bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A painless erythematous swelling of the external ear as a manifestation of Lyme disease: a case report
Authors: Remiker Allison , Haslam David , Kalfa Theodosia A.
Published: April 2020

Background

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the USA, Canada, and Europe. Clinical manifestations vary greatly, with localized skin findings functioning as early signs of the disease, followed by disseminated disease. The rarest dermatologic presentation of Lyme is a borrelial lymphocytoma, occurring distinctly in Europe and caused typically byBorrelia afzelii.

Case presentation

We report a case of a Caucasian 5-year-old European-American boy with slowly progressing, painless edema and erythema of his right pinna. Travel history revealed significant exposure to ticks during a recent trip to Eastern Europe. Laboratory testing forBorrelia burgdorferidemonstrated mixed positivity. He was treated with a 21-day course of amoxicillin, with complete resolution of symptoms and no sign of secondary Lyme disease.

Conclusions

Borrelial lymphocytoma is a rare manifestation of Lyme disease in North America, although not uncommon in Europe. Diagnosis is made by the presence of a painless erythematous swelling typically found on the ear lobe, nipples, or testes. Laboratory tests are available but with low sensitivity, therefore, a high index of suspicion is necessary for a clinical diagnosis to be made. Treatment for isolated borrelial lymphocytoma is doxycycline 4 mg/kg up to 100 mg twice daily, whereas for children less than 8 years of age amoxicillin 50 mg/kg divided three times daily, for 3–4 weeks, is preferred.
Calorie intake is associated with weight gain during transition phase of nutrition in female extremely low birth weight infants
Authors: Alur Pradeep , Kalikkot Thekkeveedu Renjithkumar , Meeks Madaleine , Hart Kyle C. , Desai Jagdish , Johnson Marla , Presley Sara Marie , Hussain Naveed
Published: April 2020

We sought to determine whether there are sex-based differences in the requirements for calories or protein for optimal growth during the transition phase (TP) when an extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infant, defined as a preterm infant with a birth weight of < 1000 g, is progressing from parenteral to enteral feeds. A retrospective review of ELBW infants born from 2014 to 2016 was performed at a tertiary NICU. Infants with necrotizing enterocolitis, short bowel syndrome, or chromosomal anomalies were excluded. TP was defined as the period when the infant’s enteral feeds were increased from 30 up to 120 ml/kg/day while weaning parenteral nutrition (PN). Effects of sex and protein-calorie intake on the change in growth parameters from the beginning to the end of TP were analyzed. Pre-TP growth percentiles and calorie and protein intake were similar in both sexes. There was a significant (r= 0.22,p= 0.026) correlation of total calorie intake with a change in weight percentiles (wt.pc) for the whole group, but on sex-specific analysis, this correlation was more robust and significant only in girls (r= 0.28,p= 0.015). Protein intake did not correlate with the changes in wt.pc in either sex. Despite a similar intake of calories and protein during the TP, we found a significant decrease in wt.pc only in girls. More extensive studies are needed to understand the sex-based differences in caloric needs and metabolic rate in ELBW infants.
[18F]Atorvastatin: synthesis of a potential molecular imaging tool for the assessment of statin-related mechanisms of action
Authors: Clemente Gonçalo S. , Rickmeier Jens , Antunes Inês F. , Zarganes-Tzitzikas Tryfon , Dömling Alexander , Ritter Tobias , Elsinga Philip H.
Published: April 2020

Background

Statins are lipid-lowering agents that inhibit cholesterol synthesis and are clinically used in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, a considerable group of patients does not respond to statin treatment, and the reason for this is still not completely understood. [18F]Atorvastatin, the 18F-labeled version of one of the most widely prescribed statins, may be a useful tool for statin-related research.

Results

[18F]Atorvastatin was synthesized via an optimized ruthenium-mediated late-stage 18F-deoxyfluorination. The defluoro-hydroxy precursor was produced via Paal-Knorr pyrrole synthesis and was followed by coordination of the phenol to a ruthenium complex, affording the labeling precursor in approximately 10% overall yield. Optimization and automation of the labeling procedure reliably yielded an injectable solution of [18F]atorvastatin in 19% ± 6% (d.c.) with a molar activity of 65 ± 32 GBq·μmol−1. Incubation of [18F]atorvastatin in human serum did not lead to decomposition. Furthermore, we have shown the ability of [18F]atorvastatin to cross the hepatic cell membrane to the cytosolic and microsomal fractions where HMG-CoA reductase is known to be highly expressed. Blocking assays using rat liver sections confirmed the specific binding to HMG-CoA reductase. Autoradiography on rat aorta stimulated to develop atherosclerotic plaques revealed that [18F]atorvastatin significantly accumulates in this tissue when compared to the healthy model.

Conclusions

The improved ruthenium-mediated 18F-deoxyfluorination procedure overcomes previous hurdles such as the addition of salt additives, the drying steps, or the use of different solvent mixtures at different phases of the process, which increases its practical use, and may allow faster translation to clinical settings. Based on tissue uptake evaluations, [18F]atorvastatin showed the potential to be used as a tool for the understanding of the mechanism of action of statins. Further knowledge of the in vivo biodistribution of [18F]atorvastatin may help to better understand the origin of off-target effects and potentially allow to distinguish between statin-resistant and non-resistant patients.
PRRT of neuroendocrine tumors: individualized dosimetry or fixed dose scheme?
Authors: Haug Alexander R.
Published: April 2020

Great efforts have been made in dosimetry for individualizing PRRT. However, many centers do not use dosimetry and its results hardly influence treatment. A reason for that is that reliable thresholds for organs-at-risk, kidneys and bone marrow, and treatment response are lacking. The nuclear medicine community must provide solid data from large trials delivering reliable thresholds, which then help to tailor PRRT according to organ doses (in order to reduce toxicity or increase treatment activity) or tumor doses (in order to increase activity to meet the response-threshold). Otherwise, development of radionuclide therapies will be done like big pharmaceutical companies do it currently: classical dose escalation studies and agreement on acceptable toxicity probabilities. Therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals will then be handled like other drugs, which on the other hand will increase availability of radionuclide therapies.
Newcastle disease virus RNA-induced IL-1β expression via the NLRP3/caspase-1 inflammasome
Authors: Gao Pei , Chen Libin , Fan Lei , Ren Jinlian , Du Haoyun , Sun Minhua , Li Yaling , Xie Peng , Lin Qiuyan , Liao Ming , Xu Chenggang , Ning Zhangyong , Ding Chan , Xiang Bin , Ren Tao
Published: April 2020

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection causes severe inflammation and is a highly contagious disease in poultry. Virulent NDV strains (GM) induce large quantities of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), which is the central mediator of the inflammatory reaction. Excessive expression of IL-1β exacerbates inflammatory damage. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms underlying NDV-induced IL-1β expression can aid in further understanding the pathogenesis of Newcastle disease. Here, we showed that anti-IL-1β neutralizing antibody treatment decreased body temperature and mortality following infection with virulent NDV. We further explored the primary molecules involved in NDV-induced IL-1β expression from the perspective of both the host and virus. This study showed that overexpression of NLRP3 resulted in increased IL-1β expression, whereas inhibition of NLRP3 or caspase-1 caused a significant reduction in IL-1β expression, indicating that the NLRP3/caspase-1 axis is involved in NDV-induced IL-1β expression. Moreover, ultraviolet-inactivated GM (chicken/Guangdong/GM/2014) NDV failed to induce the expression of IL-1β. We then collected virus from GM-infected cell culture supernatant using ultracentrifugation, extracted the viral RNA, and stimulated the cells further with GM RNA. The results revealed that RNA alone was capable of inducing IL-1β expression. Moreover, NLRP3/caspase-1 was involved in GM RNA-induced IL-1β expression. Thus, our study elucidated the critical role of IL-1β in the pathogenesis of Newcastle disease while also demonstrating that inhibition of IL-1β via anti-IL-1β neutralizing antibodies decreased the damage associated with NDV infection; furthermore, GM RNA induced IL-1β expression via NLRP3/caspase-1.
On some new fixed point results in fuzzy b-metric spaces
Authors: Rakić Dušan , Mukheimer Aiman , Došenović Tatjana , Mitrović Zoran D. , Radenović Stojan
Published: April 2020

This paper consists of several fixed point theorems in the fuzzy b-metric spaces. As an important result, we give a sufficient condition for a sequence to be Cauchy in the fuzzy b-metric space. Thus we simplify the proofs of many fixed point theorems in the fuzzy b-metric spaces with the well-known contraction conditions.
Interaction of lead and cadmium on growth and leaf morphophysiological characteristics of European hackberry (Celtis australis) seedlings
Authors: Hatamian Mansoure , Rezaei Nejad Abdolhossein , Kafi Mohsen , Souri Mohammad Kazem , Shahbazi Karim
Published: April 2020

Background

In the present study, different concentrations of lead (factor A; 0, 15, and 30 mg L −1) and cadmium (factor B; 0 and 5 mg L −1) were applied via irrigation water during 6 months to evaluate their effects on growth of European hackberry (Celtis australis L.) plants. The experiment was arranged in factorial with completely randomized design and four replications under greenhouse conditions.

Results

Application of 5 mg L −1 Cd or the lead levels (15 and 30 mg L −1) significantly reduced new shoot growth, plant leaf area, SPAD value, leaf water conductance and leaf photosynthesis, whereas significant increase in number of chlorotic and necrotic leaves, leaf transpiration rate, leaf proline and soluble sugars was observed. Higher reduction in new shoot growth and leaf water conductance and higher increase in leaf soluble sugars and proline was observed over the interaction of 5 mg L −1 Cd and 30 mg L −1 Pb. The highest soluble sugars and proline were in Pb30Cd5 (a3b2) treatment. Leaf Pb or Cd concentration was increased following their treatment. Application of cadmium significantly reduced leaf Pb, and similarly leaf Cd was significantly reduced by application of lead at both levels compared to untreated plants.

Conclusion

The results showed that the hackberry growth was influenced by positive and negative interactions of Pb and Cd applied in irrigation water. The extent of growth reduction indicates that hackberry represents a relatively tolerant ornamental tree to high Pb and Cd levels.
Clinical outcomes of empirical high-dose meropenem in critically ill patients with sepsis and septic shock: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lertwattanachai Tospon , Montakantikul Preecha , Tangsujaritvijit Viratch , Sanguanwit Pitsucha , Sueajai Jetjamnong , Auparakkitanon Saranya , Dilokpattanamongkol Pitchaya
Published: April 2020

Background

Appropriate antimicrobial dosing is challenging because of changes in pharmacokinetics (PK) parameters and an increase in multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms in critically ill patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an empirical therapy of high-dose versus standard-dose meropenem in sepsis and septic shock patients.

Methods

We performed a prospective randomized open-label study to compare the changes of modified sequential organ failure assessment (mSOFA) score and other clinical outcomes of the high-dose meropenem (2-g infusion over 3 h every 8 h) versus the standard-dose meropenem (1-g infusion over 3 h every 8 h) in sepsis and septic shock patients. Patients’ characteristics, clinical and microbiological outcomes, 14 and 28-day mortality, vasopressor- and ventilator-free days, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital-free days, percent of the time of antibiotic concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration (%T>MIC), and safety were assessed.

Results

Seventy-eight patients were enrolled. Median delta mSOFA was comparable between two groups (– 1 in the high-dose group vs. – 1 in the standard-dose group; P value = 0.75). There was no difference between the two groups regarding clinical and microbiological cure, 14- and 28-day mortality, vasopressor- and ventilator-free days, and ICU- and hospital-free days. In patients admitted from the emergency department (ED) with a mSOFA score ≥ 7, the high-dose group demonstrated significantly better microbiological cure compared with the standard-dose group (75% (9/12 patients) vs. 20% (2/10 patients); P value = 0.03). Likewise, the high-dose group presented higher microbiological cure rate in patients admitted from ED who had either APACHE II score > 20 (83.3% (10/12) vs. 28.6% (2/7); P value = 0.045) or on mechanical ventilator (87.5% (7/8) vs. 23.1% (3/13); P value = 0.008) than the standard-dose group. Adverse events were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusions

Empirical therapy with the high-dose meropenem presented comparable clinical outcomes to the standard-dose meropenem in sepsis and septic shock patients. Besides, subgroup analysis manifested superior microbiological cure rate in sepsis or septic shock patients admitted from ED.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03344627, registered on November 17, 2017
Co-estimation of geomagnetic field and in-orbit fluxgate magnetometer calibration parameters
Authors: Alken Patrick , Olsen Nils , Finlay Christopher C.
Published: April 2020

For the past 20 years, state of the art geomagnetic core field models have relied heavily on magnetic measurements made from space-based instrumentation. These models have revealed rapid global magnetic field variations on sub-decadal timescales originating in Earth’s core. With the end of the CHAMP mission in 2010 and the launch of Swarm in late 2013, there has been a 3-year gap in high-quality satellite measurements of the geomagnetic field. Geomagnetic field models have therefore relied on ground observatory data to fill in this gap period. However, ground observatories are unable to provide a truly global picture of the core field and its temporal changes. Many satellites in operation carry vector fluxgate “platform” magnetometers for attitude control, which can offer an alternative to relying on ground observatory measurements during the gap period. However, these instruments need to be carefully calibrated in order to provide meaningful information on Earth’s core field. Some previous studies attempted to calibrate such instruments with a priori geomagnetic field models. This approach has several disadvantages: (1) errors in the model will introduce errors in the calibration parameters, and (2) relying on an a priori model may not be feasible in the post-Swarm era. In this paper, we develop a novel approach to build a time-dependent geomagnetic field model from platform magnetometer data, by co-estimating their calibration parameters with the internal field parameters. This method does not require an a priori geomagnetic field model, but does require a dataset of previously calibrated data. We use CHAMP, Swarm, and ground observatory measurements to supply this dataset, and incorporate platform magnetic measurements from DMSP and Cryosat-2 during the gap years. We find that the calibration parameters of DMSP and Cryosat-2 can be reliably estimated, and these missions provide meaningful information on rapid core field variations during the gap period.
Simulated east–west differences in F-region peak electron density at Far East mid-latitude region
Authors: Ren Zhipeng , Zhao Biqiang , Wan Weixing , Liu Libo , Li Xing , Yu Tingting
Published: April 2020

Using TIME3D-IGGCAS model, we simulated the east–west differences in F-region peak electron density (NmF2) in the Far East mid-latitude region near the longitudinal sectors with very clear zonal variations of geomagnetic declination, and mainly analyzed the influence of the geomagnetic field configuration on the east–west differences. We found that, after removing the longitudinal variations of neutral parameters, TIME3D-IGGCAS can better represent the observed relative east–west difference (Rew) features. Rew is mainly negative (West NmF2 > East NmF2) at noon and positive (East NmF2 > West NmF2) at evening–night. The magnitude of daytime negative Rew is weaker in winter and stronger in summer, and the daytime Rew shows two negative peaks around two equinoxes. With the increasing solar flux level, the magnitude of Rew mainly becomes larger, and the two daytime negative peaks slightly shift to June Solstice. With the decreasing geographical latitude, Rew mainly becomes positive, and the two daytime negative peaks slightly shift to June Solstice. Our simulation also suggested that the thermospheric zonal wind plays an important role in the formation of the ionospheric east–west differences in the Far East mid-latitude region. The observed solar activity dependency of the ionospheric EW differences may be driven primarily by corresponding zonal wind changes with solar activity, whereas the observed latitudinal dependency of the differences is associated with primarily zonal wind and secondarily meridional wind latitudinal variations.
Corporate social responsibility and accountability: a new theoretical foundation for regulating CSR
Authors: Tamvada Mallika
Published: April 2020

The absence of consensus on what should constitute Corporate Social Responsibility has inhibited consistent CSR legislation around the world. This paper poses a fundamental question on what should constitute CSR and what should be the nature of CSR regulation? By constructing the boundaries of CSR, the paper offers scope for consistently developing CSR regulation around the world. It construes CSR as consisting ofbusiness relationandimpact relation,and demonstrates that these are intertwined with legal responsibilities of business and, consequentially, with accountability. It accomplishes this by establishing the obligatory nature of responsibilities using the lens of ethical and legal jurisprudence. This new approach towards CSR recasts it as an obligatory responsibility that is linked to accountability. Furthermore, the framework provides a foundation for consistent development of CSR regulation across different countries that can lead to effective discharge of corporates’ social responsibilities.
Vascular endothelial growth factor +405G/C polymorphism as a predictor of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Amer Azza K. , Khalaf Nervana A. , Aboelmakarem Safia H. , Elsobky Mehry S. , Abdelrasoul Mona R. , Abdelazeem Amira A. , Noweir Shahira R. , Refaat Safa , Moemen Leqaa A. , Mohammed Soheir A. , Abdelhameed Mona A. , Kenawy Mohmoud M. , Abuelela Manal H. , Fouly Marwa A. , Hassanin Olfat A. , Saadeldin Karawya Sherif M. , Osman Zeinab M.
Published: April 2020

Background

Diabetic retinopathy is a multistage event, and the most important of it is angiogenesis. The possible association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) +405G/C gene polymorphism and various diseases, in which angiogenesis might be critical in disease development, encourages many investigators to study its role in diabetic retinopathy (DR) development in diabetics. The aim of this work is to investigate +405G/C polymorphism of VEGF gene in Egyptian patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to assess its possible role as a predictor for the development and progress of diabetic retinopathy. A cross-sectional, observational study was undertaken in a sample of type I diabetic patients who attend diabetes polyclinic of RIO Hospital, Giza, Egypt, between October 2012 and December 2016 and who were willing to participate. Two hundred and sixty-six type 1 diabetic patients were studied (108 males and 158 females). All subjects were analyzed for VEGF +405G/C polymorphism by real-time PCR using TaqMan pre-designed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping assay.

Results

There were increased serum levels of VEGF in T1DM suffering from DR compared to those without. Also, there was increased +405 C/C of VEGF polymorphism and C allele frequency related to the severity of DR (non-proliferative retinopathy (NPR), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and macular edema (ME)) and type C phenotype (ischemic) in T1DM suffering from DR.

Conclusion

Serum levels of VEGF and its +405G/C polymorphism could be used in the evaluation, development, and progression of DR.
Precipitation pattern changes and response of vegetation to drought variability in the eastern Hungary
Authors: Mohammed Safwan , Alsafadi Karam , Daher Hasan , Gombos Béla , Mahmood Suliman , Harsányi Endre
Published: April 2020

Background

Recently, many parts of Hungary, as well as central Europe, have been hit by successive extreme climatic events. The main aim of this research was to analyze hydrological and agricultural drought episodes in the Debrecen Region in eastern Hungary from 1950 to 2010. Thus, data of monthly precipitation were collected and tested. After that, three indices were applied, the Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI), dry Precipitation Concentration Index (dPCI), and the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). Meanwhile, the correlation between SPI and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was calculated.

Results

The results showed that the PCI values ranged between 9.44 and 15.8 with an average of 11.8, while the dPCI values ranged between 8.6 and 20.7 with an average of 10.9, which indicates heterogeneity in rainfall distribution from year to year. More than 103 events of severe agricultural drought were detected for the whole studied period. In connection to this, severe hydrological drought was recorded in 16% of the total monthly rainfall events from 1950 to 2010. Interestingly, a significant correlation was obtained between SPI-3, -6 (i.e., drought), and NDVI in the summer season.

Conclusions

The SPI index could provide an easy tool for drought monitoring meanwhile drought evaluation and monitoring should be taken seriously in the central Europe.
Beyond Cajamarca: A Spatial Narrative Reimagining of the Encounter in Peru, 1532–1533
Authors: Mikecz Jeremy M.
Published: April 2020

The Spanish conquistadores' capture of the Inka emperor, Atawallpa, and massacre of many of his people in Cajamarca on November 16, 1532, was a tremendously consequential event. How does our view of such an event change, however, when viewed at a distance and from different places? Relying on Indigenous testimony, this article threads together the stories and actions of provincial folk, Andean lords, female intermediaries, fugitive Inka royalty, runner-messengers, porters, and slaves maneuvering beyond Cajamarca during this chaotic and confusing time. Reconstructing and mapping their activity demonstrates how Andean diplomacy, mobility, politics, and history made the conquistadores' survival in Cajamarca—and subsequent advance to Cuzco—possible. It also presents glimpses into how and why Andeans made the decisions they did and serves as a useful reminder that, to these actors in 1532 and 1533, nothing was inevitable.
Beyond Wiindigo Infrastructure
Authors: LaDuke Winona , Cowen Deborah
Published: April 2020

Infrastructure has long been central to the destruction of Indigenous life and the making of settler colonial futurity. Infrastructure constitutes the body of the Wiindigo—the beast of Anishinaabe legend. Roads and rails, pipelines and dams, prisons and borders have all worked to carve up Turtle Island into preserves of settler jurisdiction, while entrenching and hardening the very means of settler economy and sociality into tangible material structures. Yet infrastructure is not inherently violent—it is also essential for transformation; a pipe can carry fresh water as well as toxic sludge. In this paper we suggest that effective initiatives for justice, decolonization, and planetary survival must center infrastructure in their efforts, and we explore how Indigenous stories can help us envision and walk a different path. Drawing on our distinct work in communities, classrooms, court houses and city streets, we insist that our collective futures hinge on remaking socio-technical systems—on building beyond Wiindigo infrastructure.
Extraction Contracting: The Struggle for Control of Indigenous Lands
Authors: Scott Dayna Nadine
Published: April 2020

This article outlines the contemporary dynamics of “consent by contract,” argued to be a mode of governance that attempts to define the social, political, ecological, and economic relations regarding the use of Indigenous lands solely through confidential bargaining and agreement-making between private extraction companies and First Nations, but in fact affords the state a key role in setting the terms. Ultimately, it is not only that the settler state law sets the context for what can be negotiated between the parties, but also that state actors actively facilitate the agreement-making, influence the parameters of the deal, and are invested in the outcomes. Crucially, the settler state also draws inferences adverse to Indigenous land interests from the very fact of these negotiations. The phenomenon of “extraction contracting,” purported to be a mode of private governance, in fact engages crucial public and constitutional governance questions. I conclude that the contracts are not so much proliferating through autonomous actors seeking to fill a void in the public law regime as the settler law is holding open the gap for the private law mechanisms to fill, because the contractual regime serves a purpose in the settler state’s interests. Specifically, the private contractual regime normalizes and facilitates the state’s provision of access to Indigenous lands for extractive capital. Extraction contracting, then, is a crucial node in the contemporary contest over jurisdiction between the settler state and the surging Indigenous resistance.
“Canada Has a Pipeline Problem”: Valuation and Vulnerability of Extractive Infrastructure
Authors: Benton-Connell Kylie , Cochrane D. T.
Published: April 2020

Indigenous-led movements have shifted oil transport infrastructure from the margins to the center of political contestation throughout North America. These campaigns include confrontation with pipeline financiers. We argue that there are both strategic and theoretical reasons to examine the complex relationship between finance and extractive infrastructure. We provide a broad description of this relationship, starting from the significance of finance in an analysis of colonial expansion and resource extraction, with an outline of the Canadian context generally and the tar sands specifically. We continue with an examination of the link between the banking sector and resource extraction in Canada, a history of financing arrangements for the first major pipelines built across Indigenous territories claimed by colonizers, and the basics of pipeline financing today. Finally, we give an overview of contemporary efforts to stop pipelines by constraining companies’ access to money, arguing that detailed understandings of industry dynamics strengthen such work. Most importantly, we contend that processes of financial valuation provide opportunities for political intervention.
CSAG1 maintains the integrity of the mitotic centrosome in cells with defective p53
Authors: Sapkota Hem , Wren Jonathan D. , Gorbsky Gary J.
Published: April 2020

Centrosomes focus microtubules to promote mitotic spindle bipolarity, a critical requirement for balanced chromosome segregation. Comprehensive understanding of centrosome function and regulation requires a complete inventory of components. While many centrosome components have been identified, others yet remain undiscovered. We have used a bioinformatics approach, based on ‘guilt by association’ expression to identify novel mitotic components among the large group of predicted human proteins that have yet to be functionally characterized. Here, we identify chondrosarcoma-associated gene 1 protein (CSAG1) in maintaining centrosome integrity during mitosis. Depletion of CSAG1 disrupts centrosomes and leads to multipolar spindles, particularly in cells with compromised p53 function. Thus, CSAG1 may reflect a class of ‘mitotic addiction’ genes, whose expression is more essential in transformed cells.
LDL uptake-dependent phosphatidylethanolamine translocation to the cell surface promotes fusion of osteoclast-like cells
Authors: Kitano Victor J. F. , Ohyama Yoko , Hayashida Chiyomi , Ito Junta , Okayasu Mari , Sato Takuya , Ogasawara Toru , Tsujita Maki , Kakino Akemi , Shimada Jun , Sawamura Tatsuya , Hakeda Yoshiyuki
Published: April 2020

Osteoporosis is associated with vessel diseases attributed to hyperlipidemia, and bone resorption by multinucleated osteoclasts is related to lipid metabolism. In this study, we generated low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)/lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1, also known as Olr1) double knockout (dKO) mice. We found that, like LDLR single KO (sKO), LDLR/LOX-1 dKO impaired cell–cell fusion of osteoclast-like cells (OCLs). LDLR/LOX-1 dKO and LDLR sKO preosteoclasts exhibited decreased uptake of LDL. The cell surface cholesterol levels of both LDLR/LOX-1 dKO and LDLR sKO osteoclasts were lower than the levels of wild-type OCLs. Additionally, the amount of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) on the cell surface was attenuated in LDLR/LOX-1 dKO and LDLR sKO preosteoclasts, whereas the PE distribution in wild-type OCLs was concentrated on the filopodia in contact with neighboring cells. Abrogation of the ATP binding cassette G1 (ABCG1) transporter, which transfers PE to the cell surface, caused decreased PE translocation to the cell surface and subsequent cell–cell fusion. The findings of this study indicate the involvement of a novel cascade (LDLR∼ABCG1∼PE translocation to cell surface∼cell–cell fusion) in multinucleation of OCLs.
The energetics of the New Zealand rockwren (Xenicus gilviventris): could a passerine hibernate?
Authors: McNab Brian K. , Weston Kerry A.
Published: April 2020

The thermal physiology of the endangered New Zealand rockwren (Xenicus gilviventris) is examined. It is a member of the Acanthisittidae, a family unique to New Zealand. This family, derived from Gondwana, is thought to be the sister taxon to all other passerines. Rockwrens permanently reside above the climatic timberline at altitudes from 1,000 to 2,900 meters in the mountains of South Island. They feed on invertebrates and in winter face ambient temperatures far below freezing and deep deposits of snow. Their body temperature and rate of metabolism are highly variable. Rockwrens regulate body temperature at ca. 36.4°C, which in one individual decreased to 33.1°C at an ambient temperature of 9.4°C. Its rate of metabolism decreased by 30%; body temperature spontaneously returned to 36°C. The rate of metabolism in a second individual twice decreased by 35%, nearly to the basal rate expected from mass without a decrease in body temperature. The New Zealand rockwren's food habits, entrance into torpor, and continuous residence in a thermally demanding environment suggest that it may hibernate. For that conclusion to be accepted, evidence of its use of torpor for extended periods is required. Those data are not presently available. Acanthisittids are distinguished from other passerines by the combination of their permanent temperate distribution, thermal flexibility, and a propensity to evolve a flightless condition. These characteristics may principally reflect their geographical isolation in a temperate environment isolated from Gondwana for 82 million years in the absence of mammalian predators.
Magnetoreception in fishes: the effect of magnetic pulses on orientation of juvenile Pacific salmon
Authors: Naisbett-Jones Lewis C. , Putman Nathan F. , Scanlan Michelle M. , Noakes David L. G. , Lohmann Kenneth J.
Published: April 2020

A variety of animals sense Earth's magnetic field and use it to guide movements over a wide range of spatial scales. Little is known, however, about the mechanisms that underlie magnetic field detection. Among teleost fish, growing evidence suggests that crystals of the mineral magnetite provide the physical basis of the magnetic sense. In this study, juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were exposed to a brief but strong magnetic pulse capable of altering the magnetic dipole moment of biogenic magnetite. Orientation behaviour of pulsed fish and untreated control fish was then compared in a magnetic coil system under two conditions: (1) the local magnetic field; and (2) a magnetic field that exists near the southern boundary of the natural oceanic range of Chinook salmon. In the local field, no significant difference existed between the orientation of the control and pulsed groups. By contrast, orientation of the two groups was significantly different in the magnetic field from the distant site. These results demonstrate that a magnetic pulse can alter the magnetic orientation behaviour of a fish and are consistent with the hypothesis that salmon have magnetite-based magnetoreception.
Responses of activity rhythms to temperature cues evolve in Drosophila populations selected for divergent timing of eclosion
Authors: Abhilash Lakshman , Kalliyil Arshad , Sheeba Vasu
Published: April 2020

Even though the rhythm in adult emergence and rhythm in locomotor activity are two different rhythmic phenomena that occur at distinct life-stages of the fly life cycle, previous studies have hinted at similarities in certain aspects of the organisation of the circadian clock driving these two rhythms. For instance, the period gene plays an important regulatory role in both rhythms. In an earlier study, we have shown that selection on timing of adult emergence behaviour in populations of Drosophila melanogaster leads to the co-evolution of temperature sensitivity of circadian clocks driving eclosion. In this study, we were interested in asking if temperature sensitivity of the locomotor activity rhythm has evolved in our populations with divergent timing of adult emergence rhythm, with the goal of understanding the extent of similarity (or lack of it) in circadian organisation between the two rhythms. We found that in response to simulated jetlag with temperature cycles, late chronotypes (populations selected for predominant emergence during dusk) indeed re-entrain faster than early chronotypes (populations selected for predominant emergence during dawn) to 6-h phase-delays, thereby indicating enhanced sensitivity of the activity/rest clock to temperature cues in these stocks (entrainment is the synchronisation of internal rhythms to cyclic environmental time-cues). Additionally, we found that late chronotypes show higher plasticity of phases across regimes, day-to-day stability in phases and amplitude of entrainment, all indicative of enhanced temperature sensitive activity/rest rhythms. Our results highlight remarkably similar organisation principles between emergence and activity/rest rhythms.
Near equal compressibility of liver oil and seawater minimises buoyancy changes in deep-sea sharks and chimaeras
Authors: Priede Imants G. , Burgass Rhoderick W. , Mandalakis Manolis , Spyros Apostolos , Gikas Petros , Burns Finlay , Drewery Jim
Published: April 2020

Whereas upper ocean pelagic sharks are negatively buoyant and must swim continuously to generate lift from their fins, deep-sea sharks float or swim slowly buoyed up by large volumes of low-density oils in their livers. Investigation of the Pressure, Volume, Temperature (PVT) relationships for liver oils of 10 species of deep-sea Chondrichthyes shows that the density difference between oil and seawater, Δρ remains almost constant with pressure down to full ocean depth (11 km, 1100 bar); theoretically providing buoyancy far beyond the maximum depth of occurrence (3700 m) of sharks. However, Δρ, does change significantly with temperature and we show that the combined effects of pressure and temperature can decrease buoyancy of oil by up to 10% between the surface and 3500 m depth across interfaces between warm southern and cold polar waters in the Rockall Trough in the NE Atlantic. This increases drag more than 10 fold compared with neutral buoyancy during horizontal slow swimming (0.1 m s−1) but the effect becomes negligible at high speeds. Chondrichthyes generally experience positive buoyancy change during ascent and negative buoyancy change during descent but contrary effects can occur at interfaces between waters of different densities. During normal vertical migrations buoyancy changes are small, increasing slow-speed drag by no more than 2–3 fold. Equations and tables of density, pressure and temperature are provided for squalene and liver oils of Chimaeriformes (Harriotta raleighana, Chimaera monstrosa, Chimaera monstrosa), Squaliformes (Centrophorus squamosus, Deania calcea, Centroscymnus coelolepis, Centroscyllium fabricii, Etmopterus spinax) and Carcharhiniformes (Apristurus laurussonii, Galeus murinus).
Mid-position treatment strategy for locally advanced lung cancer: a dosimetric study
Authors: Ayadi M. , Baudier T. , Bouilhol G. , Dupuis P. , Boissard P. , Pinho R. , Krason A. , Rit S. , Claude L. , Sarrut D.
Published: April 2020

Objective:

The internal target volume (ITV) strategy generates larger planning target volumes (PTVs) in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) than the Mid-position (Mid-p) strategy. We investigated the benefit of the Mid-p strategy regarding PTV reduction and dose to the organs at risk (OARs).

Methods:

44 patients with LA-NSCLC were included in a randomized clinical study to compare ITV and Mid-p strategies. GTV were delineated by a physician on maximum intensity projection images and on Mid-p images from four-dimensional CTs. CTVs were obtained by adding 6 mm uniform margin for microscopic extension. CTV to PTV margins were calculated using the van Herk's recipe for setup and delineation errors. For the Mid-p strategy, the mean target motion amplitude was added as a random error. For both strategies, three-dimensional conformal plans delivering 60–66 Gy to PTV were performed. PTVs, dose–volume parameters for OARs (lung, esophagus, heart, spinal cord) were reported and compared.

Results:

With the Mid-p strategy, the median of volume reduction was 23.5 cm3 (p = 0.012) and 8.8 cm3 (p = 0.0083) for PTVT and PTVN respectively; the median mean lung dose reduction was 0.51 Gy (p = 0.0057). For 37.1% of the patients, delineation errors led to smaller PTV with the ITV strategy than with the Mid-p strategy.

Conclusion:

PTV and mean lung dose were significantly reduced using the Mid-p strategy. Delineation uncertainty can unfavorably impact the advantage.

Advances in knowledge:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first dosimetric comparison study between ITV and Mid-p strategies for LA-NSCLC.
Determinants affecting the prognosis of decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury
Authors: Jiang Haitao , Hao Guangshan , Zhang Rui , Pang Qi
Published: April 2020

Objective: This research was designed to investigate the prognostic determinants of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) undergoing decompressive craniectomy (DC).

Methods: The present study was a retrospective single center research including a total of 112 patients undergoing DC for TBI in Liaocheng People’s Hospital between January 2017 and December 2018. The results were measured by Extended Glasgow Outcome Sale (GOSE). The prognostic determinants were identified by univariate and binary logistic regression analysis between the deaths and survivors or favorable and unfavorable outcomes.

Results: At the six-month follow-up, the mortality was 45.5% including 37 (33.0%) patients died within 30 days. The independent prognostic factors of 30-day mortality were age (p=0.033), D-dimer level at admission (p=0.032) and postoperative hypernatremia (p=0.014). Seventy five patients survived more than 30 days after DC, among which 27 (36.0%) patients had unfavorable prognosis (GOSE 1-4) and 48 (64.0%) patients presented favorable prognosis (GOSE 5-8). After 30 days from DC, the occurrence of post-traumatic hydrocephalus(PTH) (p= 0.008) was associated with unfavorable prognosis.

Conclusions: Although DC is an effective treatment for TBI patients, the mortality and morbidity risk remain high. A combination of age, D-dimer level at admission and postoperative hypernatremia may be a good prognostic factor for 30-day mortality. Developing an accurate therapy strategy to prevent and control PTH may be beneficial to the 6-month prognosis for TBI patients undergoing DC.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.2045

How to cite this:Jiang H, Hao G, Zhang R, Pang Q. Determinants affecting the prognosis of decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(4):770-775. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.2045

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
How to get most out of a Medical Conference, and Love it too!
Authors: Safdar Chaudhry Aqeel
Published: April 2020

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.2628

How to cite this:Safdar CA. How to get most out of a Medical Conference, and Love it too!. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(4):589-592. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.2628

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Project-Driven Digital Transformation Management
Authors: Lahova A.
Published: April 2020

The mankind is on the verge of the fourth industrial revolution that leads to the emergence of new technologies, digital products and the complete automation of most production processes. The numerous companies nowadays are concerned at the persistence of their competitive positions on the market and, therefore, address to the implementation of digital transformation. Nevertheless, digital transformation is a new phenomenon, and companies on the verge of digitalization are puzzled by the issue of applying the correct approach to managing digital change. This paper highlights the main components of a successful digital transformation approach, and suggests a way to implement a digital transformation for a petrochemical company.
Point-of-care lactate measurement for suspected sepsis in the prehospital environment: are we missing the point at the sharp end?
Authors: Lightowler Bryan
Published: April 2020

Expecting ambulance clinicians to dependably differentiate the life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by sepsis from an inflammatory response to a non-infectious aetiology, relying upon vital signs and a physical examination of the patient alone, must be considered unrealistic. Although lactate measurement has been integrated into numerous prehospital sepsis screening tools, it is not yet measured routinely within UK ambulance services. Research has generally focused on whether handheld point-of-care lactate measurement devices are as accurate as laboratory analysis of venous or arterial samples. The weight of literature has concluded negatively in relation to this. However, there is potential for handheld devices to be used independently to monitor trends in lactate elimination or accumulation to inform decisions on the efficacy of prehospital interventions, or simply to report categorical data in terms of whether lactate levels are elevated or not. This offers UK paramedics the opportunity to improve sepsis care through the enhanced assessment of risk and acuity, the identification of patients with cryptic shock, more aggressive fluid resuscitation and advanced notification to receiving units.
How do we train and retain the new generation of pathologists?
Authors: Clarke Matthew , Graham Tiffany M
Published: April 2020

The field of pathology is developing rapidly, but is also greatly affected by staffing shortages. With the growing prevalence and complexity of diagnoses, Matthew Clarke and Tiffany M Graham explain how the new generation of pathologists can be trained and retained.
‘We write songs together’
Authors: Hart Karen
Published: April 2020

Bruce Welch is a cross-curriculum teacher specialising in music and an eco-subjects leader at Sydenham High Prep School. He tells Karen Hart that his work in early years has taught him patience – and is keeping him young!
Muscle wasting in the critically ill patient: how to minimise subsequent disability
Authors: Flower Luke , Puthucheary Zudin
Published: April 2020

Muscle wasting in critically ill patients is the most common complication associated with critical care. It has significant effects on physical and psychological health, mortality and quality of life. It is most severe in the first few days of illness and in the most critically unwell patients, with muscle loss estimated to occur at 2–3% per day. This muscle loss is likely a result of a reduction in protein synthesis relative to muscle breakdown, resulting in altered protein homeostasis. The associated weakness is associated with in an increase in both short- and long-term mortality and morbidity, with these detrimental effects demonstrated up to 5 years post discharge. This article highlights the significant impact that muscle wasting has on critically ill patients' outcomes, how this can be reduced, and how this might change in the future.
A Note on Parallel Distinguishability of two Quantum Operations
Authors: Li Chi-Kwong , Liu Yue , Ma Chao , Pelejo Diane
Published: April 2020

In this work, the authors consider a homogeneous system of linear equations of the form $A_\alpha^{\otimes N} \mathbf{x} = 0$ arising from the distinguishability of two quantum operations by $N$ uses in parallel, where the coefficient matrix $A_\alpha$ depends on a real parameter $\alpha$. It was conjectured by Duan et al. that the system has a non-trivial nonnegative solution if and only if $\alpha$ lies in a certain interval $R_N$ depending on $N$. The authors affirm the necessity part of the conjecture and establish the sufficiency of the conjecture for $N\leq 10$ by presenting explicit non-trivial nonnegative solutions for the linear system.
241. A representação do Genocídio Armênio no New York Times (1915)
Authors: Oliveira Daniela Emilena Santiago Dias de , Cristo Gabriel Santiago de
Published: April 2020

O jornal New York Times é na atualidade um dos principais dispositivos de difusão de informação no mundo. Apesar de originalmente americano, é referência na circulação de ideias em vários países. Com tal, mostra-se um jornal extremamente combativo e polêmico, sendo essa sua principal característica desde a sua fundação. Nosso estudo sobre a produção deste jornal no ano de 1915 analisa todos os textos que abordaram o genocídio armênio, em curso naquele período. Constatamos que o New York Times assumiu, no ano de 1915, uma postura de denunciar ao mundo as crueldades pelas quais passaram o povo armênio além de destacar a necessidade de intervenção de outros Estados frente a situação que se deflagrava na Turquia. A análise deste jornal nos permitiu conhecer ainda os meios usados pelos turcos para submeter os armênios, ressaltando assim a crueldade dessas práticas.