bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depression and cognitive function in early multiple sclerosis: Multitasking is more sensitive than traditional assessments
Authors: Glukhovsky Lisa , Kurz Daniel , Brandstadter Rachel , Leavitt Victoria M , Krieger Stephen , Fabian Michelle , Katz Sand Ilana , Klineova Sylvia , Riley Claire S , Lublin Fred D , Miller Aaron E , Sumowski James F
Published: November 2020

Background:

Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and depression symptoms report real-world cognitive difficulties that may be missed by laboratory cognitive tests.

Objective:

To examine the relationship of depressive symptoms to cognitive monotasking versus multitasking in early MS.

Method:

Persons with early MS ( n = 185; ⩽5 years diagnosed) reported mood, completed monotasking and multitasking cognitive tests, and received high-resolution 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Partial correlations analyzed associations between mood and cognition, controlling for age, sex, estimated premorbid IQ, T2 lesion volume, and normalized gray matter volume.

Results:

Depression symptoms were more related to worse cognitive multitasking (−0.353, p < 0.001) than monotasking ( r = −0.189, p = 0.011). There was a significant albeit weaker link to cognitive efficiency composite score ( r = −0.281, p < 0.001), but not composite memory ( r = −0.036, p > 0.50). Findings were replicated with a second depression measure. Multitasking was worse in patients with at least mild depression than both patients with no/minimal depression and healthy controls. Multitasking was not related to mood in healthy controls.

Conclusions:

Depression symptoms are linked to cognitive multitasking in early MS; standard monotasking cognitive assessments appear less sensitive to depression-related cognition. Further investigation should determine directionality and mechanisms of this relationship, with the goal of enhancing treatment for cognitive dysfunction and depression in MS.
Managing differentiated disintegration: Insights from comparative federalism on post-Brexit EU–UK relations
Authors: Glencross Andrew
Published: November 2020

This article applies insights from comparative federalism to analyse different models for managing future EU–UK relations. The argument is that the stability of the EU–UK relationship before as well as after Brexit is best understood by examining the presence of federal safeguards. Drawing on Kelemen, four types of safeguards are identified as the means for balancing centrifugal and centripetal forces. During the United Kingdom’s European Union membership, the strong glue provided by structural and judicial safeguards was undone by the weakness of partisan and socio-cultural ones. However, each post-Brexit scenario is characterised by weaker structural and judicial safeguards. The most stable outcome is an indeterminate Brexit that limits the incentive to politicise sovereignty and identity concerns by ending free movement of people and reducing the saliency of European Union rules. Such stability is nevertheless relative in that, from a comparative perspective, federal-type safeguards were stronger when the United Kingdom was still in the European Union.
Social work and sociology/sociology and social work: Peering back and forth
Authors: Shaw Ian F
Published: November 2020

In this paper I seek to delineate how the relationship between social work and sociology has been regarded in more recent years as represented by textbooks. In the light of such writing, I review the nature, themes and extent of sociological interest in social work in the past and the present. I set out a partial and provisional agenda for interlacing disciplinary and professional work.
Pandemic and protest in 2020: Questions and considerations for social work research
Authors: Hudson Kimberly D , Mehrotra Gita R
Published: November 2020

The convergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and social/political protest concerning structural anti-Black racism marks a moment for deep reflection and revision of many taken-for-granted assumptions about our research and academic lives as social work scholars. In this reflexive essay we, as two non-Black qualitative social work scholars, explore some of the questions and considerations for social work research that have surfaced since the emergence of these complex social, political, and economic crises. We organize our reflection around what we study, why, and how we go about studying it. We then offer a discussion of various constraints and challenges that emerge in this type of reflective scholarly practice, including an analysis of how contexts of white supremacy culture and neoliberalism shape social work scholarship. We close the essay with a number of recommendations for further reflection for social work scholars, such as reviewing research practices, seeking external research funding, practicing reflexivity, interrogating assumptions about knowledge production, self and community care, and integrating scholarly work into social work curriculum.
“People look at me like I AM the virus”: Fear, stigma, and discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Choi Shinwoo
Published: November 2020

Anti-Asian sentiment is surging because of COVID-19 and there have been incidents of hate crime. This paper presents a reflection by an Asian social work researcher on the impact of this surge on herself and other Asians in America. Reflecting on the history of pandemic, racism against Asian Americans, and anti-Chinese sentiment among other Asian group, the paper provides important points for us to ponder as a community of social workers in the topics of racial justice
Disruptions, distractions, and discoveries: Doctoral students’ reflections on a pandemic
Authors: Eigege Chinyere Y , Kennedy Priscilla P
Published: November 2020

This paper describes the reflections of two social work PhD students based on their personal and professional experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic. The students describe their positionality and use that to expound on the impact of the pandemic on their lives. They reflect on the disruptions to their social work education and research priorities including transitioning to online learning and modifications to research agendas. They then discuss ongoing distractions such as worries about getting sick, mental health concerns, and financial constraints. They share their discoveries about glaring disparities in coronavirus infection and death rates, the need to adjust research agendas in response to current events, and the urgency for qualitative research strategies to add meaning to the numbers being reported. In addition, the authors describe shared experiences and intersections they discovered while writing this essay. Finally, recommendations for practice include recommitting to social work values to help surmount the ongoing waves of this pandemic; reimagining social work education so that disparities and injustice intersect with every subject taught and graduates become experts at leading social change; and harnessing the untapped potential of qualitative research to drive real, systemic change.
The revitalization of “Osekkai”: How the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of Japanese voluntary social work
Authors: Ohta Ryuichi , Yata Akiko
Published: November 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused worldwide panic, and rural areas are no exception. In Japanese rural areas, many older people live alone and lack access to reliable sources of information. During the pandemic, older adults were initially isolated from their communities because of the recommended social isolation measures, even when there were no cases in rural communities. However, various formal and informal caregivers went beyond their usual roles and tried to reconnect the older rural population with their communities and nurtured their social connections; Japanese community workers mitigated the stress and fear experienced by the rural elderly in the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, this pandemic encouraged rural Japanese customs. One such custom is “Osekkai.” The Japanese word Osekkai describes actions that someone considers useful and meaningful to perform for others. Osekkai involves both formal and informal care, and as social gatherings began to disappear, Osekkai allowed individuals to deal with the various social problems created by the pandemic. Conferences based on Osekkai can strengthen rural people’s connections and improve their social capital. Activities of rural people that are constructed through Osekkai conferences are not only evidence-based but also based on reliance. This unprecedented pandemic has taught us not only the importance of usual healthcare and precautions against infection but also that nurturing social connection in communities is crucial in the face of social turbulence.
From True Grit to “Big Damn Heroes”: Cowboys, Pirates, and Relational Ethics
Authors: Poulos Christopher N.
Published: November 2020

When I was a kid, cowboys ruled. Every week, my heroes—Lucas McCain, the Cartwrights, Matt Dillon, Paladin, Big John Cannon—were taming the “wild west.” These were good guys, in charge and on a mission. But in the world around us, everything was changing. 1969 was a turning point. Everything was suddenly in Technicolor, and as we gave up on the West and turned to outer space for our hero-adventures, our heroes morphed from Cowboys to Space-Pirate-Cowboys. These space-pirate-cowboys (or big damn heroes) manage to do the right thing as they improvise their (opportunistic) ethics of friendship.
From the Back of the Car to the Kitchen Table: Shifting Identities, Pirates, and Tales That Provoke Transition
Authors: Douglas Kitrina
Published: November 2020

In this second installment of Cowboys & Pirates, my performance continues to explore how identities are shaped, constrained, or expanded. My staring place is a song called “Stories from the kitchen table”; where and what, I wonder, has shaped the narrative arc of this song? Where are my narrative moorings? Through other stories I have learned about, been told or have created, I revisit the way counter-narratives emerge such that they provide a means to break out (or through) dominant gendered, class, and racial narrative templates that we might otherwise be entombed within.
Therapeutic Efficacy of Delta-Like Ligand 4 Gene Vaccine Overexpression on Liver Cancer in Mice
Authors: Yu Yi , Zhao Yang , Zhou Guangming , Wang Xiang
Published: November 2020

Delta-like ligand 4 is a notch ligand that is predominantly expressed in the endothelial tip cells and plays essential roles in the regulation of angiogenesis. In this study, we explored the therapeutic effects of delta-like ligand 4 gene vaccine overexpression on the syngeneic model mouse model of liver cancer and the underlying mechanisms. Mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cell line H22-H8D8 was used to generate subcutaneous syngeneic model liver cancer in Kunming mice, and the effects of recombinant plasmid pVAX1 containing delta-like ligand 4 vaccine on tumor growth was examined. Compared to controls, delta-like ligand 4 vaccination reduced syngeneic model tumor size by 70.31% (from 17.11 ± 9.30 cm3 to 5.08 ± 2.75 cm3, P = .035) and tumor weight by 34.19% (from 6.26 ± 3.01 g to 4.12 ± 2.52 g, P = .102), while the mouse survival was significantly increased (from 27.7 ± 6.0 days to 33.1 ± 6.1 days, P = .047). High level of delta-like ligand 4 antibody, together with a significantly increased number of CD4+ and decreased CD8+ cells were identified in the mouse peripheral blood serum samples after delta-like ligand 4 immunization. In addition, elevated serum levels of interleukin 2, interleukin 4, and interferon γ were detected in the delta-like ligand 4–vaccinated mice when compared to the controls. Further studies have revealed increased CD31 and decreased Ki67 expression in the syngeneic model tumor tissues of vaccinated mice. Taken together, our studies suggest that delta-like ligand 4 gene vaccine can inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma in mice through inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and boosting antitumor immune responses. Hence, delta-like ligand 4 gene vaccination may be a promising strategy for the treatment of transplanted liver cancer.
Outcomes of open and endovascular interventions in patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia
Authors: Lee K Benjamin , Macsata Robyn A , Lala Salim , Sparks Andrew D , Amdur Richard L , Ricotta John J , Sidawy Anton N , Nguyen Bao-Ngoc
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Widespread adoption of endovascular therapy for the treatment of chronic limb-threatening ischemia has transformed the field of vascular surgery. In this modern era, we aimed to define where open surgical interventions are of greatest benefit for limb salvage.

Methods

Patients who underwent interventions for chronic limb-threatening ischemia were identified in the vascular-targeted lower extremity National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database for open surgical interventions (OPEN) and endovascular surgical interventions (ENDO) from 2011 to 2017. Patients were further stratified based on the criteria of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (rest pain or tissue loss), and the location of the diseased arteries (femoropopliteal or tibioperoneal). The main outcomes measured included 30-day mortality, amputation, and major adverse cardiovascular events.

Results

A total of 17,193 patients were revascularized for chronic limb-threatening ischemia: 10,532 were OPEN and 6661 were ENDO. OPEN had higher 30-day mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, pulmonary, renal dysfunction, and wound complications. However, OPEN resulted in significantly lower 30-day major amputation (3.8% vs. 5.0%, odds ratio (OR): 0.83 [0.72–0.97], P = .018). Subgroup analysis revealed a higher mortality rate in OPEN was observed only in tibioperoneal intervention for tissue loss. Major adverse cardiovascular event was higher in OPEN for most subgroups. OPEN for patients with tissue loss had significantly lower amputation rate than ENDO in both femoropopliteal and tibioperoneal subgroups (3.7% vs. 5.1%, OR: 0.76 [0.59–0.98], P = .036, and 4.7% vs. 6.6%, OR: 0.74 [0.57–0.96], P = .024, respectively). The benefit of open surgery in reducing the amputation rate was not seen in patients with rest pain.

Conclusions

Open surgical intervention is associated with significantly better limb salvage than endovascular intervention in patients with tissue loss. Surgical options should be given more emphasis as the first-line option in this cohort of patients unless the cardiopulmonary risk is prohibitive.
Spinal postural alignment measurements using markerless digital photography
Authors: Hida Mitsumasa , Wada Chikamune , Imai Ryota , Kitagawa Kodai , Okamatsu Shogo , Ohnishi Tadasuke , Kawashima Satoshi
Published: November 2020

Background:

A device that can measure posture alignment repeatedly is important for the prevention of hyperkyphosis.

Objective:

We devised a markerless measurement method for hyperkyphosis using digital photography and investigated the correlation with other noninvasive measurements and the validity and accuracy of this method.

Methods:

The study included 27 participants. The craniovertebral angle in supine (CVAS) and craniohorizontal angle in supine (CHAS) were calculated from digital photographs of the head and neck areas of the studied subjects with ImageJ. The correlations of CVAS and CHAS with the kyphosis index (KI) and block method (BM) were investigated. Intrarater correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman analyses were used to verify the reliability and accuracy of the measured results.

Results:

CHAS exhibited an excellent correlation with the KI and the BM. The intra- and interrater reliabilities of CHAS were almost perfect. Bland–Altman analysis revealed that CHAS was associated with minor addition errors.

Conclusion:

CHAS founded an excellent correlation and reliability with the conventional spinal postural alignment measurements. The addition error suggested that the manual was needed to confirm the landmark. The CHAS is a method used to measure the spinal postural alignment in a supine position without markers and without exposing the skin surface.
Clinical Prognostic Factors in Pediatric Patients With Orthostatic Intolerance
Authors: Ishitsuka Kazue , Yamawaki Kaori , Horikawa Miwako , Nakadate Hisaya , Nagai Akira , Ishiguro Akira
Published: November 2020

Midodrine is widely used for orthostatic intolerance (OI); however, little is known about the prognostic factors of OI after midodrine treatment. We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical charts to investigate clinical prognostic factors of OI on 159 OI patients aged 7 to 18 years who were treated with midodrine at a children’s hospital. Logistic regression was conducted to clarify predictors for improving symptoms at the first month of the treatment. Patients with orthostatic uncomfortable feeling or fainting were significantly more likely to improve symptoms at the first month of the treatment (odds ratio [OR], 3.48; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 1.36-8.89), but patients with underweight were significantly less likely to improve symptoms (OR, 0.19; 95%CI, 0.06-0.56). Our results suggest that predictive factors for OI by midodrine treatments are orthostatic symptoms and underweight in pediatric patients. These findings are useful to develop further studies for OI treatments.
Correction to: Hospital-based headache care during the Covid-19 pandemic in Denmark and Norway
Authors: Kristoffersen Espen Saxhaug , Faiz Kashif Waqar , Sandset Else Charlotte , Storstein Anette Margrethe , Stefansen Simon , Winsvold Bendik Slagsvold , Hansen Jakob Møller
Published: November 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Red Light-Emitting Diodes with All-Inorganic CsPbI3/TOPO Composite Nanowires Color Conversion Films
Authors: Chen Lung-Chien , Chang Yi-Tsung , Tien Ching-Ho , Yeh Yu-Chun , Tseng Zong-Liang , Lee Kuan-Lin , Kuo Hao-Chung
Published: November 2020

This work presents a method for obtaining a color-converted red light source through a combination of a blue GaN light-emitting diode and a red fluorescent color conversion film of a perovskite CsPbI3/TOPO composite. High-quality CsPbI3 quantum dots (QDs) were prepared using the hot-injection method. The colloidal QD solutions were mixed with different ratios of trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) to form nanowires. The color conversion films prepared by the mixed ultraviolet resin and colloidal solutions were coated on blue LEDs. The optical and electrical properties of the devices were measured and analyzed at an injection current of 50 mA; it was observed that the strongest red light intensity was 93.1 cd/m2 and the external quantum efficiency was 5.7% at a wavelength of approximately 708 nm when CsPbI3/TOPO was 1:0.35.
Spatial modelling improves genetic evaluation in smallholder breeding programs
Authors: Selle Maria L. , Steinsland Ingelin , Powell Owen , Hickey John M. , Gorjanc Gregor
Published: November 2020

Background

Breeders and geneticists use statistical models to separate genetic and environmental effects on phenotype. A common way to separate these effects is to model a descriptor of an environment, a contemporary group or herd, and account for genetic relationship between animals across environments. However, separating the genetic and environmental effects in smallholder systems is challenging due to small herd sizes and weak genetic connectedness across herds. We hypothesised that accounting for spatial relationships between nearby herds can improve genetic evaluation in smallholder systems. Furthermore, geographically referenced environmental covariates are increasingly available and could model underlying sources of spatial relationships. The objective of this study was therefore, to evaluate the potential of spatial modelling to improve genetic evaluation in dairy cattle smallholder systems.

Methods

We performed simulations and real dairy cattle data analysis to test our hypothesis. We modelled environmental variation by estimating herd and spatial effects. Herd effects were considered independent, whereas spatial effects had distance-based covariance between herds. We compared these models using pedigree or genomic data.

Results

The results show that in smallholder systems (i) standard models do not separate genetic and environmental effects accurately, (ii) spatial modelling increases the accuracy of genetic evaluation for phenotyped and non-phenotyped animals, (iii) environmental covariates do not substantially improve the accuracy of genetic evaluation beyond simple distance-based relationships between herds, (iv) the benefit of spatial modelling was largest when separating the genetic and environmental effects was challenging, and (v) spatial modelling was beneficial when using either pedigree or genomic data.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated the potential of spatial modelling to improve genetic evaluation in smallholder systems. This improvement is driven by establishing environmental connectedness between herds, which enhances separation of genetic and environmental effects. We suggest routine spatial modelling in genetic evaluations, particularly for smallholder systems. Spatial modelling could also have a major impact in studies of human and wild populations.
Stability and bifurcations in a discrete-time epidemic model with vaccination and vital dynamics
Authors: Parsamanesh Mahmood , Erfanian Majid , Mehrshad Saeed
Published: November 2020

Background

The spread of infectious diseases is so important that changes the demography of the population. Therefore, prevention and intervention measures are essential to control and eliminate the disease. Among the drug and non-drug interventions, vaccination is a powerful strategy to preserve the population from infection. Mathematical models are useful to study the behavior of an infection when it enters a population and to investigate under which conditions it will be wiped out or continued.

Results

A discrete-time SIS epidemic model is introduced that includes a vaccination program. Some basic properties of this model are obtained; such as the equilibria and the basic reproduction number $$\mathcal {R}_0$$

R
0

. Then the stability of the equilibria is given in terms of $$\mathcal {R}_0$$

R
0

, and the bifurcations of the model are studied. By applying the forward Euler method on the continuous version of the model, a discretized model is obtained and analyzed.

Conclusion

It is proven that the disease-free equilibrium and endemic equilibrium are stable if $$\mathcal {R}_0<1$$

R
0

<
1

and $$\mathcal {R}_0>1$$

R
0

>
1

, respectively. Also, the disease-free equilibrium is globally stable when $$\mathcal {R}_0\le 1$$

R
0

≤
1

. The system has a transcritical bifurcation when $$\mathcal {R}_0=1$$

R
0

=
1

and it might also have period-doubling bifurcation. The sufficient conditions for the stability of equilibria in the discretized model are established. The numerical discussions verify the theoretical results.
Natrix: a Snakemake-based workflow for processing, clustering, and taxonomically assigning amplicon sequencing reads
Authors: Welzel Marius , Lange Anja , Heider Dominik , Schwarz Michael , Freisleben Bernd , Jensen Manfred , Boenigk Jens , Beisser Daniela
Published: November 2020

Background

Sequencing of marker genes amplified from environmental samples, known as amplicon sequencing, allows us to resolve some of the hidden diversity and elucidate evolutionary relationships and ecological processes among complex microbial communities. The analysis of large numbers of samples at high sequencing depths generated by high throughput sequencing technologies requires efficient, flexible, and reproducible bioinformatics pipelines. Only a few existing workflows can be run in a user-friendly, scalable, and reproducible manner on different computing devices using an efficient workflow management system.

Results

We present Natrix, an open-source bioinformatics workflow for preprocessing raw amplicon sequencing data. The workflow contains all analysis steps from quality assessment, read assembly, dereplication, chimera detection, split-sample merging, sequence representative assignment (OTUs or ASVs) to the taxonomic assignment of sequence representatives. The workflow is written using Snakemake, a workflow management engine for developing data analysis workflows. In addition, Conda is used for version control. Thus, Snakemake ensures reproducibility and Conda offers version control of the utilized programs. The encapsulation of rules and their dependencies support hassle-free sharing of rules between workflows and easy adaptation and extension of existing workflows. Natrix is freely available on GitHub (https://github.com/MW55/Natrix) or as a Docker container on DockerHub (https://hub.docker.com/r/mw55/natrix).

Conclusion

Natrix is a user-friendly and highly extensible workflow for processing Illumina amplicon data.
Functional identification of PsMYB57 involved in anthocyanin regulation of tree peony
Authors: Zhang Yanzhao , Xu Shuzhen , Cheng Yanwei , Wang Jing , Wang Xiangxiang , Liu Runxiao , Han Jianming
Published: November 2020

Background

R2R3 myeloblastosis (MYB) genes are widely distributed in plants and comprise one of the largest transcription factor gene families. They play important roles in the regulatory networks controlling development, metabolism, and stress responses. Researches on functional genes in tree peony are still in its infancy. To date, few MYB genes have thus far been reported.

Results

In this study, we constructed a comprehensive reference gene set by transcriptome sequencing to obtain R2R3 MYB genes. The transcriptomes of eight different tissues were sequenced, and 92,837 unigenes were obtained with an N50 of 1662 nt. A total of 48,435 unigenes (77.98%) were functionally annotated in public databases. Based on the assembly, we identified 57 R2R3 MYB genes containing full-length open reading frames, which clustered into 35 clades by phylogenetic analysis. PsMYB57 clustered with anthocyanin regulation genes in Arabidopsis and was mainly transcribed in the buds and young leaves. The overexpression of PsMYB57 induced anthocyanin accumulation in tobacco, and four detected anthocyanin structural genes, including NtCHS, NtF3’H, NtDFR, and NtANS, were upregulated. The two endogenous bHLH genes NtAn1a and NtAn1b were also upregulated and may work in combination with PsMYB57 in regulating anthocyanin structural genes.

Conclusions

Our study offers a useful reference to the selection of candidate MYB genes for further functional studies in tree peony. Function analysis of PsMYB57 is helpful to understand the color accumulation in vegetative organs of tree peony. PsMYB57 is also a promising resource to improve plant color in molecular breeding.
Assessing the expression of immunosuppressive cytokines in the newly diagnosed systemic lupus Erythematosus patients: a focus on B cells
Authors: Abbasifard Mitra , Kamiab Zahra , Hasani Mohammad , Rahnama Amir , Saeed-Askari Pooya , Khorramdelazad Hossein
Published: November 2020

Background

The immunosuppressive effects of regulatory B-cells (Bregs) and their immunosuppressive cytokines on immune responses in autoimmune disorders, mainly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), have been recently established. Therefore, the purpose of this article has been the exploration of the expressions of cytokines produced by B cells in newly diagnosed SLE patients.

Results

The findings demonstrated that the gene expression of IL-10, TGF-β, IL-35, PD-L1, and FasL was significantly up-regulated in SLE patients compared to healthy subjects (P < 0.05). Additionally, the results revealed that serum levels of IL-10, TGF-β, IL-35, PD-L1 were remarkably increased in patients with SLE compared to healthy subjects (P < 0.0001). However, serum levels of IL-10 and TGF-β decreased significantly with increasing SLEDAI score in studied patients (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

It was concluded that the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-10 and TGF-β, might inhibit immune responses and autoreactive immune cells in a compensatory manner in SLE patients with mild to moderate disease activity.
Antimicrobial activity of omadacycline in vitro against bacteria isolated from 2014 to 2017 in China, a multi-center study
Authors: Xiao Meng , Huang Jing-jing , Zhang Ge , Yang Wen-hang , Kong Fanrong , Kudinha Timothy , Xu Ying-chun
Published: November 2020

Background

Omadacycline (ZL-2401) is a semi-synthetic derivative of minocycline. It has a broadspectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and atypical pathogens. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of omadacycline against recently collected bacterial isolates from Chinese patients.

Results

Omadacycline showed potent activity against all Gram-positive pathogens:S. aureusMICs were low regardless of susceptibility to methicillin (methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus, MRSA:N = 97, MIC50/900.12/0.25 mg/L, 98.5% susceptible; methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureus, MSSA:N = 100, MIC50/900.12/0.12 mg/L, 100.0% susceptible). Omadacycline was also very effective against β-haemolytic streptococci (MIC50/90, 0.06/0.12 mg/L), viridans group streptococci (MIC50/90,<0.03/0. 06 mg/L), and enterococci (MIC50/90, 0.03/0.12 mg/L). AgainstS. pneumoniae, omadacycline was highly active regardless of penicillin-resistance (MIC900.06 mg/L) and despite the fact that less than 10.0% of these strains were susceptible to tetracycline. Omadacycline exhibited good in vitro activity againstEnterobacteralesisolates (MIC50/90, 2/8 mg/L), inhibiting 81.7% of the isolates at ≤4 mg/L.M. catarrhalisisolates (MIC50/90, 0.12/0.25 mg/L) were fully susceptible to omadacycline at ≤0.5 mg/L.

Conclusions

Omadacycline showed potent in vitro activity against most common bacterial pathogens, and even against highly resistant problem pathogens, such as MRSA, penicillin-R and tetracycline-RS. pneumoniaeand enterococci. The susceptibility rate of Chinese isolates was similar to those reported in other countries, but the decreased activity againstK. pneumoniaeisolates in the present study should be noted.
Identification of candidate genes conferring tolerance to aluminum stress in Pinus massoniana inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungus
Authors: Liu Haiyan , Chen Houying , Ding Guijie , Li Kuaifen , Ren Qifei
Published: November 2020

Background

Pinus massoniana Lamb. is an important afforestation tree species with high economic, ecological and medicinal values. Aluminum (Al) toxicity driven by soil acidification causes dieback of P. massoniana plantations. Previous studies showed that ectomycorrhizal fungi alleviate Al stress damages in Pinus, but the underlying molecular mechanisms and key genes induced by ectomycorrhizal fungi inoculation under Al stress in Pinus have not been explored. Herein, we applied Al stress for 60 days to P. massoniana seedlings inoculated with Suillus luteus (SL) and those non-inoculated. Then, we compared their growth parameters and transcriptome in order to detect candidate genes induced by SL conferring Al tolerance in P. massoniana.

Result

Our results showed that SL inoculation confers Al stress tolerance in P. massoniana through improved growth performance, strong antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced malondialdehyde accumulation as compared to non-inoculated seedlings. Transcriptome sequencing further supported these findings as very few genes (51 genes) were transcriptionally altered by Al in SL inoculated plants as compared to non-inoculated plants (2140 genes). We identified three core genes (cox1, cox3 and Nd1) that were strongly up-regulated by Al in the SL inoculated plants but were down-regulated in the non-inoculated plants. We also identified 42 genes specifically regulated by SL inoculated plants under Al stress, which are involved in a wide range of biological processes such as antioxidative response, transporters, hormone signaling and plant pathogen infection responses.

Conclusions

Altogether, our data suggest that SL inoculation induces priming of key stress response pathways and triggers specific genes that efficiently alleviate Al stress effects in P. massoniana. The candidate genes resources generated in this study are of utmost importance for functional characterization and molecular studies aiming at improving Al tolerance in plants.
Gastrointestinal complications are associated with a poor outcome in non-critically ill pneumonia patients
Authors: Huang Chun-Ta , Hong Chun-Ming , Tsai Yi-Ju , Sheng Wang-Huei , Yu Chong-Jen
Published: November 2020

Background

Development of gastrointestinal (GI) complications is adversely associated with prognosis in the critically ill. However, little is known about their impact on the outcome of non-critically ill patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of GI complications and their influence on prognosis of hospitalized pneumonia patients.

Methods

Adult patients admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia from 2012 to 2014 were included. Medical records were reviewed to obtain patients’ demographics, physical signs, comorbidities, laboratory results, clinical events, and the Confusion, Urea, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure and age ≥ 65 (CURB-65) score was calculated to assess the severity of pneumonia. GI complications, including bowel distension, diarrhea, GI bleeding and ileus, were evaluated during the first 3 days of hospitalization and their association with patient outcomes, such as hospital mortality and length of stay, was analyzed.

Results

A total of 1001 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 73.7 years and 598 (59%) male. Among them, 114 (11%) patients experienced at least one GI complication and diarrhea (5.2%) was the most common. The hospital mortality was 14% and was independently associated with an increase in the CURB-65 score (odds ratio [OR] 1.952 per point increase; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.516–2.514), comorbid malignancy (OR 1.943; 95% CI 1.209–3.123), development of septic shock (OR 25.896; 95% CI 8.970–74.765), and the presence of any GI complication (OR 1.753; 95% CI 1.003–3.065).

Conclusions

Compared to a critical care setting, GI complications are not commonly observed in a non-critical care setting; however, they still have a negative impact on prognosis of pneumonia patients, including higher mortality and prolonged length of hospital stay.
Differentiating objective and subjective dimensions of social isolation and apprasing their relations with physical and mental health in italian older adults
Authors: Fiordelli Maddalena , Sak Gabriele , Guggiari Benedetta , Schulz Peter J. , Petrocchi Serena
Published: November 2020

Background

International research shows that social isolation is harmful for health, especially for the elderly. Its objective and subjective dimensions are important to distinguish as each stands in a different relation with health. The first aim of the present study is the validation of three scales measuring objective and subjective isolation in an Italian elderly population. The second aim is to analyze subjective and objective social isolation and to appraise their association with health among seniors.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey collected data from 306 over 65 s participants. Questionnaires were administered face-to-face by one author and encompassed: social disconnectedness scale; perceived isolation scale; abbreviated Lubben Social Network Scale; measures of general and mental health, and depression.

Results

The three scales measuring social isolation demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties and validity. Objective and subjective social isolation were not directly associated with physical health, whereas subjective isolation is strongly linked to worse mental health and depression. Higher level of subjective isolation was associated with lower level of physical health through the mediation of mental health. Subjective isolation served as a mediator in the relation between objective isolation and health. Moderation analysis demonstrated that low values of objective isolation predicted high values of mental health but only when subjective isolation was low. None of these relations were moderated by socio-demographic variables.

Conclusion

Subjective and objective isolation are clearly two separate dimensions and the scales validated in this paper showed to be potentially culturally invariant. Researchers should work to find instruments able to depict the complexity of the construct of social isolation.
The pattern of stressful life events prior to suicide among the older adults in rural China: a national case-control psychological autopsy study
Authors: Mo Qiqing , Ma Zhenyu , Wang Guojun , Jia Cunxian , Niu Lu , Zhou Liang
Published: November 2020

Background

There is a lack of evidence concerning the stressful life events experienced prior to suicide which may be associated with an increased suicide risk among Chinese rural older adults. The aim of this study was to identify the pattern of stressful life events prior to suicide among the older adults in China.

Methods

Twelve counties were randomly selected using two-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Suicide cases aged 60 years and older (n = 242) were collected from those counties from June 2014 to September 2015. Matched living controls were selected 1:1 with suicide cases by age, gender, and location. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews by a psychological autopsy method. The Life Event Scale for the Elderly was used to measure the stressful life events prior to suicide/interviews.

Results

Approximately 99.6% of suicide cases and 88.4% of controls experienced at least one stressful life event. The suicide group experienced more long-term stressful life events than recent stressful life events. The top three most frequent stressful life events for the suicide group were being diagnosed with chronic disease, hospitalization, and being diagnosed with terminal illness. More female suicide cases experienced the death of a spouse, while more males experienced hospitalization, diagnosis with terminal illness and family poverty. Experiencing at least one stressful life event, an unstable marital status, physical diseases and mental disorders were shown to increase the risk of suicide.

Conclusions

Stressful life events were common for the rural older adults, especially long-term stressful life events. The experience of at least one stressful life event can increase suicide risk among this population. More attention should be paid to the rural older adults who experienced more long-term stressful life events and health related life events.
Long-term cost-utility analysis of remote monitoring of older patients with pacemakers: the PONIENTE study
Authors: Bautista-Mesa Rafael Jesus , Lopez-Villegas Antonio , Peiro Salvador , Catalan-Matamoros Daniel , Robles-Musso Emilio , Lopez-Liria Remedios , Leal-Costa Cesar
Published: November 2020

Background

Cost-effectiveness studies on pacemakers have increased in the last years. However the number of long-term cost-utility studies is limited. The objective of this study was to perform a cost-utility analysis comparing remote monitoring (RM) versus conventional monitoring (CM) in hospital of older patients with pacemakers, 5 years after implant.

Methods

Under a controlled, not randomized, nor masked clinical trial, 83 patients with pacemakers were initially selected. After five years of follow-up, a total of 55 patients (CM = 34; RM = 21) completed the study. A cost-utility analysis of RM in terms of costs per gained quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) was conducted. The costs from the Public Health System (PHS) as well as patients and their relatives were taken into account for the study. The robustness of the results was verified by the probabilistic analyses through Monte-Carlo simulations.

Results

After a five-year follow-up period, total costs were lower in the RM group by 23.02% than in the CM group (€274.52 versus €356.62;p = 0.033) because of a cost saving from patients’ perspective (€59.05 versus €102.98;p = 0.002). However, the reduction of in-hospital visits derived from RM exhibited insignificant impact on the costs from the PHS perspective, with a cost saving of 15.04% (€215.48 vs. €253.64;p = 0.144). Costs/QALYs obtained by the RM group were higher as compared to the CM group, although there were no significant differences. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of CM in comparison to RM became positive (€301.16).

Conclusions

This study confirms RM of older patients with pacemakers appears still as a cost-utility alternative to CM in hospital after 5 years of follow-up.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: (Identifier:NCT02234245). Registered 09 September 2014 - Prospectively registered.
COVID-19 infection in first trimester of pregnancy marked by a liver cytolysis in a woman previously treated by hydroxychloroquine for repeated implantation failure: a case report
Authors: Lamazou F. , Oger P. , Dieli-crimi R. , Guerin A. , Letouzey V. , Octernaud S. , Place V. , Calès P. , Descamps P. , Delaroche L.
Published: November 2020

Background

In December 2019, a new disease (COVID-19) caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 emerged in China and spread to many other countries. There is only limited data about the clinical features of COVID-19 during pregnancy, especially in first trimester.

Case presentation

We report a COVID-19 infection in a 35 years-old patient in first trimester of pregnancy and its consequent medical care. At 7 weeks of pregnancy, the patient, who did not have any pregestational comorbidities, complained of intense nausea and asthenia. An important liver cytolysis was discovered with biological perturbations of transaminases levels. No respiratory symptoms were recorded. Classical viral aetiologies and drug-related toxicity were discarded. Because of the aggravation of the symptoms and the occurrence of the breathlessness, the patient was tested for the COVID-19 in a nasopharyngeal swab. The RTq-PCR assay indicated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. In the absence of severe symptoms, the patient was monitored at home according to the French government guidelines. After a few days, the symptoms resolved without any complications. The pregnancy is still ongoing without any visible sequelae on the foetus so far.

Conclusions

This first case illustrated the difficulty of COVID-19 diagnosis in patients with isolated digestive symptoms in first trimester of pregnancy that could be confused with gravida hyperemesis. Monitoring of pregnancy after an episode of COVID-19 should be strengthened with bimonthly foetal growth ultrasounds and doppler assessments because of the risks for intrauterine growth restriction. Comprehensive data on larger numbers of first trimester gravid women with COVID-19 are required to better understanding the overall impact of SARS-CoV-2 on maternal and birth outcomes.
Evolution of comorbidities in people living with HIV between 2004 and 2014: cross-sectional analyses from ANRS CO3 Aquitaine cohort
Authors: Bonnet F. , Le Marec F. , Leleux O. , Gerard Y. , Neau D. , Lazaro E. , Duffau P. , Caubet O. , Vandenhende M. A. , Mercie P. , Cazanave C. , Dabis F.
Published: November 2020

Background

The objective of the study was to describe the evolution of chronic non-AIDS related diseases and their risk factors, in patients living with HIV (PLHIV) in the French ANRS CO3 Aquitaine prospective cohort, observed both in 2004 and in 2014 in order to improve long-term healthcare management.

Methods

The ANRS CO3 Aquitaine cohort prospectively collects epidemiological, clinical, biological and therapeutic data on PLHIV in the French Aquitaine region. Two cross sectional analyses were performed in 2004 and 2014, to investigate the patient characteristics, HIV RNA, CD4 counts and prevalence of some common comorbidities and treatment.

Results

2138 PLHIV (71% male, median age 52.2 years in 2014) were identified for inclusion in the study, including participants who were registered in the cohort with at least one hospital visit recorded in both 2004 and 2014. Significant increases in the prevalence of diagnosed chronic kidney disease (CKD), bone fractures, cardiovascular events (CVE), hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia, as well as an increase in treatment or prevention for these conditions (statins, clopidogrel, aspirin) were observed. It was also reflected in the increase in the proportion of patients in the “high” or “very high” risk groups of the disease risk scores for CKD, CVE and bone fracture score.

Conclusions

Between 2004 and 2014, the aging PLHIV population identified in the French ANRS CO3 Aquitaine prospective cohort experienced an overall higher prevalence of non-HIV related comorbidities, including CKD and CVD. Long-term healthcare management and long-term health outcomes could be improved for PLHIV by: careful HIV management according to current recommendations with optimal selection of antiretrovirals, and early management of comorbidities through recommended lifestyle improvements and preventative measures.
Congenital thrombocytopenia associated with GNE mutations in twin sisters: a case report and literature review
Authors: Li Xin , Li Ying , Lei Min , Tian Jing , Yang Zuocheng , Kuang Shoujin , Tan Yanjuan , Bo Tao
Published: November 2020

Background

Neonatal thrombocytopenia is common in preterm and term neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units. The etiology behind neonatal thrombocytopenia is complex. Inherited thrombocytopenia is rare and usually results from genetic mutations.

Case presentation

Here we report a case of twins with severe inherited thrombocytopenia presented in the neonatal period who were shown to be compound heterozygotes for 2 UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase (GNE) gene mutations, c.1351C > T and c.1330G > T, of which c.1330G > T is a novel mutation.

Conclusion

These two GNE mutations may help in the diagnosis and management of thrombocytopenia diagnosed in neonates.
Utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT for predicting pathologic complete response in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Lee In Hee , Lee Soo Jung , Lee Jeeyeon , Jung Jin Hyang , Park Ho Yong , Jeong Shin Young , Lee Sang-woo , Chae Yee Soo
Published: November 2020

Background

Pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is a predictor of improved outcomes in breast cancer. In patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) -negative breast cancer, the response to NAC is variable and mostly limited. This study was an investigation of the predictive relevance of parameters of18F-FDG PET/CT for the pCR to NAC in patients with HR-positive, HER2–negative breast cancer. Methods: AH total of 109 consecutive HR-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer patients who were treated with NAC were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. The relationships between pretreatment18F-FDG PET/CT and clinical outcomes including pathologic response to NAC were evaluated. Results: All patients finished their planned NAC cycles and eight patients (7.3%) achieved pCR. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, pSUVmax exhibited high sensitivity and specificity for predicting pCR. Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed pSUVmax as a predictive factor for pCR (hazard ratio = 17.452; 95% CI = 1.847–164.892;p = 0.013).

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that18F-FDG PET/CT pSUVmax is a predictive factor for pCR of HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer to NAC.