bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Key advances in development of straw fibre bio-composite boards: An overview
Authors: Aladejana John Tosin , Wu Zhenzeng , Fan Mizi , Xie Yongqun
Published: January 2020

In recent years, considerable attention have been given to the development and utilization of biodegradable fibres for bio-composite boards. This is due to the increase in the environmental consciousness and the need for sustainable development which enable establishment of new materials majorly for packaging, aircraft, furniture, and automobile. Straw fibres (wheat, rice, and corn fibre) are the most available natural agricultural wastes products, which has been utilized for the production of these new materials. This paper hence reviews the enhancement in production methodology and properties of the straw fibres bio-composite boards to add further scientific knowledge to the potentiality of using agricultural fibres as value added products. The future replacement of conventional wood fibres for the production of bio-composite panels, especially with agricultural wastes, could be centered on straw fibres. The introduction of straw fibres in polymer matrices were presented based on various research outcomes. Biodegradable fibres could be regarded as a good fibrous composite material. Although, more efforts are still needed in developing facile straw fibre composite production methods and materials with robust industrial and domestic applications. Industrial adoption of these fibres would gear effort towards achieving a clean, and pollution free environment.
Non-classical properties for SU(1, 1) pair coherent states
Authors: Obada A-S F , Ahmed M M A , Sanad S
Published: January 2020

A new type of pair quantum states is introduced. Which can be considered as pair Barut-Girardello coherent states. It is an eigenstate of the operators

K

−

ab

=

K

−

a

K

−

b

and

K

3

a

−

K

3

b

. We construct these eigenstates and generation scheme is proposed in terms of two mode state described in terms of su(1, 1) Lie algebra , We employ the second-order correlation function to discuss some non-classical properties,and violations of Cauchy-Schwarz inequalities. The phenomenon of squeezing is examined , squeezing is clear and Q-functions support that. Finally the phase distribution in the framework of an appropriate Pegg and Barnett formalism is considered and discussed.
Flexible photonic devices based on dielectric antennas
Authors: Benali Abdennacer , Claude Jean-Benoît , Granchi Nicoletta , Checcucci Simona , Bouabdellaoui Mohammed , Zazoui Mimoun , Bollani Monica , Salvalaglio Marco , Wenger Jérôme , Favre Luc , Grosso David , Ronda Antoine , Berbezier Isabelle , Gurioli Massimo , Abbarchi Marco
Published: January 2020

Flexible and stretchable photonics are emerging fields aiming to develop novel applications where the devices need to conform to uneven surfaces or whenever lightness and reduced thickness are major requirements. However, owing to the relatively small refractive index of transparent soft matter including most polymers, these materials are not well adapted for light management at visible and near-infrared frequencies. Here we demonstrate simple, low cost and efficient protocols for fabricating Si1−x
Ge
x
-based, sub-micrometric dielectric antennas over record scales (50 mm wafers) with ensuing hybrid integration into different plastic supports. The transfer process has a near-unity yield: up to 99.94% for disordered structures and 99.5% for the ordered counterpart. Finally, we benchmark the optical quality of the dielectric antennas with light scattering measurements, demonstrating the control of the islands structural color and the onset of sharp Mie modes after encapsulation in plastic. Thanks to the ease of implementation of our fabrication methods, these results are relevant for the integration of SiGe-based dielectric Mie resonators in flexible substrates over large surfaces.
Imaging FCS delineates subtle heterogeneity in plasma membranes of resting mast cells
Authors: Bag Nirmalya , Holowka David A. , Baird Barbara A.
Published: January 2020

The plasma membrane’s resting organization must be poised to respond efficiently to external stimuli. Analysis of very large data sets from imaging fluorescence correlation spectroscopy parameterizes diffusion properties from structurally distinct probes to provide a composite picture of subtle interactions underlying poised membrane heterogeneity.
iq: an R package to estimate relative protein abundances from ion quantification in DIA-MS-based proteomics
Authors: Pham Thang V , Henneman Alex A , Jimenez Connie R
Published: January 2020

We present an R package called iq to enable accurate protein quantification for label-free data-independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry-based proteomics, a recently developed global approach with superior quantitative consistency. We implement the popular maximal peptide ratio extraction module of the MaxLFQ algorithm, so far only applicable to data-dependent acquisition mode using the software suite MaxQuant. Moreover, our implementation shows, for each protein separately, the validity of quantification over all samples. Hence, iq exports a state-of-the-art protein quantification algorithm to the emerging DIA mode in an open-source implementation.

Availability and implementation

The open-source R package is available on CRAN, https://github.com/tvpham/iq/releases and oncoproteomics.nl/iq.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Two Ways to Build a Thought: Distinct Forms of Compositional Semantic Representation across Brain Regions
Authors: Frankland Steven M , Greene Joshua D
Published: January 2020

To understand a simple sentence such as “the woman chased the dog”, the human mind must dynamically organize the relevant concepts to represent who did what to whom. This structured recombination of concepts (woman, dog, chased) enables the representation of novel events, and is thus a central feature of intelligence. Here, we use functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) and encoding models to delineate the contributions of three brain regions to the representation of relational combinations. We identify a region of anterior-medial prefrontal cortex (amPFC) that shares representations of noun-verb conjunctions across sentences: for example, a combination of “woman” and “chased” to encode woman-as-chaser, distinct from woman-as-chasee. This PFC region differs from the left-mid superior temporal cortex (lmSTC) and hippocampus, two regions previously implicated in representing relations. lmSTC represents broad role combinations that are shared across verbs (e.g., woman-as-agent), rather than narrow roles, limited to specific actions (woman-as-chaser). By contrast, a hippocampal sub-region represents events sharing narrow conjunctions as dissimilar. The success of the hippocampal conjunctive encoding model is anti-correlated with generalization performance in amPFC on a trial-by-trial basis, consistent with a pattern separation mechanism. Thus, these three regions appear to play distinct, but complementary, roles in encoding compositional event structure.
Determination of Chloramphenicol, Thiamphenicol and Florfenicol in Chinese Gelatin Medicines using Dispersive Solid-Phase Extraction Coupled with Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.
Authors: Li Jiong , Gong Jinyan , Yuan Haina , Xiao Gongnian , Wang Hongqing , Sun Lan , Qiu Hongyu , Chu Bingquan , Fang Ruosi
Published: January 2020

This study established a rapid and reliable method to determine chloramphenicol (CAP), thiamphenicol (TAP) and florfenicol (FF) residues in Chinese gelatin medicines. CAP, TAP and FF were extracted from medicine samples using 2% (v/v) ammonium hydroxide in acetonitrile. Trypsin was used to eliminate the matrix effect caused by protein components in gelatin medicines, whereas anhydrous sodium sulfate, C18-N and NH2-PSA adsorbents were applied to reduce matrix effect induced by other components. The analytical method of these drugs was optimized on ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS/MS) through the analysis of their standard linearity and regression. The optimized extraction and analytical method were validated in one Chinese gelatin medicine sample (Colla corii asini, E Jiao) with three fortification levels (2, 5 and 10 μg/kg), and the recoveries of these drug residues ranged of 87.6–102.7%. The limit of detection and quantification of CAP, TAP and FF in the sample were 0.2 and 0.5 μg/kg, 0.4 and 1.5 μg/kg, and 0.5 and 1.5 μg/kg, respectively. A total of 30 Chinese gelatin medicine samples were analyzed using the established method. No drug residues were found in these samples except for one Testudinis Carapacis et Plastri (1.67 μg/kg FF) and one turtle shell glue (2.55 μg/kg FF).
Megalin/lipoprotein receptor-related protein 2 autoimmunity and kidney disease
Authors: Perez-Gomez Maria V , Sanchez-Niño Maria D , Ortiz Alberto
Published: January 2020

In this issue of Clinical Kidney Journal, Gamayo et al. describe two cases of anti-low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 2 (LRP2) nephropathy. This is a recently described entity that has features of both tubulointerstitial disease and segmental membranous nephropathy. The originality of the present report consists of the association of a disease thought to be rare (only 13 in prior described patients, 11 in the past year) with B-cell lymphoproliferative disease. Together with the finding of a third case among 224 elderly patients studied, this raises the issue of the underdiagnoses of LRP2 nephropathy, on top of the potential association to B-cell malignancy. We now put these findings in context within the wider frame of autoimmunity against megalin/LRP2 and related antigens such as Fx1A and CD69.
Discrepancy between Cardiac Troponin Assays Due to Endogenous Antibodies
Authors: Lam Leo , Aspin Lisa , Heron Robert Campbell , Ha Leah , Kyle Campbell
Published: January 2020

Background

Despite well-described analytical effects of autoantibodies against cardiac troponin (cTn) I on experimental assays, no study has systematically examined their impact on cTn assays in clinical use. We determined the effects of endogenous antibodies on 5 different cTnI assays and a cTnT assay.

Methods

cTn was measured by 6 methods: Siemens hs-cTnI Centaur, Siemens hs-cTnI Vista, Abbott hs-cTnI Architect, Beckman hs-cTnI Access, Beckman cTnI Access, and Roche hs-cTnT Elecsys. Measurements were repeated on 5 assays (all except Siemens hs-cTnI Vista) following immunoglobulin depletion by incubation with protein A. Low recovery of cTnI (<40%) following immunoglobulin depletion was considered positive for macro-cTnI. Protein A findings were validated by gel filtration chromatography and polyethylene glycol precipitation.

Results

In a sample of 223 specimens selected from a community laboratory that uses the Siemens hs-cTnI Centaur assay and from which cTn was requested, 76% of samples demonstrated increased cTnI (median, 88 ng/L; interquartile range, 62–204 ng/L). Macro-cTnI was observed in 123 (55%) of the 223 specimens. Comparisons of cTnI assays markedly improved once patients with macro-cTnI were removed. Passing-Bablok regression analysis between hs-cTnI assays demonstrated different slopes for patients with and without macro-cTnI. In patients with macro-cTnI, 89 (72%) showed no effect on the recovery of cTnT, whereas 34 (28%) had reduced recovery of cTnT. The proportion of results above the manufacturers' 99th percentile varied with the cTn assay and macro-cTnI status.

Conclusion

We suggest that the observed discrepancy between hs-cTnI assays may be attributed in part to the presence of macro-cTnI.
Dyadic imbalance in networks
Authors: Burghardt Keith , Maoz Zeev
Published: January 2020

The study of balance in signed networks has been a key topic for over 80 years. Starting with Heider’s theory of structural balance and Harary’s balance theorem, the measurement and understanding of structural balance in networks has grown exponentially. Most theoretical and empirical studies, however, focus on balance on the network as a whole, even though the degree of balance may strongly vary within the network. Our study makes two key contributions to this literature. First, we offer a methodology for measuring balance between nodes in a network. We show that dyadic (im)balance reveals significant information about localized balance that is not apparent in a global metric of balance. Second, we show that this metric can be applied to data containing multiple relations, for example, friendship, enmity, trade and fights, which reveals balance and imbalance otherwise hidden when focusing on only two relations (e.g. friends and enemies). Namely, while balance typically involves unweighted signed networks, multiple relations can naturally be condensed into a weighted signed network where positive (negative) weights correspond to a sum of positive (negative) relations between nodes. Our dyadic imbalance metric can then be applied to this and any other weighted signed network. These findings are illustrated with an international relations network as well as a network on roll call votes in the US Senate and compared to a null model that preserves network structure. We find weak agreement with Heider’s balance theory, including imbalance that decreases in time, and imbalance that is generally lower than our null model.
Association between physical activity and risk of incident arrhythmias in 402 406 individuals: evidence from the UK Biobank cohort
Authors: Elliott Adrian D , Linz Dominik , Mishima Ricardo , Kadhim Kadhim , Gallagher Celine , Middeldorp Melissa E , Verdicchio Christian V , Hendriks Jeroen M L , Lau Dennis H , La Gerche Andre , Sanders Prashanthan
Published: January 2020

Aims

Physical activity reduces cardiovascular disease burden and mortality, although its relationship with cardiac arrhythmias is less certain. The aim of this study was to assess the association between self-reported physical activity and atrial fibrillation (AF), ventricular arrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias, across the UK Biobank cohort.

Methods and results

We included 402 406 individuals (52.5% female), aged 40–69 years, with over 2.8 million person-years of follow-up who underwent self-reported physical activity assessment computed in metabolic equivalent-minutes per week (MET-min/wk) at baseline, detailed physical assessment and medical history evaluation. Arrhythmia episodes were diagnosed through hospital admissions and death reports. Incident AF risk was lower amongst physically active participants, with a more pronounced reduction amongst female participants [hazard ratio (HR) for 1500 vs. 0 MET-min/wk: 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74–0.98] than males (HR for 1500 vs. 0 MET-min/wk: 0.90, 95% CI 0.82–1.0). Similarly, we observed a significantly lower risk of ventricular arrhythmias amongst physically active participants (HR for 1500 MET-min/wk 0.78, 95% CI 0.64–0.96) that remained relatively stable over a broad range of physical activity levels between 0 and 2500 MET-min/wk. A lower AF risk amongst female participants who engaged in moderate levels of vigorous physical activity was observed (up to 2500 MET-min/wk). Vigorous physical activity was also associated with reduced ventricular arrhythmia risk. Total or vigorous physical activity was not associated with bradyarrhythmias.

Conclusion

The risk of AF and ventricular arrhythmias is lower amongst physically active individuals. These findings provide observational support that physical activity is associated with reduced risk of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.
Data detectives, self-love, and humility: a research parasite's perspective
Authors: Duvallet Claire
Published: January 2020

Secondary analysis solidifies and expands upon scientific knowledge through the re-analysis of existing datasets. However, researchers performing secondary analyses must develop specific skills to be successful and can benefit from adopting some computational best practices. Recognizing this work is also key to building and supporting a community of researchers who contribute to the scientific ecosystem through secondary analyses. The Research Parasite Awards are one such avenue, celebrating outstanding contributions to the rigorous secondary analysis of data. As the recipient of a 2019 Junior Research Parasite Award, I was asked to provide some perspectives on life as a research parasite, which I share in this commentary.
The draft nuclear genome assembly of Eucalyptus pauciflora: a pipeline for comparing de novo assemblies
Authors: Wang Weiwen , Das Ashutosh , Kainer David , Schalamun Miriam , Morales-Suarez Alejandro , Schwessinger Benjamin , Lanfear Robert
Published: January 2020

Background

Eucalyptus pauciflora (the snow gum) is a long-lived tree with high economic and ecological importance. Currently, little genomic information for E. pauciflora is available. Here, we sequentially assemble the genome of Eucalyptus pauciflora with different methods, and combine multiple existing and novel approaches to help to select the best genome assembly.

Findings

We generated high coverage of long- (Nanopore, 174×) and short- (Illumina, 228×) read data from a single E. pauciflora individual and compared assemblies from 5 assemblers (Canu, SMARTdenovo, Flye, Marvel, and MaSuRCA) with different read lengths (1 and 35 kb minimum read length). A key component of our approach is to keep a randomly selected collection of ~10% of both long and short reads separated from the assemblies to use as a validation set for assessing assemblies. Using this validation set along with a range of existing tools, we compared the assemblies in 8 ways: contig N50, BUSCO scores, LAI (long terminal repeat assembly index) scores, assembly ploidy, base-level error rate, CGAL (computing genome assembly likelihoods) scores, structural variation, and genome sequence similarity. Our result showed that MaSuRCA generated the best assembly, which is 594.87 Mb in size, with a contig N50 of 3.23 Mb, and an estimated error rate of ~0.006 errors per base.

Conclusions

We report a draft genome of E. pauciflora, which will be a valuable resource for further genomic studies of eucalypts. The approaches for assessing and comparing genomes should help in assessing and choosing among many potential genome assemblies from a single dataset.
Incidence Rates for Surgery in Crohn’s Disease Have Decreased: A Population-based Time-trend Analysis
Authors: Dittrich Alexandra E , Sutton Reed Taylor , Haynes Kate , Wang Haili , Fedorak Richard N , Kroeker Karen I
Published: January 2020

Background

Many Crohn’s disease (CD) patients will undergo surgery over the course of their life. It is thought that with the introduction of disease-modifying agents like anti-TNF therapy, there would be a population-level decrease in the need for surgery. This time-trend study aimed to assess the changes in surgical rates following the induction of anti-TNF therapy.

Methods

Adult CD patients who underwent abdominal surgery (identified by administrative coding) between January of 1996 and December of 2013 at 1 of the 4 Edmonton-area hospitals were included. Patient charts were manually reviewed to confirm diagnosis and gather demographic and disease-related data. Population-adjusted annual incidence rates for IBD surgery were calculated by dividing the number of surgeries by estimates for total population of CD patients in Edmonton. Time-trend analysis was conducted to identify change points, calculate annual percent change (APC), and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

A total of 1410 patients with Crohn’s disease underwent surgery for their disease. The surgical rate decreased by 8.4% each year (95% CI, −9.6% to −7.3%). There was a 36.2% increase in the use of anti-TNF therapy per year (95% CI, 31.3% to 41.5%). Changes in modifiable risk factors for surgery were also seen, including the proportion of active smokers decreasing by 2.2% per year (95% CI, −3.7% to −0.6%).

Conclusions

Although anti-TNF therapy seems to play a role, the decrease in surgical trends is likely multifactorial, owing to a decline in smoking trends, earlier diagnosis, earlier treatment, improved patient education, and changes in clinical practice.
Novel Histone Deacetylase 6 Inhibitor CKD-506 Inhibits NF-κB Signaling in Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Macrophages and Ameliorates Acute and Chronic Murine Colitis
Authors: Lee Jung Won , Lee Soung-Min , Chun Jaeyoung , Im Jong Pil , Seo Su-Kil , Ha Nina , il Choi Young , Kim Joo Sung
Published: January 2020

Background

Selective blocking of HDAC6 has become a promising strategy in treating inflammatory bowel disease. CKD-506 is a novel isoform-selective inhibitor of histone deacetylase 6. The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of CKD-506 on the NF-κB signaling pathway in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and macrophages and on murine models of acute and chronic colitis.

Methods

RAW264RAW264.7 murine macrophages and COLO 205 human IECs were pretreated with CKD-506 and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Cytokine expression of TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 was measured by ELISA. The effect of CKD-506 on NF-κB signaling was evaluated by Western blotting of IκBα phosphorylation/degradation and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. In vivo studies were performed using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)–induced acute colitis model, a chronic colitis model in IL-10 knockout mice, and an adoptive transfer model. Colitis was quantified by the disease activity index, colon length, and histopathologic evaluation.

Results

CKD-506 suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in IECs and macrophages. CKD-506 strongly inhibited IκBα phosphorylation/degradation and the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB. Oral administration of CKD-506 attenuated DSS-induced acute colitis and chronic colitis in IL-10-/- and adoptive transfer models. CKD-506 ameliorated weight loss, disease activity, and histopathologic score in colitis mice and downregulated IκBα phosphorylation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production significantly.

Conclusions

CKD-506 blocked NF-κB signaling in IECs and macrophages and ameliorated experimental acute and chronic murine colitis models, which suggests that CKD-506 is a promising candidate for inflammatory bowel disease treatment as a small molecular medicine.
Aortic valve-sparing root replacement (David): learning curve and impact on outcome
Authors: Beckmann Erik , Martens Andreas , Krueger Heike , Kaufeld Tim , Korte Wilhelm , Stettinger Alissa , Haverich Axel , Shrestha Malakh Lal
Published: January 2020

OBJECTIVES

Aortic valve-sparing root replacement (David procedure) offers the benefit of preserving the native aortic valve but is often criticized for being technically challenging and time-consuming. We analysed whether the surgeon’s level of experience affects the early and long-term outcome after the David procedure.

METHODS

From July 1993 to October 2015, a total of 582 patients underwent aortic valve-sparing David I procedure at our institution. A retrospective review with follow-up (mean follow-up time 8.6 ± 5.6 years) was performed. Statistical analysis of the surgeon’s level of experience was performed as a categorical variable, after patients were chronologically assigned to groups of tens. Study end points assessing the surgeon’s learning curve included both measures of patient outcome and measures of task efficiency. Study end points included both short- and long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

Analysis of task efficiency showed that there was a statistically significant inverse correlation between the surgeon’s level of experience and both cardiopulmonary bypass time (P = 0.026) and aortic cross-clamp time (P = 0.017). Analysis of patient outcome revealed that the incidence of aortic valve-related reoperation during follow-up showed a significant inverse correlation with the surgeon’s level of experience (P = 0.048). Cox regression analysis found that the surgeon’s level of experience (odds ratio 0.802, 95% confidence interval 0.673–0.957; P = 0.014) was a significant risk factor for aortic valve-related reoperation-free survival during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a surgeon’s learning curve for aortic valve-sparing David procedure. The surgeon’s experience has a direct impact on both the perioperative outcome and the long-term performance of the aortic valve.
Evaluation of a fully automated bioinformatics tool to predict antibiotic resistance from MRSA genomes
Authors: Kumar Narender , Raven Kathy E , Blane Beth , Leek Danielle , Brown Nicholas M , Bragin Eugene , Rhodes Paul A , Parkhill Julian , Peacock Sharon J
Published: January 2020

Objectives

The genetic prediction of phenotypic antibiotic resistance based on analysis of WGS data is becoming increasingly feasible, but a major barrier to its introduction into routine use is the lack of fully automated interpretation tools. Here, we report the findings of a large evaluation of the Next Gen Diagnostics (NGD) automated bioinformatics analysis tool to predict the phenotypic resistance of MRSA.

Methods

MRSA-positive patients were identified in a clinical microbiology laboratory in England between January and November 2018. One MRSA isolate per patient together with all blood culture isolates (total n = 778) were sequenced on the Illumina MiniSeq instrument in batches of 21 clinical MRSA isolates and three controls.

Results

The NGD system activated post-sequencing and processed the sequences to determine susceptible/resistant predictions for 11 antibiotics, taking around 11 minutes to analyse 24 isolates sequenced on a single sequencing run. NGD results were compared with phenotypic susceptibility testing performed by the clinical laboratory using the disc diffusion method and EUCAST breakpoints. Following retesting of discrepant results, concordance between phenotypic results and NGD genetic predictions was 99.69%. Further investigation of 22 isolate genomes associated with persistent discrepancies revealed a range of reasons in 12 cases, but no cause could be found for the remainder. Genetic predictions generated by the NGD tool were compared with predictions generated by an independent research-based informatics approach, which demonstrated an overall concordance between the two methods of 99.97%.

Conclusions

We conclude that the NGD system provides rapid and accurate prediction of the antibiotic susceptibility of MRSA.
Evaluation of a New Skeletal Troponin I Assay in Patients with Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies
Authors: Bamberg Katriina , Mehtälä Laura , Arola Olli , Laitinen Seppo , Nordling Pauliina , Strandberg Marjatta , Strandberg Niko , Paltta Johanna , Mali Markku , Espinosa-Ortega Fabricio , Pirilä Laura , Lundberg Ingrid E , Savukoski Tanja , Pettersson Kim
Published: January 2020

Background

The current biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of injured and diseased skeletal muscles, such as creatine kinase (CK), have limited tissue specificity and incapability to differentiate between pathological and physiological changes. Thus, new biomarkers with improved diagnostic accuracy are needed. Our aim was to develop and validate a novel assay for skeletal troponin I (skTnI), and to assess its clinical performance in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM).

Methods

A two-step fluoroimmunoassay was used to analyze samples from healthy reference individuals (n = 140), patients with trauma (n = 151), and patients with IIM (n = 61).

Results

The limit of detection was 1.2 ng/mL, and the upper reference limit (90th percentile) was 5.2 ng/mL. The median skTnI concentrations were <limit of detection (LoD), 2.7 ng/mL, and 8.6 ng/mL in reference, trauma, and IIM cohorts, respectively. Differences in measured skTnI levels were statistically significant between all three study cohorts (Kruskal–Wallis P < 0.001; Mann–Whitney P < 0.001 for all). skTnI and CK had a strong positive correlation (Spearman’s r = 0.771, P < 0.001), and the longitudinal changes in skTnI mirrored those observed with CK.

Conclusions

With the skTnI assay, patients with IIM were identified from healthy individuals and from patients with traumatic muscular injuries. When compared to CK, skTnI appeared to be more accurate in managing patients with low-grade IIM disease activities. The developed assay serves as a reliable analytical tool for the assessment of diagnostic accuracy of skTnI in the diagnosis and monitoring of myopathies.
CYP450-Mediated Metabolism of Mitragynine and Investigation of Metabolites in Human Urine
Authors: Basiliere Stephanie , Kerrigan Sarah
Published: January 2020

Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom) has emerged as a recreational drug and a substance of medicinal intrigue. Although the drug was initially used recreationally for its sedating and euphoric effects, more recently its use has been associated with the non-medically supervised treatment of opioid abstinence syndrome. Mitragynine is the principal pharmacologically active alkaloid in kratom. Although metabolites of mitragynine have been identified, the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes responsible for its biotransformation are still under investigation. The goal of this study was to contribute further knowledge regarding CYP450 activity as it relates to mitragynine. Recombinant cytochrome P450 enzymes (rCYPs) were used to investigate the isoforms involved in its metabolism. Biotransformational products were identified using liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time of flight-mass spectrometry. Four rCYP enzymes (2C18, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4) were found to contribute to the metabolism of mitragynine. 7-Hydroxymitragynine (which has an affinity for the mu-opioid receptor >10-folds that of morphine) was produced exclusively by 3A4. 9-O-demethylmitragynine, the most abundant metabolite in vitro (and the most prevalent metabolite in urine among kratom users) was produced by 2C19, 3A4 and 2D6. 16-Carboxymitragynine was produced by rCYPs 2D6, 2C19 and 2C18. 2C19 was solely responsible for the formation of 9-O-demethyl-16-carboxymitragynine. In vitro rCYP studies were compared with phase I metabolites in urine from cases involving mitragynine.
Reducing Barriers to Breast Imaging in Patients with Mobility Limitations
Authors: Bouhmam Houda , Romanoski Natasha L , Chetlen Alison L
Published: January 2020

Over 1 billion people worldwide live with a disability. Patients living with disability are often challenged by many barriers to healthcare access, especially preventive and screening services. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 mandated that access to public accommodations related to medical care in the United States be available to all; however, many healthcare facilities fall short of meeting this requirement. Research studies suggest that women with chronic disabilities are less likely to undergo breast cancer screening due to financial, environmental, and physical limitations, as well as psychological barriers. There is scarcity of research on the needs of individuals with mobility impairments and the features of the barriers they face when accessing healthcare services, especially breast imaging services. The objective of this article is to illustrate the existing barriers to breast imaging services that individuals with mobility impairments face and to provide a list of guidelines to be used in clinical practice for breast care practices and medical staff working with patients who have mobility impairments.
Quantities, Units and Terms in Radioecology: Abstract
Authors: Whicker F. W. , Bunzl K. , Dixon P. , Scott M. , Sheppard S. , Voigt G.
Published: January 2020

This report provides the first comprehensive and authoritative set of definitions for quantities, units and terms used in the highly interdisciplinary field of radioecology. The scope of this report is the presentation of the primary quantities and terms that are used in studies of radionuclide transport in the environment and those used to help assess the effects of environmental radioactivity on plants, animals and humans. The first section of the report defines the quantities frequently used in radioecology. Explanatory comments are provided, and special conditions that must be specified for the quantities to be fully understood are given. To encourage greater uniformity and to minimise confusion in this field, both the currently recommended and previously used names and symbols are given. The second section provides a glossary of scientific terms that are often used in radioecology. Many of these terms are common to one or more other scientific disciplines that have been applied to radioecology studies. A number of appendices are also included which provide common and scientific names of selected plant and animal species that are commonly studied in radioecology.
Abstract
Authors: Alberts W. G. , Bartlett D. T. , Chartier J.-L. , Hirning C. R. , McDonald J. C. , Schraube H. , Schwartz R. B.
Published: January 2020

ICRU Report 47 deals with the measurement of dose equivalents from external photon and electron radiations. This Report provides guidance for the measurement of the operational dose equivalent quantities for neutron radiation, taking into account the recommendations of ICRP Publication 60. The Report addresses occupational neutron radiation protection for the nuclear industry, civil aviation, medical, research and industrial applications. It is directed to readers who need practical advice; it also serves as an introduction into the peculiarities of neutron measurements, describing the principles and methods of neutron measurement.
The Economic Challenges of Dealing with Citrus Greening: The Case of Florida
Authors: Singerman Ariel , Rogers Michael E
Published: January 2020

While pest management decisions are made at the farm level, a distinctive characteristic of the pest management of invasive species is its public-good nature. Here, we examine the challenges that a vector-disease pathosystem such as Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae)—citrus greening, creates for the adoption of prevention and collective management practices from an economic perspective. Those economic challenges originate from the choices and behavior of individual growers, which can impact not only their own payoff but also the choices, behavior and payoffs of other growers; influencing, for example, the spread of the disease, the vector population dynamics, and the adoption of proposed scientific solutions. While for most people the economics of invasive species is limited to calculating damage or control costs, economics is more than that. Economics can provide insights on the interactions between human behavior and natural processes, enabling a better understanding of the rationale of individual growers’ choices, which are key for the design and implementation of effective public policies to deal with invasive pests and diseases.
Climate drives differences in the germination niche of a globally distributed invasive grass
Authors: Fletcher Rebecca A , Varnon Kayla M , Barney Jacob N
Published: January 2020

Aims

Exotic invasive species are often exposed to strong selection pressures in their new ranges that can often lead to substantial intraspecific variation. Population differentiation in the timing of life history events in response to climate gradients is thought to be an important mechanism facilitating the range expansion of many invasive species. For seed producing plants, the timing of seed germination determines the first environmental conditions experienced by newly emerged germinates, and can have important implications for the successful colonization, establishment and spread of invasive plants—though the role of germination in the success of invasive plants remains poorly understood.

Methods

We assessed the variation in seed germination dynamics among 10 populations of the invasive plant Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) across its North American distribution, capturing both a temperature and precipitation gradient, and whether that variation is associated with home climate. Seeds were exposed to a wide range of temperatures (11–48°C) and two water availability treatments.

Important Findings

We found that Johnsongrass seeds germinated across a wide range of temperatures, but there was substantial variation among populations in the proportion of seeds that germinated in response to both temperature and water availability. Evidence indicates that as Johnsongrass expanded its range from warmer climates into cooler climates, there was a concurrent shift in the germination temperature niche to cooler temperatures. Our results suggest that the germination of Johnsongrass seeds has adapted to home climate allowing this invader to maximize germination throughout its range, and that this may be an important contributing factor to its invasion into new environments.
The Wounded Male Body: Masculinity and Disability in Wartime and Post-WWI Italy
Authors: Salvante Martina
Published: January 2020

This article examines the variety of ways in which Italian soldiers responded to the experience of incurring a permanent physical disability during the First World War. It also describes the potentially unsettling presence of soldiers’ disabled bodies in Italian society, where they were perceived as being disruptive to cultural understandings of male embodiment and hegemonic masculinities. By analyzing different intimate and social exchanges, as well as emotional bonds, this article attempts to disentangle historically the intersection between masculinity and disability. In so doing, it will expose the implications of normative expectations of masculinity, the anxiety that arose from attempts to challenge these norms, and the relevance of context and life phase in understanding the impact of disability on male identity. Drawing on both theories of masculinity and literature on disability, this article will ultimately illustrate how and to what extent disabled veterans in post–First World War Italy negotiated and shaped their gendered identities. It will conclude by considering the role of Fascism in promoting a model of hegemonic masculinity, to which the war disabled could also conform.

“Will you still want me if I come back like Vincenzo Bellu?” “With only one arm? Of course, because they’ll give you the Order of Vittorio Veneto and I’ll be your lady! [. . .]” “I’m not joking. Would you still want me if I was a cripple? Deafened by a grenade or with no legs like Luigi Barranca?” “I’d want you back in any condition, as long as you’re still alive. [. . .]” “Maybe you can imagine having me back as a worm, but I’d rather die full of life ten times over than have to live ten years like a dead man. If that happens to me I shall do what Barranca did and shoot myself.”1
Surface, adhesiveness and virulence aspects of Candida haemulonii species complex
Authors: Ramos Lívia S , Oliveira Simone S C , Silva Laura N , Granato Marcela Q , Gonçalves Diego S , Frases Susana , Seabra Sergio H , Macedo Alexandre J , Kneipp Lucimar F , Branquinha Marta H , Santos André L S
Published: January 2020

The emerging opportunistic pathogens comprising the Candida haemulonii complex (C. haemulonii [Ch], C. duobushaemulonii [Cd] and C. haemulonii var. vulnera[Chv]) are notable for their intrinsic antifungal resistance. Different clinical manifestations are associated with these fungal infections; however, little is known about their biology and potential virulence attributes. Herein, we evaluated some surface properties of 12 clinical isolates of Ch (n = 5), Cd (n = 4) and Chv (n = 3) as well as their virulence on murine macrophages and Galleria mellonella larvae. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of homogeneous populations among the species of the C. haemulonii complex, represented by oval yeasts with surface irregularities able to form aggregates. Cell surface hydrophobicity was isolate-specific, exhibiting high (16.7%), moderate (25.0%) and low (58.3%) hydrophobicity. The isolates had negative surface charge, except for one. Mannose/glucose- and N-acetylglucosamine-containing glycoconjugates were evidenced in considerable amounts in all isolates; however, the surface expression of sialic acid was poorly detected. Cd isolates presented significantly higher amounts of chitin than Ch and Chv. Membrane sterol and lipid bodies, containing neutral lipids, were quite similar among all fungi studied. All isolates adhered to inert surfaces in the order: polystyrene > poly-L-lysine-coated glass > glass. Likewise, they interacted with murine macrophages in a quite similar way. Regarding in vivo virulence, the C. haemulonii species complex were able to kill at least 80% of the larvae after 120 hours. Our results evidenced the ability of C. haemulonii complex to produce potential surface-related virulence attributes, key components that actively participate in the infection process described in Candida spp.
Are exoplanetesimals differentiated?
Authors: Bonsor Amy , Carter Philip J , Hollands Mark , Gänsicke Boris T , Leinhardt Zoë , Harrison John H D
Published: January 2020

Metals observed in the atmospheres of white dwarfs suggest that many have recently accreted planetary bodies. In some cases, the compositions observed suggest the accretion of material dominantly from the core (or the mantle) of a differentiated planetary body. Collisions between differentiated exoplanetesimalrrs produce such fragments. In this work, we take advantage of the large numbers of white dwarfs where at least one siderophile (core-loving) and one lithophile (rock-loving) species have been detected to assess how commonly exoplanetesimals differentiate. We utilize N-body simulations that track the fate of core and mantle material during the collisional evolution of planetary systems to show that most remnants of differentiated planetesimals retain core fractions similar to their parents, while some are extremely core rich or mantle rich. Comparison with the white dwarf data for calcium and iron indicates that the data are consistent with a model in which $66^{+4}_{-6}{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ have accreted the remnants of differentiated planetesimals, while $31^{+5}_{-5}{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ have Ca/Fe abundances altered by the effects of heating (although the former can be as high as $100{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, if heating is ignored). These conclusions assume pollution by a single body and that collisional evolution retains similar features across diverse planetary systems. These results imply that both collisions and differentiation are key processes in exoplanetary systems. We highlight the need for a larger sample of polluted white dwarfs with precisely determined metal abundances to better understand the process of differentiation in exoplanetary systems.
Capital Accumulation and Structural Transformation*
Authors: Bustos Paula , Garber Gabriel , Ponticelli Jacopo
Published: January 2020

Several scholars argue that high agricultural productivity can retard industrial development because it draws resources toward the comparative advantage sector, agriculture. However, agricultural productivity growth can increase savings and the supply of capital, generating an expansion of the capital-intensive sector, manufacturing. We highlight this mechanism in a simple model and test its predictions in the context of a large and exogenous increase in agricultural productivity due to the adoption of genetically engineered soy in Brazil. We find that agricultural productivity growth generated an increase in savings, but these were not reinvested locally. Instead, there were capital outflows from rural areas. Capital reallocated toward urban regions, where it was invested in the industrial and service sectors. The degree of financial integration affected the speed of structural transformation. Regions that were more financially integrated with soy-producing areas through bank branch networks experienced faster growth in nonagricultural lending. Within these regions, firms with preexisting relationships with banks receiving funds from the soy area experienced faster growth in borrowing and employment.
Cognitive Impairment and Diminished Neural Responses Constitute a Biomarker Signature of Negative Symptoms in Psychosis
Authors: Hudgens-Haney Matthew E , Clementz Brett A , Ivleva Elena I , Keshavan Matcheri S , Pearlson Godfrey D , Gershon Elliot S , Keedy Sarah K , Sweeney John A , Gaudoux Florence , Bunouf Pierre , Canolle Benoit , Tonner Françoise , Gatti-McArthur Silvia , Tamminga Carol A
Published: January 2020

The treatment of negative symptoms (NS) in psychosis represents an urgent unmet medical need given the significant functional impairment it contributes to psychosis syndromes. The lack of progress in treating NS is impacted by the lack of known pathophysiology or associated quantitative biomarkers, which could provide tools for research. This current analysis investigated potential associations between NS and an extensive battery of behavioral and brain-based biomarkers in 932 psychosis probands from the B-SNIP database. The current analyses examined associations between PANSS-defined NS and (1) cognition, (2) pro-/anti-saccades, (3) evoked and resting-state electroencephalography (EEG), (4) resting-state fMRI, and (5) tractography. Canonical correlation analyses yielded symptom-biomarker constructs separately for each biomarker modality. Biomarker modalities were integrated using canonical discriminant analysis to summarize the symptom-biomarker relationships into a “biomarker signature” for NS. Finally, distinct biomarker profiles for 2 NS domains (“diminished expression” vs “avolition/apathy”) were computed using step-wise linear regression. NS were associated with cognitive impairment, diminished EEG response amplitudes, deviant resting-state activity, and oculomotor abnormalities. While a connection between NS and poor cognition has been established, association to neurophysiology is novel, suggesting directions for future mechanistic studies. Each biomarker modality was related to NS in distinct and complex ways, giving NS a rich, interconnected fingerprint and suggesting that any one biomarker modality may not adequately capture the full spectrum of symptomology.
High separation anxiety trajectory in early childhood is a risk factor for sleep bruxism at age 7
Authors: Garmroudinezhad Rostami Elham , Touchette Évelyne , Huynh Nelly , Montplaisir Jacques , Tremblay Richard E , Battaglia Marco , Boivin Michel
Published: January 2020

Study Objectives

The evolution of sleep bruxism manifestations and their co-occurrence with separation anxiety in early childhood remain unclear. Our threefold aim was to: (1) describe developmental sleep bruxism trajectories in early childhood, (2) investigate co-occurrences between trajectories of sleep bruxism and separation anxiety, and (3) determine whether distinct trajectories of separation anxiety increase the risk of presenting sleep bruxism during the first year of elementary school.

Methods

This study is part of the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. Sleep bruxism scores were assessed from age 1.5 to 7 years with the Self-Administered Questionnaire for Mother (n = 1946). Separation anxiety scores were measured from age 1.5 to 6 years with the Interviewer-Completed Computerized Questionnaire (n = 2045).

Results

We identified four sleep bruxism trajectories from age 1.5 to 6 years: High-Increasing sleep bruxism at age 1.5 (14.1%), High-Increasing sleep bruxism at age 4 (18.3%), Low-Persistent sleep bruxism (12.1%), and Never-Persistent sleep bruxism (55.5%); and four separation anxiety trajectories from age 1.5 to 6 years: Low-Persistent separation anxiety (60.2%), High-Increasing separation anxiety (6.9%), High-Decreasing separation anxiety (10.8%), and Low-Increasing separation anxiety (22.1%). Sleep bruxism and separation anxiety trajectories were weakly associated (X2 = 37.84, p < 0.001). Compared with preschoolers belonging to the Low-Persistent separation anxiety trajectory, preschoolers in the High-Increasing separation anxiety trajectory had almost double the risk of presenting sleep bruxism at age 7 (95% CI = 1.25–3.22, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

When separation anxiety issues are detected in early childhood, it would be useful to target sleep bruxism during the first year of elementary school.