bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Involvement of purinergic 2X4 receptor in glycoprotein 120‐induced pyroptosis in dorsal root ganglia
Authors: Zhao Shanhong , Zhou Yanhong , Fan Yang , Gong Yingxin , Yang Jingjian , Yang Runan , Li Lin , Zou Lifang , Xu Xiumei , Li Guilin , Liu Shuangmei , Zhang Chunping , Li Guodong , Liang Shangdong
Published: August 2019

Pyroptosis is a type of programmed cell death, displaying caspase‐1‐dependent and pro‐inflammatory features. Purinergic 2X4 (P2X4) receptor activation in response to high‐adenosine triphosphate release can induce inflammation. Envelope glycoprotein 120 (gp120) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is considered one of the primary pathogens leading to neuronal injury. In this study, we investigated the possible role of P2X4 receptor activation in gp120‐triggered pyroptosis in cultured satellite glial cells (SGCs) of rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG). MTS assay, TdT‐mediated dUTP Nick‐end labeling assay, real‐time RT‐PCR, and western blotting et al. methods were used. The results indicated that the expression of P2X4 receptor in SGCs of DRG was up‐regulated upon cultured with gp120 for 24 h. The highest decrease in viability of SGCs due to gp120 treatment was accompanied by marked increases of positive pyroptosis cells and cellular lactate dehydrogenase release, elevated levels of interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐18, active caspase‐1 and NOD‐like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 1, and enhanced phosphorylation of p38MAPK. These abnormal changes because of gp120 were significantly inhibited and cell viability was markedly improved when SGCs of DRG were treated with short hairpin RNAs targeting P2X4 receptor. Our data suggest that silencing of P2X4 receptor may act effectively against gp120‐induced pyroptosis mediated by the activation of NOD‐like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 1 inflammasome and caspase‐1 signaling in SGCs of DRG.

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Mutant huntingtin fails to directly impair brain mitochondria
Authors: Hamilton James , Brustovetsky Tatiana , Brustovetsky Nickolay
Published: August 2019

Although the mechanisms by which mutant huntingtin (mHtt) results in Huntington's disease (HD) remain unclear, mHtt‐induced mitochondrial defects were implicated in HD pathogenesis. The effect of mHtt could be mediated by transcriptional alterations, by direct interaction with mitochondria, or by both. In the present study, we tested a hypothesis that mHtt directly damages mitochondria. To test this hypothesis, we applied brain cytosolic fraction from YAC128 mice, containing mHtt, to brain non‐synaptic and synaptic mitochondria from wild‐type mice and assessed mitochondrial respiration with a Clark‐type oxygen electrode, membrane potential and Ca2+ uptake capacity with tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP+)‐ and Ca2+‐sensitive electrodes, respectively, and, reactive oxygen species production with Amplex Red assay. The amount of mHtt bound to mitochondria following incubation with mHtt‐containing cytosolic fraction was greater than the amount of mHtt bound to brain mitochondria isolated from YAC128 mice. Despite mHtt binding to wild‐type mitochondria, no abnormalities in mitochondrial functions were detected. This is consistent with our previous results demonstrating the lack of defects in brain mitochondria isolated from R6/2 and YAC128 mice. This, however, could be because of partial loss of mitochondrially bound mHtt during the isolation procedure. Consequently, we increased the amount of mitochondrially bound mHtt by incubating brain non‐synaptic and synaptic mitochondria isolated from YAC128 mice with mHtt‐containing cytosolic fraction. Despite the enrichment of YAC128 brain mitochondria with mHtt, mitochondrial functions (respiration, membrane potential, reactive oxygen species production, Ca2+ uptake capacity) remained unchanged. Overall, our results suggest that mHtt does not directly impair mitochondrial functions, arguing against the involvement of this mechanism in HD pathogenesis.

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Open Science: This manuscript was awarded with the Open Materials Badge

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The role of roles in uniquely human cognition and sociality
Authors: Tomasello Michael
Published: August 2019

To understand themselves as playing a social role, individuals must understand themselves to be contributing to a cooperative endeavor. Psychologically, the form of cooperation required is a specific type that only humans may possess, namely, one in which individuals form a joint or collective agency to pursue a common end. This begins ontogenetically not with the societal level but rather with more local collaboration between individuals. Participating in collaborative endeavors of this type leads young children, cognitively, to think in terms of different perspectives on a joint focus of attention ‐ including ultimately an objective perspective ‐ and to organize their experience in terms of a relational‐thematic‐narrative dimension. Socially, such participation leads young children to an understanding of self‐other equivalence with mutual respect among collaborative partners and, ultimately, to a normative (i.e. moral) stance toward “we” in the community within which one is forming a moral role or identity. The dual‐level structure of shared endeavors/realities with individual roles/perspectives is responsible for many aspects of the human species' most distinctive psychology.
The Unique Contributions of Verbal Analogical Reasoning and Nonverbal Matrix Reasoning to Science and Maths Problem‐Solving in Adolescence
Authors: Brookman‐Byrne Annie , Mareschal Denis , Tolmie Andrew K. , Dumontheil Iroise
Published: August 2019

Relational reasoning, the ability to detect meaningful patterns, matures through adolescence. The unique contributions of verbal analogical and nonverbal matrix relational reasoning to science and maths are not well understood. Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected during science and maths problem‐solving, and participants (N = 36, 11–15 years) also completed relational reasoning and executive function tasks. Higher verbal analogical reasoning associated with higher accuracy and faster reaction times in science and maths, and higher activation in the left anterior temporal cortex during maths problem‐solving. Higher nonverbal matrix reasoning associated with higher science accuracy, higher science activation in regions across the brain, and lower maths activation in the right middle temporal gyrus. Science associations mostly remained significant when individual differences in executive functions and verbal IQ were taken into account, while maths associations typically did not. The findings indicate the potential importance of supporting relational reasoning in adolescent science and maths learning.
‘There shouldn't be anything wrong with not knowing’: epistemologies in simulation
Authors: Ng Stella L , Kangasjarvi Emilia , Lorello Gianni R , Nemoy Lori , Brydges Ryan
Published: August 2019

Context

Medical education embraces simulation‐based education (SBE). However, key SBE features purported to support learning, such as learner safety and learning through experience and error, may not align with the dominant culture of medicine, in which portraying confidence and certainty about one's knowledge prevails. Misaligned conceptions about knowledge and learning may produce unintended negative effects, including the suboptimal implementation of SBE, which could consequently compromise SBE and its outcomes.

Methods

To uncover the epistemological beliefs of students experiencing SBE, we conducted a theory‐informed analysis of interviews with 24 pre‐clerkship medical students following their participation in an SBE training study. Our analysis borrowed from coding methods common in constructivist grounded theory and used Hofer and Pintrich's four dimensions of epistemology as sensitising concepts.

Results

Participants subscribed to a dominant view of knowledge as consisting of concrete facts, derived from external sources. By contrast, they described but did not prioritise a conception of building their own knowledge through different learning experiences. Participants positioned experts (i.e. teaching faculty members) as the ultimate knowledge validators through their presence and feedback. Participants also noted that faculty staff could counter medicine's pressures to perform with certainty and confidence at all times by instead embodying and modelling an authentic appreciation of learning through experiences, errors and discovery.

Conclusions

Medicine's tendency to idealise the objective pursuit of singular truths may compromise the purported culture of SBE as a space for learning many wide‐ranging aspects of medicine, including how and when to innovate and deviate from norms. Explicit attempts to bridge the epistemological beliefs of medicine and SBE may better enable the realisation of safe experiential learning. Faculty members are positioned to play key roles in enabling this bridging.
Structural and functional characterization of SiiA, an auxiliary protein from the SPI4‐encoded type 1 secretion system from Salmonella enterica
Authors: Kirchweger Peter , Weiler Sigrid , Egerer‐Sieber Claudia , Blasl Anna‐Theresa , Hoffmann Stefanie , Schmidt Christiane , Sander Nathalie , Merker Dorothee , Gerlach Roman G. , Hensel Michael , Muller Yves A.
Published: August 2019

Salmonella invasion is mediated by a concerted action of the Salmonella pathogenicity island 4 (SPI4)‐encoded type one secretion system (T1SS) and the SPI1‐encoded type three secretion system (T3SS‐1). The SPI4‐encoded T1SS consists of five proteins (SiiABCDF) and secretes the giant adhesin SiiE. Here, we investigated structure–function relationships in SiiA, a non‐canonical T1SS subunit. We show that SiiA consists of a membrane domain, an intrinsically disordered periplasmic linker region and a folded globular periplasmic domain (SiiA‐PD). The crystal structure of SiiA‐PD displays homology to that of MotB and other peptidoglycan (PG)‐binding domains. SiiA‐PD binds PG in vitro, albeit at an acidic pH, only. Mutation of Arg162 impedes PG binding of SiiA and reduces Salmonella invasion efficacy. SiiA forms a complex with SiiB at the inner membrane (IM), and the observed SiiA‐MotB homology is paralleled by a predicted SiiB‐MotA homology. We show that, similar to MotAB, SiiAB translocates protons across the IM. Mutating Asp13 in SiiA impairs proton translocation. Overall, SiiA shares numerous properties with MotB. However, MotAB uses the proton motif force (PMF) to energize the bacterial flagellum, it remains to be shown how usage of the PMF by SiiAB assists T1SS function and Salmonella invasion.
The Methodological Impact of Fides et Ratio on Catholic Social Teaching
Authors: Schlag Martin
Published: August 2019

John Paul II’s encyclical Fides et Ratio is of astonishing importance for the methodology of Catholic social teaching. This article highlights three points that emerged as contributions of Fides et Ratio to the epistemology and methodology of the social magisterium. According to Gaudium et Spes, Catholic social teaching is essentially a service of the Church that affects social life indirectly by making a free offer of sense and faith. Fides et Ratio reinforces this paradigm shift by rejecting fideism also in matters of social morality. In this, it goes beyond Vatican I, Dei Filius. The encyclical further clarifies that the method of Catholic social teaching is tripartite and requires the cooperation of at least three disciplines: theology, philosophy, and social sciences. Because of the shifting character of history, Catholic social teaching too fluctuates. It is sensitive to time and place, to history and culture.
Diffuse light and wetting differentially affect tropical tree leaf photosynthesis
Authors: Berry Z. Carter , Goldsmith Gregory R.
Published: August 2019

Most ecosystems experience frequent cloud cover resulting in light that is predominantly diffuse rather than direct. Moreover, these cloudy conditions are often accompanied by rain that results in wet leaf surfaces. Despite this, our understanding of photosynthesis is built upon measurements made on dry leaves experiencing direct light.

Using a modified gas exchange setup, we measured the effects of diffuse light and leaf wetting on photosynthesis in canopy species from a tropical montane cloud forest.

We demonstrate significant variation in species‐level response to light quality independent of light intensity. Some species demonstrated 100% higher rates of photosynthesis in diffuse light, and others had 15% greater photosynthesis in direct light. Even at lower light intensities, diffuse light photosynthesis was equal to that under direct light conditions. Leaf wetting generally led to decreased photosynthesis, particularly when the leaf surface with stomata became wet; however, there was significant variation across species.

Ultimately, we demonstrate that ecosystem photosynthesis is significantly altered in response to environmental conditions that are ubiquitous. Our results help to explain the observation that net ecosystem exchange can increase in cloudy conditions and can improve the representation of these processes in Earth systems models under projected scenarios of global climate change.
From the Arctic to the tropics: multibiome prediction of leaf mass per area using leaf reflectance
Authors: Serbin Shawn P. , Wu Jin , Ely Kim S. , Kruger Eric L. , Townsend Philip A. , Meng Ran , Wolfe Brett T. , Chlus Adam , Wang Zhihui , Rogers Alistair
Published: August 2019

Leaf mass per area (LMA) is a key plant trait, reflecting tradeoffs between leaf photosynthetic function, longevity, and structural investment. Capturing spatial and temporal variability in LMA has been a long‐standing goal of ecological research and is an essential component for advancing Earth system models. Despite the substantial variation in LMA within and across Earth's biomes, an efficient, globally generalizable approach to predict LMA is still lacking.

We explored the capacity to predict LMA from leaf spectra across much of the global LMA trait space, with values ranging from 17 to 393 g m−2. Our dataset contained leaves from a wide range of biomes from the high Arctic to the tropics, included broad‐ and needleleaf species, and upper‐ and lower‐canopy (i.e. sun and shade) growth environments.

Here we demonstrate the capacity to rapidly estimate LMA using only spectral measurements across a wide range of species, leaf age and canopy position from diverse biomes. Our model captures LMA variability with high accuracy and low error (R2 = 0.89; root mean square error (RMSE) = 15.45 g m−2).

Our finding highlights the fact that the leaf economics spectrum is mirrored by the leaf optical spectrum, paving the way for this technology to predict the diversity of LMA in ecosystems across global biomes.
Single‐base methylome profiling of the giant kelp Saccharina japonica reveals significant differences in DNA methylation to microalgae and plants
Authors: Fan Xiao , Han Wentao , Teng Linhong , Jiang Peng , Zhang Xiaowen , Xu Dong , Li Chang , Pellegrini Matteo , Wu Chunhui , Wang Yitao , Kaczurowski Michelle Joyce Slade , Lin Xin , Tirichine Leila , Mock Thomas , Ye Naihao
Published: August 2019

Brown algae have convergently evolved plant‐like body plans and reproductive cycles, which in plants are controlled by differential DNA methylation. This contribution provides the first single‐base methylome profiles of haploid gametophytes and diploid sporophytes of a multicellular alga.

Although only c. 1.4% of cytosines in Saccharina japonica were methylated mainly at CHH sites and characterized by 5‐methylcytosine (5mC), there were significant differences between life‐cycle stages. DNA methyltransferase 2 (DNMT2), known to efficiently catalyze tRNA methylation, is assumed to methylate the genome of S. japonica in the structural context of tRNAs as the genome does not encode any other DNA methyltransferases. Circular and long noncoding RNA genes were the most strongly methylated regulatory elements in S. japonica.

Differential expression of genes was negatively correlated with DNA methylation with the highest methylation levels measured in both haploid gametophytes. Hypomethylated and highly expressed genes in diploid sporophytes included genes involved in morphogenesis and halogen metabolism.

The data herein provide evidence that cytosine methylation, although occurring at a low level, is significantly contributing to the formation of different life‐cycle stages, tissue differentiation and metabolism in brown algae.
Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative: Summary of the evidence base for pregnancy‐related interventions to prevent overweight and obesity in children
Authors: Grobler Liesl , Visser Marianne , Siegfried Nandi
Published: August 2019

This overview of systematic reviews (SRs) aimed to identify dietary and lifestyle interventions in pregnant women that reduce the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and/or risk factors thereof, in their children. Following identification of eligible SRs, a matrix of all included studies identified overlap between SRs. The most recent, comprehensive, high‐quality SRs were selected for further dissagregation. We developed a Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE)‐based effectiveness matrix incorporating effect size and study quality to prioritise interventions as (1) beneficial or harmful, (2) possibly beneficial or possibly harmful, (3) no effect, (4) possibly no effect, or (5) uncertain effect. Of the 27 SRs identified, 16 SRs were excluded due to overlap. From 11 remaining SRs, five discrete interventions were ranked “beneficial” or “possibly beneficial” for reducing risk factors for childhood obesity: (1) balanced energy/protein supplements, (2) dietary counseling alone, (3) low glycemic index dietary advice, (4) diet and exercise counseling, (5) diet counseling and supervised exercise. High protein supplementation was ranked “harmful” as it increased the risk of small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) infants in normal‐weight pregnant women. Evidence of the impact of pregnancy‐related diet or lifestyle interventions, on childhood obesity was limited. Five dietary interventions, alone or in combination with exercise, showed beneficial effects on the risk factors for childhood obesity.
Infant and young child feeding interventions targeting overweight and obesity: A narrative review
Authors: Koplin Jennifer J. , Kerr Jessica A. , Lodge Caroline , Garner Carley , Dharmage Shyamali C. , Wake Melissa , Allen Katrina J.
Published: August 2019

Summary findings from systematic reviews into infant feeding and later adiposity are largely negative. World Health Organization (WHO) is auspicing Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI), a suite of trials aiming to prevent overweight/obesity in childhood. To inform planning, this narrative review sought to detail potentially effective components of nutrition‐related interventions involving children aged 0 to 2 years. Systematic searches of PubMed and the Cochrane Library (2006‐2016) identified 108 systematic reviews. These included 31 randomized trials in the age group of interest. Of these, 11 reported greater than or equal to 1 statistically significant (P < 0.05) benefit on body weight and/or composition. Six multicomponent trials whose interventions incorporated education to promote breastfeeding (four trials), responsive feeding (two trials), and healthy diet (eg, increasing fruit and vegetables and limiting unhealthy snack foods; five trials), delivered through home visits or at baby health clinics, reported relative reductions in body mass index (BMI) at the end of intervention. Early benefits were not maintained in the two trials reporting follow‐up 1 to 3 years later. Other potentially effective approaches included lower protein formulas in formula‐fed infants and education around reducing sugar‐sweetened beverages. There is some evidence that infant feeding interventions can have a transient positive impact on a child's BMI. It is not known whether ongoing intervention can avoid the subsequent expected wash‐out.
The dynamics of the oral microbiome and oral health among patients receiving clear aligner orthodontic treatment
Authors: Zhao Rui , Huang Renhuan , Long Hu , Li Yan , Gao Meiya , Lai Wenli
Published: August 2019

Objectives

This 6‐month prospective clinical study assessed the impacts of Invisalign appliances on the oral bacterial community and oral health of patients.

Methods

Salivary samples were obtained from twenty‐five adult patients receiving Invisalign aligner treatment before the treatment (Group B) and at a 6‐month follow‐up (Group P). The bacterial composition of each sample was determined using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA. Intra‐ and intergroup biodiversity was analyzed. Clinical periodontal parameters and daily oral hygiene habits were recorded.

Results

Reduction in plaque, increased daily brushing frequency, and decreased dessert intake were observed in Group P compared with that in Group B. A total of 1,853,952 valid reads were obtained from the 50 salivary samples, with 37,904 sequences per sample. No significant differences were detected in the intra‐ and intergroup biodiversity comparisons between the two groups. By clustering, 8,885 OTUs were identified and categorized into six major phyla: Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Candidate_division_TM7_norank. At the genus level, compared with Group B, Group P demonstrated significantly increased Bacillus abundance and decreased Prevotella abundance.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that the general biodiversity and salivary microbial community structure did not change significantly and that patients had increased beneficial oral hygiene habits and awareness during the first six months of Invisalign treatment. Hence, on the basis of this study, it appears that Invisalign aligner treatment did not induce deterioration of oral health nor significant biodiversity changes in oral bacterial communities, assuming that detailed oral hygiene instructions for both teeth and aligners were provided.
Good Outcomes of Combined Femoral Derotation Osteotomy and Medial Retinaculum Plasty in Patients with Recurrent Patellar Dislocation
Authors: Yang Guang‐min , Wang Yan‐yang , Zuo Li‐xiong , Li Fa‐quan , Dai Yi‐ke , Wang Fei
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To report the clinical outcomes of combined femoral derotation osteotomy and medial retinaculum plasty for recurrent patellar dislocation in patients with excessive femoral anteversion.

Methods

From January 2015 to March 2018, 20 knees in 20 patients (18 female, 2 male) with a mean age of 21 ± 4.2 years (range, 16 to 28 years) were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had undergone femoral derotation osteotomy and medial retinaculum plasty for recurrent patellar dislocation and excessive femoral anteversion angle (FAA > 25°). CT and X‐rays were used to assess the correction of the femoral anteversion angle, the tibia tuberosity‐trochlear groove (TT‐TG) distance, patellar tilt, and the congruence angle following the combinatory operations. Subjective scores, such as Kujala, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Tegner, and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, were used to evaluate knee function preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results

No recurrence of patellar dislocation occurred in these patients during an average of 18 months (range, 12 to 23 months) of follow‐up. The mean of the FAA was corrected to 15.80° ± 3.58° postoperatively compared with 31.42° ± 4.95° preoperatively (P < 0.001). The TT‐TG distance was decreased from 22.17 ± 5.28 mm before surgery to 19.42 ± 4.57 mm after surgery (P = 0.03). The patellar tilt and congruence angle were improved from 30.43° ± 5.30°, 43.30° ± 11.04° to 15.80° ± 3.94°, 16.64° ± 9.98°, respectively (P < 0.001). The Kujala score was improved from 72.4 ± 19.90 before the surgery to 88.2 ± 12.25 after the surgery (P < 0.001). The IKDC score was improved from 70.56 ± 21.44 to 90.78 ± 14.32, and the VAS score was decreased from 4.23 ± 2.11 preoperatively to 1.27 ± 1.08 postoperatively (P < 0.001). No significant difference in Tegner score (5.46 ± 2.49 vs 5.79 ± 1.44) was found before and after the surgery (P = 0.2). Patients younger than 20 years old had lower Kujala (83.46 ± 14.56 vs. 90.84 ± 7.74, P = 0.02) and IKDC (83.49 ± 17.35 vs 92.46 ± 9.28, P = 0.04) scores than those older than 20 years.

Conclusion

Good knee function, pain relief, and improved patellofemoral congruence were achieved with the combined femoral derotation osteotomy and medial retinaculum plasty. The combined operations serve as an ideal treatment for recurrent patellar dislocation and address the primary risk factors.
Remaining Systemic Treatment Options: A Valuable Predictor of Survival and Functional Outcomes after Surgical Treatment for Spinal Metastasis
Authors: Chang Sam Yeol , Chang Bong‐Soon , Lee Choon‐Ki , Kim Hyoungmin
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To evaluate survival and functional outcomes in surgically‐treated spinal metastasis patients and to identify the prognostic value of the remaining options for systemic treatment.

Methods

The current study reviewed 100 consecutive patients who received surgery for spinal metastasis in a single center from March 2012 to June 2016. The decision for surgery had been made in a weekly multidisciplinary tumor board after considering multiple factors. Among these factors, those associated with the functional outcome were identified using crosstab and logistic regression analyses. Survival analysis applying the Kaplan–Meier curve and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify factors associated with improved survival.

Results

Of the 100 patients, there were 62 men and 38 women, with a mean age of 60.4 years at the time of surgery. The median postoperative survival of the whole cohort was 16.2 months (95% confidence interval: 10.1–22.3). When patients were stratified by the functional outcome, a significantly large proportion of patients with good functional outcome (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status better than 3) had an available option for systemic treatment at the time of surgery (P < 0.001, Pearson χ2‐test). Logistic regression analysis found that the presence of remaining options for systemic treatment at the time of decision‐making for surgery was associated with improved postoperative functional performance status (P = 0.004, odds ratio = 7.59). Survival analysis also found that the availability of remaining options for systemic treatment was associated with improved survival (P = 0.001, hazard ratio = 0.22). This finding was statistically more significant in a group of patients with a low revised Tokuhashi score of 0 to 8 (P < 0.001) when compared to the group of patients with a high revised Tokuhashi score of 9 to 15 (P = 0.082).

Conclusions

Availability of remaining options for systemic treatment is an important factor to consider when deciding on surgical treatment for spinal metastasis.
F‐Shaped Osteotomy Combined with Basal Opening Wedge Osteotomy for Severe Hallux Valgus
Authors: Li Chang , Lu Liang , Zhang Yu , Ai‐Xin‐Jue‐Luo Qi‐cheng , Wang Zhen‐tang , Wang Jun‐feng
Published: August 2019

Objective

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of osteotomy adjacent to the articular surface of the metatarsal head combined with basal opening wedge osteotomy for severe hallux valgus.

Methods

The double osteotomy procedure was carried out in 56 patients (72 feet) with severe hallux valgus deformity, with an average follow‐up of 25 months from March 2010 to February 2019. Hallux valgus angle (HVA), distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and distal articular set angle (DASA) were measured for all patients via weight‐bearing anteroposterior (AP) X‐ray images. In addition, the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale was used for evaluating the function of the hallux.

Results

The HVA, IMA, and DMAA reduced from 49.30 ± 6.60, 19.33 ± 4.70, and 29.85 ± 10.96 to 13.19 ± 6.10, 5.97 ± 3.13, and 5.63 ± 3.44, respectively (P < 0.01). DASA decreased from 4.33 ± 2.34 to 4.08 ± 1.91 and did not show a statistically significant difference (P = 0.48). Among the 72 feet, 69 feet healed normally, and 3 feet had bone resorption at the osteotomy edges. No cases of bone sclerosis, bone necrosis, bone nonunion, or ankylosis were observed. On average, the AOFAS score improved from 34.66 ± 12.07 (preoperative) to 88.78 ± 5.73 (postoperative).

Conclusions

The proposed double osteotomy procedure can maintain the match metatarsophalangeal joints without ischemic necrosis of bones, and is demonstrated to be safe, effective, and feasible for correcting severe hallux valgus.
Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Intertrochanteric Fractures: A Single‐Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhou Xin‐die , Zhang Yi , Jiang Li‐feng , Zhang Jun‐jie , Zhou Dong , Wu Li‐dong , Huang Yong , Xu Nan‐wei
Published: August 2019

Objective

To investigate the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in the reduction of bleeding and the need for transfusion in elderly intertrochanteric fracture patients.

Methods

A total of 100 patients with intertrochanteric fractures undergoing surgery were enrolled and randomly allocated to the TXA group in which patients (75.10 ± 8.27 years old) were treated with 1 g of TXA, or the control group (77.82 ± 6.42 years old) treated with a placebo. Surgery was performed by two senior orthopaedic surgeons from two institutions. The proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) was conducted using the standard procedure. Three outcome measures, including blood loss, transfusion, and complications, were recorded. Blood loss and transfusion were investigated to assess TXA's effectiveness, while complications were investigated to assess TXA's safety. Statistical indicators for blood loss included total, intraoperative, postoperative, and hidden blood loss volumes, calculated by hemoglobin levels, hematocrit levels, and drainage volume. The number and amount of blood transfusions were recorded. Complications associated with surgery, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, wound hematoma, wound infection, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents, and respiratory infections, were also recorded.

Results

All patients were followed up for 1 month after surgery. There were no significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups. The TXA group suffered significantly less total blood loss (563.37 ± 197.51 vs 819.25 ± 273.96 mL, 95% CI: −349.49 to −162.27, P < 0.01), intraoperative blood loss (140.3 ± 80.64 vs 230.5 ± 130.56 mL, 95% CI −132.74 to −47.66, P < 0.01), and hidden blood loss (410.42 ± 178.23 vs 571.19 ± 218.13 mL, 95% CI: −238.85 to −82.69, P < 0.01) than the control group. However, postoperative total blood loss was not significantly different (97.5 ± 20.93 vs 94.7 ± 35.78 mL; P = 0.63). A total of 5 patients from the TXA group and 27 from the control group received packed RBC for postoperative transfusion, but the mean number of transfusion units was not significantly different between groups. Complications including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, ischemic cerebral infarction, hematoma, and infection were observed in both groups, but no significant differences were found.

Conclusions

In intertrochanteric fracture surgery performed using PFNA, intravenous administration of TXA significantly reduced the risk of intraoperative, total and hidden blood loss, in addition to the need for allogeneic transfusion, without increasing the rate of complications.
Dynamic infection of Verticillium dahliae in upland cotton
Authors: Zhang J. , Hu H.‐L. , Wang X.‐N. , Yang Y.‐H. , Zhang C.‐J. , Zhu H.‐Q. , Shi L. , Tang C.‐M. , Zhao M.‐W.
Published: August 2019

Verticillium wilt, an infection caused by the soilborne fungus Verticillium dahliae, is one of the most serious diseases in cotton. No effective control method against V. dahliae has been established, and the infection mechanism of V. dahliae in upland cotton remains unknown.

GFP‐tagged V. dahliae isolates with different pathogenic abilities were used to analyse the colonisation and infection of V. dahliae in the roots and leaves of different upland cotton cultivars, the relationships among infection processes, the immune responses and the resistance ability of different cultivars against V. dahliae.

Here, we report a new infection model for V. dahliae in upland cotton plants. V. dahliae can colonise and infect any organ of upland cotton plants and then spread to the entire plant from the infected organ through the surface and interior of the organ.

Vascular tissue was found to not be the sole transmission route of V. dahliae in cotton plants. In addition, the rate of infection of a V. dahliae isolate with strong pathogenicity was notably faster than that of an isolate with weak pathogenicity. The resistance of upland cotton to Verticillium wilt was related to the degree of the immune response induced in plants infected with V. dahliae. These results provide a theoretical basis for studying the mechanism underlying the interaction between V. dahliae and upland cotton. These results provide a theoretical basis for studying the mechanism underlying the interaction between V. dahliae and upland cotton.
Tuberculous pleural effusion
Authors: Shaw Jane A. , Diacon Andreas H. , Koegelenberg Coenraad F.N.
Published: August 2019

Tuberculous effusion is a common disease entity with a spectrum of presentations from a largely benign effusion, which resolves completely, to a complicated effusion with loculations, pleural thickening and even frank empyema, all of which may have a lasting effect on lung function. The pathogenesis is a combination of true pleural infection and an effusive hypersensitivity reaction, compartmentalized within the pleural space. Diagnostic thoracentesis with thorough pleural fluid analysis including biomarkers such as adenosine deaminase and gamma interferon achieves high accuracy in the correct clinical context. Definitive diagnosis may require invasive procedures to demonstrate histological evidence of caseating granulomas or microbiological evidence of the organism on smear or culture. Drug resistance is an emerging problem that requires vigilance and extra effort to acquire a complete drug sensitivity profile for each tuberculous effusion treated. Nucleic acid amplification tests such as Xpert MTB/RIF can be invaluable in this instance; however, the yield is low in pleural fluid. Treatment consists of standard anti‐tuberculous therapy or a guideline‐based individualized regimen in the case of drug resistance. There is low‐quality evidence that suggests possible benefit from corticosteroids; however, they are not currently recommended due to concomitant increased risk of adverse effects. Small studies report some short‐ and long‐term benefit from interventions such as therapeutic thoracentesis, intrapleural fibrinolytics and surgery but many questions remain to be answered.
Trade liberalization and volatility: Evidence from Indian firms
Authors: Sundaram Asha
Published: August 2019

I look at the impact of trade liberalization on sales growth volatility of firms. Exploiting India’s externally imposed trade reform to identify trade liberalization effects, I find that while a fall in the tariff on the final product produced by the firm is associated with an increase in volatility in Indian manufacturing firms, a fall in the tariff on intermediate inputs is associated with a decrease in volatility, with the latter effect dominating the former. I hence propose an additional channel for gains from trade liberalization to the ones documented in the literature.
Farmers’ Perceptions of Climate Change in Context: Toward a Political Economy of Relevance
Authors: Houser Matthew , Gunderson Ryan , Stuart Diana
Published: August 2019

Sociologists commonly hypothesise that experiencing the impacts of climate change will lead actors, including farmers, to desire to address climate change. It is increasingly clear that farmers can detect the regional biophysical expressions and impacts of climate change. However, this has not led farmers to desire to take action on climate change. This begs the question: how then are farmers interpreting these experiences? We argue that political‐economic context, the structural conditions of capitalist production, contributes to how farmers perceive and understand the impacts of climate change. We draw from our novel political economy of relevance theoretical framework and apply this framework to a sample of over 100 qualitative interviews with Iowa and Indiana row‐crop farmers. We focus on their experiences with heavy rain events, a key impact of climate change in the Midwest. Our findings suggest that farmers become aware of, interpret and respond to heavy rain events within the context of capitalist production. This leads most farmers to see heavy rain events as barriers to achieving capitalist goals, rather than as signals of the reconsider climate scepticism or the need to mitigate contributions to climate change.
Trauma‐informed primary care for medical residents
Authors: Shamaskin‐Garroway Andrea M , McLaughlin Elizabeth A , Quinn Noel , Buono Frank D
Published: August 2019

Background

Psychological trauma can have a significant impact on mental and physical health, and interpersonal relationships. Many physicians report discomfort addressing psychological trauma in the context of health care visits, and few training opportunities exist for health care trainees to learn about the relationship between trauma and health. The aim of this project was to develop and implement an educational curriculum to teach medical and nursing trainees about trauma‐informed primary care.

Methods

We expanded upon pilot data from a brief interdisciplinary intervention to train medical residents in trauma‐informed primary care at a Veterans Affairs hospital. We generated a trauma‐informed care curriculum involving five 1‐hour didactic sessions, 10‐minute group reflection regarding patient interactions prior to each didactic session, and optional patient care observation and feedback. The curriculum aligned with internal medicine (n = 16) and nurse practitioner (n = 5) interprofessional primary care education sessions during the 2017/18 academic year.

Results

The curriculum was feasible and associated with increased self‐reported knowledge, attitudes and practice around trauma‐informed care. Free text feedback indicated that residents found the topic important, appreciated a skills‐based approach and valued experiential educational activities.

Conclusions

Training residents in trauma‐informed care results in improved knowledge, attitudes and practices in caring for patients with psychological trauma. Residents appreciated both experiential and skills‐based exercises. Next steps include continued exploration of using direct observation and feedback, and examining effects of training on patient outcomes (e.g. satisfaction with care).
In Her Shoes: Transnational Digital Solidarity With Muslim Women, or the Hijab?
Authors: Rahbari Ladan
Published: August 2019

Transnational solidarity has been taken up by feminist scholars, social scientists and activists who discuss or practice solidarity with the plights of different individuals, groups, and communities. This paper addresses transnational solidarity by investigating World Hijab Day, a campaign that shows solidarity with Muslim women by encouraging non‐Muslim women to temporarily wear the hijab. By analysing online activities and social media of the campaign, and investigating public debates surrounding it, the paper explores the centrality of the hijab as the unifying symbol. Results include reflections on the representations of female Muslimness, the hijab and gender roles in the campaign and insights on implications and possibility of transnational digital solidarity. Using the data, and drawing on literature of transnational solidarity, significance and implications of transnational activism in different online and digital geographies of solidarity are interrogated. The conclusion discusses the values and limits of solidarity activism that is based on notions or symbols of similarity or sameness and the role cyberspace plays in transnational reach of the campaign, and in creating online proximity.
A case of immune reconstitution syndrome complicating progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after kidney transplant: Clinical, pathological, and radiographic features
Authors: Jackowiak Eric , Shah Nirav , Chen Huiwen , Ojha Ajitesh , Doyle John , Shepler Anne , Bogdanovich Tatiana , Silveira Fernanda P. , Haidar Ghady
Published: August 2019

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a life‐threatening central nervous system (CNS) disorder, most commonly described in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Limited data exist on its natural history and treatment in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. A complication of PML is the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), which develops after T cell reconstitution and can have severe consequences when it occurs in the CNS. While well described in HIV‐infected individuals, its clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment after SOT are largely unknown. We report a case of a kidney transplant recipient who was diagnosed with PML and developed significant worsening of her symptoms upon reduction of immunosuppression. Thallium SPECT showed avid uptake suggestive of lymphoma, but the diagnosis of PML‐IRIS was ultimately established by brain biopsy. She survived with nearly complete restoration of her functional status after a prolonged steroid taper.
Claudins in the brain: Unconventional functions in neurons
Authors: Tikiyani Vina , Babu Kavita
Published: August 2019

Bonafide claudin proteins are functional and structural components of tight junctions and are largely responsible for barrier formation across epithelial and endothelial membranes. However, current advances in the understanding of claudin biology have revealed their unexpected functions in the brain. Apart from maintaining blood‐brain barriers in the brain, other functions of claudins in neurons and at synapses have been largely elusive and are just coming to light. In this review, we summarize the functions of claudins in the brain and their association in neuronal diseases. Further, we go on to cover some recent studies that show that claudins play signaling functions in neurons by regulating trafficking of postsynaptic receptors and controlling dendritic morphogenesis in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.
Ultrasonographic differentiation between portal venous and parenchymal gas may be important for the prognosis of canine and feline hepatic emphysema: 37 cases
Authors: Manfredi Sabrina , Fabbi Martina , Bonazzi Mattia , Leonardi Fabio , Miduri Francesca , Parroccini Ilaria , Daga Eleonora , Gnudi Giacomo , Volta Antonella
Published: August 2019

The aim of this retrospective, cross‐sectional, study was to evaluate clinical findings and outcomes for different ultrasonographic patterns of hepatic emphysema in dogs and cats. Dogs and cats with an ultrasonographic diagnosis of hepatic emphysema and a known outcome, from January 2010 to January 2018, were enrolled. The following data were recorded from medical and ultrasonographic records: ultrasonographic patterns of hepatic emphysema (parenchymal, portal venous, biliary), clinical signs, laboratory findings, and outcomes (favorable, poor). A total of 33 dogs and four cats met the inclusion criteria. Among these, 23 cases were classified as hepatic portal venous gas, 10 as parenchymal emphysema, and four as biliary emphysema. Clinical diagnosis categories were as follows: infection/sepsis (9), gastro‐intestinal disease (9), iatrogenic (9), trauma (5), and liver neoplasia (5). An increase in serum liver enzymes was significantly associated with parenchymal emphysema (P = .03). Other clinical and laboratory findings were not associated with the type of hepatic emphysema. Hepatic portal venous gas was mostly transient in patients with ultrasonographic follow‐up. The overall mortality was 40.5%. A significant difference was found between mortality by portal venous gas (21.7%) and mortality by parenchymal emphysema (90%) (P = .003). In conclusion, the ultrasonographic differentiation of hepatic emphysema between hepatic portal venous gas and parenchymal emphysema may be important for the prognosis of hepatic emphysema. The presence of parenchymal emphysema may be a poor prognostic indicator, while hepatic portal venous gas may be more benign. However, ultrasound findings should be carefully evaluated in the context of clinical findings.
Fast microfocus x-ray tube based on carbon nanotube array
Authors: Li Xiaobing , Zhou Juntao , Wu Qingyang , Liu Menglong , Zhou Rifeng , Chen Zexiang
Published: August 2019

A full vacuum-sealed macrofocus x-ray tube with a vertically-aligned ring-shaped carbon nanotube (CNT) emitter grown by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition is presented in this paper. The external grid allowed the CNT-based x-ray tube to exhibit transient switching on and off. The total emission current was 200 μA, which corresponds to a maximum emission current density of 10.1 A/cm2 from the ring-shaped CNT emitter when the grid voltage was 2.4 kV. The optimized focus electrode controlled the beam convergence on the target to produce a very small x-ray focal spot size less than 5 μm. Consequently, this microfocus x-ray tube could produce x-ray images with very high spatial resolution. X-ray fluoroscopy images of a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) and field programmable gate array show distinct gold PCB traces with approximately 20 μm width.
Solution-processed transparent ferroelectric nylon thin films
Authors: Anwar Saleem , Pinkal Daniel , Zajaczkowski Wojciech , von Tiedemann Philipp , Sharifi Dehsari Hamed , Kumar Manasvi , Lenz Thomas , Kemmer-Jonas Ulrike , Pisula Wojciech , Wagner Manfred , Graf Robert , Frey Holger , Asadi Kamal
Published: August 2019

We have developed a method to solution process strongly hydrogen-bonded odd nylons into ferroelectric thin films.
Highly stable hybrid perovskite light-emitting diodes based on Dion-Jacobson structure
Authors: Shang Yuequn , Liao Yuan , Wei Qi , Wang Ziyu , Xiang Bo , Ke Youqi , Liu Weimin , Ning Zhijun
Published: August 2019

The Dion-Jacobson quasi-2D structure improves the stability of perovskite light-emitting diodes.
Ultrafast time-resolved x-ray scattering reveals diffusive charge order dynamics in La

2–
x

Ba

x

CuO
4
Authors: Mitrano Matteo , Lee Sangjun , Husain Ali A. , Delacretaz Luca , Zhu Minhui , de la Peña Munoz Gilberto , Sun Stella X.-L. , Joe Young Il , Reid Alexander H. , Wandel Scott F. , Coslovich Giacomo , Schlotter William , van Driel Tim , Schneeloch John , Gu G. D. , Hartnoll Sean , Goldenfeld Nigel , Abbamonte Peter
Published: August 2019

Charge order in La

2−
x

Ba

x

CuO
4
exhibits nonequilibrium transverse diffusion at the superconducting energy scale.
Comment on “A subset of HLA-I peptides are not genomically templated: Evidence for cis- and trans-spliced peptide ligands”
Authors: Rolfs Zach , Müller Markus , Shortreed Michael R. , Smith Lloyd M. , Bassani-Sternberg Michal
Published: August 2019

There is still no convincing evidence for the frequent occurrence of posttranslationally spliced HLA-I peptides.
Intradermal or Sublingual Delivery and Heat-Labile Enterotoxin Proteins Shape Immunologic Responses to a CFA/I Fimbria-Derived Subunit Antigen Vaccine against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Maciel Milton , Bauer David , Baudier Robin L. , Bitoun Jacob , Clements John D. , Poole Steven T. , Smith Mark A. , Kaminski Robert W. , Savarino Stephen J. , Norton Elizabeth B.
Published: August 2019

Enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
(ETEC) is a major cause of infectious diarrhea in children, travelers, and deployed military personnel. As such, development of a vaccine would be advantageous for public health. One strategy is to use subunits of colonization factors combined with antigen/adjuvant toxoids as an ETEC vaccine.