bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of An Intelligent System for Monitoring and Management in Sewage Treatment Plants Based on IoT
Authors: Hong Yidai , Liang Hong , Cun Ruitao , Wu Yihui
Published: March 2020

Due to the large number of sources and wide area of domestic sewage, the sewage treatment facilities in Kunming are mainly distributed in scattered market towns and villages and have a wide variety. With the wide application of IoT technology, sewage treatment plants are heading towards intelligence and unmanned technology, with better treatment monitoring, higher treatment quality and lower operation cost. Based on IoT technology, this paper constructed an intelligent system for monitoring and management in sewage treatment plants in Dianchi lake basin and Niulan river basin. The overall architecture of the system was achieved by modularized function design, and was divided into three systems : device end system, network transmission system and application management system. This system realizing centralized management and display can monitor the operating status of sewage treatment process online, improve the efficiency of facility management and operation, as well as the work efficiency of relevant departments. The dilemma related to sewage management in Dianchi lake basin and Niulan river basin can be solved significantly.
The method of synthesis of new structural schemes of additional working equipment of the motor grader with the use of graphs and matrices
Authors: Rakhmanov M L , Saveliev A G , Mikhailovskaya V A , Kosov M A
Published: March 2020

The paper considers a new approach to determining the external noise of road construction and earthmoving machines. The article shows that the existing method gives overestimated measurement results for earth moving vehicles. It was also revealed that due to the fact that the known methods for determining the external noise of road construction machines do not give a real picture of the external noise emitted by the machines, there are no devices for measuring the real noise of the vehicles. The authors provide the results of experimental studies performed at the plant of JSC “Bryansk Arsenal”.
Prevention of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized older patients with multi-morbidity and polypharmacy: the SENATOR* randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: O'Mahony Denis , Gudmundsson Adalsteinn , Soiza Roy L , Petrovic Mirko , Cruz-Jentoft Alfonso Jose , Cherubini Antonio , Fordham Richard , Byrne Stephen , Dahly Darren , Gallagher Paul , Lavan Amanda , Curtin Denis , Dalton Kieran , Cullinan Shane , Flanagan Evelyn , Shiely Frances , Samuelsson Olafur , Sverrisdottir Astros , Subbarayan Selvarani , Vandaele Lore , Meireson Eline , Montero-Errasquin Beatriz , Rexach-Cano Aurora , Correa Perez Andrea , Lozano-Montoya Isabel , Vélez-Díaz-Pallarés Manuel , Cerenzia Annarita , Corradi Samanta , Soledad Cotorruelo Ferreiro Maria , Dimitri Federica , Marinelli Paolo , Martelli Gaia , Fong Soe Khioe Rebekah , Eustace Joseph
Published: March 2020

Background

Multi-morbidity and polypharmacy increase the risk of non-trivial adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in older people during hospitalization. Despite this, there are no established interventions for hospital-acquired ADR prevention.

Methods

We undertook a pragmatic, multi-national, parallel arm prospective randomized open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) controlled trial enrolling patients at six European medical centres. We randomized 1,537 older medical and surgical patients with multi-morbidity and polypharmacy on admission in a 1:1 ratio to SENATOR software-guided medication optimization plus standard care (intervention, n = 772, mean number of daily medications = 9.34) or standard care alone (control, n = 765, mean number of daily medications = 9.23) using block randomization stratified by site and admission type. Attending clinicians in the intervention arm received SENATOR-generated advice at a single time point with recommendations they could choose to adopt or not. The primary endpoint was occurrence of probable or certain ADRs within 14 days of randomization. Secondary endpoints were primary endpoint derivatives; tertiary endpoints included all-cause mortality, re-hospitalization, composite healthcare utilization and health-related quality of life.

Results

For the primary endpoint, there was no difference between the intervention and control groups (24.5 vs. 24.8%; OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.77–1.24; P = 0.88). Similarly, with secondary and tertiary endpoints, there were no significant differences. Among attending clinicians in the intervention group, implementation of SENATOR software-generated medication advice points was poor (~15%).

Conclusions

In this trial, uptake of software-generated medication advice to minimize ADRs was poor and did not reduce ADR incidence during index hospitalization.
Childhood Exposure to Parental Smoking and Midlife Cognitive Function
Authors: Rovio Suvi P , Pihlman Jukka , Pahkala Katja , Juonala Markus , Magnussen Costan G , Pitkänen Niina , Ahola-Olli Ari , Salo Pia , Kähönen Mika , Hutri-Kähönen Nina , Lehtimäki Terho , Jokinen Eero , Laitinen Tomi , Taittonen Leena , Tossavainen Päivi , Viikari Jorma S A , Raitakari Olli T
Published: March 2020

We studied whether exposure to parental smoking in childhood/adolescence is associated with midlife cognitive function, leveraging data from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. A population-based cohort of 3,596 children/adolescents aged 3–18 years was followed between 1980 and 2011. In 2011, cognitive testing was performed on 2,026 participants aged 34–49 years using computerized testing. Measures of secondhand smoke exposure in childhood/adolescence consisted of parental self-reports of smoking and participants’ serum cotinine levels. Participants were classified into 3 exposure groups: 1) no exposure (nonsmoking parents, cotinine <1.0 ng/mL); 2) hygienic parental smoking (1–2 smoking parents, cotinine <1.0 ng/mL); and 3) nonhygienic parental smoking (1–2 smoking parents, cotinine ≥1.0 ng/mL). Analyses adjusted for sex, age, family socioeconomic status, polygenic risk score for cognitive function, adolescent/adult smoking, blood pressure, and serum total cholesterol level. Compared with the nonexposed, participants exposed to nonhygienic parental smoking were at higher risk of poor (lowest quartile) midlife episodic memory and associative learning (relative risk (RR) = 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08, 1.75), and a weak association was found for short-term and spatial working memory (RR = 1.25, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.58). Associations for those exposed to hygienic parental smoking were nonsignificant (episodic memory and associative learning: RR = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.92, 1.54; short-term and spatial working memory: RR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.85, 1.34). We conclude that avoiding childhood/adolescence secondhand smoke exposure promotes adulthood cognitive function.
Evaluation of Partial Oral Antibiotic Treatment for Persons Who Inject Drugs and Are Hospitalized With Invasive Infections
Authors: Marks Laura R , Liang Stephen Y , Muthulingam Dharushana , Schwarz Evan S , Liss David B , Munigala Satish , Warren David K , Durkin Michael J
Published: March 2020

Background

Persons who inject drugs (PWID) are at risk of invasive infections; however, hospitalizations to treat these infections are frequently complicated by against medical advice (AMA) discharges. This study compared outcomes among PWID who (1) completed a full course of inpatient intravenous (IV) antibiotics, (2) received a partial course of IV antibiotics but were not prescribed any antibiotics on AMA discharge, and (3) received a partial course of IV antibiotics and were prescribed oral antibiotics on AMA discharge.

Methods

A retrospective, cohort study of PWID aged ≥18 years admitted to a tertiary referral center between 01/2016 and 07/2019, who received an infectious diseases consultation for an invasive bacterial or fungal infection.

Results

293 PWID were included in the study. 90-day all-cause readmission rates were highest among PWID who did not receive oral antibiotic therapy on AMA discharge (n = 46, 68.7%), compared with inpatient IV (n = 43, 31.5%) and partial oral (n = 27, 32.5%) antibiotics. In a multivariate analysis, 90-day readmission risk was higher among PWID who did not receive oral antibiotic therapy on AMA discharge (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41–3.82) and not different among PWID prescribed oral antibiotic therapy on AMA discharge (aHR, .99; 95% CI, .62–1.62). Surgical source control (aHR, .57; 95% CI, .37–.87) and addiction medicine consultation (aHR, .57; 95% CI, .38–.86) were both associated with reduced readmissions.

Conclusions

Our single-center study suggests access to oral antibiotic therapy for PWID who cannot complete prolonged inpatient IV antibiotic courses is beneficial.
Low-dose photodynamic therapy promotes a cytotoxic immunological response in a murine model of pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Cavin Sabrina , Gkasti Aspasia , Faget Julien , Hao Yameng , Letovanec Igor , Reichenbach Maxime , Gonzalez Michel , Krueger Thorsten , Dyson Paul J , Meylan Etienne , Perentes Jean Y
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVES

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a deadly disease with limited treatment options. Approaches to enhance patient immunity against MPM have been tested but shown variable results. Previously, we have demonstrated interesting vascular modulating properties of low-dose photodynamic therapy (L-PDT) on MPM. Here, we hypothesized that L-PDT vascular modulation could favour immune cell extravasation in MPM and improve tumour control in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

METHODS

First, we assessed the impact of L-PDT on vascular endothelial E-selectin expression, a key molecule for immune cell extravasation, in vitro and in a syngeneic murine model of MPM. Second, we characterized the tumour immune cell infiltrate by 15-colour flow cytometry analysis 2 and 7 days after L-PDT treatment of the murine MPM model. Third, we determined how L-PDT combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-CTLA4 affected tumour growth in a murine MPM model.

RESULTS

L-PDT significantly enhanced E-selectin expression by endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. This correlated with increased CD8+ T cells and activated antigen-presenting cells (CD11b+ dendritic cells and macrophages) infiltration in MPM. Also, compared to anti-CTLA4 that only affects tumour growth, the combination of L-PDT with anti-CTLA4 caused complete MPM regression in 37.5% of animals.

CONCLUSIONS

L-PDT enhances E-selectin expression in the MPM endothelium, which favours immune infiltration of tumours. The combination of L-PDT with immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-CTLA4 allows best tumour control and regression.
Bare stent removal in open thoraco-abdominal aortic repair after endovascular treatment with the PETTICOAT technique
Authors: Uchida Tetsuro , Kobayashi Kimihiro , Nakai Shingo , Sadahiro Mitsuaki
Published: March 2020

The Provisional Extension to Induce Complete Attachment (PETTICOAT) technique using distal bare stents can enhance the effect of proximal thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Here, we present the case of a patient who underwent open surgical conversion and bare stent removal due to progressive thoraco-abdominal aortic enlargement. Previously placed bare-metal stents were embedded deeply in the aortic wall. After explantation of the bare stents, reno-visceral arterial orifices became fragile due to considerable intimal defects, and special care was necessary to make buttons and subsequent separate branch graft anastomoses. As bare stent removal makes open surgical conversion technically difficult, the indication for the PETTICOAT technique should be considered.
Protecting Solitary Beliefs Against Indirect Discrimination
Authors: Adenitire John
Published: March 2020

This article argues that the requirement of group disadvantage in indirect belief discrimination is incompatible with the human right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The latter protects sincerely held beliefs even if they are not shared by others or part of group orthodoxy. Consequently, the group disadvantage requirement in indirect belief discrimination ought to be interpreted away under section 3 HRA. Doing so, it is argued, does not give an unfair advantage to beliefs over other aspects of personal identity and complies with the legal injunction against judicial involvement in theological or philosophical disputes. The article concludes by arguing that, in light of the UK case law, imposing a requirement of group disadvantage is likely to pose a more significant barrier to secular philosophical beliefs than to religious ones. In light of an understanding of secularism that requires equal treatment of religious and deeply held secular beliefs, it is imperative that such a barrier be dispensed with.
Precision and accuracy of commercial assays for vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring: evaluation based on external quality assessment scheme
Authors: Chen Chao-Yang , Li Meng-Ya , Ma Ling-Yun , Zhai Xing-Yu , Luo Dao-Huang , Zhou Ying , Liu Zhen-Ming , Cui Yi-Min
Published: March 2020

Background

Vancomycin remains a mainstay of the treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infections. It is crucial to accurately determine vancomycin serum concentration for adequate dose adjustment.

Objectives

To evaluate the precision and accuracy of commercial assay techniques for vancomycin concentration and to assess the comparability of vancomycin detection methods in Chinese laboratories.

Methods

Human serum samples spiked with known concentrations of vancomycin were provided to laboratories participating in the external quality assessment scheme (EQAS). Assay methods included chemiluminescence, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and so on. The dispersion of the measurements was analysed and the robust coefficient of variation (rCV), relative percentage difference (RPD) and satisfactory rate for method groups were calculated. Moreover, performance of the Chinese laboratories was assessed.

Results

A total of 657 results from 75 laboratories were collected, including 84 samples from 10 Chinese laboratories. The median rCV, median RPD and satisfactory rates classified by methods ranged from 1.85% to 15.87%, −14.75% to 13.34% and 94.59% to 100.00%, respectively. Significant differences were seen in precision, between kinetic interaction of microparticles in solution (KIMS) and other methods, and in accuracy, between enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) and other techniques. Vancomycin detection in China mainly depended on the chemiluminescence and EMIT methods, which tended to result in lower measurements.

Conclusions

Although almost all assays in this study achieved an acceptable performance for vancomycin serum concentration monitoring, obvious inconsistencies between methods were still observed. Chinese laboratories were more likely to underestimate vancomycin concentrations. Thus, recognizing inconsistencies between methods and regular participation in vancomycin EQAS are essential.
Varying rates of patient identity verification when using computerized provider order entry
Authors: Fortman Emilie , Hettinger A Zachary , Howe Jessica L , Fong Allan , Pruitt Zoe , Miller Kristen , Ratwani Raj M
Published: March 2020

Objective

We sought to determine rates of computerized provider order entry (CPOE) patient identity verification and when and where in the ordering process verification occurred.

Materials and Methods

Fifty-five physicians from 4 healthcare systems completed simulated patient scenarios using their respective CPOE system (Epic or Cerner). Eye movements were recorded and analyzed.

Results

Across all participants patient id was verified significantly more often than not (62.4% vs 37.6%). Vendor A had significantly higher verification rates than not; vendor B had no difference. Participants using vendor A verified information significantly more often before signing the order than after (88.4% vs 11.6%); there was no difference in vendor B. The banner bar was the most frequent verification location.

Discussion

Factors such as CPOE design, physician training, and the use of a simulated methodology may be impacting verification rates.

Conclusions

Verification rates vary by CPOE product, and this can have patient safety consequences.
A Risk Score Based on 5 Clinico-Pathological Variables Predicts Recurrence of Atypical Meningiomas
Authors: Fioravanzo Adele , Caffo Maria , Di Bonaventura Rina , Gardiman Marina Paola , Ghimenton Claudio , Ius Tamara , Maffeis Valeria , Martini Maurizio , Nicolato Antonio , Pallini Roberto , Pegolo Enrico , Pinna Giampietro , Sala Francesco , Skrap Miran , Volpin Valerio , Barresi Valeria
Published: March 2020

The use of adjuvant radiotherapy is controversial in patients with atypical meningiomas treated with gross total resection (GTR). This study aimed to determine whether clinico-pathological features could be helpful to predict the recurrence risk in this group of patients and to identify high-risk ones who could benefit from adjuvant treatment. We collected 200 patients with primary atypical meningiomas treated with GTR but with no adjuvant radiotherapy from 5 different centers. A risk score, formulated by assigning 1 point for the presence and 0 points for the absence of 5 high-risk parameters (male sex, parasagittal site, Simpson grade 3, mitotic index ≥ 6/10 HPF, and sheeting), was the most significant predictor of recurrence. A score ≥2 was associated with 4.7 risk of shorter disease-free survival (p < 0.0001). Our findings indicate that the presence of at least 2 clinico-pathological high-risk factors predicts recurrence of totally resected primary atypical meningiomas and could be helpful for identifying patients who could benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy.
Physical, chemical, and toxicological characterization of fibrillated forms of cellulose using an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and co-culture model
Authors: Pradhan Sahar H , Mulenos Marina R , Steele London R , Gibb Matthew , Ede James D , Ong Kimberly J , Shatkin Jo Anne , Sayes Christie M
Published: March 2020

Fibrillated cellulose is a next-generation material in development for a variety of applications, including use in food and food-contact materials. An alternative testing strategy including simulated digestion was developed to compare the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of seven different types of fibrillated cellulose, following European Food Safety Authority guidance. Fibrillated forms were compared to a conventional form of cellulose which has been used in food for over 85 years and has Generally Recognized as safe regulatory status in the USA. The physical and chemical characterization of fibrillated celluloses demonstrate that these materials are similar physically and chemically, which composed of the same fundamental molecular structure and exhibit similar morphology, size, size distribution, surface charge, and low levels of impurities. Simulated gastrointestinal and lysosomal digestions demonstrate that these physical and chemical similarities remain following exposure to conditions that mimic the gastrointestinal tract or intracellular lysosomes. A toxicological investigation with an advanced intestinal co-culture model found that exposure to each of the fibrillated and conventional forms of cellulose, in either the pristine or digested form at 0.4% by weight, showed no adverse toxicological effects including cytotoxicity, barrier integrity, oxidative stress, or inflammation. The results demonstrate the physical, chemical, and biological similarities of these materials and provide substantive evidence to support their grouping and ability to read-across data as part of a food safety demonstration.
Increasing Financial Inclusion in the Muslim World: Evidence from an Islamic Finance Marketing Experiment
Authors: Karlan Dean , Osman Adam , Shammout Nour
Published: March 2020

Low utilization of household credit in developing countries may be partially due to religious considerations. In a randomized marketing experiment in Jordan, this paper estimates the effect of sharia-compliant loan features on demand for credit. To comply with Islamic law, the sharia-compliant product uses a bank fee rather than an interest payment structure, while keeping the rest of the product features very similar. Sharia-compliance increased the application rate for loans from 18 percent to 22 percent, an increase in demand that is equivalent to a 10 percent decrease in interest rates. This study also randomly varied the price of the sharia-compliant loan and finds that less religious individuals are twice as elastic with respect to price as the more religious. By comparing reasons for refusal across treatment groups, this paper estimates that survey measures that try to assess the importance of religious objections to conventional credit overestimate the importance of this type of objection by a third.
Efficacy and safety of propranolol for treatment of temporomandibular disorder pain: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Tchivileva Inna E. , Hadgraft Holly , Lim Pei Feng , Di Giosia Massimiliano , Ribeiro-Dasilva Margarete , Campbell John H. , Willis Janet , James Robert , Herman-Giddens Marcus , Fillingim Roger B. , Ohrbach Richard , Arbes Samuel J. , Slade Gary D.
Published: March 2020

Propranolol is a nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 2b trial enrolled participants aged 18 to 65 years with temporomandibular disorder myalgia to evaluate efficacy and safety of propranolol compared with placebo in reducing facial pain. Participants were randomized 1:1 to either extended-release propranolol hydrochloride (60 mg, BID) or placebo. The primary endpoint was change in facial pain index (FPI = facial pain intensity multiplied by facial pain duration, divided by 100). Efficacy was analyzed as a mean change in FPI from randomization to week 9 and as the proportion of participants with ≥30% or ≥50% reductions in FPI at week 9. Regression models tested for treatment-group differences adjusting for study site, sex, race, and FPI at randomization. Of 299 participants screened, 200 were randomized; 199 had at least one postrandomization FPI measurement and were included in intention-to-treat analysis. At week 9, model-adjusted reductions in mean FPI did not differ significantly between treatment groups (−1.8, 95% CL: −6.2, 2.6; P = 0.41). However, the proportion with a ≥30% reduction in FPI was significantly greater for propranolol (69.0%) than placebo (52.6%), and the associated number-needed-to-treat was 6.1 (P = 0.03). Propranolol was likewise efficacious for a ≥50% reduction in FPI (number-needed-to-treat = 6.1, P = 0.03). Adverse event rates were similar between treatment groups, except for more frequent fatigue, dizziness, and sleep disorder in the propranolol group. Propranolol was not different from placebo in reducing mean FPI but was efficacious in achieving ≥30% and ≥50% FPI reductions after 9 weeks of treatment among temporomandibular disorder participants.
Evaluation of the Pattern of Use of a Pediatric Emergency Department in Italy
Authors: Vitello Alfonso Stefano , Clavenna Antonio , Cartabia Massimo , Sala Debora , Biondi Andrea , Bonati Maurizio
Published: March 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate access to a pediatric emergency department (PED) in a large hospital, in particular to estimate the prevalence of potentially avoidable accesses and the characteristics of return visits.

Methods

Clinical health records from the PED of San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy, were retrospectively reviewed. The study population was composed of subjects younger than 18 years who attended the PED during the period from October 1, 2017, to November 30, 2017.

Accesses were defined nonurgent if characterized by white or green triage codes and patient's discharge as the outcome and were defined potentially avoidable if nonurgent and with no diagnostic/therapeutic procedures performed except a visit by the ED pediatrician.

Return visits were defined as accesses that occurred within 72 hours of the first index visit.

Results

A total of 2064 children and adolescents younger than 18 years had at least 1 ED attendance between October and November 2017, for a total of 2364 accesses.

The most frequent diagnoses were upper respiratory tract infections (29.5% of accesses), followed by gastroenteritis (7.0%) and abdominal pain (7.0%). In all, 1810 accesses (88%) were classified as “nonurgent,” and 1228 (60%) potentially avoidable, 373 of which were probably avoidable because they occurred when the primary care physician was available.

The number of return visits was 98 (5% of the accesses): 74 were nonurgent, 31 of which potentially avoidable. On 17 occasions, both index and return visits were potentially avoidable.

Conclusions

We confirm that most of the accesses to a PED are nonurgent and potentially avoidable. Interventions are needed to improve the appropriateness of use of emergency services.
Leuconostoc litchii sp. nov., a novel lactic acid bacterium isolated from lychee
Authors: Chen Yi-sheng , Wang Li-ting , Wu Yen-Chi , Mori Koji , Tamura Tomohiko , Chang Chi-huan , Chang Yu-chung , Wu Hui-chung , Yi Hsin-hui , Wang Pin-yun
Published: March 2020

A novel lactic acid bacterium, strain MB7T, was isolated from lychee in Taiwan. MB7T is Gram-staining-positive, catalase-negative, non-motile, non-haemolytic, facultatively anaerobic, coccoid-shaped, heterofermentative and mainly produces d-lactic acid from glucose. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA, pheS and rpoA gene sequences has demonstrated that the novel strain represented a member of the genus

Leuconostoc

. 16S rRNA gene sequencing results indicated that MB7T had the same sequence similarity of 99.25 % to four type strains of members of the genus

Leuconostoc

:

Leuconostoc mesenteroides

subsp.

dextranicum

DSM 20484T,

Leuconostoc mesenteroides

subsp.

jonggajibkimchii

DRC 1506T,

Leuconostoc mesenteroides

subsp.

mesenteroides

ATCC 8293T and

Leuconostoc suionicum

DSM 20241T. Additionally, high 16S rRNA sequence similarities were also observed with

Leuconostoc mesenteroides

subsp.

cremoris

ATCC 19254T (99.12 %) and

Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides

NRIC 1777T (98.69 %). When comparing the genomes of these type strains, the average nucleotide identity values and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values of MB7T with these type strains were 76.57–80.53 and 22.0–22.6 %, respectively. MB7T also showed different phenotypic characteristics to other most closely related species of the genus

Leuconostoc

, such as carbohydrate metabolizing ability, halotolerance and growth at various pHs. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties, strain MB7T represents a novel species belonging to the genus

Leuconostoc

, for which the name Leuconostoc litchii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MB7T (=BCRC 81077T=NBRC 113542T).
Dokdonia sinensis sp. nov., a flavobacterium isolated from surface seawater
Authors: Zhou Liu-Yan , Meng Xue , Zhong Yan-Lin , Li Guang-Yu , Du Zong-Jun , Mu Da-shuai
Published: March 2020

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain SH27T, which was isolated from seawater collected around Xiaoshi Island, PR China. Cells of strain SH27Twere Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, orange-pigmented and grew at 15–37 °C (optimum, 28 °C), at pH 6.0–8.0 (pH 7.0) and in 1.0–7.0 % (w/v) NaCl (2.0–3.0 %). The isolate was positive for catalase, but negative for nitrate reduction, oxidase, indole production and urease. Carotenoid pigment was produced. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene placed strain SH27Tin the genusDokdoniawith the closest relative beingDokdonia donghaensisKCTC 12391T, exhibiting 96.7 % 16S rRNA gene pairwise similarity. The results of genomic comparisons, including average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization, showed 72.9 and 19.2 % identity toD. donghaensisKCTC 12391T, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1G and iso-C17 : 03-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified lipids. Menaquinone-6 was the only respiratory quinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 32.9 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain SH27Trepresents a novel species of the genusDokdonia, for which the nameDokdonia sinensissp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain SH27T(MCCC 1H00358T=CCTCC AB 2018323T=KCTC 62962T).
Formosa sediminum sp. nov., a starch-degrading bacterium isolated from marine sediment
Authors: Han Bit , Kim Minji , Lee Ki-Eun , Lee Byoung-Hee , Lee Eun-Young , Park Soo-Je
Published: March 2020

A novel bacterium, designated strain PS13T, was isolated from marine sediment collected from the coast of Jeju Island. Strain PS13T was a Gram stain-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, aerobic, yellow-pigmented, motile by gliding, and rod-shaped bacterium. Strain PS13T grew optimally at 25 °C and pH 8.0 and in the presence of 3 % (w/v) NaCl. Results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain PS13T belonged to the genus

Formosa

and was closely related to

Formosa algae

KMM3553T (98.3 % sequence similarity). The DNA–DNA relatedness (17.3–21.8 %) and average nucleotide identity (83.6–84.6 %) values clearly indicated that strain PS13T represents a distinct species of the genus

Formosa

. The major fatty acids were C15 : 0 iso, C16 : 1
ω6c/C16 : 1
ω7c and C15 : 1 iso G. The genomic DNA G+C content of the strain PS13T was 32.2 mol%. On the basis of polyphasic characteristics, it is suggested that strain PS13T be assigned to the genus

Formosa

as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Formosa sediminum PS13T (=KCCM 43301T=CECT 9918T) sp. nov. is proposed.
AfRip3, a RIP3-like kinase, is identified as a key modulator of necroptotic death inAspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Dai Jianbo , Gao Linlu , Ghimire Prakriti Sharma , Zhou Hui , Lü Yang , Yang Jinghua , Ouyang Haomiao , Jin Cheng
Published: March 2020

Aspergillus fumigatusexhibits autophagic and necroptotic process when its GPI anchor synthesis is suppressed. A putative kinase (AFUA_6G02590) is found to be overexpressed in response to GPI anchor suppression and identified as a RIP3-like protein, namelyAfRip3. To elucidate its function, in this study a Afrip3-overexpressing strain OE-Afrip3was constructed. Although OE-Afrip3strain exhibited an increased cell death, neither apoptotic nor autophagic process was activated. Our evidences demonstrated that overexpression of Afrip3gene inA. fumigatusonly led to necroptosis, while the Afrip3-knockout mutant was unable to activate necroptotic process. Further analysis revealed that both JNK and SMase pathways were activated in OE-Afrip3strain, by which an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was induced. We also showed that expression of Afrip3gene was induced by Ca2+. In addition, eEF1Bγ and adenylylsulfate kinase (ASK) were identified as potential candidates to interact withAfRip3. These results indicate thatAfRip3 is a key modulator that activates necroptotic process inA. fumigatus, which can be induced by Ca2+and in turn activate JNK (c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase) and SMase (sphingomyelinase) pathway. Our findings suggest that necroptotic pathway inA. fumigatusis distinct from that in mammalian cell and may provide a new strategy for development of anti-fungal drug.

Author summary

Aspergillus fumigatusis a human fungal pathogen and causes invasive aspergillosis (IA) in immunocompromised patients with high mortality (30-95%). Development of novel therapies is urgently needed. In this study, we confirmAfRip3 (AFUA_6G02590), a RIP3-like protein, is a key modulator that activates necroptotic process inA. fumigatus. We also find that cytosolic Ca2+can induce the expression of Afrip3and activatedAfRip3 in turn activate JNK (c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase) and SMase (sphingomyelinase) pathway. Our findings suggest that necroptotic pathway inA. fumigatusis distinct from that in mammalian cell and may provide a new strategy for development of anti-fungal drug.
A Complex-valued Oscillatory Neural Network for Storage and Retrieval of Multichannel Electroencephalogram Signals
Authors: Biswas Dipayan , Sooryakiran P. , Chakravarthy V. Srinivasa
Published: March 2020

Recurrent neural networks with associative memory properties are typically based on fixed-point dynamics, which is fundamentally distinct from the oscillatory dynamics of the brain. There have been proposals for oscillatory associative memories, but here too, in the majority of cases, only binary patterns are stored as oscillatory states in the network. Oscillatory neural network models typically operate at a single/common frequency. At multiple frequencies, even a pair of oscillators with real coupling exhibits rich dynamics of Arnold tongues, not easily harnessed to achieve reliable memory storage and retrieval. Since real brain dynamics comprises of a wide range of spectral components, there is a need for oscillatory neural network models that operate at multiple frequencies. We propose an oscillatory neural network that can model multiple time series simultaneously by performing a Fourier-like decomposition of the signals. We show that these enhanced properties of a network of Hopf oscillators become possible by operating in the complex-variable domain. In this model, the single neural oscillator is modeled as a Hopf oscillator, with adaptive frequency and dynamics described over the complex domain. We propose a novel form of coupling, dubbed “power coupling,” between complex Hopf oscillators. With power coupling, expressed naturally only in the complex-variable domain, it is possible to achieve stable (normalized) phase relationships in a network of multifrequency oscillators. Network connections are trained either by Hebb-like learning or by delta rule, adapted to the complex domain. The network is capable of modeling N-channel Electroencephalogram time series with high accuracy and shows the potential as an effective model of large-scale brain dynamics.
Hybrid systems modeling of ecological population dynamics
Authors: Singh Abhyudai , Emerick Brooks
Published: March 2020

Discrete-time models are the traditional approach for capturing population dynamics of insects living in the temperate regions of the world. These models are characterized by an update function that connects the population densities from one year to the next. We revisit classical discrete-time models used for modeling interactions between two insect species (a host and a parasitoid), and provide novel result on the stability of the population dynamics. In particular, for a class of models we show that the fixed point is stable, if and only if, the host equilibrium density is an increasing function of the host’s reproduction rate. We also introduce a hybrid approach for obtaining the update functions by solving ordinary differential equations that mechanistically capture the ecological interactions between the host and the parasitoid. This hybrid approach is used to study the suppression of host density by a parasitoid. Our analysis shows that when the parasitoid attacks the host at a constant rate, then the host density cannot by suppressed beyond a certain point without making the population dynamics unstable. In contrast, when the parasitoid’s attack rate increases with increasing host density, then the host population density can be suppressed to arbitrarily low levels. These results have important implications for biological control where a natural enemy, such as a parasitoid wasp, is introduced to eliminate a pest that is the host species for the parasitoid.
MORFEE: a new tool for detecting and annotating single nucleotide variants creating premature ATG codons from VCF files
Authors: Aïssi Dylan , Soukarieh Omar , Proust Carole , Jaspard-Vinassa Beatrice , Fautrad Pierre , Ibrahim-Kosta Manal , Leal-Valentim Felipe , Roux Maguelonne , Bacq-Daian Delphine , Olaso Robert , Deleuze Jean-François , Morange Pierre-Emmanuel , Trégouët David-Alexandre ,   on behalf of the GENMED Consortium
Published: March 2020

Variants in 5’UTR regions that create upstream translation initiation AUG codons are a class of neglected non coding variations. When they associate with a premature stop codon and create upstream open reading frames (uORFs) whose translation competes with that of natural proteins, they can have strong impact on human diseases. We here describe MORFEE, a new bioinformatics tool that detects, annotates and predicts, from a standard VCF file, the creation of uORF by any 5’UTR variants on uORF creation. MORFEE was applied to two genomic resources and identified candidate functional variants that could explain statistical association signals observed in the context of Genome Wide Association Studies or could be responsible for rare forms of diseases. In conclusion MORFEE is an easy-to-use tool complementary to existing ones that can help resolving genetic investigations that remained so far unfruitful.

Availability and implementation

MORFEE is written in R with code and package available athttps://github.com/daissi/MORFEE.

Contact

david-alexandre.tregouet@inserm.fr;david-alexandre.tregouet@u-bordeaux.fr
Suppression of cortico-striatal circuit activity improves cognitive flexibility and prevents body weight loss in activity-based anorexia in rats
Authors: Milton Laura K , Mirabella Paul N , Greaves Erika , Spanswick David C , van den Buuse Maarten , Oldfield Brian J , Foldi Claire J
Published: March 2020

Background

The ability to adapt behavior to changing environmental circumstances, orcognitive flexibility, is impaired in multiple psychiatric conditions, including anorexia nervosa (AN). Exaggerated prefrontal cortical activity likely underpins the inflexible thinking and rigid behaviors exhibited by patients with AN. A better understanding of the neural basis of cognitive flexibility is necessary to enable treatment approaches that may target impaired executive control.

Methods

Utilizing the activity-based anorexia (ABA) rat model and touchscreen operant learning paradigms, we investigated the neurobiological link between pathological weight loss and cognitive flexibility. We used pathway-specific chemogenetics to selectively modulate activity in neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) projecting to the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh) in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Results

DREADD-based inhibition of the mPFC-AcbSh pathway prevented weight loss in ABA and improved flexibility during early reversal learning by reducing perseverative responding. Modulation of activity within the mPFC-AcbSh pathway had no effect on running, locomotor activity or feeding under ad libitum conditions, indicating the specific involvement of this circuit in conditions of dysregulated reward.

Conclusions

Both attenuation of weight loss in ABA and improved cognitive flexibility following suppression of mPFC-AcbSh activity aligns with the relationship between disrupted prefrontal function and cognitive rigidity in AN patients. The identification of a neurobiological correlate between cognitive flexibility and pathological weight loss provides a unique insight into the executive control of feeding behavior. It also highlights the utility of the ABA model for understanding the biological bases of cognitive deficits in AN and provides context for new treatment strategies.
Prediction of Peak and Termination of Novel Coronavirus Covid-19 Epidemic in Iran
Authors: Zahiri Amir-Pouyan , RafieeNasab Sepehr , Roohi Ehsan
Published: March 2020

The growth and development of Covid-19 transmission have significantly cut the attention of many societies, particularly Iran that has been struggling with this contagious, infectious disease since late February 2020. In the present study, the known SIR model was used for the dynamics of an epidemic to provide a suitable assessment of the COVID-19 virus epidemic in Iran. The epidemic curve and SIR model parameters were obtained with the use of Iran statistical data. The recovered people were considered alongside the official number of confirmed victims as the reliable long-time statistical data of Iran. The results offered many important predictions of the COVID-19 virus epidemic such as realistic number of victims, infection rate, peak time, and other characteristics.
Rare variants in dynein heavy chain genes in two individuals withsitus inversusand developmental dyslexia
Authors: Bieder Andrea , Einarsdottir Elisabet , Matsson Hans , Nilsson Harriet E. , Eisfeldt Jesper , Dragomir Anca , Paucar Martin , Granberg Tobias , Li Tie-Qiang , Lindstrand Anna , Kere Juha , Tapia-Páez Isabel
Published: March 2020

Background

Developmental dyslexia (DD) is a neurodevelopmental learning disorder with high heritability. A number of candidate susceptibility genes have been identified, some of which are linked to the function of the cilium, an organelle regulating left-right asymmetry development in the embryo. Furthermore, it has been suggested that disrupted left-right asymmetry of the brain may play a role in neurodevelopmental disorders such as DD.

Methods

Here, we studied two individuals with co-occurringsitus inversus(SI) and DD using whole genome sequencing to identify single nucleotide variants or copy number variations of importance for DD and SI.

Results

Individual 1 had primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a rare, autosomal recessive disorder with oto-sino-pulmonary phenotype and SI. We identified two rare nonsynonymous variants in the dynein axonemal heavy chain 5 gene (DNAH5): c.7502G>C;p.(R2501P), a previously reported variant predicted to be damaging and c.12043T>G;p.(Y4015D), a novel variant predicted to be damaging. Ultrastructural analysis of the cilia revealed a lack of outer dynein arms and normal inner dynein arms. MRI of the brain revealed no significant abnormalities. Individual 2 had non-syndromic SI and DD. In individual 2, one rare variant (c.9110A>G;p.(H3037R)) in the dynein axonemal heavy chain 11 gene (DNAH11), coding for another component of the outer dynein arm, was identified.

Conclusions

We identified the likely genetic cause of SI and PCD in one individual, and a possibly significant heterozygosity in the other, both involving dynein genes. Given the present evidence, it is unclear if the identified variants also predispose to DD, but further studies into the association are warranted.
DrAFC: Drug Repositioning Through Anti-Fibrosis Characteristic
Authors: Wu Dingfeng , Gao Wenxing , Li Xiaoyi , Tian Chuan , Jiao Na , Fang Sa , Xiao Jing , Xu Zhifeng , Zhu Lixin , Zhang Guoqing , Zhu Ruixin
Published: March 2020

Fibrosis is a key component in the pathogenic mechanism of many diseases. These diseases involving fibrosis may share common mechanisms, therapeutic targets and therefore, common intervention strategies and medicines may be applicable for these diseases. For this reason, deliberately introducing anti-fibrosis characteristics into modelling may lead to more success in drug repositioning. In this study, anti-fibrosis knowledge base was first built by collecting data from multiple resources. Both structural and biological profiles were derived from the knowledge base and used for constructing machine learning models including Structural Profile Prediction Model (SPPM) and Biological Profile Prediction Model (BPPM). Three external public data sets were employed for validation purpose and further exploration of potential repositioning drugs in wider chemical space. The resulting SPPM and BPPM models achieve area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.879 and 0.972 in the training set, and 0.814 and 0.874 in the testing set. Additionally, our results also demonstrate that substantial amount of multi-targeting natural products possess notable anti-fibrosis characteristics and might serve as encouraging candidates in fibrosis treatment and drug repositioning. To leverage our methodology and findings, we developed repositioning prediction platform, Drug Repositioning based on Anti-Fibrosis Characteristic (DrAFC) that is freely accessible viahttps://www.biosino.org/drafc.
A taxonomy of transcriptomic cell types across the isocortex and hippocampal formation
Authors: Yao Zizhen , Nguyen Thuc Nghi , van Velthoven Cindy T. J. , Goldy Jeff , Sedeno-Cortes Adriana E. , Baftizadeh Fahimeh , Bertagnolli Darren , Casper Tamara , Crichton Kirsten , Ding Song-Lin , Fong Olivia , Garren Emma , Glandon Alexandra , Gray James , Graybuck Lucas T. , Hirschstein Daniel , Kroll Matthew , Lathia Kanan , Levi Boaz , McMillen Delissa , Mok Stephanie , Pham Thanh , Ren Qingzhong , Rimorin Christine , Shapovalova Nadiya , Sulc Josef , Sunkin Susan M. , Tieu Michael , Torkelson Amy , Tung Herman , Ward Katelyn , Dee Nick , Smith Kimberly A. , Tasic Bosiljka , Zeng Hongkui
Published: March 2020

The isocortex and hippocampal formation are two major structures in the mammalian brain that play critical roles in perception, cognition, emotion and learning. Both structures contain multiple regions, for many of which the cellular composition is still poorly understood. In this study, we used two complementary single-cell RNA-sequencing approaches, SMART-Seq and 10x, to profile ∼1.2 million cells covering all regions in the adult mouse isocortex and hippocampal formation, and derived a cell type taxonomy comprising 379 transcriptomic types. The completeness of coverage enabled us to define gene expression variations across the entire spatial landscape without significant gaps. We found that cell types are organized in a hierarchical manner and exhibit varying degrees of discrete or continuous relatedness with each other. Such molecular relationships correlate strongly with the spatial distribution patterns of the cell types, which can be region-specific, or shared across multiple regions, or part of one or more gradients along with other cell types. Glutamatergic neuron types have much greater diversity than GABAergic neuron types, both molecularly and spatially, and they define regional identities as well as inter-region relationships. For example, we found that glutamatergic cell types between the isocortex and hippocampal formation are highly distinct from each other yet possess shared molecular signatures and corresponding layer specificities, indicating their homologous relationships. Overall, our study establishes a molecular architecture of the mammalian isocortex and hippocampal formation for the first time, and begins to shed light on its underlying relationship with the development, evolution, connectivity and function of these two brain structures.