bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alcohol consumption in India: A rising burden and a fractured response
Authors: Gururaj Gopalkrishna , Gautham Melur S. , Arvind Banavaram A.
Published: October 2020

Issues

To review the burden of alcohol use in India, examine current policy initiatives and programs specific to India and provide a roadmap for future actions.

Approach

A literature search was undertaken to review available published research papers, unpublished reports and anecdotal media information in the period 2000–2020 to assess the burden and pattern of alcohol use and appraise alcohol control policies in India.

Key Findings

The per‐capita alcohol consumption among individuals aged 15+ years was 5.7 L, which increased over time. Prevalence of alcohol use varied across states with considerable impact on the nation. Regulatory policies and alcohol control programs vary across Indian states, with poor enforcement and implementation. Taxation and pricing policies are revenue oriented. Policies are needed to address the aggressive and innovative marketing strategies of the alcohol industry. The system for regular monitoring of alcohol burden and conducting alcohol policy analysis needs strengthening.

Implications

Alcohol use and its public health impact would continue to increase in India in the absence of effective policy and programs; the country may not achieve its stated goal of relative reduction of alcohol use prevalence by 10% by 2025.

Conclusion

The prevailing alcohol control policies and programs in India have been less than fully effective in controlling the burden of alcohol use and its associated impact. There is a need for comprehensive, evidence‐based and consensus‐driven national alcohol control policy to appropriately guide and support the Indian states in regulating alcohol and reducing the associated burden. Effective implementations of such policies are central to its success.
Assessing the exposure of three diving bird species to offshore wind areas on the U.S. Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf using satellite telemetry
Authors: Stenhouse Iain J. , Berlin Alicia M. , Gilbert Andrew T. , Goodale M. Wing , Gray Carrie E. , Montevecchi William A. , Savoy Lucas , Spiegel Caleb S.
Published: October 2020

Aim

The United States Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) has considerable offshore wind energy potential. Capturing that resource is part of a broader effort to reduce CO2 emissions. While few turbines have been constructed in U.S. waters, over a dozen currently planned offshore wind projects have the potential to displace marine birds, potentially leading to effective habitat loss. We focused on three diving birds identified in Europe to be vulnerable to displacement. Our research aimed to determine their potential exposure to areas designated or proposed for offshore wind development along the Atlantic OCS.

Methods

Satellite tracking technology was used to determine the spatial and temporal use and movement patterns of Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspicillata), Red‐throated Loons (Gavia stellata) and Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus), and calculate their exposure to each offshore wind area. We tagged 236 adults in 2012–2015 on the Atlantic OCS from New Jersey to North Carolina; an additional 147 birds tagged in previous tracking studies were integrated into our analyses. Tracking data were analysed in two‐week intervals using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models to develop composite spatial utilization distributions. For each species, these distributions were then used to calculate the spatio‐temporal exposure to each offshore wind area.

Results

Surf Scoters and Red‐throated Loons were exposed to offshore wind areas almost exclusively during migration because these species were distributed among coastal and inshore waters during winter months. In contrast, Northern Gannets ranged over a much larger area, reaching farther offshore and south in winter, thus exhibited the greatest exposure to extant offshore wind areas.

Conclusions

Results of this study provide better understanding of how diving birds use current and potential future offshore wind areas on the Atlantic OCS, and can inform permitting, risk assessment and pre‐ and post‐construction impact assessments of offshore energy infrastructure.
Association of a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor gene variant with glucose response to a mixed meal
Authors: Mashayekhi Mona , Wilson Jessica R. , Jafarian‐Kerman Scott , Nian Hui , Yu Chang , Shuey Megan M. , Luther James M. , Brown Nancy J.
Published: October 2020

Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors increase endogenous glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1). We hypothesized that genetic variation in the gene encoding the GLP‐1 receptor (GLP1R) could affect the metabolic response to DPP‐4 inhibition. To evaluate the relationship between the GLP1R rs6923761 variant (G‐to‐A nucleic acid substitution) and metabolic responses, we performed mixed meal studies in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension after 7‐day treatment with placebo and the DPP‐4 inhibitor sitagliptin. This analysis is a substudy of NCT02130687. The genotype frequency was 13:12:7 GG:GA:AA among individuals of European ancestry. Postprandial glucose excursion was significantly decreased in individuals carrying the rs6923761 variant (GA or AA) as compared with GG individuals during both placebo (P = 0.001) and sitagliptin treatment (P = 0.045), while intact GLP‐1 levels were similar among the genotype groups. In contrast, sitagliptin lowered postprandial glucose to a greater degree in GG as compared with GA/AA individuals (P = 0.035). The relationship between GLP1R rs6923761 genotype and therapies that modulate GLP‐1 signalling merits study in large populations.
Pollen composition significantly impacts the development and survival of the native small carpenter bee, Ceratina calcarata
Authors: Lawson Sarah P. , Kennedy Kiley B. , Rehan Sandra M.
Published: October 2020

As native bee populations decrease, there is a need to better understand their nutritional requirements to sustain healthy pollinator populations. A common native bee to eastern North America is the small carpenter bee, Ceratina calcarata. Previous studies have shown that the primary pollen sources for C. calcarata consist of clover and rose.

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of diet composition on body size, development and survival. Artificial pollen diets were created using five different ratios of commercially available clover and rose pollen.

Diets containing higher ratios of clover pollen produced larger individuals with increased survival rates and faster development times. To examine this further, the macronutrient profiles of clover and rose pollen were characterised comparing: protein, sugar, fatty acid, and amino acid content. Results indicated that rose pollen contained significantly higher protein and sugar content, while clover pollen had higher concentrations of essential amino acids. These are crucial to bee health and development, which helps to explain the increased survivorship observed on high clover diet treatments.

Taken together, these results show that clover pollen provides a higher quality diet for larval development and survival of the native small carpenter bee. This research indicates that diet has a significant effect on the health of the native pollinator community and more research is needed to further explore the balance between pollen quality and availability, including essential macronutrients and the availability of these floral sources for wild bees.
Ocean acidification causes variable trait‐shifts in a coral species
Authors: Teixidó Núria , Caroselli Erik , Alliouane Samir , Ceccarelli Chiara , Comeau Steeve , Gattuso Jean‐Pierre , Fici Pietro , Micheli Fiorenza , Mirasole Alice , Monismith Stephen G. , Munari Marco , Palumbi Stephen R. , Sheets Elizabeth , Urbini Lidia , De Vittor Cinzia , Goffredo Stefano , Gambi Maria Cristina
Published: October 2020

High pCO2 habitats and their populations provide an unparalleled opportunity to assess how species may survive under future ocean acidification conditions, and help to reveal the traits that confer tolerance. Here we utilize a unique CO2 vent system to study the effects of exposure to elevated pCO2 on trait‐shifts observed throughout natural populations of Astroides calycularis, an azooxanthellate scleractinian coral endemic to the Mediterranean. Unexpected shifts in skeletal and growth patterns were found. Colonies shifted to a skeletal phenotype characterized by encrusting morphology, smaller size, reduced coenosarc tissue, fewer polyps, and less porous and denser skeletons at low pH. Interestingly, while individual polyps calcified more and extended faster at low pH, whole colonies found at low pH site calcified and extended their skeleton at the same rate as did those at ambient pH sites. Transcriptomic data revealed strong genetic differentiation among local populations of this warm water species whose distribution range is currently expanding northward. We found excess differentiation in the CO2 vent population for genes central to calcification, including genes for calcium management (calmodulin, calcium‐binding proteins), pH regulation (V‐type proton ATPase), and inorganic carbon regulation (carbonic anhydrase). Combined, our results demonstrate how coral populations can persist in high pCO2 environments, making this system a powerful candidate for investigating acclimatization and local adaptation of organisms to global environmental change.
Moisture availability mediates the relationship between terrestrial gross primary production and solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence: Insights from global‐scale variations
Authors: Chen Anping , Mao Jiafu , Ricciuto Daniel , Xiao Jingfeng , Frankenberg Christian , Li Xing , Thornton Peter E. , Gu Lianhong , Knapp Alan K.
Published: October 2020

Effective use of solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) to estimate and monitor gross primary production (GPP) in terrestrial ecosystems requires a comprehensive understanding and quantification of the relationship between SIF and GPP. To date, this understanding is incomplete and somewhat controversial in the literature. Here we derived the GPP/SIF ratio from multiple data sources as a diagnostic metric to explore its global‐scale patterns of spatial variation and potential climatic dependence. We found that the growing season GPP/SIF ratio varied substantially across global land surfaces, with the highest ratios consistently found in boreal regions. Spatial variation in GPP/SIF was strongly modulated by climate variables. The most striking pattern was a consistent decrease in GPP/SIF from cold‐and‐wet climates to hot‐and‐dry climates. We propose that the reduction in GPP/SIF with decreasing moisture availability may be related to stomatal responses to aridity. Furthermore, we show that GPP/SIF can be empirically modeled from climate variables using a machine learning (random forest) framework, which can improve the modeling of ecosystem production and quantify its uncertainty in global terrestrial biosphere models. Our results point to the need for targeted field and experimental studies to better understand the patterns observed and to improve the modeling of the relationship between SIF and GPP over broad scales.
Taking tumour budding to the next frontier — a post International Tumour Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) 2016 review
Authors: Studer Linda , Blank Annika , Bokhorst John‐Melle , Nagtegaal Iris D , Zlobec Inti , Lugli Alessandro , Fischer Andreas , Dawson Heather
Published: October 2020

Tumour budding in colorectal cancer, defined as single tumour cells or small clusters containing four or fewer tumour cells, is a robust and independent biomarker of aggressive tumour biology. On the basis of published data in the literature, the evidence is certainly in favour of reporting tumour budding in routine practice. One important aspect of implementing tumour budding has been to establish a standardised and evidence‐based scoring method, as was recommended by the International Tumour Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) in 2016. Further developments have aimed at establishing methods for automated tumour budding assessment. A digital approach to scoring tumour buds has great potential to assist in performing an objective budding count but, like the manual consensus method, must be validated and standardised. The aim of the present review is to present general considerations behind the ITBCC scoring method, and a broad overview of the current situation and challenges regarding automated tumour budding detection methods.
The effect of freeze‐drying, pasteurisation and high‐intensity ultrasound on gastrointestinal stability and antioxidant activity of blueberry phenolics
Authors: Liović Nikolina , Bratanić Andre , Zorić Zoran , Pedisić Sandra , Režek Jambrak Anet , Krešić Greta , Bilušić Tea
Published: October 2020

The influence of freeze‐drying, pasteurisation and high‐intensity ultrasound on gastrointestinal stability and antioxidant activity of cultivated blueberry phenolics was investigated. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were done before and after a two‐phase in vitro digestion by human digestive enzymes. Antioxidant capacity of blueberry phenolics before and after simulated digestion was evaluated using DPPH and the FRAP assays. After the simulated gastric digestion phase, high stability of phenolics was determined, especially after freeze‐drying. During the simulated duodenal digestion, the most affected compounds were anthocyanins. The average loss of quercetin derivatives was 60%, while in all ultrasound‐treated samples, a 3‐fold increase in the concentration of phenolic acids was observed. The highest antioxidant activity after in vitro gastric and duodenal digestion was determined in a freeze‐dried sample. The results after in vitro digestion demonstrated that the use of freeze‐drying and high‐intensity ultrasound can ensure better gastrointestinal stability and higher antioxidant activity of blueberry phenolics.
The integration of Sysmex XN‐9100’ WPC channel reflex testing in the detection of reactive versus malignant blood samples
Authors: Blomme Siska , Boeckx Nancy , Brusselmans Caroline , Claerhout Helena , Van Laer Christine
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Sysmex XN‐9100™ (Sysmex, Kobe, Japan) system has an optional White Progenitor Cell (WPC) channel. While the White Differentiation (WDF) channel reports a combined flag for blasts/abnormal lymphocytes, WPC channel specifies flagging into a separate flag for each cell type or removes the flag entirely. Aim of this study was to evaluate the added value of this WPC channel in the detection of malignant samples.

Methods

Routine blood samples analyzed on Sysmex XE‐5000 with flagging for either blasts, abnormal lymphocytes, or atypical lymphocytes (n = 630) were selected for testing on Sysmex XN‐9100, resulting in a reflex WPC analysis in 420 samples. All samples were microscopically evaluated with DI‐60 digital cell imaging analyzer.

Results

WPC reflex testing resulted in a suspect flag ("blasts" and/or "abnormal lymphocytes") in 334 samples, which was confirmed microscopically in 38% (128/334). In all true positive samples, WPC correctly classified the initial WDF flag in either "blasts" flag or "abnormal lymphocytes?" flag in 75%. Only 12% (50/420) of WDF "blasts/abnormal lymphocytes" positive samples became negative after WPC reflex testing. Subgroup analysis showed differences between the "pediatric" versus "adult" groups and the "hematological/chemotherapy" versus "nonhematological/nonchemotherapy" groups in specificity and smear reduction.

Conclusion

Overall, WPC reflex testing showed good sensitivity (99%); however, the specificity remains poor (29%). Using reflex WPC to the WDF channel resulted in a 12% reduction of the smear review rate. Although the WPC channel offers different interesting advantages, additional topics and a specific workflow should be applied to optimize the use of this channel.
Predation as an explanation for a latitudinal gradient in arm number among featherstars
Authors: Saulsbury James G. , Baumiller Tomasz K.
Published: October 2020

Aim

The role of biotic interactions in generating broad patterns in organismal phenotypes is a central question in macroecology. We investigate global patterns in feeding morphology among featherstars, a globally widespread group of suspension‐feeding echinoderms whose evolutionary history has been demonstrably shaped by predators.

Location

World's oceans.

Taxon

Crinoidea.

Methods

We tested for global patterns in the featherstar suspension‐feeding apparatus, a filter made up of 5–200 arms which is the main interface with predators. We investigate a geospatial dataset of 23,950 occurrences in 442 species using statistical analyses including quantile regression and a new permutation‐based phylogenetic comparative approach appropriate for testing for a broad range of patterns in data with strange distributions.

Results

We find that featherstars exhibit a latitudinal gradient in arm number: arm number is both greater on average and more variable between species at lower latitudes. This pattern holds across depths and hemispheres and is not a spurious result of either the latitudinal diversity gradient or phylogenetic autocorrelation. Tropical featherstars that conceal themselves have fewer arms, and also appear to experience less intense predation.

Main conclusions

Temperature, primary productivity and substrate type do not adequately explain the latitudinal gradient in arm number. We attribute it instead to a corresponding gradient in predation intensity: many armed featherstars can withstand more intense arm loss to predators. Concealment and other alternate solutions to the problem of predation, along with reproductive costs associated with having many arms, explain why the trend is wedge‐shaped rather than linear. Our findings constitute a latitudinal gradient in functional diversity, paralleling recent findings in other taxa. The gradient may be a consequence of shallow tropical reefs; inasmuch as reefs as centres of biotic interactions promote functional richness, changes in the distribution of reefs through deep time probably entailed shifts in the global deployment of ecological diversity.
Red elemental selenium (Se0) improves the immunoactivities of EPC cells, crucian carp and zebrafish against spring viraemia of carp virus
Authors: Tian Jinbao , Zhang Yong , Zhu Rong , Wu Yeqing , Liu Xiaoxiao , Wang Xingguo
Published: October 2020

Selenium, as an essential trace element, interferes through selenoproteins in many physiological processes of plants and mammals. Its antiviral activity has recently attracted much attention because selenium improves the antiviral capacity of animal cells against a few viruses relevant to human diseases. In this study, the red elemental selenium was purified from the fermentative culture of Herbaspirillum camelliae WT00C and then used to culture epithelioma papulosum cyprinid (EPC) cells or feed crucian carp and zebrafish. Finally, its antiviral effects were investigated at the cell level and living fishes after spring viraemia of carp virus infection. At the cell level, 5, 10 and 20 μg ml–1 red elemental selenium significantly induced the expression of interferon (IFN) and ISG15 genes in EPC cells. The viral TCID50 (50% tissue culture infective dose) values in the EPC cells incubated with 5, 10 and 20 μg ml–1 red elemental selenium were significantly less than those of the control. More expression of IFN and ISG15 genes and less TCID50 values indicate that red elemental selenium indeed improves the antiviral capability of EPC cells. In the crucian carp fed with the food containing 5 and 10 μg g–1 red elemental selenium, IFN expressions showed 13‐ and 39‐fold increases at the 16th day of post‐injection, and its expression was dependent on selenium concentrations. Meanwhile, no fish death occurred in all the experimental groups. In the zebrafish fed with the red worm containing 5 μg g–1 red elemental selenium, IFN and Mx expressions and survival rate were significantly higher than those of the control. The results of this study show that red elemental selenium indeed improves the antiviral activity of fish. The antiviral effects of selenium mainly come from its immune regulation through its incorporation into selenoproteins. The optimum level of selenium contributes to improving fish immunity, whereas excess selenium causes excessive immune and inflammatory responses.
Impact of ductal interventions on diabetes in patients with chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Talukdar Rupjyoti , Reddy D Nageshwar , Tandan Manu , Gupta Rajesh , Lakhtakia Sundeep , Ramchandani Mohan , Kalapala Rakesh , Basha Jahangeer , Nabi Zaheer , Reddy Manohar , Darishetty Santosh , Koppoju Vinod , Pradeep R , Rao G Venkat
Published: October 2020

Background and Aim

Even though ductal interventions in chronic pancreatitis (CP) are known to improve pain, its impact on diabetes is unclear. In this cohort study, we evaluated the impact of ductal interventions on diabetes in these patients.

Methods

Consecutive patients with CP visiting the pancreas clinic between August 1, 2011, and July 21, 2012, were enrolled and followed until December 2018. Detailed clinical, laboratory, imaging, and treatment data were recorded at enrolment and follow‐up. Patients were followed up every 6 months through hospital visit and/or telephonic interview. Risk factors for diabetes were evaluated using logistic regression. The impact of ductal interventions on diabetes was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier survival analyses and Cox proportional hazards.

Results

A total of 644 patients were enrolled of which 137 were excluded. Of these, 326 (64.3%) patients had idiopathic CP, and 283 (55.8%) patients underwent ductal intervention. The cumulative incidence of diabetes was 57.9%. Median duration between symptom onset and ductal intervention was similar irrespective of diabetes (2.6 [0.6–6.0] vs 3.0 [1.0–5.5] years; P = 0.69). Alcohol intake and pancreatic ductal calculi were independent risk factors for diabetes (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] of 2.05 (1.18–3.55), P = 0.01, and 2.05 (1.28–3.28), P = 0.003, respectively). Kaplan–Meier analyses revealed that diabetes free interval was significantly longer in patients undergoing ductal interventions, predominantly in those with idiopathic CP with obstructive ductal calculi (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.39 [0.28–0.55]; P < 0.0001). There were no differences in glycemic status in patients with non‐idiopathic CP and those with pre‐existing diabetes.

Conclusion

Early ductal intervention could delay development of diabetes in patients with idiopathic CP with obstructive ductal calculi.
Enhanced gemcitabine cytotoxicity with knockdown of multidrug resistance protein genes in human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines
Authors: Yang Jiaqi , Sontag David , Gong Yuewen , Minuk Gerald Y
Published: October 2020

Background and Aim

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an often fatal primary cancer of the liver that tends to be resistant to chemotherapy. Multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs) contribute to the chemoresistance of these tumors. The objectives of the study were to document MRP expression profiles in two representative human intrahepatic and extrahepatic CCA cells lines (HuCCT1 and KMBC, respectively) and gemcitabine‐induced cytotoxicity prior to and following MRP knockdown.

Methods

Multidrug resistance protein mRNA and protein expression were documented by real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and western blots, respectively. MRP knockdown was achieved with lentivirus small hairpin RNA constructs.

Results

Prior to gemcitabine exposure, MRP1, MRP2, MRP4, MRP5, and MRP6 mRNA were expressed in HuCCT1 cells and MRP1, MRP3, MRP4, and MRP5 in KMBC cells. Following gemcitabine exposure, MRP5 and MRP6 expressions were significantly upregulated in HuCCT1 cells and MRP5 in KMBC cells. In HuCCT1 cells, although MRP5 knockdown had no effect, MRP6 knockdown significantly increased gemcitabine‐induced cytotoxicity. In KMBC cells, MRP5 knockdown significantly increased gemcitabine cytotoxicity.

Conclusions

Inhibition of MRP6 expression in intra‐hepatic and MRP5 in extra‐hepatic should be explored as potential treatments for CCA in humans.
Work‐related helping and family functioning: A work–home resources perspective
Authors: Aw Sherry S. Y. , Ilies Remus , Li Xinxin , Bakker Arnold B. , Liu Xiao‐Yu
Published: October 2020

Using the work–home resources (W‐HR) model as an overarching framework, our study seeks to examine the interplay between employees’ provision and receipt of interpersonal organizational citizenship behaviours (OCB‐I; i.e. helping behaviours), and its spillover effects on two family outcomes (family performance and marital withdrawal behaviours). Further, we simultaneously test resource depletion (emotional exhaustion) and resource generation (personal accomplishment) mechanisms linking OCB‐Is and the family domain. Based on a time‐lagged, dual‐source study of 320 employees, we found that OCB‐I enactment is positively related to both exhaustion (only for those who receive low OCB‐Is from colleagues) and personal accomplishment at work (regardless of OCB‐I receipt), which interferes with and enriches employees’ family lives, respectively. We discuss the theoretical contributions of these findings to OCB research and the W‐HR model.

Practitioner Points

Employees should realize that offering help at work can both enrich and hinder family life.

Organizations could cultivate a culture of support and reciprocity to dampen the effect of helping at work on exhaustion and the ensuing negative consequences for family functioning.
Do intra‐articular injections of analgesics improve outcomes after temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis?: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Siyan , Hu Yingshun , Zhang Xiao
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Intra‐articular analgesics are increasingly being used after temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrocentesis but without clear evidence on its efficacy. The aim of this study was to review the role of intra‐articular analgesic injected after TMJ arthrocentesis in improving post‐operative outcomes.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Scopus, BioMed Central, CENTRAL and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception up to 15th April 2020. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on adult patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) comparing any intra‐articular analgesic with control after arthrocentesis were included. Risk of bias was assessed by Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias‐2 tool.

Results

Nine RCTs were included. Four studies used non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and five used opioids after arthrocentesis. Descriptive analysis of NSAID studies indicated that intra‐articular NSAIDs may not improve pain and maximal mouth opening (MMO) after TMJ arthrocentesis. Meta‐analysis indicated a statistically significant reduction of pain with the use of opioids at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months. Similarly, MMO was significantly improved with intra‐articular opioids at 1 week, 1 and 6 months. Data were analysed from a limited number of studies with a small sample size. The quality of the included studies was low.

Conclusions

Low‐quality evidence suggests that intra‐articular NSAIDs may have no effect on pain and MMO after TMJ arthrocentesis. Intra‐articular opioids may improve pain and MMO at short‐term follow‐up. Results are to be interpreted with caution considering several limitations of the review. Further high‐quality trials with large sample size are needed to provide better evidence.
Dietary phosphorus restriction affects bone metabolism, vitamin D metabolism and rumen fermentation traits in sheep
Authors: Köhler Oriana M. , Grünberg Walter , Schnepel Nadine , Muscher‐Banse Alexandra S. , Rajaeerad Abbas , Hummel Jürgen , Breves Gerhard , Wilkens Mirja R.
Published: October 2020

Homeostasis of calcium (Ca) and phosphate (Pi) is maintained by a concerted interplay of absorption and reabsorption via the gastrointestinal tract and the kidney and by storage and mobilization from the bone regulated mainly by parathyroid hormone (PTH), 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol and calcitonin. The present study aimed at characterizing the effects of dietary P restriction on bone, vitamin D metabolism and rumen fermentation traits reflecting the endogenous P cycle maintaining the ruminal P supply for microbial metabolism. The experiments were done in eleven female, non‐pregnant, non‐lactating four‐ to nine‐year‐old Black Headed Mutton sheep allotted to two feeding groups: "P‐restricted" (0.11% P/kg DM and 0.88% Ca/kg DM) and "Control" (0.38% P/kg DM and 0.88% Ca/kg DM). Dietary P restriction did not lead to hypophosphataemia, probably due to a compensation by bone mobilization, demonstrated by increased serum concentrations of a resorption marker and altered gene expression in bone tissue. In addition, the RNA expression of fibroblast growth factor 23, a bone‐derived factor involved in the regulation of vitamin D metabolism, was significantly reduced with dietary P restriction. Furthermore, several genes related to vitamin D metabolism and plasma concentrations of 1,25‐(OH)2D were associated with serum concentrations of phosphate (Pi). In the parotid gland, the expression of the Pi transporter NaPi2b was negatively associated with serum Pi and positively with parathyroid PTH expression. Although Pi concentrations in saliva and the gastrointestinal tract were significantly reduced, we found no adverse effects of the P‐restricted ration on the production of short chain fatty acids, but slight differences in the production of butyrate as well as its relationship to rumen Pi and ammonia concentrations that might indicate an impact on ruminal fermentation.
Murrili meteorite’s fall and recovery from Kati Thanda
Authors: Sansom Eleanor K. , Bland Philip A. , Towner Martin C. , Devillepoix Hadrien A.R. , CupÁk Martin , Howie Robert M. , Jansen‐Sturgeon Trent , Cox Morgan A. , Hartig Benjamin A.D. , Paxman Jonathan P. , Benedix Gretchen , Forman Lucy
Published: October 2020

On November 27, 2015, at 10:43:45.526 UTC, a fireball was observed across South Australia by 10 Desert Fireball Network observatories lasting 6.1 s. An ~37 kg meteoroid entered the atmosphere with a speed of 13.68 ± 0.09 km s−1and was observed ablating from a height of 85 km down to 18 km, having slowed to 3.28 ± 0.21 km s−1. Despite the relatively steep 68.5° trajectory, strong atmospheric winds significantly influenced the darkflight phase and the predicted fall line, but the analysis put the fall site in the center of Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre South. Kati Thanda has meters‐deep mud under its salt‐encrusted surface. Reconnaissance of the area where the meteorite landed from a low‐flying aircraft revealed a 60 cm circular feature in the muddy lake, less than 50 m from the predicted fall line. After a short search, which again employed light aircraft, the meteorite was recovered on December 31, 2015 from a depth of 42 cm. Murrili is the first recovered observed fall by the digital Desert Fireball Network (DFN). In addition to its scientific value, connecting composition to solar system context via orbital data, the recovery demonstrates and validates the capabilities of the DFN, with its next generation remote observatories and automated data reduction pipeline.
Migration, pathogens and the avian microbiome: A comparative study in sympatric migrants and residents
Authors: Turjeman Sondra , Corl Ammon , Wolfenden Andrew , Tsalyuk Miriam , Lublin Avishai , Choi Olivia , Kamath Pauline L. , Getz Wayne M. , Bowie Rauri C. K. , Nathan Ran
Published: October 2020

Animals generally benefit from their gastrointestinal microbiome, but the factors that influence the composition and dynamics of their microbiota remain poorly understood. Studies of nonmodel host species can illuminate how microbiota and their hosts interact in natural environments. We investigated the role of migratory behaviour in shaping the gut microbiota of free‐ranging barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) by studying co‐occurring migrant and resident subspecies sampled during the autumn migration at a migratory bottleneck. We found that within‐host microbial richness (α‐diversity) was similar between migrant and resident microbial communities. In contrast, we found that microbial communities (β‐diversity) were significantly different between groups regarding both microbes present and their relative abundances. Compositional differences were found for 36 bacterial genera, with 27 exhibiting greater abundance in migrants and nine exhibiting greater abundance in residents. There was heightened abundance ofMycoplasmaspp. andCorynebacteriumspp. in migrants, a pattern shared by other studies of migratory species. Screens for key regional pathogens revealed that neither residents nor migrants carried avian influenza viruses and Newcastle disease virus, suggesting that the status of these diseases did not underlie observed differences in microbiome composition. Furthermore, the prevalence and abundance ofSalmonellaspp., as determined from microbiome data and cultural assays, were both low and similar across the groups. Overall, our results indicate that microbial composition differs between migratory and resident barn swallows, even when they are conspecific and sympatrically occurring. Differences in host origins (breeding sites) may result in microbial community divergence, and varied behaviours throughout the annual cycle (e.g., migration) could further differentiate compositional structure as it relates to functional needs.
Impact of tolerance to fluconazole on treatment response in Candida albicans bloodstream infection
Authors: Levinson Tal , Dahan Alon , Novikov Anna , Paran Yael , Berman Judith , Ben‐Ami Ronen
Published: October 2020

Background

Treatment of Candida albicans bloodstream infection with fluconazole is associated with significant mortality despite in vitro susceptibility to the drug.

Objectives

We sought to determine whether tolerance to fluconazole is predictive of treatment failure.

Methods

We reviewed patients with monomicrobial C albicans bloodstream infection who received primary monotherapy with fluconazole. Tolerance to fluconazole, defined as the fraction of growth above the MIC, was quantified using the disc diffusion assay and digital image analyses. Survival analyses were performed with host and treatment factors as predictive variables.

Results

Among 44 patients included in the study, all‐cause mortality was 29.5% at 30 days and 43.1% at 12 weeks. Forty‐one isolates (93%) were susceptible to fluconazole (MIC50, 0.5 mg/L). Fluconazole tolerance was strongly associated with death for patients treated with fluconazole within 24 h of candidemia onset (33.3% vs 0%; p = .007), but not among patients whose treatment was started later. MIC did not correlate with survival, regardless of treatment delay. A Cox regression model including time to treatment, tolerance to fluconazole, fluconazole exposure and Pitt bacteraemia score provided good prediction of treatment outcome (area under the receiver‐operator curve, 0.82).

Conclusions

In patients with C albicans bloodstream infection, tolerance testing was predictive of fluconazole efficacy if the drug was started early. Further study is required to validate the utility of this metric to guide treatment choices.
A simple automated approach to measure mouse whole gut transit
Authors: Kacmaz Halil , Alto Alecia , Knutson Kaitlyn , Linden David R. , Gibbons Simon J. , Farrugia Gianrico , Beyder Arthur
Published: October 2020

Background

Gastrointestinal (GI) motility is a complex physiological process that is critical for normal GI function. Disruption of GI motility frequently occurs in GI diseases or as side effects of therapeutics. Whole gut transit measurements, like carmine red leading‐edge transit, in mice form the cornerstone of in vivo preclinical GI motility studies.

Method

We have developed an easily achievable, labor‐saving method to measure whole gut transit time in mice. This approach uses inexpensive, commercially available materials to monitor pellet production over time via high definition cameras capturing time‐lapse video for offline analysis.

Key Result

We describe the assembly of our automated gut transit setup and validate this approach by comparing the results with loperamide to delay transit and conventional transit measurements. We demonstrate that compared to the control group, the loperamide group had slowed transit, evidenced by a decrease in total pellet production and prolonged whole gut transit time. The control group had an extended transit time compared with the results reported in the literature. Whole gut transit rates accelerated to times comparable to the literature by disrupting cages every 10‐15 min to imitate the conventional approach, suggesting that disruption affects the assay and supports the use of an automated approach.

Conclusion & Inferences

A novel automated, inexpensive, and easily assembled whole gut transit setup is labor‐saving and allows minimal disruption to animal behavior compared with the conventional approach.
Reflections on vital sign measurement in nursing practice
Authors: Connor Nancy , McArthur Deanne , Camargo Plazas Pilar
Published: October 2020

Physiological observations or vital sign monitoring is a fundamental tenet of nursing care within an acute care setting. Surveillance of vital signs with algorithmic early warning frameworks aids the nurse in monitoring for early symptoms of clinical deterioration. The nurse must be cognizant of the factors that can influence the vital sign measurements because the framework score is only as reliable as the data inserted. Vital sign technology has made significant progress in its ability to objectify nursing subjective assessments. Early scientists have struggled with its relationship with subjectivity, claiming it has no relevance in true science. Quantitative measurements, regardless of how objectively they were created or obtained, need a subjective lens to interpret and act on the results. The skill of “making” the vital signs can be easily taught or done with technology, but it is the “taking” of the data for analysis of truth and action that requires a higher level of expertise. This paper will examine the truth of vital sign methodology and monitoring to explore the question, “Is true objectivity in the nursing practice of vital sign measurement possible?” The truth in vital sign recognition through a subjective lens will also be explored to challenge the philosophical scientific claims that objective data are the absolute truth.
Validation of the Clouclip and utility in measuring viewing distance in adults
Authors: Bhandari Khob R , Ostrin Lisa A
Published: October 2020

Purpose

To validate the Clouclip, a continuously measuring objective rangefinder, and examine viewing behaviours during various near tasks in non‐myopic and myopic adults.

Methods

In experiment 1, five Clouclip devices were utilised. An infrared camera was used to visualise and measure infrared beam size and angle. Repeatability for distance tracking was assessed from 5 to 120 cm in 5 cm increments. Accuracy of distance tracking was investigated for paper and iPad targets, spatial integration was calculated, effects of target tilt were determined and light measurements were compared to a lux meter. In experiment 2, viewing behaviour was assessed in 41 subjects (21 non‐myopic, 20 myopic) during four 15‐min near tasks; (1) passive reading of printed material, (2) active writing on printed material, (3) passive viewing on an electronic device and (4) active engagement on an electronic device. Working distance was compared between tasks and refractive error groups.

Results

Clouclip distance tracking showed good repeatability, with a mean difference of 0.34 cm and limits of agreement of ±2.0 cm. Clouclip‐measured and actual distances were highly correlated for paper and electronic targets from 5 to 120 cm, with mean differences and limits of agreement of 3.96 ± 13.78 cm and 4.48 ± 8.92 cm, respectively; variability increased for distances >100 cm. Tracking ability increased with larger target sizes; tracking was accurate when the target occupied 1.5%–20.3% of tracking beam area, depending on distance and with target tilt up to ±60 degrees. Clouclip‐ and lux meter‐measured ambient illumination were highly correlated for a wide range of intensities (r = 0.96, p < 0.001), but with greater variability for intensities >20 000 lux. The Clouclip infrared beam was measured to have a diameter of 25.6 ± 2.2° and a downward angle of 10.3 ± 0.5°. For subject testing, viewing distance was significantly closer for active and passive printed tasks (29.5 ± 6.7 cm and 33.2 ± 8.8 cm, respectively) than for active and passive electronic tasks (35.4 ± 8.0 cm and 40.8 ± 10.4 cm, respectively), with no differences between refractive error groups (p = 0.88).

Conclusions

The Clouclip performed well in measuring near and intermediate distances and could distinguish between indoor (<1000 lux) and outdoor (>1000 lux) illumination. A closer working distance was observed for printed tasks compared to those on an iPad, with no difference in viewing distance between non‐myopic and myopic adults.
Precision genome editing in plants via gene targeting and subsequent break‐induced single‐strand annealing
Authors: Endo Masaki , Iwakami Satoshi , Toki Seiichi
Published: October 2020

Genome editing via artificial nucleases such as CRISPR/Cas9 has become popular in plants now. However, small insertions or deletions are major mutations and nucleotide substitutions rarely occur when DNA cleavage is induced. To induce nucleotide substitutions, a base editor utilizing dead or nickase‐type Cas9 fused with deaminase have been developed. However, the direction and position of practical substitution are still limited. In this context, homologous recombination (HR)‐mediated gene targeting (GT) has advantages because any mutations existing on the donor DNA are copied and passed onto the endogenous DNA. As HR‐mediated GT is extremely rare in higher plants, positive–negative selection has been used to isolate cells in which GT has occurred. After successful selection, positive selection marker is no longer needed and should ideally be eliminated. In a previous study, we reported a seamless piggyBac‐transposon‐mediated marker elimination system. Precision marker elimination efficiency in this system is very high. The piggyBac transposon integrates into the host genome at TTAA elements and excises without leaving a footprint at the excised site, so a TTAA sequence is necessary at the location of a positive selection marker. To compensate for this limitation, we have developed a novel marker elimination system using an I‐SceI break and subsequent single‐strand annealing (SSA)‐mediated DNA repair system.
Treatment of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in a heart transplant recipient with chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy
Authors: Dang Brian N. , Ch’ng James , Russell Matthew , Cheng Jerry C. , Moore Theodore B. , Alejos Juan C.
Published: October 2020

Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are a group of lesions that can complicate solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and are often associated with Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV). The treatment of PTLD is dependent on the type of lesion and includes a wide range of therapies, but chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T‐cell therapy has not previously been reported as a treatment option for PTLD. We present a patient who developed refractory PTLD in her right retroperitoneum, right inguinal and iliac chains, and right axillary region shortly after heart transplantation and was treated with CAR T‐cell therapy. She could not tolerate complete discontinuation of immunosuppression due to the risk of rejection of a life‐supporting graft. The patient's PTLD responded to CAR T‐cell therapy, and her heart was monitored throughout the treatment course without any signs of rejection or ventricular dysfunction. CAR T‐cell therapy may be a viable treatment option in patients who develop PTLD after a solid organ transplant.
Clinicopathological significance of intelectin‐1 in colorectal cancer: Intelectin‐1 participates in tumor suppression and favorable progress
Authors: Katsuya Narutaka , Sentani Kazuhiro , Sekino Yohei , Yamamoto Yuji , Kobayashi Go , Babasaki Takashi , Oue Naohide , Amatya Vishwa Jeet , Takeshima Yukio , Yasui Wataru
Published: October 2020

Intelectin‐1 (ITLN1) is an adipokine with an anti‐inflammatory function that is involved in neoplastic diseases such as pleural mesothelioma and gastric and prostate cancers. However, the expression and function of ITLN1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unknown. To identify novel prognostic markers or therapeutic targets for CRC, we focused on ITLN1 protein. By immunohistochemistry, 87 (59%) of 148 CRC cases showed reduced expression of ITLN1. ITLN1‐reduced CRC cases were associated with higher M grades (P = 0.0017) than ITLN1‐retained CRC cases. Furthermore, the cases with ITLN1 retained expression tended toward a more favorable prognosis than those with reduced expression. Cell growth of the CRC cell lines transfected with ITLN1 siRNA were greater than those of the negative control cell lines transfected with siRNA. Levels of phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor, Erk and Akt were higher in the CRC cells transfected with ITLN1 siRNA than in control cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of human colorectal polyp specimens also revealed a sequential decrease in the expression of ITLN1 through both the conventional adenoma–carcinoma pathway and the serrated pathway. These results indicated that ITLN1 might play an important role in regulating colorectal tumorigenesis.
EWSR1‐CREM fusion in pulmonary mesenchymal neoplasm showing distinctive clear cell morphology
Authors: Komatsu Masato , Sakai Yasuhiro , Nishikubo Megumi , Tane Shinya , Nishio Wataru , Kajimoto Kazuyoshi , Hirose Takanori
Published: October 2020

EWSR1‐CREM gene fusions were recently discovered in several mesenchymal and epithelial tumors, including myxoid mesenchymal tumors of the central nervous system, rare cases of soft tissue clear cell sarcoma and angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma, and hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma, which implicates the potential phenotypic diversities of tumors harboring an EWSR1‐CREM fusion. We herein present an exceedingly indolent pulmonary mesenchymal tumor showing distinctive clinicopathological features. This tumor histologically displayed a small nest and alveolar pattern consisting of monomorphic clear cells intermingled with dilated anastomosing vasculature. Immunophenotypically, tumor cells were positive for vimentin and focally positive for synaptophysin, but negative for many immunohistochemical panels including keratins, EMA, desmin, mesothelial markers, melanotic markers, smooth muscle actin, inhibin and S‐100 protein. Interestingly, RNA sequencing identified an in‐frame EWSR1‐CREM fusion, which was confirmed by subsequent real‐time/reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence in situ hybridization assay. Clinical follow‐up showed no evidence of recurrence and metastasis. Our pathological findings further expand the phenotypic spectrum of tumors associated with EWSR1‐CREM fusions, implying the emergence of a possible novel tumor entity.