bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNA Splicing of the Abi1 Gene by MBNL1 contributes to macrophage‐like phenotype modulation of vascular smooth muscle cell during atherogenesis
Authors: Li Yinan , Guo Xiangjiang , Xue Guanhua , Wang Han , Wang Yuli , Wang Weilun , Yang Shuofei , Ni Qihong , Chen Jiaquan , Lv Lei , Zhao Yiping , Ye Meng , Zhang Lan
Published: March 2021

Background

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) switch to macrophage‐like cells after cholesterol loading, and this change may play an important role in atherogenesis. Muscleblind‐like splicing regulator 1 (MBNL1) is a well‐known splicing factor that has been implicated in many cellular processes. However, the role of MBNL1 in VSMC macrophage‐like transdifferentiation is largely unknown. In this study, we aim to characterize the role of MBNL1‐induced gene splicing during atherogenesis.

Methods

The expression of MBNL1 and Abelson interactor 1 (Abi1) splice variants (Abi1‐e10 and Abi1‐Δe10) was compared between artery tissues from healthy donors and atherosclerosis patients. Regulatory mechanisms of MBNL1‐induced Abi1 gene splicing were studied, and the signal pathways mediated by Abi1 splice variants were investigated in VSMC.

Results

Loss of MBNL1 was found in the macrophage‐like VSMC (VSMC‐M) in artery wall from atherosclerosis patients. In vitro and in vivo evidence confirmed that Abi1 is one of the MBNL1 target genes. Loss of MBNL1 significantly induces the Abi1‐Δe10 isoform expression. Compared to the known actin organization activities of the Abi1 gene, we discovered a novel action of Abi1‐Δe10, whereby Abi1‐Δe10 activates Rac1 independent of upstream stimulation and triggers the Rac1‐NOX1‐ROS pathway, which results in increased expression of transcription factor Kruppel‐like factor 4 (KLF4). While Abi1‐Δe10 inhibits contractile VSMC biomarkers expression and cell contraction, it stimulates VSMC proliferation, migration and macrophage‐like transdifferentiation.

Conclusion

Loss‐of‐function of MBNL1 activates VSMC‐M transdifferentiation to promote atherogenesis through regulating Abi1 RNA splicing.
High incidence of adnexotropism in cytotoxic cutaneous lymphomas
Authors: Walker Christina J. , Martinez‐Escala Maria Estela , Tan Timothy L. , Espinosa Maria L. , Guitart Joan
Published: March 2021

Background

Primary cutaneous gamma‐delta T‐cell lymphoma (PCγδTCL) and primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic T‐cell lymphomas (PCAETCL) are rare aggressive cytotoxic cutaneous lymphomas (CyCL) often difficult to diagnose. Histopathologically, PCAETCL and PCγδTCL may resemble mycosis fungoides (MF) and the presence of adnexotropism in CyCL (CyCL) contributes to this diagnostic challenge, especially in the setting of atypical and double‐negative phenotypes.

Methods

In this retrospective study clinical data and histopathological section of 91 patients were analyzed for signs of clinical and histopathological signs adnexotropism.

Results

Adnexotropism was identified in 48.4% (44/91) of cases, including PCAETCL (40.9%, 18/44), PCγδTCL and cytotoxic cutaneous lymphomas, not otherwise specified (CyCTCL, NOS) (43.2%, 19/44 and 15.9%, 7/44). Comparison between disease‐related mortality with Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis of non‐adnexotropic vs adnexotropic CyCL did not show any significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.8). Clinically they present with patches, plaques, and tumors and commonly with ulceration, but follicular prominence or alopecia are rare. Clinical signs of adnexotropism such as alopecia and hypo‐ or anhidrosis were rarely seen.

Conclusion

Adnexotropism is a common finding in CyCL, especially in PCAETCL. Adnexotropic CyCL may be histopathologically difficult to distinguish from folliculotropic mycosis fungoides. A comprehensive IHC panel should be routinely performed in such cases.
The Structure of the Prodromal Questionnaire‐16 (PQ‐16): Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in a general non‐help‐seeking population sample
Authors: Howie Clare , Hanna Donncha , Shannon Ciaran , Davidson Gavin , Mulholland Ciaran
Published: March 2021

Aims

To examine the structure of the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ‐16) in a non‐help‐seeking population through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Previous studies have not looked at the structure of this self‐report measure outside clinical settings.

Methods

Participants (n = 1045) were recruited through Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk), and then completed the PQ‐16. The data set was split randomly in two, one being used for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the other for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A polychoric correlation matrix was created and EFA was used to explore the factor structure of the PQ‐16. Four models were tested through CFA to determine best fit: one, two, three and four‐factor models were all analysed.

Results

EFA indicated a two‐factor structure in the PQ‐16 in a non‐help‐seeking population (with a mean age = 29.7 years). Factor 1 represented perceptual abnormalities/hallucinations and factor 2 general symptoms associated with psychosis‐risk. CFA indicated that all the proposed models were suitable fits for the dataset. Fit indices for the three‐factor model (factor 1 representing perceptual abnormalities/hallucinations, factor 2 unusual thought content, and factor 3 negative symptom) indicated that it appeared to be a better fit for the data than the one, two, and four factor models.

Conclusions

This study suggests that a three‐factor model of the PQ‐16 is a better fit than other proposed models in a non‐help‐seeking population. Future research of the structure of the PQ‐16 in this population may benefit from recruiting subjects with a lower mean age than the current study.
In it together? The case for endocannabinoid–noradrenergic interactions in fear extinction
Authors: Warren William G. , Papagianni Eleni P. , Stevenson Carl W. , Stubbendorff Christine
Published: March 2021

Anxiety and trauma‐related disorders, such as post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are debilitating mental illnesses with great personal and socioeconomic costs. Examining memory formation and relevant behavioural responding associated with aversive stimuli may improve our understanding of the neurobiology underlying fear memory processing and PTSD treatment. The neurocircuitry underpinning learned fear and its inhibition through extinction is complex, involving synergistic interactions between different neurotransmitter systems in inter‐connected brain areas. Endocannabinoid and noradrenergic transmission have both been implicated separately in fear memory processing and PTSD, but potential interactions between these systems in relation to fear extinction have received little attention to date. Their receptors are expressed together in brain areas crucial for fear extinction, which is enhanced by both cannabinoid and noradrenergic receptor activation in these areas. Moreover, cannabinoid signalling modulates the activity of locus coeruleus noradrenaline (NA) neurons and the release of NA in the medial prefrontal cortex, a brain area that is crucial for fear extinction. Interestingly, endocannabinoid–noradrenergic system interactions have been shown to regulate the encoding and retrieval of fear memory. Thus, noradrenergic regulation of fear extinction may also be driven indirectly in part via cannabinoid receptor signalling. In this perspective paper, we collate the available relevant literature and propose a synergistic role for the endocannabinoid and noradrenergic systems in regulating fear extinction, the study of which may further our understanding of the neurobiological substrates of PTSD and its treatment.
Target insiders' preferences when trading before takeover announcements: Deal completion probability, premium and deal characteristics
Authors: Fidrmuc Jana P. , Xia Chunling
Published: March 2021

We contribute to the M&A literature by characterizing the information available to target insiders during the pre‐public takeover negotiations. We analyze insider trading in target firms in the US between 2005 and 2018. First, we show that signing confidentiality agreements is an important information threshold. Second, insiders have a good grasp of deal success. They increase their net purchases only in deals with higher completion probability. Third, insiders guess the final offer price well, but their trading strategies additionally reflect their knowledge of deal characteristics. They prefer bidder‐initiated, cash, privately negotiated, and strategic deals. Insiders combine several sources of information.
Association of putatively adaptive genetic variation with climatic variables differs between a parasite and its host
Authors: Walters Sheree J. , Robinson Todd P. , Byrne Margaret , Wardell‐Johnson Grant W. , Nevill Paul
Published: March 2021

Parasitism is a pervasive phenomenon in nature with the relationship between species driving evolution in both parasite and host. Due to their host‐dependent lifestyle, parasites may adapt to the abiotic environment in ways that differ from their hosts or from free‐living relatives; yet rarely has this been assessed. Here, we test two competing hypotheses related to whether putatively adaptive genetic variation in a specialist mistletoe associates with the same, or different, climatic variables as its host species. We sampled 11 populations of the specialist mistletoe Amyema gibberula var. tatei (n = 154) and 10 populations of its associated host Hakea recurva subsp. recurva (n = 160). Reduced‐representation sequencing was used to obtain genome‐wide markers and putatively adaptive variation detected using genome scan methods. Climate associations were identified using generalized dissimilarity modelling, and these were mapped geographically to visualize the spatial patterns of genetic composition. Our results supported the hypothesis of parasites and host species responding differently to climatic variables. Temperature was relatively more important in predicting allelic turnover in the specialist mistletoe while precipitation was more important for the host. This suggests that parasitic plants and host species may respond differently to selective pressures, potentially as a result of differing nutrient acquisition strategies. Specifically, mistletoes acquire water from hosts (rather than the abiotic environment), which may provide a buffer to precipitation as a selective pressure. This work deepens and complements the physiological and other ecological studies of adaptation and provides a window into the evolutionary processes that underlie previously observed phenomena. Applying these methods to a comparative study in a host–parasite system has also highlighted factors that affect the study of selection pressure on nonmodel organisms, such as differing adaptation rates and lack of reference genomes.
Current carbon prices do not stack up to much land use change, despite bundled ecosystem service co‐benefits
Authors: Summers David M. , Regan Courtney M. , Settre Claire , Connor Jeffery D. , O’Connor Patrick , Abbott Hayley , Frizenschaf Jacqueline , van der Linden Leon , Lowe Andrew , Hogendoorn Katja , Groom Scott , Cavagnaro Timothy R.
Published: March 2021

Biological sources of carbon sequestration such as revegetation have been highlighted as important avenues to combat climate change and meet global targets by the global community including the Paris Climate Agreement. However, current and projected carbon prices present a considerable barrier to broad‐scale adoption of tree planting as a key mitigation strategy. One avenue to provide additional economic and environmental incentives to encourage wider adoption of revegetation is the bundling or stacking of additional co‐beneficial ecosystem services that can be realized from tree planting. Using the World's largest land‐based carbon credit trading scheme, the Australian Emissions Reduction Scheme (ERF), we examine the potential for three pairs of ecosystem services, where the carbon sequestration value of land use change is paired with an additional co‐benefit with strong prospects for local tangible benefits to land owners/providers. Two cases consider agricultural provisioning values that can be realized by the landowners in higher returns: increased pollination services and reduced lamb mortality. The third case examined payments for tree plantings along riparian buffers, with payments to farmers by a water utility who realizes the benefit from reduced treatment cost due to water quality improvements. Economic incentives from these co‐benefit case studies were found to be mixed, with avoided treatment costs from water quality paired with carbon payments the most promising, while pollination and reduced lamb mortality paired with carbon payments were unable to bridge the economic gap except under the most optimistic assumptions. We conclude that the economics case for significant land use change are likely to be geographically dispersed and only viable in relatively niche landscape positions in high establishment, high opportunity cost areas even when carbon payments are augmented with the value of co‐benefits classified as providing direct and local benefits.
A regional inter‐disciplinary partnership focusing on the development of a carinata‐centered bioeconomy
Authors: George Sheeja , Seepaul Ramdeo , Geller Dan , Dwivedi Puneet , DiLorenzo Nicolas , Altman Rich , Coppola Ed , Miller Stephen A. , Bennett Rick , Johnston Glenn , Streit Leon , Csonka Steve , Field John , Marois Jim , Wright David , Small Ian M. , Philippidis George P.
Published: March 2021

Brassica carinataor Ethiopian mustard, a non‐edible oilseed brassica, is a low carbon, purpose‐grown, and none‐to‐low indirect land‐use change bioenergy feedstock for the production of drop‐in sustainable aviation fuel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and a suite of value‐added coproducts. Carinata oil converted to drop‐in fuel using an American Society for Testing and Materials approved Catalytic Hydrothermolysis process has been successfully tested in commercial and military aviation. Carinata meal, the residue after oil extraction, is a high‐protein feed supplement for livestock, poultry, and swine, and can also yield specialty products. The Southeast Partnership for Advanced Renewables from Carinata (SPARC) is a public–private partnership formed with a twofold mission: (1) Removing physical, environmental, social, and economic constraints that prevent regional intensification of carinata production as a low‐carbon feedstock for renewable fuel and coproducts and (2) demonstrating enhanced value across the entire value chain by mitigating risk to farmers and other stakeholders. The partnership's goal is to energize the US bioeconomy through sustainable agriculture and thus contribute to energy security and economic diversification. SPARC relies on a combination of cutting‐edge multidisciplinary research and active industry engagement to facilitate adoption of the crop. This involves informing stakeholders along the entire supply chain, from producers to end‐users, policymakers, influencers, and the public, about the opportunities and best practices related to carinata. This article provides context and background concerning carinata commercialization as a winter cash crop in the Southeast US for renewable fuels and bioproducts. The advances made to date in the areas of feedstock development, fuel and coproduct development, meal valorization, supply chain logistics, and stakeholder engagement are outlined.
Opt‐in or opt‐out health‐care communication? A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Tong Vivien , Krass Ines , Robson Stephen , Aslani Parisa
Published: March 2021

Background

Patients need medication and medical condition‐related information to better self‐manage their health. Health‐care professionals (HCPs) should be able to actively provide information outside of one‐on‐one consultations; however, patient consent may be required.

Objective

To investigate the Australian public's preferences, and factors that may influence their preferences, towards an opt‐in versus an opt‐out approach to health communication.

Design

A cross‐sectional study using a structured questionnaire administered via Computer‐Assisted Telephone Interviewing.

Setting and participants

Participants across Australia who were adults, English‐speaking and had a long‐term medical condition.

Main outcome measures

Preferences for opt‐in vs opt‐out approach to receiving follow‐up tailored information.

Results

A total of 8683 calls were made to achieve the required sample size of 589 completed surveys. Many (346/589; 58.7%) indicated that they were interested in receiving tailored, ongoing follow‐up information from their HCP. Nearly half (n = 281; 47.7%) preferred an opt‐in service and 293/589 (49.7%) an opt‐out service for receiving follow‐up information. Reasons for preferring an opt‐in service were being in control of the information received (n = 254); able to make a decision that is best for them (n = 245); opt‐in service would save time for HCPs (n = 217); they may not want or need the information (n = 240). Many (n = 255) felt that an opt‐out service should be part of the normal duty of care of their HCP and believed (n = 267) that this approach would ensure that everyone has access to information.

Conclusions

Respondents were interested in receiving tailored information outside of consultation times. However, preferences for an opt‐in or opt‐out approach were divided.
Approaches to optimize patient and family engagement in hospital planning and improvement: Qualitative interviews
Authors: Anderson Natalie N. , Baker G. Ross , Moody Lesley , Scane Kerseri , Urquhart Robin , Wodchis Walter P. , Gagliardi Anna R.
Published: March 2021

Background

Patient engagement (PE) in health‐care planning and improvement is a growing practice. We lack evidence‐based guidance for PE, particularly in hospital settings. This study explored how to optimize PE in hospitals.

Methods

This study was based on qualitative interviews with individuals in various roles at hospitals with high PE capacity. We asked how patients were engaged, rationale for approaches chosen and solutions for key challenges. We identified themes using content analysis.

Results

Participants included 40 patient/family advisors, PE managers, clinicians and executives from 9 hospitals (2 < 100 beds, 4 100 + beds, 3 teaching). Hospitals most frequently employed collaboration (standing committees, project teams), followed by blended approaches (collaboration + consultation), and then consultation (surveys, interviews). Those using collaboration emphasized integrating perspectives into decisions; those using consultation emphasized capturing diverse perspectives. Strategies to support engagement included engaging diverse patients, prioritizing what benefits many, matching patients to projects, training patients and health‐care workers, involving a critical volume of patients, requiring at least one patient for quorum, asking involved patients to review outputs, linking PE with the Board of Directors and championing PE by managers, staff and committee/team chairs.

Conclusion

This research generated insight on concrete approaches and strategies that hospitals can use to optimize PE for planning and improvement. On‐going research is needed to understand how to recruit diverse patients and best balance blended consultation/collaboration approaches.

Patient or public contribution

Three patient research partners with hospital PE experience informed study objectives and interview questions.
Does the drought tolerance of guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] extend belowground to root nodules?
Authors: Shrestha Rajan , Adams Curtis B. , Rajan Nithya
Published: March 2021

In cultivating guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub], a drought‐tolerant legume, producers anticipate soil N credits through biological N fixation (BNF), but it has been speculated that root nodulation is poor under dry conditions and little is known about how nodules recover from drought stress. To provide better insight, two greenhouse studies were conducted to investigate static (25%, 50%, 75% and 100% ET replacement in two soils) and dynamic (50%, 75% and 100%, plus 50% and 75% relieved to 100% at 20 and 30 days after planting) water regimes on guar over 50 days. Water stress generally had the greatest negative impact on nodule weight, followed by aboveground biomass, reproductive nodes, height and then nodule number. Parameter responses were either linear or quadratic with ET replacement and response slopes differed between soils for nodule weight and biomass. The relatively minor effect on nodule number indicated the basic machinery for BNF (nodules) remained largely intact until water stress was extreme. This was likely a key factor that enabled strong and rapid recovery of nodule growth following relief of water stress. Biomass recovery was likewise robust, with production equal to the stress‐free control, regardless of the intensity and duration of the stress. These results show that nodule growth in guar is highly sensitive to water stress, but the plant is resilient in maintaining nodules under water stress and recovering nodule growth upon moisture restoration.
Improving predictions of range expansion for invasive species using joint species distribution models and surrogate co‐occurring species
Authors: Briscoe Runquist Ryan D. , Lake Thomas A. , Moeller David A.
Published: March 2021

Aims

Species distribution models (SDMs) are often used to forecast potential distributions of important invasive or rare species. However, situations where models could be the most valuable ecologically or economically, such as for predicting invasion risk, often pose the greatest challenges to SDM building. These challenges include non‐equilibrium range expansion, low or uneven prevalence, and projecting distributions into environments that are non‐analogous to the environments used for model building.

Location

Minnesota, USA.

Taxon

Cardamine impatiens (Narrowleaf Bittercress), Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental Bittersweet), and Humulus japonicus (Japanese Hops).

Methods

We took a novel approach to build robust species distribution models of invasive species using occurrence‐environment correlations between invasive species and co‐occurring native community members. The correlations were obtained from a joint species distribution model (JSDM) of a densely sampled database of 10,336 MN plant communities from across the state of Minnesota, USA. Positively and negatively associated native species were incorporated into the model as surrogate presences and pseudoabsences (weighted by their environmental correlations) along with invasive species occurrences records (surrogate SDMs).

Results

Surrogate models performed better than traditional SDMs in predicting occurrences along the northern invasion margin (outside the training area). Both types of models had similarly high cross‐validation metrics in the area of training. Surrogate models also predicted greater range expansion beyond the current geographic range.

Main conclusions

These results demonstrate that modelers can take advantage of detailed community data to develop SDMs that leverage surrogate native species as phytometers of environments beyond the current area of occupancy. The additional information in surrogate models generates highly effective predictions of invasive species along expanding range margins.
The iatrogenic opioid crisis: An example of ‘institutional corruption of pharmaceuticals’?
Authors: Makhinson Michael , Seshia Shashi S. , Young Gordon Bryan , Smith Preston A. , Stobart Kent , Guha Indra Neil
Published: March 2021

Rationale

Prescribed opioids are major contributors to the international public health opioid crisis. Such widespread iatrogenic harms usually result from collective decision failures of healthcare organizations rather than solely of individual organizations or professionals. Findings from a system‐wide safety analysis of the iatrogenic opioid crisis that includes roles of pertinent healthcare organizations may help avoid or mitigate similar future iatrogenic consequences. In this retrospective exploratory study, we report such an analysis.

Methods

The study population encompassed the entire age spectrum and included those in whom opioids prescribed for chronic pain (unrelated to malignancy) were associated with death or morbidity. Root cause analysis, incorporating recent suggestions for improvement, was used to identify possible contributory factors from the literature. Based on their mandated roles and potential influences to prevent or mitigate the iatrogenic crisis, relevant organizations were grouped and stratified from most to least influential.

Results

The analysis identified a chain of multiple interrelated causal factors within and between organizations. The most influential organizations were pharmaceutical, political, and drug regulatory; next: experts and their related societies, and publications. Less influential: accreditation, professional licensing and regulatory, academic and healthcare funding bodies. Collectively, their views and decisions influenced prescribing practices of frontline healthcare professionals and advocacy groups. Financial associations between pharmaceutical and most other organizations/groups were common. Ultimately, patients were adversely affected. There was a complex association with psychosocial variables.

Limitations

The analysis suggests associations not causality.

Conclusion

The iatrogenic crisis has multiple intricately linked roots. The major catalyst: pervasive pharma‐linked financial conflicts of interest (CoIs) involving most other healthcare organizations. These extensive financial CoIs were likely triggers for a cascade of erroneous decisions and actions that adversely affected patients. The actions and decisions of pharma ranged from unethical to illegal. The iatrogenic opioid crisis may exemplify ‘institutional corruption of pharmaceuticals’.
Description of a new species of Mustura Kottelat (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from the Brahmaputra drainage, India
Authors: Choudhury Hrishikesh , Das Rajdeep , Bharali Ratul Ch. , Sarma Kangkan , Tyagi Lalit K. , Lal Kuldeep K. , Sarma Dandadhar
Published: March 2021

Mustura subhashi, new species, is described from the Dikal River, a north bank tributary of the Brahmaputra drainage in Arunachal Pradesh. It is distinguished from all its congeners by having a colour pattern of 14–23 dark‐greyish black to dark brown irregular bars on a greyish to pale beige body; pre‐dorsal bars thin, numerous, wider than interspaces, weakly contrasted, uniting dorsally at lateral one‐third or midway on flank to form thicker bars, coalescing further at lateral one‐fifth and continuous on dorsum with contralateral bars; bars below dorsal fin exhibiting similar condition but slightly wider than pre‐dorsal bars; post‐dorsal bars thicker than anterior bars, wider than interspaces, sharply contrasted, rarely coalescing on flank; and a short bar along the caudal mid‐line, rarely forming a blotch. Based on re‐examination of the type specimens and additional materials, Mustura dikrongensis is confirmed as a species belonging to Mustura, and M. harkishorei is not sufficiently diagnosed from 'Nemacheilus' corica.
Investigation of time effect on pectin production from citrus wastes with ohmic heating assisted extraction process
Authors: Sabanci Serdal , Çevik Mutlu , Göksu Ali
Published: March 2021

Pectin is usually extracted by exposure to a high temperature and a specific pH value by conventional methods. However, due to reasons such as low energy efficiency of the process and damage to the pectin, alternative thermal and non‐thermal methods are used in the pectin extraction process. In this study, the effect of different processing times (0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180 min) on pectin extraction was investigated for grapefruit, lemon, and orange samples at 80°C. Besides, it was determined that the electrical conductivity value ranged between 1.46–2.06 S/m during heating, the electrical conductivity value of the pH solution adjusted with sulfuric acid. Accordingly, it was figured out that the total amount of energy consumed increases as the process holding time increases. However, it was determined that there was a decrease in the average power value by turning on–off the system.

Practical Application

Pectin is one of the additives used in many areas in the food industry. Pectin is now produced especially from agricultural waste peel. During this production, it is subjected to long processes at certain pH and certain temperatures. With the present study, determination of pectin yield over a wide period of time by using ohmic heating process and total ohmic heating energy was determined. In this way, it is thought that a serious contribution will be made to the literature and industry regarding different industrial agricultural waste peel (orange, grapefruit, lemon) during pectin production.
Long‐term symptom severity in people with irritable bowel syndrome following dietetic treatment in primary care: A service evaluation
Authors: Seamark Leah , Barclay Yvonne , Marchant Ceri , Williams Marianne , Hickson Mary
Published: March 2021

Background

Evidence suggests that dietary interventions can improve symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although most data explore the short‐term (immediate) impact. Data on long‐term (>6 months) impact are limited, especially from primary care settings. The present study aimed to investigate the long‐term effect of dietetic‐led interventions for IBS delivered in primary care.

Methods

A service evaluation of a dietetic‐led IBS clinic was completed, analysing data on symptom severity, stool frequency and consistency, and healthcare input. Data were collected before and immediately after dietary intervention as part of patients’ routine clinical appointments. Long‐term data were collected via a postal questionnaire at least 11 months later.

Results

In total, 211 patients responded to the long‐term follow‐up questionnaire at a median of 13 months (interquartile range 12–16 months) post follow‐up appointment. Of these, 84% had been advised to follow a low FODMAP (i.e., fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols carbohydrates) diet. All symptoms were reported significantly less frequently short term, and all except heartburn and acid regurgitation remained so over the long term. The four most commonly reported bowel symptoms reduced in frequency were abdominal pain (62%), bloating (50%), increased wind (48%) and urgency to open bowels (49%) (p < 0.001). The percentage of patients reporting satisfactory relief of gut symptoms was 10% at baseline and 55% at long‐term follow‐up (p < 0.001). Visits to a general practitioner were reduced (from 96% to 34%; p < 0.001), as were those to the gastroenterologist (from 37% to 12%; p = 0.002), during the year prior to long‐term follow‐up compared to the year prior to dietary intervention.

Conclusions

Patients with IBS who received dietetic‐led interventions in primary care reported long‐term symptoms improvements that may result in reduced healthcare usage.
Dispatched nurses’ experience of wearing full gear personal protective equipment to care for COVID‐19 patients in China—A descriptive qualitative study
Authors: Chen Feifei , Zang Yuli , Liu Yuan , Wang Xiaomin , Lin Xingfeng
Published: March 2021

Aims and objectives

We explored dispatched nurses’ experiences of wearing full gear personal protective equipment to care for patients with coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) in Wuhan, China.

Background

Full gear personal protective equipment is the primary and foremost measure to prevent the contact and transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV2); however, working in full gear personal protective equipment may hinder nursing care activities and thus negatively affect patients’ and nurses’ health.

Design

This descriptive qualitative inquiry followed the COREQ guidelines.

Methods

Individual semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted in a purposive sample of 15 frontline nurses who were dispatched to the outbreak epicentre from March to April 2020. Verbatim transcripts were content analysed.

Results

Four themes emerged from the data: inadequate preparedness for working with full gear personal protective equipment, full gear personal protective equipment stimulated stress responses, coping strategies and professional growth. Participants learned a great deal from problem‐focussed and emotion‐focussed strategies to tackle challenges related to the prolonged wearing of full gear personal protective equipment for quality nursing care and reduced risk of exposure. They became more vigilant to the adherence to evolving protocols and appropriate training concerning full gear personal protective equipment use.

Conclusions

Frontline nurses confronted various but diminishing challenges related to the use of full gear personal protective equipment when caring for patients with COVID‐19 across the approximate 40‐day period. Consistent use of coverall personal protective equipment to protect from SARS‐CoV‐2 in high exposure settings would be feasible if nurses were better prepared; therefore, scenario‐based skill training concerning the prolonged use of full gear personal protective equipment should be offered regularly and intensively.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study informs future decisions concerning improved full gear personal protective equipment‐related psychomotor training and promoting ways for nurses to cope with the stress that comes from working in highly contiguous environments.
A polysomnography study examining the association between sleep and postoperative delirium in older hospitalized cardiac surgical patients
Authors: Ibala Reine , Mekonnen Jennifer , Gitlin Jacob , Hahm Eunice Y. , Ethridge Breanna R. , Colon Katia M. , Marota Sophia , Ortega Cristy , Pedemonte Juan C. , Cobanaj Marisa , Chamadia Shubham , Qu Jason , Gao Lei , Barbieri Riccardo , Akeju Oluwaseun
Published: March 2021

Hospitalized older patients who undergo elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass are prone to postoperative delirium. Self‐reported shorter sleep and longer sleep have been associated with impaired cognition. Few data exist to guide us on whether shorter or longer sleep is associated with postoperative delirium in this hospitalized cohort. This was a prospective, single‐site, observational study of hospitalized patients (>60 years) scheduled to undergo elective major cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (n = 16). We collected and analysed overnight polysomnography data using the Somté PSG device and assessed for delirium twice a day until postoperative day 3 using the long version of the confusion assessment method and a structured chart review. We also assessed subjective sleep quality using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. The delirium median preoperative hospital stay of 9 [Q1, Q3: 7, 11] days was similar to the non‐delirium preoperative hospital stay of 7 [4, 9] days (p = .154). The incidence of delirium was 45.5% (10/22) in the entire study cohort and 50% (8/16) in the final cohort with clean polysomnography data. The preoperative delirium median total sleep time of 323.8 [Q1, Q3: 280.3, 382.1] min was longer than the non‐delirium median total sleep time of 254.3 [210.9, 278.1] min (p = .046). This was accounted for by a longer delirium median non‐rapid eye movement (REM) stage 2 sleep duration of 282.3 [229.8, 328.8] min compared to the non‐delirium median non‐REM stage 2 sleep duration of 202.5 [174.4, 208.9] min (p = .012). Markov chain modelling confirmed these findings. There were no differences in measures of sleep quality assessed by the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. Polysomnography measures of sleep obtained the night preceding surgery in hospitalized older patients scheduled for elective major cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass are suggestive of an association between longer sleep duration and postoperative delirium.
HIF‐1α controls palatal wound healing by regulating macrophage motility via S1P/S1P1 signaling axis
Authors: Hutami Islamy Rahma , Izawa Takashi , Khurel‐Ochir Tsendsuren , Sakamaki Takuma , Iwasa Akihiko , Tomita Shuhei , Tanaka Eiji
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To investigate the role of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) signaling, the expression profile of M1 and M2 macrophages, and the role of the sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P)/S1P receptor system in palatal wound healing of heterozygous HIF‐1α‐deficient (HIF‐1α HET) mice.

Materials and methods

HIF‐1α HET and wild‐type (WT) littermates underwent palatal tissue excision at the mid‐hard palate. Histological analysis, immunostaining, real‐time PCR, Western blotting (WB), and cellular migration assays were performed to analyze wound closure and macrophage infiltration.

Results

DMOG pretreatment showed an acceleration of palatal wound closure in WT mice. In contrast, the delayed palatal wound closure was observed in HIF‐1α HET mice with diminished production of Col1a1, MCP‐1, and MIP‐1α, compared with WT mice. Decreased infiltration of M1 macrophage (F4/80+TNF‐α+, F4/80+iNOS+) and M2 macrophage (F4/80+Arginase‐1+, F4/80+CD163+) was observed. The numbers of F4/80+S1P1+ macrophages of HIF‐1α HET wounded tissues were significantly lower compared with WT tissues. S1P treatment of bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) significantly upregulated expression of S1P1 in WT mice compared with HIF‐1α HET. Phosphorylation of MAPK rapidly decreased in BMMs of HIF‐1α HET mice than in BMMs of WT mice by S1P stimulation. Moreover, S1P enhanced HIF‐1α expression via S1P1 receptors to affect macrophage migration.

Conclusions

HIF‐1α deficiency aggravates M1 and M2 macrophage infiltration and controls macrophage motility via S1P/S1P1 signaling. These results suggest that HIF‐1α signaling may contribute to the regulation of palatal wound healing.
Attentive immobility in the face of inevitable distal threat—Startle potentiation and fear bradycardia as an index of emotion and attention
Authors: Szeska Christoph , Richter Jan , Wendt Julia , Weymar Mathias , Hamm Alfons O.
Published: March 2021

During fear conditioning, a cue (CS) signals an inevitable distal threat (US) and evokes a conditioned response that can be described as attentive immobility (freezing). The organism remains motionless and monitors the source of danger while startle responses are potentiated, indicating a state of defensive hypervigilance. Although in animals vagally mediated fear bradycardia is also reliably observed under such circumstances, results are mixed in human fear conditioning. Using a single‐cue fear conditioning and extinction protocol, we tested cardiac reactivity and startle potentiation indexing low‐level defensive strategies in a fear‐conditioned (n = 40; paired presentations of CS and US) compared with a non‐conditioned control group (n = 40; unpaired presentations of CS and US). Additionally, we assessed shock expectancy ratings on a trial‐by‐trial basis indexing declarative knowledge of the previous contingencies. Half of each group underwent extinction under sham or active transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS), serving as additional proof of concept. We found stronger cardiac deceleration during CS presentation in the fear learning relative to the control group. This learned fear bradycardia was positively correlated with conditioned startle potentiation but not with declarative knowledge of CS‐US contingencies. TVNS abolished differences in heart rate changes between both groups and removed the significant correlation between late cardiac deceleration and startle potentiation in the fear learning group. Results suggest, fear‐conditioned cues evoke attentive immobility in humans, characterized by cardiac deceleration and startle potentiation. Such defensive response pattern is elicited by cues predicting inevitable distal threat and resembles conditioned fear responses observed in rodents.
Dissolution of ooids in seawater‐derived fluids – an example from Lower Permian re‐sedimented carbonates, West Texas, USA
Authors: Laya Juan Carlos , Albader Ahmad , Kaczmarek Stephen , Pope Michael , Harris Paul “Mitch” , Miller Brent
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Selective dissolution of metastable minerals and certain pore types, such as moldic and oomoldic pores, are widely accepted to indicate diagenesis by meteoric fluids in carbonate rocks. In this study, oomoldic‐rich re‐sedimented carbonates from the Happy Field in the Midland Basin, which contain no evidence of subaerial environments, indicate that such pores may form in other settings. Ooid dissolution in the reservoir was evaluated through petrography, scanning electron microscopy, stable isotopes (δ18O and δ13C), elemental geochemistry, and X‐ray diffraction of bioclasts, ooids and associated cements. Cements are primarily dogtooth and equant low‐magnesium calcite, poikilotopic celestine is present, and late‐stage low‐magnesium calcite occurs in lesser amounts. Equant low magnesium calcite cements are interpreted to reflect the initial stages of pore filling, synchronous with aragonitic ooid dissolution, thus implying that oomoldic pores and equant cements formed in similar fluids. Although the prominent equant low magnesium calcite cement textures mimic those often associated with meteoric fluids, geochemistry suggests a marine origin. The equant cements have δ18O (Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite) ratios between −2.0‰ and −3.5‰, and δ13C (Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite) ratios between 4‰ and 5‰. Magnesium/calcium ratios show values, ranging from 5 to 142 mmol/mol (n = 223, average 23.2 and SD = 20.1). Strontium/calcium ratios present values from 0.3 to 2.6 mmol/mol (n = 223, average 0.71 mmol/mol, SD = 0.35). Geochemical data coincide with typical low‐latitude Permian marine carbonate values and further signify diagenesis within the marine phreatic realm. To explain this process, the results indicate that the dissolution of aragonite ooids and precipitation of early cements occurred in environments ranging between the seafloor to shallow burial dominated by undersaturated marine fluids. Undersaturation was triggered by organic matter decomposition occurring at the seafloor and in the shallow subsurface immediately below. These findings have broader implications for marine and burial carbonate diagenesis as well as diagenesis of re‐sedimented deposits.
A bacterial stimulation assay for bronchoalveolar lavage immune cells from young children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Liu Haipei , Sarkar Sohinee , Azzopardi Kristy , Day Sophie , Yeow Serene , Ranganathan Sarath , Sutton Philip ,   the Australian Respiratory Early Surveillance Team for Cystic Fibrosis (AREST CF)
Published: March 2021

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is primarily a progressive lung disease, characterized by chronic pulmonary infections with opportunistic pathogens. Such infections typically commence early in life, producing an inflammatory response marked by IL‐8 chemokine production and neutrophilic infiltration, major contributory factors in CF progression. Studying this inflammation, especially early in life, is critical for developing new strategies for preventing or slowing disruption to the structural integrity of the CF airways. However, evaluating the immune responses of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells from children with CF faces technical challenges, including contamination carried from the lung due to pre‐existing infections and low cell number availability. Here, we describe a technique for preparing BAL cells from young children with CF and using those cells in a bacterial stimulation assay. Initial antibiotic treatment proved essential for preventing resident bacteria from overgrowing BAL cell cultures, or non‐specifically activating the cells. ACTB, identified as an optimal reference gene, was validated for accurate analysis of gene expression in these cells. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were used as bacterial stimulants to evaluate the immune response of BAL cells from young children with CF. Addition of gentamicin prevented bacterial overgrowth, although if added after 3 hours of culture an extremely variable response resulted, with the bacteria causing a suppressive effect in some cultures. Addition of gentamicin after 1 hour of culture completely prevented this suppressive effect. This technique was then able to reproducibly measure the IL‐8 response to stimulation with S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, including co‐stimulation with both bacteria.
Personalized collection of plasma from healthy donors: A randomized controlled trial of a novel technology‐enabled nomogram
Authors: Hartmann Jan , Ragusa Michael J. , Burchardt Elmar R. , Manukyan Zorayr , Popovsky Mark A. , Leitman Susan F.
Published: March 2021

Background

Source plasma is essential to support the growing demand for plasma‐derived medicinal products. Supply is short, with donor availability further limited by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. This study examined whether a novel, personalized, technology‐based nomogram was noninferior with regard to significant hypotensive adverse events (AEs) in healthy donors.

Study Design and Methods

IMPACT (IMproving PlasmA CollecTion) was a prospective, multicenter, double‐blinded, randomized, controlled trial carried out between January 6 and March 26, 2020, in three U.S plasma collection centers. Donors were randomly assigned to the current simplified 1992 nomogram (control) or a novel percent plasma nomogram (PPN) with personalized target volume calculation (experimental). Primary endpoint was the rate of significant hypotensive AEs. Noninferiority (NI) was tested with a margin of 0.15%. Collected plasma volume was a secondary endpoint.

Results

A total of 3443 donors (mean [SD] BMI: 32 [7.74] kg/m2; 65% male) underwent 23,137 donations (median [range]: 6 [1–22] per subject). Ten significant hypotensive AEs were observed (six control; four experimental), with model‐based AE incidence rate estimates (95% CI) of 0.051% (0.020%–0.114%) and 0.035% (0.010%–0.094%), respectively (p = .58). NI was met at an upper limit of 0.043% versus the predefined margin of 0.15%. There was no statistical difference between total AEs (all AE types:p = .32). Mean plasma volume collected was 777.8 ml (control) versus 841.7 ml (experimental); an increase of 63.9 ml per donation (8.2%;p < .0001).

Conclusion

This trial showed that a novel personalized nomogram approach in healthy donors allowed approximately 8% more plasma per donation to be collected without impairing donor safety.
Numerical and Experimental Aerodynamic Investigation of an S-Shaped Intermediate Compressor Duct With Bleed
Authors: Siggeirsson Elias M. V. , Andersson Niklas , Burak Olander Markus
Published: March 2021

A series of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed to analyze the effects a rotor off-take bleed has on the performance of an intermediate compressor duct (ICD). To validate the CFD results, a comparison is made to measurements obtained from an experimental facility located at GKN Aerospace Engine Systems in Sweden. To achieve a deeper understanding of the flow physics, hybrid Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes/large eddy simulation (RANS/LES) simulations are performed for a single operating condition. The CFD simulations are capable of predicting the behavior when extracting large amount of air through the bleed pipe, where an improved prediction is obtained with the hybrid simulation. The performance of the ICD is severely compromised with increased amount of bleed as the flow delivered to the downstream component is highly disturbed. The disturbed flow is caused by the extraction of axial flow through the bleed pipe, increasing the incidence into the low-pressure compressor’s outlet guide vanes (OGVs) resulting in unfavorable velocity profiles into the ICD. This behavior causes the flow to separate at the OGV blades, where the separation increases with increasing bleed. Furthermore, when including the full bleed system, significant circumferential distortions are observed, showing the necessity of the integrated design.