bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rifabutin triple therapy for first‐line and rescue treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gingold‐Belfer Rachel , Niv Yaron , Levi Zohar , Boltin Doron
Published: October 2020

Background and Aim

Due to the increasing resistance of Helicobacter pylori, there is a need for novel antibiotic treatment protocols. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis in order to determine the effectiveness and safety of rifabutin triple therapy for H. pylori infection.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of prospective clinical trials with a treatment arm consisting of proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and rifabutin and a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Results

Thirty‐three prospective studies including 44 datasets were identified. Meta‐analysis of four RCTs for rescue treatment found no difference between treatment groups (odds ratio [OR] 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.437–1.791, I2 = 68.1%, P = 0.733). Only one RCT compared rifabutin therapy with control for first‐line treatment of H. pylori infection (OR 3.78, 95% CI 2.44–5.87, P < 0.0001). Treatment was more likely to be successful in Asian versus non‐Asian populations (81.0% vs 72.4%, P = 0.001) and when daily amoxicillin dose was ≥ 3000 mg or proton pump inhibitor dose was ≥ 80 mg or treatment duration was 14 days (80.6% vs 66.0%, P = 0.0001). The overall event rate for adverse effects was 24.8% (729/2937) (95% CI 0.23–0.26), and the pooled OR for adverse effects in the treatment versus control group was 0.93 (95% CI 0.50–1.75) (I2 = 79.76, P = 0.82).

Conclusion

Evidence for the effectiveness of rifabutin for the first‐line treatment of H. pylori infection in adults is limited, and studies comparing rifabutin with conventional first‐line treatments are lacking.
Ppp1r3d deficiency preferentially inhibits neuronal and cardiac Lafora body formation in a mouse model of the fatal epilepsy Lafora disease
Authors: Israelian Lori , Nitschke Silvia , Wang Peixiang , Zhao Xiaochu , Perri Ami M. , Lee Jennifer P.Y. , Verhalen Brandy , Nitschke Felix , Minassian Berge A.
Published: October 2020

Mammalian glycogen chain lengths are subject to complex regulation, including by seven proteins (protein phosphatase‐1 regulatory subunit 3, PPP1R3A through PPP1R3G) that target protein phosphatase‐1 (PP1) to glycogen to activate the glycogen chain‐elongating enzyme glycogen synthase and inactivate the chain‐shortening glycogen phosphorylase. Lafora disease is a fatal neurodegenerative epilepsy caused by aggregates of long‐chained, and as a result insoluble, glycogen, termed Lafora bodies (LBs). We previously eliminated PPP1R3C from a Lafora disease mouse model and studied the effect on LB formation. In the present work, we eliminate and study the effect of absent PPP1R3D. In the interim, brain cell type levels of all PPP1R3 genes have been published, and brain cell type localization of LBs clarified. Integrating these data we find that PPP1R3C is the major isoform in most tissues including brain. In the brain, PPP1R3C is expressed at 15‐fold higher levels than PPP1R3D in astrocytes, the cell type where most LBs form. PPP1R3C deficiency eliminates ~90% of brain LBs. PPP1R3D is quantitatively a minor isoform, but possesses unique MAPK, CaMK2 and 14‐3‐3 binding domains and appears to have an important functional niche in murine neurons and cardiomyocytes. In neurons, it is expressed equally to PPP1R3C, and its deficiency eliminates ~50% of neuronal LBs. In heart, it is expressed at 25% of PPP1R3C where its deficiency eliminates ~90% of LBs. This work studies the role of a second (PPP1R3D) of seven PP1 subunits that regulate the structure of glycogen, toward better understanding of brain glycogen metabolism generally, and in Lafora disease.

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SynaptoPAC, an optogenetic tool for induction of presynaptic plasticity
Authors: Oldani Silvia , Moreno‐Velasquez Laura , Faiss Lukas , Stumpf Alexander , Rosenmund Christian , Schmitz Dietmar , Rost Benjamin R.
Published: October 2020

Optogenetic manipulations have transformed neuroscience in recent years. While sophisticated tools now exist for controlling the firing patterns of neurons, it remains challenging to optogenetically define the plasticity state of individual synapses. A variety of synapses in the mammalian brain express presynaptic long‐term potentiation (LTP) upon elevation of presynaptic cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), but the molecular expression mechanisms as well as the impact of presynaptic LTP on network activity and behavior are not fully understood. In order to establish optogenetic control of presynaptic cAMP levels and thereby presynaptic potentiation, we developed synaptoPAC, a presynaptically targeted version of the photoactivated adenylyl cyclase bPAC. In cultures of hippocampal granule cells of Wistar rats, activation of synaptoPAC with blue light increased action potential‐evoked transmission, an effect not seen in hippocampal cultures of non‐granule cells. In acute brain slices of C57BL/6N mice, synaptoPAC activation immediately triggered a strong presynaptic potentiation at mossy fiber synapses in CA3, but not at Schaffer collateral synapses in CA1. Following light‐triggered potentiation, mossy fiber transmission decreased within 20 min, but remained enhanced still after 30 min. The optogenetic potentiation altered the short‐term plasticity dynamics of release, reminiscent of presynaptic LTP. Our work establishes synaptoPAC as an optogenetic tool that enables acute light‐controlled potentiation of transmitter release at specific synapses in the brain, facilitating studies of the role of presynaptic potentiation in network function and animal behavior in an unprecedented manner.

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Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 270.
Effect of one session of aerobic exercise associated with abdominal laser therapy in lipolytic activity, lipid profile, and inflammatory markers
Authors: Barbosa Patrícia , Coimbra Catarina , Noites Andreia , Vilarinho Rui , Carvalho Paulo , Amorim Manuela , Moreira Teresa , Melo Cristina
Published: October 2020

Background

Increased abdominal fat and sedentary lifestyles contribute to cardiovascular disease risk. The combination of exercise and low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) appears to be an innovative method to increase the lipolytic rate of abdominal adipocytes, in order to reduce abdominal fat.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of one session of aerobic exercise associated with abdominal laser therapy in lipolytic activity, profile lipid, and inflammatory markers (C‐reactive protein—CRP).

Methods

Experimental randomized controlled study in 36 participants of female sex divided into three groups: placebo group (PG) (n = 12), experimental group 1 (EG1) (n = 11), and experimental group 2 (EG2) (n = 13). The EG1 and EG2 performed the laser therapy protocol followed by 50 minutes of aerobic exercise on cycle ergometer, of 45%‐55% of reserve heart rate; however, in EG2 the laser therapy was applied without power. The PG only performed the laser therapy protocol without power. The anthropometric measures were evaluated, and all participants were subject to blood samples at the beginning and at the end of the intervention for measure glycerol, lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL), and CRP. One‐way ANOVA was used to compare the groups in the quantitative variables and Fisher's test to compare the groups in the qualitative variables. To compare the variables between moments (M0 and M1), we used thettest for paired samples.

Results

In the group that performed physical exercise and lipolytic laser and in the group that performs only physical exercise, there was a significant increase in glycerol mobilization between M0 and M1 (P < .001). The same did not occur in the placebo group. Regarding the CRP levels and lipidic profile, no significant differences were observed between moments in the experimental groups.

Conclusion

It is concluded that one session of aerobic exercise associated with LLLT and one session of aerobic exercise appears to be able to increase the lipolytic activity. However, it appears that LLLT does not provide increased value to the aerobic physical exercise by itself in lipolysis process.
Growth, behavioural, serum biochemical and morphological changes in female rabbits fed high‐fat diet
Authors: Shao Jiahao , Wang Jie , Li Yanhong , Elzo Mauricio A. , Tang Tao , Lai Tianfu , Ma Yuan , Gan Mingchuan , Wang Li , Jia Xianbo , Lai Songjia
Published: October 2020

This study aimed to determine whether high‐fat diet (HFD) could cause growth, behavioural, biochemical and morphological changes in young female rabbits. Thirty‐six female rabbits were randomly divided into two groups fed with either a high‐fat diet (HFD) or a standard normal diet (SND) for 5 weeks. Growth and behavioural changes were recorded during the 5‐week feeding period. Tissue samples, including blood and adipose tissue, were obtained after slaughter. HFD rabbits weighed more by the end of the feeding period, had a higher percent body weight and adipose tissue weight change and had longer body and bust lengths than SND rabbits. HFD rabbits significantly reduced their feed intake and feeding frequency during the fourth and fifth weeks. HFD rabbits also showed lower frequency of drinking and resting and increased stereotypical behaviour. Besides, HFD rabbits showed significant physiological abnormalities. HFD rabbits had higher serum cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) levels than SND rabbits at the end of the feeding period, and higher free fatty acid (FFA) levels than rabbits in the SND group after the third week of feeding. Serum thyroxine (T4) increased significantly in week 2 and week 5 and triiodothyronine (T3) increased significantly in week four. However, there was no significant change in serum glucose (GLU) and insulin (INS) levels. Additionally, HFD reduced the area and diameter of perirenal and subcutaneous fat cells and increased their density. Our findings suggest that HFD rabbits had higher weight gains, accumulation of fat, and more behavioural changes than SND rabbits. Although high levels of fat in the diet had a low impact on hyperglycaemia, it could lead to hyperlipidemia and hyperthyroidism. Our results also suggest that sustained HFD may cause the proliferation of adipocytes in young female rabbits.
Temporal association between objectively measured smartphone usage, sleep quality and physical activity among Chinese adolescents and young adults
Authors: Lee Paul H. , Tse Andy C. Y. , Wu Cynthia S. T. , Mak Yim Wah , Lee Uichin
Published: October 2020

We studied the association between objectively measured smartphone usage and objectively measured sleep quality and physical activity for seven consecutive days among Hong Kong adolescents and young adults aged 11–25 years (n = 357, 67% female). We installed an app that tracked the subjects’ smartphone usage and had them wear an ActiGraph GT3X accelerometer on their wrist to measure their sleep quality and physical activity level. Smartphone usage data were successfully obtained from 187 participants (52.4%). The participants on average spent 2 h 46 min per day on their smartphone. Multilevel regression showed that 1 min of daytime smartphone usage was associated with 0.07 min decrease in total sleeping time that night (p = .043, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.14, −0.003). Broken down for different usage purposes, 1 min of daytime social network usage and games and comics was associated with a 0.28 (p = .02, 95% CI: −0.52, −0.04) min and 0.18 min (p = .01, 95% CI: −0.32, −0.04) decrease in total sleeping time that night, respectively. One minute of daytime smartphone usage was associated with an increase of 4.55 steps in the number of steps (p = .001, 95% CI: 1.77, 7.34) on the next day. To conclude, time spent on a smartphone in the daytime was associated with total sleeping time that night and number of steps the next day, but was not associated with sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset and moderate‐to‐vigorous‐intensity activity (MVPA) among Hong Kong adolescents and young adults.
Grazing and microhabitat interact to affect plant–plant interactions in subtropical seasonal wetlands
Authors: Boughton Elizabeth H. , Quintana‐Ascencio Pedro F. , Bohlen Patrick J.
Published: October 2020

Aims

The stress gradient hypothesis predicts that competition will be important in productive environments while facilitation will be common in environments with high stress or consumer pressure. However, abiotic stress and grazing may vary independently and even occur simultaneously. Here we examine the outcome of plant interactions in grazed wetlands where consumer pressure and abiotic stress occur concurrently. We hypothesized that cattle grazing and microhabitat would alter the outcome of plant interactions. Given that wetland edges are drier and less productive than wetland centers we expected that facilitation would be greatest in drier wetland edges due to greater abiotic stress regardless of cattle presence.

Location

Archbold Biological Station's Buck Island Ranch (BIR), south‐central Florida, USA (27°09′ N, 81°11′ W).

Methods

We conducted an experiment for two growing seasons in ten wetlands, five exposed to cattle grazing and five fenced. Two wetland obligate plants were included (Panicum hemitomon and Alternanthera philoxeroides), and plots were assigned to three treatments (a) all neighbors removed; (b) all neighbors removed except Juncus effusus, a dominant, unpalatable plant; and (c) all neighbors intact (control), in both wetland centers and edges. Differences in survival, change in height and number of leaves were assessed.

Results

In ungrazed wetlands, plant survival was higher in wetland edges vs centers, while it did not differ between microhabitats in grazed wetlands. Survival in wetland edges was further increased by the presence of Juncus effusus. Positive interactions under grazed conditions were clear when plant height was assessed, but negative interactions affected leaf production in both ungrazed and grazed wetlands.

Conclusions

Grazing interacts with wetland microhabitat to alter plant survival. Facilitative interactions on plant height were apparent in grazed wetlands. Understanding how plant interactions change under different biotic and abiotic contexts is important for informing ecosystem restoration and management.
Intestinal permeability in human nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: De Munck Toon J. I. , Xu Pan , Verwijs Harm J. A. , Masclee Ad A. M. , Jonkers Daisy , Verbeek Jef , Koek Ger H.
Published: October 2020

Background

The gut‐liver axis is considered to play a critical role in the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The integrity of the epithelial barrier is crucial to protect the liver against the invasion of microbial products from the gut, although its exact role in NAFLD onset and progression is not clear.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies that addressed the intestinal permeability (IP) in association with NAFLD presence or severity as defined by the presence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and the degree of steatosis, hepatic inflammation or fibrosis. A total of 14 studies were eligible for inclusion.

Results

Studies investigating IP in adult (n = 6) and paediatric (n = 8) NAFLD showed similar results. Thirteen of the included studies focussed on small IP, two studies on whole gut permeability and none on colonic permeability. In the pooled analysis, NAFLD patients showed an increased small intestinal permeability compared to healthy controls based on dual sugar tests (standardized mean difference 0.79, 95% CI 0.49‐1.08) and serum zonulin levels (standardized mean difference 1.04 ng/mL, 95% CI 0.40‐1.68). No clear difference in IP was observed between simple steatosis and NASH patients. Furthermore, whole gut and small intestinal permeability increased with the degree of hepatic steatosis in 4/4 studies, while no association with hepatic inflammation or fibrosis was observed.

Conclusion

Based on the limited number of studies available, IP appears to be increased in NAFLD patients compared to healthy controls and is associated with the degree of hepatic steatosis.
Kaitianite, Ti3+2Ti4+O5, a new titanium oxide mineral from Allende
Authors: Ma Chi , Beckett John R.
Published: October 2020

Kaitianite, Ti3+2Ti4+O5, is a new titanium oxide mineral discovered in the Allende CV3 carbonaceous chondrite. The type grain coexists with tistarite (Ti2O3) and rutile. Corundum, xifengite, mullite, osbornite, and a new Ti,Al,Zr‐oxide mineral are also present, although not in contact. The chemical composition of type kaitianite is (wt%) Ti2O3 56.55, TiO2 39.29, Al2O3 1.18, MgO 1.39, FeO 0.59, V2O3 0.08 (sum 99.07), yielding an empirical formula of (Ti3+1.75Al0.05Ti4+0.10Mg0.08Fe0.02)(Ti4+1.00)O5, with Ti3+ and Ti4+ partitioned, assuming a stoichiometry of three cations and five oxygen anions pfu. The end‐member formula is Ti3+2Ti4+O5. Kaitianite is the natural form of γ‐Ti3O5 with space group C2/c and cell parameters a = 10.115 Å, b = 5.074 Å, c = 7.182 Å, β = 112°, V = 341.77 Å3, and Z = 4. Both the type kaitianite and associated rutile likely formed as oxidation products of tistarite at temperatures below 1200 K, but this oxidation event could have been in a very reducing environment, even more reducing than a gas of solar composition. Based on experimental data on the solubility of Ti3+ in equilibrium with corundum from the literature, the absence of tistarite in or on Ti3+‐rich corundum (0.27–1.45 mol% Ti2O3) suggests that these grains formed at higher temperatures than the kaitianite (>1579–1696 K, depending on the Ti concentration). The absence of rutile or kaitianite in or on corundum suggests that any exposure to the oxidizing environment producing kaitianite in tistarite was too short to cause the precipitation of Ti‐oxides in or on associated corundum.
A scheme for moldavite fluvial abrasion based on observations from a natural river stream
Authors: Brachaniec Tomasz
Published: October 2020

Tektite resistance to fluvial abrasion has become the core issue of several recent papers. Because of contradictory results of barrel observations, the experiment at hand was conceived and implemented. Monitored fluvial abrasion of moldavites had been carried out in a natural river stream. The subsequent results differ significantly from those obtained from barrel experiments. Moldavites can successfully survive reworking over a distance of several 100 km. The slightest loss in glass mass takes place during first 30% of reworking distance and is definitively not related to the original shape and/or ornamentation.
Histone mRNA is subject to 3′ uridylation and re‐adenylation in Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Mossanen‐Parsi Amir , Parisi Daniele , Browne‐Marke Natasha , Bharudin Izwan , Connell Sean R. , Mayans Olga , Fucini Paola , Morozov Igor Y. , Caddick Mark X.
Published: October 2020

The role of post‐transcriptional RNA modification is of growing interest. One example is the addition of non‐templated uridine residues to the 3′ end of transcripts. In mammalian systems, uridylation is integral to cell cycle control of histone mRNA levels. This regulatory mechanism is dependent on the nonsense‐mediated decay (NMD) component, Upf1, which promotes histone mRNA uridylation and degradation in response to the arrest of DNA synthesis. We have identified a similar system in Aspergillus nidulans, where Upf1 is required for the regulation of histone mRNA levels. However, other NMD components are also implicated, distinguishing it from the mammalian system. As in human cells, 3′ uridylation of histone mRNA is induced upon replication arrest. Disruption of this 3′ tagging has a significant but limited effect on histone transcript regulation, consistent with multiple mechanisms acting to regulate mRNA levels. Interestingly, 3′ end degraded transcripts are also subject to re‐adenylation. Both mRNA pyrimidine tagging and re‐adenylation are dependent on the same terminal‐nucleotidyltransferases, CutA, and CutB, and we show this is consistent with the in vitro activities of both enzymes. Based on these data we argue that mRNA 3′ tagging has diverse and distinct roles associated with transcript degradation, functionality and regulation.
Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analyses of environmental and clinical isolates of Cryptococcus gattii sensu lato in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Kuo‐Hsi , Lin Yi‐Pei , Ho Mao‐Wang , Chen Yee‐Chun , Chung Wen‐Hsin
Published: October 2020

Background

The rare occurrence of cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus gattii sensu lato (C. gattii s.l.) leads to the difficulties in studying the molecular epidemiology of this globally emerging disease.

Objectives

To establish the molecular epidemiological profile of C. gattii s.l. in Taiwan, and understand the genetic relationship between locally endemic and global isolates.

Methods

A nationwide survey on environmental C. gattii s.l. in Taiwan was conducted from 2017 to 2019. The geographic distribution and molecular epidemiology based on multilocus sequence typing (MLST) data of the environmental isolates were compared with 18 previously collected clinical isolates. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to elucidate the genetic relationship between the global isolates and the isolates endemic to Taiwan.

Results

From a total of 622 environmental samples, 104 (16.7%) were positive for C. gattii s.l.. Seven sequence types were identified among the environmental isolates. The genetic population structure showed that the environmental and clinical isolates were closely linked by sequence types and geographical locations. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the association between the C. gattii s.l. isolates in Taiwan and those from South America and South Asia. The recombination test suggested that, in Taiwan, the C. gattii sensu stricto (C. gattii s.s). isolates undergo clonal reproduction and sexual recombination, whereas C. deuterogattii isolates were clonal.

Conclusions

The molecular epidemiology of environmental C. gattii s.l. isolates is closely linked to the clinical isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of the environmental isolates provides an insight into the mechanisms underlying reproduction and dispersal of C. gattii s.l. in Taiwan.
Cancer stemness of CD10‐positive cells regulated by Hedgehog pathway promotes the resistance to cisplatin in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yifei , Li Qingxiang , Xu Le , Chen Junpeng , Pu Yinfei , Wang Lin , Sun Hongfang , Guo Yuxing , Guo Chuanbin
Published: October 2020

Objective

To explore the role of CD10 in cisplatin resistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its association with the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway and cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Methods

The correlation between cell viability and CD10 expression was analyzed in different OSCC cell lines after the cisplatin treatment. Genes related to chemotherapy resistance, cancer stem cells and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition were detected by quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) in CD10high and CD10low OSCC cells. Mouse xenograft model and venous metastasis model were used to explore the potential regulatory mechanism of the resistance effect of CD10 on cisplatin.

Results

The higher expression of CD10 gene in different cell lines displayed enhanced cisplatin resistance ability. The expression of genes related to chemotherapy resistance, cell stemness, and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition was significantly higher in CD10high cells compared with CD10low cells. Moreover, the combination of cisplatin and Hh pathway inhibitors significantly reduced the resistance of CD10 to cisplatin in the xenograft model and venous metastasis models.

Conclusion

CD10‐positive cells are implicated in developing cisplatin resistance of OSCC, which could be related to its cancer stem cell characteristics regulated by the Hedgehog pathway.
Impact of Brassica napus–Leptosphaeria maculans interaction on the emergence of virulent isolates of L. maculans, causal agent of blackleg disease in canola
Authors: Rashid M. Harunur , Liban Sakaria , Zhang Xuehua , Parks Paula , Borhan Hossein , Fernando W. G. Dilantha
Published: October 2020

Canola (Brassica napus) is the major oilseed crop in Canada. Blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) causes yield losses annually, with a larger impact in the last two decades caused by breakdown of resistance in growers’ fields. A 4‐year small‐plot field study from 2014 to 2017 in Manitoba investigated the impact of the B. napus–L. maculans interaction on the emergence of virulent isolates towards specific R genes. Doubled haploid B. napus ‘Topas’ introgression lines carrying single R genes were used, with a 2‐year canola–wheat rotation. Blackleg incidence was reduced by 40% in 2017 compared to 2014 for all R genes tested except Rlm4. In 2017, disease severity was reduced between 21% and 52% compared to 2014 for all R genes tested except Rlm2. There was a significant shift from AvrLm2 and AvrLm4 to virulent alleles avrLm2 and avrLm4, respectively, which led to the gain of virulence toward Rlm2 and Rlm4 Topas introgression lines within a year. Sequencing of the AvrLm2 gene of isolates from 2014 and 2015 revealed a shift of AvrLm2 to avrLm2 allele due to accumulation of point mutations. Masking of AvrLm3 phenotype by the presence of the AvrLm4‐7 allele was also confirmed by analysing phenotypes and genotypes of the isolates collected from 2014 to 2017. Based on these and previous findings, we demonstrate the need for an epidemiological model that takes into account complex molecular mechanisms allowing plant breeders to select appropriate R genes, including balanced cultivar rotation strategies to maintain blackleg resistance in the Canadian Prairies.
T cell fate mapping and lineage tracing technologies probing clonal aspects underlying the generation of CD8 T cell subsets
Authors: Al Khabouri Shaima , Gerlach Carmen
Published: October 2020

T cells responding to acute infections generally provide two key functions to protect the host: (1) active contribution to pathogen elimination and (2) providing long‐lived cells that are poised to rapidly respond to renewed infection, thus ensuring long‐lasting protection against the particular pathogen. Extensive work has established an astonishing amount of additional diversity among T cells actively contributing to pathogen elimination, as well as among resting, long‐lived antigen‐experienced T cells. This led to the description of a variety of functionally distinct T cell ‘subsets’. Understanding how this heterogeneity develops among T cells responding to the same antigen is currently an active area of research, since knowledge of such mechanisms may have implications for the development of vaccines and immunotherapy. The number of naïve T cells specific to a given antigen span a great range. Considering this, one mechanistic angle focusses on how individual naïve T cells contribute to the development of the distinct T cell subsets. In this review, we highlight the current technologies that enable one to address the contributions of individual naïve T cells to different T cell subsets, with a focus on CD8 T cell subsets generated in the context of acute infections. Moreover, we discuss the requirements of new technologies to further our understanding of the mechanisms that help generate long‐lasting immunity.
Video analysis of concussion mechanisms and immediate management in French men’s professional football (soccer) from 2015 to 2019
Authors: Cassoudesalle Hélène , Laborde Bertrand , Orhant Emmanuel , Dehail Patrick
Published: October 2020

In this study, the concussion mechanisms were analyzed in male professional competition football, with the main objective to specify the frequency of head‐to‐head impact, and immediate management of the concussed players was described in order to check its compliance with the recommendations of football’s governing bodies. Based on continuously recorded data from the French Football Federation (FFF), a retrospective database of all reported concussions during matches in the 1stand 2ndFrench Male leagues was generated comprising seasons 2015/16‐2018/19. Injury mechanisms, playing action, immediate medical assessment and management of concussed players, and foul play—referee’s decision, were analyzed from video recordings. In total, 41 concussions were reported (incidence rate of 0.44/1000 hours of match exposure [95% CI: 0.40 to 0.49]) of which 36 were identified and analyzed on video sequences. The commonest playing action leading to concussion was aerial challenge (61%), and the main mechanism was head‐to‐head impact (47%). Following the head impact, 28% of concussed players were not medically assessed on pitch and 53% returned to play the same match. Head‐to‐head impact was not associated with systematic medical assessment, nor with foul play. In conclusion, the main cause of concussions involved head‐to‐head impact occurring when two players challenge for heading the ball in the air. The detection of potential concussive head impacts and the immediate management of players possibly concussed during matches remain insufficient according to the international recommendations. Some rules changes, with particular vigilance in case of head‐to‐head impact, should be discussed.
Phytochrome A inhibits shade avoidance responses under strong shade through repressing the brassinosteroid pathway in Arabidopsis
Authors: Song Bin , Zhao Hongli , Dong Kangmei , Wang Meiling , Wu Shujuan , Li Si , Wang Yuxiang , Chen Peirui , Jiang Liangrong , Tao Yi
Published: October 2020

In dense canopy, a reduction in red to far‐red (R/FR) light ratio triggers shade avoidance responses (SARs) in Arabidopsis thaliana, a shade avoiding plant. Two red/far‐red (R/FR) light photoreceptors, PHYB and PHYA, were reported to be key negative regulators of the SARs. PHYB represses the SARs under normal light conditions; however, the role of PHYA in the SARs remains elusive. We set up two shade conditions: Shade and strong Shade (s‐Shade) with different R/FR ratios (0.7 and 0.1), which allowed us to observe phenotypes dominated by PHYB‐ and PHYA‐mediated pathway, respectively. By comparing the hypocotyl growth under these two conditions with time, we found PHYA was predominantly activated in the s‐Shade after prolonged shade treatment. We further showed that under s‐Shade, PHYA inhibits hypocotyl elongation partially through repressing the brassinosteroid (BR) pathway. COP1 and PIF4,5 act downstream of PHYA. After prolonged shade treatment, the nuclear localization of COP1 was reduced, while the PIF4 protein level was much lower in the s‐Shade than that in Shade. Both changes occurred in a PHYA‐dependent manner. We propose that under deep canopy, the R/FR ratio is extremely low, which promotes the nuclear accumulation of PHYA. Activated PHYA reduces COP1 nuclear speckle, which may lead to changes of downstream targets, such as PIF4,5 and HY5. Together, these proteins regulate the BR pathway through modulating BES1/BZR1 and the expression of BR biosynthesis and BR target genes.
Risk analysis of transfusion of cryoprecipitate without consideration of ABO group
Authors: Hadjesfandiari Narges , Levin Elena , Serrano Katherine , Yi Qi‐Long , Devine Dana V.
Published: October 2020

Background

Transfusion medicine standards in Canada state that adult recipients can be transfused with cryoprecipitate of any ABO group, however, not all hospitals follow this guideline. There is a paucity of data on cryoprecipitate anti‐A/B levels to reinforce standards.

Study Design and Methods

Manual tube antibody titration was performed on 7 units of group O plasma and the corresponding cryosupernatant plasma and cryoprecipitate. IgG/IgM levels were determined by nephelometry. Additionally, 10 cryoprecipitate each from groups A, B, and O were similarly assessed. From the antibody titer distribution among these samples, the probability of making a pool of cryoprecipitate with a titer ≥1:100 was calculated using bootstrap analysis.

Results

Anti‐A/B titers in cryoprecipitate were equivalent to those in corresponding plasma; partitioning of anti‐A/B activity into cryoprecipitate was not observed. Average IgM concentration was higher in cryoprecipitate than in plasma (P < .01). However, no correlation between IgM levels and anti‐A/B titers was established. Among 30 cryoprecipitates from routine blood bank inventory, the median antibody titer and mode were 1:32 and 1:16, respectively. Of the samples tested, 4 of 30 and 9 of 30 had titers above 1:100 and 1:50, respectively. The probability of transfusing an adult dose of cryoprecipitate (pool of 10 cryoprecipitate) with a titer higher than 1:100 was calculated to be less than 1 in 3 million.

Conclusions

This study provides strong evidence to support current Canadian transfusion medicine standards on the safety of transfusion of cryoprecipitate without the need for blood group matching in adult recipients.
Canine calvarial subperiosteal hematomas are fluid to soft tissue attenuating mass‐like lesions with smoothly marginated peripheral mineralization on CT
Authors: Nowak Ava , King Ryan , Anson Agustina
Published: October 2020

Subperiosteal hematomas are accumulations of blood between a bone and the periosteum leading to elevation of the periosteum. When ossified they have a mineralized outer rim. For this retrospective, multi‐institutional case series, medical records were searched to identify dogs that underwent CT for focal calvarial swellings noted acutely after trauma. A total of four dogs were included. Computed tomography images were reviewed for each case. The focal swellings had progressed in size during the weeks after the head trauma until the time of imaging. Findings in all cases included a fluid to soft tissue attenuating mass‐like lesion with smoothly marginated peripheral mineralization. Diagnosis was confirmed in two cases by cytology and/or histopathology. Therefore, authors recommend that subperiosteal hematoma be included in the differential diagnosis list for dogs with these clinical and CT characteristics. Based on our review of the literature, this is the first report to describe the CT features of calvarial subperiosteal hematomas in dogs.
Are Census Omissions of Young Children Due to Respondent Misconceptions about the Census?
Authors: Griffin Deborah H. , O'Hare William P.
Published: October 2020

The United States Census Bureau acknowledges the systematic undercount of young children in censuses and widely used surveys. Despite the growing body of research to understand the scope and characteristics of undercounted young children, little is known about likely causes. Missing from the research are efforts to talk with respondents about possible reasons for young child omissions. This study addresses that shortcoming using data from an online survey asking 800 respondents with young children several questions related to children and the census. The results indicate that many respondents have doubts about including young children in the census count for their household. Only 82 percent of low-income parents of young children responded that they would include their young child in the census count for their household. This percentage was lower if children had weaker ties to a household. These survey results provide evidence that misconceptions and confusion about including young children in the census exist and could easily result in young child omissions. These findings warrant replication and suggest that significant changes in instructions are needed to dispel these respondent misconceptions.
Interpretation of “Madonna of the Yarnwinder” by Leonardo da Vinci
Authors: Keshelava Grigol
Published: October 2020

The object of this research is Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Madonna of the Yarnwinder”. The date of creation of the painting is unknown. By rotation and moving of the detail we get a figure depicting a snake trying to escape Jesus. Mary’ gaze is directed towards the snake and therefore expresses concern. In our opinion, Leonardo presented a scene where Mary is disturbed by a snake, which is a symbol of sin and evil and because of which Christ was crucified.
Exertional heat stroke leads to concurrent long‐term epigenetic memory, immunosuppression and altered heat shock response in female mice
Authors: Murray Kevin O. , Brant Jason O. , Iwaniec John D. , Sheikh Laila H. , de Carvalho Lucas , Garcia Christian K. , Robinson Gerard P. , Alzahrani Jamal M. , Riva Alberto , Laitano Orlando , Kladde Michael P. , Clanton Thomas L.
Published: October 2020

Key points

Exposure to exertional heat stroke (EHS) has been linked to increased long‐term decrements of health. Epigenetic reprogramming is involved in the response to heat acclimation; however, whether the long‐term effects of EHS are mediated by epigenetic reprogramming is unknown.

In female mice, we observed DNA methylation reprogramming in bone marrow‐derived (BMD) monocytes as early as 4 days of recovery from EHS and as late as 30 days compared with sham exercise controls.

Whole blood, collected after 30 days of recovery from EHS, exhibited an immunosuppressive phenotype when challenged in vitro by lipopolysaccharide.

After 30 days of recovery from EHS, BMD monocytes exhibited an altered in vitro heat shock response.

The location of differentially methylated CpGs are predictive of both the immunosuppressive phenotype and altered heat shock responses.

Exposure to exertional heat stroke (EHS) has been linked to increased susceptibility to a second heat stroke, infection and cardiovascular disease. Whether these clinical outcomes are mediated by an epigenetic memory is unknown. Using a preclinical mouse model of EHS, we investigated whether EHS exposure produces a lasting epigenetic memory in monocytes and whether there are phenotypic alterations that may be consistent with these epigenetic changes. Female mice underwent forced wheel running at 37.5°C/40% relative humidity until symptom limitation, characterized by CNS dysfunction. Results were compared with matched exercise controls at 22.5°C. Monocytes were isolated from bone marrow after 4 or 30 days of recovery to extract DNA and analyse methylation. Broad‐ranging alterations to the DNA methylome were observed at both time points. At 30 days, very specific alterations were observed to the promoter regions of genes involved with immune responsiveness. To test whether these changes might be related to phenotype, whole blood at 30 days was challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to measure cytokine secretion; monocytes were also challenged with heat shock to quantify mRNA expression. Whole blood collected from EHS mice showed markedly attenuated inflammatory responses to LPS challenge. Furthermore, monocyte mRNA from EHS mice showed significantly altered responses to heat shock challenge. These results demonstrate that EHS leads to a unique DNA methylation pattern in monocytes and altered immune and heat shock responsiveness after 30 days. These data support the hypothesis that EHS exposure can induce long‐term physiological changes that may be linked to altered epigenetic profiles.
Experimental Demonstration of the Lower Leg Trajectory Error Framework Using Physiological Data as Inputs
Authors: Olesnavage Kathryn M. , Prost Victor , Johnson William Brett , Major Matthew J. , Winter Amos G.
Published: October 2020

While many studies have attempted to characterize the mechanical behavior of passive prosthetic feet to understand their influence on amputee gait, the relationship between mechanical design and biomechanical performance has not yet been fully articulated from a fundamental physics perspective. A novel framework, called lower leg trajectory error (LLTE) framework, presents a means of quantitatively optimizing the constitutive model of prosthetic feet to match a reference kinematic and kinetic dataset. This framework can be used to predict the required stiffness and geometry of a prosthesis to yield a desired biomechanical response. A passive prototype foot with adjustable ankle stiffness was tested by a unilateral transtibial amputee to evaluate this framework. The foot condition with LLTE-optimal ankle stiffness enabled the user to replicate the physiological target dataset within 16% root-mean-square (RMS) error. Specifically, the measured kinematic variables matched the target kinematics within 4% RMS error. Testing a range of ankle stiffness conditions from 1.5 to 24.4 N·m/deg with the same user indicated that conditions with lower LLTE values deviated the least from the target kinematic data. Across all conditions, the framework predicted the horizontal/vertical position, and angular orientation of the lower leg during midstance within 1.0 cm, 0.3 cm, and 1.5 deg, respectively. This initial testing suggests that prosthetic feet designed with low LLTE values could offer benefits to users. The LLTE framework is agnostic to specific foot designs and kinematic/kinetic user targets, and could be used to design and customize prosthetic feet.
High-Performance Computing to Enable Next-Generation Low-Temperature Waste Heat Recovery
Authors: Rao Vivek M. , Delchini Marc-Olivier G. , Jain Prashant K. , Bani Ahmad Mohammad T.
Published: October 2020

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), in collaboration with Eaton Corporation, has performed computational research and development to design an innovative, direct-contact heat exchanger (DCHE) that is optimized for a low-temperature organic Rankine cycle.

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of DCHE was developed in STAR-CCM+ which was later calibrated and validated against the experimental data from literature. The validated CFD model was used to develop an industry-relevant liquid-liquid direct-contact heat exchanger system with water and pentane working fluids. This work heavily relied on high-performance computing (HPC) resources to investigate multiple designs and to identify a baseline design.

The innovative design consists of two chambers connected by a converging-diverging nozzle. Phase change for pentane, from liquid to vapor, occurs in the first chamber, whereas the second chamber serves as a separator. Outlets in the second chamber are staggered to prevent entrainment of the liquid water by the gaseous pentane. CFD results confirm that the design behaves as expected and the addition of baffles enhances mixing and heat transfer for higher flow rates while preventing entrainment of gaseous pentane by the liquid water.
Economic Analysis of Trigeneration Systems Considering Participations of Energy Storage
Authors: Lv Hongkun , Han Gaoyan , Guo Xutao , Ma Hang , Zheng Menglian
Published: October 2020

Distributed trigeneration has been regarded as one of the leading solutions for the future energy production. Unlike centralized energy systems, trigeneration typically recovers otherwise wasted energy and supplies combined cooling, heating, and power products to end users simultaneously, which however causes difficulties in meeting weak temporal-correlated energy demands of end users. Inspired by the success in electric energy systems, energy storage may provide effective solutions to the challenges with respect to trigeneration by decoupling energy generation and consumption. However, multiple key questions are yet fully understood for planning storage-integrated trigeneration systems. The present study aims to answer the following questions: (i) what roles of energy storage are going to play in a trigeneration system? And (ii) how would energy storage affect the performance of the trigeneration system? A self-coded trigeneration system planning model is developed via Python programming to optimize capacities of different devices in the trigeneration system with the presence of energy storage to meet variable multi-energy demands. The effects of the energy storage on the performance of the trigeneration system are investigated. The underlying mechanisms of the energy storage affecting the system’s performance are also explored based on the feasibility region analysis and wasted energy analysis.
Novel homozygous missense mutation in ABCA3 protein leading to severe respiratory distress in term infant
Authors: Gupta Naveen Parkash , Batra Anil , Puri Ratna , Meena Varun
Published: October 2020

The term baby presented with respiratory distress with X-ray pictures consistent as hyaline membrane disease (HMD). Baby was ventilated and treated with surfactant. Because of the persistence of high ventilation needs with X-ray pictures consistent with HMD with a transient response to surfactant every time, the possibility of an inherited disorder of surfactant metabolism was kept. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a novel homozygous missense mutation in the gene for ATP binding cassette transporter protein A3. The baby died after 100 days of ventilation.
Placental site trophoblastic tumour: the rarest subtype of gestational trophoblastic disease
Authors: Chaves Mariana M , Maia Tiago , Cunha Teresa Margarida , Veiga Vera Furtado
Published: October 2020

Placental site trophoblastic tumour (PSTT) is a very rare form of gestational trophoblastic disease that grows slowly, secretes low levels of beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), presents late-onset metastatic potential and is resistant to several chemotherapy regimens. Here, we report a case of PSTT in a 36-year-old woman who presented with amenorrhea and persistently elevated serum level of β-hCG after a miscarriage. Transvaginal ultrasound revealed a hypovascular ill-defined solid lesion of the uterine fundus and MRI showed a tumour infiltrating the external myometrium with discrete early enhancement and signal restriction on diffusion-weighted imaging. PSTT was suspected, and after endometrial biopsy by hysteroscopy and posterior hysterectomy, microscopic examination allowed the final diagnosis. The level of β-hCG dropped significantly in about a month after surgical treatment. Due to the rarity of PSTT, reporting new cases is crucial to improve the diagnosis and managing of these patients.
Sclerosing variant of mucoepidermoid carcinoma: a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Rasul Usman , Bradish Tom , Bashir Mohammed Talha , Shakeel Muhammad
Published: October 2020

The sclerosing variant of mucoepidermoid salivary gland carcinoma is extremely rare. It is nearly impossible to diagnose this condition preoperatively. We present a case of a 23-year-old woman with a 1-year history of left parotid enlargement with inconclusive fine-needle aspiration cytology results. MRI showed an irregular parotid mass, and subsequent partial parotidectomy confirmed the diagnosis. We discuss the diagnostic pitfalls of this condition and provide a review of the literature surrounding its pathogenesis and management.