bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of ADMA, IMA, and Vitamin A and E Levels in Patients with Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Tunçez Akyürek Fatma , Saylam Kurtipek Gulcan , Kurku Huseyin , Akyurek Fikret , Unlu Ali , Abusoglu Sedat , Ataseven Arzu
Published: July 2020

Background

Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease in adolescents known to be associated with oxidative stress. However, the number of studies in which oxidative stress and antioxidants are evaluated together is limited.

Aims

In this study, we aimed to investigate L‐arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway metabolites, ischemia‐modified albumin (IMA), and vitamin A and E levels in patients with acne and its association with disease severity.

Patients/Methods

Ninety patients with acne and 30 healthy adults were included in the study. The serum levels ofL‐arjinin, L‐arginine metabolites, IMA, and vitamins A and E measured in the patient and control groups.

Results

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), LNG‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine (L‐NMMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and IMA levels were significantly higher in the patients with acne than in the control group (P ˂ .05). The L‐arginine/ADMA ratio and citrulline and vitamin A levels were significantly lower in patients with acne than those of the controls (P ˂ .05). ADMA and IMA plasma levels were increased in parallel with the disease severity (P ˂ .05). L‐arginine/ADMA ratio, L‐arginine, citrulline, and vitamin A plasma levels decreased as the disease became severe (P ˂ .05). Although L‐arginine and vitamin E levels were lower in the patient group compared to the control group, the difference was not statistically significant (P ˃ .05).

Conclusion

These results suggest that IMA and L‐arginine‐NO pathway associated with ischemia and oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of acne vulgaris.
Efficacy and safety results of micellar water, cream and serum for rosacea in comparison to a control group
Authors: Guertler Anne , Jøntvedt Nora Marie , Clanner‐Engelshofen Benjamin M. , Cappello Christian , Sager Angelika , Reinholz Markus
Published: July 2020

Background

Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin disorder with centrofacial erythema, flushing, telangiectasia, papules/pustules, and possible ocular or phymatous manifestation. Patients’ skin is particularly sensitive to chemical and physical stimuli leading to burning, stinging, dryness, and skin tightness.

Objective

Dermatological evaluation of the efficacy and safety of skin care products designed for centrofacial erythema in rosacea patients, in comparison with a control group using objective measurements. Rosacea symptoms (itching, tension, warmth, burning, dryness) and quality of life were examined.

Methods

Sixty Caucasians with centrofacial erythema were enrolled in an 8‐week prospective study, fifty of them exclusively using the study products (micellar water, cream, and serum) with ten participants randomly assigned to a control group. Patients were evaluated at baseline (V0), at 4 weeks (V1), and at 8 weeks (V2). Three‐dimensional objective measurements (VECTRA®) as well as standardized questionnaires were used.

Results

Results were compared with the control group. A significant reduction of 16% in skin redness as indicated by VECTRA® analysis was seen in the intervention group comparing V0‐V2. Furthermore, rosacea‐associated symptoms diminished by 57.1%, while life quality of affected patients within the intervention group improved by 54.5% comparing V0‐V2, respectively.

Conclusions

A skin care regime suitable for sensitive and redness‐prone skin led to an enhanced clinical appearance, to a decrease of associated symptoms in rosacea patients, and to an improved life quality.
Facial rejuvenation using stem cell conditioned media combined with skin needling: A split‐face comparative study
Authors: El‐Domyati Moetaz , Moftah Noha H. , Nasif Ghada A. , Ameen Sameh W. , Ibrahim Michel R. , Ragaie Maha H.
Published: July 2020

Background

The use of stem cells derived growth factors is representing a novel treatment modality in facial rejuvenation. Nowadays, skin needling is considered a very famous treatment of skin aging. However, the addition of such derived products, augments its therapeutic efficacy in the management and delay of skin aging.

Objective

Comparing the effect of amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cell derived conditioned media (AF‐MSC‐CM) combined with skin needling versus the needling alone in the management of facial aging.

Methods

Both sides of the face of ten volunteers, suffering from facial aging, were treated with five sessions of skin needling, 2 weeks apart. After skin microneedling, AF‐MSC‐CM was added topically to the right side only. Clinical, histological, and morphometrical assessment of the treated skin was done at 1 month after the last session.

Results

The percentage of improvement of aged skin increased significantly on the combined treated side (AF‐MSC‐CM and dermaroller [DR]), when compared with the other side (DR only) (P < .001). Remodeling of the dermal structures was observed mainly on the combined side. Meanwhile, histometry of the epidermis revealed a significant increase in the epidermal thickness on both treated sides.

Conclusion

AF‐MSC‐CM combined with skin needling was more efficient in managing facial aging than skin needling alone.
Role of KLF2: New insight in inflammatory acne pathogenesis
Authors: Ibrahim Menha A. , Mohammed Shuzan Ali , Elhabak Doaa M.
Published: July 2020

Background

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition of pilosebaceous unit. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial with a central role of inflammatory and pro‐inflammatory cytokines mediators. Downregulated Kruppel‐like factor 2 (KLF2) leads to rapid secretion of many cytokines that are involved in acne pathogenesis.

Aims

This study aimed at evaluating the level of KLF2 mRNA, clarifying its role in acne pathogenesis and its relation to acne lesion type, degree of severity, and outcome.

Patients and Methods

The level of KLF2 mRNA was measured in 100 patients with acne and 50 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls by using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR).

Results

The value of KLF2 mRNA was lower in acne patients than control group (P < .001), being lowest in inflammatory acne group (grades III, IV, and V) than noninflammatory acne group (grades I and II) and highest in the control group (P < .001). KLF2 mRNA was decreased significantly with increased acne severity grade (P < .001). KLF2 mRNA was lower in cases healed by scars than those healed by postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Conclusions

Decreased serum level of KLF2 is not only a claimed for AV pathogenesis but also a predictor for degree of acne severity and outcome.
Non surgical facial reshaping using MD Codes
Authors: Bertossi Dario , Nocini Pier Francesco , Rahman Eqram , Heydenrych Izolda , Kapoor Krishan Mohan , de Maio Mauricio
Published: July 2020

Background

Both age‐related and congenital volume deficiencies may be addressed through the injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. Deep injection provides structural support, more superficial fat‐tissue injection mediates contouring, and superficial intradermal use of HA filler and/or onabotulinumtoxinA may be used for refinement.

Aims

To evaluate the clinical efficacy, patient satisfaction, and safety of the MD Codes approach as a proposed standardized methodology for full‐face rejuvenation.

Methods

This was a retrospective, single‐center study of 250 consecutive adult patients undergoing full‐face rejuvenation with HA fillers (Vycross) and onabotulinumtoxinA based on the MD Codes approach.

Results

The mean age was 39.4 ± 11.6 years, and 80.4% were female. All patients were treated with HA filler in the midface; 89.6% were also treated in the upper face, and 63.2% in the lower face. The mean number of syringes used was 14 ± 4 (range 4‐25), with more syringes typically required in older versus younger patients. All patients received onabotulinumtoxinA treatment. Mean FACE‐Q Appearance‐Related Psychosocial Distress score decreased from 54.3 ± 9.3 pretreatment to 36.1 ± 8.9 at 3 months post‐treatment (P < .05). The most common complications were bruising (35.2%), transient soft‐tissue edema (14.0%), and prolonged periorbital edema (3.6%).

Conclusions

Full‐face rejuvenation based on the MD Codes approach provides significant esthetic improvements, with no major safety issues observed.
Longitudinal Multimodal fMRI to Investigate Neurovascular Changes in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Crofts Andrew , Trotman‐Lucas Melissa , Janus Justyna , Kelly Michael , Gibson Claire L.
Published: July 2020

Hypertension is an important risk factor for age‐related cognitive decline and neuronal pathologies. Studies have shown a correlation between hypertension, disruption in neurovascular coupling and cerebral autoregulation, and cognitive decline. However, the mechanisms behind this are unclear. To further understand this, it is advantageous to study neurovascular coupling as hypertension progresses in a rodent model. Here, we use a longitudinal functional MRI (fMRI) protocol to assess the impact of hypertension on neurovascular coupling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Eight female SHRs were studied at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, as hypertension progressed. Under an IV infusion of propofol, animals underwent fMRI, functional MR spectroscopy, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) quantification to study changes in neurovascular coupling over time. Blood pressure significantly increased at 4 and 6 months (P < .0001). CBF significantly increased at 4 months old (P < .05), in the acute stage of hypertension. The size of the active region decreased significantly at 6 months old (P < .05). Change in glutamate signal during activation, and N‐acetyl‐aspartate (NAA) signal, remained constant. This study shows that, while cerebral autoregulation is impaired in acute hypertension, the blood oxygenation‐level‐dependent (BOLD) response remains unaltered until later stages. At this stage, the consistent NAA and glutamate signals show that neuronal death has not occurred, and that neuronal activity is not affected at this stage. This suggests that neuronal activity and viability is not lost until much later, and changes observed here in BOLD activity are due to vascular effects.
Paleoclimatic evolution as the main driver of current genomic diversity in the widespread and polymorphic Neotropical songbird Arremon taciturnus
Authors: Buainain Nelson , Canton Roberta , Zuquim Gabriela , Tuomisto Hanna , Hrbek Tomas , Sato Hiromitsu , Ribas Camila C.
Published: July 2020

Several factors have been proposed as drivers of species diversification in the Neotropics, including environmental heterogeneity, the development of drainage systems and historical changes in forest distribution due to climatic oscillations. Here, we investigate which drivers contributed to the evolutionary history and current patterns of diversity of a polymorphic songbird (Arremon taciturnus) that is widely distributed in Amazonian and Atlantic forests as well as in Cerrado gallery and seasonally‐dry forests. We use genomic, phenotypic and habitat heterogeneity data coupled with climatic niche modelling. Results suggest the evolutionary history of the species is mainly related to paleoclimatic changes, although changes in the strength of the Amazon river as a barrier to dispersal, current habitat heterogeneity and geographic distance were also relevant. We propose an ancestral distribution in the Guyana Shield, and recent colonization of areas south of the Amazon river at ~380 to 166 kya, and expansion of the distribution to southern Amazonia, Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest. Since then, populations south of the Amazon River have been subjected to cycles of isolation and possibly secondary contact due to climatic changes that affected habitat heterogeneity and population connectivity. Most Amazonian rivers are not associated with long lasting isolation of populations, but some might act as secondary barriers, susceptible to crossing under specific climatic conditions. Morphological variation, while stable in some parts of the distribution, is not a reliable indicator of genetic structure or phylogenetic relationships.
Incidence and risk factors for acute delirium in older patients with a hip fracture: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Aldwikat Rami K. , Manias Elizabeth , Nicholson Patricia
Published: July 2020

This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the incidence, and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative risk factors for postoperative delirium in older patients undergoing surgical fixation of a hip fracture. Electronic medical records were examined of 260 patients who underwent a surgical fixation of a hip fracture between June 2017 and October 2018 at a university‐affiliated tertiary care hospital in Victoria, Australia. Demographic, clinical, and perioperative data were examined for potential risk factors for postoperative delirium. Of the 260 patients, 63 patients (24.2%) developed delirium postoperatively. Univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that advanced age, comorbidity, cognitive impairment, dementia, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and antipsychotic usage were significant risk factors for delirium, while doses of paracetamol, fentanyl, and diazepam showed complex associations. Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined comorbidity and cognitive impairment as independent risk factors for the development of delirium. This study demonstrates the importance of evaluation of medications prescribed in the perioperative period as modifiable risk factors, in order to identify patients at high risk of delirium and enable targeted monitoring and treatment during patients' hospitalization.
Improving plant drought tolerance and growth under water limitation through combinatorial engineering of signalling networks
Authors: Schulz Philipp , Piepenburg Katrin , Lintermann Ruth , Herde Marco , Schöttler Mark A. , Schmidt Lena K. , Ruf Stephanie , Kudla Jörg , Romeis Tina , Bock Ralph
Published: July 2020

Agriculture is by far the biggest water consumer on our planet, accounting for 70 per cent of all freshwater withdrawals. Climate change and a growing world population increase pressure on agriculture to use water more efficiently (‘more crop per drop’). Water‐use efficiency (WUE) and drought tolerance of crops are complex traits that are determined by many physiological processes whose interplay is not well understood. Here, we describe a combinatorial engineering approach to optimize signalling networks involved in the control of stress tolerance. Screening a large population of combinatorially transformed plant lines, we identified a combination of calcium‐dependent protein kinase genes that confers enhanced drought stress tolerance and improved growth under water‐limiting conditions. Targeted introduction of this gene combination into plants increased plant survival under drought and enhanced growth under water‐limited conditions. Our work provides an efficient strategy for engineering complex signalling networks to improve plant performance under adverse environmental conditions, which does not depend on prior understanding of network function.
Nuclear staining of claudin‐18 is a new immunohistochemical marker for diagnosing intramucosal well‐differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Takahashi Yu , Tsutsumi Yutaka , Takeuchi Chihiro , Shiogama Kazuya , Mizutani Yasuyoshi , Inada Ken‐ichi , Yamamichi Nobutake , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: July 2020

Diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma using small biopsy samples is occasionally difficult. Various markers have been employed for improving the diagnostic accuracy, but there remains room for improvement. A total of 129 endoscopically biopsied samples were studied, consisting of 104 intramucosal tubular adenocarcinomas, 24 non‐cancerous lesions and one cancer sample originally suspected of non‐cancer but revised as cancer after immunostaining. We evaluated the association between histopathology and immunohistochemical expression of MUC1, HER2, p53, CEA, E‐cadherin, β‐catenin and claudin‐18. Regarding β‐catenin and claudin‐18, not only membranous expression (β‐catenin(M) and claudin‐18(M)) but also nuclear expression (β‐catenin(N) and claudin‐18(N)) were analyzed. When subtyped with mucin core protein expression, the gastric‐type cancers dominantly expressed claudin‐18(M), while claudin‐18(N) was significantly encountered in intestinal‐ and mixed‐types. Expression of MUC1 (P = 0.0010), HER2 (P = 0.0173), p53 (P = 0.0002), CEA (P = 0.0019) and claudin‐18(N) (P < 0.0001) revealed significant correlation with gastric cancers. Negative correlation of claudin‐18(M) (P = 0.0125) was also noted. MUC1 and p53 were negative in non‐cancer lesions. The non‐cancer group exceptionally expressed HER2 and β‐catenin(N). Membranous expression of E‐cadherin was consistent in both groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that MUC1 (P = 0.0086), p53 (P = 0.0031), claudin‐18(M) (P = 0.0158) and claudin‐18(N) (P = 0.0190) were independently associated with gastric cancers. Nuclear expression of claudin‐18 should be the novel diagnostic marker for gastric cancer.
Trends in first‐trimester nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and use of select treatments: Findings from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Authors: Schrager Nina L. , Adrien Nedghie , Werler Martha M. , Parker Samantha E. , Van Bennekom Carla , Mitchell Allen A. ,   for the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: July 2020

Background

Although nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is common, the secular and demographic trends of NVP and its treatments are not well‐studied.

Objectives

To describe the prevalence and patterns of first‐trimester NVP and selected treatments among controls in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS).

Methods

National Birth Defects Prevention Study is a population‐based case–control study of birth defects in the United States (1997‐2011). We collected self‐reported data about NVP and use of commonly reported pharmacological and herbal/natural treatments (ondansetron, promethazine, pyridoxine, metoclopramide, doxylamine succinate, ginger, phosphorated carbohydrate solution, and prochlorperazine) from mothers of non‐malformed control infants. We estimated the prevalence of NVP and selected treatments and examined secular and demographic trends (education, race/ethnicity, and maternal age) for such use, adjusting for study centre.

Results

Among 10 540 mothers of controls, 7393 women (70.1%) reported first‐trimester NVP, and 12.2% of those used one or more of the commonly reported treatments. Specific treatment use varied after adjustment for study centre (ondansetron: 3.4%; promethazine: 4.2%; pyridoxine: 3.2%; metoclopramide: 0.7%; doxylamine succinate: 1.7%; ginger: 1.0%; phosphorated carbohydrate solution: 0.4%; and prochlorperazine: 0.3%). Treatment use increased for each agent over the study period. Women with more years of education reported more NVP and treatment use. White (72%), Hispanic (71%), and other race (73%) women reported more NVP than Black women (67%); White women used selected NVP treatments most frequently, and Black women used them more than Hispanic women. Though women aged 25‐34 years reported more NVP (72%) than younger (69%) or older (67%) women, the frequency of medication use was similar among women aged 25‐34 and ≥35, and lower among women aged <25 years.

Conclusions

National Birth Defects Prevention Study controls reported NVP at frequencies similar to those previously reported. Of note, we observed an increase in use of selected treatments over time, and variations in NVP and treatments by study site and demographic factors.
Hypomethylation of the aquatic invasive plant,Ludwigia grandiflorasubsp.hexapetalamimics the adaptive transition into the terrestrial morphotype
Authors: Genitoni Julien , Vassaux Danièle , Delaunay Alain , Citerne Sylvie , Portillo Lemus Luis , Etienne Marie‐Pierre , Renault David , Stoeckel Solenn , Barloy Dominique , Maury Stéphane
Published: July 2020

Ongoing global changes affect ecosystems and open up new opportunities for biological invasion. The ability of invasive species to rapidly adapt to new environments represents a relevant model for studying short‐term adaptation mechanisms. The aquatic invasive plant,Ludwigia grandiflorasubsp.hexapetala, is classified as harmful in European rivers. In French wet meadows, this species has shown a rapid transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments with emergence of two distinct morphotypes in 5 years. To understand the heritable mechanisms involved in adjustment to such a new environment, we investigate both genetic and epigenetic as possible sources of flexibility involved in this fast terrestrial transition. We found a low overall genetic differentiation between the two morphotypes arguing against the possibility that terrestrial morphotype emerged from a new adaptive genetic capacity. Artificial hypomethylation was induced on both morphotypes to assess the epigenetic hypothesis. We analyzed global DNA methylation, morphological changes, phytohormones and metabolite profiles of both morphotype responses in both aquatic and terrestrial conditions in shoot and root tissues. Hypomethylation significantly affected morphological variables, phytohormone levels and the amount of some metabolites. The effects of hypomethylation depended on morphotypes, conditions and plant tissues, which highlighted differences among the morphotypes and their plasticity. Using a correlative integrative approach, we showed that hypomethylation of the aquatic morphotype mimicked the characteristics of the terrestrial morphotype. Our data suggest that DNA methylation rather than a new adaptive genetic capacity is playing a key role inL. grandiflorasubsp.hexapetalaplasticity during its rapid aquatic to terrestrial transition.
The molecular mechanism of vernalization in Arabidopsis and cereals: role of Flowering Locus C and its homologs
Authors: Sharma Neha , Geuten Koen , Giri Balendu Shekhar , Varma Ajit
Published: July 2020

Winter varieties of plants can flower only after exposure to prolonged cold. This phenomenon is known as vernalization and has been widely studied in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana as well as in monocots. Through the repression of floral activator genes, vernalization prevents flowering in winter. In Arabidopsis, FLOWERING LOCUS C or FLC is the key repressor during vernalization, while in monocots vernalization is regulated through VRN1, VRN2 and VRN3 (or FLOWERING LOCUS T). Interestingly, VRN genes are not homologous to FLC but FLC homologs are found to have a significant role in vernalization response in cereals. The presence of FLC homologs in monocots opens new dimensions to understand, compare and retrace the evolution of vernalization pathways between monocots and dicots. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanism of vernalization‐induced flowering along with epigenetic regulations in Arabidopsis and temperate cereals. A better understanding of cold‐induced flowering will be helpful in crop breeding strategies to modify the vernalization requirement of economically important temperate cereals.
A Research Agenda for the Study of Policy Entrepreneurs
Authors: Petridou Evangelia , Mintrom Michael
Published: July 2020

The study of policy entrepreneurs as agents of change has developed greatly in recent years, supported by increasingly more sophisticated theoretical and empirical research. In this article, we first consider how the concept of the policy entrepreneur can be integrated into broader theories of the policy process, with particular focus on the compatibility of the concept with the narrative policy framework. We then propose that further empirical research on policy entrepreneurs focus on five tasks: (i) delimiting policy entrepreneurs as a distinct class of actor; (ii) investigating contextual factors that encourage the emergence of policy entrepreneurs; (iii) further specifying the strategies policy entrepreneurs deploy; (iv) improving the measurement of the impact policy entrepreneurs have in the policy process; and (v) identifying when policy entrepreneurs prompt widescale change. New theoretical and empirical contributions along these lines could do much to advance our understanding of agency and structure in contemporary politics.
Early pleural effusion control in patients with lung cancer
Authors: Okauchi Shinichiro , Kagohashi Katsunori , Shiozawa Toshihiro , Miyazaki Kunihiko , Satoh Hiroaki
Published: July 2020

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Using frost‐sensitive cover crops for timely nitrogen mineralization and soil moisture management
Authors: Storr Tom , Simmons Robert W. , Hannam Jacqueline A.
Published: July 2020

Cover crops can be utilized to lower soil nitrate leaching. However, depending on the species grown and cover crop termination management, this may lead to nitrogen (N) immobilization and/or depletion of soil moisture available to the following cash crop, potentially impacting on crop yields. Cover crop management is also dependent on using herbicides to terminate growth prior to planting the next crop. We used an alternative method for cover crop termination by capitalizing on plant senescence by frost in a multi‐species cover crop established over winter between wheat and maize. The cover crops accumulated greater quantities of N than the control. However, upon cover crop senescence due to cold temperatures, the partially terminated cover crop significantly increased topsoil available N from December to late February. This available N in the topsoil could be susceptible to leaching although this was not observed in our study. Cover crops did not have a significant prolonged effect on soil moisture over winter and late spring. The following maize yields were not significantly different between the control and cover crop treatment. Frost‐sensitive cover crop species could not be reliably terminated under a temperate climate, but provided a continuous supply of soil available N as the plants senesced. Depending on the soil moisture and weather conditions in the spring, there could be a N leaching risk although this could be mitigated by establishing early spring crops.
Aflatoxin exposure in pregnant women of mixed status of human immunodeficiency virus infection and rate of gestational weight gain: a Ugandan cohort study
Authors: Lauer Jacqueline M. , Natamba Barnabas K. , Ghosh Shibani , Webb Patrick , Wang Jia‐Sheng , Griffiths Jeffrey K.
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To examine the association between aflatoxin (AF) exposure during pregnancy and rate of gestational weight gain (GWG) in a sample of pregnant women of mixed HIV status in Gulu, northern Uganda.

Methods

403 pregnant women were included (133 HIV‐infected on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 270 HIV‐uninfected). Women’s weight, height and socio‐demographic characteristics were collected at baseline (~19 weeks’ gestation); weight was assessed at each follow‐up visit. Serum was collected at baseline and tested for aflatoxin B1‐lysine adduct (AFB‐lys) levels using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Linear mixed‐effects models were used to examine the association between AFB‐lys levels and rate of GWG.

Results

AFB‐lys levels (detected in 98.3% of samples) were higher among HIV‐infected pregnant women than HIV‐uninfected pregnant women [median (interquartile range): 4.8 (2.0, 15.0) vs. 3.5 (1.6, 6.1) pg/mg of albumin, P < 0.0001]. Adjusting for HIV status, a one‐log increase in aflatoxin levels was associated with a 16.2 g per week lower rate of GWG (P = 0.028). The association between AFB‐lys and the rate of GWG was stronger and significant only among HIV‐infected women on ART [−25.7 g per week per log (AFB‐lys), P = 0.009 for HIV‐infected women vs. −7.5 g per week per log (AFB‐lys), P = 0.422 for HIV‐uninfected women].

Conclusions

Pregnant women with higher levels of AF exposure had lower rates of GWG. The association was stronger for HIV‐infected women on ART, suggesting increased risk.
Signatures of adaptation to a monocot host in the plant‐parasitic cyst nematode Heterodera sacchari
Authors: Pokhare Somnath S. , Thorpe Peter , Hedley Pete , Morris Jennifer , Habash Samer S. , Elashry Abdelnaser , Eves‐van den Akker Sebastian , Grundler Florian M. W. , Jones John T.
Published: July 2020

Interactions between plant‐parasitic nematodes and their hosts are mediated by effectors, i.e. secreted proteins that manipulate the plant to the benefit of the pathogen. To understand the role of effectors in host adaptation in nematodes, we analysed the transcriptome of Heterodera sacchari, a cyst nematode parasite of rice (Oryza sativa) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). A multi‐gene phylogenetic analysis showed that H. sacchari and the cereal cyst nematode Heterodera avenae share a common evolutionary origin and that they evolved to parasitise monocot plants from a common dicot‐parasitic ancestor. We compared the effector repertoires of H. sacchari with those of the dicot parasites Heterodera glycines and Globodera rostochiensis to understand the consequences of this transition. While, in general, effector repertoires are similar between the species, comparing effectors and non‐effectors of H. sacchari and G. rostochiensis shows that effectors have accumulated more mutations than non‐effectors. Although most effectors show conserved spatiotemporal expression profiles and likely function, some H. sacchari effectors are adapted to monocots. This is exemplified by the plant‐peptide hormone mimics, the CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION‐like (CLE) effectors. Peptide hormones encoded by H. sacchari CLE effectors are more similar to those from rice than those from other plants, or those from other plant‐parasitic nematodes. We experimentally validated the functional significance of these observations by demonstrating that CLE peptides encoded by H. sacchari induce a short root phenotype in rice, whereas those from a related dicot parasite do not. These data provide a functional example of effector evolution that co‐occurred with the transition from a dicot‐parasitic to a monocot‐parasitic lifestyle.
Possible mechanisms for the generation of phenyl glycoside‐type lignin–carbohydrate linkages in lignification with monolignol glucosides
Authors: Miyagawa Yasuyuki , Tobimatsu Yuki , Lam Pui Ying , Mizukami Takahito , Sakurai Sayaka , Kamitakahara Hiroshi , Takano Toshiyuki
Published: July 2020

The existence and formation of covalent lignin–carbohydrate (LC) linkages in plant cell walls has long been a matter of debate in terms of their roles in cell wall development and biomass use. Of the various putative LC linkages proposed to date, evidence of the native existence and formation mechanism of phenyl glycoside (PG)‐type LC linkages in planta is particularly scarce. The present study aimed to explore previously overlooked mechanisms for the formation of PG‐type LC linkages through the incorporation of monolignol glucosides, which are possible lignin precursors, into lignin polymers during lignification. Peroxidase‐catalyzed lignin polymerization of coniferyl alcohol in the presence of coniferin and syringin in vitro resulted in the generation of PG‐type LC linkages in synthetic lignin polymers, possibly via nucleophilic addition onto quinone methide (QM) intermediates formed during polymerization. Biomimetic lignin polymerization of coniferin via the β‐glucosidase/peroxidase system also resulted in the generation of PG‐type as well as alkyl glycoside‐type LC linkages. This occurred via non‐enzymatic QM‐involving reactions and also via enzymatic transglycosylations involving β‐glucosidase, which was demonstrated by in‐depth structural analysis of the synthetic lignins by two‐dimensional NMR. We collected heteronuclear single‐quantum coherence (HSQC) NMR for native cell wall fractions prepared from pine (Pinus taeda), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), acacia (Acacia mangium), poplar (Populus × eurarnericana) and bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) wood samples, which exhibited correlations, albeit at low levels, that were well matched with those of the PG‐type LC linkages in synthetic lignins incorporating monolignol glucosides. Overall, our results provide a molecular basis for feasible mechanisms for the generation of PG‐type LC linkages from monolignol glucosides and further substantiates their existence in planta.
Utility of a combined approach using audit, education and information technology tools to improve transfusion practices
Authors: Kumar Rakesh , Jain Romesh , Coshic Poonam , Pandey Hem Chandra
Published: July 2020

Background and objectives

Blood requisition forms are important connection between clinician and transfusion laboratory and are required for safe transfusions. Incomplete blood requisition forms are thus either rejected, or pre‐transfusion testing may be delayed while additional clinical details are obtained. The objective of this study was to assess use of multiple tools (audit, education and information technology) in improving transfusion practices.

Material and methods

Clinical module of blood bank management software was implemented after identifying areas following audit of blood requisitions form for their completeness. Changes in completeness of information provided in blood requisitions post‐implementation were studied prospectively. Training for software functioning and transfusion practices was provided in identified areas pre‐implementation. Software was customized to autofill patient details sparing time for filling other information (e.g. patient diagnosis).

Results

Blood requisitions from all the wards were lacking complete information especially non‐mandatory parameter such as patient diagnosis, transfusion indication and transfusion history. Total 6537 and 6290 blood and component requisitions were received in pre‐ and post‐intervention period, respectively. Post‐intervention there was decrease in number of incomplete blood requisition forms from 5563 (85·1%) and 320 (5·08%) in pre‐ and post‐intervention period, respectively. A statistically significant (P < 0·0001) reduction of 97·21% in missing blood requisition parameters was observed.

Conclusion

Information technology tools are gaining an important role in improving transfusion practices. Judicious use of blood bank management software with other tools such as audits and training of clinical staff in transfusion practices may provide maximum benefit in improving transfusion safety. Blood bankers also need to be knowledgeable in basic IT tools.
Legal approaches and government policies enacted to address the overdose epidemic: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Pawliuk Colleen , Park Mina , Buxton Jane A.
Published: July 2020

Objective:

The objective of this scoping review is to map different past and present legal approaches and government policies that have an intended or unintended effect on the ongoing overdose epidemic.

Introduction:

In response to the current overdose epidemic, a number of different legal approaches and government policies have been implemented regarding prescription drugs, illicit substances, and drug use. Additionally, other legal approaches and government policies that do not directly target the overdose crisis (eg, cannabis legalization) may have unintentional effects on opioid use–related harms. The findings of this review will inform policy-makers and individuals working at the forefront of the overdose crisis to help them anticipate the consequences of legal approaches already in place or those that have been recently implemented.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will include all legal approaches or government policies that have an intended or unintended effect on the overdose epidemic or on opioid use–related harms or mortality. Only studies published in English from 2000 onward will be included.

Methods:

We will search health sciences databases, legal databases, and social sciences databases to ensure comprehensive identification of studies across disciplines. Two independent team members will screen titles and abstracts, and review full-text articles for potential inclusion. One team member will extract data for all studies, and a second team member will verify the data extraction. The results will be presented as a narrative synthesis and in tabular or diagrammatic form.
Drainage, irrigation and fibrinolytic therapy (DRIFT) for posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation: 10-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Luyt Karen , Jary Sally L , Lea Charlotte L , Young Grace J. , Odd David E , Miller Helen E , Kmita Grazyna , Williams Cathy , Blair Peter S , Hollingworth William , Morgan Michelle , Smith-Collins Adam P , Walker-Cox Steven , Aquilina Kristian , Pople Ian , Whitelaw Andrew G
Published: July 2020

Background

Progressive ventricular dilatation after intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) in preterm infants has a very high risk of severe disability and death. Drainage, irrigation and fibrinolytic therapy (DRIFT), in a randomised controlled trial (RCT), reduced severe cognitive impairment at 2 years.

Objective

To assess if the cognitive advantage of DRIFT seen at 2 years persisted until school age.

Participants

The RCT conducted in four centres recruited 77 preterm infants with IVH and progressive ventricular enlargement over specified measurements. Follow-up was at 10 years of age.

Intervention

Intraventricular injection of a fibrinolytic followed by continuous lavage, until the drainage was clear, and standard care consisting of control of expansion by lumbar punctures and if expansion persisted via a ventricular access device.

Primary outcome

Cognitive quotient (CQ), derived from the British Ability Scales and Bayley III Scales, and survival without severe cognitive disability.

Results

Of the 77 children randomised, 12 died, 2 could not be traced, 10 did not respond and 1 declined at 10-year follow-up. 28 in the DRIFT group and 24 in the standard treatment group were assessed by examiners blinded to the intervention. The mean CQ score was 69.3 (SD=30.1) in the DRIFT group and 53.7 (SD=35.7) in the standard treatment group (unadjusted p=0.1; adjusted p=0.01, after adjustment for the prespecified variables sex, birth weight and IVH grade). Survival without severe cognitive disability was 66% in the DRIFT group and 35% in the standard treatment group (unadjusted p=0.019; adjusted p=0.003).

Conclusion

DRIFT is the first intervention for posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation to objectively demonstrate sustained cognitive improvement.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN80286058.
Using checklists to improve patient safety during anaesthesia
Authors: Mair Alastair
Published: July 2020

Background: It is inevitable that human errors will sometimes happen in practice, but these can be reduced by following some strict, straightforward checklists; these can serve as ‘aide‐mémoires’, ‘challenge/response’ or ‘read and do’ checks, and are particularly important during the induction of, and emergence from, anaesthetic procedures.

Aim of the article: This article highlights the importance of checklists, and explores the comparison between human healthcare checklists and those used in veterinary medicine.
Cash flow, forecasting and future action plans post Covid‐19
Authors: Harwood Mark
Published: July 2020

To ensure practices are set up to return to a ‘new normal’, thorough planning and forecasting are essential. Using short‐ and long‐term forecasting helps to predict what impact the coming months may have on a practice's finances. Likewise, taking action now and creating an action plan ensures that you are positioning your practice to be in good stead for whatever comes next.
How will the psychological impact of Covid‐19 affect different personality types?
Authors: Kemkaran‐Thompson Libby
Published: July 2020

Covid‐19 has had an impact on everyone in extremely different ways; understanding this, and subsequently approaching everyone's challenges individually, is the starting point to getting your team back on track.
Anti-CASPR2 clinical phenotypes correlate with HLA and immunological features
Authors: Muñiz-Castrillo Sergio , Joubert Bastien , Elsensohn Mad-Hélénie , Pinto Anne-Laurie , Saint-Martin Margaux , Vogrig Alberto , Picard Géraldine , Rogemond Véronique , Dubois Valérie , Tamouza Ryad , Maucort-Boulch Delphine , Honnorat Jérôme
Published: July 2020

Objective

Antibodies against contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2-Abs) have been described in acquired neuromyotonia, limbic encephalitis (LE) and Morvan syndrome (MoS). However, it is unknown whether these constitute one sole spectrum of diseases with the same immunopathogenesis or three distinct entities with different mechanisms.

Methods

A cluster analysis of neurological symptoms was performed in a retrospective cohort of 56 CASPR2-Abs patients. In parallel, immunological features and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) were studied.

Results

Cluster analysis distinguished patients with predominant limbic symptoms (n=29/56) from those with peripheral nerve hyperexcitability (PNH; n=27/56). In the limbic-prominent group, limbic features were either isolated (LE/−; 18/56, 32.1%), or combined with extralimbic symptoms (LE/+; 11/56, 19.6%). Those with PNH were separated in one group with severe PNH and extralimbic involvement (PNH/+; 16/56, 28.6%), resembling historical MoS descriptions; and one group with milder and usually isolated PNH (PNH/−; 11/56, 19.6%). LE/− and LE/+ patients shared immunogenetic characteristics demonstrating a homogeneous entity. HLA-DRB1*11:01 was carried more frequently than in healthy controls only by patients with LE (94.1% vs 18.3%; p=1.3×10−10). Patients with LE also had serum titres (median 1:40 960) and rates of cerebrospinal fluid positivity (93.1%) higher than the other groups (p<0.05). Conversely, DRB1*11:01 association was absent in PNH/+ patients, but only they had malignant thymoma (87.5%), serum antibodies against leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 protein (66.7%) and against netrin-1 receptor deleted in colorectal carcinoma (53.8%), and myasthenia gravis (50.0%).

Interpretation

Symptoms’ distribution supports specific clinical phenotypes without overlap between LE and MoS. The distinct immunogenetic characteristics shared by all patients with LE and the particular oncological and autoimmune associations of MoS suggest two very different aetiopathogenesis.
Genetic testing in the acute setting: a round table discussion
Authors: McDermott John Henry
Published: July 2020

Genetic testing has historically been performed in the context of chronic disease and cancer diagnostics. The timelines for these tests are typically measured in days or weeks, rather than in minutes. As such, the concept that genetic information might be generated and then used to alter management in the acute setting has, thus far, not been feasible. However, recent advances in genetic technologies have the potential to allow genetic information to be generated significantly quicker. The m.1555A>G genetic variant is present in one in 500 individuals and predisposes to profound hearing loss following the administration of aminoglycoside antibiotics. These antibiotics are used frequently in cases of neonatal sepsis and it is estimated that approximately 180 neonates in the UK are at risk of antibiotic induced hearing loss each year because of this genetic change. Knowledge of this variant in the acute setting would allow clinicians to prescribe alternative antibiotics. The Pharmacogenetics to Avoid Loss of Hearing study will implement a genetic point of care test (POCT) for the m.1555A>G variant within two major UK based neonatal intensive care units. This represents the first trial of a genetic POCT aimed at altering management in the acute setting. This round table discussion outlines the novel ethical issues faced in the development of this trial and the legal barriers to implementation. We ask five stakeholders to provide their opinions on this trial and their perspectives on the concept of genetic testing in the acute setting.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN-13704894.
Pfaffian paired states for half-integer fractional quantum Hall effect
Authors: Milovanović M. V. , Djurdjević S. , Vučičević J. , Antonić L.
Published: July 2020

In this review, the physics of Pfaffian paired states, in the context of fractional quantum Hall effect, is discussed using field-theoretical approaches. The Pfaffian states are prime examples of topological ([Formula: see text]-wave) Cooper pairing and are characterized by non-Abelian statistics of their quasiparticles. Here we focus on conditions for their realization and competition among them at half-integer filling factors. Using the Dirac composite fermion description, in the presence of a mass term, we study the influence of Landau level mixing in selecting a particular Pfaffian state. While Pfaffian and anti-Pfaffian are selected when Landau level mixing is not strong, and can be taken into account perturbatively, the particle–hole (PH) Pfaffian state requires non-perturbative inclusion of at least two Landau levels. Our findings, for small Landau level mixing, are in accordance with numerical investigations in the literature, and call for a non-perturbative approach in the search for PH Pfaffian correlations. We demonstrated that a method based on the Chern–Simons field-theoretical approach can be used to generate characteristic interaction pseudo-potentials for Pfaffian paired states.
Transport, AC susceptibility, DC magnetization, and magnetic relaxation studies of YBa2Cu3O7 films with synergetic pinning centers grown by PLD
Authors: Crisan A. , Ivan I. , Miu L. , Becherscu N. , Dang V. S.
Published: July 2020

We have grown, by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD), a large number of YBa2Cu3O7 films with artificial pinning centers, with various impurities, various architectures and thickness, and various techniques of nano-scale pinning engineering: substrate decoration, BaZrO3 (BZO) nano-inclusions, and (quasi) multilayer architecture. Here we will present the results regarding vortex matter, dynamics, and pinning, in some of our best samples. Magnetic relaxation studies with magnetic field perpendicular to the film show that in both cases the splayed defects and/or nanoscale inclusions help reduce the dissipation in certain field-temperature range, by inhibiting the detrimental double vortex-kink formation. The response of the vortex system to AC excitation is rather complex but extremely useful for the characterization of the vortex dynamics. We have measured AC susceptibility in various DC fields, with various AC fields and frequencies and found that the effective vortex activation energy [Formula: see text] has a logarithmic dependence on the AC-field-induced current density [Formula: see text]. Synergetic pinning centers assured a low anisotropy of the critical current for various field orientations, a property desired in coil/solenoid applications.
Brownian motion and fractal nature
Authors: Mitic Vojislav , Lazovic Goran , Milosevic Dusan , Lu Chun-An , Manojlovic Jelena , Tsay Shwu-Chen , Kruchinin Sergey , Vlahovic Branislav
Published: July 2020

The main goal of our research is to find the connection between micro particles and microorganisms motion in the Nature, considered as Brownian’s Motion within the fractal’s nature. For ceramics and generally material science it is important to clarify the particles motion and other phenomena, especially for grains and pores. Our idea is to establish control over the relation order–disorder on particle motion and their collision effects by Brownian motion phenomena in the frame of fractal nature matter. We performed some experiments and got interesting results based on microorganism motion initiated by different outer energetic impulses. This is practically the idea of biomimetic correlation between particles and microorganisms Worlds, what is very original and leads towards biunivocal different phenomena’s understanding. Another idea is to establish some controlling effects for electro ceramic particle motion in chemical-materials sciences consolidation by some phenomena in the nature. These important research directions open new frontiers with very specific reflections for future of microelectronics materials.