bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperglycemia-induced transcriptional regulation of ROCK1 and TGM2 expression is involved in small artery remodeling in obese diabetic Göttingen Minipigs
Authors: Ludvigsen Trine Pagh , Olsen Lisbeth Høier , Pedersen Henrik Duelund , Christoffersen Berit Østergaard , Jensen Lars Jørn
Published: January 2020

Obesity and diabetes in humans are associated with hypertrophic remodeling and increased media:lumen ratio of small resistance arteries, which is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. In order to minimize increases in media:lumen ratio, hypertrophic remodeling should be accompanied by outward remodeling. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms of structural remodeling in small pial arteries (PAs) and terminal mesenteric arteries (TMAs) from obese Göttingen Minipigs with or without diabetes. Göttingen Minipigs received either control diet (lean control (LC)), high fat/high fructose/high cholesterol diet (FFC), or FFC diet with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes (FFC/STZ) for 13 months. At the end of the study (20 months), we assessed body weight, fasting plasma biochemistry, passive vessel dimensions, mRNA expression (matrix metallopeptidases 2/9 (MMP2, MMP9), tissue inhibitor of metallopeptidase 1 (TIMP1), transglutaminase 2 (TGM2), Rho-kinase 1 (ROCK1), TGFβ-receptor 2 (TGFBR2), and IGF1-receptor (IGFR1) genes), and immunofluorescence in PAs and TMAs. We performed multiple linear correlation analyses using plasma values, structural data, and gene expression data. We detected outward hypertrophic remodeling in TMAs and hypertrophic remodeling in PAs from FFC/STZ animals. ROCK1 and TGM2 genes were up-regulated in PAs and TMAs from the FFC/STZ group. Passive lumen diameter (PLD) of TMAs was correlated with plasma values of glucose (GLU), fructosamine (FRA), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TGs). ROCK1 and TGM2 expressions in TMAs were correlated with PLD, plasma GLU, fructosamine, and TC. ROCK1 and TGM2 proteins were immunolocalized in the media of PAs and TMAs, and their fluorescence levels were increased in the FFC/STZ group. Hyperglycemia/hyperlipidemia is involved in regulation of ROCK1 and TGM2 expression leading to outward remodeling of small resistance arteries in obese diabetic Göttingen Minipigs.
COBRaS: The e-MERLIN 21 cm Legacy survey of Cygnus OB2
Authors: Morford J. C. , Fenech D. M. , Prinja R. K. , Blomme R. , Yates J. A. , Drake J. J. , Eyres S. P. S. , Richards A. M. S. , Stevens I. R. , Wright N. J. , Clark J. S. , Dougherty S. , Pittard J. M. , Smith H. A. , Vink J. S.
Published: January 2020

Context.The role of massive stars is central to an understanding of galactic ecology. It is important to establish the details of how massive stars provide radiative, chemical, and mechanical feedback in galaxies. Central to these issues is an understanding of the evolution of massive stars, and the critical role of mass loss via strongly structured winds and stellar binarity. Ultimately, and acting collectively, massive stellar clusters shape the structure and energetics of galaxies.

Aims.We aim to conduct high-resolution, deep field mapping at 21 cm of the core of the massive Cygnus OB2 association and to characterise the properties of the massive stars and colliding winds at this waveband.

Methods.We used seven stations of the e-MERLIN radio facility, with its upgraded bandwidth and enhanced sensitivity to conduct a 21 cm census of Cygnus OB2. Based on 42 hours of observations, seven overlapping pointings were employed over multiple epochs during 2014 resulting in 1σsensitivities down to ∼21μJy and a resolution of ∼180 mas.

Results.A total of 61 sources are detected at 21 cm over a ∼0.48° × 0.48° region centred on the heart of the Cyg OB2 association. Of these 61 sources, 33 are detected for the first time. We detect a number of previously identified sources including four massive stellar binary systems, two YSOs, and several known X-ray and radio sources. We also detect the LBV candidate (possible binary system) and blue hypergiant star of Cyg OB2 #12.

Conclusions.The 21 cm observations secured in the COBRaS Legacy project provide data to constrain conditions in the outer wind regions of massive stars; determine the non-thermal properties of massive interacting binaries; examine evidence for transient sources, including those associated with young stellar objects; and provide unidentified sources that merit follow-up observations. The 21 cm data are of lasting value and will serve in combination with other key surveys of Cyg OB2, includingChandraandSpitzer.
A new equation of state applied to planetary impacts
Authors: Wissing Robert , Hobbs David
Published: January 2020

We present a new analytical equation of state (EOS), which correctly models high pressure theory and fits well to the experimental data of ɛ-Fe, SiO2, Mg2SiO4, and the Earth. The cold part of the EOS is modeled after the Varpoly EOS. The thermal part is based on a new formalism of the Gruneisen parameter, which improves behavior from earlier models and bridges the gap between elasticity and thermoelasticity. The EOS includes an expanded state model, which allows for the accurate modeling of material vapor curves. The EOS is compared to both the Tillotson EOS and ANEOS model, which are both widely used in planetary impact simulations. The complexity and cost of the EOS is similar to that of the Tillotson EOS, while showing improved behavior in every aspect. The Hugoniot state of shocked silicate material is captured relatively well and our model reproduces vapor curves similar to that of the ANEOS model. To test its viability in hydrodynamical simulations, the EOS was applied to the lunar-forming impact scenario and the results are presented in Paper II and show good agreement with previous work.
Bouveret-Syndrom: Der Stein, der den Magen zum Überlaufen bringt
Authors: Hohmann Christian , Bizer Başak , Finnmann Ingo , Arnold Joachim
Published: January 2020

Anamnese Eine 76-jährige Frau stellte sich mit progredienten Oberbauchschmerzen, Übelkeit und nicht galligem Erbrechen vor. Eine Nahrungsaufnahme war seit 1 Woche nicht mehr möglich. 5 Jahre zuvor litt sie an einer biliären nekrotisierenden Pankreatitis. Eine Cholezystektomie wurde damals abgelehnt.

Untersuchungen Der Oberbauch war druckdolent. Sonografisch bestand der Verdacht auf eine Magenausgangsstenose. In der ersten Gastroskopie stellte sich eine Fremdkörperobstruktion im Bereich des Pylorus dar. In einer folgenden Gastroskopie imponierte der Fremdkörper als großer Gallenstein, der sich spontan in den Magenkorpus verlagerte.

Therapie und Verlauf Das Passage-Hindernis war durch die spontane Verlagerung in den Magen behoben. Aufgrund der Größe des Steins erfolgte die mechanische Lithotripsie im Magen mit anschließender Bergung der Fragmente.

Folgerung Das Bouveret-Syndrom ist die seltenste Form eines Gallensteinileus. Die kontrastmittelgestützte Computertomografie ist, neben der Gastroskopie, das zu bevorzugende bildgebende Verfahren. Primäres Ziel aller Interventionen ist die Beseitigung der Obstruktion. Operative Versorgungen darüber hinaus sind Einzelfallentscheidungen. Sie sollten jedoch 2-zeitig erfolgen.
Diagnostik der sekundären Hypertonie: An was ist bei wem zu denken?
Authors: Vonend Oliver
Published: January 2020

The prevalence of arterial hypertension with its cardiovascular diseases like myocardial infarction, stroke, chronic kidney disease and peripheral artery disease is increasing in our aging population. Despite numerous efficient and well-tolerated antihypertensive drugs more than eight million people die worldwide from the consequences of insufficiently controlled hypertension every year. One third of the german adult population suffers from high blood pressure. The fact that in only 50 % of hypertonic patients the blood pressure is on a string is even more disturbing. Several factors can counteract sufficient blood pressure control. This article should help to identify patients with possible secondary hypertension. It is certainly not decisive to request a broad screening for all hypertensive patients. A certain pre-selection of potential patients is mandatory. The most common types of secondary hypertension are discussed and the diagnostic and therapeutic pathways are specified.
Antioxidanzien während Chemotherapie – ein Dogma?
Authors: Gröber Uwe , Friedrichsen Hans-Peter , Holzhauer Peter
Published: January 2020

Freie Radikale haben kanzerogene Eigenschaften und spielen in allen Stadien der Krebsentwicklung eine pathogenetische Rolle. Die chemotherapieinduzierte Bildung freier Radikale wird als Ursache der Organotoxizität und Prämutagenität einiger Zytostatika diskutiert. Studien legen nahe, dass die Supplementierung von Antioxidanzien positiven Einfluss auf die Effektivität tumordestruktiver Therapien und die Nebenwirkungsrate hat. Im Gegensatz dazu wurden in der MARIE-Studie an postmenopausalen Brustkrebspatientinnen bei Einnahme von Antioxidanzien negative Auswirkungen auf Mortalität und Rezidivfreiheit beobachtet. Methodische Schwächen relativieren die Aussagekraft dieser Untersuchung. Weitere Studien mit hoher Patientenzahl und definierten Antioxidanzien sind notwendig, um die Wirkungen einer Supplementierung zu untersuchen.
Diffuse Symptomatik in hysterischem Umfeld nach Shisha-Konsum
Authors: Trach Simon , Gondert Markus , Beneker Jörg , Ekkernkamp Axel
Published: January 2020

Vergiftungen durch Kohlenstoffmonoxid (CO) treten in den meisten Fällen im Rahmen von Exposition gegenüber Rauch oder anderen Abgasen auf. Die häufigsten Ursachen hierfür sind unsachgemäßes Verwenden von Öfen oder Grills, akzidentelle oder gewollte Exposition gegenüber Autoabgasen oder Aufenthalt in der Nähe eines Feuers. Zu den ungewöhnlicheren Möglichkeiten der Exposition zählen der Aufenthalt in Gärkellern oder Abwasseranlagen. Die klinische Symptomatik einer CO-Intoxikation ist diffus und selten eindeutig. Hierzu zählen Atemnot, Übelkeit/Erbrechen, Schwindel und Bewusstseinsveränderungen. Dies alles sind Symptome, die bei einer Vielzahl von Erkrankungen auftreten. Zielführend in der Diagnosestellung einer CO-Vergiftung ist die ausführliche Anamnese und die Evaluation der Umgebung. Aufgrund der Aufsättigung von Hämoglobin mit CO werden bei der peripheren Sauerstoffsättigung (SaO2) meist normale Werte angegeben, sodass eine respiratorische Genese der Beschwerden verfrüht als unwahrscheinlich angesehen werden kann. Je nach Schwere der Intoxikation kann das Bewusstsein bis hin zur Bewusstlosigkeit eintrüben. Die einzige außerklinische Therapie besteht in der High-Flow-Applikation von Sauerstoff, um ein möglichst hohes Sauerstoffangebot im Blut zu gewährleisten. Die weitere Therapie besteht in der Behandlung der Begleitumstände bis hin zur Intubation und Beatmung. Bei ausgeprägter Symptomatik sollte nach Möglichkeit eine Zielklinik mit vorhandener Druckkammer zur hyperbaren Sauerstofftherapie angesteuert werden.
Femoropatellar Joint Reaction Detected During a 4486 KM Ultramarathon
with Mobile MRI
Authors: Schütz Uwe Hans-Werner , Brix Martin , Kiess Antje , Goed Sabine , Friedrich Klaus , Weber Michael , Messner Alina , Billich Christian , Trattnig Siegfried
Published: January 2020

Almost nothing is known about the condition of the knee joints of multistage
ultra-marathon (MSUM) runner. This is first image-based investigation of the
femoropatellar joint (FPJ) using a mobile 1.5T MRI accompanying the MSUM
TransEurope Foot-Race (TEFR) 64 stages over 4486 km. Twenty-two (20
male) subjects got a knee MRI-protocol at defined measurement intervals during
TEFR: T2*-mapping (FLASH T2*-GRE), TIRM, and fat saturated PD
-sequence. In the FPJ 12 different regions were evaluated regarding cartilage
T2* and thickness changes and cartilage lesions in course of TEFR and a
test on possible compounding factors (running burden, BMI, age) was done if
being appropriate. No significant changes in cartilage thickness- and
T2*-values were found during TEFR. In 8 runners, at least one single
cartilage lesion (Grade 2–3) was found at baseline, but no significant
race-related adjacent T2*-changes or progress of the defects could be
detected. Analyses on compounding factors were negative. In knees with MPP (5)
significantly lower adjacent T2*-values were found. The extreme running
burden of a MSUM seems not to have a relevant negative influence on the FPJ
tissues, even if cartilage lesions are present.
Safe and effective digestive endoscopic resection in patients with cirrhosis: a single-center experience
Authors: Miaglia Clothilde , Guillaud Olivier , Rivory Jérôme , Lépilliez Vincent , Chambon-Augoyard Christine , Hervieu Valérie , Ponchon Thierry , Dumortier Jérôme , Pioche Mathieu
Published: January 2020

Background Endoscopic resection has developed over the years. The main complications are perforation and bleeding. This study aimed to evaluate safety and effectiveness of digestive endoscopic resection in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods This retrospective, open-label, single-center study included all consecutive patients with cirrhosis who were admitted for endoscopic resection between 2009 and 2016. Safety, efficacy, and risk factors for delayed bleeding were analyzed.

Results 126 patients undergoing 164 procedures were included: 65 endoscopic resections (49 patients) in the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus 34, stomach 20, duodenum 11) and 99 in the lower gastrointestinal tract (77 patients). Mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 9.9 (standard deviation 4.5). Esophageal varices were present in 50 patients, and 21 patients had decompensated cirrhosis. The overall curative rate of endoscopic resection was 84.0 %. No patients died during 30-day follow-up. Immediate overall morbidity was 6.1 %, with two postoperative fevers and eight bleeds. Risk factors for delayed bleeding were duodenal location (P < 0.01), antiplatelet medication (P = 0.02), and lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (P = 0.01) in univariate analysis. Duodenal location and lower GFR remained statistically significant in multivariate analysis, with respective odds ratios for bleeding of 52.12 and 1.04. No liver decompensation occurred after endoscopic resection.

Conclusions Endoscopic resection was safe and effective in patients with mild (Child – Pugh class A/B) cirrhosis, and should be proposed as a first option for treatment of superficial neoplasia. Additional data in patients with severe cirrhosis are needed to confirm the safety in this population.
Combination of Novel c.3484G> T/p.Glu162Ter Variant in ABCB11 and c.208G> A/p.Asp70Asn Variant in ATP8B1 Are Associated with Severe Symptoms in Progressive Family Intrahepatic Cholestasis
Authors: Bekdas Mervan , Can Guray , Eroz Recep , Duzcu Selma Erdogan
Published: January 2020

Progressive family intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is an autosomal recessive disease that causes chronic cholestasis. It is associated with pathogenic variants in genes that encode proteins involved in bile secretion to canaliculus from hepatocytes. In this study, we present a 16-year-old boy who presented with severe pruritus and cholestatic jaundice. All possible infectious etiologies were negative. A liver biopsy was consistent with intrahepatic cholestasis and portal fibrosis. DNA was isolated from a peripheral blood sample, and whole exome sequencing was performed. A novel c.3484G > T/p.Glu162Ter variant in the ABCB11 gene and a c.208G> A/p.Asp70Asn variant in the ATP8B1 gene were detected. Despite traditional treatment, the patient's recurrent severe symptoms did not improve. The patient was referred for a liver transplantation. This novel c.3484G > T/p.Glu162Ter variant is associated with a severe and recurrent presentation, and the two compound variants could explain the severity of PFIC.
Lymphatic Leakage after Surgery for Neuroblastoma: A Rare Complication?
Authors: Froeba-Pohl Alexandra , Muehling Jakob , Vill Katharina , Grote Veit , Komm Tim , Seitz Dorothee , Kappler Roland , von Schweinitz Dietrich
Published: January 2020

Introduction Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in infancy. It is responsible for around 15% of all oncological deaths during childhood. Due to its retroperitoneal location, neuroblastoma is invasively growing directly in and around the lymphatic duct. Consecutively, lymphatic leakage (LL) after surgery for neuroblastoma is a known complication. The purpose of this study is the investigation of frequency and impact of this complication.

Material and Methods Between February 2003 and December 2016, 204 patients with neuroblastoma received surgical treatment in our department. A retrospective analysis for macroscopical extent of resection, duration of drainage postsurgery, maximum amount of fluid drained in 24 hours, MYCN amplification status, therapeutic options for LL, follow-up status, and overall survival was performed.

Results A total of 40% of patients (82/204) showed LL to some extent. In patients with MYCN amplification, LL was seen significantly more often than in patients without MYCN amplification status (p = 0.019). LL was also significantly correlated with extent of surgery (p = 0.005). Follow-up status and overall survival were significantly inversely associated with LL (p = 0.004 and p = 0.0001). LL was self-limiting in all cases. There was a trend toward shorter duration of LL if either no special therapy was chosen or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was administered (p = 0.0603).

Conclusion We show that LL in neuroblastoma is a common complication of tumor resection and occurring more often than anticipated. Since, in our study cohort, all cases of LL were self-limiting, we question the indication for invasive therapy besides supporting measures.
Opportunities and Challenges for Implementing Neurotrauma Prevention Program: A Practical Perspective for Developing Countries
Authors: Ghosh Amrita , Pal Ranabir , Moscote-Salazar Luis Rafael , Padilla-Zambrano Huber Said , Deora Harsh , Agrawal Amit
Published: January 2020

Neurotrauma is an underestimated and less understood public health issue in low- and middle-income countries for which we need system-based approach to prevention plans. This study was initiated to find rationale of effective plan with projectile vision of neurotrauma prevention. In search of innovative ideas of neurotrauma prevention evidence was explored from the published literature research on traumatic brain injury. Evidence-based global guidelines on recommended content and scheduling on prevention of neurotrauma literature searches data were also synthesized and summarized from research in developed countries. Our study noted that a considerable number of victims of neurotrauma with death and disabilities put mammoth costs to the already compromised health systems of the low- and middle-income countries. We need systems-based four-pronged approach incorporating neurotrauma registry, neurotrauma surveillance, translational research programs, and current approved process for development of clinical guidelines for prevention.
Establishment, Functioning, Challenges, and One-Year Report of Uttar Pradesh’s First Apex Trauma Center
Authors: Gunjiganvi Mallikarjun , Rai Siddharth , Awale Rupali , Agarwal Amit
Published: January 2020

Trauma is a major public health problem across the world with significant morbidity and mortality. Broadly, it is a disease of middle-aged population and is assuming the status of an epidemic in the 21st century. Road traffic injuries are most common followed by railway injuries, industrial, farming, and domestic injuries, and many others in low- and middle-income countries. Severe traumatic brain injuries are the major proportion with concern for long-term cognitive impairment and high spinal cord injuries due to complete dependence. There is no comprehensive trauma care system covering all geography in India at present. The Government of India (GOI), in 2006, established Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Center, which is run by All India Institute of Medical Sciences at New Delhi as an apex center to provide quality care, training, research, and registry development. It acts as a role model center for the establishment of new centers and helps in upgradation of existing hospitals to provide quality care trauma services. To curb this epidemic of trauma, GOI envisioned National Trauma Care program during the 11th and 12th Five-Year Plans to strengthen the emergency facilities in government hospitals. Many new centers are coming up with various levels of trauma care across the country. Here we discuss the establishment, resources, initial challenges, trauma burden, and a year of report card of the Uttar Pradesh’s first Level I Apex Trauma Center of Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, established with a vision of providing state of the art Level I trauma care to the injured victims.
Neurointerventional Training for Neurosurgeons: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Rajpal Girish
Published: January 2020

Endovascular therapy as any other specialty has continuously been developed since 1904, but acceptability among neurosurgeons remains low despite being other subspecialties and techniques, like endoscope and for that matter microscope also, being adopted very rapidly. From injecting particles for vascular lesions to balloons for fistulas and arteriovenous malformations and embolizing agents to detachable coils for aneurysm coiling, it has come a long way. Old generations of neurosurgeons used to perform carotid puncture for diagnosing mass lesions, but once CT/MRI came in to the picture, this procedure was stopped and handed over to radiologists. A debate continues among neurosurgeons about the feasibility of aneurysm coiling since international subarachnoid aneurysm trial (ISAT) and doubts about the long-term efficacy of this novel treatment cost a subspecialty. With the recent addition of endovascular treatment of stroke and long-term efficacy of endovascular treatment of aneurysm, there is a lot of debate among clinicians and nonclinicians about who will be the true heir of this sub specialty.
Neurotrauma at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar: An Overview
Authors: Dash Chinmaya , Satapathy Ayusman , Bansal Sumit , Sahu Rabi Narayan
Published: January 2020

Background The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar was established as an Institution of National Importance through the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (Amendment) Ordinance passed on July 16, 2012. It is estimated that road traffic accidents lead to economic loss to the tune of approximately 3% of gross domestic product. Centers of excellence for neurotrauma are the need of the hour, and the Indian Government is focusing on preventive and curative aspects of road traffic accidents to a great extent in the recent years. In this article, we would like to highlight the resources (manpower, infrastructure, etc.) available for neurotrauma, challenges ahead, and vision for the future.

Trauma Audit A retrospective analysis of all the admitted patients of traumatic brain injury (TBI) was performed from November 2018 to October 2019. A total of 149 patients were admitted during this period. Of the 149 admitted patients, 88 had mild TBI, 39 had moderate TBI, and 22 had severe TBI. The mortality was highest in patients with severe TBI, with 45.45% mortality. A total of 29 patients with traumatic spine injury were admitted during this period. Of the 29 patients, 10 had cervical spine injury, 10 had dorsal spine injury, and 9 had lumbar spine injury. Of all these patients, two patients with cervical spine injury died of refractory shock.

Perceived Limitations and Challenges Lack of dedicated round-the-clock emergency operating rooms (ORs) for neurosurgical procedures, adequate number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds, various gadgets in the ICU for neurocritical care, lack of rehabilitation facilities/center, lack of various OR gadgets, and lack of manpower, especially trained nursing staff, are the limitations perceived by us.

Vision for the Future A trauma block has been approved, and work on it has begun. This shall greatly help in upgrading facilities for neurotrauma at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.

Conclusion Facilities for neurotrauma at AIIMS Bhubaneswar are gradually being upgraded. With a core team, the services are improving gradually. However, the institution is in its early years, and a lot more needs to be done in terms of manpower, gadgets, and infrastructure to further improve neurotrauma care at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. This article may help in formulating guidelines for strengthening neurotrauma facilities in AIIMS, Bhubaneswar and all the new AIIMS established in India.
Corrigendum to: Carbon and nutrient release from experimental inundation of agricultural and forested floodplain soil and vegetation: influence of floodplain land use on the development of hypoxic blackwater during floods
Authors: Liu Xiaoying , Watts Robyn J. , Howitt Julia A. , McCasker Nicole
Published: January 2020

Overbank floods in modified lowland rivers often inundate a mosaic of different land uses (e.g. forests, crops and pastures) on the floodplain. We used a glasshouse experiment to investigate dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nutrient (TP, NH4+, NOx) releases, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and dissolved oxygen (DO) depletion in water following inundation of soil and vegetation from a lowland river floodplain in southern Australia. Six replicate samples of six intact soil and groundcover treatments were collected during summer; three from a forest (bare soil, wallaby grass and leaf litter) and three from an adjacent paddock (bare soil, wheat and ryegrass). Samples were placed in pots, inundated with river water over 16 days, and their leachates were compared with a river-water control. All vegetated groundcover treatments had significantly higher DOC and COD and significantly less DO at both Day 1 and Day 16 than did the soil-only treatments or the control. Leachates from paddock treatments were less coloured than those from forest treatments, despite having similar concentrations of DOC. Our findings imply that the inundation of any vegetation during summer floods can be a major source of DOC and a major contributor to DO depletion.
Soil seed banks and restoration potential of tussock sedge meadows after farming in Changbai Mountain, China
Authors: Wang Ming , Wang Shengzhong , Wang Guodong , Jiang Ming
Published: January 2020

Vast tracts of the wettest agricultural fields have been abandoned worldwide, hence knowledge of their restoration potential is becoming important. Soil seed banks can be important components of ecological restoration, particularly if the seeds of key structural dominants can survive periods of cultivation. In Changbai Mountain, China, we compared the seed banks and standing vegetation between natural sedge meadows and adjacent paddy fields under drained and flooded conditions. The tussock-forming sedge Carex schmidtii dominated plant communities in the natural sedge meadows. However, this key structural dominant species was not found in the paddy fields. Other important wetland species survived cultivation as seeds (e.g. Cyperus fuscus, Lythrum salicaria and Sagittaria trifolia). Species of various life history types require either drawdown (emergent; e.g. C. schmidtii) or flooding (e.g. Potamogeton pectinatus) for successful germination. This study indicates that the seed banks of farmed sedge meadows could contribute towards the establishment of new wetland vegetation assemblages. Active revegetation of sedge meadow, particularly the native tussock-forming Carex, and changes in environmental conditions are necessary to support the region’s biodiversity.
Corrigendum to: Effects of fish kills on fish consumers and other water-dependent fauna: exploring the potential effect of mass mortality of carp in Australia
Authors: McGinness Heather M. , Paton Alexandra , Gawne Ben , King Alison J. , Kopf R. Keller , Mac Nally Ralph , McInerney Paul J.
Published: January 2020

Although the effects of mass fish mortality (MFM) events on fish populations and water quality are frequently reported, the effects on consumers of fish and other water-dependent fauna are relatively poorly understood. Managing the effects of MFM events on other fauna is important when they occur in ecologically or culturally sensitive locations, or involve protected or significant species or ecosystems. Better understanding of the effects of such events on fish consumers and other water-dependent fauna would aid proactive management of predictable events, such as pest-fish biocontrol releases. We conducted a global literature review to synthesise the effects of unexpected MFM events on fish consumers and other water-dependent fauna in freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems. We then constructed two conceptual models distinguishing between the short-term (hours to weeks) and long-term (months to years) effects of such events, highlighting the importance of key factors in determining the magnitude of the response. Last, we used these models and relevant literature to explore the potential implications of the proposed release of cyprinid herpes virus 3 as a biological control agent for the invasive common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Australia and develop recommendations to minimise adverse effects of carp mass mortality on food webs.
Data assimilation in price formation
Authors: Burger Martin , Pietschmann Jan-Frederik , Wolfram Marie-Therese
Published: January 2020

We consider the problem of estimating the density of buyers and vendors in a nonlinear parabolic price formation model using measurements of the price and the transaction rate. Our approach is based on a work by Puel (Puel J-P 2002 C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris
335 (2) 161–166), and results in an optimal control problem. We analyze this problems and provide stability estimates for the controls as well as the unknown density in the presence of measurement errors. Our analytic findings are supported with numerical experiments.
Discrete total variation of the normal vector field as shape prior with applications in geometric inverse problems
Authors: Bergmann Ronny , Herrmann Marc , Herzog Roland , Schmidt Stephan , Vidal-Núñez José
Published: January 2020

An analogue of the total variation prior for the normal vector field along the boundary of piecewise flat shapes in 3D is introduced. A major class of examples are triangulated surfaces as they occur for instance in finite element computations. The analysis of the functional is based on a differential geometric setting in which the unit normal vector is viewed as an element of the two-dimensional sphere manifold. It is found to agree with the discrete total mean curvature known in discrete differential geometry. A split Bregman iteration is proposed for the solution of discretized shape optimization problems, in which the total variation of the normal appears as a regularizer. Unlike most other priors, such as surface area, the new functional allows for piecewise flat shapes. As two applications, a mesh denoising and a geometric inverse problem of inclusion detection type involving a partial differential equation are considered. Numerical experiments confirm that polyhedral shapes can be identified quite accurately.
Fluorescent thermal imaging of a quench in insulated and non-insulated REBCO-wound pancake coils following a heater pulse at 77 K
Authors: Gyuráki R , Schreiner F , Benkel T , Sirois F , Grilli F
Published: January 2020

High temperature superconductors (HTS)-wound coils are being developed for use in motors, generators as well as magnet applications. Determining the stability and safe operating margins of such coils still poses challenges. While the recently introduced no-insulation winding method provides a remedy for many problems, it comes with its own limitations. For comparison, we have wound two pancake coils from HTS coated conductors with the insulated and non-insulated winding techniques. Both coils were coated with a fluorescent, temperature-sensitive coating, which allowed monitoring the surface temperatures during operation. The coils were cooled to 77 K via a combination of conduction and gas cooling, and their electrical and thermal behaviour was observed in operation. Here we present the normal transition of both coils caused by an artificially introduced instability due to a surface-mounted, resistive heater element. In the insulated coil, the localized disturbance caused a local transition of the superconductor to the normal conducting state, triggering a thermal runaway. Merely the turns in contact with the artificial disturbance heated up, while the rest of the coil remained in the superconducting state. In the non-insulated coil—although a much longer heater pulse was required—the normal transition started from the weakest point of the coil (around the bobbin) and the whole coil was heating thereafter, with the centre heating more.
Distribution of the superconducting critical current density within a Gd–Ba–Cu–O single grain
Authors: Shi Yunhua , Gough Michael , Dennis Anthony R , Durrell John H , Cardwell David A
Published: January 2020

The magnitude of the maximum trapped magnetic field in a bulk, single-grain superconductor is a key performance figure of merit. This is determined, generally, by the magnitude of the critical current density, J

c
, and the length scale over which it flows. As with all type-II superconductors, J

c
is related closely to the microstructure of the superconducting material and, in the case of RE–Ba–Cu–O [(RE)BCO, where RE is a rare-earth element or yttrium] single grains, RE2BaCuO5 (RE-211) inclusions in the superconducting REBa2Cu3O7−δ
(RE-123) phase matrix are key microstructural features that act effectively as flux pinning centres. Although the distribution of RE-211 in single-grain bulk superconductors has been studied extensively, the variation of J

c
within a given sample has been much investigated much less thoroughly. A detailed experimental understanding of the variation of J

c
in these technologically important materials, therefore, is required given the growing popularity and significance of numerical techniques for modelling the behaviour of type-II bulk superconductors. Here we report a systematic investigation of the correlation between Gd-211 particle density and sample porosity, which are microstructural features, and T

c
and J

c
in a Gd–Ba–Cu–O bulk, single grain fabricated using a buffer layer and a supply of additional liquid phase. This was performed by cutting the sample into numerous sub-specimens of approximate dimensions 1.8 × 2.8 × 1.5 mm3. We observe that J

c
decreases with distance from the seed, although more strongly with distance along the c-axis than along the a–b plane. In contrast to what might be expected given the assumed contribution of RE-211 inclusions to flux pinning, we find no evidence of a clear correlation between the local RE-211 precipitate density and local critical current on a length scale of mm. We observe that the porosity of the sample is a more dominant factor in determining the distribution of J

c
within a single grain.
Maternity uncertainty in cobreeding beetles: females lay more and larger eggs and provide less care
Authors: Richardson Jon , Smiseth Per T
Published: January 2020

Cobreeding, which occurs when multiple females breed together, is likely to be associated with uncertainty over maternity of offspring in a joint brood, preventing females from directing resources towards their own offspring. Cobreeding females may respond to such uncertainty by shifting their investment towards the stages of offspring development when they are certain of maternity and away from those stages where uncertainty is greater. Here we examined how uncertainty of maternity influences investment decisions of cobreeding females by comparing cobreeding females and females breeding alone in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides. In this species, females sometimes breed together on a single carcass but females cannot recognize their own offspring. We found that cobreeding females shifted investment towards the egg stage of offspring development by laying more and larger eggs than females breeding alone. Furthermore, cobreeding females reduced their investment to post-hatching care of larvae by spending less time providing care than females breeding alone. We show that females respond to the presence of another female by shifting allocation towards egg laying and away from post-hatching care, thereby directing resources to their own offspring. Our results demonstrate that responses to parentage uncertainty are not restricted to males, but that, unlike males, females respond by shifting their investment to different components of reproduction within a single breeding attempt. Such flexibility may allow females to cope with maternity uncertainly as well as a variety of other social or physical challenges.
RoBoT: a robust Bayesian hypothesis testing method for basket trials
Authors: Zhou Tianjian , Ji Yuan
Published: January 2020

A basket trial in oncology encompasses multiple “baskets” that simultaneously assess one treatment in multiple cancer types or subtypes. It is well-recognized that hierarchical modeling methods, which adaptively borrow strength across baskets, can improve over simple pooling and stratification. We propose a novel Bayesian method, RoBoT (Robust Bayesian Hypothesis Testing), for the data analysis and decision-making in phase II basket trials. In contrast to most existing methods that use posterior credible intervals to determine the efficacy of the new treatment, RoBoT builds upon a formal Bayesian hypothesis testing framework that leads to interpretable and robust inference. Specifically, we assume that the baskets belong to several latent subgroups, and within each subgroup, the treatment has similar probabilities of being more efficacious than controls, historical, or concurrent. The number of latent subgroups and subgroup memberships are inferred by the data through a Dirichlet process mixture model. Such model specification helps avoid type I error inflation caused by excessive shrinkage under typical hierarchical models. The operating characteristics of RoBoT are assessed through computer simulations and are compared with existing methods. Finally, we apply RoBoT to data from two recent phase II basket trials of imatinib and vemurafenib, respectively.
Increased Inorganic Serum Pyrophosphate in Serum and Urine of Patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Armstrong Donald , VanWormer Dale , Solomons Clive C
Published: January 2020

Inorganic pyrophosphate can be accurately determined in 2 to 4 ml of serum or urine by an ion-exchange method. Pyrophosphate degradation by serum alkaline phosphatase and pyrophosphatase is stopped by adding to the serum 0.1 mmol of dithiothreitol (Cleland's reagent) per liter. This method is suitable for screening large numbers of patients. All of the patients studied who had classical symptoms of active osteogenesis imperfecta also had abnormally high concentrations of pyrophosphate in their serum. Of this group, 62% excreted increased amounts of pyrophosphates in their urine. Seven adults with inactive osteogenesis imperfecta had normal concentrations of inorganic pyrophosphate in their serum, but their urinary excretion of pyrophosphate was abnormally great. Patients undergoing therapy with magnesium oxide or calcitonin had normal values for serum and urine pyrophosphate. Determination of inorganic pyrophosphate concentrations in serum may be helpful in studying the progress of this disease and in monitoring therapy.
Continuous-Flow Measurement of Lactate in Blood: A Technique Adapted for Use in the Emergency Laboratory
Authors: Boycks Edward , Michaels Sybil , Weil Max Harry , Shubin Herbert , Marbach Edward P
Published: January 2020

This automated enzymatic method for analysis of lactate in blood, adapted from a manual method, is designed for use with an AutoAnalyzer. Start-up time is 5 min. After a time delay of 4 min, 99 samples may be analyzed per hour. Recovery averaged 100.7% (range, 99.6-101.8%). Reproducibility was within 1 SD (equivalent to 70 µmol/liter). Reagents are stable at room temperature for one month. The procedure has been in continuous use as an emergency test in support of emergency and critical care for three years, during which time we have done more than 10 000 determinations.
Inactivated Serum vs. Saline as a Diluent in Some Serum Enzyme Assays
Authors: Fendley Ted W , Frings Christopher S
Published: January 2020

In assays of creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2), alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27), or asparate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) activities by certain end-point methods, we found no significant difference in the accuracy and precision of the results when serum was diluted with heat-inactivated pooled serum or NaCl solution (8.5 g/liter). For creatine kinase, asparate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase, correlations were good for the two diluents, but poor in the case of lactate dehydrogenase.
Unusual Variant of Lactate Dehydrogenase Isoenzymes
Authors: Buchholz D H , Donabedian R K
Published: January 2020

Thirteen electrophoretic bands of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activity were detected in the serum of a 69-year-old Negro woman who died of pseudomonas pneumonia. No evidence of tumor was found at necropsy, and additional studies of the enzymatic activity of crude extracts of liver, lung, spleen, kidney, brain, skeletal muscle, lymph node, and heart revealed 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 separate isoenzyme bands for lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively (a total of 15 isoenzyme bands). Serum and erythrocyte hemolysate from one of two healthy daughters displayed a similar pattern of multiple isoenzyme bands in isoenzymes 2 and 3. The observed pattern is consistent with the heterozygous form of a mutation of the genetic locus controlling synthesis of the M monomer such that two differently charged monomeric proteins are produced, each of which apparently combines with H chains with equal facility, leading to the multiband enzymatic specificity seen.
Concepts for the Rational Selection of Assays to Be Used in Monitoring Therapeutic Drugs
Authors: Werner Mario , Sutherland Earl W , Abramson Fred P
Published: January 2020

As the domain of monitoring therapeutic drugs rapidly expands from experimental investigations to everyday patient care, all clinical laboratory scientists, but especially clinical chemists, must learn to deal with their involvement in this expansion. First, the theoretical concepts underlying clinical pharmacology must be appreciated so that the laboratory's participation in it can succeed. Individual differences cause unpredictable variations of response to the customarily standardized drug dosage. Properly used, assays of drugs in blood can eliminate such variabilities. Second, the practical selection of which drug assays a laboratory intends to provide must be based on a rational evaluation of assay usefulness, integrating both clinical and laboratory considerations. Such a decision model is suggested; it is generally applicable in allocating priorities among an ever-increasing number of proposed tests under the constraint of finite resources.
Solid-Phase Radioimmunoassay of Thyroxine in Untreated Serum
Authors: Seth John , Rutherford Frederick J , McKenzie Ian
Published: January 2020

We describe a simple, convenient solid-phase radioimmunoassay of total thyroxine in unextracted serum. Serum samples are added directly to the assay incubation mixture, interference in the antigen/antibody reaction by the thyroxine-binding serum proteins being almost completely eliminated by the addition of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid and incubation at pH 10.5. Residual interference is compensated for by including thyroxine-free serum in the standards. Use of thyroxine antibodies that are coupled to a solid support permits separation of free and antibody-bound hormone by a single washing step, followed by centrifugation. The method is specific, accurate, and reasonably precise. The results obtained compare well with those for radioimmunoassay of thyroxine in serum freed of protein by gel filtration, and with results of a competitive protein-binding method. The technical simplicity of the procedure should readily permit automation. These features suggest that the technique should be well suited for routine clinical laboratory use.
Use of the Reference Method for Determination of Serum Calcium in a Quality-Assurance Survey
Authors: Pickup John F , Jackson Malcolm J , Price E Margaret , Healy Michael J R , Brown Stanley S
Published: January 2020

The Reference Method [Clin. Chem. 19, 1208 (1973)] for determination of total calcium in serum has been applied to 29 specimens from the Wellcome Group Quality-Control Programme. The accuracy of the mean resuIts for all participants, and for selected groups of participants, was determined over the concentration range 2.00-2.75 mmol/liter. We show that, in general, continuous-flow (AutoAnalyzer) and atomic absorption methods of analysis have a small, constant bias, but chelation (ethylenediaminetetraacetate) methods are unpredictably inaccurate.
Colorimetric, Enzymatic, and Liquid-Chromatographic Methods for Serum Uric Acid Compared
Authors: Slaunwhite W David , Pachla Lawrence A , Wenke David C , Kissinger Peter T
Published: January 2020

We describe high-performance liquid chromatography in conjunction with electrochemical detection as a possible reference method for serum uric acid. Separation was effected on a column packed with "Vydac" strong anion-exchange resin, with use of a detection potential of +0.80 V vs. an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Results were linearly related to concentration up to 1.0 g/liter, and no interferences were seen. Assay of human sera gave within-run and day-to-day coefficients of variation of 0.83% and 1.1%, respectively; analytical recoveries averaged 100%. Comparison of the new procedure (x) with the phosphotungstate and uricase methods (y) showed the following linear regression and correlation coefficients for results: y = 0.963x + 0.219 (r = 0.995), and y = 0.991x + 0.165 (r = 0.999), respectively. As compared to these methods, the procedure we describe is more accurate, because of the selective detection system based on retention time and redox potential. Samples can be analyzed at the rate of 20/h. No deproteinization is required.
Simplified Photometric Copper-Soap Method for Rapid Assay of Serum Lipase Activity
Authors: Myrtle James F , Zell Wilbert J
Published: January 2020

We modified the method of Yang and Biggs [Clin. Chem. 17, 512 (1971)] for greater speed and simplicity. Serum is incubated with an emulsified olive oil substrate, the fatty acids extracted, the copper soap formed, and phases separated, all in a single tube. An aliquot of the organic phase is removed for color development. One analysis can be completed in 35 min, 20 in less than 2 h. The method is accurate and precise. Results correlate well with the unmodified colorimetric method, and with the classical titrimetric lipase procedure. The reference interval (normal range) is 20 to 180 U/liter.
Evaluation of the ABA-100 Procedure for Total and Direct Bilirubin in Serum or Plasma
Authors: Jaberg Clair , McConnell Kay , Potter Joseph L , Platt Marvin S
Published: January 2020

We present a modified Evelyn-Malloy method, adapted to the Abbott Biochromatic Analyzer (ABA-100) for the determination of both total and direct bilirubin. It requires less than 25 µl of serum or plasma. At least 50 samples can be assayed per hour with economy of reagent consumption and the precision compares favorably with that for conventional manual methods.