bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Next‐generation sequencing assay in salivary gland cytology: A pilot study
Authors: Yamamoto Shuhei , Sakamoto Yuma , Nakano Satsuki , Fujii Keiichiro , Ueda Kaori , Okumura Yoshihide , Tsuda Kana , Masaki Ayako , Kawakita Daisuke , Murase Takayuki , Inagaki Hiroshi
Published: September 2020

Background

Preoperative diagnosis of salivary gland tumors (SGTs) by fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is challenging. Next‐generation sequencing (NGS)‐based assays for somatic mutations have a great advantage in that a large number of genes can be analyzed simultaneously. Although NGS may have an enormous diagnostic potential in cytology, to our knowledge, the significance of NGS in SGT cytology remains to be clarified.

Methods

In this pilot study, we retrospectively examined 32 frozen SGT samples obtained at surgery (14 malignant and 18 benign). After the stored frozen tumor tissues were thawed, aspirate samples were obtained using 22‐gauge needles and subjected to smear tumor samples and to DNA extraction for an NGS assay employing the Illumina AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot Panel v2. The results were correlated to preoperative cytological diagnosis.

Results

The preoperative diagnoses obtained by FNA cytology included 23 negative lesions (no malignancy in 6 and benign tumor in 17) and nine positive lesions (suspicious for malignancy in 4 and malignancy in five), providing a sensitivity and a specificity of 9/14 (64%) and 18/18 (100%), respectively. The NGS assay detected somatic mutations in 10/14 malignant and 1/18 benign SGT cases, providing a sensitivity and a specificity of 71% and 94%, respectively.

Conclusion

The NGS assay may be helpful for detecting the malignant potential in SGT cases and can be used as an ancillary test for SGT cytology.
Establishing Consensus for Essential Elements in Returning to Learn Following a Concussion
Authors: McAvoy Karen , Eagan‐Johnson Brenda , Dymacek Rosalie , Hooper Stephen , McCart Melissa , Tyler Janet
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Returning to learn following a concussion is the process of managing a student's recovery during the school day by implementation of academic supports with varying intensity. Due to a lack of consensus or even guidance on Return to Learn, this paper set out to establish cross discipline consensus on some essential elements of Return to Learn using a Delphi method.

METHODS

Sixteen national organizations participated in a Delphi process to reach consensus on overarching themes of Return to Learn focused on: returning a student to school, composition of the school‐based concussion management team, progress‐monitoring, educational safeguards, neuropsychological testing, and legislation. Two rounds of questionnaires were disseminated via email using a Delphi process. Consensus was established during round 2.

RESULTS

Twelve national organizations were able to reach consensus and endorse 13 essential elements of Return to Learn following a concussion.

CONCLUSIONS

There continues to be limited research on concussion Return to Learn leading to confusion in the field. In this paper, we demonstrate consensus on a number of essential elements, from a wide variety of professional disciplines who participate in the care of students following a concussion, as a starting place for some guidance on Return to Learn.
Early detection of cerebral palsy in high‐risk infants: Translation of evidence into practice in an Australian hospital
Authors: King Arrabella R , Machipisa Catherine , Finlayson Francyne , Fahey Michael C , Novak Iona , Malhotra Atul
Published: September 2020

Aim

The early diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) allows children timely access to early intervention. In 2018, Monash Children's Hospital established an Early Neurodevelopment Clinic based upon evidence‐based guidelines for the early diagnosis of CP in high‐risk infants. In this study, we aimed to characterise the infants presenting to the clinic and determine the rate of CP diagnosis.

Methods

This study analysed data from infants attending the Early Neurodevelopment Clinic between May 2019 and April 2020. Infants at high‐risk for CP attended the clinic at 3 months corrected age. Neuroimaging reports were reviewed, and a Prechtl's General Movement Assessment and Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination were performed. Infants were diagnosed as having typical development, delayed development, high‐risk of CP or CP at the time of clinic attendance and referred on to the appropriate pathway.

Results

Ninety‐six high‐risk infants attended the clinic over the 1 year study period. Sixty‐eight (71%) infants were extremely preterm or extremely low birthweight, and 28 (29%) were infants at born at older gestation with evidence of moderate to severe brain injury. Nine (9.6%) infants received a CP diagnosis and 12 (12.5%) were considered high‐risk of CP. All infants with CP or high‐risk of CP were referred to the Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service.

Conclusions

It is feasible to implement the early CP diagnosis guidelines into a high‐risk infant follow‐up clinic. Implementation of the guidelines allows for early diagnosis of CP and appropriate referral of high‐risk infants.
Long range dependence for stable random processes
Authors: Makogin Vitalii , Oesting Marco , Rapp Albert , Spodarev Evgeny
Published: September 2020

We investigate long and short memory in ‐stable moving averages and max‐stable processes with ‐Fréchet marginal distributions. As these processes are heavy‐tailed, we rely on the notion of long range dependence based on the covariance of indicators of excursion sets. Sufficient conditions for the long and short range dependence of ‐stable moving averages are proven in terms of integrability of the corresponding kernel functions. For max‐stable processes, the extremal coefficient function is used to state a necessary and sufficient condition for long range dependence.
Prospective evaluation of the lymph node proteome in dogs with multicentric lymphoma supplemented with sulforaphane
Authors: Parachini‐Winter Cyril , Bracha Shay , Ramsey Stephen A. , Yang Liping , Ho Emily , Leeper Haley J. , Curran Kaitlin M.
Published: September 2020

Background

Lymphoma (LSA) is a common malignancy in dogs. Epigenetic changes are linked to LSA pathogenesis and poor prognosis in humans, and LSA pathogenesis in dogs. Sulforaphane (SFN), an epigenetic‐targeting compound, has recently gained interest in relation to cancer prevention and therapy.

Objective

Examine the impact of oral supplementation with SFN on the lymph node proteome of dogs with multicentric LSA.

Animals

Seven client‐owned dogs with multicentric LSA.

Methods

Prospective, nonrandomized, noncontrolled study in treatment‐naïve dogs with intermediate or large cell multicentric LSA. Lymph node cell aspirates were obtained before and after 7 days of oral supplementation with SFN, and analyzed via label‐free mass spectrometry, immunoblots, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis.

Results

There was no clinical response and no adverse events attributed to SFN. For individual dogs, the expression of up to 650 proteins changed by at least 2‐fold (range, 2‐100) after supplementation with SFN. When all dogs where analyzed together, 14 proteins were significantly downregulated, and 10 proteins were significantly upregulated after supplementation with SFN (P < .05). Proteins and gene sets impacted by SFN were commonly involved in immunity, response to oxidative stress, gene transcription, apoptosis, protein transport, maturation and ubiquitination.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Sulforaphane is associated with major changes in the proteome of neoplastic lymphocytes in dogs.
Development of a core data set for pelvic floor disorder patients registry
Authors: Abdi Reyhan Masoumeh , Damanabi Shahla , Kalankesh Leila R. , Hajebrahimi Sakineh
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) are important public health concerns due to their increasing prevalence. Hence, there is an increasing need for developing systematically collected quality data to assist appropriate clinical decision‐making. This study aimed to develop a core data set for patients with PFDs based on the PFDs registry.

Methods

A descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted in 2019. Data were retrieved from electronic databases including PubMed, Embase and Google scholar. Available documents and data systems in clinical centers were also assessed. The Delphi technique was applied to reach a consensus about the data elements using a questionnaire. A panel of experts evaluated the content validity of the questionnaire.

Results

We developed a dataset for PFDs that included two classes of data (65 data items) identified from the related literature. In the Delphi survey, 74 data elements were determined by the experts and final data were divided into two demographic and clinical categories that included 12 and 62 data elements, respectively.

Conclusions

This dataset has the potential for standardizing the data by providing accurate, consistent, complete and uniform data elements. Furthermore, it can provide valuable research facilities for clinicians and researchers in the healthcare system resulting in improvement of the quality of care and containment of costs.
Plant nitrogen supply affects the Botrytis cinerea infection process and modulates known and novel virulence factors
Authors: Soulie Marie‐Christine , Koka Shamsuddin Mia , Floch Kévin , Vancostenoble Baptiste , Barbe Deborah , Daviere Antoine , Soubigou‐Taconnat Ludivine , Brunaud Veronique , Poussereau Nathalie , Loisel Elise , Devallee Amelie , Expert Dominique , Fagard Mathilde
Published: September 2020

Plant nitrogen (N) fertilization is known to affect disease; however, the underlying mechanisms remain mostly unknown. We investigated the impact of N supply on the Arabidopsis thaliana–Botrytis cinerea interaction. A. thaliana plants grown in low nitrate were more tolerant to all wild‐type B. cinerea strains tested. We determined leaf nitrate concentrations and showed that they had a limited impact on B. cinerea growth in vitro. For the first time, we performed a dual RNA‐Seq of infected leaves of plants grown with different nitrate concentrations. Transcriptome analysis showed that plant and fungal transcriptomes were marginally affected by plant nitrate supply. Indeed, only a limited set of plant (182) and fungal (22) genes displayed expression profiles altered by nitrate supply. The expression of selected genes was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR at 6 hr postinfection (hpi) and analysed at a later time point (24 hpi). We selected three of the 22 B. cinerea genes identified for further analysis. B. cinerea mutants affected in these genes were less aggressive than the wild‐type strain. We also showed that plants grown in ammonium were more tolerant to B. cinerea. Furthermore, expression of the selected B. cinerea genes in planta was altered when plants were grown with ammonium instead of nitrate, demonstrating an impact of the nature of N supplied to plants on the interaction. Identification of B. cinerea genes expressed differentially in planta according to plant N supply unveils two novel virulence functions required for full virulence in A. thaliana: a secondary metabolite (SM) and an acidic protease (AP).
Pharmacologic treatment of GERD: Where we are now, and where are we going?
Authors: Scarpignato Carmelo , Hongo Michio , Wu Justin C. Y. , Lottrup Christian , Lazarescu Adriana , Stein Ellen , Hunt Richard H.
Published: September 2020

The introduction of acid inhibition in clinical practice has revolutionized the management of acid‐related diseases, leading to the virtual abolition of elective surgery for ulcer disease and relegating antireflux surgery to patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) not adequately managed by medical therapy. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the antisecretory drugs of choice for the treatment of reflux disease. However, these drugs still leave some unmet clinical needs in GERD. PPI‐refractoriness is common, and persistent symptoms are observed in up to 40–55% of daily PPI users. Potassium‐competitive acid blockers (P‐CABs) clearly overcome many of the drawbacks and limitations of PPIs, achieving rapid, potent, and prolonged acid suppression, offering the opportunity to address many of the unmet needs. In recent years, it has been increasingly recognized that impaired mucosal integrity is involved in the pathogenesis of GERD. As a consequence, esophageal mucosal protection has emerged as a new, promising therapeutic avenue. When P‐CABS are used as add‐on medications to standard treatment, a growing body of evidence suggests a significant additional benefit, especially in the relief of symptoms not responding to PPI therapy. On the contrary, reflux inhibitors are considered a promise unfulfilled, and prokinetic agents should only be used on a case‐by‐case basis.
Epigenetic regulation of adipose tissue expansion and adipogenesis by N6‐methyladenosine
Authors: Wu Ruifan , Wang Xinxia
Published: September 2020

Obesity, defined as excessive fat accumulation, is strongly associated with metabolic diseases and cancer, and its prevalence is rising worldwide. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanism of adipogenesis is of fundamental significance. Epigenetic modifications play important roles in regulating adipogenesis. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent and abundant mRNA modification in eukaryotic cells, modulates multiple aspects of RNA metabolism, including mRNA stability, translation, splicing and export. Recent studies indicate that m6A methylation plays important roles in modulating gene expression and signal pathways in various physiologic processes and diseases. Notably, the significant function and regulatory mechanisms of m6A in adipogenesis are now emerging. In this review, we summarize recent studies that elucidate the vital roles of m6A modifications in regulating adipogenesis and adipose tissue expansion. Furthermore, we highlight the nutritional regulation of m6A methylation and adipogenesis, which may prove a novel therapeutic strategy to fight against obesity.
Role of the RprY response regulator in P. gingivalis community development and virulence
Authors: Shen Daonan , Perpich John D. , Stocke Kendall S. , Yakoumatos Lan , Fitzsimonds Zackary R. , Liu Chengcheng , Miller Daniel P. , Lamont Richard J.
Published: September 2020

Porphyromonas gingivalis expresses a limited number of two‐component systems, including RprY, an orphan response regulator which lacks a cognate sensor kinase. In this study, we examined cross‐phosphorylation of RprY on tyrosine residues and its importance for RprY function. We show that RprY reacts with phosphotyrosine antibodies, and found that the tyrosine (Y) residue at position 41 is predicted to be solvent accessible. Loss of RprY increased the level of heterotypic community development with Streptococcus gordonii, and the community‐suppressive function of RprY required Y41. Expression of the Mfa1 fimbrial adhesin was increased in the rprY mutant and in the mutant complemented with rprY containing a Y41F mutation. In a microscale thermophoresis assay, recombinant RprY protein bound to the promoter region of mfa1, and binding was diminished with RprY containing the Y41F substitution. RprY was required for virulence of P. gingivalis in a murine model of alveolar bone loss. Transcriptional profiling indicated that RprY can control the expression of genes encoding the type IX secretion system (T9SS) machinery and virulence factors secreted through the T9SS, including the gingipain proteases and peptidylarginine deiminase (PPAD). Collectively, these results establish the RprY response regulator as a component of the tyrosine phosphorylation regulon in P. gingivalis, which can independently control heterotypic community development through the Mfa1 fimbriae and virulence through the T9SS.
Clinical worsening due to inappropriate automatic mode switch during biventricular pacing: What is the mechanism?
Authors: Bera Debabrata , Kumawat Kapil , Majumder Suchit , Rana Saiyed , Sarkar Rakesh
Published: September 2020

We describe a case of a 65‐year‐old gentleman with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and left bundle branch block who underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy device. After becoming a responder initially, he experienced significant clinical worsening on follow‐up. Device interrogation revealed several long episodes of inappropriate automatic mode switch (AMS) entry due to far‐field R wave oversensing resulting in loss of atrioventricular synchrony. Moreover, pacing in VVI mode with consistent VA conduction taking place during the AMS episodes was also found to be detrimental, which helped in sustaining the episodes and produced pacemaker syndrome like phenomenon. Attempts made to resolve the issue by prolonging the post‐ventricular atrial blanking period was unsuccessful, hence we adjusted the atrial channel sensitivity to troubleshoot the problem.
NRASQ61K melanoma tumor formation is reduced by p38‐MAPK14 activation in zebrafish models and NRAS‐mutated human melanoma cells
Authors: Banik Ishani , Cheng Phil F. , Dooley Christopher M. , Travnickova Jana , Merteroglu Munise , Dummer Reinhard , Patton Elizabeth E. , Busch‐Nentwich Elisabeth M. , Levesque Mitchell P.
Published: September 2020

Oncogenic BRAF and NRAS mutations drive human melanoma initiation. We used transgenic zebrafish to model NRAS‐mutant melanoma, and the rapid tumor onset allowed us to study candidate tumor suppressors. We identified P38α‐MAPK14 as a potential tumor suppressor in The Cancer Genome Atlas melanoma cohort of NRAS‐mutant melanomas, and overexpression significantly increased the time to tumor onset in transgenic zebrafish with NRAS‐driven melanoma. Pharmacological activation of P38α‐MAPK14 using anisomycin reduced in vitro viability of melanoma cultures, which we confirmed by stable overexpression of p38α. We observed that the viability of MEK inhibitor resistant melanoma cells could be reduced by combined treatment of anisomycin and MEK inhibition. Our study demonstrates that activating the p38α‐MAPK14 pathway in the presence of oncogenic NRAS abrogates melanoma in vitro and in vivo.

Significance

The significance of our study is in the accountability of NRAS mutations in melanoma. We demonstrate here that activation of p38α‐MAPK14 pathway can abrogate NRAS‐mutant melanoma which is contrary to the previously published role of p38α‐MAPK14 pathway in BRAF mutant melanoma. These results implicate that BRAF and NRAS‐mutant melanoma may not be identical biologically. We also demonstrate the translational benefit of our study by using a small molecule compound‐anisomycin (already in use for other diseases in clinical trials) to activate p38α‐MAPK14 pathway.
Perception, discrimination, and knowledge
Authors: Callahan Laura Frances
Published: September 2020

In perception, perceivers discriminate. They distinguish or single out the objects and property instances that they see. One might hope this discriminatory nature of perception could help explain how perceptual evidence can be sufficient for knowledge, even granting some form of a relevant alternatives condition on knowledge. Indeed, there are examples of such thinking in recent epistemology literature. But I argue that discriminating actual percepts from actual surrounds is importantly different than discriminating actual states of affairs from merely possible states of affairs. A tension remains between optimism about immediate perceptual knowledge and plausible relevant alternatives or safety conditions on knowledge in general.
Habitat fragmentation and population features differently affect fruit predation, fecundity and offspring performance in a non‐specialist gypsum plant
Authors: Moncalvillo B. , Matesanz S. , Escudero A. , Sánchez A. M.
Published: September 2020

The effects of habitat fragmentation on plant populations are complex, as it might disrupt many ecological processes, including plant reproduction and plant–animal interactions. Gypsum specialist plants may be resilient to fragmentation due to their evolutionary history in fragmented landscapes, but the effects on non‐specialist plants occurring in gypsum are unknown.

We conducted a study focusing on different aspects of the reproductive cycle of Astragalus incanus subsp. incanus, a plant facultatively linked to gypsum soils. We focused on plant fecundity and pre‐dispersal predation, obtained from field observations, and offspring performance, assessed in a common garden. Beyond fragment size and connectivity, we also considered habitat quality, population size and density and plant size as predictors.

Fragment size and connectivity had no effect on plant fecundity, but jointly determined fruit predation, while fragment size was positively related to offspring growth. Population density, rather than population size, had a positive effect on predation but negatively affected plant fecundity and offspring performance. Habitat quality reduced both plant fecundity and predation incidence.

In this non‐specialist species, habitat fragmentation, population features and habitat quality affect different facets of plant performance. Predation was the only process clearly affected by fragmentation variables, fecundity mainly depended on population features and offspring performance and was better explained by mother plant identity. Our results show the need to consider habitat and population features together with fragment size and connectivity in order to assess the effects of fragmentation. Importantly, these effects can involve different aspects of plant reproduction, including plant–animal interactions.
Characterization of the new HLA allele HLA‐A*25:68 by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Ananeva Anastasiia , Leksina Yana , Andryushkina Anna , Shagimardanova Elena
Published: September 2020

HLA‐A*25:68 differs from A*25:01:01:01 by one nucleotide at position 1072A > G resulting in methionine at codon 334.
Low antithrombin levels in neonates and infants undergoing congenital heart surgery result in more red blood cell and plasma transfusion on cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Fang Zhe Amy , Bruzdoski Karen , Kostousov Vadim , Hui Shiu‐Ki Rocky , Vener David , Gottlieb Erin , Teruya Jun
Published: September 2020

Background

Neonates have lower levels of antithrombin (AT) due to immature liver synthetic function. AT deficiency may lead to inadequate anticoagulation with heparin during cardiac surgery resulting in consumption of coagulation factors and increased blood transfusion. The goal of this study is to examine the effect of AT level on the transfusion requirements of neonates and infants undergoing open heart surgery.

Study Design and Methods

This is a prospective, observational study at a tertiary pediatric referral center. Neonates and infants up to 6 months of age undergoing congenital heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were enrolled. Demographic, intraoperative, transfusion, and complications data were collected. Preoperative AT level was measured after induction of anesthesia. Prior to separation from CPB, a second blood sample was drawn and AT, thrombin antithrombin complex (TAT), D‐dimer, and anti‐Xa levels were measured. Linear and logistic regression were performed for data analysis.

Results

Preoperative low AT level was significantly associated with increased transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) during CPB, but not after separation from CPB. The incidence of thrombosis and re‐operation were not associated with preoperative AT levels. There was no association between TAT, D‐dimer, and anti‐Xa levels at the end of CPB and preoperative AT levels.

Conclusion

Low preoperative AT level is associated with increased transfusion of RBC and FFP on CPB in neonates and infants undergoing congenital heart surgery. Low preoperative AT level did not result in coagulation activation after CPB and after surgery.
Extracellular histones and xenotransplantation
Authors: Li Tao , Jiang Hongtao , Liu Houqin , Cooper David K. C. , Wang Yi
Published: September 2020

Xenotransplantation may be an alternative source of organs for patients with end‐stage organ failure, but problems remain to be overcome. Five factors that are problematic are (a) a sustained systemic inflammatory response in the xenograft recipient, (b) thrombotic microangiopathy and disseminated intravascular coagulation, (c) ischemia‐reperfusion injury, (d) complement activation, and (e) vascular endothelial cell injury. In xenotransplantation, histones, which are positively charged proteins, are released into the extracellular space from damaged and activated cells, cause cell and tissue damage, and act as danger/damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that mediate inflammation, coagulation disorders, an immune response, and cytotoxicity. We have previously demonstrated that serum histones increase after pig‐to‐baboon organ transplantation and infection. Treatment of the recipient with tocilizumab (interleukin‐6 receptor blockade) reduces the level of serum histones and C‐reactive protein. In this review, the potential role of extracellular histones in xenotransplantation is discussed, and we briefly summarize the relationship between extracellular histones and the inflammatory response, coagulation dysfunction, ischemia‐reperfusion injury, the complement system, and vascular endothelial cell injury.
Public Goods, Externalities, and Collective-Action Problems of Governance
Authors: Ferguson William D.
Published: September 2020

This chapter addresses the book’s first developmental hypothesis and its relations to CAPs that complicate establishing functional governance: Development requires creating social arrangements that deliver key public goods and services and that concurrently mitigate important negative externalities. Externalities are either positive or negative impacts of economic or political interactions on the noninvolved. Negative externalities include pollution and the spread of contagious disease; they arise from activities such as coal-powered electricity generation, crime, lack of sanitation, overuse of natural resources (e.g., deforestation), and excess conflict. Using game-theoretic logic, this chapter develops a few simple models that illustrate the basic CAPs and more detailed models that address how the political and economic incentives of rival coalitions influence the ability and motivation of governments to develop, utilize, and broadly or selectively apply state fiscal and legal capacity.
Comparison of Transverse Plane Tibial and Frontal Plane Rearfoot Motion and Movement Coordination Between Runners With Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome and Healthy Controls
Authors: Langley Ben , Knight Nick , Morrison Stewart C.
Published: September 2020

Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a common running-related injury. Alterations in movement patterns and movement coordination patterns have been linked to the development of overuse injuries. The aim of this study was to compare transverse plane tibial and frontal plane rearfoot motion and the coordination of these movements between runners with MTSS and healthy controls. A total of 10 recreational runners with MTSS and 10 healthy controls ran at 11 km/h on a treadmill. A 3-camera motion analysis system operating at 200 Hz was used to calculate tibia and rearfoot motion. Stance phase motion patterns were compared between groups using multivariate analysis, specifically, Hotelling T2 test with statistical parametric mapping. A modified vector coding technique was used to classify the coordination of transverse plane tibial and frontal plane rearfoot motion. The frequency of each coordination pattern displayed by each group was compared using independent samples t tests. Individuals with MTSS displayed significantly (P = .037, d = 1.00) more antiphase coordination (tibial internal rotation with rearfoot inversion) despite no significant (P > .05) differences in stance phase kinematics. The increased antiphase movement may increase the torsional stress placed upon the medial aspect of the tibia, contributing to the development of MTSS.
Validity and Intrarater Reliability Using a Smartphone Clinometer Application to Measure Active Cervical Range of Motion Including Rotation Measurements in Supine
Authors: Monreal Christanie , Luinstra Lindsay , Larkins Lindsay , May James
Published: September 2020

Context: Technological advances have given smartphones the capabilities of sensitive clinical measurement equipment at lesser cost and higher availability. The Clinometer is a smartphone application that can be used to measure the joint range of motion in a clinical setting, but psychometric properties of the tool’s use measuring cervical range of motion (CROM) are not established. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and intrarater reliability of the Clinometer application for the measurement of CROM (ie, flexion, extension, rotation, lateral flexion) and to determine the minimal detectable change and SEM. Design: A blinded, repeated-measures correlational design was employed. Setting: The study was conducted collaboratively between 2 athletic training clinics. Participants: A convenience sample of healthy adults ages 18–30 years were recruited. Participants with any history in the last 3 months of cervical or thoracic pathology, pain, or any musculoskeletal injury were excluded. Main Outcome Measures: Three repetitions of each motion were measured by a primary researcher with a goniometer. The same researcher then conducted 3 blinded measurements with the Clinometer application following the same procedure. A second researcher, blinded to the goniometer measurements, recorded the results. Thirty minutes later, testing was repeated with the application. The Pearson correlation was calculated to determine validity of the application compared with goniometry. Results: The measurements between devices had moderate to excellent concurrent validity, with the coefficients ranging between 0.544 and 0.888, P < .01. Test–retest reliability of the CROM measurement using the application was moderate to excellent, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging between .774 and .928. Across all movements, the SEM ranged from 1.17° to 2.01°, and the minimal detectable change ranged from 1.18° to 2.02°. Conclusion: The Clinometer application is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring active CROM. Level of evidence: clinical measurement, level 1b.
Ancient DNA tracks Vikings across Europe
Authors: Curry Andrew
Published: September 2020

Massive sequencing effort shows people of diverse genetic backgrounds adopted Viking culture.
Global efforts to protect biodiversity fall short
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: September 2020

New report finds glimmers of progress, but nations are not achieving targets.
Protecting the sewershed
Authors: Harris-Lovett Sasha , Sedlak David
Published: September 2020

As cities use sewage as a water source, proactive policies must safeguard public health
Competence-Stimulating-Peptide-Dependent Localized Cell Death and Extracellular DNA Production in Streptococcus mutans Biofilms
Authors: Nagasawa Ryo , Yamamoto Tatsuya , Utada Andrew S. , Nomura Nobuhiko , Obana Nozomu
Published: September 2020

Bacterial communities encased by self-produced extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), known as biofilms, have a wide influence on human health and environmental problems. The importance of biofilm research has increased, as biofilms are the preferred bacterial lifestyle in nature. Furthermore, in recent years it has been noted that the contribution of phenotypic heterogeneity within biofilms requires analysis at the single-cell or subpopulation level to understand bacterial life strategies. In
Streptococcus mutans
, a cariogenic bacterium, extracellular DNA (eDNA) contributes to biofilm formation. However, it remains unclear how and where the cells produce eDNA within the biofilm. We focused on LytF, an autolysin that is induced by extracellular peptide signals. We used single-cell level imaging techniques to analyze
lytF
expression in the biofilm population. Here, we show that
S. mutans
generates eDNA by inducing
lytF
expression near the bottom of the biofilm, thereby enhancing biofilm adhesion and structural stability.
Low-Avidity Autoantibodies against Bactericidal/Permeability-Increasing Protein Occur in Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacteremia
Authors: Theprungsirikul J. , Thaden J. T. , Wierzbicki R. M. , Burns A. S. , Skopelja-Gardner S. , Fowler V. G. , Winthrop K. L. , Martin I. W. , Rigby W. F. C.
Published: September 2020

Antibody autoreactivity against bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) is strongly associated withPseudomonas aeruginosainfection in cystic fibrosis (CF), non-CF bronchiectasis (BE), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We examined the pathogen-specific nature of this autoreactivity by examining antibodies to BPI in bacteremia patients. Antibodies to BPI and bacterial antigens were measured in sera by ELISA from five patient cohorts (n = 214).
Breast cancer prognosis and P-cadherin expression: systematic review and study-level meta-analysis
Authors: Qi Runzhi , Lin Jinyin , Chen Shuntai , Jiang Juling , Zhang Xing , Yao Bo , Zheng Honggang , Jin Zhichao , Yuan Yuan , Hou Wei , Hua Baojin , Guo Qiujun
Published: September 2020

Objective

P-cadherin can act both as a tumour suppressor and an oncogene. The clinical prognostic value of P-cadherin overexpression in breast cancer (BC) remains unclear. We conducted a study-level meta-analysis to determine whether P-cadherin expression can help predict prognosis in BC.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed to review eligible studies and clarify the relationship between P-cadherin overexpression and overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), pathological features, molecular subtypes and molecular phenotypes in BC.

Results

Thirty-one studies including 12 332 patients were included. P-cadherin overexpression was correlated with significantly worse OS (HR=1.77, p<0.00001) and DFS (HR=1.96, p<0.00001) than P-cadherin-negative. P-cadherin overexpression could lead to high histological grade (OR=3.33, p<0.00001) and lymph node metastasis (OR=1.62, p<0.00001). Moreover, P-cadherin overexpression was associated with low odds of the luminal A subtype and high odds of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive and triple-negative subtypes. P-cadherin expression led to low expression of oestrogen and progesterone receptor (OR=0.37 and OR=0.36, respectively, both p<0.00001) and high expression of HER2 (OR=2.31, p<0.00001), Ki-67 (OR=2.79, p<0.00001), epidermal growth factor receptor (OR=5.85, p<0.00001) and cytokeratin 5/6 (OR=6.79, p<0.00001).

Conclusions

P-cadherin was found to be associated with invasiveness and metastasis. P-cadherin expression can probably be a useful biomarker for predicting poor survival and may act as an independent prognostic predictor.
The impact of routine Edmonton symptom assessment system use on receiving palliative care services: results of a population-based retrospective-matched cohort analysis
Authors: Barbera Lisa , Sutradhar Rinku , Earle Craig C , Howell Doris , Mittman Nicole , Li Qing , Thiruchelvam Deva , Seow Hsien
Published: September 2020

Background

In 2007, Cancer Care Ontario began standardised symptom assessment as part of routine care using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS).

Aim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of ESAS on receipt of palliative care when compared with a matched group of unexposed patients.

Design

A retrospective-matched cohort study examined the impact of ESAS screening on initiation of palliative care services provided by physicians or homecare nurses. The study included adult patients diagnosed with cancer between 2007 and 2015. Exposure was defined as completing ≥1 ESAS during the study period. Using 4 hard and 14 propensity score-matched variables, patients with cancer exposed to ESAS were matched 1:1 to those who were not. Matched patients were followed from first ESAS until initiation of palliative care, death or end of study.

Results

The final cohort consisted of 204 688 matched patients with no prior palliative care consult. The pairs were well matched. The cumulative incidence of receiving palliative care within the first 5 years was higher among those exposed to ESAS compared with those who were not (27.9% (95% CI: 27.5% to 28.2%) versus 27.9% (95% CI: 27.5% to 28.2%)), when death is considered as a competing event. In the adjusted cause-specific Cox proportional hazards model, ESAS assessment was associated with a 6% increase in palliative care services (HR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.08).

Conclusion

We have demonstrated that patients exposed to ESAS were more likely to receive palliative care services compared with patients who were not exposed. This observation provides real-world data of the impact of routine assessment with a patient-reported outcome.
Catheter-related bloodstream infections in palliative care patients receiving parenteral nutrition by medical home care
Authors: Schedin Anna , Goodrose-Flores Charlotte , Bonn Stephanie , Björkhem-Bergman Linda
Published: September 2020

Background

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) constitute a major complication associated with the use of central venous lines (CVL). The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence proportion and risk factors of CRSBI in palliative care patients with CVL receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN).

Methods

Medical records from patients admitted to a medical home care unit in stockholm, Sweden, during 2017 were reviewed (n=1022) and 454 palliative care patients with a CVL were identified. Data on CRBSI cases, HPN exposure time, type of parenteral nutrition (PN), age, diagnosis and type of CVL were collected.

Results

Twenty-nine of 143 patients receiving HPN through a CVL were diagnosed with a CRBSI (20%). Nine of 311 patients with CVL without exposure for HPN developed CRBSI (3%). The risk of a CRBSI was significantly higher in patients receiving HPN compared with those not receiving HPN, OR 8.5 (95% CI 4.0 to 18.7). For those receiving HPN six to seven times a week the risk was even higher, OR 13 (95% CI 5.1 to 30.3). The highest incidence proportion of CRBSI (31%) was found in a home care team where patients had been trained to disconnect themselves from the PN drip. Sex, cancer versus non-cancer, type of CVL or protein content in the PN, did not differ between patients that developed CRBSI versus those that did not develop the outcome.

Conclusion

HPN entails a high risk of CRBSI. A high frequency of PN and incautious handling of the disconnection of the drip, seem to be the most important risk factors.
Prior ingestion of a ketone monoester supplement reduces postprandial glycemic responses in young healthy-weight individuals
Authors: Greaves Grant , Xiang Richard , Rafiei Hossein , Malas Adeeb , Little Jonathan P.
Published: September 2020

The main objective of this study was to determine whether acute ingestion of a ketone monoester (KME) supplement impacted mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT) glucose area under the curve (AUC). Nineteen healthy young volunteers (10 males/9 females; age, 24.7 ± 4.9 years; body mass index, 22.7 ± 2.4 kg/m2) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Following overnight fasting (≥10 h), participants consumed 0.45 mL/kg of a KME supplement or taste-matched placebo followed by an MMTT 15 min later. Blood samples were collected every 15–30 min over 2.5 h. KME supplementation acutely raised β-hydroxybutyrate AUC (590%, P < 0.0001, d = 2.4) and resulted in decreases in blood glucose AUC (−9.4%, P = 0.03, d = 0.56) and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) AUC (−27.3%, P = 0.023, d = 0.68) compared with placebo. No differences were found for plasma insulin AUC (P = 0.70) or gastric emptying estimated by co-ingested acetaminophen AUC (P = 0.96) between ketone and placebo. Overall, results indicate that KME supplementation attenuates postprandial glycemic and NEFA responses when taken 15 min prior to a mixed meal in young healthy individuals. Future studies are warranted to investigate whether KME supplementation may benefit individuals with impaired glycemic control.

Novelty: Acute ketone monoester supplementation 15 min prior to a mixed meal decreased postprandial glucose and NEFA levels without significantly impacting postprandial insulin or estimates of gastric emptying. Glucose- and NEFA-lowering effects of ketone monoester supplementation are apparently not mediated by changes in insulin release or gastric emptying.
Combining neutrino experimental light-curves for pointing to the next galactic core-collapse supernova
Authors: Coleiro A. , Molla M. Colomer , Dornic D. , Lincetto M. , Kulikovskiy V.
Published: September 2020

The multi-messenger observation of the next galactic core-collapse supernova will shed light on the different physical processes involved in these energetic explosions. Good timing and pointing capabilities of neutrino detectors would help in the search for an electromagnetic or gravitational-wave counterparts. An approach for the determination of the arrival time delay of the neutrino signal at different experiments using a direct detected neutrino light-curve matching is discussed. A simplified supernova model and detector simulation are used for its application. The arrival time delay and its uncertainty between two neutrino detectors are estimated with chi-square and cross-correlation methods. The direct comparison of the detected light-curves offers the advantage to be model-independent. Millisecond time resolution on the arrival time delay at two different detectors is needed. Using the computed time delay between different combinations of currently operational and future detectors, a triangulation method is used to infer the supernova localisation in the sky. The combination of IceCube, Hyper-Kamiokande, JUNO and KM3NeT/ARCA provides a 90% confidence area of$$140\pm 20\,\hbox {deg}^2$$140±20deg2. These low-latency analysis methods can be implemented in the SNEWS alert system.
Structural, mechanical and thermodynamic properties study on Mg–Y alloys from first-principles calculations
Authors: Chen Yingying , Dou Xilong , Zhu Wenjie , Jiang Gang , Mao Aijie
Published: September 2020

The structures with different compositions of the binary Mg–Y alloys have been predicted by first-principles calculations combined with an unbiased Crystal structure Analysis by Particle Swarm Optimization (CALYPSO) structure searching method. The two already known stoichiometries alloys of Mg1Y1 with Pm-[Formula: see text] symmetry and Mg3Y1 with Fm-[Formula: see text] are confirmed, and a new stoichiometry alloy of Mg1Y3 with [Formula: see text] symmetry is proposed. The dynamical and mechanical stabilities for the three alloys at different pressures are investigated by phonon spectra and mechanical stability criteria, respectively. Subsequently, the bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, the brittleness/ductile behavior, the elastic anisotropy as well as Vickers hardness for the three alloys at 0 GPa are discussed in detail. The results show that the Mg1Y1, Mg3Y1 and Mg1Y3 alloys improve the hardness and stiffness compared with pure Mg, and Mg1Y3 alloy is of the best ductility in the three alloys. Meanwhile, the three alloys exhibit anisotropic. Moreover, the thermodynamic properties, such as Debye temperature, heat capacity at constant volume, entropy and Helmholtz free energy for the three stable alloys, are predicted and discussed.
Nelder Mead-Based Spider Monkey Optimization for Optimal Power and Channel Allocation in MANET
Authors: Jothi S. , Chandrasekar A.
Published: September 2020

The Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET) includes both the optimal allocation of shared channels and power in a network. Hence, obtaining the trade-off between energy consumption and delay is the major challenge. The source-constrained and maximizing lifetime of the unreliable wireless network includes optimal power allocation. We proposed an Integrated Spider Monkey Optimization Algorithm (ISMOA) for the minimization of energy consumption and the enhancement of throughput in MANET. The Nelder Mead Model (NMM) is used to improve the performance of the local leader stage in the spider monkey optimization algorithm. In this work, the novel approach is used to improve the performance of total energy consumption, throughput, and delay. The experimental works are executed in NS-2 software. The experimental results demonstrate the low delay, energy consumption with high throughput performance. Moreover, the proposed method outperforms the optimal performance compared to state-of-the-art methods.
Process convergence of fluctuations of linear eigenvalue statistics of random circulant matrices
Authors: Bose Arup , Maurya Shambhu Nath , Saha Koushik
Published: September 2020

We discuss the process convergence of the time dependent fluctuations of linear eigenvalue statistics of random circulant matrices with independent Brownian motion entries, as the dimension of the matrix tends to [Formula: see text]. Our derivation is based on the trace formula of circulant matrix, method of moments and some combinatorial techniques.
Integration of Manufacturing Information via Dynamic Information Model Aggregation
Authors: Schmied Sebastian , Grossmann Daniel , Mathias Selvine G. , Mueller Ralph Klaus
Published: September 2020

An important part of the industry 4.0 concept is the horizontal and vertical integration of manufacturing systems.

Information exchange in traditional production environments happens through interfaces that are connections between strictly defined senders and receivers. This limits the possibility for changing and extending the manufacturing system. A possible approach to enable the information exchange between all system entities uniformly are information models. Such models are semantic descriptions of the available data. The creation of these models needs to follow the manufacturing process, but also requires certain standardization to improve efficiency. Another challenge is the actual technical integration of the information into a common address space.

This paper connects an approach for information modeling with a concept for dynamic aggregation. The approach is described with the help of a continuous example that uses OPC UA as a middleware technology.
About this title - Fold and Thrust Belts: Structural Style, Evolution and Exploration
Authors: Hammerstein J. A. , Di Cuia R. , Cottam M. A. , Zamora G. , Butler R. W. H.
Published: September 2020

The outer parts of collision mountain belts are commonly represented by fold and thrust belts. Major advances in understanding these tectonic settings have arisen from regional studies that integrate diverse geological information in quests to find and produce hydrocarbons. Drilling has provided tests of subsurface forecasts, challenging interpretation strategies and structural models. This volume contains 19 papers that illustrate a diversity of methods and approaches together with case studies from Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. Collectively they show that appreciating diversity is key for developing better interpretations of complex geological structures in the subsurface – endeavours that span applications beyond the development of hydrocarbons.