bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical activity habit formation through a technology-based program
Authors: Davis Jean W.
Published: February 2020

Background:

Only about half of adults in the United States meet the minimum federal guidelines for physical activity (PA), with less than one quarter getting an optimal amount of weekly activity. Programs to increase PA can improve health and increase worker productivity.

Local problem:

Clinic patients of a nurse practitioner–run employee health clinic in a self-insured health care system experienced health conditions associated with insufficient PA and wanted to form habits of adequate PA for health promotion.

Methods:

A quantitative design was used to assess pre- and postintervention measures in this quality improve project.

Interventions:

Patients of the clinic enrolled in a technology-based 3-month PA habit development program that included wearable technology, tracked step counts, daily text messaging, and weekly electronic newsletters. Biometric and habit measures were taken at baseline and at the conclusion of the 3-month program to determine effectiveness.

Results:

Participants who completed the program developed strong habits of PA, on average. Small improvements in blood pressure, weight, and body mass index occurred but were not clinically significant. Two thirds of participants dropped out, which was fewer than anticipated based on prior reports.

Conclusions:

Habits make an activity less difficult to continue than to stop. Thus, PA habits developed through this innovative intervention should persist and lead to decreased risk of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and dementia. The self-insured employer should reap the benefits of employee's PA through increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, and lower health care costs.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis of the Anogenital Region in Men and Women
Authors: Cheng Harriet S. , Fernández-Peñas Pablo
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Allergic contact dermatitis is an uncommon but important cause of skin disease in the anogenital region. Relevant allergens are described in women and less commonly in men. The aim of this study was to describe outcomes of patch testing in men and women presenting with anogenital dermatoses.

Materials and Methods

Cases patch tested for anogenital conditions at 2 patch test clinics in Sydney, Australia, from 2002 to 2017 were reviewed. Positive and relevant patch test reactions were recorded.

Results

Thirty-seven women and 27 men were included. Dermatitis was the most common diagnosis, followed by psoriasis and lichen sclerosus. Thirty percent had a final diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis. The most frequent relevant allergens were fragrance mix I (9%), patients own products (9%), Myroxylon pereirae (8%), cocamidopropyl betaine (3%), and benzocaine (3%).

Conclusions

The top positive and relevant allergens seen were in concordance with other reports from Australia and the rest of the world. Fragrances and medicaments are common allergens, and it is recommended that products used on anogenital skin be fragrance free. Testing patients own products is imperative.
Clinical and Histologic Liver Improvement in Siblings With Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency After Enzyme Replacement
Authors: Lyons Hernando , Vouyoukas Eleftherios , Higgins Martha , Maciejko James J.
Published: February 2020

Objectives:

To assess the effect of long‐term (104 weeks) treatment with recombinant sebelipase alpha (rhSA) on serum lipid and hepatic transaminase levels, and liver histopathology in 4 siblings diagnosed with lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL‐D).

Methods:

Four male siblings from the same nonconsanguineous parents were diagnosed with the late‐onset phenotype of LAL‐D in 2015. Liver specimens were obtained by biopsy at baseline and after 104 weeks of enzyme replacement with rhSA (1 mg/kg, IV, every 2 weeks). Hepatic transaminase, lipid and lipoprotein levels were assessed at baseline and sequentially every 16 weeks for 104 weeks. Hepatic steatosis was evaluated from hematoxylin and eosin‐stained specimens, and fibrosis was evaluated (Metavir‐scoring system) from trichrome‐stained specimens obtained at baseline and following 104 weeks of treatment with rhSA.

Results:

All 4 siblings had improvement in their serum lipid and hepatic transaminase levels after treatment with rhSA. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels decreased from baseline by an average of 47% and 56%, respectively. The fasting triglyceride and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels decreased from baseline by an average of 43% and 60%, respectively. Hepatic steatosis decreased from baseline grade 3 to posttreatment grade 1. Hepatic fibrosis did not advance following 104 weeks of treatment with rhSA and regressed in 1 sibling.

Conclusions:

Treatment with rhSA for 104 weeks in 4 siblings with LAL‐D demonstrated improvement in their hepatic transaminase and serum lipid levels, accompanied by reduction of hepatic steatosis and no progression of fibrosis.
Bowel Ultrasound Scan Predicts Corticosteroid Failure in Children With Acute Severe Colitis
Authors: Scarallo Luca , Maniscalco Valerio , Paci Monica , Renzo Sara , Naldini Sara , Barp Jacopo , Tasciotti Laura , Lionetti Paolo
Published: February 2020

Background and objective:

Acute severe colitis (ASC) is a potentially life‐threatening event. Optimal timing for second‐line treatment in children is mainly based on the clinical score Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index. The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential role of bowel ultrasound scan (BUS) in predicting the need of second‐line therapy in ASC.

Methods:

Patients younger than 18 years admitted to a single tertiary referral center with ASC were included. We retrospectively reviewed medical records collecting clinical and BUS data. Colonic wall thickness (CWT), loss of colonic wall stratification (CWS), presence of hyperechoic lymph nodes, and colonic wall flow evaluated at power Doppler were assessed at BUS performed within the third day of hospitalization.

Results:

Sixty‐nine ASC episodes from 52 different patients were identified. CWT showed significantly higher values in patients who required second‐line therapy (5.14 vs 3.69 mm; P < 0.001). Loss of CWS was present in 17 of 36 (47.2%) of steroid‐resistant ASC versus only 1 of 33 of those responding to intravenous corticosteroids (P < 0.001, sensitivity = 47%, specificity = 97%). Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, a cut‐off of 3.4 mm was individuated for CWT to predict steroid treatment failure, showing a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 52%. The multivariable binary logistic regression analysis identified thickened colonic wall (CWT >3.4 mm) and loss of CWS as independent predictors of steroid resistance.

Conclusions:

BUS is a noninvasive, easily accessible, and cost‐effective resource that may identify at an early stage first‐line therapy failure in pediatric ASC.
Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome in Children
Authors: Poddar Ujjal , Yachha Surender K. , Krishnani Narendra , Kumari Niraj , Srivastava Anshu , Sen Sarma Moinak
Published: February 2020

Objectives:

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is said to be rare in children (largest series so far; 55 in children, 116 in adults). We analyzed our experience to look at its clinical presentations, endoscopic appearance, and treatment outcome in a large cohort of children.

Methods:

Clinical and endoscopic data were collected between 2000 and 2018. Children (18 years or younger) diagnosed to have SRUS on colonoscopy and confirmed by histopathology were included. All children with SRUS were treated with behavioral modification, bulk laxative. Most with ulcer received steroid enema and some sulfasalazine or sucralfate enema.

Results:

The median age of 140 children was 12 (interquartile range [IQR]: 10–14) years, 79% were boys. The median symptom duration was 21 (IQR: 9–36) months. Rectal bleeding was the presenting feature in 131 (93.6%); constipation in 38 (27%); and small, frequent stools in 79 (56%). Most children had features of dyssynergic defecation such as prolonged sitting in the toilet (131, 93.6%), excessive straining (138, 98.6%), a feeling of incomplete evacuation (130, 92.8%), and rectal digitation (71, 50.7%). Rectal prolapse was noted in 24 (17%) cases. Colonoscopy documented rectal ulcer in 101 (72%) [Single: 84]. Over a median follow‐up of 6 (IQR: 4–18) months, 27 patients were lost to follow‐up and of the remaining 113 cases, 71 (62.8%) showed clinical improvement (healing of ulcer documented in 36/82, 44%).

Conclusions:

The majority of cases of SRUS presented in second decade with rectal bleeding and features of dyssynergic defecation. Ulcer was noted in three fourths of cases. The outcome of medical treatment with behavioral modification and local therapy was modest.
Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter for Pediatric and Young Adult Patients With Hematologic and Malignant Diseases
Authors: Suzuki Daisuke , Kobayashi Ryoji , Sano Hirozumi , Yanagi Masato , Hori Daiki , Matsushima Satoru , Nakano Takaaki , Kobayashi Kunihiko
Published: February 2020

Background:

Long-term venous access is essential when treating malignant diseases. As an alternative to conventional central venous catheters, peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) are now widely used. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and reliability of PICCs in comparison with previous reports, and to describe significant complications associated with their use.

Patients and Methods:

From June 2009 to November 2017, PICCs were inserted 258 times in a total of 160 pediatric and young adult patients at our institution. We retrospectively evaluated our data regarding catheter life, a note of caution during insertion, reasons for removal, infection, and other notable complications.

Results:

The 258 PICCs were placed for a total of 30,901 catheter-days with a median catheter life of 102 days ranging from 2 to 471 days. The most suitable vein for the insertion was a basilic vein. The insertion depth from the cubital fossa to the point of the lower third superior vena cava was found to have a strong correlation with body surface area. Suspected catheter infection requiring catheter removal was observed 30 times (0.97/1000 catheter-days) and catheter-related bloodstream infection was observed 2 times (0.06/1000 catheter-days). All the responsible pathogens were Staphylococcus epidermidis. As notable complications, fibrin sheath formation were seen in 4 patients and catheter tip migration to the thorax in 1 patient.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that PICC is safe and effective in pediatric and young adult patients receiving long-term treatment. However, clinicians should be aware of the possible complications during PICC use.
Delaying the First Newborn Bath and Exclusive Breastfeeding
Authors: Long Kathleen , Rondinelli June , Yim Ashley , Cariou Catherine , Valdez Regina
Published: February 2020

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to determine if changing the timing of the initial newborn bath would have an impact on exclusive breastfeeding during hospitalization. The first newborn bath had been routinely done within 2 hours of age; practice was changed to the first bath being delayed until at least 12 hours of age. A secondary purpose was to examine the nurses' perceived benefits and challenges to such a change.

Study Design and Methods:

Through a retrospective design, exclusive breastfeeding rates among mother–infant couplets prepractice change (cohort A) were compared with two postchange cohorts (B and C). Cohorts B and C were from the first 5 months and second 5 months, respectively after the practice change. Demographic information, birth type, bath timing, and feeding data were collected. Comparative statistics were applied to the three cohorts to examine differences in exclusive breastfeeding rates. Postpartum nurses were asked two open-ended questions on concerns and benefits of this change via an anonymous survey. Content analysis was completed on responses.

Results:

There were 1,463 mother–infant couplets included in three cohorts (A: n = 564; B: n = 468; C: n = 431). There were no significant increases in the exclusive breastfeeding rates (baseline 74.1%) in both the first postimplementation delayed bath cohort (70.1%, p = .207) and the second “sustainability” cohort (79.4%, p = .060). Fifteen of the 60 postpartum nurses completed the survey, for a response rate of 25%. Themes generated from survey responses included concerns (infection control, work distribution), as well as benefits (perceived breastfeeding success, decreased workload) with delaying the first newborn bath.

Clinical Implications:

Delaying the first newborn bath may be one factor that can influence exclusive breastfeeding rates during postpartum hospitalization. Results have been mixed based on recent literature. In our study, the exclusive breastfeeding rate was already above average, as would be expected in a Baby-Friendly designated hospital and may be a reason we did not see a significant change in the rate among mother–infant couplets in our study. Randomized trials are needed for a rigorous evaluation of timing of the newborn bath and possible link to exclusive breastfeeding in the hospital and beyond.
Nursing Faculty Experiences With Students' Needlestick Injuries
Authors: Black Thomas Lisa M.
Published: February 2020

Background

Nursing students are at increased risk of needlestick injury (NSI) due to limited clinical experience and underdeveloped skills.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe faculty experiences with nursing students who sustain an NSI.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional survey design was used to examine nursing faculty experience with student NSIs occurring during clinical practicum experiences.

Results

Thirty-four percent (n = 904) of nursing faculty respondents reported having supervised at least 1 nursing student who experienced an NSI while providing care to a patient. Only 47% (n = 1112) of faculty indicated that a student could access effective exposure management.

Conclusions

Structured simulation activities in which faculty manage a student NSI would provide faculty with essential NSI exposure management experience. Integrating blood-borne pathogen exposure management simulation into faculty development activities would bring a level of realism to the training that a lecture or written policy cannot provide.
The Impact of Imaging on Negative Appendectomies for Early Appendicitis in Children
Authors: Doolin Elizabeth C. , Doolin Edward J.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The rate of negative appendectomy in children is 7%. The value of imaging depends on the institution. In addition, imaging errors can lead to an appendectomy in children who do not have appendicitis. It is the hypothesis that children with short onset of symptoms who undergo negative appendectomy often have erroneous imaging findings.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients' records over a 30-month period was carried out. A search by histologic diagnosis in the department of pathology was used to identify the cases of all patients who did not have a diseased appendix with the preoperative diagnosis of appendicitis. In addition, the imaging report was reviewed for the radiologic diagnosis of each patient, and the operative note was reviewed to document the clinical indication for surgery.

Results

A total of 1377 patients who underwent appendectomy with the preoperative diagnosis of appendicitis were reviewed. Sixty-eight of these children did not have an abnormal pathologic diagnosis; hence, there was a negative appendectomy rate of 4.8%. All 68 had imaging before surgery consistent with appendicitis. Thirty-six of these patients had symptoms less than 3 days. In 30 (84%) of these 36 patients, the note identifies imaging as the indication for surgery.

Conclusions

Children who had an appendectomy and found to have a normal appendix shared 2 characteristics. (1) Their symptoms were less than 3 days, and (2) the imaging was considered the indication by the surgical team. In the situation of an unclear diagnosis and a short onset of symptoms, observation or further evaluation should be considered.
Minimizing Ionizing Radiation in Evaluating Suspected Appendicitis in Children Before and After the Release of the ACEP Clinical Policy
Authors: Whitehead Anne , Fullerton Katherine , Miller Helen C.
Published: February 2020

Study Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the ACEP (American College of Emergency Physicians) clinical policy regarding diagnosis of suspected appendicitis on changing practice in the pediatric emergency department (ED) in the absence of a formal departmental protocol.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review in a pediatric ED in which patients aged 2 to 18 years were evaluated for appendicitis via ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), or both, over a 7-year study period. We compared rates of CT utilization in the period before the release of the ACEP clinical policy regarding diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis (2008–2009) and the period after (2010–2014). Other metrics of interest were ultrasound results and physician response to results, as well as surrogate markers for quality of care.

Results

Seven hundred pediatric ED visits were included, with 200 prepolicy release and 500 postrelease. Computed tomography utilization decreased significantly postpolicy release from 43.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.6%–50.3%) to 22.2% (95% CI, 18.5%–25.8%). The proportion of ultrasounds with indeterminate results also decreased, with 71.5% (95% CI, 65.1%–77.9%) and 55.1% (95% CI, 50.7%–59.5%) in the pre and post groups, respectively. Physicians ordered fewer CTs after indeterminate ultrasounds, decreasing from 63.7% (95% CI, 56.9%–70.5%) to 48.3%% (95% CI, 43.9%–52.7%).

Conclusions

After the release of the clinical policy, CT utilization decreased significantly suggesting possible effectiveness of the policy in bringing about change in practice. Subsequently, there was an increase in the definitiveness in the ultrasound results. Physicians also evolved in their response to indeterminate ultrasound results, with fewer CTs ordered reflexively after indeterminate results.
Outpatient Reduction Mammaplasty Offers Significantly Lower Costs with Comparable Outcomes: A Propensity Score–Matched Analysis of 18,780 Cases
Authors: Calotta Nicholas A. , Merola David , Slezak Sheri , Coon Devin
Published: February 2020

Background:

Breast reduction mammaplasty is a common plastic surgery operation. Although many contemporary surgeons provide breast reduction mammaplasty as an outpatient procedure, roughly 15 percent of patients are still observed postoperatively. The authors hypothesize that observation confers no safety benefit but engenders significant cost.

Methods:

The authors reviewed cases of breast reduction mammaplasty in a commercial database and formulated three propensity score–matched cohorts: inpatient, 23-hour observation, and outpatient. Comparisons were made between inpatients and outpatients and between 23-hour observation patients and outpatients. The primary outcome variable was 14-day re-presentation rate to the emergency department or readmission. Financial data were also collected.

Results:

Comparison of inpatients and outpatients included 1237 patients each (n = 2474 total patients). The 23-hour observation–outpatient comparison included 8153 patients each (n = 16,306 total patients). For inpatients versus outpatients, the 14-day re-presentation rate was 1.4 percent for inpatients and 0.3 percent for outpatients (p < 0.01). The overall surgical complication rate was higher for inpatients (7.8 percent) than for outpatients (4.9 percent) (p < 0.01). Comparing outpatients to 23-hour observation patients, the 14-day re-presentation rate was similar (0.5 percent observation versus 0.3 percent outpatient; p = 0.10). The complication rate was higher for 23-hour observation patients (4.8 percent) than for outpatients (3.2 percent) (p < 0.01). When compared with outpatients (median, $9077), inpatients (median, $19,975) generated $10,898 more in costs. Similarly, 23-hour observation patients (median, $12,451) generated $4050 more in costs than outpatients (median, $8401) (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

Outpatient breast reduction mammaplasty is equally safe when compared to observation or admission. Non–outpatient breast reduction mammaplasty had median costs of 148 to 220 percent that of outpatient breast reduction mammaplasty. In an era of cost consciousness, ambulatory reduction mammaplasty may offer a relatively simple method of decreasing expenditures.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
Intraoperative Laser-Assisted Indocyanine Green Imaging Can Reduce the Rate of Fat Necrosis in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Momeni Arash , Sheckter Clifford
Published: February 2020

Background:

Fat necrosis following microsurgical breast reconstruction is common and problematic for patients and surgeons alike. Indocyanine green angiography provides a means of evaluating flap perfusion at the time of surgery to inform judicious excision of hypoperfused tissue. The authors hypothesized that incorporation of protocolized indocyanine green–informed flap débridement at the time of surgery would decrease the incidence of fat necrosis.

Methods:

A retrospective study of two cohorts was performed evaluating patients before and after implementation of protocolized indocyanine green–guided flap excision. Variables included demographics, procedural details, and complications. Multivariable analysis was used to determine significant differences between the cohorts and evaluate for meaningful changes in fat necrosis.

Results:

Eighty patients were included, accounting for 137 flaps. Flap type was the only significant difference between the two groups, with the indocyanine green group more likely to be deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps (43.1 percent versus 25.3 percent; p = 0.038). The overall postoperative incidence of fat necrosis was 14.6 percent (20 of 137 flaps). Comparing by cohort, the standard débridement group showed 18 of 79 flaps with fat necrosis (22.8 percent), whereas the indocyanine green–informed débridement group showed only two of 58 flaps with fat necrosis (3.4 percent; odds ratio, 0.11; 95 percent CI, 0.02 to 0.60; p = 0.011). There were no other significant differences in complication profile.

Conclusions:

Intraoperative use of indocyanine green angiography was associated with significantly lower odds of fat necrosis. This technology may reduce additional revision operations and improve patient satisfaction. Additional studies are needed to determine whether this innovation is cost-effective and generalizable to the entire autologous breast reconstruction population.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Capsular Tissue around the Breast Implants
Authors: Lombardo Giuseppe A. G. , Tamburino Serena , Magano Katia , Fagone Paolo , Mammana Santa , Cavalli Eugenio , Basile Maria S. , Salvatorelli Lucia , Catalano Francesca , Magro Gaetano , Nicoletti Ferdinando
Published: February 2020

Background:

One of the most common complications of the use of foreign material, in both reconstructive and cosmetic breast surgery, is capsular contracture. Historically, research on capsular contracture has focused mainly on reducing bacterial contamination through antibiotic solutions. Only secondary studies have focused on pharmacological control of the inflammation process, with particular attention paid to the main inflammation pathway, the arachidonic acid cascade. An important role in the arachidonic acid cascade is played by the omega-3 fatty acids, which are found mainly in oily fish and food supplements. The goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of omega-3 supplements on capsule contraction.

Methods:

Female C57BL/6 mice were implanted with custom-made silicone gel implants and divided into two groups. The treated group received omega-3 oil daily while the control group received water daily by gavage. After mice were euthanized, samples of capsules were collected to evaluate thickness and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β expression.

Results:

The results showed that capsules in the omega-3 group were thinner and more transparent than those found in the control group. In addition, a significant downregulation of the TGF-β2 gene transcript was observed in the omega-3 group.

Conclusions:

Omega-3 supplementation seems to be effective in reducing the occurrence of capsular formation, mainly through inhibition of the TGF-β pathway and impairment of collagen deposit. Omega-3 supplementation is a simple and promising method that could be used to prevent or at least reduce capsular contracture after silicone implant surgery.
Abbe Flap Reconstruction of the Upper Lip
Authors: Luce Edward A. , Jing Xi Lin , Carlson Terri
Published: February 2020

Reconstruction of substantial-sized upper lip defects may require an Abbe flap reconstruction to avoid excessive tightness and deformity. The design of the Abbe or lip switch flap harvested from the lower lip is important for a satisfactory aesthetic and functional result. Harvest of the flap is performed to enable a definitive inset into the defect. The video that accompanies this article depicts rotation of an Abbe flap into a philtral defect created by basal cell carcinoma excision.
Rhinoplasty Refinements: Addressing the Pollybeak Deformity
Authors: Rohrich Rod J. , Shanmugakrishnan R. Raja , Mohan Raja
Published: February 2020

Pollybeak deformity represents one of the most common complications of rhinoplasty that require revision rhinoplasty for correction. This article helps to understand the basis behind the deformity, which helps us to prevent and to treat this deformity. This article and video also reiterate that systematic facial analysis is important to look for imperfections and asymmetries in other parts of the face and show how a chin augmentation is performed to correct microgenia.
Lacrimal Canalicular Reconstruction With Canalicular Transposition
Authors: Park Sang Min , Kim Chang Yeom
Published: February 2020

Medial eyelid defects often damage the lacrimal drainage system, and reconstruction for these patients is challenging. The purpose of this report is to describe a new surgical technique for canalicular reconstruction using canalicular transposition. A 67-year-old female patient presented with an eyelid tumor diagnosed as a sebaceous cell carcinoma at the medial left lower eyelid. The tumor along with the lacrimal punctum and canaliculus was excised. The remnant of the canaliculus was transpositioned to the eyelid margin, and the eyelid was reconstructed by direct closure with cantholysis. Transpositioned canaliculus was patent and functioned well at 1-year postoperative follow-up. A novel technique of reconstruction of medial eyelid defect involving the lacrimal drainage system is described.
Effects of Oxytocin for Induction and Augmentation of Labor on Pelvic Floor Symptoms and Support in the Postpartum Period
Authors: Nicola Lauren , Yang Jingye , Egger Marlene J. , Nygaard Ingrid E.
Published: February 2020

Objective

The aim of the study was to determine whether oxytocin for induction or augmentation of labor impacts the incidence or persistence of pelvic floor symptoms and support 5 to 10 weeks after first vaginal delivery.

Methods

Participants in this prospective cohort study were nulliparous women 18 years or older that delivered vaginally at 37 weeks gestation or more and completed the Epidemiology of Prolapse and Incontinence Questionnaire (EPIQ) and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification examination in third trimester and 5 to 10 weeks postpartum. We compared the incidence and persistence of symptomatic EPIQ domains and worse vaginal support (maximal vaginal descent ≥0 cm) between women who received oxytocin with those that did not (with or without prostaglandin or mechanical methods in both groups). We performed modified binomial regression to calculate adjusted relative risks of each outcome with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

The mean (SD) age of the 722 participants was 28.3 (5.2) years; 20% were Hispanic. There were no significant differences according to oxytocin exposure in either incidence or persistence of symptomatic EPIQ domains or worse vaginal support. We found similar results in sensitivity analyses comparing women who received oxytocin as the sole pharmacologic agent to women who received no pharmacologic agent. After adjusting for demographic and obstetric factors associated with incidence and persistence of symptoms and support, oxytocin exposure continued to have no effect.

Conclusions

Oxytocin during labor does not significantly increase the risks for the incidence or persistence of pelvic floor symptoms or worse vaginal support in the early postpartum period, although power for less frequent outcomes was limited.
Bone Mineral Density in Relation to Chronic Kidney Disease After Heart Transplantation: A Retrospective Single-center Study at Skåne University Hospital in Lund 1988–2016
Authors: Löfdahl Eveline , Haggård Carl , Rådegran Göran
Published: February 2020

Background.

Our aim was to investigate the bone mineral density (BMD) evolution and incidence of osteoporosis in relation to chronic kidney disease (CKD) up to 10 years after heart transplantation (HT).

Methods.

A retrospective analysis was performed on 159 HT patients at Skåne University Hospital in Lund 1988–2016.

Results.

The median follow-up time was 6.1 years (interquartile range = 7.5 y). HT patients with CKD stage <3 or normal kidney function before HT exhibited a greater mean BMD loss in the lumbar spine, compared to patients with CKD stage ≥3 before HT, at the first (−6.6% versus −2.5%, P = 0.029), second (−3.7% versus 2.1%, P = 0.018), and third (−2.0% versus 4.1%, P = 0.047) postoperative years, respectively. All included HT patients exhibited a BMD loss in the femoral neck at the first postoperative year (−8.8% [−10.3 to −7.3] in patients with CKD stage <3 or normal kidney function and −9.3% [−13.2 to −5.5] in patients with CKD stage ≥3 before HT), which was not fully reversed up to 10 years after HT. In adjusted models, CKD stage <3 before HT did not predict osteopenia and osteoporosis in the lumbar spine or femoral neck.

Conclusions.

CKD before HT did not predict BMD loss or osteoporosis development after HT. The study is, however, limited by a lack of data on fractures, and further studies on the relationship between CKD and postoperative bone strength are encouraged.
Ochrobactrum teleogrylli sp. nov., a pesticide-degrading bacterium isolated from the insect Teleogryllus occipitalis living in deserted cropland
Authors: Hu Mengyao , Li Xiaoguang , Li Zhenjiang , Liu Bo , Yang Zhigang , Tian Yongqiang
Published: February 2020

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, motile, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria strain, designated LCB8T, was isolated from the insect Teleogryllus occipitalis captured from a deserted cropland in Shuangliu district, Chengdu, PR China. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain represented a member of the genus

Ochrobactrum

, family

Brucellaceae

, class Alphaproteobacteria. Ochrobactrum pecoris CCUG 60088T (97.9 %) and

Ochrobactrum haematophilum

CCUG 38531T (98.8 %) were identiﬁed as the most closely related phylogenetic neighbours of strain LCB8T. The novel strain was able to grow at salt concentrations of 0–4.5 % (w/v), pH 5–9 and temperatures of 20–42 °C. The major quinone system was ubiquinone Q-10, the major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and C18 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and four undefined aminolipids. The major polyamines were putrescine and spermidine. Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 4.76 Mbp and a DNA G+C content of 57.1 mol%. These phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic traits excellently supported the affiliation of LCB8T to the genus

Ochrobactrum

. Pairwise determined whole-genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) values indicated that strain LCB8T represents a novel species, for which we propose the name Ochrobactrum teleogrylli sp. nov. with the type strain LCB8T (=KCTC 72031T=CGMCC 1.13984T).
Methylobacterium terricola sp. nov., a gamma radiation-resistant bacterium isolated from gamma ray-irradiated soil
Authors: Kim Jiyoun , Chhetri Geeta , Kim Inhyup , Lee Byungjo , Jang Wonhee , Kim Myung Kyum , Seo Taegun
Published: February 2020

A gamma radiation-resistant and pink-pigmented bacterial strain, designated as 17Sr1-39T, was isolated from a gamma ray-irradiated soil sample collected in the Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, flagellated, asporogenous, rod-shaped and methylotrophic. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 17Sr1-39T was phylogenetically related to

Methylobacterium currus

PR1016AT (97.3 %),

Methylobacterium aquaticum

DSM 16371T (97.2 %),

Methylobacterium platani

PMB02T (97.0 %),

Methylobacterium frigidaeris

IER25-16T (96.6 %), Methylobacterium terrae 17Sr1-28T (96.6 %) and

Methylobacterium organophilum

JCM 2833T (93.4 %). The G+C content calculated based on the genome sequence was 70.4 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain 17Sr1-39T and

M. currus

,

M. aquaticum

,

M. platani

,

M. frigidaeris

, M. terrae and

M. organophilum

were 77.3–89.9 and 22–38.2 %, respectively. The predominant fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The predominant quinone was ubiquinone 10 and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Based on the data from phenotypic tests and genotypic differences between strain 17Sr1-39T and its close phylogenetic relatives, strain 17Sr1-39T represented a new species belonging to the genus

Methylobacterium

, for which the name Methylobacterium terricola sp. nov. (=KACC 52905T=NBRC 112874T) is proposed.
Systematic review of descriptions of novel bacterial species: evaluation of the twenty-first century taxonomy through text mining
Authors: Sant’Anna Fernando Hayashi , Reiter Keli Cristine , Fátima Almeida Patrícia de , Pereira Passaglia Luciane Maria
Published: February 2020

Although described bacterial species increased in the twenty-first century, they correspond to a tiny fraction of the actual number of species living on our planet. The volume of textual data of these descriptions constitutes valuable information for revealing trends that in turn could support strategies for improvement of bacterial taxonomy. In this study, a text mining approach was used to generate bibliometric data to verify the state-of-art of bacterial taxonomy. Around 9700 abstracts of bacterial classification containing the expression ‘sp. nov.’ and published between 2001 and 2018 were downloaded from PubMed and analysed. Most articles were from PR China and the Republic of Korea, and published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. From about 10 800 species names detected, 93.33 % were considered valid according to the rules of the Bacterial Code, and they corresponded to 82.98 % of the total number of species validated between 2001 and 2018.

Streptomyces

,

Bacillus

and

Paenibacillus

each had more than 200 species described in the period. However, almost 40 % of all species were from the phylum

Proteobacteria

. Most bacteria were Gram-stain-negative, bacilli and isolated from soil. Thirteen species and one genus homonyms were found. With respect to methodologies of bacterial characterization, the use of terms related to 16S rRNA and polar lipids increased along these years, and terms related to genome metrics only began to appear from 2009 onward, although at a relatively lower frequency. Bacterial taxonomy is known as a conservative discipline, but it gradually changed in terms of players and practices. With the advent of the mandatory use of genomic analyses for species description, we are probably witnessing a turning point in the evolution of bacterial taxonomy.
Rapid colorimetric detection of COVID-19 coronavirus using a reverse transcriptional loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) diagnostic platform: iLACO
Authors: Yu Lin , Wu Shanshan , Hao Xiaowen , Li Xuelong , Liu Xiyang , Ye Shenglong , Han Heng , Dong Xue , Li Xin , Li Jiyao , Liu Na , Liu Jianmin , Zhang Wanzhong , Pelechano Vicent , Chen Wei-Hua , Yin Xiushan
Published: February 2020

The recent outbreak of a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (also known as 2019-nCoV) threatens global health, given serious cause for concern. SARS-CoV-2 is a human-to-human pathogen that caused fever, severe respiratory disease and pneumonia (known as COVID-19). By press time, more than 70,000 infected people had been confirmed worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 is very similar to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus broke out 17 years ago. However, it has increased transmissibility as compared with the SARS-CoV, e.g. very often infected individuals without any symptoms could still transfer the virus to others. It is thus urgent to develop a rapid, accurate and onsite diagnosis methods in order to effectively identify these early infects, treat them on time and control the disease spreading. Here we developed an isothermal LAMP based method-iLACO (isothermal LAMP based method for COVID-19) to amplify a fragment of the ORF1ab gene using 6 primers. We assured the species-specificity of iLACO by comparing the sequences of 11 related viruses by BLAST (including 7 similar coronaviruses, 2 influenza viruses and 2 normal coronaviruses). The sensitivity is comparable to Taqman based qPCR detection method, detecting synthesized RNA equivalent to 10 copies of 2019-nCoV virus. Reaction time varied from 15-40 minutes, depending on the loading of virus in the collected samples. The accuracy, simplicity and versatility of the new developed method suggests that iLACO assays can be conveniently applied with for 2019-nCoV threat control, even in those cases where specialized molecular biology equipment is not available.
DISPERSE – A trait database to assess the dispersal potential of aquatic macroinvertebrates
Authors: Sarremejane Romain , Cid Núria , Stubbington Rachel , Datry Thibault , Alp Maria , Cañedo-Argüelles Miguel , Cordero-Rivera Adolfo , Csabai Zoltán , Gutiérrez-Cánovas Cayetano , Heino Jani , Forcellini Maxence , Millán Andrés , Paillex Amael , Pařil Petr , Polášek Marek , de Figueroa José Manuel Tierno , Usseglio-Polatera Philippe , Zamora-Muñoz Carmen , Bonada Núria
Published: February 2020

Dispersal is an essential process in population and community dynamics, but is difficult to measure in the field. In freshwater ecosystems, information on biological traits related to organisms’ morphology, life history and behaviour provides useful dispersal proxies, but information remains scattered or unpublished for many taxa. We compiled information on multiple dispersal-related biological traits of European aquatic macroinvertebrates in a unique resource, the DISPERSE database. DISPERSE includes 39 trait categories grouped into nine dispersal-related traits for 480 taxa, including Annelida, Mollusca, Platyhelminthes, and Arthropoda such as Crustacea and Insecta, generally at the genus level. Information within DISPERSE can be used to address fundamental questions in metapopulation ecology, metacommunity ecology, macroecology and evolutionary ecology research. Information on dispersal proxies can be applied to improve predictions of ecological responses to global change, and to inform improvements to biomonitoring and conservation management strategies. The diverse sources used in DISPERSE complement existing trait databases by providing new information on dispersal traits, most of which would not otherwise be accessible to the scientific community.
Targeting lateral inhibition to improve vision following macular degeneration
Authors: Rizzi M , Powell K , Robinson MR , Matsuki T , Hoke J , Maswood RN , Georgiadis A , Georgiou M , Jones PR , Ripamonti C , Michaelides M , Rubin GS , Smith AJ , Ali RR
Published: February 2020

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. Whilst most patients lose sight owing to atrophic changes, no treatments currently exist that improve the vision deficit due to atrophy. Here, we identify loss of lateral inhibition as a specific mechanism by which photoreceptor degeneration reduces visual function beyond the atrophic area. We find that this inhibition is adaptive, and that if modulated can improve visual function, making inhibitory circuits an unexpected therapeutic target for age related macular degeneration and related disorders.
Intensity and dose of neuromuscular electrical stimulation influence sensorimotor cortical excitability
Authors: Insausti-Delgado Ainhoa , López-Larraz Eduardo , Omedes Jason , Ramos-Murguialday Ander
Published: February 2020

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the peripheral nervous system has been largely used in the field of neurorehabilitation to decrease muscle atrophy and to restore motor function in paralyzed patients. The rehabilitative effects of NMES rely on the direct or indirect efferent effect on muscle tone and afferent volleys that induce cortical excitation. Although different neuroimaging tools suggested the capability of NMES to regulate the excitability of sensorimotor cortex and corticospinal circuits, to date how intensity and dose of NMES can neuromodulate the brain oscillatory activity measured with electroencephalography (EEG) is yet to be clarified. In the present study, we quantify the effect of NMES parameters on brain oscillatory activity of twelve healthy participants who underwent stimulation of wrist extensors during rest while EEG was recorded. Three different NMES intensities were included: (1) low, inducing slight sensory perception, (2) medium, inducing moderate sensory perception, and (3) high, generating a functional movement. Firstly, we efficiently removed stimulation artifacts from the sensorimotor brain oscillatory activity. Secondly, we analyzed the effect of amplitude and dose on the latter. On the one hand, we observed significant NMES amplitude-dependent brain SMR modulation, demonstrating the direct effect of afferent receptors recruitment. On the other hand, our results revealed a significant NMES amplitude-based dose-effect on SMR modulation over time. While at low and medium intensities the NMES produced a significant cortical inhibitory effect in time, at high intensity a significant cortical facilitatory effect was induced. These results highlight the functionally relevant role of muscle contraction and proprioception in sensorimotor processes, which should be carefully considered for the design and development of NMES based neuromodulation.
Models of primate ventral stream that categorize and visualize images
Authors: Christensen Elijah , Zylberberg Joel
Published: February 2020

An open question in systems neuroscience is which objective function (or computational “goal”) best describes the computations performed by the ventral stream (VS) of primate visual cortex. Substantial past research has suggested that object categorization could be such a goal. Recent experiments, however, showed that information about object positions, sizes, etc. is encoded with increasing explicitness along this pathway. Because that information is not necessarily needed for object categorization, this motivated us to ask whether primate VS may do more than “just” object recognition. To address that question, we trained deep neural networks, all with the same architecture, with three different objectives: a supervised object categorization objective; an unsupervised autoencoder objective; and a semi-supervised objective that combined autoencoding with categorization. We then compared the image representations learned by these models to those observed in areas V4 and IT of macaque monkeys using canonical correlation analysis (CCA). We found that the semi-supervised model provided the best match the monkey data, followed closely by the unsupervised model, and more distantly by the supervised one. These results suggest that multiple objectives – including, critically, unsupervised ones – might be essential for explaining the computations performed by primate VS.
FTO intronic SNP strongly influences human neck adipocyte browning determined by tissue and PPARγ specific regulation: a transcriptome analysis
Authors: Tóth Beáta B. , Arianti Rini , Shaw Abhirup , Vámos Attila , Veréb Zoltán , Póliska Szilárd , Győry Ferenc , Bacso Zsolt , Fésüs László , Kristóf Endre
Published: February 2020

Brown adipocytes, abundant in deep-neck (DN) area in humans, are thermogenic with anti-obesity potential. FTO pro-obesity rs1421085 T-to-C SNP shifts differentiation program towards white adipocytes in subcutaneous fat. Human adipose-derived stromal cells were obtained from subcutaneous neck (SC) and DN fat of 9 donors, of which 3-3 carried risk-free (T/T), heterozygous or obesity-risk (C/C) FTO genotypes. They were differentiated to white and brown (long-term PPARγ stimulation) adipocytes, then global RNA sequencing was performed and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were compared. DN and SC progenitors had similar adipocyte differentiation potential but differed in DEGs. DN adipocytes displayed higher browning features according to ProFAT or BATLAS scores and characteristic DEG patterns revealing associated pathways which were highly expressed (thermogenesis, interferon, cytokine, retinoic acid, with UCP1 and BMP4 as prominent network stabilizers) or downregulated (particularly extracellular matrix remodelling) compared to SC ones. Part of DEGs in either DN or SC browning was PPARγ-dependent. Presence of the FTO obesity-risk allele suppressed the expression of mitochondrial and thermogenesis genes with a striking resemblance between affected pathways and those appearing in ProFAT and BATLAS, underlining the importance of metabolic and mitochondrial pathways in thermogenesis. Among overlapping regulatory influences which determine browning and thermogenic potential of neck adipocytes, FTO genetic background has a so far not recognized prominence.
Single cell sequencing of the small and AT-skewed genome of malaria parasites
Authors: Liu Shiwei , Huckaby Adam C. , Brown Audrey C. , Moore Christopher C. , Burbulis Ian , McConnell Michael J. , Güler Jennifer L.
Published: February 2020

Single cell genomics is a rapidly advancing field; however, most techniques are designed for mammalian cells. Here, we present a single cell sequencing pipeline for the intracellular parasite,Plasmodium falciparum, which harbors a relatively small genome with an extremely skewed base content. Through optimization of a quasi-linear genome amplification method, we achieve better targeting of the parasite genome over contaminants and generate coverage levels that allow detection of relatively small copy number variations on a single cell level. These improvements are important for expanding accessibility of single cell approaches to new organisms and for improving the study of adaptive mechanisms.