bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Concepts in Arm Care Exercise Programs and Injury Risk Reduction in Adolescent Baseball Players: A Clinical Review
Authors: Matsel Kyle A. , Butler Robert J. , Malone Terry R. , Hoch Matt C. , Westgate Philip M. , Uhl Tim L.
Published: January 2021

Context:

Awareness of important injury risk factors associated with excessive pitching volume has been highlighted in the literature, but injury rates remain high. Shoulder pain in baseball players is associated with various changes in musculoskeletal movements, which presents as measurable impairments throughout the kinetic chain. Baseball coaches and rehabilitation professionals have utilized exercise programs targeting strength and flexibility of the throwing arm to prevent injuries. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of arm care exercise programs in reducing upper extremity injury rates in adolescent baseball players.

Evidence Acquisition:

A search of electronic databases, including CINAHL with full text, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus was conducted to retrieve available articles in English from the years 2010 through 2020. The search terms injury prevention, exercise, and adolescent baseball were used.

Study Design:

Clinical review.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Results:

Improving shoulder internal rotation range of motion by stretching the posterior shoulder muscles daily was associated with a 36% risk reduction of shoulder and elbow injuries. Group-based arm care exercise programs that target multiple musculoskeletal impairments demonstrated an approximately 50% reduced risk of elbow injury.

Conclusion:

For adolescent baseball players, arm care injury prevention programs focusing on important musculoskeletal impairments are effective at reducing injury incidence rates. Multimodal injury prevention programs that improve multiple musculoskeletal impairments are more comprehensive and may result in better injury reduction than programs focusing on a singular impairment.
The evolving role of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Gordon Max J. , Danilov Alexey V.
Published: January 2021

Ibrutinib, the first in class of the oral covalent Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, has profoundly changed the treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The phase III RESONATE and RESONATE-2 trials first demonstrated the superiority of ibrutinib over ofatumumab in the relapsed/refractory setting and over chlorambucil in older patients with de novo disease. The phase III ECOG–ACRIN trial extended these results to young, fit patients, demonstrating a significant survival advantage to ibrutinib plus rituximab over fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab. Similarly, the Alliance trial demonstrated the superiority of ibrutinib over bendamustine with rituximab as frontline in elderly patients. Challenges with ibrutinib include toxicity, development of resistance, and need for indefinite therapy. The second generation BTK inhibitor acalabrutinib may cause less off-target toxicity. The ELEVATE TN trial demonstrated the superiority of acalabrutinib with or without obinutuzumab over chlorambucil and obinutuzumab as frontline therapy for elderly or comorbid patients. Promising early results from the phase II CAPTIVATE and CLARITY trials, which combined ibrutinib with venetoclax, suggest a future role for minimal residual disease (MRD) testing to determine treatment duration. The ongoing phase III GAIA/CLL13, ECOG EA9161, Alliance A041702, CLL17, and [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03836261] trials will assess various combinations of ibrutinib/acalabrutinib, venetoclax, and anti-CD20 antibodies. These trials will answer key questions in the treatment of CLL: should novel agents in CLL be used in combination or sequentially? What is the best frontline agent? Can treatment be safely stopped with BTK inhibitors? Can undetectable MRD be used to determine treatment duration? In this review, we will discuss these and other aspects of the evolving role of BTK inhibition in CLL.
The neurological symptoms of COVID-19: a systematic overview of systematic reviews, comparison with other neurological conditions and implications for healthcare services
Authors: Wildwing Tamar , Holt Nicole
Published: January 2021

Aims:

In response to the rapid spread of COVID-19, this paper provides health professionals with better accessibility to available evidence, summarising findings from a systematic overview of systematic reviews of the neurological symptoms seen in patients with COVID-19. Implications of so-called ‘Long Covid’ on neurological services and primary care and similarities with other neurological disorders are discussed.

Methods:

Firstly, a systematic overview of current reviews of neurological symptoms of COVID-19 was conducted. Secondly, the implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the potential effect on neurological services and the similarities in the experience of patients with COVID-19 and those with other neurological disorders. A total of 45 systematic reviews were identified within seven databases, published between 11 April 2020 and 15 October 2020, following a search in June 2020, updated on 20 October 2020.

Results:

The results indicated that COVID-19 exhibits two types of neurological symptoms; life-threatening symptoms such as Guillain–Barre Syndrome (GBS) and encephalitis, and less devastating symptoms such as fatigue and myalgia. Many of these so-called lesser symptoms appear to be emerging as longer-term for some sufferers and have been recently labelled Long Covid. When compared, these less devastating symptoms are very similar to other neurological conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and functional neurological disorder (FND).

Conclusion:

Implications for neurological healthcare services in the United Kingdom (UK) may include longer waiting times and a need for more resources (including more qualified health professionals). There is also a possible change-effect on health professionals’ perceptions of other neurological conditions such as CFS and FND. Future research is recommended to explore changes in health professionals’ perceptions of neurological symptoms because of COVID-19.
Acute appendicitis in people living with HIV: What does the emergency surgeon needs to know?
Authors: Mahmood Arshad , Raza Syed H , Elshaikh Elamin , Mital Dushyant , Ahmed Mohamed H
Published: January 2021

Acute appendicitis is among the commonest surgical emergencies seen in an acute setting. Individuals living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and/or the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have an increased risk of encountering complications with acute appendicitis. We conducted a literature search using the words appendicitis and HIV in google scholar, Medline, Scopus and PubMed. The search also extended to cover HIV presented with acute appendicitis, their outcome during and following the management of acute appendicitis. Several studies showed that HIV is associated with a higher rate of acute appendicitis than the general population. HIV can directly affect the appendix, through opportunistic infections, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome associated with start of antiretroviral medication. High index of suspicion is needed to exclude conditions that mimic acute appendicitis (abdominal tuberculosis, pyelonephritis, cytomegalovirus, cryptosporidium, pneumococcus, Amoebic appendicitis and pill impaction). The clinical presentation may not be typical of acute appendicitis and can be associated with low white cell count and variable fever. The Alvarado score for predicting acute appendicitis can be used and more research is needed to establish cut-off point value. Computed tomography scan and ultrasound are widely used in clinical diagnosis. Importantly, acute appendicitis with HIV/AIDS can be associated with high rate of post-surgical complications like infections, delay of healing, perforation, peritonitis, intra-abdominal abscess and longer hospital stay. HIV/AIDS with acute appendicitis is complex condition. Therefore, we conclude that patients with known HIV and acute appendicitis should also be managed in close liaison with HIV physicians during, before and after surgical treatment.
V-V Compounds in Chinese: Syntactic Perspective Revisited
Authors: Zhuang Huibin , Zhang Peicui , Ma Baopeng
Published: January 2021

This article revisits the formation of the resultative V-V compounds in Chinese. While presenting evidence to show the inadequacies of the lexicalist approach, we instead argue that these compounds are derived via syntactic operations. Meanwhile, the multiple readings of V-V compounds, once claimed to be the strong argumentation of the lexicalist account, are actually the results of such characteristics of Chinese syntax as the object realization, focalization, and topic-prominence. The evidence provided by the lexicalists thus does not constitute an argument against the syntactic account.
Certified Nursing Assistants’ Perceived Workplace Violence in Long-Term Care Facilities: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Xiao Chunhong , Winstead Vicki , Townsend Corteza , Jablonski Rita A.
Published: January 2021

Background:

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide 80% to 90% of direct care and are 23 times more likely to experience aggressive behavior from residents in long-term care (LTC) facilities than in other health care settings. The purpose of this study was to describe CNAs’ perceptions of workplace violence while working in LTC facilities.

Methods:

Ten CNAs were recruited from five LTC facilities through snowball sampling. A semi-structured interview was conducted with CNAs currently working in LTC facilities in Alabama. Question domains included (a) demographics, (b) residents’ behavior, (c) behavior of residents with dementia, (d) experiences of verbal or physical violence from residents, (e) quality of care delivered, (f) coping strategies, (g) administrative support, and (h) training for dementia-related care challenges. The resulting transcripts were thematically analyzed.

Findings:

CNAs described workplace violence as part of the job. They expressed a lack of administrative support as inadequate communication and a dismissal of violence against them. They regularly experienced racially charged abuse, but the perception of abuse was moderated by the presence or absence of dementia. They described a lack of training and direction to recognize and de-escalate workplace violence.

Conclusions/Application to Practice:

Workplace violence from residents residing in LTC facilities is an occupational health risk for CNAs. LTC facilities need a multisystem approach to reduce episodes of resident-on-CNA violence. This approach should include comprehensive training to recognize triggers of violent behavior, especially when working with individuals with dementia, as well as administrative support, and mental health resources to address the cumulative and negative consequences of racism.
Crossing the Cervico-Thoracic Junction in Long Posterior Cervical Fusions Reduces Caudal Adjacent Segment Pathology
Authors: Cho Woojin , Auerbach Joshua D. , Riew K. Daniel
Published: January 2021

Study Design:

Retrospective case control.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study is to compare clinical outcomes and rates of symptomatic caudal adjacent segment pathology (ASP) in posterior cervical fusions (PCF) constructs with end-instrumented vertebrae in the cervical spine (EIV-C) to PCF constructs that end in the proximal thoracic spine (EIV-T).

Methods:

Retrospective review of 1714 consecutive cervical spinal fusion cases was done. Two groups were identified: 36 cervical end-instrumented vertebra patients (age56 ± 10 yrs) and 53 thoracic EIV patients (age 57 ± 9 yrs). Symptomatic ASP was defined as revision surgery or nerve root injection (or recommended surgery or injection) at the adjacent levels.

Results:

EIV-C patients had a significantly higher rate of caudal-level symptomatic ASP requiring intervention compared with EIV-T patients (39% vs 15%, p = 0.01). The development of caudal-level ASP was highest at C7 (41%), followed by C6 (40%). The overall complication rate and surgical revision rates, however, were similar between the groups. Neck Disability Index outcomes at 2 years postop were significantly better in the EIV-T group (24.5 vs. 34.0, p = 0.05).

Conclusions:

Long PCF that cross the C-T junction have superior clinical outcomes and reduced rates of caudal breakdown, at the expense of longer fusions and higher EBL, with no increase in the rate of complications. Crossing the C-T junction affords protection of the caudal adjacent levels without adding significant operative time or morbidity.
Unplanned Readmission Following Early Postoperative Complications After Fusion Surgery in Adult Spine Deformity: A Multicentric Study
Authors: Camino-Willhuber Gaston , Guiroy Alfredo , Servidio Mariano , Astur Nelson , Nin-Vilaró Fernando , Alvarado-Gomez Fernando , Daher Murilo , Saciloto Bruno , Ono Allan , Letaif Olavo , Zarate-Kalfopulos Baron , Yurac Ratko , Vialle Emiliano , Valacco Marcelo
Published: January 2021

Study Design:

Multicentric retrospective study, Level of evidence III.

Objective:

The objective of this multicentric study was to analyze the prevalence and risk factors of early postoperative complications in adult spinal deformity patients treated with fusion. Additionally, we studied the impact of complications on unplanned readmission and hospital length of stay.

Methods:

Eight spine centers from 6 countries in Latin America were involved in this study. Patients with adult spinal deformity treated with fusion surgery from 2017 to 2019 were included. Baseline and surgical characteristics such as age, sex, comorbidities, smoking, number of levels fused, number of surgical approaches were analyzed. Postoperative complications at 30 days were recorded according to Clavien-Dindo and Glassman classifications.

Results:

172 patients (120 females/52 males, mean age 59.4 ± 17.6) were included in our study. 78 patients suffered complications (45%) at 30 days, 43% of these complications were considered major. Unplanned readmission was observed in 35 patients (20,3%). Risk factors for complications were: Smoking, previous comorbidities, number of levels fused, two or more surgical approaches and excessive bleeding. Hospital length of stay in patients without and with complications was of 7.8 ± 13.7 and 17 ± 31.1 days, respectively ( P 0.0001).

Conclusion:

The prevalence of early postoperative complications in adult spinal deformity patients treated with fusion was of 45% in our study with 20% of unplanned readmissions at 30 days. Presence of complications significantly increased hospital length of stay.
Adjustable Cortical Fixation Device for Quadriceps Tendon Repair: A Cadaveric Biomechanical Study
Authors: Gould Heath P. , Rate William R. , Abbasi Pooyan , Mistretta Katherine L. , Hammond Jason W.
Published: January 2021

Background:

Adjustable cortical fixation devices have demonstrated utility in orthopaedic applications, such as ankle syndesmosis repair.

Purpose:

To assess the cyclic gap formation of a quadriceps tendon repair technique using an adjustable cortical fixation device compared with repair with knotless suture anchors and suture tape, a modification of conventional suture anchor repair.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Eight fresh-frozen matched pairs of cadaveric knees were used. Specimens in each pair were randomized to undergo either modified suture anchor repair (control) or adjustable cortical fixation repair. The control repair was performed as previously described. The experimental repair was performed using 2 No. 2 FiberWire sutures placed into the quadriceps tendon in a running locked Krackow configuration and 2 adjustable loop devices passed through transosseous tunnels. The lagging strands of the devices were tensioned to seat the cortical fixation buttons at the inferior patellar pole and then tied to the free Krackow strands at the superior pole to complete the repair. The mean plastic gap (permanent tendon displacement that did not recover with cyclic extension) and mean maximum gap (peak displacement that occurred with cyclic knee flexion and partially recovered with extension) were evaluated during cyclic loading for 500 cycles of full knee extension to 90° of flexion.

Results:

At all testing intervals, the mean plastic gap was significantly smaller for the cortical fixation group versus the suture anchor group ( P < .02). Similarly, the mean maximum gap was significantly smaller for the cortical fixation specimens at all testing intervals ( P < .01). After cyclic loading, the mean maximum gap was significantly smaller in the cortical fixation group (4.80 ± 1.56 mm) versus the suture anchor group (8.47 ± 1.47 mm; P = < .001). The mean plastic gap was also significantly smaller in the cortical fixation versus the suture anchor group (3.25 ± 1.10 mm vs 6.57 ± 1.62 mm, respectively; P = < .001).

Conclusion:

Quadriceps tendon repair using an adjustable cortical fixation device demonstrated superior biomechanical properties in cyclic displacement testing compared with repair using the suture anchor technique.

Clinical Relevance:

These results suggest that an adjustable cortical fixation device is a biomechanically viable alternative for quadriceps tendon repair.
Parent Report of Health Related Quality of Life in Young Children in Rural Guatemala: Implementation, Reliability, and Validity of the PedsQL in Stunting and Wasting
Authors: Connery Amy K. , Lamb Molly M. , Colbert Alison M. , Bauer Desirée , Hernández Sara , Arroyave Paola , Martínez María Alejandra , Barrios Edgar Eduardo , El Sahly Hana M. , Paniagua-Avila Alejandra , Calvimontes Mirella , Bolaños Guillermo Antonio , Olson Daniel , Asturias Edwin J. , Munoz Flor M.
Published: January 2021

In this study, we review the implementation, reliability, and validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), a measure of health-related quality of life, in young children in rural Guatemala. Mothers of 842 children ( age range = 1-60 months) completed the PedsQL Generic Core Scales 4.0 serially for 1 year. Low (Pearson’s r = 0.28, P < .0001) to moderate (Pearson’s r = 0.65, P < .0001) consistency in responding over time was shown. The PedsQL did not discriminate reliably between healthy children and those with stunting or wasting. PedsQL scores were not lower during the time of an acute illness. While we found low to moderate evidence for the reliability of the PedsQL in healthy children, it did not discriminate between healthy children and those with stunting, wasting or other acute illness.
An analysis of heavy metals contamination and estimating the daily intakes of vegetables from Uganda
Authors: Kasozi Keneth Iceland , Otim Eric Oloya , Ninsiima Herbert Izo , Zirintunda Gerald , Tamale Andrew , Ekou Justin , Musoke Grace Henry , Muyinda Robert , Matama Kevin , Mujinya Regan , Matovu Henry , Ssempijja Fred , Eze Ejike Daniel , Atino Mauryn , Udechukwu Bede , Kayima Ronald , Etiang Patrick , Ayikobua Emmanuel Tiyo , Kembabazi Stellamaris , Usman Ibe Michael , Sulaiman Sheu Oluwadare , Natabo Phyllis Candy , Kyeyune Grace Nambatya , Batiha Gaber El-Saber , Otim Ochan
Published: January 2021

Background:

Environmental contamination with elevated levels of copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr6+), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni)—all states of which are found in Uganda—raises health risk to the public. Pb, Cr6+, Cd, and Ni for instance are generally considered nonessential to cellular functions, notwithstanding the importance of the oxidative state of the metals in bioavailability. As such, we aimed in this study (i) to evaluate heavy metal concentrations in four vegetables from a typical open-air market in Uganda, (ii) to assess the safety of consuming these vegetables against the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits of heavy metals consumption, and (iii) to formulate a model of estimated daily intake (EDI) among consumers in the country.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in five georeferenced markets of Bushenyi district in January 2020. Amaranthus, cabbages, scarlet eggplants, and tomatoes were collected from open markets, processed, and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Modeled EDI, principal component (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were conducted to identify relationships in the samples.

Results:

The levels of essential elements in the four vegetables were found to fall from Co > Cu > Fe > Zn. Those of non-essential metals were significantly higher and followed the pattern Cd > Cr > Pb > Ni. The highest EDI values were those of Cu in scarlet eggplants, Zn in amaranthus, Fe in amaranthus, Co in amaranthus, Pb in cabbages, total Cr in scarlet eggplant, Cd in cabbages and tomatoes, and Ni in cabbages. In comparison to international limits, EDIs for Zn, Cu, Co and Fe were low while Ni in cabbages were high. PCA showed high variations in scarlet eggplant and amaranthus. The study vegetables were found to be related with each other, not according to the location of the markets from where they were obtained, but according to their species by CA.

Conclusion:

The presence of non-essential elements above WHO limits raises policy challenges for the consumption and marketing of vegetables in the study area. Furthermore, low EDIs of essential elements in the vegetables create demand for nutritious foods to promote healthy communities.
Treatment Patterns and Clinical Outcomes for Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion: An 8-Year Experience at a Tertiary Eye Center
Authors: Lee Terry , Robbins Cason B. , Thomas Akshay S. , Fekrat Sharon
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

This work aims to investigate real-world treatment patterns and outcomes in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion in the antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) era.

Methods:

A retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative study was conducted on eyes diagnosed with branch retinal vein occlusion at a single tertiary center between 2009 and 2017. Medical history, treatment patterns, and visual acuity outcomes were examined. Subanalysis was performed for eyes that met the eligibility criteria for the BRAVO (Ranibizumab for the Treatment of Macular Edema Following Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion) trial.

Results:

A total of 315 eyes were included, of which 244 were treatment naive. In all eyes, the most common first treatment was the following: intravitreal bevacizumab (38.4%), aflibercept (15.1%), ranibizumab (8.1%), sectoral scatter laser (6.2%), and triamcinolone (3.1%). At 1 year, treatment-naive eyes had received an average of 2.43 anti-VEGF injections. During follow-up, treatment-naive eyes gained an average of 0.21 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study lines. Forty eyes that met BRAVO trial criteria received an average of 5.05 anti-VEGF injections in the first year and gained an average of 1.83 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study lines.

Conclusions:

This real-world cohort received fewer anti-VEGF injections at year 1 and experienced less improvement in visual acuity during the course of treatment than clinical trial participants. Trial-eligible patients received more injections and had greater visual gains than those who would not have been eligible for the trial.
A Traveler’s Guide to the Multiverse: Promises, Pitfalls, and a Framework for the Evaluation of Analytic Decisions
Authors: Del Giudice Marco , Gangestad Steven W.
Published: January 2021

Decisions made by researchers while analyzing data (e.g., how to measure variables, how to handle outliers) are sometimes arbitrary, without an objective justification for choosing one alternative over another. Multiverse-style methods (e.g., specification curve, vibration of effects) estimate an effect across an entire set of possible specifications to expose the impact of hidden degrees of freedom and/or obtain robust, less biased estimates of the effect of interest. However, if specifications are not truly arbitrary, multiverse-style analyses can produce misleading results, potentially hiding meaningful effects within a mass of poorly justified alternatives. So far, a key question has received scant attention: How does one decide whether alternatives are arbitrary? We offer a framework and conceptual tools for doing so. We discuss three kinds of a priori nonequivalence among alternatives—measurement nonequivalence, effect nonequivalence, and power/precision nonequivalence. The criteria we review lead to three decision scenarios: Type E decisions (principled equivalence), Type N decisions (principled nonequivalence), and Type U decisions (uncertainty). In uncertain scenarios, multiverse-style analysis should be conducted in a deliberately exploratory fashion. The framework is discussed with reference to published examples and illustrated with the help of a simulated data set. Our framework will help researchers reap the benefits of multiverse-style methods while avoiding their pitfalls.
Arrhythmia-Induced Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Jain Ashish , Selvaraj Raja J.
Published: January 2021

Tachycardia is one of the important reversible causes of ventricular dysfunction. More recently, it has been recognized that premature ventricular complexes and atrial fibrillation can result in or contribute to ventricular dysfunction in the absence of a rapid ventricular rate. The term arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy was introduced to include all these potential causes. In this review, we will discuss our understanding of AiCMP and current best practices for its diagnosis and management.
Impact of Risk Attitude on Risk, Opportunity, and Performance Assessment of Construction Projects
Authors: Qazi Abroon , Daghfous Abdelkader , Khan M. Sajid
Published: January 2021

This article explores the impact of risk attitude on the assessment of project uncertainty encompassing both risk and opportunity and expected project performance. A survey was conducted involving project risk management experts from the construction industry, and the data collected were analyzed using various statistical techniques. The findings reveal that the impact of risk attitude significantly varies across multiple dimensions of project uncertainty and project performance. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the association between risk attitude and project uncertainty and expected performance assessments has never been explored while capturing multiple dimensions of project uncertainty and performance.
Chest physiotherapy enhances detection ofPseudomonas aeruginosain nonexpectorating children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Marguet Christophe , Houdouin Véronique , Pin Isabelle , Reix Philippe , Huet Frédéric , Mittaine Marie , Ramel Sophie , Wizla-Derambure Nathalie , Abely Michel , Dalphin Marie-Laure , Fayon Michael , Bihouée Tiphaine , Le Bourgeois Muriel , Deneuville Eric , Corvol Harriet , Laurans Muriel , Couderc Laure , Leroux Evelyne , Lémée Ludovic
Published: January 2021

Lung damage in cystic fibrosis (CF) is strongly associated with lower airway infections. Early treatment ofPseudomonas aeruginosais recommended. Pathogen detection requires sampling of lower airway secretions, which remains a challenge in nonexpectorating patients. Our hypothesis was that chest physiotherapy would improve the quality of airway secretion samples and increase the rates of pathogens detected in nonexpectorating patients.

This prospective multicentre study compared three successive methods for sampling airway secretions applied through the same session: 1) an oropharyngeal swab (OP), 2) a chest physiotherapy session followed by a provoked cough to obtain sputum (CP-SP) and 3) a second oropharyngeal swab collected after chest physiotherapy (CP-OP).Haemophilus influenzae,Staphylococcus aureusandP. aeruginosagrowth cultures were assessed. Accuracy tests and an equivalence test were performed to compare the three successive methods of collection.

300 nonexpectorating children with CF were included.P. aeruginosawas detected cumulatively in 56 (18.9%) children, and according to the different collection methods in 28 (9.8%), 37 (12.4%) and 44 (14.7%) children by using OP, CP-OP and CP-SP, respectively. Compared with OP, the increased detection rate was +22% for CP-OP (p=0.029) and +57% for CP-SP (p=0.003). CP-SP had the best positive predictive value (86.3%) and negative predictive value (96.0%) forP. aeruginosacompared with the overall detection.

The results of this adequately powered study show differences in the rates of pathogens detected according to the sampling method used. Chest physiotherapy enhanced detection ofP. aeruginosain nonexpectorating children with CF.
Caspase-1/IL-1β represses membrane transport of GluA1 by inhibiting the interaction between Stargazin and GluA1 in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Gu Xunhu , Wu Hanjun , Xie Yuqin , Xu Lijun , Liu Xu , Wang Wei
Published: January 2021

Background

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease. Previous study has reported that caspase-1/IL-1β is closely associated with Alzheimer's disease. However, the biological role of caspase-1/IL-1β in Alzheimer's disease has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of action of caspase-1/IL-1β in Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

Mouse hippocampal neurones were treated with Aβ1-42 to induce Alzheimer's disease cell model. APP/PS1 mice and Aβ1-42-induced hippocampal neurones were treated with AC-YVAD-CMK (caspase-1 inhibitor). Spatial learning and memory ability of mice were detected by morris water maze. Flow cytometry, TUNEL staining, Thioflavin S staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to examine apoptosis and senile plaque deposition. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and western blot were performed to assess the levels of protein or cytokines. Co-Immunoprecipitation was performed to verify the interaction between Stargazin and GluA1.

Results

AC-YVAD-CMK treatment improved spatial learning and memory ability and reduced senile plaque deposition of APP/PS1 mice. Moreover, AC-YVAD-CMK promoted membrane transport of GluA1 in APP/PS1 mice. In vitro, Aβ1-42-induced hippocampal neurones exhibited an increase in apoptosis and a decrease in the membrane transport of GluA1, which was abolished by AC-YVAD-CMK treatment. In addition, Stargazin interacted with GluA1, which was repressed by caspase-1. Caspase-1/IL-1β inhibited membrane transport of GluA1 by inhibiting the interaction between Stargazin and GluA1.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that caspase-1/IL-1β represses membrane transport of GluA1 by inhibiting the interaction between Stargazin in Alzheimer's disease. Thus, caspase-1/IL-1β may be a target for Alzheimer's disease treatment.
Evaluation of genetic structure in European wheat cultivars and advanced breeding lines using high-density genotyping-by-sequencing approach
Authors: Tyrka Mirosław , Mokrzycka Monika , Bakera Beata , Tyrka Dorota , Szeliga Magdalena , Stojałowski Stefan , Matysik Przemysław , Rokicki Michał , Rakoczy-Trojanowska Monika , Krajewski Paweł
Published: January 2021

Background

The genetic diversity and gene pool characteristics must be clarified for efficient genome-wide association studies, genomic selection, and hybrid breeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic structure of 509 wheat accessions representing registered varieties and advanced breeding lines via the high-density genotyping-by-sequencing approach.

Results

More than 30% of 13,499 SNP markers representing 2162 clusters were mapped to genes, whereas 22.50% of 26,369 silicoDArT markers overlapped with coding sequences and were linked in 3527 blocks. Regarding hexaploidy, perfect sequence matches following BLAST searches were not sufficient for the unequivocal mapping to unique loci. Moreover, allelic variations in homeologous loci interfered with heterozygosity calculations for some markers. Analyses of the major genetic changes over the last 27 years revealed the selection pressure on orthologs of the gibberellin biosynthesis-related GA2 gene and the senescence-associated SAG12 gene. A core collection representing the wheat population was generated for preserving germplasm and optimizing breeding programs.

Conclusions

Our results confirmed considerable differences among wheat subgenomes A, B and D, with D characterized by the lowest diversity but the highest LD. They revealed genomic regions that have been targeted by breeding.
The seasonal changes of the gut microbiome of the population living in traditional lifestyles are represented by characteristic species-level and functional-level SNP enrichment patterns
Authors: Zhu Xue , Qin Jiyue , Tan Chongyang , Ning Kang
Published: January 2021

Background

Most studies investigating human gut microbiome dynamics are conducted on humans living in an urban setting. However, few studies have researched the gut microbiome of the populations living traditional lifestyles. These understudied populations are arguably better subjects in answering human-gut microbiome evolution because of their lower exposure to antibiotics and higher dependence on natural resources. Hadza hunter-gatherers in Tanzania have exhibited high biodiversity and seasonal patterns in their gut microbiome composition at the family level, where some taxa disappear in one season and reappear later. Such seasonal changes have been profiled, but the nucleotide changes remain unexplored at the genome level. Thus, it is still elusive how microbial communities change with seasonal changes at the genome level.

Results

In this study, we performed a strain-level single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis on 40 Hadza fecal metagenome samples spanning three seasons. With more SNP presented in the wet season, eight prevalent species have significant SNP enrichment with the increasing number of SNP calling by VarScan2, among which only three species have relatively high abundances. Eighty-three genes have the most SNP distributions between the wet season and dry season. Many of these genes are derived from Ruminococcus obeum, and mainly participated in metabolic pathways including carbon metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and glycolysis.

Conclusions

Eight prevalent species have significant SNP enrichments with the increasing number of SNP, among which only Eubacterium biforme, Eubacterium hallii and Ruminococcus obeum have relatively high species abundances. Many genes in the microbiomes also presented characteristic SNP distributions between the wet season and the dry season. This implies that the seasonal changes might indirectly impact the mutation patterns for specific species and functions for the gut microbiome of the population that lives in traditional lifestyles through changing the diet in wet and dry seasons, indicating the role of these variants in these species’ adaptation to the changing environment and diets.
Inferring time series chromatin states for promoter-enhancer pairs based on Hi-C data
Authors: Miko Henriette , Qiu Yunjiang , Gaertner Bjoern , Sander Maike , Ohler Uwe
Published: January 2021

Background

Co-localized combinations of histone modifications (“chromatin states”) have been shown to correlate with promoter and enhancer activity. Changes in chromatin states over multiple time points (“chromatin state trajectories”) have previously been analyzed at promoter and enhancers separately. With the advent of time series Hi-C data it is now possible to connect promoters and enhancers and to analyze chromatin state trajectories at promoter-enhancer pairs.

Results

We present TimelessFlex, a framework for investigating chromatin state trajectories at promoters and enhancers and at promoter-enhancer pairs based on Hi-C information. TimelessFlex extends our previous approach Timeless, a Bayesian network for clustering multiple histone modification data sets at promoter and enhancer feature regions. We utilize time series ATAC-seq data measuring open chromatin to define promoters and enhancer candidates. We developed an expectation-maximization algorithm to assign promoters and enhancers to each other based on Hi-C interactions and jointly cluster their feature regions into paired chromatin state trajectories.

We find jointly clustered promoter-enhancer pairs showing the same activation patterns on both sides but with a stronger trend at the enhancer side. While the promoter side remains accessible across the time series, the enhancer side becomes dynamically more open towards the gene activation time point. Promoter cluster patterns show strong correlations with gene expression signals, whereas Hi-C signals get only slightly stronger towards activation.

The code of the framework is available at https://github.com/henriettemiko/TimelessFlex.

Conclusions

TimelessFlex clusters time series histone modifications at promoter-enhancer pairs based on Hi-C and it can identify distinct chromatin states at promoter and enhancer feature regions and their changes over time.
Genome-wide characterization of the WAK gene family and expression analysis under plant hormone treatment in cotton
Authors: Dou Lingling , Li Zhifang , Shen Qian , Shi Huiran , Li Huaizhu , Wang Wenbo , Zou Changsong , Shang Haihong , Li Hongbin , Xiao Guanghui
Published: January 2021

Background

Wall-associated kinases (WAK), one of the receptor-like kinases (RLK), function directly in the connection and communication between the plant cell wall and the cytoplasm. WAK genes are highly conserved and have been identified in plants, such as rice, but there is little research on the WAK gene family in cotton.

Results

In the present study, we identified 29 GhWAK genes in Gossypium hirsutum. Phylogenetic analysis showed that cotton WAK proteins can be divided into five clades. The results of synteny and Ka/Ks analysis showed that the GhWAK genes mainly originated from whole genome duplication (WGD) and were then mainly under purifying selection. Transcriptome data and real-time PCR showed that 97% of GhWAK genes highly expressed in cotton fibers and ovules. β-glucuronidase (GUS) staining assays showed that GhWAK5 and GhWAK16 expressed in Arabidopsis leaf trichomes. Fourteen GhWAK genes were found to possess putative gibberellin (GA) response elements in the promoter regions, 13 of which were significantly induced by GA treatment. Ten GhWAK genes contained auxin (IAA) response elements and the expression level of nine GhWAKs significantly increased under auxin treatment.

Conclusions

We provide a preliminary analysis of the WAK gene family in G. hirsutum, which sheds light on the potantial roles of GhWAK genes in cotton fiber cell development. Our data also provides a useful resource for future studies on the functional roles of GhWAK genes.
Genome-wide identification of ubiquitin proteasome subunits as superior reference genes for transcript normalization during receptacle development in strawberry cultivars
Authors: Chen Jianqing , Zhou Jinyu , Hong Yanhong , Li Zekun , Cheng Xiangyu , Zheng Aiying , Zhang Yilin , Song Juanjuan , Xie Guifeng , Chen Changmei , Yuan Meng , Wang Tengyun , Chen Qingxi
Published: January 2021

Background

Gene transcripts that show invariant abundance during development are ideal as reference genes (RGs) for accurate gene expression analyses, such as RNA blot analysis and reverse transcription–quantitative real time PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses. In a genome-wide analysis, we selected three “Commonly used” housekeeping genes (HKGs), fifteen “Traditional” HKGs, and nine novel genes as candidate RGs based on 80 publicly available transcriptome libraries that include data for receptacle development in eight strawberry cultivars.

Results

The results of the multifaceted assessment consistently revealed that expression of the novel RGs showed greater stability compared with that of the “Commonly used” and “Traditional” HKGs in transcriptome and RT-qPCR analyses. Notably, the majority of stably expressed genes were associated with the ubiquitin proteasome system. Among these, two 26 s proteasome subunits, RPT6A and RPN5A, showed superior expression stability and abundance, and are recommended as the optimal RGs combination for normalization of gene expression during strawberry receptacle development.

Conclusion

These findings provide additional useful and reliable RGs as resources for the accurate study of gene expression during receptacle development in strawberry cultivars.
Clinical observations of bone marrow transfusion for promoting bone marrow reconstruction after chemotherapy for AIDS-related lymphoma
Authors: Liu Yixuan , Xie Suhong , Li Lei , Si Yanhui , Zhang Weiwei , Liu Xin , Guo Lin , Liu Baochi , Lu Renquan
Published: January 2021

Background

This study investigates the effect of autologous bone marrow transfusion (BMT) on the reconstruction of both bone marrow and the immune system in patients with AIDS-related lymphoma (ARL).

Methods

A total of 32 patients with ARL participated in this study. Among them, 16 participants were treated with conventional surgery and chemotherapy (control group) and the remaining 16 patients were treated with chemotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transfusion via a mesenteric vein (8 patients, ABM-MVI group) or a peripheral vein (8 patients, ABM-PI group). Subsequently, peripheral blood and lymphocyte data subsets were detected and documented in all patients.

Results

Before chemotherapy, no significant difference in indicators was observed between three groups of ARL patients. Unexpectedly, 2 weeks after the end of 6 courses of chemotherapy, the ABM-MVI group, and the ABM-PI group yielded an increased level of CD8+T lymphocytes, white blood cells (WBC), and platelet (PLT) in peripheral blood in comparison to the control group. Notably, the number of CD4+T lymphocytes in the ABM-PI group was significantly higher than that in the other two groups. Additionally, no significant difference in haemoglobin levels was observed before and after chemotherapy in both the ABM-MVI and ABM-PI groups, while haemoglobin levels in the control group decreased significantly following chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Autologous bone marrow transfusion after chemotherapy can promote the reconstruction of both bone marrow and the immune system. There was no significant difference in bone marrow recovery and reconstruction between the mesenteric vein transfusion group and the peripheral vein transfusion group.
Knockout of the circadian gene, Per2, disrupts corticosterone secretion and results in depressive‐like behaviors and deficits in startle responses
Authors: Russell Ashley L. , Miller Lauren , Yi Hannah , Keil Rita , Handa Robert J. , Wu T. John
Published: January 2021

Background

The Period Circadian Regulator 2 (Per2) gene is important for the modulation of circadian rhythms that influence biological processes. Circadian control of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is critical for regulation of hormones involved in the stress response. Dysregulation of the HPA axis is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Therefore, it is important to understand how disruption of the circadian rhythm alters the HPA axis. One way to address this question is to delete a gene involved in regulating a central circadian gene such asPer2in an animal model and to determine how this deletion may affect the HPA axis and behaviors that are altered when the HPA axis is dysregulated. To study this, corticosterone (CORT) levels were measured through the transition from light (inactive phase) to dark (active phase). Additionally, CORT levels as well as pituitary and adrenal mRNA expression were measured following a mild restraint stress. Mice were tested for depressive-like behaviors (forced swim test (FST)), acoustic startle response (ASR), and pre-pulse inhibition (PPI).

Results

The present results showed thatPer2knockout impacted CORT levels, mRNA expression, depressive-like behaviors, ASR and PPI. Unlike wild-type (WT) mice,Per2knockout (Per2) mice showed no diurnal rise in CORT levels at the onset of the dark cycle.Per2−/−mice had enhanced CORT levels and adrenal melanocortin receptor 2 (Mc2R) mRNA expression following restraint. There were no changes in expression of any other pituitary or adrenal gene. In the FST,Per2−/−mice spent more time floating (less time struggling) than WT mice, suggesting increased depressive-like behaviors.Per2−/−mice had deficits in ASR and PPI startle responses compared to WT mice.

Conclusions

In summary, these findings showed that disruption of the circadian system viaPer2gene deletion dysregulated the HPA stress axis and is subsequently correlated with increased depressive-like behaviors and deficits in startle response.
A rare case of thymic carcinoid presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms and pericardium effusion
Authors: Xiang Qun-yan , Xu Jin , Liu Ling
Published: January 2021

Background

Thymic carcinoid is one of an extremely rare type of malignant neuroendocrine tumor with a poor prognosis. Invasion of thymic carcinoid to other organs could lead to devastating consequences. It has been reported that thymic carcinoid mainly invaded to the pleura, lungs, liver, pancreas and bone, while rarely to the cardiac, especially to the ventricle.

Case presentation

A 53-year-old man presented with gastrointestinal symptoms and persistent pericardial effusion. Multiple imaging tools, including chest computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (18F-FDG PET/CT) showed a malignant neoplasm arising from the thymus invading into the biventricular myocardium, pericardium, and left superior pulmonary veins. The tumor was finally diagnosed as a thymic carcinoid through pathological examination.

Conclusion

This is a rare case of thymic carcinoid invading the ventricular myocardium, which presented as subacute heart failure. The observations in this case would be useful for differential diagnosis of primary heart disease and invasion of heart due to thymic carcinoid.
Obesity interacts with hyperuricemia on the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Zhou Mimi , Yang Nan , Xing Xin , Chang Danyan , Li Juan , Deng Jiang , Chen Yi , Hu Chunhua , Zhang Rou , Lu Xiaolan , Zhao Yingren , He Yingli
Published: January 2021

Background

A series of evidence revealed that body mass index was an important confounding factor in the research of uric acid and ischemic heart disease/hypertension. The objective of this study was to investigate whether obesity status can modify the association between serum uric acid and the severity of liver damage in NAFLD, and the possible interactive effect of hyperuricemia and obesity.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in a total of 557 ultrasound diagnosed-NAFLD. The hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis were quantitatively evaluated by transient elastography. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid > 420 μmol/L in men, > 360 μmol/L in women and obesity was defined as body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2. The adjusted OR values of hyperuricemia and obesity were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis, and the additive model was used to investigate the possible interactive effect.

Results

Multivariate regression analysis showed that hyperuricemia was associated with serious hepatic steatosis (1.74[1.09–2.79]) and elevated ALT (2.17[1.38–3.41]), but not with advanced fibrosis (1.61[0.91–2.85]). The association was further investigated in different BMI group. Hyperuricemia was associated with higher odds of serious hepatic steatosis (2.02[1.14–3.57]) and elevated ALT (2.27[1.37–3.76]) only in obese NAFLD, not in non-obese subjects. Similarly, patients with hyperuricemia had higher odds of advanced fibrosis in obese subjects (2.17[1.13–4.18]), not in non-obese subjects (0.60[0.14–2.70]). Furthermore, there was an additive interaction between hyperuricemia and obesity on the odds of serious hepatic steatosis (AP: 0.39[0.01–0.77]) and advanced fibrosis. (AP: 0.60[0.26–0.95]).

Conclusions

Hyperuricemia and obesity had a significantly synergistic effect on the hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Thus, management of uric acid may need to be targeted in obese NAFLD.