bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Training needs analysis of Korean nurses' neurological assessment competency
Authors: Bae Ki Sook , Roh Young Sook
Published: October 2019

Despite the importance of neurological assessment, there is a lack of research directed at nurses' competency in performing these assessments. We aimed to identify nurses' competency levels in performing neurological assessments and prioritize their related training needs using importance–performance analysis. This survey research was conducted and reported based on the enhancing the quality and transparency of health research (EQUATOR) guidelines. A total of 213 nurses participated in a descriptive, cross‐sectional survey study. Exploratory factor analysis identified seven factors that together accounted for 70.34% of the variance: cerebral function, signs and symptoms, pathologic reflexes, motor strength, assessment of an unconscious patient, reporting and documentation, and neurological assessment scales. [Correction added on 10 February 2020, after first online publication: the value of the variance has been corrected from ‘7.34%’ to ‘70.34%’ in the preceding sentence.] There were significant gaps between importance and performance for all seven factors. The importance–performance matrix identified the neurological assessment scales factor as a high priority for continuing education. Emergency department nurses reported lower neurological assessment competency when compared with ward and intensive care unit nurses. The analysis of training needs is beneficial for developing programs to enhance neurological assessment competency. Training in neurological assessment scales is a priority for nurses, and they prefer simulation‐ and practicum‐based methods.
Mussaenda yunnanensis sp. nov. (Rubiaceae), a new functionally dioecious species from Yunnan, China
Authors: Duan Tingting , Qian Xin , Deng Xiaofang , Zhang Dianxiang
Published: October 2019

Mussaenda yunnanensis, a new dioecious species of Rubiaceae from Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species can be recognized by its slender stem, congested‐cymose inflorescences and long corolla tubes. Differences between M. yunnanensis and two morphologically similar species (M. pubescens and M. antiloga) are presented. We also provide a key to all dioecious species of Mussaenda in China. The delimitation of the new species is further supported by molecular phylogenetic analyses based on eight plastid loci.
Albert Mieczysław Krąpiec’s theory of the person for professional nursing practice
Authors: Ferdynus Marcin Paweł
Published: October 2019

This article presents the works of great Polish philosopher, Mieczysław Albert Krąpiec, whose creative output can be applied to professional nursing practice. Krąpiec's philosophical heritage is extensive and encompasses many philosophical fields: metaphysics, philosophical anthropology, philosophy of law, philosophy of culture, philosophy of politics and philosophy of language. Krąpiec created an original philosophical synthesis characterized by a realistic approach. In this paper, I present only one of several original philosophical concepts developed by Krąpiec: the theory of the person based on seven essential characteristics, that is the ability for cognition, love, freedom, religion, legal subjectivity, completeness and dignity. I attempt to show how these personal characteristics correspond to various patient needs. I argue that the qualitative deficit of any personal characteristics indicated by Krąpiec corresponds to a patient's real need that must be satisfied. I also stress that the skilful diagnosing of all—not only selected—qualitative deficits of characteristics can be defined as holistic care in the nursing profession.
Hydrogel screening approaches for bone and cartilage tissue regeneration
Authors: Benmassaoud Mohammed M. , Gultian Kirstene A. , DiCerbo Matthew , Vega Sebastián L.
Published: October 2019

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of bone and cartilage presents stem cells with a dynamic and complex array of biochemical and biomechanical signals that regulate proliferation and differentiation into bone and cartilage tissue−producing cells. Due to the multitude of signals present in this ECM, it is challenging to develop biomaterials that accurately recapitulate bone and cartilage tissues, thereby limiting the ability to present cells with multiple factors for enhanced biomaterial‐induced osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Conventional techniques to evaluate stem cell responses to engineered materials are laborious and time‐consuming, and high‐throughput screening techniques can address these limitations. Our review overviews developmental environments and signals present in bone and cartilage ECM, with a focus on applying hydrogel‐based screening approaches to identify biomaterial environments that promote stem cell−mediated bone and cartilage tissue regeneration.
Gastric content assessed with gastric ultrasound in paediatric patients prescribed a light breakfast prior to general anaesthesia: A prospective observational study
Authors: Andersson Hanna , Frykholm Peter
Published: October 2019

Background

A light breakfast has been found to empty from the stomach within 4 hours in healthy volunteers.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a light breakfast of yoghurt or gruel empties from the stomach within 4 hours, in children scheduled for general anaesthesia.

Method

In this observational cohort study, children aged 1‐6 years scheduled for elective general anaesthesia were prescribed free intake of yoghurt or gruel 4 hours prior to induction. They were subsequently examined with gastric ultrasound within 4 hours of ingestion. In case of gastric contents, the gastric antral area was measured, and gastric content volume (GCV) was calculated.

Results

Twenty children were included in the study and the ingested amount of gruel or yoghurt ranged 2.5‐25 mL kg−1. In 15 cases, the stomach was empty with juxtaposed walls and no further measurements were made. In four cases, there was fluid present in the stomach, but the calculated gastric contents were <0.5 mL kg−1. One patient had solids in the stomach, and GCV in this patient was calculated to 2.1 mL kg−1. The patient with solids present had ingested 25 mL kg−1 of gruel 4 hours prior to assessment. The planned procedure was therefore delayed 1 hour. There were no cases of pulmonary aspiration or vomiting.

Conclusion

A light breakfast 4 hours prior to induction may be considered, but there is need for further studies on safe limits for the volume ingested.
Ethylene‐responsive factor 4 is associated with the desirable rind hardness trait conferring cracking resistance in fresh fruits of watermelon
Authors: Liao Nanqiao , Hu Zhongyuan , Li Yingying , Hao Junfang , Chen Shuna , Xue Qin , Ma Yuyuan , Zhang Kejia , Mahmoud Ahmed , Ali Abid , Malangisha Guy Kateta , Lyu Xiaolong , Yang Jinghua , Zhang Mingfang
Published: October 2019

Fruit rind plays a pivotal role in alleviating water loss and disease and particularly in cracking resistance as well as the transportability, storability and shelf‐life quality of the fruit. High susceptibility to cracking due to low rind hardness is largely responsible for severe annual yield losses of fresh fruits such as watermelon in the field and during the postharvest process. However, the candidate gene controlling the rind hardness phenotype remains unclear to date. Herein, we report, for the first time, an ethylene‐responsive transcription factor 4 (ClERF4) associated with variation in rind hardness via a combinatory genetic map with bulk segregant analysis (BSA). Strikingly, our fine‐mapping approach revealed an InDel of 11 bp and a neighbouring SNP in the ClERF4 gene on chromosome 10, conferring cracking resistance in F2 populations with variable rind hardness. Furthermore, the concomitant kompetitive/competitive allele‐specific PCR (KASP) genotyping data sets of 104 germplasm accessions strongly supported candidate ClERF4 as a causative gene associated with fruit rind hardness variability. In conclusion, our results provide new insight into the underlying mechanism controlling rind hardness, a desirable trait in fresh fruit. Moreover, the findings will further enable the molecular improvement of fruit cracking resistance in watermelon via precisely targeting the causative gene relevant to rind hardness, ClERF4.
Estimating statistical power for event‐related potential studies using the late positive potential
Authors: Gibney Kyla D. , Kypriotakis George , Cinciripini Paul M. , Robinson Jason D. , Minnix Jennifer A. , Versace Francesco
Published: October 2019

The late positive potential (LPP) is a common measurement used to study emotional processes of subjects in ERP paradigms. Despite its extensive use in affective neuroscience, there is presently no gold standard for how to appropriately power ERP studies using the LPP. The present study investigates how the number of trials, number of subjects, and magnitude of the effect size affect statistical power in analyses of the LPP. Using Monte Carlo simulations of ERP experiments with varying numbers of trials, subjects, and synthetic effects of known magnitude, we measured the probability of obtaining a statistically significant effect in 1,489 experiments repeated 1,000 times each. Predictably, our results showed that statistical power increases with increasing numbers of trials and subjects and at larger effect sizes. We also found that higher levels of statistical power can be achieved with lower numbers of subjects and trials and at lower effect sizes in within‐subject than in between‐subjects designs. Furthermore, we found that, as subjects are added to an experiment, the slope of the relationship between effect size and statistical power increased and shifted to the left until the power asymptoted to nearly 100% at higher effect sizes. This suggests that adding more subjects greatly increases statistical power at lower effect sizes (<1 µV) compared with more robust (>1.5 µV) effect sizes. We confirmed the results from the simulations based on the synthetic effects by running a new series of simulated experiments based on real data collected while participants looked at emotional images.
Negative expectations influence behavioral and ERP responses in the subsequent recognition of expectancy‐incongruent neutral events
Authors: Lin Huiyan , Liang Jiafeng
Published: October 2019

Previous studies have shown that expectancy incongruence in emotional stimuli influences the encoding (i.e., the first stage of memory processing) of the stimuli. However, it is unknown about whether expectancy incongruence influences later stages of memory processing, such as recognition. To this end, expectancy cues were presented prior to emotional pictures. Most often, the cues accurately indicated the emotional consequences of the pictures, but in some cases the consequence was incongruent with the expectations, and a picture from another emotional category was presented. Afterward, participants completed an unexpected recognition task in which old and novel pictures were not preceded by expectancy cues. The results showed that, in the encoding phase, expectancy incongruence reduced response accuracy when categorizing pictorial emotions, and the effect was smaller for neutral pictures than for negative pictures. ERP results showed stronger and weaker responses to expectancy incongruent pictures compared to congruent pictures in time ranges related to the encoding‐related early and middle late positive potential (LPP), respectively. In the subsequent recognition phase, d′ scores were higher for incongruent neutral pictures than for congruent ones. Expectancy incongruence enlarged the P2 response but reduced the recognition‐related early LPP response for neutral pictures. However, effects of expectancy incongruence were not seen for negative pictures. Therefore, the findings in the present study indicate that negative expectations influence the later recognition of expectancy incongruent neutral events, whereas negative events are more resistant to the effects of expectation incongruence.
A question of (mis)alignment: innovation mandates and absorptive capacity routines
Authors: Banerjee Aneesh , Lampel Joseph , Bhalla Ajay
Published: October 2019

Research suggests that effective R&D requires the right combination of inward‐looking and outward‐looking absorptive capacity routines. However, we do not have an adequate understanding of how these routines influence innovative output in R&D units with different mandates. In this paper, we argue that adopting an absorptive capacity routine would positively or negatively influence the R&D subsidiary’s innovative output, depending on whether the routine is aligned or misaligned with the subsidiary’s innovation mandate to ‘exploit’ existing knowledge or ‘explore’ new knowledge. We test this using data collected from a global packaged‐software firm with 14 international R&D subsidiaries that implemented six major absorptive capacity routines in the period 2000–2010. Our research provides new insights for both scholars and practitioners in R&D management, by showing that balancing of absorptive capacity routines should be considered in light of innovation mandates of subsidiaries as well as the firm. Our analysis also provides insights on why decision makers may still adopt misaligned routines.
Physical activity after inpatient occupational rehabilitation: Secondary outcomes of two randomized controlled trials
Authors: Skagseth Martin , Fimland Marius Steiro , Ivar Lund Nilsen Tom , Aasdahl Lene
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To assess whether inpatient multicomponent occupational rehabilitation, including physical activity (PA), increases the PA level of participants more than an outpatient program without PA, and whether changes in PA are associated with future work outcomes.

Methods

A total of 265 participants were included in one of two randomized clinical trials. Participants had been sick listed 2‐12 months with a musculo‐skeletal, psychological, or general/unspecified diagnosis. We measured PA by questionnaires at the start of the programs and at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow‐up. Between‐group differences in PA were assessed using linear mixed models. Associations between change in PA and future work outcomes were assessed by logistic and linear regression.

Results

There was no difference in change in PA between the inpatient and outpatient programs during 12 months of follow‐up. We did not find any associations between the amount of PA and future work outcomes. However, intensity of PA was positively associated with return to work (RTW); participants reporting increased vigorous PA had an odds ratio (OR) for RTW of 4.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1‐15.7) whereas participants reporting consistently high intensity of PA had an OR of 3.1 (95% CI 1.0‐9.7), compared to participants reporting low‐intensity PA.

Conclusion

Inpatient occupational rehabilitation, including PA, did not increase PA‐level in the follow‐up period more than a less comprehensive program without PA. The amount of PA was not associated with future work outcomes. However, vigorous PA showed a positive association with RTW.
Candidemia in solid organ transplant recipients in Spain: Epidemiological trends and determinants of outcome
Authors: Fernández‐Ruiz Mario , Cardozo Celia , Salavert Miguel , Aguilar‐Guisado Manuela , Escolà‐Vergé Laura , Muñoz Patricia , Gioia Francesca , Montejo Miguel , Merino Paloma , Cuervo Guillermo , García‐Vidal Carolina , Aguado José María ,   on behalf of the CANDIPOP Project, the CANDI‐Bundle Group,   GEIRAS‐GEMICOMED (SEIMC)REIPI
Published: October 2019

Background

Despite being considered a high‐risk population for invasive fungal disease, specific features of candidemia among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients remain poorly characterized.

Methods

We compiled prospective data from two multicenter studies on candidemia performed over two consecutive periods in Spain: the CANDIPOP Study (2010‐2011) and the CANDI‐Bundle Study (2016‐2018). Episodes diagnosed in adult SOT recipients in 10 participating centers were included. Risk factors for clinical failure (all‐cause 7‐day mortality and/or persistent candidemia for ≥72 hours) and 30‐day mortality were investigated by univariate analysis.

Results

We included 55 episodes of post‐transplant candidemia (32 and 23 of which occurred during the first and second periods). Kidney (38.2%) and liver recipients (30.9%) were the most common populations. Candida albicans accounted for 27.3% of episodes. The proportion of C glabrata increased over time (18.8% vs 30.4% for the first and second periods). There were no differences in the rate of fluconazole non‐susceptible isolates (50.0% vs 60.0%, respectively). Clinical failure and 30‐day mortality occurred in 25.5% and 27.3% of episodes and were associated with the severity of candidemia (Pitt score and severe sepsis/septic shock). Kidney transplantation (unadjusted odds ratio [uOR]: 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03‐0.85; P‐value = .020), early catheter removal (uOR: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.03‐0.76; P‐value = .013), and appropriate early antifungal therapy (uOR: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.02‐0.89; P‐value = .041) were protective for 30‐day mortality.

Conclusions

High rates of non‐albicans species and fluconazole non‐susceptibility must be taken into account to optimize therapeutic management and outcomes in SOT recipients with candidemia.
Cell wall contributes to the stability of plasma membrane nanodomain organization of Arabidopsis thaliana FLOTILLIN2 and HYPERSENSITIVE INDUCED REACTION1 proteins
Authors: Daněk Michal , Angelini Jindřiška , Malínská Kateřina , Andrejch Jan , Amlerová Zuzana , Kocourková Daniela , Brouzdová Jitka , Valentová Olga , Martinec Jan , Petrášek Jan
Published: October 2019

Current models of plasma membrane (PM) postulate its organization in various nano‐ and micro‐domains with distinct protein and lipid composition. While metazoan PM nanodomains usually display high lateral mobility, the dynamics of plant nanodomains is often highly spatially restricted. Here we have focused on the determination of the PM distribution in nanodomains for Arabidopsis thaliana flotillin (AtFLOT) and hypersensitive induced reaction proteins (AtHIR), previously shown to be involved in response to extracellular stimuli. Using in vivo laser scanning and spinning disc confocal microscopy in Arabidopsis thaliana we present here their nanodomain localization in various epidermal cell types. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and kymographic analysis revealed that PM‐associated AtFLOTs contain significantly higher immobile fraction than AtHIRs. In addition, much lower immobile fractions have been found in tonoplast pool of AtHIR3. Although members of both groups of proteins were spatially restricted in their PM distribution by corrals co‐aligning with microtubules (MTs), pharmacological treatments showed no or very low role of actin and microtubular cytoskeleton for clustering of AtFLOT and AtHIR into nanodomains. Finally, pharmacological alteration of cell wall (CW) synthesis and structure resulted in changes in lateral mobility of AtFLOT2 and AtHIR1. Accordingly, partial enzymatic CW removal increased the overall dynamics as well as individual nanodomain mobility of these two proteins. Such structural links to CW could play an important role in their correct positioning during PM communication with extracellular environment.
Facing up to Trump administration mercantilism: The 2018 WTO trade policy review of the United States
Authors: Nelson Douglas R.
Published: October 2019

As one of the largest trading economies in the WTO system, US trade policy is reviewed regularly by WTO members, informed by a Trade Policy Review (TPR) report. This paper discusses the 2018 TPR of the United States, the 14th such review undertaken since the entry into force of the WTO in 1995. It is the first review of trade policy under the Trump administration. While the TPR documents the significant changes in US trade policy, it does not engage with the mercantilist vision that motivates trade policy under President Trump or the apparent desire to engage in trade wars with its major trading partners. The lack of discussion of the existential threat to the liberal trading system implied by the drastic changes to US trade policy reduces the salience of the TPR and makes it unclear exactly what purpose it serves.
Oestrogen receptor ERα and ERβ agonists ameliorate oxidative brain injury and improve memory dysfunction in rats with an epileptic seizure
Authors: Koyuncuoğlu Türkan , Arabacı Tamer Sevil , Erzik Can , Karagöz Ayça , Akakın Dilek , Yüksel Meral , Yeğen Berrak Ç.
Published: October 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Could different hormonally active substances, including oestrogen receptor (ER) agonists, protect against oxidative brain damage and memory impairment induced by a single epileptic seizure in rats? If so, which signalling mechanisms are involved in their anti‐inflammatory effects?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Chronic administration of oestrogen, progesterone, ER modulators/agonists or blockade of testosterone exhibited anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant actions on single seizure‐induced neuronal injury, while ER agonists additionally improved memory function and up‐regulated CREB signalling and hippocampal GABA(A)α1 receptor density, suggesting that ERα or ERβ receptor activation may be beneficial in protecting against seizure‐related oxidative brain injury and cognitive dysfunction.

The susceptibility to epileptic seizures is dependent on sex as well as fluctuations in oestrogen levels, while exogenous oestrogen was shown to have no effect or to facilitate or to inhibit seizure activity. Oestrogen receptors (ERs) mediate antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory actions in several inflammatory models, but the involvement of ERs in seizure‐induced neuronal injury has not been evaluated previously. In order to assess the effects of resveratrol, progesterone, oestradiol (E2), an anti‐testosterone (cyproterone acetate; CPA), a selective ER modulator (tamoxifen; TMX) and ERα/ERβ agonists (propyl pyrazole triol (PPT), diarylpropionitrile (DPN)) on oxidative brain damage and memory impairment due to epileptic seizure, male Wistar rats (n = 120) received one of the treatment choices either in drinking water or intraperitoneally for 31 days, and epileptic seizure was induced on the 28th day by injection of a single‐dose of pentylenetetrazole (45 mg kg−1). The results demonstrate that chronic pretreatment with resveratrol, progesterone, E2, CPA or TMX suppressed most of the inflammatory parameters indicative of oxidative neuronal injury, while treatment with the ER agonists DPN or PPT were found to be even more effective in limiting the oxidative damage. Treatment with DPN resulted in the up‐regulation of cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, while PPT up‐regulated expression of CREB without affecting BDNF levels. Moreover, both ER agonists provided protection against seizure‐induced memory loss with a concomitant increase in hippocampal GABA(A)α1‐positive cells. In conclusion, ER agonists, and more specifically ERβ agonist, appear to provide maximum protection against seizure‐induced oxidative brain injury and associated memory dysfunction by up‐regulating the expression of CREB, BDNF and GABA(A)α1 receptors.
Effects of Double-Side Labyrinth Seals on Aerodynamic Performance in a Transonic Shrouded Turbine Stage
Authors: Li Weihang , Chen Shaowen , Liu Hongyan , Zhou Zhihua , Wang Songtao
Published: October 2019

Labyrinth seals on both rotor casing and blade tip as an effective method to control the leakage flowrate of the shroud and improve aerodynamic performances in a transonic turbine stage are investigated in this study. Compared to the case without the labyrinth seal structure, the cases with three different types of sealing teeth have been shown to reduce significantly the tip leakage flow by computational simulations. The double-side sealing teeth case reduces the leakage flowrate mleakage/mpassage from 3.4% to 1.3% and increases the efficiency by 1.4%, which is the maximum efficiency improvement of all cases. The sealing structures increase the loss inside the shroud while reducing the momentum mixing between shroud leakage flow and mainstream. Therefore, the circumferential distribution of leakage velocity is changed, as well as the distribution of high-loss zones at turbine outlet. Furthermore, the leakage-vortex loss, which is associated with the blockage effect of sealing structure to the tip leakage flow, gains more improvement than the passage-vortex at the rotor outlet section in double-side seal case. In addition, it has also been found that with a larger gap at tip, the double-side seal has better effects of reducing the leakage flow and improving the aerodynamic performance in the transonic turbine stage.
Bioink formulations to ameliorate bioprinting-induced loss of cellular viability
Authors: Datta Sudipto , Das Ankita , Chowdhury Amit Roy , Datta Pallab
Published: October 2019

Extrusion bioprinting, the most affordable and convenient bioprinting modality, is also associated with high process-induced cell deaths. Mechanical stresses on the cells during pneumatic or piston extrusion generate excessive reactive oxygen species and activate apoptosis, inflammatory pathways in the cells. In this study, a bioink formulation is augmented with an antioxidant, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) as a possible solution to abrogate the effect of bioprinting-associated cell survival losses. The NAC addition to bioinks did not affect the bioprinting process, shape fidelity, or the mechanical properties of the constructs to any large extent. However, the bioprinting process conducted at 0.30 MPa pressure and 410 μm nozzle inner diameter with bioinks of 3% w/v alginate, 105 cells/ml resulted in survival losses of up to 25% for MC3T3 cells. In contrast, NAC bioinks showed a significant (p < 0.01) improvement in day 1 cell survival (91%), while the enhancement in day 3 cell viability was still greater. It was further observed that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) load of bioprinted constructs was approximately 1.4 times higher compared to control, whereas NAC containing constructs reduced the ROS load at levels comparable to control samples. The effect on apoptosis and inflammation markers showed that NAC had a greater role in modulating apoptosis. It is concluded that the presented approach to preserve cell viability and functionality would be advantageous over other contemporary methods (like alterations in extrusion pressure, nozzle diameter, polymer concentration, etc.) as viability can be preserved without compromising the fabrication time or the resolution/mechanical properties of the constructs with this bioink formulation approach.
A tutorial example of duct acoustics mode detections with machine-learning-based compressive sensing
Authors: Huang Xun
Published: October 2019

Acoustic beamforming and mode detections by means of machine learning have potential advantages over conventional strategies, e.g., first-principle based forward acoustic models may be replaced by neural networks. In this work, the machine-learning-based strategy is presented for aeroengine duct acoustic mode detections and the focus is on the associated machine learning implementation. Next, the proposed neural network implementation is incorporated into compressive sensing by taking into account specific acoustic mode detection requirements. The proposed method shall direct the research attention of acoustic measurements to machine learning and particularly benefit mode detections for next-generation aircraft engine problems.
Comparable
In Vitro
Activities of Second-Generation HIV-1 Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTIs) on HIV-1 Clinical Isolates with INSTI Resistance Mutations
Authors: Saladini Francesco , Giannini Alessia , Boccuto Adele , Dragoni Filippo , Appendino Alice , Albanesi Edoardo , Vicenti Ilaria , Zazzi Maurizio
Published: October 2019

Second-generation HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) dolutegravir (DTG), bictegravir (BIC), and cabotegravir (CAB) showed a high genetic barrier to resistance and limited cross-resistance with first-generation INSTIs raltegravir (RAL) and elvitegravir (EVG).
Distinct Roles of Interferon Alpha and Beta in Controlling Chikungunya Virus Replication and Modulating Neutrophil-Mediated Inflammation
Authors: Cook Lindsey E. , Locke Marissa C. , Young Alissa R. , Monte Kristen , Hedberg Matthew L. , Shimak Raeann M. , Sheehan Kathleen C. F. , Veis Deborah J. , Diamond Michael S. , Lenschow Deborah J.
Published: October 2019

Type I interferons (IFNs) possess a range of biological activity and protect against a number of viruses, including alphaviruses. Despite signaling through a shared receptor, there are established biochemical and functional differences among the IFN subtypes. The significance of our research is in demonstrating that IFN-α and IFN-β both have protective roles during acute chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection but do so by distinct mechanisms. IFN-α limits CHIKV replication and dissemination, whereas IFN-β protects from CHIKV pathogenesis by limiting inflammation mediated by neutrophils. Our findings support the premise that the IFN subtypes have distinct biological activities in the antiviral response.
Combination of Proteogenomics with Peptide
De Novo
Sequencing Identifies New Genes and Hidden Posttranscriptional Modifications
Authors: Blank-Landeshammer B. , Teichert I. , Märker R. , Nowrousian M. , Kück U. , Sickmann A.
Published: October 2019

Next-generation sequencing techniques have considerably increased the number of completely sequenced eukaryotic genomes. These genomes are mostly automatically annotated, and
ab initio
gene prediction is commonly combined with homology-based search approaches and often supported by transcriptomic data. The latter in particular improve the prediction of intron splice sites and untranslated regions. However, correct prediction of translation initiation sites (TIS), alternative splice junctions, and protein-coding potential remains challenging. Here, we present an advanced proteogenomics approach, namely, the combination of proteogenomics and
de novo
peptide sequencing analysis, in conjunction with Blast2GO and phylostratigraphy. Using the model fungus
Sordaria macrospora
as an example, we provide a comprehensive view of the proteome that not only increases the functional understanding of this multicellular organism at different developmental stages but also immensely enhances the genome annotation quality.
System-Wide Characterization of MoArf GTPase Family Proteins and Adaptor Protein MoGga1 Involved in the Development and Pathogenicity of Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Zhang Shengpei , Yang Lina , Li Lianwei , Zhong Kaili , Wang Wenhao , Liu Muxing , Li Ying , Liu Xinyu , Yu Rui , He Jialiang , Zhang Haifeng , Zheng Xiaobo , Wang Ping , Zhang Zhengguang
Published: October 2019

Magnaporthe oryzae
is the causal agent of rice blast, representing the most devastating diseases of rice worldwide, which results in losses of amounts of rice that could feed more than 60 million people each year. Arf (ADP ribosylation factor) small GTPase family proteins are involved in vesicle trafficking and organelle maintenance in eukaryotic cells. To investigate the function of Arf family proteins in
M. oryzae
, we systematically characterized all seven Arf proteins and found that they have shared and specific functions in governing the growth, development, and pathogenicity of the blast fungus. We have also identified the pathogenicity-related protein MoGga1 as the common adaptor of MoArf1 and MoArl1. Our findings are important because they provide the first comprehensive characterization of the Arf GTPase family proteins and their adaptor protein MoGga1 functioning in a plant-pathogenic fungus, which could help to reveal new fungicide targets to control this devastating disease.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis-like subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus associated with lung carcinoma
Authors: Santiago Luís , Mascarenhas Rosa , Tellechea Óscar , Gonçalo Margarida
Published: October 2019

Specific vesiculobullous skin lesions in lupus erythematosus (LE) are rare and must be differentiated from toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), TEN-like dermatoses and other vesiculobullous conditions. We report a patient with typical subacute cutaneous lupus erythematous that progressed with large sheet-like areas of epidermal detachment and Nikolsky sign resembling TEN. She had a serological profile suggestive of underlying connective tissue disease, histological findings of interface dermatitis with a lymphocytic infiltrate, positive direct immunofluorescence, resolution with immunomodulation and lack of a culprit drug, features observed in TEN-like cutaneous lupus erythematous. Furthermore, she was diagnosed with lung carcinoma, an association that has been previously reported. Differentiating a bullous eruption in the context of pre-existing LE remains difficult requiring a thorough analysis of clinical and histopathological data.
Moorfields AMD database report 2: fellow eye involvement with neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Fasler Katrin , Fu Dun Jack , Moraes Gabriella , Wagner Siegfried , Gokhale Eesha , Kortuem Karsten , Chopra Reena , Faes Livia , Preston Gabriella , Pontikos Nikolas , Patel Praveen J , Tufail Adnan , Lee Aaron Y , Balaskas Konstantinos , Keane Pearse A
Published: October 2019

Background/Aims

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is frequently bilateral, and previous reports on ‘fellow eyes’ have assumed sequential treatment after a period of treatment of the first eye only. The aim of our study was to analyse baseline characteristics and visual acuity (VA) outcomes of fellow eye involvement with nAMD, specifically differentiating between sequential and non-sequential (due to macular scarring in the first eye) antivascular endothelial growth factor treatment and timelines for fellow eye involvement.

Methods

Retrospective, electronic medical record database study of the Moorfields AMD database of 6265 patients/120 286 single entries with data extracted between 21 October 2008 and 9 August 2018. The data set for analysis consisted of 1180 sequential, 807 non-sequential and 3410 unilateral eyes.

Results

Mean VA (ETDRS letters±SD) of sequentially treated fellow eyes at baseline was significantly higher (63±13), VA gain over 2 years lower (0.37±14) and proportion of eyes with good VA (≥70 letters) higher (46%) than the respective first eyes (baseline VA 54±16, VA gain at 2 years 5.6±15, percentage of eyes with good VA 39%). Non-sequential fellow eyes showed baseline characteristics and VA outcomes similar to first eyes. Fellow eye involvement rate was 32% at 2 years, and median time interval to fellow eye involvement was 71 (IQR: 27–147) weeks.

Conclusion

This report shows that sequentially treated nAMD fellow eyes have better baseline and final VA than non-sequentially treated eyes after 2 years of treatment. Sequentially treated eyes also had a greater proportion with good VA after 2 years.
I spy with my little eye … a knee about to go ‘pop’? Can coaches and sports medicine professionals predict who is at greater risk of ACL rupture?
Authors: Mørtvedt Anne Inger , Krosshaug Tron , Bahr Roald , Petushek Erich
Published: October 2019

Background

The vertical drop jump (VDJ) test is widely used for clinical assessment of ACL injury risk, but it is not clear whether such assessments are valid.

Aim

To examine if sports medicine professionals and coaches are able to identify players at risk of sustaining an ACL injury by visually assessing player performance during a VDJ test.

Methods

102 video clips of elite female handball and football players performing a baseline VDJ test were randomly extracted from a 738-person prospective cohort study that tracked ACL injuries. Of the sample, 20 of 102 went on to suffer an ACL injury. These 102 videos were uploaded to an online survey. Sports medicine professionals and coaches were invited to assess athlete performance and rate each clip with a number between 1 and 10 (1 representing low risk of sustaining an ACL injury and 10 representing high risk). Receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to assess classification accuracy and between-group differences were analysed using one-way analysis of variance.

Results

237 assessors completed the survey. Area under the curve values ranged from 0.36 to 0.60, with a mean score of 0.47, which is similar to random guessing. There were no significant differences in classification accuracy between groups (physicians, coaches, certified athletic trainers, researchers or physical therapists).

Conclusion

Assessors have poor predictive ability (no better than chance), indicating that visual assessment of a VDJ test is a poor test for assessing ACL injury risk in elite female handball and football players.
Successful implementation of remote video consultations for patients receiving home parenteral nutrition in a national UK Centre
Authors: Cloutier Anabelle , Bond Ashley , Taylor Michael Ian , Ablett Joanne , Teubner Antje , Farrer Kirstine , Leahy Gavin , Abraham Arun , Lal Simon
Published: October 2019

Rationale

Our intestinal failure unit provides care for patients from a wide geographical area. Patients dependent on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) are routinely reviewed in the clinic at 3–6 monthly intervals. Between March 2008 and 2015, we noted a significant rise in the number of patients under our care, with an associated 51% increase in clinic appointments offered. We evaluated whether telemedicine would provide a strategy to reduce patients’ need to travel while maintaining safe clinical standards.

Methods

Implementation began in December 2015 via patient consultation and small tests of change. Clinical data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database. Remote video consultation discussions were carried out via internet video call service (Skype). An anonymous satisfaction questionnaire was offered to patients for completion following consultation. The number of miles saved by obviating the need to attend hospital was calculated for each patient.

Results

During the study period, patients receiving HPN rose by 18% to 288. Twenty-five patients used telemedicine for HPN follow-up, three of these for follow-up with the psychologist. By avoiding hospital attendance, this saved a mean travel distance of 56.7 miles with a total of 18 346.6 cumulative miles saved. Sixty-three per cent of patients rated their satisfaction with the system at ≥90%, with a mean satisfaction of 85%. Eight per cent of the telemedicine cohort was admitted with an HPN complication, compared with an admission rate of 24% for the whole HPN cohort. One emergency admission was avoided.

Conclusion

Telemedicine can obviate the need for clinic attendance in HPN-dependent patients, so reducing the need of individuals with chronic illness to travel while maintaining standards for follow-up.
Venting issues
Authors: Sharma Neel , Cooney Rachel , Cooper Sheldon C
Published: October 2019

Introduction

A 65-year-old woman with type 3 intestinal failure secondary to scleroderma of the gut (limited cutaneous sclerosis (centromere positive) and rheumatoid arthritis (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) and rheumatoid factor positive)) on home parenteral nutrition since 2011 underwent a venting PEG replacement in 2015 for intractable vomiting due to gut dysmotility and small bowel bacterial overgrowth, poorly responding to cyclical antibiotics. An endoscopy was undertaken for planned PEG review for consideration of elective replacement (figure 1).

Figure 1

Initial endoscopy.

Based on this endoscopy, her case was discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting and the anaesthetic risk of laparotomy to remove the PEG was deemed too high (previous endoscopic PEG exchange under sedation had been poorly tolerated due to tube removal through the oesophagus (possibly affected by scleroderma), and necessitated anaesthesia). Therefore, it was decided to insert a new venting PEG endoscopically alongside the previous buried PEG (cut short and clamped) with the plan to remove the old one at a later date.

Questions

What is shown during the initial endoscopy?

What is shown during follow-up endoscopy?
Risk factors for disease progression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Raghu Ganesh , Ley Brett , Brown Kevin K , Cottin Vincent , Gibson Kevin F , Kaner Robert J , Lederer David J , Noble Paul W , Song Jin Woo , Wells Athol U , Whelan Timothy P , Lynch David A , Humphries Stephen M , Moreau Emmanuel , Goodman Krista , Patterson Scott D , Smith Victoria , Gong Qi , Sundy John S , O"Riordan Thomas G , Martinez Fernando J
Published: October 2019

In this retrospective study of a randomised trial of simtuzumab in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), prodromal decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) was significantly associated with increased risk of mortality, respiratory and all-cause hospitalisations, and categorical disease progression. Predictive modelling of progression-free survival event risk was used to assess the effect of population enrichment for patients at risk of rapid progression of IPF; C-index values were 0.64 (death), 0.69 (disease progression), and 0.72 (adjudicated respiratory hospitalisation) and 0.76 (all-cause hospitalisation). Predictive modelling may be a useful tool for improving efficiency of clinical trials with categorical end points.
THE OPTIMAL LAND SUPPLY POLICY OF CHINESE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Authors: HE YIYAO
Published: October 2019

This paper constructs a DSGE model to study the relationship between the Chinese local government’s land policy, social welfare and economic fluctuations. I find that increasing the supply of residential land by the local government will reduce housing price and increase social welfare, but it crowds out the amount of industrial land and decreases final output and social welfare as well. This trade-off brings out an optimal supply ratio of residential land, 40%, in deterministic steady-state equilibrium. Besides, the local government is able to use dynamic pro-cyclical residential land supply policy to dampen economic fluctuations in China’s macroeconomy.
Current-Mode First-Order Universal Filter and its Voltage-Mode Transformation
Authors: Chaturvedi Bhartendu , Mohan Jitendra , Kumar Atul , Pal Kirat
Published: October 2019

This paper deals with the realization of current-mode first-order universal filter based on multiple output second generation current conveyor (MO-CCII). Two MO-CCIIs, one resistor and one capacitor are used in the circuit realization. The proposed work includes additional features such as ease of cascadability, easily implementable in modern integrated circuit technology and no requirement of passive components matching condition. The additional beauty of the proposed filter structure is that all three responses can also be realized by interchanging the positions of passive components as well. Moreover, a possible transformation of the proposed current-mode type universal filter into a voltage-mode type universal filter using network transpose method is also explored. The possibility of mode transformation further expands the scope of proposed idea. The theoretical aspects are verified using cadence VIRTUOSO simulation results.
A hybrid quantum-classical paradigm to mitigate embedding costs in quantum annealing
Authors: Abbott Alastair A. , Calude Cristian S. , Dinneen Michael J. , Hua Richard
Published: October 2019

Despite rapid recent progress towards the development of quantum computers capable of providing computational advantages over classical computers, it seems likely that such computers will, initially at least, be required to run in a hybrid quantum-classical regime. This realization has led to interest in hybrid quantum-classical algorithms allowing, for example, quantum computers to solve large problems despite having very limited numbers of qubits. Here we propose a hybrid paradigm for quantum annealers with the goal of mitigating a different limitation of such devices: the need to embed problem instances within the (often highly restricted) connectivity graph of the annealer. This embedding process can be costly to perform and may destroy any computational speedup. In order to solve many practical problems, it is moreover necessary to perform many, often related, such embeddings. We will show how, for such problems, a raw speedup that is negated by the embedding time can nonetheless be exploited to give a real speedup. As a proof-of-concept example we present an in-depth case study of a simple problem based on the maximum-weight independent set problem. Although we do not observe a quantum speedup experimentally, the advantage of the hybrid approach is robustly verified, showing how a potential quantum speedup may be exploited and encouraging further efforts to apply the approach to problems of more practical interest.
A Three-Dimensional ZnO/CdS/NiFe Layered Double Hydroxide Photoanode Coupled with a Cu2O Photocathode in a Tandem Cell for Overall Solar Water Splitting
Authors: Liu Jia , Zhang Yinghua , Bai Zhiming , Huang Zhian , Gao Yukun , Yao Yuan
Published: October 2019

An integrated tandem photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell, composed of a three-dimensional (3D) ZnO/CdS/NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) core/shell/hierarchical nanowire arrays (NWAs) photoanode and a [Formula: see text]-Cu2O photocathode, was designed for unassisted overall solar water splitting in this study. The optical and photoelectrochemical characteristics of ZnO-based photoanodes and Cu2O photocathode were investigated. The results show that ZnO/CdS/NiFe LDH nanostructures offer significantly enhanced performances with a photocurrent density reaching 5.8[Formula: see text]mA[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] at 0.9[Formula: see text]V and an onset potential as early as 0.1[Formula: see text]V (versus RHE). The enhancement can be attributed to the existence of CdS nanoparticles (NPs) which boosts the light absorption in visible region and enhances charge separation. Moreover, the introduction of NiFe LDH nanoplates, with unique hierarchical mesoporous architecture, promotes electrochemical reactions by providing more active sites as co-catalyst. On the above basis, the ZnO/CdS/NiFe LDH–Cu2O two-electrode tandem cell system was established. At zero bias, the device shows a photocurrent density of 0.4[Formula: see text]mA[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] along with the corresponding solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency reaching 0.50%. Our results indicate that the tandem PEC cells consisting of metal–oxide–semiconductor photoelectrodes based on Earth-abundant and low-cost materials hold promising application potential for overall solar water splitting.
Kirchhoff Approximations for the Forward-Scattering Target Strength of Underwater Objects
Authors: He Chuanlin , Zheng Yi , Xiang Xu , Ma Yuanliang
Published: October 2019

Kirchhoff approximations for the forward-scattering target strength of underwater objects are developed by combining Babinet’s principle and the Kirchhoff integral, where theoretical formulations and a numerical implementation are given in detail. The Kirchhoff approximation is found to be a high-frequency physical acoustic approximation. The forward-scattering target strength versus frequency and the spatial angles for spherical objects, prolate spheroids and the Benchmark Target Strength Simulation Submarine (BeTSSi-Sub) model are obtained by the Kirchhoff approximation and compared with results from theory, the deformed cylinder method (DCM) and the boundary element method (BEM). The Kirchhoff approximation shows considerable agreement with the theoretical and numerical approaches in a region of [Formula: see text] from the rigorous forward-scattering direction. The forward-scattered field contour and the corresponding directivity for the BeTSSi-Sub model are also calculated as a demonstration. Mode coupling caused by the simulated target is clearly revealed. The results indicate that the Kirchhoff approximation can predict the forward-scattering target strength of complex underwater objects.