bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Characterization of Alumina-Based Membranes for Water Purification
Authors: Ahmed B A , Ahmed F , Ali K , Shabbir J B
Published: June 2020

High energy ball milling (HEBM) and pressure less sintering technique were performed to achieve a homogenous powder mixture and porous ceramic membranes of a-Al2O3/2%MWCNTs. A uniaxial powder compaction press was used to compress the powder mixture into circular green pellets (27 mm in diameter, 3-4 mm thickness) at three different pressure values of 100 MPa, 250 MPa and 400 MPa, followed by sintering at three different temperature values of 1200 °C, 1250 °C and 1300 °C under argon gas atmosphere. The effect of process parameters on the pore distribution and phase change was characterized by employing Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) respectively. Process parameters were found to have a strong influence on the characteristics of the developed membranes like diametrical strength, water permeability and porosity. Water flow rates varied from 950 l/m2.hr to 42 l/m2hr, porosity decreased from 48.57% to 28.87% and diametrical strength increased from 0.95 MPa to 11.06 MPa as compaction pressure was increased from 100 MPa to 400 MPa and sintering temperature was increased from 1200 °C to 1300 °C.
Thermal Insulation Enhancement of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Concrete Using Waste Clay Brick
Authors: Ahmed Mahmood F. , Khalil Wasan I. , Frayyeh Qias J.
Published: June 2020

Geopolymer concrete is one of the sustainable building materials that has a low energy production and a minimum carbon footprint. In this study, the effect of utilization waste clay brick on the thermal conductivity (TC) of Metakaolin geopolymer concrete (MK-GPC) was investigated. The waste of clay brick was used in two series of mixes, first one included clay brick waste powder (BP) as partial replacement of Metakaolin (MK) at weight dosage 10%, 15%, and 20%, while the second group of mixes contained crushed clay brick waste aggregate (CBA) at replacement level of 10%, 20% and 30% by volume of natural coarse aggregate. In addition to (TC), all the specimens were tested to determine the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and voids content at 7 and 28 days. The results of the samples with 10% and 15% BP have shown higher UPV and less voids content, while the incorporation of CBA aggregate at 20% and 30% caused reduction in UPV and increased the voids in MK-GPC mixture. Furthermore, the addition of the waste clay brick in both forms (powder and aggregate) has improved the results of thermal insulation. Conclusively, reusing of waste clay brick as ingredients in MK-GPC will provide a super-sustainable geopolymer concrete with advanced thermal insulation properties.
Optimization on Preventive Maintenance and Spare Unit Number for Multi-unit Parallel System
Authors: Gao Wenke , Yang Tianshu , Chen Xufeng , Liang Xin
Published: June 2020

Preventive maintenance (PM) for multi-unit parallel system with limited production resource is a crucial issue. To find a solution for the issue, this study focused on a multi-unit parallel system with one repairman and some spare units, and developed an optimization model for the system. In the model, PM policy and cold spare unit number were jointly considered. After optimization, an optimal PM policy with PM interval of running and spare units, PM number and cold spare unit number were obtained. Then, a numerical example was analyzed to illustrate the proposed model, and some results were attained based on the sensitive analysis.
Research on FJSP Rescheduling Execution Cost Based on Modified Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Zhou Q C , Huang Y K , Xiong X L , Zhao J
Published: June 2020

In order to achieve dynamic production of smart plants, it is necessary to dynamically adjust schedule for disturbances in the manufacturing process. An executable optimized rescheduling plan needs developing, so the study of rescheduling cost is necessary. Based on the essential analysis of the rescheduling problem, a new flexible job shop rescheduling execution cost is proposed. The correctness of the execution cost is illustrated by the application in a modified genetic algorithm. The result shows that the rescheduling method with the execution cost as the fitness can generate a new plan with less deviation from the original schedule, which has a great significance for actual manufacturing.
COVID-19 pandemic preparedness: A practical guide from an operational pharmacy perspective
Authors: Merchan Cristian , Soliman Joshua , Ahuja Tania , Arnouk Serena , Keeley Kelsey , Tracy Joanna , Guerra Gabriel , DaCosta Kristopher , Papadopoulos John , Dabestani Arash
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To describe our medical center’s pharmacy services preparedness process and offer guidance to assist other institutions in preparing for surges of critically ill patients such as those experienced during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The leadership of a department of pharmacy at an urban medical center in the US epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic proactively created a pharmacy action plan in anticipation of a surge in admissions of critically ill patients with COVID-19. It was essential to create guidance documents outlining workflow, provide comprehensive staff education, and repurpose non–intensive care unit (ICU)-trained clinical pharmacotherapy specialists to work in ICUs. Teamwork was crucial to ensure staff safety, develop complete scheduling, maintain adequate drug inventory and sterile compounding, optimize the electronic health record and automated dispensing cabinets to help ensure appropriate prescribing and effective management of medication supplies, and streamline the pharmacy workflow to ensure that all patients received pharmacotherapeutic regimens in a timely fashion.

Conclusion

Each hospital should view the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to internally review and enhance workflow processes, initiatives that can continue even after the resolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Integrative biomarker detection on high-dimensional gene expression data sets: a survey on prior knowledge approaches
Authors: Perscheid Cindy
Published: June 2020

Gene expression data provide the expression levels of tens of thousands of genes from several hundred samples. These data are analyzed to detect biomarkers that can be of prognostic or diagnostic use. Traditionally, biomarker detection for gene expression data is the task of gene selection. The vast number of genes is reduced to a few relevant ones that achieve the best performance for the respective use case. Traditional approaches select genes based on their statistical significance in the data set. This results in issues of robustness, redundancy and true biological relevance of the selected genes. Integrative analyses typically address these shortcomings by integrating multiple data artifacts from the same objects, e.g. gene expression and methylation data. When only gene expression data are available, integrative analyses instead use curated information on biological processes from public knowledge bases. With knowledge bases providing an ever-increasing amount of curated biological knowledge, such prior knowledge approaches become more powerful. This paper provides a thorough overview on the status quo of biomarker detection on gene expression data with prior biological knowledge. We discuss current shortcomings of traditional approaches, review recent external knowledge bases, provide a classification and qualitative comparison of existing prior knowledge approaches and discuss open challenges for this kind of gene selection.
The Na+ and K+ transport system of sperm (ATP1A4) is essential for male fertility and an attractive target for male contraception†
Authors: Syeda Shameem Sultana , Sánchez Gladis , McDermott Jeffrey P , Hong Kwon Ho , Blanco Gustavo , Georg Gunda I
Published: June 2020

One of the mechanisms that cells have developed to fulfil their specialized tasks is to express different molecular variants of a particular protein that has unique functional properties. Na,K-ATPase (NKA), the ion transport mechanism that maintains the transmembrane Na+ and K+ concentrations across the plasma membrane of cells, is one of such protein systems that shows high molecular and functional heterogeneity. Four different isoforms of the NKA catalytic subunit are expressed in mammalian cells (NKAα1, NKAα2, NKAα3, and NKAα4). NKAα4 (ATP1A4) is the isoform with the most restricted pattern of expression, being solely produced in male germ cells of the testis. NKAα4 is abundant in spermatozoa, where it is required for sperm motility and hyperactivation. This review discusses the expression, functional properties, mechanism of action of NKAα4 in sperm physiology, and its role in male fertility. In addition, we describe the use of NKAα4 as a target for male contraception and a potential approach to pharmacologically block its ion transport function to interfere with male fertility.
The role of the IL-1 system in pregnancy and the use of IL-1 system markers to identify women at risk for pregnancy complications†
Authors: Equils Ozlem , Kellogg Caitlyn , McGregor James , Gravett Michael , Neal-Perry Genevieve , Gabay Cem
Published: June 2020

The interleukin (IL)-1 system plays a major role in immune responses and inflammation. The IL-1 system components include IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1 receptor type 1 and IL-1 receptor type 2 (decoy receptor), IL-1 receptor accessory protein, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). These components have been shown to play a role in pregnancy, specifically in embryo-maternal communication for implantation, placenta development, and protection against infections. As gestation advances, maternal tissues experience increasing fetal demand and physical stress and IL-1β is induced. Dependent on the levels of IL-1Ra, which regulates IL-1β activity, a pro-inflammatory response may or may not occur. If there is an inflammatory response, prostaglandins are synthesized that may lead to myometrial contractions and the initiation of labor. Many studies have examined the role of the IL-1 system in pregnancy by independently measuring plasma, cervical, and amniotic fluid IL-1β or IL-1Ra levels. Other studies have tested for polymorphisms in IL-1β and IL-1Ra genes in women experiencing pregnancy complications such as early pregnancy loss, in vitro fertilization failure, pre-eclampsia and preterm delivery. Data from those studies suggest a definite role for the IL-1 system in successful pregnancy outcomes. However, as anticipated, the results varied among different experimental models, ethnicities, and disease states. Here, we review the current literature and propose that measurement of IL-1Ra in relation to IL-1 may be useful in predicting the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes.
Where Two ‘Exceptional’ Prison Cultures Meet: Negotiating Order in a Transnational Prison
Authors: Liebling Alison , Johnsen Berit , Schmidt Bethany E , Rokkan Tore , Beyens Kristel , Boone Miranda , Kox Mieke , Vanhouche An-Sofie
Published: June 2020

Can a prison in the Netherlands, that is neither ‘Dutch’ nor ‘Norwegian’, be ‘legitimate?’ What are the moral challenges? Our study of the controversial Norgerhaven project—a Norwegian prison located in the Netherlands—found that this ‘experiment’ generated one of the most reflexive, ‘deliberative’ prisons we have encountered. Officials involved in the decision assumed that the two jurisdictions were alike in their values. Few were prepared for the differences that arose. This hybrid prison made punishment, the use of authority, and the meanings of fairness, professionalism and discipline unusually explicit as staff negotiated their practices, creating a shift from ‘practical’ to ‘discursive’ consciousness and exposing many of the complexities of liberal penal power.
The emerging role of iron in heart failure and vascular calcification in CKD
Authors: Ciceri Paola , Cozzolino Mario
Published: June 2020

Iron deficiency is a frequent comorbidity of cardiovascular (CV) diseases and nearly 50% of patients with heart failure (HF) with or without anaemia have low levels of available iron. There is a strong association between anaemia and the increase in mortality and hospitalizations in patients with CV disease and HF. Moreover, anaemia and chronic kidney disease (CKD) often coexist in patients with HF, with anaemia increasing the risk of death in these subjects and with a further increased risk in CKD population. The evidence that the treatment of iron deficiency and the increase in haemoglobin are associated with a better prognosis in HF patients has elicited new interest in the utilization of iron in HF and CKD patients. One of the central players in CV disease is vascular calcification (VC), which has been recognized as a major independent risk factor for incident CV disease and overall mortality in chronic disease patients. In this review, we summarize the evidences generated by clinical trials aimed to study the effect of iron deficiency correction, the effect of iron-based phosphate binder in in vivo models of kidney failure and the effect of iron in in vitro models of VC, trying to give an overview of the present knowledge on iron effect and its mechanisms of action.
It’S Getting Crowded in Here: Experimental Evidence of Demand Constraints in the Gender Profit Gap
Authors: Hardy Morgan , Kagy Gisella
Published: June 2020

This article considers market-level contributors to the well-documented gender profit gap among micro-entrepreneurs. We combine data from a garment-making firm census and market research survey in Ghana, uncovering a gender gap in the market-size-to-firm ratio and observing disproportionate self-reports of ‘not enough customers’ from female owners. We develop a simple model and discuss implications of potential gender differences in demand constraints. As experimental corroboration, we show that female-owned firms expand production and experience profit increases in response to random demand shocks, while male-owned firms do not. Nationally representative data echoes our experimental findings, showing more crowding in female-dominated industries.
Providing Care Is Self-Care: Towards Valuing Older People’s Care Provision in Global Economies
Authors: Akhter-Khan Samia C
Published: June 2020

Older people’s care provision is structurally undervalued, posing a threat to social connectedness and healthy aging. Thus, the question arises of how older people’s care provision can be valued in diverse economies. By addressing this question, this article proposes a novel perspective by shedding light on the value of contributions older people provide to society, which in turn promote their own well-being. By highlighting evolutionary and proximal motives for older people to provide care, this article advances the theoretical understanding of the benefits of caregiving in the global aging context, going beyond previous successful aging approaches. These new directions aim to center older people’s needs while accounting for their care provisions to fruitfully inform policymaking. Finally, the main challenge remaining for future work is to create adequate and valuable opportunities for older people to provide care as Homines curans.
PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome: what happens when there is no PTEN germline mutation?
Authors: Yehia Lamis , Eng Charis
Published: June 2020

Hereditary cancer syndromes represent ~10% of all incident cancers. It is important to identify individuals having these disorders because, unlike patients with sporadic cancer, these patients require specialised life-long care, with implications for their families. Importantly, the identification of alterations in cancer-predisposing genes facilitates gene-informed molecular diagnosis, cancer risk assessment and gene-specific clinical management. Moreover, knowledge about gene function in the inherited cancers offers insights towards biological processes pertinent to the more common sporadic cancers. Conversely, without a known gene, clinical management is less precise, and it is impossible to offer predictive testing of family members. PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome (PHTS) is an umbrella term encompassing four overgrowth and cancer predisposition disorders associated with germline PTEN mutations. With time, it became evident that only a finite subset of individuals with PHTS-associated phenotypes harbour germline PTEN mutations. Therefore, non-PTEN aetiologies exist in PTEN wildtype patients. Indeed, gene discovery efforts over the last decade elucidated multiple candidate cancer predisposition genes. While a subset of genes (e.g. AKT1, PIK3CA) are biologically plausible as being key effectors within the PTEN signalling cascade, other genes required meticulous functional interrogation to explain their contribution to PHTS-related phenotypes. Collectively, the extensive phenotypic heterogeneity of the clinical syndromes typically united by PTEN is reflected by the genetic heterogeneity revealed through gene discovery. Validating these gene discoveries is critical because, while PTEN wildtype patients can be diagnosed clinically, they do not have the benefit of specific gene-informed risk assessment and subsequent management.
Finiteness Properties of Pseudo-Hyperbolic Varieties
Authors: Javanpeykar Ariyan , Xie Junyi
Published: June 2020

Motivated by Lang–Vojta’s conjecture, we show that the set of dominant rational self-maps of an algebraic variety over a number field with only finitely many rational points in any given number field is finite by combining Amerik’s theorem for dynamical systems of infinite order with properties of Prokhorov–Shramov’s notion of quasi-minimal models. We also prove a similar result in the geometric setting by using again not only Amerik’s theorem and Prokhorov–Shramov’s notion of quasi-minimal model but also Weil’s regularization theorem for birational self-maps and properties of dynamical degrees. Furthermore, in the geometric setting, we obtain an analogue of Kobayashi–Ochiai’s finiteness result for varieties of general type and thereby generalize Noguchi’s theorem (formerly Lang’s conjecture).
Associations Between IFI44L Gene Variants and Rates of Respiratory Tract Infections During Early Childhood
Authors: Lempainen Johanna , Korhonen Laura S , Kantojärvi Katri , Heinonen Santtu , Toivonen Laura , Räty Panu , Ramilo Octavio , Mejias Asuncion , Laine Antti-Pekka , Vuorinen Tytti , Waris Matti , Karlsson Linnea , Karlsson Hasse , Paunio Tiina , Peltola Ville
Published: June 2020

Background

Genetic heterogeneity in type I interferon (IFN)–related gene IFI44L may account for variable susceptibility to respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children.

Methods

In 2 prospective, population-based birth cohorts, the STEPS Study and the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, IFI44L genotypes for rs273259 and rs1333969 were determined in relation to the development of RTIs until 1 or 2 years of age, respectively. At age 3 months, whole-blood transcriptional profiles were analyzed and nasal samples were tested for respiratory viruses in a subset of children.

Results

In the STEPS Study (n = 1135), IFI44L minor/minor gene variants were associated with lower rates of acute otitis media episodes (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 0.77 [95% confidence interval, .61–.96] for rs273259 and 0.74 [.55–.99] for rs1333969) and courses of antibiotics for RTIs (0.76 [.62–.95] and 0.73 [.56–.97], respectively. In the FinnBrain cohort (n = 971), IFI44L variants were associated with lower rates of RTIs and courses of antibiotics for RTIs. In respiratory virus–positive 3-month-old children, IFI44L gene variants were associated with decreased expression levels of IFI44L and several other IFN-related genes.

Conclusions

Variant forms of IFI44L gene were protective against early-childhood RTIs or acute otitis media, and they attenuated IFN pathway activation by respiratory viruses.
Elevation of Liver Fibrosis Index FIB-4 Is Associated With Poor Clinical Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19
Authors: Ibáñez-Samaniego Luis , Bighelli Federico , Usón Clara , Caravaca Celia , Fernández Carrillo Carlos , Romero Miriam , Barreales Mónica , Perelló Christie , Madejón Antonio , Marcos Aránzazu Caballero , Albillos Agustín , Fernández Inmaculada , García-Samaniego Javier , Calleja José Luis , Bañares Rafael
Published: June 2020

Background

COVID-19 is a potentially severe disease caused by the recently described SARS-CoV-2. Whether liver fibrosis might be a relevant player in the natural history of COVID-19 is currently unknown. We aimed to evaluate the association between FIB-4 and the risk of progression to critical illness in middle-aged patients with COVID-19.

Methods

In this multicenter, retrospective study with prospective follow-up of 160 patients aged 35–65 years with COVID-19, FIB-4, clinical, and biochemical variables were collected at baseline. FIB-4 ≥2.67 defined patients with risk for advanced liver fibrosis.

Results

Risk for advanced fibrosis was estimated in 28.1% of patients. Patients with FIB-4 ≥2.67 more frequently required mechanical ventilation (37.8% vs 18.3%; P = .009). In multivariate analysis, FIB-4 ≥2.67 (odds ratio [OR], 3.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30–8.92), cardiovascular risk factors (OR, 5.05; 95% CI, 1.90–13.39), previous respiratory diseases (OR, 4.54; 95% CI, 1.36–15.10), and C-reactive protein (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01–1.02) increased significantly the risk of ICU admission. Bootstrap confirmed FIB-4 as an independent risk factor.

Conclusions

In middle-aged patients with COVID-19, FIB-4 may have a prognostic role. The link between liver fibrosis and the natural history of COVID-19 should be evaluated in future studies.
In vitro activity of eravacycline against common ribotypes of Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Bassères Eugénie , Begum Khurshida , Lancaster Chris , Gonzales-Luna Anne J , Carlson Travis J , Miranda Julie , Rashid Tasnuva , Alam M Jahangir , Eyre David W , Wilcox Mark H , Garey Kevin W
Published: June 2020

Background

Eravacycline is a novel synthetic fluorocycline antibacterial approved for complicated intra-abdominal infections.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the in vitro activities of eravacycline and comparator antibiotics against contemporary clinical isolates of Clostridioides difficile representing common ribotypes, including isolates with decreased susceptibility to metronidazole and vancomycin.

Methods

Clinical C. difficile strains from six common or emerging ribotypes were used to test the in vitro activities of eravacycline and comparator antibiotics (fidaxomicin, vancomycin and metronidazole) by broth microdilution. In addition, MBC experiments, time–kill kinetic studies and WGS experiments were performed.

Results

A total of 234 isolates were tested, including ribotypes RT001 (n = 37), RT002 (n = 41), RT014-020 (n = 39), RT027 (n = 42), RT106 (n = 38) and RT255 (n = 37). MIC50/90 values were lowest for eravacycline (≤0.0078/0.016 mg/L), followed by fidaxomicin (0.016/0.063 mg/L), metronidazole (0.25/1.0 mg/L) and vancomycin (2.0/4.0 mg/L). MBCs were lower for eravacycline compared with vancomycin for all ribotypes tested. Both vancomycin and eravacycline demonstrated bactericidal killing, including for epidemic RT027. The presence of the tetM or tetW resistance genes did not affect the MIC of eravacycline.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated potent in vitro activity of eravacycline against a large collection of clinical C. difficile strains that was not affected by ribotype, susceptibility to vancomycin or the presence of certain tet resistance genes. Further development of eravacycline as an antibiotic to be used in patients with Clostridioides difficile infection is warranted.
Loss of libido in a man with an incidental Leydig cell tumour of the testis: a rare tumour discovered following an isolated common complaint
Authors: Brown Dominic , Tsampoukas Georgios
Published: June 2020

Leydig cell tumours (LCTs) are rare testicular stromal neoplasms classically presenting with a painless testicular mass or swelling in adults. Symptoms secondary to hypogonadism may occur resulting from the hormonal activity of these tumours. Loss of libido is described in LCTs in conjunction with other symptoms; however, no case has reported this as the sole presenting feature. We describe the case of a 42-year-old man presenting to his General Practitioner with loss of libido and no other features suspicious of testicular cancer. Ultrasound performed due to an unrelated epididymal cyst detected an incidental mass confirmed as a benign LCT following radical orchidectomy. Biochemical markers remained normal throughout and following treatment his libido returned to normal. This case may serve as a reminder for clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for testicular neoplasms in patients with features of hypogonadism in the absence of classical features for testicular cancer.
A Genomic Cluster Containing Novel and Conserved Genes is Associated with Cichlid Fish Dental Developmental Convergence
Authors: Karagic Nidal , Schneider Ralf F , Meyer Axel , Hulsey C Darrin
Published: June 2020

The two toothed jaws of cichlid fishes provide textbook examples of convergent evolution. Tooth phenotypes such as enlarged molar-like teeth used to process hard-shelled mollusks have evolved numerous times independently during cichlid diversification. Although the ecological benefit of molar-like teeth to crush prey is known, it is unclear whether the same molecular mechanisms underlie these convergent traits. To identify genes involved in the evolution and development of enlarged cichlid teeth, we performed RNA-seq on the serially homologous-toothed oral and pharyngeal jaws as well as the fourth toothless gill arch of Astatoreochromis alluaudi. We identified 27 genes that are highly upregulated on both tooth-bearing jaws compared with the toothless gill arch. Most of these genes have never been reported to play a role in tooth formation. Two of these genes (unk, rpfA) are not found in other vertebrate genomes but are present in all cichlid genomes. They also cluster genomically with two other highly expressed tooth genes (odam, scpp5) that exhibit conserved expression during vertebrate odontogenesis. Unk and rpfA were confirmed via in situ hybridization to be expressed in developing teeth of Astatotilapia burtoni. We then examined expression of the cluster’s four genes in six evolutionarily independent and phylogenetically disparate cichlid species pairs each with a large- and a small-toothed species. Odam and unk commonly and scpp5 and rpfA always showed higher expression in larger toothed cichlid jaws. Convergent trophic adaptations across cichlid diversity are associated with the repeated developmental deployment of this genomic cluster containing conserved and novel cichlid-specific genes.
Indication of interference competition between the EU-protected Kerry slug Geomalacus maculosus and the native tree slug Lehmannia marginata in Ireland
Authors: O'Hanlon Aidan , Fahy Ronan , Gormally Michael J
Published: June 2020

Interspecific competition plays a major role in organizing biological communities. Competition can involve direct (e.g. aggression) or indirect (e.g. avoidance) interactions, and can influence the behaviour, distribution and fitness of interacting species. Competition appears to be common among marine and terrestrial snail species, but the potential role of interspecific competition in the structure of terrestrial slug communities remains poorly known. This study examined whether competition between two terrestrial slug species, Geomalacus maculosus and Lehmannia marginata, contributes to the abundance of each species in a modified habitat (commercial conifer forest) in Ireland. Geomalacus maculosus is an EU-protected species but was probably an ancient introduction to Ireland, whereas L. marginata is unprotected but is native and widespread. A negative association was observed between the abundances of each species in field plots, sampled fortnightly over a 19-month period. The presence of other slug species and some environmental variables also influenced the abundances of L. marginata and G. maculosus. Behavioural experiments found no evidence of direct aggressive interactions between G. maculosus and L. marginata. However, L. marginata exhibited an aversion to G. maculosus mucus trails, suggesting an indirect mechanism of competition. Conversely, G. maculosus behaviour was not modified by the presence of L. marginata mucus. Results from field and laboratory studies together suggest that both species may compete in modified habitats. To our knowledge, these results provide the first experimental evidence of a negative long-term association between sympatric slugs, and the first evidence that mucus trails can act as a mechanism of interspecific interference competition in slugs.
MicroRNA dilution during oocyte growth disables the microRNA pathway in mammalian oocytes
Authors: Kataruka Shubhangini , Modrak Martin , Kinterova Veronika , Malik Radek , Zeitler Daniela M , Horvat Filip , Kanka Jiri , Meister Gunter , Svoboda Petr
Published: June 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ubiquitous small RNAs guiding post-transcriptional gene repression in countless biological processes. However, the miRNA pathway in mouse oocytes appears inactive and dispensable for development. We propose that marginalization of the miRNA pathway activity stems from the constraints and adaptations of RNA metabolism elicited by the diluting effects of oocyte growth. We report that miRNAs do not accumulate like mRNAs during the oocyte growth because miRNA turnover has not adapted to it. The most abundant miRNAs total tens of thousands of molecules in growing (∅ 40 μm) and fully grown (∅ 80 μm) oocytes, a number similar to that observed in much smaller fibroblasts. The lack of miRNA accumulation results in a 100-fold lower miRNA concentration in fully grown oocytes than in somatic cells. This brings a knock-down-like effect, where diluted miRNAs engage targets but are not abundant enough for significant repression. Low-miRNA concentrations were observed in rat, hamster, porcine and bovine oocytes, arguing that miRNA inactivity is not mouse-specific but a common mammalian oocyte feature. Injection of 250,000 miRNA molecules was sufficient to restore reporter repression in mouse and porcine oocytes, suggesting that miRNA inactivity comes from low-miRNA abundance and not from some suppressor of the pathway.
Updated Return-to-Play Recommendations for Collision Athletes After Cervical Spine Injury: A Modified Delphi Consensus Study With the Cervical Spine Research Society
Authors: Schroeder Gregory D , Canseco Jose A , Patel Parthik D , Hilibrand Alan S , Kepler Christopher K , Mirkovic Srdjan M , Watkins Robert G , Dossett Andrew , Hecht Andrew C , Vaccaro Alexander R
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have attempted to establish return-to-play (RTP) guidelines in collision sport athletes after cervical spine injury; however, recommendations have been limited by scant high-quality evidence and basic consensus survey methodologies.

OBJECTIVE

To create relevant clinical statements regarding management in collision sport athletes after cervical spine injury, and establish consensus RTP recommendations.

METHODS

Following the modified Delphi methodology, a 3 round survey study was conducted with spine surgeons from the Cervical Spine Research Society and National Football League team physicians in order to establish consensus guidelines and develop recommendations for cervical spine injury management in collision sport athletes.

RESULTS

Our study showed strong consensus that asymptomatic athletes without increased magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2-signal changes following 1-/2- level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) may RTP, but not after 3-level ACDF (84.4%). Although allowed RTP after 1-/2-level ACDF was noted in various scenarios, the decision was contentious. No consensus RTP for collision athletes after 2-level ACDF was noted. Strong consensus was achieved for RTP in asymptomatic athletes without increased signal changes and spinal canal diameter >10 mm (90.5%), as well as those with resolved MRI signal changes and diameter >13 mm (81.3%). No consensus was achieved in RTP for cases with pseudarthrosis following ACDF. Strong consensus supported a screening MRI before sport participation in athletes with a history of cervical spine injury (78.9%).

CONCLUSION

This study provides modified Delphi process consensus statements regarding cervical spine injury management in collision sport athletes from leading experts in spine surgery, sports injuries, and cervical trauma. Future research should aim to elucidate optimal timelines for RTP, as well as focus on prevention of injuries.
De Novo Shoot Regeneration Controlled by HEN1 and TCP3/4 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yang Woorim , Choi Myung-Hwan , Noh Bosl , Noh Yoo-Sun
Published: June 2020

Plants have the ability to regenerate whole plant body parts, including shoots and roots, in vitro from callus derived from a variety of tissues. However, the underlying mechanisms for this de novo organogenesis, which is based on the totipotency of callus cells, are poorly understood. Here, we report that a microRNA (miRNA)-mediated posttranscriptional regulation plays an important role in de novo shoot regeneration. We found that mutations in HUA ENHANCER 1 (HEN1), a gene encoding a small RNA methyltransferase, cause cytokinin-related defects in de novo shoot regeneration. A hen1 mutation caused a large reduction in the miRNA319 (miR319) level and a subsequent increase in its known target (TCP3 and TCP4) transcript levels. TCP transcription factors redundantly inhibited shoot regeneration and directly activated the expression of a negative regulator of cytokinin response ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA RESPONSE REGULATOR 16 (ARR16). A tcp4 mutation at least partly rescued the shoot-regeneration defect and derepression of ARR16 in hen1. These findings demonstrate that the miR319-TCP3/4-ARR16 axis controls de novo shoot regeneration by modulating cytokinin responses.
Calling the Police: Dispatchers as Important Interpreters and Manufacturers of Calls for Service Data
Authors: Simpson Rylan
Published: June 2020

Policing has historically been conceptualized as a team sport which requires the work of many to produce the output of one. Although police officers have been the focus of much policing research, it is important to recognize that the work of officers hinges upon the work of dispatchers. As a lifeline for both citizens and police officers, dispatchers play an integral role in ensuring that help is provided where help is required via their management of the emergency (911) telephone and radio system. Despite their importance, however, dispatchers have largely been excluded from mainstream criminological scholarship. Supplemented by a narrative review of the scant literature on the subject of dispatching, this commentary illustrates the important role of dispatchers in policing operations, theorizes the dearth of research regarding dispatchers, and calls for future research to better understand their discretionary and interpretive work. This commentary thus casts light on these highly important but understudied and undertheorized figures in the policing nexus.
Opioid-induced Constipation
Authors: Argoff Charles E.
Published: June 2020

Objective:

The objective of this study was to provide an overview of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) and its influence on disease burden and quality of life (QOL).

Methods:

This is a narrative review.

Results:

For many patients, opioid-related side effects, the most common being OIC, have the potential to significantly impair patients’ QOL. Patients with OIC often experience substantial overall burden (ie, increases in anxiety and depression, impairments in activities of daily living, low self-esteem, feelings of embarrassment) and economic burden (ie, higher health care costs, more frequent doctor visits, increased out-of-pocket medication costs), which often causes patients to modify or discontinue opioid treatment despite the analgesic benefits. OIC occurs when opioids bind to peripheral μ-opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract. Currently, 4 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are available for OIC, 3 of which are peripherally acting µ-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAs). PAMORAs block µ-opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract without affecting the central analgesic effects of the opioid and thus provide a targeted approach to OIC management. Two PAMORAs, naldemedine and methylnaltrexone, have shown significant improvements in QOL based on the Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms questionnaire relative to placebo. Along with pharmacologic management for OIC, health care providers should institute comprehensive communication strategies with patients to ensure OIC is effectively recognized and managed.

Discussion:

OIC has both physical and psychological impacts on patients. PAMORAs provide effective relief of OIC while also improving QOL. To augment the pharmacologic management of OIC, proactive counseling approaches between physicians and patients may help relieve some of the patient burden associated with OIC and lead to improved outcomes.
Peripheral vasodilation is reduced during exercise in perimenopausal women with elevated cardiovascular risk
Authors: Gonzales Joaquin U. , Moore David J. , Elavsky Steriani , Proctor David N.
Published: June 2020

Objective:

The menopausal transition has a negative effect on peripheral dilation in response to various stimuli including shear stress and exercise. Whether the presence of elevated traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in women going through menopause exacerbates the adverse effect on peripheral vasodilation is unclear.

Methods:

Forty-four perimenopausal women with relatively low CVD risk were divided into tertiles based on atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) 10-year risk scores (lowest: 0.1%-0.5%, middle: 0.6%-0.9%, higher: >1%). Comparisons were made across tertile groups for the femoral artery vascular conductance (FVC) response to single-leg knee extension exercise (0, 5, 10, 15 W) as measured using Doppler ultrasound.

Results:

At higher exercise intensities, FVC was lower in women in the tertile group with the highest ASCVD 10-year risk scores (10 W: 6 ± 2 mL/min/mm Hg, 15 W: 8 ± 3 mL/min/mm Hg) compared to women in the lowest tertile group (10 W: 9 ± 3 mL/min/mm Hg, P = 0.01; 15 W: 12 ± 3 mL/min/mm Hg, P < 0.01) and middle tertile group (10 W: 10 ± 4 mL/min/mm Hg, P < 0.01; 15 W: 12 ± 5 mL/min/mm Hg, P < 0.01). The overall increase in FVC during exercise from 0 to 15 W remained lower (P ≤ 0.01) in women with the highest ASCVD risk scores compared to the other two tertile groups even after adjustment for chronological age, arterial stiffness, and fat-free mass adjusted aerobic fitness level.

Conclusion:

Our results show that the presence of mild differences in ASCVD risk scores may be associated with a blunted active limb blood flow during leg exercise in mid-life women transitioning through menopause.
Comparison of direct oral anticoagulant and vitamin K antagonists on outcomes among elderly and nonelderly trauma patients
Authors: Nishimura Takeshi , Guyette Francis X. , Naito Hiromichi , Nakao Atsunori , Brown Joshua B. , Callaway Clifton W.
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are widely used among patients requiring anticoagulant therapy. These drugs are associated with a lower risk of bleeding than vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). However, the outcomes of elderly trauma patients receiving DOACs are not well known.

METHODS

We reviewed data from trauma patients at our level I trauma center (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Presbyterian Hospital) seen from January 2011 to July 2018. We identified trauma patients taking DOACs or VKAs and compared these cohorts using 1:1 propensity score–matching based on patient characteristics, antiplatelet use, comorbidities, and laboratory values. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of patients discharged to skilled nursing facility/rehabilitation facility discharge or to home, and transfusion volume.

RESULTS

Of 32,272 trauma patients screened, 530 were taking DOACs and 1,702 were taking VKAs. We matched 668 patients in a 1:1 ratio (DOACs group, 334 vs. VKAs group, 334). The DOACs group had similar mortality (4.8% vs. 1.6%; odds ratio (OR), 3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.31–28.8; p = 0.31) among patients younger than 65 years, but mortality differed (3.0% vs. 6.6%; OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.17–0.99; p = 0.048) among patients older than 65 years. The proportion of patients discharged to skilled nursing facility/rehabilitation facility (50.0% vs. 50.6%; OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.72–1.32; p = 0.88) and to home (40.4% vs. 38.6%; OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.79–1.47; p = 0.64) were similar. Patients in the DOACs group received fewer fresh frozen plasma (p = 0.032), but packed red blood cells (p = 0.86) and prothrombin complex concentrate (p = 0.48) were similar.

CONCLUSION

In this matched cohort of anticoagulated trauma patients, DOACs were associated with the decreased in-hospital mortality and decreased administration of fresh frozen plasma compared with VKAs among trauma patients 65 years or older taking anticoagulant therapy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic/Epidemiological, level III.
Role of antioxidants and a nutrient rich diet in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Veurink Gerald , Perry George , Singh Sandeep Kumar
Published: June 2020

The joint attack on the body by metabolic acidosis and oxidative stress suggests that treatment in degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), may require a normalizing of extracellular and intracellular pH with simultaneous supplementation of an antioxidant combination cocktail at a sufficiently high dose. Evidence is also accumulating that combinations of antioxidants may be more effective, taking advantage of synergistic effects of appropriate antioxidants as well as a nutrient-rich diet to prevent and reverse AD. This review focuses on nutritional, nutraceutical and antioxidant treatments of AD, although they can also be used in other chronic degenerative and neurodegenerative diseases.
Bacterial chromosome segregation by the ParABS system
Authors: Jalal Adam S. B. , Le Tung B. K.
Published: June 2020

Proper chromosome segregation during cell division is essential in all domains of life. In the majority of bacterial species, faithful chromosome segregation is mediated by the tripartite ParABS system, consisting of an ATPase protein ParA, a CTPase and DNA-binding protein ParB, and a centromere-likeparSsite. TheparSsite is most often located near the origin of replication and is segregated first after chromosome replication. ParB nucleates onparSbefore binding to adjacent non-specific DNA to form a multimeric nucleoprotein complex. ParA interacts with ParB to drive the higher-order ParB–DNA complex, and hence the replicating chromosomes, to each daughter cell. Here, we review the various models for the formation of the ParABS complex and describe its role in segregating the origin-proximal region of the chromosome. Additionally, we discuss outstanding questions and challenges in understanding bacterial chromosome segregation.
Covid-19 rapid test by combining a random forest based web system and blood tests
Authors: de Freitas Barbosa Valter Augusto , Gomes Juliana Carneiro , de Santana Maíra Araújo , de Lima Clarisse Lins , Calado Raquel Bezerra , Bertoldo Júnior Claúdio Roberto , de Almeida Albuquerque Jeniffer Emidio , de Souza Rodrigo Gomes , de Araújo Ricardo Juarez Escorel , de Souza Ricardo Emmanuel , dos Santos Wellington Pinheiro
Published: June 2020

Background

The disease caused by the new type of coronavirus, the Covid-19, has posed major public health challenges for many countries. With its rapid spread, since the beginning of the outbreak in December 2019, the disease transmitted by SARS-Cov2 has already caused over 400 thousand deaths to date. The diagnosis of the disease has an important role in combating Covid-19.

Objective

In this work, we propose a web system, Heg.IA, which seeks to optimize the diagnosis of Covid-19 through the use of artificial intelligence.

Method

The main ideia is that healthcare professionals can insert 41 hematological parameters from common blood tests and arterial gasometry into the system. Then, Heg.IA will provide a diagnostic report. It will indicate if the patient is infected with SARS-Cov2 virus, and also predict the type of hospitalization (regular ward, semi-ICU, or ICU).

Results

We developed a web system called Heg.IA to support decision-making regarding to diagnosis of Covid-19 and to the indication of hospitalization on regular ward, semi-ICU or ICU. This application is based on decision trees in a Random Forest architecture with 90 trees. The system showed to be highly efficient, with great results for both Covid-19 diagnosis and to recommend hospitalization. For the first scenario we found average results of accuracy of 92.891% ± 0.851, kappa index of 0.858 ± 0.017, sensitivity of 0.936 ± 0.011, precision of 0.923 ± 0.011, specificity of 0.921 ± 0.012 and area under ROC of 0.984 ± 0.003. As for the indication of hospitalization, we achieved excellent performance of accuracies above 99% and more than 0.99 for the other metrics in all situations.

Conclusion

By using a computationally simple method, based on the classical decision trees, we were able to achieve high diagnosis performance. Heg.IA system may be a way to overcome the testing unavailability in the context of Covid-19. We also expect the system will provide wide access to Covid-19 effective diagnosis and thereby reach and help saving lives.
Field-deployable, rapid diagnostic testing of saliva samples for SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Wei Shan , Kohl Esther , Djandji Alexandre , Morgan Stephanie , Whittier Susan , Mansukhani Mahesh , Yeh Raymond , Alejaldre Juan Carlos , Fleck Elaine , Mary D’Alton , Suh Yousin , Williams Zev
Published: June 2020

Rapid, scalable, point-of-need, COVID-19 diagnostic testing is necessary to safely re-open economies and prevent future outbreaks. We developed an assay that detects single copies of SARS-CoV-2 virus directly from saliva and swab samples in 30 min using a simple, one-step protocol that utilizes only a heat block and microcentrifuge tube prefilled with a mixture containing the necessary reagents and has a sensitivity and specificity of 97% and 100%, respectively.
Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 viral copy number in saliva mouthwash samples using digital droplet PCR
Authors: Oberding Lisa , Hu Jia , Berenger Byron , Mohon Abu Naser , Pillai Dylan R.
Published: June 2020

Saliva samples were collected through a simple mouth wash procedure and viral load quantified using a technology called digital droplet PCR. Data suggest ddPCR allows for precise quantification of viral load in clinical samples infected with SARS-CoV-2.