bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insight on the properties of thermoplastic elastomer-based natural rubber and recycled rubber post-treated with electron beam irradiation
Authors: Mohamad Siti Fatahiyah , Osman Hasnul Nizam Bin , Karoji Muhamad Nurfalah Bin , Ibrahim Pairu , Osman Al Edrus Syeed SaifulAzry , Hua Lee Seng , Rahim Nik Muhammad Faris Hakimi Abd , Guan Chuah Teong
Published: January 2021

Thermoplastic elastomers are an indispensable group of materials used in various relevant industries. This study aims to enhance the properties of thermoplastic elastomers by blending the same ratio of natural rubber (NR) and recycled rubber (RR) with different ratios of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Therefore, the study examined the effect of irradiation on the crosslinking of the main chain of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) based on a 1:1 ratio of natural rubber and recycled rubber. TPE was prepared at different time periods and composition ranges by mixing recycled rubber with natural rubber together with HDPE. Using an internal Haake machine mixer, the mixing process was conducted, and the mix was standardized using a two-roll mixer. All samples were exposed under electron beam irradiation for structural modification. The effect of crosslinking in TPE was determined by analyzing the gel content. The high dose of irradiation resulted in a higher gel content, indicating an increase in crosslinking. The effect of irradiation and HDPE as a filler increased TPE’s tensile strength, while higher RR/NR compositions improved elongation properties. The irradiation dose of 50 to 150 kGy exhibited an increase in mechanical properties than the unirradiated composites. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of a carbonyl group formed after irradiation through a decomposition-oxidation reaction. The study found that high NR/RR ratios increase elongation and thermal characteristics. The homogenous blending of NR/RR/HDPE was shown from the blending profile, crosslinking density, and morphology. The high amounts of NR/RR ultimately enhance TPE’s thermal stability.
Totally positive algebraic integers with small trace
Authors: Wang Cong , Wu Jie , Wu Qiang
Published: January 2021

The “Schur-Siegel-Smyth trace problem” is a famous open problem that has existed for nearly 100 years. To study this problem with the known methods, we need to find all totally positive algebraic integers with small trace. In this work, on the basis of the classical algorithm, we construct a new type of explicit auxiliary functions related to Chebyshev polynomials to give better bounds for

S
k

S_k

, and reduce sharply the computing time. We are then able to push the computation to degree

15
15

and prove that there is no such totally positive algebraic integer with absolute trace

1.8
1.8

. As an application, we improve the lower bound for the absolute trace of totally positive algebraic integers to

1.793145
⋯

1.793145\cdots

.
Tropical representations and identities of plactic monoids
Authors: Johnson Marianne , Kambites Mark
Published: January 2021

We exhibit a faithful representation of the plactic monoid of every finite rank as a monoid of upper triangular matrices over the tropical semiring. This answers a question first posed by Izhakian and subsequently studied by several authors. A consequence is a proof of a conjecture of Kubat and Okniński that every plactic monoid of finite rank satisfies a non-trivial semigroup identity. In the converse direction, we show that every identity satisfied by the plactic monoid of rank

n
n

is satisfied by the monoid of

n
×
n

n \times n

upper triangular tropical matrices. In particular this implies that the variety generated by the

3
×
3

3 \times 3

upper triangular tropical matrices coincides with that generated by the plactic monoid of rank

3
3

, answering another question of Izhakian.
Trends in Frailty and Its Association With Mortality: Results From the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, 1995–2016
Authors: Hoogendijk Emiel O , Stolz Erwin , Oude Voshaar Richard C , Deeg Dorly J H , Huisman Martijn , Jeuring Hans W
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate trends in frailty and its relationship with mortality among older adults aged 64–84 years across a period of 21 years. We used data from 1995 to 2016 from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. A total of 7,742 observations of 2,874 respondents in the same age range (64–84 years) across 6 measurement waves were included. Frailty was measured with a 32-item frailty index, with a cutpoint of ≥0.25 to indicate frailty. The outcome measure was 4-year mortality. Generalized estimating equation analyses showed that among older adults aged 64–84 years the 4-year mortality rate declined between 1995 and 2016, while the prevalence of frailty increased. Across all measurement waves, frailty was associated with 4-year mortality (odds ratio = 2.79, 95% confidence interval: 2.39, 3.26). There was no statistically significant interaction effect between frailty and time on 4-year mortality, indicating a stable association between frailty and mortality. In more recent generations of older adults, frailty prevalence rates were higher, while excess mortality rates of frailty remained the same. This is important information for health policy-makers and clinical practitioners, showing that continued efforts are needed to reduce frailty and its negative health consequences.
rboAnalyzer webserver: web service for non-coding RNA characterization from NCBI BLAST output
Authors: Schwarz Marek , Vohradský Jiří , Pánek Josef
Published: January 2021

We present a web service for improving characterization of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) from NCBI BLAST outputs, based on a command-line application rboAnalyzer. Briefly, the application extends subject sequences of selected high scoring pairs (HSPs) in BLAST output to their plausible full length, and predicts their homology and secondary structures. The aim of the application is to aid to characterize subject RNAs in HSPs that come uncharacterized in BLAST output. The main advantages of the web-server are easy use and interactive analysis with search, filtering and data export options.

Availability and implementation

The web server is freely available at rboanalyzer.elixir-czech.cz. The website frontend is implemented in Elm, while backend is implemented in Python and served by Apache.
Random forest of perfect trees: concept, performance, applications and perspectives
Authors: Nguyen Jean-Michel , Jézéquel Pascal , Gillois Pierre , Silva Luisa , Ben Azzouz Faouda , Lambert-Lacroix Sophie , Juin Philippe , Campone Mario , Gaultier Aurélie , Moreau-Gaudry Alexandre , Antonioli Daniel
Published: January 2021

Motivation

The principle of Breiman's random forest (RF) is to build and assemble complementary classification trees in a way that maximizes their variability. We propose a new type of random forest that disobeys Breiman’s principles and involves building trees with no classification errors in very large quantities. We used a new type of decision tree that uses a neuron at each node as well as an in-innovative half Christmas tree structure. With these new RFs, we developed a score, based on a family of ten new statistical information criteria, called Nguyen information criteria (NICs), to evaluate the predictive qualities of features in three dimensions.

Results

The first NIC allowed the Akaike information criterion to be minimized more quickly than data obtained with the Gini index when the features were introduced in a logistic regression model. The selected features based on the NICScore showed a slight advantage compared to the support vector machines—recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) method. We demonstrate that the inclusion of artificial neurons in tree nodes allows a large number of classifiers in the same node to be taken into account simultaneously and results in perfect trees without classification errors.

Availability and implementation

The methods used to build the perfect trees in this article were implemented in the ‘ROP’ R package, archived at https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/ROP/index.html.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Safety and efficacy of tranexamic acid in minimizing perioperative bleeding in extrahepatic abdominal surgery: meta-analysis
Authors: Koh A , Adiamah A , Gomez D , Sanyal S
Published: January 2021

Background

Perioperative bleeding is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery. The antifibrinolytic agent tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to reduce perioperative bleeding and mortality risk in patients with traumatic injuries, but there is a lack of evidence for its use in elective abdominal and pelvic surgery. This meta-analysis of RCTs evaluated the effectiveness and safety of TXA in elective extrahepatic abdominopelvic surgery.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and ClinicalTrial.gov databases were searched to identify relevant RCTs from January 1947 to May 2020. The primary outcome, intraoperative blood loss, and secondary outcomes, need for perioperative blood transfusion, units of blood transfused, thromboembolic events, and mortality, were extracted from included studies. Quantitative pooling of data was based on a random-effects model.

Results

Some 19 studies reporting on 2205 patients who underwent abdominal, pelvic, gynaecological or urological surgery were included. TXA reduced intraoperative blood loss (mean difference –188.35 (95 per cent c.i. –254.98 to –121.72) ml) and the need for perioperative blood transfusion (odds ratio (OR) 0.43, 95 per cent c.i. 0.28 to 0.65). TXA had no impact on the incidence of thromboembolic events (OR 0.49, 0.18 to 1.35). No adverse drug reactions or in-hospital deaths were reported.

Conclusion

TXA reduces intraoperative blood loss during elective extrahepatic abdominal and pelvic surgery without an increase in complications.
Social work legitimacy: democratising research, policy and practice in child protection
Authors: Warner Jo
Published: January 2021

This article analyses the concept of legitimacy as applied to the use of power in statutory social work with children and families in the UK. It draws on literature from police studies and criminology, in which the concept is a stable one that continues to be heavily researched and analysed. Police and social workers bear comparison in respect of legitimacy because of the significant powers they use on behalf of the state with direct implications for the civil and human rights of their fellow citizens. The article defines legitimacy in theoretical terms before applying the concept to social work. Here, perceptions of fairness in the distribution of resources, the quality of treatment people receive, and the quality of decision-making are critically examined. The article then proposes a democratising agenda across the three domains of social work research, policy, and practice. Through challenging social work’s legitimacy and analysing its relationship to social democracy, it is argued that new ways may be found to realign practice with the values of human rights and social justice that are said to underpin the profession. Given the severe socioeconomic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on many families, these questions acquire a particular urgency.
Stereospecific Response of E/Z-isomers of N-Nitrososarcosine in LC–ESI–MS/MS
Authors: Werneth Madeleine , Pani Jutta , Hofbauer Ludwig , Pummer Stefan , Weber Maria-Theres , Pour Georg , Kählig Hanspeter , Mayer-Helm Bernhard , Stepan Herwig
Published: January 2021

The carcinogenic compound N-nitrososarcosine (NSAR) is found in foods and tobacco products, and its quantification is of great interest. Although the presence of two stereoisomers, E- and Z-NSAR, is well-known, individual investigation of the isomers has not been reported so far. The present study by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS/MS) reveals that (i) the mass spectrometric responses of the isomers differ by a factor of approximately two and (ii) the isomer ratio is unstable in freshly prepared standard solutions. As a consequence, NSAR concentrations determined by LC–ESI–MS/MS are biased if those facts are not taken into account. The method described here overcomes the difficulty of stereospecific response by adjusting the isomer ratio and was applied to 100 tobacco products and fully validated for moist and dry snuff reference materials showing expanded measurement uncertainties of ~20% and limits of quantification of ~20 ng/g.
Pitfalls when comparing COVID-19-related outcomes across studies—lessons learnt from the ERACODA collaboration
Authors: Noordzij Marlies , Vart Priya , Duivenvoorden Raphaël , Franssen Casper F M , Hemmelder Marc H , Jager Kitty J , Hilbrands Luuk B , Gansevoort Ron T
Published: January 2021

Reported outcomes, such as incidence rates of mortality and intensive care unit admission, vary widely across epidemiological coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) studies, including in the nephrology field. This variation can in part be explained by differences in patient characteristics, but also methodological aspects must be considered. In this review, we reflect on the methodological factors that contribute to the observed variation in COVID-19-related outcomes and their risk factors that are identified in the various studies. We focus on issues that arose during the design and analysis phase of the European Renal Association COVID-19 Database (ERACODA), and use examples from recently published reports on COVID-19 to illustrate these issues.
Branching process descriptions of information cascades on Twitter
Authors: Gleeson James P , Onaga Tomokatsu , Fennell Peter , Cotter James , Burke Raymond , O’Sullivan David J P
Published: January 2021

A detailed analysis of Twitter-based information cascades is performed, and it is demonstrated that branching process hypotheses are approximately satisfied. Using a branching process framework, models of agent-to-agent transmission are compared to conclude that a limited attention model better reproduces the relevant characteristics of the data than the more common independent cascade model. Existing and new analytical results for branching processes are shown to match well to the important statistical characteristics of the empirical information cascades, thus demonstrating the power of branching process descriptions for understanding social information spreading.
Exploring Galleria mellonella larval model to evaluate antibacterial efficacy of Cecropin A (1-7)-Melittin against multi-drug resistant enteroaggregative Escherichia coli
Authors: Vergis Jess , Malik S V S , Pathak Richa , Kumar Manesh , Kurkure Nitin V , Barbuddhe S B , Rawool Deepak B
Published: January 2021

High throughput in vivo laboratory models is need for screening and identification of effective therapeutic agents to overcome microbial drug-resistance. This study was undertaken to evaluate in vivo antimicrobial efficacy of short-chain antimicrobial peptide- Cecropin A (1–7)-Melittin (CAMA) against three multi-drug resistant enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (MDR-EAEC) field isolates in a Galleria mellonella larval model. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; 2.0 mg/L) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC; 4.0 mg/L) of CAMA were determined by microdilution assay. CAMA was found to be stable at high temperatures, physiological concentration of cationic salts and proteases; safe with sheep erythrocytes, secondary cell lines and commensal lactobacilli at lower MICs; and exhibited membrane permeabilization. In vitro time-kill assay revealed concentration- and time-dependent clearance of MDR-EAEC in CAMA-treated groups at 30 min. CAMA- treated G. mellonella larvae exhibited an increased survival rate, reduced MDR-EAEC counts, immunomodulatory effect and proved non-toxic which concurred with histopathological findings. CAMA exhibited either an equal or better efficacy than the tested antibiotic control, meropenem. This study highlights the possibility of G. mellonella larvae as an excellent in vivo model for investigating the host-pathogen interaction, including the efficacy of antimicrobials against MDR-EAEC strains.
LRRC19 Promotes Permeability of the Gut Epithelial Barrier Through Degrading PKC-ζ and PKCι/λ to Reduce Expression of ZO1, ZO3, and Occludin
Authors: Su Xiaomin , Wei Jianmei , Qi Houbao , Jin Mengli , Zhang Qianjing , Zhang Yuan , Zhang Chunze , Yang Rongcun
Published: January 2021

Background

A dysfunctional gut epithelial barrier allows the augmented permeation of endotoxins, luminal antigens, and bacteria into the bloodstream, causing disease. The maintenance of gut epithelial barrier integrity may be regulated by multiple factors. Herein we analyze the role of leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 19 (LRRC19) in regulating the permeability of the gut epithelial barrier.

Methods

We utilized Lrrc19 knockout (KO) mice and clinical samples through transmission electron, intestinal permeability assay, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining to characterize the role of LRRC19 in the permeability of the gut epithelial barrier.

Results

We found that LRRC19, which is expressed in gut epithelial cells, impairs gut barrier function. Transmission electron micrographs revealed a tighter junction and narrower gaps in the colon epithelium cells in LRRC19 KO mice. There were lower levels of serum lipopolysaccharide and 4 kDa-fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran after gavage in LRRC19 KO mice than in wild-type mice. We found that LRRC19 could reduce the expression of zonula occludens (ZO)-1, ZO-3, and occludin in the colonic epithelial cells. The decreased expression of ZO-1, ZO-3, and occludin was dependent on degrading protein kinase C (PKC) ζ and PKCι/λ through K48 ubiquitination by LRRC19. The expression of LRRC19 was also negatively correlated with ZO-1, ZO-3, occludin, PKCζ, and PKCι/λ in human colorectal cancers.

Conclusions

The protein LRRC19 can promote the permeability of the gut epithelial barrier through degrading PKC ζ and PKCι/λ to reduce the expression of ZO-1, ZO-3, and occludin.
Clinical Outcomes and Response Predictors of Vedolizumab Induction Treatment for Korean Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Who Failed Anti-TNF Therapy: A KASID Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Kim Jeongseok , Yoon Hyuk , Kim Nayoung , Lee Kang-Moon , Jung Sung-Ae , Choi Chang Hwan , Kim Eun Soo , Jung Yunho , Eun Chang Soo , Kim Tae Oh , Kang Sang-Bum , Kim You Sun , Seo Geom-Seog , Lee Chang Kyun , Im Jong Pil , Park Soo Jung , Park Dong Il , Ye Byong Duk
Published: January 2021

Background

We investigated the real-life effectiveness and safety of vedolizumab (VDZ) induction therapy among Korean patients with Crohn disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) for whom anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy previously failed.

Methods

Adult patients who started VDZ induction therapy at 16 centers were prospectively enrolled in the Korean VDZ nationwide registry. The coprimary outcomes were clinical remission, defined as a Crohn’s Disease Activity Index score <150 points and a partial Mayo score ≤2 points with a combined rectal bleeding and stool frequency subscore ≤1 point at week 14 and endoscopic remission defined as a Mayo endoscopic subscore ≤1 point. We also analyzed predictors of clinical remission.

Results

Between August 2017 and November 2019, a total of 158 patients (80 with CD and 78 with UC) received VDZ induction therapy. Clinical remission rates among patients with CD and patients with UC were 44.1% and 44.0%, respectively. Among patients with UC, the endoscopic remission rate was 32.4%. Clinical response and remission rates showed increasing trends during induction therapy. Multivariable analysis revealed that clinical response at week 6 was the only predictor of clinical remission at week 14 for both patients with CD and patients with UC. Among patients who experienced 1 or more adverse events (n = 71; 44.9%), disease exacerbation (n = 28; 17.7%) was the most common adverse event.

Conclusions

Among Korean patients with CD or UC for whom anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy failed, VDZ induction therapy was effective and safe. The early clinical response was associated with clinical remission after VDZ induction therapy.
Intraoperative conversion during video-assisted thoracoscopy resection for lung cancer does not alter survival
Authors: Fourdrain Alex , Georges Olivier , Lafitte Sophie , Meynier Jonathan , Berna Pascal
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes of patients treated by anatomical pulmonary resection with the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach, VATS requiring intraoperative conversion to thoracotomy or an upfront open thoracotomy for lung cancer surgery.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective single-centre study that included consecutive patients between January 2011 and December 2018 treated either by VATS (with or without intraoperative conversion) or open thoracotomy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients treated for a benign or metastatic condition, stage IV disease, multiple primary lung cancer or by resection, such as pneumonectomies or angioplastic/bronchoplastic/chest wall resections, were excluded.

RESULTS

Among 1431 patients, 846 were included: 439 who underwent full-VATS, 94 who underwent VATS-conversion (21 emergent, 73 non-emergent) and 313 treated with upfront open thoracotomy. The median follow-up was 37 months. There were no statistical differences in stage-specific overall survival between the full-VATS, VATS-conversion, and open thoracotomy groups, with 5-year OS for stage I NSCLC of 76%, 72.3% and 69.4%, respectively (P = 0.47). There was a difference in disease-free survival for stage I NSCLC, with 71%, 60.2% and 53%, respectively at 5 years (P = 0.013). Fewer complications occurred in the full-VATS group (pneumonia, arrhythmia, length of stay), but complication rates were similar between the VATS-conversion and thoracotomy groups.

CONCLUSIONS

VATS resection for NSCLC with intraoperative conversion does not appear to alter the long-term oncological outcome relative to full-VATS or open upfront thoracotomy. Postoperative complications were higher than for full-VATS and comparable to those for thoracotomy. VATS should be favoured when possible.
Jacobi–Trudi Identity and Drinfeld Functor for Super Yangian
Authors: Lu Kang , Mukhin Evgeny
Published: January 2021

We show that the quantum Berezinian that gives a generating function of the integrals of motions of XXX spin chains associated to super Yangian $\textrm{Y}(\mathfrak{g}\mathfrak{l}_{m|n})$ can be written as a ratio of two difference operators of orders $m$ and $n$ whose coefficients are ratios of transfer matrices corresponding to explicit skew Young diagrams. In the process, we develop several missing parts of the representation theory of $\textrm{Y}(\mathfrak{g}\mathfrak{l}_{m|n})$ such as $q$-character theory, Jacobi–Trudi identity, Drinfeld functor, extended T-systems, and Harish-Chandra map.
Establishment of a High-Resolution Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Spectral Library for Screening Toxic Natural Products
Authors: Luo Yiqi Ruben , Goodnough Robert , Yun Cassandra , Wu Alan H B , Lynch Kara L
Published: January 2021

Many natural products have biological effects on humans and animals. Poisoning caused by natural products is common in clinical toxicology cases. Liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS) has recently emerged as a powerful analytical tool for large-scale target screening, and the application of LC–HRMS can be expanded to evaluate potential natural product poisoning in clinical cases. We report the construction of an LC–HRMS spectral library of 95 natural products commonly implicated in poisoning, and an LC–HRMS assay was validated for definitive detection of natural products in urine and serum samples. For each compound, the limit of detection was determined in the analytical range of 1.0–1,000 ng/mL for urine samples and 0.50–500 ng/mL for serum samples. The mean (SD) values of matrix effects for urine samples and that for serum samples were both −21% (22%), and the mean (SD) value of recovery for serum samples was 89% (26%). The LC–HRMS assay was successfully applied to identify natural products in clinical cases. The spectral library parameters of each compound are provided in the supplementary material to aid other laboratories in identification of unknown natural toxins and development of similar methods on different mass spectrometry platforms.
Family Strategies in Refugee Journeys to Europe
Authors: Dubow Talitha , Kuschminder Katie
Published: January 2021

This article contributes to the literature on refugee journeys and decision-making by providing an exploratory study of the strategies adopted by refugee families in order to overcome controls on their movement and access to asylum. Refugee family strategies are analysed in the context of dynamic policy changes along the Eastern Mediterranean route, drawing on semi-structured interviews with Afghan, Iraqi and Syrian family members who were on this route between 2015 and 2018. The results demonstrate, first, how refugee families negotiate the physical and financial barriers to their movement—often by separating, which emerges as a key adaptive strategy. Second, concomitant with the decision to separate, family reunification policies become important in shaping—and determining the outcomes—of these asylum-seeking trajectories. Third, the article reflects on the consequences of family separation on the families themselves, particularly in an environment of limited family reunification possibilities.
Risk of Workforce Exit due to Disability: State Differences in 2003–2016
Authors: Ben-Shalom Yonatan , Martinez Ignacio , Finucane Mariel McKenzie
Published: January 2021

A better understanding of trends in workforce exit due to disability and how these trends vary across states and subgroups can help federal and state policymakers identify both individual-level and state-level factors associated with increased risk of workforce exit due to disability. Using national survey data and Bayesian multilevel modeling techniques, we produce yearly estimates of trends in the risk of workforce exit due to disability for states and demographic subgroups. These estimates are more stable and have narrower uncertainty intervals than estimates produced using classical statistical methods. We identify Current Population Survey respondents as being “newly at-risk” of exiting the workforce due to disability if they reported being employed in one month and out of the labor force because of a disability in the next month, and we refer to their share of the working-age population as the “at-risk rate.” We find that age, education, race, and gender are important factors for the at-risk rate, in decreasing order. Holding demographics constant across states and time reduces the cross-state variation in the at-risk rate but does little to reduce variability over time. State at-risk rates are typically higher than application rates for the Social Security Administration’s disability programs, but the relationship between these rates varies considerably by state. Our preliminary exploration of the reasons for cross-state variation in this relationship suggests that differences across states may be due to differences in their industrial composition, job opportunities, and safety net structure.
Expansion and Accelerated Evolution of 9-Exon Odorant Receptors inPolistesPaper Wasps
Authors: Legan Andrew W , Jernigan Christopher M , Miller Sara E , Fuchs Matthieu F , Sheehan Michael J
Published: January 2021

Independent origins of sociality in bees and ants are associated with independent expansions of particular odorant receptor (OR) gene subfamilies. In ants, one clade within the OR gene family, the 9-exon subfamily, has dramatically expanded. These receptors detect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), key social signaling molecules in insects. It is unclear to what extent 9-exon OR subfamily expansion is associated with the independent evolution of sociality across Hymenoptera, warranting studies of taxa with independently derived social behavior. Here, we describe OR gene family evolution in the northern paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus, and compare it to four additional paper wasp species spanning ∼40 million years of evolutionary divergence. We find 200 putatively functional OR genes in P. fuscatus, matching predictions from neuroanatomy, and more than half of these are in the 9-exon subfamily. Most OR gene expansions are tandemly arrayed at orthologous loci in Polistes genomes, and microsynteny analysis shows species-specific gain and loss of 9-exon ORs within tandem arrays. There is evidence of episodic positive diversifying selection shaping ORs in expanded subfamilies. Values of omega (dN/dS) are higher among 9-exon ORs compared to other OR subfamilies. Within the Polistes OR gene tree, branches in the 9-exon OR clade experience relaxed negative (relaxed purifying) selection relative to other branches in the tree. Patterns of OR evolution within Polistes are consistent with 9-exon OR function in CHC perception by combinatorial coding, with both natural selection and neutral drift contributing to interspecies differences in gene copy number and sequence.
Dexamethasone-induced intrauterine growth restriction modulates expression of placental vascular growth factors and fetal and placental growth
Authors: Arias A , Schander J A , Bariani M V , Correa F , Domínguez Rubio A P , Cella M , Cymeryng C B , Wolfson M L , Franchi A M , Aisemberg J
Published: January 2021

Prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids (GC) is a central topic of interest in medicine since GCs are essential for the maturation of fetal organs and intrauterine growth. Synthetic glucocorticoids, which are used in obstetric practice, exert beneficial effects on the fetus, but have also been reported to lead to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). In this study, a model of growth restriction in mice was established through maternal administration of dexamethasone during late gestation. We hypothesised that GC overexposure may adversely affect placental angiogenesis and fetal and placental growth. Female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to control or dexamethasone treatment, either left to give birth or euthanised on days 15, 16, 17 and 18 of gestation followed by collection of maternal and fetal tissue. The IUGR rate increased to 100% in the dexamethasone group (8 mg/kg body weight on gestational days 14 and 15) and pups had clinical features of symmetrical IUGR at birth. Dexamethasone administration significantly decreased maternal body weight gain and serum corticosterone levels. Moreover, prenatal dexamethasone treatment not only induced fetal growth retardation but also decreased placental weight. In IUGR placentas, VEGFA protein levels and mRNA expression of VEGF receptors were reduced and NOS activity was lower. Maternal dexamethasone administration also reduced placental expression of the GC receptor, αGR. We demonstrated that maternal dexamethasone administration causes fetal and placental growth restriction. Furthermore, we propose that the growth retardation induced by prenatal GC overexposure may be caused, at least partially, by an altered placental angiogenic profile.
Capture of conspecific planktonic larvae by the suspension-feeding gastropodCrepipatella peruviana: association between adult and larval size
Authors: Rivera-Figueroa G A , Büchner-Miranda J A , Salas-Yanquin L P , Montory J A , Cubillos V M , Pechenik J A , Chaparro O R
Published: January 2021

Free-living, planktonic larvae can be vulnerable to capture and ingestion by adult suspension-feeders. This is particularly the case for larvae that settle gregariously in benthic environments where suspension-feeders occur at high densities. Larvae of gregarious suspension-feeding species are at particularly high risk, as adults of their own species often serve as cues for metamorphosis. We conducted laboratory experiments to assess the extent to which adults of the suspension-feeding caenogastropod Crepipatella peruviana would capture and ingest their own larvae. Experiments were conducted with adults of different sizes, with larvae of different ages and sizes, and in the presence or absence of phytoplankton. Adults captured larvae in all experiments. The presence of microalgae in the water did not influence the extent of larval capture. On average, 39% of larvae were captured during the 3-h feeding periods, regardless of adult size. However, up to 34% of the larvae that were captured on the gill were later discarded as pseudofaeces; the other 64% were ingested. The extent of capture by adults was not related to adult size, or to larval size and, thus, to larval age. Our results suggest that the filtration of congeneric larvae by adult C. peruviana is a result of accidental capture rather than a deliberate feeding preference. Such ingestion could, however, still be an important source of larval mortality, especially when the advanced larvae of this species are searching for a suitable substrate for metamorphosis.
The volume of the quiver vortex moduli space
Authors: Ohta Kazutoshi , Sakai Norisuke
Published: January 2021

We study the moduli space volume of BPS vortices in quiver gauge theories on compact Riemann surfaces. The existence of BPS vortices imposes constraints on the quiver gauge theories. We show that the moduli space volume is given by a vacuum expectation value of a suitable cohomological operator (volume operator) in a supersymmetric quiver gauge theory, where BPS equations of the vortices are embedded. In the supersymmetric gauge theory, the moduli space volume is exactly evaluated as a contour integral by using the localization. Graph theory is useful to construct the supersymmetric quiver gauge theory and to derive the volume formula. The contour integral formula of the volume (generalization of the Jeffrey–Kirwan residue formula) leads to the Bradlow bounds ( upper bounds on the vorticity by the area of the Riemann surface divided by the intrinsic size of the vortex). We give some examples of various quiver gauge theories and discuss the properties of the moduli space volume in these theories. Our formulae are applied to the volume of the vortex moduli space in the gauged non-linear sigma model with $\mathbb{C} P^N$ target space, which is obtained by a strong coupling limit of a parent quiver gauge theory. We also discuss a non-Abelian generalization of the quiver gauge theory and “Abelianization” of the volume formula.
UPTAKE OF 226RA FROM IRRIGATION WATER BY BASIL CROPS
Authors: Aviv Ofer , Tripler Effi , Yungrais Zohar , Baziza Tomer , Vaknin Dani , Koch Jean
Published: January 2021

The transfer of 226Ra from irrigation water to basil crops was studied in field conditions. A dedicated basil plot was established and divided into test and control subplots irrigated with water having high (2.1 Bq L−1) and low (0.05 Bq L−1) activity concentrations of 226Ra, respectively. The experiment was performed over a period of 18 months during the autumn, winter and spring seasons, altogether eight cycles of growth and harvest. The activity concentration of 226Ra in basil grown in the test subplots was found to increase from a value of 0.6 Bq kg−1 up to 5.1 Bq kg−1 with successive cycles, compared to a mean value of 0.2 Bq kg−1 for basil grown in the control subplots. The increase in activity concentration of 226Ra in basil grown in the test subplots is mainly attributed to its build-up in the soil in which the level of 226Ra was found to increase by ~ 40%. The effective uptake of 226Ra from the irrigation water (via soil) by the basil plants was found to be approximately 0.4%. The maximal radiation dose following consumption of basil crops grown in the test subplots is negligible (~3 μSv/y).
Network Analysis of Symptom Comorbidity in Schizophrenia: Relationship to Illness Course and Brain White Matter Microstructure
Authors: Ye Hua , Zalesky Andrew , Lv Jinglei , Loi Samantha M , Cetin-Karayumak Suheyla , Rathi Yogesh , Tian Ye , Pantelis Christos , Di Biase Maria A
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Recent network-based analyses suggest that schizophrenia symptoms are intricately connected and interdependent, such that central symptoms can activate adjacent symptoms and increase global symptom burden. Here, we sought to identify key clinical and neurobiological factors that relate to symptom organization in established schizophrenia.

Methods

A symptom comorbidity network was mapped for a broad constellation of symptoms measured in 642 individuals with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder. Centrality analyses were used to identify hub symptoms. The extent to which each patient’s symptoms formed clusters in the comorbidity network was quantified with cluster analysis and used to predict (1) clinical features, including illness duration and psychosis (positive symptom) severity and (2) brain white matter microstructure, indexed by the fractional anisotropy (FA), in a subset (n = 296) of individuals with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data.

Results

Global functioning, substance use, and blunted affect were the most central symptoms within the symptom comorbidity network. Symptom profiles for some patients formed highly interconnected clusters, whereas other patients displayed unrelated and disconnected symptoms. Stronger clustering among an individual’s symptoms was significantly associated with shorter illness duration (t = 2.7; P = .0074), greater psychosis severity (ie, positive symptoms expression) (t = −5.5; P < 0.0001) and lower fractional anisotropy in fibers traversing the cortico-cerebellar-thalamic-cortical circuit (r = .59, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Symptom network structure varies over the course of schizophrenia: symptom interactions weaken with increasing illness duration and strengthen during periods of high positive symptom expression. Reduced white matter coherence relates to stronger symptom clustering, and thus, may underlie symptom cascades and global symptomatic burden in individuals with schizophrenia.
Taking charge of your preceptorship
Authors: Perregrini Michelle
Published: January 2021

Despite plans and processes designed to create a seamless transition from orientation to practice for new RNs, nurses may still struggle with this process. With a focus on preceptorship, this article discusses the transition process for newly licensed nurses during onboarding and nursing orientation. It identifies challenges and communication strategies to enhance the learning experience throughout preceptorship.
Fortuitous Eradication of an Aggressive Basal Cell Carcinoma Via Foreign Body Reaction to a Polyurethane Vacuum-Assisted Closure Sponge
Authors: Wenzel Alyssa N. , Apel Peter J. , Gosnell Hailey L. , Grider Douglas J.
Published: January 2021

The foreign body reaction (FBR) is a well-documented immune reaction. Much of the literature on FBRs has focused on minimizing this immune response to mitigate the impact on medical implants. Here, we present a case that illustrates a serendipitous oncologic outcome from an FBR. A 54-year-old man presented with an aggressive basal cell carcinoma (BCC). At the first resection, he had broadly positive surgical margins. The surgical wound was temporized with a polyurethane wound vacuum assisted closure (VAC) device. He was lost to follow-up having retained a VAC sponge for a total of 12 weeks. A wide re-resection was performed 7 months after the initial resection. Exhaustive examination of the resected specimen was performed. There was an absence of any BCC, replaced by a widespread chronic FBR to polyurethane VAC sponge particles. This suggests that the foreign body immune response was sufficiently intense to eradicate any remaining BCC. This case illustrates the concept of an FBR as a novel method of local immunotherapy.
Brominated flame retardants and organochlorine pesticides and incidence of uterine leiomyomata
Authors: Orta Olivia R. , Wesselink Amelia K. , Bethea Traci N. , Claus Henn Birgit , Weuve Jennifer , Fruh Victoria , McClean Michael D. , Sjodin Andreas , Baird Donna D. , Wise Lauren A.
Published: January 2021

Background:

Uterine leiomyomata (UL) are hormone-responsive benign neoplasms. Brominated flame retardants and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) can disrupt hormones involved in UL etiology.

Methods:

The Study of Environmental, Lifestyle, and Fibroids is a Detroit-area prospective cohort of 1693 Black women 23–35 years of age. At baseline and approximately every 20 months for 5 years, women completed questionnaires and underwent transvaginal ultrasounds. Using a case-cohort study design, we selected 729 UL-free participants at baseline and analyzed baseline plasma samples for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a polybrominated biphenyl ether (PBB-153), and OCPs. We used Cox proportional hazard models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results:

Compared with total PBDE plasma concentrations <50th percentile, adjusted HRs for the 50th–74th, 75th–89th, and ≥90th percentiles were 1.00 (95% CI = 0.68, 1.47), 1.04 (95% CI = 0.63, 1.68), and 0.85 (95% CI = 0.48, 1.50), respectively. HRs for PBB-153 plasma concentrations were generally similar to total PBDE plasma concentrations. Compared with total OCP plasma concentrations <50th percentile, HRs for the 50th–74th, 75th–89th, and ≥90th percentiles were 0.86 (95% CI = 0.57, 1.29), 0.73 (95% CI = 0.43, 1.22), and 0.58 (95% CI = 0.32, 1.04), respectively. HRs for individual PBDEs and OCPs were similar to their respective totals.

Conclusion:

We found little support for an association between brominated flame retardant plasma concentrations and UL incidence, and some evidence of lower UL incidence with the highest OCP plasma concentrations.
Performances of Targeted RNA Sequencing for the Analysis of Fusion Transcripts, Gene Mutation, and Expression in Hematological Malignancies
Authors: Hayette Sandrine , Grange Béatrice , Vallee Maxime , Bardel Claire , Huet Sarah , Mosnier Isabelle , Chabane Kaddour , Simonet Thomas , Balsat Marie , Heiblig Maël , Tigaud Isabelle , Nicolini Franck E. , Mareschal Sylvain , Salles Gilles , Sujobert Pierre
Published: January 2021

RNA sequencing holds great promise to improve the diagnostic of hematological malignancies, because this technique enables to detect fusion transcripts, to look for somatic mutations in oncogenes, and to capture transcriptomic signatures of nosological entities. However, the analytical performances of targeted RNA sequencing have not been extensively described in diagnostic samples. Using a targeted panel of 1385 cancer-related genes in a series of 100 diagnosis samples and 8 controls, we detected all the already known fusion transcripts and also discovered unknown and/or unsuspected fusion transcripts in 12 samples. Regarding the analysis of transcriptomic profiles, we show that targeted RNA sequencing is performant to discriminate acute lymphoblastic leukemia entities driven by different oncogenic translocations. Additionally, we show that 86% of the mutations identified at the DNA level are also detectable at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level, except for nonsense mutations that are subjected to mRNA decay. We conclude that targeted RNA sequencing might improve the diagnosis of hematological malignancies. Standardization of the preanalytical steps and further refinements of the panel design and of the bioinformatical pipelines will be an important step towards its use in standard diagnostic procedures.
DANON DISEASE: A MODEL OF PHOTORECEPTOR DEGENERATION SECONDARY TO PRIMARY RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM DISEASE
Authors: O'Neil Erin C. , Uyhazi Katherine E. , O'Connor Keli , Aleman Isabella A. , Pulido Jose S. , Rossano Joseph W. , Aleman Tomas S.
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

To describe in detail the retinal phenotype of LAMP2-associated Danon disease.

Methods:

Three LAMP2-positive patients from two unrelated families were studied with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and with short-wavelength and near-infrared fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging. Visual function was measured with full-field electroretinography and chromatic perimetry. A patient with choroideremia was also studied for comparison.

Results:

A 45-year-old LAMP2-heterozygous woman, her 21-year-old hemizygous son, and an unrelated heterozygous 60-year-old woman had normal visual acuities. Central spectral-domain optical coherence tomographies were grossly normal in the younger two patients (mother and son). The oldest patient showed a tenuous interdigitation signal, interruptions of the inner segment ellipsoid zone band, and parafoveal outer nuclear layer thinning. Quantitatively, all patients had shorter than normal ellipsoid zone to retinal pigment epithelium distance in pericentral retina, normal at the foveola. A speckled hypoautofluorescence pattern on short-wavelength FAF contrasted with grossly abnormal near-infrared FAF in the heterozygous carriers. The oldest patient had reduced full-field electroretinography amplitudes (to ∼50% of normal) for rod- and cone-mediated responses and her perimetry showed severe rod dysfunction but substantial cone function. A disproportionate loss of the near-infrared FAF compared with the short-wavelength FAF, predominantly outer segment changes, and severe rod dysfunction with preserved cone function was similarly documented in a 9-year-old choroideremia hemizygous patient.

Conclusion:

A disproportionate loss of the near-infrared FAF signal compared with the short-wavelength FAF signal, outer segment abnormalities, and severe rod dysfunction but relatively preserved cone vision suggests a stereotypical pattern of primary retinal pigment epithelial or parallel retinal pigment epithelial + photoreceptor disease in Danon disease.
MULTIMODAL IMAGING OF MULTIFOCAL CHOROIDITIS WITH ADAPTIVE OPTICS OPHTHALMOSCOPY
Authors: Amarasekera Sohani , Williams Andrew M. , Freund K. Bailey , Rossi Ethan A. , Dansingani Kunal K.
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

To describe longitudinal, anatomical, and functional alterations caused by inflammatory and neovascular lesions of idiopathic multifocal choroiditis/punctate inner choroidopathy using adaptive optics imaging and microperimetry.

Methods:

Longitudinal case study using multiple imaging modalities, including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, optical coherence tomography angiography, flood illumination adaptive optics, and microperimetry.

Results:

A 21-year-old myopic Asian man presented with blurred vision in the right eye. Clinical examination was notable for an isolated hypopigmented, perifoveal lesion in each eye. Multimodal imaging showed inflammatory lesions in the outer retina, retina pigment epithelium, and inner choroid lesions of both eyes. The right eye additionally exhibited active Type-2 macular neovascularization with loss of cone mosaic regularity that was associated with reduced sensitivity on microperimetry. The clinical picture was consistent with multifocal choroiditis/punctate inner choroidopathy. The patient was treated with oral steroids and three injections of intravitreal bevacizumab in the right eye. After therapy, imaging showed reestablishment of the cone mosaic on flood illumination adaptive optics and improvement in sensitivity on microperimetry.

Conclusion:

Adaptive optics imaging and microperimetry may detect biomarkers that help to characterize the nature and activity of multifocal choroiditis lesions and to help monitor response to therapy. With timely intervention, structural abnormalities in the outer retina and choroid can be treated, and anatomical improvements precede improvements in visual function.
Netarsudil-related Eyelid Wound Dehiscence
Authors: Kim Ha Min , Tran Ann Q. , Yang Cameron , Dagi Glass Lora R.
Published: January 2021

An 81-year-old man with primary open-angle glaucoma on dorzolamide-timolol, bimatoprost and 0.02% netarsudil ophthalmic solution (Rhopressa), was found to have right lower lid basal cell carcinoma. The patient underwent Mohs surgery followed by repair of the right lower lid, with 3 episodes of wound dehiscence. When stopping netarsudil, appropriate granulation tissue was able to develop. While off netarsudil, the patient underwent Mohs resection of a left lower lid basal cell carcinoma, which was able to granulate well via secondary intention.