bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of a life story intervention for adults with intellectual disability and depressive and trauma‐related complaints
Authors: Beernink Janny , Westerhof Gerben J.
Published: June 2020

Introduction

People with intellectual disability have a higher chance of developing mental disorders than the general population. Yet, few evidence‐based interventions exist. This article evaluates My Lifestory, a narrative intervention tailored to people with intellectual disability and depressive or trauma‐related complaints.

Method

A quasi‐experimental research design was adopted with an experimental condition (My Lifestory) and a matched control condition (care as usual). Measurements took place before the intervention, at the end of the intervention and at follow‐up two months later. Measurements focused on psychiatric complaints, well‐being, life satisfaction, mastery, and purpose in life.

Results

Participants in the intervention condition improved more in psychiatric complaints, well‐being, life satisfaction, and purpose in life, but not in mastery, than participants in the control condition. Effect sizes were large in the intervention condition and small in the control condition.

Discussion

Despite some limitations, this study adds to the evidence base of this narrative intervention.
Upregulation of Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen like 1 promotes gastric cancer growth and metastasis by regulating multiple matrix metallopeptidase expression
Authors: Shan Zhi‐Guo , Sun Zhen‐Wei , Zhao Li‐Qun , Gou Qiang , Chen Zhi‐Fu , Zhang Jin‐Yu , Chen Weisan , Su Chong‐Yu , You Nan , Zhuang Yuan , Zhao Yong‐Liang
Published: June 2020

Background and Aim

Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen‐like 1 (TINAGL1), as a novel matricellular protein, has been demonstrated to participate in cancer progression, whereas the potential function of TINAGL1 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown.

Methods

The expression pattern of TINAGL1 in GC was examined by immunohistochemistry, ELISA, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot. Correlation between TINAGL1 and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was analyzed by the GEPIA website and Kaplan–Meier plots database. The lentivirus‐based TINAGL1 knockdown, CCK‐8, and transwell assays were used to test the function of TINAGL1 in vitro. The role of TINAGL1 was confirmed by subcutaneous xenograft, abdominal dissemination, and lung metastasis model. Microarray experiments, ELISA, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot were used to identify molecular mechanism.

Results

TINAGL1 was increased in GC tumor tissues and associated with poor patient survival. Moreover, TINAGL1 significantly promoted GC cell proliferation and migration in vitro as well as facilitated GC tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. TINAGL1 expression in GC cells was accompanied with increasing MMPs including MMP2, MMP9, MMP11, MMP14, and MMP16. GEPIA database revealed that these MMPs were correlated with TINAGL1 in GC tumors and that the most highly expressed MMP was MMP2. Mechanically, TINAGL1 regulated MMP2 through the JNK signaling pathway activation.

Conclusions

Our data highlight that TINAGL1 promotes GC growth and metastasis and regulates MMP2 expression, indicating that TINAGL1 may serve as a therapeutic target for GC.
Temperature, fluid content and rheology of localized ductile shear zones in subsolidus cooling plutons
Authors: Ceccato Alberto , Goncalves Philippe , Pennacchioni Giorgio
Published: June 2020

Temperature and fluid content are critical parameters that control rock rheology and strain localization in the continental crust. Here, we determine by thermodynamic modelling the of localized ductile shearing during cooling of three different granitoid plutons: the Rieserferner and the Adamello plutons in the Italian Alps, and the Lake Edison pluton in the Sierra Nevada—USA. Shear zones exploited precursor joints, associated veins and alteration zones. and P−T phase diagram sections were computed with Perple_X in the system MnO−Na2O−CaO −K2O−FeO−MgO−Al2O3−SiO2−H2O−Fe2O3. The phase diagram sections show that the nucleation of the brittle precursors (joints, veins) occurred at T» 450°C at fluid‐saturated conditions. Localized ductile shearing likely occurred at temperature ranging between 420 and 460°C evolving from initially fluid‐saturated to fluid‐undersaturated conditions in a closed system. In this temperature range, granitoid rocks are potentially subject to a series of retrograde metamorphic reactions replacing the load‐bearing feldspars with weaker phyllosilicates. Metamorphic reactions occurred in spatial association with the precursory structures, leading to localized shearing. Decreasing temperature and fluid‐undersaturated conditions likely hampered progressive strain accommodation in shear zones by slowing down metamorphic reactions, thermally activated dislocation creep processes, fluid‐mediated deformation mechanisms and weakening mechanisms. Polyphase granitoid ultramylonite and mylonitic quartz veins have been affected differently by the fluid‐undersaturated conditions of the system, as consequence of different dominant deformation mechanisms and syn‐kinematic paragenesis during localized shearing. Localized ductile shearing in cooling plutons effectively occurs in a limited temperature range (420–460°C) in which the strain accommodation capacity of the shear zone is controlled by the negative feedback between the cooling rate, the kinetics of metamorphic reactions and deformation mechanisms, and the consumption of the limited amount of available fluids.
Effective laser treatment options for argyria: Review of literatures
Authors: Almurayshid Abdurrahman , Park Sujin , Oh Sang Ho
Published: June 2020

Background

Argyria results from silver accumulation in the skin. It is a stressful condition for patients due to skin discoloration. In the past, no effective treatments were available. However, it has been recently reported laser treatments showed promising results.

Aim

To review and summarize all reported laser treatment options for argyria patients.

Methods

We reviewed all laser treatment options for argyria in the database of the US National Library of Medicine PubMed. The search of the words “argyria and laser” was performed on the March 4, 2020.

Results

We found 11 studies that reported laser treatment for argyria. All of the studies were case reports demonstrating treatment responses of laser devices such as 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser and 755 nm alexandrite laser. Despite various treatment parameters, 1064 nm Nd:Yag and alexandrite lasers showed good responses in argyria. However, severe pain during the laser procedure was the main concern. We summarized laser treatment options for argyria including their parameters, treatment response, and anesthesia for laser treatment in argyria. We also report a case of argyria, which successfully responded to low fluence 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser.

Conclusion

Laser therapies resulted in almost complete clearing of pigment in argyria. Earlier reports showed that 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser successfully treated argyria but recent studies suggested 755 nm alexandrite was also a good treatment option for argyria. Additionally, our case achieved excellent results even in one session of low fluence Q‐switched Nd:Yag laser, though we need to ensure pain control during the laser treatment.
Relationship between tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase 5b and stress fractures in female athletes
Authors: Nose‐Ogura Sayaka , Yoshino Osamu , Dohi Michiko , Torii Suguru , Kigawa Mika , Harada Miyuki , Hiraike Osamu , Kawahara Takashi , Osuga Yutaka , Fujii Tomoyuki , Saito Shigeru
Published: June 2020

Background

Approximately 10% of female athletes have a history of stress fractures, which most commonly occur between the ages of 16 and 17 years old.

Purpose

We investigated whether tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP‐5b), which is a bone resorption marker, can serve as a valid predictor of stress fractures in female athletes in their teens and 20s.

Methods

Three hundred and sixteen elite female athletes were recruited between 2013 and 2015. Serum TRACP‐5b and various hormones were examined in blood samples. The serum TRACP‐5b level was compared between athletes with and without stress fractures within 3 months after the initial collection of their blood samples.

Results

The 316 athletes were divided into two age groups: 13–19 years old and 20–29 years old. Thirty‐six athletes (11.4%) experienced new stress fractures within 3 months after the initial collection of their blood samples. The median serum TRACP‐5b level was significantly higher in teenage athletes with new stress fractures than in teenage athletes without new stress fractures. In univariate logistic regression analysis, the Z‐score of serum TRACP‐5b was a significant predictive factor of stress fractures in teenage athletes only (odds ratio: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.31–2.66; P < 0.0012).

Conclusion

For teenage female athletes, TRACP‐5b is a predictor of the risk of stress fractures, and measuring TRACP‐5b levels may be useful to prevent stress fractures.
Central mechanisms of pain in orofacial pain patients: Implications for management
Authors: Jessri Maryam , Sultan Ahmed S. , Tavares Tiffany , Schug Stephan
Published: June 2020

Background

Central sensitization (CS) is a form of neuroplasticity characterized by changes in the neural sensitivity, responsiveness, and/or output that are not contingent on peripheral input nor activity‐dependent. CS is characterized by activation of unmyelinated C‐fibers resulting in a cascade of events at molecular and cellular levels which eventuate into generation of synaptic currents at rest. CS, therefore, contributes to heightened generalized pain sensitivity, further complicates the process of reaching a diagnosis, and increases the possibility of treatment failure.

Body

Trigeminal nerve is the main sensory supplier of the anterior part of the head, including the intraoral structures. Primary afferent nociceptors of the trigeminal nerve and low threshold mechanoreceptors synapse with wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons in the pons. This multifaceted network of nerve interactions which is further complicated by the modulatory circuits that can suppress or heighten the activity of WDR neurons is one of the main contributors to CS. The importance of CS in orofacial pain disorders is emphasized in the context of chronic pain development. As for all chronic pain conditions, it is crucial to consider the biopsychosocial aspects of chronic orofacial pain in managing this diverse group of conditions. This review highlights current understanding of the biopsychosocial model and central mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of chronic orofacial pain.
Brain Plasticity in Adulthood—ERP Evidence for L1‐attrition in Lexicon and Morphosyntax After Predominant L2 Use
Authors: Steinhauer Karsten , Kasparian Kristina
Published: June 2020

Since the early 2000s, neurocognitive research on second language (L2) acquisition has been controversial as to how plastic the human brain is after puberty. Recent studies have extended this debate to first language loss (L1 attrition). This article gives an overview of the first event‐related brain potential (ERP) studies on L1 attrition and L2 learning and discusses their implications for our understanding of the bilingual brain. We will address the highly controversial question of whether L1 morphosyntax is subject to attrition in adult migrants. One previous ERP study on grammatical gender in German migrants failed to find such effects. However, ERP work on grammatical structures in English‐dominant Italian attriters demonstrated that they perceived a grammatical sentence in their L1 as ungrammatical if it violated the L2 grammar. These data suggest that the adult brain remains plastic for both L2 and L1.
The Role of Case Marking and Word Order in Cross‐Linguistic Structural Priming in Late L2 Acquisition
Authors: Muylle Merel , Bernolet Sarah , Hartsuiker Robert J.
Published: June 2020

Several studies found cross‐linguistic structural priming with various language combinations. Here, we investigated the role of two important domains of language variation: case marking and word order, for transitive and ditransitive structures. We varied these features in an artificial language learning paradigm, using three different artificial language versions in a between‐subjects design. Priming was assessed between Dutch (no overt case marking, SVO word order) and a) an SVO order version, b) a case marking version, and c) an SOV order version. Similar within‐language and cross‐linguistic priming was found in all versions for transitives, indicating that cross‐linguistic structural priming was not hindered. In contrast, for ditransitives we found similar within‐language priming for all versions, but no cross‐linguistic priming. The finding that cross‐linguistic priming is possible between languages that vary in morphological marking or word order, is compatible with studies showing cross‐linguistic priming between natural languages that differ on these dimensions.
Endogenous public and private leadership with diverging social and private marginal costs
Authors: Haraguchi Junichi , Matsumura Toshihiro
Published: June 2020

We investigate endogenous timing in a mixed duopoly with price competition and different social versus private marginal costs. We find that any equilibrium timing patterns—Bertrand, Stackelberg with private leadership, Stackelberg with public leadership, and multiple Stackelberg equilibria—emerge. When the foreign ownership share in a private firm is less than 50%, public leadership is more likely to emerge than private leadership. Conversely, private leadership can emerge in a unique equilibrium when the foreign ownership share in a private firm is large. These results may explain recent policy changes in public financial institutions in Japan. We also find there is a nonmonotonic relationship between the welfare advantage of public and private leadership and the difference between social and private marginal costs for a private firm. A nonmonotonic relationship does not emerge in profit ranking. Similar results are obtained under quantity competition, although some properties are different.
Body size dissatisfaction associated with dietary pattern, overweight, and physical activity in adolescents: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Tebar William R. , Gil Fernanda C. S. , Scarabottolo Catarina C. , Codogno Jamile S. , Fernandes Romulo A. , Christofaro Diego G. D.
Published: June 2020

This study analyzed the association of body size dissatisfaction with body mass index, dietary pattern, and physical activity in adolescents. A sample of 1074 participants between 10 and 17 years of age was recruited. Body size dissatisfaction was assessed with the silhouettes' scale. Dietary pattern, physical activity, and socioeconomic status were assessed with questionnaires. Body mass index was measured objectively. The prevalence of body size dissatisfaction was 77.0%, where 29.8% desired to increase body size and 47.2% desired to decrease body size. Adolescents who desired to increase body size were more likely to consume vegetables and sweets and less likely to be in the highest quartile of physical activity than satisfied adolescents. Adolescents who desired to reduce body size were more likely to report lower fruit and vegetable consumption than satisfied adolescents. Health actions aiming to reduce body dissatisfaction in adolescents should address improvement in dietary pattern and physical activity engagement, considering that desires to increase or decrease body size were differently associated in this study.
Food that Matters: Boundary Work and the Case for Vegan Food Practices
Authors: Hirth Steffen
Published: June 2020

Meat and, less so, dairy are contested for their significant ethical and social‐ecological impacts. Abjuring animal products, veganism is conventionally treated as a dietary ideology related to consumer identities. Drawing upon practice and materialist turns, this article explores variations in the performance of veganism and how its boundaries are drawn. Yet, rather than an eating practice, I suggest to look at veganism more broadly and conceptualised as a food practice which also involves provisioning. By example of stockfree organic agriculture (SOA), a production‐based, processual understanding is outlined by which plant foods are ‘vegan’ if animal by‐products are not used as fertilisers in crop cultivation. Thereof, a conceptual case is made to shift the focus away from veganism as a consumer identity and towards performative vegan food practices (VFP) as a global responsibility to reduce the ‘long shadow’ of livestock and maintain Earth as a relatively safe operating space.
Quantitative trait loci analysis of seed‐specialized metabolites reveals seed‐specific flavonols and differential regulation of glycoalkaloid content in tomato
Authors: Alseekh Saleh , Ofner Itai , Liu Zhongyuan , Osorio Sonia , Vallarino Jose , Last Robert L. , Zamir Dani , Tohge Takayuki , Fernie Alisdair R.
Published: June 2020

Given the potential health benefits (and adverse effects), of polyphenolic and steroidal glycoalkaloids in the diet there is a growing interest in fully elucidating the genetic control of their levels in foodstuffs. Here we carried out profiling of the specialized metabolites in the seeds of the Solanum pennellii introgression lines identifying 338 putative metabolite quantitative trait loci (mQTL) for flavonoids, steroidal glycoalkaloids and further specialized metabolites. Two putative mQTL for flavonols and one for steroidal glycoalkaloids were cross‐validated by evaluation of the metabolite content of recombinants harboring smaller introgression in the corresponding QTL interval or by analysis of lines from an independently derived backcross inbred line population. The steroidal glycoalkaloid mQTL was localized to a chromosomal region spanning 14 genes, including a previously defined steroidal glycoalkaloid gene cluster. The flavonoid mQTL was further validated via the use of transient and stable overexpression of the Solyc12g098600 and Solyc12g096870 genes, which encode seed‐specific uridine 5′‐diphosphate‐glycosyltransferases. The results are discussed in the context of our understanding of the accumulation of polyphenols and steroidal glycoalkaloids, and how this knowledge may be incorporated into breeding strategies aimed at improving nutritional aspects of plants as well as in fortifying them against abiotic stress.
Clinical use of Convalescent Plasma in the COVID‐19 pandemic: a transfusion‐focussed gap analysis with recommendations for future research priorities
Authors: Al‐Riyami Arwa Z. , Schäfer Richard , van den Berg Karin , Bloch Evan M. , Estcourt Lise J. , Goel Ruchika , Hindawi Salwa , Josephson Cassandra D. , Land Kevin , McQuilten Zoe K. , Spitalnik Steven L. , Wood Erica M. , Devine Dana V. , So‐Osman Cynthia
Published: June 2020

Background and objectives

Use of convalescent plasma for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) treatment has gained interest worldwide. However, there is lack of evidence on its dosing, safety and effectiveness. Until data from clinical studies are available to provide solid evidence for worldwide applicable guidelines, there is a need to provide guidance to the transfusion community and researchers on this emergent therapeutic option. This paper aims to identify existing key gaps in current knowledge in the clinical application of COVID‐19 convalescent plasma (CCP).

Materials and methods

The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) initiated a multidisciplinary working group with worldwide representation from all six continents with the aim of reviewing existing practices on CCP use from donor, product and patient perspectives. A subgroup of clinical transfusion professionals was formed to draft a document for CCP clinical application to identify the gaps in knowledge in existing literature.

Results

Gaps in knowledge were identified in the following main domains: study design, patient eligibility, CCP dose, frequency and timing of CCP administration, parameters to assess response to CCP treatment and long‐term outcome, adverse events and CCP application in less‐resourced countries as well as in paediatrics and neonates.

Conclusion

This paper outlines a framework of gaps in the knowledge of clinical deployment of CPP that were identified as being most relevant. Studies to address the identified gaps are required to provide better evidence on the effectiveness and safety of CCP use.
Percutaneous radiologically guided gastrostomy tubes: Procedural description and biomechanical comparison in a canine model
Authors: Griffin Maureen A. , Culp William T. N. , Garcia Tanya C. , Glaiberman Craig B. , Giuffrida Michelle A. , Balsa Ingrid M. , Mayhew Philipp D. , Johnson Eric G. , Marks Stanley L.
Published: June 2020

Objective

To describe the novel placement of percutaneous radiologically guided gastrostomy (PRG) tubes in a canine cadaveric model and to biomechanically compare PRG and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube constructs.

Study design

Descriptive and biomechanical experimental study.

Animals

Fifteen large breed (>25 kg) canine cadavers.

Methods

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes, low‐profile PRG tubes, and standard PRG tubes were each placed in five canine cadavers. Body wall and stomach (with attached gastrostomy tube constructs) were harvested and biomechanically tested. Data regarding the maximal load to failure and procedure time were statistically analyzed.

Results

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and PRG tube placement was successful in all cadavers with no procedure‐related complications. Gastrostomy tube placement time was longer for the PEG group vs the low‐profile PRG (P= .005) and standard PRG (P= .037) groups. Peak construct strength was lower for the PEG group vs the low‐profile PRG (P= .002) and standard PRG (P= .010) groups. The site of failure varied among groups.

Conclusion

Percutaneous radiologically guided gastrostomy tubes were successfully placed in all cases with shorter placement time and greater peak construct strength compared with PEG tubes.

Clinical significance

Due to the increased load to failure as well as decreased placement time recorded for PRG tubes relative to PEG tubes, PRG tubes may be considered as an alternative minimally invasive gastrostomy option in large breed canine patients. Further evaluation in clinical animals is required.

Results of this work were presented at the 2019 American College of Veterinary Surgeons Surgery Summit; October 16‐19, 2019; Las Vegas, Nevada.
Detection of rabies virus antigen by the indirect rapid immunohistochemistry test in equines and comparisons with other diagnostic techniques
Authors: Torquato Ranieli B. C. , Iamamoto Keila , Fernandes Elaine R. , Achkar Samira , Silva Sandriana R. , Katz Iana S. S. , Guedes Fernanda
Published: June 2020

Laboratory diagnosis of rabies in equines is essential for distinguishing the disease from other sources of encephalitis. Diagnosis by conventional techniques such as a direct fluorescent antibody test (dFAT) or viral isolation in mice or cell culture can be difficult, and the application of molecular biological methods may be necessary. We performed an indirect rapid immunohistochemistry test (iRIT) for the detection of the rabies virus (RABV) antigen in the central nervous system (CNS) of equines and compared the results with those of other diagnostic techniques. We reviewed result records from the Rabies Diagnosis Laboratory at Instituto Pasteur, São Paulo, Brazil, of 174 samples of equine CNS from July 2014 to June 2016, which were investigated by dFAT, rabies tissue culture infection test (RTCIT), mouse inoculation test (MIT) and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) followed by genetic sequencing. These samples, 29 presented divergent results among techniques and were selected for the performed in the iRIT. The detected positivity rate was 4/29 (14%) by dFAT, 5/28 (18%) by RTCIT, 10/29 (35%) by MIT and 26/27 (96%) by RT‐PCR. We analysed 29 samples through imprints of the cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and brainstem in slides fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde. Eighteen samples were identified as positive (62%) by iRIT assay, representing a greater number of positive cases than that detected by dFAT, MIT and RTCIT but not by RT‐PCR. Among the brain regions, the brainstem presented the highest positivity (78%), followed by the hippocampus (69%), cerebellum (67%) and cortex (67%). Our results provide evidence that iRIT can contribute to a rapid diagnosis of rabies in equines and that complementary tests should be used to improve diagnostic accuracy in this species.
Collaboration Development of Teachers and Teaching Assistants – Action Research
Authors: Richterová Bohdana , Kubíčková Hana
Published: June 2020

The paper reflects one of the topics of the participatory action research cycles, which was run within one-year cooperation of twelve educators of the elementary schools in Ostrava and two academic workers of Ostrava University. The topic of defining the competencies of teaching assistants in cooperation with teachers gradually narrowed to communication strategies in the context of building personal boundaries. The paper presents a methodological approach based on practical (interpretative) approach. The key method of the data collection was working in a focus group, whose meetings were video recorded, enriched with observations in lessons and writing action research journals. Data analysis was carried out using open coding. The primary limits and possibilities of mutual interaction and cooperation in the educational environment were identified through this analysis. The paper presents one selected case from educational practice in detail and describes work in single action research phases and cycles. The main benefits for the participants are creating a safe environment for sharing problem situations from the practice, source identification and coping strategies in the communication field as well as the development of self-reflection and healthy assertion.
Drp1 knockdown induces severe muscle atrophy and remodelling, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy impairment and denervation
Authors: Dulac Maude , Leduc‐Gaudet Jean‐Philippe , Reynaud Olivier , Ayoub Marie‐Belle , Guérin Amanda , Finkelchtein Michel , Hussain Sabah NA , Gouspillou Gilles
Published: June 2020

Key points

The maintenance of optimal mitochondrial content and function is critical for muscle health.

Mitochondrial dynamics play key roles in mitochondrial quality control; however, the exact role that mitochondrial fission plays in skeletal muscle health remains unclear.

Here we report knocking down Drp1 (a protein regulating mitochondrial fission) for 4 months in adult mouse skeletal muscle resulted in severe muscle atrophy (40–50%).

Drp1 knockdown also led to a reduction in ADP‐stimulated respiration, an increase in markers of impaired autophagy and increased muscle regeneration, denervation, fibrosis and oxidative stress.

Our data indicate that Drp1 is crucial for the maintenance of normal mitochondrial function and that Drp1 depletion severely impairs muscle health.

Mitochondria play central roles in skeletal muscle physiology, including energy supply, regulation of energy‐sensitive signalling pathways, reactive oxygen species production/signalling, calcium homeostasis and the regulation of apoptosis. The maintenance of optimal mitochondrial content and function is therefore critical for muscle cells. Mitochondria are now well known as highly dynamic organelles, able to change their morphology through fusion and fission processes. Solid experimental evidence indicates that mitochondrial dynamics play key roles in mitochondrial quality control, and alteration in the expression of proteins regulating mitochondrial dynamics have been reported in many conditions associated with muscle atrophy and wasting. However, the exact role that mitochondrial fission plays in skeletal muscle health remains unclear. To address this issue, we investigated the impact of Drp1 (a protein regulating mitochondrial fission) knockdown, introduced via intramuscular injection of adeno‐associated virus (AAV) on adult mouse skeletal muscle. Knocking down Drp1 for 4 months resulted in very severe muscle atrophy (40–50%). Drp1 knockdown also led to a reduction in ADP‐stimulated respiration and increases in markers of muscle regeneration, denervation, fibrosis, oxidative stress and impaired autophagy. Our findings indicate that Drp1 is essential for the maintenance of normal mitochondrial function and that Drp1 suppression severely impairs muscle health.
In vivo recordings from the human vagus nerve using ultrasound‐guided microneurography
Authors: Ottaviani Matteo M. , Wright Leah , Dawood Tye , Macefield Vaughan G
Published: June 2020

Key points

The vagus nerve is the largest cranial nerve and innervates many structures in the neck, thorax and abdomen.

Although single‐unit recordings from the vagus nerve have been performed in experimental animals for several decades, no recordings have ever been made from the human vagus nerve.

The vagus nerve is routinely stimulated clinically, yet we know little of its physiology in humans.

We describe the methodology and provide preliminary results of the first intraneural single‐unit recordings from the cervical vagus in awake humans, using tungsten microelectrodes inserted into the nerve through ultrasound guidance.

Intraneural microelectrodes have been used extensively to record from single somatosensory axons supplying muscle, tendons, joints and skin, as well as to record from postganglionic sympathetic axons supplying muscle and skin, in accessible peripheral nerves in awake humans. However, the vagus nerve has never been targeted, probably because of its close proximity to the carotid artery and jugular vein in the neck. Here, we report the first unitary recordings from the human cervical vagus nerve, obtained using ultrasound‐guided insertion of tungsten microelectrodes into fascicles of the nerve. We identified tonically‐active neurones in which firing rates were inversely related to heart rate (and directly related to the cardiac interval), which we classified as putative preganglionic parasympathetic axons directed to the sinoatrial node of the heart. We also recorded from tonically‐active presumed sensory axons from the airways and presumed motor axons to the larynx. This new methodology opens exciting new opportunities for studying the physiology of the human vagus nerve in health and disease.
Heat Transfer Characteristics of Nonuniform Flow Around a Circular Cylinder in a T-Junction Duct
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Qi Di , Li Tong , Lin Mei , Ke Hanbing , Zeng Min , Wang Qiuwang
Published: June 2020

Heat transfer characteristics of a circular cylinder in the branch of a T-junction duct are experimentally investigated in a low-speed wind tunnel with Reynolds number of Reb = 9163. Local and average heat transfer distributions around the circular cylinder are obtained for the cylinder positions ranging from 0.5 to 13 and the velocity ratios ranging from 0.117 to 0.614. It is found that the overall heat transfer characteristics in a T-junction duct at high velocity ratio are lower than those at low velocity ratio, and both are higher than those in the straight duct. The local Nusselt number in the T-junction duct is an asymmetrical distribution and weakens with increasing velocity ratios and/or positions of the cylinder. The angles of the front and rear stagnation points in the T-junction duct are the same as those in the straight duct at certain velocity ratio and/or position of the cylinder. However, the angles of the front and rear separation points in the T-junction duct do not match those in the straight duct. Both the heat transfer correlation coefficients and the amplitude ratios increase with increasing positions of the circular cylinder and/or velocity ratios.
Grad's Second Problem and Its Solution Within the Framework of Burnett Hydrodynamics
Authors: Jadhav Ravi Sudam , Agrawal Amit
Published: June 2020

In his seminal work, Grad not only derived 13 moment equations but also suggested two problems to check his derived equations. These problems are highly instructive as they bring out the character of the equations by examining their solutions to these problems. In this work, we propose Grad's second problem as the potential benchmark problem for checking the accuracy of different sets of higher-order transport equations. The problem definition can be stated as: examination of steady-state solution for a gas at rest in infinite domain upon application of a one-dimensional heat flux. With gas at rest (no bulk velocity), the interest lies in obtaining the solution for pressure and temperature. The problem is particularly interesting with respect to the solution for pressure when Maxwell and hard-sphere molecules are considered. For Maxwell molecules, it is well known that the exact normal solution of Boltzmann equation gives uniform pressure with no stresses in the flow domain. In the case of hard-sphere molecules, direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) results predict nonuniform pressure field giving rise to stresses in the flow domain. The simplistic nature of the problem and interesting results for pressure for different interaction potentials makes it an ideal test problem for examining the accuracy of higher-order transport equations. The proposed problem is solved within the framework of Burnett hydrodynamics for hard-sphere and Maxwell molecules. For hard-sphere molecules, it is observed that the Burnett order stresses do not become zero; they rather give rise to a pressure gradient in a direction opposite to that of temperature gradient, consistent with the DSMC results. For Maxwell molecules, the numerical solution of Burnett equations predicts uniform pressure field and one-dimensional temperature field, consistent with the exact normal solution of the Boltzmann equation.
Creating a Sustainable Talent-Development Culture: Context-Driven Sport Psychology Practice in a Danish Talent Academy
Authors: Storm Louise Kamuk
Published: June 2020

This case study describes a 1-year intervention aiming at creating a sustainable talent-development culture by actively involving the director and leading coaches of the Danish Talent Academy in a research process, thus broadening their horizons, developing their self-reflexivity, and empowering them to improve their situation. The intervention proceeded in five phases. Phase 1 was exploring and reflecting on previous experiences and understanding needs. Phase 2 was about understanding past, present, and future values and strategies to gain a foothold and stability in the new context. Phase 3 was cocreation of a cultural analysis that was important for constructing the identity of the academy and developing self-reflexivity. Phase 4 was designing the value-based compass poster, and Phase 5 was sharing, evaluating, and looking forward within the local sociocultural context. Reflections on the program suggest that a context-driven approach to the creation of an environment for talent development can enhance the successful nature of the process.
Isolation of potent SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and protection from disease in a small animal model
Authors: Rogers Thomas F. , Zhao Fangzhu , Huang Deli , Beutler Nathan , Burns Alison , He Wan-ting , Limbo Oliver , Smith Chloe , Song Ge , Woehl Jordan , Yang Linlin , Abbott Robert K. , Callaghan Sean , Garcia Elijah , Hurtado Jonathan , Parren Mara , Peng Linghang , Ramirez Sydney , Ricketts James , Ricciardi Michael J. , Rawlings Stephen A. , Wu Nicholas C. , Yuan Meng , Smith Davey M. , Nemazee David , Teijaro John R. , Voss James E. , Wilson Ian A. , Andrabi Raiees , Briney Bryan , Landais Elise , Sok Devin , Jardine Joseph G. , Burton Dennis R.
Published: June 2020

Protective neutralizing antibodies

Antibodies produced by survivors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be leveraged to develop therapies. A first step is identifying neutralizing antibodies, which confer strong protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Rogers
et al.
used a high-throughput pipeline to isolate and characterize monoclonal antibodies from convalescent donors. Antibodies were selected for binding to the viral spike protein, which facilitates entry into host cells by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Most isolated antibodies bound to regions of the spike outside of the receptor binding domain (RBD); however, a larger proportion of the RBD-binding antibodies were neutralizing, with the most potent binding at a site that overlaps the ACE2 binding site. Two of the neutralizing antibodies were tested in Syrian hamsters and provided protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Science
, this issue p.
956
Distinct Morphological Fates of Uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
Intracellular Bacterial Communities: Dependency on Urine Composition and pH
Authors: Iosifidis Gregory , Duggin Iain G.
Published: June 2020

Uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(UPEC) is the leading cause of urinary tract infections. These bacteria undertake a multistage infection cycle involving invasion of and proliferation within urinary tract epithelial cells, leading to the rupture of the host cell and dispersal of the bacteria, some of which have a highly filamentous morphology. Here, we established a microfluidics-based model of UPEC infection of immortalized human bladder epithelial cells that recapitulates the main stages of bacterial morphological changes during the acute infection cycle
in vivo
and allows the development and fate of individual cells to be monitored in real time by fluorescence microscopy.
Aspergillus fumigatus Transcription Factors Involved in the Caspofungin Paradoxical Effect
Authors: Valero Clara , Colabardini Ana Cristina , Chiaratto Jéssica , Pardeshi Lakhansing , de Castro Patrícia Alves , Ferreira Filho Jaire Alves , Silva Lilian Pereira , Rocha Marina Campos , Malavazi Iran , Costa Jonas Henrique , Fill Taícia , Barros Mário Henrique , Wong Sarah Sze Wah , Aimanianda Vishukumar , Wong Koon Ho , Goldman Gustavo H.
Published: June 2020

Aspergillus fumigatus
, one of the most important human-pathogenic fungal species, is able to cause aspergillosis, a heterogeneous group of diseases that presents a wide range of clinical manifestations. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is the most serious pathology in terms of patient outcome and treatment, with a high mortality rate ranging from 50% to 95% primarily affecting immunocompromised patients. Azoles have been used for many years as the main antifungal agents to treat and prevent invasive aspergillosis. However, there were several reports of evolution of clinical azole resistance in the last decade. Caspofungin, a noncompetitive β-1,3-glucan synthase inhibitor, has been used against
A. fumigatus
, but it is fungistatic and is recommended as second-line therapy for invasive aspergillosis. More information about caspofungin tolerance and resistance is necessary in order to refine antifungal strategies that target the fungal cell wall. Here, we screened a transcription factor (TF) deletion library for TFs that can mediate caspofungin tolerance and resistance. We have identified 11 TFs that are important for caspofungin sensitivity and/or for the
c
aspofungin
p
aradoxical
e
ffect (CPE). These TFs encode proteins involved in the basal modulation of the RNA polymerase II initiation sites, calcium metabolism or cell wall remodeling, and mitochondrial respiratory function. The study of those genes regulated by TFs identified in this work will provide a better understanding of the signaling pathways that are important for caspofungin tolerance and resistance.
A Physiological Basis for Nonheritable Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Pontes Mauricio H. , Groisman Eduardo A.
Published: June 2020

Antibiotics constitute one of the cornerstones of modern medicine. However, individuals may succumb to a bacterial infection if a pathogen survives exposure to antibiotics. The ability of bacteria to survive bactericidal antibiotics results from genetic changes in the preexisting bacterial genome, from the acquisition of genes from other organisms, and from nonheritable phenomena that give rise to antibiotic tolerance. Nonheritable antibiotic tolerance can be exhibited by a large fraction of the bacterial population or by a small subpopulation referred to as persisters.
Strain-Level Diversity Impacts Cheese Rind Microbiome Assembly and Function
Authors: Niccum Brittany A. , Kastman Erik K. , Kfoury Nicole , Robbat Albert , Wolfe Benjamin E.
Published: June 2020

Our work demonstrated that the specific microbial strains used to construct a microbiome could impact the species composition, perturbation responses, and functional outputs of that system. These findings suggest that 16S rRNA gene taxonomic profiles alone may have limited potential to predict the dynamics of microbial communities because they usually do not capture strain-level diversity. Observations from our synthetic communities also suggest that strain-level diversity has the potential to drive variability in the aesthetics and quality of surface-ripened cheeses.
Citrobacter
Species Increase Energy Harvest by Modulating Intestinal Microbiota in Fish: Nondominant Species Play Important Functions
Authors: Zhang Mei-Ling , Li Miao , Sheng Yi , Tan Fang , Chen Liqiao , Cann Isaac , Du Zhen-Yu
Published: June 2020

This study shows that the ability of gut microbiota members to enhance host energy harvest from a high-fat diet is a conserved feature of host-microbe interactions in fish, as in mammals. It also underscores that gut microbiota members are able to significantly impact host biology even when at low abundance.
Deep-water channel morphologies, architectures, and population densities in relation to stacking trajectories and climate states
Authors: Gong Chenglin , Steel Ronald J. , Qi Kun , Wang Yingmin
Published: June 2020

Deep-water channel morphologies, stratigraphy, and population densities in relation to stacking trajectories and climate states remain poorly constrained, and are highlighted by a sampling of 142 submarine channels. From the perspective of channel kinematics, turbidite channels exhibit tripartite lateral - random - vertical trajectories or unidirectional channel-complex trajectories, whereas contourite channels display oblique upslope trajectories. Turbidite channels tend to be deep and narrow and have two to three times more lateral migration than contourite channels, whereas contourite channels tend to be shallow and wide and have two to three times more vertical accretion. We relate such differences between channel morphology and stratigraphy to density contrast between flow and ambient fluid for contourite versus turbidite channels, which seems to have favored lateral channel migration in turbidite channels but channel thalweg deposition in contourite channels. Additionally, channels formed during a greenhouse climate state display low degrees of morphological and architectural variations, and are the minority in our global channel database (8% of total), although the Earth has been in a greenhouse state for 72% of the past 540 m.y. Icehouse channels, in contrast, exhibit high amplitudes of morphological and architectural variations and are the majority in the global channel family (92% of total), although the Earth has been in an icehouse state for 18% of the past 540 m.y. Such differences in channel-population densities between greenhouse and icehouse climates (8% versus 92%) suggest a weak global correlation of channel-population densities with warming greenhouse climates.
Mesozoic juvenile crustal formation in the easternmost Tethys: Zircon Hf isotopic evidence from Sumatran granitoids, Indonesia
Authors: Li Shan , Chung Sun-Lin , Lai Yu-Ming , Ghani Azman A. , Lee Hao-Yang , Murtadha Sayed
Published: June 2020

Prior to the collision of India with Asia, the evolution of island arcs and resultant crustal formation in the now-disrupted easternmost Tethys are poorly constrained. Here, we report for the first time zircon U-Pb and Hf isotopic data from Mesozoic granitoids in Sumatra, Indonesia. Our analyses identified three magmatic episodes at 214–201 Ma, 148–143 Ma, and 102–84 Ma, respectively, with a drastic change in magmatic zircon εHf(t) values from −13.1 to +17.7 in the Late Triassic granitoids, which reveals a fundamental restructuring of the arc system in Sumatra. Subsequently, all Jurassic to Late Cretaceous granitoids have exclusively positive zircon εHf(t) values (+17.7 to +10.2), consistent with juvenile arc development owing to subduction of the easternmost Tethyan lithosphere beneath Sumatra. Such highly positive zircon εHf(t) values of the Sumatran granitoids, in general accordance with those of the Gangdese arc system in South Asia, are markedly higher than those (+13.7 to −14.7) of broadly contemporaneous Cordilleran arcs in Americas and Zealandia. Our findings from the easternmost Tethys provide new insights into not only the tectono-magmatic evolution of eastern Tethys, but also its crucial role in global juvenile crustal growth.
River discharge variability as the link between climate and fluvial fan formation
Authors: Hansford Mark R. , Plink-Björklund Piret
Published: June 2020

There are two contrasting hypotheses on whether fluvial fans need specific climate conditions to form. Deduction of climatic and tectonic signals from landscapes and the sedimentary record is a key aim in geology and geomorphology. It is thus of great interest to obtain recognition criteria for specific climate changes in the sedimentary record in general, and fluvial fans in particular, because they may form the bulk of the continental fluvial record. The hypothesis that links fluvial fan occurrence to climate specifically indicates precipitation variability as a key control, because it promotes streamflow variability, channel instability, and avulsions, which are the key processes involved in fluvial fan formation. Here, we tested this hypothesis by quantitative analyses of discharge patterns from 68 fan-forming rivers that have a global distribution. Using an ensemble of dimensionless metrics, we show that 75% of the fan-forming rivers in this data set have a high discharge variability. We further analyzed down-fan changes in discharge variability and discuss the nature of discharge variability in different hydroclimates as a function of intra- and interannual precipitation fluctuations. We also examined the fan-forming rivers with moderate to low discharge variability and concluded that although river discharge variability strongly promotes fluvial fan formation, fluvial fans may also be formed by rivers with a moderate or low discharge variability if other favorable conditions that promote avulsions occur.
Guillain-Barré syndrome following COVID-19: a newly emerging post-infectious complication
Authors: Webb Silas , Wallace Victoria CJ , Martin-Lopez David , Yogarajah Mahinda
Published: June 2020

A 57-year-old man presented with a progressive flaccid symmetrical motor and sensory neuropathy following a 1-week history of cough and malaise. He was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome secondary to COVID-19 and started on intravenous immunoglobulin. He proceeded to have worsening respiratory function and needed intubation and mechanical ventilation. This is the first reported case of this rare neurological complication of COVID-19 in the UK, but it adds to a small but growing body of international evidence to suggest a significant association between these two conditions. Increasing appreciation of this by clinicians will ensure earlier diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of patients presenting with this.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection in a critically ill patient
Authors: Taza Fadi , Zulty Mary , Kanwal Arjun , Grove Daniel
Published: June 2020

COVID-19 became a global pandemic in early 2020. While well known for its pulmonary manifestations, the virus also has a number of cardiac manifestations as well. Takotsubo syndrome has scarcely been reported in patients with COVID-19, but it is possible that the cytokine storm associated with the infection can trigger Takotsubo syndrome in patients with underlying risk factors for Takotsubo (emotional distress, physical distress, history of psychiatric disorders).