bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marine Protection Induces Morphological Variation in the California Moray, Gymnothorax mordax
Authors: Mehta Rita S , Dale Katherine E , Higgins Benjamin A
Published: May 2020

Synopsis

The effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) on the general health and conservation of species, habitats, and community interactions is of great interest to researchers, managers, and recreationalists. However, the ecological and behavioral diversity of vertebrate predators of southern California kelp forests limits our ability to make general conclusions about MPA effectiveness across a variety of species. Identifying and studying species with extreme feeding habits or prey-capture strategies may offer greater insight into predator–prey relationships and reveal the trophic importance of an animal in the larger community. Moray eels (family Muraenidae) have been shown to have morphological and behavioral adaptations that allow them to consume large prey whole, identifying them as important predators. From 2015 to 2018, we studied the health and feeding behavior of a long-lived, elusive, and benthic kelp forest predator, the California moray eel (Gymnothorax mordax). We trapped eels inside and outside of Blue Cavern Onshore State Marine Conservation Area, an MPA on the northwest side of Santa Catalina Island, CA which prohibits the take of any species. Over 4 years, we captured 1736 eels. Overall, we found that morays were longer, older, heavier, had higher body condition, and were found in greater abundance within the MPA. Although fish comprised the majority of their summer diet, morays outside of the MPA were consuming a more diverse set of fish, while kelp bass comprised more than half of the diet for morays inhabiting the MPA. Additionally, we found that morays within the MPA had larger relative vertical gape distances (VGDs) and narrower heads. Our recapture data support the high site fidelity of morays, indicating that their diet and morphology are influenced by their local community. While the majority of morays are thriving in the MPA, as suggested by their robust sizes and longevity, high abundance appears to result in higher frequencies of cannibalism, the presence of an undescribed disease, and lower growth rates. Our results suggest that the MPA affects the life history of morays and may select for an alternative feeding strategy in which eels develop larger VGDs, smaller adductor muscles, and a specialized diet which is presumably influenced by the local environment. In addition, observations of cannibalistic behavior and species-specific disease provide us with important insight into natural factors that may still regulate populations removed from anthropogenic disturbances such as fishing.
Dynamic extracellular matrix stiffening induces a phenotypic transformation and a migratory shift in epithelial cells
Authors: Allen Shane C , Widman Jessica A , Datta Anisha , Suggs Laura J
Published: May 2020

Soft tissue tumors, including breast cancer, become stiffer throughout disease progression. This increase in stiffness has been shown to correlate to malignant phenotype and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro. Unlike current models, utilizing static increases in matrix stiffness, our group has previously created a system that allows for dynamic stiffening of an alginate–matrigel composite hydrogel to mirror the native dynamic process. Here, we utilize this system to evaluate the role of matrix stiffness on EMT and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Epithelial cells were seen to lose normal morphology and become protrusive and migratory after stiffening. This shift corresponded to a loss of epithelial markers and gain of mesenchymal markers in both the cell clusters and migrated cells. Furthermore, stiffening in a murine model reduced tumor burden and increased migratory behavior prior to tumor formation. Inhibition of FAK and PI3K in vitro abrogated the morphologic and migratory transformation of epithelial cell clusters. This work demonstrates the key role extracellular matrix stiffening has in tumor progression through integrin signaling and, in particular, its ability to drive EMT-related changes and metastasis.
A transformation-based method for auditing the IS-A hierarchy of biomedical terminologies in the Unified Medical Language System
Authors: Zheng Fengbo , Shi Jay , Yang Yuntao , Zheng W Jim , Cui Licong
Published: May 2020

Objective

The Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) integrates various source terminologies to support interoperability between biomedical information systems. In this article, we introduce a novel transformation-based auditing method that leverages the UMLS knowledge to systematically identify missing hierarchical IS-A relations in the source terminologies.

Materials and Methods

Given a concept name in the UMLS, we first identify its base and secondary noun chunks. For each identified noun chunk, we generate replacement candidates that are more general than the noun chunk. Then, we replace the noun chunks with their replacement candidates to generate new potential concept names that may serve as supertypes of the original concept. If a newly generated name is an existing concept name in the same source terminology with the original concept, then a potentially missing IS-A relation between the original and the new concept is identified.

Results

Applying our transformation-based method to English-language concept names in the UMLS (2019AB release), a total of 39 359 potentially missing IS-A relations were detected in 13 source terminologies. Domain experts evaluated a random sample of 200 potentially missing IS-A relations identified in the SNOMED CT (U.S. edition) and 100 in Gene Ontology. A total of 173 of 200 and 63 of 100 potentially missing IS-A relations were confirmed by domain experts, indicating that our method achieved a precision of 86.5% and 63% for the SNOMED CT and Gene Ontology, respectively.

Conclusions

Our results showed that our transformation-based method is effective in identifying missing IS-A relations in the UMLS source terminologies.
Biopesticides for Management of Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus
Authors: Smith Hugh A
Published: May 2020

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 Gennadius, is a global pest of tomato, transmitting Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Management of B. tabaci is challenging in part because of its ability to develop resistance to insecticides. Biopesticides include materials that control B. tabaci via mechanisms that do not select for resistance. Field experiments were conducted in the spring and fall of 2016 and 2017 at the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in west central Florida to compare biopesticides to conventional insecticides for management of B. tabaci and TYLCV. Insecticide rotations were designed in part around the concept that conventional insecticide programs should group modes of action according to 5-wk treatment intervals, corresponding to an estimated 5-wk generation time for the pest. In 2016, when tomato was treated during the first 5-wk treatment interval with either biopesticides or neonicotinoid insecticides, insecticidal soap contributed to a reduction in whitefly egg numbers and percentage TYLCV that was comparable to results achieved with dinotefuran. In contrast, egg numbers and virus incidence in plants treated with kaolin clay tended to be numerically higher than the untreated control. In spring 2017, comparisons of biopesticides and conventional ovicides/nymphicides during the second 5-wk treatment interval showed that biopesticides can provide comparable reduction in nymph numbers to conventional insecticides. While data from these trials confirm that biopesticides can reduce numbers of whitefly eggs and nymphs, they indicate that season-long programs of the biopesticides evaluated may not reduce transmission of TYLCV below economically acceptable levels.
Diversity of Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae (Diptera: Oestroidea) in a Mangrove, Restinga, and Forest Landscapes From a Lagoon Complex on an Atlantic Forest Coastline (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Authors: Luz R T , Azevedo W T A , Silva A S , Lessa C S S , Maia V C , Aguiar V M
Published: May 2020

Diptera Mesembrinellidae present great ecological importance as potential bioindicators and Calliphoridae stand out for their medical-sanitary importance as potential vectors of pathogens and causes of human and animal diseases such as myiasis. They beneficially aid in elucidating crimes in forensic entomology, contributing to determine the postmortem interval (PMI) and assisting in the healing process of necrotic wounds in larval therapy. This study aimed to inventory the Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae fauna in order to evaluate structural parameters and to apply faunal indexes in catching species in the Itaipu–Piratininga lagoon complex, in Niterói (Rio de Janeiro), Brazil. The collections were carried out monthly from September 2015 to August 2016 with fish bait (sardines) exposed for 48 h, totaling six traps installed in three physiognomies (mangrove, ombrophilous forest, and restinga). In total, 9,773 individuals were captured, divided into two families, five genera, and 11 species. Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) was the predominant species, while Mesembrinella bellardiana (Aldrich, 1922) was the least representative species, indicating the preservation level of this ecosystem. Ombrophilous forest was the physiognomy with greater diversity and restinga was the physiognomy with greater species dominance. The similarity index indicated greater similarity among the mangrove and restinga populations.
Connecting the structure of dark matter haloes to the primordial power spectrum
Authors: Brown Shaun T , McCarthy Ian G , Diemer Benedikt , Font Andreea S , Stafford Sam G , Pfeifer Simon
Published: May 2020

A large body of work based on collisionless cosmological N-body simulations going back over two decades has advanced the idea that collapsed dark matter (DM) haloes have simple and approximately universal forms for their mass density and pseudo-phase-space density (PPSD) distributions. However, a general consensus on the physical origin of these results has not yet been reached. In the present study, we explore to what extent the apparent universality of these forms holds when we vary the initial conditions (i.e. the primordial power spectrum of density fluctuations) away from the standard CMB-normalized case, but still within the context of lambda cold dark matter with a fixed expansion history. Using simulations that vary the initial amplitude and shape, we show that the structure of DM haloes retains a clear memory of the initial conditions. Specifically, increasing (lowering) the amplitude of fluctuations increases (decreases) the concentration of haloes and, if pushed far enough, the density profiles deviate strongly from the NFW form that is a good approximation for the CMB-normalized case. Although, an Einasto form works well. Rather than being universal, the slope of the PPSD (or pseudo-entropy) profile steepens (flattens) with increasing (decreasing) power spectrum amplitude and can exhibit a strong halo mass dependence. Our results therefore indicate that the previously identified universality of the structure of DM haloes is mostly a consequence of adopting a narrow range of (CMB-normalized) initial conditions for the simulations. Our new suite provides a useful test-bench against which physical models for the origin of halo structure can be validated.
The mergers in Abell 2256: displaced gas and its connection to the radio-emitting plasma
Authors: Breuer J P , Werner N , Mernier F , Mroczkowski T , Simionescu A , Clarke T E , ZuHone J A , Di Mascolo L
Published: May 2020

We present the results of deep Chandra and XMM–Newton X-ray imaging and spatially resolved spectroscopy of Abell 2256, a nearby (z = 0.058) galaxy cluster experiencing multiple mergers and displaying a rich radio morphology dominated by a large relic. The X-ray data reveal three subclusters: (i) the ‘main cluster’; (ii) the remnant of an older merger in the east of the cluster with an ∼600 kpc-long tail; (iii) a bright, bullet-like, low-entropy infalling system, with a large line-of-sight velocity component. The low-entropy system displays a 250 kpc-long cold front with a break and an intriguing surface brightness decrement. Interestingly, the infalling gas is not co-spatial with bright galaxies and the radio-loud brightest cluster galaxy of the infalling group appears dissociated from the low-entropy plasma by ∼50 kpc in projection, to the south of the eastern edge of the cold front. Assuming that the dark matter follows the galaxy distribution, we predict that it is also significantly offset from the low-entropy gas. Part of the low-frequency radio emission near the cold front might be revived by magnetic field amplification due to differential gas motions. Using analytical models and numerical simulations, we investigate the possibility that the supersonic infall of the subcluster generates a large-scale shock along our line of sight, which can be detected in the X-ray temperature map but is not associated with any clear features in the surface brightness distribution.
Simulating the outer layers of rapidly rotating stars
Authors: Robinson F J , Tanner J , Basu S
Published: May 2020

This paper presents the results of a set of radiative hydrodynamic simulations of convection in the near-surface regions of a rapidly rotating star. The simulations use microphysics consistent with stellar models, and include the effects of realistic convection and radiative transfer. We find that the overall effect of rotation is to reduce the strength of turbulence. The combination of rotation and radiative cooling creates a zonal velocity profile in which the motion of fluid parcels near the surface is independent of rotation. Their motion is controlled by the strong up and down flows generated by radiative cooling. The fluid parcels in the deeper layers, on the other hand, are controlled by rotation.
Intensity and time series of extreme solar-terrestrial storm in 1946 March
Authors: Hayakawa Hisashi , Ebihara Yusuke , Pevtsov Alexei A , Bhaskar Ankush , Karachik Nina , Oliveira Denny M
Published: May 2020

Major solar eruptions occasionally cause magnetic superstorms on the Earth. Despite their serious consequences, the low frequency of their occurrence provides us with only limited cases through modern instrumental observations, and the intensities of historical storms before the coverage of the Dst index have been only sporadically estimated. Herein, we examine a solar-terrestrial storm that occurred in 1946 March and quantitatively evaluate its parameters. During the ascending phase of Solar Cycle 18, two moderate sunspot groups caused a major flare. The H α flaring area was recorded to be ≥600–1200 millionths of solar hemisphere, suggesting that this was an M- or X-class flare in soft X-ray intensity. Upon this eruption, a rapid interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) with an average speed of ≈1590 km s−1 was launched. Based on measurements in four known mid-latitude and relatively complete magnetograms, the arrival of this extreme ICME caused a magnetic superstorm, which caused an initial phase with the H-component amplitude of ≥80 nT, followed by a main phase whose intensity was reconstructed as ≤−512 nT using most negative Dst* estimates. Meanwhile, the equatorial boundary of the auroral oval extended down to ≤41${^{\circ}_{.}}$8 in invariant latitude and formed a corona aurora in Watheroo, Australia. Interestingly, during this magnetic superstorm, larger magnetic disturbances were recorded at dusk and near the dip equator on the dayside. Its cause may be associated with a strong westward equatorial electrojet and field-aligned current, in addition to the contribution from the storm-time ring current.
A prominent environmental endocrine disruptor, 4-nonylphenol, promotes endometriosis development via plasmacytoid dendritic cells
Authors: Sharma Pooja , Tseng Hsin-Han , Lee Jo-Yu Lynn , Tsai Eing-Mei , Suen Jau-Ling
Published: May 2020

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory disease and is associated etiologically with environmental endocrine disruptor (EED) exposure. 4-nonylphenol (NP), a widely found EED, has weak estrogenic activity and modulates plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) function in vitro and in vivo. We aimed to elucidate the immunomodulatory effect of NP on the development of endometriosis, particularly focusing on pDCs. This study established a surgically induced endometriosis murine model (C57BL/6) under conditions of NP treatment that are relevant to the level and route of human exposure. Multi-parametric flow cytometry was used for analysis of infiltrated immune cell subsets in lesions. The results showed that NP exposure significantly promoted endometriotic lesion growth, survival and angiogenesis development of lesions as well as pDC accumulation in the lesions in mice. Adoptive transfer of NP-conditioned pDCs into mice significantly enhanced lesion development and local pDC infiltration, whereas NP-conditioned conventional dendritic cells did not affect lesion growth. In vitro functional analysis showed that NP-conditioned pDCs in lesions expressed high levels of CD36, a scavenger receptor and NP-conditioned splenic pDCs secreted an enhanced level of IL-10 in response to apoptotic cell recognition in a CD36-dependent manner. Furthermore, we observed that local treatment with blocking antibodies against IL-10 and CD36 on the day of surgery significantly inhibited lesion development. NP exposure also altered the estrous cycle in mice. The results suggest that chronic and low-dose exposure to NP enhances endometriotic lesion growth by altering pDC homeostasis and function. This study has important implications for understanding the environment-innate immunity interaction in human endometriosis.
Activation and inhibition of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay control the abundance of alternative polyadenylation products
Authors: Kishor Aparna , Fritz Sarah E , Haque Nazmul , Ge Zhiyun , Tunc Ilker , Yang Wenjing , Zhu Jun , Hogg J Robert
Published: May 2020

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) produces transcript 3′ untranslated regions (3′UTRs) with distinct sequences, lengths, stabilities and functions. We show here that APA products include a class of cryptic nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) substrates with extended 3′UTRs that gene- or transcript-level analyses of NMD often fail to detect. Transcriptome-wide, the core NMD factor UPF1 preferentially recognizes long 3′UTR products of APA, leading to their systematic downregulation. Counteracting this mechanism, the multifunctional RNA-binding protein PTBP1 regulates the balance of short and long 3′UTR isoforms by inhibiting NMD, in addition to its previously described modulation of co-transcriptional polyadenylation (polyA) site choice. Further, we find that many transcripts with altered APA isoform abundance across multiple tumor types are controlled by NMD. Together, our findings reveal a widespread role for NMD in shaping the outcomes of APA.
Crystal structure and ligand-induced folding of the SAM/SAH riboswitch
Authors: Huang Lin , Liao Ting-Wei , Wang Jia , Ha Taekjip , Lilley David M J
Published: May 2020

While most SAM riboswitches strongly discriminate between SAM and SAH, the SAM/SAH riboswitch responds to both ligands with similar apparent affinities. We have determined crystal structures of the SAM/SAH riboswitch bound to SAH, SAM and other variant ligands at high resolution. The riboswitch forms an H-type pseudoknot structure with coaxial alignment of the stem–loop helix (P1) and the pseudoknot helix (PK). An additional three base pairs form at the non-open end of P1, and the ligand is bound at the interface between the P1 extension and the PK helix. The adenine nucleobase is stacked into the helix and forms a trans Hoogsteen–Watson–Crick base pair with a uridine, thus becoming an integral part of the helical structure. The majority of the specific interactions are formed with the adenosine. The methionine or homocysteine chain lies in the groove making a single hydrogen bond, and there is no discrimination between the sulfonium of SAM or the thioether of SAH. Single-molecule FRET analysis reveals that the riboswitch exists in two distinct conformations, and that addition of SAM or SAH shifts the population into a stable state that likely corresponds to the form observed in the crystal. A model for translational regulation is presented whereby in the absence of ligand the riboswitch is largely unfolded, lacking the PK helix so that translation can be initiated at the ribosome binding site. But the presence of ligand stabilizes the folded conformation that includes the PK helix, so occluding the ribosome binding site and thus preventing the initiation of translation.
Cancer survival in kidney transplant recipients in Ireland
Authors: Murray Susan L , O’Leary Eamonn , De Bhailís Áine M , Deady Sandra , Daly Fergus E , O’Kelly Patrick , Williams Yvonne , O’Neill James P , Sexton Donal J , Conlon Peter J
Published: May 2020

Background

Transplantation is a well-known risk factor for malignancy. However, outcomes of cancer in transplant recipients compared with non-transplant recipients are less well studied. We aim to study the survival in kidney transplant recipients who develop cancer and compare this with cancer outcomes in the general population.

Methods

We linked data from the National Cancer Registry Ireland with the National Kidney Transplant Database. The period of observation was from 1 January 1994 until 31 December 2014. Transplant recipients were considered at risk from the time of diagnosing cancer. We administratively censored data at 10 years post-cancer diagnosis. Survival was compared with all patients in the general population that had a recorded diagnosis of cancer.

Results

There were 907 renal transplant recipients and 426679 individuals in the general population diagnosed with cancer between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2014. In those with non-melanoma skin cancer, the hazard ratio (HR) for 10-year, all-cause mortality [HR = 3.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.66–3.52] and cancer-specific mortality (HR = 3.91, 95% CI 2.57–5.96) was significantly higher among transplant recipients than the general population. Patients who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HR = 2.89, 95% CI 1.96–4.25) and prostate cancer (HR = 4.32, 95% CI 2.39–7.82) had increased all-cause but not cancer-specific mortality. Colorectal, lung, breast and renal cell cancer did not show an increased risk of death in transplant recipients.

Conclusion

Cancer-attributable mortality is higher in kidney transplant recipients with non-melanoma skin cancer compared with non-transplant patients. The American Joint Committee on Cancer staging should reflect the increased hazard of death in these immunosuppressed patients.
US Parties Abroad: Partisan Mobilising in a Federal Context
Authors: Kalu Vivian , Scarrow Susan E
Published: May 2020

In the early 2000s, some observers predicted that the US parties’ overseas association would play an increasing role in US politics (Dark 2003). Changes since then, including the growth of the expatriate population, would seem to make such developments more likely. Yet many features of the US political system mitigate against party efforts to mobilise expatriate supporters, including single-member district elections and candidate-centred contests (Van Haute and Kernalegenn, 2020). What, then, has been the 21st century trajectory of US party abroad activity? This article investigates this question, comparing the recent evolution Democrat and Republican party abroad efforts. It shows that the parties have taken different paths, with the Democrats’ organisation focussing more on electoral mobilisation, while the Republicans’ organisation has focussed more on issue advocacy and non-electoral representation. These different operational modes reflect the opportunities for, and constraints on, mobilising US expatriates for partisan purposes.
Predicting Pain-Related 30-Day Emergency Department Return Visits in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Authors: Sheikh Sophia , Booth-Norse Ashley , Smotherman Carmen , Kalynych Colleen , Lukens-Bull Katryne , Guerrido Erika , Henson Morgan , Gautam Shiva , Hendry Phyllis
Published: May 2020

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine predictive factors for pain-related emergency department returns in middle-aged and older adults. Design, Setting, and Subjects. This was a subanalysis of patients > 55 years of age enrolled in a prospective observational study of adult patients presenting within 30 days of an index visit to a large, urban, academic center.

Methods

Demographic and clinical data were collected and compared to determine significant differences between patients who returned for pain and those who did not. Multiple logistic regressions were used to determine significant predictive variables for return visits.

Results

The majority of the 130 enrolled patients > 55 years of age returned for pain (57%), were African American (78%), were younger (55–64 years old, 67%), had a high emergency department acuity level (level 1 or 2) at their index visit (56%), had low health literacy (Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine [REALM] score, 62%), lived in an area of extreme deprivation (69%), and were admitted (61%) during their index visit. Age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.8–0.9, P = 0.047), health literacy (REALM scores; OR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.3–7.5, P = 0.011), and index visit pain scores (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.0–1.2, P = 0.004) were predictive of emergency department returns for pain in middle-aged and older adults.

Conclusions

The likelihood of emergency department return visits for pain in middle-aged and older adults decreased with older age, increased with higher health literacy (REALM scores), and increased with increase in pain scores.
The State of American Federalism 2019–2020: Polarized and Punitive Intergovernmental Relations
Authors: Goelzhauser Greg , Konisky David M
Published: May 2020

The state of American federalism is characterized by polarization and punitiveness. As in previous years, political polarization continues to shape intergovernmental relations. But we also identify punitiveness as an increasingly prevalent aspect of vertical power sharing. Punitive federalism describes the national government’s use of threats and punishment to suppress state and local actions that run contrary to its policy preferences. In this Annual Review of American Federalism overview article, we introduce the concept of punitive federalism and discuss its application to contemporary public policy. We also highlight federalism implications concerning the COVID-19 pandemic; discuss recent policy developments concerning the environment, gender identity, health care, immigration, reproductive choice, and sexual orientation; and review recent Supreme Court decisions that impact intergovernmental relations.
Comparison of serum cytokine profiles in macrophage activation syndrome complicating different background rheumatic diseases in children
Authors: Mizuta Mao , Shimizu Masaki , Irabu Hitoshi , Usami Masaaki , Inoue Natsumi , Nakagishi Yasuo , Wada Taizo , Yachie Akihiro
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To compare the cytokines involved in the development of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in different background rheumatic diseases and to identify serum biomarkers for MAS diagnosis.

Methods

Serum neopterin, IL-6, IL-18 and soluble TNF receptor (sTNFR) type I (sTNFR-I) and type II (sTNFR-II) levels were determined using ELISA in 12 patients with SLE, including five with MAS; 12 patients with JDM, including four with MAS; 75 patients with Kawasaki disease (KD), including six with MAS; and 179 patients with systemic JIA (s-JIA), including 43 with MAS. These results were compared with the clinical features of MAS.

Results

Serum neopterin, IL-18 and sTNFR-II levels were significantly higher during the MAS phase than during the active phase in patients with all diseases. Furthermore, serum sTNFR-I levels were significantly higher during the MAS phase than during the active phase in patients with SLE, KD and s-JIA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that serum sTNFR-I levels for SLE, serum IL-18 levels for JDM, and serum sTNFR-II levels for KD and s-JIA had the highest areas under the ROC curve. Serum levels of these cytokines were significantly and positively correlated with serum ferritin levels.

Conclusions

Overproduction of IFN-γ, IL-18 and TNF-α might be closely related to the development of MAS. Serum levels of sTNFR-I for SLE, IL-18 for JDM, and sTNFR-II for KD and s-JIA might be useful diagnostic markers for the transition from active phase to MAS.
Sodium aescinate and its bioactive components induce degranulation via oxidative stress in RBL-2H3 mast cells
Authors: Huang Xian-Ju , Wang Da Gui , Ye Li-Chun , Li Jun , Akhtar Muhammad , Saleem Shahzad , Shi Zhao-Hua , Ihsan Awais
Published: May 2020

Sodium aescinate (SA) is a vital salt of sodium escin from Aesculus wilsonii Rehd seeds. SA injection (SAI) has received great success in treating cerebral edema, venous reflux disease and other inflammatory conditions. Recently, high incidences of immediate hypersensitivity reactions were reported after SA infusion, which raised questions on safety and risk associated with its clinical application. This study was designed to check whether SAI and its four components induce degranulation using RBL-2H3 mast cells. For this purpose, we evaluated different treatment levels of SAI (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 μg ml−1) and its four characteristic components, SA-A, SA-B, SA-C and SA-D, at 60 μg ml−1 in different tests including cell viability test, β-hexosaminidase and histamine assays, oxidative stress indices, apoptosis analysis and intracellular calcium ions in RBL-2H3 cells. Our results demonstrated that SAI at 80 μg ml−1 and 100 μg ml−1, and its two components (SA-B and SA-D) at 60 μg ml−1 were responsible for disturbing cell morphology and cell viability, elevated levels of β-hexosaminidase, histamine, modulation of oxidative stress indices, induced apoptosis and increase in intracellular calcium ions in RBL-2H3 cells, when compared with the control. Our results demonstrated for the first time that SAI was more likely to induce immediate hypersensitivity reactions attributable to degranulation via oxidative stress caused by SA-B and SA-D components. These results would not only be useful for the safety of end user but also for the industry to improve the quality of SA infusion.
Ephedrine versus Phenylephrine Effect on Cerebral Blood Flow and Oxygen Consumption in Anesthetized Brain Tumor Patients
Authors: Koch Klaus U. , Mikkelsen Irene K. , Aanerud Joel , Espelund Ulrick S. , Tietze Anna , Oettingen Gorm v. , Juul Niels , Nikolajsen Lone , Østergaard Leif , Rasmussen Mads
Published: May 2020

Background

Studies in anesthetized patients suggest that phenylephrine reduces regional cerebral oxygen saturation compared with ephedrine. The present study aimed to quantify the effects of phenylephrine and ephedrine on cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen in brain tumor patients. The authors hypothesized that phenylephrine reduces cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen in selected brain regions compared with ephedrine.

Methods

In this double-blinded, randomized clinical trial, 24 anesthetized patients with brain tumors were randomly assigned to ephedrine or phenylephrine treatment. Positron emission tomography measurements of cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen in peritumoral and normal contralateral regions were performed before and during vasopressor infusion. The primary endpoint was between-group difference in cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen. Secondary endpoints included changes in cerebral blood flow, oxygen extraction fraction, and regional cerebral oxygen saturation.

Results

Peritumoral mean ± SD cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen values before and after vasopressor (ephedrine, 67.0 ± 11.3 and 67.8 ± 25.7 μmol · 100 g−1 · min−1; phenylephrine, 68.2 ± 15.2 and 67.6 ± 18.0 μmol · 100 g−1 · min−1) showed no intergroup difference (difference [95% CI], 1.5 [−13.3 to 16.3] μmol · 100 g−1 · min−1 [P = 0.839]). Corresponding contralateral hemisphere cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen values (ephedrine, 90.8 ± 15.9 and 94.6 ± 16.9 μmol · 100 g−1 · min−1; phenylephrine, 100.8 ± 20.7 and 96.4 ± 17.7 μmol · 100 g−1 · min−1) showed no intergroup difference (difference [95% CI], 8.2 [−2.0 to 18.5] μmol · 100 g−1 · min−1 [P = 0.118]). Ephedrine significantly increased cerebral blood flow (difference [95% CI], 3.9 [0.7 to 7.0] ml · 100 g−1 · min−1 [P = 0.019]) and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (difference [95% CI], 4 [1 to 8]% [P = 0.024]) in the contralateral hemisphere compared to phenylephrine. The change in oxygen extraction fraction in both regions (peritumoral difference [95% CI], −0.6 [−14.7 to 13.6]% [P = 0.934]; contralateral hemisphere difference [95% CI], −0.1 [− 12.1 to 12.0]% [P = 0.989]) were comparable between groups.

Conclusions

The cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen changes in peritumoral and normal contralateral regions were similar between ephedrine- and phenylephrine-treated patients. In the normal contralateral region, ephedrine was associated with an increase in cerebral blood flow and regional cerebral oxygen saturation compared with phenylephrine.

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Salvianolic acid B decreases interleukin-1β-induced colitis recurrence in mice
Authors: Feng Pan-Pan , Fang Xue-Sheng , Zhao Si-Hui , Fu Jun-Yan , Zhang Hui-Ting , Yi Yan-Lin , Li Chang-Yi , Jiang Chun-Ling , Chen Da-Peng
Published: May 2020

Background

Degree of mucosal recovery is an important indicator for evaluating the therapeutic effects of drugs in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Increasing evidences has proved that tight junction (TJ) barrier dysfunction is one of the pathological mechanisms of IBD. The aim of this study was to observe whether enhancement of TJ can decrease colitis recurrence.

Methods

Eighty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups including normal group, colitis group, sulfasalazine (SASP) treated group, and traditional Chinese drug salvianolic acid B (Sal B) treated group. Colitis was established in mice by free drinking water containing dextran sulfate sodium, after treatments by SASP and Sal B, recombinant human interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was injected intraperitoneally to induce colitis recurrence.

Results

Compared with sham control, cell apoptosis in colitis group was increased from 100.85 ± 3.46% to 162.89 ± 11.45% (P = 0.0038), and TJ dysfunction marker myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) was also significantly increased from 99.70 ± 9.29% to 296.23 ± 30.78% (P = 0.0025). The increased cell apoptosis was reversed by both SASP (125.99 ± 8.45% vs. 162.89 ± 11.45%, P = 0.0059) and Sal B (104.27 ± 6.09% vs. 162.89 ± 11.45%, P = 0.0044). High MLCK expression in colitis group was reversed by Sal B (182.44 ± 89.42% vs. 296.23 ± 30.78%, P = 0.0028) but not influenced by SASP (285.23 ± 41.04% vs. 296.23 ± 30.78%, P > 0.05). The recurrence rate induced by recombinant human IL-1β in Sal B-treated group was significantly lower than that in SASP-treated group.

Conclusions

These results suggested a link between intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction, especially TJ barrier dysfunction, and colitis recurrence. The TJ barrier dysfunction in remission stage of colitis increased the colitis recurrence. This study might provide potential treatment strategies for IBD recurrence.
Patient Reported Outcomes in Microbial Keratitis
Authors: Tuohy Megan M. , Niziol Leslie M. , I. Mian Shazhad , Ballouz Dena , Bosch David , Woodward Maria A.
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

The aim of this investigation was to study the patient-reported outcomes of patients with microbial keratitis (MK) using the 9-item National Eye Institute-Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-9).

Methods:

Using the Sight Outcomes Research Collaborative ophthalmology electronic health record repository, patients with MK and control patients who completed the NEI VFQ-9 within 7 days of their appointment were identified. The questionnaire is scored as a mean of the 9 items on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better functioning. Composite and individual item scores were compared between groups using the analysis of variance.

Results:

In total, 916 questionnaires were completed from patients with acute MK (n = 84), nonacute MK (n = 30), MK with a corneal transplant (n = 21), from controls seen in a satellite comprehensive ophthalmology clinic (n = 528), and controls seen at a subspecialty ophthalmology clinic (n = 253). The mean NEI VFQ-9 composite scores per group were 66.6 (SD = 26.8), 78.1 (SD = 17.1), 58.6 (SD =21.6), 88.0 (SD = 10.2), and 83.5 (SD = 13.0), respectively (P < 0.0001). Both patients with acute MK and patients with MK requiring transplant reported significantly worse function than nonacute MK, comprehensive, and specialty patients. Patients with nonacute MK reported significantly worse function than comprehensive control patients (all Tukey-adjusted P < 0.05).

Discussion:

Patients who had or eventually require corneal transplant for management of their MK report worse visual function than patients with nonacute MK. This may be important in helping physicians counsel their patients.
Efficacy of Amphotericin B in Corneal Preservation Media After Extended Frozen Storage
Authors: Huh Doowon , Tran Khoa D. , Straiko Megan M. W. , McCarthy Matthew W. , Loo Angela S. , Walsh Thomas J. , Sales Christopher S.
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

To investigate the antimycotic activity of amphotericin B deoxycholate that has been previously frozen for 28 days before supplementation of Optisol-GS.

Methods:

Triplicate Optisol-GS samples were inoculated with 106 colony-forming units (CFU) of Candida albicans. Each set of triplicate cultures was supplemented with 2.5 μg/mL of amphotericin B that was either freshly resuspended and never frozen, frozen overnight at −20°C and thawed, or frozen at −20°C for 4 weeks and thawed. The cultures were stored at 4°C, with aliquots taken at 0, 6, 24, and 72 hours for quantification. The efficacy of each preparation of amphotericin B in reducing C. albicans growth was assessed at these time points.

Results:

Six hours after antifungal supplementation, there was a 1.33 log10 CFU reduction with freshly resuspended amphotericin B, compared with a 1.31 log10 reduction with amphotericin B that was frozen overnight (P = 0.20) and a 1.18 log10 reduction with amphotericin B that was frozen for 4 weeks (P = 0.05). After 72 hours, there was a 2.72 log10 CFU reduction with freshly resuspended amphotericin B, a 2.64 log10 CFU reduction with amphotericin B that was frozen overnight (P = 0.45), and a 2.18 log10 CFU reduction with amphotericin B that was frozen for 4 weeks (P = 0.05).

Conclusions:

Previously frozen amphotericin B remains highly effective against C. albicans. Optisol-GS supplemented with 2.5 μg/mL amphotericin B that was frozen for 4 weeks at −20°C resulted in >90% CFU reduction by 6 hours and >99% reduction by 72 hours.
Limbal Stem Cell Dysfunction in Ichthyosis Follicularis, Alopecia, and Photophobia Syndrome
Authors: Basilious Alfred , Fung Simon S. M. , Ali Asim
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

To describe the presentation and management of limbal stem cell dysfunction in ichthyosis follicularis, alopecia, and photophobia (IFAP) syndrome.

Methods:

A retrospective case report.

Results:

A 6-day-old male infant was diagnosed with IFAP syndrome based on family history and a mutation detected in the MBTPS2 gene. Initial examination showed hyperkeratotic eyelids, madarosis, and lagophthalmos, but otherwise clear corneas. He developed bilateral central corneal epithelial defects spontaneously 6 months later, which were managed with aggressive lubrication, prophylactic antibiotics, and bilateral permanent lateral tarsorrhaphies at 7 months of age. During the procedure, the patient was noted to have bilateral limbal thickening, peripheral corneal pannus with underlying stromal scarring, and late fluorescein staining of the corneal surface. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography demonstrated a significantly abnormal and hyperreflective epithelial surface overlying a thinned corneal stroma, suggestive of limbal stem cell dysfunction. The corneal surface was maintained with lubrication and tarsorrhaphy and has remained stable since.

Conclusions:

The progressive conjunctivalization, spontaneous epithelial defects, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography features are highly suggestive of limbal stem cell dysfunction in IFAP syndrome. Optimizing the ocular surface is of importance in the management of children with this rare disease.
The Association Between E-Cigarette Use Behaviors and Saliva Cotinine Concentration Among Healthy E-Cigarette Users in Malaysia
Authors: Wong Li Ping , Mohd Salim Siti Norfitrah , Alias Haridah , Aghamohammadi Nasrin , Hoe Victor Chee Wai , Isahak Marzuki , Ali Mohd Mustafa
Published: May 2020

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have rapidly increased in popularity within the last 2 years in Malaysia. The study aims to understand the association between e-cigarette use behaviors and salivary cotinine (a CYP2AA metabolite of nicotine) concentration to inform the development of future e-cigarette control policies. A convenience sample of saliva from 144 e-cigarette users was obtained between November and December 2015. The study participants used refill liquid containing between 0 and 12 mg/ml of nicotine. The overall median cotinine concentration of the study participants was 81.1 ng/ml (interquartile range = 8.5–195.8). Among the zero-nicotine and single e-cigarette users, the median cotinine level was 51.1 (interquartile range = 8.20–125.35) ng/ml. Factors significantly associated with a higher salivary cotinine concentration were dual use of e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes, regular and daily e-cigarette use, a longer duration of e-cigarette use, using a higher amount of e-liquid, and a shorter duration to finish a refill. Multivariate analysis revealed that e-cigarette use of 1–6 and 6–12 months (but not 1 month and below) was significantly associated with a higher cotinine concentration. Cotinine found in zero-nicotine e-liquids implies the importance of stringent regulatory governance for the consistency of labeled nicotine content of e-cigarette liquid in the market. Zero-nicotine e-cigarette users should also be informed of the likelihood of environmental exposure to tobacco smoke. Future studies conducted on larger samples are warranted to validate the association between duration of e-cigarette use and salivary cotinine concentration as well as to investigate underlying mechanisms.
Psychometric Properties of Turkish Version of the E-Cigarette Use Outcome Expectancies Scale
Authors: Selekoğlu Ok Yasemin , Bektas Murat , Pokhrel Pallav
Published: May 2020

Objective

This study was carried out to evaluate the validity and reliability of the E-Cigarette Use Outcome Expectancies Scale (EUOES) in the Turkish context.

Method

The sample for the study was composed of 1,725 first-, second-, third-, and fourth-year university students aged 18–25 years. The data from the study were collected using a sociodemographic data collection form and the EUOES. Numbers and percentages were used for the evaluation of the data. In addition, content validity index, Pearson's correlation analysis, a paired samples t test, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were employed for the analysis of language validity and expert opinions.

Findings

As a result of the confirmatory factor analysis, the factor loadings of the scale were found to range from 0.450 to 0.939. The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the fit indices of the scale were 0.90 and higher. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was determined as .86.

Conclusion

As a result of the analysis, the EUOES was found to be a valid and reliable measurement tool for the Turkish sample.
Outcomes of Revision Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Kimura Kyle S. , O’Connell Brendan P. , Nassiri Ashley M. , Dedmon Matthew M. , Haynes David S. , Bennett Marc L.
Published: May 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis:

This study aims to 1) report revision cochlear implantation (CI) rates at a high-volume CI center, 2) describe classifications for revision CI, 3) analyze audiologic and surgical outcomes in patients who undergo revision CI, and 4) describe a new subcategory of soft failures, named presumed soft failures.

Study Design:

Retrospective case series.

Setting:

Tertiary care otologic center.

Patients:

Adults and children undergoing revision CI from 2005 to 2015.

Main Outcome Measure:

Type and etiology of CI failure, preoperative, and postoperative outcomes (audiologic, surgical).

Results:

During the study period, 1,469 CI surgeries were performed with a total of 81 (5.51%) revision cochlear implantations, 64 of these meeting inclusion criteria with adequate follow up and clear indications for revision surgery. The most common indication for revision surgery was hard failure (53.1%), followed by soft failure (29.7%), and medical/surgical failure (17.2%). 78.1% (50/64) of revision CI patients showed improvement postoperatively (defined as 15% improvement of speech perceptions scores or improvement of aversive symptoms, according to the 2005 consensus statement guidelines). Hard failures showed improvement in 85.3% (29/34) of cases, medical and surgical failures showed improvement in 72.7% (8/11) of cases, and soft failures showed improvement in 68.4% (13/19) of cases. There was a statistically significant difference in percentage of adult versus pediatric patients by failure subtype, with 84.2% of soft failure patients classified as adults (18 or older) at the time of revision surgery compared with 50% and 36.3% for hard failure and medical/surgical failure patients, respectively (p = 0.02). Similarly, there was a trend, though not statistically significant, towards older age in the soft failure group compared with hard and medical/surgical failure groups (median 43 yr versus 18 and 16, respectively). Within the soft failure group there was a subset of patients that failed to show improvement in audiologic performance or experienced continued aversive symptoms referred to as “presumed soft failures.” These patients, by definition, experienced worse outcomes after revision surgery (p < 0.05) and trended towards older age (43 versus 31 yr) and longer time from initial to revision surgery (27.3 versus 24.7 mo) when compared with true soft failures.

Conclusions:

The majority of patients improved after revision CI surgery; patients with hard failure demonstrated the highest percentage with improvement, while those with soft failures had worse outcomes. The presumed soft failure group may represent a unique etiology for CI failure that warrants further investigation given worse outcomes after revision surgery.