bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micronutrient Fertilization of Greenhouse Cucumbers Mitigates Pirimicarb Resistance in Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Homayoonzadeh Mohammad , Esmaeily Mojtaba , Talebi Khalil , Allahyari Hossein , Nozari Jamasb , Michaud J P
Published: August 2020

The nutritional status of host plants can have direct impacts on herbivore physiology and insect–plant interactions. We investigated the effect of micronutrients, including manganese, iron, zinc, and copper, on cucumber plant physiology, and on the biology and physiology of a strain of Aphis gossypii Glover selected over 12 generations to be resistant to pirimicarb. The micronutrient treatment increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase in cucumber plants, and also increased levels of total phenolics, hydrogen peroxide, salicylic acid, and total chlorophyl, whereas malondialdehyde levels were unaffected. Pirimicarb-resistant cotton aphids that fed on micronutritient-amended cucumber plants expressed significantly decreased levels of acetylcholinesterase and detoxifying enzymes, specifically glutathione S-transferase, and carboxylesterase. Analysis of energy reserves in resistant A. gossypii fed on micronutritient-amended plants revealed decreases in the lipid and protein contents of aphids, whereas glycogen and carbohydrate contents showed no response. Resistant cotton aphids fed on micronutritient-amended plants showed significantly reduced fecundity, longevity, and reproductive periods, and a 1.7-fold reduction in pirimicarb LC50 compared with those fed on control plants. We conclude that micronutrient amendment negatively impacts the biological performance of insecticide-resistant cotton aphids, and diminishes their resistance to pirimicarb. Both direct effects on plant health, such as enhanced inducible defenses, and indirect effects on aphid fitness, such as reduced biological performance and detoxification abilities, were implicated. Therefore, optimization of micronutrient amendments could be a useful complement to other tactics for managing insecticide-resistant A. gossypii on cucumbers, and warrants exploration in other contexts.
Effects of Antibiotics on the Dynamic Balance of Bacteria and Fungi in the Gut of the German Cockroach
Authors: Li Yaru , Schal Coby , Pan Xiaoyuan , Huang Yanhong , Zhang Fan
Published: August 2020

The German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattaria: Blattidae) harbored diverse microorganisms in the digestive tract, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, and protozoa. This diverse community maintains a relatively stable balance. Some bacteria have been confirmed to play crucial roles in the insect’s physiology, biochemistry, and behavior. Antibiotics can effectively eliminate bacteria and disrupt the balance of gut microbiota, but the time-course of this process, the structure of the new microbial community, and the dynamics of re-assemblage of a bacterial community after antibiotic treatment have not been investigated. In the present study, antibiotic (levofloxacin and gentamicin) ingestion reduced bacterial diversity and abundance in the cockroach gut. Within 14 d of discontinuing antibiotic treatment, the number of culturable gut bacteria returned to its original level. However, the composition of the new bacterial community with greater abundance of antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus and Dysgonomonas was significantly different from the original community. Network analysis showed that antibiotic treatment made the interaction between bacteria and fungi closer and stronger in the cockroach gut during the recovery of gut microorganisms. The study on the composition change, recovery rules, and interaction dynamics between gut bacteria and fungi after antibiotic treatment are helpful to explore gut microbes’ colonization and interaction with insects, which contributes to the selection of stable core gut bacteria as biological carriers of paratransgenesis for controlling Blattella germanica.
Predictive Power in Behavioral Welfare Economics
Authors: Bouacida Elias , Martin Daniel
Published: August 2020

When choices are inconsistent due to behavioral biases, there is a theoretical debate about whether the structure of a model is necessary for providing precise welfare guidance based on those choices. To address this question empirically, we use standard data sets from the lab and field to evaluate the predictive power of two “model-free” approaches to behavioral welfare analysis. We find they typically have high predictive power, which means there is little ambiguity about what should be selected from each choice set. We also identify properties of revealed preferences that help to explain the predictive power of these approaches.
Seismic shot-encoding schemes for waveform inversion
Authors: Duarte Edwin Fagua , da Costa Carlos A N , de Araújo João M , Wang Yanghua , Rao Ying
Published: August 2020

A shot-encoding technique can be used in seismic waveform inversion to significantly reduce the computational cost by reducing the number of seismic simulations in the inversion procedure. Here we developed two alternative shot-encoding schemes to perform simultaneous-sources waveform inversion. The first scheme (I) encodes shot gathers with random-phase rotations applied to seismic traces. The second scheme (II) encodes shot gathers with random static time shifts. The well-known polarity encoding scheme (III) is just a special case of the random-phase rotation scheme. The second scheme is a variation of the conventional static shift encoding (IV), but the static time shifts in the second scheme are limited to one period of the dominant frequency. All encoded shot gathers are added up into a single super-shot gather for seismic waveform inversion. We perform the time-domain waveform inversion, using these shot-encoding schemes in conjunction with a restarted L-BFGS algorithm in the iterative inversion. The effectiveness and efficiency analyses demonstrate that the two shot-encoding schemes (I and II) proposed in this paper may improve the convergence of the iterative inversion, reduce the crosstalk effect among shots and consequently produce a subsurface velocity model with a high resolution.
The Adventure of the Stradivarius: Violins in the Work of Arthur Conan Doyle and William Crawford Honeyman
Authors: Durkin Rachael
Published: August 2020

The violin, despite its fleeting appearances in the stories of Sherlock Holmes, has become prominently associated with the character of Sherlock in modern TV and film adaptions. While the violin is never investigated by Holmes in the stories, it is represented in more depth in a precursory detective story by William Crawford Honeyman: a Scottish author-musician, whose work appears to have influenced Arthur Conan Doyle’s tales of Sherlock Holmes. Honeyman’s short story ‘The Romance of a Real Cremona’ (1884) follows detective James McGovan as he traces and returns a stolen Stradivari violin and unravels its complex provenance. The importance of the violin’s inclusion in fictional works has been little discussed in scholarship. Here, the texts of Doyle and Honeyman serve as a lens through which to analyse the meaning of the violin during the Victorian era. By analysing the violin from an organological perspective, this article examines the violin’s prominence in nineteenth-century British domestic music-making, both as a fiscally and culturally valuable object. The final section of the article explores the meaning attached to, and created by, the violin in the stories of Doyle and Honeyman.
Quantification of Global Health Impact
Authors: Hussain Fazal , Delgado Antonio
Published: August 2020

Global Health Engagement is used as one of the instruments of power to win hearts and minds of our partner nations and allies worldwide. Global Health Engagement is dynamic process with myriads of dimensions, applications, and deliverables. Planned and executed correctly, it can yield huge dividends as per SCP and Theater Campaign Plan.
Triaged Treatment-Based Conventional Weapon Combat Wound Classification Code Design and Injury Spectrum Statistical Analysis
Authors: Peng Bo , Liu Shuo , Xu Lei , He Zhen
Published: August 2020

Introduction

We create an expandable combat wound classification coding system and a stratified standardized combat wound injury spectrum to support triage according to the treatment echelon and to provide the basis for the rapid and efficient classification of combat casualties. The coding system simultaneously assists in identifying injuries with a high incidence of fatality that require emergency treatment, and provides a framework for the triage of combat wounds in mass casualty situations.

Materials and Methods

The three-tiered treatment echelon consisting of battlefield on-site first aid, emergency treatment, and early treatment was used to design an expanded combat wound classification coding system according to the differential needs of combat wound treatment. The Herfindahl−Hirschman Index (HHI) index was used as the key indicator for injury spectrum ranking and was applied to select the key anatomical structures that require the highest priority treatment in the three treatment echelons. The combat wound classification codes were based on the results of consultations with selected experts and results from the HHI index calculations. The use of the classification codes at the battlefield on-site first aid stage and emergency treatment stage was evaluated in exercises to test and compare the effectiveness of the classification codes against current classification systems.

Results

We obtained exhaustive combinations from the vast number of combat wound factors in combat wound classification codes, constructed injury spectrum frameworks within the different treatment echelons, and identified injuries with a high-incidence of fatality in each of the treatment echelons. Compared with traditional methods, the time spent on coding was reduced and classification accuracy was improved when using the new classification codes, which led to improved efficiency of classification and a reduced workload for hospital staff.

Conclusions

The combat wound classification codes that were established through the HHI index and expert consultations achieved good results in terms of having higher classification speed and accuracy than traditional methods. This means they could be used to identify injuries with a high-incidence of fatality and provide guidance to improve the efficiency of treatment among all treatment echelons in the army.
Descriptive and Injunctive Norms Related to E-Cigarettes
Authors: Pebley Kinsey , Krukowski Rebecca A , Porter Kathleen , Little Melissa A
Published: August 2020

Introduction

E-cigarette use has rapidly increased in prevalence in the United States, and rates of use are even higher among military personnel compared to the general population. Descriptive and injunctive norms have previously been shown to impact tobacco use. However, little research has been conducted related to e-cigarette descriptive and injunctive norms, and no research has addressed e-cigarette norms among a military population.

Materials and Methods

From July, 2018 to February, 2019, 22 focus groups (N = 164) were conducted among airmen, military training leaders, and technical training instructors. The focus groups aimed to gain insight into facilitators and barriers to tobacco use during technical training, where airmen receive training for their specific jobs. Study procedures were approved by the institutional review board of the 59th Medical Wing in San Antonio. Focus group recordings were transcribed, and transcripts coded. Themes related to descriptive and injunctive norms were examined for the current study.

Results

Many interviewees mentioned the prevalence of e-cigarette use, either generally (“…a lot of people vape but that’s kind of the thing nowadays”) or with specific estimates of how many airmen use (“vaping, probably at least 60-70%”). However, injunctive norms were not commonly discussed, with only a couple of interviewees mentioning that e-cigarette use is the “cool” trend or they feel peer pressure.

Conclusions

Descriptive norms were more commonly mentioned than injunctive norms, which may indicate that injunctive norms are not as influential for e-cigarette use. Additionally, all estimates related to e-cigarette prevalence were higher than actual rates of use, showing an overestimation of use, which previous literature has shown increases likelihood of e-cigarette use. Future research should specifically ask about injunctive norms as well as determine if descriptive and injunctive norms influence actual e-cigarette use behaviors among military personnel.
A spectroscopic test of the rotational modulation origin of periodic Kepler photometric variability of A-type stars
Authors: Sikora J , Wade G A , Rowe J
Published: August 2020

High-precision space-based photometry obtained by the Kepler and TESS missions has revealed evidence of rotational modulation associated with main-sequence (MS) A- and late B-type stars. Generally, such variability in these objects is attributed to inhomogeneous surface structures (e.g. chemical spots), which are typically linked to strong magnetic fields ($B\gtrsim 100\, {\rm G}$) visible at the surface. It has been reported that ≈44 per cent of all A-type stars observed during the Kepler mission exhibit rotationally modulated light curves. This is surprising considering that ≲10 per cent of all MS A-type stars are known to be strongly magnetic (i.e. they are Ap/Bp stars). We present a spectroscopic monitoring survey of 44 A- and late B-type stars reported to exhibit rotational modulation in their Kepler light curves. The primary goal of this survey is to test the hypothesis that the variability is rotational modulation by comparing each star’s rotational broadening (vsin i) with the equatorial velocities (veq) inferred from the photometric periods. We searched for chemical peculiarities and binary companions in order to provide insight into the origin of the apparent rotational modulation. We find that 14 stars in our sample have vsin i > veq and/or have low-mass companions that may contribute to or be responsible for the observed variability. Our results suggest that more than 10 per cent of all MS A- and late B-type stars may exhibit inhomogeneous surface structures; however, the incidence rate is likely ≲30 per cent.
Short time-scale variability of γ-ray-emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies in optical and UV bands
Authors: D’Ammando F
Published: August 2020

We report the first systematic analysis of single exposures of all optical and ultraviolet (UV) observations performed by the UltraViolet and Optical Telescope (UVOT) on board the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory satellite available up to 2019 April of six γ-ray-emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLSy1). Rapid variability has been significantly detected on hours time-scale for 1H 0323+342, SBS 0846+513, PMN J0948+0022, and PKS 2004−447 in 18 observations for a total of 34 events. In particular, we report the first detection of significant variability on short time-scale (3–6 ks) in optical for PKS 2004–447, and UV for 1H 0323+342 and PMN J0948+0022. The shortest variability time-scale observed for 1H 0323+342, SBS 0846+513, PMN J0948+0022, and PKS 2004−447 (assuming a Doppler factor δ = 10) gives a lower limit on the size of emission region between 9.7 × 1014 (for SBS 0846+513) and 1.6 × 1015 cm (for 1H 0323+342), suggesting that the optical and UV emission during these events is produced in compact regions within the jet. These observations provide unambiguous evidence about the relativistically beamed synchrotron emission in these sources, similar to blazars. A remarkable variability has been observed for PMN J0948+0022 on 2009 June 23 with an increase from ∼1.1 to 0.4 mag going from v to w2 filter in ∼1.6 h and a decrease at the initial level in a comparable time. The higher fractional flux change observed for this and other events at lower frequencies suggests that the synchrotron emission is more contaminated by thermal emission from accretion disc at higher frequencies.
Cosmology with relativistically varying physical constants
Authors: Gupta Rajendra P
Published: August 2020

We have shown that the varying physical constant model is consistent with the recently published variational approach wherein Einstein equations are modified to include the variation of the speed of light c, gravitational constant G, and cosmological constant Λ using the Einstein–Hilbert action. The general constraint resulting from satisfying the local conservation laws and contracted Bianchi identities provides the freedom to choose the form of the variation of the constants as well as how their variations are related. When we choose ${\dot{G}}/G = 3\,\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\cdot}$}}{\dot{c}} /c,\,c = {c_0}\,{\rm{exp}}\,[({a^\alpha} - 1)],\,G = {G_0}\,{\rm{exp}}\,[3({a^\alpha} - 1)]$, and ${\rm{\Lambda }} = {{\rm{\Lambda }}_0}\ \exp [ {( {{a^{ - \alpha }} - 1} )} ]$, where a is the scale factor and α = 1.8, we are able to show that the resulting model: (a) fits the supernova 1a observational data marginally better than the Lambda cold dark matter (ΛCDM) model; (b) determines the first peak in the power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background temperature anisotropies at a multipole value of $l = 217.3$; (c) calculates the age of the Universe as 14.1 Gyr; and (d) finds the BAO acoustic scale to be 145.2 Mpc. These numbers are within less than 3 per cent of the values derived using the ΛCDM model. Surprisingly, we find that the dark-energy density is negative in a Universe that has significant negative curvature and whose expansion is accelerating at a faster rate than that predicted by the ΛCDM model.
Triaxially deformed freely precessing neutron stars: continuous electromagnetic and gravitational radiation
Authors: Gao Yong , Shao Lijing , Xu Rui , Sun Ling , Liu Chang , Xu Ren-Xin
Published: August 2020

The shape of a neutron star (NS) is closely linked to its internal structure and the equation of state of supranuclear matters. A rapidly rotating, asymmetric NS in the Milky Way undergoes free precession, making it a potential source for multimessenger observation. The free precession could manifest in (i) the spectra of continuous gravitational waves (GWs) in the kilohertz (kHz) band for ground-based GW detectors, and (ii) the timing behaviour and pulse-profile characteristics if the NS is monitored as a pulsar with radio and/or X-ray telescopes. We extend previous work and investigate in great detail the free precession of a triaxially deformed NS with analytical and numerical approaches. In particular, its associated continuous GWs and pulse signals are derived. Explicit examples are illustrated for the continuous GWs, as well as timing residuals in both time and frequency domains. These results are ready to be used for future multimessenger observation of triaxially deformed freely precessing NSs, in order to extract scientific implication as much as possible.
Redshift inference from the combination of galaxy colours and clustering in a hierarchical Bayesian model – Application to realisticN-body simulations
Authors: Alarcon Alex , Sánchez Carles , Bernstein Gary M , Gaztañaga Enrique
Published: August 2020

Photometric galaxy surveys constitute a powerful cosmological probe but rely on the accurate characterization of their redshift distributions using only broad-band imaging, and can be very sensitive to incomplete or biased priors used for redshift calibration. A hierarchical Bayesian model has recently been developed to estimate those from the robust combination of prior information, photometry of single galaxies, and the information contained in the galaxy clustering against a well-characterized tracer population. In this work, we extend the method so that it can be applied to real data, developing some necessary new extensions to it, especially in the treatment of galaxy clustering information, and we test it on realistic simulations. After marginalizing over the mapping between the clustering estimator and the actual density distribution of the sample galaxies, and using prior information from a small patch of the survey, we find the incorporation of clustering information with photo-z’s tightens the redshift posteriors and overcomes biases in the prior that mimic those happening in spectroscopic samples. The method presented here uses all the information at hand to reduce prior biases and incompleteness. Even in cases where we artificially bias the spectroscopic sample to induce a shift in mean redshift of $\Delta \bar{z} \approx 0.05,$ the final biases in the posterior are $\Delta \bar{z} \lesssim 0.003.$ This robustness to flaws in the redshift prior or training samples would constitute a milestone for the control of redshift systematic uncertainties in future weak lensing analyses.
Type Ia supernovae deflagration-to-detonation transition explosions powered by the Zel’dovich reactivity gradient mechanism
Authors: Brooker E , Plewa T , Fenn D
Published: August 2020

Our aim in this work is to identify and explain the necessary conditions required for an energetic explosion of a Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarf. We construct and analyse weakly compressible turbulence models with nuclear burning effects for carbon/oxygen plasma at a density expected for the deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) to occur. We observe the formation of carbon deflagrations and transient carbon detonations at early times. As turbulence becomes increasingly inhomogeneous, sustained carbon detonations are initiated by the Zel’dovich reactivity gradient mechanism. The fuel is suitably preconditioned by the action of compressive turbulent modes with wavelength comparable to the size of resolved turbulent eddies; no acoustic wave is involved in this process. Oxygen detonations are initiated, aided either by reactivity gradients or by collisions of carbon detonations. The observed evolutionary time-scales are found to be sufficiently short for the above process to occur in the expanding, centrally ignited massive white dwarf. The inhomogeneous conditions produced prior to the DDT might be of consequence for the chemical composition of the outer ejecta regions of Type Ia supernovae from the single degenerate channel, and offer the potential for validation of the proposed model.
Experimental Evolution Reveals a Genetic Basis for Membrane-Associated Virus Release
Authors: Bou Juan-Vicente , Sanjuán Rafael
Published: August 2020

Many animal viruses replicate and are released from cells in close association to membranes. However, whether this is a passive process or is controlled by the virus remains poorly understood. Importantly, the genetic basis and evolvability of membrane-associated viral shedding have not been investigated. To address this, we performed a directed evolution experiment using coxsackievirus B3, a model enterovirus, in which we repeatedly selected the free-virion or the fast-sedimenting membrane-associated viral subpopulations. The virus responded to this selection regime by reproducibly fixing a series of mutations that altered the extent of membrane-associated viral shedding, as revealed by full-genome ultra-deep sequencing. Specifically, using site-directed mutagenesis, we showed that substitution N63H in the viral capsid protein VP3 reduced the ratio of membrane-associated to free viral particles by 2 orders of magnitude. These findings open new avenues for understanding the mechanisms and implications of membrane-associated viral transmission.
Distinct oligomeric structures of the YoeB–YefM complex provide insights into the conditional cooperativity of type II toxin–antitoxin system
Authors: Xue Lu , Yue Jian , Ke Jiyuan , Khan Muhammad Hidayatullah , Wen Wen , Sun Baolin , Zhu Zhongliang , Niu Liwen
Published: August 2020

YoeB–YefM, the widespread type II toxin–antitoxin (TA) module, binds to its own promoter to autoregulate its transcription: repress or induce transcription under normal or stress conditions, respectively. It remains unclear how YoeB–YefM regulates its transcription depending on the YoeB to YefM TA ratio. We find that YoeB–YefM complex from S.aureus exists as two distinct oligomeric assemblies: heterotetramer (YoeB–YefM2–YoeB) and heterohexamer (YoeB–YefM2–YefM2–YoeB) with low and high DNA-binding affinities, respectively. Structures of the heterotetramer alone and heterohexamer bound to promoter DNA reveals that YefM C-terminal domain undergoes disorder to order transition upon YoeB binding, which allosterically affects the conformation of N-terminal DNA-binding domain. At TA ratio of 1:2, unsaturated binding of YoeB to the C-terminal regions of YefM dimer forms an optimal heterohexamer for DNA binding, and two YefM dimers with N-terminal domains dock into the adjacent major grooves of DNA to specifically recognize the 5′-TTGTACAN6AGTACAA-3′ palindromic sequence, resulting in transcriptional repression. In contrast, at TA ratio of 1:1, binding of two additional YoeB molecules onto the heterohexamer induces the completely ordered conformation of YefM and disassembles the heterohexamer into two heterotetramers, which are unable to bind the promoter DNA optimally due to steric clashes, hence derepresses TA operon transcription.
MNDR v3.0: mammal ncRNA–disease repository with increased coverage and annotation
Authors: Ning Lin , Cui Tianyu , Zheng Boyang , Wang Nuo , Luo Jiaxin , Yang Beilei , Du Mengze , Cheng Jun , Dou Yiying , Wang Dong
Published: August 2020

Many studies have indicated that non-coding RNA (ncRNA) dysfunction is closely related to numerous diseases. Recently, accumulated ncRNA–disease associations have made related databases insufficient to meet the demands of biomedical research. The constant updating of ncRNA–disease resources has become essential. Here, we have updated the mammal ncRNA–disease repository (MNDR, http://www.rna-society.org/mndr/) to version 3.0, containing more than one million entries, four-fold increment in data compared to the previous version. Experimental and predicted circRNA–disease associations have been integrated, increasing the number of categories of ncRNAs to five, and the number of mammalian species to 11. Moreover, ncRNA–disease related drug annotations and associations, as well as ncRNA subcellular localizations and interactions, were added. In addition, three ncRNA–disease (miRNA/lncRNA/circRNA) prediction tools were provided, and the website was also optimized, making it more practical and user-friendly. In summary, MNDR v3.0 will be a valuable resource for the investigation of disease mechanisms and clinical treatment strategies.
How mood tunes prediction: a neurophenomenological account of mood and its disturbance in major depression
Authors: Kiverstein Julian , Miller Mark , Rietveld Erik
Published: August 2020

In this article, we propose a neurophenomenological account of what moods are, and how they work. We draw upon phenomenology to show how mood attunes a person to a space of significant possibilities. Mood structures a person’s lived experience by fixing the kinds of significance the world can have for them in a given situation. We employ Karl Friston’s free-energy principle to show how this phenomenological concept of mood can be smoothly integrated with cognitive neuroscience. We will argue that mood is a consequence of acting in the world with the aim of minimizing expected free energy—a measure of uncertainty about the future consequences of actions. Moods summarize how the organism is faring overall in its predictive engagements, tuning the organism’s expectations about how it is likely to fare in the future. Agents that act to minimize expected free energy will have a feeling of how well or badly they are doing at maintaining grip on the multiple possibilities that matter to them. They will have what we will call a ‘feeling of grip’ that structures the possibilities they are ready to engage with over long time-scales, just as moods do.
Proceedings of the Comprehensive Oncology Network Evaluating Rare CNS Tumors (NCI-CONNECT) Adult Medulloblastoma Workshop
Authors: Penas-Prado Marta , Theeler Brett J , Cordeiro Brittany , Dunkel Ira J , Hau Peter , Mahajan Anita , Robinson Giles W , Willmarth Nicole , Aboud Orwa , Aldape Kenneth , Butman John A , Gajjar Amar , Kelly William , Rao Ganesh , Raygada Margarita , Siegel Christine , Romo Carlos G , Armstrong Terri S , Gilbert Mark R ,   NCI-CONNECT Adult Medulloblastoma Workshop, Penas-Prado Marta , Armstrong Terri S , Gilbert Mark R , Camphausen Kevin , Cordeiro Brittany , Dunkel Ira , Gajjar Amar , Galanis Eva , Hau Peter , Mahajan Anita , Penas-Prado Marta , Romo Carlos G , Wall Kathleen , Abdullaev Zied , Aldape Kenneth , Celiku Orieta , Chapman Lesley , Gilbert Mark R , Forsyth Peter , Jung Jinkyu , Leach Danielle , Nair Nishanth Ulhas , Kelly William , Rao Ganesh , Raygada Margarita , Robinson Giles , Schischlik Fiorella , Shih Helen , Siegel Christine , Theeler Brett J , Willmarth Nicole , Wu Jing , Aboud Orwa , Acquaye Alvina , Armstrong Terri S , Butman John A , Gonzalez Javier , Leeper Heather , Majd Nazanin , Oliver Kathy , Tsien Christina , Wen Patrick
Published: August 2020

Background

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a rare brain tumor occurring more frequently in children in whom research has been primarily focused. Treatment recommendations in adults are mainly based on retrospective data and pediatric experience; however, molecular features and treatment tolerance differ between the 2 age groups. In adults, prognostic tools are suboptimal, late recurrences are typical, and long-term sequelae remain understudied. Treatment has not adapted to molecular classification advances; thus, the survival rate of adult MB has not improved.

Methods

In 2017, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) received support from the Cancer Moonshot℠ to address the challenges and unmet needs of adults with rare central nervous system tumors through NCI-CONNECT, a program that creates partnerships among patients, health care professionals, researchers, and advocacy organizations. On November 25, 2019, NCI-CONNECT convened leading clinicians and scientists in a workshop to review advances in research, share scientific insights, and discuss clinical challenges in adult MB.

Results

Working groups identified unmet needs in clinical trial design, tissue acquisition and testing, tumor modeling, and measurement of clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

Participants identified opportunities for collaboration; discussed plans to create a working group of clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates; and developed specific action items to expedite progress in adult MB.
A Case of Steroid-Responsive, COVID-19 Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome Following the Use of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
Authors: Mertens Jonathan , Laghrib Yassine , Kenyon Chris
Published: August 2020

We present a case report of a 54-year-old male with metastasized nasopharyngeal carcinoma presenting to the hospital with dyspnea, anorexia and fever. Examination revealed chemotherapy-induced pancytopenia. The patient tested positive for SARSCoV-2, but respiratory complications were mild. The patient was treated with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) leading to amelioration of the neutropenia. However, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurred, prompting the diagnosis of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). GCSF is currently investigated as additional therapy in ARDS, but this case report emphasizes that risks and benefits must be carefully assessed. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of IRIS-induced ARDS in a COVID-19 patient.
Oculoglandular Tularemia From Crushing an Engorged Tick
Authors: Lakos András , Nagy Gyöngyi , Kienle Zsuzsa
Published: August 2020

We report on an unusual case of oculoglandular tularemia acquired after crushing a tick removed from a dog. As a droplet sprayed into the patient’s eye the eyelids became inflamed, and on the fourth day, a high fever started. Prompt antibiotic treatment prevented serious complication.
Maize Defective Kernel605 Encodes a Canonical DYW-Type PPR Protein that Edits a Conserved Site of nad1 and Is Essential for Seed Nutritional Quality
Authors: Fan Kaijian , Peng Yixuan , Ren Zhenjing , Li Delin , Zhen Sihan , Hey Stefan , Cui Yu , Fu Junjie , Gu Riliang , Wang Jianhua , Wang Guoying , Li Li
Published: August 2020

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins involved in mitochondrial RNA cytidine (C)-to-uridine (U) editing mostly result in stagnant embryo and endosperm development upon loss of function. However, less is known about PPRs that are involved in farinaceous endosperm formation and maize quality. Here, we cloned a maize DYW-type PPR Defective Kernel605 (Dek605). Mutation of Dek605 delayed seed and seedling development. Mitochondrial transcript analysis of dek605 revealed that loss of DEK605 impaired C-to-U editing at the nad1-608 site and fails to alter Ser203 to Phe203 in NAD1 (dehydrogenase complex I), disrupting complex I assembly and reducing NADH dehydrogenase activity. Meanwhile, complexes III and IV in the cytochrome pathway, as well as AOX2 in the alternative respiratory pathway, are dramatically increased. Interestingly, the dek605 mutation resulted in opaque endosperm and increased levels of the free amino acids alanine, aspartic acid and phenylalanine. The down- and upregulated genes mainly involved in stress response-related and seed dormancy-related pathways, respectively, were observed after transcriptome analysis of dek605 at 12 d after pollination. Collectively, these results indicate that Dek605 specifically affects the single nad1-608 site and is required for normal seed development and resulted in nutritional quality relevant amino acid accumulation.
The Devils in the DALY: Prevailing Evaluative Assumptions
Authors: Solberg Carl Tollef , Sørheim Preben , Müller Karl Erik , Gamlund Espen , Norheim Ole Frithjof , Barra Mathias
Published: August 2020

In recent years, it has become commonplace among the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study authors to regard the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) primarily as a descriptive health metric. During the first phase of the GBD (1990–1996), it was widely acknowledged that the DALY had built-in evaluative assumptions. However, from the publication of the 2010 GBD and onwards, two central evaluative practices—time discounting and age-weighting—have been omitted from the DALY model. After this substantial revision, the emerging view now appears to be that the DALY is primarily a descriptive measure. Our aim in this article is to argue that the DALY, despite changes, remains largely evaluative. Our analysis focuses on the understanding of the DALY by comparing the DALY as a measure of disease burden in the two most significant phases of GBD publications, from their beginning (1990–1996) to the most recent releases (2010–2017). We identify numerous assumptions underlying the DALY and group them as descriptive or evaluative. We conclude that while the DALY model arguably has become more descriptive, it remains, by necessity, largely evaluative.
Stressed but not Depressed: A Longitudinal Analysis of First-Generation College Students, Stress, and Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Wilbur Tabitha G
Published: August 2020

Using The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), I examine stress exposure and depressive symptoms among first and continuing-generation college students before and during college. I find that first-generation college students experience more stressors during both adolescence and college attendance and higher levels of depressive symptoms during adolescence as compared to continuing-generation students. During college, however, first-generation students’ level of depressive symptoms is no different from their continuing-generation peers even before adjusting for stress exposure and adolescent depressive symptoms. The gap in symptoms closes because first-generation college students’ mental health improves while attending college, as they have significantly fewer depressive symptoms than they did during adolescence. Continuing-generation students, on the other hand, did not display a significant difference in their depressive symptoms between adolescence and college attendance. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.
Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, the ignored morbidity: experience from a referral hospital in Ethiopia
Authors: Abdela Seid Getahun , Hassen Nardos Girma , Hussien Foziya Mohammed , Yesuf Abdulaziz Mohammed , van Griensven Johan , van Henten Saskia
Published: August 2020

Background

Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) is an important chronic complication of Schistosoma infection. However, its diagnosis and management are complicated due to lack of evidence and uniform guidance. In this study, we described the clinical profile and management of HSS in one of Ethiopia's referral hospitals.

Methods

A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using the medical records of patients diagnosed with HSS based on clinical symptoms and typical ultrasound findings observed at the gastroenterology clinic of Dessie referral hospital from September 2018 to December 2019.

Results

A total of 55 patient files were evaluated. Most patients (n=39; 70%) presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and severe anaemia. Nearly three-quarters of patients were admitted and 31 (56%) received a blood transfusion. Hepatitis B coinfection was documented in 11 patients (20%). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in 31 patients (56%), in whom large oesophageal varices with red signs were the most common finding. Among patients who had endoscopy, band ligation was carried out in 21 cases (68%). Praziquantel was administered to 11 patients (20%).

Conclusion

HSS causes severe complications of portal hypertension, like variceal bleeding, which are currently not adequately treated. In addition to already existing preventive efforts, we advise control programmes to also address acute management and rehabilitation of these patients.
Efficient inference, potential, and limitations of site-specific substitution models
Authors: Puller Vadim , Sagulenko Pavel , Neher Richard A
Published: August 2020

Natural selection imposes a complex filter on which variants persist in a population resulting in evolutionary patterns that vary greatly along the genome. Some sites evolve close to neutrally, while others are highly conserved, allow only specific states, or only change in concert with other sites. On one hand, such constraints on sequence evolution can be to infer biological function, one the other hand they need to be accounted for in phylogenetic reconstruction. Phylogenetic models often account for this complexity by partitioning sites into a small number of discrete classes with different rates and/or state preferences. Appropriate model complexity is typically determined by model selection procedures. Here, we present an efficient algorithm to estimate more complex models that allow for different preferences at every site and explore the accuracy at which such models can be estimated from simulated data. Our iterative approximate maximum likelihood scheme uses information in the data efficiently and accurately estimates site-specific preferences from large data sets with moderately diverged sequences and known topology. However, the joint estimation of site-specific rates, and site-specific preferences, and phylogenetic branch length can suffer from identifiability problems, while ignoring variation in preferences across sites results in branch length underestimates. Site-specific preferences estimated from large HIV pol alignments show qualitative concordance with intra-host estimates of fitness costs. Analysis of these substitution models suggests near saturation of divergence after a few hundred years. Such saturation can explain the inability to infer deep divergence times of HIV and SIVs using molecular clock approaches and time-dependent rate estimates.
Association and Possible Correlations Between Tobacco Smoking and Symptoms of ADHD in an Egyptian Medical College Students’ Sample
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed S. , El Serafi Doha M. , Ali Dalia H. , Bastawy Mostafa A. , Shafeq Abdelrahman A. , Naguib Rehab M.
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and tobacco smoking start in near same developmental life stages and are highly comorbid disorders. Little research has focused on this comorbidity and its correlates, especially in the Arab world. This study aimed to find the relation between tobacco smoking and ADHD symptoms and to understand how ADHD profile can affect its persistence.

Materials and Methods:

We recruited our sample from fifth year medical students attending their psychiatry undergraduate training program at the Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt. All attending students for 3 rounds were approached and asked to participate. All candidates were above 20 years old and from both sexes. For the purpose of this study, tobacco smoking included cigarettes, water pipe (sheesha), Cigar, and/or pipe smoking. All the participants were assessed using 1, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28); 2, The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS); 3, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND); 4, Smoking Consequences Questionnaire-Adult (SCQ-A).

Results:

An overall 12.7% had symptoms of ADHD. Participants who were tobacco smokers and had symptoms of ADHD showed nicotine dependence scores higher than the non-ADHD symptom smokers. There was significant correlation between ASRS inattention and hyperactive-impulsive subscale scores and FTND scores (P=0.003 and 0.04), respectively. Moreover, there were statistically significant correlations between ASRS scores and smoking outcome variables with P-value of ≤0.00.

Conclusion:

ADHD symptoms were correlated to adult tobacco smoking outcome variables, providing further evidence of a likely link between ADHD symptoms and tobacco smoking risk.
Late-onset Cases of Korsakoff Amnestic Syndrome With CNS Comorbidities: Suggestions for Long-term Management
Authors: Westermeyer Joseph J. , Soukup Beverley
Published: August 2020

Goal:

The goal of this study was to alert clinicians to Korsakoff syndrome associated with comorbid neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions in patients aged 50 years and older.

Methods:

The study consists of 4 Korsakoff longitudinal case reports (mean age at onset=60.5 y), supplemented by relevant published reports.

Findings:

The findings include demographic characteristics, comorbid central nervous system conditions, and interventions.

Conclusion:

In older patients with Korsakoff syndrome and comorbid central nervous system conditions, the optimal functional outcome depends upon a neurophysiological understanding of all comorbidities plus treatment interventions that can alleviate >1 comorbid condition insofar as feasible.
A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial of Saccharomyces boulardii in Infants and Children With Acute Diarrhea
Authors: Mourey Florian , Sureja Varun , Kheni Dharmeshkumar , Shah Parthiv , Parikh Devang , Upadhyay Unmesh , Satia Milan , Shah Dhara , Troise Charlotte , Decherf Amélie
Published: August 2020

Aim:

This study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces cerevisiae variant boulardii CNCM I-3799 (S. boulardii CNCM I-3799) in the management of acute diarrhea in children.

Methods:

A total of 100 infants and children 3–36 months of age with acute diarrhea received medical care according to the World Health Organization guidelines on the management of acute diarrhea in children and were randomly allocated to the probiotic group (S. boulardii CNCM I-3799 at a daily dose of 5 billion CFU twice daily) or to the placebo group. Infants and children were treated for 5 days and an extended follow-up was planned 1 and 2 months after the end of the treatment period. Primary endpoint was the time of recovery from diarrhea defined as the duration of diarrhea. Other parameters, such as frequency and consistency of stools, associated with the severity of diarrhea episodes were defined as secondary endpoints.

Results:

The administration of S. boulardii CNCM I-3799 was associated with beneficial effects on duration and severity of diarrhea. The time of recovery from diarrhea was significantly shorter in the probiotic group compared with the placebo group (65.8 ± 12 hours vs. 95.3 ± 17.6 hours, P = 0.0001). Faster remission in the probiotic group was also demonstrated by a shorter time before the first episode of semisolid stool [−23.5 hours, diff (95% CI): −7.99 (−31.49 to −15.51), P = 0.0001] and the faster normalization of stool consistency. S. boulardii CNCM I-3799 was well tolerated.

Conclusion:

S. boulardii CNCM I-3799 supplementation in children with acute diarrhea was shown effective in reducing the duration and severity of diarrhea in infants and children.
Cannabinoids, cannabis, and cannabis-based medicines for pain management: an overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Moore R. Andrew , Fisher Emma , Finn David P. , Finnerup Nanna B. , Gilron Ian , Haroutounian Simon , Krane Elliot , Rice Andrew S.C. , Rowbotham Michael , Wallace Mark , Eccleston Christopher
Published: August 2020

Cannabinoids, cannabis, and cannabis-based medicines (CBM) are increasingly used to manage pain, with limited understanding of their efficacy and safety. We assessed methodological quality, scope, and results of systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials of these treatments. Several search strategies sought self-declared systematic reviews. Methodological quality was assessed using both AMSTAR-2 and techniques important for bias reduction in pain studies. Of the 106 articles read, 57 were self-declared systematic reviews, most published since 2010. They included any type of cannabinoid, cannabis, or CBM, at any dose, however administered, in a broad range of pain conditions. No review examined the effects of a particular cannabinoid, at a particular dose, using a particular route of administration, for a particular pain condition, reporting a particular analgesic outcome. Confidence in the results in the systematic reviews using AMSTAR-2 definitions was critically low (41), low (8), moderate (6), or high (2). Few used criteria important for bias reduction in pain. Cochrane reviews typically provided higher confidence; all industry-conflicted reviews provided critically low confidence. Meta-analyses typically pooled widely disparate studies, and, where assessable, were subject to potential publication bias. Systematic reviews with positive or negative recommendation for use of cannabinoids, cannabis, or CBM in pain typically rated critically low or low (24/25 [96%] positive; 10/12 [83%] negative). Current reviews are mostly lacking in quality and cannot provide a basis for decision-making. A new high-quality systematic review of randomised controlled trials is needed to critically assess the clinical evidence for cannabinoids, cannabis, or CBM in pain.