bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anaesthesia of hatchling green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) with intramuscular ketamine‐medetomidine‐tramadol
Authors: Scheelings TF , Gatto C , Reina RD
Published: July 2020

Objective

To characterise intramuscular ketamine‐medetomidine‐tramadol anaesthesia in hatchling green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).

Study design

Prospective clinical trial.

Animals

Ten hatchling green sea turtles.

Materials and methods

Prior to anaesthesia, cardiopulmonary parameters, cloacal temperature, and venous blood gas and biochemistry were obtained from hatchling green sea turtles while they were being gently restrained. Animals were then anaesthetised with ketamine (5 mg kg−1), medetomidine (0.05 mg kg−1) and tramadol (5 mg kg−1) via intramuscular injection. Turtles were checked for the depth of anaesthesia at five‐min intervals by recording reflexes (righting, palpebral, pinch, cloacal) and measuring heart rate, respiratory rate and cloacal temperature. After 20 min, a second venous blood sample was obtained for further blood gas and biochemical analysis and the medetomidine was antagonised using atipamezole (5:1 medetomidine, 0.25 mg kg−1).

Results

All turtles were successfully anaesthetised with a mean time to induction of 3.4 min (±1). In all animals, a loss of reflexes (except for palpebral reflex) and voluntary movement was observed for the entire 20 min. Anaesthesia resulted in marked apnoea for the duration of the procedure. Venous blood gas and biochemistry analysis indicated that a 20 min period of apnoea had no measurable effects on venous blood gas results. All turtles recovered uneventfully after atipamazole antagonisation, with a mean time to first breath 4.5 min (±3.7), and mean recovery time 15.5 min (±15.4).

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Intramuscular ketamine‐medetomidine‐tramadol, antagonised with atipamazole appears to be an effective anaesthetic protocol in hatchling green sea turtles for short procedures with no deleterious effects on venous blood gases or biochemistry.
A probabilistic interpretation of the constant gain learning algorithm
Authors: Berardi Michele
Published: July 2020

This paper proposes a novel interpretation of the constant gain learning algorithm through a probabilistic setting with Bayesian updating. The underlying process for the variable being estimated is not specified a priori through a parametric model, and only its probabilistic structure is defined. Such framework allows to understand the gain coefficient in the learning algorithm in terms of the probability of changes in the estimated variable. On the basis of this framework, I assess the range of values commonly used in the macroeconomic empirical literature in terms of the implied probabilities of changes in the estimated variables.
Tackling COVID‐19 infection through complement‐targeted immunotherapy
Authors: Jodele Sonata , Köhl Jörg
Published: July 2020

The complement system is an ancient part of innate immunity sensing highly pathogenic coronaviruses by mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) resulting in lectin pathway activation and subsequent generation of the anaphylatoxins (ATs) C3a and C5a as important effector molecules. Complement deposition on endothelial cells and high blood C5a serum levels have been reported in COVID‐19 patients with severe illness, suggesting vigorous complement activation leading to systemic thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Complement regulator gene variants prevalent in African‐Americans have been associated with a higher risk for severe TMA and multi‐organ injury. Strikingly, severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐infected African‐Americans suffer from high mortality. These findings allow us to apply our knowledge from other complement‐mediated diseases to COVID‐19 infection to better understand severe disease pathogenesis. Here, we discuss the multiple aspects of complement activation, regulation, crosstalk with other parts of the immune system, and the options to target complement in COVID‐19 patients to halt disease progression and death.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed issue on Canonical and non‐canonical functions of the complement system in health and disease. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.14/issuetoc
The effect of scanner type and scan body position on the accuracy of complete‐arch digital implant scans
Authors: Çakmak Gülce , Yilmaz Hakan , Treviño Alejandro , Kökat Ali Murat , Yilmaz Burak
Published: July 2020

Background

How the accuracy of complete‐arch implant scans is affected when different intraoral scanners (IOSs) are used and the effect of scan body position on the accuracy are not well‐known.

Purpose

To compare the scan accuracy (trueness and precision) of a recently introduced IOS (Virtuo Vivo) to a commonly used IOS (TRIOS 3) and the scans of a laboratory scanner (LBS; Cares 7 SERIES) in a completely edentulous maxilla with four implants. It was also aimed to evaluate the effect of scan body position on the accuracy.

Materials and Methods

Multi‐unit scan bodies were tightened on a poly(methyl methacrylate) edentulous maxillary model with four implants. A master reference model (MRM) stereolithography (STL) file was generated by scanning the model with a high‐precision scanner. The model was scanned with three different scanners (n = 10); two different IOSs and a LBS. STL files were superimposed over the MRM.

Results

For trueness, scan body position (P = .004) and scanner type (P < .001) had a significant effect on distance deviation and a significant interaction was found (P = .001). For angular deviation, only scanner type had a significant effect (P = .028). For precision, significant difference was found for distance (P = .011) and angular deviations (P = .020) between different scanner types.

Conclusions

One scanner type was not superior to others when both trueness and precision were considered. Position of the scan body affected the distance deviation (trueness).
Exploring the limits of saving a subspecies: The ethics and social dynamics of restoring northern white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum cottoni)
Authors: Ryder Oliver A. , Friese Carrie , Greely Henry T. , Sandler Ronald , Saragusty Joseph , Durrant Barbara S. , Redford Kent H.
Published: July 2020

The northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) is functionally extinct with only two females left alive. However, cryopreserved material from a number of individuals represents the potential to produce additional individuals using advanced reproductive and genetic rescue technologies and perhaps eventually a population to return to their native range. If this could and were done, how should it be done responsibly and thoughtfully. What issues and questions of a technical, bioethical, and societal nature will it raise that need to be anticipated and addressed? Such issues are explored in this article by an interdisciplinary team assembled to provide context to the northern white rhino project of the San Diego Zoo Global.
Contrasting responses of black fly species (Diptera: Simuliidae) to experimental whole‐stream warming
Authors: Nelson Daniel , Benstead Jonathan P. , Huryn Alexander D. , Cross Wyatt F. , Hood James M. , Johnson Philip W. , Junker James R. , Gíslason Gísli M. , Ólafsson Jón S.
Published: July 2020

As global temperatures continue to rise, assessment of how species within ecological communities respond to shifts in temperature has become increasingly important. However, such assessments require detailed long‐term observations or ecosystem‐level manipulations that allow for interactions among species and the potential for species dispersal and exchange with the regional species pool.

We examined the effects of experimental whole‐stream warming on a larval black fly assemblage in southwest Iceland. We used a paired‐catchment design, in which we studied the warmed stream and a nearby reference stream for 1 year prior to warming and 2 years during warming and estimated population abundance, biomass, secondary production, and growth rates for larvae of three black fly species.

Experimental warming by 3.8°C had contrasting effects on the three black fly species in the assemblage. The abundance, biomass, growth, and production of Prosimulium ursinum decreased in the experimental stream during the warming manipulation. Despite increasing in the reference stream, the abundance, biomass, and production of another species, Simulium vernum, decreased in the experimental stream during warming.

In contrast, warming had an overall positive effect on Simulium vittatum. While warming had little effect on the growth of overwintering cohorts of S. vittatum, warming led to an additional cohort during the summer months and increased its abundance, biomass, and production. Overall, family‐level production was enhanced by warming, despite variation in species‐level responses.

Our study illustrates that the effects of climate warming are likely to differ even among closely related species. Moreover, our study highlights the need for further investigation into the uneven effects of warming on individual species and how those variable effects influence food web dynamics and ecosystem function.
The potential utility of carotenoid‐based coloration as a biomonitor of environmental change
Authors: Peneaux Chloe , Hansbro Philip M. , Griffin Andrea S.
Published: July 2020

In the past 30 years, carotenoid‐based animal signals have been an intense focus of research because they can potentially broadcast an honest reflection of individual reproductive potential. Our understanding of the underpinning physiological functions of carotenoid compounds is still emerging, however. Here, we argue that wildlife researchers and managers interested in assessing the impact of environmental quality on animal populations should be taking advantage of the signalling function of carotenoid‐based morphological traits. Using birds as a model taxonomic group, we build our argument by first reviewing the strong evidence that the expression of avian carotenoid displays provides an integrated measure of a multitude of diet‐ and health‐related parameters. We then present evidence that human‐induced rapid environmental change (HIREC) impacts the expression of carotenoid signals across different critical periods of a bird’s lifetime. Finally, we argue that variation in signal expression across individuals, populations and species could be quantified relatively easily at a global scale by incorporating such measurements into widespread bird ringing activities. Monitoring the expression of carotenoid‐based coloration could help to identify how the environmental factors linked to HIREC can affect avian populations and allow for potentially detrimental effects on biodiversity to be detected prior to demographic change.
A longitudinal study of multiple lifestyle health risk behaviours among nursing students and non‐nursing peers
Authors: Kritsotakis George , Georgiou Evangelos D. , Karakonstandakis Georgios , Kaparounakis Nikos , Pitsouni Vasiliki , Sarafis Pavlos
Published: July 2020

Aim

The aim of this paper is to compare the evolution of health risk behaviours between undergraduate nursing and social work students.

Background

Nursing includes the promotion of health and the shaping of healthy behaviours. An important determinant for providing lifestyle advice is the lifestyle of nurses themselves.

Design

Longitudinal comparative study.

Measurements

We compared lifestyle risk behaviours (binge drinking, cannabis/hashish/marijuana use, smoking, oral hygiene/toothbrushing, breakfast/fruit/vegetable consumption, physical activity and screen time/sedentary behaviours) using a self‐administered standardized questionnaire in nursing (n = 121) and social work (n = 140) students at the beginning (2012) and the end of their studies (2015). Adjusted multivariable logistic/Poisson regression models were performed.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences between the departments in most risk factors in both assessments. However, in relation to their first year, both nursing and social work students displayed higher relative risk of engaging in more behavioural risk factors at the end of their studies (in delivery/junk food consumption, sunburns, hashish/marijuana use and multiple sexual partners). Social work students displayed better behaviours in physical activity and breakfast intake.

Conclusion

Nursing students share the patterns of their nonnursing peers in behavioural risk factors compromising their future health and health‐promoting role. We need strategies to safeguard the professional nursing practice.
Bilateral reduction mammaplasty with pulsed electron avalanche knife PlasmaBlade™ and conventional electrosurgical surgery: A retrospective, randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Schlosshauer Torsten , Kiehlmann Marcus , Rothenberger Jens , Sader Robert , Rieger Ulrich M.
Published: July 2020

Wound‐healing disorders are common complications in bilateral reduction mammaplasty. Traditional electrosurgical devices generate large amounts of thermal energy, often causing extensive thermal‐related collateral tissue damage. This study aimed to retrospectively analyse the operative performance of a novel low‐thermal plasma dissection device (pulsed electron avalanche knife—PEAK PlasmaBlade™) compared with traditional electrosurgery. Twenty patients with breast hypertrophy were randomly treated with PEAK PlasmaBlade™ on one breast and conventional electrosurgery on the other. Primary outcome measures were resection weight, drain duration, total drainage volume, and drain output on the first postoperative day. Breasts treated with PEAK PlasmaBlade™ had significantly higher resection weights (728.0 ± 460.1 g vs 661.6 ± 463.4 g; P = .038), significantly lower drain output on the first postoperative day (15.9 ± 15.2 mL vs 27.6 ± 23.5 mL; P = .023), and significantly lower drain durations (2.8 ± 1.0 days vs 3.3 ± 1.0 days; P = .030). Mean total drainage volume was lower where breast reduction was performed with PEAK PlasmaBlade™, but this difference was not significant. No major complications occurred, but wound‐healing disorders were documented in almost one‐third of the patients (35.0%, n = 7). The PEAK PlasmaBlade™ seems to be superior to conventional electrosurgery for bilateral reduction mammaplasty in terms of tissue damage and wound healing.
Byakangelicin protects against carbon tetrachloride–induced liver injury and fibrosis in mice
Authors: Li Xiaohe , Shao Shuaibo , Li Hailong , Bi Zhun , Zhang Shanshan , Wei Yiying , Bai Jiakun , Zhang Ruotong , Ma Xiaoyang , Ma Bowei , Zhang Liang , Xie Chunfeng , Ning Wen , Zhou Honggang , Yang Cheng
Published: July 2020

Liver fibrosis is a disease caused by long‐term damage that is related to a number of factors. The current research on the treatment of liver fibrosis mainly focuses on the activation of hepatic stellate cell, in addition to protecting liver cells. byakangelicin has certain anti‐inflammatory ability, but its effect on liver fibrosis is unclear. This study aims to explore whether byakangelicin plays a role in the development of liver fibrosis and to explore its mechanism. We determined that byakangelicin has a certain ability to resist fibrosis and reduce liver cell damage in a model of carbon tetrachloride–induced liver fibrosis in mice. Thereafter, we performed further verification in vitro. The signalling pathways of two important pro‐fibrotic cytokines, transforming growth factor‐β and platelet‐derived growth factor, were studied. Results showed that byakangelicin can inhibit related pathways. According to the hepatoprotective effect of byakangelicin observed in animal experiments, we studied the effect of byakangelicin on 4‐HNE–induced hepatocyte (HepG2) apoptosis and explored its related pathways. The results showed that byakangelicin could attenuate 4‐HNE–induced hepatocyte apoptosis via inhibiting ASK‐1/JNK signalling. In conclusion, byakangelicin could improve carbon tetrachloride–induced liver fibrosis and liver injury by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell proliferation and activation and suppressing hepatocyte apoptosis.
Fractional excretion of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 and 2 in patients with type 2 diabetes and normal renal function
Authors: Gohda Tomohito , Kamei Nozomu , Kubota Mitsunobu , Tanaka Kanako , Yamashita Yoshinori , Sakuma Hiroko , Kishida Chiaki , Adachi Eri , Koshida Takeo , Murakoshi Maki , Hagiwara Shinji , Funabiki Kazuhiko , Ueda Seiji , Suzuki Yusuke
Published: July 2020

Aims/Introduction

Increased concentrations of serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors (TNFRs; TNFR1 and TNFR2) are positively associated with the urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (ACR), and negatively associated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanism underlying this increase and the relationship between TNFRs in serum, and urine and kidney measures (ACR and eGFR) are unclear.

Materials and Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study that included 499 patients with type 2 diabetes and eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2. The concentrations of TNFRs in serum and urine, and their respective fractional excretion, were measured.

Results

Serum and urinary TNFR levels were positively associated with the ACR, and negatively associated with the eGFR. The fractional excretion of TNFRs did not differ between patients with an eGFR ≥90 and those with an eGFR 60–89 mL/min/1.73 m2, and also did not correlate with eGFR. After adjustment for relevant covariates, the serum TNFRs were associated with a lower eGFR (60–89 mL/min/1.73 m2) and an increased ACR (≥30 mg/gCr), but urinary TNFRs were associated with an increased ACR (≥30 mg/gCr) alone, in the multivariate logistic model.

Conclusions

The pattern of fractional excretion TNFRs showed that an increase in serum TNFRs might result from their increased systemic production, including in the kidney, rather than being a simple reflection of GFR decline. Kidney measures appear to be strongly associated with serum TNFRs rather than urinary TNFRs in patients with type 2 diabetes and normal renal function.
Parental readiness for hospital discharge as a mediator between quality of discharge teaching and parental self‐efficacy in parents of preterm infants
Authors: Hua Wenzhe , Yuwen Weichao , Simoni Jane M , Yan Jie , Jiang Liping
Published: July 2020

Aims and objectives

To examine the extent to which parental readiness for hospital discharge mediates the relationship between quality of discharge teaching and parental self‐efficacy in parents of preterm infants.

Background

Parental readiness for hospital discharge and self‐efficacy should be considered to establish whether preterm infants and their families are prepared for the discharge. High‐quality discharge teaching could facilitate a smooth discharge transition. However, little is known about how quality of discharge teaching influences parental readiness for hospital discharge and self‐efficacy.

Design

This was a descriptive cross‐sectional study of 202 parents with preterm infants in a tertiary hospital in Eastern China.

Methods

The key variables of interest were measured using the Chinese versions of the Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale, Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale‐Parent Form, and Preterm Parenting and Self‐Efficacy Checklist. Path analyses were conducted to test the mediation models. STROBE checklist was used to compile the study's report.

Results

Parental readiness for discharge (overall and knowledge dimension) partially mediated the relationship between the quality of discharge teaching and parental self‐efficacy. The two dimensions (content received and delivery) of quality of discharge teaching positively influenced parental self‐efficacy by improving parental readiness for discharge.

Conclusions

Parental readiness for hospital discharge, especially the knowledge dimension, was an important factor in quality of discharge teaching's association with self‐efficacy in parents of preterm infants. Improving the quality of discharge teaching could increase parental readiness for discharge and thus promote parental self‐efficacy.

Relevance to clinical practice

Improving discharge instructions is essential to help parents of preterm infants prepare for the transition to home care. Assessing readiness and confidence at an early stage and continuing to do so throughout the hospital stay may provide additional ways for nurses to identify parents’ knowledge gaps and to provide tailored interventions at more opportune times before hospital discharge.
Spiritual care provision to end‐of‐life patients: A systematic literature review
Authors: Batstone Elizabeth , Bailey Cara , Hallett Nutmeg
Published: July 2020

Aim

To develop an understanding of how nurses provide spiritual care to terminally ill patients in order to develop best practice.

Background

Patients approaching the end of life (EoL) can experience suffering physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Nurses are responsible for assessing these needs and providing holistic care, yet are given little implementable, evidence‐based guidance regarding spiritual care. Nurses internationally continue to express inadequacy in assessing and addressing the spiritual domain, resulting in spiritual care being neglected or relegated to the pastoral team.

Design

Systematic literature review, following PRISMA guidelines.

Methods

Nineteen electronic databases were systematically searched and papers screened. Quality was appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative checklist, and deductive thematic analysis, with a priori themes, was conducted.

Results Eleven studies provided a tripartite understanding of spiritual caregiving within the a priori themes: Nursing Spirit (a spiritual holistic ethos); the Soul of Care (the nurse–patient relationship); and the Body of Care (nurse care delivery). Ten of the studies involved palliative care nurses.

Conclusion

Nurses who provide spiritual care operate from an integrated holistic worldview, which develops from personal spirituality, life experience and professional practice of working with the dying. This worldview, when combined with advanced communication skills, shapes a relational way of spiritual caregiving that extends warmth, love and acceptance, thus enabling a patient's spiritual needs to surface and be resolved.

Relevance to clinical practice

Quality spiritual caregiving requires time for nurses to develop: the personal, spiritual and professional skills that enable spiritual needs to be identified and redressed; nurse–patient relationships that allow patients to disclose and co‐process these needs. Supportive work environments underpin such care. Further research is required to define spiritual care across all settings, outside of hospice, and to develop guidance for those involved in EoL care delivery.
Association between plant-based diets and blood pressure in the INTERMAP study
Authors: Aljuraiban Ghadeer , Chan Queenie , Gibson Rachel , Stamler Jeremiah , Daviglus Martha L , Dyer Alan R , Miura Katsuyuki , Wu Yangfeng , Ueshima Hirotsugu , Zhao Liancheng , Van Horn Linda , Elliott Paul , Oude Griep Linda M
Published: July 2020

Background

Plant-based diets are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases; however, little is known how the healthiness of the diet may be associated with blood pressure (BP). We aimed to modify three plant -based diet indices: overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthy PDI (hPDI), and unhealthy PDI (uPDI) according to country-specific dietary guidelines to enable use across populations with diverse dietary patterns – and assessed their associations with BP.

Design

We used cross-sectional data including 4,680 men and women ages 40–59y in Japan, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States from the INTERnational study on MAcro/micronutrients and blood Pressure (INTERMAP). During four visits, eight BP measurements, and four 24-h dietary recalls were collected. Multivariable regression coefficients were estimated, pooled, weighted, and adjusted extensively for lifestyle/dietary confounders.

Results

Modified PDI was not associated with BP. Consumption of hPDI higher by 1SD was inversely associated with systolic (-0.82 mm Hg;95% CI:-1.32,-0.49) and diastolic BP (-0.49 mm Hg; 95% CI:-0.91, -0.28). In contrast, consumption of an uPDI was directly associated with systolic (0.77 mm Hg;95% CI:0.30,1.20). Significant associations between hPDI with BP were attenuated with separate adjustment for vegetables and whole grains; associations between uPDI and BP were attenuated after adjustment for refined grains, sugar-sweetened beverages, and meat.

Conclusion

An hPDI is associated with lower BP while a uPDI is adversely related to BP. Plant-based diets rich in vegetables and whole grains and limited in refined grains, sugar-sweetened beverages, and total meat may contribute to these associations. In addition to current guidelines, the nutritional quality of consumed plant foods is as important as limiting animal-based components.

Trial registration number

The observational INTERMAP study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov asNCT00005271.
KIF20A Predicts Poor Survival of Patients and Promotes Colorectal Cancer Tumor Progression through the JAK/STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Qi , Di Jun , Ji Zhiyu , Mi Aoning , Li Quanying , Du Xianghui , Wang Anpeng , Wang Anlian , Qin Changjiang
Published: July 2020

Kinesin family member 20A (KIF20A) has been recently reported to be upregulated and associated with increased invasiveness and metastasis in several malignancies. However, the role of KIF20A in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still unclear. This study is aimed at investigating the potential roles of KIF20A in the development of CRC. The results of bioinformatics analysis, immunohistochemical staining, and Western blot analysis showed that KIF20A was overexpressed in CRC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. High expression of KIF20A in CRC tissues was associated with depth of invasion, lymphatic node metastasis, distant metastasis, and TNM stage. Moreover, the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that CRC patients with high KIF20A expression had poor prognoses. Cox regression analysis revealed that KIF20A was an independent prognostic factor in patients with CRC. Further studies suggested that knockdown of KIF20A was able to reduce cell proliferation and migration by inhibiting the JAK/STAT3 pathway. Taken together, we propose that KIF20A plays a critical role in the tumorigenesis and tumor progression of colorectal cancer and could represent a potential therapeutic target for CRC.
Intracranial Pressure during External Ventricular Drainage Weaning Is an Outcome Predictor of Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Gu Jia-cheng , Wu Hong , Chen Xing-zhao , Feng Jun-feng , Gao Guo-yi , Jiang Ji-yao , Mao Qing
Published: July 2020

External ventricular drainage (EVD) is widely used in patients with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the EVD weaning trial protocol varies and insufficient studies focus on the intracranial pressure (ICP) during the weaning trial. We aimed to establish the relationship between ICP during an EVD weaning trial and the outcomes of TBI. We enrolled 37 patients with a TBI with an EVD from July 2018 to September 2019. Among them, 26 were allocated to the favorable outcome group and 11 to the unfavorable outcome group (death, post‐traumatic hydrocephalus, persistent vegetative state, and severe disability). Groups were well matched for sex, pupil reactivity, admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, Marshall computed tomography score, modified Fisher score, intraventricular hemorrhage, EVD days, cerebrospinal fluid output before the weaning trial, and the complications. Before and during the weaning trial, we recorded the ICP at 1‐hour intervals to calculate the mean ICP, delta ICP, and ICP burden, which was defined as the area under the ICP curve. There were significant between‐group differences in the age, surgery types, and intensive care unit days (p = 0.045, p = 0.028, and p = 0.004, respectively). During the weaning trial, 28 (75.7%) patients had an increased ICP. Although there was no significant difference in the mean ICP before and during the weaning trial, the delta ICP was higher in the unfavorable outcome group (p = 0.001). Moreover, patients who experienced death and hydrocephalus had a higher ICP burden, which was above 20 mmHg (p = 0.016). Receiver operating characteristic analyses demonstrated the predictive ability of these variables (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.818 [p = 0.002] for delta ICP and AUC = 0.758 [p = 0.038] for ICP burden > 20 mmHg). ICP elevation is common during EVD weaning trials in patients with TBI. ICP‐related parameters, including delta ICP and ICP burden, are significant outcome predictors. There is a need for larger prospective studies to further explore the relationship between ICP during EVD weaning trials and TBI outcomes.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Dental Practice
Authors: Kochhar Anuraj Singh , Bhasin Ritasha , Kochhar Gulsheen Kaur , Dadlani Himanshu
Published: July 2020

SARS-CoV-2, a virus causing severe acute respiratory syndrome, has inundated the whole world, generating global health concerns. There is a wildfire-like effect, despite the extensive range of efforts exercised by the affected countries to restrain the expanse of this pandemic, owing to its community spread pattern. Dental specialists in the upcoming days will likely come across patients with presumed or confirmed COVID-19 and will have to ensure stringent infection prevention and control to prevent its nosocomial spread. This paper strives to provide a brief overview of the etiology, incubation, symptoms, and transmission paradigms of this novel infection and how to minimize the spread in a dental healthcare setting. This review presents evidence-based patient management practice and protocols from the available literature to help formulate a contingency plan with recommendations, for the dental practices prior to patients’ visit, during in-office dental treatment, and post-treatment, during the pandemic and after.
Genomic Binding Patterns of Forkhead Box Protein O1 Reveal Its Unique Role in Cardiac Hypertrophy
Authors: Pfleger Jessica , Coleman Ryan C. , Ibetti Jessica , Roy Rajika , Kyriazis Ioannis D. , Gao Erhe , Drosatos Konstantinos , Koch Walter J.
Published: July 2020

Background:

Cardiac hypertrophic growth is mediated by robust changes in gene expression and changes that underlie the increase in cardiomyocyte size. The former is regulated by RNA polymerase II (pol II) de novo recruitment or loss; the latter involves incremental increases in the transcriptional elongation activity of pol II that is preassembled at the transcription start site. The differential regulation of these distinct processes by transcription factors remains unknown. Forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) is an insulin-sensitive transcription factor that is also regulated by hypertrophic stimuli in the heart. However, the scope of its gene regulation remains unexplored.

Methods:

To address this, we performed FoxO1 chromatin immunoprecipitation–deep sequencing in mouse hearts after 7 days of isoproterenol injections (3 mg·kg
−1
·mg
−1
), transverse aortic constriction, or vehicle injection/sham surgery.

Results:

Our data demonstrate increases in FoxO1 chromatin binding during cardiac hypertrophic growth, which positively correlate with extent of hypertrophy. To assess the role of FoxO1 on pol II dynamics and gene expression, the FoxO1 chromatin immunoprecipitation–deep sequencing results were aligned with those of pol II chromatin immunoprecipitation–deep sequencing across the chromosomal coordinates of sham- or transverse aortic constriction–operated mouse hearts. This uncovered that FoxO1 binds to the promoters of 60% of cardiac-expressed genes at baseline and 91% after transverse aortic constriction. FoxO1 binding is increased in genes regulated by pol II de novo recruitment, loss, or pause-release. In vitro, endothelin-1– and, in vivo, pressure overload–induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophic growth is prevented with FoxO1 knockdown or deletion, which was accompanied by reductions in inducible genes, including
Comtd1
in vitro and
Fstl1
and
Uck2
in vivo.

Conclusions:

Together, our data suggest that FoxO1 may mediate cardiac hypertrophic growth via regulation of pol II de novo recruitment and pause-release; the latter represents the majority (59%) of FoxO1-bound, pol II–regulated genes after pressure overload. These findings demonstrate the breadth of transcriptional regulation by FoxO1 during cardiac hypertrophy, information that is essential for its therapeutic targeting.
Improved Length Scales for Turbulence Kinetic Energy–Based Planetary Boundary Layer Scheme for the Convective Atmospheric Boundary Layer
Authors: Zhou Bowen , Li Yuhuan , Zhu Kefeng
Published: July 2020

Based on a priori analysis of large-eddy simulations (LESs) of the convective atmospheric boundary layer, improved turbulent mixing and dissipation length scales are proposed for a turbulence kinetic energy (TKE)-based planetary boundary layer (PBL) scheme. The turbulent mixing length incorporates surface similarity and TKE constraints in the surface layer, and makes adjustments for lateral entrainment effects in the mixed layer. The dissipation length is constructed based on balanced TKE budgets accounting for shear, buoyancy, and turbulent mixing. A nongradient term is added to the TKE flux to correct for nonlocal turbulent mixing of TKE. The improved length scales are implemented into a PBL scheme, and are tested with idealized single-column convective boundary layer (CBL) cases. Results exhibit robust applicability across a broad CBL stability range, and are in good agreement with LES benchmark simulations. It is then implemented into a community atmospheric model and further evaluated with 3D real-case simulations. Results of the new scheme are of comparable quality to three other well-established PBL schemes. Comparisons between simulated and radiosonde-observed profiles show favorable performance of the new scheme on a clear day.
The Acquisition of Elementary–Level Employment Skills by Students with Visual Impairments
Authors: DeMario N. , Rex E. , Morreau L.
Published: July 2020

The purpose of the study was to develop an instrument for identifying the elementary-level nonacademic competencies for employment that are needed by students with visual impairments. In the first phase, 32 competencies that are required for the successful employment of adults with visual impairments were validated and rank ordered. In the second phase, an instrument with 464 elementary-level subcompetencies was developed and administered to 53 students with visual impairments. Significant differences were found on 13 competencies based on the age and the level of visual acuity of the learners. Overall, students with visual impairments mastered 148 subcompetencies by age 18.
Perceptions of Braille Usage by Legally Blind Adults
Authors: Schroeder F.K.
Published: July 2020

In this qualitative research, case study interviews were conducted to provide an in-depth examination of the meaning of braille in the lives of eight legally blind adults. Issues of self-esteem, self-identity, and the “stigma” of being a person with a disability were found to be integrally intertwined with the subjects’ expressed feelings about braille.
Do Mothers Interact Differently with Children who are Visually Impaired?
Authors: Behl D.D. , Akers J.F. , Boyce G.C. , Taylor M.J.
Published: July 2020

This study compared the interaction behaviors of mothers of young children with visual impairments to those of mothers of mildly delayed children with normal sight in a free-play setting using videotapes of mother-child dyads. The children were matched according to chronological age, as well as developmental age. It was found that the mothers of children with visual impairments were more physically involved with their children, used more controlling strategies, and spoke more to them than did the mothers of fully sighted children.
The Effect of Visual Impairment on the Strength of Children's Hip and Knee Extensors
Authors: Wyatt L. , Ng G.Y.
Published: July 2020

A test of the strength of children's hip and knee extensors found that children who were congenitally blind or had low vision had weaker knee extensors than did sighted children, but that after the correction for lean body weight (LBW), these differences were not significant. The children who were blind or had low vision also had weaker hip extensors, but after LBW correction, only the blind children's hip extensors were weaker than those of the children with normal vision. The findings indicate that congenitally blind children may be prone to develop weak leg extensors because of poor body build or the constraints of blindness and that they require extensive physical intervention during infancy.
Implementing a Student Leadership Committee
Authors: Kay J.L.
Published: July 2020

In 1992, the Texas Commission for the Blind formed a student leadership committee, Leaders in Transitioning with Excellence, to facilitate the development of leadership skills and involvement in communities by students with visual impairments aged 15–20. This article describes the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the committee and the conference it held.
The Physical Costs and Psychosocial Benefits of Travel Aids for Persons who are Visually Impaired Or Blind
Authors: Gitlin L.N. , Mount J. , Lucas W. , Weirich L.C. , Gramberg L.
Published: July 2020

This study investigated the musculoskeletal consequences of using travel aids, particularly white canes and dog guides, as perceived by 21 individuals, aged 27 to 68 years, who are visually impaired or blind. These individuals experienced a variety of negative physical effects that they either denied, ignored, or minimized because of the fundamental biophysical, psychological, and social benefits derived from being independently mobile and because of the need to attend to environmental cues to ensure safe travel. The implications of these findings for mobility training and future research are discussed.
Techniques to Collect and Analyze the Cognitive Map Knowledge of Persons with Visual Impairment Or Blindness: Issues of Validity
Authors: Kitchin R.M. , Jacobson R.D.
Published: July 2020

This article is an assessment of a variety of techniques used by researchers in the fields of geography, psychology, urban planning, and cognitive science to collect and analyze data on how people with visual impairment or blindness learn, understand, and think about geographic space. The authors concluded that these techniques and their results need to be used cautiously. They also made recommendations for increasing the validity of future studies, including the use of multiple, mutually supportive tests; larger sample sizes, and movement from the laboratory to real-world environments.
Brain entropy and neurotrophic molecular markers accompanying clinical improvement after ketamine: Preliminary evidence in adolescents with treatment-resistant depression
Authors: Roy Abhrajeet V , Thai Michelle , Klimes-Dougan Bonnie , Westlund Schreiner Mindy , Mueller Bryon A , Albott Christina Sophia , Lim Kelvin O , Fiecas Mark , Tye Susannah J , Cullen Kathryn R
Published: July 2020

Background:

Current theory suggests that treatment-resistant depression (TRD) involves impaired neuroplasticity resulting in cognitive and neural rigidity, and that clinical improvement may require increasing brain flexibility and adaptability.

Aims:

In this hypothesis-generating study, we sought to identify preliminary evidence of brain flexibility correlates of clinical change within the context of an open-label ketamine trial in adolescents with TRD, focusing on two promising candidate markers of neural flexibility: (a) entropy of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals; and (b) insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and glycogen synthase-3-beta (GSK3β) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Methods:

We collected resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data and blood samples from 13 adolescents with TRD before and after a series of six ketamine infusions over 2 weeks. Usable pre/post ketamine data were available from 11 adolescents for imaging and from 10 adolescents for molecular signaling. We examined correlations between treatment response and changes in the central and peripheral flexibility markers.

Results:

Depression reduction correlated with increased nucleus accumbens entropy. Follow-up analyses suggested that physiological changes were associated with treatment response. In contrast to treatment non-responders ( n=6), responders ( n=5) showed greater increase in nucleus accumbens entropy after ketamine, together with greater post-treatment insulin/mTOR/GSK3β signaling.

Conclusions:

These data provide preliminary evidence that changes in neural flexibility may underlie symptom relief in adolescents with TRD following ketamine. Future research with adequately powered samples is needed to confirm resting-state entropy and insulin-stimulated mTOR and GSK3β as brain flexibility markers and candidate targets for future clinical trials.

Clinical trial name:

Ketamine in adolescents with treatment-resistant depression URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02078817 Registration number: NCT02078817
Railway catenary tension force monitoring via the analysis of wave propagation in cables
Authors: Derosa Stefano , Nåvik Petter , Collina Andrea , Rønnquist Anders
Published: July 2020

The tensioning forces applied to the contact wire in a railway catenary system influence the performance of the line. In this paper, a method to monitor the status of such tensioning forces is proposed based on the dependency that the waves that propagate through a tensioned wire have on the forces that pull the wire itself. A novel analytical formulation for the propagation of waves in a tensioned wire was proposed, and it was used to obtain the vertical acceleration of the wire when an external force acts as a concentrated input. The analysis of the acceleration with a moving standard deviation allowed a method to be defined for the generation of an index that describes the trend of the tensioning forces. The method was then tested on the wire accelerations obtained with laboratory tests and, afterwards, on the accelerations recorded on a contact wire of an electric railway regularly in operation and excited with the same kind of input.
Correlation between monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 and coronary plaque characteristics
Authors: Li Meng , Chen Yan , Zhang Yan , Li Danna , Liu Jun
Published: July 2020

In this work, our primary objective was to examine the interrelationship among the serum level of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and plaque characteristics in coronary culprit lesions. The clinical data of 116 coronary heart disease patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology of Henan Province People's Hospital from February 2015 to June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The study population was subdivided according to the concentration of CCL2 into low CCL2 group and high CCL2 group. The levels of blood lipid, creatinine, and uric acid were measured, and patients underwent coronary angiography. The characteristics of the culprit lesions were detected by intravascular ultrasound, and the correlation between the serum markers and the characteristics of coronary artery plaque was analyzed. Moreover, the coronary artery disease dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus database was downloaded and the genes regulated were analyzed by CCL2 using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Patients with high CCL2 group had higher LDL-C level and L/H ratio, and lower HDL-C level than the low CCL2 group. Compared with low-level CCL2 group, coronary plaque in the high CCL2 group had higher eccentric plaque and plaque rupture, and thin cap fibroatheromas, fibrofatty and necrotic core and lower fibrous tissue. CCL2 was positively correlated with the percentage of fibrofatty and necrotic core, and negatively correlated with the percentage of fibrous tissue. Furthermore, GSEA analysis showed that samples with high CCL2 expression were enriched for genes involved in different pathways, such as cell adhesion molecules and Nod-like receptor signaling pathway. The CCL2 level was correlated with vulnerable plaques of coronary artery and had certain value in detecting vulnerable plaques. These results indicated that CCL2 could be regarded as a clinical prognostic biomarker for coronary artery disease.

Impact statement

Vulnerable plaques are plaques which are susceptible to rupture or thrombosis and trigger a series of adverse events such as coronary disorders. CCL2 is a soluble basic protein belonging to the CC subfamily. Previous studies have been investigated on the correlation between inflammatory factors and clinical events, but there are few studies on the correlation between CCL2 and plaque characteristics. Our study found that the high expression of CCL2 is involved in multiple processes in the genesis and progression of coronary artery disease, and would be a potential clinical prognostic indicator. In addition, high expression of CCL2 may be related to gene pathways such as Nod-like receptor signaling pathway, suggesting that CCL2 is involved in the inflammatory response and immune process of coronary artery disease.
Semantic interference is not modality specific: Evidence from sound naming with distractor pictures
Authors: Wöhner Stefan , Jescheniak Jörg D , Mädebach Andreas
Published: July 2020

In three experiments, participants named environmental sounds (e.g., the bleating of a sheep by producing the word “sheep”) in the presence of distractor pictures. In Experiment 1, we observed faster responses in sound naming with congruent pictures (e.g., sheep; congruency facilitation) and slower responses with semantically related pictures (e.g., donkey; semantic interference), each compared with unrelated pictures (e.g., violin). In Experiments 2 and 3, we replicated these effects and used a psychological refractory period approach (combining an arrow decision or letter rotation task as Task 1 with sound naming as Task 2) to investigate the locus of the effects. Congruency facilitation was underadditive with dual-task interference suggesting that it arises, in part, during pre-central processing stages in sound naming (i.e., sound identification). In contrast, semantic interference was additive with dual-task interference suggesting that it arises during central (or post-central) processing stages in sound naming (i.e., response selection or later processes). These results demonstrate the feasibility of sound naming tasks for chronometric investigations of word production. Furthermore, they highlight that semantic interference is not restricted to the use of target pictures and distractor words but can be observed with quite different target–distractor configurations. The experiments support the view that congruency facilitation and semantic interference reflect some general cognitive mechanism involved in word production. These results are discussed in the context of the debate about semantic-lexical selection mechanisms in word production.