bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inappropriate use of antiplatelet agents for primary prevention in nursing homes: An Italian multicenter observational study
Authors: Pasina Luca , Novella Alessio , Elli Chiara , Nobili Alessandro , Ianes Aladar
Published: July 2020

Aim

The benefits of antiplatelets to prevent cardio‐ and cerebrovascular disease are recognized and appropriate only for “secondary prevention.” This multicenter retrospective study was designed to (i) examine the prevalence of residents receiving antiplatelets for primary and secondary cardio‐ and cerebrovascular prevention, and (ii) evaluate the predictors of inappropriate antiplatelet prescription.

Methods

This study was conducted in a sample of Italian long‐term care nursing homes (NHs). Appropriate use of antiplatelets was defined in accordance with the strongest evidence‐based indications.

Results

Among the 2579 patients recruited from 27 long‐term care NHs (age mean ± SD: 86.8 ± 7.3; women: 1995; 77.4%), 1092 were treated with antiplatelets (42.3%) and 619 (56.7%) were receiving antiplatelet agents for inappropriate primary prevention of cardio‐ or cerebrovascular atherothrombotic events. Age, dementia or cerebral atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes without chronic complication and hypertension were predictors of inappropriate prescription of antiplatelets. Patients inappropriately treated with antiplatelets also had a higher risk of receiving proton pump inhibitors than those appropriately not treated in univariate (OR 95% CI = 2.79 (2.25–3.46, p < 0.0001) and multivariate models (OR 95% CI 2.71 (2.16–3.40, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Most patients receiving antiplatelet agents in NHs are being inappropriately treated for primary prevention of cardio‐ or cerebrovascular disease. NH residents with diagnosis of dementia or cerebral atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes without chronic complication and hypertension seemed more likely to receive antiplatelets inappropriately. Patients without an evidence‐based indication for antiplatelets also received proton‐pump inhibitors in an unnecessary “prescribing cascade,” which should be assessed for de‐prescribing. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 828–832.
Stability of oil–water primary emulsions stabilised with varying levels of casein and whey proteins affected by high‐intensity ultrasound
Authors: Silva Mayumi , Zisu Bogdan , Chandrapala Jayani
Published: July 2020

This study evaluates physical and chemical stability of ultrasound‐assisted grape seed oil primary emulsions stabilised by varying compositions of caseins to whey proteins (80:20, 60:40, 50:50 and 40:60) at different sono‐operating conditions (81.9 and 117.0 J mL−1). Physical and chemical stabilities were influenced by both sonication energy densities and milk protein compositions. Emulsions prepared at 81.9 J mL−1 energy density with ≥40% whey protein fraction (60:40, 50:50, 40:60 and WPI) showed greater physical stability than the emulsions sonicated at 117.0 J mL−1 which exhibited physical instability due to the depletion flocculation mechanism at the critical casein concentration (≥40%). The emulsion oxidative stability was found to be affected by sonication conditions as 117.0 J mL−1 induced the oxidation reactions once the whey concentration exceeds 40%. Therefore, ultrasound prepared emulsions with casein to whey ratios of 60:40, 50:50, 40:60 and WPI at 81.9 J mL−1 energy density was found to be stable for 10 days at 4 °C.
Influence of the type of calcium salt on the cation absorption and firmness of black ripe olives
Authors: García‐Serrano Pedro , Romero Concepción , García‐García Pedro , Brenes Manuel
Published: July 2020

The preservation of olives intended for processing as black ripe olives must be done in a salt‐free environment although it involves the use of calcium addition to retard olive softening. Calcium chloride and calcium lactate were added by up to 1600 mg Ca L−1 (i) in the preservation liquid of olives before darkening and (ii) in the cover packing brine. The highest texture and calcium absorption were found in the latter case. In addition, the sensory characteristics of the final product were not affected by the use of any of the calcium salts studied at concentrations of up to 1600 mg Ca L−1. Calcium chloride and calcium lactate can be employed to obtain higher texture and calcium content in black ripe olives, although it is advisable to add the cation to the cover packing brine of pitted olives rather than to the preservation liquid.
The microbiota diversity identified during the cocoa fermentation and the benefits of the starter cultures use: an overview
Authors: Chagas Junior Gilson Celso Albuquerque , Ferreira Nelson Rosa , Lopes Alessandra Santos
Published: July 2020

Cocoa fermentation is a process that is constantly in evidence in the scientific world, as it is the pillar for the production of one of the most consumed foods in the world: the chocolate. Along with well‐applied fermentation techniques, careful handling and variety of fruit, the microbiota (or cocobiota) is responsible for imparting characteristic and desirable aromas to chocolate. In addition to providing the start of essential physical and chemical reactions inside the seed to reduce the astringency and natural bitterness of the seeds, the production of starter crops is an alternative to obtain fermented beans with specific desirable characteristics. In this review, we discuss the latest studies on cocobiota identification and the benefits of using starter cultures and we conclude that advances have been made in recent years with regard to improving the fermentation process after using starter cultures, like reducing time, producing desirable volatile compounds and inhibiting putrefactive compounds.
Importance of not skipping breakfast: a review
Authors: Rani Rekha , Dharaiya Chetan N. , Singh Bhopal
Published: July 2020

Breakfast is most important meal of the day and usually taken after night fast or after a long gap. Various health surveys and cross‐sectional studies reported morning meal positive effect on memory recall, children performance, mood, work performance, cognitive function, women health like irregular mensuration and reduction in obesity and effect on body mass index. Still people skip breakfast throughout the world due to several reasons like lack of time, family environment, single‐parent family, not feeling hunger in morning or having several misconceptions like thinking of being obese. Skipping morning meal has an adverse effect on health. This review focuses on awareness of breakfast and its positive impact on health as the breakfast skipping trend is increasing around the world and also drawing the attention of researchers to develop convenient, nutritious breakfast options and awareness programmes for significance of breakfast.
Providing a safety net for the vulnerable persons in Ghana: Does the extended family matter?
Authors: Owusu Samuel , Baidoo Samuel Tawiah
Published: July 2020

Social protection is very important as far as marginalised and vulnerable people are concerned. Ghana has implemented several social protection programmes over the years, aimed at improving the welfare of Ghanaians. However, these programmes have not been as effective as expected due to some challenges in their implementation and in the national economy. Given the ineffectiveness of the programmes, the role of the extended family in improving the welfare of vulnerable people cannot be overemphasised. Notwithstanding, the extended family system is fading away and losing its importance due to modernisation and the rise in individualism. The study sought, therefore, to justify the need for the preservation of the extended family system. Using 1,688 respondents and employing the binary probit model, the results show that the poor, the aged, single parents, the uneducated, the unemployed and rural residents are more likely to live with their extended family. This implies that the extended family continues to serve as a safety net for the vulnerable in Ghana, hence the need to preserve it.
Carboxylic acid responses by a conserved odorant receptor in culicine vector mosquitoes
Authors: Huff Robert M. , Pitts R. Jason
Published: July 2020

Many mosquito behaviours that are critical for survival and reproduction depend upon timely responses to chemical cues. Of interest are the effects of volatile organic compounds like carboxylic acids (CAs) that are released by potential blood meal hosts. Short chain CAs are among the primary attractants for host‐seeking females and influence host selection in vector species. Although the behavioural relevance of CA's has been established, less is known about the molecular receptive events that evoke responses to specific compounds, with the Ir family of chemoreceptors being broadly implicated in their detection. In this study, we demonstrate that Or orthologs from two vector species, Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse), are selectively activated by straight chain carboxylic acids and that these responses are attenuated by the commercial insect repellant N,N‐Diethyl‐meta‐toluamide. Our results suggest that multiple chemoreceptors, representing diverse families, are able to mediate molecular responses to CAs and may therefore underlie important behaviours that directly impact disease‐transmission cycles.
Germline mutagenesis of Nasonia vitripennis through ovarian delivery of CRISPR‐Cas9 ribonucleoprotein
Authors: Chaverra‐Rodriguez D. , Dalla Benetta E. , Heu C. C. , Rasgon J. L. , Ferree P. M. , Akbari O. S.
Published: July 2020

CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing is a powerful technology to study the genetics of rising model organisms, such as the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis. However, current methods involving embryonic microinjection of CRISPR reagents are challenging. Delivery of Cas9 ribonucleoprotein into female ovaries is an alternative that has only been explored in a small handful of insects, such as mosquitoes, whiteflies and beetles. Here, we developed a simple protocol for germline gene editing by injecting Cas9 ribonucleoprotein in adult N. vitripennis females using either ReMOT control (Receptor‐Mediated Ovary Transduction of Cargo) or BAPC (Branched Amphiphilic Peptide Capsules) as ovary delivery methods. For ReMOT Control we used the Drosophila melanogaster‐derived peptide ‘P2C’ fused to EGFP to visualize the ovary delivery, and fused to Cas9 protein for gene editing of the cinnabar gene using saponin as an endosomal escape reagent. For BAPC we optimized the concentrations of protein, sgRNA and the transfection reagent. We demonstrate delivery of protein cargo such as EGFP and Cas9 into developing oocytes via P2C peptide and BAPC. Additionally, somatic and germline gene editing were demonstrated. This approach will greatly facilitate CRISPR‐applied genetic manipulation in this and other rising model organisms.
Effects of obesity on balance in people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Perez‐Cruzado David , Gonzalez‐Sanchez Manuel , Ignacio Cuesta‐Vargas Antonio
Published: July 2020

Background/Aim

To know the differences in balance of people with intellectual disability with and without obesity.

Method

549 people with intellectual disability were evaluated. Participants were categorized as obese or non‐obese according to their body mass index. All participants were evaluated with tests for static and semi‐static balance.

Results

There were significant differences in the static balance between obese and non‐obese people with intellectual disability. For women, there were not significant differences for any tests; in contrast for men, there were only significant differences in the SLSCE in people aged 37–46 years.

Conclusions

Significant differences were found in static balance between non‐obese and obese people. In the analyses, in consideration of gender and age range, significant differences were only found in one static balance test, in the young adult men´s group. No significant differences were found in women, either in middle‐aged adults or in older adults.
CaMKII‐dependent ryanodine receptor phosphorylation mediates sepsis‐induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis
Authors: Sepúlveda Marisa , Burgos Juan Ignacio , Ciocci Pardo Alejandro , González Arbelaez Luisa , Mosca Susana , Vila Petroff Martin
Published: July 2020

Sepsis is associated with cardiac dysfunction, which is at least in part due to cardiomyocyte apoptosis. However, the underlying mechanisms are far from being understood. Using the colon ascendens stent peritonitis mouse model of sepsis (CASP), we examined the subcellular mechanisms that mediate sepsis‐induced apoptosis. Wild‐type (WT) CASP mice hearts showed an increase in apoptosis respect to WT‐Sham. CASP transgenic mice expressing a CaMKII inhibitory peptide (AC3‐I) were protected against sepsis‐induced apoptosis. Dantrolene, used to reduce ryanodine receptor (RyR) diastolic sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release, prevented apoptosis in WT‐CASP. To examine whether CaMKII‐dependent RyR2 phosphorylation mediates diastolic Ca2+ release and apoptosis in sepsis, we evaluated apoptosis in mutant mice hearts that have the CaMKII phosphorylation site of RyR2 (Serine 2814) mutated to Alanine (S2814A). S2814A CASP mice did not show increased apoptosis. Consistent with RyR2 phosphorylation‐dependent enhancement in diastolic SR Ca2+ release leading to mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, mitochondrial Ca2+ retention capacity was reduced in mitochondria isolated from WT‐CASP compared to Sham and this reduction was absent in mitochondria from CASP S2814A or dantrolene‐treated mice. We conclude that in sepsis, CaMKII‐dependent RyR2 phosphorylation results in diastolic Ca2+ release from SR which leads to mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and apoptosis.
LncRNA‐mRNA expression profiles and functional networks in osteoclast differentiation
Authors: Liu Wenjie , Li Zhaofeng , Cai Zhaopeng , Xie Zhongyu , Li Jinteng , Li Ming , Cen Shuizhong , Tang Su'an , Zheng Guan , Ye Guiwen , Su Hongjun , Wang Shan , Wang Peng , Shen Huiyong , Wu Yanfeng
Published: July 2020

Human osteoclasts are differentiated from CD14+ monocytes and are responsible for bone resorption. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proved to be significantly involved in multiple biologic processes, especially in cell differentiation. However, the effect of lncRNAs in osteoclast differentiation is less appreciated. In our study, RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) was used to identify the expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs in osteoclast differentiation. The results demonstrated that expressions of 1117 lncRNAs and 296 mRNAs were significantly altered after osteoclast differentiation. qRT‐PCR assays were performed to confirm the expression profiles, and the results were almost consistent with the RNA‐seq data. GO and KEGG analyses were used to predict the functions of these differentially expressed mRNA and lncRNAs. The Path‐net analysis demonstrated that MAPK pathway, PI3K‐AKT pathway and NF‐kappa B pathway played important roles in osteoclast differentiation. Co‐expression networks and competing endogenous RNA networks indicated that ENSG00000257764.2‐miR‐106a‐5p‐TIMP2 may play a central role in osteoclast differentiation. Our study provides a foundation to further understand the role and underlying mechanism of lncRNAs in osteoclast differentiation, in which many of them could be potential targets for bone metabolic disease.
Effect of temperature on the development time and life‐time fecundity ofTrichopria anastrephaeparasitizingDrosophila suzukii
Authors: Vieira Julia G. A. , Krüger Alexandra P. , Scheuneumann Tiago , Garcez Amanda M. , Morais Maira C. , Garcia Flávio R. M. , Nava Dori E. , Bernardi Daniel
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C), on the development time and life‐time fecundity ofTrichopria anastrephaeLima, 1940 (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) parasitizingDrosophila suzukii(Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae).D. suzukiipupae that were up to 24‐hr old were submitted toT. anastrephaeparasitism for 24 hr. They were placed in plastic containers (50 ml) (ten pupae per container) in climatic chambers at temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C ± 1°C with a relative humidity of 70% ± 10% and a 12 hr photoperiod. For the adult phase,T. anastrephaecouples that were up to 24 hr old were each placed in plastic cages (300 ml) and kept at the same temperatures cited above until their deaths. The higher numbers of parasitism and offspring production were obtained at temperatures between 15 and 25ºC. At the temperatures of 10 and 35ºC, there was no emergence of individuals. The lower thermal threshold (Tt) for the egg to adult period was ≈ 14.6°C for males and females with thermal constants (K) of 384.61 and 432.90, respectively. In terms of the fertility life table,T. anastrephaeat 20 and 25°C presented shorter generation time (T) and higher net reproductive rates (Ro) in relation to other temperatures. The data show the ability ofT. anastrephaeto adapt to different thermal conditions, which is important for biological control programmes ofD. suzukii.
Diversity and phylogenetic analysis of endosymbionts from Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio) and its parasitoids in Kenya
Authors: Rasowo Brenda A. , Copeland Robert S. , Khamis Fathiya M. , Aidoo Owusu F. , Ajene Inusa J. , Mohamed Samira A. , Sétamou Mamoudou , Ekesi Sunday , Borgemeister Christian
Published: July 2020

The African citrus triozid (ACT), Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio), is the primary vector of Candidatus Liberibacter africanus (CLaf), the causative agent of Africa citrus greening disease (ACGD). This study evaluates the diversity of ACT parasitoids and further characterizes endosymbionts associated with both T. erytreae and its parasitoids that could be used as biological control agents of T. erytreae and management of ACGD. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene was used to reconstruct T. erytreae and its parasitoids phylogeny, while 16S rRNA gene was used for the bacterial phylogeny. One well‐supported clade of ACT was detected within the Triozidae phylogeny, while the parasitoid species clustered into four groups within eulophid and encyrtid phylogeny. The phylogenetic result of parasitoids was supported by morphological identification where five different parasitoid species could be identified, that is Tamarixia dryi, Psyllaephagus pulvinatus, Tetrastichus sp., Aphidencyrtus cassatus and Charipine species. Moreover, four eubacterial symbionts (Wolbachia,Rickettsia,Arsenophonus and Candidatus Liberibacter sp.) were detected in T. erytreae and three symbionts (Wolbachia,Rickettsia and Cardinuim) in the parasitoid specimens. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic inferences clustered the identified eubacterial symbionts within α and γ proteobacteria subdivisions. Phylogenetic inferences of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that Wolbachia strains from ACT and the parasitoids did not form a single monophyletic clade; however, both clustered within Supergroup B. The impacts of these parasitoid species and endosymbionts on ACT are still unknown, but their occurrence and broad distribution indicate the possibility of future use for control of T. erytreae.
Influence of delayed umbilical cord clamping on pain during suture of perineal tears: A randomised controlled study
Authors: Li Yue , Zou Yun , Han Cuicun , Liu Xiaowei , Jiang Mei
Published: July 2020

Objective

This study investigated whether the delayed umbilical cord clamping can influence the pain during suturing perineal tears.

Design

This randomised controlled study applied the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement.

Methods

The sample comprised 288 pregnant women who gave birth through vaginal delivery in our hospital from November 2019 to December 2019. They were randomly divided into 2 groups—early umbilical cord clamping (n = 147) and delayed umbilical cord clamping (n = 141)—without severe pregnancy complications. There was no intrauterine infection, neonatal asphyxia or premature birth in the 288 newborns. The pain scores of the Numerical Rating Scale, Visual Analogue Scale, Verbal Rating Scale and Faces Pain Scale‐Revised were used as indicators to evaluate the mothers’ pain. The Mann–Whitney U test was used, and the statistical significance was set to p < .05.

Result

All indicators suggest that perineal suture pain of delayed umbilical cord clamping was lower than that of the control group. For the experience group, the perception of pain for the mothers who received analgesia was less than that for those who did not. For the control group, the Verbal Rating Scale suggests a statistical difference in suturing pain between acceptable and unacceptable labour analgesia. The degree of cooperation of the experience group was higher than that of the control group, but labour analgesia did not affect cooperation degree in both groups.

Conclusion

Delayed umbilical cord clamping can alleviate maternal pain when suturing perineal tears and improve the delivery experience. Labour analgesia can enhance the pain relief effect. Trial registration was performed on www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR1900026797).

Relevance to clinical practice

As a part of perinatal nursing, delayed umbilical cord clamping can help alleviate the pain of perineal suture and improve the experience of parturient. The method is simple and can be used as a routine nursing operation.
Local Crowding‐Out in China
Authors: HUANG YI , PAGANO MARCO , PANIZZA UGO
Published: July 2020

In China, between 2006 and 2013, local public debt crowded out the investment of private firms by tightening their funding constraints while leaving state‐owned firms' investment unaffected. We establish this result using a purpose‐built data set for Chinese local public debt. Private firms invest less in cities with more public debt, with the reduction in investment larger for firms located farther from banks in other cities or more dependent on external funding. Moreover, in cities where public debt is high, private firms' investment is more sensitive to internal cash flow.
Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining: Fast Trading, Microwave Connectivity, and Trading Costs
Authors: SHKILKO ANDRIY , SOKOLOV KONSTANTIN
Published: July 2020

Modern markets are characterized by speed differentials, with some traders being fractions of a second faster than others. Theoretical models suggest that such differentials may have both positive and negative effects on liquidity and gains from trade. We examine these effects by studying a series of exogenous weather episodes that temporarily remove the speed advantages of the fastest traders by disrupting their microwave networks. The disruptions are associated with lower adverse selection and lower trading costs. In additional analysis, we show that the long‐term removal of speed differentials results in similar effects and also increases gains from trade.
Effect of estradiol vaginal gel on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A randomized double‐blind controlled trial
Authors: Tanmahasamut Prasong , Jirasawas Titima , Laiwejpithaya Somsak , Areeswate Chatchai , Dangrat Chongdee , Silprasit Kittayaporn
Published: July 2020

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 25 μg of estradiol gel on postmenopausal vaginal tissue.

Methods

This randomized double‐blind controlled trial included postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy who attended our menopause clinic during July 2017–January 2018. Women were randomly assigned to the estradiol gel group or control group (K‐Y® Jelly). Treatment consisted of 2 mL of product applied intravaginally daily for 2 weeks, and two doses per week for the next 6 weeks. The most bothersome symptom (MBS), vaginal health index (VHI), vaginal pH, vaginal maturation index, vaginal maturation value (VMV), female sexual function index (FSFI), serum estradiol level and endometrial thickness were evaluated at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks.

Results

Seventy‐five of 80 women completed the trial. After 8 weeks of treatment, VMV, VHI, vaginal pH and FSFI improved significantly in the estradiol group, with no observed change in the control group. The MBS was decreased in both groups with no significant difference between groups. Serum estradiol level and endometrial thickness were not significantly different between groups at baseline or at week 8.

Conclusion

Estradiol vaginal gel demonstrated an ability to reverse vaginal atrophy with a high safety profile and low systemic absorption of estradiol.
Increased expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule and its possible role in epithelial–mesenchymal transition in endometriosis
Authors: Liu Duo , Yang Na , Liang Yanchun , Chen Ming , Yang Fan , Liu Lin , Yao Shuzhong
Published: July 2020

Aim

To study the involvement and interrelationship of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in endometriosis.

Methods

Samples from 114 patients undergoing endometrial biopsy or operation for endometriosis and 23 premenopausal women undergoing endometrial biopsy for non‐endometriotic benign disease. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression level of EpCAM, E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin in endometrium from patients with (n = 24) and without endometriosis (n = 23), and in lesions from bowel (n = 46), peritoneal (n = 20) and ovarian (n = 24) endometriosis.

Results

There was no significant difference in the expression level of EpCAM, E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin, respectively, between endometrium from women with and without endometriosis (P > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in the expression level of EpCAM, E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin, respectively, among lesions from the bowel, peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis (P > 0.05). We found that the immunoreactivity of endometriotic epithelial cells to EpCAM and N‐cadherin was significantly higher than that of eutopic endometrium, but decreased to E‐cadherin (P < 0.05). According to the expression level of EpCAM, the expression level of E‐Cadherin was significantly lower in endometriotic lesions with EpCAM expression above the mean level compared with that of endometriotic lesions with EpCAM expression below mean level, while the expression level of N‐cadherin was contrary (P < 0.001). EpCAM staining level was negatively correlated with E‐cadherin but positively correlated with N‐cadherin (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

These data suggest that overexpression of EpCAM, accompanied by an EMT, might be involved in endometriosis. EMT may be induced by the overexpression of EpCAM, thus promoting the development of endometriosis, which needs future studies to confirm for the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
Brain MR Spectroscopy Markers of Encephalopathy Due to Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Tran Thao T. , Wei Ke , Cole Soren , Mena Edward , Csete Marie , King Kevin S.
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In hepatic encephalopathy (HE), osmotic stressors promoting brain edema result in a compensatory drop in the astrocyte metabolite myo‐inositol (mI). Identifying differences between nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with and without HE and healthy controls using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and evaluating hypoalbuminemia and hyperammonemia as osmotic stressors that predict the reduction of mI allow further understanding of mechanisms that promote brain edema in HE. The aim of this study was to assess brain edema in HE using characteristic MRS markers and serum albumin.

METHODS

We evaluated between group differences among 19 NASH cirrhosis without HE (Crhs‐HE) (age = 63 ± 8.7), 9 NASH cirrhosis with HE (Crhs+HE) (age = 63 ± 9.2), and 16 controls (age = 57.8 ± 11.7) using 1H MRS. Glutamine (Gln/tCr) and serum albumin were evaluated as predictors of myo‐inositol (mI/tCr) using linear regression. Statistical significance was set at P < .05 with adjustment for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

Brain mI/tCr was decreased, and Gln/tCr increased in Crhs+HE compared to Crhs‐HE and controls in both brain regions (P < .001 for all). Evaluated together as joint predictors, serum albumin but not Gln/tCr significantly predicted mI/tCr in GM (P = .02 and P = .2, respectively) and PWM (P = .01 and P = .1, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Low mI/tCr and increased Gln/tCr were characteristics of Crhs+HE. Low serum albumin was the strongest predictor of brain osmotic stress indicated by reduced mI/tCr, with no residual independent association seen for brain Gln/tCr concentration. This suggests that hypoalbuminemia in chronic liver disease may promote brain edema in HE.
World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Dental Guidelines
Authors: Niemiec B. , Gawor J. , Nemec A. , Clarke D. , McLeod K. , Tutt C. , Gioso M. , Steagall P.V. , Chandler M. , Morgenegg G. , Jouppi R.
Published: July 2020

Dental, oral, and maxillofacial diseases are some of the most common problems in small animal veterinary practice. These conditions create significant pain as well as localized and potentially systemic infection. As such, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) believes that un‐ and under treated oral and dental diseases pose a significant animal welfare concern. Dentistry is an area of veterinary medicine which is still widely ignored and is subject to many myths and misconceptions. Effective teaching of veterinary dentistry in the veterinary school is the key to progression in this field of veterinary medicine, and to the improvement of welfare for all our patients globally.

These guidelines were developed to provide veterinarians with the information required to understand best practices for dental therapy and create realistic minimum standards of care. Using the three‐tiered continuing education system of WSAVA, the guidelines make global equipment and therapeutic recommendations and highlight the anaesthetic and welfare requirements for small animal patients.

This document contains information on common oral and dental pathologies, diagnostic procedures (an easily implementable and repeatable scoring system for dental health, dental radiography and radiology) and treatments (periodontal therapy, extractions). Further, there are sections on anaesthesia and pain management for dental procedures, home dental care, nutritional information, and recommendations on the role of the universities in improving veterinary dentistry. A discussion of the deleterious effects of anaesthesia free dentistry (AFD) is included, as this procedure is ineffective at best and damaging at worst. Throughout the document the negative effects of undiagnosed and/or treated dental disease on the health and well‐being of our patients, and how this equates to an animal welfare issue, is discussed.
Simple ostectomy to address quadriceps impingement caused by distal femoral malunion in four dogs
Authors: Jones S. C. , Tryon E. K. , Kieves N. R. , Dyce J.
Published: July 2020

Four dogs were evaluated for chronic pelvic limb lameness. Radiographs revealed distal femoral malunion with caudo‐proximal displacement, resulting in impingement of the quadriceps from the distal aspect of the proximal femoral segment. All dogs presented with femoral shortening and increased femoral procurvatum when compared with the normal contralateral femur. There was minimal angular or rotational misalignment. Treatment consisted of ostectomy of the fracture segment that was causing quadriceps impingement, with debridement of proliferative fracture callus proximal to the trochlear groove in all dogs. No attempt was made to address sagittal plane deformities. Long‐term orthopaedic examination with objective gait analysis in three dogs revealed minimal to no lameness in two and mild residual lameness in one dog. Long‐term radiographic analysis revealed fracture‐site remodelling with an increase in femoral length and a return of near‐normal femoral procurvatum in all dogs. Owner‐assessed long‐term outcome was excellent in all dogs.
The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Gun Ownership
Authors: Vegter Abigail , Kelley Margaret
Published: July 2020

This question on how religious beliefs shape attitudes about guns has received little attention in the literature. We use the religious concept of supernatural evil, or beliefs about Satan, Hell, Armageddon, and demons, to provide context for ideas about gun ownership and the development of attitudes toward gun policy. While this has been explored quantitatively using national survey data, we argue that an in‐depth qualitative approach provides necessary nuance. As part of an ongoing ethnography in Northeastern Kansas, we conducted interviews with 55 women and 7 men who own and shoot guns. For this paper, we report on a religion module subsample that probes religiosity, spirituality, and gun ownership. Based on the rich contextual information from the interviews, we illuminate a package of beliefs that come together as anethic, a set of moral principles guiding gun ownership for a subset of gun owners. We suggest the spirit of gun ownership is a bundle of duties that guide individual gun owners to stress the need to protect, be diligent, and defend. Moreover, belief in supernatural evil is bound up in policy attitudes that protect or expand gun rights.
High throughput shotgun sequencing of eRNA reveals taxonomic and derived functional shifts across a benthic productivity gradient
Authors: Broman Elias , Bonaglia Stefano , Norkko Alf , Creer Simon , Nascimento Francisco J. A.
Published: July 2020

Benthic macrofauna is regularly used in monitoring programmes, however the vast majority of benthic eukaryotic biodiversity lies mostly in microscopic organisms, such as meiofauna (invertebrates < 1 mm) and protists, that rapidly responds to environmental change. These communities have traditionally been hard to sample and handle in the laboratory, but DNA sequencing has made such work less time consuming. While DNA sequencing captures both alive and dead organisms, environmental RNA (eRNA) better targets living organisms or organisms of recent origin in the environment. Here, we assessed the biodiversity of three known bioindicator microeukaryote groups (nematodes, foraminifera, and ciliates) in sediment samples collected at seven coastal sites along an organic carbon (OC) gradient. We aimed to investigate if eRNA shotgun sequencing can be used to simultaneously detect differences in (i) biodiversity of multiple microeukaryotic communities; and (ii) functional feeding traits of nematodes. Results showed that biodiversity was lower for nematodes and foraminifera in high OC (6.2%–6.9%), when compared to low OC sediments (1.2%–2.8%). Dissimilarity in community composition increased for all three groups between Low OC and High OC, as well as the classified feeding type of nematode genera (with more nonselective deposit feeders in high OC sediment). High relative abundant genera included nematode Sabatieria and foraminifera Elphidium in high OC, and Cryptocaryon‐like ciliates in low OC sediments. Considering that future sequencing technologies are likely to decrease in cost, the use of eRNA shotgun sequencing to assess biodiversity of benthic microeukaryotes could be a powerful tool in recurring monitoring programmes.
Dynamical systems theory in cognitive science and neuroscience
Authors: Favela Luis H.
Published: July 2020

Dynamical systems theory (DST) is a branch of mathematics that assesses abstract or physical systems that change over time. It has a quantitative part (mathematical equations) and a related qualitative part (plotting equations in a state space). Nonlinear dynamical systems theory applies the same tools in research involving phenomena such as chaos and hysteresis. These approaches have provided different ways of investigating and understanding cognitive systems in cognitive science and neuroscience. The ‘dynamical hypothesis’ claims that cognition is and can be understood as dynamical systems. Common consequences for such an approach include rejecting understanding cognition as information processing in nature, including eschewing explanatory roles for computation or representation. Contemporary applications of DST include mouse‐tracking studies in cognitive science and nonrepresentational perspectives on motor control in neuroscience. Such work has philosophical implications concerning the boundaries of cognition, explanation, and representations. DST offers powerful methodology and theories that raise many topics of philosophical significance.
Economic impact of faith‐based residential addiction recovery for the homeless
Authors: Lashley Mary
Published: July 2020

Objective

To examine the economic and fiscal impact of a faith‐based long‐term residential addiction recovery program for homeless men on the state and local economy.

Design

This descriptive study used entry, within‐program, and exit data to determine the program's fiscal and economic impact.

Sample

The population consisted of 5,122 homeless men at an inner‐city mission in Baltimore City from 2006 to 2019.

Measurements

To compare costs and savings at different program intervals, economists examined program data before, during, and following completion of the program. Data were analyzed using the IMPLAN input‐output model.

Results

The study revealed that each man who participates in the residential recovery program for 1 year produces a total savings of $14,263 to state and county governments. Each man who successfully completes the program saves state and county governments over $5,000 per year post graduation. Each man who works for 1 year following graduation and reallocates his spending from illicit drugs to goods and services in the economy supports 1.5 jobs and generates over $240,000 in additional revenue and economic output.

Conclusion

The findings from this study support the value of this faith‐based residential program in promoting economic productivity in the surrounding state and region.
Spillovers from transport infrastructures onto firm productivity: An analytical and empirical study
Authors: Liu Zheming , Li Bin , Zeng Saixing , Chen Hongquan
Published: July 2020

Although issues about the economic spillovers from transport infrastructure have been discussed and debated for decades, a great deal of controversy concerning the direction and magnitude of the economic effects of transport infrastructure remains, and the empirical evidence of those effects in emerging economies is still insufficient. In this study, based on a sample of Chinese manufacturing firms during the period 1998–2007, we employed a method combining the difference‐in‐differences approach with the propensity scoring matching technique to research the effects of improvements in transport infrastructure on firm productivity. With highways used as a typical example of transport infrastructure, the results suggested that a connection to highways boosted firm productivity by an average of 0.043, or approximately 0.74% of the sample mean. Moreover, this study provided evidence that the effects of improvements in transport infrastructure on firm productivity were stronger in industries producing nondurable goods and driven by an increase in firm innovation. This study’s findings contribute to a reconciliation of the controversy concerning the economic effects of transport infrastructure and enrich the empirical evidence of that effect in emerging economies.
Dribbling speed predicts goal‐scoring success in a soccer training game
Authors: Wilson Robbie S. , Smith Nicholas M. A. , Melo de Souza Nicolau , Moura Felipe Arruda
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study was to explore the underlying bases of goal‐scoring ability of junior soccer players. Male players (mean age 17.2 years, SD = 1.3) were recruited from an elite Brazilian football academy. We assessed each individual's dribbling and sprinting speed along five 30 m paths varying in curvature from 0 to 1.37 radians/m. We also quantified each player's ability to dribble the ball through a series of 15 cones using six different techniques. Dribbling, sprinting, and technical dribbling were then compared with an individual's goal‐scoring ability as assessed when competing against one defender and a goalkeeper protecting a full‐sized goal (N = 20‐48 attempts/ individual). Goal‐scoring success was significantly positively associated with their sprint speed (r = .60; P = .014), dribbling speed (r = .81; P < .0001), and technical dribbling (r = .49; P = .022). An individual's percentage of shots saved was only significantly associated with their dribbling speed (r = −.81; P < .001), with faster dribblers less likely to have their shots saved. Based on the full multivariate model for goal‐scoring success (adjusted r2 = .60; P < .001), dribbling speed was the only significant correlate (t = 3.51; P < .001). Our study demonstrates that our metric of dribbling speed, as measured along curved paths, was associated with goal‐scoring success. Future studies should focus on specific training regimes aimed at improving dribbling ability, and measuring any impact on the creation of goal‐scoring opportunities and number of goals scored.
Molecular basis for neofunctionalization of duplicated E3 ubiquitin ligases underlying adaptation to drought tolerance inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Jiménez‐Morales Estela , Aguilar‐Hernández Victor , Aguilar‐Henonin Laura , Guzmán Plinio
Published: July 2020

Multigene families in plants expanded from ancestral genes via gene duplication mechanisms constitute a significant fraction of the coding genome. Although most duplicated genes are lost over time, many are retained in the genome. Clusters of tandemly arrayed genes are commonly found in the plant genome where they can promote expansion of gene families. In the present study, promoter fusion to theGUSreporter gene was used to examine the promoter architecture of duplicated E3 ligase genes that are part of group C in theArabidopsis thaliana ATLfamily. Acquisition of gene expression byAtATL78, possibly generated from defectiveAtATL81expression, is described.AtATL78expression was purportedly enhanced by insertion of a TATA box within the core promoter region after a short tandem duplication that occurred during evolution of Brassicaceae lineages. This gene is associated with an adaptation to drought tolerance ofA. thaliana. These findings also suggest duplicated genes could serve as a reservoir of tacit genetic information, and expression of these duplicated genes is activated upon acquisition of core promoter sequences. Remarkably, drought transcriptome profiling in response to rehydration suggests thatATL78‐dependent gene expression predominantly affects genes with root‐specific activities.
Network‐based approaches for understanding gene regulation and function in plants
Authors: Ko Dae Kwan , Brandizzi Federica
Published: July 2020

Expression reprogramming directed by transcription factors is a primary gene regulation underlying most aspects of the biology of any organism. Our views of how gene regulation is coordinated are dramatically changing thanks to the advent and constant improvement of high‐throughput profiling and transcriptional network inference methods: from activities of individual genes to functional interactions across genes. These technical and analytical advances can reveal the topology of transcriptional networks in which hundreds of genes are hierarchically regulated by multiple transcription factors at systems level. Here we review the state of the art of experimental and computational methods used in plant biology research to obtain large‐scale datasets and model transcriptional networks. Examples of direct use of these network models and perspectives on their limitations and future directions are also discussed.
Fat graft for reducing pain in chronic wounds
Authors: Cuomo Roberto , Giardino Francesco R. , Nisi Giuseppe , Han Jingjian , Diluiso Giuseppe , Tresoldi Marco M. , Pieretti Gorizio , Brandi Cesare , Grimaldi Luca
Published: July 2020

Background

Chronic wounds are one of the most important challenge for regenerative surgery. Plastic surgeon can use fat graft to increase wound healing because its growth factors can enhance tissue regeneration. In a recent study, the authors evaluated a reduction of pain in a cohort of patients submitted to breast reconstruction with breast implant and lipofilling, putting into evidence that growth factors in fat graft can reduce post‐surgical pain. The aim of this work is to evaluate ultra‐filtered fat graft potential in reducing pain in chronic wounds.

Patients and Methods

Fifty new patients with chronic wounds of different etiology were recruited for this study and divided into two groups: A, treatment and B, control. Twenty‐five patients per group. Negative pressure therapy dressing was applied after surgical debridement. Three days later patients in group A received ultrafiltered fat graft. Pain was evaluated with preoperative Visual Analogic Scale, repeated twice a day for 14 days and finally 21 days from procedures.

Results

In group A (treated patients), pain was lower. These data were confirmed even after 7 days. The overall statistical analysis of the average of all values (SD 1.72) confirmed that the differences were significant at the 95% with the Chi‐square test and analysis of variance (P value < .05).

Conclusions

The ultra‐filtered fat graft placed on the wound bed and edges was effective in reducing pain in chronic wounds. The reduction of pain was statistically significant.
Optical imaging of collagen fiber damage to assess thermally injured human skin
Authors: Schroeder Alexandra B. , Karim Aos , Ocotl Edgar , Dones Jesús M. , Chacko Jenu V. , Liu Aiping , Raines Ronald T. , Gibson Angela L. F. , Eliceiri Kevin W.
Published: July 2020

Surgery is the definitive treatment for burn patients who sustain full‐thickness burn injuries. Visual assessment of burn depth is made by the clinician early after injury but is accurate only up to 70% of the time among experienced surgeons. Collagen undergoes denaturation as a result of thermal injury; however, the association of collagen denaturation and cellular death in response to thermal injury is unknown. While gene expression assays and histologic staining allow for ex vivo identification of collagen changes, these methods do not provide spatial or integrity information in vivo. Thermal effects on collagen and the role of collagen in wound repair have been understudied in human burn models due to a lack of methods to visualize both intact and denatured collagen. Hence, there is a critical need for a clinically applicable method to discriminate between damaged and intact collagen fibers in tissues. We present two complementary candidate methods for visualization of collagen structure in three dimensions. Second harmonic generation imaging offers a label‐free, high‐resolution method to identify intact collagen. Simultaneously, a fluorophore‐tagged collagen‐mimetic peptide can detect damaged collagen. Together, these methods enable the characterization of collagen damage in human skin biopsies from burn patients, as well as ex vivo thermally injured human skin samples. These combined methods could enhance the understanding of the role of collagen in human wound healing after thermal injury and potentially assist in clinical decision‐making.