bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Egg consumption associated with all-cause mortality in rural China: a 14-year follow-up study
Authors: Liu Lishun , Huang Xiao , Wang Binyan , Song Yun , Lin Tengfei , Zhou Ziyi , Guo Huiyuan , Chen Ping , Yang Yan , Ling Wenhua , Qin Xianhui , Tang Genfu , Liu Chengzhang , Li Jianping , Zhang Yan , Spence J. David , Huo Yong , Zhang Hao , Xu Xiping
Published: December 2020

Background

Dietary recommendations regarding egg intake remain controversial topic for public health. We hypothesized that there was a positive association between egg consumption and all-cause mortality.

Methods

To test this hypothesis, we enrolled 9885 adults from a community-based cohort in Anhui Province, China during 2003–05. Egg consumption was assessed by food questionnaire. Stratified analyses were performed for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, smoking, drinking and laboratory tests.

Results

After an average follow-up of 14.1 years, 9444 participants were included for analysis. A total of 814 deaths were recorded. Participants’ BMI and lipid profile had no significantly difference between three egg consumption groups. BMI was 21.6±2.7 of the whole population, especially BMI>24 was only 17.3%. A bivariate association of egg consumption >6/week with increased all-cause mortality was observed compared with ≤6/week (RR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.73, P = 0.018). A significant interaction was observed for BMI ≥ 21.2 kg/m2 vs. BMI<21.2 kg/m2 (P for interaction: 0.001). No other significant interactions were found.

Conclusions

In this study, consuming >6 eggs/week increased risk of all-cause mortality, even among lean participants, especially who with BMI ≥ 21.2 kg/m2. Eggs are an easily accessible and constitute an affordable food source in underdeveloped regions. Consuming <6 eggs/week may be the most suitable intake mode.
Are permafrost microorganisms as old as permafrost?
Authors: Abramov Andrey , Vishnivetskaya Tatiana , Rivkina Elizaveta
Published: December 2020

Permafrost describes the condition of earth material (sand, ground, organic matter, etc.) cemented by ice when its temperature remains at or below 0°C continuously for longer than 2 years. Evidently, permafrost is as old as the time passed from freezing of the earth material. Permafrost is a unique phenomenon and may preserve life forms it encloses. Therefore, in order to talk confidently about the preservation of paleo-objects in permafrost, knowledge about the geological age of sediments, i.e. when the sediments were formed, and permafrost age, when those sediments became permanently frozen, is essential. There are two types of permafrost—syngenetic and epigenetic. The age of syngenetic permafrost corresponds to the geological age of its sediments, whereas the age of epigenetic permafrost is less than the geological age of its sediments. Both of these formations preserve microorganisms and their metabolic products; however, the interpretations of the microbiological and molecular-biological data are inconsistent. This paper reviews the current knowledge of time–temperature history and age of permafrost in relation to available microbiological and metagenomic data.
Social network moderators of the association between Ghanaian older adults’ neighbourhood walkability and social activity
Authors: Asiamah Nestor , Conduah Andrew Kweku , Eduafo Richard
Published: December 2020

This study examined the moderating influences of active social networks (ASN), sedentary social networks (SSN) and ASN lost on the relationship between neighbourhood walkability and social activity in community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or more in Accra, Ghana. A total of 863 individuals participated after G*Power 3.1 was utilized to calculate the minimum sample size. We analysed the data with Pearson’s correlation test and hierarchical linear regression models. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to select the ultimate confounding variables. The study found a positive influence of neighbourhood walkability on social activity after the covariate adjustment (β = 0.18; t = 5.2; p = 0.000). The positive influence of neighbourhood walkability on social activity was significantly reduced by ASN lost and SSN. ASN did not have a significant moderating influence on the primary relationship. The study concludes that the positive influence of walkable neighbourhoods on social activity decreases as SSN and ASN lost increase.
Ryanodine receptor remodeling in cardiomyopathy and muscular dystrophy caused by lamin A/C gene mutation
Authors: Dridi Haikel , Wu Wei , Reiken Steven R , Ofer Rachel M , Liu Yang , Yuan Qi , Sittenfeld Leah , Kushner Jared , Muchir Antoine , Worman Howard J , Marks Andrew R
Published: December 2020

Mutations in the lamin A/C gene (LMNA), which encodes A-type lamins, cause several diseases called laminopathies, the most common of which is dilated cardiomyopathy with muscular dystrophy. The role of Ca2+ regulation in these diseases remain poorly understood. We now show biochemical remodeling of the ryanodine receptor (RyR)/intracellular Ca2+ release channel in heart samples from human subjects with LMNA mutations, including protein kinase A-catalyzed phosphorylation, oxidation and depletion of the stabilizing subunit calstabin. In the LmnaH222P/H222P murine model of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy caused by LMNA mutation, we demonstrate an age-dependent biochemical remodeling of RyR2 in the heart and RyR1 in skeletal muscle. This RyR remodeling is associated with heart and skeletal muscle dysfunction. Defective heart and muscle function are ameliorated by treatment with a novel Rycal small molecule drug (S107) that fixes ‘leaky’ RyRs. SMAD3 phosphorylation is increased in hearts and diaphragms of LmnaH222P/H222P mice, which enhances NADPH oxidase binding to RyR channels, contributing to their oxidation. There is also increased generalized protein oxidation, increased calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-catalyzed phosphorylation of RyRs and increased protein kinase A activity in these tissues. Our data show that RyR remodeling plays a role in cardiomyopathy and skeletal muscle dysfunction caused by LMNA mutation and identify these Ca2+ channels as a potential therapeutic target.
Reconstruction of a small acoustic inclusion via time-dependent polarization tensors
Authors: Baldassari Lorenzo , Scapin Andrea
Published: December 2020

This paper aims at introducing the concept of time-dependent polarization tensors (TDPTs) for the wave equation associated to a diametrically small acoustic inclusion, with constitutive parameters different from those of the background and size smaller than the operating wavelength. Firstly, the solution to the Helmholtz equation is considered, and a rigourous systematic derivation of a complete asymptotic expansion of the scattered field due to the presence of the inclusion is presented. Then, by applying the Fourier transform, the corresponding time-domain expansion is readily obtained after truncating the high frequencies. The new concept of TDPTs is shown to be promising for performing imaging. In particular, the optimization approach proposed by Ammari et al. (Ammari, H., Kang, H., Kim, & E. Lee, J.-Y. (2012)The generalized polarization tensors for resolved imaging. Part II: shape and electromagnetic parameters reconstruction of an electromagnetic inclusion from multistatic measurements. Math. Comp., 81, 839–860.) is extended to TDPTs. Numerical simulations are presented, showing that the TDPTs reconstructed from noisy measurements allow to image fine shape details of the inclusion.
On Discrete Conjugate Semi-Geodesic Nets
Authors: Hoffmann Tim , Schief Wolfgang K , Steinmeier Jannik
Published: December 2020

We introduce two canonical discretizations of nets on generic surfaces, which consist of an one-parameter family of geodesics and its associated family of conjugate lines. The two types of “discrete conjugate semi-geodesic nets” constitute discrete focal nets of circular nets, which mimics the classical connection between surfaces parametrized in terms of curvature coordinates and their focal surfaces on which one corresponding family of coordinate lines are geodesics. The discrete surfaces constructed in this manner are termed circular-geodesic and conical-geodesic nets, respectively, and may be characterized by compact angle conditions. Geometrically, circular-geodesic nets are constructed via normal lines of circular nets, while conical-geodesic nets inherit their name from their intimately related conical nets, which also discretize curvature line parametrized surfaces. We establish a variety of properties of these discrete nets, including their algebraic and geometric 3D consistency, with the latter playing an important role in (integrable) discrete differential geometry.
What are the most effective community-based antimicrobial stewardship interventions in low- and middle-income countries? A narrative review
Authors: Lam Thanh Tuan , Dang Duc Anh , Tran Huy Hoang , Do Dung Van , Le Hien , Negin Joel , Jan Stephen , Marks Guy B , Nguyen Thu Anh , Fox Greg J , Beardsley Justin
Published: December 2020

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global issue and antimicrobial stewardship is central to tackling its emergence. The burden of AMR disproportionately impacts low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where capacity for surveillance and management of resistant pathogens is least developed. Poorly regulated antibiotic consumption in the community is a major driver of AMR, especially in LMICs, yet community-based interventions are neglected in stewardship research, which is often undertaken in high-income settings and/or in hospitals. We reviewed the evidence available to researchers and policymakers testing or implementing community-based antimicrobial stewardship strategies in LMICs. We critically appraise that evidence, deliver recommendations and identify outstanding areas of research need. We find that multifaceted, education-focused interventions are likely most effective in our setting. We also confirm that the quality and quantity of community-based stewardship intervention research is limited, with research on microbiological, clinical and economic sustainability most urgently needed.
Molecular interaction of cytotoxic anticancer analogues as inhibitors of β-tubulin protein against UACC-62 melanoma cell
Authors: Chen Kuan-Chung , Wu Chi-Rei , Lien Jin-Cherng
Published: December 2020

In previous research, a series of cytotoxic anticancer analogues related to 2-acylamino-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives has been demonstrated. As microtubule plays an important role in many essential cellular processes such as mitosis, tubulin is an important target of anticancer drug. This study performed molecular docking simulation, pharmacophore model, comparative force field analysis model and comparative similarity indices analysis model to investigate the relationship between inhibitory activities and the properties of compounds, in order to further progress the development of cytotoxic anticancer analogues. These compounds have common H-bond interactions with key residues Lys254 and Lys352, but compounds with large R2 substituent have different docking poses than compounds with small R2 substituent. Some of derivatives such as compound 18 formed the H-bonds with residue Lys254 using the oxygen atoms in R1 substituent and formed π-cation interactions with residue Lys352 using phenyl moiety of 1,4-naphthoquinone. The R1 substituent of these compounds preferred to have disfavoured hydrophobic fields and favourable space towards the direction of residue Asn258, while the R2 substituent of these compounds preferred to have about 2–3 carbon chain length hydrophobic substituent towards the direction of residues Ala316 and Lys352. These results offer some beneficial advices for further study in anticancer drug development process.
Comparative study of frozen and permanent section for diagnosis of toxic epidermal necrolysis
Authors: Burnett Luke , Wang Chunyang , Zhang Feng , Adams Stephan , Wilson Joan , Mullins Fred , Lineaweaver William C
Published: December 2020

Background

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe, life-threatening mucocutaneous reaction, causing widespread sloughing of skin and mucosal surfaces. Accurate and prompt diagnosis is essential for optimal management and subsequent outcome. In this study, frozen sections were used as a rapid examination for initial diagnosis of TEN, and the frozen section diagnoses were assessed compared with permanent sections.

Methods

One hundred patients of suspected TEN were referred to our burn unit, and 67 had sufficient clinical findings for frozen and permanent biopsies. The accuracy of frozen section relative to permanent section was evaluated by calculating diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). And McNemar’s tests were used to analyze the difference between the two methods.

Results

Fifty-two specimens were classified as TEN by frozen section, 51 of which were confirmed by permanent biopsy. The exception was diagnosed as bullous pemphigoid on permanent section. Fifteen specimens were read as negative for TEN on frozen slides but 4 were changed to positive by permanent biopsy. Overall, the diagnostic accuracy of frozen section was 92.5%, with sensitivity and specificity 92.7% and 91.7% respectively. The positive predictive value, or coherence of positive diagnosis between the two methods, was as high as 98.1%, and the negative predictive value was 73.3%. The p-value of McNemar’s tests was 0.375, indicating there was no significant difference between the two biopsy methods.

Conclusion

The data suggest that as a rapid histological assessment, frozen section is a reliable tool in the early diagnosis of TEN.
Seismic wavefield reconstruction inversion using a plane-wave encoding strategy
Authors: Kim Sumin , Chung Wookeen , Kim Young Seo , Shin Changsoo
Published: December 2020

Wavefield reconstruction inversion (WRI) mitigates cycle skipping by using an inaccurate initial velocity. This attractive technique is usually implemented with shot records. However, if large numbers of shot records are used, WRI can become computationally burdensome due to the many over-determined linear systems that need to be solved. To alleviate this computational issue, we propose an efficient WRI scheme involving plane-wave encoding (WRI-PW) in the frequency domain. Plane-wave encoding can dramatically reduce the number of relevant datasets by transforming shot records into common ray-parameter gathers with time shifting. Therefore, plane-wave encoding is widely used in many aspects of seismic data processing (e.g. waveform inversion, reverse time migration, etc.). Initially, we performed a simple numerical experiment using a velocity model with a box-shaped anomaly. WRI-PW also could generate scattering wavefields in a homogeneous model. Next, computational efficiency was checked with a modified Marmousi-2 model. The results show that the usage of a sufficient plane-wave angle can achieve satisfactory inversion results. It indicates that WRI-PW requires small datasets compared to WRI. Thus, the computational costs for solving the augmented system can be reduced. Further experiments were conducted to evaluate the robustness of WRI-PW to random noise and to compare WRI-PW and conventional full waveform inversion (FWI) with a modified SEG/EAGE salt velocity model. We verify that WRI-PW is more robust to random noise than WRI, it exhibited less dependency on the accuracy of the initial velocity model than conventional FWI and it is computationally efficient.
The Contribution of Clonality to Population Genetic Structure in the Sea Anemone,Diadumene lineata
Authors: Ryan Will H , Aida Jaclyn , Krueger-Hadfield Stacy A
Published: December 2020

Ecological and evolutionary processes differ depending on how genetic diversity is organized in space. For clonal organisms, the organization of both genetic and genotypic diversity can influence the fitness effects of competition, the mating system, and reproductive mode, which are key drivers of life cycle evolution. Understanding how individual reproductive behavior contributes to population genetic structure is essential for disentangling these forces, particularly in species with complex and plastic life cycles. The widespread sea anemone, Diadumene lineata, exhibits temperature-dependent fission, which contributes to predictable variation in clonal rate along the Atlantic coast of the United States, part of its non-native range. Because warmer conditions lead to higher rates of clonality, we expected to find lower genotypic and genetic diversity in lower versus higher latitude populations. We developed primers for 11 microsatellite loci and genotyped 207 anemones collected from 8 sites ranging from Florida to Massachusetts. We found clonal influence at all sites, and as predicted, the largest clones were found at lower latitude sites. We also found genetic signatures of sex in the parts of the range where gametogenesis is most common. Evidence of sex outside the native range is novel for this species and provides insights into the dynamics of this successful invader. Our findings also illustrate challenges that partially clonal taxa pose for eco-evolutionary studies, such as difficulty sampling statistically robust numbers of genets and interpretating common population genetic metrics. For example, we found high among-locus variation in FIS, which makes the meaning of mean multilocus FIS unclear.
Surgical outcomes of primary lung cancers following esophagectomy for primary esophageal carcinoma
Authors: Komatsu Hiroaki , Izumi Nobuhiro , Tsukioka Takuma , Inoue Hidetoshi , Miyamoto Hikaru , Ito Ryuichi , Kimura Takuya , Nishiyama Noritoshi
Published: December 2020

Background

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the perioperative complications and prognosis of patients with a history of resected esophageal carcinoma who subsequently underwent pulmonary resection of a primary lung cancer.

Methods

The study cohort comprised 23 patients who had undergone curative resection of a primary lung cancer following esophagectomy for a primary esophageal carcinoma. Clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes were analyzed.

Results

The initial treatment for esophageal carcinoma was esophagectomy by thoracotomy in 10 patients and video assisted thoracoscopic surgery in 13. The treatments for lung cancer comprised wedge resection in three patients, segmentectomy in seven and lobectomy in 13. The pulmonary resections were performed by thoracotomy in six and video assisted thoracoscopic surgery in 17. The average operating time for the lung cancer surgeries was 202 min and average blood loss 122 ml. There were no perioperative deaths or severe complications. Three- and Five-year overall survival rates were 78.0% and 68.2%. According to univariate survival analysis, age, restrictive ventilatory impairment and histology of lung cancer were significant predictors of poor prognosis (all P < 0.05). Significantly more of the patients with than without restrictive ventilatory impairment died of other diseases (P = 0.0036).

Conclusions

Pulmonary resection for primary lung cancers following esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma is acceptable in selected patients. Such surgery requires caution concerning intrathoracic adhesions and postoperative prolonged air leakage. Patients with restrictive ventilatory impairment had a poorer prognosis, and the indication for surgery in these patients should be carefully considered.
Testosterone attenuates pulmonary epithelial inflammation in male rats of COPD model through preventing NRF1-derived NF-κB signaling
Authors: Wang Xueting , Huang Linlin , Jiang Shan , Cheng Kang , Wang Dan , Luo Qianqian , Wu Xiaomei , Zhu Li
Published: December 2020

Testosterone deficiency is common in male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and may correlate with the deterioration of COPD. Clinical research suggests that testosterone replacement therapy may slow the COPD progression, but the specific biological pathway remains unclear. In this study, we explored the effect of testosterone on pulmonary inflammation in male COPD rats. The animals were co-treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cigarette to induce COPD. In COPD rats, nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) and NF-κB p65 were upregulated. In cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-, LPS-, or the combination of CSE and LPS-treated L132 cells, NRF1 and p65 were also upregulated. Silencing NRF1 resulted in the downregulation of p65. ChIP‒seq, ChIP‒qPCR, and luciferase results showed that NRF1 transcriptionally regulated p65. Both male and female COPD rats showed an upregulated NRF1 level and similar pulmonary morphology. But NRF1 was further upregulated in male castrated rats. Further supplementing testosterone in castrated male rats significantly reduced NRF1, pulmonary lesions, and inflammation. Supplementation of testosterone also reduced the phosphorylation of p65 and IKKβ induced by LPS or CSE in L132 cells. Our results suggest that testosterone plays a protective role in pulmonary epithelial inflammation of COPD through inhibition of NRF1-derived NF-κB signaling and the phosphorylation of p65.
The front line of defence: a meta-analysis of apoplastic proteases in plant immunity
Authors: Godson Alice , van der Hoorn Renier A L
Published: December 2020

Secreted proteases act at the front line of defence and play pivotal roles in disease resistance. However, the criteria for apoplastic immune proteases are not always defined and followed. Here, we critically reviewed 46 apoplastic proteases that function in plant defence. We found that most apoplastic immune proteases are induced upon infection, and 17 proteases are genetically required for the immune response. Proteolytic activity has been confirmed for most of the proteases but is rarely shown to be required for biological function, and the apoplastic location of proteases can be subjective and dynamic. Pathogen-derived inhibitors have only been described for cysteine and serine proteases, and the selection pressure acting on immune proteases is rarely investigated. We discuss six different mechanisms by which these proteases mediate plant immunity and summarize the challenges for future research.
Measuring the viscosity of dark matter with strongly lensed gravitational waves
Authors: Cao Shuo , Qi Jingzhao , Biesiada Marek , Liu Tonghua , Li Jin , Zhu Zong-Hong
Published: December 2020

Based on the strongly lensed gravitational waves (GWs) from compact binary coalescence, we propose a new strategy to examine the fluid shear viscosity of dark matter (DM) in the GW domain, i.e. whether a GW experiences the damping effect when it propagates in DM fluid with nonzero shear viscosity. By assuming that the DM self-scatterings are efficient enough for the hydrodynamic description to be valid, our results demonstrate that future ground-based Einstein Telescope and satellite GW observatory (big bang observer) may succeed in detecting any DM self-interactions at the scales of galaxies and clusters.
Naming the Frames that Shape Us
Authors: Marvin Elizabeth West
Published: December 2020

This introduction provides context for the Society for Music Theory’s 2019 plenary session, “Reframing Music Theory.” These four papers together confront the frames of race, ethnicity, nationality, ability, gender, and sexuality that have bounded music theory and music theorists for generations, constraining what our discipline can be. They explore underlying reasons for the lack of diversity in the Society’s demographics and suggest ways that our research can be enriched when we embrace this diversity, to lead to a more equitable future.
Fungal-Type Terpene Synthases in Marchantia polymorpha Are Involved in Sesquiterpene Biosynthesis in Oil Body Cells
Authors: Takizawa Ryosuke , Hatada Miki , Moriwaki Yuta , Abe Sachika , Yamashita Yuko , Arimitsu Ryoma , Yamato Katsuyuki T , Nishihama Ryuichi , Kohchi Takayuki , Koeduka Takao , Chen Feng , Matsui Kenji
Published: December 2020

The liverwort Marchantia polymorpha possesses oil bodies in idioblastic oil body cells scattered in its thallus. Oil bodies are subcellular organelles in which specific sesquiterpenes and bisbibenzyls are accumulated. Therefore, a specialized system for the biosynthesis and accumulation of these defense compounds specifically in oil bodies has been implied. A recent study on M. polymorpha genome sequencing revealed 10 genes that shared high similarities with fungal-type terpene synthases (TPSs). Eight of these fungal-type TPS-like genes in M. polymorpha (MpFTPSL1-6, -9 and -10) are located within a 376-kb stretch on chromosome 6 and share similarities of over 94% at the nucleotide level. Therefore, these genes have likely originated from recent gene duplication events. The expression of a subset of MpFTPSLs was induced under non-axenic growth on vermiculite, which increased the amounts of sesquiterpenes and number of oil bodies. The tdTomato fluorescent protein-based in-fusion reporter assay with MpFTPSL2 promoter revealed fluorescent signals specifically in oil body cells of the thallus, indicating that MpFTPSL2 functions in oil body cells. Recombinant MpFTPSL2 expression in Escherichia coli led to sesquiterpene synthesis from farnesyl pyrophosphate. Moreover, suppression of a subset of MpFTPSLs through RNA interference reduced sesquiterpene accumulation in thalli grown on vermiculite. Taken together, these results suggest that at least a subset of MpFTPSLs is involved in sesquiterpene synthesis in oil body cells.
Allostatic Load Effects on Cortical and Cognitive Deficits in Essentially Normotensive, Normoweight Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Zhou Yanfang , Huang Junchao , Zhang Ping , Tong Jinghui , Fan Fengmei , Gou Mengzhuang , Cui Yimin , Luo Xingguang , Tan Shuping , Wang Zhiren , Feng Wei , Yang Fude , Tian Baopeng , Tian Li , Savransky Anya , Hare Stephanie , Ryan Meghann C , Goldwaser Eric , Chiappelli Joshua , Chen Shuo , Kochunov Peter , Kvarta Mark , Tan Yunlong , Hong L Elliot
Published: December 2020

Reduced cortical gray matter integrity and cognitive abilities are among core deficits in schizophrenia. We hypothesized that higher allostatic load (AL) that accounts for exposure to chronic stress is a contributor to structural and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. One hundred and sixty-seven schizophrenia patients who were on average with normal weight, normal systolic, and diastolic blood pressure and 72 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Group differences in subclinical cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and neuroendocrine biological markers as indexed by AL and contribution of AL components to the structural and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia were explored. Compared with controls, schizophrenia patients who were normotensive, normoweight, and had low total cholesterol levels still had significantly higher AL mainly due to lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher heart rate, waist-hip ratio, hemoglobinA1c, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, and overnight-urine cortisol levels. Patients also had decreased whole-brain mean cortical thickness, and lower cognition assessed by the MATRICS consensus cognitive battery. AL was inversely correlated with mean cortical thickness and cognition in schizophrenia, while none of these relationships existed in controls. Mediation analyses showed the effect of AL on cognitive deficits in schizophrenia was significantly mediated by cortical thinning, and the most significant mediating cortical area was the left superior frontal gyrus. Cortical thickness may act as a mediator between AL and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Early intervention strategies to reduce cortical thinning and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia should target specific aspects of their high AL in addition to weight gain, hypertension and high cholesterol levels.
Environmental Risk Factors in Bipolar Disorder and Psychotic Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies
Authors: Rodriguez Victoria , Alameda Luis , Trotta Giulia , Spinazzola Edoardo , Marino Paolo , Matheson Sandra L , Laurens Kristin R , Murray Robin M , Vassos Evangelos
Published: December 2020

Objective

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to study the association between specific environmental risk factors (ERF) and later development of Bipolar disorder and Psychotic depression.

Methods

A systematic search of prospective studies was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases, and supplemented by hand searching, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (registration number: CRD42018092253). Selected ERF included: pre-/peri-natal factors—paternal age at birth, maternal infection, obstetric complications, perinatal stress; early childhood factors—urbanicity at birth, childhood infection, childhood adversity; later life factors—substance misuse, ethnic minority and migration, urbanicity later in life, stressful life events, and traumatic head injury. Pooled effect sizes of the association between these ERF and affective psychoses were calculated from systematically selected studies. When studies examining each ERF were insufficient for meta-analysis, results were presented narratively.

Results

Forty-six studies were included for quantitative analyses among selected ERF for affective psychosis, with significant association found for paternal age >40 years (OR 1.17, 95%CI 1.12–1.23), early (OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.07–2.17) and late (OR 1.32, 95%CI 1.05–1.67) gestational age, childhood adversity (OR 1.33, 95%CI 1.18–1.50), substance misuse (OR 2.87, 95%CI 1.63–5.50), and being from an ethnic minority (OR 1.99, 95%CI 1.39–2.84).

Conclusions

These results suggest some shared environmental load between non-affective and affective psychosis, implying generalized risks for psychosis rather than for specific diagnostic categories. Nonetheless, published studies for some ERF in the affective psychoses are scarce, and further longitudinal studies are needed.
Transcriptional Profiling of ThreePseudomonas syringaepv.actinidiaeBiovars Reveals Different Responses to Apoplast-Like Conditions Related to Strain Virulence on the Host
Authors: Vandelle Elodie , Colombo Teresa , Regaiolo Alice , Maurizio Vanessa , Libardi Tommaso , Puttilli Maria-Rita , Danzi Davide , Polverari Annalisa
Published: December 2020

Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae is a phytopathogen that causes devastating bacterial canker in kiwifruit. Among five biovars defined by genetic, biochemical, and virulence traits, P. syringae pv. actinidiae biovar 3 (Psa3) is the most aggressive and is responsible for the most recent reported outbreaks; however, the molecular basis of its heightened virulence is unclear. Therefore, we designed the first P. syringae multistrain whole-genome microarray, encompassing biovars Psa1, Psa2, and Psa3 and the well-established model P. syringae pv. tomato, and analyzed early bacterial responses to an apoplast-like minimal medium. Transcriptomic profiling revealed i) the strong activation in Psa3 of all hypersensitive reaction and pathogenicity (hrp) and hrp conserved (hrc) cluster genes, encoding components of the type III secretion system required for bacterial pathogenicity and involved in responses to environmental signals; ii) potential repression of the hrp/hrc cluster in Psa2; and iii) activation of flagellum-dependent cell motility and chemotaxis genes in Psa1. The detailed investigation of three gene families encoding upstream regulatory proteins (histidine kinases, their cognate response regulators, and proteins with diguanylate cyclase or phosphodiesterase domains) indicated that cyclic di-GMP may be a key regulator of virulence in P. syringae pv. actinidiae biovars. The gene expression data were supported by the quantification of biofilm formation. Our findings suggest that diverse early responses to the host apoplast, even among bacteria belonging to the same pathovar, can lead to different virulence strategies and may explain the differing outcomes of infections. Based on our detailed structural analysis of hrp operons, we also propose a revision of hrp cluster organization and operon regulation in P. syringae.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Cardiac arrest in older adult patients
Authors: Einav Sharon , Cortegiani Andrea , Marcus Esther-Lee
Published: December 2020

Purpose of review

To describe the epidemiology, prognostication, and treatment of out- and in-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA and IHCA) in elderly patients.

Recent findings

Elderly patients undergoing cardiac arrest (CA) challenge the appropriateness of attempting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Current literature suggests that factors traditionally associated with survival to hospital discharge and neurologically intact survival after CA cardiac arrest in general (e.g. presenting ryhthm, bystander CPR, targeted temperature management) may not be similarly favorable in elderly patients. Alternative factors meaningful for outcome in this special population include prearrest functional status, comorbidity load, the specific age subset within the elderly population, and CA location (i.e., nursing versus private home). Age should therefore not be a standalone criterion for withholding CPR. Attempts to perform CPR in an elderly patient should instead stem from a shared decision-making process.

An appropriate CPR attempt is an attempt resulting in neurologically intact survival. Appropriate CPR in elderly patients requires better risk classification. Future research should therefore focus on the associations of specific within-elderly age subgroups, comorbidities, and functional status with neurologically intact survival. Reporting must be standardized to enable such evaluation.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury in Females: A State-of-the-Art Summary and Future Directions
Authors: Valera Eve M. , Joseph Annie-Lori C. , Snedaker Katherine , Breiding Matthew J. , Robertson Courtney L. , Colantonio Angela , Levin Harvey , Pugh Mary Jo , Yurgelun-Todd Deborah , Mannix Rebekah , Bazarian Jeffrey J. , Turtzo L. Christine , Turkstra Lyn S. , Begg Lisa , Cummings Diana M. , Bellgowan Patrick S. F.
Published: December 2020

In this report, we identify existing issues and challenges related to research on traumatic brain injury (TBI) in females and provide future directions for research. In 2017, the National Institutes of Health, in partnership with the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine and the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, hosted a workshop that focused on the unique challenges facing researchers, clinicians, patients, and other stakeholders regarding TBI in women. The goal of this “Understanding TBI in Women” workshop was to bring together researchers and clinicians to identify knowledge gaps, best practices, and target populations in research on females and/or sex differences within the field of TBI. The workshop, and the current literature, clearly highlighted that females have been underrepresented in TBI studies and clinical trials and have often been excluded (or ovariectomized) in preclinical studies. Such an absence in research on females has led to an incomplete, and perhaps inaccurate, understanding of TBI in females. The presentations and discussions centered on the existing knowledge regarding sex differences in TBI research and how these differences could be incorporated in preclinical and clinical efforts going forward. Now, a little over 2 years later, we summarize the issues and state of the science that emerged from the “Understanding TBI in Women” workshop while incorporating updates where they exist. Overall, despite some progress, there remains an abundance of research focused on males and relatively little explicitly on females.
Poor Interrater Reliability of Retrospectively Applied Subjective Global Assessment for Malnutrition in the Critically Ill
Authors: Poyant Janelle O. , Kanderi Tejaswi , DiCecco Sara R. , Heimgartner Joy R. , Kashani Kianoush B. , Mara Kristin C. , Barreto Erin F.
Published: December 2020

The Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) has been recommended to assess nutritional status, yet its performance in the intensive care unit (ICU) has not been vigorously validated. We sought to determine whether retrospectively applied SGA using the electronic health record (EHR) offered satisfactory interrater reliability. Validity and reliability of the retrospectively applied SGA were assessed in 398 ICU patients between 2008 and 2015. Interrater reliability between registered dietitian/nutritionist- and physician-determined SGA score was poor (weighted κ = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.27-0.43). The SGA exhibited poor interrater reliability in ICU patients, and the utility was limited by the availability of data in the EHR.
From Grub Street to the Colony: George William Francis and an early Victorian scientific career
Authors: Huang Hsiang-Fu
Published: December 2020

This article focuses on the early scientific career of George William Francis (1800–1865), a London-born botanist who later emigrated to Australia and founded the Adelaide Botanic Garden. Most scholarly works about Francis emphasize his botanical contributions or life in Australia, yet overlook his career before middle age in England as a versatile popular writer, editor and lecturer. His involvement in the venture of ‘commercial science’, or the display and exploitation of knowledge, reflects a career route for a non-elite practitioner to earn a living and build scientific reputation in early Victorian gentlemanly science. The venture included his establishment of the popular journal
The Magazine of Science and School of Arts
(1839–1852). He also associated himself with the network of the scientific elites by communicating to the learned, such as the pre-eminent botanist William Hooker. By examining the distinctive trajectory of Francis's career, this essay explores the potential and limits of such strategies to gain institutional recognition from the scientific community in the pre-professionalized period.
Point mutation in the stop codon of MAV_RS14660 increases the growth rate of Mycobacterium avium subspecies hominissuis
Authors: Kawakita Tomomi , Mukai Tetsu , Yoshida Mitsunori , Yamada Hiroyuki , Nakayama Masaaki , Miyamoto Yuji , Suzuki Masato , Nakata Noboru , Takii Takemasa , Ryo Akihide , Ohara Naoya , Ato Manabu
Published: December 2020

Mycobacterium avium

subspecies

hominissuis

(MAH) is a pathogen that causes various non-tuberculous mycobacterial diseases in humans and animals worldwide. Among the genus, MAH is characterized by relatively slow growth. Here, we isolated a rapidly growing variant of the MAH 104 strain. The variant strain (named N104) exhibited an enhanced growth rate and higher motility compared to the parent MAH 104 strain (P104). Whole-genome sequencing analysis of N104 revealed the loss of the stop codon of MAV_RS14660 due to a single nucleotide replacement, resulting in the substitution of the codon for tryptophan. Notably, exclusion of the stop codon ligated the open reading frames and caused the fusion of two adjacent proteins. A revertant parent strain, in which a mutation was introduced to restore the stop codon, revealed that elimination of the stop codon in MAV_RS14660 was responsible for the N104 phenotype. Furthermore, we analysed the phenotypes of the parent and mutated strains by determining the functions of the MAV_RS14660 and MAV_RS14655 coding regions flanking the stop codon. The mutant strains, expected to express a fusion protein, exhibited increased resistance to antimicrobial drugs and exogenous copper toxicity compared to that of the parent strains. These findings suggest that the fusion of the MAV_RS14660- and MAV_RS14655-encoding regions in the mutant N104 strain could be related to the modified functions of these intrinsic proteins.
The Association between Macular Structure and Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane
Authors: Ma I-Hsin , Yang Chung-May , Hsieh Yi-Ting
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study measured the anatomical characteristics of the macula in fellow eyes of patients with unilateral idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) and compared them with normal control.

Design

A retrospective observational study.

Participants

A total of of 94 fellow eyes with unilateral idiopathic ERM were gathered as the study group, and their age and gender-matched subjects with no vitreomacular diseases were recruited as the control group.

Methods

Macular structure parameters including foveal base width (FBW), central foveolar thickness (CFT), central subfield thickness (CST), area of foveal avascular zone (FAZ), and retinal artery trajectory (RAT) were measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography and were compared between two groups.

Main outcome measures

Macular structure parameters were compared between the two groups. A wide-based foveal pit was defined as a FBW larger than the mean value plus one standard deviation of the normal population. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors that affect FBW.

Results

Among the 94 fellow eyes of unilateral ERM; 71 eyes (75.5%) had a wide-based foveal pit. Both their FBW (418.9 ± 68.7 µm) and area of FAZ (0.38 ± 0.12 mm2) were significantly larger than those in the control group (323.2 ± 74.3 µm and 0.31± 0.17 mm2; p < 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively), and they also had a thinner CFT and CST, and a wider RAT than the control group (p < 0.05 for all). In the control group, females had a wider FBW, a thinner CFT and CST, and a wider RAT than males (p < 0.05 for all). Regression analysis showed that female, a thinner CST and a larger FAZ were all associated with a larger FBW.

Conclusion

Fellow eyes of the unilateral ERM had a larger FBW and FAZ, a thinner CFT and CST, and a wider RAT than the normal population. This implicates that centrifugal macular traction may result in the formation of idiopathic ERM. Females had a wider FBW, a thinner CST, and a wider RAT than males, which may explain the higher prevalence of idiopathic ERM in females.
The end protection problem—an unexpected twist in the tail
Authors: Ruis Phil , Boulton Simon J.
Published: December 2020

In this perspective, we introduce shelterin and the mechanisms of ATM activation and NHEJ at telomeres, before discussing the following questions: How are t-loops proposed to protect chromosome ends and what is the evidence for this model? Can other models explain how TRF2 mediates end protection? Could t-loops be pathological structures? How is end protection achieved in pluripotent cells? What do the insights into telomere end protection in pluripotent cells mean for the t-loop model of end protection? Why might different cell states have evolved different mechanisms of end protection? Finally, we offer support for an updated t-loop model of end protection, suggesting that the data is supportive of a critical role for t-loops in protecting chromosome ends from NHEJ and ATM activation, but that other mechanisms are involved. Finally, we propose that t-loops are likely dynamic, rather than static, structures.
Nondestructive residual stress depth profile analysis at the inner surface of small boreholes using energy-dispersive diffraction under laboratory conditions
Authors: Genzel Christoph , Meixner Matthias , Apel Daniel , Boin Mirko , Klaus Manuela
Published: December 2020

Energy-dispersive diffraction under both laboratory and synchrotron conditions was applied to study the hoop stress in the near-surface region of the inner wall of boreholes with a small diameter of 2 mm. By use of different X-ray beam cross sections for the sin2ψ measurements, it is demonstrated that the borehole-to-beam-diameter ratio must be considered in the evaluation. A beam cross section which is comparable to the borehole diameter reduces the slope of the d

hkl

φψ–sin2ψ distributions and thus invalidates the result of stress analysis. A quantitative relationship is applied, which allows the results obtained under the above conditions to be scaled so that they reflect the actual residual stress state at the measurement position. Owing to the small diffraction angles, energy-dispersive diffraction proves to be the only suitable experimental technique that allows a nondestructive and depth-resolved analysis of the hoop stress component at the inner surface of boreholes with a large length-to-diameter ratio.
Casual snacking as an automatic process: a grounded cognition framework
Authors: Teichert Thorsten , Wörfel Philipp , Ackermann Claire-Lise
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Snacking typically occurs as an automatic, consciously uncontrolled process which can lead to unintended health consequences. Grounded cognition informs about the multifaceted drivers of such automatic consumption processes. By integrating situation-, stimulus-, and person-specific factors, this study provides a holistic account of snacking.

Design/methodology/approach

A combined psychophysiological and behavioral experiment is conducted wherein participants can casually snack chocolate while participating in a survey setting. Implicit cognitions are assessed with the Implicit Association Test. The percentage of consumed chocolate serves as dependent variable in a Tobit regression with predictors at situation, stimulus and person level.

Findings

Chocolate snacking is positively influenced by personal craving tendencies, implicit food associations and situational contingency. We condense the results into an overarching framework in line with grounded cognition literature.

Practical implications

The multidimensional framework can guide consumer protection efforts to reduce excessive snacking habits based on situation, stimulus and person.

Originality/value

This study integrates theory from social cognition, consumer research, and behavioral food research and, thereby, extends the existing body of knowledge on grounded cognitions underlying snacking consumption.
Machine learning and optimization-based modeling for asset management: a case study
Authors: Muñoz-Villamizar Andrés , Rafavy Carlos Yohan , Casey Justin
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This research is inspired by a real case study from a pump rental business company across the US. The company was looking to increase the utilization of its rental assets while, at the same time, keeping the cost of fleet mobilization as efficient as possible. However, decisions for asset movement between branches were largely arranged between individual branch managers on an as-needed basis.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose an improvement for the company's asset management practice by modeling an integrated decision tool which involves evaluation of several machine learning algorithms for demand prediction and mathematical optimization for a centrally-planned asset allocation.

Findings

The authors found that a feed-forward neural network (FNN) model with single hidden layer is the best performing predictor for the company's intermittent product demand and the optimization model is proven to prescribe the most efficient asset allocation given the demand prediction from FNN model.

Practical implications

The implementation of this new tool will close the gap between the company's current and desired future level of operational performance and consequently increase its competitiveness

Originality/value

The results show a superior prediction performance by a feed-forward neural network model and an efficient allocation decision prescribed by the optimization model.