bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nocturnal hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy in pediatric renal transplant recipients in South India
Authors: Pais Priya , Dello Strologo Luca , Iyengar Arpana , Velusamy Vasanthakumar , Greenbaum Larry A.
Published: April 2020

HTN after renal transplantation is associated with cardiovascular morbidity. ABPM allows diagnosis of masked HTN and isolated nocturnal HTN. Longitudinal ABPM data in children post‐transplant are limited. ABPM was performed in children post‐transplant and repeated in 6‐12 months. BP indices were used to determine the prevalence of masked HTN, masked uncontrolled HTN (masked HTN in patients on antihypertensive medications), and isolated nocturnal HTN. Linear regression determined the association between LVMI and ABPM indices. Thirty children underwent a baseline ABPM. Ambulatory HTN was present in 25 (83%). Masked HTN was present in 18 (60%) and isolated nocturnal HTN in 13 (43%). Nocturnal ambulatory BP was higher than corresponding daytime BPs (P < .001 for systolic and diastolic) and 25 (83%) had a blunted nocturnal dip. Prednisone dose predicted nocturnal DBP index and DBP load (r2 = .40,P = .024 andr2 = .178,P = .02). ABPM was repeated in 18 patients within 11 (±3) months. BP indices decreased with time, but nocturnal BPs remained higher than daytime (P < .001 for SBP and DBP). Blunted nocturnal dip did not improve. LVH was present in 12 (57%). LVMI was directly related to the nocturnal SBP index (r2 = .377,P = .003) and nocturnal DBP index (r2 = .493,P < .001). We found no association between LVMI and daytime BP indices. The prevalence of masked HTN, isolated nocturnal HTN, and blunted nocturnal dip was high in children with kidney transplants. Nocturnal BP predicted LVMI. Ambulatory BP improved on longitudinal follow‐up, but the pattern of isolated nocturnal HTN persisted.
Milk vetch dwarf virus infection in the Solanaceae and Caricaceae families in Southeast Asia
Authors: Lal Aamir , Kil Eui‐Joon , Thuy Vo T. B. , Fadhila Chairina , Ho Phuong T. , Byun Hee‐Seong , Dao Hang T. , Kim Ji‐Kwang , Lee Sukchan
Published: April 2020

Milk vetch dwarf virus (MDV) is an important member of the genus Nanovirus and is transmitted by the aphid Aphis craccivora. MDV has multiple single‐stranded DNA genome components, each approximately 1 kb, and two or three alpha‐satellite molecules. It mainly infects plants of the legume family Fabaceae. Recently, papaya (Carica papaya) collected in Yesan, South Korea, displaying symptoms of leaf yellowing and dwarfism, was identified as a new host for MDV. To examine the geographical distribution of MDV, papaya samples with symptoms were harvested in South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan in August 2018, along with tomato and pepper samples grown in adjacent fields in Vietnam. The results revealed the presence of MDV not only in papaya but also in pepper and tomato. This MDV infection in members of the Solanaceae family was confirmed by Southern blot hybridization performed using a PCR product of segment S as a probe. Based on sequence analysis of three MDV components (M, S, and C3), we verified the presence of three different isolates of MDV in these three countries and homology between sequences of isolates from papaya and from members of the Solanaceae from Vietnam. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate MDV infection in Vietnam and Taiwan for the first time and confirm that MDV can infect economically important pepper and tomato.
State Fiscal Constraints and Local Responses: Evidence from the Property Tax Limit Overrides in Massachusetts
Authors: Wei Wenchi , Butler J. S.
Published: April 2020

This research examines the determinants of the likelihood of property tax limit override attempts and successes in the context of Massachusetts's Proposition 2½. The authors apply the “Leviathan” government theory, median voter theory, and agenda‐setting theory to develop theoretical expectations and use data from Massachusetts municipalities for 1991–2013 as a sample for empirical tests. Override attempts are not randomly proposed; therefore, the two‐stage Heckman selection model is used to address selection bias in the investigation of the likelihood of override successes. Results show that a higher property tax rate reduces the likelihood of government officials’ override attempts, but previous override experiences have a positive influence. Voters bearing a higher property tax rate are less likely to approve the override, but override experiences in the previous year and the “menu” approach increase the likelihood of approval. Relatively more evidence supports the Leviathan government and agenda‐setting theories in explaining overrides of Massachusetts's property tax limit.
Evaluating the sustainability of mine rehabilitation programs in China
Authors: Zhao Fuqiang , Ma Yue , Xi Fengming , Yang Lun , Sun Jing
Published: April 2020

Social, economic, and environmental restorations are important concerns in mine rehabilitation programs. Nonetheless, limited attention has been given to the social and economic evaluation of mine rehabilitation programs in developing countries with fast‐growing economies and large populations. To evaluate the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of mine communities before and after mine rehabilitation programs, we placed the study in China, which has experienced large‐scale mine closures resulting from resource depletion. By adopting an integrative model, sustainability cube, we evaluated social, economic, environmental, and overall sustainability (the combination of social, economic, and environmental) of its mine rehabilitation program—the national mine parks (reengineering closed mines as tourist parks, which constitutes the mine rehabilitation program) at the community level before and after the park establishment. Our results indicate that the implementation of national mine parks has improved the overall sustainability of local communities; the sustainability scores of the economic and environmental sectors increased significantly, while the sustainability score for the social sector decreased (mainly due to increased emigration after mine shutdown). We provide suggestions to improve social sector performance in mine rehabilitation programs, aiming to further enhance overall sustainability after mine closure.
Plant community recovery following Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) removal: testing for a soil legacy effect
Authors: Reichenborn Molly M. , Houseman Gregory R. , Foster Bryan L.
Published: April 2020

Restoration of plant communities can be hindered by the legacy of previously established invaders, despite their physical removal from the community. Current evidence, mainly built on short‐term greenhouse experiments, suggests that Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) invasion not only suppresses native plant species, but also alters soil conditions in host communities. As a result, L. cuneata may create a soil legacy that impedes plant community restoration. We examined the response of a Kansas grassland following L. cuneata removal to determine if historical L. cuneata abundance affected (1) plant community composition and (2) the establishment of additional native species. To address these questions, L. cuneata seeds were sown into 300 plots at a wide range of densities under different combinations of simulated disturbance and soil fertilization. After a three‐year establishment period, L. cuneata was removed from the community, and 13 native forb species were sown into all plots. Over 4 years, we found little evidence for a soil legacy effect that influenced community response post‐removal. Although there was a detectable relationship between community composition and L. cuneata, the variation explained by this relationship was very low. Similarly, the establishment of sown native species was unrelated to the historical abundance of L. cuneata. These results indicate that, regardless of initial density, L. cuneata does not impede plant community recovery in this system if effectively controlled within the first 3 years of invasion, and legacy effects inferred from greenhouse experiments may not translate to impacts on the plant community in the field.
Making sense of the LULUCF Regulation: Much ado about nothing?
Authors: Savaresi Annalisa , Perugini Lucia , Chiriacò Maria Vincenza
Published: April 2020

The 2030 European Union (EU) climate and energy policy framework includes for the first time a dedicated instrument concerning greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land‐use change and forestry (LULUCF). The new LULUCF Regulation marks a significant expansion of the EU climate and energy acquis, with ramifications for other sensitive areas, such as agriculture, forestry and renewable energy. The Regulation has had a particularly troubled negotiation history. It has already been at the centre of litigation, and is set to be revisited and amended by 2021. This article assesses the role of the Regulation in the 2030 climate and energy policy framework, trying to make sense of its troubled history, with a view to ascertaining whether the scepticism with which it has been welcomed is justified.
Non‐intubated electromagnetic‐guided localization and resection of small indeterminate peripheral pulmonary nodules
Authors: Hsu Po‐Kuei , Chuang Lin‐Chi , Ting Chien‐Kun , Tsou Mei‐Yung
Published: April 2020

See related Reply
The Effect of the Sectoral Composition of Economic Growth on Rural and Urban Poverty*
Authors: Benfica Rui , Henderson Heath
Published: April 2020

We examine the relationship between the sectoral composition of economic growth and the rural‐urban composition of poverty. To this end, we use a cross‐country panel dataset consisting of 146 rural and urban poverty “spells” for 70 low‐ and middle‐income countries. We find that rural (urban) poverty is highly responsive to agricultural (non‐agricultural) productivity growth. The effect of agricultural productivity growth on rural poverty is particularly strong for countries with little dependence on natural resources. We also find that growth in the share of employment in the non‐agricultural sector (i.e. structural transformation) reduces rural poverty, most notably for countries at a low initial level of development. These findings are robust to changes in key assumptions, including using alternative poverty lines. Finally, we use our estimates to examine the past contribution of different sources of economic growth to rural and urban poverty reduction across regions.
Calcium chelation: a novel approach to reduce cryopreservation‐induced damage to frozen platelets
Authors: Waters Lauren , Padula Matthew P. , Marks Denese C. , Johnson Lacey
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Cryopreserved platelets are phenotypically and functionally different to conventionally stored platelets. Calcium may be released from internal stores during the freeze–thaw process, initiating signaling events which lead to these alterations. It was hypothesized that the addition of a calcium chelator prior to cryopreservation may mitigate some of these changes.

METHODS

Buffy coat–derived platelets that had been pooled and split were tested fresh and following cryopreservation (n = 8 per group). Platelets were cryopreserved using 5%‐6% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or were supplemented with increasing concentrations of the internal calcium chelator, BAPTA‐AM (100 μM, 200 μM, or 400 μM), prior to storage at −80°C.

RESULTS

Supplementation of platelets with BAPTA‐AM prior to freezing improved platelet recovery in a dose response manner (400 μM: 84 ± 2%) compared to standard DMSO cryopreserved platelets (70 ± 4%). There was a loss of GPIbα, GPVI, and GPIIb/IIIa receptors on platelets following cryopreservation, which was rescued when platelets were supplemented with BAPTA‐AM (400 μM: p < 0.0001 for all). Platelet activation markers, such as phosphatidylserine and P‐selectin, were externalized on platelets following cryopreservation. However, the addition of BAPTA‐AM significantly reduced the increase of these activation markers on cryopreserved platelets (400 μM: p < 0.0001 for both). Both cryopreserved platelet groups exhibited similar functionality as assessed by thromboelastography, forming clots at a faster rate than fresh platelets.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that calcium plays a crucial role in mediating cryopreservation‐induced damage to frozen platelets. The addition of the calcium chelator, BAPTA‐AM, prior to cryopreservation reduces this damage.
Resilient Technologies Battling Climate Change
Authors: González Carlos M.
Published: April 2020

Resilience technology can endure and overcome the ever-changing climate and natural disasters occurring in our world. As the world's temperature continues to rise, there has been an increase in the intensity and frequency of these natural disasters. From the fires in Australia and California to the rising ocean sea levels off the shores of Miami and the coasts of India, these natural disasters are not slowing down. This article delves deeper into ho improving our technology and infrastructure will be necessary to survive.
Biomechanical Analysis to Probe Role of Bone Condition and Subject Weight in Stiffness Customization of Femoral Stem for Improved Periprosthetic Biomechanical Response
Authors: Chatterjee Subhomoy , Roy Sandipan , Majumder Santanu , RoyChowdhury Amit
Published: April 2020

Stress shielding due to difference in stiffness of bone and implant material is one among the foremost causes of loosening and failure of load-bearing implants. Thus far, femoral geometry has been given priority for the customization of total hip joint replacement (THR) implant design. This study, for the first time, demonstrates the key role of bone condition and subject-weight on the customization of stiffness and design of the femoral stem. In particular, internal hollowness was incorporated to reduce the implant stiffness and such designed structure has been customized based on subject parameters, including bone condition and bodyweight. The primary aim was to tailor these parameters to achieve close to natural strain distribution at periprosthetic bone and to reduce interfacial bone loss over time. The maintenance of interfacial bone density over time has been studied here through analysis of bone remodeling (BR). For normal bodyweight, the highest hollowness exhibited clinically relevant biomechanical response, for all bone conditions. However, for heavier subjects, consideration of bone quality was found to be essential as higher hollowness induced bone failure in weaker bones and implant failure in stronger bones. Moreover, for stronger bone, thinner medial wall was found to reduce bone resorption over time on the proximo-lateral zone of stress shielding, while lateral thinning was found advantageous for weaker bones. The findings of this study are likely to facilitate designing of femoral stems for achieving better physiological outcomes and enhancement of the quality of life of patients undergoing THR surgery.
A Spectral Microplane Model for the Anisotropic Damage Behavior of Shales
Authors: Li Mingyao , Chen Xin , Zhou Dong , Su Yewang
Published: April 2020

The development of constitutive models for shales has been a challenge for decades due to the difficulty of characterizing the strongly anisotropic macroscopic behavior related to the inherent mesostructure and damage mechanisms. In this paper, a spectral microplane damage model is developed for the anisotropic damage behavior of shales. The modeling challenge of the anisotropic elasticity in the microplane model is theoretically overcome by the spectral decomposition theory without limitation on the degree of the anisotropy compared with other microplane models. The stiffness tensor of anisotropic shales is effectively decomposed into four different eigenmodes with the activation of certain groups of microplanes corresponding to the specific orientation of the applied stresses. The inherent and the induced anisotropic behavior is thus characterized by proposing suitable microplane relations on certain eigenmodes directly reflecting the initial mesostructure and the failure mechanisms. For the challenge of the postpeak softening behavior, two-scalar damage variables are introduced to characterize the tensile and the shear damage related to the opening and the closure of microcracks under different stress conditions. Comparison between numerical simulation and experimental data shows that the proposed model provides satisfactory predictions for both weakly and highly anisotropic shales including prepeak nonlinear behavior, failure strengths, and postpeak softening under different confining pressures and different bedding plane orientations.
Morphological ontogeny of Fuscozetes coulsoni sp. nov. (Acari: Oribatida: Ceratozetidae) from Svalbard, Norway

Authors: Seniczak Anna , Seniczak Stanisław
Published: April 2020

The morphological ontogeny of Fuscozetes coulsoni sp. nov. from the High Arctic archipelago of Svalbard (Norway) is described and illustrated. The adult of this species has medium sized translamella, similar to F. kamchatkicus Seniczak et al. 2016a and F. pini Dalenius, 1963, but in F. coulsoni, the lamellar cusp is clearly wider than in other species. The larva of F. coulsoni has a pygidial sclerite, which is unique to Fuscozetes Sellnick, 1928, in other species from this genus the gastronotal shield is uniform, divided in parts, or absent. The juveniles of F. coulsoni and F. kamchatkicus have several similar morphological characters which are rare in Fuscozetes (clavate bothridial seta, dark pigmented sclerite around opisthonotal gland opening, absence of microsclerites at some hysterosomal setae and humeral organ and humeral sclerite in larva), but which are common in Trichoribates Berlese, 1910, except for a humeral sclerite with seta c1 in nymphs, which is present in Fuscozetes and absent in Trichoribates.
Explanation of the apparent depth resolution improvement by SIMS using cluster ion detection
Authors: Hofmann Siegfried , Lejcek Pavel , Zhou Gang , Yang Hao , Lian SongYou , Kovac Janez , Wang JiangYong
Published: April 2020

The apparent improvement of the depth resolution in secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiles using cluster secondary ions (Me2+, Me3+) as compared to single ion profiles (Me+) is explained to be an artifact caused by an attractive interaction enhancing cluster formation. Successful application of the mixing-roughness-information depth model shows how different profiles are interconnected and discloses that the depth resolutions of single ion and cluster ion profiles are in fact identical.
Forum—Pre-Sabine room acoustic assumptions on reverberation and their influence on room acoustic design
Authors: Postma Barteld N. J. , Katz Brian F. G.
Published: April 2020

With his work on the Fogg Art Museum and Boston Symphony Hall between 1895 and 1900, Wallace C. Sabine laid a foundation for the field of architectural acoustics as a science. Prior to that, architects employed various quantifiable notions in acoustic design. Previous studies have reviewed metric guidelines based on the directivity of the human voice, which was utilized in at least 11 rooms in pre-Sabine times. Others studies have reviewed pre-Sabine design guidelines that were based on the quantification of the perception threshold between direct sound and first order reflections and which were followed in several rooms with acoustical performance needs. As the first studies concerned the direct sound and the second set concerned first order reflections, this study reviews opinions and knowledge regarding the later part of the acoustic response, also known as reverberation, during the 19th century. This effort brings to light a room acoustic design evolution showing why concert halls at the end of the 19th century mainly had surface finishes of wood and plaster as well as limited ceiling heights. While not equal to Sabine's thoroughness and completeness, numerous early experimental and theoretical reverberation approaches were found to hint at similar notions with both qualitative and quantitative efforts.
Timing of Strain Response of the ACL and MCL Relative to Impulse Delivery During Simulated Landings Leading up to ACL Failure
Authors: Bates Nathaniel A. , Schilaty Nathan D. , Ueno Ryo , Hewett Timothy E.
Published: April 2020

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury videos estimate that rupture occurs within 50 milliseconds of initial contact, but are limited by imprecise timing and nondirect data acquisition. The objective of this study was to precisely quantify the timing associated with ligament strain during simulated landing and injury events. The hypotheses tested were that the timing of peak strain following initial contact would differ between ligaments and that peak strain timing would be independent of the injury-risk profile emulated during simulated landing. A mechanical impact simulator was used to perform landing simulations based on various injury-risk profiles that were applied to each specimen in a block-randomized order. The ACL and medial collateral ligament were instrumented with strain gauges that recorded continuously. The data from 35 lower-extremity specimens were included for analysis. Analysis of variance and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to determine the differences between timing and profiles. The mean time to peak strain was 53 (24) milliseconds for the ACL and 58 (35) milliseconds for the medial collateral ligament. The time to peak ACL strain ranged from 48 to 61 milliseconds, but the timing differences were not significant between profiles. Strain timing was independent of injury-risk profile. Noncontact ACL injuries are expected to occur between 0 and 61 milliseconds after initial contact. Both ligaments reached peak strain within the same time frame.
Acute Effects of Tissue Flossing on Ankle Range of Motion and Tensiomyography Parameters
Authors: Vogrin Matjaž , Novak Fiona , Licen Teja , Greiner Nina , Mikl Samo , Kalc Miloš
Published: April 2020

Context: Recently, a few papers have suggested that tissue flossing (TF) acutely improves range of motion (ROM) and neuromuscular performance. However, the effects of TF on muscle contractile properties are yet to be defined. Objective: To investigate the acute effects of TF on ankle ROM and associated muscle gastrocnemius medialis displacement and contraction time assessed with tensiomyography. Design: Crossover design in a single session. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: Thirty recreationally trained volunteers (age 23.00 [4.51] y). Intervention: Active ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion were performed for the duration of 2 minutes (3 sets, 2-min rest between sets), while a randomly selected ankle was wrapped using TF elastic band (BAND) and the other ankle served as a control condition (CON). Main Outcome Measures: Participants performed an active ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion ROM test and muscle gastrocnemius medialis tensiomyography displacement and contraction time measurement pre, 5, 15, 30, and 45 minutes after the floss band application. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between BAND and CON conditions (active ankle plantar flexion ROM: P = .09; active ankle dorsiflexion ROM: P = .85); however, all ROM measurements were associated with medium or large effect sizes in favor of BAND compared with CON. No significant changes were observed in the tensiomyography parameters. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that TF applied to the ankle is a valid method to increase ROM and at the same time maintaining muscular stiffness.
A potent CBP/p300-Snail interaction inhibitor suppresses tumor growth and metastasis in wild-type p53-expressing cancer
Authors: Li Hong-Mei , Bi Yan-Ran , Li Yang , Fu Rong , Lv Wen-Cong , Jiang Nan , Xu Ying , Ren Bo-Xue , Chen Ya-Dong , Xie Hui , Wang Shui , Lu Tao , Wu Zhao-Qiu
Published: April 2020

Compound CYD19 has been identified as a CBP/p300-Snail interaction inhibitor that exhibits potent anticancer efficacy.
STING couples with PI3K to regulate actin reorganization during BCR activation
Authors: Jing Yukai , Dai Xin , Yang Lu , Kang Danqing , Jiang Panpan , Li Na , Cheng Jiali , Li Jingwen , Miller Heather , Ren Boxu , Gong Quan , Yin Wei , Liu Zheng , Mattila Pieta K. , Ning Qin , Sun Jinqiao , Yu Bing , Liu Chaohong
Published: April 2020

These findings point to the mechanism of how STING regulates BCR signaling via feedback from actin reorganization.
Assessing heterogeneity among single embryos and single blastomeres using open microfluidic design
Authors: Rosàs-Canyelles Elisabet , Modzelewski Andrew J. , Geldert Alisha , He Lin , Herr Amy E.
Published: April 2020

We report a microfluidic platform that maps target protein and mRNA expression with inter- and intraembryonic resolution.
Metagenomic growth rate inferences of strains in situ
Authors: Emiola Akintunde , Zhou Wei , Oh Julia
Published: April 2020

A new method to estimate growth rate of microbial strains from metagenomics provides insights into strain-level interactions.
N6-adenosine methylation of ribosomal RNA affects lipid oxidation and stress resistance
Authors: Liberman Noa , O’Brown Zach K. , Earl Andrew Scott , Boulias Konstantinos , Gerashchenko Maxim V. , Wang Simon Yuan , Fritsche Colette , Fady Paul-Enguerrand , Dong Anna , Gladyshev Vadim N. , Greer Eric Lieberman
Published: April 2020

18
S
ribosomal RNA methylation by METL-5 regulates lipid oxidation and stress resistance in
C. elegans
.
Quantifying methane emissions from the largest oil-producing basin in the United States from space
Authors: Zhang Yuzhong , Gautam Ritesh , Pandey Sudhanshu , Omara Mark , Maasakkers Joannes D. , Sadavarte Pankaj , Lyon David , Nesser Hannah , Sulprizio Melissa P. , Varon Daniel J. , Zhang Ruixiong , Houweling Sander , Zavala-Araiza Daniel , Alvarez Ramon A. , Lorente Alba , Hamburg Steven P. , Aben Ilse , Jacob Daniel J.
Published: April 2020

Satellite observes large methane emissions from the Permian Basin in the United States.
An ultraportable and versatile point-of-care DNA testing platform
Authors: Xu Huan , Xia Anyue , Wang Dandan , Zhang Yiheng , Deng Shaoli , Lu Weiping , Luo Jie , Zhong Qiu , Zhang Fengling , Zhou Lin , Zhang Wenqing , Wang Yang , Yang Cheng , Chang Kai , Fu Weiling , Cui Jinhui , Gan Mingzhe , Luo Dan , Chen Ming
Published: April 2020

An ultraportable POCT platform for DNA detection from clinics to agriculture to environment to food applications.
Smoothened agonist sterosome immobilized hybrid scaffold for bone regeneration
Authors: Lee Chung-Sung , Kim Soyon , Fan Jiabing , Hwang Hee Sook , Aghaloo Tara , Lee Min
Published: April 2020

Hybrid scaffold with smoothened agonist sterosomes is engineered as a useful bone graft device for more efficacious bone healing.
Lysis of membrane lipids promoted by small organic molecules: Reactivity depends on structure but not lipophilicity
Authors: Britt Hannah M. , Prakash Aruna S. , Appleby Sanna , Mosely Jackie A. , Sanderson John M.
Published: April 2020

Organic molecules can induce the lysis of membrane lipids, either through direct reaction or by promoting lipid hydrolysis.
Paleomagnetic evidence for modern-like plate motion velocities at 3.2 Ga
Authors: Brenner Alec R. , Fu Roger R. , Evans David A.D. , Smirnov Aleksey V. , Trubko Raisa , Rose Ian R.
Published: April 2020

Archean basalts from the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia record the oldest long-range lithospheric motion identified to date.
FOXO1 deficiency impairs proteostasis in aged T cells
Authors: Jin Jun , Li Xuanying , Hu Bin , Kim Chulwoo , Cao Wenqiang , Zhang Huimin , Weyand Cornelia M. , Goronzy Jorg J.
Published: April 2020

Impaired FOXO1 expression in CD4 T cell responses from old adults causes expanded multivesicular bodies sequestering GSK3β.
Structure-based design of antiviral drug candidates targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease
Authors: Dai Wenhao , Zhang Bing , Jiang Xia-Ming , Su Haixia , Li Jian , Zhao Yao , Xie Xiong , Jin Zhenming , Peng Jingjing , Liu Fengjiang , Li Chunpu , Li You , Bai Fang , Wang Haofeng , Cheng Xi , Cen Xiaobo , Hu Shulei , Yang Xiuna , Wang Jiang , Liu Xiang , Xiao Gengfu , Jiang Hualiang , Rao Zihe , Zhang Lei-Ke , Xu Yechun , Yang Haitao , Liu Hong
Published: April 2020

Promising antiviral protease inhibitors

With no vaccine or proven effective drug against the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), scientists are racing to find clinical antiviral treatments. A promising drug target is the viral main protease M
pro
, which plays a key role in viral replication and transcription. Dai
et al.
designed two inhibitors, 11a and 11b, based on analyzing the structure of the M
pro
active site. Both strongly inhibited the activity of M
pro
and showed good antiviral activity in cell culture. Compound 11a had better pharmacokinetic properties and low toxicity when tested in mice and dogs, suggesting that this compound is a promising drug candidate.

Science
, this issue p.
1331
Biofuel-powered soft electronic skin with multiplexed and wireless sensing for human-machine interfaces
Authors: Yu You , Nassar Joanna , Xu Changhao , Min Jihong , Yang Yiran , Dai Adam , Doshi Rohan , Huang Adrian , Song Yu , Gehlhar Rachel , Ames Aaron D. , Gao Wei
Published: April 2020

A flexible and fully biofuel-powered electronic skin enables continuous, multiplexed, and multimodal wireless sensing.
Gene-edited human stem cell–derived β cells from a patient with monogenic diabetes reverse preexisting diabetes in mice
Authors: Maxwell Kristina G. , Augsornworawat Punn , Velazco-Cruz Leonardo , Kim Michelle H. , Asada Rie , Hogrebe Nathaniel J. , Morikawa Shuntaro , Urano Fumihiko , Millman Jeffrey R.
Published: April 2020

Patient stem cell–derived β cells corrected for a diabetes-causing variant in
WFS1
restore glucose homeostasis when transplanted into diabetic mice.
Neural Immune Communication in the Control of Host-Bacterial Pathogen Interactions in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Ramirez Valerie , Swain Samantha , Murray Kaitlin , Reardon Colin
Published: April 2020

The orchestration of host immune responses to enteric bacterial pathogens is a complex process involving the integration of numerous signals, including from the nervous system. Despite the recent progress in understanding the contribution of neuroimmune interactions in the regulation of inflammation, the mechanisms and effects of this communication during enteric bacterial infection are only beginning to be characterized. As part of this neuroimmune communication, neurons specialized to detect painful or otherwise noxious stimuli can respond to bacterial pathogens.
Near-Complete Genome Sequence of a Swine Norovirus GII.11 Strain Detected in Japan in 2018
Authors: Okada Ayaka , Inoshima Yasuo
Published: April 2020

Here, we report the near-complete genome sequence of swine norovirus strain SwNoV/Sw1/2018/JP. The genome was genetically similar (90.2%) to that of the only other swine norovirus strain previously detected in Japan (SW/NV/swine43/JP). In conclusion, genome sequences of swine noroviruses in Japan have not been changed significantly in the past 15 years.
Complete Genome Sequence of Flavonifractor plautii JCM 32125
T
Authors: Tourlousse Dieter M. , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Miura Takamasa , Narita Koji , Ohashi Akiko , Uchino Yoshihito , Yamazoe Atsushi , Kameyama Keishi , Terauchi Jun , Ohkuma Moriya , Kawasaki Hiroko , Sekiguchi Yuji
Published: April 2020

We report the complete genome sequence of
Flavonifractor plautii
JCM 32125
T
(=VPI 0310
T
). The genome consists of a single circular chromosome of 3,985,392 bp (G+C content, 60.9%) and was predicted to contain 3 complete sets of rRNA genes, 63 tRNA genes, and 3,764 protein-coding sequences.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium Pantoea agglomerans Strain UAEU18, Isolated from Date Palm Rhizosphere Soil in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Alkaabi AlReem S. , Sudalaimuthuasari Naganeeswaran , Kundu Biduth , AlMaskari Raja S. , Salha Yasmeen , Hazzouri Khaled M. , El-Tarabily Khaled A. , AbuQamar Synan F. , Amiri Khaled M. A.
Published: April 2020

We report the complete genome sequence of the plant growth-promoting bacterium
Pantoea agglomerans
strain UAEU18. Genome assembly of
P. agglomerans
strain UAEU18 resulted in a single gapless circular genome of 4.04 Mb, three associated plasmids (plasmid 1, 513,383 bp; plasmid 2, 86,850 bp; and plasmid 3, 184,488 bp), and a total of 4,556 gene models.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Virulent Leptospira interrogans Serovar Copenhageni Strain, Assembled with a Combination of Nanopore and Illumina Reads
Authors: Llanes Alejandro , Prakoso Dhani , Restrepo Carlos Mario , Rajeev Sreekumari
Published: April 2020

Here, we present the complete genome sequence of a highly virulent
Leptospira interrogans
serovar Copenhageni strain isolated from a dog with severe leptospirosis. In this work, a gapless genome draft was assembled with a combination of Nanopore and Illumina data of relatively low coverage.
Draft Genome Sequence of Glyphosate-Degrading Achromobacter insolitus Strain Kg 19 (VKM B-3295), Isolated from Agricultural Soil
Authors: Tarlachkov Sergey V. , Epiktetov Dmitry O. , Sviridov Alexey V. , Shushkova Tatyana V. , Ermakova Inna T. , Leontievsky Alexey A.
Published: April 2020

The genome of an
Achromobacter insolitus
strain isolated from an agricultural soil polluted with the herbicide glyphosate is reported. The genome size is 6.4 Mb, with an average G+C content of 65.2%. These genomic data could contribute to a better understanding of the biochemistry and regulatory mechanisms of the microbial degradation of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonate.
Genome Sequence of a Human Coxsackievirus A6 Strain Isolated from a Severe Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Case in Qingdao, China, in 2017
Authors: Su Zhilei , Shi Xiaoyan , Zhang Feng , Chai Qing , Gong Jinling , Wang Zhaoguo
Published: April 2020

In the present study, we describe the genome sequence of coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) strain 17ES4/QD/CHN/2017, which was isolated in Qingdao, China, in 2017. According to the phylogenetic analyses, the isolate belongs to subgenotype D3a.
COVID-19: an Immunopathological View
Authors: Kadkhoda Kamran
Published: April 2020

Since its emergence in December 2019, it took only a couple of months for an outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). This along with the highly infectious nature of the disease and the associated mortality call for particular attention to the underlying (immuno)pathomechanism(s). The latter will inform case management and vaccine design. Unravelling these mechanisms can assist basic scientists, laboratory medicine practitioners, clinicians, public health practitioners, funding agencies, and health care policymakers in responding to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.
Petrological, geochronological, and geochemical potential accounting for continental subduction and exhumation: A case study of felsic granulites from South Altyn Tagh, northwestern China
Authors: Li Yunshuai , Zhang Jianxin , Yu Shengyao , Li Yanguang , Guo Hu , Zhang Jian , Fu Changlei , Cao Hui , Jin Mengqi , Cai Zhihui
Published: April 2020

Deciphering the formation and geodynamic evolution of high-pressure (HP) granulites in a collisional orogeny can provide crucial constraints on the geodynamic evolution of subduction-exhumation. To fully exploit the geodynamic potential of metamorphic rocks, it is necessary to constrain the metamorphic ages, although it is difficult to link zircon and monazite ages to metamorphic evolution. A good case study for understanding these geodynamic processes is felsic granulites in the Bashiwake area, South Altyn Tagh. Petrographic observations suggest that the studied felsic granulites have suffered multi-stage metamorphism, and the distinct metamorphic events were documented by compositional zoning and high Y + heavy rare earth element (HREE) concentrations in the large garnet porphyroblast. Zircon U-Pb dating yielded two major age clusters: one age cluster at ca. 900 Ma represents the age of the protolith for the felsic granulite, and another age cluster at ca. 500 Ma represents the post-UHT (ultrahigh temperature) stage based on the rare earth element distribution coefficients between zircon and garnet. Meanwhile, in situ monazites U-Pb dating yielded a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 482 ± 3.5 Ma, and the monazite U-Pb age was interpreted to be in agreement with the metamorphic zircon rims data, which together with zircon recorded the cooling time after the UHT stage. Whole-rock major and trace elements as well as Sr-Nd isotopes suggest that the protolith of the felsic granulite derived from partial melting of ancient crustal materials with the addition of mantle materials. Integrating these results along with previous studies, we propose that the felsic granulites metamorphosed from the Neoproterozoic granitic rocks, and the granitic rocks with associated mafic-ultramafic rocks suffered a common high-pressure–ultrahigh temperature (HP-UHT) metamorphism and subsequent granulite-facies metamorphism. A tentative model of subduction-relamination was proposed for the geodynamic evolution of the Bashiwake unit, South Altyn Tagh.
Growth of health literacy research activity in three Middle Eastern countries
Authors: Bazm Soheila , Bazm Reihaneh , Sardari Farzaneh
Published: April 2020

Background

Health literacy is defined as the capacity to obtain, interpret and understand basic health information. In each country, the count of published literature is a good indicator for scientific activity. This study aimed to assess the growth rate of scientific production in the field of health literacy in Middle Eastern countries during 2005–2014.

Methods

We used the PubMed database and retrieved 839 papers in the field of health literacy from three productive countries in the Middle East: Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. We applied the bibliometric indicator of Price’s Law to assess the increase of scientific literature. The correlation between bibliometric data and some health indicators such as gross domestic product and population was calculated.

Results

Worldwide research productivity in health literacy field was 56 653 documents while that from Middle Eastern countries were 839 papers. Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia were three productive countries in Middle East. Iran and Saudi Arabia have undergone exponential growth, but Turkey has undergone linear growth over the studied period.

Conclusions

In conclusion, although the present data show promising increase and good start in research productivity from countries in Middle East, they have a trivial sharing in publishing scientific papers in the field of health literacy through 2005–2014.
An intervention study to assess potential effect and user experience of an mHealth intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour among older office workers
Authors: Boerema Simone , van Velsen Lex , Hermens Hermie
Published: April 2020

Background

Office workers spend a high percentage of their time sitting, often in long periods of time. Research suggests that it is healthier to break these long bouts into shorter periods by being physically active.

Objective

We evaluated the effect of a context-aware activity coach, called the PEARL app, an mHealth intervention that provides activity suggestions, based on a physical activity prediction model, consisting of past and current physical activity and digital agendas.

Method

Fifteen office workers, aged 50+, participated in an intervention study in which they used the intervention for 1 week, preceded by a 1-week baseline period. Measurements were taken before and after the intervention period.

Results

107 days of data from 14 participants were analysed. Total sedentary time was not reduced as a result of using the intervention (baseline vs intervention: 47.8±3.6 vs 46.8±3.0, n.s.). When using the intervention, participants reduced their total time spent in long sitting bouts (≥45 min) from 19.3 to 14.4 min per hour of wear time (p<0.05). Participants indicated that the main value of the intervention lies in creating awareness about their personal sedentary behaviour pattern.

Conclusion

An mHealth service has the potential to improve the sedentary behaviour of older office workers, especially for breaking up long sedentary periods. Focusing on total sedentary time as an outcome of an intervention, aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour, is too simplistic. One should take into account both the duration and the number of bouts when determining the effect.
Availability and usage of clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) in office-based primary care settings in the USA
Authors: Jing Xia , Himawan Lina , Law Timothy
Published: April 2020

Background

A clinical decision support system (CDSS) covers a broad spectrum of applications, for example, screening reminders, can reduce malpractice, improve preventive services and enable better management of chronic conditions. CDSSs have traditionally been used successfully in large hospitals. The availability (ie, whether the function is provided by the software) and usage (ie, actual use) of a CDSS in office-based primary care settings, however, are less well studied.

Objective

To establish a benchmark of CDSS availability and usage in office-based primary care settings, particularly given the large volume of visits in such settings.

Methods

We used the 2015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to conduct secondary data analysis. We selected preventive services reminders and drug interaction alerts, along with several other variables as examples of a CDSS.

Results

CDSS usage rates ranged from 68.5% to 100% among solo or non-solo primary care practices owned by physicians or physician groups that have electronic medical records (EMRs)/electronic health records (EHRs) and 44.7% to 96.1%, regardless of EMR/EHR status. According to proportion tests, solo practices had significantly lower CDSS usage and availability rates on several measures if the practice is entirely EMR/EHR based and significantly lower (16.3%–28.9%) CDSS usage rates than did non-solo practiceson each measure, regardless of EMR/EHR status.

Conclusion

In the USA, a CDSS, especially under the categories of basic preventive reminders and drug interaction alerts, is used routinely between 68% and 100% in primary care if a practice is entirely EMR/EHR based. More work is needed, however, to determine the reasons for large usage gaps between solo and non-solo practices and to reduce such gaps.
Phishing in healthcare organisations: threats, mitigation and approaches
Authors: Priestman Ward , Anstis Tony , Sebire Isabel G , Sridharan Shankar , Sebire Neil J
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Healthcare data have significant value as a potential target for hackers. Phishing is a method of exploitation for malicious reasons using targeted communications (email/messaging). This study reports on an internal evaluation targeting hospital staff and summarises peer-reviewed literature regarding phishing and healthcare.

Methods

An assessment was performed as part of cybersecurity activity during a designated test period using multiple credential harvesting approaches through staff email. We also searched the medical-related literature to identify relevant phishing-related publications.

Results

During the 1-month testing period, the organisation received 858 200 emails: 139 400 (16%) marketing, 18 871 (2%) identified as potential threats. Of 143 million internet transactions, around 5 million (3%) were suspected threats. 468 employee email addresses were identified from public data and targeted through phishing using a range of payloads including attachments and malicious links; however, no credentials were recovered or malicious files downloaded. Several hospital employees were, however, identified on social media profiles, including some tricked into accepting false friend requests.

Discussion

Healthcare organisations are increasingly moving to digital systems, but healthcare professionals have limited awareness of threats. Increasing emphasis on ‘cyberhygiene’ and information governance through mandatory training increases understanding of these risks. While no credentials were harvested in this study, since up to 5% of emails/internet traffic are suspicious, the need for robust firewalls, cybersecurity infrastructure, IT policies and, most importantly of all, staff training, is emphasised.

Conclusion

Hospitals receive a significant volume of potentially malicious emails. While many staff appear to be aware of phishing and respond appropriately, ongoing education is required across the spectrum of cybersecurity, with specific emphasis around ‘leakage’ of information on social media.
Combined effect of pill refilling and self-medication reminder system on patients’ adherence to tuberculosis treatment during continuation phase in Northwest Ethiopia: a study protocol for randomised controlled trial
Authors: Gashu Kassahun Dessie , Gelaye Kassahun Alemu , Lester Richard , Tilahun Binyam
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Patients’ failure to adhere on tuberculosis (TB) treatment leads to drug resistance, relapse and death. Non-adherence to TB treatment is higher during continuation treatment phase. The study aimed to evaluate effectiveness of combined pill refilling and medication reminders on adherence to TB treatment.

Methods and analysis

A two-arm randomised controlled trial on adult patients with TB was used during continuation treatment phase. In the first arm, in addition to usual care, participants will receive cellphone-based daily medication and weekly pill refilling reminders. In the control arm, participants will receive only usual care. The study will use a covariate adaptive randomisation technique to balance covariates during allocation. The primary outcome is patients’ adherence to TB treatment and secondary outcomes are attendance to clinic and treatment outcomes. We apply intention to treat with generalised linear mixed model.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Review Board of University of Gondar. Written informed consent was applied during enrolment. We will publish findings in peer-reviewed, scientific journals and conferences.

Trial registration number

PACTR201901552202539.
Developing and sustaining digital professionalism: a model for assessing readiness of healthcare environments and capability of nurses
Authors: Mather Carey Ann , Cummings Elizabeth
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Technological change in healthcare demands new ways of working. Access to, and use of, digital technology by nurses in Australia lags behind other professions. Governance frameworks and professional standards guide scopes of practice; however, there is an urgent need for current registered nurses to master using digital technology and model digital professionalism to the next generation. Sustaining digital professionalism requires organisational readiness to accommodate changing technological environments.

Methods

Previous original research findings investigating the nature and scope of digital technology use by nurses were systematically analysed. With reference to current understandings of capability, a matrix for assessing organisational readiness of capability of digital technology use by nurses was developed.

Results

The 4E3P digital professionalism model articulates the elements necessary for establishing organisational readiness and assessing the capability development of individuals and groups. When the physical and social environment is conducive and the 4E elements of equipment, electronic access, engagement and education are present, preparedness, proficiency and professional behaviours can be nurtured and supported.

Discussion

The model describes the physical and social attributes that enable capability development for sustaining digital professionalism to advance nursing practice. When elements of the matrix are lacking, both individuals and groups miss opportunities to develop and sustain digitally professional behaviour.

Conclusion

It is imperative that healthcare environments in Australia support the development of digital professionalism. Deployment of the 4E3P digital professionalism model will enable identification and remediation of challenges, barriers or risks to promote sustainability found within physical and social healthcare environments.