bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Palm leaf sheath fiber extraction and surface modification
Authors: Amanuel Lami
Published: August 2020

The influence of softening on tensile strength, elongation at break, moisture regain and microscopic morphology of Palm Sheath fiber extracted by chemical degumming using 80% sodium hydroxide; bleached by hydrogen peroxide and softened by silicone emulsion softener was studied. The softened and unsoftened fibers were characterized for their longitudinal view, tensile strength and elongation at break of single fiber by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The single fiber tensile strength and elongation at break were 19.6% and 10.22% respectively. The calculated value of moisture regain and moisture content of the softened fibers was 12.65% and 11.23% respectively. The tensile strength, elongation at break, moisture management of the softened palm sheath fiber was significantly higher. As a result of surface modification microscopic morphology, the treated fiber was also found different. The study result had drawn the significant influence of the surface modification on the forth mentioned properties of the extracted palm leaf sheath fiber.
Kinematic Analyses Using Finger-Tapping Task for Patients After Surgery With Distal Radius Fracture at Acute Phase
Authors: Imai Ryota , Osumi Michihiro , Ishigaki Tomoya , Morioka Shu
Published: August 2020

Background

After a distal radius fracture (DRF), severe pain, disabilities, and pain-related psychological problems can arise and sometimes remain ~1 year later. DRF-related disabilities have been assessed with questionnaires but not by kinematic evaluations; the kinematic features of DRF patients are unknown. Here, we investigated the kinematic characteristics of DRF patients and explored the relationship between their clinical assessments and kinematic characteristics.

Methods:

We analyzed 20 patients with DRFs after their surgeries. We recorded their finger-tapping using a magnetic sensor, and we calculated the velocity, magnitude, and movement-initiation hesitation. The patients’ pain intensity and fear of movement were assessed by a visual analogue scale and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (DASH). To investigate the features of the patients who achieved only slight improvement, we compared the kinematic characteristics of the DRF patients in 2 subgroups: the “good improvement group” and the “slight improvement group” based on a cutoff value of the DASH score (>40) at 1 month postsurgery.

Results:

The DASH score at 30 days postsurgery was significantly correlated with hesitation at 1 day postsurgery ( r = .66, P < .0071) and with velocity at 7 days ( r = −.54, P < .0071). Our kinematic analyses revealed significant differences in velocity at 7 days postsurgery ( P < .05) and in hesitation at 1 day postsurgery ( P < .05) between the subgroups.

Conclusions:

Since assessments using range-of-motion measurements or a questionnaire are not sufficient to evaluate a patient’s movement disorder, a kinematic analysis should be conducted for quantitative assessments.
Learning to balance the coherence and diversity of response generation in generation-based chatbots
Authors: Wang Shuliang , Li Dapeng , Geng Jing , Yang Longxing , Leng Hongyong
Published: August 2020

Generating response with both coherence and diversity is a challenging task in generation-based chatbots. It is more difficult to improve the coherence and diversity of dialog generation at the same time in the response generation model. In this article, we propose an improved method that improves the coherence and diversity of dialog generation by changing the model to use gamma sampling and adding attention mechanism to the knowledge-guided conditional variational autoencoder. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method can significantly improve the coherence and diversity of knowledge-guided conditional variational autoencoder for response generation in generation-based chatbots at the same time.
Pain modulation effect on motor cortex after optogenetic stimulation in shPKCγ knockdown dorsal root ganglion-compressed Sprague-Dawley rat model
Authors: Islam Jaisan , Kc Elina , Oh Byeong Ho , Moon Hyeong Cheol , Park Young Seok
Published: August 2020

Neuropathic pain can be generated by chronic compression of dorsal root ganglion (CCD). Stimulation of primary motor cortex can disrupt the nociceptive sensory signal at dorsal root ganglion level and reduce pain behaviors. But the mechanism behind it is still implicit. Protein kinase C gamma is known as an essential enzyme for the development of neuropathic pain, and specific inhibitor of protein kinase C gamma can disrupt the sensory signal and reduce pain behaviors. Optogenetic stimulation has been emerged as a new and promising conducive method for refractory neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to provide evidence whether optical stimulation of primary motor cortex can modulate chronic neuropathic pain in CCD rat model. Animals were randomly divided into CCD group, sham group, and control group. Dorsal root ganglion-compressed neuropathic pain model was established in animals, and knocking down of protein kinase C gamma was also accomplished. Pain behavioral scores were significantly improved in the short hairpin Protein Kinase C gamma knockdown CCD animals during optic stimulation. Ventral posterolateral thalamic firing inhibition was also observed during light stimulation on motor cortex in CCD animal. We assessed alteration of pain behaviors in pre-light off, stimulation-light on, and post-light off state. In vivo extracellular recording of the ventral posterolateral thalamus, viral expression in the primary motor cortex, and protein kinase C gamma expression in dorsal root ganglion were investigated. So, optical cortico-thalamic inhibition by motor cortex stimulation can improve neuropathic pain behaviors in CCD animal, and knocking down of protein kinase C gamma plays a conducive role in the process. This study provides feasibility for in vivo optogenetic stimulation on primary motor cortex of dorsal root ganglion-initiated neuropathic pain.
Measuring Positive Emotion Outcomes in Positive Psychology Interventions: A Literature Review
Authors: Moskowitz Judith T. , Cheung Elaine O. , Freedman Melanie , Fernando Christa , Zhang Madelynn W. , Huffman Jeff C. , Addington Elizabeth L.
Published: August 2020

Accumulating evidence for the unique social, behavioral, and physical health benefits of positive emotion and related well-being constructs has led to the development and testing of positive psychological interventions (PPIs) to increase emotional well-being and enhance health promotion and disease prevention. PPIs are specifically aimed at improving emotional well-being and consist of practices such as gratitude, savoring, and acts of kindness. The purpose of this narrative review was to examine the literature on PPIs with a particular focus on positive emotion outcomes. We evaluated the evidence on the effects of PPIs on positive emotion specifically, and discussed the range of evidence regarding the relative responsiveness of emotion measures to PPIs in order to gain a better understanding of the specific emotional pathways through which PPIs influence psychological and physical well-being. We conclude with recommendations for best evaluating effects of PPIs on positive emotion outcomes.
Post-infectious neurological disorders
Authors: Blackburn Kyle M. , Wang Cynthia
Published: August 2020

A multitude of environmental factors can result in breakdown of immune tolerance in susceptible hosts. Infectious pathogens are among the most important environmental triggers in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. Certain autoimmune disorders have a strong association with specific infections. Several neurological autoimmune disorders are thought to occur through post-infectious mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the proposed mechanisms underlying pathogen-induced autoimmunity, and highlight the clinical presentation and treatment of several post-infectious autoimmune neurological disorders. We also highlight post-infectious neurological disorders in the setting of recent outbreaks.
A brief report on the development of dorsal air sacs in hand reared Von der Decken’s hornbills (Tockus deckeni)
Authors: Rusli Mark
Published: August 2020

Several species of hornbills are known to develop dorsal air sacs after hatching, which present as a pocket of air under their skin. These increase in size as the chicks grow, and gradually disappear as the chicks develop feathers. However, this feature is not well-described, nor do we know the extent it occurs in Bucerotids. Here, it is reported in a clutch of hand-reared Von der Decken’s hornbills ( Tockus deckeni) ( n = 5) at Jurong Bird Park, Singapore. Air sacs were not present at hatch, but developed within 24 h, increasing in size until about 10 days of age. They gradually recede from this age and are not always inflated, disappearing at about 16 days of age when the chick has considerable feather growth. The functions of this unique feature are largely unclear, but it is thought to be mostly related to thermoregulation. Further research is required to determine this, possibly using captive specimens from zoological institutions as it is more difficult to collect data from wild birds.
Lobetyolin Efficiently Promotes Angiogenesis and Neuronal Development in Transgenic Zebrafish
Authors: Wang Chengniu , Hui Jie , Zhu Xinhui , Cui Shengyu , Cui Zhiming , Xu Dawei
Published: August 2020

Studies have shown that lobetyolin (LBT), a component of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has many very good biological activities and functions. However, its side effects and toxicities have not been evaluated adequately. In this work, we investigated the effects of LBT in transgenic zebrafish. LBT treatments promoted angiogenesis and led to vascular morphological malformation in zebrafish embryos, although they were normal in appearance. Interestingly, our results indicated that LBT has a function of promoting nerve growth in the embryonic stage of zebrafish. We also treated the zebrafish with combretastatin A-4 (which resulted in neuronal apoptosis) and LBT simultaneously and found that LBT promoted nerve growth at higher concentrations. Taken together, our findings clearly display that LBT efficiently promotes angiogenesis, leading to vascular morphological malformation, has low toxicity, and notably promotes neuronal development in zebrafish.
Identification of Monohexosylceramides From Euglena gracilis by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Nairui , Kohama Kanae , Miyagawa Miyuki , Mansho Moe , Sugimoto Ryota , Nakashima Ayaka , Suzuki Kengo , Kitagaki Hiroshi
Published: August 2020

To date, the monohexosylceramides present in the eukaryotic alga Euglena gracilis has not been reported. In this study, we extracted and purified a lipid fraction that eluted similarly to other reported monohexosylceramides. The structural determination of the lipid fraction revealed a monohexosylceramide ( m/ z = 889.5 and a loss of m/ z = 162), corresponding to the formula C54H99O8N having moieties corresponding to a monohexose (C6H12O6), a 9-methyl-4,8-sphingadienine (C19H37O2N), and a nonacosanoic acid with 2 double bonds (C29H54O2). This is the first report of the isolation of monohexosylceramides from E. gracilis and will promote its utilization in functional foods and cosmetics.
Exposure Risks and Preventive Strategies Considered in Dental Care Settings to Combat Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Authors: Khanagar Sanjeev B. , Al-Ehaideb Ali , Vishwanathaiah Satish , Maganur Prabhadevi C. , Naik Sachin , Siddeeqh Salman
Published: August 2020

In recent times, numerous scientific articles have been published on the risks of exposure to infectious microorganisms in dental care settings. The main mode of transmission of such infectious organisms is primarily through bioaerosols generated during routine dental procedures which put both dental care providers and their patients at an increased risk of exposure. Other frequent modes of infection transmission often reported include cross contamination and inadequate adoption of infection control protocols. The main objective of this article is to highlight the findings of those studies that have reported on the routes and modes of transmission of infectious organisms in dental settings, to report possibilities of cross contamination in dental care settings, and also to report any breach in adherence to infection control protocols in dental care settings. We also intend to emphasize on standard infection control protocols and strategies that need to be considered in dental care settings during disease outbreaks like coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
A Retrospective Analysis of Outcomes From Foot and Ankle Arthrodesis and Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Using Cellular Bone Allograft Augmentation
Authors: Moran Thomas E. , Sequeira Sean , Cooper Minton Truitt , Park Joseph
Published: August 2020

Background

ViviGen is an allogeneic cellular bone matrix product containing lineage-committed bone cells, and can be used as an alternative to autograft bone or other augments to aid in arthrodesis or to enhance bony healing in open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedures.

Methods

This study included 153 consecutive patients undergoing ankle, midfoot, or hindfoot arthrodesis or ORIF procedures from January 2017 to October 2018, in which an allogeneic cellular bone matrix product was used to aid in bony healing. Retrospective chart review identified patient demographic factors and medical comorbidities and evaluated clinical and radiographic data to determine fusion/union rate and complications.

Results

The overall fusion rate for the arthrodesis cohort was 97/113 (85.8%). The overall complication rate in this cohort was 22/113 (19.5%). Smokers had significantly lower rates of fusion compared with nonsmokers ( P = .01). The observed bony healing rate for the ORIF cohort was 19/22 (86.4%), with a complication rate of 3/22 (13.6%).

Conclusion

With satisfactory fusion rates and relatively few complications, our findings suggest that ViviGen is a safe and efficacious alternative to other forms of bone graft augmentation for fusion and ORIF procedures about the foot and ankle. Further study is needed to compare the efficacy of ViviGen with autograft bone and other augments.

Levels of Evidence:

Level IV: Case series
Knowledge assessment of snake antivenom among healthcare practitioners involving educational intervention in northern Nigeria: a study protocol
Authors: Bala Auwal A. , Jatau A.I. , Yunusa Ismaeel , Mohammed M , Mohammed Al-Kassim H. , Isa Abubakar M. , Wada A.S. , Gulma Kabiru A. , Bello Inuwa , Michael Godpower C. , Malami Sani , Chedi Basheer Z. A.
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is an important occupational and public health hazard especially in sub-Saharan Africa. For optimum management of SBE, adequate knowledge of Snake antivenom (SAV) is very critical among the healthcare practioners in this region. Information related to the knowledge of SAV use in the management of SBE, as well as SAV logistics is scarce among the Health Care Professionals (HCPs) in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region. We therefore aimed to develop, validate and utilize a tool to assess the SAV knowlegde among HCPs in northern Nigeria. We also sought to implement and evaluate an intervention that could improve the SAV knowledge among the HCPs.

Methods

The proposed study will be conducted in three phases: Phase I will involve the development of the item-pool to be included in the tool, followed by a face, content validity and construct validity. The tool reliability, readability and difficulty index will be determined. Phase II will involve the utilization of the tool to assess baseline SAV knowledge among the HCPs followed by an educational intervention. Multiple Linear Regression analysis will be used to determine the factors associated with SAV knowledge among the HCPs. Lastly, Phase III which will be a repeat of Phase II to assess and evaluate the knowledge after the intervention.

Discussion

The study design and findings may guide future implementation and streamline the intervention of improving SAV knowledge in HCPs training and practice.

Lay Summary

Knowledge assessment and educational intervention of snake antivenom among healthcare practitioners in northern Nigeria: a study protocol Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is an important occupational and public health hazard especially in sub-Saharan Africa. For optimum management of SBE, adequate knowledge of snake antivenom (SAV) is very critical among the healthcare practitioners. The baseline knowledge SAV dosage, mode of administration, availability, and logistics is very relevant among healthcare professionals, particularly those that are directly involved in its logistics. It is paramount that SAV is handled and used appropriately. The efforts and advocacy for the availability for more SAV will be in vain if not handled appropriately before they are used. This study protocol aims to develop a tool, to assess SAV knowledge and effects of educational interventions among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in northern Nigeria. This protocol suggests conducting studies in three phases: (a) Development and validation of SAV knowledge assessment tool, (b) Baseline assessment of SAV knowledge assessment tool among HCPs, and (c) Development, implementation and evaluation of an educational intervention to improve SAV knowledge among HCPs in northern Nigeria.
The co-evolution of two Chinese mobile short video apps: Parallel platformization of Douyin and TikTok
Authors: Kaye D. Bondy Valdovinos , Chen Xu , Zeng Jing
Published: August 2020

TikTok is the international twin of China’s mobile short video app, Douyin, and one of the fastest growing short video platforms in the world. Owned by Chinese tech giant, ByteDance, TikTok and Douyin share many similarities in terms of appearance, functionality, and platform affordances; however, they exist in radically different markets and are governed by radically different forces. Unlike other popular mobile media platforms in China and internationally, TikTok and Douyin are neither part of the big three tech giants in China nor the big five in the US. This provides an interesting case study to investigate how an emerging internet company adapts its products to better fit divergent expectations, cultures, and policy frameworks in China and abroad. Using the app walkthrough method informed by platformization of culture production theory, this study highlights the similarities and distinctions between these two platforms. We argue the co-evolution of Douyin and TikTok is a new paradigm of global platform expansion that differs from strategies of regionalization adopted by previous major social media platforms. We contribute to platformization theory by developing the concept of parallel platformization to explain ByteDance’s strategies for surviving in two opposing platform ecosystems in China and abroad.
Consensual attending
Authors: Rivers Nathaniel A
Published: August 2020

Consensual attending addresses the ecological and relational conditions in which any act of assent or dissent materializes. I argue that consent is not an act undertaken by individuals, but is a relational endeavor that individuates. Any solitary act of assent—of thinking, perceiving, feeling—is predicated upon prior and ongoing consensual acts. The terms of consensual attending modulate one another: consensual distributes attention beyond the individual and attending intensifies the consensual in marking how our joint and collective attention individuates us as sensing beings. Consensual attending is predicated not upon individual rhetorical acts of assent but ambient formations in which rhetorical capacities emerge. To arrive at such a consent, I retune William James’ articulation of attention as a function of agreement by looking toward ecologies of attention. This retuning necessarily entails thinking through the ethical and political implications of consensual attending in our present political moment, wherein the virality of #resist and #metoo registers anxiety about our individual and collective (in)capacities to dis/agree. I engage feminist scholarship on consent in the context of sexual relations in thinking through the contextual composition of consent. Thinking through scholarship on sexual consent complicates consensual attending, and addressing sexual consent itself serves as an example of the trouble lurking in the reduction of consent to assent. Such a reduction leaves unaddressed the ecologies in which such collective capacities are composed. I conclude by returning to attention in order to speculate how such consensual capacities might be composed.
Modeling the Reduction of Attrition in Campus Mental Health Services: A Discrete Choice Conjoint Experiment
Authors: Cunningham Charles E. , Rimas Heather , Sivayoganathan Thipiga , Stewart Bailey , Munn Catharine , Zipursky Robert B. , Christensen Bruce , Furimsky Ivana
Published: August 2020

A significant percentage of college students discontinue mental health treatment prematurely. Using a discrete choice experiment, 909 students chose between experimentally manipulated descriptions of mental health services, selecting the option that would encourage them to stay in treatment. Latent class analysis identified three groups. The community class (36.7%) would remain in treatment at community walk-in clinics. The campus class (27.3%) would be more likely to remain in an on-campus student health service. The residence class, 36.0% of participants, would be most likely to remain in treatments at their residence. All classes would be more likely to remain in services including the option of medication, psychotherapy, or alternative treatments such as diet and exercise. Simulations predicted that most students would trade individual treatment for more cost-effective groups if students who had experienced mental health problems recommended these services and access to text messages and telephone help was included.
Sarcopenia Is an Independent Risk Factor for Proximal Junctional Disease Following Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery
Authors: Eleswarapu Ananth , O’Connor Daniel , Rowan Flynn Andrew , Van Le Hai , Wick Joseph B. , Javidan Yashar , Rolando Roberto , Klineberg Eric O.
Published: August 2020

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives:

Sarcopenia is a risk factor for medical complications following spine surgery. However, the role of sarcopenia as a risk factor for proximal junctional disease (PJD) remains undefined. This study evaluates whether sarcopenia is an independent predictor of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and proximal junctional failure (PJF) following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery.

Methods:

ASD patients who underwent thoracic spine to pelvis fusion with 2-year clinical and radiographic follow-up were reviewed for development of PJK and PJD. Average psoas cross-sectional area on preoperative axial computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging at L4 was recorded. Previously described PJD risk factors were assessed for each patient, and multivariate linear regression was performed to identify independent risk factors for PJK and PJF. Disease-specific thresholds were calculated for sarcopenia based on psoas cross-sectional area.

Results:

Of 32 patients, PJK and PJF occurred in 20 (62.5%) and 12 (37.5%), respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated psoas cross-sectional area to be the most powerful independent predictor of PJK ( P = .02) and PJF ( P = .009). Setting ASD disease–specific psoas cross-sectional area thresholds of <12 cm2 in men and <8 cm2 in women resulted in a PJF rate of 69.2% for patients below these thresholds, relative to 15.8% for those above the thresholds.

Conclusions:

Sarcopenia is an independent, modifiable predictor of PJK and PJF, and is easily assessed on standard preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Surgeons should include sarcopenia in preoperative risk assessment and consider added measures to avoid PJF in sarcopenic patients.
An Analysis of the Academic Environment in Business and Professional Communication
Authors: Lentz Paula , Coffelt Tina , Cardon Peter , Cresap Linda , Nelson Ashley , Remley Dirk
Published: August 2020

While previous research in business communication has surveyed business and professional communication instructors regarding their courses, it has not yet asked instructors about additional factors that affect their ability to teach and their students’ ability to learn. These factors include job satisfaction, institutional and collegial support, academic rank, physical teaching environment, teaching and learning resources, and student issues. This study examines the results of a survey of business and professional communication instructors regarding these factors, discusses implications for the disciplines of business and professional communication, and suggests additional avenues for advocacy and research.
Effect of (Mis)Matched Compression Speed on Speech Recognition in Bimodal Listeners
Authors: Spirrov Dimitar , Kludt Eugen , Verschueren Eline , Büchner Andreas , Francart Tom
Published: August 2020

Automatic gain control (AGC) compresses the wide dynamic range of sounds to the narrow dynamic range of hearing-impaired listeners. Setting AGC parameters (time constants and knee points) is an important part of the fitting of hearing devices. These parameters do not only influence overall loudness elicited by the hearing devices but can also affect the recognition of speech in noise. We investigated whether matching knee points and time constants of the AGC between the cochlear implant and the hearing aid of bimodal listeners would improve speech recognition in noise. We recruited 18 bimodal listeners and provided them all with the same cochlear-implant processor and hearing aid. We compared the matched AGCs with the default device settings with mismatched AGCs. As a baseline, we also included a condition with the mismatched AGCs of the participants’ own devices. We tested speech recognition in quiet and in noise presented from different directions. The time constants affected outcomes in the monaural testing condition with the cochlear implant alone. There were no specific binaural performance differences between the two AGC settings. Therefore, the performance was mostly dependent on the monaural cochlear implant alone condition.
Resource extraction and intersectoral research: Engaging accountable relations in the Environment Community Health Observatory Network
Authors: Morgan Vanessa Sloan , Hoogeveen Dawn , Farrales May , Gislason Maya K , Parkes Margot W , Harder Henry G
Published: August 2020

The inaugural gathering of The Environment Community Health Observatory (ECHO) Network is a network of academic, non-profit, and health authority scholars and practitioners committed to understanding and responding to the cumulative impacts of resource extraction. The Network is embedded within multiple jurisdictions and institutional contexts, reflecting the Network’s efforts to work across sectors to address questions arising in communities and regions experiencing the overlapping influences of rurality, remoteness, and resource extraction. In this paper, we draw from entrance interviews and a group exercise with Network members to explore the complexity of accountability as an unfolding challenge for research that addresses resource extraction in Canada. We locate these findings within the current settler colonial context in which the Network is embroiled, arguing that a condition of settler colonialism is erasing not only Indigenous legal orders but also accountability mechanisms outside of state-based discourses. In making this argument, we understand settler colonialism as a failed yet persistent project. We contend that collectively engaging through situated and relational accountabilities beyond simply accounting for “accountability”, ECHO Network members—and others looking to social and environmental change—are critically challenged to approach settler-state apparatuses for transformative engagement beyond merely recognizing that accountability is relational.
Feminist political geographies: Critical reflections, new directions
Authors: Faria Caroline , Massaro Vanessa A , Williams Jill M
Published: August 2020

Feminist political geography (FPG) is a vibrant, diverse, provocative and contested field of inquiry. This special issue highlights those scholars connecting FPG approaches, methodologies and arguments to critical work in other sub-fields of our discipline, and beyond it. In doing so we open up a productive conversation about both the current limitations and the new insights FPG offers for understanding power and the political. The papers included in this special issue offer a lively, constructive and productive set of debates around FPG that reflect the energy and dynamism of our sub-field and that bring new ideas, arguments and engagements into conversation.
Association Between First- and Third-Month Responses to Intravitreal Ranibizumab for Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Valera-Cornejo Diego Alejandro , Romero-Morales Verónica , García-Roa Marlon , Ramírez-Neria Paulina , Villalpando-Gómez Yolanda , García-Franco Renata
Published: August 2020

Purpose:

This work examines the relationship between first- and third-month anatomical and visual response with antivascular endothelial growth factor for diabetic macular edema.

Methods:

We prospectively evaluated 58 eyes with center-involved diabetic macular edema. Response was categorized upon the anatomical status after 3 monthly doses based on the reduction of central macular thickness (CMT) from baseline (≥20% or not). Correlation analysis between the anatomical response status, gained letters, optical coherence tomography morphological features, and other baseline characteristics were obtained.

Results:

Twenty-five eyes (43.1%) achieved an anatomical reduction of ≥20% at the third month. Those with a reduction of ≥20% of CMT had subretinal fluid ( P < .01), lower hemoglobin A1c values ( P < .01), lower proportion of intraretinal cysts ( P < .01), a greater anatomical reduction, and visual improvement at the first month of treatment. Multiple logistic regression analysis, showed that the change of CMT after the first injection was an independent predictor for the anatomical reduction of ≥20% after the loading phase ( P < .05). Best corrected visual acuity gain after the first dose showed a significant association with an improvement of ≥10 letters after the loading phase ( P < .05), but not for macular thickness reduction.

Conclusions:

First month anatomical reduction was associated with the anatomical response at 3 months ( P = .042) after monthly ranibizumab therapy. Visual improvement at the first month was predictive only for the visual outcome after the 3 monthly doses ( P = .032).
Relentless Placoid Chorioretinitis With Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion and Secondary Peripheral Retinal Neovascularization
Authors: Gupta R. Rishi , Iaboni Douglas S.M. , Seamone Mark E.
Published: August 2020

Purpose:

We report a case of relentless placoid chorioretinitis (RPC) that developed branch retinal vein occlusion and peripheral retinal neovascularization in one eye.

Methods:

A case report is presented.

Results:

A 33-year-old healthy man presented with decreased visual acuity (20/150) in both eyes. Slit-lamp examination revealed anterior chamber and vitreous inflammation. Multiple yellow-white lesions were evident in the macula and scattered throughout the fundus. Following workup, a diagnosis of RPC was made. The patient was started on Pred Forte (prednisolone acetate 1%) and atropine drops. Three months later, visual acuity improved to 20/70 and 20/100 in the right and left eyes, respectively. At this time, fundus examination and fluorescein angiography revealed peripheral retinal neovascularization. Sectoral scatter laser photocoagulation was performed in the areas of nonperfusion.

Conclusions:

We describe a novel presentation of RPC associated with branch retinal vein occlusion and retinal neovascularization. Although the pathophysiology of RPC is believed to be primarily a choroidal vasculitis, retinal vascular changes may also occur, as observed in other white dot syndromes.
von Willebrand factor variant D1472H has no effect in mice with humanized VWF-platelet interactions
Authors: Lohmeier Hannah K. , Slobodianuk Tricia L. , Kanaji Sachiko , Haberichter Sandra L. , Montgomery Robert R. , Flood Veronica H.
Published: August 2020

The von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor activity assay (VWF:RCo) is used for diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) because of its ability to evaluate VWF binding to platelets. VWF sequence variant p.D1472H is associated with lower VWF:RCo levels in the absence of associated bleeding symptoms, indicating the VWF:RCo may not be accurate for characterizing VWF function in individuals with this variant. Thus, this study aimed to determine the implications of the variant on VWF functioning in vivo. Mice were engineered with humanized wild-type (WT*) VWF A1/A2 and VWF with the p.D1472H (1472H) variant along with humanized platelet GPIbα and bred to homozygosity. VWF antigen and VWF binding to GPIbα were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gel electrophoresis was used for VWF multimer analysis. Tail bleeding assays were performed at a 3-mm defined length. Normal VWF multimers were preserved in both WT* and 1472H mice. VWF expression was normal in the WT* and 1472H mice, and VWF binding to GPIbα did not statistically differ between the groups. Additionally, tail bleeding times were similar for WT* and 1472H mice. These results show the p.D1472H variant does not impair hemostasis in mice, and support the conclusion that p.D1472H is a normal variant in humans.
Assessment of Cellular Uptake Efficiency According to Multiple Inhibitors of Fe3O4-Au Core-Shell Nanoparticles: Possibility to Control Specific Endocytosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Park Bo Gi , Kim Yu Jin , Min Ji Hyun , Cheong Taek-Chin , Nam Sang Hwan , Cho Nam-Hyuk , Kim Young Keun , Lee Kyu Back
Published: August 2020

Magnetite (Fe3O4)-gold (Au) core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) have unique magnetic and optical properties. When combined with biological moieties, these NPs can offer new strategies for biomedical applications, such as drug delivery and cancer targeting. Here, we present an effective method for the controllable cellular uptake of magnetic core-shell NP systems combined with biological moieties. Vimentin, which is the structural protein, has been biochemically confirmed to affect phagocytosis potently. In addition, vimentin affects exogenic materials internalization into cells even though under multiple inhibitions of biological moieties. In this study, we demonstrate the cellular internalization performance of Fe3O4-Au core-shell NPs with surface modification using a combination of biological moieties. The photofluorescence of vimentin-tagged NPs remained unaffected under multiple inhibition tests, indicating that the NPs were minimally influenced by nystatin, dynasore, cytochalasin D, and even the Muc1 antibody (Ab). Consequently, this result indicates that the Muc1 Ab can target specific molecules and can control specific endocytosis. Besides, we show the possibility of controlling specific endocytosis in colorectal cancer cells.
Pyrolysis kinetic modelling of abundant plastic waste (PET) and in-situ emission monitoring
Authors: Osman Ahmed I. , Farrell Charlie , Al-Muhtaseb Alaa H. , Al-Fatesh Ahmed S. , Harrison John , Rooney David W.
Published: August 2020

Background

Recycling the ever-increasing plastic waste has become an urgent global concern. One of the most convenient methods for plastic recycling is pyrolysis, owing to its environmentally friendly nature and its intrinsic properties. Understanding the pyrolysis process and the degradation mechanism is crucial for scale-up and reactor design. Therefore, we studied kinetic modelling of the pyrolysis process for one of the most common plastics, polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The focus was to better understand and predict PET pyrolysis when transitioning to a low carbon economy and adhering to environmental and governmental legislation. This work aims at presenting for the first time, the kinetic triplet (activation energy, pre-exponential constant, and reaction rate) for PET pyrolysis using the differential iso-conversional method. This is coupled with the in-situ online tracking of the gaseous emissions using mass spectrometry.

Results

The differential iso-conversional method showed activation energy (Ea) values of 165–195 kJ mol−1, R2 = 0.99659. While the ASTM-E698 method showed 165.6 kJ mol−1 and integral methods such as Flynn-–Wall and Ozawa (FWO) (166–180 kJ mol−1). The in-situ Mass Spectrometry results showed the gaseous pyrolysis emissions, which are C1 hydrocarbons and H–O-C=O along with C2 hydrocarbons, C5–C6 hydrocarbons, acetaldehyde, the fragment of O–CH=CH2, hydrogen, and water.

Conclusions

From the obtained results herein, thermal predictions (isothermal, non-isothermal and step-based heating) were determined based on the kinetic parameters. They can be used at numerous scale with a high level of accuracy compared with the literature.
Excessive unilateral proliferation of spermatogonia in a patient with non-obstructive azoospermia – adverse effect of clomiphene citrate pre-treatment?
Authors: Fietz Daniela , Pilatz Adrian , Diemer Thorsten , Wagenlehner Florian , Bergmann Martin , Schuppe Hans-Christian
Published: August 2020

Background

Clomiphene citrate has been proposed as pre-treatment for infertile men with non-obstructive, testicular azoospermia (NOA) before surgery for testicular sperm extraction (TESE), especially when serum testosterone is low.

Case presentation

Here, we report on a 33-year old azoospermic patient with a previous history of repeated “fresh” TESE and clomiphene citrate therapy (50 mg/day over 6 months) before undergoing microscopically assisted, bilateral testicular biopsy. Comprehensive histological and immunohistochemical work-up revealed a heterogeneous spermatogenic arrest at the level of spermatogonia or primary spermatocytes, with focally preserved spermatogenesis up to elongated spermatids in the right testis. In the left testis, the majority of tubules (> 70%) showed no tubular lumen or regular seminiferous epithelium but a great number of spermatogonia-like cells. These cells proved to be normally differentiated spermatogonia (positive for melanoma associated antigen 4 (MAGEA4), negative for placental alkaline phosphatase (PlAP)) with increased proliferative activity (positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)) and a slightly higher rate of apoptotic cells. When compared to a tissue control with normal spermatogenesis, expression of sex hormone receptors androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor (ER) alpha, and G-protein coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) was not altered in patient samples. Sertoli cells appeared to be mature (positive for vimentin, negative for cytokeratin 18), whereas the expression of zona occludens protein 1 (ZO-1), claudin 11, and connexin 43 was absent or dislocated in the tubules with abundance of spermatogonia.

Conclusion

This result suggests that formation of the blood-testis barrier is disturbed in affected tubules. To our knowledge this is the first observation of excessive, non-malignant proliferation of spermatogonia in a NOA patient. Although underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated, we hypothesize that the unusual pathology was triggered by the high-dose clomiphene citrate treatment preceding testicular biopsy.
Common bean resistance to Xanthomonas is associated with upregulation of the salicylic acid pathway and downregulation of photosynthesis
Authors: Foucher Justine , Ruh Mylène , Préveaux Anne , Carrère Sébastien , Pelletier Sandra , Briand Martial , Serre Rémy-Félix , Jacques Marie-Agnès , Chen Nicolas W. G.
Published: August 2020

Background

Common bacterial blight (CBB) caused by Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. phaseoli and Xanthomonas citri pv. fuscans is one of the major threats to common bean crops (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Resistance to CBB is particularly complex as 26 quantitative resistance loci to CBB have been described so far. To date, transcriptomic studies after CBB infection have been very scarce and the molecular mechanisms underlying susceptibility or resistance are largely unknown.

Results

We sequenced and annotated the genomes of two common bean genotypes being either resistant (BAT93) or susceptible (JaloEEP558) to CBB. Reciprocal BLASTp analysis led to a list of 20,787 homologs between these genotypes and the common bean reference genome (G19833), which provides a solid dataset for further comparative analyses. RNA-Seq after inoculation with X. phaseoli pv. phaseoli showed that the susceptible genotype initiated a more intense and diverse biological response than the resistant genotype. Resistance was linked to upregulation of the salicylic acid pathway and downregulation of photosynthesis and sugar metabolism, while susceptibility was linked to downregulation of resistance genes and upregulation of the ethylene pathway and of genes involved in cell wall modification.

Conclusions

This study helps better understanding the mechanisms occurring during the early colonization phase of common bean by Xanthomonas and unveils new actors potentially important for resistance and susceptibility to CBB. We discuss the potential link between the pathways induced during bean colonization and genes induced by transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), as illustrated in other Xanthomonas pathovars.
Conditionally essential genes for survival during starvation in Enterococcus faecium E745
Authors: de Maat Vincent , Arredondo-Alonso Sergio , Willems Rob J. L. , van Schaik Willem
Published: August 2020

Background

The nosocomial pathogen Enterococcus faecium can survive for prolonged periods of time on surfaces in the absence of nutrients. This trait is thought to contribute to the ability of E. faecium to spread among patients in hospitals. There is currently a lack of data on the mechanisms that are responsible for the ability of E. faecium to survive in the absence of nutrients.

Results

We performed a high-throughput transposon mutant library screening (Tn-seq) to identify genes that have a role in long-term survival during incubation in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 20 °C. A total of 24 genes were identified by Tn-seq to contribute to survival in PBS, with functions associated with the general stress response, DNA repair, metabolism, and membrane homeostasis. The gene which was quantitatively most important for survival in PBS was usp (locus tag: EfmE745_02439), which is predicted to encode a 17.4 kDa universal stress protein. After generating a targeted deletion mutant in usp, we were able to confirm that usp significantly contributes to survival in PBS and this defect was restored by in trans complementation. The usp gene is present in 99% of a set of 1644 E. faecium genomes that collectively span the diversity of the species.

Conclusions

We postulate that usp is a key determinant for the remarkable environmental robustness of E. faecium. Further mechanistic studies into usp and other genes identified in this study may shed further light on the mechanisms by which E. faecium can survive in the absence of nutrients for prolonged periods of time.
Ertapenem and Faropenem against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: in vitro testing and comparison by macro and microdilution
Authors: Gonzalo Ximena , Satta Giovanni , Ortiz Canseco Julio , McHugh Timothy D. , Drobniewski Francis
Published: August 2020

Background

Interest in carbapenems has been rising in the last few years due to the emergence of drug resistant tuberculosis. Ertapenem (ETP), given once a day parenteral, and faropenem (FAR), oral, have a better administration profile than meropenem (MEM), imipenem (IPM) and doripenem (DOR). The addition of amoxicillin-clavulanate (AMC) inhibits the hydrolysis by the carbapenemase present in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB).

The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro activity of ETP and FAR against susceptible and resistant clinical MTB strains by two widely use methodologies, the BACTEC960 MGIT and microdilution.

Results

19 clinical isolates with different susceptibility profiles and H37Rv were included. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing was performed using two methods of different concentrations of ETP and FAR with and without AMC.

MIC50 was 2 and 8 for FAR with and without AMC by both methods. MIC90 was > 16 and > 8 by microdilution and MGIT respectively and did not change after AMC addition.

18/20 samples were resistant to the highest concentration of ETP, with and without AMC. Half of the samples had some susceptibility to FAR; addition of AMC further reduced the MIC level in seven isolates.

10/20 isolates showed susceptibility to FAR and the addition of AMC further reduced the MIC in 7 isolates. However, most of the MICs were near the limit of effectiveness (8 μg/mL).

Resistance to FAR was associated with resistance to MEM (p = 0.04) but not to resistance profiles of other drugs, including M/XDR status.

Conclusions

The lack of ETP activity may be associated with its degradation, independent of carbapenemase, during incubation.

No susceptibility pattern to traditional drugs can predict susceptibility to FAR and susceptibility testing is not routinely available. PK/PD studies are needed as reaching the concentrations tested in these experiments may be challenging.

This work highlighted some of the limitations of carbapenem use. More evidence is needed to clarify their true impact in TB treatment and outcome, considering the financial burden, complications and microbiota changes associated with their use.
Identification of SNPs and InDels associated with berry size in table grapes integrating genetic and transcriptomic approaches
Authors: Muñoz-Espinoza Claudia , Di Genova Alex , Sánchez Alicia , Correa José , Espinoza Alonso , Meneses Claudio , Maass Alejandro , Orellana Ariel , Hinrichsen Patricio
Published: August 2020

Background

Berry size is considered as one of the main selection criteria in table grapes breeding programs, due to the consumer preferences. However, berry size is a complex quantitive trait under polygenic control, and its genetic determination of berry weight is not yet fully understood. The aim of this work was to perform marker discovery using a transcriptomic approach, in order to identify and characterize SNP and InDel markers associated with berry size in table grapes. We used an integrative analysis based on RNA-Seq, SNP/InDel search and validation on table grape segregants and varieties with different genetic backgrounds.

Results

Thirty SNPs and eight InDels were identified using a transcriptomic approach (RNA-Seq). These markers were selected from SNP/InDel found among segregants from a Ruby x Sultanina population with contrasting phenotypes for berry size. The set of 38 SNP and InDel markers was distributed in eight chromosomes. Genotype-phenotype association analyses were performed using a set of 13 RxS segregants and 41 table grapes varieties with different genetic backgrounds during three seasons. The results showed several degrees of association of these markers with berry size (10.2 to 30.7%) as other berry-related traits such as length and width. The co-localization of SNP and /or InDel markers and previously reported QTLs and candidate genes associated with berry size were analysed.

Conclusions

We identified a set of informative and transferable SNP and InDel markers associated with berry size. Our results suggest the suitability of SNPs and InDels as candidate markers for berry weight in seedless table grape breeding. The identification of genomic regions associated with berry weight in chromosomes 8, 15 and 17 was achieved with supporting evidence derived from a transcriptome experiment focused on SNP/InDel search, as well as from a QTL-linkage mapping approach. New regions possibly associated with berry weight in chromosomes 3, 6, 9 and 14 were identified.