follow-up will take place until children are 48 months old.

Findings to date

Biospecimens and questionnaire data on physiological and psychosocial health in pregnant women have been analysed. 39.1% had hair mercury (Hg) levels exceeding values considered safe by international standards. Median hair Hg concentrations in women from Paramaribo (N=522) were 0.64 µg/g hair (IQRs 0.36–1.09; range 0.00–7.12), from Nickerie (N=176) 0.73 µg/g (IQR 0.45–1.05; range 0.00–5.79) and the interior (N=178) 3.48 µg/g (IQR 1.92–7.39; range 0.38–18.20). 96.1% of women ate fish, respective consumption of the three most consumed carnivorous species,Hoplias aimara,Serrasalmus rhombeusandCichla ocellaris,known to have high Hg levels, was 44.4%, 19.3% and 26.3%, respectively, and was greater among the interior subcohort. 89% frequently consumed the vegetable tannia, samples of which showed presence of worldwide banned pesticides. 24.9% of pregnant women had Edinburgh Depression Scale scores indicative of probable depression.

Future plans

Fish consumption advisories are in development, especially relevant to interior women for whom fish consumption is likely to be the primary source of Hg exposure. Effects of potentially beneficial neuroprotective factors in fish that may counter neurotoxic effects of Hg are being examined. A pesticide literacy assessment in pregnant women is in progress. Neurodevelopmental assessments and telomere length measurements of the children to evaluate long-term effects of prenatal exposures to toxicant mixtures are ongoing.
Factors associated with thrombocytopenia in patients with dengue fever: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Castilho Bruna M , Silva Marcus T , Freitas André R R , Fulone Izabela , Lopes Luciane Cruz
Published: September 2020

Objective

Some patients with dengue fever tend to develop thrombocytopenia during the course of infection and are thus vulnerable to haemorrhagic manifestations and other complications. However, the factors associated with the development of thrombocytopenia are unknown. We aimed to identify factors associated with an increased risk of thrombocytopenia and haematological changes in patients with confirmed dengue fever.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Brazilian multicentre primary care databases.

Participants

387 patients had positive laboratory serological confirmation of dengue infection during 2014. The data were identified from two databases: Notification of Injury Information System (SINAN) and Municipal Laboratory.

Main outcome measure

The presence of thrombocytopenia (platelet count <1 50×109/L). The associations of factors that predisposed patients to thrombocytopenia and haematological changes were analysed using logistic regression. ORs and 95% CIs were calculated.

Results

Among 387 patients, 156 had both dengue and thrombocytopenia. The risk factors associated with thrombocytopenia included male sex (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.16 to 2.71, p=0.007), age of 46–64 years (OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.15 to 4.21, p=0.009) or ≥65 years (OR: 3.02, 95% CI: 1.40 to 6.50, p=0.002), presence of leucopenia (OR: 6.85, 95% CI: 4.27 to 10.99, p<0.001) and high mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) levels (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.29 to 3.12, p=0.005).

Conclusion

Older age, male sex, presence of leucopenia and high MCH levels were identified as risk factors associated with the development of thrombocytopenia in this population.
DiscordantClostridioides difficilediagnostic assay and treatment practice: a cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
Authors: Lenggenhager Lauriane , Zanella Marie-Céline , Poncet Antoine , Kaiser Laurent , Schrenzel Jacques
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To determine the proportion of patients who received a treatment forClostridioides difficileinfection (CDI) among those presenting a discordantC. difficilediagnostic assay and to identify patient characteristics associated with the decision to treat CDI.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Monocentric study in a tertiary care hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.

Participants

Among 4562 adult patients tested forC. difficilebetween March 2017 and March 2019, 208 patients with discordant tests’ results (positive nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT+)/negative enzyme immunoassay (EIA−)) were included.

Main outcome measures

Treatment for CDI.

Results

CDI treatment was administered in 147 (71%) cases. In multivariate analysis, an abdominal CT scan with signs of colitis (OR 14.7; 95% CI 1.96 to 110.8) was the only factor associated with CDI treatment.

Conclusions

The proportion of NAAT+/EIA− patients who received treatment questions the contribution of the EIA for the detection of toxin A/B after NAAT to limit overtreatment. Additional studies are needed to investigate if other factors are associated with the decision to treat.
Recurrence of cervical artery dissection: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Lounsbury Elizabeth , Dewar Brian , Davis Alexandra , Fergusson Dean A , Dowlatshahi Dar , Shamy Michel
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Cervical artery dissection, including carotid and vertebral artery dissection, is an important cause of stroke in the young. Risk of developing cervical artery dissection has been associated with physical activity in various forms and has been presumed to be related to minor trauma and mechanical stretching of the cervical arteries. This systematic review will aim to synthesise data on the risk of recurrent cervical artery dissection after an initial dissection. This information may be applied to further understand the natural history of this disease, and potentially to help direct evidence-based discussions on safe return to activity after dissection.

Methods and analysis

A broad search of multiple electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science) will be conducted to identify studies published as of 13 November 2019, examining all-comers with cervical artery dissection observed over time. Studies will be screened by two independent reviewers in a two-level process to determine eligibility for inclusion. Data will be pooled from eligible articles and the main outcome of recurrent cervical artery dissection at 5 years will be determined using quantitative analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not necessary as no primary data are being collected. The information will be disseminated in the form of a systematic review article which will be submitted to a peer-reviewed medical journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020166105.
Apical extrusion of debris with different rotary and reciprocating single-file endodontic instrumentation systems: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Zubair , Sadaf Durre , MacBain Marcy McCall , Mohamed Ahmed Nabil
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Root canal treatment is one of the oldest dental procedures for the treatment of endodontic infection. Extrusion of debris beyond the root apex during root canal instrumentation and subsequent persistence of pain are common complications. A systematic review of the evidence on reciprocating single-file instrumentation systems and their comparison with rotary single-file systems, with apical extrusion of debris as primary outcome, will be done through this study.

Methods and analysis

Published ex vivo and in vitro studies with no language restriction will be included. We will search MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), Web of Science, Cochrane and Google Scholar. Strategies will be incorporated to search grey literature also. Thorough evaluation of search results, completion of data abstraction and assessment of quality will be done by two reviewers independent from each other. Assessment of included studies will be done by utilising an evidence model developed on the basis of standards of quality reported in guidelines to document ex vivo and in vitro studies regarding dental materials and pertained for extrusion of debris apically and has been already used in quality assessment of studies involving quantification of debris extrusion apically. We will calculate the standardised mean differences for apically extruded debris, with congruent 95% CIs. We will measure the statistical heterogeneity by applying the Cochrane Q test and quantify using the I2 statistic. Existence of covariates and any potential heterogeneity will be explored through prespecified subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

Ethics and dissemination

Approval from an ethical research committee is not required because it will be done using data that have been already published and have no concerns related to the privacy of patients. Extensive dissemination of results from this review will be done through submission to a peer-reviewed journal for publication and conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019151804.
Impact of infection in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: insight from a multicentre observational cohort from China
Authors: Chen Peng-Yuan , Liu Yuan-Hui , Duan Chong-Yang , Jiang Lei , Wei Xue-Biao , Guo Wei , Chen Ji-Yan , Tan Ning , He Peng-Cheng
Published: September 2020

Objective

We aimed to describe the association between in-hospital infection and prognosis among patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Design

This observational cohort originated from a database of patients with NSTE-ACS who underwent PCI from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2014.

Setting

Five centres in South China.

Participants

This multicentre observational cohort study consecutively included 8197 patients with NSTE-ACS who received PCI. Only patients with adequate information to diagnose or rule out infection were included. Patients were excluded if they were diagnosed with a malignant tumour, were pregnant or presented with cardiogenic shock at the index date. Patients were grouped by whether they had in-hospital infection or not.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was all-cause death and major bleeding during hospitalisation. The secondary outcomes included all-cause death and major bleeding during follow-up and in-hospital myocardial infarction.

Results

Of the 5215 patients, 206 (3.95%) acquired infection. Patients with infection had a higher rate of in-hospital all-cause death and major bleeding (4.4% vs 0.2% and 16.5% vs 1.2%, respectively; p<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, infection remained independently associated with in-hospital and long-term all-cause death (OR, 13.19, 95% CI 4.59 to 37.87; HR, 2.03, 95% CI 1.52 to 2.71; p<0.001) and major bleeding (OR, 10.24, 95% CI 6.17 to 16.98; HR, 5.31, 95% CI 3.49 to 8.08; p<0.001). A subgroup analysis confirmed these results.

Conclusions

The incidence of infection is low during hospitalisation, but is associated with worse in-hospital and long-term outcomes.
Understanding perceptions and factors involved in do not resuscitate (DNR) decision making in the emergency department of a low-resource country: a mixed-methods study protocol
Authors: Azizi Kiran , Waheed Shahan , Barolia Rubina , Ahmed Naveed , Ismail Madiha
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Do not resuscitate (DNR) decision making is an integral component of emergency medicine practice. There is a paucity of data, protocols and guidelines regarding the perceptions and barriers that are involved in the interactions among healthcare professionals, patients and their caregivers regarding DNR decision making. The aim of this study is, therefore, to explore the perceptions and factors influencing DNR decision making in the emergency department and to evaluate the use of a context-based protocol for DNR decision making.

Methods and analysis

This will be a sequential mixed method study beginning with qualitative research involving in-depth interviews (IDIs) with patient family members and focus group discussion with healthcare professionals. The consensual qualitative approach will be used to perform a thematic analysis to the point of saturation. The expected outcome will be to identify key themes that suggest perceptions and factors involved in DNR decision making. After piloting, the derived protocol will then be used with a different group of individuals (150 healthcare professionals) who meet the eligibility criteria in a quantitative cross-sectional study with universal sampling. Data will be analysed using NVIVO in the qualitative phase and SPSS V.19 in the quantitative phase. The study findings will support the development of a standardised protocol for DNR decision making for healthcare professionals in the emergency department.

Ethics and dissemination

The proposal was reviewed by the ethics review committee (ERC) of the institution (ERC # 2020-1551-7193). The project is an institution SEED grant recipient PF139/0719. The results will be disseminated among participants, patient communities and healthcare professionals in the institution through seminars, presentations, brochures and emails. The findings will be published in a highly accessed peer-reviewed medical journal and will be presented at international conferences.
Understanding the risks for post-disaster infectious disease outbreaks: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Charnley Gina E C , Kelman Ilan , Gaythorpe Katy , Murray Kris
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Disasters have many forms, including those related to natural hazards and armed conflict. Human-induced global change, such as climate change, may alter hazard parameters of these disasters. These alterations can have serious consequences for vulnerable populations, which often experience post-disaster infectious disease outbreaks, leading to morbidity and mortality. The risks and drivers for these outbreaks and their ability to form cascades are somewhat contested. Despite evidence for post-disaster outbreaks, reviews quantifying them have been on short time scales, specific geographic areas or specific hazards. This review aims to fill this gap and gain a greater understanding of the risk factors involved in these contextual outbreaks on a global level.

Methods and analysis

Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 checklist and Khan’s methodological framework, a systematic search strategy will be created and carried out in August 2020. The strategy will search MEDLINE, Embase and GlobalHealth electronic databases and reference lists of selected literature will also be screened. Eligible studies will include any retrospective cross-sectional, case–control or cohort studies investigating an infectious disease outbreak in a local disaster affected population. Studies will not be excluded based on geographic area or publication date. Excluded papers will include non-English studies, reviews, single case studies and research discussing general risk factors, international refugee camps, public health, mental health and other non-communicable diseases, pathogen genetics or economics. Following selection, data will be extracted into a data charting form, that will be reviewed by other members of the team. The data will then be analysed both numerically and narratively.

Ethics and dissemination

Only secondary data will be used and there will be no public or patient involvement; therefore, no ethical approval is needed. Our findings will aim to be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal. The authors intend to use the results to inform future mathematical modelling studies.
The relationship between autonomy, optimism, work engagement and organisational citizenship behaviour among nurses fighting COVID-19 in Wuhan: a serial multiple mediation
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhao Yi , Zou Ping , Liu Yang , Lin Shuanghong , Ye Zhihong , Tang Leiwen , Shao Jing , Chen Dandan
Published: September 2020

Objectives

High levels of organisational citizenship behaviour can enable nurses to cooperate with coworkers effectively to provide a high quality of nursing care during the outbreak of COVID-19. However, the association between autonomy, optimism, work engagement and organisational citizenship behaviour remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to test if the effect of autonomy on organisational citizenship behaviour through the mediating effects of optimism and work engagement.

Study design

This was a cross-sectional study.

Setting

The study was conducted in the Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital in China.

Participants

In total, 242 nurses who came from multiple areas of China to work at the Wuhan Jinyintan hospital during the COVID-19 epidemic participated in this study.

Methods

A serial mediation model (model 6) of thePROCESS macroin SPSS was adopted to test the hypotheses, and a 95% CI for the indirect effects was constructed by using Bootstrapping.

Results

The autonomy–organisational citizenship behaviour relationship was mediated by optimism and work engagement, respectively. In addition, optimism and work engagement mediated this relationship serially.

Conclusion

The findings of this study may have implications for improving organisational citizenship behaviour. The effects of optimism and work engagement suggest a potential mechanism of action for the autonomy–organisational citizenship behaviour linkage. A multifaceted intervention targeting organisational citizenship behaviour through optimism and work engagement may help improve the quality of nursing care among nurses supporting patients with COVID-19.
Effect of CPAP on cardiovascular events in minimally symptomatic OSA: long-term follow-up of the MOSAIC randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tang Ivan , Turnbull Chris D , Sen Dushendree , Craig Sonya , Kohler Malcolm , Stradling John R
Published: September 2020

The effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on cardiovascular events is uncertain in minimally symptomatic obstructive sleep apnoea. Previous 2-year follow-up data from the Multicentre Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Intervention Cardiovascular (MOSAIC) trial showed a marginal reduction in cardiovascular events with CPAP therapy. We now present long-term MOSAIC study follow-up data. Median (first quartile, third quartile) follow-up was 5.0 (2.2, 5.0) and 3.7 (1.5, 5.0) years for CPAP and standard care, respectively. Compared to standard care, CPAP had no statistically significant effect on the risk of cardiovascular events (HR=0.83, p=0.54, 95% CI 0.46–1.51).
Gastrointestinal implications in COVID-19
Authors: Dahiya Dushyant Singh , Kichloo Asim , Albosta Michael , Pagad Sukrut , Wani Farah
Published: September 2020

Believed to have originated from a local Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China, the COVID-19 has had an unprecedented and catastrophic impact on humanity, with the WHO declaring it a global pandemic. Although the first case of COVID-19 was reported in December 2019, the primary source and intermediate host have not been confirmed, but human-to-human transmission has been universally accepted. The main mode of transmission of the virus is through respiratory droplets along with prominent respiratory system involvement. However, fecal-oral transmission due to the shedding of the virus in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract may continue for up to 10 weeks after respiratory clearance and is fast becoming important. SARS-CoV-2 shows a high affinity to ACE2 receptors, making sites of high ACE2 receptor expression, such as lungs, GI tract, brain, kidneys, heart, liver and immune system, a prime target for infection. Through this literature review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge of immunological pathways that contribute to the disease with a focus specifically on the GI tract involvement. We direct attention to the pathophysiological mechanism of involvement of the GI tract leading to symptomatic manifestations, track GI organ-specific viral loads to compare and contrast with other organ systems. We briefly detail specific treatment strategies from a GI disease standpoint and mention special considerations when there is involvement of the GI tract.
Comparison between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for the early diagnosis and association with survival in prion disease
Authors: Abu-Rumeileh Samir , Baiardi Simone , Ladogana Anna , Zenesini Corrado , Bartoletti-Stella Anna , Poleggi Anna , Mammana Angela , Polischi Barbara , Pocchiari Maurizio , Capellari Sabina , Parchi Piero
Published: September 2020

Objective

To compare the diagnostic accuracy and the prognostic value of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests across prion disease subtypes.

Methods

We used a single-molecule immunoassay to measure tau and neurofilament light chain (NfL) protein levels in the plasma and assessed CSF total(t)-tau, NfL and protein 14-3-3 levels in patients with prion disease (n=336), non-prion rapidly progressive dementias (n=106) and non-neurodegenerative controls (n=37). We then evaluated each plasma and CSF marker for diagnosis and their association with survival, taking into account the disease subtype, which is a strong independent prognostic factor in prion disease.

Results

Plasma tau and NfL concentrations were higher in patients with prion disease than in non-neurodegenerative controls and non-prion rapidly progressive dementias. Plasma tau showed higher diagnostic value than plasma NfL, but a lower accuracy than the CSF proteins t-tau and 14-3-3. In the whole prion cohort, both plasma (tau and NfL) and CSF (t-tau, 14-3-3 and NfL) markers were significantly associated with survival and showed similar prognostic values. However, the intrasubtype analysis revealed that only CSF t-tau in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) MM(V)1, plasma tau and CSF t-tau in sCJD VV2, and plasma NfL in slowly progressive prion diseases were significantly associated with survival after accounting for covariates.

Conclusions

Plasma markers have lower diagnostic accuracy than CSF biomarkers. Plasma tau and NfL and CSF t-tau are significantly associated with survival in prion disease in a subtype-specific manner and can be used to improve clinical trial stratification and clinical care.
Caudal analgesia versus abdominal wall blocks for pediatric genitourinary surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Desai Neel , Chan Edmund , El-Boghdadly Kariem , Albrecht Eric
Published: September 2020

Background

Caudal block is a well-established technique for providing perioperative analgesia in pediatric genitourinary surgery, but abdominal wall blocks such as ilioinguinal–iliohypogastric (II-IH) and transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block are increasingly being used.

Methods

Our protocol for this meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020163497). Central, CINAHL, Embase, Global Health, LILACS, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from inception to 11 December 2019 for randomized controlled trials that included pediatric patients having genitourinary surgery with II-IH or TAP block as the intervention and caudal analgesia as the comparator. For continuous and dichotomous outcomes, respectively, we calculated the mean difference using the inverse-variance method and the risk ratio with the Mantel-Haenzel method.

Results

In all, 23 trials with 1399 patients were included. II-IH and TAP block were similar to caudal analgesia in the coprimary outcomes of the postoperative pain score at 0–2 hours (high-quality evidence) and the need for in-hospital rescue analgesia (moderate-quality evidence consequent to downgrading by publication bias). No subgroup differences in regard to the type of abdominal wall block or the method of block localization were demonstrated for these primary outcomes. Relative to caudal analgesia, II-IH and TAP block reduced the incidence of postoperative motor blockade and the time to micturition.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis was limited by unclear risk of selection and performance biases and significant heterogeneity. In summary, II-IH and TAP block are a non-invasive and reasonable alternative to caudal analgesia in pediatric genitourinary surgery.
Multimodal perioperative pain management in a horse undergoing partial phallectomy
Authors: von Ritgen Stephanie , Bach Fabienne , Otero Pablo E , Auer Ulrike
Published: September 2020

A well‐balanced multimodal pain management including local anaesthetic techniques was used to provide perioperative analgesia in a horse undergoing partial phallectomy. This surgical intervention has been associated with moderate to severe pain and may present additional challenges to the veterinarian when providing pain relief postoperatively.

In the present case, preoperative analgesia included morphine and flunixin meglumine, both intravenously. Throughout surgery, adaptable constant rate infusions (CRIs) with ketamine and xylazine were supplemented to address different receptors of the pain pathway. Additionally, a pudendal nerve block with ropivacaine was added intraoperatively to reduce nociception and decrease sensitisation of the central nervous system. An epidural injection of morphine and dexmedetomidine was performed after recovery from general anaesthesia. Postoperative pain treatment included morphine and flunixin meglumine that resulted in adequate pain relief, based on pain assessment every 6–12 hours. Neither side effects nor complications were observed during the hospital stay.
Synthesis and characterization of terthiophene bearing stable radicals
Authors: Chahma M’hamed , Almubayedh Somaiah
Published: September 2020

The synthesis and characterization of a new terthiophene bearing stable radical II is described. Through a cross coupling reaction between 2-tributylstannylthiophene and 6-(2,5-dibromo-thiophene-3-yl)pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde (2), 6-[2,2′:5′,2″]terthiophen-3′-ylpyridine-2-carboxaldehyde (3) was prepared. The condensation of 3 with 2, 4-diisopropylcarbonohydrazide bis-hydrochloride affords the heterocyclic tetrazane (4), which was oxidized with 1,4-benzoquinone to form the stable radical II. II characterized by IR, ESR, and cyclic voltammetry. Oxidative electropolymerization of II and its precursor 4 at oxidation peak potential of the terthiophene using cyclic voltammetric scans produces radical functionalized polyterthiophene on a platinum electrode (poly(II)-Pt).
The Sixteenth International Conference on Endothelin (ET-16), Kobe, 2019
Authors: Widyantoro Bambang , Ryanto Gusty Rizky Teguh , Emoto Noriaki
Published: September 2020

The Sixteenth International Conference on Endothelin (ET-16) was held September 22–25, 2019, in Kobe Port Oasis, Kobe, Japan, and co-chaired by Noriaki Emoto, MD, PhD, from Kobe Pharmaceutical University and Bambang Widyantoro, MD, PhD, from the University of Indonesia. As the sixteenth iteration of this biannual conference that has been held since 1988, ET-16 provided a platform for researchers of all generations from all parts of the world to present novel discoveries in the field of endothelin. ET-16 returned to Asia and to Kobe, Japan, after 6 years of alternating venues with North America and Europe, with over 100 participants attending, sharing, and discussing the newest findings on endothelin and endothelin receptor antagonists in science and medicine.
LieToMe: An Ensemble Approach for Deception Detection from Facial Cues
Authors: Avola Danilo , Cascio Marco , Cinque Luigi , Fagioli Alessio , Foresti Gian Luca
Published: September 2020

Deception detection is a relevant ability in high stakes situations such as police interrogatories or court trials, where the outcome is highly influenced by the interviewed person behavior. With the use of specific devices, e.g. polygraph or magnetic resonance, the subject is aware of being monitored and can change his behavior, thus compromising the interrogation result. For this reason, video analysis-based methods for automatic deception detection are receiving ever increasing interest. In this paper, a deception detection approach based on RGB videos, leveraging both facial features and stacked generalization ensemble, is proposed. First, a face, which is well-known to present several meaningful cues for deception detection, is identified, aligned, and masked to build video signatures. These signatures are constructed starting from five different descriptors, which allow the system to capture both static and dynamic facial characteristics. Then, video signatures are given as input to four base-level algorithms, which are subsequently fused applying the stacked generalization technique, resulting in a more robust meta-level classifier used to predict deception. By exploiting relevant cues via specific features, the proposed system achieves improved performances on a public dataset of famous court trials, with respect to other state-of-the-art methods based on facial features, highlighting the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Implementation of a quantum transfer learning approach to image splicing detection
Authors: Gokhale Angelina , Pande Mandaar B. , Pramod Dhanya
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we present an implementation of quantum transfer learning to blind and passive detection of image splicing forgeries. Though deep learning models are becoming increasingly popular for various computer vision use cases, they depend on powerful classical machines and GPUs for dealing with complex problem solving and also to reduce the time taken for computation. The quantum computing research community has demonstrated elegant solutions to complex use cases in deep learning and computer vision for reducing storage space and increasing the accuracy of results compared to those obtained on a classical computer. We extend the quantum transfer learning approach formerly applied to image classification, for solving the growing problem of image manipulation, specifically, image splicing detection. A hybrid model is built using the ResNet50 pre-trained classical deep learning network and a quantum variational circuit to classify spliced versus authentic images. We present a comparative empirical study of classical versus quantum transfer learning approach using Xanadu’s pennylane quantum simulator and the pytorch deep learning framework. The model was also evaluated on the actual quantum processor ibmqx2 provided by IBM. Results obtained by execution on the quantum processor ([Formula: see text]%, [Formula: see text]%) and simulator ([Formula: see text]%, [Formula: see text]%) showed improvements in comparison to those obtained from classical computers ([Formula: see text]%, [Formula: see text]%).
Conformal vector fields of static spherically symmetric perfect fluid space-times in modified teleparallel theory of gravity
Authors: Malik Shabeela , Hussain Fiaz , Shabbir Ghulam
Published: September 2020

In this paper, initially we solve the Einstein field equations (EFEs) for a static spherically (SS) symmetric perfect fluid space-times in the [Formula: see text] gravity with the aid of some algebraic techniques. The extracted solutions are then utilized in order to get conformal vector fields (CVFs). It is important to mention that the adopted techniques enable us to obtain various classes of space-times with viable [Formula: see text] gravity models which already exist in the literature. Excluding all such classes, we find that there exist three cases for which the space-times admit proper CVFs, whereas in rest of the cases, CVFs become KVFs. We have also highlighted some physical implications of our obtained results.
A Review on the Development of Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensor Based on Graphene-Based Nanocomposites
Authors: Leong Khok Lun , Ho Mui Yen , Lee Xiau Yeen , Yee Maxine Swee-Li
Published: September 2020

In this 21th century, the demand for glucose sensors in monitoring diabetes reaches a year-on-year peak due to the unhealthy lifestyle of society. Therefore, it is the utmost important task for scientists and researchers to develop a highly efficient and effective glucose sensor. However, conventional enzymatic glucose sensors have showed some drawbacks and the underlying issues faced by enzymatic glucose sensors are outlined in this paper. With the tremendous advancement of science and technology, the field of diabetes monitoring has evolved from enzymatic to nonenzymatic glucose sensor that heavily emphasized on the usage of nanomaterial. This transformation is supported by various justifications such as a better stability of nonenzymatic sensors towards the surrounding, higher sensitivity and ease of fabrication. Numerous materials including graphene, noble metals, (transition) metal oxides and composites have been explored for its potential in the development and performance improvement of nonenzymatic glucose sensors. This paper reviewed nonenzymatic glucose sensors, their mechanism of glucose oxidation and various promising graphene-based nanocomposite systems as well as the challenges and future perspectives of glucose biosensors.
Review—Use of 1,1,1,3,3,3–hexafluoro–2–propanol (HFIP) Co-Solvent Mixtures in Organic Electrosynthesis
Authors: Ramos-Villaseñor José Manuel , Rodríguez-Cárdenas Esdrey , Barrera Díaz Carlos E. , Frontana-Uribe Bernardo A.
Published: September 2020

Because of the necessity of carry out electrolysis reactions with considerable quantity of organic molecules, the balance between solubility of starting material, solution conductivity and electrochemical stability of medium and intermediates are key factors in organic electrosynthesis. HFIP has several properties that favor its use in this research area as solvent, among them, its high hydrogen-bond donor has opened the possibility of fine tuning reactivity, mainly in anodic reactions because of the helpful effect on the stability of positive intermediates. The cost of this solvent has limited its broad application in chemistry, including electrosynthesis, but the possibility of using mixtures with other cosolvents has demonstrated to help to expand its use without losing the beneficial effect on the intermediates. In recent years several HFIP mixtures (HFIP/MeOH, HFIP/CH2Cl2, HFIP/H2O, HFIP/ACN, HFIP/MeNO2) have permitted the control the chemical microstructure of the electrolysis media and have let to adjust the solvent properties to fulfill the necessity of electrosynthesis. In this review will be discussed the general properties of HFIP and the mixtures reported to carry out electrochemical synthetic transformations of organic molecules, as well as the reactions where has been demonstrated the beneficial effect of HFIP solvent mixtures in the control of the electrogenerated intermediates. This approach has succeeded in organic electrosynthesis.
Distal convoluted tubule sexual dimorphism revealed by advanced 3D imaging
Authors: Tahaei Ebrahim , Coleman Richard , Saritas Turgay , Ellison David H. , Welling Paul A.
Published: September 2020

The thiazide-sensitive Na+-Cl− cotransporter (NCC) is more abundant in kidneys of female subjects than of male subjects. Because morphological remodeling of the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) is dependent on NCC activity, it has been generally assumed that there is a corresponding sexual dimorphism in the structure of the DCT, leading to a larger female DCT. Until now, this has never been directly examined. Here, optical clearing techniques were combined with antibody labeling of DCT segment markers, state-of-the-art high-speed volumetric imaging, and analysis tools to visualize and quantify DCT morphology in male and female mice and study the DCT remodeling response to furosemide. We found an unexpected sex difference in the structure of the DCT. Compared with the male mice, female mice had a shorter DCT, a higher cellular density of NCC, and a greater capacity to elongate in response to loop diuretics. Our study revealed a sexual dimorphism of the DCT. Female mice expressed a greater density of NCC transporters in a shorter structure to protect Na+ balance in the face of greater basal distal Na+ delivery yet have a larger reserve and structural remodeling capacity to adapt to unique physiological stresses. These observations provide insight into mechanisms that may drive sex differences in the therapeutic responses to diuretics.