bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of root resorption following orthodontic intrusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bellini-Pereira Silvio Augusto , Almeida Jéssica , Aliaga-Del Castillo Aron , dos Santos Cibelle Cristina Oliveira , Henriques José Fernando Castanha , Janson Guilherme
Published: August 2020

Background/Objective

To quantify the expected amount of orthodontically induced root resorption (OIRR) after orthodontic intrusion and assess the treatment-related factors.

Search methods and eligibility criteria

Six electronic databases and partial grey literature were searched without limitations regarding language or publication year until April 2020. Randomized clinical trials and non-randomized prospective and retrospective studies evaluating root resorption after orthodontic intrusion were included.

Data collection and analysis

Risk of bias (RoB) assessment was performed with the Cochrane Collaboration’s RoB Tool 2.0 and ROBINS-I tool for the randomized and non-randomized studies, respectively. The data were combined into two random-effects meta-analyses estimating OIRR following orthodontic intrusion. One evaluated OIRR in the anterior region, while the other assessed OIRR in the posterior region. Sub-group analyses regarding the type of mechanics applied, duration of intrusion, amount of force, and sensitivity analysis of the study design and imaging examinations were also performed. The certainty of the evidence was assessed through the Grade of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Results

The qualitative analysis included 14 studies; however, the meta-analysis was performed with 7 records. The random-effects model assumes that 0.72 mm [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.16 to 1.28] and 0.41 mm (95% CI: −0.24 to 1.07) of OIRR should be expected in the incisors and the molars, respectively. Sub-group analyses showed that the assessed treatment-related factors presented minimum impact in OIRR after orthodontic intrusion. The GRADE resulted in moderate and low certainty regarding the meta-analysis.

Limitations

The major limitation of the present meta-analysis is that OIRR can be affected by several factors, some of which are assessed in this review.

Conclusions

Orthodontic intrusion, evaluated as an isolated mechanic, caused less than 1 mm of OIRR, which is within the acceptable limits for clinical implication. Treatment-related factors did not show a significant influence on OIRR.

Registration

This review was registered in PROSPERO, protocol number CRD42018098495.
Comparative data on left atrial appendage occlusion efficacy and clinical outcomes by age group in the Amplatzer™ Amulet™ Occluder Observational Study
Authors: Freixa Xavier , Schmidt Boris , Mazzone Patrizio , Berti Sergio , Fischer Sven , Lund Juha , Montorfano Matteo , Della Bella Paolo , Lam Simon Cheung Chi , Cruz-Gonzalez Ignacio , Gage Ryan , Omran Heyder , Tarantini Giuseppe , Aminian Adel , Nielsen-Kudsk Jens Erik
Published: August 2020

Aims

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) may be considered for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and a relative/formal contraindication to anticoagulation. This study aimed to summarize the impact of aging on LAAO outcomes at short and long-term follow-up.

Methods and results

We compared subjects aged <70, ≥70 and <80, and ≥80 years old in the prospective, multicentre Amplatzer™ Amulet™ Occluder Observational Study (Abbott, Plymouth, MN, USA). Serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported from implant through a 2-year post-LAAO visit and adjudicated by an independent clinical events committee. Overall, 1088 subjects were prospectively enrolled. There were 265 subjects (24.4%) <70 years old, 491 subjects (45.1%) ≥70 and <80 years old, and 332 subjects (30.5%) ≥80 years old, with the majority (≥80%) being contraindicated to anticoagulation. As expected, CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED Scores increased with age. Implant success was high (≥98.5%) across all groups, and the proportion of subjects with a procedure- or device-related SAE was similar between groups. At follow-up, the observed ischaemic stroke rate was not significantly different between groups, and corresponding risk reductions were 62, 56, and 85% when compared with predicted rates for subjects <70, ≥70 and <80, and ≥80 years old, respectively. Major bleeding and mortality rates increased with age, while the incidence of device-related thrombus tended to increase with age.

Conclusions

Despite the increased risk for ischaemic stroke with increasing age in AF patients, LAAO reduced the risk for ischaemic stroke compared with the predicted rate across all age groups without differences in procedural SAEs.
Space–time clustering and temporal trends of hospitalizations due to pulmonary tuberculosis: potential strategy for assessing health care policies
Authors: Santos João Almeida , Santos Danielle T , Arcencio Ricardo A , Nunes Carla
Published: August 2020

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) causes pressure on healthcare resources, especially in terms of hospital admissions, despite being considered an ambulatory care-sensitive condition for which timely and effective care in ambulatory setting could prevent the need for hospitalization. Our objectives were to describe the spatial and temporal variation in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) hospitalizations, identify critical geographic areas at municipality level and characterize clusters of PTB hospitalizations to help the development of tailored disease management strategies that could improve TB control.

Methods

Ecologic study using sociodemographic, geographical and clinical information of PTB hospitalization cases from continental Portuguese public hospitals, between 2002 and 2016. Descriptive statistics, spatiotemporal cluster analysis and temporal trends were conducted.

Results

The space–time analysis identified five clusters of higher rates of PTB hospitalizations (2002–16), including the two major cities in the country (Lisboa and Porto). Globally, we observed a −7.2% mean annual percentage change in rate with only one of the identified clusters (out of six) with a positive trend (+4.34%). In the more recent period (2011–16) was obtained a mean annual percentage change in rate of −8.12% with only one cluster identified with an increase trend (+9.53%).

Conclusions

Our results show that space–time clustering and temporal trends analysis can be an invaluable resource to monitor the dynamic of the disease and contribute to the design of more effective, focused interventions. Interventions such as enhancing the detection of active and latent infection, improving monitoring and evaluation of treatment outcomes or adjusting the network of healthcare providers should be tailored to the specific needs of the critical areas identified.
Seasonal and spatial distribution and assembly processes of bacterioplankton communities in a subtropical urban river
Authors: Shu Wang , Wang Peng , Zhang Hua , Ding Mingjun , Wu Bobo
Published: August 2020

The ecological functions of core and non-core bacteria are gradually being identified, yet little is known about their responses to environmental changes and assembly processes, especially in urban river ecosystems. Here, we investigated bacterioplankton communities over 1 year in an urban section of the Ganjiang River, China. The results revealed that the alpha- and beta-diversity of bacterioplankton communities had no significant spatial differences along the urbanization gradient, but they presented distinct seasonal variations. The bacterioplankton communities were comprised of a few core taxa (11.8%) and a large number of non-core taxa (88.2%), of which the non-core taxa were the most active component responsible for community dynamics. Most non-core taxa (76.84%) belonged to non-typical freshwater bacteria, implying that they are more likely to derive from allochthonous inputs than the core taxa. Variance partitioning analyses showed that air temperature, flow rate and water chemistry together explained 58.2 and 38.9% of the variations of the core taxa and non-core taxa, respectively. In addition, the relative importance of temperature and water chemistry on the bacterioplankton communities prevailed over that of flow rate alone. This means that deterministic processes and stochastic processes simultaneously control the bacterioplankton community assembly, with deterministic processes contributing more than stochastic processes.
Genome-guided insights of tropical Bacillus strains efficient in maize growth promotion
Authors: Vieira Velloso Camila Cristina , de Oliveira Christiane Abreu , Gomes Eliane Aparecida , Lana Ubiraci Gomes de Paula , de Carvalho Chainheny Gomes , Guimarães Lauro José Moreira , Pastina Maria Marta , de Sousa Sylvia Morais
Published: August 2020

Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) are an efficient and sustainable alternative to mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses in maize. This work aimed to sequence the genome of two Bacillus strains (B116 and B119) and to evaluate their plant growth-promoting (PGP) potential in vitro and their capacity to trigger specific responses in different maize genotypes. Analysis of the genomic sequences revealed the presence of genes related to PGP activities. Both strains were able to produce biofilm and exopolysaccharides, and solubilize phosphate. The strain B119 produced higher amounts of IAA-like molecules and phytase, whereas B116 was capable to produce more acid phosphatase. Maize seedlings inoculated with either strains were submitted to polyethylene glycol-induced osmotic stress and showed an increase of thicker roots, which resulted in a higher root dry weight. The inoculation also increased the total dry weight and modified the root morphology of 16 out of 21 maize genotypes, indicating that the bacteria triggered specific responses depending on plant genotype background. Maize root remodeling was related to growth promotion mechanisms found in genomic prediction and confirmed by in vitro analysis. Overall, the genomic and phenotypic characterization brought new insights to the mechanisms of PGP in tropical Bacillus.
Biological nitrification inhibition in the rhizosphere: determining interactions and impact on microbially mediated processes and potential applications
Authors: Nardi Pierfrancesco , Laanbroek Hendrikus J , Nicol Graeme W , Renella Giancarlo , Cardinale Massimiliano , Pietramellara Giacomo , Weckwerth Wolfram , Trinchera Alessandra , Ghatak Arindam , Nannipieri Paolo
Published: August 2020

Nitrification is the microbial conversion of reduced forms of nitrogen (N) to nitrate (NO3−), and in fertilized soils it can lead to substantial N losses via NO3− leaching or nitrous oxide (N2O) production. To limit such problems, synthetic nitrification inhibitors have been applied but their performance differs between soils. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the occurrence of biological nitrification inhibition (BNI), a natural phenomenon according to which certain plants can inhibit nitrification through the release of active compounds in root exudates. Here, we synthesize the current state of research but also unravel knowledge gaps in the field. The nitrification process is discussed considering recent discoveries in genomics, biochemistry and ecology of nitrifiers. Secondly, we focus on the ‘where’ and ‘how’ of BNI. The N transformations and their interconnections as they occur in, and are affected by, the rhizosphere, are also discussed. The NH4+ and NO3− retention pathways alternative to BNI are reviewed as well. We also provide hypotheses on how plant compounds with putative BNI ability can reach their targets inside the cell and inhibit ammonia oxidation. Finally, we discuss a set of techniques that can be successfully applied to solve unresearched questions in BNI studies.
Human Spermatogenesis Tolerates Massive Size Reduction of the Pseudoautosomal Region
Authors: Fukami Maki , Fujisawa Yasuko , Ono Hiroyuki , Jinno Tomoko , Ogata Tsutomu
Published: August 2020

Mammalian male meiosis requires homologous recombination between the X and Y chromosomes. In humans, such recombination occurs exclusively in the short arm pseudoautosomal region (PAR1) of 2.699 Mb in size. Although it is known that complete deletion of PAR1 causes spermatogenic arrest, no studies have addressed to what extent male meiosis tolerates PAR1 size reduction. Here, we report two families in which PAR1 partial deletions were transmitted from fathers to their offspring. Cytogenetic analyses revealed that a ∼400-kb segment at the centromeric end of PAR1, which accounts for only 14.8% of normal PAR1 and 0.26% and 0.68% of the X and Y chromosomes, respectively, is sufficient to mediate sex chromosomal recombination during spermatogenesis. These results highlight the extreme recombinogenic activity of human PAR1. Our data, in conjunction with previous findings from animal studies, indicate that the minimal size requirement of mammalian PARs to maintain male fertility is fairly small.
Measuring the effect of interpersonal communication on awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 among rural communities in Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Ezeah Gregory , Ogechi Eucharia Okwumba , Ohia Nkiru Christiana , Celestine Gever Verlumun
Published: August 2020

Awareness and knowledge have been identified as essential requirements to successfully combat the global threat which COVID-19 currently poses. Rural communities are particularly at risk because of their low socio-economic status and high illiteracy level. There is currently uncertainty regarding how to effectively raise awareness about the pandemic and educate rural communities about it. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of interpersonal communication in awareness creation and knowledge about COVID-19 among rural communities in a developing country. We tested three hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The sample size was made up 470 participants. The questionnaire served as the instrument for data collection. In the analysis of data, both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The results demonstrate that interpersonal communication is effective in creating awareness about COVID-19 among rural communities. It was also found that interpersonal communication was effective in improving knowledge about the pandemic among rural communications. We explored the implications of these findings on healthcare delivery.
Computational fluid dynamics of internal mammary artery–left anterior descending artery anastomoses
Authors: Kanzaki Tomohito , Numata Satoshi , Yamazaki Sachiko , Ikemoto Koki , Hohri Yu , Yaku Hitoshi , Itatani Keiichi , Nakajma Shunsuke , Takahashi Akihiko
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to elucidate the remodelling of the internal mammary artery (IMA)–left anterior descending artery anastomosis and compare 2 different anastomosis techniques (end-to-side versus side-to-side) using computational fluid dynamics.

METHODS

This study included 9 patients. Computed tomography (CT) angiography was performed immediately after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and at 3–6 months later. The computational fluid dynamics models were made using the CT data. The pulsatile 3-dimensional blood flow was achieved with the finite volume method to evaluate the postoperative morphological and haemodynamic changes at the anastomosis in each patient. Flow velocity distribution, wall shear stress (WSS) and its fluctuation oscillatory shear index were measured.

RESULTS

No early or mid-term graft occlusion was observed in the study series. In the side-to-side anastomosis, pouch formation at the distal end of IMA caused a vortex flow with low WSS immediately after CABG. However, at 3–6 months after surgery, this pouch disappeared. As a result, the laminar straight flow with uniform WSS distribution was achieved inside the anastomosis. In the end-to-side anastomosis, the anastomosis shape was remodelled, resulting in a laminar flow pattern with uniform WSS distribution. A patchy high oscillatory shear index was detected at the IMA wall on the top of anastomosis in either anastomosis techniques immediately after the surgery, but it disappeared at 3–6 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of the anastomosis technique used, a successful remodelling of the IMA–left anterior descending artery anastomosis shape was achieved a few months after surgery, resulting in a straightforward flow streamline, with uniform WSS distribution and minimal oscillatory shear index.
Immunodietica: interrogating the role of diet in autoimmune disease
Authors: Gershteyn Iosif M , Burov Andrey A , Miao Brenda Y , Morais Vasco H , Ferreira Leonardo M R
Published: August 2020

Diet is an environmental factor in autoimmune disorders, where the immune system erroneously destroys one’s own tissues. Yet, interactions between diet and autoimmunity remain largely unexplored, particularly the impact of immunogenetics, one’s human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele make-up, in this interplay. Here, we interrogated animals and plants for the presence of epitopes implicated in human autoimmune diseases. We mapped autoimmune epitope distribution across organisms and determined their tissue expression pattern. Interestingly, diet-derived epitopes implicated in a disease were more likely to bind to HLA alleles associated with that disease than to protective alleles, with visible differences between organisms with similar autoimmune epitope content. We then analyzed an individual’s HLA haplotype, generating a personalized heatmap of potential dietary autoimmune triggers. Our work uncovered differences in autoimmunogenic potential across food sources and revealed differential binding of diet-derived epitopes to autoimmune disease-associated HLA alleles, shedding light on the impact of diet on autoimmunity.
From hospital to post-acute care organizations: the relationship between patient experience and health recovery
Authors: Do Nascimento Generosa , Guilherme Nunes Francisco , Anderson Janet E
Published: August 2020

Objective

To determine to what extent patient health status and recovery in post-acute care organizations (PACO) is related to patient experience of the discharge process from hospital and to patient experience while staying in these facilities.

Design

Longitudinal study of patients discharged from hospitals to PACO.

Setting

12 hospitals and 14 PACO Portuguese organizations.

Participants

181 patients participated in the both stages of data gathering.

Main Outcome Measures

Patients’ physical and mental health status was measured through the 36-item short form health survey scale. The experience of transition from hospital to PACO was measured with the Care Transition Measure. The Picker Adult In-Patient Questionnaire was used to measure patients’ experience in these organizations.

Results

Patients reporting better physical condition in PACO had a better experience on discharge [b = 0.21, 95% confidence interval, CI (0.10, 0.31)] and perceive fewer problems inside facilities [b = − 0.19, 95% CI (−0.31, 0.08)]. The experience in PACO is significantly related to patients’ mental health status [b = − 0.47, 95% CI (−0.59, − 0.36)]. Patients showing higher levels of physical recovery had a better experience on discharge [b = − 0.18, 95% CI (0.08, 0.28)], while those registering better mental recovery experienced fewer problems during their stay [b = − 0.41, 95% CI (−0.52, − 0.30)].

Conclusions

PACO play a key role in maintaining and promoting patients’ health, and this goal is influenced by their experience both in the transition from hospitals to PACO and while staying in these facilities.
Novel IncFII plasmid harbouring blaNDM-4 in a carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli of pig origin, Italy
Authors: Diaconu Elena L , Carfora Virginia , Alba Patricia , Di Matteo Paola , Stravino Fiorentino , Buccella Carmela , Dell’Aira Elena , Onorati Roberta , Sorbara Luigi , Battisti Antonio , Franco Alessia
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To the best of our knowledge, we describe the first evidence in Europe of an MDR, blaNDM-4-positive Escherichia coli isolated from a food-producing animal, harboured by a novel IncFII plasmid of which we report the complete sequence.

Methods

One blaNDM-4-positive E. coli isolated in 2019 from the caecal contents of a fattening pig in Italy was in-depth characterized by combined bioinformatic analysis of Oxford Nanopore long reads and Illumina short reads, for in silico typing, determination of the blaNDM-4 genetic context and full reconstruction of the blaNDM-4–carrying plasmid.

Results

The isolate belonged to ST641 and to the genoserotype O108:H23 and tested positive for different virulence genes and plasmid replicons. The MDR phenotype of resistance to all β-lactams, carbapenems, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim was mediated by blaTEM-1B, blaNDM-4, sul1/sul3 and dfrA12, respectively. The blaNDM-4 gene was harboured by a novel 53 043 bp IncFII plasmid (pMOL412_FII) composed of four main genetic regions, including an MDR region (MRR-NDM-4) of 16 kb carrying blaNDM-4 and several antimicrobial resistance genes located in a class 1 integron. pMOL412_FII was closely related to another ∼90.3 kb plasmid (pM109_FII) harbouring blaNDM-4 in an E. coli isolated from a human patient in Myanmar.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, we have identified for the first time in Europe an NDM-producing Enterobacterales in livestock and resolved the complete sequence of the novel pMOL412_FII plasmid harbouring blaNDM-4 in an MRR. A global One Health approach, comparing genomic data from different sources and geographical areas, may help to trace back and control possible plasmid-borne carbapenemase gene transmission between animals and humans and along the food chain at international level.
Recognizing Laboratory Medicine's Collaborative Role in Identifying and Eliminating Health Disparities
Authors: Wheeler Sarah E , Hasskamp Joanne H , Peck Palmer Octavia M
Published: August 2020

Background

A health disparity is a health outcome that presents in a lesser or greater extent between populations. Health disparities in diseases are products of complex interactions between social, economic, and to a lesser extent, biological factors and can be mediated by structural racism and discriminatory policies. The objective of this review is to understand how both laboratorians and nonlaboratorians think about the relationship between laboratory medicine and health disparities and to highlight ways in which laboratory medicine can play a role in eliminating health disparities.

Content

We developed an electronic survey from which we selected the top responses reported by the 215 participants to frame a discussion around why laboratorians perceive health disparities exists, and how they can reduce health disparities

We found that both laboratorians and nonlaboratorians feel that laboratory medicine can and should play a role in reducing health disparities using many tools already in use in the clinical laboratory. The skills of laboratory workers in data generation, the establishment of reference ranges, control over the presentation of laboratory results, generation of test menus, and the development of novel diagnostics may impact health disparities. Laboratorians' responses in our survey indicated that they felt that they could reduce health disparities by using laboratory data to proactively track in cooperation with healthcare providers individuals with chronic conditions to prevent acute events, ensuring gender and ethnic diversity in new clinical trials, including appropriate curriculum in laboratory medicine training, using equations and reference intervals based on physiological differences and participating in unconscious bias training.
Bacterial communities associated to the urethra of healthy gilts and pregnant sows undergoing different reproductive protocols
Authors: Torres Luque Andrea , Fontana Cecilia , Pasteris Sergio E , Bassi Daniela , Cocconcelli Pier S , Otero María C
Published: August 2020

Nowadays, it is known that the urogenital microbiota plays a key role in the urinary health of mammalians. Despite the urinary infections affect the health and the welfare of breeding sows, the urethral microbiota of healthy sows remains unknown. Therefore, this work evaluates the urethral bacterial communities of healthy gilts and sows to determine the presence of Enterobacteriaceae populations, and the structure of this microbiota in gilts (G) and pregnant (P) sows. Samples were collected by scraping the urethral mucosa of G (n = 9) and P sows, which included natural mating (NM, n = 9) and artificial inseminated (AI, n = 7) sows. Samples were analyzed by culture-dependent techniques and 16S-rRNA gene high-throughput-sequencing. All females were positive for Enterobacteriaceae culture, without significant differences (Kruskal–Wallis) between G and P groups (median values: 2.78 and 3.09 log CFU/mL, respectively; P = 0.497). Also, the rate of Enterobacteriaceae/total mesophilic microorganisms was individually calculated, without significant differences between G and P sows (median values: 0.61 and 0.66, respectively; P = 0.497). When analyzing the bacterial communities, it was found similar richness in G, NM, and AI; however, diversity was lower in P sows than G (Mann Whitney/Kruskal–Wallis test, P < 0.01). The dominating phyla that constituted a “core microbiome” included Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, which were common for all the studied females. The relative abundance for phyla, families, and genera was estimated, and Firmicutes was significantly higher in NM than AI sows (P = 0.02, Mann–Whitney/Kruskal Wallis test for univariate statistical comparisons); Pseudomonadaceae and Enterobacteriaceae were higher in AI than in NM (Mann–Whitney/Kruskal–Wallis, P < 0.05). Lactobacillus and Pseudomonas were among the dominant genera; however, only Pseudomonas sp. was significantly higher in AI than NM (Mann–Whitney/Kruskal–Wallis, P = 0.006). The results represent the first evidence about the existence of a urethral microbiota that includes Enterobacteriaceae, as well as the patterns of this microbiota in G and P sows. The knowledge of this urethral microbiota might allow for future research to develop innovative protocols to restore and/or preserve the healthy ecology of the urinary microbiome to prevent diseases ensuring the welfare of breeding sows.
Postmortem Drug Redistribution: A Compilation of Postmortem/Antemortem Drug Concentration Ratios
Authors: Mantinieks Dylan , Gerostamoulos Dimitri , Glowacki Linda , Di Rago Matthew , Schumann Jennifer , Woodford Noel W , Drummer Olaf H
Published: August 2020

Postmortem drug redistribution (PMR) is a well-known phenomenon in forensic toxicology with implications for medico-legal death investigations. Paired antemortem (AM) specimen and postmortem (PM) mortuary admission femoral blood drug concentrations from 811 coronial cases were used to construct a retrospective compilation of PM/AM drug concentration ratios for 42 parent drugs and metabolites. The median PM/AM ratios for all antidepressants were > 1 and consistent with PMR In contrast, the median PM/AM ratios of most benzodiazepines were < 1. The antipsychotics were varied (0.63–3.3) and suggest the mixed effects of PMR and drug instability. Amphetamines exhibited no trends (0.90–0.95) and are likely confounded by many factors. The PM/AM ratios of cardiovascular drugs, opioids and other drugs are also reported. This research represents an expansive retrospective compilation of paired AM and PM drug concentrations for many toxicologically relevant drugs. While the median PM/AM ratios demonstrate some drug-dependent trends, there was no obvious relationship between AM specimens and PM femoral blood taken at mortuary admission.
Sublethal effects of three insecticides on fitness parameters and population projection ofBrevicoryne brassicae(Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Mahmoodi Leila , Mehrkhou Fariba , Guz Nurper , Forouzan Maryam , Atlihan Remzi
Published: August 2020

The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), is one of the major insect pests of cole crops in Iran. In most instances outbreaks are normally kept under control by application of insecticides. In this study, the sublethal effects (LC30) of three insecticides, acetamiprid, buprofezin, and thiamethoxam-lambda cyhalothrin, (TLC) were evaluated on the population growth rate of the progeny of insecticide-treated cabbage aphid adults. The age-stage, two-sex life table method was used to analyze the collected data. The results indicated that the insecticide applications affected the duration of the preadult period, their survival, reproduction, life span/longevity, and consequently, the population growth rate of the F1 generation. The indicators of the greatest sublethal effects were noted in the progeny of the TLC-treated adults. These included the lowest net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and the longest mean generation time (T). The highest values of r, λ, R, and the lowest value of T occurred in the control group followed by, in order, the acetamiprid and buprofezin groups. These research findings will be useful in the development and implementation of future aphid management programs.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus–associated Acute Otitis Media in Infants and Children
Authors: Phillips Matthew , Finelli Lyn , Saiman Lisa , Wang Chengbin , Choi Yoonyoung , Patel Janak
Published: August 2020

Despite recent declines in the incidence of acute otitis media (AOM), more than 5 million cases and 5–6 million primary AOM visits still occur in young children in the United States, resulting in $4.4 billion direct medical costs annually. Our aims in this review are to describe the role of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the etiology of AOM, discuss the prospect of prevention of RSV-associated AOM through immunization, and suggest future research strategies to assess the impact of immunization on RSV-associated AOM.
Case Report: COVID-19 Patient With Chief Complaint of Anosmia and Ageusia; a Unique Perspective on Atypical Symptomatology and Management in the Military
Authors: Smith L T Alicia C , Hodges C D R James , Pratt Molly , Porter Ian M
Published: August 2020

A novel corona virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, found in Wuhan, China in December 2019 has since spread to multiple continents and has been implicated in thousands of deaths. This pandemic—causing virus has been initially described (corona virus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) with the presentation of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The majority of studies published have been conducted on inpatient cases and a shortage of tests has encouraged screening only of patients with classic presentation. A positive COVID-19 case of a healthy military male, with the chief complaint of anosmia and ageusia, instigated local re-evaluation of the screening protocol for possible COVID-19 patients. Multiple studies in Europe have implicated anosmia and ageusia as symptoms associated with COVID-19, and subsequently, anosmia and ageusia have been added to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention screening guidelines as well. There should be a higher index of suspicion when evaluating a patient with high-risk activities, travel, and atypical symptoms. More studies need to be conducted with a healthy outpatient population to further understand this disease and decrease its impact.
From Translation to Transmission: A Chapter in the Odyssey of Maurice Samuel
Authors: Levenson Alan T
Published: August 2020

A reassessment of Maurice Samuel (1895–1972), author, translator, polemicist, and Zionist is long overdue. One of the most productive and durable of the group dubbed by historian Carole Kessner as The “Other” New York Jewish Intellectuals, Samuel may be characterized as a public intellectual who was content with making his marks in primarily Jewish contexts and without the anxieties of alienation characteristic of his more celebrated contemporaries. This essay addresses the role he played in conveying works from German, French, Hebrew, and Yiddish to an American audience. Four particular tensions receive attention: (1) the interplay between author and translator; (2) the relationship of a multilingual translator to the various source languages; (3) the inadequacy of the term translation for describing Samuel’s agenda; and (4) the reception of his pivotal works on the Yiddish authors Sholom Asch, Sholom Aleichem, and Y.L. Peretz. Samuel’s contributions invite reconsideration of our assumptions about the means and ends of cultural transmission in a modern context. I argue that Samuel’s works merit a better reputation, and that he has earned a place as one of twentieth-century American Jewry’s cultural heroes.
Detection of young (≤20 Myr) stellar populations in apparently quenched low-mass galaxies using red spectral line indices
Authors: de Lorenzo-Cáceres A , Vazdekis A , Falcón-Barroso J , Beasley M A
Published: August 2020

We report on the detection of a small contribution (around and below 1 per cent in mass) from young stellar components with ages ≤20 Myr in low-mass galaxies purposely selected from the MaNGA survey to be already-quenched systems. Among the sample of 28 galaxies, 8 of them show signatures of having suffered a very recent burst of star formation. The detection has been done through the analysis of line-strength indices in the red spectral range [5700,8800] Å. The increasing contribution of red supergiants to this red regime is responsible for a deviation of the index measurements with respect to their position within the model grids in the standard spectral range [3600,5700] Å. We demonstrate that a combination of red indices, as well as a qualitative assessment of the mean luminosity-weighted underlying stellar population, is required in order to distinguish between a true superyoung population and other possible causes of this deviation, such as abundance ratio variations. Our result implies that many presumably quenched low-mass galaxies actually contain gas that is triggering some level of star formation. They have, therefore, either accreted external gas, internally recycled enough gas from stellar evolution to trigger new star formation, or they kept a gas reservoir after the harassment or stripping process that quenched them in the first place. Internal processes are favoured since we find no particular trends between our non-quenched galaxies and their environment, although more work is needed to fully discard an external influence.
Radio morphology of southern narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies with Very Large Array observations
Authors: Chen S , Järvelä E , Crepaldi L , Zhou M , Ciroi S , Berton M , Kharb P , Foschini L , Gu M , La Mura G , Vietri A
Published: August 2020

We present the results of new radio observations carried out with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array C-configuration at 5.5 GHz for a sample of southern narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s). This work increases the number of known radio-detected NLS1s in the Southern hemisphere, and confirms that the radio emission of NLS1s is mainly concentrated in a central region at kpc-scale and only a few sources show diffuse emission. In radio-quiet NLS1s, the radio luminosity tends to be higher in steep-spectrum sources and be lower in flat-spectrum sources, which is opposite to radio-loud NLS1s. This may be because the radio emission of steep NLS1s is dominated by misaligned jets, active galactic nucleus driven outflows, or star formation superposing on a compact core. Instead the radio emission of flat NLS1s may be produced by a central core that has not yet developed radio jets and outflows. We discover new NLS1s harbouring kpc-scale radio jets and confirm that a powerful jet does not require a large-mass black hole to be generated. We also find sources dominated by star formation. These NLS1s could be new candidates in investigating the radio emission of different mechanisms.
The relationship between comet C/1853 G1 (Schweizer) and the γ-Aquilids and 52 Herculids meteor showers
Authors: Neslušan Luboš , Hajduková Mária
Published: August 2020

We modelled several discrete parts of the meteoroid stream originating in comet C/1853 G1 (Schweizer). In a given model, the orbit of this parent comet was integrated in time backwards for a chosen period (10 000, 20 000, 40 000, or 80 000 yr) and, then, a cloud of 10 000 test particles was assumed to be ejected from the nucleus at the moment of the nearest comet’s perihelion passage. This set was subsequently integrated forward, up to the present. The showers related to the comet were predicted on the basis of the dynamical properties of the particles moving in orbits that approached close to the orbit of the Earth at the present. An uncertainty of the comet’s nominal orbit and its possible consequences on the predicted showers was estimated with a simultaneous following of a set of cloned orbits. We confirmed the proposed relationship between the comet and the γ-Aquilids, #531. Furthermore, our study yielded an indication that comet C/1853 G1 could also be the parent body of another shower, 52 Herculids, #605. We also found the real shower corresponding to the γ-Aquilids in three video data bases used. The 52 Herculids were identified in one of these data bases.
Implications of Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment repeating fast radio bursts
Authors: Lu Wenbin , Piro Anthony L , Waxman Eli
Published: August 2020

CHIME has now detected 18 repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs). We explore what can be learned about the energy distribution and activity level of the repeaters by fitting realistic FRB population models to the data. For a power-law energy distribution dN/dE ∝ E−γ for the repeating bursts, there is a critical index γcrit that controls whether the dispersion measure (DM, a proxy for source distance) distribution of repeaters is bottom or top-heavy. We find γcrit = 7/4 for Poisson wait-time distribution of repeaters in Euclidean space and further demonstrate how it is affected by temporal clustering of repetitions and cosmological effects. It is especially interesting that two of the CHIME repeaters (FRB 181017 and 190417) have large $\rm DM\sim 10^3\rm \, pc\, cm^{-3}$. These can be understood if: (i) the energy distribution is shallow $\gamma =1.7^{+0.3}_{-0.1}$ ($68{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ confidence) or (ii) a small fraction of sources are extremely active. In the second scenario, these two high-DM sources should be repeating more than 100 times more frequently than FRB 121102 and the energy index is constrained to be $\gamma = 1.9^{+0.3}_{-0.2}$ ($68{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ confidence). In either case, this γ is consistent with the energy dependence of the non-repeating ASKAP sample, which suggests that they are drawn from the same population. Finally, our model predicts how the CHIME repeating fraction should decrease with redshift and this can be compared with observations to infer the distribution of activity level in the whole population.
No missing photons for reionization: moderate ionizing photon escape fractions from the FIRE-2 simulations
Authors: Ma Xiangcheng , Quataert Eliot , Wetzel Andrew , Hopkins Philip F , Faucher-Giguère Claude-André , Kereš Dušan
Published: August 2020

We present the escape fraction of hydrogen ionizing photons (fesc) from a sample of 34 high-resolution cosmological zoom-in simulations of galaxies at z ≥ 5 in the Feedback in Realistic Environments project, post-processed with a Monte Carlo radiative transfer code for ionizing radiation. Our sample consists of 8500 haloes in Mvir ∼ 108–$10^{12}\, M_{\odot }$ (M* ∼ 104–$10^{10}\, M_{\odot }$) at z = 5–12. We find the sample average 〈fesc〉increases with halo mass for Mvir ∼ 108–$10^{9.5}\, M_{\odot }$, becomes nearly constant for 109.5–$10^{11}\, M_{\odot }$, and decreases at ${\gtrsim}10^{11}\, M_{\odot }$. Equivalently, 〈fesc〉 increases with stellar mass up to $M_{\ast }\sim 10^8\, M_{\odot }$ and decreases at higher masses. Even applying single-star stellar population synthesis models, we find a moderate 〈fesc〉 ∼ 0.2 for galaxies at $M_{\ast }\sim 10^8\, M_{\odot }$. Nearly half of the escaped ionizing photons come from stars 1–3 Myr old and the rest from stars 3–10 Myr old. Binaries only have a modest effect, boosting 〈fesc〉 by ∼25–35 per cent and the number of escaped photons by 60–80 per cent. Most leaked ionizing photons are from vigorously star-forming regions that usually contain a feedback-driven kpc-scale superbubble surrounded by a dense shell. The shell is forming stars while accelerated, so new stars formed earlier in the shell are already inside the shell. Young stars in the bubble and near the edge of the shell can fully ionize some low-column-density paths pre-cleared by feedback, allowing a large fraction of their ionizing photons to escape. The decrease of 〈fesc〉 at the high-mass end is due to dust attenuation, while at the low-mass end, 〈fesc〉 decreases owing to inefficient star formation and hence feedback. At fixed mass, 〈fesc〉 tends to increase with redshift. Although the absolute 〈fesc〉does not fully converge with resolution in our simulations, the mass- and redshift-dependence of 〈fesc〉 is likely robust. Our simulations produce sufficient ionizing photons for cosmic reionization.
The dapagliflozin and prevention of adverse outcomes in chronic kidney disease (DAPA-CKD) trial: baseline characteristics
Authors: Wheeler David C , Stefansson Bergur V , Batiushin Mikhail , Bilchenko Oleksandr , Cherney David Z I , Chertow Glenn M , Douthat Walter , Dwyer Jamie P , Escudero Elizabeth , Pecoits-Filho Roberto , Furuland Hans , Górriz José Luis , Greene Tom , Haller Hermann , Hou Fan Fan , Kang Shin-Wook , Isidto Rey , Khullar Dinesh , Mark Patrick B , McMurray John J V , Kashihara Naoki , Nowicki Michal , Persson Frederik , Correa-Rotter Ricardo , Rossing Peter , Toto Robert D , Umanath Kausik , Van Bui Pham , Wittmann István , Lindberg Magnus , Sjöström C David , Langkilde Anna Maria , Heerspink Hiddo J L
Published: August 2020

Background

The Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease (DAPA-CKD; NCT03036150) trial was designed to assess the effect of the sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor dapagliflozin on kidney and cardiovascular events in participants with CKD with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D). This analysis reports the baseline characteristics of those recruited, comparing them with those enrolled in other trials.

Methods

In DAPA-CKD, 4304 participants with a urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥200 mg/g and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 25 and 75 mL/min/1.73 m2 were randomized to dapagliflozin 10 mg once daily or placebo. Mean eGFR was 43.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 and median UACR was 949 mg/g (108 mg/mmol).

Results

Overall, 2906 participants (68%) had a diagnosis of T2D and of these, 396 had CKD ascribed to a cause other than diabetes. The most common causes of CKD after diabetes (n = 2510) were ischaemic/hypertensive nephropathy (n = 687) and chronic glomerulonephritis (n = 695), of which immunoglobulin A nephropathy (n = 270) was the most common. A total of 4174 participants (97%) were receiving an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, 1882 (43.7%) diuretics, 229 (5.3%) mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and 122 (2.8%) glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists. In contrast to the Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes with Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation (CREDENCE), the DAPA-CKD trial enrolled participants with CKD due to diabetes and to causes other than diabetes. The mean eGFR of participants in the DAPA-CKD trial was 13.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 lower than in CREDENCE, similar to that in the Finerenone in Reducing Kidney Failure and Disease Progression in DKD (FIDELIO-DKD) trial and the Study Of diabetic Nephropathy with AtRasentan (SONAR).

Conclusions

Participants with a wide range of underlying kidney diseases receiving renin–angiotensin system blocking therapy have been enrolled in the DAPA-CKD trial. The trial will examine the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in participants with CKD Stages 2–4 and increased albuminuria, with and without T2D.
Epidermal growth factor receptor as a molecular determinant of glioblastoma response to dopamine receptor D2 inhibitors
Authors: He Yuyu , Li Jie , Koga Tomoyuki , Ma Jun , Dhawan Sanjay , Suzuki Yuta , Furnari Frank , Prabhu Varun V , Allen Joshua E , Chen Clark C
Published: August 2020

Background

There are ongoing clinical trials exploring the efficacy of dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) inhibition against glioblastomas, the most common primary brain tumor. Here we examine potential molecular determinants of this efficacy.

Methods

The Cancer Genome Atlas glioblastoma database and other published mRNA profiles were used to analyze the DRD2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression pattern. In vitro and in vivo responses to DRD2 inhibitors were determined using patient-derived xenograft (PDX) glioblastoma models. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on clinically annotated glioblastoma samples derived from patients treated with ONC201.

Results

Analysis of clinical glioblastoma specimens derived from independent patient cohorts revealed an inverse correlation between EGFR and DRD2 mRNA expression, with implication that signaling mediated by these proteins shares overlapping functions. In independent panels of PDX glioblastoma lines, high EGFR expression was associated with poor in vitro and in vivo response to DRD2 inhibitors, including haloperidol and ONC201. Moreover, ectopic expression of a constitutively active EGFR, variant (v)III, suppressed glioblastoma sensitivity to ONC201. DRD2 expression positively correlated with expression of rate-limiting enzymes for dopamine synthesis as well as dopamine secretion, suggesting contribution of autocrine DRD2 signaling. Analysis of specimens from patients treated with ONC201 (n = 15) showed an inverse correlation between the intensity of EGFR staining and clinical response. The median overall survival for patients with high and low EGFR staining was 162 and 373 days, respectively (0.037).

Conclusions

High EGFR expression is a determinant of poor glioblastoma response to DRD2. This finding should inform future clinical trial designs.
Phase I trial of convection-enhanced delivery of IL13RA2 and EPHA2 receptor targeted cytotoxins in dogs with spontaneous intracranial gliomas
Authors: Rossmeisl John H , Herpai Denise , Quigley Mindy , Cecere Thomas E , Robertson John L , D’Agostino Ralph B , Hinckley Jonathan , Tatter Stephen B , Dickinson Peter J , Debinski Waldemar
Published: August 2020

Background

The interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL13RA2) and ephrin type A receptor 2 (EPHA2) are attractive therapeutic targets, being expressed in ~90% of canine and human gliomas, and absent in normal brain. Clinical trials using an earlier generation IL-13 based cytotoxin showed encouraging clinical effects in human glioma, but met with technical barriers associated with the convection-enhanced delivery (CED) method. In this study, IL-13 mutant and ephrin A1 (EFNA1)–based bacterial cytotoxins targeted to IL13RA2 and EPHA2 receptors, respectively, were administered locoregionally by CED to dogs with intracranial gliomas to evaluate their safety and preliminary efficacy.

Methods

In this phase I, 3 + 3 dose escalation trial, cytotoxins were infused by CED in 17 dogs with gliomas expressing IL13RA2 or EPHA2 receptors. CED was performed using a shape-fitting therapeutic planning algorithm, reflux-preventing catheters, and real-time intraoperative MRI monitoring. The primary endpoint was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of the cytotoxic cocktail in dogs with gliomas.

Results

Consistent intratumoral delivery of the cytotoxic cocktail was achieved, with a median target coverage of 70% (range, 40–94%). Cytotoxins were well tolerated over a dose range of 0.012–1.278 μg/mL delivered to the target volume (median, 0.099 μg/mL), with no dose limiting toxicities observed. Objective tumor responses, up to 94% tumor volume reduction, were observed in 50% (8/16) of dogs, including at least one dog in each dosing cohort >0.05 μg/mL.

Conclusions

This study provides preclinical data fundamental to the translation of this multireceptor targeted therapeutic approach to the human clinic.