bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Allelopathic and intraspecific growth competition effects establishment of direct sown Miscanthus
Authors: Awty‐Carroll Danny , Hauck Barbara , Clifton‐Brown John , Robson Paul
Published: February 2020

High yielding perennial crops are being developed as a sustainable feedstock for renewable energy and bioproducts. Miscanthus is a leading biomass crop, but most plantations comprise a sterile hybrid Miscanthus × giganteus that is clonally propagated. To develop new varieties across large areas, rhizome cloning is inefficient, time consuming and expensive. Alternative approaches use seed, and in temperate regions, this has been successfully applied by raising seedlings as plug plants in glasshouses before transfer to the field. Direct sowing has yet to be proven commercially viable because poor germination has resulted in inconsistent stand establishment. Oversowing using seed clusters is a common approach to improve the establishment of crops and it was hypothesized that such an approach will improve uniformity of density in early Miscanthus stands and thereby improve yield. Sowing multiple seeds creates potential for new interactions, and we identified at least two inhibitory mechanisms related to seed numbers. Germinating seed produced allelopathic effects on nearby seed thereby inhibiting plant growth. The inhibitory effect of Miscanthus seed on germination percentages was related to seed number within clusters. An extract from germinating Miscanthus seed inhibited the germination of Miscanthus seed. The extract was analysed by HPLC, which identified a complex mixture including several known allelopathic compounds including proanthocyanidins and vanillic acid. There was also evidence of root competition in soil in a controlled environment experiment. When the experiment on competition was replicated at field scale, the establishment rates were much lower and there was evidence of shoot competition. We conclude that the numbers of seed required to ensure an acceptable level of establishment in the field may be economically impractical until other agronomic techniques are included either to reduce the inhibitory effects of higher seed numbers or to reduce oversowing rates.
Dizziness in patients with early stages of Parkinson's disease: Prevalence, clinical characteristics and implications
Authors: Kwon Kyum‐Yil , Park Suyeon , Lee Mina , Ju Hyunjin , Im Kayeong , Joo Byung‐Euk , Lee Kyung Bok , Roh Hakjae , Ahn Moo‐Young
Published: February 2020

Aim

The clinical features and implications of dizziness in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) remain little known. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of dizziness, and the association of dizziness with motor and non‐motor symptoms in early stages of PD.

Methods

Demographics and clinical characteristics of patients with early PD (disease duration ≤5 years) were retrospectively assessed. The characteristics of dizziness were surveyed in each parkinsonian patient according to existence, frequency, duration and nature. Not only motor symptoms, but also non‐motor scales for global cognition, anxiety, depression and fatigue were evaluated to identify risk factors of dizziness.

Results

Of a total of 80 patients with early PD, 37 (46.3%) had dizziness. The characteristics of dizziness included short duration (seconds to minutes) and frequent occurrence (several times in a day or a week). The most common type of dizziness was orthostatic (40.5%), followed by non‐specific and disequilibrium type. Among many scales for motor and non‐motor symptoms, dizzy patients with early PD showed lower scores of Montreal Cognitive representing global cognition than non‐dizzy people. A lower Montreal Cognitive Assessment score was the only factor significantly related to dizziness in patients with early PD.

Conclusions

We found that dizziness frequently occurs in early parkinsonian patients. It is highly linked to low Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores in patients with early PD, inferring that dizziness might be a potential non‐motor symptom associated with cognitive decline in PD. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 443–447.
The effect of resistance exercise on strength and safety outcome for people with haemophilia: A systematic review
Authors: Wagner Barbara , Krüger Steffen , Hilberg Thomas , Ay Cihan , Hasenoehrl Timothy , Huber Dominikus Franz‐Xaver , Crevenna Richard
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Haemophilia is a congenital bleeding disorder with severe musculoskeletal complications. Resistance exercise is important to increase joint stability and to improve physical performance.

Aim

This review aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of resistance exercise interventions on people with haemophilia (PwH) and evaluate whether the American College of Sports Medicine resistance exercise criteria for healthy adults are valid for this population.

Methods

A systematic search in literature was conducted, using the databases PubMed, MEDLiNE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, PEDro and Cochrane Library. Out of 2.440 studies published between 1960 and November 2019, 14 studies (9 randomized controlled trials, 1 controlled trial, 4 single‐group prospective studies) applying resistance exercise in juvenile and adult PwH corresponded to the inclusion criteria.

Results

Studies performed dynamic, isokinetic or a combination of isometric and dynamic resistance training. Most interventions were carried out in the context of a multimodal training. Resistance was provided using fixed and free weights, body weight, resistance bands and water resistance. Study protocols included clinical and home‐based settings. Several studies suggest that training intensities lower than those known to increase the strength of healthy people are effective in increasing the strength of PwH. Resistance exercise seems to be a safe intervention if it is adequately monitored, individually adapted and applied with sufficient factor therapy. Due to the heterogeneity of study designs, training interventions and outcome measures a meta‐analysis could not be performed.

Conclusions

Further studies of higher methodological quality are needed to determine the optimal types of exercise, optimal dosage and timing.
Theology in the Middle of Things: Existential Preconditions of Systematic Theology
Authors: Sigurdson Ola
Published: February 2020

In this article I argue that an account of the starting‐point of systematic theology should be shaped by an understanding of what I call the ‘existential preconditions’ of theological work. I develop accounts of three such preconditions – embodiment, subjectivity and spatiality – for the sake of showing that they both stand as necessary conditions of theological work, and represent topics of and in systematic theology. Reflection on this twofold ‘precondition of but topic in’ dynamic serves as a foundation for the claim that theology is always undertaken ‘in the middle of things’, and is best understood to have its starting‐point there.
Expression of Concern: Molecular mechanism whereby paraoxonase‐2 regulates coagulation activation through endothelial tissue factor in rat haemorrhagic shock model
Authors: Xu Jian‐Hua , Lu Shi‐Jun , Wu Peng , Kong Ling‐Chen , Ning Chao , Li Hai‐Yan
Published: February 2020

We investigated the molecular mechanism of paraoxonase‐2 (PON‐2) in regulating blood coagulation activation in rats with haemorrhagic shock through endothelial tissue factor (TF). Thirty adult Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: healthy control group (group A), the haemorrhagic shock PON‐2 treatment group (group B), and the haemorrhagic shock group (group C). After the model was established, blood was withdrawn from the inferior vena cava of all rats. The difference in plasma thrombomodulin (TM) levels of the three groups was determined by Western blotting. The expression of transcription factors Egr‐1 and Sp1 was detected by Western blotting assays. reverse transcription‐polymerase chain Reaction (RT‐PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression of t‐PA, PAI‐1, TM, and PON‐2 in the serum of three groups of rats. Endothelial TF was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and coagulation assay was used to detect the activity of coagulation factor VIII. Histopathological examination of the arteries of the rats was performed. The molecular mechanism of PON‐2 in regulating blood coagulation activation in haemorrhagic shock model rats by endothelial tissue factor was analysed. The expression of thrombin was determined by electrophoresis. Compared with the healthy control group, the expression of TM in groups B and C decreased, both 188.64 ± 12.47 and 137.48 ± 9.72, respectively, with a significant difference. The mRNA expression of TM and PON was determined by RT‐PCR. The mRNA expression of TM and PON in group B was 0.97 ± 0.07 and 1.14 ± 0.09, compared with the control group, and the mRNA expression of TM and PON in group C was 0.86 ± 0.38 and 1.12 ± 0.41, both of which increased, and there were significant differences. By measuring the expression of endothelial TF, the expression of TF in groups B and C was elevated to 12.69 ± 1.07 and 11.59 ± 0.87, with significant differences. The enzyme activities of PON‐2 in groups B and C, which were 110.34 ± 14.37 and 52.37 ± 8.06, respectively, were increased compared with the healthy control group and there were significant differences. PON‐2 regulates the activation of coagulation in rats with haemorrhagic shock by regulating the expression of endothelial tissue‐related genes such as plasma TM and endothelial TF under hypoxic and ischaemic conditions.
Volume stability of the augmented sinus using a collagenated bovine bone mineral grafted in case of a perforated Schneiderian membrane: An experimental study in rabbits
Authors: Paik Jeong‐Won , Cha Jae‐Kook , Paeng Kyeong‐Won , Kim Myong‐Ji , Thoma Daniel S. , Jung Ronald E. , Jung Ui‐Won
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To determine the volume stability of a sinus augmented with a collagenated bovine bone mineral (CBBM) in case of an intact or perforated Schneiderian membrane (SM).

Materials and Methods

A bilateral sinus augmentation procedure was performed in eight rabbits. The SM was intentionally perforated in one side (SMP group), while it remained intact in contra‐lateral side (control group) and the same amount of CBBM was then grafted. At 12 weeks, the animals were euthanized for radiographic and histomorphometric analyses.

Results

The augmented volume did not differ significantly between the two groups: 262.2 ± 32.1 mm3 in SMP group and 261.9 ± 48.5 mm3 in the control group (p = .959). There was no significant difference in the total augmented area: 24.7 ± 5.2 mm2 in SMP group and 23.2 ± 2.9 mm2 in the control group (p = .773). The areas of newly formed bone also did not differ significantly between the two groups, but was significantly lower at the centre of the augmented region than in the region of the surgical window in both groups (p < .05).

Conclusion

A perforation of the SM in a rabbit model does neither impact the augmented volume nor new bone formation following grafting of the sinus with a CBBM.
Literacy Mediates Racial Differences in Financial and Healthcare Decision Making in Older Adults
Authors: Han S. Duke , Barnes Lisa L. , Leurgans Sue , Yu Lei , Bennett David A. , Boyle Patricia A.
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Decision making in financial and healthcare matters is of critical importance for well‐being in old age. Preliminary work suggests racial differences in decision making; however, the factors that drive racial differences in decision making remain unclear. We hypothesized literacy, particularly financial and health literacy, mediates racial differences in decision making.

DESIGN

Community‐based epidemiologic cohort study.

SETTING

Communities in northeastern Illinois.

PARTICIPANTS

Nondemented Black participants (N = 138) of the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center Minority Aging Research Study and the Rush Memory and Aging Project who completed decision‐making and literacy measures were matched to White participants (N = 138) according to age, education, sex, and global cognition using Mahalanobis distance (total N = 276).

MEASUREMENTS

All participants completed clinical assessments, a decision‐making measure that resembles real‐world materials relevant to finance and healthcare, and a financial and health literacy measure. Regression models were used to examine racial differences in decision making and test the hypothesis that literacy mediates this association. In secondary analyses, we examined the impact of literacy in specific domains of decision making (financial and healthcare).

RESULTS

In models adjusted for age, education, sex, and global cognition, older Black adults performed lower than older White adults on literacy (β = −8.20; SE = 1.34; 95% CI = −10.82 to −5.57; P < .01) and separately on decision making (β = −.80; SE = .23; 95% CI = −1.25 to −.34; P < .01). However, when decision making was regressed on both race and literacy, the association of race was attenuated and became nonsignificant (β = −.45; SE = .24; 95% CI = −.93 to .02; P = .06), but literacy remained significantly associated with decision making (β = .04; SE = .01; 95% CI = .02‐.06; P < .01). In secondary models, a similar pattern was observed for both financial and healthcare decision making.

CONCLUSIONS

Racial differences in decision making are largely mediated by literacy. These findings suggest that efforts to improve literacy may help reduce racial differences in decision making and improve health and well‐being for diverse populations. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1279–1285, 2020.
Dopamine D1 receptor signaling and endocannabinoid cooperate to fuel striatal plasticity
Authors: Socodato Renato
Published: February 2020

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) play key roles in short‐term and long‐term synaptic plasticity in the corticostriatal circuit. By activating cannabinoid receptors expressed in the central nervous system, eCBs regulate several neural functions and behaviors. The major eCB 2‐arachidonoyl‐glycerol (2‐AG) is particularly important for triggering a short‐term form of synaptic plasticity (depolarization‐induced suppression of excitatory transmission or DSE) on cortical glutamatergic afferents inputting the striatum. The neurotransmitter dopamine, through the action of D1 and D2 receptors, is also critically involved in corticostriatal plasticity. This Editorial highlights the study by Shonesy et al., which presents evidence that activation of dopamine D1 receptor and its classical downstream target cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA) are involved in increasing the synthesis of 2‐AG in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSN) to drive DSE in the corticostriatal circuit, as schematically outlined in Figure 1. The authors used a set of complementary approaches and identified a putative serine (Ser) residue phosphorylated by PKA in diacylglycerol lipase (DGL) alpha that is required for generating 2‐AG, providing a mechanistic clue into how the canonical D1 pathway in MSN might fine‐tune short‐term plasticity in the corticostriatal circuit. Besides, the work by Shonesy et al. may pave the way for further studies exploring the signaling interplay between canonical dopamine D1 receptor pathway and eCBs to control other forms of synaptic plasticity in different brain circuits with possible pathological relevance.

image
Effects of carboxytherapy on skin laxity
Authors: Oliveira Suellen Matos Domingos , Rocha Lenaldo Branco , da Cunha Marco Túlio Rodrigues , Cintra Mariana Molinar Mauad , Pinheiro Nanci Mendes , Mendonça Adriana Clemente
Published: February 2020

Background

Carboxytherapy is capable of inducing tissue repair which results in an increase in elastic and collagen fibers.

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of carboxytherapy upon human skin collagen and elastic fiber synthesis.

Methods

Case study of nine volunteers who received a single application of carboxytherapy in the left infraumbilical region, with infusion rate of 100 mL/min and 0.6 mL/kg weight over an area of 25 cm2. After 60 days on average, the skin was collected for histological analysis and stained with picrosirius red for collagen and Verhoeff for elastic fibers. The percentage of fibers found was marked by the Image J® program and recorded in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 20), with a significance level of 95%.

Results

An increase in the collagen and elastic fibers sample was observed in the treated group. Morphometrically, a significant increase in the percentage of collagen in the Carboxytherapy group (41.44 ± 4.50%) was observed compared with the control group (37.44 ± 3.87%) with P = .04; for elastic fibers, the percentage showed no significant difference between the control group (10.55 ± 4.33%) and the carboxytherapy group (10.44 ± 3.71%).

Conclusions

Carboxytherapy with the parameters used in this study was able to stimulate collagen and elastic fiber synthesis, with significant differences in the morphometry for collagen fibers.
Kinetic energy–assisted delivery of hyaluronic acid for skin remodeling in middle and lower face
Authors: Espinoza Lisa , Vinshtok Yuri , McCreesh Jaclyn , Tyson Jaclyn , McSorley Maureen
Published: February 2020

Background

Kinetic energy of a liquid jet has been demonstrated to achieve clinical efficacy by injecting hyaluronic acid for skin thickening and improving facial sagging. A pneumatically accelerated jet penetrates the epidermis leaving HA particles spherically spread in the dermis and initiating microtraumatic wound healing.

Method

We reported retrospective analysis of our successful experience in improving rhytidosis and skin remodeling in the middle and lower facial regions by pneumatically administered HA filler. Subjects seeking correction of facial wrinkles in middle and lower face were treated in 3 monthly sessions with computerized jet‐injection device and assessed 6 months thereafter for perception of the wrinkles, rhytidosis burden, and treatment satisfaction.

Results

Thirty‐four female patients (average age 42 years) with age‐related rhytidosis in perioral, cheek, and neck areas received the treatment. The treatments had short downtime, minimal pain, and no side effects. Mean Lemperle Rating Scale score decreased in all treated areas by one full degree and was maintained for 6 months after the treatments. Patients and investigators independently scored the wrinkles as “improved” per Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale. Mean treatment satisfactory score was 4.0 ± 1.4 (out of 5).

Conclusion

Retrospective data showed successful implementation of liquid jet injections of HA in correction of aging middle and lower facial regions.
Down‐regulation of miR‐383‐5p suppresses apoptosis in oxidative stress rat hepatocytes by targeting Bcl2
Authors: Xu Bin , Zang Shu‐Cheng , Lang Li‐min , Lian Shuai , Lu Jingjing , Li Shi‐Ze , Yang Huan‐Min , Zhen Li
Published: February 2020

miRNAs are a class of small non‐coding RNAs that are involved in various biological processes. In the preliminary work of the laboratory, found that miR‐383‐5p was down‐regulated in the liver tissue of acute cold stress rats and has been shown to be an important regulatory factor in tumour proliferation, but there are very few studies involving the mediation of cold stress in rat liver tissues. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of miR‐383‐5p on the livers of cold stress rats by simulating the cold stress state of rat liver tissues in vitro using H2O2to induce rat hepatocyte oxidative stress. The results showed that MDA content, Caspase 3 and Cyto C protein levels increased significantly; GPx activity and SOD1 protein levels decreased significantly and miR‐383‐5p expression was significantly down‐regulated in rat liver tissues after cold stress. Different concentrations of H2O2was added to rat hepatocytes, and the results showed that the expression of miR‐383‐5p, the ROS level, and the apoptosis rate in rat hepatocytes was increased significantly in a concentration‐dependent fashion. Transfection of miR‐383‐5p inhibitor revealed that the apoptosis rate of rat hepatocytes, and the protein level of apoptosis‐related protein Caspase 3 were reduced; the results of the dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay showed that miR‐383‐5p targeted regulation of Bcl2. The results suggested that the expression of miR‐383‐5p was up‐regulated in oxidative stress rat hepatocytes and may aggravate the apoptosis of rat hepatocytes induced by targeting inhibition of Bcl2 translation.
Sex as a biological variable in the rat model of diisopropylfluorophosphate‐induced long‐term neurotoxicity
Authors: Gage Meghan , Golden Madison , Putra Marson , Sharma Shaunik , Thippeswamy Thimmasettappa
Published: February 2020

Sex differences in response to neurotoxicant exposure that initiates epileptogenesis are understudied. We used telemetry‐implanted male and female adult rats exposed to an organophosphate (OP) neurotoxicant, diisopropylflourophosphate (DFP), to test sex differences in the severity of status epilepticus (SE) and the development of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS). Females had significantly less severe SE and decreased epileptiform spikes compared with males, although females received a higher dose of DFP than males. The estrous stages had no impact on seizure susceptibility, but rats with severe SE had a significantly prolonged diestrus. A previously demonstrated disease‐modifying agent, an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 1400W, was tested in both sexes. None of the eight males treated with 1400W developed convulsive SRS during 4 weeks post‐DFP exposure, while two of seven females developed convulsive SRS. Concerning gliosis and neurodegeneration, there were region‐specific differences in the interaction between sex and SE severity. As SE severity influences epileptogenesis, and as females had significantly less severe SE, sex as a biological variable should be factored into the design of future OP nerve agent experiments while evaluating neurotoxicity and optimizing potential disease‐modifying agents.
Adverse reaction to local anaesthetics: Is it always allergy?
Authors: Furci Fabiana , Martina Stefano , Faccioni Paolo , Faccioni Fiorenzo , Senna Gianenrico , Caminati Marco
Published: February 2020

Objective

Local anaesthetics are very commonly used drugs in dentistry, and people who undergo procedures with local anaesthetics often refer adverse reactions that are not of allergic origin. Considering that in dentistry contact with allergens is very frequent, it is essential to assess the real incidence of allergy to local anaesthetics.

Subjects and Methods

We evaluated a group of 159 patients in whom adverse reaction occurred after procedures with local anaesthetics.

Results

The reactions between allergy to local anaesthetic (immediate and delayed) and certain symptoms presented by patients were investigated. Allergy to latex and chlorexidine were investigated in all patients. Only one patient, who previously presented a constant erythema at the wrist after procedure with local anaesthetics, was positive to Mepivacaine patch test. Two patients were positive to latex and one to chlorexidine.

Conclusions

The main finding of this study was that a reaction registered in the medical history and reported by a patient is rarely allergic but the use of vasoconstrictors or emotional factors may account for it. However, a complete allergological investigation is necessary for a correct diagnosis and future management.
Improving decision‐making in complicated or rare cases—An approach towards Evidence‐based Veterinary Medicine in small animal reproduction
Authors: Riege Lisa , Haimerl Peggy , Arlt Sebastian P.
Published: February 2020

The concepts of Evidence‐based Veterinary Medicine (EBVM) provide a methodological and systematic approach to include the best evidence from research into clinical decision‐making. These concepts include steps as the search and assessment of relevant research findings and consideration of individual aspects. In addition, owners and other persons involved in animal health care should be included in shared decision‐making. Some breeders have good basic knowledge concerning breeding management and characteristics of diseases and concerning advantages and disadvantages of different therapeutic approaches, while others are notable to understand complex medical interrelations or emergency situations. All these aspects need to be addressed when communicating and discussing different diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic options. In special fields, such as small animal reproduction, veterinarians often see animals with rare diseases or complex conditions so that an application of standard therapies and well‐established textbook recommendations is not possible. To learn more about cases too rare for successful systematic research, the case collection tool REPROCASES (www.evssar.org/reprocases) is now available. The aim of this project is to gather information from specialists on small animal reproduction in a multicentre approach. If you see rare or not well‐investigated cases such as cystic ovarian diseases, cryptorchidism or others, you are more than welcome to share your findings via the database. Even if this approach cannot completely replace standardized clinical trials, the idea is to gather more information on effects, prognosis, side effects and long‐term fertility for specific conditions.
Factors associated with risk of care dependency in disabled geriatric patients
Authors: Doroszkiewicz Halina , Sierakowska Matylda
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The growing number of elderly people results in the intensification of disability, reduced level of independency and quality of life as well as augmented demand on medical and social services. The aim of the study was to identify factors associated with probability of care dependency in disabled geriatric patients.

Materials and methods

The study involved 200 patients aged 60 or over, consecutively admitted to the Geriatrics Unit. A cross‐sectional quantitative study design. The study carried out using the questionnaire evaluating the patients’ biopsychosocial needs and level of care dependency: the Polish version of the Care Dependency Scale (CDS). Data regarding the patients’ self‐care, locomotor function, emotional status, cognitive function, vision, hearing, the risk of pressure sores or falls, self‐assessed health status and the sense of loneliness were obtained from medical documentation using selected elements of the CGA (Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment).

Results

The mean CDS score (15–75) for all the evaluated patients was 55.3 ± 15.1–43.4 ± 11.9 in the category of dependent patients and 67.5 ± 4.6 in the category of independent of care, respectively (p < 0.001). The participants' mean age was 81.8 ± 6.6 (in the dependent category, 83.3, and in the independent category, 80.2). The final model produced statistically significant independent factors: cognitive ability, Instrumental‐ADL performance, locomotive ability and age.

Conclusions

The progressing care dependency increased with the worsening of cognitive functions, difficulties performing I‐ADL, locomotion impairment and advanced age. To support independent living of elderly people, healthcare professionals should recognise the situation in the community to carry out interventions aimed at preventing and minimising disability and delaying institutionalisation.
A caring science study of creative writing and human becoming
Authors: Sandbäck Forsell Johanna , Nyholm Linda , Koskinen Camilla
Published: February 2020

The previous research describes creative writing to have a potential for self‐care and healing in relation to illness and mental health conditions. The aim of this article was to deepen the understanding of creative writing and human becoming, from a caring science perspective. A data material consisting of answers from an e‐form and diaries was analysed with a thematic analysis. The result depicts two main themes and seven subthemes. The first main theme, Creative writing – an act of emotional reactions and release, shows that creative writing is an act where fears and emotional reactions are unveiled; it is a relieving valve for the writer and includes moments of liberating wordplay. The second main theme, Creative writing – a key to self‐understanding and personal growth, shows that creative writing is a genuine conveying of oneself to others, to experience mercifulness within oneself, to keep up faith in oneself and hope for the future and to find a new order of values. Creative writing enhances human becoming and gives possibilities for human beings to find inner peace and balance in life.
Interleukin‐20 differentially regulates bone mesenchymal stem cell activities in RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis through the OPG/RANKL/RANK axis and the NF‐κB, MAPK and AKT signalling pathways
Authors: Meng Bowen , Wu Dongle , Cheng Yangfan , Huang Peina , Liu Yuanbo , Gan Lei , Liu Chufeng , Cao Yang
Published: February 2020

The immune and skeletal systems share common mechanisms, and the crosstalk between the two has been termed osteoimmunology. Osteoimmunology mainly focuses on diseases between the immune and bone systems including bone loss diseases, and imbalances in osteoimmune regulation affect skeletal homeostasis between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. The immune mediator interleukin‐20 (IL‐20), a member of the IL‐10 family, enhances inflammation, chemotaxis and angiogenesis in diseases related to bone loss. However, it is unclear how IL‐20 regulates the balance between osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis; therefore, we explored the mechanisms by which IL‐20 affects bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in osteoclastogenesis in primary cells during differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and signalling. We initially found that IL‐20 differentially regulated preosteoclast proliferation and apoptosis; BMSC‐conditioned medium (CM) significantly enhanced osteoclast formation and bone resorption, which was dose‐dependently regulated by IL‐20; IL‐20 inhibited OPG expression and promoted M‐CSF, RANKL and RANKL/OPG expression; and IL‐20 differentially regulated the expression of osteoclast‐specific gene and transcription factors through the OPG/RANKL/RANK axis and the NF‐kB, MAPK and AKT pathways. Therefore, IL‐20 differentially regulates BMSCs in osteoclastogenesis and exerts its function by activating the OPG/RANKL/RANK axis and the NF‐κB, MAPK and AKT pathways, which make targeting IL‐20 a promising direction for targeted regulation in diseases related to bone loss.
Social policy and embedded evaluation: Assessing the impact of a food insecurity project in the United Kingdom
Authors: Purdam Kingsley , Silver Daniel
Published: February 2020

Social policy making needs to involve robust evaluation to assess its impact. In this article, a social policy intervention focused on tackling food insecurity amongst vulnerable people is examined and the benefits and challenges of using an embedded approach to evaluation are considered. Food insecurity is defined as not always having the economic, social, and physical resources to ensure a sufficient supply of nutritionally appropriate food. Evidence suggests that food insecurity in the United Kingdom is increasing in the context of long‐term poverty, austerity, insecure employment, rising living costs, low pay, and cuts to welfare and public services. An embedded evaluation was conducted involving interviews with the intervention participants and observations of a series of cooking and food budgeting classes. The findings suggest that the classes had a positive impact on many of the participants, who felt more confident about cooking and valued the shared experience. However, given the acute problems facing many of the participants including long‐term poverty, policies aimed at tackling food insecurity need to go beyond cooking and food budgeting skills. The embedded evaluation approach contributed towards the overall impact of the intervention by providing insights that led to changes as part of an iterative process during the intervention rather than in the form of a final report after its completion. An embedded evaluation‐based approach can be resource intensive, and the role of the evaluators can present challenges, but it can help to bridge the gap between intervention design, delivery, and social change.
Carbon addition reduces labile soil phosphorus by increasing microbial biomass phosphorus in intensive agricultural systems
Authors: Xu Zhen , Qu Mingshan , Liu Shenglin , Duan Yisheng , Wang Xiao , Brown Lawrie K , George Timothy S , Zhang Lin , Feng Gu
Published: February 2020

Accumulation of inorganic and labile organic phosphorus (P) in intensive agricultural systems leads to P loss from soil which can cause serious environmental problems. Soil microbes are important in mobilizing soil non‐available P, however, little is known about the role of soil microbes in immobilizing P to reduce P loss. Here, we test whether stimulating microbial biomass to immobilize P could reduce the amount of labile P available for leaching. The distribution characteristics of Olsen P, organic P and microbial biomass P were determined in three intensive agricultural systems. In addition, we conducted a pot experiment with three P and four carbon (C) levels. CaCl2extractable P was measured and used to indicate the risk of P leaching. We found that there was a positive relationship between soil organic C and microbial biomass P. Carbon addition drove the process of P immobilization and reduced CaCl2extractable P. Microbial biomass P increased by 64% (p < .05) with the addition of C, and Olsen P and CaCl2extractable P decreased by 28% and 17%, respectively. Our results show that C addition increased microbial immobilization of P and reduced forms of labile P susceptible to leaching. Stimulating microbes to immobilize P by adding C to soils may have the potential to reduce P loss from intensive agricultural systems, reducing their environmental impact.
Capture‐induced exertional rhabdomyolysis in the Shortfin Mako Shark, Isurus oxyrinchus
Authors: Otway Nicholas M.
Published: February 2020

Background

Shortfin Mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) are top‐order predators in oceanic food chains. They are captured worldwide by commercial and recreational fisheries, but little is known about the effects that fishing has on the homeostasis and longevity of these animals.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the health of Shortfin Mako sharks captured by recreational fishers off eastern Australia.

Methods

Twenty‐four sharks were captured, and their gender, length, weight, reproductive maturity, and stage were recorded. After blood and urine collection, serum analytes were quantified using standard biochemical methods, whereas urine was analyzed using semi‐quantitative reagent strips, microscopic examination, centrifugation, and ammonium sulfate precipitation tests.

Results

Six Makos presented with red‐brown urine. The means of notable serum analytes were as follows: sodium 276 mmol/L, potassium 15.6 mmol/L, inorganic phosphate 10.6 mmol/L, magnesium 3.3 mmol/L, urea 325 mmol/L, creatinine 52 μmol/L, AST 2806 U/L, CK 240938 U/L, lactate 44.4 mmol/L, osmolarity 1160 mmol/L, and pH 7.13. These analytes differed from the respective sand tiger shark reference interval, which was used as a proxy for Makos. The red‐brown urine was due to myoglobin and had a mean pH of 5.76 that, when combined with red‐brown casts, led to a diagnosis of fishing‐induced exertional rhabdomyolysis that occurred secondary to lactic acidosis, hypoxia, and hypovolemia. It was further exacerbated by hyperkalemia and acute renal failure, serious complications that often lead to mortality.

Conclusions

Practitioners caring for sharks and rays should consider collecting urine from free‐living or aquarium animals when they are captured for examination and/or treatment, particularly at times with maximal seawater temperatures.
Exercise intolerance in heart failure: The important role of pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Taylor Bryan J. , Shapiro Brian P. , Johnson Bruce D.
Published: February 2020

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

This review concerns the negative impact of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on the pulmonary haemodynamic and gas exchange responses to exercise, considering the mechanisms by which PH plays a role in exercise intolerance in heart failure (HF) patients.

What advances does it highlight?

The hallmark limited pulmonary vascular ‘reserve’ and impaired pulmonary gas exchange responses to exercise in HF are worsened by the development of PH; these are key determinants of exercise intolerance. Even HF patients who present with ‘normal’ pulmonary vascular function experience exercise‐induced PH, which plays a role in exercise intolerance.

Patients with heart failure universally complain of exertional intolerance, but the underlying cause(s) of this intolerance may differ between patients with different disease phenotypes. Exercise introduces an impressive stress to the lungs, where elevations in venous return and cardiac output engender substantial increases in pulmonary blood volume and flow. Relative to healthy individuals, the pulmonary vascular reserve to accept this increase in pulmonary perfusion is compromised in heart failure, with a growing body of evidence suggesting that the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH), and in particular a precapillary component of PH, worsens the pulmonary haemodynamic response to exercise in these patients. Characterized by an exaggerated increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and an elevation in pulmonary vascular resistance, this dysfunctional pulmonary haemodynamic response plays a role in exercise intolerance, probably through an impairment of right ventricular function, underperfusion of the pulmonary circulation and a subsequent reduction in systemic blood flow and oxygen delivery. The hallmark abnormalities in ventilatory and pulmonary gas exchange that accompany heart failure, including a greater ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide, are also worsened by the development of PH. This raises the possibility that measures of exercise pulmonary gas exchange might help to ‘describe’ underlying PH in heart failure; however, several fundamental issues and questions need to be addressed before such gas exchange measures could truly be considered efficacious measures used to differentiate the type of PH and track the severity of PH in heart failure.

exercise intolerance, heart failure, pulmonary gas exchange, pulmonary haemodynamics, pulmonary hypertension
Effects of caffeine on neuromuscular function in a non‐fatigued state and during fatiguing exercise
Authors: Mesquita Ricardo N. O. , Cronin Neil J. , Kyröläinen Heikki , Hintikka Jukka , Avela Janne
Published: February 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of the study?

What are the effects of caffeine on neuromuscular function in a non‐fatigued state and during fatiguing exercise?

What is the main finding and its importance?

In a non‐fatigued state, caffeine decreased the duration of the silent period evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Caffeine‐induced reduction of inhibitory mechanisms in the central nervous system before exercise was associated with an increased performance. Individuals who benefit from caffeine ingestion may experience lower perception of effort during exercise and an accelerated recovery of M‐wave amplitude postfatigue. This study elucidates the mechanisms of action of caffeine and demonstrates that inter‐individual variability of its effects on neuromuscular function is a fruitful area for further work.

Caffeine enhances exercise performance, but its mechanisms of action remain unclear. In this study, we investigated its effects on neuromuscular function in a non‐fatigued state and during fatiguing exercise. Eighteen men participated in this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled crossover trial. Baseline measures included plantarflexion force, drop jump, squat jump, voluntary activation of triceps surae muscle, soleus muscle contractile properties, M‐wave, α‐motoneuron excitability (H‐reflex), corticospinal excitability, short‐interval intracortical inhibition, intracortical facilitation, silent period evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (SP) and plasma potassium and caffeine concentrations. Immediately after baseline testing, participants ingested caffeine (6 mg·kg−1) or placebo. After a 1‐h rest, baseline measures were repeated, followed by a fatiguing stretch–shortening cycle exercise (sets of 40 bilateral rebound jumps on a sledge apparatus) until task failure. Neuromuscular testing was carried out throughout the fatigue protocol and afterwards. Caffeine enhanced drop jump height (by 4.2%) and decreased the SP (by 12.6%) in a non‐fatigued state. A caffeine‐related decrease in SP and short‐interval intracortical inhibition before the fatiguing activity was associated with an increased time to task failure. The participants who benefitted from an improved performance on the caffeine day reported a significantly lower sense of effort during exercise and had an accelerated postexercise recovery of M‐wave amplitude. Caffeine modulates inhibitory mechanisms of the CNS, recovery of M‐wave amplitude and perception of effort. This study lays the groundwork for future examinations of differences in caffeine‐induced neuromuscular changes between those who are deemed to benefit from caffeine ingestion and those who are not.
Heterogeneous baroreflex control of sympathetic action potential subpopulations in humans
Authors: Klassen Stephen A. , Moir M. Erin , Usselman Charlotte W. , Shoemaker J. Kevin
Published: February 2020

Key points

Emission patterns in muscle sympathetic nerve activity stem from differently sized action potential (AP) subpopulations that express varying discharge probabilities. The mechanisms governing these firing behaviours are unclear. This study investigated the hypothesis that the arterial baroreflex exerts varying control over the different AP subpopulations.

During baseline, medium APs expressed the greatest baroreflex slopes, while small and large APs exhibited weaker slopes. On going from baseline to lower body negative pressure (LBNP; simulated orthostatic stress), baroreflex slopes for some clusters of medium APs expressed the greatest increase, while slopes for large APs also increased but to a lesser degree. A subpopulation of previously silent larger APs was recruited with LBNP but these APs expressed weak baroreflex slopes.

The arterial baroreflex heterogeneously regulates sympathetic AP subpopulations, exerting its strongest effect over medium APs. Weak baroreflex mechanisms govern the recruitment of latent larger AP subpopulations during orthostatic stress.

Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) occurs primarily in bursts of action potentials (AP) with subpopulations that differ in size and discharge probabilities. The mechanisms determining these discharge patterns remain unclear. This study investigated the hypothesis that variations in AP discharge are due to subpopulation‐specific baroreflex control. We employed multi‐unit microneurography and a continuous wavelet analysis approach to extract sympathetic APs in 12 healthy individuals during baseline (BSL) and lower body negative pressure (LBNP; ‐40, ‐60, ‐80 mmHg). For each AP cluster, the baroreflex threshold slope was measured from the linear regression between AP probability (%) and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg). During BSL, the baroreflex exerted non‐uniform regulation over AP subpopulations: medium‐sized AP clusters expressed the greatest slopes while clusters of small and large APs expressed weaker slopes. On going from BSL to LBNP, the baroreflex slopes for each AP subpopulation were modified differently. Baroreflex slopes (%/mmHg) for some medium APs (cluster 5: −4.4 ± 4 to −9.1 ± 5) expressed the greatest increase with LBNP, while slopes for large APs (cluster 9: −1.3 ± 1 to −2.6 ± 2) also increased, but to a lesser degree. Slopes for small APs present at BSL exhibited reductions with LBNP (cluster 2: −3.9 ± 3 to −2.2 ± 3). Larger previously silent AP clusters recruited with LBNP expressed weak baroreflex regulation (cluster 14: −0.9 ± 1%/mmHg). The baroreflex exerts the strongest control over medium‐sized APs. Augmenting baroreflex gain and upward resetting of discrete AP subpopulations active at BSL, as well as recruiting larger previously silent APs with weak baroreflex control, facilitates elevated MSNA during orthostatic stress.
Extensor digitorum brevis manus is uncommon but can easily be misinterpreted during wrist ultrasound examination
Authors: Chang Ke-Vin , Wu Wei-Ting , Wang Ruei-Fang , Özçakar Levent
Published: February 2020

.
Suprastyloid Crest of the Radius in Wrist Ultrasonography: A Bony Prominence Not to Mistake for Lister’s Tubercle
Authors: Boudier-Revéret Mathieu , Jean Stéphanie , Wu Chueh-Hung
Published: February 2020

N/A
The Integrity of the YxxL Motif of Ebola Virus VP24 Is Important for the Transport of Nucleocapsid-Like Structures and for the Regulation of Viral RNA Synthesis
Authors: Takamatsu Yuki , Kolesnikova Larissa , Schauflinger Martin , Noda Takeshi , Becker Stephan
Published: February 2020

Ebola virus (EBOV) causes a severe fever with high case fatality rates and, so far, no available specific therapy. Understanding the interplay between viral and host proteins is important to identify new therapeutic approaches. VP24 is one of the essential nucleocapsid components and is necessary to regulate viral RNA synthesis and condense viral nucleocapsids before their transport to the plasma membrane. Our functional analyses of the YxxL motif in VP24 suggested that it serves as an interface between nucleocapsid-like structures (NCLSs) and cellular proteins, promoting intracellular transport of NCLSs in an Alix-independent manner. Moreover, the YxxL motif is necessary for the inhibitory function of VP24 in viral RNA synthesis. A failure to rescue EBOV encoding VP24 with a mutated YxxL motif indicated that the integrity of the YxxL motif is essential for EBOV growth. Thus, this motif might represent a potential target for antiviral interference.
An Endoplasmic Reticulum CREC Family Protein Regulates the Egress Proteolytic Cascade in Malaria Parasites
Authors: Fierro Manuel A. , Asady Beejan , Brooks Carrie F. , Cobb David W. , Villegas Alejandra , Moreno Silvia N. J. , Muralidharan Vasant
Published: February 2020

The divergent eukaryotic parasites that cause malaria grow and divide within a vacuole inside a host cell, which they have to break open once they finish cell division. The egress of daughter parasites requires the activation of a proteolytic cascade, and a subtilisin-like protease initiates a proteolytic cascade to break down the membranes blocking egress. It is assumed that the parasite endoplasmic reticulum plays a role in this process, but the proteins in this organelle required for egress remain unknown. We have identified an early ER-resident regulator essential for the maturation of the recently discovered aspartic protease in the egress proteolytic cascade, plasmepsin X, which is required for maturation of the subtilisin-like protease. Conditional loss of PfERC results in the formation of immature and inactive egress proteases that are unable to breakdown the vacuolar membrane barring release of daughter parasites.
A Multiplex Fluidic Chip for Rapid Phenotypic Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing
Authors: Wistrand-Yuen Pikkei , Malmberg Christer , Fatsis-Kavalopoulos Nikos , Lübke Moritz , Tängdén Thomas , Kreuger Johan
Published: February 2020

Prompt and effective antimicrobial therapy is crucial for the management of patients with severe bacterial infections but is becoming increasingly difficult to provide due to emerging antibiotic resistance. The traditional methods for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) used in most clinical laboratories are reliable but slow with turnaround times of 2 to 3 days, which necessitates the use of empirical therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics. There is a great need for fast and reliable AST methods that enable starting targeted treatment within a few hours to improve patient outcome and reduce the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The multiplex fluidic chip for phenotypic AST described in the present study may enable data on antimicrobial resistance within 2 to 4 h, allowing for an early initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy.