bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endovascular Solution to Endoleak Phenomenon After Open Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Hirai Kelsi , Skripochnik Edvard , Terrana Lisa Marie , Loh Shang
Published: July 2020

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has quickly outpaced open treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and iliac artery aneurysms, relegating most open AAA repair for either young patients with long life expectancy or patients with extreme anatomic constraints. Typically, open repair involves opening the aneurysm sac with suture ligation of back-bleeding vessels. However, in situations where an aortobifemoral repair is performed, proximal and distal ligation can be performed leaving behind a “remnant” aorta and iliac arteries. Usually, major palpable vessels are ligated and small lumbars spontaneously thrombose. However, failure of this to occur can lead to a rare situation in which there is persistent filling of a remnant aorta and aneurysm sac leading to a situation similar to a type II endoleak after EVAR. Typically, this leak has been repaired by open ligation. We present a technique for endovascular coiling and thrombin injection to correct a “type II endoleak” from a back-bleeding lumbar artery after open aortoiliac and femoral aneurysm repair.
Evaluation of Serious Adverse Event Reporting Forms for Clinical Trials: A Comparative Korean Study
Authors: Lee Heeyoung , Park Cholong , Choi Jinwon , Jeong Seongeun , Cho Hyunin , Huh Wooseong , Kim Eunyoung
Published: July 2020

Safety surveillance, using appropriately consistent review criteria, could improve human participants’ well-being in clinical trials. To establish a globally consistent framework, the quality of the current content for review by institutional review boards (IRBs), as mandatory oversight entities, requires evaluation. This study collected and analyzed forms reporting serious adverse events (SAEs) to IRBs/ Research Ethics Committees(RECs) to compare them with the well-structured form presented in the literature using completeness and accuracy scores. We found sub-optimal completeness and accuracy scores when compared with perfect scores ( p < .05). Less than half of the retrieved forms had queries on causality assessment (≤43.1%). Thus, contents of SAE forms require improvement for IRB oversight and, further, there is a need to develop a well-structured form that could improve international consistency.
Experimental study on flash-boiling spray structure of multi-hole gasoline direct injection injector in a constant volume chamber
Authors: Wu Jian , Du Jiakun , Chen Hong , Li Yuhuai , Zhan Wenfeng , Wu Guangquan , Ye Lin
Published: July 2020

The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of flash-boiling spray were experimentally investigated with various optical measurement techniques. The effects of ambient pressure and fuel temperature on flash-boiling characteristics in multi-hole gasoline direct injection injector were analyzed. The analysis was focused on the spray structure and atomization droplet size distributions. In order to increase the understanding of the flash-boiling spray targeting, three injectors with different spray patterns were investigated under strong flash-boiling condition. The results show that ambient pressure and fuel temperature have significant influence on flash boiling. Both lower ambient pressure and higher fuel temperature could accelerate the flash-boiling process. For the macroscopic characteristics, similar influences could be found with the ambient pressure decreased by 0.4 bar and the fuel temperature increased by 10°C. Further, significant difference could be found within cold-jet spray and strong flash-boiling spray, such as the spatial structure. The spray structure always turns from hollow cone into solid when flash boiling occurs. With a higher fuel superheat degree, the spray droplet distribution moves toward smaller sizes and let the larger droplets reduce due to the promotion of atomization. For the strong flash-boiling spray, the Sauter mean diameter has decreased by 50% compared with cold-jet spray. There is a corresponding relationship between collapsed flash-boiling spray target and weighted geometric center of the injector. Spray collapse could be avoided by increasing the plume distance.
“Just the Way You Are”: Linking Music Listening on Spotify and Personality
Authors: Anderson Ian , Gil Santiago , Gibson Clay , Wolf Scott , Shapiro Will , Semerci Oguz , Greenberg David M.
Published: July 2020

Advances in digital technology have put music libraries at people’s fingertips, giving them immediate access to more music than ever before. Here we overcome limitations of prior research by leveraging ecologically valid streaming data: 17.6 million songs and over 662,000 hr of music listened to by 5,808 Spotify users spanning a 3-month period. Building on interactionist theories, we investigated the link between personality traits and music listening behavior, described by an extensive set of 211 mood, genre, demographic, and behavioral metrics. Findings from machine learning showed that the Big Five personality traits are predicted by musical preferences and habitual listening behaviors with moderate to high accuracy. Importantly, our work contrasts a recent self-report-based meta-analysis, which suggested that personality traits play only a small role in musical preferences; rather, we show with big data and advanced machine learning methods that personality is indeed important and warrants continued rigorous investigation.
Self-Efficacy and Declines Over Time in Attachment Anxiety During the Transition to Parenthood
Authors: Arriaga Ximena B. , Eller Jami , Kumashiro Madoka , Rholes W. Steven , Simpson Jeffry A.
Published: July 2020

Attachment anxiety can decline in relationships but little is known about how or why. A new framework—the Attachment Security Enhancement Model (ASEM)—suggests that what allays current (momentary) insecurity may not necessarily reduce attachment anxiety across time. This article differentiates momentary versus extended attachment processes by examining concurrent versus longitudinal associations. Cohabitating partners ( N = 137 couples) were examined over a 2-year period as they became first-time parents, a transition that could change attachment tendencies. Consistent with ASEM predictions: (1) Anxiously attached spouses who perceived more proximal and sensitive reassurance from their partners felt less concurrent attachment anxiety but not less anxiety across time, and (2) attachment anxiety declined across time when spouses derived personal competence and self-efficacy from their new parenting role. These results document an important distinction between mitigating insecure thoughts and feelings that might reinforce attachment anxiety, versus encountering new experiences that may actually revise chronic insecurity.
Memory and Trauma: Soldier Victims in the Colombian Armed Conflict
Authors: Thoene Ulf , García Alonso Roberto , Blanco Bernal Camila Andrea
Published: July 2020

The Colombian government signed a revised version of the Havana Peace Deal with the country’s main guerrilla group, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), in November 2016, giving rise to a set of new opportunities and challenges for the South American nation. Societies that make the transition from conflict to peace need to seek truth, justice, and reparation concerning massive and systematic violations. Thus truth, history, and historical memory (HM) are central to reconciliation and play a key role in fulfilling the national and international obligations of the state. HM in Colombia has emerged mainly from the voices of victims, generating a narrative of events in which the discourses of members of the Armed Forces has, by and large, tended either to be out of place, or is regarded as the perpetrators’ account. Military personnel have usually been perceived to be offenders or perpetrators; finding the “truth” based on narratives of traumatic events is complex. This research contributes to the debate on HM in Colombia and the right to truth, exploring the narratives and emotions of traumatized soldiers who suffered permanent physical injuries, and presenting the results of an interdisciplinary project conducted via a series of in-depth interviews. It brought to light important accounts and deeply negative feelings toward the perpetrators of violence and the government, but also mixed feelings about the institution of the military that soldier victims continue to harbor.
Does Flexibility in Human Resource Practices Increase Innovation? Mediating Role of Intellectual Capital
Authors: Patky Jahnavi , Pandey Shivendra Kumar
Published: July 2020

Building on resource-based view theory, this article investigates the impact of human resource practice flexibility (HRPF) on innovation performance with (a) the mediating role of intellectual capital (IC) and (b) moderating role of the industry type (service or manufacturing) of an organisation. We empirically examined the relations using a survey dataset of managers of 257 Indian organisations. We have used the structural equation modelling method for data analysis. Findings of the moderated mediation analysis revealed that IC mediates the relationship between HRPF and innovation performance (a) partially when the organisation operates in the service industry and (b) fully when an organisation operates in the manufacturing industry. Additionally, our study explains the underlying mechanism governing the same relationship.
Absence of mutagenic activity in the bacterial reverse mutation assay with pulegone and peppermint oil
Authors: Bastaki Maria , Lu Vivian , Aubanel Michel , Bialk Heidi , Choi Christopher , Demyttenaere Jan , Diop Maodo Malick , Etter Sylvain , Han Xing , Harman Christie L , Krammer Gerhard , Schnabel Jürgen , Wilson Cody L , Taylor Sean V
Published: July 2020

The essential oil of peppermint and one of its natural constituents, (R)-(+)-pulegone, are approved flavorings added to food worldwide. (R)-(+)-Pulegone and peppermint oil were tested separately in two independent bacterial reverse mutation assays according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guideline 471. Both flavorings did not produce any evidence of mutagenicity up to cytotoxic concentrations in either the presence or the absence of exogenous metabolic activation.
A tale of two cities: Jobs–housing balance and urban spatial structures from the perspective of transit commuters
Authors: Huang Jie , Hu Yujie , Wang Jiaoe , Li Xiang
Published: July 2020

The jobs–housing balance and urban spatial structure are naturally connected, and understanding the connection is important for urban planning, geography, and transport studies. Using smartcard data in Beijing and Shanghai, this research employs a comparative approach to reveal spatial distribution patterns of jobs–housing balance in terms of transit commuters and derive the implied urban spatial structures for the two megacities in China. Results suggested that (1) the overall job–resident ratios estimated with smartcard data were 1.97 and 2.47 in Shanghai and Beijing, respectively; (2) compared to Beijing, Shanghai had greater intermixing of jobs and housing; (3) Beijing’s urban form followed a concentric spatial structure, whereas Shanghai followed a quasi-sector configuration. These findings show that the job–resident ratio can be used as an indicator to capture land-use patterns or functional zones, which is useful for urban planning and transit network design.
A Prevention Agenda for 2020 and Beyond: Why Environmental Interventions Matter Now More Than Ever
Authors: Vera Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

The next wave of prevention specialists must pay increased attention to the direct and indirect effects of the environment on a variety of health and educational outcomes. As a result, it is critical that environment-focused interventions (including those that target systems/organizations, policy, and natural ecologies) play a more predominant role in a future prevention agenda. Recommendations are made for conceptualizing and evaluating the success of such efforts. Suggestions are also made for the types of training that future prevention professionals will need to be effective at environment-focused and systems-level prevention efforts. Examples of interventions aimed at meeting the needs of underserved populations are offered.
Baseline analysis of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides antigens as targets for a DIVA assay for use with a subunit vaccine for contagious bovine pleuropneumonia
Authors: Lutta Harrison O. , Odongo David , Mather Arshad , Perez-Casal Jose , Potter Andrew , Gerdts Volker , Berberov Emil M. , Prysliak Tracy , Kyallo Martina , Kipronoh Alexander , Olum Moses , Pelle Roger , Naessens Jan
Published: July 2020

Background

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm) is the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in cattle. A prototype subunit vaccine is being developed, however, there is currently no diagnostic test that can differentiate between infected cattle and those vaccinated with the prototype subunit vaccine. This study characterized Mmm proteins to identify potential antigens for use in differentiating infected from vaccinated animals.

Results

Ten Mmm antigens expressed as recombinant proteins were tested in an indirect ELISA using experimental sera from control groups, infected, and vaccinated animals. Data were imported into R software for analysis and drawing of the box and scatter plots while Cohen’s Kappa assessed the level of agreement between the Mmm antigens. Two vaccine antigens (MSC_0499 and MSC_0776) were superior in detecting antibodies in sera of animals vaccinated with the subunit vaccines while two non-vaccine antigens (MSC_0636 and LppB) detected antibodies in sera of infected animals showing all clinical stages of the disease. Sensitivity and specificity of above 87.5% were achieved when the MSC_0499 and MSC_0636 antigens were tested on sera from vaccinated and infected animals.

Conclusions

The MSC_0499 and MSC_0776 antigens were the most promising for detecting vaccinated animals, while MSC_0636 and LppB were the best targets to identify infected animals. Further testing of sera from vaccinated and infected animals collected at different time intervals in the field should help establish how useful a diagnostic test based on a cocktail of these proteins would be.
M-Sec facilitates intercellular transmission of HIV-1 through multiple mechanisms
Authors: Lotfi Sameh , Nasser Hesham , Noyori Osamu , Hiyoshi Masateru , Takeuchi Hiroaki , Koyanagi Yoshio , Suzu Shinya
Published: July 2020

Background

HIV-1 promotes the formation of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) that connect distant cells, aiding cell-to-cell viral transmission between macrophages. Our recent study suggests that the cellular protein M-Sec plays a role in these processes. However, the timing, mechanism, and to what extent M-Sec contributes to HIV-1 transmission is not fully understood, and the lack of a cell line model that mimics macrophages has hindered in-depth analysis.

Results

We found that HIV-1 increased the number, length and thickness of TNTs in a manner dependent on its pathogenic protein Nef and M-Sec in U87 cells, as observed in macrophages. In addition, we found that M-Sec was required not only for TNT formation but also motility of U87 cells, both of which are beneficial for viral transmission. In fact, M-Sec knockdown in U87 cells led to a significantly delayed viral production in both cellular and extracellular fractions. This inhibition was observed for wild-type virus, but not for a mutant virus lacking Nef, which is known to promote not only TNT formation but also migration of infected macrophages.

Conclusions

By taking advantage of useful features of U87 cells, we provided evidence that M-Sec mediates a rapid and efficient cell–cell transmission of HIV-1 at an early phase of infection by enhancing both TNT formation and cell motility.
Dosimetric effects of adaptive prostate cancer radiotherapy in an MR-linac workflow
Authors: Mannerberg Annika , Persson Emilia , Jonsson Joakim , Gustafsson Christian Jamtheim , Gunnlaugsson Adalsteinn , Olsson Lars E. , Ceberg Sofie
Published: July 2020

Background

The purpose was to evaluate the dosimetric effects in prostate cancer treatment caused by anatomical changes occurring during the time frame of adaptive replanning in a magnetic resonance linear accelerator (MR-linac) workflow.

Methods

Two MR images (MR1 and MR2) were acquired with 30 min apart for each of the 35 patients enrolled in this study. The clinical target volume (CTV) and organs at risk (OARs) were delineated based on MR1. Using a synthetic CT (sCT), ultra-hypofractionated VMAT treatment plans were created for MR1, with three different planning target volume (PTV) margins of 7 mm, 5 mm and 3 mm. The three treatment plans of MR1, were recalculated onto MR2 using its corresponding sCT. The dose distribution of MR2 represented delivered dose to the patient after 30 min of adaptive replanning, omitting motion correction before beam on. MR2 was registered to MR1, using deformable registration. Using the inverse deformation, the structures of MR1 was deformed to fit MR2 and anatomical changes were quantified. For dose distribution comparison the dose distribution of MR2 was warped to the geometry MR1.

Results

The mean center of mass vector offset for the CTV was 1.92 mm [0.13 – 9.79 mm]. Bladder volume increase ranged from 12.4 to 133.0% and rectum volume difference varied between −10.9 and 38.8%. Using the conventional 7 mm planning target volume (PTV) margin the dose reduction to the CTV was 1.1%. Corresponding values for 5 mm and 3 mm PTV margin were 2.0% and 4.2% respectively. The dose to the PTV and OARs also decreased from D1 to D2, for all PTV margins evaluated. Statistically significant difference was found for CTV Dmin between D1 and D2 for the 3 mm PTV margin (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

A target underdosage caused by anatomical changes occurring during the reported time frame for adaptive replanning MR-linac workflows was found. Volume changes in both bladder and rectum caused large prostate displacements. This indicates the importance of thorough position verification before treatment delivery and that the workflow needs to speed up before introducing margin reduction.
Finite element analysis of the initial stability of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis with three-screw fixation: posteromedial versus posterolateral home-run screw
Authors: Wang Sen , Yu Jian , Ma Xin , Zhao Dahang , Geng Xiang , Huang Jiazhang , Wang Xu
Published: July 2020

Objective

Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis (AAA) is a standard surgical method for the treatment of advanced traumatic ankle arthritis and has become more popular due to its advantages. To fix the tibiotalar joint, the use of three percutaneous screws is considered to have better mechanical stability than the use of two screws. However, it is sometimes difficult to insert three screws because they might block each other due to the small area of the tibiotalar joint surface and the large diameter of the screws; few articles illustrate how to insert three screws without the screws disturbing each other. The purpose of this study is to explore possible screw configurations of tripod fixation in arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis that avoid the collision of screws and yield better biomechanical performance.

Methods

We used the finite element method to examine the impact of different screw positions and orientations on the biomechanical characteristics of a three-dimensional (3D) ankle model. Maximum and average micromotion, pressure on the articular surface, and von Mises stress values of the tibia and the talus were used to evaluate the initial stability of the ankle.

Results

Five kinds of three-screw configurations were identified, and finite element analysis results suggested that configurations with the posteromedial home-run screw presented lower micromotion (maximum, 17.96 ± 7.49 μm versus 22.52 ± 12.8 μm; mean, 4.88 ± 1.89 μm versus 5.19 ± 1.92 μm) (especially configuration 3) and better screw distributions on the articular surface than those with the posterolateral home-run screw.

Conclusion

Screw configurations with the posteromedial home-run screw avoid collision and are more biomechanically stable than those with the posterolateral home-run screw. Thus, inserting the home-run screw through the posteromedial approach is recommended for clinical practice.
Profiling trial burden and patients’ attitudes to improve clinical research in epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Prodinger Christine , Diem Anja , Ude-Schoder Katherina , Piñón-Hofbauer Josefina , Kitzmueller Sophie , Bauer Johann W. , Laimer Martin
Published: July 2020

Background

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) comprises inherited mechanobullous dermatoses with considerable morbidity and mortality. While current treatments are symptomatic, a growing number of innovative therapeutic compounds are evaluated in clinical trials. Clinical research in rare diseases like EB, however, faces many challenges, including sample size requirements and recruitment failures. The objective of this study was to determine attitudes of EB patients towards clinical research and trial participation as well as the assessment of contextual motivating and discouraging factors in an effort to support patient-centered RD trial designing.

Methods

A 53-items questionnaire was handed over to EB patients (of all types and ages) in contact with the EB House Austria, a designated national center of expertise for EB care. Main categories included level of interest in and personal knowledge about clinical studies, pros/cons for participation and extent of individual expenses considered acceptable for participation in a clinical study. Descriptive subgroup analysis was calculated with SPSS 20.0 and Microsoft Excel.

Results

Thirty-six individuals (mean age 25.7 years), diagnosed for recessive dystrophic EB (36.1%), EB simplex (33.4%), junctional EB (8.3%), dominant dystrophic EB (2.8%) and acral peeling syndrome (2.8%) participated. Motivation for participation in and the desire to increase personal knowledge about clinical trials were (outmost) high in 57.2 and 66.7%, respectively. Altruism was the major motivating factor, followed by hope that alleviation of the own symptoms can be achieved. The greatest hurdle was travel distance, followed by concerns about possible adverse reactions. Patients diagnosed for severe subgroups (RDEB, JEB) were more impaired by the extent of scheduled invasive investigations and possible adverse reactions of the study medication. Patients with generally milder EB forms and older patients were accepting more frequent outpatient study visits, blood takes, skin biopsies and inpatient admissions in association with trial participation.

Conclusions

This study provides additional indications to better determine and address attitudes towards clinical research among EB patients as well as guidance to improve clinical trial protocols for patient centricity.
Clinical features, treatment, and survival outcome of primary pulmonary NUT midline carcinoma
Authors: Xie Xiao-Hong , Wang Li-Qiang , Qin Yin-Yin , Lin Xin-Qing , Xie Zhan-Hong , Liu Ming , Zhang Jie-Xia , Ouyang Ming , Liu Jun , Gu Ying-Ying , Li Shi-Yue , Zhou Cheng-Zhi
Published: July 2020

Objective

NUT midline carcinoma (NMC), a rare type of squamous cell carcinoma, is genetically characterised by NUT midline carcinoma family member 1 (NUTM1) gene rearrangement. NMC can arise from the lungs; however, there is no standard for the management of primary pulmonary NMC. This study aimed to confirm the clinical features and report the treatments, especially with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and outcomes of patients with primary pulmonary NMC.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients with primary pulmonary NMC was performed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between January 2015 and December 2018. Clinical manifestations as well as radiographic and pathological findings were recorded. Whole-exome sequencing (WES), a predictor for ICI response, was used to determine the tumour mutational burden (TMB). Treatments, especially by immune checkpoint blockade, and patient survival were analysed.

Results

Seven patients with primary pulmonary mass (four men and three women) with a mean age of 42 years (range, 23–74) who were diagnosed with NMC according to NUT immunohistochemistry staining were included for analysis. One patient had a rare fusion of CHRM5-NUTM1 by tumour sequencing. A wide range of TMB (1.75–73.81 mutations/Mbp) was observed. The initial treatments included chemotherapy (5/7, 71.4%), surgery (1/7, 14.3%), and radiotherapy (1/7, 14.3%). Five patients (5/7, 71.4%) received ICIs (programmed cell death protein 1 [PD1]/programmed cell death ligand 1 [PDL1] monoclonal antibody) as second- or higher-line treatments. The median overall survival (OS) was 4.1 months (range, 1.5–26.7 months).

Conclusions

Patients with primary pulmonary NMC have a poor prognosis and chemotherapy is often preferred. Checkpoint immunotherapy is a good option as the second- or higher-line treatment. TMB seems to be not associated with OS.
Unexpected tracheal agenesis with prenatal diagnosis of aortic coarctation, lung hyperecogenicity and polyhydramnios: a case report
Authors: Perri Alessandro , Patti Maria Letizia , Sbordone Annamaria , Vento Giovanni , Luciano Rita
Published: July 2020

Background

Tracheal agenesis (TA) is a rare disorder usually diagnosed prenatally when a congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) is identified. We present a case of unexpected TA in a neonate without prenatal diagnosis of airway obstruction, with a difficult management at birth. Moreover, we discuss about differential diagnosis, classification and treatment issues.

Case presentation

A 2280 g female neonate was born at 35 week gestational age (GA) with prenatal diagnosis of aortic coarctation, polyhydramnios and diffuse hyperechogenicity of the right lung. At birth, the neonate had no audible cry, no air entry to the lungs, and hypotonia. Tracheal intubation was unsuccessful, and no visualization of the trachea was obtained when tracheostomy was attempted. Post-mortem examination showed tracheal agenesis associated with tracheoesophageal fistula and revealed no cardiologic malformations. Aortic coarctation had been suspected prenatally because of the first portion of the descendent thoracic aorta being compressed by a fibrous band connecting the proximal and distal tracheal branches. CHAOS had not developed due to the tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF).

Conclusions

TA is not always diagnosed in the fetus and it may present unexpectedly making the neonate’s management at birth critical. An effective rescue temporary oxygenation may be obtained with mask ventilation or oesophageal intubation in those cases of TA associated with a TOF. We suggest to consider a fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when the association polyhydramnios/lung hyperechogenicity occurs, even in the absence of CHAOS or other malformations. Once a diagnosis is provided, the mother should be transferred to selected centres where an ex-utero intrapartum procedure (EXIT) can be attempted. Moreover, despite high mortality, different surgical management are described to improve survival.
Vaccination with transgenic Eimeria tenella expressing Eimeria maxima AMA1 and IMP1 confers partial protection against high-level E. maxima challenge in a broiler model of coccidiosis
Authors: Pastor-Fernández Iván , Kim Sungwon , Marugán-Hernández Virginia , Soutter Francesca , Tomley Fiona M. , Blake Damer P.
Published: July 2020

Background

Poultry coccidiosis is a parasitic enteric disease with a highly negative impact on chicken production. In-feed chemoprophylaxis remains the primary method of control, but the increasing ineffectiveness of anticoccidial drugs, and potential future restrictions on their use has encouraged the use of commercial live vaccines. Availability of such formulations is constrained by their production, which relies on the use of live chickens. Several experimental approaches have been taken to explore ways to reduce the complexity and cost of current anticoccidial vaccines including the use of live vectors expressing relevantEimeriaproteins. We and others have shown that vaccination with transgenicEimeria tenellaparasites expressingEimeria maximaApical Membrane Antigen-1 or Immune Mapped Protein-1 (EmAMA1 andEmIMP1) partially reduces parasite replication after challenge with a low dose ofE. maximaoocysts. In the present study, we have reassessed the efficacy of these experimental vaccines using commercial birds reared at high stocking densities and challenged with both low and high doses ofE. maximato evaluate how well they protect chickens against the negative impacts of disease on production parameters.

Methods

Populations ofE. tenellaparasites expressingEmAMA1 andEmIMP1 were obtained by nucleofection and propagated in chickens. Cobb500 broilers were immunised with increasing doses of transgenic oocysts and challenged two weeks later withE. maximato quantify the effect of vaccination on parasite replication, local IFN-γ and IL-10 responses (300 oocysts), as well as impacts on intestinal lesions and body weight gain (10,000 oocysts).

Results

Vaccination of chickens withE. tenellaexpressingEmAMA1, or admixtures ofE. tenellaexpressingEmAMA1 orEmIMP1, was safe and induced partial protection against challenge as measured byE. maximareplication and severity of pathology. Higher levels of protection were observed when both antigens were delivered and was associated with a partial modification of local immune responses againstE. maxima, which we hypothesise resulted in more rapid immune recognition of the challenge parasites.

Conclusions

This study offers prospects for future development of multivalent anticoccidial vaccines for commercial chickens. Efforts should now be focused on the discovery of additional antigens for incorporation into such vaccines.
Autonomous replication sequences from the Amaranthus palmeri eccDNA replicon enable replication in yeast
Authors: Molin William T. , Yaguchi Allison , Blenner Mark , Saski Christopher A.
Published: July 2020

Objective

The objective of the research presented here was to determine whether autonomous replication sequences (ARS) discovered in the eccDNA replicon of glyphosate resistant Amaranthus palmeri enable self-replication in a yeast system.

Results

Sequence analysis of the eccDNA replicon revealed a region of sharp changes in A + T/G + C content with characteristic bending indicative of an autonomous replication sequence. Further sequence analysis revealed an extended autonomous replication sequence (EACS) in close proximity to multiple DNA unwinding element (DUE) sequences. This region of the eccDNA replicon enabled autonomous replication of an ARS-less yeast plasmid.
Internal consistency and correlation of the adverse childhood experiences, bully victimization, self-esteem, resilience, and social support scales in Nigerian children
Authors: Folayan Morenike Oluwatoyin , Oginni Olakunle , Arowolo Olaniyi , El Tantawi Maha
Published: July 2020

Objectives

We evaluated the internal consistencies and the correlation between measures of adverse childhood experiences (ACE), bully victimization, self-esteem, resilience, and social support in children/adolescents in Nigeria.

Results

The Cronbach’s alphas were 0.67 for the ACE Questionnaire; 0.79 for the victimization subscale of the Illinois Bully Scale; 0.60 for Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale; 0.81 for Connor–Davidson resilience scale; and 0.93 for multidimensional perceived social support scale. Social support was negatively correlated with ACE (r = − 0.21) and bully victimization (r = − 0.16) and was associated with higher self-esteem (r = − 0.29) and higher resilience (r = 0.15). Likewise, higher resilience was associated with fewer ACE (r = − 0.07), higher self-esteem (r = − 0.21), and higher bully victimization (r = 0.13). Higher self-esteem was associated with fewer ACE (r = 0.25) and lower bully victimization (r = 0.16), whereas bully victimization was positively correlated with ACE (r = 0.20). The correlations were all statistically significant.
Evidence Synthesis International (ESI): Position Statement
Authors: Gough David , Davies Phil , Jamtvedt Gro , Langlois Etienne , Littell Julia , Lotfi Tamara , Masset Edoardo , Merlin Tracy , Pullin Andrew S. , Ritskes-Hoitinga Merel , Røttingen John-Arne , Sena Emily , Stewart Ruth , Tovey David , White Howard , Yost Jennifer , Lund Hans , Grimshaw Jeremy
Published: July 2020

This paper is the initial Position Statement of Evidence Synthesis International, a new partnership of organizations that produce, support and use evidence synthesis around the world. The paper (i) argues for the importance of synthesis as a research exercise to clarify what is known from research evidence to inform policy, practice and personal decision making; (ii) discusses core issues for research synthesis such as the role of research evidence in decision making, the role of perspectives, participation and democracy in research and synthesis as a core component of evidence ecosystems; (iii) argues for 9 core principles for ESI on the nature and role of research synthesis; and (iv) lists the 5 main goals of ESI as a coordinating partnership for promoting and enabling the production and use of research synthesis.
Fourier expansions for higher-order Apostol–Genocchi, Apostol–Bernoulli and Apostol–Euler polynomials
Authors: Corcino Cristina B. , Corcino Roberto B.
Published: July 2020

Fourier expansions of higher-order Apostol–Genocchi and Apostol–Bernoulli polynomials are obtained using Laurent series and residues. The Fourier expansion of higher-order Apostol–Euler polynomials is obtained as a consequence.
A study of boundary value problem for generalized fractional differential inclusion via endpoint theory for weak contractions
Authors: Belmor Samiha , Jarad Fahd , Abdeljawad Thabet , Kılınç Gülsen
Published: July 2020

This note is concerned with establishing the existence of solutions to a fractional differential inclusion of a ψ-Caputo-type with a nonlocal integral boundary condition. Using the concept of the endpoint theorem for φ-weak contractive maps, we investigate the existence of solutions to the proposed problem. An example is provided at the end to clarify the theoretical result.
Assessing the readiness of digital data infrastructure for opioid use disorder research
Authors: Venkatesh Arjun , Malicki Caitlin , Hawk Kathryn , D’Onofrio Gail , Kinsman Jeremiah , Taylor Andrew
Published: July 2020

Background

Gaps in electronic health record (EHR) data collection and the paucity of standardized clinical data elements (CDEs) captured from electronic and digital data sources have impeded research efforts aimed at understanding the epidemiology and quality of care for opioid use disorder (OUD). We identified existing CDEs and evaluated their validity and usability, which is required prior to infrastructure implementation within EHRs.

Methods

We conducted (a) a systematic literature review of publications in Medline, Embase and the Web of Science using a combination of at least one term related to OUD and EHR and (b) an environmental scan of publicly available data systems and dictionaries used in national informatics and quality measurement of policy initiatives. Opioid-related data elements identified within the environmental scan were compared with related data elements contained within nine common health data code systems and each element was graded for alignment with match results categorized as “exact”, “partial”, or “none.”

Results

The literature review identified 5186 articles for title search, of which 75 abstracts were included for review and 38 articles were selected for full-text review. Full-text articles yielded 237 CDEs, only 12 (5.06%) of which were opioid-specific. The environmental scan identified 379 potential data elements and value sets across 9 data systems and libraries, among which only 84 (22%) were opioid-specific. We found substantial variability in the types of clinical data elements with limited overlap and no single data system included CDEs across all major data element types such as substance use disorder, OUD, medication and mental health. Relative to common health data code systems, few data elements had an exact match (< 1%), while 61% had a partial match and 38% had no matches.

Conclusions

Despite the increasing ubiquity of EHR data standards and national attention placed on the opioid epidemic, we found substantial fragmentation in the design and construction of OUD related CDEs and little OUD specific CDEs in existing data dictionaries, systems and literature. Given the significant gaps in data collection and reporting, future work should leverage existing structured data elements to create standard workflow processes to improve OUD data capture in EHR systems.
Macrophage, the potential key mediator in CAR-T related CRS
Authors: Hao Zhaonian , Li Ruyuan , Meng Li , Han Zhiqiang , Hong Zhenya
Published: July 2020

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a new frontier in cancer therapy. The toxicity of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) has become one of the major challenges that limits the wider use of CAR T cells to fight cancer. Exploration of CRS pathogenesis and treatment is becoming the main focus of ongoing studies. Myeloid-derived macrophages were found to play a critical role in CRS pathogenesis, and these cells mediate the major production of core cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1 and interferon (IFN)-γ. Colocalization of macrophages and CAR T cells was also identified as necessary for inducing CRS, and CD40L-CD40 signaling might be the key cell–cell interaction in the tumor microenvironment. Macrophages might also take part in endocrine and self-amplified catecholamine loops that can directly activate cytokine production and release by macrophages during CRS. In addition to tocilizumab and corticosteroids, several novel CRS therapies targeting macrophage-centered pathways have shown much potential, including GM-CSF blockade and administration of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and α-methyltyrosine (metyrosine, MTR). In the present review, we summarized the role of macrophages in CRS and new developments in therapeutic strategies for CRS-associated toxicities.
Fructose contributes to the Warburg effect for cancer growth
Authors: Nakagawa Takahiko , Lanaspa Miguel A. , Millan Inigo San , Fini Mehdi , Rivard Christopher J. , Sanchez-Lozada Laura G. , Andres-Hernando Ana , Tolan Dean R. , Johnson Richard J.
Published: July 2020

Obesity and metabolic syndrome are strongly associated with cancer, and these disorders may share a common mechanism. Recently, fructose has emerged as a driving force to develop obesity and metabolic syndrome. Thus, we assume that fructose may be the mechanism to explain why obesity and metabolic syndrome are linked with cancer. Clinical and experimental evidence showed that fructose intake was associated with cancer growth and that fructose transporters are upregulated in various malignant tumors. Interestingly, fructose metabolism can be driven under low oxygen conditions, accelerates glucose utilization, and exhibits distinct effects as compared to glucose, including production of uric acid and lactate as major byproducts. Fructose promotes the Warburg effect to preferentially downregulate mitochondrial respiration and increases aerobic glycolysis that may aid metastases that initially have low oxygen supply. In the process, uric acid may facilitate carcinogenesis by inhibiting the TCA cycle, stimulating cell proliferation by mitochondrial ROS, and blocking fatty acid oxidation. Lactate may also contribute to cancer growth by suppressing fat oxidation and inducing oncogene expression. The ability of fructose metabolism to directly stimulate the glycolytic pathway may have been protective for animals living with limited access to oxygen, but may be deleterious toward stimulating cancer growth and metastasis for humans in modern society. Blocking fructose metabolism may be a novel approach for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
Strategies supporting the prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ehrenberg John P. , Zhou Xiao-Nong , Fontes Gilberto , Rocha Eliana M. M. , Tanner Marcel , Utzinger Jürg
Published: July 2020

Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases represent a public health challenge of international concern. They include a large group of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), many of which are of zoonotic nature. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), another emerging zoonotic disease, has just increased the stakes exponentially. Most NTDs are subject to the impact of some of the very same human-related activities triggering other emerging and re-emerging diseases, including COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), bird flu and swine flu. It is conceivable that COVID-19 will exacerbate the NTDs, as it will divert much needed financial and human resources. There is considerable concern that recent progress achieved with control and elimination efforts will be reverted. Future potential strategies will need to reconsider the determinants of health in NTDs in order to galvanize efforts and come up with a comprehensive, well defined programme that will set the stage for an effective multi-sectorial approach. In this Commentary, we propose areas of potential synergies between the COVID-19 pandemic control efforts, other health and non-health sector initiatives and NTD control and elimination programmes.
The emerging landscape of circular RNAs in immunity: breakthroughs and challenges
Authors: Li Zhouxiao , Cheng Ye , Wu Fan , Wu Liangliang , Cao Hongyong , Wang Qian , Tang Weiwei
Published: July 2020

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently linked RNAs that exhibit individual strand with a closed-loop framework compared with a conserving, steady and abundant linear counterpart. In recent years, as high-throughput sequencing advancement has been developing, functional circRNAs have been increasingly recognized, and more extensive analyses expounded their effect on different diseases. However, the study on the function of circRNAs in the immune system remains insufficient. This study discusses the basic principles of circRNAs regulation and the systems involved in physiology-related and pathology-related processes. The effect of circRNAs on immune regulation is elucidated. The ongoing development of circRNAs and basic immunology has multiplied their potential in treating diseases. Such perspective will summarize the status and effect of circRNAs on various immune cells in cancer, autoimmune diseases and infections. Moreover, this study will primarily expound the system of circRNAs in T lymphocytes, macrophages and other immune cells, which creates a novel perspective and lay a theoretical basis for treating diseases.
Effects of BRI strategy on Mediterranean shipping transport
Authors: Ferrari Claudio , Tei Alessio
Published: July 2020

In 2013 Chinese government unveiled one of the biggest transport plan schemes worldwide: the One Belt One Road (OBOR) strategy, now called the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This scheme includes the development of a group of specific transport and logistics corridors that encompass three different continents (i.e. Asia, Africa, and Europe) with both land and maritime corridors. Both these planned interventions are expected to greatly impact on the maritime transport between Far East and Northern Europe through new port investments (e.g. Piraeus, the proposed Venice container offshore terminal) and providing rail alternatives (e.g. Beijing-Hamburg rail service) that could impact on the geography of international trades.

These modifications of current transport patterns might drastically change the overall organisation of the shipping services in the Mediterranean, increasing competition of transport alternatives (e.g. rail vs road; rail vs sea) and promoting the nodes included in the BRI. Thus, the current study aims at discussing effects of BRI on current maritime patterns with a specific focus on the effects into port competition within the Mediterranean area.
Botanical extracts against the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller 1873) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), during storage conditions
Authors: Sharaby Aziza Mohamed Fouad , Gesraha Mohamed Ahmed , Fallatah Sahar Ahmed Baker
Published: July 2020

The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller 1873) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a destructive pest of stored potatoes and potato crop. Biopesticides are certain types of pesticides derived from animals, plants, and bacteria. Botanicals are especially efficient in the form of antifeedant, repellent, protectants, and growth-disrupting hormones. They are also sources of secondary metabolites that are safer than synthetic insecticides. Present research was conducted to evaluate some botanical extracts as natural local alternatives against PTM under storage conditions. Twelve different 80% ethanolic plant extracts were tested on PTM during storage condition (30 ± 2°C and 70 ± 5% RH) at a light regime of the day 10-h light and 14-h dark. Biological parameters of the pest, evidence of the potato tubers damage, and continuation of protection to the tubers were recorded. Extracts of mint, zygophyllum, coriander, arnoglosse, harmel, and solanum indicated a total inhibition of egg deposition at 2.5% concentration; also, they provided high protections to the potato tubers from the PTM infestation for about 3 months and without observations’ effect on tubers germination. Senna, colocynth, and basil reduced the number of deposited egg/female. Jasmine, geranium, and chamomile recorded a low potential on egg deposition. Basil showed the highest potency in decreasing development of larvae that hatched from eggs, therefore, reduced the number of next adult offspring (F1) and followed by jasmine and geranium. Variable levels of extracts’ protection can be arranged according to their damage evidence as follows: basil > colocynth > jasmine > geranium > senna > chamomile.
Machine learning to assist clinical decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Debnath Shubham , Barnaby Douglas P. , Coppa Kevin , Makhnevich Alexander , Kim Eun Ji , Chatterjee Saurav , Tóth Viktor , Levy Todd J. , Paradis Marc d. , Cohen Stuart L. , Hirsch Jamie S. , Zanos Theodoros P. ,   the Northwell COVID-19 Research Consortium, Becker Lance B. , Cookingham Jennifer , Davidson Karina W. , Dominello Andrew J. , Falzon Louise , McGinn Thomas , Mogavero Jazmin N. , Osorio Gabrielle A.
Published: July 2020

Background

The number of cases from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic has overwhelmed existing medical facilities and forced clinicians, patients, and families to make pivotal decisions with limited time and information.

Main body

While machine learning (ML) methods have been previously used to augment clinical decisions, there is now a demand for “Emergency ML.” Throughout the patient care pathway, there are opportunities for ML-supported decisions based on collected vitals, laboratory results, medication orders, and comorbidities. With rapidly growing datasets, there also remain important considerations when developing and validating ML models.

Conclusion

This perspective highlights the utility of evidence-based prediction tools in a number of clinical settings, and how similar models can be deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic to guide hospital frontlines and healthcare administrators to make informed decisions about patient care and managing hospital volume.