bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Importance of Space-Occupying Anatomical Variations in Peroneal Tendoscopy
Authors: Bojanić Ivan , Knežević Igor , Dimnjaković Damjan
Published: November 2020

Background:

We hypothesized that peroneal tendons disorders are more commonly associated with anatomical variations, which could overcrowd the retrofibular groove.

Methods:

This single-center retrospective case study covered 84 consecutive cases that had undergone peroneal tendoscopy. Peroneal tendoscopy was performed on 82 patients, predominantly female (3:1) with a median age of 46 years. The preoperative evaluation and all the procedures were performed by a single surgeon using a standardized technique.

Results:

Two patients required revision surgery 8 and 52 months after the index procedure due to persistent posterolateral ankle pain. Peroneal tendoscopy was performed as a solitary procedure in 45.1% (37/82) of cases, while the remaining cases involved peroneal tendoscopy as a supplementary procedure. Low-lying peroneus brevis muscle belly (LLMB) was the most common finding in this series in 53.7% (44/82) of cases. In 41.5% (34/82) of cases, longitudinal tears of the peroneus brevis tendon were noted. Some patients presented with more than 1 concomitant peroneal tendon pathology. The LLMB was observed in 23.5% (8/34) of cases with a longitudinal tear of the peroneus brevis tendon.

Conclusion:

Peroneal tendon anatomical variations, especially LLMB, were associated with the presence of peroneus brevis tendon ruptures and intrasheath peroneal tendon subluxations as well as posttraumatic posterolateral ankle pain. Due to high rates of undiagnosed and misdiagnosed cases of LLMB preoperatively, we believe special care should be taken to recognize it during tendoscopy. Peroneal tendoscopy is a high-efficiency, low-complication method to treat some peroneal tendon conditions.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Performing Centaurs and the Debasement of Masculinity
Authors: Segarra Marta
Published: November 2020

This article examines, in its first part, the symbolic aspects of the relation between horses and men, and the mythical figure of the centaur, most often assimilated to virility and male sexual drive, but also to women and their sexuality. In its second and central part, it focuses on Bartabas and Ko Murobushi’s performance, The Centaur and the Animal (2012) while raising ethical issues relating to performing animals. The essay analyzes how this play deconstructs the opposition between masculinity and femininity, as well as between animal and human, among other oppositional pairs such as reason vs. instinct, activity vs. passivity, verticality vs. horizontality or “inclination,” immunity vs. vulnerability, life vs. death, animate vs. inanimate, among others. It posits that Bartabas’s performance opens the possibility of a posthuman and postanimal perspective on the relation between human and nonhuman animals.
Learning as moments of friction and opportunity: an autoethnography of ECR identities in queer time
Authors: Weatherall Ruth , Ahuja Sumati
Published: November 2020

In this article, we explore how time and temporality shape the identities of early career researchers as they learn to become academics. We engage in a collaborative autoethnography to reflect on how our shared identities as middle-class women and our divergences in age, ethnicity, familial status and sexuality shaped our embodied experiences of becoming academics. Drawing on the concept of queer time, we reconceptualise the becoming of newcomers as they learn (or do not learn) to belong to academia. We illustrate how queer time interrupts normative ideas of newcomer learning as progress, development and reproduction. We suggest that learning may alternatively be understood as ‘moments of friction’ and ‘moments of opportunity’ in which newcomers to the academy feel out of step, out of place and out of time. We conceptualise these moments as simultaneously painful yet productive of possibilities for learning to become an academic, differently.
Advanced structural internationalization of Universities is unethical
Authors: Turcan Romeo V , Juho Anita , Reilly John E
Published: November 2020

In this ‘Speaking Out’ paper, we challenge contemporary orthodoxies in the field of ‘advanced structural’ internationalization of universities by focusing on significant, but neglected issues and challenges which arise from the current substantive developments in this field. By referring to ‘advanced structural’ internationalization, we want to distinguish between what might be broadly defined as internationalization at home and internationalization abroad, which we consider ‘structural’. ‘Advanced structural’ precisely because it involves transporting and re-engineering relations with governments, partners, students and other stakeholders and tends to be high risk, high commitment, and high cost. We ‘look’ at ‘advanced structural’ internationalization through the theoretical lenses of university autonomy. Since there is limited research at the intersection of international business and university autonomy, along with our experience, we draw on publicly available data relating to issues and challenges which arise from the pursuit of ‘advanced structural’ internationalization in higher education to construct an analytical narrative and ethical discourse appropriate to the radically changing structural, theoretical, and ideological realities we now face in this field. ‘Advanced structural’ internationalization poses serious ethical questions, which suggest that it does not have strong ethical foundations. In this conclusion, we are influenced by the degree of difference between university autonomy settings at home and the operation in the host country. The greater the disparity the more it is likely that the standards and practices which would be applied in the home environment fail to apply in the host. Hence, our thesis: ‘advanced structural’ internationalization of universities is unethical.
Applying the eight principles of developmental evaluation: Complex Care Hub as a case example
Authors: Goertzen Jason R. , Fraser Ashley D. , Stasiewicz Marysia E. , Grinman Michelle N.
Published: November 2020

Evaluators learning about developmental evaluation (DE) may struggle with the need for guidance on the concrete specifics of how to “do developmental evaluation” because of the need to tailor the use of the method to the context of the program being evaluated. Case examples in the literature provide illustrations of how others have applied this approach. This article adds to this growing body of knowledge by detailing the experience of the first year of a multiyear developmental evaluation of Complex Care Hub. This healthcare program is a hospital-at-home model where patients receive hospital-level services but sleep in their own home and receive case management as needed. The article ends with a discussion of challenges and lessons learned.
Disposalscapes: ‘Estranged’ Limbs after Amputation
Authors: Hanna Esmée
Published: November 2020

The disposal of limbs remains absent from our understandings of amputation, with ‘estranged limbs’ occupying a liminal position. Despite acceptance that the appropriate disposal of human tissue matters on moral, ethical and legal grounds, limbs and their disposal is estranged from these discourses, mirroring the experience of the limbs themselves. This article then examines this absence around disposal, considering both the options which exist for the disposal of limbs after amputation, as well as why disposal itself remains sidelined from our broader understandings of the body. Practices for disposal that encompass both traditional clinical approaches and more unusual patient choices will be discussed – through the discussion of these as potential ‘disposalscapes’. Utilising concepts from the work of Crawford, Shildrick and Steinberg and Slatman and Widdershoven, the potential importance of the disposal of limbs to patients and the role of disposalscapes within this are considered.
The potential benefits of camps for children and adolescents with celiac disease on social support, illness acceptance, and health-related quality of life
Authors: Shani Maor , Kraft Lukas , Müller Marvin , Boehnke Klaus
Published: November 2020

Among N = 165 14–22-year-old bearers of celiac disease (CD), the German-based study examined if participation in camps for children with CD is related to higher CD-related quality of life (CD-QoL); N = 48 of the study participants attended at least one camp. Camp participation was found to be related to higher CD-QoL, an effect mediated by having more friends with CD and by perceiving higher social support. Camp participation was also associated with higher illness acceptance and lower anxiety. Results show the potential benefits of recreational activities in CD treatment, to be further examined in experimental research.
Giants in the lab: Model conservation and the anaphoric progression of design
Authors: Yaneva Albena
Published: November 2020

How is an architectural model consolidated and re-assembled in conservation to be able to continue to communicate a design concept? How does the work of care and preservation of models reveal knowledge about the often taken-for-granted dynamics of creative processes? To provide answers, this article draws on Etienne Souriau’s philosophy of creativity and follows how the ‘modes of existence’ of creative works are re-enacted in the anaphoric progression of conservation. Basing her findings on ethnography at the Canadian Centre for Architecture, the author examines the epistemic complexity of specific situations of assessing, preserving and assembling large complex scale models. Unpacking the specificity of model conservation, it is argued, allows us to challenge two established beliefs on creativity: the myth of the stable ontology of historically valuable cultural objects and the myth of teleology of creative processes. Conservation-in-action demonstrates the subtle mechanics of crafting historiographic knowledge in the arts.
A critical review on tribological properties, thermal behavior, and different applications of industrial waste reinforcement for composites
Authors: Gangwar Swati , Pathak Vimal Kumar
Published: November 2020

Industrial wastes such as marble dust, fly ash, and red mud have progressed as an environmental hazard that needs to be disposed or utilized for minimizing the ecological pollution problems and manufacturing costs. Over the years, there is an increasing interest among researchers in utilizing these industrial wastes as reinforcement for developing economic and lightweight monolithic or hybrid composites. In the same context, this paper presents a comprehensive review on the aspects of tribology and thermal performance of industrial waste such as marble dust, fly ash, and red mud as reinforcement for different monolithic and hybrid composites. The review also describes different applications for industrial waste material reinforced composites. Finally, the paper concludes with authors’ perspective of the review, conclusion summary, and future potential of industrial waste filled composites in different industries for obtaining a sustainable and cleaner environment.
Effects of scanning parameters reduction in dental radiographs on image quality and diagnostic performance: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ghazali Liyana , Mohd Yusof Mohd Yusmiaidil Putera , Norman Noraina Hafizan
Published: November 2020

Objectives:

To investigate the effect of reducing scanning parameters of digital dental panoramic tomogram (DPT) and lateral cephalometric (LC) radiographs on quality and diagnostic performance of the images.

Design:

Single-centre prospective two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial.

Setting:

Orthodontic Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia.

Participants:

Adult orthodontic patients aged 18–35 years, indicated for DPT and LC, who were fit and healthy with a body mass index of 18.5–25.0, not contraindicated to radiographic examination, not pregnant, and did not have a history of facial or skeletal abnormalities or bone diseases were included.

Methods:

Thirty-eight adult orthodontic patients were randomised into control and intervention groups. DPT and LC radiographs in the control group were obtained using standard scanning parameters as prescribed by the manufacturer using Orthopantomograph® OP300 by Instrumentarium. Scanning parameters in the intervention group were reduced by 60% for DPT (60 kV, 3.2 mA) and 30% for LC (85 kV, 8 mA). A five-point rating scale was used for the assessment of image quality. Images were evaluated for diagnostic performance by detection of anatomical landmarks. Mann–Whitney test was performed to compare the quality and diagnostic performance of the images and the observer agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results:

For image quality, the control group produced slightly lower median scores (DPT 2.0, LC 2.0) compared to the intervention group (DPT 2.0, LC 3.0). For diagnostic performance, both groups showed similar median scores (DPT 21.0, LC 32.0). The differences between control and intervention groups for both modalities were not statistically significant. The average scores for intra-observer agreement were excellent (ICC 0.917) and inter-observer agreement was good (ICC 0.822).

Conclusion:

Minimising radiation exposure by reducing scanning parameters on digital DPT by 60% and LC by 30% on Intsrumentarium 300 OP did not affect the quality and diagnostic performance of the images. Thus, scanning parameters on digital DPT and LC should be reduced when taking radiographs.
Study of high-pressure air jet controlled compression ignition with compound thermodynamic cycle for combustion and emission formation process
Authors: Meng Xiangyu , Liu Sicheng , Cui Jingchen , Tian Jiangping , Long Wuqiang , Bi Mingshu
Published: November 2020

A novel method called high-pressure air (HPA) jet controlled compression ignition (JCCI) based on the compound thermodynamic cycle was investigated in this work. The combustion process of premixed mixture can be controlled flexibly by the high-pressure air jet compression, and it characterizes the intensified low-temperature reaction and two-stage high-temperature reaction. The three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulation was employed to study the emission formation process and mechanism, and the effects of high-pressure air jet temperature and duration on emissions were also investigated. The simulation results showed that the NOx formation is mainly affected by the first-stage high-temperature reaction due to the higher reaction temperature. Overall, this combustion mode can obtain ultra-low NOx emission. The second-stage high-temperature reaction plays an important role in the CO and THC formation caused by the mixing effect of the high-pressure air and original in-cylinder mixture. The increasing air jet temperature leads to a larger high-temperature in-cylinder region and more fuel in the first-stage reaction, and therefore resulting in higher NOx emission. However, the increasing air jet temperature can significantly reduce the CO and THC emissions. For the air jet duration comparisons, both too short and too long air jet durations could induce higher NOx emission. A higher air jet duration would result in higher CO emission due to the more high-pressure air jet with relatively low temperature.
Making peace with the barbarians: Neo-Confucianism and the pro-peace argument in 17th-century Korea
Authors: Kim Sungmoon
Published: November 2020

This article investigates the Neo-Confucian discourse on war, premised on the “Chinese versus barbarian” binary, and its impact on the Neo-Confucian scholar-officials of 17th-century Chosŏn Korea. It shows that Korean Neo-Confucians suffered invasions from the Jurchens, who they regarded as “barbarians,” and that the political debate on how to respond to the “barbarians” drove the advocates of the pro-peace argument to reimagine Chosŏn’s statehood. The article consists of three parts. First, it reconstructs the philosophical foundations of the mainstream Neo-Confucian discourse on the war with the “barbarians” with reference to Zhu Xi. Second, it discusses the strong impact of the Neo-Confucian paradigm of war on the orthodox Korean Neo-Confucians of the 17th century. Third, it examines how Ch’oe Myŏng-kil, one of the rare champions of the pro-peace argument at the time, justified making peace with the Jurchens through the judicious use of “the expedient.”
Trapeziometacarpal joint arthritis: a personal approach to its treatment
Authors: Davis Tim R. C.
Published: November 2020

Many hand surgeons have fixed beliefs on how trapeziometcarapl (TMC) osteoarthritis should be treated. However, not all hand surgeons share the same fixed beliefs, so different factions of hand surgeons can hold contradictory beliefs. Many retain their fixed beliefs, rather than reconsidering them, when the best available evidence challenges them. The problem causing this heterogeneity of fixed beliefs is the lack of high-quality evidence that can withstand critical appraisal and cannot be ignored or simply dismissed by those with rigid contradictory beliefs. This article examines some of the dogmas surrounding the treatment of TMC osteoarthritis.
Countermovement jump performance in elite male and female sprinters and high jumpers
Authors: Philpott Lydia Kate , Forrester Stephanie E , van Lopik Katherine AJ , Hayward Steven , Conway Paul P , West Andrew A
Published: November 2020

Countermovement jumps (CMJs) are widely used in athlete training, performance monitoring and research as an indicator of power output. Despite extensive scientific research on CMJs, data for elite track and field athletes is limited, particularly for non-sprint events and female athletes. The purpose of this study was threefold: (i) to compare CMJ performance between elite sprinters and high jumpers; (ii) to compare CMJ performance between elite male and female athletes in these two events; and (iii) to determine which CMJ take-off parameters correlated most strongly with jump height. Twenty-seven elite athletes (sprinters: nine male and seven female; high jumpers: five male and six female) completed three maximal CMJs. Jump height and take-off phase parameters were obtained from the force–time data and compared between groups; additionally, time series comparisons were performed on the force, power and displacement data. There was no difference in jump height or any of the take-off parameters between the sprinters and high jumpers; however, the time series analysis indicated that the sprinters maintained a lower centre of mass position during the latter concentric phase. The male athletes jumped higher than the female athletes (by 10.0 cm or 24.2%; p < 0.001) with significantly greater body weight normalised peak power (17.9%, p = 0.002) and significantly shorter eccentric time (17.4%, p = 0.035). Jump height was most strongly correlated with peak power. In addition, jump height was also strongly correlated with positive impulse and both minimum and mean concentric centre of mass position. These results support the importance of accounting for event and gender when investigating CMJ performance.
Implications of SARS-CoV-2-Associated Myocarditis in the Medical Evaluation of Athletes
Authors: Raukar Neha P. , Cooper Leslie T.
Published: November 2020

Context:

Myocarditis is a known cause of death in athletes. As we consider clearance of athletes to participate in sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, we offer a brief review of the myocardial effects of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) through the lens of what is known about myocarditis and exercise. All athletes should be queried about any recent illness suspicious for COVID-19 prior to sports participation.

Evidence Acquisition:

The PubMed database was evaluated through 2020, with the following keywords: myocarditis, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, cardiac, and athletes. Selected articles identified through the primary search, along with position statements from around the world, and the relevant references from those articles, were reviewed for pertinent clinical information regarding the identification, evaluation, risk stratification, and management of myocarditis in patients, including athletes, with and without SARS-CoV-2.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Results:

Since myocarditis can present with a variety of symptoms, and can be asymptomatic, the sports medicine physician needs to have a heightened awareness of athletes who may have had COVID-19 and be at risk for myocarditis and should have a low threshold to obtain further cardiovascular testing. Symptomatic athletes with SARS-CoV-2 may require cardiac evaluation including an electrocardiogram and possibly an echocardiogram. Athletes with cardiomyopathy may benefit from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the recovery phase and, rarely, endocardial biopsy.

Conclusion:

Myocarditis is a known cause of sudden cardiac death in athletes. The currently reported rates of cardiac involvement of COVID-19 makes myocarditis a risk, and physicians who clear athletes for participation in sport as well as sideline personnel should be versed with the diagnosis, management, and clearance of athletes with suspected myocarditis. Given the potentially increased risk of arrhythmias, sideline personnel should practice their emergency action plans and be comfortable using an automated external defibrillator.
COVID-19: What should health professionals know? Assessment of Knowledge, attitude, and practice of community pharmacists in a developing country
Authors: Yimenu Dawit Kumilachew , Demeke Chilot Abiyu , Kasahun Asmamaw Emagn , Asrade Seyfe , Mekuria Abebe Basazn
Published: November 2020

Background:

Healthcare professionals are the primary frontiers of the fight against every public health threat. These had made them vulnerable to various infectious agents, with many reports of morbidity and mortality also being evident.

Objectives:

The current study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19 among community pharmacists in Gondar town, Ethiopia.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection, and the collected data were coded, validated, and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Quantitative data were summarized using means and standard deviations, while frequencies and proportions were used to summarize categorical data. A chi-square test was used to assess an association between the different variables, and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance at a 95% confidence interval.

Results:

A total of 46 community pharmacy professionals had participated in the study. The main sources of information about COVID-19 were news media 29 (63%), followed by social media 24 (52.2%). The mean knowledge score was 8.15 (standard deviation: 1.86), and among the total study participants, 29 (63%) were found to have good knowledge about COVID-19. The mean attitude score was 31.52 (standard deviation: 4.288). Only 30.4% of the study participants were found to have a good practice toward the prevention of COVID-19. Chi-square results showed that having a good knowledge of COVID-19 was significantly associated with practice (P = 0.035).

Conclusion:

Significant gaps were identified concerning community pharmacy professional’s knowledge of COVID-19 and their practice toward prevention of the disease. Strategies should be implemented to equip community pharmacy professionals with all necessary information about COVID-19 through continuous training programs and other virtual platforms.
Electrical storm in a patient with COVID-19 treated with hydroxychloroquine: A case report
Authors: Vetta Francesco , Marinaccio Leonardo , Vetta Giampaolo , Marchese Domenico
Published: November 2020

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a widely used drug to treat patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Although evidence of its efficacy and safety remains limited and controversial, both cardiac and non-cardiac adverse events are known to be associated with its use. To our knowledge, electrical storm in patients with COVID-19, or in any case treated with HCQ, has not been reported. We report the case of a 78-year-old male with an implantable cardiac resynchronization defibrillator (CRT-D) and a non-severe form of COVID-19. After a few days of home therapy with HCQ, an electrical storm was revealed that was associated with an increase in QTc. Following admission to the intensive care unit, HCQ was discontinued and progressive reduction of the QTc with electrical stabilization was observed. This clinical case highlights the potential risk of arrythmia associated with the use of HCQ and stresses the need for close electrocardiographic monitoring, especially in patients with established heart disease.
The Material Conditions of Platforms: Monopolization Through Decentralization
Authors: Blanke Tobias , Pybus Jennifer
Published: November 2020

In this article, we add research on technical integration and dependency to the theories of platformization. Our research seeks to understand how platforms have been able to technically integrate themselves into the fabric of the mobile ecosystem, transforming the economic dynamics that allow these largely enclosed entities to compete. We therefore want to consider platforms as service assemblages to account for the material ways in which they have decomposed and recomposed themselves for developers, enabling them to shift the economic dynamics of competition and monopolization in their favor. This article will argue that this shift in the formation of platform monopolies is being brought about by the decentralization of these services, leading to an overall technical integration of the largest digital platform such as Facebook and Google into the source code of almost all apps. We present new digital methodologies to surface these relations and material conditions of platforms. These methodologies offer us a whole new toolkit to investigate how decentralized services depend on each other and how new power relations are formed.
Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes After Fixation of Chondral Fragments of the Knee in 6 Adolescents Using Autologous Bone Pegs
Authors: Ogura Takahiro , Sakai Hiroki , Asai Shigehiro , Fukuda Hideaki , Takahashi Tatsuya , Kanisawa Izumi , Yamaura Ichiro , Tsuchiya Akihiro , Forney Michael , Winalski Carl S. , Takahashi Kenji
Published: November 2020

Background:

Little is known regarding the optimal treatment for displaced, purely chondral fragments in the knee.

Purpose:

To report the clinical and radiographic outcomes of chondral fragment fixation in adolescents through use of autologous bone pegs.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

This retrospective, single-center study evaluated 6 patients (mean age, 12.9 years) who underwent fixation of chondral fragments (no visualized bone attached) using autologous bone pegs (mean postoperative follow-up, 5.2 years; range, 1.4-10.9 years). The causes were trauma (n = 5) and osteochondritis dissecans (n = 1). Lesions were located in the trochlear groove (lateral, n = 3; medial, n = 2) or posterior part of the lateral femoral condyle (n = 1). The mean lesion size was 3.8 cm2 (range, 0.8-9.0 cm2). Patients were evaluated via physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue scores.

Results:

In total, 5 patients successfully returned to sports without restrictions at a mean of 7 months (range, 6-8 months) postoperatively. At the latest follow-up, these 5 patients had full range of motion and no joint effusion. The mean magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue score was 85 (range, 70-95) at a mean duration of 3 years (range, 1-5 years). One patient experienced failure at 1.3 years postoperatively after a traumatic injury and subsequently underwent removal of the fixed fragment and a drilling procedure.

Conclusion:

In most adolescents, fixation of chondral fragments with no visualized bony portion using autologous bone pegs provided a satisfactory success rate and good healing of cartilage tissue confirmed on MRI scans.
Osseous Healing With Nonrigid Suture Fixation in the Arthroscopic Latarjet Procedure
Authors: Weick Jack W. , Kalia Vivek , Pacheco Emily , Jacobson Jon A. , Freehill Michael T.
Published: November 2020

Background:

The Latarjet procedure is a popular means to surgically address anterior glenohumeral joint instability. Although the Latarjet procedure is becoming increasingly common, challenges persist and include postoperative complications secondary to use of the conventional 2 bicortical fixation screws. Recently, a novel surgical technique using a guided surgical approach for graft positioning with nonrigid fixation via a suture suspensory system has been described.

Purpose:

To evaluate healing rates and stability of the grafts in patients who underwent this new Latarjet technique.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

We retrospectively gathered anonymized computed tomography (CT) data sets from a total of 107 patients who underwent nonrigid suture fixation using a cortical button fixation for anterior glenohumeral instability. Of the 107 patients, 45 had CT scans performed at 2 different time periods. The CT scans of each patient were compared by 2 fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists. Data recorded included age, sex, date of scan, initial graft position on the glenoid, presence and degree of graft migration relative to the equator on follow-up scan, and percentage of osseous healing (as assessed by osseous bridging) on the follow-up scan. Descriptive statistics were calculated to evaluate the average migration and average percentage of healing at both time points.

Results:

Our population (n = 45) consisted of 38 men (84.4%) and 7 women (15.6%). The mean age was 27.1 ± 1.1 years. The mean time between initial CT scan (2 weeks postoperatively) and follow-up CT scan was 26 ± 2 weeks. On follow-up scan, reviewer 1 found 75.6% of patients had greater than 75% healing, and reviewer 2 found 70.2% of patients had greater than 75% healing. The center of the graft was measured at or below the equator on follow-up examination in 43 of 45 (95.6%) patients by reviewer 1 and 44 of 45 (97.8%) patients by reviewer 2.

Conclusion:

Based on these findings, nonrigid suture fixation using a cortical button device offers an effective alternative to traditional screw fixation for the Latarjet procedure with a high level of osseous healing and minimal graft migration.
Hematoxylin binds to mutant calreticulin and disrupts its abnormal interaction with thrombopoietin receptor
Authors: Jia Ruochen , Balligand Thomas , Atamanyuk Vasyl , Nivarthi Harini , Xu Erica , Kutzner Leon , Weinzierl Jakob , Nedelec Audrey , Kubicek Stefan , Lesyk Roman , Zagrijtschuk Oleh , Constantinescu Stefan N. , Kralovics Robert
Published: November 2020

Somatic mutations of calreticulin (CALR) have been identified as a main disease driver of myeloproliferative neoplasms, suggesting that development of drugs targeting mutant CALR is of great significance. Site-directed mutagenesis in the N-glycan binding domain (GBD) abolishes the ability of mutant CALR to oncogenically activate the thrombopoietin receptor (MPL). We therefore hypothesized that a small molecule targeting the GBD might inhibit the oncogenicity of the mutant CALR. Using an in silico molecular docking study, we identified candidate binders to the GBD of CALR. Further experimental validation of the hits identified a group of catechols inducing a selective growth inhibitory effect on cells that depend on oncogenic CALR for survival and proliferation. Apoptosis-inducing effects by the compound were significantly higher in the CALR-mutated cells than in CALR wild-type cells. Additionally, knockout or C-terminal truncation of CALR eliminated drug hypersensitivity in CALR-mutated cells. We experimentally confirmed the direct binding of the selected compound to CALR, disruption of the mutant CALR-MPL interaction, inhibition of the JAK2-STAT5 pathway, and reduction at the intracellular level of mutant CALR upon drug treatment. Our data indicate that small molecules targeting the GBD of CALR can selectively kill CALR-mutated cells by disrupting the CALR-MPL interaction and inhibiting oncogenic signaling.
How should we use convalescent plasma therapies for the management of COVID-19?
Authors: Wood Erica M. , Estcourt Lise J. , McQuilten Zoe K.
Published: November 2020

Convalescent plasma (CP) from blood donors with antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may benefit patients with COVID-19 by providing immediate passive immunity via transfusion or by being used to manufacture hyperimmune immunoglobulin preparations. Optimal product characteristics (including neutralizing antibody titers), transfusion volume, and administration timing remain to be determined. Preliminary COVID-19 CP safety data are encouraging, but establishing the clinical efficacy of CP requires an ongoing international collaborative effort. Preliminary results from large, high-quality randomized trials have recently started to be reported.
LC-N2G: a local consistency approach for nutrigenomics data analysis
Authors: Xu Xiangnan , Solon-Biet Samantha M. , Senior Alistair , Raubenheimer David , Simpson Stephen J. , Fontana Luigi , Mueller Samuel , Yang Jean Y. H.
Published: November 2020

Background

Nutrigenomics aims at understanding the interaction between nutrition and gene information. Due to the complex interactions of nutrients and genes, their relationship exhibits non-linearity. One of the most effective and efficient methods to explore their relationship is the nutritional geometry framework which fits a response surface for the gene expression over two prespecified nutrition variables. However, when the number of nutrients involved is large, it is challenging to find combinations of informative nutrients with respect to a certain gene and to test whether the relationship is stronger than chance. Methods for identifying informative combinations are essential to understanding the relationship between nutrients and genes.

Results

We introduce Local Consistency Nutrition to Graphics (LC-N2G), a novel approach for ranking and identifying combinations of nutrients with gene expression. In LC-N2G, we first propose a model-free quantity called Local Consistency statistic to measure whether there is non-random relationship between combinations of nutrients and gene expression measurements based on (1) the similarity between samples in the nutrient space and (2) their difference in gene expression. Then combinations with small LC are selected and a permutation test is performed to evaluate their significance. Finally, the response surfaces are generated for the subset of significant relationships. Evaluation on simulated data and real data shows the LC-N2G can accurately find combinations that are correlated with gene expression.

Conclusion

The LC-N2G is practically powerful for identifying the informative nutrition variables correlated with gene expression. Therefore, LC-N2G is important in the area of nutrigenomics for understanding the relationship between nutrition and gene expression information.
The MOBSTER R package for tumour subclonal deconvolution from bulk DNA whole-genome sequencing data
Authors: Caravagna Giulio , Sanguinetti Guido , Graham Trevor A. , Sottoriva Andrea
Published: November 2020

Background

The large-scale availability of whole-genome sequencing profiles from bulk DNA sequencing of cancer tissues is fueling the application of evolutionary theory to cancer. From a bulk biopsy, subclonal deconvolution methods are used to determine the composition of cancer subpopulations in the biopsy sample, a fundamental step to determine clonal expansions and their evolutionary trajectories.

Results

In a recent work we have developed a new model-based approach to carry out subclonal deconvolution from the site frequency spectrum of somatic mutations. This new method integrates, for the first time, an explicit model for neutral evolutionary forces that participate in clonal expansions; in that work we have also shown that our method improves largely over competing data-driven methods. In this Software paper we present mobster, an open source R package built around our new deconvolution approach, which provides several functions to plot data and fit models, assess their confidence and compute further evolutionary analyses that relate to subclonal deconvolution.

Conclusions

We present the mobster package for tumour subclonal deconvolution from bulk sequencing, the first approach to integrate Machine Learning and Population Genetics which can explicitly model co-existing neutral and positive selection in cancer. We showcase the analysis of two datasets, one simulated and one from a breast cancer patient, and overview all package functionalities.
Depletion of SNRNP200 inhibits the osteo−/dentinogenic differentiation and cell proliferation potential of stem cells from the apical papilla
Authors: Su Xiaomin , Yang Haoqing , Shi Ruitang , Zhang Chen , Liu Huina , Fan Zhipeng , Zhang Jianpeng
Published: November 2020

Background

Tissue regeneration mediated by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is deemed a desirable way to repair teeth and craniomaxillofacial tissue defects. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms about cell proliferation and committed differentiation of MSCs remain obscure. Previous researches have proved that lysine demethylase 2A (KDM2A) performed significant function in the regulation of MSC proliferation and differentiation. SNRNP200, as a co-binding factor of KDM2A, its potential effect in regulating MSCs’ function is still unclear. Therefore, stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) were used to investigate the function of SNRNP200 in this research.

Methods

The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, Alizarin Red staining, and osteogenesis-related gene expressions were used to examine osteo−/dentinogenic differentiation potential. Carboxyfluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester (CFSE) and cell cycle analysis were applied to detect the cell proliferation. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the expressions of cell cycle-related proteins.

Results

Depletion of SNRNP200 caused an obvious decrease of ALP activity, mineralization formation and the expressions of osteo−/dentinogenic genes including RUNX2, DSPP, DMP1 and BSP. Meanwhile, CFSE and cell cycle assays revealed that knock-down of SNRNP200 inhibited the cell proliferation and blocked cell cycle at the G2/M and S phase in SCAPs. In addition, it was found that depletion of SNRNP200 up-regulated p21 and p53, and down-regulated the CDK1, CyclinB, CyclinE and CDK2.

Conclusions

Depletion of SNRNP200 repressed osteo−/dentinogenic differentiation potentials and restrained cell proliferation through blocking cell cycle progression at the G2/M and S phase, further revealing that SNRNP200 has crucial effects on preserving the proliferation and differentiation potentials of dental tissue-derived MSCs.
FishDB: an integrated functional genomics database for fishes
Authors: Yang Liandong , Xu Zetan , Zeng Honghui , Sun Ning , Wu Baosheng , Wang Cheng , Bo Jing , Li Lin , Dong Yang , He Shunping
Published: November 2020

Background

Hundreds of genomes and transcriptomes of fish species have been sequenced in recent years. However, fish scholarship currently lacks a comprehensive, integrated, and up-to-date collection of fish genomic data.

Results

Here we present FishDB, the first database for fish multi-level omics data, available online at http://fishdb.ihb.ac.cn. The database contains 233 fish genomes, 201 fish transcriptomes, 5841 fish mitochondrial genomes, 88 fish gene sets, 16,239 miRNAs of 65 fishes, 1,330,692 piRNAs and 4852 lncRNAs of Danio rerio, 59,040 Mb untranslated regions (UTR) of 230 fishes, and 31,918 Mb coding sequences (CDS) of 230 fishes. Among these, we newly generated a total of 11 fish genomes and 53 fish transcriptomes.

Conclusions

This release contains over 410,721.67 Mb sequences and provides search functionality, a BLAST server, JBrowse, and PrimerServer modules.
Current knowledge and perspectives of potential impacts of Salmonella enterica on the profile of the gut microbiota
Authors: Aljahdali Nesreen H. , Sanad Yasser M. , Han Jing , Foley Steven L.
Published: November 2020

In the past decade, the initial studies of the gut microbiota started focusing on the correlation of the composition of the gut microbiota and the health or diseases of the host, and there are extensive literature reviews pertaining to this theme. However, little is known about the association between the microbiota, the host, and pathogenic bacteria, such asSalmonella enterica, which is among the most important foodborne pathogens and identified as the source of multiple outbreaks linked to contaminated foods causing salmonellosis. Secretion systems, flagella, fimbriae, endotoxins, and exotoxins are factors that play the most important roles in the successful infection of the host cell bySalmonella. Infections withS. enterica, which is a threat to human health, can alter the genomic, taxonomic, and functional traits of the gut microbiota. The purpose of this review is to outline the state of knowledge on the impacts ofS. entericaon the intestinal microbiota and highlight the need to identify the gut bacteria that could contribute to salmonellosis.
A longitudinal study on morpho-genetic diversity of pathogenic Rhizoctonia solani from sugar beet and dry beans of western Nebraska
Authors: Das Saurav , Plyler-Harveson T. , Santra Dipak K. , Maharjan Bijesh , Nielson Kathy A. , Harveson Robert M.
Published: November 2020

Background

Root and stem rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani is a serious fungal disease of sugar beet and dry bean production in Nebraska. Rhizoctonia root rot and crown rot in sugar beet and dry bean have reduced the yield significantly and has also created problems in storage. The objective of this study was to analyze morpho-genetic diversity of 38 Rhizoctonia solani isolates from sugar beet and dry bean fields in western Nebraska collected over 10 years. Morphological features and ISSR-based DNA markers were used to study the morphogenetic diversity.

Results

Fungal colonies were morphologically diverse in shapes, aerial hyphae formation, colony, and sclerotia color. Marker analysis using 19 polymorphic ISSR markers showed polymorphic bands ranged from 15 to 28 with molecular weight of 100 bp to 3 kb. Polymorphic loci ranged from 43.26–92.88%. Nei genetic distance within the population ranged from 0.03–0.09 and Shannon diversity index varied from 0.24–0.28. AMOVA analysis based on ΦPT values showed 87% variation within and 13% among the population with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Majority of the isolates from sugar beet showed nearby association within the population. A significant number of isolates showed similarity with isolates of both the crops suggesting their broad pathogenicity. Isolates were grouped into three different clusters in UPGMA based cluster analysis using marker information. Interestingly, there was no geographical correlation among the isolates. Principal component analysis showed randomized distribution of isolates from the same geographical origin. Identities of the isolates were confirmed by both ITS-rDNA sequences and pathogenicity tests.

Conclusion

Identification and categorization of the pathogen will be helpful in designing integrated disease management guidelines for sugar beet and dry beans of mid western America.
The relation of meiotic behaviour to hybridity, polyploidy and apomixis in the Ranunculus auricomus complex (Ranunculaceae)
Authors: Barke Birthe H. , Karbstein Kevin , Daubert Mareike , Hörandl Elvira
Published: November 2020

Background

Hybridization and polyploidization are powerful evolutionary factors that are associated with manifold developmental changes in plants such as irregular progression of meiosis and sporogenesis. The emergence of apomixis, which is asexual reproduction via seeds, is supposed to be connected to these factors and was often regarded as an escape from hybrid sterility. However, the functional trigger of apomixis is still unclear. Recently formed di- and polyploidRanunculushybrids, as well as their parental species were analysed for their modes of mega- and microsporogenesis by microscopy. Chromosomal configurations during male meiosis were screened for abnormalities. Meiotic and developmental abnormalities were documented qualitatively and collected quantitatively for statistical evaluations.

Results

Allopolyploids showed significantly higher frequencies of erroneous microsporogenesis than homoploid hybrid plants. Among diploids, F2hybrids had significantly more disturbed meiosis than F1hybrids and parental plants. Chromosomal aberrations included laggard chromosomes, chromatin bridges and disoriented spindle activities. Failure of megasporogenesis appeared to be much more frequent in than of microsporogenesis is correlated to apomixis onset.

Conclusions

Results suggest diverging selective pressures on female and male sporogenesis, with only minor effects of hybridity on microsporogenesis, but fatal effects on the course of megasporogenesis. Hence, pollen development continues without major alterations, while selection will favour apomixis as alternative to the female meiotic pathway. Relation of investigated errors of megasporogenesis with the observed occurrence of apospory inRanunculushybrids identifies disturbed female meiosis as potential elicitor of apomixis in order to rescue these plants from hybrid sterility. Male meiotic disturbance appears to be stronger in neopolyploids than in homoploid hybrids, while disturbances of megasporogenesis were not ploidy-dependent.
Genome-wide transcriptional changes triggered by water deficit on a drought-tolerant common bean cultivar
Authors: Gregorio Jorge Josefat , Villalobos-López Miguel Angel , Chavarría-Alvarado Karen Lizeth , Ríos-Meléndez Selma , López-Meyer Melina , Arroyo-Becerra Analilia
Published: November 2020

Background

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a relevant crop cultivated over the world, largely in water insufficiency vulnerable areas. Since drought is the main environmental factor restraining worldwide crop production, efforts have been invested to amend drought tolerance in commercial common bean varieties. However, scarce molecular data are available for those cultivars of P. vulgaris with drought tolerance attributes.

Results

As a first approach, Pinto Saltillo (PS), Azufrado Higuera (AH), and Negro Jamapa Plus (NP) were assessed phenotypically and physiologically to determine the outcome in response to drought on these common bean cultivars. Based on this, a Next-generation sequencing approach was applied to PS, which was the most drought-tolerant cultivar to determine the molecular changes at the transcriptional level. The RNA-Seq analysis revealed that numerous PS genes are dynamically modulated by drought. In brief, 1005 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, from which 645 genes were up-regulated by drought stress, whereas 360 genes were down-regulated. Further analysis showed that the enriched categories of the up-regulated genes in response to drought fit to processes related to carbohydrate metabolism (polysaccharide metabolic processes), particularly genes encoding proteins located within the cell periphery (cell wall dynamics). In the case of down-regulated genes, heat shock-responsive genes, mainly associated with protein folding, chloroplast, and oxidation-reduction processes were identified.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that secondary cell wall (SCW) properties contribute to P. vulgaris L. drought tolerance through alleviation or mitigation of drought-induced osmotic disturbances, making cultivars more adaptable to such stress. Altogether, the knowledge derived from this study is significant for a forthcoming understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in drought tolerance on common bean, especially for drought-tolerant cultivars such as PS.