bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Earth Is Hungry: Amerindian Worlds and the Perils of Gold Mining in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Ulmer Gordon
Published: July 2020

En este artículo, muestro cómo los mineros desde los andes en la Amazonía peruana se enfrentan a la disponibilidad de su vida y trabajo. Describo cómo los mineros forjan un término medio, o espacio donde los mundos amerindios se adaptan a situaciones políticas cambiantes y donde existen formas divergentes de experimentar el mundo simultáneamente. Ilumino las particularidades del extractivismo en la región de Madre de Dios en Perú y abordo un problema común en las etnografías andinas y amazónicas, que a menudo se abordan de forma aislada a pesar de ser regiones interconectadas. Utilizando el concepto de término medio para fundamentar mi discusión, sostengo que la minería artesanal contemporánea y en pequeña escala en la Amazonía occidental exige un análisis de las relaciones políticas, económicas y religioso‐espirituales que se extienden más allá de las comunidades locales o estudios regionales.[Amazonia, Andes, Peru, economías extractivas, cosmología, desechabilidad]
Increased glutaminyl cyclase activity in brains of Alzheimer’s disease individuals
Authors: Gunn Adam P. , Wong Bruce X. , McLean Catriona , Fowler Chris , Barnard Peter J. , Duce James A. , Roberts Blaine R. ,   The AIBL Research Group
Published: July 2020

Glutaminyl cyclases (QC) catalyze the formation of neurotoxic pGlu‐modified amyloid‐β peptides found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Reports of several‐fold increases in soluble QC (sQC) expression in the brain and peripheral circulation of AD individuals has prompted the development of QC inhibitors as potential AD therapeutics. There is, however, a lack of standardized quantitative data on QC expression in human tissues, precluding inter‐laboratory comparison and validation. We tested the hypothesis that QC is elevated in AD tissues by quantifying levels of sQC protein and activity in post‐mortem brain tissues from AD and age‐matched control individuals. We found a modest but statistically significant increase in sQC protein, which paralleled a similar increase in enzyme activity. In plasma samples sourced from the Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle study we determined that QC activity was not different between the AD and control group, though a modest increase was observed in female AD individuals compared to controls. Plasma QC activity was further correlated with levels of circulating monocytes in AD individuals. These data provide quantitative evidence that alterations in QC expression are associated with AD pathology.

image
Quantitative proteomic analysis of the frontal cortex in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Sathe Gajanan , Albert Marilyn , Darrow Jacqueline , Saito Atsushi , Troncoso Juan , Pandey Akhilesh , Moghekar Abhay
Published: July 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by intracellular formation of neurofibrillary tangles and extracellular deposition of β‐amyloid protein (Aβ) in the extracellular matrix. The pathogenesis of AD has not yet been fully elucidated and little is known about global alterations in the brain proteome that are related to AD. To identify and quantify such AD‐related changes in the brain, we employed a tandem mass tags approach coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry. We compared the proteomes of frontal cortex from AD patients with corresponding age‐matched brain samples. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry/MS analysis carried out on an Orbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid mass spectrometer led to identification of 8,066 proteins. Of these, 432 proteins were observed to be significantly altered (>1.5 fold) in their expression in AD brains. Proteins whose abundance was previously known to be altered in AD were identified including secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), somatostatin (SST), SPARC‐related modular calcium binding 1 (SMOC1), dual specificity phosphatase 26 (DUSP26), and neuronal pentraxin 2 (NPTX2). In addition, we identified several novel candidates whose association with AD has not been previously described. Of the novel molecules, we validated chromogranin A (CHGA), inner membrane mitochondrial protein (IMMT) and RAS like proto‐oncogene A (RALA) in an additional set of 20 independent brain samples using targeted parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry assays. The differentially expressed proteins discovered in our study, once validated in larger cohorts, should help discern the pathogenesis of AD.

image
Effect of defensins‐containing eye cream on periocular rhytids and skin quality
Authors: Berens Angelique M. , Ghazizadeh Shabnam
Published: July 2020

Background

Defensins are peptides shown to activate LGR6 stem cells to stimulate the production of new basal stem cells in the epidermis. Use of topical definsin‐containing products has been shown to address signs of global skin aging including decrease of wrinkles and increase of epidermal thickness.

Aims

To investigate the ability of a topical defensin‐containing skincare product in improving the structure and function of aging periocular skin using objective and subjective outcome measures.

Patients/Methods

A prospective pilot trial of a defensin‐containing eye cream was performed in patients with periocular rhytids over 6 weeks. Subjective changes in skin quality and aging characteristics were compared using a patient survey tool. Objective changes in periocular skin quality were analyzed using the QuantifiCare imaging system and the DermLab ultrasound scanner by blinded reviewers.

Results

A total of eight patients completed treatment; two were male, and six were female. The average age was 51 years (range 37‐63). Compliance with product application as reported on the participant application log was over 90%. Overall, there was an average 2.1 point improvement in subjective measures of skin quality on the consumer questionnaire (P = .002). QuantifiCare imaging of pores, wrinkles, and oiliness showed 370% improvement, 55% improvement, and 12% improvement, respectively. DermaLab noninvasive measurements of elasticity, skin thickness, and hydration showed improvement of 120%, 28%, and 6%, respectively.

Conclusion

The use of topical formulations of definsin‐containing eye cream statically improves patient‐reported outcomes of skin quality, especially redness, sensitivity to weather, age spots, and crow's feet.
HOW SHOULD CAPITAL BE TAXED?
Authors: Bastani Spencer , Waldenström Daniel
Published: July 2020

This survey discusses how capital should be taxed in advanced economies. We review the theoretical optimal tax literature, survey empirical studies on the distribution of capital and the distortionary costs of capital taxation, and analyze the desirability of specific taxes on capital income, wealth, property, inheritances, and corporate profits. Our overall conclusion is that capital taxation plays an important role in an optimal tax system, but only certain ways of taxing capital are able to strike a balance between optimality and administrative feasibility.
Hypertensive nephrosclerosis: wider kidney biopsy indications may be needed to improve diagnostics
Authors: Hallan S. I. , Øvrehus M. A. , Bjørneklett R. , Aasarød K. I. , Fogo A. B. , Ix J. H.
Published: July 2020

Background

Hypertensive nephrosclerosis is the presumed underlying cause in many end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients, but the diagnosis is disputed and based on clinical criteria with low diagnostic accuracy.

Objective

To evaluate and improve the diagnostic process for nephrosclerosis patients.

Methods

We included adults from the population‐based HUNT study (n = 50 552), Norwegian CKD patients referred for kidney biopsy 1988–2012 (n = 7261), and unselected nephrology clinic patients (n = 193) used for matching. Decision tree analysis and ROC curve‐based methods of optimal cut‐offs were used to improve clinical nephrosclerosis criteria.

Results

Nephrosclerosis prevalence was 2.7% in the general population, and eGFR decline and risk for kidney‐related hospital admissions and ESKD were comparable to patients with diabetic kidney disease. In the biopsy cohort, current clinical criteria had very low sensitivity (0.13) but high specificity (0.94) for biopsy‐verified arterionephrosclerosis. A new optimized diagnostic algorithm based on proteinuria (<0.75 g d−1), systolic blood pressure (>155 mm Hg) and age (>75 years) only marginally improved diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity 0.19, specificity 0.96). Likewise, there were still false‐positive cases with treatable diagnoses like glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis and others (40% of all test positive). Decision curve analysis showed that the new criteria can lead to higher clinical utility, especially for patients considering the potential harms to be close to the potential benefits, while the more risk‐tolerant ones (harm:benefit ratio < 1:4) should consider kidney biopsy.

Conclusion

Further improvements of the current clinical criteria seem difficult, so risks and benefits of kidney biopsy could be more actively discussed with selected patients to reduce misclassification and direct treatment.
Mastication in maxillectomy patients: A comparison between reconstructed maxillae and implant supported obturators: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Buurman Doke J. M. , Speksnijder Caroline M. , de Groot Reilly J. , Kessler Peter , Rieger Jana M.
Published: July 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare masticatory performance and patient reported eating ability of maxillectomy patients with implant‐supported obturators and patients with surgically reconstructed maxillae.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada and at Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands. Eleven surgically reconstructed maxillectomy patients have been included at University of Alberta and nine implant‐supported obturator patients at MUMC+. The mixing ability test (MAT) was used to measure masticatory performance. In addition, the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) was measured with shortened versions of the oral health impact profile (OHIP) questionnaire. Values of the implant‐supported obturator group versus the surgical reconstruction group were compared with independent t‐tests in case of normal distribution, otherwise the Mann‐Whitney U test was applied.

Results

Patients with reconstructed maxillae and patients with implant‐supported obturator prostheses had similar mean mixing ability indices (18.20 ± 2.38 resp. 18.66 ± 1.37; P = .614). The seven OHRQoL questions also showed no differences in masticatory ability between the two groups.

Conclusion

With caution, the results of this study seem to confirm earlier results that implant‐supported obturation is a good alternative to surgical reconstruction for all Class II maxillary defects. With both techniques, the masticatory performance is sufficiently restored, with careful planning being highly desirable.
Digital vs Conventional Implant Impressions: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Papaspyridakos Panos , Vazouras Konstantinos , Chen Yo‐wei , Kotina Elli , Natto Zuhair , Kang Kiho , Chochlidakis Konstantinos
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To systematically review in vitro and clinical studies comparing quantitatively the 3D accuracy (global implant deviations) of digital vs conventional implant impressions for partially and completely edentulous patients.

Materials and Methods

Electronic and manual searches were conducted to identify in vitro and clinical studies, reporting on the 3D accuracy between digital and conventional implant impressions. Secondary outcomes were the effect of implant angulation, type of conventional impression technique, and type of intraoral scanner on the accuracy of implant impressions.

Results

The inclusion criteria were met by 9 in vitro studies and 1 clinical study reporting on completely edentulous impressions, while 6 in vitro and 2 clinical studies reported on partially edentulous impressions. Quantitative meta‐analysis was performed for 5 completely edentulous and 6 partially edentulous studies. The studies exhibited high values for heterogeneity. A random effects model was conducted to estimate the effect size. Based on 5 in vitro studies on completely edentulous impressions, the mean 3D implant deviation between conventional and digital impressions was 8.20 µm (95% CI: −53.56, 37.15) and the digital impressions had nominally less deviation (p = 0.72). Based on 1 clinical and 5 in vitro studies on partially edentulous impressions, the mean 3D implant deviation between conventional and digital impressions was 52.31 µm (95% CI: 6.30, 98.33) and the conventional impressions had nominally less deviation (p = 0.03). Five in vitro and 2 clinical studies were not included in the quantitative analysis due to heterogeneity in the methodology. Implant angulation affected the accuracy in favor of the partially edentulous conventional impressions whereas the effect of different scanners was not statistically significant on the completely edentulous impressions (p = 0.82).

Conclusions

Digital scans appear to have comparable 3D accuracy with conventional implant impressions based mainly on in vitro studies. However, clinical trials are recommended to investigate the clinical accuracy of digital scans and digitally fabricated interim or prototype prostheses, before digital implant scans can be recommended for routine clinical use.
A theory of reverse retirement
Authors: Ponthiere Gregory
Published: July 2020

The retirement system is usually regarded as giving a fair reward for a long working career. However, only workers who have a sufficiently long life benefit from that reward, but not workers who die prematurely. To re‐examine the fairness of retirement systems under unequal lifetime, this paper compares standard retirement (i.e., individuals work before being retired) with—hypothetical—reverse retirement (i.e., individuals are retired before working). We show that, under standard assumptions, an economy with reverse retirement, once in place, converges towards a unique stationary equilibrium. At the normative level, we show that, when labor productivity declines with age, reverse retirement cannot be optimal under the utilitarian criterion (unlike standard retirement), whereas reverse retirement can be optimal under the ex post egalitarian criterion (giving priority to the worst‐off in realized terms). Finally, we show that there exists a set of policy instruments that allow a government to organize a successful transition from standard to reverse retirement.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Perceived Need for Treatment, and Barriers to Treatment Among Parenting Women With Substance Use Disorder in US Rural Counties
Authors: Ali Mir M. , Nye Emma , West Kristina
Published: July 2020

Objective

Higher rates of substance use in rural counties compared to urban counties have been well documented. Low perceived need for treatment among those with substance use disorder (SUD) has also been documented in the literature. However, not much is known about SUD treatment among parenting women in rural counties and the impact of perceived need for treatment in seeking care. Little research has also examined barriers to SUD treatment among parenting women in rural communities.

Methods

Using a large nationally representative dataset, the study utilizes multivariable logistic regression models to estimate the differences in utilizing SUD treatment among parenting women with SUD in rural and urban counties in the United States. Role of perceived need for SUD treatment and barriers related to finance, access, and stigma are also examined.

Results

Parenting women in rural counties with SUD who perceive a need for treatment have more than 90% lower odds of receiving treatment compared to those in urban counties. In addition, parenting women with SUD in rural counties have more than 50% higher odds of identifying access‐related issues such as lack of openings in programs, unavailability of treatment facilities, and lack of transportation as barriers to care compared to parenting women in urban counties.

Conclusion

Diagnosis of SUD among parenting women is steadily increasing in rural communities. While many resources in combatting maternal SUD are being utilized, policy and programmatic responses tailored for mothers with SUD in rural communities might help increase utilization of treatment and reduce barriers to treatment.
Effects of smartphone addiction on children’s lung function
Authors: Alonazi Asma , Almutairi Waleed , Bains Gurinder , Daher Noha , Alismail Abdullah
Published: July 2020

Background

With an increase in smartphone usage, constant neck flexion can lead to improper posture, which may impact on lung function. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine and compare the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and lung function between addicted and non‐addicted boys and girls aged between 8–13 years who use smartphones for long periods of time.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 24 boys and 26 girls (mean age 10.5 ± 1.6 years and body mass index 18.6 ± 3.0 kg/m2). Participants were assigned to two groups based on their scores on the Smartphone Addiction Scale‐Short Version (SAS‐SV) for Adolescents: addicted group (score > 32, n = 32) and non‐addicted group (score ≤ 32, n = 18). The outcome variables were CVA, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), maximum inspiratory pressures (PImax), and maximum expiratory pressures (PEmax).

Results

There was a significant difference in mean CVA between addicted and non‐addicted boys (49.4 ± 6.7 vs 55.5 ± 7.6, η2 = 0.9, P = 0.03) and girls (47.3 ± 6.3 vs 52.9 ± 6.1, η2 = 0.9, P = 0.02). Mean FVC, FEV1, and FEV6 were significantly lower in addicted versus non‐addicted boys (P = 0.04, P = 0.05, and P = 0.02, respectively). PImax was significantly less in addicted compared to non‐addicted girls (55.2 ± 16.4 vs 65.3 ± 13.8, η2 = 0.7, P = 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings showed that children addicted to smartphones (when using the SAS‐SV as an indicator for addiction) revealed lower CVA and lung function results. Therefore, education on proper posture while holding smartphones is essential to the children’s postural and lung function status.
Lemur food plants as options for forest restoration in Madagascar
Authors: Steffens Kim J. E.
Published: July 2020

The outcome of restoration plantings depends on the selection of plant species and their traits. Regeneration could be facilitated and diversified by attracting native seed dispersers into the sites to be restored. To provide a basis for the selection of plant species that Lemur food plantscould attract lemurs, the main seed dispersers in Madagascar, I compiled a list of known lemur food plants (LFP). A literature search revealed 204 data sources from 64 study sites on the exploitation of plants by 56 free‐ranging lemur species. I aggregated the information, updated the taxonomy, and included further aspects, such as plant origin and life form, which may be of relevance for restoration. Lemur species exploited mainly fruits and leaves of 1,026 plant species (9.14% of all vascular plant species present in Madagascar), from 599 genera and 147 families. The data revealed many promising aspects for restoration, such as integrating the 10 most important LFP that are also used by people. The integration of LFP would increase the value of restoration areas for both animals and humans. Despite some limitations, the assembled database can provide assistance and guidance in the selection of plant species for restoration programs, whereby facilitating future regeneration may be accomplished passively through lemur seed dispersal.
Connection formulae for asymptotics of the fifth Painlevé transcendent on the imaginary axis: I
Authors: Andreev Fedor V. , Kitaev Alexander V.
Published: July 2020

Leading terms of asymptotic expansions for the general complex solutions of the fifth Painlevé equation as are found. These asymptotics are parameterized by monodromy data of the associated linear ODE,
urn:x-wiley:00222526:media:sapm12323:sapm12323-math-0002The parameterization allows one to derive connection formulae for the asymptotics. We provide numerical verification of the results. Important special cases of the connection formulae are also considered.
Effect of the Swirl Intensity of Pilot Inner Swirler on the Combustion Stability of a Lean Staged Injector With a Prefilm Atomizer
Authors: Yang Jinhu , Liu Cunxi , Liu Fuqiang , Mu Yong , Xu Gang
Published: July 2020

Lean staged combustion can reduce the NOx emissions by prevaporizing and premixing fuel with air, which is considered the state-of-the-art solution strategy in achieving low emission in aeronautical combustors. However, lean premixed combustion is subjected to combustion stability problems, which restrict the ground and altitude operation limits of the commercial engine. In this work, the effect of the swirl intensity of pilot inner swirler on combustion stability of a lean staged injector is experimentally and numerically studied. The lean staged injector is piloted by a dual swirler prefilm atomizer. The swirl intensity of the pilot inner swirler is varied by parameterizing the vane angle as +20 deg, −20 deg, and −35 deg, with −20 deg selected as the baseline with a counterswirling design. A single sector model combustor is designed, and the nonreacting flow field and fuel concentration distributions are measured by particle image velocimetry (PIV) and kerosene planar laser induced fluorescence (kerosene-PLIF) techniques. The alteration of swirl direction from counterswirling to coswirling induces a negligible effect on flow structures, but the spray distribution changes from a solid pattern to a hollow pattern. The increase in the pilot inner swirl intensity causes a shrunk cyclone recirculation zone (CRZ) and a reduction of kerosene concentration in the central region. The influences of the pilot inner swirler angle on combustion stability are evaluated. The ignition and lean blow-out (LBO) results show that the baseline injector exhibits excellent combustion stability, while the coswirling design holds the highest ignition and LBO fuel–air ratio (FAR). In order to find out the physical mechanisms dominating the ignition and LBO processes, nonreacting numerical simulations are conducted to provide information regarding the flow structures and kerosene concentrations at ignition limits. Moreover, the ignition sequences are redefined as the radial flame propagation phase, the axial flame propagation phase, and the flame stabilization phase. The comparison of kerosene concentration along the radial and axial propagation routes concludes that the fuel enrichment in the two processes improves the ignition performance. On the other hand, the Karlovitz number of flame anchoring points in the flame rooting region is calculated to evaluate the flame stabilization characteristics. The results indicate that promoting the number of flame anchoring points and their radial range benefits the LBO performance.
Study on asymmetric diffraction of acoustic parity-time-symmetric gratings using rigorous coupled-wave analysis
Authors: Yang Yuzhen , Jia Han , Yang Jun
Published: July 2020

The method of rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) is developed to analyze the diffraction properties of acoustic parity-time-symmetric gratings. Asymmetric diffraction can be generated in these gratings, and the +1st order transmitted wave is suppressed completely at the diffraction vanishing point (DVP). The influence factors of the modulation ratio of the DVP, including the modulation amplitude and modulation approach, are systematically discussed using the method of RCWA. Two-beam diffraction with Bragg incident angle is studied in detail. The results show that the modulation ratio of the DVP changes with the modulation amplitude differently for different modulation approaches. The attenuation or enhancement of the sound energy depends on the sign of incident angle and the modulation ratio.
The line starts to form for a coronavirus vaccine
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: July 2020

U.S. and others debate who should get priority if vaccine doses are scarce.
An ideal Josephson junction in an ultracold two-dimensional Fermi gas
Authors: Luick Niclas , Sobirey Lennart , Bohlen Markus , Singh Vijay Pal , Mathey Ludwig , Lompe Thomas , Moritz Henning
Published: July 2020

A gas junction

In superconductors, electrons form a macroscopic wave function that has a definite phase. If two superconductors with different wave function phases are placed in contact with each other through an insulating link, a current will flow through this so-called Josephson's junction without any external voltage. Luick
et al.
and Kwon
et al.
observed an analogous phenomenon in a setup that involved two reservoirs of superfluid Fermi gases. Both groups measured the so-called current-phase relation: the dependence of the magnitude of the current on the relative phase. By tuning an external magnetic field, they were able to study how the interactions between fermions affected the nature of the superfluid state.

Science
, this issue p.
89
, p.
84
A piperidinium salt stabilizes efficient metal-halide perovskite solar cells
Authors: Lin Yen-Hung , Sakai Nobuya , Da Peimei , Wu Jiaying , Sansom Harry C. , Ramadan Alexandra J. , Mahesh Suhas , Liu Junliang , Oliver Robert D. J. , Lim Jongchul , Aspitarte Lee , Sharma Kshama , Madhu P. K. , Morales‐Vilches Anna B. , Nayak Pabitra K. , Bai Sai , Gao Feng , Grovenor Chris R. M. , Johnston Michael B. , Labram John G. , Durrant James R. , Ball James M. , Wenger Bernard , Stannowski Bernd , Snaith Henry J.
Published: July 2020

Stable perovskites with ionic salts

Ionic liquids have been shown to stabilize organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells with metal oxide carrier-transport layers, but they are incompatible with more readily processible organic analogs. Lin
et al.
found that an ionic solid, a piperidinium salt, enhanced the efficiency of positive-intrinsic-negative layered perovskite solar cells with organic electron and hole extraction layers. Aggressive aging testing showed that this additive retarded segregation into impurity phases and pinhole formation in the perovskite layer.

Science
, this issue p.
96
Covalent surface modifications and superconductivity of two-dimensional metal carbide MXenes
Authors: Kamysbayev Vladislav , Filatov Alexander S. , Hu Huicheng , Rui Xue , Lagunas Francisco , Wang Di , Klie Robert F. , Talapin Dmitri V.
Published: July 2020

Modifying MXene surfaces

Unlike graphene and transition-metal dichalcogenides, two-dimensional transition-metal carbides (MXenes) have many surface sites that can be chemically modified. Etching of the aluminum layer of a parent MAX phase Ti
3
AlC
2
layered material with hydrofluoric acid leads to the MXene Ti
3
C
2
with various surface terminations. Molten salts can achieve uniform chloride terminations, but these are difficult to further modify. Kamysbayev
et al.
show that etching of MAX phases in molten cadmium bromide leads to bromide-terminated MXenes that can then be substituted with oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and NH groups as well as with vacancy sites. The surface groups can alter electronic transport. For example, the Nb
2
C MXenes exhibit surface group–dependent superconductivity.

Science
, this issue p.
979
Rewilding immunology
Authors: Flies Andrew S. ,   Wild Comparative Immunology Consortium
Published: July 2020

Integrating comparative immunology can improve human, animal, and ecosystem health
The secret life of histones
Authors: Rudolph Johannes , Luger Karolin
Published: July 2020

Histone H3 leads a double life as a copper reductase
Utility of Stool PCR for the Diagnosis of COVID-19: Comparison of Two Commercial Platforms
Authors: Szymczak Wendy A. , Goldstein D. Yitzchak , Orner Erika P. , Fecher Roger A. , Yokoda Raquel T. , Skalina Karin A. , Narlieva Momka , Gendlina Inessa , Fox Amy S.
Published: July 2020

The ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the upper respiratory tract ceases after 2 to 3 weeks post-symptom-onset in most patients. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the stool of some patients for greater than 4 weeks, suggesting that stool may hold utility as an additional source for diagnosis. We validated the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 and Hologic Panther Fusion real-time RT-PCR assays for detection of viral RNA in stool specimens and compared performance. We utilized remnant stool specimens (
n 
= 79) from 77 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.
A Virion-Based Assay for Glycoprotein Thermostability Reveals Key Determinants of Filovirus Entry and Its Inhibition
Authors: Bortz Robert H. , Wong Anthony C. , Grodus Michael G. , Recht Hannah S. , Pulanco Marc C. , Lasso Gorka , Anthony Simon J. , Mittler Eva , Jangra Rohit K. , Chandran Kartik
Published: July 2020

The development of Ebola virus countermeasures is challenged by our limited understanding of cell entry, especially at the step of membrane fusion. The surface-exposed viral protein, GP, mediates membrane fusion and undergoes major structural rearrangements during this process. The stability of GP at elevated temperatures (thermostability) can provide insights into its capacity to undergo these rearrangements. Here, we describe a new assay that uses GP-specific antibodies to measure GP thermostability under a variety of conditions relevant to viral entry. We show that proteolytic cleavage and acid pH have significant effects on GP thermostability that shed light on their respective roles in viral entry. We also show that the assay can be used to study how small-molecule entry inhibitors affect GP stability. This work provides a simple and readily accessible assay to engineer stabilized GP variants for antiviral vaccines and to discover and improve drugs that act by modulating GP stability.
Outcomes of haemoglobin Bart’s hydrops fetalis following intrauterine transfusion in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Zhang Hui Jue , Amid Ali , Janzen Laura A , Segbefia Catherine I , Chen Shiyi , Athale Uma , Charpentier Karen , Merelles-Pulcini Manuela , Seaward Gareth , Kelly Edmond N , Odame Isaac , Waye John S , Ryan Greg , Kirby-Allen Melanie
Published: July 2020

Objectives

With improved access to intrauterine transfusion (IUT), more fetuses with haemoglobin Bart’s hydrops fetalis (HBHF; homozygous α0-thalassaemia) will survive.

Design

To evaluate the long-term outcome of affected fetuses with and without IUT in Ontario, Canada, we retrospectively collected data on IUTs and pregnancy outcomes in all cases of HBHF, from 1989 to 2014. Clinical outcome and neurocognitive profiles of long-term survivors were also collected and compared with data from 24 patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia (TDT-β).

Results

Of the 99 affected pregnancies (93 prenatally diagnosed), 68 resulted in miscarriage or elective termination of pregnancy. Twelve mothers (12%) continued their pregnancies without IUT, and none of those newborns survived the first week of life. All 13 fetuses that received IUT(s) were live-born, but 3 died due to severe hydrops at birth and 1 died due to infection. The remaining nine survivors, in comparison with TDT-β patients, had earlier iron overload requiring iron chelation therapy. Endocrinopathies and short stature were more frequent in these patients. Neurocognitive outcome was not significantly affected in five patients who were assessed, and none were diagnosed with intellectual impairment. In three patients, MRI studies demonstrated brain white matter changes in keeping with ‘silent’ ischaemic infarcts.

Conclusions

In patients with HBHF, IUT is associated with improved survival. While acceptable neurocognitive outcome can be expected, these patients have more clinical complications compared with their TDT-β counterparts. The clinical and neurocognitive outcomes of HBHF should be discussed in detail when counselling and offering IUT for patients.
Provider visual attention on a respiratory function monitor during neonatal resuscitation
Authors: Herrick Heidi , Weinberg Danielle , Cecarelli Charlotte , Fishman Claire E , Newman Haley , den Boer Maria C , Martherus Tessa , Katz Trixie A , Nadkarni Vinay , te Pas Arjan B , Foglia Elizabeth E
Published: July 2020

Background

A respiratory function monitor (RFM) provides real-time positive pressure ventilation feedback. Whether providers use RFM during neonatal resuscitation is unknown.

Methods

Ancillary study to the MONITOR

(NCT03256578) randomised controlled trial. Neonatal resuscitation leaders at two centres wore eye-tracking glasses, and visual attention (VA) patterns were compared between RFM-visible and RFM-masked groups.

Results

14 resuscitations (6 RFM-visible, 8 RFM-masked) were analysed. The median total gaze duration on the RFM was significantly higher with a visible RFM (29% vs 1%, p<0.01), while median total gaze duration on other physical objects was significantly lower with a visible RFM (3% vs 8%, p=0.02). Median total gaze duration on the infant was lower with RFM visible, although not statistically significantly (29% vs 46%, p=0.05).

Conclusion

Providers’ VA patterns differed during neonatal resuscitation when the RFM was visible, emphasising the importance of studying the impact of additional delivery room technology on providers’ behaviour.
Severe rhabdomyolysis and acute asymptomatic pancreatitis following the concomitant use of Biktarvy in the setting of hyperosmolar diabetic crisis
Authors: Simeni Njonnou Sylvain Raoul , Henrard Sophie , Noure Lamya , Goffard Jean-Christophe
Published: July 2020

Biktarvy (bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafemanide), which has been recently approved for the treatment of HIV, is a single-pill regimen that associates bictegravir and a novel integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) with a combination of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafemanide. Among treatment complications, rhabdomyolysis has been reported in association with some NRTI and INSTI but never with bictegravir. Acute pancreatitis has also been reported recently with another INSTI, dolutegravir. We report here a 62-year-old man with diabetes and HIV infection, and receiving Biktarvy for 1 month. He presented to the emergency department for muscular pain and fatigue. He was on treatment with Descovy (tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine) and Viramune (nevirapine) for 2 years but he recently asked for a regimen simplification. Severe rhabdomyolysis and acute pancreatitis were diagnosed. Although the aetiology of these events could be multifactorial, it cannot be ruled out that this episode could be linked to a potential side effect of bictegravir.
Abstracts from international emergency medicine journals
Authors: Production EMJ
Published: July 2020

Editor’s note: EMJ has partnered with the journals of multiple international emergency medicine societies to share from each a highlighted research study, as selected by their editors. This edition will feature an abstract from each publication.
Acute oedema associated with risperidone use: a report
Authors: Thakur Arpita , Niranjan Vijay , Rastogi Pali , Razdan Ramghulam
Published: July 2020

Risperidone acts by potent serotonergic, dopaminergic and alpha adrenergic receptor antagonism. The most common side effects reported are extrapyramidal symptoms, dizziness, sedation, insomnia, headache, anxiety, nausea, constipation and weight gain. Oedema associated with risperidone use is a rare side effect. Here we present a report on pedal oedema associated with use of oral risperidone 4 mg per day for acute-onset psychotic illness. Through this case report we want to make clinicians aware about this important side effect as it can affect patients’ compliance and quality of life.
Who sells tobacco, who stops? A comparison across different tobacco retailing schemes
Authors: Burton Suzan , Phillips Fiona , Watts Christina , Kennington Kelly , Scollo Michelle , Lindorff Kylie , Egger Sam
Published: July 2020

Background

Licensing of tobacco retailers has been proposed as a mechanism to encourage retailers to stop selling tobacco. However, previous studies of tobacco licensing and/or of retailers who have stopped selling have been restricted to one legislative environment. This study examines patterns of tobacco retailing across three legislative environments with three different licensing schemes (an annual fee-based licence, a zero-cost, one-off notification scheme and no notification/licensing scheme).

Method

A telephone survey was conducted of 2928 potential tobacco retailers who could personally choose whether or not to sell tobacco (rather than the decision being made at a head office).

Results

Unexpectedly, the annual licence fee to sell tobacco was not significantly associated with a lower rate of selling tobacco or a higher rate of stopping. After allowing for other factors, probability of selling, stopping selling and reported importance of tobacco sales varied across outlet types (p<0.001 for all three outcomes), and according to the remoteness of the retailer (p<0.001, p trend=0.041 and p=0.025 respectively).

Conclusion

A fee of $A286 was not associated with a lower rate of selling, or a higher rate of stopping. The effect of licensing on retailer numbers will presumably be greater for higher licence fees, but will also depend on the perceived importance of tobacco sales to the retailer. In turn, importance of tobacco sales appears to depend on market factors, including proximity to major urban centres and low-cost competitors. A higher licence fee is likely to have a larger effect on discouraging retailers from selling.
Public and forest landowner attitudes towards longleaf pine ecosystem restoration using prescribed fire
Authors: Gordon Jason S. , Willis John L. , Grala Robert K.
Published: July 2020

Once dominant across the United States (US) Southeastern Coastal Plain, the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem covers a fraction of its historic geographic range. Restoration efforts have largely occurred on public lands, while most private forests feature alternative pine species. A better understanding of public interest in ecological restoration is critical to sustained efforts and successes. This research examines both forest landowner and general public interest in longleaf pine restoration. Results contribute to research on the social dimensions of ecological restoration, much of which has focused on small-scale projects rather than landscape-scale initiatives. In addition, this study addresses the lack of knowledge regarding factors driving attitudes towards ecological restoration other than demographic and psychometric variables. We employed a telephone survey of 2700 participants across eight states in the southeastern US in the historical range of longleaf pine. A majority of respondents supported restoration as a general goal and were supportive of the use of prescribed fire as a restoration practice. Place attachment, knowledge about longleaf pine, and age were among the significant predictors of restoration support. Findings have implications for future research focusing on sociocultural influences of restoration projects, as well as expanded public support for restoration of fire-maintained ecosystems.
Endothelin-1 induces lysyl oxidase expression in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells
Authors: Maruyama Hidekazu , Sakai Satoshi , Dewachter Laurence , Dewachter Céline , Rondelet Benoit , Naeije Robert , Ieda Masaki
Published: July 2020

The increase in thickening of the arterial wall of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) includes cellular proliferation as well as matrix deposition and interrupted internal elastic lamina (IEL) consisting of a thick homogeneous sheet of elastin. Little is, although, known about the detail of IEL formation in PAH. Endothelin-1 is overexpressed in pulmonary arterioles of PAH. We aimed to examine the expression of genes contributing to IEL formation in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) especially focused on lysyl oxidase (LOx), an exreacellular matrix enzyme that catalyzes the cross-linking of collagens or elastin. We quantified mRNA expressions of genes contributing to IEL formation including LOx in PASMCs using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We stimulated human PASMCs with endothelin-1 with prostacyclin or trapidil. Endothelin-1 significantly increased LOx expression. Prostacyclin and trapidil restored endothelin-1-induced LOx expression to the basal level. Endothelin-1 increased LOx expression strongly in PASMCs from PAH patients compared to those from controls. Trapidil reduced LOx expression only in PASMCs from PAH patients. Overexpressed endothelin-1 in PAH patients can increase expression of LOx and agitate cross-linking of elastin and collagen, resulting in ectopic deposition of these in the vascular media.
Polymorphism of thePLIN1gene and its association with body measures and ultrasound carcass traits in Qinchuan beef cattle
Authors: Raza Sayed Haidar Abbas , Shijun Li , Khan Rajwali , Schreurs Nicola M. , Manzari Zeinab , Abd El-Aziz Ayman Hassan , Ullah Irfan , Kaster Nurgulsim , Shah Mujahid Ali , Zan Linsen
Published: July 2020

The PLIN1 gene produces a phosphorylated protein wrapped in lipid droplets in adipocytes. This phosphorylation assists the mobilization of fat into adipose tissue. The purpose of the experiment was to study the polymorphism of the PLIN1 gene and its relationship with the body and carcass characteristics of Qinchuan cattle to find molecular genetic markers that can be used for breeding. The expression level of the PLIN1 gene was determined in various tissues by qRT-PCR. The results showed that the highest level of PLN1 expression was found in subcutaneous fat, followed by the heart and longissimus muscle, and the lowest level was found in the kidney. Five SNP loci of the PLIN1 gene were identified in 510 Qinchuan cattle, including g.3580T>C (SNP1), g.3898G>A (SNP2), g.8333G>A (SNP3), g.10517T>C (SNP4), and g.10538G>T (SNP5). The results show that SNP1, SNP2, SNP3, and SNP4 were moderately polymorphic (0.25 < PIC < 0.5), while SNP5 was minimally polymorphic (PIC < 0.25). SNP2, SNP3, and SNP5 were within Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05), but SNP1 and SNP4 were not (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the five SNPs of the PLIN1 gene were correlated with back-fat depth, intramuscular fat, and chest depth of Qinchuan cattle. The double haplotype H2H4 in Qinchuan beef was associated with body and carcass traits. We conclude that variants mapped within PLIN1 can be used in marker-assisted selection for carcass quality and body traits in breed improvement programs for Qinchuan cattle.
Whole-genome sequencing association analysis reveals the genetic architecture of meat quality traits in Chinese Qingyu pigs
Authors: Wu Pingxian , Wang Kai , Zhou Jie , Chen Dejuan , Yang Xidi , Jiang Anan , Shen Linyuan , Zhang Shunhua , Xiao Weihang , Jiang Yanzhi , Zhu Li , Zeng Yangshuang , Xu Xu , Li Xuewei , Tang Guoqing
Published: July 2020

The Chinese Qingyu pig breed is an invaluable indigenous genetic resource. However, few studies have investigated the genetic architecture of meat quality traits in Qingyu pigs. Here, 30 purebred Qingyu pigs were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. After quality control, 18 436 759 SNPs were retained. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were then performed for meat pH and color at three postmortem time points (45 min, 24 h, and 48 h) using single-marker regression analysis. In total, 11 and 69 SNPs were associated with meat pH and color of the longissimus thoracis muscle (LTM), respectively, while 54 and 29 SNPs were associated with meat pH and color of the semimembranosus muscle (SM), respectively. Seven SNPs associated with pork pH were shared by all three postmortem time points. Several candidate genes for meat traits were identified, including four genes (CXXC5, RYR3, BNIP3, and MYCT1) related to skeletal muscle development, regulation of Ca2+release in the muscle, and anaerobic respiration, which are promising candidates for selecting superior meat quality traits in Qingyu pigs. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the postmortem genetic architecture of pork pH and color in Qingyu pigs. Our findings further the current understanding of the genetic factors influencing meat quality.
The transverse momentum spectrum of low mass Drell–Yan production at next-to-leading order in the parton branching method
Authors: Martinez A. Bermudez , Connor P. L. S. , Damiani D. Dominguez , Banos L. I. Estevez , Hautmann F. , Jung H. , Lidrych J. , Lelek A. , Mendizabal M. , Schmitz M. , Monfared S. Taheri , Wang Q. , Wening T. , Yang H. , Žlebčík R.
Published: July 2020

It has been observed in the literature that measurements of low-mass Drell–Yan (DY) transverse momentum spectra at low center-of-mass energies $$\sqrt{s}$$s are not well described by perturbative QCD calculations in collinear factorization in the region where transverse momenta are comparable with the DY mass. We examine this issue from the standpoint of the Parton Branching (PB) method, combining next-to-leading-order (NLO) calculations of the hard process with the evolution of transverse momentum dependent (TMD) parton distributions. We compare our predictions with experimental measurements at low DY mass, and find very good agreement. In addition we use the low mass DY measurements at low $$\sqrt{s}$$s to determine the width $$q_s$$qs of the intrinsic Gauss distribution of the PB-TMDs at low evolution scales. We find values close to what has earlier been used in applications of PB-TMDs to high-energy processes at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and HERA. We find that at low DY mass and low $$\sqrt{s}$$s even in the region of $$p_\mathrm{T}/m_\mathrm{DY}\sim 1$$pT/mDY∼1 the contribution of multiple soft gluon emissions (included in the PB-TMDs) is essential to describe the measurements, while at larger masses ($$m_\mathrm{DY}\sim m_{{\mathrm{Z}}}$$mDY∼mZ) and LHC energies the contribution from soft gluons in the region of $$p_\mathrm{T}/m_\mathrm{DY}\sim 1$$pT/mDY∼1 is small.
The Hamiltonian dynamics of Hořava gravity
Authors: Devecioğlu Deniz O. , Park Mu-In
Published: July 2020

We consider the Hamiltonian formulation of Hořava gravity in arbitrary dimensions, which has been proposed as a renormalizable gravity model for quantum gravity without the ghost problem. We study the full constraint analysis of the non-projectable Hořava gravity whose potential, $$\mathcal{V}(R)$$V(R), is an arbitrary function of the (intrinsic) Ricci scalar R but without the extension terms which depend on the proper acceleration $$a_i$$ai. We find that there exist generally three distinct cases of this theory, A, B, and C, depending on (i) whether the Hamiltonian constraint generates new (second-class) constraints or just fixes the associated Lagrange multipliers, or (ii) whether the IR Lorentz-deformation parameter $${\lambda }$$λ is at the conformal point or not. It is found that, for Cases A and C, the dynamical degrees of freedom are the same as in general relativity, while, for Case B, there is one additional phase-space degree of freedom, representing an extra (odd) scalar graviton mode. This would achieve the dynamical consistency of a restricted model at the fully non-linear level and be a positive result in resolving the long-standing debates about the extra graviton modes of the Hořava gravity. Several exact solutions are also studied as some explicit examples of the new constraints. The structure of the newly obtained, “extended” constraint algebra seems to be generic to Hořava gravity and its general proof would be a challenging problem. Some other challenging problems, which include the path integral quantization and the Dirac bracket quantization are discussed also.