bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental models of prion‐like protein propagation
Authors: Hasegawa Masato
Published: June 2020

Prion‐like propagation has been proposed to underlie the pathogenesis and progression of many progressive neurodegenerative diseases, and considerable experimental evidence has been accumulated to support this idea. However, only limited evidence is available from the brains of patients, and it is not clear how well various experimental models reflect the clinical situation. In this review, I discuss experimental models of prion‐like propagation, focusing on three major disease‐associated intracellular proteins, α‐synuclein, tau and transactivation response DNA‐binding protein 43 kDa, which provide a molecular basis for evaluating the spread of pathologies in diseased brains, known as Braak staging. Although some issues remain, and further biochemical and structural analyses are needed, it seems clear that the concept of prion‐like propagation is the key to understanding disease progression, as well as for the development of disease‐modifying therapies.
Accent bias: A barrier to Black African‐born nurses seeking managerial and faculty positions in the United States
Authors: Iheduru‐Anderson Kechi
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of Black African‐born nurses (BABN) with non‐native accents regarding their nursing career advancement in the United States. Data were collected using individual interviews. Fifteen nurses originally from three sub‐Saharan African countries were included in the study. The findings were reported under six themes: perceived low level of intelligence, not suitable to lead, making fun of/belittling, prejudging without evidence, downgrading, and accent modification. The finding indicated that participants believed that their race and accent influenced their professional nursing opportunities. These results are relevant to BABNs, nurse educators, and healthcare organization leaders. BABNs are capable of participating in nursing leadership and education despite their non‐native accent.
Effect of Cholecystectomy on the Occurrence of Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Zeng Ling‐yuan , Yang Shu‐yan , Zhang Zhi‐qiang , Wang Tao , Wang Yu‐ze , Wei Xiao‐chun
Published: June 2020

Objective

To evaluate the effect of cholecystectomy on the occurrence of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods

The present study was a case‐control study with a retrospective, cross‐sectional, and longitudinal study design. The clinical data for knee osteoarthritis in the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2016 to September 2018 was analyzed. Clinical data, including gender, age, height, weight, smoking, alcohol abuse, prior medical history, and previous surgical history, were recorded. A logistic regression model was used for the univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

A total of 1659 patients with KOA (KOA group) and 1195 limb fracture patients (control group) were included in this study. Among the 1659 patients with KOA, 388 patients were male and 1271 were female, while among the 1195 patients in the control group, 638 patients were male and 557 patients were female. The period between cholecystectomy and knee osteoarthritis onset ranged from 0.5 years to 17 years; the average interval time was 8.73 ± 2.11 years. The age at disease onset was significantly older when compared to the control group, while the body mass index in the KOA group was significantly higher when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). There were 97 patients undergoing cholecystectomy in the KOA group and there were 15 patients undergoing cholecystectomy in the control group. The proportion of cholecystectomy in the two groups was statistically significant. After the univariate analysis, there was a statistically significant difference in distribution between the two groups (P < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in the distribution of these two groups (P < 0.05), indicating that cholecystectomy is associated with the occurrence of KOA.

Conclusion

There is a close relationship between cholecystectomy and KOA. However, the specific mechanism remains unknown and should be further researched.
Different serum protein factor levels in first‐episode drug‐naive patients with schizophrenia characterized by positive and negative symptoms
Authors: Dai Nan , Jie Huijin , Duan Yong , Xiong Peng , Xu Xiufeng , Chen Peng , Kang Minmin , Li Ming , Li Ting , Huang Zhengyuan , Chen Hongxu
Published: June 2020

Aim

The clinical features of schizophrenia can be mainly divided into two symptom domains: positive and negative. Patients in each symptom domain respond differently to treatments, and their prognoses vary accordingly. Serum protein factors, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), and the calcium‐binding protein, S100β, have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. However, their roles in the positive and negative symptom domains have not been determined. In this study, we investigated whether the serum levels of these five protein factors differed among first‐episode drug‐naive schizophrenia patients in each symptom domain and in healthy controls.

Methods

Double‐antibody sandwich ELISA were used to quantify the amounts of the five protein factors in serum.

Results

Compared with the levels in the controls (n = 60), increased serum levels of IL‐6, IL‐1β, and S100β and decreased serum levels of NGF and NT‐3 were observed in first‐episode drug‐naive schizophrenia patients. Additionally, the serum levels of IL‐6 and IL‐1β were significantly higher in schizophrenia patients characterized by negative symptoms (negative group, n = 37) than in those characterized by positive symptoms (positive group, n = 46). Based on multivariate regression analyses, serum levels of IL‐1β were positively associated with the Negative Symptom subscore of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale in the negative group and in all patients with schizophrenia.

Conclusion

The two subtypes of schizophrenia may have different pathological mechanisms. Patients characterized by negative symptoms probably have more serious disturbances in neuroimmunology.
Pathology of clear cell carcinoma of the ovary: A basic view based on cultured cells and modern view from comprehensive approaches
Authors: Kato Noriko
Published: June 2020

Clear cell carcinoma (CCC) is a distinct histologic type of ovarian carcinoma.

CCC is more frequent in Japan than in the Western world. CCC is chemo‐resistant and often associated with paraneoplastic thromboembolism. Histologically, CCC is characterized by both cancer cells and stromas, being concordant with the cytological features. Clear cells contain abundant glycogen. Hepatocyte nuclear factor‐1β is a specific marker of CCC, and is likely to be involved in glucose metabolism. Extracellular matrix (ECM)‐deposited stroma and plasma cell‐rich inflammatory stroma are characteristic stromas of CCC. Studies using CCC cell lines showed that CCC cells produce ECMs and stimulate plasma cell differentiation in a paracrine manner. Most CCCs, as well as endometrioid carcinomas, originate from ovarian endometriosis. This is supported by molecular genetic data, although it remains unclear why different histologic types originate from the same precursor. CCC and endometrioid carcinoma are Lynch syndrome‐associated ovarian carcinomas. Recent comprehensive studies indicate that CCC is distinct not only in terms of histology but also in genomics, epigenomics and transcriptomics. This review summarizes the pathology of ovarian CCC along with a basic view based on cultured cells, and refers to recent genetic and omic data.
Rethinking Loyalty and Competence in Presidential Appointments
Authors: Waterman Richard W. , Ouyang Yu
Published: June 2020

Studies in presidential appointments, particularly principal‐agent models, posit that presidents employ a top‐down strategy to control the bureaucracy, one that promotes loyalty over competence. However, many studies have two critical limitations: (1) treating loyalty and competence as binary constructs and (2) focusing only on presidential nomination and Senate confirmation (PAS) appointments. In this article, the authors construct a continuous measure of loyalty and competence to determine how much loyalty or competence an appointee offers a president and examine other appointment tools—Senior Executive Service (SES), Schedule C, and presidential appointments—that allow presidents to influence different levels of the bureaucracy. Findings show that presidents are more likely to reward competence with their PAS and SES appointments. In addition, few appointees score high on both loyalty and competence, explaining why presidents generally must make a trade‐off between loyalty and competence.
Farmer organizations and maize productivity in rural Burkina Faso: The effects of the diversion strategy on cotton input loans
Authors: Traore Salimata
Published: June 2020

This study analyzes the impact of the diversion strategy of cotton inputs on maize productivity among farmer organization (FO) members in Burkina Faso, based on an endogenous treatment effect model. This impact is assessed by measuring the effects of the producers’ strategy of using part of their cotton inputs for growing other crops, such as maize. The data from a 2014 multisectoral survey in Burkina Faso were used. The main result is that maize productivity is 59.11% lower for FO members who divert their cotton inputs. We suggest the development of financing systems for cereals, similar to those in the cotton sector, and the establishment of monitoring the use of input credits.
Has the Euro Shrunk the Band? Relative Purchasing Power Parity Convergence in a Currency Union*
Authors: Macedoni Luca
Published: June 2020

I study the effects of entry to the European Monetary Union (EMU) on relative purchasing power parity (PPP) convergence using monthly disaggregated price indices from 32 European countries from 1999 to 2016. I examine the entry of Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia to the EMU, and I estimate the bands of inaction of relative prices before and after entry using a threshold autoregressive model. I find a positive effect of the EMU on relative PPP convergence: after entry, the bands of inaction with EMU members fell by 17 percent. Cross‐sectional evidence supports the theoretical prediction that bands of inaction are related to transaction costs.
Implementation of a low titer group O whole blood program for a law enforcement tactical team
Authors: Fisher Andrew D. , Dunn John , Pickett Jason R. , Garza Justine , Miles Ethan A. , Diep Vivian , Escott Mark
Published: June 2020

The Texas Ranger Special Operations Group (SOG) performs high‐risk warrant service and responds to callouts for evolving kinetic situations and special missions as required. These operations may occur many hours from a trauma center. Fresh whole blood (FWB) transfusions may offer a stopgap for those who are critically injured. To make FWB transfusions a viable option, several steps must be implemented. The following lays out how the Texas Ranger SOG will implement and conduct FWB transfusions using low titer group O whole blood. The techniques outlined may be useful for communities that may face critical blood shortage in disasters.
A prospective observational study of acute traumatic coagulopathy in traumatic bleeding from the battlefield
Authors: Woolley Tom , Gwyther Robert , Parmar Kiran , Kirkman Emrys , Watts Sarah , Midwinter Mark , Lucca Juandir Dalle , Hunt Beverley J
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Acute trauma coagulopathy (ATC) after military trauma has not been comprehensively studied. ATC is defined as a prolonged prothrombin time ratio (PTr) or reduced clot amplitude (A5) in viscoelastic testing. Compared to civilian trauma, military trauma has more injuries from explosions and gunshot wounds (GSWs), potentially leading to a different pathophysiology for traumatic coagulopathy. This study aimed to characterize military ATC on admission to a military hospital in Afghanistan and to explore any differences due to the mechanism of injury.

METHODS

Severely injured military casualties were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken on admission and after routine testing, waste plasma was prepared, frozen, and transported to the United Kingdom for in‐depth hemostatic analysis.

RESULTS

Seventy‐seven percent of casualties had ATC defined by a PTr greater than 1.2 and 19% when defined by rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) A5 less than 36 mm. Coagulation factor depletion correlated with degree of shock, particularly factor V (p < 0.01), factor X (p < 0.01), and fibrinogen levels (p < 0.01). Thrombin generation was well preserved. Fibrinolytic biomarkers were raised correlating with the degree of shock (p < 0.01), and 8% of casualties had hyperfibrinolysis on ROTEM analysis. Plasmin‐antiplasmin complexes (p < 0.01) and d‐dimer levels (p = 0.01) were higher and clot firmness lower (p = 0.02) in those injured by explosion compared to GSW's.

CONCLUSIONS

ATC was present and correlated with shock, similar to civilian trauma. Thrombin generation remained adequate. Fibrinogen and factor V levels were disproportionately low but still sufficient to allow clot formation. Fibrinolysis is a key feature, probably due to a tissue plasminogen activator surge at the time of injury. Blast injuries are associated with a greater activation of fibrinolysis than GSWs.
The use of low‐titer group O whole blood is independently associated with improved survival compared to component therapy in adults with severe traumatic hemorrhage
Authors: Shea Susan M. , Staudt Amanda M. , Thomas Kimberly A. , Schuerer Douglas , Mielke James E. , Folkerts Danielle , Lowder Ethan , Martin Callista , Bochicchio Grant V. , Spinella Philip C.
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

There is a resurgence in the use of low‐titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) for hemorrhagic shock. We hypothesized the use of LTOWB compared to component therapy (CT) would be independently associated with improved 24‐hour mortality.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In this prospective observational study, trauma patients 18 years of age or older with massive transfusion protocol activations were included from August 17, 2018, to May 14, 2019. The primary outcome was 24‐hour mortality. Secondary outcomes included 72‐hour blood product totals, multiple organ dysfunction scores (MODS), and 28‐day mortality. Multivariable logistic regression (MVLR) and Cox regression were performed to determine independent associations.

RESULTS

There were no clinically meaningful differences in measures of injury severity between study groups (CT, n = 42; LTOWB, n = 44). There was no difference in MODS between study groups. The unadjusted mortality was not statistically different between the study groups (9/42 [21%] for CT vs. 7/44 [16%] for LTOWB; p = 0.518). In the MVLR model, LTOWB increased the odds of 24‐hour survival by 23% (odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.69‐0.96; p = 0.017). Adjusted survival curve analysis indicated improved survival at both 24 hours and 28 days for LTOWB patients (p < 0.001). Further stratification showed an association between LTOWB use and survival when maximum clot firmness (MCF) was 60 mm or less (p = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of LTOWB is independently associated with improved 24‐hour and 28‐day survival, and does not increase organ dysfunction at 72 hours. Use of LTOWB most impacted survival of patients with reduced clot firmness (MCF ≤60 mm). Collectively, these data support the clinical use and continued study of LTOWB for hemostatic resuscitation.
A Review on Network Intrusion Detection System Using Machine Learning
Authors: Kagara Bello Nazifi , Md Siraj Maheyzah
Published: June 2020

The quality or state of being secure is the crucial concern of our daily life usage of any network. However, with the rapid breakthrough in network technology, attacks are becoming more trailblazing than defenses. It is a daunting task to design an effective and reliable intrusion detection system (IDS), while maintaining minimal complexity. The concept of machine learning is considered an important method used in intrusion detection systems to detect irregular network traffic activities. The use of machine learning is the current trend in developing IDS in order to mitigate false positives (FP) and False Negatives (FN) in the anomalous IDS. This paper targets to present a holistic approach to intrusion detection system and the popular machine learning techniques applied on IDS systems, bearing In mind the need to help research scholars in this continuous burgeoning field of Intrusion detection (ID).
Queue Scheduling Algorithms: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Alnatsheh Essam F.
Published: June 2020

Congestion control and reduction is paramount in enhancing the performance and speed of communication networks. Despite its efficiency in improving the speed and performance of communication networks, it is imperative to mention that the technique exhibit several issues, such as scheduling algorithms. This paper presents a comparison of different results associated with different scheduling algorithms. Multisource was used to simulate and test different scheduling algorithms, including First In First Out (FIFO), Random Packet Drop, and Last In First Out (LIFO). The comparison was made by analyzing different results, including the average delay vs arrival rate, average buffer utilization vs arrival rate, and packet loss ration vs arrival rate. According to the results, it is evident that the average buffer utilization and average packet delays increased as the rate of data transmitted through the network increased. There was no significant change noticed in the average buffer utilization in all the three algorithms. However, the packet loss ratio was high in Random Packet Loss algorithm than in both FIFO and LIFO for slower arrival rates below 1000. Similarly, FIFO exhibited a significantly high average packet delay than both LIFO and Random Packet Drop algorithms.
Zinc selenide analyzed by XPS
Authors: Shallenberger Jeffrey R. , Hellgren Niklas
Published: June 2020

Zinc selenide (ZnSe) was analyzed using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A small notched rod was fractured in the XPS vacuum system at 6 × 10−4 Pa to create an oxygen-free surface for analysis. Spectral regions for Zn 2p, Zn 3d, Zn LMM, O 1s, C 1s, Se 3d, Se 3p, and Se LMM and valence band regions were acquired. The presence of carbon could not be confirmed due to interferences between C 1s and Se LMM and between C KLL and Zn 3s. It is believed that any carbon present is very low.
Block sparse Bayesian learning for broadband mode extraction in shallow water from a vertical array
Authors: Niu Haiqiang , Gerstoft Peter , Ozanich Emma , Li Zhenglin , Zhang Renhe , Gong Zaixiao , Wang Haibin
Published: June 2020

The horizontal wavenumbers and modal depth functions are estimated by block sparse Bayesian learning (BSBL) for broadband signals received by a vertical line array in shallow-water waveguides. The dictionary matrix consists of multi-frequency modal depth functions derived from shooting methods given a large set of hypothetical horizontal wavenumbers. The dispersion relation for multi-frequency horizontal wavenumbers is also taken into account to generate the dictionary. In this dictionary, only a few of the entries are used to describe the pressure field. These entries represent the modal depth functions and associated wavenumbers. With the constraint of block sparsity, the BSBL approach is shown to retrieve the horizontal wavenumbers and corresponding modal depth functions with high precision, while a priori knowledge of sea bottom, moving source, and source locations is not needed. The performance is demonstrated by simulations and experimental data.
AR-12 Exhibits Direct and Host-Targeted Antibacterial Activity toward
Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Zhang Shaoyan , Zou Yuzhen , Guo Qi , Chen Jianhui , Xu Liyun , Wan Xiaoyu , Zhang Zhemin , Li Bing , Chu Haiqing
Published: June 2020

Therapeutic options for
Mycobacterium abscessus
infections are extremely limited. New or repurposed drugs are needed. The anti-
M. abscessus
activity of AR-12 (OSU-03012), reported to express broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects, was investigated
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on 194 clinical isolates. Minimum bactericidal concentration and time-kill kinetics assays were conducted to distinguish the bactericidal versus bacteriostatic activity of AR-12.
Enzymatic and Mutational Analysis of the PruA Pteridine Reductase Required for Pterin-Dependent Control of Biofilm Formation in Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Labine Monica , DePledge Lisa , Feirer Nathan , Greenwich Jennifer , Fuqua Clay , Allen Kylie D.
Published: June 2020

Biofilms are complex multicellular communities that are formed by diverse bacteria. In the plant pathogen
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
, the transition from a free-living motile state to a nonmotile biofilm state is governed by a novel signaling pathway involving small molecules called pterins. The involvement of pterins in biofilm formation is unexpected and prompts many questions about the molecular details of this pathway. This work biochemically characterized the PruA pteridine reductase involved in the signaling pathway to reveal its enzymatic properties and substrate preference, thus providing important insight into pterin biosynthesis and its role in
A. tumefaciens
biofilm control. Additionally, the enzymatic characteristics of related pteridine reductases from mammalian pathogens were examined to uncover potential roles of these enzymes in other bacteria.
Pandemic COVID-19 Joins History’s Pandemic Legion
Authors: Morens David M. , Daszak Peter , Markel Howard , Taubenberger Jeffery K.
Published: June 2020

With great apprehension, the world is now watching the birth of a novel pandemic already causing tremendous suffering, death, and disruption of normal life. Uncertainty and dread are exacerbated by the belief that what we are experiencing is new and mysterious. However, deadly pandemics and disease emergences are not new phenomena: they have been challenging human existence throughout recorded history. Some have killed sizeable percentages of humanity, but humans have always searched for, and often found, ways of mitigating their deadly effects.
Rrp6 Regulates Heterochromatic Gene Silencing via ncRNA RUF6 Decay in Malaria Parasites
Authors: Fan Yanting , Shen Shijun , Wei Guiying , Tang Jianxia , Zhao Yuemeng , Wang Fei , He Xiaohui , Guo Gangqiang , Shang Xiaomin , Yu Xinyu , Ma Zhenlin , He Xiaoqin , Liu Meng , Zhu Qianshu , Le Zhen , Wei Gang , Cao Jun , Jiang Cizhong , Zhang Qingfeng
Published: June 2020

Malaria remains a major public health and economic burden. The heterochromatin environment controls the silencing of genes associated with the fate of malaria parasites. Previous studies have demonstrated that a group of GC-rich ncRNAs (RUF6) is associated with the mutually exclusive expression of
var
genes, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, through a series of genetic manipulation and genome-wide multiomics analysis, we have identified the plasmodial orthologue of RNA exosome-associated Rrp6 as an upstream regulator of RUF6 expression and revealed that the dysregulation of RUF6 upon Rrp6 knockdown triggered local chromatin alteration, thereby activating most heterochromatic genes via direct interaction of RUF6 and distal gene loci. This finding not only uncovered the in-depth mechanism of RUF6-mediated regulation of heterochromatic genes but also identified Rrp6 as a novel regulator of gene expression in human malaria parasites, which provides a new target for developing intervention strategies against malaria.
Inference of Bacterial Small RNA Regulatory Networks and Integration with Transcription Factor-Driven Regulatory Networks
Authors: Arrieta-Ortiz Mario L. , Hafemeister Christoph , Shuster Bentley , Baliga Nitin S. , Bonneau Richard , Eichenberger Patrick
Published: June 2020

Individual bacterial genomes can have dozens of small noncoding RNAs with largely unexplored regulatory functions. Although bacterial sRNAs influence a wide range of biological processes, including antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity, our current understanding of sRNA-mediated regulation is far from complete. Most of the available information is restricted to a few well-studied bacterial species; and even in those species, only partial sets of sRNA targets have been characterized in detail. To close this information gap, we developed a computational strategy that takes advantage of available transcriptional data and knowledge about validated and putative sRNA-mRNA interactions for inferring expanded sRNA regulons. Our approach facilitates the identification of experimentally supported novel interactions while filtering out false-positive results. Due to its data-driven nature, our method prioritizes biologically relevant interactions among lists of candidate sRNA-target pairs predicted
in silico
from sequence analysis or derived from sRNA-mRNA binding experiments.
Comparative Genomics and Metabolomics in the Genus
Nocardia
Authors: Männle Daniel , McKinnie Shaun M. K. , Mantri Shrikant S. , Steinke Katharina , Lu Zeyin , Moore Bradley S. , Ziemert Nadine , Kaysser Leonard
Published: June 2020

Our work emphasizes that
Nocardia
represent a prolific source for natural products rivaling better-characterized genera such as
Streptomyces
or
Amycolatopsis
. Furthermore, we showed that large-scale analysis of biosynthetic gene clusters using similarity networks with high stringency allows the distinction and prediction of natural product structural variations. This will facilitate future genomics-driven drug discovery campaigns.
Long-term changes in carbohydrate tolerance, insulin secretion and action in African-American patients with obesity and history of hyperglycemic crises
Authors: Vellanki Priyathama , Stefanovski Darko , Anzola Isabel I , Smiley Dawn D , Peng Limin , Umpierrez Guillermo E
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Many African-Americans (AA) with obesity with newly diagnosed diabetes presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or severe hyperglycemia (SH) discontinue insulin therapy and achieve near-normoglycemia remission (hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) <7%, fasting blood glucose (FBG) <130 mg/dL) and able to be managed on oral antidiabetic agents (OAD) during follow-up. Using combined data from two randomized controlled trials, we assessed long-term carbohydrate tolerance and changes in insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion.

Research design and methods

Seventy-five participants with DKA (n=33) and SH (n=42) underwent 2-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) after insulin discontinuation and every 6 months until hyperglycemia relapse (FBG ≥130 mg/dL, HbA1c >7% or two random BG ≥180 mg/dL) while treated with OAD (metformin, sitagliptin or pioglitazone) or placebo. Glucose tolerance status was defined as per the American Diabetes Association. Sensitivity index (Si) was calculated by oral minimal model, insulin secretion as the incremental area under the curve of insulin (IncreAUCi) and disposition index (DI) as Si×IncreAUCi.

Results

During remission, OGTT showed normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (n=9 (12%)), prediabetes (n=34 (45%)) and diabetes (n=32 (43%)). DI and Siwere higher in patients with NGT versus prediabetes versus diabetes (p<0.001), while IncreAUCiwas not significantly different among NGT, prediabetes and diabetes (p=0.14). Achieving NGT status did not prolong near-normoglycemia remission. OAD treatment significantly prolonged hyperglycemia relapse-free survival (log-rank p=0.0012) compared with placebo and was associated with lower hyperglycemia relapse (HR: 0.45, 95% CI: (0.21 to 0.96), p=0.04).

Conclusions

In AA patients with obesity with history of DKA and SH, near-normoglycemia remission is associated with improved insulin secretion and action with half of patients achieving NGT or prediabetes, and only half having diabetes on OGTT. NGT and prediabetes on OGTT were not associated with prolonged hyperglycemia relapse-free survival.

Trial registration number

NCT01099618,NCT00426413.
Cryotherapy associated with tailored land-based exercises for knee osteoarthritis: a protocol for a double-blind sham-controlled randomised trial
Authors: Ogura Dantas Lucas , Serafim Jorge Ana Elisa , Regina Mendes da Silva Serrão Paula , Aburquerque-Sendín Francisco , de Fatima Salvini Tania
Published: June 2020

Introduction

There is an unmet need to develop tailored therapeutic exercise protocols applying different treatment parameters and modalities for individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Cryotherapy is widely used in rehabilitation as an adjunct treatment due to its effects on pain and the inflammatory process. However, disagreement between KOA guidelines remains with respect to its recommendation status. The aim of this study is to verify the complementary effects of cryotherapy when associated with a tailored therapeutic exercise protocol for patients with KOA.

Methods and analysis

This study is a sham-controlled randomised trial with concealed allocation and intention-to-treat analysis. Assessments will be performed at baseline and immediately following the intervention period. To check for residual effects of the applied interventions, 3-month and 6-month follow-up assessments will be performed. Participants will be community members living with KOA divided into three groups: (1) the experimental group that will receive a tailored therapeutic exercise protocol followed by a cryotherapy session of 20 min; (2) the sham control group that will receive the same regimen as the first group, but with sham packs filled with dry sand and (3) the active treatment control group that will receive only the therapeutic exercise protocol. The primary outcome will be pain intensity according to a Visual Analogue Scale. Secondary outcomes will be the Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index; the Short-Form Health Survey 36; the 30-s Chair Stand Test; the Stair Climb test; and the 40-m fast-paced walk test.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. Registration approval number: CAAE: 65966617.9.0000.5504. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT03360500
Older patients are more likely to breach the 4-hour target in Scotland
Authors: Quinn Jonathan , Buchanan Scott , Myint Phyo Kyaw , Ellis Graham
Published: June 2020

Objective

To determine if age is a factor in a patients’ likelihood of breaching the 4 hour time target to admission/discharge in emergency departments (EDs) within NHS Scotland.

Methods

We used data from the Information Service Division Scotland to analyse all ED attendances in Scotland between January 2015 and September 2018 (n=5 596 642). We assessed the likelihood of time to admission/discharge being within 4 hours, 8 hours and 12 hours for all age categories (reference category 20 to 24 years). Univariable logistic regressions were carried out for sex, Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation level and both major (potentially life threatening) and minor (not immediately life threatening) incidences.

Results

The likelihood of breaching the 4-hour target increased linearly with age from 15 to 19 years upward. Patients ≥85 years were significantly (p<0.001) more likely to have breached than patients aged 20 to 24 years (OR 3.80, 95% CI: 3.73 to 3.86). When considering major incidents, patients aged ≥85 years were more likely to have breached than those aged 20 to 24 years (OR 2.05, 95% CI: 2.01 to 2.09, p<0.001). The same was true of minor incidents (OR 2.85, 95% CI: 2.73 to 2.98, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Older age is associated with a higher probability of breaching waiting time targets in a linear fashion within NHS Scotland, which is consistent with previous single hospital or regional studies. This association may be due to the higher proportion of elderly patients being admitted or a more systemic issue, but regardless, the elderly are being put more at risk.
Cellular pathology in the COVID-19 era: a European perspective on maintaining quality and safety
Authors: Gosney John R , Hofman Paul , Troncone Giancarlo , Lopez-Rios Fernando
Published: June 2020

COVID-19 is a zoonotic viral infection that originated in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. WHO classified the resulting pandemic as a ‘global health emergency’ due to its virulence and propensity to cause acute respiratory distress syndrome. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on diagnostic laboratories, particularly those handling cell and tissue specimens. This development carries serious implications for laboratory practice in that safety of personnel has to be balanced against high-quality analysis and timely reporting of results. The aim of this article is to present some recommendations for the handling of such specimens in the preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical phases of laboratory testing and analysis in an era of high COVID-19 prevalence, such as that seen, for example, in the UK, Spain, Italy and France.
Homozygous hypomorphicBRCA2variant in primary ovarian insufficiency without cancer or Fanconi anaemia trait
Authors: Caburet Sandrine , Heddar Abdelkader , Dardillac Elodie , Creux Héléne , Lambert Marie , Messiaen Sébastien , Tourpin Sophie , Livera Gabriel , Lopez Bernard S , Misrahi Micheline
Published: June 2020

Background

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) affects 1% of women under 40 years and is a public health problem. The genetic causes of POI are highly heterogeneous with isolated or syndromic forms. Recently, variants in genes involved in DNA repair have been shown to cause POI. Notably, syndromic POI with Fanconi anaemia (FA) traits related to biallelicBRCA2truncated variants has been reported. Here, we report a novel phenotype of isolated POI witha BRCA2variant in a consanguineous Turkish family.

Methods

Exome sequencing (ES) was performed in the patient. We also performed functional studies, including a homologous recombination (HR) test, cell proliferation, radiation-induced RAD51 foci formation assays and chromosome breakage studies in primary and lymphoblastoid immortalised cells. The expression ofBRCA2in human foetal ovaries was studied.

Results

ES identified a homozygous missense c.8524C>T/p.R2842C-BRCA2variant. BRCA2 defects induce cancer predisposition and FA. Remarkably, neither the patient nor her family exhibited somatic pathologies. The patient’s cells showed intermediate levels of chromosomal breaks, cell proliferation and radiation-induced RAD51 foci formation compared with controls and FA cells. R2842C-BRCA2 only partially complemented HR efficiency compared with wild type-BRCA2. BRCA2 is expressed in human foetal ovaries in pachytene stage oocytes, when meiotic HR occurs.

Conclusion

We describe the functional assessment of a homozygous hypomorphicBRCA2variant in a patient with POI without cancer or FA trait. Our findings extend the phenotype of BRCA2 biallelic alterations to fully isolated POI. This study has a major impact on the management and genetic counselling of patients with POI.
Periprocedural to 1-year safety and efficacy outcomes with the Pipeline Embolization Device with Shield technology for intracranial aneurysms: a prospective, post-market, multi-center study
Authors: Rice Hal , Martínez Galdámez Mario , Holtmannspötter Markus , Spelle Laurent , Lagios Konstantinos , Ruggiero Maria , Vega Pedro , Sonwalkar Hemant , Chapot René , Lamin Saleh
Published: June 2020

Background

The first and second generations of the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) have been widely adopted for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) due to their high associated occlusion rates and low morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the third- generation Pipeline Shield device (PED-Shield) for the treatment of IAs.

Methods

The SHIELD study was a prospective, single-arm, multicenter, post-market, observational study evaluating the PED-Shield device for the treatment of IAs. The primary efficacy endpoint was complete aneurysm occlusion without significant parent artery stenosis or retreatment at 1-year post-procedure and the primary safety endpoint was major stroke in the territory supplied by the treated artery or neurological death.

Results

Of 205 subjects who consented across 21 sites, 204 subjects with 204 target aneurysms were ultimately treated (mean age 54.8±12.81 years, 81.4% [166/204] female). Technical success (ie, deployment of the PED-Shield) was achieved in 98.0% (200/204) of subjects with a mean number of 1.1±0.34 devices per subject and a single device used in 86.8% (177/204) of subjects. The primary effectiveness endpoint was met in 71.7% (143/200) of subjects while the primary safety endpoint occurred in six (2.9%) subjects, two (1.0%) of which led to neurological death.

Conclusions

The findings of the SHIELD study support the safety and effectiveness of the PED-Shield for IA treatment, evidenced by high occlusion rates and low rates of neurological complications in the study population.

Clinical trial registration-URL

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier:NCT02719522.
Contrasting effects of freezing-stress memory on biomass production among herbaceous plant species
Authors: Kong Ricky S. , Henry Hugh A.L.
Published: June 2020

Prior exposure to freezing can increase the subsequent freezing tolerance of plants and reduce the severity of injury. However, it is unknown how freezing memory influences plant productivity. We investigated the effects of repeated freezing events over multiple seasons on the biomass of Bromus inermis, Lolium perenne, Festuca rubra, Plantago lanceolata, and Poa pratensis. The plants were exposed to different combinations of freezing in the early spring, late spring, or fall (2017), as well as the following spring (2018); control plants were frozen only once, along with all of the other treatments, during the spring of 2018. Bromus inermis that experienced every freeze, and the plants frozen in both the early and late spring, had higher biomass than the controls. Similarly, Poa pratensis plants frozen in both the early and late spring had higher biomass than the controls. In contrast, Festuca rubra plants frozen in early spring and fall had lower root biomass than the control plants, and Lolium perenne plants that experienced every freeze had lower root biomass than the controls. Variation among species in repeated freezing responses could have important consequences for the relative abundances of herbaceous species in northern temperate regions.
Expanding uranyl dicyanoaurate coordination polymers into the second and third dimensions
Authors: Brown Matthew L. , Leznoff Daniel B.
Published: June 2020

The solvothermal synthesis and characterization of a three-dimensional, interpenetrated uranyl dicyanoaurate coordination polymer, K2(UO2)2(UO2)2(Au(CN)2)2(O)2(NO3)4, from UO2(NO3)2·6H2O and KAu(CN)2 is described. The structure contains a three-dimensional (3D) lattice of planar tetranuclear uranyl–oxo–nitrate clusters connected by dicyanoaurate linkers, with the rotation of the clusters providing the increased dimensionality. The material undergoes a reversible single-crystal to single-crystal transformation on exposure to water vapour, which is taken up in the channels of the 3D system. A second uranyl dicyanoaurate coordination polymer of the form [UO2(DMSO)3(H2O)(Au(CN)2)][Au(CN)2] was structurally characterized as a linear chain of dicyanoaurate units connected by gold–gold bonds with pendant uranyl–water–DMSO adducts that are hydrogen bonded into a two-dimensional sheet. Both materials exhibit emission arising from both the uranyl moiety and the gold(I) centre and represent the first multidimensional uranyl–dicyanoaurate coordination polymers.
Coalescence-induced jumping of nanodroplets on mixed-wettability superhydrophobic surfaces
Authors: Xie Fang-Fang , Wang Dan-Qi , Wang Yi-Bo , Yang Yan-Ru , Wang Xiao-Dong
Published: June 2020

Coalescence-induced droplet jumping on superhydrophobic surfaces has been observed at microscale and even nanoscale. The enhancement in jumping velocity of coalescing droplets is crucial for condensation heat transfer enhancement, anti-icing, self-cleaning, and so forth. However, the research on how to acquire a higher jumping velocity is really very limited. In this paper, we use molecular dynamics simulations to study the coalescence-induced jumping of two equally sized nanodroplets on chemically heterogeneous surfaces composed of alternating stripes with different hydrophobicity. We show that the jumping velocity is closely related to the stripe width and wettability contrast, and it can even exceed that on an ideal superhydrophobic surface with 180° contact angle when the striped surfaces are properly designed. We also demonstrate that there is always an optimal stripe width yielding the maximum jumping velocity, whereas its value is independent of the wettability contrast. We reveal that the dominant factor to determine the jumping velocity is the apparent contact angle of equilibrated droplets over heterogeneous surfaces for small stripe widths; it changes to the time of liquid bridges impacting surfaces for moderate stripe widths and to the contact area between equilibrated droplets and relatively hydrophobic stripes for large stripe widths. We believe the present simulations can provide useful guidance to design self-jumping superhydrophobic surfaces.
Periodic orbits around brane-world black holes
Authors: Deng Xue-Mei
Published: June 2020

A black hole on a three-brane in five-dimensional spacetime was predicted by Dadhich, Maartens, Papadopoulos and Rezania (DMPR). In order to reveal some signatures for observations, we investigate a timelike particle’s motion around the DMPR brane-world black holes. We find that, both in the innermost stable circular orbits (ISCO) and the marginally bound orbits (MBO), the particle’s angular momentum and its radius decrease with the increase ofQ, whereQis a tidal charge parameter and may be negative and positive in the brane-world black holes. From these results, the corresponding periodic orbits with different energy levels are analyzed numerically by employing a taxonomy, which is related to the adiabatic inspiral regime in the gravitational wave radiation. It clearly shows that a rational number defined by the taxonomy increases with the particle’s energy. In addition, periodic orbits with$$Q<0$$Q<0in the DMPR brane-world black holes have higher energy in comparison to the ones with$$Q>0$$Q>0and in the Schwarzschild black holes. Our results might provide hints for distinguishing the DMPR brane-world black holes from other black holes by the timelike particle’s periodic orbits in the future.
Probing kinematics and fate of Bianchi type I universe in Brans–Dicke theory
Authors: Singla Nishant , Yadav Anil Kumar , Gupta M. K. , Goswami G. K. , Prasad Rajendra
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we examine the existence of Bianch type I Brans–Dicke universe by performing statistical test from [Formula: see text] and SN Ia observational data sets. We find that anisotropic Brans-Dicke ([Formula: see text] BD) model provides a reasonable fit with observational data. In addition to [Formula: see text], we also use Akaike information creation (AIC) and Bayes information creation (BIC) to determine the values of best fit parameters. The model under consideration represents a transitioning universe from early decelerating phase to current accelerating phase. We obtain the present age of the universe as 13.732 Gyrs, which is in good agreement with WMAP observations. The physical behavior of particle horizon and [Formula: see text] parameter of the derived model are also discussed.
Stationary scalar clouds outside charged reflecting compact stars
Authors: Liu Shoupan , Liu Guohua , Peng Yan
Published: June 2020

Recently, Hod showed that neutral stationary scalar field clouds can exist outside neutral reflecting compact stars. In the present paper, we extend the discussion by considering charged stationary scalar fields in the background of charged reflecting compact stars. If stationary scalar clouds exist, we analytically show that the field frequency belongs to an interval. For certain discrete field frequency values in the interval, we obtain numerical solutions of scalar field clouds. We also study effects of model parameters on discrete frequency.
The effect of concave roughness on the hypersonic flat-plate boundary-layer transition
Authors: Chen Shuo
Published: June 2020

In order to reveal the effect of aircraft surface concave roughness on the transition, several hypersonic quiet wind tunnel tests were carried out on the flat-plate model with independent concave roughness on the surface. The experimental Mach number was 6.5 and the total temperature was 430 K. Using infrared thermal imaging technology, a general rule of the effect of concave roughness on the boundary layer transition was obtained. The flow visualization results and the PCB pressure measurement results showed that the concave roughness promotes the transition by increasing the growth of the first mode wave rather than the growth of the second mode wave.
Analysis of synthetic jet PIV experiment based on dynamic mode decomposition
Authors: Ye Zhi-Xian , Jiang Yi-Yang , Tian Ze-Nan , Mo Shao-Chang , Fang Yuan-Qi , Zou Jian-Feng , Zheng Yao
Published: June 2020

Synthetic Jet Actuator (SJA) works cyclically with the directionally transportation of fluid near the exit, and the paper presents the performance of a loudspeaker driven SJA in static flow field. Time-Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (TR-PIV) system is used to measure the flow field characteristics near the SJA slot exit with input voltage changing, and the flow field snapshots obtained by TR-PIV are modality analyzed by Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD) method. The PIV experiments show that by varying input voltage at fixed oscillating frequency, the loudspeaker diaphragm vibration displacement is the parameter that affects the jet velocity and the performance of the SJA. The traveling vortex vanishes at high voltage due to the interaction between vortex structures and the synthetic main jet. In DMD method, the first three-order modes can characterize the main information of the original flow field with reverting the flow field snapshot sequence. It indicates that the DMD method is applicable in the SJA flow field research and the reduced order model can effectively simplify the analysis of flow field.
Effect of intrinsic point defects on ZnO electronic structure and absorption spectra
Authors: Guan Yuqin , Hou Qingyu , Xia Danyang
Published: June 2020

The effect of intrinsic point defects on the electronic structure and absorption spectra of ZnO was investigated by first-principle calculation. Among the intrinsic point defects in ZnO, oxygen vacancies [Formula: see text] and interstitial zinc [Formula: see text] have the lower formation energy and the more stable structure under zinc(Zn)-rich condition, whereas zinc vacancies [Formula: see text] and interstitial oxygen [Formula: see text] have the lower formation energy and the more stable structure under oxygen(O)-rich condition. The band gap of [Formula: see text] becomes narrow and the absorption spectrum has a redshift. In the visible region, the photo-excited electron transition of [Formula: see text] is graded from the valence band top to the impurity level and then to the conduction band bottom, showing the redshift of absorption spectrum of [Formula: see text] and explaining the reason of [Formula: see text] forming a deep impurity levels in ZnO. Moreover, the impurity energy level of [Formula: see text] coincides with the Fermi level, indicating the significant trap effect and the slow recombination of electrons and holes, which are conducive to the design and preparation of novel ZnO photocatalysts. The band gap of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] broadened and the absorption spectrum showed blueshift, explaining the different values of the ZnO band gap width.