bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decreased melatonin secretion in patients with glaucoma: Quantitative association with glaucoma severity in the LIGHT study
Authors: Yoshikawa Tadanobu , Obayashi Kenji , Miyata Kimie , Saeki Keigo , Ogata Nahoko
Published: April 2020

Glaucoma may be associated with circadian disruption due to its association with a loss of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. Clinical evidence demonstrating an association between glaucoma and circadian disruption is limited, and no large‐scale studies have been performed. The purpose of this cross‐sectional study was to determine whether the presence and severity of glaucoma is correlated with the urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin levels as a circadian rhythm parameter. We measured the level of urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin excretion (UME) in 118 glaucoma patients and 395 control participants without glaucoma. The UME in the glaucoma group was significantly lower than that of the control group without glaucoma (3.05 and 3.24 log ng/mg creatinine, respectively; P = .010). Next, we examined association of the severity of glaucoma and melatonin levels. In stratification analysis of the glaucoma groups, multivariable linear regression analyses adjusted for potential confounders indicated significantly lower UME by 0.30 log ng/mg creatinine in patients with functional severe glaucoma (visual field mean deviation ≤ −6 dB) compared with mild glaucoma (mean deviation > −6 dB; P = .040) and lower UME by 0.05 log ng/mg creatinine with each 10 μm thinning of the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness as the index of structural severity of glaucoma (P = .011). In conclusion, significant association between glaucoma and lower urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin was found. In addition, patients with functional and structural severe glaucoma were significantly associated with lower urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin levels. Our results indicate the possibility of a circadian disruption in patients with glaucoma.
Dietary nitrate and presence of protozoa increase nitrate and nitrite reduction in the rumen of sheep
Authors: Villar María Laura , Hegarty Roger Stephen , Clay Jonathon William , Smith Katherine Anne , Godwin Ian Robert , Nolan John Vivian
Published: April 2020

Nitrate (

) supplementation is an effective methane (CH4) mitigation strategy for ruminants but may produce nitrite (

) toxicity. It has been reported that rumen protozoa have greater ability for

and

reduction than bacteria. It was hypothesised that the absence of ruminal protozoa in sheep may lead to higher

accumulation in the rumen and a higher blood methaemoglobin (MetHb) concentration. An in vivo experiment was conducted with defaunated (DEF) and faunated (FAU) sheep supplemented with 1.8%

in DM. The effects of rumen protozoa on concentrations of plasma and ruminal

and

, blood MetHb, ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) and ruminal ammonia (NH3) were investigated. Subsequently, two in vitro experiments were conducted to determine the contribution of protozoa to

and

reduction rates in DEF and FAU whole rumen digesta (WRD) and its liquid (LIQ) and solid (SOL) fractions, incubated alone (CON), with the addition of

or with the addition of

. The results from the in vivo experiment showed no differences in total VFA concentrations, although ruminal NH3 was greater (p < .01) in FAU sheep. Ruminal

,

and plasma

concentrations tended to increase (p < .10) 1.5 hr after feeding in FAU relative to DEF sheep. In vitro results showed that

reduction to NH3 was stimulated (p < .01) by incoming

in both DEF and FAU relative to CON digesta. However, adding

increased (p < .05) the rate of

accumulation in the SOL fraction of DEF relative to both fractions of FAU digesta. Results observed in vivo and in vitro suggest that

and

are more rapidly metabolised in the presence of rumen protozoa. Defaunated sheep may have an increased risk of

poisoning due to

accumulation in the rumen.
Health benefits of carotenoids and potential application in poultry industry: A review
Authors: Nabi Fazul , Arain Muhammad A. , Rajput Nasir , Alagawany Mahmoud , Soomro Jamila , Umer Muhammad , Soomro Feroza , Wang Zhongqing , Ye Ruiling , Liu Juan
Published: April 2020

Carotenoids are one of the widespread and ubiquitous lipid‐soluble pigments that produce a wide range of colours which are universally found in various plants, microalgae, bacteria and fungi. Recently, interest in using carotenoids as feed ingredients has increased markedly owing to their bioactive and health‐promoting properties. In terms of applications, carotenoid‐rich products are widely available in the form of food and feed additive, supplements and natural colourants. Carotenoids play a versatile biological role that contributes to therapeutic effects, including anticancer, immunomodulators, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic and neuroprotective. Dietary supplementation of carotenoids not only improves the production performance and health of poultry birds, but also enhances the quality of egg and meat. Several studies have suggested that the supplementation of plant derived carotenoids revealed numerous health‐promoting activities in poultry birds. Carotenoids reduce the oxidative stress in pre‐hatched and post‐hatched birds through different mechanisms, including quench free radicals, activating antioxidant enzymes and inhibiting the signalling pathways. Use of carotenoids in poultry feed as a part of nutrient that confers bird health and improve product quality. Carotenoids play a critical role for the pigmentation of egg yolk, skin, legs, beak, comb, feather and fat. Birds consumed carotenoid deficient diet resulting hues of their egg yolk or pale coloured skin. Therefore, uniform pigmentation generally indicates the health status and quality of the poultry products. This review aims to gather recent information regarding bioactive properties of carotenoids and highlight pharmaceutical and health beneficial effects of carotenoids for the poultry industry. Additionally, it explores the importance of carotenoids as alternative feed ingredients for poultry to boost the production performance and replace synthetic medicine and nutrients.
Effectiveness and safety of atrial fibrillation ablation in females
Authors: Li Jingye , Sang Caihua , Du Xin , He Liu , Lu Shangxin , Jiang Chao , Xia Shijun , Chang Sanshuai , Zuo Song , Guo Xueyuan , Li Songnan , Tang Ribo , Liu Nian , Bai Rong , Jiang Chenxi , Yu Ronghui , Long Deyong , Macle Laurent , Dong Jianzeng , Ma Changsheng
Published: April 2020

Background

Existing data on the effectiveness and safety of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in females are limited to studies of small sample size, lacking longer term follow‐up or adjustment for potential confounders.

Methods

A total of 6421 patients (2072 females) undergoing a first AF ablation procedure after enrollment in the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry (China‐AF) study between August 2011 and December 2017 were analyzed. We evaluated the effectiveness (recurrence of documented [symptomatic or not] atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT)) and the safety (incidence of procedure‐related complications) of AF ablation in female patients compared to male patients. Sensitivity analyses based on routine data were also utilized to avoid potential sex differences in reporting of AF symptoms.

Results

Females were about 5 years older than males at the time of ablation (mean age 63.4 ± 9.5 vs 58.3 ± 10.8, P < .0001). A higher proportion of female patients had paroxysmal AF (74.3% vs 56.7%, P < .0001), hypertension (69.7% vs 61.3%, P < .0001), and hyperlipidemia (57.2% vs 52.9%, P = .001). Female sex was found to be an independent risk factor of AT recurrence in multivariate analyses (HR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.15‐1.38, P < .0001). These findings were confirmed in sensitivity analyses using only Holter data. Female sex was also associated with a higher risk of periprocedural complications after adjustment for baseline variables (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.03‐1.94, P = .03).

Conclusions

Female sex is an independent risk factor of AT recurrence and periprocedural complications after AF ablation.
General anesthesia during atrial fibrillation ablation: Standardized protocol and experience
Authors: Osorio Jose , Rajendra Anil , Varley Allyson , Henry Robert , Cunningham Julie , Spear William , Morales Gustavo
Published: April 2020

Background

Most atrial fibrillation (AF) ablations are performed with general anesthesia (GA). The ideal GA protocol is unknown, but it affects ablation outcomes and laboratory utilization. We sought to report a GA protocol used at a high‐volume center, with special consideration on efficiency and optimization of mapping and ablation conditions.

Methods

Our protocol consists of propofol as sole anesthetic agent and analgesia with Fentanyl. IV fluids are minimized. After transseptal access, the right phrenic nerve is tagged, rocuronium is given, and redosing avoided. Ventilation is modulated to optimize mapping and ablation. After ablation, isoproterenol is infused for 20 min. After 10 min, propofol is gradually decreased and ventilation set to SIMV 8 breaths/min to promote spontaneous breathing, and then switched to pressure support and propofol stopped. Paralysis is reversed and furosemide given. Patient is extubated once meeting standard criteria.

Results

A total of 1286 patients underwent AF ablation from January 2017 to December 2018 using the protocol. Mean age was 66 years (41% paroxysmal AF, CHADS2Vasc 2.6). Total procedure time was 86 min. Median time to extubation was 9 min (first and third quartile 6‐16) after procedure completed, with total anesthesia time of 116 min. On average 370 mL of fluids were given by anesthesia. Only one patient who had heart failure required reintubation with no other anesthesia‐related complications seen.

Conclusion

Our GA protocol was specifically designed for AF ablation. It was safe and led to efficient recovery and extubation times. It maximizes laboratory utilization time without compromising safety.
A Muselet and USB dermatoscope: A precise way to mark a site for biopsy
Authors: Jakhar Deepak , Kaur Ishmeet
Published: April 2020

Precise marking of the biopsy site is essential for histoapthological evaluation. Naked eye examination, sometimes, does not help in identifying an appropriate lesion for biospy. Dermoscopy enhance surface and subsurface features in a lesion and can thus be helpful in selecting the most appropriate lesion for biopsy. This manuscript describes the use of a muselet to mark a biopsy site under the vision of a dermatoscope.
Late T cell–mediated rejection may contribute to poor outcomes in adolescents and young adults with liver transplantation
Authors: Takeda Masahiro , Sakamoto Seisuke , Irie Rie , Uchida Hajime , Shimizu Seiichi , Yanagi Yusuke , Abdelwahed Mohamed Sami , Fukuda Akinari , Kasahara Mureo
Published: April 2020

Although poor long‐term graft survival in LT in AYA is recognized, detailed epidemiological data are still lacking. L‐TCMR may have poor outcomes. This study aimed to provide a detailed, epidemiological assessment of the association between AYA age and rejection. L‐TCMR was defined in this study as TCMR with central vein or perivenular inflammation occurring later than 3 months after LT. A total of 342 patients who survived for at least 3 months after LT between 2005 and 2015 were enrolled. The AYA group (10‐24 years) was compared with the C group (less than 10 years), and the incidence and outcomes of L‐TCMR were analyzed. In total, 342 patients had LT; 38 of these were AYA with the mean follow‐up period of 6.7 years. A total of 304 patients in C group had a mean follow‐up period of 6.3 years (P = .28). The incidence of L‐TCMR in AYA group was significantly higher than in C group (15.8% vs 4.6%, P = .006). The time to L‐TCMR after LT was significantly shorter in AYA group (P = .01). Neither patient survival nor the incidence of non‐adherence differed significantly between the groups (P = .18 and P = .89). The number of additional immunosuppressants after L‐TCMR was significantly higher in the AYA group (P = .04). A high incidence of L‐TCMR was observed in AYA group irrespective of non‐adherence. AYA patients with L‐TCMR should be followed carefully due to the poor results of post‐treatment biopsy and the need for intensive immunosuppressive therapy.
Environmental stressors affect sex ratios in sexually dimorphic plant sexual systems
Authors: Varga S. , Soulsbury C. D.
Published: April 2020

Revealing the environmental pressures determining the frequency of females amongst populations of sexually dimorphic plants is a key research question. Analyses of sex ratio variation have been mainly done in dioecious plants, which misses key plant sexual systems that might represent intermediate stages in the evolution of dioecy from hermaphroditism.

We investigated female frequency across populations of sexually dimorphic plant species in relation to environmental stressors (temperature, precipitation), totaling 342 species, 2011 populations, representing 40 orders and three different sexual systems (dioecy, gynodioecy and subdioecy). We also included the biome where the population was located to test how female frequency may vary more broadly with climate conditions.

After correcting for phylogeny, our results for gynodioecious systems showed a positive relationship between female frequency and increased environmental stress, with the main effects being temperature‐related. Subdioecious systems also showed strong positive relationships with temperature, and positive and negative relationships related to precipitation, while no significant effects on sex ratio in dioecious plants were detected.

Combined, we show that female frequencies in an intermediate sexual system on the pathway from hermaphroditism to dioecy respond strongly to environmental stressors and have different selective agents driving female frequency.
The new aspects of using some safe feed additives on alleviated imidacloprid toxicity in farmed fish: a review
Authors: Naiel Mohammed A. E. , Shehata Abdelrazeq M. , Negm Samar S. , Abd El‐Hack Mohamed E. , Amer Mahmoud S. , Khafaga Asmaa F. , Bin‐Jumah May , Allam Ahmed A.
Published: April 2020

Intensive fish culturing systems depend on provides optimal water quality conditions. Hence, the most important aquaculture practices are the removal of contamination elements related not only to the water quality parameters unacceptable for aquatic species but also to the undesirable effect on the health of fish and consumers. During the last three decades, common applications and production of pesticides have amplified progressively. Due to the excessive use of imidacloprid as a highly effective insecticide, elevated accumulation is expected in an aquatic environment. A large part of applied pesticides emitted into the environment and only a small portion of them reach the final biological target, where it caused several hazards, such as accumulation and toxicity to non‐target creatures. Plant‐derived secondary metabolites are getting great attention due to their safety and therapeutic functions. Also, several feed additives in animal diets can act as chemopreventive agents, which have the potential to decrease the toxicity risk of many pollutants and detoxification of activated metabolites. Understanding the internal action mechanisms of various safe feed additives could lead to the novel therapeutic approaches for acute and chronic pesticide toxicity. This review intends to summarize how safe feed additives alter or mitigate the toxic effects of imidacloprid in farmed fish.
A Causal Inference Framework for Cancer Cluster Investigations using Publicly Available Data
Authors: Nethery Rachel C. , Yang Yue , Brown Anna J. , Dominici Francesca
Published: April 2020

Often, a community becomes alarmed when high rates of cancer are noticed, and residents suspect that the cancer cases could be caused by a known source of hazard. In response, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that departments of health perform a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) analysis to determine whether the observed cancer incidence is higher than expected. This approach has several limitations that are well documented in the existing literature. We propose a novel causal inference framework for cancer cluster investigations, rooted in the potential outcomes framework. Assuming that a source of hazard representing a potential cause of increased cancer rates in the community is identified a priori, we focus our approach on a causal inference estimand which we call the causal SIR. The causal SIR is a ratio defined as the expected cancer incidence in the exposed population divided by the expected cancer incidence for the same population under the (counterfactual) scenario of no exposure. To estimate the causal SIR we need to overcome two main challenges: first, we must identify unexposed populations that are as similar as possible to the exposed population to inform estimation of the expected cancer incidence under the counterfactual scenario of no exposure, and, second, publicly available data on cancer incidence for these unexposed populations are often available at a much higher level of spatial aggregation (e.g. county) than what is desired (e.g. census block group). We overcome the first challenge by relying on matching. We overcome the second challenge by building a Bayesian hierarchical model that borrows information from other sources to impute cancer incidence at the desired level of spatial aggregation. In simulations, our statistical approach was shown to provide dramatically improved results, i.e. less bias and better coverage, than the current approach to SIR analyses. We apply our proposed approach to investigate whether trichloroethylene vapour exposure has caused increased cancer incidence in Endicott, New York.
Segmentation methods for acne vulgaris images: Proposal of a new methodology applied to fluorescence images
Authors: Peris Fajarnés Guillermo , Moncho Santonja María , Defez García Beatriz , Lengua Lengua Ismael
Published: April 2020

Background

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common human pathologies worldwide. Its prevalence causes a high healthcare expenditure. Acne healthcare costs and effects on individuals' quality of life lead to the need of analysing current acne evaluation, treatment and monitoring methods. One of the most common ones is manual lesion counting by a dermatologist. However, this technique has several limitations, such as time spent. That is the reason why the development of new computer‐assisted techniques is needed in order to automatically count the acne lesions.

Materials and Methods

Using the fluorescence images, a segmentation algorithm is implemented in MATLAB.

Results

A new counting tool has been obtained that provides a form of objective evaluation of acne vulgaris disease. The effectiveness of the application of the segmentation method is more than 90%, being valid for the follow‐up and diagnosis of injuries.

Conclusion

Automated counting of acne lesions has been proposed to solve current limitations of evaluation and monitoring methods for acne vulgaris. It is clear that the use of machine learning algorithms such as k‐means enables clinicians to objectively and quickly evaluate the severity of acne.
Heat stress response in the closest algal relatives of land plants reveals conserved stress signaling circuits
Authors: de Vries Jan , de Vries Sophie , Curtis Bruce A. , Zhou Hong , Penny Susanne , Feussner Kirstin , Pinto Devanand M. , Steinert Michael , Cohen Alejandro M. , von Schwartzenberg Klaus , Archibald John M.
Published: April 2020

All land plants (embryophytes) share a common ancestor that likely evolved from a filamentous freshwater alga. Elucidating the transition from algae to embryophytes – and the eventual conquering of Earth’s surface – is one of the most fundamental questions in plant evolutionary biology. Here, we investigated one of the organismal properties that might have enabled this transition: resistance to drastic temperature shifts. We explored the effect of heat stress in Mougeotia and Spirogyra, two representatives of Zygnematophyceae – the closest known algal sister lineage to land plants. Heat stress induced pronounced phenotypic alterations in their plastids, and high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectroscopy‐based profiling of 565 transitions for the analysis of main central metabolites revealed significant shifts in 43 compounds. We also analyzed the global differential gene expression responses triggered by heat, generating 92.8 Gbp of sequence data and assembling a combined set of 8905 well‐expressed genes. Each organism had its own distinct gene expression profile; less than one‐half of their shared genes showed concordant gene expression trends. We nevertheless detected common signature responses to heat such as elevated transcript levels for molecular chaperones, thylakoid components, and – corroborating our metabolomic data – amino acid metabolism. We also uncovered the heat‐stress responsiveness of genes for phosphorelay‐based signal transduction that links environmental cues, calcium signatures and plastid biology. Our data allow us to infer the molecular heat stress response that the earliest land plants might have used when facing the rapidly shifting temperature conditions of the terrestrial habitat.
Inactivation of a broad spectrum of viruses and parasites by photochemical treatment of plasma and platelets using amotosalen and ultraviolet A light
Authors: Lanteri Marion C. , Santa‐Maria Felicia , Laughhunn Andrew , Girard Yvette A. , Picard‐Maureau Marcus , Payrat Jean‐Marc , Irsch Johannes , Stassinopoulos Adonis , Bringmann Peter
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

The INTERCEPT Blood System pathogen reduction technology (PRT), which uses amotosalen and ultraviolet A light treatment (amotosalen/UV‐PRT), inactivates pathogens in plasma and platelet components (PCs). This review summarizes data describing the inactivation efficacy of amotosalen/UVA‐PRT for a broad spectrum of viruses and parasites.

METHODS

Twenty‐five enveloped viruses, six nonenveloped viruses (NEVs), and four parasites species were evaluated for sensitivity to amotosalen/UVA‐PRT. Pathogens were spiked into plasma and PC at high titers. Samples were collected before and after PRT and assessed for infectivity with cell cultures or animal models. Log reduction factors (LRFs) were defined as the difference in infectious titers before and after amotosalen/UV‐PRT.

RESULTS

LRFs of ≥4.0 log were reported for 19 pathogens in plasma (range, ≥4.0 to ≥7.6), 28 pathogens in PC in platelet additive solution (PC‐PAS; ≥4.1‐≥7.8), and 14 pathogens in PC in 100% plasma (PC‐100%; (≥4.3‐>8.4). Twenty‐five enveloped viruses and two NEVs were sensitive to amotosalen/UV‐PRT; LRF ranged from >2.9 to ≥7.6 in plasma, 2.4 or greater to greater than 6.9 in PC‐PAS and >3.5 to >6.5 in PC‐100%. Infectious titers for four parasites were reduced by >4.0 log in all PC and plasma (≥4.9 to >8.4).

CONCLUSION

Amotosalen/UVA‐PRT demonstrated effective infectious titer reduction for a broad spectrum of viruses and parasites. This confirms the capacity of this system to reduce the risk of viral and parasitic transfusion‐transmitted infections by plasma and PCs in various geographies.
A systematic review of complications related to laparoscopic and laparoscopic‐assisted procedures in dogs
Authors: Maurin Marie‐Pauline , Mullins Ronan A. , Singh Ameet , Mayhew Philipp D.
Published: April 2020

Objective

To evaluate and report the quality of the scientific literature reporting complications associated with laparoscopic and laparoscopic‐assisted procedures in client‐owned or healthy research dogs and to report and illustrate laparoscopic complications related to individual organ systems.

Study design

Systematic review.

Animals

Client‐owned or healthy research dogs.

Methods

A literature review was performed by using PubMed and CAB abstracts for English‐language studies providing descriptions of complications related to laparoscopic and laparoscopic‐assisted procedures in dogs. Study selection used PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses) guidelines. Quality assessment was performed by using a MINORS (Methodological Items for Non‐Randomized Studies) scoring system and a grading scale of level of evidence. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results

In total, 741 manuscripts were identified, with 64 manuscripts eligible for data extraction and quality assessment. The most represented organ system was the female genital tract, represented by 22 (34.4%) studies. The most commonly reported intraoperative and postoperative complications were related to abdominal entry and portal incisions, respectively. In 53 of 54 non‐randomized studies, high risk of bias was found. Forty‐eight (75%) studies provided level III or IV evidence.

Conclusion

This report provides an updated review of complications related to laparoscopic and laparoscopic‐assisted procedures in dogs, classified by organ system. The overall quality of evidence was low, limiting direct comparison of complication rates between studies.

Clinical significance

There is a need for implementation of standardized criteria for defining complications, study time frames and greater numbers of high quality prospective randomized trials in veterinary laparoscopy to permit comparison of complication and conversion rates between published studies and across organ systems.
The influence of age and sex on cerebrovascular reactivity and ventilatory response to hypercapnia in children and adults
Authors: Tallon Christine M. , Barker Alan R. , Nowak‐Flück Daniela , Ainslie Philip N. , McManus Ali M.
Published: April 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

In this study, we investigated intracranial cerebrovascular and ventilatory reactivity to 6% CO2 in children and adults and explored dynamic ventilatory and cerebrovascular onset responses.

What is the main finding and its importance?

We showed that cerebrovascular reactivity was similar in children and adults, but the intracranial blood velocity onset response was markedly attenuated in children. Sex differences were apparent, with greater increases in intracranial blood velocity in females and lower ventilatory reactivity in adult females. Our study confirms the importance of investigating dynamic onset responses when assessing the influence of development on cerebrovascular regulation.

The purpose of this study was to compare the integrated intracranial cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) and hypercapnic ventilatory response between children and adults and to explore the dynamic response of the middle cerebral artery mean velocity (MCAV). Children (n = 20; 9.9 ± 0.7 years of age) and adults (n = 21; 24.4 ± 2.0 years of age) completed assessment of CVR over 240 s using a fixed fraction of inspired CO2 (0.06). Baseline MCAV was higher in the adult females compared with the males (P ≤ 0.05). The MCAV was greater in female children compared with male children (P ≤ 0.05) and in female adults compared with male adults (P ≤ 0.05) with hypercapnia. Relative CVR was similar in children and adults (3.71 ± 1.06 versus 4.12 ± 1.32% mmHg−1; P = 0.098), with absolute CVR being higher in adult females than males (3.27 ± 0.86 versus 2.53 ± 0.70 cm s−1 mmHg−1; P ≤ 0.001). Likewise, the hypercapnic ventilatory response did not differ between the children and adults (1.89 ± 1.00 versus 1.77 ± 1.34 l min−1 mmHg−1; P = 0.597), but was lower in adult females than males (1.815 ± 0.37 versus 2.33 ± 1.66 l min−1 mmHg−1; P ≤ 0.05). The heart rate response to hypercapnia was greater in children than in adults (P = 0.001). A monoexponential regression model was used to characterize the dynamic onset, consisting of a delay term, amplitude and time constant (τ). The results revealed that MCAV τ was faster in adults than in children (34 ± 18 versus 74 ± 28 s; P = 0.001). Our study provides new insight into the impact of age and sex on CVR and the dynamic response of the MCAV to hypercapnia.
Sweat Characteristics of Cramp-Prone and Cramp-Resistant Athletes
Authors: Miller Kevin C. , McDermott Brendon P. , Yeargin Susan W.
Published: April 2020

Exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs) are thought to be caused by dehydration and/or electrolyte losses. In this multicenter, cross-sectional study, the authors determined whether sweat rates (SRs), sweat electrolyte concentrations, or sweat electrolyte content differed in athletes with (i.e., crampers) and without (i.e., noncrampers) a history of EAMCs and whether these variables could predict EAMC-prone athletes. Male and female collegiate athletes (N = 350) from 11 sports with (n = 245) and without (n = 105) a self-reported history of EAMCs completed a typical exercise or conditioning session. SRs, calculated from body mass, and posterior forearm sweat were analyzed for sweat sodium concentration ([Na+]sw), sweat potassium concentration ([K+]sw), and sweat chloride concentration ([Cl−]sw). The authors used SRs and sweat electrolyte concentrations to calculate sweat electrolyte content lost. Within each gender, no differences in SRs (204 males, p = .92; 146 females, p = .24); [Na+]sw (191 males, p = .55; 126 females, p = .55); Na+sw content (191 males, p = .59; 126 females, p = .20); [K+]sw (192 males, p = .57; 126 females, p = .87); K+sw content (192 males, p = .49; 126 females, p = .03); [Cl−]sw (192 males, p = .94; 77 females, p = .57); and Cl−sw content (192 males, p = .55; 77 females, p = .34) occurred between crampers and noncrampers. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that sweat electrolyte content and SRs were predictive of EAMC-prone athletes in American football (area under curve = 0.65–0.72, p ≤ .005), but not in any other sport. EAMCs may not be solely caused by fluid or electrolyte losses in most athletes. Fluid and electrolyte replacement may help American footballers. Clinicians should individualize fluid and electrolyte replacement and understand different etiologies for EAMCs.
The Effect of a Competitive Futsal Match on Psychomotor Vigilance in Referees
Authors: Ahmed Hawkar S. , Marcora Samuele M. , Dixon David , Davison Glen
Published: April 2020

Context: Referees’ physical and cognitive performance are important for successful officiating in team sports. There is a lack of research on cognitive performance of referees in general, and none in futsal. Purpose: To assess referees’ performance on the psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) before and after competitive futsal matches during the Football Association (FA) National Futsal League 2015/16. Methods: Fourteen futsal referees (mean [SD] age 34.3 [10.0] y) from the FA National Futsal group were included. The referees were required to undertake a 10-min PVT 60 min before the match kickoff time (pretest) and immediately after matches (posttest). They also completed the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) questionnaire before the prematch PVT and after the postmatch PVT. Result: Data were analyzed by paired t tests comparing prematch and postmatch results. There was a significant difference in BRUMS parameters vigor (9.5 [2.5] prematch vs 6.3 [2.4] postmatch, P = .001) and fatigue (1.4 [1.3] prematch vs 5.6 [3.1] postmatch, P < .001). However, PVT performance was significantly improved (mean reaction time 248.3 [26.2] ms prematch vs 239.7 [22.4] ms postmatch, P = .023). Conclusions: The present results show, contrary to the authors’ initial hypothesis, that psychomotor performance is improved as opposed to decreased after a single match. The postmatch improvement suggests that exercise can acutely enhance cognitive performance, which could be used to inform warm-up practices (eg, optimal duration and intensity) geared toward optimizing referees’ cognitive performance during matches.
Psychological Resilience in Olympic Medal–Winning Coaches: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study
Authors: Sarkar Mustafa , Hilton Nathan K.
Published: April 2020

Although there is burgeoning research on resilience in elite athletes, there has been no empirical investigation of resilience in elite coaches. The purpose of this study was to explore psychological resilience in world-class coaches and how they develop resilience in athletes. A longitudinal qualitative design was adopted due to the dynamic and temporal nature of resilience. Five Olympic medal–winning coaches (four males and one female) were interviewed twice over a 12-month swimming season. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. Findings revealed 14 higher order themes, which were categorized into the following three general dimensions: coach stressors (managing the Olympic environment, preparation for major events, coach personal well-being, directing an organization); coach protective factors (progressive coaching, coaching support network, maintaining work/life balance, secure working environment, durable motivation, effective decision making); and enhancing resilience in athletes (developing a strong coach–athlete relationship, creating a facilitative environment, developing a resilience process, athlete individual factors). The results are presented to demonstrate the interplay between coach stressors and protective factors over time, which offers an original and significant contribution to the resilience literature by providing a unique insight into the dynamic and temporal nature of resilience in Olympic medal–winning coaches.
Effects of Sharing Data With Teachers on Student Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in the Classroom
Authors: Hodgin Katie L. , von Klinggraeff Lauren , Dauenhauer Brian , McMullen Jaimie M. , Kuhn Ann Pulling , Stoepker Peter , Carson Russell L.
Published: April 2020

Background: Data-driven decision making is an accepted best practice in education, but teachers seldom reflect on data to drive their physical activity (PA) integration efforts. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of a data-sharing intervention with classroom teachers on teacher-directed movement integration and students’ PA and sedentary behavior.Methods: Teacher-directed movement behaviors from 8 classroom teachers in 1 primary school were systematically observed during four 1-hour class periods before (pre) and after (post) an intervention in which teachers individually discussed student movement data with a trained interviewer. Teachers’ K–2 students (N = 132) wore accelerometers for 10 school days both preintervention and postintervention.Results: Multilevel mixed effects regression indicated a nonsignificant increase in teacher-directed movement from preintervention to postintervention (+7.42%,P = .48). Students’ classroom time spent in moderate to vigorous PA increased (males: +2.41 min,P < .001; females: +0.84 min,P = .04) and sedentary time decreased (males: −9.90 min,P < .001; females: −7.98 min,P < .001) postintervention. Interview data inductively analyzed revealed teachers’ perspectives, including their surprise at low student PA during the school day.Conclusions: Findings suggest that sharing data with classroom teachers can improve student PA and decrease sedentary behavior at school.
Body Image in Athletes and Nonathletes With Low Back Pain: Avoidance–Endurance-Related Subgroups and Sports Status Play a Role
Authors: Levenig Claudia G. , Kellmann Michael , Kleinert Jens , Belz Johanna , Hesselmann Tobias , Heidari Jahan , Hasenbring Monika I.
Published: April 2020

Context: Low back pain (LBP) is a serious health problem, both in the general population as well as in athletes. Research has shown that psychosocial aspects, such as dysfunctional pain responses, play a significant role in the chronification of LBP. Recent research supports the relevance of the multidisciplinary concept of body image in the interpretation of LBP. Objective: To examine the differences in 2 psychosocial aspects, body image and pain responses, between athletes and nonathletes with LBP. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: The questionnaires were distributed in the course of LBP treatment. Participants: Data from 163 athletes (mean age = 28.69 [9.6] y) and 75 nonathletes (mean age = 39.34 [12.63] y) were collected. Interventions: Data were collected by questionnaires assessing body image, pain behavior, training activity, and LBP. Main Outcome Measures: To examine group differences between athletes and nonathletes regarding body image and pain behavior, the authors performed 2-way analyses of variance with Bonferroni post hoc tests. Results: The results showed (1) a significant main effect regarding pain responses and body image, showing that participants with eustress endurance or adaptive pain behavior revealed a more positive body image in both groups compared with participants with distress endurance or fear-avoidance behavior, and (2) a significant main effect for the factor group in the body image dimension of physical efficacy, indicating a more positive body image for athletes. Conclusion: These results suggest that considering multiple risk factors for LBP, such as body image and dysfunctional pain behavior, as well as subgrouping, might be valuable for research and for broadening therapy options.
Associations in physical activity and sedentary behaviour among the immigrant and non-immigrant US population
Authors: Kim Heontae , Cao Chao , Grabovac Igor , López Sánchez Guillermo F , Rana Benny , Jacob Louis , Koyanagi Ai , Veronese Nicola , Yang Lin , Smith Lee
Published: April 2020

Background

Immigrants are at a higher risk of poor mental and physical health. Regular participation in physical activity (PA) and low levels of sedentary time are beneficial for both these aspects of health. The aim was to investigate levels and trends in domain-specific PA and sedentary behaviour in the US. immigrant compared with non-immigrant populations.

Methods

From the 2007–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a total of 25 142 adults (≥18 years) were included in this analysis. PA and sedentary behaviour time were assessed by a questionnaire.

Results

Transit-related PA showed downward linear trends in young immigrant adults (ptrend=0.006) and middle-aged non-immigrant adults (ptrend=0.009). We found significant upward linear trends in sedentary behaviour for both immigrants and non-immigrants across all age groups. For sitting watching TV or videos ≥2 hours/day, there was a downward linear trend in young immigrant adults (ptrend=0.009). For computer use ≥1 hours/day, an upward linear trend in older non-immigrants was found (ptrend=0.024). Young immigrants spent 37.5 (95% CI −55.4 to −19.6) min less than non-immigrants on recreational PA per week. Also, older immigrants spent 23.5 (95% CI 1.5 to 45.6) and 22.5 (95% CI 5.9 to 39.0) min/week more than non-immigrants on recreational PA and transit-related PA, respectively. Last, young and middle-aged immigrants spent 37.6 (95% CI −68.2 to −7.0) and 37.6 (95% CI −99.7 to −9.7) min/day less than non-immigrants on sedentary behaviour, respectively.

Conclusion

Overall, levels of recreational PA were stable, yet the transit-related PA declined coupled with an increase in sedentary behaviour. US. immigrants exhibit higher levels of transit-PA, lower levels of leisure-time PA and lower levels of sedentary behaviour, in some age groups.
Dispersionless one-way slow wave with large delay bandwidth product at the edge of gyromagnetic photonic crystal
Authors: Liu Ye , Jiang Chun
Published: April 2020

We theoretically, demonstrate a high delay bandwidth product (DBP) and zero group velocity dispersion (GVD) in a two-dimensional one-way slow light waveguide. The waveguide consists of gyromagnetic photonic crystal (GMPC) and a cladding formed by silicon photonic crystal. At the edge of the band, weak interactions (“semi-anticrossing”) between the chiral edge state (CES) mode and the mode localized at the surface of cladding are observed. The group velocity of CES wave can be tuned by adjusting the modal field distribution. As a result, an extraordinarily large value of normalized DBP of 0.63 with a group index of 10.32 and a bandwidth ranging from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] is obtained. This result may contribute to one-way slow light applications in information communication systems.
Efficient identity-based public-key quantum signature scheme
Authors: Xin Xiangjun , Wang Zhuo , Yang Qinglan , Li Fagen
Published: April 2020

Based on the Hadamard operator and Bell states, an identity-based public-key quantum signature scheme is proposed. In our scheme, the signer’s identity is used as her public key. Her private keys are generated by the trusted private key generator (PKG). Given a quantum signature, the verifier can verify the validity of the quantum signature by the signer’s identity information without any public-key certificate. So, our quantum signature has the advantages of the identity-based signature system. On the other hand, in our scheme, it need not use the long-term quantum memory. The verifier need not perform any quantum swap test or state comparison algorithm. What is more, our quantum signature is secure against PKG’s forgery attack. And the disputation of losing quantum signature can be arbitrated by PKG. Therefore, our scheme is relatively more practical and efficient than the similar schemes.
Coumarins as Modulators of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway
Authors: Hassanein Emad H. M. , Sayed Ahmed M. , Hussein Omnia E. , Mahmoud Ayman M.
Published: April 2020

The Keap1/Nrf2/ARE system is a central defensive mechanism against oxidative stress which plays a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of many diseases. Nrf2 is a redox-sensitive transcription factor controlling a variety of downstream antioxidant and cytodefensive genes. Nrf2 has a powerful anti-inflammatory activity mediated via modulating NF-κB. Therefore, pharmacological activation of Nrf2 is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment/prevention of several diseases that are underlined by both oxidative stress and inflammation. Coumarins are natural products with promising pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory efficacies. Coumarins are found in many plants, fungi, and bacteria and have been widely used as complementary and alternative medicines. Some coumarins have shown an ability to activate Nrf2 signaling in different cells and animal models. The present review compiles the research findings of seventeen coumarin derivatives of plant origin (imperatorin, visnagin, urolithin B, urolithin A, scopoletin, esculin, esculetin, umbelliferone, fraxetin, fraxin, daphnetin, anomalin, wedelolactone, glycycoumarin, osthole, hydrangenol, and isoimperatorin) as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, emphasizing the role of Nrf2 activation in their pharmacological activities. Additionally, molecular docking simulations were utilized to investigate the potential binding mode of these coumarins with Keap1 as a strategy to disrupt Keap1/Nrf2 protein-protein interaction and activate Nrf2 signaling.
The Feasibility of Homotopy Continuation Method for a Nonlinear Matrix Equation
Authors: Wang Mengran , Li Jing
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we discuss the feasibility of homotopy continuation method for the nonlinear matrix equations X+∑i=1sBi∗X−1Bi+∑i=s+1mBi∗XtiBi=I with 0<ti<1. This iterative method does not depend on a good initial approximation to the solution of matrix equation.
Long Range Backhaul Microwave Connectivity in Wireless Sensor Networks via a New Antenna Designed for ISM 2.4 GHz Band
Authors: Mustuzhar Gilani Syed Mushhad , Sultan Muhammad Tamur , Shuai Zeng , Kabir Asif
Published: April 2020

This study aimed to explore a metallic striped grid array planar antenna, analyze it numerically in terms of its parameters, and optimize it for best performance. It may be an appropriate candidate for long-range point-to-point connectivity in wireless sensor networks. Antenna gain and frequency impedance bandwidth are two important performance parameters. For an efficient antenna, its gain should be high while maintaining operating bandwidth wide enough to accommodate the entire frequency range for which it has been designed. Concurrently, antenna size should also be small. In this study, antenna dimensions were kept as small as possible without compromising its performance. Its dimensions were 300 mm × 210 mm × 9.9 mm, which made it compact and miniature. It had a maximum gain of 16.72 dB at 2.45 GHz and maximum frequency impedance bandwidth of 7.68% relative to 50 Ω. It operated across a frequency band ranging from 2.38 GHz to 2.57 GHz, encapsulating the entire ISM 2.4 GHz band. Its radiation efficiency remained above 93% in this band with a maximum of 98.5% at 2.45 GHz. Moreover, it also had narrow HPBWs in horizontal and vertical planes having values of 18.52° and 31.25°, respectively.
Confinement of Fermions in Tachyon Matter
Authors: Issifu Adamu , Brito Francisco A.
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we develop a phenomenological model inspired by QCD that mimics the QCD theory. We use the gauge theory in color dielectric medium (Gϕ) coupled with fermion fields to produce scalar and vector confinements in the chromoelectric flux tube scenario. The Abelian theory will be used to approximate the non-Abelian QCD theory in a consistent manner. We will calculate vector and scalar glueballs and compare the result to the existing simulation and experimental results and projections. The QCD-like vacuum associated with the model will be calculated and its behavior studied relative to changing quark masses. We will also comment on the relationship between tachyon condensation, dual Higgs mechanism, QCD monopole condensation, and their association with confinement. The behavior of the QCD string tension obtained from the vector potential of the model will be studied to establish vector dominance in confinement theories.
Clinical Significance of Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Transforming Growth Factor-Beta-1 Levels in Assessing Disease Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Naguib Rania , El-Shikh Wafaa Mohamed
Published: April 2020

Background. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are inflammatory cytokines which function as key regulators of immunological homeostasis and inflammatory responses. They have been linked to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In this study, we aim to assess the levels of TGF-β and HGF and other inflammatory markers in patients with IBD and correlate them with the disease activity. Study Design. A cross-sectional study involving 100 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 100 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and 50 control subjects. TGF-β and HGF levels were measured and correlated with disease activity. Results and Conclusion. Serum levels of TGF-β and HGF were significantly higher in IBD patients compared with the control group. In the UC group, the levels of HGF and TGF-β were significantly higher than in the CD group. Levels of TGF-β and HGF correlate with the activity of IBD.
Heterogeneous and Homogenous Multistabilities in a Novel 4D Memristor-Based Chaotic System with Discrete Bifurcation Diagrams
Authors: Huang Lilian , Yao Wenju , Xiang Jianhong , Zhang Zefeng
Published: April 2020

In this paper, a new 4D memristor-based chaotic system is constructed by using a smooth flux-controlled memristor to replace a resistor in the realization circuit of a 3D chaotic system. Compared with general chaotic systems, the chaotic system can generate coexisting infinitely many attractors. The proposed chaotic system not only possesses heterogeneous multistability but also possesses homogenous multistability. When the parameters of system are fixed, the chaotic system only generates two kinds of chaotic attractors with different positions in a very large range of initial values. Different from other chaotic systems with continuous bifurcation diagrams, this system has discrete bifurcation diagrams when the initial values change. In addition, this paper reveals the relationship between the symmetry of coexisting attractors and the symmetry of initial values in the system. The dynamic behaviors of the new system are analyzed by equilibrium point and stability, bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponents, and phase orbit diagrams. Finally, the chaotic attractors are captured through circuit simulation, which verifies numerical simulation.