bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Cartilage Lesion in the Lateral Compartment of the Knee on the Surgical Outcome of Medial Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy
Authors: Moon Hyun-Soo , Choi Chong-Hyuk , Jung Min , Park Sang-Hoon , Lee Dae-Young , Shin Ju-Cheol , Kim Sung-Hwan
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was to identify the effect of cartilage lesion in the lateral compartment of the knee on the surgical outcome of medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO). A total of 172 consecutive patients who underwent MOWHTO were evaluated retrospectively. Among the patients who underwent second-look arthroscopic assessment, 30 patients with lateral compartment cartilage lesion (group 1: ≥ grade 2 cartilage lesion according to the International Cartilage Repair Society [ICRS] grading system) and 64 patients with normal or near-normal lateral compartment cartilage (group 2: grade 0 or 1 cartilage lesion according to the ICRS grading system) were included in the analysis. Each patient was evaluated for the following variables: clinical scores, radiographic osteoarthritis grade, and comparative measurement under arthroscopy. All clinical scores were similar between the two groups preoperatively and at the time of second-look operation. Group 1 showed a significantly higher osteoarthritis grade in the lateral compartment of the knee on the 30 degree flexed posteroanterior view according to the International Knee Documentation Committee grading system preoperatively (p = 0.005) and at the time of second-look operation (p = 0.002). In regard to the comparative measurement under arthroscopy, the size of cartilage lesion on the medial compartment decreased by time in both groups (p = 0.000), whereas the size of cartilage lesion on the lateral compartment increased by time in both groups (p = 0.004). However, the degree of change in the cartilage lesion size in each compartment of the knee over time did not significantly differ between the two groups. Regarding the cartilage lesion grade in the lateral compartment, there was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of deterioration between the two groups. As a result, the presence of cartilage lesion of ICRS grade 2 or 3 in the lateral compartment of the knee, either subtle or not detected during the preoperative evaluation, would not affect the surgical outcome of MOWHTO. This is a Level IV, therapeutic case series study.
Detecting unstable periodic orbits based only on time series: When adaptive delayed feedback control meets reservoir computing
Authors: Zhu Qunxi , Ma Huanfei , Lin Wei
Published: September 2019

In this article, we focus on a topic of detecting unstable periodic orbits (UPOs) only based on the time series observed from the nonlinear dynamical system whose explicit model is completely unknown a priori. We articulate a data-driven and model-free method which connects a well-known machine learning technique, the reservoir computing, with a widely-used control strategy of nonlinear dynamical systems, the adaptive delayed feedback control. We demonstrate the advantages and effectiveness of the articulated method through detecting and controlling UPOs in representative examples and also show how those configurations of the reservoir computing in our method influence the accuracy of UPOs detection. Additionally and more interestingly, from the viewpoint of synchronization, we analytically and numerically illustrate the effectiveness of the reservoir computing in dynamical systems learning and prediction.
Dependence of non-equilibrium Casimir forces on material optical properties toward chaotic motion during device actuation
Authors: Tajik F. , Babamahdi Z. , Sedighi M. , Masoudi A. A. , Palasantzas G.
Published: September 2019

The sensitivity of nonequilibrium Casimir forces on material optical properties can have strong impact on the actuation of devices. For this purpose, we considered nonequilibrium Casimir interactions between good and poor conductors, for example, gold (Au) and highly doped silicon carbide (SiC), respectively. Indeed, for autonomous conservative systems, the bifurcation and phase portrait analysis have shown that the nonequilibrium Casimir forces can have significant impact on the stable and unstable operating regimes depending on the material optical properties. At a few micrometer separations, for systems with high conductivity materials, an increasing temperature difference between the actuating components can enhance the stable operation range due to the reduction of the Casimir force, while for the poor conductive materials, the opposite takes place. For periodically driven dissipative systems, the Melnikov function and Poincare portrait analysis have shown that for poor conductive systems, the nonequilibrium Casimir forces lead to an increased possibility for chaotic behavior and stiction with an increasing temperature difference between the actuating components. However, for good conducting systems, the thermal contribution to Casimir forces reduces the possibility for chaotic behavior with increasing temperature, as comparison with systems without thermal fluctuations shows. Nevertheless, the positive benefit of good conductors toward increased actuation stability and reduced the chaotic behavior under nonequilibrium conditions can be easily compromised by any voltage application. Therefore, thermal, nonequilibrium Casimir forces can influence the actuation of devices toward unstable and chaotic behavior in strong correlation with their optical properties, and associated conduction state, as well as applied electrostatic potentials.
Recovery of subalpine grasslands 15 years after landscape level fires
Authors: Verrall Brodie , Pickering Catherine Marina
Published: September 2019

As conditions warm, previously rare landscape level fires are more likely to affect vegetation in the Australian Alps including in subalpine grasslands. The recovery of this community was assessed using paired unburnt and burnt plots (30 × 20 m) at 10 sites 15 years after largescale fires that burnt >70% of the subalpine zone in Kosciuszko National Park. There were few significant differences found: higher cover of shrubs (17.8% burnt vs 11.3% unburnt plots), and taller vegetation (22.6 vs 19 cm). However, vegetation cover (97%), species richness (38 taxa), composition and limited presence of invasive plants (10 species, 8.5% cover) were not significantly different. This differs from results six weeks and one year post-fire, when there were clear differences in the cover and composition of vegetation. These results indicate that subalpine grasslands recover from single fires, but with warmer and drier conditions becoming more common, and repeat fires in some areas, the distribution, structure and composition of this and other communities in the Australian Alps will change.
A Copper Complex of a Thiosemicarbazone-Pyridylhydrazone Ligand Containing a Vinylpyridine Functional Group as a Potential Imaging Agent for Amyloid-β Plaques
Authors: McInnes Lachlan E. , Noor Asif , Roselt Peter D. , McLean Catriona A. , White Jonathan M. , Donnelly Paul S.
Published: September 2019

Complexes containing positron-emitting radionuclides of copper have the potential to be of use for diagnostic imaging with positron emission tomography. Alzheimer’s disease is characterised by the presence of amyloid-β plaques in the brain. A new thiosemicarbazone-pyridyl hydrazone tetradentate ligand with a pyridyl-4-vinylpyridine functional group was prepared with the aim of making a copper complex that binds to amyloid-β plaques to assist in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The ligand forms a charge neutral complex with copper(ii) that was characterised by X-ray crystallography and the electrochemical behaviour of the complex was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The new ligand can be radiolabelled with positron-emitting copper-64 at room temperature in excellent radiochemical yields. The new complex interacts with synthetic amyloid-β fibrils and binds amyloid-β plaques present in post-mortem Alzheimer’s disease brain tissue.
SerpinB1 controls encephalitogenic T helper cells in neuroinflammation
Authors: Hou Lifei , Rao Deepak A. , Yuki Koichi , Cooley Jessica , Henderson Lauren A. , Jonsson A. Helena , Kaiserman Dion , Gorman Mark P. , Nigrovic Peter A. , Bird Phillip I. , Becher Burkhard , Remold-O’Donnell Eileen
Published: September 2019

Significance

The study addresses a basic immunology topic with considerable clinical relevance, namely the nature of the pathogenic T helper cells that drive autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis (MS) and inflammatory arthritis. Using mouse MS, we identify precursors of the encephalitogenic/pathogenic T cells based on their dependence on the protease inhibitor SerpinB1. Newly identified signature genes reveal the unusual nature of these T cells that combine (
i
) inflammatory cytokine secretion, (
ii
) a cytolytic system, and (
iii
) extreme rapid proliferation. We demonstrate that their survival/expansion depends on SerpinB1 and involves regulation of a proliferation-associated protease-mediated cell suicide mechanism. Importantly, we discovered that cell surface CXCR6 is an exquisite marker of pathogenic T helper cells and demonstrated that anti-CXCR6 treatment has potential to prevent or mitigate MS.
Fine control of aerenchyma and lateral root development through AUX/IAA- and ARF-dependent auxin signaling
Authors: Yamauchi Takaki , Tanaka Akihiro , Inahashi Hiroki , Nishizawa Naoko K. , Tsutsumi Nobuhiro , Inukai Yoshiaki , Nakazono Mikio
Published: September 2019

Lateral roots (LRs) are derived from a parental root and contribute to water and nutrient uptake from the soil. Auxin/indole-3-acetic acid protein (AUX/IAA; IAA) and auxin response factor (ARF)-mediated signaling are essential for LR formation. Lysigenous aerenchyma, a gas space created by cortical cell death, aids internal oxygen transport within plants. Rice (Oryza sativa) forms lysigenous aerenchyma constitutively under aerobic conditions and increases its formation under oxygen-deficient conditions; however, the molecular mechanisms regulating constitutive aerenchyma (CA) formation remain unclear. LR number is reduced by the dominant-negative effect of a mutated AUX/IAA protein in theiaa13mutant. We found that CA formation is also reduced iniaa13. We have identified ARF19 as an interactor of IAA13 and identified a lateral organ boundary domain (LBD)-containing protein (LBD1-8) as a target of ARF19.IAA13,ARF19, andLBD1-8were highly expressed in the cortex and LR primordia, suggesting that these genes function in the initiation of CA and LR formation. Restoration ofLBD1-8expression recovered aerenchyma formation and partly recovered LR formation in theiaa13background, in whichLBD1-8expression was reduced. An auxin transport inhibitor suppressed CA and LR formation, and a natural auxin stimulated CA formation in the presence of the auxin transport inhibitor. Our findings suggest that CA and LR formation are both regulated through AUX/IAA- and ARF-dependent auxin signaling. The initiation of CA formation lagged that of LR formation, which indicates that the formation of CA and LR are regulated differently by auxin signaling during root development in rice.
Intragenomic variability and extended sequence patterns in the mutational signature of ultraviolet light
Authors: Lindberg Markus , Boström Martin , Elliott Kerryn , Larsson Erik
Published: September 2019

Mutational signatures can reveal properties of underlying mutational processes and are important when assessing signals of selection in cancer. Here, we describe the sequence characteristics of mutations induced by ultraviolet (UV) light, a major mutagen in several human cancers, in terms of extended (longer than trinucleotide) patterns as well as variability of the signature across chromatin states. Promoter regions display a distinct UV signature with reduced TCG > TTG transitions, and genome-wide mapping of UVB-induced DNA photoproducts (pyrimidine dimers) showed that this may be explained by decreased damage formation at hypomethylated promoter CpG sites. Further, an extended signature model encompassing additional information from longer contextual patterns improves modeling of UV mutations, which may enhance discrimination between drivers and passenger events. Our study presents a refined picture of the UV signature and underscores that the characteristics of a single mutational process may vary across the genome.
Predicting kidney transplant outcomes with partial knowledge of HLA mismatch
Authors: Manski Charles F. , Tambur Anat R. , Gmeiner Michael
Published: September 2019

Significance

An important problem in transplantation is to predict graft survival when an organ is transplanted into a recipient. We consider transplant of kidneys from deceased donors. Research in transplant immunology has shown that survival varies with the degree of genetic match between the donor and recipient, measured by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes. The greater the mismatch, the more likely it is that the patient’s immune system will produce antibodies that attack the graft. When considering whether to accept an organ, clinicians would benefit from accurate prediction of survival conditional on HLA mismatch. The analysis in this paper aims to improve prediction using available data on transplant outcomes and the distribution of HLA types within specific populations.
Highly efficient DSB-free base editing for streptomycetes with CRISPR-BEST
Authors: Tong Yaojun , Whitford Christopher M. , Robertsen Helene L. , Blin Kai , Jørgensen Tue S. , Klitgaard Andreas K. , Gren Tetiana , Jiang Xinglin , Weber Tilmann , Lee Sang Yup
Published: September 2019

Streptomycetes serve as major producers of various pharmacologically and industrially important natural products. Although CRISPR-Cas9 systems have been developed for more robust genetic manipulations, concerns of genome instability caused by the DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and the toxicity of Cas9 remain. To overcome these limitations, here we report development of the DSB-free, single-nucleotide–resolution genome editing system CRISPR-BEST (CRISPR-Base Editing SysTem), which comprises a cytidine (CRISPR-cBEST) and an adenosine (CRISPR-aBEST) deaminase-based base editor. Specifically targeted by an sgRNA, CRISPR-cBEST can efficiently convert a C:G base pair to a T:A base pair and CRISPR-aBEST can convert an A:T base pair to a G:C base pair within a window of approximately 7 and 6 nucleotides, respectively. CRISPR-BEST was validated and successfully used in different
Streptomyces
species. Particularly in nonmodel actinomycete
Streptomyces collinus
Tü365, CRISPR-cBEST efficiently inactivated the 2 copies of
kirN
gene that are in the duplicated kirromycin biosynthetic pathways simultaneously by STOP codon introduction. Generating such a knockout mutant repeatedly failed using the conventional DSB-based CRISPR-Cas9. An unbiased, genome-wide off-target evaluation indicates the high fidelity and applicability of CRISPR-BEST. Furthermore, the system supports multiplexed editing with a single plasmid by providing a Csy4-based sgRNA processing machinery. To simplify the protospacer identification process, we also updated the CRISPy-web (
https://crispy.secondarymetabolites.org
), and now it allows designing sgRNAs specifically for CRISPR-BEST applications.
Attending to a possible complaint
Authors: Karafoti Eleni
Published: September 2019

Taking into account that people are reluctant to engage in a conflictual interaction but also that the recognition and interpretation of a complaint is very much contingent on the discourse in which it appears, the present paper adopts a conversation analytic perspective and studies complaints in ordinary conversation. In terms of politeness research, complaints are characterized as ‘face threatening acts’, with the analysis focusing either on the mitigation strategies the complainer may employ or on the description of the acts that are at the complainee’s disposal. From a wider perspective, the most prominent feature of complaints is that they transform an individual’s trouble into an acknowledgeable interpersonal problem. The present research focuses on complaints addressed to participants in the on-going interaction (direct complaints), explicating instances where members themselves reveal their understanding of the complaint. Special attention is given to the mitigation and accounting practices a complainee employs, i.e. noticings, anticipatory apologies and (preemptive) accounts, which all aim to withhold the disaffiliative complaint. Through these practices, not only does the candidate complaint-recipient mitigate the impact of his/her accountability but also third party participants attempt to avoid the delivery of the complaint. The data of the study consist of 20 audio-recorded conversations between friends and relatives and are drawn from the Corpus of Spoken Greek of the Institute of Modern Greek Studies.
Particle decay of astrophysically-important 19Ne levels
Authors: Bardayan D W , Chipps K A , Ahn S , Blackmon J C , Greife U , Jones K L , Kontos A , Kozub R L , Linhardt L , Manning B , Matos M , O’Malley P D , Ota S , Pain S D , Peters W A , Pittman S T , Sachs A , Schmitt K T , Smith M S , Thompson P
Published: September 2019

The 15O(α,γ)19Ne reaction is an important trigger reaction leading to the rapid proton (rp) capture process in X-ray bursts. The primary uncertainty in determining its astrophysical rate is the uncertain α branching ratios of levels near Ex
= 4.1 MeV in 19Ne. These states have been populated in a study of the 20Ne(p, d)19Ne reaction, and α branching ratios are reported in this manuscript.
Pion induced Drell-Yan: the transverse momentum structure of the pion
Authors: Courtoy A.
Published: September 2019

We present an analysis of unpolarized Drell-Yan pair production in pion-nucleus scattering with a particular focus into the pion dynamics. The study consists in analyzing the effect of the partonic longitudinal and, especially, transverse distributions of the pion in a Nambu–Jona-Lasinio (NJL) framework, with Pauli-Villars regularization. In order to consistently take into account the QCD evolution effects, we have estimated the hadronic scale corresponding to the NJL model’s degrees of freedom through a minimization procedure at NLO: The NLO evolved pion distributions have been compared to rapidity differential DrellYan cross sections data. That hadronic scale so determined represents the only free parameter in our approach.

The NJL transverse momentum PDF, evolved up to next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy, is then tested against the transverse momentum spectrum of dilepton pairs up to a transverse momentum of 2 GeV. We found a fair agreement with available pion-nucleus data. We find sizable evolution effects on the shape of the distributions and on the generated average transverse momentum of the dilepton pair.
The nuclei 12C, 16O and the role of the Pauli Exclusion Principle
Authors: Hess P. O. , Berriel-Aguayo M. , Chávez-Nuñez L. J.
Published: September 2019

We investigate the role of the Pauli Exclusion Principle (PEP) for light nuclei, at the examples of 12C and 16O. We show that ignoring the PEP does lead not only to a too dense spectrum at low energy but also to a wrong grouping into bands. Using a geometrical mapping, a triangular structure for 12C and a tetrahedral structure in 16O in the ground state is obtained by using the indistinguishably of the α-particles.
Analysis of states in 13C and their cluster structure
Authors: Lombardo I.
Published: September 2019

Accurate studies on 13C spectroscopy have great impact in the present understanding of the role played by extra-neutrons in stabilizing α-cluster structures formed in light nuclei. Carbon-13 is in fact the simplest systems that can be formed by adding a neutron to make a triple-α molecular-like structure. The accurate spectroscopy of excited states at energies above the α emission threshold is fundamental to benchmark the calculations of theoretical models aiming to describe clustering in light nuclei.

To improve our knowledge of 13C structure, we performed a comprehensive R-matrix fit of α+9Be elastic and inelastic scattering data in the energy region Eα
≈ 3:510 MeV at several backward polar angles. To carefully determine the partial decay widths of states above the α-decay threshold we included in the fit also 9Be(α n)12C cross section data taken from the literature. This analysis allows to improve the (poorly known) spectroscopy of excited states in 13C in the Ex
≈ 12-17 MeV region, and tentatively suggests the presence of a large-deformation negative-parity molecular band.
Simulation study of the

p¯p→∑¯0Λ

reaction with PANDA at FAIR
Authors: Perez-Andrade G. , Schönning Karin , Andersson W.I. , Jenny Regina
Published: September 2019

The PANDA experiment will be one of the pillars of the new Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR), which is currently under construction in Darmstadt, Germany. PANDA will be a fixed-target experiment which will allow the study of non-perturbative phenomena of the strong interaction. These will be probed in antiproton-proton collisions in the momentum range of 1.5 - 15 GeV/c. Within the PANDA physics program, strangeness production will be addressed through

p
¯

p
→

Y
¯

Y

processes. Measurements of the

p
¯

p
→

∑
¯

0

Λ

channel for its comparison with the existing data of the

Λ
¯

Λ

channel are highly encouraged to study the role of isospin symmetry in hadron production dynamics. This work consists on a simulation study focusing on the feasibility of measuring the

p
¯

p
→

∑
¯

0

Λ

channel at PANDA.
Method for assessing the adequacy of a crankshaft strain state model
Authors: Belchev S , Todorov K , Chekelov G , Petkov D
Published: September 2019

Using the Finite Element Method (FEM) in the SolidWorks software environment, the strain crankshaft state is modelled. The assessment of the adequacy of the model by experimental crankshaft in a running engine is complex and is possible for a small number of control points. The method shown proposes to replace the variable crankshaft strains in motion by examining a static strain state of the crankshaft. The results obtained show a high degree of adequacy of the model. The differences can be minimised by specifying the physical properties of the material used in the simulation, taking into account the elasticity of the supports.
Research on the Possibility of Increasing the Power Output of a High - Speed Diesel Engine by Adding Compressed Natural Gas
Authors: Bogdanov K , Dimitrov R
Published: September 2019

The paper presents studies on a high-speed diesel engine driven by added CNG (compressed natural gas) in order to increase its power. The effects of the amount of CNG added on the engine performance have been studied. Throughout the tests the effective performance and pollution emission indicators of ICE (Internal Combustion Engine), the cylinder pressure, etc. were measured. Under all operating conditions the diesel fuel consumption per hour and the rotation speed have remained constant. The amount of CNG added is variable. As a result of the research, relations have been established concerning the overall efficiency, the air to fuel ratio for steady-state performance and smoke opacity. An increase in CO, NOx and HC emissions has been recorded and at the same time the amount of CO2 released has decreased. Both the maximum pressure in the combustion chamber and the pressure rise rate increase which results in rising the engine performance harshness. When CNG has been added in quantity about 47% of the total amount of fuel, the peak value is achieved. The influence of the amount of added gas fuel on the calculated gross heat release rate has been determined. The maximum heat release rate does not change significantly. The nature of the combustion process does not change either. In conclusion, findings validate the possibility to achieve up to 30 % higher maximum rated power by adding 56% CNG mass fraction of the total amount of fuel. Provided the amount of CNG is up to 48% of the total amount of fuel, the ICE ecological indicators have not been deteriorated, furthermore the power has been increased by up to 20%.
Effects of condition and sperm competition risk on sperm allocation and storage in neriid flies
Authors: Wylde Zachariah , Crean Angela , Bonduriansky Russell
Published: September 2019

Ejaculate traits can be sexually selected and often exhibit heightened condition-dependence. However, the influence of sperm competition risk in tandem with condition-dependent ejaculate allocation strategies is relatively unstudied. Because ejaculates are costly to produce, high-condition males may be expected to invest more in ejaculates when sperm competition risk is greater. We examined the condition-dependence of ejaculate size by manipulating nutrient concentration in the juvenile (larval) diet of the neriid fly Telostylinus angusticollis. Using a fully factorial design we also examined the effects of perceived sperm competition risk (manipulated by allowing males to mate first or second) on the quantity of ejaculate transferred and stored in the three spermathecae of the female reproductive tract. To differentiate male ejaculates, we fed males nontoxic rhodamine fluorophores (which bind to proteins in the body) prior to mating, labeling their sperm red or green. We found that high-condition males initiated mating more quickly and, when mating second, transferred more ejaculate to both of the female’s posterior spermathecae. This suggests that males allocate ejaculates strategically, with high-condition males elevating their ejaculate investment only when facing sperm competition. More broadly, our findings suggest that ejaculate allocation strategies can incorporate variation in both condition and perceived risk of sperm competition.
Multicenter Study of the Accuracy of the BD MAX Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis Assay for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex and Mutations Associated With Resistance to Rifampin and Isoniazid
Authors: Shah Maunank , Paradis Sonia , Betz Joshua , Beylis Natalie , Bharadwaj Renu , Caceres Tatiana , Gotuzzo Eduardo , Joloba Moses , Mave Vidya , Nakiyingi Lydia , Nicol Mark P , Pradhan Neeta , King Bonnie , Armstrong Derek , Knecht Deborah , Maus Courtney E , Cooper Charles K , Dorman Susan E , Manabe Yukari C
Published: September 2019

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) control is hindered by absence of rapid tests to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and detect isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RIF) resistance. We evaluated the accuracy of the BD MAX multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB assay (BD MAX) in South Africa, Uganda, India, and Peru.

Methods

Outpatient adults with signs/symptoms of pulmonary TB were prospectively enrolled. Sputum smear microscopy and BD MAX were performed on a single raw sputum, which was then processed for culture and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST), BD MAX, and Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert).

Results

1053 participants with presumptive TB were enrolled (47% female; 32% with human immunodeficiency virus). In patients with confirmed TB, BD MAX sensitivity was 93% (262/282 [95% CI, 89–95%]); specificity was 97% (593/610 [96–98%]) among participants with negative cultures on raw sputa. BD MAX sensitivity was 100% (175/175 [98–100%]) for smear-positive samples (fluorescence microscopy), and 81% (87/107 [73–88%]) in smear-negative samples. Among participants with both BD MAX and Xpert, sensitivity was 91% (249/274 [87–94%]) for BD MAX and 90% (246/274 [86–93%]) for Xpert on processed sputa. Sensitivity and specificity for RIF resistance compared with phenotypic DST were 90% (9/10 [60–98%]) and 95% (211/222 [91–97%]), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of INH resistance were 82% (22/27 [63–92%]) and 100% (205/205 [98–100%]), respectively.

Conclusions

The BD MAX MDR-TB assay had high sensitivity and specificity for detection of MTB and RIF and INH drug resistance and may be an important tool for rapid detection of TB and MDR-TB globally.
The modified Ross Reversal operation: a new approach for preserving the autograft wall
Authors: Horikoshi Rihito , Kitamura Tadashi , Miyaji Kagami
Published: September 2019

The Ross Reversal operation is a breakthrough strategy first reported by Flynn et al. in 2007. In a reoperation for pulmonary autograft dysfunction after the Ross operation, an excised autograft can be preserved by reusing it in a native pulmonary position. We report a case wherein we used a new approach to excise the autograft valve with less invasion. The patient underwent a modified Ross Reversal operation concomitant with aortic root replacement and recovered without any complications. Our new approach enables a safer operation with improved valve function.
Differences of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor, palbociclib and abemaciclib, in breast cancer
Authors: Tamura Kenji
Published: September 2019

Both palbociclib and abemaciclib are, oral, highly selective inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6, which are proteins involved in cell differentiation and growth. In pivotal phase III trials (PALOMA and MONARCH), they demonstrated a significant improvement in median progression-free survival in combination with a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor in the first-line, and with a fulvestrant in the second-line in hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer, respectively. Both palbociclib and abemaciclib were approved, however, ribociclib, the third cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor, has not been approved in Japan. The overall benefits from palbociclib and abemaciclib seem to be equivalent. Subsets analyses suggest that clinical benefits of palbociclib are associated with bone-only disease at baseline, no measurable disease, sensitive to previous endocrine therapy and longer disease-free interval. In contrast, additional benefits from abemaciclib in combination with nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant seem to have a relationship with visceral disease, liver metastasis, primary resistant to endocrine therapy, and short treatment-free interval. Abemaciclib induces senescence and apoptosis more than palbociclib does in a time-dependent manner and has potential to produce tumor shrinkage by single use. Neutropenia is more frequent in palbociclib, in contrast, diarrhea, nausea, and liver dysfunction are frequent in abemaciclib. In this review, we provide an overview of the two kinds of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor, which were already approved in Japan. These differences might be useful information for the proper use in daily practice.
On the Fly: Interactions Between Birds, Mosquitoes, and Environment That Have Molded West Nile Virus Genomic Structure Over Two Decades
Authors: Duggal Nisha K , Langwig Kate E , Ebel Gregory D , Brault Aaron C
Published: September 2019

West Nile virus (WNV) was first identified in North America almost 20 yr ago. In that time, WNV has crossed the continent and established enzootic transmission cycles, resulting in intermittent outbreaks of human disease that have largely been linked with climatic variables and waning avian seroprevalence. During the transcontinental dissemination of WNV, the original genotype has been displaced by two principal extant genotypes which contain an envelope mutation that has been associated with enhanced vector competence by Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) and Culex tarsalis Coquillett vectors. Analyses of retrospective avian host competence data generated using the founding NY99 genotype strain have demonstrated a steady reduction in viremias of house sparrows over time. Reciprocally, the current genotype strains WN02 and SW03 have demonstrated an inverse correlation between house sparrow viremia magnitude and the time since isolation. These data collectively indicate that WNV has evolved for increased avian viremia while house sparrows have evolved resistance to the virus such that the relative host competence has remained constant. Intrahost analyses of WNV evolution demonstrate that selection pressures are avian species-specific and purifying selection is greater in individual birds compared with individual mosquitoes, suggesting that the avian adaptive and/or innate immune response may impose a selection pressure on WNV. Phylogenomic, experimental evolutionary systems, and models that link viral evolution with climate, host, and vector competence studies will be needed to identify the relative effect of different selective and stochastic mechanisms on viral phenotypes and the capacity of newly evolved WNV genotypes for transmission in continuously changing landscapes.
West Nile Virus: Veterinary Health and Vaccine Development
Authors: Bosco-Lauth Angela M , Bowen Richard A
Published: September 2019

West Nile virus (WNV) (Flaviviridae: Flavivirus) was discovered in Africa more than 80 yr ago and became recognized as an avian pathogen and a cause of neurologic disease in horses largely during periodic incursions into Europe. Introduction of WNV into North America stimulated great anxiety, particularly in the equine industry, but also for pet owners and livestock producers concerned about the effect of WNV on other domestic animals. Numerous subsequent studies of naturally occurring and experimentally induced disease greatly expanded our understanding of the host range and clinical consequences of WNV infection in diverse species and led to rapid development and deployment of efficacious vaccines for horses. In addition to humans, horses are clearly the animals most frequently affected by serious, sometimes lethal disease following infection with WNV, but are dead-end hosts due to the low-magnitude viremia they develop. Dogs, cats, and livestock species including chickens are readily infected with WNV, but only occasionally develop clinical disease and are considered dead-end hosts for the virus.
Excito-repellency Activity of Andrographis paniculata (Lamiales: Acanthaceae) Against Colonized Mosquitoes
Authors: Sukkanon Chutipong , Karpkird Thitinun , Saeung Manop , Leepasert Theerachart , Panthawong Amonrat , Suwonkerd Wannapa , Bangs Michael J , Chareonviriyaphap Theeraphap
Published: September 2019

Excito-repellency activity of plant extracts have been increasingly studied as mosquito repellents. In this study, the crude extract of Andrographis paniculata was evaluated for its noncontact repellency, contact excitation (irritancy + repellency), and knockdown/toxicity response against five colonized mosquitoes; Aedes aegypti (L.), Aedes albopictus (Skuse), Anopheles dirus Peyton & Harrison, Anopheles epiroticus Linton & Harbach, and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) using an excito-repellency assay system under laboratory-controlled conditions. The escape responses were observed at four different concentrations (0.5–5.0% w/v) with A. paniculata showing strong spatial repellency against Ae. albopictus (96.7% escape) and Ae. aegypti (71.7% escape) at the 2.5% and 0.5% concentrations, respectively. At 0.5% and 5.0% concentrations, the greatest repellency was seen for An. dirus (48.2% escape) and Cx. quinquefasciatus (59.7% escape), respectively. Comparatively, low repellency action was observed against An. epiroticus (1.6–15.0% escape). Escape in contact assays (before adjustment) was generally less pronounced compared to noncontact spatial repellency, with Ae. albopictus showing highest percent escape (71.4% escape) in the contact assay at 1.0% concentration. After adjusting for spatial repellency, escape due to contact irritancy alone was either not present or an insignificant contribution to the overall avoidance response for all species. No knockdown or mortality at 24-h postexposure was observed in any trials. These findings indicate that the A. paniculata crude extract is more active against day-biting mosquitoes; however, this may be a reflection of the time of testing. This study demonstrates compelling evidence that A. paniculata extract performs primarily as a spatial repellent. Further investigations exploring the use A. paniculata as a potential active ingredient in repellent products are needed.
Introduction, Spread, and Establishment of West Nile Virus in the Americas
Authors: Kramer Laura D , Ciota Alexander T , Kilpatrick A Marm
Published: September 2019

The introduction of West Nile virus (WNV) to North America in 1999 and its subsequent rapid spread across the Americas demonstrated the potential impact of arboviral introductions to new regions, and this was reinforced by the subsequent introductions of chikungunya and Zika viruses. Extensive studies of host–pathogen–vector–environment interactions over the past two decades have illuminated many aspects of the ecology and evolution of WNV and other arboviruses, including the potential for pathogen adaptation to hosts and vectors, the influence of climate, land use and host immunity on transmission ecology, and the difficulty in preventing the establishment of a zoonotic pathogen with abundant wildlife reservoirs. Here, we focus on outstanding questions concerning the introduction, spread, and establishment of WNV in the Americas, and what it can teach us about the future of arboviral introductions. Key gaps in our knowledge include the following: viral adaptation and coevolution of hosts, vectors and the virus; the mechanisms and species involved in the large-scale spatial spread of WNV; how weather modulates WNV transmission; the drivers of large-scale variation in enzootic transmission; the ecology of WNV transmission in Latin America; and the relative roles of each component of host–virus–vector interactions in spatial and temporal variation in WNV transmission. Integrative studies that examine multiple factors and mechanisms simultaneously are needed to advance our knowledge of mechanisms driving transmission.
Phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) from a Urban Park of Belém, Pará State, Northern Brazil and Potential Implications in the Transmission of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Authors: Sánchez Uzcátegui Yetsenia D V , Vasconcelos Dos Santos Thiago , Silveira Fernando T , Ramos Patricia K S , Dos Santos Eduardo José M , Póvoa Marinete M
Published: September 2019

In urban ecotourism parks, the life cycle of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) agents can remain established, where phlebotomines may comprise potential risks for visitors. The present study aimed to survey the phlebotomine fauna of a forest park ‘Bosque Rodriques Alves-Jardim Botânico da Amazônia’ (BRAJBA), in the urban area of Belém, Brazil. The park was monthly surveyed in 2018 using CDC light traps placed in ground and canopy strata. Leishmania spp. isolated from dissected females were characterized by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Fluctuations in specimen capture were correlated with rainfall. Nyssomyia antunesi (Coutinho, 1939) was predominant for all surveyed ecotopes and capture methods in both areas. Females of Ny. antunesi resting on tree bases were observed attempting to bite researchers during early morning. One Bichromomyia flaviscutellata (Mangabeira, 1942) and one Trichophoromyia brachipyga (Mangabeira, 1942) were found naturally infected by flagellates. Only the strain from Th. brachipyga was isolated and characterized as Leishmania (Viannia) lainsoni Silveira, Shaw, Braga and Ishikawa, 1987. Monthly fluctuations of the three most abundant species, Ny. antunesi, Trichophoromyia ubiquitalis (Mangabeira, 1942) and Th. brachypiga, had statistically significant negative correlations with rainfall. The present study provided further information to better understand ACL ecology in the Belém urban area, where the urban parks surveyed appeared to offer potential risk of contracting the disease, thus requiring environmental management. These observations highlighted the need for including Ny. antunesi, Bi. flaviscutellata, Th. ubiquitalis, and Th. brachypiga in the priority list for continuous entomological surveillance.
Case of Extranodal Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type, Presenting With Intravascular Localization of Tumor Cells in Skin Biopsies From Both Plaque and Normal-Appearing Skin: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Obara Koya , Amoh Yasuyuki
Published: September 2019

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL-NT), is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma associated with Epstein–Barr virus. This type of lymphoma is rare in Western countries but is more frequent in East Asia and Latin America. ENKTL-NT mostly occurs in the nose and paranasal area, including the upper aerodigestive tract. The skin is the second-most commonly involved organ. ENKTL-ET is characterized by an angiocentric, angiodestructive pattern of growth with ulceration and necrosis evident on histopathological examination. We provide the first description of ENKTL-NT presenting with intravascular localization of tumor cells in skin biopsies from both plaque and normal-appearing skin. Random skin biopsy might thus be useful for early diagnosis, staging, and estimation of prognosis in ENKTL-NT. Moreover, the current case indicates that ENKTL-NT and intravascular natural killer/T-cell lymphoma may represent related diseases.
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS RETINITIS WITH BELATACEPT IMMUNOSUPPRESSION
Authors: Fan Jason , Gong Dan , Truong Cecile , Miko Benjamin , Horowitz Jason , Chen Royce W. S.
Published: September 2019

Purpose:

To report two cases of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in renal transplant patients after conversion to belatacept immunosuppression.

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

Case A was a 41-year-old African American man with no ocular history, chronic hepatitis B infection on entecavir, status-post living relative renal transplant for end-stage renal disease secondary to IgA nephropathy presented with a chief complaint of “blurry vision” in his right eye. Fundoscopic examination of the right eye revealed perivascular retinitis of the superior arcade extending temporally and a lesion nasal to the optic disk. The patient was diagnosed with CMV retinitis with macular involvement. Case B was a 52-year-old woman with an ocular history significant for bilateral vein occlusions treated with laser, and a medical history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and end-stage renal disease secondary to hypoplastic kidney status-post deceased donor renal transplant presented with one week of blurred vision in the right eye. Fundoscopic examination of the right eye revealed macular star configuration of exudates, as well as subretinal fibrosis temporal to the macula. Fundoscopic examination of the left eye showed Grade 4 vitreous haze and multiple areas of retinal whitening and hemorrhage, consistent with CMV retinitis infection. The patient was diagnosed with bilateral CMV retinitis, with macular involvement in the right eye.

Conclusion:

Renal transplant patients converted to belatacept immunosuppression may be at an increased risk for herpes virus infection, and thus herpes virus retinitis. Although the degree of risk remains uncharacterized, patients on belatacept therapy who are at the high risk of CMV infection (i.e., donor-positive/recipient-negative patients) should be counseled on the presenting signs and symptoms of CMV retinitis. In these cases, clinicians should also consider regular monitoring of serum CMV titers or continuation of antiviral prophylaxis.
A Retrospective Cohort Study of Growth in the First 2 Years of Life in Preterm Infants With Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Holland Kathleen J. , Slaven James E. , Ren Clement L. , Sanders Don B. , Bennett William E.
Published: September 2019

Background:

Late preterm infants (born 34–36 weeks gestation) without cystic fibrosis (CF) are at risk for growth failure during the first 2 years of life. Infants with CF are at risk of being born premature, and thus at risk for growth failure. The aim for this study was to assess weight‐for‐length (WFL) at 2 years of age for late preterm infants compared with term infants with CF.

Methods:

Data were collected from the US CF Foundation Patient Registry. We compared growth parameters between late preterm and term infants with CF born from 2010 to 2013. Our primary outcome was WFL <10 and <50 percentile at 2 years of age. A multivariate logistical regression analysis evaluated late preterm gestation and WFL<10 or <50 percentile.

Results:

A total of 2955 infants were born from 2010 to 2013 with CF. Eight percentage late preterm. Forty‐five percentage late preterm versus 43% term were below the 50th percentile for WFL at age 2 years (P = 0.75). Twelve percentage late preterm versus 6% term for WFL <10 percentile at age 2 years (P = 0.010). The multivariate regression model identified 2‐fold increased odds of being <10th percentile for WFL at age 2 years (P = 0.025) for preterm over term. Late preterm infants used higher calorie dense feeds and more feeding tubes (P = 0.035 and P = 0.006).

Conclusions:

Late preterm infants with CF are at higher risk of being below the 10th percentile for WFL at 2 years of age compared with their term peers. This indicates a population that is at risk for growth failure.
Novel Use of Impedance Technology Shows That Esophageal Air Events Can Be Temporally Associated With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease‐like Symptoms
Authors: Woodley Frederick W. , Ciciora Steven L. , Vaz Karla , Williams Kent , Di Lorenzo Carlo , Jadcherla Sudarshan
Published: September 2019

A few studies have shown that esophageal air events (EAEs), such as air‐swallows, may be associated with symptoms that have historically been associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). To objectively test a hypothesis that all EAE types (air‐swallows, supragastric belches and gastric belches) can be associated with GERD‐like symptoms, we removed the impedance “tags” from the GER episodes (placed during autoscan) and instead tagged either air‐swallows, supragastric belches or gastric belches in each of 3 copies of the 24‐hour impedance tracing for 2 infant patients who presented with symptoms suggestive of GER as an etiology. Impedance system software (MMS) analyses revealed that, in both infants, all EAE types were significantly associated (SAP >95%) with 1 or more of the GERD‐like symptom types (cough, pain/crying, back‐arching, and gagging). These data underscore the importance of considering other diagnoses when developing management strategies for treating GERD‐like symptoms in infants.
Erythrocyte Indices as Differential Diagnostic Biomarkers of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Thalassemia
Authors: Düzenli Kar Yeter , Özdemir Zeynep C. , Emir Büşra , Bör Özcan
Published: September 2019

Introduction:

The most common causes of microcytic anemia are iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and thalassemia trait (TT). This study investigated the reliability of erythrocyte indices and formulas as screening tests in the differential diagnosis of IDA and TT before performing detailed tests for definitive diagnosis.

Materials and Methods:

In total, 50 children with β-TT, 31 with α-TT, 50 with IDA were included. For the 8 erythrocyte indices and formulas (red blood cells [RBC], red blood cell distribution width [RDW], red blood cell distribution width index [RDWI], Mentzer index [MI], Shine and Lal index [S&L], England and Fraser [E&F], Green and King index [G&K], Srivastava index) the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPVs and NPVs, respectively) were calculated according to the cutoff values in the literature and recalculated revised cutoff values.

Results:

According to the cutoff values in the literature for the differential diagnosis of IDA and TT, the ranking of sensitivity, specificity, PPVs, and NPVs from the highest to the lowest was RDWI, RBC, E&F, G&K, MI, Srivastava, RDW, S&L. The sensitivity, specificity, PPVs, and NPVs of all the indices according to the revised cutoff values were higher than those according to the cutoff values in the literature.

Conclusions:

According to both the cutoff values in the literature and revised cutoff values, the most reliable indices were RBC and RDWI.