bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total devastation of river macroinvertebrates following a volcanic eruption in southern Chile
Authors: Fuentes Norka , Goméz Lorna , Venegas Héctor , Rau Jaime R.
Published: May 2020

Although explosive volcanic eruptions are natural disturbances that cause significant environmental repercussions and impose multiple changes on ecosystems, post‐eruption studies of rivers and streams are not common. The most recent eruption of the Puyehue‐Cordón Caulle volcanic complex (PCCVC) began on 4 June 2011 with a large explosion and the emission of a column of gas and volcanic ash (particle size <0.001–2 mm) followed by the release of silica magma, and lasted approximately until June 2012. The wind‐dispersed volcanic ash affected the area surrounding the PCCVC in southern Chile and, subsequently, most of South America, but local effects on streams and rivers in the vicinity were more drastic. We collected water, ash, and benthic macroinvertebrate samples four months after the eruption from four rivers: Two were visibly impacted (Gol‐Gol and Nilahue) in areas where volcanic ash thickness ranged between 1 and 5 cm, in the vicinity of the PCCVC fissure (8–15 km), and two adjacent rivers (Calcurrupe and Chanleufu) were located 20–40 km from the PCCVC fissure where ash thickness was <1 cm and did not present visible impacts. Results were then compared with data obtained from previous research projects. This study reports that this natural disaster induced an increase in concentrations of total suspended solids and of phosphorous in the rivers Gol‐Gol and Nilahue, as well as habitat destruction, deterioration of environmental quality, and the consequent devastation of macroinvertebrate assemblages inhabiting these rivers directly following the eruption. We conclude that volcanic eruptions can generate local extinctions of benthic macroinvertebrates in the short term, compared with rivers that were not affected by volcanic ash.
Variations in community assemblages and trophic networks of aphids and parasitoids in protected crops
Authors: Postic Estelle , Le Ralec Anne , Buchard Christelle , Granado Caroline , Outreman Yannick
Published: May 2020

Greenhouse crops are thought to be simplified ecosystems because they often consist of monocultures that are relatively isolated from their environment. However, insect pests are still able to colonize these protected crops, which threaten their yields. Similarly, natural enemies of pests may be able to colonize greenhouses, providing a form of natural biological pest control. Protected strawberry crops are grown in several types of greenhouses that vary in their degree of openness. Crops often suffer from aphid outbreaks, which can be partly controlled by insect parasitoids immigrating from the surrounding environment. We investigated variations over space and time in both the aphid and parasitoid community diversity and species assemblages associated with protected strawberry crops. We sampled aphids and parasitoids in five regions of France in the spring and summer of two successive years. Despite the relative isolation of these protected crops, we identified a high aphid species richness in them, even at the greenhouse scale. Aphid community composition varied with spatial and temporal factors, but the species assemblages present were mostly determined by local factors. Parasitoid communities were mostly similar among the studied regions, but varied between seasons, with this temporal variation being related to changes in aphid species composition. The study of trophic interactions occurring between aphids and parasitoids allowed the most prevalent and efficient parasitoid species to be identified. The structures of food webs strongly varied in time and space, compromising any prediction of “natural” biological control. We also highlighted ecological factors that can disrupt aphid biological control, such as the occurrence of hyperparasitism or the possibility of apparent mutualism between aphid species. Finally, we showed that the degree of openness of greenhouses influenced both the aphid communities and the hyperparasitism rates in them. These results provide valuable information to improve aphid biological control in protected crops.
Facile Preparation of ZnO/CNTs Nanocomposites via ALD for Photocatalysis Applications
Authors: Oliveira Inês E. , Silva Ricardo M. , Girão Ana V. , Faria Joaquim L. , Silva Cláudia G. , Silva Rui F.
Published: May 2020

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VA‐CNTs) of 2.3 µm in height were produced by thermal chemical vapor deposition (TCVD) on Si/SiO2 substrates. These carbon arrays were coated with zinc oxide (ZnO) via atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. Conformal, uniform and very thin films (max. 26 nm) around the CNTs were obtained after 200 ALD cycles. The photocatalytic performance of these nanocomposite materials was tested in the degradation of rhodamine B, a harmful dye present in food and textile wastewaters. The optimal degradation performance is already obtained after 100 ALD cycles on VA‐CNTs, which provide 77 % of RhB degradation after 420 min of irradiation. The photocatalytic results suggested a remarkable synergistic effect between the CNT and ZnO phases. The stability of ZnO/CNTs nanocomposites after being used as photocatalysts was demonstrated by Raman spectroscopy, as the CNTs structure stayed intact and the ZnO remained coupled to the CNTs. Thus, a main advantage of the present approach is the immobilization of the photocatalyst material on a solid support, avoiding further complex nanomaterial separation from the treated water stream.
[Ag(PcL)]‐Catalysed Domino Approach to 6‐Substituted Benzoxazino Isoquinolines
Authors: Garanzini Davide , Pirovano Valentina , Menghi Ilaria , Celentano Giuseppe , Rizzato Silvia , Rossi Elisabetta , Caselli Alessandro , Abbiati Giorgio
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we describe a new silver catalysed domino approach to 6‐substituted benzoxazino isoquinolines starting from 2‐alkynylbenzaldehydes and 1‐substituted‐(2‐aminophenyl)methanols. The strategy is characterized by good reaction yields, and can be performed at room temperature as well as under heating (conventional or dielectric) in different reaction times. Best results have been obtained by using silver complexes of macrocyclic pyridine‐containing ligands (PcL) as catalysts. The stereoselectivity of the transformation has been investigated by using chiral reaction partners and chiral catalysts, but unfortunately, modest stereoselectivities have been achieved. On the other hand, this approach represents an alternative synthetic strategy for the preparation of 6‐substituted benzoxazino isoquinolines, which are the key scaffold of some compounds endowed of biological activity.
Ensemble forecasting of the Zika space‐time spread with topological data analysis
Authors: Soliman Marwah , Lyubchich Vyacheslav , Gel Yulia R.
Published: May 2020

As per the records of the World Health Organization, the first formally reported incidence of Zika virus occurred in Brazil in May 2015. The disease then rapidly spread to other countries in Americas and East Asia, affecting more than 1,000,000 people. Zika virus is primarily transmitted through bites of infected mosquitoes of the species Aedes (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). The abundance of mosquitoes and, as a result, the prevalence of Zika virus infections are common in areas which have high precipitation, high temperature, and high population density. Nonlinear spatio‐temporal dependency of such data and lack of historical public health records make prediction of the virus spread particularly challenging. In this article, we enhance Zika forecasting by introducing the concepts of topological data analysis and, specifically, persistent homology of atmospheric variables, into the virus spread modeling. The topological summaries allow for capturing higher order dependencies among atmospheric variables that otherwise might be unassessable via conventional spatio‐temporal modeling approaches based on geographical proximity assessed via Euclidean distance. We introduce a new concept of cumulative Betti numbers and then integrate the cumulative Betti numbers as topological descriptors into three predictive machine learning models: random forest, generalized boosted regression, and deep neural network. Furthermore, to better quantify for various sources of uncertainties, we combine the resulting individual model forecasts into an ensemble of the Zika spread predictions using Bayesian model averaging. The proposed methodology is illustrated in application to forecasting of the Zika space‐time spread in Brazil in the year 2018.
Evaluation of Phenolic Compound Toxicity Using a Bioluminescent Assay with the Fungus Gerronema viridilucens
Authors: Ventura Fernanda F. , Mendes Luiz F. , Oliveira Anderson G. , Bazito Reinaldo C. , Bechara Etelvino J.H. , Freire Renato S. , Stevani Cassius V.
Published: May 2020

Basidiomycetes (phylum Basidiomycota) are filamentous fungi characterized by the exogenous formation of spores on a club-shaped cell called a basidium that are often formed on complex fruiting bodies (mushrooms). Many basidiomycetes serve an important role in recycling lignocellulosic material to higher trophic levels, and some show symbiotic relationships with plants. All known bioluminescent fungi are mushroom-forming basidiomycetes in the order Agaricales. Hence, the disruption of the basidiomycete community can entirely compromise the carbon cycle in nature from fungi to higher trophic levels. The fungus Gerronema viridilucens was used in the present study to investigate the toxicity of a phenolic compound series based on the inhibition of its bioluminescence. The median effect concentration (EC50) obtained from curves of bioluminescence inhibition versus log [phenolic compound] showed that 2,4,6-trichlorophenol was the most toxic compound in the series. The log EC50 values of all phenolic compounds were then used for the prediction of their toxicity. The univariate correlation of log EC50 values obtained from 6 different phenolic compounds was stronger with the dissociation constant (pKa) than with 1-octanol/water partition coefficient (KOW). Nevertheless, the toxicity can be better predicted by using both parameters, suggesting that the phenol-driven uncoupling of fungus mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate synthesis is the origin of phenolic compound toxicity to the test fungus. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1558–1565. © 2020 SETAC
Temperature-Related Responses of an Invasive Mussel and 2 Unionid Mussels to Elevated Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Waller Diane L. , Bartsch Michelle R. , Lord Eric G. , Erickson Richard A.
Published: May 2020

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) have exacerbated the decline of native freshwater mussels (order Unionida) in North America since their arrival in the 1980s. Options for controlling invasive mussels, particularly in unionid mussel habitats, are limited. Previously, carbon dioxide (CO2) showed selective toxicity for zebra mussels, relative to unionids, when applied in cool water (12 °C). We first determined 96-h lethal concentrations of CO2 at 5 and 20 °C to zebra mussels and responses of juvenile plain pocketbook (Lampsilis cardium). Next, we compared the time to lethality for zebra mussels at 5, 12, and 20 °C during exposure to partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2) values of 110 to 120 atm (1 atm = 101.325 kPa) and responses of juvenile plain pocketbook and fragile papershell (Leptodea fragilis). We found efficacious CO2 treatment regimens at each temperature that were minimally lethal to unionids. At 5 °C, plain pocketbook survived 96-h exposure to the highest PCO2 treatment (139 atm). At 20 °C, the 96-h lethal concentration to 10% of animals (LC10) for plain pocketbook (173 atm PCO2, 95% CI 147–198 atm) was higher than the LC99 for zebra mussels (118 atm PCO2, 95% CI 109–127 atm). Lethal time to 99% mortality (LT99) of zebra mussels in 110 to 120 atm PCO2 ranged from 100 h at 20 °C to 300 h at 5 °C. Mean survival of both plain pocketbook and fragile papershell juveniles exceeded 85% in LT99 CO2 treatments at all temperatures. Short-term infusion of 100 to 200 atm PCO2 at a range of water temperatures could reduce biofouling by zebra mussels with limited adverse effects on unionid mussels. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1546–1557. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Critically ill pregnant patient with COVID‐19 and neonatal death within two hours of birth
Authors: Li Jianwei , Wang Yichun , Zeng Yingchun , Song Ting , Pan Xingfei , Jia Mingwang , He Fang , Hou Liusheng , Li Bingfei , He Shuming , Chen Dunjin
Published: May 2020

COVID‐19 may lead to a sharp decline in blood oxygen, can cause sudden changes in the fetal intrauterine environment, and could possibly result in neonatal death.
Nuclear factor of activated T cells as a marker of in vivo low‐dose dibenzo[a,h]anthracene exposure
Authors: He Cuiying , Shen Mengyue , Morita Kentaro , Wang Duo , Kanazawa Tamotsu , Yoshida Yasuhiro
Published: May 2020

We previously demonstrated that particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) suppresses the immune response in the spleen in vivo. Although PM2.5 includes the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) such as dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DBA), it is unclear whether PAH has a direct effect on the responses of splenocytes. In our study, the concentration of DBA used was approximately 0.8 μm, which is much lower than concentrations used in other toxicological studies of DBA. Although exposure to high concentrations of DBA is implicated in carcinogenesis, the effects of low doses of DBA on immune cells in vivo remain unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of low DBA doses on mouse splenocytes in vivo. Mice were administered dimethyl sulfoxide or DBA (0.4 or 0.8 μm) intratracheally. Twenty‐four hours after treatment, the mice were killed and their splenocytes were collected. DBA treatment enhanced mitogen‐induced cell proliferation and cytokine production in the mouse splenocytes. Furthermore, DBA enhanced splenic CD4+ and CD8+ cell proliferation and cytokine production. The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) was activated in CD4+ cells. DBA also activated nuclear factor‐kappa B and CCAAT enhancer‐binding protein pathways in CD11b+ cells. DBA‐enhanced splenocyte activation was Toll‐like receptor 2‐, 4‐, 9‐ and MyD88‐independent. These results suggest that NFAT represents a promising marker for evaluation of the effects of DBA on T cells and T‐cell‐dependent antibody responses.
Combined effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and glucose on the blood glucose homeostasis in young rats after oral administration
Authors: Chen Zhangjian , Han Shuo , Zheng Pai , Zhou Shupei , Jia Guang
Published: May 2020

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) were usually consumed with a high content of sugar, and children were identified as having the highest exposures due to sweet food preferences. Research on the combined effect of ingested TiO2 NPs and glucose has great significance, particularly in young people. We examined young Sprague‐Dawley rats administered TiO2 NPs (0, 2, 10 and 50 mg/kg) orally with and without glucose (1.8 g/kg) for 90 days. Blood glucose homeostasis was assessed by monitoring blood glucose and detecting glycoproteins. Glucose tolerance was also evaluated by the oral glucose tolerance test. The levels of blood glucose‐related hormones such as insulin, C‐peptide and glucagon were measured. We found that subchronic co‐exposure of TiO2 NPs and glucose caused slight imbalance of blood glucose homeostasis in vivo. Mild and temporary hypoglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance and changes of glucose‐regulating hormones were shown in the exposure groups. The combined effect of TiO2 NPs and glucose was more apparent than that of TiO2 NPs alone, which may be due to the effects of excess glucose and the interactions between TiO2 NPs and glucose. The antagonistic effect of TiO2 NPs with glucose did exist in the level of glycosylated hemoglobin in female rats. Gender differences were apparent in these effects induced by TiO2 NPs and glucose. Female rats seemed to be more susceptible for blood glucose disorders. Co‐exposure of TiO2 NPs and excessive glucose could induce gender‐dependent imbalance of blood glucose homeostasis in rats. It may be the reason that these consumers face greater health risks glycosylated hemoglobin.
Estrogen receptor α activation aggravates imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like dermatitis in mice by enhancing dendritic cell interleukin‐23 secretion
Authors: Iwano Rena , Iwashita Naoki , Takagi Yoshiichi , Fukuyama Tomoki
Published: May 2020

Our recent study has reported that estrogen receptors (ERs) are involved in several types of allergy development. This study aims to investigate the possible relationship between ER activation and development of imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like dermatitis. A mouse model of imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like dermatitis was generated by 5 days of topical application of 5% of imiquimod cream on the back of the ear and the shaved back skin of male BALB/c mice. From the second day of applying 5% imiquimod cream, either ERα selective agonist (propylpyrazoletriol [PPT] 2.5 mg/kg) or ERβ selective agonist (diarylpropionitrile, DPN; 2.5 mg/kg) was administered orally for four consecutive days. Immediately after the final imiquimod cream application, scratching behavior was video monitored for 2 hours. The ear‐swelling response was determined by comparing ear thickness before and after the final application of imiquimod cream. Twenty‐four hours after the final imiquimod application, back skin tissue and auricular lymph nodes were isolated under isoflurane anesthesia. Oral administration of PPT significantly induced itch behavior and proinflammatory responses, including the levels of interleukin (IL)‐17 and IL‐22, whereas DPN treatment did not influence either pruritic or proinflammatory responses. In addition, IL‐23 contribution by dendritic cells was identified using ER agonists on pretreated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated murine bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). PPT also significantly enhanced IL‐23 secretion by LPS‐stimulated BMDCs. Our findings indicate that the activation of ERα, but not ERβ, is directly associated with inflammatory and pruritic responses in a mouse model of the imiquimod‐induced psoriasis by enhancing the secretion of IL‐23 by dendritic cells.
In vivo noninvasive measurement of spatially resolved corneal elasticity in human eyes using Lamb wave optical coherence elastography
Authors: Jin Zi , Chen Sisi , Dai Yingying , Bao Chenhong , Ye Shuling , Zhou Yuheng , Wang Yiyi , Huang Shenghai , Wang Yuanyuan , Shen Meixiao , Zhu Dexi , Lu Fan
Published: May 2020

Current elastography techniques are limited in application to accurately assess spatially resolved corneal elasticity in vivo for human eyes. The air‐puff optical coherence elastography (OCE) with an eye motion artifacts correction algorithm is developed to distinguish the in vivo cornea vibration from the eye motion and visualize the Lamb wave propagation clearly in healthy subjects. Based on the Lamb wave model, the phase velocity dispersion curve in the high‐frequency is calculated to obtain spatially resolved corneal elasticity accurately with high repeatability. It is found that the corneal elasticity has regional variations and is correlated with intraocular pressure, which suggests that the method has the potential to provide noninvasive measurement of spatially resolved corneal elasticity in clinical practice.
Potential Biomarkers of the Turnover, Mineralization, and Volume Classification: Results Using NMR Metabolomics in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Baptista Aline L , Padilha Kallyandra , Malagrino Pamella A , Venturini Gabriela , Zeri Ana CM , dos Reis Luciene M , Martins Janaina S , Jorgetti Vanda , Pereira Alexandre C , Titan Silvia M , Moyses Rosa MA
Published: May 2020

Bone biopsy is still the gold standard to assess bone turnover (T), mineralization (M), and volume (V) in CKD patients, and serum biomarkers are not able to replace histomorphometry. Recently, metabolomics has emerged as a new technique that could allow for the identification of new biomarkers useful for disease diagnosis or for the understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms, but it has never been assessed in the chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD–MBD) scenario. In this study, we investigated the association between serum metabolites and the bone TMV classification in patients with end‐stage renal disease by using serum NMR spectroscopy and bone biopsy of 49 hemodialysis patients from a single center in Brazil. High T was identified in 21 patients and was associated with higher levels of dimethylsulfone, glycine, citrate, and N‐acetylornithine. The receiver‐operating characteristic curve for the combination of PTH and these metabolites provided an area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.86 (0.76 to 0.97). Abnormal M was identified in 30 patients and was associated with lower ethanol. The AUC for age, diabetes mellitus, and ethanol was 0.83 (0.71 to 0.96). Low V was identified in 17 patients and was associated with lower carnitine. The association of age, phosphate, and carnitine provided an AUC of 0.83 (0.70 to 0.96). Although differences among the curves by adding selected metabolites to traditional models were not statistically significant, the accuracy of the diagnosis according to the TMV classification seemed to be improved. This is the first study to evaluate the TMV classification system in relation to the serum metabolome assessed by NMR spectroscopy, showing that selected metabolites may help in the evaluation of bone phenotypes in CKD–MBD. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Mice Carrying a Ubiquitous R235W Mutation of Wnt1 Display a Bone-Specific Phenotype
Authors: Yorgan Timur Alexander , Rolvien Tim , Stürznickel Julian , Vollersen Nele , Lange Fabiola , Zhao Wenbo , Baranowsky Anke , Rosenthal Lana , Hermans-Borgmeyer Irm , Sharaf Ahmed , Karsak Meliha , David Jean-Pierre , Oheim Ralf , Amling Michael , Schinke Thorsten
Published: May 2020

Since a key function of Wnt1 in brain development was established early on through the generation of non-viable Wnt1-deficient mice, it was initially surprising that WNT1 mutations were found to cause either early-onset osteoporosis (EOOP) or osteogenesis imperfecta type XV (OIXV). The deduced function of Wnt1 as an osteoanabolic factor has been confirmed in various mousemodels with bone-specific inactivation or overexpression, but mice carrying disease-causing Wnt1 mutations have not yet been described. Triggered by the clinical analysis of EOOP patients carrying a heterozygous WNT1 mutation (p.R235W), we introduced thismutation into themurine Wnt1 gene to address the question of whether this would cause a skeletal phenotype. We observed that Wnt1+/R235W and Wnt1R235W/R235W mice were born at the expected Mendelian ratio and that they did not display postnatal lethality or obvious nonskeletal phenotypes. At 12 weeks of age, the homozygous presence of the Wnt1 mutation was associated with reduced trabecular and cortical bone mass, explained by a lower bone formation rate compared with wild-type littermates. At 52 weeks of age, we also observed a moderate bone mass reduction in heterozygous Wnt1+/R235W mice, thereby underscoring their value as amodel of WNT1-dependent EOOP. Importantly, when we treated wild-type and Wnt1+/R235W mice by daily injection of parathyroid hormone (PTH), we detected the same osteoanabolic influence in both groups, together with an increased cortical thickness in themutant mice. Our data demonstrate the pathogenicity of the WNT1-R235W mutation, confirm that controlling skeletal integrity is the primary physiological function of Wnt1, and suggest that osteoanabolic treatment with teriparatide should be applicable for individuals with WNT1-dependent EOOP. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Combinatorial designs for deep learning
Authors: Chisaki Shoko , Fuji‐Hara Ryoh , Miyamoto Nobuko
Published: May 2020

Deep learning is a machine learning methodology using a multilayer neural network. Let be mutually disjoint node sets (layers). A multilayer neural network can be regarded as a union of the complete bipartite graphs on consecutive two node sets and for . The edges of a bipartite graph function as weights which are represented as a matrix. The values of th layer are basically computed by multiplication of the weight matrix and values of th layer. Using mass training and teacher data, the weight parameters are estimated little by little. Overfitting (or overlearning) refers to a model that models the “training data” too well. It then becomes difficult for the model to generalize to new data which were not in the training set. The most popular method to avoid overfitting is called dropout. Dropout zeros out a random sample of activations (nodes) during the training process. A random sampling of nodes causes more irregular frequency of dropout edges. There is a similar sampling concept in the area of design of experiments. We propose a combinatorial design that drops out nodes from each layer. This design balances the edge frequencies. We analyze and construct such designs in this paper.
Neutrophil dysfunction predicts 90‐day survival in patients with acute on chronic liver failure: A longitudinal case–control study
Authors: Makkar Kunaal , Tomer Shallu , Verma Nipun , Rathi Sahaj , Arora Sunil K , Taneja Sunil , Duseja Ajay , Chawla Yogesh K , Dhiman Radha K
Published: May 2020

Background and Aim

Innate immune disarray is a key component in the development and progression of acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) and predisposition to infections. We evaluated the neutrophil dysfunction and its impact on outcomes in patients with ACLF.

Methods

Forty patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis (10 each of grades 0, 1, 2, and 3 ACLF) and 10 healthy controls were prospectively evaluated for neutrophil immunophenotype (NP), neutrophil phagocytic capacity (NPC), and oxidative burst (OB) in both resting and stimulated conditions. The patients were followed up for 90 days or until death or transplant, whichever was earlier.

Results

NP was normal (in %) and NPC (in mean fluorescence intensity [MFI]) was better in controls compared to patients with ACLF (83.74 ± 12.38 vs 63.84 ± 22.98; P = 0.007 and 98.33 ± 130.60 vs 18.73 ± 17.88, P = 0.001, respectively). Resting OB was higher in patients with ACLF compared to controls (97 ± 4.9% vs 91 ± 9%; P = 0.034), but it failed to increase further after stimulation, suggesting an immune exhaustion. NP was normal (in %) and NPC (in MFI) was better in 90‐day survivors compared to nonsurvivors (78 ± 11.9 vs 62.2 ± 24.11, P = 0.02 and 33.3 ± 22.7 vs 16.36 ± 13.3; P = 0.004, respectively). Phenotypically normal neutrophils >71.7% had 78.6% sensitivity and 65.4% specificity with an area under receiver operating curve (AUROC) of 0.70 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.55–0.90); P = 0.017, and NPC >17.32. MFI had 71.4% sensitivity and 69.6% specificity with an AUROC of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.54–0.86), P = 0.035, in predicting 90‐day survival.

Conclusion

Neutrophils have impaired bactericidal function in patients with ACLF compared to healthy adults. Neutrophil phenotype and phagocytic capacity may be used to predict 90‐day survival in patients with ACLF.
Evolutionary optimization of an anatomical suction cup: Lip collagen content and its correlation with flow and substrate in Neotropical suckermouth catfishes (Loricarioidei)
Authors: Bressman Noah R. , Armbruster Jonathan W. , Lujan Nathan K. , Udoh Imoh , Ashley‐Ross Miriam A.
Published: May 2020

In riverine ecosystems, downstream drag caused by fast‐flowing water poses a significant challenge to rheophilic organisms. In neotropical rivers, many members of a diverse radiation of suckermouth catfishes (Loricarioidei) resist drag in part by using modified lips that form an oral suction cup composed of thick flesh. Histological composition and morphology of this cup are interspecifically highly variable. Through an examination of 23 loricarioid species, we determined that the tissue most responsible for lip fleshiness is collagen. We hypothesized that lip collagen content is interspecifically correlated with substrate and flow so that fishes living on rocky substrates in high‐flow environments have the largest, most collagenous lips. By mapping the amount and distribution of lip collagen onto a phylogeny and conducting ANOVA tests, we found support for this hypothesis. Moreover, these traits evolved multiple times in correlation with substrate and flow, suggesting they are an effective means for improving suction‐based attachment. We hypothesize that collagen functions to reinforce oral suction cups, reducing the likelihood of slipping, buckling, and failure under high‐flow, high‐drag conditions. Macroevolutionary patterns among loricarioid catfishes suggest that for maximum performance, biomimetic suction cups should vary in material density according to drag and substrate requirements.
Fine structure of the nervous system of Cercaria parvicaudata Stunkard & Shaw, 1931 (Digenea, Renicolidae)
Authors: Denisova Sofia A. , Shchenkov Sergei V.
Published: May 2020

The biology of free‐living and parasitic Platyhelminthes is diverse. Taking into account the widespread prevalence of parasitic flatworms, Digenea is the least studied group regarding the fine structure of nervous system especially of the cercarial life stage. Here, we present a description of the fine structure of central nervous system (CNS) and two types of uniciliate sensory papillae of xiphidiocercaria Cercaria parvicaudata (Microphalloidea, Renicolidae). The present study documents that C. parvicaudata has a complex nervous system that includes a well‐developed ganglion with a cortex of perikarya and glia‐like sheaths, myelin‐like structures within one of the dorsal nerve cords and four types of polarized synapses between neurites. Different types of neurons in the CNS could not be distinguished on ultrastructural level due to high similarity in their fine structure. Shared polarized synapses with high electron density of presynaptic components are numerous in the neuropile and nerve cords of this larva. Within the larval body, we detected specialized “support” processes that relate to different tissues. Some “support” processes are also closely related to the nervous system of C. parvicaudata, where they are considered as glia‐like structures. In this case, the fine structure of glia‐like “support” cells of C. parvicaudata differs from those described as glia‐like cells in adult flatworms. We suggest a wide prevalence of glia‐like cells among cercariae, as well as the fact that glia‐like structures in digenean nervous systems can develop from various nonneuronal tissues.
Clinical features of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 from a designated hospital in Beijing, China
Authors: Sun Lijun , Shen Lijun , Fan Junfen , Gu Fengjun , Hu Mei , An Yiran , Zhou Qing , Fan Huahao , Bi Jingfeng
Published: May 2020

Clinical and laboratory data on patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in Beijing, China, remain extremely limited. In this study, we summarized the clinical characteristics of patients with COVID‐19 from a designated hospital in Beijing. In total, 55 patients with laboratory‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in Beijing 302 Hospital were enrolled in this study. Demographic data, symptoms, comorbidities, laboratory values, treatments, and clinical outcomes were all collected and retrospectively analyzed. A total of 15 (27.3%) patients had severe symptoms, the mean age was 44.0 years (interquartile range [IQR], 34.0‐56.0), and the median incubation period was 7.5 days (IQR, 5.0‐11.8). A total of 26 (47.3%) patients had exposure history in Wuhan of less than 2 weeks, whereas 20 (36.4%) patients were associated with familial clusters. Also, eighteen (32.7%) patients had underlying comorbidities including hypertension. The most common symptom of illness was fever (45; 81.8%); 51 (92.7%) patients had abnormal findings on chest computed tomography. Laboratory findings showed that neutrophil count, percentage of lymphocyte, percentage of eosinophil, eosinophil count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, albumin, and serum ferritin are potential risk factors for patients with a poor prognosis. A total of 26 patients (47.3%) were still hospitalized, whereas 29 (52.7%) patients had been discharged. Compared with patients in Wuhan, China, the symptoms of patients in Beijing are relatively mild. Older age, more comorbidities, and more abnormal prominent laboratory markers were associated with a severe condition. On the basis of antiviral drugs, it is observed that antibiotics treatment, appropriate dosage of corticosteroid, and gamma globulin therapy significantly improve patients' outcomes. Early identification and timely medical treatment are important to reduce the severity of patients with COVID‐19.
Low rates of active hepatitis B and C infections among adults and children living with HIV and taking antiretroviral therapy: A multicenter screening study in Lesotho
Authors: Amstutz Alain , Nsakala Bienvenu L. , Cheleboi Molisana , Lejone Thabo I. , Hobbins Michael A. , Battegay Manuel , Klimkait Thomas , Labhardt Niklaus D.
Published: May 2020

Lesotho presents the second‐highest adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence globally. Among people living with HIV, data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection are limited. We report HBV and HCV coinfection data from a multicentre cross‐sectional study among adult and pediatric patients taking antiretroviral therapy in 10 health facilities in Lesotho. Among 1318 adults screened (68% female; median age, 44 years), 262 (20%) had immunologically controlled HBV infection, 99 (7.6%) tested anti‐HBs positive and anti‐HBc negative, indicating vaccination, and 57 (4.3%) had chronic HBV infection. Among the patients with chronic HBV infection, 15 tested hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) positive and eight had detectable HBV viremia (median, 2 477 400 copies/mL; interquartile range, 205‐34 400 000) with a mean aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index of 0.48 (SD, 0.40). Prevalence of HCV coinfection was 1.7% (22 of 1318), and only one patient had detectable HCV viremia. Among 162 pediatric patients screened, three (1.9%) had chronic HBV infection, whereby two also tested HBeAg‐positive, and one had detectable HBV viral load (210 copies/mL). Six of 162 (3.7%) had anti‐HCV antibodies, all with undetectable HCV viral loads.

Overall prevalence of chronic HBV/HIV and HCV/HIV coinfection among adults and children was relatively low, comparable to earlier reports from the same region. But prevalence of immunologically controlled HBV infection among adults was high. Of those patients with chronic HBV infection, a minority had detectable HBV‐DNA.
Utilizing radar graphs in the visualization of simulation and estimation results in network meta‐analysis
Authors: Seide Svenja E. , Jensen Katrin , Kieser Meinhard
Published: May 2020

Traditional visualization in meta‐analysis uses forest plots to illustrate the combined treatment effect, along with the respective results from primary trials. While the purpose of visualization is clear in the pairwise setting, additional treatments broaden the focus and extend the results to be illustrated in network meta‐analysis. The complexity increases further in situations where all potential contrasts in the network are compared to a predefined fixed value of interest, such as the 95% coverage evaluated against the nominal value of 95% in simulation studies. We propose utilizing radar graphs to illustrate results from network meta‐analysis in cases where the interest lies in the comparison of estimated results (after fitting a network meta‐analysis in a specific data set) or a performance measure (simulation study) to a pre‐defined fixed reference value. Accounting for the complex high‐dimensional data structure, the general picture of the full network is captured at once without increasing the space needed for visualization. Especially in large simulation studies, where multiple scenarios need to be visually combined to gain an overview on different scenarios, this type of illustration facilitates the discussion of results. Further properties, such as the expected variation due to the Monte‐Carlo error or the differentiation between directly and indirectly estimated treatment contrasts in simulation studies, as well as the indication of well‐connected and sparsely connected treatments in an applied network meta‐analysis, can additionally be included in the visualization. While we used the radar‐graph mainly for a simulation study, other applications are suitable whenever relative contributions of treatment (contrasts) are of interest.
Utility of Tracheostomy in Patients With COVID‐19 and Other Special Considerations
Authors: Mecham Jeffrey C. , Thomas Olivia J. , Pirgousis Phillip , Janus Jeffrey R.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Patients who become severely ill from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have a high likelihood of needing prolonged intubation, making tracheostomy a likely consideration. The infectious nature of COVID‐19 poses an additional risk of transmission to healthcare workers that should be taken into consideration.

Methods

We explore current literature and recommendations for tracheostomy in patients with COVID‐19 and look back at previous data from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS‐CoV‐1), the virus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003.

Results

Given the severity and clinical uncertainty of patients with COVID‐19 and the increased risk of transmission to clinicians, careful consideration should be taken prior to performing tracheostomy. If tracheostomy is performed, we recommend a bedside approach to limit exposure time and number of exposed personnel. Bronchoscopy use with a percutaneous approach should be limited in order to decrease viral exposure.

Conclusion

Thorough preprocedural planning, use of experienced personnel, enhanced personal protective equipment where available, and a thoughtful anesthesia approach are instrumental in maximizing positive patient outcomes while successfully protecting the safety of healthcare personnel. Laryngoscope, 130:2546–2549, 2020
Recognizing both denitrification and nitrogen consumption improves performance of stream diel N2 flux models
Authors: Nifong Rachel L. , Taylor Jason M. , Adams Grant , Moore Matthew T. , Farris Jerry L.
Published: May 2020

There is keen interest to enhance denitrification within intervening aquatic habitats between agricultural areas and downstream aquatic ecosystems to reduce nitrogen (N) loading impacts to receiving ecosystems. We conducted a series of measurements to examine whole system in situ diel denitrification estimates in experimental ditch and stream environments using a Bayesian one‐station diel N2 flux model. Model estimates revealed complex patterns that indicate fluxes may be controlled by the balance of both N2 production via denitrification and consumption driven by physical or biological processes associated with strong diel patterns in environmental conditions. We investigated potential improvements in model fits to observed data associated with the addition of a N2 consumption term to represent biological (N2 fixation) or physical (bubble formation and N2 scavenging) mechanisms associated with daytime photosynthesis. We also expanded the current one‐station diel flux model to a two‐station model to estimate denitrification in discrete reaches. Our modified diel N2 flux models improved model fit significantly across three metrics (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency, root mean square ratio, and percent bias) increasing their utility in shallow, open canopy, lotic systems. While more studies are needed to understand specific mechanisms associated with N2 consumption processes in small agricultural drainages as well as environmental conditions affecting their relative importance, these results improve estimates of N2 flux where dynamic conditions and heterogeneity of habitats create severe diel patterns in factors controlling dissolved gas concentrations and prohibit accurate estimates of N2 flux using existing models.
Genetic variants of the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway genes and risk of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Liu Xiaowen , Qian Danwen , Liu Hongliang , Abbruzzese James L. , Luo Sheng , Walsh Kyle M. , Wei Qingyi
Published: May 2020

Because the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway is involved in development and progression of pancreatic cancer, we investigated associations between genetic variants of the PPAR pathway genes and pancreatic cancer risk by using three published genome‐wide association study datasets including 8477 cases and 6946 controls of European ancestry. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis was also performed for correlations between genotypes of the identified genetic variants and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of their genes by using available databases of the 1000 Genomes, TCGA, and GTEx projects. In the single‐locus logistic regression analysis, we identified 1141 out of 17 532 significant single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 112 PPAR pathway genes. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis identified three independent, potentially functional loci (rs12947620 in MED1, rs11079651 in PRKCA, and rs34367566 in PRKCB) for pancreatic cancer risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI], [1.06‐1.17], P = 5.46 × 10−5; OR = 1.10, 95% CI, [1.04‐1.15], P = 1.99 × 10−4; and OR = 1.09, 95% CI, [1.04‐1.14], P = 3.16 × 10−4, respectively) among 65 SNPs that passed multiple comparison correction by false discovery rate (< 0.2). When risk genotypes of these three SNPs were combined, carriers with 2 to 3 unfavorable genotypes (NUGs) had a higher risk of pancreatic cancer than those with 0 to 1 NUGs. The eQTL analysis showed that rs34367566 A>AG was associated with decreased expression levels of PRKCB mRNA in 373 lymphoblastoid cell lines. Our findings indicate that genetic variants of the PPAR pathway genes, particularly MED1, PRKCA, and PRKCB, may contribute to susceptibility to pancreatic cancer.
Magnetic Susceptibility Associates With Dopaminergic Deficits and Cognition in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Uchida Yuto , Kan Hirohito , Sakurai Keita , Inui Shohei , Kobayashi Susumu , Akagawa Yoshihiro , Shibuya Kazuyoshi , Ueki Yoshino , Matsukawa Noriyuki
Published: May 2020

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between nigrostriatal magnetic susceptibility and dopamine transporter abnormality and their associations with behavioral and cognitive impairments in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

For this case‐control study, we enrolled 41 patients with PD and 20 age‐matched healthy controls. All participants underwent global physical and cognitive assessments, 3‐Tesla brain magnetic resonance imaging including quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM; iron deposition measure), and123I‐N‐v‐fluoropropyl‐2b‐carbomethoxy‐3b‐(4‐iodophenyl) nortropane single‐photon emission computed tomography (dopamine transporter measure). We subdivided the striatum into the putamen, caudate nucleus, and nucleus accumbens and measured the nigrostriatal QSM values and dopamine transporter–specific binding ratios using an atlas‐based approach.

Results

The patients with PD had higher QSM values in the substantia nigra and subdivisions of the striatum than did the healthy controls. The striatal dopamine transporter–specific binding ratios were not correlated with the QSM values of the substantia nigra but were inversely correlated with those of the striatum (putamen,r= −0.478,P= 0.009; caudate nucleus,r= −0.462,P= 0.011). The QSM values of the putamen were positively correlated with motor parkinsonism scores (Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale,r= 0.505,P= 0.003), and those of the caudate nucleus were negatively correlated with cognitive impairment scores (Montreal Cognitive Assessment,r= −0.525,P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study showed that striatal iron accumulations were correlated with dopaminergic deficits and neurophysiological signs in patients with PD, highlighting the potential of QSM as an auxiliary biomarker for parkinsonism and cognitive dysfunction. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Numerical solution of time‐fractional singularly perturbed convection–diffusion problems with a delay in time
Authors: Kumar Kamalesh , P. Pramod Chakravarthy , Vigo‐Aguiar J.
Published: May 2020

This work is concerned with the development of a stable finite difference method (SFDM) for time‐fractional singularly perturbed convection–diffusion problems with a delay in time. The fractional derivative is considered in the Caputo sense. The SFDM is constructed based on the stability of the analytical solution. Unlike the other classical numerical methods for singular perturbation problems, this method works nicely on a uniform mesh. The method is easily adaptable on Shishkin mesh and also on any graded mesh in space. Error estimates are presented to show the convergence of the numerical scheme. To support the theory, numerical results are presented in tables for different values of the fractional derivative parameter and perturbation parameter.
Technical Note: Ultra high‐resolution radiotracer‐specific digital pet brain phantoms based on the BigBrain atlas
Authors: Belzunce Martin A. , Reader Andrew J.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

To introduce a method that allows the generation of ultra high‐resolution (submillimeter) heterogeneous digital PET brain phantoms and to provide a new publicly available [

]FDG phantom as an example.

Method

The radiotracer distribution of the phantom is estimated by minimizing the Kullback–Leibler distance between the parameterized unknown phantom distribution and a radiotracer‐specific template used as a reference. The phantom is modelled using the histological and tissue classified volumes of the BigBrain atlas to provide both high resolution and heterogeneity. The Hammersmith brain atlas is also included to allow the estimation of different activity values in different anatomical regions of the brain. Using this method, a realistic [

]FDG phantom was produced, where a single real [

]FDG scan was used as the reference to match. An MRI T1‐weighted image, obtained from the BigBrain atlas, and a pseudo‐CT are included to complete the dataset. A full PET‐MRI dataset was simulated and reconstructed with MR‐guided methods for the new [

]FDG phantom.

Results

An ultra high‐resolution (400 μm voxel size) and heterogeneous phantom for [

]FDG was obtained. The radiotracer activity follows the patterns observed in the scan used as a reference. The simulated PET‐MRI dataset provided a realistic simulation that was able to be reconstructed with MR‐guided methods. By visual inspection, the reconstructed images showed similar patterns to the real data and the improvements in contrast and noise with respect to the standard MLEM reconstruction were more modest compared to simulations done with a simpler phantom, which was created from the same MRI image used to assist the reconstruction.

Conclusions

A method to create high‐resolution heterogeneous digital brain phantoms for different PET radiotracers has been presented and successfully employed to create a new publicly available [

]FDG phantom. The generated phantom is of high resolution, is heterogeneous, and simulates the uptake of the radiotracer in the different regions of the brain.