bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Citizenship in Empire: The Legal History of U.S. Citizenship in American Samoa, 1899-1960
Authors: Dardani Ross
Published: June 2020

This article analyzes the legal history of U.S. citizenship for American Samoa and examines why American Samoa remains the only U.S. unincorporated territory that U.S. citizenship has not been extended to by Congress. The article examines legislation from the 1930s that would have extended U.S. citizenship to Samoans, but failed to pass in Congress due to opposition from the U.S. Navy, the effects of the Great Depression, and the racism of some U.S. lawmakers. The last parts of the article explore hearings that were held in the immediate years after World War II in which naval leaders and U.S. lawmakers expressed a willingness to extend citizenship to American Samoa for Cold War propaganda imperatives. These hearings ultimately did not lead to the extension of U.S. citizenship. By the early years of the Cold War some Samoan leaders had petitioned Congress against the extension of citizenship to American Samoa for fear that citizenship would lead to the destruction of Samoan cultural autonomy. The legal history of U.S. citizenship for American Samoa from 1899 to 1960 illuminates the various meanings citizenship can have and the disparate ways citizenship can be used by different people in the context of empire. In American Samoa, citizenship was a powerful concept that colonized people used to make claims for equal inclusion and full membership within a political community; it was a tool that the U.S. government used in strategic ways to legitimate imperialism; and it was a status with the power to destroy cultural autonomy.
Corner’s rules pass the test of time: little effect of phenology on leaf–shoot and other scaling relationships
Authors: Fajardo Alex , Mora Juan P , Robert Etienne
Published: June 2020

Background and Aims

Twig cross-sectional area and the surface area of leaves borne on it are expected to be isometrically correlated across species (Corner’s rules). However, how stable this relationship remains in time is not known. We studied inter- and intraspecific twig leaf area–cross-sectional area (la–cs) and other scaling relationships, including the leaf–shoot mass (lm–sm) scaling relationship, across a complete growing season. We also examined the influence of plant height, deciduousness and the inclusion of reproductive buds on the stability of the scaling relationships, and we discuss results from a functional perspective.

Methods

We collected weekly current-year twigs of six Patagonian woody species that differed in growth form and foliar habit. We also used prominent inflorescences from Embothrium coccineum (Proteaceae) to assess whether reproductive buds alter the la–cs isometric relationship. Mixed effects models were fitted to obtain parameter estimates and to test whether interaction terms were non-significant (invariant) for the scaling relationships.

Key Results

The slope of the la–cs scaling relationship remained invariant across the growing season. Two species showed contrasting and disproportional (allometric) la–cs scaling relationships (slope ≠ 1). Scaling relationships varied significantly across growth form and foliar habit. The lm–sm scaling relationship differed between reproductive- and vegetative-origin twigs in E. coccineum, which was explained by a significantly lower leaf mass per area in the former.

Conclusions

Although phenology during the growing season appeared not to change leaf–shoot scaling relationships across species, we show that scaling relationships departed from the general trend of isometry as a result of within-species variation, growth form, foliar habit and the type of twig. The identification of these functional factors helps to understand variation in the general trend of Corner’s rules.
A-03 SCAT5 Cognitive Screening Normative Data and Reliable Change Indices
Authors: Bailey C , Meyer J , Tangen C , Deane R , Briskin S , Gunstad J , Fastenau P , Smith P , Solomon M , Kelly A W
Published: June 2020

Objective

This study provides normative data on the SCAT5 Cognitive Screening, establishes test-retest reliability, and creates clinically relevant cut points for low performance.

Method

The multisport baseline sample was composed of 727 uninjured college athletes (52% female) at a Division I university who were administered the SCAT5 before the 2017–2018 season. Descriptive statistics, including base rates of low performance, were calculated for SCAT5 indices. Repeat baseline testing was completed by 325 athletes (48% female) at 1 year (days M = 352.56;SD = 56.03) who were included in the test-retest reliability and practice effect analyses. Reliable change indices were calculated.

Results

Descriptive statistics for SCAT5 were computed for both baselines (Baseline 1: SAC total M = 35.15,SD = 4.93; immediate recall total M = 20.01,SD = 3.46; delayed recall total M = 6.43,SD = 1.75). A difference in descriptive statistics and practice effects by sex on the SCAT5 Cognitive Screening has been demonstrated (Bailey, Meyer, Tangen et al., under review). For female athletes, the 1st administration cutoff scores for abnormal performance (<10th%ile) included SAC total score = 33, immediate recall score = 18, and delayed recall score = 6. For male athletes, the 1st administration cutoff scores for abnormal performance (<10th%ile) included SAC total score = 30, immediate recall score = 17, and delayed recall score = 5. Test-retest reliability of the SAC was similar to previous versions but varied by sex. Reliable change indices (RCI) were created with cut points for significant change.

Conclusions

The present study provides clinically relevant normative data for the SCAT5 Cognitive Screening. Cut points for low performance on both reliable chance indices (RCIs) and normative performance reflected meaningful sex differences that could influence clinical interpretation.
A-08 VOMS Scores Relationship to King-Devick Scores in Males
Authors: Caze T , Price A M , Knell G , Burkhart S
Published: June 2020

Objective

Burkhart and colleagues (2020) showed that positive screening on the Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) and slower King Devick scores were predictive of protracted recovery in male adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between positive VOMS screening and King-Devick Trial 1 scores in a similar population.

Method

300 male participants age 10–18 were administered VOMS and King-Devick Trial 1 within 7-days of their injury at a specialty concussion clinic between 2017–2019. We hypothesized that slower speeds on King-Devick Trial 1 would be related to a positive screening on the VOMS (i.e. symptom provocation of +2, convergence of > 6 mm). Odds ratios were calculated to estimate the likelihood of screening positive on the VOMS among those with a King-Devick Trial 1 score above the median compared to those with a score below the median.

Results

Those scoring above the median on King-Devick Trial 1 (i.e. slower times) were 74% more likely to have a positive screening on the VOMS, OR = 1.74, 95% CI [1.10–2.78], p = 0.02, relative to those with a King-Devick Trial 1 above the median.

Conclusions

The VOMS was created to be a symptom provocation tool sensitive to concussion. However, this study demonstrated that the VOMS is also related to performance on objective visual scanning task. Specifically, adolescent males with slower scores on the King-Devick Trial 1 were more likely to have a positive screening on the VOMS.
A-15 Network Analysis Of Sport-Related Concussion Research During The Past Decade (2010–2019)
Authors: Eagle S R , Collins M W , Connaboy C , Flanagan S D , Kontos A P
Published: June 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to apply network analyses to evaluate trends in the literature using a comprehensive search of original, peer-reviewed research articles involving human participants with sport-related concussion (SRC) published between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019.

Data Selection

Articles were identified in a comprehensive online search using key terms to encompass all forms of SRC or mTBI and entered into a clustering algorithm (vosViewer). Each cluster (e.g., journal, institution, author, keyword) is named for the hub, or most highly interconnected individual node.

Data Synthesis

The online search yielded 6,130 articles, 528 journals, 7,598 authors, 1,966 institutions, and 3,293 keywords. The analysis supported five thematic clusters of journals: 1. Biomechanics/Sports medicine (n = 15), 2. Pediatrics/Rehabilitation (n = 15), 3. Neurotrauma/Neurology/Neurosurgery (n = 11), 4. General Sports Medicine (n = 11), 5. Neuropsychology (n = 7). The analysis identified four institutional clusters: 1. University of North Carolina (n = 19), 2. University of Toronto (n = 19), 3. University of Michigan (n = 11), 4. University of Pittsburgh (n = 10). Five primary author clusters were identified: 1. A. Kontos (n = 32), 2. G. Iverson (n = 27), 3. M. McCrea (n = 27), 4. S. Broglio (n = 25), 5. Z. Kerr (n = 16). In regards to keywords, central topics included: 1. Epidemiology (n = 14), 2. Rehabilitation (n = 12), 3. Biomechanics (n = 11), 4. Imaging (n = 10), 5. Assessment (n = 9).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that during the past decade SRC research has: 1) been published primarily in sports medicine, pediatric, and neuro-focused journals, 2) involved a select group of researchers from several key institutions, and 3) focused on new topic areas including treatment/rehabilitation.
A-17 Psychological Resilience and Concussion Recovery in Athletes
Authors: Ernst N , Trbovich A , Eagle S R , Bitzer H , Kontos A P
Published: June 2020

Objective

Psychological resilience has been positively associated with sport achievement and psychological well-being, while being negatively associated with psychological distress. Lower psychological resilience may also increase the risk of protracted recovery from concussion. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between psychological resilience and clinical outcomes among adolescent and young adult athletes.

Method

Fifty-seven patients (11–22 years; m = 15.2, SD = 2.76) were diagnosed with a sport-related concussion (SRC) within two weeks of injury. Patients completed the Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) at first visit in addition to neurocognitive screening (ImPACT) and vestibular/oculomotor screening (VOMS). Participants were divided into “Low”, “Moderate” and “High” resilience using CD-RISC-10 tertiles. A series of one-way ANOVAS with pairwise comparisons (Tukey post-hoc test) were used to compare groups across outcomes measures.

Results

Significant differences were present between the High Resilience (m = 15.22 days; SD = 8.87) and Low Resilience (m = 30.95 days; SD = 23.76) groups in Days to Clearance (p = .032), DASS-21 Total score (p = 0.01), DASS-21 Depression subscale (p = 0.022), DASS-21 Anxiety subscale (p = 0.01), and DASS-21 Stress subscale (p = 0.002). No significant relationships were observed between resilience and ImPACT, VOMS, or PCSS score for any group.

Conclusions

Athletes with low psychological resilience immediately following concussion had a recovery time twice that of athletes with high resilience. All groups in the study exhibited recovery times within a normal time frame (i.e., ≤ 30 days), but high psychological resiliency may serve as a protective factor for recovery outcomes among athletes experiencing concussion.
A-25 The Effect of Cognitive Dual-Tasks on Dynamic Postural Sway During Sub-Maximal Gait on a Treadmill
Authors: Kelly M A , Morelli N , Clayton H L , Parks A M , Heebner N R , Hoch M C
Published: June 2020

Objective

To investigate the effect of a cognitive task on postural control during treadmill walking. We hypothesized that postural sway acceleration would decrease during dual-task compared to single-task gait.

Method

Ten (5 females, 5 males) physically active, healthy young adults (Age: 22.50 ± 3.01) with no history of cognitive deficits or head injury were recruited from a University campus for this cross-sectional study. Participants reported to a biomechanics laboratory for a single testing session and completed two, 5-minute walking trials on a treadmill at 90% of maximal gait-speed under single and dual-task conditions while instrumented with a single inertial measurement unit (IMU) on the lower-back. During dual-task gait, participants concurrently performed a Stroop Test displayed on a mounted screen in front of the treadmill during the entire trial. Root mean square (RMS) of acceleration was analyzed in the medial-lateral, anterior-posterior, superior-inferior, and resultant planes during the dual-task trial. Paired t-tests and effect sizes (ES) were calculated for each sway plane between single and dual-tasks.

Results

No differences were identified between single and dual-task RMS acceleration in the medial-lateral (p = 0.98, ES = 0.01), anterior-posterior (p = 0.49, ES = 0.23) or superior-inferior (p = 0.98, ES = 0.01) planes. However, the RMS acceleration in the resultant plane was lower in the dual-task condition (Mean Difference: 0.031 ± 0.037; p = 0.02, ES = 0.85).

Conclusions

This novel dual-task gait paradigm utilized constant sub-maximal gait speed to investigate the influence of a sustained cognitive dual-task on postural sway using a single IMU. These preliminary results indicate that this dual-task gait paradigm may affect gross postural sway in healthy adults.
A-26 A Principal Component Analysis of Clinical Outcomes Among Adolescent Patients Following Concussion
Authors: Kissinger-Knox A , Eagle S , Jennings S , Collins M W , Kontos A P
Published: June 2020

Objective

Previous research utilizing factor analytic methods, such as principal components analysis (PCA) has focused on concussion factors derived from symptom scales (Piland, 2003; Kontos, 2012) and neurocognitive testing (Schatz, 2013). However, researchers have yet to conduct a PCA that incorporates symptoms, cognitive, ocular, and vestibular outcomes. The purpose was to utilize PCA to examine the factor structure of concussion among adolescents within 31 days of injury.

Method

Participants included 238 adolescents (41.2% female) diagnosed with concussion. Average age was 14.81 ± 1.57 years (10 to 17 years). A PCA was performed on 11 variables, including PCSS (via symptom factors: cognitive/fatigue/migraine, affective, somatic, and sleep), near point of convergence (NPC), ImPACT composites, and VOMS symptoms. Items retained in the factor models on the basis of having a primary factor loading of .6 or above.

Results

A three-component model was supported that accounted for 65.12% of the variance: 1) cognitive, 2) symptoms, and 3) vestibular/ocular. The cognitive component included visual motor speed, reaction time, verbal, and visual memory (37.95%). Symptoms component included affective, cognitive/fatigue/migraine, and sleep (17.42%). Vestibular/ocular component included vestibular and ocular symptoms (9.75%). All items loaded into the PCA, with exception of somatic and NPC average were retained.

Conclusions

The current study supported three factors and extended findings of previous PCAs by including ocular and vestibular components. The current study better reflects contemporary models of concussion involving clinical profiles or subtypes (e.g., Harmon, 2019). Moving forward, researchers should examine factors across subacute and chronic time points to evaluate potential temporal changes in factors.
A-29 Incidence of Invalid ImPACT Baseline Test Results on Initial and Follow-up Assessments among English-Speaking, Spanish-Speaking, and Bilingual Test-takers
Authors: Ott S , Gonzalez L , Ikonomou V , Schatz P
Published: June 2020

Objective

To identify the rate of ImPACT baseline test results falling below cut-offs for invalidity indicators among English-speaking, Spanish-speaking, and bilingual-speaking, individuals, upon initial assessment and on a follow-up baseline.

Method

Participants were a large sample of test-takers who completed annual ImPACT baseline assessments in Greater Houston, TX, as a requirement for participation in club- or school-sponsored athletics. Participants were 12–18 years old (mean 15.3, SD = 1.5), predominantly male (69%), and assigned to independent groups on the basis of primary/secondary language: English (N = 9332), English/Spanish (N = 1380), or Spanish (N = 4720). A sub-sample of each group (English N = 815, English/Spanish N = 173, Spanish N = 63) completed 2 baseline assessments (mean 1.2 years between tests, SD = 0.55 years).

Results

Chi-square analysis revealed a significantly greater likelihood [X2(2) = 28.05; p < .001] of obtaining an invalid baseline for individuals with Spanish as a First (6.3%) or Second (6.9%) Language as compared to individuals speaking only English (4.8%), with an overall rate of 5.6% across all three groups. Upon re-assessment, 5.7% of English, 19% of English-Spanish, and 0% of Spanish-speakers obtained a second “invalid” assessment. The Three Letters (Total Correct < 8) and Design Memory (Learning Percentage < 50) indicators were the most common contributing indicators, across all three groups.

Conclusions

Primary language appears to be a contributing factor in scoring below cut-offs for invalidity indicators, especially for bilingual English-Spanish speakers. The continued rate of invalidity for the English-Spanish speakers on follow baseline assessments also warrants further review. Given the retrospective nature of this study, potential influences of acculturation and language proficiency were not available and therefore, could not be assessed.
A-34 Sex and Sport Differences in Baseline Neurocognitive Performance in Division-I Collegiate Athletes using the NIH Toolbox® Cognition Battery
Authors: Quintana C , Kelly M A , Heebner N R , Han D Y , Abt J P , Hoch M C
Published: June 2020

Objective

Understanding sex and sport-related differences in baseline neurocognitive scores may aid in interpreting post-injury performance. Sex and sport-related differences in neurocognitive performance for collegiate athletes have not been examined on the NIH Toolbox® Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB). Therefore, this study sought to determine if baseline scores on the NIHTB-CB differ between sex or sport in collegiate athletes. It was hypothesized that sex, but not sport-related differences would exist in CB baseline performance.

Method

107 Division-I athletes (47 females, 60 males) that participated in soccer (n = 45), football (n = 30), or cheerleading (n = 32) volunteered to participate. Participants completed tablet-based NIHTB-CB assessments including the Flanker Inhibitory Control & Attention (FICA), Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS), Picture Sequence Memory (PSM), and Pattern Comparison Processing Speed (PCPS) tests. These assessments measured visual attention, cognitive flexibility, memory recall, and processing speed, respectively. Fully corrected t-scores were used for analyses. Parametric and non-parametric tests compared scores based on sex and sport.

Results

Females demonstrated greater performance on the PCPS (Females: 64.72 ± 9.84, Males: 61.08 ± 8.85; p = 0.006). Males exhibited better performance on the FICA (Females: 45.72 ± 10.12, Males: 51.03 ± 10.70; p = 0.009). After controlling for sex, a significant difference across sports was identified in the FICA (p = 0.007) with cheerleading (43.81 ± 9.28) exhibiting poorer performance than football (54.33 ± 10.44; p = 0.002) and soccer (48.42 ± 10.28; p = 0.047). No sex or sport differences were identified for the DCCS or PSM.

Conclusions

Baseline differences in neurocognitive performance exist on the NIHTB-CB based on sex and sport suggesting these variables be taken into consideration when interpreting post-concussion scores in collegiate athletes.
A-35 On-Field Dizziness and Timing of Referral to Vestibular Therapy Following Adolescent Sports-Related Concussion: Initial Findings
Authors: Reynolds E , Covert K , Bennett M , Driver S , King R , Reynolds M
Published: June 2020

Objective

To examine if adolescent patients who experienced on-field dizziness immediately following sports-related concussion (SRC) and were referred to vestibular therapy (VT) in 7–9 days returned to play faster when compared to referrals made > 10 days.

Method

Registry data for an outpatient clinic specializing in adolescent SRC was analyzed. Of the 85 adolescent patients included, 67 (79%) experienced dizziness immediately following injury; 36 (54%) of which were referred to VT. Mean age at time of injury was 15.3 years; 61.1% were male (n = 22); most were injured while participating in football (38.9%), soccer (16.7%), or wrestling (13.9%). Days to initial VT evaluation from time of injury and days from VT to clearance from concussion protocol were analyzed using a Poisson regression model; age and sex were controlled.

Results

Patients referred to VT 7–9 days post-injury returned to play 16 ± 13.4 days earlier (20.7 ± 18.6 days; p < .0001) than patients who received VT 10–20 days post SRC (36.7 days±32). While non-significant, individuals referred to VT > 21 days post-injury returned to play 6 days later than those referred < 10 days (26.3 ± 32.9; p = .14).

Conclusions

Appropriate and timely referrals to VT following the presence of on-field dizziness after SRC may play an integral role in recovery, although more research in this area is needed. Initial findings suggest that when determining optimal time frame for referral to VT, 7–9 days post-injury may be most beneficial for adolescents following SRC.
Network analysis of synonymous codon usage
Authors: Newaz Khalique , Wright Gabriel , Piland Jacob , Li Jun , Clark Patricia L , Emrich Scott J , Milenković Tijana
Published: June 2020

Motivation

Most amino acids are encoded by multiple synonymous codons, some of which are used more rarely than others. Analyses of positions of such rare codons in protein sequences revealed that rare codons can impact co-translational protein folding and that positions of some rare codons are evolutionarily conserved. Analyses of their positions in protein 3-dimensional structures, which are richer in biochemical information than sequences alone, might further explain the role of rare codons in protein folding.

Results

We model protein structures as networks and use network centrality to measure the structural position of an amino acid. We first validate that amino acids buried within the structural core are network-central, and those on the surface are not. Then, we study potential differences between network centralities and thus structural positions of amino acids encoded by conserved rare, non-conserved rare and commonly used codons. We find that in 84% of proteins, the three codon categories occupy significantly different structural positions. We examine protein groups showing different codon centrality trends, i.e. different relationships between structural positions of the three codon categories. We see several cases of all proteins from our data with some structural or functional property being in the same group. Also, we see a case of all proteins in some group having the same property. Our work shows that codon usage is linked to the final protein structure and thus possibly to co-translational protein folding.

Availability and implementation

https://nd.edu/∼cone/CodonUsage/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi Cell-free DNA in Human Plasma Samples for Improved Diagnosis of Early Lyme Borreliosis
Authors: Branda John A , Lemieux Jacob E , Blair Lily , Ahmed Asim A , Hong David K , Bercovici Sivan , Blauwkamp Timothy A , Hollemon Desiree , Ho Carine , Strle Klemen , Damle Nitin S , Lepore Timothy J , Pollock Nira R
Published: June 2020

Background

Laboratory confirmation of early Lyme borreliosis (LB) is challenging. Serology is insensitive during the first days to weeks of infection, and blood polymerase chain reaction (PCR) offers similarly poor performance. Here, we demonstrate that detection of Borrelia burgdorferi (B.b.) cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma can improve diagnosis of early LB.

Methods

B.b. detection in plasma samples using unbiased metagenomic cfDNA sequencing performed by a commercial laboratory (Karius Inc) was compared with serology and blood PCR in 40 patients with physician-diagnosed erythema migrans (EM), 28 of whom were confirmed to have LB by skin biopsy culture (n = 18), seroconversion (n = 2), or both (n = 8). B.b. sequence analysis was performed using investigational detection thresholds, different from Karius’ clinical test.

Results

B.b. cfDNA was detected in 18 of 28 patients (64%) with laboratory-confirmed EM. In comparison, sensitivity of acute-phase serology using modified 2-tiered testing (MTTT) was 50% (P = .45); sensitivity of blood PCR was 7% (P = .0002). Combining B.b. cfDNA detection and MTTT increased diagnostic sensitivity to 86%, significantly higher than either approach alone (P ≤ .04). B.b. cfDNA sequences matched precisely with strain-specific sequence generated from the same individual’s cultured B.b. isolate. B.b. cfDNA was not observed at any level in plasma from 684 asymptomatic ambulatory individuals. Among 3000 hospitalized patients tested as part of clinical care, B.b. cfDNA was detected in only 2 individuals, both of whom had clinical presentations consistent with LB.

Conclusions

This is the first report of B.b. cfDNA detection in early LB and a demonstration of potential diagnostic utility. The combination of B.b. cfDNA detection and acute-phase MTTT improves clinical sensitivity for diagnosis of early LB.
A Care Bundle Intervention to Prevent Surgical Site Infections After a Craniotomy
Authors: Jiménez-Martínez Emilio , Cuervo Guillermo , Carratalà Jordi , Hornero Ana , Ciercoles Pilar , Gabarrós Andres , Cabellos Carmen , Pelegrin Ivan , Dominguez Luzón Maria Angeles , García-Somoza Dolores , Càmara Jordi , Tebé Cristian , Adamuz Jordi , Pujol Miquel
Published: June 2020

Background

Although surgical site infections after a craniotomy (SSI-CRANs) are a serious problem that involves significant morbidity and costs, information on their prevention is scarce. We aimed to determine whether the implementation of a care bundle was effective in preventing SSI-CRANs.

Methods

A historical control study was used to evaluate the care bundle, which included a preoperative shower with 4% chlorhexidine soap, appropriate hair removal, adequate preoperative systemic antibiotic prophylaxis, the administration of 1 g of vancomycin powder into the subgaleal space before closing, and a postoperative dressing of the incisional surgical wound with a sterile absorbent cover. Patients were divided into 2 groups: preintervention (January 2013 to December 2015) and intervention (January 2016 to December 2017). The primary study end point was the incidence of SSI-CRANs within 1 year postsurgery. Propensity score matching was performed, and differences between the 2 study periods were assessed using Cox regression models.

Results

A total of 595 and 422 patients were included in the preintervention and intervention periods, respectively. The incidence of SSI-CRANs was lower in the intervention period (15.3% vs 3.5%; P < .001). Using a propensity score model, 421 pairs of patients were matched. The care bundle intervention was independently associated with a reduced incidence of SSI-CRANs (adjusted odds ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, .13–.40; P < .001).

Conclusions

The care bundle intervention was effective in reducing SSI-CRAN rates. The implementation of this multimodal preventive strategy should be considered in centers with high SSI-CRAN incidences.
Same rhythm, different song—approaches to atrial fibrillation management by cardiologists and nephrologists
Authors: Mark Patrick B. , Vecchio Lucia Del , Valdivielso Jose M. , Malyszko Jolanta
Published: June 2020

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), affecting 10–25% of patients requiring dialysis. Compared with the general population, patients requiring dialysis are also at increased risk of stroke, the major thromboembolic complication of AF. The evidence base for management strategies of AF specific to patients with advanced CKD is limited and not informed by randomized controlled trials. These gaps in evidence encompass rate and rhythm control strategies as well as a paucity of data informing which patients should receive anticoagulation. The European Renal Association–European Dialysis and Transplant Association and European Heart Rhythm Association undertook a survey of nephrologists and cardiologists exploring management strategies in patients with AF and CKD. We review the results of this survey, highlighting the differences in clinical approaches from cardiologists and nephrologists to these conditions. Closer collaboration between these specialties should lead to improved outcomes for patients with advanced CKD and AF. Specific issues that will need to be addressed may include healthcare burden to patients, location of clinics compared with dialysis sites and awareness of complications of treatments specific to CKD, such as calciphylaxis associated with vitamin K antagonism.
Protein-observed 19F NMR of LecA from Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Shanina Elena , Siebs Eike , Zhang Hengxi , Varón Silva Daniel , Joachim Ines , Titz Alexander , Rademacher Christoph
Published: June 2020

The carbohydrate-binding protein LecA (PA-IL) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa plays an important role in the formation of biofilms in chronic infections. Development of inhibitors to disrupt LecA-mediated biofilms is desired but it is limited to carbohydrate-based ligands. Moreover, discovery of drug-like ligands for LecA is challenging because of its weak affinities. Therefore, we established a protein-observed 19F (PrOF) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to probe ligand binding to LecA. LecA was labeled with 5-fluoroindole to incorporate 5-fluorotryptophanes and the resonances were assigned by site-directed mutagenesis. This incorporation did not disrupt LecA preference for natural ligands, Ca2+ and d-galactose. Following NMR perturbation of W42, which is located in the carbohydrate-binding region of LecA, allowed to monitor binding of low-affinity ligands such as N-acetyl d-galactosamine (d-GalNAc, Kd = 780 ± 97 μM). Moreover, PrOF NMR titration with glycomimetic of LecA p-nitrophenyl β-d-galactoside (pNPGal, Kd = 54 ± 6 μM) demonstrated a 6-fold improved binding of d-Gal proving this approach to be valuable for ligand design in future drug discovery campaigns that aim to generate inhibitors of LecA.
Community utilization of risk and protective factor data for prevention planning in Chile and Colombia
Authors: Eisenberg Nicole , Brown Eric C , Pérez-Gómez Augusto , Mejía-Trujillo Juliana , Paredes-Aguilar Mayra , Cardozo-Macias Francisco , de Maipo Fundación San Carlos , Guttmannova Katarina
Published: June 2020

Many effective community health service delivery systems implemented in the USA assess risk and protective factors (RPFs) for youth problem behaviors in a community, and report these data back to local coalitions for prevention planning. This study examined whether community prevention coalitions in Chile and Colombia perceived these reports of RPFs—based on the results of the Communities That Care Youth Survey—to be understandable, valid, useful, and worth disseminating. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data collected from 7 focus groups with 75 coalition members. Results indicated heterogeneity between and within coalitions in terms of participants’ understanding of RPFs. However, most participants found reports of RPFs to be easy to understand, thorough, ‘true’ to their communities, and useful for diagnosing and prioritizing needs, action planning, and mobilizing others in their communities. Findings suggest the viability of preventive systems that rely on community-level RPF data, for use in Latin America.
State of art and best practices for fatty acid analysis in aquatic sciences
Authors: Couturier Lydie I E , Michel Loïc N , Amaro Teresa , Budge Suzanne M , da Costa Elisabete , De Troch Marleen , Di Dato Valeria , Fink Patrick , Giraldo Carolina , Le Grand Fabienne , Loaiza Iván , Mathieu-Resuge Margaux , Nichols Peter D , Parrish Christopher C , Sardenne Fany , Vagner Marie , Pernet Fabrice , Soudant Philippe
Published: June 2020

Determining the lipid content and fatty acid (FA) composition of aquatic organisms has been of major interest in trophic ecology, aquaculture, and nutrition for over half a century. Although protocols for lipid analysis are well-described, their application to aquatic sciences often requires modifications to adapt to field conditions and to sample type. Here, we present the current state of knowledge of methods dedicated to both marine and freshwater lipid analyses, from sampling to data treatment. We review: (i) sample preservation, storage and transport protocols, and their effects on lipids, (ii) lipid extraction, separation of polar and neutral lipids, derivatization, and detection methods, and (iii) available tools for the statistical analysis of FA data. We provide recommendations for best practices in field situations and advocate for protocol standardization and interlaboratory calibration.
Gendered nationalism and constitutionalism
Authors: Rubio-Marín Ruth
Published: June 2020

Modern constitutions play, to a larger or lesser extent, several simultaneous political functions, including the definition of a rights-based political order, the organization of state powers, and the crafting of the nation. Feminist analysis of constitutional law has so far primarily focused on the denial or limitation of an equal rights status to women since the inception of constitutions. More recently, it has also challenged the gender composition of state institutions as well as the gendered implications of the various forms of government and power structures. In times of worldwide expanding nationalism, serious reflection on the many ways in which nationalism has always been, and still is, a gendered enterprise is called for. Relying on the categories identified in the work of Yuval-Davis, this article distinguishes between nationalist ideologies that focus on the definition of citizenship in specific states and territories (the “Staatnation”), those that place an emphasis on specific cultures or religions (the “Kulturnation”), and those that are constructed around the specific origin of the people and its continuation into the future (the “Volknation”). This article also shows, relying on the example of several contemporary constitutional struggles across the world, how these three dimensions of nationalism often continue to deny equal constitutional citizenship to women and sexual minorities.
Serum VEGF Predicts Clinical Improvement Induced by Cerebrolysin Plus Donepezil in Patients With Advanced Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Alvarez X Anton , Alvarez Irene , Martinez Antia , Romero Iria , Benito Concha , Suarez Irene , Mourente Silvia , Fantini Manuel , Figueroa Jesús , Aleixandre Manuel , Linares Carlos , Muresanu Dafin , Winter Stefan , Moessler Herbert
Published: June 2020

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increases with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) severity and may prevent cognitive decline. However, information on the influence of AD drug therapy on circulating VEGF is limited. This study assessed changes in serum VEGF levels and its association with clinical and functional responses in mild to moderate AD patients who were treated with Cerebrolysin, donepezil, or the combined therapy in a randomized, controlled trial. Treatment with Cerebrolysin plus donepezil reduced elevated serum VEGF levels and improved functioning and cognition significantly compared with donepezil alone in patients with advanced AD, and treatment differences were more pronounced in patients with higher VEGF levels. Our results indicate that the combined therapy reversed the increase of serum VEGF in advanced AD, which was associated with cognitive and functional responses, particularly in patients with high baseline VEGF.
Political influence on Brazilian antitrust enforcement
Authors: Filho Arthur Guerra
Published: June 2020

In 2017, Brazil’s president faced impeachment proposals for allegedly receiving money from a businessman in exchange for influencing a decision of the Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (Cade), the Brazilian competition authority. But, considering that Cade is an independent agency with a reputation for transparency, how may politicians influence antitrust enforcement? By analysing the responses given to a questionnaire of mine by anonymous former Cade commissioners, as well as other reports related to political influence on the agency and records from Congress, Cade, and other institutions, this article will examine the channels of political influence on Cade. First, I examine channels of democratic control, such as the appointment process. Secondly, by discussing those situations in which politicians approach the agency, I observe that, even in the absence of an explicit promise or threat, contact from politicians bears a special weight for Cade’s officers. I argue that, regardless of conclusive evidence that political contact or pressure has actually impacted Cade’s enforcement, public confidence in the agency might be harmed when there is the appearance that it has done so. Therefore, the appropriateness of increased transparency surrounding meetings between elected politicians and Cade’s officers is a matter for consideration.
Inaccuracy of Sodium Measurement in Patients with Severe Hypernatremia
Authors: Karin Amir , Brinc Davor , Leung Felix , Jung Benjamin P
Published: June 2020

Introduction

We observed discordant sodium results from a patient with severe hypernatremia such that whole-blood analysis produced results up to 9.6 mmol/L higher than plasma sodium obtained on the same collection. We investigated this bias by comparing other patients’ sodium results and performing comparisons of 3 blood gas and 2 chemistry analyzers.

Methods

First, the laboratory information system was queried for whole-blood sodium results >160 mmol/L, which were used for comparison against plasma results from the same collection. Second, whole blood was collected from a healthy donor, a portion of which was spiked with sodium chloride to generate 8 samples with target concentrations of 140 to 185 mmol/L. Whole-blood sodium was measured in duplicate on the ABL90, RAPIDPoint 500, and GEM 4000. Plasma sodium was then measured in duplicate on the Architect c8000 and Cobas c702. Finally, plasma was injected on the blood gas analyzers to measure sodium in singleton.

Results

Overall, 53 paired results from patients showed a significant positive bias on the ABL90 relative to Vitros when sodium was >160 mmol/L. The magnitude of difference was insignificant within the reference range but increased proportionately with concentration. The magnitude and pattern of positive bias in ABL90 sodium results were consistent with the observation in patient results.

Conclusion

In severe hypernatremia, sodium results produced by blood gas and plasma analyzers can differ significantly.
Military Personnel Ratings of a Deployment and Their Positive and Negative Deployment Experiences
Authors: Runge Catherine E , Waller Michael J , Moss Katrina M , Dean Judith A
Published: June 2020

Introduction

There is limited investigation of how military personnel evaluate their deployment experiences. An understanding of their perceptions would help unit psychologists to advise commanders on ways to improve the deployment experience (and therefore mental well-being) of personnel. This study examined the interplay between deployment overall ratings, personnel characteristics and positive and negative deployment experiences in aid of such understanding.

Materials and Methods

The participants were 1,226 Australian Defence Force personnel who deployed to East Timor and (through a survey) provided an overall rating of their deployment and comments on major positive and negative deployment experiences. Descriptive statistics detail ratings by personnel characteristics, and a hybrid content/thematic analysis details the positive and negative experiences. The study was approved by an Institutional Review Board.

Results

Over 80% of the participants rated their overall East Timor deployment experience as positive, with 13% rating it as neutral and 7% as negative. Intrinsic rewards (eg, ability to use skills) were the most commonly expressed major positive experiences of the deployment, with deployment administration and military leadership the most common negatives. Most intrinsic rewards were reported more often in participants with a positive deployment rating, while poor leadership was most frequent in those with a negative rating.

Conclusions

Military leadership is corroborated as a negative experience of military deployment, while a new finding indicates that intrinsic rewards are a common feature in positive evaluations of deployment. Leadership is a factor that Defence Forces can address to improve the deployment experience. The study strength is the range and size of the sample, with a limitation the potential for recall bias (the data were collected, on average, 5 years postdeployment). Future research should replicate this type of analysis to build a picture of the experiences and evaluations of personnel from a range of different deployments.
Structural parameters for the globular-cluster-like objects in NGC 1052-DF2
Authors: Ma Jun , Wang Shoucheng , Wang Song , Zhou Zhimin , Zhang Tianmeng , Nie Jundan , Zou Hu , Zhou Xu , Du Cuihua , Wang Jiali , Wu Jianghua
Published: June 2020

Recently, van Dokkum et al. have found an ultra-diffuse galaxy NGC 1052-DF2 with little or no dark matter, based on a spectroscopic study of its 11 constituent globular-cluster-like objects. In this paper, we analyse these 11 objects using Hubble Space Telescope imaging. We derive the structural parameters for each object by fitting the surface brightness profiles to three different models. Our results indicate that these objects are better fitted by the Wilson model than by the King and Sérsic models. Using the distance of D = 20 Mpc to NGC 1052-DF2 obtained by van Dokkum et al., these 11 objects have half-light radii in the range from ∼11 to ∼16 pc. These values are much larger than for normal globular clusters in the Milky Way, and are comparable to the sizes of an extended star cluster and of a typical ultra-compact dwarf. The half-light radii obtained here are larger than those obtained by van Dokkum et al. and Trujillo et al. The offset of the differences between the half-light radii of van Dokkum et al. and ours is 6.17 pc, and the offset of the differences between the half-light radii of Trujillo et al. and ours is 4.99 pc. Our half-light radii are, on average, 11.74 pc, which corresponds to 53 and 43 per cent larger than those obtained by van Dokkum et al. and Trujillo et al., respectively. The Rh versus MV diagram shows that these objects occupy the same areas of extended star clusters and ultra-compact dwarfs. Using the distance of D = 13 Mpc obtained by Trujillo et al., there are still five objects that do not lie in the area of normal globular clusters in the Milky Way. So, we suggest that these globular-cluster-like objects in NGC 1052-DF2 are not normal globular clusters like those in the Milky Way.
A network-based integrated framework for predicting virus–prokaryote interactions
Authors: Wang Weili , Ren Jie , Tang Kujin , Dart Emily , Ignacio-Espinoza Julio Cesar , Fuhrman Jed A , Braun Jonathan , Sun Fengzhu , Ahlgren Nathan A
Published: June 2020

Metagenomic sequencing has greatly enhanced the discovery of viral genomic sequences; however, it remains challenging to identify the host(s) of these new viruses. We developed VirHostMatcher-Net, a flexible, network-based, Markov random field framework for predicting virus–prokaryote interactions using multiple, integrated features: CRISPR sequences and alignment-free similarity measures ($s_2^*$ and WIsH). Evaluation of this method on a benchmark set of 1462 known virus–prokaryote pairs yielded host prediction accuracy of 59% and 86% at the genus and phylum levels, representing 16–27% and 6–10% improvement, respectively, over previous single-feature prediction approaches. We applied our host prediction tool to crAssphage, a human gut phage, and two metagenomic virus datasets: marine viruses and viral contigs recovered from globally distributed, diverse habitats. Host predictions were frequently consistent with those of previous studies, but more importantly, this new tool made many more confident predictions than previous tools, up to nearly 3-fold more (n > 27 000), greatly expanding the diversity of known virus–host interactions.
Selection of tree species for forests under climate change: is PSI functioning a better predictor for net photosynthesis and growth than PSII?
Authors: Pollastrini Martina , Salvatori Elisabetta , Fusaro Lina , Manes Fausto , Marzuoli Riccardo , Gerosa Giacomo , Brüggemann Wolfgang , Strasser Reto Jorg , Bussotti Filippo
Published: June 2020

A chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) assessment was carried out on oak seedlings (Quercus ilex L., Quercus pubescens Willd., Quercus frainetto Ten.) of Italian and Greek provenance, during the years 2017 and 2018, in a common garden in central Italy planted in 2017. This trial aimed to test the relative performances of the oak species in the perspective of assisted migration as part of the actions for the adaptation of forests to climate change. The assessment of the photosynthetic performance of the tree species included the analysis of the prompt chlorophyll fluorescence (PF) transient and the modulated reflection (MR) at 820 nm, leaf chlorophyll content, leaf gas exchange (net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance), plant growth (i.e., height) and mortality rate after 2 years from the beginning of the experiment. The assessment of the performance of the three oak species was carried out ‘in vivo’. Plants were generated from seeds and exposed to several environmental factors, including changing seasonal temperature, water availability, and soil biological and physical functionality. The results of PF indicate a stable functionality of the photosynthetic system PSII (expressed as FV/FM) across species and provenances and a decline in photochemistry functionality at the I–P phase (ΔVIP) in Q. frainetto, thus indicating a decline of the content of PSI in this species. This result was confirmed by the findings of MR analysis, with the speed of reduction and subsequent oxidation of PSI (VRED and VOX) strongly correlated to the amplitude of ΔVIP. The photosynthetic rates (net photosynthesis, PN) and growth were correlated with the parameters associated with PSI content and function, rather than those related to PSII. The low performance of Q. frainetto in the common garden seems to be related to early foliar senescence with the depletion of nitrogen, due to suboptimal climatic and edaphic conditions. Chlorophyll fluorescence allowed discrimination of populations of oak species and individuation of the less (or/and best) suitable species for future forest ecology and management purposes.