bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular signatures of sexual communication in the phlebotomine sand flies
Authors: Hickner Paul V. , Timoshevskaya Nataliya , Nowling Ronald J. , Labbé Frédéric , Nguyen Andrew D. , McDowell Mary Ann , Spiegel Carolina N. , Syed Zainulabeuddin
Published: December 2020

Phlebotomine sand flies employ an elaborate system of pheromone communication wherein males produce pheromones that attract other males to leks (thus acting as an aggregation pheromone) and females to the lekking males (sex pheromone). In addition, the type of pheromone produced varies among populations. Despite the numerous studies on sand fly chemical communication, little is known of their chemosensory genome. Chemoreceptors interact with chemicals in an organism’s environment to elicit essential behaviors such as the identification of suitable mates and food sources. Thus, they play important roles during adaptation and speciation. Major chemoreceptor gene families, odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs) and ionotropic receptors (IRs) together detect and discriminate the chemical landscape. Here, we annotated the chemoreceptor repertoire in the genomes ofLutzomyia longipalpisandPhlebotomus papatasi, major phlebotomine vectors in the New World and Old World, respectively. Comparison with other sequenced Diptera revealed a large and unique expansion where over 80% of the ~140 ORs belong to a single, taxonomically restricted clade. We next conducted a comprehensive analysis of the chemoreceptors in 63L.longipalpisindividuals from four different locations in Brazil representing allopatric and sympatric populations and three sex-aggregation pheromone types (chemotypes). Population structure based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and gene copy number in the chemoreceptors corresponded with their putative chemotypes, and corroborate previous studies that identified multiple populations. Our work provides genomic insights into the underlying behavioral evolution of sexual communication in theL.longipalpisspecies complex in Brazil, and highlights the importance of accounting for the ongoing speciation in central and South AmericanLutzomyiathat could have important implications for vectorial capacity.
Evaluating the competence of the primary vector, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, and the invasive mosquito species, Aedes japonicus japonicus, in transmitting three Japanese encephalitis virus genotypes
Authors: Faizah Astri Nur , Kobayashi Daisuke , Amoa-Bosompem Michael , Higa Yukiko , Tsuda Yoshio , Itokawa Kentaro , Miura Kozue , Hirayama Kazuhiro , Sawabe Kyoko , Isawa Haruhiko
Published: December 2020

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is maintained in an enzootic cycle between swine, water birds, and mosquitoes. JEV has circulated indigenously in Asia, withCulex tritaeniorhynchusas the primary vector. In some areas where the primary vector is scarce or absent, sporadic cases of Japanese encephalitis have been reported, withAedes japonicus japonicuspresumed to have the potential as a secondary vector. As one of the world’s most invasive culicid species,Ae.j.japonicuscarries a considerable health risk for spreading diseases to wider areas, including Europe and North America. Thus, evaluation of its competency as a JEV vector, particularly in a native population, will be essential in preventing potential disease spread. In this study, the two mosquito species’ vector competence in transmitting three JEV genotypes (I, III, and V) was assessed, withCx.tritaeniorhynchusserving as a point of reference. The mosquitoes were virus-fed and the infection rate (IR), dissemination rate (DR), and transmission rate (TR) evaluated individually by either RT-qPCR or focus forming assay. Results showed striking differences between the two species, with IR of 95% (261/274) and 9% (16/177) inCx.tritaeniorhynchusandAe.j.japonicus, respectively. Both mosquitoes were susceptible to all three JEV genotypes with significant differences in IR and mean viral titer. Results confirm the primary vector’s competence, but the fact that JEV was able to establish inAe.j.japonicusis of public health significance, and with 2%–16% transmission rate it has the potential to successfully transmit JEV to the next host. This may explain the human cases and infrequent detection in primary vector-free areas. Importantly,Ae.j.japonicuscould be a relevant vector spreading the disease into new areas, indicating the need for security measures in areas where the mosquito is distributed or where it may be introduced.
Implementation challenges and opportunities for improved mass treatment uptake for lymphatic filariasis elimination: Perceptions and experiences of community drug distributors of coastal Kenya
Authors: Njomo Doris W. , Kimani Bridget W. , Kibe Lydiah W. , Okoyo Collins , Omondi Wyckliff P. , Sultani Hadley M.
Published: December 2020

Community drug distributors (CDDs) who are volunteers have the responsibility of awareness creation, household census, drug distribution and record-keeping and are thus key stakeholders in the campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) elimination. Taking into account their experiences and perceptions is important for a successful elimination campaign. We conducted a qualitative study in 2018 to identify implementation challenges and opportunities for improved mass drug administration (MDA) uptake based on the CDDs perceptions and experiences. Within a larger study that used mixed methods quasi-experimental design, we collected qualitative data from two wards in Kaloleni Sub-County of Kilifi County which was purposively selected owing to its low, 56% and 50.5% treatment coverage in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Focus group discussions (FGDs) (n = 8) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) (n = 8) with CDDs, IDIs (n = 22) with opinion leaders and IDIs (n = 8) with health workers were conducted and the data analyzed by QSR NVIVO version 10 according to thematic areas. The results showed that based on the perceptions and experiences of the CDDs, several challenges: communities’ refusal to take the drugs; absenteeism during MDA; non-adherence to CDDs selection criteria; inadequacy in number of CDDs engaged during the campaign and training provided; insufficiency of drugs issued to CDDs; lack of CDDs supervision and low motivation negatively impact on MDA uptake. Opportunities to address the challenges included: awareness creation on MDA, health education on LF and observation of hygiene during drug administration, increased duration of awareness creation and drug administration, adherence to CDDs selection criteria and putting into consideration the vastness of an area and population density while deploying CDDs. Other opportunities include: improved CDDs training and scheduling; issuing of enough drugs to CDDs to meet the communities’ demand and improved supervision and motivation of CDDs. Addressing the challenges highlighted is an important step of maximizing MDA uptake. The opportunities presented need to be considered by the NTD program personnel, the county health personnel and the community while planning the implementation of MDA campaigns.
Clopidogrel responder status is uninfluenced by CYP2C19*2 in Danish patients with stroke
Authors: Rath Charlotte Lützhøft , Jørgensen Niklas Rye , Wienecke Troels
Published: December 2020

Background

Antiplatelet therapy is a cornerstone of secondary stroke prevention, but the responsiveness to antiplatelet medication varies among patients. Clopidogrel is a pro-drug that requires hepatic transformation to reach its active metabolite. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in key enzymes or the target adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor on the platelet surface are believed to be involved in clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition and decreased antiplatelet effect with high-on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR).

Objective

This study investigated whether specific SNPs in key hepatic enzymes (CYP2C19*2, *3, *17, CYP3A4*1G, and NR1I2) or the ADP receptor (PR2Y12) are associated with HTPR to clopidogrel.

Patients & methods

This observational study included patients with ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) receiving clopidogrel at a dose of 75 mg/day. Patients were genotyped for eight different SNPs in the genes encoding CYP2C19, CYP3A4, NR1I2, and the P2Y12 receptor.

Results

Of the 103 patients that were included, 30.7% carried the CYP2C19*2 allele and had higher platelet reaction unit (PRU) values than non-carriers, but no patients showed HTPR. Carriers of the *17 allele had higher platelet inhibition but showed no difference in PRU values compared with non-carriers. The remaining SNPs were neither associated with PRU nor with platelet inhibition.

Conclusions

Patients with IS and TIAs treated with 75 mg clopidogrel/day do not have HTPR. A genetic analysis of CYP2C19*2, *3, *17, CYP3A4*1G, and NR1I2 revealed no associations with clopidogrel HTPR. CYP2C19*2 carriers and patients with HTPR in the acute phase after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks exhibit higher PRU values, but not long-term treatment HTPR.
Profiles of expression pattern and tissue distribution of host defense peptides genes in different chicken (Gallus gallus) breeds related to body weight
Authors: Li Zhengtian , Ahmed Irfan , Xu Zhiqiang , Sun Shuai , Li Tao , Gu Dahai , Liu Yong , Zhang Xia , Yan Shixiong , Hu Wenyuan , Jiang Ziqing , Duan Xiaohua , Li Qihua , Liu Lixian , Rong Hua , Wang Kun , Abdulwahid Alsoufi Mohammed , Dou Tengfei , Wang Shanrong , Su Zhengchang , Ge Changrong , te Pas Marinus F. W. , Jia Junjing , Huang Ying
Published: December 2020

Host defense peptides (HDPs) are an important first line of defense with antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. Selection for increased body weight is hypothesized to be related to reduced immune response. We studied the relationships among body weight, age, and the HDP expression patterns in intestine and immune organs. We used chickens with marked differences of body sizes. The non-selected Daweishan mini chickens showed the highest indexes of immune organs and the lowest concentrations of the plasma immune parameters C3, C4, IgA, and IgY, while the commercial Avian broiler showed the opposite results. The Daweishan mini chickens showed the highest mRNA expressions of HDP genes in small intestine followed by the semi-selected Wuding chickens. Compared with local breeds, broiler chickens showed higher mRNA expression of HDP genes in spleen, thymus, and bursa. Body weight and HDP expression levels were negatively correlated in the intestine and positively in the immune organs. Our results indicated that the HDP immune regulatory roles in small intestine acted as first line of defense in innate immunity in local breeds, and as an adaptive immunity in broiler chickens. Selection was associated with different expression expressions of HDP genes in breed-, age-, and organ-specific manners.
Prevalence and correlates of job loss among schizophrenia outpatients at St. AmanuelMental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; cross sectional study
Authors: Chafi Yohannes Kifle , Amare Tadele , Haile Kelemua , Damene Woynabeba , Tesfaye Getaneh , Minichil Woredaw
Published: December 2020

Background

Job loss in patient with chronic illness like schizophrenia is the most serious public concern in the clinical and socio-economic terms worldwide. Patients with schizophrenia usually have unsatisfactory job termination like quitting or getting fired which results well-established negative outcomes. The complex interplay between one another has made job and mental illness the focus areas. In the developing nations, there is limited study on these areas in spite of higher rates of job loss.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of job loss among schizophrenia outpatient units in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted at Saint Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital among schizophrenia outpatient units in Addis Ababa from May to June 2018. A total of 421 study subjects were interviewed using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Perceived devaluation and discrimination scale. Out of the total study participants, female populations were slightly higher (50.4%) and the majorities (38.6%) were orthodox religion followers. Study characteristics was summarized using descriptive statistics and bi-variable and multivariable analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 24. Furthermore, those factors at p value ≤ 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

Results

The prevalence of job loss among patients with schizophrenia was 37.3%. Factors including unmarried [AOR = 2.42:95% CI (1.28, 4.54)], divorced [AOR = 2.34: 95% CI (1.16, 4.71)], severe positive symptoms [AOR = 2.03: 95% CI (1.15, 3.60)], severe general psychopathology [AOR = 1.76: 95% CI (1.01, 3.08)], and poor level of social and occupational functioning [AOR = 5.05: 95% CI (2.81, 9.09)] were significantly associated with job loss among schizophrenia people.

Conclusion

This study suggested that job loss among schizophrenia outpatients was high. There was significant association among people with unmarried, divorced, severe positive symptoms, poor functionality and higher general psychopathology. Therefore, clinical and psychosocial factors were responsible for job loss which warrant further attention and investigation.
Variation in breast cancer grading in 1,636 resections assessed using control charts and in silico kappa
Authors: Moodley Jinesa , Williams Phillip , Gohla Gabriela , Major Pierre , Bonert Michael
Published: December 2020

Objective

Assess interpretative variation in Nottingham grading using control charts (CCs) and in silico kappa (ISK).

Methods

In house invasive breast cancer cases (2011–2019) at two institutions with a synoptic report were extracted. Pathologist interpretative rates (PIRs) were calculated and normed for Nottingham grade (G) and its components (tubular score (TS), nuclear score (NS), mitotic score (MS)) for pathologists interpreting >35 cases. ISKs were calculated using the ordered mutually exclusive category assumption (OMECA) and maximal categorical overlap assumption (MCOA).

Results

The study period included 1,994 resections. Ten pathologists each assessed 38–441 cases and together saw 1,636; these were further analyzed. The PIR medians (normed ranges) were: G1:24%(18–27%), G2:53%(43–56%) and G3:26%(19–33%). The MCOA ISK and the number of statistical outliers (p< 0.05/p< 0.001) to the group median interpretive rate (GMIR) for the ten pathologists was G1: 0.82(2/0 of 10), G2: 0.76(1/1), G3: 0.71(3/1), TS1: 0.79(1/0), TS2: 0.63(5/1), TS3: 0.66(5/1), NS1: 0.37(5/4), NS2: 0.60(4/3), NS3: 0.59(4/4), MS1: 0.78(3/1), MS2: 0.78(3/1), MS3: 0.77(2/0). The OMECA ISK was 0.62, 0.49, 0.69 and 0.71 for TS, NS, MS and G.

Conclusions

The nuclear score has the most outliers. NS1 appears to be inconsistently used. ISK mirrors trends in conventional kappa studies. CCs and ISK allow insight into interpretive variation and may be essential for the next generation in quality.
Poised for a dividend? Changes in the life trajectories of India’s young women over the past two decades
Authors: Joshi Shareen , Borkotoky Kakoli , Gautam Abhishek , Datta Nitin , Achyut Pranita , Nanda Priya , Verma Ravi
Published: December 2020

This paper examines recent changes in the life trajectories of Indian women. We use data from four major national population surveys that span the years 1998–2016. We look at several cohorts of women across the states and regions. We compare decisions related to education, marriage, childbearing and participation in the labor force. Though there is considerable diversity across states and regions, as well as religious groups, we find some consistent patterns that emerge everywhere. First, educational attainment and the age at marriage have been steadily increasing. Women who do not complete secondary school are more likely to marry early. Second, caste and religion (rather than education) play a significant role in decisions after marriage, such as the timing of births, the use of contraception and labor force participation. Third, women from disadvantaged communities continue to have very different life trajectories than other social groups. They are more likely to use contraception and participate in the labor force. Lower levels of schooling also appear to exacerbate the disadvantages of social identity. The pace of these changes varies sharply across states as well as regions of the country.
The plasticity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex confers a labile structure that is associated with its catalytic activity
Authors: Lee Jaehyoun , Oh Seunghee , Bhattacharya Saikat , Zhang Ying , Florens Laurence , Washburn Michael P. , Workman Jerry L.
Published: December 2020

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is a multienzyme complex that plays a key role in energy metabolism by converting pyruvate to acetyl-CoA. An increase of nuclear PDC has been shown to be correlated with an increase of histone acetylation that requires acetyl-CoA. PDC has been reported to form a ~ 10 MDa macromolecular machine that is proficient in performing sequential catalytic reactions via its three components. In this study, we show that the PDC displays size versatility in an ionic strength-dependent manner using size exclusion chromatography of yeast cell extracts. Biochemical analysis in combination with mass spectrometry indicates that yeast PDC (yPDC) is a salt-labile complex that dissociates into sub-megadalton individual components even under physiological ionic strength. Interestingly, we find that each oligomeric component of yPDC displays a larger size than previously believed. In addition, we show that the mammalian PDC also displays this uncommon characteristic of salt-lability, although it has a somewhat different profile compared to yeast. We show that the activity of yPDC is reduced in higher ionic strength. Our results indicate that the structure of PDC may not always maintain its ~ 10 MDa organization, but is rather variable. We propose that the flexible nature of PDC may allow modulation of its activity.
Adsorption of extracellular vesicles onto the tube walls during storage in solution
Authors: Evtushenko Evgeniy G. , Bagrov Dmitry V. , Lazarev Vassili N. , Livshits Mikhail A. , Khomyakova Elena
Published: December 2020

Short term storage of extracellular vesicle (EV) solutions at +4°C is a common practice, but the stability of EVs during this procedure has not been fully understood yet. Using nanoparticle tracking analysis, we have shown that EVs isolated from the conditioned medium of HT-29 cells exhibit a pronounced concentration decrease when stored in PBS in ordinary polypropylene tubes within the range of (0.5–2.1) × 1010 particles/ml. EV losses reach 51±3% for 0.5 ml of EVs in Eppendorf 2 ml tube at 48 hours of storage at +4°C. Around 2/3 of the observed losses have been attributed to the adsorption of vesicles onto tube walls. This result shows that the lower part (up to at least 2 × 1010 particles/ml) of the practically relevant concentration range for purified EVs is prone to adsorption losses at +4°C. Total particle losses could be reduced to 18–21% at 48 hours by using either Eppendorf Protein LoBind tubes or ordinary tubes with the surface blocked with bovine serum albumin or EVs. Reduction of losses to 15% has been shown for isolated EVs dissolved in the supernatant after 100 000 g centrifugation as a model of conditioned medium. Also, a previously unknown feature of diffusion-controlled adsorption was revealed for EVs. In addition to the decrease in particle count, this process causes the predominant losses of smaller particles.
Effects of Nitroxin and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the agro-physiological traits and grain yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) under drought stress conditions
Authors: Kamali Shirzad , Mehraban Ahmad
Published: December 2020

The use of bio-fertilizers in agro-ecosystems is considered to have the potential to improve plant growth in extreme environments featuring water shortages. However, while arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and bacteria bio-fertilizers have been used in other plants to enhance stress tolerance, little is known about their symbiotic effect on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) growth under drought stress conditions. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the inoculation of sorghum with Nitroxin and Glomus mosseae and their interaction effects on the agro-physiological characteristics and grain yield of sorghum under drought stress conditions. Nitroxin is a bio-fertilizer that consists of a mixture of Azospirillum and Azotobacter bacteria. The results showed that co-inoculation of sorghum seeds with Nitroxin and AMF improved the chlorophyll (a, b and total) content, soluble proteins, water use efficiency) WUE(, relative water content (RWC), nitrogen (N) content in the plant, AMF spore density, proline content, grain yield, panicle length, the number of panicles per plant, grain number per panicle, 1000-grain weight and decreased the electrolyte leakage and water saturation deficit (WSD) in drought stress and non-stress conditions. Under drought stress conditions, there was a 27% increase in grain yield under the synergistic effects of bacteria and fungi compared to the non-application of these microorganisms. The results of this experiment show that Nitroxin and AMF bio-fertilizers can mitigate the negative effects of stress on plants in drought stress conditions by increasing the amount of photosynthetic pigments, soluble proteins and osmotic regulation and decreasing electrolyte leakage. We found that the combination of bacteria and AMF for sorghum growth and yield increment is a promising method to cope with the stress caused by drought.
Regular exposure to a Citrus-based sensory functional food ingredient alleviates the BOLD brain responses to acute pharmacological stress in a pig model of psychosocial chronic stress
Authors: Menneson Sophie , Serrand Yann , Janvier Regis , Noirot Virginie , Etienne Pierre , Coquery Nicolas , Val-Laillet David
Published: December 2020

Psychosocial chronic stress is a critical risk factor for the development of mood disorders. However, little is known about the consequences of acute stress in the context of chronic stress, and about the related brain responses. In the present study we examined the physio-behavioural effects of a supplementation with a sensory functional food ingredient (FI) containingCitrus sinensisextract (D11399, Phodé, France) in a pig psychosocial chronic stress model. Female pigs underwent a 5- to 6-week stress protocol while receiving daily the FI (FI, n = 10) or a placebo (Sham, n = 10). We performed pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging (phMRI) to study the brain responses to an acute stress (injection of Synacthen®, a synthetic ACTH-related agonist) and to the FI odour with or without previous chronic supplementation. The olfactory stimulation with the ingredient elicited higher brain responses in FI animals, demonstrating memory retrieval and habituation to the odour. Pharmacological stress with Synacthen injection resulted in an increased activity in several brain regions associated with arousal, associative learning (hippocampus) and cognition (cingulate cortex) in chronically stressed animals. This highlighted the specific impact of acute stress on the brain. These responses were alleviated in animals previously supplemented by the FI during the entire chronic stress exposure. As chronic stress establishes upon the accumulation of acute stress events, any attenuation of the brain responses to acute stress can be interpreted as a beneficial effect, suggesting that FI could be a viable treatment to help individuals coping with repeated stressful events and eventually to reduce chronic stress. This study provides additional evidence on the potential benefits of this FI, of which the long-term consequences in terms of behaviour and physiology need to be further investigated.
Parents’ and guardians’ views and experiences of accessing routine childhood vaccinations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: A mixed methods study in England
Authors: Bell Sadie , Clarke Richard , Paterson Pauline , Mounier-Jack Sandra
Published: December 2020

Objective

To explore parents’ and guardians’ views and experiences of accessing National Health Service (NHS) general practices for routine childhood vaccinations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in England.

Design

Mixed methods approach involving an online cross-sectional survey (conducted between 19th April and 11th May 2020) and semi-structured telephone interviews (conducted between 27th April and 27th May 2020).

Participants

1252 parents and guardians (aged 16+ years) who reported living in England with a child aged 18 months or under completed the survey. Nineteen survey respondents took part in follow-up interviews.

Results

The majority of survey respondents (85.7%) considered it important for their children to receive routine vaccinations on schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, several barriers to vaccination were identified. These included a lack of clarity around whether vaccination services were operating as usual, particularly amongst respondents from lower income households and those self-reporting as Black, Asian, Chinese, Mixed or Other ethnicity; difficulties in organising vaccination appointments; and fears around contracting COVID-19 while attending general practice.

Concerns about catching COVID-19 while accessing general practice were weighed against concerns about children acquiring a vaccine-preventable disease if they did not receive scheduled routine childhood vaccinations. Many parents and guardians felt their child’s risk of acquiring a vaccine-preventable disease was low as the implementation of stringent physical distancing measures (from March 23rd 2020) meant they were not mixing with others.

Conclusion

To promote routine childhood vaccination uptake during the current COVID-19 outbreak, further waves of COVID-19 infection, and future pandemics, prompt and sustained national and general practice level communication is needed to raise awareness of vaccination service continuation and the importance of timely vaccination, and invitation-reminder systems for vaccination need to be maintained. To allay concerns about the safety of accessing general practice, practices should communicate the measures being implemented to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
Social exclusion and the perspectives of health care providers on migrants in Gauteng public health facilities, South Africa
Authors: White Janine A. , Blaauw Duane , Rispel Laetitia C.
Published: December 2020

Background

Universal health coverage (UHC) for all people, regardless of citizenship, is a global priority. Health care providers are central to the achievement of UHC, and their attitudes and behaviour could either advance or impede UHC for migrants. Using a social exclusion conceptual framework, this study examined the perspectives of health care providers on delivering health services to migrants in public health facilities in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Methods

We used stratified, random sampling to select 13 public health facilities. All health care providers working in ambulatory care were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. In addition to socio-demographic information, the questionnaire asked health care providers if they had witnessed discrimination against migrants at work, and measured their perspectives on social exclusionary views and practices. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify predictors of more exclusionary perspectives for each item.

Results

277 of 308 health care providers participated in the study–a response rate of 90%. The participants were predominantly female (77.6%) and nurses (51.9%), and had worked for an average of 6.8 years in their facilities. 19.2% of health care providers reported that they had witnessed discrimination against migrants, while 20.0% reported differential treatment of migrant patients. Exclusionary perspectives varied across the different items, and for different provider groups. Enrolled nurses and nursing assistants were significantly more exclusionary on a number of items, while the opposite was found for providers born outside South Africa. For some questions, female providers held more exclusionary perspectives and this was also the case for providers from higher levels of care.

Conclusion

Health care providers are critical to inclusive UHC. Social exclusionary views or practices must be addressed through enabling health policies; training in culture-sensitivity, ethics and human rights; and advocacy to ensure that health care providers uphold their professional obligations to all patients.
Influence of sediment and stream transport on detecting a source of environmental DNA
Authors: Nevers Meredith B. , Przybyla-Kelly Kasia , Shively Dawn , Morris Charles C. , Dickey Joshua , Byappanahalli Murulee N.
Published: December 2020

Environmental DNA (eDNA) can be used for early detection, population estimations, and assessment of potential spread of invasive species, but questions remain about factors that influence eDNA detection results. Efforts are being made to understand how physical, chemical, and biological factors—settling, resuspension, dispersion, eDNA stability/decay—influence eDNA estimations and potentially population abundance. In a series of field and controlled mesocosm experiments, we examined the detection and accumulation of eDNA in sediment and water and the transport of eDNA in a small stream in the Lake Michigan watershed, using the invasive round goby fish (Neogobius melanostomus) as a DNA source. Experiment 1: caged fish (average n = 44) were placed in a stream devoid of round goby; water was collected over 24 hours along 120-m of stream, including a simultaneous sampling event at 7 distances from DNA source; stream monitoring continued for 24 hours after fish were removed. Experiment 2: round goby were placed in laboratory tanks; water and sediment were collected over 14 days and for another 150 days post-fish removal to calculate eDNA shedding and decay rates for water and sediment. For samples from both experiments, DNA was extracted, and qPCR targeted a cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) fragment specific to round goby. Results indicated that eDNA accumulated and decayed more slowly in sediment than water. In the stream, DNA shedding was markedly lower than calculated in the laboratory, but models indicate eDNA could potentially travel long distances (up to 50 km) under certain circumstances. Collectively, these findings show that the interactive effects of ambient conditions (e.g., eDNA stability and decay, hydrology, settling-resuspension) are important to consider when developing comprehensive models. Results of this study can help resource managers target representative sites downstream of potential invasion sites, thereby maximizing resource use.
High rate of renal recovery in survivors of COVID-19 associated acute renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy
Authors: Stevens Jacob S. , King Kristen L. , Robbins-Juarez Shelief Y. , Khairallah Pascale , Toma Katherine , Alvarado Verduzco Hector , Daniel Emily , Douglas Denzil , Moses Andrew A. , Peleg Yonatan , Starakiewicz Piotr , Li Miah T. , Kim Daniel W. , Yu Kathleen , Qian Long , Shah Vaqar H. , O'Donnell Max R. , Cummings Matthew J. , Zucker Jason , Natarajan Karthik , Perotte Adler , Tsapepas Demetra , Krzysztof Kiryluk , Dube Geoffrey , Siddall Eric , Shirazian Shayan , Nickolas Thomas L. , Rao Maya K. , Barasch Jonathan M. , Valeri Anthony M. , Radhakrishnan Jai , Gharavi Ali G. , Husain S. Ali , Mohan Sumit
Published: December 2020

Introduction

A large proportion of patients with COVID-19 develop acute kidney injury (AKI). While the most severe of these cases require renal replacement therapy (RRT), little is known about their clinical course.

Methods

We describe the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients in the ICU with AKI requiring RRT at an academic medical center in New York City and followed patients for outcomes of death and renal recovery using time-to-event analyses.

Results

Our cohort of 115 patients represented 23% of all ICU admissions at our center, with a peak prevalence of 29%. Patients were followed for a median of 29 days (2542 total patient-RRT-days; median 54 days for survivors). Mechanical ventilation and vasopressor use were common (99% and 84%, respectively), and the median Sequential Organ Function Assessment (SOFA) score was 14. By the end of follow-up 51% died, 41% recovered kidney function (84% of survivors), and 8% still needed RRT (survival probability at 60 days: 0.46 [95% CI: 0.36–0.56])). In an adjusted Cox model, coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were associated with increased mortality (HRs: 3.99 [95% CI 1.46–10.90] and 3.10 [95% CI 1.25–7.66]) as were angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (HR 2.33 [95% CI 1.21–4.47]) and a SOFA score >15 (HR 3.46 [95% CI 1.65–7.25).

Conclusions and relevance

Our analysis demonstrates the high prevalence of AKI requiring RRT among critically ill patients with COVID-19 and is associated with a high mortality, however, the rate of renal recovery is high among survivors and should inform shared-decision making.
Application and utility of a clinical framework for spinally referred neck-arm pain: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study protocol
Authors: Kapitza Camilla , Lüdtke Kerstin , Tampin Brigitte , Ballenberger Nikolaus
Published: December 2020

Background

The clinical presentation of neck-arm pain is heterogeneous with varying underlying pain types (nociceptive/neuropathic/mixed) and pain mechanisms (peripheral/central sensitization). A mechanism-based clinical framework for spinally referred pain has been proposed, which classifies into (1) somatic pain, (2) neural mechanosensitivity, (3) radicular pain, (4) radiculopathy and mixed pain presentations. This study aims to (i) investigate the application of the clinical framework in patients with neck-arm pain, (ii) determine their somatosensory, clinical and psychosocial profile and (iii) observe their clinical course over time.

Method

We describe a study protocol. Patients with unilateral neck-arm pain (n = 180) will undergo a clinical examination, after which they will be classified into subgroups according to the proposed clinical framework. Standardized quantitative sensory testing (QST) measurements will be taken in their main pain area and contralateral side. Participants will have to complete questionnaires to assess function (Neck Disability Index), psychosocial factors (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Depression, anxiety and stress scale), neuropathic pain (Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions, PainDETECT Questionnaire) and central sensitization features (Central Sensitization Inventory). Follow-ups at three, six and 12 months include the baseline questionnaires. The differences of QST data and questionnaire outcomes between and within groups will be analyzed using (M)AN(C)OVA and/or regression models. Repeated measurement analysis of variance or a linear mixed model will be used to calculate the differences between three, six, and 12 months outcomes. Multiple regression models will be used to analyze potential predictors for the clinical course.

Conclusion

The rationale for this study is to assess the usability and utility of the proposed clinical framework as well as to identify possible differing somatosensory and psychosocial phenotypes between the subgroups. This could increase our knowledge of the underlying pain mechanisms. The longitudinal analysis may help to assess possible predictors for pain persistency.
Prediction of radiation pneumonitis using dose-volume histogram parameters with high attenuation in two types of cancer: A retrospective study
Authors: Uchida Yasuki , Tsugawa Takuya , Tanaka-Mizuno Sachiko , Noma Kazuo , Aoki Ken , Fukunaga Kentaro , Nakagawa Hiroaki , Kinose Daisuke , Yamaguchi Masafumi , Osawa Makoto , Nagao Taishi , Ogawa Emiko , Nakano Yasutaka
Published: December 2020

The constraint values of dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters for radiation pneumonitis (RP) prediction have not been uniform in previous studies. We compared the differences between conventional DVH parameters and DVH parameters with high attenuation volume (HAV) in CT imaging in both esophageal cancer and lung cancer patients to determine the most suitable DVH parameters in predicting RP onset. Seventy-seven and 72 patients who underwent radiation therapy for lung cancer and esophageal cancer, respectively, were retrospectively assessed. RP was valued according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. We quantified HAV with quantitative computed tomography analysis. We compared conventional DVH parameters and DVH parameters with HAV in both groups of patients. Then, the thresholds of DVH parameters that predicted symptomatic RP and the differences in threshold of DVH parameters between lung cancer and esophageal cancer patient groups were compared. The predictive performance of DVH parameters for symptomatic RP was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Mean lung dose, HAV30% (the proportion of the lung with HAV receiving ≥30 Gy), and HAV20% were the top three parameters in lung cancer, while HAV10%, HAV5%, and V10 (the percentage of lung volume receiving 10 Gy or more) were the top three in esophageal cancer. By comparing the differences in the threshold for parameters predicting RP between the two cancers, we saw that HAV30% retained the same value in both cancers. DVH parameters with HAV showed narrow differences in the threshold between the two cancer patient groups compared to conventional DVH parameters. DVH parameters with HAV may have higher commonality than conventional DVH parameters in both patient groups tested.
Dislocations of the acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular joint in children and adolescents: A retrospective clinical study and big data analysis of routine data
Authors: Kraus Ralf , Zwingmann Joern , Jablonski Manfred , Bakir M. Sinan
Published: December 2020

Background

Dislocations of the sternoclavicular joint (anterior/posterior) and acromioclavicular joint (SCJ and ACJ, respectively) are rare injuries in childhood/adolescence, each having its own special characteristics. In posterior SCJ dislocation, the concomitant injuries in the upper mediastinum are most important complication, while in anterior SCJ dislocation there is a risk of permanent or recurrent instability.

Methods

In a retrospective analysis from seven pediatric trauma centers under the leadership of the Section of Pediatric Traumatology of the German Trauma Society, children (<18 years) were analyzed with focus on age, gender, trauma mechanism, diagnostics, treatment strategy and follow-up results. Additional epidemiological big data analysis from routine data was done.

Results

In total 24 cases with an average age of 14.4 years (23 boys, 1 girl) could be evaluated (7x ACJ dislocation type ≥ Rockwood III; 17x SCJ dislocation type Allman III, including 12 posterior). All ACJ dislocations were treated surgically. Postoperative immobilization lasted 3–6 weeks, after which a movement limit of 90 degrees was recommended until implant removal. Patients with SCJ dislocation were posterior dislocations in 75%, and 15 of 17 were treated surgically. One patient had a tendency toward sub-dislocation and another had a relapse. Conservatively treated injuries healed without complications. Compared to adults, SCJ injuries were equally rarely found in children (< 1% of clavicle-associated injuries), while pediatric ACJ dislocations were significantly less frequent (p<0.001).

Conclusions

In cases of SCJ dislocations, our cohort analysis confirmed both the heterogeneous spectrum of the treatment strategies in addition to the problems/complications based on previous literature. The indication for the operative or conservative approach and for the specific method is not standardized. In order to be able to create evidence-based standards, a prospective, multicenter-study with a sufficiently long follow-up time would be necessary due to the rarity of these injuries in children. The rarity was emphasized by our routine data analysis.
Windbreak and airflow performance of different synthetic shrub designs based on wind tunnel experiments
Authors: Pan Xia , Wang Zhenyi , Gao Yong , Zhang Zhengcai , Meng Zhongjv , Dang Xiaohong , Lu Liqiang , Chen Jiahuan
Published: December 2020

Wind erosion has gained increasing attention as one of the most serious global ecological and environmental threats. Windbreaks are effective at decreasing wind erosion by reducing wind speed to protect crops, livestock, and farmsteads, while providing wildlife habitats. Synthetic shrubs can act as novel windbreaks; however, there is limited knowledge on how their design affects wind speed. This study determined the protective effects (airflow field and sheltering efficiency) based on the design of synthetic shrubs in a wind tunnel. Broom-shaped synthetic shrubs weakened the wind speeds mainly at the middle and upper parts of the shrubs (5–14 cm), while for hemisphere-shaped shrubs this effect was greatest near their bases (below 4 cm) and least in the middle and upper parts (7–14 cm). Spindle-shaped synthetic shrubs provided the best reduction effect in wind range and strength. Moreover, the wind speed reduction ratio decreased with improved wind speeds and ranged from 26.25 cm (between the second and third rows) to 52.5 cm (after the third row). These results provide strong evidence that synthetic shrubs should be considered to decrease wind speed and prevent wind erosion.
Regulation of neovasculogenesis in co-cultures of aortic adventitial fibroblasts and microvascular endothelial cells by cell-cell interactions and TGF-β/ALK5 signaling
Authors: Scott Rebecca A. , Fowler Eric W. , Jia Xinqiao , Kiick Kristi L. , Akins Robert E.
Published: December 2020

Adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) are critical mediators of vascular remodeling. However, the contributions of AFs towards development of vasculature and the specific mechanisms by which these cells regulate physiological expansion of the vasa vasorum, the specialized microvasculature that supplies nutrients to the vascular wall, are not well understood. To determine the regulatory role of AFs in microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) neovasculogenesis and to investigate the regulatory pathways utilized for communication between the two cell types, AFs and MVECs were cultured together in poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels. Following preliminary evaluation of a set of cell adhesion peptides (AG10, AG73, A2G78, YIGSR, RGD), 7.5wt% hydrogels containing 3 mM RGD were selected as these substrates did not initiate primitive tubule structures in 3D MVEC monocultures, thus providing a passive platform to study AF-MVEC interaction. The addition of AFs to hydrogels promoted MVEC viability; however, increasing AF density within hydrogels stimulated MVEC proliferation, increased microvessel density and size, and enhanced deposition of basement membrane proteins, collagen IV and laminin. Importantly, AF-MVEC communication through the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)/activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5) signaling pathway was observed to mediate microvessel formation, as inhibition of ALK5 significantly decreased MVEC proliferation, microvessel formation, mural cell recruitment, and basement membrane production. These data indicate that AFs regulate MVEC neovasculogenesis and suggest that therapeutics targeting the TGF-β/ALK5 pathway may be useful for regulation of vasculogenic and anti-vasculogenic responses.
Revisiting discrete versus continuous models of human behavior: The case of absolute pitch
Authors: Van Hedger Stephen C. , Veillette John , Heald Shannon L. M. , Nusbaum Howard C.
Published: December 2020

Many human behaviors are discussed in terms of discrete categories. Quantizing behavior in this fashion may provide important traction for understanding the complexities of human experience, but it also may bias understanding of phenomena and associated mechanisms. One example of this is absolute pitch (AP), which is often treated as a discrete trait that is either present or absent (i.e., with easily identifiable near-perfect “genuine” AP possessors and at-chance non-AP possessors) despite emerging evidence that pitch-labeling ability is not all-or-nothing. We used a large-scale online assessment to test the discrete model of AP, specifically by measuring how intermediate performers related to the typically defined “non-AP” and “genuine AP” populations. Consistent with prior research, individuals who performed at-chance (non-AP) reported beginning musical instruction much later than the near-perfect AP participants, and the highest performers were more likely to speak a tonal language than were the lowest performers (though this effect was not as statistically robust as one would expect from prior research). Critically, however, these developmental factors did not differentiate the near-perfect AP performers from the intermediate AP performers. Gaussian mixture modeling supported the existence of two performance distributions–the first distribution encompassed both the intermediate and near-perfect AP possessors, whereas the second distribution encompassed only the at-chance participants. Overall, these results provide support for conceptualizing intermediate levels of pitch-labeling ability along the same continuum as genuine AP-level pitch labeling ability—in other words, a continuous distribution of AP skill among all above-chance performers rather than discrete categories of ability. Expanding the inclusion criteria for AP makes it possible to test hypotheses about the mechanisms that underlie this ability and relate this ability to more general cognitive mechanisms involved in other abilities.
3D printing direct to industrial roll-to-roll casting for fast prototyping of scalable microfluidic systems
Authors: Boutiette Amber L. , Toothaker Cristoffer , Corless Bailey , Boukaftane Chouaib , Howell Caitlin
Published: December 2020

Microfluidic technologies have enormous potential to offer breakthrough solutions across a wide range of applications. However, the rate of scale-up and commercialization of these technologies has lagged significantly behind promising breakthrough developments in the lab, due at least in part to the problems presented by transitioning from benchtop fabrication methods to mass-manufacturing. In this work, we develop and validate a method to create functional microfluidic prototype devices using 3D printed masters in an industrial-scale roll-to-roll continuous casting process. There were no significant difference in mixing performance between the roll-to-roll cast devices and the PDMS controls in fluidic mixing tests. Furthermore, the casting process provided information on the suitability of the prototype microfluidic patterns for scale-up. This work represents an important step in the realization of high-volume prototyping and manufacturing of microfluidic patterns for use across a broad range of applications.