bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary and Acquired Immunodeficiencies Associated With Severe Varicella-Zoster Virus Infections
Authors: Ansari Rahila , Rosen Lindsey B , Lisco Andrea , Gilden Don , Holland Steven M , Zerbe Christa S , Bonomo Robert A , Cohen Jeffrey I
Published: August 2020

Background

Although most cases of varicella or zoster are self-limited, patients with certain immune deficiencies may develop severe or life-threatening disease.

Methods

We studied a patient with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) central nervous system (CNS) vasculopathy and as part of the evaluation, tested his plasma for antibodies to cytokines. We reviewed the literature for cases of varicella or zoster associated with primary and acquired immunodeficiencies.

Results

We found that a patient with VZV CNS vasculopathy had antibody that neutralized interferon (IFN)-α but not IFN-γ. The patient’s plasma blocked phosphorylation in response to stimulation with IFN-α in healthy control peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In addition to acquired immunodeficiencies like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or autoantibodies to IFN, variants in specific genes have been associated with severe varicella and/or zoster. Although these genes encode proteins with very different activities, many affect IFN signaling pathways, either those that sense double-stranded RNA or cytoplasmic DNA that trigger IFN production, or those involved in activation of IFN stimulated genes in response to binding of IFN with its receptor.

Conclusions

Immune deficiencies highlight the critical role of IFN in control of VZV infections and suggest new approaches for treatment of VZV infection in patients with certain immune deficiencies.
How to create trust quickly: a comparative empirical investigation of the bases of swift trust
Authors: Kroeger Frens , Racko Girts , Burchell Brendan
Published: August 2020

Swift trust has long been considered of critical importance to the work of project teams and other forms of temporary organizing, but research has remained heavily fragmented in regard to its antecedents or bases. This contribution conducts a systematic review of the literature and derives from it seven possible bases of swift trust. The relative significance of each of these bases is tested through a survey of 172 project managers. Its findings allow for the distillation of the bases of swift trust into three coherent thematic blocks of different significance in the creation of swift trust. Bases related to team composition exert the strongest effects, whereas reputational and institutional information demonstrates much more limited effects, and action-related bases of swift trust are shown to be largely irrelevant. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the formation of swift trust and resolve existing tensions found in the literature.
Job Creation and Wages in Least Developed Countries: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Rud Juan Pablo , Trapeznikova Ija
Published: August 2020

Least developed economies are characterized by poorly functioning labour markets: only a small fraction of workers are in paid employment, where productivity and wages are low. We incorporate a standard search framework into a two-sector model of development to assess the importance of different obstacles to job creation and productivity. The model provides new insights into the characterization of poorly developed labour markets that are observed in the data, such as high wage dispersion. We estimate the model using microdata for six countries in sub-Saharan Africa and highlight the empirical relevance of labour-market frictions, entry costs and skills.
Type A aortic dissection in aneurysms having modelled pre-dissection maximum diameter below 45 mm: should we implement current guidelines to improve the survival benefit of prophylactic surgery?
Authors: Tozzi Piergiorgio , Gunga Ziyad , Niclauss Lars , Delay Dominique , Roumy Aurelian , Pfister Raymond , Colombier Sebastien , Patella Francesco , Qanadli Salah Dine , Kirsch Matthias
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVES

Current guidelines recommend prophylactic replacement of the ascending aorta at an aneurysmal diameter of >55 mm to prevent acute Type A aortic dissection (TAAD) in non-Marfan patients. Several publications have challenged this threshold, suggesting that surgery should be performed in smaller aneurysms to prevent this devastating disease. We reviewed our experience with measuring aortic size at the time of TAAD to validate the existing recommendation for prophylactic ascending aorta replacement.

METHODS

All patients who had been admitted for TAAD to our emergency department from 2014 to 2019 and underwent ascending aorta replacement were included. Marfan patients were excluded. The maximum diameter of the dissected aorta was measured preoperatively using CT scan. We estimated the aortic diameter at the time of dissection to be 7 mm smaller than the measured maximum diameter of the dissected aorta (modelled pre-dissection diameter).

RESULTS

Overall, 102 patients were included. Of these, 67 were male (65.6%) and 35 were female (34.4%), and the cohort’s mean age was 65 ± 12.1 years. In addition, 66% were treated for arterial hypertension. The mean maximum modelled pre-dissection diameter was 39.6 ± 4.8 mm: 39.1 ± 5.1 mm in men and 40.7 ± 2.8 mm in women (P = 0.1). The cumulative 30-day mortality rate was 19.6% (20/102).

CONCLUSIONS

TAAD occurred at a modelled aortic diameter below 45 mm in 87.7% of our patients. Therefore, the current aortic diameter threshold of 55 mm excludes ∼99% of patients with TAAD from prophylactic replacement of the ascending aorta. The maximum diameter of the ascending aorta warrants reappraisal and this parameter should be a distinct part of a personalized decision-making process that also takes into account age, gender and body surface area to establish the surgical indication for preventive aorta replacement aimed to improve the survival benefit of this procedure.
Impact of Transposable Elements on Methylation and Gene Expression across Natural Accessions of Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: Wyler Michele , Stritt Christoph , Walser Jean-Claude , Baroux Célia , Roulin Anne C
Published: August 2020

Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a large fraction of plant genomes and are mostly present in a transcriptionally silent state through repressive epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation. TE silencing is believed to influence the regulation of adjacent genes, possibly as DNA methylation spreads away from the TE. Whether this is a general principle or a context-dependent phenomenon is still under debate, pressing for studying the relationship between TEs, DNA methylation, and nearby gene expression in additional plant species. Here, we used the grass Brachypodium distachyon as a model and produced DNA methylation and transcriptome profiles for 11 natural accessions. In contrast to what is observed in Arabidopsis thaliana, we found that TEs have a limited impact on methylation spreading and that only few TE families are associated with a low expression of their adjacent genes. Interestingly, we found that a subset of TE insertion polymorphisms is associated with differential gene expression across accessions. Thus, although not having a global impact on gene expression, distinct TE insertions may contribute to specific gene expression patterns in B. distachyon.
Mental Health of Asian American Older Adults: Contemporary Issues and Future Directions
Authors: Kim Giyeon , Wang Sylvia Y , Park Soohyun , Yun Stacy W
Published: August 2020

Given the increased attention to older Asian Americans due to their increasing numbers in the United States, this article aims to provide a collective appraisal of older Asian American mental health issues by reviewing trends in older Asian American mental health research over the past 2 decades. This review article provides an overview of the current state of mental health and care research on older Asian Americans and vital factors associated with older Asian American mental health and care. We also identify gaps in current research on Asian American mental health issues and propose 5 potential areas for future research into which gerontologists need to put more effort during the next decade. Ways to reduce disparities in mental health and improve the quality of mental health of older Asian Americans are also discussed.
Spectral element simulation of elastic wave propagation through fractures using linear slip model: microfracture detection for CO2 storage
Authors: Ponomarenko R , Sabitov D , Charara M
Published: August 2020

Simulation of seismic wave propagation through fracture has a wide range of applications in environmental sciences. In this paper, we propose an efficient tool to compute accurate seismic response from a fracture within a reasonable time frame. Its theoretical formulation is based on the spectral element method (SEM) and extended to Schoenberg’s linear slip model (LSM). SEM is very effective in terms of accuracy and stability criteria. LSM is treated as a boundary condition and perfectly fits for modelling fractures with a small aperture. The method is implemented for 3-D heterogeneous media on GPU, which allows calculating the tasks with large and complex geometries. The validation of the numerical method shows good agreement with the theory. Finally, we applied the method to the task that illustrates the possibility of the proposed solution to handle real problems. We model sonic logging for a well with a microfracture in a cement sheath. Based on synthetic seismograms, strong connections between wave mode parameters and the fracture parameters were established. This task is of high importance for carbon capture and storage, as microfractures provide the path for long-term CO2 migration.
Focal mechanisms of small earthquakes beneath the Japanese islands based on first-motion polarities picked using deep learning
Authors: Uchide Takahiko
Published: August 2020

Knowledge of crustal stress fields is essential for understanding tectonics and earthquake generation. One approach for estimating the crustal stress field is based on the focal mechanisms of earthquakes. This study investigated the focal mechanisms of approximately 110 000 microearthquakes in the area of the Japanese islands that occurred at a depth shallower than 20 km, based on the first-motion polarities picked by a simple neural network model. The model was first trained using a data set of mainly moderate to large earthquakes throughout Japan. Following on, the model was re-trained using a data set of microearthquakes in two regions of Japan. The threshold of the confidence score from the neural network model was chosen to maximize the overall quality of the focal mechanism solutions. The P- and T-axes of the numerous focal mechanism solutions provided more detailed distributions of the crustal stress field. For example, in the Chugoku region, small differences were observed in the trend of P-axes azimuths between the northern and southern areas, spatially corresponding to geodetic observations. The results of this study are useful for revealing the crustal stress field, and, as such, for assessing past and current tectonic activities and potential future earthquake generation.
Drink, but don't drive? The alcohol industry’s involvement in global road safety
Authors: Hoe Connie , Taber Niloufer , Champagne Sarah , Bachani Abdulgafoor M
Published: August 2020

Drink-driving is a major cause of global road traffic fatalities, yet few countries have laws that meet international best practices. One possible reason is the alcohol industry’s opposition to meaningful policies that are perceived to directly threaten sales. Our primary objectives are to document alcohol industry involvement in global road safety policies and programmes and to critically evaluate the responses of public health and road safety communities to this involvement. Under the guidance of the Policy Dystopia Model, we used a mixed methods approach in which data were gathered from expert interviews and a mapping review of 11 databases, 5 watchdog websites and 7 alcohol industry-sponsored initiatives. Triangulation was used to identify points of convergence among data sources. A total of 20 expert interviews and 94 documents were analysed. Our study showed that the alcohol industry acknowledges that drink-driving is an issue but argues for solutions that would limit impact on sales, akin to the message ‘drink—but do not drive’. Industry actors have been involved in road safety through: (1) coalition coupling and decoupling, (2) information production and management, (3) direct involvement in policymaking and (4) implementation of interventions. Our study also shed light on the lack of cohesion within and among the public health and road safety communities, particularly with regard to the topics of receiving funding from and partnering with the alcohol industry. These results were subsequently used to adapt the Policy Dystopia Model as a conceptual framework that illustrates the ways in which the alcohol industry has been involved in global road safety. Several implications can be drawn from this study, including the urgent need to increase awareness about the involvement of the alcohol industry in road safety and to build a cohesive transnational alcohol control advocacy alliance to curb injuries and deaths related to drink-driving.
Better health indicators of FitSpirit participants meeting 24-h movement guidelines for Canadian children and youth
Authors: Guimarães Roseane de Fátima , Gilbert Jo-Anne , Lemoyne Jean , Mathieu Marie-Eve
Published: August 2020

This study aims to determine the proportion of girls who meet the recommendations for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), screen time and sleep duration among FitSpirit participants and evaluate the associations of these recommendations with perceived health-related quality of life (QOL), perceived health, physical activity (PA), self-efficacy and body mass index. Cross-sectional analyses of FitSpirit data were performed. All variables were collected through an online questionnaire. The proportion of girls meeting all recommendations was 2.2%, while 72.5% met either one or two and 25.4% met none. A greater percentage of girls with ≥3 years in FitSpirit met MVPA and sleep recommendations combined when compared with fewer years (12.9% vs. 1.7% with 1 year; vs. 10.1% with 2 years; p < 0.05). Meeting the combinations of MVPA and screen time (β = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.40, 1.68), MVPA and sleep (β = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.27, 1.04) and all three combined (β = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.33, 1.71) was the most significant predictors of better perceived QOL. Respecting MVPA recommendations predicted a better perceived health (β = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.18, 0.87) while girls who slept as recommended had a better PA-related self-efficacy (β = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.51, 2.11). Not meeting any recommendation was associated with inferior PA-related self-efficacy (β = −0.32, 95% CI = −3.03, −1.21). Lastly, meeting MVPA and sleep recommendations was significantly associated with lower body mass index z-scores (β = −0.14, 95% CI = −1.16, −0.11). There was a small percentage of girls following all of the recommendations. Furthermore, meeting individual and combined recommendations was associated with better perceived QOL and health, PA self-efficacy as well as healthier body mass index z-score.
Counterclaims: a Critical Analysis of Article 6 of the 2019 The Hague Resolution of the Institut de Droit International on the ‘Equality of Parties before International Investment Tribunals’
Authors: Steingruber Andrea Marco
Published: August 2020

This article addresses the complex topic of counterclaims in investment arbitration by critically assessing and commenting Article 6 of the 2019 The Hague Resolution of the Institut de Droit International (IDI) on the ‘Equality of Parties before International Investment Tribunals’ paragraph by paragraph.
On Quaternionic Unitary Rapoport–Zink Spaces with Parahoric Level Structures
Authors: Wang Haining
Published: August 2020

In this article, we describe the underlying reduced scheme of a quaternionic unitary Rapoport–Zink space with Iwahori level structure. In a previous work, we have studied the quaternionic unitary Rapoport–Zink space with a special maximal parahoric level structure. We will describe the morphism between these two Rapoport–Zink spaces and the fibers of this morphism. As an application of this result, we describe the quaternionic unitary Rapoport–Zink space with any parahoric level structure.
Bacterial antibiotic resistance development and mutagenesis following exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of fluoroquinolones in vitro: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Ching Carly , Orubu Ebiowei S F , Sutradhar Indorica , Wirtz Veronika J , Boucher Helen W , Zaman Muhammad H
Published: August 2020

Background

Understanding social and scientific drivers of antibiotic resistance is critical to help preserve antibiotic efficacy. These drivers include exposure to subinhibitory antibiotic concentrations in the environment and clinic.

Objectives

To summarize and quantify the relationship between subinhibitory fluoroquinolone exposure and antibiotic resistance and mutagenesis to better understand resistance patterns and mechanisms.

Methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were searched for primary in vitro experimental studies on subinhibitory fluoroquinolone exposure and bacterial antibiotic resistance and mutagenesis, from earliest available dates through to 2018 without language limitation. A specifically developed non-weighted tool was used to assess risk of bias.

Results

Evidence from 62 eligible studies showed that subinhibitory fluoroquinolone exposure results in increased resistance to the selecting fluoroquinolone. Most increases in MIC were low (median minimum of 3.7-fold and median maximum of 32-fold) and may not be considered clinically relevant. Mechanistically, resistance is partly explained by target mutations but also changes in drug efflux. Collaterally, resistance to other fluoroquinolones and unrelated antibiotic classes also develops. The mean ± SD quality score for all studies was 2.6 ± 1.8 with a range of 0 (highest score) to 7 (lowest score).

Conclusions

Low and moderate levels of resistance and efflux changes can create an opportunity for higher-level resistance or MDR. Future studies, to elucidate the genetic regulation of specific resistance mechanisms, and increased policies, including surveillance of low-level resistance changes or genomic surveillance of efflux pump genes and regulators, could serve as a predictor of MDR development.
Associations of physicians’ prescribing experience, work hours, and workload with prescription errors
Authors: Leviatan Ilona , Oberman Bernice , Zimlichman Eyal , Stein Gideon Y.
Published: August 2020

Objective

We aimed to assess associations of physician’s work overload, successive work shifts, and work experience with physicians’ risk to err.

Materials and Methods

This large-scale study included physicians who prescribed at least 100 systemic medications at Sheba Medical Center during 2012–2017 in all acute care departments, excluding intensive care units. Presumed medication errors were flagged by a high-accuracy computerized decision support system that uses machine-learning algorithms to detect potential medication prescription errors. Physicians’ successive work shifts (first or only shift, second, and third shifts), workload (assessed by the number of prescriptions during a shift) and work-experience, as well as a novel measurement of physicians’ prescribing experience with a specific drug, were assessed per prescription. The risk to err was determined for various work conditions.

Results

1 652 896 medical orders were prescribed by 1066 physicians; The system flagged 3738 (0.23%) prescriptions as erroneous. Physicians were 8.2 times more likely to err during high than normal-low workload shifts (5.19% vs 0.63%, P < .0001). Physicians on their third or second successive shift (compared to a first or single shift) were more likely to err (2.1%, 1.8%, and 0.88%, respectively, P < .001). Lack of experience in prescribing a specific medication was associated with higher error rate (0.37% for the first 5 prescriptions vs 0.13% after over 40, P < .001).

Discussion

Longer hours and less experience in prescribing a specific medication increase risk of erroneous prescribing.

Conclusion

Restricting successive shifts, reducing workload, increasing training and supervision, and implementing smart clinical decision support systems may help reduce prescription errors.
A 2017–2019 Update on Acute Intoxications and Fatalities from Illicit Fentanyl and Analogs
Authors: Brunetti Pietro , Pirani Filippo , Carlier Jeremy , Giorgetti Raffaele , Busardò Francesco Paolo , Lo Faro Alfredo Fabrizio
Published: August 2020

The aim of this review was to report the most recent cases of acute intoxication, fatalities and “driving under the influence” cases, involving illicit fentanyl and its newest analogs. When available, information on age, sex, circumstances of exposure, intoxication symptoms, cause of death (if applicable) and toxicology results from biological fluid testing was described. Scientific publications reporting fatalities or acute intoxications involving use of fentanyl derivatives were identified from PubMed, Scopus and institutional/governmental websites from January 2017 up to December 2019. The search terms, used alone and in combination, were as follows: fentanyl, street fentanyl, analogs, compounds, derivatives, abuse, fatality, fatalities, death, toxicity, intoxication and adverse effects. When considered relevant, reports not captured by the initial search but cited in other publications were also included. Of the 2890 sources initially found, only 44 were suitable for the review. Emergent data showed that the most common analogs detected in biological samples and seized materials are acetylfentanyl, acrylfentanyl, butyrfentanyl, carfentanil, cyclopropylfentanyl, fluorofentanyl, 4-fluorobutyrfentanyl, 4-fluoroisobutyrfentanyl, furanylfentanyl, 2-methoxyacetylfentanyl, 3-methylfentanyl and ocfentanil. These compounds were frequently administered in association with other illicit substances, medicinal drugs and/or alcohol; patients and the victims often had a previous history of drug abuse. The trend of fentanyl analogs is rapidly evolving with illicit market fluctuations. Since information about potency and lethal dosage are frequently unknown, it is important to identify the new trends for further investigation on therapeutic use, toxicity and fatal doses, and implement public health measures. Recently marketed fentanyl analogs such as crotonylfentanyl and valerylfentanyl were not involved in intoxications to date, but should be carefully monitored. Many intoxications and fatalities might have gone unnoticed, and research efforts should focus on metabolite identification studies and the implementation of updated and comprehensive analytical methods
miR-98-5p protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidative stress in mice
Authors: Yu Shan , Zhai Jingjie , Yu Jing , Yang Qiwei , Yang Jinghui
Published: August 2020

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is an obstacle in treating ischemic stroke effectively. miR-98-5p has been reported to have the ability of reducing myocardial I/R injury. To explore the function of miR-98-5p in cerebral I/R, we established mice model of middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R). The level of miR-98-5p was found to be downregulated in serum of stroke patients and brain tissues of MCAO/R mice. Examination of brain tissues indicated that upregulating miR-98-5p level alleviated the infarction in MCAO/R mice. Moreover, the upregulation of miR-98-5p reduced reactive oxygen species production and enhanced superoxide dismutase activity in brain tissues of MCAO/R mice. These results indicating that miR-98-5p could protect against oxidative stress. Further study showed that miR-98-5p inhibited apoptosis by reducing the levels of death-associated protein kinase 1, B cell lymphoma/leukaemia-2 associated x protein and cleaved caspase-3, as well as increasing the level of B cell lymphoma/leukaemia-2. In addition, miR-98-5p was found to protect against oxidative stress through downregulating the level of BTB domain and CNC homology 1 and upregulating the levels of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 and heme oxygenase 1. Therefore, miR-98-5p might be a potential target to treat cerebral I/R injury.
Coming to Consensus: What Defines Deep Partial Thickness Burn Injuries in Porcine Models?
Authors: Gibson Angela L F , Carney Bonnie C , Cuttle Leila , Andrews Christine J , Kowalczewski Christine J , Liu Aiping , Powell Heather M , Stone Randolph , Supp Dorothy M , Singer Adam J , Shupp Jeffrey W , Stalter Lily , Moffatt Lauren T
Published: August 2020

Deep partial thickness burns are clinically prevalent and difficult to diagnose. In order to develop methods to assess burn depth and therapies to treat deep partial thickness burns, reliable, accurate animal models are needed. The variety of animal models in the literature and the lack of precise details reported for the experimental procedures make comparison of research between investigators challenging and ultimately affect translation to patients. They sought to compare deep partial thickness porcine burn models from five well-established laboratories. In doing so, they uncovered a lack of consistency in approaches to the evaluation of burn injury depth that was present within and among various models. They then used an iterative process to develop a scoring rubric with an educational component to facilitate burn injury depth evaluation that improved reliability of the scoring. Using the developed rubric to re-score the five burn models, they found that all models created a deep partial thickness injury and that agreement about specific characteristics identified on histological staining was improved. Finally, they present consensus statements on the evaluation and interpretation of the microanatomy of deep partial thickness burns in pigs.
Mesh processing for improved perceptual quality of 3D printed relief☆
Authors: Yang Yifan , Ohtake Yutaka , Suzuki Hiromasa
Published: August 2020

Making arts and crafts is an essential application of 3D printing. However, typically, 3D printers have limited resolution; thus, the perceptual quality of the result is always low, mainly when the input mesh is a relief. To address this problem using existing 3D printing technology, we only operate the shape of the input triangle mesh. To improve the perceptual quality of a 3D printed product, we propose an integrated mesh processing that comprises feature extraction, 3D print preview, feature preservation test, and shape enhancement. The proposed method can identify and enlarge features that need to be enhanced without large-scale deformation. Besides, to improve ease of use, intermediate processes are visualized via user interfaces. To evaluate the proposed method, the processed triangle meshes are 3D printed. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is confirmed by comparing photographs of the original 3D prints and the enhanced 3D prints.
Prognostic impact of systemic therapy change in metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with cytoreductive nephrectomy
Authors: Ishihara Hiroki , Takagi Toshio , Kondo Tsunenori , Fukuda Hironori , Tachibana Hidekazu , Yoshida Kazuhiko , Iizuka Junpei , Kobayashi Hirohito , Okumi Masayoshi , Ishida Hideki , Tanabe Kazunari
Published: August 2020

Objective

Limited data are available regarding the effect of systemic therapy change in the post-cytokine era on survival of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN).

Methods

Overall, 161 patients with synchronously mRCC were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were classified into three groups based on the time of diagnosis: (i) early molecular-targeted therapy (mTT) (2008–2011), (ii) late mTT (2012–8/2016) and (iii) immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) eras (9/2016–2018). Overall survival (OS) after the diagnosis was compared among the eras.

Results

Of the 161 patients, 52 (32%), 75 (46%), and 34 patients (21%) were classified into the early mTT, late mTT and ICI eras, respectively. OS was significantly longer in the ICI and late mTT eras than that in the early mTT era (P = 0.0065 and P = 0.0010, respectively) but did not significantly differ between the ICI and late mTT eras (P = 0.389). In 112 patients undergoing CN and systemic therapy, OS was significantly longer in the ICI and late mTT eras than that in the early mTT era (P = 0.0432 and P = 0.0498, respectively) but did not significantly differ between the ICI and late mTT eras (P = 0.320). Multivariate analysis of OS in the 161 synchronous mRCC patients revealed that the era was an independent factor (P < 0.0001), together with the histopathological type (P = 0.0130), CN status (P = 0.0010), International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium risk (P = 0.0002) and liver metastasis status (P = 0.0124).

Conclusion

This retrospective analysis showed that systemic therapy change in the post-cytokine era improved OS of mRCC patients undergoing CN.
Housing Conditions Linked to Tick (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Infestation in Rural Areas of Colombia: A Potential Risk for Rickettsial Transmission
Authors: Quintero V Juan C , Mignone Javier , Osorio Q Lisardo , Cienfuegos-Gallet Astrid V , Rojas A Carlos
Published: August 2020

This cross-sectional study explores the different conditions related to the infestation of ticks in households and the potential risks for rickettsial transmission in Urabá, Colombia. The main outcome of interest was villagers’ perception of tick infestation. The data were analyzed using a clog-log mixed regression model. Ticks were collected from infested humans to diagnose infection by spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR). In addition, a thematic analysis of qualitative data from key informants concerning knowledge about ticks was conducted. The prevalence of infestation of ticks in households was estimated at 60.99% (95% CI: 51.58–93.51). The multivariate model suggested that households with palm leaf roofs (PR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.19–2.95), canines (PR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.21–2.46), rats (PR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.45–3.08), and with the presence of opossums in areas surrounding the households (PR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.05–2.10) had a higher prevalence of tick infestation. Two samples of the tick species Amblyomma patinoi were found infected with Rickettsia amblyommatis and Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi. A thematic analysis provided the names that local community members give to ticks, areas where ticks are common, and the individuals at risk of infestation. The presence of domestic, synanthropic, and wild animals suggests a high risk of the dissemination of ticks inside dwellings and close to them in these rural areas.
Femoral condylar locking compression plates: a case series. The Rural District General Hospital Experience
Authors: Jones Benjamin Maurice , Nugent Luke , Griffin Stuart James
Published: August 2020

Most studies regarding the use of locking condylar plates in distal femoral fractures have been carried out in tertiary centres. The aim of this case series was to examine outcomes for patients managed in a rural setting and to answer the question: ‘should we be shipping these patients out to a regional trauma centre?’ Recent insertions of condylar locking compression plates (LCPs) at a rural district general hospital were examined. (All used the Synthes LCP Condylar Plate 4.5/5.0 periarticular plating system). Their clinical records and radiology were reviewed to identify failure rates and facilitate discussion of such cases. Of 36 reviewed cases, 4 instances of failure were identified (11%), and their cases are discussed individually herein. This review not only affords the opportunity to discuss cases of failure and to speculate upon their potential causes, but also highlights reassuringly high quality of outcomes for these patients outside of larger teaching hospitals.
Strategies at points of entry to reduce importation risk of COVID-19 cases and reopen travel
Authors: Dickens Borame L , Koo Joel R , Lim Jue Tao , Sun Haoyang , Clapham Hannah E , Wilder-Smith Annelies , Cook Alex R
Published: August 2020

Background

With more countries exiting lockdown, public health safety requires screening measures at international travel entry points that can prevent the reintroduction or importation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2. Here, we estimate the number of cases captured, quarantining days averted and secondary cases expected to occur with screening interventions.

Methods

To estimate active case exportation risk from 153 countries with recorded coronavirus disease-2019 cases and deaths, we created a simple data-driven framework to calculate the number of infectious and upcoming infectious individuals out of 100 000 000 potential travellers from each country, and assessed six importation risk reduction strategies; Strategy 1 (S1) has no screening on entry, S2 tests all travellers and isolates test-positives where those who test negative at 7 days are permitted entry, S3 the equivalent but for a 14 day period, S4 quarantines all travellers for 7 days where all are subsequently permitted entry, S5 the equivalent for 14 days and S6 the testing of all travellers and prevention of entry for those who test positive.

Results

The average reduction in case importation across countries relative to S1 is 90.2% for S2, 91.7% for S3, 55.4% for S4, 91.2% for S5 and 77.2% for S6. An average of 79.6% of infected travellers are infectious upon arrival. For the top 100 exporting countries, an 88.2% average reduction in secondary cases is expected through S2 with the 7-day isolation of test-positives, increasing to 92.1% for S3 for 14-day isolation. A substantially smaller reduction of 30.0% is expected for 7-day all traveller quarantining, increasing to 84.3% for 14-day all traveller quarantining.

Conclusions

The testing and isolation of test-positives should be implemented provided good testing practices are in place. If testing is not feasible, quarantining for a minimum of 14 days is recommended with strict adherence measures in place.
Elucidating the role of polygalacturonase genes in strawberry fruit softening
Authors: Paniagua Candelas , Ric-Varas Pablo , García-Gago Juan A , López-Casado Gloria , Blanco-Portales Rosario , Muñoz-Blanco Juan , Schückel Julia , Knox J Paul , Matas Antonio J , Quesada Miguel A , Posé Sara , Mercado José A
Published: August 2020

To disentangle the role of polygalacturonase (PG) genes in strawberry softening, the two PG genes most expressed in ripe receptacles, FaPG1 and FaPG2, were down-regulated. Transgenic ripe fruits were firmer than those of the wild type when PG genes were silenced individually. Simultaneous silencing of both PG genes by transgene stacking did not result in an additional increase in firmness. Cell walls from ripe fruits were characterized by a carbohydrate microarray. Higher signals of homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan I pectin epitopes in polysaccharide fractions tightly bound to the cell wall were observed in the transgenic genotypes, suggesting a lower pectin solubilization. At the transcriptomic level, the suppression of FaPG1 or FaPG2 alone induced few transcriptomic changes in the ripe receptacle, but the amount of differentially expressed genes increased notably when both genes were silenced. Many genes encoding cell wall-modifying enzymes were down-regulated. The expression of a putative high affinity potassium transporter was induced in all transgenic genotypes, indicating that cell wall weakening and loss of cell turgor could be linked. These results suggest that, besides the disassembly of pectins tightly linked to the cell wall, PGs could play other roles in strawberry softening, such as the release of oligogalacturonides exerting a positive feedback in softening.
Plastid chaperone HSP90C guides precursor proteins to the SEC translocase for thylakoid transport
Authors: Jiang Tim , Mu Bona , Zhao Rongmin
Published: August 2020

Chloroplast stromal factors involved in regulating thylakoid protein targeting are poorly understood. We previously reported that in Arabidopsis thaliana, the stromal-localized chaperone HSP90C (plastid heat shock protein 90) interacted with the nuclear-encoded thylakoid lumen protein PsbO1 (PSII subunit O isoform 1) and suggested a role for HSP90C in aiding PsbO1 thylakoid targeting. Using in organello transport assays, particularly with model substrates naturally expressed in stroma, we showed that light, exogenous ATP, and HSP90C activity were required for Sec-dependent transport of green fluorescent protein (GFP) led by the PsbO1 thylakoid targeting sequence. Using a previously identified PsbO1T200A mutant, we provided evidence that a stronger interaction between HSP90C and PsbO1 better facilitated its stroma–thylakoid trafficking. We also demonstrated that SecY1, the channel protein of the thylakoid SEC translocase, specifically interacted with HSP90C in vivo. Inhibition of the chaperone ATPase activity suppressed the association of the PsbO1GFP–HSP90C complex with SecY1. Together with analyzing the expression and accumulation of a few other thylakoid proteins that utilize the SRP, TAT, or SEC translocation pathways, we propose a model in which HSP90C forms a guiding complex that interacts with thylakoid protein precursors and assists in their specific targeting to the thylakoid SEC translocon.
Automated Partial Versus Complete Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta for the Management of Hemorrhagic Shock in a Pig Model of Polytrauma: a Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
Authors: Hoareau Guillaume L , Beyer Carl A , Caples Connor A , Spruce Marguerite W , Kevin Grayson J , Neff Lucas P , Williams Timothy K , Johnson M Austin
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Endovascular variable aortic control (EVAC) is an automated partial resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) platform designed to mitigate the deleterious effects of complete REBOA. Long-term experiments are needed to assess potential benefits. The feasibility of a 24-hour experiment in a complex large animal trauma model remains unknown.

Materials and methods

Anesthetized swine were subjected to controlled hemorrhage, blunt thoracic trauma, and tibial fractures. Animals were then randomized (N = 3/group) to control (No balloon support), 90 minutes of complete supraceliac REBOA, or 10 minutes of supraceliac REBOA followed by 80 minutes of EVAC. One hundred ten minutes after injury, animals were resuscitated with shed blood, the REBOA catheter was removed. Automated critical care under general anesthesia was maintained for 24 hours.

Results

Animals in the control and EVAC groups survived to the end of the experiment. Animals in the REBOA group survived for 120, 130, and 660 minutes, respectively. Animals in the EVAC group displayed similar mean arterial pressure and plasma lactate concentration as the control group by the end of the experiment. Histologic analysis suggested myocardial injury in the REBOA group when compared with controls.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the feasibility of intermediate-term experiments in a complex swine model of polytrauma with 90 minutes of REBOA. EVAC may be associated with improved survival at 24 hours when compared with complete REBOA. EVAC resulted in normalized physiology after 24 hours, suggesting that prolonged partial occlusion is possible. Longer studies evaluating partial REBOA strategies are needed.
Considerations for atmospheric retrieval of high-precision brown dwarf spectra
Authors: Piette Anjali A A , Madhusudhan Nikku
Published: August 2020

Isolated brown dwarfs provide remarkable laboratories for understanding atmospheric physics in the low-irradiation regime, and can be observed more precisely than exoplanets. As such, they provide a glimpse into the future of high-signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) observations of exoplanets. In this work, we investigate several new considerations that are important for atmospheric retrievals of high-quality thermal emission spectra of sub-stellar objects. We pursue this using an adaptation of the h y dra atmospheric retrieval code. We propose a parametric pressure–temperature (P–T) profile for brown dwarfs consisting of multiple atmospheric layers, parametrized by the temperature change across each layer. This model allows the steep temperature gradient of brown dwarf atmospheres to be accurately retrieved while avoiding commonly encountered numerical artefacts. The P–T model is especially flexible in the photosphere, which can reach a few tens of bar for T-dwarfs. We demonstrate an approach to include model uncertainties in the retrieval, focusing on uncertainties introduced by finite spectral and vertical resolution in the atmospheric model used for retrieval (∼8 per cent in the present case). We validate our retrieval framework by applying it to a simulated data set and then apply it to the HST/WFC3 (Hubble Space Telescope’s Wide-Field Camera 3) spectrum of the T-dwarf 2MASS J2339+1352. We retrieve sub-solar abundances of H2O and CH4 in the object at ∼0.1 dex precision. Additionally, we constrain the temperature structure to within ∼100 K in the photosphere. Our results demonstrate the promise of high-SNR spectra to provide high-precision abundance estimates of sub-stellar objects.
The clustering of gamma-ray bursts in the Hercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall: the largest structure in the Universe?
Authors: Horvath I , Szécsi D , Hakkila J , Szabó Á , Racz I I , Tóth L V , Pinter S , Bagoly Z
Published: August 2020

The Hercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall is a statistically significant clustering of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) around redshift 2. Motivated by recent theoretical results indicating that a maximal Universal structure size may indeed coincide with its estimated size (2–3 Gpc), we reexamine the question of this Great Wall’s existence from both observational and theoretical perspectives. Our statistical analyses confirm the clustering’s presence in the most reliable data set currently available, and we present a video showing what this data set looks like in 3D. Cosmological explanations (i.e. having to do with the distribution of gravitating matter) and astrophysical explanations (i.e. having to do with the rate of star formation over cosmic time and space) regarding the origin of such a structure are presented and briefly discussed and the role of observational bias is also discussed at length. This, together with the scientific importance of using GRBs as unique cosmological probes, emphasises the need for future missions such as the THESEUS satellite, which will provide us with unprecedentedly homogeneous data of GRBs with measured redshifts. We conclude from all this that the Hercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall may indeed be the largest structure in the Universe – but to be able to decide conclusively whether it actually exists, we need THESEUS.
On the cavity size in circumbinary discs
Authors: Hirsh Kieran , Price Daniel J , Gonzalez Jean-François , Ubeira-Gabellini M Giulia , Ragusa Enrico
Published: August 2020

How does the cavity size in circumbinary discs depend on disc and binary properties? We investigate by simulating disc cavities carved by binary companions using smoothed particle hydrodynamics. We find that a cavity is quickly opened on the dynamical time, while the cavity size is set on the viscous time. In agreement with previous findings, we find long-term cavity sizes of 2–5 times the binary semimajor axis, increasing with eccentricity and decreasing with disc aspect ratio. When considering binaries inclined with respect to the disc, we find three regimes: (i) discs that evolve towards a coplanar orbit have a large cavity, slightly smaller than that of an initially coplanar disc; (ii) discs that evolve towards a polar orbit by breaking have a small cavity, equal in size to that of an initially polar disc; and (iii) discs that evolve towards a polar orbit via warping have an intermediate-sized cavity. We find typical gas depletions inside the cavity of ≳2 orders of magnitude in surface density.
The hestia project: simulations of the Local Group
Authors: Libeskind Noam I , Carlesi Edoardo , Grand Robert J J , Khalatyan Arman , Knebe Alexander , Pakmor Ruediger , Pilipenko Sergey , Pawlowski Marcel S , Sparre Martin , Tempel Elmo , Wang Peng , Courtois Hélène M , Gottlöber Stefan , Hoffman Yehuda , Minchev Ivan , Pfrommer Christoph , Sorce Jenny G , Springel Volker , Steinmetz Matthias , Tully R Brent , Vogelsberger Mark , Yepes Gustavo
Published: August 2020

We present the hestia simulation suite: High-resolutions Environmental Simulations of The Immediate Area, a set of cosmological simulations of the Local Group. Initial conditions constrained by the observed peculiar velocity of nearby galaxies are employed to accurately simulate the local cosmography. Halo pairs that resemble the Local Group are found in low resolutions constrained, dark matter only simulations, and selected for higher resolution magneto hydrodynamic simulation using the arepo code. Baryonic physics follows the auriga model of galaxy formation. The simulations contain a high-resolution region of 3–5 Mpc in radius from the Local Group mid-point embedded in the correct cosmographic landscape. Within this region, a simulated Local Group consisting of a Milky Way and Andromeda like galaxy forms, whose description is in excellent agreement with observations. The simulated Local Group galaxies resemble the Milky Way and Andromeda in terms of their halo mass, mass ratio, stellar disc mass, morphology separation, relative velocity, rotation curves, bulge-disc morphology, satellite galaxy stellar mass function, satellite radial distribution, and in some cases, the presence of a Magellanic cloud like object. Because these simulations properly model the Local Group in their cosmographic context, they provide a testing ground for questions where environment is thought to play an important role.
The nature of CR7 revealed with MUSE: a young starburst powering extended Ly α emission at z = 6.6
Authors: Matthee Jorryt , Pezzulli Gabriele , Mackenzie Ruari , Cantalupo Sebastiano , Kusakabe Haruka , Leclercq Floriane , Sobral David , Richard Johan , Wisotzki Lutz , Lilly Simon , Boogaard Leindert , Marino Raffaella , Maseda Michael , Nanayakkara Themiya
Published: August 2020

CR7 is among the most luminous Ly α emitters (LAEs) known at z = 6.6 and consists of at least three UV components that are surrounded by Ly α emission. Previous studies have suggested that it may host an extreme ionizing source. Here, we present deep integral field spectroscopy of CR7 with VLT/Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE). We measure extended emission with a similar halo scale length as typical LAEs at z ≈ 5. CR7’s Ly α halo is clearly elongated along the direction connecting the multiple components, likely tracing the underlying gas distribution. The Ly α emission originates almost exclusively from the brightest UV component, but we also identify a faint kinematically distinct Ly α emitting region nearby a fainter component. Combined with new near-infrared data, the MUSE data show that the rest-frame Ly α equivalent width (EW) is ≈100 Å. This is a factor 4 higher than the EW measured in low-redshift analogues with carefully matched Ly α profiles (and thus arguably H i column density), but this EW can plausibly be explained by star formation. Alternative scenarios requiring active galactic nucleus (AGN) powering are also disfavoured by the narrower and steeper Ly α spectrum and much smaller IR to UV ratio compared to obscured AGN in other Ly α blobs. CR7’s Ly α emission, while extremely luminous, resembles the emission in more common LAEs at lower redshifts very well and is likely powered by a young metal-poor starburst.