bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SEC24A facilitates colocalization and Ca2+ flux between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria
Authors: Chidawanyika Tamutenda , Chakrabarti Rajarshi , Beauchemin Kathryn S. , Higgs Henry N. , Supattapone Surachai
Published: February 2021

A genome-wide screen recently identified SEC24A as a novel mediator of thapsigargin-induced cell death in HAP1 cells. Here, we determined the cellular mechanism and specificity of SEC24A-mediated cytotoxicity. Measurement of Ca2+ levels using organelle-specific fluorescent indicator dyes showed that Ca2+ efflux from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and influx into mitochondria were significantly impaired in SEC24A-knockout cells. Furthermore, SEC24A-knockout cells also showed ∼44% less colocalization of mitochondria and peripheral tubular ER. Knockout of SEC24A, but not its paralogs SEC24B, SEC24C or SEC24D, rescued HAP1 cells from cell death induced by three different inhibitors of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPases (SERCA) but not from cell death induced by a topoisomerase inhibitor. Thapsigargin-treated SEC24A-knockout cells showed a ∼2.5-fold increase in autophagic flux and ∼10-fold reduction in apoptosis compared to wild-type cells. Taken together, our findings indicate that SEC24A plays a previously unrecognized role in regulating association and Ca2+ flux between the ER and mitochondria, thereby impacting processes dependent on mitochondrial Ca2+ levels, including autophagy and apoptosis.
Imaging host–pathogen interactions using epithelial and bacterial cell infection models
Authors: Park Amber J. , Wright Madison A. , Roach Elyse J. , Khursigara Cezar M.
Published: February 2021

The age-old saying, seeing is believing, could not be truer when we think about the value of imaging interactions between epithelial cells and bacterial pathogens. Imaging and culturing techniques have vastly improved over the years, and the breadth and depth of these methods is ever increasing. These technical advances have benefited researchers greatly; however, due to the large number of potential model systems and microscopy techniques to choose from, it can be overwhelming to select the most appropriate tools for your research question. This Review discusses a variety of available epithelial culturing methods and quality control experiments that can be performed, and outlines various options commonly used to fluorescently label bacterial and mammalian cell components. Both light- and electron-microscopy techniques are reviewed, with descriptions of both technical aspects and common applications. Several examples of imaging bacterial pathogens and their interactions with epithelial cells are discussed to provide researchers with an idea of the types of biological questions that can be successfully answered by using microscopy.
Training, Injury, and Lifestyle Characteristics of Recreational Triathletes
Authors: Kienstra Carolyn M. , Cade William H. , Best Thomas M.
Published: February 2021

Triathlon is a popular sport among recreational and competitive athletes. As triathletes compete in races ranging from 16 to 140.6 miles and train in three disciplines simultaneously, it is difficult to identify injury risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate characteristics of a group of recreational triathletes regarding their medical history, training regimen, and injuries. Thirty-four triathletes completed this survey. We found a wide range of body types, training habits, and lifestyle characteristics. As in previous studies, we found a high rate of injuries in our surveyed triathletes. Injury rates were higher in athletes who had completed a longer race and those who reported higher training times per week. Additionally, many individuals have medical problems, use a variety of supplements, and follow specific dietary restrictions, which need to be considered in addition to training when assessing injury risk and recovery from injury.
Psychosocial Impacts of Sports-related Injuries in Adolescent Athletes
Authors: Haraldsdottir Kristin , Watson Andrew M.
Published: February 2021

Adolescence represents a time of tremendous physical, social, and emotional growth, and sport participation can provide significant mental health benefits for young athletes. Injuries are unfortunately common in sports and represent a threat to the short- and long-term health of athletes. While injury management has typically revolved around the minimization of pain and the restoration of physical function, emerging evidence suggests that the psychological consequences of injury may be significant, potentially jeopardizing return to play, increasing subsequent reinjury risk, and even leading to the development of mental health disorders. The majority of this research has been conducted in adult athletes and less is known about outcomes in youth athletes following injury. This review examines what is known about the psychosocial impact of sports injuries in youth athletes to identify areas of future research and to aid clinicians in the management of this population.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound, the New Musculoskeletal Physical Examination
Authors: Jackson Sarah S. , Le Hung M. , Kerkhof Deanna L. , Corrado Gianmichel D.
Published: February 2021

The availability of handheld ultrasound offers physicians an opportunity to better define anatomy and pathophysiology, thus enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of a standard physical examination. The medical community increasingly embraces the potential for point-of-care ultrasound across medical specialties. The primary aim of this review was to identify and compile information on the current clinical utility of point-of-care ultrasound for musculoskeletal examination. This information will enable health care providers to understand the current utility and potential of musculoskeletal point-of-care ultrasound, thus facilitating its appropriate adoption into clinical practice.
Recommended Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine Curriculum for Internal Medicine Residency Training
Authors: Liddle David G. , Changstrom Bradley , Senter Carlin , Meirick Paul , Stern Nicole , Putukian Margot , Shah Selina , Powell Amy , Dixit Sameer , Eerkes Kevin , Moran Byron , Barnes Kenneth P. , Dal Molin Claudia , Myers Rebecca , Waterbrook Anna L.
Published: February 2021

Patients present to primary care physicians with musculoskeletal complaints more often than they do for upper respiratory infections, hypertension, or diabetes. Despite this, instruction in musculoskeletal medicine for internal medicine residents represents less than 1% of their total didactic and clinical education time. We recognize the immense breadth of knowledge and skill required to train residents in the practice of internal medicine. This curriculum guideline defines a recommended training strategy, and supplies relevant resources, to improve musculoskeletal education among internal medicine residents to optimize patient care. This curriculum guideline was created by internists who are sports medicine specialists. Sports medicine physicians promote overall health and well-being while providing expertise in acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as how disease affects exercise and using exercise as medicine for people with chronic disease.
Variations in Head Impact Rates in Male and Female High School Soccer
Authors: HUBER COLIN M. , PATTON DECLAN A. , JAIN DIVYA , MASTER CHRISTINA L. , MARGULIES SUSAN S. , MCDONALD CATHERINE C. , ARBOGAST KRISTY B.
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Repetitive head impacts in soccer have been linked to short-term neurophysiological deficits, and female soccer players have higher concussion rates than males. These findings have inspired investigation into gender differences in head impact exposure and how head impact rate contributes to the cumulative effect of head impact exposure on neurological outcomes. Various periods of exposure have been used to calculate head impact rates, including head impacts per season, game, and player-hour.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to apply different methodological approaches to quantify and compare head impact rates by gender for two seasons of high school varsity soccer.

Methods

Video review was used to confirm all events recorded by a headband-mounted impact sensor and calculate playing time for all players. Impact rates were calculated per athlete exposure (presence and participation) and per player-hour (scheduled game time, individual play time, and absolute time).

Results

Impact rates per athlete exposure ranged from 2.5 to 3.2 for males and from 1.4 to 1.6 for females, and impact rates per player-hour ranged from 2.7 to 3.8 for males and from 1.0 to 1.6 for females. The exposure calculation method significantly affected head impact rates; however, regardless of approach, the head impact rate for males was higher, up to threefold, than for females. Individual head impact exposure varied substantially within a team with one in five players experiencing no impacts.

Conclusions

Overall, the gender differences found in this study indicate that males experience higher head impact exposure compared with females. Future studies are needed to understand potential clinical implications of variability in head impact exposure and reconcile higher female concussion rates with the reduced head impact rates presented herein.
Effects of Judo on Neurocognitive Indices of Response Inhibition in Preadolescent Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: LUDYGA SEBASTIAN , TRÄNKNER SEBASTIAN , GERBER MARKUS , PÜHSE UWE
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Although exercise is suggested to benefit inhibitory control in children and adolescents, the current evidence is limited to exercise-induced improvements for its interference control subtype. In contrast, the potential of exercise to facilitate response inhibition still remains unclear. However, the neurocognitive profile of martial arts athletes suggests that this sports category promises benefits for cognitive control processes related to response inhibition. The present randomized controlled trial therefore examined the effects of judo on behavioral and neurocognitive indices of response inhibition (N2, P3a, P3b) in preadolescent children.

Methods

Participants (N = 44) were randomly allocated to a martial arts group, who completed 120-min judo per week over 3 months, and a wait-list control group. At baseline and follow-up, participants completed the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 and a physical work capacity test on a bicycle ergometer at 170 bpm (PWC170). In addition, a computerized Go/NoGo task with simultaneous electroencephalographic recordings was administered.

Results

In the martial arts group, a greater decrease in NoGo error rate and a higher increase in NoGo N2 amplitude were found in comparison to the control group. These behavioral and neurocognitive changes were correlated. In contrast to N2, the P3a/b amplitude, Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2, and physical work capacity test at 170 bpm did not change differently between groups over the intervention period.

Conclusions

The present findings indicate that judo promises benefits for response inhibition that are independent of alterations in motor skills and cardiorespiratory fitness. A change toward more effective conflict monitoring seems to underlie this improvement in cognitive performance.
The association of symptoms of overactive bladder with pelvic organ prolapse and its improvement after pelvic reconstructive surgery
Authors: Abrar Saida , Rizvi Raheela Mohsin , Zahid Nida
Published: February 2021

Objectives: This study asseses the association of overactive bladder symptoms and pelvic organ prolapse severity and evaluates the effect of pelvic reconstructive surgery on overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). It also looks into any pre and post-operative factors responsible for persistent postoperative OAB symptoms.

Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi between 1st January 2014 and 31st December 2018. In this study women presenting with POP and concommitent OAB who underwent surgery for site specific defects, measured using Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) staging system. OAB was defined as presence of urinary frequency, urinary urgency incontinence (UUI) and an affirmative response to item #15 and/or item #16 of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI), which was used both pre and postoperatively. Primary outcome of the study was to find complete resolution or improvement of urinary frequency and UUI on the PFDI, 24 months after surgery. The secondary outcome was to see persistent OAB postoperatively and the factors associated with it.

Results: Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms improved significantly regardless of the severity of prolapse at 24 months postoperative period. Body mass index (BMI) and postoperative constipation were the only statistically significant variables associated with persistent OAB symptoms postoperatively.

Conclusions: Surgical correction of POP results in significant improvement in symptoms of OAB, in all stages of POP and co-existing OAB. However women with high BMI and post-operative constipation may be prone to persistent frequency and/or UUI.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.3312

How to cite this:Abrar S, Rizvi RM, Zahid N. The association of symptoms of overactive bladder with pelvic organ prolapse and its improvement after pelvic reconstructive surgery. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(3):897-902. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.3312

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Gynecological malignancies at tertiary care hospital, Pakistan: A five-year review
Authors: Wasim Tayyiba , Mushtaq Javeria , Wasim Ahmad Zunair , Raana Gul e
Published: February 2021

Background & Objective: Gynecological malignancies are important cause of female morbidity and mortality. They pose significant burden on health resources in low middle-income countries. Data on presentation and risk factors can help in early identification and reduce this burden. Our objective was to evaluate frequency, stage of presentation and risk factors of gynecological malignancies in a tertiary care setting.

Methods: It was cross sectional study done in Gynecology Department, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Services Hospital, Lahore from January 2015- December 2019. The records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed to include all cases of gynecologic malignancies. Demographic information, frequency, risk factors, symptoms, grade and stage of tumor was collected.

Results: There were 122 patients diagnosed with gynecological malignancy during the study period. Ovarian cancer was seen in 60 (49.18%) patients followed by cervical cancer in 29(23.7%), endometrial cancer 27(22.1%) and vulva 06(4.9%). Mean age for all cancers was 51±12.7 to 55±9.3 except cervical cancer which was seen in 43±8.9 years. Patients with ovarian cancer had significantly more hypertension and diabetes (p<0.05). Heavy menstrual bleeding and postmenopausal bleeding was significantly seen in patients of endometrial and cervical cancer (p<0.05). Abdominal symptoms of pain, mass and distension were seen in patients with ovarian cancer (p<0.05). Majority patients presented in advanced stage. Among ovarian cancer, 52/60(86.6%) were epithelial in origin while 25(86.2%) cervical cancer and all vulva cancers were squamous cell carcinoma.

Conclusion: Ovarian cancer was commonest gynecological malignancy followed by cervical cancer. Late presentation with advanced stage was seen in majority of all cancers.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.3596

How to cite this:Wasim T, Mushtaq J, Wasim AZ, Gul-e-Raana. Gynecological malignancies at tertiary care hospital, Pakistan: A five-year review. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(3):621-627. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.3596

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Problems faced by Researchers and pressure on Impact Factor Journal Editors
Authors: Jawaid Shaukat Ali
Published: February 2021

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.4296

How to cite this:Jawaid SA. Problems faced by Researchers and pressure on Impact Factor Journal Editors. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(3):616-620.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.4296

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Health determinants in men of the Bear subculture compared with the MSM population. Literature review
Authors: Mijas Magdalena
Published: February 2021

W populacji mężczyzn mających kontakty seksualne z mężczyznami (MSM) odnotowuje się większe rozpowszechnienie szeregu problemów ze zdrowiem w porównaniu z populacją generalną. Badania ujawniają jednocześnie, że populacja MSM jest daleka od jednorodności, a przynależność subkulturowa stanowi jedną z charakterystyk, które warto uwzględniać w analizach dotyczących zdrowia tej grupy. Subkulturą w obrębie grupy MSM, która dotychczas doczekała się największego zainteresowania ze strony badaczy, jest wywodząca się ze Stanów Zjednoczonych społeczność Bears. Tworzą ją mężczyźni, najczęściej homoseksualni lub biseksualni, którzy charakteryzują się większą, masywną lub muskularną sylwetką i wyraźnie zaznaczonymi cechami płci fenotypowej męskiej – zwłaszcza męskim typem owłosienia takim jak zarost na twarzy. Najważniejsze uwarunkowania zdrowia w tej grupie obejmują większe w porównaniu z innymi mężczyznami z populacji MSM rozpowszechnienie zachowań o negatywnym wpływie na zdrowie, podwyższone wartości wskaźnika BMI, a także ekspozycję na wielokrotną stygmatyzację – związaną z mniejszościową seksualnością (ang. sexual minority stigma) oraz masą ciała (ang. weight stigma). Dotychczasowe badania ujawniają, że te i inne charakterystyki opisujące mężczyzn ze społeczności Bears mają istotne implikacje dla ich zdrowia psychicznego oraz seksualnego. Celem artykułu jest przegląd piśmiennictwa oraz omówienie praktycznych i klinicznych implikacji dotychczas zrealizowanych w tej populacji badań. Artykuł podsumowują praktyczne zalecenia dotyczące wspierania mężczyzn z subkultury Bears w praktyce klinicznej oraz projektowania adekwatnych i skutecznych oddziaływań profilaktycznych adresowanych do członków tej społeczności.
Exploring the Experiences of People Vlogging about Their Mental Health During the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Thematic Analysis
Authors: Andriopoulou Panoraia , Servina Natalina Paola Samanta
Published: February 2021

Background: The mental health consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown are of great concern. The true extent of these difficulties is not yet known, as there is only a limited number of preliminary survey-based studies.
Aims: The present study aimed to explore how individuals experienced mental health difficulties during the lockdown, as they vlogged about them on YouTube.
Methods: YouTube was searched systematically using relevant keywords (“Lockdown”, “Mental health”, “Depression” and “Anxiety”) and a set of 42 vlog videos was identified as eligible for analysis. Videos were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Five overarching themes were identified: instability and extreme states; sense of loss; intolerance of ambiguity; barriers to improvement; and helpful practices.
Conclusions: These themes demonstrated that individuals are essentially prone to the experience of mental health issues during the lockdown. The implications of the findings are discussed, particularly in relation to the need for pandemic-tailored psychosocial interventions.
Optically transparent microwave absorber based on water-based moth-eye structures
Authors: Kwon H. , D’Aguanno G. , Alú A.
Published: February 2021

We propose an approach to realize an optically transparent microwave absorber based on water-based moth-eye metamaterial structures. The absorber is made of a periodic array of properly shaped glass caps infiltrated with distilled water. Analytical calculations and numerical simulations show that the water-based metamaterial absorbs electromagnetic waves over a wide spectral band ranging from 4GHz to well above 120GHz, showing absorption levels close to 100% for incident radiation that ranges from normal to grazing angles, for both TE and TM polarizations. Yet, the structure is optically transparent, offering exciting opportunities in a variety of civil and military applications, such as for camouflage and shielding systems and in energy harvesting structures.
Magnetic field measurement based on a fiber laser oscillation circuit merged with a polarization-maintaining fiber Sagnac interference structure
Authors: Tian Jing , Zuo Yiwu , Hou Meijiang , Jiang Yang
Published: February 2021

A compact optical magnetic field sensor based on a fiber laser oscillator circuit merged with a Sagnac loop that contains a polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF) and a magnetostrictive rod is proposed. The combination of the PMF-Sagnac loop and fiber laser oscillation circuit significantly increases the signal-to-noise ratio of the reflection spectrum in the system, which is a mixed spectrum that includes interference fringes and lasers. For the proposed system, an erbium-doped fiber amplifier is used to provide gain, a dispersion compensating fiber is used to compensate for dispersion in the system, a PMF is inserted in the Sagnac loop as a microwave filter, while a section of the PMF is bonded to a magnetostrictive rod to achieve magnetic field sensing. The proposed system is shown experimentally to produce a fine reflection interference spectrum. The highest intensity reflection interference peak (from the laser) is over 40 dB with a –3 dB line-width of about 0.03 nm. The system can provide magnetic field sensitivities of 0.07 nm/mT and 0.076 nm/mT for sensor head lengths of 1 m and 2 m, respectively, and exhibits a stability of ±0.029 nm over 1 h. The proposed sensing system has advantages of low cost, high sensitivity, compact structure, and can produce a fine and stable reflection spectrum.
Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor optical dynamic range
Authors: Akondi Vyas , Dubra Alfredo
Published: February 2021

The widely used lenslet-bound definition of the Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWS) dynamic range is based on the permanent association between groups of pixels and individual lenslets. Here, we formalize an alternative definition that we term optical dynamic range, based on avoiding the overlap of lenslet images. The comparison of both definitions for Zernike polynomials up to the third order plus spherical aberration shows that the optical dynamic range is larger by a factor proportional to the number of lenslets across the SHWS pupil. Finally, a pre-centroiding algorithm to facilitate lenslet image location in the presence of defocus and astigmatism is proposed. This approach, based on the SHWS image periodicity, is demonstrated using optometric lenses that translate lenslet images outside the projected lenslet boundaries.
Polarization assisted self-powered GaN-based UV photodetector with high responsivity
Authors: Wang Jiaxing , Chu Chunshuang , Tian Kangkai , Che Jiamang , Shao Hua , Zhang Yonghui , Jiang Ke , Zhang Zi-Hui , Sun Xiaojuan , Li Dabing
Published: February 2021

In this work, a self-powered GaN-based metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector (MSM PD) with high responsivity has been proposed and fabricated. The proposed MSM PD forms an asymmetric feature by using the polarization effect under one electrode, such that we adopt an AlGaN/GaN heterojunction to produce the electric field, and by doing so, an asymmetric energy band between the two electrodes can be obtained even when the device is unbiased. The asymmetric feature is proven by generating the asymmetric current-voltage characteristics both in the dark and the illumination conditions. Our results show that the asymmetric energy band enables the self-powered PD, and the peak responsivity wavelength is 240 nm with the responsivity of 0.005 A/W. Moreover, a high responsivity of 13.56 A/W at the applied bias of 3 V is also achieved. Thanks to the very strong electric field in the charge transport region, when compared to the symmetric MSM PD, the proposed MSM PD can reach an increased photocurrent of 100 times larger than that for the conventional PD, even if the illumination intensity for the light source becomes increased.
Molecular parallelisms between pigmentation in the avian iris and the integument of ectothermic vertebrates
Authors: Andrade Pedro , Gazda Małgorzata A. , Araújo Pedro M. , Afonso Sandra , Rasmussen Jacob. A. , Marques Cristiana I. , Lopes Ricardo J. , Gilbert. M. Thomas P. , Carneiro Miguel
Published: February 2021

Birds exhibit striking variation in eye color that arises from interactions between specialized pigment cells named chromatophores. The types of chromatophores present in the avian iris are lacking from the integument of birds or mammals, but are remarkably similar to those found in the skin of ectothermic vertebrates. To investigate molecular mechanisms associated with eye coloration in birds, we took advantage of a Mendelian mutation found in domestic pigeons that alters the deposition of yellow pterin pigments in the iris. Using a combination of genome-wide association analysis and linkage information in pedigrees, we mapped variation in eye coloration in pigeons to a small genomic region of ~8.5kb. This interval contained a single gene,SLC2A11B, which has been previously implicated in skin pigmentation and chromatophore differentiation in fish. Loss of yellow pigmentation is likely caused by a point mutation that introduces a premature STOP codon and leads to lower expression ofSLC2A11Bthrough nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. There were no substantial changes in overall gene expression profiles between both iris types as well as in genes directly associated with pterin metabolism and/or chromatophore differentiation. Our findings demonstrate thatSLC2A11Bis required for the expression of pterin-based pigmentation in the avian iris. They further highlight common molecular mechanisms underlying the production of coloration in the iris of birds and skin of ectothermic vertebrates.
Evidence that a naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphism in the RagC gene of Leishmania donovani contributes to reduced virulence
Authors: Lypaczewski Patrick , Zhang Wen-Wei , Matlashewski Greg
Published: February 2021

Leishmaniasis is a widespread neglected tropical disease transmitted by infected sand flies resulting in either benign cutaneous infection or fatal visceral disease. Leishmania donovani is the principal species responsible for visceral leishmaniasis, yet an atypical L. donovani has become attenuated in several countries including Sri Lanka and causes cutaneous leishmaniasis. Previous studies have identified 91 genes altered in the atypical cutaneous L. donovani compared to typical visceral disease associated L. donovani including mutations in the RagC and Raptor genes that are part of the eukaryotic conserved TOR pathway and its upstream sensing pathway. In the present study, we investigate whether the RagC R231C mutation present in atypical cutaneous L. donovani introduced into the virulent L. donovani 1S2D chromosome by CRISPR gene editing could affect virulence for survival in visceral organs. Through bioinformatic analysis, we further investigated the presence of sensing pathway components upstream of TOR in L. donovani including RagC complexing proteins, RagA and Raptor. L. donovani 1S2D edited to express mutant RagC R231C were viable in promastigote but had reduced visceral parasitemia in infected BALB/c mice. The RagC R231C mutant retained the ability to interact with RagA and gene knockout experiments revealed that although the RagA gene was essential, the RagC gene was not essential under promastigote culture conditions but was essential for survival in the liver of experimentally infected mice. These results provide evidence that the TOR associated sensing pathway plays a prominent role in L. donovani visceral disease and the RagC R231C mutation contributed to the atypical pathology of cutaneous L. donovani in Sri Lanka.
An updated census of the maize TIFY family
Authors: Sun Pingdong , Shi Yannan , Valerio Aga Guido Okwana , Borrego Eli James , Luo Qingyun , Qin Jia , Liu Kang , Yan Yuanxin
Published: February 2021

The TIFY gene family is a plant-specific gene family encoding a group of proteins characterized by its namesake, the conservative TIFY domain and members can be organized into four subfamilies: ZML, TIFY, PPD and JAZ (Jasmonate ZIM-domain protein) by presence of additional conserved domains. The TIFY gene family is intensively explored in several model and agriculturally important crop species and here, yet the composition of the TIFY family of maize has remained unresolved. This study increases the number of maize TIFY family members known by 40%, bringing the total to 47 including 38 JAZ, 5 TIFY, and 4 ZML genes. The majority of the newly identified genes were belonging to the JAZ subfamily, six of which had aberrant TIFY domains, suggesting loss JAZ-JAZ or JAZ-NINJA interactions. Six JAZ genes were found to have truncated Jas domain or an altered degron motif, suggesting resistance to classical JAZ degradation. In addition, seven membranes were found to have an LxLxL-type EAR motif which allows them to recruit TPL/TPP co-repressors directly without association to NINJA. Expression analysis revealed that ZmJAZ14 was specifically expressed in the seeds and ZmJAZ19 and 22 in the anthers, while the majority of other ZmJAZs were generally highly expressed across diverse tissue types. Additionally, ZmJAZ genes were highly responsive to wounding and JA treatment. This study provides a comprehensive update of the maize TIFY/JAZ gene family paving the way for functional, physiological, and ecological analysis.
Saving the silent voyager: Mapping virtues in the writing of Eva Sommer, Australia’s first Walkley Award winner
Authors: Martin Jennifer
Published: February 2021

In 1956, 22-year-old cadet journalist Eva Sommer won Australia’s first Walkley Award for a story about a supposedly stateless stowaway who was ‘doomed’ to sail between Italy and Australia because he had lost his memory. Sommer’s dedicated reporting skills revealed the man was a traumatized Holocaust survivor from Poland who had been granted asylum in Australia five years earlier. A ‘girl reporter’ had achieved in two days what immigration officials from two countries had failed to achieve in three months. Yet, despite Sommer’s remarkable story and her status as the inaugural Walkley winner, little is known of her writing or her life. This article aims to reinstate Eva Sommer to her rightful place in Australia’s journalism history through an analysis of how her three articles on the stowaway communicated emotions and virtues to readers. For the first time I will apply the Virtue Map, my analytical tool for examining the role of emotion and virtues in journalism, to a series of articles instead of a single long-form feature, illuminating a forgotten moment of Australia’s journalism history.
Radiographic lumbosacral vertebral abnormalities and constipation in cats
Authors: Thanaboonnipat Chutimon , Kumjumroon Kamonchanok , Boonkwang Kamonwan , Tangsutthichai Natthacha , Sukserm Wassapon , Choisunirachon Nan
Published: February 2021

Background and Aim: Lumbosacral intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) in cats usually develops concurrent with constipation, spondylosis deformans, and sacralization. However, the prevalence of lumbar IVDD in cats was considered low, and there was less information on the incidence of non-traumatic lumbosacral vertebral abnormalities that may affect large bowel dysfunction. This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the relationship between non-traumatic lumbosacral vertebral abnormalities, both congenital and acquired, and large bowel dysfunction in cats.

Materials and Methods: Of 3108 cats that were presented to the Diagnostic Imaging Unit, the Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, between March 2016 and February 2018, 1365 cats met the inclusion criteria. All abdominal radiographs were reviewed, and all subsequent data were recorded, including the presence of congenital or acquired lumbosacral lesions, number of lumbar vertebrae, and length of the second, fifth, and last lumbar vertebrae, including the type of lumbar abnormalities. Moreover, radiographic information relating to constipation and megacolon was also collected.

Results: Non-traumatic lumbosacral vertebral abnormalities were observed in 29.74% of cats. The most common congenital lumbosacral vertebral abnormalities were six lumbar vertebrae, sacralization, and lumbarization, whereas most common acquired lumbosacral abnormalities were bone spur, narrowing disk space, spondylosis deformans, and lumbosacral degeneration, respectively. Cats with abnormal lumbosacral vertebrae are prone to have more problems with the large bowel (p=0.0057; odds ratio=1.731). Moreover, congenital and acquired lumbosacral abnormalities were also at risk of large bowel abnormalities (p=0.0069; odds ratio=1.920 and p<0.0001; odds ratio=4.107, respectively).

Conclusion: This study revealed the evidence and distribution of the variation in feline lumbar anatomy and also elucidated that cats with abnormal lumbar vertebral columns were more likely to have problems with distal gastrointestinal tracts than those without.
Are All Endoscopy-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries Created Equal? Results of a National Gender-Based Survey
Authors: Pawa Swati , Banerjee Promila , Kothari Shivangi , D'Souza Sharlene L. , Martindale Sarah L. , Gaidos Jill K. J. , Oxentenko Amy S. , Burke Carol A. ,   on behalf of the Women in Gastroenterology Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology
Published: February 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Endoscopy-related injury (ERI) is common in gastroenterologists (GI). The study aim was to assess the prevalence of self-reported ERI, patterns of injury, and endoscopist knowledge of preventative strategies in a nationally representative sample.

METHODS:

A 38-item electronic survey was sent to 15,868 American College of Gastroenterology physician members. The survey was completed by 1,698 members and was included in analyses. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate the likelihood of ERI based on workload parameters and gender.

RESULTS:

ERI was reported by 75% of respondents. ERI was most common in the thumb (63.3%), neck (59%), hand/finger (56.5%), lower back (52.6%), shoulder (47%), and wrist (45%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of ERI between men and women GI. However, women GI were significantly more likely to report upper extremity ERI while men were more likely to report lower-back pain-related ERI. Significant gender differences were noted in the reported mechanisms attributed to ERI. Most respondents did not discuss ergonomic strategies in their current practice (63%). ERI was less likely to be reported in GI who took breaks during endoscopy (P = 0.002).

DISCUSSION:

ERI is highly prevalent in GI physicians. Significant gender differences regarding specific sites affected by ERI and the contributing mechanisms were observed. Results strongly support institution of training in ergonomics for all GI as a strategy to prevent its impact on providers of endoscopy.

JOURNAL/ajgast/04.03/00000434-202103000-00021/inline-graphic1/v/2023-07-18T070745Z/r/image-tiff
Comparative Effectiveness of Famotidine in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Shoaibi Azza , Fortin Stephen Patrick , Weinstein Rachel , Berlin Jesse A. , Ryan Patrick
Published: February 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Famotidine has been posited as a potential treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We compared the incidence of COVID-19 outcomes (i.e., death and death or intensive services use) among hospitalized famotidine users vs proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) users, hydroxychloroquine users, or famotidine nonusers separately.

METHODS:

We constructed a retrospective cohort study using data from COVID-19 Premier Hospital electronic health records. The study population was COVID-19 hospitalized patients aged 18 years or older. Famotidine, PPI, and hydroxychloroquine exposure groups were defined as patients dispensed any medication containing 1 of the 3 drugs on the day of admission. The famotidine nonuser group was derived from the same source population with no history of exposure to any drug with famotidine as an active ingredient before or on the day of admission. Time at risk was defined based on the intention-to-treat principle starting 1 day after admission to 30 days after admission. For each study comparison group, we fit a propensity score model through large-scale regularized logistic regression. The outcome was modeled using a survival model.

RESULTS:

We identified 2,193 users of PPI, 5,950 users of the hydroxychloroquine, 1,816 users of famotidine, and 26,820 nonfamotidine users. After propensity score stratification, the hazard ratios (HRs) for death were as follows: famotidine vs no famotidine HR 1.03 (0.89–1.18), vs PPIs: HR 1.14 (0.94–1.39), and vs hydroxychloroquine: 1.03 (0.85–1.24). Similar results were observed for the risk of death or intensive services use.

DISCUSSION:

We found no evidence of a reduced risk of COVID-19 outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients who used famotidine compared with those who did not or compared with PPI or hydroxychloroquine users.
Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors vs Histamine 2 Receptor Antagonists for the Risk of Gastric Cancer: Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Shin Ga-Yeong , Park Jae Myung , Hong Jinhyuk , Cho Yu Kyung , Yim Hyeon Woo , Choi Myung-Gyu
Published: February 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed medications. Long-term use of PPIs has been suspected to have a provocative effect on gastric cancer. This study was to determine the association between PPI vs histamine 2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) use and the risk of gastric cancer in a region where the risk of this malignancy is high.

METHODS:

A population-based cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Services Database. The participants with first prescription of PPIs and H2RA with normal esophagogastroduodenoscopy finding from 2004 through 2015 were collected. Among them, 50% of participants were systematic stratified randomly sampled. There were 122,118 users of PPIs or H2RAs who use medication more than cumulative defined daily dose of 180 days. The users were followed up from long-term use threshold until gastric cancer, death from non–gastric cancer cause, gastric surgery, or study end (December 2017).

RESULTS:

After calculating propensity score weights, we included 39,799 PPI and 38,967 H2RA users. Among the new PPI and H2RA users, we identified 411 cases of incident gastric cancer from 182,643 person-years of follow-up observation and 397 cases from 178,846 person-years of follow-up observation, respectively. Compared with H2RA users, PPI users did not experience significantly different gastric cancer incidence (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.88–1.16; P = 0.89). Sensitivity analyses confirmed that gastric cancer incidence did not differ between PPI and H2RA users.

DISCUSSION:

In this large study, long-term treatment with PPIs vs H2RAs did not show higher risk of gastric cancer even in a high-risk region.
Lived Experiences of Women Who Underwent Induced Abortion: A qualitative study of Rakai District, Uganda
Authors: Joy Margaret Nalubega , Kizito Omona
Published: February 2021

Background: Induced abortion is one where products of conception are expelled before 28 weeks of gestation. The process can be safe or unsafe. Safe termination of pregnancy is performed by skilled persons using appropriate tools whereas unsafe induced abortion is performed either by persons without the necessary skills or in an environment without the minimum medical standards, or both.Objectives: To explore the lived experiences of women who had induced abortion in Rakai DistrictMethodology: Phenomenological qualitative design was used. Study population was women who underwent induced abortion. 25 women who had induced abortions in past 1-3years were interviewed. Data was collected by in-depth interviews, tape recorded; transcribed verbatim and written in note book.Results: Lived experiences included denial, shame, confusion, fear, anger, anxiety, depression and uncertainty. Participants reported use of local herbs like â€œekiwokoâ€ and â€œmajaaniâ€, â€œetwaataâ€, â€œkisuulaâ€ and roots of sugar canes, among others, to induce abortion. The processes were mostly traditional, associated with: severe pain, heavy bleeding, and so on. They were life-threatening and horrible. Short- and long-term lived experiences included secondary barrenness, depression, crying-in-privacy and regrets, among others.Conclusion: Health workers and women in child-bearing age need to work together to discuss how to control unplanned pregnancies.Â
Antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial strains isolated from urinary tract infections inPakistan
Authors: Zahoor Sarmad , Shehzad Ahmad Naveed , Asif Sadia , Muhammad Sajid Jehangir Hafiz , Ali Asad , Sohail Afzal Muhammad , Mohsin Ali Muhammad , Zahoor Saroosh
Published: February 2021

Background: Urinary track infection (UTI) is a common infection in Pakistan. Poor knowledge about personal hygiene and lack of awareness are major reasons of this infection. All over the world and in Pakistan E. coli and K. pneumonia are main causative agents of UTI.Objectives:To analyze Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacterial strains isolated from urinary tract infections.Methods: In present study total 227 samples from Genomic Research Lab and Diagnostic Center Rawalpindi, Pakistan were tested for presence of different microbial infectious agents and their antibiotic resistance and susceptibility pattern. Biochemical test such as Gram staining, Lactose fermentation test, Motility test, Catalase test and Colony formation on MacConkey agar, Indole test, and Citrate utilization test were applied. The antibiotic susceptibility and resistance pattern was evaluated by using fourteen different antibiotics on MullarHigton agar. Top ten antibiotics were selected at a cut off value of 100 samples for E. coli and 20 samples for Klebsiella.Results: Against E. coli and K. species the most susceptible antibiotic was Imipenam with 97.5% and Amikacin with 94.9% susceptibility respectively. Moreover, against E. coli and K. species the most resistance antibiotic was Ciprofloxacin 81.7% and Tobramycin with 76.1% resistance respectively. The comparison of present study with pervious studies had shown an increase in resistance against various antibiotics.Conclusion: It is concluded from the present study that antibiotic resistance is on raise in Pakistan and the effect of each antibiotic was different with respect to type of infectious agent so it is recommended that the doctor should determine the dominant type of infectious agent and its susceptibility response before prescription of any antibiotic.Â Â Â
Covid 19: Social, Financial and Economic Implications
Authors: Bhattacharya Sonali , Smark Ciorstan , Mir Monir
Published: February 2021

Covid 19: Social, Financial and Economic Implications
How does Teach For America engage its alumni politically? A case study in Detroit
Authors: Singer Jeremy , Brewer T. Jameson
Published: February 2021

We describe the alumni engagement efforts by Teach For America (TFA) in Detroit as a case study of the specific ways that the organization works to influence its alumni’s involvement in educational politics and disposition towards particular types of educational reform. During the 2019-20 school year, TFA Detroit facilitated a series of “policy workshops” for its alumni, intended to inspire TFA corps members and alumni to engage in political and policy advocacy. Combining field notes and other artifacts from the policy workshops with a social network analysis of the featured participants and central organizations, we show that TFA Detroit drew upon its local, state, and national policy networks to construct workshops that in turn would politically mobilize alumni to support their networks’ preferred city and state policies and reforms.
Identification of leaf rust resistance genesLr34andLr46in common wheat (Triticum aestivumL. ssp.aestivum) lines of different origin using multiplex PCR
Authors: Tomkowiak Agnieszka , Skowrońska Roksana , Kwiatek Michał , Spychała Julia , Weigt Dorota , Kurasiak-Popowska Danuta , Niemann Janetta , Mikołajczyk Sylwia , Nawracała Jerzy , Kowalczewski Przemysław Łukasz , Khan Kinza
Published: February 2021

Leaf rust caused by the fungusPuccinia reconditaf. sp.triticiis one of the most dangerous diseases of common wheat. Infections caused by fungal pathogens reduce the quantity and quality of yields of many cereal species. The most effective method to limit plant infection is to use cultivars that show rust resistance. Genetically conditioned horizontal-type resistance (racial-nonspecific) is a desirable trait because it is characterized by more stable expression compared to major (R) genes that induce racially specific resistance, often overcome by pathogens. Horizontal resistance is conditioned by the presence of slow rust genes, which include genesLr34andLr46. This study aimed to identify markers linked to both genes in 64 common wheat lines and to develop multiplex PCR reaction conditions that were applied to identify both genes simultaneously. The degree of infestation of the analyzed lines was also assessed in field conditions during the growing season of 2017 and 2018. Simple sequence repeat anchored-polymerase chain reaction (SSR-PCR) markercsLVwas identified during analysis in line PHR 4947. The presence of a specific sequence has also been confirmed in multiplex PCR analyses. In addition to geneLr34, geneLr46was identified in this genotype. Lines PHR 4947 and PHR 4819 were characterized by the highest leaf rust resistance in field conditions. During STS-PCR analyses, the markerwmc44of geneLr46was identified in most of the analyzed lines. This marker was not present in the following genotypes: PHR 4670, PHR 4800, PHR 4859, PHR 4907, PHR 4922, PHR 4949, PHR 4957, PHR 4995, and PHR 4997. The presence of a specific sequence has also been confirmed in multiplex PCR analyses. Genotypes carrying the markers of the analyzed gene showed good resistance to leaf rust in field conditions in both 2017 and 2018. Research has demonstrated that marker assisted selection (MAS) and multiplex PCR techniques are excellent tools for selecting genotypes resistant to leaf rust.
Composition and Qualifications of Credit Institutions’ Board of Directors: European Requirements and the Principle of Proportionality
Authors: D. Tountopoulos Vassilios
Published: February 2021

The aim of this article is to illustrate the importance of the EU principle of proportionality for the application of the rules governing the composition and qualifications of credit institutions’ Board of Directors. The view taken is that the principle of proportionality as enshrined in the EU legislation and the case law can safeguard both the private and the public interests in favour of the smooth functioning of the banks and the stability of the financial system. Under this perspective, this article discusses special issues such as conditional approval, informal assessment, allocation of the burden of proof and judicial review.