bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NOVEL ‘PHOTONEUTRON VOLUME DOSE EQUIVALENT’ HYPOTHESIS AND METHODOLOGY FOR SECOND PRIMARY CANCER RISK ESTIMATION IN HIGH-ENERGY X-RAY MEDICAL ACCELERATORS
Authors: Sohrabi Mehdi , Hakimi Amir
Published: January 2020

A novel ‘photoneutron (PN) volume dose equivalent’ methodology was hypothesized and applied for the first time for estimating PN second primary cancer (PN-SPC) risks in high-energy X-ray medical accelerators. Novel position-sensitive mega-size polycarbonate dosimeters with 10B converter (with or without cadmium covers) were applied for determining fast, epithermal and thermal PN dose equivalents at positions on phantom surface and depths. The methodology was applied to sites of tumors such as brain, stomach and prostate in 47 patients. The PN-SPC risks were estimated for specific organs/tissues using linear International Commission on Radiological Protection cancer risks and were compared with some available data. The corresponding PN-SPC risk estimates ranged from 1.450 × 10−3 to 1.901 cases per 10 000 persons per Gray. The method was applied to 47 patients for estimating PN-SPC risks in patients undergoing radiotherapy. The PN-SPC risk estimates well match those calculated by simulation but are comparatively different from those estimated by ‘PN point dose equivalent’ methods, as expected.
Economic Development, Market Transition, and Work Values in Post-Socialist China
Authors: Cao Yang
Published: January 2020

This study examines the macro-level determinants of work values in urban China. Drawing on Inglehart’s theory of postmaterialism and the institutional theory in sociology, I argue that economic development and market transition, two of the most prominent themes of China’s social change in the post-socialist era, exert opposite effects on work values. On the one hand, rapid economic growth has created unprecedented material affluence and a high level of existential security in some parts of China. According to Inglehart’s theory, this should lead individuals to focus less on material rewards and to prioritize postmaterialist goals in the work domain. On the other hand, China’s institutional change from socialist redistribution to markets has abolished lifetime employment and replaced it with a precarious labor market. This change, I argue, promotes a materialist orientation among Chinese workers and discourages them from embracing postmaterialist work values. Using data from a 2012 national labor force survey, multilevel regression analysis shows that, all else being equal, workers in China’s more developed provinces indeed place less importance on how well work meets their survival needs, whereas workers in more marketized provinces exhibit the opposite tendency. However, neither economic development nor marketization at the province level is a significant predictor of postmaterialist work values. These findings have direct implications for work value research and for understanding social change in post-socialist China.
Electromyographic Comparison of the Efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Suprainguinal and Infrainguinal Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block for Blockade of the Obturator Nerve in Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Qian Yuying , Guo Zhiyuan , Huang Juanjuan , Zhang Qunying , An Xiaofeng , Hu Huansheng , Zhu Fengqin , Wang Xianghe
Published: January 2020

Background and Objectives:

The knee is innervated by the femoral, obturator, and sciatic nerves. An infrainguinal fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) is often used as a technique for pain management after hip and knee arthroplasty. This approach blocks the femoral nerve, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, and obturator nerve. Previous studies show suprainguinal FICB achieves improved postoperative analgesia compared with infrainguinal FICB after hip fracture. However, the analgesic effects of suprainguinal or infrainguinal FICB on the obturator nerve after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remain to be established. This study compared the efficacy of suprainguinal versus infrainguinal FICB for the blockade of the obturator nerve using electromyography and quantification of total opioid consumption during the 24 hours after TKA.

Methods:

This prospective, randomized controlled clinical study enrolled 74 patients scheduled to undergo TKA. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive suprainguinal FICB (group S) or infrainguinal FICB (group I) with 30 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine. The primary endpoint was the mean amplitude of the adductor longus compound muscle action potential (CMAP) at 0 (before the block), 10, 20, and 30 minutes after FICB. The secondary endpoint was total opioid consumption during the 24 hours after TKA.

Results:

Data from 62 patients were included in the analysis. The mean amplitude of the adductor longus CMAP was significantly lower in group S compared with group I (repeated-measures analysis of variance; F=4.73, P=0.034). At 24 hours after TKA, mean (SD) total opioid consumption was significantly lower in group S, compared with group I (131.5±76.8 vs. 201.5±85.1 μg) (P=0.001).

Conclusions:

Suprainguinal FICB significantly increased the incidence of successful obturator nerve block and significantly decreased fentanyl consumption 24 hours after TKA compared with infrainguinal FICB.
Antitumor Potency of an Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy, Lisocabtagene Maraleucel in Combination With Ibrutinib or Acalabrutinib
Authors: Qin Jim S. , Johnstone Timothy G. , Baturevych Alex , Hause Ronald J. , Ragan Seamus P. , Clouser Christopher R. , Jones Jon C. , Ponce Rafael , Krejsa Cecile M. , Salmon Ruth A. , Ports Michael O.
Published: January 2020

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a promising treatment for patients with CD19+ B-cell malignancies. Combination strategies that improve CAR T-cell potency, limit tumor environment–mediated immune dysfunction, and directly reduce tumor burden may increase the potential for durable clinical benefit of CAR T-cell therapy. Lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) is a product therapy candidate being tested in patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This study assessed the in vitro and in vivo functionality of CAR T cells transduced to express the anti-CD19 CAR of liso-cel in combination with ibrutinib or acalabrutinib. In prolonged stimulation assays, the presence of ibrutinib or acalabrutinib improved the CAR T-cell effector function. RNA-Seq analysis and surface marker profiling of these CAR T cells treated with ibrutinib but not acalabrutinib revealed gene expression changes consistent with skewing toward a memory-like, type 1 T-helper, Bruton tyrosine kinase phenotype. Ibrutinib or acalabrutinib improved CD19+ tumor clearance and prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice when used in combination with CAR T cells. A combination of the defined cell product therapy candidate, liso-cel, with ibrutinib or acalabrutinib is an attractive approach that may potentiate the promising clinical responses already achieved in CD19+ B-cell malignancies with each of these single agents.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Perfusional Computed Tomography in Moderate Coronary Stenosis: Comparison With Fractional Flow Reserve
Authors: Araujo Gustavo N. , Bergoli Luiz Carlos C. , Torres Felipe Soares , Machado Guilherme Pinheiro , Eifer Diego , Mariani Stefani , Wainstein Rodrigo , Valle Felipe H. , Polanczyk Carisi A. , Wainstein Marco V.
Published: January 2020

Coronary computed tomography with myocardial perfusion imaging (CCTA-MPI) provides data on coronary anatomy and perfusion and may be useful in the assessment of ischemic coronary artery disease (CAD). Management of angiographically intermediate coronary lesions is challenging, and coronary fractional flow reserve (FFR) evaluation is recommended to assess whether these lesions are functionally significant. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CCTA-MPI in patients with stable CAD and at least 1 angiographically intermediate coronary lesion submitted to FFR. In this single-center prospective study, patients with stable CAD and at least 1 moderate coronary stenosis (50%–70% by visual estimation) were referred for CCTA-MPI (64-row multidetector) assessment before coronary FFR evaluation. Patients with severe coronary obstructions (≥70%) were excluded. The significance level adopted for all tests was 5%. Twenty-eight patients (mean age 60 ± SD years, 54% women) with 33 intermediate coronary obstructions were enrolled. Ten patients (30%) had functionally significant coronary obstructions characterized by FFR ≤0.8. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CCTA-MPI for the detection of functionally significant coronary obstructions were 30%, 100%, and 78.8%, respectively. CCTA-MPI positive predictive value was 100%, whereas negative predictive value was 76.7%. Correlation coefficient between tests was 0.48 (P = 0.005). On a novel approach to evaluate intermediate coronary lesions, accuracy of CCTA-MPI was 78.8%. The positive predictive value of an abnormal CCTA-MPI on this population was 100%, suggesting that CCTA-MPI may have a role in the assessment of patients with anatomically identified intermediate coronary lesions.
Biological Mechanisms of Atropine Control of Myopia
Authors: Upadhyay Aradhana , Beuerman Roger W.
Published: January 2020

Myopia is a global problem that is increasing at an epidemic rate in the world. Although the refractive error can be corrected easily, myopes, particularly those with high myopia, are susceptible to potentially blinding eye diseases later in life. Despite a plethora of myopia research, the molecular/cellular mechanisms underlying the development of myopia are not well understood, preventing the search for the most effective pharmacological control. Consequently, several approaches to slowing down myopia progression in the actively growing eyes of children have been underway. So far, atropine, an anticholinergic blocking agent, has been most effective and is used by clinicians in off-label ways for myopia control. Although the exact mechanisms of its action remain elusive and debatable, atropine encompasses a complex interplay with receptors on different ocular tissues at multiple levels and, hence, can be categorized as a shotgun approach to myopia treatment. This review will provide a brief overview of the biological mechanisms implicated in mediating the effects of atropine in myopia control.
A new serine protease family with elastase activity is produced by Streptomyces bacteria
Authors: Fujii Taiki , Fukano Kazuhiro , Hirano Keita , Mimura Akinori , Terauchi Miyu , Etoh Shin-ichi , Iida Akihiro
Published: January 2020

We found an elastolytic activity in the culture supernatant ofStreptomycessp. P-3, and the corresponding enzyme (streptomycetes elastase, SEL) was purified to apparent homogeneity from the culture supernatant. The molecular mass of purified SEL was approximately 18 kDa as judged by SDS-PAGE analysis and gel-filtration chromatography. Utilizing information from N-terminal amino acid sequencing of SEL and mass spectrometry of SEL tryptic fragments, we succeeded in cloning the gene-encoding SEL. The cloned SEL gene contains a 726 bp ORF, which encodes a 241 amino acid polypeptide containing a putative signal peptide for secretion (28 amino acid) and pro-sequence (14 amino acid). Although the deduced primary structure of SEL has sequence similarity to proteins in the S1 protease family, the amino acid sequence shares low identity (< 31.5 %) with any known elastase. SEL efficiently hydrolyses synthetic peptides having Ala or Val in the P1 position such asN-succinyl-Ala-Ala-(Pro or Val)-Ala-p-nitroanilide (pNA), whereas reported proteases by streptomycetes having elastolytic activity prefer large residues, such as Phe and Leu. Compared of kcat/Km ratios for Suc-Ala-Ala-Val-Ala-pNA and Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Ala-pNA with subtilisin YaB, which has high elastolytic activity,Streptomycessp. P-3 SEL exhibits 12- and 121-fold higher, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the predicted SEL protein, together with predicted proteins in streptomycetes, constitutes a novel group within the S1 serine protease family. These characteristics suggest that SEL-like proteins are new members of the S1 serine protease family, which display elastolytic activity.
Disconnects in global discourses—the unintended consequences of marine mammal protection on small-scale fishers
Authors: Davis Katrina J. , Alfaro-Shigueto Joanna , Arlidge William N.S. , Burton Michael , Mangel Jeffrey C. , Mills Morena , Milner-Gulland E.J. , Palma Duque José , Romero-de-Diego Cristina , Gelcich Stefan
Published: January 2020

Globally, the populations of many marine mammals remain of critical concern after centuries of exploitation and hunting. However, some marine mammal populations (e.g. pinnipeds) have largely recovered from exploitation, and interactions between these species and fisheries—particularly small-scale fisheries—is once again of concern globally. The large scope and widespread scale of interactions highlights the local disconnect between two global policies: marine mammal conservation and small-scale fisheries protection. In this research, we explore these conflicting global policies by assessing the perceptions of coastal small-scale fishers in Peru and Chile regarding their interactions with pinnipeds, including the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) and South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis). We surveyed 301 gill net fishers and assess perceptions using a best-worst scaling methodology. We find that fishers are chiefly concerned with the increase in pinniped populations, perceive that their interactions with pinnipeds have significantly increased over the past 80 years, and report pinniped-driven catch and income losses ≥ 26 per cent. Surprisingly, fishers do not believe that compensation schemes will resolve this issue—instead they overwhelmingly call for pinniped population culls. The reported number of pinnipeds illegally killed by fishers suggests the potential for large negative impacts on these protected species, and a loss of legitimacy in marine regulation. Collectively, our results portray a sense of marginalisation from fishers’—that global policy treats them as less “important” than marine mammals. Our results highlight the increasing disconnect in global policy, which on one hand seeks to protect threatened marine mammal populations, and on the other seeks to promote the welfare of small-scale fishers.
Elevated phosphate mediates extensive cellular toxicity: from abnormal proliferation to excessive cell death
Authors: He Ping , Mann-Collura Olivia , Fling Jacob , Edara Naga , Razzaque Mohammed S.
Published: January 2020

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is an essential nutrient for human health. Due to our change in dietary pattern, dietary Pi overload engenders systematic phosphotoxicity, including excessive Pi related vascular calcification and chronic tissue injury. The molecular mechanisms of the seemingly distinct phenotypes remain elusive. In this study, we found that Pi directly mediates diverse cellular toxicity in a dose-dependent manner on a cell-based model. At moderately higher than physiological level, extracellular Pi promotes cell proliferation by activating AKT and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) cascades. By introducing additional Pi, we observed significant cell damage caused by the interwoven Pi related biological processes, including activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and apoptosis. Taken together, elevated extracellular Pi results in a broad spectrum of toxicity by rewiring complicated signaling networks that control cell growth, cell death, ER stress, and cell mobility.
Molecular mechanism underlying venation patterning in butterflies
Authors: Banerjee Tirtha Das , Monteiro Antónia
Published: January 2020

The mechanism of wing vein differentiation inDrosophilais a classic text-book example of pattern formation using a system of positional-information, yet very little is known about how this mechanism differs in species with a different number of veins and how insect venation patterns evolved. Here, we examine the expression patterns of genes previously implicated in vein differentiation inDrosophilain two butterfly species with more complex venation, the African squinting bush brownBicyclus anynanaand the Asian cabbage white,Pieris canidia. We also test the function of one of these genes,spalt (sal), with CRISPR-Cas9 inB. anynana. We identify both conserved as well as new domains ofdecapentaplegic (dpp), engrailed (en),invected (inv)andsalgene expression inB. anynana, and propose how the simplified venation inDrosophilamight have evolved via loss ofdppandsalgene expression domains, silencing of vein inducing programs at Sal-expression boundaries, and changes in gene expression of vein maintenance genes.

Summary statement

The paper describes new domains of venation patterning genes in butterflies and proposes how simplified venation in other insect lineages might have evolved.
Bmf Facilitates Protein Degradation and Reduces Beclin1 Ubiquitination to Inhibit Autophagy Independent of mTOR
Authors: Delgado-Vergas Monica , Fort Susan , Tassew Dereje , Tesfaigzi Yohannes
Published: January 2020

Previous observations suggested that Bcl-2 modifying factor (Bmf) affects autophagy but the underlying mechanisms were unknown. The present studies show that Bmf inhibited the initiation and flux of autophagy in a manner that is independent of the mTOR pathway and inhibition of mTOR increased Bmf expression to temper the autophagic cell death. In mice, emphysema was observed in Bmf-deficient mice, suggesting that Bmf suppresses autophagic cell death of alveolar type II cells. Bmf deficiency increased ubiquitination of Beclin1 with K63 chains and released Beclin1 from Bcl-2. However, Bmf deficiency also increased the levels of polyubiquitinated proteins in general. In mice, Bmf-deficiency robustly increased p62 levels in all tissues analyzed, but LC3-II levels were reduced only in the hearts of old mice. Also, Bmf-deficiency caused persistent mucous cell metaplasia in mice exposed to allergen and increased levels of polyubiquitinated Muc5ac in differentiated airway epithelial cells. The reduction of ubiquitinated proteins was mediated by the BH3- and dynein binding-domains of Bmf. Together, these findings show that the primary role of Bmf is to reduce protein levels and affects K63- and K48-ubiqutination.
CXCR4-binding PET tracers link monocyte recruitment and endothelial injury in murine atherosclerosis
Authors: Baba Osamu , Elvington Andrew , Szpakowska Martyna , Sultan Deborah , Heo Gyu Seong , Zhang Xiaohui , Luehmann Hannah , Detering Lisa , Chevigné Andy , Liu Yongjian , Randolph Gwendalyn J.
Published: January 2020

Viral macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (vMIP-II/vCCL2) binds to multiple chemokine receptors, and vMIP-II based PET tracer (64Cu-DOTA-vMIP-II: vMIP-II tracer) accumulates at atherosclerotic lesions in mice. The magnitude of64Cu-DOTA-vMIP-II accumulation correlated with monocyte recruitment, asApoe-/-mice treated with AAV-mApoE showed PET signal declining as monocyte recruitment subsided. Unexpectedly, monocytes themselves were not the major target of the64Cu-DOTA-vMIP-II tracer. Using fluorescence-tagged vMIP-II tracer, competitive receptor blocking with CXCR4 antagonists, CXCR4-specific tracer64Cu-DOTA-FC131, or CXCR4 staining during disease progression and regression, endothelial cell expression of CXCR4 proved to be the main target of64Cu-DOTA-vMIP-II imaging. Expression of CXCR4 was low in non-plaque areas, but strongly detected on endothelium at the edges of progressing plaques, corresponding to a population of proliferating endothelium and to the location in plaques where monocyte recruitment occurred. Thus, endothelial injury status of plaques is marked by CXCR4 expression and that this injury correlates with the tendency of such plaques to recruit monocytes. Furthermore, our findings suggest PET tracers that, through binding CXCR4, may be useful to monitor plaque injury status.
A plug and play microfluidic platform for standardized sensitive low-input Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
Authors: Dirks René A.M. , Thomas Peter , Jones Robert C. , Stunnenberg Hendrik G. , Marks Hendrik
Published: January 2020

Epigenetic profiling by ChIP-Seq has become a powerful tool for genome-wide identification of regulatory elements, for defining transcriptional regulatory networks and for screening for biomarkers. However, the ChIP-Seq protocol for low-input samples is laborious, time-consuming and suffers from experimental variation, resulting in poor reproducibility and low throughput. Although prototypic microfluidic ChIP-Seq platforms have been developed, these are poorly transferable as they require sophisticated custom-made equipment and in-depth microfluidic and ChIP expertise, while lacking parallelisation. To enable standardized, automated ChIP-Seq profiling of low-input samples, we constructed PDMS-based plates containing microfluidic Integrated Fluidic Circuits capable of performing 24 sensitive ChIP reactions within 30 minutes hands-on time. These disposable plates can conveniently be loaded into a widely available controller for pneumatics and thermocycling, making the ChIP-Seq procedure Plug and Play (PnP). We demonstrate high-quality ChIP-seq on hundreds to few thousands of cells for multiple widely-profiled post-translational histone modifications, together allowing genome-wide identification of regulatory elements. As proof of principle, we managed to generate high-quality epigenetic profiles of rare totipotent subpopulations of mESCs using our platform. In light of the ready-to-go ChIP plates and the automated workflow, we named our procedure PnP-ChIP-Seq. PnP-ChIP-Seq allows non-expert labs worldwide to conveniently run robust, standardized ChIP-Seq, while its high-throughput, consistency and sensitivity paves the way towards large-scale profiling of precious sample types such as rare subpopulations of cells or biopsies.

Reviewer link to data

All sequencing data has been submitted to the NCBI GEO database. Reviewer link:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?token=klwnocicrpaxrkv&acc=GSE120673
Estimating invasion dynamics with geopolitical-unit level records: performance and similarity of common methods using both simulated data and a real case
Authors: Liang Wanwan , Tran Liem , Wiggins Gregory , Grant Jerome
Published: January 2020

Estimating invasion dynamic is important to the management of invasive species, and geopolitical-unit level data are usually the most abundant and available records of invasive species. Here, for the first time we evaluated performances and similarities of eight common methods to estimate spread pattern and spread dynamic of invasive species with geopolitical-unit level data, and assessed impacts of variations in geopolitical-units on each method using simulated spread data. We also formulated a concave hull boundary displacement method (i.e., CEB) and an area-based regression method (i.e., AER) for estimating spread with geopolitical-unit data. Three regions with different sized counties in the United States (U.S.) were selected to conduct simulations and three spread scenarios were simulated. R2and root mean square error were used to evaluate the abilities of all methods to estimate spread. Correlation coefficients were used to assess the similarity pattern of all methods. Finally, kudzu bugMegacopta cribraria, an invasive insect in the U.S., was used as a case study to test the generality of some results concluded from the simulated research. We found the CEB and two regression methods consistently estimated the right expansion patterns. Two boundary displacement and two area-based regression methods estimated highly correlated spread and were the best four methods, among which CEB had the best estimation. Distance-based regression methods are sensitive to irregularity and stochasticity in spread, and the minimum spread distance method had low ability to estimate spread. The case study showed consistent results with the simulated research. Both regression and boundary displacement methods can estimate spread patterns, overall rate, and spread dynamics of invasive species. Boundary displacement methods best estimate spread rates and dynamics; however, for spread without clear infestation outlines, area-based regression methods can be good alternatives.
Chop/Ddit3depletion in β-cells alleviates ER stress and corrects hepatic steatosis
Authors: Yong Jing , Parekh Vishal S. , Nayak Jonamani , Chen Zhouji , Lebeaupin Cynthia , Zhang Jiangwei , Prakash Thazha P. , Murray Sue , Guo Shuling , Ayala Julio E. , Satin Leslie S. , Kaufman Randal J.
Published: January 2020

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance (IR). During the early phase of T2D, insulin synthesis and secretion by pancreatic β cells is enhanced, which can lead to proinsulin (ProIns) misfolding that aggravates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis in β cells. Moreover, increased insulin in the circulation may contribute to fatty liver disease. Medical interventions aimed at alleviating ER stress in β cells while maintaining optimal insulin secretion are therefore an attractive therapeutic strategy for T2D. Previously, we demonstrated that germlineChopgene deletion preserved β cells in high fat diet (HFD) fed mice and in leptin receptor-deficientdb/dbmice. In the current study, we further investigated whether targetingChop/Ddit3specifically in murine β cells confers therapeutic benefits. First, we show thatChopdeletion in β cells alleviates β cell ER stress and delays glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in HFD fed mice. Second, importantly, β cell-specificChopdeletion prevented liver steatosis and hepatomegaly in aged HFD fed mice without affecting basal glucose homeostasis. Third, we provide the first mechanistic evidence that ER remodeling secondary toChopdeletion modulates glucose-induced islet Ca2+oscillations. Finally, using state-of-the-art GLP1-conjugatedChopAntiSense Oligonucleotides (GLP1-ChopASO), we demonstrated that theChopdeletion induced GSIS change is a long term complex event in β cells. In summary, our results demonstrate thatChopdepletion in β cells is a new therapeutic strategy to alleviate dysregulated insulin secretion and the consequently fatty liver disease in T2D.
Cortical 6-9 Hz Oscillation are a Reliable Biomarker of Persistent Pain in Rats
Authors: Furman Andrew J. , Raver Charles , Li Ying , Jenne Carleigh , Hoffman Kathleen , Seminowicz David A. , Keller Asaf
Published: January 2020

Neural biomarkers of chronic pain offer a potential tool for improving the speed of diagnosis and delivery of treatment for this devastating disease. Here, we tested the hypothesis that pain states are associated with distinct changed in cortical brain waves. We induced neuropathic orofacial pain in female rats by chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve (CCI-ION). In most animals, this resulted in lasting reductions in mechanical sensitivity thresholds, and in lasting increases in facial grimace scores. We recorded electrocortigraphy (ECoG) signals over the neocortex of these rats, before and after CCI-ION, and analyzed these signals with a novel, spectral modelling approach. Consistent with our hypothesis, power in the 6-9 Hz bandwidth of the ECoG was differentially modulated in animals displaying signs of chronic pain. Specifically, development of mechanical hypersensitivity correlated with adecreasein 6-9 Hz power. Furthermore, we show that changes in the power of this oscillation after injury, obtained at the individual animal level, provide a more sensitive marker of pain presence than do traditional between animal comparisons of post-injury oscillatory power. Identification of animals demonstrating chronic-pain behaviors was more accurate when estimates of post-injury oscillatory power were compared against each animal’s own pre-injury baseline than when compared against post-injury power estimates from animals not developing chronic pain. These results highlight the need for establishing individual-specific, “pain-free” baselines from which oscillation disturbances can be measured and which may constitute a reliable, low-cost approach not only for diagnosing chronic pain, but also for identifying individuals likely to transition from acute to chronic pain.
Host-induced silencing of theColletotrichum gloeosporioides conidial morphology 1gene (CgCOM1) confers resistance against Anthracnose disease in chilli and tomato
Authors: Mahto Binod Kumar , Singh Anjulata , Pareek Manish , Rajam Manchikatla V. , Dhar-Ray Swatismita , Reddy Pallavolu M.
Published: January 2020

Anthracnose disease is caused by the ascomycetes fungal speciesColletotrichum,which is responsible for heavy yield losses in chilli and tomato worldwide. Conventionally, harmful pesticides are used to contain anthracnose disease with limited success. In this study, we assessed the potential of Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS) approach to target theColletotrichum gloeosporioides COM1(CgCOM1) developmental gene involved in the fungal conidial and appressorium formation, to restrict fungal infection in chilli and tomato fruits. For this study, we have developed stable transgenic lines of chilli and tomato expressingCgCOM1-RNAi construct employingAgrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic plants were characterized by molecular and gene expression analyses. Production of specificCgCOM1siRNA in transgenic chilli and tomato RNAi lines was confirmed by stem-loop RT-PCR. Fungal challenge assays on leaves and fruits showed that the transgenic lines were resistant to anthracnose disease-causingC. gloeosporioidesin comparison to wild type and empty-vector control plants. RT-qPCR analyses in transgenic lines revealed barely anyCgCOM1transcripts in the C.gloeosporioidesinfected tissues, indicating near complete silencing ofCgCOM1gene expression in the pathogen. Microscopic examination of theCg-challenged leaves of chilli-CgCOM1i lines revealed highly suppressed conidial germination, germ tube development, appressoria formation and mycelial growth ofC. gloeosporioides, resulting in reduced infection of plant tissues. These results demonstrated highly efficient use of HIGS in silencing the expression of essential fungal developmental genes to inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi, thus providing a highly precise approach to arrest the spread of disease.
The relationship between the regulation of licit medications containing pseudoephedrine and the illicit methamphetamine market in Czechia and neighbouring countries
Authors: Petruzelka Benjamin
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of the relationship between region-specific regulations of medications used in the manufacture of illegal drugs and illegal drug markets.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines a case study of the relationship between the regulation of medications containing pseudoephedrine in Czechia and neighbouring countries and the illegal drug market for methamphetamine in Czechia between 2006 and 2018. The description of this case is based on a review of the literature and a review of publicly available data sources.

Findings

The tightening of the regulation of medications containing pseudoephedrine in the Czech Republic led, in the years under study, to a gradual decrease in the number of packages sold and simultaneously to the illegal import of such medications from neighbouring countries with less strict regulations. At the same time, shifts in the drug market could be observed: the internationalisation of previously primarily domestic supply chains, the increased involvement of Vietnamese organised crime groups, the emergence of large-scale methamphetamine labs and a shift in production to countries with less strict regulations. The subsequent application of stricter controls in neighbouring countries was accompanied by further shifts in supply chains and increased imports from non-European countries.

Practical implications

The tightening of regulations of medications within a single country or single region might lead to significant and undesirable changes in drug markets and supply chains.

Originality/value

This paper provides a novel case study of the development of region-specific regulations of medications and their influence on illegal drug markets and supply chains in the Czech Republic and in the European context.
Testing the Integrative Quality Care Assessment Tool (INQUAT)
Authors: Amati Rebecca , Bellandi Tommaso , Kaissi Amer A. , Hannawa Annegret F.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Identifying the factors that contribute or hinder the provision of good quality care within healthcare institutions, from the managers’ perspective, is important for the success of quality improvement initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to test the Integrative Quality Care Assessment Tool (INQUAT) that was previously developed with a sample of healthcare managers in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Written narratives of 69 good and poor quality care episodes were collected from 37 managers in Italy. A quantitative content analysis was conducted using the INQUAT coding scheme, to compare the results of the US-based study to the new Italian sample.

Findings

The core frame of the INQUAT was replicated and the meta-categories showed similar distributions compared to the US data. Structure (i.e. organizational, staff and facility resources) covered 8 percent of all the coded units related to quality aspects; context (i.e. clinical factors and patient factors) 10 percent; process (i.e. communication, professional diligence, timeliness, errors and continuity of care) 49 percent; and outcome (i.e. process- and short-term outcomes) 32 percent. However, compared to the US results, Italian managers attributed more importance to different categories’ subcomponents, possibly due to the specificity of each sample. For example, professional diligence, errors and continuity of care acquired more weight, to the detriment of communication. Furthermore, the data showed that process subcomponents were associated to perceived quality more than outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of this investigation was the small sample size. Further studies are needed to test the reliability and validity of the INQUAT.

Originality/value

The INQUAT is proposed as a tool to systematically conduct in depth analyses of successful and unsuccessful healthcare events, allowing to better understand the factors that contribute to good quality and to identify specific areas that may need to be targeted in quality improvement initiatives.
Do justice and trust affect acceptability of Indonesian social health insurance policy?
Authors: Zein Rizqy Amelia , Putri Nuzulul Kusuma , Ridlo Ilham Akhsanu
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether justice, trust in healthcare services, the confidence level of the health system and institutions, political party support and evaluation of healthcare services post-Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN) affected policy acceptability (PA) in the health workers (n=95) and laypeople (n=308) sample.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors performed a two-level, linear mixed-effects model to test the hypothesis that trust, perceived justice, confidence in healthcare services and national health system evaluation could impact PA in the health workers and laypeople sample. The authors calculated the effect sizes by comparing Level 2 variances and residuals of the null model and the random intercept model.

Findings

The findings suggested that healthcare workers with high concern for justice would be more likely to hold negative acceptability to JKN. The findings implied that health workers tend to associate JKN with unfairness. Also, JKN acceptability in laypeople sample was found to be positively associated with the evaluation of healthcare service post-JKN, whereas justice or political party support did not affect JKN acceptability. It might indicate that laypeople motives for joining JKN scheme could be essentially pragmatic.

Research limitations/implications

The authors administered the questionnaire using an online platform and circulated it through social media and IMS, so that this research poses a problem of self-selection bias, which potentially leads to biased estimates. The authors also oversampled female participants, especially in laypeople sample.

Originality/value

Aiming at universal health coverage in 2019, JKN will cover almost 300m Indonesians and be one of the biggest single-payer national health insurance scheme in the world. The research might offer insight into how health workers and laypeople respond to the policy.
The experiences of colorectal cancer patients in postoperative recovery: integrative review
Authors: Changyai Khwanhathai , Kongvattananon Puangpaka , Somprasert Chomchuen
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize the experiences and needs of colorectal cancer patients during postoperative recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is an integrative review, conducted by CINAHL, PubMed, ScienceDirect and ThaiJO from 2009 to 2019. Ten research articles published have been selected by PRISMA process.

Findings

Results show the experiences of colon cancer patients during postoperative recovery consisted of four themes, namely suffering, decreased activity, ambivalent feeling and need of caring.

Research limitations/implications

The health care personnel should be aware of these experiences and give holistic care in order to let the patients free from unpleasant experiences and receive the responses which really meet their needs.

Originality/value

Knowledge about the experience and needs of colorectal cancer patients after surgery is of great benefit to healthcare providers who are planning the care, so as to achieve complete holistic care in the future research.
Effects of different miracle fruit products on the sensory characteristics of different types of sour foods by descriptive analysis
Authors: Choi Sung Eun , Garza Jeff
Published: January 2020

Miracle fruit's potential benefit is encouraging as a powerful antioxidant and sweetness enhancer due to its novel ability to modify sour taste to sweet. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the practicality of different miracle fruit products. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the taste modification effects of different miracle fruit products on different sour foods. For this, 10 trained subjects (80% female, 50% white, Mean ± SE = 27.3 ± 3.9 years old) performed a Quantitative Descriptive Analysis using a Latin Square design with three replications. One session was composed of pre‐ and posttest for miracle fruit administration. Five food samples (green apple, goat cheese, lemonade, plain fat‐free yogurt, and cucumber pickle) and four miracle fruit products (three different brands of miracle fruit pill‐Y, G, M and one powder product‐P) were used and data were analyzed using analysis of variance and principal component analysis. The typical effects of miracle fruit, sweetness increase and sourness suppression were observed for all food samples albeit to different degrees. Y and M pills were most impactful while powder product was least, and goat cheese and yogurt had the most pronounced impact at increasing sweetness. Prior Miracle Fruit administration significantly decreased bitterness and increased creaminess in yogurt. However, it increased off‐flavor in lemonade and pickle. Results suggest that miracle fruit usage for increasing sweetness is effective but the degree of taste‐modifying effect differs according to the types of miracle fruit product and food samples applied.

Practical Application

This research confirms miracle fruit's unique taste‐modifying abilities and demonstrates a high potential as a sweetness enhancer to benefit human health. The results can be used to optimize miracle fruit's application and can be applied by food industry and health care provider to develop clinical remedies or disease prevention strategies.
Coagulation tests on admission correlate with mortality and morbidity in general ICU patients: An observational study
Authors: Benediktsson Sigurdur , Hansen Claudia , Frigyesi Attila , Kander Thomas
Published: January 2020

Background

It is well known that low platelet count on admission to intensive care units (ICU) is associated with increased mortality. However, it is unknown whether prothrombin time (PT‐INR) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) on admission correlate with mortality and organ failure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether PT‐INR and APTT at admission can predict outcome in the critically ill patient after adjusting for severity of illness measured with Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3).

Materials and Methods

Data were retrospectively collected. APTT and PT‐INR taken on admission and SAPS 3 score were independent variables in all regression analyses. Survival analysis was done with Cox regression. Organ failure was reported as days alive and free (DAF) of vasopressors and invasive ventilation, need of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and Acute Kidney Injury Network creatinine score (AKIN‐crea).

Results

A total of 3585 ICU patients were included. Prolonged APTT correlated with mortality with 95% confidence interval (CI) of hazard ratio 1.001‐1.010. Prolonged APTT also correlated with DAF vasopressor, CRRT and AKIN‐crea with 95% CI of odds ratio (OR) 1.009‐1.034, 1.016‐1.037 and 1.009‐1.028, respectively. Increased PT‐INR correlated with DAF vasopressor and DAF ventilator with 95% CI of OR 1.112‐2.014 and 1.135‐1.847, respectively.

Conclusions

Activated partial thromboplastin time prolongation was associated with mortality and all morbidity outcomes except the DAF ventilator. PT‐INR increase at admission was associated with DAF vasopressor and DAF ventilator. APTT and PT‐INR at admission correlate with morbidity, which is not accounted for in the SAPS 3 model.
Asymmetric effects of voluntary disclosure on stock liquidity: evidence from 8‐K filings
Authors: Cho Hyunkwon , Kim Robert
Published: January 2020

This paper examines whether the change in stock liquidity subsequent to voluntary disclosure is different between good news and bad news. Using voluntary 8‐K filings, we find that the increase in stock liquidity is more pronounced for firms with good news disclosure than for firms with bad news disclosure. In addition, such findings are stronger when a firm is less visible and when the short‐selling costs are high, suggesting that these two factors play an important role in increasing stock liquidity. Overall, this paper provides evidence that the tone of voluntary 8‐K news is an important determinant of stock liquidity.
Ultrasound assessment of maternal adipose tissue during 1st trimester screening for aneuploidies and risk of developing gestational diabetes
Authors: D’Ambrosi Francesco , Rossi Gabriele , Soldavini Chiara M. , Di Maso Matteo , Carbone Ilma F. , Cetera Giulia E. , Colosi Enrico , Ferrazzi Enrico
Published: January 2020

Introduction

The objective of the present study is to compare the sonographic measurement of subcutaneous adipose thickness and visceral adipose thickness during 1st trimester screening for aneuploidies between non‐diabetic pregnant women and patients who develop 1st trimester or 2nd trimester gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Material and methods

Adipose thickness was measured by transabdominal ultrasound imaging in pregnant women attending our clinic for screening for fetal aneuploidies between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation. During the 1st trimester all patients were evaluated for fasting glycemia in accordance with the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) recommendations. Patients with confirmed fasting glycemia (FPG) ≥92 mg/dL were diagnosed as 1st trimester GDM. Patients with FPG <92 mg/dL underwent a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test between 24 and 28 weeks.

Results

The study population included 238 non‐diabetic women, 29 women with 1st trimester GDM and 28 women with 2nd trimester GDM. Mean subcutaneous adipose thickness and visceral adipose thickness values in non‐diabetic women were 9.8 mm (standard deviation [SD = 4.9) and 7.2 mm (SD = 3.5), respectively. Values in women with 1st trimester GDM were 12.8 mm (SD = 6.5) and 9.9 mm (SD = 4.4). In the 2nd trimester GDM group, the mean subcutaneous adipose thickness was 11.1 mm (SD = 4.6) and the mean visceral adipose thickness 10.5 mm (SD = 5.3). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that visceral adipose thickness, but not subcutaneous adipose thickness, was significantly and independently associated with both 1st trimester GDM (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02‐1.29) and 2nd trimester GDM (odds ratio [OR] 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05‐1.34).

Conclusions

Sonographic thickness of maternal visceral adipose tissue was greater in women with GDM than in non‐diabetic patients, independently of other known risk factors associated with GDM in the 1st and in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Thus, this measurement may be considered of clinical use in 1st trimester screening.
A retrospective 10‐year mean follow‐up of implants placed in ridges grafted using autogenous mandibular blocks covered with bovine bone mineral and collagen membrane
Authors: Chiapasco Matteo , Tommasato Grazia , Palombo David , Del Fabbro Massimo
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To report the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients presenting with edentulous and atrophic ridges and treated with autogenous mandibular bone blocks and rehabilitated with implant‐supported prostheses.

Materials and methods

From 1997 to 2015, 75 patients presenting with bone defects of the jaws were grafted with autogenous mandibular bone blocks. One‐hundred eighty‐two implants were placed 4 to 12 months later and loaded 3 to 10 months later: the mean follow‐up was 10 years (range: 3–16 years). The following outcomes were recorded: (a) complication rate of the reconstructive procedure; (b) bone graft resorption before implant placement; (c) peri‐implant bone resorption; (d) implant‐related complications; and (e) implant survival and success rates.

Results

Postoperative recovery was uneventful in the majority of patients. An early dehiscence occurred in three patients, but with no significant bone loss, while 3 experienced temporary paraesthesia. The mean vertical and horizontal bone resorption before implant placement was 0.18 mm (standard deviation [SD] = 0.43) and 0.15 mm (SD = 0.42), respectively. The mean peri‐implant bone loss ± standard deviation was 1.06 ± 1.19 (range: 0.00–5.05) at patient level and 1.11 ± 1.26 (range: 0.00–5.20) at implant level. Two implants in 2 patients lost integration and were removed; 10 implants in 7 patients developed peri‐implantitis, but healed after surgical treatment. The cumulative implant survival and success rates were 98.11% and 85.16%, respectively.

Conclusion

Implants placed in areas reconstructed with mandibular bone blocks presented survival rates consistent with those obtained for implants placed in native bone.