bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individual Lesion-Level Meta-Analysis Comparing Various Doses of Intracoronary Bolus Injection of Adenosine With Intravenous Administration of Adenosine for Fractional Flow Reserve Assessment
Authors: Wijntjens Gilbert W.M. , van Uffelen Ellen L. , Echavarría-Pinto Mauro , Casadonte Lorena , Stegehuis Valérie E. , Murai Tadashi , Marques Koen M.J. , Yoon Myeong-Ho , Tahk Seung-Jea , Casella Gianni , Leone Antonio M. , López Palop Ramón , Schlundt Christian , Rivero Fernando , Petraco Ricardo , Fearon William F. , Johnson Nils P. , Jeremias Allen , Koo Bon-Kwon , Piek Jan J. , van de Hoef Tim P.
Published: December 2019

Background:

Intravenous infusion of adenosine is considered standard practice for fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment but is associated with adverse side-effects and is time-consuming. Intracoronary bolus injection of adenosine is better tolerated by patients, cheaper, and less time-consuming. However, current literature remains fragmented and modestly sized regarding the equivalence of intracoronary versus intravenous adenosine. We aim to investigate the relationship between intracoronary adenosine and intravenous adenosine to determine FFR.

Methods:

We performed a lesion-level meta-analysis to compare intracoronary adenosine with intravenous adenosine (140 µg/kg per minute) for FFR assessment. The search was conducted in accordance to the Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement. Lesion-level data were obtained by contacting the respective authors or by digitization of scatterplots using custom-made software. Intracoronary adenosine dose was defined as; low: <40 µg, intermediate: 40 to 99 µg, and high: ≥100 µg.

Results:

We collected 1972 FFR measurements (1413 lesions) comparing intracoronary with intravenous adenosine from 16 studies. There was a strong correlation (correlation coefficient =0.915;
P
<0.001) between intracoronary-FFR and intravenous-FFR. Mean FFR was 0.81±0.11 for intracoronary adenosine and 0.81±0.11 for intravenous adenosine (
P
<0.001). We documented a nonclinically relevant mean difference of 0.006 (limits of agreement: −0.066 to 0.078) between the methods. When stratified by the intracoronary adenosine dose, mean differences between intracoronary and intravenous-FFR amounted to 0.004, 0.011, or 0.000 FFR units for low-dose, intermediate-dose, and high-dose intracoronary adenosine, respectively.

Conclusions:

The present study documents clinically irrelevant differences in FFR values obtained with intracoronary versus intravenous adenosine. Intracoronary adenosine hence confers a practical and patient-friendly alternative for intravenous adenosine for FFR assessment.
Influence of Genetic Variation in
PDE3A
on Endothelial Function and Stroke
Authors: Traylor Matthew , Amin Al Olama Ali , Lyytikäinen Leo-Pekka , Marini Sandro , Chung Jaeyoon , Malik Rainer , Dichgans Martin , Kähönen Mika , Lehtimäki Terho , Anderson Christopher D. , Raitakari Olli T. , Markus Hugh S.
Published: December 2019

We aimed to characterize the genetics of endothelial function and how this influences risk for cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic stroke. We integrated genetic data from a study of ultrasound flow-mediated dilatation of brachial artery in adolescents from ALSPAC (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children; n=5214) with a study of ischemic stroke (MEGASTROKE: n=60 341 cases and 452 969 controls) to identify variants that confer risk of ischemic stroke through altered endothelial function. We identified a variant in
PDE3A
(Phosphodiesterase 3A), encoding phosphodiesterase 3A, which was associated with flow-mediated dilatation in adolescents (9–12 years of age; β[SE], 0.38 [0.070];
P
=3.8×10
−8
) and confers risk of ischemic stroke (odds ratio, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.02–1.06];
P
=5.2×10
−6
). Bayesian colocalization analyses showed the same underlying variation is likely to lead to both associations (posterior probability, 97%). The same variant was associated with flow-mediated dilatation in a second study in young adults (age, 24–27 years; β[SE], 0.47 [0.23];
P
=0.047) but not in older adults (β[SE], −0.012 [0.13];
P
=0.89). We conclude that a genetic variant in
PDE3A
influences endothelial function in early life and leads to increased risk of ischemic stroke. Subtle, measurable changes to the vasculature that are influenced by genetics also influence risk of ischemic stroke.
Did Paul Really Think He Wasn’t Going to Die?
Authors: Doole J. Andrew
Published: December 2019

It is often claimed that Paul expected the Lord to return in glory within his lifetime, based in part on the text of 1 Thess 4:13–18. Those who have a theological interest in denying Paul’s mistaken optimism have to bend over backwards to explain why this wasn’t the case. The use of the First Person Plural in this passage however may be indicative that Paul was not actually making this claim for himself at all. Both the content and the context suggest rather that Paul, Silvanus and Timothy were providing the Thessalonian Christians with a “soundbite” for mutual and reciprocal encouragement when they met as a community. Indeed, Paul may have used First Person Plural soundbites throughout his ministry.
The ‘Islamic’ Deployed
Authors: Emon Anver M.
Published: December 2019

This Fieldnote challenges scholars of Islam and Muslims to consider how the production of knowledge on Islam and Muslims has long been, and continues to be, intimately associated with projects of governance, whether by the modern state or premodern regime. The present is simply a particularly robust historical period during which, wherever one might stand on the political spectrum, the study of Islam is undertaken in the shadow of the state—a disaggregated project of law and justice, border control, national security, and regulation. This Fieldnote recasts Islam and Muslim in an adjectival sense—‘Islamic’ and ‘Muslim’—in order to highlight their variability in relation to the purposes for which they are deployed. To better understand the dynamics by which the ‘Islamic’ is deployed for purposes of state projects, this Fieldnote outlines four registers of analysis—time, space, scale, and rhetoric—to inspire new research on the production of knowledge in the academic study of Islam and Muslims today.
Zheng He’s Military Interventions in South Asia, 1405–1433
Authors: Sen Tansen
Published: December 2019

By examining the activities of Zheng He and members of his expeditions at the Malabar Coast, Sri Lanka, and Bengal, this article argues that the Yongle emperor wanted to exert military power in South Asia in order to legitimize his usurpation at the Ming court. The essay analyzes Zheng He’s intervention in the dispute between Calicut and Cochin, the armed conflict in Sri Lanka in 1410-11, and the expedition’s involvement in a dispute between Bengal and its neighboring polity, Jaunpur. These episodes in South Asia make it difficult to accept the modern representations of the Zheng He expeditions as diplomatic missions intended to promote peace and harmony. Rather, they were, as the essay contends, part of the Yongle emperor’s aim to establish hegemony over “all the known world under the Heaven” or the tianxia.
Latino grandparents’ perception of disagreements with parents in children’s leisure time physical activity
Authors: Xie Hui , Caldwell Linda L , Loy Steven
Published: December 2019

Background:

Latino grandparents are often involved in the care and rearing of grandchildren and may help parents in promoting children’s leisure time physical activity (LTPA). However, potential disagreements between grandparents and parents may undermine their collaboration and subsequently their support for children’s LTPA.

Aim:

The purpose of this study was to explore Latino grandparents’ perception of disagreements with parents in children’s (age 2–12) LTPA.

Methods:

Qualitative data were collected from 53 Latino grandparents in Los Angeles County, USA, using four semi-structured focus groups and 26 semi-structured interviews. Transcribed data were systematically and iteratively coded and analysed.

Results:

Many Latino grandparents disagreed with parents’ sedentary lifestyle, permissive parenting and lack of support for children’s LTPA. In addition, Latino grandparents described disagreement with parents in specific issues such as children’s LTPA options and safety during LTPA.

Conclusion:

There were disagreements between Latino grandparents and parents concerning children’s LTPA. Health researchers and practitioners should be aware of those disagreements and consider using education/intervention programmes to reduce the tension between Latino grandparents and parents and increase their collaborative support for children’s LTPA.
Calibration of the material parameters of a CFRP laminate for numerical simulations
Authors: Gilioli A , Manes A , Giglio M
Published: December 2019

The aim of present paper is to show a procedure to calibrate mechanical properties to be used in a finite element model for a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic laminate that use solid elements. A reduced experimental programme including tensile test, tensile test on specimen with a central hole, three-point bending test and three-point bending test on short beam test were carried out. Every test was numerically reproduced by means of an explicit solver. Properties are determined from the tensile test and unmodified for the other load scenarios which are used as validation benchmarks. Finally, it is demonstrated that the properties determined with the simple tensile tests can guarantee accurate results when adopted to simulate much more complicated stress patterns.
Efficient structure crash topology optimization strategy using a model order reduction method combined with equivalent static loads
Authors: Ren Chun , Min Haitao , Ma Tianfei , Wang Fangquan
Published: December 2019

In this study, an efficient topology optimization method under crash loads is proposed by combining the equivalent static loads with a model order reduction method, which is referred as the reduced model–based equivalent static loads method for nonlinear dynamic response topology optimization method. Considering that some parts of the vehicle experience large nonlinear deformations, whereas others exhibit only small linear deformations in a vehicle crash scenario, the linear and nonlinear behavior parts are identified and the whole model of the complete structure is divided into nonlinear and linear sub-models. At each cycle, the model order reduction method is used in the linear sub-model during crash analysis to solve the low-density-elements-induced mesh distortion problem and accelerate this process. In the linear static topology optimization, the nonlinear sub-model that was initially used to describe the nonlinear behavior part is linearized by the equivalent static loads method and then reduced by the Guyan reduction method. Then, the reduced equivalent static load model is assembled into the linear sub-model that is defined as the design space to formulate a reduced topology optimization model of the complete structure and the reduced equivalent static loads that only act on master degrees of freedom are calculated. Finally, the linear static topology optimization is performed based on the reduced topology optimization model with the reduced equivalent static loads to enhance the efficiency and improve the numerical stability. The process is repeated until the convergence criterion is satisfied. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by investing a numerical example. The results show that the proposed method provides a feasible strategy for the topology optimization under crash loads, which can effectively improve the numerical stability and convergence.
Simultaneous fault detection and isolation and fault-tolerant control using supervisory control technique: asynchronous switching approach
Authors: Roshanravan Sajad , Shamaghdari Saeed
Published: December 2019

This article focuses on the design of a novel active fault-tolerant control scheme based on supervisory control technique for a class of nonlinear systems. This framework relies on a supervisory switching among a finite family of predesigned candidate controllers, which simultaneously performs isolation and accommodation of intermittent faults. This method does not require any additional model or filter bank for fault isolation. Two controller switching algorithms are introduced based on the dwell time and state which are designed especially for this purpose. There is often some time delay between fault occurrence and accommodation. This delay, which is called as the fault detection and isolation delay, causes the asynchronous switching between the system mode and the candidate controller. For the investigation of the stability of the faulty system under asynchronous switching, we explicitly construct piecewise Lyapunov function based on the knowledge of the known Lyapunov function for each operating mode. Then, by using this piecewise Lyapunov function, a new average dwell-time condition is provided on the maximum admissible fault occurrence rate. This condition guarantees the input-to-state stability of the system with respect to the reference signal. The behavior and performance of the proposed fault-tolerant control/fault detection and isolation scheme are demonstrated on the pitch-axis air vehicle model. The hardware-in-the-loop simulation is an important test for the evaluation of the air vehicle autopilot system before flight test. Therefore, the hardware-in-the-loop simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in the autopilot control loop.
Barriers and Facilitators in the Recruitment and Retention of More Than 250 Small Independent Primary Care Practices for EvidenceNOW
Authors: Cuthel Allison , Rogers Erin , Daniel Flora , Carroll Emily , Pham-Singer Hang , Shelley Donna
Published: December 2019

Few studies have examined factors that facilitate recruitment of small independent practices (SIPs) (<5 full-time clinicians) to participate in research and methods for optimizing retention. The authors analyzed qualitative data (eg, recruiter’s field notes and diary entries, provider interviews) to identify barriers and facilitators encountered in recruiting and retaining 257 practices in HealthyHearts New York City (NYC). This study was a stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial that took place 2015 through 2018 across 5 boroughs in NYC. Three main factors facilitated rapid recruitment: (1) a prior well-established relationship with the local health department, (2) alignment of project goals with practice priorities, and (3) providing appropriate monetary incentives. Retention was facilitated through similar mechanisms and an ongoing multifaceted communication strategy. This article identifies specific strategies that enhance recruitment of SIPs and fills gaps in knowledge about factors that influence retention in the context of a design that requires waiting to receive the intervention.
Effects of high hydrostatic pressure and soaking solution on proximate composition, polyphenols, anthocyanins, β-carotene, and antioxidant activity of white, orange, and purple fleshed sweet potato flour
Authors: Azeem Muhammad , Mu Tai-Hua , Zhang Miao
Published: December 2019

Effects of high hydrostatic pressure (100, 200, and 400 MPa) and soaking solution (citric acid, calcium chloride, ascorbic acid, and distilled water) on proximate composition, polyphenols, anthocyanins, β-carotene, and antioxidant activity of white, orange, and purple fleshed sweet potato flour were investigated. Total polyphenol content was increased in sweet potato flour of Jishu 98 (white) at 200 MPa with ascorbic acid and Pushu 32 (orange) at 0.1 MPa with ascorbic acid treatment (0.51 and 0.83 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight, respectively), but was decreased in Xuzishu No. 3 (purple) in both high hydrostatic pressure and soaking solution treatments. Total anthocyanin content was declined in all treated sweet potato flour. Nevertheless, high hydrostatic pressure with citric acid, calcium chloride, and distilled water significantly increased the β-carotene content in Pushu 32. Correlation analysis between total polyphenol content, total anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity suggested that polyphenols are the most pivotal antioxidant in sweet potato flour. High hydrostatic pressure and soaking solution treated sweet potato flour could be potentially utilized in food with acceptable nutritional values.
Contributions of the Capsule and Labrum to Hip Mechanics in the Context of Hip Microinstability
Authors: Johannsen Adam M. , Ejnisman Leandro , Behn Anthony W. , Shibata Kotaro , Thio Timothy , Safran Marc R.
Published: December 2019

Background:

Hip microinstability and labral pathology are commonly treated conditions with increasing research emphasis. To date, there is limited understanding of the biomechanical effects of the hip capsule and labrum on controlling femoral head motion.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative role of anterior capsular laxity and labral insufficiency in atraumatic hip microinstability. Our hypotheses were that (1) labral tears in a capsular intact state will have a minimal effect on femoral head motion and (2) the capsule and labrum work synergistically in controlling hip stability.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Twelve paired hip specimens from 6 cadaveric pelvises (age, 18-41 years) met the inclusion criteria. Specimens were stripped of all soft tissue except the hip capsule and labrum, then aligned, cut, and potted using a custom jig. A materials testing system was used to cyclically stretch the anterior hip capsule in extension and external rotation, while rotating about the mechanical axis of the hip. Labral insufficiency was created with a combined radial and chondrolabral tear under direct visualization. A motion tracking system was used to record hip internal-external rotation and displacement of the femoral head relative to the acetabulum in the anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and superior-inferior directions. Testing variables included baseline, postventing, postcapsular stretching, and postlabral insufficiency.

Results:

When comparing the vented state with each experimental pathologic state, increases in femoral head motion were noted in both the capsular laxity state and the labral insufficiency state. The combined labral insufficiency and capsular laxity state produced statistically significant increases ( P < .001) in femoral head translation compared with the vented state in all planes of motion.

Conclusion:

Both the anterior capsule and labrum play a role in hip stability. In this study, the anterior hip capsule was the primary stabilizer to femoral head translation, but labral tears in the setting of capsular laxity produced the most significant increases in femoral head translation.

Clinical Relevance:

This study provides a physiologic biomechanical assessment of the hip constraints in the setting of hip microinstability. It also sheds light on the importance of the hip capsule in the management of labral tears. Our study demonstrates that labral tears in isolation provide minimal changes in femoral head translation, but in the setting of a deficient capsule, significant increases in femoral head translation are seen, which may result in joint-related symptoms.
Demographics and outcome of histologically confirmed intracranial meningiomas
Authors: Kamenova Maria , Guzman Raphael , Soleman Jehuda
Published: December 2019

Objective:

Meningiomas represent the most common intracranial extraaxial neoplasia in adults, accounting for a third of all diagnosed primary tumors of the brain. Despite decades of research, relatively little data on demographics of meningiomas exist. The aim of our study was to undertake an analysis of demographics and outcome of patients who underwent meningioma surgery over an 8-year time period at our institution.

Methods:

We reviewed 187 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed meningioma. Demographic data, tumor location and side, surgical resection grade, and histopathological and radiological data were collected and assessed for all patients. Furthermore, recurrence, morbidity, and mortality were evaluated.

Results:

Of the 187 consecutive patients undergoing meningioma resection over a period of 8 years, 131 (70.1%) were women ( p < 0.001). Meningiomas were classified as World Health Organization (WHO) grade I, grade II, and grade III in 66.8%, 31.0%, and 2.1%, of the cases, respectively ( p < 0.001). MIB-1 proliferation index was <1 in 7.5%, 1–5 in 52.9%, 6–10 in 22.4%, >10 in 11.8% of the lesions ( p < 0.001). In 82.4% of the cases, gross total resection was achieved. Recurrence occurred in 23 patients (12.3%), while overall morbidity and mortality rate was 41.2% and 7.7%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Based on our results, women are more than twice as likely to be affected, and the peak age is between 60 years and 70 years. Recurrence rate in our cohort was relatively low when compared to the data in the literature. The diagnosis of WHO grade II meningiomas, 31% in our cohort, is increasing since the 2007 WHO criteria have been published.
Localizing Value of the Signs and Symptoms of Posterior Circulation Infarctions: A Logistic Regression Analysis
Authors: Pazdera Ladislav , Vysata Oldřich , Kukal Jaromir , Tran Quang Van , Mojzes Matej , Caplan Louis Robert
Published: December 2019

Introduction: Anatomical localization of brain infarcts based on clinical symptoms and signs is a key step in stroke diagnosis, but evidence linking specific clinical features with infarct locations is limited. We aimed to identify symptoms and signs of ischemic events that statistically favor precise posterior circulation locations.

Patients and Methods: We analyzed data from the New England Medical Center Posterior Circulation Registry for 407 adults with previous posterior circulation ischemia (confirmed by brain/vascular imaging). Using multivariate logistic regression and the binary sorting table method, we determined the negative and positive predictive values of 24 signs and symptoms for infarct localization within the proximal, middle, or distal posterior circulation territories.

Results: Visual field defect (hemianopia) was a positive or negative sign for all 3 brain stem regions. The presence of visual field defect positively correlated only with the distal region ( P < .001), and its absence indicated infarction in the proximal ( P = .007) or middle ( P < .001) territories. Visual field defect showed the greatest localizing sensitivity and specificity with other signs: visual field defect absence with presence of nausea−vomiting for the proximal region, or hemiparesis and other motor signs in the middle region; presence of visual field defect alone or with absence of generalized weakness in the distal region.

Discussion and Conclusion: Presence of visual field defect alone statistically confirms the occurrence of a distal region infarct and excludes proximal or middle territory involvement. Moreover, presence or absence of this sign in the presence of other signs or symptoms localizes the event to proximal or middle regions.
Diagnosing Gallbladder Perforation With Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: A Case Report
Authors: Hunt Talisha M. , Boyum James H.
Published: December 2019

Gallbladder perforation is a rare and severe complication of acute cholecystitis. Sonography is typically the first modality of choice for assessing gallbladder pathology due to its high sensitivity, portability, real-time imaging capability, and nonionizing technique. Gray-scale and color Doppler sonographic imaging may be equivocal for diagnosing perforation. In the presented case, gallbladder wall perforation was definitively diagnosed utilizing contrast-enhanced ultrasound, allowing for prompt treatment and a successful patient outcome.
Ibrutinib, but not zanubrutinib, induces platelet receptor shedding of GPIb-IX-V complex and integrin αIIbβ3 in mice and humans
Authors: Dobie Gasim , Kuriri Fahd A. , Omar Musab M. A. , Alanazi Fehaid , Gazwani Ali M. , Tang Chloe P. S. , Sze Daniel Man-yuen , Handunnetti Sasanka M. , Tam Constantine , Jackson Denise E.
Published: December 2019

Key Points

Ibrutinib but not zanubrutinib induces shedding of GPIb-IX complex in an ADAM17-dependent manner; GPIX has not been shown previously. Ibrutinib, but not zanubrutinib, induces shedding of integrin αIIbβ3 by an unknown sheddase.
Venetoclax for AML: changing the treatment paradigm
Authors: Pollyea Daniel A. , Amaya Maria , Strati Paolo , Konopleva Marina Y.
Published: December 2019

Venetoclax is a specific B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitor that can restore activation of apoptosis in malignancies, the survival of which depends on dysregulation of this pathway. Preclinical data, using various model systems including cell lines and patient samples, suggested targeting BCL-2 could be a successful therapeutic strategy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). As predicted by this work, the use of venetoclax in the clinical setting has resulted in promising outcomes for patients with this disease. Although venetoclax showed limited activity as a single agent in the relapsed disease setting, recent studies have shown that when combined with a backbone therapy of a hypomethylating agent or low-dose cytarabine, high response rates with encouraging remission durations for older patients with newly diagnosed AML who were not candidates for intensive induction chemotherapy were observed. Furthermore, venetoclax-based therapies allowed for rapid responses and were able to effectively target the leukemia stem cell population. Here we review the preclinical data that supported the development of venetoclax in AML, as well as the results of the promising clinical trials.
An Efficient Cell-Targeting Drug Delivery System Based on Aptamer-Modified Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhao Weihua , Tan Wenwen , Lai Zongqiang , Fang Dong , Jiang Lei , Zuo Chuantian , Yang Nuo , Lai Yongrong
Published: December 2019

How to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs efficiently and selectively to tumor cells to improve therapeutic efficacy remains a difficult problem. We herein construct an efficient cell-targeting drug delivery system (Sgc8-MSN/Dox) based on aptamer-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles that relies on the tumor-targeting ability of the aptamer Sgc8 to deliver doxorubicin (Dox) to leukemia cells in a targeted way, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing toxicity. In this work, Sgc8-MSN/Dox showed sustained Dox release, and they targeted and efficiently killed CCRF-CEM human acute T lymphocyte leukemia cells, suggesting potential as a cancer therapy.
Dynamically characterizing individual clinical change by the steady state of disease-associated pathway
Authors: Sun Shaoyan , Yu Xiangtian , Sun Fengnan , Tang Ying , Zhao Juan , Zeng Tao
Published: December 2019

Background

Along with the development of precision medicine, individual heterogeneity is attracting more and more attentions in clinical research and application. Although the biomolecular reaction seems to be some various when different individuals suffer a same disease (e.g. virus infection), the final pathogen outcomes of individuals always can be mainly described by two categories in clinics, i.e. symptomatic and asymptomatic. Thus, it is still a great challenge to characterize the individual specific intrinsic regulatory convergence during dynamic gene regulation and expression. Except for individual heterogeneity, the sampling time also increase the expression diversity, so that, the capture of similar steady biological state is a key to characterize individual dynamic biological processes.

Results

Assuming the similar biological functions (e.g. pathways) should be suitable to detect consistent functions rather than chaotic genes, we design and implement a new computational framework (ABP: Attractor analysis of Boolean network of Pathway). ABP aims to identify the dynamic phenotype associated pathways in a state-transition manner, using the network attractor to model and quantify the steady pathway states characterizing the final steady biological sate of individuals (e.g. normal or disease). By analyzing multiple temporal gene expression datasets of virus infections, ABP has shown its effectiveness on identifying key pathways associated with phenotype change; inferring the consensus functional cascade among key pathways; and grouping pathway activity states corresponding to disease states.

Conclusions

Collectively, ABP can detect key pathways and infer their consensus functional cascade during dynamical process (e.g. virus infection), and can also categorize individuals with disease state well, which is helpful for disease classification and prediction.
Bacterial communities in the gut of wild and mass-reared Zeugodacus cucurbitae and Bactrocera dorsalis revealed by metagenomic sequencing
Authors: Hadapad Ashok B. , Shettigar Suresh K. G. , Hire Ramesh S.
Published: December 2019

Background

Insect pests belonging to genus Bactrocera sp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) pose major biotic stress on various fruits and vegetable crops around the world. Zeugodacus and Bactrocera sp. are associated with diverse bacterial communities which play an important role in the fitness of sterile insects. The wild populations of melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) and Oriental fruit fly,Bactrocera dorsalis(Hendel) were collected from pumpkin and mango fields, respectively. The laboratory populations of Z. cucurbitae andB. dorsaliswere mass-reared on bottle gourd and sweet banana, respectively. Bacterial communities present in the gut of wild and mass-reared mature (~ 12 days old) and newly emerged (< 1 h after emergence) male and female adults ofZ. cucurbitaeandB. dorsaliswere assessed. We used Illumina HiSeq next-generation sequencing of16S rRNAgene to profile the gut bacterial communities of wild and mass-reared mature and newly emergedZ. cucurbitaeandB. dorsalisadults.

Results

We found diverse bacterial composition in the gut of wild and mass-rearedZ. cucurbitae(ZC) andB. dorsalis(BD) with varied relative abundance. Few taxonomic groups were common to both the species. The most dominant phyla in all samples ofZ. cucurbitaeandB. dorsalisadults were Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. The phylum Proteobacteria occurred more in wildZ. cucurbitae(~ 87.72%) andB. dorsalis(~ 83.87%) as compared to mass-rearedZ. cucurbitae(64.15%) andB. dorsalis(~ 80.96%). Higher relative abundance of Phylum Firmicutes was observed in mass-reared fruit fly than wild adults. Cyanobacteria/Chloroplast and Actinobacteria were also present with very low relative abundance in both wild as well as mass-reared melon fly and Oriental fruit fly. Enterobacteriaceae (61.21%) was dominant family in the gut of both wild and mass-reared adults.ProvidenciaandLactococcuswere dominant genera with varied relative abundance in wild as well as in mass-reared mature and newly emerged fruit fly adults of both species. Some of the genera likeMorganellaandSerratiawere only detected in mass-reared mature and newly emergedZ. cucurbitaeandB. dorsalisadults. Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) showed that fruit fly adult samples were grouped based on species and age of the adults while no grouping was observed on the basis of sex of the adult fruit fly.

Conclusions

The gut bacterial communities associated with wild and mass-reared mature and newly emerged adults ofZ. cucurbitaeandB. dorsalisshowed variation that depends on species and age of the insects. Understanding the gut microbiota of wild and mass-rearedZ. cucurbitaeandB. dorsalisusing high throughput technology will help to illustrate microbial diversity and this information could be used to develop efficient mass-rearing protocols for successful implementation of sterile insect technique (SIT).
Tephritid-microbial interactions to enhance fruit fly performance in sterile insect technique programs
Authors: Deutscher Ania T. , Chapman Toni A. , Shuttleworth Lucas A. , Riegler Markus , Reynolds Olivia L.
Published: December 2019

Background

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is being applied for the management of economically important pest fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in a number of countries worldwide. The success and cost effectiveness of SIT depends upon the ability of mass-reared sterilized male insects to successfully copulate with conspecific wild fertile females when released in the field.

Methods

We conducted a critical analysis of the literature about the tephritid gut microbiome including the advancement of methods for the identification and characterization of microbiota, particularly next generation sequencing, the impacts of irradiation (to induce sterility of flies) and fruit fly rearing, and the use of probiotics to manipulate the fruit fly gut microbiota.

Results

Domestication, mass-rearing, irradiation and handling, as required in SIT, may change the structure of the fruit flies’ gut microbial community compared to that of wild flies under field conditions. Gut microbiota of tephritids are important in their hosts’ development, performance and physiology. Knowledge of how mass-rearing and associated changes of the microbial community impact the functional role of the bacteria and host biology is limited. Probiotics offer potential to encourage a gut microbial community that limits pathogens, and improves the quality of fruit flies.

Conclusions

Advances in technologies used to identify and characterize the gut microbiota will continue to expand our understanding of tephritid gut microbial diversity and community composition. Knowledge about the functions of gut microbes will increase through the use of gnotobiotic models, genome sequencing, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics and metaproteomics. The use of probiotics, or manipulation of the gut microbiota, offers significant opportunities to enhance the production of high quality, performing fruit flies in operational SIT programs.
Enterobacter sp. AA26 gut symbiont as a protein source for Mediterranean fruit fly mass-rearing and sterile insect technique applications
Authors: Kyritsis Georgios A. , Augustinos Antonios A. , Ntougias Spyridon , Papadopoulos Nikos T. , Bourtzis Kostas , Cáceres Carlos
Published: December 2019

Background

Insect species have established sophisticated symbiotic associations with diverse groups of microorganisms including bacteria which have been shown to affect several aspects of their biology, physiology, ecology and evolution. In addition, recent studies have shown that insect symbionts, including those localized in the gastrointestinal tract, can be exploited for the enhancement of sterile insect technique (SIT) applications against major insect pests such as the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) Ceratitis capitata. We previously showed that Enterobacter sp. AA26 can be used as probiotic supplement in medfly larval diet improving the productivity and accelerating the development of the VIENNA 8 genetic sexing strain (GSS), which is currently used in large scale operational SIT programs worldwide.

Results

Enterobacter sp. AA26 was an adequate nutritional source for C. capitata larvae, comprising an effective substitute for brewer’s yeast. Incorporating inactive bacterial cells in the larval diet conferred a number of substantial beneficial effects on medfly biology. The consumption of bacteria-based diet (either as full or partial yeast replacement) resulted in decreased immature stages mortality, accelerated immature development, increased pupal weight, and elongated the survival under stress conditions. Moreover, neither the partial nor the complete replacement of yeast with Enterobacter sp. AA26 had significant impact on adult sex ratio, females’ fecundity, adults’ flight ability and males’ mating competitiveness. The absence of both yeast and Enterobacter sp. AA26 (deprivation of protein source and possible other important nutrients) from the larval diet detrimentally affected the larval development, survival and elongated the immature developmental duration.

Conclusions

Enterobacter sp. AA26 dry biomass can fully replace the brewer’s yeast as a protein source in medfly larval diet without any effect on the productivity and the biological quality of reared medfly of VIENNA 8 GSS as assessed by the FAO/IAEA/USDA standard quality control tests. We discuss this finding in the context of mass-rearing and SIT applications.
Wolbachia infection in Argentinean populations of Anastrepha fraterculus sp1: preliminary evidence of sex ratio distortion by one of two strains
Authors: Conte Claudia Alejandra , Segura Diego Fernando , Milla Fabian Horacio , Augustinos Antonios , Cladera Jorge Luis , Bourtzis Kostas , Lanzavecchia Silvia Beatriz
Published: December 2019

Background

Wolbachia,one of the most abundant taxa of intracellular Alphaproteobacteria, is widespread among arthropods and filarial nematodes. The presence of these maternally inherited bacteria is associated with modifications of host fitness, including a variety of reproductive abnormalities, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, thelytokous parthenogenesis, host feminization and male-killing.Wolbachiahas attracted much interest for its role in biological, ecological and evolutionary processes as well as for its potential use in novel and environmentally-friendly strategies for the control of insect pests and disease vectors including a major agricultural pest, the South American fruit fly,Anastrepha fraterculusWiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Results

We usedwsp,16S rRNAand a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme includinggatB,coxA,hcpA,fbpA, andftsZ genes to detect and characterize theWolbachiainfection in laboratory strains and wild populations ofA. fraterculusfrom Argentina. Wolbachiawas found in allA. fraterculusindividuals studied.Nucleotide sequences analysis ofwspgene allowed the identification of twoWolbachianucleotide variants (namedwAfraCast1_A andwAfraCast2_A). After the analysis of 76 individuals, a high prevalence of thewAfraCast2_A variant was found both, in laboratory (82%) and wild populations (95%). MLST analysis identified bothWolbachiagenetic variants as sequence type 13. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated MLST datasets clusteredwAfraCast1/2_A in the supergroup A. Paired-crossing experiments among single infected laboratory strains showed a phenotype specifically associated towAfraCast1_A that includes slight detrimental effects on larval survival, a female-biased sex ratio; suggesting the induction of male-killing phenomena, and a decreased proportion of females producing descendants that appears attributable to the lack of sperm in their spermathecae.

Conclusions

We detected and characterized at the molecular level twowspgene sequence variants ofWolbachiaboth in laboratory and wild populations ofA. fraterculus sp.1 from Argentina. Crossing experiments on singly-infectedA. fraterculusstrains showed evidence of a male killing-like mechanism potentially associated to thewAfraCast1_A -A. fraterculusinteractions. Further mating experiments including antibiotic treatments and the analysis of early and late immature stages of descendants will contribute to our understanding of the phenotypes elicited by theWolbachiavariantwAfraCast1_A inA. fraterculus sp.1.
Using an artificial neural network to map cancer common data elements to the biomedical research integrated domain group model in a semi-automated manner
Authors: Renner Robinette , Li Shengyu , Huang Yulong , van der Zijp-Tan Ada Chaeli , Tan Shaobo , Li Dongqi , Kasukurthi Mohan Vamsi , Benton Ryan , Borchert Glen M. , Huang Jingshan , Jiang Guoqian
Published: December 2019

Background

The medical community uses a variety of data standards for both clinical and research reporting needs. ISO 11179 Common Data Elements (CDEs) represent one such standard that provides robust data point definitions. Another standard is the Biomedical Research Integrated Domain Group (BRIDG) model, which is a domain analysis model that provides a contextual framework for biomedical and clinical research data. Mapping the CDEs to the BRIDG model is important; in particular, it can facilitate mapping the CDEs to other standards. Unfortunately, manual mapping, which is the current method for creating the CDE mappings, is error-prone and time-consuming; this creates a significant barrier for researchers who utilize CDEs.

Methods

In this work, we developed a semi-automated algorithm to map CDEs to likely BRIDG classes. First, we extended and improved our previously developed artificial neural network (ANN) alignment algorithm. We then used a collection of 1284 CDEs with robust mappings to BRIDG classes as the gold standard to train and obtain the appropriate weights of six attributes in CDEs. Afterward, we calculated the similarity between a CDE and each BRIDG class. Finally, the algorithm produces a list of candidate BRIDG classes to which the CDE of interest may belong.

Results

For CDEs semantically similar to those used in training, a match rate of over 90% was achieved. For those partially similar, a match rate of 80% was obtained and for those with drastically different semantics, a match rate of up to 70% was achieved.

Discussion

Our semi-automated mapping process reduces the burden of domain experts. The weights are all significant in six attributes. Experimental results indicate that the availability of training data is more important than the semantic similarity of the testing data to the training data. We address the overfitting problem by selecting CDEs randomly and adjusting the ratio of training and verification samples.

Conclusions

Experimental results on real-world use cases have proven the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed methodology in mapping CDEs with BRIDG classes, both those CDEs seen before as well as new, unseen CDEs. In addition, it reduces the mapping burden and improves the mapping quality.
Parameter, noise, and tree topology effects in tumor phylogeny inference
Authors: Tomlinson Kiran , Oesper Layla
Published: December 2019

Background

Accurate inference of the evolutionary history of a tumor has important implications for understanding and potentially treating the disease. While a number of methods have been proposed to reconstruct the evolutionary history of a tumor from DNA sequencing data, it is not clear how aspects of the sequencing data and tumor itself affect these reconstructions.

Methods

We investigate when and how well these histories can be reconstructed from multi-sample bulk sequencing data when considering only single nucleotide variants (SNVs). Specifically, we examine the space of all possible tumor phylogenies under the infinite sites assumption (ISA) using several approaches for enumerating phylogenies consistent with the sequencing data.

Results

On noisy simulated data, we find that the ISA is often violated and that low coverage and high noise make it more difficult to identify phylogenies. Additionally, we find that evolutionary trees with branching topologies are easier to reconstruct accurately. We also apply our reconstruction methods to both chronic lymphocytic leukemia and clear cell renal cell carcinoma datasets and confirm that ISA violations are common in practice, especially in lower-coverage sequencing data. Nonetheless, we show that an ISA-based approach can be relaxed to produce high-quality phylogenies.

Conclusions

Consideration of practical aspects of sequencing data such as coverage or the model of tumor evolution (branching, linear, etc.) is essential to effectively using the output of tumor phylogeny inference methods. Additionally, these factors should be considered in the development of new inference methods.
Water spirits within the fishers’ worldview: implications for fishing management in Northeast Brazil
Authors: da Silva André Bastos , Lopes João Batista , Figueiredo Luciano Silva , de Barros Roseli Farias Melo , Souto Wedson Medeiros Silva , Alencar Nelson Leal , Lopes Clarissa Gomes Reis
Published: December 2019

Background

Historically, aquatic environments are linked to the worldview of many local people, where there is an interconnection between the natural world, the supernatural, and the social organization. In this study, we provided a discussion on how the supernatural beings that inhabit the freshwater systems interact with artisanal fishers and fishing resources in the riverine community of Parnaíba River middle course, in Mid North of Northeast Brazil. We also provided the implications of these interactions on the fisher’s behaviors and how the acculturation process (e.g., introduction of new religions) can affect the fishers’ worldview.

Method

The selection of participants was done through intentional sampling. The content qualitative analysis was carried out to interpret the data from semi-structured interviews with 29 artisanal fishers.

Results

The mythical representations that inhabit the aquatic environments in the surveyed area were as follows: Mãe d’ água, Cabeça de cuia, Muleque d’água, Visage, Piratinga, Sucuiuiu, and Luz e Arco-íris. These beings have distinctions regarding the form and attributions and can be associated with seasonality (temporal markers) and specific habitats (spatial markers). The respect and fear feeling of the mythical beings were striking among the fishers interviewed. For instance, we have record offering practices in order to obtain protection and success during the fisheries. These practices suggest that there may be local conservationist habits in fisheries management. However, the advancement of urbanization and the introduction of new religions that deny the existence of mythical entities are factors that can generate the acculturation process among the fishers.

Conclusions

It is therefore necessary to carry out more studies in the surveyed area in order to evaluate the existence of possible patterns in the relationship between fisher and mythical beings. This information could confirm the role of mythical beings as environmental regulators. Consequently, it could be considered in the conservationist policies of fishery resources, reinforcing the importance of local knowledge and cultural factors for fishing management approaches.
The BMP signaling pathway enhances the osteoblastic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in rats with osteoporosis
Authors: Zhao Bin , Xing Gengyan , Wang Aiyuan
Published: December 2019

Background

This study was conducted with the aim of exploring the effect of the BMP signaling pathway on osteoblastic differentiation in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) in rats with osteoporosis (OP).

Methods

The bilateral ovaries of female SD rats were resected for the establishment of a rat OP model. The osteoblastic differentiation of isolated rBMSCs was identified through osteogenic induction. Adipogenetic induction and flow cytometry (FCM) were used to detect adipogenic differentiation and the expression of rBMSC surface markers. The rBMSCs were grouped into the blank group, NC group, si-BMP2 group, and oe-BMP2 group. The expression levels of key factors and osteogenesis-related factors were determined by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The formation of calcified nodules was observed by alizarin red staining. ALP activity was measured by alkaline phosphatase staining.

Results

The rats with OP had greater weight but decreased bone mineral density (BMD) than normal rats (all P < 0.01). The rBMSCs from rats with OP were capable of osteoblastic differentiation and adipogenic differentiation and showed high expression of CD44 (91.3 ± 2.9%) and CD105 (94.8 ± 2.1%). Compared with the blank group, the oe-BMP2 group had elevated BMP-2 and Smad1 levels and an increase in calcified nodules and ALP-positive staining areas (all P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression levels of Runx2, OC, and OPN in the oe-BMP2 group were relatively higher than those in the blank group (all P < 0.05). The findings in the si-BMP2 group were opposite to those in the oe-BMP2 group.

Conclusion

BMP signaling pathways activated by BMP-2 can promote the osteoblastic differentiation of rBMSCs from rats with OP.