bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis and management of diabetes insipidus for the internist: an update
Authors: Christ‐Crain M. , Winzeler B. , Refardt J.
Published: March 2021

Diabetes insipidus is a disorder characterized by excretion of large amounts of hypotonic urine. Four entities have to be differentiated: central diabetes insipidus resulting from a deficiency of the hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus resulting from resistance to AVP in the kidneys, gestational diabetes insipidus resulting from an increase in placental vasopressinase and finally primary polydipsia, which involves excessive intake of large amounts of water despite normal AVP secretion and action. Distinguishing between the different types of diabetes insipidus can be challenging. A detailed medical history, physical examination and imaging studies are needed to detect the aetiology of diabetes insipidus. Differentiation between the various forms of hypotonic polyuria is then done by the classical water deprivation test or the more recently developed hypertonic saline or arginine stimulation together with copeptin (or AVP) measurement. In patients with idiopathic central DI, a close follow‐up is needed since central DI can be the first sign of an underlying pathology. Treatment of diabetes insipidus or primary polydipsia depends on the underlying aetiology and differs in central diabetes insipidus, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and primary polydipsia. This review will discuss issues and newest developments in diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment, with a focus on central diabetes insipidus.
Post‐acute cognitive and mental health outcomes amongst COVID‐19 survivors: early findings and a call for further investigation
Authors: Vannorsdall T. , Oh E. S.
Published: March 2021

Click here to view the Original Article by R. Méndez et al
Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in patients with pemphigus vulgaris: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Batistella Elis Ângela , Sabino da Silva Rayssa , Rivero Elena Riet Correa , Silva Carolina Amália Barcellos
Published: March 2021

Objective

To assess the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in patients with Pemphigus Vulgaris.

Methods

Observational studies reporting the prevalence of oral lesions in pemphigus vulgaris patients, without restriction to language and year of publication, were selected in a two‐phase process. Search strategies were applied to PubMed, Scopus, Livivo, Web of Science, LILACS, Google Scholar, and OpenGrey databases. Articles assessing the prevalence of oral lesions in patients with conditions other than pemphigus vulgaris were excluded. Risk of bias analysis was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data. Synthesis of results was calculated by the software R Statistics version 4.0.2 (The R Foundation). Confidence in cumulative evidence was assessed with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria.

Results

From 1957 studies identified, 40 were included in qualitative synthesis and 38 in meta‐analyses. The pooled prevalence of patients with oral lesions solely or concurrent with other mucocutaneous lesions was 90.3%. The prevalence of patients with exclusive oral mucosal lesions was 50.8%. Risk of bias was considered low, and the certainty of evidence was very low.

Conclusion

Oral lesions were present in approximately nine out of 10 patients with pemphigus vulgaris. The oral mucosa was the most common site of disease onset. Further longitudinal studies are urged to assess the prevalence of oral lesions at different disease stages.
i‐PATHWAY: Development and validation of a prediction model for childhood obesity in an Australian prospective birth cohort
Authors: Canfell Oliver J , Littlewood Robyn , Wright Olivia R L , Walker Jacqueline L
Published: March 2021

Aim

To develop and validate a model (i‐PATHWAY) to predict childhood (age 8–9 years) overweight/obesity from infancy (age 12 months) using an Australian prospective birth cohort.

Methods

The Transparent Reporting of a multivariable Prediction model for individual Prognosis or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) checklist was followed. Participants were n = 1947 children (aged 8–9 years) from the Raine Study Gen2 – an Australian prospective birth cohort – who had complete anthropometric measurement data available at follow up. The primary outcome was childhood overweight or obesity (age 8–9 years), defined by age‐ and gender‐specific cut‐offs. Multiple imputation was performed to handle missing data. Predictors were selected using 2000 unique backward stepwise logistic regression models. Predictive performance was assessed via: calibration, discrimination and decision‐threshold analysis. Internal validation of i‐PATHWAY was conducted using bootstrapping (1000 repetitions) to adjust for optimism and improve reliability. A clinical model was developed to support relevance to practice.

Results

At age 8–9 years, 18.9% (n = 367) of children were classified with overweight or obesity. i‐PATHWAY predictors included: weight change (0–1 year); maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI); paternal BMI; maternal smoking during pregnancy; premature birth; infant sleep patterns; and sex. After validation, predictive accuracy was acceptable: calibration slope = 0.956 (0.952–0.960), intercept = −0.052 (−0.063, −0.048), area under the curve = 0.737 (0.736–0.738), optimised sensitivity = 0.703(0.568–0.790), optimised specificity = 0.646 (0.571–0.986). The clinical model retained acceptable predictive accuracy without paternal BMI.

Conclusions

i‐PATHWAY is a simple, valid and clinically relevant prediction model for childhood overweight/obesity. After further validation, this model can influence state and national health policy for overweight/obesity screening in the early years.
Effects of 25(OH)D3 supplementation during late gestation on the serum biochemistry and reproductive performance of aged sows and newborn piglets
Authors: Huang Kunxuan , Deng Jichang , Yang Yanyang , Qiao Na , Zhang Zhuowei , Li Quanwei , Han Qingyue , Zhang Hui , Yang Fan , Ji Yanju , Cui Jianxin , Ali Farah , Li Ying , Tang Zhaoxin
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of diet type (normal or low Ca and P diets) and 25(OH)D3 supplementation (with or with not 2000 IU/kg 25(OH)D3) during late gestation on the serum biochemistry and reproductive performance of aged sows and newborn piglets. A total of 40 sows, which are at their 7th parity, were divided into four groups: control group (standard diet), low Ca group, 25(OH)D3 group and low Ca plus 25(OH)D3 group respectively (10 in each group). The blood of sows on day 100 and 114 of gestation and newborn piglets was collected for serum biochemical analyses. Results showed that the reproductive performance of sows was not influenced by diet type or 25(OH)D3 supplementation (p > 0.05). And the addition of 25(OH)D3 to diet low Ca group caused that the content of serum TG in sows on day 100 of gestation was not different from that of the control group (p > 0.05). The addition of 25(OH)D3 significantly decreases the content of serum TG in sows on day 114 of gestation (p < 0.05). The addition of 25(OH)D3 significantly increased the content of serum UREA and CREA in newborn piglets (p < 0.05). Overall, feeding 2000 IU/kg 25(OH)D3 to aged sows at late gestation had no effects on reproductive performance, but partly contributed to keeping serum TG balance in sows and may indicate increased pressure on kidneys in newborn piglets.
Sterol Biosynthesis in Four Green Algae: A Bioinformatic Analysis of the Ergosterol Versus Phytosterol Decision Point
Authors: Voshall Adam , Christie Nakeirah T. M. , Rose Suzanne L. , Khasin Maya , Van Etten James L. , Markham Jennifer E. , Riekhof Wayne R. , Nickerson Kenneth W.
Published: March 2021

Animals and fungi produce cholesterol and ergosterol, respectively, while plants produce the phytosterols stigmasterol, campesterol, and β‐sitosterol in various combinations. The recent sequencing of many algal genomes allows the detailed reconstruction of the sterol metabolic pathways. Here, we characterized sterol synthesis in two sequenced Chlorella spp., the free‐living C. sorokiniana, and symbiotic C. variabilis NC64A. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was included as an internal control and Coccomyxa subellipsoidea as a plant‐like outlier. We found that ergosterol was the major sterol produced by Chlorella spp. and C. reinhardtii, while C. subellipsoidea produced the three phytosterols found in plants. In silico analysis of the C. variabilis NC64A, C. sorokiniana, and C. subellipsoidea genomes identified 22 homologs of sterol biosynthetic genes from Arabidopsis thaliana, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and C. reinhardtii. The presence of CAS1, CPI1, and HYD1 in the four algal genomes suggests the higher plant cycloartenol branch for sterol biosynthesis, confirming that algae and fungi use different pathways for ergosterol synthesis. Phylogenetic analysis for 40 oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) showed that the nine algal OSCs clustered with the cycloartenol cyclases, rather than the lanosterol cyclases, with the OSC for C. subellipsoidea positioned in between the higher plants and the eight other algae. With regard to why C. subellipsoidea produced phytosterols instead of ergosterol, we identified 22 differentially conserved positions where C. subellipsoidea CAS and A. thaliana CAS1 have one amino acid while the three ergosterol producing algae have another. Together, these results emphasize the position of the unicellular algae as an evolutionary transition point for sterols.
Salinity‐induced Changes in Gene Expression in the Streptophyte Alga Chara: The Critical Role of a Rare Na+‐ATPase
Authors: Phipps Shaunna , Delwiche Charles F. , Bisson Mary A.
Published: March 2021

The primarily freshwater genus Chara is comprised of many species that exhibit a wide range of salinity tolerance. The range of salt tolerance provides a good platform for investigating the role of transport mechanisms in response to salt stress, and the close evolutionary relationship between Charophytes and land plants can provide broader insights. We investigated the response to salt stress of previously identified transport mechanisms in two species of Chara, Chara longifolia (salt‐tolerant), and Chara australis (salt‐sensitive): a cation transporter (HKT), a Na+/H+ antiport (NHX), H+‐ATPase (AHA), and a Na+‐ATPase (ENA). The presence of these candidate genes has been confirmed in both species of Chara, with the exception of the Na+‐ATPase, which is present only in salt‐tolerant Chara longifolia. Time‐course Illumina transcriptomes were created using RNA from multiple time points (0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h) after freshwater cultures for each species were exposed to salt stress. These transcriptomes verified our hypotheses of these mechanisms conferring salt tolerance in the two species examined and also aided in identification of specific transcripts representing our genes of interest in both species. The expression of these transcripts was validated through use of qPCR, in a similar experimental set‐up used for the RNAseq data described above. The RNAseq and qPCR data showed significant changes of expression mechanisms in C. longifolia (respectively), a down‐regulation of HKT and a substantial up‐regulation of ENA. Significant responses to salt stress in salt‐sensitive C. australis show up‐regulation of NHX and AHA.
Monograph of Carex section Schiedeanae (Cyperaceae): Unexpected taxonomic and ecological diversity in a Mexican sedge clade
Authors: Reznicek Anton A. , González‐Elizondo María del Socorro , Hahn Marlene , Garner Mira , Hipp Andrew L.
Published: March 2021

Carex section Schiedeanae (subg. Euthyceras) has long been thought to comprise at most five species of Mexican sedges. Our morphological studies in the field and herbarium, however, supported by more recent DNA sequencing work, demonstrate that the section is, in fact, three times as species‐rich, making it one of the largest sections in Mexico. Its 15 species range from Chihuahua to Tamaulipas south to Veracruz and Oaxaca; a single species, Carex muriculata, extends into the United States. The section has unusual inflorescences with simple (except in Carex complexa), uniformly androgynous, sessile spikes, utriculiform cladoprophylls, and perigynia with a unique combination of pubescence types composed of papillae; unicellular, simple hairs; and (in many species) multicellular tubercles. We recognize five previously described species (C. muriculata, Carex perstricta, Carex schiedeana, Carex stellata, and Carex vizarronensis) and describe 10 additional species (Carex angustilepis, Carex cabralii, Carex complexa, Carex dentata, Carex gypsophila, Carex mesophila, Carex paneroi, Carex planilamina, Carex revoluta, and Carex tehuacana). We have expanded the morphological features used in the section to include particularly anther, staminate scale, and style features, and more detailed micromorphology of the perigynia, especially indumentum. In total, 13 of the 15 species recognized herein, with a total of 32 individuals, were examined for ETS and ITS for phylogenetic reconstruction. Phylogenetically, the xeric species (plus C. paneroi) form a grade leading to a clade of the more mesophytic species adapted to forest understories, plus the unique cliff dwelling C. complexa.
Sparsity concepts and estimation procedures for high‐dimensional vector autoregressive models
Authors: Krampe Jonas , Paparoditis Efstathios
Published: March 2021

High‐dimensional‐20 vector autoregressive (VAR) models are important tools for the analysis of multi‐variate time series. This article focuses on high‐dimensional time series and on the different regularized estimation procedures proposed for fitting sparse VAR models to such time series. Attention is paid to the different sparsity assumptions imposed on the VAR parameters and how these sparsity assumptions are related to the particular consistency properties of the estimators established. A sparsity scheme for high‐dimensional VAR models is proposed which is found to be more appropriate for the time series setting. Furthermore, it is shown that, under this sparsity setting, thresholding extends the consistency properties of regularized estimators to a wide range of matrix norms. Among other things, this enables application of the VAR parameters estimators to different problems, like forecasting or estimating the second‐order characteristics of the underlying VAR process. Extensive simulations compare the finite sample behavior of the different regularized estimators proposed using a variety of performance criteria.
Effect of spironolactone and benazepril on furosemide‐induced diuresis and renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system activation in normal dogs
Authors: Adin Darcy , Atkins Clarke , Wallace Gabrielle , Klein Allison
Published: March 2021

Background

Diuretic braking during furosemide continuous rate infusion (FCRI) curtails urine production.

Hypothesis

Renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) activation mediates braking, and RAAS inhibition will increase urine production.

Animals

Ten healthy purpose‐bred male dogs.

Methods

Dogs received placebo, benazepril, or benazepril and spironolactone PO for 3 days before a 5‐hour FCRI (0.66 mg/kg/h) in a 3‐way, randomized, blinded, cross‐over design. Body weight (BW), serum creatinine concentration (sCr), serum electrolyte concentrations, PCV, and total protein concentration were measured before PO medications, at hours 0 and 5 of FCRI, and at hour 24. During the FCRI, water intake, urine output, urine creatinine concentration, and urine electrolyte concentrations were measured hourly. Selected RAAS components were measured before and after FCRI. Variables were compared among time points and treatments.

Results

Diuretic braking and urine production were not different among treatments. Loss of BW, hemoconcentration, and decreased serum chloride concentration occurred during FCRI with incomplete recovery at hour 24 for all treatments. Although unchanged during FCRI, sCr increased and serum sodium concentration decreased at hour 24 for all treatments. Plasma aldosterone and angiotensin‐II concentrations increased significantly at hour 5 for all treatments, despite suppressed angiotensin‐converting enzyme activity during benazepril background treatment.

Conclusions

The neurohormonal profile during FCRI supports RAAS mediation of diuretic braking in this model. Background treatment with benazepril with or without spironolactone did not mitigate braking, but was well tolerated. Delayed changes in sCr and serum sodium concentration and incomplete recovery of hydration indicators caused by furosemide hold implications for clinical patients.
Circulating extracellular vesicles induce monocyte dysfunction and are associated with sepsis and high mortality in cirrhosis
Authors: Baweja Sukriti , Bihari Chhagan , Negi Preeti , Thangariyal Swati , Kumari Anupma , Lal Deepika , Maheshwari Deepanshu , Singh Maras Jaswinder , Nautiyal Nidhi , Kumar Guresh , Kumar Anupam , Trehanpati Nirupama , Mehta Gautam , Kumar Chaudhary Ashok , Maiwall Rakhi , Kumar Sarin Shiv
Published: March 2021

Background

Sepsis is common in cirrhosis and is often a result of immune dysregulation. Specific stimuli and pathways of inter‐cellular communications between immune cells in cirrhosis and sepsis are incompletely understood. Immune cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (EV) were studied to understand mechanisms of sepsis in cirrhosis.

Methods

Immune cell‐derived EV were measured in cirrhosis patients [Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh (Child) score A, n = 15; B n = 16; C n = 43 and Child‐C with sepsis (n = 38)], and healthy controls (HC, n = 11). In vitro and in vivo functional relevance of EV in cirrhosis and associated sepsis was investigated.

Results

Monocyte, neutrophil and hematopoietic stem cells associated EV progressively increased with higher Child score (P < .001)and correlated with liver disease severity indices (r2 > 0.3, P < .001), which further increased in Child C sepsis than without sepsis(P < .001); monocyte EV showing the highest association with disease stage [P = .013; Odds ratio‐4.14(1.34‐12.42)]. A threshold level of monocyte EV of 53/µl predicted mortality in patients of Child C with sepsis [Odds ratio‐6.2 (2.4‐15.9), AUROC = 0.76, P < .01]. In vitro EV from cirrhotic with sepsis compared without sepsis, induced mobilization arrest in healthy monocytes within 4 hours (P = .004), reduced basal oxygen consumption rate (P < .001) and induced pro‐inflammatory genes (P < .05). The septic‐EV on adoptive transfer to C57/BL6J mice, induced sepsis‐like condition within 24 h with leukocytopenia (P = .005), intrahepatic inflammation with increased CD11b + cells (P = .03) and bone marrow hyperplasia (P < .01).

Conclusion

Extracellular vesicles induce functional impairment in circulating monocytes and contribute to the development and perpetuation of sepsis. High levels of monocyte EV correlate with mortality and can help early stratification of sicker patients.
Differential characteristics and outcomes of Asian and non‐Asian patients with HBV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Huang Daniel Q. , Hoang Joseph K. , Leong Jennifer , Riveiro‐Barciela Mar , Maeda Mayumi , Yang Ju Dong , Accarino Elena Vargas , Thin Khin , Trinh Lindsey , Cheung Ramsey C. , Roberts Lewis R. , Buti Maria , Schwartz Myron , Nguyen Mindie H.
Published: March 2021

Background & Aims

The epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection differs between Asians and non‐Asians, but little is known regarding the effect of ethnicity on outcomes of HBV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aim to characterize the presentation and survival outcomes in Asian and non‐Asian patients with HBV‐related HCC.

Methods

We analyzed the baseline characteristics and long‐term survival of 613 Asian and 410 non‐Asian patients with HBV‐related HCC from three US and one Spanish centre.

Results

Overall, non‐Asian patients were more likely to have HIV or hepatitis C co‐infection, cirrhosis, decompensated liver disease and advanced BCLC stage (all P ≤ .04). Compared with Asians, non‐Asians were more likely to be listed for transplantation (P < .0001) and undergo HCC treatment with curative intent (P = .003). Propensity‐score matching on HCC diagnosis year, gender and age was performed to balance the two groups for survival analysis and yielded 370 pairs of patients. There was no significant difference in survival overall (P = .43) and among patients with cirrhosis (P = .57). Among patients without cirrhosis, non‐Asians had poorer 5‐year survival compared with Asians (37.6% vs 53.7%, P = .01), and was associated with poorer survival after adjusting for age, gender, diabetes, alcohol, co‐infections, diagnosis date, antiviral therapy, BCLC stage and HCC treatment (adjusted HR 2.01 [95% CI 1.07‐3.74], P = .03).

Conclusion

Among HBV‐related HCC patients, non‐Asians presented with more advanced BCLC stage compared to Asians. Non‐Asian ethnicity was independently associated with twice the risk of mortality among patients without cirrhosis, but not among those with cirrhosis. Additional studies are needed to clarify this disparity.
WWOM VII: Effectiveness of systemic pharmacotherapeutic interventions in the management of BMS: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Farag Arwa M. , Kuten‐Shorrer Michal , Natto Zuhair , Ariyawardana Anura , Mejia Lina M. , Albuquerque Rui , Carey Barbara , Chmieliauskaite Milda , Miller Craig S. , Ingram Mark , Nasri‐Heir Cibele , Sardella Andrea , Carlson Charles R. , Klasser Gary D.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To determine the effectiveness of systemic pharmacotherapeutic interventions compared to placebo in burning mouth syndrome (BMS) randomized controlled trials (RCTs) based on the core outcome domains recommended by the Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT).

Methods

A systematic literature review of RCTs, concerning systemic pharmacotherapeutic interventions for BMS, published from January 1994 through October 2019, and meta‐analysis was performed.

Results

Fourteen RCTs (n = 734 participants) were included. Of those, nine were eligible for the quantitative assessment due to the availability/homogeneity of data for at least one of the IMMPACT domains. Pain intensity was the only domain reported in all RCTs. Weighted mean changes in pain intensity, based on visual analogue scale (ΔVAS), were reported in three RCTs at 6 ± 2 weeks and only one RCT at 10+ weeks follow‐ups. Quantitative assessment, based on ΔVAS, yielded very low evidence for the effectiveness of alpha‐lipoic acid and clonazepam, low evidence for effectiveness of trazodone and melatonin, and moderate evidence for herbal compounds.

Conclusions

Based on the RCTs studied, variable levels of evidence exist that suggest that select pharmacological interventions are associated with improved symptoms. However, the underreporting of IMMPACT domains in BMS RCTs restricts the multidimensional assessment of systemic interventions outcomes. Standardized outcome measures need to be applied to future RCTs to improve understanding of intervention outcomes.
The value of OPEC’s spare capacity to the oil market and global economy
Authors: Almutairi Hossa , Pierru Axel , Smith James L.
Published: March 2021

We investigate the extent to which OPEC has succeeded in its self‐stated mission of stabilising the oil market and the implications for the world’s economy. We discuss the modelling framework developed by Pierru, Smith and Zamrik (2018) and Pierru, Smith and Almutairi (2020) and update their analyses. Unstabilised monthly oil prices that would have prevailed in the absence of OPEC’s spare capacity policy are determined for the September 2001–June 2020 period. Overall, OPEC’s management of spare capacity has significantly decreased the monthly volatility of the oil price. Three subperiods (commodity boom, market‐share campaign, OPEC+) can, however, be distinguished in terms of the impact on price volatility. The annual value of OPEC’s spare capacity to the world’s economy is estimated to be 193.1 billion in 2019 US dollars.
Dexamethasone as a ropivacaine adjuvant to pre‐emptive incision‐site infiltration analgesia in pediatric craniotomy patients: A prospective, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, controlled trial
Authors: Zhao Chunmei , Zhang Nijia , Shrestha Niti , Liu Hongbing , Ge Ming , Luo Fang
Published: March 2021

Background

Dexamethasone added to incision‐site infiltration has been routinely used to reduce pain after tonsillectomy in children. However, this has not been studied in pediatric craniotomy patients yet. We hypothesized that incision‐site infiltration with a combination of ropivacaine and dexamethasone might provide superior analgesia to ropivacaine alone in pediatric craniotomy patients.

Methods

In this multicenter, double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial, children aged 2–12 years, scheduled for craniotomy, were prospectively enrolled at two study centers, from September 2, 2019, to July 5, 2020. Eighty children were randomly assigned (1:1) to either ropivacaine plus dexamethasone group who received pre‐emptive incision‐site infiltration with 0.2% ropivacaine plus 0.025% dexamethasone, or ropivacaine group who received 0.2% ropivacaine alone. Primary outcome was the modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (mCHEOPS) at 24 h postoperatively. Primary analysis was performed using the modified intention‐to‐treat principle.

Results

Pre‐emptive incision‐site infiltration with ropivacaine plus dexamethasone had a reduced pain score of 2.0, compared with the pain score of 2.9 in the ropivacaine group, at 24 h postoperatively (mean difference −0.9, 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.7 to −0.2; p = .019). Estimated median of the time of first rescue analgesic demand was 24 h in the ropivacaine plus dexamethasone group and 8.5 h in the ropivacaine group [hazard ratio 0.43, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.08; Log‐rank p = .0025]. No adverse events related to incision‐site infiltration with dexamethasone were observed in this study.

Discussion

Dexamethsone reduces the local production of pro‐inflammatory factors after tissue damage and as a ropivacaine adjuvant for incision‐site infiltration reduced the pain scores by 31% at 24 h postoperatively. The results were similar to several prior studies on to tonsillectomy patients. However, this changes on pain scores might has limited clinical significance.

Conclusions

The addition of dexamethasone to ropivacaine for preoperative incision‐site infiltration has better postoperative analgesic effect than ropivacaine alone in pediatric craniotomy patients.
Influence of Doxycycline and InGaAlP Diode Laser at 660 nm Wavelength in the Treatment of Periodontitis Induced in Rats: In Vivo Study
Authors: Silveira Glauco Rodrigues Carmo , de Lima Daniela Coelho , Cintra Luciano Tavares Ângelo , Brigagão Maísa Ribeiro Pereira Lima , Ervolino Edílson , Fernandes Leandro Araújo
Published: March 2021

This study evaluated the influence of Doxycycline (DOX) and Low‐Intensity Laser (LIL) (InGaAlP diode laser) as scaling and root planing (SRP) adjuvants in the treatment of periodontitis induced in rats. The rats received periodontal disease induction, and after 7 days, the ligature was removed, and the animals were divided into groups/treatments: NT—receive no treatment; SRP—submitted only to SRP; DOX—submitted to SRP and DOX irrigation; LIL—submitted to SRP and LIL irradiation; and DOX + LIL—submitted to SRP treatments, DOX irrigation and LIL irradiation. The animals were sacrificed at 7, 15 and 30 days, and then, the analyses were performed. A lower concentration of Alpha‐glycoprotein acid and Complement 3 was observed in the DOX + LIL group compared to all the other groups in all the periods, and for Complement 4 at 15 and 30 days (P < 0.01). A lower bone loss (BL) was observed in the DOX + LIL group compared to all the other groups in all the periods (P < 0.01). It can be concluded that LIL was effective in the reduction of proteins, and its association with DOX was effective in the reduction of proteins and BL, in the treatment of periodontal induction in rats.
Recent advances in understanding tick and rickettsiae interactions
Authors: Karim Shahid , Kumar Deepak , Budachetri Khemraj
Published: March 2021

Ticks are haematophagous arthropods with unique molecular mechanisms for digesting host blood meal while acting as vectors for various pathogens of public health significance. The tick's pharmacologically active saliva plays a fundamental role in modulating the host's immune system for several days to weeks, depending on the tick species. The vector tick has also developed sophisticated molecular mechanisms to serve as a competent vector for pathogens, including the spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. Evidence is still inadequate concerning tick–rickettsiae–host interactions and saliva‐assisted transmission of the pathogen to the mammalian host. Rickettsia parkeri, of the SFG rickettsia, can cause a milder version of Rocky Mountain spotted fever known as American Boutonneuse fever. The Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) often transmits this pathogenic rickettsia in the USA. This review discusses the knowledge gap concerning tick–rickettsiae–host interactions by highlighting the SFG rickettsia and the Am maculatum model system. Filling this knowledge gap will provide a better understanding of the tick–rickettsiae–host interactions in disease causation, which will be crucial for developing effective methods for preventing tick‐borne diseases.
Development of diagnostic antibodies against immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region for heavy chain amyloidosis (AH amyloidosis)
Authors: Nakagawa Mayuko , Yazaki Masahide , Kametani Fuyuki , Katoh Nagaaki , Yoshinaga Tsuneaki , Higuchi Keiichi , Sekijima Yoshiki
Published: March 2021

It is difficult to diagnose immunoglobulin heavy chain amyloidosis (AH amyloidosis) without proteomic analysis due to no useful diagnostic antibodies. The aim of this study was to develop diagnostic antibodies available to immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Two rabbit anti‐heavy chain variable region antibodies were generated and evaluated in immunohistochemical studies performed on 11 AH amyloidosis patients and 64 patients with other systemic amyloidoses. Additionally, immunoblotting was performed using extracted amyloid protein from one patient and serum samples from two patients with AH amyloidosis. Immunohistochemical analysis generated a positive outcome in 10 of 11 AH amyloidosis patients (sensitivity 90.9%). While positive staining was also observed in 9 of 64 non‐AH amyloidosis patients (specificity 85.9%), substitution of the blocking agent reversed the positive reactivity in 5 of 9 patients. Amyloid protein band was clearly detected via immunoblotting analysis, and protein bands with similar molecular weights of amyloid protein were observed in serum samples from patients with AH amyloidosis. The two antibodies may represent a powerful diagnostic tool for AH amyloidosis. In addition, our data revealed the existence of amyloidogenic variable region fragments in the serum of patients, suggesting their potential as diagnostic markers for AH amyloidosis.
High‐grade neuroepithelial tumor with BCL6 corepressor‐alteration presenting pathological and radiological calcification: A case report
Authors: Ishi Yukitomo , Shimizu Ai , Takakuwa Emi , Sugiyama Minako , Okamoto Michinari , Motegi Hiroaki , Hirabayashi Shinsuke , Cho Yuko , Iguchi Akihiro , Manabe Atsushi , Nobusawa Sumihito , Tanaka Shinya , Yamaguchi Shigeru
Published: March 2021

A 5‐year‐old girl presented with headache and vomiting. Head computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a right frontal lobe tumor with marked calcification. The patient underwent resection surgery with suspicion of anaplastic ependymoma, and the tumor was gross totally removed. Pathological examination revealed areas of dense tumor cells with a high nucleocytoplasmic ratio and myxoid areas consisting of tumor cells with a round‐shaped nucleus and eosinophilic cytoplasm. Perivascular pseudorosette, necrosis, circumscribed growth, and microcalcification were also observed. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated negative staining for glial fibrillary protein and epithelial membrane antigen. Diagnosis of a high‐grade neuroepithelial tumor (HGNET) with BCL6 corepressor (BCOR) alteration was made based on pathological findings and internal tandem duplication in the exon 15 of BCOR. Although calcification on radiological and pathological examination is not typical, it would be essential to recognize that calcification could appear in HGNET‐BCOR.
Selection and validation of reference genes for gene expression studies in Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis subjected to abiotic stress
Authors: Petriccione Milena , Magri Anna , Gaudiano Maria , Scortichini Marco
Published: March 2021

The selection and validation of reference genes for reverse‐transcription quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) is key in the normalization of data to evaluate the expression levels of target genes. In this study, the expression levels of nine candidate reference genes in Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis (Xaj) undergoing three abiotic stresses, including thermal stress at 15 ± 1°C and 35 ± 1°C and UV light, were evaluated by RT‐qPCR. A ranked list of reference genes based on expression stability was assessed using BestKeeper, NormFinder, GeNorm, and ΔCt methods. In Xaj undergoing all tested abiotic stress conditions, two reference genes (RGs) were sufficient for effective normalization of RT‐qPCR data. ATP synthase subunit δ (atpD) and RNA polymerase δ factor (rpoD) were the most stably expressed RGs, while gyrase subunit A (gyrA) and gyrase subunit B (gyrB) were the least stable. A combination of the most and least stable RGs was used for the normalization of two isoforms of three target genes, catalase (cat1 and cat2), superoxide dismutase (sod1 and sod2), and glutathione peroxidase (gpx1 and gpx2), showing that the validation of RGs was needed in each experimental condition to avoid misinterpretation of the expression levels of target genes. These results can be useful in studies that seek to understand the biochemical and molecular complex pathways involved in stress tolerance mechanisms in Xaj and to evaluate the effects of stress conditions on plant–pathogen interactions.
Promoter‐specific expression of the imprinted IGF2 gene in bovine oocytes and pre‐implantation embryos
Authors: Willhelm Bruna Rodrigues , Ticiani Elvis , Campagnolo Karine , de Oliveira Gabriella Borba , de Mattos Karine , Peña Bello Camilo Andrés , Ongaratto Felipe Ledur , Rodriguez‐Villamil Paula , Relly Luciana , Alves Juliana Paula Martins , Rondina Davide , Rodrigues José Luiz Rigo , Bertolini Marcelo
Published: March 2021

The bovine IGF2 locus is a genomic region with alternative transcripts controlled by five promoters (P0, P1, P2, P3 and P4). As transcriptional regulation can affect messenger RNA (mRNA) stability and translation, and thus, subsequent biological effects, this study evaluated the bovine IGF2 promoter‐specific expression patterns in oocytes and pre‐implantation embryos produced in vitro by our standard IVP procedures. Immature and matured oocytes, and pre‐implantation embryos at the 1‐, 2‐, 4‐, 8‐ and 16‐cell, and at early morula, compact morula, blastocyst and expanded blastocyst stages were collected in three pools of five structures per stage, in four replicates. Total RNA was extracted and subjected to RT‐qPCR, using four sets of IGF2 promoter‐specific primers covering transcripts driven by promoters P0/P1, P2, P3 and P4, with fragments sequenced for confirmation. Expression of P2‐ and P4‐derived transcripts showed an initial peak between immature (P4) or matured (P2/P4) oocytes and 2‐cell embryos, gradually falling until embryo genome activation (EGA), rising again at compaction and cavitation. P0/P1‐derived transcripts were identified after EGA, during compaction, whereas P3 activity was not detected at any stage. Our findings suggest that P0/P1 and P2 likely have secondary roles during early stages, whereas P3 may be more relevant later in development. P4 seems to be the main pathway for bovine IGF2 expression during oocyte maturation and embryo development and, therefore, the main target to influence IVP in modulation of embryo growth and in studies in developmental biology.
Roles and functions in clinical care for registered nurses with a PhD—A systematic literature review
Authors: Orton Marie‐Louise , Nelson Follin Nina , Dannapfel Petra , Wengström Yvonne
Published: March 2021

Background

Nurses are responsible for nursing care and their expertise is crucial for quality of care. One factor important to successful delivery of evidence‐based care is availability of staff with the expertise to support their colleagues in this endeavour. RN/PhDs versed in scientific research with a thorough knowledge of their disciplines have the potential to help narrow the gap between theory and practice. The roles and functions of RN/PhDs involved in clinical care have not yet been well defined.

Aim

To explore publications concerning clinical contributions from registered nurses who hold a PhD (RN/PhDs) regarding impact on quality and improvement of care.

Method

A systematic literature review was conducted and qualitative content analysis was applied to the data obtained from the included studies.

Findings

The leadership role is considered essential for RN/PhDs, where the focus is on the pursuit of evidence‐based practice and the improvement of nursing practices. The opportunity to combine the clinical and academic aspects of nursing is considered crucial in order for RN/PhDs to influence and improve care, yet few such positions are currently available. RN/PhDs cited limited career opportunities as one important reason for not combining clinical and academic work.

Conclusions

In order for nursing practice to reach full potential, clinical positions with clearly defined job descriptions for RN/PhDs are needed. To fully leverage their expertise, it is important to allocate sufficient time to conduct relevant research, as well as to support colleagues and students in the improvement of clinical practice.
Revisiting the diachronous transition of C3 to C4 plants in the Himalayan foreland and other parts of the globe: A sedimentological perspective
Authors: Ghosh Sambit , Bera Melinda Kumar , Roy Biswajit , Sanyal Prasanta
Published: March 2021

The Himalayan foreland basin and other parts of the world had witnessed a dramatic change in the ecological structure during the Late Miocene, as indicated by the increase in abundance of C4 plants in a C3 dominated ecosystem. However, the asynchronous expansion of C4 plants across the latitudes, as well as within the different sub‐basins of the Himalayan foreland basin, tentatively suggests that regional climatic factors and sedimentary architecture vis‐à‐vis geomorphological settings might have an important influence in controlling the abundance of C4 plants. This study has carried out sedimentological and palaeohydrological analyses of the Siwalik channels at Naladkhad and Ranital regions of the Kangra sub‐basin, north‐west Himalaya, and estimated slope and sinuosity of the modern Himalayan fan rivers (n > 100), which provides a hydrological analogue for the Siwalik channels. The results suggest that the Siwalik Group in the Kangra sub‐basin was deposited by braided rivers, situated at the proximal part of palaeo‐alluvial fan. In addition to climate‐driven changes, the comparison between sedimentary architecture and published carbon isotope data from the Kangra sub‐basin suggests that channel‐fill dominated fan‐proximal Naladkhad and Ranital regions favoured the growth of C3 plants until ca 6 Ma, a time when Pakistan Siwaliks were dominated by C4 plants. In comparison to the Kangra sub‐basin, Pakistan Siwaliks are characterized by a higher abundance of floodplain sediments and possibly represent a distal fan deposit. Data from other parts of the world similarly suggest that, in addition to climate forcing, the dominance of overbank fines favoured the growth of C4 plants. Therefore, detailed knowledge of the depositional environment and palaeo‐geomorphic setting of the sedimentary archives is essential to understand the influence of sedimentary architecture on the spatio‐temporal variation in the abundance of C4 vegetation, especially for foreland basin settings, where lateral facies transition rate is high.
Coarse‐grained deltas approaching shallow‐water canyon heads: A case study from the Lower Pleistocene Messina Strait, Southern Italy
Authors: Longhitano Sergio G. , Chiarella Domenico , Gugliotta Marcello , Ventra Dario
Published: March 2021

The tide‐dominated Messina Strait (southern Italy) is a 3 km wide marine passageway, whose block‐faulted borders form steep subaqueous zones incised by canyons and gullies. These erosional features retreat towards the shorelines and are often in direct connection with subaerial valley‐bounded river deltas. High‐energy density‐flows generated by river floods periodically enter the canyon heads, attaining supercritical‐flow regime and accreting large, upslope‐migrating bedforms. Although these bedforms have been documented in recent studies, little attention has been paid to the definition of the type of delta entering canyon heads, the internal features of river‐influenced deposits accumulated in the nearshore zone, and their interplay with tidal currents flowing axially to the strait. This study focuses on a Lower Pleistocene coarse‐grained succession exposed along the north‐eastern margin of the modern Messina Strait, investigated using conventional facies analysis and sedimentological logging, integrated with photogrammetric techniques and interpretation of drone‐acquired imagery. Facies confinement between basement blocks suggests a subaqueous delta complex shed from the tectonically controlled margin of the ancient strait and entering shallowly submerged canyon heads. Basal breccias, conglomerates and pebbly sandstones exhibiting channel‐form discontinuities and upslope dipping backsets are interpreted as cyclic‐step and antidune deposits. Units composed of these facies are comprised between master erosional surfaces and tidal ravinement surfaces. The tidal ravinements suggest that canyon infill occurred during a major phase of sea‐level rise, punctuated by minor falls and stillstands. These surfaces are overlain by mixed bioclastic–siliciclastic, arenitic, trough and planar cross‐strata, representing dunes migrating roughly parallel to the palaeo‐coastline and originated by tidal currents amplified by the narrowing of the ancient Messina Strait. Tidal‐influenced sedimentation dominated over the fluvial‐influenced processes during the late transgression, overfilling the canyon relief. The exceptionally good exposure of depositional architectures and facies characteristics is key to outline the general features of a specific type of delta system, fed by valley‐bounded rivers and entering canyon heads in the nearshore of tectonically‐controlled, tide‐influenced steep strait margins. The pre‐existing subaqueous incised topography forced the delta front to be split into lobe branches during the canyon infilling, hampering clinoform architectures and preserving large supercritical‐flow sedimentary structures. This study suggests these as possible criteria for the recognition of similar systems in outcrop or subsurface.
A new HLA‐DQB1 allele, HLA‐DQB1*04:62, identified in a Chinese family
Authors: Ai Xiaofei , Wang Jiying , Zhang Yan , Li Qinghua , Wang Xiaojing
Published: March 2021

HLA‐DQB1*04:62 differs from HLA‐DQB1*04:01:01:01 by a single nucleotide in exon 3 (433A‐>G, N113D).
Complexity untwined: The structure and function of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) shoot phloem
Authors: Sui Xiaolei , Nie Jing , Liu Huan , Lin Tao , Yao Xuehui , Turgeon Robert
Published: March 2021

Cucurbit phloem is complex, with large sieve tubes on both sides of the xylem (bicollateral phloem), and extrafascicular elements that form an intricate web linking the rest of the vasculature. Little is known of the physical interconnections between these networks or their functional specialization, largely because the extrafascicular phloem strands branch and turn at irregular angles. Here, export in the phloem from specific regions of the lamina of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was mapped using carboxyfluorescein and 14C as mobile tracers. We also mapped vascular architecture by conventional microscopy and X‐ray computed tomography using optimized whole‐tissue staining procedures. Differential gene expression in the internal (IP) and external phloem (EP) was analyzed by laser‐capture microdissection followed by RNA‐sequencing. The vascular bundles of the lamina form a nexus at the petiole junction, emerging in a predictable pattern, each bundle conducting photoassimilate from a specific region of the blade. The vascular bundles of the stem interconnect at the node, facilitating lateral transport around the stem. Elements of the extrafascicular phloem traverse the stem and petiole obliquely, joining the IP and EP of adjacent bundles. Using pairwise comparisons and weighted gene coexpression network analysis, we found differences in gene expression patterns between the petiole and stem and between IP and EP, and we identified hub genes of tissue‐specific modules. Genes related to transport were expressed primarily in the EP while those involved in cell differentiation and development as well as amino acid transport and metabolism were expressed mainly in the IP.
The role of early natural killer cell adoptive infusion before engraftment in protecting against human herpesvirus‐6B encephalitis after naïve T‐cell‐depleted allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Gasior Mercedes , Ferreras Cristina , de Paz Raquel , Bueno David , Mozo Yasmina , Sisinni Luisa , Canizales Juan Torres , González Berta , Olivas‐Mazón Raquel , Marcos Antonio , Romero Ana Belén , Constanzo Aída , Mirones Isabel , Fernández‐Arroyo Alba , Balas Antonio , Vicario Jose Luis , Escudero Adela , Yuste Víctor Jiménez , Pérez‐Martínez Antonio
Published: March 2021

Background

Naïve T‐cell‐depleted grafts have been employed as an ex vivo T‐cell depletion (TCD) platform to prevent graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) and improve immune reconstitution by providing rapid donor memory T‐cell reconstitution after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). CD45RA− memory T cells confer protection against viruses such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein–Barr virus, and adenovirus; however, reports have shown an unexpectedly high incidence of human herpesvirus (HHV)‐6B encephalitis among pediatric allo‐HSCT patients.

Methods

We report the first 18 consecutive allo‐HSCT, 16 haplo‐HSCT, and two human leukocyte antigen‐matched related donors implanted with naïve TCD grafts. All donors were administered three cell products: first, a CD34+ stem cell product; second, a CD45RA+ TCD graft, followed by an adoptive natural killer (NK) cell infusion within 10 days after HSCT. The study's primary endpoint was the incidence of HHV‐6B encephalitis.

Results

Engraftment was achieved in 94.5% of cases; 2‐year overall survival, event‐free survival, and GvHD/relapse‐free survival were 87.2% (95% CI 78.6–95.8), 67.3% (95% CI 53.1–81.5), and 64% (95% CI 50.5–78.1), respectively. HHV‐6B reactivation occurred in 7 of the haplo‐HSCT patients, six of who received a cell infusion with an NK/CD4 ratio <2. None of the patients developed encephalitis.

Conclusions

In this clinical study, we show that early adoptive NK cell infusion after a 45RA+ TCD allo‐HSCT graft is safe and can prevent HHV‐6B encephalitis. We recommend infusing adoptive NK cells after allo‐HSCT using CD45RA+ TCD grafts.