bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Accuracy of Four Commercial Triplex Immunochromatographic Tests for Rapid Detection of Rotavirus, Adenovirus, and Norovirus in Human Stool Samples
Authors: Kaplon Jérôme , Théry Lucie , Bidalot Maxime , Grangier Nadège , Frappier Jean , Aho Glélé Ludwig Serge , de Rougemont Alexis , Ambert-Balay Katia
Published: October 2020

Noroviruses (NoV), rotaviruses (RVA), and adenoviruses (AdV) are the main viral agents responsible for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in humans. We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of four commercial immunochromatographic tests (ICTs) intended for the rapid and simultaneous detection of these three pathogens. Diagnostic accuracy of bioNexia Noro/Rota-Adeno (bioMérieux), Immunoquick NoRotAdeno (Biosynex), Rota+Adeno+Noro combo card (CerTest Biotec), and Rida Quick Rota/Adeno/Noro Combi (R-Biopharm) ICTs was assessed retrospectively using a collection of 160 stool specimens (including 43 RVA-, 47 AdV-, and 42 NoV-positive samples) from French patients with AGE and using molecular methods as the reference standard.
Comparative Genomics Analyses of Lifestyle Transitions at the Origin of an Invasive Fungal Pathogen in the GenusCryphonectria
Authors: Stauber Lea , Prospero Simone , Croll Daniel
Published: October 2020

Forest and agroecosystems, as well as animal and human health, are threatened by emerging pathogens. Following decimation of chestnuts in the United States, the fungal pathogenCryphonectria parasiticacolonized Europe. After establishment, the pathogen population gave rise to a highly successful lineage that spread rapidly across the continent. Core to our understanding of what makes a successful pathogen is the genetic repertoire enabling the colonization and exploitation of host species. Here, we have assembled >100 genomes across two related genera to identify key genomic determinants leading to the emergence of chestnut blight. We found subtle yet highly specific changes in the transition from saprotrophy to latent pathogenicity mostly determined by enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Large-scale genomic analyses of genes underlying key nutrition modes can facilitate the detection of species with the potential to emerge as pathogens.
Functional Analysis of the Collagen Binding Proteins of Streptococcus parasanguinis FW213
Authors: Chen Yi-Ywan M. , Tsai Pei-Hua , Ye Zong-Sian , Huang Yu-Wen , Shieh Hui-Ru , Wu Chia-Hua , Lin Yu-Juan , Miller James H. , Abranches Jacqueline , Chiu Cheng-Hsun
Published: October 2020

Bacteria generally can utilize multiple adhesins to establish themselves in the host. We found that
Streptococcus parasanguinis
, a dominant oral commensal and an opportunistic pathogen for subacute endocarditis, possesses at least three collagen-binding proteins that enable
S. parasanguinis
to successfully colonize damaged heart tissues and escape innate immune clearance. The binding specificities of these three proteins for extracellular matrix molecules differ, although all three proteins participate in biofilm formation by
S. parasanguinis
. The “multiligand for multisubstrate” feature of these adhesins may explain the high adaptability of this microbe to different tissue sites.
Randomised controlled pilot trial comparing low dose and very low- dose microdrop administration of phenylephrine and cyclopentolate for retinopathy of prematurity eye examinations in neonates
Authors: Kremer Lisa Jean , Broadbent Roland , Medlicott Natalie , Sime Mary Jane , McCaffrey Frances , Reith David M
Published: October 2020

Aims

To determine if

Very low dose mydriatic eye microdrop regimen sufficiently dilates the pupil (above 4.1 mm) compared with the currently used low dose mydriatic eye microdrop regimen.

Cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and respiratory adverse effects occur following eye drop instillation.

Methods

Seventeen premature infants were recruited into this prospective, randomised controlled pilot trial in January 2017 to November 2018. Data were collected from the single-centre Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Dunedin Hospital, New Zealand. The inclusion criteria were birth weight less than 1500 g or gestational age less than 31 weeks, or any premature infant requiring red reflex testing. Infants were randomised to receive either phenylephrine 1% or 0.5% and cyclopentolate 0.2% or 0.1%, 1 microdrop in both eyes. Efficacy outcome measures were pupil size at retinopathy of prematurity eye examination (ROPEE) and ophthalmologist rating of ease of screen.

Results

All participants had sufficient pupillary dilation for a successful ROPEE. Ophthalmologists rated the ROPEE as easy for 90% of all examinations. Pupil dilation measurements at the time of examination, mean±SD, 4.8±0.2 (95% CI 4.5 to 5.2) mm for treatment A and 5±0.2 (95%CI 4.6 to 5.4) mm for treatment B (p=0.61). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for safety data.

Conclusions

Very low dose microdrop administration of phenylephrine and cyclopentolate appears to be effective at sufficiently dilating the neonatal pupil for ROPEEs. Low dose and very low dose microdrop mydriatic regimens may also reduce the risk of unwanted adverse effects associated with these medicines.

Trial registration number

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (reference ACTRN12616001266459p).
Leukemoid reaction causing arterial thrombus in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chahine Zena , Samhouri Yazan , Jayakrishnan Thejus , Monga Dulabh
Published: October 2020

A leukemoid reaction is typically defined as white blood cell (WBC) count >50×109/L, predominantly neutrophil precursors, that are not due to tumour involvement in the bone marrow and not derived from clones. Leukemoid reactions associated with malignancy, known as paraneoplastic leukemoid reactions, are less common and are most notably seen with non-small cell lung cancer. A 64-year-old woman presented with right leg painful ulceration. On examination, she had multiple venous stasis ulcers more severe on the right, with no palpable pulses in her lower extremities. Her WBC count was 124×109/L and platelets were 517×109/L. Arterial dopplers showed limb-threatening arterial insufficiency which prompted right femoral endarterectomy. Few months earlier she was diagnosed with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma to the bone and she had leukemoid reaction with WBC 43.920× 109/L with 90% neutrophils. Repeat imaging showed progression of her malignancy and she passed shortly after. Inflammation is a key element of carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Among the different tumours, lung cancer is a non-haematologic malignancy that is most closely associated with leucocytosis. Some studies have found that leucocytosis was significantly associated with metastasis and shorter survival irrespective of other factors such as age or sex. The mechanism remains unclear however elevated levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (CSF), granulocyte macrophage-CSF and interleukin 6 have been linked to this phenomena. The degree of leucocytosis seen in our patient is suggestive of CSF production leading to a paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction.
Mechanisms of acute ankle syndesmosis ligament injuries in professional male rugby union players: a systematic visual video analysis
Authors: Delahunt Eamonn , Farrell Garreth , Boylan Andrew , Kerin Fearghal , Tierney Peter , Hogan Hugh , Boreham Colin
Published: October 2020

Background

The mechanisms of acute ankle syndesmosis ligament injuries in professional rugby union are not well understood.

Aim

To describe the mechanisms of acute ankle syndesmosis ligament injuries in male professional rugby union players using systematic visual video analysis.

Methods

All time-loss acute ankle syndesmosis ligament injuries identified via retrospective analysis of the Leinster Rugby injury surveillance database across the 2013/2014 to 2017/2018 seasons were considered as potentially eligible for inclusion. Three Chartered Physiotherapists (analysts) independently assessed all videos with a final consensus meeting convened to describe the injury mechanisms. One of the analysts developed a qualitative description of each injury mechanism.

Results

Thirteen acute ankle syndesmosis injuries were included in this study. The most common biomechanical presentation of the injured limb was characterised by hip flexion, knee flexion, knee valgus, ankle dorsiflexion, pronation and external rotation of the foot. Six of the included injuries (46%) were the result of an external load application to the injured limb (ie, direct contact injuries). In the other seven instances (54%), the injury was the result of a collapse of the injured player’s body mass over the injured ankle joint, while tackling or being tackled, without direct contact to the injured limb (ie, indirect contact injuries).

Conclusion

Injuries incurred while tackling were exclusively the result of suboptimal tackle mechanics. A majority of injuries incurred while being tackled involved a posterior tackle, which often resulted in a posterior collapse of the injured player’s centre of mass over a fixed externally rotated foot.
Village-level climate and weather variability, mediated by village-level crop yield, is associated with linear growth in children in Uganda
Authors: Ssentongo Paddy , Ba Djibril M , Fronterre Claudio , Chinchilli Vernon M
Published: October 2020

Introduction

To investigate total annual precipitation, precipitation anomaly and aridity index in relation to linear growth in children under 5 in Uganda and quantify the mediating role of crop yield.

Methods

We analysed data of 5219 children under 5 years of age who participated in the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey. Annual crop yield in kilograms per hectare for 42 crops at a 0.1° (~10 km at the equator) spatial resolution square grid was obtained from the International Food Policy Research Institute. Normalised rainfall anomaly and total precipitation were derived from the African Rainfall Estimation Algorithm Version 2 product. Linear regression models were used to associate total annual precipitation and anomalies with height-for-age z-scores and to explore the mediating role of crop yield qualitatively. The intervening effects were quantitatively estimated by causal mediation models.

Results

Twenty-nine per cent of children were stunted (95% CI 28% to 31%). After adjusting for major covariates, higher total annual precipitation was significantly associated with increasing height-for-age z-scores. At the mean, an increase of 1 standard deviation in local annual rainfall was associated with a 0.07-point higher z-score. Aridity index and precipitation anomaly were not associated with height-for-age z scores in altitude-adjusted models. Crop yields of nuts, seeds, cereals and pulses were significant mediating factors. For instance, 38% of the association between total annual precipitation with height-for-age z-scores can be attributed to the yield of sesame seeds.

Conclusions

Higher total annual precipitation at the village-level was significantly associated with higher height-for-age z-scores among children in Uganda. This association can be partially explained by higher crop yield, especially from seeds and nuts. This study suggests that more attention should be paid to villages with lower annual rainfall amounts to improve water availability for agriculture.
Interdisciplinary development and evaluation of a novel needle guide for ultrasound-guided lumbar epidural placement
Authors: Singla Rohit , Burlinson Clare , Honigmann Simon , Abolmaesumi Purang , Chau Anthony , Rohling Robert
Published: October 2020

Purpose

A solution for real-time, ultrasound-guided, central neuraxial blockade placement remains elusive. A device that enables single-operator neuraxial placement while simultaneously visualising the spinal anatomy and needle trajectory may improve patient safety. We engineered a novel needle guide, the EpiGuide two dimensional (2D), and compared prepuncture insertion sites as located using the guide versus standard manual palpation.

Methods

Interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers and obstetric anaesthesiologists and multiple iterative refinement led to the EpiGuide 2D, a prototype multichannel needle guide for ultrasound transducers. Following ethics committee approval, 22 healthy adult participants were recruited to undergo prepuncture lumbar epidural placement using the guide. The primary outcome was accuracy, defined as the percentage of successful placements of prepuncture needle insertion sites within the manually palpated intervertebral space. The secondary outcome was distance between the prepuncture insertion sites guided by the EpiGuide 2D versus by sites guided by manually palpation.

Results

Mean (SD) body mass index of participants was 22.6 (2.1) kg/m
2
. The success rate of selecting a prepuncture site within the manually palpated intervertebral space using EpiGuide 2D was 95.5% (42 of 44 attempts). Of the failed sites, the mean (SD) distance to the intervertebral space was 1.3 (0.3) mm in the caudal direction. The mean (SD) distance between EpiGuide 2D sites and palpated sites was 3.6 (2.0) mm.

Conclusion

The EpiGuide 2D, jointly developed between engineers and anaesthesiologists, was found to be as accurate as manual palpation in placing a prepuncture site within the intervertebral space.
Diagnostic accuracy of the magnetocardiograph for patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Goodacre Steve , Walters Stephen J , Qayyum Hasan , Coffey Frank , Carlton Edward , Coats Timothy , Glazebrook William , Unitt Lynda
Published: October 2020

Background

We aimed to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of the VitalScan magnetocardiograph (MCG) for suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods

We undertook a prospective cohort study evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of the MCG in adults with suspected ACS. The reference standard of ACS was determined by an independent adjudication committee based on 30-day investigations and events. The cohort was split into a training sample, to derive the MCG algorithm and an algorithm combining MCG with a modified Manchester Acute Coronary Syndrome (MACS) clinical probability score, and a validation sample, to estimate diagnostic accuracy.

Results

We recruited 756 participants and analysed data from 680 (293 training, 387 validation), of whom 96 (14%) had ACS. In the training sample, the respective area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were the following: MCG 0.66 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.74), MACS 0.64 (95% CI 0.54 to 0.73) and MCG+MACS 0.70 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.77). MCG specificity was 0.16 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.21) at the threshold achieving acceptable sensitivity for rule-out (>0.98). In the validation sample (n=387), the respective AUROCs were the following: MCG 0.56 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.64), MACS 0.69 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.77) and MCG+MACS 0.64 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.72). MCG sensitivity was 0.89 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.95) and specificity 0.15 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.20) at the rule-out threshold. MCG+MACS sensitivity was 0.85 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.92) and specificity 0.30 (95% CI 0.25 to 0.35).

Conclusion

The VitalScan MCG is currently unable to accurately rule out ACS and is not yet ready for use in clinical practice. Further developmental research is required.
A life course approach to elucidate the role of adiposity in asthma risk: evidence from a Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Au Yeung Shiu Lun , Li Albert Martin , Schooling C Mary
Published: October 2020

Background

Adiposity is associated with asthma although studies do not usually explore the inter-related role of childhood and adult adiposity in asthma risk using a life course perspective.

Methods

We conducted a Mendelian randomisation (MR) study using genetic instruments for childhood body mass index (BMI) (n=47 541), childhood obesity (n=29 822) and adult BMI (n=681 725) applied to the UK Biobank (n=401 837), with validation in a genome-wide association study of asthma (GABRIEL, n=5616). We used inverse variance weighting and other sensitivity analyses to examine the relationship between adiposity and asthma risk. We assessed mediation using multivariable Mendelian randomisation (MVMR) analysis.

Results

Childhood BMI was related to asthma in the UK Biobank (OR 1.10 per SD increase, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.22). Adult BMI was associated with asthma risk (OR 1.33 per SD increase, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.43). Analyses in GABRIEL gave directionally consistent results but with wide CI. The relationship between childhood obesity and asthma risk was less clear in both data sources. MVMR suggested the relation of childhood BMI with asthma risk was largely mediated via adult BMI.

Conclusion

Adiposity in childhood likely cause asthma, but the effect is primarily mediated via adult BMI.
lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 Promotes the Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Retinoblastoma Cells by Upregulating HIF-1α via Sponging miR-153-3p
Authors: Wang Yujin , Wang Jixiang , Hao Hongyan , Luo Xiangxia
Published: October 2020

It is reported that lncRNA KCNQ1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) is oncogenic in many cancers. This work aimed at probing into its expression and biological functions in retinoblastoma (RB) as well as its regulatory effects on miR-153-3p and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). In our study, RB samples in pair were collected, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was employed for examining the expression levels of KCNQ1OT1, miR-153-3p and HIF-1α. KCNQ1OT1 short hairpin RNAs were transfected into SO-Rb50 and HXO-RB44 cell to inhibit the expression of KCNQ1OT1. The proliferative activity, colony formation ability and apoptosis were examined through cell counting kit-8 assay, colony formation assays, Transwell assay and flow cytometry, respectively. qRT-PCR and western blot analysis were used for analyzing the changes of miR-153-3p and HIF-1α induced by KCNQ1OT1. The regulatory relationships between miR-153-3p and KCNQ1OT1, miR-153-3p and HIF-1α were examined by dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation assay. The results of our study showed that KCNQ1OT1 expression was markedly enhanced in RB tissue samples, and KCNQ1OT1 knockdown had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation, migration, invasion and viability of RB cells. There were two validated binding sties between KCNQ1OT1 and miR-153-3p, and KCNQ1OT1 negatively regulated the expression of miR-153-3p in RB cells. HIF-1α was a target gene of miR-153-3p, and could be positively regulated by KCNQ1OT1. In conclusion, our study indicates that KCNQ1OT1 can increase the malignancy of RB cells via regulating miR-153-3p/HIF-1α axis.
Blood functional assay for rapid clinical interpretation of germline TP53 variants
Authors: Raad Sabine , Rolain Marion , Coutant Sophie , Derambure Céline , Lanos Raphael , Charbonnier Françoise , Bou Jacqueline , Bouvignies Emilie , Lienard Gwendoline , Vasseur Stéphanie , Farrell Michael , Ingster Olivier , Baert Desurmont Stéphanie , Kasper Edwige , Bougeard Gaëlle , Frébourg Thierry , Tournier Isabelle
Published: October 2020

Background

The interpretation of germline TP53 variants is critical to ensure appropriate medical management of patients with cancer and follow-up of variant carriers. This interpretation remains complex and is becoming a growing challenge considering the exponential increase in TP53 tests. We developed a functional assay directly performed on patients’ blood.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured, activated, exposed to doxorubicin and the p53-mediated transcriptional response was quantified using reverse transcription–multiplex ligation probe amplification and RT-QMPSF assays, including 10 p53 targets selected from transcriptome analysis, and two amplicons to measure p53 mRNA levels. We applied this blood functional assay to 77 patients addressed for TP53 analysis.

Results

In 51 wild-type TP53 individuals, the mean p53 functionality score was 12.7 (range 7.5–22.8). Among eight individuals harbouring likely pathogenic or pathogenic variants, the scores were reduced (mean 4.8, range 3.1–7.1), and p53 mRNA levels were reduced in patients harbouring truncating variants. We tested 14 rare unclassified variants (p.(Pro72His), p.(Gly105Asp), p.(Arg110His), p.(Phe134Leu), p.(Arg158Cys), p.(Pro191Arg), p.(Pro278Arg), p.(Arg283Cys), p.(Leu348Ser), p.(Asp352Tyr), p.(Gly108_Phe109delinsVal), p.(Asn131del), p.(Leu265del), c.-117G>T) and 12 yielded functionally abnormal scores. Remarkably, the assay revealed that the c.*1175A>C polymorphic variant within TP53 poly-adenylation site can impact p53 function with the same magnitude as a null variant, when present on both alleles, and may act as a modifying factor in pathogenic variant carriers.

Conclusion

This blood p53 assay should therefore be a useful tool for the rapid clinical classification of germline TP53 variants and detection of non-coding functional variants.
Association between ARID2 and RAS-MAPK pathway in intellectual disability and short stature
Authors: Kang Eungu , Kang Minji , Ju Younghee , Lee Sang-Joon , Lee Yong-Seok , Woo Dong-Cheol , Sung Young Hoon , Baek In-Jeoung , Shim Woo Hyun , Son Woo-Chan , Choi In Hee , Seo Eul-Ju , Yoo Han-Wook , Han Yong-Mahn , Lee Beom Hee
Published: October 2020

Background

ARID2 belongs to the Switch/sucrose non-fermenting complex, in which the genetic defects have been found in patients with dysmorphism, short stature and intellectual disability (ID). As the phenotypes of patients with ARID2 mutations partially overlap with those of RASopathy, this study evaluated the biochemical association between ARID2 and RAS-MAPK pathway.

Methods

The phenotypes of 22 patients with either an ARID2 heterozygous mutation or haploinsufficiency were reviewed. Comprehensive molecular analyses were performed using somatic and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of a patient with ARID2 haploinsufficiency as well as using the mouse model of Arid2 haploinsufficiency by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing.

Results

The phenotypic characteristics of ARID2 deficiency include RASopathy, Coffin-Lowy syndrome or Coffin-Siris syndrome or undefined syndromic ID. Transient ARID2 knockout HeLa cells using an shRNA increased ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation. Impaired neuronal differentiation with enhanced RAS-MAPK activity was observed in patient-iPSCs. In addition, Arid2 haploinsufficient mice exhibited reduced body size and learning/memory deficit. ARID2 haploinsufficiency was associated with reduced IFITM1 expression, which interacts with caveolin-1 (CAV-1) and inhibits ERK activation.

Discussion

ARID2 haploinsufficiency is associated with enhanced RAS-MAPK activity, leading to reduced IFITM1 and CAV-1 expression, thereby increasing ERK activity. This altered interaction might lead to abnormal neuronal development and a short stature.
Can myocardial work indices contribute to the exploration of patients with cardiac amyloidosis?
Authors: Roger-Rollé Aénora , Cariou Eve , Rguez Khailène , Fournier Pauline , Lavie-Badie Yoan , Blanchard Virginie , Roncalli Jérôme , Galinier Michel , Carrié Didier , Lairez Olivier
Published: October 2020

Background

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a life-threatening restrictive cardiomyopathy. Identifying patients with a poor prognosis is essential to ensure appropriate care. The aim of this study was to compare myocardial work (MW) indices with standard echocardiographic parameters in predicting mortality among patients with CA.

Methods

Clinical, biological and transthoracic echocardiographic parameters were retrospectively compared among 118 patients with CA. Global work index (GWI) was calculated as the area of left ventricular pressure–strain loop. Global work efficiency (GWE) was defined as percentage ratio of constructive work to sum of constructive and wasted works. Sixty-one (52%) patients performed a cardiopulmonary exercise.

Results

GWI, GWE, global longitudinal strain (GLS), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and myocardial contraction fraction (MCF) were correlated with N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (R=−0.518, R=−0.383, R=−0.553, R=−0.382 and R=−0.336, respectively; p<0.001). GWI and GLS were correlated with peak oxygen consumption (R=0.359 and R=0.313, respectively; p<0.05). Twenty-eight (24%) patients died during a median follow-up of 11 (4–19) months. The best cut-off values to predict all-cause mortality for GWI, GWE, GLS, LVEF and MCF were 937 mm Hg/%, 89%, 10%, 52% and 15%, respectively. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of GWE, GLS, GWI, LVEF and MCF were 0.689, 0.631, 0.626, 0.511 and 0.504, respectively.

Conclusion

In CA population, MW indices are well correlated with known prognosis markers and are better than LVEF and MCF in predicting mortality. However, MW does not perform better than GLS.
Bicuspid aortic valve: different clinical profiles for subjects with versus without repaired aortic coarctation
Authors: Lim Michelle S , Bannon Paul G , Celermajer David S
Published: October 2020

Objectives

A small proportion of patients undergoing bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) intervention have had prior repair of aortic coarctation (CoA). We aimed to describe phenotypic differences between BAV patients, comparing those with versus those without previous coarctation repair.

Methods

556 adults with BAV who had undergone aortic valve and/or ascending aortic surgery were identified, and relevant clinical and operative details were retrospectively analysed.

Results

Of the total cohort, 532 patients (95.7%) had isolated BAV (‘BAV-only’), and 24 (4.3%) had had a previous successful CoA repair (‘BAV-CoA’). The median age at surgery was significantly lower in BAV-CoA patients compared with BAV-only (median, IQR: 40 years, 26–57 vs 62 years, 51–69, p<0.001). Indications for surgery also differed, with BAV-CoA patients much more likely to undergo surgery for aortic regurgitation (BAV-CoA 38% vs BAV-only 13%, p<0.001); patients with isolated BAV were more likely to require surgery for aortic stenosis (BAV-only 75% vs BAV-CoA 50%, p<0.001). Two different BAV morphotypes were commoner in the BAV-CoA group; type 0 valves (24% vs 8%, p<0.05) and type 2 valves (12% vs 3%, p<0.05). The proportion of patients undergoing concomitant aortic surgery at the time of valve surgery were similar (BAV-only 38% vs BAV-CoA 42%, p=0.8).

Conclusion

In adult patients undergoing aortic valve surgery for BAV disease, those with a prior history of repaired CoA underwent surgery at a very much younger age, and a higher proportion required intervention for aortic regurgitation.
News coverage of the E-cigarette, or Vaping, product use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) outbreak and internet searches for vaping cessation
Authors: Leas Eric C , Nobles Alicia L , Caputi Theodore L , Dredze Mark , Zhu Shu-Hong , Cohen Joanna E , Ayers John W
Published: October 2020

Background

In the latter half of 2019, an outbreak of pulmonary disease in the USA resulted in 2807 hospitalisations and 68 deaths, as of 18 February 2020. Given the severity of the outbreak, we assessed whether articles during the outbreak era more frequently warned about the dangers of vaping and whether internet searches for vaping cessation increased.

Methods

Using Tobacco Watcher, a media monitoring platform that automatically identifies and categorises news articles from sources across the globe, we obtained all articles that (a) discussed the outbreak and (b) primarily warned about the dangers of vaping. We obtained internet search trends originating from the USA that mentioned ‘quit’ or ‘stop’ and ‘e cig(s),’ ‘ecig(s),’ ‘e-cig(s),’ ‘e cigarette(s),’ ‘e-cigarette(s),’ ‘electronic cigarette(s),’ ‘vape(s),’ ‘vaping’ or ‘vaper(s)’ from Google Trends (eg, ‘how do I quit vaping?’). All data were obtained from 1 January 2014 to 18 February 2020 and ARIMA models were used with historical trends to forecast the ratio of observed to expected search volumes during the outbreak era.

Results

News of the vaping-induced pulmonary disease outbreak was first reported on 25 July 2019 with 195 articles, culminating in 44 512 articles by 18 February 2020. On average, news articles warning about the dangers of vaping were 130% (95% prediction
interval (PI): −15 to 417) and searches for vaping cessation were 76% (95% PI: 28 to 182) higher than expected levels for the days during the period when the sources of the outbreak were unknown (25 July to 27 September 2019). News and searches stabilised just after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that a primary source of the outbreak was an additive used in marijuana vapes on 27 September 2019. In sum, there were 12 286 articles archived in Tobacco Watcher primarily warning about the dangers of vaping and 1 025 000 cessation searches following the outbreak.

Conclusion

The vaping-induced pulmonary disease outbreak spawned increased coverage about the dangers of vaping and internet searches for vaping cessation. Resources and strategies that respond to this elevated interest should become a priority among public health leaders.
Hypercalcemia of malignancy associated with exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a dog
Authors: Johannes Chad M , Heinrich Ellen R E , Musser Margaret L , Andreasen Claire B
Published: October 2020

A 10.5‐year‐old, male, neutered Samoyed was presented to the Iowa State University Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center with history (including prior surgical biopsy), non‐specific acute clinical signs and clinicopathology changes most consistent with pancreatitis. Marked hypercalcemia developed within a short span of time, raising clinical concerns for neoplasia. Diagnostic imaging and fine‐needle aspirate cytology were consistent with pancreatitis. Marked elevation in parathyroid hormone–related protein with low parathyroid hormone further supported the diagnosis of underlying neoplasia. The dog’s clinical status declined despite aggressive medical supportive therapy. Humane euthanasia was elected. Postmortem examination revealed an extensive pancreatic neoplasm confirmed as exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma with diffuse intra‐abdominal metastases. Acute kidney injury most likely resulted from the severe pancreatic inflammation (pancreatitis) and hypercalcemia of malignancy caused by the exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This is the first reported case of hypercalcemia of malignancy associated with exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a dog.
Synthesis and characterization of novel poly(HAzPMA-co-SA)/RDX/CdS nanocomposite as a polymer bonded explosive
Authors: Ghayeni Hamid Reza , Razeghi Reza , Olyaei Abolfazl
Published: October 2020

Cadmium sulfide nanorods with a length of 69 nm have been prepared by using Cd(OAc)2.2H2O and S8 at 125 °C in the presence of triethylenetetramine as the template agent and coordination agent and characterized by using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, FTIR, photoluminescence, and UV–vis absorption spectroscopic techniques. Photocopolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and sodium acrylate (SA) was carried out using CdS nanorods as a photocatalyst under UV light exposure at 400 nm in the presence of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). To optimization of the effective parameters on the synthesis of copolymer nanocomposite, the amounts of initiator, monomers, and β-CD, duration of pre-deoxygenation, and light wavelength were evaluated. Ring opening of poly(GMA-co-SA)/CdS nanocomposite with NaN3 afforded poly(HAzPMA-co-SA)/CdS nanocomposite and subsequent mixing with RDX in DMF led to the formation of poly(HAzPMA-co-SA)/RDX/CdS nanocomposite as a polymer bonded explosive. All of the copolymer nanocomposites were characterized using various tools of instrumental analysis.
Regulatory role of cardiomyocyte metabolism via AMPK activation in modulating atrial structural, contractile, and electrical properties following atrial fibrillation
Authors: Brown Sean M. , Larsen Nicholas K. , Thankam Finosh G. , Agrawal Devendra K.
Published: October 2020

The number of patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been rising due to increased incidence, enhanced detection methods, and greater survival rates following diagnosis. Due to this increase, AF is now the most commonly diagnosed arrhythmia in clinical practice. AF is characterized by irregular, high-frequency contractions of atrial myocytes that lead to turbulent blood flow and the potential for thrombus formation, stroke, or heart failure. These high-frequency contractions of the atrial myocytes cause an imbalance between metabolic supply and demand. Although advances have been made in understanding the pathophysiology of AF, the etiology and underlying pathogenic mechanism remain unknown. However, recent evidence suggests that cardiomyocyte metabolism involving 5′ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation is altered in patients with AF. Here, we critically reviewed the current understanding of AMPK activation in AF and how it could affect structural, contractile, and electrophysiological cellular properties in the pathogenesis of AF.
The Connectivity of a Bipartite Graph and Its Bipartite Complementary Graph
Authors: Tian Yingzhi , Ma Huaping , Wu Liyun
Published: October 2020

In 1956, Nordhaus and Gaddum gave lower and upper bounds on the sum and the product of the chromatic number of a graph and its complement, in terms of the order of the graph. Since then, any bound on the sum and/or the product of an invariant in a graph [Formula: see text] and the same invariant in the complement [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is called a Nordhaus-Gaddum type inequality or relation. The Nordhaus-Gaddum type inequalities for connectivity have been studied by several authors. For a bipartite graph [Formula: see text] with bipartition ([Formula: see text]), its bipartite complementary graph [Formula: see text] is a bipartite graph with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we obtain the Nordhaus-Gaddum type inequalities for connectivity of bipartite graphs and its bipartite complementary graphs. Furthermore, we prove that these inequalities are best possible.
Translating Morphologically Rich Indian Languages under Zero-Resource Conditions
Authors: Tanwar Ashwani , Majumder Prasenjit
Published: October 2020

This work presents an in-depth analysis of machine translations of morphologically-rich Indo-Aryan and Dravidian languages under zero-resource conditions. It focuses on Zero-Shot Systems for these languages and leverages transfer-learning by exploiting target-side monolingual corpora and parallel translations from other languages. These systems are compared with direct translations using the BLEU and TER metrics. Further, Zero-Shot Systems are used as pre-trained models for fine-tuning with real human-generated data taken in different proportions that range from 100 sentences to the entire training set. Performances of the Indo-Aryan and Dravidian languages are compared with a focus on their morphological complexity. The systems with a Dravidian source language performed much better and reached very near to the level of direct translations. This is observed likely due to morphological richness and complexity in the language, which in turn provided more room for transfer-learning in this case. A comparative analysis based on language families has been done. These systems were fine-tuned further, which in turn outperformed direct translations with just 500 parallel sentences for a Dravidian source language. However, systems with an Indo-Aryan source language showed similar performance after getting fine-tuned with 10,000 sentences.
The Origins of Mass Incarceration: The Racial Politics of Crime and Punishment in the Post–Civil Rights Era
Authors: Beckett Katherine , Francis Megan Ming
Published: October 2020

This article examines the origins of US mass incarceration. Although it is clear that changes in policy and practice are the proximate drivers of the prison boom, researchers continue to explore—and disagree about—why crime control policy and practice changed in ways that fueled the growth of incarceration in all 50 states. One well-known account emphasizes the centrality of racial and electoral politics. This article more fully explicates the racial politics perspective, describes several friendly amendments to it, and explores a range of arguments that challenge it in more fundamental ways. In the end, we maintain that although mass incarceration has many drivers, it cannot be explained without reference to the centrality of racial politics; the importance of the crime issue to the GOP electoral strategy that emerged in the wake of the civil rights movement; and the nature of the decentralized, two-party electoral system in the United States.
Psychology as a Historical Science
Authors: Muthukrishna Michael , Henrich Joseph , Slingerland Edward
Published: October 2020

Psychology has traditionally seen itself as the science of universal human cognition, but it has only recently begun seriously grappling with cross-cultural variation. Here we argue that the roots of cross-cultural variation often lie in the past. Therefore, to understand not only how but also why psychology varies, we need to grapple with cross-temporal variation. The traces of past human cognition accessible through historical texts and artifacts can serve as a valuable, and almost completely unutilized, source of psychological data. These data from dead minds open up an untapped and highly diverse subject pool. We review examples of research that may be classified as historical psychology, introduce sources of historical data and methods for analyzing them, explain the critical role of theory, and discuss how psychologists can add historical depth and nuance to their work. Psychology needs to become a historical science if it wants to be a genuinely universal science of human cognition and behavior.
Study on Supply Chain considering Anticipated Regret under Price Discount
Authors: Zhang Nian , Li Bin
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study is to research the impact of consumer regrets on the supply chain caused by the company’s “discount promotion.” This paper introduces the theory of anticipated regret and price discount into the supply chain. By quoting the negative utility formula of consumers’ anticipated regret under price discount, it quantitatively describes the demand function of the original product and the discount product. The model under centralized and decentralized decision making is constructed, and revenue-sharing contract is adopted to coordinate the supply chain. The conclusions are as follows. (1) Affected by the anticipated regret under the price discount, the price of the product increases first and then decreases with the regret sensitivity coefficient and consumer heterogeneity sensitivity increases. In addition, the price under the leadership structure of the manufacturer is the highest. (2) Price discounts enhance consumers’ perception of anticipated regret. Under the stimulation of price discounts, the price of products increases first and then decreases. (3) The revenue-sharing contract could not coordinate the supply chain, and the introduction of a profit-sharing mechanism is achieved the Pareto improvement of the supply chain.
The Regularity Criteria and the A Priori Estimate on the 3D Incompressible Navier-Stokes Equations in Orthogonal Curvilinear Coordinate Systems
Authors: Geng Fan , Wang Shu , Wang Yongxin
Published: October 2020

The paper considers the regularity problem on three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in general orthogonal curvilinear coordinate systems. We establish one regularity criteria of the weak solutions involving only in a vorticity component

ω

3

and one a priori estimate on the solution that

H

3

u

3

L

∞

0
,
T
;

L

p

ℝ

3

is bounded for

1
≤
p
≤
∞

to three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in orthogonal curvilinear coordinate systems. These extent greatly the corresponding results on axisymmetric cylindrical flow.
Spindle Cell Melanoma Presenting as an Ulcer in a Black Diabetic
Authors: Gaskin D. A. , Brathwaite D. , Depeiza N. , Gaskin P. S. , Ward J.
Published: October 2020

Background. Melanoma in blacks is uncommon and exceedingly rare in association with a diabetic ulcer. We present a case of a spindle cell melanoma masquerading as a diabetic ulcer. Case Report. A 57-year-old overweight woman presented to The Maria Holder Diabetes Centre for the Caribbean with a nonhealing ulcer of the right heel after being treated by various primary care physicians over the preceding year. Her general and systematic examinations were unremarkable. There was a

1
×
1.5

 cm ulcer with a necrotic base which bled easily on contact with no evidence of peripheral neuropathy nor arterial insufficiency. Microscopic examination of a biopsy of the lesion showed fascicles of spindle cells with plump nuclei and intracytoplasmic yellow-brown pigment. Immunohistochemistry confirmed a diagnosis of melanoma. Discussion. There should be a high index of suspicion of malignancy with nonhealing diabetic ulcer especially when coupled with short disease duration. This case highlights the importance of a biopsy and histological evaluation in ulcers presenting in recently diagnosed diabetics with no evidence of peripheral neuropathy or vascular disease. Melanoma should be considered in spindle cell lesions especially with pigment and residual nevus cells.
Hybrid Model Structure for Diabetic Retinopathy Classification
Authors: Liu Hao , Yue Keqiang , Cheng Siyi , Pan Chengming , Sun Jie , Li Wenjun
Published: October 2020

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common complications of diabetes and the main cause of blindness. The progression of the disease can be prevented by early diagnosis of DR. Due to differences in the distribution of medical conditions and low labor efficiency, the best time for diagnosis and treatment was missed, which results in impaired vision. Using neural network models to classify and diagnose DR can improve efficiency and reduce costs. In this work, an improved loss function and three hybrid model structures Hybrid-a, Hybrid-f, and Hybrid-c were proposed to improve the performance of DR classification models. EfficientNetB4, EfficientNetB5, NASNetLarge, Xception, and InceptionResNetV2 CNNs were chosen as the basic models. These basic models were trained using enhance cross-entropy loss and cross-entropy loss, respectively. The output of the basic models was used to train the hybrid model structures. Experiments showed that enhance cross-entropy loss can effectively accelerate the training process of the basic models and improve the performance of the models under various evaluation metrics. The proposed hybrid model structures can also improve DR classification performance. Compared with the best-performing results in the basic models, the accuracy of DR classification was improved from 85.44% to 86.34%, the sensitivity was improved from 98.48% to 98.77%, the specificity was improved from 71.82% to 74.76%, the precision was improved from 90.27% to 91.37%, and the F1 score was improved from 93.62% to 93.9% by using hybrid model structures.
A Relationship Model between Top Management Team Cognitive Heterogeneity and Strategic Decision Quality and Its Implications for Sustainability
Authors: Wang Qiannan , Ge Yuhui , Hu Cuihua
Published: October 2020

To achieve sustainable development, a top management team (TMT) and the quality of its strategic decisions on sustainability are critical. This paper builds a relationship model between top management team (TMT) cognitive heterogeneity and the quality of strategic decisions. This research is important because TMT cognitive heterogeneity can comport decision-making schemes with complex and changing environments. Specifically, this paper explores the intermediary role of the team fusion process composed of different shareholders’ agents in integrating TMT heterogeneous cognition to improve the quality of strategic decisions. It adopts the upper echelon theory, which proposes that decision-makers have limited rationality and face difficulty in collecting and analyzing information in complex and changing environments. A questionnaire survey of 107 Chinese enterprises was conducted. Through the research framework of “cognitive heterogeneity–team fusion–strategic decision quality,” this paper constructs a moderated mediator model with entrepreneurial spirit as the moderating variable. Based on statistical analysis, the following results and contributions are obtained. First, TMT cognitive heterogeneity positively affected strategic decision quality. Second, two dimensions of team fusion—information integration and emotional fusion—mediated the relationship between TMT cognitive heterogeneity and strategic decision quality. Third, entrepreneurial spirit positively moderated the relationship between information integration and strategic decision quality, as well as the relationship between emotional fusion and strategic decision quality. The implications of our results related to sustainability are also discussed.
Robust Stochastic Dynamic Optimal Power Flow Model of Electricity-Gas Integrated Energy System considering Wind Power Uncertainty
Authors: Qin Zhengfeng , Bai Xiaoqing , Su Xiangyang
Published: October 2020

The application of gas turbines and power to gas equipment deepens the coupling relationship between power systems and natural gas systems and provides a new way to absorb the uncertain wind power as well. The traditional stochastic optimization and robust optimization algorithms have some limitations and deficiencies in dealing with the uncertainty of wind power output. Therefore, we propose a robust stochastic optimization (RSO) model to solve the dynamic optimal power flow model for electricity-gas integrated energy systems (IES) considering wind power uncertainty, where the ambiguity set of wind power output is constructed based on Wasserstein distance. Then, the Wasserstein ambiguity set is affined to the eventwise ambiguity set, and the proposed RSO model is transformed into a mixed-integer programming model, which can be solved rapidly and accurately using commercial solvers. Numerical results for EG-4 and EG-118 systems verify the rationality and effectiveness of the proposed model.
Application of Financial Cloud in the Sustainable Development of Smart Cities
Authors: Cao Yangchun , Zhang Guangyu , Ou Chunyao
Published: October 2020

This article first investigates the status of financial cloud development in smart cities and studies the sustainable development of smart cities. Secondly, it investigates the construction of the evaluation model, using the power of the financial cloud, through exploratory factor analysis, selecting the principal component analysis method to extract the factors, for screening and dimensionality reduction of the indicators, and making hypotheses. We used confirmatory factor analysis to establish the structural equation. The measurement model analyzes and validates the assumptions of the previous stage and finally determines the sustainable development evaluation index system. Then, starting from the scoring coefficient matrix of the exploratory factor analysis of the final model, the variance contribution rate of each common factor is weighted to construct a comprehensive evaluation model to calculate the comprehensive evaluation score. For the comprehensive evaluation score of the sustainable development level of the smart city, SPSS software performs cluster analysis, performs regional clustering, and determines the level of urban development. Finally, by comparing the sustainable development levels of smart cities, the related causes of the gaps are analyzed. Key factors affecting the sustainable development of smart cities are identified, and corresponding countermeasures are proposed.