bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developmental decrease in parvalbumin‐positive neurons precedes increase in flurothyl‐induced seizure susceptibility in the Brd2+/− mouse model of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Authors: McCarthy Emily , Shakil Faariah , Saint Ange Patrick , Morris Cameron Emily , Miller James , Pathak Shilpa , Greenberg David A. , Velíšková Jana , Velíšek Libor
Published: April 2020

Objective

BRD2 is a human gene repeatedly linked to and associated with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Here, we define the developmental stage when increased seizure susceptibility first manifests in heterozygous Brd2+/‐ mice, an animal model of JME. We wanted to determine (1) whether seizure susceptibility correlates with the proven decrease of γ‐aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) neuron numbers and (2) whether the seizure phenotype can be affected by sex hormones.

Methods

Heterozygous (Brd2+/‐) and wild‐type (wt) mice of both sexes were tested for flurothyl‐induced seizure susceptibility at postnatal day 15 (P15; wt, n = 13; Brd2+/‐, n = 20), at P30 (wt, n = 20; Brd2+/‐, n = 20), and in adulthood (5‐6 months of age; wt, n = 10; Brd2+/‐, n = 12). We measured latency to clonic and tonic‐clonic seizure onset (flurothyl threshold). We also compared relative density of parvalbumin‐positive (PVA+) and GAD67+ GABA neurons in the striatum and primary motor (M1) neocortex of P15 (n = 6‐13 mice per subgroup) and P30 (n = 7‐10 mice per subgroup) mice. Additional neonatal Brd2+/‐ mice were injected with testosterone propionate (females) or formestane (males) and challenged with flurothyl at P30.

Results

P15 Brd2+/‐ mice showed no difference in seizure susceptibility compared to P15 wt mice. However, even at this early age, Brd2+/‐ mice showed fewer PVA+ neurons in the striatum and M1 neocortex. Compared to wt, the striatum in Brd2+/‐ mice showed an increased proportion of immature PVA+ neurons, with smaller cell bodies and limited dendritic arborization. P30 Brd2+/− mice displayed increased susceptibility to flurothyl‐induced clonic seizures compared to wt. Both genotype and sex strongly influenced the density of PVA+ neurons in the striatum. Susceptibility to clonic seizures remained increased in adult Brd2+/‐ mice, and additionally there was increased susceptibility to tonic‐clonic seizures. In P30 females, neonatal testosterone reduced the number of flurothyl‐induced clonic seizures.

Significance

A decrease in striatal PVA+ GABAergic neurons developmentally precedes the onset of increased seizure susceptibility and likely contributes to the expression of the syndrome.
Betas versus characteristics: A practical perspective
Authors: Nazaire Gregory , Pacurar Maria , Sy Oumar
Published: April 2020

We apply a new dummy‐variable method to examine which factor exposures (betas) and characteristics provide independent information for US stock returns in the context of the multifactor models of Hou, Xue, and Zhang and of Fama and French. We find that betas related to market, size, value, momentum, investment, and profitability factors are not priced. In contrast, firm characteristics related to size, value, investment, and profitability have significant and independent explanatory power, suggesting that they are important in determining expected returns. Finally, the cross‐sectional effect of momentum is subsumed when the return on equity is factored in.
Desensitisation of the distal forelimb following intrathecal anaesthesia of the carpal sheath in horses
Authors: Miagkoff Ludovic , Bonilla Alvaro G.
Published: April 2020

Background

The effect of intrathecal anaesthesia of the carpal sheath on distal forelimb sensitivity in horses remains unknown.

Objectives

To assess the effect of carpal sheath anaesthesia on skin sensitivity of the distal forelimb and to determine potential locations for desensitisation of palmar nerves.

Study design

In vivo experimental and descriptive anatomical studies.

Methods

Mepivacaine hydrochloride 2% (0.6 mg/kg) was injected unilaterally in the carpal sheath of 8 horses. Mechanical nociception of the distal forelimb was measured with a dynamometer and compared with the control limb at t0, t15, t30, t60, t90, t120 and t180 minutes. Additionally, the carpal sheath of 10 pairs of cadaveric limbs was injected with latex and potential locations for anaesthetic diffusion to the neighbouring nerves were identified during longitudinal dissection (one limb) and in 3‐cm‐thick transverse cuts (opposite limb).

Results

Six of 8 horses (75%) were completely desensitised at the level of both heel bulbs. Anaesthetic injection was not smooth in the 2 horses without desensitisation. Desensitisation started between 30 and 60 minutes in 67% of desensitised heel bulbs (8/12), and 50% (6/12) of them were still completely desensitised at 180 minutes. Cadaveric specimens revealed close proximity between the sheath and the medial palmar nerve as it travels inside the mesotenon of the digital flexor tendons in the carpal region and with both palmar nerves at the proximal metacarpal region.

Main limitations

Skin mechanical nociception does not necessarily correlate with deep pain but remains the main clinical tool used by practitioners to assess distal limb anaesthesia.

Conclusions

Intrathecal anaesthesia of the carpal sheath led to distal limb skin desensitisation through diffusion to the palmar nerves at 2 possible locations. Carpal sheath anaesthesia should be interpreted within 15 minutes following injection and anaesthetic blocks distal to the carpus should be delayed for more than 3 hours following carpal sheath anaesthesia.
On the evolution of the quality of macromolecular models in the PDB
Authors: Brzezinski Dariusz , Dauter Zbigniew , Minor Wladek , Jaskolski Mariusz
Published: April 2020

Crystallographic models of biological macromolecules have been ranked using the quality criteria associated with them in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The outcomes of this quality analysis have been correlated with time and with the journals that published papers based on those models. The results show that the overall quality of PDB structures has substantially improved over the last ten years, but this period of progress was preceded by several years of stagnation or even depression. Moreover, the study shows that the historically observed negative correlation between journal impact and the quality of structural models presented therein seems to disappear as time progresses.
Linking intraspecific variability in trophic and functional niches along an environmental gradient
Authors: Raffard Allan , Santoul Frédéric , Blanchet Simon , Cucherousset Julien
Published: April 2020

Intraspecific trophic variability has important ecological and evolutionary implications, and is driven by multiple interacting factors. Functional traits and environmental conditions are important in mediating the trophic niche of individuals because they determine their ability to consume certain prey, their energetic requirements, and resource availability. In this study, we aimed at investigating the interacting effects of functional traits and environmental conditions on several attributes of trophic niche in natural populations.

Here, we quantified intraspecific variability in the trophic niche of 12 riverine populations of European minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) using stable isotope analyses. Functional traits (i.e. morpho‐anatomical traits) and environmental conditions (i.e. upstream–downstream gradient, forest cover) were quantified to identify the determinants of (1) trophic position and resource origin, (2) trophic niche size, and (3) trophic differentiation (β‐diversity) among populations.

We demonstrated that trophic position and resource origin covaried with functional traits related to body size and locomotion performance, and that the strength and shape of these relationships varied according to local environmental conditions. The trophic niche size also differed among populations, although no determinant was identified. Finally, trophic β‐diversity was correlated to environmental differentiation among sites.

Overall, the determinants of intraspecific variability in trophic niche appeared highly context‐dependent, and related to the interactions between functional traits and environmental conditions. Because populations are currently facing important environmental changes, understanding this context‐dependency is important for predicting food web structure and ecosystem dynamics in a changing world.
In situ S‐isotope compositions of sulfate and sulfide from the 3.2 Ga Moodies Group, South Africa: A record of oxidative sulfur cycling
Authors: Nabhan Sami , Marin‐Carbonne Johanna , Mason Paul R.D. , Heubeck Christoph
Published: April 2020

Sulfate minerals are rare in the Archean rock record and largely restricted to the occurrence of barite (BaSO4). The origin of this barite remains controversially debated. The mass‐independent fractionation of sulfur isotopes in these and other Archean sedimentary rocks suggests that photolysis of volcanic aerosols in an oxygen‐poor atmosphere played an important role in their formation. Here, we report on the multiple sulfur isotopic composition of sedimentary anhydrite in the ca. 3.22 Ga Moodies Group of the Barberton Greenstone Belt, southern Africa. Anhydrite occurs, together with barite and pyrite, in regionally traceable beds that formed in fluvial settings. Variable abundances of barite versus anhydrite reflect changes in sulfate enrichment by evaporitic concentration across orders of magnitude in an arid, nearshore terrestrial environment, periodically replenished by influxes of seawater. The multiple S‐isotope compositions of anhydrite and pyrite are consistent with microbial sulfate reduction. S‐isotope signatures in barite suggest an additional oxidative sulfate source probably derived from continental weathering of sulfide possibly enhanced by microbial sulfur oxidation. Although depositional environments of Moodies sulfate minerals differ strongly from marine barite deposits, their sulfur isotopic composition is similar and most likely reflects a primary isotopic signature. The data indicate that a constant input of small portions of oxidized sulfur from the continents into the ocean may have contributed to the observed long‐term increase in Δ33Ssulfate values through the Paleoarchean.
Large climate mitigation potential from adding trees to agricultural lands
Authors: Chapman Melissa , Walker Wayne S. , Cook‐Patton Susan C. , Ellis Peter W. , Farina Mary , Griscom Bronson W. , Baccini Alessandro
Published: April 2020

While improved management of agricultural landscapes is promoted as a promising natural climate solution, available estimates of the mitigation potential are based on coarse assessments of both agricultural extent and aboveground carbon density. Here we combine 30 meter resolution global maps of aboveground woody carbon, tree cover, and cropland extent, as well as a 1 km resolution map of global pasture land, to estimate the current and potential carbon storage of trees in nonforested portions of agricultural lands. We find that global croplands currently store 3.07 Pg of carbon (C) in aboveground woody biomass (i.e., trees) and pasture lands account for an additional 3.86 Pg C across a combined 3.76 billion ha. We then estimate the climate mitigation potential of multiple scenarios of integration and avoided loss of trees in crop and pasture lands based on region‐specific biomass distributions. We evaluate our findings in the context of nationally determined contributions and find that the majority of potential carbon storage from integration and avoided loss of trees in crop and pasture lands is in countries that do not identify agroforestry as a climate mitigation technique.
Soils' dirty little secret: Depth‐based comparisons can be inadequate for quantifying changes in soil organic carbon and other mineral soil properties
Authors: von Haden Adam C. , Yang Wendy H. , DeLucia Evan H.
Published: April 2020

Quantifying changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and other soil properties is essential for understanding how soils will respond to land management practices and global change. Although they are widely used, comparisons of SOC stocks at fixed depth (FD) intervals are subject to errors when changes in bulk density or soil organic matter occur. The equivalent soil mass (ESM) method has been recommended in lieu of FD for assessing changes in SOC stocks in mineral soils, but ESM remains underutilized for SOC stocks and has rarely been used for other soil properties. In this paper, we draw attention to the limitations of the FD method and demonstrate the advantages of the ESM approach. We provide illustrations to show that the FD approach is susceptible to errors not only for quantifying SOC stocks but also for soil mass‐based properties such as SOC mass percent, C:N mass ratio, and δ13C. We describe the ESM approach and show how it mitigates the FD method limitations. Using bulk density change simulations applied to an empirical dataset from bioenergy cropping systems, we show that the ESM method provides consistently lower errors than FD when quantifying changes in SOC stocks and other soil properties. To simplify the use of ESM, we detail how the method can be integrated into sampling schemes, and we provide an example R computer script that can perform ESM calculations on large datasets. We encourage future studies, whether temporal or comparative, to utilize sampling methods that are amenable to the ESM approach. Overall, we agree with previous recommendations that ESM should be the standard method for evaluating SOC stock changes in mineral soils, but we further suggest that ESM may also be preferred for comparisons of other soil properties including mass percentages, elemental mass ratios, and stable isotope composition.
Real‐world use of emicizumab in patients with haemophilia A: Bleeding outcomes and surgical procedures
Authors: McCary Isabella , Guelcher Christine , Kuhn Jan , Butler Regina , Massey Gita , Guerrera Michael F. , Ballester Lance , Raffini Leslie
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Emicizumab is a recombinant humanized bispecific antibody that bridges factor IXa and factor X to mimic the cofactor function of factor VIII. It is approved to prevent bleeding in patients with haemophilia A (HA). Outside of clinical trials, there is limited data on outcomes of patients treated with emicizumab, particularly in children without inhibitors.

Aim

To report our experience treating patients with emicizumab, including (a) bleeding rates pre and postemicizumab, (b) peri‐procedural management and outcomes and (c) serious drug‐related adverse events.

Methods

Multicentre observational study in patients with HA who started emicizumab prior to 15 May 2019. Data collection continued until 15 October 2019 and included demographics, disease history, bleeding events, invasive procedures, thrombotic events and death. Annualized bleeding rates (ABR) prior to emicizumab were compared to postemicizumab.

Results

Ninety‐three patients (including three females) met inclusion criteria, 19 with an active inhibitor. Median age was 8.6 years; patients <12 years without inhibitors (n = 49) accounted for the majority. ABR dropped from 4.4 (inhibitors) and 1.6 (non‐inhibitors) to 0.4 (both groups) on emicizumab, P = .0012 and .0025, respectively. There were 28 minor (21 port removals) and two major procedures. Three patients received 1‐2 doses of unplanned factor postoperatively to treat minor bleeding events. No patient discontinued therapy, and there were no thrombotic events or deaths.

Discussion

Our favourable clinical experience with emicizumab is similar to that reported in the clinical trials. Notably, this is the largest cohort of patients <12 years without inhibitors treated with emicizumab.
Maternal input and infants’ response to infant‐directed speech
Authors: Outters Vivien , Schreiner Melanie S. , Behne Tanya , Mani Nivedita
Published: April 2020

Caregivers typically use an exaggerated speech register known as infant‐directed speech (IDS) in communication with infants. Infants prefer IDS over adult‐directed speech (ADS) and IDS is functionally relevant in infant‐directed communication. We examined interactions among maternal IDS quality, infants’ preference for IDS over ADS, and the functional relevance of IDS at 6 and 13 months. While 6‐month‐olds showed a preference for IDS over ADS, 13‐month‐olds did not. Differences in gaze following behavior triggered by speech register (IDS vs. ADS) were found in both age groups. The degree of infants’ preference for IDS (relative to ADS) was linked to the quality of maternal IDS infants were exposed to. No such relationship was found between gaze following behavior and maternal IDS quality and infants’ IDS preference. The results speak to a dynamic interaction between infants’ preference for different kinds of social signals and the social cues available to them.
Structural Injustice and Massively Shared Obligations
Authors: Schwenkenbecher Anne
Published: April 2020

It is often argued that our obligations to address structural injustice are collective in character. But what exactly does it mean for ‘ordinary citizens’ to have collective obligations vis‐à‐vis large‐scale injustice? In this article, I propose to pay closer attention to the different kinds of collective action needed in addressing some of these structural injustices and the extent to which these are available to large, unorganised groups of people. I argue that large, dispersed, and unorganised groups of people are often in a position to perform distributive collective actions. As such, ordinary citizens can have massively shared obligations to address structural injustice through distributive action, but, ultimately, such obligations are ‘collective’ only in a fairly weak sense.
LncRNA HOTTIP facilitates the stemness of breast cancer via regulation of miR‐148a‐3p/WNT1 pathway
Authors: Han Li , Yan Yuanyuan , Zhao Lin , Liu Yinuo , Lv Xuemei , Zhang Liwen , Zhao Yanyun , Zhao Haishan , He Miao , Wei Minjie
Published: April 2020

Emerging evidence suggests that dysregulation of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a key role in tumorigenesis. The lncRNA, HOXA transcript at the distal tip (HOTTIP), has been reported to be up‐regulated in multiple cancers, including breast cancer, and is involved in various biological processes, including the maintenance of stemness. However, the biological function and underlying modulatory mechanism of HOTTIP in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) remains unknown. In this study, we found that HOTTIP was markedly up‐regulated in BCSCs and had a positive correlation with breast cancer progression. Functional studies revealed that overexpression of HOTTIP markedly promoted cell clonogenicity, increased the expression of the stem cell markers, OCT4 and SOX2, and decreased the expression of the differentiation markers, CK14 and CK18, in breast cancer cells. Knockdown of HOTTIP inhibited the CSC‐like properties of BCSCs. Consistently, depletion of HOTTIP suppressed tumour growth in a humanized model of breast cancer. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that HOTTIP directly binds to miR‐148a‐3p and inhibits the mediation of WNT1, which leads to inactivation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway. Our study is the first to report that HOTTIP regulates the CSC‐like properties of BCSCs by as a molecular sponge for miR‐148a‐3p to increase WNT1 expression, offering a new target for breast cancer therapy.
Inhibition of PIM1 attenuates the stem cell–like traits of breast cancer cells by promoting RUNX3 nuclear retention
Authors: Liu Hui , Chen Cheng , Ma Dongshen , Li Yubing , Yin Qianqian , Li Qing , Xiang Chenxi
Published: April 2020

Finding out the driver gene critical for the maintenance of breast cancer stem cells (BrCSCs) is important for designing a new strategy to eradicate these cells to improve patient's prognosis. Here, in our study, we revealed that PIM1, an oncogenic serine‐threonine kinase and a well‐proven contributor to the tumorigenesis of breast cancer, was involved in BrCSCs regulation and promised to be a new target for eradicating BrCSCs. In brief, PIM1 could enhance the stem cell–like traits of breast cancer cells by promoting the phosphorylation and cytoplasmic localization of RUNX3. The nuclear dislocation of RUNX3 disabled this tumour suppressor and led to breast cancer cells gaining stem cell–like traits. Inhibition of PIM1 significantly induced the nuclear retention of RUNX3, recovered its transcriptional function and attenuated the stem cell–like properties of breast cancer cells. Those findings deepened our understanding of PIM1's oncogenic effect, underlining the significance of PIM1 in designing a new strategy aimed at BrCSCs.
Comprehensive analysis of circRNA expression profiles and circRNA‐associated competing endogenous RNA networks in the development of mouse thymus
Authors: Li Wenting , Ma Nana , Yuwen Ting , Yu Bo , Zhou Yao , Yao Yufei , Li Qi , Chen Xiaofan , Wan Jun , Zhang Yu , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2020

The thymus plays an irreplaceable role as a primary lymphoid organ. However, the complicate processes of its development and involution are incompletely understood. Accumulating evidence indicates that non‐coding RNAs play key roles in the regulation of biological development. At present, the studies of the circRNA profiles and of circRNA‐associated competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in the thymus are still scarce. Here, deep‐RNA sequencing was used to study the biological mechanisms underlying the development process (from 2‐week‐old to 6‐week‐old) and the recession process (from 6‐week‐old to 3‐month‐old) of the mouse thymus. It was found that 196 circRNAs, 233 miRNAs and 3807 mRNAs were significantly dysregulated. The circRNA‐associated ceRNA networks were constructed in the mouse thymus, which were mainly involved in early embryonic development and the proliferation and division of T cells. Taken together, these results elucidated the regulatory roles of ceRNAs in the development and involution processes of the mouse thymus.
Dihydromyricetin increases endothelial nitric oxide production and inhibits atherosclerosis through microRNA‐21 in apolipoprotein E‐deficient mice
Authors: Yang Dafeng , Yang Zhousheng , Chen Lei , Kuang Dabin , Zou Yang , Li Jie , Deng Xu , Luo Songyuan , Luo Jianfang , He Jun , Yan Miao , He Guixia , Deng Yang , Li Rong , Yuan Qiong , Zhou Yangzhao , Jiang Pei , Tan Shenglan
Published: April 2020

Natural products were extracted from traditional Chinese herbal emerging as potential therapeutic drugs for treating cardiovascular diseases. This study examines the role and underlying mechanism of dihydromyricetin (DMY), a natural compound extracted from Ampelopsis grossedentata, in atherosclerosis. DMY treatment significantly inhibits atherosclerotic lesion formation, proinflammatory gene expression and the influx of lesional macrophages and CD4‐positive T cells in the vessel wall and hepatic inflammation, whereas increases nitric oxide (NO) production and improves lipid metabolism in apolipoprotein E‐deficient (Apoe−/−) mice. Yet, those protective effects are abrogated by using NOS inhibitor L‐NAME in Apoe−/− mice received DMY. Mechanistically, DMY decreases microRNA‐21 (miR‐21) and increases its target gene dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase‐1 (DDAH1) expression, an effect that reduces asymmetric aimethlarginine (ADMA) levels, and increases endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation and NO production in cultured HUVECs, vascular endothelium of atherosclerotic lesions and liver. In contrast, systemic delivery of miR‐21 in Apoe−/− mice or miR‐21 overexpression in cultured HUVECs abrogates those DMY‐mediated protective effects. These data demonstrate that endothelial miR‐21‐inhibited DDAH1‐ADMA‐eNOS‐NO pathway promotes the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis which can be rescued by DMY. Thus, DMY may represent a potential therapeutic adjuvant in atherosclerosis management.
Working for the future: parentally deprived Nigerian Children have enhanced working memory ability
Authors: Nweze Tochukwu , Nwoke Mary Basil , Nwufo Juliet Ifeoma , Aniekwu Richard Ikechukwu , Lange Florian
Published: April 2020

Background

The dominant view based on the deficit model of developmental psychopathology is that early adverse rearing impairs cognition. In contrast, an emerging evolutionary–developmental model argues that individuals exposed to early‐life stress may have improved cognitive abilities that are adapted to harsh environments. We set out to test this hypothesis by examining cognitive functions in parentally deprived children in Nigeria.

Methods

Cognitive performance was compared between 53 deprived children who currently live in institutional homes and foster families and 51 nondeprived control participants. We used a multifaceted neurocognitive test battery for the assessment of inhibition, set‐shifting and working memory.

Results

Results showed that the deprived and nondeprived group did not significantly differ in their performance on set‐shifting and inhibition tasks. Conversely, the deprived group performed significantly better than the nondeprived group in the working memory task.

Discussion

We interpret the enhanced working memory ability of the deprived group as a correlate of its ecological relevance. In Nigeria, underprivileged children may need to rely to a larger extent on working memory abilities to attain success through academic work. This study provides further evidence that exposure to early adversity does not necessarily impair cognitive functions but can even enhance it under some conditions and in some domains.
Institutional use of National Clinical Audits by healthcare providers
Authors: McVey Lynn , Alvarado Natasha , Keen Justin , Greenhalgh Joanne , Mamas Mamas , Gale Chris , Doherty Patrick , Feltbower Richard , Elshehaly Mai , Dowding Dawn , Randell Rebecca
Published: April 2020

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Healthcare systems worldwide devote significant resources towards collecting data to support care quality assurance and improvement. In the United Kingdom, National Clinical Audits are intended to contribute to these objectives by providing public reports of data on healthcare treatment and outcomes, but their potential for quality improvement in particular is not realized fully among healthcare providers. Here, we aim to explore this outcome from the perspective of hospital boards and their quality committees: an under‐studied area, given the emphasis in previous research on the audits' use by clinical teams.

Methods

We carried out semi‐structured, qualitative interviews with 54 staff in different clinical and management settings in five English National Health Service hospitals about their use of NCA data, and the circumstances that supported or constrained such use. We used Framework Analysis to identify themes within their responses.

Results

We found that members and officers of hospitals' governing bodies perceived an imbalance between the benefits to their institutions from National Clinical Audits and the substantial resources consumed by participating in them. This led some to question the audits' legitimacy, which could limit scope for improvements based on audit data, proposed by clinical teams.

Conclusions

Measures to enhance the audits' perceived legitimacy could help address these limitations. These include audit suppliers moving from an emphasis on cumulative, retrospective reports to real‐time reporting, clearly presenting the “headline” outcomes important to institutional bodies and staff. Measures may also include further negotiation between hospitals, suppliers and their commissioners about the nature and volume of data the latter are expected to collect; wider use by hospitals of routine clinical data to populate audit data fields; and further development of interactive digital technologies to help staff explore and report audit data in meaningful ways.
Re: Prospective Associations between Diffusion Tensor Imaging Parameters and Frailty in Older Adults
Authors: Maltais Mathieu , de Souto Barreto Philipe , Perus Lisa , Mangin Jean‐François , Grigis Antoine , Chupin Marie , Bouyahia Ali , Gabelle Audrey , Delrieux Julien , Rolland Yves , Vellas Bruno
Published: April 2020

See related article by Maltais et al
Auricular keloid management in Asian skin: Clinical outcome of intralesional excision and postoperative triamcinolone acetonide intralesional injection
Authors: Choi Young‐Jun , Lee Yun Ho , Lee Heun Joo , Lee Ga‐Young , Kim Won‐Serk
Published: April 2020

Background

Various options such as surgical excision, steroid injection, cryotherapy, pressure dressing, and radiation therapy are available for the treatment of auricular keloids. In particular, auricular keloid therapy using surgical excision is important because recurrence rates are low compared with keloids occurring in other parts of the body.

Aims

We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of intralesional excision followed by postoperative triamcinolone acetonide intralesional injection (TA ILI) as auricular keloid treatments.

Methods

We conducted a surgery records and chart review of patients who underwent auricular keloid treatment with intralesional excision and TA ILI. Reduction in height and volume was assessed by two blinded dermatologists. We also analyzed the recurrence rate over a 2‐year period and evaluated patient satisfaction using an 11‐point questionnaire (0‐10).

Results

Eighteen Korean patients (2 males and 16 females) with a mean age of 26.5 years and a total of 20 lesions were evaluated. Lesion types by descending frequency were lobular (n = 10, 50%), anterior/posterior button (n = 3, 15%), wrap‐around (n = 3, 15%), dumbbell (n = 2, 10%), and sessile (n = 2, 10%). The total recurrence rate was 5% (1/20) within the 24‐month follow‐up period. Significant reduction (> 50%) in height and volume was achieved in 95% of patients. No serious or persistent adverse events were reported during the follow‐up period.

Conclusion

We confirmed that TA ILI after intralesional excision can be effective for auricular keloid management. A low recurrence rate similar to that of postoperative radiation therapy was obtained with an effective surgical procedure and minimal postoperative treatment.
A preliminary observation: Male pattern hair loss among hospitalized COVID‐19 patients in Spain – A potential clue to the role of androgens in COVID‐19 severity
Authors: Goren Andy , Vaño‐Galván Sergio , Wambier Carlos Gustavo , McCoy John , Gomez‐Zubiaur Alba , Moreno‐Arrones Oscar M. , Shapiro Jerry , Sinclair Rodney D. , Gold Michael H. , Kovacevic Maja , Mesinkovska Natasha Atanaskova , Goldust Mohamad , Washenik Ken
Published: April 2020

A preliminary observation of high frequency of male pattern hair loss among admitted COVID‐19 patients and suggest that androgen expression might be a clue to COVID‐19 severity.
Adherence to hand hygiene in critical sectors: Can we go on like this?
Authors: Bezerra Thaissa Blanco , Valim Marília Duarte , Bortolini Juliano , Ribeiro Renata Perfeito , Marcon Samira Reschetti , Moura Maria Eliete Batista
Published: April 2020

Aims and objectives

The rates of healthcare‐associated infections are high around the world. Hand hygiene is considered the most effective measure to reduce the transmission of pathogens in the hospital environment. Our objective was to evaluate adherence to hand hygiene in critical units of a tertiary‐level hospital in Central‐West Brazil.

Design

Observational study employing cross‐sectional data. Reporting rigour was demonstrated using the STROBE checklist.

Methods

Observation of hand hygiene practices of 129 professionals from the health team, including nursing staff, physicians and physical therapists. Data collection was carried out using the World Health Organization form.

Results

A total of 3,025 hand hygiene opportunities were observed, and the overall rate of adherence was only 46.25%. There was a greater frequency of hand hygiene after risk of exposure to bodily fluids and after contact with patients, 60.80% and 53.45%, respectively. Nurses obtained a higher rate of adherence to hand hygiene (59.80%). The neonatal ICU had a higher rate of adherence to hand hygiene when compared to other sectors.

Conclusions

The physical structure for hand hygiene in the institution was poor, and no professionals reached the minimum time required for execution of hand hygiene techniques. There were low rates of adherence to hand hygiene by professionals at all five times and in all categories and sectors observed, which may have been influenced by poor infrastructure present in the institution.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study is of great relevance to patient safety, given the rates of healthcare‐associated infections worldwide, with emphasis on underdeveloped countries. It is hoped that the results of this research can guide organisations to validly and systematically evaluate adherence to hand hygiene and achieve higher rates of adherence to hand hygiene and consequently reduce the number of infections in health environments.
Narrative orphaned: When grief overwhelms
Authors: Green Cheryl
Published: April 2020

Accessible Summary

What is known on the subject?

The loss of a parent for an adult can be devastating and can impact other relationships.

The adult, in absence of parental love and support, may question their own identity.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

A narrative is used to explain the adults’ experience of parental death and their new identity of being orphaned.

What are the implications for practice?

Increased awareness for adults grieving the loss of a parent(s), as to the normalcy of feeling orphaned

Adults grieving the death of a parent(s) are provided resources and support in addressing their grieving process.

Introduction

When a parent dies during their child's adulthood, the life of the adult is altered as the familiarity of parental love and safety changes. The isolation and loneliness penetrates deeply as the orphaned adult must now navigate their world in absence of the most significant people in their lives, their parents.

Aim

To assist persons affected by parental death in understanding the normalcy of feeling orphaned while grieving.

Method

The use of a personal narrative to provide mental health support to others.

Results

The resumption of a routine that existed before parental death is possible, but takes time. Intermittent periods of grief can occur throughout one's life.

Discussion

When grief interrupts one's ability to function daily and the affected adult has relationships impacted by their parent's death, it is recommended that the adult seek mental health treatment.

Implications for Practice

Narratives can be used with persons affected by parental loss, to provide an example of normal versus complicated grieving and identify when mental health treatment is needed.
Armed against Unhappiness: Psychoanalytic Grammars in Buenos Aires
Authors: Brotherton P. Sean
Published: April 2020

Psychoanalysis has produced an ensemble of institutions, expertise, procedures, and practices for rendering the psychoanalytic subject legible and, through this, psychic life as an actionable site of intervention, dislocation, and struggle. This article examines how diverse psychoanalytic communities in Buenos Aires have produced unique grammars that influence how individuals articulate ideas about health and well‐being. Descriptive, culturally specific, historically informed, and always provisional, this grammar is empirically grounded in lived experience. Through presenting several case studies, I flesh out how this grammar, as a deictic expression of/for the unconscious is deployed, reworked, and embodied in everyday interactions. I demonstrate how psychic life is enmeshed within social and political experience. In doing so, I consider how interpersonal, existential, environmental, social, and political contingencies shape divergent notions of well‐being and structure desires of what it means to live “a good life.”
Expression of genes containing tandem repeat patterns involved in the fungal‐host interaction and in the response to antifungals inTrichophyton rubrum
Authors: de Abreu Mariana Heinzen , Bitencourt Tamires Aparecida , Franco Matheus Eloy , Moreli Igor Sawasaki , Cantelli Bruna Aline Michelotto , Komoto Tatiana Takahasi , Marins Mozart , Fachin Ana Lúcia
Published: April 2020

Background

Trichophyton rubrumis the most common aetiological agent of human dermatophytoses. These infections mainly occur in keratinised layers such as skin, hair and nails because the fungus uses keratin as a nutrient source. Fluconazole and amphotericin are antifungal agents most commonly used to treat dermatophytoses and acts on cell membrane ergosterol. Despite the clinical importance ofT rubrum, the mechanisms underlying the fungal‐host relationship have not yet been clarified. Tandem repeats (TRs) are short DNA sequences that are involved in a variety of adaptive functions, including the process of fungal infection. It is known that the larger the number of TRs in the genome, the greater the capacity of cell‐cell junction and surface adhesion, especially when these repeats are present in regions encoding cell surface proteins.

Objectives

To identify in silicoT rubrumgenes containing TR patterns and to analyse the modulation of these genes in culture medium containing keratin (a model simulating skin infection) and antifungal drugs.

Methods

The Dermatophyte Tandem Repeats Database (DTRDB) and the FaaPred tool were used to identify fourT rubrumgenes containing TR patterns. Quantitative real‐time (RT) PCR was used to evaluate the gene expression during the growth ofT rubrumon keratin and in the presence of fluconazole, amphotericin B and Congo red (acts in the cell wall).

Results

The expression of these genes was found to be induced in culture medium containing keratin. In addition, these genes were induced in the presence of antifungal agents, especially fluconazole, indicating an adaptive response to the stress caused by this drug.

Conclusion

The results suggest an important role of genes containing TRs in the fungal‐host interaction and in the susceptibility to inhibitory compounds, indicating these sequences as new potential targets for the development of antifungal agents.
Characterization of esophageal motility and esophagogastric junction in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Rayyan Maissa , Omari Taher , Debeer Anne , Allegaert Karel , Rommel Nathalie
Published: April 2020

Background

To characterize esophageal motility and function of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Methods

High‐resolution manometry with impedance was used to investigate esophageal motility and EGJ function in 28 tube‐fed preterm infants with BPD. Patients with BPD were studied at term age during oral feeding. Thirteen healthy term‐aged infants were included as controls. Esophageal analysis derived objective measures to evaluate esophageal contractile vigor, bolus distension pressure, EGJ relaxation, and EGJ barrier function (in rest and during respiration). In addition, we investigated the effect of BPD severity on these measures.

Key results

A total of 140 nutritive swallows were analyzed (BPD, n = 92; controls, n = 48). Normal esophageal peristaltic wave patterns were observed in all infants. BPD patients had higher distal contractile esophageal strength compared with controls (Kruskal‐Wallis (KW) P = .048), and their deglutitive EGJ relaxation was comparable to controls. Severe BPD patients showed higher bolus distension pressures, higher EGJ resting pressures, and increased EGJ contractile integrals compared with mild BPD patients (Mann‐Whitney U P = .009, KW P = .012 and KW P = .028, respectively).

Conclusions and Inferences

Preterm infants with BPD consistently present with normal peristaltic esophageal patterns following nutritive liquid swallows. The EGJ barrier tone and relaxation pressure appeared normal. In general, infants with BPD do not have altered esophageal motor function. There is however evidence for increased flow resistance at the EGJ in severe BPD patients possibly related to an increased contractility of the diaphragm.
The evening complex is central to the difference between the circadian clocks of Arabidopsis thaliana shoots and roots
Authors: Nimmo Hugh G. , Laird Janet , Bindbeutel Rebecca , Nusinow Dmitri A.
Published: April 2020

The circadian clock regulates the timing of many aspects of plant physiology, and this requires entrainment of the clock to the prevailing day:night cycle. Different plant cells and tissues can oscillate with different free‐running periods, so coordination of timing across the plant is crucial. Previous work showed that a major difference between the clock in mature shoots and roots involves light inputs. The objective of this work was to define, in Arabidopsis thaliana, the operation of the root clock in more detail, and in particular how it responds to light quality. Luciferase imaging was used to study the shoot and root clocks in several null mutants of clock components and in lines with aberrant expression of phytochromes. Mutations in each of the components of the evening complex (EARLY FLOWERING 3 and 4, and LUX ARRHYTHMO) were found to have specific effects on roots, by affecting either rhythmicity or period and its response to light quality. The data suggest that the evening complex is a key part of the light input mechanism that differs between shoots and roots and show that roots sense red light via phytochrome B.
30+ years of P300 brain–computer interfaces
Authors: Allison Brendan Z. , Kübler Andrea , Jin Jing
Published: April 2020

Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) directly measure brain activity with no physical movement and translate the neural signals into messages. BCIs that employ the P300 event‐related brain potential often have used the visual modality. The end user is presented with flashing stimuli that indicate selections for communication, control, or both. Counting each flash that corresponds to a specific target selection while ignoring other flashes will elicit P300s to only the target selection. P300 BCIs also have been implemented using auditory or tactile stimuli. P300 BCIs have been used with a variety of applications for severely disabled end users in their homes without frequent expert support. P300 BCI research and development has made substantial progress, but challenges remain before these tools can become practical devices for impaired patients and perhaps healthy people.
Life expectancy and economic development: Evidence from microdata
Authors: Turan Belgi
Published: April 2020

This study examines the effect of life expectancy on fertility, education, and labor force participation. Using birth and sibling histories from the Demographic Health Surveys conducted in sub‐Saharan Africa, I construct a time series of age‐specific birth rates and mortality rates at the country‐region level. I use these data to test the implications of a general equilibrium model linking life expectancy to fertility, human capital, and labor supply. My results suggest that increases in life expectancy reduce fertility, increase education, and increase labor force participation. Overall, my empirical results suggest that in sub‐Saharan Africa, increases in life expectancy will have a positive impact on growth through fertility, education, and labor supply but that the effect will be small. My results also rule out the possibility that recent shocks to adult mortality in high HIV prevalence countries will reduce fertility, increase labor productivity, and lead to faster growth.
Forecasting of Cohort Fertility Under a Hierarchical Bayesian Approach
Authors: Ellison Joanne , Dodd Erengul , Forster Jonathan J.
Published: April 2020

Fertility projections are a key determinant of population forecasts, which are widely used by government policy makers and planners. In keeping with the recent literature, we propose an intuitive and transparent hierarchical Bayesian model to forecast cohort fertility. Using Hamiltonian Monte Carlo methods and a data set from the human fertility database, we obtain fertility forecasts for 30 countries. We use scoring rules to assess the predictive accuracy of the forecasts quantitatively; these indicate that our model predicts with an accuracy comparable with that of the best-performing models in the current literature overall, with stronger performance for countries without a recent structural shift. Our findings support the position of hierarchical Bayesian modelling at the forefront of population forecasting methods.
Assessing pain in children with autism spectrum disorders: findings from a preliminary validation study
Authors: Palese Alvisa , Conforto Ludovica , Meloni Francesca , Bordei Valeria , Domenighini Alessia , Bulfone Elena , Grassetti Luca , Gonella Silvia
Published: April 2020

Aims

Assessing pain in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) can be extremely challenging, since many cannot self‐report pain. This study aims to test the validity of the Non‐Communicating Children’s Pain Checklist – Revised (NCCPC‐R) in identifying pain in children and adolescents affected by ASDs.

Materials and methods

A two‐phase validation study based on (a) the translation and cultural adaptation of the NCCPC‐R to Italian and to ASD‐specific needs and context; and (b) the validation of a modified, 32‐item version of the NCCPC‐R. In all, 141 carers of children aged 6–16 years with ASDs were asked to recall an in‐pain episode and a not‐in‐pain episode of their child and to rate on a 3‐point scale (0 = not at all, 3 = very often) each behaviour included in the tool. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s α), explorative and confirmative factorial structure, as well as concurrent and discriminant validity, were all assessed.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis established the revised version of the NCCPC‐R for children with ASDs (named = NCCPC‐RASD), formed from 10 of the original 30 items categorised into three factors (‘Changing in mood’, ‘Increasing in tension’ and ‘Alerting reaction’) to have an acceptable level of reliability. The tool was internally consistent (α = 0.741 during in‐pain episodes, α = 0.790 during not‐in‐pain episodes) and was able to discriminate between in‐pain episodes (13.36 out of 40; CI 95% 12.34–14.39) and not‐in‐pain episodes (7.84 out of 40; CI 95% 6.86–8.82, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

These results provide preliminary evidence that the 10‐item version of the NCCPC‐RASDis a reliable and valid tool for assessing pain in children with ASD.