bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The day‐to‐day stability of the ruminal and fecal microbiota in lactating dairy cows
Authors: Huang Shuai , Ji Shoukun , Yan Hui , Hao Yangyi , Zhang Jun , Wang Yajing , Cao Zhijun , Li Shengli
Published: March 2020

In this study, we examined differences between the microbiota of the ruminal fluid (DR) and feces (DF) from five lactating dairy cows over three consecutive days using 16S rRNA gene sequence‐based analysis. Results showed significant differences between the microbial communities of the DR and DF. In particular, the relative abundance of the phylaFirmicutesandActinobacteriawas significantly lower (q < 0.001) in DR compared with DF, while the relative abundance ofBacteroideteswas significantly higher in DF than that of DR (q < 0.001). A significantly higher relative abundance of the generaBifidobacterium,5‐7N15,Clostridium,Epulopiscium,SMB53,Turicibacter,Dorea,Roseburia, andAkkermansiawas observed in the DF, while a higher relative abundance of the generaPrevotella,Butyrivibrio,CF231,RFN20, andSucciniclasticumwas observed in the DR. A further analysis using the functional prediction program PICRUSt showed that sequences belonging to the5‐7N15,Akkermansia,Bifidobacterium,Clostridium,Dorea,Epulopiscium,Roseburia, andTuricibacterwere significantly and positively correlated with glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, whileCF231,Prevotella,RFN20,andSucciniclasticumwere significantly and positively correlated with amino acid, lipid, carbohydrate, other amino acid, cofactors, and vitamins metabolism. No significant differences were observed across the three consecutive days in either the DR or DF ecosystems, with no significant differences in the diversity or abundance at the phylum and genus levels suggested that there is a limited day‐to‐day variability in the gut microbiota.
Comparative analysis and gut bacterial community assemblages of grass carp and crucian carp in new lineages from the Dongting Lake area
Authors: Zou Sheng , Gong Liang , Khan Tahir Ali , Pan Lifei , Yan Liang , Li Dongjie , Cao Lina , Li Yanping , Ding Xuezhi , Yi Ganfeng , Sun Yunjun , Hu Shengbiao , Xia Liqiu
Published: March 2020

Gut microbiota are known to play an important role in health and nutrition of the host and have been attracting an increasing attention. Farming of new lineages of grass carp and crucian carp has been developed rapidly as these species were found to outperform indigenous ones in terms of growth rate and susceptibility to diseases. Despite this rapid development, no studies have addressed the characteristics of their gut microbiota as a potential factor responsible for the improved characteristics. To reveal whether microbiomes of the new lineages are different from indigenous ones, and therefore could be responsible for improved growth features, intestinal microbiota from the new lineages were subjected to high‐throughput sequencing. While the phyla Firmicutes, Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria were representing the core bacterial communities that comprised more than 75% in all fish intestinal samples, significant differences were found in the microbial community composition of the new linages versus indigenous fish populations, suggesting the possibility that results in the advantages of enhanced disease resistance and rapid growth for the new fish lineages. Bacterial composition was similar between herbivorous and omnivorous fish. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria was significantly higher in omnivores compared to that of herbivores, whereas Cetobacterium_sp. was abundant in herbivores. We also found that the gut microbiota of freshwater fish in the Dongting lake area was distinct from those of other areas. Network graphs showed the reduced overall connectivity of gut bacteria in indigenous fish, whereas the bacteria of the new fish lineage groups showed hubs with more node degree. A phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states inferred function profile showed several metabolic processes were more active in the new lineages compared to indigenous fish. Our findings suggest that differences in gut bacterial community composition may be an important factor contributing to the rapid growth and high disease resistance of the new fish lineages.
Re‐emergent Tremor in Parkinson's Disease: The Role of the Motor Cortex
Authors: Leodori Giorgio , Belvisi Daniele , De Bartolo Maria I. , Fabbrini Andrea , Costanzo Matteo , Vial Felipe , Conte Antonella , Hallett Mark , Berardelli Alfredo
Published: March 2020

Background

Parkinson's disease patients may show a tremor that appears after a variable delay while the arms are kept outstretched (re‐emergent tremor). The objectives of this study were to investigate re‐emergent tremor pathophysiology by studying the role of the primary motor cortex in this tremor and making a comparison with rest tremor.

Methods

We enrolled 10 Parkinson's disease patients with both re‐emergent and rest tremor. Tremor was assessed by spectral analysis, corticomuscular coherence and tremor‐resetting produced by transcranial magnetic stimulation over the primary motor cortex. We also recorded transcranial magnetic stimulation‐evoked potentials generated by motor cortex stimulation during rest tremor, tremor suppression during wrist extension, and re‐emergent tremor. Spectral analysis, corticomuscular coherence, and tremor resetting were compared between re‐emergent tremor and rest tremor.

Results

Re‐emergent tremor showed significant corticomuscular coherence, causal relation between motor cortex activity and tremor muscle and tremor resetting. The P60 component of transcranial magnetic stimulation‐evoked potentials reduced in amplitude during tremor suppression, recovered before re‐emergent tremor, was facilitated at re‐emergent tremor onset, and returned to values similar to those of rest tremor during re‐emergent tremor. Compared with rest tremor, re‐emergent tremor showed similar corticomuscular coherence and tremor resetting, but slightly higher frequency.

Conclusions

Re‐emergent tremor is causally related with the activity of the primary motor cortex, which is likely a convergence node in the network that generates re‐emergent tremor. Re‐emergent tremor and rest tremor share common pathophysiological mechanisms in which the motor cortex plays a crucial role. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Accelerated MP2RAGE imaging using Cartesian phyllotaxis readout and compressed sensing reconstruction
Authors: Mussard Emilie , Hilbert Tom , Forman Christoph , Meuli Reto , Thiran Jean‐Philippe , Kober Tobias
Published: March 2020

Purpose

MP2RAGE T1‐weighted imaging has been shown to be beneficial for various applications, mainly because of its good grey‐white matter contrast, its B1‐robustness and ability to derive T1 maps. Even using parallel imaging, the method requires long acquisition times, especially at high resolution. This work aims at accelerating MP2RAGE imaging using compressed sensing.

Methods

A pseudo‐phyllotactic Cartesian MP2RAGE readout was implemented allowing for flexible reordering and undersampling factors. The sampling pattern was first optimized based on fully sampled data and a compressed sensing reconstruction. Changes in contrast ratios, automated brain segmentation results, and quantitative T1 values were used for benchmarking. In vivo undersampled data from eleven healthy subjects were then acquired using a 4‐fold acceleration with the optimized sampling pattern. The resulting images were compared to the standard parallel imaging MP2RAGE protocol by visual inspection and using the above quality metrics.

Results

The application of incoherent undersampling and iterative compressed sensing reconstruction on MP2RAGE acquisitions allows for a 57% time reduction (corresponding to 4‐fold undersampling with maintained reference lines, TA = 3:35 minutes) compared to the reference protocol using parallel imaging (GRAPPAx3 acceleration, TA = 8:22 minutes) while obtaining images with similar image quality, morphometric (volume differences = [0.07 ± 1.2–3.8 ± 1.9]%) and T1‐mapping outcomes (T1 error = [6 ± 5.1–37 ± 12.3] ms depending on the different structures).

Conclusion

A whole‐brain MP2RAGE acquisition is feasible with compressed sensing in less than 4 minutes without appreciably compromising image quality.
Manganese threonine chelate—a new enteric contrast agent for MRI: a pilot study on rats
Authors: Luo Yan , Yu Hao , Hu Daoyu , Li Jiali , Hu Xuemei , Li Zhen , Shen Yaqi
Published: March 2020

Enteric contrast agents are important in gastrointestinal MRI. However, no currently available agent is well established as the standard of care. In this study, in vitro relaxivities of manganese threonine chelate (Mn‐Thr), a common nutritional food supplement, were measured at 1.5 T and 3 T with further investigation of its efficacy and safety in vivo as an enteric contrast agent. According to the calculated relaxivities, T1W and T2W TSE sequences of Mn‐Thr solutions at different concentrations were acquired, and the optimal concentration for dark lumen imaging on both T1W and T2W images was determined in vitro. To validate the optimal concentration in vivo, eight Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups. Each group received rectal injection of either 2.00 g/L (about 3.80 mM) Mn‐Thr or saline as an enteric contrast agent and underwent MRI. After a time interval of one week, the same procedures were repeated with the alternative contrast agent. Animals were sacrificed after the second MRI. Tissue manganese quantification and histopathological examination were obtained. Qualitative MR image quality assessments were performed and compared between Mn‐Thr and saline. Measured T1 and T2 relaxivities of Mn‐Thr were significantly higher than those of MnCl2 in vitro (p < 0.05). At the concentration of 2.00 g/L (about 3.80 mM), Mn‐Thr produced a dark lumen on T1W and T2W images both in vitro and in vivo. Compared with saline, Mn‐Thr showed significantly more homogenous luminal signal and increased bowel wall conspicuity in image quality assessments. Tissue manganese concentrations were not significantly different between two groups. Histopathological examinations were normal in both groups. Our data suggest that Mn‐Thr possesses favorable paramagnetic properties and can create a homogenous dark lumen on T1W and T2W images without obvious side effects in healthy rats. As a commercially available nutritional food supplement, Mn‐Thr appears to be a promising enteric contrast agent for MRI.
Foetal bison long bones and mortality season estimates at the early Holocene Casper and Horner II sites, North America
Authors: Breslawski Ryan P. , Playford Tomasin , Johnston Christopher M.
Published: March 2020

Foetal animal remains present the opportunity to investigate seasonal prey mortality in archaeological contexts. Mortality seasons may be inferred by adding a gestation age, as estimated from foetal skeletal growth curves, to a known conception period. For example, given an October conception period, the remains of a 6‐month‐old foetal animal suggest deposition in April. However, three problems complicate these investigations: (1) Conception periods in animal populations are generally not discrete windows or dates but rather distributions of events though a calendar year; (2) variation in foetal development implies that any given skeletal state corresponds to a range of gestation ages, and (3) evolutionary changes in a taxon's foetal growth may make modern growth curves poor analogues for past populations. We develop a probabilistic method to address the first two problems and partially address the third problem. The method is specific to early Holocene bison in North America (~10 000 to 8000 cal. BP), and we provide example applications: the Horner II Site, with one foetal humerus, and the Casper Site, with five foetal elements. Results for Horner II indicate that the foetal humerus is consistent with the fall or winter mortality season inferred from bison dentitions at the site, whereas results for Casper suggest a spring mortality event or events distinct from most of the site's adult bison specimens. This may reflect real seasonality variability at Casper, although methodological assumptions warrant caution for this interpretation; Future work should focus on testing these assumptions.
Rise and regional disparities in buprenorphine utilization in the United States
Authors: Pashmineh Azar Amir R. , Cruz‐Mullane Alexandra , Podd Jaclyn C. , Lam Warren S. , Kaleem Suhail H. , Lockard Laura B. , Mandel Mark R. , Chung Daniel Y. , Simoyan Olapeju M. , Davis Corey S. , Nichols Stephanie D. , McCall Kenneth L. , Piper Brian J.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist used to treat opioid use disorder. While several policy changes have attempted to increase buprenorphine availability, access remains well below optimal levels. This study characterized how buprenorphine utilization in the United States has changed over time and whether there are regional disparities in distribution of the medication.

Methods

The amount of buprenorphine distributed from 2007 to 2017 was obtained from the Drug Enforcement Administration's Automated Reports and Consolidated Ordering System. Data were expressed as the percent change and milligrams per person in each state. The formulations and cost for prescriptions covered by Medicaid (2008 to 2018) were also examined.

Results

Buprenorphine distributed to pharmacies increased about 7‐fold (476.8 to 3179.9 kg) while the quantities distributed to hospitals grew 5‐fold (18.6 to 97.6 kg) nationally from 2007 to 2017. Buprenorphine distribution per person was almost 20‐fold higher in Vermont (40.4 mg/person) relative to South Dakota (2.1 mg/person). There was a strong association between the number of physicians authorized to prescribe buprenorphine and distribution per state (r[49] = +0.94, P < .0005). The buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual film (Suboxone) was the predominant formulation (92.6% of 0.31 million Medicaid prescriptions) in 2008 but accounted for less than three‐fifth (57.3% of 6.56 million prescriptions) in 2018.

Conclusions

Although buprenorphine availability has substantially increased over the last decade, distribution was very nonhomogeneous across the United States.
The Influence of Sepiolite Orientation and Concentration, on the Morphological, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Bio‐Polyamide 4.10 Nanocomposites
Authors: Asensio María , Herrero Manuel , Núñez Karina , Merino Juan Carlos , Pastor José María
Published: March 2020

Nowadays, trends in automotive sector are toward high‐performance materials, but also the concern about the environment has become an important driver for car manufacturers. In this sense, reinforced polymers are lightweight materials that can replace metals in some structural applications with an outstanding contribution to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions. In short fiber‐reinforced polymers, processed by injection molding, the fibers are oriented in multiple and arbitrary directions. Due to the arrangement of the fibers, these materials present different thermomechanical behavior. In this study, bio‐polyamide 4.10/sepiolite (0–15 wt%) nanocomposites obtained by melt compounding were injected using a square plate mold. Specimens were mechanized in different directions (0°, 45°, and 90°) from this square plate and morphologically and thermomechanically tested. The sepiolite reinforcement results showed improvement in the thermomechanical properties. Moreover, despite the nanometer size of the reinforcement, the mechanical properties were also dependent on the fiber orientation during the injection molding of the nanocomposites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:1035–1043, 2020. © 2020 Society of Plastics Engineers
Countering Extremists on Social Media: Challenges for Strategic Communication and Content Moderation
Authors: Ganesh Bharath , Bright Jonathan
Published: March 2020

Extremist exploitation of social media platforms is an important regulatory question for civil society, government, and the private sector. Extremists exploit social media for a range of reasons—from spreading hateful narratives and propaganda to financing, recruitment, and sharing operational information. Policy responses to this question fit under two headings, strategic communication and content moderation. At the center of both of these policy responses is a calculation about how best to limit audience exposure to extremist narratives and maintain the marginality of extremist views, while being conscious of rights to free expression and the appropriateness of restrictions on speech. This special issue on “Countering Extremists on Social Media: Challenges for Strategic Communication and Content Moderation” focuses on one form of strategic communication, countering violent extremism. In this editorial we discuss the background and effectiveness of this approach, and introduce five articles which develop multiple strands of research into responses and solutions to extremist exploitation of social media. We conclude by suggesting an agenda for future research on how multistakeholder initiatives to challenge extremist exploitation of social media are conceived, designed, and implemented, and the challenges these initiatives need to surmount.
Bacterial colonization dynamics associated with respiratory syncytial virus during early childhood
Authors: Brealey Jaelle C. , Young Paul R. , Sloots Theo P. , Ware Robert S. , Lambert Stephen B. , Sly Peter D. , Grimwood Keith , Chappell Keith J.
Published: March 2020

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of early life acute respiratory infections. Potentially pathogenic respiratory bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Haemophilus influenzae are frequently detected during RSV infections and associated with increased illness severity. However, the temporal dynamics of bacterial colonization associated with RSV infection remain unclear. We used weekly nasal swab data from a prospective longitudinal birth cohort in Brisbane, Australia, to investigate bacterial colonization patterns within children aged less than 2 years in the 4‐week period before and after an RSV infection. During 54 RSV infection episodes recorded in 47 children, both S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis were detected frequently (in 33 [61.1%] and 26 [48.1%] RSV infections, respectively). In most cases, S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis colonization preceded the viral infection, with the nasal load of each increasing during RSV infection. Generally, the dominant serotype of S. pneumoniae remained consistent in the 1 to 2 weeks immediately before and after RSV infection. Little evidence was found to indicate that prior colonization with either bacteria predisposed participants to developing RSV infection during the annual seasonal epidemic. Possible coacquisition events, where the bacteria species was first detected with RSV and not in the preceding 4 weeks, were observed in approximately 20% of RSV/S. pneumoniae and RSV/M. catarrhalis codetections. Taken together our results indicate that RSV generally triggered an outgrowth, rather than a new acquisition, of S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis from the resident microbial community.
Sphingosine signaling dysfunction in airway cells as a potential contributor to progression from protracted bacterial bronchitis to bronchiectasis in children
Authors: Hodge Sandra , Macowan Matthew , Liu Hong , Hamon Rhys , Chen Alice C.‐H. , Marchant Julie M. , Pizzutto Susan J. , Upham John W. , Chang Anne B.
Published: March 2020

Aim

Protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) is considered a potential precursor to bronchiectasis (BE) in some children. We previously showed that alveolar macrophages (AM) from children with PBB or BE have a similar significant defect in phagocytic capacity, with proinflammatory associations. We hypothesized that the mechanisms responsible for this defect involve dysregulation of the sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) signaling pathway, as we have found in adult inflammatory lung diseases.

Method

We employed a Custom TaqMan OpenArray to investigate gene expression of S1P‐generating enzymes: sphingosine kinases (SPHK) 1/2, S1P phosphatase 2 (SGPP2), S1P lyase 1 (SGPL1), S1P receptors (S1PR) 1/2/4/5; proinflammatory cytokines TNF‐α (TNF) and IFNγ (IFNG), the cytotoxic mediator granzyme B (GZMB), and inflammasomes AIM2 and NLRP3, in bronchoalveolar lavage from 15 children with BE, 15 with PBB and 17 age‐matched controls, and determined association with clinical/demographic variables and airway inflammation.

Result

Significantly increased expression of S1PR1, S1PR2, and SPHK1 was noted in PBB and BE AM vs controls with increased SGPP2 only in PBB. TNF, IFNG, AIM2, and NLRP3 were significantly increased in both disease groups with increased GZMB only in PBB. There were no significant differences in the expression of any other S1P‐related mediator between groups. There were significant positive associations between Haemophilus influenzae growth and expression of S1PR1 and NLRP3; between S1PR1 and S1PR2, NLRP3 and IFNG; between S1PR2 and AIM2, SPHK1, and SPHK2; and between SPHK1 and GZMB, IFNG, AIM2, and NLRP3.

Conclusion

Children with PBB and BE share similar S1P‐associated gene expression profiles. AM phagocytic dysfunction and inflammation in these children may occur due to dysregulated S1P signaling.
Investigation on the stability, electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of novel calcium carbonate hydrates via first‐principles calculations
Authors: Zhou Yunxuan , Liu Qianli , Hu Mingyu , Xu Gengsen , Xu Ruiju , Chong Xiaoyu , Feng Jing
Published: March 2020

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is an inorganic compound which is widely used in industry, chemistry, construction, ocean acidification, and biomineralization due to its rich constituent on earth and excellent performance, in which calcium carbonate hydrates are important systems. In Zou et al's work (Science, 2019, 363, 396‐400), they found a novel calcium carbonate hemihydrate phase, but the structural stability, optical, and mechanical properties have not been studied. In this work, the stability, electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of novel calcium carbonate hydrates were investigated by using the first‐principles calculations using density functional theory. CaCO3·xH2O (x = 1/2, 1 and 6) are determined dynamically stable phases by phonon spectrum, but the Gibbs energy of reaction of CaCO3·1/2H2O is higher than other calcium carbonate hydrates. That is why CaCO3·1/2H2O is hard to synthesize in the experiments. In addition, the optical and mechanical properties of CaCO3·xH2O (x = 1/2, 1 and 6) are expounded in detail. It shows that the CaCO3·1/2H2O has the largest bulk modulus, shear modulus, and Young's modulus with the values 60.51 GPa, 36.56 GPa, and 91.28 GPa. This work will provide guidance for experiments and its applications, such as biomineralization, geology, and industrial processes.
Fine‐scale observations of spatio‐spectro‐temporal dynamics of bird vocalizations using robot audition techniques
Authors: Sumitani Shinji , Suzuki Reiji , Matsubayashi Shiho , Arita Takaya , Nakadai Kazuhiro , Okuno Hiroshi G.
Published: March 2020

Ecoacoustics needs sophisticated acoustic monitoring tools to extract a wide level of features from an observed mixture of sounds. We have developed a portable acoustic monitoring system called ‘HARKBird’ which consists of a laptop PC and an inexpensive commercial microphone array with the robot audition software HARK. HARKBird can extract acoustic events in a recording, and we can obtain the begin and end timings, the spatial information (e.g., position or direction from the microphone array), and the spectrogram of the sound separated from the original recording. In this study, we report how robot audition techniques contribute to monitoring spatio‐spectro‐temporal dynamics of bird behaviors, using an extended and minimal system based on multiple microphone arrays. The dimension reduction of separated sounds is important to integrate the information from multiple microphone arrays. As a dimension reduction algorithm, we use t‐SNE to help manual annotation of each sound and to generate the vocalization distribution automatically. We conduct playback experiments to Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) to simulate different cases of territorial intrusions (song/call/no playback). Our hypothesis in playback experiments is that playback of conspecific vocalizations would invoke aggressive responses of males against song playbacks and the effects would be more prominent than those of call playbacks. Our primary aim is to test whether our system can extract the necessary information on the aggressiveness of target individuals to examine our hypothesis. We show the system with manual annotation of vocalizations can extract their different spatio‐spectro‐temporal dynamics in different conditions, which supported our hypothesis. We also consider the spectral affinity‐based automatic matching of localized sounds from different microphone arrays. The relative number of localized songs depending on the playback conditions reflected a similar trend to those in the manual approach, implying that we can grasp the long‐term dynamics of vocalizations without costly annotations.
Effects of Ceria Nanoparticles and CeCl3 on Plant Growth, Biological and Physiological Parameters, and Nutritional Value of Soil Grown Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Authors: Ma Yuhui , Xie Changjian , He Xiao , Zhang Boxin , Yang Jie , Sun Minghui , Luo Wenhe , Feng Sheng , Zhang Junzhe , Wang Guohua , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: March 2020

The release of metal ions may play an important role in toxicity of metal‐based nanoparticles. In this report, a life cycle study is carried out in a greenhouse, to compare the effects of ceria nanoparticles (NPs) and Ce3+ ions at 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg Ce kg−1 on plant growth, biological and physiological parameters, and nutritional value of soil‐grown common bean plants. Ceria NPs have a tendency to negatively affect photosynthesis, but the effect is not statistically significant. Ce3+ ionic treatments at 50, 100, and 200 mg Ce kg−1 result in increases of 1.25‐, 0.66‐, and 1.20‐fold in stomatal conductance, respectively, relative to control plants. Both ceria NPs and Ce3+ ions disturb the homeostasis of antioxidant defense system in the plants, but only 200 mg Ce kg−1 ceria NPs significantly induce lipid peroxidation in the roots. Ceria NP treatments tend to reduced fresh weight and to increase mineral contents of the green pods, but have no effect on the organic nutrient contents. On the contrary, Ce3+ ion treatments modify the organic compositions and thus alter the nutritional quality and flavor of the green pods. These results suggest that the two Ce forms may have different mechanisms on common bean plants.
Iridium(III) Complex–Derived Polymeric Micelles with Low Dark Toxicity and Strong NIR Excitation for Phototherapy and Chemotherapy
Authors: Zhao Jian , Zhang Xinzhong , Fang Lei , Gao Chuanzhu , Xu Chenjie , Gou Shaohua
Published: March 2020

Iridium(III) complexes are potent candidates for photodynamic therapy. However, their clinical usage is impeded by their poor water solubility, high dark toxicity, and negligible absorption in near‐infrared region (NIR region). Here, it is proposed to solve these challenges by developing an iridium(III) complexe‐based polymeric micelle system. This system is self‐assembled using an iridium(III) complex‐containing amphiphilic block polymer. The upconversion nanoparticles are included in the polymeric micelles to permit NIR excitation. Compared with the nonformulated iridium(III) complexes, under NIR stimulation, this polymeric micelle system exhibits higher 1O2 generation efficiency, negligible dark toxicity, excellent tumor‐targeting ability, and synergistic phototherapy–chemotherapy effect both in vitro and in vivo.
Improve student satisfaction by honoring students’ names, pronouns
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: March 2020

It's the right thing to do. That's the primary reason why Nicole Kragt advocated for Kalamazoo College's students to be able to go by names and pronouns they designate.
Increase completion rates, degree equity with reverse credit transfer
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: March 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Supporting student success might mean helping students transfer credits from a four‐year institution back to a two‐year institution to attain a degree, in a process known as reverse credit transfer. At a session at the annual meeting of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, Stephanie Odera, Associate Director of the Graduate RVA — Center for Community Engagement and Impact at Virginia Commonwealth University; Katybeth Lee, a doctoral student also at VCU; and Keri‐Beth Pettengill, Executive Director, Office of Institutional Effectiveness, John Tyler Community College, shared the advantages of reverse credit transfer, how the practice can comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and why it can be an effective step in increasing degree‐completion equity in America.
The top 5 FERPA sections: Practical applications, Part 4
Authors: Rainsberger Richard
Published: March 2020

In three of the previous four columns, I have used the three‐question approach to determine if a disclosure is Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act–compliant. Those questions are: (1) is the information to be disclosed an education record (§99.3)? (2) do we have the student's written consent to disclose that information (§99.30)? and (3) if we don't have written consent (which we usually don't), is there any exception to written consent within the regulations that would permit us to disclose the requested information (§99.31)?
Take holistic approach to supporting students through graduation
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: March 2020

Officials at the University of Florida are proud of the institution's 97% retention rate, said Tammy Aagard, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management. But do all students get the support they need all the way through completion? Enrollment management efforts at the institution include initiatives to propel the neediest students to graduation. There tends to be a gap between students who receive Pell grants and those who don't in graduation rates and time to graduation, Aagard said, so officials have looked closely at that.
Mono- und mehrsegmentaler ventraler minimalinvasiver Zugang zur Lendenwirbelsäule (OLIF) zur Korrektur von Deformitäten
Authors: Mehren Christoph , Wanke-Jellinek Lorenz , Krenauer Alexander , Korge Andreas
Published: March 2020

Operationsziel

Minimalinvasiver anterolateraler Zugang zur Lendenwirbelsäule („oblique lateral interbody fusion“ [OLIF]) zur Korrektur von lumbalen Deformitäten.

Indikationen

Ventrales Release bei degenerativer Lumbalskoliose oder segmentalen Kyphosen und interkorporelle Korrekturspondylodese.

Kontraindikationen

Absolute Kontraindikationen bestehen nicht. Relative Kontraindikationen sind vorangegangene (linksseitige) retroperitoneale Eingriffe bzw. Zustand nach Peritonitis mit ausgeprägten retroperitonealen Vernarbungen. Gefäßanomalien mit extrem lateral verlaufender V. iliaca communis (v. a. bei Segmentationsstörungen im vorletzten Bewegungssegment).

Operationstechnik

Über einen kleinen Hautschnitt im Bereich der linken Flanke und Wechselschnitttechnik durch die Bauchwandmuskulatur retroperitoneales Eingehen auf die laterale anteriore Lendenwirbelsäule monosegmental bzw. von L1–L5. Retraktion des M. psoas und Ausräumen des Bandscheibenfaches ggf. mit Durchtrennung des vorderen Längsbandes. Interkorporelles Release und Interposition eines Implantates zur ventralen Korrekturspondylodese.

Weiterbehandlung

Frühmobilisation nach dorsaler Instrumentation nach Abklingen der Narkose unter Thromboseprophylaxe. Leichte Kost bis zum ersten Stuhlgang. Tragen einer rumpfstabilisierenden Orthese je nach Art und Ausdehnung des Eingriffes bis zu 12 Wochen. Keine Einschränkungen bezüglich Gehstrecke, Stehen und Sitzen unmittelbar postoperativ nach Schmerzvorgabe.

Ergebnisse

Es wurden 15 konsekutive Patienten mit degenerativer lumbaler Skoliose im Sinne einer ventrodorsalen Fusionsoperation versorgt. Die operative ventrale Versorgung beinhaltete 1 bis 4 Segmente. Erfasst wurden die zugangsspezifischen Komplikationen sowie die prä- und postoperativen radiologischen Parameter. Bei keinem der 15 linksseitig retroperitoneal durchgeführten ventralen Zugänge wurden intraoperative oder postoperative zugangsspezifische Komplikationen festgestellt. Im gesamten Patientenkollektiv konnte eine signifikante Reduktion des a.p.-Cobb-Winkels von präoperativ 16° ± 6° auf 3° ± 2° postoperativ (p < 0,001) erreicht werden.
Total-minimalinvasive Ösophagektomie
Authors: Müller-Stich Beat , Schmidt Thomas , Nienhüser Henrik , Nickel Felix , Billeter Adrian , Diener Markus , Ulrich Alexis , Büchler Markus W.
Published: March 2020

Hintergrund

Die onkologische Ösophagektomie ist mit hoher Morbidität verbunden. Mit minimal invasiven Operationsverfahren ist verschiedentlich versucht worden, diese zu reduzieren. Hauptproblem ist dabei die intrathorakale Anastomose. Es existieren verschiedene Techniken, mit dem Problem umzugehen, wie die Anlage einer funktionell problematischen zervikalen Anastomose, die offene Anlage der thorakalen Anastomose (Hybrid-Technik) oder die robotergestützte Anlage der technisch sehr anspruchsvollen Zirkularstapleranastomose. Als minimal invasiv auch ohne Roboterassistenz relativ einfach machbare Alternative zeigen wir die intrathorakale Seit-zu-Seit Ösophagogastrostomie in Linearstapler-Technik.

Operationstechnik

Der abdominelle Teil erfolgt in French-Lagerung. Nach Dissektion des Omentum majus entlang der gastroepiploischen Arkade und des Milzhilus sowie Trennung des Omentum minus 6 cm präpylorisch wird ein 4,5 cm breiter Magenschlauch in Linearstaplertechnik gebildet. Dann erfolgt die systematische abdominale und transmediastinale Lymphadenekotmie. Nach Umlagerung des Patienten in Links-Seitenlage wird die Lymphadenektomie thorakal komplettiert und das Präparat entfernt. Die Seit-zu-Seit Ösophagogastrostomie beginnt mit der Inzision des Ösophagusstumpfes. Dann wird der Magenschlauch mesonah 5 cm vom oralen Absetzungsrand inzidiert und ein Linearstapler über 3 cm in die beiden Inzisionen eingebracht und abgefeuert. Die verbleibende Öffnung wird mit einer fortlaufenden Naht modifiziert zweireihig quer verschlossen.

Diskussion

Die Seit-zu-Seit Ösophagogastrostomie in Linearstapler-Technik scheint eine einfache und sichere Alternative für die Rekonstruktion nach minimal invasiver Ösophagektomie zu sein. Die Methode wird aktuell in einer randomisiert kontrollierten Studie untersucht.
Psoriasis bei Dupilumab-behandeltem atopischem Ekzem
Authors: Senner S. , Eicher L. , Aszodi N. , Prinz J. C. , French L. E. , Wollenberg A.
Published: March 2020

Dupilumab ist ein monoklonaler Antikörper, der an die gemeinsame α‑Kette des IL(Interleukin)-4- und IL-13-Rezeptors bindet und den Th(T-Helferzelle)2-Signalweg blockiert, der bei der Entstehung des atopischen Ekzems eine Schlüsselrolle spielt. Wir berichten über den Fall eines 40-jährigen Patienten, der nach 6 Wochen Dupilumab-Therapie eine histologisch gesicherte Psoriasis entwickelte. Das eigenmächtige, abrupte Absetzen der ungewöhnlichen, nicht leitliniengerechten oralen Steroidtherapie und die Blockade des Th2-Signalwegs durch Dupilumab dürften die entscheidenden Auslösefaktoren für die erstmalige Ausbildung der Psoriasis bei unserem Patienten gewesen sein.
Dominant gut Prevotella copri in gastrectomised non-obese diabetic Goto–Kakizaki rats improves glucose homeostasis through enhanced FXR signalling
Authors: Péan Noémie , Le Lay Aurelie , Brial Francois , Wasserscheid Jessica , Rouch Claude , Vincent Mylène , Myridakis Antonis , Hedjazi Lyamine , Dumas Marc-Emmanuel , Grundberg Elin , Lathrop Mark , Magnan Christophe , Dewar Ken , Gauguier Dominique
Published: March 2020

Aims/hypothesis

Drug and surgical-based therapies in type 2 diabetes are associated with altered gut microbiota architecture. Here we investigated the role of the gut microbiome in improved glucose homeostasis following bariatric surgery.

Methods

We carried out gut microbiome analyses in gastrectomised (by vertical sleeve gastrectomy [VSG]) rats of the Goto–Kakizaki (GK) non-obese model of spontaneously occurring type 2 diabetes, followed by physiological studies in the GK rat.

Results

VSG in the GK rat led to permanent improvement of glucose tolerance associated with minor changes in the gut microbiome, mostly characterised by significant enrichment of caecalPrevotella copri. Gut microbiota enrichment withP. copriin GK rats through permissive antibiotic treatment, inoculation of gut microbiota isolated from gastrectomised GK rats, and direct inoculation ofP. copri, resulted in significant improvement of glucose tolerance, independent of changes in body weight. Plasma bile acids were increased in GK rats following inoculation withP. copriandP. copri-enriched microbiota from VSG-treated rats; the inoculated GK rats then showed increased liver glycogen and upregulated expression ofFxr(also known asNr1h4),Srebf1c,Chrebp(also known asMlxipl) andIl10and downregulated expression ofCyp7a1.

Conclusions

Our data underline the impact of intestinalP. coprion improved glucose homeostasis through enhanced bile acid metabolism and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signalling, which may represent a promising opportunity for novel type 2 diabetes therapeutics.
Assessment of cervical spine involvement in rheumatoid arthritis patients in the era of biologics: a real-life, cross-sectional MRI study
Authors: Oláh Csaba , Kardos Zsófia , Kostyál László , Hodosi Katalin , Tamási László , Bereczki Dániel , Szekanecz Zoltán
Published: March 2020

Cervical spine involvement may lead to severe complications in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the era of modern therapies, atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) may be rare; however, it may still be detected in asymptomatic patients. The onset of myelopathy can occur at any time. Altogether 49 female RA patients were included. Among them, 15 were methotrexate treated, biologic free, while 34 patients received biologics. The patients had no cervical pain or any neurological symptoms. We assessed the first (C1) and second (C2) cervical vertebrae by 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition to AAS, we also determined odontoid erosion or periodontal soft tissue thickening. We associated our MRI findings with clinical, laboratory parameters, and hand radiography. We detected anterior AAS and soft tissue thickening in one-quarter, while odontoid erosions in eight (16%) of RA patients. There were no significant differences among the therapeutic subgroups. No posterior or vertical AAS was seen. Anterior AAS was associated with higher degree of inflammation, soft tissue thickening was seen at younger age, while odontoid erosions were associated with van der Heijde–Sharp scores of the hand. None of the patients had any lesions requiring surgery. The presence of cervical involvement in RA patients with 10–11 years of disease duration is still an important and frequent phenomenon. Higher disease activity and erosive disease are associated with atlantoaxial involvement. 3 T MRI is a sensitive method to assess AAS, as well as soft tissue lesions and odontoid erosions.
Quantitative coronary computed tomography angiography for the detection of cardiac allograft vasculopathy
Authors: Foldyna Borek , Sandri Marcus , Luecke Christian , Garbade Jens , Gohmann Robin , Hahn Jochen , Fischer Julia , Gutberlet Matthias , Lehmkuhl Lukas
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To associate coronary wall volume and composition, derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA), with cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) detected on invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in heart-transplanted (HTX) patients.

Methods

We included consecutive adults who received ICA and coronary CTA for evaluation of CAV ≥ 10 months after HTX. In all coronary segments, we assessed lumen and wall volumes and segmental length, calculated volume-length ratio (VLR) (volumes indexed by segmental length; mm3/mm), wall burden (WB) (wall/wall + lumen volumes; %), and assessed proportions of calcified, fibrotic, fibro-fatty, and low-attenuation tissue (%) in coronary wall. We rendered independent CTA measures associated with CAV by ICA, tested their discriminatory capacity, and assessed concordance between CTA and ICA.

Results

Among 50 patients (84% men; 53.6 ± 11.9 years), we analyzed 632 coronary segments. Mean interval between HTX and CTA was 6.7 ± 4.7 years and between ICA and CTA 1 (0–1) day. Segmental VLR, WB, and proportion of fibrotic tissue were independently associated with CAV (OR = 1.06–1.27; p ≤ 0.002), reaching a high discriminatory capacity (combination of all three: AUC = 0.84; 95%CI, 0.75–0.90). Concordance between CTA and ICA was higher in advanced CAV (88%) compared with that in none (37%) and mild (19%) CAV. Discordance was primarily driven by a large number of segments with coronary wall changes on CTA but without luminal stenoses on ICA (177/591; 25%).

Conclusion

CTA-derived coronary wall VLR, WB, and the proportion of fibrotic tissue are independent markers of CAV. Combination of these three parameters may aid the detection of early CAV not detected by ICA, the current standard of care.

Key Points

• Coronary CTA detects CAV in HTX patients.

• Coronary wall volume-length ratio, wall burden, and proportion of fibrotic tissue are independently associated with CAV.

• In contrast to ICA, coronary CTA may identify the early stages of CAV.
Fine-scale delineation of Symbiodiniaceae genotypes on a previously bleached central Red Sea reef system demonstrates a prevalence of coral host-specific associations
Authors: Hume B. C. C. , Mejia-Restrepo A. , Voolstra C. R. , Berumen M. L.
Published: March 2020

Widespread coral bleaching occurred in the central Red Sea in 2010 and 2015. During both events, a cross-shelf and depth gradient of bleaching severity was identified within the Thuwal reef system, central Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. While bleaching and survival of coral taxa were monitored, neither in situ reef temperatures nor coral-associated algal communities (family Symbiodiniaceae) were characterized. Here, we determined coral host-associated Symbiodiniaceae communities and monitored temperatures along the same cross-shelf and depth gradient on six reefs in 2017 to better understand the role of these factors in the observed bleaching patterns and to generate a baseline for further studies. We characterized > 600 coral–algal associations across winter and summer in six genera of scleractinian coral (Pocillopora, Stylophora, Seriatopora, Galaxea, Gardineroseris, and Porites) and one fire coral (Family Milleporidae) using ITS2 next-generation sequencing in conjunction with the SymPortal analytical framework. We show that previous bleaching patterns correlate poorly with the largely coral host-specific structure of the 2017 Symbiodiniaceae community and are in better agreement with absolute and intraday sea water temperature variations monitored on the reefs. We demonstrate a greater distinctiveness of Symbiodiniaceae communities at the more severely bleached inshore reefs compared to those reefs further offshore. However, the potential Symbiodiniaceae community changes at these reefs prior to our sampling prevent us from evaluating this distinctiveness as determinative of the differences in bleaching severities. Based on our analyses, we discuss how fine-scale delineation of algal genotypes, including host-specific putative genotypes of Durusdinium trenchii that represent alluring targets for further taxonomic identification, corroborate a niche-adapted rather than generalist character of many coral–Symbiodiniaceae associations. In conclusion, as studies such as this one continue to build the global catalogue of coral–Symbiodiniaceae associations, we may be afforded a better oversight of how specialized coral–algal associations really are and how restricted their modification may be, both of which are critical considerations in predicting the adaptive potential of corals and the reef ecosystems they build.
Analysis of Artifacts in Shell-Based Image Inpainting: Why They Occur and How to Eliminate Them
Authors: Hocking L. Robert , Holding Thomas , Schönlieb Carola-Bibiane
Published: March 2020

In this paper we study a class of fast geometric image inpainting methods based on the idea of filling the inpainting domain in successive shells from its boundary inwards. Image pixels are filled by assigning them a color equal to a weighted average of their already filled neighbors. However, there is flexibility in terms of the order in which pixels are filled, the weights used for averaging, and the neighborhood that is averaged over. Varying these degrees of freedom leads to different algorithms, and indeed the literature contains several methods falling into this general class. All of them are very fast, but at the same time all of them leave undesirable artifacts such as “kinking” (bending) or blurring of extrapolated isophotes. Our objective in this paper is to build a theoretical model in order to understand why these artifacts occur and what, if anything, can be done about them. Our model is based on two distinct limits: a continuum limit in which the pixel width$$h \rightarrow 0$$h→0and an asymptotic limit in which$$h > 0$$h>0but$$h \ll 1$$h≪1. The former will allow us to explain “kinking” artifacts (and what to do about them) while the latter will allow us to understand blur. Both limits are derived based on a connection between the class of algorithms under consideration and stopped random walks. At the same time, we consider a semi-implicit extension in which pixels in a given shell are solved for simultaneously by solving a linear system. We prove (within the continuum limit) that this extension is able to completely eliminate kinking artifacts, which we also prove must always be present in the direct method. Finally, we show that although our results are derived in the context of inpainting, they are in fact abstract results that apply more generally. As an example, we show how our theory can also be applied to a problem in numerical linear algebra.
Investigating professed and enacted epistemic beliefs about the uncertainty of scientific knowledge when students evaluate scientific controversies
Authors: Lang Fabian , Kammerer Yvonne , Stürmer Kathleen , Gerjets Peter
Published: March 2020

Prior research on epistemic beliefs, that is, individuals’ views about knowledge and knowing, has mainly focused either on individuals’ professed beliefs (as reported in questionnaires) or on their enacted beliefs (as indicated during task processing). However, little is known about the relation between professed and enacted epistemic beliefs. The present study focused on beliefs about the uncertainty of scientific knowledge and investigated both professed and enacted beliefs in the context of evaluations of scientific controversies. Participants were N = 79 university students who first completed a questionnaire that targeted their professed uncertainty beliefs about scientific knowledge. Then, approximately 1 week later, they completed a standardized test in which they evaluated five scientific controversies. Cued retrospective verbal reports were used to measure their enacted uncertainty beliefs while taking the test. Results revealed that professed and enacted uncertainty beliefs were interrelated and that both variables predicted individuals’ performance with regard to the evaluation of scientific controversies. Furthermore, the effect of professed uncertainty beliefs on controversy-evaluation performance was partly mediated by enacted uncertainty beliefs. The findings of the present study point toward novel theoretical insights and educational implications regarding the relations between professed and enacted beliefs about the uncertainty of scientific knowledge and their role in individuals’ evaluation of scientific controversies.