bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasensitive hybridization capture: Reliable detection of <1 copy/mL short cell-free DNA from large-volume urine samples
Authors: Oreskovic Amy , Lutz Barry R.
Published: February 2021

Urine cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a valuable non-invasive biomarker with broad potential clinical applications, but there is no consensus on its optimal pre-analytical methodology, including the DNA extraction step. Due to its short length (majority of fragments <100 bp) and low concentration (ng/mL), urine cfDNA is not efficiently recovered by conventional silica-based extraction methods. To maximize sensitivity of urine cfDNA assays, we developed an ultrasensitive hybridization method that uses sequence-specific oligonucleotide capture probes immobilized on magnetic beads to improve extraction of short cfDNA from large-volume urine samples. Our hybridization method recovers near 100% (95% CI: 82.6–117.6%) of target-specific DNA from 10 mL urine, independent of fragment length (25–150 bp), and has a limit of detection of ≤5 copies of double-stranded DNA (0.5 copies/mL). Pairing hybridization with an ultrashort qPCR design, we can efficiently capture and amplify fragments as short as 25 bp. Our method enables amplification of cfDNA from 10 mL urine in a single qPCR well, tolerates variation in sample composition, and effectively removes non-target DNA. Our hybridization protocol improves upon both existing silica-based urine cfDNA extraction methods and previous hybridization-based sample preparation protocols. Two key innovations contribute to the strong performance of our method: a two-probe system enabling recovery of both strands of double-stranded DNA and dual biotinylated capture probes, which ensure consistent, high recovery by facilitating optimal probe density on the bead surface, improving thermostability of the probe-bead linkage, and eliminating interference by endogenous biotin. We originally designed the hybridization method for tuberculosis diagnosis from urine cfDNA, but expect that it will be versatile across urine cfDNA targets, and may be useful for other cfDNA sample types and applications beyond cfDNA. To make our hybridization method accessible to new users, we present a detailed protocol and straightforward guidelines for designing new capture probes.
Serological evidence of avian HEV antibodies in apparently healthy chickens in southwest Nigeria
Authors: Osamudiamen Fisayo Temilade , Akanbi Olusola Aanuoluwapo , Oluwayelu Daniel Oladimeji , Bock C. -Thomas , Klink Patrycja
Published: February 2021

Avian hepatitis E virus (aHEV) is associated with hepatitis-splenomegaly syndrome, big liver and spleen disease and hepatic rupture haemorrhage syndrome. However, the knowledge about aHEV in commercial layer chickens in Nigeria is scarce. In this study, 460 serum samples obtained from 36 apparently healthy commercial layer chicken flocks in three states (Ogun, Osun and Oyo States) of southwestern Nigeria were analysed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for the presence of anti-aHEV immunoglobulin Y (IgY) antibodies. In total, the overall seroprevalence of anti-aHEV antibodies was 14.6%. The serological analysis revealed that 75% of the flocks examined were positive for anti-aHEV IgY antibodies from chickens of various ages in all three states. The percentage of the seropositive chickens in the three states varied from flock to flock ranging from 60% to 88.8% and seropositive chickens were detected at any age (24–52 weeks of age) without significant differences between the age groups. This is the first report assessing the presence of aHEV antibodies in chickens from Nigeria. The detection of anti-aHEV antibodies in commercial layer chickens in this study emphasizes the importance of serosurveillance in disease monitoring due to the economic threat posed by aHEV as a result of decreased egg production and increased mortality in affected commercial layer chicken farms. However, further studies are essential to reveal the clinical implications and to assess the real burden of aHEV in Nigeria.
Health system and quality of care factors contributing to maternal deaths in East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Mahmood Mohammad Afzal , Hendarto Hendy , Laksana Muhammad Ardian Cahya , Damayanti Hanifa Erlin , Suhargono Mohammad Hud , Pranadyan Rizki , Santoso Kohar Hari , Redjeki Kartika Sri , Winard Baksono , Prasetyo Budi , Vercruyssen Jorien , Moss John Robert , Bi Peng , Masitah Syarifah , Warsiti  , Pratama Aldilia Wyasti , Dewi Erni Rosita , Listiyani Charity Hartika , Mufidah Ismi
Published: February 2021

Despite most Indonesian women now receiving antenatal care on the nationally recommended four occasions and being delivered by skilled birth attendants, the nation’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is estimated as 177 per 100,000 live births. Recent research in a rural district of Indonesia has indicated that poor service quality due to organizational and personnel factors is now a major determinant of this high MMR. The present research is an in-depth analysis of possible health service organizational and quality of care related causes of death among 30 women admitted to a peak referral hospital in a major Indonesian city. Despite their condition being complex or deteriorating, most of these women arrived at the hospital in a state where it was feasible to prevent death with good quality care. Poor application of protocols, poor information flow from frontline hospitals to the peak referral hospital, delays in emergency care, and delays in management of deteriorating patients were the main contributing factors to these deaths. Pyramidal referrals also contributed, as many women were initially referred to hospitals where their condition could not be effectively managed. While generic quality improvement measures, particularly training and monitoring for rigorous application of clinical protocols (including forward planning for deteriorating patients) will help improve the situation, the districts and hospitals need to develop capacity to assess their local situation. Unless local organisational factors, staff knowledge and skill, blood and blood product availability, and local reasons for delays in providing care are identified, it may not be possible to effectively reduce the adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Understanding the impact of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic on hospitalized patients with substance use disorder
Authors: King Caroline , Vega Taylor , Button Dana , Nicolaidis Christina , Gregg Jessica , Englander Honora
Published: February 2021

Background

The SARS-COV-2 pandemic rapidly shifted dynamics around hospitalization for many communities. This study aimed to evaluate how the pandemic altered the experience of healthcare, acute illness, and care transitions among hospitalized patients with substance use disorder (SUD).

Methods

We performed a qualitative study at an academic medical center in Portland, Oregon, in Spring 2020. We conducted semi-structured interviews, and conducted a thematic analysis, using an inductive approach, at a semantic level.

Results

We enrolled 27 participants, and identified four main themes: 1) shuttered community resources threatened patients’ basic survival adaptations; 2) changes in outpatient care increased reliance on hospitals as safety nets; 3) hospital policy changes made staying in the hospital harder than usual; and, 4) care transitions out of the hospital were highly uncertain.

Discussion

Hospitalized adults with SUD were further marginalized during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic. Systems must address the needs of marginalized patients in future disruptive events.
Age, disability, and household composition of nurses and physicians who are not in the labor force
Authors: Ly Dan P.
Published: February 2021

While several areas in the United States have asked nurses and physicians who are not in the labor force to return to help with the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known about the characteristics of these clinicians that may present barriers to returning. We studied age, disability, and household composition of clinicians not in the workforce using the American Community Survey from 2014 to 2018, a nationally-representative survey of US households administered by the US Census. Overall, we found that, for nurses and physicians not in the labor force, over three-quarters were 55 and over and about 15 percent had a disability. For female nurses and physicians not in the labor force, over half of those ages 20–54 had a child under 15 at home and over half of those ages 65+ had another adult 65 and over at home. These characteristics may present challenges and risks to returning.
Temperature-induced microstructural changes in shells of laboratory-grown Arctica islandica (Bivalvia)
Authors: Höche Nils , Walliser Eric O. , de Winter Niels J. , Witbaard Rob , Schöne Bernd R.
Published: February 2021

Bivalve shells are increasingly used as archives for high-resolution paleoclimate analyses. However, there is still an urgent need for quantitative temperature proxies that work without knowledge of the water chemistry–as is required for δ18O-based paleothermometry–and can better withstand diagenetic overprint. Recently, microstructural properties have been identified as a potential candidate fulfilling these requirements. So far, only few different microstructure categories (nacreous, prismatic and crossed-lamellar) of some short-lived species have been studied in detail, and in all such studies, the size and/or shape of individual biomineral units was found to increase with water temperature. Here, we explore whether the same applies to properties of the crossed-acicular microstructure in the hinge plate of Arctica islandica, the microstructurally most uniform shell portion in this species. In order to focus solely on the effect of temperature on microstructural properties, this study uses bivalves that grew their shells under controlled temperature conditions (1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15°C) in the laboratory. With increasing temperature, the size of the largest individual biomineral units and the relative proportion of shell occupied by the crystalline phase increased. The size of the largest pores, a specific microstructural feature of A. islandica, whose potential role in biomineralization is discussed here, increased exponentially with culturing temperature. This study employs scanning electron microscopy in combination with automated image processing software, including an innovative machine learning–based image segmentation method. The new method greatly facilitates the recognition of microstructural entities and enables a faster and more reliable microstructural analysis than previously used techniques. Results of this study establish the new microstructural temperature proxy in the crossed-acicular microstructures of A. islandica and point to an overarching control mechanism of temperature on the micrometer-scale architecture of bivalve shells across species boundaries.
Protein kinase TgCDPK7 regulates vesicular trafficking and phospholipid synthesis in Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Bansal Priyanka , Antil Neelam , Kumar Manish , Yamaryo-Botté Yoshiki , Rawat Rahul Singh , Pinto Sneha , Datta Keshava K. , Katris Nicholas J. , Botté Cyrille Y. , Prasad T. S. Keshava , Sharma Pushkar
Published: February 2021

Apicomplexan parasites are causative agents of major human diseases. Calcium Dependent Protein Kinases (CDPKs) are crucial components for the intracellular development of apicomplexan parasites and are thus considered attractive drug targets. CDPK7 is an atypical member of this family, which initial characterization suggested to be critical for intracellular development of both Apicomplexa Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii. However, the mechanisms via which it regulates parasite replication have remained unknown. We performed quantitative phosphoproteomics of T. gondii lacking TgCDPK7 to identify its parasitic targets. Our analysis lead to the identification of several putative TgCDPK7 substrates implicated in critical processes like phospholipid (PL) synthesis and vesicular trafficking. Strikingly, phosphorylation of TgRab11a via TgCDPK7 was critical for parasite intracellular development and protein trafficking. Lipidomic analysis combined with biochemical and cellular studies confirmed that TgCDPK7 regulates phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) levels in T. gondii. These studies provide novel insights into the regulation of these processes that are critical for parasite development by TgCDPK7.
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats imposes a narrow bottleneck
Authors: Braun Katarina M. , Moreno Gage K. , Halfmann Peter J. , Hodcroft Emma B. , Baker David A. , Boehm Emma C. , Weiler Andrea M. , Haj Amelia K. , Hatta Masato , Chiba Shiho , Maemura Tadashi , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , Koelle Katia , O’Connor David H. , Friedrich Thomas C.
Published: February 2021

The evolutionary mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 viruses adapt to mammalian hosts and, potentially, undergo antigenic evolution depend on the ways genetic variation is generated and selected within and between individual hosts. Using domestic cats as a model, we show that SARS-CoV-2 consensus sequences remain largely unchanged over time within hosts, while dynamic sub-consensus diversity reveals processes of genetic drift and weak purifying selection. We further identify a notable variant at amino acid position 655 in Spike (H655Y), which was previously shown to confer escape from human monoclonal antibodies. This variant arises rapidly and persists at intermediate frequencies in index cats. It also becomes fixed following transmission in two of three pairs. These dynamics suggest this site may be under positive selection in this system and illustrate how a variant can quickly arise and become fixed in parallel across multiple transmission pairs. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in cats involved a narrow bottleneck, with new infections founded by fewer than ten viruses. In RNA virus evolution, stochastic processes like narrow transmission bottlenecks and genetic drift typically act to constrain the overall pace of adaptive evolution. Our data suggest that here, positive selection in index cats followed by a narrow transmission bottleneck may have instead accelerated the fixation of S H655Y, a potentially beneficial SARS-CoV-2 variant. Overall, our study suggests species- and context-specific adaptations are likely to continue to emerge. This underscores the importance of continued genomic surveillance for new SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as heightened scrutiny for signatures of SARS-CoV-2 positive selection in humans and mammalian model systems.
Stability and periodicity for differential equations with delay
Authors: Balázs István
Published: February 2021

Két különböző típusú késleltetett differenciálegyenletet tekintünk. Mindkettőt alkalmazások motiválják, és mindkettő új elméleti technikákat követel meg. Az első egy ármodell, amelyre globális aszimptotikus stabilitást sejtettek. Neutrális differenciálegyenletek és Ljapunov-funkcionál használatával bizonyítjuk a sejtést. A második egy állapotfüggő késletetésű differenciálegyenlet, melyet egy sorbanállási folyamat motivál. Az időkésleltetést egy, a sorhossztól függő algebrai egyenlet határozza meg, a sorhosszra pedig egy nemfolytonos differenciálegyenlet teljesül. Az új típusú állapotfüggő késleltetés felvet néhány problémát, melyeket a disszertációban megvizsgálunk. Megfelelő fázisteret definiálunk a probléma kezelésére, és megmutatjuk, hogy a megoldások Lipschitz-folytonos szemi-dinamikai rendszert definiálnak a fázistérben. Instabil egyensúlyi helyzet esetén lassan oszcilláló periodikus megoldások létezését mutatjuk meg Browder nem-taszító fixpont-tételének segítségével.
Prospective Validation of CD-62L (L-Selectin) as Marker of Durable Response to Infliximab Treatment in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A 5-Year Clinical Follow-up
Authors: Bravo Francisco , Macpherson Jamie A. , Slack Emma , Patuto Nicolas , Cahenzli Julia , McCoy Kathy D. , Macpherson Andrew J. , Juillerat Pascal ,   for the SATICC (Sensitivity to Anti-TNF Inhibition in Crohn's disease and ulcerative Colitis) study group
Published: February 2021

INTRODUCTION:

The development of biomarkers to guide management of anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an unmet need. We developed an in vitro blood assay to predict patient long-term outcome with the anti-TNFα agent infliximab (IFX).

METHODS:

Patients with IBD were classified according to the shedding of an L-selectin (CD62L) from the surface of their granulocytes in whole blood. CD62L shedding was quantified by flow cytometry before and after drug administration. A clinical data collection from June 2012 to August 2017 with blinded IFX management was aimed at validating the long-term predictive value of this test.

RESULTS:

Among 33 patients with IBD (17 Crohn's disease and 5 ulcerative colitis), 22 were predicted functional responders (PFR) and 11 were predicted as nonresponders (NR) according to the in vitro test. Five years after study initiation, 72% of PFR were still treated with IFX (vs 27% in the NR group; P < 0.05), with a median time spent under IFX of 45 vs 12 months (P = 0.019), respectively. Thirty-five medicosurgical events occurred with a median time to first event of 3 vs 30 months (P = 0.023), respectively. Our assay was the best independent predictor of staying long term on IFX (P = 0.056).

DISCUSSION:

An assay-based in vitro test for functional blockade of TNFα (CD62L shedding) provides an excellent long-term (at 3–5 years) independent predictor of durable use of IFX in patients with IBD. Testing patients could personalize decision making to significantly reduce costs and risk of adverse events and complications.

JOURNAL/cltg/04.03/01720094-202102000-00006/inline-graphic1/v/2023-10-30T213051Z/r/image-tiff
Implications of Abdominal Adipose Tissue Distribution on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Syndrome: A Chinese General Population Study
Authors: Chiyanika Chileka , Wong Vincent Wai-Sun , Wong Grace Lai-Hung , Chan Henry Lik-Yuen , Hui Steve C. N. , Yeung David K. W. , Chu Winnie C. W.
Published: February 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) has been found to play a critical role in the development of metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) independent of generalized obesity.

METHODS:

In this secondary study of prospectively acquired data, 625 participants underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chemical shift fat–water separation MRI (2-point Dixon) of the liver and whole abdomen, respectively, in a 3 Tesla magnet. Whole abdominal VAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were extracted from the 2-point Dixon image series using an automated method. Clinical/anthropometric/blood biochemistry parameters were measured. Using region-specific body mass index, participants were classified into 3 paired subgroups (lean, overweight, and obese) and presence of NAFLD (liver fat content ≥ 5.5%).

RESULTS:

All relevant clinical/anthropometric/blood biochemistry characteristics and liver enzymes were statistically significant between groups (P < 0.001). NAFLD was found in 12.1%, 43.8%, and 68.3% and metabolic syndrome in 51.1%, 61.9%, and 65% of the lean, overweight, and obese, respectively. Odds ratio for metabolic syndrome and NAFLD was increased by 2.73 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.18–3.40) and 2.53 (95% CI 2.04–3.12), respectively, for 1SD increase in VAT volume while prevalence of metabolic syndrome was increased by 2.26 (95% CI 1.83–2.79) for 1SD increase in liver fat content (%). VAT/SAT ratio in the lean with fatty liver showed the highest ratio (0.54) among all the subgroups, without a significant difference between the lean and obese with NAFLD (P = 0.127).

DISCUSSION:

Increased VAT volume/disproportional distribution of VAT/SAT may be vital drivers to the development of metabolic syndrome and NAFLD irrespective of body mass index category.
Food Intolerance of Unknown Origin: Caused by Mucosal Inflammation? A Pilot Study
Authors: Dieterich Walburga , Tietz Esther , Kohl Matthias , Konturek Peter C. , Rath Timo , Neurath Markus F. , Zopf Yurdagül
Published: February 2021

INTRODUCTION:

The prevalence of patients with food intolerance (FI) has increased significantly. Immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated food allergies (FAs) are detected by determining IgE antibodies and skin prick test. Carbohydrate malabsorptions are clarified with breath tests. However, these diagnostic measures cannot capture all intolerances and have limitations in case of gut-mediated FI. The aims of this pilot study were to evaluate different methods to determine intestinal mucosal IgE in patients with FA and to characterize the intestinal mucosa in patients with FI of unknown origin (FH).

METHODS:

Patients with FA and FH were compared with healthy controls. To determine the IgE antibodies and the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ of the intestinal mucosal, a lavage was performed as part of an ileocolonoscopy and samples were taken using the cytobrush and biopsy forceps. In a subgroup, mucosal samples were also taken from the duodenum.

RESULTS:

Data in homogenates of intestinal mucosal samples yielded the highest sensitivity for IgE antibody titers compared with lavage and cytobrush. Patients with FA presented increased intestinal TNF-α and low IFN-γ values. This was in contrast to FH patients, who showed low intestinal IgE antibodies and TNF-α levels, but increased IFN-γ values.

DISCUSSION:

The determination of IgE antibodies to diagnose intestinal IgE-mediated FA is most reliable in intestinal mucosal samples. Increased TNF-α and low IFN-γ levels in patients with FA characterize an allergic reaction. Decreased TNF-α and increased IFN-γ levels in patients with FH indicate an inflammation-related intolerance reaction (see Visual Abstract, Supplementary Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/CTG/A520).
Wie weiter mit der Kirche? Fünf Theologische Spotlights im Theater der Grundlegung und Handlungsorientierung von Kirche
Authors: Domsgen Michael
Published: February 2021

Fundamental questions offer the chance to see the familiar in a new light and to examine it in a wider perspective. From five theological perspectives, the paper takes a look at the current challenges facing the church and thus attempts to provide impulses for the self-understanding and action of the church.
Gruppe und Identität. Der »Social Identity Approach« im Gespräch mit theologischer Anthropologie und Ethik
Authors: Schell Maximilian
Published: February 2021

Against the background of the virulent question of destructive conflict dynamics between groups, the present contribution introduces the social-psychological theory complex of the »Social Identity Approach« (SIA) and discusses it from a theological-anthropological and theological-ethical point of view. While the SIA assumes that social identity, which is important for the concept of self, leads to depersonalization and the devaluation of foreign groups, a Christian understanding of identity could on the one hand protect against overidentification with collective identities and on the other hand, following Bonhoeffer's reflections, remind us that collectives, too, must be understood as actors with an ethical orientation and, as collective persons, must be held responsible in a specific way for processes of social transformation. The church, as an actor in civil society, could play the prototypical role of a reconciling collective.
Social pedagogy, social education and social work in Spain: Convergent paths
Authors: Úcar Xavier
Published: February 2021

The rise of social pedagogy in recent years has led to a revival of discourses and practices in the fields of social work and pedagogy. Both fields have seen a renewed way of interpreting social and educational relationships and professional practice. This, in turn, has resulted in ongoing analysis and debate regarding the academic and professional affiliation of social pedagogy in recent decades. The aim of this article is to provide an outline of how these disciplines and practices have evolved in Spain. This study adopts a comparative perspective to present a descriptive analysis of the history, training and areas of professional intervention of social pedagogy, social education and social work. The first section discusses the complexity of the relationships between them. In the following two sections, the historical evolution of these disciplines is analysed, highlighting their fundamental milestones. This is followed by a comparison of their respective professional profiles and initial training. The next section then reveals shared professional intervention areas and those that are specific to each professional practice. By way of conclusion, a critical reflection is provided on the way in which the relationship between social pedagogy and social work is usually approached, and also the positioning of the relationship between these disciplines and practices.
Between Exegesis and Philosophy: Philosophical Generalisations in cols. XVI, XVII and XIX of the Derveni Papyrus in Light of Interpretative Strategy
Authors: Matusova Ekaterina
Published: February 2021

This article re-examines the meaning of P. Derv. XIX 1–4, not only arguing against understanding the phrase in the sense of Anaxagorean philosophy (in particular, in the sense of Anaxagoras A 41 DK, which is a periphrasis of Anaxagoras B 12 DK), but also stressing that the semantics of the verb ἐπικρατέω implies dominion in an absolute, rather than relative sense: it is used to refer to a substance that does not allow dominated substances to be present in the same reality and at the same time. This finding allows us to reinterpret the physical implications of XIX 1–4, to suggest a new syntactical understanding of the second part of the phrase, and to find a sense of analogy between the first and second parts of the sentence. Most importantly, the new interpretation connects the meaning of XIX 1–4 with its immediate and broader context (that is, it explains how the physical ideas it contains relate to the linguistic ones discussed in the rest of the commentary). This also leads to reconsideration of other physical generalisations found in this part of the commentary: the Anaxagorean paradigm that is often taken to be behind these generalisations turns out not to be always tenable, while the basic physical pattern is much closer to monistic systems such as those of Diogenes of Apollonia.
Before the Conatus Doctrine: Spinoza’s Correspondence with Willem van Blijenbergh
Authors: Sangiacomo Andrea
Published: February 2021

Scholars recognize Spinoza’s conatus doctrine as one of the most important features of the Ethics. In this paper, I investigate two rather neglected aspects of this doctrine, namely, the notion of “transition of perfection” and its moral consequences. I argue that both aspects originate from significant changes in Spinoza’s thought from the positions held in his early writings. To support this claim, I focus on how Spinoza discusses these points in his correspondence with Willem van Blijenbergh (1664–1665). In his letters, Spinoza denies the reality of transitions of perfection, while such transitions will become a key feature of his later account of affects. Moreover, Spinoza subscribes to a kind of ethical intellectualism that he later rejects in his mature version of the Ethics. I conclude that the first draft of the Ethics mentioned in 1665 to van Blijenbergh must have been rather different from its definitive version.
Body Composition and Fitness Profile of Polish Top U15 Male Handball Players: Talent Identification and Selection Model for Sport High Schools
Authors: Wartałowicz Mariusz Hubert , Płusa Jarosław , Przystupińska Anna
Published: February 2021

Wartałowicz, MH, Płusa, J, and Przystupińska, A. Body composition and fitness profile of Polish top U15 male handball players: Talent identification and selection model for sport high schools. J Strength Cond Res 36(7): 2011–2017, 2022—The aims of this study were to assess the positional differences in body composition and selected motor abilities of male Polish U15 team handball (TH) players who applied to the Polish Handball Federation (PHF) sport high schools (HS) in 2019 and to compare differences in the tested characteristics between selected and rejected candidates. Ninety male players, born in 2004–2005, were tested in body composition, running speed (20 m), countermovement jump (CMJ), and 2 kg medicine ball overhead throw (MBT). The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Anthropometric data revealed significant differences in body height (p = 0.002,

= 0.168), body mass (BM) (p < 0.001,

= 0.367), BM index (BMI) (p < 0.001,

= 0.270), body fat percentage (FAT) (p = 0.003,

= 0.152), and fat-free mass (FFM) (p < 0.001,

= 0.356). Position-specific differences were observed, wherein pivots were the tallest and heaviest, having the highest BMI, FAT, and FFM whereas the wings were the smallest and lightest, with the lowest BMI, FAT, and FFM. Regarding fitness parameters, no significant differences in CMJ or MBT were observed. Backcourt players were faster than pivots on the 20-m sprint (p = 0.029,

= 0.104). Findings did not confirm expected anthropological and fitness differences between rejected vs. accepted candidates to the PHF sport HS. The only significant positional difference noted was that rejected pivots had 28.3% higher FAT levels than accepted. Our data indicate that the training of young TH players should target key functional, position specific, upper-body, and lower-body strength qualities, which enable them to successfully execute challenging game situations.
Myocardial Fibrosis in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Cheng Zeyi , Qi Miaomiao , Zhang Chengyuan , Mao Yanxia
Published: February 2021

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a type of hereditary cardiomyopathy caused by gene mutation. Its histological features include cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and disarray as well as myocardial fibrosis. Gene mutation, abnormal signal transduction, and abnormal energy metabolism are considered the main mechanisms of myocardial fibrosis. There is a strong correlation between myocardial fibrosis and the occurrence, development, and prognosis of HCM. We review the application of myocardial fibrosis in the diagnosis and treatment of HCM, focusing on research progress and the application of magnetic resonance imaging on the basis of the characteristics of fibrosis in the diagnosis and prognosis of HCM.
COVID-19 et les retombées positives : l’autre côté de la médaille!
Authors: Brassard Nancy
Published: February 2021

La présente étude, de nature exploratoire, expose les divers aspects positifs issus du confinement lié à la pandémie de la COVID-19 au Québec. Une trentaine d’entretiens informels ont été effectués pour étudier ces perceptions. En somme, les individus ont observé des changements positifs quant à leur rapport à la consommation, leur comportement alimentaire, leur rapport au temps, leur mobilité, leur équilibre personnel, leurs liens communautaires, leur capacité de résilience et leur littératie numérique. Néanmoins, le temps passe et ces aspects positifs, s’ils ne sont pas activés ou préservés, pourraient s’estomper. Si tel est le cas, il ne sera plus possible de s’appuyer sur ceux-ci pour transformer la société vers une gestion bienveillante et le développement des capacités d’apprentissage des organisations. Malgré une intervention rapide et financière des gouvernements, il ne semble pas y avoir de mécanismes mis en place de manière concomitante pour susciter des transformations (p. ex. : l’adaptation des services de restauration, les formations pour les chômeurs, etc.). Ainsi, nous souhaitons mettre en lumière le côté positif du confinement pour encourager les acteurs de la société à se mobiliser en vue de devenir plus résilients et innovateurs dans leurs pratiques pour contribuer au développement de la « nouvelle normalité » ou faire face à de nouvelles vagues ou crises.
Suburban Cowboy
Authors: Martinez Amanda Marie
Published: February 2021

This essay analyzes the political and cultural significance of confrontations between country music fans and punk rockers in the suburban community of Costa Mesa, California, in the early 1980s. During this time, Orange County was defined by paradox. On one hand, the region proved historically influential to leading conservative politics and the rise of Ronald Reagan, and bore a legacy of a country music and cowboy culture that well complemented such conservatism. And yet, the area also served as the breeding ground where right-wing politics and suburbanism’s sonic resistance, hardcore punk rock, took root. More than a simple culture clash, the conflict between country music fans and punk rockers represented a moment when two uniquely suburban and Southern California sounds collided at a significant point of transition in American politics and culture, and at heart revealed a conflict over the merits of suburban life. This struggle over space was one in which country music fans emerged victorious, as their efforts to violently quash the local punk scene worked in conjunction with city leaders who forcibly closed the region’s leading punk venue, the Cuckoo’s Nest, in 1981 and revealed a solidarity between country music fans, local police, and local politicians.
Climate Justice in the Global North
Authors: Kashwan Prakash
Published: February 2021

This essay provides a broad-based and jargon-free introduction to climate justice to foster critical thinking, engaged discussions, and profound reflections. It introduces the reader to three dimensions of justice—distributional, procedural, and recognitional justice—and shows how each relates to climate justice. A unique contribution of this essay is to identify and discuss the following three blind spots in the debates on climate justice: (1) the tendency to focus heavily on post hoc effects of climate change while ignoring the root causes of climate change that also contribute to injustices; (2) assuming incorrectly that all climate action contributes to climate justice, even though some types of climate responses can produce new climate injustices; and (3) although scholars have studied the causes of climate injustices extensively, the specific pathways to climate justice remain underdeveloped. This essay concludes by showcasing a few examples of the ongoing pursuits of climate justice, led by social justice groups, local governments, and some government agencies.
Brexit’s Hidden Costs for Britons Living in the EU
Authors: Benson Michaela
Published: February 2021

The campaign that succeeded in pushing Britain out of the European Union focused on the perceived threat of unrestricted inward migration, obscuring the fact that over a million British citizens took advantage of open borders to settle in Europe. Post-Brexit, Britons no longer are entitled to automatic EU citizenship. The exit agreement secured the legal basis for their continued residency, but their rights remain uncertain.
Timbre Vibrato Perception and Description
Authors: Almeida André , Schubert Emery , Wolfe Joe
Published: February 2021

In music, vibrato consists of cyclic variations in pitch, loudness, or spectral envelope (hereafter, “timbre vibrato”—TV) or combinations of these. Here, stimuli with TV were compared with those having loudness vibrato (LV). In Experiment 1, participants chose from tones with different vibrato depth to match a reference vibrato tone. When matching to tones with the same vibrato type, 70% of the variance was explained by linear matching of depth. Less variance (40%) was explained when matching dissimilar vibrato types. Fluctuations in loudness were perceived as approximately the same depth as fluctuations in spectral envelope (i.e., about 1.3 times deeper than fluctuations in spectral centroid). In Experiment 2, participants matched a reference with test stimuli of varying depths and types. When the depths of the test and reference tones were similar, the same type was usually selected, over the range of vibrato depths. For very disparate depths, matches were made by type only about 50% of the time. The study revealed good, fairly linear sensitivity to vibrato depth regardless of vibrato type, but also some poorly understood findings between physical signal and perception of TV, suggesting that more research is needed in TV perception.
ABCD position statement on risk stratification of adult patients with diabetes during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Nagi Dinesh , Wilmot Emma , Owen Karissa , Patel Dipesh , Mills Lesley , Rayman Gerry , Winocour Peter , Ayman Goher , Patel Rohit , Hambling Clare , Choudhary Pratik
Published: February 2021

At the time of submission of this manuscript, the COVID-19 pandemic had cost nearly 60,000 lives in the UK. This number currently stands at over 120,000 deaths. A high proportion (one third) of these lived with diabetes. The huge acute and emergency medicine effort to support people with COVID-19 has had a major knock-on impact on the delivery of routine clinical care, especially for long-term conditions like diabetes.Challenges to the delivery of diabetes services during this period include a reduction in medical and nursing staff, limitations placed by social distancing on physical clinical space, and balancing virtual vs face-to-face care. There is a need to re-group and re-organise how we deliver routine out-patient adult diabetes services during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We offer some suggestions for how patients can be stratified into red (urgent), amber (priority) and green (routine) follow up with suggestions of how often people should be seen. We also offer recommendation on how we can identify those at highest risk and try and minimise the long- term impact of COVID on diabetes careDuring the COVID pandemic we have seen things happen in days that previously took years. The restart of diabetes services has triggered a more widespread use of virtual consultations and data management systems, but also offers an opportunity for more joined-up and cohesive working between primary and specialist care. While we do our best to keep our patients and colleagues safe, this pandemic is already proving to be a catalyst for change, accelerating the appropriate use of technology in diabetes care and implementing innovative solutions. To achieve this aspiration, further work – currently led by the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists in collaboration with Diabetes UK and the Primary Care Diabetes Society – to make recommendations on future proofing diabetes care in UK is in progress.
HbA1c and hypoglycaemia outcomes for people with type 1 diabetes due to the introduction of a single-day structured education programme and flash glucose monitoring
Authors: Garden Gillian , Hunt David W , Mackie Karen , Tuthill Beverly , Griffith Helen , Russell-Jones David L , Herring Roselle
Published: February 2021

People with type 1 diabetes who met NHS England funding criteria attended an accredited, intensive one-day structured education programme and completed the online FreeStyle Libre Academy training module followed by a 30-minute healthcare professional face-to-face practical training session. HbA1c, Gold hypoglycaemia score and Diabetes Distress Screening score were documented before commencement of the intervention and at 6 months. 213 people with type 1 diabetes (52% men; average age 48 years (range 18–87)) completed the 6-month intervention. Overall mean HbA1c reduced by 6 mmol/mol (0.5%) from 62±14 mmol/mol (7.8%) to 56±12 mmol/mol (7.3%) (p<0.0001). Subgroup analysis of participants with a baseline HbA1c ≥54 mmol/mol (7.1%) revealed a more dramatic reduction of 10 mmol/mol (0.9%) from 69±12 mmol/mol (8.5%) to 59±11 mmol/mol (7.6%). No deterioration was demonstrated for people with HbA1c <54 mmol/mol (7.1%). 143 people (75%) reported a reduction in hypoglycaemia episodes and 162 (85%) reported a reduction in time spent in the hypoglycaemic range. There was significant improvement in the Gold score (p<0.0001) and Diabetes Distress Screening score (p=0.0001). Rates of hospital admissions, paramedic call-outs and third-party assistance were reduced. The combination of a one-day intensive structured education programme alongside flash glucose monitoring initiation provides a pragmatic, cost-effective and easily implemented intervention with positive clinical outcomes at 6 months.
DLL3 (delta-like protein 3) expression correlates with stromal desmoplasia and lymph node metastases in medullary thyroid carcinomas
Authors: Ingenwerth M , Brandenburg T , Führer-Sakel D , Goetz M , Weber F , Dralle H , Schildhaus H-U , Schmid K W , Theurer S
Published: February 2021

Medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTC) are rare and aggressive neuroendocrine tumors of the thyroid. About 70% of MTC are sporadic; approximately 50% of those harbor somatic RET mutation. DLL3 is widely expressed in many neuroendocrine tumors and has been evaluated as a potential therapeutic target. Since stromal desmoplasia in sporadic MTC has been identified as a reliable predictor of aggressive behavior and development of lymph node metastases, a possible correlation of DLL3 expression with the presence of stromal desmoplasia was of particular interest. 59 paraffin-embedded samples of sporadic MTC with (44 cases) and without (15 cases) stromal desmoplasia and known lymph node status were included. DLL3 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry; no expression (0%), low expression (1–49%) and high expression (≥50%) were correlated with clinicopathological data. The proportion of DLL3 positivity was significantly correlated with both stromal desmoplasia (P < 0.0001) and lymph node metastases (P < 0.0001). MTC without stromal desmoplasia consistently lack DLL3 expression. This is the first study to focus on MTC regarding DLL3 expression and the relationship to various factors. Our results demonstrate that expression of DLL3 in MTC represents a reliable surrogate marker for stromal desmoplasia and lymph node metastases and might be an indicator for aggressive clinical behavior. DLL3 expression in ≥50% of tumor cells virtually excludes MTC without stromal desmoplasia. DLL3 was discussed as a potential therapeutic target in malignant tumors of other locations with positive immunohistochemical reaction and might therefore be a new therapeutic option in MTC, as well.
53BP1 expression as a biomarker to differentiate thyroid follicular tumors
Authors: Sato Ayako , Matsuda Katsuya , Motoyama Takahiro , Mussazhanova Zhanna , Otsubo Ryota , Kondo Hisayoshi , Akazawa Yuko , Higuchi Miyoko , Suzuki Ayana , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Miyauchi Akira , Nagayasu Takeshi , Nakashima Masahiro
Published: February 2021

We have previously reported that the expression of p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) in nuclear foci (NF), a marker reflecting DNA damage response (DDR), detected using immunofluorescence (IF) is useful to estimate the malignant potency of diverse cancers. In this prospective study, we clarified the impact of 53BP1 expression via IF as a biomarker to differentiate thyroid follicular tumors (FTs) with liquid-based cytology (LBC). A total of 183 consecutively obtained-LBC samples, which were preoperatively suspected as FTs, were analyzed. Before histological diagnosis, the type of 53BP1 immunoreactivity in LBC was classified as follows: low DDR type, one or two NF; high DDR type, three or more NF; large foci type, larger than 1.0 μm; abnormal type, intense nuclear staining. Among the 183 cases, 136 cases were postoperatively diagnosed as FTs, including adenomatous goiter (AG, n = 30), follicular adenoma (FA, n = 60), FT-uncertain malignant potency (FT-UMP, n = 18), and follicular carcinoma (FC, n = 28), and 47 cases were diagnosed as tumors other than FTs or technically inadequate materials. Total 136 FT cases were collated with the type of 53BP1 immunoreactivity in LBC. The mean incidence expressing abnormal 53BP1 expression was significantly higher in FC than FA (9.5% vs 2.6%, P-value < 0.001). When adopting 4.3% as a cut-off value to distinguish FC from FA, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 89.3, 83.3, 71.4, and 94.3%, respectively. Therefore, IF analysis of 53BP1 expression can be employed as a novel technique to diagnose FTs and to distinguish between different types of FTs using LBC.
Soluble ST2 levels for predicting the presence and severity of metabolic syndrome
Authors: Zong Xiao , Fan Qin , Zhang Hang , Yang Qian , Xie Hongyang , Chen Qiujing , Zhang Ruiyan , Tao Rong
Published: February 2021

To explore the relationship between soluble ST2 (sST2) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and determine whether sST2 levels can predict the presence and severity of MetS. We evaluated 550 consecutive subjects (58.91 ± 9.69 years, 50% male) with or without MetS from the Department of Vascular & Cardiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University-Affiliated Ruijin Hospital. Serum sST2 concentrations were measured. The participants were divided into three groups according to the sST2 tertiles. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between serum sST2 concentrations and the presence of MetS. Serum sST2 concentrations were significantly higher in the MetS group than in those in the no MetS group (14.80 ± 7.01 vs 11.58 ± 6.41 ng/mL, P < 0.01). Subjects with more MetS components showed higher levels of sST2. sST2 was associated with the occurrence of MetS after multivariable adjustment as a continuous log-transformed variable (per 1 SD, odds ratio (OR): 1.42, 95% CI: 1.13–1.80, P < 0.01). Subgroup analysis showed that individuals with MetS have significantly higher levels of sST2 than those without MetS regardless of sex and age. High serum sST2 levels were significantly and independently associated with the presence and severity of MetS. Thus, sST2 levels may be a novel biomarker and clinical predictor of MetS.
Diagnostic accuracy of routine calcitonin measurement for the detection of medullary thyroid carcinoma in the management of patients with nodular thyroid disease: a meta-analysis
Authors: Vardarli Irfan , Weber Manuel , Weidemann Frank , Führer Dagmar , Herrmann Ken , Görges Rainer
Published: February 2021

Objective

The usefulness of routine calcitonin measurement for early detection of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in patients with nodular thyroid disease (NTD) has been investigated in various studies. Recently, a Cochrane review has been published on this issue, but a meta-analysis is lacking yet. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis.

Methods

We performed an electronic search using PubMed/Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of routine calcitonin measurement for detecting MTC in patients with NDT were selected. Statistics were performed by using Stata software, risk of bias was assessed using Review Manager version 5.3.

Results

Seventeen studies, involving 74,407 patients were included in the study. Meta-analysis, using the bivariate random effects model and the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curve revealed the following pooled estimates: sensitivity 0.99 (95% CI, 0.81–1.00), specificity 0.99 (95% CI, 0.97–0.99), positive likelihood ratio (L+) 72.4 (95% CI, 32.3–162.1), and negative likelihood ratio (L−) 0.01 (95% CI, 0.00–0.23). Meta-regression analysis showed that the threshold of basal calcitonin is an independent factor, but in particular performing stimulation test is not an independent factor.

Conclusions

We showed that routine basal serum calcitonin measurement in the management of patients with thyroid nodules is valuable for the detection of MTC. However, the published cut-off values should be considered and, if applicable, the patients monitored in a wait-and-see strategy by experienced physicians to avoid overtreatment.