bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To resect or not to resect? Unbiased performances of single and combined biomarkers in intra-operative corticography for tailoring during epilepsy surgery
Authors: Demuru Matteo , Kalitzin Stiliyan , Zweiphenning Willemiek , van Blooijs Dorien , van ’t Klooster Maryse , Van Eijsden Pieter , Leijten Frans , Zijlmans Maeike
Published: December 2019

Objective

Signal analysis biomarkers, in an intra-operative setting, may be complementary tools to guide and tailor the resection in drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Unbiased assessment of biomarker performances are needed to evaluate their clinical usefulness and translation. We defined a realistic ground-truth scenario and compared the effectiveness of different biomarkers alone and combined to localize epileptogenic tissue.

Methods

We investigated the performances of univariate, bivariate and multivariate signal biomarkers applied to 1 minute inter-ictal intra-operative electrocorticography to discriminate between electrodes covering normal or pathologic activity in 47 drug-resistant people with epilepsy (temporal and extra-temporal) who had been seizure-free one year after the operation.

Results

The best result using a single biomarker was obtained using the phase-amplitude coupling measure for which the epileptogenic tissue was localized in 16 out of 47 patients. Combining the whole set of biomarkers provided an improvement of the performances: 20 out of 47 patients. Repeating the analysis only on the temporal-lobe resections we reached a sensitivity of 93% (28 out of 30) combining all the biomarkers.

Conclusion

We suggest that the assessment of biomarker performances on a ground-truth scenario is required to have a proper estimate on how biomarkers translate into clinical use. Phase-amplitude coupling seems the best performing single biomarker and combining biomarkers improves localization of epileptogenic tissue. However, sensitivity achieved is not adequate for the usage as a tool in the operation theater, but it can improve the understanding of pathophysiological process.
Neuronal ON/OFF Motion Detection Circuits Underlying Looming-Evoked Escape Behavior inDrosophila
Authors: Kyung Yeosun , Dewell Richard B. , Dierick Herman A. , Gabbiani Fabrizio
Published: December 2019

InDrosophila, early visual processing of motion information segregates in separate ON and OFF pathways. These pathways have been studied in the context of local directional motion detection leading to the encoding of optic flow that provides visual information for flight stabilization. Less is known about their role in detecting impending collision and generating escape behaviors. ‘Looming’, the simulated approach of an object at constant speed towards an animal, provides a powerful stimulus eliciting jump escape behaviors in stationary flies. We presented looming stimuli mimicking the approach of either a dark object on a bright background or a light object on a dark background, while inactivating neurons belonging either to the ON- or the OFF-motion detection pathways by expressing the dominantDrosophilatemperature-sensitive mutantshibiretsin different cells of the ON/OFF pathway. Inactivation of ON, respectively OFF, neurons led to selective decreases in escape behavior to light, resp. dark, looming stimuli. Quantitative analysis showed a nearly perfect splitting of these effects according to the ON/OFF type of the targeted neural populations. Our results suggest thatDrosophilaON/OFF motion detection pathways play an important role in controlling jump escape responses according to looming stimulus polarity. They further imply that the biophysical circuits triggeringDrosophilajump escape behaviors likely differ substantially from those characterized in other arthropods.

Inactivating fly neurons of the ON or OFF directional motion detection pathways during escape behavior selectively reduced jump responses to light and dark looming stimuli, respectively.
Viral fitness determines the magnitude of transcriptomic and epigenomic reprogramming of defense responses in plants
Authors: Corrêa Régis L. , Sanz-Carbonell Alejandro , Kogej Zala , Müller Sebastian Y. , López-Gomollón Sara , Gómez Gustavo , Baulcombe David C. , Elena Santiago F.
Published: December 2019

Although epigenetic factors may influence the expression of defense genes in plants, their role in antiviral responses and the impact of viral adaptation and evolution in shaping these interactions are still poorly explored. We used two isolates of turnip mosaic potyvirus (TuMV) with varying degrees of adaptation to Arabidopsis thaliana to address these issues. One of the isolates was experimentally evolved in the plant and presented increased load and virulence relative to the ancestral isolate. The magnitude of the transcriptomic responses were larger for the evolved isolate and indicated a role of innate immunity systems triggered by molecular patterns and effectors in the infection process. Several transposable elements (TEs) located in different chromatin contexts and epigenetic-related genes were also affected. Correspondingly, mutant plants having loss or gain of repressive marks were, respectively, more tolerant and susceptible to TuMV, with a more efficient response against the ancestral isolate. In wild-type plants both isolates induced similar levels of cytosine methylation changes, including in and around TEs and stress-related genes. Results collectively suggested that apart from RNA silencing and basal immunity systems, DNA methylation and histone modification pathways may also be required for mounting proper antiviral defenses in plants and that the effectiveness of this type of regulation strongly depends on the degree of viral adaptation to the host.
Genome wide natural variation of H3K27me3 selectively marks genes predicted to be important for cell differentiation inPhaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Zhao Xue , Rastogi Achal , Cabanillas Anne Flore Deton , Mohamed Ouardia Ait , Cantrel Catherine , Lombard Berangère , Murik Omer , Genovesio Auguste , Bowler Chris , Bouyer Daniel , Loew Damarys , Lin Xin , Veluchamy Alaguraj , Vieira Fabio Rocha Jimenez , Tirichine Leila
Published: December 2019

In multicellular organisms, Polycomb Repressive Complex2 (PRC2) is known to deposit H3K27me3 to establish and maintain gene silencing, critical for developmentally regulated processes. PRC2 complex is absent in both widely studied model yeasts which initially suggested that PRC2 arose with the emergence of multicellularity. However, its discovery in several unicellular species including microalgae questions its role in unicellular eukaryotes.

Here, we use Phaeodactylum tricornutum enhancer of zeste E(z) knockouts and show that P. tricornutum E(z) is responsible for di and tri-methylation of lysine 27 of histone H3.

H3K27me3 depletion abolishes cell morphology in P. tricornutum providing evidence for its role in cell differentiation. Genome wide profiling of H3K27me3 in fusiform and triradiate cells further revealed genes that may specify cell identity.

These results suggest a role for PRC2 and its associated mark in cell differentiation in unicellular species and highlight their ancestral function in a broader evolutionary context than is currently appreciated.
A chromosome-level genome assembly for the beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) using PacBio and Hi-C sequencing
Authors: Zhang Feng , Zhang Jianpeng , Yang Yihua , Wu Yidong
Published: December 2019

Background

The beet armyworm,Spodoptera exigua(Hübner), is a worldwide, polyphagous agricultural pest feeding on vegetable, field, and flower crops. However, the lack of genome information on this insect severely limits our understanding of its rapid adaptation and hampers the development of efficient pest management strategies.

Findings

We report a chromosome-level genome assembly using single-molecule real-time PacBio sequencing and Hi-C data. The final genome assembly was 446.80 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 14.36 Mb, and captured 97.9% complete arthropod Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO, n=1,658). A total of 367 contigs were anchored to 32 pseudo-chromosomes, covering 96.18% (429.74 Mb) of the total genome length. We predicted 17,727 protein-coding genes, of which 81.60% were supported by transcriptome evidence and 96.47% matched UniProt protein records. We also identified 867,102 (147.97 Mb/33.12%) repetitive elements and 1,609 noncoding RNAs. Synteny inference indicated a conserved collinearity between three lepidopteran species. Gene family evolution and function enrichment analyses showed the significant expansions in families related to development, dietary, detoxification and chemosensory system, indicating these families may play a role in host plant specialization and niche adaptation.

Conclusions

We have generated a high-quality chromosomal-level genome that could provide a valuable resource for a better understanding and management of the beet armyworm.
Longitudinal epi-transcriptome profiling reveals the crucial role of m6A in prenatal skeletal muscle development of pigs
Authors: Zhang Xinxin , Yao Yilong , Han Jinghua , Yang Yalan , Chen Yun , Tang Zhonglin , Gao Fei
Published: December 2019

Background

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant RNA modification and essentially participates in the regulation of skeletal muscle development. However, the status and function of m6A methylation in prenatal myogenesis remains unclear now.

Results

In our present study, we first demonstrate that chemical suppression of m6A and knockdown METTL14 significantly inhibit the differentiation and promote the proliferation of C2C12 myoblast cells. The mRNA expression of m6A reader protein IGF2BP1, which functions to promote the stability of target mRNA, continually decreases during the prenatal skeletal muscle development. Thereafter, profiling transcriptome-wide m6A for six developmental stage of prenatal skeletal muscle, which spanning two important waves of pig myogenesis, were performed using a refined MeRIP sequencing technology that is optimal for small-amount of RNA samples. Highly dynamic m6A methylomes across different development stages were then revealed, with majority of the affected genes enriched in pathways of skeletal muscle development. In association with the transcriptome-wide alterations, transcriptional regulatory factors (MyoD) and differentiated markers (MyHC, MYH1) of muscle development are simultaneously regulated with m6A and IGF2BP1. Knockdown of IGF2BP1 also suppresses myotube formation and promotes cell proliferation.

Conclusions

The present study clarifies the dynamics of RNA m6A methylation in the regulation of prenatal skeletal muscle development, providing a data baseline for future developmental as well as biomedical studies of m6A functions in muscle development and disease.
APOBEC3A Catalyzes Mutation and Drives CarcinogenesisIn Vivo
Authors: Law Emily K. , Levin-Klein Rena , Jarvis Matthew C. , Kim Hyoung , Argyris Prokopios P. , Carpenter Michael A. , Starrett Gabriel J. , Larson Lindsay K. , Burns Michael B. , Vogel Rachel I. , Stavrou Spyridon , Aguilera Alexya N. , Wagner Sandra , Largaespada David A. , Starr Timothy K. , Ross Susan R. , Harris Reuben S.
Published: December 2019

The APOBEC3 family of antiviral DNA cytosine deaminases is implicated as the second largest source of mutation in cancer. This mutational process may be a causal driver or inconsequential passenger to the overall tumor phenotype. We show that human APOBEC3A expression in murine colon and liver tissues increases tumorigenesis. All other APOBEC3 family members including APOBEC3B did not as strongly promote liver tumor formation. DNA sequences from APOBEC3A-expressing animals display hallmark APOBEC signature mutations in TCA/T motifs. Bioinformatic comparisons of the observed APOBEC3A mutation signature in murine tumors, previously reported APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B mutation signatures in yeast, and reanalyzed APOBEC mutation signatures in human tumor data sets support cause-and-effect relationships for APOBEC3A-catalyzed deamination and mutagenesis in driving multiple human cancers.
Citrullination regulates wound responses and tissue regeneration in zebrafish
Authors: Golenberg Netta , Squirrell Jayne M. , Bennin David A. , Rindy Julie , Pistono Paige E. , Eliceiri Kevin W. , Shelef Miriam A. , Kang Junsu , Huttenlocher Anna
Published: December 2019

Calcium signaling is an important early step in wound healing, yet how these early signals promote regeneration remains unclear. Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs), a family of calcium-dependent enzymes, catalyze citrullination, a post-translational modification that alters protein function and has been implicated in autoimmune diseases. We generated a mutation in the single zebrafish ancestralpadgene,padi2,resulting in a loss of detectable calcium-dependent citrullination. Thepadi2mutants exhibit impaired resolution of inflammation and regeneration after caudal fin transection. Further, we identified a new subpopulation of cells displaying citrullinated histones within the notochord bead following tissue injury. Citrullination of histones in this region was absent and wound-induced proliferation was perturbed in Padi2-deficient larvae. Taken together, our results show that Padi2 is required for the citrullination of histones within a group of cells in the notochord bead, and for promoting wound-induced proliferation required for efficient regeneration. These findings identify Padi2 as a potential intermediary between early calcium signaling and subsequent tissue regeneration.

Golenberg et al. developed a citrullination-deficient zebrafish and demonstrated a role for Padi2 in fin wound responses and regeneration. This work identified a distinct population of cells within the regenerative notochord bead that exhibited wound-induced histone citrullination.
Differential abilities to engage inaccessible chromatin diversify vertebrate HOX binding patterns
Authors: Bulajić Milica , Srivastava Divyanshi , Dasen Jeremy S , Wichterle Hynek , Mahony Shaun , Mazzoni Esteban O
Published: December 2019

WhileHoxgenes encode for conserved transcription factors (TFs), they are further divided into anterior, central, and posterior groups based on their DNA-binding domain similarity. The posteriorHoxgroup expanded in the deuterostome clade and patterns caudal and distal structures. We aim to address how similar HOX TFs diverge to induce different positional identities. We studied HOX TF DNA-binding and regulatory activity during anin vitromotor neuron differentiation system that recapitulates embryonic development. We find diversity in the genomic binding profiles of different HOX TFs, even among the posterior group paralogs that share similar DNA binding domains. These differences in genomic binding are explained by differing abilities to bind to previously inaccessible sites. For example, the posterior group HOXC9 has a greater ability to bind occluded sites than the posterior HOXC10, producing different binding patterns and driving differential gene expression programs. From these results, we propose that the differential abilities of posterior HOX TFs to bind to previously inaccessible chromatin drive patterning diversification.
Mitochondrial Proteome of Affected Neurons in a Mouse Model of Leigh Syndrome
Authors: Gella Alejandro , Prada-Dacasa Patricia , Carrascal Montserrat , González-Torres Melania , Abian Joaquin , Sanz Elisenda , Quintana Albert
Published: December 2019

Defects in mitochondrial function lead to severe neuromuscular orphan pathologies known as mitochondrial disease. Among them, Leigh Syndrome is the most common pediatric presentation, characterized by symmetrical brain lesions, hypotonia, motor and respiratory deficits, and premature death. Mitochondrial diseases are characterized by a marked anatomical and cellular specificity. However, the molecular determinants for this susceptibility are currently unknown, hindering the efforts to find an effective treatment. Due to the complex crosstalk between mitochondria and their supporting cell, strategies to assess the underlying alterations in affected cell types in the context of mitochondrial dysfunction are critical. Here, we developed a novel virus-based tool, the AAV-mitoTag viral vector, to isolate mitochondria from genetically-defined cell types. Administration of the AAV-mitoTag in the vestibular neurons of a mouse model of Leigh Syndrome lacking the complex I subunitNdufs4allowed us to assess the proteome and acetylome of susceptible neurons in a well characterized model recapitulating the human disease. Our results show a marked reduction of complex-I N-module subunit abundance and an increase in the levels of the assembly factor NDUFA2. Transiently-associated non-mitochondrial proteins such as PKCδ, and the complement subcomponent C1Q were also increased inNdufs4-deficientmitochondria. Furthermore, lack ofNdufs4induced pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) subunit hyperacetylation, leading to decreased PDH activity. We provide novel insight on the pathways involved in mitochondrial disease, which could underlie potential therapeutic approaches for these pathologies.
Polar pattern formation induced by contact following locomotion in a multicellular system
Authors: Hayakawa Masayuki , Hiraiwa Tetsuya , Wada Yuko , Kuwayama Hidekazu , Shibata Tatsuo
Published: December 2019

Biophysical mechanisms underlying collective cell migration of eukaryotic cells have been studied extensively in recent years. One paradigm that induces cells to correlate their motions is contact inhibition of locomotion, by which cells migrating away from the contact site. Here, we report that tail-following behavior at the contact site, termed contact following locomotion (CFL), can induce a non-trivial collective behavior in migrating cells. We show the emergence of a traveling band showing polar order in a mutantDictyosteliumcell that lacks chemotactic activity. The traveling band is dynamic in the sense that it continuously assembled at the front of the band and disassembled at the back. A mutant cell lacking cell adhesion molecule TgrB1 did not show both the traveling band formation and CFL. We thus conclude that CFL is the cell-cell interaction underlying the traveling band formation. We then develop an agent-based simulation with CFL, which shows the role of CFL in the formation of traveling band. We further show that the polar order phase consists of subpopulations that exhibit characteristic transversal motions with respect to the direction of band propagation. These findings describe a novel mechanism of collective cell migration involving cell–cell interactions capable of inducing traveling band with polar order.
Implementation of the CLiP database
Authors: Lee Kenneth Ken Siong , Silim Umi Adzlin
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the findings from an audit of the implementation of a consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLiP) database in all inpatients referred to a CLiP service at the largest hospital in Malaysia with the aim of improving the quality CLiP services.

Design/methodology/approach

All inpatient referrals to the CLiP team were recorded over a three-month period and compared to previous audit data from 2017. Four audit standards were assessed: the reporting of referrals, timeliness of response indication of reason for referral and presence of a management plan.

Findings

The compliance of reporting using the CLiP form was 70.1 per cent compared to 28 per cent in the audit data from 2017 after interventions were conducted. Analysis of the completed CLiP form reveals that 89 per cent of referrals were seen within the same working day. All referrals included the reason for referral. The most common reason for referral was for depressive disorders, but post-assessment, delirium was the most common diagnosis. In total, 87.8 per cent satisfied the audit criteria for a completed written care plan.

Originality/value

Specialised CLiP services are relatively new in Malaysia and this is the first paper to examine the quality of such services in the country. Interventions were effective in improving the compliance of reporting using the CLiP database. The findings suggest that the CLiP services are on par with international audit standards. Furthermore, data from this clinical audit can serve as a benchmark for the development of national operating policies in similar settings.
Objective measures of workload in healthcare: a narrative review
Authors: Fishbein Daniela , Nambiar Siddhartha , McKenzie Kendall , Mayorga Maria , Miller Kristen , Tran Kevin , Schubel Laura , Agor Joseph , Kim Tracy , Capan Muge
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Workload is a critical concept in the evaluation of performance and quality in healthcare systems, but its definition relies on the perspective (e.g. individual clinician-level vs unit-level workload) and type of available metrics (e.g. objective vs subjective measures). The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of objective measures of workload associated with direct care delivery in tertiary healthcare settings, with a focus on measures that can be obtained from electronic records to inform operationalization of workload measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

Relevant papers published between January 2008 and July 2018 were identified through a search in Pubmed and Compendex databases using the Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research Type framework. Identified measures were classified into four levels of workload: task, patient, clinician and unit.

Findings

Of 30 papers reviewed, 9 used task-level metrics, 14 used patient-level metrics, 7 used clinician-level metrics and 20 used unit-level metrics. Key objective measures of workload include: patient turnover (n=9), volume of patients (n=6), acuity (n=6), nurse-to-patient ratios (n=5) and direct care time (n=5). Several methods for operationalization of these metrics into measurement tools were identified.

Originality/value

This review highlights the key objective workload measures available in electronic records that can be utilized to develop an operational approach for quantifying workload. Insights gained from this review can inform the design of processes to track workload and mitigate the effects of increased workload on patient outcomes and clinician performance.
Identifying and evaluating synergies of Lean Six Sigma and knowledge management in deliberately interlocking application
Authors: Strubelt Henning , Mollenhauer Felix
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and evaluate potential synergies between the two management approaches Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and knowledge management. Although a strong interaction between them is suspected, there is only very little academic research on their possible interrelation available. This paper aims to close this research gap.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a comprehensive literature review and a comparison of LSS and knowledge management two hypotheses on their interlocking application are formulated, discussed and evaluated.

Findings

Knowledge management supports and improves the application of LSS in various ways. In particular, the deliberate integration of communities of practice, information and communication technologies, and feedback and “lessons learned” sessions can develop potentially positive synergy effects and contribute positively to the success of LSS projects. In contrast, LSS turns out to be an inadequate methodology to significantly improve knowledge management, mainly due to the imprecise measurability of knowledge management processes.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on a literature review and are not supported by empirical evidence. Therefore, empirical research in this field is suggested.

Practical implications

Organizations using LSS could enhance their performance by integrating instruments of knowledge management, whereas they should critically examine LSS as a methodology for improving knowledge management.

Originality/value

Considering the existing research gap in this field, this paper encourages organizations using LSS to reflect on if and how they could integrate instruments of knowledge management into their practice to achieve better LSS results.
Financing accumulation for start-up capital
Authors: Daovisan Hanvedes , Chamaratana Thanapauge
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the sources of financing accumulation that women entrepreneurs of family businesses use for start-up capital in the garment sector of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents insights gleaned from a qualitative case study into the ways in which women in Lao PDR finance their family businesses in the start-up phase. The authors conducted 36 in-depth interviews – the study used this purposive sample in each of its five rounds of data collection. The data were collected between December 2018 and April 2019 and were analysed by conducting a content analysis assisted by the software programme ATLAS.ti.

Findings

The results, though highly case specific, show Lao women’s ability to: accrue their experience, apply their knowledge, engage in self-employment, support their families and aspire to become entrepreneurs. The findings clearly illustrate that women are opportunity and necessity driven, can accumulate income, possess savings behaviour, can manage working capital, investment and accounting and have access to finance (loan and debt) and thus have the potential to become successful entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

By contextualizing women’s entrepreneurial practices, the paper contributes to an understanding of the sources of financing accumulation used for start-up capital in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Theoretically, the paper extends the knowledge of women entrepreneurs seeking the optimal stock of finance which has the potential to drive family business success.
Examining the mediating role of innovativeness in the link between core competencies and SME performance
Authors: Ng Hee Song , Kee Daisy Mui Hung , Ramayah T.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of core competencies, namely, transformational leadership (TFL), entrepreneurial competence and technical competence on financial performance through the mediation effect of innovativeness, among owner-managed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model was developed to test nine research hypotheses. Self-report questionnaires designed for this study were sent to SME owner-managers in Malaysia. A total of 178 completed questionnaires were successfully collected. SPSS and SmartPLS were used to perform the data analysis to test the measurement model and structural model.

Findings

This paper provides empirical evidence that behavioural innovativeness mediates the relationship between TFL and financial performance, product innovativeness mediates the relationships among entrepreneurial competence, technical competence and financial performance and process innovativeness mediates the relationship between technical competence and financial performance.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study are potentially limited by perceptual measures, cross-sectional data and the risk of response bias from a single informant.

Practical implications

Owner-managed SMEs can focus on developing the core competencies to achieve financial performance through innovative products, processes and behaviours. Policymakers and practitioners can gain fresh insights into the complexity of sustaining the business activities and financial performance of SMEs through the core competencies and innovativeness.

Originality/value

The extant literature has revealed that entrepreneurship, leadership, expertise and innovativeness are considered key factors in promoting financial performance, yet little is known about the combined effects of the core competencies on financial performance through innovativeness for owner-managed SMEs in the context of a developing country. The study makes an important contribution to filling this research gap.
Identification of barriers in the implementation of AMTs in the SMEs of northern India using AHP–TOPSIS approach
Authors: Kaushik Arishu , Singh Doordarshi
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out and highlight the major influential barriers in the implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of Northern India. The major barriers in the implementation of AMTs in manufacturing industries of Northern India have been critically assessed in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

An ample and reasonable number of small- and medium-scale manufacturing industries of northern India have been surveyed with an aim to find out the barriers in the implementation of AMTs. On the basis of data collected, AHP–TOPSIS method was applied in order to measure the weightage of each barrier in a simple mathematical form.

Findings

High cost of AMTs, lack of appropriate financial resources and current processes or procedures are the major barriers that cause hindrance in the path of implementation of AMTs in SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

This investigation was based on the survey followed by judgments of experts in industry and academia; other approaches such as PROMETHEE, WPM, VIKOR, etc., can be applied for investigation. Also, the study can be carried out in different region(s) and parts of the country.

Practical implications

This paper can be helpful in many ways to the management or industrialists of various nations who are on the same path or will follow soon.

Originality/value

SMEs need to address the findings of this research in order to overcome the barriers and successfully implement the AMTs. A model for successful implementation of AMTs by overcoming the barriers has been suggested.
The effect of evictions on accidental drug and alcohol mortality
Authors: Bradford Ashley C. , Bradford W. David
Published: December 2019

Objective

To assess the relationship between county‐level eviction rates and drug and alcohol mortality rates.

Data Sources

Eviction rates from 2003 to 2016 provided by the Princeton University Eviction Lab were merged with Multiple Cause‐of‐Death Mortality Files and aggregated to the county‐year level.

Study Design

All opioid (prescription and heroin), cocaine, psychostimulant, benzodiazepine, antidepressant, and alcohol poisoning–related deaths per 100 000 people, eviction rates, and socioeconomic indicators were merged at the county‐year level from 2003 to 2016. We estimated a series of mortality rate models with county and year fixed effects and used a control function (2SRI) method to adjust for the endogeneity of eviction rates.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We matched retrospectively collected datasets.

Principal Findings

Higher levels of eviction rates were consistently associated with higher rates of mortality across six of nine substance categories studied when all counties were combined. Subanalysis by USDA population density measures indicated this positive association was almost entirely driven by urban counties; few systematic associations between the eviction rate levels and mortality were observed for suburban or rural counties.

Conclusions

Risk of eviction appears to exacerbate the current “deaths of despair” crisis associated with substance use. Proposed changes to Housing and Urban Development policy that are expected to substantially increase the risk of eviction may worsen an already‐acute mortality crisis.
MiR‐148b suppressed non‐small cell lung cancer progression via inhibiting ALCAM through the NF‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: Jiang Zhe , Zhang JingWen , Chen FuHui , Sun Yajiao
Published: December 2019

Background

Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. MiRNAs are recognized as important molecules in cancer biology. The aim of the study was to identify a novel biomarker miR‐148b and its mechanism in the modulation of NSCLC progression.

Methods

The expressional level of miR‐148b was analyzed by RT‐PCR. The effect of miR‐4317 on proliferation was evaluated through 3‐(4,5‐Dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2Htetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The effect of miR‐148b on the metastasis of NSCLC was detected through transwell assays. The verification of the target of miR‐148b was assessed by TargetScan and dual‐luciferase reporter assay. The related proteins in this study were analyzed by western blot.

Results

Our findings confirmed that miR‐148b was decreased in NSCLC and NSCLC patients with lower expression exhibited poorer overall survival (OS). Increasing miR‐148b significantly repressed proliferation, invasion and migration. More importantly, activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) was determined as the direct target of miR‐148b, and reintroduction of ALCAM attenuated miR‐148b effect on the progress of NSCLC. In addition, NF‐κB signaling pathway was modulated by miR‐148b/ALCAM axis.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that miR‐148b is able to suppress NSCLC growth and metastasis via targeting ALCAM through the NF‐κB pathway. These findings provided new evidence that miR‐148b serves as a potential biomarker and novel target for NSCLC treatment.
SEEING SLAVES IN AESCHYLEAN SATYR DRAMA
Authors: UHLIG ANNA
Published: December 2019

This article explores the thematization of the satyrs’ proverbial slave status with specific reference to Aeschylean satyr play. A survey of the extant fragments reveals only one explicit mention of the satyrs’ slavery, suggesting a stark contrast with the relatively frequent references in the satyr plays of Sophocles and Euripides. Situating Aeschylus’ often enigmatic satyr fragments within the broader historical framework of fifth-century Athenian slavery, it is possible to see that the chorus’ servitude is nonetheless obliquely figured in many of our extant passages. At the same time, Aeschylus’ reticence around the subject of slavery in his satyric works is shown to continue a disposition already in evidence in his tragic compositions, which manifest a similarly muted discourse around lower-class enslavement.
Impact of hypotension on cerebral perfusion during general anesthesia induction: A prospective observational study in adults
Authors: Chaix Isabelle , Manquat Elsa , Liu Ngai , Casadio Maria Chiara , Ludes Pierre‐Olivier , Tantot Audrey , Lopes Jean‐Paul , Touchard Cyril , Mateo Joaquim , Mebazaa Alexandre , Gayat Etienne , Vallée Fabrice
Published: December 2019

Introduction

During anesthesia, decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) are common but the impact on possible cerebral hypoperfusion remains a matter of debate. We evaluated cerebral perfusion in patients with or without cardiovascular comorbidities (Hi‐risk vs Lo‐risk) during induction of general anesthesia and during hypotensive episodes.

Methods

Patients scheduled for neuroradiology procedure using standardized target‐controlled Propofol‐Remifentanil infusion were prospectively included. Monitoring included Transcranial Doppler (TCD) measuring mean blood velocity of the middle cerebral artery (Vm), Bispectral Index with burst suppression ratio (SR) and cerebral Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS). Hypotensive episodes were treated with a 10 µg bolus of Norepinephrine.

Results

Eighty‐one patients were included, 37 Hi‐risk and 44 Lo‐risk. During induction of anesthesia, MAP and Vm decreased in all patients, with greater changes observed in Hi‐risk patients compared to Lo‐risk patients (−34 [38‐29]% vs −17 [25‐8]%, P < .001 and −39 [45‐29]% vs −28 [34‐19]%, P < .01 respectively). In Hi‐risk patients, the MAP‐decrease correlated with the Vm‐decrease (r = .48, P < .01), and was associated with more frequent occurrences of SR (21 vs 5 patients, P < .01 for Hi‐risk vs Lo‐risk). For the MAP‐increase induced by norepinephrine, the Vm‐increase was greater in Hi‐risk than in Lo‐risk patients (+15 [8‐21]% vs +4 [1‐11]%, P < .01). During induction and norepinephrine boluses, NIRS values did not follow acute changes of Vm.

Conclusion

Our results showed that Hi‐risk patients had a higher decrease in MAP and Vm, and a higher occurrence of SR during induction of anesthesia than Lo‐risk patients. Correction of MAP with norepinephrine increased Vm mainly in Hi‐rik patients.
Heterogenous treatment effects of transfusion thresholds by patient age: Post‐hoc analysis of the TRISS trial
Authors: Jonsson Andreas Bender , Granholm Anders , Rygård Sofie Louise , Broksø Holst Lars , Møller Morten Hylander , Perner Anders
Published: December 2019

Background

Use of a lower haemoglobin (Hb) threshold to guide red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is now generally recommended in critically ill patients, but uncertainty remains regarding the optimal Hb threshold for RBC transfusion in patients of different ages.

Methods

We conducted a post‐hoc analysis of 998 patients with septic shock and anaemia randomised to RBC transfusion at a Hb threshold of 7 g/dl [4.3 mmol/l] vs 9 g/dl [5.6 mmol/l] in the Transfusion Requirements in Septic Shock (TRISS) trial. We assessed if there were heterogeneous effects between the allocated Hb threshold and patient age categorised and on the continuous scale. The primary outcome was 1‐year mortality; the secondary outcome was 90‐day mortality. Both outcomes were analysed using logistic regression models and in sensitivity analyses with additional adjusting for site of enrolment, presence of haematological malignancy and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. The secondary analyses were Kaplan‐Meier curves with corresponding log‐rank tests.

Results

We found no heterogeneity between patient age and the allocated Hb thresholds for RBC transfusion for 1‐year mortality or 90‐day mortality in the primary analyses. The sensitivity analyses suggested heterogeneity between age groups regarding 90‐day mortality, however, this was not consistent for 1‐year mortality or when assessing age on the continuous scale.

Conclusion

In this post‐hoc study of ICU patients with septic shock, we found no reliable heterogeneous effects of transfusion at a Hb threshold of 7 vs 9 g/dl according to patient age on mortality. However, due to low power, this study should only be considered as hypothesis generating.
Adenogasteria leguminivora Davis & Vargas gen. et sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae): a new seed‐feeding micromoth associated with Fabaceae in Peru and Chile
Authors: Davis Donald R , Farfán Jackie , Cerdeña José , Huanca‐Mamani Wilson , Vargas Héctor A , Vargas‐Ortiz Marcelo , Gonçalves Gislene L , Moreira Gilson R P
Published: December 2019

The adult, pupa, larva and biology of Adenogasteria leguminivora Davis & Vargas gen. et sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae: Ornixolinae) from Peru and Chile are described and illustrated. This micromoth was previously reported in the agronomic literature as a pest of Caesalpinia spinosa (Molina) (Fabaceae) in Peru, but its taxonomic status remained unknown until now. Its larvae feed on the seeds of three legume trees: Acacia macracantha, C. spinosa and Inga feuillei. Adenogasteria leguminivora superficially resembles other sympatric gracillariids but can be separated on key morphological features and host plant preferences. Eggs of A. leguminivora are laid on the fruit surface, from where the larva burrows until it reaches the cotyledons, which are mined by the two early (sap‐feeding) instars and almost completely consumed by the last three (tissue‐feeding) instars. Subsequently, the mature larva leaves the fruit and constructs an elongated silk cocoon ornamented with a few silk bubbles before pupation. A maximum likelihood analysis of DNA barcodes clustered the A. leguminivora sequences as a single independent phylogenetic unit within Ornixolinae, sister to the Chileoptilia + Philodoria clade, regardless of the host plant and geographic origin of the samples. The genetic divergence of A. leguminivora to the nearest neighbour in COI barcodes was >10%.
Extracorporeal life support during and after bilateral sequential lung transplantation in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension
Authors: Dell’Amore Andrea , Campisi Alessio , Congiu Stefano , Mazzarra Sara , Pastore Saverio , Dolci Giampiero , Baiocchi Massimo , Frascaroli Guido
Published: December 2019

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenator instead of standard cardiopulmonary bypass during lung transplantation is debatable. Moreover, recently, the concept of prolonged postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) support has been introduced in many transplant centers to prevent primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and improve early and long‐term results. The objective of this study was to review the results of our extracorporeal life support strategy during and after bilateral sequential lung transplantation (BSLT) for pulmonary artery hypertension. We review retrospectively our experience in BSLT for pulmonary artery hypertension between January 2010 and August 2018. A total of 38 patients were identified. Nine patients were transplanted using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), in eight cases CPB was followed by a prolonged ECMO (pECMO) support, 14 patients were transplanted on central ECMO support, and seven patients were transplanted with central ECMO support followed by a pECMO assistance. The effects of different support strategies were evaluated, in particular in‐hospital morbidity, mortality, incidence of PGD, and long‐term follow‐up. The use of CPB was associated with poor postoperative results and worse long‐term survival compared with ECMO‐supported patients. Predictive preoperative factors for the need of intraoperative CPB instead of ECMO were identified. The pECMO strategy had a favorable effect to mitigate postoperative morbidity and mortality, not only in intraoperative ECMO‐supported patients, but even in CPB‐supported cases. In our experience, ECMO may be considered as the first choice circulatory support for lung transplantation. Sometimes, in very complex cases, CBP is still necessary. The pECMO strategy is very effective to reduce incidence of PGD even in CPB‐supported patients.
Spatial patterns of tree recruitment in a montane Hawaiian wet forest after cattle removal and pig population control
Authors: Ibanez Thomas , Hart Patrick J.
Published: December 2019

Question

We measured tree recruitment over approx. 17 to 18 years after cattle removal and pig population control in a Metrosideros polymorpha (Myrtaceae) montane wet forest. We analysed how tree recruitment varies in space and between species.

Location

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Island of Hawai'i.

Methods

All woody plants with diameter at breast height ≥5 cm were surveyed twice at approx. 17‐ to 18‐year intervals in 200 circular plots (15‐m radius) located in two sites. We used generalized linear mixed models to analyse how the number of recruits of wind‐ and bird‐dispersed species per plot varied between plots as a function of the number and sizes of remaining trees, grass cover, distance to the forest–grassland edge, and the identity of sites. Within plots, for each species we analysed the density distribution of recruits as a function of a neighbourhood crowding index and grass cover. Observed distributions were compared to null distributions.

Results

About 4,000 recruits representing seven species were inventoried. Wind‐dispersed species tended to recruit randomly, including in open, grassy areas. The number of bird‐dispersed recruits was negatively associated with grass cover and positively associated with basal area of remaining trees. Bird‐dispersed species recruited more in areas with an intermediate neighbourhood crowding index. The number of recruits was strongly correlated with the number of remaining trees for each species. One species, Cheirodendron trigynum (Araliaceae), recruited twice as much as expected given the number of remnant trees.

Conclusions

The high levels of recruitment of all species were likely due to cattle removal as well as pig population control. Competition with grasses constitutes the main limiting factor for tree recruitment following removal of ungulates. Remnant Metrosideros polymorpha likely create favourable conditions for the recruitment of bird‐dispersed species. Higher seed production and growth rates likely allowed Cheirodendron trigynum to recruit much more than the other species.
Cross‐sectional and within‐subject seasonality and regularity of hospitalizations: A population study in mood disorders and schizophrenia
Authors: Bakstein Eduard , Mladá Karolína , Fárková Eva , Kolenič Marian , Španiel Filip , Manková Denisa , Korčáková Jana , Winkler Petr , Hajek Tomas
Published: December 2019

Background

Seasonal peaks in hospitalizations for mood disorders and schizophrenia are well recognized and often replicated. The within‐subject tendency to experience illness episodes in the same season, that is, seasonal course, is much less established, as certain individuals may temporarily meet criteria for seasonal course purely by chance.

Aims

In this population, prospective cohort study, we investigated whether between and within‐subject seasonal patterns of hospitalizations occurred more frequently than would be expected by chance.

Methods

Using a compulsory, standardized national register of hospitalizations, we analyzed all admissions for mood disorders and schizophrenia in the Czech Republic between 1994 and 2013. We used bootstrap tests to compare the observed numbers of (a) participants with seasonal/regular course and (b) hospitalizations in individual months against empirical distributions obtained by simulations.

Results

Among 87 184 participants, we found uneven distribution of hospitalizations, with hospitalization peaks for depression in April and November (X2(11) = 363.66, P < .001), for mania in August (X2(11) = 50.36, P < .001) and for schizophrenia in June (X2(11) = 70.34, P < .001). Significantly more participants than would be expected by chance, had two subsequent rehospitalizations in the same 90 days in different years (7.36%, bootstrap P < .01) or after a regular, but non‐seasonal interval (6.07%, bootstrap P < .001). The proportion of participants with two consecutive hospitalizations in the same season was below chance level (7.06%).

Conclusions

Psychiatric hospitalizations were unevenly distributed throughout the year (cross‐sectional seasonality), with evidence for regularity, but not seasonality of hospitalizations within subjects. Our data do not support the validity of seasonal pattern specifier. Season may be a general risk factor, which increases the risk of hospitalizations across psychiatric participants.