bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bleeding risk of haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: van Eck van der Sluijs Anita , Abrahams Alferso C , Rookmaaker Maarten B , Verhaar Marianne C , Bos Willem Jan W , Blankestijn Peter J , Dekker Friedo W , van Diepen Merel , Ocak Gurbey
Published: July 2020

Background

Dialysis patients have an increased bleeding risk as compared with the general population. However, there is limited information whether bleeding risks are different for patients treated with haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). From a clinical point of view, this information could influence therapy choice. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the association between dialysis modality and bleeding risk.

Methods

Incident dialysis patients from the Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis were prospectively followed for major bleeding events over 3 years. Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for HD compared with PD using a time-dependent Cox regression analysis, with updates on dialysis modality.

Results

In total, 1745 patients started dialysis, of whom 1211 (69.4%) received HD and 534 (30.6%) PD. The bleeding rate was 60.8/1000 person-years for HD patients and 34.6/1000 person-years for PD patients. The time-dependent Cox regression analysis showed that after adjustment for age, sex, primary kidney disease, prior bleeding, cardiovascular disease, antiplatelet drug use, vitamin K antagonist use, erythropoietin use, arterial hypertension, residual glomerular filtratin rate, haemoglobin and albumin levels, bleeding risk for HD patients compared with PD increased 1.5-fold (95% CI 1.0–2.2).

Conclusions

In this large prospective cohort of incident dialysis patients, HD patients had an increased bleeding risk compared with PD patients. In particular, HD patients with a history of prior bleeding had an increased bleeding risk.
The Glioma-Network Interface: A Review of the Relationship Between Glioma Molecular Subtype and Intratumoral Function
Authors: Young Jacob S , Morshed Ramin A , Gogos Andrew J , Amara Dominic , Villanueva-Meyer Javier E , Berger Mitchel S , Hervey-Jumper Shawn L
Published: July 2020

Gliomas are a major cause of morbidity. Direct cortical stimulation mapping offers the ability to identify functional areas within the broader neural network both cortically and subcortically. Since the World Health Organization (WHO) 2016 classification categorized gliomas into molecular subgroups with varied molecular signatures and clinical behavior, it is possible that gliomas may demonstrate rates of functional network integration. We therefore retrospectively reviewed a data registry of 181 patients with dominant hemisphere frontal, parietal, insular, or temporal gliomas. Our goal was to test the hypothesis that WHO glioma histopathology and molecular subtype influences functional language or motor sites identified within the tumor. Intratumoral function as determined by direct cortical and subcortical stimulation mapping was identified at the highest rate in isocitrate dehydrogenase mutant astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. Finally, we reviewed the emerging literature exploring the interface between functional neural networks and gliomas. These data shed light on glioma molecular and histological characteristics most commonly associated within intratumoral function.
Tobacco Product Promotions Remain Ubiquitous and Are Associated with Use and Susceptibility to Use Among Adolescents
Authors: Fielding-Singh Priya , Epperson Anna E , Prochaska Judith J
Published: July 2020

Introduction

The decline in tobacco smoking among US adolescents has been exceeded by the exponential rise in nicotine vaping with an overall net gain in youth tobacco product use. While cigarette companies are restricted from advertising on television/radio, vaping promotions have been largely unrestricted. This study examined exposure to tobacco product promotions in a US sample of 1003 adolescents and its associations with product use and susceptibility to use.

Aims and Methods

Adolescents (13–17) were recruited online and anonymously surveyed in 2019 about their ever and current (past 30 days) tobacco smoking (cigarette and cigar) and nicotine vaping behaviors, and among never-users, susceptibility to vaping. Multivariate models tested associations with past-month exposure to tobacco product promotions controlling for demographic features, harm perceptions, and family and peer influences.

Results

Tobacco product use was 34% ever-use and 20% current-use. Most had seen cigarette (91%) and nicotine vaping (80%) product promotions in the past 30 days. A majority reported exposure at point-of-sale and on major (television and cinema) and social media. In adjusted multivariate models, greater exposure to tobacco product promotions was significantly associated with ever and current smoking and vaping; and among never-users, susceptibility to vaping (all p < .01, effect sizes 1.03–1.05). Family/peer use and attitudes also were significant correlates.

Conclusions

Tobacco product promotions remain ubiquitous and are significantly associated with adolescents’ tobacco product use and susceptibility to vape. Peers and family are important social influences and may reflect indirect channels of tobacco marketing. Stricter regulatory restrictions on tobacco marketing to young people are warranted.

Implications

This study adds to mounting evidence showing that tobacco marketing remains pervasive and is associated with tobacco use and susceptibility to use. Most youth report seeing cigarette and nicotine vaping product promotions, with notable differences by channel: traditional media predominate for cigarettes and social media/email for e-cigarettes. Greater exposure to tobacco promotions is significantly associated with ever and current smoking and vaping, and among never-users, susceptibility to vaping. The accumulating findings support stricter regulatory restrictions on marketing of tobacco products in media channels accessed by youth.
Zoned Crystal Records of Transcrustal Magma Transport, Storage and Differentiation: Insights from the Shatsky Rise Oceanic Plateau
Authors: van Gerve T D , Neave D A , Almeev R R , Holtz F , Namur O
Published: July 2020

Magmatic processes occurring in the deepest parts of sub-volcanic plumbing systems remain poorly constrained. However, crystal mush fragments incorporated into ascending magmas can provide valuable insights into the processes and conditions of transcrustal magma transport, storage and differentiation. Here we use lava samples drilled from Tamu Massif, Shatsky Rise, to understand the magmatic processes taking place in a region of thickened oceanic crust. We observe correlations between crystal textures and compositional zones in plagioclase that reveal relationships between mechanisms of magmatic differentiation and the crustal depths at which they occurred. When combined with geothermobarometric models, our observations indicate that deep crustal crystal storage took place in high-crystallinity mushes at two discrete levels (∼17 and ∼27 km depth). Diffusive constraints from crystal zoning lengthscales indicate that the lifetime of crystals within the mushes exceeded several thousand years. Magmatic recharge was frequent and produced various dissolution textures in plagioclase. In contrast, shallow crystal storage (∼2·4 km depth) took place in a liquid-dominated domain where crystal residence times were much shorter. Crystal zoning patterns indicate that magmas transporting crystals from the deepest environment to the surface sometimes accumulated additional crystals from mid-crustal storage regions and sometimes did not, highlighting the complexity of magma assembly processes. Temperature contrasts in the lower crust at Shatsky Rise are probably low, owing to extensive magma input and a paucity of hydrothermal cooling at depth. Crystal growth morphologies are consequently relatively simple. Crystallization in thick and thermally mature crusts may therefore lead to less complexity in crystal textures than crystallization in thinner crusts where temperature contrasts are higher. Our observations indicate that combining thermobarometry with studies of crystal textures and crystal compositions is a powerful approach for improving our understanding of magmatic differentiation and magma ascent paths.
A matter of time and proportion: the availability of phosphorus-rich phytoplankton influences growth and behavior of copepod nauplii
Authors: Meunier Cédric L , Herstoff Emily M , Geisen Carla , Boersma Maarten
Published: July 2020

Although consumers may use selective feeding to cope with suboptimal resource quality, little work has examined the mechanisms that underlie selective feeding, the efficiency of this behavior or its influence on consumer growth rate. Furthermore, a consumer’s exposure to suboptimal resources may also influence the consumer’s behavior and life history, including growth rate. Here, we studied how the availability of P-rich and P-poor phytoplankton influences the growth and behavior of copepod nauplii. We observed that copepod nauplii preferentially feed on P-rich prey. We also found that even relatively short exposure to P-rich phytoplankton yielded higher nauplii growth rates, whereas the presence of P-poor phytoplankton in a mixture impaired growth. Overall, we observed that swimming speed decreased with increasing phytoplankton P-content, which is a behavioral adjustment that may improve utilization of heterogeneously distributed high-quality food in the field. Based on our results, we propose that the optimal prey C: P ratio for copepod nauplii is very narrow, and that deviations from this optimum have severe negative consequences for growth.
Gaps in the Use of Long-Acting Opioids Within Intervals of Consecutive Days Among Cancer Outpatients Using Electronic Pill Caps
Authors: Meghani Salimah H , Persico Amelia L , Fudin Jeffrey , Knafl George J
Published: July 2020

Objective

This study describes individual cancer patients’ nonuse of extended-release or long-acting (ER/LA) opioids, including periods of gap between opioid doses taken.

Design

Secondary analysis of a three-month observational study of prescribed ER/LA opioids monitored using electronic pill caps.

Setting

Two outpatient oncology clinics of a large health system in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Participants

Inclusion was based on self-identified African Americans and whites, at least 18 years old, diagnosed with solid tumors or multiple myeloma. For the current analysis, the additional inclusion criterion was prescription of an oral ER/LA opioid for cancer pain to be taken around the clock.

Methods

The electronic monitoring period for each study participant was partitioned into intervals of days between days with one or more openings (using medication event monitoring systems) representing rates of ER/LA opioid nonuse over consecutive days and over time.

Results

Of the sample (N = 109), two-thirds of the cancer patients had some nonuse of prescribed ER/LA opioids, with one in four having nonuse during 31.5–87.5% of their electronic-monitoring periods. Nonuse over periods of five or more, six or more, and seven or more consecutive days occurred for 37.6%, 34.9%, and 30.3% of the participants, respectively.

Conclusions

About one in three ambulatory cancer patients in this study had substantial gaps between days of ER/LA opioid use, potentially resulting in risk of overdose depending upon the prescribed ER/LA opioid type, dose, and length of the time the opioid was stopped and resumed at the previous dose. This phenomenon has received little to no attention in the opioid safety discourse.
Is it me? The impact of patient–physician interactions on lupus patients’ psychological well-being, cognition and health-care-seeking behaviour
Authors: Sloan Melanie , Naughton Felix , Harwood Rupert , Lever Elliott , D’Cruz David , Sutton Stephen , Walia Chanpreet , Howard Paul , Gordon Caroline
Published: July 2020

Objective

The aim was to explore the impact of patient–physician interactions, pre- and post-diagnosis, on lupus and UCTD patients’ psychological well-being, cognition and health-care-seeking behaviour.

Methods

Participants were purposively sampled from the 233 responses to a survey on patient experiences of medical support. Twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted and themes generated using thematic analysis.

Results

The study identified six principal themes: (i) the impact of the diagnostic journey; (ii) the influence of key physician(s) on patient trust and security, with most participants reporting at least one positive medical relationship; (iii) disparities in patient–physician priorities, with patients desiring more support with quality-of-life concerns; (iv) persisting insecurity and distrust, which was prevalent and largely influenced by previous and anticipated disproportionate (often perceived as dismissive) physician responses to symptoms and experiences of widespread inadequate physician knowledge of systemic autoimmune diseases; (v) changes to health-care-seeking behaviours, such as curtailing help-seeking or under-reporting symptoms; and (vi) empowerment, including shared medical decision-making and knowledge acquisition, which can mitigate insecurity and improve care.

Conclusion

Negative medical interactions pre- and post-diagnosis can cause a loss of self-confidence and a loss of confidence and trust in the medical profession. This insecurity can persist even in subsequent positive medical relationships and should be addressed. Key physicians implementing empowering and security-inducing strategies, including being available in times of health crises and validating patient-reported symptoms, might lead to more trusting medical relationships and positive health-care-seeking behaviour.
Systemic vascular distensibility relates to exercise capacity in connective tissue disease
Authors: Singh Inderjit , Oliveira Rudolf K F , Naeije Robert , Oldham William M , Faria-Urbina Mariana , Waxman Aaron B , Systrom David M
Published: July 2020

Objective

Exercise intolerance is a common clinical manifestation of CTD. Frequently, CTD patients have associated cardio-pulmonary disease, including pulmonary hypertension or heart failure that impairs aerobic exercise capacity (pVO2). The contribution of the systemic micro-vasculature to reduced exercise capacity in CTD patients without cardiopulmonary disease has not been fully described. In this study, we sought to examine the role of systemic vascular distensibility, α in reducing exercise capacity (i.e. pVO2) in CTD patients.

Methods

Systemic and pulmonary vascular distensibility, α (%/mmHg) was determined from multipoint systemic pressure-flow plots during invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing with pulmonary and radial arterial catheters in place in 42 CTD patients without cardiopulmonary disease and compared with 24 age and gender matched normal controls.

Results

During exercise, systemic vascular distensibility, α was reduced in CTD patients compared with controls (0.20 ± 0.12%/mmHg vs 0.30 ± 0.13%/mmHg, P =0.01). The reduced systemic vascular distensibility α, was associated with impaired stroke volume augmentation. On multivariate analysis, systemic vascular distensibility, α was associated with a decreased exercise capacity (pVO2) and decreased systemic oxygen extraction.

Conclusion

Systemic vascular distensibility, α is associated with impaired systemic oxygen extraction and decreased aerobic capacity in patients with CTD without cardiopulmonary disease.
Otological aspects of NLRP3-related autoinflammatory disorder focusing on the responsiveness to anakinra
Authors: Kim Bong Jik , Kim Young Ho , Lee Seungmin , Han Jin Hee , Lee Sang-Yeon , Seong Jeon , Lee Dong-Han , Kim Bonggi , Park Hye-Rim , Carandang Marge , Oh Dooyi , Oh Seung Ha , Kim Joong Gon , Lee Soyoung , Choi Byung Yoon
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Gradually progressive sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a prevalent sensory defect. It is generally untreatable, making rehabilitation by hearing aid or cochlear implantation the only option. However, SNHL as one of the symptoms of the hereditary autoinflammatory systemic disease cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome, or as the only symptom of the cochlea-specific form (DFNA34), was suggested to respond to IL-1 antagonist (anakinra) therapy, which ameliorates NLRP3 variants-induced over-secretion of IL-1β. We analysed genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome or DFNA34, specifically focusing on the responsiveness of SNHL to anakinra.

Methods

Seventeen families diagnosed with either cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome or DFNA34 were recruited. Genotyping and phenotyping including audiogram, MRI findings, and in vitro IL-1β assay were performed.

Results

Our cohort had an etiologic homogeneity of 94.1% to NLRP3 variants and a high de novo occurrence (84.6%). We identified the second DNFA34 pedigree worldwide with a novel NLRP3 variant supported by in vitro analysis. Significant improvement of hearing status against the natural course, showing response to anakinra, was identified in three probands, one of whom used to have severe SNHL. Hearing threshold worse than 60 dB at the start of anakinra and cochlear enhancement on brain MRI seemed to be related with poor audiologic prognosis and responsiveness to anakinra therapy despite stabilized systemic symptoms and inflammatory markers.

Conclusion

We propose a constellation of biomarkers comprising NLRP3 genotypes, hearing status at diagnosis, and cochlear radiological findings as prognostic factors of hearing status after anakinra treatment and possibly as sensitive parameters for treatment dosage adjustment.
High risk of coronary artery aneurysm in Kawasaki disease
Authors: Mossberg Maria , Mohammad Aladdin J , Kahn Fredrik , Segelmark Mårten , Kahn Robin
Published: July 2020

Objective

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a vasculitis of unknown aetiology with a high risk of coronary aneurysms if untreated. Timely treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin decreases the risk for coronary artery aneurysms (CAA). In this study, we set out to elucidate the factors associated with the risk of developing CAA.

Methods

Records of all KD-diagnosed children in Skåne between 2004 and 2014 were collected and clinical and demographic data were compiled. KD is defined according to the revised American Heart Association diagnostic criteria and classified as either complete KD (cKD) or incomplete KD (iKD).

Results

KD was diagnosed in 77 children and CAA was found in 31% (n = 24). Children with CAA were younger compared with children without (median; 20 vs 34 months) and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment within 10 days was less likely to be received (75% vs 91%). In children presenting with iKD, 47% developed CAA compared with 21% in cKD patients. Using multivariate analysis, an association between the risk of CAA with low age in children with iKD was observed.

Conclusion

The risk of CAA development is disturbingly high in young children with iKD. This highlights the importance of rapid intense treatment and vigilance in infants, who are the most difficult to diagnose, in order to reduce the frequency of CAA.
Laser speckle contrast analysis predicts major vascular complications and mortality of patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Gigante Antonietta , Villa Annalisa , Rosato Edoardo
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The aim of study was to evaluate peripheral blood perfusion and the proximal-distal gradient (PDG) of the hands as biomarkers of SSc major vascular complications (digital ulcers, pulmonary arterial hypertension, scleroderma renal crisis) and mortality by laser speckle contrast analysis.

Methods

In this retrospective observational study, 176 SSc patients [158 female, median age 53 (51–57) years] and 142 healthy controls [115 female, median age 53 (48–55) years] were enrolled. Clinical data were collected at baseline and annually through 5 years of follow-up. Hand dorsum perfusion images were divided into three regions of interest (ROI): ROI1 included the second, third, and fourth fingers distal to the proximal interphalangeal finger joint; ROI2 included the area between the proximal interphalangeal finger joint and the metacarpophalangeal joint; ROI3 included the hand dorsum. PDG was identified when the perfusion mean difference between ROI1 and ROI2 was >30 perfusion units.

Results

Median peripheral blood perfusion was significantly lower for SSc patients than healthy controls. PDG was present in 51.5% of SSc patients and in 98.6% of healthy controls. Using the final multivariate model, nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) pattern [hazard ratio (HR) 0.065 (0.015–0.283), P <0.0001] and PDG [HR 0.376 (0.194–0.727), P <0.01] were found to be risk factors for major vascular complications. By multivariate analysis, age [HR 1.051 (1.014–1.088), P <0.01), NVC pattern [HR 0.001 (0.000–3.111), P >0.05], and PDG [HR 0.207 (0.073–0.589), P <0.01] were found to be risk factors for 5-year SSc mortality.

Conclusion

PDG predicts major vascular complication and 5-year mortality of SSc patients.
Long-Term Outcomes of Infants with Congenital Zika Virus Infection in Ecuador: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study
Authors: García-Boyano Miguel , García-Segovia Roberto , Fernández-Menéndez Amanda , Pérez Yamila , Bustamante-Amador Jorge , Layana-Coronel Marianella , Caballero-Caballero José Manuel , Rodríguez-Izquierdo Concepción , Chávez-Solórzano Nelly , Solís-Montiel Dalton , Miño-León Greta
Published: July 2020

Background

Few congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) cases have been notified in Ecuador and, to our knowledge, there are no significant published studies dealing with their clinical evolution. We present a detailed clinical characterization of 21 children with congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection born in Ecuador who were followed up until September 2019.

Methods

We did a retrospective longitudinal study of children attended by the infectious disease specialists of Francisco Icaza Bustamante Children’s Hospital (Guayaquil) due to congenital ZIKV infection suspicion. The inclusion criteria consisted of laboratory confirmed diagnosis of congenital ZIKV infection.

Results

Sixteen of these 21 cases of congenital ZIKV infection showed clinical, neuroimaging and laboratory findings strongly suggestive of CZS and 5 children showed laboratory findings compatible with congenital ZIKV infection without congenital manifestations associated to CZS. All children with CZS showed neurodevelopmental delay, spasticity and hyperreflexia during follow-up, whereas the majority of them (14/15) experienced recurrent epileptic seizures and dysphagia (12/13). Two CZS cases died during follow-up. Visual evoked potential and hearing screening with acoustically evoked auditory brainstem response were abnormal in 50% and 37.5% of CZS cases, respectively. Congenital ZIKV infection without findings consistent with CZS at birth was not clinically relevant at 23 months of age in the five cases of our cohort.

Conclusions

Severe neurodevelopmental delay, severe microcephaly, epileptic seizures and dysphagia were present at 2 years of age in most CZS cases of our cohort.
HTLV in South America: Origins of a silent ancient human infection
Authors: Ishak Ricardo , Guimarães Ishak Marluísa de Oliveira , Azevedo Vânia Nakauth , Machado Luiz Fernando Almeida , Vallinoto Izaura Maria Cayres , Queiroz Maria Alice Freitas , Costa Greice de Lemos Cardoso , Guerreiro João Farias , Vallinoto Antonio Carlos Rosário
Published: July 2020

The description of the first human retrovirus, human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1), was soon associated with an aggressive lymphoma and a chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disease. Later, other associated clinical manifestations were described, affecting diverse target organs in the human body and showing the enormous burden carried by the virus and the associated diseases. The epidemiology of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 showed that they were largely distributed around the world, although it is possible to locate geographical areas with pockets of low and very high prevalence and incidence. Aboriginal Australians and indigenous peoples of Brazil are examples of the large spread of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2, respectively. The epidemiological link of both situations is their occurrence among isolated, epidemiologically closed or semi-closed communities. The origin of the viruses in South America shows two different branches with distinct timing of entry. HTLV-1 made its probable entrance in a more recent route through the east coast of Brazil at the beginning of the slave trade from the African continent, starting in the 16th century and lasting for more than 350 years. HTLV-2 followed the ancient route of human migration from the Asian continent, crossing the Behring Strait and then splitting in South America as the population became separated by the Andes Mountains. By that time, HTLV-2c probably arose and became isolated among the indigenous populations in the Brazilian Amazon. The study of epidemiologically closed communities of indigenous populations in Brazil allowed tracing the most likely route of entry, the generation of a new molecular subtype (HTLV-2c), the elucidation of the vertical transmission of HTLV-2, the intrafamilial aggregation of cases and the escape and spread of the virus to other areas in Brazil and abroad. Despite the burden and impact of both viruses, they are maintained as silent infections among human populations because 1, health authorities in most South American countries in which national surveillance is poor have little interest in the disease, 2, the information is commonly lost as indigenous groups do not have specific policies for HTLV and other sexually transmitted infections, and 3, health access is not feasible or properly delivered.
Organizational Practices for the Aging Workforce: Development and Validation of the Later Life Workplace Index
Authors: Wilckens Max R , Wöhrmann Anne M , Deller Jürgen , Wang Mo
Published: July 2020

The present three studies focused on the development and validation of a multifaceted measure of organizational practices for the aging workforce, the Later Life Workplace Index (LLWI). The first study developed a comprehensive item pool based on expert interview evidence from Germany and the United States. Two further studies among workers across industries in Germany (N = 609, N = 349) provided psychometric evidence. The LLWI comprises nine distinct domains of organizational practices for the aging workforce, namely an age-friendly organizational climate and leadership style, certain work design characteristics, health management, individual development opportunities, knowledge management, the design of the retirement transition, continued employment opportunities, and health and retirement coverage. The final LLWI consists of 80 items in total. In addition, the studies demonstrated that the LLWI measures correlated with older workers’ work outcomes such as stress level, workability, person-organization fit, and post-retirement work intentions in meaningful ways. Applications for the LLWI in research and practice are discussed.
Cretaceous mantid lacewings with specialized raptorial forelegs illuminate modification of prey capture (Insecta: Neuroptera)
Authors: Shi Chaofan , Yang Qiang , Shih Chungkun , Labandeira Conrad C , Pang Hong , Ren Dong
Published: July 2020

The Mantispidae (Neuroptera), commonly known as mantid lacewings or mantispids, are characterized by raptorial forelegs used by adults for predation. They have a fossil history extending to the Early Jurassic. During the past 180 Myr, the lineage has undergone significant evolutionary transformation, exhibiting an elevated diversity in morphology yet retaining the same overall ground plan. Although raptorial foreleg morphology and capture behaviour are well documented in extant insects, they are poorly known for premodern lineages, attributable to the scarcity and poor preservation of fossils. Here, we report two new genera and species of Mantispidae from mid-Cretaceous Myanmar (Burmese) amber. Both taxa have highly specialized raptorial forelegs and highlight modification of capture strategy in Cretaceous Mantispidae. The foreleg of both species has one major spine that is the same length as the foretibia on the ventral surface of the forefemur, which faces the foretibia with a row of robust setae. The two new amber mantid lacewings provide structural and functional indications that represent an extinct mode of capture strategy. The new findings reveal the presence of a geochronologically rapid diversification of Mantispidae during the Early Cretaceous, thereby illuminating the varied morphologies involved in prey-capture strategies integral to the early evolution of mantispids.
Inhibitory Immune Checkpoint Molecule Expression in Clinical Sepsis Studies: A Systematic Review
Authors: Busch Lindsay M. , Sun Junfeng , Eichacker Peter Q. , Torabi-Parizi Parizad
Published: July 2020

Objectives:

Checkpoint inhibitors have been proposed for sepsis following reports of increased checkpoint molecule expression in septic patients. To determine whether clinical studies investigating checkpoint molecule expression provide strong evidence supporting trials of checkpoint inhibitors for sepsis.

Data Sources:

PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, inception through October 2019.

Study Selection:

Studies comparing checkpoint molecule expression in septic patients versus healthy controls or critically ill nonseptic patients or in sepsis nonsurvivors versus survivors.

Data Extraction:

Two investigators extracted data and evaluated study quality.

Data Synthesis:

Thirty-six studies were retrieved. Across 26 studies, compared with healthy controls, septic patients had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased CD4+ lymphocyte programmed death-1 and monocyte programmed death-ligand-1 expression in most studies. Other checkpoint molecule expressions were variable and studied less frequently. Across 11 studies, compared with critically ill nonseptic, septic patients had significantly increased checkpoint molecule expression in three or fewer studies. Septic patients had higher severity of illness scores, comorbidities, and mortality in three studies providing analysis. Across 12 studies, compared with septic survivors, nonsurvivors had significantly increased expression of any checkpoint molecule on any cell type in five or fewer studies. Of all 36 studies, none adjusted for nonseptic covariates reported to increase checkpoint molecule expression.

Conclusions:

Although sepsis may increase some checkpoint molecule expression compared with healthy controls, the data are limited and inconsistent. Further, data from the more informative patient comparisons are potentially confounded by severity of illness. These clinical checkpoint molecule expression studies do not yet provide a strong rationale for trials of checkpoint inhibitor therapy for sepsis.
Full Finger Reperfusion Time Measured by Pulse Oximeter Waveform Analysis in Children
Authors: Nickel Amanda J. , Jiang Shen , Napolitano Natalie , Yehya Nadir , Fitzgerald Julie C. , Bruins Benjamin B. , Lockman Justin L. , Nadkarni Vinay M. , Nishisaki Akira
Published: July 2020

Objectives:

Capillary refill time is a noninvasive method to assess tissue perfusion to determine shock status. Capillary refill time is defined as the time required to regain skin color after blanching pressure is applied. Although common methods to measure capillary refill time depend on clinicians’ visual assessment, a new approach using a pulse oximeter waveform analysis exists, referred to as full finger reperfusion time. We aim to evaluate reproducibility and validity of the novel full finger reperfusion time measurement using clinicians’ visual capillary refill time assessment as a reference standard.

Design:

Prospective observational study.

Setting:

PICUs and operating suites at a large academic children’s hospital.

Patients:

Ninety-nine children 1–12 years old with various skin color tones.

Interventions:

Each child had 10 measurements, including five full finger reperfusion time and five clinician capillary refill time, alternating second and third digits.

Measurements and Main Results:

Eighteen children had prolonged capillary refill time (> 2 s) and four children with capillary refill time greater than 3 seconds. Four-hundred eighty-five data pairs were analyzed. Intraclass correlation coefficient of full finger reperfusion time within each patient was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.68–0.83), demonstrating good reproducibility. Correlation coefficient between full finger reperfusion time and clinician capillary refill time was moderate: r = 0.37 (p < 0.0001; 95% CI, 0.29–0.44) for the pairs and r = 0.52 (p < 0.0001; 95% CI, 0.36–0.65) for patient average. Bland-Altman plot showed a consistent difference between full finger reperfusion time and clinician capillary refill time (full finger reperfusion time 1.14 s longer). Weak association was found between force and full finger reperfusion time (β = –0.033 ± 0.016; 95% CI, –0.065 to –0.0016; p = 0.04), finger thickness (β = –0.20 ± 0.089; 95% CI, –0.37 to –0.19; p = 0.03), except for color tone (p = 0.31). Finger temperature was associated with full finger reperfusion time (β = –0.18 ± 0.041; 95% CI, –0.26 to –0.0999; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

Full finger reperfusion time demonstrated good reproducibility. Full finger reperfusion time showed moderate correlation with clinician capillary refill time. Full finger reperfusion time was 1.14 seconds longer than capillary refill time. Future studies should focus on the clinical value of full finger reperfusion time as a monitoring device for hemodynamics in critically ill children.
BACILLARY LAYER DETACHMENT IN ACUTE VOGT–KOYANAGI–HARADA DISEASE
Authors: Agarwal Aniruddha , Freund K. Bailey , Kumar Aman , Aggarwal Kanika , Sharma Deeksha , Katoch Deeksha , Bansal Reema , Gupta Vishali ,   for the OCTA Study Group
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

To report the frequency, optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings, and visual and anatomic outcomes of patients with acute Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease presenting with the bacillary layer detachment (BLD) (intraretinal split at the photoreceptor inner segment myoid).

Methods:

This was a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of patients with Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease having a minimum follow-up of 6 months. All patients had swept-source OCT, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography performed at baseline. The characteristics of serial swept-source OCT were recorded and analyzed.

Results:

Sixty-two subjects (42 women; age: 34.2 ± 12 years) with Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease were included. 118 eyes (95.2%) had serous retinal detachment at presentation. 112 eyes (94.9%) showed the BLD at baseline. In 8 of 112 (7.1%) eyes with the BLD, the external limiting membrane at the anterior aspect of the BLD showed focal discontinuity. The interdigitation zone at the base of the BLD showed discontinuity in 53 of 112 (47.3%) eyes with the BLD. The ellipsoid zone could not be identified as a separate hyperreflective line at the base of the BLD in 102 of 112 eyes (91.1%). Bacillary layer detachments resolved within 3.4 ± 1.3 days after intravenous methylprednisolone therapy with improvement in the best-corrected visual acuity from 0.96 to 0.4 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (20/184 Snellen's equivalent) (P < 0.001). Resolution of serous retinal detachment was observed after 5.9 ± 2.6 days.

Conclusion:

In eyes with acute Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease, the BLD is a common finding and represents a split in the photoreceptor layer at the inner segment myoid and can be differentiated from serous retinal detachment using swept-source OCT. In addition, resolution of the BLD and photoreceptor recovery can be evaluated using serial swept-source OCT.
Latch-based control of energy output in spring actuated systems
Authors: Divi Sathvik , Ma Xiaotian , Ilton Mark , St. Pierre Ryan , Eslami Babak , Patek S. N. , Bergbreiter Sarah
Published: July 2020

The inherent force–velocity trade-off of muscles and motors can be overcome by instead loading and releasing energy in springs to power extreme movements. A key component of this paradigm is the latch that mediates the release of spring energy to power the motion. Latches have traditionally been considered as switches; they maintain spring compression in one state and allow the spring to release energy without constraint in the other. Using a mathematical model of a simplified contact latch, we reproduce this instantaneous release behaviour and also demonstrate that changing latch parameters (latch release velocity and radius) can reduce and delay the energy released by the spring. We identify a critical threshold between instantaneous and delayed release that depends on the latch, spring, and mass of the system. Systems with stiff springs and small mass can attain a wide range of output performance, including instantaneous behaviour, by changing latch release velocity. We validate this model in both a physical experiment as well as with data from the Dracula ant,Mystrium camillae, and propose that latch release velocity can be used in both engineering and biological systems to control energy output.
A growth model driven by curvature reproduces geometric features of arboreal termite nests
Authors: Facchini G. , Lazarescu A. , Perna A. , Douady S.
Published: July 2020

We present a simple three-dimensional model to describe the autonomous expansion of a substrate whose growth is driven by the local mean curvature of its surface. The model aims to reproduce the nest construction process in arborealNasutitermestermites, whose cooperation may similarly be mediated by the shape of the structure they are walking on, for example focusing the building activity of termites where local mean curvature is high. We adopt a phase-field model where the nest is described by one continuous scalar field and its growth is governed by a single nonlinear equation with one adjustable parameterd. Whendis large enough the equation is linearly unstable and fairly reproduces a growth process in which the initial walls expand, branch and merge, while progressively invading all the available space, which is consistent with the intricate structures of real nests. Interestingly, the linear problem associated with our growth equation is analogous to the buckling of a thin elastic plate under symmetric in-plane compression, which is also known to produce rich patterns through nonlinear and secondary instabilities. We validated our model by collecting nests of two species of arborealNasutitermesfrom the field and imaging their structure with a micro-computed tomography scanner. We found a strong resemblance between real and simulated nests, characterized by the emergence of a characteristic length scale and by the abundance of saddle-shaped surfaces with zero-mean curvature, which validates the choice of the driving mechanism of our growth model.
Co-adaptation enhances the resilience of mutualistic networks
Authors: Zhang Huixin , Liu Xueming , Wang Qi , Zhang Weidong , Gao Jianxi
Published: July 2020

Mutualistic networks, which describe the ecological interactions between multiple types of species such as plants and pollinators, play a paramount role in the generation of Earth’s biodiversity. The resilience of a mutualistic network denotes its ability to retain basic functionality when errors and failures threaten the persistence of the community. Under the disturbances of mass extinctions and human-induced disasters, it is crucial to understand how mutualistic networks respond to changes, which enables the system to increase resilience and tolerate further damages. Despite recent advances in the modelling of the structure-based adaptation, we lack mathematical and computational models to describe and capture the co-adaptation between the structure and dynamics of mutualistic networks. In this paper, we incorporate dynamic features into the adaptation of structure and propose a co-adaptation model that drastically enhances the resilience of non-adaptive and structure-based adaptation models. Surprisingly, the reason for the enhancement is that the co-adaptation mechanism simultaneously increases the heterogeneity of the mutualistic network significantly without changing its connectance. Owing to the broad applications of mutualistic networks, our findings offer new ways to design mechanisms that enhance the resilience of many other systems, such as smart infrastructures and social–economical systems.
Explicit characterization of human population connectivity reveals long run persistence of interregional dengue shocks
Authors: Jue Tao Lim , Dickens Borame Sue Lee , Yinan Mao , Woon Kwak Chae , Ching Ng Lee , Cook Alex R.
Published: July 2020

Dengue is hyper-endemic in Singapore and Malaysia, and daily movement rates between the two countries are consistently high, allowing inference on the role of local transmission and imported dengue cases. This paper describes a custom built sparse space–time autoregressive (SSTAR) model to infer and forecast contemporaneous and future dengue transmission patterns in Singapore and 16 administrative regions within Malaysia, taking into account connectivity and geographical adjacency between regions as well as climatic factors. A modification to forecast impulse responses is developed for the case of the SSTAR and is used to simulate changes in dengue transmission in neighbouring regions following a disturbance. The results indicate that there are long-term responses of the neighbouring regions to shocks in a region. By computation of variable inclusion probabilities, we found that each region’s own past counts were important to describe contemporaneous case counts. In 15 out of 16 regions, other regions case counts were important to describe contemporaneous case counts even after controlling for past local dengue transmissions and exogenous factors. Leave-one-region-out analysis using SSTAR showed that dengue transmission counts could be reconstructed for 13 of 16 regions' counts using external dengue transmissions compared to a climate only approach. Lastly, one to four week ahead forecasts from the SSTAR were more accurate than baseline univariate autoregressions.
Polyethylene glycol grafted with carboxylated graphene oxide as a novel interface modifier for polylactic acid/graphene nanocomposites
Authors: Niu Mingjun , Wang Hao , Li Jing , Chen Hongyan , Li Lin , Yang Huige , Liu Xuying , Chen Zhihao , Liu Hongzhi , Chen Jinzhou
Published: July 2020

Strength and toughness are both of great importance for the application of polylactic acid (PLA). Unfortunately, these two properties are often contradictory. In this work, an effective and practical strategy is proposed by using carboxylated graphene oxide (GC) grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG), i.e. GC-g-PEG. The synthesis procedure of GC-g-PEG is firstly optimized. Then, a series of PLA nanocomposites were prepared by the melt blending method via masterbatch. In comparison to that achieved over pure PLA, these nanocomposites are of higher crystallinity, thermal stability and mechanical strength. This is mainly attributed to well-tailored interface and good dispersion. Especially, while retaining the tensile strength of the original PLA, the elongation at break increases by seven times by adding 0.3 wt% GC-g-PEG.
Evaluation of the Laguerre–Gaussian mode purity produced by three-dimensional-printed microwave spiral phase plates
Authors: Isakov D. , Wu Y. , Allen B. , Grant P. S. , Stevens C. J. , Gibbons G. J.
Published: July 2020

Computer-aided design software and additive manufacturing provide flexibility for the direct fabrication of multi-material devices. This design and fabrication versatility has been investigated for the manufacture of dielectric spiral phase plates (SPP) that generate electromagnetic waves with helical wavefronts. Three types of SPPs designed to produce an orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode number
l
= |1| were additively manufactured using material extrusion and polyjet fabrication methods. The OAM mode characteristics of the transformed helical microwaves as a function of the SPP geometrical features were investigated experimentally in the 12–18 GHz frequency range. The SPPs were further combined with an additively manufactured dielectric lens that provided a marked improvement in OAM mode purity. Finally, multiplexing and de-multiplexing of two OAM modes were demonstrated successfully using an optimum SPP geometry and arrangement.
Evaluation of the storage quality characteristics of
‘Tteokbokki’ sauce in the presence of
preservatives and following heat
sterilization
Authors: Choi Ji-Young , Kim Jiyoon , Kim Jungsoo , Jeong Saeul , Moon Kwang-Deog
Published: July 2020

When ‘Tteokbokki’ sauce is distributed and stored
in the summer, the number of microbial generations increases
rapidly, and the sauce packaging swells or breaks due to gas
generation. In this study, the use of preservatives and heat
sterilization was examined to determine their effects on red
pepper paste-based ‘Tteokbokki’ sauce. When
preservative addition and heat sterilization were combined,
CO2 gas generation was increased, while
the use of either preservatives alone or heat sterilization
alone reduced gas generation compared to the control.
Microbial load was significantly lower in the combined
sample, and heat sterilization treatment was found to
exhibit only a slight sterilization effect. However, no
bactericidal effect was observed only in the presence of
preservatives. Similar sensory evaluation results were
obtained for all treated samples. These results therefore
indicated that the sterilization effect of heat
sterilization in ‘Tteokbokki’ sauce was
maximized when combined with preservatives, with no
significant alteration in the quality characteristics being
detected. However, in the case of the combined treatment, a
heat stable preservative should be used to prevent the
generation of carbon dioxide gas.
Quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of ganache added
with Porphyra tenera powder
Authors: Park Min Ah , Lee Kun Jong , Kim Su Jin , Kim Mee Ree
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality characteristics and
antioxidant activities of ganache added with Porphyra tenera
powder (PTP). The levels of PTP addition to ganache were 0, 1, 2, and 3
wt%. The lightness (L) and yellowness (b) values of the ganache in the
Hunter color system decreased upon increasing the amount of PTP. In addition,
textural examinations showed that the hardness of the ganache increased upon PTP
addition. Furthermore, sensory evaluations indicated that the overall
acceptability score was highest for the ganache chocolate containing 1%
PTP, whereby the color, flavor, and taste scores were the highest. Meanwhile,
the moisture content decreased upon increasing the PTP content, which differed
significantly from the control. Moreover, the sugar content (°Brix) and
reducing sugar content increased upon increasing the PTP content. It was also
found that the phycocyanin and chlorophyll contents in the ganache containing
3% PTP were higher than for the other samples, and the total phenolics
and flavonoid contents increased upon increasing the amount of added PTP.
Finally, the DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activities of the ganache
increased with greater quantities of PTP. These results, therefore, indicate
that the addition of PTP to ganache chocolate can lead to the manufacture of
high quality chocolate with a high antioxidant activity.