bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and molecular features of children with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome in China: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Ruixue , Xiao Yongmei , Li Dan , Hu Hui , Li Xiaolu , Ge Ting , Yu Ronghua , Wang Yizhong , Zhang Ting
Published: April 2020

Background

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a genetic overgrowth disorder with variable clinical features and cancer predisposition. In this study, we aim to characterize the clinical features and molecular defects of BWS patients in China.

Methods

Thirty-one patients with clinical suspicion of BWS were retrospectively recruited to the study from Shanghai Children’s Hospital between January 2014 and December 2017. Clinical data, including demographics, clinical features, and molecular testing results were extracted and systematically analyzed.

Results

Twenty-one patients with a BWS score ≥ 4 (6, IQR 4, 7) were clinically diagnosed with BWS, and 10 children with a BWS score ≥ 2 and < 4 (2, IQR 2, 3) were clinically suspected BWS patients. The most common cardinal feature of clinically diagnosed patients was macroglossia (71.4%) followed by lateralized overgrowth (33.3%) and exomphalos (14.3%), and the major suggestive features were umbilical hernia and/or diastasis recti (65.0%) and ear creases or pits (61.9%). Among 10 clinically suspected BWS patients, macroglossia and lateralized overgrowth were observed in 3 (30%) and 2 (20%) patients, and umbilical hernia and/or diastasis recti occurred in 7 (70.0%) patients. Seven (33.3%) clinically diagnosed patients and 3 (30%) suspected patients were identified with loss of methylation at KCNQ1OT1:TSS differentially methylated region (DMR; IC2 LOM), 5 (23.8%) clinically diagnosed BWS patients were identified with gain of methylation at H19/IGF2:IG-DMR (IC1 GOM), and 1 (4.8%) clinically diagnosed BWS patients was identified with paternal uniparental isodisomy 11 (pUPD11). The phenotype-genotype correlation analysis showed no significant difference among patients with IC2 LOM, IC1 GOM, and pUPD11.

Conclusions

The current study presents the first cohort study of BWS patients in mainland China. The clinical and molecular features of the patients are similar to those of other reported BWS patients in the Chinese population.
Wheat chromatin architecture is organized in genome territories and transcription factories
Authors: Concia Lorenzo , Veluchamy Alaguraj , Ramirez-Prado Juan S. , Martin-Ramirez Azahara , Huang Ying , Perez Magali , Domenichini Severine , Rodriguez Granados Natalia Y. , Kim Soonkap , Blein Thomas , Duncan Susan , Pichot Clement , Manza-Mianza Deborah , Juery Caroline , Paux Etienne , Moore Graham , Hirt Heribert , Bergounioux Catherine , Crespi Martin , Mahfouz Magdy M. , Bendahmane Abdelhafid , Liu Chang , Hall Anthony , Raynaud Cécile , Latrasse David , Benhamed Moussa
Published: April 2020

Background

Polyploidy is ubiquitous in eukaryotic plant and fungal lineages, and it leads to the co-existence of several copies of similar or related genomes in one nucleus. In plants, polyploidy is considered a major factor in successful domestication. However, polyploidy challenges chromosome folding architecture in the nucleus to establish functional structures.

Results

We examine the hexaploid wheat nuclear architecture by integrating RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, Hi-C, and Hi-ChIP data. Our results highlight the presence of three levels of large-scale spatial organization: the arrangement into genome territories, the diametrical separation between facultative and constitutive heterochromatin, and the organization of RNA polymerase II around transcription factories. We demonstrate the micro-compartmentalization of transcriptionally active genes determined by physical interactions between genes with specific euchromatic histone modifications. Both intra- and interchromosomal RNA polymerase-associated contacts involve multiple genes displaying similar expression levels.

Conclusions

Our results provide new insights into the physical chromosome organization of a polyploid genome, as well as on the relationship between epigenetic marks and chromosome conformation to determine a 3D spatial organization of gene expression, a key factor governing gene transcription in polyploids.
Evaluation of the relative roles of the Tabanidae and Glossinidae in the transmission of trypanosomosis in drug resistance hotspots in Mozambique
Authors: Mulandane Fernando C. , Snyman Louwtjie P. , Brito Denise R. A. , Bouyer Jeremy , Fafetine José , Van Den Abbeele Jan , Oosthuizen Marinda , Delespaux Vincent , Neves Luis
Published: April 2020

Background

Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) and tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) are haematophagous insects of medical and veterinary importance due to their respective role in the biological and mechanical transmission of trypanosomes. Few studies on the distribution and relative abundance of both families have been conducted in Mozambique since the country’s independence. Despite Nicoadala, Mozambique, being a multiple trypanocidal drug resistance hotspot no information regarding the distribution, seasonality or infection rates of fly-vectors are available. This is, however, crucial to understanding the epidemiology of trypanosomosis and to refine vector management.

Methods

For 365 days, 55 traps (20 NGU traps, 20 horizontal traps and 15 Epsilon traps) were deployed in three grazing areas of Nicoadala District: Namitangurine (25 traps); Zalala (15 traps); and Botao (15 traps). Flies were collected weekly and preserved in 70% ethanol. Identification using morphological keys was followed by molecular confirmation using cytochromecoxidase subunit 1 gene. Trap efficiency, species distribution and seasonal abundance were also assessed. To determine trypanosome infection rates, DNA was extracted from the captured flies, and submitted to18SPCR-RFLP screening for the detection ofTrypanosoma.

Results

In total, 4379 tabanids (of 10 species) and 24 tsetse flies (of 3 species), were caught. NGU traps were more effective in capturing both the Tabanidae and Glossinidae. Higher abundance and species diversity were observed in Namitangurine followed by Zalala and Botao. Tabanid abundance was approximately double during the rainy season compared to the dry season.Trypanosoma congolenseandT. theileriwere detected in the flies with overall infection rates of 75% for tsetse flies and 13% for tabanids.Atylotus agrestishad the highest infection rate of the tabanid species. The only pathogenic trypanosome detected wasT. congolense.

Conclusions

Despite the low numbers of tsetse flies captured, it can be assumed that they are still the cyclical vectors of trypanosomosis in the area. However, the high numbers of tabanids captured, associated to their demonstrated capacity of transmitting trypanosomes mechanically, suggest an important role in the epidemiology of trypanosomosis in the Nicoadala district. These results on the composition of tsetse and tabanid populations as well as the observed infection rates, should be considered when defining strategies to control the disease.
The effect of Total resistance exercise vs. aquatic training on self-reported knee instability, pain, and stiffness in women with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Assar Shirin , Gandomi Farzaneh , Mozafari Mahsa , Sohaili Freshteh
Published: April 2020

Background

Knee Instability (KI) is described as a sense of knee buckling, shifting, or giving way during the weight bearing activities. High prevalence (60–80%) has been reported for KI amongst the patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). In this line, the present study targeted the effect of two interventions on self-reported KI and affected factors.

Methods

In this single blind, randomized, and controlled trial, 36 patients with radiographic grading (Kellgren–Lawrence ≥ II) of KOA were selected. Patients were divided into three groups namely, aquatic (n = 12), Total Resistance exercises (TRX) (n = 12) and control (n = 12) by random. Then both 8-week TRX and aquatic exercises were carried out by experimental groups. The following measure were taken before and after interventions: Pain by visual analog scale (VAS), balance by Berg Balance Scale (BBS), quadriceps strength by dynamometer, knee flexion range of motion (ROM) by inclinometer, knee stiffness with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC), and self-reported KI with Felson’s questionnaire.

Results

The results demonstrated that KI, VAS, BBS improved over time both in TRX and aquatic groups significantly (p < 0.05), but WOMAC(stiffness), knee flexion ROM, and quadriceps strength were significantly improved over time only for TRX (p < 0.05). Post hoc test, also, showed that there were significant differences between interventions and control groups (p < 0.05) for the VAS, KI, BBS, but for WOMAC(stiffness), a significant difference was observed only between TRX and control groups (p = 0.05).

Conclusions

Although TRX and aquatic interventions had a similar effect on the patients’ balance, pain and KI, TRX had more effect on WOMAC(stiffness), quadriceps strength, and knee flexion ROM than aquatic exercises.

Trial registration

This study was registered in the Iranian Clinical Trial Center with the number IRCT20181222042070N1, http://www.irct.ir/trial/36221, registered 02 February 2019.
$(p,q)$-Generalization of Szász–Mirakjan operators and their approximation properties
Authors: Kara Mustafa , Mahmudov Nazim I.
Published: April 2020

We introduce a new modification of$(p,q)$(p,q)-analogue of Szász–Mirakjan operators. Firstly, we give a recurrence relation for the moments of$(p,q)$(p,q)-analogue of Szász–Mirakjan operators and present some explicit formulae for the moments and central moments up to order 4. Next, we obtain quantitative estimates for the convergence in the polynomial weighted spaces. In addition, we give the Voronovskaya theorem for the new$(p,q)$(p,q)-Szász–Mirakjan operators.
Existence of positive solutions to negative power nonlinear integral equations with weights
Authors: Chen Hang , Guo Qianqiao , Wang Qian
Published: April 2020

This paper is devoted to the existence and non-existence of positive solutions to the following negative power nonlinear integral equation related to the sharp reversed Hardy–Littlewood–Sobolev inequality: $$ f^{q-1}(x)= \int _{\varOmega }\frac{K(x)f(y)K(y)}{ \vert x-y \vert ^{n-\alpha }}\,dy+ \lambda \int _{\varOmega }\frac{G(x)f(y)G(y)}{ \vert x-y \vert ^{n-\alpha -\beta }}\,dy, \quad f\geq 0, x\in \overline{ \varOmega }, $$fq−1(x)=∫ΩK(x)f(y)K(y)|x−y|n−αdy+λ∫ΩG(x)f(y)G(y)|x−y|n−α−βdy,f≥0,x∈Ω‾, where $0< q<1$0<q<1, $\alpha >n$α>n, $0<\beta <\alpha -n$0<β<α−n, $\lambda \in \mathbb{R}$λ∈R, Ω is a smooth bounded domain, $K(x)$K(x), $G(x)$G(x) are positive continuous functions in Ω̅. For $K\equiv G\equiv 1$K≡G≡1, the existence and non-existence of positive solutions to the equation have been studied by Dou–Guo–Zhu (2019). In this paper we consider the existence and non-existence of positive solutions to the above integral equation with the general weight functions $K(x)$K(x), $G(x)$G(x).
Mannose-binding lectin 2 gene polymorphisms and their association with tuberculosis in a Chinese population
Authors: Zhang Jun-Xian , Gong Wen-Ping , Zhu Dong-Lin , An Hui-Ru , Yang You-Rong , Liang Yan , Wang Jie , Tang Jing , Zhao Wei-guo , Wu Xue-Qiong
Published: April 2020

Background

Immune- and inflammation-related genes (IIRGs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis (TB). However, the relationship between IIRG polymorphisms and TB risk remains unknown. In this study, the gene polymorphisms and their association with tuberculosis were determined in a Chinese population.

Methods

We performed a case-control study involving 1016 patients with TB and 507 healthy controls of Han Chinese origin. Sixty-four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) belonging to 18 IIRGs were genotyped by the PCR-MassArray assay, and the obtained data was analyzed with χ2-test, Bonferroni correction, and unconditional logistic regression analysis.

Results

We observed significant differences in the allele frequency of LTA rs2229094*C (P = 0.015), MBL2 rs2099902*C (P = 0.001), MBL2 rs930507*G (P = 0.004), MBL2 rs10824793*G (P = 0.004), and IL12RB1 rs2305740*G (P = 0.040) between the TB and healthy groups. Increased TB risk was identified in the rs930507 G/G genotype (Padjusted = 0.027) under a codominant genetic model as well as in the rs2099902 (C/T + C/C) vs T/T genotype (Padjusted = 0.020), rs930507 (C/G + G/G) vs C/C genotype (Padjusted = 0.027), and rs10824793 (G/A + G/G) vs A/A genotype (Padjusted = 0.017) under a dominant genetic model after Bonferroni correction in the analysis of the overall TB group rather than the TB subgroups. Furthermore, the rs10824793_rs7916582*GT and rs10824793_rs7916582*GC haplotypes were significantly associated with increased TB risk (P = 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 1.421, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.152–1.753; and P = 0.018, OR = 1.364, 95% CI: 1.055–1.765, respectively). Moreover, the rs10824793_rs7916582*AT/AT or rs10824793_rs7916582*GT/GT diplotype showed a protective (P = 0.003, OR = 0.530, 95% CI: 0.349–0.805) or harmful (P = 0.009, OR = 1.396, 95% CI: 1.087–1.793) effect against the development of TB.

Conclusions

This study indicated that MBL2 polymorphisms, haplotypes, and diplotypes were associated with TB susceptibility in the Han Chinese population. Additionally, larger sample size studies are needed to further confirm these findings in the future.
Bacterial aetiology of chronic otitis media with effusion in children - risk factors
Authors: Korona-Glowniak Izabela , Wisniewska Agata , Juda Marek , Kielbik Karolina , Niedzielska Grazyna , Malm Anna
Published: April 2020

Background

Otitis media with effusion (OME) may occur spontaneously because of poor Eustachian tube function or as an inflammatory response following AOM. Bacterial involvement in OME has been widely reported, with various available methods to identify pathogens from middle ear effusion, including traditional culture methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Objectives

The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the bacteriological profile of middle ear effusion in OME. Risk factors of the bacterial OME aetiology were also identified.

Methods

Middle ear effusions (MEF) from 50 children, aged 2–8 years, diagnosed by ENT and undergoing routine tympanostomy tube placement were collected. MEF samples were streaked on standard microbiological media. Next, DNA was isolated from MEF samples and analysed with multiplex PCR for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Alloiococcus otitidis.

Results

In multiplex PCR assay 37 (74%) of 50 children were positive for at least one of the four microorganisms. In 27.0% positive children multiple bacterial pathogens were identified. A. otitidis was the most frequently identified in positive MEF children (59.5%). By multiplex PCR, H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis were detected in 24, 18 and 8% of OME patients, respectively. There was significant association between bilateral infection and H. influenzae aetiology of OME.

Conclusions

Overall we found OME predominantly a single otopathogen infection caused mainly by A. otitidis, which is difficult in identification using standard culture method, ahead to S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae. However, one third of MEF samples had multiple bacterial pathogens.
WTLS iterative algorithm of 3D similarity coordinate transformation based on Gibbs vectors
Authors: Zeng Huaien , Chang Guobin , He Haiqing , Li Kezhao
Published: April 2020

The 3D similarity coordinate transformation is fundamental and frequently encountered in many areas of work such as geodesy, engineering surveying, LIDAR, terrestrial laser scanning, photogrammetry, machine vision, etc. The algorithms of 3D similarity transformation are divided into two categories. One is a closed-form algorithm that is straightforward and fast. However, it cannot provide the accuracy information for the transformation parameters. The other category of algorithm is iterative, and this can offer the accuracy information for the transformation parameters. However, the latter usually needs a good initial value of the unknown. Considering the accuracy information for transformation parameters is essential or indispensable from the viewpoint of uncertainty, this contribution proposes a weighted total least squares (WTLS) iterative algorithm of the 3D similarity coordinate transformation based on Gibbs vectors. It is fast in terms of fewer iterations, reliable and does not need good initial values of transformation parameters. Two cases including the registration of LIDAR points with big rotation angles and a geodetic datum transformation with small rotation angles are demonstrated to validate the new algorithm.
Setting the research agenda for living with and beyond cancer with comorbid illness: reflections on a research prioritisation exercise
Authors: Cavers D. , Cunningham-Burley S. , Watson E. , Banks E. , Campbell C.
Published: April 2020

Background

People living with and beyond cancer are more likely to have comorbid conditions and poorer mental and physical health, but there is a dearth of in-depth research exploring the psychosocial needs of people experiencing cancer and comorbid chronic conditions. A patient partnership approach to research prioritisation and planning can ensure outcomes meaningful to those affected and can inform policy and practice accordingly, but can be challenging.

Methods

We aimed to inform priorities for qualitative inquiry into the experiences and support needs of people living with and beyond cancer with comorbid illness using a partnership approach. A three-step process including a patient workshop to develop a consultation document, online consultation with patients, and academic expert consultation was carried out. The research prioritisation process was also appraised and reflected upon.

Results

Six people attended the workshop, ten responded online and eight academic experts commented on the consultation document. Five key priorities were identified for exploration in subsequent qualitative studies, including the diagnostic journey, the burden of symptoms, managing medications, addressing the needs of informal carers, and service provision. Limitations of patient involvement and reflections on procedural ethics, and the challenge of making measurable differences to patient outcomes were discussed.

Conclusions

Findings from this research prioritisation exercise will inform planned qualitative work to explore patients’ experiences of living with and beyond cancer with comorbid illness. Including patient partners in the research prioritisation process adds focus and relevance, and feeds into future work and recommendations to improve health and social care for this group of patients. Reflections on the consultation process contribute to a broadening of understanding the field of patient involvement.
Serine 319 phosphorylation is necessary and sufficient to induce a Cx37 conformation that leads to arrested cell cycling
Authors: Taylor Samantha-Su Z. , Jacobsen Nicole L. , Pontifex Tasha K. , Langlais Paul , Burt Janis M.
Published: April 2020

Connexin 37 (Cx37; protein product of GJA4) expression profoundly suppresses proliferation of rat insulinoma (Rin) cells in a manner dependent on gap junction channel (GJCh) functionality and the presence and phosphorylation status of its C-terminus (CT). In Rin cells, growth is arrested upon induced Cx37 expression and serine 319 (S319) is frequently phosphorylated. Here, we show that preventing phosphorylation at this site (alanine substitution; S319A) relieved Cx37 of its growth-suppressive effect whereas mimicking phosphorylation at this site (aspartate substitution; S319D) enhanced the growth-suppressive properties of Cx37. Like wild-type Cx37 (Cx37-WT), Cx37-S319D GJChs and hemichannels (HChs) preferred the closed state, rarely opening fully, and gated slowly. In contrast, Cx37-S319A channels preferred open states, opened fully and gated rapidly. These data indicate that phosphorylation-dependent conformational differences in Cx37 protein and channel function underlie Cx37-induced growth arrest versus growth-permissive phenotypes. That the closed state of Cx37-WT and Cx37-S319D GJChs and HChs favors growth arrest suggests that rather than specific permeants mediating cell cycle arrest, the closed conformation instead supports interaction of Cx37 with growth regulatory proteins that result in growth arrest.
People with Diabetes Mellitus: Soft target for COVID-19 infection
Authors: Hussain Arshad , Ali Iftikhar , Hassan Zair
Published: April 2020

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2629

How to cite this:Hussain A, Ali I, Hassan Z. People with Diabetes Mellitus: Soft target for COVID-19 infection. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):COVID19-S3-S5.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2629

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Epidemiology of CoViD-19 Pandemic: Recovery and mortality ratio around the globe
Authors: Noor Aziz Ullah , Maqbool Farhana , Bhatti Zulfiqar Ahmed , Khan Asmat Ullah
Published: April 2020

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CoViD-19) is the third type of coronavirus disease after severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) that appears in human population from the past two decades. It is highly contagious and rapidly spread in the human population and compelled global public health institutions on high alert. Due to genetic similarity of this novel coronavirus 2019 with bat virus its emergence from bat to humans is possible. The virus survive in the droplets of coughing and sneezing and spread around the large areas through infected person resulting in its rapid spread among people. Clinical symptoms of CoViD-19 include fever, dry cough, dyspnea, loose stool, nausea and vomiting. The present review discuss the origin of CoViD-19, its rapid spread, mortality rate and recoveries ratio around the world. Since its origin from Wuhan, the CoViD-19 spread very rapidly all across the countries, on April 17, 2020 this disease has affected 210 countries of the globe. The data obtained showed over 2.4 million confirmed cases of CoViD-19. Higher mortality rate was found in Algeria and Belgium as 15% and 13.95%, respectively. Lower mortality rate was found in Qatar 0.17% and Singapore 0.2%. Recovery versus deceased ratio showed that recovery was 68, 59 and 35 times higher than the death in Singapore, Qatar and Thailand respectively. It is concluded that 2019-novel corona virus is a zoonotic pathogen similar to MERS and SARS. Therefore, a barrier should be maintained between and across the human, household and wild animals to avoid such pandemics.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2660

How to cite this:Noor AU, Maqbool F, Bhatti ZA, Khan AU. Epidemiology of CoViD-19 Pandemic: Recovery and mortality ratio around the globe. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):COVID19-S79-S84. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2660

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The Virtuous Health Workers
Authors: Zaidi Shabih H
Published: April 2020

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2733

How to cite this:Zaidi SH. The Virtuous Health Workers. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):COVID19-S1-S2.   doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2733

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Predictive statistical model for the factors associated with prenatal depression among pregnant adolescents in Maha Sarakham province, Thailand
Authors: Jantasin Bhanwasa , Yoosook Witaya , Thaewpia Supawadee
Published: April 2020

Background: The rate of adolescent pregnancy has steadily increased in Thailand over the years and depression is considered an important psychological problem in many pregnant adolescents. The aims of this study were to determine the proportion of pregnant adolescents with depressive symptoms and to identify a predictive statistical model for the factors related to prenatal depression among adolescents at antenatal care clinics in 10 community health centers in Maha Sarakham Province.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 230 randomly selected participants who were pregnant adolescents who volunteered to participate in the research, those aged ≤19 years, and had an estimated gestational age of ≤18 weeks. Those with severe obstetrics complications or a psychiatric disorder were excluded. The subjects were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire and the Thai version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The mean age of participants was 17.0 (±1.4) years.

Results: Overall, 43.9% of the adolescents had a cut off score of ≥11, suggestive of prenatal depressive symptoms. Multivariate analysis identified that pregnant adolescents at a primary school education level were 6.5 times more likely to experience depression symptoms than those with a diploma. Those who were emotionally supported by their husband or partner compared to relatives had a five times higher chance of presenting depressive symptoms, and those with a perceived bad relationship with their husband or partner had seven times higher. The model was well-calibrated (goodness-of-fit test, p = 0.675) and had high discriminative power (ROC curve = 0.73 (95%CI = 0.67 to 0.79).

Conclusions: More attention is needed to reduce the known problems with pregnant adolescents and to ensure they continue with their education.  Lastly, public education to support mental health initiatives for individuals and families should be encouraged.
Recent advances in understanding the development and function of γδ T cells
Authors: Contreras Alejandra V. , Wiest David L.
Published: April 2020

γδ T cells are a subset of T cells with attributes of both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. These cells have long been an enigmatic and poorly understood component of the immune system and many have viewed them as having limited importance in host defense. This perspective persisted for some time both because of critical gaps in knowledge regarding how the development of γδ T cells is regulated and because of the lack of effective and sophisticated approaches through which the function of γδ T cells can be manipulated. Here, we discuss the recent advances in both of these areas, which have brought the importance of γδ T cells in both productive and pathologic immune function more sharply into focus.
Appearance and management of COVID-19 laryngo-tracheitis: two case reports
Authors: Oliver Charles Matthew , Campbell Marta , Dulan Oma , Hamilton Nick , Birchall Martin
Published: April 2020

We present two cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related laryngotracheitis in good-prognosis, ventilated patients who had failed extubation. As the pandemic continues to unfold across the globe and better management of those with respiratory failure develops, this may be an increasingly common scenario. Close ENT-intensivist liaison, meticulous team preparation, early consideration of rigid endoscopy and prospective data collection and case sharing are recommended.
Assessment of a demonstrator repository for individual clinical trial data built upon DSpace
Authors: Tilki Birol , Schulenberg Thomas , Canham Steve , Banzi Rita , Kuchinke Wolfgang , Ohmann Christian
Published: April 2020

Background: Given the increasing number and heterogeneity of data repositories, an improvement and harmonisation of practice within repositories for clinical trial data is urgently needed. The objective of the study was to develop and evaluate a demonstrator repository, using a widely used repository system (DSpace), and then explore its suitability for providing access to individual participant data (IPD) from clinical research.

Methods: After a study of the available options, DSpace (version 6.3) was selected as the software for developing a demonstrator implementation of a repository for clinical trial data. In total, 19 quality criteria were defined, using previous work assessing clinical data repositories as a guide, and the demonstrator implementation was then assessed with respect to those criteria.

Results: Generally, the performance of the DSpace demonstrator repository in supporting sensitive personal data such as that from clinical trials was strong, with 14 requirements demonstrated (74%), including the necessary support for metadata and identifiers. Two requirements could not be demonstrated (inability to incorporate de-identification tools in the submission workflow, lack of a self-attestation system) and three requirements were only partially demonstrated (ability to provide links to de-identification tools and requirements, incorporation of a data transfer agreement in system workflow, and capability to offer managed access through application on a case by case basis).

Conclusions: Technically, the system was able to support most of the pre-defined requirements, though there are areas where support could be improved. Of course, in a productive repository, appropriate policies and procedures would be needed to direct the use of the available technical features. A technical evaluation should therefore be seen as indicating a system’s potential, rather than being a definite assessment of its suitability. DSpace clearly has considerable potential in this context and appears a suitable base for further exploration of the issues around storing sensitive data.
Confronting Covid-19 by exploring the possibility of vaccinating with live SARS-CoV-2 virus itself, via a route that would reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications
Authors: Joly Etienne
Published: April 2020

This article proposes that one should explore whether the pulmonary complications of Covid-19 can be reduced or avoided by bypassing the airway entry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This could possibly be achieved by injecting live SARS-CoV-2 virus intradermal (ID), subcutaneous, intra-muscular (IM) or intra-peritoneal (IP), or by targeting the virus to the digestive tract.  The effectiveness and innocuity of using those various routes could be tested very rapidly in animal models, such as Macaques, Hamsters, Ferrets or Cats.

The hope is that these experiments will reveal a route of inoculation that can reliably lead to bona-fide infections, resulting in strong immune responses, with both cellular and serological components, but with much less viral replication in the lungs. This would not only hopefully reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications in the infected subjects, but would also probably reduce the amount of virus released by them via aerosols, and thus reduce the vector of contagiosity that is hardest to control, and that probably leads most effectively to viral replication in the lungs.

If those experiments in animal models reveal that one or several routes can be used effectively to reduce pulmonary pathology, a clinical trial could be conducted in human volunteers with very low risk profiles. The ID route should probably be considered as a priority, since it could double-up as a skin test to reveal the immune status of the recipients towards the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The course of action proposed here may possibly provide a way of taking a step ahead of the virus, and if it works as hoped, could help to end the need for confinement within a matter of months, if not weeks.
The Bank of Biological Samples by Seversk Biophysical Research Center
Authors: Takhauova T. , Isubakova D. , Bronikovskaya E. , Tsymbal O. , Khalyuzova M. , Takhauova L. , Karpov A. , Litviakov N. , Milto I.
Published: April 2020

Purpose: Description of the collection, structure and development dynamics during the period from 2015 to 2019 of the biological material bank of the Seversk Biophysical Research Center, as well as research works carried out using biological material from its collection.

Material and methods: The collection of bank of biological material includes the following types of biological material: venous blood, genomic DNA of white blood cells, cytogenetic suspensions of blood lymphocytes, surgical, biopsy and autopsy material. Biological material was obtained from people exposed to chronic radiation exposure: employees of the nuclear industry and the population permanently residing in the territory located in the area of the nuclear industry.

Results: At present, the collection of the biological material bank contains more than 21,000 samples of biological material obtained from more than 8,000 donors. The collection of bank of biological material is represented by 4 main blocks: biological material of conditionally healthy employees of company of the nuclear industry (Siberian Chemical Combine); biological material of conditionally healthy people permanently residing in the territory located in the area of the nuclear industry enterprise (Seversk); biological material of patients (workers of the Siberian Chemical Combine and residents of Seversk) with malignant neoplasms and biological material of patients (workers of the Siberian Chemical Combine and residents of Seversk) with acute myocardial infarction. In the collection of bank of biological material, the proportion of samples of biological material of relatively healthy workers of the Siberian Chemical Combine is 33 %, residents of Seversk — 40.8 %, patients with malignant neoplasms — 22.2 %, patients with acute myocardial infarction — 4 %.

Conclusion: Biological material bank Seversk Biophysical Research Center is unique collection of biological material samples of healthy people and patients with socially significant diseases. A feature of the biological material of the biological material bank is that it is obtained from people who have been exposed to chronic low-intensity radiation exposure and can be used to evaluate its radiogenic effects.
Development of Chemical Samples Preparation Method to Reduce the Lower Limit of Absorbed Dose Assessment by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectrometry
Authors: Pantelkin V. , Zhuravleva V. , Tsoviyanov A.
Published: April 2020

Purpose: Development of a method of chemical sample preparation to reduce the lower limit of the absorbed dose estimation by EPR spectrometry.

Material and methods: The required number of bone samples was prepared to study the effect of chemical treatment of bone material samples in organic solvents on their EPR spectra. They were subjected to primary treatment to separate the bones from the remains of soft biological tissue, then a dense bone was isolated and its defatting was carried out. Further, a series of parallel experiments on chemical treatment of bone materials in solutions of three organic reducing agents (hydrazine hydrate, ethylenediamine and diethylenetriamine) were done to reduce the magnitude of the native signal when carrying out works on reconstruction of absorbed doses using EPR spectroscopy. Recording of EPR spectra was performed on the ELEXSYS E500 Bruker spectrometer equipped with a high-q cylindrical resonator SHQE. Irradiation of the samples was carried out on the X-ray biological unit RUB RUST-M1.

Results: To reduce the lower limit of detection of the absorbed dose and improve the reliability of the assessment of the absorbed dose using the EPR method, it is required to reduce the native component of the EPR signal without affecting, if possible, the radiation component of the EPR signal. To achieve this effect, a chemical treatment in solutions of amines was proposed, which affect the collagen compounds that present in the bones and which are responsible for the appearance of a native signal in the EPR spectrum. After chemical treatment of bone material samples at 30°C for 30 minutes in a solution of different amines, there was a significant decrease in the amplitude of the native signal, which was: 4 for hydrazine hydrate, 3.3 for diethylenetriamine and 2.1 for ethylenediamine. For bone material samples that were subjected to the proposed chemical treatment in hydrazine hydrate, it is possible to confidently determine the amplitude of the radiation signal by a value of 2–3 Gy against the minimum dose values of 6–8 Gy for bone material samples that were not chemically treated.

Conclusion: It was found that during the chemical treatment there is a significant reduction of the native signal in the spectra of EPR of bone materials, the decrease of the radiation signal at the same time was slightly. Comparison of the results of treatment of bone materials in three organic reducing agents showed that the best results are obtained by the use of hydrazine hydrate at a temperature of 30°C for 30 minutes.
Bee species (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) in a Cerrado-Atlantic Forest ecotone: nesting habits related to foraging activity in a degraded forest fragment
Authors: Polatto Leandro Pereira , Alves Junior Valter Vieira
Published: April 2020

The aim of this paper was to determine the species diversity and frequency of foraging performed by bees in fragment of degraded forest in a Cerrado-Atlantic Forest ecotone area, also considering the nesting habit of each species. The foraging frequency of each bee species in the main floral sources was recorded for 12 consecutive months. The nesting site was used to sort the bees into guilds: above-ground nesting bees, ground-nesting bees, and both below and above-ground nesting bees. The guild of ground-nesting bees had 24 species and accounted for 17.48 % of the foraging rate, while above-ground nesting bees were represented by 12 species which made 8.89 % of the foraging rate, and both below and above-ground nesting bees comprised five species which made 0.43 % of the foraging rate. Africanized honeybee performed 73.20 % of the foraging flight, and presented a broad food niche. Therefore, in the forest fragment studied, two types of impacts which make difficult the survival and maintenance of the native bee fauna were observed: the dominance over floral resources by the exotic species the Africanized honeybees; the small number of large trees.
The Challenges of Studying the Elements of Diversity and Unity in the Human Experience
Authors: Cieślarek Paweł
Published: April 2020

The paper is a fruit of a series of informal symposiums and an elective course entitled “Orient–Occident”, conducted by the author in 2016 and 2019 at the Institute of Intercultural Studies of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. The author identifies a set of issues commonly perceived as the main challenges of our age and focuses specifically on the challenge of intercultural relations in a “globalized world” to provide a critical examination of several misconceptions and conventional narratives surrounding this topic. The discussion serves as an introduction to a proposed approach to comparative study of texts of culture, developed primarily in the philosophical tradition and within the conceptual framework of the so-called New Humanism of Irving Babbitt (1865-1933) and combined with some additional components sourced from the works of Leo Strauss (1899-1973). The author argues that this approach provides a valuable exercise of imagination to students of culture and cultural diversity as it strives to strike a balance between the perception of diversity and unity in the human experience – a quality rarely displayed in contemporary cultural studies.
Reformist Buddhist Groups in the Late Meiji Era and Their Relationship to Christianity
Authors: Schrimpf Monika
Published: April 2020

This paper explores the attitude towards Christianity among the so-called “New Buddhists” in the late Meiji era, i.e. members and sympathizers of the reformist Buddhist groups Keiikai and Bukkyō seito dōshikai. Whereas an anti-Christian attitude prevailed among Buddhist intellectuals up to the 1880s and 1890s, the New Buddhists advocated religious tolerance and the unbiased study of religions. By analysing the writings of Furukawa Rōsen and prominent members of the Bukkyō seito dōshikai, particularly Sakaino Kōyō and Katō Genchi, this paper reconstructs how these Buddhist groups approached Christianity on the basis of comparative and historical studies, and based on their conviction that religion should serve societal goals and be compatible with the scientific knowledge of their times.
Apropiación del espacio en La Serranía de Manacacías, Orinoquía colombiana
Authors: Clavijo Mejía Raúl Ivan
Published: April 2020

En este artículo se desarrolla un análisis de las formas de apropiación del espacio y su impacto en elementos clave de la estructura socioeconómica de las veredas Puerto Castro y La Cristalina, del municipio de San Martín de los Llanos, departamento del Meta. Se identifican diferencias sustanciales en las formas de apropiación espacial y las herramientas utilizadas por los actores que a lo largo del tiempo han tenido presencia en esta zona. Las entrevistas semiestructuradas se aplicaron entre 2017 y 2018 a pobladores —tanto propietarios de los predios, como ad­ministradores—, que habitan la zona desde la primera mitad del siglo xx. El contacto in situ con los pobladores y la visita a los lugares que marcaron la historia de ambas veredas permiten profundizar en las consecuencias de las formas de apropiación espacial en distintos periodos históricos, así como en su impacto en términos territoriales, productivos, poblacionales y de estructura de la tenencia de la tierra.
Physico - Chemical Analysis of Fresh Water of Ropar Wetland (Ramsar Site), India
Authors: Akhter Saima , Brraich Onkar Singh ,   Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Punjabi University, Patiala, 147002 India,   Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Punjabi University, Patiala, 147002 India
Published: April 2020

Through anthropogenic activities such as dam building, river management works, indirectly through developments and disturbances in the landscape of the watersheds in particular effluent discharges and deforestation increasingly threatened the environmental integrity of freshwaters systems, world wide. In order to access the monthly and seasonally variations of “Ropar Weland”, study on various physio - chemical parameters was carried out from October 2015 to September 2017 at four representative sites (S1, S2, S3 and S4). The seasons were generally divided into winter (December to February), summer (March to May), monsoon (June to August) and autumn (September to November). Maximum amount of all the parameters except DO and free CO2 were observed in summer and monsoon season and minimum in winter season. Minimum value of DO and free CO2 during summer season is due to the higher temperature because temperature is inversely proportional to DO. Rest of the parameters such as phosphate, sulphate, magnesium, calcium were widely fluctuated according to seasons and are under permissible limits.
Como as operações urbanas consorciadas resolvem a questão habitacional: reflexões a partir dos casos Água Espraiada (SP) e Porto Maravilha (RJ)
Authors: Pereira Alvaro Luis dos Santos , Oliveira Paula Custódio de
Published: April 2020

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar o tratamento conferido à questão da habitacional de interesse social no âmbito de intervenções urbanísticas de grande porte implementadas por meio do instrumento da operação urbana consorciada. A estratégia metodológica adotada consiste no estudo em profundidade de dois casos emblemáticos de experiências desse tipo: a Operação Urbana Consorciada Água Espraiada, em São Paulo, e o Projeto Porto Maravilha, no Rio de Janeiro. Busca-se demonstrar a existência de uma dissociação entre os compromissos formalmente assumidos pelo poder público em legislações e discursos no sentido da promoção do direito à moradia e as práticas efetivamente adotadas no âmbito desses projetos urbanos, marcadas pelo contraste entre remoções de grande magnitude e ações de provisão habitacional de caráter incipiente. A pesquisa realizada envolveu a identificação e sistematização dos dispositivos referentes à moradia na legislação específica desses projetos, a análise de discursos sobre a questão habitacional proferidos por representantes do poder público diretamente envolvidos em sua implementação, a análise da dinâmica dos processos de remoção e a identificação das medidas concretas de provisão habitacional em curso nesses projetos.
O sistema de equalização financeira da Alemanha/Finanzausgleich e as potencialidades de referenciar um federalismo cooperativo e municipalista no Brasil
Authors: Camargo Daniela Arguilar , Hermany Ricardo
Published: April 2020

A arquitetura institucional e política de um Estado é desafiada a gerir os diversos objetivos que estão contidos em ideais de integração socioeconômica. O federalismo é aperfeiçoado e formado por meio dessa função agregadora onde alguns Países passam a se organizar conforme esse modelo como é o caso do Brasil e Alemanha. Por meio da estratégia metodológica dedutiva e hermenêutica realiza-se em um primeiro momento considerações teóricas sobre o federalismo identificando-o nos modelos consolidados: o norte americano, onde surge o chamado federalismo de competição e o alemão reconhecido como cooperativo. Em sequência aborda-se os principais aspectos do federalismo cooperativo alemão, onde o ideal é o desenvolvimento equilibrado da nação. E em um terceiro momento, analisa-se a equalização financeira alemã e o seu respaldo em nível municipal, onde objetiva-se no estudo a verificação da importância desse sistema para a consolidação do federalismo cooperativo municipalista no Brasil, concluindo-se que este é como pilar de sustentação do modelo cooperativo que vigora na Alemanha com a finalidade de desempenho da tarefa estatal e financiamento de políticas públicas com alcance de modo igualitário para todos os cidadãos.
Trailblazing oral health care
Authors: Peasnell Nicky
Published: April 2020

Nicky Peasnell is senior lecturer at the University of Northampton. Here, she shares her experience of training students as part of the Mouth Care Matters initiative
The role of a clinical research dental nurse
Authors: Bramley Keeley , Rees Jacqueline
Published: April 2020

Clinical research is vital for finding new treatments and improving patient care. Here, Keeley Bramley and Jacqueline Rees share their experience of being the ‘central hub’ for studies
Understanding tracheostomy tubes
Authors: Doyle Elizabeth
Published: April 2020

It is important in veterinary practice that registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) understand why and when a tracheostomy tube may need to be placed in a patient, especially as it is often an emergency procedure. Having the knowledge on how these patients need to be nursed throughout their hospitalisation is also highly valuable and will prevent complications arising as well as enabling the RVN to deliver a high standard of care.
Rare case of venous tumour thrombus from acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland
Authors: Yap D , Dragan A , Weller A , Tatla T
Published: April 2020

Head and neck tumour thrombus is a rare pathology and at present there are no reported cases of tumour thrombus secondary to acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland. We report a case of an 81-year-old man with an acinic cell carcinoma of the left parotid and an intravenous tumour thrombus extending from the retromandibular vein into the internal jugular vein. This case also highlights the importance of radiological imaging in the management of tumour thrombus.