bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Reinnervation Confers Corneal Protective Advantages over Static Interventions Alone in the Subacute Facial Palsy Patient
Authors: Mohanty Ahneesh J. , Perez Justin L. , Hembd Austin , Thrikutam Nikhitha P. , Bartley Jeremy , Rozen Shai M.
Published: December 2019

Background:

Corneal protection is a priority in flaccid facial palsy patients. Denervation of the orbicularis oculi muscle results in weak palpebral closure and predisposes patients to severe corneal sequelae. While periorbital static procedures enhance corneal coverage in repose, voluntary closure is only regained through dynamic reinnervation of the muscle. This study aims to elucidate the added effect of dynamic reinnervation of the orbicularis oculi muscle on long-term corneal integrity as well as on dynamic closure of the palpebral aperture.

Methods:

Retrospective review was performed on two groups of complete palsy patients: those who received solely periorbital static procedures and those who underwent concomitant orbicularis oculi muscle reinnervation and static lid procedures. Only patients with complete ophthalmic examinations were included. Corneal punctate epithelial erosions in addition to static and dynamic palpebral measurements were serially assessed preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results:

Of 272 facial palsy patients, 26 fit the inclusion criteria. Eleven patients underwent combined muscle reinnervation involving facial–to–masseteric nerve coaptation in addition to static eye procedures, and 15 patients underwent solely static interventions. Analysis revealed a 65.3 percent lower mean punctate epithelial erosion score in reinnervation patients as compared with static patients when evaluated at more than 9 months postoperatively (p < 0.01). Reinnervation patients were also found to have 25.3 percent greater palpebral aperture closure (p < 0.05) and 32.8 percent higher closure velocity (p < 0.01) compared with static patients.

Conclusion:

In patients with subacute facial palsy, dynamic reanimation of the orbicularis oculi muscle with concomitant static interventions provides lasting corneal protection not seen in patients who receive solely static interventions.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
Mid-Term Outcome of Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients With Progressive Pseudorheumatoid Dysplasia
Authors: Feng Bin , Xiao Ke , Ren Yi , Xia Zenan , Jin Jin , Wu Zhihong , Qiu Guixing , Weng Xisheng
Published: December 2019

Background

Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPD) is a rare disease that causes musculoskeletal deformities. There has been no detailed report on the outcome of PPD patients who undergo total hip arthroplasty (THA). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiological outcome of PPD patients undergoing THA after middle-term follow-up.

Methods

This was a medical records review study. Patients with the diagnosis of PPD who underwent THA were enrolled. The PPD diagnosis was confirmed by genetic sequencing. Baseline clinical data were retrieved. The patients were followed for the Harris Hip Score, visual analogue score, range of hip motion, and postoperative complication. Life quality was evaluated with the Short Form 36. Plain x-ray films were used for radiographic evaluation.

Results

Four cases were identified from the patient database in our institute. All the patients presented arthropathy of both hips and underwent 1-stage bilateral THA. All the patients had WISP3 mutation after genetic sequencing. The cases were followed at average 47.9 months (range, 18–93 months). Harris Hip Score increased from 39.67 ± 9.73 points preoperatively to 91.67 ± 4.32 points postoperatively (p < 0.05); Short Form 36 increased from 19.67 ± 1.53 points preoperatively to 71.33 ± 3.06 postoperatively (p < 0.05). The hip range of hip motion was significantly improved after operation. X-ray films showed no obvious radiolucent lines or aseptic loosening at the latest follow-up.

Conclusions

This study indicated that THA was effective to treat the PPD patients complicated with hip arthropathy with satisfactory clinical and radiological outcome after mid-term follow-up.
Role of Interleukin 6 Inhibitors in the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Yip Ronald Man Lung , Yim Cheuk Wan
Published: December 2019

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multisystem disease that affects the joints and various organs, resulting in compromised quality of life and increased mortality. A wide spectrum of treatment options is available for RA. Conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) are the first-line of treatment for RA, whereas tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors are commonly used as a second-line biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug following inadequate response to csDMARDs. However, remission remains difficult to achieve. No single agent is effective for all patients. It is important to consider patients' comorbidities, perspectives, and preferences when selecting treatment.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) plays a prominent role in the pathophysiology of RA and is an important therapeutic target for RA. Tocilizumab and sarilumab are approved IL-6 inhibitors, which have demonstrated good efficacy and tolerability as combination therapy or monotherapy in RA patients with inadequate response to csDMARDs or tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors. Apart from alleviating joint symptoms, inducing remission, and reducing structural damage, tocilizumab and sarilumab exhibit additional advantages in alleviating extra-articular symptoms, such as fatigue and morning stiffness, and have positive effect on anemia and glucose metabolism. Additionally, evidence showed that certain patient subgroups, such as those with comorbidities including anemia and diabetes mellitus, those with early RA, those with high baseline IL-6 levels, those at high risk of tuberculosis infection, or those intolerant to methotrexate monotherapy, may benefit from IL-6 inhibition. Given these advantages, tocilizumab and sarilumab can be considered earlier as a rational choice for treating RA in suitable patients. Future clinical investigations will help refine the use of these agents.
The Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Reconstruction of the Defect After Maxillectomy
Authors: lin Xiu an , shi You yuan , liu Chang
Published: December 2019

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and success rate of the anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) in reconstructing total maxillectomy defects.

Methods:

This retrospective study involved patients with total maxillectomy defects, who underwent free ALT reconstruction from June 2005 to October 2014.

Results:

The study included 72 patients (43 males and 29 females; age range, 7–77 years; mean age, 43 years). Four patients experienced major complications related to surgery: total flap loss in one patient, partial flap necrosis requiring reoperation in one patient, hematoma requiring operative evacuation in 1 patient, and diplopia requiring reoperation in 1 patient. Two patients experienced minor complications: partial flap loss healed by secondary intention with local wound care, and donor site suture rupture in 1 patient healed by secondary intention. Six patients died because of cancer-related death (after local recurrence or metastatic disease). The defects in 5 patients involved the facial skin for which the ALT was segmented into three parts to reconstruct the facial skin, nasal lining, and oral lining. The defects in 4 patients involved the orbital floor for which a segment of tensor fascia lata was included with the flap on the same pedicle and used to repair the orbital floor. In the remaining patients, the free ALT flap, including a segment of vastus lateralis, was used to repair the maxillary defect and fill the dead space. All but one of the surviving patients were satisfied with their final appearance postoperatively.

Conclusion:

The free ALT flap with or without fascia lata to repair the orbital floor is safe, reliable, and acceptable for reconstructing total maxillectomy defects.
Mir-155 knockout protects against ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain injury and hemorrhagic transformation
Authors: Suofu Yalikun , Wang Xiaomin , He Yanqing , Li Fang , Zhang Yu , Carlisle Diane L. , Friedlander Robert M.
Published: December 2019

MiR-155 negatively regulates translation of mRNA targets to proteins involved in processes that modulate ischemic brain injury including neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and apoptosis. However, reports of the effect of cerebral miR-155 expression changes after ischemic brain injury are equivocal and miR-155 modulates molecular pathways with opposing effects on these processes. The role of miR-155 in postischemic cerebral hemorrhagic transformation remains unknown. To understand the net effect of complete inactivation of miR-155, miR-155 knockout mice were studied in a cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model of infarction and hemorrhagic transformation as compared with those of wild type mice. Wild type and miR-155 knockout mice underwent one hour of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by up to 71 hours of reperfusion. The effects of miR-155 knockout on cerebral infarct size, incidence and extent of hemorrhagic transformation, and neurological outcome were determined. We found that miR-155 was significantly upregulated after cerebral I/R in wild type mice, and miR-155 knockout mice had comparably smaller cerebral infarct size and improved neurological deficits. Similarly, wild type mice had significant hemorrhagic burden after cerebral I/R, the incidence and volume of which was reduced in miR-155 knockout mice. Although miR-155 can have opposite effects on cerebral I/R-injury-related processes, the net effect of miR-155 knockout is neuroprotective. Thus, the increase in miR-155 expression observed after cerebral I/R may be considered deleterious and inhibition of this expression and its effects a potential therapeutic target.
Allele frequency spectra in structured populations: Novel-allele probabilities under the labelled coalescent
Authors: Uyenoyama Marcy K. , Takebayashi Naoki , Kumagai Seiji
Published: December 2019

We address the effect of population structure on key properties of the Ewens sampling formula. We use our previously-introduced inductive method for determining exact allele frequency spectrum (AFS) probabilities under the infinite-allele model of mutation and population structure for samples of arbitrary size. Fundamental to the sampling distribution is the novel-allele probability, the probability that given the pattern of variation in the present sample, the next gene sampled belongs to an as-yet-unobserved allelic class. Unlike the case for panmictic populations, the novel-allele probability depends on the AFS of the present sample. We derive a recursion that directly provides the marginal novel-allele probability across AFSs, obviating the need first to determine the probability of each AFS. Our explorations suggest that the marginal novel-allele probability tends to be greater for initial samples comprising fewer alleles and for sampling configurations in which the next-observed gene derives from a deme different from that of the majority of the present sample. Comparison to the efficient importance sampling proposals developed by De Iorio and Griffiths and colleagues indicates that their approximation for the novel-allele probability generally agrees with the true marginal, although it may tend to overestimate the marginal in cases in which the novel-allele probability is high and migration rates are low.
Smash++: an alignment-free and memory-efficient tool to find genomic rearrangements
Authors: Hosseini Morteza , Pratas Diogo , Morgenstern Burkhard , Pinho Armando J.
Published: December 2019

Background

The development of high-throughput sequencing technologies and, as its result, the production of huge volumes of genomic data, has accelerated biological and medical research and discovery. Study on genomic rearrangements is crucial due to their role in chromosomal evolution, genetic disorders and cancer;

Results

We present Smash++, an alignment-free and memory-efficient tool to find and visualize small- and large-scale genomic rearrangements between two DNA sequences. This computational solution extracts information contents of the two sequences, exploiting a data compression technique, in order for finding rearrangements. We also present Smash++ visualizer, a tool that allows the visualization of the detected rearrangements along with their self- and relative complexity, by generating an SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) image;

Conclusions

Tested on several synthetic and real DNA sequences from bacteria, fungi, Aves and mammalia, the proposed tool was able to accurately find genomic rearrangements. The detected regions complied with previous studies which took alignment-based approaches or performed FISH (Fluorescence in situ hybridization) analysis. The maximum peak memory usage among all experiments was ~1 GB, which makes Smash++ feasible to run on present-day standard computers.
Perturbation of effector and regulatory T cell subsets in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Authors: Karhan Ece , Gunter Courtney L , Ravanmehr Vida , Horne Meghan , Kozhaya Lina , Renzullo Stephanie , Placek Lindsey , George Joshy , Robinson Peter N , Vernon Suzanne D , Bateman Lucinda , Unutmaz Derya
Published: December 2019

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disorder of unknown etiology, and diagnosis of the disease is largely based on clinical symptoms. We hypothesized that immunological disruption is the major driver of this disease and analyzed a large cohort of ME/CFS patient or control blood samples for differences in T cell subset frequencies and functions. We found that the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T cells and the proportion of CD8+ effector memory T cells were increased, whereas NK cells were reduced in ME/CFS patients younger than 50 years old compared to a healthy control group. Remarkably, major differences were observed in Th1, Th2, Th17 and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) T cell subset functions across all ages of patients compared to healthy subjects. While CCR6+ Th17 cells in ME/CFS secreted less IL-17 compared to controls, their overall frequency was higher. Similarly, MAIT cells from patients secreted lower IFNγ, GranzymeA and IL-17 upon activation. Together, these findings suggest chronic stimulation of these T cell populations in ME/CFS patients. In contrast, the frequency of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which control excessive immune activation, was higher in ME/CFS patients. Finally, using a machine learning algorithm called random forest, we determined that the set of T cell parameters analyzed could identify more than 90% of the subjects in the ME/CFS cohort as patients (93% true positive rate or sensitivity). In conclusion, these multiple and major perturbations or dysfunctions in T cell subsets in ME/CFS patients suggest potential chronic infections or microbiome dysbiosis. These findings also have implications for development of ME/CFS specific immune biomarkers and reveal potential targets for novel therapeutic interventions.
Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain Inhibition Suppresses LPS-Induced Inflammatory Responses via TREM1/STAT3 Pathway in BV2 Microglia
Authors: Zhou Cuiyan , Zhang Jie , Ying Weihai
Published: December 2019

Mitochondrial damage and neuroinflammation belong to two of the most important pathological factors in multiple neurological disorders. However, the effect of mitochondrial damage of microglia on microglial activation under pathological conditions has remained unclear. In our current study, we used BV2 microglia as a cellular model to determine the effects of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) inhibitors on LPS-induced inflammatory responses of microglia. We found that all of the three mitochondrial ETC inhibitors, including rotenone, sodium azide and antimycin A, significantly inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory responses of the microglia, assessed by determinations of the protein or mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS and COX2. Nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit does not appear to play an important role in the mitochondrial ETC inhibition-produced suppression of microglial activation. Instead, our study found that the mitochondrial ETC inhibitors significantly attenuated not only the LPS-induced increase in the TREM1 levels - an amplifier of inflammatory process, but also the LPS-induced increase in the ratio of phosphorylated STAT3 / STAT3. In summary, our study has suggested that mitochondrial ETC inhibition of microglia can lead to suppression of LPS-induced microglial activation, which may be mediated by the inhibitory effects of mitochondrial ETC inhibition on the LPS-induced increases in the level of TREM1 and the ratio of p-STAT3 / STAT3. These findings have provided valuable information for elucidating the relationships between mitochondrial damage and neuroinflammation in multiple neurological diseases.
Comparison of abacavir‐specific effector and proliferating functions of CD8 T cells in abacavir‐treated HIV‐1 patients
Authors: Faridi Rehan M. , Patel Stuti , Dharmani‐Khan Poonam , Gill John , Berka Noureddine , Khan Faisal M.
Published: December 2019

Susceptibility to abacavir hypersensitivity (ABH) in HIV‐1‐positive patients is strongly linked to the carriage of HLA‐B*57:01 and the potential mechanism includes drug‐specific activation of cytokine producing CD8 T cells exclusively in individuals carrying HLA‐B*57:01. Here, we report a detailed characterization of abacavir‐induced functional response of CD8 T cells in HLA‐B*57:01pos individuals. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) from HLA‐B*57:01posABHpos and HLA‐B*57:01negABHneg individuals were stimulated with abacavir. Multicolor flow cytometry was performed to assess the cytokine (IFNγ) production and degranulation (CD107a expression) after 6–18 hr culture and to enumerate proliferating CD4/CD8 T cells by culturing carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester‐loaded PBMNCs for 7 days. CD8 T cells from HLA‐B*57:01posABHpos individuals were multifunctional: proliferating, IFNγ producing, degranulating (CD107apos), and both degranulating and IFNγ producing (CD107aposIFNγpos). Degranulating CD8 T cells in general and both degranulating and IFNγ producing CD8 T cells in particular dominated abacavir‐specific immune response. All functional responses were partially blocked by addition of HLA‐B*57:01‐reactive Bw4 mAb, but not by non‐HLA‐B*57:01‐reactive Bw6 mAb. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that abacavir‐specific CD8 T‐cell‐restricted immune response in HLA‐B*57:01posABHpos HIV‐1 patients has multiple effector and proliferating functions, where the primary effector response appears to be the release of cytolytic granules. The findings have implications for immunotherapy of HLA‐related drug hypersensitivities.
Viral SPP1 DNA is infectious in naturally competent Bacillus subtilis cells: inter‐ and intramolecular recombination pathways
Authors: Serrano Ester , Ramos Cristina , Ayora Silvia , Alonso Juan C.
Published: December 2019

A proteolyzed bacteriophage (phage) might release its DNA into the environment. Here, we define the recombination functions required to resurrect an infective lytic phage from inactive environmental viral DNA in naturally competent Bacillus subtilis cells. Using phage SPP1 DNA, a model that accounts for the obtained data is proposed (i) the DNA uptake apparatus takes up environmental SPP1 DNA, fragments it, and incorporates into the cytosol different linear single‐stranded (ss) DNA molecules shorter than genome‐length; (ii) the SsbA‐DprA mediator loads RecA onto any fragmented linear SPP1 ssDNA, but negative modulators (RecX and RecU) promote a net RecA disassembly from these ssDNAs not homologous to the host genome; (iii) single strand annealing (SSA) proteins, DprA and RecO, anneal the SsbA‐ or SsbB‐coated complementary strands, yielding tailed SPP1 duplex intermediates; (iv) RecA polymerized on these tailed intermediates invades a homologous region in another incomplete molecule, and in concert with RecD2 helicase, reconstitutes a complete linear phage genome with redundant regions at the ends of the molecule; and (v) DprA, RecO or viral G35P SSA, may catalyze the annealing of these terminally redundant regions, alone or with the help of an exonuclease, to produce a circular unit‐length duplex viral genome ready to initiate replication.
‘Failure in the air’: activist narratives, in‐group story‐telling, and keeping political possibility alive in Lebanon
Authors: Musallam Fuad
Published: December 2019

Failure is often taken as an endpoint: anathema to political organizing and the death knell of social movements. To the degree that radical movements themselves dwell on failure, participants often consider the focus pathological. This article explores how, in the aftermath of the falling apart of long‐term initiatives, Lebanese political activists were able to maintain their capacity to engage in transformative action. At a time when activists felt ‘failure in the air’, narrating prior political experiences communally, in formal and informal contexts, became crucial to (re)imagining one another as activists. Such stories narrated failure to compel collective action in the future, making failure itself a political resource; not the end, but a beginning. Throughout, this article engages in an affirmative anthropology that keeps alive the costs of failure even as it shows how radical political actors generate their capacity to act and their potential to imagine otherwise.
Enhanced extraction of hydroxyapatite from bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) scales using deep eutectic solvent
Authors: Liu Yanhong , Li Jia , Wang Dezhen , Yang Fei , Zhang Lingling , Ji Shuhuan , Wang Shuo
Published: December 2019

Fish‐scale waste is rich in biocompatible hydroxyapatite (HAp). In the present study, an environmentally friendly method of extracting HAp from fish‐scale waste was developed in an effort to promote environmental sustainability. Deep eutectic solvents (choline chloride/glycerol, 1/2) were used to extract HAp from bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) scales. A relatively high extraction rate of 47.67% ± 1.81% was obtained under optimum conditions (70 °C, a solid/liquid ratio of 1/15 g/g and a 2.5 hr extraction time). The obtained HAp was characterized and its purity was determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction, respectively. The chemical composition was performed by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy. Its morphology and particle size were observed using scanning electron microscopy and particle size distribution analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine its thermal stability. Blood compatibility was determined using a hemolytic test. The results showed that this extraction yielded HAp with the irregular morphology, the higher Ca/P ratio, good thermal stability, and blood compatibility, indicating that the proposed method is an excellent alternative for the improved utilization of fish scale waste.

Practical Application

Biocompatible hydroxyapatite (HAp) was extracted from fish scale (FS) waste by using an environmentally friendly deep eutectic solvent. The optimized extraction and structure characterization of extracted HAp were investigated in this study. The results showed that the extracted HAp had the irregular morphology, the higher Ca/P ratio, good thermal stability, and blood compatibility, which indicated that the proposed method was an excellent alternative to improving the utilization of FS waste.
Genotoxicological safety assessment of puree‐only edible films from onion bulb (Allium cepa L.) for use in food packaging‐related applications
Authors: Barreto Mariana Rodrigues , Aleixo Nadia Andrade , Silvestre Rafaela Baldassari , Fregonezi Nathália Ferreira , Barud Hernane da Silva , Dias Diógenes dos Santos , Ribeiro Clovis Augusto , Resende Flávia Aparecida
Published: December 2019

The production of films and coatings from onion (Allium cepa L.) to be applied as packaging is attractive, due to its high nutritional and therapeutic value. Also, it can collaborate to minimize environmental impacts caused by the improper disposal of products made from plastics. However, despite it being an innovative and novel proposal, onion films for the development of edible packaging should be evaluated before being considered nontoxic and safe for human consumption. Thus, the objective of the present study was to elucidate the cytotoxic and mutagenic profile of eluates of polymer films of Allium cepa L. obtained by the casting process and to verify their safety for commercial purposes. The analysis of cellular viability demonstrated greater cytotoxicity for unwashed hydrothermally treated pulp (HTP) than for films of washed hydrothermally treated pulp (W‐HTP). Regarding the mutagenic activity, the HTP and W‐HTP films were not able to statistically increase the frequencies of the biomarkers for chromosome damage (micronucleus test) at the tested concentrations. However, the HTP films showed signs of mutagenicity in the Ames test (gene mutations), suggesting caution in their use. The detection of genotoxicity is highly recommended in order to avoid the risk of genotoxic exposure to mutagens and carcinogens. In conclusion, the absence of mutagenicity and cytotoxicity observed in this study is extremely relevant, because it provides support for toxicogenic properties of the Allium cepa films with promising applicability in the food industry.

Practical Application

The bioplastics made from onion bulbs are multifunctional materials, which requires safety profile assessment. The results of the mutagenicity and cytotoxicity tests suggests that especially the W‐HTP films are harmless, supporting at the first level of evidence, its safety potential to be used in the food industry (food films), biodegradable packaging, and biomaterials (substrates for drug delivery system).
Are cerebral ischaemic complications more likely to occur in elderly patients undergoing transradial non‐coronary intervention: A single‐centre retrospective review
Authors: Huang Ivan Kuang Hsin , Tan Ray Yueh , Kwan Justin , Lim Gavin Hock Tai , Quek Lawrence Han Hwee , Pua Uei
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Transradial artery access (TRA) is an established technique employed by interventional cardiologists for diagnostic and therapeutic coronary interventions. The use of TRA has gained increasing traction amongst interventional radiologists in recent years. In transradial, non‐coronary interventions, the aorta has to be traversed. With increasing age, atherosclerotic changes in the aorta posed a theoretical risk of catheter‐related emboli. Currently, there is limited literature available on the cerebral ischaemic complication rates in transradial non‐coronary interventions.

Methods

Between November 2015 and December 2017, 150 transradial non‐coronary interventions were performed on 95 patients. Intra‐procedural, in‐hospital, 30‐day and 6‐month complications (ischaemic stroke, transient ischaemic attack and death, and minor complications, such as puncture site haematoma, pseudoaneurysm, thrombosis, dissection and perforation) were compared between the two age groups (≤65 and >65 years old).

Results

The patients were predominantly male (87.0%) with age ≤65 (N = 69; 46.0%) and age >65 (N = 81; 54.0%). There were no ischaemic strokes at all time points in both groups, except for one case of ischaemic stroke at 6 months in the age ≤65 group(1.4% vs. 0.0%; P = 0.462). On multivariable analysis, age >65 was associated with lower in‐hospital death rates (OR 0.251; 95% CI 0.013–3.09), at 30 days (OR 0.608; 95% CI 0.77–4.805) and at 6 months (OR 0.514; 95% CI 0.169–1.558) with no deaths intra‐procedurally in both groups. Minor complications include puncture site grade I haematoma formation (2.9% vs. 2.5%; P = 0.999) and pseudoaneurysm (2.9% vs. 0.0%; P = 0.210). In our study, the overall major and minor complications rates are low and no statistically significant difference exists between the two groups.

Conclusion

Transradial non‐coronary interventions are safe in elderly patients, who are likely to have more atherosclerotic disease of the aorta. Of note, no complication of ischaemic strokes within 30 days of the procedure is documented in all patients.
The Identity, Fungibility and Anonymity of Money
Authors: Berg Alastair
Published: December 2019

The fungibility of money is a characteristic which contributes to thequalityof money. Fungibleness is itself related to the technical ability to associate a unit of currency with its past instances of exchange. This history is analogous to the identity of money. The identity of an individual unit of exchange is increasingly important as cash becomes less common, and banks require more information about the provenance of money. Private currencies, including Bitcoin and Libra, are themselves subject to tracking. The prior financial – and potentially political – activities of a user determine the fungibility of the currency they hold. Different money technologies provide varied levels of privacy, while cryptocurrencies offer users the potential to choose the level of information they share.
Surgical recurrence of solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura treated with microwave (MW) thermoablation: A case report
Authors: Fiore Francesco , Stoia Vincenzo , Somma Francesco
Published: December 2019

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the pleura is a rare neoplasm which is challenging for clinicians to treat and radiologists to diagnose. Herein, we report a case of recurrence of SFT of the pleura in a 77‐year‐old patient which was diagnosed and surgically treated on the first occasion in 2005. The patient had a recurrence in 2016 which was treated and then six months later, he again experienced chest pain and a further local recurrence was found. Taking into consideration the age and comorbidities of the patient, CT‐guided percutaneous microwave‐thermal ablation was preferrable to surgery and a safe and highly effective local ablative technique with few side‐effects.
Is there an association between Vice‐Chancellors’ compensation and external performance measures?
Authors: Bugeja Martin , Govendir Brett , Matolcsy Zoltan , Pazmandy Greg
Published: December 2019

We provide evidence on the pay for performance relation between Australian university Vice Chancellors’ compensation and independent measures of university teaching, research and other performance indicators provided by external ranking bodies. Our results show limited association between university rankings and Vice Chancellors’ compensation, but confirm that Vice Chancellors’ compensation is predominantly driven by size measures based on the different components of revenue. Further, we find that few universities offer performance‐based bonus payments. Our results are robust with respect to a number of sensitivity tests.
Genetic and environmental factors in the trade‐off between sexual and asexual reproduction of a rare clonal angiosperm
Authors: Hewitt Alison
Published: December 2019

Understanding the factors that influence the trade‐off between flowering and clonal growth in angiosperms is of great interest to botanists, plant ecologists and evolutionary biologists. Being able, ultimately, to manipulate these factors has potentially wide‐ranging applications in conservation biology, horticulture and agriculture. A rare, native Australian species,Melaleuca deanei, displays a low frequency of flowering and failed seedling recruitment, with persistence and expansion in the field predominantly via clonal root suckering. A decade of studies into its reproductive biology and ecology reveal both genetic and environmental factors reducing sexual success within its populations. Five factors influencing the trade‐off from sexual reproduction to clonal propagation are distilled and discussed in this work: 1. environmental constraint on sexual success; 2. small population size/low mate availability; 3. an obligate outcrossing breeding system; 4. somatic mutations in older clones; and 5. phylogenetic constraint. The work is potentially informative to the life cycles and management of other clonal angiosperms, be they rare and endangered; highly fecund weedy species; or economically important species. Methods to test each factor in future studies are proposed.
Applicability of the social identity model of collective action in predicting support for interreligious violence in Indonesia
Authors: Setiawan Tery , Scheepers Peer , Sterkens Carl
Published: December 2019

To what extent does religious identification promote collective efficacy and perceived injustice that contribute to explain support for interreligious violence in Indonesia? This overarching research question is inspired by theoretical insights starting from social identity theory, and noticeably enriched by collective action theories. We use high‐quality data of 1,995 randomly selected individuals (Muslims and Christians) from across the Indonesian archipelago to investigate the mediating effects of perceived injustice and collective efficacy on the relationship between religiosity and support for interreligious violence. We also improve upon previous research with an elaborate measure of religiosity (beliefs, practice, and salience). Our structural equation modelling analysis reveals that collective efficacy significantly mediates the relationship between the religiosity dimensions and support for interreligious violence. Moreover, on average, the Muslim community has a higher level of collective efficacy, as compared to the Christian community, which positively affects the relationship between most religiosity dimensions and support for interreligious violence. An interesting finding is that in the Christian community, salience is overall negatively related to collective efficacy, which then negatively affects support for interreligious violence. These results provide novel empirical insights on the role of religious identity in interreligious conflicts in the South Asian context, especially Indonesia.
Parents of extremely and moderately preterm children reported long‐lasting impressions of medical care and the hospital environment
Authors: Widding Ulrika , Hägglöf Bruno , Adamsson Marie , Farooqi Aijaz
Published: December 2019

Aim

Few studies have examined the parents of moderately preterm children. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of parents of both extremely and moderately preterm children.

Methods

Qualitative telephone interviews were conducted in 2013‐2014 with 13 mothers and 10 fathers of extremely preterm children and with 11 mothers and seven fathers of moderately preterm children. The children were born between 2000 and 2003. Data were analysed with a narrative approach.

Results

Parents of extremely preterm children recounted dramatic birth stories that, for most, ended positively. Parents of moderately preterm children presented more neutral birth stories, and most recounted that their children did not receive attention for prematurity from medical staff. Parents from both groups described staff members’ treatment in terms of long‐lasting impressions, and they were deeply affected by the hospital environment and the other parents and children admitted. Parents whose children died or were disabled recounted dramatic stories and endless fights for support.

Conclusion

Parents from both groups reported long‐lasting impressions of the medical staff and the hospital environment, which they found important to talk about, even a decade after the birth of their child/children.
The development of a test battery to assess the hand–eye functions relevant in predicting easy and accurate tablet subdivision in older people: A pilot study
Authors: van Riet–Nales Diana , Donkerbroek Linda , Nicia Agnes , Oussoren Christien , de Boer Anthonius , van den Bemt Bart
Published: December 2019

Aims

Tablets may be subdivided for dose adaptations or to ease swallowing. The handling is common in older patients but can be difficult and inaccurate. Currently, it is not known which hand–eye functions determine the ability of older people to break tablets by hand and to do so with acceptable ease and accuracy. The aim of this study was to develop a test battery to assess the hand–eye functions relevant in predicting easy and accurate tablet subdivision in older people.

Methods

A mixed methods study was conducted including literature reviews and a pilot experiment. The reviews were conducted in Pubmed, Google Scholar, Dutch journals and professional standards. The first review tried to identify the hand–eye functions relevant to tablet subdivision and the second the associated measuring instruments, testing protocols and normative data. A test battery was empanelled. A pilot experiment was conducted in 30 adult volunteers to optimize and evaluate the test battery.

Results

Five domains were considered relevant: hand size, hand strength, flexibility/manual dexterity, vision and coordination. Hand size could best be measured by finger circumference, hand strength by pinch‐ and grip strength, flexibility by active range of joint motion, manual dexterity (and flexibility, coordination, cognition, vision) by pegboard function, vision by near visual acuity. Older people preferred the use of tablet splitters over hand breaking.

Conclusion

Easy and accurate tablet subdivision is essential to the good use of medicines. We developed a test battery for older people, but probably of value to all age groups.
Smoking, blood cells and myeloproliferative neoplasms: meta‐analysis and Mendelian randomization of 2·3 million people
Authors: Jayasuriya Nimesh A. , Kjaergaard Alisa D. , Pedersen Kasper M. , Sørensen Anders L. , Bak Marie , Larsen Morten K. , Nordestgaard Børge G. , Bojesen Stig E. , Çolak Yunus , Skov Vibe , Kjær Lasse , Tolstrup Janne S. , Hasselbalch Hans C. , Ellervik Christina
Published: December 2019

Meta‐analyses and Mendelian randomization (MR) may clarify the associations of smoking, blood cells and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). We investigated the association of smoking with blood cells in the Danish General Suburban Population Study (GESUS, n = 11 083), by meta‐analyses (including GESUS) of 92 studies (n = 531 741) and MR of smoking variant CHRNA3 (rs1051730[A]) in UK Biobank, and with MPN in a meta‐analysis of six studies (n (total/cases):1 425 529/2187), totalling 2 307 745 participants. In the meta‐analysis the random‐effects standardized mean difference (SMD) in current smokers versus non‐smokers was 0·82 (0·75–0·89, P = 2·0 * 10−108) for leukocytes, 0·09 (−0·02 to 0·21, P = 0·12) for erythrocytes, 0·53 (0·42–0·64, P = 8·0 * 10−22) for haematocrit, 0·42 (0·34–0·51, P = 7·1 * 10−21) for haemoglobin, 0·19 (0·08–0·31, P = 1·2 * 10−3) for mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), 0·29 (0·19–0·39, P = 1·6 * 10−8) for mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and 0·04 (−0·04 to 0·13, P = 0·34) for platelets with trends for ever/ex‐/current smokers, light/heavy smokers and female/male smokers. Analyses presented high heterogeneity but low publication bias. Per allele in CHRNA3, cigarettes per day in current smokers was associated with increased blood cell counts (leukocytes, neutrophils), MCH, red cell distribution width (RDW) and MCV. The pooled fixed‐effects odds ratio for MPN was 1·44 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1·33–1·56; P = 1·8 * 10−19; I2 = 0%] in current smokers, 1·29 (1·15–1·44; P = 8·0 * 10−6; I2 = 0%) in ex‐smokers, 1·49 (1·26–1·77; P = 4·4 * 10−6; I2 = 0%) in light smokers and 2·04 (1·74–2·39, P = 2·3 * 10−18; I2 = 51%) in heavy smokers compared with non‐smokers. Smoking is observationally and genetically associated with increased leukocyte counts and red blood cell indices (MCH, MCV, RDW) and observationally with risk of MPN in current and ex‐smokers versus non/never‐smokers.
Reasoned and implicit processes in heavy episodic drinking: An integrated dual‐process model
Authors: Hamilton Kyra , Gibbs Isabelle , Keech Jacob J. , Hagger Martin S.
Published: December 2019

Objectives

University students commonly engage in heavy episodic drinking (HED), which contributes to injury risk, deleterious educational outcomes, and economic costs. Identification of the determinants of this risky behaviour may provide formative evidence on which to base effective interventions to curb HED in this population. Drawing from theories of social cognition and dual‐process models, this study tested key hypotheses relating to reasoned and implicit pathways to action for HED in a sample of Australian university students who drink alcohol.

Design

A two‐wave correlational design was adopted.

Methods

Students (N = 204) completed self‐reported constructs from social cognition theories with respect to HED at an initial time point (T1): attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, intentions, habit, past behaviour, and implicit alcohol identity. Four weeks later (T2), students self‐reported their HED behaviour and habit.

Results

An initial path model indicated attitude and subjective norm predicted intentions, and intentions and implicit alcohol identity predicted HED. Inclusion of past behaviour and habit revealed direct effects of these on HED. Effects of T1 habit on HED were indirect through T2 habit, and there were indirect effects of past behaviour on HED through habit at both time points and the social cognition constructs. Direct effects of intentions and implicit alcohol identity, and indirect effects of attitude and subjective norm, on HED, were attenuated by the inclusion of past behaviour and habit.

Conclusion

Results indicate that university students’ HED tends to be governed by non‐conscious, automatic processes than conscious, intentional processes.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Social cognitive factors are associated with risky alcohol consumption behaviours.

Dual‐process models are being used to explain health behaviours, such as heavy episodic drinking (HED).

What does this study add?

Past HED behaviour and HED habits have direct and indirect effects on students’ HED behaviour.

Past behaviour and habit attenuate the effects of intentions and implicit alcohol identity on HED.
CD74 knockout protects against LPS‐induced myocardial contractile dysfunction through AMPK‐Skp2‐SUV39H1‐mediated demethylation of BCLB
Authors: Luo Yuanfei , Fan Congcong , Yang Mingjie , Dong Maolong , Bucala Richard , Pei Zhaohui , Zhang Yingmei , Ren Jun
Published: December 2019

Background and Purpose

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), an outer membrane component of Gram‐negative bacteria, triggers myocardial anomalies in sepsis. Recent findings indicated a role for inflammatory cytokine MIF and its receptor, CD74, in septic organ injury, although little is known of the role of MIF‐CD74 in septic cardiomyopathy.

Experimental Approach

This study evaluated the impact of CD74 ablation on endotoxaemia‐induced cardiac anomalies. Echocardiographic, cardiomyocyte contractile and intracellular Ca2+ properties were examined.

Key Results

Our data revealed compromised cardiac function (lower fractional shortening, enlarged LV end systolic diameter, decreased peak shortening, maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening, prolonged duration of relengthening and intracellular Ca2+ mishandling) and ultrastructural derangement associated with inflammation, O2− production, apoptosis, excess autophagy, phosphorylation of AMPK and JNK and dampened mTOR phosphorylation. These effects were attenuated or mitigated by CD74 knockout. LPS challenge also down‐regulated Skp2, an F‐box component of Skp1/Cullin/F‐box protein‐type ubiquitin ligase, while up‐regulating that of SUV39H1 and H3K9 methylation of the Bcl2 protein BCLB. These effects were reversed by CD74 ablation. In vitro study revealed that LPS facilitated GFP‐LC3B formation and cardiomyocyte defects. These effects were prevented by CD74 ablation. Interestingly, the AMPK activator AICAR, the autophagy inducer rapamycin and the demethylation inhibitor difenoconazole inhibited the effects of CD74 ablation against LPS‐induced cardiac dysfunction, while the SUV39H1 inhibitor chaetocin or methylation inhibitor 5‐AzaC ameliorated LPS‐induced GFP‐LC3B formation and cardiomyocyte contractile dysfunction.

Conclusion and Implications

Our data suggested that CD74 ablation protected against LPS‐induced cardiac anomalies, O2− production, inflammation and apoptosis through suppression of autophagy in a Skp2‐SUV39H1‐mediated mechanism.
Thyroid function abnormalities and thyroid autoantibodies in Danish pregnant women
Authors: Knøsgaard Louise , Andersen Stig , Hansen Annebirthe Bo , Vestergaard Peter , Andersen Stine Linding
Published: December 2019

Objective

Abnormal thyroid function in pregnant women is a matter of concern. Knowledge on the occurrence of known and unidentified thyroid function abnormalities in a large unselected cohort of pregnant women is warranted as part of the debate on benefits and risks of routine testing.

Design

Cohort study.

Participants

A total of 14 323 pregnant women in the North Denmark Region, who had a blood sample drawn as part of the prenatal screening program in early pregnancy (2011‐2015).

Measurements

TSH, free thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies were measured in the stored blood samples using an automatic immunoassay (ADVIA Centaur XPT, Siemens Healthineers). Cohort‐, method‐ and week‐specific reference ranges were used for classification of maternal thyroid function, and a cut‐off of 60 U/mL was used for thyroid autoantibodies. Information in Danish nationwide registers was used to identify diagnosed and treated maternal thyroid disease.

Results

Overall, 15.2% had thyroid function abnormalities in the early pregnancy and 14.9% were thyroid peroxidase and/or thyroglobulin antibody positive. Among women with known thyroid disease (n = 365), the frequency of abnormal thyroid function was 45.7%, and 62.8% in women (n = 172) who received current treatment in the pregnancy. When maternal thyroid disease was diagnosed in the years following pregnancy (n = 313), 46.7% had abnormal thyroid function and 54.3% were thyroid peroxidase and/or thyroglobulin antibody positive in the early pregnancy.

Conclusion

Thyroid function abnormalities and thyroid autoantibodies were common in Danish pregnant women, particularly in women with known or later diagnosed thyroid disease, which raises concern about inadequately treated and unidentified abnormal thyroid function.
Multi‐Segment Foot for Human Modelling and Simulation
Authors: Park Hwangpil , Yu Ri , Lee Jehee
Published: December 2019

Realistic modelling of a human‐like character is one of the main topics in computer graphics to simulate human motion physically and also look realistically. Of the body parts, a human foot interacts with the ground, and plays an essential role in weight transmission, balancing posture and assisting ambulation. However, in the previous researches, the foot model was often simplified into one or two rigid bodies connected by a revolute joint. We propose a new foot model consisting of multiple segments to reproduce human foot shape and its functionality accurately. Based on the new model, we develop a foot pose controller that can reproduce foot postures that are generally not obtained in motion capture data. We demonstrate the validity of our foot model and the effectiveness of our foot controller with a variety of foot motions in a physics‐based simulation.