bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short-Term Postpartum Blood Pressure Self-Management and Long-Term Blood Pressure Control: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kitt Jamie A. , Fox Rachael L. , Cairns Alexandra E. , Mollison Jill , Burchert Holger H. , Kenworthy Yvonne , McCourt Annabelle , Suriano Katie , Lewandowski Adam J. , Mackillop Lucy , Tucker Katherine L. , McManus Richard J. , Leeson Paul
Published: June 2021

Women with hypertensive pregnancies are 4× more likely to develop chronic hypertension. Previously, we showed a short period of blood pressure (BP) self-management following hypertensive pregnancy resulted in persistently lower BP after 6 months. We now report the impact on long-term BP control. Women who participated in the postpartum randomized controlled trial, SNAP-HT (Self-Management of Postnatal Hypertension; NCT02333240), were invited for 24-hour ambulatory and clinic BP measures. Height and weight were measured by calibrated scales and standardized tape measures, activity by 7-day wrist-worn accelerometer, and dietary factors assessed by questionnaire. Sixty-one of 70 eligible women were followed up 3.6±0.4 years after their original pregnancy. Twenty-four–hour diastolic BP was 7.0 mm Hg lower in those originally randomized to postpartum BP self-management instead of usual care. This difference remained significant after adjustment for either BP at the time of delivery (−7.4 mm Hg [95% CI, −10.7 to −4.2];
P
<0.001) or pregnancy booking BP (−6.9 mm Hg [95% CI, −10.3 to −3.6];
P
<0.001). Adjustment for current salt intake, age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, arm circumference, parity, alcohol intake, and physical activity had no effect on this difference. Reductions in diastolic BP at 6 months, following self-management of BP postpartum, are maintained 3.6 years later as measured by lower 24-hour diastolic BP. Interventions to optimize BP control during the puerperium in women with hypertensive pregnancies improve BP in the longer term, in a cohort at increased risk of developing chronic hypertension and major adverse cardiovascular events.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02333240.
Fatigue Following Pediatric Arterial Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Greenham Mardee , Gordon Anne L. , Cooper Anna , Hearps Stephen , Ditchfield Michael , Coleman Lee , Hunt Rod W. , Mackay Mark T. , Monagle Paul , Anderson Vicki
Published: June 2021

Background and Purpose:

The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of multidimensional fatigue symptoms 5 years after pediatric arterial ischemic stroke and identify factors associated with fatigue.

Methods:

Thirty-one children (19 males) with pediatric arterial ischemic stroke, participating in a larger prospective, longitudinal study, were recruited to this study at 5 years poststroke. Parent- and self-rated PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale scores were compared with published normative data. Associations between parent-rated PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, demographics, stroke characteristics, and concurrent outcomes were examined.

Results:

Parent-rated total, general and cognitive fatigue were significantly poorer than population norms, with more than half of all parents reporting fatigue symptoms in their children. One-third of children also reported experiencing fatigue symptoms, but their ratings did not differ significantly from normative expectations, as such, all further analyses were on parent ratings of fatigue. Older age at stroke and larger lesion size predicted greater general fatigue; older age, female sex, and higher social risk predicted more sleep/rest fatigue. No significant predictors of cognitive fatigue were identified and only older age at stroke predicted total fatigue. Greater fatigue was associated with poorer adaptive functioning, motor skills, participation, quality of life, and behavior problems but not attention.

Conclusions:

Fatigue is a common problem following pediatric arterial ischemic stroke and is associated with the functional difficulties often seen in this population. This study highlights the importance of long-term monitoring following pediatric arterial ischemic stroke and the need for effective interventions to treat fatigue in children.
Maastrichtian representatives of the dragonfly family Aeschnidiidae question the entomofaunal turnover of the early Late Cretaceous
Authors: NEL ANDRÉ
Published: June 2021

Gaps in the fossil record are the major challenge for estimations of impacts of crises of biodiversity of the various clades. They can lead to important misinterpretations in the effects of the different events on the fauna and flora. It is especially the case for the end-Cretaceous, which is ‘near the midpoint of a 16-million-year gap in the insect fossil record’ (Schachat & Labandeira, 2021: 111). All the important Cretaceous insect Konzentrat Lagerstätten are before the Turonian. The analysis of Schachat et al. (2019) has reconstructed a massive loss of family-level diversity for the insects at the boundary Cretaceous-Cenozoic, a possible artefact due to this gap. An alternative scenario was that a turnover in the entomofauna occurred during the early Late Cretaceous in relation to the floristic changes of the Albian–Cenomanian (Nel et al., 2018). This turnover would have also affected the aquatic insects through important changes in the freshwater environments (Sinitshenkova & Zherikhin, 1996; Ivanov & Sukatsheva, 2002). The current knowledge on the odonatan fossil record suggests a pronounced turnover with the last records of several major clades during the Cenomanian-Turonian and first records of several modern ones during the same period (Nel et al., 2015). The widespread and very diverse Jurassic-Cretaceous family Aeschnidiidae is among the best examples of such extinctions supposed to have occurred after the Cenomanian, because of the absence of any fossil in younger strata.
A new species of Cormopsocidae from Burmese amber (Psocodea; Trogiomorpha)
Authors: HAKIM MARINA , AZAR DANY , HUANG DI-YING
Published: June 2021

Recently established, Cormopsocidae Yoshizawa & Lienhard, 2020 is an extinct psocodean trogiomorphan family, with its fossil record from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. To date, this family comprises a total of three species: Cormopsocus groehni Yoshizawa & Lienhard, 2020, Cormopsocus neli Hakim et al., 2021 and Cormopsocus perantiqua (Cockerell, 1919).
Three new Nearctic genera of oak cynipid gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini): Burnettweldia Pujade-Villar, Melika & Nicholls, Nichollsiella Melika, Pujade-Villar & Stone, Disholandricus Melika, Pujade-Villar & Nicholls; and re-establishment of the genus Paracraspis Weld
Authors: MELIKA GEORGE , PUJADE-VILLAR JULI , NICHOLLS JAMES A. , CUESTA-PORTA VICTOR , COOKE-McEWEN CRYSTAL , STONE GRAHAM N.
Published: June 2021

We describe three new genera of cynipid oak gall wasps from the Nearctic: Burnettweldia Pujade-Villar, Melika & Nicholls, gen. nov., Nichollsiella Melika, Pujade-Villar & Stone, gen. nov., and Disholandricus Melika, Pujade-Villar & Nicholls, gen. nov. (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini). Burnettweldia includes five species, B. californicordazi Cuesta-Porta, Melika & Pujade-Villar, sp. nov., B. conalis (Weld), comb. nov., B. corallina (Bassett), comb. nov., B. plumbella (Kinsey), comb. nov., B. washingtonensis (Gillette), comb. nov.. Nichollsiella includes three species, N. arizonica (Cockerell), comb. nov., N. sulcata (Ashmead), comb. nov., and N. puigi Melika, Cuesta-Porta & Pujade-Villar, sp. nov.. Disholandricus includes four species, D. chrysolepidis (Ashmead), comb. nov., D. lasius (Ashmead), comb. nov., D. reniformis (McCracken & Egbert), comb. nov., D. truckeensis (Ashmead), comb. nov. The genus Paracraspis Weld, comb. rev. is re-established with three species, P. guadaloupensis (Fullaway), P. insolens (Weld), and P. patelloides (Trotter). Descriptions, re-descriptions, diagnoses, keys to genera and species are given, including data on DNA sequences, biology, phenology and distribution.
Observations of Diurnal Variability under the Cirrus Canopy of Typhoon Kong-rey (2018)
Authors: Trabing Benjamin C. , Bell Michael M.
Published: June 2021

A growing body of work has documented the existence of diurnal oscillations in the tropical cyclone outflow layer. These diurnal pulses have been examined primarily using satellites or numerical models, and detailed full tropospheric observations or case study analyses of diurnal pulses are lacking. Questions remain on the vertical extent of diurnal pulses and whether diurnal pulses are coupled to convective bands or constrained to the outflow layer. During the Propagation of Intraseasonal Tropical Oscillations (PISTON) field campaign, diurnal oscillations in the upper-level clouds were observed during Typhoon Kong-rey’s (2018) rapid intensification. Over a 3.5 day period where a broad distribution of cold upper-level clouds was overhead, detailed observations of Typhoon Kong-rey’s rainbands show that convection had reduced echo tops but enhanced reflectivity and differential reflectivity aloft compared to other observations during PISTON. Shortwave heating in the upper-levels increased the stability profile in an overall favorable thermodynamic environment for convection during the day, which could help to explain the diurnal differences in convective structure. Under the cirrus canopy, nocturnal convection was deeper and daytime convection shallower in contrast to the rest of the PISTON dataset. Diurnal oscillations in the brightness temperatures were found to be coupled to radially outward propagating convective rainbands that were preceded ~6 hours by outflow jets. The cooling pulses occurred earlier than found in previous studies. The pulses were asymmetric spatially which is likely due to a combination of the vertical wind shear and storm intensity.
Effects of Trade Wind Strength on Airflow and Cloudiness over O‘ahu
Authors: Hsiao Feng , Chen Yi-Leng , Van Nguyen Hiep , Hitzl David Eugene , Ballard Robert
Published: June 2021

Satellite observations and high-resolution modeling during July–August 2013 are used to study the effects of trade wind strength on island wake circulations and cloudiness over O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. O‘ahu is composed of two northwest–southeast orientated mountain ranges: the Wai‘anae Range (~1227 m) along the western leeside coast and the Ko‘olau Range (~944 m) along the eastern windward coast. At night, the flow deceleration of the incoming northeasterly trade winds on the eastern windward side is more significant when trades are stronger.

In the afternoon hours, effective albedo and simulated cloud water are greater over the Ko‘olau Range when trades are stronger, and clouds are advected downstream by the trade winds aloft. Over the Wai‘anae Range, orographic clouds are more significant when trades are weaker due to less moisture removal by orographic precipitation over the Ko‘olau Range and the development of both upslope flow on the eastern slope and upslope/sea-breeze flow along the western coast, the latter of which brings in warm, moist air from the ocean. When trades are weaker, cloudiness off the western leeside coast is more extensive and originates from orographic cloud development over the Wai‘anae Range, which drifts downstream due to a combination of trade winds and the easterly return flow aloft. The latter is associated with the low-level sea-breeze/upslope flow.
Basin-specific records of lake oligotrophication during the middle-to-late Holocene in boreal northeast Ontario, Canada
Authors: Gushulak Cale AC , Leavitt Peter R , Cumming Brian F
Published: June 2021

Descriptions of regional climate expression require data from multiple lakes, yet little is known of how variation in records within morphometrically complex lakes may affect interpretations. In northeast Ontario (Canada), this issue was addressed using records of pollen, pigments, and diatoms in three sediment cores from two small boreal lakes spanning the last ~6000 years. Pollen analysis suggested warm conditions between ~6000 and ~4000 cal yr BP, coherent with previous assessments from boreal eastern Ontario and western Quebec. Analysis of phototrophic communities from fossil pigments and diatom valves suggested relatively eutrophic conditions with lower lake-levels during this interval. Generalized additive model trends identified significant regional changes in pollen assemblages and declines in pigment concentrations after ~4000 cal yr BP consistent with cooler and wetter climate conditions that resulted in regional lake oligotrophication and increased lake levels during the late-Holocene. Despite contemporaneous changes in pollen and pigment biomarkers across lakes, cores collected from adjacent basins of the same lake (Green Lake) did not show similar trends in fossil pigments likely reflecting preferential deposition of clay-rich allochthonous material in the deeper central basin and suggesting that regional signals in climate may be complicated by lake- or basin-specific catchment processes.
Making Entrepreneurs? Makerspaces and Entrepreneurial Intent Among High School Students
Authors: Holm Eric Joseph van
Published: June 2021

Makerspaces have grown over the last two decades and provide a potentially important resource to entrepreneurs. One area where the expansion of makerspaces has been the largest is in educational settings, at both K-12 schools and colleges. However, scant research to date has analysed whether students visiting a makerspace have any relationship with their professional goals or intentions. This study uses a survey conducted in New Orleans to analyse the predictors of what students use a makerspace, and the potential relationship visiting may have with entrepreneurial intent. The analysis finds that students with a higher socio-economic status appear to use makerspaces more often, and that students who visited makerspaces are more likely to express interest in starting their own businesses.
Why Do People Watch Porn? An Evolutionary Perspective on the Reasons for Pornography Consumption
Authors: Burtăverde Vlad , Jonason Peter K. , Giosan Cezar , Ene Cristina
Published: June 2021

We investigated the reasons for pornography consumption using a bottom-up approach (i.e., open-ended questionnaire) and proposed that those reasons would reflect a short-term mating orientation of individuals that watch pornography and a strategy that should help them to attract or maintain potential mates easier (i.e., a fitness increasing strategies) by enhancing their sexual knowledge through pornography watching. In Study 1 ( N = 276), relying on an open-ended questionnaire and a content analysis, we identified 78 reasons for why people claim to consume pornography. In Study 2 ( N = 322), we grouped those reasons into categories using a series of factor analyses, resulting in four dimensions of reasons for watching pornography: (1) increased sex drive, (2) enhancing sexual performance, (3) social and instrumental reasons, and (4) lack of relational and emotional skills. The content of these factors supported the idea that the reasons for consuming pornography are reflections of a short-term mating orientation and a way to enhance their sexual knowledge and performance. Individuals with higher scores on the dimensions of reasons for pornography consumptions had higher scores on the Dark Triad traits and sociosexuality, mate-value and slow life history strategies (in the case of enhancing sexual performance dimension). In Study 3 ( N = 327), we tested to what extent the factorial structure of the reasons for pornography consumption can be confirmed via Confirmatory factor analysis and tested the convergent validity of the reasons to consume pornography.
Dr. Answer AI for Prostate Cancer: Predicting Biochemical Recurrence Following Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Park Jihwan , Rho Mi Jung , Moon Hyong Woo , Kim Jaewon , Lee Chanjung , Kim Dongbum , Kim Choung-Soo , Jeon Seong Soo , Kang Minyong , Lee Ji Youl
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

To develop a model to predict biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP), using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques.

Patients and Methods:

This study collected data from 7,128 patients with prostate cancer (PCa) who received RP at 3 tertiary hospitals. After preprocessing, we used the data of 6,755 cases to generate the BCR prediction model. There were 16 input variables with BCR as the outcome variable. We used a random forest to develop the model. Several sampling techniques were used to address class imbalances.

Results:

We achieved good performance using a random forest with synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) using Tomek links, edited nearest neighbors (ENN), and random oversampling: accuracy = 96.59%, recall = 95.49%, precision = 97.66%, F1 score = 96.59%, and ROC AUC = 98.83%.

Conclusion:

We developed a BCR prediction model for RP. The Dr. Answer AI project, which was developed based on our BCR prediction model, helps physicians and patients to make treatment decisions in the clinical follow-up process as a clinical decision support system.
Controllable Drug Delivery by Na+/K+ ATPase α1 Targeting Peptide Conjugated DSPE-PEG Nanocarriers for Breast Cancer
Authors: Yang Yayan , Feng Qian , Ding Chuanfeng , Kang Wei , Xiao Xiufeng , Yu Yongsheng , Zhou Qian
Published: June 2021

Although Epirubicin (EPI) is a commonly used anthracycline for the treatment of breast cancer in clinic, the serious side effects limit its long-term administration including myelosuppression and cardiomyopathy. Nanomedicines have been widely utilized as drug delivery vehicles to achieve precise targeting of breast cancer cells. Herein, we prepared a DSPE-PEG nanocarrier conjugated a peptide, which targeted the breast cancer overexpression protein Na+/K+ ATPase α1 (NKA-α1). The nanocarrier encapsulated the EPI and grafted with the NKA-α1 targeting peptide through the click reaction between maleimide and thiol groups. The EPI was slowly released from the nanocarrier after entering the breast cancer cells with the guidance of the targeting NKA-α1 peptide. The precise and controllable delivery and release of the EPI into the breast cancer cells dramatically inhibited the cells proliferation and migration in vitro and suppressed the tumor volume in vivo. These results demonstrate significant prospects for this nanocarrier as a promising platform for numerous chemotherapy drugs.
Analysis of Geometric and Dosimetric Effects of Bra Application to Support Large or Pendulous Breasts During Radiotherapy Planning: A Retrospective Single-Center Study
Authors: Park So Hyun , Choi Jinhyun
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

To evaluate geometric and dosimetric effects of bra application during radiotherapy planning for breast cancer patients with large and pendulous breasts.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty patients with chest sizes >38 inches between April 2019 and July 2019 underwent radiotherapy planning with and without a radiation bra (Chabner XRT®). Geometric and dosimetric parameters included the breast volume, superior-inferior (SI) distance, separation (S) as the distance of the longest diameter of the clinical target volume (CTV), conformity number (CN), and homogeneity index (HI) of CTV. The organs at risk (OARs) were defined as the lungs, heart, and liver.

Results:

The use of the radiation bra provided mean changes of −0.51 cm for S, −1.45 cm for SI, and −61.18 cc for breast volume (all P < 0.05). Breast volume was correlated with bra-related changes in cross diameter (r = 0.641, P = 0.002) and volume (r = 0.680, P = 0.001). Significant dose reductions were observed for the lungs (mean V10: 19.58 cc, V20: 17.13 cc, Dmean: 86.24 cGy) and heart (Dmean: 170.23 cGy). No significant differences were observed for CN (0.62-0.67) and HI (0.19-0.20) of the CTV.

Conclusion:

The application of a radiation bra was associated with better geometric and dosimetric planning parameters, with a smaller CTV and lower doses to the OARs (lungs and heart) in the radiotherapy field. In addition, we expect that bra use during radiotherapy would provide emotional benefits.
Complementing sequence-derived features with structural information extracted from fragment libraries for protein structure prediction
Authors: Liu Siyuan , Wang Tong , Xu Qijiang , Shao Bin , Yin Jian , Liu Tie-Yan
Published: June 2021

Background

Fragment libraries play a key role in fragment-assembly based protein structure prediction, where protein fragments are assembled to form a complete three-dimensional structure. Rich and accurate structural information embedded in fragment libraries has not been systematically extracted and used beyond fragment assembly.

Methods

To better leverage the valuable structural information for protein structure prediction, we extracted seven types of structural information from fragment libraries. We broadened the usage of such structural information by transforming fragment libraries into protein-specific potentials for gradient-descent based protein folding and encoding fragment libraries as structural features for protein property prediction.

Results

Fragment libraires improved the accuracy of protein folding and outperformed state-of-the-art algorithms with respect to predicted properties, such as torsion angles and inter-residue distances.

Conclusion

Our work implies that the rich structural information extracted from fragment libraries can complement sequence-derived features to help protein structure prediction.
How well do genetic markers inform about responses to intraspecific admixture? A comparative analysis of microsatellites and RADseq
Authors: Yıldırım Yeşerin , Forsman Anders , Sunde Johanna
Published: June 2021

Background

Fitness consequences of intraspecific genetic admixture can vary from positive to negative depending on the genetic composition of the populations and environmental conditions. Because admixture has potential to influence the success of management and conservation efforts, genetic similarity has been suggested to be used as a proxy to predict the outcome. Studies utilizing microsatellites (a neutral marker) to investigate associations between genetic distance and admixture effects show conflicting results. Marker types that yield information on genome-wide and/or adaptive variation might be more useful for predicting responses to inter-population hybridization. In this study we utilized published data for three populations of pike (Esox lucius) to investigate associations between offspring performance (hatching success) and parental genetic similarity in experimentally purebred and admixed families, based on neutral (microsatellites), genome-wide neutral (RADseq SNPs), and adaptive (SNPs under selection) markers.

Results

Estimated similarity varied among the markers, likely reflecting differences in their inherent properties, but was consistently higher in purebred than admixed families. A significant interaction between marker type and admixture treatment reflected that neutral SNPs yielded higher estimates than adaptive SNPs for admixed families whereas no difference was found for purebred families, which indicates that neutral similarity was not reflective of adaptive similarity. When all samples were pooled, no association between similarity and performance was found for any marker. For microsatellites, similarity was positively correlated with hatching success in purebred families, whereas no association was found in admixed families; however, the direction of the effect differed between the population combinations.

Conclusions

The results strengthen the notion that, as of today, there is no proxy that can reliably predicted the outcome of admixture. This emphasizes the need of further studies to advance knowledge that can shed light on how to safeguard against negative consequences of admixture, and thereby inform management and promote conservation of biological diversity.
Reproductive developmental transcriptome analysis of Tripidium ravennae (Poaceae)
Authors: Maren Nathan , Zhao Fangzhou , Aryal Rishi , Touchell Darren , Liu Wusheng , Ranney Thomas , Ashrafi Hamid
Published: June 2021

Background

Tripidium ravennaeis a cold-hardy, diploid species in the sugarcane complex (PoaceaesubtribeSaccharinae) with considerable potential as a genetic resource for developing improved bioenergy and ornamental grasses. An improved understanding of the genetic regulation of reproductive processes (e.g., floral induction, inflorescence development, and seed development) will enable future applications of precision breeding and gene editing of floral and seed development. In particular, the ability to silence reproductive processes would allow for developing seedless forms of valuable but potentially invasive plants. The objective of this research was to characterize the gene expression environment of reproductive development inT. ravennae.

Results

During the early phases of inflorescence development, multiple key canonical floral integrators and pathways were identified. Annotations of type II subfamily of MADS-box transcription factors, in particular, were over-represented in the GO enrichment analyses and tests for differential expression (FDRp-value < 0.05). The differential expression of floral integrators observed in the early phases of inflorescence development diminished prior to inflorescence determinacy regulation. Differential expression analysis did not identify many unique genes at mid-inflorescence development stages, though typical biological processes involved in plant growth and development expressed abundantly. The increase in inflorescence determinacy regulatory elements and putative homeotic floral development unigenes at mid-inflorescence development coincided with the expression of multiple meiosis annotations and multicellular organism developmental processes. Analysis of seed development identified multiple unigenes involved in oxidative-reductive processes.

Conclusion

Reproduction in grasses is a dynamic system involving the sequential coordination of complex gene regulatory networks and developmental processes. This research identified differentially expressed transcripts associated with floral induction, inflorescence development, and seed development inT. ravennae. These results provide insights into the molecular regulation of reproductive development and provide a foundation for future investigations and analyses, including genome annotation, functional genomics characterization, gene family evolutionary studies, comparative genomics, and precision breeding.
A newly developed paper embedded microchip based on LAMP for rapid multiple detections of foodborne pathogens
Authors: Zhang Mimi , Liu Jinfeng , Shen Zhiqiang , Liu Yongxin , Song Yang , Liang Yu , Li Zhende , Nie Lingmei , Fang Yanjun , Zhao Youquan
Published: June 2021

Background

Microfluidic chip detection technology is considered a potent tool for many bioanalytic applications. Rapid detection of foodborne pathogens in the early stages is imperative to prevent the outbreak of foodborne diseases, known as a severe threat to human health. Conventional bacterial culture methods for detecting foodborne pathogens are time-consuming, laborious, and lacking in pathogen diagnosis. To overcome this problem, we have created an embedded paper-based microchip based on isothermal loop amplification (LAMP), which can rapidly and sensitively detect foodborne pathogens.

Results

We embed paper impregnated with LAMP reagent and specific primers in multiple reaction chambers of the microchip. The solution containing the target pathogen was injected into the center chamber and uniformly distributed into the reaction chamber by centrifugal force. The purified DNA of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus has been successfully amplified and directly detected on the microchip. The E. coli O157:H7 DNA was identified as low as 0.0134 ng μL− 1. Besides, the potential of this microchip in point-of-care testing was further tested by combining the on-chip sample purification module and using milk spiked with Salmonella spp.. The pyrolyzed milk sample was filtered through a polydopamine-coated paper embedded in the inside of the sample chamber. It was transported to the reaction chamber by centrifugal force for LAMP amplification. Then direct chip detection was performed in the reaction chamber embedded with calcein-soaked paper. The detection limit of Salmonella spp. in the sample measured by the microchip was approximately 12 CFU mL− 1.

Conclusion

The paper embedded LAMP microchip offers inexpensive, user-friendly, and highly selective pathogen detection capabilities. It is expected to have great potential as a quick, efficient, and cost-effective solution for future foodborne pathogen detection.
In vivo oxygen measurement in cerebrospinal fluid of pigs to determine physiologic and pathophysiologic oxygen values during CNS infections
Authors: de Buhr Nicole , Martens Alexander , Meurer Marita , Bonilla Marta C. , Söbbeler Franz , Twele Lara , Neudeck Stephan , Wendt Michael , Beineke Andreas , Kästner Sabine , von Köckritz-Blickwede Maren
Published: June 2021

During infection and inflammation, a reduced oxygen level clearly affects cellular functions. Oxygen levels during CNS infections are unknown. Here we established and evaluated an in vivo measurement system to characterize the oxygen level in parallel with bacterial numbers (CFU/mL), the cell number and pH level inside the CSF of healthy compared to Streptococcus suis-infected pigs. The animals were anesthetized over a seven-hour period with isoflurane in air/oxygen at physiologic arterial partial pressure of oxygen. Oxygen levels in CSF of anesthetized pigs were compared to euthanized pigs. The detected partial pressure of oxygen in the CSF remained constant in a range of 47–63 mmHg, independent of the infection status (bacterial or cell number). In contrast, the pH value showed a slight drop during infection, which correlated with cell and bacterial number in CSF. We present physiologic oxygen and pH values in CSF during the onset of bacterial meningitis.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of LBD transcription factor genes in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)
Authors: Huang Bin , Huang Zhinuo , Ma Ruifang , Ramakrishnan Muthusamy , Chen Jialu , Zhang Zhijun , Yrjälä Kim
Published: June 2021

Background

Moso bamboo, the fastest growing plant on earth, is an important source for income in large areas of Asia, mainly cultivated in China. Lateral organ boundaries domain (LBD) proteins, a family of transcription factors unique to plants, are involved in multiple transcriptional regulatory pathways and play important roles in lateral organ development, pathogen response, secondary growth, and hormone response. TheLBDgene family has not previously been characterized in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis).

Results

In this study, we identified 55 members of theLBDgene family from moso bamboo and found that they were distributed non-uniformly across its 18 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the moso bambooLBDgenes could be divided into two classes.LBDs from the same class share relatively conserved gene structures and sequences encoding similar amino acids. A large number of hormone response–associatedcis-regulatory elements were identified in theLBDupstream promoter sequences. Synteny analysis indicated thatLBDs in the moso bamboo genome showed greater collinearity with those ofO. sativa(rice) andZea mays(maize) than with those of Arabidopsis andCapsicum annuum(pepper). Numerous segmental duplicates were found in the moso bambooLBDgene family. Gene expression profiles in four tissues showed that theLBDgenes had different spatial expression patterns. qRT–PCR assays with the Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM) temporal expression analysis demonstrated that six genes (PeLBD20,PeLBD29,PeLBD46,PeLBD10,PeLBD38, andPeLBD06) were consistently up-regulated during the rapid growth and development of bamboo shoots. In addition, 248 candidate target genes that function in a variety of pathways were identified based on consensus LBD binding motifs.

Conclusions

In the current study, we identified 55 members of the moso bamboo transcription factor LBD and characterized for the first time. Based on the short-time sequence expression software and RNA-seq data, the PeLBD gene expression was analyzed. We also investigated the functional annotation of allPeLBDs, including PPI network, GO, and KEGG enrichment based on String database. These results provide a theoretical basis and candidate genes for studying the molecular breeding mechanism of rapid growth of moso bamboo.
Dexmedetomidine post-conditioning attenuates cerebral ischemia following asphyxia cardiac arrest through down-regulation of apoptosis and neuroinflammation in rats
Authors: Li Guangqian , LeiQian  , Gu Pan , Fan Dan
Published: June 2021

Background

Neuroprotection strategies after cardiac arrest (CA)/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) remain key areas of basic and clinical research. This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of dexmedetomidine following resuscitation and potential mechanisms.

Methods

Anesthetized rats underwent 6-min asphyxia-based cardiac arrest and resuscitation, after which the experimental group received a single intravenous dose of dexmedetomidine (25 μg/kg). Neurological outcomes and ataxia were assessed after the return of spontaneous circulation. The serum levels and brain expression of inflammation markers was examined, and apoptotic cells were quantified by TUNEL staining.

Results

Neuroprotection was enhanced by dexmedetomidine post-conditioning after the return of spontaneous circulation. This enhancement was characterized by the promotion of neurological function scores and coordination. In addition, dexmedetomidine post-conditioning attenuated the serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α at 2 h, as well as interleukin IL-1β at 2, 24, and 48 h. TUNEL staining showed that the number of apoptotic cells in the dexmedetomidine post-conditioning group was significantly reduced compared with the control group. Further western blot analysis indicated that dexmedetomidine markedly reduced the levels of caspase-3 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the brain.

Conclusions

Dexmedetomidine post-conditioning had a neuroprotective effect against cerebral injury following asphyxia-induced cardiac arrest. The mechanism was associated with the downregulation of apoptosis and neuroinflammation.
AutoFlow® versus volume-controlled ventilation for laparoscopic gynecological surgery using LMA® ProSeal™: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nakanishi Toshiyuki , Sakamoto Seishi , Yoshimura Manabu , Toriumi Takashi
Published: June 2021

Background

During laparoscopic gynecological surgery, increased peak airway pressure (PAWP) can cause airway leak upon ventilation with the LMA® ProSeal™. We hypothesized that compared with the use of volume-controlled ventilation (VCV), the use of the AutoFlow® mode would decrease PAWP and airway leak during laparoscopic gynecological surgery with LMA ProSeal.

Methods

This single-center, randomized, controlled trial allocated 80 adult women undergoing elective laparoscopic gynecological surgery to one of two groups, namely, the AutoFlow group or the VCV group. Ventilation settings for both groups were 8 ml/kg of tidal volume and 5 cmH2O of positive end-expiratory pressure, and respiratory rate was adjusted to maintain end-tidal carbon dioxide at 35–40 mmHg. Airway leak, PAWP, and other ventilatory parameters and vital signs were recorded at four timepoints (1, 1 min after insertion of the gastric tube; 2, 2 min after intravenous administration of rocuronium 0.6–0.8 mg/kg; 3, 1 min after initiation of pneumoperitoneum; and 4, 1 min after changing to the Trendelenburg position). The primary outcome was PAWP during pneumoperitoneum and in the Trendelenburg position, whereas the secondary outcomes included PAWP at other timepoints and airway leak development. We used the Mann–Whitney U test for PAWP and Fisher’s exact test for comparing airway leak among the groups.

Results

Data from 40 patients in the AutoFlow group and 39 in the VCV group were used for analysis. PAWP at pneumoperitoneum pressure and in the Trendelenburg position was significantly lower in the AutoFlow group than in the VCV group [median (interquartile range), 16 (15–18) cmH2O vs. 18 (17–19) cmH2O; P < 0.001]. Similarly, patients in the AutoFlow group showed lower PAWP at the other three timepoints measured. Airway leak occurred in four patients in the AutoFlow group and in two patients in the VCV group; however, this incidence was not significantly different (P = 0.68).

Conclusions

Even though AutoFlow ventilation decreased PAWP, it did not reduce the incidence of airway leak compared with VCV during laparoscopic gynecological surgery with the LMA ProSeal.

Trial registration

UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, identifier UMIN000023173.
Application of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in preoperative evaluation of transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Ding Peng , Xu Chennian , Liu Yang , Meng Xin , Jin Ping , Tang Jiayou , Li Lanlan , Ma Yanyan , Yang Jian
Published: June 2021

Background

Our goal was to determine the accuracy of 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) compared with that of computed tomography (CT) in the preoperative evaluation for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) when the errors caused by inconsistent software and method have been eliminated and the representativeness of the sample has been improved. We also investigated the influence of aortic root calcification on the accuracy of 3D-TEE in aortic annulus evaluations.

Methods

Part I: 45 of 233 patients who underwent TAVR in the department of cardiovascular surgery at the Xijing hospital from January 2016 to August 2019 were studied retrospectively. Materialise Mimics software and the multiplanar reconstruction method were used for evaluation, based on 3D-TEE and CT. The annulus area-derived diameter, the annulus perimeter-derived diameter (Dp), the annulus mean diameter, the left ventricular outflow tract Dp diameter, the sinotubular junction (STJ) diameter-Dp, and the aortic sinus diameter were compared and analyzed. Part II: 31 of 233 patients whose 3D-TEE and CT data were well preserved and in the required format were included. HU450 and HU850 were used as indicators to measure the severity of calcification. The Spearman rank correlation and Linear regression were used to analyze the correlation between aortic root calcification and the accuracy of 3D-TEE in aortic annulus measurement.

Results

The measurement results based on 3D-TEE were significantly lower than those obtained using CT (P < 0.05), except for the STJ diameter-Dp in diastole (P = 0.11). The correlation coefficient of the two groups was 0.699–0.954 (P < 0.01), which also indicated a significant correlation between the two groups. A Bland–Altman plot showed that the ordinate values were mostly within the 95% consistency limit; the consistency of the two groups was good. By establishing the linear regression equation, the two groups can be inferred from each other. The Spearman rank correlation analysis and the Linear regression analysis showed that the influence of aortic calcification on the accuracy of the 3D-TEE annulus evaluation was limited.

Conclusions

Although an evaluation based on 3D-TEE underestimated the results, we can deduce CT results from 3D-TEE because the two methods exhibit considerable correlation and consistency.

Trial registration

Name: Surgery and Transcatheter Intervention for Structural Heart Diseases. Number: NCT02917980. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=NCT02917980.
The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis test maintains its diagnostic and prognostic performance in alcohol-related liver disease: a cohort study
Authors: Connoley Declan , Patel Preya Janubhai , Hogan Brian , Tanwar Sudeep , Rhodes Freya , Parkes Julie , Burt Alastair , Watkins Jennifer , Sievert William , Rosenberg William
Published: June 2021

Background

Alcohol is the main cause of chronic liver disease. The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test is a serological biomarker for fibrosis staging in chronic liver disease, however its utility in alcohol-related liver disease warrants further validation. We assessed the diagnostic and prognostic performance of ELF in alcohol-related liver disease.

Methods

Observational cohort study assessing paired ELF and histology from 786 tertiary care patients with chronic liver disease due to alcohol (n = 81) and non-alcohol aetiologies (n = 705). Prognostic data were available for 64 alcohol patients for a median of 6.4 years. Multiple ELF cut-offs were assessed to determine diagnostic utility in moderate fibrosis and cirrhosis. Survival data were assessed to determine the ability of ELF to predict liver related events and all-cause mortality.

Results

ELF identified cirrhosis and moderate fibrosis in alcohol-related liver disease independently of aminotransferase levels with areas under receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.895 (95% CI 0.823–0.968) and 0.923 (95% CI 0.866–0.981) respectively, which were non-inferior to non-alcohol aetiologies. The overall performance of ELF was assessed using the Obuchowski method: in alcohol = 0.934 (95% CI 0.908–0.960); non-alcohol = 0.907 (95% CI 0.895–0.919). Using ELF < 9.8 to exclude and ≧ 10.5 to diagnose cirrhosis, 87.7% of alcohol cases could have avoided biopsy, with sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 85%. A one-unit increase in ELF was associated with a 2.6 (95% CI 1.55–4.31, p < 0.001) fold greater odds of cirrhosis at baseline and 2.0-fold greater risk of a liver related event within 6 years (95% CI 1.39–2.99, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

ELF accurately stages liver fibrosis independently of transaminase elevations as a marker of inflammation and has superior prognostic performance to biopsy in alcohol-related liver disease.
Reproducing fear: the effect of birth stories on nulligravid women’s birth preferences
Authors: Miller Yvette D. , Danoy-Monet Marion
Published: June 2021

Objective

Preference for caesarean birth is associated with higher fear and lower self-efficacy for vaginal birth. Vicarious experience is a strong factor influencing self-efficacy in nulligravid women, and is increasingly accessible via digital and general media. This study assessed the effect of exposure to different birth stories on nulligravid women’s childbirth preferences and the factors mediating these effects.

Methods

Nulligravid women (N = 426) were randomly allocated to one of four conditions exposing them to written birth stories. Stories varied by type of birth (vaginal/caesarean) and storyteller evaluation (positive/negative) in a 2 × 2 design. Childbirth preference, fear of labour and vaginal birth, and self-efficacy for vaginal birth were measured before and after exposure via a two-way between groups analysis of covariance. Hierarchical regression models were used to determine the mediating effects of change in childbirth fear and childbirth self-efficacy.

Results

Variations in type of birth and storyteller evaluation significantly influenced childbirth preferences (F (1, 421) = 44.78, p < 0.001). The effect of vaginal birth stories on preference was significantly mediated by fear of labour and vaginal birth and self-efficacy. Effects of exposure to caesarean birth stories were not explained by changes in fear or self-efficacy.

Conclusions

Childbirth preferences in nulligravid women can be significantly influenced by vicarious experiences. For stories about vaginal birth, the influence of birth stories on women’s fear and self-efficacy expectancy are partly responsible for this influence. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring bias in vicarious experiences, and may inform novel strategies to promote healthy childbirth.
State variation in effects of state social distancing policies on COVID-19 cases
Authors: Kaufman Brystana G. , Whitaker Rebecca , Mahendraratnam Nirosha , Hurewitz Sophie , Yi Jeremy , Smith Valerie A. , McClellan Mark
Published: June 2021

Background

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) sickened over 20 million residents in the United States (US) by January 2021. Our objective was to describe state variation in the effect of initial social distancing policies and non-essential business (NEB) closure on infection rates early in 2020.

Methods

We used an interrupted time series study design to estimate the total effect of all state social distancing orders, including NEB closure, shelter-in-place, and stay-at-home orders, on cumulative COVID-19 cases for each state. Data included the daily number of COVID-19 cases and deaths for all 50 states and Washington, DC from the New York Times database (January 21 to May 7, 2020). We predicted cumulative daily cases and deaths using a generalized linear model with a negative binomial distribution and a log link for two models.

Results

Social distancing was associated with a 15.4% daily reduction (Relative Risk = 0.846; Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.832, 0.859) in COVID-19 cases. After 3 weeks, social distancing prevented nearly 33 million cases nationwide, with about half (16.5 million) of those prevented cases among residents of the Mid-Atlantic census division (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania). Eleven states prevented more than 10,000 cases per 100,000 residents within 3 weeks.

Conclusions

The effect of social distancing on the infection rate of COVID-19 in the US varied substantially across states, and effects were largest in states with highest community spread.
Individual and family preferences of job qualities matter: association between face needs, locked-in job status, and burnout among high-tech workers in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Feng-Jen , Chen Ruey-Yu , Chen Hsin-Jou
Published: June 2021

Background

Studies on the health impacts of being locked in a job are primarily conducted in Western countries, with the theory based on the value of individualism. But the socially-oriented concerns should be considered in workers’ locked-in status in Chinese society. So the current study aims at evaluating socially-oriented concerns on workers’ locked-in status in Taiwan.

Methods

Anonymous surveys were conducted with 1102 workers at high-tech companies in Taiwan from October 2015 to January 2016 to assess their “face” needs-- a sociological concept linked to the dignity, prestige, and reputation that a person has in terms of their social relationships, locked-in status of the job, and burnout. In addition to being separated into three groups by lock-in score, participants were categorized by the conflict of preference of the job between themselves and their family. Chi-square, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and regression tests were conducted.

Results

Among the 1102 participants, 18% had jobs that they did not prefer but their family preferred. Participants with higher face needs and higher locked-in status had a significantly higher risk of developing personal and work-related burnout. However, the analysis using “locked-in job conflict of preference between themselves and their family” showed a more coherent result. Participants with a job which “self does not prefer but family do” had twice the risk of having personal and work-related burnout (OR = 2.03 and 2.34, respectively). Participants with a job which neither themselves nor their family prefer had four times the risk of having personal and work-related burnout (OR = 4.10 and 4.17, respectively).

Conclusions

The current study suggests an importance in considering a socially-oriented job preference in locked-in status evaluations within the Chinese culture. Workers’ whose locked-in status preference conflicted with their family’s preference showed a significantly negative impact on their health.