bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yeast-like filamentous fungi: Molecular identification and in vitro susceptibility study
Authors: Esposto Maria Carmela , Prigitano Anna , Lo Cascio Giuliana , Ossi Cristina , Grancini Anna , Cavanna Caterina , Lallitto Fabiola , Tejada Milvana , Bandettini Roberto , Mularoni Alessandra , Tortorano Anna Maria
Published: November 2018

Yeast-like filamentous fungi, collected in Italy from 1985 to 2018, were submitted to molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility testings. Clinical isolates were identified as Magnusiomyces capitatus (28), M. clavatus (18), and Geotrichum candidum (2). M. clavatus was prevalent among blood isolates (18/24), M. capitatus among isolates from other biological materials. The intrinsic echinocandin resistance was confirmed. Both species had low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole, while M. clavatus had lower MIC of flucytosine and higher MIC of isavuconazole than M. capitatus. The intrinsic resistance of these species to echinocandins could be the reason of the recent increase of M. clavatus bloodstream infections.
The 2016 Tips From Former Smokers® Campaign: Associations With Quit Intentions and Quit Attempts Among Smokers With and Without Mental Health Conditions
Authors: Prochaska Judith J , Gates Emily F , Davis Kevin C , Gutierrez Karen , Prutzman Yvonne , Rodes Robert
Published: November 2018

Introduction

People living with mental health conditions (MH+) are more likely to smoke cigarettes than people without mental health conditions (MH−) and to experience tobacco-related disparities. The Tips From Former Smokers® (Tips®) campaign is a proven population-level strategy for motivating smokers to quit. In 2016, Tips included ads featuring Rebecca, a former smoker with depression. We evaluated self-reported frequency of exposure to the Rebecca and other Tips ads in association with quit intentions and quit attempts among MH+ and MH− smokers.

Methods

Intentions to quit and past 6-month quit attempts lasting at least 24 hours were reported from a two-wave longitudinal online survey conducted before and after the 2016 Tips campaign with a nationally representative sample of US adult cigarette smokers with (MH+, N = 777) and without (MH−, N = 1806) lifetime mental health conditions.

Results

In 2016, among MH+ respondents, greater exposure to the Rebecca ads was significantly associated with increased odds of intending to quit in the next 30 days (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.40, p < .05) and with reporting a quit attempt in the past 6 months (AOR = 1.25, p < .05). Among MH− respondents, greater exposure to the other Tips ads was associated with increased odds of making a quit attempt (AOR = 1.19, p < .05).

Conclusions

Exposure to the Rebecca ads was associated with a greater likelihood of intentions to quit and quit attempts among MH+ smokers; whereas, exposure to the other (non-mental-health-related) Tips ads was associated with a greater likelihood of quit attempts among MH− smokers.

Implications

National media campaigns are an important population-level strategy for reaching specific population groups who are experiencing tobacco-related disparities. The findings support the inclusion of ads featuring people living with mental health conditions in national tobacco education media campaigns, such as Tips.
The Integrated Clinical Education Strategic Initiatives Project—Development of Parameters to Guide Harmonization in Clinical Education: A Scoping Review
Authors: McCallum Christine , Bayliss Jamie , Becker Elaine , Nixon-Cave Kim , Colgrove Yvonne , Kucharski-Howard Janna , Stern Debra , Evans Kimeran , Strunk Valerie , Wetherbee Ellen , Russell Byron , Legar Tara
Published: November 2018

Background

Clinical education curricular models specifically related to integrated clinical education (ICE) vary across physical therapist education programs. The interconnectedness of ICE to the advancement of a shared vision for clinical education in professional physical therapist education needs investigating.

Purpose

The purpose of this scoping review was to: (1) define ICE, (2) define baseline expectations and parameters of ICE, and (3) discern and describe current ICE models.

Data Sources

Databases accessed included Medline, MedlinePlus with Full, CINAHL, and CINAHL Plus with full text.

Study Selection

A multimodal data collection scoping review was completed. Data collection included survey research, a systematic review of the literature, and a series of focus groups. The McMaster Critical Appraisal Tool assessed methodological study quality. A qualitative, metasynthesis approach was used for data synthesis. Consensus agreement produced results.

Data Extraction

Twenty-two articles were included in the literature review from the health disciplines of medicine, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. Data synthesis produced 8 parameters defining the factors essential to categorizing clinical education experiences as ICE in physical therapist education. The 8 parameters and ICE definition are supported by a description of models of ICE that currently exist within health profession curricula.

Data Synthesis

Data synthesis followed a qualitative, metasynthesis approach. Themes emerged from the surveys, literature review, and focus group data. Patterns were compared, analyzed, and synthesized to generate the themes and ICE parameters.

Limitations

Selection bias from the literature search could have limited the richness of the model descriptions by unintentional exclusion of articles, and might limit the applicability of results beyond the United States. Sampling bias from survey and focus groups, although purposeful, might have limited a broader description of current viewpoints about ICE. However, the data sources, including multiple health profession perspectives coupled with consensus agreement, provide sound evidence in development of profession-based parameters.

Conclusions

The results of this scoping review provide the profession with a standard definition of ICE and parameters that can guide a program in designing a curriculum using ICE experiences as a foundation. A recommended next step is to design education research studies using reliable and valid outcome measures across programs to determine impact and effectiveness of ICE as an educational intervention.
Claim Costs, Musculoskeletal Health, and Work Exposure in Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, and Occupational Therapist Assistants: A Comparison Among Long-Term Care Jobs
Authors: Kotejoshyer Rajashree , Punnett Laura , Dybel Gerard , Buchholz Bryan
Published: November 2018

Background

Patient/resident-handling tasks are physically demanding and associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among nursing personnel. The routine performance of such tasks by physical therapists and occupational therapists during treatment can cause similar problems.

Objective

This study characterized the magnitude of MSDs and the risk factors for MSDs in physical therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapist assistants, and occupational therapist assistants (collectively called “therapy personnel” for this study) and compared them with those of other nursing home workers, especially nursing staff.

Design

This was a cross-sectional study.

Methods

Workers’ compensation claim (WCC) data from 1 year of experience in a long-term care company were used to compute claim rates by body region, nature, and cause of injury, and the costs per case and per full-time–equivalent employee. Data regarding musculoskeletal symptoms, use of patient/resident-lifting equipment, and perceived physical and psychological job demands were obtained from a concurrent cross-sectional survey of workers from 24 long-term care facilities.

Results

About 80% of the WCCs were related to musculoskeletal incidents in nursing aides and therapy personnel. WCC costs paid per case for therapy personnel were more than twice those for nursing staff for both ergonomic and resident-handling incidents. Prevalence of low back pain in therapy personnel was the same as in nursing aides (48%) but involved more chronic, milder pain. About half of therapy personnel reported “never” or “rarely” using patient/resident-lifting equipment. Therapy personnel, nursing aides, and housekeeping/dietary/maintenance personnel reported the highest physical job demands.

Limitations

Causal inference cannot be determined due to the cross-sectional nature of the survey data. Study findings are relevant only to therapy work in long-term care settings because exposures vary in other health care settings (hospitals, outpatient, and others).

Conclusions

MSD prevalence and claim costs in therapy personnel are high enough to deserve more attention. The low use of patient/resident-lifting equipment in therapy could increase the risk for MSDs. Future studies with comprehensive ergonomic analysis of therapist tasks and recommendations to reduce injuries are warranted.
EFFECTS OF THE SCAN RANGE ON RADIATION DOSE IN THE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY COMPONENT OF ONCOLOGY POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY/COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
Authors: Inoue Yusuke , Nagahara Kazunori , Kudo Hiroko , Itoh Hiroyasu
Published: November 2018

We performed phantom experiments to investigate radiation dose in the computed tomography component of oncology positron emission tomography/computed tomography in relation to the scan range. Computed tomography images of an anthropomorphic whole-body phantom were obtained from the head top to the feet, from the head top to the proximal thigh or from the skull base to the proximal thigh. Automatic exposure control using the posteroanterior and lateral scout images offered reasonable tube current modulation corresponding to the body thickness. However, when the posteroanterior scout alone was used, unexpectedly high current was applied in the head and upper chest. When effective dose was calculated on a region-by-region basis, it did not differ greatly irrespective of the scan range. In contrary, when effective dose was estimated simply by multiplying the scanner-derived dose-length product by a single conversion factor, estimates increased definitely with the scan range, indicating severe overestimation in whole-body imaging.
Exploring the Heterogeneous Effects of Export Promotion
Authors: Olarreaga Marcelo , Sperlich Stefan , Trachsel Virginie
Published: November 2018

A semiparametric varying coefficient model is used to explore the heterogeneity in returns to export promotion across countries. Differences in characteristics of export-promotion agencies drive the heterogeneity in returns. Interestingly, characteristics that matter for export growth do not necessarily matter for GDP per capita growth. A 1 percent increase in export-promotion budgets is associated with an average increase in exports of 0.10 percent and an average increase in GDP per capita of 0.06 percent. However, these average returns hide a lot of heterogeneity. Returns in terms of exports vary from 0 percent in Cyprus and Vietnam to 0.22 percent in Portugal. Returns in terms of GDP per capita show less heterogeneity, varying from 0.05 in Malawi to 0.10 percent in Portugal and Nicaragua.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the diagnosis and management of cardiac and vascular involvement in the systemic vasculitides
Authors: Mavrogeni Sophie I. , Dimitroulas Theodoros , Kitas George D.
Published: November 2018

Purpose of review

Cardiac manifestations in systemic vasculitides, either primary or secondary due to infection, malignancy or autoimmune rheumatic diseases may be life-threatening. Cardiovascular (CVD) magnetic resonance (CMR) has been recently proposed as an ideal noninvasive tool to evaluate systemic vasculitides. In the present article, we present an overview of CMR in the diagnosis and follow-up of cardiac involvement in systemic vasculitides.

Recent findings

CMR is a noninvasive, nonradiating modality, capable to assess cardiac function, perfusion and tissue characterization that can be of great diagnostic value in both primary and secondary systemic vasculitides. It has been already documented that CMR is superior to other imaging modalities, because it has great versatility and higher spatial resolution that allows the detection of early CVD phenomena occurring during systemic vasculitides. Magnetic resonance angiography and oedema-fibrosis imaging detect early CVD involvement such as acute and/or chronic inflammation, coronary macro-micro-circulation abnormalities and/or small vessel vasculitis.

CMR due to its great versatility gives valuable information about cardiac function, perfusion, type of fibrosis and vascular integrity that may significantly contribute to treatment decisions beyond vascular scores, other disease activity or severity indices or the acute phase response.
The ties that bind: skin, gut and spondyloarthritis
Authors: Gracey Eric , Dumas Emilie , Yerushalmi Meital , Qaiyum Zoya , Inman Robert D. , Elewaut Dirk
Published: November 2018

Purpose of review

This article aims to review recent literature linking epithelial barrier inflammation and arthritis in spondyloarthritis (SpA), with a critical view on how they are bound by genetic, immunological and environmental ties.

Recent findings

The epithelia-joint axis has become an intense area of both basic and clinical SpA research. The penultimate goal is to understand the immunopathologic links between epithelial inflammation and arthritis in SpA. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psoriasis (PsO) have strong links to SpA at several levels. Clinically, there is a strong association of IBD, PsO and SpA. Genetically, there are many shared risk factors; however, there are also distinct differences in the genetics of the respective diseases. Immunologically, type 3 immunity, especially interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 dysregulation, has been shown to play a central role in IBD, PsO and SpA. Environmentally, a microbial dysbiosis has been noted in each of these diseases, but whether the microbial signature is similar between diseases is not clear, nor is the effect of dysbiosis on the immune response known.

It will be crucial to determine whether the relationship between epithelia inflammation and SpA is truly causal for both the understanding of pathogenesis and for future treatment strategies.
Mitochondrial Pathway Is Involved in Advanced Glycation End Products-Induced Apoptosis of Rabbit Annulus Fibrosus Cells
Authors: Hu Yiqiang , Shao Zengwu , Cai Xianyi , Liu Yunlu , Shen Min , Yao Yingtao , Yuan Tian , Wang Wentian , Ding Fan , Xiong Liming
Published: November 2018

Study Design.

Experimental study.

Objective.

The purposes of this study were to evaluate whether advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) induce annulus fibrosus (AF) cell apoptosis and further to explore the mechanism by which this process occurs.

Summary of Background Data.

Recent studies revealed that AGEs accumulation is considered an important factor in diabetic intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. However, the effect of AGEs on intervertebral disc remains unclear.

Methods.

AF cells were treated with various concentrations of AGEs for 3 days. Cell viability and cell proliferation were measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assays, respectively. Cell apoptosis was examined by Annexin V/PI apoptosis detection kit and Hoechst 33342. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins, including Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, caspase-3, and caspase-9, was detected by western blotting. In addition, Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA expression levels were detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of AF cell were examined by 5,5′,6,6′ -Tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′- tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) staining and 2′,7′-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probes, respectively.

Results.

Our results indicated that AGEs had inhibitory effects on AF cell proliferation and induced AF cell apoptosis. The molecular data showed that AGEs significantly up-regulated Bax expression and inhibited Bcl-2 expression. In addition, AGEs increased the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol and enhanced caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation. Moreover, treatment with AGEs resulted in a decrease in MMP and the accumulation of intracellular ROS in AF cells. The antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) significantly reversed AGE-induced MMP decrease and AF cell apoptosis.

Conclusion.

These results suggested that AGEs induce rabbit AF cell apoptosis and mitochondrial pathway may be involved in AGEs-mediated cell apoptosis, which may provide a theoretical basis for diabetic IVD degeneration.

Level of Evidence: N/A
The role of CXCR2 in acute inflammatory responses and its antagonists as anti-inflammatory therapeutics
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Guo Rongxia , Kambara Hiroto , Ma Fengxia , Luo Hongbo R.
Published: November 2018

Purpose of review

CXCR2 is key stimulant of immune cell migration and recruitment, especially of neutrophils. Alleviating excessive neutrophil accumulation and infiltration could prevent prolonged tissue damage in inflammatory disorders. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the role of CXCR2 in regulating neutrophil migration and the use of CXCR2 antagonists for therapeutic benefit in inflammatory disorders.

Recent findings

Recent studies have provided new insights into how CXCR2 signaling regulates hematopoietic cell mobilization and function in both health and disease. We also summarize several CXCR2 regulatory mechanisms during infection and inflammation such as via Wip1, T-bet, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1, granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, and microbiome. Moreover, we provide an update of studies investigating CXCR2 blockade in the laboratory and in clinical trials.

Neutrophil homeostasis, migration, and recruitment must be precisely regulated. The CXCR2 signaling pathway is a potential target for modifying neutrophil dynamics in inflammatory disorders. We discuss the recent clinical use of CXCR2 antagonists for controlling inflammation.
Well-being, Self-transcendence, and Resilience of Parental Caregivers of Children in Active Cancer Treatment
Authors: Bajjani-Gebara Jouhayna , Hinds Pamela , Insel Kathleen , Reed Pamela , Moore Ki , Badger Terry
Published: November 2018

Background

Childhood cancer profoundly impacts the well-being of many parental caregivers in the United States yearly. Empirical evidence is extensive for negative well-being and scarce for positive well-being in this population.

Objective

Study aims were to (1) describe resilience, self-transcendence, and positive (general well-being) and negative well-being (depression and anxiety); (2) examine if caregiver-related personal factors (resilience and/or demographic characteristics) and/or child-related contextual factors (child’s cancer and/or demographic characteristics) are associated with well-being; and (3) test if self-transcendence mediates the relationship between resilience and well-being.

Methods

A cross-sectional study whereby 80 caregivers of children diagnosed with childhood cancer for at least 2 months completed study questionnaires. Descriptive statistics explored sample demographics, well-being, self-transcendence, and resilience levels. Bivariate correlations examined factors associated with well-being. One-way analysis of variance and independent-samples t tests explored differences in well-being across levels of independent variables. Baron and Kenny’s mediation analysis tested if self-transcendence mediated the relationship between resilience and well-being.

Results

Positive well-being and negative well-being coexist in parental caregivers. No child-related contextual factors related to caregivers’ well-being. Parental caregivers’ resilience and self-transcendence positively related to their general well-being and negatively related to their depression and anxiety. Satisfaction with current financial status positively related to general well-being and negatively related to depression. Self-transcendence mediated the relationship between resilience and well-being.

Conclusions

Findings confirm the importance of focusing on both positive and negative well-being, their associated factors, and mediators.

Implications for practice

The authors discuss practice implications to enhance self-transcendence such as journaling, mindfulness techniques, activities to connect with nature, and others.
Dual-Source Dual-Energy CT Portal Venous Phase Abdominal CT Scans in Large Body Habitus Patients: Preliminary Observations on Image Quality and Material Decomposition
Authors: Baliyan Vinit , Kordbacheh Hamed , Serrao Jessica , Sahani Dushyant V. , Kambadakone Avinash R.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Our objective was to evaluate image quality (IQ) and material decomposition in patients with large body habitus undergoing portal venous phase abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans on dual-source dual-energy CT (dsDECT) scanners.

Methods

This retrospective analysis included 30 scans from consecutive patients (19 males/11 females, mean ± SD age = 55.3 ± 17.5 years, range = 27–87 years) with large body habitus (≥90 kg, mean ± SD weight = 105.4 ± 12.35, range = 91–145 kg) who underwent portal venous phase abdominal DECT examinations on dsDECT scanner between Jan 2015 and Dec 2015. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of IQ of DECT data sets (blended, iodine, and virtual noncontrast images) was performed. The patients were categorized into 2 groups (group A, ≤104 kg; group B, >104 kg).

Results

The mean ± SD patient body weight in group A was 97.2 ± 4.5 kg (range = 91–104 kg) and 114.8 ± 11.7 kg (range = 104.3–145.2 kg) for patients in group B. The diagnostic acceptability of the blended images in patients > 104 kg was lower (3.6 vs 4, <3 in 4/14 vs 0/16, P = 0.03). The extension of visceral anatomy beyond DE field of view (DEFOV) was seen in 60% (28 organs in 18 patients), the most common organs being liver and spleen. The incidence of visceral organs outside DEFOV was significantly higher in patients > 104 kg (18 vs 10, P = 0.03). Outside the DEFOV, blended images demonstrated higher image noise (mean: 14.48, range = 10.09–26.83 vs mean: 9.5, range = 7.3–15.8) P < 0.001) and lower signal-to-noise ratio (mean: 4.15, range = 1.5–7.6 vs mean: 7.5, range = 4.2–9.9) P < 0.001), and material-specific information was not available in this region. Within the DEFOV, the IQ of iodine maps and virtual non-contrast images were diagnostically acceptable with diagnostic acceptability of 3 or greater in nearly all patients. A 40-cm transverse diameter cut-off provided a good predictor of extension of visceral anatomy outside the effective DEFOV.

Conclusions

Dual-source DECT allows diagnostically acceptable IQ and material separation in patients with large body habitus with the major limitation of exclusion of patient anatomy and organs outside the effective dual-energy field of view.
Adaptive Nonlocal Means Method for Denoising Basis Material Images From Dual-Energy Computed Tomography
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Zhang Yanbo , Yu Hengyong
Published: November 2018

We propose an adaptive nonlocal means approach for image-domain material decomposition in low-dose dual-energy micro–computed tomography. The key idea is to create a distribution map for decomposition error and assign a smooth weight for a given pixel. This method is applied to the decomposed images of 3 basis materials: bone, soft tissue, and gold in our applications. We assume that bone and gold cannot coexist in the same pixel and regroup these basis materials into 2 categories. For soft tissue, the proposed algorithm is implemented in a noniterative mode. For bone and gold, an iterative mode is used and followed by a postiteration process. Both our numerical simulation and in vivo preclinical experiment results show that the proposed adaptive nonlocal means outperforms other state-of-the-art denoising algorithms, such as the original nonlocal means and total variation minimization methods.
Assessing the Relationship Between American Heart Association Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score and Coronary Artery Imaging Findings
Authors: Li Ying , Zhu Guangming , Ding Victoria , Jiang Bin , Ball Robyn L. , Ahuja Neera , Rodriguez Fatima , Fleischmann Dominik , Desai Manisha , Saloner David , Saba Luca , Wintermark Max , Hom Jason
Published: November 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between computed tomography angiography imaging characteristics of coronary artery and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) score.

Methods

We retrospectively identified all patients who underwent a coronary computed tomography angiography at our institution from December 2013 to July 2016, then we calculated the 10-year ASCVD score. We characterized the relationship between coronary artery imaging findings and ASCVD risk score.

Results

One hundred fifty-one patients met our inclusion criteria. Patients with a 10-year ASCVD score of 7.5% or greater had significantly more arterial segments showing stenosis (46.4%, P = 0.008) and significantly higher maximal plaque thickness (1.25 vs 0.53, P = 0.001). However, among 56 patients with a 10-year ASCVD score of 7.5% or greater, 30 (53.6%) had no arterial stenosis. Furthermore, among the patients with a 10-year ASCVD score of less than 7.5%, 24 (25.3%) had some arterial stenosis.

Conclusions

There is some concordance but not a perfect overlap between 10-year ASCVD risk scores and coronary artery imaging findings.
MIR-190B Alleviates Cell Autophagy and Burn-Induced Skeletal Muscle Wasting via Modulating PHLPP1/Akt/FoxO3A Signaling Pathway
Authors: Yu Yonghui , Yang Longlong , Han Shaofang , Wu Yushou , Liu Lingying , Chang Yang , Wang Xiaoteng , Chai Jiake
Published: November 2018

Introduction:

Cell autophagy is an important material recycling process and is involved in regulating many vital activities under both physiological and pathological conditions. However, the mechanism of autophagy regulating burn-induced skeletal muscle wasting still needs to be elucidated.

Methods:

The rat burn model with 30% total body surface area and L6 cell line were used in this study. An immunofluorescence assay was used to detect autophagic levels. MicroRNA array and real-time PCR were employed to measure miR-190b levels, and its influence on PH domain and leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) protein translation was estimated using luciferase reporter assay. The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins were analyzed by Western blot. Skeletal muscle wasting was evaluated by the ratio of tibias anterior muscle weight to body weight.

Results:

Our study demonstrates that burn injury promotes expression of the autophagy-related proteins light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin-1, suppresses expression of Akt and Forkhead box O (FoxO) 3a protein phosphorylation, and increases PHLPP1 protein level which is required for Akt dephosphorylation. miR-190b, the regulator of PHLPP1 protein translation, also significantly decreases after burn injury. Ectopic expression of miR-190b in L6 myoblast cell downregulates PHLPP1 protein expression, elevates Akt and FoxO3a phosphorylation, and subsequently reduces cell autophagy. Finally, suppressing autophagy with 3-methyladenine represses the protein expression of LC3 and Beclin-1 and mitigates burn-induced skeletal muscle wasting.

Conclusion:

Burn injury induced skeletal muscle cell autophagy and subsequently resulted in skeletal muscle wasting via regulating miR-190b/PHLPP1/Akt/FoxO3a signaling pathway.
Plasma Renin Concentration is Associated With Hemodynamic Deficiency and Adverse Renal Outcome in Septic Shock
Authors: Nguyen Maxime , Denimal Damien , Dargent Auguste , Guinot Pierre-Grégoire , Duvillard Laurence , Quenot Jean-Pierre , Bouhemad Bélaïd
Published: November 2018

Background:

In septic shock, both systemic vasodilatation and glomerular arteriole dilatation are responsible for the drop in glomerular filtration observed in early acute kidney injury. Angiotensin II has been shown to act on both mechanisms. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of renin angiotensin system activation, on hemodynamic deficiency and renal outcome in patient with septic shock and to assess whether urinary sodium could be a reliable test for high plasma renin concentration screening.

Methods:

This was a prospective and observational study. Inclusion criteria were early septic shock (first episode), dose of norepinephrine ≥ 0.25 μg/kg/min, before the start of substitutive corticosteroids. Plasma renin concentration, plasma aldosterone concentration, and urinary sodium were measured at inclusion. Renal outcome, organ deficiency, and 28-day survival were followed.

Results:

Plasma renin concentration was associated with worse hemodynamic deficiency and adverse renal outcome. Natriuresis was associated with shock severity but was not associated with renal outcome. Low natriuresis (< 20 mM) was associated with higher renin concentration. Those two variables were only weakly correlated.

Conclusion:

Plasma renin concentration is associated with adverse renal outcome, probably through shock severity and insufficient glomerular efferent arterioles vasoconstriction. An association was observed between low natriuresis and high plasma renin concentration.
The Effect of Nutrition on Early Stress-Induced Hyperglycemia, Serum Insulin Levels, and Exogenous Insulin Administration in Critically Ill Patients With Septic Shock: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Treskes Nikki , Koekkoek Wilhelmina Aria Christina , van Zanten Arthur Raymond Hubert
Published: November 2018

Background:

Stress-induced hyperglycemia is common among septic shock patients. Nutritional support influences glucose homeostasis but this effect has never been studied in septic shock. We aimed to determine the course of hyperglycemia and serum insulin levels in critically ill septic shock patients and to address the effects of caloric intake on glycemia, insulin levels, and exogenous insulin requirements.

Methods:

A prospective observational study of 24 ventilated septic shock patients during 72 h after ICU admission. Every 4 h nutritional variables, exogenous insulin administration, serum insulin, and glucose levels were recorded.

Results:

Stress-induced hyperglycemia was found in 96.2% of patients. Exogenous insulin requirements increased gradually and were most pronounced at 36 h (mean 4.64 IU/h). Total serum insulin levels were lowest at the point of most exogenous insulin requirements (mean 2.75 mIU/L). Total caloric intake and insulin requirements were positively associated (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.210).

Conclusions:

In patients with septic shock marked reduced serum insulin levels can be observed during the first 36 h after intensive care unit (ICU) admission that have to be compensated by exogenous insulin administration, a phenomenon gradually improving after 36 h. Feeding is positively associated with exogenous insulin requirements. These results suggest that strategies to manage stress-induced hyperglycemia in patients with septic shock should consider frequent glycemic monitoring, conservative insulin dosing to prevent hypoglycemia when insulin resistance disappears, and slow progressive nutrition support during the early ICU phase as caloric loading may worsen hyperglycemia. This approach may attenuate the risk of glucose variability, hypo- and hyperglycemia and associated poor outcomes.
The Evolving Practice Patterns of Academic Endocrine Surgeons
Authors: Kuo Jennifer H. , Duh Quan Y. , Chen Herbert , Lai Victoria , Sorensen Meredith J. , Chabot John A. , Lee James A.
Published: November 2018

Objective:

To examine the evolution of an academic endocrine surgeon's practice over time.

Summary Background:

Amid growing recognition that surgical volume and specialization are linked to better outcomes, endocrine surgery is one of the youngest fields to develop its own formal fellowship training program. However, 3 decades after the emergence of endocrine surgery as a distinct specialty, the medical community and public still have a limited understanding of endocrine surgeons and what they do.

Methods:

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of endocrine surgeons identified in the Faculty Practice Solutions Center Database from 2014 to 2017. Trends in annual number of endocrine surgeries performed, number of all surgeries performed, total work relative value units generated, and patient payer mix stratified by years of practice were evaluated.

Results:

One hundred thirty-nine endocrine surgeons practicing in 103 institutions over 4 years were analyzed. The proportion of endocrine-specific operations increases over time. A typical academic endocrine surgeon meets the high-volume threshold for thyroidectomies early in their career, but does not reach the thresholds for parathyroidectomies or adrenalectomies until after 4 years. Increased productivity as reflected by adjusted work relative value units does increase over the first 15 years of practice, but also decreases as the proportion of endocrine-specific practice increases. The greatest proportion of endocrine surgeons’ patients are insured by commercial plans (46%–50%), and payer mix is stable across all levels of practice.

Conclusions:

Although endocrine surgeons perform a high-volume of endocrine-specific operations, practice patterns are heterogeneous and suggest that most surgeons have to grow their endocrine-specific practice over time.
Evaluation of fast-acting bactericidal activity and substantivity of an antiseptic agent, olanexidine gluconate, using an ex vivo skin model
Authors: Nishioka Hisae , Nagahama Akihiro , Inoue Yasuhide , Hagi Akifumi
Published: November 2018

Purpose. We assessed the fast-acting bactericidal activity and substantivity of olanexidine gluconate (OLG) to investigate its remaining bactericidal activity on the skin after rinsing and drying by using an ex vivo Yucatan micropig (YMP) skin model.

Methodology. The fast-acting bactericidal activity was evaluated in pigskin models inoculated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus epidermidis, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), Acinetobacter baumannii, Corynebacterium minutissimum and Cutibacterium acnes. To evaluate substantivity, the YMP skin piece first had 1.5 % OLG, chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) formulations or 10 % povidone–iodine (PVP-I) applied to it, and was then rinsed with distilled water, incubated for 4, 6, 8 or 12 h and inoculated with the test bacteria (MRSA, S. epidermidis and VRE). The viable bacteria remaining at 1 min of exposure of bacteria were counted to measure the quantity of antiseptic molecules retaining bactericidal activity. To determine the factors contributing to the substantivity, the stratum corneum (SC) of the YMP skin that had had OLG or CHG applied to it was exfoliated using a tape-stripping method and the amount of antiseptic was quantitated.

Results. OLG showed a fast-acting bactericidal activity that was similar to or stronger than that of CHG formulations up to a concentration of 1 % and PVP-I with a short exposure time of 30 s, and substantivity until 12 h after rinsing, whereas the other antiseptics hardly showed any substantivity. There was 2.8 times or more OLG in the SC than CHG.

Conclusion. OLG has fast-acting activity and substantivity, which are required properties for an antiseptic, and is useful for preventing infections.
Familiarity facilitates detection of angry expressions
Authors: Chauhan Vassiki , Visconti di Oleggio Castello Matteo , Taylor Morgan , Gobbini Maria Ida
Published: November 2018

Personal familiarity facilitates rapid and optimized detection of faces. In this study, we investigated whether familiarity associated with faces can also facilitate the detection of facial expressions. Models of face processing propose that face identity and face expression detection are mediated by distinct pathways. We used a visual search paradigm to assess if facial expressions of emotion (anger and happiness) were detected more rapidly when produced by familiar as compared to unfamiliar faces. We found that participants detected an angry expression 11% more accurately and 135 ms faster when produced by familiar as compared to unfamiliar faces while happy expressions were detected with equivalent accuracies and at equivalent speeds for familiar and unfamiliar faces. These results suggest that detectors in the visual system dedicated to processing features of angry expressions are optimized for familiar faces.
A wheat/rye polymorphism affects seminal root length and is associated with drought and waterlogging tolerance
Authors: Howell Tyson , Moriconi Jorge I. , Zhao Xueqiang , Hegarty Joshua , Fahima Tzion , Santa-Maria Guillermo E. , Dubcovsky Jorge
Published: November 2018

The introgression of a small segment of wheat chromosome 1BS in the distal region of the rye 1RS arm translocation in wheat (henceforth 1RSrw) was previously associated with reduced grain yield, carbon isotope discrimination and stomatal conductance, suggesting reduced access to soil moisture. In this study, we show that the 1RS/1RSRWpolymorphism causes differences in root length in field and hydroponic experiments. In the latter, differences in seminal root length were associated with a developmentally regulated arrest of the root apical meristem (RAM). Approximately 10 days after germination, the seminal roots of the 1RSRWplants showed a gradual reduction in elongation rate and stopped growing a week later. Seventeen days after germination, the roots of the 1RSRWplants showed altered gradients of reactive oxygen species and emergence of lateral roots close to the RAM, suggesting a loss of apical dominance. The 1RS/1RSRWisogenic lines also differed in plant biomass and grain yield under normal, terminal drought, and waterlogging field conditions. The differences were larger in fields with reduced or excessive irrigation. These results suggest that this polymorphism may be useful to modulate root architecture and mitigate the negative impacts of excess or reduced water in wheat production.

HIGHLIGHT

A wheat/rye polymorphism in chromosome one affects seminal root length and apical dominance and is associated with differences in drought and waterlogging tolerance in the field.
Noise induced bimodality in genetic circuits with monostable positive feedback
Authors: Bokes Pavol , Singh Abhyudai
Published: November 2018

The expression of individual genes can be maintained through positive feedback loop mechanisms. If genes are expressed in bursts, then feedback either affects the frequency with which bursts occur or their size. Here we use a tractable hybrid modelling framework to evaluate how noncooperative positive feedback in burst frequency or burst size impacts the protein-level distribution. We confirm the results of previous studies that noncooperative positive feedback in burst frequency can support bimodal distributions. Intriguingly, bimodal distributions are unavailable in the case of feedback in burst size in the hybrid framework. However, kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of a full discrete model show that bimodality can reappear due to low-copy number effects. The two types of feedbacks lead to dramatically different values of protein mean and noise. We show that small values of leakage imply a small protein mean for feedback in burst frequency but not necessarily for feedback in burst size. We also show that protein noise decreases in response to gene activation if feedback is in burst frequency but there is a transient noise amplification if feedback acts on burst size. Our results suggest that feedback in burst size and feedback in burst frequency may play fundamentally different roles in maintaining and controlling stochastic gene expression.
Mutations in bacterial genes induce unanticipated changes in the relationship between bacterial pathogens in experimental otitis media
Authors: Lakhani Vinal , Tan Li , Mukherjee Sayak , Stewart William C. L. , Swords W. Edward , Das Jayajit
Published: November 2018

Otitis media (OM) is a common polymicrobial infection of the middle ear in children under the age of fifteen years. A widely used experimental strategy to analyze roles of specific phenotypes of bacterial pathogens of OM is to study changes in co-infection kinetics of bacterial populations in animal models when a wild type bacterial strain is replaced by a specific isogenic mutant strain in the co-inoculating mixtures. Since relationships between the OM bacterial pathogens within the host are regulated by many interlinked processes, connecting the changes in the co-infection kinetics to a bacterial phenotype can be challenging. We investigated middle ear co-infections in adult chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) by two major OM pathogens: nontypeableHaemophilus influenzae(NTHi) andMoraxella catarrhalis(Mcat), as well as isogenic mutant strains in each bacterial species. We analyzed the infection kinetic data using Lotka-Volterra population dynamics, Maximum Entropy inference, and Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) based model selection. We found that changes in relationships between the bacterial pathogens that were not anticipated in the design of the co-infection experiments involving mutant strains are common and were strong regulators of the co-infecting bacterial populations. The framework developed here allows for a systematic analysis of host-host variations of bacterial populations and small sizes of animal cohorts in co-infection experiments to quantify the role of specific mutant strains in changing the infection kinetics. Our combined approach can be used to analyze the functional footprint of mutant strains in regulating co-infection kinetics in models of experimental OM and other polymicrobial diseases.
The Time Scale of Evolution
Authors: Passagem-Santos Diogo , Perfeito Lilia
Published: November 2018

Fitness is a measure of how quickly alleles change in frequency under natural selection. Time is always implicit in evolutionary models but its units are rarely made explicit. When measuring phenotypes such as absolute growth rate, the units of measurement need to be made explicit. By contrasting measures of fitness and growth rate, we uncovered a curious effect, by which evolutionary time runs at different speeds depending on how restricted population growth is. In other words, when the generation time of a population is externally imposed, relative fitness per generation is no longer an accurate measure of differences between genotypes. We explore this effect and describe how it affects selective sweeps, probability of fixation of beneficial mutations and adaptation dynamics. Moreover, we show that different populations cannot be compared unless they share a common reference and that our inference of epistasis can be biased by this temporal effect. Finally, we suggest less biased ways to measure selection in experimental evolution.
Sensorimotor Memory for Object Weight is Based on Previous Experience During Lifting, Not Holding
Authors: van Polanen Vonne , Davare Marco
Published: November 2018

To allow skilled object manipulation, the brain must generate a motor command specifically tailored to the object properties. For instance, in object lifting, the forces applied by the fingertips must be scaled to the object’s weight. When lifting a series of objects, forces are usually scaled according to recent experience from previously lifted objects, an effect often referred to as sensorimotor memory. In this study, we investigated the specific time period during which stored information from previous object manipulation is used to mediate sensorimotor memory. More specifically, we examined whether sensorimotor memory was based on weight information obtained between object contact and lift completion (lifting phase) or during stable holding (holding phase). Participants lifted objects in virtual reality that could increase or decrease in weight after the object was lifted and held in the air. In this way, we could distinguish whether the force planning in the next lift was scaled depending on weight information gathered from either the dynamic lifting or static holding period. We found that force planning was based on the previous object weight experienced during the lifting, but not holding, phase. This suggest that the lifting phase, while merely lasting a few hundred milliseconds, is a key time period for building up internal object representations used for planning future hand-object interactions.

HIGHLIGHTS

When lifting objects, fingertip force scaling is based on the most recent lift

We investigated what time period is critical for acquiring sensorimotor memory

Sensorimotor memory is based on weight experienced during previous lift, not hold

The lifting phase is a key period for building up internal models of object lifting
Action in auctions: neural and computational mechanisms of bidding behavior
Authors: Martinez-Saito Mario , Konovalov Rodion , Piradov Michael A. , Shestakova Anna , Gutkin Boris , Klucharev Vasily
Published: November 2018

Competition for resources is a fundamental characteristic of evolution. Auctions have been widely used to model competition of individuals for resources, and bidding behavior plays a major role in social competition. Yet how humans learn to bid efficiently remains an open question. We used model-based neuroimaging to investigate the neural mechanisms of bidding behavior under different types of competition. Twenty-seven subjects (nine male) played a prototypical bidding game: a double action, with three “market” types, which differed in the number of competitors. We compared different computational learning models of bidding: directional learning models (DL), where the model bid is “nudged” depending on whether it was accepted or rejected, along with standard reinforcement learning models (RL). We found that DL fit the behavior best and resulted in higher payoffs. We found the binary learning signal associated with DL to be represented by neural activity in the striatum distinctly posterior to a weaker reward prediction error signal. We posited that DL is an efficient heuristic for valuation when the action (bid) space is continuous. Indeed, we found that the posterior parietal cortex represents the continuous action-space of the task, and the frontopolar prefrontal cortex distinguishes among conditions of social competition. Based on our findings we proposed a conceptual model that accounts for a sequence of processes that are required to perform successful and flexible bidding under different types of competition.
Wavelength-encoded laser particles for massively-multiplexed cell tagging
Authors: Martino Nicola , Kwok Sheldon J.J. , Liapis Andreas C. , Forward Sarah , Jang Hoon , Kim Hwi-Min , Wu Sarah J. , Wu Jiamin , Dannenberg Paul H. , Jang Sun-Joo , Lee Yong-Hee , Yun Seok-Hyun
Published: November 2018

Large-scale single-cell analyses have become increasingly important given the role of cellular heterogeneity in complex biological systems. However, no current techniques enable optical imaging of uniquely-tagged individual cells. Fluorescence-based approaches can only distinguish a handful of distinct cells or cell groups at a time because of spectral crosstalk between conventional fluorophores. Here we show a novel class of imaging probes emitting coherent laser light, called laser particles. Made of silica-coated semiconductor microcavities, these laser particles have single-mode emission over a broad range from 1170 to 1580 nm with sub-nm linewidths, enabling massive spectral multiplexing. We demonstrate the stability and biocompatibility of these probes in vitro and their utility for wavelength-multiplexed cell tagging and imaging. We demonstrate real-time tracking of thousands of individual cells in a 3D tumor model for several days showing different behavioral phenotypes. We expect laser particles will enable new approaches for single-cell analyses.