bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of cuff positioning on the accuracy of blood pressure measurement with automated electronic blood pressure monitors
Authors: Li Ya , Li Fang , Li Yi , Cui Xiaoran , Li Jing , Zhi Hua , Wang Weidong , Sun Yanyan , Cui Wei
Published: June 2020

It is recommended that the cuff should be wrapped around the upper arm with the midline of the bladder placed over the brachial artery during blood pressure (BP) measurement. However, in practice, the cuff of sphygmomanometers is often incorrectly placed. The authors aimed to assess the effect on the accuracy of BP measurement as to the placement of the cuff bladder by using oscillometric devices. Participants aged 18 years or older were enrolled. The center of the cuff bladder was placed directly over the brachial artery as the standard position (correct position), which was rotated by 90°medially (medial position), 90°laterally (lateral position), and rotated by 180°(contralateral position), respectively. The main outcomes were non‐invasive brachial BP in the four cuff positions, brachial artery pulse wave velocity, ankle‐brachial index, and invasive radial BP. Of 799 participants, 56.4% were men (60.37 ± 12.73 years), and of the 104 intensive care unit participants, 60.57% were men (57.78 ± 15.89 years). There were no significant differences in non‐invasive brachial BP among the four cuff positions (P > .1), and the mean BP differences between incorrect and standard cuff positions were within 1.0 mm Hg. BP of the incorrect positions was positively correlated with standard position (P < .001, r > .88) and showed good consistency. There was no effect on the accuracy of BP measurement as to the location of the midline of the cuff bladder by using oscillometric devices with a conventional cuff.
Seeking the true time: Exploring otolith chemistry as an age‐determination tool
Authors: Heimbrand Yvette , Limburg Karin E. , Hüssy Karin , Casini Michele , Sjöberg Rajlie , Palmén Bratt Anne‐Marie , Levinsky Svend‐Erik , Karpushevskaia Anastasia , Radtke Krzysztof , Öhlund Jill
Published: June 2020

Fish otoliths' chronometric properties make them useful for age and growth rate estimation in fisheries management. For the Eastern Baltic Sea cod stock (Gadus morhua), unclear seasonal growth zones in otoliths have resulted in unreliable age and growth information. Here, a new age estimation method based on seasonal patterns in trace elemental otolith incorporation was tested for the first time and compared with the traditional method of visually counting growth zones, using otoliths from the Baltic and North seas. Various trace elemental ratios, linked to fish metabolic activity (higher in summer) or external environment (migration to colder, deeper habitats with higher salinity in winter), were tested for age estimation based on assessing their seasonal variations in concentration. Mg:Ca and P:Ca, both proxies for growth and metabolic activity, showed greatest seasonality and therefore have the best potential to be used as chemical clocks. Otolith image readability was significantly lower in the Baltic than in the North Sea. The chemical (novel) method had an overall greater precision and percentage agreement among readers (11.2%, 74.0%) than the visual (traditional) method (23.1%, 51.0%). Visual readers generally selected more highly contrasting zones as annuli whereas the chemical readers identified brighter regions within the first two annuli and darker zones thereafter. Visual estimates produced significantly higher, more variable ages than did the chemical ones. Based on the analyses in our study, we suggest that otolith microchemistry is a promising alternative ageing method for fish populations difficult to age, such as the Eastern Baltic cod.
Prox1 induces new lymphatic vessel formation and promotes nerve reconstruction in a mouse model of sciatic nerve crush injury
Authors: Meng Fan‐Wei , Jing Xue‐Ning , Song Gui‐Hong , Jie Lin‐Lin , Shen Fang‐Fang
Published: June 2020

The peripheral nervous system lacks lymphatic vessels and is protected by the blood–nerve barrier, which prevents lymphocytes and antibodies from entering the neural parenchyma. Peripheral nerve injury results in degeneration of the distal nerve and myelin degeneration causes macrophage aggregation, T lymphocyte infiltration, major histocompatibility complex class II antigen expression, and immunoglobulin G deposition in the nerve membrane, which together result in nerve edema and therefore affect nerve regeneration. In the present paper, we show myelin expression was absent from the sciatic nerve at 7 days after injury, and the expression levels of lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE‐1) and Prospero Homeobox 1 (Prox1) were significantly increased in the sciatic nerve at 7 days after injury. The lymphatic vessels were distributed around the myelin sheath and co‐localized with lymphatic endothelial cells. Prox1 induces the formation of new lymphatic vessels, which play important roles in the elimination of tissue edema as well as in morphological and functional restoration of the damaged nerve. This study provides evidence of the involvement of new lymphatic vessels in nerve repair after sciatic nerve injury.
Illusion of safety: How consumers underestimate manipulation and deception in online (vs. offline) shopping contexts
Authors: Moran Nora
Published: June 2020

Online commerce changes how consumers shop for products and services—while also giving firms more control over consumers' shopping experience, more access to their information, and leading more firms to use these platforms to their financial advantage. In this research, I examine consumer perceptions of firms when they shop for products and services online (vs. offline), to determine whether consumers feel firms might use certain kinds of manipulative and deceptive tactics against consumers. Results show consumers believe firms are less likely to use manipulative and deceptive practices to increase consumer spending, when they shop online (vs. offline) for products and services. These findings remain consistent despite key individual differences (in ethnicity, gender, age, and time spent online). This research also demonstrates how certain cues can make consumers more (vs. less) suspicious of firms when they shop online and discusses the implications these findings have for consumer financial welfare.
Study of frequency and types of chromosomal abnormalities in phenotypically female patients with amenorrhea in Eastern Indian population
Authors: Ghosh Shanoli , Roy Sanchita , Halder Ajanta
Published: June 2020

Aim

This comprehensive review article aims to comprehend the frequency and prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in both primary amenorrhea (PA) and secondary amenorrhea (SA) cases and correlating it with their phenotypes, clinical features and hormonal profiles.

Methods

Research publications on prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in both PA and SA cases worldwide and its etiology, clinical features, hormonal profiles; their correlation with chromosomal profiles were searched for on the internet, including general search engines and respective scientific sites. Only published, relevant and authentic data conducted on phenotypically female patients were considered. Another aspect of amenorrhea occurs due to several clinical conditions apart from cytogenetic viewpoint were not considered or discussed in detail.

Results

As literature study suggests; considering various etiology of amenorrhea counting anatomic defect of the hypothalamus or genetic defect, and various acquired causes of chromosomal anomalies contribute to be one of the major etiologies of both PA and SA; ranging from 15.9% to 63.3% in case of PA and from 3.9% to 44.4% in case of SA. In spite of the presence of any other factors responsible condition, the genetic factors need to be emphasized, which might include single gene disorders or chromosomal disorders. Individuals with chromosomal anomalies reported a wide range of abnormalities in phenotypes, as well as in other clinical features and hormonal profiles.

Conclusion

This comprehensive review is the first structured review article that encompasses the cytogenetic profile of the amenorrhea cases and correlating it with their phenotypes, clinical features and hormonal profiles from Eastern India.
Inter‐relationships between pain‐related temporomandibular disorders, somatic and psychological symptoms in Asian youths
Authors: Yap Adrian Ujin , Natu Vaishali Prakash
Published: June 2020

Objective

This cross‐sectional, observational study assessed the inter‐relationships between painful TMDs, somatic and psychological symptoms in Asian youths.

Methods

Study subjects were recruited from a local Polytechnic. Pain‐related TMDs were established with the TMD pain screener (TPS), while somatic and psychological symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire‐15 (PHQ‐15) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales‐21 (DASS‐21). Demographic information, TPS, PHQ‐15 and DASS‐21 responses were gathered with the CDRSS system and analysed using the binomial‐exact test, Mann‐Whitney U test, Spearman's rho correlation and logistic regression analysis (P < .05).

Results

Data from a total of 400 participants were collected and examined. The “no TMDs” (NT) group comprised of 366 subjects (180 males; 186 females) with a mean age of 18.72 ± 1.49 years, while the “with TMDs” (WT) group consisted of 34 subjects (11 males; 23 females) aged 19.26 ± 1.89 years. Significant differences in median PHQ‐15 and DASS‐21 scores were observed between the NT and WT groups (P ≤ .007). The WT group was observed to have moderate somatic symptoms, moderate depression, moderate‐to‐severe anxiety and mild stress. For subjects with pain‐related TMDs, correlation between somatic and psychological symptoms was moderate‐to‐strong (rs = .55‐.69). Stepwise logistic regression indicated that somatisation and anxiety were possible risk factors for painful TMDs with odds ratios of 1.08 and 1.07, respectively.

Conclusions

The prevalence of pain‐related TMDs was 8.5%. Subjects with painful TMDs had significantly higher levels of somatic and psychological distress. In addition, somatic symptoms were strongly correlated with anxiety and stress but less so with depression.
Intra‐observer and inter‐observer variability in two grading systems for oral epithelial dysplasia: A multi‐centre study in India
Authors: Ranganathan Kannan , Kavitha Loganathan , Sharada Prakash , Bavle Radhika M. , Rao Roopa S. , Pattanshetty Smita M. , Hazarey Vinay K. , Madhura Murittige Gopalakrishna , Nagaraj Tejavathi , Lingappa Ashok , Warnakulasuriya Saman
Published: June 2020

Background

The presence and grading of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) are considered the gold standard for predicting the malignant risk of oral potentially malignant disorders. However, inter‐observer and intra‐observer agreement in the context of reporting on OED grading has been reputedly considered unreliable.

Methods

We undertook a multi‐centre study of six Indian oral pathologists to assess variations in reporting OED using the World Health Organization (WHO; 2005) system and also the recently introduced binary system. The observer variability was assessed with the use of kappa statistics.

Results

The weighted kappa intra‐observer agreement scores improved (κw = 0.5012) on grouping by two grades as no and mild dysplasia versus moderate and severe dysplasia compared to binary grading system (κ = 0.1563) and WHO grading system (κw = 0.4297). Poor to fair inter‐observer agreement scores were seen between the principal investigator (PI) and the other five observers using the WHO grading system (κ = 0.051‐0.231; κw = 0.145 to 0.361; 35% to 46%) and binary grading system (κ = 0.049 to 0.326; 50 to 65%).

Conclusions

There is considerable room for improvement in the assessment of OED using either system to help in standardised reporting. The professional pathology organisations in India should take steps to provide external quality assessment in reporting OED among oral and general pathologists who are engaged in routine reporting of head and neck specimens.
Breeding systems and phylogeny in Poa, with special attention to Northeast Asia: The problem of Poa shumushuensis and sect. Nivicolae (Poaceae)
Authors: Soreng Robert J. , Olonova Marina V. , Probatova Nina S. , Gillespie Lynn J.
Published: June 2020

Poa sect. Poa subsect. Nivicolae (Prob.) Tzvelev was circumscribed to include four species of the Soviet Union: Poa shumushuensis, Poa caucasica, Poa irkutica, and Poa veresczaginii. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of plastid and nuclear‐ribosomal DNA revealed that it is polyphyletic, none of these species are closely related. Poa shumushuensis, type of sect. Nivicolae, or its ancestor, likely displayed the nrDNA genotype characteristic of the higher polyploid P. sect. Malacanthae. Genotype codes are designated for each species: Hx, C
c, Php, and Shp. Poa sect. Nivicolae s.s. is restricted to P. shumushuensis; P. sect. Irkuticae is restricted to P. irkutica; P. caucasica is moved to P. subg. & sect. Caucasicae nov.; and P. sect. Dschungaricae is resurrected for P. veresczaginii and two other species. Although diclinous breeding systems are known in many western hemisphere species of Poa, dicliny is infrequent and little studied in Asian Poa. Poa shumushuensis is judged to be either sequentially gynomonoecious or gynodioecious. A ratio of 2 perfect‐, to 2 mixed‐, to 1 pistillate‐flowered inflorescences from different plants in P. shumushuensis is suggestive of a recessive allele for stamen suppression, and this is associated with subtle sexual‐dimorphism. Poa irkutica is diclinous with a breeding system between simple gynomonoecy and sequential gynomonoecy; P. caucasica is perfectly flowered; and P. veresczaginii has infrequent abortive anthers, indicative of limited dicliny, or sterility for other reasons possibly related to its reticulate origin. In total, 23 Asian species are here reported to be diclinous and their breeding systems are characterized. A lectotype is designated for P. fauriei.
Impact of roasting conditions on the quality and acceptance of the peanut paste
Authors: de Freitas Floriano Rafael , Gräbin Karine , Rossi Rochele Cassanta , Ferreira Cristiano Dietrich , Ziegler Valmor
Published: June 2020

Roasting is the main processing step performed to improve sensory and conservative properties of peanuts. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in peanut oil and paste during roasting at different temperatures in a conventional oven (80, 110, 140, 170, and 200°C) and microwave. The increase in roasting temperature promoted reduction of L* value, b* value, and increases of a*, K232, K270, and acidity. For alpha (α), gamma (γ), and delta (δ) tocopherols, as well as fatty acids, less degradation were observed at the roasting temperature of 140°C. Paste acceptability greater than 70% was achieved with roasting at 140°C. Based on the results, 140°C was the optimal roasting temperature that achieved the best paste acceptance rates with the smallest changes in oil and tocopherol quality parameters.
Structure‐aware 3D reconstruction for cable‐stayed bridges: A learning‐based method
Authors: Hu Fangqiao , Zhao Jin , Huang Yong , Li Hui
Published: June 2020

A powerful deep learning‐based three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction method for reconstructing structure‐aware semantic 3D models of cable‐stayed bridges is proposed herein. Typically, conventional bridge semantic 3D model reconstruction methods are not robust when low‐quality point clouds are used. Furthermore, they are suited particularly for their respective fields and less generalized for cable‐stayed bridges. Hence, a structure‐aware learning‐based cable‐stayed bridge 3D reconstruction framework is proposed. The encoder part of the network uses both multiview images and a photogrammetric point cloud as input, whereas the decoder part uses a recursive binary tree network to model a high‐level structural relation graph and low‐level 3D geometric shapes. Two actual cable‐stayed bridges are employed as examples to evaluate the proposed method. Test results demonstrate that the proposed method successfully reconstructs the bridge model with structural components and their relations. Quantitative results indicate that the predicted models achieved an average F1 score of 99.01%, a Chamfer distance of 0.0259, and a mesh‐to‐cloud distance of 1.78 m. The achieved result is similar to that obtained using the manual reconstruction approach in terms of component‐wise accuracy, and it is considerably better than that obtained using the manual approach in terms of spatial accuracy. In addition, the proposed recursive binary tree network is robust to noise and partial scans. The potential applications of the obtained 3D bridge models are discussed.
Costochondral graft in growing patients with hemifacial microsomia case series: Long‐term results compared with non‐treated patients
Authors: Meazzini Maria Costanza , Battista Valeria M.A. , Brusati Roberto , Mazzoleni Fabio , Biglioli Federico , Autelitano Luca
Published: June 2020

Objective(s)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term effectiveness of costochondral graft in hemifacial microsomia (HFM) type III patients.

Settings and sample population

A sample of 10 patients affected by HFM type III treated during growth in the same Centre with costochondral graft (CCG patients group) is compared with a control group (CG) sample of 10 non‐treated patients affected by the same malformation in order to understand whether surgery during growth provides advantages in terms of bony and facial symmetry after an 8‐year follow‐up.

Materials and Methods

The growth of the CCG was assessed on panoramic X‐rays. To assess facial symmetry, a photometric evaluation on the frontal view was carried out.

Results

In CCG patients group the graft grown in mean less than the healthy ramus, a good facial symmetry was achieved after surgery, but was lost in the majority of the cases at the most recent control. In CG, occlusal canting slightly increased and facial asymmetry was relatively stable during the years.

Conclusion

In patients with a congenital deformity, restoring the height of the ramus leads to an immediate restitution of facial symmetry, but in the long term, there is a return to the asymmetrical pattern. In CG, the asymmetry is stable during years with no increase of the facial deformity.
Beyond Revision Surgery: Work‐Up and Interventional Treatments for the Painful Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Hagedorn Jonathan M. , Wooster Benjamin M. , Hunt Christine L. , Moeschler Susan M. , Orhurhu Vwaire , Trousdale Robert T.
Published: June 2020

Total knee arthroplasty is a common and successful treatment modality for knee arthritis that is refractory to conservative management strategies. Over 600,000 arthroplasties are performed per year in the United States, and this number is expected to increase in the coming years. Unfortunately, 8% to 34% of patients experience chronic pain after having a total knee arthroplasty. These patients should undergo an appropriate work‐up by the orthopedic surgeon, but many times a surgical problem is not uncovered. In these situations, a thorough and specific plan for pain management should be sought. In this article, we outline the work‐up of a painful total knee arthroplasty. Then we provide a thorough review of interventional pain management strategies and highlight the pertinent literature. Lastly, we hypothesize future developments in the field that may provide better outcomes for patients suffering from painful total knee arthroplasty.
Overexpression of improved EPSPS gene results in field level glyphosate tolerance and higher grain yield in rice
Authors: Achary V. Mohan Murali , Sheri Vijay , Manna Mrinalini , Panditi Varakumar , Borphukan Bhabesh , Ram Babu , Agarwal Aakrati , Fartyal Dhirendra , Teotia Deepa , Masakapalli Shyam Kumar , Agrawal Pawan K. , Reddy Malireddy K.
Published: June 2020

Glyphosate is a popular, systemic, broad‐spectrum herbicide used in modern agriculture. Being a structural analog of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), it inhibits 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate 3‐phosphate synthase (EPSPS) which is responsible for the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids and various aromatic secondary metabolites. Taking a lead from glyphosate‐resistant weeds, two mutant variants of the rice EPSPS gene were developed by amino acid substitution (T173I + P177S; TIPS‐OsEPSPS and G172A + T173I + P177S; GATIPS‐OsEPSPS). These mutated EPSPS genes were overexpressed in rice under the control of either native EPSPS or constitutive promoters (maize ubiquitin [ZmUbi] promoter). The overexpression of TIPS‐OsEPSPS under the control of the ZmUbi promoter resulted in higher tolerance to glyphosate (up to threefold of the recommended dose) without affecting the fitness and related agronomic traits of plants in both controlled and field conditions. Furthermore, such rice lines produced 17%–19% more grains compared to the wild type (WT) in the absence of glyphosate application and the phenylalanine and tryptophan contents in the transgenic seeds were found to be significantly higher in comparison with WT seeds. Our results also revealed that the native promoter guided expression of modified EPSPS genes did not significantly improve the glyphosate tolerance. The present study describing the introduction of a crop‐specific TIPS mutation in class I aroA gene of rice and its overexpression have potential to substantially improve the yield and field level glyphosate tolerance in rice. This is the first report to observe that the EPSPS has role to play in improving grain yield of rice.
Perceived mattering in stepfamilies: A social relations model analysis
Authors: Pylyser Charlotte , Loncke Justine , Loeys Tom , De Mol Jan , Buysse Ann
Published: June 2020

The current study examined the respective role of stepfamily members' individual characteristics and their dyadic relationships in stepfamily members' perceptions of mattering to one another. Parents, stepparents, and adolescents from 86 stepfamilies participated. Applying social relations model analyses, several trends emerged regarding the relative importance of individual and dyadic factors. Parents' and adolescents' reports of mattering to one another were mainly driven by individual factors, whereas relational factors were important to understand the reports of mattering in which the stepparent was one of the dyad members. These findings contribute to stepfamily research by highlighting that stepfamily members' sense of belonging is at least partly a function of the interpersonal adaptation between the stepparent and other family members.
Survivability and developmental competences of domestic cat (Felis catus) oocytes after Cryotech method vitrification
Authors: Nowak Agnieszka , Kochan Joanna , Świętek Ewa , Kij Barbara , Prochowska Sylwia , Witarski Wojciech , Bugno‐Poniewierska Monika , Niżański Wojciech
Published: June 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of the Cryotech technique for the vitrification of domestic cat (Felis catus) oocytes, as a model for other feline species threatened with extinction. This technique, in which oocytes are stored in a minimal volume of medium, is already widely used in human assisted reproductive technology. In the first part of this study, a viability test (EtBr/FDA) was used to evaluate the toxicity of the vitrification media (solutions). After IVM, oocytes were placed in vitrification and warming solutions according to the manufacturer's procedure, with or without exposure to liquid nitrogen. The solutions and the vitrification procedure each caused a reduction in oocyte viability, with survival rates of 71.4% in oocytes exposed to the Cryotech media (without cooling in liquid nitrogen), and 62% in oocytes that were vitrified. In the second part of the experiment, parthenogenetic activation was used to evaluate the developmental potential of oocytes previously vitrified using the Cryotech method. After warming, the oocytes were activated using a combination of 0.7 µM ionomycin in TCM 199 medium (5 min) followed by 2 mM 6‐DMAP in TCM 199 supplemented with 10% FBS (3 hr), then cultured and evaluated every 24 hr for parthenogenetic cleavage. In the experimental group, 23/50 (46%) cleaved embryos were obtained. Domestic cat oocytes, vitrified by the Cryotech method, are characterized by high survival rates. However, it is necessary to improve the technique to increase the developmental competence of embryos obtained from vitrified oocytes.
Immuno‐histological mapping and functional association of seminal proteins in testis and excurrent ducts with sperm function in buffalo
Authors: Patil Sunil Kumar , Somashekar Lakshminarayana , Selvaraju Sellappan , Jamuna Kolatalu V. , Parthipan Shivashanmugam , Binsila Bala Krishnan , Prasad Ramaswamy Venkatesha , Ravindra Janivara Parameshwaraiah
Published: June 2020

The region‐specific expression of seminal proteins in testis and excurrent duct system determines the quality and function of the spermatozoa. In the present study, localization and expression of some of the seminal proteins such as insulin‐like growth factor receptor 1β (IGF‐1Rβ), phosphatidylethanolamine‐binding protein 4 (PEBP4), α‐tubulin and tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2) were carried out in testis, excurrent duct system and spermatozoa of buffalo. IGF‐1Rβ was localized in the cells of the seminiferous tubules of the testis, except in primary spermatocytes. The PEBP4 was localized only in the elongated spermatid, whereas α‐tubulin and TFPI2 proteins were localized in all cells of the seminiferous tubule including spermatocyte. In the buffalo spermatozoa, IGF‐1Rβ, PEBP4, α‐tubulin and TFPI2 were localized in the acrosome region, the post‐acrosomal region till the tail end, post‐acrosome to the entire tail region and the equatorial region, respectively. The study indicates that IGF‐1R, α‐tubulin and PEBP4 proteins regulate spermatogenesis, whereas TFPI2 may be involved during the zona binding process of the buffalo spermatozoa.
From Corona Virus to Corona Crisis: The Value of An Analytical and Geographical Understanding of Crisis
Authors: Brinks Verena , Ibert Oliver
Published: June 2020

The term ‘crisis’ is omnipresent. The current corona virus pandemic is perceived as the most recent example. However, the notion of crisis is increasingly deployed as a signifier of relevance, rather than as an analytical concept. Moreover, human geography has so far little contributed to the interdisciplinary crisis research field which is fixated on the temporal aspects of crisis but neglects its spatiality. Against this background, the first aim of the paper is to demonstrate the value of thinking about crisis analytically. Therefore, we introduce theoretical knowledge developed within a recently emerging literature on crisis management. Second, we demonstrate the relevance of including geographical thinking into crisis research more systematically. Based on the TPSN‐framework by Jessop et al., we illustrate spatial dimensions of the ‘corona crisis’, its perception and handling in Germany. The empirical references are based on media reports.
Extracting invariant characteristics of sketch maps: Towards place query‐by‐sketch
Authors: Tang Ming , Falomir Zoe , Freksa Christian , Sheng Yehua , Lyu Haiyang
Published: June 2020

In geography, invariant aspects of sketches are essential to study because they reflect the human perception of real‐world places. A person's perception of a place can be expressed in sketches. In this article, we quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed the characteristics of single objects and characteristics among objects in sketches and the real world to find reliable invariants that can be used to establish references/correspondences between sketch and world in a matching process. These characteristics include category, shape, name, and relative size of each object. Moreover, quantity and spatial relationships—such as topological, ordering, and location relationships—among all objects are also analyzed to assess consistency between sketched and actual places. The approach presented in this study extracts the reliable invariants for query‐by‐sketch and prioritizes their relevance for a sketch‐map matching process.
Prospective, controlled, blinded, randomized crossover trial evaluating the effect of maropitant versus ondansetron on inhibiting tranexamic acid‐evoked emesis
Authors: Kantyka Marta E. , Meira Carolina , Bettschart‐Wolfensberger Regula , Hartnack Sonja , Kutter Annette P.N.
Published: June 2020

Objective

To evaluate the incidence of tranexamic acid (TXA)‐induced nausea and vomiting after the prophylactic use of 2 antiemetics, ondansetron and maropitant, compared with saline.

Design

Prospective, blinded, placebo‐controlled, randomized, crossover study.

Setting

University research facility.

Animals

Eight adult, purpose‐bred Beagles.

Intervention

Dogs received 3 treatments on 3 occasions with a 3‐week washout period. Either maropitant (1 mg/kg), ondansetron (0.2 mg/kg), or saline solution was given intravenously in equal volumes, followed 10 minutes later by 50 mg/kg IV TXA. A blinded observer evaluated the dogs for signs of vomiting and nausea for 30 minutes. The severity of nausea was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS) and recorded at baseline before TXA, and at the end of 3 observational periods: 0–5, 5–15, and 15–30 minutes after TXA. A generalized linear mixed effect model was used to assess for group and period effects. Statistical significance was set at .

Measurements and main results

None of the dogs vomited after maropitant. Emesis occurred in 5 out of 8 dogs (62.5%), a median (range) of 1 time (1–2) after ondansetron and 1 time (1–3) after saline. There was a significant effect on vomiting of maropitant against saline (P < 0.0001) but not for ondansetron against saline (P = 0.53). The highest nausea VASs were recorded during the first 5 minutes after TXA with a significant reduction of VAS variability in the maropitant group (P = 0.003). The effect of maropitant and ondansetron against saline on the severity of nausea was not statistically significant (P = 0.069).

Conclusion

The neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist maropitant at the dose used, administered IV 10 minutes before 50 mg/kg TXA, was effective in preventing vomiting compared with ondansetron and placebo. Our results support the prophylactic IV administration of maropitant in dogs that are scheduled to receive TXA.
Angiotensin‐II receptor type Ia does not contribute to cardiac atrophy following high‐thoracic spinal cord injury in mice
Authors: Järve Anne , Qadri Fatimunnisa , Todiras Mihail , Schmolke Shirley , Bader Michael
Published: June 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What is the role of the renin–angiotensin system with angiotensin II acting via its receptor AT1a in spinal cord injury‐induced cardiac atrophy?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Knockout of AT1a did not protect mice that had undergone thoracic level 4 transection from cardiac atrophy. There were no histopathological signs but there was reduced load‐dependent left ventricular function (lower stroke volume and cardiac output) with preserved ejection fraction.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to cardiac atrophy often accompanied by functional deficits. The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) with angiotensin II (AngII) signalling via its receptor AT1a might contribute to cardiac atrophy post‐SCI. We performed spinal cord transection at thoracic level T4 (T4‐Tx) or sham‐operation in female wild‐type mice (WT, n = 27) and mice deficient in AT1a (Agtr1a−/−, n = 27). Echocardiography (0, 7, 21 and 28 days post‐SCI) and histology and gene expression analyses at 1 and 2 months post‐SCI were performed. We found cardiac atrophy post‐SCI: reduced heart weight, reduced estimated left ventricular mass in Agtr1a−/−, and reduced cardiomyocyte diameter in WT mice. Although, the latter as well as stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) were reduced in Agtr1a−/− mice already at baseline, cardiomyocyte diameter was even smaller in injured Agtr1a−/− mice compared to injured WT mice. SV and CO were reduced in WT mice post‐SCI. Ejection fraction and fractional shortening were preserved post‐SCI in both genotypes. There were no histological signs of fibrosis and pathology in the cardiac sections of either genotype post‐SCI. Gene expression of Agtr1a showed a trend for up‐regulation at 2 months post‐SCI; angiotensinogen was up‐regulated at 2 month post‐SCI in both genotypes. AngII receptor type 2 (Agtr2) was up‐ and down‐regulated at 1 and 2 months post‐SCI in WT mice, respectively, and Ang‐(1‐7) receptor (Mas) at 1 and 2 months post‐SCI. Atrogin‐1/MAFbx and MuRF1, atrophy markers, were not significantly up‐regulated post‐SCI. Our data show that lack of AT1a does not protect from cardiac atrophy post‐SCI.
El impacto de la pandemia en el seguro. Panorama en Argentina
Authors: Compiani María Fabiana
Published: June 2020

El artículo revisa el impacto que la pandemia por coronavirus ha tenido en los diversos riesgos objeto del contrato de seguro en Argentina. Para ello, se realiza una semblanza tanto de las medidas tomadas por la autoridad pública como el estado de situación del sector asegurador en el país. Asimismo, se efectúa una breve síntesis de los remedios previstos en la ley especial y en la legislación general.
Contribution to the knowledge of oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of Uganda, with description of a new species of the genus Machadobelba (Machadobelbidae)
Authors: Ermilov Sergey G.
Published: June 2020

A list of identified oribatid mite taxa from Uganda, including 21 species/subspecies from 17 genera and 14 families, is presented. A new species of the family Machadobelbidae is described from leaf litter. Machadobelba ugandaensis sp. nov. differs from Machadobelba barbata Sanyal, Saha & Chakraborty, 2005 and Machadobelba dispar Balogh, 1958 by the presence of one pair of lateral teeth of the rostrum, prodorsal transverse ridge between costulae and foveolate body surface. Revised generic diagnosis and an identification key to the known species of Machadobelba are presented.
The effect of low frequency noise on the behaviour of juvenile Sparus aurata
Authors: Mauro Manuela , Pérez-Arjona Isabel , Perez Eduardo J. Belda , Ceraulo Maria , Bou-Cabo Manuel , Benson Thomas , Espinosa Victor , Beltrame Francesco , Mazzola Salvatore , Vazzana Mirella , Buscaino Giuseppa
Published: June 2020

Anthropogenic activities are causing increased noise levels in the marine environment. To date, few studies have been undertaken to investigate the effects of different noise frequencies on the behaviour of juvenile fish. In this study, the behavioural changes of juvenile gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) are evaluated when exposed to white noise filtered in third-octave bands centred at 63, 125, 500, and 1000 Hz (sound pressure level, 140–150 dB re 1 μΡa) for 7 h. The group dispersion, motility, and swimming height of the fish were analysed before and during the acoustic emission. Dispersion of the fish was found to reduce immediately upon application of low frequency sound (63 and 125 Hz) with a return to control condition after 2 h (indicative of habituation), whereas at 1 kHz, dispersion increased after 2 h without any habituation. The motility decreased significantly at 63 Hz throughout the 7 h of sound exposure. The swimming height decreased significantly for all frequencies other than 125 Hz. The results of this study highlight significant variations in the behavioural responses of juvenile fish that could have consequences on their fitness and survival.
Infectious Complications of Biological and Small Molecule Targeted Immunomodulatory Therapies
Authors: Davis Joshua S. , Ferreira David , Paige Emma , Gedye Craig , Boyle Michael
Published: June 2020

The past 2 decades have seen a revolution in our approach to therapeutic immunosuppression. We have moved from relying on broadly active traditional medications, such as prednisolone or methotrexate, toward more specific agents that often target a single receptor, cytokine, or cell type, using monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins, or targeted small molecules. This change has transformed the treatment of many conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, cancers, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease, but along with the benefits have come risks.
A Public Health Laboratory Response to the Pandemic
Authors: Pabbaraju Kanti , Wong Anita A. , Douesnard Mark , Ma Raymond , Gill Kara , Dieu Paul , Fonseca Kevin , Zelyas Nathan , Tipples Graham A.
Published: June 2020

An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) began in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019 and spread rapidly worldwide. The response by the Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory (ProvLab), AB, Canada, included the development and implementation of nucleic acid detection-based assays and dynamic changes in testing protocols for the identification of cases as the epidemic curve increased exponentially.
Performance Characteristics of Four High-Throughput Immunoassays for Detection of IgG Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Theel Elitza S. , Harring Julie , Hilgart Heather , Granger Dane
Published: June 2020

The role of serologic testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in both the clinical and public health settings, will continue to evolve as we gain increasing insight into our immune response to the virus. Here, we evaluated four high-throughput serologic tests for detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, from Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Park, IL), Epitope Diagnostics, Inc. (San Diego, CA), Euroimmun (Lubeck, Germany), and Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics (Rochester, NY), using a panel of serially collected serum samples (
n
 = 224) from 56 patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), healthy donor sera from 2018, and a cross-reactivity serum panel collected in early 2020.
cis
-Acting Sequences and Secondary Structures in Untranslated Regions of Duck Tembusu Virus RNA Are Important for Cap-Independent Translation and Viral Proliferation
Authors: Wang Tao , Merits Andres , Wu Yuanyuan , Wang Mingshu , Jia Renyong , Zhu Dekang , Liu Mafeng , Zhao Xinxin , Yang Qiao , Wu Ying , Zhang Shaqiu , Liu Yunya , Zhang Ling , Yu Yanling , Pan Leichang , Chen Shun , Cheng Anchun
Published: June 2020

The genus
Flavivirus
includes major human pathogens, as well as animal-infecting viruses with zoonotic potential. In order to counteract the threats these viruses represent, it is important to understand their basic biology to develop universal attenuation strategies. Here, we demonstrate that five different flaviviruses use cap-independent translation, indicating that the phenomenon is probably common to all members of the genus. The mechanism used for flavivirus cap-independent translation was found to be different from that of IRES-mediated translation and dependent on both 5′ and 3′ UTRs that act in
cis
. As cap-independent translation was also observed in mosquito cells, its role in flavivirus infection is unlikely to be limited to the evasion of consequences of the shutoff of host translation. We found that the inhibition of cap-independent translation results in decreased viral proliferation, indicating that the strategy could be applied to produce attenuated variants of flaviviruses as potential vaccine candidates.
Combining Whole-Genome Sequencing and Multimodel Phenotyping To Identify Genetic Predictors of
Salmonella
Virulence
Authors: Crouse Alanna , Schramm Catherine , Emond-Rheault Jean-Guillaume , Herod Adrian , Kerhoas Maud , Rohde John , Gruenheid Samantha , Kukavica-Ibrulj Irena , Boyle Brian , Greenwood Celia M. T. , Goodridge Lawrence D. , Garduno Rafael , Levesque Roger C. , Malo Danielle , Daigle France
Published: June 2020

Salmonella
species are bacteria that are a major source of foodborne disease through contamination of a diversity of foods, including meat, eggs, fruits, nuts, and vegetables. More than 2,600 different
Salmonella enterica
serovars have been identified, and only a few of them are associated with illness in humans. Despite the fact that they are genetically closely related, there is enormous variation in the virulence of different isolates of
Salmonella enterica
. Identification of foodborne pathogens is a lengthy process based on microbiological, biochemical, and immunological methods. Here, we worked toward new ways of integrating whole-genome sequencing (WGS) approaches into food safety practices. We used WGS to build associations between virulence and genetic diversity within 83
Salmonella
isolates representing 77 different
Salmonella
serovars. Our work demonstrates the potential of combining a genomics approach and virulence tests to improve the diagnostics and assess risk of human illness associated with specific
Salmonella
isolates.
Biliary atresia screening in Shenzhen: implementation and achievements
Authors: Zheng Jiachen , Ye Yongqin , Wang Bin , Zhang Lihui
Published: June 2020

Objective

To elaborate on the implementation and achievements of a biliary atresia (BA) screening programme in Shenzhen.

Methods

In 2015, we partnered with the government in Shenzhen and attached the stool colour card (SCC) to the health handbook for mothers and children. These handbooks have been distributed through official channels to every pregnant woman in Shenzhen since 1 January 2015. A total of 118 patients diagnosed with BA at Shenzhen Children’s Hospital were enrolled and divided into two cohorts based on their date of diagnosis: cohort A before and cohort B after introduction of screening. The cohorts were compared to evaluate differences in age at diagnosis, jaundice-free rate, 2-year native liver survival rate and so on.

Results

After the implementation of the screening programme, the age at diagnosis decreased from 81±12 to 56±15 days old (p<0.05), the incidence of postoperative complications decreased from 58.8% to 52.6% (p<0.05), the jaundice-free rate increased from 47.1% to 54.4% (p<0.05), and the 2-year native liver survival rate increased from 44.4% to 52.6% (p<0.05). The percentage of patients who underwent surgery increased from 68.0% to 83.8% (p<0.05).

Conclusion

In Shenzhen, our screening programme led to earlier diagnoses and better prognoses. The latter resulted in an increased willingness to undergo the Kasai procedure. Through a hospital and government collaboration, this programme exerted a considerable influence, and guardians observed benefits with only a small cost of implementation. Our results may eventually help promote the widespread use of the SCC across the whole country.
NUBPL mitochondrial disease: new patients and review of the genetic and clinical spectrum
Authors: Kimonis Virginia , al Dubaisi Rehab , Maclean Andrew E , Hall Kathy , Weiss Lan , Stover Alexander E , Schwartz Philip H , Berg Bethany , Cheng Cheng , Parikh Sumit , Conner Blair R , Wu Sitao , Hasso Anton N , Scott Daryl A , Koenig Mary Kay , Karam Rachid , Tang Sha , Smith Moyra , Chao Elizabeth , Balk Janneke , Hatchwell Eli , Eis Peggy S
Published: June 2020

Background

The nucleotide binding protein-like (NUBPL) gene was first reported as a cause of mitochondrial complex I deficiency (MIM 613621, 618242) in 2010. To date, only eight patients have been reported with this mitochondrial disorder. Five other patients were recently reported to have NUBPL disease but their clinical picture was different from the first eight patients. Here, we report clinical and genetic findings in five additional patients (four families).

Methods

Whole exome sequencing was used to identify patients with compound heterozygous NUBPL variants. Functional studies included RNA-Seq transcript analyses, missense variant biochemical analyses in a yeast model (Yarrowia lipolytica) and mitochondrial respiration experiments on patient fibroblasts.

Results

The previously reported c.815-27T>C branch-site mutation was found in all four families. In prior patients, c.166G>A [p.G56R] was always found in cis with c.815-27T>C, but only two of four families had both variants. The second variant found in trans with c.815-27T>C in each family was: c.311T>C [p.L104P] in three patients, c.693+1G>A in one patient and c.545T>C [p.V182A] in one patient. Complex I function in the yeast model was impacted by p.L104P but not p.V182A. Clinical features include onset of neurological symptoms at 3–18 months, global developmental delay, cerebellar dysfunction (including ataxia, dysarthria, nystagmus and tremor) and spasticity. Brain MRI showed cerebellar atrophy. Mitochondrial function studies on patient fibroblasts showed significantly reduced spare respiratory capacity.

Conclusion

We report on five new patients with NUBPL disease, adding to the number and phenotypic variability of patients diagnosed worldwide, and review prior reported patients with pathogenic NUBPL variants.
Preparing medical students for a pandemic: a systematic review of student disaster training programmes
Authors: Ashcroft James , Byrne Matthew H V , Brennan Peter A , Davies Richard Justin
Published: June 2020

Objective

To identify pandemic and disaster medicine-themed training programmes aimed at medical students and to assess whether these interventions had an effect on objective measures of disaster preparedness and clinical outcomes. To suggest a training approach that can be used to train medical students for the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

23 studies met inclusion criteria assessing knowledge (n=18, 78.3%), attitude (n=14, 60.9%) or skill (n=10, 43.5%) following medical student disaster training. No studies assessed clinical improvement. The length of studies ranged from 1 day to 28 days, and the median length of training was 2 days (IQR=1–14). Overall, medical student disaster training programmes improved student disaster and pandemic preparedness and resulted in improved attitude, knowledge and skills. 18 studies used pretest and post-test measures which demonstrated an improvement in all outcomes from all studies.

Conclusions

Implementing disaster training programmes for medical students improves preparedness, knowledge and skills that are important for medical students during times of pandemic. If medical students are recruited to assist in the COVID-19 pandemic, there needs to be a specific training programme for them. This review demonstrates that medical students undergoing appropriate training could play an essential role in pandemic management and suggests a course and assessment structure for medical student COVID-19 training.

Registration

The search strategy was not registered on PROSPERO—the international prospective register of systematic reviews—to prevent unnecessary delay.