bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The performance of three local rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar from East Kalimantan - Indonesia under drought stress at early seedling stage
Authors: Artadana I B M , Dewi I T , Sukweenadhi J
Published: July 2019

Climate change made rain fall unpredictable leading to sudden drought stress during crop cultivation period. Drought stress affects the crop growth and development, especially during the seedling period. This research aims to evaluate the performance of three local rice seedling under drought stress induced by PEG 6000. Three local rice cultivars were germinated and then divided into five groups. In the 3 d after germination, each group were treated in vitro with either 0 %, 10 %, 15 %, 20 % or 25 % PEG 6000 solution for 10 d in vitro. Drought stress was continued for 14 d ex vitro in rice treated with 0 % and 25 % PEG. Osmotic stress induced by PEG significantly reduced plant growth and total chlorophyll content in the leaf. In vitro study showed rice seedling growth reduction was increased when the PEG 6000 increased. Ex vitro study with application of 25 % PEG showed cv. Telaseh more tolerant to drough stress at the seedling stage compare to cv.. Mayas Kuning and cv. Mayas Putih. Additionally, drought stress induced increasing of soluble sugar in the leaf of all rice cultivars. This might indicate that soluble sugar plays a role as osmoprotectant under drought stress in those three cultivars.
The potential of extract of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith as a feed additive to improve the production performances and meat nutritional composition of broiler chickens
Authors: Rahayu I D , Widodo W , Prihartini I , Winaya A , Zalizar L , Untari T , Mel M
Published: July 2019

This study aimed at replacing the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) as the feed additive with the Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith extract (ZZE) to control Salmonellosis in broiler chickens. This study employed the completely randomized design (CRD), five treatments, namely: T0 (basal diet), T1 (basal diet + S. enteridis infection), T2 (basal diet + S. enteridis infection + 0.33 % ZZE), T3 (basal diet + S. enteridis infection + 0.67 % ZZE), and T4 (basal diet + S. enteridis infection + 1 % ZZE). The addition of the Z. zerumbet extract did not seem to affect the production performances, in which the average feed consumption was 69.38 g ± 4.43 g to 72.71 g ± 4.92 g, body weight gain was 35.67 g ± 1.40 g to 38.30 g ± 3.85 g, feed conversion was 1.89 ± 0.11 to 2.04 ± 0.11, final weight was 1 287.80 g ± 49.97 g up to 1 380.50 g ± 134.90 g, and percentage of carcass was 60.90 % to 68.48 %. However, the use of Z. zerumbet extract with the highest concentration at 1 % decreased the crude fat of meat.
Comparison of energy production, net energy balance, net energy ratio, and renewable index for biodiesel production from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) based on life cycle assessment
Authors: Siregar K , Tambunan A H , Sholihati  , Wirawan S S , Araki T
Published: July 2019

Biodiesel is produced mostly from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) and used intensively in Indonesia. This happened because since 2007 Indonesia has become the main palm oil producer in the world. On the other hand, jatropha is a non-edible and easy to grow industrial plant in various regions in Indonesia, which makes it a good alternative for the production of biodiesel fuel. The objective of this research is to calculate and analyze the consumption of energy production, renewable energy, non-renewable energy, fossil energy and see the relationship of net energy balance (NEB), net energy ratio (NER), and renewable index (RI) for biodiesel production from E. guineensis and J. curcas based on life cycle assessment (LCA) which reflects the condition of Indonesia. The result showed that the energy input in oil palm is higher than J. curcas which reflected by higher NEB and lower RI value. The NEB value of E. guineensis and J. curcas is 146 948.08 and 39 334.79, repectively. The RI value of E. guineensis and J. curcas is 0.162 and 0.270, respectively. NER value of BDF-CPO (biodiesel fuel-crude E. guineensis) and BDF-CJCO (biodiesel fuel-crude J. curcas oil) is higher than 1.
The drought stress tolerance of physic nut (Jatropha curcas Linn.) genotypes
Authors: Maftuchah  , Fahmi I Z , Zainudin A , Ikhwan A , Djumali  , Kuan L K
Published: July 2019

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas Linn.) is one of tropical plant that has a potential as an alternative energy source. This study aimed at finding out the drought tolerance level of six genotypes of J.curcas based on the morphology and production of the first harvest time. The plant was treated under a condition of 100 %, 70 % and 40 % field capacity. The tested genotypes were 5-1-14 (SP8 × SP16), 6-2-10 (SP8 × SP38), 7-2-8 (SP33 × HS49), 18-1-14 (SM35 × SP38), IP3A and IP3P. The drought stress of 40 % ground water inhibited the plant vegetative and generative growth (the amount of leaves, male flower, carpel, hermaphrodite flower and the percentage of formed fruit) while at the same time it tended to reduce the amount of fruit and the seeds’ dry weight. The level of drought that reached 70 % resulted in the reduce of seeds’ dry weigh up to 87.76 % and upon 40 % of drought level, the seeds’ dry level was reduced nearly to 97.92 %. At 40 % moisture content, the highest percentage of fruit formation is achieved by genotypes 5-1-14 and 6-2-10.
Genome-wide SNP-discovery and analysis of genetic diversity in oil palm using double digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing
Authors: Nugroho Y A , Tanjung Z A , Yono D , Mulyana A S , Simbolon H M , Ardi A S , Yong Y Y , Utomo C , Liwang T
Published: July 2019

The oil palm conventional breeding is faced with many challenges, including the long breeding cycle and limited genetic variations available from the existing breeding populations. Recent genomic research revealed the genetic properties of various oil palm populations and could be exploited by recombining favorable alleles through molecular breeding and selection. In aimed to discover high quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) sampled from 236 diverse genetic backgrounds palms, a paired-end ddRAD-sequencing was employed to discover allelic variations. Whole 195.62 Gb clean data were generated using ddRAD-seq. After stringent filtering, 8 189 SNPs in the annotated genes were discovered based on the oil palm EG05 reference genome. The high polymorphism rate was observed across the assayed populations, whereby 29 % of loci showed moderate to high putative impact on amino acid changes in silico as predicted by SnpEff software. The Angola and Deli origins seemed to have undergone inbreeding as reflected by the fixation index and the lower observed heterozygosity compared to expected heterozygosity. Assessment of genetic stratification and structure was not strong enough to differentiate the core breeding materials according to their prior genetic backgrounds. The results demonstrated the robustness and high-throuputness of ddRAD sequencing method for SNP discovery.
Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution coexisting with classical communication
Authors: Valivarthi R , Umesh P , John C , Owen K A , Verma V B , Nam S W , Oblak D , Zhou Q , Tittel W
Published: July 2019

The possibility for quantum and classical communication to coexist on the same fiber is important for deployment and widespread adoption of quantum key distribution (QKD) and, more generally, a future quantum internet. While coexistence has been demonstrated for different QKD implementations, a comprehensive investigation for measurement-device independent (MDI) QKD—a recently proposed QKD protocol that cannot be broken by quantum hacking that targets vulnerabilities of single-photon detectors—is still missing. Here we experimentally demonstrate that MDI-QKD can operate simultaneously with at least five 10 Gbps bidirectional classical communication channels operating at around 1550 nm wavelength and over 40 km of spooled fiber, and we project communication rates in excess of 10 THz when moving the quantum channel from the third to the second telecommunication window. The similarity of MDI-QKD with quantum repeaters suggests that classical and generalized quantum networks can co-exist on the same fiber infrastructure.
Frequency of a state of cloud systems over tropical warm ocean
Authors: Kumar Shailendra , Bhat G S
Published: July 2019

The knowledge of how long a mesoscale convective system stays in a given stage of life cycle is an important information for many practical applications. A unique approach has been adopted here to find the stage of development of convective cloud systems (CCSs) over tropical oceanic areas. We use the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) data products, and define a cloud system (CS) based on criteria that depend on TRMM precipitation radar equivalent radar reflectivity factor (Z
e) and TRMM Microwave Imager polarization corrected temperature data. Average vertical profile of Z
e and convective area fraction (CAF) of a CS are used to identify its state which is a proxy for life stage. We use two parameters, namely reflectivity differences (RD) and convective area fraction (CAF) and defined 5 states of CS life cycle. Our results show that majority of CSs are found in mature stage and formative and dissipation stages are relatively short over the twelve warm tropical oceanic areas selected for analysis. Each ocean has a distinct signature in the RD-CAF phase space, and, there are regional/seasonal differences within an ocean basin. Bay of Bengal has less CAF compared to the equatorial Indian ocean. In the tropical Pacific Ocean, majority of the CSs lie in mature stage with CAF between 0.3 to 0.6, whereas, CSs in mature stage over the Atlantic Ocean have their CAF between 0.2 and 0.3. CS characteristics over the Atlantic Ocean during the Boreal summer and winter are different.
Archive Fever: Literature, Illegibility, and Historical Method
Authors: Nicolaou Argyro
Published: July 2019

This essay explores the allure of illegibility in the archive. The author adapts methods from literary analysis and visual art in order to decipher an inscrutable fragment from the archive of Greek Egyptian novelist Stratis Tsirkas (1911–1980): a hastily written something on a 1929 film flyer advertising the screening of two Hollywood movies at the Ciné de Paris theater in Cairo. In her attempt to render the text legible, the author reconstructs the moment of the archival fragment’s production by developing a technique called “reverse calligraphy.” This sensory engagement with the archive’s materiality leads to a series of illuminations both with regard to Tsirkas’s biography and with regard to the role of creativity in historical inquiry.
Arylsulfatase A, a genetic modifier of Parkinson’s disease, is an α-synuclein chaperone
Authors: Lee Jun Sung , Kanai Kazuaki , Suzuki Mari , Kim Woojin S , Yoo Han Soo , Fu YuHong , Kim Dong-Kyu , Jung Byung Chul , Choi Minsun , Oh Kyu Won , Li Yuanzhe , Nakatani Mitsuyoshi , Nakazato Tomoko , Sekimoto Satoko , Funayama Manabu , Yoshino Hiroyo , Kubo Shin-ichiro , Nishioka Kenya , Sakai Ryusuke , Ueyama Morio , Mochizuki Hideki , Lee He-Jin , Sardi Sergio Pablo , Halliday Glenda M , Nagai Yoshitaka , Lee Phil Hyu , Hattori Nobutaka , Lee Seung-Jae
Published: July 2019

Mutations in lysosomal genes increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, as is the case for Parkinson’s disease. Here, we found that pathogenic and protective mutations in arylsulfatase A (ARSA), a gene responsible for metachromatic leukodystrophy, a lysosomal storage disorder, are linked to Parkinson’s disease. Plasma ARSA protein levels were changed in Parkinson’s disease patients. ARSA deficiency caused increases in α-synuclein aggregation and secretion, and increases in α-synuclein propagation in cells and nematodes. Despite being a lysosomal protein, ARSA directly interacts with α-synuclein in the cytosol. The interaction was more extensive with protective ARSA variant and less with pathogenic ARSA variant than wild-type. ARSA inhibited the in vitro fibrillation of α-synuclein in a dose-dependent manner. Ectopic expression of ARSA reversed the α-synuclein phenotypes in both cell and fly models of synucleinopathy, the effects correlating with the extent of the physical interaction between these molecules. Collectively, these results suggest that ARSA is a genetic modifier of Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis, acting as a molecular chaperone for α-synuclein.
Why Appoint a Weak Mediator? A Strategic Choice to Reduce Uncertainty in International Mediation
Authors: Chen Yiyi
Published: July 2019

Existing research on mediation finds that mediation by a strong mediator is both more prevalent and more conducive to a negotiated settlement. However, why disputants select a weak mediator remains unclear. From the perspective of the uncertainty mechanism, the nature of mediation is a procedure for sharing private information and reducing disputants’ uncertainty regarding the resolve to continue fighting. Disputants can benefit from mediation through gaining a comparative advantage regarding uncertainty by focusing on either controlling the sharing of their own information or increasing their opponents’ sharing of information. With regard to these two strategic choices, this article argues that the selection of a weak mediator is more likely when disputants prefer controlling the sharing of their information to expanding their opponents’ information sharing. Correspondingly, three potential factors that influence the disputants’ strategic choice of gaining a comparative advantage regarding uncertainty are applied, namely, a previous mediation in the dispute; the dispute’s level of hostility; and the power disparity between the disputants. The author compiles data from the International Crisis Behaviour (ICB, 1918–2015) data set and the International Conflict Management (ICM, 1945–2003) data set for the empirical analysis. The results show that mediation by a weak mediator is more likely when it is the first time that the disputants have submitted to mediation in the dispute and when the dispute’s level of hostility is low. In some cases, a large power disparity between the disputants also makes the selection of a weak mediator more likely.
Inhibition of pro-inflammatory myeloid cell responses by short-term S100A9 blockade improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction
Authors: Marinković Goran , Grauen Larsen Helena , Yndigegn Troels , Szabo Istvan Adorjan , Mares Razvan Gheorghita , de Camp Lisa , Weiland Matthew , Tomas Lukas , Goncalves Isabel , Nilsson Jan , Jovinge Stefan , Schiopu Alexandru
Published: July 2019

Aims

Neutrophils have both detrimental and beneficial effects in myocardial infarction (MI), but little is known about the underlying pathways. S100A8/A9 is a pro-inflammatory alarmin abundantly expressed in neutrophils that is rapidly released in the myocardium and circulation after myocardial ischaemia. We investigated the role of S100A8/A9 in the innate immune response to MI.

Methods and results

In 524 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), we found that high plasma S100A8/A9 at the time of the acute event was associated with lower left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) at 1-year and increased hospitalization for heart failure (HF) during follow-up. In wild-type C57BL/6 mice with MI induced by permanent coronary artery ligation, treatment with the S100A9 blocker ABR-238901 during the inflammatory phase of the immune response inhibited haematopoietic stem cell proliferation and myeloid cell egression from the bone marrow. The treatment reduced the numbers of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages in the myocardium, promoted an anti-inflammatory environment, and significantly improved cardiac function compared with MI controls. To mimic the clinical scenario, we further confirmed the effects of the treatment in a mouse model of ischaemia/reperfusion. Compared with untreated mice, 3-day ABR-238901 treatment significantly improved left ventricular EF (48% vs. 35%, P = 0.002) and cardiac output (15.7 vs. 11.1 mL/min, P = 0.002) by Day 21 post-MI.

Conclusion

Short-term S100A9 blockade inhibits inflammation and improves cardiac function in murine models of MI. As an excessive S100A8/A9 release is linked to incident HF, S100A9 blockade might represent a feasible strategy to improve prognosis in ACS patients.
Interannual comparison of core taxa and community composition of the blow microbiota from East Australian humpback whales
Authors: Vendl C , Ferrari B C , Thomas T , Slavich E , Zhang E , Nelson T , Rogers T
Published: July 2019

Cetacean represent vulnerable species impacted by multiple stressors, including reduction in prey species, habitat destruction, whaling and infectious disease. The composition of blow microbiota has been claimed to provide a promising tool for non-invasive health monitoring aiming to inform conservation management. Still, little is known about the temporal stability and composition of blow microbiota in whales. We used East Australian humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) as a model species and collected blow and control samples in August 2016 and 2017 for an interannual comparison. We analysed the blow by barcode tag sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. We found that the microbial communities in 2016 and 2017 were statistically similar regarding alpha and beta diversity but distinct to seawater. Zero-radius operational taxonomic units (zOTUs) shared by both groups accounted for about 50% of all zOTUs present. Still, the large individual variability in the blow microbiota resulted in a small number of core taxa (defined as present in at least 60% of whales). We conclude that the blow microbiota of humpback whales is either generally limited and of transient nature or the reduced airway microbiota is the symptom of a compromised physiological state potentially due to the challenges of the whales‘ annual migration.
Is the long-term decline in cardiovascular-disease mortality in high-income countries over? Evidence from national vital statistics
Authors: Lopez Alan D , Adair Tim
Published: July 2019

Background

The substantial decline in cardiovascular-disease (CVD) mortality in high-income countries has underpinned their increasing longevity over the past half-century. However, recent evidence suggests this long-term decline may have stagnated, and even reversed in younger populations. We assess recent CVD-mortality trends in high-income populations and discuss the findings in relation to trends in risk factors.

Methods

We used vital statistics since 2000 for 23 high-income countries published in the World Health Organization Mortality Database. Age-standardized CVD death rates by sex for all ages, and at ages 35–74 years, were calculated and smoothed using LOWESS regression. Findings were contrasted with the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study.

Results

The rate of decline in CVD mortality has slowed considerably in most countries in recent years for both males and females, particularly at ages 35–74 years. Based on the latest year of data, the decline in the CVD-mortality rate at ages 35–74 years was <2% (about half the annual average since 2000) for at least one sex in more than half the countries. In North America (US males and females, Canada females), the CVD-mortality rate even increased in the most recent year. The GBD Study estimates, after correcting for misdiagnoses, suggest an even more alarming reversal, with CVD death rates rising in seven countries for at least one sex in 2017. The rate of decline and initial level of CVD mortality appear largely unrelated.

Conclusions

A significant slowdown in CVD-mortality decline is now apparent across high-income countries with diverse epidemiological environments. High and increasing obesity levels, limited potential future gains from further reducing already low smoking prevalence, especially in English-speaking countries, and persistent inequalities in mortality risk pose significant challenges for public policy to promote better cardiovascular health.
Evidence synthesis for constructing directed acyclic graphs (ESC-DAGs): a novel and systematic method for building directed acyclic graphs
Authors: Ferguson Karl D , McCann Mark , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal , Thomson Hilary , Green Michael J , Smith Daniel J , Lewsey James D
Published: July 2019

Background

Directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) are popular tools for identifying appropriate adjustment strategies for epidemiological analysis. However, a lack of direction on how to build them is problematic. As a solution, we propose using a combination of evidence synthesis strategies and causal inference principles to integrate the DAG-building exercise within the review stages of research projects. We demonstrate this idea by introducing a novel protocol: ‘Evidence Synthesis for Constructing Directed Acyclic Graphs’ (ESC-DAGs)’.

Methods

ESC-DAGs operates on empirical studies identified by a literature search, ideally a novel systematic review or review of systematic reviews. It involves three key stages: (i) the conclusions of each study are ‘mapped’ into a DAG; (ii) the causal structures in these DAGs are systematically assessed using several causal inference principles and are corrected accordingly; (iii) the resulting DAGs are then synthesised into one or more ‘integrated DAGs’. This demonstration article didactically applies ESC-DAGs to the literature on parental influences on offspring alcohol use during adolescence.

Conclusions

ESC-DAGs is a practical, systematic and transparent approach for developing DAGs from background knowledge. These DAGs can then direct primary data analysis and DAG-based sensitivity analysis. ESC-DAGs has a modular design to allow researchers who are experienced DAG users to both use and improve upon the approach. It is also accessible to researchers with limited experience of DAGs or evidence synthesis.
Bi-Halfspace and Convex Hull Theorems for Translating Solitons
Authors: Chini Francesco , Møller Niels Martin
Published: July 2019

While it is well known from examples that no interesting “halfspace theorem” holds for properly immersed $n$-dimensional self-translating mean curvature flow solitons in Euclidean space $\mathbb {R}^{n+1}$, we show that they must all obey a general “bi-halfspace theorem” (aka “wedge theorem”): two transverse vertical halfspaces can never contain the same such hypersurface. The same holds for any infinite end. The proofs avoid the typical methods of nonlinear barrier construction for the approach via distance functions and the Omori–Yau maximum principle. As an application we classify the closed convex hulls of all properly immersed (possibly with compact boundary) $n$-dimensional mean curvature flow self-translating solitons $\Sigma ^n$ in ${\mathbb {R}}^{n+1}$ up to an orthogonal projection in the direction of translation. This list is short, coinciding with the one given by Hoffman–Meeks in 1989 for minimal submanifolds: all of ${\mathbb {R}}^{n}$, halfspaces, slabs, hyperplanes, and convex compacts in ${\mathbb {R}}^{n}$.
Seroprevalence, Risk Factors, and Rodent Reservoirs of Leptospirosis in an Urban Community of Puerto Rico, 2015
Authors: Briskin Emily A , Casanovas-Massana Arnau , Ryff Kyle R , Morales-Estrada Shirley , Hamond Camila , Perez-Rodriguez Nicole M , Benavidez Kathryn M , Weinberger Daniel M , Castro-Arellano Iván , Wunder Elsio A , Sharp Tyler M , Rivera-Garcia Brenda , Ko Albert I
Published: July 2019

Background

The burden of leptospirosis in Puerto Rico remains unclear due to underreporting.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey and rodent trapping was performed in a community within San Juan, Puerto Rico to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for Leptospira infection. The microscopic agglutination test was used to detect anti-Leptospira antibodies as a marker of previous infection. We evaluated Leptospira carriage by quantitative polymerase chain reaction among rodents trapped at the community site.

Results

Of 202 study participants, 55 (27.2%) had Leptospira agglutinating antibodies. Among the 55 seropositive individuals, antibodies were directed most frequently against serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae (22.0%) and Autumnalis (10.6%). Of 18 captured rodents, 11 (61.1%) carried pathogenic Leptospira (Leptospira borgpetersenii, 7 and Leptospira interrogans, 2). Four participants showed their highest titer against an isolate obtained from a rodent (serogroup Ballum). Increasing household distance to the canal that runs through the community was associated with decreased risk of infection (odds ratio = 0.934 per 10-meter increase; 95% confidence interval, .952–.992).

Conclusions

There are high levels of Leptospira exposure in an urban setting in Puerto Rico, for which rodents may be an important reservoir for transmission. Our findings indicate that prevention should focus on mitigating risk posed by infrastructure deficiencies such as the canal.
Inferring new relations between medical entities using literature curated term co-occurrences
Authors: Spiro Adam , Fernández García Jonatan , Yanover Chen
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Identifying new relations between medical entities, such as drugs, diseases, and side effects, is typically a resource-intensive task, involving experimentation and clinical trials. The increased availability of related data and curated knowledge enables a computational approach to this task, notably by training models to predict likely relations. Such models rely on meaningful representations of the medical entities being studied. We propose a generic features vector representation that leverages co-occurrences of medical terms, linked with PubMed citations.

Materials and Methods

We demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed representation by inferring two types of relations: a drug causes a side effect and a drug treats an indication. To predict these relations and assess their effectiveness, we applied 2 modeling approaches: multi-task modeling using neural networks and single-task modeling based on gradient boosting machines and logistic regression.

Results

These trained models, which predict either side effects or indications, obtained significantly better results than baseline models that use a single direct co-occurrence feature. The results demonstrate the advantage of a comprehensive representation.

Discussion

Selecting the appropriate representation has an immense impact on the predictive performance of machine learning models. Our proposed representation is powerful, as it spans multiple medical domains and can be used to predict a wide range of relation types.

Conclusion

The discovery of new relations between various medical entities can be translated into meaningful insights, for example, related to drug development or disease understanding. Our representation of medical entities can be used to train models that predict such relations, thus accelerating healthcare-related discoveries.
Effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes and ammonia fiber expansion on the fermentation of wheat straw in an artificial rumen system (RUSITEC)1
Authors: Saleem Atef M , Ribeiro Gabriel O , Sanderson Haley , Alipour Daryoush , Brand Tassilo , Hünerberg Martin , Yang Wenzhu Z , Santos Laize V , McAllister Tim A
Published: July 2019

This study investigated the effect of treatment of wheat straw using ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) and exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (Viscozyme) on fiber digestibility, rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, and microbial populations in an artificial rumen system [Rumen Simulation Technique (RUSITEC)]. Four treatments were assigned to 16 vessels (4 per treatment) in 2 RUSITEC apparatuses in a randomized block design. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial using untreated or AFEX-treated wheat straw with or without exogenous fibrolytic enzymes [0 or 500 μg of protein/g straw dry matter (DM)]. Fibrolytic enzymes were applied to straw, prior to sealing in nylon bags. The concentrate mixture was provided in a separate bag within each fermentation vessel. The RUSITECs were adapted for 8 d and disappearance of DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and crude protein (CP) was measured after 48 h of incubation. Ammonia fiber expansion increased (P < 0.01) the disappearance of wheat straw DM (69.6 vs. 38.3%), NDF (65.6 vs. 36.8%), ADF (61.4 vs. 36.0%), and CP (68.3 vs. 24.0%). Total dietary DM, organic matter (OM), and NDF disappearance was also increased (P ≤ 0.05) by enzymes. Total microbial protein production was greater (P < 0.01) for AFEX-treated (72.9 mg/d) than untreated straw (63.1 mg/d). Total gas and methane (CH4) production (P < 0.01) were also greater for AFEX-treated wheat straw than untreated straw, with a tendency for total gas to increase (P = 0.06) with enzymes. Ammonia fiber expansion increased (P < 0.01) total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and the molar proportion of propionate, while it decreased (P < 0.01) acetate and the acetate-to-propionate ratio. The AFEX-treated straw had lower relative quantities of fungi, methanogens, and Fibrobacter succinogenes (P < 0.01) and fewer protozoa (P < 0.01) compared to untreated straw. The pH of fermenters fed AFEX-treated straw was lower (P < 0.01) than those fed untreated straw. Both AFEX (P < 0.01) and enzymes (P = 0.02) decreased xylanase activity. There was an enzyme × straw interaction (P = 0.02) for endoglucanase activity. Enzymes increased endoglucanase activity of AFEX-treated wheat straw, but had no effect on untreated straw. The addition of enzymes lowered the relative abundance of Ruminococcus flavefaciens, but increased F. succinogenes. These results indicate that AFEX increased the ruminal disappearance of wheat straw and improved fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in the RUSITEC.
Towards a Coherent Theory of Panel Recommendations for Expired Measures
Authors: Bhardwaj Prakhar
Published: July 2019

Article 19.1 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding provides that if a measure is found to be inconsistent with a WTO Agreement, the Panel or Appellate Body ‘shall recommend that the Member concerned bring the measure into conformity with the agreement’. However, Panels find themselves in a difficult position when the contested measure has expired during the course of proceedings. Since, on the one hand, the measure which would have ordinarily been recommended to be withdrawn is no longer in existence, but on the other hand, they are under an obligation to issue a recommendation as per Article 19.1. Various rationales of the Panels and the Appellate Body for providing recommendations for expired measures (‘EMRs’) have been inconsistent, ad-hoc and even contradictory. Given the different array of approaches adopted, there is no coherent and integrated theory which can be formulated which tells us when and why EMRs should be provided under Article 19.1. This article seeks to bridge this gap. The article also provides a critical analysis of the questionable recommendations issued by the Panel in India – Import of Iron and Steel Products and provides a more coherent framework to guide Panels’ recommendations in relation to expired measures.
Prostate-specific antigen response patterns during cabazitaxel therapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Kanao Kent , Ito Toshiki , Takahara Kiyoshi , Ando Ryosuke , Yasui Takahiro , Shiroki Ryoichi , Miyake Hideaki , Sumitomo Makoto
Published: July 2019

Background

The objective of this study was to categorize prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response during cabazitaxel therapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) into different patterns and to investigate the prognostic impact of the PSA response patterns.

Methods

We reviewed data from patients with mCRPC who had been treated with cabazitaxel therapy at four institutions belonging to Tokai Urologic Oncology Research Seminar. Patients eligible for this study had received at least three cycles of cabazitaxel treatment at three- or four-week intervals. The PSA response patterns were categorized as primary resistance (PR), response (RE), stabilization (ST), and fluctuating (FL). The overall survival (OS) was compared among the patterns.

Results

Data from a total of 50 patients were analyzed in this study. The number of patients exhibiting PR, RE, ST and FL patterns were 18 (36%), 14 (28%), 12 (24%) and 6 (12%), respectively. The median (95% CI) OS of patients with PR and RE patterns was 10.7 (5.6–15.9) and 14.9 (6.8–23.0) months, respectively, and was not reached for patients with ST and FL patterns. The OS of patients with the FL pattern was significantly better than that of patients with PR (P = 0.012) and RE (P = 0.010) patterns.

Conclusion

There were some patients whose PSA were fluctuating during cabazitaxel therapy in patients with mCRPC. Because the prognosis of such patients was relatively good, the judgment to discontinue the cabazitaxel therapy after PSA rise followed by decrease should be made prudently.
Skeletal Mineralization in Association with Type X Collagen Expression Is an Ancestral Feature for Jawed Vertebrates
Authors: Debiais-Thibaud Mélanie , Simion Paul , Ventéo Stéphanie , Muñoz David , Marcellini Sylvain , Mazan Sylvie , Haitina Tatjana
Published: July 2019

In order to characterize the molecular bases of mineralizing cell evolution, we targeted type X collagen, a nonfibrillar network forming collagen encoded by the Col10a1 gene. It is involved in the process of endochondral ossification in ray-finned fishes and tetrapods (Osteichthyes), but until now unknown in cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes). We show that holocephalans and elasmobranchs have respectively five and six tandemly duplicated Col10a1 gene copies that display conserved genomic synteny with osteichthyan Col10a1 genes. All Col10a1 genes in the catshark Scyliorhinus canicula are expressed in ameloblasts and/or odontoblasts of teeth and scales, during the stages of extracellular matrix protein secretion and mineralization. Only one duplicate is expressed in the endoskeletal (vertebral) mineralizing tissues. We also show that the expression of type X collagen is present in teeth of two osteichthyans, the zebrafish Danio rerio and the western clawed frog Xenopus tropicalis, indicating an ancestral jawed vertebrate involvement of type X collagen in odontode formation. Our findings push the origin of Col10a1 gene prior to the divergence of osteichthyans and chondrichthyans, and demonstrate its ancestral association with mineralization of both the odontode skeleton and the endoskeleton.
A comprehensive preclinical assessment of late-term imaging markers of radiation-induced brain injury
Authors: Tang Tien T , Zawaski Janice A , Kesler Shelli R , Beamish Christine A , Reddick Wilburn E , Glass John O , Carney Darrell H , Sabek Omaima M , Grosshans David R , Gaber M Waleed
Published: July 2019

Background

Cranial radiotherapy (CRT) is an important part of brain tumor treatment, and although highly effective, survivors suffer from long-term cognitive side effects. In this study we aim to establish late-term imaging markers of CRT-induced brain injury and identify functional markers indicative of cognitive performance. Specifically, we aim to identify changes in executive function, brain metabolism, and neuronal organization.

Methods

Male Sprague Dawley rats were fractionally irradiated at 28 days of age to a total dose of 30 Gy to establish a radiation-induced brain injury model. Animals were trained at 3 months after CRT using the 5-choice serial reaction time task. At 12 months after CRT, animals were evaluated for cognitive and imaging changes, which included positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results

Cognitive deficit with signs of neuroinflammation were found at 12 months after CRT in irradiated animals. CRT resulted in significant volumetric changes in 38% of brain regions as well as overall decrease in brain volume and reduced gray matter volume. PET imaging showed higher brain glucose uptake in CRT animals. Using MRI, irradiated brains had an overall decrease in fractional anisotropy, lower global efficiency, increased transitivity, and altered regional connectivity. Cognitive measurements were found to be significantly correlated with six image features that included myelin integrity and local organization of the neural network.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that CRT leads to late-term morphological changes, reorganization of neural connections, and metabolic dysfunction. The correlation between imaging markers and cognitive deficits can be used to assess late-term side effects of brain tumor treatment and evaluate efficacy of new interventions.
Sporadic Peutz–Jeghers syndrome: a rare cause of intussusception in a toddler with no medical history
Authors: Nassif Mhmmad , Gawrieh Bardisan , Abdo Aras , Alshehabi Zuheir , Ali Wajih
Published: July 2019

Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an unusual hamartomatous polyposis of the gastrointestinal tract associated with melanocytic mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation. This research paper examines the case of an 18-month-old Syrian female who had been diagnosed with intussusception. The patient underwent laparotomy, and multiple small bowel polyps were found to act as the lead point. For this reason, small bowel resection (~15 cm), with end-to-end anastomosis, were performed. Although PJS diagnosis was histopathologically confirmed, the patient had no pigmented lesions on the face, the lower lip or the buccal mucosa and neither had any history of hospitalization or family history of the disease. This case was examined and is reported in the present study because PJS is rarely present at this early age when significant medical history is lacking.
Parotid swelling due to external carotid artery thrombus—a rare manifestation in antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Basu Rajdeep , De Hazra Omkarr , Mondal Sumantro , Ghosh Srabani , Ghosh Soumitra
Published: July 2019

Vascular complications in forms of venous and arterial thrombi are common scenario in antiphospholipid syndrome with raised titer of antibodies. Here we describe an 18 years old female who was admitted with right parotid swelling due to external carotid artery thrombi within gland parenchyma in antiphospholipid syndrome, with past history of right lower leg arterial occlusion and digital gangrene.
Acute Ischemic Stroke: An Imaging Update
Authors: Rigsbee Cody , Vidovich Johnathan , Wang David T. , Vagal Achala
Published: July 2019

Imaging plays an integral role in the workup of acute ischemic stroke. Imaging gathers information of cerebral parenchymal viability and compromised vessels enabling risk-benefit analysis regarding acute stroke triage and treatment. Multiple recent positive endovascular trials have thrust imaging into the forefront, using noncontrast CT/MRI, CT angiogram/MR angiogram, and CT perfusion/MR perfusion as standard of care imaging for acute stroke workup. The objective of this article is to review relevant multimodality imaging findings in acute ischemic stroke along with current evidence and paradigm shifts for treatment.
Opioid- and Motor-sparing with Proximal, Mid-, and Distal Locations for Adductor Canal Block in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Abdallah Faraj W. , Mejia Jorge , Prasad Govindarajulu A. , Moga Rebecca , Chahal Jaskarandip , Theodoropulos John , Dwyer Tim , Brull Richard
Published: July 2019

Editor’s Perspective

What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New

Background

The ideal location for single-injection adductor canal block that maximizes analgesia while minimizing quadriceps weakness after painful knee surgery is unclear. This triple-blind trial compares ultrasound-guided adductor canal block injection locations with the femoral artery positioned medial (proximal adductor canal), inferior (mid-adductor canal), and lateral (distal adductor canal) to the sartorius muscle to determine the location that optimizes postoperative analgesia and motor function. The hypothesis was that distal adductor block has (1) a superior opioid-sparing effect and (2) preserved quadriceps strength, compared with proximal and mid-locations for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Methods

For the study, 108 patients were randomized to proximal, mid-, or distal adductor canal injection locations for adductor canal block. Cumulative 24-h oral morphine equivalent consumption and percentage quadriceps strength decrease (maximum voluntary isometric contraction) at 30 min postinjection were coprimary outcomes. The time to first analgesic request, pain scores, postoperative nausea/vomiting at least once within the first 24 h, and block-related complications at 2 weeks were also evaluated.

Results

All patients completed the study. Contrary to the hypothesis, proximal adductor canal block decreased 24-h morphine consumption to a mean ± SD of 34.3 ± 19.1 mg, (P < 0.0001) compared to 64.0 ± 33.6 and 65.7 ± 22.9 mg for the mid- and distal locations, respectively, with differences [95% CI] of 29.7 mg [17.2, 42.2] and 31.4 mg [21.5, 41.3], respectively, mostly in the postanesthesia care unit. Quadriceps strength was similar, with 16.7%:13.4%:15.3% decreases for proximal:mid:distal adductor canal blocks. The nausea/vomiting risk was also lower with proximal adductor canal block (10 of 34, 29.4%) compared to distal location (23 of 36, 63.9%; P = 0.005). The time to first analgesic request was longer, and postoperative pain was improved up to 6 h for proximal adductor canal block, compared to mid- and distal locations.

Conclusions

A proximal adductor canal injection location decreases opioid consumption and opioid-related side effects without compromising quadriceps strength compared to mid- and distal locations for adductor canal block in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Oxidants Regulated Diaphragm Proteolysis during Mechanical Ventilation in Rats
Authors: Moroz Nikolay , Maes Karen , Leduc-Gaudet Jean-Philippe , Goldberg Peter , Petrof Basil J. , Mayaki Dominique , Vassilakopoulos Theodoros , Rassier Dilson , Gayan-Ramirez Ghislaine , Hussain Sabah N.
Published: July 2019

Editor’s Perspective

What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New

Background

Diaphragm dysfunction and atrophy develop during prolonged controlled mechanical ventilation. Fiber atrophy has been attributed to activation of the proteasome and autophagy proteolytic pathways. Oxidative stress activates the proteasome during controlled mechanical ventilation, but it is unclear whether it also activates autophagy. This study investigated whether pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine affects controlled mechanical ventilation–induced diaphragm contractile dysfunction, fiber atrophy, and proteasomal and autophagic pathway activation. The study also explored whether proteolytic pathway activity during controlled mechanical ventilation is mediated by microRNAs that negatively regulate ubiquitin E3 ligases and autophagy-related genes.

Methods

Three groups of adult male rats were studied (n = 10 per group). The animals in the first group were anesthetized and allowed to spontaneously breathe. Animals in the second group were pretreated with saline before undergoing controlled mechanical ventilation for 24 h. The animals in the third group were pretreated with N-acetylcysteine (150 mg/kg) before undergoing controlled mechanical ventilation for 24 h. Diaphragm contractility and activation of the proteasome and autophagy pathways were measured. Expressions of microRNAs that negatively regulate ubiquitin E3 ligases and autophagy-related genes were measured with quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Controlled mechanical ventilation decreased diaphragm twitch force from 428 ± 104 g/cm2 (mean ± SD) to 313 ± 50 g/cm2 and tetanic force from 2,491 ± 411 g/cm2 to 1,618 ± 177 g/cm2. Controlled mechanical ventilation also decreased diaphragm fiber size, increased expression of several autophagy genes, and augmented Atrogin-1, MuRF1, and Nedd4 expressions by 36-, 41-, and 8-fold, respectively. Controlled mechanical ventilation decreased the expressions of six microRNAs (miR-20a, miR-106b, miR-376, miR-101a, miR-204, and miR-93) that regulate autophagy genes. Pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine prevented diaphragm contractile dysfunction, attenuated protein ubiquitination, and downregulated E3 ligase and autophagy gene expression. It also reversed controlled mechanical ventilation–induced microRNA expression decreases. N-Acetylcysteine pretreatment had no affect on fiber atrophy.

Conclusions

Prolonged controlled mechanical ventilation activates the proteasome and autophagy pathways in the diaphragm through oxidative stress. Pathway activation is accomplished, in part, through inhibition of microRNAs that negatively regulate autophagy-related genes.
Human Frequency Following Responses to Vocoded Speech: Amplitude Modulation Versus Amplitude Plus Frequency Modulation
Authors: Suresh Chandan H. , Krishnan Ananthanarayan , Luo Xin
Published: July 2019

Objectives:

The most commonly employed speech processing strategies in cochlear implants (CIs) only extract and encode amplitude modulation (AM) in a limited number of frequency channels. Zeng et al. (2005) proposed a novel speech processing strategy that encodes both frequency modulation (FM) and AM to improve CI performance. Using behavioral tests, they reported better speech, speaker, and tone recognition with this novel strategy than with the AM-alone strategy. Here, we used the scalp-recorded human frequency following responses (FFRs) to examine the differences in the neural representation of vocoded speech sounds with AM alone and AM + FM as the spectral and temporal cues were varied. Specifically, we were interested in determining whether the addition of FM to AM improved the neural representation of envelope periodicity (FFRENV) and temporal fine structure (FFRTFS), as reflected in the temporal pattern of the phase-locked neural activity generating the FFR.

Design:

FFRs were recorded from 13 normal-hearing, adult listeners in response to the original unprocessed stimulus (a synthetic diphthong /au/ with a 110-Hz fundamental frequency or F0 and a 250-msec duration) and the 2-, 4-, 8- and 16-channel sine vocoded versions of /au/ with AM alone and AM + FM. Temporal waveforms, autocorrelation analyses, fast Fourier Transform, and stimulus-response spectral correlations were used to analyze both the strength and fidelity of the neural representation of envelope periodicity (F0) and TFS (formant structure).

Results:

The periodicity strength in the FFRENV decreased more for the AM stimuli than for the relatively resilient AM + FM stimuli as the number of channels was increased. Regardless of the number of channels, a clear spectral peak of FFRENV was consistently observed at the stimulus F0 for all the AM + FM stimuli but not for the AM stimuli. Neural representation as revealed by the spectral correlation of FFRTFS was better for the AM + FM stimuli when compared to the AM stimuli. Neural representation of the time-varying formant-related harmonics as revealed by the spectral correlation was also better for the AM + FM stimuli as compared to the AM stimuli.

Conclusions:

These results are consistent with previously reported behavioral results and suggest that the AM + FM processing strategy elicited brainstem neural activity that better preserved periodicity, temporal fine structure, and time-varying spectral information than the AM processing strategy. The relatively more robust neural representation of AM + FM stimuli observed here likely contributes to the superior performance on speech, speaker, and tone recognition with the AM + FM processing strategy. Taken together, these results suggest that neural information preserved in the FFR may be used to evaluate signal processing strategies considered for CIs.