bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Self-Assessed Facial Aging in Women: Results From a Multinational Study
Authors: Alexis Andrew F. , Grimes Pearl , Boyd Charles , Downie Jeanine , Drinkwater Adrienne , Garcia Julie K. , Gallagher Conor J.
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Racial/ethnic variations in skin structure and function may contribute to differential manifestations of facial aging in various races/ethnicities.

OBJECTIVE

To examine self-assessed differences in facial aging in women by race/ethnicity and Fitzpatrick skin phototypes.

METHODS

Women aged 18 to 75 years in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia compared their features against photonumeric rating scales depicting degrees of severity for 10 facial aging characteristics. Impact of race/ethnicity (black, Hispanic, Asian, and Caucasian) and skin phototypes on severity was assessed.

RESULTS

In total, 3,267 women completed the study. Black women reported the least severe facial aging; Caucasian women reported the most severe facial aging, with Asian and Hispanic women falling between these groups. Similarly, women with a skin phototype V/VI reported lesser aging severity than women with phototypes I through IV. More than 30% of black women did not report the presence of moderate/severe aging of facial areas until 60 to 79 years; most Hispanics and Asians did not report moderate/severe facial aging until 50 to 69 years and Caucasians, 40 to 59 years.

CONCLUSION

In this diverse sample, black women reported less severe aging of facial features compared with Hispanic, Asian, and Caucasian women. These results were supported by Fitzpatrick skin phototype analyses.
Biochanin A protects against angiotensin II-induced damage of dopaminergic neurons in rats associated with the increased endophilin A2 expression
Authors: Xue Hai-Xia , Kong Hua , Yu Yi-Gui , Zhou Jing-Wei , Chen Han-Qing , Yin Yan-Yan
Published: November 2019

The brain renin–angiotensin system plays a vital role in the modulation of the neuroinflammatory responses and the progression of dopaminergic (DA) degeneration. Angiotensin II (Ang II) induces microglia activation via angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), which in turn affects the function of DA neurons. Endophilin A2 (EPA2) is involved in fast endophilin-mediated endocytosis and quickly endocytoses several G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), while AT1R belongs to GPCR family. Therefore, we speculated that EPA2 may modulate microglia activation via endocytosing AT1R. Biochanin A is an O-methylated isoflavone, classified as a kind of phytoestrogen due to its chemical structure that is similar to mammalian estrogens. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of biochanin A on Ang II-induced DA neurons damage in vivo, and molecular mechanisms. The results showed that biochanin A treatment for 7 days attenuated the behavioral dysfunction, inhibited the microglial activation, and prevented DA neuron damage in Ang II-induced rats. Furthermore, biochanin A increased EPA2 expression and decreased the expression of AT1R, gp91phox, p22 phox, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α. In summary, these results suggest that biochanin A exerts protective effects in Ang II-induced model rats, and the mechanisms may involve inhibition of inflammatory responses, an increase in EPA2 expression and a decrease in AT1R expression.
Effective Half-life of 134Cs and 137Cs in Fukushima Prefecture When Compared to Theoretical Decay Models
Authors: Hayes Joshua M. , Johnson Thomas E. , Anderson Donovan , Nanba Kenji
Published: November 2019

On 11 March 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Tohoku region of Japan. The earthquake caused a 15 m tsunami that bombarded the east coast of the island nation. Among the losses was the damage to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor that lost onsite power and was unable to cool the reactor cores. The reactors melted down and released a plume of radionuclides into the environment. Radiocesiums (134Cs and 137Cs) are the long-lived radionuclides of concern that were deposited along the plume and were distributed on the soil. Radiological decay models are typically used to determine the reduction in external radiation dose over time. However, these radiological decay models do not take into account physical removal by wind and water erosion, or sedimentation in soil outside expected depths. Thirty-five fixed dose-rate monitors were used to record dose rates at 1 mo intervals from the time of installation in Fukushima Prefecture in April 2012 until December 2018 and were used to estimate the effective half-life for radiocesium contamination based on external radiation dose rates. The effective half-life of cesium in the environment was calculated to be 3.2 ± 0.5 y, compared to a theoretical half-life of 7.8 y.
Taking the leap from clinical practice to academic faculty: A beginner's guide
Authors: Korkosz Jennifer A. , Fuller Andrea J. , Sheehy Susan B. , Taylor Laura A. , Seibert Diane C. , Johnson Heather L.
Published: November 2019

Exploring new roles and responsibilities available to clinicians offers a path to renovate a nurse practitioner's career. The role of academician and nurse faculty broadens career horizons, presents a sense of autonomy, and offers unique opportunities to teach, participate in research, build leadership skills, and contribute to the health care delivery system at a higher level. Advance practice nurses often consider a shift to academia but are concerned about the unfamiliarity of the entire process. This article offers elements a clinician will likely encounter throughout the transition to a faculty role. These include expectations for the application and interview, negotiating for a position, and orientation to the role of an academic.
Impact of periprocedural myocardial injury on long-term clinical outcomes of chronic total occlusion patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Mei-Jun , Chen Chao-Feng , Gao Xiao-Fei , Liu Xiao-Hua , Xu Yi-Zhou
Published: November 2019

Background:

Several studies have evaluated the long-term clinical outcomes of periprocedural myocardial injury for chronic total occlusions patients. However, the results of these studies were inconsistent. To determine whether the periprocedural myocardial injury has adverse effects on long-term clinical outcomes in chronic total occlusion patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods:

We searched Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase for eligible articles from their date of inception up to March 2019. Long-term clinical outcomes included major adverse cardiac events, all-cause death, cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated as summary statistics by using Review Manager software.

Results:

A total of 8 observational studies involving 5879 chronic total occlusions patients were included in this meta-analysis. These results of this meta-analysis indicated that periprocedural myocardial injury was associated with a higher risk of major adverse cardiac events (odds ratio, 1.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.22–3.08;P= 0.005), a higher risk of all-cause death (odds ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.64;P= 0.03), a higher risk of cardiac death (odds ratio, 2.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.41–4.78;P= 0.002), a higher risk of myocardial infarction (odds ratio, 3.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.90–4.98;P< 0.00001), and a higher risk of target vessel revascularization (odds ratio, 2.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–3.16;P=0.0008) than non-periprocedural myocardial injury.

Conclusion:

Periprocedural myocardial injury was associated with significantly increased risk of major adverse cardiac events, all-cause death, cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization in chronic total occlusion patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention at long-term follow-up.
The different faces of the macrophage in asthma
Authors: van der Veen T. Anienke , de Groot Linsey E.S. , Melgert Barbro N.
Published: November 2019

Purpose of review

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease in which changes in macrophage polarization have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis. The present review discusses the contribution of changes in macrophage function to asthma related to polarization changes and elaborates on possible therapeutic strategies targeting macrophage function and polarization.

Recent findings

Macrophage function alterations were shown to contribute to asthma pathology in several ways. One is by impaired phagocytosis and efferocytosis. Another is by changing inflammation, by altered (anti)inflammatory cytokine production and induction of the inflammasome. Finally, macrophages can contribute to remodeling in asthma, although little evidence is present in humans yet.

Novel therapeutic strategies targeting macrophages include dampening inflammation by changing polarization or by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome, and by targeting efferocytosis. However, many of these studies were performed in animal models leaving their translation to the clinic for future research.

The present review emphasizes the contribution of altered macrophage function to asthma, gives insight in possible new therapeutic strategies targeting macrophages, and indicates which knowledge gaps remain open.
Effects of epinephrine for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Huan Lu , Qin Fei , Wu Yin
Published: November 2019

Aim:

Our objective is to assess the effects of epinephrine for out of hospital cardiac arrest.

Background:

Cardiac arrest was the most serious medical incidents with an estimated incidence in the United States of 95.7 per 100,000 person years. Though epinephrine improved coronary and cerebral perfusion, improving a return of spontaneous circulation, potentially harmful effects on the heart lead to greater myocardial oxygen demand. Concerns about the effect of epinephrine for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were controversial and called for a higher argument to determine whether the effects of epinephrine is safe and effective for shor and long terms outcomes.

Method:

Searching databases consist of all kinds of searching tools, such as Medline, the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, etc. All the included studies should meet our demand of this meta-analysis. In the all interest outcomes blow we take the full advantage of STATA to assess, the main measure is Risk Ratio (RR) with 95% confidence, the publication bias are assessed by Egger Test.

Result:

In current systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials investigating epinephrine for out of hospital cardiac arrest, we found that epinephrine was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of ROSC (RR = 3.05, I2 = 23.1%, P = .0001) and survival to hospital discharge (RR = 1.40, I2 = 36.3%, P = .008) compared with non-adrenaline administration. Conversely, epinephrine did not increase CPC 1 or 2 (RR = 1.15, I2 = 40.5%, P = .340) and hospital admission (RR = 2.07, I2 = 88.2%, P = .0001).

Conclusion:

In conclusion, in this systematic review and meta-analysis involving studies, the use of epinephrine resulted in a significantly higher likelihood of survival to hospital discharge and ROSC than the non-epinephrine administration, but, there was no significant between group difference in the rate of a favorable neurologic outcome.
Training and financial intervention for encouraging maternal health service utilization
Authors: Shen Yuan , Li Qiang , Liu Xiaoning , Xiao Shengbin , Yan Hong
Published: November 2019

Background:

The rising maternal and child healthcare costs and the lack of training and educational resources for healthcare workers have reduced service quality in primary health centers of China. We sought to compare strategies promoting healthcare service utilization in rural western China.

Method:

A randomized community trial was carried out in Zhen’an country between 2007 and 2009. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted to compare the outcomes of financial subsidy for pregnant women seeking antenatal care and clinical training provided to healthcare workers by difference-in-difference estimation.

Results:

In all, 1113 women completed the questionnaires. The proportion of postnatal visits increased three times in the training group, reaching 35.7%. The number of women who received advice from their doctors regarding nutrition and warning signs necessitating immediate medical attention also improved significantly (5.8% and 8.2%, respectively). Furthermore, the percentage of women who underwent blood tests increased significantly to 19.5% in the training group. Compared to the financial group, the training group had more women who breastfed for longer than 4 months (15.8%) and provided timely complementary feeding (8.9%).

Conclusion:

The training intervention appeared to have improved prenatal care utilization. Essential obstetric training helped enhance knowledge and self-efficacy among healthcare workers.
Simultaneous bilateral ulnar neuropathy: an unusual complication caused by neuroleptic treatment-induced tardive dyskinesia
Authors: Wei Yi-Ping , Yang Shan-Wei
Published: November 2019

Rationale:

In the past decade, only a few studies have focused on simultaneous bilateral ulnar neuropathy.

Patient concerns:

A 54-year-old Asian male who has suffered from paranoid schizophrenia for 2 years. He reported that flexion contracture occurring over his fourth and fifth fingers on both hands appeared since six months after he started taking the antipsychotic drug. The electromyogram revealed bilateral ulnar neuropathy with chronic axonal degeneration at the elbow level. McGowan classification was performed to evaluate the severity of the ulnar nerve injury, and the patient was diagnosed with a grade 3 injury on his left hand and a grade 2 injury on his right hand.

Diagnosis:

Simultaneous bilateral ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, a complication caused by tardive dyskinesia in a patient under the high-dose, first-generation, antipsychotic drug.

Interventions:

We consulted a psychiatrist to assist in adjusting the patient's kind of the antipsychotic drug and performed the anterior transposition of ulnar nerve to avoid nerve entrapment caused by tardive dyskinesia.

Outcomes:

Numbness of the palms continued to regress over the following 6 months after the anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. Regression of the involuntary movements, including repeated bending of the elbows, and shaking of both feet, was noted from the patient but was incomplete.

Lessons:

Two literatures concluded that parkinsonian rigidity is the main cause of simultaneous bilateral ulnar neuropathy by Sampath et al and Kurlan et al. Unlike the cases of stereotyped posture-caused neural compression reported previously, we inferred that repeated involuntary motion caused by first-generation antipsychotic drug might have been one of the causes of the patient's nerve compression.
Comparison of in-hospital use of mechanical chest compression devices for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients
Authors: Kim Hyun Tae , Kim Jae Guk , Jang Yong Soo , Kang Gu Hyun , Kim Wonhee , Choi Hyun Young , Jun Gwang Soo
Published: November 2019

This study aimed to investigate the prognostic difference between AUTOPULSE and LUCAS for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) adult patients.

A retrospective observational study was performed nationwide. Adult OHCA patients after receiving in-hospital mechanical chest compression from 2012 to 2016 were included. The primary outcomes were sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) of more than 20 minutes and survival to discharge.

Among 142,906 OHCA patients, 820 patients were finally included. In multivariate analysis, female (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.33–0.99), witnessed arrest (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.20–3.69), and arrest cause of non-cardiac origin (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.10–0.62) were significantly associated with the increase in ROSC. LUCAS showed a lower survival than AUTOPULSE (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.06–0.84), although it showed no significant association with ROSC. Percutaneous coronary intervention (OR, 6.30; 95% CI, 1.53–25.95) and target temperature management (TTM; OR, 7.30; 95% CI, 2.27–23.49) were the independent factors for survival. We categorized mechanical CPR recipients by witness to compare prognostic effectiveness of AUTOPULSE and LUCAS. In the witnessed subgroup, female (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24–0.89) was a prognostic factor for ROSC and shockable rhythm (OR, 5.04; 95% CI, 1.00–25.30), percutaneous coronary intervention (OR, 12.42; 95% CI, 2.04–75.53), and TTM (OR, 9.03; 95% CI, 1.86–43.78) for survival. In the unwitnessed subgroup, no prognostic factors were found for ROSC, and TTM (OR, 99.00; 95% CI, 8.9–1100.62) was found to be an independent factor for survival. LUCAS showed no significant increase in ROSC or survival in comparison with AUTOPULSE in both subgroups.

The in-hospital use of LUCAS may have a deleterious effect for survival compared with AUTOPULSE.
Clinical effectiveness of ultrasound guided subacromial-subdeltoid bursa injection of botulinum toxin type A in hemiplegic shoulder pain
Authors: Wu Tao , Song Hai-Xin , Li Yang Zheng , Ye Ye , Li Jian-Hua , Hu Xing Yue
Published: November 2019

Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP), which occurs in most patients with hemiplegia, causes considerable distress and worsens outcomes in rehabilitation. Although they have received the treatments such as anti-inflammatory drugs or physical therapy, many of the individuals remain suffering from shoulder pain 6 months after acute stroke event. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the effectiveness of ultrasound guided subacromial-subdeltoid (SASD) bursa injections with botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) compared to steroids for refractory HSP.

The data were collected retrospectively by reviewing the patient's medical records and pain questionnaires in our rehabilitation center. In total, 38 patients who received ultrasound guided SASD bursa injection (BoNT/A group, n = 18; corticosteroid group, n = 20) were included. The pain visual analog scale (VAS) score at rest and during arm passive abduction, Fugl-Meyer score of upper limbs (F-M score) were evaluated before, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after injection.

Both 2 groups obtained a significant improvement of VAS score at rest or during arms passive abduction compared to baseline score (within group compare, P < .05). There were no significant differences of pain score improvement between two groups at week 2, 4, 8, and 12 after injection either at rest or during passive arm abduction (between 2 groups compare, P > .05). There were also no differences in results of the post treatment F-M score between 2 groups (between 2 groups compare, P > .05). Similarly, during the follow-up period no collateral effects were reported after BoNT/A injection.

SASD bursa BoNT/A injection can substantially reduce the pain as corticosteroid in patients with HSP. BoNT/A injection could be a useful strategy for replacing steroids as a treatment for refractory HSP especially in the patients who cannot tolerate the steroids injection.
Association of the incidence of venous air embolism on coronary computed tomography angiography with the intravenous access route preparation process
Authors: Kayano Shingo , Ota Hideki , Yamaguchi Takayoshi , Ono Katsunori , Takase Kei
Published: November 2019

Venous air embolism (VAE) can be observed in the right heart system on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), following injection of contrast media with a power injector system. Although most VAEs are mostly asymptomatic, they may result in paradoxical air embolism (PAE).

To evaluate whether the incidence of VAE on coronary CT angiography is associated with the process of preparation of the intravenous access route.

We retrospectively evaluated 692 coronary CT examinations at 3 institutions. Trained CT nurses placed an intravenous cannula in the forearm. Tubes connected to the cannula were prepared in the following ways: A, using an interposed three-way cock and a 20-mL syringe filled with normal saline to collect air contamination in the tube; B, through direct connection to the power injector system without the interposed 3-way cock; and C, using an interposed three-way cock and a 100-mL normal saline drip infusion bottle system to keep the tube patent. The incidence and location of VAE and preparation of intravenous injection were assessed.

The overall incidence of VAE was 55.3% (383/692), most frequently observed in the right atrium (81.5%, 312/383). Its incidence varied significantly across the 3 techniques (A: 21.6% (35/162), B: 63.2% (237/375) and C: 71.6% (111/155); P < .001). No patient demonstrated any symptom associated with VAE.

Using a 3-way cock with syringe demonstrated the lowest incidence of VAE on coronary CT angiography. It is thus recommended to reduce potential complication risks related to intravenous contrast media injection.
Higher Rates of Preventive Health Care With Commercial Insurance Compared With Medicaid
Authors: Goudie Anthony , Martin Bradley , Li Chenghui , Lewis Kanna , Han Xiaotong , Kathe Niranjan , Wilson J. Craig , Thompson Joseph
Published: November 2019

Background:

A requirement of the Arkansas Medicaid Section 1115 demonstration waiver was to evaluate the level of care received for Medicaid expansion eligible beneficiaries enrolled in commercial Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) in the Health Care Independence “Private Option” Program. This allowed for a direct comparison of Medicaid and commercial system performance serving similar newly covered adults.

Research Design:

In 2014, assignment to either Medicaid or a QHP was made based upon a psychometrically derived continuous composite score to exceptional health care needs assessment screener using a sharp a priori threshold cutpoint. Using a regression discontinuity design we compared preventive care (flu vaccination and screening rates) services in the 2 programs over 3 years.

Results:

Compared with Medicaid enrollees, a higher percentage of QHP enrollees consistently received eligible preventive care screenings with 15.3, and 6.9% more receiving at least 1 or all eligible screenings, respectively. For individual preventive care outcomes and compared with Medicaid enrollees over the 3 years under study, a higher percentage of eligible QHP enrollees received a flu shot, cholesterol screenings, glycated hemoglobin assessment, and cervical and breast cancer periodic assessments. No differences were found for colorectal periodic assessments.

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that at least for preventive services, the Medicaid federal equal access requirement is not being met for those within Medicaid fee-for-service coverage. This persisted across all 3 years of the program. Differential payment rates for services between Medicaid and QHPs are likely a major contributing factor.
Maternal Bonding Predicts Actigraphy-Measured Sleep Parameters in Depressed and Nondepressed Adults
Authors: Rojo-Wissar Darlynn M. , McQuaid John R. , Ancoli-Israel Sonia , Gengler Devan N. , Haynes Patricia L.
Published: November 2019

Associations between subjective maternal bonding recalled from the first 16 years of life and current sleep indices were investigated in a clinical sample of 34 adults with major depressive disorder and 36 normal controls (n = 70) using the self-report parental bonding instrument and wrist actigraphy. Results of multiple linear regression analyses indicated that reports of maternal bonding indices were associated with several sleep indices in adulthood independent of depression status. Higher levels of maternal care were associated with greater time in bed and total sleep time. Higher levels of maternal overprotection were associated with fewer awakenings. Findings indicate that reported maternal bonding characteristics in childhood are related to objectively measured sleep characteristics in adulthood, independent of mood state.
Do Changes in Employment Status Induce or “Harvest” Suicides?
Authors: Parker Gordon
Published: November 2019

In a seminal Swedish study, Gemmill and colleagues pursued whether suicides after economic contractions might reflect an “induction” process whereby economic change induces suicide in those otherwise unlikely to engage in self-destructive behavior, or a “displacement” process whereby economic contractions effectively bring forward suicides that would have occurred eventually, and found support for both hypotheses. We therefore undertook a replication study examining the hypotheses in the Australian state of New South Wales, analyzing suicide data for the same period as examined in Sweden (i.e., 2000–2011) and also over an extended period of 1978 to 2015. Our analyses failed to replicate findings from the Swedish study in that we found greater support for the induction hypothesis. Significant associations varied across sex and age groups. Our findings support the longstanding Durkheim hypothesis that suicide rates increase during times of low social integration and as a consequence of the economic changes acting as a precipitant stressor.
Evaluation of the Clinical Features, Management, and Prognoses of Patients With Charles Bonnet Syndrome
Authors: Buyukgol Huseyin , Ilik Faik , Ertem Devrimsel Harika
Published: November 2019

Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is characterized by visual hallucinations with preservation of cognitive abilities. The hallucinations consist mostly of vivid (realistic) objects and tend to reoccur. Here, we evaluate the etiologies, symptoms, treatments, and prognoses of 13 CBS cases. All patients had visual hallucinations but were normal on cognitive and psychiatric assessments. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment options, and 3-month follow-up data were retrospectively reviewed. The possible causes of CBS and what the patients perceived during their hallucinations were recorded. Antipsychotic agents, such as risperidone and quetiapine, and anticonvulsants, such as levetiracetam, may be effective in some cases.
Clinical and Inflammatory Factors Influencing Constipation and Quality of Life in Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Maria Ferreira Ana Cristina Fernandes , Eveloff Ryan J. , Freire Marcelo , Rodrigues Santos Maria Teresa Botti
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Intestinal constipation is a clinical consequence, secondary to neuromotor disturbances, which acts on subjects with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing constipation and the quality of life (QOL) of CP subjects.

Materials and methods

We recruited a total of 63 subjects aging from 5-17 years with spastic CP who received physical rehabilitation. The subjects were divided into two groups including with and without constipation. Subjects were assigned into one of the 4 groups (G1-4) based on the prevalence of 1) CP and 2) Constipation. Subjects were assigned as CP with constipation (G1), CP without constipation (G2), and controls without CP with constipation (G3) and without CP and without constipation (G4). Subjects’ demographics, use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), motor function, caregiver priorities and child health index of life with disabilities (CPCHILD) were included. In addition to medical metadata, a subset of subjects was evaluated for oral and systemic inflammation through gingival bleeding and serum cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) respectively. Statistical significance was evaluated by ANOVA One-Way (parametric data) and Kruskal Wallis (non-parametric data).

Results

A significant relationship was found between the type of medication and constipation. Subjects taking GABA and GABA+ (GABA in association with other medication) were more likely to be constipated than the other groups (P < 0.01). Additionally, quality of life was directly correlated with constipation; subjects in G1 presented the lower mean score of CPCHILD (49.0 #x00B1;13.1) compared to G2 (71.5 ± 16.7), when compared to G3 (88.9 ± 7.5), and G4 (95.5 ±5.0) (P < 0.01). Inflammation was more severe for patients in G1 (P < 0.001). There were no differences among groups regarding gender (P = 0.332) and age (P = 0.292).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that constipation was mostly affected by the use of certain antiepileptic drugs, namely GABA. This showed direct detrimental effect on CP quality of life, which was influenced by inflammatory cytokines and the dosage and type of AEDs.
Transcriptomics of Type 2 Diabetic and Healthy Human Neutrophils
Authors: Kleinstein Sarah E. , McCorrison Jamison , Ahmed Alaa , Hasturk Hatice , Van Dyke Thomas E. , Freire Marcelo
Published: November 2019

Objectives

Chronic inflammatory diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are heterogeneous and often co-morbid, with increasing global prevalence. Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (T2D) can result in severe inflammatory complications. As neutrophils are essential to inflammation, we conducted RNA-seq transcriptomic analyses to investigate the association between neutrophil gene expression and T2D phenotype. Further, as specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators, including resolvin E1 (RvE1), can actively resolve inflammation, we further surveyed the impact of RvE1 on isolated neutrophils.

Methods

Cell isolation and RNA-seq analysis of neutrophils from N=11 T2D and N=7 healthy individuals with available clinical data was conducted. Additionally, cultured neutrophils (N=3 T2D, N=3 healthy) were perturbed with increasing RvE1 doses (0nM, 1nM, 10nM, or 100nM) prior to RNA-seq. Data was evaluated through a bioinformatics pipeline including pathway analysis andpost hocfalse-discovery rate (FDR)-correction.

Results

We observed significant differential expression of 50 genes between T2D and healthy neutrophils (p<0.05), including decreased T2D gene expression in inflammatory- and lipid-related genesSLC9A4, NECTIN2andPLPP3(p<0.003). RvE1 treatment induced dose-dependent differential gene expression (uncorrected p<0.05) across groups, including 59 healthy and 216 T2D neutrophil genes. Comparing T2D to healthy neutrophils, 1097 genes were differentially expressed across RvE1 doses, including two significant genes,LILRB5andAKR1C1, involved in inflammation (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Inflammatory- and lipid-related genes were differentially expressed between T2D and healthy neutrophils, and RvE1 dose-dependently modified gene expression in both groups. Unraveling the mechanisms regulating abnormalities in diabetic neutrophil responses could lead to better diagnostics and therapeutics targeting inflammation and inflammation resolution.
Influence of stimulus complexity on the specificity of visual perceptual learning
Authors: Bakhtiari Shahab , Awada Asmara , Pack Christopher C.
Published: November 2019

Although the structure and function of the human visual system are determined in large part during early development, there is ample evidence for adult plasticity as well. Such plasticity has important consequences for restoring vision after cortical damage and for improving function in healthy people. Although these applications have shown promising results, they are often limited by pathological specificity: Improvements obtained through perceptual training fail to generalize beyond the trained stimulus feature or location. Efforts to reduce specificity have focused on the design of training tasks, but less is known about the effects of stimulus structure on the specificity of perceptual learning. Here, we leverage physiological findings from the dorsal visual pathway of the primate brain to explore the hypothesis that learning specificity is related to the complexity of the training stimulus. Specifically, because neurons in higher-level structures of the dorsal visual pathway exhibit little stimulus specificity, we reasoned that training with more complex stimuli would reduce the specificity of learning. We trained human observers on stimuli of varying complexity, ranging from simple sinewave gratings to complex optic flow fields. Our results show that training with more complex stimuli reduces specificity for spatial position and stimulus features. Such changes are associated with increased spatial integration. These findings were captured by a computational “reweighting” model that decoded the outputs of simulated neurons in areas MT and MST of the primate visual cortex. Our results suggest that the addition of more complex stimuli into perceptual learning paradigms provides a simple and effective way to minimize specificity in learning.
Conversion of Diffusely Abnormal White Matter to Focal Lesions is Linked to Progression in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Dadar Mahsa , Narayanan Sridar , Arnod Douglas L. , Collins D Louis , Maranzano Josefina
Published: November 2019

Objectives

1) To automatically segment focal white matter lesions (FWML) and Diffusely abnormal white matter (DAWM), i.e. regions of diffuse abnormality observed on conventional (T2-weighted) MRI and characterize their longitudinal volumetric and normalized T1-weighted (T1w) intensity evolution, 2) To assess associations of FWML and DAWM with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and confirmed disability progression (CDP).

Methods

Data includes 3951 timepoints of 589 SPMS participants followed for three years. FWML and DAWM were automatically segmented using a 2-weighted-intensity thresholding technique. Screening DAWM volumes that transformed into FWML at the last visit (DAWM-to-FWML) and normalized T1w intensities (as a marker of severity of damage) in those voxels were calculated.

Results

FWML volume significantly increased and DAWM volume significantly decreased as disease duration increased (p<0.001). Global EDSS scores were positively associated with FWML volumes (p=0.002), but not with DAWM volumes. Median volume of DAWM-to-FWML was significantly higher in patients who progressed (2.75 vs 1.70 cc; p<0.0001), and represented 14% of the total DAWM volume at screening, compared to 10% in patients who did not progress (p=0.001). Normalized T1w intensity values of DAWM-to-FWML were negatively associated with CDP status (p<0.00001).

Conclusion

DAWM transformed into FWML over time, and this transformation was significantly associated with clinical progression. DAWM voxels that transformed had greater normalized T1w intensity decrease over time, in keeping with relatively greater tissue damage evolution. Evaluation of DAWM in progressive MS provides a useful measure to evaluate therapies that aim to protect this at-risk tissue with the potential to slow progression.
The right temporoparietal junction is causally associated with embodied perspective taking
Authors: Martin A.K. , Kessler K. , Cooke S. , Huang J. , Meinzer M.
Published: November 2019

Several theories exist pertaining to the role of the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) in social cognition. A prominent theory claims the rTPJ is especially associated with embodied processes. In the present study we use high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) to provide evidence that the rTPJ is causally associated with the embodied processes underpinning perspective taking. Eighty-eight young human adults were stratified to receive either rTPJ or dorsomedial prefrontal (dmPFC) anodal HD-tDCS in a sham-controlled, double-blind, repeated-measures design. Perspective tracking (line-of-sight) and perspective taking (embodied rotation) were assessed using a visuo-spatial perspective taking (VPT) task that required understanding what another person could see or how they see it, respectively. Embodied processing was manipulated by positioning the participant in a manner congruent or incongruent with the orientation of an avatar on the screen. As perspective taking, but not perspective tracking, is influenced by bodily posture, this allows the investigation of the specific causal role for the rTPJ in embodied processing. Crucially, anodal stimulation to the rTPJ increased the effect of bodily posture during perspective taking, whereas no such effects were identified during perspective tracking, thereby providing evidence for a causal role for the rTPJ in the embodied component of perspective taking. Stimulation to the dmPFC had no effect on perspective tracking or taking. Therefore, the present study provides support for theories postulating that the rTPJ is causally involved in embodied cognitive processing relevant to social functioning.

Significance Statement

The ability to understand another’s perspective is a fundamental component of social functioning. Adopting another perspective is thought to involve both embodied and non-embodied processes. The present study used high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) and provided causal evidence that the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) is involved specifically in the embodied component of perspective taking. Specifically, HD-tDCS to the rTPJ, but not another hub of the social brain (dmPFC), increased the effect of body posture during perspective taking, but not tracking. This is the first causal evidence that HD-tDCS can modulate social embodied processing in a site-specific and task-specific manner.
Anticipating xenogenic pollution at the source: Impact of sterilizations on DNA release from microbial cultures
Authors: Franco David Calderón , Lin Qingnan , van Loosdrecht Mark C. M. , Abbas Ben , Weissbrodt David G.
Published: November 2019

The dissemination of DNA and xenogenic elements across waterways is under scientific and public spotlight due to new gene-editing tools, such as do-it-yourself (DIY) CRISPR-Cas kits. Over decades, prevention of spread of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), antimicrobial resistances (AMR), and pathogens from transgenic systems has focused on microbial inactivation. However, sterilization methods have not been assessed for DNA release and integrity. Here, we investigated the fate of intracellular DNA from cultures of model prokaryotic (Escherichia coli) and eukaryotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells, commonly used as microbial hosts for genetic modifications, such as in white biotechnology. DNA release was tracked during exposure of these cultures to conventional sterilization methods. Autoclaving, disinfection with glutaraldehyde, and microwaving are used to inactivate broths, healthcare equipment, and GMOs produced at kitchen table. The results show that current sterilization methods are effective on microorganism inactivation but do not safeguard an aqueous residue exempt of biologically reusable xenogenic material, being regular autoclaving the most severe DNA-affecting method. Reappraisal of sterilization methods is required along with risk assessment on the emission of DNA fragments in urban systems and nature.

Graphical abstract
Uncovering the hidden antibiotic potential of Cannabis
Authors: Farha Maya A. , El-Halfawy Omar M. , Gale Robert T. , MacNair Craig R. , Carfrae Lindsey A. , Zhang Xiong , Jentsch Nicholas G. , Magolan Jakob , Brown Eric D.
Published: November 2019

The spread of antimicrobial resistance continues to be a priority health concern worldwide, necessitating exploration of alternative therapies. Cannabis sativa has long been known to contain antibacterial cannabinoids, but their potential to address antibiotic resistance has only been superficially investigated. Here, we show that cannabinoids exhibit antibacterial activity against MRSA, inhibit its ability to form biofilms and eradicate pre-formed biofilms and stationary phase cells persistent to antibiotics. We show that the mechanism of action of cannabigerol is through targeting the cytoplasmic membrane of Gram-positive bacteria and demonstrate in vivo efficacy of cannabigerol in a murine systemic infection model caused by MRSA. We also show that cannabinoids are effective against Gram-negative organisms whose outer membrane is permeabilized, where cannabigerol acts on the inner membrane. Finally, we demonstrate that cannabinoids work in combination with polymyxin B against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative pathogens, revealing the broad-spectrum therapeutic potential for cannabinoids.
Linear B-cell epitope prediction for in silico vaccine design: a performance review of methods available via command-line interface
Authors: Galanis Kosmas A. , Nastou Katerina C. , Papandreou Nikos C. , Petichakis Georgios N. , Pigis Diomidis G. , Iconomidou Vassiliki A.
Published: November 2019

Linear B-cell epitope prediction research has received a steadily growing interest ever since the first method was developed in 1981. B-cell epitope identification with the help of an accurate prediction method can lead to an overall faster and cheaper vaccine design process, a crucial necessity in the covid-19 era. Consequently, several B-cell epitope prediction methods have been developed over the past few decades, but without significant success. In this study, we review the current performance and methodology of some of the most widely used linear B-cell epitope predictors which are available via a command-line interface, namely BcePred, BepiPred, ABCpred, COBEpro, SVMTriP, LBtope, and LBEEP. Additionally, we attempted to remedy performance issues of the individual methods by developing a consensus classifier, which combines the separate predictions of these methods into a single output, accelerating the epitope-based vaccine design. While the method comparison was performed with some necessary caveats and individual methods might perform much better for specialized datasets, we hope that this update in performance can aid researchers towards the choice of a predictor, for the development of biomedical applications such as designed vaccines, diagnostic kits, immunotherapeutics, immunodiagnostic tests, antibody production, and disease diagnosis and therapy.
The effect of resource dynamics on species packing in diverse ecosystems
Authors: Cui Wenping , Marsland Robert , Mehta Pankaj
Published: November 2019

The competitive exclusion principle asserts that coexisting species must occupy distinct ecological niches (i.e. the number of surviving species can not exceed the number of resources). An open question is to understand if and how different resource dynamics affect this bound. Here, we analyze a generalized consumer resource model with externally supplied resources and show that – in contrast to self-renewing resources – species can occupy only half of all available environmental niches. This motivates us to construct a new schema for classifying ecosystems based on species packing properties.
Coding of social novelty in the hippocampal CA2 region and its disruption and rescue in a mouse model of schizophrenia
Authors: Donegan Macayla L. , Stefanini Fabio , Meira Torcato , Gordon Joshua A. , Fusi Stefano , Siegelbaum Steven A.
Published: November 2019

The hippocampal CA2 region is essential for social memory and has been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders. However, little is known about how CA2 neural activity encodes social interactions and how this coding is altered in disease. We recorded from CA2 pyramidal neurons as mice engaged in social interactions and found that while CA2 failed to stably represent spatial location, CA2 activity encoded contextual changes and novel social stimuli. In the Df(16)A+/- mouse model of the human 22q11.2 microdeletion, a major schizophrenia risk factor, CA2 activity showed a surprising increase in spatial coding while failing to encode social novelty, consistent with the social memory deficit in these mice. Previous work has shown that CA2 pyramidal neurons are hyperpolarized in Df(16)A+/- mice, likely as a result of upregulation of TREK-1 K+ current. We found that administration of a TREK-1 antagonist rescued the social memory deficits and restored normal CA2 coding properties in Df(16)A+/- mice, supporting a crucial role for CA2 in the encoding of novel social stimuli and social dysfunction.
Microbiability of meat quality and carcass composition traits in swine
Authors: Khanal Piush , Maltecca Christian , Schwab Clint , Fix Justin , Tiezzi Francesco
Published: November 2019

The impact of gut microbiome composition was investigated at different stages of production (Wean, Mid-test, and Off-test) on meat quality and carcass composition traits of 1,123 three-way-crossbred pigs. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models which included the fixed effects of dam line, contemporary group and gender as well as the random effects of pen, animal and microbiome information at different stages. The contribution of the microbiome to all traits was prominent although it varied over time, increasing from weaning to Off-test for most traits. Microbiability estimates of carcass composition traits were greater compared to meat quality traits. Adding microbiome information did not affect the estimates of genomic heritability of meat quality traits but affected the estimates of carcass composition traits. High microbial correlations were found among different traits, particularly with traits related to fat deposition with decrease in genomic correlation up to 20% for loin weight and belly weight. Decrease in genomic heritabilities and genomic correlations with the inclusion of microbiome information suggested that genomic correlation was partially contributed by genetic similarity of microbiome composition.
Predicting Evolutionary Transitions in Tooth Complexity With a Morphogenetic Model
Authors: Couzens Aidan M. C. , Sears Karen E. , Rücklin Martin
Published: November 2019

The extent to which evolutionary transitions are shaped by developmental bias remains poorly understood. Classically, morphological variation is assumed to be abundant and continuous, but if morphogenesis biases how traits vary than evolutionary transitions might follow somewhat predictable steps. Compared to other anatomical structures, teeth have an exceptional fossil record which documents striking evolutionary trajectories toward complexity. Using computer simulations of tooth morphogenesis, we examined how varying developmental parameters influenced transitions from morphologically simple to complex teeth. We find that as tooth complexity increases, development tends to generate progressively more discontinuous variation which could make the fine-tuning of dietary adaptation difficult. Transitions from simple to complex teeth required an early shift from mesiodistal to lateral cusp patterning which is congruent with patterns of dental complexification in early mammals. We infer that the contributions of primary enamel knot cells to secondary enamel knots which are responsible for patterning lateral cusps may have been an important developmental innovation in tribosphenic mammals. Our results provide evidence that development can bias evolutionary transitions and highlights how morphogenetic modelling can play an important role in building more realistic models of morphological character evolution.