bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Earlier onset of flowering and increased reproductive allocation of an annual invasive plant in the north of its novel range
Authors: Helsen Kenny , Acharya Kamal Prasad , Graae Bente Jessen , De Kort Hanne , Brunet Jörg , Chabrerie Olivier , Cousins Sara A O , De Frenne Pieter , Hermy Martin , Verheyen Kris , Pélabon Christophe
Published: June 2020

Background and Aims

It remains unclear whether invasive species can maintain both high biomass and reproductive output across their invaded range. Along latitudinal gradients, allocation theory predicts that faster flowering onset at high latitudes results in maturation at smaller size and thus reduced reproductive output. For annual invasive plants, more favourable environmental conditions at low latitudes probably result in stronger competition of co-occurring species, potentially driving selection for higher investment in vegetative biomass, while harsher climatic conditions and associated reproductive uncertainty at higher latitudes could reduce selection for vegetative biomass and increased selection for high reproductive investment (stress-gradient hypothesis). Combined, these drivers could result in increased or constant reproductive allocation with increasing latitude.

Methods

We quantified life-history traits in the invasive annual plant Impatiens glandulifera along a latitudinal gradient in Europe. By growing two successive glasshouse generations, we assessed genetic differentiation in vegetative growth and reproductive output across six populations, and tested whether onset of flowering drives this divergence.

Key Results

Trait variation was mainly caused by genetic differentiation. As expected, flowering onset was progressively earlier in populations from higher latitudes. Plant height and vegetative biomass also decreased in populations from higher latitudes, as predicted by allocation theory, but their variation was independent of the variation in flowering onset. Reproductive output remained constant across latitudes, resulting in increased reproductive allocation towards higher latitudes, supporting the stress-gradient hypothesis. We also observed trait genetic differentiation among populations that was independent of latitude.

Conclusions

We show that an annual invasive plant evolved several life-history traits across its invaded range in ~150 years. The evolution of vegetative and reproductive traits seems unconstrained by evolution of flowering onset. This genetic decoupling between vegetative and reproductive traits possibly contributes to the invasion success of this species.
Molecular phylogenetic insights into the evolution ofEriosema(Fabaceae): a recent tropical savanna-adapted genus
Authors: Cândido Elisa Silva , Vatanparast Mohammad , de Vargas Wanderleia , Bezerra Luísa M P A , Lewis Gwilym P , Mansano Vidal F , Simões André O , Silva Marcos J , Stirton Charles , Tozzi Ana Maria G A , Fortuna-Perez Ana Paula
Published: June 2020

Eriosema comprises c. 150 species and has a pantropical distribution and two centres of diversity, Africa and America. The species occur in tropical savannas and grasslands, including the cerrado in Brazil. They have adapted to these environments by developing specialized underground organs, and an abundance of trichomes. Here we present the first comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of Eriosema, including species from its entire distribution range and generating 391 new DNA sequences. We sampled 140 species from nine genera of Cajaninae, of which 94 (60% of the genus) were Eriosema. Our analyses were based on the nuclear ITS and plastid rpl32 and trnQ regions, and used maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of individual and combined data sets. In all analyses, Eriosema was resolved as monophyletic, but its interspecific relationships are not well resolved. Rhynchosia is not monophyletic, and some African Rhynchosia spp. emerged together as sister to Eriosema. Our study supports the monophyly of Adenodolichos, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Cajanus, but Chrysoscias and Bolusafra formed a clade that is sister to a group of Rhynchosia spp. Paracalyx was resolved as paraphyletic and nested among African Rhynchosia spp. Divergence time analysis suggested that the Eriosema lineages diverged 6.5–10.7 Mya. Two major lineages have diversified in Eriosema, one including most of the African species (4.41–6.68 Mya), the other mainly composed of the South American cerrado species (3.56–5.78 Mya). These results revealed that Eriosema is a recent and tropical savanna-adapted group, and its diversification occurred in the late Miocene in parallel with the expansion of C4 grasslands.
Identification of a potential non-coding RNA biomarker signature for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Joilin Greig , Gray Elizabeth , Thompson Alexander G , Bobeva Yoana , Talbot Kevin , Weishaupt Jochen , Ludolph Albert , Malaspina Andrea , Leigh P Nigel , Newbury Sarah F , Turner Martin R , Hafezparast Majid
Published: June 2020

Objective biomarkers for the clinically heterogeneous adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are crucial to facilitate assessing emerging therapeutics and improve the diagnostic pathway in what is a clinically heterogeneous syndrome. With non-coding RNA transcripts including microRNA, piwi-RNA and transfer RNA present in human biofluids, we sought to identify whether non-coding RNA in serum could be biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Serum samples from our Oxford Study for Biomarkers in motor neurone disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis discovery cohort of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients (n = 48), disease mimics (n = 16) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 24) were profiled for non-coding RNA expression using RNA-sequencing, which showed a wide range of non-coding RNA to be dysregulated. We confirmed significant alterations with reverse transcription-quantitative PCR in the expression of hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-92a-3p, hsa-piR-33151, TRV-AAC4-1.1 and TRA-AGC6-1.1. Furthermore, hsa-miR-206, a previously identified amyotrophic lateral sclerosis biomarker, showed a binary-like pattern of expression in our samples. Using the expression of these non-coding RNA, we were able to discriminate amyotrophic lateral sclerosis samples from healthy controls in our discovery cohort using a random forest analysis with 93.7% accuracy with promise in predicting progression rate of patients. Importantly, cross-validation of this novel signature using a new geographically distinct cohort of samples from the United Kingdom and Germany with both amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and control samples (n = 156) yielded an accuracy of 73.9%. The high prediction accuracy of this non-coding RNA-based biomarker signature, even across heterogeneous cohorts, demonstrates the strength of our approach as a novel platform to identify and stratify amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.
Capillary Electrophoresis Method for Determination of Escitalopram Oxalate in Urine Samples and Different Dosage Forms
Authors: Badulla Wafa F S , Dal Poçan Arın G , Atkoşar Zeki , Arlı Göksel
Published: June 2020

Application of capillary electrophoresis (CE) has become a rapidly growing analytical technique for the estimation of drugs in pharmaceutical dosage forms and biological fluids. In this study, an effective and sensitive method was developed for the determination of escitalopram oxalate (ESC-OX) by CE with diode-array detection at 200 nm. The separation was achieved by a fused silica capillary with 40 cm effective length (48.5 cm total, 75 μm i.d.). The background electrolyte was composed of 15 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5). The applied potential was 22.5 kV, and the samples were injected at 50 mbar pressure for 10 s. Metoprolol was used as an internal standard (IS). The migration time under these optimum conditions was 6.51 ± 0.07 and 6.73 ± 0.08 min for ESC-OX and IS, respectively, with total run time 7 min. The method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity and sensitivity. The limit of detection was calculated as 3.85 and 5.07 ng mL−1 for standard and urine samples, respectively. The developed method was employed successfully for the determination of ESC-OX in different pharmaceutical dosage forms and spiked human urine after simple liquid–liquid extraction with good recovery.
A Genotyping Study in Benin Comparing the Carriage of Plasmodium falciparum Infections Before Pregnancy and in Early Pregnancy: Story of a Persistent Infection
Authors: Jafari-Guemouri Sayeh , Courtois Laura , Mama Atika , Rouas Baptiste , Neto Braga Gabriel , Accrombessi Manfred , Massougbodji Achille , Ding Xavier C , Tuikue Ndam Nicaise , Fievet Nadine , Briand Valérie
Published: June 2020

Background

Malaria infections in the first trimester of pregnancy are frequent and deleterious for both mother and child health. To investigate if these early infections are newly acquired or already present in the host, we assessed whether parasites detected before pregnancy and those detected in early pregnancy are the same infection.

Methods

We used data from the preconceptional “RECIPAL” study (Benin, 2014–2017). Sixty-three pregnant women of 411 included who had a malaria infection detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction both before pregnancy and at the first antenatal care (ANC) visit were selected for this study. Two highly polymorphic markers, msp-2 and glurp, and a fragment-analysis method were used to enumerate the Plasmodium falciparum genotypes and to quantify their proportions within isolates. An infection was considered as persistent when identical msp-2 and glurp genotypes were found in the corresponding prepregnancy and early-pregnancy samples.

Results

The median time between the 2 malaria screenings was 3 months. The median gestational age at the first ANC visit was 6.4 weeks. Most infections before pregnancy were submicroscopic infections. Based on both msp-2 and glurp genotyping, the infection was similar before and in early pregnancy in 46% (29/63) of cases.

Conclusions

Almost half of P. falciparum infections detected in the first trimester originate before pregnancy. Protecting young women from malaria infection before pregnancy might reduce the prevalence of malaria in early pregnancy and its related poor maternal and birth outcomes.
Identification of a class of index models: A topological approach
Authors: Fosgerau Mogens , Kristensen Dennis
Published: June 2020

We establish nonparametric identification in a class of so-called index models by using a novel approach that relies on general topological results. Our proof strategy requires substantially weaker conditions on the functions and distributions characterising the model than those required by existing strategies; in particular, it does not require any large-support conditions on the regressors of our model. We apply the general identification result to additive random utility and competing risk models.
Significant decrease in lipid core burden index following balloon dilation was associated with the leakage of cholesterol crystals in a patient: a case report
Authors: Moriya Soshi , Isoda Kikuo , Dohi Tomotaka , Okazaki Shinya
Published: June 2020

Background

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used for analysis the composition of the atherosclerotic plaque in coronary arteries. However, meaning of significant decrease in max lipid core burden index at 4 mm (max LCBI4mm) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is poorly understood.

Case summary

A 64-year-old male with unstable angina underwent coronary angiography, which demonstrated a hazy tight culprit lesion in the mid-right coronary artery. Pre-intervention NIRS–intravascular ultrasound (NIRS–IVUS) and chemogram showed plaque with high lipid burden at the culprit lesion. Then, we used a distal protection device before PCI because of high max LCBI4mm in the lesion. After pre-dilation with a scoring balloon, repeat NIRS–IVUS interrogation revealed an almost complete disappearance of the yellow signal and decrease in max LCBI4mm (from 537 to 44) significantly, suggesting decrease in the lipid content of the plaque. Finally, a drug-eluting stent deployment followed by inflation of a non-compliant balloon led to an excellent result. After PCI, we detected trapped large amounts of debris on retrieval of the filter. Pathological diagnosis confirmed that trapped material was lipid-rich plaque including cholesterol crystals.

Discussion

This is the first report directly demonstrated that significant decrease in max LCBI4mm at culprit lesion should be associated with the leakage of cholesterol crystals from lipid-rich plaque during PCI in the clinical patient.
Dysphagia as an early sign of cardiac decompensation in elderly: case report
Authors: Matta Anthony , Elenizi Khaled , Carrié Didier , Roncalli Jerome
Published: June 2020

Background 

Several clinical entities may be misdiagnosed in elderly if we consider dysphagia as a normal aging process in our daily practice. On top of usual aetiologies like motor dysfunction, investigations may uncover serious underlying conditions.

Case summary 

We report an unusual case where dysphagia was the warning sign for acute heart failure in a 76-year-old patient known to have dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction. It was due to an external oesophageal compression by the left atrium. A transthoracic echocardiography, an enhanced thoracic computed tomography-scan and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were used for the diagnosis. Diuretics were the cornerstone treatment with symptomatic improvement.

Discussion 

Despite the fact that cardiovascular dysphagia is an uncommon medical entity, but it remains a potential differential diagnosis, especially in elderlies with high risk for atrial enlargement.
COVID19: a case report of thrombus in transit
Authors: Janus Scott E , Hajjari Jamal , Cunningham Michael J , Hoit Brian D
Published: June 2020

Background

The global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused significant morbidity and mortality, not only through devastating lung injury, but also due to multiple malfunctions in the cardiovascular system. The primary aetiology is believed to be mediated through lung alveolar injury; however, a few published reports have linked SARS-CoV-2 to significant organ dysfunction, venous thrombo-embolism, and coagulopathy. In view of the fact that the utility of tissue plasminogen activator in this population is not well studied, we present this case of rapid improvement in oxygenation after successful lytic therapy for thrombus in transit in this patient with SARS-CoV-2.

Case summary

We discuss a patient admitted with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Due to the development of dramatic hypoxia, he underwent echocardiography which demonstrated extensive thrombus in transit. He received successful thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator, with subsequent improvement in oxygenation. The patient was successfully discharged home on 2 L of oxygen via nasal cannula, and continues to improve at follow-up with his cardiologist and primary care physician.

Conclusion

This case not only highlights embolic causes of hypoxia in SARS-CoV-2, but demonstrates the important utility of an echocardiogram and tissue plasminogen activator in this population.
Prescriber responsibility, predictors for initiation, and 20-year trends in use of non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with cardiovascular contraindications: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Schmidt Morten , Pottegård Anton
Published: June 2020

Aims

To examine whether prescription patterns complied with recommendations not to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with cardiovascular contraindications. Moreover, we examined predictors for initiation and prescriber responsibility.

Methods and results

We used Danish medical databases to identify all patients with first-time cardiovascular disease during 1996–2017 (n = 628 834). We assessed standardized prevalence proportions, predictors from logistic regression, and prescriber identifiers. One-year prevalence of NSAID initiation increased 3.4% from 1996 (19.4%) to 2001 (22.7%) and declined by 2.7% thereafter until 2017 (13.5%). Trends were independent of age, sex, and disease subtype, although larger annual declines occurred for heart failure (3.9%) and ischaemic heart disease (3.5%) since 2002. One-year prevalence remained highest among patients with venous thromboembolism (16.6%) and angina (13.8%), and lowest for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (7.0%) and heart failure (8.8%). Initiators were predominantly prescribed ibuprofen (59%), diclofenac (23%), and etodolac (6%). Diclofenac and coxib use declined, while ibuprofen and naproxen use increased. Median prescribed pill dose of ibuprofen declined after 2008 from moderate/high (600 mg) to low (400 mg). Treatment duration declined for all NSAIDs, except celecoxib. Rheumatic, obesity, and pain-related conditions predicted NSAID initiation. General practitioners issued 86–91% of all NSAID prescriptions, followed by hospital prescribers (7.3–12%).

Conclusions

Initiation of NSAIDs in patients with cardiovascular disease declined since 2002. Shorter treatment duration, declining COX-2 inhibition, and increasing use of naproxen and low-dose ibuprofen suggest adherence to guidelines when NSAIDs cannot be avoided. Still, NSAID use remained prevalent despite cardiovascular contraindications, warranting awareness of appropriateness of use among general practitioners in particular.
Macrophage Depletion in CCR2−/− Mice Delays Bacterial Clearance and Enhances Neutrophil Infiltration in an Acute Otitis Media Model
Authors: Hur Dong Gu , Kurabi Arwa , Lim Hyun Woo , Spriggs Meghan , Pak Kwang , Ryan Allen F
Published: June 2020

Background

Otitis media (OM) is a common and potentially serious disease of childhood. Although OM is multifactorial on origin, bacterial infection is a unifying component. Many studies have established a critical role for innate immunity in bacterial clearance and OM resolution. A key component of innate immunity is the recruitment of immune and inflammatory cells, including macrophages.

Methods

To explore the role of macrophages in OM, we evaluated the expression of genes related to macrophage function during a complete episode of acute OM in the mouse caused by middle ear (ME) inoculation with Haemophilus influenzae. We also combined CCR2 deficiency with chlodronate liposome toxicity to deplete macrophages during OM.

Results

Macrophage genes were robustly regulated during OM. Moreover, macrophage depletion enhanced and prolonged the infiltration of neutrophils into the infected ME and increased the persistence of bacterial infection.

Conclusions

The results illustrate the critical role played by macrophages in OM resolution.
The Polysemy of Security Community-Building: Toward a “People-Centered” Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)?
Authors: Martel Stéphanie
Published: June 2020

This article contributes to ongoing debates on security community-building in international relations (IR) by focusing on the productive role of discursive contestation in this process. It builds on recent work associated with the “practice” turn, discourse theory, and the study of security communities in the Global South to propose a new understanding of how the diversification of security governance impacts security community-building. The article develops an original discourse-based approach that conceptualizes security community-building as a polysemic, omnidirectional, and contested process in which social agents debate the meaning of security and the boundaries of community. It applies this approach to the case of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to show how contestation over the organization's identity as a security community “in the making” takes place along two dimensions. First, different (and potentially incompatible) versions of the community compete for dominance. Second, contestation also unfolds “internally,” among social agents who agree on which version ought to prevail. I illustrate this part of the argument through an examination of the debate over ASEAN's identity as a “people-centered” community. The demonstration is supported by the analysis of “texts” enacted in the discursive field where the security community is talked into existence, as well as interviews with practitioners.
Molecular and biochemical insights into the in vivo evolution of AmpC-mediated resistance to ceftolozane/tazobactam during treatment of an MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection
Authors: Arca-Suárez Jorge , Vázquez-Ucha Juan Carlos , Fraile-Ribot Pablo Arturo , Lence Emilio , Cabot Gabriel , Martínez-Guitián Marta , Lasarte-Monterrubio Cristina , Rodríguez-Iglesias Manuel , Beceiro Alejandro , González-Bello Concepción , Galán-Sánchez Fátima , Oliver Antonio , Bou Germán
Published: June 2020

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosa may develop resistance to novel cephalosporin/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations during therapy through the acquisition of structural mutations in AmpC.

Objectives

To describe the molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in the development of resistance to ceftolozane/tazobactam in vivo through the selection and overproduction of a novel AmpC variant, designated PDC-315.

Methods

Paired susceptible/resistant isolates obtained before and during ceftolozane/tazobactam treatment were evaluated. MICs were determined by broth microdilution. Mutational changes were investigated through WGS. Characterization of the novel PDC-315 variant was performed through genotypic and biochemical studies. The effects at the molecular level of the Asp245Asn change were analysed by molecular dynamics simulations using Amber.

Results

WGS identified mutations leading to modification (Asp245Asn) and overproduction of AmpC. Susceptibility testing revealed that PAOΔC producing PDC-315 displayed increased MICs of ceftolozane/tazobactam, decreased MICs of piperacillin/tazobactam and imipenem and similar susceptibility to ceftazidime/avibactam compared with WT PDCs. The catalytic efficiency of PDC-315 for ceftolozane was 10-fold higher in relation to the WT PDCs, but 3.5- and 5-fold lower for piperacillin and imipenem. IC50 values indicated strong inhibition of PDC-315 by avibactam, but resistance to cloxacillin inhibition. Analysis at the atomic level explained that the particular behaviour of PDC-315 is linked to conformational changes in the H10 helix that favour the approximation of key catalytic residues to the active site.

Conclusions

We deciphered the precise mechanisms that led to the in vivo emergence of resistance to ceftolozane/tazobactam in P. aeruginosa through the selection of the novel PDC-315 enzyme. The characterization of this new variant expands our knowledge about AmpC-mediated resistance to cephalosporin/β-lactamase inhibitors in P. aeruginosa.
First-Line Toxicological Screening with Fully Automated Extraction
Authors: Robin Tiphaine , El Balkhi Souleiman , Dulaurent Sylvain , Marquet Pierre , Saint-Marcoux Franck
Published: June 2020

In clinical toxicology, laboratories need screening methods allowing unambiguous identification of the compounds in a short turnaround time to either confirm or exclude the hypothesis of drug overdose or poisoning with a toxicant. We developed a fully automated screening procedure designed to identify and quantify in a single run 245 compounds of interest in clinical toxicology. Sample extraction was carried out by a programmable liquid handler directly coupled to a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS) system. Data acquisition was performed in the positive and negative ionization modes with up to 15 multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions per compound, each with optimized collision energy to enable both qualitative library searching and quantitation. The method was validated according to the ISO 15189 requirements and was applied to real patient samples (n = 127). The 15 MRM transitions per compound provided higher confidence for the identification of all the compounds. The quantitative method was fully validated with satisfactory intra- and inter-assay imprecision and inaccuracy with CV% lower than 20%. For only nine molecules, imprecision and inaccuracy were relatively high but never exceeded 31.7%. Comparison with dedicated quantitative methods using conventional MRM monitoring performed using 127 patient samples (n = 175 pairs of measured concentrations) showed excellent correlation (R2 = 0.96). A robustness study showed that calibration curves prepared for up to 1 month yielded uncertainty < 20%. Retention times ranged from 0.89 min for metformin to 9.72 min for difenacoum. The automated sample preparation required 8 min and was followed by 10 min chromatographic separation. This first-line screening procedure yields high confidence in compound detection and should be useful in core labs facing clinical toxicology situations where rapid and reliable results are needed.
The dust and cold gas content of local star-forming galaxies
Authors: Popesso P , Concas A , Morselli L , Rodighiero G , Enia A , Quai S
Published: June 2020

We use dust masses (Mdust) derived from far-infrared data and molecular gas masses (Mmol) based on CO luminosity to calibrate proxies based on a combination of the galaxy Balmer decrement, disc inclination, and gas metallicity. We use such proxies to estimate Mdust and Mmol in the local SDSS sample of star-forming galaxies (SFGs). We study the distribution of Mdust and Mmol along and across the main sequence (MS) of SFGs. We find that Mdust and Mmol increase rapidly along the MS with increasing stellar mass (M*), and more marginally across the MS with increasing SFR (or distance from the relation). The dependence on M* is sub-linear for both Mdust and Mmol. Thus, the fraction of dust (fdust) and molecular gas mass (fmol) decreases monotonically towards large M*. The star formation efficiency (SFE, inverse of the molecular gas depletion time) depends strongly on the distance from the MS and it is constant along the MS. As nearly all galaxies in the sample are central galaxies, we estimate the dependence of fdust and fgas on the host halo mass and find a tight anticorrelation. As the region where the MS is bending is numerically dominated by massive haloes, we conclude that the bending of the MS is due to a lower availability of molecular gas mass in massive haloes rather than a lower efficiency in forming stars.
An expanded catalogue of low surface brightness galaxies in the Coma cluster using Subaru/Suprime-Cam
Authors: Alabi Adebusola B , Romanowsky Aaron J , Forbes Duncan A , Brodie Jean P , Okabe Nobuhiro
Published: June 2020

We present a catalogue of low surface brightness (LSB) galaxies in the Coma cluster obtained from deep Subaru/Suprime-Cam V- and R-band imaging data within a region of $\mathord {\sim }4$ deg2. We increase the number of LSB galaxies presented in Yagi et al. (2016) by a factor of $\mathord {\sim }3$ and report the discovery of 29 new ultradiffuse galaxies (UDGs). We compile the largest sample of UDGs with colours and structural parameters in the Coma cluster. While most UDGs lie along the red-sequence relation of the colour–magnitude diagram, $\mathord {\sim }16$ per cent are outside (bluer or redder) the red-sequence region of Coma cluster galaxies. Our analyses show that there is no special distinction in the basic photometric parameters between UDGs and other LSB galaxies. We investigate the clustercentric colour distribution and find a remarkable transition at a projected radius of $\mathord {\sim }0.6$ Mpc. Within this cluster core region and relative to the red-sequence of galaxies, LSB galaxies are on average redder than co-spatial higher surface brightness galaxies at the 2σ level, highlighting how vulnerable LSB galaxies are to the physical processes at play in the dense central region of the cluster. The position of the transition radius agrees with expectations from recent cosmological simulation of massive galaxy clusters within which ancient infalls are predicted to dominate the LSB galaxy population.
Forbidden line diagnostics of photoevaporative disc winds
Authors: Ballabio G , Alexander R D , Clarke C J
Published: June 2020

Photoevaporation driven by high-energy radiation from the central star plays an important role in the evolution of protoplanetary discs. Photoevaporative winds have been unambiguously detected through blue-shifted emission lines, but their detailed properties remain uncertain. Here we present a new empirical approach to make observational predictions of these thermal winds, seeking to fill the gap between theory and observations. We use a self-similar model of an isothermal wind to compute line profiles of several characteristic emission lines (in particular the [Ne ii] line at 12.81 μm, and optical forbidden lines such as [O i] 6300 Å and [S ii] 4068/4076 Å), studying how the lines are affected by parameters such as the gas temperature, disc inclinations, and density profile. Our model successfully reproduces blue-shifted lines with $v_{\rm peak} \lesssim 10$ km s−1, which decrease with increasing disc inclination. The line widths increase with increasing disc inclinations and range from $\Delta v\sim 15\text{ to }30$ km s−1. The predicted blue-shifts are mostly sensitive to the gas sound speed (and therefore the temperature). The observed [Ne ii] line profiles are consistent with a thermal wind and point towards a relatively high sound speed, as expected for extreme-UV photoevaporation. However, the observed [O i] line profiles require lower temperatures, as expected in X-ray photoevaporation, and show a wider scatter that is difficult to reconcile with a single wind model; it seems likely that these lines trace different components of a multiphase wind. We also note that the spectral resolution of current observations remains an important limiting factor in these studies, and that higher resolution spectra are required if emission lines are to further our understanding of protoplanetary disc winds.
ModelTeller: Model Selection for Optimal Phylogenetic Reconstruction Using Machine Learning
Authors: Abadi Shiran , Avram Oren , Rosset Saharon , Pupko Tal , Mayrose Itay
Published: June 2020

Statistical criteria have long been the standard for selecting the best model for phylogenetic reconstruction and downstream statistical inference. Although model selection is regarded as a fundamental step in phylogenetics, existing methods for this task consume computational resources for long processing time, they are not always feasible, and sometimes depend on preliminary assumptions which do not hold for sequence data. Moreover, although these methods are dedicated to revealing the processes that underlie the sequence data, they do not always produce the most accurate trees. Notably, phylogeny reconstruction consists of two related tasks, topology reconstruction and branch-length estimation. It was previously shown that in many cases the most complex model, GTR+I+G, leads to topologies that are as accurate as using existing model selection criteria, but overestimates branch lengths. Here, we present ModelTeller, a computational methodology for phylogenetic model selection, devised within the machine-learning framework, optimized to predict the most accurate nucleotide substitution model for branch-length estimation. We demonstrate that ModelTeller leads to more accurate branch-length inference than current model selection criteria on data sets simulated under realistic processes. ModelTeller relies on a readily implemented machine-learning model and thus the prediction according to features extracted from the sequence data results in a substantial decrease in running time compared with existing strategies. By harnessing the machine-learning framework, we distinguish between features that mostly contribute to branch-length optimization, concerning the extent of sequence divergence, and features that are related to estimates of the model parameters that are important for the selection made by current criteria.
Cholesterol-modifying drugs in COVID-19
Authors: Schmidt Nathalie M , Wing Peter A C , McKeating Jane A , Maini Mala K
Published: June 2020

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrom coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is more likely to lead to poor outcomes in the elderly and those with cardiovascular disease, obesity or metabolic syndrome. Here, we consider mechanisms by which dyslipidaemia and the use of cholesterol-modifying drugs could influence the virus–host relationship. Cholesterol is essential for the assembly, replication and infectivity of enveloped virus particles; we highlight several cholesterol-modifying drugs with the potential to alter the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle that could be tested in in vitro and in vivo models. Although cholesterol is an essential component of immune cell membranes, excess levels can dysregulate protective immunity and promote exaggerated pulmonary and systemic inflammatory responses. Statins block the production of multiple sterols, oxysterols and isoprenoids, resulting in a pleiotropic range of context-dependent effects on virus infectivity, immunity and inflammation. We highlight antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of cholesterol-modifying drugs that merit further consideration in the management of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Economic interventions to ameliorate the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and health: an international comparison
Authors: Danielli Shaun , Patria Raman , Donnelly Patrice , Ashrafian Hutan , Darzi Ara
Published: June 2020

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge governments and policymakers worldwide. They have rightfully prioritised reducing the spread of the virus through social distancing interventions. However, shuttered business and widespread restrictions on travel and mobility have led to an economic collapse with increasing uncertainty of how quickly recovery will be achieved.

Methods

The authors carried out a review of publicly available information on the economic intervention’s countries have put in place to ameliorate the impact of COVID-19.

Results

The strategies and scale of economic interventions have been broad, ranging from 2.5% to a reported 50% of Gross Domestic Product.

Conclusions

Numerous countries are beginning to ease lockdown restrictions and restart economies in different ways. There is therefore evolving, real-world data that should be used dynamically by governments and policymakers. The strategies on restarting the economy must be balanced against the uncertainty of a possible second wave of COVID-19. A nuanced approach to easing restrictions needs to take into account not only immediate risk to life but longer-term risks of widening inequalities and falling life expectancy.
Genericity and Universality for Operator Ideals
Authors: Beanland Kevin , Causey Ryan M
Published: June 2020

A bounded linear operator $U$ between Banach spaces is universal for the complement of some operator ideal $\mathfrak{J}$ if it is a member of the complement and it factors through every element of the complement of $\mathfrak{J}$. In the first part of this paper, we produce new universal operators for the complements of several ideals, and give examples of ideals whose complements do not admit such operators. In the second part of the paper, we use descriptive set theory to study operator ideals. After restricting attention to operators between separable Banach spaces, we call an operator ideal $\mathfrak{J}$ generic if whenever an operator $A$ has the property that every operator in $\mathfrak{J}$ factors through a restriction of $A$, then every operator between separable Banach spaces factors through a restriction of $A$. We prove that many classical operator ideals (such as strictly singular, weakly compact, Banach–Saks) are generic and give a sufficient condition, based on the complexity of the ideal, for when the complement does not admit a universal operator. Another result is a new proof of a theorem of M. Girardi and W. B. Johnson, which states that there is no universal operator for the complement of the ideal of completely continuous operators.
EFFECTS OF LOCAL BUILDING MATERIALS ON INDOOR GAMMA DOSES AND RELATED RADIOLOGICAL HEALTH RISKS, AYVACIK, ÇANAKKALE/TURKEY
Authors: Top Gülcan , Örgün Yüksel , Karahan Gürsel , Horvath Mark , Kampfl Györgyi
Published: June 2020

In situ indoor gamma dose rate measurements were held in 79 dwellings by NaI(Tl) scintillation probe connected portable dose rate meter. For the building materials and impurities (nodules), spectrometric gamma analysis was applied by a high-resolution HpGe detector. For Ahmetçe and Nusratlı villages in Ayvacik/Çanakkale (Turkey), the measured in situ indoor gamma dose rates and related indoor annual effective dose equivalents (AEDEin) were 3 and 3.3 times, and indoor excess lifetime cancer risks (ELCRin) were 4.25 and 4.68 times higher than those of the world averages, respectively. The used local rocks were mostly ignimbrite and dacitic–rhyolitic tuffaceous (Arıklı tuff), and wall plasters were made of local soil. The highest in situ indoor gamma dose rates of the region belonged to Nusratlı village due to the intense impurities (nodules) and hydrothermal alterations in Arıklı tuff. Spectrometric gamma results revealed that 40K has an important effect on the indoor gamma doses.
Corporate Criminal Liability for the Criminal Offences in Lithuania
Authors: Girdenis Tomas , Laurinaitis Marius , Rotomskis Irmantas , Jurka Raimundas
Published: June 2020

Cases, where operations of legal entities entail unfair income through the malpractice of improving financial reports, are quite frequent. Such behaviour is unacceptable and deserves a stern response from the state, not only against persons involved in illegal activities but also against particular legal entities resorting to such behaviour. The purpose of this article is to analyse the elements of corporate criminal liability in the legislation of Lithuania. The article investigates the fundamentals of corporate criminal liability with the major focus on the problems of distinction and applicability of relevant elements of the latter. The analysis emphasizes the assurance of the inevitability of corporate criminal liability. The article also discusses the method of criminalizing the liability of legal entities, chosen by the Lithuanian legislator, according to which criminal liability can arise only for a limited scope of criminal offences. Presumably, the current legal regulation enables an unreasonable avoidance of criminal liability in cases where the criminal offence falls outside the aforementioned limited scope, even though it was committed to gain a material advantage over the affected party. The article also addresses the guilt of legal entities. In this regard, the article criticizes the approach of the Supreme Court of Lithuania for its evident limitation of corporate criminal liability, especially in the context of large corporations owned by many shareholders. As a possible solution, it was proposed to lay criminal responsibility on corporate governance bodies instead of the shareholders.
From Gender Regimes to Violence Regimes: Re-thinking the Position of Violence
Authors: Hearn Jeff , Strid Sofia , Humbert Anne Laure , Balkmar Dag , Delaunay Marine
Published: June 2020

What happens when we focus primarily on violence as a central question—either within the gender regime approach or by making violence regime an approach in itself? The article first interrogates gender regimes theoretically and empirically through a focus on violence, and then develops violence regimes as a fruitful approach, conceptualizing violence as inequality in its own right, and a means to deepen the analysis of gender relations, gender domination, and policy. The article is a contribution to ongoing debate, which specifically and critically engages with the gender regime framework.
Lysine requirements in small, medium, and large breed adult dogs using the indicator amino acid oxidation technique1
Authors: Sutherland Katja A K , Mansilla Wilfredo D , Fortener Lisa , Shoveller Anna K
Published: June 2020

There is a lack of knowledge regarding the lysine (Lys) requirements of mature dogs and whether there are breed differences. The present study aimed to determine the Lys requirement in three breeds of mature dogs using the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) technique. Thirteen adult dogs were used, four Miniature Dachshunds (5.39 ± 0.71 kg; 1.05 ± 0.02 yr old, mean ± SD), four Beagles (8.09 ± 0.40 kg; 5.03 ± 0.09 yr old, mean ± SD), and five Labrador Retrievers (29.42 ± 2.04 kg; 3.30 ± 0.69 yr old, mean ± SD). After 14 d of adaptation to a basal extruded kibble diet, dogs were fed a test diet mildly deficient in Lys (Lys concentration = 0.36%) at 17 (Miniature Dachshunds) or 13 g/kg body weight (BW; Beagles and Labradors) for 2 d. The test diet was supplemented with one of seven isonitrogenous Lys–Ala solutions, resulting in a final dietary Lys concentration of 0.36%, 0.40%, 0.44%, 0.50%, 0.54%, 0.58%, and 0.62% (as-fed basis). Dogs received dietary concentrations of Lys in random order and no dog received the same order. Following 2 d of adaptation to the experimental diets, the dogs underwent IAAO studies. During the IAAO studies, total daily feed was divided in 13 equal meals. At the sixth meal, dogs were fed a bolus of L-[1-13C]-Phe (9.40 mg/kg BW); thereafter, L-[1-13C]-Phe was supplied with every meal (2.4 mg/kg BW). Total production of 13CO2 (F13CO2) during isotopic steady state was determined by enrichment of 13CO2 of breath samples and total production of CO2, measured using indirect calorimetry. A two-phase linear regression model was used to derive the mean Lys requirement, defined as the breakpoint, and the upper 95% confidence limit was calculated as the recommended allowance (RA) for Lys intake. For Miniature Dachshunds, the study was repeated with a feed intake of 14 g/kg BW, but Lys requirements could not be determined at either feed intake, suggesting a requirement below the lowest concentration and intake. Mean Lys requirements for Beagles and Labradors were 0.455% (59.16 mg/kg BW) and 0.440% (57.19 mg/kg BW), respectively, on a dry matter basis. Pooling the data for these breeds provides a mean estimate of the Lys requirement at 0.448% (58.21 mg/kg BW) with an upper 95% CL of 0.526% (68.41 mg/kg BW) on a dry matter basis. In conclusion, the Lys requirements of Beagles and Labradors are similar, while the requirement for Miniature Dachshunds is undetermined and likely lower. The estimated Lys requirement for Beagles and Labradors is higher than the National Research Council recommendation.
Alternative splicing and its regulatory role in woody plants
Authors: Chen Mo-Xian , Zhang Kai-Lu , Zhang Min , Das Debatosh , Fang Yan-Ming , Dai Lei , Zhang Jianhua , Zhu Fu-Yuan
Published: June 2020

Alternative splicing (AS) is an important post-transcriptional process to enhance proteome diversity in eukaryotic organisms. In plants, numerous reports have primarily focused on AS analysis in model plant species or herbaceous plants, leading to a notable lack of research on AS in woody plants. More importantly, emerging evidence indicates that many important traits, including wood formation and stress resistance, in woody plants are controlled by AS. In this review article, we summarize the current progress of all kinds of AS studies in different tree species at various stages of development and in response to various stresses, revealing the significant role played by AS in woody plants, as well as the similar properties and differential regulation within their herbaceous counterparts. Furthermore, we propose several potential strategies to facilitate the functional characterization of splicing factors in woody plants and evaluate a general pipeline for the systematic characterization of splicing isoforms in a complex AS regulatory network. The utilization of genetic studies and high-throughput omics integration approaches to analyze AS genes and splicing factors is likely to further advance our understanding of AS modulation in woody plants.
Low-Cost Bubble-CPAP Treatment of a Severe Case of Pneumonia in a Low- and Middle-Income Country: A Case Report on the Importance of Optimizing Bubble-CPAP Setup
Authors: Larsen Søren Vinther , Poulsen Anja
Published: June 2020

A homemade low-cost bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) setup can be created using resources available at most secondary healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This setup has the potential of saving millions of children’s lives worldwide; however, treatment failure due to bCPAP setup insufficiencies and lack of educated staff remains a significant obstacle. Here, we report a first-hand experience on the use of an established low-cost bCPAP setup to be used in LMICs and how optimization of two parameters was critical to effectively treat a severe case of lower respiratory disease in a 6-month-old infant in Tanzania. We report this case to strengthen that reducing the resistance in the tube system and minimizing air leakage at the nasal interface are crucial for efficient delivery of the CPAP therapy.
Cardiogenic shock with resultant multiple organ dysfunction syndrome
Authors: Simko Lynn Coletta , Culleiton Alicia L.
Published: June 2020

The prognosis for a patient with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)—also known as organ dysfunction or organ failure—is grave, and mortality can be high when three or more organ systems fail. This article reviews ongoing abnormalities of organ-specific parameters and a bedside clinical scoring assessment tool to identify the mortality of MODS, focusing on the management of MODS resulting from cardiogenic shock in ICU patients who require support of failing organs to survive.
Consequences of the vaping epidemic on adolescents
Authors: Patterson Michelle , Williams-Jones Pamela , Lewis Travis “Pete”
Published: June 2020

The prevalence of vaping has seen a dramatic increase in the last decade, especially among adolescent populations. This article discusses the background, prevalence, and associated risk factors of e-cigarettes.
Can We Estimate the Amount of Malrotation in Supracondylar Humerus Fractures After CRPP?
Authors: Prabhakar Pooja , Pierce William A. , Standefer Karen D. , Ho Christine A.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Acceptable amounts of malrotation after CRPP for pediatric supracondylar humerus fracture (SCHFx) have yet to be defined. This is an attempt to correlate radiographic parameters of a malrotated SCHFx with degrees of rotational malalignment to assist intraoperative assessment of reduction.

Methods:

3D models of a left distal humerus were printed, simulating a transverse SCHFx with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 degrees of malrotation. Four different scenarios were developed: (1) lateral cortical axis of rotation, (2) medial cortical axis of rotation, (3) centroid of the humerus longitudinal axis with the medial condyle rotated posteriorly, and (4) centroid of the humerus longitudinal axis with the medial condyle rotated anteriorly. Anteroposterior and lateral fluoroscopic views were taken with a consistent image profile. Five observers measured the amount of metaphyseal overhang on the lateral view and the width of the distal humerus just proximal to the fracture to establish amount of overhang as a percentage of distal humerus width. Regression analysis established “best fit” lines for the 4 scenarios. Ten observers used the observed characteristics of each type of malrotation and “best fit” lines to estimate axis and degrees of malrotation using the same fluoroscopy of the 24 models.

Results:

The intraclass correlation coefficient of reliability for percentage of metaphyseal overhang ranged from 0.775 to 0.987. Observers correctly predicted axis of malrotation in 76% and correctly predicted amount of malrotation in 75% of models.

Conclusions:

Estimation of axis of malrotation and degrees of malrotation within 5 degrees in SCHFx can be predicted in 75% of our 3D printed models.