bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Singapore Convention: Towards a Universal Standard for the Recognition and Enforcement of International Settlement Agreements?
Authors: Treichl Clemens
Published: July 2020

The Singapore Convention seeks to establish a universal standard for the recognition and enforcement of international settlement agreements resulting from mediation. Assuming it finds wide acceptance, the Convention could harmonize existing enforcement mechanisms, the effect of which typically does not extend to foreign jurisdictions. Ideally, this could leverage mediation in a similar way as the New York Convention helped establish arbitration as the prime means of dispute settlement on the international plane. After contextualizing the Singapore Convention in light of the increasing diversification of dispute resolution methods, this article concludes that this aspiration is unlikely to turn into reality anytime soon. To this end, it considers traditional approaches to the enforcement of settlement agreements as well as the genesis and cornerstones of the Singapore Convention and briefly examines its interplay with arbitral proceedings and domestic legal systems.
Ramipril reduces incidence and prolongates latency time of radiation-induced rat myelopathy after photon and carbon ion irradiation
Authors: Saager Maria , Hahn Eric W , Peschke Peter , Brons Stephan , Huber Peter E , Debus Jürgen , Karger Christian P
Published: July 2020

To test the hypothesis that the use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) during radiotherapy may be ameliorative for treatment-related normal tissue damage, a pilot study was conducted with the clinically approved (ACE) inhibitor ramipril on the outcome of radiation-induced myelopathy in the rat cervical spinal cord model. Female Sprague Dawley rats were irradiated with single doses of either carbon ions (LET 45 keV/μm) at the center of a 6 cm spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) or 6 MeV photons. The rats were randomly distributed into 4 experimental arms: (i) photons; (ii) photons + ramipril; (iii) carbon ions and (iv) carbon ions + ramipril. Ramipril administration (2 mg/kg/day) started directly after irradiation and was maintained during the entire follow-up. Complete dose-response curves were generated for the biological endpoint radiation-induced myelopathy (paresis grade II) within an observation time of 300 days. Administration of ramipril reduced the rate of paralysis at high dose levels for photons and for the first time a similar finding for high-LET particles was demonstrated, which indicates that the effect of ramipril is independent from radiation quality. The reduced rate of myelopathy is accompanied by a general prolongation of latency time for photons and for carbon ions. Although the already clinical approved drug ramipril can be considered as a mitigator of radiation-induced normal tissue toxicity in the central nervous system, further examinations of the underlying pathological mechanisms leading to radiation-induced myelopathy are necessary to increase and sustain its mitigative effectiveness.
Ten technical considerations revisited in tissue expansion
Authors: Geoghegan Luke , Nikkhah Dariush
Published: July 2020

Tissue expansion is a versatile tool in resurfacing soft tissue defects of the breast, extremity, head and neck that involves the placement of a temporary implant adjacent to a soft tissue defect. Incremental expansion exploits the viscoelastic properties of skin to generate a skin flap that can be used to resurface defects and provide cover over permanent protheses. Infection, implant extrusion and skin necrosis are recognized complications of tissue expansion. This article presents a revised framework of 10 technical factors to reduce the risk of complications and optimize outcomes with tissue expansion using an illustrative case presentation.
Dealing with Inaccurate Measures of Size in Two-Stage Probability Proportional to Size Sample Designs: Applications in African Household Surveys
Authors: Kalton Graham , Flores Cervantes Ismael , Arieira Carlos , Kwanisai Mike , Radin Elizabeth , Saito Suzue , De Anindya K , McCracken Stephen , Stupp Paul
Published: July 2020

The units at the early stages of multi-stage area samples are generally sampled with probabilities proportional to their estimated sizes (PPES). With such a design, an overall equal probability (EP) sample design would yield a constant number of final stage units from each final stage cluster if the measures of size used in the PPES selection at each sampling stage were directly proportional to the number of final stage units. However, there are often sizable relative differences between the measures of size used in the PPES selections and the number of final stage units. Two common approaches for dealing with these differences are: (1) to retain a self-weighting sample design, allowing the sample sizes to vary across the sampled primary sampling units (PSUs) and (2) to retain the fixed sample size in each PSU and to compensate for the unequal selection probabilities by weighting adjustments in the analyses. This article examines these alternative designs in the context of two-stage sampling in which PSUs are sampled with PPES at the first stage, and an equal probability sample of final stage units is selected from each sampled PSU at the second stage. Two-stage sample designs of this type are used for household surveys in many countries. The discussion is illustrated with data from the Population-based HIV Impact Assessment surveys that were conducted using this design in several African countries.
Shades of green: untying the knots of green photoperception
Authors: Battle Martin W , Vegliani Franco , Jones Matthew A
Published: July 2020

The development of economical LED technology has enabled the application of different light qualities and quantities to control plant growth. Although we have a comprehensive understanding of plants’ perception of red and blue light, the lack of a dedicated green light sensor has frustrated our utilization of intermediate wavelengths, with many contradictory reports in the literature. We discuss the contribution of red and blue photoreceptors to green light perception and highlight how green light can be used to improve crop quality. Importantly, our meta-analysis demonstrates that green light perception should instead be considered as a combination of distinct ‘green’ and ‘yellow’ light-induced responses. This distinction will enable clearer interpretation of plants’ behaviour in response to green light as we seek to optimize plant growth and nutritional quality in horticultural contexts.
Searching for electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational-wave merger events with the prototype Gravitational-Wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO-4)
Authors: Gompertz B P , Cutter R , Steeghs D , Galloway D K , Lyman J , Ulaczyk K , Dyer M J , Ackley K , Dhillon V S , O’Brien P T , Ramsay G , Poshyachinda S , Kotak R , Nuttall L , Breton R P , Pallé E , Pollacco D , Thrane E , Aukkaravittayapun S , Awiphan S , Brown M J I , Burhanudin U , Chote P , Chrimes A A , Daw E , Duffy C , Eyles-Ferris R A J , Heikkilä T , Irawati P , Kennedy M R , Killestein T , Levan A J , Littlefair S , Makrygianni L , Marsh T , Mata Sánchez D , Mattila S , Maund J , McCormac J , Mkrtichian D , Mong Y -L , Mullaney J , Müller B , Obradovic A , Rol E , Sawangwit U , Stanway E R , Starling R L C , Strøm P A , Tooke S , West R , Wiersema K
Published: July 2020

We report the results of optical follow-up observations of 29 gravitational-wave (GW) triggers during the first half of the LIGO–Virgo Collaboration (LVC) O3 run with the Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO) in its prototype 4-telescope configuration (GOTO-4). While no viable electromagnetic (EM) counterpart candidate was identified, we estimate our 3D (volumetric) coverage using test light curves of on- and off-axis gamma-ray bursts and kilonovae. In cases where the source region was observable immediately, GOTO-4 was able to respond to a GW alert in less than a minute. The average time of first observation was 8.79 h after receiving an alert (9.90 h after trigger). A mean of 732.3 square degrees were tiled per event, representing on average 45.3 per cent of the LVC probability map, or 70.3 per cent of the observable probability. This coverage will further improve as the facility scales up alongside the localization performance of the evolving GW detector network. Even in its 4-telescope prototype configuration, GOTO is capable of detecting AT2017gfo-like kilonovae beyond 200 Mpc in favourable observing conditions. We cannot currently place meaningful EM limits on the population of distant ($\hat{D}_L = 1.3$ Gpc) binary black hole mergers because our test models are too faint to recover at this distance. However, as GOTO is upgraded towards its full 32-telescope, 2 node (La Palma & Australia) configuration, it is expected to be sufficiently sensitive to cover the predicted O4 binary neutron star merger volume, and will be able to respond to both northern and southern triggers.
Discovery of a near-infrared bar and a pseudo-bulge in the collisional ring galaxy Cartwheel
Authors: Barway Sudhanshu , Mayya Y D , Robleto-Orús Aitor
Published: July 2020

We report the discovery of a bar, a pseudo-bulge, and unresolved point source in the archetype collisional ring galaxy Cartwheel using careful morphological analysis of a near-infrared (NIR) Ks-band image of excellent quality (seeing = 0.42″) at the ESO archive. The bar is oval-shaped with a semi-major axis length of 3.23″ (∼2.09 kpc), with almost a flat light distribution along it. The bulge is almost round (ellipticity = 0.21) with an effective radius of 1.62″ (∼1.05 kpc) and a Sersic index of 0.99, parameters typical of pseudo-bulges in late-type galaxies. The newly discovered bar is not recognizable as such in the optical images even with more than a factor of 2 higher spatial resolution of the Hubble Space Telescope, due to a combination of its red colour and the presence of dusty features. The observed bar and pseudo-bulge most likely belonged to the pre-collisional progenitor of the Cartwheel. The discovery of a bar in an archetype collisional ring galaxy Cartwheel is the first observational evidence to confirm the prediction that bars can survive a drop-through collision along with the morphological structures like a central bulge (pseudo).
Prdm9Intersubspecific Interactions in Hybrid Male Sterility of House Mouse
Authors: Mukaj Amisa , Piálek Jaroslav , Fotopulosova Vladana , Morgan Andrew Parker , Odenthal-Hesse Linda , Parvanov Emil D , Forejt Jiri
Published: July 2020

The classical definition posits hybrid sterility as a phenomenon when two parental taxa each of which is fertile produce a hybrid that is sterile. The first hybrid sterility gene in vertebrates, Prdm9, coding for a histone methyltransferase, was identified in crosses between two laboratory mouse strains derived from Mus mus musculus and M. m. domesticus subspecies. The unique function of PRDM9 protein in the initiation of meiotic recombination led to the discovery of the basic molecular mechanism of hybrid sterility in laboratory crosses. However, the role of this protein as a component of reproductive barrier outside the laboratory model remained unclear. Here, we show that the Prdm9 allelic incompatibilities represent the primary cause of reduced fertility in intersubspecific hybrids between M. m. musculus and M. m. domesticus including 16 musculus and domesticus wild-derived strains. Disruption of fertility phenotypes correlated with the rate of failure of synapsis between homologous chromosomes in meiosis I and with early meiotic arrest. All phenotypes were restored to normal when the domesticus Prdm9dom2 allele was substituted with the Prdm9dom2H humanized variant. To conclude, our data show for the first time the male infertility of wild-derived musculus and domesticus subspecies F1 hybrids controlled by Prdm9 as the major hybrid sterility gene. The impairment of fertility surrogates, testes weight and sperm count, correlated with increasing difficulties of meiotic synapsis of homologous chromosomes and with meiotic arrest, which we suppose reflect the increasing asymmetry of PRDM9-dependent DNA double-strand breaks.
STing: accurate and ultrafast genomic profiling with exact sequence matches
Authors: Espitia-Navarro Hector F , Chande Aroon T , Nagar Shashwat D , Smith Heather , Jordan I King , Rishishwar Lavanya
Published: July 2020

Genome-enabled approaches to molecular epidemiology have become essential to public health agencies and the microbial research community. We developed the algorithm STing to provide turn-key solutions for molecular typing and gene detection directly from next generation sequence data of microbial pathogens. Our implementation of STing uses an innovative k-mer search strategy that eliminates the computational overhead associated with the time-consuming steps of quality control, assembly, and alignment, required by more traditional methods. We compared STing to six of the most widely used programs for genome-based molecular typing and demonstrate its ease of use, accuracy, speed and efficiency. STing shows superior accuracy and performance for standard multilocus sequence typing schemes, along with larger genome-scale typing schemes, and it enables rapid automated detection of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factor genes. STing determines the sequence type of traditional 7-gene MLST with 100% accuracy in less than 10 seconds per isolate. We hope that the adoption of STing will help to democratize microbial genomics and thereby maximize its benefit for public health.
Development of multiepitope subunit protein vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii using an immunoinformatics approach
Authors: Onile Olugbenga S , Ojo Glory J , Oyeyemi Bolaji Fatai , Agbowuro Gbenga O , Fadahunsi Adeyinka I
Published: July 2020

Approximately one-third of the world’s human population is estimated to have been exposed to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Its prevalence is reportedly high in Ethiopia (74.80%) and Zimbabwe (68.58%), and is 40.40% in Nigeria. The adverse effect of this parasite includes a serious congenital disease in the developing fetus of pregnant women. After several efforts to eliminate the disease, only one licensed vaccine ‘Toxovax’ has been used to avoid congenital infections in sheep. The vaccine has been adjudged expensive coupled with adverse effects and short shelf life. The potential of vaccine to likely revert to virulent strain is a major reason why it has not been found suitable for human use, hence the need for a vaccine that will induce T and B memory cells capable of eliciting longtime immunity against the infection. This study presents immunoinformatics approaches to design a T. gondii-oriented multiepitope subunit vaccine with focus on micronemal proteins for the vaccine construct. The designed vaccine was subjected to antigenicity, immunogenicity, allergenicity and physicochemical parameter analyses. A 657-amino acid multiepitope vaccine was designed with the antigenicity probability of 0.803. The vaccine construct was classified as stable, non-allergenic, and highly immunogenic, thereby indicating the safety of the vaccine construct for human use.
Synaptic input to brain tumors: clinical implications
Authors: Venkataramani Varun , Tanev Dimitar Ivanov , Kuner Thomas , Wick Wolfgang , Winkler Frank
Published: July 2020

The recent discovery of synaptic connections between neurons and brain tumor cells fundamentally challenges our understanding of gliomas and brain metastases and shows how these tumors can integrate into complex neuronal circuits. Here, we provide an overview of glutamatergic neuron-to-brain tumor synaptic communication (NBTSC) and explore novel therapeutic avenues. First, we summarize current concepts of direct synaptic interactions between presynaptic neurons and postsynaptic glioma cells, and indirect perisynaptic input to metastatic breast cancer cells. We explain how these novel structures drive brain tumor growth and invasion. Second, a vicious cycle of enhanced neuronal activity, including tumor-related epilepsy, and glioma progression is described. Finally, we discuss which future avenues to target NBTSC appear most promising. All in all, further characterization of NBTSC and the exploration of NBTSC-inhibiting therapies have the potential to reveal critical vulnerabilities of yet incurable brain tumors.
Current status and issues concerning Health Japan 21 (second term)
Authors: Tsuji Ichiro
Published: July 2020

The national health promotion program, Health Japan 21 (second term), began in 2013. This program has set 5 basic goals: to extend healthy life expectancy and reduce health disparity, to prevent noncommunicable disease, to improve function for social life, to establish a social environment for health, and to improve lifestyle. To achieve these goals, Health Japan 21 (second term) set 53 targets for the period between 2013 and 2022. At the interim evaluation in 2018, only 21 of the 53 targets were judged likely to be achieved by 2022. In addition, 18 targets were judged as unchanged, and 1 target was judged to be deteriorating. Thus, to achieve the goals of Health Japan 21 (second term), further efforts to strengthen health promotion programs across Japan are needed.
Social implementation of healthy diets
Authors: Kuwata Tamotsu ,   for Working Group 3 of the Healthy Diet Research Committee of International Life Sciences Institute, Japan
Published: July 2020

Many issues regarding the social implementation of healthy diets remain to be solved. The structure of these issues and the route to achieve social implementation are not well organized. Working Group 3 of the Healthy Diet Research Committee of International Life Sciences Institute, Japan, surveyed some precedent cases aiming to establish a healthy diet and, by categorizing the success factors, developed recommendations for the social implementation of a healthy diet. Interviews were conducted with 8 “good health management” companies in various industries that target the “work area.” In the hearing, the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance model was used as a reference for evaluating the intervention effects. Many problems in implementation were revealed, especially with respect to continuity in and approaches to addressing indifference to health. “Management intention,” “Linking with their own business,” and “Visualization” were cited as factors for successful implementation of the health measures.
E-cigarettes: A new hazard for children and adolescents
Authors: Richmond Sarah A , Pike Ian , Maguire Jonathon L , Macpherson Alison
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Electronic cigarettes and fluid (e-cigarettes, e-fluid) are hazardous materials that when inhaled or ingested may pose significant health risks to children and adolescents. The objective of this work was to explore the spectrum of injury related to e-cigarette exposure among Canadian children and adolescents.

Methods

A one-time survey was sent to all paediatricians in Canada. Information was collected on children and adolescents who presented with e-cigarette exposure (inhalation and ingestion cases) in the previous 12 months. Questions included the number of injuries and symptoms, in addition to age, sex, treatment setting, intentional e-cigarette use, and how the products were accessed.

Results

A total of 520 surveys were completed and returned, identifying 35 cases. Symptoms related to inhalation were present in 30 cases and in 5 ingestion cases (5 unintentional, 0 intentional). For inhalation cases, most were male, ages 15 to 19 years, who sought treatment for nausea/vomiting, cough, throat irritation, or acute nicotine toxicity in an outpatient clinic/office. Most inhalation cases reported e-cigarette use 2 to 3 days/week, and e-cigarettes purchases from a mall kiosk/store. For ingestion cases, most were male, ages 1 to 4 years presenting to an emergency department with nausea/vomiting, cough, or respiratory irritation. Younger cases accessed e-fluid at home, older cases purchased in a mall kiosk/store. E-fluid flavours reported consumed were fruit, candy, and tobacco.

Conclusions

E-cigarettes, recently introduced into the North American market are hazardous to children and adolescents. Given the low response rate to the survey, further investigation into the true burden of injury, as well as the risks that e-cigarettes pose, together with ways to reduce exposure, is needed.
Production of soluble pMHC-I molecules in mammalian cells using the molecular chaperone TAPBPR
Authors: O’Rourke Sara M , Morozov Giora I , Roberts Jacob T , Barb Adam W , Sgourakis Nikolaos G
Published: July 2020

Current approaches for generating major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class-I proteins with desired bound peptides (pMHC-I) for research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications are limited by the inherent instability of empty MHC-I molecules. Using the properties of the chaperone TAP-binding protein related (TAPBPR), we have developed a robust method to produce soluble, peptide-receptive MHC-I molecules in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells at high yield, completely bypassing the requirement for laborious refolding from inclusion bodies expressed in E.coli. Purified MHC-I/TAPBPR complexes can be prepared for multiple human allotypes, and exhibit complex glycan modifications at the conserved Asn 86 residue. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate both HLA allele-specific peptide binding and MHC-restricted antigen recognition by T cells for two relevant tumor-associated antigens. Our system provides a facile, high-throughput approach for generating pMHC-I antigens to probe and expand TCR specificities present in polyclonal T cell repertoires.
The Effect of the Credit Crunch on Output Price Dynamics: The Corporate Inventory and Liquidity Management Channel*
Authors: Kim Ryan
Published: July 2020

I study how a credit crunch affects output price dynamics. I build a unique micro-level data set that combines scanner-level prices and quantities with producer information, including the producer’s banking relationships, inventory, and cash holdings. I exploit the Lehman Brothers failure as a quasi-experiment and find that the firms facing a negative credit supply shock decrease their output prices approximately 15% more than their unaffected counterparts. I hypothesize that such firms reduce prices to liquidate inventory and generate additional cash flow from the product market. I find strong empirical support for this hypothesis: (i) the firms that face a negative bank shock temporarily decrease their prices and inventory and increase their market share and cash holdings relative to their counterparts, and (ii) this effect is stronger for the firms and sectors with a high initial inventory or small initial cash holdings.
Banks as Lenders of First Resort: Evidence from the COVID-19 Crisis
Authors: Li Lei , Strahan Philip E , Zhang Song
Published: July 2020

In March 2020, banks faced the largest increase in liquidity demands ever observed. Firms drew funds on a massive scale from preexisting credit lines in anticipation of cash flow and financial disruptions stemming from the advent of the COVID-19 crisis. The increase in liquidity demands was concentrated at the largest banks, who serve the largest firms. Precrisis financial condition did not constrain large banks’ liquidity supply. Coincident inflows of funds from both the Federal Reserve’s liquidity injection programs and depositors, along with strong preshock bank capital, explain why banks were able to accommodate these liquidity demands. (JEL G21, G28)

Received June 7, 2020; editorial decision June 23, 2020 by Editor Isil Erel.
Identifying the Real Effects of Zombie Lending
Authors: Schivardi Fabiano , Sette Enrico , Tabellini Guido
Published: July 2020

The policy response to COVID-19 includes the provision of credit guarantees to firms, a provision that may generate zombie lending. According to the recent literature, the relative performance of healthy firms deteriorates as the fraction of zombies increases. We argue that this literature faces a serious identification problem, because firm performance is often used to define zombies (sometimes implicitly). We show that, under general conditions for the distribution of firm performance, the correlation between healthy firm performance and zombies is a mechanical consequence of an increase in the fraction of zombies with no causal meaning. (JEL E44, G21)

Received June 2, 2020; editorial decision June 23, 2020 by Editor Uday Rajan.
Association of differentially expressed genes and autoantibody type in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Inamo Jun
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between the type of autoantibody and gene expression profile in skin lesions from patients with SSc, and to identify specific dysregulated pathways in SSc patients compared with healthy controls.

Methods

Sixty-one patients with SSc from the Genetics vs Environment in Scleroderma Outcome Study cohort and 36 healthy controls were included in this study. Differentially expressed genes were extracted and functional enrichment and pathway analysis were conducted.

Results

Compared with healthy controls, lists containing 2, 71, 10, 144 and 78 differentially expressed genes were created for patients without specific autoantibody, ACA, anti-U1 RNP antibody (RNP), anti-RNA polymerase III antibody (RNAP) and anti-topoisomerase I antibody (ATA), respectively. While part of the enriched pathways overlapped, distinct pathways were identified except in those patients lacking specific autoantibody. The distinct enriched pathways included ‘keratinocyte differentiation’ for ACA, ‘nuclear factor κB signalling’ and ‘cellular response to TGF-β stimulus’ for RNAP, ‘interferon α/β signalling’ for RNP, and ‘cellular response to stress’ for ATA. Cell type signature score analysis revealed that macrophages/monocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts were associated with ACA, RNAP, ATA and the severity of the SSc skin lesions.

Conclusion

Pathogenic pathways were identified according to the type of autoantibody by leveraging gene expression data of patients and controls from a multicentre cohort. The current study may promote the search for new therapeutic targets for SSc.
Epidemiologic study of patients with psoriatic arthritis in a real-world analysis: a cohort study of the French health insurance database
Authors: Pina Vegas Laura , Sbidian Emilie , Penso Laetitia , Claudepierre Pascal
Published: July 2020

Objective

PsA is a chronic inflammatory arthritis with heterogeneous disease manifestations. Data on the prevalence of PsA in adults differ widely depending on the study and the country. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and incidence of PsA in France, characterize comorbidities associated to PsA and identify prescribed treatments.

Methods

This nationwide cohort study involved the administrative healthcare database (Système National des Données de Santé) of the French health insurance scheme linked to the national hospital discharge database. All adults with PsA registered in the database and identified with a specific International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision code (M07) were included between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2018.

Results

A total of 63 598 patients were identified as having PsA [55.9 years (s.d. 14.4), 45.6% males]. The prevalence of PsA was estimated at 0.1% and the incidence at 8.4 per 100 000 person-years in the general population. The most common comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and dyslipidaemia. The prevalence of treatment with conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs), biological or biosimilar DMARDs (b/bsDMARDs) and apremilast for PsA was 25.9% (16 453), 30.4% (19 325) and 3.5% (2231), respectively. Overall, 8966 (14.1%) patients were new users of csDMARDs, 8311 (13.1%) were new users of b/bsDMARDs and 1529 (7.4%) were new users of apremilast. The most common first-line csDMARD was methotrexate (70.9%) and the most frequent first-line b/bsDMARD was adalimumab (30.8%).

Conclusion

Our results lead to a better understanding of PsA. Results were similar to those from other published studies using other data sources, which highlights the reliability of insurance databases for studies.
Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis in rheumatic autoimmune diseases: a systematic literature review
Authors: Orlandi Martina , Landini Nicholas , Bruni Cosimo , Sambataro Gianluca , Nardi Cosimo , Bargagli Elena , Tomassetti Sara , Occhipinti Mariaelena , Bellando Randone Silvia , Guiducci Serena , Vancheri Carlo , Colagrande Stefano , Matucci-Cerinic Marco
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is characterized by predominantly upper lobe pleural and subjacent parenchymal fibrosis; PPFE features were described in patients with rheumatic autoimmune diseases (RAID). A systematic literature review was performed to investigate the prevalence, prognosis and potential association of PPFE with previous immunosuppression in RAID.

Methods

EMBASE, Web of Science and PubMed databases were questioned from inception to 1 September 2019. Articles published in English and addressing PPFE in patients with RAID were selected.

Results

Twenty out of 794 papers were selected with a total of 76 cases of RAID-PPFE patients (20 SSc, 9 RA, 6 IIM6 primary SS, 5 overlap syndromes, 3 ANCA-associated vasculitides, 2 granulomatosis with polyangiitis, 1 microscopic polyangiitis, 1 UCTD, 1 SLE, 1 GCA and 21 patients with non-specified RAID). Dyspnoea was the most frequently reported symptom (37/48 patients, 77%). Patients frequently presented with a restrictive pattern and decline in diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide. During the follow-up, 7/12 patients had progression at imaging, 22/39 presented a generic clinical worsening, 19/38 had a functional deterioration and 15/43 remained stable.

Conclusion

The present systematic literature review confirms that PPFE features are present in RAID. Rheumatologists should be aware of this new radiological pattern that holds a bad prognosis.
ESTIMATION OF THERMAL POWER PLANT WORKERS EXPOSURE TO MAGNETIC FIELDS AND SIMULATION OF HAZARD ZONES
Authors: Bagheri Hosseinabadi Majid , Khanjani Narges , Ebrahimi Mohammad Hossein , Biganeh Jamal
Published: July 2020

Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) have raised some concerns due to their possible effects on workers’ health. In this study ELF-MFs were measured in different units of the thermal power plant based on gridding the indoor space. The exposure level was measured by spot measurement based on the IEEE Std C95.3.1 and then simulated in units with the highest magnetic field intensity by using ArcGIS software. The operators and balance of plant (BOP) technicians (12.64 ± 9.74 μT) and office workers (2.41 ± 1.22 μT) had the highest and lowest levels of both measured and estimated ELF-MFs exposure. The highest measured ELF-MFs were in the vicinity of the power transmission lines in the transformers’ building (48.2 μT). Our simulation showed the high and low exposure areas and ranked exposure well; but, the actual measurements of ELF-MFs exposure were in all cases higher than the estimated values, which means we still need to improve our estimations.
Allele-Specific Detection Methods for QoI Fungicide-Resistant Erysiphe necator in Vineyards
Authors: Miles Timothy D. , Neill Tara M. , Colle Marivi , Warneke Brent , Robinson Guy , Stergiopoulos Ioannis , Mahaffee Walter F.
Published: July 2020

Grapevine powdery mildew (GPM), caused by the fungus Erysiphe necator, is a constant threat to worldwide production of grape berries, requiring repeated use of fungicides for management. The frequent fungicide applications have resulted in resistance to commonly used quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides and the resistance is associated with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (cytb). In this study, we attempted to detect the most common SNP causing a glycine to alanine substitution at amino acid position 143 (i.e., G143A) in the cytb protein, to track this resistance using allele-specific TaqMan probe and digital-droplet PCR-based assays. Specificity and sensitivity of these assays showed that these two assays could discriminate SNPs and were effective on mixed samples. These diagnostic assays were implemented to survey E. necator samples collected from leaf and air samples from California and Oregon grape-growing regions. Sequencing of PCR amplicons and phenotyping of isolates also revealed that these assays accurately detected each allele (100% agreement), and there was an absolute agreement between the presence or absence of the G143A mutation and resistance to QoIs in the E. necator sampled. These results indicate that the developed diagnostic tools will help growers make informed decisions about fungicide selections and applications which, in turn, will facilitate GPM disease management and improve grape production systems.
Efficacy of Biological and Conventional Fungicide Programs for Foliar Disease Management on Pomegranate (Punica granatum) in Florida
Authors: Xavier Katia V. , Vallad Gary E.
Published: July 2020

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an emerging alternative perennial crop in the southeastern United States. However, foliar diseases are present across this production area, causing almost 100% premature defoliation. A series of fungicide efficacy trials were conducted to evaluate biological, systemic, and contact fungicides at two locations in Florida, Plant City (cv. Angel Red) and Parrish (cvs. Christina, Azadi, Vikusnyi, Alsirinnar, Sakerdze, and Wonderful), for foliar disease management. Based on AUDPC, the fungicides Captan 80 WDG (captan, 78.2%), Penncozeb 75DF (mancozeb, 75%), Merivon (pyraclostrobin, 21.3% + fluxapyroxad, 21.3%), and Topsin 4.5 FL (thiophanate methyl, 45%) significantly reduced the percentage of foliar disease severity compared with biologicals consisting of Serenade OPTI and Tenet WP (Plant City) and the nontreated control (Plant City and Parrish cv. Wonderful). All treatments applied in a rotational program three times at bloom significantly reduced disease severity compared with the nontreated control in both locations. Rotational programs applied throughout the season also reduced disease severity compared with nontreated controls and repeated applications of neem oil. Foliar disease management is critical for long-term establishment of pomegranate as a viable economic crop in the southeastern United States.
The impact of income support systems on healthcare quality and functional capacity in workers with low back pain: a realist review
Authors: Di Donato Michael , Iles Ross , Lane Tyler , Buchbinder Rachelle , Collie Alex
Published: July 2020

Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of work disability. While absent from work, workers with LBP may receive income support from a system such as workers' compensation or social security. This study examines how and in what contexts income support systems impact the healthcare quality for people with work disability and LBP and their functional capacity. We performed a realist review. Five initial theories about the relationship between income support systems and outcomes were developed, tested, and refined by acquiring and synthesising academic literature from purposive and iterative electronic database searching. This process was supplemented with gray literature searches for policy documents and semistructured interviews with experts in income support, health care, and LBP. Income support systems influence healthcare quality through funding restrictions, healthcare provider administrative burden, and allowing employers to select providers. They also influence worker functional capacity through the level of participation and financial incentives for employers, measures to prove the validity of the worker's LBP, and certain administrative procedures. These mechanisms are often exclusively context-dependent, and generate differing and unintended outcomes depending on features of the healthcare and income support system, as well as other contextual factors such as socioeconomic status and labour force composition. Research and policy design should consider how income support systems may indirectly influence workers with LBP through the workplace.
Isoflavone combined with exercise on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Qiu Shumin , Ma Yue , Jiang Chongmin
Published: July 2020

Background:

This meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the effects of isoflavones supplementation combined with exercise training on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women.

Methods:

Two reviewers did a complete search of two electronic database (Medline, PubMed) records up to January 31, 2019. Risk of bias was classified based on the Cochrane Collaboration tool. The pooled standard mean difference (SMD) combined with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as the effect size of BMD values.

Results:

A total of four RCTs with 609 participants were included for meta-analysis. The BMD did not differ significantly between isoflavone supplementation combined with exercise training group and placebo group (sub-whole body: SMD = 0.00, 95% CI, –0.23 to 0.24; lumbar spine: SMD = 0.15, 95% CI, –0.30 to 0.60; total hip: SMD = 0.05, 95% CI, –0.18 to 0.298; femoral neck: SMD = 0.10, 95% CI, –0.23 to 0.43; trochanter: SMD = 0.09, 95% CI, –0.14 to 0.33; ward’s triangle: SMD = –0.03, 95% CI, –0.24 to 0.30). In addition, combined intervention did not provide additive effects on BMD improvements compared with exercise or isoflavone supplementation alone. The trials included in this meta-analysis were small and some had methodological limitations.

Conclusion:

The present meta-analysis reveals that isoflavone supplements combined with exercise training do not significantly increase BMD in postmenopausal women. In addition, combined intervention does not provide additive effects on BMD improvements compared with exercise or isoflavone supplementation alone.
Neurological Morbidity and Mortality in a Neurological Low-Resource Setting
Authors: Otubogun Folajimi M.
Published: July 2020

Background:

There is still a paucity of information on the burden of neurological disorders particularly in low-resource settings such as sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to report the burden of neurological disorders, including morbidity and mortality, in adult patients at a Northwestern Nigerian tertiary hospital over a 2-year period.

Materials and Methods:

An audit of adult medical admissions from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2017, was conducted. Anonymized data on medical admissions were retrieved from admission registries. Primary and secondary outcomes of interest were neurological diagnoses and clinical outcomes, respectively. The Pearson χ2 and independent t tests were used to test for differences between neurological and general medical proportions and outcomes with a 5% significance level set.

Results:

Over the 2-year period, 2772 adults were admitted. Neurological morbidity comprised almost a 10th of all adult medical admissions (9.1%), whereas neurological mortality accounted for more than a fifth of all deaths (22.2%). Stroke was the leading cause of neurological morbidity (62.9%) and mortality (79.8%). Infections of the nervous system and epilepsy were other frequent causes of neurological morbidity. Outcomes were poorer for neurological patients (fatality rates: neurological, 55.5%; medical, 19.5%, P<0.001).

Conclusions:

Neurological disorders were a significant cause of adult medical morbidity and, to a greater extent, of mortality. Cerebrovascular disease and infections of the nervous system were major drivers of mortality. Cost-effective strategies appropriate for low-resource settings are required to prevent and reverse these negative outcomes.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome as a Neurological Complication of Novel COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Paybast Sepideh , Gorji Reza , Mavandadi Shirin
Published: July 2020

Introduction:

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Although the main clinical manifestation of COVID-19 is respiratory involvement, there is evidence suggesting the neuroinvasive potential of COVID-19. There are limited reports of neurological complications of COVID-19 infection in the literature. Herein, we aim to describe 2 members of a family affected by COVID-19, presenting with ascending paresthesia with the final diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Case Report:

A 38-year-old man presented with a history of ascending paresthesia and bilateral facial droop since 5 days before admission. The medical history was positive for flu-like symptoms affecting all the members of his family. The neurological examination was notable for bilateral peripheral facial paralysis, generalized areflexia, and derceased sensation in distal limbs. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed an albuminocytologic dissociation. In addition, the electromyography-nerve conduction study findings were suggestive of acute axonal-demyelinating polyneuropathy. Meanwhile the patient was treated with a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome, his 14-year-old daughter presented with a history of progressive paresthesia and weakness. Similar to her father, the paraclinical evaluations were consistent with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Taking into account clinical findings and the outbreak of COVID-19, the suspicion of COVID-19 was proposed. Eventually, on the basis of throat swab samples stand on polymerase chain reaction, the patients were diagnosed with COVID-19.

Conclusion:

Our cases revealed the familial occurrence of Guillain-Barré syndrome after COVID-19 infection. The authors emphasize neurological complications of COVID-19.
Enhancing Safe Sleep Counseling by Pediatricians through a Quality Improvement Learning Collaborative
Authors: Scott Emily K. , Downs Stephen M. , Pottenger Amy K. , Bien James P. , Saysana Michele S.
Published: July 2020

Background:

Approximately, 3,500 infants die annually from sleep-related infant deaths in the United States. We sought to improve pediatricians’ counseling on safe sleep from birth through 6 months of age through a virtual quality improvement learning collaborative (QILC). Our aim was appropriate screening, counseling, and documentation of safe sleep advice in 75% of eligible patient encounters after the QILC.

Methods:

We formed a 9-month QILC for inpatient and outpatient pediatricians. Pediatricians collected data on safe sleep documentation in a newborn discharge or well-child visit note. Data were submitted at baseline and in 9 subsequent phases. Participants met monthly via a webinar, which included a QI presentation, data review, and facilitated discussion among participants. Practices were contacted 12 months after the conclusion of the QILC to assess sustainment.

Results:

Thirty-four pediatricians from 4 inpatient and 9 outpatient practices participated in the QILC. At baseline, documentation of safe sleep practices varied greatly (0%–98%). However, by the end of the QILC, all participating practices were documenting safe sleep guidance in over 75% of patient encounters. Aggregate practice data show a significant, sustained improvement. The 12-month follow-up data were submitted from 62% of practices, with sustainment of improvement in 75% of practices.

Conclusion:

A facilitated, virtual QILC is an effective methodology to improve safe sleep counseling among a diverse group of pediatric practices. It is one step in improving consistent messaging around safe sleep by healthcare providers as pediatricians work to decrease sleep-related infant deaths.
Rheumatic Diseases Associated With Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome
Authors: Manadan Augustine , Kambhatla Soumyasri , Gauto-Mariotti Estefania , Okoli Chimuanya , Block Joel A.
Published: July 2020

Objective

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an acute neurological syndrome. There are many reports of PRES occurring in the setting of rheumatic diseases. However, it remains uncertain whether rheumatic diseases are truly a risk factor for PRES, as the literature consists of case reports and small clinical series. Here, we evaluated the relationship between PRES and the rheumatic diseases, using a large population-based data set as the reference.

Methods

We conducted a medical records review of hospitalizations in the United States during 2016 with a diagnosis of PRES. Hospitalizations were selected from the National Inpatient Sample. International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification codes were used to identify rheumatic diseases. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for the association of PRES and rheumatic diseases.

Results

There were 3125 hospitalizations that had a principal billing diagnosis of PRES. Multivariate logistic regression revealed the multiple independent associations with PRES. The demographic and nonrheumatic associations included acute renal failure (OR, 1.52), chronic renal failure (OR, 12.1), female (OR, 2.28), hypertension (OR, 8.73), kidney transplant (OR, 1.97), and preeclampsia/eclampsia (OR, 11.45). Rheumatic associations with PRES included antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis (OR, 9.31), psoriatic arthritis (OR, 4.61), systemic sclerosis (OR, 6.62), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis (OR, 7.53), and SLE without nephritis (OR, 2.38).

Conclusions

This analysis represents the largest sample to date to assess PRES hospitalizations. It confirms that several rheumatic diseases are associated with PRES, including antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis, systemic sclerosis, SLE, and psoriatic arthritis. Acute and unexplained central nervous system symptoms in these patient populations should prompt consideration of PRES.
Anti–Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies Correlate to Ultrasound Synovitis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Better Than C-Reactive Protein
Authors: Lu Cheng-Hsun , Chen Lung-Fang , Huang Yi-Min , Cheng Chiao-Feng , Hsieh Song-Chou , Li Ko-Jen
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare ultrasound (US) grading and laboratory measures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods

Two-hundred four patients with rheumatoid arthritis who received US evaluation for synovitis were included after excluding those using tocilizumab. Ultrasound grading of synovial hypertrophy (SH) and power Doppler (PD) at the most severe site were recorded. An assessment of the correlation of laboratory measures and US grading was conducted by reviewing the electronic medical records.

Results

High-titer anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies positivity was associated with SH grade ≥2 (odds ratio [OR], 6.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.78–20.2) and PD grade ≥2 (OR, 5.56; 95% CI, 1.82–16.9). Recent C-reactive protein (CRP) levels ≥0.3 mg/dL were associated with SH grade ≥2 (OR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.38–7.10) and PD grade ≥2 (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.31–4.31). Anti-CCP antibody levels correlated with US scores better than the levels of CRP with higher Spearman ρ correlation coefficients. Most of the patients with recent CRP levels <0.3 mg/dL had US synovitis. In logistic regression, high levels of anti-CCP antibodies and CRP were both independently associated with SH grade ≥2 and PD grade ≥2.

Conclusions

Higher levels of anti-CCP antibodies and CRP may predict synovitis on US, whereas discrepancies existed between inflammatory markers and US grading. These findings suggest that US has a role in the comprehensive assessment of disease activity, especially for patients with high-titer positive anti-CCP antibodies.