bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taxonomic revision of the Australian species of Australatya Chace 1983 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae), and the description of a new species
Authors: CHOY SATISH , PAGE TIMOTHY J. , MOS BENJAMIN
Published: December 2019

A morphological and genetic study of both newly collected and museum specimens of the east Australian freshwater shrimp genus Australatya indicates two genotypes and three morphotypes are present. One genotype and morphotype were of the known species, Australatya striolata (McCulloch & McNeill 1923). The second genotype, comprising two morphotypes, is now described as a new species, Australatya hawkei sp. nov.. All Australian Australatya species and morphotypes currently have allopatric distributions. Australatya striolata is widespread along the south–eastern Australian seaboard, from Genoa River in Victoria to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. The ‘southern’ morphotype of Australatya hawkei sp. nov. occurs in north Queensland, from near Mackay to about Cooktown, and its ‘northern’ morphotype is found on Cape York Peninsula, north from about Coen to the Iron Range, just north of Lockhart River. The once monotypic genus now includes two Australian species, Australatya striolata and A. hawkei sp. nov., and a third, A. obscura, recently described from Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
The Plecoptera of Panama. IV. Description of the last nymphal instar for two species of Anacroneuria Klapálek (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from the Caldera River, Chiriquí, Panamá
Authors: SÁNCHEZ KAYLA N. CASTILLO , AGUIRRE YUSSEFF P. E , GONZÁLEZ TOMÁS A. RÍOS , VEGA JUAN A. BERNAL
Published: December 2019

The last nymphal instars of Anacroneuria planicollis Klapálek, 1923 and A. quetzali Gutiérrez-Fonseca and Springer, 2015 are described from the Caldera River, Chiriquí Province, Panamá. The adult female of A. quetzali is associated for the first time and described also from the Caldera River, Chiriquí Province, Panamá.
Contribution to the knowledge on the genus Barsine Walker, 1854 from mainland China and Indochina, with description of a new species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini)
Authors: HUANG SI-YAO , VOLYNKIN ANTON V. , ČERNÝ KAREL , WANG MIN , FAN XIAO-LING
Published: December 2019

A new species of the genus Barsine, viz. Barsine fangchenglaiae Huang, Volynkin, Černý & Wang sp. nov. from SW China, N Thailand and N Vietnam is described. The following six taxa are confirmed as new records to China: B. pretiosa Moore, 1879, B. defecta defecta Walker, 1854, B. gratissima (de Joannis, 1930), B. flammealis Moore, 1878, B. mactans Butler, 1877 and Barsine vinhphucensis Spitsyn et al., 2018. The new synonymy is established: Barsine pretiosa Moore, 1879 = Barsine pseudomactans Volynkin & Černý, 2016, syn. nov. Adults and genitalia of all species aforementioned are illustrated.
A review of genus Agriocnemis larva (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) from Thailand including a description of the final stadium larva of Agriocnemis minima Selys, 1877 with supporting molecular (COI) data
Authors: SAETUNG TOSAPHOL , BOONSOONG BOONSATIEN
Published: December 2019

The larva of Agriocnemis minima Selys, 1879 is described and illustrated for the first time, based on reared specimens collected from Thailand. Selected larvae of Agrioncnemis Selys, 1877 were matched with their adults by DNA barcoding. The mitochondrial COI gene (658 bp) of three species (A. minima, A. femina femina (Brauer, 1868), and A. pygmaea (Rambur, 1842)) occurring in Thailand was analysed to confirm the species identification and to determine the association between the larva and adult stages. The larva of A. minima can be distinguished from known species by the following combination of characteristics: 1) long simple setae on the antennomeres I and II, 2) protrusion of the male cerci as long as 0.5× the S10, and 3) tufts of spiniform setae on the lateral occiput margin and on the ventral view of the compound eyes. Comparisons to known larvae of Agriocnemis and those of some other subfamily Agriocnemidinae members are also provided.
Simulation and synthesis of silver dendritic nanostructures for surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Oladele Olabode , Chen Chen , Yan Fei , Vlahovic Branislav , Tang Yongan
Published: December 2019

Silver dendritic nanostructures (AgD) is investigated for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with simulation and experiments, the simulations showed that there is a significant absorbance over a broad spectrum from the AgD, this indicated that AgD is a good candidate for SERS.
The simulations helped to study the parameters of the AgD that affects the SERS and we applied these simulation results for experimental designs, in which our experimental results of synthesis and characterization results of Raman spectrum showed consistence with the simulation results. These
simulation results are very helpful in deciding the experimental parameters for efficient and effective synthesizing and reproduction of hierarchical silver dendritic nanostructure. The AgD were produced using displacement redox reaction between AgNO3 solution and Copper foil. We
found that the concentration of AgNO3 played major role on the rate of reaction, and the rapid growth of the silver nanostructures was observed as the reaction time increases. The structural and morphological evolution of silver dendrites was examined with Scanning Electron Microscope
(SEM). The Raman enhancement of AgDs was evaluated using Elman's reagent (DTNB) and Rhodamine 6G (R6G). The silver dendrites have great potential for diverse sensing applications ranging from food safety control, environmental monitoring and assessment, forensic investigation, and to medical
diagnosis.
Seasonal Dependence of Cold Surges and their Interaction with the Madden–Julian Oscillation over Southeast Asia
Authors: Xavier Prince , Lim See Yee , Ammar Bin Abdullah Muhammad Firdaus , Bala Michael , Chenoli Sheeba Nettukandy , Handayani Asteria S. , Marzin Charline , Permana Donaldi , Tangang Fredolin , Williams Keith D. , Yik Diong Jeong
Published: December 2019

Northeasterly cold surges strongly influence the rainfall patterns over the Malay Peninsula during the northeast monsoon season. This study looks at the changes in the cold surges and Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) characteristics through the northeast monsoon season and their interaction. Nearly 75% of the cold surge events tend to cross the equator around the Java Sea area (100°–110°E) in February–March with drier conditions prevailing over the Malay Peninsula and increased rainfall over Java. Both the cold surges and the MJO undergo seasonal variations with well-defined regional features. Wavelet analysis shows that MJO amplitude and high-frequency rainfall variations over Southeast Asia peak in November–December. MJO amplitude is suppressed during February and March. This is linked to the high-frequency surges of meridional winds that are prominent during the early part of the season, but February–March is dominated by low-frequency (~20–90 days) cross-equatorial monsoon flow. These prolonged periods of strong meridional flow at the equator interact with the MJO both dynamically and thermodynamically and act as a barrier for convection from propagating from the Indian Ocean to the Maritime Continent (MC). These interactions may have implications for weather and seasonal forecasting over the region. An evaluation of the properties of cold surges and their interaction with the seasonal cycle in the Met Office Unified Model is performed. The atmosphere–ocean coupled model performs better in representing the pattern of influence of the cold surges despite the biases in intensity and spatial distribution of rainfall extremes. These diagnostics are presented with the aim of developing a set of model evaluation metrics for global and regional models.
Pasquino avvocato. Vincenzo Talarico e il cinema
Authors: Vignati Rinaldo
Published: December 2019

L’attività degli sceneggiatori è raramente sottoposta a un’analisi mirante a individuarne un profilo “autoriale” che, come viene abitualmente fatto per i registi, ne metta in luce stilemi ricorrenti e interessi tematici. L’articolo si propone di esaminare l'attività di sceneggiatore di Vincenzo Talarico. II tratto caratteristico di questo giornalista e scrittore è identificato nel contrasto fra l’attrazione per la retorica e l’atteggiamento sarcastico nei confronti della retorica, e quindi nella volontà di demolire con l'ironia le maschere pubbliche che coprono i vizi privati degli individui. Tale contrasto può essere sintetizzato da un lato dalle sue comparse, in qualità di interprete, in vari film nei quali si è calato nella parte di un avvocato dall’eloquio ampolloso e dai gesti enfatici, e dall’altro nella frequente presenza, nei film da lui sceneggiati, di scene in cui un discorso celebrativo e retorico viene continuamente interrotto, oppure contrappuntato da commenti sarcastici. Talarico, che Indro Montanelli definisce “specializzato nell’arte di mormorare”, ha spesso collaborato alla scrittura di film in cui venivano prese di mira le pose monumentali del fascismo. Anche nelle opere “di genere” (film comici, melodrammi) a cui ha collaborato si ravvisa la presenza di simili contrappunti. I film a cui ha partecipato prevedono spesso lo smascheramento di personaggio dotati di una doppia faccia. L'articolo esamina dettagliatamente le collaborazioni cinematografiche di Talarico, mettendole a confronto con alcuni testi letterari dello stesso autore (in particolare, le pagine su Tersite nel testo Pasquino insanguinato forniscono una guida per la lettura del suo percorso). L’articolo – che prende in esame anche alcuni testi inediti – intende quindi contribuire a far emergere legami tra film che gli approcci tradizionali, incentrati sul regista o sui generi, tendono a lasciare in ombra.
Accuracy and Consistency of Letter Formation in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder
Authors: Prunty Mellissa , Barnett Anna L.
Published: December 2019

Handwriting difficulties are frequently mentioned in descriptions of developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Recent studies have shown that children with DCD pause more and produce less text than typically developing (TD) peers. This temporal dysfluency indicates a lack of automaticity in handwriting production. One possible contributing factor is the accuracy and consistency of letter formation. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of handwriting dysfluency by examining the accuracy and consistency of letter production both within and across different writing tasks. A total of 28 children aged 8 to 15 years with DCD participated in the study with 28 TD age- and gender-matched control participants. They completed the alphabet writing and copy fast tasks from The Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting on a digitizing writing tablet. The accuracy and consistency of letter production were examined. The DCD group had a higher percentage of errors within their letterforms than did the TD peers. Letter production was also less consistent between tasks. Children with DCD appear to have difficulties with the “allograph” (motor program) aspect of handwriting and may require explicit teaching of letter formation.
Tetrahydropalmatine has a therapeutic effect in a lipopolysaccharide-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation model
Authors: Zhi Lin , Yang Shangqi , Chen Jiekun , Lu Yuli , Chen Jiahong , Qin Zixi , Tang Xiao-Mei
Published: December 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic effects of tetrahydropalmatine (Tet) on disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) by exploring the role of Tet using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced DIC model. Methods/Materials: We established a mouse DIC model by injecting LPS. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to detect liver and kidney damage. Blood samples were obtained to determine liver and kidney injury indexes, coagulation indexes, and inflammatory cytokines. An in vitro cell inflammation model was also established. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway activation were determined by western blot.

Result

Tet ameliorated the damage to organ tissues, improved coagulation indexes, and reduced the inflammatory cytokine production in LPS-induced mouse DIC. Tet also inhibited TNF-α expression by suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway activation in an in vitro LPS model using RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Conclusions

Tet has a mitigating and therapeutic effect on the LPS-induced DIC model via anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory effects, showing its potential as an adjunct to DIC treatment.
Piezoelectric transducer design for an ultrasonic scalpel with enhanced dexterity for minimally invasive surgical robots
Authors: Li Jianmin , Liu Haikuan , Li Jinhua , Yang Yingkan , Wang Shuxin
Published: December 2019

Ultrasonic scalpel offers the advantages of reliable and simultaneous vessel cutting and sealing and provide self-cleaning capacity with less thermal damage and smoke. However, the current long, straight, and rigid ultrasonic scalpels have limited degrees of freedom, which restricts the operation dexterity of the minimally invasive surgical robot. To address such problem, a novel design of a minimized piezoelectric transducer that can be integrated at the distal end of a multi-degrees of freedom robotic instrument, has been proposed and implemented in the work. This concept can take full advantage of ultrasonic scalpels while guaranteeing the dexterity of the sufficient robotic operation. By employing the electromechanical equivalent method, the initial dimensional parameters of the ultrasonic transducers have been calculated. The optimal transducer design has been achieved by utilizing the proposed optimization method, which is based on finite element method, design of experiment, response surface method, and multi-objective genetic algorithm. The transducer prototype was manufactured, and its dynamic characteristics were further investigated by using impedance analyzer. The results reveal that the actual features of the transducer closely match the finite element method-based simulation results. In-vitro experiments have been performed to show that the vibration amplitude and frequency can meet the requirements for dissection and coagulation of tissues.
Implementing target range oxygen in critical care: A quality improvement pilot study
Authors: Heartshorne Rosie , Cardell Jenna , O'Driscoll Ronan , Fudge Tim , Dark Paul
Published: December 2019

Background

Iatrogenic hyperoxaemia is common on critical care units and has been associated with increased mortality. We commenced a quality improvement pilot study to analyse the views and practice of critical care staff regarding oxygen therapy and to change practice to ensure that all patients have a prescribed target oxygen saturation range.

Methods

A baseline measurement of oxygen target range prescribing was undertaken alongside a survey of staff attitudes. We then commenced a programme of change, widely promoting an agreed oxygen target range prescribing policy. The analyses of target range prescribing and staff survey were repeated four to five months later.

Results

Thirty-three staff members completed the baseline survey, compared to 29 in the follow-up survey. There was no discernible change in staff attitudes towards oxygen target range prescribing. Fifty-four patients were included in the baseline survey and 124 patients were assessed post implementation of changes. The proportion of patients with an oxygen prescription with a target range improved from 85% to 95% (χ2 = 5.17, p = 0.02) and the proportion of patients with an appropriate prescribed target saturation range increased from 85% to 91% (χ2 = 1.4, p = 0.24). The improvement in target range prescribing was maintained at 96% 12 months later.

Conclusions

The introduction and promotion of a structured protocol for oxygen prescribing were associated with a sustained increase in the proportion of patients with a prescribed oxygen target range on this unit.
Myocardial infarction and peripheral arterial disease: Treatment patterns and long-term outcome in men and women results from a Swedish nationwide study
Authors: Sigvant B , Hasvold P , Thuresson M , Jernberg T , Janzon M , Nordanstig J
Published: December 2019

Background

Differences in comorbidity, pharmacotherapy, cardiovascular (CV) outcome, and mortality between myocardial infarction (MI) patients and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients are not well documented.

Aim

The aim of this study was to compare comorbidity, treatment patterns, CV outcome, and mortality in MI and PAD patients, focusing on sex differences.

Methods

This observational, population-based study used data retrieved from mandatory Swedish national registries. The risks of MI and death were assessed by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Secondary preventive drug use was characterized. Cox proportional risk hazard modelling was used to determine the risk of specific events.

Results

Overall, 91,808 incident MI patients and 52,408 PAD patients were included. CV mortality for MI patients at 12, 24, and 36 months after index was 12.3%, 19.3%, and 25.4%, and for PAD patients it was 15.5%, 23.4%, and 31.0%. At index, 89% of MI patients and 65% of PAD patients used aspirin and 74% and 53%, respectively, used statins. Unlike MI women, women with PAD had a lower rate of other CV-related comorbidities and a lower risk of CV events (age-adjusted hazard ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.79‒0.84), CV death (0.78, 0.75‒0.82), and all-cause death (0.78, 0.76‒0.80) than their PAD male counterparts.

Conclusion

PAD patients were less intensively treated and had a higher CV mortality than MI patients. Women with PAD were less likely than men to present with established polyvascular disease, whereas the opposite was true of women with MI. This result indicates that the lower-limb vasculature may more often be the index site for atherosclerosis in women.
Teriparatide improves pain-related behavior and prevents bone loss in ovariectomized mice
Authors: Kato Sho , Wakabayashi Hiroki , Nakagawa Taro , Miyamura Gaku , Naito Yohei , Iino Takahiro , Sudo Akihiro
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to examine the inhibitory effect of teriparatide (TPTD) on pain and on bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. The mechanism of osteoporotic pain in OVX mice was evaluated through an examination of pain-related behavior as well as immunohistochemical examinations.

Methods:

Eight-week-old female ddY mice were OVX and assigned to one of three groups: (1) OVX mice treated with vehicle (OVX), (2) OVX mice treated with teriparatide (OVX-TPTD), or (3) SHAM-operated mice treated with vehicle (SHAM). Starting immediately after surgery, vehicle or TPTD was injected subcutaneously. After a 4-week treatment, mechanical sensitivity was tested using von Frey filaments. The proximal tibial metaphyses were analyzed three-dimensionally by microcomputed tomography (μCT). Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and transient receptor potential channel vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) expressions in L3–5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were examined using immunohistochemistry.

Results:

Ovariectomy induced bone loss and mechanical hyperalgesia in the hind limbs with upregulation of CGRP and TRPV1 expressions in DRG neurons innervating the hind limbs. Bone loss was prevented more effectively in the OVX-TPTD mice than in the OVX mice. Furthermore, mechanical hyperalgesia and upregulation of CGRP and TRPV1 expressions were significantly lower in the OVX-TPTD mice than in the OVX mice.

Conclusion:

TPTD treatment prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss and ovariectomy-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in hind limbs, and it suppressed CGRP and TRPV1 expressions in DRG neurons. These results suggest that TPTD is useful for the treatment of osteoporotic pain in postmenopausal women.
Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modified with Akt1 Ameliorates Acute Liver GVHD
Authors: Zhou Lukun , Liu Shuang , Wang Zhao , Yao Jianfeng , Cao Wenbin , Chen Shulian , Xie Wenjun , Feng Shuqing , Xu Yuanfu , Cheng Tao , Han Mingzhe , Feng Sizhou
Published: December 2019

Background

Liver injury associated with acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a frequent and severe complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and remains a major cause of transplant-related mortality. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) has been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for aGVHD. However, the therapeutic effects are not always achieved. In this study, we genetically engineered C57BL/6 mouse BM-MSCs with AKT1 gene and tested whether AKT1-MSCs was superior to control MSCs (Null-MSCs) for cell therapy of liver aGVHD.

Results

In vitro apoptosis analyses showed that, under both routine culture condition and high concentration interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (100ng/mL) stimulation condition, AKT1-MSCs had a survival (anti-apoptotic) advantage compared to Null-MSCs. In vivo imaging showed that AKT1-MSCs had better homing capacity and longer persistence in injured liver compared to Null-MSCs. Most importantly, AKT1-MSCs demonstrated an enhanced immunomodulatory function by releasing more immunosuppressive cytokines, such as IL-10. Adoptive transfer of AKT1-MSCs mitigated the histopathological abnormalities of concanavalin A(ConA)-induced liver injury along with significantly lowered serum levels of ALT and AST. The attenuation of liver injury correlated with the decrease of TNF-α and IFN-γ both in liver tissue and in the serum.

Conclusions

In summary, BM-MSCs genetically modified with AKT1 has a survival advantage and an enhanced immunomodulatory function both in vitro and in vivo and thus demonstrates the therapeutic potential for prevention and amelioration of liver GVHD and other immunity-associated liver injuries.
After early retirement: the variety of human-resource strategies of firms towards older employees
Authors: Brussig Martin , Leber Ute
Published: December 2019

Over the last years, the employment rate of older workers has increased sharply in Germany. Against this background, the question arose as to whether firms have contributed actively to the growing share of older employees, either by offering special human resource management (HRM) measures, such as further training (internal strategy) or by hiring older employees from the external labour market (external strategy). Our paper analyses the interrelation between both strategies. By using data from the IAB Establishment Panel, we investigate the determinants of the firms’ decision to use one or the other strategy or to combine both strategies. Our analyses show that some factors, such as firm size, experiences with older staff or a shortage of skilled workers promote the decision for both strategies. Other characteristics, in contrast, have a positive effect on one strategy only. This applies in particular to industrial relations, but also to the share of qualified workers within a company.
Benchmarking machine learning models for late-onset alzheimer’s disease prediction from genomic data
Authors: De Velasco Oriol Javier , Vallejo Edgar E. , Estrada Karol , Taméz Peña José Gerardo , Disease Neuroimaging Initiative The Alzheimer’s
Published: December 2019

Background

Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease (LOAD) is a leading form of dementia. There is no effective cure for LOAD, leaving the treatment efforts to depend on preventive cognitive therapies, which stand to benefit from the timely estimation of the risk of developing the disease. Fortunately, a growing number of Machine Learning methods that are well positioned to address this challenge are becoming available.

Results

We conducted systematic comparisons of representative Machine Learning models for predicting LOAD from genetic variation data provided by the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort. Our experimental results demonstrate that the classification performance of the best models tested yielded ∼72% of area under the ROC curve.

Conclusions

Machine learning models are promising alternatives for estimating the genetic risk of LOAD. Systematic machine learning model selection also provides the opportunity to identify new genetic markers potentially associated with the disease.
3D shape analyses of extant primate and fossil hominin vertebrae support the ancestral shape hypothesis for intervertebral disc herniation
Authors: Plomp Kimberly A. , Dobney Keith , Weston Darlene A. , Strand Viðarsdóttir Una , Collard Mark
Published: December 2019

Background

Recently we proposed an evolutionary explanation for a spinal pathology that afflicts many people, intervertebral disc herniation (Plomp et al. [2015]BMC Evolutionary Biology15, 68). Using 2D data, we found that the bodies and pedicles of lower vertebrae of pathological humans were more similar in shape to those of chimpanzees than were those of healthy humans. Based on this, we hypothesized that some individuals are more prone to intervertebral disc herniation because their vertebrae exhibit ancestral traits and therefore are less well adapted for the stresses associated with bipedalism. Here, we report a study in which we tested this “Ancestral Shape Hypothesis” with 3D data from the last two thoracic and first lumbar vertebrae of pathologicalHomo sapiens, healthyH. sapiens,Pan troglodytes, and several extinct hominins.

Results

We found that the pathological and healthyH. sapiensvertebrae differed significantly in shape, and that the pathologicalH. sapiensvertebrae were closer in shape to theP. troglodytesvertebrae than were the healthyH. sapiensvertebrae. Additionally, we found that the pathological human vertebrae were generally more similar in shape to the vertebrae of the extinct hominins than were the healthyH. sapiensvertebrae. These results are consistent with the predictions of the Ancestral Shape Hypothesis. Several vertebral traits were associated with disc herniation, including a vertebral body that is both more circular and more ventrally wedged, relatively short pedicles and laminae, relatively long, more cranio-laterally projecting transverse processes,and relatively long, cranially-oriented spinous processes. We found that there are biomechanical and comparative anatomical reasons for suspecting that all of these traits are capable of predisposing individuals to intervertebral disc herniation.

Conclusions

The results of the present study add weight to the hypothesis that intervertebral disc herniation inH. sapiensis connected with vertebral shape. Specifically, they suggest that individuals whose vertebrae are towards the ancestral end of the range of shape variation withinH. sapiens have a greater propensity to develop the condition than other individuals. More generally, the study shows that evolutionary thinking has the potential to shed new light on human skeletal pathologies.
ReVac: a reverse vaccinology computational pipeline for prioritization of prokaryotic protein vaccine candidates
Authors: D’Mello Adonis , Ahearn Christian P. , Murphy Timothy F. , Tettelin Hervé
Published: December 2019

Background

Reverse vaccinology accelerates the discovery of potential vaccine candidates (PVCs) prior to experimental validation. Current programs typically use one bacterial proteome to identify PVCs through a filtering architecture using feature prediction programs or a machine learning approach. Filtering approaches may eliminate potential antigens based on limitations in the accuracy of prediction tools used. Machine learning approaches are heavily dependent on the selection of training datasets with experimentally validated antigens (positive control) and non-protective-antigens (negative control). The use of one or few bacterial proteomes does not assess PVC conservation among strains, an important feature of vaccine antigens.

Results

We present ReVac, which implements both a panoply of feature prediction programs without filtering out proteins, and scoring of candidates based on predictions made on curated positive and negative control PVCs datasets. ReVac surveys several genomes assessing protein conservation, as well as DNA and protein repeats, which may result in variable expression of PVCs. ReVac’s orthologous clustering of conserved genes, identifies core and dispensable genome components. This is useful for determining the degree of conservation of PVCs among the population of isolates for a given pathogen. Potential vaccine candidates are then prioritized based on conservation and overall feature-based scoring. We present the application of ReVac, applied to 69 Moraxella catarrhalis and 270 non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae genomes, prioritizing 64 and 29 proteins as PVCs, respectively.

Conclusion

ReVac’s use of a scoring scheme ranks PVCs for subsequent experimental testing. It employs a redundancy-based approach in its predictions of features using several prediction tools. The protein’s features are collated, and each protein is ranked based on the scoring scheme. Multi-genome analyses performed in ReVac allow for a comprehensive overview of PVCs from a pan-genome perspective, as an essential pre-requisite for any bacterial subunit vaccine design. ReVac prioritized PVCs of two human respiratory pathogens, identifying both novel and previously validated PVCs.
Ectopic expression of Medicago truncatula homeodomain finger protein, MtPHD6, enhances drought tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Quan Wenli , Liu Xun , Wang Lihua , Yin Mingzhu , Yang Li , Chan Zhulong
Published: December 2019

Background

The plant homeodomain (PHD) finger is a Cys4HisCys3-type zinc finger which promotes protein-protein interactions and binds to the cis-acting elements in the promoter regions of target genes. In Medicago truncatula, five PHD homologues with full-length sequence were identified. However, the detailed function of PHD genes was not fully addressed.

Results

In this study, we characterized the function of MtPHD6 during plant responses to drought stress. MtPHD6 was highly induced by drought stress. Ectopic expression of MtPHD6 in Arabidopsis enhanced tolerance to osmotic and drought stresses. MtPHD6 transgenic plants exhibited decreased water loss rate, MDA and ROS contents, and increased leaf water content and antioxidant enzyme activities under drought condition. Global transcriptomic analysis revealed that MtPHD6 reprogramed transcriptional networks in transgenic plants. Expression levels of ABA receptor PYR/PYLs, ZINC FINGER, AP2/EREBP and WRKY transcription factors were mainly up-regulated after transformation of MtPHD6. Interaction network analysis showed that ZINC FINGER, AP2/EREBP and WRKY interacted with each other and downstream stress induced proteins.

Conclusions

We proposed that ZINC FINGER, AP2/EREBP and WRKY transcription factors were activated through ABA dependent and independent pathways to increase drought tolerance of MtPHD6 transgenic plants.
The efficacy of lyticase and β-glucosidase enzymes on biofilm degradation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains with different gene profiles
Authors: Banar Maryam , Emaneini Mohammad , Beigverdi Reza , Fanaei Pirlar Rima , Node Farahani Narges , van Leeuwen Willem B. , Jabalameli Fereshteh
Published: December 2019

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a nosocomial pathogen that causes severe infections in immunocompromised patients. Biofilm plays a significant role in the resistance of this bacterium and complicates the treatment of its infections. In this study, the effect of lyticase and β-glucosidase enzymes on the degradation of biofilms of P. aeruginosa strains isolated from cystic fibrosis and burn wound infections were assessed. Moreover, the decrease of ceftazidime minimum biofilm eliminating concentrations (MBEC) after enzymatic treatment was evaluated.

Results

This study demonstrated the effectiveness of both enzymes in degrading the biofilms of P. aeruginosa. In contrast to the lyticase enzyme, β-glucosidase reduced the ceftazidime MBECs significantly (P < 0.05). Both enzymes had no cytotoxic effect on the A-549 human lung carcinoma epithelial cell lines and A-431 human epidermoid carcinoma cell lines.

Conclusion

Considering the characteristics of the β-glucosidase enzyme, which includes the notable degradation of P. aeruginosa biofilms and a significant decrease in the ceftazidime MBECs and non-toxicity for eukaryotic cells, this enzyme can be a promising therapeutic candidate for degradation of biofilms in burn wound patients, but further studies are needed.
Comparative study on the effects of different feeding habits and diets on intestinal microbiota in Acipenser baeri Brandt and Huso huso
Authors: Xu Guanling , Xing Wei , Li Tieliang , Xue Min , Ma Zhihong , Jiang Na , Luo Lin
Published: December 2019

Background

Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt) and Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) are two important commercial fish in China, and the feeding habits of them are very different. Diets and feeding habits are two significant factors to affect the gastrointestinal microbiota in fish. The intestinal microbiota has been reported to play a key role in nutrition and immunity. However, it is rarely reported about the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and feeding habits/diets on different Acipenseridae fish. This study is to comparative analysis of gut microbial community in Siberian sturgeon and Beluga sturgeon fed with the same diet/Beluga sturgeon fed with different diets in order to determine the effects of different feeding habits/diets on the fish intestinal microbiota.

Results

According to the experimental objectives, BL and BH groups were Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) fed with low fishmeal diet and high fishmeal diet, respectively. SH group represented Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt) fed with the same diet as BH group. After 16 weeks feeding trial, the intestinal microbiota was examined by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology. On the phylum level, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were significantly higher in BL group than BH group, and Cyanobacteria showed the opposite trend. Compared with BH group, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were significantly increased in SH group, whereas Cyanobacteria were clearly decreased. At the genus level, Pseudomonas and Citrobacter in BL group were significantly higher comparing with BH group, while Bacillus, Luteibacter, Staphylococcus and Oceanobacillus was lower in BH group than SH group.

Conclusions

Alpha and beta diversities indicated that the intestinal microflora were significant difference between Siberian sturgeon and Beluga sturgeon when they fed with the same diet. Meanwhile, Beluga sturgeon fed with low fishmeal diet can increase the species diversity of intestinal microbiota than it fed high fishmeal diet. Therefore, feeding habits clearly affected the gastrointestinal microbiota of sturgeons. Moreover, the impact of changes in food on the gut microbiota of sturgeons should be taken into consideration during the process of sturgeon aquaculture.
Comparison of sciatic nerve block quality achieved using the anterior and posterior approaches: a randomised trial
Authors: Yektaş Abdulkadir , Balkan Bedih
Published: December 2019

Background

The co-administration of sciatic and femoral nerve blocks can provide anaesthesia and analgesia in patients undergoing lower extremity surgeries. Several approaches to achieve sciatic nerve block have been described, including anterior and posterior approaches.

Methods

In total, 58 study patients were randomly assigned to receive either anterior (group A, n = 29) or posterior (group P,n = 29) sciatic nerve block. Thereafter, the following parameters were determined: sensory and motor block start and end times, time to first fentanyl requirement after blockade but before the start of the operation, time to first fentanyl requirement after the start of the operation, mean fentanyl dose administered after blockade but before the start of the operation, mean fentanyl dose after the start of the operation, time to first diclofenac sodium dose, and total dose of diclofenac sodium required. The trial was retrospectively registered on 11 July 2018.

Results

The time to initiation of sensory block was significantly shorter in group P than in group A (7.70 ± 2.05 min and 12.88 ± 4.87 min, respectively;p = 0.01). Group P also had a significantly shorter time to first fentanyl requirement after block but before the start of the operation (00.00 ± 00.00 min for group P and 4.05 ± 7.47 min for group A;p < 0.01), significantly higher mean fentanyl dose per patient after block but before the start of the operation (44.03 ± 23.78 μg for group P and 31.20 ± 27.79 μg for group A), significantly longer time to first fentanyl requirement after the start of the operation (16.24 ± 7.13 min for group P and 00.00 ± 00.00 min for group A;p = 0.01), and significantly lower mean fentanyl dose per patient after the start of the operation (11.51 ± 2.87 μg for group P and 147.75 ± 22.30 μg for group A). Patient satisfaction (p < 0.01), anaesthesia quality (p = 0.006), and surgical quality (p = 0.047) were significantly higher in group P.

Conclusions

Anterior and posterior approaches can be used to achieve sciatic nerve block in patients undergoing surgery for malleolar fractures. However, better anaesthesia and pain control results can be obtained if analgesia is administered preoperatively in patients with a posterior approach block and after the start of the operation in patients with an anterior approach block.
The association between carotid intima-media thickness and new-onset hypertension in a Chinese community-based population
Authors: Zhang Long , Fan Fangfang , Qi Litong , Jia Jia , Yang Ying , Li Jianping , Zhang Yan
Published: December 2019

Background

Hypertension and arterial vasculopathy may be mutual causes and effects. It is unknown whether carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is reliably predictive of the presence of newly developed hypertension in the Chinese population. This study evaluated the impacts of cIMT on new-onset hypertension in a community-based population without hypertension at baseline in China.

Methods

A total of 672 Chinese subjects who had complete data for demographics, baseline and follow-up blood pressure measurements, and cIMT measurements at baseline were included in our study. Baseline cIMT was obtained under standardized procedures using the GE Vivid 7 ultrasound system equipped with an 8-MHz linear array vascular probe (GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wl, USA). The outcome was the incidence of hypertension at follow-up. Multivariate regression models were used to access the association between baseline cIMT and the risk of new-onset hypertension.

Results

Subjects were 51.5 ± 4.7 years old, and 32.0% were male. The mean baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 122.5 ± 10.0 mmHg. The mean baseline diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 72.4 ± 7.5 mmHg. The number of subjects with thickened cIMT (maximum ≥0.9 mm) at baseline was 198 (29.5%). After 2.3 years of follow-up, the rate of new-onset hypertension was 12.6%. The incidence rates of hypertension in the groups with thickened cIMT and normal cIMT were 19.2 and 9.9%, respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analyses, both the average (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.30–2.19, P = 0.0001) and maximum (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.23–1.95, P = 0.0002) cIMT were significantly associated with new-onset hypertension after adjustment for various confounders. The group with thickened cIMT showed a higher risk for the incidence of hypertension, with an OR of 1.82 (95% CI: 1.07–3.10, P = 0.0270), compared to the normal group.

Conclusion

Thickened cIMT has a strong association with incident hypertension risk in a community-based population without hypertension at baseline in China.
Simulation and minimization: technical advances for factorial experiments designed to optimize clinical interventions
Authors: Kuhn Jocelyn , Sheldrick Radley Christopher , Broder-Fingert Sarabeth , Chu Andrea , Fortuna Lisa , Jordan Megan , Rubin Dana , Feinberg Emily
Published: December 2019

Background

The Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) is designed to maximize the impact of clinical healthcare interventions, which are typically multicomponent and increasingly complex. MOST often relies on factorial experiments to identify which components of an intervention are most effective, efficient, and scalable. When assigning participants to conditions in factorial experiments, researchers must be careful to select the assignment procedure that will result in balanced sample sizes and equivalence of covariates across conditions while maintaining unpredictability.

Methods

In the context of a MOST optimization trial with a 2x2x2x2 factorial design, we used computer simulation to empirically test five subject allocation procedures: simple randomization, stratified randomization with permuted blocks, maximum tolerated imbalance (MTI), minimal sufficient balance (MSB), and minimization. We compared these methods across the 16 study cells with respect to sample size balance, equivalence on key covariates, and unpredictability. Leveraging an existing dataset to compare these procedures, we conducted 250 computerized simulations using bootstrap samples of 304 participants.

Results

Simple randomization, the most unpredictable procedure, generated poor sample balance and equivalence of covariates across the 16 study cells. Stratified randomization with permuted blocks performed well on stratified variables but resulted in poor equivalence on other covariates and poor balance. MTI, MSB, and minimization had higher complexity and cost. MTI resulted in balance close to pre-specified thresholds and a higher degree of unpredictability, but poor equivalence of covariates. MSB had 19.7% deterministic allocations, poor sample balance and improved equivalence on only a few covariates. Minimization was most successful in achieving balanced sample sizes and equivalence across a large number of covariates, but resulted in 34% deterministic allocations. Small differences in proportion of correct guesses were found across the procedures.

Conclusions

Based on the computer simulation results and priorities within the study context, minimization with a random element was selected for the planned research study. Minimization with a random element, as well as computer simulation to make an informed randomization procedure choice, are utilized infrequently in randomized experiments but represent important technical advances that researchers implementing multi-arm and factorial studies should consider.
Clinic and patient variation in intermediate clinical outcomes for type 2 diabetes: a multilevel analysis
Authors: Lim Yvonne Mei Fong , Ang Swee Hung , Nasir Nazrila Hairizan , Ismail Fatanah , Ismail Siti Aminah , Sivasampu Sheamini
Published: December 2019

Background

Variation at different levels of diabetes care has not yet been quantified for low- and middle-income countries. Understanding this variation and its magnitude is important to guide policy makers in designing effective interventions. This study aims to quantify the variation in the control of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) for type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients at the clinic and patient level and determine patient and clinic factors associated with control of these outcomes in T2D.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study within the baseline data from the impact evaluation of the Enhanced Primary Health Care (EnPHC) intervention on 40 public clinics in Malaysia. Patients aged 30 and above, diagnosed with T2D, had a clinic visit for T2D between 01 Nov 2016 and 30 April 2017 and had at least one HbA1c, SBP and LDL-C measurement within 1 year from the date of visit were included for analysis. Multilevel linear regression adjusting for patient and clinic characteristics was used to quantify variation at the clinic and patient levels for each outcome.

Results

Variation in intermediate clinical outcomes in T2D lies predominantly (93% and above) at the patient level. The strongest predictors for poor disease control in T2D were the proxy measures for disease severity including duration of diabetes, presence of microvascular complications, being on insulin therapy and number of antihypertensives. Among the three outcomes, HbA1c and LDL-C results provide greatest opportunity for improvement.

Conclusion

Clinic variation in HbA1c, SBP and LDL-C accounts for a small percentage from total variation. Findings from this study suggest that standardised interventions need to be applied across all clinics, with a focus on customizing therapy based on individual patient characteristics.
Adverse events associated with colonoscopy; an examination of online concerns
Authors: Yom-Tov Elad , Lebwohl Benjamin
Published: December 2019

Background

Colonoscopy as a screening and diagnostic tool is generally safe and well-tolerated, and significant complications are rare. The rate of more mild adverse effects is difficult to estimate, particularly when such effects do not result in hospital admission. We aimed to identify the rate and timing of adverse effects as reported by users querying symptoms on an internet search engine.

Methods

We identified queries made to Bing originating from users in the United States containing the word “colonoscopy” during a 12-month period and identified those queries in which the timing of colonoscopy could be estimated. We then identified queries from those same users for medical symptoms during the time span from 5 days before through 30 days after the colonoscopy date.

Results

Of 641,223 users mentioning colonoscopy, 7013 (1.1%) had a query that enabled identification of their colonoscopy date. The majority of queries about colonoscopy preceded the procedure, and concerned diet. 28% of colonoscopy-related queries were made afterwards, and included queries about diarrhea and cramps, with 2.6% of users querying respiratory symptoms after the procedure, including cough (1.2%) and pneumonia (0.6%). Respiratory symptoms rose significantly at days 7–10 after the colonoscopy.

Conclusions

Internet search queries for respiratory symptoms rose approximately one week after queries relating to colonoscopy, raising the possibility that such symptoms are an under-reported late adverse effect of the procedure. Given the widespread use of colonoscopy as a screening modality and the rise of anesthesia-assisted colonoscopy in the United States in recent years, this signal is of potential public health concern.