bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of prognostic and metastasis-related alternative splicing signatures in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Huang Runzhi , Yan Gaili , Sun Hanlin , Zhang Jie , Song Dianwen , Kong Rui , Yan Penghui , Hu Peng , Xie Aiqing , Wang Siqiao , Zhuang Juanwei , Yin Huabin , Meng Tong , Huang Zongqiang
Published: July 2020

As the most common neoplasm in digestive system, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most important leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Its high-frequency metastasis and relapse rate lead to the poor survival of HCC patients. However, the mechanism of HCC metastasis is still unclear. Alternative splicing events (ASEs) have a great effect in cancer development, progression and metastasis. We downloaded RNA sequencing and seven types of ASEs data of HCC samples, in order to explore the mechanism of ASEs underlying tumorigenesis and metastasis of HCC. The data were taken from the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and TCGASpliceSeq databases. Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine a total of 3197 overall survival-related ASEs (OS-SEs). And based on five OS-SEs screened by Lasso regression, we constructed a prediction model with the Area Under Curve of 0.765. With a good reliability of the model, the risk score was also proved to be an independent predictor. Among identified 390 candidate SFs, Y-box protein 3 (YBX3) was significantly correlated with OS and metastasis. Among 177 ASEs, ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 6 (ABCA6)-43162-AT and PLIN5-46808-AT were identified both associated with OS, bone metastasis and co-expressed with SFs. Then we identified primary bile acid biosynthesis as survival-related (KEGG) pathway by Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) and univariate regression analysis, which was correlated with ABCA6-43162-AT and PLIN5-46808-AT. Finally, we proposed that ABCA6-43162-AT and PLIN5-46808-AT may contribute to HCC poor prognosis and metastasis under the regulation of aberrant YBX3 through the pathway of primary bile acid biosynthesis.
Tying up loose ends: the N-degron and C-degron pathways of protein degradation
Authors: Timms Richard T. , Koren Itay
Published: July 2020

Selective protein degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is thought to be governed primarily by the recognition of specific motifs — degrons — present in substrate proteins. The ends of proteins — the N- and C-termini – have unique properties, and an important subset of protein–protein interactions involve the recognition of free termini. The first degrons to be discovered were located at the extreme N-terminus of proteins, a finding which initiated the study of the N-degron (formerly N-end rule) pathways, but only in the last few years has it emerged that a diverse set of C-degron pathways target analogous degron motifs located at the extreme C-terminus of proteins. In this minireview we summarise the N-degron and C-degron pathways currently known to operate in human cells, focussing primarily on those that have been discovered in recent years. In each case we describe the cellular machinery responsible for terminal degron recognition, and then consider some of the functional roles of terminal degron pathways. Altogether, a broad spectrum of E3 ubiquitin ligases mediate the recognition of a diverse array of terminal degron motifs; these degradative pathways have the potential to influence a wide variety of cellular functions.
Advances in the occurrence and biotherapy of osteoporosis
Authors: Zou Zi , Liu Wei , Cao Lihua , Liu Ying , He Tiantian , Peng Shuping , Shuai Cijun
Published: July 2020

Osteoporosis (OP) is a bone metabolic disease, is characterized by degeneration of bone structure and decreased bone mass. It happens in more than 1/3 women and 1/5 men of over than 50 years old, which affects the health and lives of people. The main mechanism of OP is mainly that the dynamic balance between the bone formation and resorption is broken, so that bone resorption is more than bone formation. It is prone to result in bone metabolism disorder. There are many precipitating factor such as elder age, low hormone level, genetic factors and bad hobbies. At the same time, the occurrence of the OP and its complications has different degrees of impact on people's quality of life. Based on the current understanding of the OP, we summarized the etiology, current clinical drugs and potential targeting therapy for OP. Although the research have made many progress in explore what is the novel mechanism and how to improve the effect, there are still many problems in the treatment method that limit its application prospects and need to be solved. In this review, we mainly focus on the mechanism of OP and related research on the targeted treatment of OP. Hopefully, our summary will provide a reference to develop some novel strategies for the target therapy of OP.
Phoneme and Stress Programming Interact During Nonword Repetition Learning
Authors: Meigh Kimberly M. , Cobun Emily , Yunusova Yana
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Lexical stress and phoneme processes converge during phonological encoding, but the nature of the convergence has been debated. Stress patterns and phonemes may be integrated automatically and rigidly, resulting in a unified representation. Alternatively, stress and phoneme may be processed interactively based on sublexical contexts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which the lexical stress and phoneme processing interact in a novel nonword learning paradigm.

Method

Twenty-seven adults with typical speech skills were trained to produce nonwords with specific phonemes, syllables, and stress patterns (Set 1) to an accuracy criterion. Then, participants repeated nonwords that varied from Set 1 in syllable position (Set 2), phoneme sequence (Set 3), included new phonemes (Set 4), or had new phonemes and stress patterns (Set 5). Nonword productions were perceptually analyzed, and phoneme and stress errors were counted.

Results

Participants' produced Set 1 nonwords with few phonemic or stress errors after training; a similar number of both types of errors were produced when comparing Sets 2 and 3. Greater phoneme and stress errors were produced on nonwords from Sets 4 and 5 compared to Sets 1–3. The highest number of phonemic errors occurred in Set 4 nonwords. There was no difference in the number of stress errors produced on nonwords in Sets 4 and 5.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggested that lexical stress and phoneme processing co-occurred and interacted during nonword productions. Trained stress patterns were learned during training; however, no evidence for a unified representation was observed. Negative interference was observed in nonwords with new phonemes and trained stress patterns, suggesting online phoneme processing may have dominated and interfered with the retrieval of stored metrical frames.
Inclusion of Signing Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Students: Factors That Facilitate Versus Challenge Access and Participation
Authors: Salehomoum Maryam
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Past studies have consistently indicated a need for improvements in inclusive educational practices. Many have focused on a single actor (e.g., the student), not taking into account the interactive nature of communication.

Method

A qualitative study, involving multiple participants in two subject area general education high school classrooms, was completed to examine factors that promote versus challenge deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) students' access to communication and participation in classroom activities. Participants included four classroom teachers, two sign language interpreters, and three DHH students who used sign language as their primary mode of communication. Data consisted of eight 60- to 75-min in-class observations, two interviews, and three questionnaires. Data were analyzed using a participation framework of interaction as coordinated linguistic and nonlinguistic actions between multiple actors.

Results

Despite the availability of technological tools and sign language interpretation, DHH students had inconsistent access to classroom communication and lower participation than their hearing peers.

Conclusions

The results correspond to those of past studies, which suggest a research-to-practice gap that needs to be addressed if we are to see improvements in inclusive practices, particularly for students who use signed communication. Several recommendations are proposed in consideration of teacher, interpreter, and student as integral participants. Speech-language pathologists can participate in assessing whether inclusive education is meeting desired results and contribute to the development and implementation of necessary adaptations. Future studies are needed to systematically examine the efficacy of specific education and training programs.
TATOO: Tidal-chronology standalone tool to estimate the age of massive close-in planetary systems
Authors: Gallet F.
Published: July 2020

Context. The presence of a massive close-in planet with an orbital period of a few days or less around a low-mass star can possibly result in a strong variation in the properties of the central star. Indeed, star-planet tidal interactions generate exchanges of angular momentum that can result in tidal spin-up. This effect could then lead to gyrochronological ages biased towards younger ages.

Aims. This article provides the community with TATOO, a standalone tool based on tidal-chronology, with which to estimate the age of a massive close-in planetary system using only its observed properties: mass of the planet and the star, stellar rotation, and planetary orbital periods.

Methods. I used a star-planet tidal evolution numerical code to create a large multi-parametric grid of the evolution of synthetic star-planet systems. Furthermore, using the tidal-chronology technique, I employed a 3D interpolation method to provide a fairly precise age estimate of any given planetary system composed of one massive close-in planet.

Results. About half of the planetary systems investigated in this work are subject to tidal spin-up bias. I pointed out that this bias linearly scales with the ratio between rotation and orbital period, making this quantity a useful proxy to rapidly investigate whether tidal-chronology needs to be used. Moreover, while being model dependent, TATOO can also be used even if no rotational departure is present. In that case, it gives results in agreement with the classical gyrochronological analysis.

Conclusions. TATOO is a useful tool specifically designed for massive close-in planetary systems that can also be used as a classical gyrochronological tool. For now it is the only publicly available software to estimate the age of massive close-in planetary systems subject to tidal spin-up. In that sense, tidal-chronology can be seen as a first order correction of the impact of tidal interaction on gyrochronology.
Directly imaged exoplanets in reflected starlight: the importance of knowing the planet radius
Authors: Carrión-González Ó. , García Muñoz A. , Cabrera J. , Csizmadia Sz. , Santos N. C. , Rauer H.
Published: July 2020

Context. The direct imaging of exoplanets in reflected starlight will represent a major advance in the study of cold and temperate exoplanet atmospheres. Understanding how basic planet and atmospheric properties may affect the measured spectra is key to their interpretation.

Aims. We have investigated the information content in reflected-starlight spectra of exoplanets. We apply our analysis to Barnard’s Star b candidate super-Earth, for which we assume a radius 0.6 times that of Neptune, an atmosphere dominated by H2–He, and a CH4 volume mixing ratio of 5 × 10−3. The main conclusions of our study are however planet-independent.

Methods. We set up a model of the exoplanet described by seven parameters including its radius, atmospheric methane abundance, and basic properties of a cloud layer. We generated synthetic spectra at zero phase (full disc illumination) from 500 to 900 nm and a spectral resolution R ~ 125–225. We simulated a measured spectrum with a simplified, wavelength-independent noise model at a signal-to-noise ratio of 10. With a retrieval methodology based on Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling, we analysed which planet and atmosphere parameters can be inferred from the measured spectrum and the theoretical correlations amongst them. We considered limiting cases in which the planet radius is either known or completely unknown, and intermediate cases in which the planet radius is partly constrained.

Results. If the planet radius is known, we can generally discriminate between cloud-free and cloudy atmospheres, and constrain the methane abundance to within two orders of magnitude. If the planet radius is unknown, new correlations between model parameters occur and the accuracy of the retrievals decreases. Without a radius determination, it is challenging to discern whether the planet has clouds, and the estimates on methane abundance degrade. However, we find the planet radius is constrained to within a factor of two for all the cases explored. Having a priori information on the planet radius, even if approximate, helps improve the retrievals.

Conclusions. Reflected-starlight measurements will open a new avenue for characterizing long-period exoplanets, a population that remains poorly studied. For this task to be complete, direct-imaging observations should be accompanied by other techniques. We urge exoplanet detection efforts to extend the population of long-period planets with mass and radius determinations.
Cytological features of buccal epithelium in patients of various ages
Authors: Sementsova E.A. , Polushina L.G. , Mandra E.V. , Bazarnyi V.V. , Mandra J.V.
Published: July 2020

The article describes the potential of buccal cells investigations. The authors presented buccal epithelium application in noninvasive diagnosis of early human aging; identified common cytological features of buccal epithelium for different ages; revealed the accumulation of cytogenetic abnormalities (epithelial cells with micronuclei, protrusions of the nucleus) and degenerative-dystrophic changes (perinuclear vacuole, condensed chromatin, karyorexis, karyolysis) with age. These findings reflect the predominance of apoptosis over reparation in the process of aging.
Aspects of healthcare efficiency in the framework of ensuring the longevity of the population and socio-demographic security of the region
Authors: Krivenko Natalya , Epaneshnikova Daria
Published: July 2020

The article considers modern demographic trends, in the conditions of medical care cost increasing and aging of the population. The expediency of studying aspects of health care efficiency is justified. The relationship and mutual influence of changes in the country’s economy and changes in the health care system are revealed. The problems of preserving the health of the population are considered comprehensively, taking into account the influence of environmental factors, behavioral factors and attitudes to human health, the effectiveness of public policy implementation and the effectiveness of the health system. An integrative model for evaluating the effectiveness of regional health care is proposed based on an integrated approach aimed at improving the population health and ensuring social and demographic security of the region. The integrative model is adapted on the example of the Sverdlovsk region. In dynamics for 2008-2018, improved medical and demographic indicators and high effects were achieved as a result of comprehensive measures to neutralize factors that have a negative impact on the health of the population, promotion and implementation of healthy lifestyle, strengthening state support for the industry, and the successful functioning of regional health care.
Vasera-screening of premature vascular aging and its correction in young persons: University Health Center experience
Authors: Evsevyeva Maria , Eremin Mikhail , Fursova Elena , Rusidi Anjelika , Shchetinin Evgenij
Published: July 2020

Angiological screening was performed to determine the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in 224 young people to determine their vascular aging phenotype. All subjects were divided into CAVI-tercile groups. According to the experts views the upper tercile of this distribution corresponds to early vascular aging or EVA syndrome. Lower tercile corresponds to favorable one and average tercile – to normal vascular aging. In these CAVI-tercile groups, the representation of individuals with signs of arterial hypertension/prehypertension (AH/PH) and overweight was evaluated. It turned out that among boys and girls with risk factors (RF), carriers of various vascular phenotypes are noted, from favorable one to early vascular aging. Such data indicate the need to form youth risk groups, taking into account the presence of not only classical RF, but also the assessment of vascular stiffness. The obtained data is useful to take into account in the process of youth medical examination in order to further develop more individualized preventive intervention programs for each young person.
Clinical features of myasthenia gravis in elderly and senile patients
Authors: Volkova Larisa , Toporkova Marina , Galunova Alla , Sokolova Lidia
Published: July 2020

The prevalence of myasthenia gravis is 10-24 cases per 100, 000 population. The debut of the disease is possible at any age: from infancy to old age. In the literature, the definition of “myasthenia gravis with late onset” – at the age of 60 years and older, which is 20-46% of all cases. In this regard, the disease is often combined with a burdened somatic history, which makes it difficult to timely diagnosis and treatment. This group of elderly patients accounts for the majority of diagnostic errors in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. This study is devoted to the study of the features of the onset and course of myasthenia gravis in elderly and senile people.
Prognostic features of NRAS missense mutations in adult acute myeloid leukemia patients
Authors: Sazonov S.V. , Vinogradov A.V. , Litvinova D.V. , Loboda A.N. , Rezaykin A.V.
Published: July 2020

The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic significance of missense mutations in the NRAS gene in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Clinical observation was performed on 70 patients with AML. The average age of the examined was 52.0 ± 3.4 years. NRAS gene point mutations were detected using direct sequencing technique.

According to the results of cytogenetic, immunohistochemical and PCR studies, a favorable prognosis was determined in 18 cases (25.7%), an intermediate in 15 (21.4%), and an unfavorable one in 18 cases (25.7%). In 19 samples (27.1%) genetic anomalies could not be detected; accordingly, the prognosis option for such patients was not specified.

NRAS missense mutations were represented by T17A, C181A, A182C transversions (5 cases) and G35A, G38A transitions (3 cases), and a synonymous (silent) G360A substitution (1 case). Average frequency of prognostically significant NRAS mutations was 11.4%. All the above non-synonymous mutations were localized in exons 1-3, which caused the blocking of the internal GTPase activity of the N-ras protein and its stabilization in the active state. Clinically, all NRAS-positive AMLs were characterized by an unfavorable prognosis and primary tumor resistance to chemotherapy. The average follow-up of patients was 8.4 ± 8.2 months.
Impact of connective tissue dysplasia on heart adaptation to exercise stress in young athletes
Authors: Timokhina Varvara , Mekhdieva Kamiliia , Zinovieva Yulia , Chestukhin Vasily , Blyakhman Felix
Published: July 2020

This study addresses the contribution of connective tissue dysplasia (CTD) to the cardiac function in young athletes. Thirty-three cross-country skiers aged 15 underwent maximum stress-ECG and TTE before and immediately after stress-test. Global and regional function of LV was evaluated with the use of further image processing. We found that 87.9 % of athletes had phenotypic markers of CTD ranged from 12 to 26 score points. Parameters of LV global function at rest in all studied athletes corresponded to normal age-gender values but markers of regional function showed high degree of mechanical asynchrony that depended on extent of CTD. All athletes passed stress-test successfully and demonstrated a high level of exercise performance. Meanwhile, the variables of LV pump-function and mechanical asynchrony close correlated with CTD extent. Obtained results imply that the increase of CTD extent was accompanied by the decrease of scale of heart adaptation to physical loads.
Traumaassoziierte Reanimation und vermeidbare Todesfälle bei Trauma
Authors: Buschmann Claas , Schmidt Uwe , Ondruschka Benjamin , Kleber Christian
Published: July 2020

Das Trauma ist nach wie vor eine der führenden Todesursachen. Interdisziplinäre Analysen verstorbener Traumapatienten zeigten eine Rate vermeidbarer Todesfälle von ca. 15%. Definitiv vermeidbare Traumatodesfälle waren bedingt durch unbehandelte Spannungspneumothoraces, unerkannte Verletzungen, Blutungssituationen und Erstickungsvorgänge. Nicht nur in der Reanimationssituation nach Trauma müssen potenziell reversible Ursachen des Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstandes standardisiert adressiert werden.
Physical Match Performance in Sub-elite Soccer Players –
Introduction of a new Index
Authors: Reinhardt Lars , Schulze Stephan , Schwesig Rene , Kurz Eduard
Published: July 2020

This investigation examined the position-specific physical performance in
different locomotor categories and physiological demands concurrently in
official games of sub-elite players and to present a new performance index
(PI). Time-motion (distance, velocity, acceleration) and heart rate data of
55 soccer players were simultaneously captured via a GPS tracking system.
The relationship between external and internal match-load (PI) was
determined on the basis of heart rate, average velocity and acceleration. In
contrast to the mean heart rate (85.2±3.2%,
P=0.806, ηp²=0.03), the
average total distance covered (9946±715 m) was largely affected by
players’ position (P<0.001,
ηp²=0.63). Furthermore, a mixed design
ANOVA showed a large interaction effect between position and locomotor
category (P<0.001,
ηp²=0.44). On average, PI was
1.57±0.37 m/min²/%, with notably
lower values in the 2nd half. The position-specific profiles
already reported for higher leagues were also present in sub-elite soccer
players. Despite lower values for total distance and smaller distances in
the high-intensity zones (>14.4 km/h), internal
loads were comparable to those observed in European top leagues. In
comparison to a performance measure that ignores accelerations, PI was shown
to be less dependent on the playing position and had higher variability.
Consequently, PI is better suited to distinguish between players’
performance.
Effects of a 20-min Nap after Sleep Deprivation on Brain
Activity and Soccer Performance
Authors: Ajjimaporn Amornpan , Ramyarangsi Papatsorn , Siripornpanich Vorasith
Published: July 2020

We examined effects of a 20-min nap following 3 h of sleep
deprivation on brain wave activity, auditory reaction time, the
running-based anaerobic sprint test, leg muscle strength and the rating of
perceived exertion in male college soccer players. Eleven players underwent
three sleep conditions; normal sleep, sleep deprivation and 20-min nap after
sleep deprivation. The sleep deprivation demonstrated an increase in the
mean power of delta waves over the frontal area and a decrease in the mean
power of alpha waves over the parietal area compared to the normal sleep.
The nap and the sleep deprivation showed an increase in auditory reaction
time compared with those in the normal sleep. The sleep deprivation
demonstrated a decrease in the running-based anaerobic sprint test compared
to the normal sleep, whereas the nap has partially reversed only minimal
power and average power of the running-based anaerobic sprint test. The nap
showed a recovery effect on leg muscle strength, but not on the rating of
perceived exertion compared with the sleep deprivation. Thus, a 20-min nap
after sleep deprivation did not completely return brain activity back to
active state and did not entirely reverse the negative impact of sleep
deprivation on soccer performance in soccer players.
Association Between Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Adult Subjects: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Shou-Fa , Li Li-Zhi , Zhang Wei , Guo Jin-Rong , Liu Fang-Fang , Ma Kai , Chen Shao-Hua , Zhang Ya-Qing
Published: July 2020

Increased plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been widely documented in patients with overt hypothyroidism; however, the significance of Hcy level changes in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) remains controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the Hcy status in patients with SCH compared with euthyroid subjects. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases prior to December 2019 to identify eligible studies and assessed the quality of selected studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Publication bias was evaluated by Begg’s test and Egger’s test. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to investigate the source of heterogeneity. A likely source of heterogeneity was the year of the study. All statistical analyses were performed with RevMan 5.3 and Stata 12.0 software. Our meta-analysis of twelve observational studies with 684 patients showed that those with SCH aged between 18 and 65 years old were associated with a slightly increased plasma Hcy level compared with euthyroid controls. The pooled result of the weighted mean difference (WMD) of increased tHcy levels was 1.16 μmol/l (95% CI: 0.51, 1.82; p=0.0005). The Hcy level in patients with SCH aged between 18 and 65 years old is significantly increased compared to euthyroid controls.
Stereoselective Rhodium-Catalyzed Isomerization of Stereoisomeric Mixtures of Arylalkenes
Authors: Li Tao , Zhao Wanxiang , Yang Hongxuan , Dong Wenke , Wang Wencan
Published: July 2020

A new efficient method for the synthesis of a high ratio of E-alkenes from E/Z mixtures of alkenes with B2pin2 in the presence of a rhodium catalyst is described. This reaction features mild reaction conditions, broad functional group tolerance, and highly great application potential.
Tris(o-phenylenedioxy)cyclotriphosphazene as a Promoter for the Formation of Amide Bonds Between Aromatic Acids and Amines
Authors: Saito Susumu , Movahed Farzaneh Soleymani , Sawant Dinesh N. , Bagal Dattatraya B.
Published: July 2020

The atom-efficient formation of amide bonds has emerged as a top-priority research field in organic synthesis, as amide bonds constitute the backbones of proteins and represent an important structural motif in drug molecules. Currently, the increasing demand for novel discoveries in this field has focused substantial attention on this challenging subject. Herein, the degradable 1,3,5-triazo-2,4,6-triphosphorine (TAP) motif is presented as a new condensation system for the dehydrative formation of amide bonds between diverse combinations of aromatic carboxylic acids and amines. The underlying reaction mechanism was investigated, and potential catalyst intermediates were characterized using 31P NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry.
Emerging Resistance of Gram Negative Pathogens in Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Amati Francesco , Restrepo Marcos I.
Published: July 2020

In recent decades, there has been a growing interest about the role of gram negative bacteria in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae, and Acinetobacter baumannii. The prevalence of these pathogens differs largely according to the local ecology and the geographical location. Identifying gram negative bacteria, and in particular resistant gram negative bacteria, is of paramount importance in patients with CAP because these pathogens are associated with higher clinical severity and unfavorable outcomes. The use of individualized risk factors to predict each pathogen is a helpful strategy that needs to be locally validated. However, it should be taken into account that most of the risk factors identified in the literature are heterogeneously defined or lack consistency. New diagnostic techniques, such as molecular testing, are promising methods for early detection of these gram negative pathogens. The increasing mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics of these pathogens have limited our therapeutic approach. This narrative review focuses on the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and therapeutic options for the most relevant gram negative bacteria that cause CAP.
Q Fever (Coxiella Burnetii)
Authors: España Pedro Pablo , Uranga Ane , Cillóniz Catia , Torres Antoni
Published: July 2020

Q fever is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the Coxiella burnetii bacterium. It is an obligate intracellular pathogen with a high infection capacity that proliferates exclusively in an acidified medium, forming a lysosome-like vacuole. It presents a peculiar phenomenon called “antigenic phase variation,” produced by a modification in the complexity of the membrane lipopolysaccharides. Q fever can be found worldwide and presents variable clinical features and geographical distribution. It mostly affects people in rural areas who are in contact with animals. The most common type of transmission to humans is via the inhalation of aerosols containing the pathogen, especially those formed from placental derivatives. Wild animals, domestic animals, and ticks are the principal reservoirs.

Diagnosis is mainly made by indirect methods such as serology or by direct methods such as microbiological cultures or tests that detect the specific DNA. Typically, there are two clinical presentations: the acute disease, which is more frequent and often asymptomatic, and a persistent focalized infection in 4 to 5% of patients, generally with a poor evolution. Treatment of the acute form in both children and adults consists of administering doxycycline, while persistent focalized infection should be treated with at least two antibiotics, such as doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine. Several measures should be undertaken to minimize exposure among people working with animals or handling birth products. Different vaccines have been developed to prevent infection, though few data are available.
Open Galeazzi's Fracture-Dislocation in a 13-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report
Authors: Coppa Valentino , Senes Filippo M.
Published: July 2020

Background Galeazzi's fracture-dislocation (GFD) is a rare and complex injury consisting of a radial fracture associated with distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) dislocation.

Case Description We are presenting a case of a boy, who at the onset showed an open GFD and his assessment after a 1-year follow-up. As a treatment, closed reduction and long-arm cast were performed. At the last follow-up, the patient presented a complete recovery of range of motion and function of the affected wrist.

Literature Review To the best of our knowledge, in the current literature, there are no reported cases of open GFD.

Clinical Relevance Although open GFD is rare this case report may suggest orthopaedic surgeon how to approach and manage it.
The Effect of Age on von Willebrand Factor and Bleeding Symptoms in von Willebrand Disease
Authors: Seaman Craig D. , Ragni Margaret V.
Published: July 2020

von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a quantitative or qualitative defect in von Willebrand factor (VWF) resulting in mucocutaneous bleeding symptoms and hemorrhage following hemostatic challenges, such as trauma or surgery. VWD-specific therapy, DDAVP (1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin) and VWF concentrates, is necessary periprocedurally to ensure adequate hemostasis. The aging VWD patient may complicate this matter. The plasma concentration of many coagulation proteins, including VWF, increases with age. While it has been established that VWF levels increase with age in a healthy population, emerging research demonstrates this occurs in certain subtypes of VWD, too. Thus, the management of periprocedural VWD-specific therapy in the aging VWD patient is problematic when VWF levels increase over time to normal, and hematologists are left with uncertainty regarding whether or not periprocedural VWD-specific therapy is still necessary. In this article, we will review the current state of the literature regarding the effect of age on VWF levels in the healthy population and VWD while exploring possible etiologies for this phenomenon. Further, we will detail how this affects bleeding symptoms and highlight what research remains to be done to optimize care in this patient population.
The Relationship of Transepicondylar Width with the Distal and Posterior Femoral Condyles and Its Clinical Implications: A Three-Dimensional Study
Authors: Lee Merrill , Ho Jade Pei Yuik , Chen Jerry Yongqiang , Ng Chung Kia , Yeo Seng Jin , Merican Azhar M.
Published: July 2020

Background Restoration of the anatomical joint line, while important for clinical outcomes, is difficult to achieve in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) due to distal femoral bone loss. The objective of this study was to determine a reliable method of restoring the anatomical joint line and posterior condylar offset in the setting of rTKA based on three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of computed tomography (CT) images of the distal femur.

Methods CT scans of 50 lower limbs were analyzed. Key anatomical landmarks such as the medial epicondyle (ME), lateral epicondyle, and transepicondylar width (TEW) were determined on 3D models constructed from the CT images. Best-fit planes placed on the most distal and posterior loci of points on the femoral condyles were used to define the distal and posterior joint lines, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the relationships between the anatomical landmarks and the distal and posterior joint lines.

Results There was a strong correlation between the distance from the ME to the distal joint line of the medial condyle (MEDC) and the distance from the ME to the posterior joint line of the medial condyle (MEPC) (p < 0.001; r = 0.865). The mean ratio of MEPC to MEDC was 1.06 (standard deviation [SD]: 0.07; range: 0.88–1.27) and that of MEPC to TEW was 0.33 (SD: 0.03; range: 0.25–0.38).

Conclusions Our findings suggest that the fixed ratios of MEPC to TEW (0.33) and that of MEPC to MEDC (1.06) provide a reliable means for the surgeon to determine the anatomical joint line when used in combination.
In Vitro Evaluation of Pro- and Anticoagulant Drugs in Children with End-Stage Liver Disease Undergoing Liver Transplantation
Authors: Werner Maureen J. M. , Adelmeijer Jelle , de Meijer Vincent E. , de Kleine Ruben H. J. , Scheenstra René , Bontemps Sander T. H. , Reyntjens Koen M. E. M. , Hulscher Jan B. F. , Porte Robert J. , Lisman Ton
Published: July 2020

Background Pro- and anticoagulant drugs are commonly used in pediatric liver transplantation to prevent and treat thrombotic and bleeding complications. However, the combination of baseline hemostatic changes in children with liver disease and additional changes induced by transplantation makes this very challenging. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of clinically available pro- and anticoagulant drugs in plasma from children undergoing liver transplantation.

Methods In vitro effects of pro- and anticoagulant drugs on thrombin generation capacity were tested in plasma samples of 20 children (≤ 16 years) with end-stage liver disease undergoing liver transplantation, and compared with 30 age-matched healthy controls.

Results Addition of pooled normal plasma had no effect in patients or controls, while 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate increased thrombin generation in both patients and controls, with enhanced activity in patients. At start of transplantation, dabigatran and unfractionated heparin had a higher anticoagulant potency in patients, whereas 30 days after transplantation low molecular weight heparin was slightly less effective in patients. Effects of rivaroxaban were comparable between patients and controls.

Conclusion This study revealed important differences in efficacy of commonly used pro- and anticoagulant drugs in children with end-stage liver disease undergoing liver transplantation. Therefore, dose adjustments of these drugs may be required. The results of this study may be helpful in the development of urgently needed protocols for strategies to prevent and treat bleeding and thrombotic complications in pediatric liver transplantation.
Evolution of EEG Findings in Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia Type 2A: Normal EEG in the First Few Months followed by Abnormal Tracing over the Years
Authors: Cohen Rony , Goldberg-Stern Hadassah , Kivity Sara , Halevy Ayelet , Aharoni Sharon , Kornreich Liora , Straussberg Rachel
Published: July 2020

Pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH) is an autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cerebellar and pontine hypoplasia, progressive microcephaly, and developmental delay. Ten types of PCH have been described; PCH type 2A (PCH2A) due to a mutation in TSEN54 is the most frequent. Seizures have been reported in the large majority of patients. The probability of epilepsy developing increases with age, along with difficulties in differentiating seizures from dyskinetic movements. The aim of the present report was to describe the clinical symptoms and electroencephalogram (EEG) changes over time in three patients of Israeli Arab origin with PCH2A. All three, including two siblings and their first cousin, were homozygous for the TSEN54 p.A304S mutation. The patients demonstrated profound psychomotor retardation, severe spasticity and contractures, choreoathetoid movements, and seizures. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and EEGs were reviewed by an experienced neuroradiologist and epileptologist, respectively. The MRI scans revealed a dragonfly-like cerebellar pattern in all patients. Despite the normal early EEG findings, all patients had characteristic features of epilepsy, with tonic seizures starting in the first days to months followed by focal to bilateral tonic–clonic seizures in early childhood which continued to adolescence. In conclusion, patients with PCH2A due to the missense mutation p.A304S in TSEN54 exhibit profound psychomotor delay, movement disorders, and intractable epilepsy. An evolution of EEG abnormalities and seizure semiology occurs over time. Similar to several other genetic epileptic encephalopathies, the normal early EEG tracing does not rule out the later occurrence of epilepsy
COVID-19 and Neurological Manifestations
Authors: Balaini Neeraj , Modi Manish
Published: July 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which has taken the form of a pandemic. It mainly presents as fever, cough, shortness of breath involving respiratory system but neurological manifestations are increasingly being recognized worldwide and even virus RNA was demonstrated to be present in cerebrospinal fluid of a patient. SARS-CoV-2 involves both central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Virus can enter the neural tissue from hematological route or through retrograde transport from nerve endings. Physicians especially neurologists should be aware regarding neurological manifestations as patient can present with these conditions in emergency. We therefore reviewed the neurological diseases or complications associated with COIVID-19 in available literature.
Could Interventional Radiological Therapies Offer a Safer Alternative as We Emerge from COVID-19 Pandemic?
Authors: Roy-Choudhury Shuvro H. , Warawdekar Gireesh
Published: July 2020

The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a major risk to health care delivery all around the world and also poses significant risks to the public and health care workers (HCWs). Surgical procedures, particularly elective procedures, have been cancelled or deferred due to increased risks associated with surgery and anesthesia both to the patient and the HCWs as well as to allocate resources to treat infected patients. This is particularly true for patients with comorbidities and cancer. As countries emerge from this pandemic, a phased return to conventional surgical procedures is being proposed, with emphasis on procedures performed in ambulatory settings and avoiding endotracheal intubation, where possible. Interventional radiological (IR) procedures offer a unique advantage in this setting, as these procedures are often performed with local or regional anesthesia with shorter hospital stay. In this brief communication, we outline the current opinion on surgical risks and guidelines and suggest areas where interventional therapies may offer an advantage to the multidisciplinary team and patient.
Stimulated Raman adiabatic passage-like protocols for amplitude transfer generalize to many bipartite graphs
Authors: Groenland Koen , Groenland Carla , Kramer Reinier
Published: July 2020

Adiabatic passage techniques, used to drive a system from one quantum state into another, find widespread applications in physics and chemistry. We focus on techniques to spatially transport a quantum amplitude over a strongly coupled system, such as STImulated Raman Adiabatic Passage (STIRAP) and Coherent Tunneling by Adiabatic Passage (CTAP). Previous results were shown to work on certain graphs, such as linear chains, square and triangular lattices, and branched chains. We prove that similar protocols work much more generally in a large class of (semi-)bipartite graphs. In particular, under random couplings, adiabatic transfer is possible on graphs that admit a perfect matching both when the sender is removed and when the receiver is removed. Many of the favorable stability properties of STIRAP/CTAP are inherited, and our results readily apply to transfer between multiple potential senders and receivers. We numerically test transfer between the leaves of a tree and find surprisingly accurate transfer, especially when straddling is used. Our results may find applications in short-distance communication between multiple quantum computers and open up a new question in graph theory about the spectral gap around the value 0.
Transient carrier dynamics of GaAs at room temperature
Authors: Nie Xu-Chen , Song Hai-Ying , Li Fan , Meng Jian-Qiao , Duan Yu-Xia , Liu Hai-Yun , Liu Shi-Bing
Published: July 2020

We use time-resolved optical reflectivity with femtosecond resolution to study the ultrafast dynamics of photoexcited carriers in bulk GaAs. We observe an emergence of short-lived excitons at room temperature right after photoexcitation, in terms of a sharp dip and sub-ps lifetime in the transient reflectivity changes, as long as the pump fluence increases above a critical value Fc. Our findings help understand ultrafast physics in this material.
Diffusion properties of n-type dopants diffused from spin on glass into Ge
Authors: Takaguchi Ryotaro , Takenaka Mitsuru , Takagi Shinichi
Published: July 2020

Solid phase diffusion properties of three typical n-type dopants (P, As, and Sb) in Ge have been studied through experimental depth profiles of dopants diffused from spin on glass (SOG) films. Numerical calculations of dopant profiles in Ge are performed to extract the diffusion constant through comparison with the experimental profiles. It is pointed out that experimental results of diffusion at low temperature are important to correctly examine the influence of negative charge states of a vacancy on dopant diffusion. It is found that vacancies with the charge states of −2 mediate the diffusion of P and As without implantation-induced defects. The diffusion constants of P and As, obtained in this study, are larger than those for intrinsic diffusion, while that of Sb is almost the same as that for intrinsic diffusion. The present larger diffusion constants of P and As can be explained by the supply of vacancies from Ge surfaces via E-centers during diffusion from SOG.
Kolmogorov flow: Linear stability and energy transfers in a minimal low-dimensional model
Authors: Chatterjee Soumyadeep , Verma Mahendra K.
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we derive a four-mode model for the Kolmogorov flow by employing Galerkin truncation and the Craya–Herring basis for the decomposition of velocity field. After this, we perform a bifurcation analysis of the model. Though our low-dimensional model has fewer modes than past models, it captures the essential features of the primary bifurcation of the Kolmogorov flow. For example, it reproduces the critical Reynolds number for the supercritical pitchfork bifurcation and the flow structures of past works. We also demonstrate energy transfers from intermediate scales to large scales. We perform direct numerical simulations of the Kolmogorov flow and show that our model predictions match the numerical simulations very well.
Chaotic convection in an Oldroyd viscoelastic fluid in saturated porous medium with feedback control
Authors: Mahmud M. N. , Siri Z. , Vélez J. A. , Pérez L. M. , Laroze D.
Published: July 2020

The control effects on the convection dynamics in a viscoelastic fluid-saturated porous medium heated from below and cooled from above are studied. A truncated Galerkin expansion was applied to balance equations to obtain a four-dimensional generalized Lorenz system. The dynamical behavior is mainly characterized by the Lyapunov exponents, bifurcation, and isospike diagrams. The results show that within a range of moderate and high Rayleigh numbers, proportional controller gain is found to enhance the stabilization and destabilization effects on the thermal convection. Furthermore, due to the effect of viscoelasticity, the system exhibits remarkable topological structures of regular regions embedded in chaotic domains.
Engineering room-temperature multiferroicity in Bi and Fe codoped BaTiO3
Authors: Pal Pratap , Paramanik Tapas , Rudrapal Krishna , Majumder Supriyo , Yadav Satish , Mahana Sudipta , Topwal Dinesh , Choudhary Ram Janay , Singh Kiran , Chaudhuri Ayan Roy , Choudhury Debraj
Published: July 2020

Fe doping into BaTiO3 stabilizes the paraelectric hexagonal phase in place of the ferroelectric tetragonal one. We show that simultaneous doping of Bi along with Fe into BaTiO3 effectively enhances the magnetoelectric (ME) multiferroic response (both ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity) at room temperature, through careful tuning of Fe valency along with the controlled recovery of the ferroelectric-tetragonal phase. We also report a systematic increase in large dielectric constant values as well as reduction in loss tangent values with relatively moderate temperature variation of the dielectric constant around room temperature with increasing Bi doping content in Ba1−xBixTi0.90Fe0.10O3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10), which makes the higher Bi–Fe codoped sample (x = 0.08) promising for use as a room-temperature high-κ dielectric material. Interestingly, the x = 0.08 (Bi–Fe codoped) sample is not only found to be ferroelectrically (∼20 times) and ferromagnetically (∼6 times) stronger than x = 0 (only Fe-doped) at room temperature, but also observed to be better insulating (larger bandgap) with indirect signatures of larger ME coupling as indicated from anomalous reduction of the magnetic coercive field with decreasing temperature. Thus, room-temperature ME multiferroicity has been engineered in Bi and Fe codoped BTO (BaTiO3) compounds.