bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fermentation revival in the classroom: investigating ancient human practices as CUREs for modern diseases
Authors: Lyles Jennifer K , Oli Monika
Published: November 2020

A course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) was designed to integrate key microbiological principles and techniques into an authentic research experience in a classroom setting and was implemented in an undergraduate microbiology laboratory course. Students conducted a 6-week study in order to determine the identity and quantity of unique probiotic species from various types of kefir. This course module followed an inquiry-based pedagogical approach in which students use the scientific process to investigate an unknown question with no predetermined outcome. During each lab, relevant microbiological topics and laboratory concepts were presented. Students then performed various laboratory techniques, reinforcing the lecture material with hands-on experience. In addition, students participated in reflection through group presentation of their results, bioinformatic analysis and literature review. Based on data collected from pre- and post-study survey responses, both student knowledge and attitudes towards the topics covered improved due to participation in this CURE. Importantly, this CURE can be implemented at many levels of education, requiring only minimal resources and common laboratory equipment.
Beneficial biofilms for land rehabilitation and fertilization
Authors: Rossi Federico
Published: November 2020

The acquisition of a biofilm lifestyle is common in nature for microorganisms. It increases their biotic and abiotic stress tolerance and their capability to provide ecosystem services. Although diminutive communities, soil beneficial biofilms are essential for nutrient cycling, soil stabilization and direct or indirect promotion of plant development. Some biofilms represent valid biotechnological tools to deal with problems related to soil degradation, which threat food quality and the maintenance of ecosystem functions. Three genres of biofilms: rhizobacterial biofilms, fungal-bacterial biofilms and biocrusts are reviewed, and their beneficial effects on the environment outlined. Their induction by microbial inoculation represents a potential eco-friendly and sustainable approach to restore lost ecosystem functions and counteract the effects of soil erosion. Yet, some existing knowledge and methodological gaps, that will be discussed here, still hamper the optimization of this technology, and its application at its full potential.
Expired probiotics: what is really in your cabinet?
Authors: Wilcox Hannah , Carr Charles , Seney Shannon , Reid Gregor , Burton Jeremy P
Published: November 2020

The popularity of using probiotics has surged, since they became widely accepted as safe and help improve general health. Inevitably, some of these products are used after expiration when microbial cell viability is below the recommended effective dose. Given that probiotics must be live microorganisms administered in adequate amounts, the aim of this study was to measure viability in expired products and assess how packaging and storage conditions impact efficacy, if at all. Thirty-three expired probiotic products were evaluated, of which 26 were stored in conditions recommended by the manufacturer. The viable microbial cells were enumerated and representative isolates identified by 16S and internally transcribed spacer rRNA gene sequencing. While the products had a mean past expiration time of 11.32 (1–22) years, 22 still had viable contents, and 5 were within or above the original product cell count claim. Product formulation and the number of species present did not appear to impact the stability of the products. However, overall packaging type, storage conditions and time since expiry were found to affect viability. All products with viable cells had the strain stipulated on the label. Despite some selected probiotic products retaining viability past their expiry date (indicating long-term storage is possible), the total counts were mostly well below that required for efficacious use as recommended by the manufacturer. Consuming expired probiotics may not yield the benefits for which they were designed.
Improved linear inversion of low induction number electromagnetic data
Authors: Parnow Saeed , Oskooi Behrooz , Florio Giovanni
Published: November 2020

We define a two-step procedure to obtain reliable inverse models of the distribution of electrical conductivity at depth from apparent conductivities estimated by electromagnetic instruments such as GEONICS EM38, EM31 or EM 34-3. The first step of our procedure consists in the correction of the apparent conductivities to make them consistent with a low induction number condition, for which these data are very similar to the true conductivity. Then, we use a linear inversion approach to obtain a conductivity model. To improve the conductivity estimation at depth we introduced a depth-weighting function in our regularized weighted minimum length solution algorithm. We test the whole procedure on two synthetic data sets generated by the COMSOL Multiphysics for both the vertical magnetic dipole and horizontal magnetic dipole configurations of the loops. Our technique was also tested on a real data set, and the inversion result has been compared with the one obtained using the dipole-dipole DC electrical resistivity (ER) method. Our model not only reproduces all shallow conductive areas similar to the ER model, but also succeeds in replicating its deeper conductivity structures. On the contrary, inversion of uncorrected data provides a biased model underestimating the true conductivity.
A comparative study on methods for determining the hydraulic properties of a clay shale
Authors: Winhausen Lisa , Amann-Hildenbrand Alexandra , Fink Reinhard , Jalali Mohammadreza , Khaledi Kavan , Hamdi Pooya , Urai Janos L , Schmatz Joyce , Amann Florian
Published: November 2020

A comprehensive characterization of clay shale behavior requires quantifying both geomechanical and hydromechanical characteristics. This paper presents a comparative laboratory study of different methods to determine the water permeability of saturated Opalinus Clay: (i) pore pressure oscillation, (ii) pressure pulse decay and (iii) pore pressure equilibration. Based on a comprehensive data set obtained on one sample under well-defined temperature and isostatic effective stress conditions, we discuss the sensitivity of permeability and storativity on the experimental boundary conditions (oscillation frequency, pore pressure amplitudes and effective stress). The results show that permeability coefficients obtained by all three methods differ less than 15 per cent at a constant effective stress of 24 MPa (kmean = 6.6E-21 to 7.5E-21 m2). The pore pressure transmission technique tends towards lower permeability coefficients, whereas the pulse decay and pressure oscillation techniques result in slightly higher values. The discrepancies are considered minor and experimental times of the techniques are similar in the range of 1–2 d for this sample. We found that permeability coefficients determined by the pore pressure oscillation technique increase with higher frequencies, that is oscillation periods shorter than 2 hr. No dependence is found for the applied pressure amplitudes (5, 10 and 25 per cent of the mean pore pressure). By means of experimental handling and data density, the pore pressure oscillation technique appears to be the most efficient. Data can be recorded continuously over a user-defined period of time and yield information on both, permeability and storativity. Furthermore, effective stress conditions can be held constant during the test and pressure equilibration prior to testing is not necessary. Electron microscopic imaging of ion-beam polished surfaces before and after testing suggests that testing at effective stresses higher than in situ did not lead to pore significant collapse or other irreversible damage in the samples. The study also shows that unloading during the experiment did not result in a permeability increase, which is associated to the persistent closure of microcracks at effective stresses between 24 and 6 MPa.
Socio-economic determinants of global COVID-19 mortalities: policy lessons for current and future pandemics
Authors: Ngepah Nicholas
Published: November 2020

This paper examines the different socio-economic determinants of the fatalities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic globally in social determinants of health frameworks. It adapts the Poisson pseudo-maximum-likelihood (PPML) and the quantile regression techniques to effectively exploit the non-linear estimates of the data in order to derive non-biased point estimates at each quantile and make interquantile comparisons. This is particularly useful in recommending which societal variables become most significant at catastrophic levels of a pandemic like COVID-19 when existing health systems become overwhelmed. These estimators are applied to panel data for 196 countries over days of infection from the first recorded case. The COVID-19-related data is from Our World in Data, and the socio-economic variables are from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators. The results establish that an improved adequate health infrastructure for both testing and treatment is necessary, but not sufficient. Health systems ultimately become overwhelmed and ineffective in managing cases and reducing mortality in the face of the rising pandemic. Complementary social, economic, physical and environmental factors are necessary for curbing deaths. These factors relate to improving the health stock of the population through reductions in both communicable and non-communicable comorbidities; enhancing sanitation and hygiene; and improving the nutrition of the population. Socio-economic and environmental measures are the reduction of household and ambient air pollution; reduction of exposure to alcohol and cigarettes; reduction of poverty and ensuring economic inclusion; and learning from the past to fine-tune governments’ control measures in order to minimize harm to the population while effectively curbing mortality.
How to recruit inactive residents for lifestyle interventions: participants’ characteristics based on various recruitment strategies
Authors: Smit Eva , Leenaars Karlijn , Wagemakers Annemarie , van der Velden Koos , Molleman Gerard
Published: November 2020

Care Sport Connectors (CSCs) have been appointed to create a connection between primary care and physical activity (PA) sectors to stimulate inactive residents into becoming physically active. Adequate recruitment strategies are necessary to reach the intended target group in order to foster the sustainability of lifestyle interventions. The objective of this study is to explore PA behavior and health characteristics of the target group reached by CSCs and if these characteristics differ between participants when grouped based on how they were recruited. Participants from lifestyle interventions were included between September 2014 and April 2016 using a purposive sampling method. Participants were recruited through CSCs via public relations (n = 135), a personal letter (n = 136), or a referral (n = 98) and compared based on their PA level, health-related quality of life, motivation, self-efficacy, morbidity and health-related fitness. Scores were analyzed with a multi-level (mixed model) analysis measured before the intervention. The three groups were different in PA level (p = 0.002). The outcomes regarding health-related quality of life, motivation, and number of somatic disorders were also significantly different for the three groups, except for the categories of mental health (p = 0.145) and self-efficacy (p = 0.464). For all dimensions, the referral group scored the least favorable. The investment in time and money for an active recruitment strategy like referrals is worthwhile because it provides CSCs the opportunity to reach people who are inactive and at risk of chronic disease. Future studies are necessary to reveal the effect on PA levels and health in the long-term.
A systematic review of alcohol education programs for young people: do these programs change behavior?
Authors: Calverley Hannah L M , Petrass Lauren A , Blitvich Jennifer D
Published: November 2020

Numerous education programs have addressed young peoples’ alcohol use. To date, no peer-reviewed publication has evaluated the effectiveness of such programs delivered across a range of contexts to change alcohol-related behaviors, attitudes and/or knowledge. This systematic review aimed to identify alcohol education programs addressing young people, and determine whether they changed alcohol-related behavior, knowledge and attitudes; and, ascertain components of successful programs. Studies were identified, guided by the PRISMA review process, from the earliest records until June 2020. Included studies (N = 70) comprised an alcohol education program which focused on young people (15–24 years). Forty programs reported behavior changes, and these programs were the highest quality. Others impacted attitudes and/or knowledge only (n = 12); or reported no impacts (n = 17). Recent programs were more likely than older programs to feature online delivery and report behavior changes. To enhance alcohol education, future programs should include the identified quality criteria, alongside process and long-term outcome evaluations, to better monitor effectiveness. Findings indicated some education programs have capacity to positively change alcohol-related behavior; however, outcome consistency varied even in high-quality programs. Alcohol education programs should be designed alongside health education/promotion models and best-practice recommendations, to improve the likelihood of desirable behavior-related outcomes.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Outcomes Following Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
Authors: Allegretti Jessica R , Kelly Colleen R , Grinspan Ari , Mullish Benjamin H , Hurtado Jonathan , Carrellas Madeline , Marcus Jenna , Marchesi Julian R , McDonald Julie A K , Gerardin Ylaine , Silverstein Michael , Pechlivanis Alexandros , Barker Grace F , Miguens Blanco Jesus , Alexander James L , Gallagher Kate I , Pettee Will , Phelps Emmalee , Nemes Sara , Sagi Sashidhar V , Bohm Matthew , Kassam Zain , Fischer Monika
Published: November 2020

Background

Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a clinical challenge. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a recurrent CDI therapy. Anecdotal concerns exist regarding worsening of IBD activity; however, prospective data among IBD patients are limited.

Methods

Secondary analysis from an open-label, prospective, multicenter cohort study among IBD patients with 2 or more CDI episodes was performed. Participants underwent a single FMT by colonoscopy (250 mL, healthy universal donor). Secondary IBD-related outcomes included rate of de novo IBD flares, worsening IBD, and IBD improvement—all based on Mayo or Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI) scores. Stool samples were collected for microbiome and targeted metabolomic profiling.

Results

Fifty patients enrolled in the study, among which 15 had Crohn’s disease (mean HBI, 5.8 ± 3.4) and 35 had ulcerative colitis (mean partial Mayo score, 4.2 ± 2.1). Overall, 49 patients received treatment. Among the Crohn’s disease cohort, 73.3% (11 of 15) had IBD improvement, and 4 (26.6%) had no disease activity change. Among the ulcerative colitis cohort, 62% (22 of 34) had IBD improvement, 29.4% (11 of 34) had no change, and 4% (1 of 34) experienced a de novo flare. Alpha diversity significantly increased post-FMT, and ulcerative colitis patients became more similar to the donor than Crohn’s disease patients (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

This prospective trial assessing FMT in IBD-CDI patients suggests IBD outcomes are better than reported in retrospective studies.
Double-Balloon Endoscopy in Crohn Disease: A Tertiary Referral Center Experience
Authors: Halloran Brendan P , Jamil Laith H , Lo Simon K , Reeson Matt , Vasiliauskas Eric A , Targan Stephan , Ippoliti Andrew , Mann Neel K , Melmed Gil Y
Published: November 2020

Background

Crohn disease (CD) affects the small bowel in 80% of patients. Double balloon endoscopy (DBE) provides the potential for direct and extensive mucosal visualization with the potential for diagnostic monitoring and therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of DBE in small-bowel CD.

Methods

From our DBE database, patients with CD at the time of index DBE (January 2004-January 2013) were identified. Data collection included demographics, CD phenotype (age at diagnosis, disease location, disease activity), procedural information, adverse events (perforation, pancreatitis, death), therapeutic intervention (stricture dilation), and outcome (escalation or maintenance of existing therapy, referral to surgery).

Results

A total of 184 DBEs were performed in patients with inflammatory bowel disease over 162 endoscopic sessions. In this cohort, 115 patients had previously diagnosed CD. A diagnosis of CD was made in 22 patients. Of those with known CD, 140 DBEs were performed in 82 patients; DBE findings led to escalation of medical therapy in 26% of patients, maintenance of therapy in 26% of patients, and surgery in 18% of patients. We considered DBE to have failed in 11% (n = 18) of patients. During 46 endoscopic sessions, in 29 patients, 103 strictures were dilated via balloon dilation. Of patients undergoing dilation with clinical follow-up, 19 of 24 (79%) patients were surgery-free during the study period. Overall, there were 2 perforations.

Conclusions

We found that DBE is a safe and effective procedure in patients with suspected or established CD. Furthermore, patients undergoing dilation of strictures via DBE had an 80% surgery-free rate within the follow-up period.
Bacterial colonization of explanted non-endocarditis cardiac valves: evidence and characterization of the valvular microbiome
Authors: Di Bella Stefano , Campisciano Giuseppina , Luzzati Roberto , Di Domenico Enea Gino , Lovecchio Antonio , Pappalardo Aniello , Comar Manola , Gatti Giuseppe
Published: November 2020

Bacterial colonization has been already demonstrated in heart valve tissues of patients without cardiovascular infections. However, the evidence of a valvular microbiome is still scarce. The next-generation sequencing method was carried out on 34 specimens of aortic (n = 20) and mitral valves (n = 14) explanted from 34 patients having neither evidence nor history of infectious diseases, particularly infective endocarditis. While no bacteria were demonstrated using standard culture methods, bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences were found using next-generation sequencing in 15/34 (44%) cases. Escherichia coli was present in 6 specimens and was the most frequently identified bacterium. There was a trend towards a higher rate of bacterial DNA positivity in specimens of calcific valves than in those of non-calcific valves (10/17 vs 5/17, P = 0.17). Based on a quantitative test, E. coli accounted for 0.7% ± 1% in calcific valvular tissue and 0.3% ± 0.3% in non-calcific valvular tissue (P = 0.2), and for 11% ± 27% in the valvular tissue of diabetic patients and 0.3% ± 1% in the valvular tissue of non-diabetic patients (P = 0.08). Detection of bacterial DNA in non-endocarditis valvular tissues could be a relatively common finding. There could be an association between the valvular microbiome and certain models of valve degeneration and common metabolic disorders.
Is the effect of Mediterranean diet on hip fracture mediated through type 2 diabetes mellitus and body mass index?
Authors: Mitchell Adam , Fall Tove , Melhus Håkan , Wolk Alicja , Michaëlsson Karl , Byberg Liisa
Published: November 2020

Background

We examined whether the inverse association between adherence to a Mediterranean diet and hip fracture risk is mediated by incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and body mass index (BMI).

Methods

We included 50 755 men and women from the Cohort of Swedish Men and the Swedish Mammography Cohort who answered lifestyle and medical questionnaires in 1997 and 2008 (used for calculation of the Mediterranean diet score 9mMED; low, medium, high) and BMI in 1997, and incident T2DM in 1997–2008). The cumulative incidence of hip fracture from the National Patient Register (2009–14) was considered as outcome.

Results

We present conditional odds ratios (OR) 9[95% confidence interval, CI) of hip fracture for medium and high adherence to mMED, compared with low adherence. The total effect ORs were 0.82 (0.71, 0.95) and 0.75 (0.62, 0.91), respectively. The controlled direct effect of mMED on hip fracture (not mediated by T2DM, considering BMI as an exposure-induced confounder), calculated using inverse probability weighting of marginal structural models, rendered ORs of 0.82 (0.72, 0.95) and 0.73 (0.60, 0.88), respectively. The natural direct effect ORs (not mediated by BMI or T2DM, calculated using flexible mediation analysis) were 0.82 (0.71, 0.95) and 0.74(0.61, 0.89), respectively. The path-specific indirect and partial indirect natural effects ORs (through BMI or T2DM) were close to 1.

Conclusions

Mediterranean diet has a direct effect on hip fracture risk via pathways other than through T2DM and BMI. We cannot exclude mediating effects of T2DM or BMI, or that their effects cancel each other out.
Antibio’Malin: an e-health resource to raise awareness of antibiotic stewardship and resistance in France
Authors: Rodari Sophie , Essilini Anaïs , Le-Dref Gaëlle , Patoor Félicie , Kivits Joëlle , Thilly Nathalie , Pulcini Céline
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To develop a nationwide French website with reliable, practical and public-oriented information on antibiotic stewardship and resistance.

Methods

The design and evaluation were based on the following process: (i) development of a pilot website by a multidisciplinary group; (ii) evaluation phase, using mixed methods and involving health professionals (GPs and community pharmacists) and the general population; and (iii) launch of a final version of the website with 6 month follow-up usage statistics.

Results

The Antibio’Malin website (https://sante.fr/antibiomalin), supported by the French Ministry of Health, contains practical information for the general population on antibiotics marketed in the outpatient setting and on the most common infections, with an antibiotic stewardship perspective. A ‘For further information’ section provides details on various concepts, such as antibiotic resistance. As part of the evaluation, 8 general practitioners and 5 community pharmacists were individually interviewed, 46 health system users replied to an online questionnaire and 5 focus groups were conducted (17 participants). In addition, more than 100 people (professionals and general population) provided feedback directly on the website. The website was well received by health professionals, particularly general practitioners, and described as a reference site for patients and a communication tool. The general population also found the site useful. Several comments helped improve the website before the launch of the final version on 18 November 2019. At 6 month follow-up, more than 25 000 persons had visited the website.

Conclusions

The Antibio’Malin information website was developed and tested. Post-launch data suggest a useful addition to the multifaceted French national antibiotic stewardship strategy.
From Impropriety to Betrayal: Policing Non-Marital Sex in the Early Modern Dutch Empire
Authors: Rose Sophie , Heijmans Elisabeth
Published: November 2020

The policing of illicit sex formed a key mode of social control in early modern Europe, where reproduction in legally sanctioned marriage was the primary means through which property and status was passed. When Europeans formed overseas colonial settlements sustained by slave labor and populated by people of a broad variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds, this concern with sexually transgressive behavior took on new dimensions. This article takes the case of Dutch trade-company-led colonialism in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to examine how colonial visions of social order in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean shaped authorities’ responses to different types of non-marital sex. To facilitate comparison, these acts are read through narratives of criminalization, comprised of both conceptualizations of crime and prosecution practices. Through an analysis of legislation issued across the Dutch empire, most notably bylaws, combined with a selection of case studies from the juridical practice, we show that a concern with keeping different ethnic, religious, and status groups separate and maintaining European dominance shaped the policing of sexuality in such a way that the distinction between relatively benign sexual “improprieties” and a more serious criminal narrative of sexual “betrayal” was re-arranged along gendered and racialized lines. Conceptualizations and prosecutions alike show a considerably more stringent treatment of sex between non-Christian or non-white men and women of European status than between European men and enslaved or free local women, even when the latter scenario was coercive or violent.
Infectious complications related to medical tourism
Authors: Pavli Androula , Maltezou Helena C
Published: November 2020

Background

Medical tourism has been increasing dramatically globally, with people travelling from developed countries to low-income or middle-income countries, often to avoid high costs or long delays associated with seeking healthcare in their countries of origin. The current review summarizes healthcare-related infections associated with medical tourism, focusing on cosmetic surgery and organ transplantation.

Methods

A systematic MEDLINE and PubMed search from January 2010 to December 2019 yielded 80 relevant articles, including 49 articles on medical tourism-related infections focusing on cosmetic surgery and organ transplantation, which were included in this reviews.

Results

The literature reveals specific types of cross-border, healthcare-related infections depending on medical intervention. Destinations include low-income countries such as countries of Asia and the Indian subcontinent, middle-income countries including Central and South America, and high-income countries such as the United States and Europe. In terms of type of infections, in 36 (68%) and 15 (28.3%) studies, wound and blood-borne infections were documented, respectively, while in 21 studies (58.3%) non-tuberculous mycobacteria were isolated, including Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium chelonae, Mycobacterium senegalense and Mycobacterium fortuitum. The choices of medical tourists could have significant consequences for them and their home countries, including infectious complications and importation of pathogens, particularly antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, with public health implications.

Conclusions

There is a need for public health strategies in order to prevent morbidity and mortality as well as future management and education of patients engaging in medical tourism.
Ultracool dwarfs in deep extragalactic surveys using the virtual observatory: ALHAMBRA and COSMOS
Authors: Solano E , Gálvez-Ortiz M C , Martín E L , Gómez Muñoz I M , Rodrigo C , Burgasser A J , Lodieu N , Béjar V J S , Huélamo N , Morales-Calderón M , Bouy H
Published: November 2020

Ultracool dwarfs (UCDs) encompass a wide variety of compact stellar-like objects with spectra classified as late-M, L, T, and Y. Most of them have been discovered using wide-field imaging surveys. The Virtual Observatory (VO) has proven to be of great utility to efficiently exploit these astronomical resources. We aim to validate a VO methodology designed to discover and characterize UCDs in deep extragalactic surveys like Advance Large Homogeneous Area Medium-Band Redshift Astronomical (ALHAMBRA) and Cosmological Evolution Survey (COSMOS). Three complimentary searches based on parallaxes, proper motions and colours, respectively, were carried out. A total of 897 candidate UCDs were found, with only 16 previously reported in SIMBAD. Most of the new UCDs reported here are likely late-M and L dwarfs because of the limitations imposed by the utilization of optical (Gaia DR2 and r-band) data. We complement ALHAMBRA and COSMOS photometry with other catalogues in the optical and infrared using VOSA, a VO tool that estimates effective temperatures from the spectral energy distribution fitting to collections of theoretical models. The agreement between the number of UCDs found in the COSMOS field and theoretical estimations together with the low false-negative rate (known UCDs not discovered in our search) validates the methodology proposed in this work, which will be used in the forthcoming wide and deep surveys provided by the Euclid space mission. Simulations of Euclid number counts for UCDs detectable in different photometric passbands are presented for a wide survey area of 15 000 deg2, and the limitations of applicability of Euclid data to detect UCDs using the methods employed in this paper are discussed.
Evidence for galaxy quenching in the green valley caused by a lack of a circumgalactic medium
Authors: Kacprzak Glenn G , Nielsen Nikole M , Nateghi Hasti , Churchill Christopher W , Pointon Stephanie K , Nanayakkara Themiya , Muzahid Sowgat , Charlton Jane C
Published: November 2020

The relationship between a galaxy’s properties and its circumgalactic medium (CGM) provides a unique view of how galaxies evolve. We present an interesting edge-on (i = 86°) disc galaxy (G1547) where the CGM is probed by a background quasar at a distance of 84 kpc and within 10° of the galaxy major axis. G1547 does not have any detectable CGM absorption down to stringent limits, covering H i (EWr <0.02 Å, log(N(H i)/cm−2) < 12.6) and a range of low and high ionization absorption lines (O i, C ii, N ii, Si ii, C iii, N iii, Si iii, C iv, Si iv, N v, and O vi). This system is rare, given the covering fraction of $1.00_{-0.04}^{+0.00}$ for sub-L* galaxies within 50–100 kpc of quasar sightlines. G1547 has a low star formation rate (SFR, 1.1 M⊙ yr−1), specific SFR (sSFR, 1.5 × 10−10 yr−1), and ΣSFR (0.06 M⊙ yr−1 kpc−2) and does not exhibit active galactic nucleus or star-formation-driven outflows. Compared to the general population of galaxies, G1547 is in the green valley and has an above average metallicity with a negative gradient. When compared to other H i absorption-selected galaxies, we find that quiescent galaxies with log(sSFR/yr−1) < −11 have a low probability (4/12) of possessing detectable H i in their CGM, while all galaxies (40/40) with log(sSFR/yr−1) > −11 have H i absorption. We conclude that sSFR is a good indicator of the presence of H i CGM. Interestingly however, G1547 is the only galaxy with log(sSFR/yr−1) > −11 that has no detectable CGM. Given the properties of G1547, and its absent CGM, it is plausible that G1547 is undergoing quenching due to a lack of accreting fuel for star formation, with an estimated quenching time-scale of 4 ± 1 Gyr. G1547 provides a unique perspective into the external mechanisms that could explain the migration of galaxies into the green valley.
Radio pulsations from the γ-ray millisecond pulsar PSR J2039–5617
Authors: Corongiu A , Mignani R P , Seyffert A S , Clark C J , Venter C , Nieder L , Possenti A , Burgay M , Belfiore A , De Luca A , Ridolfi A , Wadiasingh Z
Published: November 2020

The predicted nature of the candidate redback pulsar 3FGL J2039.6–5618 was recently confirmed by the discovery of γ-ray millisecond pulsations (Clark et al., hereafter Paper I), which identify this γ-ray source as PSR J2039–5617. We observed this object with the Parkes radio telescope in 2016 and 2019. We detect radio pulsations at 1.4 and 3.1 GHz, at the 2.6 ms period discovered in γ-rays, and also at 0.7 GHz in one 2015 archival observation. In all bands, the radio pulse profile is characterized by a single relatively broad peak which leads the main γ-ray peak. At 1.4 GHz, we found clear evidence of eclipses of the radio signal for about half of the orbit, a characteristic phenomenon in redback systems, which we associate with the presence of intra-binary gas. From the dispersion measure of 24.57 ± 0.03 pc cm−3, we derive a pulsar distance of 0.9 ± 0.2 or 1.7 ± 0.7 kpc, depending on the assumed Galactic electron density model. The modelling of the radio and γ-ray light curves leads to an independent determination of the orbital inclination, and to a determination of the pulsar mass, qualitatively consistent to the results in Paper I.
Evolutionary stages and triggering process of a complex eruptive flare with circular and parallel ribbons
Authors: Joshi Navin Chandra , Joshi Bhuwan , Mitra Prabir K
Published: November 2020

We report multiwavelength study of a complex M-class solar eruptive flare that consists of three different sets of flare ribbons, viz. circular, parallel, and remote ribbons. Magnetic field modelling of source active region NOAA 12242 exhibits the presence of 3D null-point magnetic topology that encompasses an inner bipolar region. The event initiates with the faint signatures of the circular ribbon along with remote brightening right from the pre-flare phase that points toward the ongoing slow yet persistent null-point reconnection. We first detected flux cancellation and an associated brightening, which are likely signatures of tether-cutting reconnection that builds the flux rope near the polarity inversion line (PIL) of the inner bipolar region. In the next stage, with the onset of M8.7 flare, there is a substantial enhancement in the brightening of circular ribbon, which essentially suggests an increase in the rate of ongoing null-point reconnection. Finally, the eruption of underlying flux rope triggers ‘standard flare reconnection’ beneath it producing an abrupt rise in the intensity of the parallel ribbons as well as enhancing the rate of null-point reconnection by external forcing. We show that within the the fan dome, the region with magnetic decay index n > 1.5 borders the null-point QSL. Our analysis suggests that both the torus instability and the breakout model have played role toward the triggering mechanism for the eruptive flare. This event is a nice example of the dynamical evolution of a flux rope initially confined in a null-point topology that subsequently activates and erupts with the progression of the circular-cum-parallel ribbon flare.
On the phase-space structure of galaxy clusters from cosmological simulations
Authors: Marini I , Saro A , Borgani S , Murante G , Rasia E , Dolag K , Lin W , Napolitano N R , Ragagnin A , Tornatore L , Wang Y
Published: November 2020

Cosmological N-body simulations represent an excellent tool to study the formation and evolution of dark matter (DM) haloes and the mechanisms that have originated the universal profile at the largest mass scales in the Universe. In particular, the combination of the velocity dispersion σv with the density ρ can be used to define the pseudo-entropy $S(r)=\sigma _\mathrm{v}^2/\rho ^{\, 2/3}$, whose profile is well described by a simple power law $S\propto \, r^{\, \alpha }$. We analyse a set of cosmological hydrodynamical re-simulations of massive galaxy clusters and study the pseudo-entropy profiles as traced by different collisionless components in simulated galaxy clusters: DM, stars, and substructures. We analyse four sets of simulations, exploring different resolution and physics (N-body and full hydrodynamical simulations) to investigate convergence and the impact of baryons. We find that baryons significantly affect the inner region of pseudo-entropy profiles as traced by substructures, while DM particles profiles are characterized by an almost universal behaviour, thus suggesting that the level of pseudo-entropy could represent a potential low-scatter mass-proxy. We compare observed and simulated pseudo-entropy profiles and find good agreement in both normalization and slope. We demonstrate, however, that the method used to derive observed pseudo-entropy profiles could introduce biases and underestimate the impact of mergers. Finally, we investigate the pseudo-entropy traced by the stars focusing our interest in the dynamical distinction between intracluster light and the stars bound to the brightest cluster galaxy: the combination of these two pseudo-entropy profiles is well described by a single power law out to almost the entire cluster virial radius.
Tackling the FeO orange band puzzle in meteor and airglow spectra through combined astronomical and laboratory studies
Authors: Popov A M , Berezhnoy A A , Borovička J , Labutin T A , Zaytsev S M , Stolyarov A V
Published: November 2020

The iron oxide ‘orange arc’ bands are unambiguously detected in persistent meteor trains, meteor wakes, and clouds, as well as in the terrestrial airglow. In contrast to the majority of other astronomically important diatomic molecules, theoretical simulation of the FeO rovibronic spectra is not feasible due to the extremely condensed and strongly perturbed multiplet structure of its excited states. In this work, the time-evolution of the laser-induced breakdown spectra (LIBS) of high-purity iron recorded in air at high temperature and impact conditions is used to mimic the FeO pseudo-continuum emission observed during meteor events and the terrestrial night airglow. The relative intensity distributions in the structural continuum of the LIBS spectra are measured at 530–660 nm and a plasma temperature of 1500–6500 K. The anomalous increase of the intensity observed at 620–640 nm and temperature < 2000 K could be attributed to the emission of higher oxides of iron as explained by the conducted thermodynamic and kinetic modelling of iron burning in the atmosphere.
Copeptin and renal function decline, cardiovascular events and mortality in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Heinrich Niels S , Theilade Simone , Winther Signe A , Tofte Nete , Ahluwalia Tarunveer S , Jeppesen Jørgen L , Persson Frederik , Hansen Tine W , Goetze Jens P , Rossing Peter
Published: November 2020

Background

Plasma copeptin is a surrogate of arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion and is associated with a risk of renal and cardiovascular disease. We investigated associations between copeptin and renal events, cardiovascular events and mortality in type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study on 658 individuals with T1D from Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen. Plasma copeptin concentrations and conventional risk factors were assessed at baseline. The five endpoints were traced through national registries and electronic laboratory records.

Results

Baseline mean age was 55 ± 13 years and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 81 ± 26 mL/min/1.73 m2. The median follow-up was 6.2 years (interquartile range 5.8–6.7); 123 participants reached a combined renal endpoint [decline in eGFR ≥30%, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or all-cause mortality], 93 had a decrease in eGFR ≥30%, 21 developed ESKD, 94 experienced a combined cardiovascular endpoint and 58 died from all causes. Higher copeptin was associated with all endpoints in unadjusted Cox regression analyses. Upon adjustment for baseline eGFR, the associations were attenuated and remained significant only for the combined renal endpoint and decrease in eGFR ≥30%. Results were similar upon further adjustment for other risk factors, after which hazard ratios for the two renal endpoints were 2.27 (95% confidence interval 1.08–4.74) and 4.49 (1.77–11.4), respectively, for the highest versus the lowest quartile of copeptin.

Conclusions

Higher copeptin was an independent risk marker for a combined renal endpoint and decline in renal function. AVP may be a marker of renal damage or a factor whose contribution to renal and cardiovascular risk is partially mediated by renal damage.
The evolution of the cancer stem cell state in glioblastoma: emerging insights into the next generation of functional interactions
Authors: Mitchell Kelly , Troike Katie , Silver Daniel J , Lathia Justin D
Published: November 2020

Cellular heterogeneity is a hallmark of advanced cancers and has been ascribed in part to a population of self-renewing, therapeutically resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs). Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary malignant brain tumor, has served as a platform for the study of CSCs. In addition to illustrating the complexities of CSC biology, these investigations have led to a deeper understanding of GBM pathogenesis, revealed novel therapeutic targets, and driven innovation towards the development of next-generation therapies. While there continues to be an expansion in our knowledge of how CSCs contribute to GBM progression, opportunities have emerged to revisit this conceptual framework. In this review, we will summarize the current state of CSCs in GBM using key concepts of evolution as a paradigm (variation, inheritance, selection, and time) to describe how the CSC state is subject to alterations of cell intrinsic and extrinsic interactions that shape their evolutionarily trajectory. We identify emerging areas for future consideration, including appreciating CSCs as a cell state that is subject to plasticity, as opposed to a discrete population. These future considerations will not only have an impact on our understanding of this ever-expanding field but will also provide an opportunity to inform future therapies to effectively treat this complex and devastating disease.
Bigger is Still Better: A Step Forward in Reperfusion With React 71
Authors: Gross Bradley A , Hudson Joseph S , Tonetti Daniel A , Desai Shashvat M , Lang Michael J , Jadhav Ashutosh P , Jankowitz Brian T , Jovin Tudor G
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

While multiple new larger-bore aspiration catheters have been introduced for stroke thrombectomy, sizeable cohort outcome studies are lacking along with meaningful comparative studies to evaluate whether they represent a clinically relevant improvement compared to predecessors.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate comparative angiographic and clinical outcomes between an 071 and 068 aspiration catheter.

METHODS

The authors reviewed an institutional thrombectomy database extracting the first 150 consecutive cases utilizing React 71 (Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland) with a comparison of background/demographic, procedural, angiographic, and clinical outcome variables to a cohort of patients treated with our previously most frequently utilized 0.068-inch aspiration catheter.

RESULTS

In our React 71 cohort, successful reperfusion (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction [TICI] 2b-3) was achieved in 95% of cases. In comparison to a prior cohort of 96 patients treated with a 0.068-inch catheter, there was no statistically significant difference in rates of successful reperfusion (TICI 2b-3), initial disposition, and 90-d outcome. However, the frequency of single pass cases was significantly higher in the React 71 cohort (47% vs 35%, P = .019 on multivariate analysis) along with the rate of TICI 2c-3 reperfusion after the first pass (26% vs 14%, P = .019 on multivariate analysis), and final TICI 2c-3 reperfusion (39% vs 28%, P = .04 on multivariate analysis).

CONCLUSION

While rates of TICI 2b-3 reperfusion and clinical outcome results were similar, our study suggests that a newer, larger bore aspiration catheter may be associated with a greater frequency of single pass cases and higher quality reperfusion, judged as TICI 2c-3 frequency after the first and final pass.
Mediation of the association between obesity and osteoarthritis by blood pressure, vessel wall stiffness and subclinical atherosclerosis
Authors: Loef Marieke , van der Geest Rob J , Lamb Hildo J , de Mutsert Renée , le Cessie Saskia , Rosendaal Frits R , Kloppenburg Margreet
Published: November 2020

Objective

We investigated the role of blood pressure, vessel wall stiffness [pulse wave velocity (PWV)] and subclinical atherosclerosis markers [carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), popliteal vessel wall thickness (pVWT)] as mediators of the association of obesity with OA.

Methods

We used cross-sectional data from a subset of the population-based NEO study (n = 6334). We classified clinical hand and knee OA by the ACR criteria, and structural knee OA, effusion and bone marrow lesions on MRI (n = 1285). cIMT was assessed with ultrasonography. pVWT was estimated on knee MRI (n = 1285), and PWV by abdominal velocity-encoded MRIs (n = 2580), in subpopulations. Associations between BMI and OA were assessed with logistic regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex and education. Blood pressure, cIMT, pVWT and PWV were added to the model to estimate mediation.

Results

The population consisted of 55% women, with a mean (s.d.) age of 56(6) years. Clinical hand OA was present in 8%, clinical knee OA in 10%, and structural knee OA in 12% of participants. BMI was positively associated with all OA outcomes. cIMT partially mediated the association of BMI with clinical hand OA [10.6 (6.2; 30.5)%], structural knee OA [3.1 (1.9; 7.3)%] and effusion [10.8 (6.0; 37.6)%]. Diastolic blood pressure [2.1 (1.6; 3.0)%] minimally mediated the association between BMI and clinical knee OA. PWV and pVWT did not mediate the association between BMI and OA.

Conclusions

cIMT and diastolic blood pressure minimally mediated the association of BMI with OA. This suggests that such mediation is trivial in the middle-aged population.
Differential Synaptic Dynamics and Circuit Connectivity of Hippocampal and Thalamic Inputs to the Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Canetta Sarah , Teboul Eric , Holt Emma , Bolkan Scott S , Padilla-Coreano Nancy , Gordon Joshua A , Harrison Neil L , Kellendonk Christoph
Published: November 2020

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) integrates inputs from multiple subcortical regions including the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MD) and the ventral hippocampus (vHPC). How the mPFC differentially processes these inputs is not known. One possibility is that these two inputs target discreet populations of mPFC cells. Alternatively, individual prefrontal cells could receive convergent inputs but distinguish between both inputs based on synaptic differences, such as communication frequency. To address this, we utilized a dual wavelength optogenetic approach to stimulate MD and vHPC inputs onto single, genetically defined mPFC neuronal subtypes. Specifically, we compared the convergence and synaptic dynamics of both inputs onto mPFC pyramidal cells, and parvalbumin (PV)- and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-expressing interneurons. We found that all individual pyramidal neurons in layer 2/3 of the mPFC receive convergent input from both MD and vHPC. In contrast, PV neurons receive input biased from the MD, while VIP cells receive input biased from the vHPC. Independent of the target, MD inputs transferred information more reliably at higher frequencies (20 Hz) than vHPC inputs. Thus, MD and vHPC projections converge functionally onto mPFC pyramidal cells, but both inputs are distinguished by frequency-dependent synaptic dynamics and preferential engagement of discreet interneuron populations.