bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Absence of αβ T cells accelerates disuse bone loss in male mice after spinal cord injury
Authors: Sahbani Karim , Shultz Laura C. , Cardozo Christopher P. , Bauman William A. , Tawfeek Hesham A.
Published: October 2020

Whether T cells promote bone loss following immobilization after spinal cord injury (SCI) remains undetermined. Therefore, wild‐type (WT) and T cell–deficient (Tcrb−/−) male mice underwent sham or contusion SCI to cause hindlimb paralysis. Femurs were isolated and distal and midshaft regions were evaluated by microcomputed tomography scanning. Bone marrow (BM) levels of bone turnover markers, as well as receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG), were measured by ELISA. At 2 weeks post‐SCI, immobilization resulted in marked reduction in trabecular fractional bone volume (55%), thickness (40%), connectivity, and cortical thickness only in the Tcrb−/− animals (interaction with P < 0.05). BM analysis revealed lower bone formation (procollagen type 1 intact N‐terminal propeptide), higher bone resorption (tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase‐5b), and a higher RANKL/OPG ratio in the Tcrb−/− SCI animals. At 5 weeks post‐SCI, while both WT and Tcrb−/− paralyzed animals showed deterioration of all indices of bone structure, they were more severe in Tcrb−/− animals. In summary, unlike other skeletal disorders, loss of αβ T cells compromises, rather than preserves, skeletal integrity under conditions of immobilization.
Analyzing the predictors of health care utilization in the agricultural worker population using decision tree analysis: Does language matter?
Authors: Smith Daniel , Mutic Abby , Mac Valerie V. T. , Hertzberg Vicki S. , McCauley Linda A.
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To analyze the predictors of health care utilization among respondents to the National Agricultural Worker Survey. Specifically, we hypothesized that English proficiency would predict utilization of health care services within the last 2 years.

Methods

Using the 2015–2016 National Agricultural Worker Survey, we performed a secondary data analysis to analyze the predictors of health care utilization within the last 2 years in the United States' agricultural worker population. Data were cleaned and analyzed using decision tree analysis, which produced a classification tree model that was trained on 90% of the data and validated on 10%.

Results

Exposure to English was not a predictor of health care utilization in our classification tree. The first major partition that predicted utilization was insurance status. Additional partitions were on age, gender, hypertension diagnosis, and public aid.

Conclusions

By partitioning on insurance status and use of public aid, the decision tree provided evidence that systemic factors are key determinants of health care utilization in the agricultural worker community. This highlights the importance of agencies that connect agricultural workers with resources that provide insurance and improve access to health care. This is especially important given that agricultural workers are one of the highest risk groups for occupational injury or death in the United States.
LQFM184: A Novel Wide Ultraviolet Radiation Range Absorber Compound
Authors: Vinhal Daniela C. , Ivan de Ávila Renato , Rodrigues Thaisângela L. , Silva Andressa K. , Moreira Larissa C. , Valadares Marize C. , Luzin Rangel M. , Lião Luciano M. , Gil Eric de S. , Vaz Boniek G. , Assis Rogério J. , Gonçalves Pablo J. , Isaac Vera , da Cunha Luiz C. , Menegatti Ricardo
Published: October 2020

The use of sunscreen has become an indispensable daily routine since UV radiation is a critical environmental stress factors for human skin. This study focused on the design, synthesis, thermal/chemical stability and efficacy/safety evaluations of a new heterocyclic derivative, namely LQFM184, as a photoprotective agent. The compound showed stability when submitted under oxidative and high‐temperature conditions. It also revealed an absorption at 260–340 nm (UVA/UVB), with a main band at 298 nm and a shoulder close to 334 nm. LQFM184 showed capacity to interact with other existing UV filters, promoting an increase in the sun protection factor. In relation to acute toxicity, its estimated LD50 was >300–2000 mg kg−1, probably with a low potential of inducing acute oral systemic toxicity hazard. In addition, our data showed that this compound did not have eye irritation, skin sensitization or phototoxicity potentials. Taken together, these findings make LQFM184 a promising ingredient to be used, alone or in association with other UV filters, in cosmetic products such as sunscreens with a broad spectrum of protection.
Characterization of the key region and putative phosphorylation sites of EcaICE1 in its molecular interaction with the EcaHOS1 protein in Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Authors: Cheng L. , Zhang W. , Hu J. , Zhang Z. , Liu Y. , Lin Y.
Published: October 2020

Inducer of CBF expression 1 (ICE1), a MYC‐like bHLH transcriptional activator, plays an important role in plants under cold stress. The ubiquitination–proteasome pathway mediated by high expression of osmotically responsive gene1 (HOS1) can effectively induce the degradation of ICE1 and decrease the expression of CBFs and their downstream genes under cold stress response in Arabidopsis, but knowledge of ubiquitination regulation of ICE1 by HOS1 is still limited in woody plants.

In this study, a E3 ubiquitin ligase gene EcaHOS1 were amplified from Eucalyptus camaldulensis and the protein interactions between EcaICE1 and EcaHOS1 were analysed.

Yeast two‐hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay results showed that EcaICE1 can interact with the EcaHOS1 protein in the nucleus and, further, the Y2H assay demonstrated that the 126–185 amino acid region at the N‐terminus of the EcaICE1 protein was indispensable for its interaction with EcaHOS1 protein. Moreover, we found that the amino acids at positions 145, 158 and 184 within the key interaction region were the putative phosphorylation sites of EcaICE1, based on bioinformatics analysis, and only the substitution of serine (Ser) 158 by alanine (Ala) blocked the protein–protein interactions between EcaICE1 and EcaHOS1 based on Y2H and β‐galactosidase activity assays using site‐directed mutagenesis.

We identified Ser 158 of EcaICE1 as the key putative phosphorylation site for its interaction with the EcaHOS1 protein.
Cross‐modal relationships of neural gating with the subjective perception of respiratory and somatosensory sensations
Authors: Jelinčić Valentina , Torta Diana M. , Van Diest Ilse , von Leupoldt Andreas
Published: October 2020

Neural gating is a phenomenon whereby the response to a stimulus in the electroencephalogram (EEG) is attenuated when preceded by an identical stimulus. Attenuation of paired auditory clicks has repeatedly been shown to be affected in mental disorders, for example, schizophrenia. Neural gating has also been measured for respiratory and somatosensory sensations, however the attenuation of bodily relevant stimuli has not yet been systematically related to the subjective perception of bodily sensations. This research direction is potentially relevant to explaining disease trajectories in psychosomatic conditions characterized by chronic breathlessness and/or pain. In the present study, we recorded high‐density EEG from 85 healthy young adults while they experienced brief paired respiratory occlusions and brief paired electrocutaneous stimulation of the wrist. The event‐related potential N1 was measured centro‐laterally in response to the second relative to the first stimulus to quantify neural gating in both sensory domains. Participants experienced resistive loaded breaths and electrocutaneous stimuli of various intensities, rated their perceived intensity and unpleasantness, and performed magnitude estimation. Relationships of respiratory and somatosensory neural gating to the subjective intensity and unpleasantness of sensations, as well as the ability to discriminate sensations of varying intensities, were investigated intra‐modally and cross‐modally. We report significant relationships of the somatosensory neural gating to perceived intensity and unpleasantness of respiratory and somatosensory sensations, with the stronger neural gating relating to a stronger subjective intensity and unpleasantness. We discuss these unexpected findings through the lens of individual differences and different theoretical accounts on the origins of cortical attenuation of repetitive stimuli.
Restoration of Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows: efficiency and ecological implications
Authors: Da Ros Zaira , Corinaldesi Cinzia , Dell'Anno Antonio , Gambi Cristina , Torsani Fabrizio , Danovaro Roberto
Published: October 2020

Seagrass meadows play a key role in the provisioning of ecosystem goods and services. These systems are extremely vulnerable to multiple anthropogenic impacts. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new techniques to efficiently restore degraded seagrass meadows. Here we tested the efficacy and efficiency of a new technique of seagrass transplant (Cymodocea nodosa) using biodegradable containers. We investigated the effects of this transplant technique in the Adriatic Sea comparing the transplanted seagrass meadows with adjacent donor seagrass meadows and bare sediments used as control. We assessed the recovery rates and the ecological implications of this transplant on key ecosystems functions, including the biomass and detritus provision to local biological communities, and the effects on the biodiversity of the associated benthic fauna. Our results show that this restoration technique was successful, enabling the seagrass survival (approximately 30%) even in high‐energy conditions occurring in winter. The sediments hosting the transplanted seagrasses showed an increase of trophic availability and of rates of organic matter cycling. Despite this, 1 year after the transplant, the abundance and biodiversity of meiofaunal assemblages in the restored seagrasses were still lower than in donor seagrass meadows. These results indicate that the restoration process of seagrass meadows can take a long time, and that a multilevel approach (including the analysis of biodiversity and of the sedimentary processes and biogeochemical cycles) is needed to assess the success of restoration actions in these habitats.
Southeastern Tibetan Plateau serves as the dominant sand contributor to the Yangtze River: Evidence from Pb isotopic compositions of detrital K‐feldspar
Authors: Zhang Zengjie , Daly J. Stephen , Li Chang'an , Tyrrell Shane , Badenszki Eszter , Sun Xilin , Tian Yuntao , Yan Yi
Published: October 2020

There is as yet no consensus as to the dominant source of sediment transported to the oceans: the steep tectonically active highlands, or the gently sloping lowlands? In this study, new Pb isotopic analyses of detrital K‐feldspar have been combined with published data to constrain sand supply in the Yangtze River, one of the largest fluvial sediment transport systems on Earth. Tributaries draining southeastern Tibet have predominantly unradiogenic K‐feldspar sand grains. K‐feldspar in the middle Yangtze comprises c. 50% of grains of this kind, confirming that the southeastern Tibetan tributaries are the dominant sediment contributors. K‐feldspars characteristic of tributaries of the middle‐lower reaches are not strongly represented in the trunk Yangtze, indicating that they contribute little sediment. Our study demonstrates that tectonic uplift in southeastern Tibet is the primary control on sand supply. This is consistent with quartz 10Be data and with bulk‐sand petrography, indicating a major contribution of detritus from steep mountainous terrain.
Teaching first‐year statistics students with COVID‐19 real‐world data: Graphs
Authors: Delport Danri H.
Published: October 2020

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but what about graphs? Although graphs have the potential to bring data to life, numerous studies show that learners struggle with graphical comprehension. Furthermore, many textbook examples on graphs are boring and appear meaningless to students. Students want to know more about something which is interesting, meaningful, and worth knowing, in other words, something relevant. With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in December 2019, COVID‐19 is dominating the news worldwide, and the internet is flooded with visual presentations about the virus. To make statistics more fascinating and exciting, relevant and real‐world data such as these can be used in the classroom to stimulate the learning of important statistical concepts such as graphs. Curcio's three levels of graphical comprehension were used as a framework in this study, while the importance of developing a global view on distributions was also emphasized.
Spatial analysis of soil erosion sensitivity using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation model in Nyamasheke District, Western Province of Rwanda
Authors: Niyonsenga Jean Damascene , Mugabowindekwe Maurice , Mupenzi Christophe
Published: October 2020

Previous studies have identified that Nyamasheke District in Rwanda is highly vulnerable to soil erosion. This has led to a loss of fertile soil, with a high level of land degradation. Nevertheless, the district’s spatial and temporal sensitivity to soil erosion remains unknown in different specific parts of the district. This study aimed to analyze spatial soil erosion sensitivity and mapping of vulnerable areas to soil erosion in the district. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model integrated within a GIS environment was used to estimate annual soil loss for the district. The RUSLE factors were derived from a 30 m resolution digital elevation model, digital soil map of the world, monthly rainfall records from 20 stations within and around the district, and Landsat7/ETM + and Landsat8/OLI imagery. Annual soil loss change was statistically analyzed using an empirical model in the district. The results showed a decreasing trend in soil erosion over time, with the highest annual soil losses estimated at 92.4, 16.1, and 15.1 t ha−1 year−1 in the years 2008, 2015, and 2018, respectively. Areas with the highest soil erosion sensitivity, with soil loss ranging between 10 and 40 t ha−1 year−1, were found in sectors of Kanjongo, Cyato, Rangiro, Macuba, and Karambi.
Maize metacaspases modulate the defense response mediated by the NLR protein Rp1‐D21 likely by affecting its subcellular localization
Authors: Luan Qing‐Ling , Zhu Yu‐Xiu , Ma Shijun , Sun Yang , Liu Xiao‐Ying , Liu Mengjie , Balint‐Kurti Peter J. , Wang Guan‐Feng
Published: October 2020

Plants usually employ resistance (R) genes to defend against the infection of pathogens, and most R genes encode intracellular nucleotide‐binding, leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) proteins. The recognition between R proteins and their cognate pathogens often triggers a rapid localized cell death at the pathogen infection sites, termed the hypersensitive response (HR). Metacaspases (MCs) belong to a cysteine protease family, structurally related to metazoan caspases. MCs play crucial roles in plant immunity. However, the underlying molecular mechanism and the link between MCs and NLR‐mediated HR are not clear. In this study, we systematically investigated the MC gene family in maize and identified 11 ZmMCs belonging to two types. Further functional analysis showed that the type I ZmMC1 and ZmMC2, but not the type II ZmMC9, suppress the HR‐inducing activity of the autoactive NLR protein Rp1‐D21 and of its N‐terminal coiled‐coil (CCD21) signaling domain when transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. ZmMC1 and ZmMC2 physically associate with CCD21 in vivo. We further showed that ZmMC1 and ZmMC2, but not ZmMC9, are predominantly localized in a punctate distribution in both N. benthamiana and maize (Zea mays) protoplasts. Furthermore, the co‐expression of ZmMC1 and ZmMC2 with Rp1‐D21 and CCD21 causes their re‐distribution from being uniformly distributed in the nucleocytoplasm to a punctate distribution co‐localizing with ZmMC1 and ZmMC2. We reveal a novel role of plant MCs in modulating the NLR‐mediated defense response and derive a model to explain it.
The ‘rejuvenating factor’ TIMP‐2 is detectable in human blood components for transfusion
Authors: Hoefer Julia , Dal‐Pont Christian , Jochberger Stefan , Fantin Raffaella , Schennach Harald
Published: October 2020

Background and Objectives

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP‐2) is a protein suspected to be crucial in numerous physiological and pathological processes such as morphogenesis, tissue remodelling and metastasis suppression. In animal models, the administration of TIMP‐2 to aged mice improved their cognitive functions. Therefore, one can hypothesize that differences in TIMP‐2 levels between blood donors and recipients might influence cognitive functions also in humans. However, the stability of TIMP‐2 during processing and storage of blood components for transfusion has not been intensively investigated so far. This study determined TIMP‐2 concentrations in fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP), erythrocyte concentrate (EC) and pathogen‐inactivated platelet concentrate (PI‐PC) depending on the donor's demographic factors age and gender.

Materials and Methods

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 was measured in FFP (n = 30), EC (n = 12) and PI‐PC (n = 12) using a Q‐Plex single‐plex immunoassay for chemiluminescence‐based detection. Absolute quantification of TIMP‐2 was performed with Q‐view software. Fresh umbilical cord plasma was used as a positive control.

Results

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 was detected in FFP (30/30 samples), EC (11/12 samples) and PI‐PC (12/12 samples). The median TIMP‐2 concentration in EC (17·2 ng/ml; range: 0–26·5 ng/ml) was significantly lower compared with FFP (63·4 ng/ml; range: 44·4–87·3 ng/ml) or PI‐PC (69·9 ng/ml; range: 39·9–83·6 ng/ml). Across all blood components, TIMP‐2 levels are comparable in male and female donors and independent of age.

Conclusion

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 is detectable and stable in FFP, PI‐PC and, in low concentration, EC. It can be hypothesized that TIMP‐2 will be transmitted to recipients during transfusion.
Revisiting the ASME Pressure-Viscosity Report Using the Tait-Doolittle Correlations
Authors: Zolper Thomas J. , Bair Scott , Horne Kyle
Published: October 2020

The ASME Pressure-Viscosity Report was a seminal publication on high pressure-viscosity and density supervised by the ASME Research Committee on Lubrication, sponsored by dozens of industries, and undertaken by Harvard University using high-pressure equipment developed by Prof. P. W. Bridgman. The resulting measurements of the “Viscosity and Density of Over 40 Lubricating Fluids of Known Composition at Pressures to 150,000 psi (1034 MPa) and Temperatures to 425 °F (218.3 °C/491.5 K)” should have become an invaluable reference to tribologists around the world. The present work revisits that monumental effort to distill the results into an established equation of state using modern computer software. The authors used curve-fitting techniques to fit measured density and viscosity data to the parameters of the Tait-Doolittle equation for use in further tribological modeling. This information will help a new generation of engineers to model the piezoviscous properties of lubricant base-stocks in diverse tribological applications.
Design and Dynamic Analysis of a Compact 10 MW Medium Speed Gearbox for Offshore Wind Turbines
Authors: Wang Shuaishuai , Nejad Amir R. , Moan Torgeir
Published: October 2020

This paper deals with the design of a compact gearbox for the DTU 10 MW reference offshore wind turbine. An innovative gearbox concept consisting of a fixed planetary stage and a differential compound epicyclic stage is proposed. Power splitting and compound epicyclic transmission technologies are employed, which can effectively reduce the gearbox size. The power transmission principle of the gearbox is described and power distribution ratios in two transfer paths are calculated via the geometrical and mechanical relationships among the gearbox components. The gearbox is designed based on the design loads and fatigue criteria by referring to relevant international standards. A high-fidelity drivetrain numerical model is established by means of a multi-body system (MBS) approach. Then, the power distribution ratios in two transfer paths are compared between the simulation results and the design values with a good agreement. Resonance analysis of the drivetrain model is conducted by means of the Campbell diagram and energy distribution of components, and the results show that no severe resonance phenomena appear in this drivetrain model. Additionally, the load-sharing behavior of the gearbox model is assessed under different environmental conditions, and the results indicate that the compact gearbox has a good load-sharing performance. Such a compact gearbox design, which fulfills all the design requirements for offshore applications, could be a good alternative for offshore wind turbines.
A Novel Simple, Adaptive, and Versatile Soft-Robotic Compliant Two-Finger Gripper With an Inherently Gentle Touch
Authors: Milojević Andrija , Linß Sebastian , Ćojbašić Žarko , Handroos Heikki
Published: October 2020

In soft robotics, there is still a great need for a universal but simple gripper that realizes a high level of adaptability as well as a gentle touch to a wide variety of unknown objects of different size, shape, stiffness, and weight without the use of sensors or vision. Various, mostly complex grippers already exist based on certain actuation concepts. However, each solution has specific limitations, especially regarding gripping different soft and delicate objects. Therefore, this paper introduces a new approach to design a simple, adaptive, and versatile soft robotic two-finger gripper that is based on compliant mechanisms. More specifically, an inherently gentle touch is realized by utilizing an optimally synthesized mechanism with distributed compliance in combination with a conventional linear actuator. It is shown by finite elements method (FEM) simulations that the gripper realizes a high force and motion transmission at the same time. Furthermore, it is demonstrated by tests with a gripper prototype that reliable, safe, and fast grasping as well as manipulation are possible for a wide variety of objects. It is shown that beside regular and stiff objects also very challenging objects can be easily gripped, e.g., small, irregular, soft, and squeezable objects like fruits, berries, and vegetables. Moreover, it is confirmed that the developed compliant two-finger gripper can be used beneficially without sensors and control for differently sized and shaped objects with a comparable weight.
Cystic renal diseases: role of ultrasound. Part I, non-genetic cystic renal diseases
Authors: Kabaalioglu Adnan , Gunduz Nesrin , Keven Ayse , Durmaz Emel , Aslan Mine , Aslan Ahmet , Guneyli Serkan
Published: October 2020

Kidney cysts are quite common in adults.  Though small simple renal cysts in an adult over 30-40 years of age are not too unusual, however, if the same cysts are seen in a child, and especially if there are additional findings, then several diagnostic possibilities may come to mind. The role of ultrasound, together with the help of intravenous contrast agents and Doppler mode, is very critical in describing the morphologic features and follow-up of the complex or multiple and bilateral renal cysts. Sonographic signs are occasionally specific for diagnosis, but in many cases they should be evaluated together with the other genetic and clinical data to reach a diagnosis.The first part of this pictorial essay includes “non-genetic cystic renal diseases” and the second part will include “genetic cystic renal diseases”.
Acoustic effects of medical, cloth, and transparent face masks on speech signals
Authors: Corey Ryan M. , Jones Uriah , Singer Andrew C.
Published: October 2020

Face masks muffle speech and make communication more difficult, especially for people with hearing loss. This study examines the acoustic attenuation caused by different face masks, including medical, cloth, and transparent masks, using a head-shaped loudspeaker and a live human talker. The results suggest that all masks attenuate frequencies above 1 kHz, that attenuation is greatest in front of the talker, and that there is substantial variation between mask types, especially cloth masks with different materials and weaves. Transparent masks have poor acoustic performance compared to both medical and cloth masks. Most masks have little effect on lapel microphones, suggesting that existing sound reinforcement and assistive listening systems may be effective for verbal communication with masks.
A Constant Balancing Act: Delivering Sustainable University Instructional Physical Activity Programs
Authors: Brock Sheri J. , Beaudoin Christina , Urtel Mark G. , Hicks Lisa L. , Russell Jared A.
Published: October 2020

The goal of university instructional physical activity programs (IPAPs) is to provide quality instruction through best practices to encourage college students to lead healthy and physically active lifestyles. As IPAPs have continued to decline due to enrollment and budgetary concerns, the importance of quality and sustainability has become particularly paramount. Furthermore, it is imperative to the existence of IPAPs that we strive to learn and share with each other in order to independently survive, but more essentially to flourish collectively, as we are better together. In our varied experience, while some IPAPs face unique challenges, many obstacles are common, regardless of institution size and composition. This paper will offer the perspectives of four strikingly different colleges and universities in their quest to navigate challenges in delivery, maintain and support quality instruction, and advocate for IPAPs.
Modulation of PKM activity affects the differentiation of T
H
17 cells
Authors: Seki Scott M. , Posyniak Kacper , McCloud Rebecca , Rosen Dorian A. , Fernández-Castañeda Anthony , Beiter Rebecca M. , Serbulea Vlad , Nanziri Sarah C. , Hayes Nikolas , Spivey Charles , Gemta Lelisa , Bullock Timothy N. J. , Hsu Ku-Lung , Gaultier Alban
Published: October 2020

PKM2 activation may redirect inflammation from the spinal cord to the brain in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.
Effects of Myeloid
Hif-1β
Deletion on the Intestinal Microbiota in Mice under Environmental Hypoxia
Authors: Han Ni , Pan Zhiyuan , Huang Zongyu , Chang Yuxiao , Hou Fengyi , Liu Guangwei , Yang Ruifu , Bi Yujing
Published: October 2020

External environmental factors can cause an imbalance in intestinal flora. For people living in the extremes of a plateau climate, lack of oxygen is a primary health challenge that leads to a series of reactions. We wondered how intestinal microorganisms might change in a simulated plateau environment and what changes might occur in the host organism and intestinal microorganisms in the absence of hypoxia-related factors. In this study, mice carrying a knockout of hypoxia-inducible factor 1β (
Hif-1β
) in myeloid cells and wild-type mice were raised in a composite hypoxic chamber to simulate a plateau environment at 5,000 m of elevation for 14 days.
Interleukin-8 Receptor 2 (IL-8R2)-Deficient Mice Are More Resistant to Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis than Control Mice
Authors: Carlin Aaron F. , Viriyakosol Suganya , Okamoto Sharon , Walls Lorraine , Fierer Joshua
Published: October 2020

The pathology of human coccidioidomycosis is granulomatous inflammation with many neutrophils surrounding ruptured spherules, but the chemotactic pathways that draw neutrophils into the infected tissues are not known. We previously showed that formalin-killed spherules (FKS) stimulate mouse macrophages to secret macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), which suggested that CXC ELR+ chemokines might be involved in neutrophil recruitmentin vivo. To test that hypothesis, we intranasally infected interleukin-8R2 (IL-8R2) (Cxcr2)-deficient mice on a BALB/c background withCoccidioides immitisRS.
Comparison of the Clinical Performances of the Abbott Alinity IgG, Abbott Architect IgM, and Roche Elecsys Total SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Assays
Authors: Harley Kellisha , Gunsolus Ian L.
Published: October 2020

Critical evaluation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) serologic assays is needed to guide clinical decision-making and ensure that these assays provide optimal benefit to patients and the public. Here, three commercially available assays with widespread distribution capabilities are compared. A total of 667 specimens, 103 from patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections and 564 collected prior to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, were analyzed in parallel using the Roche Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 total antibody and Abbott Alinity SARS-CoV-2 IgG assays; a subset of 55 samples from patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections was additionally evaluated using the Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgM assay.
Structure of High-Risk Papillomavirus 31 E6 Oncogenic Protein and Characterization of E6/E6AP/p53 Complex Formation
Authors: Conrady Marcel Chris , Suarez Irina , Gogl Gergö , Frecot Desiree Isabella , Bonhoure Anna , Kostmann Camille , Cousido-Siah Alexandra , Mitschler André , Lim JiaWen , Masson Murielle , Iftner Thomas , Stubenrauch Frank , Travé Gilles , Simon Claudia
Published: October 2020

Variations of carcinogenicity of human papillomaviruses are related to variations of the E6 and E7 interactome. While different HPV species and genera are known to target distinct host proteins, the fine differences between E6 and E7 of closely related HPVs, supposed to target the same cellular protein pools, remain to be addressed. We compare the oncogenic E6 proteins of the closely related high-risk HPV31 and HPV16 with regard to their structure and their efficiency of ternary complex formation with their cellular targets p53 and E6AP, which results in p53 degradation. We solved the crystal structure of 31 E6 bound to the E6AP LxxLL motif. HPV16 E6 and 31 E6 structures are highly similar, but a few sequence variations lead to different protein contacts within the ternary complex and, as quantified here, an overall lower binding affinity of 31 E6 than 16 E6. These results align with the observed lower p53 degradation potential of 31 E6.
A Respiratory Syncytial Virus Attachment Gene Variant Associated with More Severe Disease in Infants Decreases Fusion Protein Expression, Which May Facilitate Immune Evasion
Authors: Human Stacey , Hotard Anne L. , Rostad Christina A. , Lee Sujin , McCormick Louise , Larkin Emma K. , Peret Teresa C. T. , Jorba Jaume , Lanzone Joseph , Gebretsadik Tebeb , Williams John V. , Bloodworth Melissa , Stier Matthew , Carroll Kecia , Peebles R. Stokes , Anderson Larry J. , Hartert Tina V. , Moore Martin L.
Published: October 2020

Strain-specific differences in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) isolates are associated with differential pathogenesis in mice. However, the role of RSV genotypes in human infection is incompletely understood. This work demonstrates that one such genotype, 2stop+A4G, present in the RSV attachment (G) gene terminus is associated with greater infant disease severity. The genotype consists of two tandem stop codons preceding an A-to-G point mutation in the 4th position of the G gene end transcription termination signal. Virologically, the 2stop+A4G RSV genotype results in reduced levels of the RSV fusion (F) glycoprotein. A recombinant 2stop+A4G RSV was better able to establish infection in the presence of existing RSV immunity than a virus harboring the common A4G mutation. These data suggest that regulation of G and F expression has implications for virulence and, potentially, immune evasion.
Role of Inflammation in Virus Pathogenesis during Pregnancy
Authors: Chudnovets Anna , Liu Jin , Narasimhan Harish , Liu Yang , Burd Irina
Published: October 2020

Viral infections during pregnancy lead to a spectrum of maternal and fetal outcomes, ranging from asymptomatic disease to more critical conditions presenting with severe maternal morbidity, stillbirth, preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction, and fetal congenital anomalies, either apparent at birth or later in life. In this article, we review the pathogenesis of several viral infections that are particularly relevant in the context of pregnancy and intrauterine inflammation. Understanding the diverse mechanisms employed by viral pathogens as well as the repertoire of immune responses induced in the mother may help to establish novel therapeutic options to attenuate changes in the maternal-fetal interface and prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Rift Valley Fever Virus Infection Causes Acute Encephalitis in the Ferret
Authors: Barbeau Dominique J. , Albe Joseph R. , Nambulli Sham , Tilston-Lunel Natasha L. , Hartman Amy L. , Lakdawala Seema S. , Klein Ed , Duprex W. Paul , McElroy Anita K.
Published: October 2020

Animal models of viral disease are very important for understanding how viruses make people sick and for testing out drugs and vaccines to see if they can prevent disease. In this study, we identify the ferret as a model of encephalitis caused by Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). This novel model will allow researchers to evaluate ways to prevent RVFV encephalitis.
Triazole Evolution of Candida parapsilosis Results in Cross-Resistance to Other Antifungal Drugs, Influences Stress Responses, and Alters Virulence in an Antifungal Drug-Dependent Manner
Authors: Papp Csaba , Bohner Flóra , Kocsis Katica , Varga Mónika , Szekeres András , Bodai László , Willis Jesse R. , Gabaldón Toni , Tóth Renáta , Nosanchuk Joshua D. , Vágvölgyi Csaba , Gácser Attila
Published: October 2020

Candida parapsilosis
causes life-threatening fungal infections. In the last 2 decades, the increasing number of azole-resistant
C. parapsilosis
clinical isolates has been attributable to the overuse and misuse of fluconazole, the first-line antifungal agent most commonly used in several countries. To date, the range of applicable antifungal drugs is limited. As a consequence, it is essential to understand the possible mechanisms of antifungal resistance development and their effect on virulence in order to optimize antifungal treatment strategies in the clinical setting. Our results revealed that the prolonged exposure to azoles resulted not only in azole resistance but also in cross-resistance development. Our data further indicate that resistance development may occur through different mechanisms that can also alter the virulence of
C. parapsilosis
. These results highlight the consequences of prolonged drug usage and suggest the need for developing alternative antifungal treatment strategies in clinical practice.
Lessons from Microbes: What Can We Learn about Equity from Unculturable Bacteria?
Authors: Montgomery Beronda L.
Published: October 2020

Many microbiologists exhibit a fascination with unculturable bacteria. This intrigue can be expressed through curiosity about nutrient needs, as well as about parameters such as optimal temperature, oxygen levels, minimum and optimal light, or other such environmental factors. Microbiologists study organisms’ genetic language, as well as their environment of origin, for clues about essential factors or organisms’ need for coculture to support growth and thriving. We can learn many lessons about equity and stewardship-based engagement from the ways that microbiologists seek to understand how to cultivate unculturable bacteria, including the importance of understanding an organism’s language and community, replicating aspects of the environment of origin, an organism’s occasional need to transform aspects of its environment to persist, and the critical needs to provide a range of culture conditions to support diverse organisms.
phyloFlash: Rapid Small-Subunit rRNA Profiling and Targeted Assembly from Metagenomes
Authors: Gruber-Vodicka Harald R. , Seah Brandon K. B. , Pruesse Elmar
Published: October 2020

To track organisms across all domains of life, the SSU rRNA gene is the gold standard. Many environmental microbes are known only from high-throughput sequence data, but the SSU rRNA gene, the key to visualization by molecular probes and link to existing literature, is often missing from metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). The easy-to-use phyloFlash software suite tackles this gap with rapid, SSU rRNA-centered taxonomic classification, targeted assembly, and graph-based linking to MAGs. Starting from a cleaned reference database, phyloFlash profiles the taxonomic diversity and assembles the sorted SSU rRNA reads. The phyloFlash design is domain agnostic and covers eukaryotes, archaea, and bacteria alike. phyloFlash also provides utilities to visualize multisample comparisons and to integrate the recovered SSU rRNAs in a metagenomics workflow by linking them to MAGs using assembly graph parsing.
Supplemental Material: Copper- and cobalt-rich, ultrapotassic bittern brines responsible for the formation of the Nkana-Mindola deposits, Zambian Copperbelt
Authors: Davey James , al. et
Published: October 2020

Appendices S1 (detailed methods), S2 (sample descriptions and full analytical results), S3 (sample images), and S4 (example cathodoluminescence images).
Holocene to latest Pleistocene incremental slip rates from the east-central Hope fault (Conway segment) at Hossack Station, Marlborough fault system, South Island, New Zealand: Towards a dated path of earthquake slip along a plate boundary fault
Authors: Hatem Alexandra E. , Dolan James F. , Zinke Robert W. , Langridge Robert M. , McGuire Christopher P. , Rhodes Edward J. , Brown Nathan , Van Dissen Russell J.
Published: October 2020

Geomorphic field and aerial lidar mapping, coupled with fault-parallel trenching, reveals four progressive offsets of a stream channel and an older offset of the channel headwaters and associated fill terrace–bedrock contact at Hossack Station along the Conway segment of the Hope fault, the fastest-slipping fault within the Marlborough fault system in northern South Island, New Zealand. Radiocarbon and luminescence dating of aggradational surface deposition and channel initiation and abandonment event horizons yields not only an average dextral rate of ∼15 mm/yr since ca. 14 ka, but also incremental slip rates for five different time periods (spanning hundreds to thousands of years) during Holocene to latest Pleistocene time. These incremental rates vary through time and are, from youngest to oldest: 8.2 +2.7/−1.5 mm/yr averaged since 1.1 ka; 32.7 +∼124.9/−10.1 mm/yr averaged over 1.61–1.0 ka; 19.1 ± 0.8 mm/yr between 5.4 and 1.6 ka; 12.0 ± 0.9 mm/yr between 9.4 and 5.4 ka, and 13.7 +4.0/−3.4 mm/yr from 13.8 to 9.4 ka, with generally faster rates in the mid- to late Holocene relative to slower rates prior to ca. 5.4 ka. The most pronounced variation in rates occurs between the two youngest intervals, which are averaged over shorter time spans (≤1700 yr) than the three older incremental rates (3700–4500 yr). This suggests that the factor of ∼1.5× variations in Hope fault slip rate observed in the three older, longer-duration incremental rates may mask even greater temporal variations in rate over shorter time scales.
Continued improvement in morbidity reduction in extremely premature infants
Authors: Kaempf Joseph , Morris Mindy , Steffen Eileen , Wang Lian , Dunn Michael
Published: October 2020

Objective

Provide a progress report updating our long-term quality improvement collaboration focused on major morbidity reduction in extremely premature infants 23–27 weeks.

Methods

10 Vermont Oxford Network (VON) neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) (the POD) sustained a structured alliance: (A) face-to-face meetings, site visits and teleconferences, (B) transparent process and outcomes sharing, (C) utilisation of evidence-based potentially better practice toolkits, (D) family integration and (E) benchmarking via a composite mortality–morbidity score (Benefit Metric). Morbidity-specific toolkits were employed variably by each NICU according to local priorities. The eight major VON morbidities and the risk-adjusted Benefit Metric were compared in two epochs 2010–2013 versus 2014–2018.

Results

5888 infants, mean (SD) gestational age 25.8 (1.4) weeks, were tracked. The POD Benefit Metric significantly improved (p=0.03) and remained superior to the aggregate VON both epochs (p<0.001). Four POD morbidities significantly improved through 2018 – chronic lung disease (48%–40%), discharge weight <10th percentile (32%–22%), any late infection (19%–17%) and periventricular leukomalacia (4%–2%). In epoch 2, 34% of survivors had none of the eight major morbidities, while 36% had just one. Mortality did not change.

Conclusions

Inter-NICU collaboration, process and outcomes sharing and potentially better practice toolkits sustain improvement in 23–27 week morbidity rates, notably chronic lung disease, extrauterine growth restriction and the lowest zero-or-one major morbidity rate reported by a quality improvement collaboration. Unrevealed biological and cultural variables affect morbidity rates, countless remain unmeasured, thus duplication to other quality improvement groups is challenging. Understanding intensive care as innumerable interactions and constant flux that defy convenient linear constructs is fundamental.
Complex clinical management of group AStreptococcalpelvic inflammatory disease after bilateral tubal ligation in a small community hospital
Authors: Wolfenden Emily , Mittal Maanvi , Sussman Rachel
Published: October 2020

A 43-year-old woman with a history of bilateral tubal ligation and bilateral ovarian cysts presented to our hospital with progressively worsening right lower quadrant pain and abdominal distension. Her exam findings of vaginal discharge and cervical motion tenderness, in combination with her marked leucocytosis, were suggestive of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PCR forChlamydia trachomatisandNeisseria gonorrhoeaewas negative, however, our patient’s blood cultures grew group AStreptococcus. This exceptionally severe presentation of PID, in combination with uncommon laboratory findings, led to complex multidisciplinary clinical decision making guided by extensive literature review. Here, we present a rare case of group AStreptococcusPID after bilateral tubal ligation, and highlight the role of a family medicine primary team in the medical and surgical management of a complex case at a community hospital.
Retained haemodialysis—catheter guidewire in the head and neck: a multidisciplinary team approach
Authors: Xiao Hong Chow , Abd Wahab Syafazaima , Azman Mawaddah
Published: October 2020

Penetrating foreign body in the head and neck can be catastrophic from injury to the constellation of vascular and neural structures in the neck. Early recognition and prompt surgical intervention is imperative to save lives. Herein, we present an unusual case of iatrogenic foreign body—a coiled guidewire embedded in the deep neck space. The complications, radiological investigation and multidisciplinary surgical management are further discussed.
AIDS presenting as radial bone tuberculosis and pyogenic methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureusosteomyelitis
Authors: Santos Nigel Jeronimo Cortez , Tomacruz Isabelle Dominique Villegas , Lantion-Ang Frances Lina , Reyes Paula Veronica San Juan
Published: October 2020

Osteomyelitis is a rare initial presentation of HIV. We report a case of a 25-year-old, apparently well man presenting with a traumatic, pathological fracture of the right radius. He had a 2-week history of low-grade fever, swelling and purulent discharge of the radial aspect of his right forearm. Osteomyelitis, secondary bacteraemia and pneumonia were clues that led physicians to test for HIV. Multiple debridement, sequestrectomy and vacuum-assisted closure were done. Tissue cultures revealedMycobacterium tuberculosis(TB) and methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureus. He was treated successfully with 6 weeks of culture-guided intravenous oxacillin, staphylococcal decontamination and first-line anti-TB regimen (rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol, pyrazinamide). Antiretroviral agents were started thereafter. Successful infection control and preservation of limb functionality was achieved with a multidisciplinary team approach. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of an adult patient with HIV presenting with tuberculous and pyogenic osteomyelitis of the radial bone.
Cushing’s syndrome in early infancy due to isolated sporadic bilateral micronodular adrenocortical disease associated with myosin heavy chain 8 mutation: diagnostic challenges, too many!
Authors: Majumder Sananda , Chakraborty Partha Pratim , Ghosh Prakash Chandra , Bera Mitali
Published: October 2020

Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is rare in infancy. Bilateral micronodular adrenocortical disease (BMAD), either primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease or the non-pigmented isolated micronodular adrenocortical disease is an important aetiology of CS in this age group, which requires bilateral adrenalectomy for cure. BMAD may be isolated, or a component of Carney complex. Isolated sporadic BMAD without other systemic manifestations poses a diagnostic challenge. Paradoxical cortisol response to dexamethasone suggests, while adrenal histopathology and mutational analysis of the culprit genes confirm BMAD. BMAD was suspected in 6-year-old infant with midnormal adrenocorticotrophic hormone, inconclusive adrenal and pituitary imaging and paradoxical increase in cortisol following high dose of dexamethasone. Exome sequencing revealed heterozygous c.354+1G>C (5′ splice site) variant in the myosin heavy chain gene (MYH8), located in chromosome 17. This particular variant has not been reported in the literature. In view of suspected phenotype and its absence in the population databases, the variant was classified as pathogenic.