bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vegetable ingredients in functional fermented milk products
Authors: Kryuchkova V V , Gorlov I F , Belik S N , Kamlatsky A S
Published: September 2020

The analysis of literature found prebiotic properties of inulin and white currant’s health-promoting properties and rich chemical compositions that allow these products to be considered functional food ingredients with bifidogenic, immunomodulating, antioxidant, prebiotic, and hepatoprotective properties, which became a reason for inulin and white currant to be used for enrichment of a dairy product. The experimental studies have established the type of starter microflora—lactic acid and bifidobacteria. The optimal method of heat treatment and technological stage and doses of inulin (3.0%) and unclarified white currant juice (3.0%) were determined, i.e., holding juice and inulin dissolved in milk at t=65±2°C for 25-30 minutes, cooling to t=14±2 °C, and adding to fermented milk product cooled to t=14±2 °C. Qualitative indicators of the fermented milk product enriched with inulin and white currant were higher than those of a traditional product. The new product met the requirements of technical regulations and can be recommended as a functional product for systematic consumption by different age groups of population without restrictions.
High-protein sublimated fish and vegetable based snacks
Authors: Zarubin N Yu , Strokova N G , Roshchina A N , Bredikhina O V , Ignatova T A
Published: September 2020

The paper presents research data justifying the relevance of developing a ready-to-eat food product in the form of freeze-dried snacks based on a homogenized fish-vegetable system. Recipe formulations are substantiated and the technology of four freeze-dried snacks using fish and vegetable raw materials is developed, which allows to obtain a high-protein product containing polyunsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber and minerals. Studies of the quality indicators of the developed finished products made it possible to establish its high nutritional, in particular biological value: snacks in their composition contain dietary fiber), in particular fiber (7.05-23.77%) and inulin (4.35%), polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega - 3.6 group (ω-3: 45.52-49.43% and ω-6: 5.48-6.98% of the total fatty acids), as well as trace elements such as iodine (0.021%), which allows us to recommend them as functional foods for the diet of the population.
Design, construction, and performance testing of a fixed-bed pyrolysis reactor for production of pyrolytic fuel
Authors: Oni Taiwo Oluwasesan , Ayodeji Simon Olusegun
Published: September 2020

In an attempt to produce fuel from plastic waste, a cylindrical fixed-bed pyrolysis reactor with a capacity of 0.01053 m3 was designed and fabricated. The pyrolytic fuel produced serves as a substitute to fossil fuel. A thermal degradation process, known as fixed-bed pyrolysis, was employed to obtain the pyrolytic fuel from the plastic waste. The operating pressure and the design pressure of the pyrolysis reactor are 25.16 MPa and 28.93 MPa, respectively. The performance testing of the reactor shows that the pyrolytic fuel has higher calorific value, flash point, cetane rating, and density of 39.5 MJ kg−1, 72.5 °C, 40.5, and 804.0 kg m−3, respectively. The corresponding values for the fossil fuel (diesel) are 44.8 MJ kg−1, 68.0 °C, 48.0, and 820.0 kg m−3, respectively. It was confirmed through the performance testing that the reactor was properly designed and can, therefore, be reliably used to produce pyrolytic fuel, which can be made use of as a good alternative to fossil fuel.
Upper bounds for the usual measures of totally positive algebraic integers with house less than 5.8
Authors: Flammang V.
Published: September 2020

Previously, we established lower bounds for the usual measures (trace, length, Mahler measure) of totally positive algebraic integers, i.e., all of whose conjugates are positive real numbers. We used the method of explicit auxiliary functions and we noticed that the house of most of the totally positive polynomials involved in our functions are bounded by 5.8. Thanks to this observation, we are able to use the same method and give upper bounds for the usual measures of totally positive algebraic integers with house bounded by this value. To our knowledge, theses upper bounds are the first results of this kind.
Comment on Sarah Maza’s “The Kids Aren’t All Right”
Authors: Milanich Nara
Published: September 2020

In a complement to the 2020 AHR Roundtable “Chronological Age: A Useful Category of Historical Analysis” (125, no. 2), this AHR Exchange focuses on the history of children and childhood. Sarah Maza presents a critical review essay, highlighting the limiting factors in the expanding field of childhood studies. Children, she observes, produce few sources of their own voices, have limited agency, and as individuals and as a group soon outgrow their subaltern status—they grow up. Robin P. Chapdelaine, Nara Milanich, Steven Mintz, Ishita Pande, and Bengt Sandin—historians representing diverse geographical, theoretical, and methodological perspectives on the history of children and childhood—react to Maza’s observations by bringing up important methodological questions about subjecthood, agency, and modernity. Maza’s rejoinder reflects on these questions and on the possibility of age-based historical agency.
Shark: fishing relevant reads in an RNA-Seq sample
Authors: Denti Luca , Pirola Yuri , Previtali Marco , Ceccato Tamara , Della Vedova Gianluca , Rizzi Raffaella , Bonizzoni Paola
Published: September 2020

Motivation

Recent advances in high-throughput RNA-Seq technologies allow to produce massive datasets. When a study focuses only on a handful of genes, most reads are not relevant and degrade the performance of the tools used to analyze the data. Removing irrelevant reads from the input dataset leads to improved efficiency without compromising the results of the study.

Results

We introduce a novel computational problem, called gene assignment and we propose an efficient alignment-free approach to solve it. Given an RNA-Seq sample and a panel of genes, a gene assignment consists in extracting from the sample, the reads that most probably were sequenced from those genes. The problem becomes more complicated when the sample exhibits evidence of novel alternative splicing events. We implemented our approach in a tool called Shark and assessed its effectiveness in speeding up differential splicing analysis pipelines. This evaluation shows that Shark is able to significantly improve the performance of RNA-Seq analysis tools without having any impact on the final results.

Availability and implementation

The tool is distributed as a stand-alone module and the software is freely available at https://github.com/AlgoLab/shark.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Negotiating Reunion in Intercountry Adoption Using Social Media and Technology
Authors: Shier Anne Marie
Published: September 2020

This article focuses on how intercountry adoptees use social media and technology to negotiate and facilitate reunion with their birth families. The qualitative data were drawn from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with eleven adoptees who were internationally adopted to Ireland and have contact with their birth families using social media and technology. The findings from this interpretivist study demonstrate that social media and technology have significantly transformed and can now play a central role in reunion in intercountry adoption. They also suggest that social workers need to be aware of the emerging role of social media and technology in intercountry adoption reunion to develop further knowledge and skills in this area. Specifically, the study indicates that social media and technology have facilitated, ‘normalised’ and casualised aspects of contact with birth family; increased the pace of contact and can pose challenges in navigating contact and boundaries. A key finding of this study relates to the importance of contact with birth siblings and their potential role as mediators and facilitators of contact with birth parents. Participants report that whilst social media and technology have facilitated their contact with birth family, it cannot and does not replace the need for ‘real life’ in-person contact.
Scotopic Vision Is Selectively Processed in Thick-Type Columns in Human Extrastriate Cortex
Authors: Tootell Roger B H , Nasr Shahin
Published: September 2020

In humans, visual stimuli can be perceived across an enormous range of light levels. Evidence suggests that different neural mechanisms process different subdivisions of this range. For instance, in the retina, stimuli presented at very low (scotopic) light levels activate rod photoreceptors, whereas cone photoreceptors are activated relatively more at higher (photopic) light levels. Similarly, different retinal ganglion cells are activated by scotopic versus photopic stimuli. However, in the brain, it remains unknown whether scotopic versus photopic information is: 1) processed in distinct channels, or 2) neurally merged. Using high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging at 7 T, we confirmed the first hypothesis. We first localized thick versus thin-type columns within areas V2, V3, and V4, based on photopic selectivity to motion versus color, respectively. Next, we found that scotopic stimuli selectively activated thick- (compared to thin-) type columns in V2 and V3 (in measurements of both overlap and amplitude) and V4 (based on overlap). Finally, we found stronger resting-state functional connections between scotopically dominated area MT with thick- (compared to thin-) type columns in areas V2, V3, and V4. We conclude that scotopic stimuli are processed in partially segregated parallel streams, emphasizing magnocellular influence, from retina through middle stages of visual cortex.
Efficacy and Safety of Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir/Voxilaprevir for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) NS5A-Inhibitor Experienced Patients With Difficult to Cure Characteristics
Authors: Papaluca Timothy , Roberts Stuart K , Strasser Simone I , Stuart Katherine A , Farrell Geoffrey , MacQuillan Gerry , Dore Gregory J , Wade Amanda J , George Jacob , Hazeldine Simon , O’Beirne James , Wigg Alan , Fisher Leslie , McGarity Bruce , Sawhney Rohit , Sinclair Marie , Thomas James , Valiozis Ivan , Weltman Martin , Wilson Mark , Woodward Aidan , Ahlenstiel Golo , Haque Mazhar , Levy Miriam , Prewett Emily , Sievert William , Sood Siddharth , Tse Edmund , Valaydon Zina , Bowden Scott , Douglas Mark , New Kate , O’Keefe Jacinta , Hellard Margaret , Doyle Joseph , Stoove Mark , Thompson Alexander J
Published: September 2020

Background

In clinical trials, hepatitis C virus (HCV) salvage treatment with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) achieved an SVR12 rate of >95% in NS5A-experienced participants. Lower SVR12 rates have been reported in real-world studies, particularly for genotype (GT)3 infection and cirrhosis. We determined the efficacy and safety of SOF/VEL/VOX in a large real-world cohort.

Methods

We assessed the efficacy of salvage SOF/VEL/VOX for HCV infection in NS5A-inhibitor experienced participants with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, prior liver transplantation (LT) or severe extra-hepatic manifestations. SOF/VEL/VOX was available via an early access program. The primary outcome was SVR12. Secondary outcome was frequency of adverse events (AE).

Findings

Ninety-seven participants were included. Median age was 58, 82% were male, 78% had cirrhosis, most with portal hypertension (61%, n = 46/76), and 18% had prior-LT. Of the cirrhotic participants, 96% were Child-Turcotte-Pugh class A, and 4% were class B. Of the 72% with GT3, 76% were also cirrhotic. By intention-to-treat analysis, SVR12 rate was 85% (n = 82/97). Per protocol, the SVR12 rate was 90%, including 91% in GT1 (GT1a n = 18/18, GT1b n = 2/4), 89% in GT3 (n = 59/66) and 100% in GT6 (n = 3/3). SVR12 in participants with GT3 and cirrhosis was 90%. No predictors of non-SVR12 were identified. There were 4 serious AEs including 1 death and 3 hepatic decompensation events. NS5A resistance-associated substitutions detected at baseline did not affect SVR12.

Conclusions

This real-world study confirms high efficacy of SOF/VEL/VOX for the treatment of difficult-to-cure NS5A-inhibitor experienced patients, including those with GT3 and cirrhosis. Treatment was well tolerated in most; however, serious AEs can occur in those with advanced liver disease.
Antibiotic Use Prior to Hospital Presentation Among Individuals With Suspected Enteric Fever in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan
Authors: Vaidya Krista , Aiemjoy Kristen , Qamar Farah N , Saha Samir K , Tamrakar Dipesh , Naga Shiva R , Saha Shampa , Hemlock Caitlin , Longley Ashley T , Date Kashmira , Bogoch Isaac I , Garrett Denise O , Luby Stephen P , Andrews Jason R
Published: September 2020

Background

Antibiotic use prior to seeking care at a hospital may reduce the sensitivity of blood culture for enteric fever, with implications for both clinical care and surveillance. The Surveillance for Enteric Fever in Asia Project (SEAP) is a prospective study of enteric fever incidence in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Nested within SEAP, we evaluated the accuracy of self-reported antibiotic use and investigated the association between antibiotic use and blood culture positivity.

Methods

Between November 2016 and April 2019, we collected urine samples among a subset of SEAP participants to test for antibiotic use prior to the hospital visit using an antibacterial activity assay. All participants were asked about recent antibiotic use and had a blood culture performed. We used mixed-effect logit models to evaluate the effect of antimicrobial use on blood culture positivity, adjusted for markers of disease severity.

Results

We enrolled 2939 patients with suspected enteric fever. Antibiotics were detected in 39% (1145/2939) of urine samples. The correlation between measured and reported antibiotic use was modest (κ = 0.72). After adjusting for disease severity, patients with antibiotics in their urine were slightly more likely to be blood culture positive for enteric fever; however, the effect was not statistically significant (prevalence ratio, 1.22 [95% confidence interval, .99–1.50]).

Conclusions

The reliability of self-reported prior antibiotic use was modest among individuals presenting with fever to tertiary hospitals. While antibiotics are likely to reduce the sensitivity of blood culture, our findings indicate that there is still considerable value in performing blood culture for individuals reporting antibiotic use.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Prevalences Among People Experiencing Homelessness and Homelessness Service Staff During Early Community Transmission in Atlanta, Georgia, April–May 2020
Authors: Yoon Jane C , Montgomery Martha P , Buff Ann M , Boyd Andrew T , Jamison Calla , Hernandez Alfonso , Schmit Kristine , Shah Sarita , Ajoku Sophia , Holland David P , Prieto Juliana , Smith Sasha , Swancutt Mark A , Turner Kim , Andrews Tom , Flowers Kevin , Wells Alyssa , Marchman Cathryn , Laney Emaline , Bixler Danae , Cavanaugh Sean , Flowers Nicole , Gaffga Nicholas , Ko Jean Y , Paulin Heather N , Weng Mark K , Mosites Emily , Morris Sapna Bamrah
Published: September 2020

Background

In response to reported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in other US cities, we conducted multiple, proactive, facility-wide testing events for PEH living sheltered and unsheltered and homelessness service staff in Atlanta, Georgia. We describe the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) prevalence and associated symptoms, and review shelter infection prevention and control (IPC) policies.

Methods

PEH and staff were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) during 7 April–6 May 2020. A subset of PEH and staff was screened for symptoms. Shelter assessments were conducted concurrently at a convenience sample of shelters using a standardized questionnaire.

Results

Overall, 2875 individuals at 24 shelters and 9 unsheltered outreach events underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing, and 2860 (99.5%) had conclusive test results. The SARS-CoV-2 prevalences were 2.1% (36/1684) among PEH living sheltered, 0.5% (3/628) among PEH living unsheltered, and 1.3% (7/548) among staff. Reporting fever, cough, or shortness of breath in the last week during symptom screening was 14% sensitive and 89% specific for identifying COVID-19 cases, compared with RT-PCR. Prevalences by shelter ranged 0–27.6%. Repeat testing 3–4 weeks later at 4 shelters documented decreased SARS-CoV-2 prevalences (0–3.9%). Of 24 shelters, 9 completed shelter assessments and implemented IPC measures as part of the COVID-19 response.

Conclusions

PEH living in shelters experienced a higher SARS-CoV-2 prevalence compared with PEH living unsheltered. Facility-wide testing in congregate settings allowed for the identification and isolation of COVID-19 cases, and is an important strategy to interrupt SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
Role of amoebae for survival and recovery of ‘non-culturable’ Helicobacter pylori cells in aquatic environments
Authors: Dey Rafik , Rieger Aja , Banting Graham , Ashbolt Nicholas J
Published: September 2020

Helicobacter pylori is a fastidious Gram-negative bacterium that infects over half of the world's population, causing chronic gastritis and is a risk factor for stomach cancer. In developing and rural regions where prevalence rate exceeds 60%, persistence and waterborne transmission are often linked to poor sanitation conditions. Here we demonstrate that H. pylori not only survives but also replicates within acidified free-living amoebal phagosomes. Bacterial counts of the clinical isolate H. pylori G27 increased over 50-fold after three days in co-culture with amoebae. In contrast, a H. pylori mutant deficient in a cagPAI gene (cagE) showed little growth within amoebae, demonstrating the likely importance of a type IV secretion system in H. pylori for amoebal infection. We also demonstrate that H. pylori can be packaged by amoebae and released in extracellular vesicles. Furthermore, and for the first time, we successfully demonstrate the ability of two free-living amoebae to revert and recover viable but non-cultivable coccoid (VBNC)-H. pylori to a culturable state. Our studies provide evidence to support the hypothesis that amoebae and perhaps other free-living protozoa contribute to the replication and persistence of human-pathogenic H. pylori by providing a protected intracellular microenvironment for this pathogen to persist in natural aquatic environments and engineered water systems, thereby H. pylori potentially uses amoeba as a carrier and a vector of transmission.
Unraveling the xylanolytic potential of Acidobacteria bacterium AB60 from Cerrado soils
Authors: Rodrigues Gisele Regina , Pinto Otávio Henrique Bezerra , Schroeder Luís Felipe , Fernandes Gabriel da Rocha , Costa Ohana Yonara Assis , Quirino Betania Ferraz , Kuramae Eiko Eurya , Barreto Cristine Chaves
Published: September 2020

The presence of genes for glycosyl hydrolases in many Acidobacteria genomes indicates an important role in the degradation of plant cell wall material. Acidobacteria bacterium AB60 was obtained from Cerrado oligotrophic soil in Brazil, where this phylum is abundant. The 16S rRNA gene analyses showed that AB60 was closely related to the genera Occallatibacter and Telmatobacter. However, AB60 grew on xylan as carbon source, which was not observed in Occallatibacter species; but growth was not detected on medium containing carboxymethyl cellulose, as observed in Telmatobacter. Nevertheless, the genome analysis of AB60 revealed genes for the enzymes involved in cellulose as well as xylan degradation. In addition to enzymes involved in xylan degradation, α-l-rhamnosidase was detected in the cultures of AB60. Functional screening of a small-insert genomic library did not identify any clones capable of carboxymethyl cellulose degradation, but open reading frames coding α-l-arabinofuranosidase and α-l-rhamnosidase were present in clones showing xylan degradation halos. Both enzymes act on the lateral chains of heteropolymers such as pectin and some hemicelluloses. These results indicate that the hydrolysis of α-linked sugars may offer a metabolic niche for slow-growing Acidobacteria, allowing them to co-exist with other plant-degrading microbes that hydrolyze β-linked sugars from cellulose or hemicellulose backbones.
Louder Than Words: Broadsheets as Agents in a Multimedial Society
Authors: Janssens Eva L E
Published: September 2020

As significant instruments in the dissemination of Protestant ideas, oral, visual and written media affected early modern culture and its mentalities in an unprecedented way. Through word and image, religious oppositions were exacerbated in order to encourage the process of conversion. The role of prints in Protestant propaganda has already received scholarly attention. Yet, too often, a focus on medium-specific characteristics has ignored the interesting facet of interplay with other media. Through a detailed study of several illustrated broadsheets, this contribution analyses how prints of a Protestant stripe related, both in an explicit and in an implicit way, to other modes of communication. The perspective of multi- and intermediality is used as a scientific window on sixteenth-century prints and their reception.
Detection of temporal change in near-source attenuation during intense fluid-driven seismicity following the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake
Authors: Yoshida Keisuke
Published: September 2020

The behaviour of fluids in the crust is key to understanding earthquake occurrence as fluids decrease fault strength. The attenuation of seismic waves may be locally high in fault zones as fluids are intensely distributed in these zones. This study uses a novel, simple approach to examine near-source attenuation in the focal region of intense swarm activity in the Yamagata–Fukushima border region, Japan, which is believed to be triggered by fluid movement following the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. Near-source attenuation was estimated by determining the decay of amplitude ratios of nearby earthquake pairs with traveltime differences precisely quantified using a waveform correlation. In the initial ∼50 d, ${{\boldsymbol{Q}}^{ - 1}}$ was high, then it significantly decreased to become almost constant for the subsequent period. This pattern is similar to those independently observed for background seismicity rate, b-value, stress drop and fault strength. These patterns can be attributed to the hypothesis that the swarm was triggered by fluid movement following the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake; the source and seismicity characteristics and the seismic attenuation were altogether affected by the temporal change in pore pressure. The method demonstrated in this study may be a useful tool to detect high pore pressure anomaly at depth and understand its relationship with earthquake occurrence.
Diminishing constitutional law: The first three decades of women’s exclusion adjudication in Israel
Authors: Tirosh Yofi
Published: September 2020

Balancing between sex equality and religious interests has been a challenge for Israel’s constitutional law from the state’s inception. In recent years, however, the expanding repertoire of practices known as women’s exclusion has brought forth this tension with new formulations, intensity, and public sensitivity. This article maps the three decades of Israel’s High Court of Justice (HCJ or “the Court”) adjudication on women’s exclusion. The modesty requirements and sex-based physical segregation that have become rampant in Israel require re-articulations of the scope and status of the right to equality, as well as other constitutional rights such as dignity and liberty. The thirty-year database compiled for the purpose of this article encompasses all women’s exclusion cases decided by the HCJ. The database was built based on an annotated definition of women’s exclusion cases as a legal field, developed and explained in this article. The database reveals what might be defined as diminishing constitutional adjudication. In the 1990s, the Court labored in elevating sex equality, developing a doctrinal structure that guards it against religion-based demands to legitimize exclusion norms. In contrast, in the past decade, the Court has almost completely refrained from reviewing cases on merit or writing reasoned opinions, adopting ad-hoc problem-solving approaches or taking dispute resolution approaches prompting the parties to find compromise, without delineating the legal framework that should guide the disputes.
A recurrent lung abscess caused by delayed diagnosis of unique co-infection with Abiotrophia defectiva
Authors: Onorati Ilaria , Guiraudet Patrice , Billard-Pomares Typhaine , Martinod Emmanuel
Published: September 2020

We report the case of a lung abscess due to Prevotella baroniae with a co-infection by Abiotrophia defective, which is a ‘nutritionally variant streptococci’ (NVS), in a 48-year-old patient. The delayed diagnosis of this co-infection led to multiple failures of medical treatment and need for surgery. Pathogenicity of these bacteria is well known, particularly in endocarditis, but not in lung infection. In pulmonary abscesses, co-infection with NVS is difficult to detect. It may explain some medical treatment failures. This case highlights the importance to systematically search for and consider NVS in such clinical contexts.
A Study of Universal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 RNA Testing Among Residents and Staff in a Large Group of Care Homes in South London
Authors: Marossy Agnes , Rakowicz Stefan , Bhan Angela , Noon Sarah , Rees Amanda , Virk Manjinder , Nazafi Ayazali , Hay Evie , de Thomasson Louise , Windle Christina , Zuckerman Mark
Published: September 2020

Background

Care homes have experienced a high number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related deaths among residents since the onset of the pandemic. However, up to May 2020, there has been a lack of information about the extent of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among residents and staff in care homes and limited testing in this setting.

Methods

Combined nose and throat swab testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA was carried out in 2455 residents and staff across 37 care homes in the London Borough of Bromley across a 3-week period. Results were reported within 24 hours of sample delivery, and data were collected on the presence or absence of symptoms.

Results

Overall, the point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 6.5%, with a higher rate in residents (9.0%) than in staff (4.7%). A key finding was the high proportion of asymptomatic infection detected in staff (69%) and residents (51%), with evidence of underdetection of symptoms by care home staff.

Conclusions

The high proportion of asymptomatic infection combined with underdetection of symptoms by care home staff indicates that offering a test to all residents and staff in care homes with rapid reporting of results would assist accurate identification of infected individuals, facilitating prompt infection prevention and control action.
Rationing of Civilian Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccines While Supplies Are Limited
Authors: Zimmerman Richard K , South-Paul Jeannette E , Poland Gregory A
Published: September 2020

Allocation of the initial doses of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines should account for epidemiology, vaccinology, bioethics, and racial disparities. Our priority tiers for vaccination are critical infrastructure, those at highest medical benefit, and those chosen by a weighted Area-Deprivation Index lottery.
The Draft Fining Guidelines and the future of antitrust fines in China
Authors: Sun Su , Zhang Chenying
Published: September 2020

Fines are a major part of the punishment and deterrence in China’s enforcement of its Antimonopoly Law. China has been drafting antitrust fining guidelines in the past several years and the current version is believed to be close to final. One natural question is: will the antitrust fining guidelines lead to harsher antitrust fines in China’s future enforcement? We attempt to answer this question by assessing whether fine recipients in China’s historical antitrust investigations would have received higher fines according to the Draft Fining Guidelines. Based on a large number of historical non-merger case decisions issued by China’s antitrust agencies through September 2019, our quantitative analysis shows that higher future fines should be expected in the future. We also explore several factors that might explain why historical fines were below the level predicted by the Draft Fining Guidelines.
Evaluation of Biomarkers in Sepsis: High Dimethylarginine (ADMA and SDMA) Concentrations Are Associated with Mortality
Authors: van Wijk Xander M R , Yun Cassandra , Lynch Kara L
Published: September 2020

Background

As modulators of nitric oxide generation, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) may play important roles in sepsis. Current data on dimethylarginines are conflicting, and direct comparison data with other biomarkers are limited.

Methods

Fifty-five patients were included in the final analysis and were divided into 4 groups: infection without sepsis, sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. The first available samples on hospital admission were analyzed for ADMA, SDMA, procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein, heparin binding protein (HBP), zonulin, soluble CD25 (sCD25), and soluble CD163 (sCD163). White blood cell (WBC) counts and lactate results were obtained from the medical record.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in ADMA and SDMA concentrations among the 4 groups; however, PCT, WBC, HBP, and sCD25 showed statistically significant differences. Lactate only trended toward statistical significance, likely because of limited availability in the medical record. Differences between survivors of sepsis and nonsurvivors at 30 days were highly statistically significant for ADMA and SDMA. Areas under the curve (AUCs) for ROC analysis were 0.88 and 0.95, respectively. There was also a statistically significant difference between survivors of sepsis and nonsurvivors for HBP, lactate, sCD25, and sCD163; however, AUCs for ROC curves were not statistically significantly different from 0.5.

Conclusions

Analysis of biomarkers other than dimethylarginines were in general agreement with expectations from the literature. ADMA and SDMA may not be specific markers for diagnosis of sepsis; however, they may be useful in short-term mortality risk assessment.
Integrating family and friend support, information technology, and diabetes education in community-centric diabetes self-management
Authors: Higa Christina , Davidson Elizabeth J , Loos Joanne R
Published: September 2020

Objective

Diabetes self-management (DSM) education, social support, and information technology interventions can improve patient engagement and health. A major challenge is animating, integrating, and accessing resources in under-resourced, rural communities. Set in an island community in Hawai‘i, this study piloted a program that integrated friend-and-family support, community health services, telehealth-enabled DSM education, and mobile technologies by activating the community’s social capital to support the program.

Materials and Methods

An action research approach informed the design and implementation of a community-based DSM program that included: friends and family support, telehealth classes, personalized consultations, Bluetooth-enabled blood glucose monitors, and text messaging support. Outcomes were evaluated using biometric data, surveys, interviews, and participant observations.

Results

The study spanned 9 months with 7 dyads, each with 1 individual with type 2 diabetes and a friend or family member. Six of the 7 participants with diabetes experienced reduced hemoglobin A1c percentages, with 3 reducing by more than 1%. The seventh participant maintained a hemoglobin A1c level within American Diabetes Association recommended ranges. DSM knowledge and self-care behaviors improved overall. Interviews and participant observations highlighted program strengths and social challenges associated with the interpersonal relationships between the members of the dyads.

Conclusions

A community-centric diabetes program can enhance understanding of diabetes etiology, DSM activities, and communication skills for effective disease management support in under-resourced rural communities. Social capital among community members, leveraged with health information technology, can catalyze and integrate limited health system resources for DSM and social support as a cost-effective strategy to develop community-centric chronic healthcare management initiatives.
The relationship between the rumen microbiome and carcass merit in Angus steers
Authors: Krause Taylor R , Lourenco Jeferson M , Welch Christina B , Rothrock Michael J , Callaway Todd R , Pringle T Dean
Published: September 2020

The objective of this study was to explore the relationships between ruminal microbial populations from Angus steers that were divergent in carcass traits related to adipose accumulation. Twenty-four feedlot-finished Angus steers (age: 538 ± 21 d; body weight following lairage: 593.9 ± 43.7 kg) were slaughtered, and ruminal contents and carcass data were collected. Ruminal microbial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction and 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequencing were performed to determine microbial relative abundances, to estimate microbial diversity, and to predict microbial metabolic pathways. A variety of correlation analyses and one-way ANOVA were performed to investigate the relationships between the rumen microbiome and carcass traits. Marbling score (P = 0.001) and longissimus lipid content (P = 0.009) were positively correlated to Chao1 Richness Index, suggesting that increased intramuscular fat was associated with increased numbers of ruminal microbial species. The phyla Tenericutes and TM7 were negatively correlated (P ≤ 0.05) to marbling score and longissimus lipid content, indicating that lower abundances of these phyla may be associated with improvements in intramuscular fat content. Greater abundance of the bacterial family S24-7 was positively correlated (P = 0.002) to marbling score. Analysis by marbling classification revealed further linkages to microbial richness (P ≤ 0.063), diversity (P = 0.044), and S24-7 (P < 0.001) populations. Computational prediction of the microbial metabolic pathways revealed no differences (P ≥ 0.05) in metabolic pathway expression in rumen microbes between steers in the high- and low-marbling classes. Several phyla, families, and genera were positively correlated (P ≤ 0.05) to both rib fat thickness and yield grade. Collectively, our results suggest that microbial composition is associated to differing performance in carcass adipose traits. Overall, most of the bacterial taxa correlated to the intramuscular and subcutaneous fat depots did not overlap, suggesting the microbial population end products likely impacted adipose accumulation largely via separate adipogenic pathways of the host animal.
Bacillus subtilis: a potential growth promoter in weaned pigs in comparison to carbadox
Authors: He Yijie , Kim Kwangwook , Kovanda Lauren , Jinno Cynthia , Song Minho , Chase Jennifer , Li Xunde , Tan Bie , Liu Yanhong
Published: September 2020

The study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of a probiotic Bacillus subtilis strain on growth performance, diarrhea, systemic immunity, and intestinal health of weaned pigs experimentally infected with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and to compare the efficacy of B. subtilis with that of carbadox. Weaned pigs (n = 48, 6.17 ± 0.36 kg body weight [BW]) were individually housed in disease containment rooms and randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments: negative control (NC, control diet without E. coli challenge), positive control (PC, control diet with E. coli challenge), and supplementation of 50 mg/kg of carbadox (antibiotic growth promotor [AGP]) or 2.56 × 109 CFU/kg of B. subtilis probiotics (PRO). The experiment lasted for 28 d with 7 d before and 21 d after the first E. coli inoculation. Fecal and blood samples were collected on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 post inoculation (PI) to analyze β-hemolytic coliforms and complete blood cell count, respectively. Diarrhea score was recorded daily for each pig to calculate the frequency of diarrhea. All pigs were euthanized at day 21 PI to collect jejunal and ileal mucosa for gene expression analysis. Pigs in AGP had greater (P < 0.05) BW on days 7, 14, and 21 PI than pigs in PC and PRO groups. Supplementation of PRO enhanced pigs’ BW on day 21 PI compared with the PC. Escherichia coli F18 challenge reduced (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency from day 0 to 21 PI, while supplementation of carbadox or PRO enhanced ADG and feed efficiency in E. coli F18-challenged pigs from day 0 to 21 PI. Pigs in AGP and PRO groups had reduced (P < 0.05) frequency of diarrhea throughout the experiment and fecal β-hemolytic coliforms on day 7 PI than pigs in the PC. Pigs in PRO had greater (P < 0.05) gene expression of CLDN1 in jejunal mucosa than pigs in the PC. Supplementation of carbadox or PRO reduced (P < 0.05) the gene expression of IL6 and PTGS2 in ileal mucosa of E. coli-infected pigs compared with pigs in the PC. Pigs in the PRO group had lower (P < 0.05) white blood cell number and neutrophil count, and serum haptoglobin concentration on day 7 PI, and less (P < 0.05) monocyte count on day 14 PI, compared with PC. In conclusion, supplementation of probiotic B. subtilis could enhance disease resistance and promote the growth performance of weaned pigs under disease challenge conditions. The potential mechanisms include but not limited to enhanced gut barrier integrity and local and systemic immune responses of weaned pigs.
The billion pound drop: the Blitz and agglomeration economies in London
Authors: Dericks Gerard H , Koster Hans R A
Published: September 2020

We exploit locally exogenous variation from the Blitz bombings to quantify the effect of redevelopment frictions and identify agglomeration economies at a micro-geographic scale. Employing rich location and office rental transaction data, we estimate reduced-form analyses and a spatial general equilibrium model. Our analyses demonstrate that more heavily bombed areas exhibit taller buildings today, and that agglomeration elasticities in London are large, approaching 0.2. Counterfactual simulations show that if the Blitz had not occurred, the concomitant reduction in agglomeration economies arising from the loss of higher-density redevelopment would cause London’s present-day gross domestic product to drop by some 10% (or £50 billion).
Efficacy and toxicity of re-irradiation spine stereotactic body radiotherapy with respect to irradiation dose history
Authors: Ito Kei , Ogawa Hiroaki , Nakajima Yujiro
Published: September 2020

Objective

We aimed to clarify the outcomes of re-irradiation stereotactic body radiotherapy for spinal metastases with a uniform dose fractionation schedule at our institution.

Methods

Data of patients treated with re-irradiation stereotactic body radiotherapy for spinal metastases (September 2013–March 2020) were retrospectively reviewed. The prescribed dose was 24 Gy in two fractions. The spinal cord dose constraint and dose for previously irradiated cases ≥50 Gy in 25 fractions were 12.2 Gy (maximum dose) and 11 Gy, respectively. The endpoints were pain control, local failure and adverse effects. Pain status was measured on a scale of 0–10 using the patients’ self-reports and pain response was defined using international consensus criteria. Local failure was defined as tumor progression on imaging evaluations.

Results

We assessed 133 lesions in 123 patients, where 70 (52.6%) had three or more spinal levels treated, 58 (43.6%) had previous irradiation doses of 40 Gy or more and 53 (39.8%) had the targets compressing the cord. The median follow-up was 12 months and the 3-, 6- and 12-month pain response rate was 75, 64 and 59%, respectively. The 1-year local failure rate was 25.8%. Previous irradiation dose was not correlated with local failure rate (P = 0.13). Radiation-induced myelopathy, radiculopathy and vertebral compression fractures were observed in 4 (3.0%), 2 (1.5%) and 17 (13.8%) lesions, respectively. A trend towards an association between any toxicity and previous irradiation dose was not observed.

Conclusions

Re-irradiation spine stereotactic body radiotherapy achieved good local control and pain control, with reduced risk of radiation myelopathy.
A multicenter non-randomized phase III study of sentinel node navigation surgery for early gastric cancer
Authors: Kamiya Satoshi , Takeuchi Hiroya , Fukuda Kazumasa , Kawakubo Hirofumi , Takahashi Naoto , Mitsumori Norio , Terashima Masanori , Tsujimoto Hironori , Kinami Shinichi , Natsugoe Shoji , Ohi Masaki , Kadoya Shinichi , Fushida Sachio , Hayashi Hideki , Nabeshima Kazuhito , Sakamoto Junichi , Matsuda Satoru , Mayanagi Shuhei , Irino Tomoyuki , Sato Yasunori , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: September 2020

This prospective multicenter non-randomized phase III study aims to evaluate the long-term outcome of sentinel node navigation surgery for early gastric cancer compared with conventional distal or total gastrectomy. Clinically diagnosed primary T1N0M0 gastric cancer patients with a single lesion (≤40 mm) and without previous endoscopic treatment will be enrolled in this study. Sentinel nodes are identified by dye and radioisotope tracers and are subjected to intraoperative rapid pathology. For patients with negative sentinel node metastasis, individualized surgery consisting of limited stomach resection and sentinel node basin dissection is performed, while standard gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection is employed for the positive sentinel node patients. A total of 225 patients will be accrued from 13 hospitals that have experience in sentinel node mapping. The primary endpoint is 5-year relapse-free survival. The secondary endpoints are overall survival, sentinel node detection rate, diagnostic accuracy for sentinel node, distribution of sentinel nodes and metastatic sentinel node/non-sentinel node, and postoperative quality of life.
Association ofGATA3Polymorphisms With Minimal Residual Disease and Relapse Risk in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Zhang Hui , Liu Anthony Pak-Yin , Devidas Meenakshi , Lee Shawn HR , Cao Xueyuan , Pei Deqing , Borowitz Michael , Wood Brent , Gastier-Foster Julie M , Dai Yunfeng , Raetz Elizabeth , Larsen Eric , Winick Naomi , Bowman W Paul , Karol Seth , Yang Wenjian , Martin Paul L , Carroll William L , Pui Ching-Hon , Mullighan Charles G , Evans William E , Cheng Cheng , Hunger Stephen P , Relling Mary V , Loh Mignon L , Yang Jun J
Published: September 2020

Background

Minimal residual disease (MRD) after induction therapy is one of the strongest prognostic factors in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and MRD-directed treatment intensification improves survival. Little is known about the effects of inherited genetic variants on interpatient variability in MRD.

Methods

A genome-wide association study was performed on 2597 children on the Children’s Oncology Group AALL0232 trial for high-risk B-cell ALL. Association between genotype and end-of-induction MRD levels was evaluated for 863 370 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), adjusting for genetic ancestry and treatment strata. Top variants were further evaluated in a validation cohort of 491 patients from the Children’s Oncology Group P9905 and 6 ALL trials. The independent prognostic value of single nucleotide polymorphisms was determined in multivariable analyses. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results

In the discovery genome-wide association study, we identified a genome-wide significant association at the GATA3 locus (rs3824662, odds ratio [OR] = 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.35 to 1.84; P = 1.15 × 10-8 as a dichotomous variable). This association was replicated in the validation cohort (P = .003, MRD as a dichotomous variable). The rs3824662 risk allele independently predicted ALL relapse after adjusting for age, white blood cell count, and leukemia DNA index (P = .04 and .007 in the discovery and validation cohort, respectively) and remained prognostic when the analyses were restricted to MRD-negative patients (P = .04 and .03 for the discovery and validation cohorts, respectively).

Conclusion

Inherited GATA3 variant rs3824662 strongly influences ALL response to remission induction therapy and is associated with relapse. This work highlights the potential utility of germline variants in upfront risk stratification in ALL.
Public Health Response to Zika Virus Exposure of Air Force Members Deployed to Caribbean Islands, 2016
Authors: Voss Jameson , Dacey Danny , Ruiz Stefani , Burkhardt Amanda , Pujolar Alain , Swope Christina , Lehman Mark , Shaw Tammy , Leon Juan , Erich Roger , Cowan James , West Carol , Walters Carol , Macias Elizabeth , Lucas Pauline
Published: September 2020

Introduction

The emergence of Zika virus disease (ZVD) in areas of military operations provided a new opportunity for force health protection. ZVD infection had an estimated 4:1 asymptomatic-to-symptomatic ratio and can cause neurologic sequelae.

Materials and Methods

We provide a brief report of a field investigation utilizing laboratory-based surveillance and survey instruments to characterize ZVD risk among personnel deployed to the Dominican Republic in support of Operation NEW HORIZONS (NH). Additionally, we describe a cluster of 3 ZVD cases among 8 aircrew on a short mission to St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands).

Results

Following Operation NH, 6 of a total 189 deployed cohort members tested positive for ZVD by immunoglobulin M and confirmatory plaque reduction neutralization test (3.2%). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing in urine or serum was positive in 4 of those 6 cases. All 6 cases reported at least one symptom, with 5 reporting subjective fever and arthralgia and 4 reporting rash. Cases were less likely to have air-conditioned living quarters (odds ratio = 0.1; 95% confidence interval 0.02–0.77; P < 0.03), but were otherwise similar to non-cases. Likewise, in St. Croix, 3/8 tested positive by immunoglobulin M and plaque reduction neutralization test for an attack rate of 38%. Similar to Operation NH, all three cases were symptomatic with subjective fever (67%), arthralgia (67%), and/or rash (100%).

Conclusions

This field investigation identified differing, mission location-dependent ZVD attack rates and a 0:9 asymptomatic-to-symptomatic case ratio. As this was unexpected based on a previous report of a 4:1 ratio, it emphasizes the need to be cautious before generalizing outbreak characteristics between populations while also offering additional practical experience for force health protection.
Ketogenic diet, seizure control, and cardiometabolic risk in adult patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy: a review
Authors: Neves Gabriela S , Lunardi Mariana S , Lin Katia , Rieger Débora Kurrle , Ribeiro Letícia C , Moreira Júlia D
Published: September 2020

Pharmacoresistant epilepsy causes serious deleterious effects on the patient’s health and quality of life. For this condition, a ketogenic diet (KD) is a treatment option. The KD is a general term for a set of diets that contain high amounts of fat and low content of carbohydrates. The most prominent KD treatments are classical KD (4:1 ratio of fat to carbohydrate), modified Atkins diet (2:1 to 1:1 ratio), medium-chain triglycerides KD (with medium-chain triglyceride as a part of the fat content), and low glycemic index KD (using low glycemic carbohydrates). KD has been widely prescribed for children with epilepsy but not for adult patients. One of the main concerns about adult use of KD is its cardiovascular risk associated with high-fat and cholesterol intake. Therefore, this narrative review provides comprehensive information of the current literature on the effects of KD on lipid profile, glycemic-control biomarkers, and other cardiometabolic risk factors in adult patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy.