bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical and corrosion properties of medium carbon low alloy steel after cyclic quenching and tempering heat–treatments
Authors: Hafeez Muhammad Arslan , Inam Aqil , Farooq Ameeq
Published: December 2019

Cyclic quenching and tempering (QT) heat–treatment processes have the potential to improve the mechanical properties of steel due to the formation of fine grain size microstructure. This work aims to investigate the mechanical and corrosion properties of experimental medium carbon low alloy steel under cyclic heat–treatment processes. Cyclic single quenching and tempering (SQT), double quenching and tempering (DQT), and triple quenching and tempering (TQT) heat–treatment processes were carried out on the medium carbon low alloy steel. X–ray diffraction analysis validated the formation of fine ε–carbide (Fe2.4C) after intermediate low–temperature tempering in DQT and TQT heat–treatments. These fine carbides provided preferential nucleation sites for the formation of new austenitic grain, resulting in a refined microstructure composed of supersaturated (carbon) lath martensite (α′) and retained austenite (γ). The DQT and TQT heat–treatments improved 19% tensile strength, 100% elongation, and 95% impact absorption energy in comparison to SQT heat–treatment. DQT and TQT heat–treatments also transformed the brittle behavior of SQT steel into a ductile behavior. It was also revealed by the small number and size of dimples along with a large number of short tear ridges in fractographs. Morphology of corrosion products of heat–treated experimental steel was also studied in a 5% NaCl solution. The SQT heat–treated sample showed porous morphology of corrosion products, while the TQT sample showed morphology with less porosity on the surface. The DQT sample showed solid corrosion morphology with little porosity. As the grain size went on decreasing in the cyclic heat–treatments the corrosion rate was also dropped.
Iridescence and thermal properties of Urosaurus ornatus lizard skin described by a model of coupled photonic structures
Authors: Murillo José G , Rodríguez-Romero Juan , Medina-Vázquez José A , González-Ramírez Evelyn Y , Álvarez-Herrera Cornelio , Gadsden Héctor
Published: December 2019

This research shows that the morphological characteristics of the external microstructure of the beautiful skin of the Urosaurus ornatus lizard contribute to the explanation of the origin of their iridescent and thermal properties. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy studies revealed that the skin surface of the U. ornatus lizard is constituted by a semi-ordered array of hexagonal photonic crystals with sub-micrometric structural parameters. The iridescence properties of the ventral patch and dorsal surface of the U. ornatus lizard were numerically simulated modeling both surfaces by a set of coupled photonic crystals with structural parameters proposed from statistical measurements of the lattice parameter and holes diameter of its skin surface. The dorsal surface showed the ability to reflect visible light and at least in a significant range the ultraviolet and near infrared radiation. A complete photonic band gap for the transverse magnetic polarization mode of the incident light in both dorsal and ventral surfaces was predicted by calculations. The spectral reflectance and the structure of photonic bands obtained explain the reflection of the infrared radiation by the dorsal surface which might help to the thermoregulation of the lizard body. The results obtained suggest that the selective reflection of incident light performed by the photonic structural array defined on the skin surface of the U. ornatus has a significant contribution to its apparent color.
Hepatitis C virus infection and the role of a pharmaceutical care program
Authors: Chamorro-de-Vega E , Rodríguez-González C G , Giménez-Manzorro Álvaro , Herranz A , Sanjurjo M
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The design, implementation, and assessment of a comprehensive pharmaceutical care program (CPCP) for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) are described.

The advent of DAA regimens has caused the evolution of the role of hospital pharmacists, leading to the development of more specialized models of pharmaceutical care. Three clinical pharmacists were incorporated into the pharmacy department of a general tertiary teaching hospital in Madrid, Spain, with the aim of developing and implementing a CPCP for HCV-infected patients. Pharmacists were responsible for proposing standards and local guidelines to physicians, monitoring adherence to guidelines, managing drug interactions and adverse drug events (ADEs), providing patient education, and evaluating health outcomes and costs. Implementation steps included (1) estimation of the healthcare demand and pharmacy resources, (2) definition of the workflow of the CPCP, (3) definition of the treatment care plan, for which tools were developed to support pharmaceutical validation, detection, and management of ADEs and drug–drug interactions, and (4) program assessment in terms of safety and cost-effectiveness. The pharmacists’ interventions performed, severity of errors intercepted, and patients’ satisfaction with the CPCP were also assessed. This CPCP demonstrates that the involvement of the pharmacist throughout the care plan prevents harmful medication errors in this population (0.1 per patient) and prompts significant cost savings (€1.2 million for 1,930 treated patients).

Conclusion

The implementation of a CPCP developed by hospital pharmacists for patients treated with DAA for HCV infection is an effective approach for preventing harmful medication errors and improving cost- effectiveness.
Bioinformatics pipeline using JUDI: Just Do It!
Authors: Pal Soumitra , Przytycka Teresa M
Published: December 2019

Large-scale data analysis in bioinformatics requires pipelined execution of multiple software. Generally each stage in a pipeline takes considerable computing resources and several workflow management systems (WMS), e.g. Snakemake, Nextflow, Common Workflow Language, Galaxy, etc. have been developed to ensure optimum execution of the stages across two invocations of the pipeline. However, when the pipeline needs to be executed with different settings of parameters, e.g. thresholds, underlying algorithms, etc. these WMS require significant scripting to ensure an optimal execution. We developed JUDI on top of DoIt, a Python based WMS, to systematically handle parameter settings based on the principles of database management systems. Using a novel modular approach that encapsulates a parameter database in each task and file associated with a pipeline stage, JUDI simplifies plug-and-play of the pipeline stages. For a typical pipeline with n parameters, JUDI reduces the number of lines of scripting required by a factor of O(n). With properly designed parameter databases, JUDI not only enables reproducing research under published values of parameters but also facilitates exploring newer results under novel parameter settings.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/ncbi/JUDI

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
P185 MULTI-MODAL PREHABILITATION DURING NEOADJUVANT THERAPY PRIOR TO RESECTION FOR OESOPHAGOGASTRIC CANCER: A PILOT RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Authors: Allen S K , Brown V , White D , King D , Hunt J , Prabhu P , Rockall T A , Preston S R , Sultan J
Published: December 2019

Aim

We aimed to assess the effect of prehabilitation on cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) performance in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for oesophagogastric (OG) cancer.

Background & Methods

NAC reduces fitness as assessed by CPET1 and induces skeletal muscle loss (sarcopenia)2,3. Both are associated with poorer post-operative outcomes.

A parallel-arm RCT was conducted (December 2016 to November 2018), with randomisation to receive a 15-week multi-modal prehabilitation programme (Prehab) or standard-care (Control). Prehab comprised twice-weekly supervised and thrice-weekly home exercise sessions, Medical Coaching, and tailored dietetic input.

CPET was performed before and after NAC, and 1 week pre-operatively. On staging and re-staging CT, skeletal muscle cross-sectional area at L3 was analysed by a blinded investigator.

Becks’ Depression Inventory questionnaires were completed pre- and post-surgery.

Results

Groups (Prehab n=25, Control n=28) were matched at baseline. Supervised and home exercise programme compliance was 76%, and 65% respectively, with no adverse events.

Prehab resulted in an improvement in peak VO2 following NAC (Prehab +31.50ml/min/m2 vs Control -89.57 ml/min/m2; p=0.004) with a trend towards lesser reduction in anaerobic threshold (Prehab -0.87ml/kg/min vs Control -1.44ml/kg/min; p=0.342).

A higher proportion of controls required NAC deferral or dose reduction (Prehab 16% (4/25) vs Control 43% (12/28); p=0.041), with 72% (Prehab) and 46% (Control) completing all cycles at full dose (p=0.076). There was no difference in chemotherapy-related toxicity.

The Prehab group demonstrated less skeletal muscle loss following NAC (Prehab -11.62 vs Control -15.61; p=0.049). Controls showed a trend towards more sarcopenia development after NAC (Prehab: Pre-NAC 37% (9/24) and post-NAC 54% (13/24) vs Control: Pre-NAC 32% (9/28) and post-NAC 64% 18/28) (p=0.404).

Prehab subjects had a significant improvement in depression scores following NAC (Prehab -2.71 vs Control +0.57; p=0.003).

There was a trend towards shorter median length of stay in the Prehab group (Prehab 11 vs Control 16 days; p=0.155) and lower complication rates (Prehab 50% (11/22) vs Control 74% (17/23); p=0.89).

Conclusion

Multi-modal prehabilitation is safe and feasible in OG patients receiving NAC. Despite the effects of NAC, prehabilitation produced a significant improvement in peak VO2, depression scores and less skeletal muscle loss, with a trend towards improved clinical outcomes. This warrants further investigation.
O218 E-CADHERIN EXPRESSION CORRELATES WITH PROGRESSION OF ESOPHAGEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA
Authors: Koda Hanako , Yamada Kazuhiko , Terayama Masayoshi , Ryusuke Sumiya , Nohara Kyoko , Enomoto Naoki , Kataoka Atsuko , Mita Hideaki , Takemura Nobuyuki , Kiyomatsu Tomomitsu , Kokudo Norihiro , Kawamura Yuki I
Published: December 2019

Background & Aim

E-cadherin is a member of the cadherin family and plays a major role in cell–cell adhesion of normal epithelium. Decreased or lack of E-cadherin expression has been reported in breast, colon and bladder cancer, and the disruption of the E-cadherin-mediated cell–cell adhesion is considered the first crucial step of metastasis. The esophageal stratified epithelial cells have many spines that intermingle with each other through desmosomes, in which E-cadherins play an important role for cell–cell adhesion. However, the significance of E-cadherin expression in the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) still remains to be clarified. In the present study, we investigated the relation between E-cadherin expression in tumors and the clinicopathological features of ESCC.

Method

E-cadherin expression was evaluated in ESCC specimens of 61 patients who underwent surgery from April 2008 to December 2015 at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine by immunohistochemical staining. Distribution of E-cadherin in cancerous tissues was classified as Preserved (expression in cell membrane alone) or Disturbed (expression in cytoplasm or decreased/lack of expression of E-cadherin). Significance of the distribution pattern was analyzed by comparison to clinicopathological features.

Results

Thirty-seven of 61 (61%) cases revealed Preserved expression pattern while Disturbed distribution was observed in 24 of 61 (39%) cases. Compared to Preserved pattern, Disturbed expression of E-cadherin in tumors was significantly associated with advanced TNM stages (P=0.0462).

Conclusion

E-cadherin was expressed in most cases of ESCC; however, its distribution was not restricted in membrane but in the cytoplasm of tumors. Disturbed expression of E-cadherin in tumors correlated with advanced stage of ESCC, suggesting that the disruption of the E-cadherin-mediated cell–cell adhesion may play an important role in the progression of ESCC.
Belgian IBD Research Group [BIRD] Position Statement 2019 on the Use of Adalimumab Biosimilars in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Somers Michaël , Bossuyt Peter , Ferrante Marc , Peeters Harald , Baert Filip
Published: December 2019

The emergence of biosimilars is generally considered as an opportunity to guarantee accessibility to affordable treatments and to enhance financial sustainability of national health systems. Since 2017, five biosimilars of adalimumab were approved by the European Medicines Agency [EMA] for use in inflammatory bowel disease: ABP 510, SB5, GP2017, FKB327, and MSB11022. In this position statement, the available efficacy and safety data of the different adalimumab biosimilars in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases are summarised. Furthermore, the Belgian IBD research group [BIRD] formulates statements concerning the use of adalimumab biosimilars in inflammatory bowel disease.
Fatal heart block from intentional yew tree (Taxus baccata) ingestion: a case report
Authors: G. Natasha , Chan Mark , Gue Ying X , Gorog Diana A
Published: December 2019

Background 

Taxus baccata, also known as English yew, is a poison that causes cardiac arrhythmias and can result in death from cardiogenic shock.

Case summary 

A 49-year-old gentleman was admitted following yew ingestion with suicidal intent. He was bradycardic at 30 b.p.m. and hypotensive on arrival. Electrocardiography revealed complete heart block with broad complex ventricular escape rate of 30 b.p.m. Bedside echocardiography revealed severe global impairment of right and left ventricular systolic function. Urgent temporary transvenous pacing was instituted, and the patient was considered for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Unfortunately, he deteriorated rapidly and cardiorespiratory arrest ensued, and despite prolonged in-hospital resuscitation, the patient died. Post-mortem examination revealed small needle-shaped plant leaves together with seeds found in the stomach. Ante mortem serum sample analysis sent to the Royal Botanical Gardens and revealed the presence of taxine Type B alkaloids in the patient’s blood.

Discussion 

Yew poisoning is a rare occurrence, and there is currently no effective antidote. Treatment involves supportive management, comprising prolonged effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation, pacing, and mechanical cardiac support. This case illustrates the importance of prompt recognition of yew poisoning, alongside early consideration of pacing and mechanical cardiac support. Due to the rarity of this cause of heart block, and since patients may not always volunteer a history of yew ingestion, yew poisoning is something that physicians should be aware of and this should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with unexpected heart block. Serum analysis for taxine alkaloids can be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Ageing, demographics, and heart failure
Authors: Coats Andrew J Stewart
Published: December 2019

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome resulting from structural or functional cardiac disorders. In the developed world, HF is primarily a disorder of the elderly. It is one that is accompanied by many non-cardiac comorbidities that affect treatments given, the patient’s response and treatment tolerance and outcomes. Even the pathophysiological mechanisms of HF change as we look at older patient populations. Younger HF patients typically have ischaemic heart disease and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), whereas older patients have more hypertension HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The prevalence of HF has progressively increased for many years and rises even more steeply with age. The outcomes of older especially HFpEF patients have not progressed as much younger HFrEF cohorts. We need more studies specifically recruiting older HF patients with more comorbidities, to guide real-world practice, and we need more assessment of patient-reported outcomes and quality of life rather than just mortality effects. The management of elderly patients with HF requires a more holistic approach recognizing individual needs and necessary support mechanisms and our future trials need to guide us more in achieving these gains.
Care plans for the older heart failure patient
Authors: Hill Loreena , Carson Matthew A , Vitale Cristiana
Published: December 2019

Heart failure (HF) professionals are managing an older population with multiple, often interconnected comorbidities. The average age of the HF patient has increased substantially and many have a number of comorbidities. For the older HF patient, diligent planning of care has the potential to reduce hospitalization, improve quality of life and mortality; nevertheless, this vital component is often overlooked. Frailty, cachexia, sarcopenia, and cognitive impairment are all common in the older HF patient and require special care considerations. Many older HF patients live for many years with troublesome symptoms that could be better addressed through the incorporation of a palliative approach to care. Effective care plans can help patients maximize their health potential through both lifestyle and pharmacological interventions. However, current evidence remains scarce on what constitutes an optimal plan, therefore further studies are urgently needed. We review the care that could be implemented for the complex older HF patient with comorbidities.
PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS AND SLEEP QUALITY AMONG CHINESE AGING PARENTS
Authors: Wang Haowei , Kim Kyungmin , Burr Jeffrey , Wu Bei
Published: December 2019

Relationships with adult children play an important role in older adults’ well-being. However, little is known about the association between parent-child relations and aging parents’ sleep quality, which is an emerging health issue that is closely related to individuals’ physical and mental well-being in later life. With the largest aging population, China has experienced rapid changes of family structure and traditional norms regarding parent-child ties. This study focused on different dimensions of parent-child relationships (i.e., upward/downward financial and instrumental support, emotional closeness) in Chinese aging families. This study examined the association between parent-child relationships and older parents’ sleep quality, comparing one-child and multiple-children Chinese families. Utilizing the 2014 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Aging and Social Survey, we analyze data from 8,450 respondents (aged 60+) who had at least one living child. Descriptive analysis showed that parents with multiple children engaged in more intense financial exchanges, less frequent instrumental support, and lower levels of emotional closeness with their adult children compared to their counterparts with only one child. Logistic regression models revealed that older parents who received more instrumental support were more likely to report sleep difficulty in both one-child and multiple-children families. For parents with multiple children, the overall level of financial transfers from children was negatively associated with having sleep difficulties, while the variability of financial transfers across multiple children was positively associated with having sleep difficulty. Findings highlight the importance of considering family dynamics in studying sleep quality among Chinese older adults.
THE APPLICATION OF MASS OBSERVATION DATA IN SOCIAL RESEARCH
Authors: Kingston Paul
Published: December 2019

Responding to the opportunities and challenges of an ageing world the University of Chester established the Centre for Ageing, Mental Health and Veterans’ Studies in 2013 to provide research, consultancy and education, with the aim of promoting innovation in health and social care services for older people. This symposium brings together researchers from a wide range of disciplines and career stages, to explore the utility of Mass observation data in social research in the field of gerontology. The Mass Observation Project, established in 1937, documents the lives of ordinary people living in the UK, and explores a wide range of social issues. The symposium comprises four separate papers. The Methodological Relevance of Mass Observation Data: This preliminary overview will outline the mass observation archive, highlighting challenges and issues encountered utilising the data produced in social research. Personal Narratives of Ageing: This paper presents personal narratives reflecting on the ageing process, and growing older in the UK. The Health Impact of Scams: This presentation will offer new and alternate insights into ‘scams’ and the health effects of fraud on older people, using data from the mass observation directive commissioned by the centre. Perceptions of Dementia: This paper presents a perspective on the public knowledge and understanding about dementia not previously considered, where respondents have written openly about their own experiences, and reflected on their perception of the wider public’s knowledge and understanding about dementia.
ALTERATIONS IN TARGETED METABOLOMICS PRIOR TO UNINTENTIONAL WEIGHT LOSS IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Baugh Mary Elizabeth , Ilkayeva Olga R , Bain James R , Muehlbauer Michael J , Marron Megan M , Newman Anne B , Farsijani Samaneh , Kritchevsky Stephen
Published: December 2019

In older adults, unintentional weight loss (UWL) is associated with poor outcomes, but its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. We sought to identify potential biomarkers of UWL using targeted metabolomics, including 8 conventional metabolites, 45 acylcarnitines, and 15 amino acids. We identified individuals from the Cardiovascular Health Study All Stars with UWL (n=40) or weight stability (WS; n=40) from Years 9 to 11. Participants had WS through Year 8. UWL was defined as experiencing >6% weight loss from Years 9 to 11 and self-reporting that loss as unintentional. Mean plasma metabolite concentrations measured in Year 9 were compared between individuals with UWL or WS between Years 9 and 11. The strongest signals in metabolomic differences between individuals going on to experience UWL versus WS were observed among the branched-chain amino acids, valine (236.54 ± 54.43 vs. 215.79 ± 32.69 μM, 95%CI: -40.81, -0.70) and isoleucine/leucine (159.09 ± 36.53 vs. 142.75 ± 23.78 μM, 95%CI:-30.10, -2.59); lactate (1.23 ± 0.44 vs. 1.00 ± 0.57 μM, 95%CI: -0.45, -0.001); histidine (35.69 ± 5.33 vs. 38.62 ± 4.86 μM, 95%CI: 0.65, 5.20); the medium-chain acylcarnitine octenoyl carnitine (C8:1) (0.23 ± 0.10 vs. 0.29 ± 0.14 μM, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.12); and long-chain acylcarnitine myristoyl carnitine (C14) (0.04 ± 0.01 vs. 0.03 ± 0.01 μM, 95%CI: -0.01, -0.002). These findings suggest altered branched-chain amino acid and fatty acid metabolism and increased oxidative stress and inflammation may be evident before individuals undergo UWL. Further investigation of these pathways may reveal novel preventive or treatment strategies for UWL.
EVALUATING GERIATRIC WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AMONG HOSPITALS USING NICHE BENCHMARKING DATA
Authors: Thompson Roy A , Matters Loretta , Corazzini Kirsten , McConnell Eleanor
Published: December 2019

The Nurses Improving Care for Health System Elders (NICHE) program aims to improve geriatric care competencies for improved care quality. A quantitative descriptive design utilizing secondary data analysis was done to evaluate geriatric workforce enhancement efforts in one acute healthcare system. Data were collected using the Geriatric Institutional Assessment Profile (GIAP) from 2008 and 2013. The GIAP measures perceived professional issues (disagreements among staff and families, limited access to geriatric services, vulnerability to legal action, intensity and burden of behavioral problems) on a Likert scale from best=0 to poor=10. Staff perception of the Geriatric Care Environment was scored by the GIAP as: age sensitive care delivery (0-40), institutional values (0-28), resource availability (0-32) and capacity for collaboration (0-12). Higher scores on the Geriatric Care Environment reflected improvements. Independent sample t-tests examined changes in baseline scores. Post-NICHE implementation, compared to peer hospitals by teaching status and bed size in 3 hospitals there were significantly (p<0.05) improved scores for: access to geriatric services (2.79-3.21), burden of behavioral problems (2.40-3.15), aging sensitivity care delivery (26.05-29.53), institutional values (18.85-19.59) and resource availability (19.51-19.97). Peer hospitals had significantly (p<0.05) better scores for: disagreements among staff about treatment of older adults (1.63-1.94) and capacity for collaboration (7.72-7.99). Findings indicate improvement in perceived professional issues and need for improvement in the geriatric care environment and care redesign to progress to becoming an Age-Friendly health system. This was an initial step in a health system to improve care quality through health workforce development.
THE LFDSS DETECTS HIGH-RISK FINANCIAL DECISION-MAKING IN COGNITIVELY VULNERABLE OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Campbell Rebecca J , Lichtenberg Peter
Published: December 2019

The Lichtenberg Financial Decision-Making Screening Scale (LFDSS) is a brief screening tool that quantifies an individual’s informed decision making and risk for exploitation in a real-world financial transaction. Previous literature found that the ideal cut-off score for those at higher risk of financial exploitation was five and above. The purpose of the present study was to examine the utility of the LFDSS as a screening tool for financial decision-making ability in a high-risk sample of people with cognitive impairment. The sample was obtained from the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center and was comprised of both cognitively healthy individuals (n=73) and those with cognitive impairment (n=45). All participants completed the LFDSS as part of a larger test battery. A Pearson chi-square analysis was used to examine group differences in financial decision-making risk between cognitively healthy individuals and those with cognitive impairment. A Pearson chi-square analysis found that those who had cognitive impairment were significantly more likely to score above the cut-off for high-risk financial decision-making compared to those who were cognitively healthy (χ2(1)=4.61, p=.032). The base rate of high-risk financial decision-making was 3.2x greater for those with cognitive impairment compared (17.7%) to those who were cognitively healthy (5.5%). These results demonstrate the utility of the LFDSS to detect high-risk decision-making in individuals with cognitive impairment. This tool serves a need in many professional settings (e.g. doctor’s offices and Adult Protective Services) for a brief, standardized assessment measure of financial decision-making and exploitation risk for a real-world, significant financial transaction.
PERSISTENT THEMES IN WHERE WE LIVE AS WE ARE LIVING OUR VERY OLD LIVES
Authors: Moss Miriam S , Moss Sidney Z
Published: December 2019

After living in our suburban house in Pennsylvania for over five decades, as long term gerontologists we moved to Massachusetts. First, we rented a house for three years; then the homeowner decided to sell and we declined to buy. Now in our 90’s, we have been residents for four years of a town house in a retirement community in Massachusetts that emphasizes independence over dependency; it provides no meals or direct health care services. It is now our home and we have found that several themes persevere: (1) We adapt to the increasing presence of vulnerability in ourselves and in other older persons. (2) We try to maximize our sense of residential comfort and mastery (Golant, 2015) by asserting environmental proactivity ( Lawton , 1987). This reflects the continuity (Atchley, 1989) of our lives. (3) We recognize the ever-present complexities in our responses to personal and societal themes of ageism.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy is feasible for large thymomas: a propensity-matched comparison
Authors: Weng Wenhan , Li Xiao , Meng Shushi , Liu Xianping , Peng Peng , Wang Zhenfan , Li Jianfeng , Wang Jun
Published: December 2019

OBJECTIVES

Video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy is becoming the preferable approach for early-stage thymoma. However, large thymomas are still recognized as a relative contraindication due to the possible risk of incomplete resection or capsular disruption. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy for large thymomas.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with Masaoka stage I–IV thymoma between April 2001 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were divided into 2 groups: thymoma <5.0 cm (group A) and thymoma ≥5.0 cm (group B). Propensity score matching analysis was performed to compare postoperative results. Recurrence-free survival and overall survival were compared for oncological evaluation.

RESULTS

A total of 346 patients were included in this study. In the propensity score matching analysis, 126 patients were included both in group A and group B. There was no significant difference between these 2 groups in terms of the R0 resection rate (95.2% vs 94.4%, P = 1.000), conversion rate (1.6% vs 3.2%, P = 0.684), operation time (119.4 ± 48.4 vs 139.1 ± 46.6 min, P = 0.955), blood loss (93.2 ± 231.7 vs 100.5 ± 149.3 ml, P = 0.649), duration of chest drainage (2.7 ± 1.6 vs 2.8 ± 2.0 days, P = 0.184), length of hospitalization (5.0 ± 3.9 vs 5.2 ± 2.9 days, P = 0.628) or postoperative complications (5.9% vs 8.5%, P = 0.068). There was no significant difference between these 2 groups in terms of the overall survival (P = 0.271) and recurrence-free survival (P = 0.288).

CONCLUSIONS

Video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy is a safe and effective approach for large thymomas (≥5 cm) with comparable surgical and oncological results.
Opossum Mammary Maturation as It Relates to Immune Cell Infiltration and Nutritional Gene Transcription
Authors: Fehrenkamp B D , Miller R D
Published: December 2019

Synopsis

The mammary gland has evolved to accommodate the developmental needs of offspring in species-specific ways. This is particularly true for marsupials. Marsupial milk content changes dramatically throughout lactation in ways appearing timed with neonatal ontogeny and behavior. Here we investigate morphological restructuring within the mammaries throughout lactation in the gray short-tailed opossum, Monodelphis domestica. Substantial remodeling of the mammaries occurs throughout the first half of active lactation. It is not until the latter half of lactation that opossum mammaries appear histologically similar to active eutherian mammaries. Noteworthy was the presence of eosinophils in early developing mammary tissue, which correlated with elevated abundance of transcripts encoding the chemokine IL-16. The presence and abundance of whey protein transcripts within the opossum mammaries were also quantified. Whey acidic protein (WAP) transcript abundance peaked in the latter half of lactation and remained elevated through weaning. Minimal transcripts for the marsupial-specific Early and Late Lactation Proteins (ELP/LLP) were detected during active lactation. Elevated abundance of LLP transcripts was only detected prior to parturition. Overall, the results support the role of eosinophils in mammary restructuring appearing early in mammalian evolution, and describe key similarities and differences in nutritional protein transcript abundance among marsupial species.
Phylogeny of the Hawkmoth Tribe Ambulycini (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae): Mitogenomes from Museum Specimens Resolve Major Relationships
Authors: Timmermans Martijn J T N , Daghmoumi Sainab M , Glass Deborah , Hamilton Chris A , Kawahara Akito Y , Kitching Ian J
Published: December 2019

Ambulycini are a cosmopolitan tribe of the moth family Sphingidae, comprised of 10 genera, 3 of which are found in tropical Asia, 4 in the Neotropics, 1 in Africa, 1 in the Middle East, and 1 restricted to the islands of New Caledonia. Recent phylogenetic analyses of the tribe have yielded conflicting results, and some have suggested a close relationship of the monobasic New Caledonian genus CompsulyxHolloway, 1979 to the Neotropical ones, despite being found on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean. Here, we investigate relationships within the tribe using full mitochondrial genomes, mainly derived from dry-pinned museum collections material. Mitogenomic data were obtained for 19 species representing nine of the 10 Ambulycini genera. Phylogenetic trees are in agreement with a tropical Asian origin for the tribe. Furthermore, results indicate that the Neotropical genus Adhemarius Oiticica Filho, 1939 is paraphyletic and support the notion that OrectaRothschild & Jordan 1903 and TrogolegnumRothschild & Jordan, 1903 may need to be synonymized. Finally, in our analysis the Neotropical genera do not collectively form a monophyletic group, due to a clade comprising the New Caledonian genus Compsulyx and the African genus BatocnemaRothschild & Jordan, 1903 being placed as sister to the Neotropical genus ProtambulyxRothschild & Jordan, 1903. This finding implies a complex biogeographic history and suggests the evolution of the tribe involved at least two long-distance dispersal events.
MIC distributions for amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, flucytosine and anidulafungin and 35 uncommon pathogenic yeast species from the UK determined using the CLSI broth microdilution method
Authors: Borman Andrew M , Muller Julian , Walsh-Quantick Jo , Szekely Adrien , Patterson Zoe , Palmer Michael D , Fraser Mark , Johnson Elizabeth M
Published: December 2019

Background

Epidemiological cut-off values and clinical interpretive breakpoints have been developed for a number of antifungal agents with the most common Candida species that account for the majority of infections due to pathogenic yeasts species. However, less-common species, for which susceptibility data are limited, are increasingly reported in high-risk patients and breakthrough infections.

Methods

The UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory performs routine antifungal susceptibility testing of clinical yeast isolates submitted from across the UK. Between 2002 and 2016, >32 000 isolates representing 94 different yeast species were referred to the laboratory. Here we present antifungal susceptibility profiles generated over this period for amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, anidulafungin and flucytosine against 35 species of uncommon yeast using CLSI methodologies. MIC data were interpreted against epidemiological cut-off values and clinical breakpoints developed with Candida albicans, in order to identify species with unusually skewed MIC distributions that potentially indicate resistance.

Results

Potential resistance to at least one antifungal agent (>10% of isolates with MICs greater than the epidemiological cut-off or clinical breakpoint) was evidenced for 29/35 species examined here. Four species exhibited elevated MICs with all of the triazole antifungal drugs against which they were tested, and 21 species exhibited antifungal resistance to agents from at least two different classes of antifungal agent.

Conclusions

This study highlights a number of yeast species with unusual MIC distributions and provides data to aid clinicians in deciding which antifungal regimens may be appropriate when confronted with infections with rarer yeasts.
5 Precision animal welfare for pigs
Authors: Hulbert Lindsey E
Published: December 2019

Precision animal management (PAM), was a term created by engineers to describe technologies that improve the sustainability of intensive animal production systems. Focused efforts include improving product-efficiency and environmental impact (e.g. robotics in milk production). These PAM technologies have been incorporated in intensive swine production systems (e.g. feeding systems, waste-management). There is a perception that animal welfare efforts reduce efficiency, thus reducing sustainability. This perception is challenged with the development and application of precision animal welfare (PAW) technologies. Examples include: 1) a response system to stimulate sows to stand when they are crushing piglets (Swineguard, Swine Tech, Cedar Rapids, IA); 2) a visual-based automatic tracking system to detect sickness and agonistic interactions at an per-animal level (Schmidt et al., University of Nebraska at Lincoln, NE), and; 3) environmental enrichment (EE) that simultaneously provides mental-stimulation to pigs and automatically collects data (Hulbert et al., K-State, Manhattan, KS). The first two technologies may be applied for improved efficiency, which may not motivate animal caretakers to adopt new housing strategies. Restricted space-allowance limits behavior-expression, and consequently, limits the amount and type of data that can be gained from the technologies. Therefore, more work is needed to apply these technologies on pigs in alternative housing systems (e.g. pens instead of farrowing stalls). Animal welfare improves with EE, but pigs can extinguish EE-use (i.e. boredom) or destroy EE-devices. Non-destructible, stimulating EE were tested on mini-boars. The automated data served a behavioral-biomarker for detecting subclinical injury biomedical research projects. This EE can be scaled-up for commercial pigs and has great potential for improving welfare of pigs in intensive systems while simultaneous providing semi real-time information to animal caretakers at an per-animal level. For swine production, early-adopters and investors are needed to help animal welfare researchers and engineers to transform technologies from PAM into PAW.
194 Effects of maternal behavior at calving, parity and season on dam behavior during fenceline weaning
Authors: Rutherford William C , Parish Jane A , Montgomery Sarah M
Published: December 2019

The study objective was to assess the effect of maternal behavior at calving, parity and season on dam behavior during the first 24 h of fence-line weaning. Crossbred cattle (n = 58) were fitted with global positioning system collars on the day of weaning their calves and placed in a 10.1-ha pasture adjacent to their calves and separated by a common fence. Dam position was recorded at 5-minute intervals. Dam distance from the fence was analyzed using SAS PROC MIXED. Both maternal aggression score during calf handling within 24 h of calving (MA: 1 = flight response to 5 = fight response) and mothering aptitude score immediately following calf processing at calving (MOM: 1 = calf abandonment, 2 = cow retreats quickly with calf, 3 = cow flees chasing calf, 4 = cow walks away with calf, 5 = cow stays in immediate area with calf) affected mean daily distance to the fence (P < 0.01). Dams assigned a MA of 5 maintained the greatest (P < 0.01) mean daily distance from the fence (274.8 ± 1.0 m), whereas dams assigned a MA of 2 or 1 maintained the least (209.5 ± 0.8 m) (P < 0.01) and second least (220.5 ± 0.8 m) (P < 0.01) mean daily distance from the fence. Daily distance from the fence was in sequential order from greatest to least for dams with MOM scores of 3, 1, 5, 2, and 4 (P < 0.01). Distance from the fence was greater (P < 0.01) during fall than spring and greater (P < 0.01) for multiparous than primiparous dams. This suggests that maternal behavior at calving is related to maternal behavior at weaning and that parity and season also influence weaning behavior of dams.
51 ASAS-EAAP Exchange Speaker Talk: Is genomic selection beneficial for the pig industry?
Authors: Knol Egbert
Published: December 2019

Genomic selection increases accuracy of prediction and, with that, genetic trend; also in pigs 50% extra trend is gradually becoming a conservative estimate. Theory and experience in other species shows that more is better: the more genotypes, and the more phenotypes, the higher the gain. The downside of this is that fewer and fewer breeding companies can bring up the resources to reach those numbers. Consolidation is the result and within companies the number of sire and dam lines is decreasing. On top of that the essence of current genomic selection is that the presence of existing or new rare alleles is ignored, with the risk of genetic variance. So fewer groups, fewer lines and breeds, and reducing genetic variance. The upside is more possibilities for more difficult traits. Challenge experiments can be more effectively used as training populations, as are crossbred animals for dissection. Costprice of genotyping is down to a level that it could be cost effective to genotype individual crossbred sows for precision production management. Increased genetic trend, combined with precision production and production sorting of boars can lead to very cost efficient uniform production directed to very specific markets. Genomic selection is beneficial for the pig industry to maintain its competitive position against other types of meat in the short to medium term. Developments for the (near) future are genome editing and interaction with other genotypes. The latter is linked to same species genotypes (pen mates), to pathogenic genotypes and to humans. Larger farms with larger groups of animals per age group and fewer and less experienced workers make autonomy of animals more important. Genomic models that estimate which animals do best for the net profit of the farm are needed, but difficult. In the end genomic selection is a powerful tool to create genetic trend and adapt pigs to local market environments. In the bigger picture of long term, worldwide sustainability there are some serious concerns.
229 DNA sequence assisted prediction: the uncomfortable truth
Authors: Perez-Enciso Miguel
Published: December 2019

Using whole genome sequence for improving genomic prediction relative to that from high density SNP arrays has been well below expectations, despite some overoptimistic computer simulations. Why is this so? First, NGS data are massive, noisy and their computer bioinformatics analysis is expensive when applied to the scale needed in animal breeding. SNP calling is a tricky procedure that is especially sensitive to low depth sequencing. This makes it NGS data far more expensive than array genotyping. Second, rare variants are the most frequent class of variants. Population genetics theory dictates that the number of SNPs of a given frequency f is inversely proportional to f. For prediction purposes, it is clear that rare variants are not useful, because it is very likely that they do not segregate in both testing and training subpopulations. Third, sequence contains highly repetitive info, the number of new SNPs decreases quickly with adding new samples and, further, low effective population sizes in domestic animals makes it disequilibrium to be large. What can we do about it? First, high density data can be imputed up to sequence; this has a mild - and limited - effect on improving accuracy. Second, sequence at very low depth on numerous animals can be obtained. This is an extremely risky option that I discourage due to strong biases in heterozygous genotype calling. Third, predictions can be constructed using some sort of prior information (e.g., based on known causative genes or from GWAS studies) together with high density, perhaps custom designed arrays. I believe this is the most promising approach.
233 Global regulatory landscape for evaluation of products derived from gene editing
Authors: Nesbitt Clint
Published: December 2019

Researchers are increasingly excited about the potential of new genetic tools like genome editing to address a wide array of important issues in food and agriculture, including sustainable production, improved nutrition, and animal health and welfare. U.S. regulators and other governments around the world are currently working to develop policies to effectively evaluate the safety of novel products developed with these technologies, but to date, have been sending ambiguous and sometimes conflicting signals about regulatory paths to market. In addition to getting regulatory systems right, successful commercialization of innovative new products may require a broad dialogue about the use of innovation in food and agriculture with a wide array of stakeholders in order to ensure that developers have the social license to bring such products to market. The speaker will review the current global regulatory landscape for evaluation of food and agricultural products derived from gene editing and the potential impact on successful commercialization of such products.
241 True nutrient and amino acid digestibility of human-grade dog foods using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay
Authors: Oba Patricia M , Utterback Pamela L , Parsons Carl M , Swanson Kelly S
Published: December 2019

Human-grade dog foods are now available and increasing in popularity, but little research has been conducted to test the digestibility of these foods. The objective of this experiment was to determine the true nutrient and amino acid (AA) digestibilities of human-grade ingredient-based dog foods using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay. Six commercial dog foods were tested, including the Beef & Russet Potato (BRP), Chicken & White Rice (CWR), Fish & Sweet Potato (FSP), Lamb & Brown Rice (LBR), Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni (TWM) and Venison & Squash (VSR) formulas provided by Just Food For Dogs (Irvine, CA). Before analysis, all diets were lyophilized and ground. A precision-fed rooster assay utilizing cecectomized roosters was conducted to determine the true nutrient digestibility and standardized AA digestibilities of the diets tested. Conventional roosters were used to determine the nitrogen-corrected total metabolizable energy (TMEn) of the diets. All animal procedures were approved by the University of Illinois Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee prior to experimentation. The substrates and rooster excreta were analyzed for macronutrient profile and AA composition. All data were analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS 9.4. In general, all diets tested were highly digestible. Dry matter digestibility was similar among CWR, LBR and TWR diets, and greater (P < 0.0001) than that of FSP and VSR diets. Organic matter digestibility was highest (P = 0.0002) for CWR and lowest (P = 0.0002) for VSR. TMEn value was highest for BRP. For the majority of indispensable AA, digestibilities were greater than 85%, with some being greater than 90%. Although statistical differences were observed among diets, they all performed very well. The diets tested had very high AA digestibilities, being digested at levels exceeding that usually observed with extruded diets.