bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New-onset Psychosis in an Immunosuppressed Patient With Kidney Transplantation: An Educational Case Report
Authors: Mappin-Kasirer Benjamin , Hoffman Lawrence , Sandal Shaifali
Published: August 2020

Rationale:

New-onset psychosis in an immunosuppressed patient post-kidney transplantation (KT) is a diagnostic challenge. A broad differential diagnosis merits consideration; however, an approach to this differential diagnosis remains to be outlined in the literature. Also, when and how to modify the maintenance immunosuppressive regimen remains a significant area of controversy.

Presenting concerns:

A 23-year-old male, known for X-linked Alport syndrome for which he had undergone KT 1 year prior, presented with a 1-week history of disorganized speech, bizarre behavior, religious delusions, and visual hallucinations.

Diagnoses:

After ruling out infectious, metabolic, autoimmune, and structural causes, immunosuppressant medications were changed from tacrolimus to cyclosporine. The patient did not improve after this change, and a second opinion consultation with a transplant psychiatrist led to a diagnosis of primary first-episode psychosis, later refined to bipolar disorder type I.

Interventions:

The patient was started on risperidone, which led to a significant improvement in his symptoms.

Outcomes:

Twelve months after discharge, his mood and behavior had returned to baseline on aripiprazole, bupropion, and citalopram. However, he developed acute allograft rejection, prompting a change from cyclosporine back to tacrolimus, with stability of his mental state and graft function.

Teaching points:

This report offers learners an extensive and organized differential diagnosis to the work up of psychosis post kidney transplantation. A complete history, with input from collateral sources, and a systematic approach to the differential diagnosis, are crucial and should not be overshadowed by the risk of immunosuppressant-related neurotoxicity. We underscore the importance of multi-disciplinary management and comprehensive psychosocial assessment and re-assessment to refine the diagnosis. We also report the successful re-introduction of tacrolimus once the diagnosis of a primary psychiatric disorder is confirmed. Finally, we offer a simplified approach that can aid in distinguishing between a primary psychiatric diagnosis versus tacrolimus-associated psychosis.
A Systematic Review of Treatment Strategies for the Prevention of Junctional Complications After Long-Segment Fusions in the Osteoporotic Spine
Authors: Echt Murray , Ranson William , Steinberger Jeremy , Yassari Reza , Cho Samuel K.
Published: August 2020

Study Design:

Systematic review

Objectives:

Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and proximal junctional failure (PJF) are well-known complications after long-segment fusions in the thoracolumbar spine of osteoporotic patients. Recent advances in anti-resorptive and anabolic medications, instrumentation, surgical technique, and cement augmentation have all aided in the avoidance of junctional kyphosis. In this article, current literature on the prevention of PJK and PJF in the osteoporotic spine is reviewed.

Methods:

A systematic literature review was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase databases in order to search for the current preventive treatment methods for PJK and PJF published in the literature (1985 to present). Inclusion criteria included (1) published in English, (2) at least 1-year mean and median follow-up, (3) preoperative diagnosis of osteoporosis, (4) at least 3 levels instrumented, and (5) studies of medical treatment or surgical techniques for prevention of junctional kyphosis.

Results:

The review of the literature yielded 7 studies with low levels of evidence ranging from level II to IV. Treatment strategies reviewed addressed prophylaxis against ligamentous failure, adjacent vertebral compression fracture, and/or bone-implant interface failure. This includes studies on the effect of osteoporosis medication, cement augmentation, multi-rod constructs, and posterior-tension band supplementation. The role of perioperative teriparatide therapy maintains the highest level of evidence.

Conclusions:

Perioperative teriparatide therapy represents the strongest evidence for preventive treatment, and further clinical trials are warranted. Use of cement augmentation, sublaminar tethers, and multi-rod constructs have low or insufficient evidence for recommendations. Future guidelines for adult spinal deformity correction may consider bone mineral density–adjusted alignment goals.
Structural Allograft Versus Synthetic Interbody Cage for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Comparison of 1-Year Outcomes From a National Database
Authors: Menon Nandakumar , Turcotte Justin , Patton Chad
Published: August 2020

Study Design:

Observational cohort study.

Objective:

To compare 1-year perioperative complications between structural allograft (SA) and synthetic cage (SC) for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using a national database.

Methods:

The TriNetX Research Network was retrospectively queried. Patients undergoing initial single or multilevel ACDF surgery between October 1, 2015 and April 30, 2019 were propensity score matched based on age and comorbidities. The rates of 1-year revision ACDF surgery and reported diagnoses of pseudoarthrosis, surgical site infection (SSI), and dysphagia were compared between structural allograft and synthetic cage techniques.

Results:

A comparison of 1-year outcomes between propensity score matched cohorts was conducted on 3056 patients undergoing single-level ACDF and 3510 patients undergoing multilevel ACDF. In single-level ACDF patients, there was no difference in 1-year revision ACDF surgery ( P = .573), reported diagnoses of pseudoarthrosis ( P = .413), SSI ( P = .620), or dysphagia ( P = .529) between SA and SC groups. In multilevel ACDF patients, there was a higher rate of revision surgery (SA 3.8% vs SC 7.3%, odds ratio = 1.982, P < .001) in the SC group, and a higher rate of dysphagia in the SA group (SA 15.9% vs SC 12.9%).

Conclusion:

While the overall revision and complication rate for single-level ACDF remains low despite interbody graft selection, SC implant selection may result in higher rates of revision surgery in multilevel procedures despite yielding lower rates of dysphagia. Further prospective study is warranted.
Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in Patients With Mild Leg Pain Levels Is Associated With Unsatisfactory Outcome
Authors: Sigmundsson Freyr Gauti , Möller Anders , Strömqvist Fredrik
Published: August 2020

Study Design:

Prospective register cohort study.

Objectives:

The indication for surgery in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is considered to be leg pain and neurogenic claudication (NC). Nevertheless, a significant part of patients operated for LSS have mild leg pain levels defined as leg pain ≤minimally important clinical difference (MICD). Information is lacking on how to inform these patients about the probable outcome of surgery. The objective was to report the outcome of surgery for LSS in patients with a mild preoperative level of leg pain.

Methods:

A total of 2559 patients operated upon for LSS with preoperative leg pain ≤3 NRS (Numerical Rating Scale) were evaluated for outcome at the 1-year follow-up. NRS for back pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the EuroQol (EQ-5D) were used.

Results:

In the period 2007 to 2017, we identified 3239 patients (14%) who had mild leg pain (≤3 on the NRS). In this cohort, leg pain increased 0.40 (0.56-0.37) and back pain decreased 1.0 (0.95-1.2) at the 1-year follow up. ODI decreased 11.1 (10.2-11.4) and the EQ-5D increased 0.15 (0.17-0.14). A total of 31% reached successful outcome in terms of back pain, 43% in terms of ODI and 48% in terms of EQ-5D. 63% of the patients were satisfied with the outcome.

Conclusion:

A minority of patients with mild leg pain levels operated upon for LSS attain MICD for back pain, ODI, and EQ-5D. The results from this study can aid the surgeon in the shared decision-making process before surgery.
Intra-abdominal Fluid Extravasation: Is Endoscopic Deep Gluteal Space Exploration a Risk Factor?
Authors: Aguilera-Bohórquez Bernardo , Ramirez Salvador , Cantor Erika , Sanchez Miguel , Brugiatti Miguel , Cardozo Orlando , Pachón-Vásquez Mauricio
Published: August 2020

Background:

The extravasation of fluid into the intra-abdominal space is recognized as a possible complication of hip arthroscopic surgery/endoscopy. The exposure of anatomic areas to elevated pump pressures and high volumes of irrigation fluid increases the risk of fluid leakage into anatomic spaces around the hip joint, especially to the abdomen and pelvis.

Purpose:

To estimate the incidence and risk factors related to intra-abdominal fluid extravasation (IAFE) after hip endoscopy or arthroscopic surgery.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A prospective study was carried out between June 2017 and June 2018. A total of 106 hip procedures (endoscopy or arthroscopic surgery) performed for extra- or intra-articular abnormalities were included. Before and after surgery, in the operating room, ultrasound was performed by a trained anesthesiologist to detect IAFE. The hepatorenal (Morison pouch), splenorenal, retroaortic, suprapubic (longitudinal and transverse), and pleural spaces were examined. Patients were monitored for 3 hours after surgery to assess for abdominal pain. The data collected included maximum pump pressure, duration and volume of irrigation fluid (Ringer lactate), total surgical time, and traction time.

Results:

The incidence of IAFE was 31.1% (33/106; 95% CI, 23.1%-40.5%). The frequency of IAFE was 52.9% (9/17) in cases with isolated extra-articular abnormalities and 15.9% (7/44) in cases with isolated femoroacetabular impingement; in cases with both extra- and intra-articular abnormalities, the frequency was 37.8% (17/45). An intervention in the subgluteal space was identified as a risk factor for IAFE (odds ratio, 3.62 [95% CI, 1.47-8.85]). There was no statistically significant difference between groups (with vs without IAFE) regarding total surgical time, maximum pump pressure, or fluid volume. Postoperative abdominal pain was found in 36.4% (n = 12) of cases with IAFE compared with 2.7% (n = 2) of cases without extravasation ( P < .001). No patient with IAFE developed abdominal compartment syndrome.

Conclusion:

IAFE was a frequent finding after hip arthroscopic surgery/endoscopy in patients with extra-articular abnormalities. Exploration of the subgluteal space may increase the risk of IAFE. Pain and abdominal distension during the immediate postoperative period were early warning signs for IAFE. These results reinforce the need for careful intraoperative and postoperative monitoring by the surgeon and anesthesiologist to identify and avoid complications related to IAFE.
Visualizing the Geographic and Demographic Distribution of COVID-19
Authors: Denice Patrick , Choi Kate H. , Haan Michael , Zajacova Anna
Published: August 2020

Whereas African Americans are disproportionately among the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic’s sick and dead, less is known about whether some racial/ethnic groups are more likely to be affected in Canada. In this data visualization, the authors address two issues limiting understanding of the spatial and demographic distribution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada: (1) COVID-19 infection and death counts are collected at a very high level of geographic aggregation, and (2) these counts are not tallied by sociodemographic group, including race/ethnicity. The authors use a bivariate choropleth map to illustrate the correlation between COVID-19 infections and the percentage of residents who are Black across census subdivisions. Canada is more similar to the United States than expected in this respect: areas with higher shares of Black Canadians also see more infections.
Translation in the Twenty-First Century: Who Needs Scripture?
Authors: Kenmogne Michel
Published: August 2020

Addressing the question “Who needs Scripture?” begins with a reevaluation of assumptions about the function of Bible translation. The differing interactions of several generations with mother-tongue Scriptures and the reality of multilingualism mandate a reconsideration of translation needs, assessment, strategies, products, and media in response to the context, realities, and needs of each language community. Collaborative mechanisms are required to provide appropriate responses to the new assumptions. Participation in the missio Dei compels us in faith to acknowledge new realities and seek God’s guidance toward more effective contributions in Bible translation in the twenty-first century.
Albert Herrmann: A missing link in establishing the Silk Road as a concept for Trans-Eurasian networks of trade
Authors: Wahlquist Håkan
Published: August 2020

The Silk Road, or Silk Roads, has proven to be a productive but at the same time elusive concept, increasingly used as an evocative metaphor. With China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, it has found fresh invocations and audiences. After it was coined by Ferdinand von Richthofen in the 19th century it might very well have been forgotten in the 20th century if it had not been used by Sven Hedin in 1936 as a book title. And Hedin may not have used it if he had not worked closely with the German historical geographer Albert Herrmann. This paper explores these interactions, which have had enduring consequences.
Negotiating the boundaries of China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Summers Tim
Published: August 2020

This paper explores dynamic processes of (re)negotiation of boundaries of and in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. It identifies ambiguous temporal and spatial boundaries which create space for ongoing political and ideological contestation over the shape of the Belt and Road Initiative. The paper suggests that lack of clear geographical scope leaves open multiple futures for China’s global relations under the initiative. Chinese imaginaries hint at a world of transnational networks of political economy but one still structured by nation states and inter-governmental regional institutions at a time when the intertwining of the political and the economic is a feature of shifting configurations of global political economy.
The Belt and Road as political technology: Power and economy in Pakistan and Tajikistan
Authors: Karrar Hasan H , Mostowlansky Till
Published: August 2020

While celebrated as a new ‘win-win’ initiative, Belt and Road narratives sidestep the fact that current investment regimes originating in China must contour to existing political economies in host countries. Drawing on the examples of Pakistan and Tajikistan, both of which share land borders with China, and both of which have been eager recipients of recent Chinese investments, we forward two arguments: (1) In both countries the narrative of connectivity promoted through the Belt and Road Initiative builds on previous bilateral engagements with China. (2) Within Pakistan and Tajikistan, engagement with China has enabled the utilization of BRI as a political technology for domestic purposes, with the attempt to rule, re-define, order and exploit. Put differently, new investments from China serve to consolidate existing authority structures.
smsMap: mapping single molecule sequencing reads by locating the alignment starting positions
Authors: Wei Ze-Gang , Zhang Shao-Wu , Liu Fei
Published: August 2020

Background

Single Molecule Sequencing (SMS) technology can produce longer reads with higher sequencing error rate. Mapping these reads to a reference genome is often the most fundamental and computing-intensive step for downstream analysis. Most existing mapping tools generally adopt the traditional seed-and-extend strategy, and the candidate aligned regions for each query read are selected either by counting the number of matched seeds or chaining a group of seeds. However, for all the existing mapping tools, the coverage ratio of the alignment region to the query read is lower, and the read alignment quality and efficiency need to be improved. Here, we introduce smsMap, a novel mapping tool that is specifically designed to map the long reads of SMS to a reference genome.

Results

smsMap was evaluated with other existing seven SMS mapping tools (e.g., BLASR, minimap2, and BWA-MEM) on both simulated and real-life SMS datasets. The experimental results show that smsMap can efficiently achieve higher aligned read coverage ratio and has higher sensitivity that can align more sequences and bases to the reference genome. Additionally, smsMap is more robust to sequencing errors.

Conclusions

smsMap is computationally efficient to align SMS reads, especially for the larger size of the reference genome (e.g., H. sapiens genome with over 3 billion base pairs). The source code of smsMap can be freely downloaded from https://github.com/NWPU-903PR/smsMap.
Comparison of preemptive paracetamol, paracetamol-diclofenac & paracetamol-tramadol combination on postoperative pain after elective abdominal surgery under general anesthesia, Ethiopia: a randomized control trial study, 2018
Authors: Aweke Zemedu , Seyoum Fetene , Shitemaw Tewoderos , Doba Derartu Neme
Published: August 2020

Background

In the practice of postoperative pain management, pain is still poorly managed in low resource setting where the practice of epidural and opioid free analgesia is impractical. There has been a recent trend of combining different drugs and concept of preemptive analgesia but the therapeutic superiority remains understudied for postoperative pain management. The aim of this study is to assess postoperative analgesic effect of preemptive Paracetamol, Paracetamol-diclofenac and Paracetamol-tramadol combination in patients undergoing laparotomy surgery.

Methods

Three-arm, randomized control trial study conducted on 63 patients undergone laparotomy surgery; group-P (paracetamol 1 g), group-PD (1 g + diclofenac 75 mg) and group-PT (paracetamol 1 g + tramadol 100 mg). The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain rating system was used for this study. The primary endpoint of the study was total amount of analgesia consumption. Post-operative analgesic therapy [intravenous tramadol, 50 mg] were provided when patients complain of pain (request medication) or a numeric rating scale ≥4 was recorded. Secondary endpoint of the study were the time of first analgesic request and the intensity of the pain during 24 h post-op follow up period. Parametric data were analyzed using (ANOVA) and nonparametric data analyzed by Kuruska-Wallis H rank test. Chi-square test used for categorical variable. Statistical significance were sated at p value < 0.05 with a power of 80%.

Results

The mean total tramadol consumption was significant higher in paracetamol group 250 ± 79.06 mg compared to paracetamol-diclofenac (173.81 ± 87.49 mg p = 0. 008) and paracetamol-tramadol (154.76 ± 70.54 mg p = 0. 001) group. Time to first analgesic request was significantly shorter within paracetamol group (87.62 ± 20.95 min) compared to paracetamol-diclofenac (103.01 ± 23.53 min p = 0.029) and paracetamol-tramadol (144.05 ± 14.72 min p < 0.001) group. There was statistically significant difference at 4th, 6th and 8th hour showing lower median pain score in paracetamol-tramadol group compared to paracetamol group.

Conclusion

Preemptive combination of paracetamol-tramadol and paracetamol-diclofenac reduce total tramadol consumption and prolongs time to first analgesic request compared to paracetamol alone in patients undergoing laparotomy surgery.

Trial registration

The study was retrospectively registered on 07 July 2019 at Pan African Clinical Trial Registry with the identification number of PACTR201908890749145. It was accepted on 14 August 2019.
Defective HIV-1 envelope gene promotes the evolution of the infectious strain through recombination in vitro
Authors: Wei Huamian , Yu Danwei , Geng Xiuzhu , He Yuxian
Published: August 2020

Background

HIV-1 produces defective mutants in the process of reproduction. The significance of the mutants has not been well investigated.

Methods

The plasmids of wild type (HIV-1NL4–3) and Env-defective (HIV-1SG3ΔEnv) HIV-1 were co-transfected into HEK293T cells. The progeny virus was collected to infect MT4 cells. The env gene and near-full-length genome (NFLG) of HIV-1 were amplified and sequenced. The phylogenetic diversity, recombinant patterns and hotspots, and the functionality of HIV-1 Env were determined.

Results

A total of 42 env genes and 8 NFLGs were successfully amplified and sequenced. Five types of recombinant patterns of env were identified and the same recombinant sites were detected in different patterns. The recombination hotspots were found distributing mainly in conservative regions of env. The recombination between genes of HIV-1NL4–3 and HIV-1SG3Δenv increased the variety of viral quasispecies and resulted in progeny viruses with relative lower infectious ability than that of HIVNL4–3. The defective env genes as well as NFLG could be detected after 20 passages.

Conclusion

The existence of the defective HIV-1 promotes the phylogenetic evolution of the virus, thus increasing the diversity of virus population. The role of defective genes may be converted from junk genes to useful materials and cannot be neglected in the study of HIV-1 reservoir.
The high cost of unpaid care by young people:health and economic impacts of providing unpaid care
Authors: Brimblecombe Nicola , Knapp Martin , King Derek , Stevens Madeleine , Cartagena Farias Javiera
Published: August 2020

Background

Many countries worldwide have experienced reductions in provision of formal long-term care services amidst rising need for care. Provision of unpaid care, meanwhile, has grown. This includes care provided by young people. Care responsibilities can affect a young people’s health, education and employment. We aimed to investigate the impacts on the employment and health of young people aged 16 to 25 of providing care, and the associated individual and public expenditure costs.

Methods

We examined employment, earnings and health impacts for individuals, and a range of economic impacts for society, focusing on young people aged 16 to 25 providing unpaid care in England. We applied regression analysis to data from three waves of the UK Household Longitudinal Study (2013/2015, 2014/2016, and 2015/2017) to compare employment and health outcomes among carers and non-carers, and two-part Generalised Linear Models to estimate costs. To address potential selection bias, we then used propensity score matching methods to explore outcomes for a matched sub-sample of young adult carers who started providing care at baseline (2014/16).

Results

Young people aged 16 to 25 who provided care at baseline (2014/16) were less likely to be in employment, had lower earnings from paid employment, and had poorer mental and physical health at follow-up (2015/17) compared to young people of the same age who were not providing care at baseline.. There were substantial costs to the state of young adults providing care from lower tax revenue, welfare benefit payments, and health service use. In aggregate, these costs amounted to £1048 million annually in 2017.

Conclusions

High individual impacts and costs to the state of providing unpaid care, and the potential of such impacts to compound existing inequalities, have many implications for policy and practice in the health, social care, employment and welfare benefits sectors. In particular, the findings reinforce the case for reducing the need for young people to provide unpaid care, for example through better provision of formal care services, and to provide ongoing support for those young people who do provide care. As impacts are seen in a number of domains, support needs to be multidimensional.
Case report on secondary testicular necrosis due to fulminant epididymitis: ultrasonographic evaluation and diagnosis
Authors: Devlies Wout , Seghers Mattias , Dilen Kurt
Published: August 2020

Background

Scrotal pain is a common complaint in the clinical practice, with many underlying causes. Infectious causes, like epididymitis, are frequently encountered in the work-up of scrotal pain. The presentation of epididymitis is mostly mild, yet major complications can occur.

Case presentation

We present a 35-year-old male presenting with scrotal pain and swelling of the testicle. Epididymitis with testicular necrosis was diagnosed using repeated doppler ultrasonography measurements. An orchiectomy was performed which showed a hemorrhagic process with affected spermatic cord. Funiculitis together with epididymal swelling can impede testicular blood flow, with testicular necrosis possibly resulting in orchiectomy. This is the first case that proved funiculitis to co-exist in loss of colour doppler on pathological evaluation.

Conclusions

In order to reduce major complications, medical therapy should be promptly initiated when there is a suspicion of epididymitis.
Female northern grass lizards judge mates by body shape to reinforce local adaptation
Authors: Guo Kun , Chen Chen , Liang Xiao-Fang , Qu Yan-Fu , Ji Xiang
Published: August 2020

Background

Identifying the factors that contribute to divergence among populations in mate preferences is important for understanding of the manner in which premating reproductive isolation might arise and how this isolation may in turn contribute to the evolutionary process of population divergence. Here, we offered female northern grass lizards (Takydromus septentrionalis) a choice of males between their own population and another four populations to test whether the preferences that females display in the mating trials correlate with phenotypic adaptation to local environments, or to the neutral genetic distance measured by divergence of mitochondrial DNA sequence loci.

Results

Females showed a strong preference for native over foreign males. Females that mated with native versus foreign males did not differ from each other in mating latency, or copulation duration. From results of the structural equation modelling we knew that: 1) geographical distance directly contributed to genetic differentiation and environmental dissimilarity; 2) genetic differentiation and environmental dissimilarity indirectly contributed to female mate preference, largely through their effects on morphological divergence; and 3) females judged mates by body shape (appearance) and discriminated more strongly against morphologically less familiar allopatric males.

Conclusions

Local adaptation rather than neutral genetic distance influences female mate preference in T. septentrionalis. The tendency to avoid mating with foreign males may indicate that, in T. septentrionalis, local adaptations are more valuable than genetic novelties. Our results highlight the importance of comprehensive studies integrating ecological, molecular and behavioral approaches to understand population divergence in female mate preferences as the consequence of local adaptations.
PM2.5 impairs macrophage functions to exacerbate pneumococcus-induced pulmonary pathogenesis
Authors: Chen Yu-Wen , Huang Mei-Zi , Chen Chyi-Liang , Kuo Chieh-Ying , Yang Chia-Yu , Chiang-Ni Chuan , Chen Yi-Ywan M. , Hsieh Chia-Ming , Wu Hui-Yu , Kuo Ming-Ling , Chiu Cheng-Hsun , Lai Chih-Ho
Published: August 2020

Background

Pneumococcus is one of the most common human airway pathogens that causes life-threatening infections. Ambient fine particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) is known to significantly contribute to respiratory diseases. PM2.5-induced airway inflammation may decrease innate immune defenses against bacterial infection. However, there is currently limited information available regarding the effect of PM2.5 exposure on molecular interactions between pneumococcus and macrophages.

Results

PM2.5 exposure hampered macrophage functions, including phagocytosis and proinflammatory cytokine production, in response to pneumococcal infection. In a PM2.5-exposed pneumococcus-infected mouse model, PM2.5 subverted the pulmonary immune response and caused leukocyte infiltration. Further, PM2.5 exposure suppressed the levels of CXCL10 and its receptor, CXCR3, by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways.

Conclusions

The effect of PM2.5 exposure on macrophage activity enhances pneumococcal infectivity and aggravates pulmonary pathogenesis.
Ground state and nodal solutions for critical Kirchhoff–Schrödinger–Poisson systems with an asymptotically 3-linear growth nonlinearity
Authors: Liu Chungen , Zhang Hua-Bo
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we consider the existence of a least energy nodal solution and a ground state solution, energy doubling property and asymptotic behavior of solutions of the following critical problem:
$$ \textstyle\begin{cases} -(a+ b\int _{\mathbb{R}^{3}} \vert \nabla u \vert ^{2}\,dx)\Delta u+V(x)u+\lambda \phi u= \vert u \vert ^{4}u+ k f(u),&x\in \mathbb{R}^{3}, \\ -\Delta \phi =u^{2},&x\in \mathbb{R}^{3}. \end{cases} $$

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GCH1 variants contribute to the risk and earlier age-at-onset of Parkinson’s disease: a two-cohort case-control study
Authors: Pan Hong-xu , Zhao Yu-wen , Mei Jun-pu , Fang Zheng-huan , Wang Yige , Zhou Xun , Zhou Yang-jie , Zhang Rui , Zhang Kai-lin , Jiang Li , Zeng Qian , He Yan , Wang Zheng , Liu Zhen-hua , Xu Qian , Sun Qi-ying , Yang Yang , Hu Ya-cen , Chen Ya-se , Du Juan , Lei Li-fang , Zhang Hai-nan , Wang Chun-yu , Yan Xin-xiang , Shen Lu , Jiang Hong , Tan Jie-qiong , Li Jin-chen , Tang Bei-sha , Guo Ji-feng
Published: August 2020

Background

Common and rare variants of guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1) gene may play important roles in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis of GCH1 genotypes, especially in non-coding regions. The aim of this study was to explore the genetic characteristics of GCH1, including rare and common variants in coding and non-coding regions, in a large population of PD patients in Chinese mainland, as well as the phenotypic characteristics of GCH1 variant carriers.

Methods

In the first cohort of this case-control study, we performed whole-exome sequencing in 1555 patients with early-onset or familial PD and 2234 healthy controls; then in the second cohort, whole-genome sequencing was performed in sporadic late-onset PD samples (1962 patients), as well as 1279 controls. Variants at target GCH1 regions were extracted, and then genetic and detailed phenotypic data were analyzed using regression models and the sequence kernel association test. We also performed a meta-analysis to correlate deleterious GCH1 variants with age at onset (AAO) in PD patients.

Results

For coding variants, we identified a significant burden of GCH1 deleterious variants in early-onset or familial PD cases compared to controls (1.2% vs 0.1%, P < 0.0001). In the analysis of possible regulatory variants in GCH1 non-coding regions, rs12323905 (P = 0.001, odds ratio = 1.19, 95%CI 1.07–1.32) was significantly associated with PD, and variant sets in untranslated regions and intron regions, GCH1 brain-specific expression quantitative trait loci, and two possible promoter/enhancer (GH14J054857 and GH14J054880) were suggestively associated with PD. Genotype-phenotype correlation analysis revealed that the carriers of GCH1 deleterious variants manifested younger AAO (P < 0.0001), and had milder motor symptoms, milder fatigue symptoms and more autonomic nervous dysfunctions. Meta-analysis of six studies demonstrated 6.4-year earlier onset in GCH1 deleterious variant carriers (P = 0.0009).

Conclusions

The results highlight the importance of deleterious variants and non-coding variants of GCH1 in PD in Chinese mainland and suggest that GCH1 mutation can influence the PD phenotype, which may help design experimental studies to elucidate the mechanisms of GCH1 in the pathogenesis of PD.
The carboxyl termini of RAN translated GGGGCC nucleotide repeat expansions modulate toxicity in models of ALS/FTD
Authors: He Fang , Flores Brittany N. , Krans Amy , Frazer Michelle , Natla Sam , Niraula Sarjina , Adefioye Olamide , Barmada Sami J. , Todd Peter K.
Published: August 2020

An intronic hexanucleotide repeat expansion inC9ORF72causes familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This repeat is thought to elicit toxicity through RNA mediated protein sequestration and repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation of dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs). We generated a series of transgenicDrosophilamodels expressing GGGGCC (G4C2) repeats either inside of an artificial intron within a GFP reporter or within the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of GFP placed in different downstream reading frames. Expression of 484 intronic repeats elicited minimal alterations in eye morphology, viability, longevity, or larval crawling but did trigger RNA foci formation, consistent with prior reports. In contrast, insertion of repeats into the 5′ UTR elicited differential toxicity that was dependent on the reading frame of GFP relative to the repeat. Greater toxicity correlated with a short and unstructured carboxyl terminus (C-terminus) in the glycine-arginine (GR) RAN protein reading frame. This change in C-terminal sequence triggered nuclear accumulation of all three RAN DPRs. A similar differential toxicity and dependence on the GR C-terminus was observed when repeats were expressed in rodent neurons. The presence of the native C-termini across all three reading frames was partly protective. Taken together, these findings suggest that C-terminal sequences outside of the repeat region may alter the behavior and toxicity of dipeptide repeat proteins derived from GGGGCC repeats.
Twin-chain polymer networks loaded with nanostructured fluids for the selective removal of a non-original varnish from Picasso’s “L’Atelier” at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice
Authors: Pensabene Buemi Luciano , Petruzzellis Maria Laura , Chelazzi David , Baglioni Michele , Mastrangelo Rosangela , Giorgi Rodorico , Baglioni Piero
Published: August 2020

This paper reports on the evaluation of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) “twin-chain” polymer network (TC-PN) combined with an oil-in-water nanostructured fluid (NSF) for the removal of a polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) varnish. Small Angle X-ray Scattering, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy showed that the structure of the gel and the NSF are only minimally altered by loading the fluid into the gel. The NSF is partially free to diffuse through the network, but also interacts with the gel walls. During the cleaning, the dynamics of the fluid at the gel-substrate interface are controlled by the osmotic balance taking place among the interconnected pores. These features grant effective and controlled cleaning performances. The case study identified for this research is Pablo Picasso’s The Studio (L’Atelier, 1928), one of the masterpieces in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice (PGC). In 1969 the oil painting, originally unprotected, was wax-lined and then varnished using a PVAc varnish. Over the years, the white shades of the painting have been compromised by the yellowing of the varnish and soiling of deposits. On painting mock-ups, the NSF-loaded hydrogels allowed the swelling and softening of PVAc varnish and wax layers, which were then removed with gentle mechanical action. Effective varnish and wax removal at the micron scale, and the absence of residues from the cleaning system (gel and NSF), were confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) 2D imaging. The effective and safe removal of the aged PVAc varnish and wax layer from the surface of the painting was then carried out using the same cleaning protocol successfully tested on the mock-ups, setting the NSF-loaded PVA TC-PNs as robust and reliable tools for the cleaning of sensitive works of art.
Correction to: Post-transplant inflow modulation for early allograft dysfunction after living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Elshawy Mohamed , Toshima Takeo , Asayama Yoshiki , Kubo Yuichiro , Ikeda Shinichiro , Ikegami Toru , Arakaki Shingo , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Mori Masaki
Published: August 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Interictal and Ictal MEG in presurgical evaluation for epilepsy surgery
Authors: Stefan Hermann , Rampp Stefan
Published: August 2020

Although presurgical evaluation of patients with pharamacoresistent focal epilepsies provides essential information for successful epilepsy surgery, there is still a need for further improvement. Developments of noninvasive electrophysiological recording and analysis techniques offer additional information based on interictal and ictal epileptic activities. In this review, we provide an overview on the application of ictal magnetoencephalography (MEG). The results of a literature research for published interictal/ictal MEG findings and experiences with own cases are demonstrated and discussed. Ictal MEG may provide added value in comparison to interictal recordings. The results may be more focal and closer to the invasively determined seizure onset zone. In some patients without clear interictal findings, ictal MEG could provide correct localization. Novel recording and analysis techniques facilitate ictal recordings. However, extended recording durations, movement and artifacts still represent practical limitations. Ictal MEG may provide added value regarding the localization of the seizure onset zone but depends on the selection of patients and the application of optimal analysis techniques.
Fruit bats in flight: a look into the movements of the ecologically important Eidolon helvum in Tanzania
Authors: Randhawa Nistara , Bird Brian H. , VanWormer Elizabeth , Sijali Zikankuba , Kilonzo Christopher , Msigwa Alphonce , Ekiri Abel B. , Samson Aziza , Epstein Jonathan H. , Wolking David J. , Smith Woutrina A. , Martínez-López Beatriz , Kazwala Rudovick , Mazet Jonna A. K.
Published: August 2020

Background

Many ecologically important plants are pollinated or have their seeds dispersed by fruit bats, including the widely distributed African straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum). Their ability to fly long distances makes them essential for connecting plant populations across fragmented landscapes. While bats have been implicated as a reservoir of infectious diseases, their role in disease transmission to humans is not well understood. In this pilot study, we tracked E. helvum to shed light on their movement patterns in Tanzania and possible contact with other species.

Methods

Tracking devices were deployed on 25 bats captured in the Morogoro Municipal and Kilombero District area near the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. Nightly flight patterns, areas corresponding to foraging bouts and feeding roosts, and new day roosts were determined from bat movement data and characterized according to their proximity to urban built-up and protected areas. Sites for additional environmental surveillance using camera traps were identified via tracking data to determine species coming in contact with fruits discarded by bats.

Results

Tracking data revealed variability between individual bat movements and a fidelity to foraging areas. Bats were tracked from one to six nights, with a mean cumulative nightly flight distance of 26.14 km (min: 0.33, max: 97.57) based on data from high-resolution GPS tags. While the majority of their foraging locations were in or near urban areas, bats also foraged in protected areas, of which the Udzungwa Mountains National Park was the most frequented. Camera traps in fruit orchards frequented by tracked bats showed the presence of multiple species of wildlife, with vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) observed as directly handling and eating fruit discarded by bats.

Conclusions

Because we observed multiple interactions of animals with fruits discarded by bats, specifically with vervet monkeys, the possibility of disease spillover risk exists via this indirect pathway. With flight distances of up to 97 km, however, the role of E. helvum in the seed dispersal of plants across both protected and urban built-up areas in Tanzania may be even more important, especially by helping connect increasingly fragmented landscapes during this Anthropocene epoch.
Urbanization in the Developing World: Too Early or Too Slow?
Authors: Henderson J. Vernon , Turner Matthew A.
Published: August 2020

We describe patterns of urbanization in the developing world and the extent to which they differ from the developed world. We consider the extent to which urbanization in the developing world can be explained by conventional models of spatial equilibrium. Despite their relative poverty, developing world cities are relatively highly productive and often provide good access to safe water, improved sanitation, schooling, and inoculations. In some parts of the world, they are home to a surprisingly small number of factory workers and a surprisingly large number of farmers. Developing world cities seem to do less well at protecting their residents from lifestyle diseases and crime, their female residents from domestic violence, and their children from illness. In thinking about these facts, we note that one strand of the literature focused on structural transformation has suggested that urbanization in the developing is occurring “too early,” while another strand argues that urbanization is occurring “too slow” to be consistent with conventional models of spatial equilibrium. Despite many differences between developing and developed world cities, our new results combined with those in the literature suggest that models of spatial equilibrium can be adapted as a useful guide to understanding the urbanization process in the developing world.
Internal Mobility: The Greater Responsiveness of Foreign-Born to Economic Conditions
Authors: Basso Gaetano , Peri Giovanni
Published: August 2020

In this article, we review the internal geographic mobility of immigrants and natives in the United States in the recent decades, with a focus on the period since 2000. We confirm a continuing secular decline in mobility already pointed out by the existing literature, and we show that it persisted in the post great recession period. We then focus on foreign-born and establish that, on average, they did not have total mobility rates higher than that of natives. However, their mobility response to local economic conditions was stronger than the response of natives in the period from 1980 to 2017. A review of recent research reveals that the higher elasticity of mobility of immigrants to economic conditions is a combination of lower sensitivity to local prices, higher propensity to move in the early years after immigration, and strong economic success of cities that were immigrant enclaves in the 1980s.
Determinants of retention strategies and sustainable performance of academic staff of government-owned universities in Nigeria
Authors: Salau Odunayo , Worlu Rowland , Osibanjo Adewale , Adeniji Anthonia , Atolagbe Tolulope , Salau Jumoke
Published: August 2020

Background: Retention of academic staff is gaining the attention of various educational stakeholders in many developing countries like Nigeria. However, there is little extant literature on how various determinants and risk factors affect retention strategies and sustainable performance of academic staff of government owned universities in Nigeria. Consequently, this paper showed the direct relationships between retention strategies and sustainable performance.

Methods: Copies of the designed questionnaire were distributed to members of the academic staff ranging from the Professors to Graduate Assistants of the selected state-owned Universities in Southern Nigeria. Statistical analysis for the study included descriptive measures, measurement and structural models.

Results: The determinants of retention strategies had significant impacts on the sustainable performance of academic staff at r = 0.660 (p < 0.05) and r = 0.558 (p < 0.05), respectively. A direct relationship was also established between academic retention and sustainable performance of staff in the selected universities (r = 0.187, p < 0.05). This implies that the 48.3% variance in sustainable performance is explained by the level of determinants/risk factors and retention of academic staff in the selected universities.

Conclusions: The study concludes that adequate funding provides Nigerian universities with the opportunity to meet the needs of the growing population and to match other top universities elsewhere in the development of vital highly skilled manpower, research and innovations, which are the tools for sustainable performance.
Piloting the objective measurement of eating behaviour at a population scale: a nested study within the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
Authors: Wade Kaitlin H. , Clifford Laura , Simpkin Andrew J. , Beynon Rhona , Birch Laura , Northstone Kate , Matthews Sarah , Davey Smith George , Hamilton-Shield Julian , Timpson Nicholas J.
Published: August 2020

Background: Effective measurement and adaption of eating behaviours, such as eating speed, may improve weight loss and weight over time. We assessed whether the Mandometer, a portable weighing scale connected to a computer that generates a graph of food removal rate from the plate to which it is connected, together with photo-imaging of food, might prove an effective approach to measuring eating behaviours at large scale.

Methods: We deployed the Mandometer in the home environment to measure main meals over three days of 95 21-year-old participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. We used multi-level models to describe food weight and eating speed and, as exemplar analyses, examined the relationship of eating behaviours with body mass index (BMI), dietary composition (fat content) and genotypic variation (the FTO rs9939609 variant). Using this pilot data, we calculated the sample size required to detect differences in food weight and eating speed between groups of an exposure variable.

Results: All participants were able to use the Mandometer effectively after brief training. In exemplar analyses, evidence suggested that obese participants consumed more food than those of "normal" weight (i.e., BMI 19 to <25 kg/m2) and that A/A FTO homozygotes (an indicator of higher weight) ate at a faster rate compared to T/T homozygotes. There was also some evidence that those with a high-fat diet consumed less food than those with a low-fat diet, but no strong evidence that individuals with medium- or high-fat diets ate at a faster rate.

Conclusions: We demonstrated the potential for assessing eating behaviour in a short-term home setting and combining this with information in a research setting. This study may offer the opportunity to design interventions tailored for at-risk eating behaviours, offering advantages over the “one size fits all” approach of current failing obesity interventions.