bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of postweaning growth rate of replacement beef heifers on their reproductive development and productivity as primiparous cows1
Authors: Schubach Kelsey M , Cooke Reinaldo F , Brandão Alice P , Schumaher Thiago F , Pohler Ky G , Bohnert David W , Marques Rodrigo S
Published: August 2019

This experiment evaluated the effects of postweaning body weight (BW) gain of replacement beef heifers on their reproductive development and productivity as primiparous cows. Seventy-two Angus × Hereford heifers were ranked on day −6 of experiment (17 d after weaning) by age and BW (218 ± 1.6 d of age and 234 ± 3 kg of BW), and assigned to receive 1 of 3 supplementation programs from days 0 to 182: 1) no supplementation to maintain limited BW gain (LGAIN), 2) supplementation to promote moderate BW gain (MGAIN), or 3) supplementation to promote elevated BW gain (HGAIN). Heifers were maintained in 2 pastures (36 heifers/pasture, 12 heifers/treatment in each pasture) with free-choice alfalfa-grass hay, and supplements were offered individually 6 d per week. Heifer shrunk BW was recorded on days −6 and 183 for average daily gain (ADG) calculation. Blood samples were collected for puberty evaluation via plasma progesterone weekly from days 0 to 182. On day 183, heifers were combined into a single group and received the same nutritional management until the end of the experimental period (day 718). From days 183 to 253, heifers were assigned to a fixed-time artificial insemination program combined with natural service. Average daily gain from days 0 to 182 was greater (P < 0.01) in HGAIN vs. MGAIN and LGAIN (0.78, 0.60, and 0.37 kg/d, respectively; SEM = 0.02), and greater (P < 0.01) in MGAIN vs. LGAIN heifers. Puberty attainment by the beginning of the breeding season was also greater in HGAIN vs. MGAIN and LGAIN (87.5%, 62.5%, and 56.5%, respectively; SEM = 7.1) but similar (P = 0.68) between MGAIN vs. LGAIN heifers. A treatment × day interaction was detected (P < 0.01) for calving rate, as HGAIN heifers calved earlier compared with MGAIN and LGAIN heifers. Ten heifers per treatment were assessed for milk production via weigh-suckle-weigh at 56.8 ± 1.5 d postpartum, followed by milk sample collection 24 h later. No treatment differences were detected (P ≥ 0.16) for milk yield and composition. However, mRNA expression of GLUT1 in milk fat globules was less (P ≤ 0.02) in LGAIN vs. MGAIN and HGAIN heifers, and expression of GLUT8 mRNA was also less (P = 0.04) in LGAIN vs. HGAIN heifers. No treatment differences were detected (P ≥ 0.44) for offspring weaning BW. Collectively, results from this experiment indicate that HGAIN hastened the reproductive development of replacement heifers, without negatively affecting their milk productivity and offspring weaning weight as primiparous cows.
Quantification of ractopamine residues on and in beef digestive tract tissues
Authors: Davis Haley E , Badger Crystal-Dawn , Brophy Patrick , Geornaras Ifigenia , Burnett Thomas J , Scanga John , Belk Keith , Prenni Jessica
Published: August 2019

Ractopamine hydrochloride is a commercial beta-adrenergic agonist commonly used as a dietary supplement in cattle production for improved feed efficiency and growth promotion. Currently, regulatory target tissues (as approved in the New Animal Drug Application with Food and Drug Administration) for ractopamine residue testing are muscle and liver. However, other tissues have recently been subjected to testing in some export markets for U.S. beef, a clear disregard for scientific maximum residue limits associated with specific tissues. The overall goal of this study was to develop and validate an LC-MS/MS assay to determine whether detectable and quantifiable levels of ractopamine in digestive tract-derived edible offal items (i.e., abomasum, omasum, small intestine, and reticulum) of cattle resulted from tissue residues or residual ingesta contamination of exposed surfaces of tissues (rinsates). Tissue samples and corresponding rinsates from 10 animals were analyzed for parent and total ractopamine (tissue samples only). The lower limit of quantitation was between 0.03 and 0.66 ppb depending on the tissue type, and all tissue and rinsate samples tested had quantifiable concentrations of ractopamine. The highest concentrations of tissue-specific ractopamine metabolism (represented by higher total vs. parent ractopamine levels) were observed in liver and small intestine. Contamination from residual ingesta (represented by detectable ractopamine in rinsate samples) was only detected in small intestine, with a measured mean concentration of 19.72 ppb (±12.24 ppb). Taken together, these results underscore the importance of the production process and suggest that improvements may be needed to reduce the likelihood of contamination from residual ractopamine in digestive tract-derived edible offal tissues for market.
It Depends on What You Share: The Elusive Cost Savings from Service Sharing
Authors: Aldag Austin M , Warner Mildred E , Bel Germà
Published: August 2019

Intermunicipal cooperation is the most prevalent alternative service delivery method for US local governments. While aspirations for budgetary savings are one motivating factor, increased service quality and regional coordination are also important goals. We use an original 2013 survey of local governments in New York State to assess the level of service sharing and outcomes. We match our survey with 20 years (1996–2016) of service-level costs data to explore the relationships between sharing and costs across 12 common local government services. We contribute to the literature by providing the first multivariate assessment of the effect of cooperation on costs in the United States, and we contribute theoretical insights on the objectives and type of cooperation to explain differences in the effects of cooperation on costs across a variety of services. Our multivariate time series regressions find that service sharing leads to cost reductions in solid waste management, roads and highways, police, library, and sewer services; no difference in costs for economic development, ambulance/EMS, fire, water, and youth recreation; and higher costs in elder services, and planning and zoning. These differences are explained by whether services have characteristics such as asset specificity and the ability to achieve economies of scale on the one hand, or if sharing leads to greater administrative intensity or promotes other objectives such as quality and regional coordination outcomes on the other hand. We also analyze the effect of sharing on service costs over time, and find solid waste, roads and highways, police, and library are the only services where costs show a continued downward trend. These results show the limited role for economies of scale, even in asset specific services. Because cost savings are elusive, public sector reformers should be careful not to assume cost savings from sharing. The theoretical foundations for service sharing extend beyond economies of scale and transaction costs. Scholars should give more attention to organizational form and the broader goals of sharing.
Gene-set association and epistatic analyses reveal complex gene interaction networks affecting flowering time in a worldwide barley collection
Authors: He Tianhua , Hill Camilla Beate , Angessa Tefera Tolera , Zhang Xiao-Qi , Chen Kefei , Moody David , Telfer Paul , Westcott Sharon , Li Chengdao
Published: August 2019

Using gene-set association test and epistasis analysis, this research achieved higher statistical power with potentially high accuracy, and detected significant genes and gene networks that influence flowering time in barley.
Duplication history and molecular evolution of the rbcS multigene family in angiosperms
Authors: Yamada Kana , Davydov Iakov I , Besnard Guillaume , Salamin Nicolas
Published: August 2019

The rbcS multigene family evolved through complex duplication events leading to species-specific gene copies. Selection and coevolution with rbcL constrained rbcS evolution thereby limiting the divergence of each gene copy.
The peptidases involved in plant mitochondrial protein import
Authors: Ghifari Abi S , Huang Shaobai , Murcha Monika W
Published: August 2019

Mitochondrial biogenesis requires correct targeting and import of nuclear-encoded proteins to ensure the mitochondrial proteome responds to meet the plant’s energetic demands. Protein-degrading machineries also play key roles in protein import and mitochondrial biogenesis.
Mediator function in plant metabolism revealed by large-scale biology
Authors: Mao Xiangying , Weake Vikki M , Chapple Clint
Published: August 2019

Mediator is a multisubunit transcriptional co-regulator that is involved in the regulation of an array of processes including plant metabolism. The pathways regulated by Mediator-dependent processes include those for the synthesis of phenylpropanoids (MED5), cellulose (MED16), lipids (MED15 and CDK8), and the regulation of iron homeostasis (MED16 and MED25). Traditional genetic and biochemical approaches laid the foundation for our understanding of Mediator function, but recent transcriptomic and metabolomic studies have provided deeper insights into how specific subunits cooperate in the regulation of plant metabolism. In this review, we highlight recent developments in the investigation of Mediator and plant metabolism, with particular emphasis on the large-scale biology studies of med mutants.
Insights into nitric oxide–melatonin crosstalk and N-nitrosomelatonin functioning in plants
Authors: Mukherjee Soumya
Published: August 2019

A review of the current understanding of nitric oxide–melatonin crosstalk in plants and the possible role of N-nitrosomelatonin.
Apples to apples? Neural correlates of emotion regulation differences between high- and low-risk adolescents
Authors: Perino Michael T , Guassi Moreira João F , McCormick Ethan M , Telzer Eva H
Published: August 2019

Adolescence has been noted as a period of increased risk taking. The literature on normative neurodevelopment implicates aberrant activation of affective and regulatory regions as key to inhibitory failures. However, many of these studies have not included adolescents engaging in high rates of risky behavior, making generalizations to the most at-risk populations potentially problematic. We conducted a comparative study of nondelinquent community (n = 24, mean age = 15.8 years, 12 female) and delinquent adolescents (n = 24, mean age = 16.2 years, 12 female) who completed a cognitive control task during functional magnetic resonance imaging, where behavioral inhibition was assessed in the presence of appetitive and aversive socioaffective cues. Community adolescents showed poorer behavioral regulation to appetitive relative to aversive cues, whereas the delinquent sample showed the opposite pattern. Recruitment of the inferior frontal gyrus, medial prefrontal cortex, and tempoparietal junction differentiated community and high-risk adolescents, as delinquent adolescents showed significantly greater recruitment when inhibiting their responses in the presence of aversive cues, while the community sample showed greater recruitment when inhibiting their responses in the presence of appetitive cues. Accounting for behavioral history may be key in understanding when adolescents will have regulatory difficulties, highlighting a need for comparative research into normative and nonnormative risk-taking trajectories.
Mycological Insights Into Wetland Fungal Communities: The Mycobiome of Camassia in the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Freed Gretchen , Schlatter Daniel , Paulitz Timothy , Dugan Frank
Published: August 2019

Fungal communities in ephemeral wetland habitats of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) are poorly understood. Because Camassia (camas) populations are a distinctive component of native plant communities in wetland areas of the PNW, camas plant tissue, seed, and associated soil samples were taken from populations growing in wetland habitats in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. Enumeration of fungal taxa from above- and below-ground camas tissues was accomplished using high-throughput sequencing of fungal internal transcribed spacer genes. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) affiliated with at least 200 fungal families were found in root, tunic, leaf, rhizosphere, and proximal soil samples (n = 2,984 OTUs). Significant variation in fungal community composition was explained by sample type, habitat of origin, and their interaction. Taxa related to Cladophialophora, Cadophora, and Exophiala, believed to be dark septate endophytes, together with Penicillium, Ceratobasidium, and Ilyonectria were differentially abundant in roots compared with the rhizospheres. Seed-associated communities comprised just 127 OTUs but were highly diverse with at least 50 families detected. Comparison of communities from camas seeds, leaves, roots, and rhizospheres revealed 68 fungal taxa in common, including Alternaria, Fusarium, Selenophoma, Cladosporium, Cryptococcus, and Sporobolomyces. This study provides a baseline understanding into the composition and diversity of fungal communities associated with camas growing in wetland habitats in the PNW.
Calonectria pentaseptata Causes Severe Leaf Disease of Cultivated Eucalyptus on the Leizhou Peninsula of Southern China
Authors: Wang QuanChao , Chen ShuaiFei
Published: August 2019

Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae, Myrtales) trees are widely cultivated for commercial purposes worldwide. Calonectria leaf blight is one of the most prominent diseases associated with Eucalyptus trees grown in plantations in Asia and South America. Recently, symptoms of leaf blight, shoot blight, tree death, and seedling rot caused by Calonectria species have been observed in commercial Eucalyptus plantations and nurseries in Leizhou Peninsula, which is one of the most densely Eucalyptus-planted areas in southern China. Disease samples were collected from 10 Eucalyptus species and a number of Eucalyptus grandis, E. tereticornis, and E. urophylla hybrid genotypes that were planted on plantations at 13 sites and one experimental nursery. A total of 773 isolates of Calonectria were obtained from 683 plantation trees and nursery seedlings. Fifty-five representative isolates from all the surveyed sites and Eucalyptus species/genotypes were selected for molecular identification. These 55 isolates were identified by DNA sequence analyses based on the calmodulin (cmdA), histone H3 (his3), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), and β-tubulin (tub2) gene regions, as well as a combination of morphological characteristics. The results indicated that these 55 isolates present one single species, Calonectria pentaseptata. Determined by sequences of cmdA, his3, tef1, and tub2 gene regions, only two genotypes were identified among the 55 representative isolates; 54 of these isolates share the same genotype, suggesting that the genetic diversity of Ca. pentaseptata collected during this study was relatively low. A growth study indicated that Ca. pentaseptata is a high-temperature species. The mating test results suggested that Ca. pentaseptata is heterothallic or lacks the ability to recombine to produce fertile progeny. Inoculation results showed that Ca. pentaseptata causes leaf blight and stem rot, resulting in tree death of the two widely planted Eucalyptus genotypes in southern China, and that the two genotypes differ significantly in their susceptibility to infection by Ca. pentaseptata. A selection program to develop Eucalyptus planting stocks with high levels of resistance to Calonectria leaf blight in China during the long-term should be urgently initiated.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Susceptibility of Garden Trees and Shrubs to Armillaria Root Rot
Authors: Cromey Matthew G. , Drakulic Jassy , Beal Elizabeth J. , Waghorn Ian A. G. , Perry Joe N. , Clover Gerard R. G.
Published: August 2019

Armillaria root rot (ARR) is a serious disease of woody plants caused by several species of Armillaria. Armillaria isolates from diagnostic samples received in 2017 were identified by genus- and species-specific PCR and compared with isolates from an earlier survey (2004 to 2007). The results were comparable and, therefore, were combined for further analysis. Three species were identified: Armillaria mellea (83%), A. gallica (15%), and A. ostoyae (2%). Their wide host range makes choice of resistant plants in management of the disease difficult. We used the Royal Horticultural Society diagnostic dataset of ARR records from U.K. gardens to compare the susceptibility of different host genera to the disease. The dataset was compared with an earlier experiment at the University of California. An index-based approach was used to separate genera into three categories: 77 low-index (<0.99), 37 medium-index (0.99 to 1.76), and 56 high-index (>1.76) genera were recorded. All three species were associated with both angiosperms and gymnosperms; moreover, A. ostoyae did not show the host preference for gymnosperms that has been reported elsewhere. A. gallica was particularly common on herbaceous perennials and showed a trend to occur on resistant hosts that may be under other stress, supporting its description as an opportunistic pathogen. Four monocotyledons grown as trees or shrubs in U.K. gardens had a very low ARR index according to indices associated with A. mellea and A. ostoyae. Genera in the order Myrtales were almost always low index, while those in the Saxifragales and Fagales were mostly high index. These results provide confidence in the use of host resistance as part of the integrated management of ARR.
Assessing the Phytosanitary Risk Posed by an Intraspecific Invasion of Cryphonectria parasitica in Europe
Authors: Dennert Francesca , Meyer Joana Beatrice , Rigling Daniel , Prospero Simone
Published: August 2019

Intraspecific cryptic invasions may occur when new strains of an invasive species are introduced into an area where this species had already been introduced previously. In plant pathogens, such invasions are not well studied, even if, potentially, they can have severe consequences. Here, we investigated the effects of a potential intraspecific invasion in Europe of Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight. Specifically, we tested the hypotheses that (i) non-European strains are more virulent on Castanea sativa than those already present in Europe because they have never encountered this new host, and (ii) the variation in virulence among strains is higher within native than within introduced populations. In a greenhouse, 2-year-old C. sativa seedlings were inoculated with Cryphonectria parasitica strains from South Korea, the United States, and Switzerland, and lesion development and seedling mortality were recorded weekly. Additionally, growth and sporulation of the strains were measured in vitro on agar medium at 15 and 24°C. Although lesion growth was similar for all strains, seedlings inoculated with strains from South Korea and Switzerland died faster than seedlings inoculated with strains from the United States. Moreover, in vitro strains from South Korea grew faster and produced more spores at both temperatures than the strains from the other two countries. In conclusion, our results did not support the two hypotheses. All strains, regardless of their origin, were found to be highly virulent on the inoculated chestnut seedlings. Nevertheless, current phytosanitary measures to avoid the introduction of new genotypes of C. parasitica into Europe should be further implemented.
Regulation of Positive-Strand Accumulation by Capsid Protein During Brome mosaic virus Infection In Planta
Authors: de Wispelaere Mélissanne , Sivanandam Venkatesh , Rao A. L. N.
Published: August 2019

A hallmark feature of (+)-strand RNA viruses of eukaryotic cells is that progeny (+)-strands are accumulated 100-fold over (−)-strands. Previous experimental evidence suggests that, in Brome mosaic virus (BMV), a plant-infecting member of the alphavirus-like superfamily, the addition of RNA3 and, specifically, translation of the wild-type (WT) coat protein (CP) gene contributes to increased accumulation of (+)-strands. It is unclear whether this stimulation of (+)-strand accumulation by CP is due to direct regulation of viral RNA replication or RNA stabilization via encapsidation. Analysis of BMV progeny RNA in Nicotiana benthamiana plants revealed that expression of RNA3 variants that did not express WT CP led to a severe defect in BMV (+)-strand accumulation. The (+)-strand accumulation could be rescued when CP was complemented in trans. To verify whether stimulation of (+)-strand accumulation is coupled with encapsidation, two independent mutations were engineered into CP open reading frames. An N-terminal deletion that prevented CP binding to the viral RNAs resulted in a severe reduction of BMV (+)-strand accumulation but stimulated (−)-strand accumulation over the WT. On the other hand, a C-terminal mutation affecting CP dimerization caused a significant decrease in (+)-strand accumulation but had no detectable effect on (−)-strand accumulation. Nucleotide sequences in the movement protein-coding region were also found to contribute to (+)-strand accumulation, in part by providing packaging signals for efficient RNA3 encapsidation. Overall, these results show that RNA encapsidation is a significant determinant of BMV RNA intracellular accumulation.
Update on the pathogenesis of central nervous system lupus
Authors: Nikolopoulos Dionysis , Fanouriakis Antonis , Boumpas Dimitrios T.
Published: August 2019

Propose of review

Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) is an emerging frontier in lupus care encompassing a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Its pathogenesis remains poorly understood because of the complexity of pathophysiologic mechanisms involved and limited access to tissue. We highlight recent advances in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric lupus.

Recent findings

Disruption of blood–brain barrier (BBB) facilitating entrance of neurotoxic antibodies into the central nervous system (CNS), neuroinflammation and cerebral ischemia are the key mechanisms. Disruption of the BBB may occur not only at the traditional BBB, but also at the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier. Certain autoantibodies, such as anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, antiribosomal P and antiphospholipid antibodies may cause injury in subsets of patients with diffuse neuropsychiatric disease. Activation of microglia via autoantibodies, interferon-a or other immune reactants, may amplify the inflammatory response and promote neuronal damage. New inflammatory pathways, such as TWEAK/Fn14, Bruton's tyrosine kinase, Nogo-a and ACE may represent additional potential targets of therapy. Novel neuroimaging techniques suggest alterations in brain perfusion and metabolism, increased concentration of neurometabolites, indicative of glial activation, vasculopathy and neuronal impairment.

NPSLE encompasses a diverse phenotype with distinct pathogenic mechanisms, which could be targeted by novel therapies or repositioning of existing drugs.
Inpatient Versus Outpatient Treatment of Gartland Type II Supracondylar Humerus Fractures: A Cost and Safety Comparison
Authors: Makarewich Christopher A. , Stotts Alan K. , Yoo Minkyoung , Nelson Richard E. , Rothberg David L.
Published: August 2019

Background:

In an effort to increase health care value, there has been a recent focus on the transition of traditionally inpatient procedures to an outpatient setting. We hypothesized that in the treatment of Gartland extension type II supracondylar humerus fractures (SCHF), outpatient surgery can be performed safely and with similar clinical and radiographic outcomes compared with urgent inpatient treatment with an overall reduction in cost.

Methods:

We compared a prospective cohort of Gartland type II SCHF treated primarily as outpatients (postprotocol) to a retrospective cohort treated primarily as urgent inpatients (preprotocol), excluding patients with preoperative neurovascular injury, open fracture, additional ipsilateral upper extremity fracture, and prior ipsilateral SCHF. Inpatient versus outpatient treatment was also compared. Outcomes including perioperative factors, complications, readmission, reoperation, postoperative radiographic measurements, and direct hospital costs underwent univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results:

A total of 220 patients in the postprotocol cohort (88 inpatients and 132 outpatients) and 129 in the preprotocol cohort (97 inpatients and 32 outpatients) were analyzed. There were no differences in operative times, number of pins, conversion to open reductions, readmissions, or reoperations between cohorts or groups, and no cases developed postoperative neurovascular injuries or compartment syndromes. Total complications did not differ between the preprotocol and postprotocol cohorts; however, were higher in the inpatient group (3.8% vs. 0%; P=0.016) in the univariate, but not multivariate analysis. There were no differences in Baumann angle or humerocondylar angle. Significantly more inpatients’ anterior humeral line fell outside of the middle third of the capitellum in the univariate, but not multivariate analysis. There were significant reductions in total cost per patient between the preprotocol and postprotocol cohorts (marginal effect, −$215; P<0.0001) and between the inpatient and outpatient groups (marginal effect, −$444; P<0.0001).

Conclusions:

Delayed treatment of Gartland type II SCHF in the outpatient setting can be performed safely and with similar clinical and radiographic outcomes to those treated urgently as inpatients with a significant cost reduction.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic level III—retrospective comparative study.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Methods Used by Turkish Infertile Women and Their Effect on Quality of Life
Authors: Ataman Hacer , Aba Yılda Arzu , Güler Yasemin
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study is to assess the rate of women receiving treatment of infertility who use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), CAM methods, and the effect of these methods on their quality of life. This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 797 women applying to the in vitro fertilization center of a private hospital located in Istanbul, Turkey. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form and the “Fertility Quality of Life Questionnaire.” Fertility Quality of Life Questionnaire is scored between 0 and 100. High scores signify high quality of life. The data were assessed by using mean, standard deviation, number, percentage, t test, and 1-way analysis of variance test. It was found that 36.9% of the women used CAM and 17.9% used CAM along with the infertility treatment. Educational level of infertile women, educational level of their husbands, income level, regular drug use, infertility factor, the use of CAM, and the use of CAM and infertility treatment statistically significantly affected the quality of life (P < .05). The mostly preferred CAM was prayer/worship (25.1%) and phytotherapy (15.2%). The participants had a mean score of 68.79 ± 12.99 from overall Fertility Quality of Life Questionnaire questionnaire. The quality of life of the participants was at a good level. The use of acupuncture and phytotherapy significantly affected the quality of life. Since phytotherapy may interact with the drugs, it is important for nurses to routinely ask patients about their use of phytotherapy. Further evidence-based studies on these practices need to be conducted.
Cocreation as a Caring Phenomenon
Authors: Hemberg Jessica , Bergdahl Elisabeth
Published: August 2019

A new concept in palliative care, cocreation, appears to be a part of caring in nursing but has not yet been explored as a caring phenomenon. The aim was to, from a caring science perspective, explore how cocreation can be experienced as a phenomenon by nurses working in palliative home care. A hermeneutical approach and thematic analysis were used. The material consisted of texts from in-depth interviews with 12 nurses in a home care context. Informed consent regarding study participation and the storage and handling of data for research purposes were sought from participants. One main theme and 4 subthemes emerged. Cocreation can be viewed as an essential part of caring and being involved in patients' health and holistic care is a profound endeavor. Further research should focus on illuminating cocreation from patients' perspectives.
The Effects of Music on the Life Signs of Patients in the Reanimation Unit/Recovery Room After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Ecer Hacire Devran , Saritaş Serdar
Published: August 2019

The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of music on the life signs of patients in the postanesthesia care unit after laparoscopic surgery. The study was carried out as a quasi-experimental model with pretest-posttest and control group in the postanesthesia care unit of a training and education hospital from March 2017 to May 2018. The sample consisted of 148 patients (74 experiment and 74 control) who were selected by the method of nonprobability sampling determined on the basis of power analysis who met the inclusion criteria. When the change in the life signs between the groups was examined, after music treatment (second measurement), there was a significant difference only in the respiratory rates (P < .05). There was a significant difference in terms of diastolic blood pressures and respiratory rates in the first admission to the clinic from the postanesthesia care unit (third measurement) (P < .05).
Corneal Topographic, Anatomic, and Biomechanical Properties in Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea–Hypopnea Syndrome
Authors: Arriola-Villalobos Pedro , Benito-Pascual Blanca , Peraza-Nieves Jorge , Perucho-González Lucia , Sastre-Ibañez Marina , Dupré-Peláez Mauro G. , Asorey-García Almudena , Fernández-Sánchez-Alarcos José Manuel
Published: August 2019

Purpose:

To determine corneal topographic, anatomic, and biomechanical properties in patients newly diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional study including 25 patients recently diagnosed with severe OSAHS (apnea–hypopnea index above 30) and a paired control group of 25 healthy subjects. All patients underwent a complete eye examination with an elevation topography Pentacam Scheimpflug study and a study with Reichert Ocular Response Analyzer, collecting several topographic, anatomic, and biomechanical variables.

Results:

Fifty eyes of 25 patients (23 of them were men) diagnosed with OSAHS by somnography and the same number of healthy subjects (23 of them were men) were included, with an average age of 64 ± 11 years (range 45–78 years) for cases and an average age of 64 ± 11 years (range 45–81 years) for the controls. No differences were found in keratometry, cylinder, refractive indexes, Bad-D, or pachymetry. The mean corneal volume for cases was 58.64 ± 3.05 mm3 and for the controls 60.48 ± 3.33 mm3 (P = 0.005). The mean minimum radius for cases was 7.49 ± 0.31 and for the controls 7.36 ± 0.30 (P = 0.035). The mean elevation in apex for cases was 8.46 ± 5.18 and for the controls 2.38 ± 2.36 (P ≤ 0.001). Two eyes with a topographic diagnosis of keratoconus (KC) and another 6 with subclinical KC were detected using the Pentacam in the OSAHS group.

Conclusions:

Many of the corneal topographic and biomechanical variables in patients with severe OSAHS present different values from the general population with a trend toward KC values, such as keratoconus index or paired keratoconus index. Compared with the control group, significant differences were found in corneal volume, corneal elevation, and minimum radius.
Descemet Membrane Suturing for Large Descemet Membrane Detachment After Cataract Surgery
Authors: Das Manoranjan , Begum Shaik Muneera , Radhakrishnan Naveen , Prajna Venkatesh N.
Published: August 2019

Purpose:

To study the outcomes of Descemet membrane (DM) suturing for moderate to severe Descemet membrane detachment (DMD) after cataract surgery.

Methods:

This is a retrospective case review of all patients who underwent DM suturing for moderate to severe DMD after cataract surgery in a tertiary training eye care hospital from January 2017 to December 2017. Demographic details, type of cataract, type of cataract surgery, intraoperative complications, severity of DMD, time to repair, and post-DM suturing visual and clinical outcomes were documented.

Results:

Forty-nine patients were included during the study period with a mean age of 67.7 ± 9.7 years. In total, 79.5% had immature cataracts. Median precataract LogMAR visual acuity was 0.78 (IQR 0.69–1.13). In total, 61.2% underwent manual small-incision cataract surgery, 32.6% had phacoemulsification, 2% had extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), and 6% underwent small-incision cataract surgery with trabeculectomy. In total, 44.9% were operated on by trainees and 55.1% were operated on by consultants. In total, 22.4% had primary air descemetopexy during the cataract surgery and failed treatment. All patients had attached DM in the immediate postoperative period. None of them had secondary angle closure glaucoma. At the final follow-up, 42 (85.7%) had clear corneas and 7 (14.3%) had corneal decompensation needing endothelial keratoplasty. Of these 7 patients, 2 (28.5%) had Fuchs dystrophy and 3 (42.8%) had associated DM loss. The median LogMAR visual acuity at the final follow-up was 0.39 (IQR 0.3–0.78).

Conclusions:

DM suturing can reattach DM, especially in moderate to severe, recurrent DMD with fewer postoperative complications and thereby reduce the need for corneal transplantation.
Emotion, Social Relationships, and Physical Health: Concepts, Methods, and Evidence for an Integrative Perspective
Authors: Smith Timothy W. , Weihs Karen
Published: August 2019

Emotional characteristics and processes are robust predictors of the development and course of major medical illnesses and premature mortality, as are a variety of indicators of the presence and quality of personal relationships. Despite clear evidence of close interconnection between these two domains of risk and protection, affective characteristics and relationships have largely been studied separately as influences on health. After a recent conference on integrative perspectives on emotions, relationships and health co-sponsored by the American Psychosomatic Society and the Society for Affective Science, the present review builds on prior calls for integration, related theory, and current research to outline what is known about the interconnection of these domains as it specifically relates to their overlapping influences on health. Areas of interest include the following: their interconnected roles over the course of development, which may inform current efforts to understand the influence of early life events on adult health; the parallel positive and negative factors in both domains that could have distinct influences on health; the role of emotion regulation in relationship contexts; and measurement, design, and analysis approaches to capture the dyadic and dynamic aspects of these interconnected influences on health. We conclude with a discussion of an emerging research agenda that includes the following: common biological foundations of affective and relationship processes, the cultural embeddedness of affective and relationship processes, the potential contribution of affective-relational processes to health disparities, and implications for intervention research.
mTOR Inhibitor Therapy Diminishes Circulating CD8+ CD28− Effector Memory T Cells and Improves Allograft Inflammation in Belatacept-refractory Renal Allograft Rejection
Authors: Castro-Rojas Cyd M. , Godarova Alzbeta , Shi Tiffany , Hummel Sarah A. , Shields Adele , Tremblay Simon , Alloway Rita R. , Jordan Michael B. , Woodle E. Steve , Hildeman David A.
Published: August 2019

Background.

Renal allograft rejection is more frequent under belatacept-based, compared with tacrolimus-based, immunosuppression. We studied kidney transplant recipients experiencing rejection under belatacept-based early corticosteroid withdrawal following T-cell–depleting induction in a recent randomized trial (Belatacept-based Early Steroid Withdrawal Trial, clinicaltrials.gov NCT01729494) to determine mechanisms of rejection and treatment.

Methods.

Peripheral mononuclear cells, serum creatinine levels, and renal biopsies were collected from 8 patients undergoing belatacept-refractory rejection (BRR). We used flow cytometry, histology, and immunofluorescence to characterize CD8+ effector memory T cell (TEM) populations in the periphery and graft before and after mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition.

Results.

Here, we found that patients with BRR did not respond to standard antirejection therapy and had a substantial increase in alloreactive CD8+ T cells with a CD28low/DRhi/CD38hi/CD45RO+ TEM. These cells had increased activation of the mTOR pathway, as assessed by phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 expression. Notably, everolimus (an mTOR inhibitor) treatment of patients with BRR halted the in vivo proliferation of TEM cells and their ex vivo alloreactivity and resulted in their significant reduction in the peripheral blood. The frequency of circulating FoxP3+ regulatory T cells was not altered. Importantly, everolimus led to rapid resolution of rejection as confirmed by histology.

Conclusions.

Thus, while prior work has shown that concomitant belatacept + mTOR inhibitor therapy is effective for maintenance immunosuppression, our preliminary data suggest that everolimus may provide an available means for effecting “rescue” therapy for rejections occurring under belatacept that are refractory to traditional antirejection therapy with corticosteroids and polyclonal antilymphocyte globulin.
The First Asian Kidney Transplantation Prediction Models for Long-term Patient and Allograft Survival
Authors: Udomkarnjananun Suwasin , Townamchai Natavudh , Kerr Stephen J. , Tasanarong Adis , Noppakun Kajohnsak , Lumpaopong Adisorn , Prommool Surazee , Supaporn Thanom , Avihingsanon Yingyos , Praditpornsilpa Kearkiat , Eiam-ong Somchai
Published: August 2019

Background.

Several kidney transplantation (KT) prediction models for patient and graft outcomes have been developed based on Caucasian populations. However, KT in Asian countries differs due to patient characteristics and practices. To date, there has been no equation developed for predicting outcomes among Asian KT recipients.

Methods.

We developed equations for predicting 5- and 10-year patient survival (PS) and death-censored graft survival (DCGS) based on 6662 patients in the Thai Transplant Registry. The cohort was divided into training and validation data sets. We identified factors significantly associated with outcomes by Cox regression. In the validation data set, we also compared our models with another model based on KT in the United States.

Results.

Variables included for developing the DCGS and PS models were recipient and donor age, background kidney disease, dialysis vintage, donor hepatitis C virus status, cardiovascular diseases, panel reactive antibody, donor types, donor creatinine, ischemic time, and immunosuppression regimens. The C statistics of our model in the validation data set were 0.69 (0.66–0.71) and 0.64 (0.59–0.68) for DCGS and PS. Our model performed better when compared with a model based on US patients. Compared with tacrolimus, KT recipients aged ≤44 years receiving cyclosporine A had a higher risk of graft loss (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.26; P = 0.046). The risk of death was higher in recipients aged >44 years and taking cyclosporine A (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.44; P = 0.011).

Conclusions.

Our prediction model is the first based on an Asian population, can be used immediately after transplantation. The model can be accessed at www.nephrochula.com/ktmodels.
Willingness to Undergo a Risky Treatment to Improve Cognition Among Persons With Cognitive Impairment Who Received an Amyloid PET Scan
Authors: Jutkowitz Eric , Van Houtven Courtney H. , Plassman Brenda L. , Mor Vincent
Published: August 2019

Objective:

To evaluate determinants of willingness to accept a treatment to return memory to normal among persons with cognitive impairment who received an amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scan and their care partner and discordance in risk taking.

Methods:

Using data from CARE-IDEAS (n=1872 dyads), a supplement of the Imaging Dementia–Evidence for Amyloid Scanning study, we predicted scan recipient’s willingness to accept a risky treatment, the risk care partners believed their care recipient would accept, and discordance in these perceptions.

Results:

Scan recipients were willing to accept a treatment with a 27.94% (SD=34.36) risk of death. Care partners believed their care recipient would accept a 29.68% (SD=33.74) risk of death; thus, overestimating risk acceptance by 1.74 (SD=41.88) percentage points. A positive amyloid PET scan was associated with willingness to accept greater risk. Poorer functioning of the care recipient was associated with care partners believing their care recipient would accept more risk. The amyloid PET scan result was not significantly associated with discordance, but poorer functioning of the care recipient resulted in care partners overestimating risk.

Conclusions:

Scan recipients were willing to accept a treatment with a high risk of death. Discordance was affected by scan recipient’s having poorer functioning.
The Association Between Circulating Inflammatory Markers and the Progression of Alzheimer Disease in Norwegian Memory Clinic Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia
Authors: Hazen Josje , Vistnes Maria , Barca Maria L. , Eldholm Rannveig S. , Persson Karin , Brækhus Anne , Saltvedt Ingvild , Selbæk Geir , Engedal Knut , Knapskog Anne-Brita
Published: August 2019

Objective:

Neuroinflammation may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer disease (AD). The aim of the present study was to detect whether increased inflammatory activity at baseline could predict cognitive and functional decline in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or AD dementia after 2 years.

Methods:

Serum samples from 242 memory clinic patients with an aMCI (n=88) or AD dementia (n=154) were analyzed for C-reactive protein and for 14 other inflammatory markers [interleukin (IL)-1β, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-17a, IL-18, IL-22, IL-33, tumor necrosis factor, cluster of differentiation 40 ligand, interferon-γ, chemokine ligand (CCL) 2, and CCL4] by bead-based multiplex immunoassay. Disease progression was measured by the annual increase in the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) and annual decrease in the score on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Results:

No association between increased levels of the inflammatory markers and change on the CDR-SB or MMSE score was found, but there was a significant difference in baseline IL-6 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist levels between aMCI and AD dementia groups.

Conclusion:

Increased levels of inflammatory markers were not associated with faster progression as measured by the annual change on the CDR-SB or MMSE score.
Non-reproductive male cane toads (
Rhinella marina
) withhold sex-identifying information from their rivals
Authors: Kelehear Crystal , Shine Richard
Published: August 2019

A male cane toad (
Rhinella marina
) that mistakenly clasps another male (rather than a female) in a sexual embrace (amplexus) can be induced to dismount by a male-specific ‘release call'. Although that sex-identifying system can benefit both males in that interaction, our standardized tests showed that one-third of male cane toads did not emit release calls when grasped. Most of those silent males were small, had small testes relative to body mass, and had poorly developed secondary sexual characteristics. If emitting a release call is costly (e.g. by attracting predators), a non-reproductive male may benefit by remaining silent; other cues (such as skin rugosity) will soon induce the amplexing male to dismount, and the ‘opportunity cost’ to being amplexed (inability to search for and clasp a female) is minimal for non-reproductive males. Hence, male toads may inform other males about their sexual identity only when it is beneficial to do so.
Salome Gluecksohn-Waelsch. 6 October 1907—7 November 2007
Authors: Papaioannou Virginia E.
Published: August 2019

Salome Gluecksohn-Waelsch was a pioneer in establishing the field of mammalian developmental genetics, bringing together experimental embryology and genetics at a time when the role of genes in development was far from accepted. She studied in Germany in the 1930s with the renowned experimental embryologist Hans Spemann and then moved to New York City where she spent her entire professional career at Columbia University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. Her career was remarkable not only for its longevity—she continued experiments well into her 90s—but also for ushering in new ways of approaching developmental biology in mammals. In her studies of theT-complex in mice, she made use of naturally occurring mutations as nature's own experiments that allowed the investigation of the normal role of the genes in the events of morphogenesis. In her later work with the albino chromosomal deletions, she extended her studies to the genetics of physiological traits. Throughout the decades that saw a blossoming of the entire field of genetics, Salome Gluecksohn-Waelsch's work tackling some of the most perplexing problems in mammalian genetics firmly established the mouse as model organism, not only for studying development, but also for the eventual application of molecular biology techniques to development. Her published work is a beautifully coherent and rigorous opus, for which she received many honours. Her influence on a generation of geneticists, developmental biologists and the field of developmental genetics was profound.

The life of Salome Gluecksohn–Waelsch spanned a century that suffered the destructive upheaval of two world wars but also saw phenomenal progress in the sciences, including embryology and genetics. At the start of Salome's career, these two fields were far apart and developmental genetics was barely a concept. Along with a few other pioneers, Salome was instrumental in establishing that genes actually had roles in development and in founding the field of mammalian developmental genetics. Her career laid the ground work for the eventual integration of genetic and developmental studies through molecular biology.

Salome Gluecksohn–Waelsch published under four different names at different stages of her life and career: Salome Glücksohn, Salome Gluecksohn–Schoenheimer, Salome Gluecksohn–Waelsch, and Salome G. Waelsch. Among her colleagues and friends, she was almost universally known as Salome and so for the purpose of this biographical memoir, I have chosen to refer to her by her first name, out of friendship and respect.