bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) für die Behandlung von Knochenmetastasen beim oligometastasierten Prostatakarzinom
Authors: Sage Eva Katharina , Vogel Marco M. E. , Dewes Sabrina , Devecka Michal , Eiber Matthias , Gschwend Jürgen E. , Combs Stephanie E. , Schiller Kilian
Published: April 2020

Hintergrund Die lokale Strahlentherapie von Metastasen bei Prostatakarzinompatienten in der oligometastasierten Situation hat in den letzten Jahren an Bedeutung gewonnen. Um die Wirkung auf das Outcome weiter zu evaluieren haben wir oligometastasierte Prostatakarzinompatienten, die eine stereotaktische Strahlentherapie (SBRT) von Knochenmetastasen erhielten, untersucht.

Patienten und Methodik Es wurden 24 Patienten mit insgesamt 30 Knochenmetastasen eingeschlossen und das Ansprechen auf die SBRT (biochemisch und bildgebend) sowie das progressionsfreie Überleben und das Zeitintervall bis zum Beginn einer antihormonellen Therapie (aHT) untersucht.

Ergebnisse Das mittlere Follow-Up-Intervall nach Abschluss der SBRT lag bei 32,7 Monaten (1,4 – 84 Monate). Die SBRT wurde ohne das Auftreten von Akut- oder Spät-Nebenwirkungen sehr gut vertragen. Bei 16 Patienten kam es zu einem Abfall des PSA-Wertes von im Mittel 4,58 ng/ml (0,05 – 50,25 ng/ml) vor der SBRT auf 1,19 ng/ml (0,01 – 8,85 ng/ml) nach Abschluss der SBRT. Das mittlere biochemische progressionsfreie Überleben dieser Patienten betrug 17,6 Monate (0,7 – 85,0 Monate). 6 Patienten erhielten bereits vor der SBRT oder parallel dazu eine aHT. Bei 10 Patienten wurde die aHT nach einem mittleren Intervall von 20,6 Monaten (1,8 – 85,0 Monate) nach Abschluss der SBRT initiiert, während weitere 6 Patienten keine aHT während des gesamten Beobachtungszeitraumes erhielten. Bei 18 der 30 Metastasen konnte im Bereich der SBRT im PSMA-PET eine Abnahme der PSMA-Expression im Sinne eines partiellen funktionellen Ansprechens beobachtet werden, während bei 5 Patienten nach SBRT eine gleichbleibende PSMA-Überexpression bestand und bei 7 Patienten keine PSMA-Bildgebung vorlag. Bei 17 Patienten kam es im Mittel nach 16,2 Monaten (1,6 – 40,6 Monate) bildgebend zum Progress der Fernmetastasierung, während 3 Patienten ein Lokalrezidiv in der Prostataloge zeigten.

Zusammenfassung Die SBRT von Knochenmetastasen bei oligometastasierten Prostatakarzinompatienten stellt eine effektive und gut verträgliche Therapie dar, durch die eine hohe lokale Kontrolle im Bereich der Metastasen sowie eine zeitliche Verzögerung des Beginns oder der Eskalation einer Systemtherapie erzielt werden kann. Jedoch zeigt die hohe Rate an Progression der Fernmetastasierung die Wichtigkeit der richtigen Patientenselektion auf und ggf. die Notwendigkeit der Kombination mit einer aHT.
A comparison of composting and vermicomposting for the disposal of poultry waste
Authors: Joshi Toya Nath , Nepali Dainik Bahadur , Sah Ramashish , Bhattarai Tilchandra , Midmore David J.
Published: April 2020

Context
Poultry products, mostly meat and eggs, provide affordable quality foodstuffs to human populations in Nepal. However, the poultry industry’s by-products, such as litter and offal, also generate potential environmental and human health issues and need a sustainable method of management.

Aims
The present study compared the effectiveness of vermicomposting by using an exotic earthworm species Eisenia fetida, or effective microorganism-based (EM) composting, of poultry litters in the Terai region of Nepal.

Methods
Four types of poultry litter, namely, broiler cage litter (parent stock litter), broiler deep litter, commercial layer cage litter and layer deep litter, each combined with earthworms (vermicompost) or effective microorganisms, were subjected to decomposition in beds. A completely randomised design in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement (poultry litters by Eisenia fetida or effective microorganism) with three replicates per treatment was applied.

Key results
Macronutrient concentrations, and reduction of the carbon:nitrogen ratio were significantly greater in vermicompost than EM compost. In addition, reduction of the carbon:nitrogen ratio was more significant following vermicomposting for broiler and layer cage litter than in other treatments. The highest initial concentration of N was found in layer cage litter (2.1%) and the lowest in layer deep litter (1.3%) and these increased to 1.5–3.4% and 1.7–1.8% in vermicompost and EM compost respectively. Available phosphorus increased by two- to three-fold in most vermicomposted poultry litters in comparison to initial poultry litters, and a two-fold increase in potassium was likewise achieved. Consistent with these results, worm biomass was significantly higher in layer cage litter and broiler cage litter than in deep litter. More cocoons were evident in layer cage litter, and lowest numbers of cocoon formation were observed in broiler deep litter.

Conclusions
This comparative study showed that vermicomposting is superior to EM composting for bioconversion of poultry litters into value-added compost.

Implications
With the adoption of this result, the poultry industry in Nepal could become more sustainable.
Exploring the binding pocket of quinone/inhibitors in mitochondrial respiratory complex I by chemical biology approaches
Authors: Murai Masatoshi
Published: April 2020

NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (respiratory complex I) is a key player in mitochondrial energy metabolism. The enzyme couples electron transfer from NADH to quinone with the translocation of protons across the membrane, providing a major proton-motive force that drives ATP synthesis. Recently, X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy provided further insights into the structure and functions of the enzyme. However, little is known about the mechanism of quinone reduction, which is a crucial step in the energy coupling process. A variety of complex I inhibitors targeting the quinone-binding site have been indispensable tools for mechanistic studies on the enzyme. Using biorationally designed inhibitor probes, the author has accumulated a large amount of experimental data characterizing the actions of complex I inhibitors. On the basis of comprehensive interpretations of the data, the author reviews the structural features of the binding pocket of quinone/inhibitors in bovine mitochondrial complex I.

Abbreviations

ATP: adenosine triphosphate; BODIPY: boron dipyrromethene; complex I: proton-translocating NADH-quinone oxidoreductase; DIBO: dibenzocyclooctyne; EM: electron microscopy; FeS: iron-sulfur; FMN: flavin adenine mononucleotide; LDT: ligand-directed tosylate; NADH: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SMP: submitochondrial particle; TAMRA: 6-carboxy-N,N,N’,N’-tetramethylrhodamine; THF: tetrahydrofuran; TMH: transmembrane helix
Photorespiration—how is it regulated and how does it regulate overall plant metabolism?
Authors: Timm Stefan , Hagemann Martin
Published: April 2020

Under the current atmospheric conditions, oxygenic photosynthesis requires photorespiration to operate. In the presence of low CO2/O2 ratios, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) performs an oxygenase side reaction, leading to the formation of high amounts of 2-phosphoglycolate during illumination. Given that 2-phosphoglycolate is a potent inhibitor of photosynthetic carbon fixation, it must be immediately removed through photorespiration. The core photorespiratory cycle is orchestrated across three interacting subcellular compartments, namely chloroplasts, peroxisomes, and mitochondria, and thus cross-talks with a multitude of other cellular processes. Over the past years, the metabolic interaction of photorespiration and photosynthetic CO2 fixation has attracted major interest because research has demonstrated the enhancement of C3 photosynthesis and growth through the genetic manipulation of photorespiration. However, to optimize future engineering approaches, it is also essential to improve our current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of photorespiration. Here, we summarize recent progress regarding the steps that control carbon flux in photorespiration, eventually involving regulatory proteins and metabolites. In this regard, both genetic engineering and the identification of various layers of regulation point to glycine decarboxylase as the key enzyme to regulate and adjust the photorespiratory carbon flow. Potential implications of the regulation of photorespiration for acclimation to environmental changes along with open questions are also discussed.
From print to digital: A web edition of Giacomo Leopardi’s Idilli
Authors: Giuffrida Milena , Italia Paola , Nieddu Simone , Schmidt Desmond
Published: April 2020

Although most would agree that the future of the scholarly edition lies in the digital medium, it is the print scholarly edition that is still more often cited and read. The production of digital scholarly editions (DSEs) is still seen as an experimental field whose methodology has not yet settled to the extent that a digital editing project can be approached with the same confidence as the making of a print edition. This article describes an experimental conversion of a print scholarly edition—Giacomo Leopardi’s Idilli by Paola Italia (2008)—into a DSE. This posed a challenge due to the complexity of its internal evidence, but was also relatively short and suitable for an experimental edition. Our objective was to assimilate into a web-based DSE all the information contained in the text and apparatus of the print edition. We also sought to discover whether the making of a DSE today that could fully utilize the affordances of the web, would necessarily place a significant technical load on editors who are more accustomed to solving textual problems. We review briefly a number of generic tools for making DSEs and describe two attempts at making our own DSE of Leopardi’s Idilli: a wiki edition whose primary purpose was pedagogical and a DSE based on the software used to make the Charles Harpur Critical Archive (Eggert, 2019, Charles Harpur Critical Archive.http://charles-harpur.org). We compare these experiences and draw conclusions about the prospects of making DSEs today.
Coexistence of plastic and partially diffusive phases in a helium-methane compound
Authors: Gao Hao , Liu Cong , Hermann Andreas , Needs Richard J , Pickard Chris J , Wang Hui-Tian , Xing Dingyu , Sun Jian
Published: April 2020

Helium and methane are major components of giant icy planets and are abundant in the universe. However, helium is the most inert element in the periodic table and methane is one of the most hydrophobic molecules, thus whether they can react with each other is of fundamental importance. Here, our crystal structure searches and first-principles calculations predict that a He3CH4 compound is stable over a wide range of pressures from 55 to 155 GPa and a HeCH4 compound becomes stable around 105 GPa. As nice examples of pure van der Waals crystals, the insertion of helium atoms changes the original packing of pure methane molecules and also largely hinders the polymerization of methane at higher pressures. After analyzing the diffusive properties during the melting of He3CH4 at high pressure and high temperature, in addition to a plastic methane phase, we have discovered an unusual phase which exhibits coexistence of diffusive helium and plastic methane. In addition, the range of the diffusive behavior within the helium-methane phase diagram is found to be much narrower compared to that of previously predicted helium-water compounds. This may be due to the weaker van der Waals interactions between methane molecules compared to those in helium-water compounds, and that the helium-methane compound melts more easily.
Lipidated poly(amino acid) nanostructures as versatile therapeutic delivery vehicles
Authors: Smith Josiah D. , Cardwell Leah N. , Porciani David , Greenwald Andrew J. , Ellis Aiden C. , Schulte Megan C. , Wang Xiaofei , Schoenherr Evan T. , Seim Gracen F. , Anderson Joe E. , Nguyen Julie A. , Tata Rama R. , Lange Margaret J. , Burke Donald H. , Daniels Mark A. , Ulery Bret D.
Published: April 2020

Poly(amino acid)s are a diverse and capable class of polymers with significant potential for utilization in a wide variety of drug delivery applications. A sub-class of these biomaterials known as lipidated poly(amino acid)s (LPAAs) are amphiphiles composed of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains yielding interesting physical properties. In this article, we describe our efforts in developing a novel class of lysine and valine containing LPAAs synthesized via hexadecylamine initiated N-carboxyanhydride ring-opening polymerization (NCA-ROP). These highly hydrophobic LPAAs were found capable of undergoing hydrophobically-driven self-assembly into small nanostructures as well as being forced into larger nanostructures using a novel dump-and-stir nanoprecipitation process. This process yielded fine control over resulting nanoparticle size and cargo entrapment. Furthermore, cell-targeting DNA aptamer modification of doxorubicin-loaded LPAA nanoparticles induced significant death of co-incubated Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma cells providing exciting evidence of the therapeutic potential of this novel biomaterials-based delivery device.
An Arabidopsis gene expression predictor enables inference of transcriptional regulators
Authors: Geng Haiying , Wang Meng , Gong Jiazhen , Xu Yupu , Ma Shisong
Published: April 2020

Gene expression regulation by transcription factors (TF) has long been studied, but no model exists yet that can accurately predict transcriptome profiles based on TF activities. We have constructed a universal predictor for Arabidopsis to predict the expression of 28192 non-TF genes using 1678 TFs. Applied to bulk RNA-Seq samples from diverse tissues, the predictor produced accurate predicted transcriptomes correlating well with actual expression, with average correlation coefficient of 0.986. Having recapitulated the quantitative relationships between TFs and target genes, the predictor further enabled downstream inference of TF regulators for genes and pathways, i.e. those involved in suberin, flavonoid, glucosinolate metabolism, lateral root, xylem, secondary cell wall development, and endoplasmic reticulum stress response. Our predictor provides an innovative approach to study transcriptional regulation.
Identifying the spatial and temporal dynamics of molecularly-distinct glioblastoma sub-populations
Authors: Morris Bethan , Curtin Lee , Hawkins-Daarud Andrea , Hubbard Matthew E. , Rahman Ruman , Smith Stuart J. , Auer Dorothee , Tran Nhan L. , Hu Leland S. , Eschbacher Jennifer M. , Smith Kris A. , Stokes Ashley , Swanson Kristin R. , Owen Markus R.
Published: April 2020

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most aggressive primary brain tumours and have no known cure. Each individual tumour comprises multiple sub-populations of genetically-distinct cells that may respond differently to targeted therapies and may contribute to disappointing clinical trial results. Image-localized biopsy techniques allow multiple biopsies to be taken during surgery and provide information that identifies regions where particular sub-populations occur within an individual GBM, thus providing insight into their regional genetic variability. These sub-populations may also interact with one another through a competitive or cooperative nature; it is important to ascertain the nature of these interactions, as they may have implications for responses to targeted therapies. We combine genetic information from biopsies with a mechanistic model of interacting GBM sub-populations to characterise the nature of interactions between two commonly occurring GBM sub-populations, those with EGFR and PDGFRA genes amplified. We study population levels found across image-localized biopsy data from a cohort of 25 patients and compare this to model outputs under competitive, cooperative and neutral interaction assumptions. We explore other factors affecting the observed simulated sub-populations, such as selection advantages and phylogenetic ordering of mutations, which may also contribute to the levels of EGFR and PDGFRA amplified populations observed in biopsy data.
Effect of pulsed electric fields and high pressure on improved recovery of high‐added‐value compounds from olive pomace
Authors: Andreou Varvara , Psarianos Marios , Dimopoulos George , Tsimogiannis Dimitrios , Taoukis Petros
Published: April 2020

Olive pomace is considered a solid by‐product and a rich source of valuable compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids with antioxidant properties, and proteins. Nonthermal technologies, which cause alterations to cell permeability, are being explored to assist conventional recovery techniques. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of pulsed electric fields (PEF) and high pressure (HP) on improved recovery yield of the high‐added‐value compounds or to shorten the extraction time of these compounds. Olive pomace (Tsounati cv) was pretreated with PEF (1.0 to 6.5 kV/cm, 0.9 to 51.1 kJ/kg, and 15 µs pulse width) or HP (200 to 600 MPa and 0 to 40 min). Evaluation of the intracellular compounds extracted via solid–liquid extraction (50% ethanol–water solution) was performed. More intense PEF and HP conditions resulted in a significant increase of the phenolic concentration up to 91.6% and 71.8%, respectively. The increased antioxidant capacity of each extract was correlated to phenolic compound concentration. The protein concentration that was achieved with PEF pretreatment was doubled; however, HP‐pretreated extracts reached 88.1% higher yield than untreated for pressures up to 200 MPa. HP and PEF pretreatment decreased extraction completion time t98 (needed time to recover the equal amount of phenolics and proteins of untreated after 60 min of conventional extraction) to 12 min and lower than 1 min, respectively. To conclude, both pretreatments are effective in improving the conventional extraction process for increased yield recovery of high‐added‐value compounds from olive pomace.
Digestive system involvement of novel coronavirus infection: Prevention and control infection from a gastroenterology perspective
Authors: Li Lian Yong , Wu Wei , Chen Sheng , Gu Jian Wen , Li Xin Lou , Song Hai Jing , Du Feng , Wang Gang , Zhong Chang Qing , Wang Xiao Ying , Chen Yan , Shah Rushikesh , Yang He Ming , Cai Qiang
Published: April 2020

An epidemic of an acute respiratory syndrome caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in Wuhan, China, now known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), beginning in December 2019, has attracted an intense amount of attention worldwide. As the natural history and variety of clinical presentations of this disease unfolds, extrapulmonary symptoms of COVID‐19 have emerged, especially in the digestive system. While the respiratory mode of transmission is well known and is probably the principal mode of transmission of this disease, a possibility of the fecal‐oral route of transmission has also emerged in various case series and clinical scenarios. In this review article, we summarize four different aspects in published studies to date: (a) gastrointestinal manifestations of COVID‐19; (b) microbiological and virological investigations; (c) the role of fecal‐oral transmission; and (d) prevention and control of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in the digestive endoscopy room. A timely understanding of the relationship between the disease and the digestive system and implementing effective preventive measures are of great importance for a favorable outcome of the disease and can help climnicians to mitigate further transmission by taking appropriate measures.
Primrose syndrome: Characterization of the phenotype in 42 patients
Authors: Melis Daniela , Carvalho Daniel , Barbaro‐Dieber Tina , Espay Alberto J. , Gambello Michael J. , Gener Blanca , Gerkes Erica , Hitzert Marrit M. , Hove Hanne B. , Jansen Sandra , Jira Petr E. , Lachlan Katherine , Menke Leonie A. , Narayanan Vinodh , Ortiz Damara , Overwater Eline , Posmyk Renata , Ramsey Keri , Rossi Alessandro , Sandoval Renata Lazari , Stumpel Constance , Stuurman Kyra E. , Cordeddu Viviana , Turnpenny Peter , Strisciuglio Pietro , Tartaglia Marco , Unger Sheela , Waters Todd , Turnbull Clare , Hennekam Raoul C.
Published: April 2020

Primrose syndrome (PS; MIM# 259050) is characterized by intellectual disability (ID), macrocephaly, unusual facial features (frontal bossing, deeply set eyes, down‐slanting palpebral fissures), calcified external ears, sparse body hair and distal muscle wasting. The syndrome is caused by de novo heterozygous missense variants in ZBTB20. Most of the 29 published patients are adults as characteristics appear more recognizable with age. We present 13 hitherto unpublished individuals and summarize the clinical and molecular findings in all 42 patients. Several signs and symptoms of PS develop during childhood, but the cardinal features, such as calcification of the external ears, cystic bone lesions, muscle wasting, and contractures typically develop between 10 and 16 years of age. Biochemically, anemia and increased alpha‐fetoprotein levels are often present. Two adult males with PS developed a testicular tumor. Although PS should be regarded as a progressive entity, there are no indications that cognition becomes more impaired with age. No obvious genotype‐phenotype correlation is present. A subgroup of patients with ZBTB20 variants may be associated with mild, nonspecific ID. Metabolic investigations suggest a disturbed mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. We suggest a regular surveillance in all adult males with PS until it is clear whether or not there is a truly elevated risk of testicular cancer.
Skp2 contributes to cell cycle progression in trophoblast stem cells and to placental development
Authors: Yamauchi Yuhei , Nita Akihiro , Nishiyama Masaaki , Muto Yoshiharu , Shimizu Hideyuki , Nakatsumi Hirokazu , Nakayama Keiichi I.
Published: April 2020

All trophoblast subtypes of the placenta are derived from trophoblast stem cells (TSCs). TSCs have the capacity to self‐renew, but how the proliferation of these cells is regulated in the undifferentiated state has been largely unclear. We now show that the F‐box protein Skp2 regulates the proliferation of TSCs and thereby plays a pivotal role in placental development in mice on the C57BL/6 background. The placenta of Skp2−/− mouse embryos on the C57BL/6 background was smaller than that of their Skp2+/+ littermates, with the mutant embryos also manifesting intrauterine growth retardation. Although the Skp2−/− mice were born alive, most of them died before postnatal day 21, presumably as a result of placental defects. Depletion of Skp2 in TSCs cultured in the undifferentiated state resulted in a reduced rate of proliferation and arrest of the cell cycle in G1 phase, indicative of a defect in self‐renewal capacity. The cell cycle arrest apparent in Skp2‐deficient TSCs was reversed by additional ablation of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) p57 but not by that of the CKI p27. Our results thus suggest that Skp2‐mediated degradation of p57 is an important determinant of the self‐renewal capacity of TSCs during placental development, at least in mice of certain genetic backgrounds.
The impact of age and comorbidity in advanced or recurrent biliary tract cancer receiving palliative chemotherapy
Authors: Takahara Naminatsu , Nakai Yousuke , Saito Kei , Sasaki Takashi , Suzuki Yukari , Inokuma Akiyuki , Oyama Hiroki , Kanai Sachiko , Suzuki Tatsunori , Sato Tatsuya , Hakuta Ryunosuke , Ishigaki Kazunaga , Saito Tomotaka , Hamada Tsuyoshi , Mizuno Suguru , Kogure Hirofumi , Tada Minoru , Isayama Hiroyuki , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: April 2020

Background and Aim

Limited data are available on age and comorbidity assessment in patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC). This study aimed to evaluate the association of age and comorbidity burden with clinical outcomes of chemotherapy for BTC.

Methods

Consecutive 197 BTC patients undergoing first‐line chemotherapy between 2007 and 2017 were retrospectively studied. Patients were classified to three groups according to the age‐adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) excluding the score about BTC and progression‐free survival, overall survival (OS), and safety were compared.

Results

Fifty‐one patients (26%) were elderly (≥ 75 years), and ACCI was 0–2 in 73 patients (37%), 3–4 in 98 (50%), and ≥ 5 in 26 (13%). ACCI was associated with the administration of first‐line combination chemotherapy (89% in 0–2, 80% in 3–4, and 64% in ≥ 5, P < 0.01) and second‐line chemotherapy (67% in 0–2, 51% in 3–4, and 35% in ≥ 5, P = 0.01). ACCI was prognostic for OS in addition to performance status, disease status, and CA19‐9: The hazard ratios in ACCI of 3–4 and ≥ 5 were 1.39 and 1.79, compared with ACCI of 0–2 (P = 0.04). While overall safety profile did not differ by ACCI, higher ACCI score group developed Grade 3–4 neutropenia more frequently (26% in 0–2, 42% in 3–4, and 46% in ≥ 5, P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Age and comorbidity burden did affect OS and safety profile in BTC patients undergoing first‐line palliative chemotherapy. ACCI can be a simple and useful tool to evaluate the age and comorbidity burden in these patients.
One ring to rule them all: an ecosystem engineer fungus fosters plant and microbial diversity in a Mediterranean grassland
Authors: Zotti Maurizio , De Filippis Francesca , Cesarano Gaspare , Ercolini Danilo , Tesei Giulio , Allegrezza Marina , Giannino Francesco , Mazzoleni Stefano , Bonanomi Giuliano
Published: April 2020

Species coexistence in grasslands is regulated by several environmental factors and interactions with the soil microbial community.

Here, the development of the Basidiomycetes fungus Agaricus arvensis, forming fairy rings, in a species‐rich Mediterranean grassland, is described. Effects of the mycelial front on plants, fungi and bacteria were assessed by vegetation survey and next generation sequencing approaches.

Our results showed a fungal‐dependent shift in the community structure operated by a wave‐like spread of fairy rings that decreased plant, fungal and bacterial diversity, indicating a detrimental effect of fairy rings on most species. The fairy rings induced successional processes in plants that enhanced the replacement of a community dominated by perennial plants with short‐living and fast‐growing plant species. In parallel, fungal and bacterial communities showed evident differences in species composition with several taxa associated within distinct sampling zone across the fairy rings. Notably, bacteria belonging to the Burkholderia genus and fungi of the genus Trichoderma increased in response to the advancing mycelium of A. arvensis.

The profound changes in community composition and the overall increase in taxa diversity at ecosystemic scale suggest that fairy ring‐forming fungi may act as ecosystem engineer species in Mediterranean grasslands.
Hemispheric specialization in spatial versus ordinal processing in the day‐old domestic chick (Gallus gallus)
Authors: Rugani Rosa , Regolin Lucia
Published: April 2020

Different species show an intriguing similarity in representing numerosity in space, starting from left to right. This bias has been attributed to a right hemisphere dominance in processing spatial information. Here, to disentangle the role of each hemisphere in dealing with spatial versus ordinal–numerical information, we tested domestic chicks during monocular versus binocular vision. In the avian brain, the contralateral hemisphere mainly processes the visual input from each eye. Four‐day‐old chicks learned to peck at the fourth element in a sagittal series of 10 identical elements. At testing, chicks faced a left‐to‐right–oriented series where the interelement distance was manipulated so that the third element was where the fourth had been at training; this compelled chicks to use either spatial or ordinal cues. Chicks tested binocularly selected both the fourth left and (to a lesser extent) right elements. Chicks tested monocularly chose the third and fourth elements on the seeing side equally. Interhemispheric cooperation resulted in the use of ordinal–numerical information, while each single hemisphere could rely on spatial or ordinal–numerical cue. Both hemispheres can process spatial and ordinal–numerical information, but their interaction results in the supremacy of processing the ordinal–numerical cue.
Mooring Fatigue Assessment Evaluating Chain Twist and Out-of-Plane Bending for a Semi-submersible
Authors: Xue Xutian , Chen Nian-Zhong , Pu Yongchang
Published: April 2020

A mooring fatigue assessment for mooring chain links of a semi-submersible in Offshore West Africa (OWA) is presented. Three cases that mooring chain links are subjected to pure tension, out-of-plane bending (OPB), and torque are considered in the assessment. For the case that mooring chain links are subjected to pure tension, a comparative study on S–N curves, T–N curves, and fracture mechanics (FM)-based mooring system fatigue analyses is made, and the results show that the fatigue lives predicted by these three approaches are generally comparable if the safety factors suggested by API and DNVGL are applied to T–N curves and S–N curves based approaches. For the cases that mooring chain links are subjected to the OPB and torque, the investigation shows that fatigue lives of mooring chain links are decreased significantly due to the OPB effects, while the decline of fatigue lives of mooring chain links happens when the twist angles are more than 10 deg.
All that glitters is not gold: a case report of a diffuse peritoneal aspergillosis
Authors: Tefas Cristian , Petrushev Bobe , Pojoga Cristina , Badea Radu
Published: April 2020

Invasive aspergillosis is a rare disease, more frequently encountered in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of diffuse peritoneal aspergillosis. A 56-year old female with a history of recent renal transplantation was admitted with a suspicion of peritoneal carcinomatosis following a native computed tomography scan. Gray scale abdominal ultrasound showed multiple peritoneal masses. Upon performing contrast-enhanced ultrasound these masses demonstrated peripheral arterial enhancement and slow wash-out during the venous phase. The final histopathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of peritoneal aspergillosis. Gray scale ultrasonography in combination with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is useful in the evaluation of intraabdominal masses. The procedures are of great value especially in patients with a high risk of contrastinduced nephropathy where contrast-enhanced CT or MRI are contraindicated.
Microtubules Are Associated with Intracellular Movement and Spread of the Periodontopathogen
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Meyer Diane Hutchins , Rose John E. , Lippmann Joan E. , Fives-Taylor Paula M.
Published: April 2020

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
SUNY 465, the invasion prototype strain, enters epithelial cells by an actin-dependent mechanism, escapes from the host cell vacuole, and spreads intracellularly and to adjacent epithelial cells via intercellular protrusions. Internalized organisms also egress from host cells into the assay medium via protrusions that are associated with just a single epithelial cell. Here we demonstrate that agents which inhibit microtubule polymerization (e.g., colchicine) and those which stabilize polymerized microtubules (e.g., taxol) both increase markedly the number of intracellular
A. actinomycetemcomitans
organisms. Furthermore, both colchicine and taxol prevented the egression of
A. actinomycetemcomitans
from host cells into the assay medium. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that protrusions that mediate the bacterial spread contain microtubules.
A. actinomycetemcomitans
SUNY 465 and 652, strains that are both invasive and egressive, interacted specifically with the plus ends (growing ends) of the filaments of microtubule asters in a KB cell extract. By contrast, neither
A. actinomycetemcomitans
523, a strain that is invasive but not egressive, nor
Haemophilus aphrophilus
, a noninvasive oral bacterium with characteristics similar to those of
A. actinomycetemcomitans
, bound to microtubules. Together these data suggest that microtubules function in the spread and movement of
A. actinomycetemcomitans
and provide the first evidence that host cell dispersion of an invasive bacterium may involve the usurption of host cell microtubules.
Complete Genome Sequence of Mycoplasma bovis Strain XBY01, Isolated from Henan Province, China
Authors: Shen Qingchun , Sun Shijing , Xu Guanlong , Fan Xuezheng , Jiang Hui , Feng Yu , Peng Xiaowei , Zhu Liangquan , Qin Yuming , Ding Jiabo
Published: April 2020

We report the complete genome sequence of
Mycoplasma bovis
strain XBY01, which was isolated from a severely diseased young calf in Henan Province, China, in 2019. The genome of XBY01 contains a single circular chromosome of 986,067 bp, with a GC content of 29.30%.
Draft Genome Sequence of Yokenella regensburgei Strain WCD67, Isolated from the Boxelder Bug
Authors: Meyers Desiree J. , Leigh Brittany A. , Huntemann Marcel , Clum Alicia , Ritter Stephan , Palaniappan Krishnaveni , Chen I-Min , Stamatis Dimitrios , Reddy T. B. K. , O’Malley Ronan , Daum Chris , Shapiro Nicole , Ivanova Natalia , Kyrpides Nikos C. , Woyke Tanja , Whitman William B.
Published: April 2020

We report here the draft genome sequence of
Yokenella regensburgei
strain WCD67, isolated from the boxelder bug (
Boisea trivittata
). The genome is 5,277,883 bp in size, has a GC content of 54.12%, and has 5,416 genes. A total of 17 mobile elements were discovered, 6 of which were predicted to be phages.
Comparison of accelerated diagnostic pathways for acute chest pain risk stratification
Authors: Stopyra Jason , Snavely Anna Catherine , Hiestand Brian , Wells Brian J , Lenoir Kristin Macfarlane , Herrington David , Hendley Nella , Ashburn Nicklaus P , Miller Chadwick D , Mahler Simon A
Published: April 2020

Background

The History Electrocardiogram Age Risk factor Troponin (HEART) Pathway and Emergency Department Assessment of Chest pain Score (EDACS) are validated accelerated diagnostic pathways designed to risk stratify patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain. Data from large multisite prospective studies comparing these accelerated diagnostic pathways are limited.

Methods

The HEART Pathway Implementation is a prospective three-site cohort study, which accrued adults with symptoms concerning for acute coronary syndrome. Physicians completed electronic health record HEART Pathway and EDACS risk assessments on participants. Major adverse cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction and coronary revascularisation) at 30 days were determined using electronic health record, insurance claims and death index data. Test characteristics for detection of major adverse cardiac events were calculated for both accelerated diagnostic pathways and McNemar’s tests were used for comparisons.

Results

5799 patients presenting to the emergency department were accrued, of which HEART Pathway and EDACS assessments were completed on 4399. Major adverse cardiac events at 30 days occurred in 449/4399 (10.2%). The HEART Pathway identified 38.4% (95% CI 37.0% to 39.9%) of patients as low-risk compared with 58.1% (95% CI 56.6% to 59.6%) identified as low-risk by EDACS (p<0.001). Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 0.4% (95% CI 0.2% to 0.9%) of patients classified as low-risk by the HEART Pathway compared with 1.0% (95% CI 0.7% to 1.5%) of patients identified as low-risk by EDACS (p<0.001). Thus, the HEART Pathway had a negative predictive value of 99.6% (95% CI 99.1% to 99.8%) for major adverse cardiac events compared with a negative predictive value of 99.0% (95% CI 98.5% to 99.3%) for EDACS.

Conclusions

EDACS identifies a larger proportion of patients as low-risk than the HEART Pathway, but has a higher missed major adverse cardiac events rate at 30 days. Physicians will need to consider their risk tolerance when deciding whether to adopt the HEART Pathway or EDACS accelerated diagnostic pathway.

Trial registration number

NCT02056964.
Soil aggregate stability increased with a self-regenerating legume cover crop in low-nitrogen, no-till agroecosystems of Saskatchewan, Canada
Authors: Stainsby April , May William E. , Lafond Guy P. , Entz Martin H.
Published: April 2020

Black medic (Medicago lupulina L.) is a self-regenerating cover crop which was tested for its ability to improve soil physical properties. Soil aggregate stability was assessed in plots that included a black medic cover crop in a no-till grain rotation, which was fertilized with two levels of nitrogen (N), for 15 yr. In the wheat phase of the rotation, the medic cover crop increased mean weight diameter by 21% in the reduced N fertilizer treatment but not in the recommended N treatment. Generally, the addition of medic reduced the proportion of small aggregates and increased the proportion of large aggregates. This pattern was stronger in reduced N compared with recommended N fertilizer levels. This study provided evidence for medic to increase aggregate stability under low external N input grain production.
On Generalized Topological Indices of Silicon-Carbon
Authors: Wang Xing-Long , Liu Jia-Bao , Jahanbani Akbar , Siddiqui Muhammad Kamran , Rad Nader Jafari , Hasni Roslan
Published: April 2020

Let Gbe a graph with n vertices and Γu be the degree of its u-th vertex (Γx is the degree of u). In this article, we compute the generalization of Zagreb index, the generalized Zagreb index, the first and second hyper F-indices, the sum connectivity F-index, and the product connectivity F-index graphs of Si2C3−Ip,q, Si2C3−IIp,q, Si2C3−IIIp,q, and SiC3−IIIp,q.
A PRACTICAL AS THE MAIN FORM OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS ON THE DISCIPLINE “UKRAINIAN AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE” AT THE HIGHER SCHOOL
Authors: Stefanyshyn K. L.
Published: April 2020

A practical is the main form of students' educational activity at the higher educational institutions on the discipline “Ukrainian as a Foreign Language”. Practicals at the higher educational establishment provide students with the detailed consideration of certain theoretical basics of the discipline. They also suggest the formation of skills and abilities, their practical application by the individual, fulfillment of the student's formulated tasks and solving situational problems. Based on the topic “Appearance Description”, the article presents the structure and meaningful content of a practical lesson in Ukrainian as a foreign language.

The course of study is structured according to the requirements for practicals at the higher school and adapted to the communicative needs of foreign students studying in Ukraine. The structure of the lesson consists of five stages: organizational part, mastering vocabulary on the topic, performing training exercises, working with the text, current control. The content of a course corresponds to the program of the discipline “Ukrainian as a Foreign Language”, the task is built with regard to the program requirements and is subordinated to the objective of the discipline i.e. to provide basic communicative needs of foreign students in the everyday life, educational and professional spheres. The developed system of exercises is intended to form and improve different types of speech activity (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Knowledge of vocabulary for describing a person’s appearance, ability to build monologues, initiate and conduct a dialogue on the topic, skills to reconcile adjectives, personal and possessive pronouns with nouns in the genus, numbers and case allow to ensure the implementation of communicative needs in communicative needs and needs household, socio-cultural, official-business, educational-professional.
TERMINOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE BASIC DEFINITIONS OF STUDYING VOCATIONAL TRAINING OF FUTURE JUNIOR SPECIALISTS IN NURSING IN COLLEGES
Authors: Demianchuk М. R.
Published: April 2020

The article argues that nowadays a well-established conceptual and terminological apparatus, whose origins have deep historical roots, in modern vocational training of future specialists in nursing of different qualification levels, is used. On the basis of theoretical analysis of scientific literary sources and conceptual and terminological synthesis has been established that definition of “nurse” comes from Latin “nutricius”,which means caring for those who suffer. On the basis of comparative analysis the comparative-historical way of becoming nurse profession has been reflected.The basis is a five-stage periodization of the formation and development of nursing (by M. Shehedyn). It has been concretized that in the prehistoric period, which lasted from ancient times to the V century AD, work that reflected some of the functions of modern nurse was regarded as a spontaneous care, not as a profession; the period of the Middle Ages was marked by the functioning of specialized institutions for the care of sick people; during the Classical period the nursing and Sisters of Charity were born; the Neoclassical period was marked by the development of scientific concepts for the organization of the system of training nurses; in the Modern period the degree nursing education was introduced.

In different historical periods, to indicate the functional characteristics of persons who determine the modern professional activity of nurse, the following terms were used: “deaconess”, “caregiver”, “Sister of Mercy”, “Daughter of Charity”, “nurse”. The recognition of nursing staff by the World Health Organization in 1983 as independent and equal in the health care system, as well as the official definition of “nursing”, which was considered as an activity aimed at addressing individual and public health problems in a changing environmental conditions, became an extremely important event in development of the world nursing.
Educação Física Escolar: discutindo a questão das práticas inovadoras
Authors: Farias Uirá De Siqueira , Rodrigues Graciele Massoli , Correia Walter Roberto
Published: April 2020

O objetivo do presente ensaio é analisar a noção de prática pedagógica inovadora na Educação Física Escolar, a partir da exploração da literatura especializada. Os anúncios relativos às práticas pedagógicas inovadoras, renovadoras ou “bem-sucedidas” em Educação Física Escolar vêm sendo veiculados em diversos cenários acadêmicos e profissionais. Como aspecto relevante, destaca-se a necessidade de orientar  epistemologicamente essas práticas educativas, de maneira a conferir identidade ao componente curricular
DIE HÖCHSTE EISENBAHN
Authors: Sudare Lívia
Published: April 2020

O cabaré é um gênero teatral originado na França em caráter experimental, com o objetivo de buscar por novas formas de comentar e satirizar o seu período histórico. O cabaré produzido em Berlim durante da República de Weimar foi um comentador das tensões políticas que assolaram a nova república e abriram o caminho para a ascensão de Adolph Hitler. O presente artigo apresenta de que forma o texto Die Höchste Eisenbahn (1932), do compositor Friedrich Hollaender foi criado como um aviso frente a ameaça nazista.
Oh Minas Gerais
Authors: Paula Matheus Barros  de
Published: April 2020

Esse artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre conceitos comumente utilizados em diversos discursos como marcadores de uma identidade regional mineira e como tal ideia se mostra presente na produção musical de um músico mineiro, Toninho Horta, artista esse que teve uma atuação notável no Clube da Esquina, na década de 1970 e que se mantém em atividade. A partir de uma etnografia de uma performance do músico levantam-se elementos com o objetivo de levantar traços que caracterizam a identidade regional mineira.
Música brasileira contemporânea para traverso
Authors: Felipe Geisa Cerqueira
Published: April 2020

Sons do passado têm sido cada vez mais utilizados na música contemporânea em várias partes do mundo. No Brasil, alguns compositores experimentam esses timbres diferenciados ao estreitar parcerias com músicos especialistas em instrumentos do período Barroco, como o traverso. Destacando obras de Sergio Roberto de Oliveira e Luciano Leite Barbosa, este artigo pretende contribuir para a divulgação desse repertório e para potencializar sua presença nas salas de concerto.
Changes in error rates in the Australian key incident monitoring and management system program
Authors: Gay Stephanie , Badrick Tony
Published: April 2020

Introduction: The Key incident monitoring and management system program (KIMMS) program collects data for 19 quality indicators (QIs) from Australian medical laboratories. This paper aims to review the data submitted to see whether the number of errors with a higher risk priority number (RPN) have been reduced in preference to those with a lower RPN, and to calculate the cost of these errors. Materials and methods: Data for QIs from 60 laboratories collected through the KIMMS program from 2015 until 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The results for each QI were averaged for the four-year average and coefficient of variation. To review the changes in QI frequency, the yearly averages for 2015 and 2018 were compared. By dividing the total RPN by 4 and multiplying that number by the cost of recollection of 30 AUD, it was possible to assign the risk cost of these errors. Results: The analysis showed a drop in the overall frequency of incidents (6.5%), but a larger drop in risk (9.4%) over the period investigated. Recollections per year in Australia cost the healthcare industry 27 million AUD. If the RPN data is used, this cost increases to 66 million AUD per year. Conclusions: Errors with a higher RPN have fallen more than those with lower RPN. The data shows that the errors associated with phlebotomy are the ones that have most improved. Further improvements require a better understanding of the root cause of the errors and to achieve this, work is required in the collection of the data to establish best-practice guidelines.
Clinical Practice Guideline: Ménière’s Disease Executive Summary
Authors: Basura Gregory J. , Adams Meredith E. , Monfared Ashkan , Schwartz Seth R. , Antonelli Patrick J. , Burkard Robert , Bush Matthew L. , Bykowski Julie , Colandrea Maria , Derebery Jennifer , Kelly Elizabeth A. , Kerber Kevin A. , Koopman Charles F. , Kuch Amy Angie , Marcolini Evie , McKinnon Brian J. , Ruckenstein Michael J. , Valenzuela Carla V. , Vosooney Alexis , Walsh Sandra A. , Nnacheta Lorraine C. , Dhepyasuwan Nui , Buchanan Erin M.
Published: April 2020

Objective

Ménière’s disease (MD) is a clinical condition defined by spontaneous vertigo attacks (each lasting 20 minutes to 12 hours) with documented low‐ to midfrequency sensorineural hearing loss in the affected ear before, during, or after one of the episodes of vertigo. It also presents with fluctuating aural symptoms (hearing loss, tinnitus, or ear fullness) in the affected ear. The underlying etiology of MD is not completely clear, yet it has been associated with inner ear fluid volume increases, culminating in episodic ear symptoms (vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness). Physical examination findings are often unremarkable, and audiometric testing may or may not show low‐ to midfrequency sensorineural hearing loss. Imaging, if performed, is also typically normal. The goals of MD treatment are to prevent or reduce vertigo severity and frequency; relieve or prevent hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness; and improve quality of life. Treatment approaches to MD are many, and approaches typically include modifications of lifestyle factors (eg, diet) and medical, surgical, or a combination of therapies.

Purpose

The primary purpose of this clinical practice guideline is to improve the quality of the diagnostic workup and treatment outcomes of MD. To achieve this purpose, the goals of this guideline are to use the best available published scientific and/or clinical evidence to enhance diagnostic accuracy and appropriate therapeutic interventions (medical and surgical) while reducing unindicated diagnostic testing and/or imaging.