bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hostility predicts mortality but not recurrent acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Vitori Tracey K , Frazier Susan K , Biddle Martha J , Mudd-Martin Gia , Pelter Michele M , Dracup Kathleen , Moser Debra K
Published: September 2020

Background

Hostility is associated with greater risk for cardiac disease, cardiac events and dysrhythmias. Investigators have reported equivocal findings regarding the association of hostility with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) recurrence and mortality. Given mixed results on the relationship between hostility and cardiovascular outcomes, further research is critical.

Aims

The aim of our study was to determine whether hostility was a predictor of ACS recurrence and mortality.

Methods

We performed a secondary analysis of data (N = 2321) from a large randomized clinical trial of an intervention designed to reduce pre-hospital delay among patients who were experiencing ACS. Hostility was measured at baseline with the Multiple Adjective Affect Checklist (MAACL) and patients were followed for 24 months for evaluation of ACS recurrence and all-cause mortality. We used Cox proportional hazards modeling to determine whether hostility was predictive of time to ACS recurrence or all-cause mortality.

Results

The majority of patients were married (73%), Caucasian (97%), men (68%), and had a mean age of 67 ± 11 years. Fifty-seven percent of participants scored as hostile based on the established MAACL cut point (mean score = 7.56 ± 3.8). Hostility was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (p = < 0.039), but was not a predictor of ACS recurrence (p = 0.792).

Conclusion

Hostility is common in patients with ACS and its relationship to clinical outcomes is important to the design of future interventions to improve long-term ACS mortality.
Responsibility for climate justice: Political not moral
Authors: Sardo Michael Christopher
Published: September 2020

How should responsibility be theorized in the context of the global climate crisis? This question is often framed through the language of distributive justice. Because of the inequitable distribution of historical emissions, climate vulnerability, and adaptation capacity, such considerations are necessary, but do not exhaust the question of responsibility. This article argues that climate change is a structural injustice demanding a theory of political responsibility. Agents bear responsibility not in virtue of their individual causal contribution or capacity, but because they participate in and benefit from the carbon-intensive structures, practices, and institutions that constitute the global political and economic system. Agents take responsibility by engaging in collective political action to transform these structures that generate both climate hazards and unjust relationships of power. By incorporating distributive principles within a capacious conception of political responsibility, this framework advances the theory and practice of climate justice in two ways. First, adopting a relational rather than individualistic criterion of responsibility better makes sense of how and why individuals bear responsibility for a global and intergenerational injustice like climate change. Second, framing climate justice in terms of political responsibility for unjust structural processes better orients and motivates the political action necessary for structural transformation.
A novel baseline-free approach for acousto-ultrasonic crack monitoring of rotating axles
Authors: Reitz Tobias , Fritzen Claus-Peter
Published: September 2020

Axles are widely used mechanical components in rotating machines. In many applications, axles are exposed to varying environmental and operational conditions, including for example, temperature, load and rotational speed. To apply acousto-ultrasonics–based structural health monitoring for axles, it is in some cases not economically feasible to collect data and to construct a baseline model for each combination of all possible environmental and operational conditions. In consideration of such a practical limit, a novel baseline-free method, called Dynamic Reference Method, is proposed in this article for the detection of transverse cracks in axles. Piezoelectric wafer active sensors are applied for exciting and sensing ultrasonic waves. In case a transverse crack is present in an axle, it is noticed that the crack will sequentially open and close within one revolution of the axle when it is mechanically loaded in the radial direction. Such an opening and closing phenomenon of the transverse crack will influence the propagation of the ultrasonic waves. During the short time of data acquisition, the environmental and operational conditions remain nearly constant and the changes in the propagation of the ultrasonic waves may indicate the appearance of a transverse crack on the axle, and a baseline model for the environmental and operational conditions is not needed. To validate the proposed baseline-free method, an axle is put on a rotating bending test rig to first initiate a fatigue crack on the surface of the axle and second to observe its growth. During the test, the ultrasonic waves are measured by piezoelectric wafer active sensor in situ and are analysed online using the proposed baseline-free method. According to the test results, not only can the crack be effectively detected, but also the progressive changes of the crack size can be differentiated. Such results demonstrate the potential of the proposed baseline-free method in condition-based maintenance and predictive maintenance for critical axle components.
Development of a Pulmonary Workshop for Organ Recovery Coordinators’ Continuing Medical Education
Authors: Henry Nicholas R. , Gardner Donna D. , Rodrigues Nathan
Published: September 2020

Organ recovery coordinators (ORCs) have varied professional education backgrounds; however, based on their specialized education, their training may not have included in-depth mechanical ventilation and pulmonary management. An 8-hour pulmonary workshop was developed in collaboration between an organ procurement organization and a university-based respiratory care department. The workshop focused on pulmonary management and hands-on laboratory exercises using mechanical ventilators. A program assessment questionnaire was completed by participants following the workshop, which requested their self-reported comfort/familiarity with pulmonary management skills before and after the workshop on a 5-point Likert scale. Following the pulmonary workshop, the mean ORC comfort/familiarity for all pulmonary management skills increased significantly ( P < .01). This program suggests ORCs can develop a greater awareness and comfort with pulmonary management by participating in a continuing education pulmonary workshop. Continuing education initiatives focused on pulmonary management of donor patients using hands-on competencies should be part of the ORCs practice improvement efforts.
Biphasic Dose–Response of Components From Coptis chinensis on Feeding and Detoxification Enzymes of Spodoptera litura Larvae
Authors: Jiang Houhui , Chen Yin , Ni Juan , Song Jia , Li Li , Yu Zanyang , Pang Lei , Qi Hongyi
Published: September 2020

Due to long-term coevolution, secondary metabolites present in plants apparently function as chemical defense against insect feeding, while various detoxification enzymes in insects are adaptively induced as a prosurvival mechanism. Coptis chinensis, a medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for a thousand years, was found to be less prey to insects in our earlier field observations. Herein, 4 crude extracts obtained from sequential partition of aqueous extract of Rhizoma coptidis with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol exhibited antifeedant activity against Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) larvae at high doses and inducing activity at low doses. Furthermore, a similar biphasic dose–response of the antifeedant activity against S litura larvae was also observed for jateorhizine, palmatine, and obakunone in Coptis chinensis. Notably, the enzyme activities of glutathione-S-transferase and carboxyl esterase in S litura larvae affected by the different components (jateorhizine, palmatine, obakunone, berberine, and coptisine) of C chinensis also showed a biphasic dose–response with an increasing trend at low doses and a decreasing trend at high doses. Together, our study suggests that the components of C chinensis may play a chemical defensive role against S litura larvae in a hormetic manner.
News framing of the Euromaidan protests in the hybrid regime and the liberal democracy: Comparison of Russian and UK news media
Authors: Liu Zixiu
Published: September 2020

This study examines and compares news framing of the protests in Ukraine from 30 November 2013 to 26 February 2014, encompassing three news sectors in the hybrid regime setting of Russia and the liberal democracy of the UK. Following Godefroidt et al.’s (2016) approach in their article in International Communication Gazette 78(8), the findings suggest that, while the Russian media used economic consequences and morality frames in the reporting of the protests reflecting the country’s political rhetoric on Ukraine, the British media preferred a human-interest frame and delivered a primarily one-sided coverage. The confrontational interpretations of the crisis by the Russian and UK media revealed an illiberal trend in both the hybrid regime and the liberal democracy.
Early functional mobilization for non-operative treatment of simple elbow dislocations: a systematic review
Authors: Catapano Michael , Pupic Nikola , Multani Iqbal , Wasserstein David , Henry Patrick
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This systematic review aims to elucidate a non-operative rehabilitation program that optimizes recovery based on published approaches and outcomes.

Methods

Searches of four databases from inception to 1 January 2020 were performed to identify clinical studies addressing the non-operative management of simple elbow dislocations.

Results

Of 2435 studies that were eligible for title screen, 15 studies satisfied inclusion criteria. Three randomized control studies demonstrated that early mobilization expedited the return of range of motion, function and return to work or activities, however, resulted in increased pain within the six-week rehabilitation period compared to Plaster of Paris casting for 21 days. Patients returned to work sooner after early mobilization (10 vs. 18 days; p = 0.02) compared to Plaster of Paris casting. In all studies, early mobilization resulted in similar re-dislocation rates of 1.3% (3/237) versus 2.2% (12/549) in those with Plaster of Paris casting as well as lower incidence of heterotopic ossification (36% vs. 54%). No significant differences between rehabilitation protocols were determined; however, the large majority of recent papers utilized rehabilitation protocols.

Conclusion

Early mobilization of simple elbow dislocations results in early return of Range-of-Motion, function and return to work with no increase in complication rates; however, increased pain during the rehabilitation period.
Use of long acting antipsychotics and relationship to newly diagnosed bipolar disorder: a pragmatic longitudinal study based on a Canadian health registry
Authors: Stip Emmanuel , Javaid Syed , Bayard-Diotte Jonathan , Abdel Aziz Karim , Arnone Danilo
Published: September 2020

Background:

There is limited data from large naturalistic studies to inform prescribing of long-acting injectable medication (LAIs). Guidance is particularly rare in the case of primary mood disorders.

Methods:

This study describes prescribing trends of LAIs in 3879 patients in Quebec, Canada, over a period of 4 years. Health register data from the Quebec provincial health plan were reviewed.

Results:

In this specific registry, 32% of patients who received LAIs drugs for schizophrenia had a confirmed diagnosis of bipolar disorder and 17% had a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Non-schizophrenia syndromes were preferentially prescribed risperidone long-acting antipsychotic, whereas patients with schizophrenia were prescribed an excess of haloperidol decanoate. Patients with non-schizophrenia disorders prescribed long-acting antipsychotics were more frequently treated in primary care compared with patients with schizophrenia.

Conclusion:

Data from a large number of patients treated naturalistically in Quebec with long-acting antipsychotics suggests that these compounds, prescribed to treat symptoms of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders, were maintained when mood symptoms emerged, even in cases when the diagnosis changed to bipolar disorder. This pragmatic study supports the need to explore this intervention as potential treatment for affective disorders.
A case series about the favorable effects of sacubitril/valsartan on anthracycline cardiomyopathy
Authors: De Vecchis Renato , Paccone Andrea
Published: September 2020

Anthracyclines are the cornerstone of treatment for many solid and hematological cancers such as breast cancer or lymphoma for the past 50 years. Nevertheless, in a non-negligible proportion of patients, they elicit dilated cardiomyopathy as a side effect, which causes in turn cardiac decompensation. Conversely, for some years, sacubitril/valsartan has been proposed as a new therapeutic paradigm for all varieties of heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, due to its balanced enhancement of natriuretic peptides’ properties coupled with a blocking effect on the AT1 angiotensin receptors. In this article, two clinical cases are illustrated in which the therapeutic action of sacubitril/valsartan against anthracycline cardiomyopathy would seem to be demonstrated by the improvement of symptoms and echocardiographic parameters. Thus, further studies would be warranted for better evaluating the potential role of sacubitril/valsartan as a novel therapeutic tool against anthracycline cardiotoxicity.
Clinical management of the most common extra‐intestinal manifestations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease focused on the joints, skin and eyes
Authors: Jansen Fenna M , Vavricka Stephan R , den Broeder Alfons A , de Jong Elke MGJ , Hoentjen Frank , van Dop Willemijn A
Published: September 2020

Extra‐intestinal manifestations (EIMs) of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) occur frequently and contribute to morbidity and reduced quality of life. The musculoskeletal, ocular and cutaneous organ systems are frequently involved in IBD‐related EIMs. By focusing on manifestations involving the joints, skin and eyes, this review will discuss the most common clinically relevant and burdensome EIMs that affect IBD patients, and strives for early recognition, adequate treatment and timely referral. For this purpose, we aimed to create a comprehensive overview on this topic, with the main focus on the treatment of reactive and associated EIMs, including spondyloarthropathies, pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema nodosum, psoriasis and anterior uveitis. The recently developed biologicals enable simultaneous treatment of inflammatory disorders. This review can be used as a helpful guide in daily clinical practice for physicians who are involved in the treatment of IBD patients.
Optimising the management of bladder pain syndrome
Authors: Al-Singary Waleed , Patel Reena , Sarkar Ujjal , Patel Hiten RH
Published: September 2020

Objective:

Clinicians have shown variable practice in the diagnosis and management of bladder pain syndrome (BPS). This study assessed pain localisation sites, common co-morbidities, investigations and treatment patterns in clinical practice.

Patients and methods:

We performed a retrospective analysis of 412 patients attending our pelvic pain clinic between 2004 and 2016. Frequency counts were used to summarise findings.

Results:

Pain in women ( N=388) was localised to the lower abdomen (92.0%), lower back (71.1%) and vagina (60.8%). Men ( N=24) typically presented with testicular pain with painful ejaculation (70.8%). Nearly all (95.4%) patients reported sexual dysfunction. Visceral neuropathic pain and autoimmune co-morbidities, such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic headaches or migraines and skin lesions, were more prevalent in our cohort than in the general population. All patients had urine culture and sensitivities and flexible cystoscopy. Laparoscopy, urodynamic studies and bladder biopsies were mostly normal, but were essential in excluding other pathologies. Good pain control was achieved on amitriptyline (83.0%). Hydro-distension and benign bladder ulcer cauterisation provided temporary symptomatic relief.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that patient expectation management and education is essential in BPS, with most achieving good pain control with conservative measures and amitriptyline. Those receiving intravesical treatments will most likely require subsequent revisions.

Level of evidence:

Not applicable for this single-centre audit.
Registered Nurses’ Decisions Around Referral of Residents With Urinary Tract Infections: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kosheleva Ludmila , Ngune Irene
Published: September 2020

Background

Referral of residents with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) to hospital are common. However, there is limited information on what influences Registered Nurses’ (RN) decision-making process.

Aim

To investigate resident factors that influence RN’s decisions to escalate care.

Design

A retrospective cohort approach audited electronic clinical records of residents with UTIs.

Methods

Data were extracted from the electronic database and analyzed using descriptive and regression analysis. Approval was obtained from both the RACFs and University Human Research Ethics Committee.

Results

There was a higher likelihood of being referred to hospital if residents were female, had had a past fall, had related comorbidity, or had abnormal vital signs. However, being older and having a urinary catheter were protective factors for referral by the RN.

Conclusion

Referral of residents with UTIs by RNs to hospital is common in RACFs. Resident characteristics such as abnormal vital signs, past falls, and presence of comorbidity influence referrals by RNs. Nurse Practitioners dedicated to the RACFs could complement the role of a general practitioner. UTI-specific escalation protocols can assist RNs to make decisions about referrals. RNs’ related risk factors also need to be examined to understand other influencing factors.
Predictors of Job Satisfaction in Female Farmers Aged 50 and Over: Implications for Occupational Health Nurses
Authors: Witt Cheryl D. , Reed Deborah B. , Rayens Mary Kay , Hunsucker Sharon
Published: September 2020

Background:

Over the past three decades, the number of female farmers in the United States has increased to nearly 1 million, yet research on this occupational group is limited. Job stress arising from job dissatisfaction in other occupations is associated with both acute and chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of demographic characteristics, agricultural occupational factors, and health indicators with farm-work satisfaction among female farmers.

Methods:

Cross-sectional data from the Sustained Work Indicators of Older Farmers Study (2002–2006) was used to examine older female farmers ( N = 332) from North Carolina and Kentucky. This secondary data analysis used farm-work questions adapted from the Kentucky Farm Health and Hazard Surveillance Project to measure demographics and occupational factors, the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale to measure depressive symptoms, and a single item from the National Health Interview Survey to measure self-perceived health status.

Findings:

Controlling for demographic characteristics, work factors, and health indicators, the female farmers were more likely to report satisfaction with farm work when they had performed a greater number of agricultural tasks in the past year and if they had lower levels of depressive symptoms.

Conclusions/Application to Practice:

This study provides an initial basis for further research with women working in agriculture. Occupational health nurses, particularly those practicing in agricultural areas, can enhance their quality of care by having a greater understanding of the factors associated with farming and farm life that affect female farmers’ overall health.
Trajectories of Distress Following the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Multiwave Prospective Study
Authors: Goodwin Robin , Sugiyama Kemmyo , Sun Shaojing , Takahashi Masahito , Aida Jun
Published: September 2020

The March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear leak were complex traumas. We examined psychological distress in the years following the earthquake using growth mixture modeling to classify responses from 2,599 linked respondents (2012–2016). We identified four classes of trajectories following the disaster: resilient (76% of respondents), delayed distress (8%), recovery (8%), and chronic distress (7%). Compared with the resilient class, other class members were less likely to be female and had less social support. Survivors in the recovery group were more likely to live in prefabricated housing. Although distress has decreased over time, specific populations continue to require targeted intervention.
Comparison of Effects of Curcumin and Nano-curcumin on the Survival of Human-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: An Experimental Study
Authors: Hameeda Pinjari , Katti Sandeep , Jammalamadugu Rajkishore , Bhatt Kishore , Peram Malleswara Rao , Kumbar Vijay
Published: September 2020

Aim:

To evaluate and compare the effect of curcumin (CUR) and Nano-curcumin (N-CUR) on human-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a dose-dependent manner.

Materials and Methods:

An experimental study performed with putative MSCs from a total of five systemically healthy subjects with chronic periodontitis. These putative MSCs were isolated by cell culture and were further characterized and identified by colony-forming unit assay and immunocytochemical analysis using cell surface markers CD105, CD146, CD45 and CD73. The identified MSCs were treated with different doses of CUR and N-CUR, and compared with α-minimum essential medium (α -MEM) for its cell viability by performing MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay for 48 and 72 hr. The statistically analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post hoc test and Bonferroni’s post hoc test.

Results:

Compared to the α-MEM group, both CUR and N-CUR treated cells have shown significantly ( P = .029) higher survival rate at lower concentration (0.1 and 0.5 µM/L), at 48 hr incubation. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the CUR and N-CUR groups on cell survival rate at both 48 and 72 hr incubation. When compared between the concentrations of the same group, significantly higher cell viability ( P = .001) was observed at lower concentrations (0.1, 0.5 µM/L) in both test groups after incubation for 48 and 72 hr.

Conclusion:

Both CUR and N-CUR have a dose-dependent effect on human derived MSCs survival when incubated for 48 hr, whereas N-CUR shows increased cell survival rate even at 72 hr of incubation. Although, the cautious use of CUR and N-CUR at higher concentrations is recommended.
An Exploratory Study on Intergenerational Learning in Indian IT Workspace
Authors: Jain Aman , Maheshwari Mridul
Published: September 2020

Recent years have been transformational for organisations owing to growing generational diversity and the associated challenges of managing the different generations working together. This issue of generational diversity invites significant attention in the context of studying organisations that are going through massive transformations with the presence of different generations within the organisations at the same time (Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y or Millennials). Each of the three generations, with their understanding of the business context, technology, and industry-specific knowledge, are influencing organisational learning landscapes. With this, both the organisations and individuals benefit from the exchange of expertise suited to the learning preferences of different generational cohorts. This qualitative research is an attempt to explore the aforementioned phenomenon by focusing on the nuances of the traits of different generations, their respective learning preferences and the dynamics of intergenerational learning in the context of Indian IT companies. Insights that emerge seek to unravel the observed facets of intergenerational learning by three diverse generations of IT Industry.
Outcomes of the Star Repair for Large and Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: A Modified Triple-Row Technique
Authors: Morsy Mohamed G. , Gawish Hesham M. , Galal Mostafa A. , Waly Ahmed H.
Published: September 2020

Background:

Large and massive rotator cuff repairs constitute a true challenge for arthroscopic shoulder surgeons. Retear rates as high as 20% have been reported after arthroscopic double-row and suture-bridge techniques used for these tears.

Hypothesis:

A modified triple-row repair will provide satisfactory clinical results with lower risk for retear.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Between March 2016 and August 2017, a total of 52 patients with large and massive rotator cuff tears received a modified triple-row cuff repair. A middle repositioning anchor was inserted between the medial and the lateral rows. The middle anchor sutures were loaded to lateral knotless anchors in a star-shaped configuration. Functional evaluation was performed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, University of California, Los Angeles score, Constant-Murley score, and Simple Shoulder Test. Subjective evaluation was carried out using a visual analog scale for pain and a subjective shoulder value score. Health-related as well as disease-specific quality-of-life scores were also used. Retear rates were assessed by means of musculoskeletal ultrasonography. Patients were evaluated for a minimum of 24 months.

Results:

This study included 34 female and 18 male patients with a mean age of 57.17 ± 6.7 years. There were 35 patients (67.3%) with large tears and 17 patients (32.7%) with massive tears. Significant improvement from preoperative values was seen in all functional and subjective scores ( P < .001). The mean forward flexion was 163° ± 9.7°, and the mean lateral abduction was 159.4° ± 9.4°. All patients had excellent scores on the general health-related and disease-specific quality-of-life scales. No retears were reported at the end of the follow-up period.

Conclusion:

The star-shaped, modified triple-row cuff repair is a valid and effective solution for surgical management of large and massive rotator cuff tears, providing excellent results and low risk for retears.
Struggles for a Dignified Life: A Documentation of Invisible Resistance of Kuchbandhiya Community in Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Singh Jitendra
Published: September 2020

Dalits are mostly seen as a homogeneous category, but the inherent heterogeneity cannot be ignored. Numerous influential constructions of Dalit social and political identity are now emerging and widely circulating in very prominent ways within the public sphere in North India. Dalit assertion in North India, especially in the state of Uttar Pradesh, has become very visible. The Dalit communities are trying to recreate their cultural history and identity. This is true, however, for only a few visible Dalit communities such as Chamar, Dhobi, Jatav, Kori and Pasi. A large section of marginalized communities are left behind. They are suffering from vertical and horizontal marginality, added by regional impediments. These communities are overshadowed by visible and politically strong castes. In Bundelkhand region, there are a few voiceless, powerless and under-represented communities. One such community is the Kuchbandhiya Kanjar. It is a sub-caste of Kanjar. It is essentially nomadic in nature and belongs to the state category of scheduled caste (SC). They do not have a voice to claim their identity. Thus they lack the strength needed to get rid of their invisibility. Our social system makes weak communities who are victims of systematic inequality, in which they are denied opportunities, choices, freedom and dignity. In this research article, I try to highlight why they do not have aspirations and dissent. Why they have no voice in the democratic system? Which process or trajectory has pushed them to the periphery and made them mute? Is there any possibility of their emergence as a counter public?
Speaking and Speaking Differently: Language as Resistance, Liberation and Celebration in Dalit Women’s Autobiographical Narratives
Authors: Sethi Bijaya Kumar , Nayak Amarjeet
Published: September 2020

This article undertakes a close reading of Dalit women’s autobiographical narratives to underline the folly of generalizing Dalit women as helpless exploited beings and to explore other important aspects of their lives. It is the intent of this article to explore how Dalit women use specific linguistic expressions as a symbolic way of claiming their distinct identity which in consequence results in an act of resistance against the dominant linguistic culture of Brahminical inheritance. Gopal Guru states that Dalit women ‘talk differently’ (Guru, [2016], Economic & Political Weekly, 30[42], 2548–2550), because their talking differently functions as a potential act of resistance against both casteism and patriarchy along with signifying a mark of distinct identity of their own. Furthermore, the article locates different passive strategies used by Dalit women to resist the oppressor in their everyday life, because, in many conditions, an open resistance is found to be counterproductive for them. Finally, the article investigates Dalit women’s strategies to carve a space for enjoyment and avenues of entertainment amid the pain and suffering, mostly in their work space. It is instructive to see how the work field, which is generally seen to be a place of pain and hard labour, is often used by Dalit women as a place of freedom and enjoyment.
Chimneys and mobile homes in 2018 Anchorage earthquake
Authors: Maison Bruce , Eidinger John , Dai John
Published: September 2020

The seismic performance of chimneys associated with permanent residential dwellings and mobile (manufactured) homes is documented via onsite reconnaissance including interviews with Anchorage building officials and contractors familiar with the earthquake damage and recovery efforts. Relatively few chimneys suffered structural damage, and there was no evidence of mobile homes shifting or toppling. The lack of damage is attributed to relatively modest shaking intensities and qualities of the housing inventory. State-of-practice fragility curves are assessed by comparison to observed damage.
Thioridazine requires calcium influx to induce MLL-AF6–rearranged AML cell death
Authors: Tregnago Claudia , Da Ros Ambra , Porcù Elena , Benetton Maddalena , Simonato Manuela , Simula Luca , Borella Giulia , Polato Katia , Minuzzo Sonia , Borile Giulia , Cogo Paola , Campello Silvia , Massi Alessandro , Romagnoli Romeo , Buldini Barbara , Locatelli Franco , Pigazzi Martina
Published: September 2020

In pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML), intensive chemotherapy and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are the cornerstones of treatment in high-risk cases, with severe late effects and a still high risk of disease recurrence as the main drawbacks. The identification of targeted, more effective, safer drugs is thus desirable. We performed a high-throughput drug-screening assay of 1280 compounds and identified thioridazine (TDZ), a drug that was highly selective for the t(6;11)(q27;q23) MLL-AF6 (6;11)AML rearrangement, which mediates a dramatically poor (below 20%) survival rate. TDZ induced cell death and irreversible progress toward the loss of leukemia cell clonogenic capacity in vitro. Thus, we explored its mechanism of action and found a profound cytoskeletal remodeling of blast cells that led to Ca2+ influx, triggering apoptosis through mitochondrial depolarization, confirming that this latter phenomenon occurs selectively in t(6;11)AML, for which AF6 does not work as a cytoskeletal regulator, because it is sequestered into the nucleus by the fusion gene. We confirmed TDZ-mediated t(6;11)AML toxicity in vivo and enhanced the drug’s safety by developing novel TDZ analogues that exerted the same effect on leukemia reduction, but with lowered neuroleptic effects in vivo. Overall, these results refine the MLL-AF6 AML leukemogenic mechanism and suggest that the benefits of targeting it be corroborated in further clinical trials.
A novel approach for predicting protein S-glutathionylation
Authors: Anashkina Anastasia A. , Poluektov Yuri M. , Dmitriev Vladimir A. , Kuznetsov Eugene N. , Mitkevich Vladimir A. , Makarov Alexander A. , Petrushanko Irina Yu.
Published: September 2020

Background

S-glutathionylation is the formation of disulfide bonds between the tripeptide glutathione and cysteine residues of the protein, protecting them from irreversible oxidation and in some cases causing change in their functions. Regulatory glutathionylation of proteins is a controllable and reversible process associated with cell response to the changing redox status. Prediction of cysteine residues that undergo glutathionylation allows us to find new target proteins, which function can be altered in pathologies associated with impaired redox status. We set out to analyze this issue and create new tool for predicting S-glutathionylated cysteine residues.

Results

One hundred forty proteins with experimentally proven S-glutathionylated cysteine residues were found in the literature and the RedoxDB database. These proteins contain 1018 non-S-glutathionylated cysteines and 235 S-glutathionylated ones. Based on 235 S-glutathionylated cysteines, non-redundant positive dataset of 221 heptapeptide sequences of S-glutathionylated cysteines was made. Based on 221 heptapeptide sequences, a position-specific matrix was created by analyzing the protein sequence near the cysteine residue (three amino acid residues before and three after the cysteine). We propose the method for calculating the glutathionylation propensity score, which utilizes the position-specific matrix and a criterion for predicting glutathionylated peptides.

Conclusion

Non-S-glutathionylated sites were enriched by cysteines in − 3 and + 3 positions. The proposed prediction method demonstrates 76.6% of correct predictions of S-glutathionylated cysteines. This method can be used for detecting new glutathionylation sites, especially in proteins with an unknown structure.
Pedigree analysis of pre-breeding efforts in Trifolium spp. germplasm in New Zealand
Authors: Egan L. M. , Hofmann R. W. , Seguin P. , Ghamkhar K. , Hoyos-Villegas V.
Published: September 2020

Background

Prebreeding in plants is the activity designed to identify useful characteristics from wild germplasm and its integration in breeding programs. Prebreeding aims to introduce new variation into the populations of a species of interest. Pedigree analysis is a valuable tool for evaluation of variation in genebanks where pedigree maps are used to visualize and describe population structure and variation within these populations. Margot Forde Germplasm Centre (MFGC) is New Zealand’s national forage genebank and holds a collection of ~ 75 species of the genusTrifolium, of which only a dozen have been taken through prebreeding programs. The main objective of this study was to construct pedigree maps and analyse patterns of relatedness for seven minorTrifoliumspecies accessions contained at the MFGC. These species areTrifolium ambiguum, Trifolium arvense, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium hybridum, Trifolium medium, Trifolium subterraneumand theTrifolium repensxTrifolium occidentaleinterspecific hybrids. We present a history ofTrifoliumspp. prebreeding in New Zealand and inform breeders of possible alternative forage species to use.

Results

Pedigree data from accessions introduced between 1950 and 2016 were used and filtered based on breeding activity. Kinship levels amongTrifoliumspp. remained below 8% and no inbreeding was found. Influential ancestors that contributed largely to populations structure were identified. The Australian cultivar ‘Monaro’ had a strong influence over the whole population of accessions inT. ambiguum.T. subterraneumandT. repensxT. occidentalehad the largest number of generations (3).T. ambiguumandT. mediumhad the highest cumulative kinship across the decades.

Conclusions

We conclude that there are high levels of diversity in the sevenTrifoliumspp. studied. However, collection and prebreeding efforts must be strengthened to maximize utilization and bring useful genetic variation.
Benchmarking hybrid assembly approaches for genomic analyses of bacterial pathogens using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing
Authors: Chen Zhao , Erickson David L. , Meng Jianghong
Published: September 2020

Background

We benchmarked the hybrid assembly approaches of MaSuRCA, SPAdes, and Unicycler for bacterial pathogens using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing by determining genome completeness and accuracy, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), virulence potential, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), phylogeny, and pan genome. Ten bacterial species (10 strains) were tested for simulated reads of both mediocre- and low-quality, whereas 11 bacterial species (12 strains) were tested for real reads.

Results

Unicycler performed the best for achieving contiguous genomes, closely followed by MaSuRCA, while all SPAdes assemblies were incomplete. MaSuRCA was less tolerant of low-quality long reads than SPAdes and Unicycler. The hybrid assemblies of five antimicrobial-resistant strains with simulated reads provided consistent AMR genotypes with the reference genomes. The MaSuRCA assembly of Staphylococcus aureus with real reads contained msr(A) and tet(K), while the reference genome and SPAdes and Unicycler assemblies harbored blaZ. The AMR genotypes of the reference genomes and hybrid assemblies were consistent for the other five antimicrobial-resistant strains with real reads. The numbers of virulence genes in all hybrid assemblies were similar to those of the reference genomes, irrespective of simulated or real reads. Only one exception existed that the reference genome and hybrid assemblies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with mediocre-quality long reads carried 241 virulence genes, whereas 184 virulence genes were identified in the hybrid assemblies of low-quality long reads. The MaSuRCA assemblies of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium with mediocre-quality long reads contained 126 and 118 virulence genes, respectively, while 110 and 107 virulence genes were detected in their MaSuRCA assemblies of low-quality long reads, respectively. All approaches performed well in our MLST and phylogenetic analyses. The pan genomes of the hybrid assemblies of S. Typhimurium with mediocre-quality long reads were similar to that of the reference genome, while SPAdes and Unicycler were more tolerant of low-quality long reads than MaSuRCA for the pan-genome analysis. All approaches functioned well in the pan-genome analysis of Campylobacter jejuni with real reads.

Conclusions

Our research demonstrates the hybrid assembly pipeline of Unicycler as a superior approach for genomic analyses of bacterial pathogens using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing.
Development and clinical application of a novel CRISPR-Cas12a based assay for the detection of African swine fever virus
Authors: Wang Xiaoying , He Sheng , Zhao Na , Liu Xiaohong , Cao Yongchang , Zhang Guihong , Wang Gang , Guo Chunhe
Published: September 2020

Background

As no treatment or effective vaccine for African swine fever virus (ASFV) is currently available, a rapid, highly sensitive diagnostic is urgently needed to curb the spread of ASFV.

Results

Here we designed a novel CRISPR-Cas12a based assay for ASFV detection. To detect different ASFV genotypes, 19 crRNAs were designed to target the conserved p72 gene in ASFV, and several crRNAs with high activity were identified that could be used as alternatives in the event of new ASFV variants. The results showed that the sensitivity of the CRISPR-Cas12a based assay is about ten times higher than either the commercial quantitative PCR (qPCR) kit or the OIE-recommended qPCR. CRISPR-Cas12a based assay could also detect ASFV specifically without cross-reactivity with other important viruses in pigs and various virus genotypes. We also found that longer incubation times increased the detection limits, which could be applied to improve assay outcomes in the detection of weakly positive samples and new ASFV variants. In addition, both the CRISPR-Cas12a based assay and commercial qPCR showed very good consistency.

Conclusions

In summary, the CRISPR-Cas12a based assay offers a feasible approach and a new diagnostic technique for the diagnosis of ASFV, particularly in resource-poor settings.
Dynamic needle tip positioning versus the angle-distance technique for ultrasound-guided radial artery cannulation in adults: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bai Bing , Tian Yuan , Zhang Yuelun , Yu Chunhua , Huang Yuguang
Published: September 2020

Background

Ultrasound guidance can increase the success rate and reduce the incidence of complications of arterial cannulation. There are few studies on the utility of the dynamic needle tip positioning (DNTP) technique versus the angle-distance (AD) technique for ultrasound-guided radial arterial cannulation in adult surgical patients. We assessed and compared the success rates and incidences of complications of these two short-axis out-of-plane techniques.

Methods

A total of 131 adult surgical patients were randomized into DNTP and AD groups to undergo ultrasound-guided radial artery cannulation. The primary outcome was first-pass success without posterior wall puncture. The secondary outcomes included the first-pass success rate, 10-min overall success rate, cannulation time, posterior wall puncture, and the number of skin punctures.

Results

The first-pass success rates without posterior wall puncture were 53.8% in the DNTP group and 44.6% in the AD group (RR = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.86–1.72; P = 0.26). The cannulation time was significantly longer (P = 0.01) in the DNTP group [79.65 (54.3–109.4) seconds] than in the AD group [47.6 (24.9–103.8) seconds]. The posterior wall puncture rate was significantly lower (P = 0.002) in the DNTP group (29.2%) than in the AD group (56.1%; RR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.42–0.82).

Conclusions

There were no significant differences in the first-pass success rate, with or without arterial posterior wall puncture, or in the 10-min overall success rate between the DNTP and AD groups. However, the cannulation time was longer and the posterior wall puncture rate was lower in the DNTP group.

Trial registration

The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (No: NCT03656978). Registered 4 September 2018.
Electrocardiographic findings of methanol toxicity: a cross-sectional study of 356 cases in Iran
Authors: Nikoo Mohammad Hossein , Arjangzadeh Alireza , Pakfetrat Maryam , Boogar Shahrokh Sadeghi , Mohammadkarimi Vahid , Ostovan Vahid Reza , Khodamoradi Zohre , Roozbeh Jamshid , Khalili Mohammadreza , Shirazi Farnaz Kamali Haghighi , Kouhi Paryia , Heydari Seyed Taghi
Published: September 2020

Background

Methanol is widely used in industry; however, methanol poisoning is not common. In this regard, a number of outbreaks have been recently reported due to inappropriate processing of alcoholic beverages. Shiraz, a city located in the southern part of Iran, faced one of such outbreaks in 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic. There is no sufficient literature on the electrocardiographic findings in methanol toxicity. This study aimed to address this gap in the literature.

Method

A total of 356 cases with methanol toxicity referred to Shiraz University of Medical Science Tertiary Hospitals (Faghihi and Namazi) in March and April, 2020. The clinical findings of blindness and impaired level of consciousness, lab data such as arterial blood gas, electrolytes, and creatinine, and the most common findings from ECGs were collected.

Results

The most common ECG findings were J point elevation (68.8%), presence of U wave (59.2%), QTc prolongation (53.2% in males and 28.6% in females), and fragmented QRS (33.7%). An outstanding finding in this study was the presence of myocardial infarction in 5.3% of the cases. This finding, to the best of our knowledge, has only been reported in a few case reports. Brugada pattern (8.1%) and Osborn wave (3.7%) were the other interesting findings.

In multivariate analysis, when confounding factors were adjusted, myocardial infarction, atrioventricular conduction disturbances, sinus tachycardia, and the prolonged QTC > 500 msecond were four independent factors correlated with methanol toxicity severity measured with arterial blood PH on arterial blood gas measurements, with odds ratios of 12.82, 4.46, 2.32 and 3.15 (P < 0.05 for all), respectively.

Conclusion

Electrocardiographic variations during methanol intoxication are remarkable and well-correlated with poisoning severity. Myocardial infarction was an egregious and yet a common concerning finding in this sample, which need to be ruled out in methanol toxicity.
How does multimorbidity affect middle-aged adults? A cross-sectional survey in the Singapore primary healthcare setting
Authors: Sim Sai Zhen , Koh Hui Li , Lee Sabrina Poay Sian , Young Doris Yee Ling , Lee Eng Sing
Published: September 2020

Background

Multimorbidity is of increasing prevalence and importance. It has been associated with poorer health-related quality of life (HrQoL) especially in the elderly population. Despite substantial multimorbidity in the middle-aged population, defined as those aged between 40-64 years old, there is a paucity of research investigating the impact of multimorbidity in this population. This study aimed to investigate the association between multimorbidity and HrQoL in the middle-aged primary care population in Singapore.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a primary care centre in Singapore. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data regarding the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, chronic conditions, and HrQoL, as measured by the EuroQol five dimensions 3-levels questionnaire (EQ5D). We defined multimorbidity as the presence of three or more conditions, out of a list of 14 chronic conditions. The associations between multimorbidity and the components of the EQ5D were assessed using multivariable regression analyses.

Results

The study included 297 participants, aged 40–64 years, of which 124 (41.7%) had multimorbidity. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, participants with multimorbidity had significantly lower EQ5D UI, (β-coefficient − 0.064 (C.I -0.125, − 0.003),p = 0.04), but not significantly lower EQ5D VAS, (β-coefficient − 0.045 (C.I 0.102, 0.012),p = 0.12). Additionally, participants with multimorbidity had higher odds (OR = 2.41,p = 0.01) of reporting problems due to pain/discomfort.

Conclusion

Multimorbidity was not significantly associated with the overall health state, as measured by the EQ5D VAS, in middle-aged primary care patients. However, it was associated with the EQ5D UI which is a composite measure of five specific domains of HrQoL. Specifically, there was a statistically significant association between multimorbidity and the pain domain. Further studies are required to understand the relationship between multimorbidity and pain to enable physicians to better manage pain and HrQoL in this population.