bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SWATH‐based proteomics reveals processes associated with immune evasion and metastasis in poor prognosis colorectal tumours
Authors: López‐Sánchez Laura M. , Jiménez‐Izquierdo Rafael , Peñarando Jon , Mena Rafael , Guil‐Luna Silvia , Toledano Marta , Conde Francisco , Villar Carlos , Díaz César , Ortea Ignacio , De la Haba‐Rodríguez Juan R. , Aranda Enrique , Rodríguez‐Ariza Antonio
Published: September 2019

Newly emerged proteomic methodologies, particularly data‐independent acquisition (DIA) analysis–related approaches, would improve current gene expression–based classifications of colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, this study was aimed to identify protein expression signatures using SWATH‐MS DIA and targeted data extraction, to aid in the classification of molecular subtypes of CRC and advance in the diagnosis and development of new drugs. For this purpose, 40 human CRC samples and 7 samples of healthy tissue were subjected to proteomic and bioinformatic analysis. The proteomic analysis identified three different molecular CRC subtypes: P1, P2 and P3. Significantly, P3 subtype showed high agreement with the mesenchymal/stem‐like subtype defined by gene expression signatures and characterized by poor prognosis and survival. The P3 subtype was characterized by decreased expression of ribosomal proteins, the spliceosome, and histone deacetylase 2, as well as increased expression of osteopontin, SERPINA 1 and SERPINA 3, and proteins involved in wound healing, acute inflammation and complement pathway. This was also confirmed by immunodetection and gene expression analyses. Our results show that these tumours are characterized by altered expression of proteins involved in biological processes associated with immune evasion and metastasis, suggesting new therapeutic options in the treatment of this aggressive type of CRC.
Variations of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway‐related genes in susceptibility to knee osteoarthritis: A three‐centre case‐control study
Authors: Huang Yong , Jiang Lifeng , Yang Haoyu , Wu Lidong , Xu Nanwei , Zhou Xindie , Li Jin
Published: September 2019

Excessive activation of the Wnt signalling pathway in the articular cartilage is demonstrated to be related to the onset and severity of osteoarthritis (OA). However, few studies have investigated the association between variants in Wnt‐pathway‐related genes and the risk of OA by searching Pubmed and EMBASE. Totally, 471 knee OA patients and 532 controls were recruited from three hospitals to evaluate the associations of five genetic variants (rs61735963, rs2908004, rs10795550, rs1799986 and rs1127379) with the risk of knee OA. These polymorphisms were genotyped through polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. Genetic risk scores (GRSs) were calculated to evaluate the combined effect of these genetic variants. No significant association was found between OA risk and polymorphisms (rs61735963, rs10795550 or rs1127379). However, WNT16 rs2908004 polymorphism was correlated with a decreased risk of OA, especially among females, smokers, non‐drinkers and individuals with age < 60 years or BMI ≥ 25. This SNP was also associated with Kellgren‐Lawrence grade and CRP. Similarly, LRP1 rs1799986 polymorphism decreased the risk of OA among males, smokers, drinkers and individuals with age < 60 years or BMI ≥ 25. TT genotype was more frequent in the group of VAS ≥ 6 versus VAS < 6. A low GRS was positively correlated with a decreased risk of OA. In addition, rs2908004 or rs1799986 polymorphism reduces the expression of WNT16 or LRP1. In conclusion, two SNPs (rs2908004 and rs1799986) are associated with the decreased risk of OA by regulating the Wnt pathway.
Early sensory neurophysiological changes in prediabetes
Authors: Lin Yi‐Chen , Lin Cindy Shin‐Yi , Chang Tsui‐San , Lee Jing‐Er , Tani Jowy , Chen Hung‐Ju , Sung Jia‐Ying
Published: September 2019

Aims/Introduction

To elucidate whether axonal changes arise in the prediabetic state and to find a biomarker for early detection of neurophysiological changes.

Materials and Methods

We enrolled asymptomatic diabetes patients, as well as prediabetic and normoglycemic individuals to test sensory nerve excitability, and we analyzed those findings and their correlation with clinical profiles.

Results

In nerve excitability tests, superexcitability in the recovery cycle showed increasing changes in the normoglycemic, prediabetes and diabetes cohorts (−19.09 ± 4.56% in normoglycemia, −22.39 ± 3.16% in prediabetes and −23.71 ± 5.15% in diabetes, P = 0.002). Relatively prolonged distal sensory latency was observed in the median nerve (3.12 ± 0.29 ms in normoglycemia, 3.23 ± 0.38 ms in prediabetes and 3.45 ± 0.43 ms in diabetes, P = 0.019). Superexcitability was positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.291, P = 0.009) and glycated hemoglobin (r = 0.331, P = 0.003) in all participants.

Conclusions

Sensory superexcitability and latencies are the most sensitive parameters for detecting preclinical physiological dysfunction in prediabetes. In addition, changes in favor of superexcitability were positively correlated with glycated hemoglobin for all participants. These results suggest that early axonal changes start in the prediabetic stage, and that the monitoring strategy for polyneuropathy should start as early as prediabetes.
Concordance as a Person‐Centered Measure of Breastfeeding Success: From Adequacy to Agency
Authors: Eagen‐Torkko Meghan
Published: October 2019

Health benefits associated with breastfeeding are supported by extensive research. Measurements of breastfeeding success in clinical and research settings have focused on maximizing adherence to population‐level health recommendations for infant feeding (compliance). Concordance, a new adjunct measure of breastfeeding success, uses a comparison between the parent's intended feeding method and the actual feeding method to better assess whether the person's goals for infant feeding have been met. This measure uses a modified patient‐centered outcomes research question to evaluate success in a person‐centered framework and is congruent with patient‐centered individualized care and shared decision making. Use of concordance as an adjunct success metric in evaluation of interventions and clinical programs will provide an opportunity to approach breastfeeding promotion holistically and incorporate the parent's desired outcome(s) as central to that success.
Targeting aurora kinase B alleviates spinal microgliosis and neuropathic pain in a rat model of peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Shen Yu , Ding Zhuofeng , Ma Shengyun , Zou Yu , Yang Xin , Ding Zijin , Zhang Yu , Zhu Xiaoyan , Schäfer Michael K. E. , Guo Qulian , Huang Changsheng
Published: September 2019

Peripheral nerve injury elicits spinal microgliosis, contributing to neuropathic pain. The aurora kinases A (AURKA), B (AURKB), and C (AURKC) are potential therapeutic targets in proliferating cells. However, their role has not been clarified in microglia. The aim of this study was to examine the regulation of aurora kinases and their roles and druggability in spinal microgliosis and neuropathic pain. Sprague–Dawley rats received chronic constriction injury (CCI). Gene expression of aurora kinases A‐C was evaluated by quantitative RT‐PCR and western blot, respectively, in spinal cords at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after CCI. AURKB gene and protein expression was up‐regulated concomitantly with the development of spinal microgliosis and neuropathic pain. Using lentiviral over‐expression and adeno‐associated viral knockdown approaches, the function of AURKB was further investigated by western blot, immunohistochemistry, RNA sequencing, and pain behavior tests. We found that AURKB over‐expression in naive rats caused spinal microgliosis and pain hypersensitivity, whereas AURKB knockdown reduced microgliosis and alleviated CCI‐induced neuropathic pain. Accordingly, RNA sequencing data revealed down‐regulation of genes critically involved in signaling pathways associated with spinal microgliosis and neuropathic pain after AURKB knockdown in CCI rats. To examine its therapeutic potential for treatment of neuropathic pain, animals were treated intrathecally with the pharmacological AURKB inhibitor AZD1152‐HQPA resulting in the alleviation of CCI‐induced pain. Taken together, our findings indicated that AURKB plays a critical role in spinal microgliosis and neuropathic pain. Targeting AURKB may be an efficient method for treatment of neuropathic pain subsequent to peripheral nerve injury.

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Individuals at risk of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis: the evolving story
Authors: Rantapää Dahlqvist S. , Andrade F.
Published: September 2019

The aetiology of the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors that initiate many years before the onset of clinical symptoms. These interactions likely include both protective and susceptibility factors which together determine the risk of developing RA. More than 100 susceptibility loci have been linked to RA. The strongest association is with HLA‐DRB1 alleles encoding antigen presenting molecules containing a unique sequence in the peptide‐binding grove called the ‘shared epitope’. Female sex, infections during childhood, lifestyle habits (e.g. smoking and diet) and distinct microbial agents, amongst many others, are interacting risk factors thought to contribute to RA pathogenesis by dysregulating the immune system in individuals with genetic susceptibility. Interestingly, patients with RA develop autoantibodies many years before the clinical onset of disease, providing strong evidence that the lack of tolerance to arthritogenic antigens is amongst the earliest events in the initiation of seropositive RA. Here, we will discuss the clinical and mechanistic evidence surrounding the role of different environmental and genetic factors in the phases leading to the production of autoantibodies and the initiation of symptomatic RA. Understanding this complexity is critical in order to develop tools to identify drivers of disease initiation and propagation and to develop preventive therapeutics.
The reciprocal relationship between affective organizational commitment and role overload: When autonomy need satisfaction meets the individual self‐concept
Authors: Tang Wei‐Gang , Vandenberghe Christian
Published: September 2019

This study examines the mediating role of autonomy need satisfaction in the reciprocal relationship between affective organizational commitment (AOC) and role overload over time, and the moderating role of the individual self‐concept. Using panel data collected at two points in time from 263 employees working for different organizations across various industries in China, we found that autonomy need satisfaction mediated a positive relationship from AOC to role overload over time. In contrast, the reciprocal sequential relationship from role overload to AOC through autonomy need satisfaction was non‐significant. Finally, the employees’ individual self‐concept acted as a moderator such that the relationship from autonomy need satisfaction to role overload over time was stronger (vs. weaker) when employees’ individual self‐concept was high (vs. low). We discuss the implications of these findings for future research on employee commitment, autonomy need satisfaction, and role overload.

Practitioner points

Autonomy need satisfaction was related to increased role overload over time.

Affective organizational commitment was indirectly related to increased role overload through autonomy need satisfaction.

The relationship from autonomy need satisfaction to role overload was stronger when the individual self‐concept was high.

Employees’ sense of individuation is a central aspect of how role overload develops.
A Review of Current Ambulatory Assessment Studies in Adolescent Samples and Practical Recommendations
Authors: van Roekel Eeske , Keijsers Loes , Chung Joanne M.
Published: October 2019

The use of ambulatory assessment (AA) and related methods (experience sampling, ecological momentary assessment) has greatly increased within the field of adolescent psychology. In this guide, we describe important practices for conductingAAstudies in adolescent samples. To better understand how researchers have been implementingAAstudy designs, we present a review of 23AAstudies that were conducted in adolescent samples from 2017. Results suggest that there is heterogeneity in howAAstudies in youth are conducted and reported. Based on these insights, we provide recommendations with regard to participant recruitment, sampling scheme, item selection, power analysis, and software choice. Further, we provide a checklist for reporting onAAstudies in adolescent samples that can be used as a guideline for future studies.
An outbreak of multiple genotypes of Listeria monocytogenes in New Zealand linked to contaminated ready-to-eat meats—a retrospective analysis using whole-genome sequencing
Authors: Rivas L. , Dupont P.-Y. , Wilson M. , Rohleder M. , Gilpin B.
Published: September 2019

Four cases of listeriosis in a hospital (A) in New Zealand were identified in 2012. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) used at the time identified four pulsotypes amongst the clinical isolates. Two of the pulsotypes matched to Listeria monocytogenes isolates obtained from ready-to-eat (RTE) meat samples from a RTE producer tested during a nationwide microbiological survey the month prior. The outbreak investigation confirmed that the RTE producer had supplied product to the hospital and additional testing confirmed the presence of L. monocytogenes in RTE meats from the hospital kitchen. Two further listeriosis cases presented in another hospital (B) with one clinical isolate identified as the same pulsotype as identified for one case in hospital A, but the epidemiology information concluded that the clinical cases from hospital B were not linked to the outbreak. Retrospective whole-genome sequencing confirmed that epidemiologically linked isolates belonging to three different genotypes for clinical cases from hospital A and RTE meats samples from the hospital kitchen differed by 0-1 core-genome locus or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The use of core-genome multilocus sequence typing and SNP analysis provided a greater degree of discrimination between isolates compared to PFGE.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This study describes a listeriosis outbreak associated with a hospital in New Zealand and attributed to contaminated ready-to-eat (RTE) meat supplied to the hospital by a single producer. Retrospective whole-genome sequence analysis of outbreak isolates was found to provide a greater degree of discrimination between isolates compared to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and supported the conclusions made at the time of the outbreak. The multiple genotypes identified from clinical cases and the RTE meats obtained during the outbreak highlight the importance of epidemiological concordance alongside genotyping.
Prevalence and determinants of gestational weight gain among pregnant women in Niger
Authors: Ouédraogo Césaire T. , Wessells K. Ryan , Young Rebecca R. , Faye M. Thierno , Hess Sonja Y.
Published: October 2019

Low gestational weight gain (GWG) and low mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of low GWG and low MUAC among pregnant women in rural Zinder, Niger. A community‐based survey was conducted among 1,384 pregnant women in the catchment areas of 18 integrated health centers in the region of Zinder, Niger. Weight and MUAC were measured during an in‐home visit and again 1 month later, when haemoglobin concentration and micronutrient status were also assessed. The prevalence of low GWG was defined based on the 2009 United States Institute of Medicine (U.S. IOM) guidelines (<0.35 kg/week) and less than the third centile of the International Fetal and Newborn Growth Consortium for the 21st Century (INTERGROWTH‐21st) standards. Factors associated with GWG and MUAC were identified using logistic regression models adjusting for season, village, and gestational age. The median (interquartile range) age was 25.0 (20.7, 30.0) years, and 16.4% were ≤19 years. The prevalence of low GWG were 62.9% and 27.5% according to 2009 IOM and less than the third INTERGROWTH‐21st centile, respectively; 24.9% had low MUAC. Higher α‐1‐acid glycoprotein (OR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.1, 2.8]) and C‐reactive protein (OR = 1.2, 95% CI [1.02, 1.50]) increased the odds of low GWG. Adolescents (OR = 2.7, 95% CI [1.8, 4.0]), housewives (OR = 1.97, 95% CI [1.36, 2.86]), and those who reported recent food assistance (OR = 1.80, 95% CI [1.04, 3.11]) had higher odds of low MUAC. Prevalence of low GWG and low MUAC was high among pregnant women. Determinants of GWG and MUAC included socio‐economic, demographic, and biological factors, although only markers of inflammation were consistent predictors across different definitions of low GWG.
Demographic and environmental drivers of metagenomic viral diversity in vampire bats
Authors: Bergner Laura M. , Orton Richard J. , Benavides Julio A. , Becker Daniel J. , Tello Carlos , Biek Roman , Streicker Daniel G.
Published: September 2019

Viruses infect all forms of life and play critical roles as agents of disease, drivers of biochemical cycles and sources of genetic diversity for their hosts. Our understanding of viral diversity derives primarily from comparisons among host species, precluding insight into how intraspecific variation in host ecology affects viral communities or how predictable viral communities are across populations. Here we test spatial, demographic and environmental hypotheses explaining viral richness and community composition across populations of common vampire bats, which occur in diverse habitats of North, Central and South America. We demonstrate marked variation in viral communities that was not consistently predicted by a null model of declining community similarity with increasing spatial or genetic distances separating populations. We also find no evidence that larger bat colonies host greater viral diversity. Instead, viral diversity follows an elevational gradient, is enriched by juvenile‐biased age structure, and declines with local anthropogenic food resources as measured by livestock density. Our results establish the value of linking the modern influx of metagenomic sequence data with comparative ecology, reveal that snapshot views of viral diversity are unlikely to be representative at the species level, and affirm existing ecological theories that link host ecology not only to single pathogen dynamics but also to viral communities.
Optic disk protrusion on transocular ultrasonography is a new finding seen in patients with intracranial hypertension
Authors: Terasawa Yuka , Arai Ayumi , Sakai Kenichiro , Mitsumura Hidetaka , Iguchi Yasuyuki
Published: September 2019

We report a case with intracranial hypertension having new transocular ultrasonography finding. A forty‐five years old female with a long‐lasting headache and visual field abnormality was admitted to our hospital. She had bilateral papilloedema. After several examinations, she was diagnosed as idiopathic intracranial hypertension. She was examined with transocular ultrasonography to measure optic nerve sheaths diameter (ONSD). ONSD was 6.0mm on right side and 7.5mm on left side, and a new finding “optic disk protrusion” (ODP) was discovered. Three months after starting medication, her symptoms got better and her optic edema disappeared. She was re‐examined with transocular ultrasonography found the “ODP” had also disappeared. ODP would be simple finding to detect intracranial hypertension.
N‐acety‐b‐D‐glucosaminidase: A potential biomarker for early detection of acute kidney injury in acute chest pain
Authors: Kaufmann Manuel , Schlossbauer Michael , Hubauer Ute , Stadler Stefan , Fischer Marcus , Wallner Stefan , Hupf Julian , Zimmermann Markus , Orso Evelyn , Zeman Florian , Luchner Andreas , Maier Lars , Jungbauer Carsten
Published: October 2019

Aim

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is often underdiagnosed due to several limitations of the renal marker creatinine. Tubular urinary biomarkers may substantially contribute to diagnose AKI early. For early detection of AKI, we evaluated for the first time N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐glucosaminidase (NAG), Kidney‐injury‐molecule‐1 (KIM‐1) and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) in acute chest pain.

Methods

We included 402 chest pain patients aged 18 to 95 years seen in the emergency department. From 311 subjects, blood and urine samples were collected.

Results

Thirty‐three patients developed an AKI and showed a significant increase in all three tubular markers compared to patients without AKI (eachP< .001). According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, combining NAG and creatinine showed a significantly increased area under the curve (AUC) compared to creatinine alone (AUC: 0.75 vs 0.87;P< .001). KIM‐1, NGAL and cystatin C showed no significant differences in AUC compared to creatinine. In 120 individuals with blood and urine sampling before contrast media exposure, ROC analysis showed a significantly improved diagnostic performance for the combination of both (AUC: 0.83 vs creatinine AUC: 0.66;P= .004). AKI occurrence showed no dependency from CM volume. NAG presented as an independent AKI predictor beside creatinine, age, the diagnosis of myocardial infarction and mean arterial pressure. Regarding the prognostic value for renal replacement therapy, the combination of NAG and creatinine showed a significantly lager AUC than creatinine (AUC: 0.95 vs AUC: 0.85;P< .001).

Conclusion

NAG presented as a promising marker of impending AKI and the necessity of renal replacement therapy.
Anatomical characterization of Strobilanthes (Acanthaceae) species from the northern Western Ghats of India and its implication for identification at vegetative state
Authors: Fernandes Maria Cineola , Krishnan Sellappan
Published: September 2019

A comprehensive study of stem, leaf and petiole anatomy of 10 species of Strobilanthes from northern Western Ghats of India was carried out to identify characteristics which would enable species identification when flowering material is unavailable. In Strobilanthes, some species bloom annually, others are plietesials, i.e. they grow without blooming for several years and then produce huge quantities of flowers, release seeds and die. Therefore, alternative methods, such as anatomical characters, are essential to distinguish Strobilanthes species in their vegetative stage. We collected ten species of Strobilanthes for anatomical characterization. Under the bright‐field microscope, stem cross‐sections of different species were found to be undulate, quadrangular, quadrangular‐winged or terete. Study of the stem revealed a distinct outer and inner cortex, the distribution of cystoliths (CaCO3 crystals), raphides (CaC2H2O5 crystals) and sclereids which varied from species to species. Study of leaf anatomy showed structural variation and vascular bundle shapes that differed between the species. Leaf epidermal characters under light and scanning electron microscopy exhibited variation in characters such as stomatal index, stomatal length and width, stomatal type and presence of glandular and non‐glandular trichomes. The petiole anatomy was species‐specific, especially with respect to vascular bundle structure and the distribution of structures such as sclereids, cystoliths, sphaeraphides and tannin cells varied. Hence, unique anatomical features of the stem, leaf and petiole could be used as taxonomic characters to identify Strobilanthes species in a vegetative state.
Hip Fractures: Therapy, Timing, and Complication Spectrum
Authors: Saul Dominik , Riekenberg Juliane , Ammon Jan C , Hoffmann Daniel B , Sehmisch Stephan
Published: October 2019

Objective

Investigation of the treatment of femur fractures and the type of femur fracture‐associated complications regarding timing of surgery and length of hospital stay.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 358 hip fractures were evaluated retrospectively from 1 January 2008 until 31 December 2010 at a level I trauma center in Germany. Inclusion criteria was age >18 years and a proximal femur fracture. Both sexes were evaluated. Mean age was 75.5 years, most patients were female (63.7%). Intervention was the operative treatment of proximal femur fracture. Outcome parameters were time until surgery, complications, reoperations, mortality, and length of hospital stay.

Results

Among the proximal femur fractures (n = 358), 46.6% were pertrochanteric, 11.2% subtrochanteric, and 42.2% femoral neck fractures. Operation upon hip fractures was managed regularly within 24 hours of injury (73%; mean for femoral neck: 28.3 hrs.; mean for pertrochanteric fractures: 21.4 hrs.; mean for subtrochanteric fractures: 19.5 hrs.). Delayed treatment, as well as implantation of hip total endoprosthesis (TEP), increased the overall length of hospital stay (15.4 vs 17.6 days; 18.1 vs 15.8 days). Accordingly, surgical procedures performed within 24 hours of injury resulted in a shorter hospital residence. Longest delay of operation was measured for hip fractures (28.3 hrs.).

In 351 patients, secondary injuries were detected in 94 individuals (26%), with fractures being the most common secondary injury (n = 40). We recorded postoperative complications of nonsurgical and surgical origin, and 33.6% of our patient cohort displayed complications. Complications were distributed among 118 patients. There was no significant difference in complications regarding the time of operation, with most nonsurgical and surgical complications appearing within 24 hours after operation (n = 110 vs n = 31). Nonsurgical complications, such as anemia (n = 49) and electrolyte imbalances (n = 30), were observed more frequently than surgical complications (n = 107 vs n = 34); however, these complications were reduced by delay in surgery (82.0% in 6–24 hrs. vs 74.2% in ≥24 hrs.). Anticoagulant therapy and age did not affect postoperative complications. The hospital mortality of patients was 6.2%. Follow‐up was restrained to ambulatory visits in the clinic.

Conclusions

Surgical management of hip fractures performed within 24 hours of injury minimizes hospital stay. We did not detect significant differences in the spectrum or number of complications regarding delay of surgery. Surgical complications mainly occur with rapid primary care, and medical complications can be reduced by more intensive preparation of patient and operation procedures.
Quality of life associated with maternal anxiety disorder in Russian children and adolescents with food allergy
Authors: DunnGalvin Audrey , Treneva Marina , Pampura Alexander , Grebenko Andrey , Makatsori Melina , Munblit Daniel
Published: September 2019

Background

Food allergy negatively impacts the quality of life (QoL) and has been associated with increased maternal anxiety. There is currently a lack of data assessing QoL of food‐allergic children and adolescents in Russia. We aimed to evaluate the performance of the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (FAQLQ) measures in a Russian sample of children, adolescents, and mothers and to investigate association between child QoL and maternal general anxiety.

Methods

FAQLQ and Food Allergy Independent Measures (FAIM) were translated to Russian to be completed by participants. Mothers also filled the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD‐7) questionnaire. Reliability, construct, and discriminant validity of the FAQLQs and association between FAQLQ scores and general anxiety were assessed.

Results

A total of 142 participants completed FAQLQ and FAIM. In total, 126 mothers completed GAD‐7 questionnaire. All FAQLQs showed excellent internal consistency (α > 0.94). The means for the FAQLQ‐PF, FAQLQ‐CF, and FAQLQ‐TF varied according to the number of foods avoided, severity of symptoms, and FAIM and GAD scores (ηp2 0.40 P < .001). One in 5 mothers had GAD‐7 score indicative of moderate‐to‐severe anxiety. Association strength between GAD and FAQLQ increased with age. GAD score was associated with FAQLQ‐PF score, controlling for multiple confounders.

Conclusion

The FAQLQ showed good reliability and validity in Russian. This study identified number of foods avoided and reported reaction severity being associated with greater QoL impairment in Russian children and adolescents affected by food allergy. The significant association found between general anxiety in parents and QoL in children and adolescents has practice, screening, and resource implications.
Delineating the role of MITF isoforms in pigmentation and tissue homeostasis
Authors: Flesher Jessica L. , Paterson‐Coleman Elyse K. , Vasudeva Priya , Ruiz‐Vega Rolando , Marshall Michaela , Pearlman Eric , MacGregor Grant R. , Neumann Jonathan , Ganesan Anand K.
Published: September 2019

MITF, a gene that is mutated in familial melanoma and Waardenburg syndrome, encodes multiple isoforms expressed from alternative promoters that share common coding exons but have unique amino termini. It is not completely understood how these isoforms influence pigmentation in different tissues and how the expression of these independent isoforms of MITF is regulated. Here, we show that melanocytes express two isoforms of MITF, MITF‐A and MITF‐M. The expression of MITF‐A is partially regulated by a newly identified retinoid enhancer element located upstream of the MITF‐A promoter. Mitf‐A knockout mice have only subtle changes in melanin accumulation in the hair and reduced Tyr expression in the eye. In contrast, Mitf‐M‐null mice have enlarged kidneys, lack neural crest‐derived melanocytes in the skin, choroid, and iris stroma, yet maintain pigmentation within the retinal pigment epithelium and iris pigment epithelium of the eye. Taken together, these studies identify a critical role for MITF‐M in melanocytes, a minor role for MITF‐A in regulating pigmentation in the hair and Tyr expression in the eye, and a novel role for MITF‐M in size control of the kidney.
Pediatric kidney transplantation in Nepal
Authors: Kafle Mukunda Prasad , Poudyal Amod K. , Chalise Pawan Raj , Shah Dibya Singh
Published: September 2019

Background

Success in pediatric kidney transplantation is great achievement for the emerging countries. This report is the first of its kind from Nepal. It demonstrates the status of pediatric kidney transplantation in Nepal.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of transplants done in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Living donor kidney transplant recipients ≤17 years transplanted till September 2018 were included. Demographic data, renal function, rejections, and other complications recorded in the charts were noted. Descriptive analysis was done in September 2018.

Results

A total of 517 living donor kidney transplants were done till September 2018 since August 2008. Twenty‐three were ≤17 years. Eighteen (78.26%) were male. Mean ± SD age was 15.35 ± 1.7 years, and weight was 41.8 ± 9.8 kg. One received ABO‐incompatible transplantation.

Fifteen (65.22%) donors were female, 14 (60.87%) were mothers, and seven were fathers (30.43%). Mean donor age was 40.21 ± 8 years.

Patient and graft survival at 1 year were 100% and 89.2%, respectively. One patient died on dialysis in second year after graft failure due to FSGS. One is on dialysis after losing graft to oxalate nephropathy. Three (13.3%) had biopsy‐proven acute rejections. Two had acute cellular rejection, and 1 had antibody‐mediated rejection.

Conclusions

Children from poor countries are also entitled to the benefits of medical advancements.
Coral reef restoration in the Eastern Tropical Pacific: feasibility of the coral nursery approach
Authors: Ishida‐Castañeda Jun , Pizarro Valeria , López‐Victoria Mateo , Zapata Fernando A.
Published: October 2019

Due to the worldwide degradation of coral reefs, the active restoration of these ecosystems has received considerable attention in recent decades. This study investigated (1) the feasibility of using coral nurseries for restoration projects, (2) the minimum size required for a Pocillopora damicornis (Pocilloporidae) coral fragment to survive and grow in a nursery, and (3) the optimal transplant size of a fragment when transplanted to a degraded reef at Gorgona Island (Colombian Pacific). For this investigation, 230 fragments were transplanted directly to El Remanso reef, and another 150 fragments were maintained in in situ nurseries. Every 2 months, the length, weight, and survival of the fragments were recorded. After growing for 134 days in the nurseries, the 52 surviving fragments were transplanted to El Remanso reef, and after 5 months, the same variables were measured. Among the nursery‐reared fragments, the largest (4 to <8 cm) had the highest survival and growth rates, whereas among the directly transplanted fragments, the smallest fragments (<2 cm) had the highest survival and growth rates. However, the nursery‐reared fragments acquired greater structural complexity (arborescent morphology), and they were all alive 156 days after transplantation and presented a maximum linear growth rate of over 2 cm, which was higher than that of the directly transplanted fragments. Apparently, the arborescent morphology acquired during the nursery period provides advantages to the colonies that favor greater success when transplanted. Therefore, nursery‐reared fragments of P. damicornis between 2 and 4 cm are the most appropriate for use in restoration projects.
Denying Anthropogenic Climate Change: Or, How Our Rejection of Objective Reality Gave Intellectual Legitimacy to Fake News
Authors: Prasad Ajnesh
Published: September 2019

The political rise of right‐wing populism in the United States, and elsewhere, has prompted a reexamination of theoretical perspectives that oscillate on an unequivocal rejection of objective reality. Indeed, populist campaigns that have acquired wide currency in the last few years have been ontologically predicated on the idea that there exists different “truths.” The premise of different truths has debunked any notion of an objective reality by rendering even the most reified of “facts” to be the outcome of individual subjectivities and ideological subscriptions. Donald Trump’s appeal to “fake news,” for instance, captures the implications that emerge when certain material “facts” become delegitimated in the public arena. The obfuscation of material facts through its entanglements in political discourse raises a timely question concerning theoretical resistance: How can objective reality retain its conceptual and analytical ideations without succumbing to the dangers that objective science historically created for socially marginalized subjects? Contextualizing the denial of anthropogenic climate change as an illustrative case, I answer this question by developing theoretical insights from critical realism and the notion of feminist objectivity. These insights accept the socially constructed nature of an objective reality but refute the idea of value‐free knowledge—that is, it disavows the claim that all representations of knowledge are equally valid and equally valuable.
HLA‐C*06:287, a novel HLA‐C*06 allele identified by sequence‐based typing
Authors: Loginova Maria , Cheranev Valery , Paramonov Igor
Published: October 2019

The new allele HLA‐C*06:287 showed one nucleotide difference with HLA‐C*06:02:01:01 at codon 219 (CGG/CAG).
Kidney transplantation from an HIV‐positive cadaveric donor
Authors: Varotti Giovanni , Dodi Ferdinando , Boscaneanu Alexandru , Terulla Alessia , Sambuceti Virginia , Fontana Iris
Published: September 2019

Kidney transplantation is the gold‐standard therapy for select HIV‐positive patients with ESRD. Since the Italian Ministry of Health defined the guidelines for organ donation from HIV‐positive persons in 2018, we report the first case of renal transplantation from an HIV‐positive cadaveric donor in two HIV‐positive recipients in Italy. The donor was a 50‐year‐old male, deceased due to post‐anoxic encephalopathy, with a history of HIV infection in HAART, undetectable viral load, and HCV‐related chronic hepatitis that had been previously treated. The first recipient was a 59‐year‐old female with a prior history of drug addiction, and she suffered from ESRD secondary to HIV nephropathy. The patient followed preoperative HAART with a good viral response and undetectable HIV viral load. She also had a history of HCV‐related chronic hepatitis that had been successfully treated. The right kidney was uneventfully transplanted. The patient developed an asymptomatic reinfection of endogenous BK virus. The second recipient was a 41‐year‐old male with ESRD secondary to polycystic kidney disease. The patient was HIV‐positive in HAART, with a good viro‐immunologic response and an undetectable HIV viral load. He suffered from a severe form of hemophilia A and HCV‐related chronic hepatitis, which had been previously treated with undetectable HCV RNA. The left kidney was uneventfully transplanted. At the end of follow‐up, both patients had a healthy condition with stable renal function, a persistently good viral response and undetectable HIV and HCV viral loads. These encouraging preliminary results seem to confirm the safety and effectiveness of kidney transplantation from select HIV‐positive donors.
Reduced positive selection of a human TCR in a swine thymus using a humanized mouse model for xenotolerance induction
Authors: Nauman Grace , Borsotti Chiara , Danzl Nichole , Khosravi‐Maharlooei Mohsen , Li Hao‐Wei , Chavez Estefania , Stone Samantha , Sykes Megan
Published: October 2019

Background

Tolerance‐inducing approaches to xenotransplantation would be optimal and may be necessary for long‐term survival of transplanted pig organs in human patients. The ideal approach would generate donor‐specific unresponsiveness to the pig organ without suppressing the patient's normal immune function. Porcine thymus transplantation has shown efficacy in promoting xenotolerance in humanized mice and large animal models. However, murine studies demonstrate that T cells selected in a swine thymus are positively selected only by swine thymic epithelial cells, and therefore, cells expressing human HLA‐restricted TCRs may not be selected efficiently in a transplanted pig thymus. This may lead to suboptimal patient immune function.

Methods

To assess human thymocyte selection in a pig thymus, we used a TCR transgenic humanized mouse model to study positive selection of cells expressing the MART1 TCR, a well‐characterized human HLA‐A2‐restricted TCR, in a grafted pig thymus.

Results

Positive selection of T cells expressing the MART1 TCR was inefficient in both a non‐selecting human HLA‐A2–or swine thymus compared with an HLA‐A2+thymus. Additionally, CD8 MART1 TCRbrightT cells were detected in the spleens of mice transplanted with HLA‐A2+thymi but were significantly reduced in the spleens of mice transplanted with swine or HLA‐A2–thymi. [Correction added on October 15, 2019, after first online publication: The missing superscript values +, –, and bright have been included in the Results section.]

Conclusions

Positive selection of cells expressing a human‐restricted TCR in a transplanted pig thymus is inefficient, suggesting that modifications to improve positive selection of cells expressing human‐restricted TCRs in a pig thymus may be necessary to support development of a protective human T‐cell pool in future patients.
Infarto agudo de miocardio y bloqueo de rama izquierda: utilidad de los criterios de Sgarbossa
Authors: Benjumea Henao Santiago , Martin Arsanios Daniel Augusto , Bastidas Alirio , Quintero Elías , Robles Vanesa , Arteaga Álvaro , Vesga Daniel , Patiño Jhonnatan
Published: October 2019

Introducción: En presencia de bloqueo de la rama izquierda, el infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) es un reto diagnóstico para el médico. Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad de los criterios de Sgarbossa en el diagnóstico de IAM en pacientes con bloqueo de la rama izquierda mediante una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis. Método: Búsqueda estructurada de la literatura en Medline, Lilacs, Ovid y Embase, desde enero 1996 hasta enero de 2018. Basados en los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, tres revisores seleccionaron los artículos que respondieran la pregunta de investigación. La calidad de los artículos se evaluó con el instrumento QUADAS-2. Resultados: Catorce estudios evaluaron los criterios de Sgarbossa utilizando un puntaje mayor o igual a 3 como corte. En total, fueron 3689 pacientes. La sensibilidad fue de 0,27 (IC95 %: 0,24-0,29; p = 0,0000); especificidad de 0,97 (IC95 %: 0,96-0,98; p = 0,0001) LR(+) de 10,95 (6,28-19,11; p = 0,03) y LR(–) de 0,67 (0,56-0,81; p = 0,0000). Conclusiones: Los criterios de Sgarbossa tienen una alta especificidad para el diagnóstico de IAM con bloqueo de la rama izquierda; pero bajo LR(–) y sensibilidad. Se deben evaluar nuevos algoritmos diagnósticos y validar para la población colombiana.
Enfermedad de Von Willebrand tipo III en una paciente obstétrica
Authors: Toro Cubides Angelica María , Aguilar Posada Ana Sofía
Published: October 2019

La enfermedad de Von Willebrand, causada por la deficiencia de este factor de la coagulación, hereditaria y de mayor prevalencia en mujeres, se manifiesta principalmente con sangrados menstruales largos. En el embarazo, por los cambios fisiológicos asociados, esta patología se convierte en un alto riesgo que se debe diagnosticar y estar atentos a su comportamiento tanto en el pre como en el posparto. Esta artículo muestra su comportamiento, tal como está descrito en la literatura, en el contexto del Hospital Universitario San Ignacio.
The Effect of Rated Climb Performance on Low Cycle Fatigue of a Civil Turbojet Engine
Authors: König Jonas , Weißschuh Matthias , von Ende Sven , Staudacher Stephan
Published: October 2019

Low cycle fatigue (LCF) of jet engine disks is a major contributor to the maintenance costs of an engine. The current industry standard for the analysis of LCF is to use representative flight missions to reflect the in-service usage of engines. Based on the engine performance during those missions, the internal stresses and temperatures of life-critical components are calculated. These stresses and temperatures define the cyclic life consumption of a mission and determine the certifiable LCF life of the engine. The engine performance is defined by the power setting schedules of the engine, so-called engine ratings. The effect of the rated climb performance on high pressure turbine (HPT) disk life is investigated for a generic two-shaft engine operated in a small twin-jet civil aircraft. LCF life is analyzed using a finite element (FE)-based cycle counting model. The aircraft climb performance resulting from the changed climb ratings is assessed with an aircraft performance model. It is shown that there are climb ratings which result in reduced LCF life consumption and climb time compared to the reference rating. Employing these ratings on in-service engines increases the certifiable life count and reduces maintenance costs.
Folding the Carpenter’s Tape: Boundary Layer Effects
Authors: Calladine C. R. , Seffen K. A.
Published: October 2019

The “carpenter’s measuring tape” is a thin spring-steel strip, preformed to a curved cross section of radius R, which is straight when being used for measuring. Under bending moments, it forms a localized hinge, in which the transverse curvature is suppressed, and the longitudinal radius r is approximately equal to R. Rimrott made a simple strain energy analysis of the hinge region for isotropic material, which predicted that r = R. Both experimental observations and finite element computations show that ξ = r/R > 1, where the value of ξ exceeds unity by up to 15%, depending on whether the tape is bent in “equal-sense” or “opposite-sense” curvature; ξ varies linearly with Poisson’s ratio in both cases. We make a minor change to Rimrott’s analysis by introducing a boundary layer, in order better to satisfy the physical conditions at the free edges; this successfully accounts for the observed behavior of the tape.
Repeatable and High-Efficiency Patterning of Silver Nanowires on PDMS Using Micromilled Aluminum Molds
Authors: Helgason Rick , Choudhury Ayan , Lai Yongjun
Published: October 2019

We present an inexpensive, repeatable, and efficient method of patterning silver nanowires onto polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using a mold-based approach. A micromilling machine is used to prepare an aluminum mold with a raised pattern so that PDMS cured in these molds is imprinted with the design. A solution of silver nanowires and ethanol can then be injected into the pattern. This method can be used to pattern silver nanowires onto PDMS in any two-dimensional (2D) layout, meaning it can be extended to produce a wide range of PDMS/silver nanowire-based sensors and devices. We demonstrate this by the development of two separate patterns. An intricate logo is developed in order to demonstrate the capability of patterning curved and sharp edges, and a strain gauge is developed in order to demonstrate a functional device.
Examining the Effect of Geometry Changes in Industrial Fuel Injection Systems on Hydrodynamic Structures With BiGlobal Linear Stability Analysis
Authors: Kaiser Thomas Ludwig , Oberleithner Kilian , Selle Laurent , Poinsot Thierry
Published: October 2019

Shape optimization with respect to the suppression or enhancement of dynamical flow structures is an important topic in combustion research and beyond. In this paper, we investigate the flow in an industrial fuel injection system by experimental means, as well as large eddy simulation (LES) and linear stability analysis (LSA) for two configurations of the swirler. In the first configuration, the reference geometry, a precessing vortex core (PVC) occurs. In the second configuration, a center body is mounted in the interior of the injector. It is shown by both experiments and LES that the PVC is suppressed by the presence of the center body, while the mean flow remains nearly unaffected. The method of LSA is applied in order to explain the effect of the geometry change. The work shows that LSA is capable of explaining the occurrence or disappearance of coherent structures evolving on the turbulent flows if the geometry is changed. This is an important step in using LSA in the context of shape optimization of industrial fuel injectors.
Radiation modes and acoustic field confined near acoustic sources
Authors: Kaizuka Tsutomu , Nakano Kimihiko
Published: September 2019

A method to confine the acoustic pressure distribution near a loudspeaker array is investigated for potential application to personal audio devices. The surface velocity distribution of the loudspeaker array is determined so that more reactive than active acoustic power can be generated. The design is based on the theory of radiation modes, i.e., surface velocity distributions that independently contribute to the complex acoustic power. A computer simulation is conducted for a rectangular array of pistons in an infinite baffle, and it is shown that a locally confined acoustic field can be achieved as expected.
Array gain of coprime arrays
Authors: Yang T. C. , Ye Zhengzheng
Published: September 2019

A coprime array of M + N − 1 elements is designed, using product processing (PP), to yield the same beam width as that of a full array of MN elements using conventional beamforming (CBF), while at the same time suppressing the grating lobes. The array gain (AG) for isotropic noise using conventional PP is slightly less than that obtained using CBF, namely, 10log(M + N − 1). It is shown that using the coherent product processing, the coprime array yields an AG equal to that of the full array of MN elements, 10log(MN). The superior gain is often referred to as supergain.