bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acid Suppression Medications During Hospitalization as a Risk Factor for Recurrence of Clostridioides difficile Infection: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Mehta Palna , Nahass Ronald G , Brunetti Luigi
Published: May 2020

Background

Studies have had conflicting results regarding the influence of acid-suppression medications (ASMs) during hospitalization on the recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI).

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the association between recurrent CDI and ASM use in inpatients was performed. Relevant literature was identified using Medline, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. All human studies were considered regardless of publication date. Case-control and cohort studies and clinical trials were included if they contained the necessary information to calculate appropriate statistics related to the objective of this study. Review articles, meta-analyses, and commentaries were excluded; however, their references were searched to identify any studies missed. The random-effects model was selected since significant heterogeneity in study design was identified. To evaluate the sensitivity of the analysis various subgroup analyses were performed.

Results

Our search identified 9 studies involving 5668 patients of whom 1003 (17.7%) developed recurrent CDI. Patients on ASM were 64% more likely to develop recurrent CDI than patients not on ASM (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.13–2.38; P = .009; I2 = 79.54%). Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use was associated with an 84% increased risk of recurrent CDI versus no ASM (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.18–2.85; P = .007; I2 = 83.4%).

Conclusions

ASM use during hospitalization was associated with a 64% increase in recurrent CDI. The association was greater with PPI use. Due to significant heterogeneity in the analyses, additional studies are essential to further elucidate iatrogenic effects of ASM. Unnecessary PPI use should be discontinued.
Lessons From COVID-19 in Children: Key Hypotheses to Guide Preventative and Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Singh Tulika , Heston Sarah M , Langel Stephanie N , Blasi Maria , Hurst Jillian H , Fouda Genevieve G , Kelly Matthew S , Permar Sallie R
Published: May 2020

The current pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), reveals a peculiar trend of milder disease and lower case fatality in children compared with adults. Consistent epidemiologic evidence of reduced severity of infection in children across different populations and countries suggests there are underlying biological differences between children and adults that mediate differential disease pathogenesis. This presents a unique opportunity to learn about disease-modifying host factors from pediatric populations. Our review summarizes the current knowledge of pediatric clinical disease, role in transmission, risks for severe disease, protective immunity, as well as novel therapies and vaccine trials for children. We then define key hypotheses and areas for future research that can use the pediatric model of disease, transmission, and immunity to develop preventive and therapeutic strategies for people of all age groups.
Reliability of DQcube Based on g-Extra Conditional Fault
Authors: Zhang Hong , Meng Jixiang
Published: May 2020

Diagnosability and connectivity are important metrics for the reliability and fault diagnosis capability of interconnection networks, respectively. The g-extra connectivity of a graph G, denoted by $\kappa _g(G)$, is the minimum number of vertices whose deletion will disconnect the network and every remaining component has more than $g$ vertices. The g-extra conditional diagnosability of graph G, denoted by $t_g(G)$, is the maximum number of faulty vertices that the graph G can guarantee to identify under the condition that every fault-free component contains at least g+1 vertices. In this paper, we first determine that g-extra connectivity of DQcube is $\kappa _g(G)=(g+1)(n+1)-\frac{g(g+3)}{2}$ for $0\leq g\leq n-3$ and then show that the g-extra conditional diagnosability of DQcube under the PMC model $(n\geq 4, 1\leq g\leq n-3)$ and the MM$^\ast$ model $(n\geq 7, 1\leq g\leq \frac{n-3}{4})$ is $t_g(G)=(g+1)(n+1)-\frac{g(g+3)}{2}+g$, respectively.
Domestic Outsourcing and Workers’ Bargaining Power in a Simple Production System
Authors: Barba Aldo
Published: May 2020

Outsourcing is normally conceived as the result of a cost-minimizing choice of a new technique that also implies a redefinition of the boundaries between firms and sectors. In this paper, we will argue instead that many outsourcing activities do not necessarily imply technical change and that the phenomenon can be explained by placing it in connection with the radical modification of the way in which wages are set for workers in a wide range of poorly regulated firms and industries. More than as an aspect of the spread of technical progress, outsourcing will be analyzed as an important mechanism through which workers are divided and their bargaining power is weakened, thus changing the outcome of the distributive conflict between profit and wages.
Multimodality imaging in takotsubo syndrome: a joint consensus document of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) and the Japanese Society of Echocardiography (JSE)
Authors: Citro Rodolfo , Okura Hiroyuki , Ghadri Jelena R , Izumi Chisato , Meimoun Patrick , Izumo Masaki , Dawson Dana , Kaji Shuichiro , Eitel Ingo , Kagiyama Nobuyuki , Kobayashi Yukari , Templin Christian , Delgado Victoria , Nakatani Satoshi , Popescu Bogdan A ,   EACVI Scientific Documents Committee, Bertrand Philippe , Donal Erwan , Dweck Marc , Galderisi Maurizio , Haugaa Kristina H , Sade Leyla Elif , Stankovic Ivan , Cosyns Bernard , Edvardsen Thor
Published: May 2020

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a complex and still poorly recognized heart disease with a wide spectrum of possible clinical presentations. Despite its reversibility, it is associated with serious adverse in-hospital events and high complication rates during follow-up. Multimodality imaging is helpful for establishing the diagnosis, guiding therapy, and stratifying prognosis of TTS patients in both the acute and post-acute phase. Echocardiography plays a key role, particularly in the acute care setting, allowing for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and the identification of the typical apical-midventricular ballooning pattern, as well as the circumferential pattern of wall motion abnormalities. It is also useful in the early detection of complications (i.e. LV outflow tract obstruction, mitral regurgitation, right ventricular involvement, LV thrombi, and pericardial effusion) and monitoring of systolic function recovery. Left ventriculography allows the evaluation of LV function and morphology, identifying the typical TTS patterns when echocardiography is not available or wall motion abnormalities cannot be properly assessed with ultrasound. Cardiac magnetic resonance provides a more comprehensive depiction of cardiac morphology and function and tissue characterization and offers additional value to other imaging modalities for differential diagnosis (myocardial infarction and myocarditis). Coronary computed tomography angiography has a substantial role in the diagnostic workup of patients with acute chest pain and a doubtful TTS diagnosis to rule out other medical conditions. It can be considered as a non-invasive appropriate alternative to coronary angiography in several clinical scenarios. Although the role of nuclear imaging in TTS has not yet been well established, the combination of perfusion and metabolic imaging may provide useful information on myocardial function in both the acute and post-acute phase.
Friendly fire: the trade impact of the Russia sanctions and counter-sanctions
Authors: Crozet Matthieu , Hinz Julian
Published: May 2020

Economic sanctions are a frequently used instrument of foreign policy. In a diplomatic conflict, they aim to elicit a change in the policies of a foreign government by damaging their economy. Sanctions, however, are also likely to affect the sanctioning country. This paper evaluates these costs, in terms of export losses, for the diplomatic crisis between the Russian Federation and 37 countries over the conflict in Ukraine that started in 2014. We first gauge the impact of the diplomatic conflict using a traditional trade framework and quantify the trade losses in a general equilibrium counterfactual analysis. Losses for the Russian Federation amount to US$53 billion or 7.4% of predicted total exports from 2014 until the end of 2015. Western sanctioning countries, however, have also been impacted with an estimated loss of US$42 billion, 0.3% of their total exports. Interestingly, we find that the bulk of the impact stems from products that are not directly targeted by Russian retaliation, an effect that we coin friendly fire – an unintended, largely self-inflicted cost for Western sanctioning countries. We investigate the underlying mechanism at the product- and firm-level data. Results indicate that the drop of Western exports has not been driven by a change in Russian consumers’ preferences, but mainly by an increase in country risk affecting international transactions with Russia.
Quantitative assessment of chaperone binding to amyloid aggregates identifies specificity of Hsp40 interaction with yeast prion fibrils
Authors: Barbitoff Yury A , Matveenko Andrew G , Bondarev Stanislav A , Maksiutenko Evgeniia M , Kulikova Alexandra V , Zhouravleva Galina A
Published: May 2020

Yeast self-perpetuating protein aggregates (yeast prions) provide a framework to investigate the interaction of misfolded proteins with the protein quality control machinery. The major component of this system that facilitates propagation of all known yeast amyloid prions is the Hsp104 chaperone that catalyzes fibril fragmentation. Overproduction of Hsp104 cures some yeast prions via a fragmentation-independent mechanism. Importantly, major cytosolic chaperones of the Hsp40 group, Sis1 and Ydj1, oppositely affect yeast prion propagation, and are capable of stimulating different activities of Hsp104. In this work, we developed a quantitative method to investigate the Hsp40 binding to amyloid aggregates. We demonstrate that Sis1 binds fibrils formed by the Sup35NM protein with higher affinity compared to Ydj1. Moreover, the interaction of Sis1 with the fibrils formed by the other yeast prion protein, Rnq1, is orders of magnitude weaker. We show that the deletion of the dimerization domain of Sis1 (crucial for the curing of [PSI+] by excess Hsp104) decreases its affinity to both Sup35NM and Rnq1 fibrils. Taken together, these results suggest that tight binding of Hsp40 to the amyloid fibrils is likely to enhance aggregate malpartition instead of fibril fragmentation.
Probing 1-D electrical anisotropy in the oceanic upper mantle from seafloor magnetotelluric array data
Authors: Matsuno Tetsuo , Baba Kiyoshi , Utada Hisashi
Published: May 2020

Electrical anisotropy in the oceanic upper mantle can only be imaged by seafloor magnetotelluric (MT) data, and arguably provides important clues regarding the mantle structure and dynamics by observational determinations. Here, we attempt to probe the electrical (azimuthal) anisotropy in the oceanic mantle by analysing recent seafloor MT array data from the northwestern Pacific acquired atop 125–145 Ma seafloor. We propose a method in which an isotropic 1-D model is first obtained from seafloor MT data through an iterative correction for topographic distortions; then, the anisotropic properties are inferred as deviations from the isotropic 1-D model. We investigate the performance of this method through synthetic forward modelling and inversion using plausible anisotropic 1-D models and the actual 3-D bathymetry and topography of the target region. Synthetic tests reveal that the proposed method will detect electrical anisotropy in the conductive upper mantle or electrical asthenosphere. We also compare the performance of the proposed scheme by using two rotational invariant impedances and two topographic correction equations. The comparison reveals that using different rotational invariants and correction equations provides relatively consistent results, but among the rotational invariants, the sum of squared elements (ssq) impedance yields better recovered results for topographically distorted data than the determinant impedance. An application of the method to seafloor MT array data sets from two areas in the northwestern Pacific reveals the possible presence of two layers of electrical anisotropy in the conductive mantle (<100 Ω-m) at depths of ∼60–200 km. The anisotropy is estimated to be more intense in the shallower layer for both areas. On the other hand, the estimated anisotropic azimuth (defined as the most conductive direction) and the depth to the interface between the two layers are different between the two array areas separated by a small horizontal distance of ∼1000 km in spite of their similar seafloor ages. The most conductive directions are aligned neither with the current absolute plate motion direction nor with the fastest direction of seismic azimuthal anisotropy. The inferred electrical anisotropy features may result from array-scale (∼1000 km) mantle dynamics, such as small-scale convection, which might affect the electrical and seismic properties differently, although there remains the possibility that some portions of these features are explained by laterally heterogeneous mantle structures.
Population-specific reference panels are crucial for genetic analyses: an example of the CREBRF locus in Native Hawaiians
Authors: Lin Meng , Caberto Christian , Wan Peggy , Li Yuqing , Lum-Jones Annette , Tiirikainen Maarit , Pooler Loreall , Nakamura Brooke , Sheng Xin , Porcel Jacqueline , Lim Unhee , Setiawan Veronica Wendy , Le Marchand Loïc , Wilkens Lynne R , Haiman Christopher A , Cheng Iona , Chiang Charleston W K
Published: May 2020

Statistical imputation applied to genome-wide array data is the most cost-effective approach to complete the catalog of genetic variation in a study population. However, imputed genotypes in underrepresented populations incur greater inaccuracies due to ascertainment bias and a lack of representation among reference individuals, further contributing to the obstacles to study these populations. Here we examined the consequences due to the lack of representation by genotyping in a large number of self-reported Native Hawaiians (N = 3693) a functionally important, Polynesian-specific variant in the CREBRF gene, rs373863828. We found the derived allele was significantly associated with several adiposity traits with large effects (e.g. ~ 1.28 kg/m2 per allele in body mass index as the most significant; P = 7.5 × 10−5), consistent with the original findings in Samoans. Due to the current absence of Polynesian representation in publicly accessible reference sequences, rs373863828 or its proxies could not be tested through imputation using these existing resources. Moreover, the association signals at the entire CREBRF locus could not be captured by alternative approaches, such as admixture mapping. In contrast, highly accurate imputation can be achieved even if a small number (<200) of internally constructed Polynesian reference individuals were available; this would increase sample size and improve the statistical evidence of associations. Taken together, our results suggest the alarming possibility that lack of representation in reference panels could inhibit discovery of functionally important loci such as CREBRF. Yet, they could be easily detected and prioritized with improved representation of diverse populations in sequencing studies.
Plant Movements as Concept Generators for the Development of Biomimetic Compliant Mechanisms
Authors: Poppinga Simon , Correa David , Bruchmann Bernd , Menges Achim , Speck Thomas
Published: May 2020

Synopsis

Plant movements are of increasing interest for biomimetic approaches where hinge-free compliant mechanisms (flexible structures) for applications, for example, in architecture, soft robotics, and medicine are developed. In this article, we first concisely summarize the knowledge on plant movement principles and show how the different modes of actuation, that is, the driving forces of motion, can be used in biomimetic approaches for the development of motile technical systems. We then emphasize on current developments and breakthroughs in the field, that is, the technical implementation of plant movement principles through additive manufacturing, the development of structures capable of tracking movements (tropisms), and the development of structures that can perform multiple movement steps. Regarding the additive manufacturing section, we present original results on the successful transfer of several plant movement principles into 3D printed hygroscopic shape-changing structures (“4D printing”). The resulting systems include edge growth-driven actuation (as known from the petals of the lily flower), bending scale-like structures with functional bilayer setups (inspired from pinecones), modular aperture architectures (as can be similarly seen in moss peristomes), snap-through elastic instability actuation (as known from Venus flytrap snap-traps), and origami-like curved-folding kinematic amplification (inspired by the carnivorous waterwheel plant). Our novel biomimetic compliant mechanisms highlight the feasibility of modern printing techniques for designing and developing versatile tailored motion responses for technical applications. We then focus on persisting challenges in the field, that is, how to speed-boost intrinsically slow hydraulically actuated structures and how to achieve functional resilience and robustness, before we propose the establishment of a motion design catalog in the conclusion.
Multivariate approximation of functions on irregular domains by weighted least-squares methods
Authors: Migliorati Giovanni
Published: May 2020

We propose and analyse numerical algorithms based on weighted least squares for the approximation of a bounded real-valued function on a general bounded domain $\varOmega \subset \mathbb{R}^d$. Given any $n$-dimensional approximation space $V_n \subset L^2(\varOmega )$, the analysis in Cohen and Migliorati (2017, Optimal weighted least-squares methods. SMAI J. Comput. Math., 3, 181–203) shows the existence of stable and optimally converging weighted least-squares estimators, using a number of function evaluations $m$ of the order $n \ln n$. When an $L^2(\varOmega )$-orthonormal basis of $V_n$ is available in analytic form, such estimators can be constructed using the algorithms described in Cohen and Migliorati (2017, Optimal weighted least-squares methods. SMAI J. Comput. Math., 3, 181–203, Section 5). If the basis also has product form, then these algorithms have computational complexity linear in $d$ and $m$. In this paper we show that when $\varOmega $ is an irregular domain such that the analytic form of an $L^2(\varOmega )$-orthonormal basis is not available, stable and quasi-optimally weighted least-squares estimators can still be constructed from $V_n$, again with $m$ of the order $n \ln n$, but using a suitable surrogate basis of $V_n$ orthonormal in a discrete sense. The computational cost for the calculation of the surrogate basis depends on the Christoffel function of $\varOmega $ and $V_n$. Numerical results validating our analysis are presented.
The ClpXP Protease Contributes to Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia
Authors: Kim Gyu-Lee , Akoolo Lavoisier , Parker Dane
Published: May 2020

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of pneumonia. We show here that the ClpXP protease involved in protein turnover is important for pathogenesis in a murine model of acute pneumonia. Staphylococcus aureus lacking this protease is attenuated in vivo, being rapidly cleared from the airway and leading to decreased immune cell influx and inflammation. Characterization of defined mutations in vitro identified defects in intracellular survival and protection against neutrophil killing. Our results further expand on what is known about ClpXP in the pathogenesis of S. aureus to include the respiratory tract.
Pharmacodynamic evaluation of intermittent versus extended and continuous infusions of piperacillin/tazobactam in a hollow-fibre infection model against Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Sumi Chandra Datta , Heffernan Aaron J , Naicker Saiyuri , Islam Kamrul , Cottrell Kyra , Wallis Steven C , Lipman Jeffrey , Harris Patrick N A , Sime Fekade B , Roberts Jason A
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To compare bacterial killing and the emergence of resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam, administered by intermittent versus prolonged infusion (i.e. extended or continuous), for ceftriaxone-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates in an in vitro dynamic hollow-fibre infection model (HFIM).

Methods

K. pneumoniae 68 (Kp68; MIC = 8 mg/L, producing SHV-106 and DHA-1) and K. pneumoniae 69 (Kp69; MIC = 1 mg/L, producing CTX-M-14) were studied in the HFIM over 7 days (initial inoculum ~107 cfu/mL). Six piperacillin/tazobactam dosing regimens for Kp68 (4/0.5 g 8 hourly as 0.5 and 4 h infusions, 12/1.5 g/24 h continuous infusion, 4/0.5 g 6 hourly as 0.5 and 3 h infusions and 16/2 g/24 h continuous infusion) and three piperacillin/tazobactam dosing regimens for Kp69 (4/0.5 g 8 hourly as 0.5 and 4 h infusions and 12/1.5 g/24 h continuous infusion) were simulated (piperacillin clearance = 14 L/h, creatinine clearance = 100 mL/min). Total and resistant populations and MICs were quantified/determined.

Results

For Kp68, all simulated dosing regimens exhibited approximately 4 log10 of bacterial killing at 8 h followed by regrowth to approximately 1011 cfu/mL within 24 h. The MICs for resistant subpopulations exceeded 256 mg/L at 72 h. Similarly, for Kp69, all simulated dosing regimens exhibited approximately 4 log10 of bacterial killing over 8 h; however, only the continuous infusion prevented bacterial regrowth.

Conclusions

Compared with intermittent infusion, prolonged infusion did not increase initial bacterial killing and suppression of regrowth of plasmid-mediated AmpC- and ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae. However, continuous infusion may suppress regrowth of some ESBL-producing susceptible K. pneumoniae, although more data are warranted to confirm this observation.
A case study on Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: available treatment options, antibiotic R&D and responsible antibiotic-use strategies
Authors: Monnier Annelie A , Tacconelli Evelina , Årdal Christine , Cavaleri Marco , Gyssens Inge C
Published: May 2020

Objectives

This case study addresses: (i) antibiotic treatment options for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB), for both empirical and targeted therapy; (ii) the current status of and priorities for the antibiotic pipeline to ensure access of effective antibiotics for SAB; and (iii) strategies for responsible antibiotic use relevant to the clinical management of SAB.

Methods

Evidence to address the aims was extracted from the following information sources: (i) EUCAST and CLSI recommendations, summaries of product characteristics (SPCs), antibiotic treatment guidelines and the textbook Kucers’ The Use of Antibiotics; (ii) the www.clinicaltrial.gov database; and (iii) quality indicators for responsible antibiotic use.

Results

Current monotherapy treatment options for SAB include only three drug classes (β-lactams, glycopeptides and lipopeptides), of which two also cover MRSA bacteraemia (glycopeptides and lipopeptides). The analysis of the antibiotic pipeline and ongoing clinical trials revealed that several new antibiotics with S. aureus (including MRSA) coverage were developed in the past decade (2009–19). However, none belonged to a new antibiotic class or had superior effectiveness and their added clinical value for SAB remains to be proven. Responsible antibiotic use for the treatment of SAB was illustrated using 11 quality indicators.

Conclusions

Awareness of the problem of a limited antibiotic arsenal, together with incentives (e.g. push incentives), is needed to steer the R&D landscape towards the development of novel and effective antibiotics for treating SAB. In the meantime, responsible antibiotic use guided by quality indicators should preserve the effectiveness of currently available antibiotics for treating SAB.
Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as Potential Mechanical Vectors of Pathogenic Bacteria in a Public Hospital in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil
Authors: do Nascimento Leonardo Espíndola , Amaral Raquel Rodrigues , Ferreira Ricardo Marcelo dos Anjos , Trindade Diogo Vitor Soares , do Nascimento Rafael Espíndola , da Costa Tiago Silva , Souto Raimundo Nonato Picanço
Published: May 2020

Studies related to ants found in hospital environments have aroused interest in their role as mechanical vectors of pathogenic microorganisms. The objective of the current research was to determine the species composition and bacterial contamination of ant species found in a public hospital in the eastern Amazonian region. Ants were captured using bait containing honey and sterilized sardines in 15 locations within the Macapá Emergency Hospital, Amapá. Ants were identified morphologically using specific keys. Bacteria were first inoculed in a Brain Heart Infusion broth and then plated on 5% Agar with blood or MacConkey media. Bacterial species were identified through biochemical procedures. In total, 9,687 ants were collected, with 69.8% from the dry season and 30.2% from the rainy season. Nine species of ants were identified belonging to three subfamilies: the Monomorium pharaonis (Linnaeus 1758) being the most common, comprising 39.2% of the total specimens. Only one ant species was found in each bait, facilitating microbiological analyses. In total, 92 bacteria isolates were identified comprising 12 species. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Schroeter 1872 (Pseudomonadales: Pseudomonadaceae) was pathogenic bacteria, most frequently isolated, comprising 10.9% of the positive samples. The most contaminated ant in the study was M. pharaonis with 38.3%. It was the dominant ant species in this hospital environment. Its wide prevalence, forage day and night of this vector in hospital facilitated bacterial contamination. The presence of bacteria on ants may be associated with the dissemination of pathogens which cause hospital infections, making pest control a necessity in these institutions.
Reconciling Lists of Principles in Bioethics
Authors: Veatch Robert M
Published: May 2020

In celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the publication of Beauchamp and Childress’s Principles of Biomedical Ethics, a review is undertaken to compare the lists of principles in various bioethical theories to determine the extent to which the various lists can be reconciled. Included are the single principle theories of utilitarianism, libertarianism, Hippocratism, and the theories of Pellegrino, Engelhardt, The Belmont Report, Beauchamp and Childress, Ross, Veatch, and Gert. We find theories all offering lists of principles (or the equivalent) numbering from one to ten. Many of the differences can be reconciled, but some critical differences remain.
Time and Meaning-Making in the “Hybrid” Media: Evidence From the 2016 U.S. Election
Authors: Lavi Liron
Published: May 2020

Scholars have shown that time shapes journalism practices and news narratives. Yet the dynamics of time have received insufficient scholarly attention. In this study, I focus on how temporal plasticity—the dynamic employment of time—affects the construction of meaning in news media and social media. I draw empirical evidence from a cross-media computational text analysis of TV news and Twitter discourse in the 2016 American election. The study uncovers the dynamic utilization of time and its impact on the democratic meaning of the 2016 election (or the lack thereof) before, during, and after the election in “old” and “new” media. I find that a chronological temporal discourse on Twitter facilitates democratic meaning after the election, while a fragmented temporal discourse on the news media undermines the democratic meaning of the election. The results are discussed in light of the democratic role of “old” and “new” media.
Vision, Vulnerability, and the Victorian Marketplace in Christina Rossetti’s ‘Goblin Market’
Authors: Hansen Megan L
Published: May 2020

This article traces connections between nineteenth-century concepts of physiological sight and philosophies of vision in order to argue that Christina Rossetti’s much discussed and debated depiction of women in the marketplace in ‘Goblin Market’ should be framed by Victorian beliefs about vision and its moral extensions. I establish a historical, medical, and social context for the evolving views on vision in response to advancements in the visual sciences, particularly focusing on social responses to the physiological findings that allied the physical and psychological understanding of vision and knowledge creation in new ways. These theories of visuality within the medical and scientific communities affirmed the social rhetoric of female fragility, connecting frail female sight with precarious judgments and undermined morality outside the protected domestic sphere. I use this context to show that, although ‘Goblin Market’ clearly acknowledges potential dangers in the market for women, Rossetti ultimately presents a tale in which Lizzie is able to successfully participate in markets and in which feminine strength is shown to be a tool for self-governance more broadly. While keeping the moral values tied to female vision and public participation intact, Rossetti nonetheless undermines theories of simple determinism in the female body and mind. ‘Goblin Market’, I argue, can be viewed as a challenge to accepted beliefs about the vulnerability of physical and moral degeneration for women in the marketplace, a challenge that both operates within the social values of moral vision and offers a guide to an empowering public participation.
Studying the environment of AT 2018cow with MUSE
Authors: Lyman J D , Galbany L , Sánchez S F , Anderson J P , Kuncarayakti H , Prieto J L
Published: May 2020

AT 2018cow was the nearest and best-studied example of a new breed of extragalactic, luminous, and rapidly evolving transient. Both the progenitor systems and explosion mechanisms of these rapid transients remain a mystery – the energetics, spectral signatures, and time-scales make them challenging to interpret in established classes of supernovae and tidal disruption events. The rich, multiwavelength data set of AT 2018cow has still left several interpretations viable to explain the nature of this event. In this paper, we analyze integral-field spectroscopic data of the host galaxy, CGCG 137-068, to compare environmental constraints with leading progenitor models. We find the explosion site of AT 2018cow to be very typical of core-collapse supernovae (known to form from stars with MZAMS ∼ 8−25 M⊙), and infer a young stellar population age at the explosion site of few × 10 Myr, at slightly sub-solar metallicity. When comparing to expectations for exotic intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) tidal disruption events, we find no evidence for a potential host system of the IMBH. In particular, there are no abrupt changes in metallicity or kinematics in the vicinity of the explosion site, arguing against the presence of a distinct host system. The proximity of AT 2018cow to strong star formation in the host galaxy makes us favour a massive stellar progenitor for this event.
Formation of Orion fingers
Authors: Dempsey Ross , Zakamska Nadia L , Owen James E
Published: May 2020

‘Orion fingers’ are a system of dozens of bow shocks, with the wings of shocks pointing to a common system of origin, which is centred on a dynamically disintegrating system of several massive stars. The shock heads propagate with velocities of up to 300–400 km s−1, but the formation and physical properties of the ‘bullets’ leading the shocks are not known. Here, we summarize two possible scenarios for the formation of the ‘bullets’ and the resulting bow shocks (‘fingers’). In the first scenario, bullets are self-gravitating, Jupiter-mass objects that were formed rapidly and then ejected during the strong dynamical interactions of massive stars and their discs. This scenario naturally explains the similar time-scales for the outflow of bullets and for the dynamical interaction of the massive stars, but has some difficulty explaining the observed high velocities of the bullets. In the second scenario, bullets are formed via hydrodynamic instabilities in a massive, infrared-driven wind, naturally explaining the high velocities and the morphology of outflow, but the bullets are not required to be self-gravitating. The processes that created the Orion fingers are likely not unique to this particular star-forming region and may result in free-floating, high-velocity, core-less planets.
Atomic hydrogen clues to the formation of counterrotating stellar discs
Authors: Young Lisa M , Krajnović Davor , Duc Pierre-Alain , Serra Paolo
Published: May 2020

We present interferometric H i observations of six double-disc stellar counterrotator (‘2σ’) galaxies from the ATLAS3D sample. Three are detected in H i emission; two of these are new detections. NGC 7710 shows a modestly asymmetric H i disc, and the atomic gas in PGC 056772 is centrally peaked but too poorly resolved to identify the direction of rotation. IC 0719, the most instructive system in this study, shows an extended, strongly warped disc of ∼43 kpc diameter, with a faint tail extending towards its neighbour IC 0718. The gas has likely been accreted from this external source during an encounter whose geometry directed the gas into misaligned retrograde orbits (with respect to the primary stellar body of IC 0719). In the interior, where dynamical time-scales are shorter, the H i has settled into the equatorial plane forming the retrograde secondary stellar disc. This is the first direct evidence that a double-disc stellar counterrotator could be formed through the accretion of retrograde gas. However, the dominant formation pathway for the formation of 2σ galaxies is still unclear. The ATLAS3D sample shows some cases of the retrograde accretion scenario and also some cases in which a scenario based on an unusually well-aligned merger is more likely.
Interaction between RECQL4 and OGG1 promotes repair of oxidative base lesion 8-oxoG and is regulated by SIRT1 deacetylase
Authors: Duan Shunlei , Han Xuerui , Akbari Mansour , Croteau Deborah L , Rasmussen Lene Juel , Bohr Vilhelm A
Published: May 2020

OGG1 initiated base excision repair (BER) is the major pathway for repair of oxidative DNA base damage 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). Here, we report that RECQL4 DNA helicase, deficient in the cancer-prone and premature aging Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, physically and functionally interacts with OGG1. RECQL4 promotes catalytic activity of OGG1 and RECQL4 deficiency results in defective 8-oxoG repair and increased genomic 8-oxoG. Furthermore, we show that acute oxidative stress leads to increased RECQL4 acetylation and its interaction with OGG1. The NAD+-dependent protein SIRT1 deacetylates RECQL4 in vitro and in cells thereby controlling the interaction between OGG1 and RECQL4 after DNA repair and maintaining RECQL4 in a low acetylated state. Collectively, we find that RECQL4 is involved in 8-oxoG repair through interaction with OGG1, and that SIRT1 indirectly modulates BER of 8-oxoG by controlling RECQL4–OGG1 interaction.
HrrSA orchestrates a systemic response to heme and determines prioritization of terminal cytochrome oxidase expression
Authors: Keppel Marc , Hünnefeld Max , Filipchyk Andrei , Viets Ulrike , Davoudi Cedric-Farhad , Krüger Aileen , Mack Christina , Pfeifer Eugen , Polen Tino , Baumgart Meike , Bott Michael , Frunzke Julia
Published: May 2020

Heme is a multifaceted molecule. While serving as a prosthetic group for many important proteins, elevated levels are toxic to cells. The complexity of this stimulus has shaped bacterial network evolution. However, only a small number of targets controlled by heme-responsive regulators have been described to date. Here, we performed chromatin affinity purification and sequencing to provide genome-wide insights into in vivo promoter occupancy of HrrA, the response regulator of the heme-regulated two-component system HrrSA of Corynebacterium glutamicum. Time-resolved profiling revealed dynamic binding of HrrA to more than 200 different genomic targets encoding proteins associated with heme biosynthesis, the respiratory chain, oxidative stress response and cell envelope remodeling. By repression of the extracytoplasmic function sigma factor sigC, which activates the cydABCD operon, HrrA prioritizes the expression of genes encoding the cytochrome bc1-aa3 supercomplex. This is also reflected by a significantly decreased activity of the cytochrome aa3 oxidase in the ΔhrrA mutant. Furthermore, our data reveal that HrrA also integrates the response to heme-induced oxidative stress by activating katA encoding the catalase. These data provide detailed insights in the systemic strategy that bacteria have evolved to respond to the versatile signaling molecule heme.
Sodium intake, health implications, and the role of population-level strategies
Authors: Aljuraiban Ghadeer S , Jose Arun Pulikkottil , Gupta Priti , Shridhar Krithiga , Prabhakaran Dorairaj
Published: May 2020

Evidence to date suggests that high sodium intake affects health adversely, yet the role of a population-level strategy to reduce sodium intake is often contested. This review focuses on current available evidence on regional sodium intake levels, health implications of sodium intake, and population-level strategies implemented worldwide. The limitations in evidence, the difficulties in implementing population-wide strategies to reduce sodium intake, and the need for such strategies are critically reviewed. Evidence clearly shows that sodium has an adverse effect on blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. However, whether reduced sodium intake benefits all individuals or only hypertensive individuals is still unclear. Methodological issues and publication bias in current evidence are other matters of concern in sodium-related research. While it is essential to continue working toward the World Health Organization’s target of 30% reduction in sodium intake, due consideration should be given to improving the quality of research, reducing bias in publications, and reviewing evidence more critically.
Regularity of Desingularized Models for Vortex Filaments in Incompressible Viscous Flows: A Geometrical Approach
Authors: Li Siran
Published: May 2020

We establish the regularity of weak solutions for the vorticity equation associated to a family of desingularized models for vortex filament dynamics in 3D incompressible viscous flows. These generalize the classical model ‘of an allowance for the thickness of the vortices’ due to Louis Rosenhead in 1930. Our approach is based on an interplay between the geometry of vorticity and analytic inequalities in Sobolev spaces.
Ultrasound-Guided Single-Penetration Block for Sciatic and Saphenous Nerve Versus The Traditional Double Penetration Popliteal- Sciatic/Saphenous Technique for Leg and Foot Surgery
Authors: Kamel A Y , Talkhan S A , Ahmad H A , Galal M A , Ali M A
Published: May 2020

Background

A new approach is described to blocking the sciatic and saphenous nerves in the proximal thigh (level of the lesser trochanter or immediately below) using a single-penetration technique. The popliteal-sciatic approach necessitates repositioning of the leg exposing the popliteal fossa and an extra injection for the saphenous nerve (SAN) block at the midthigh level.

Aim of the Study

The aim of this work is to compare between the new single-penetration block technique for block of the SCN and SAN at proximal thigh and the traditional popliteal sciatic nerve block at popliteal fossa with saphenous nerve block at adductor canal technique for leg and foot surgery.

Subjects and Methods

This prospective single blinded randomized parallel group study was conducted to compare between the ultrasound guided single penetration block technique for sciatic and saphenous nerve at proximal thigh to the traditional popliteal sciatic nerve block at popliteal fossa and saphenous block at adductor canal.

Results

Performance time was significantly faster with the single penetration technique median time 6.33 minutes (range, 3-10 minutes) versus 12.57 minutes (range from 8-20 minutes) (P < 0.001), respectively Positioning time was also significantly shorter with the single penetration block technique compared to the traditional block combination technique that is median time 0 minutes (range, 0-0 minutes) versus median time 5.78 minutes (range 3-10 minutes) (P < 0.001), respectively. No other statistically significant differences were recorded.

Conclusions

The single penetration block resulted in significantly faster performance time and reduced positioning time with statistically equal efficacy in relation to pain assessment, nausea, meperdin demand, dermatomal anesthesia, and motor blockade. The single penetration block is statistically an equally effective alternative to the traditional popliteal-sciatic/saphenous block combination for leg and foot surgery, but it is faster, requires only 1 skin penetration, and does not require repositioning of the leg.
The Relationship Between Random Blood Sugar Level and Arrhythmias After CABG
Authors: Sayed A M A , Mansour W A A , Abdelnaiem M A , Abdelsalam A A M
Published: May 2020

Background

Arrhythmia is a major complication of CABG and it happens in 30 % of patients after CABG . Arrhythmias represent a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Mainly have a benign course, it may prolong the icu stay and rarely may lead to mortaility. Postoperative arrhythmias (POAs) include atrial tachyarrhythmia's (ATs) and to a lesser extent ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and Brady arrhythmias The outcome of arrhythmia depends on several factors like underlying cardiac function, patient’s comorbidities, arrhythmia duration, and ventricular response rate. So, POAs could be tolerated in some patients and a source of morbidity and mortality in others.

Objective

We aim to analyze the relationship between serum random blood sugar concentration (BS) and arrhythmias after CABG.

Methodology

We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 60 patients patients who underwent isolated elective on pump CABG divided in two groups group A arrhythmia group and group S non arrhythmia group patient clinical and procedure characters was notice and recorded Serum blood sugar.

Results

History of DM .insluin Intake, postoperative Mean AND Maximum BS and post operative drainage volume showed statistically significance (p-value < 0.05).

Conclusion

The predictors of postoperative Arrhythmias after CABG are hyperglycemia, history of Insluin intake and postoperative drainage volume. In particular, hyperglycemia and postoperative Arrhythmias after CABG were found to have a very strong association. Therefore, we believe that BS control should reduce the incidence of AF after CABG.
Comparative study between Fentanyl with (Lidocaine and Bupivicaine) Versus (Lidocaine and Bupivicaine) alone in Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block in Upper Limb Surgeries
Authors: Elsebaay S A , Elgendy H A , Afifi M M
Published: May 2020

Background

Post operative pain and stress is a very known complication of many surgical procedures which represents a burden for the patient and associated with many complications including stress, myocardial ischemia, prolonged hospital stay and the need of extensive post operative analgesia.

Aim of the Work

to study the effect of Fentanyl as an adjuvant to bupivacaine and Lidocaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block. After taking approval from Local Ethical Committee approval and informed written consent from each patient, this randomized prospective comparative study was conducted on 60 patients who were divided into two groups: Group A (Control group): 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine + 6 ml of lidocaine hydrochloride 2% + 1 ml of Normal Saline 0.9%. Group B (Fentanyl group): 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine + 6 ml of lidocaine hydrochloride 2% + 1ml of fentanyl 50 ug/ml.

Results

our study showed that addition of a 50 microgram of fentanyl to bupivacaine and lidocaine in ultrasound-guided supraclavicular nerve block has statistically significant effect on the onset of sensory and motor block and prolonged the duration of the sensory and the motor block. In addition, fentanyl prolonged the duration of analgesia of the plexus block significantly, as proved by the time of request of first analgesia. Moreover, in fentanyl group, postoperative analgesic requirements were greatly lesser than that of bupivacaine and lidocaine groups. Addition of fentanyl also did not affect the hemodynamic to a significant level

Conclusion

fentanyl with bupivacaine and lidocaine more superior than the use of bupivacaine and lidocaine alone.
Ketofol vs Dexamedetomidine Effect on Conscious Sedation for Patients with Chronic Nonsurgical Low Back Pain
Authors: Salama N E Y , El Shebiny A A , Kamaleldin D M , Abdeldaim A , Fawaz M M A
Published: May 2020

Context

Treatment of low back pain is challenging. A variety of therapeutic interventions is available, but no single modality appears to be superior, and evaluations vary depending on the cause of pain and on individual, social, and occupational factors. Scientific evidence supports the use of some nonsurgical treatment alternatives in patients with acute and chronic low back pain. Dexmedetomidine had been successfully used in conscious (moderate) sedation as a good competitive to the popular agent (midazolam). Also different concentrations of ketamine and propofol combinations (ketofol) have been used for procedural sedation and analgesia.

Objective

The aim of this study is to compare the effect of dexamedetomidine and ketofol on conscious sedation in patients undergoing non-surgical interventions for chronic low back pain regards the efficacy of sedation, hemodynamic stability, respiratory effects, speed of recovery, analgesic effects and incidence of complications.

Methodology

This study was conducted in Ain Shams University affiliated hospitals on 60 patients of both sexes between 30 and 50 years old, of ASA physical status I–II scheduled for nonsurgical intervention for chronic low back pain. In the current study, the patients were randomly divided into 2 equal groups of 30 patients each. Patients received either sedation with Ketofol (group K) or Dexmedetomidine (group D).

Results

As regards the demographic data (age, sex and body weight); there was no statistically significant variation between the two study groups. This provided a uniform platform to evenly compare the results obtained. Concerning the duration of the procedure, the time recorded for each patient showed statistically non-significant difference between the two groups. Regarding sedation of the patients during the procedure evaluated according to Ramsay sedation score, there was a highly significant difference between the two groups (p-value < 0.001), where the dexmedetomidine group needed more time (17.71 ± 2.86 min) to reach the targeted Ramsay sedation score (3-4) to commence the surgical procedure while the ketofol group needed less time (9.79 ± 1.87 min) to reach the same score.

Conclusion

Both drugs provided hemodynamic stability althrough the procedure although dexmedetomidine group showed lower heart rates and lower mean arterial blood pressures towards the end of the procedure which makes it difficult to be used in older population or those having low baseline heart rates. Both drugs proved to be safe concerning respiration, SPO2 and CO2 values, however dexmedetomidine showed higher respiratory rates during the procedure.