bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of outcome reporting in incisional hernia surgery
Authors: Harji D , Thomas C , Antoniou S A , Chandraratan H , Griffiths B , Henniford B T , Horgan L , Köckerling F , López-Cano M , Massey L , Miserez M , Montgomery A , Muysoms F , Poulose B K , Reinpold W , Smart N ,   NoSTRA HarMoNY
Published: January 2021

Background

The incidence of incisional hernia is up to 20 per cent after abdominal surgery. The management of patients with incisional hernia can be complex with an array of techniques and meshes available. Ensuring consistency in reporting outcomes across studies on incisional hernia is important and will enable appropriate interpretation, comparison and data synthesis across a range of clinical and operative treatment strategies.

Methods

Literature searches were performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE (from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2019) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. All studies documenting clinical and patient-reported outcomes for incisional hernia were included.

Results

In total, 1340 studies were screened, of which 92 were included, reporting outcomes on 12 292 patients undergoing incisional hernia repair. Eight broad-based outcome domains were identified, including patient and clinical demographics, hernia-related symptoms, hernia morphology, recurrent incisional hernia, operative variables, postoperative variables, follow-up and patient-reported outcomes. Clinical outcomes such as hernia recurrence rates were reported in 80 studies (87 per cent). A total of nine different definitions for detecting hernia recurrence were identified. Patient-reported outcomes were reported in 31 studies (34 per cent), with 18 different assessment measures used.

Conclusions

This review demonstrates the significant heterogeneity in outcome reporting in incisional hernia studies, with significant variation in outcome assessment and definitions. This is coupled with significant under-reporting of patient-reported outcomes.
International consensus statement on nomenclature and classification of the congenital bicuspid aortic valve and its aortopathy, for clinical, surgical, interventional and research purposes
Authors: Michelena Hector I , Della Corte Alessandro , Evangelista Arturo , Maleszewski Joseph J , Edwards William D , Roman Mary J , Devereux Richard B , Fernández Borja , Asch Federico M , Barker Alex J , Sierra-Galan Lilia M , De Kerchove Laurent , Fernandes Susan M , Fedak Paul W M , Girdauskas Evaldas , Delgado Victoria , Abbara Suhny , Lansac Emmanuel , Prakash Siddharth K , Bissell Malenka M , Popescu Bogdan A , Hope Michael D , Sitges Marta , Thourani Vinod H , Pibarot Phillippe , Chandrasekaran Krishnaswamy , Lancellotti Patrizio , Borger Michael A , Forrest John K , Webb John , Milewicz Dianna M , Makkar Raj , Leon Martin B , Sanders Stephen P , Markl Michael , Ferrari Victor A , Roberts William C , Song Jae-Kwan , Blanke Philipp , White Charles S , Siu Samuel , Svensson Lars G , Braverman Alan C , Bavaria Joseph , Sundt Thoralf M , El Khoury Gebrine , De Paulis Ruggero , Enriquez-Sarano Maurice , Bax Jeroen J , Otto Catherine M , Schäfers Hans-Joachim ,   Endorsed by the Heart Valve Society (HVS), European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI), Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR), Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging (NASCI) and the International Bicuspid Aortic Valve Consortium (BAVCon)
Published: January 2021

This International Consensus Classification and Nomenclature for the congenital bicuspid aortic valve condition recognizes 3 types of bicuspid valves: 1. The fused type (right-left cusp fusion, right-non-coronary cusp fusion and left-non-coronary cusp fusion phenotypes); 2. The 2-sinus type (latero-lateral and antero-posterior phenotypes); and 3. The partial-fusion (forme fruste) type. The presence of raphe and the symmetry of the fused type phenotypes are critical aspects to describe. The International Consensus also recognizes 3 types of bicuspid valve-associated aortopathy: 1. The ascending phenotype; 2. The root phenotype; and 3. Extended phenotypes.
Functional redundancy in local spatial scale microbial communities suggests stochastic processes at an urban wilderness preserve in Austin, TX, USA
Authors: D. Stewart Justin , Ontai Amy , Yusoof Kizil , S. Ramirez Kelly , Bilinski Teresa
Published: January 2021

Empirical evidence supports selection of soil microbial communities by edaphic properties across large spatial scales; however, less is known at smaller spatial scales. The goal of this research was to evaluate relationships between ecosystem characteristics and bacterial community structure/function at broad taxonomic resolutions in soils across small spatial scales. We employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing, community-level physiological profiling and soil chemical analysis to address this goal. We found weak relationships between gradients in soil characteristics and community structure/function. Specific operational taxonomic units did not respond to edaphic variation, but Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Nitrospirae shifted their relative abundances. High metabolic diversity within the bacterial communities was observed despite general preference of Tween 40/80. Carbon metabolism patterns suggest dominance of functional specialists at our times of measurement. Pairwise comparison of carbon metabolism patterns indicates high levels of functional redundancy. Lastly, at broad taxonomic scales, community structure and function weakly covary with edaphic properties. This evidence suggests that stochasticity or unmeasured environmental gradients may be influential in bacterial community assembly in soils at small spatial scales.
Are recently deglaciated areas at both poles colonised by the same bacteria?
Authors: del Moral Álvaro , Garrido-Benavent Isaac , Durán Jorge , Lehmann Jan R , Rodríguez Alexandra , Heiðmarsson Starri , de los Ríos Asunción
Published: January 2021

Polar glacier forefields offer an unprecedented framework for studying community assembly processes in regions that are geographically and climatically isolated. Through amplicon sequence variant (ASV) inference, we compared the composition and structure of soil bacterial communities from glacier forefields in Iceland and Antarctica to assess overlap between communities and the impact of established cryptogamic covers on the uniqueness of their taxa. These pioneer microbial communities were found to share only 8% of ASVs and each taxonomic group's contribution to the shared ASV data subset was heterogeneous and independent of their relative abundance. Although the presence of ASVs specific to one glacier forefield and/or different cryptogam cover values confirms the existence of habitat specialist bacteria, our data show that the influence of cryptogams on the edaphic bacterial community structure also varied also depending on the taxonomic group. Hence, the establishment of distinct cryptogamic covers is probably not the only factor driving the uniqueness of bacterial communities at both poles. The structure of bacterial communities colonising deglaciated areas seems also conditioned by lineage-specific limitations in their dispersal capacity and/or their establishment and persistence in these isolated and hostile regions.
Comparison of Lateral Perturbation-Induced Step Training and Hip Muscle Strengthening Exercise on Balance and Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Rogers Mark W , Creath Robert A , Gray Vicki , Abarro Janice , McCombe Waller Sandy , Beamer Brock A , Sorkin John D
Published: January 2021

Background

This factorial, assessor-blinded, randomized, and controlled study compared the effects of perturbation-induced step training (lateral waist-pulls), hip muscle strengthening, and their combination, on balance performance, muscle strength, and prospective falls among older adults.

Methods

Community-dwelling older adults were randomized to 4 training groups. Induced step training (IST, n = 25) involved 43 progressive perturbations. Hip abduction strengthening (HST, n = 25) utilized progressive resistance exercises. Combined training (CMB, n = 25) included IST and HST, and the control performed seated flexibility/relaxation exercises (SFR, n = 27). The training involved 36 sessions for a period of 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were the number of recovery steps and first step length, and maximum hip abduction torque. Fall frequency during 12 months after training was determined.

Results

Overall, the number of recovery steps was reduced by 31% and depended upon the first step type. IST and CMB increased the rate of more stable single lateral steps pre- and post-training than HST and SFR who used more multiple crossover and sequential steps. The improved rate of lateral steps for CMB exceeded the control (CMB/SFR rate ratio 2.68). First step length was unchanged, and HST alone increased hip torque by 25%. Relative to SFR, the fall rate ratios (falls/person/year) [95% confidence interval] were CMB 0.26 [0.07–0.90], IST 0.44 [0.18–1.08], and HST 0.30 (0.10–0.91).

Conclusions

Balance performance through stepping was best improved by combining perturbation and strength training and not strengthening alone. The interventions reduced future falls by 56%–74% over the control. Lateral balance perturbation training may enhance traditional programs for fall prevention.
Digital Biomarkers Enable Automated, Longitudinal Monitoring in a Mouse Model of Aging
Authors: Baran Szczepan W , Lim Maria A , Do Johnny P , Stolyar Polina , Rabe Mark D , Schaevitz Laura R , Cadena Samuel M
Published: January 2021

To understand the growing needs of an aging human population, there is demand for scalable and reproducible approaches to study animal models of aging and to test novel therapeutic interventions. We investigated the sensitivity and utility of a continuous monitoring platform and its digital biomarkers (motion, breathing rate, and wheel running) to evaluate behavioral and physiological differences between “young” (12 weeks) and “old” (23 months) male C57BL/6J mice with or without running wheels in the home cage. Compared to young mice, old mice showed marked reductions in motion and breathing rate, as well as altered circadian rhythms. Mice without running wheels possessed lower breathing rates compared to their counterparts with running wheels. Digital biomarkers showed age-dependent changes in response to routine procedures (cage changes and blood sampling) and alterations in subjects that unexpectedly reached endpoint. Continuous collection of digital biomarkers in the home cage can enhance current approaches by providing unbiased longitudinal monitoring for large-scale aging studies.
The framing of malnutrition by parliamentarians in Uganda
Authors: Namugumya Brenda Shenute , Candel Jeroen J L , Termeer Catrien J A M , Talsma Elise F
Published: January 2021

The quest for political commitment to reducing malnutrition in sub-Sahara Africa draws attention to the role of national parliamentarians. Whereas parliamentarians have the authority to ratify legislation, monitor policies and budgets and transform behaviour, to date little is known about how malnutrition is understood and debated in sub-Saharan African political arenas. This study addresses that gap by exploring how (mal)nutrition has been framed by parliamentarians in Uganda between 2001 and 2017. Applying framing theory we performed a qualitative content analysis of 131 Parliament Hansards transcripts to determine the different meanings of nutrition. Our analysis distinguishes seven co-occurring frames that entail different, sometimes competing, understandings of the drivers and possible solutions of malnutrition. The frames are: (i) the emergency nutrition frame, (ii) the chronic vulnerability frame, (iii) the school feeding frame, (iv) the disease-related frame, (v) the diversification frame, (vi) the overnutrition (among politicians) frame and (vii) the poverty and inequality frame. These frames are sponsored by different groups of parliamentarians, most notably politicians representing constituencies with high degrees of malnutrition, the president, some ministers and politicians in parliamentary forums concerned with children and women issues. Our analysis helps to understand why policy measures get prioritized or disregarded by policymakers. Overall, we show that frame sponsors prioritize short-term tangible solutions, such as food assistance and agricultural inputs, over longer term solutions. We suggest that a more comprehensive policy frame is prerequisite to developing a more effective governance approach to malnutrition in Uganda.
Simultaneous determination of seven effective components in Shenkui Tongmai granules based on UHPLC-MS/MS
Authors: Shun Liu , Yi-xuan Wang , Hai-dan Wang , Zhi-rong Geng , Shi-hai Yan
Published: January 2021

Objectives

The objective of the study was to establish the quality standard of the formulation of Shenkui Tongmai granules (SKTM) from the perspective of safety and effectiveness.

Methods

A sensitive and specific method to simultaneously detect seven effective components by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) in SKTM, including calycosin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, icariin, sodium danshensu, hyperoside, astragaloside IV, hesperidin, and salvianolic acid, was developed and validated. A Kromasil 100–3.5 C18 column with a mobile phase of 6.5 mmol/l ammonium acetate in acetonitrile was used to separate these above-listed components. Gradient programming was used with a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min, and the components were achieved in 13 min. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in positive/negative mode was applied for the MS/MS detection.

Key findings

The analytical method was satisfactorily validated for linearity, accuracy and precision, repeatability and stability. The developed UHPLC-MS/MS method had high repeatability and accuracy and it was in a good linear relationship within their respective ranges (r = 0.9999) with the RSD value of the sample recovery of less than 5%.

Conclusions

The current method established here is suitable for use in determining seven effective components in SKTM simultaneously, which may provide a new reliable method for overall quality control of SKTM.
An in vitro study on the reversal of epithelial to mesenchymal transition by brusatol and its synergistic properties in triple-negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Chandrasekaran Jaikanth , Balasubramaniam Jayasudha , Sellamuthu Arunkumar , Ravi Aarthi
Published: January 2021

Background

Taxane based conventional chemotherapy serves as the standard treatment regimen for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the efficacy is plateaued due to toxicities, chemoresistance and metastasis. Hence, the development of new therapies that provide long-term cover is needed. Brusatol, a natural quassinoid, has been implicated to inhibit the migration and proliferation of metastatic cells in lung and liver carcinoma, but its efficacy in TNBC has not been explored.

Methods

The growth inhibitory activity on TNBC cells was measured using MTT assay and flow cytometry. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and apoptotic markers were quantified using western blotting. The caspases using Calorimetric assay.

Results

Brusatol along with paclitaxel showed an enhanced growth inhibitory activity and a combined synergistic effect. In addition, brusatol was also observed to inhibit the invasion, migratory potential of TNBC cells. Mechanistically, brusatol and its combination were observed to decrease the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and a modest increase in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Furthermore, brusatol treatment activated both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways with morphological changes of apoptosis in TNBC cells.

Conclusion

This is the first in vitro report demonstrating antineoplastic, anti-EMT and synergistic activity of brusatol and in combination with paclitaxel in TNBC cell. Further in-vivo studies are needed to substantiate the above findings.
Roles of subcellular metal homeostasis in crop improvement
Authors: Bashir Khurram , Ahmad Zarnab , Kobayashi Takanori , Seki Motoaki , Nishizawa Naoko K
Published: January 2021

Improvement of crop production in response to rapidly changing environmental conditions is a serious challenge facing plant breeders and biotechnologists. Iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) are essential micronutrients for plant growth and reproduction. These minerals are critical to several cellular processes including metabolism, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration. Regulating the uptake and distribution of these minerals could significantly improve plant growth and development, ultimately leading to increased crop production. Plant growth is limited by mineral deficiency, but on the other hand, excess Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn can be toxic to plants; therefore, their uptake and distribution must be strictly regulated. Moreover, the distribution of these metals among subcellular organelles is extremely important for maintaining optimal cellular metabolism. Understanding the mechanisms controlling subcellular metal distribution and availability would enable development of crop plants that are better adapted to challenging and rapidly changing environmental conditions. Here, we describe advances in understanding of subcellular metal homeostasis, with a particular emphasis on cellular Fe homeostasis in Arabidopsis and rice, and discuss strategies for regulating cellular metabolism to improve plant production.
On a new formulation for energy transfer between convection and fast tides with application to giant planets and solar type stars
Authors: Terquem Caroline
Published: January 2021

All the studies of the interaction between tides and a convective flow assume that the large-scale tides can be described as a mean shear flow that is damped by small-scale fluctuating convective eddies. The convective Reynolds stress is calculated using mixing length theory, accounting for a sharp suppression of dissipation when the turnover time-scale is larger than the tidal period. This yields tidal dissipation rates several orders of magnitude too small to account for the circularization periods of late-type binaries or the tidal dissipation factor of giant planets. Here, we argue that the above description is inconsistent, because fluctuations and mean flow should be identified based on the time-scale, not on the spatial scale, on which they vary. Therefore, the standard picture should be reversed, with the fluctuations being the tidal oscillations and the mean shear flow provided by the largest convective eddies. We assume that energy is locally transferred from the tides to the convective flow. Using this assumption, we obtain values for the tidal Q factor of Jupiter and Saturn and for the circularization periods of pre-main-sequence binaries in good agreement with observations. The time-scales obtained with the equilibrium tide approximation are however still 40 times too large to account for the circularization periods of late-type binaries. For these systems, shear in the tachocline or at the base of the convective zone may be the main cause of tidal dissipation.
Music Theory’s Therapeutic Imperative and the Tyranny of the Normal
Authors: Straus Joseph
Published: January 2021

Traditional music theory rationalizes abnormal musical elements (like dissonant or chromatic tones or formal anomalies) with respect to normal ones. It is thus allied with a medical model of disability, understood as a deficit or defect located within an individual body, and requiring remediation or cure. A newer sociocultural model of disability understands it as a culturally stigmatized deviance from normative standards for bodily appearance and functioning, analogous to (and intersectional with) race, gender, and sexuality as a source of affirmative political and cultural identity. The sociocultural model of disability suggests the possibility of a disablist music theory, one that subverts the traditional therapeutic imperative and resists the tyranny of the normal. Disablist music theory is music theory without norms, and without a commitment to wholeness, unity, coherence, and completeness—those fantasies of a normal, healthy body. Instead, disablist theory brings the seemingly anomalous event to the center of the discussion and revels in the commotion and discombobulation that result: it makes the normal strange. In the process, it opens up our sense of what music theory is and might be.
Recovery From Postoperative Hearing Loss in Retrosigmoid Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery: Report of 5 Cases and the Recovery Rate
Authors: Hitotsumatsu Tsutomu , Sasaki Tomio
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

Recovery from postoperative hearing loss is seldom observed in vestibular schwannoma surgery. The authors reported 5 rare cases of a return to useful hearing presenting after recovery from complete hearing deterioration occurring immediately after retrosigmoid removal of vestibular schwannoma.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

The first signs of useful hearing recovery can be determined by the patient's ability to recognize sound within 3 d after surgery (range 1-3 d, median 3 d). Furthermore, the duration until hearing ability recovered to a useful level (range 6-40 d, median 14 d) seems to correlate with the duration before speech identification could be confirmed (range 2-20 d, median 5 d). The percentage of a chance at the delayed hearing recovery in cases who lost the hearing immediately after the operation was 7.4% (5/68).

CONCLUSION

The data on the time course of the change in hearing abilities are of great value in prognosticating the potential for hearing recovery in patients who complain of hearing loss after surgery.
Stand-Alone Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization for Treatment of Giant Chronic Subdural Hematoma in Elderly Frail Patients: A Case Series
Authors: Cannarsa Gregory J , Olexa Joshua , Chryssikos Timothy , Wessell Aaron P , Sharma Ashish , Miller Timothy R , Jindal Gaurav , Aarabi Bizhan , Gandhi Dheeraj
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Previous case series have demonstrated safety and efficacy of middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization as both adjuvant and stand-alone treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). The safety and efficacy of stand-alone MMA embolization for treatment of giant (>150 ml) cSDH in specifically elderly, frail patients is not well studied.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stand-alone MMA embolization for treatment of giant cSDH in elderly, frail patients in whom traditional surgical intervention was deemed high risk.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of consecutive patients referred for MMA embolization and identified patients ≥ 75 yr with modified Frailty Index (mFI) ≥ 2 who underwent stand-alone MMA embolization for cSDH treatment with at least one follow-up imaging study.

RESULTS

A total of 42 patients were referred for MMA embolization with 5 patients meeting inclusion age and frailty criteria. The average age was 82.2 ± 6.8 yr. The median mFI was 3.0 (interquartile range (IQR) 2-4). Four patients were either on aspirin or thrombocytopenic. The average initial cSDH volume was 187.8 ± 31 ml with average initial midline shift of 8.0 ± 2.1 mm. The average length of stay was 4 ± 1.1 d. The average cSDH volume decrease on follow-up imaging was 68.5% ± 11.9%. Follow-up average midline shift decreased by 70% to 2.4 ± 1.4 mm. There were no peri-procedural or in-hospital complications.

CONCLUSION

In frail, elderly patients with giant cSDH, stand-alone MMA embolization was effective in reducing cSDH volume and improving presenting symptoms without complications.
Seizure Outcome After Ipsitemporal Reoperation in Pharmacoresistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients With Hippocampal Sclerosis and Nonspecific Pathology
Authors: Ivanović Jugoslav , Alfstad Kristin Åshild , Marthinsen Pål Bache , Olsen Ketil Berg , Larsson Pål Gunnar , Pripp Are Hugo , Stanišić Milo
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Treatment of patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis and nonspecific pathology who failed initial resection is challenging, although selected patients may benefit from repeated surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To determine seizure outcome, postoperative morbidity, and possible predictors of seizure freedom after repeated ipsitemporal resection.

METHODS

We reviewed the results of comprehensive epilepsy evaluations performed before the initial and repeated resections in 10 patients with hippocampal sclerosis and 13 with nonspecific pathology. We assessed the Engel classification of seizure outcome 2 yr after repeated resection, evaluated postoperative morbidity, and examined the association of epilepsy and surgical characteristics with seizure freedom before and after reoperation.

RESULTS

After reoperation, in patients with hippocampal sclerosis, seizure freedom (Engel class I) was achieved in 2 (20%), 1 (10%) experienced surgical complications, and 1 (10%) experienced permanent neurological impairment. Following reoperation in patients with nonspecific pathology, seizure freedom was achieved in 1 (8%), 3 (23%) experienced surgical complications, and 4 (31%) experienced permanent neurological impairment. Epilepsy and surgical characteristics before and after reoperation were not associated with seizure freedom.

CONCLUSION

Patients with hippocampal sclerosis and nonspecific pathology who underwent a comprehensive initial work-up and failed original temporal lobe resection rarely become seizure-free after repeated ipsitemporal reoperation. Reoperations carry a high risk of surgical complications and neurological impairment. Predictors for seizure freedom could not be defined.
Feature-based PET/MRI radiomics in patients with brain tumors
Authors: Lohmann Philipp , Meißner Anna-Katharina , Kocher Martin , Bauer Elena K , Werner Jan-Michael , Fink Gereon R , Shah Nadim J , Langen Karl-Josef , Galldiks Norbert
Published: January 2021

Radiomics allows the extraction of quantitative features from medical images such as CT, MRI, or PET, thereby providing additional, potentially relevant diagnostic information for clinical decision-making. Because the computation of these features is performed highly automated on medical images acquired during routine follow-up, radiomics offers this information at low cost. Further, the radiomics features can be used alone or combined with other clinical or histomolecular parameters to generate predictive or prognostic mathematical models. These models can then be applied for various important diagnostic indications in neuro-oncology, for example, to noninvasively predict relevant biomarkers in glioma patients, to differentiate between treatment-related changes and local brain tumor relapse, or to predict treatment response. In recent years, amino acid PET has become an important diagnostic tool in patients with brain tumors. Therefore, the number of studies in patients with brain tumors investigating the potential of PET radiomics or combined PET/MRI radiomics is steadily increasing. This review summarizes current research regarding feature-based PET as well as combined PET/MRI radiomics in neuro-oncology.
Multiple HC3N line observations towards 19 Galactic massive star-forming regions
Authors: Feng Huanxue , Wang Junzhi , Li Shanghuo , Shi Yong , Zhu Fengyao , Kong Minzhi , Gao Ripeng , Li Fei
Published: January 2021

We performed observations of the HC3N (24–23, 17–16, 11–10, 8–7) lines towards a sample consisting of 19 Galactic massive star-forming regions with the Arizona Radio Observatory 12 m and Caltech Submillimeter Observatory 10.4 m telescopes. HC3N (24–23, 17–16, 11–10, 8–7) lines were detected in sources except for W 44, where only HC3N (17–16, 11–10) were detected. Twelve of the nineteen sources showed probable line wing features. The excitation temperatures were estimated from the line ratio of HC3N (24–23) to HC3N (17–16) for 18 sources and are in the range 23– 57 K. The line widths of higher-J transitions are larger than lower-J ones for most sources. This indicates that the inner dense warm regions have more violent turbulence or other motions (such as rotation) than outer regions in these sources. A possible cutoff tendency was found around LIR ∼ 106 L⊙ in the relation between LIR and full width at half maximum line widths.
A Reappraisal of Peridotite Solidus Phase Equilibria from 6 to 14 GPa in the System CaO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2
Authors: Keshav Shantanu , Gudfinnsson Gudmundur H
Published: January 2021

Experimentally determined isobaric invariant melting phase relations from 6 to 14 GPa in the system CaO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 (CMAS), involving the crystalline phases forsterite + orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + garnet and liquid, are reported. Experiments were conducted using a multianvil device with stepped lanthanum chromite heaters in the pressure cells. At a fixed pressure, the five-phase assemblage identified above can exist only at a single temperature. As such, these isobaric invariant points correspond to the solidus of model garnet peridotite in this part of the composition space in the studied system, as is the case at lower pressures in some previous studies. The solidus of model peridotite is univariant in pressure–temperature space, has a positive Clapeyron slope, and the isobaric invariant solidus temperatures, at 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 GPa, are 1965 °C, 2090 °C, 2200 °C, 2280 °C, and 2320 °C, respectively. Over the investigated pressure range, orthopyroxene is in reaction relation with the liquid, with the fusion reaction taking the form forsterite + clinopyroxene + garnet = orthopyroxene + liquid. The compositions of liquids reported here do not seem to depend on orthopyroxene being present in the experiments. Compositionally, liquids here are fairly magnesian and siliceous, and have lower alumina and lime concentrations than at lower pressures with the identical crystalline phase assemblage in the system CMAS. In contrast to some previous studies, in this study, there is no evidence of maximum and minimum normative forsterite concentration of the isobaric invariant liquid at around 8 and 12 GPa, respectively, nor of a substantial curvature in the track of liquid compositions, when such liquids coexist with the above-mentioned four-phase crystalline phase assemblage. Instead, here, with increasing pressure from 6 to 14 GPa, liquids at the isobaric invariant points (defining the univariant solidus) become progressively (quasi-linearly) enstatite-normative. This experimental observation on liquid compositions from the present study might be important for future work aimed at investigating the chemistry of liquids derived from partial fusion of anhydrous peridotite at pressures, and corresponding depths in Earth, greater than investigated here.
Gene dosage compensation of rRNA transcript levels inArabidopsis thalianalines with reduced ribosomal gene copy number
Authors: Lopez Francesca B , Fort Antoine , Tadini Luca , Probst Aline V , McHale Marcus , Friel James , Ryder Peter , Pontvianne Fr�d�ric , Pesaresi Paolo , Sulpice Ronan , McKeown Peter , Brychkova Galina , Spillane Charles
Published: January 2021

The 45S rRNA genes (rDNA) are among the largest repetitive elements in eukaryotic genomes. rDNA consists of tandem arrays of rRNA genes, many of which are transcriptionally silenced. Silent rDNA repeats may act as ‘back-up’ copies for ribosome biogenesis and have nuclear organization roles. Through Cas9-mediated genome editing in the Arabidopsis thaliana female gametophyte, we reduced 45S rDNA copy number (CN) to a plateau of ∼10%. Two independent lines had rDNA CNs reduced by up to 90% at the T7 generation, named low copy number (LCN) lines. Despite drastic reduction of rDNA copies, rRNA transcriptional rates, and steady-state levels remained the same as wild-type plants. Gene dosage compensation of rRNA transcript levels was associated with reduction of silencing histone marks at rDNA loci and altered Nucleolar Organiser Region 2 organization. Although overall genome integrity of LCN lines appears unaffected, a chromosome segmental duplication occurred in one of the lines. Transcriptome analysis of LCN seedlings identified several shared dysregulated genes and pathways in both independent lines. Cas9 genome editing of rRNA repeats to generate LCN lines provides a powerful technique to elucidate rDNA dosage compensation mechanisms and impacts of low rDNA CN on genome stability, development, and cellular processes.
An undiscovered facet of hydraulic redistribution driven by evaporation—a study from aPopulus tomentosaplantation
Authors: Liu Yang , Nadezhdina Nadezhda , Di Nan , Ma Xu , Liu Jinqiang , Zou Songyan , Xi Benye , Clothier Brent
Published: January 2021

Maintaining the activity and function of the shallow root system of plants is essential for withstanding drought stress, but the associated mechanism is poorly understood. By investigating sap flow in 14 lateral roots (LRs) randomly selected from trees of a Chinese white poplar (Populus tomentosa) plantation receiving three levels of irrigation, an unknown root water transport mode of simultaneous daytime bi-directional water flow was discovered. This mode existed in five LRs confined to the surface soil without attached sinker roots. In the longer term, the bi-directional water flow was correlated with the soil water content. However, within the day, it was associated with transpiration. Our data demonstrated that bi-directional root sap flow occurred during the day, and was driven by evaporative demand, further suggesting the existence of circumferential water movement in the LR xylem. We named this phenomenon evaporation-driven hydraulic redistribution (EDHR). A soil-root water transport model was proposed to encapsulate this water movement mode. EDHR may be a crucial drought-tolerance mechanism that allows plants to maintain shallow root survival and activity by promoting root water recharge under extremely dry conditions.
Relationship Between Motor Skills and Language Abilities in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Wu Yen-Tzu , Tsao Chih-Hsuan , Huang Hsiao-Ching , Yang Tian-Ai , Li Yao-Jen
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Few studies have examined the relationship between language abilities and specific motor skills in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this study was to compare the relationship of receptive language (RL) and expressive language (EL) abilities with motor functioning in toddlers with ASD aged 24 to 36 months and their peers with typical development (TD). Furthermore, the study compared multidimensional motor functioning in toddlers with ASD with delayed RL and EL development and toddlers with ASD and typical RL and EL development. The predictive powers of the motor skills were examined for the group with delayed RL and EL development.

Methods

The language abilities of 38 toddlers with ASD and 38 age-matched toddlers with TD were evaluated using the Receptive and Expressive Language Subscales of the Mullen Scale of Early Learning, and their motor skills were assessed using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition.

Results

Significant correlations between language ability and motor functioning were observed in the ASD and TD groups. The ASD group with delayed RL and EL development had lower scores for multidimensional motor functioning than the ASD group with typical RL and EL development and the TD group. Moreover, the risks of delayed EL and RL development could be predicted by the lower motor scores in toddlers with ASD.

Conclusions

The positive correlation between language abilities and motor functioning in toddlers with ASD indicated potential connections between the early onsets of motor and speech-language impairments in these toddlers.

Impact

The results may have implications for the development of motor-based interventions targeting language development in young children with ASD.
Outpatient Physical Therapy Use Following Tibial Fractures: A Retrospective Commercial Claims Analysis
Authors: McLaughlin Kevin H , Reider Lisa M , Castillo Renan C , Ficke James R , Levy Joseph F
Published: January 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to characterize outpatient physical therapy (OPT) use following tibial fractures and examine the variability of OPT attendance, time of initiation, number of visits, and length of care by patient, injury, and treatment factors. In the absence of clinical guidelines, results will guide future efforts to optimize OPT following tibial fractures.

Methods

This study used 2016 to 2017 claims from the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims Research Database. The cohort included 9079 patients with International Classification of Diseases: Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis codes for tibial fractures. Use in the year following initial fracture management was determined using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Differences in use were examined using χ2 tests, t tests, and Kruskal-Wallace tests.

Results

Sixty-seven percent of patients received OPT the year following fracture. OPT attendance was higher in female patients, in patients with 1 or no major comorbidity, and in the western United States. Attendance was higher in patients with upper tibial fractures, moderate-severity injuries, and treatment with external fixation and in patients discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Patients started OPT on average [SD] 50 [52.6] days after fracture and attended 18 [16.1] visits over the course of 101 [86.4] days. The timing of OPT, the number of visits attended, and the length of OPT care varied by patient, injury, and treatment-level factors.

Conclusions

One-third of insured patients do not receive OPT following tibial fracture. The timing of OPT initiation, the length of OPT care, and the number of visits attended by patients with tibial fractures were highly variable. Further research is needed to standardize referral and prescription practices for OPT following tibial fractures.

Impact

OPT use varies based on patient, injury, and treatment-level factors following tibial fractures. Results from this study can be used to inform future efforts to optimize rehabilitation care for patients with tibial fractures.
Content analysis of Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video original films in the UK for alcohol, tobacco and junk food imagery
Authors: Alfayad Khaldoon , Murray Rachael L , Britton John , Barker Alexander B
Published: January 2021

Background

Exposure to alcohol, tobacco and high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) food imagery is a significant risk factor for the uptake and regular use of these products in young people, and imagery are more frequently portrayed in video-on-demand (VOD) than in terrestrial television programmes. This study compared alcohol, tobacco and HFSS imagery in original films on Amazon Prime Instant Video and Netflix.

Methods

Content analysis of 11 original films released by Amazon Prime and Netflix in 2017 using 5-minute interval coding of alcohol, tobacco and HFSS content. Proportions of intervals containing alcohol, tobacco and HFSS imagery were compared between services using the chi-square test.

Results

Alcohol content appeared in 200 (41.7%) out of the total of 479 intervals coded, whereas tobacco and HFSS appeared in 129 (26.9%) and 169 (35.24%), respectively. Proportions were similar between Amazon Prime Instant Video and Netflix original films and were unrelated to film age classification.

Conclusions

Alcohol, tobacco and HFSS content likely to promote consumption among young people occurs frequently in original films shown by VOD services in the UK. Further studies are needed to investigate effective regulatory frameworks for VOD services to protect viewers from harmful or unwanted contents.
Seasonal trends in photosynthesis and leaf traits in scarlet oak
Authors: Burnett Angela C , Serbin Shawn P , Lamour Julien , Anderson Jeremiah , Davidson Kenneth J , Yang Dedi , Rogers Alistair
Published: January 2021

Understanding seasonal variation in photosynthesis is important for understanding and modeling plant productivity. Here, we used shotgun sampling to examine physiological, structural and spectral leaf traits of upper canopy, sun-exposed leaves in Quercus coccinea Münchh (scarlet oak) across the growing season in order to understand seasonal trends, explore the mechanisms underpinning physiological change and investigate the impact of extrapolating measurements from a single date to the whole season. We tested the hypothesis that photosynthetic rates and capacities would peak at the summer solstice, i.e., at the time of peak photoperiod. Contrary to expectations, our results reveal a late-season peak in both photosynthetic capacity and rate before the expected sharp decrease at the start of senescence. This late-season maximum occurred after the higher summer temperatures and vapor pressure deficit and was correlated with the recovery of leaf water content and increased stomatal conductance. We modeled photosynthesis at the top of the canopy and found that the simulated results closely tracked the maximum carboxylation capacity of Rubisco. For both photosynthetic capacity and modeled top-of-canopy photosynthesis, the maximum value was therefore not observed at the summer solstice. Rather, in each case, the measurements at and around the solstice were close to the overall seasonal mean, with values later in the season leading to deviations from the mean by up to 41 and 52%, respectively. Overall, we found that the expected Gaussian pattern of photosynthesis was not observed. We conclude that an understanding of species- and environment-specific changes in photosynthesis across the season is essential for correct estimation of seasonal photosynthetic capacity.
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Female Substance Abusers’ Reproductive Health Scale: Study Protocol for a Sequential Exploratory Mixed-method Study
Authors: Shamsalinia Abbas , Shafti Vida , Nikpour Maryam , Ghaffari Fatemeh
Published: January 2021

Aims:

This study aims at the development and psychometric evaluation of the Female Substance Abusers’ Reproductive Health Scale (FSARHS).

Design, Setting and Participants:

This is the protocol of a sequential exploratory mixed-method study. The study will be conducted in an FSARHS development phase and an FSARHS psychometric evaluation phase. In the first phase, a qualitative study and a literature review will be conducted for item generation. In the qualitative study, semi-structured interviews will be held with female substance abusers. Data will be analyzed through conventional content analysis and the draft of FSARHS will be developed. In the psychometric evaluation phase, the face, content, and construct validity and reliability of FSARHS will be assessed.

Conclusions:

FSARHS can be used by reproductive health policy makers and health care providers at national and international levels in order to assess reproductive health among female substance abusers.
Is There a Relationship Between Heroin Dependence and Anemia?
Authors: Demir Bahadir , Altindag Abdurrahman
Published: January 2021

Objective:

We aimed to examine hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count (RBC), platelet count (PLT), ferritin, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels in heroin addicts by comparing them with healthy controls.

Materials and Methods:

This study included a total of 325 patients with only heroin use; and 163 healthy individuals. Participants, who had hematological disorders and other chronic diseases, were excluded from the study. HGB, HCT, MCV, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, RBC, PLT, ferritin, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels were compared between groups.

Results:

The patient group comprised of 318 males and 7 females with the mean age of 26.39±6.18 years. There was no significant difference between patient and control group in terms of age, sex, body mass index and alcohol consumption. HGB, HCT, folic acid levels, and RBC were lower in the patient group than control. There was no significant correlation among HGB, HCT, RBC, PLT, and the sociodemographic characteristics of patients.

Conclusion:

The effects of heroin on the hematological parameter should be considered. Heroin effects on HGB, HTC, RBC, and folic acid may tend to decrease. Prospective, longitudinal studies, and studies involving intoxication-remission periods are needed.
How Do We Allocate Our Resources When Listening and Memorizing Speech in Noise? A Pupillometry Study
Authors: Bönitz Hanna , Lunner Thomas , Finke Mareike , Fiedler Lorenz , Lyxell Björn , Riis Søren Kamaric , Ng Elaine , Valdes Alejandro Lopez , Büchner Andreas , Wendt Dorothea
Published: January 2021

Objectives:

Actively following a conversation can be demanding and limited cognitive resources must be allocated to the processing of speech, retaining and encoding the perceived content, and preparing an answer. The aim of the present study was to disentangle the allocation of effort into the effort required for listening (listening effort) and the effort required for retention (memory effort) by means of pupil dilation.

Design:

Twenty-five normal-hearing German speaking participants underwent a sentence final word identification and recall test, while pupillometry was conducted. The participants’ task was to listen to a sentence in four-talker babble background noise and to repeat the final word afterward. At the end of a list of sentences, they were asked to recall as many of the final words as possible. Pupil dilation was recorded during different list lengths (three sentences versus six sentences) and varying memory load (recall versus no recall). Additionally, the effect of a noise reduction algorithm on performance, listening effort, and memory effort was evaluated.

Results:

We analyzed pupil dilation both before each sentence (sentence baseline) as well as the dilation in response to each sentence relative to the sentence baseline (sentence dilation). The pupillometry data indicated a steeper increase of sentence baseline under recall compared to no recall, suggesting higher memory effort due to memory processing. This increase in sentence baseline was most prominent toward the end of the longer lists, that is, during the second half of six sentences. Without a recall task, sentence baseline declined over the course of the list. Noise reduction appeared to have a significant influence on effort allocation for listening, which was reflected in generally decreased sentence dilation.

Conclusion:

Our results showed that recording pupil dilation in a speech identification and recall task provides valuable insights beyond behavioral performance. It is a suitable tool to disentangle the allocation of effort to listening versus memorizing speech.