bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post‐transcriptional deregulation of the tisB/istR‐1 toxin–antitoxin system promotes SOS‐independent persister formation in Escherichia coli
Authors: Edelmann Daniel , Oberpaul Markus , Schäberle Till F. , Berghoff Bork A.
Published: December 2020

Bacterial dormancy is a valuable strategy to endure unfavourable conditions. The term ‘persister’ has been coined for cells that tolerate antibiotic treatments due to reduced cellular activity. The type I toxin–antitoxin system tisB/istR‐1 is linked to persistence in Escherichia coli, because toxin TisB depolarizes the inner membrane and causes ATP depletion. Transcription of tisB is induced upon activation of the SOS response by DNA‐damaging drugs. However, translation is repressed both by a 5′ structure within the tisB mRNA and by RNA antitoxin IstR‐1. This tight regulation limits TisB production to SOS conditions. Deletion of both regulatory RNA elements produced a ‘high persistence’ mutant, which was previously assumed to depend on stochastic SOS induction and concomitant TisB production. Here, we demonstrate that the mutant generates a subpopulation of growth‐retarded cells during late stationary phase, likely due to SOS‐independent TisB accumulation. Cell sorting experiments revealed that the stationary phase–derived subpopulation contains most of the persister cells. Collectively our data show that deletion of the regulatory RNA elements uncouples the persister formation process from the intended stress situation and enables the formation of TisB‐dependent persisters in an SOS‐independent manner.
Interstitial lung disease associated with capmatinib therapy in a patient with non‐small cell lung cancer harboring a skipping mutation of MET exon 14
Authors: Kanemura Hiroaki , Takeda Masayuki , Shimizu Shigeki , Nakagawa Kazuhiko
Published: December 2020

Capmatinib is a MET tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that has recently been approved for the treatment of advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) positive for skipping mutations of MET exon 14 (METex14). Drug‐induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a relatively rare, but potentially serious, side effect of TKIs administered for lung cancer treatment. Here we report a case of capmatinib‐induced ILD in a patient with NSCLC harboring a METex14 skipping mutation. Capmatinib should be immediately discontinued if ILD is suspected, and treatment with corticosteroid should be considered.
COVID‐19 Induced Stigma in U.S. Consumers: Evidence and Implications
Authors: McFadden Brandon R. , Malone Trey , Kecinski Maik , Messer Kent D.
Published: December 2020

Though both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration claim that there is no evidence that handling and consuming food causes COVID‐19, many consumers may not be convinced. To assess concerns about potential COVID‐19 transmission from food, we surveyed more than 3,000 consumers in May, June, and July of 2020 using a nationally representative panel. Despite evidence to the contrary, consumers express multiple concerns about their food and how and where it is served and transmission of the virus. Between concerns about transmission of COVID‐19 while shopping for food versus consuming food, more consumers were concerned about exposure while shopping; however, the number of consumers concerned about transmission from consuming food steadily increased over the months of data collection. We also found that Black respondents were more concerned about COVID‐19 transmission from certain staple foods, suggesting that COVID‐19 could intensify standing racial inequities related to nutrition and health. Overall, these findings suggest that we may be observing the early stages of evolving food stigmas that could persist in the future and reshape how U.S. consumers shop for food and the foods they consume.
Cerumenolytics with or without manual extraction for impacted earwax: A network meta‐analysis of randomised clinical trials
Authors: Sridharan Kannan , Sivaramakrishnan Gowri
Published: December 2020

Background

Many different substances for cerumenolysis have been evaluated in clinical trials. We carried out a systematic review and network meta‐analysis to compare their effectiveness.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched for randomised clinical trials conducted in patients with impacted cerumen evaluating cerumenolytics. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with wax clearance using manual techniques. Rankogram plot was used to assess the “best” cerumenolytic. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) was the effect estimate.

Results

Twenty‐six studies were included in the systematic review and 25 in the meta‐analysis. Sodium bicarbonate (OR: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.2, 6.1) and paradichlorobenzene (OR: 30.9, 95% CI: 5.9, 161.3) were associated with significantly greater proportions of patients with wax clearance following syringing compared to normal saline. Rankogram plot revealed paradichlorobenzene to have the highest probability of being the “best” cerumenolytic. Chlorobutanol was observed to be significantly better than normal saline in adults as well as following single application. Following multiple applications, glycerol, docusate sodium, hydrogen peroxide, oil, paradichlorobenzene, hydrogen peroxide/glycerol and arachis oil/chlorobutanol/paradichlorobenzene were observed with significant cerumenolytic activities. Urea/hydrogen peroxide/glycerol was observed with a significant cerumenolytic activity without the need for further interventions such as syringing/aspiration/suction.

Conclusion

We observed several cerumenolytics to be effective in the treatment of impacted earwax when accompanied by additional manual techniques such as syringing/aspiration/suction.
Trait‐similarity and trait‐hierarchy jointly determine fine‐scale spatial associations of resident and invasive ant species
Authors: Wong Mark K. L. , Tsang Toby P. N. , Lewis Owen T. , Guénard Benoit
Published: December 2020

Interspecific competition, a dominant process structuring ecological communities, is influenced by species' phenotypic differences. Limiting similarity theory holds that species with similar traits should compete intensely (‘trait‐similarity'). In contrast, competing theories including modern coexistence theory emphasize that species with traits conferring competitive advantages should outcompete others (‘trait‐hierarchy'). Either or both of these mechanisms may drive competitive exclusion, but their relative importance and interacting effects are rarely studied. Here, we explore empirically whether trait‐similarity and trait‐hierarchy can explain fine‐scale spatial associations observed between invasive and native ant species in a tropical assemblage. We find that pairwise co‐occurrences between the invasive red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta and 28 other species across relatively homogenous grasslands can be explained largely by an interaction of trait‐similarity and trait‐hierarchy in a single morphological trait, relative pronotum width. Specifically, higher trait‐hierarchy values are associated with negative co‐occurrences; however, these effects are counteracted when species are increasingly dissimilar in their trait ranges. These findings are consistent with the notion that limiting similarity and competitive hierarchies are interactive rather than discrete mechanisms driving competitive exclusion.
Brain connectivity abnormalities and treatment‐induced restorations in patients with cervical dystonia
Authors: Feng Liang , Yin Dazhi , Wang Xiangbin , Xu Yifei , Xiang Yongsheng , Teng Fei , Pan Yougui , Zhang Xiaolong , Su Junhui , Wang Zheng , Jin Lingjing
Published: December 2020

Background

The relationship between brain abnormalities and phenotypic characteristics in cervical dystonia (CD) patients has not been fully established, and little is known about the neuroplastic changes induced by botulinum toxin type A (BoNT‐A) treatment.

Methods

Ninety‐two CD patients presenting with rotational torticollis and 45 healthy controls from our database were retrospectively screened. After clinical assessment, the 92 patients underwent baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) followed by a single‐dose injection of BoNT‐A. Four weeks later, 76 out of the 92 patients were re‐evaluated with the Tsui scale for dystonia severity, and 33 out of 76 patients completed post‐treatment MRI scanning. Data‐driven global brain connectivity and regional homogeneity in tandem with seed‐based connectivity analyses were used to examine the functional abnormalities in CD and longitudinal circuit alterations that scaled with clinical response to BoNT‐A. Multiple regression models were employed for the prediction analysis of treatment efficacy.

Results

Cervical dystonia patients exhibited elevated baseline connectivity of the right postcentral gyrus with the left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and right caudate nucleus, which was associated with their symptom severity. BoNT‐A reduced excessive functional connectivity between the sensorimotor cortex and right superior frontal gyrus, which was significantly correlated with changes in Tsui score. Moreover, pre‐treatment regional homogeneity of the left middle frontal gyrus was linearly related to varied response to treatment.

Conclusions

Our findings unravel dissociable connectivity of the sensorimotor cortex underlying the pathology of CD and central effects of BoNT‐A therapy. Furthermore, baseline regional homogeneity with the left middle frontal gyrus may represent a potential evidence‐based marker of patient stratification for BoNT‐A therapy in CD.
Larval host plants of two lizard beetles in the genus Tetraphala (Coleoptera, Erotylidae, Languriinae, Languriini) from Taiwan, with a host plant list of Languriini
Authors: Toki Wataru , Chiu Ming‐Chung , Huang Ching‐Gi , Wu Wen‐Jer
Published: December 2020

Lizard beetles (Erotylidae, Languriinae, Languriini) are known as stem borers of plants and contain agricultural pests and endangered species, but their species–host plant associations have been poorly documented. Here we investigated the larval host plants of two species of the genus Tetraphala Strum, T. collaris (Crotch) and Tetraphala sp. occurring in Taiwan. Females of T. collaris excavated living leafstalks and stems of the herbaceous dicot, Sambucus chinensis (Adoxaceae) using their mandibles for oviposition. We observed the eggs and early‐instar larvae inside and nearby oviposition holes and late‐instar larvae inside stems, suggesting that T. collaris uses living leafstalks and stems of S. chinensis as oviposition substrate and the larvae tunnel into stems with feeding on the tissues. Similarly, females of Tetraphala sp. excavated living leafstalks of the fern, Pteris wallichiana (Pteridaceae) using their mandibles for oviposition. We observed the eggs and early‐instar larvae inside and nearby oviposition holes. When reared in laboratory, a larva reached adulthood inside the leafstalk. These results indicated that Tetraphala sp. uses living leafstalks of Pt. wallichiana as oviposition substrate and the larvae complete their development within. This study revealed that the genus Tetraphala contains both fern‐ and dicot‐users during larval period. Further study is needed to clarify the evolutionary process of host plant use of languriines. Additionally, the host plant list of Languriini is provided.
Could basement membrane alterations, resembling micro‐wounds at the dermo‐epidermal junction in psoriatic non‐lesional skin, make the skin susceptible to lesion formation?
Authors: Bozó Renáta , Flink Lili Borbála , Belső Nóra , Gubán Barbara , Széll Márta , Kemény Lajos , Bata‐Csörgő Zsuzsanna
Published: December 2020

Current data suggest that tissue microenvironment control immune functions. Therefore, understanding the tissue environment in which immune activation occurs will enhance our capability to interfere with abnormal immune pathology. Here, we argue that studying the constitutively abnormal functions of clinically uninvolved psoriatic skin in patients with plaque type psoriasis is very important to better understand psoriasis pathobiology, because non‐lesional skin provides the tissue environment in which the psoriatic lesion develops. A key question in psoriasis is what initiates the abnormal, uncontrolled immune activation in the first place and the answer may lie in the skin. In light of this concept, we summarize abnormalities at the dermal‐epidermal junction region which shows a special “non‐healing‐like” micro‐wound phenotype in the psoriatic non‐lesional skin that may act as a crucial susceptibility factor in the development of the disease.
Very high cycle fatigue characterization of additively manufactured AlSi10Mg and AlSi7Mg aluminium alloys based on ultrasonic fatigue testing
Authors: Lesperance Xavier , Ilie Paul , Ince Ayhan
Published: December 2020

This paper investigates long fatigue life characteristics of AlSi10Mg and AlSi7Mg aluminium alloys produced using direct metal laser sintering. An in‐house built ultrasonic fatigue testing machine was used to carry out fatigue tests on specimens machined from heat‐treated AlSi10Mg and AlSi7Mg alloys subjected to constant fully reversed tension–compression loadings. The fatigue life data acquired for these two additive manufacturing (AM) aluminium alloys were compared with previously published data under heat treatment and non‐heat treatment conditions. It was found that fatigue data of tested specimens fit more closely the data of specimens without any heat treatment. Fatigue test results indicate that effects of heat treatment on high cycle fatigue (HCF) and very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) performance of AM alloys should be further investigated in the context of the microstructural changes.
Learning and reaction times in mouse touchscreen tests are differentially impacted by mutations in genes encoding postsynaptic interacting proteins SYNGAP1, NLGN3, DLGAP1, DLGAP2 and SHANK2
Authors: Horner Alexa E. , Norris Rebecca H. , McLaren‐Jones Robbie , Alexander Liam , Komiyama Noboru H. , Grant Seth G. N. , Nithianantharajah Jess , Kopanitsa Maksym V.
Published: December 2020

The postsynaptic terminal of vertebrate excitatory synapses contains a highly conserved multiprotein complex that comprises neurotransmitter receptors, cell‐adhesion molecules, scaffold proteins and enzymes, which are essential for brain signalling and plasticity underlying behaviour. Increasingly, mutations in genes that encode postsynaptic proteins belonging to the PSD‐95 protein complex, continue to be identified in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability and epilepsy. These disorders are highly heterogeneous, sharing genetic aetiology and comorbid cognitive and behavioural symptoms. Here, by using genetically engineered mice and innovative touchscreen‐based cognitive testing, we sought to investigate whether loss‐of‐function mutations in genes encoding key interactors of the PSD‐95 protein complex display shared phenotypes in associative learning, updating of learned associations and reaction times. Our genetic dissection of mice with loss‐of‐function mutations in Syngap1, Nlgn3, Dlgap1, Dlgap2 and Shank2 showed that distinct components of the PSD‐95 protein complex differentially regulate learning, cognitive flexibility and reaction times in cognitive processing. These data provide insights for understanding how human mutations in these genes lead to the manifestation of diverse and complex phenotypes in NDDs.
Urinary incontinence onset predictors in community‐dwelling older women: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Okumatsu Koki , Osuka Yosuke , Suzuki Takao , Kim Miji , Kojima Narumi , Yoshida Yuko , Hirano Hirohiko , Kim Hunkyung
Published: December 2020

Aim

We aimed to investigate whether physical function was associated with urinary incontinence (UI) onset in community‐dwelling older Japanese women.

Methods

This was a 4‐year prospective cohort study. After excluding participants with UI and missing data in the baseline survey, we included 890 participants in the analyses. Physical function including grip strength, maximal walking speed, knee extension strength, single‐leg balance, and timed up and go (TUG) were measured. The primary outcome was the onset of all UI and different types of UI (urge, stress and mixed) based on the questionnaire survey. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to calculate the adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association between physical function and the risk of all UI and different types of UI incident.

Results

Among the 890 participants, 221 (25%) developed UI during the 4‐year follow‐up. After adjusting for confounders, better knee extension strength, maximal walking speed and TUG were significantly associated with a lower risk of all UI and urge UI onset, and better single‐leg balance and TUG were significantly associated with a lower risk of mixed UI onset (P for trend <0.05). No significant association was found between physical function and the risk of stress UI onset.

Conclusions

This study confirmed that better lower extremity physical function is associated with lower risk of urge and mixed UI onset, indicating that exercise programs focusing on maintaining and improving lower extremity physical function may be useful for reducing such events among older women. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 178–184.
Transarterial chemoembolisation enhances programmed death‐1 and programmed death‐ligand 1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Montasser Ahmed , Beaufrère Aurélie , Cauchy François , Bouattour Mohamed , Soubrane Olivier , Albuquerque Miguel , Paradis Valérie
Published: December 2020

Aims

Immunotherapies represent a new alternative therapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), and have shown promising results when used in combination therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) to modulate programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) and programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression profiles in a cohort of surgically treated HCCs.

Methods and results

A total of 82 surgically treated HCCs from patients who had undergone (n = 32) or not undergone (n = 50) preoperative TACE were included in the study. Immunohistochemical expression of PD‐1 and of PD‐L1 were analysed and compared according to TACE treatment. Pretreatment biopsies, which were available for 30 cases (20 with TACE and 10 without), were similarly analysed. Follow‐up data were retrieved from patients' charts. PD‐1 expression (≥1%) in intratumoral inflammatory cells (ICs) was observed in 46% of HCCs, and PD‐L1 expression (≥1%) in ICs and PD‐L1 expression in tumour cells (TCs) were observed in 46% and 16% of HCCs, respectively. A low level of PD‐1 expression (<1%) was associated with strong and diffuse glutamine synthetase overexpression (8% versus 27%, P = 0.024). HCCs from patients with TACE pretreatment showed significantly higher PD‐L1 expression in TCs than those from patients without TACE pretreatment (2% versus 0.4%, P = 0.027). PD‐1 expression in ICs and PD‐L1 expression in both ICs and TCs were higher in TACE‐resected tumours than in corresponding pre‐TACE biopsies (respectively: 1.8% versus 8.1%, P = 0.034; 0.8% versus 7.1%, P = 0.032; and 0% versus 2.4%, P = 0.043).

Conclusion

Our results, showing increases in PD‐1 expression and PD‐L1 expression in HCCs following TACE, support the use of TACE in combination with immunotherapy in selected cases to optimise tumour response.
Predicting bacteraemia in maternity patients using full blood count parameters: A supervised machine learning algorithm approach
Authors: Mooney Ciarán , Eogan Maeve , Ní Áinle Fionnuala , Cleary Brian , Gallagher Joeseph J. , O'Loughlin John , Drew Richard J.
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Bacteraemia in pregnancy and the post‐partum period can lead to maternal and newborn morbidly. The purpose of this study was to use machine learning tools to identify if bacteraemia in pregnant or post‐partum women could be predicted by full blood count (FBC) parameters other than the white cell count.

Methods

The study was performed on 129 women with a positive blood culture (BC) for a clinically significant organism, who had a FBC taken at the same time. They were matched with controls who had a negative BC taken at the same time as a FBC. The data were split in to a training (70%) and test (30%) data set. Machine learning techniques such as recursive partitioning and classification and regression trees were used.

Results

A neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) of >20 was found to be the most clinically relevant and interpretable construct of the FBC result to predict bacteraemia. The diagnostic accuracy of NLR >20 to predict bacteraemia was then examined. Thirty‐six of the 129 bacteraemia patients had a NLR >20, while only 223 of the 3830 controls had a NLR >20. This gave a sensitivity of 27.9% (95% CI 20.3‐36.4), specificity of 94.1% (93.3‐94.8), positive predictive value of 13.9% (10.6‐17.9) and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 97.4% (97.2‐97.7) when the prevalence of bacteraemia was 3%.

Conclusion

The NLR should be considered for use in routine clinical practice when assessing the FBC result in patients with suspected bacteraemia during pregnancy or in the post‐partum period.
Association between child/adolescent overweight/obesity and conduct disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Nujić Danijela , Musić Milanović Sanja , Milas Vesna , Miškulin Ivan , Ivić Vedrana , Milas Josip
Published: December 2020

Background

Research findings of the association and its pattern between obesity and psychiatric/psychological comorbidities are not consistent across the types of comorbidities or the study subgroups.

Objectives

We aimed to perform meta‐analysis of cross‐sectional studies and longitudinal studies analysing obesity as a risk factor for conduct disorder in order to assess the association between child/adolescent overweight/obesity and conduct disorder.

Methods

Systematic literature search, study selection and data extraction were performed independently by the two authors. Data were analysed by Comprehensive Meta‐analysis software.

Results

Analysis of 13 high‐quality cross‐sectional studies including 79 027 children and adolescents indicated a significant association between overweight/obesity and conduct disorder among children and adolescents (OR 1.32 [95% CI, 1.18‐1.49], I2 = 86.68), with no publication bias. Subgroup analyses yielded a significant difference (P < .01) between boys and girls. Analysis of four low‐ to moderate‐quality longitudinal studies (OR 1.11 [95% CI, 0.89‐1.38], I2 = 57.69) showed no prospective association between overweight/obesity and conduct disorder. Subgroup analysis according to gender revealed a significant positive association for boys and negative association for girls.

Conclusions

Based on the high‐quality cross‐sectional data, overweight and obesity are associated with conduct disorder among children and adolescents, affecting boys more frequently than girls. Results of the longitudinal analysis indicated possible association in boys, while girls seem to be protected from conduct disorder. However, these results are very unreliable, indicating the need of well‐designed longitudinal studies to elucidate the pattern of association between these disorders.
Group B streptococcal bacteraemia: changing trends in a tropical region of Australia
Authors: Alizzi Mohammed , Rathnayake Romesh , Sivabalan Pirathaban , Emeto Theophilus I. , Norton Robert
Published: December 2020

Background

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a recognised perinatal and neonatal pathogen. There are reports of increasing GBS sepsis globally outside this demographic. North Queensland is part of tropical Australia, with a relatively high proportion of Indigenous Australians.

Aims

To analyse the epidemiology of GBS bacteraemia and explore associated risk factors.

Methods

This was a 10‐year retrospective review of GBS bacteraemia in a tertiary facility in North Queensland, between 2010 and February 2020. Data variables collected included: demographics, risk factors, clinical source and outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the association of indigenous status and other relevant clinical factors with mortality from GBS bacteraemia at 3 months.

Results

Of the 164 total cases, 123 were not pregnancy related. The annual rate of GBS bacteraemia for the indigenous population was 12.48 per 100 000 and 4.84 per 100 000 for the non‐indigenous population. Indigenous patients were more likely to have diabetes and chronic kidney disease compared with the non‐indigenous patients. Males (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.34; 95% CI 1.14−16.56; P = 0.031) and immunosuppressed patients (AOR = 11.49; 95% CI 2.73−48.42; P < 0.001) were more likely to experience mortality at 3 months from GBS bacteraemia even after adjusting for other risk factors respectively.

Conclusion

GBS bacteraemia is deviating from being primarily a neonatal disease. While the indigenous population of North Queensland are disproportionately affected, the demographics affected differ. GBS appears to target the older non‐indigenous patients with greater comorbidities. In the non‐indigenous population, invasive GBS disease is an emerging issue. Three‐month mortality appears to be increased in males and the immunosuppressed.
Relaxing music reduces blood pressure and heart rate among pre‐hypertensive young adults: A randomized control trial
Authors: Mir Imtiyaz Ali , Chowdhury Moniruddin , Islam Rabiul Md , Ling Goh Yee , Chowdhury Alauddin A. B. M. , Hasan Zobaer Md , Higashi Yukihito
Published: December 2020

Prevalence of pre‐hypertension is higher among young adults and may increase the risk for hypertension and cardiovascular morbidity. Music therapy has been investigated to reduce the blood pressure in the hypertensive population; however, its efficacy on blood pressure in pre‐hypertensive young adults is not known. Thirty pre‐hypertensive (systolic blood pressure [SBP] = 120‐139 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure [DBP] = 80‐89 mmHg) young adults were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups. Music group (N = 15) received music therapy by passive listening to music for 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks, along with Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan (a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, low‐fat dairy or unsaturated fat) and limit the daily sodium intake less than 100 mmol/day. The control group (N = 15) practiced only DASH eating plan and sodium restriction. The SBP, DBP, and heart rate (HR) were measured before and after 4 weeks of intervention. There was a significant reduction in SBP (8.73 mmHg, p < .001) and HR (6.42 beats/minute, p = .002); however, the reduction in DBP (1.44 mmHg, p = .101) was not statistically significant in the music group. Control group did not exhibit any significant reduction in SBP (0.21 mmHg, p < .836), DBP (0.81 mmHg, p < .395) and HR (0.09 beats/minute, p < .935). In conclusion, music therapy reduced significantly SBP and HR suggesting that it could be a promising tool to prevent the progression of pre‐hypertension toward hypertension among young adults.
Impairment in the telocyte/CD34+ stromal cell network in human rheumatoid arthritis synovium
Authors: Rosa Irene , Faussone‐Pellegrini Maria Simonetta , Romano Eloisa , Ibba‐Manneschi Lidia , Matucci‐Cerinic Marco , Manetti Mirko
Published: December 2020

Telocytes (TCs)/CD34+ stromal cells have recently emerged as peculiar interstitial cells detectable in a variety of organs throughout the human body. TCs are typically arranged in networks establishing unique spatial relationships with neighbour cells and likely contributing to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis by both cell‐to‐cell contacts and releasing extracellular vesicles. Hence, TC defects are being increasingly reported in different pathologies, such as chronic inflammatory and fibrotic conditions. In this regard, TCs/CD34+ stromal cells have been shown to constitute an intricate interstitial network in the subintimal area of the normal human synovial membrane, but whether they are altered in chronic synovitis has yet to be explored. We therefore undertook a morphologic study to compare the distribution of TCs/CD34+ stromal cells between normal synovium and chronically inflamed synovium from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by using CD34 immunohistochemistry and CD31/CD34 double immunofluorescence. CD34 immunostaining revealed that, at variance with normal synovium, the inflamed and hyperplastic RA synovial tissue was nearly or even completely devoid of TCs/CD34+ stromal cells. Double immunofluorescence confirmed that almost all CD34+ tissue components detectable in RA synovium were blood vessels coexpressing CD31, while a widespread network of CD31−/CD34+ TCs was clearly evident in the whole sublining layer of normal synovium. In the context of the emerging diverse roles of TCs/CD34+ stromal cells in the regulation of tissue homeostasis and structure, the remarkable impairment in their networks herein uncovered in RA synovium may suggest important pathophysiologic implications that will be worth investigating further.
SARS‐CoV‐2 not found in pressure injury exudates from COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Yu Nanze , Zhang Yuwei , Xiao Meng , Cao Wei , Zhang Yan , Yang Yang , Liu Zhengyin , Li Yunzhu , Long Xiao , Liu Zhifei , Zhang Shuyang , Wang Xiaojun
Published: December 2020

Background

The emergence of COVID‐19 has become a global health emergency. The transmissibility of the disease is of great interest to healthcare workers and scientists alike. The primary route of transmission is via respiratory droplets, but viral RNA has also been found in feces and body fluids such as urine, serum, and semen. So far, there has been no report on whether SARS‐CoV‐2 is present in the exudates of cutaneous lesions. This study was designed to investigate whether SARS‐CoV‐2 can be found in the pressure injury exudates in patients with severe COVID‐19 infections.

Methods

46 critically ill COVID‐19 patients who were admitted to the ICU of the Sino‐French New City Branch of Tongji Hospital in Wuhan between February 4 and April 12 developed pressure injuries. 22 patients with pressure injuries had wound exudates. Wound and pharyngeal swabs of the 22 patients were collected and RT‐PCRs were conducted to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 viral RNA.

Results

At the time of pressure injury, 5 patients still tested positive by pharyngeal swabs, the rest of the 17 patients tested negative. However, none of the wound exudate swabs from the participants tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 by RT‐PCR.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that it is rather unlikely that COVID‐19 can be transmitted via pressure injury exudates, but we still recommend standardized personal protective equipment, face shield and an additional pair of gloves when treating pressure injuries.
A new therapeutic communication model “TAGEET” to help nurses engage therapeutically with patients suspected of or confirmed with COVID‐19
Authors: McCarthy Bridie , O’Donovan Moira , Trace Anna
Published: December 2020

Aim

To design and present a new communication model “TAGEET” to help nurses engage therapeutically with patients suspected of or confirmed with COVID‐19.

Background

COVID‐19 is a highly contagious disease that brings with it fear and anxiety for all involved inclusive of nurses and patients. New guidelines for nurses to follow such as attention to physical distance coupled with the wearing of defined personal protective equipment, gloves, long‐sleeved disposable gown, FFP2 face mask and eye protection place additional strain on nurses to engage therapeutically with patients. Evidence suggests that the wearing of face masks and personal protective equipment acts as barriers to effective therapeutic engagement with patients. We found an absence of communication models to help nurses engage therapeutically with patients.

Design

This is a position paper that draws on previous research to inform the design of a new model for nurses to engage therapeutically with patients suspected of or confirmed with COVID‐19.

Method

We reviewed the literature on caring for patients in isolation, the barriers to therapeutic communication and the psychological impact of infectious diseases on nurses and patients.

Conclusion

Remaining emotionally present to self, whilst being present to others can be challenging for nurses in a pandemic environment. We believe that the “TAGEET” model (T—Tune‐in, A—Approach and introduce, G—Ground self, E—Engage and respond, E—End encounter, T—Tune‐out), although devised for nurses to engage therapeutically with patients suspected of or confirmed with COVID‐19 could be used by all healthcare professionals in any challenging clinical environment.

Relevance to clinical practice

This new therapeutic communication model will provide support for nurses with how to manage self in the context of caring for others in a COVID‐19 environment.
Impact of nutrient supplementation on maternal nutrition and child growth and development in Sub‐Saharan Africa: the case of small‐quantity lipid‐based nutrient supplements
Authors: Adu‐Afarwuah Seth
Published: December 2020

Micronutrient deficiencies remain common among women and children in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA); in pregnant/lactating women, the intakes of essential fatty acids may also be low. Enriching home‐prepared foods with small‐quantity lipid‐based nutrient supplements (SQ‐LNSs) is a promising new strategy of delivering additional micronutrients, essential fatty acids and good quality protein to women and children. This narrative review aimed to examine the impact of SQ‐LNSs supplementation among women and infants and young children in SSA, and to discuss the differential impact of SQ‐LNS consumption across different settings.

Papers reporting randomized trials conducted in SSA in which apparently healthy women and/or ≥6‐mo‐old children received SQ‐LNSs were identified through electronic and manual searches.

Prenatal SQ‐LNS consumption reduced the prevalence of low gestational weight gain in Ghana when compared with multiple micronutrients supplementation, and was associated with poorer iron/hemoglobin status when compared with iron‐plus‐folic acid supplementation. SQ‐LNSs received alone or as intervention package improved infant/child growth in two trials in Ghana and one trial each in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa, but had no impact on growth in two trials in Malawi. SQ‐LNSs supplementation improved motor development in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Kenya, and South Africa, but had no impact on language, socio‐emotional, and executive functions in Ghana and Malawi and on Griffiths’ developmental scores in Malawi.

SQ‐LNSs may contribute to improving child growth in SSA. More research is needed to determine the iron level in SQ‐LNSs effective for improving both maternal hemoglobin/iron status and birth outcomes.
Wheat plants sense substrate volume and root density to proactively modulate shoot growth
Authors: Wheeldon Cara D. , Walker Catriona H. , Hamon‐Josse Maxime , Bennett Tom
Published: December 2020

Plants must carefully coordinate their growth and development with respect to prevailing environmental conditions. To do this, plants can use a range of nutritional and non‐nutritional information that allows them to proactively modulate their growth to avoid resource limitations. As is well‐known to gardeners and horticulturists alike, substrate volume strongly influences plant growth, and maybe a key source of non‐nutritional information for plants. However, the mechanisms by which these substrate volume effects occur remain unclear. Here, we show that wheat plants proactively modulate their shoot growth with respect to substrate volume, independent of nutrient availability. We show that these effects occur in two phases; in the first phase, the dilution of a mobile ‘substrate volume‐sensing signal’ (SVS) allows plants to match their shoot (but not root) growth to the total size of the substrate, irrespective of how much of this they can occupy with their roots. In the second phase, the dilution of a less mobile ‘root density‐sensing signal’ (RDS) allows plants to match root growth to actual rooting volume, with corresponding effects on shoot growth. We show that the effects of soil volume and plant density are largely interchangeable and that plants may use both SVS and RDS to detect their neighbours and to integrate growth responses to both volume and the presence of neighbours. Our work demonstrates the remarkable ability of plants to make proactive decisions about their growth, and has implications for mitigating the effects of dense sowing of crops in agricultural practice.
Government insurance for business interruption losses from pandemics: An evaluation of its feasibility and possible frameworks
Authors: Klein Robert W. , Weston Harold
Published: December 2020

Many businesses have suffered severe economic losses due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Because property business interruption (BI) policies generally do not cover losses caused by a virus, this has led to proposals for some form of government program that would provide this coverage. We explain why private BI pandemic insurance on a broad scale is infeasible. Arguably, BI pandemic insurance has substantial positive externalities and this has implications with respect to the desirability of government provision of this coverage and its financing. Our paper considers the goals of a government BI pandemic insurance program and the challenges it would face with respect to its design and implementation and how they could be addressed. In this context, we evaluate current proposals for such a program, including legislation currently being considered by the Congress. We conclude that creating such a program requires thorough and careful consideration of its features and the tradeoffs involved with its structure. The essential question for policymakers is whether the best possible program would be in the public interest and increase social welfare. Further, political considerations will likely influence the design of any program in ways that would make it less efficient and possibly less equitable.
FABRICATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF MG-ZN ALLOYS REINFORCED WITH CNF: A STUDY ON THE SINTERING PROCESS
Authors: Tuminoh Herman , Mohd Azman Muhammad Sallehuddin , Edrus Muhammad Al Kahfi , Nasution Ahmad Kafrawi , Ramlee Muhammad Hanif
Published: December 2020

Nowadays, magnesium (Mg) based alloys have gained much interest due to its potential use as biodegradable implants for the application of fixation, screws and plates in orthopaedics field. The main problems of biodegradable implants made from pure Mg are its low strength and easily corrodible. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyse the sintering temperature of magnesium-zinc (Mg-Zn) alloys reinforced with carbon nanofibres (CNF) through mechanical and morphological structures. Pure Mg, Zn, and CNF was prepared via powder metallurgy (PM) method. The samples were mechanically alloyed using planetary ball mill to create finer powder. Next, the samples were compacted using the Instron machine for 10 minutes at room temperature to produce a 10 mm diameter cylindrical platelet. Then, the specimens were heated with an argon gas flow for 4 hours at different sintering temperatures. The results showed that the optimum sintering temperature for Mg-Zn alloys reinforced with CNF was at 250℃ with elastic modulus and yield strength of 2729.886 MPa and 140.628 MPa, respectively. The findings of this study concluded that Mg-Zn alloys reinforced with CNF composites have great potential to be used as new biodegradable implants for medical applications in the future.
RAPID INVESTIGATION OF THE METABOLITE CONTENT IN HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA var. UKMR-2 CULTIVATED UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ELEVATED CO2 USING TRI-STEP FT-IR SPECTROSCOPY
Authors: Mohd Ali Siti Aishah , Latip Jalifah
Published: December 2020

Rapid methods based on untargeted analysis technique such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy can provide much faster and easier solution for food authentication. However, studies on the metabolite content in UKMR-2 calyces using FT-IR spectroscopy has not been reported yet in any previous studies. Thus, the present study was performed to analyze the differences in metabolite content in UKMR-2 calyces under the influences of different [CO2] treatment by applying tri-step infrared based fingerprinting. The UKMR-2 plant cultivation was exposed to ambient [CO2] (400 µmol/mol) and elevated [CO2] (800 µmol/mol) treatment. The UKMR-2 calyx extracts were analysed by conventional infrared (1D-IR), second derivative infrared (SD-IR) and two-dimensional correlation infrared (2D-IR) spectroscopy. The 1D-IR spectrum results revealed a similar absorption spectrum in the range of 1900 - 650 cm-1, which suggest similar major metabolites content present in both extracts. For SD-IR spectrum, both treatments clearly showed have more peaks with different shape, position and intensity in the range of 1650 - 1450 cm-1 and 1200 - 950 cm-1, which is likely to have different flavonoid and carbohydrate content in UKMR-2 calyces. The 2D-IR synchronous correlation spectrum in the range of 1000 – 650 cm-1 clearly distinguished the metabolite content in the UKMR-2 calyx extract from different [CO2] treatment. Therefore, this tri-step infrared based fingerprinting has the potential as one of the effective methods to discriminate extract samples with similar infrared fingerprint features and indicate that the metabolite content in UKMR-2 calyces were influenced by different [CO2] treatments.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOIL ENGINEERING PROPERTIES AND CORROSION RATE IN ANDESITIC VOLCANIC SOILS, WEST LAMPUNG, SUMATRA, INDONESIA
Authors: Iqbal Prahara , Muslim Dicky , Zakaria Zufialdi , Permana Haryadi , Yunarto Yunarto
Published: December 2020

Soil is the most diverse environment that can cause metal corrosion. Many researchers claim that soil is a corrosive environment that has complexity compared to other environments. With a background knowledge of soil engineering properties in a specific area and their effects on the metal corrosion process then corrosion problems can be prevented. This paper presents the relationship between andesitic volcanic soil engineering properties with an average corrosion rate based on geotechnical and statistical methods. In this paper, we propose a new average corrosion rate per year on that soil. The study area took place on the Sekincau-Way Tenong Transect Road, West Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia. This area was composed of silty clay to clayey silt soils which weathering products from andesitic-basaltic volcanic breccia. This soil can store water that is moderate to high and has high plastic properties. Based on the statistical approach, it can be concluded that the corrosion rate in andesitic volcanic soils is 1.132 mm/yr. Soil engineering properties (water content, index plasticity, and clay content) simultaneously affect the average corrosion rate. The effective contribution of each independent variable (soil engineering properties) to the corrosion rate is a plasticity index of 39.5%, the water content of 24.79%, and clay content of 26.04%. Index plasticity and water content were found to raise the average corrosion rate at the soil samples, while clay content was on the side that lowered the average corrosion rate.
Sexually dimorphic response of colorectal motility to noxious stimuli in the colorectum in rats
Authors: Horii Kazuhiro , Ehara Yuka , Shiina Takahiko , Naitou Kiyotada , Nakamori Hiroyuki , Horii Yuuki , Shimaoka Hiroki , Saito Shouichiro , Shimizu Yasutake
Published: December 2020

Key points

This study showed a remarkable sex difference in responses of colorectal motility to noxious stimuli in the colorectum in rats: colorectal motility was enhanced in response to intracolonic administration of a noxious stimulant, capsaicin, in male rats but not in female rats.

The difference in descending neurons from the brain to spinal cord operating after noxious stimulation could be responsible for the sex difference.

In male rats, serotoninergic and dopaminergic neurons are dominantly activated, both of which activate the spinal defaecation centre.

In female rats, GABAergic neurons in addition to serotoninergic neurons are activated. GABA may compete for facilitative action of 5‐HT in the spinal defaecation centre, and thereby colorectal motility is not enhanced in response to intracolonic administration of capsaicin.

The findings provide a novel insight into pathophysiological mechanisms of sex differences in functional defaecation disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome.

We previously demonstrated that noxious stimuli in the colorectum enhance colorectal motility through activation of descending pain inhibitory pathways in male rats. It can be expected that the regulatory mechanisms of colorectal motility differ in males and females owing to remarkable sex differences in descending pain inhibitory pathways. Thus, we aimed to clarify sex differences in responses of colorectal motility to noxious stimuli in rats. Colorectal motility was measured in vivo in anaesthetized rats. Administration of a noxious stimulant, capsaicin, into the colorectal lumen enhanced colorectal motility in male rats but not in female rats. Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry showed that TRPV1 expression levels in the dorsal root ganglia and in the colorectal mucosa were comparable in male and female rats. When a GABAA receptor inhibitor was intrathecally administered to the L6–S1 level of the spinal cord, colorectal motility was facilitated in response to intracolonic capsaicin even in female rats. The capsaicin‐induced response in the presence of the GABA blocker in female rats was inhibited by intrathecal administration of 5‐HT2 and ‐3 receptor antagonists but not by a D2‐like dopamine receptor antagonist. Our findings demonstrate that intracolonic noxious stimulation activates GABAergic and serotoninergic descending neurons in female rats, whereas serotoninergic and dopaminergic neurons are dominantly activated in male rats. Thus, the difference in the descending neurons operating after noxious stimulation would be responsible for the sexually dimorphic responses of colorectal motility. Our findings provide a novel insight into pathophysiological mechanisms of sex differences in functional defaecation disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome.