bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimum roughage proportion in barley-based feedlot cattle diets: growth performance, feeding behavior, and carcass traits
Authors: Koenig Karen M , Chibisa Gwinyai E , Penner Gregory B , Beauchemin Karen A
Published: September 2020

High grain diets are fed to finishing beef cattle to maximize animal performance in a cost-effective manner. However, a small amount of roughage is incorporated in finishing diets to help prevent ruminal acidosis, although few studies have examined optimum roughage inclusion level in barley-based diets. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of roughage proportion in barley-based finishing diets on growth performance, feeding behavior, and carcass traits of feedlot cattle. Crossbred beef steers (n = 160; mean body weight ± SD, 349.7 ± 21.4 kg) were allocated to 20 pens that were assigned randomly to four dietary treatments (five pens of eight steers per treatment). The treatment diets contained barley silage at 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12% of dietary dry matter (DM). The remainder of the diets (DM basis) consisted of 80%, 76%, 72%, and 68% barley grain, respectively, 15% corn dried distiller’s grains, 5% mineral and vitamin supplement, and 32 mg monensin/kg diet DM. The diets were fed as total mixed rations for ad libitum intake (minimum of 5% refusal) once per day. Cattle were weighed on 2 consecutive days at the start and end of the experiment and on 1 d every 3 wk throughout the experiment (124 d). Two pens for each treatment group were equipped with an electronic feeding system (GrowSafe Systems Ltd., Calgary, Alberta) to monitor feed intake and feeding behavior of individual cattle. The data for dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), gain:feed (G:F) ratio, and carcass traits were analyzed as a completely randomized design with fixed effect of barley silage proportion and pen replicate as experimental unit. Feeding behavior data were analyzed similarly, but with animal as experimental unit. Averaged over the study, DMI increased linearly (11.1, 11.3, 11.7, 11.8 kg/d; P = 0.001) as barley silage proportion increased from 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12% of DM, but ADG was not affected (carcass-adjusted,1.90, 1.85, 1.87, 1.89 kg/d; P ≥ 0.30). Consequently, G:F ratio decreased linearly (carcass-adjusted, 168.9, 163.8, 158.5, 160.6 g/kg DMI; P = 0.023). When averaged over the study, proportion of barley silage in the diet had no linear or quadratic effects (P > 0.10) on meal frequency, duration of meals, intermeal duration, or meal size, but eating rate decreased linearly with increasing silage proportion (P = 0.008). There was no diet effect on liver abscesses (P ≥ 0.92), and effects on carcass characteristics were minor or nonexistent. We conclude that increasing the proportion of barley silage in a feedlot finishing diet at the expense of barley grain to minimize the incidence of ruminal acidosis may decrease feed conversion efficiency.
Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on regulatory appetite and heat stress protein genes in broiler chickens subjected to heat stress
Authors: Ramiah Suriya Kumari , Atta Awad Elmutaz , Hemly Nur Izzah Mohd , Ebrahimi Mahdi , Joshua Olubodun , Jamshed Muhammad , Saminathan Mookiah , Soleimani Abdoreza Farjam , Idrus Zulkifli
Published: September 2020

This study was conducted to explore the effect of the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) supplement on the regulatory appetite and heat stress (HS) genes in broiler chickens raised under high or normal ambient temperatures. In this study, 240 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly assigned to 48 battery cages. From day 1, these 48 cages were randomly subjected to four different treatment strategies: Control (wherein, their basal diet included 60 mg/kg of ZnO), ZNONPs 40 (wherein basal diet included 40 mg/kg of ZnONPs), ZnONPs 60 (basal diet included 60 mg/kg of ZnONPs), and ZnONPs 100 (basal diet included 100 mg/kg of ZnONPs). Thereafter, from day 22 to 42, the chickens from each dietary treatment group were subjected to different temperature stresses either normal (23 ± 1 °C constant) or HS (34 ± 1 °C for 6 h/d), which divided them into eight different treatment groups. Our findings revealed that dietary ZnONPs altered the gene expression of cholecystokinin (ileum), heat stress proteins (HSP) 70 (jejunum and ileum), and HSP 90 (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum). The gene expression of ghrelin was affected by the interaction between the ZnONPs concentration and temperature in the duodenum and stomach. More studies are required to elucidate its complex physiological and biochemical functions of the regulation of gene expression within the intestine in heat-stressed broiler chickens.
Brexit and the discursive construction of the corporation
Authors: Fuller Crispian
Published: September 2020

The UK decision to exit the EU in 2016 has led to economic uncertainty. Foreign corporations with UK subsidiaries have sought to mediate these uncertainties while a final agreement is negotiated. Critical to this is the relationship between headquarter-subsidiary relations (HQs) and these subsidiaries. Discourse analysis has increasingly been used to examine corporate relations, with the corporation viewed as socially constructed through discourses and perpetual deliberations. Deploying a discourse approach, and recognising the importance of topological spatial relations, this article examines the relationship between HQs and UK-based subsidiaries during the Brexit negotiation period. In conclusion, HQs have generally devolved responsibility to subsidiaries for responding to Brexit, involving ‘consensual’ relations with subsidiaries and less intrusive ‘stretched’ topological power relations.
Prion Protein Gene (PRNP) Sequences Suggest Differing Vulnerability to Chronic Wasting Disease for Florida Key Deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) and Columbian White-Tailed Deer (O. v. leucurus)
Authors: Perrin-Stowe Tolulope I N , Ishida Yasuko , Terrill Emily E , Hamlin Brian C , Penfold Linda , Cusack Lara M , Novakofski Jan , Mateus-Pinilla Nohra E , Roca Alfred L
Published: September 2020

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal, highly transmissible spongiform encephalopathy caused by an infectious prion protein. CWD is spreading across North American cervids. Studies of the prion protein gene (PRNP) in white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus) have identified non-synonymous substitutions associated with reduced CWD frequency. Because CWD is spreading rapidly geographically, it may impact cervids of conservation concern. Here, we examined the genetic vulnerability to CWD of 2 subspecies of WTD: the endangered Florida Key deer (O. v. clavium) and the threatened Columbian WTD (O. v. leucurus). In Key deer (n = 48), we identified 3 haplotypes formed by 5 polymorphisms, of which 2 were non-synonymous. The polymorphism c.574G>A, unique to Key deer (29 of 96 chromosomes), encodes a non-synonymous substitution from valine to isoleucine at codon 192. In 91 of 96 chromosomes, Key deer carried c.286G>A (G96S), previously associated with substantially reduced susceptibility to CWD. Key deer may be less genetically susceptible to CWD than many mainland WTD populations. In Columbian WTD (n = 13), 2 haplotypes separated by one synonymous substitution (c.438C>T) were identified. All of the Columbian WTD carried alleles that in other mainland populations are associated with relatively high susceptibility to CWD. While larger sampling is needed, future management plans should consider that Columbian WTD are likely to be genetically more vulnerable to CWD than many other WTD populations. Finally, we suggest that genetic vulnerability to CWD be assessed by sequencing PRNP across other endangered cervids, both wild and in captive breeding facilities.
Labour Migration and the Gulf Arab States: Some Observations on the Potential of the GCR
Authors: Bastaki Jinan
Published: September 2020

Recently, there has been some exploration of labour mobility policies in the context of refugees as a way of local country integration that can help with refugee self-reliance, with some examples from Africa and Latin America. Building on these examples, this paper explores the opportunities the Global Compact for Refugees presents in the countries making up the Gulf Cooperation Council, specifically the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as related to expanding access to third-country solutions, refugee self-reliance, and responsibility-sharing. Many of the countries making up the Gulf Cooperation Council rely in large part on expatriate labour and are indeed made up of majority non-citizens. Many Syrians who have been able to obtain work visas have preferred to go to the UAE rather than seek refuge in other neighbouring countries. Some positive initiatives, such as a 2018 Amnesty Law in the UAE, which created a specific category of residency permits for those from countries suffering war and natural disasters, have ensured that de facto refugees are protected against refoulement in the event that they lose their residency. However, in order for labour migration in this context to work, there need to be better guarantees and minimum protections, such as schooling for children and healthcare.
BCG as an adjunct or alternative vaccine to prevent COVID-19?
Authors: Weng Chien-Hsiang , Chan Philip A
Published: September 2020

BCG vaccine may enhance the innate immune response as well as induce a specific immunity against SARS-CoV-2, which may potentially be associated with reduced severity of COVID-19, and may or may not necessarily be protective against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The effect from BCG vaccine was observed even decades after the vaccination.
Functional characterization of a gibberellin F-box protein, PslSLY1, during plum fruit development
Authors: El-Sharkawy Islam , Ismail Ahmed , Darwish Ahmed , El Kayal Walid , Subramanian Jayasankar , Sherif Sherif M
Published: September 2020

Fruit development is orchestrated by a complex network of interactions between hormone signaling pathways. The phytohormone gibberellin (GA) is known to regulate a diverse range of developmental processes; however, the mechanisms of GA action in perennial fruit species are yet to be elucidated. In the current study, a GA signaling gene PslSLY1, encoding a putative F-box protein that belongs to the SLY1 (SLEEPY1)/GID2 (gibberellin-insensitive dwarf2) gene family, was isolated from Japanese plum (Prunus salicina). PslSLY1 transcript abundance declined as fruit development progressed, along with potential negative feedback regulation of PslSLY1 by GA. Subcellular localization and protein–protein interaction assays suggested that PslSLY1 functions as an active GA signaling component that interacts with the ASK1 (Arabidopsis SKP1) subunit of an SCF–ubiquitin ligase complex and with PslDELLA repressors, in a GA-independent manner. By using a domain omission strategy, we illustrated that the F-box and C-terminal domains of PslSLY1 are essential for its interactions with the downstream GA signaling components. PslSLY1 overexpression in wild-type and Arabidopsissly1.10 mutant backgrounds resulted in a dramatic enhancement in overall plant growth, presumably due to triggered GA signaling. This includes germination characteristics, stem elongation, flower structure, and fertility. Overall, our findings shed new light on the GA strategy and signaling network in commercially important perennial crops.
Nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide modulate the NADPH-generating enzymatic system in higher plants
Authors: Corpas Francisco J , González-Gordo Salvador , Palma José M
Published: September 2020

Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are two key molecules in plant cells that participate, directly or indirectly, as regulators of protein functions through derived post-translational modifications, mainly tyrosine nitration, S-nitrosation, and persulfidation. These post-translational modifications allow the participation of both NO and H2S signal molecules in a wide range of cellular processes either physiological or under stressful circumstances. NADPH participates in cellular redox status and it is a key cofactor necessary for cell growth and development. It is involved in significant biochemical routes such as fatty acid, carotenoid and proline biosynthesis, and the shikimate pathway, as well as in cellular detoxification processes including the ascorbate–glutathione cycle, the NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase (NTR), or the superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase. Plant cells have diverse mechanisms to generate NADPH by a group of NADP-dependent oxidoreductases including ferredoxin-NADP reductase (FNR), NADP-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP-GAPDH), NADP-dependent malic enzyme (NADP-ME), NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP-ICDH), and both enzymes of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, designated as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH). These enzymes consist of different isozymes located in diverse subcellular compartments (chloroplasts, cytosol, mitochondria, and peroxisomes) which contribute to the NAPDH cellular pool. We provide a comprehensive overview of how post-translational modifications promoted by NO (tyrosine nitration and S-nitrosation), H2S (persulfidation), and glutathione (glutathionylation), affect the cellular redox status through regulation of the NADP-dependent dehydrogenases.
Blocking intruders: inducible physico-chemical barriers against plant vascular wilt pathogens
Authors: Kashyap Anurag , Planas-Marquès Marc , Capellades Montserrat , Valls Marc , Coll Núria S
Published: September 2020

Xylem vascular wilt pathogens cause devastating diseases in plants. Proliferation of these pathogens in the xylem causes massive disruption of water and mineral transport, resulting in severe wilting and death of the infected plants. Upon reaching the xylem vascular tissue, these pathogens multiply profusely, spreading vertically within the xylem sap, and horizontally between vessels and to the surrounding tissues. Plant resistance to these pathogens is very complex. One of the most effective defense responses in resistant plants is the formation of physico-chemical barriers in the xylem tissue. Vertical spread within the vessel lumen is restricted by structural barriers, namely, tyloses and gels. Horizontal spread to the apoplast and surrounding healthy vessels and tissues is prevented by vascular coating of the colonized vessels with lignin and suberin. Both vertical and horizontal barriers compartmentalize the pathogen at the infection site and contribute to their elimination. Induction of these defenses are tightly coordinated, both temporally and spatially, to avoid detrimental consequences such as cavitation and embolism. We discuss current knowledge on mechanisms underlying plant-inducible structural barriers against major xylem-colonizing pathogens. This knowledge may be applied to engineer metabolic pathways of vascular coating compounds in specific cells, to produce plants resistant towards xylem colonizers.
The Watson Family, the Association for the Discountenancing of Vice and the Irish Cheap Repository Tracts*
Authors: Stoker David
Published: September 2020

Although the history of Hannah More’s Cheap Repository Tracts in England and America is well known, little has been written about the 270 or more editions published in Ireland 1795-c. 1830. They were first published by William Watson, a Dublin bookseller who, in 1792, had founded The Association for the Discountenancing of Vice (ADV). This article describes the founding and growth of the Association and the involvement of Watson and his son in the publishing of the tracts during the late 1790s. It also describes the role of the Watson family, the ADV and the Cheap Repository tracts during the Anglican Evangelical Crusade (1801–1830) after the 1798 rebellion in Ireland. Whilst many members of the Dublin book trade suffered from a severe economic depression after 1801, the Watson family continued to prosper, thanks to the printing and publishing work undertaken on behalf of the ADV. The Watson family business closed in 1832, but the ADV has lasted to the present day operating under a different name.
Most EL CVn systems are inner binaries of hierarchical triples
Authors: Lagos F , Schreiber M R , Parsons S G , Gänsicke B T , Godoy N
Published: September 2020

In spite of their importance for modern astronomy, we do not fully understand how close binary stars containing at least one white dwarf form from main-sequence binary stars. The discovery of EL CVn binaries, close pre-white dwarfs with A/F main-sequence star companions, offers now the unique possibility to test models of close compact binary star formation. Binary evolution theories predict that these EL CVn stars descend from very close main-sequence binaries with orbital periods shorter than 3 d. If this is correct, nearly all EL CVn stars should be inner binaries of hierarchical triples because more than 95 per cent of very close main-sequence binaries (the alleged progenitor systems) are found to be hierarchical triples. We here present SPHERE/IRDIS observations of five EL CVn binaries, finding in all of them tertiary objects, as predicted. We conclude that EL CVn systems are inner binaries of hierarchical triples and indeed descend from very close main-sequence binaries that experience stable mass transfer.
Comprehensive analysis of translation from overexpressed circular RNAs reveals pervasive translation from linear transcripts
Authors: Ho-Xuan Hung , Glažar Petar , Latini Claudia , Heizler Kevin , Haase Jacob , Hett Robert , Anders Marvin , Weichmann Franziska , Bruckmann Astrid , Van den Berg Debbie , Hüttelmaier Stefan , Rajewsky Nikolaus , Hackl Christina , Meister Gunter
Published: September 2020

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) encompass a widespread and conserved class of RNAs, which are generated by back-splicing of downstream 5′ to upstream 3′ splice sites. CircRNAs are tissue-specific and have been implicated in diseases including cancer. They can function as sponges for microRNAs (miRNAs) or RNA binding proteins (RBPs), for example. Moreover, some contain open reading frames (ORFs) and might be translated. The functional relevance of such peptides, however, remains largely elusive. Here, we report that the ORF of circZNF609 is efficiently translated when expressed from a circZNF609 overexpression construct. However, endogenous proteins could not be detected. Moreover, initiation of circZNF609 translation is independent of m6A-generating enzyme METTL3 or RNA sequence elements such as internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs). Surprisingly, a comprehensive mutational analysis revealed that deletion constructs, which are deficient in producing circZNF609, still generate the observed protein products. This suggests that the apparent circZNF609 translation originates from trans-splicing by-products of the overexpression plasmids and underline that circRNA overexpression constructs need to be evaluated carefully, particularly when functional studies are performed.
GESS: a database of global evaluation of SARS-CoV-2/hCoV-19 sequences
Authors: Fang Shuyi , Li Kailing , Shen Jikui , Liu Sheng , Liu Juli , Yang Lei , Hu Chang-Deng , Wan Jun
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak has become a global emergency since December 2019. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 sequences can uncover single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and corresponding evolution patterns. The Global Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2/hCoV-19 Sequences (GESS, https://wan-bioinfo.shinyapps.io/GESS/) is a resource to provide comprehensive analysis results based on tens of thousands of high-coverage and high-quality SARS-CoV-2 complete genomes. The database allows user to browse, search and download SNVs at any individual or multiple SARS-CoV-2 genomic positions, or within a chosen genomic region or protein, or in certain country/area of interest. GESS reveals geographical distributions of SNVs around the world and across the states of USA, while exhibiting time-dependent patterns for SNV occurrences which reflect development of SARS-CoV-2 genomes. For each month, the top 100 SNVs that were firstly identified world-widely can be retrieved. GESS also explores SNVs occurring simultaneously with specific SNVs of user's interests. Furthermore, the database can be of great help to calibrate mutation rates and identify conserved genome regions. Taken together, GESS is a powerful resource and tool to monitor SARS-CoV-2 migration and evolution according to featured genomic variations. It provides potential directive information for prevalence prediction, related public health policy making, and vaccine designs.
Stress and Health in the Police: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: Gutschmidt Daniela , Vera Antonio
Published: September 2020

Previous studies have revealed high rates of health problems such as alcohol abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder, heart diseases, and suicidal behaviour in the police. Numerous variables in the context of police work that affect police officers’ health have already been identified. This includes, for example, operational and organizational stressors inherent in policing, prevailing coping styles, and subcultural characteristics. However, a theoretical model that provides a conceptual framework for the empirical findings is still lacking. The present article aims to close this gap by applying the general biopsychosocial model and the vulnerability-stress model on the impact of police stress on health. It starts by giving an overview of the concepts of vulnerability, stress, coping, and health. Based on a review of police stress research, several biological, psychological, and social factors that are particularly relevant in police work are presented. These aspects are then integrated into a conceptual framework.
“I Have Everything to Win and Nothing to Lose”: Patient Experiences of Mobilization Out of Bed Immediately After Abdominal Surgery
Authors: Svensson-Raskh Anna , Schandl Anna , Holdar Ulrika , Fagevik Olsén Monika , Nygren-Bonnier Malin
Published: September 2020

Objective

Early mobilization is advocated for patients going through abdominal surgery; however, little is known about the patient experience of being mobilized immediately after surgery. The purpose of this study was to explore patient experiences of mobilization immediately after elective abdominal cancer surgery.

Methods

This interview study used qualitative content analysis. With the use of purposeful sampling, a total of 23 participants who had been mobilized immediately after abdominal surgery were recruited at a university hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted within 1 to 4 days after surgery and took place at the surgical ward where the participants were treated. A semi-structured guide was used. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Results

The content analysis revealed 3 categories that emerged into 1 overarching theme: “to do whatever it takes to get home earlier.” The participants experienced that mobilization out of bed had an impact on their physical and mental well-being. Motivation and the experiences of themselves and others were factors that affected patient attitudes toward early mobilization. Preparation and competent caregivers were emphasized as important factors that enabled the patient to feel safe and confident during mobilization.

Conclusions

Patients experienced mobilization as an important part of the care that had an impact on recovery and well-being, physically as well as mentally, both immediately and over time.

Impact

As this is the first study to our knowledge to investigate patient experiences of mobilization immediately after abdominal surgery, this information can be used to support the development of early mobilization protocols in hospital settings.
REASSESSMENT OF RADIATION EXPOSURES OF UNDERGROUND NON-URANIUM MINE WORKERS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Authors: Ralph Martin I , Hinckley Steven , Cattani Marcus
Published: September 2020

In the 1990, radon and radon progeny was reported to contribute approximately 70% of the average 1.4 + 1.0-mSv annual dose across 26 Western Australian underground non-uranium mines. The Western Australian underground mining workforce has expanded significantly, and parameters used to calculate doses have changed significantly, warranting a review of the 1990’s data. The review concludes that doses received by the contemporary mining workforce has increased on average, by 5.4%, with annual dose estimates ranging from 0.53 to 3.56 mSv, with a mean of 1.33 mSv. Doses in 12 of the 23 underground mines exceed 1 mSv and are required to comply with radiation safety legislation. It is estimated that 5400 underground workers will fall into the greater than 1-mSv category. The collective dose to the underground worker population has increased by 4.5 times from 3060 man mSv (2173 workers) to 13 669 man mSv (8597 workers).
COEFFICIENTS FOR ESTIMATING PRENATAL DOSE IN PREGNANT WORKERS FROM ACUTE INTAKES
Authors: Schwahn Scott O , Samuels Caleigh E , Leggett Richard W
Published: September 2020

Inhalation and ingestion dose coefficients for the embryo and fetus from intakes of radionuclides by the mother are provided in the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 88 for intake of each of 74 radionuclides. To address the many other possible radionuclides to which workers may be exposed, effective dose coefficients were developed for the embryo/fetus for all additional radionuclides addressed in ICRP Publication 107 with half-life of 10 min or more. The general approach was to use the estimated dose to the mother’s uterus during pregnancy as a scalable proxy for the dose to the embryo/fetus. The set of scaling factors used in the study was derived from analyses of the relationships of the dose to the mother’s uterus and the effective dose to the embryo/fetus for the ~400 cases (considering two intake modes and multiple forms of many of the radionuclides) addressed in Publication 88.
Novel classifications for systemic sclerosis: challenging historical subsets to unlock new doors
Authors: Sobanski Vincent , Lescoat Alain , Launay David
Published: September 2020

Purpose of review

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe rheumatic disease characterized by a considerable heterogeneity in clinical presentations and pathophysiological mechanisms. This variability has a substantial impact on morbidity and mortality and limits the generalizability of clinical trial results. This review aims to highlight recent studies that have proposed new innovative approaches to decipher this heterogeneity, in particular, by attempting to optimize disease classification.

Recent findings

The historical dichotomy limited/diffuse subsets based on cutaneous involvement has been challenged by studies highlighting an underestimated heterogeneity between these two subtypes and showing that presence of organ damage and autoantibody profiles markedly influenced survival beyond skin extension. Advanced computational methods using unsupervised machine learning analyses of clinical variables and/or high-throughput omics technologies, clinical variables trajectories modelling overtime or radiomics have provided significant insights on key pathogenic processes that could help defining new subgroups beyond the diffuse/limited subsets.

We can anticipate that a future classification of SSc patients will integrate innovative approaches encompassing clinical phenotypes, variables trajectories, serological features and innovative omics molecular signatures. It nevertheless seems crucial to also pursue the implementation and standardization of readily available and easy to use tools that can be used in clinical practice.
Pathogenesis of inclusion body myositis
Authors: Greenberg Steven A.
Published: September 2020

Purpose of review

To review the pathogenesis of inclusion body myositis (IBM).

Recent findings

IBM is an autoimmune disease. Multiple arms of the immune system are activated, but a direct attack on muscle fibers by highly differentiated T cells drives muscle destruction.

Further understanding of the pathogenesis of IBM guides rational approaches to developing therapeutic strategies.
Heterogeneity of HIV-1 latent reservoirs
Authors: Zhao Jia-Cong , Deng Kai
Published: September 2020

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can effectively inhibit human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) replication, but is not curative due to the existence of a stable viral latent reservoir harboring replication-competent proviruses. In order to reduce or eliminate the HIV-1 latent reservoir, characteristics of the latently infected cells need to be intensively studied, and a comprehensive understanding of the heterogenous nature of the latent reservoir will be critical to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we discuss the different cell types and mechanisms contributing to the complexity and heterogeneity of HIV-1 latent reservoirs, and summarize the key challenges to the development of cure strategies for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Arrhythmia in Cardiac Sarcoidosis
Authors: Locke Andrew H. , Gurin Michael I. , Sabe Marwa , Hauser Thomas H. , Zimetbaum Peter
Published: September 2020

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a complex disease that can manifest as a diverse array of arrhythmias. CS patients may be at higher risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD), and, in some cases, SCD may be the first presenting symptom of the underlying disease. As such, identification, risk stratification, and management of CS-related arrhythmia are crucial in the care of these patients. Left untreated, CS carries significant arrhythmogenic morbidity and mortality. Cardiac manifestations of CS are a consequence of an inflammatory process resulting in the myocardial deposition of noncaseating granulomas. Endomyocardial biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis; however, biopsy yield is limited by the patchy distribution of the granulomas. As such, recent guidelines have improved clinical diagnostic pathways relying on advanced cardiac imaging to help in the diagnosis of CS. To date, corticosteroids are the best studied agent to treat CS but are associated with significant risks and limited benefits. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators have an important role in SCD risk reduction. Catheter ablation in conjunction with antiarrhythmics seems to reduce ventricular arrhythmia burden. However, the appropriate selection of these patients is crucial as ablation is likely more helpful in the setting of a myocardial scar substrate versus arrhythmia driven by active inflammation. Further studies investigating CS pathophysiology, the pathway to diagnosis, arrhythmogenic manifestations, and SCD risk stratification will be crucial to reduce the high morbidity and mortality of this disease.
Investigating the Electrical Properties of Different Cochlear Implants
Authors: Swaddiwudhipong Nol , Jiang Chen , Landry Thomas G. , Bance Manohar
Published: September 2020

Aim:

This study characterises and compares electrical properties and current spread across four different makes of cochlear implants with differing electrode designs using a 3D-printed artificial cochlear model.

Background:

Cochlear implants are currently limited by current spread within the cochlea, which causes low spectral resolution of auditory nerve stimulation. Different cochlear implant makes vary in electrode size, shape, number, and configuration. How these differences affect cochlear implant current spread and function is not well known.

Method:

Each cochlear implant was inserted into a linear cochlear model containing recording electrodes along its length. Biphasic monopolar stimulation of each implant electrode was carried out, and the resultant waveform and transimpedance matrix (TIM) data obtained from the recording electrodes. This was repeated with each implant rotated 180 degrees in the cochlea model to examine the effects of electrode orientation. Impedance spectroscopy was also carried out at the apex, middle, and base of the model.

Results:

The four cochlear implants displayed similar TIM profiles and waveforms. One hundred eighty degrees rotation of each cochlear implant made little difference to the TIM profiles. Impedance spectroscopy demonstrated broad similarities in amplitude and phase across the implants, but exhibited differences in certain electrical parameters.

Conclusion:

Implants with different designs demonstrate similar electrical performance, regardless of electrode size and spacing or electrode array dimension. In addition, rotatory maneuvers during cochlear implantation surgery are unlikely to change implant impedance properties.
Sexual and reproductive health in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Frayman Katherine B. , Chin Melanie , Sawyer Susan M. , Bell Scott C.
Published: September 2020

Purpose of review

With improving life expectancy and quality of life, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) has become an increasingly important aspect of patient-centered cystic fibrosis care. This review aims to describe advances in cystic fibrosis-related SRH and highlight optimal practices.

Recent findings

Recent publications suggest that people with cystic fibrosis follow a similar trajectory of sexual development and activity as their noncystic fibrosis peers, although contraception use is lower. Although fertility is reduced in patients with cystic fibrosis, improved survival and assisted reproductive technologies have led to an increasing pursuit and incidence of pregnancy. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator modulators that correct the underlying cystic fibrosis defect might improve fertility and thus far appear safe in pregnancy, though data are limited.

Despite medical knowledge of SRH in cystic fibrosis, patients continue to report they lack sufficient education about these aspects of their healthcare, and cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary teams are ill prepared to counsel their patients.

Understanding of the effects of cystic fibrosis on SRH continues to improve, although many questions remain regarding optimal care from the choice of contraception to the safety of cystic fibrosis-specific medications in pregnancy. Further development of cystic fibrosis-informed interdisciplinary specialist networks and a wider framework of practice would both enhance health outcomes and better support patients.
Association between alcohol intoxication and mortality in severe traumatic brain injury in the emergency department: a retrospective cohort
Authors: van Wijck Suzanne F. , Kongkaewpaisan Napaporn , Han Kelsey , Kokoroskos Nikolaos , Kongwibulwut Manasnun , King David R. , van der Wilden Gwendolyn M. , Krijnen Pieta , Schipper Inger B. , Velmahos George C.
Published: September 2020

Background

Acute alcohol intoxication is very common in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Whether there is an independent association between alcohol intoxication and mortality is debated. This study hypothesized that alcohol intoxication is independently associated with less mortality after severe TBI (sTBI).

Methods

This retrospective observational cohort study included all patients with sTBI [head-Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) ≥3, corresponding to serious head injury or worse] admitted from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2016 in an academic level I trauma center. Patients were classified as with alcohol intoxication or without intoxication based on blood alcohol concentration or description of alcohol intoxication on admission. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, including patient and injury characteristics, was used to assess independent association with alcohol intoxication.

Results

Of the 2865 TBI patients, 715 (25%) suffered from alcohol intoxication. They were younger (mean age 46 vs. 68 years), more often male (80 vs. 57%) and had a lower median Glasgow Coma Scale upon arrival (14 vs. 15) compared to the no-intoxication group. There was no difference in injury severity by head AIS or Rotterdam CT. Alcohol intoxication had an unadjusted association with in-hospital mortality [unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.38–0.68]; however, there was no independent association after adjusting for potentially confounding patient and injury characteristics (adjusted OR 0.72; 95% CI, 0.48–1.09).

Conclusion

In this retrospective study, there was no independent association between alcohol intoxication and higher in-hospital mortality in emergency patients with sTBI.
Artificial intelligence in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of urinary stones
Authors: Yang Bob , Veneziano Domenico , Somani Bhaskar K.
Published: September 2020

Purpose of review

There has a been rapid progress in the use of artificial intelligence in all aspects of healthcare, and in urology, this is particularly astute in the overall management of urolithiasis. This article reviews advances in the use of artificial intelligence for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of urinary stone disease over the last 2 years. Pertinent studies were identified via a nonsystematic review of the literature performed using MEDLINE and the Cochrane database.

Recent findings

Twelve articles have been published, which met the inclusion criteria. This included three articles in the detection and diagnosis of stones, six in the prediction of postprocedural outcomes including percutaneous nephrolithotomy and shock wave lithotripsy, and three in the use of artificial intelligence in prevention of stone disease by predicting patients at risk of stones, detecting the stone type via digital photographs and detecting risk factors in patients most at risk of not attending outpatient appointments.

Our knowledge of artificial intelligence in urology has greatly advanced in the last 2 years. Its role currently is to aid the endourologist as opposed to replacing them. However, the ability of artificial intelligence to efficiently process vast quantities of data, in combination with the shift towards electronic patient records provides increasingly more ‘big data’ sets. This will allow artificial intelligence to analyse and detect novel diagnostic and treatment patterns in the future.
The Epidemiology and Management of Pediatric Maxillary Fractures
Authors: Moffitt Joseph Kevin , Cepeda Alfredo , Wainwright D’Arcy J. , Demian Nagi , Wainwright David J. , Nguyen Phuong D. , Teichgraeber John F. , Greives Matthew R.
Published: September 2020

Background:

Most literature regarding traumatic Le Fort or maxillary fractures exists in the adult population, with limited information regarding the epidemiology and management of pediatric fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate fracture mechanism, surgical management, and associated injuries in pediatric patients with Le Fort fractures.

Methods:

A retrospective chart analysis of all pediatric patients age ≤18 years diagnosed with facial fractures at a single level 1 trauma center over a 10-year period (January 2006–December 2015) was performed. Demographics, fracture location, mechanism of injury, and hospital course were abstracted as well as associated injuries and need for operative management.

Results:

A total of 1274 patients met inclusion criteria. Sixty-nine (5.4%) presented with Le Fort fractures. Factors associated with Le Fort fractures included motor vehicle collisions (P < 0.001), increased age (P < 0.001), and traumatic brain injury (P < 0.04). Patients with Le Fort fractures were more likely to need intensive care unit admission (P < 0.001), surgical management (P < 0.001), transfusions (P < 0.001), secondary fixation surgery (P < 0.001), and have a longer length of stay (P < 0.001). Multivariate showed increased odds for increased age (OR 1.1; 95%CI 1.04–1.17) and concomitant orbit fractures (OR 8.33; 95%CI 4.08–19.34). Decreased odds were associated for all mechanisms of injury other than motor vehicle collisions (Other blunt trauma: OR 0.36; 95%CI 0.2–0.6. Penetrating trauma: OR 0.13; 95%CI 0.01–0.6).

Conclusion:

Maxillary or Le Fort fractures represent a small portion of pediatric facial fractures but require high rates of operative management. The high velocity required to create this fracture type is associated with significant traumatic comorbidities, which can complicate the hospital course.
Efficacy of Staple Line Reinforcement With Omentopexy During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on Postoperative Complications: Experience of a Single Center
Authors: Lale Azmi , Aygen Erhan , Kirkil Cuneyt , Artas Hakan , Yur Mesut
Published: September 2020

Background:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of staple line reinforcement with omentopexy during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on postoperative complications.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 3942 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy cases were included in the study. All the patients were divided into 3 groups: No reinforcement (NoSLR), staple line reinforcement with fibrin glue (SLR-FG), and staple line reinforcement with omentopexy (SLR-O). Demographic data and perioperative characteristics of the groups were analyzed retrospectively. Among these, age, sex, preoperative comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, body mass index, duration of operation, reoperation, complications, and Clavien-Dindo classification scores were recorded.

Results:

Age, sex, body mass index, comorbid diseases, American Society of Anesthesiologists, and Clavien-Dindo Classification scores were similar in all the groups. The overall complication rate was 3.0%. The overall minor and major complication rates were 1.7% and 1.3%, respectively. The mortality rate was 0.1% (4 patients). The most common postoperative complications were bleeding (0.9%) and leakage (0.5%). The incidence of leakage, bleeding, and twisted gastric sleeve rates were similar when compared between SLR-FG and NoSLR. In the SLR-O patients, the incidence of leakage, hemorrhage, and twist were significantly lower and the operation time was significantly longer when compared with the other groups.

Conclusions:

The SLR-O technique, especially when performed by experienced surgeons, is a promising method for the prevention of postoperative leakage, bleeding, and twist complications with an acceptable increase in the duration of operation. Considering the limited effects of the SLR-FG technique, it was predicted that it would lose its popularity over time.
Evolution of behavioural resistance in host–pathogen systems
Authors: Amoroso Caroline R. , Antonovics Janis
Published: September 2020

Behavioural resistance to parasites is widespread in animals, yet little is known about the evolutionary dynamics that have shaped these strategies. We show that theory developed for the evolution of physiological parasite resistance can only be applied to behavioural resistance under limited circumstances. We find that accounting explicitly for the behavioural processes, including the detectability of infected individuals, leads to novel dynamics that are strongly dependent on the nature of the costs and benefits of social interactions. As with physiological resistance, evolutionary dynamics of behavioural resistance can also lead to mixed strategies that balance these costs and benefits.
Changes in risk perception and self-reported protective behaviour during the first week of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
Authors: Wise Toby , Zbozinek Tomislav D. , Michelini Giorgia , Hagan Cindy C. , Mobbs Dean
Published: September 2020

Efforts to change behaviour are critical in minimizing the spread of highly transmissible pandemics such as COVID-19. However, it is unclear whether individuals are aware of disease risk and alter their behaviour early in the pandemic. We investigated risk perception and self-reported engagement in protective behaviours in 1591 United States-based individuals cross-sectionally and longitudinally over the first week of the pandemic. Subjects demonstrated growing awareness of risk and reported engaging in protective behaviours with increasing frequency but underestimated their risk of infection relative to the average person in the country. Social distancing and hand washing were most strongly predicted by the perceived probability of personally being infected. However, a subgroup of individuals perceived low risk and did not engage in these behaviours. Our results highlight the importance of risk perception in early interventions during large-scale pandemics.
Information-theoretic measures for nonlinear causality detection: application to social media sentiment and cryptocurrency prices
Authors: Keskin Z. , Aste T.
Published: September 2020

Information transfer between time series is calculated using the asymmetric information-theoretic measure known as transfer entropy. Geweke’s autoregressive formulation of Granger causality is used to compute linear transfer entropy, and Schreiber’s general, non-parametric, information-theoretic formulation is used to quantify nonlinear transfer entropy. We first validate these measures against synthetic data. Then we apply these measures to detect statistical causality between social sentiment changes and cryptocurrency returns. We validate results by performing permutation tests by shuffling the time series, and calculate the
Z
-score. We also investigate different approaches for partitioning in non-parametric density estimation which can improve the significance. Using these techniques on sentiment and price data over a 48-month period to August 2018, for four major cryptocurrencies, namely bitcoin (BTC), ripple (XRP), litecoin (LTC) and ethereum (ETH), we detect significant information transfer, on hourly timescales, with greater net information transfer from sentiment to price for XRP and LTC, and instead from price to sentiment for BTC and ETH. We report the scale of nonlinear statistical causality to be an order of magnitude larger than the linear case.
How rare are power-law networks really?
Authors: Artico I. , Smolyarenko I. , Vinciotti V. , Wit E. C.
Published: September 2020

The putative scale-free nature of real-world networks has generated a lot of interest in the past 20 years: if networks from many different fields share a common structure, then perhaps this suggests some underlying ‘network law’. Testing the degree distribution of networks for power-law tails has been a topic of considerable discussion.Ad hocstatistical methodology has been used both to discredit power-laws as well as to support them. This paper proposes a statistical testing procedure that considers the complex issues in testing degree distributions in networks that result from observing a finite network, having dependent degree sequences and suffering from insufficient power. We focus on testing whether the tail of the empirical degrees behaves like the tail of a de Solla Price model, a two-parameter power-law distribution. We modify the well-known Kolmogorov–Smirnov test to achieve even sensitivity along the tail, considering the dependence between the empirical degrees under the null distribution, while guaranteeing sufficient power of the test. We apply the method to many empirical degree distributions. Our results show that power-law network degree distributions are not rare, classifying almost 65% of the tested networks as having a power-law tail with at least 80% power.
Fixed-time synchronization of quaternion-valued neural networks with time-varying delay
Authors: Kumar Umesh , Das Subir , Huang Chuangxia , Cao Jinde
Published: September 2020

In this article, sufficient conditions for fixed-time synchronization of time-delayed quaternion-valued neural networks (QVNNs) are derived. Firstly, QVNNs are decomposed into four real-valued systems. Then using the available lemmas and by constructing the Lyapunov function, the synchronization criterion for the neural networks is proposed. Activation functions satisfy the Lipschitz condition. A suitable controller has been designed to synchronize the master–slave systems. The effectiveness of the proposed result is validated through a comparison of the settling time obtained by applying two different existing lemmas to a particular problem of synchronization of two identical QVNNs with time-varying delay with the help of suitable controllers.