bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Near normalization of peripheral blood markers in HIV-infected patients on long-term suppressive antiretroviral therapy: a case–control study
Authors: Brochado-Kith Oscar , Martinez Isidoro , Berenguer Juan , Medrano Luz Maria , González-García Juan , Garcia-Broncano Pilar , Jiménez-Sousa María Ángeles , Carrero Ana , Hontañón Victor , Muñoz-Fernández María Ángeles , Fernández-Rodríguez Amanda , Resino Salvador
Published: August 2020

Objective:

To explore the differences in peripheral blood markers between HIV well controlled patients on long-term suppressive antiretroviral therapy (HIV-group) and age-matched healthy controls, to evaluate the benefits of virological suppression in those patients.

Methods:

We performed a case–control study in 22 individuals in the HIV-group and 14 in the healthy control-group. RNA-seq analysis was performed from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Peripheral blood T-cell subsets were evaluated by flow cytometry and plasma biomarkers by immunoassays. All P values were corrected by the false discovery rate (q values).

Results:

Only the serine/arginine repetitive matrix 4 gene, which is involved in alternative RNA splicing events, was differentially expressed between HIV and healthy control groups (q value ≤0.05 and fold-change ≥2). However, 147 differentially expressed genes were found with a more relaxed threshold (P value ≤0.05 and fold-change ≥1.5), of which 67 genes with values of variable importance in projection at least one were selected for pathway analysis. We found that six ribosomal genes represented significant ribosome-related pathways, all of them downregulated in the HIV-group, which may be a strategy to facilitate viral production. T cells subset and plasma biomarkers did not show significant differences after false discovery rate correction (q value >0.05), but a noncorrected analysis showed higher values of regulatory CD4+ T cells (CD4+CD25+CD127−/low), MCP-1, and sVEGF-R1 in the HIV-group (P value ≤0.05).

Conclusion:

T-cell subsets, plasma biomarkers, and gene expression were close to normalization in HIV-infected patients on long-term suppressive combination antiretroviral therapy compared with healthy controls. However, residual alterations remain, mainly at the gene expression, which still reveals the impact of HIV infection in these patients.
Can the ‘Ending the HIV Epidemic’ initiative transition the USA towards HIV/AIDS epidemic control?
Authors: Zang Xiao , Krebs Emanuel , Mah Cassandra , Min Jeong E. , Marshall Brandon D.L. , Feaster Daniel J. , Schackman Bruce R. , Metsch Lisa R. , Strathdee Steffanie A. , Behrends Czarina N. , Nosyk Bohdan
Published: August 2020

Using a dynamic HIV transmission model calibrated for six USA cities, we projected HIV incidence from 2020 to 2040 and estimated whether an established UNAIDS HIV epidemic control target could be met under ideal implementation of optimal combination strategies previously defined for each city. Four of six cities (Atlanta, Baltimore, New York City and Seattle) were projected to achieve epidemic control by 2040 and we identified differences in reaching epidemic control across racial/ethnic groups.
Clinical and pathological features of Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus-associated inflammatory cytokine syndrome
Authors: Piñeiro Florencia , Climent Fina , Imaz Arkaitz , Gudiol Carlota , Niubó Jordi , Palomar-Muñoz Azahara , Serrano Teresa , Saumoy Maria , Podzamczer Daniel
Published: August 2020

Kaposi sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV)-associated inflammatory cytokine syndrome (KICS) is an uncommon but aggressive human Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus associated disorder that is mostly reported in people living with HIV. The diagnosis of KICS is based on clinical criteria, and, in contrast to other KSHV-related malignancies, characteristic pathological features have not yet been described. We report novel clinical and pathological features in an HIV-1 infected patient diagnosed with KICS.
Evaluation of Lacrimal Drainage Function in the Anophthalmic Socket by Dacryoscintigraphy
Authors: Yildiz Aysegul Mavi , Sendul Selam Yekta , Karapapak Murat , Yildiz Ali Atakhan , Guven Dilek
Published: August 2020

Purpose:

To investigate whether impaired lacrimal pump function is a possible cause of discharge in patients wearing an artificial eye compared with the remaining healthy eye.

Methods:

Consecutive patients wearing unilateral ocular prosthesis for ≥6 months were included in this retrospective study. Excluded were any deformities of eyelids or nasal passage, socket complications such as entropion, ectropion, ptosis, infection, pyogenic granuloma, contracted socket, obstruction of nasolacrimal duct diagnosed with lacrimal irrigation and a difference greater than 2 mm in terms of protrusion between two eyes detected by Hertel exophthalmometry. Patients were asked to score the levels of tearing and mucopurulent discharge between 0 and 5 to assess lacrimal drainage function subjectively. Furthermore, dacryoscintigraphy was performed to assess the functional status of the lacrimal system objectively.

Results:

Included were 32 subjects (12 females, 20 males; aged 32.94 ± 17.62, range 13–78). Mean duration of prosthetic wearing 26.41 ± 21.30 (6–72) months. The mean subjective scores of tearing and mucopurulent discharge were 1.56 ± 1.67 and 1.94 ± 1.63, respectively. The rate of functional stenosis was significantly higher in the anophthalmic socket side as compared to the healthy side (P = 0.002). The rates of a presac, preduct, and intraduct obstruction was notes as n = 9, n = 10, n = 1 and n = 0, n = 6, n = 2 in the anophthalmic side and the companion eye, respectively (P = 0.021).

Conclusion:

Compared to paired healthy eyes, the ocular prosthesis exhibited significantly higher rates of functional lacrimal duct obstruction, especially at the presac level. The alterations in orbital volume and tear film composition in addition to reduced corneal reflex blinking may lead to the failure of lacrimal pump function in artificial eyes.
Conical Biosilicate Implant for Volume Augmentation in Anophthalmic Sockets
Authors: Brandão Simone Milani , Schellini Rodolfo Artioli , Peitl Oscar , Zanotto Edgar Dutra , Matayoshi Suzana , Meneghim Roberta Lilian Fernandes de Sousa , Schellini Silvana Artioli
Published: August 2020

The ideal implant for anophthalmic socket reconstruction has yet to be developed. Biosilicate, a highly bioactive glass-ceramic, has been used in the composition of conical implants, which were initially tested in rabbit orbits with excellent results. However, the use of this material and the conical shape of the implants require further study in the human anophthalmic socket. Thus, we propose the use of a new conical implant composed of Biosilicate for orbital volume augmentation in anophthalmic sockets. This prospective, randomized study included 45 patients receiving conical implants composed of either Biosilicate or polymethylmethacrylate (control). Patients were evaluated clinically before and 7, 30, 60, 120, and 180 days after implantation. Systemic evaluations, laboratory tests, and computed tomography of the orbits were performed preoperatively and 180 days postoperatively. Both groups had good outcomes with no significant infectious or inflammatory processes. Only 1 patient, in the Biosilicate group, had early implant extrusion. Laboratory tests were normal in both groups. Computed tomography scans showed that the implants in both groups were well positioned. The new conical implant composed of Biosilicate was successfully used for anophthalmic socket reconstruction. This implant may provide a good alternative to the only conical implant currently available on the market, which is composed of porous polyethylene.
Autologous Facial Fat Transfer: Soft Tissue Augmentation and Regnenerative Therapy
Authors: Clauser Luigi
Published: August 2020

Soft-tissue contour deficiencies depend on various origins including esthetics, congenital and post trauma asymmetries, post tumor defects, and chronic wound sequelae. Reconstructions or repairs are still a challenge today. Fat grafting is an old reconstructive technique dating back to 1893, but it has only recently become popular, especially among plastic surgeons. Being generally disregarded by medical practitioners for many years, adipose tissue has come into the spotlight because it is omnipresent and easily obtainable in substantial quantities with little patient discomfort and no relevant donor-site morbidity. Particularly, adipose tissue contains more multipotent cells per cc than bone marrow does. For example, 1 g of adipose tissue yields ∼5 × 103 stem cells, that is, 100-fold higher than the number of mesenchymal stem cells in 1 g of bone marrow. In reconstructive surgery, both adipose tissue aspiration and fat transfer have become typical surgical procedures. It is quite easy to harvest an abundant volume of tissue, obtaining a large amount of isolated stem and therapeutically active cells without needing cell expansion in tissue culture facilities. This procedure will likely mark the beginning of a new era in both regenerative medicine and facial–craniofacial reconstructions.
The History of Spring-Assisted Surgery Implementation into the Treatment Algorithm for Craniofacial Deformities
Authors: David Lisa
Published: August 2020

Spring-assisted surgery has been a part of the craniofacial surgeon's armamentarium for more than 2 decades now. The development and implementation of this technique will be reviewed as well as the evolution of spring surgery at Wake Forest University.
The Power of Predictive Model for Age and Sex Using Nasal Parameters
Authors: Obaje Godwin Sunday , Mbagwu Martins , Egwu Augustine Ogugua
Published: August 2020

Like languages, facial features have been linked to ethnicities. Basically, nasal index is ratio of nasal breadth to nasal length, which varies greatly among different anthropometric groups and climate regions. Aim: to investigate sexual dimorphic characterization in nasal parameters of the Ikwo population in South-east, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods:

The study recruited 250 Ikwo samples (males = 130, females = 120), after ethical approval gotten from University Research Committee and informed consents signed by the participants. Nasal length, width and indices were measured.

Results:

Age and nasal indices appeared positively correlated but with weak R 2 Adjusted value (Age = 146 + 1.91 × Nasal indices, 35%). Also, sex and nasal indices were positive and very strong adjusted level (NI = 61+0.24 × Male and 61 + 0.084 × Female, and 82%).

Conclusion:

The mean nasal indices for both sexes in Ikwo population belong to platyrrhine nose classification, with predictive power that can be helpful in forensic science, craniofacial surgery, neurosurgery and developmental biology.
Castleman Disease: An Unusual Cause of an Isolated Neck Mass
Authors: Abuzayed Bashar , Said Anas , Jamous Osama , Al-Abadi Husesein , Al-Ashqar Omar , Alawneh Khaled
Published: August 2020

A 15-year old female patient was complaining from swelling in the left side of the neck since 3 months. Physical examination showed palpable and mobile left supraclavicular neck mass in the carotid triangle, uvula deviation to the left side and normal vocal cords position and function. Neck imagings showed well-defined, well-encapsulated left neck mass in the left carotid sheath pushing the internal jugular vein anteriorly and the common carotid artery posteriorly. The mass was extending from the level of C4 superiorly and the supraclavicular region inferiorly. Patient was operated with left anterior approach and circumferential dissection and enucleation was performed. Post-operative period was uneventful and devoid of any complications or deficits. Histopathological examination revealed Castleman disease.
SARS-CoV-2 Is Present in Peritoneal Fluid in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Coccolini Federico , Tartaglia Dario , Puglisi Adolfo , Giordano Cesira , Pistello Mauro , Lodato Marianna , Chiarugi Massimo
Published: August 2020

Background:

The excretion pathomechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 are actually unknown. No certain data exist about viral load in the different body compartments and fluids during the different disease phases.

Material and Methods:

Specific real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction targeting 3 SARS-CoV-e genes were used to detect the presence of the virus.

Results:

SARS-CoV-2 was detected in peritoneal fluid at a higher concentration than in respiratory tract.

Conclusion:

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in peritoneal fluid has never been reported. The present article represents the very first positive result describing the presence of the virus in peritoneal fluid during an emergency surgical procedure in a COVID-19 sick patient. This article thus represents a warning for increasing the level of awareness and protection for surgeon especially in emergency surgical setting.
Underrepresented Minorities in Surgical Residencies
Authors: Keshinro Ajaratu , Frangos Spiros , Berman Russell S. , DiMaggio Charles , Klein Michael J. , Bukur Marko , Welcome Akuezunkpa Ude , Pachter Hersch Leon , Berry Cherisse
Published: August 2020

Objective:

To describe and evaluate trends of general surgery residency applicants, matriculants, and graduates over the last 13 years.

Summary of Background Data:

The application and matriculation rates of URMs to medical school has remained unchanged over the last three decades with Blacks and Hispanics representing 7.1% and 6.3% of matriculants, respectively. With each succession along the surgical career pathway, from medical school to residency to a faculty position, the percentage of URMs decreases.

Methods:

The Electronic Residency Application Service to General Surgery Residency and the Graduate Medical Education Survey of residents completing general surgery residency were retrospectively analyzed (2005–2018). Data were stratified by race, descriptive statistics were performed, and time series were charted.

Results:

From 2005 to 2018, there were 71,687 Electronic Residency Application Service applicants to general surgery residencies, 26,237 first year matriculants, and 24,893 general surgery residency graduates. Whites followed by Asians represented the highest percentage of applicants (n = 31,197, 43.5% and n = 16,602, 23%), matriculants (n = 16,395, 62.5% and n = 4768, 18.2%), and graduates (n = 15,239, 61% and n = 4804, 19%). For URMs, the applicants (n = 8603, 12%, P < 0.00001), matriculants (n = 2420, 9.2%, P = 0.0158), and graduates (n = 2508, 10%, P = 0.906) remained significantly low and unchanged, respectively, whereas the attrition was significantly higher (3.6%, P = 0.049) when compared to Whites (2.6%) and Asians (2.9%).

Conclusion:

Significant disparities in the application, matriculation, graduation, and attrition rates for general surgery residency exists for URMs. A call to action is needed to re-examine and improve existing recommendations/paradigms to increase the number of URMs in the surgery training pipeline.
A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Sippel Rebecca S. , Robbins Sarah E. , Poehls Jennifer L. , Pitt Susan C. , Chen Herbert , Leverson Glen , Long Kristin L. , Schneider David F. , Connor Nadine P.
Published: August 2020

Objective:

The aim of this prospective randomized-controlled trial was to evaluate the risks/benefits of prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) in patients with clinically node negative (cN0) papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

Background:

Microscopic lymph node involvement in patients with PTC is common, but the optimal management is unclear.

Methods:

Sixty patients with cN0 PTC were randomized to a total thyroidectomy (TT) or a TT+ pCND. All patients received postoperative laryngoscopies and standardized radioiodine treatment. Thyroglobulin (Tg) levels and/or neck ultrasounds were performed at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year.

Results:

Tumors averaged 2.2 ± 0.2 cm and 11.9% had extra-thyroidal extension. Thirty patients underwent a pCND and 27.6% had positive nodes (all ≤6 mm). Rates of postoperative PTH < 10 (33.3% vs 24.1%, P = 0.57) and transient nerve dysfunction (13.3% vs 10.3%, P = 1.00) were not significantly different between groups. Six weeks after surgery, both TT and TT + pCND were equally likely to achieve a Tg < 0.2 (54.5% vs 66.7%, P = 0.54) and/or a stimulated Tg (sTg) <1 (59.3% vs 64.0%, P = 0.78). At 1 year, rates of Tg < 0.2 (88.9% vs 90.0%, P = 1.00) and sTg < 1 (93.8% vs 92.3%, P = 1.00) remained similar between groups. Neck ultrasounds at 1 year were equally likely to be read as normal (85.7% in TT vs 85.1% in pCND, P = 1.00).

Conclusions:

cN0 PTC patients treated either with TT or TT + pCND had similar complication rates after surgery. Although microscopic nodes were discovered in 27.6% of pCND patients, oncologic outcomes were comparable at 1 year.
The prospects of targeting DUX4 in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
Authors: Bouwman Linde F. , van der Maarel Silvère M. , de Greef Jessica C.
Published: August 2020

Purpose of review

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a neuromuscular disorder, which is caused by incomplete repression of the transcription factor double homeobox 4 (DUX4) in skeletal muscle. To date, there is no DUX4-targeting treatment to prevent or delay disease progression. In the present review, we summarize developments in therapeutic strategies with the focus on inhibiting DUX4 and DUX4 target gene expression.

Recent findings

Different studies show that DUX4 and its target genes can be repressed with genetic therapies using diverse strategies. Additionally, different small compounds can reduce DUX4 and its target genesin vitroandin vivo.

Most studies that show DUX4 repression by genetic therapies have only been testedin vitro. More efforts should be made to test themin vivofor clinical translation. Several compounds have been shown to prevent DUX4 and target gene expressionin vitroandin vivo. However, their efficiency and specificity has not yet been shown. With emerging clinical trials, the clinical benefit from DUX4 repression in FSHD will likely soon become apparent.
Sucking or lapping: facultative feeding mechanisms in honeybees (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Wei Jiangkun , Huo Zixin , Gorb Stanislav N. , Rico-Guevara Alejandro , Wu Zhigang , Wu Jianing
Published: August 2020

Nectarivorous insects generally adopt suction or lapping to extract nectar from flowers and it is believed that each species exhibits one specific feeding pattern. In recent literature, large groups of nectarivores are classified as either ‘suction feeders', imbibing nectar through their proboscis, or ‘lappers', using viscous dipping. Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are the well-known lappers by virtue of their hairy tongues. Surprisingly, we found that honeybees also employ active suction when feeding on nectar with low viscosity, defying their classification as lappers. Further experiments showed that suction yielded higher uptake rates when ingesting low-concentration nectar, while lapping resulted in faster uptake when ingesting nectar with higher sugar content. We found that the optimal concentration of suction mode in honeybees coincided with the one calculated for other typical suction feeders. Moreover, we found behavioural flexibility in the drinking mode: a bee is able to switch between lapping and suction when offered different nectar concentrations. Such volitional switching in bees can enhance their feeding capabilities, allowing them to efficiently exploit the variety of concentrations presented in floral nectars, enhancing their adaptability to a wide range of energy sources.
Should carbon removal be treated as waste management? Lessons from the cultural history of waste
Authors: Buck Holly Jean
Published: August 2020

Carbon dioxide is a waste product of combusting fossil fuels, and its accumulation in the atmosphere presents a planetary hazard. Carbon dioxide is also managed and used as a resource. Emerging technologies like direct air capture present the opportunity to reclaim and re-use wasted carbon, and actors in industry and policy are increasingly understanding carbon capture, utilization and storage as a waste management process. What is the value, and the danger, of conceptualizing CO
2
as a waste to be managed? This paper looks at the historical evolution of solid and liquid waste regimes to draw lessons for the future evolution of a gaseous waste regime. It finds that social decisions to clean up solid and liquid waste were driven by both culture and industry. Views of recycling and sanitation did not evolve smoothly, with recycling falling in and out of favour, and sanitation experiencing conflict between public and private actors. An earlier attempt to revalue waste as part of a circular economy—the 1930s scientific and industrial field of chemurgy—failed to become a durable term and movement. These experiences hold important takeaways for negative emissions technologies and carbon removal policy: technocratic ideas about resource management may not take hold without a broader popular movement, as in the case of chemurgy, but value change and technology development can support each other, as in the case of wastewater infrastructure. Scientists and carbon removal policy advocates have an opportunity to contextualize CO
2
waste management within the struggles and goals of the larger circular economy project, and to focus simultaneously on both waste production and waste disposal.
Streptomyces apocyni sp. nov., an endogenous actinomycete isolated from Apocynum venetum
Authors: Liu Wen-Xiang , Ma Li-Ran , Xia Zhan-Feng , Zeng Hong , Luo Xiao-Xia , Zhang Li-Li , Wan Chuan-Xing
Published: August 2020

A novel actinomycete, designated strain TRM 66233T, was isolated from Apocynum venetum L. collected from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences affiliated strain TRM 66233T with the genus

Streptomyces

. Strain TRM 66233T showed a high similarity value to

Streptomyces bikiniensis

NRRL B-1049T (98.07 %) based on the 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic tree. The whole-cell sugar pattern of TRM 66233T consisted of glucose, galactose, mannose and ribose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H2), MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H10). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and four unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The G+C content of the DNA was 70.35 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness and average nucleotide identity values as well as evolutionary distances based on multilocus (atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB and trpB) sequences between strain TRM 66233T and closely related type strains were significantly lower than the recommended threshold values. The whole-genome average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain TRM 66233T and

S. bikiniensis

NRRL B-1049T were 78.86 and 23.2 %, respectively. On the basis of evidence from this polyphasic study, strain TRM 66233T should represent a novel species of the genus

Streptomyces

, for which the name Streptomyces apocyni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 66233T (=CCTCC AA 2019056T=LMG 31559T).
Nonomuraea nitratireducens sp. nov., a new actinobacterium isolated from Suaeda australis Moq. rhizosphere
Authors: Ou Yixin , Sheng Yong , Hu Xiaojing , Leng Dongjin , Huang Jiafu , Hu Zhiyu , Bai Linquan , Deng Zixin , Kang Qianjin , Wu Yingying
Published: August 2020

A novel actinomycete, designated WYY166T, was isolated from the rhizosphere of Suaeda australis Moq. collected in Dongfang, PR China. The taxonomic position of this strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene referred strain WYY166T to the genus

Nonomuraea

, and it was most closely related to the type strains

Nonomuraea candida

HMC10T,

Nonomuraea turkmeniaca

DSM 43926T,

Nonomuraea maritima

NBRC 106687T and

Nonomuraea polychroma

DSM 43925T (98.35, 97.60, 97.36 and 97.30% sequence similarity, respectively). Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 11.27 Mbp and a G+C content of 71.10 mol%. The genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) values and the digital DNA - DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain WYY166T and the other species of the genus were found to be low (ANI 81.63~85.23 %, dDDH 23.6~31.6 %), suggesting that it represented a new species. The physiological evaluation showed that it had remarkable nitrate reduction activity. The whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and madurose. The N-acyl type of muramic acid was acetyl. The major menaquinones were MK-9 (H4) (86.9 %) and MK-9 (H2) (13.1 %). The predominant fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 (53.2 %), 10-methyl C17 : 0 (10.7 %), C17 : 1
 ω6c (8.3 %) and iso-C16 : 1 h (7.3 %). These physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data suggested that strain WYY166T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus

Nonomuraea

, for which the name Nonomuraea nitratireducens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WYY166T (=MCCC 1K03779T=KCTC 49343T).
Paenibacillus algicola sp. nov., a novel alginate lyase-producing marine bacterium
Authors: Zhu Jun , Mo Kunlian , Zheng Zhiguo , Wang Zixu , Hu Yonghua , Zou Xiaoxiao , Gu Hanjie , Wang Hongyu , Bao Shixiang , Huang Huiqin
Published: August 2020

A Gram-stain-variable, facultatively anaerobic, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated HB172198T, was isolated from brown alga collected at Qishui Bay, Hainan, PR China. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain HB172198T belonged to the genus

Paenibacillus

, and the closest phylogenetically related species was

Paenibacillus lemnae

NBRC 109972T (97.6% similarity). The other 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities were under 97.0%. The whole genome average nucleotide identity value between strain HB172198T and the closest type strain was 75.3% and the in silico DNA–DNA hybridization value was 20.2%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone 7 and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, C16:0, anteiso-C17:0, iso C16:0 and C16:1 ω11c. The combined phylogenetic relatedness, phenotypic and genotypic features supported the conclusion that strain HB172198T represents a novel species of the genus

Paenibacillus

, for which the name Paenibacillus algicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HB172198T (=CGMCC 1.13583T=JCM 32683T).
Effect of extraction conditions on ultrasonic-assisted extraction of
polyphenolic compounds from okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)
leaves
Authors: Olawuyi Ibukunoluwa Fola , Park Jong Jin , Lee Won Young
Published: August 2020

The effects of extraction conditions on ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) of
polyphenolic compounds from okra leaves (OKL) were investigated. Dried OKL
powder was extracted using different conditions, including ethanol concentration
(20-100%), sample-to-solvent ratio (1:10-1:40 g/mL), UAE temperature
(10-70°C) and time (15-75 min); and their effects on total phenolic (TPC)
and flavonoid (TFC) contents, as well as the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl
(DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)
radical scavenging activities, were examined via a single-factor design. The
principal component analysis (PCA) was useful in indicating the optimal
extraction parameters and aided a clearer understanding of correlative
relationships between the extraction variables. The results showed all
extraction conditions to have significant effects on OKL polyphenolics yield and
antioxidant activities. The extraction conditions of 60% ethanol, 1:40
g/mL solid-to-solvent, at 70°C for 30 min, favored OKL polyphenolics
recovery and antioxidant stability. At this optimal condition, the values for
OKL extract yield, TPC, TFC, DPPH, and ABTS were 31.50%, 13.21 mg GAE/g,
29.57 mg RE/g, 16.86 mg AAE/g and 31.90 mg AAE/g, respectively. PCA result
substantiated the results obtained for optimal extraction conditions and
informed a close correlation between OKL polyphenolics and antioxidant activity.
Moreover, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric, and catechin were
identified as the major polyphenols in OKL. Conclusively, optimal UAE conditions
for OKL polyphenols were obtained, and this could provide a basis for the
utilization of OKL as a potential functional material.
Effects of the degree of milling on the quality characteristics of
rice ‘Nuruk’
Authors: Choi Jeong-Sil , Yeo Soo Hwan , Kang Ji Eun , Jeong Seok Tae
Published: August 2020

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the degrees of milling of rice
(0-50%) on the physicochemical properties and enzymatic activities of
rice ‘Nuruk’. As results, the contents of the general components
of milled rice, except for the starch value (85.13-90.99%) decreased as
the degree of milling increased. The moisture content of rice with different
degrees of milling ranged from 11.04 to 12.68% and significantly
decreased as the degree of milling increased. Furthermore, the hydration rate
increased as the degree of milling increased. The pH of rice
‘Nuruk’ was the lowest at 5.32 in the 0% milled rice
‘Nuruk’ and highest at 5.98 in the 30% milled one, which
indicated no correlation between pH and degree of milling. By contrast, the
soluble solid and reducing sugar contents which are correlated with the starch
value of rice increased as the degree of milling increased. For the enzymatic
activities of each rice ‘Nuruk’, there was no clear trend for the
α-amylase and acidic protease activities with respect to the degree of
milling, whereas the glucoamylase activity decreased with increasing degree of
milling. Correlation analyses indicated that the activity of glucoamylase
decreased as the starch value of rice increased, but increased as the crude
protein content of rice increased. The activity of acidic protease had a
negative correlation with the crude lipid content of rice.
Protocol for a Rapid Scoping Review of Evidence of Outdoor Transmission of COVID-19
Authors: Weed Mike , Foad Abby
Published: August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is both a global health crisis, and a civic emergency for national governments, including the UK. As countries across the world loosen their lockdown restrictions, the assumption is generally made that the risk of COVID-19 transmission is lower outdoors, and this assumption has shaped decisions about what activities can re-commence, the circumstances in which they should re-commence, and the conditions under which they should re-commence. This is important for events and activities that generate mass gatherings, particularly mass participation sports events such as running, but also events in other sectors such as concerts, carnivals and festivals.

This paper sets out a protocol for a rapid scoping review of evidence of incidents of outdoor transmission of COVID-19, including the settings, environments and circumstances of such transmission, and their comparative prevalence to incidents of indoor transmission.

Its purpose is to inform discussions about the recommencement of activities that generate mass gatherings.
The effect of early-stage public health policies on the transmission of COVID-19 in South American countries
Authors: Valcarcel Bryan , Avilez Jose L. , Torres-Roman J. Smith , Poterico Julio A. , Bazalar-Palacios Janina , La Vecchia Carlo
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The analysis of transmission dynamics is crucial to determine whether mitigation or suppression measures reduce the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study sought to estimate the basic (R0) and time-varying (Rt) reproduction number of COVID-19 and contrast the public health measures for ten South American countries.

Methods

Data was obtained from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Country-specific R0 estimates during the first two weeks of the outbreak and Rt estimates after 90 days were estimated.

Results

Countries used a combination of isolation, physical distancing, quarantine, and community-wide containment measures to staunch the spread of COVID-19 at different points in time. R0 ranged from 1.52 (95% confidence interval: 1.13-1.99) in Venezuela to 3.83 (3.04-4.75) in Chile, whereas Rt after 90 days ranged from 0.71 (95% credible interval: 0.39-1.05) in Uruguay to 1.20 (1.19-1.20) in Brazil. Different R0 and Rt values may be related to the testing capacity of each country.

Conclusion

R0 in the early phase of the outbreak varied across the South American countries. The public health measures adopted in the initial period of the pandemic appear to have reduced Rt over time in each country, albeit to different levels.
Predicting the future SARS-COV-2 reproductive rate
Authors: Ellis DSJ , Papadopoulos DI , Donkov I , Bishara S
Published: August 2020

Aims

To generate a predictive model for the SARS-COV-2 viral reproductive rate, based on government policy and weather parameters.

Methods

A multivariate model for the log10 of viral reproductive rate was constructed for each country using lockdown stringency (Oxford University tracker), temperature and humidity, for the 1st 110 days of 2020. This was validated by extrapolating to the following 51 days, and comparing the predicted viral rate and cumulative mortality with WHO data.

The country models was extrapolated to July 2021 using projected weather forecast for four scenarios; continuing with the 11/6/2020 lockdown policy, 100% lockdown, 20% lockdown and no lockdown.

Results

From pooled data (40 countries), lockdown stringency had a strong negative correlation with log10viral reproductive rate (−0.648 at 21 days later). Maximum temperature correlated at -0.14, 14 days later and humidity correlated at +0.25, 22 days later. Predictive Models were generated for 11 countries using multivariate regression of these parameters. The R2 correlation for log10R0 ranged from 0.817 to 0.987 for the model generation period. For the validation period, the Pearson’s coefficient of correlation ranged from 0.344 to 0.984 for log10R0 and from 0.980 to 1.000 for cumulative mortality.

Forward extrapolation of these models for 5 nations, demonstrate, that removing the lockdown will result in rapid spread of the disease ranging from as soon as July 2020 for Russia, UK, Italy and India to January 2021 for the USA. The current (11/6/20) lockdown in the USA, Spain, UK, France, Germany, Turkey can control the disease but other nations will need to intensify their lockdowns to prevent future resurgence. Most nations will require more stringent lockdowns in January than in July.

Conclusion

The viral reproductive rate is highly predicted by a combination of lockdown stringency, temperature and humidity. Country specific predictive models can provide useful forecast of policy requirements.
Effects of universal masking on Massachusetts healthcare workers’ COVID-19 incidence
Authors: Lan Fan-Yun , Christophi Costas A , Buley Jane , Iliaki Eirini , Bruno-Murtha Lou Ann , Sayah Assaad J. , Kales Stefanos N.
Published: August 2020

Background

Healthcare workers (HCWs) and other essential workers are at risk for occupational infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several infection control strategies have been implemented. Particularly, evidence shows that universal masking can mitigate COVID-19 infection, though existing research is limited by secular trend bias.

Aims

To investigate the effect of hospital universal masking on COVID-19 incidence among HCWs compared to the general community population.

Methods

We compared the 7-day averaged incidence rates between a Massachusetts (USA) healthcare system and Massachusetts residents statewide. The study period was from March 17 (the date of first incident case in the healthcare system) to May 6 (the date Massachusetts implemented public masking). The healthcare system implemented universal masking on March 26, we allotted a 5-day lag for effect onset, and peak COVID-19 incidence in Massachusetts was April 20. Thus, we categorized March 17-31 as the pre-intervention phase, April 1-20 the intervention phase, and April 21-May 6 the post-intervention phase. Temporal incidence trends (i.e. 7-day average slopes) were compared using standardized coefficients from linear regression models.

Results

The standardized coefficients were similar between the healthcare system and the state in both the pre- and post-intervention phases. During the intervention phase, the healthcare system’s epidemic slope became negative (standardized β: -0.68, 95% CI: –1.06 - -0.31), while Massachusetts’ slope remained positive (standardized β: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.94 – 1.05).

Conclusions

Universal masking at the healthcare system was associated with flattening the COVID-19 curve among HCWs, while the infection rate continued to rise in the surrounding community.
The Link between Poverty and COVID-19 Case and Mortality Rates in Germany
Authors: Ettensperger Felix
Published: August 2020

The effects of poverty on the case and mortality rates of Covid-19 has emerged as a controversial but understudied topic. In previous studies and reports from the UK and US evidence emerged that poverty related indicators had a significant statistical effect on case and mortality rates on district level. For Germany, it has largely been assumed that poverty is an equally relevant factor influencing the transmission rates of the outbreak mostly due to anecdotal evidence from local outbreaks in meat processing plants and reported incidents in poorer city districts. This paper addresses the lack of statistical evidence and investigates thoroughly the link between poverty related indicators and case and mortality rates of the outbreak using multivariate, multilevel regression while also considering the urban-rural divide of the country. As proxies for poverty the unemployment rate, the per capita presence of general practitioners (physicians), per capita GDP, and the rate of employees with no professional job training is evaluated in relation to the accumulated case and mortality numbers on district level taken from RKI data of June and July 2020. Interestingly, the study finds no evidence for a poverty-related effect on mortality for German districts. Furthermore, only employment in low qualification jobs approximated by the job training variable consistently affected case numbers in urban districts in the expected direction.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Vulnerability Index (PVI) Dashboard: monitoring county level vulnerability
Authors: Marvel Skylar W. , House John S. , Wheeler Matthew , Song Kuncheng , Zhou Yihui , Wright Fred A. , Chiu Weihsueh A. , Rusyn Ivan , Motsinger-Reif Alison , Reif David M.
Published: August 2020

While the COVID-19 pandemic presents a global challenge, the U.S. response places substantial responsibility for both decision-making and communication on local health authorities. To better support counties and municipalities, we integrated baseline data on relevant community vulnerabilities with dynamic data on local infection rates and interventions into a Pandemic Vulnerability Index (PVI). The PVI presents a visual synthesis of county-level vulnerability indicators that can be compared in a regional, state, or nationwide context. We describe use of the PVI, supporting epidemiological modeling and machine-learning forecasts, and deployment of an interactive, web Dashboard. The Dashboard facilitates decision-making and communication among government officials, scientists, community leaders, and the public to enable more effective and coordinated action to combat the pandemic.

One Sentence Summary

The COVID-19 Pandemic Vulnerability Index Dashboard monitors multiple data streams to communicate county-level trends and vulnerabilities and support local decision-making to combat the pandemic.
A multi-task convolutional deep learning method for HLA allelic imputation and its application to trans-ethnic MHC fine-mapping of type 1 diabetes
Authors: Naito Tatsuhiko , Suzuki Ken , Hirata Jun , Kamatani Yoichiro , Matsuda Koichi , Toda Tatsushi , Okada Yukinori
Published: August 2020

Conventional HLA imputation methods drop their performance for infrequent alleles, which reduces reliability of trans-ethnic MHC fine-mapping due to inter-ethnic heterogeneity in allele frequency spectra. We developed DEEP*HLA, a deep learning method for imputing HLA genotypes. Through validation using the Japanese and European HLA reference panels (n = 1,118 and 5,112), DEEP*HLA achieved the highest accuracies in both datasets (0.987 and 0.976) especially for low-frequency and rare alleles. DEEP*HLA was less dependent of distance-dependent linkage disequilibrium decay of the target alleles and might capture the complicated region-wide information. We applied DEEP*HLA to type 1 diabetes GWAS data of BioBank Japan (n = 62,387) and UK Biobank (n = 356,855), and successfully disentangled independently associated class I and II HLA variants with shared risk between diverse populations (the top signal at HLA-DRβ1 amino acid position 71; P = 6.2 ×10−119). Our study illustrates a value of deep learning in genotype imputation and trans-ethnic MHC fine-mapping.
The treatment gap for mental disorders in adults enrolled in HIV treatment programs in South Africa: A cohort study using linked electronic health records
Authors: Ruffieux Yann , Efthimiou Orestis , Van den Heuvel Leigh L. , Joska John A. , Cornell Morna , Seedat Soraya , Mouton Johannes P. , Prozesky Hans , Lund Crick , Maxwell Nicola , Tlali Mpho , Orrell Catherine , Davies Mary-Ann , Maartens Gary , Haas Andreas D.
Published: August 2020

Background

Mental disorders are common in people living with HIV (PLWH) but often remain untreated. We aimed to explore the gap in access to treatment (treatment gap) for mental disorders in adults followed-up in antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs in South Africa and disparities in access to mental health services.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study using ART program data and linked pharmacy and hospitalization data to estimate the 12-month prevalence of treatment for mental disorders (pharmacological or inpatient) and to examine factors associated with the rate of treatment for mental disorders among adults, aged 15-49 years, followed-up from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2017 at one private care, two pubic primary care, and one public tertiary care ART programs in South Africa. We calculated the treatment gap for mental disorders as the discrepancy between the 12-month prevalence of mental disorders in PLWH (aged 15-49 years) in South Africa (estimated based on data from the Global Burden of Disease study) and the 12-month prevalence of treatment for mental disorders in ART programs. We calculated adjusted rate ratios (aRR) for factors associated with the rate of treatment of mental disorders using Poisson regression.

Results

182,285 ART patients were followed-up over 405,153 person-years. In 2017, the estimated treatment gap for mental disorders was 40.5% (95% CI 19.5%-52.9%) for patients followed-up in private care, 96.5% (95% CI 95.0%-97.5%) for patients followed-up in public primary care, and 65.0% (95% CI 36.5%-85.1%) for patients followed-up in public tertiary-care ART programs. Rates of treatment with antidepressants, anxiolytics and antipsychotics were 17 (aRR 0.06, 95% CI 0.06-0.07), 50 (aRR 0.02 95% CI 0.01-0.03), and 2.6 (aRR 0.39, 95% CI 0.35-0.43) times lower in public primary-care programs than in the private-sector ART program.

Interpretation

There is a large treatment gap for mental disorders in PLWH in South Africa and substantial disparities in access to mental health service between patients receiving ART in the public vs. the private sector. In the public sector and especially in public primary care, PLWH with common mental disorders remain largely untreated.
Chemical-genetic interactions with the proline analog L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Berg Matthew D. , Zhu Yanrui , Isaacson Joshua , Genereaux Julie , Loll-Krippleber Raphaël , Brown Grant W. , Brandl Christopher J.
Published: August 2020

Non-proteinogenic amino acids, such as the proline analog L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (AZC), are detrimental to cells because they are mis-incorporated into proteins and lead to proteotoxic stress. Our goal was to identify genes that show chemical-genetic interactions with AZC inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeand thus also potentially define the pathways cells use to cope with amino acid mis-incorporation. Screening the yeast deletion and temperature sensitive collections, we found 72 alleles with negative synthetic interactions with AZC treatment and 12 alleles that suppress AZC toxicity. Many of the genes with negative synthetic interactions are involved in protein quality control pathways through the proteasome. Genes involved in actin cytoskeleton organization and endocytosis also had negative synthetic interactions with AZC. Related to this, the number of actin patches per cell increases upon AZC treatment. Many of the same cellular processes were identified to have interactions with proteotoxic stress caused by two other amino acid analogs, canavanine and thialysine, or a mistranslating tRNA variant that mis-incorporates serine at proline codons. Alleles that suppressed AZC-induced toxicity functioned through the amino acid sensing TOR pathway or controlled amino acid permeases required for AZC uptake.
Diffusive dynamics of Aspartateα-decarboxylase (ADC) liganded with D-serine in aqueous solution
Authors: Raskar Tushar , Niebling Stephan , Devos Juliette M. , Yorke Briony A. , Härtlein Michael , Huse Nils , Forsyth V. Trevor , Seydel Tilo , Pearson Arwen R.
Published: August 2020

Incoherent neutron spectroscopy, in combination with dynamic light scattering was used to investigate the effect of ligand binding on the center-of-mass self-diffusion and internal diffusive dynamics ofE.coliaspartateα-decarboxylase (ADC). The X-ray crystal structure of the D-serine inhibitor complex with ADC was also determined, and molecular dynamics simulations used to further probe the structural rearrangements that occur as a result of ligand binding. These experiments reveal the existence of higher order oligomers of the ADC tetramer on ns-ms time-scales, and also show that ligand binding both affects the ADC internal diffusive dynamics and appears to further increase the size of the higher order oligomers.