bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
203 Developing and Fine-Tuning Novel 3D-Printed Biodegradable Scaffolds to Promote Auricular Cartilaginous Regeneration for Surgical Implantation
Authors: Srivastava A , Long E , Wu L , Song W H
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Microtia, a congenital cartilaginous defect, poses major challenges in cosmetic surgery. Biodegradable polymers promote chondrogenesis, with promises of seeding cells into synthetic-polymer-implants for surgical fixation. However, existing polymers used in auricular reconstruction present limitations including inflammation, fibrosis, and extrusion. This study aimed to modulate the mechanical properties of the novel polylactic-acid/polyhydroxyalkanoate (PLA/PHA) blend by 3D-printing and hence, evaluate its suitability to the auricular microenvironment in developing next-generation reconstructs.

Method

Digitally defined PLA/PHA scaffolds were free-form 3D-printed at various infill densities and thicknesses. Through tensile testing, tensile moduli, yield point, maximum strength, tensile toughness, and stiffness were calculated, alongside Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and contact angle tests. Finally, preliminary cell seeding was conducted.

Results

Increasing infill densities of PLA/PHA scaffolds from 30%-60% significantly increased tensile moduli, yield point and maximum strength (P < 0.01). Tensile stiffness increased significantly with scaffold thicknesses between 1mm-2mm (P < 0.05). Cell studies showed promising proliferative activity.

Conclusions

The mechanical properties and structural stiffness of 3D-printed PLA/PHA scaffolds can be significantly tailored by altering infill density and thickness, respectively. The digitally defined interconnected pores within printed PLA/PHA scaffolds reduce stiffness mismatches between surgical-synthetic polymers and auricular cartilage, potentially promoting cell migration and nutrition transportation in future reconstructs.
306 Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Rupture: Analysis of Anteromedial Versus Trans-Tibial Portal Technique for Femoral Tunnel Placement in 473 Patients
Authors: Al-Hourani K , Shepperd J , Sripathmanathan K , Zhang Y , Hull B , Murray I R , Duckworth A D , Keating J F , White T O
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Correct femoral tunnel position in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is critical in obtaining good clinical outcomes. We aimed to delineate whether any difference exists between the anteromedial and trans-tibial portal femoral tunnel placement techniques on the primary outcome of ACLR, graft rupture.

Method

Adult patients (>18 years old) who underwent primary ACLR between January 2011 - January 2018 were identified and divided based on portal technique (anteromedial v trans-tibail). The primary outcome measure was graft rupture. Univariate analysis was used to delineate association between independent variables and outcome. Binary logistic regression was utilised to delineate odds ratios of significant variables.

Results

473 patients were analysed. Median age at surgery was 27 years old (range 18-70). 152/473 (32.1%) patients were anteromedial group compared to 321/473 (67.9%) trans-tibial. 25/473 (5.3%) patients sustained graft rupture. Median time to graft rupture was 12 months (IQR 9). A higher odd for graft rupture was associated with the anteromedial group, which trended towards significance (OR 2.03; 95% CI 0.90 - 4.56, p = 0.081).

Conclusions

There is no statistically significant difference in ACLR graft rupture rates when comparing anteromedial and trans-tibial portal technique for femoral tunnel placement. There was a trend towards higher rupture rates in the anteromedial portal group.
975 Outcome of Low Verus Standard Pressure Pneumoperitoneum in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Anwaar H , Ahmed R , Hashmi Z , Qavi Q , Zafar T
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Recent studies have shown that patients may experience considerable pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy as well. Hence, this study was done to compare results on post op pain with low pressure pneumoperitoneum compared with standard pneumoperitoneum.

Method

100 patients were selected for study and equally divided in two groups randomized into Low pressure (n = 50) and Standard pressure (n = 50). Operative time (min), postoperative pain (VAS) and frequency of Shoulder Tip Pain was noted in both groups

Results

A total of 100 patients were enrolled for this study. Patients were divided into two groups i.e. Group-A (Standard pressure) and Group-B (Low pressure). In group-A, there were 35(70%) males and 15(30%) females, while in group-B, there were 41(82%) males and 9(18%) females. Mean age of group-A patients was 42.0±7.0 years and 44.5±8.1 years in group-B. In group-A, 18(36%) patients had shoulder tip pain, while 4(8%) patients had had shoulder tip pain in group-B patients with a p-value of 0.001, which is statistically significant.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy using low pressure pneumoperitoneum is feasible and results in less post-operative shoulder tip pain.
1022 Socioeconomic Deprivation and Colorectal Cancer Survival
Authors: Ali F , Jha M
Published: May 2021

Background

Factors related to CRC survival include age, tumour site and stage. Other factors that may play a role on survival include race and socioeconomic status(SES).We aim to investigate the impact of SES on CRC survival.

Method

All patients diagnosed with CRC between January 2006-January 2019 were included. Demographics were collected from a prospective database. SES was defined using the Index of Multiple Deprivation(IMD).Cox-regression was used to investigate the effect of factors on survival and Kaplan-Meier to estimate survival.

Results

A total of 5,073 patients diagnosed with CRC with a median follow up of 65 months were include. Overall survival was 72.2% (76.0%0-78.4%), 59.6%(58.2%-61.0%) and 50.3% (48.8%-51.8%) at 1 year, 3 years and 5 years, respectively. Colon cancer was associated with worse survival(p = 0.00256,HR = 1.163). On multivariate analysis, socioeconomic deprivation was associated with poorer survival (HR = 1.02,p=0.00302).Male and female sex were associated with similar survival outcomes(HR = 0.9831 and 0.9341,respectively; p = 0.986 and 0.946 respectively).

Conclusions

SES impact on CRC survival seems to be inconsistent across the literature potentially due to lack of uniformity of indices used to assess SES and the heterogeneity of access to healthcare. This could ultimately impact comparability across different studies investigating the impact SES on CRC survival.
Control method for the stable operation of distributed inverters following the introduction of large-scale renewable energy to a remote island grid
Authors: Sato Shoichi , Noro Yasuhiro
Published: May 2021

The introduction of large-scale renewable energy requires a control system that can operate multiple distributed inverters in a stable way. This study proposes an inverter control method that uses information corresponding to the inertia of the synchronous generator to coordinate the operation of battery energy storage systems. Simulation results for a system with multiple inverters applying the control method are presented. Various faults such as line-to-line short circuits and three-phase line-to-ground faults were simulated. Two fault points with different characteristics were compared. The voltage, frequency and active power quickly returned to their steady-state values after the fault was eliminated. From the obtained simulation results, it was verified that our control method can be operated stably against various faults.
Performance analysis of a floating photovoltaic covering system in an Indian reservoir
Authors: Ravichandran Nagananthini , Ravichandran Nagavinothini , Panneerselvam Balamurugan
Published: May 2021

Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems are one of the globally emerging technologies of renewable energy production that tend to balance the water–energy demand by effectively saving the evaporated water from reservoirs while generating electrical power. This study presents the performance analysis of a model FPV plant in an Indian reservoir. The Mettur dam reservoir located in Tamil Nadu, India with a hydroelectric power plant of 150-MW capacity is considered as a test case. The preliminary design of the FPV plant is proposed based on a detailed study of the key design elements and their suitability for Indian reservoirs. The proposed plant is numerically analysed for various tilt angles, mounting systems and tracking mechanisms in order to assess its potential power generation. A flat-mount system in landscape orientation was found to exhibit a high performance ratio. Further, a fixed-tilt FPV system with a panel slope of 10° and an FPV system with single-axis tracking were found to be suitable for the Mettur reservoir. Further, cost analysis of the FPV system is also presented along with the carbon-footprint estimation to establish the economic and environmental benefits of the system. The results show that the total potential CO2 saving by a FPV system with tracking is 135 918.87 t CO2 and it is 12.5% higher than that of a fixed-mount FPV system.
The spread of COVID-19 and the BCG vaccine: A natural experiment in reunified Germany
Authors: Bluhm Richard , Pinkovskiy Maxim
Published: May 2021

The ‘BCG hypothesis' suggests that the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine against tuberculosis limits the severity of COVID-19. We exploit the differential vaccination practices of East Germany and West Germany prior to reunification to test this hypothesis. Using a difference in regression discontinuities (RD-DD) design centred on the end of universal vaccination in the West, we find that differences in COVID-19 severity across cohorts in the East and West are insignificant or have the wrong sign. We document a sharp cross-sectional discontinuity in the severity of the disease, which we attribute to limited mobility across the long-gone border and which disappears when we control for social connectedness. Case and death data after the end of the first lockdown on 26 April does not display a discontinuity at the former border, suggesting that mobility (as opposed to BCG vaccination) played a major role during the initial outbreak.
Identification in simple binary outcome panel data models
Authors: Honoré Bo E , de Paula Áureo
Published: May 2021

This paper first reviews some of the approaches that have been taken to estimate the common parameters of binary outcome models with fixed effects. We limit attention to situations in which the researcher has access to a data set with a large number of units (individuals or companies, for example) observed over a number of time periods. We then apply some of the existing approaches to study fixed-effects panel data versions of entry games, like the ones studied in Bresnahan and Reiss (1991) and Tamer (2003).
Case report: multimodality imaging to diagnose cardiac diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Alansari Yahya E , Yudhistiara Brian , Michel René P , Elstein Eleanor
Published: May 2021

Background

Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) is rare and can present with a wide variety of clinical symptoms, frequently leading to a delay in diagnosis.

Case summary

We report a case of a PCL in an 81-year-old man. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple masses in the right atrium and a mass in the right ventricular outflow tract extending to the pulmonary artery. Biopsy revealed a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The patient also had metastases to the liver and lung on the positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET–CT) scan. He was treated with R-CHOP chemotherapy, with complete remission documented PET–CT scans.

Conclusion

Although most patients with PCL die before chemotherapy can be initiated, a timely diagnosis can result in a favourable outcome.
Uncertainty estimation for deep learning-based automated analysis of 12-lead electrocardiograms
Authors: Vranken Jeroen F , van de Leur Rutger R , Gupta Deepak K , Juarez Orozco Luis E , Hassink Rutger J , van der Harst Pim , Doevendans Pieter A , Gulshad Sadaf , van Es René
Published: May 2021

Aims

Automated interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) using deep neural networks (DNNs) has gained much attention recently. While the initial results have been encouraging, limited attention has been paid to whether such results can be trusted, which is paramount for their clinical implementation. This study aims to systematically investigate uncertainty estimation techniques for automated classification of ECGs using DNNs and to gain insight into its utility through a clinical simulation.

Methods and results

On a total of 526 656 ECGs from three different datasets, six different methods for estimation of aleatoric and epistemic uncertainty were systematically investigated. The methods were evaluated based on ranking, calibration, and robustness against out-of-distribution data. Furthermore, a clinical simulation was performed where increasing uncertainty thresholds were applied to achieve a clinically acceptable performance. Finally, the correspondence between the uncertainty of ECGs and the lack of interpretational agreement between cardiologists was estimated. Results demonstrated the largest benefit when modelling both epistemic and aleatoric uncertainty. Notably, the combination of variational inference with Bayesian decomposition and ensemble with auxiliary output outperformed the other methods. The clinical simulation showed that the accuracy of the algorithm increased as uncertain predictions were referred to the physician. Moreover, high uncertainty in DNN-based ECG classification strongly corresponded with a lower diagnostic agreement in cardiologist’s interpretation (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Uncertainty estimation is warranted in automated DNN-based ECG classification and its accurate estimation enables intermediate quality control in the clinical implementation of deep learning. This is an important step towards the clinical applicability of automated ECG diagnosis using DNNs.
Effectiveness of genomic selection for improving provitamin A carotenoid content and associated traits in cassava
Authors: Esuma Williams , Ozimati Alfred , Kulakow Peter , Gore Michael A , Wolfe Marnin D , Nuwamanya Ephraim , Egesi Chiedozie , Kawuki Robert S
Published: May 2021

Global efforts are underway to develop cassava with enhanced levels of provitamin A carotenoids to sustainably meet increasing demands for food and nutrition where the crop is a major staple. Herein, we tested the effectiveness of genomic selection (GS) for rapid improvement of cassava for total carotenoids content and associated traits. We evaluated 632 clones from Uganda’s provitamin A cassava breeding pipeline and 648 West African introductions. At harvest, each clone was assessed for level of total carotenoids, dry matter content, and resistance to cassava brown streak disease (CBSD). All clones were genotyped with diversity array technology and imputed to a set of 23,431 single nucleotide polymorphic markers. We assessed predictive ability of four genomic prediction methods in scenarios of cross-validation, across population prediction, and inclusion of quantitative trait loci markers. Cross-validations produced the highest mean prediction ability for total carotenoids content (0.52) and the lowest for CBSD resistance (0.20), with G-BLUP outperforming other models tested. Across population, predictions showed low ability of Ugandan population to predict the performance of West African clones, with the highest predictive ability recorded for total carotenoids content (0.34) and the lowest for CBSD resistance (0.12) using G-BLUP. By incorporating chromosome 1 markers associated with carotenoids content as independent kernel in the G-BLUP model of a cross-validation scenario, prediction ability slightly improved from 0.52 to 0.58. These results reinforce ongoing efforts aimed at integrating GS into cassava breeding and demonstrate the utility of this tool for rapid genetic improvement.
Generation of Drosophila attP containing cell lines using CRISPR-Cas9
Authors: Mariyappa Daniel , Luhur Arthur , Overton Danielle , Zelhof Andrew C
Published: May 2021

The generation of Drosophila stable cell lines has become invaluable for complementing in vivo experiments and as tools for genetic screens. Recent advances utilizing attP/PhiC31 integrase system has permitted the creation of Drosophila cells in which recombination mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) can be utilized to generate stably integrated transgenic cell lines that contain a single copy of the transgene at the desired locus. Current techniques, besides being laborious and introducing extraneous elements, are limited to a handful of cell lines of embryonic origin. Nonetheless, with well over 100 Drosophila cell lines available, including an ever-increasing number CRISPR/Cas9 modified cell lines, a more universal methodology is needed to generate a stably integrated transgenic line from any one of the available Drosophila melanogaster cell lines. Here, we describe a toolkit and procedure that combines CRISPR/Cas9 and theaaa PhiC31 integrase system. We have generated and isolated single cell clones containing an Actin5C::dsRed cassette flanked by attP sites into the genome of Kc167 and S2R+ cell lines that mimic the in vivo attP sites located at 25C6 and 99F8 of the Drosophila genome. Furthermore, we tested the functionality of the attP docking sites utilizing two independent GFP expressing constructs flanked by attB sites that permit RMCE and therefore the insertion of any DNA of interest. Lastly, to demonstrate the universality of our methodology and existing constructs, we have successfully integrated the Actin5C::dsRed cassette flanked by attP sites into two different CNS cell lines, ML-DmBG2-c2 and ML-DmBG3-c2. Overall, the reagents and methodology reported here permit the efficient generation of stable transgenic cassettes with minimal change in the cellular genomes in existing D. melanogaster cell lines.
Physical Activity, Diet, and Incident Urinary Incontinence in Postmenopausal Women: Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study
Authors: Bauer Scott R , Kenfield Stacey A , Sorensen Mathew , Subak Leslee L , Phelan Suzanne , Gupta Lisa Rogo , Chen Bertha , Suskind Anne M , Park Amy J , Iglesia Cheryl , Gass Margery , Hohensee Chancellor , Breyer Benjamin N
Published: May 2021

Background

Physical activity and macronutrient intake, important contributors to energy balance, may be independently associated with female urinary incontinence (UI).

Methods

We evaluated the association of baseline self-reported physical activity and macronutrient intake, via food frequency questionnaire, with incident UI subtypes after 3 years among 19 741 postmenopausal women in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study. Odds ratios (ORs) for incident urgency, stress, and mixed UI were calculated using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Women who reported total physical activity (metabolic equivalent task [MET]-hours/week) ≥30 versus <0.1 were 16% less likely to develop urgency UI (OR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.70, 1.00) and 34% less likely for mixed UI (OR = 0.66; 95% CI 0.46, 0.95), although linear trends were no longer statistically significant after adjusting for baseline weight and weight change (p trend = .15 and .16, respectively). The association between physical activity and incident stress UI was less consistent. Higher uncalibrated protein intake was associated with increased odds of incident urgency UI (≥19.4% vs <14.1% of energy intake OR = 1.14; 95% CI 0.99, 1.30; p trend = .02), while CIs were wide and included 1.0 for calibrated protein intake. Other macronutrients were not associated with urgency UI and macronutrient intake was not associated with incident stress or mixed UI (p trend > .05 for all).

Conclusions

Among postmenopausal women, higher physical activity was associated with lower risk of incident urgency and mixed UI, but not stress UI, independent of baseline weight and weight change. Higher protein intake was associated with increased risk of urgency UI, but no associations were observed between other macronutrient and UI subtypes.
Association Between Walking Energetics and Fragmented Physical Activity in Mid- to Late-Life
Authors: Liu Fangyu , Wanigatunga Amal A , Kuo Pei-Lun , Zipunnikov Vadim , Simonsick Eleanor M , Ferrucci Luigi , Schrack Jennifer A
Published: May 2021

Background

Physical activity becomes increasingly fragmented with age, which may be an early marker of functional decline. Energetic cost of walking and energy capacity are also linked with functional decline, but their associations with activity fragmentation, and the potential modifying roles of total daily physical activity and age, remains unclear.

Method

A total of 493 participants (50–93 years) from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging underwent measures of energetic cost of usual-paced overground walking (mL/kg/m), energy demand during slow walking (mL/kg/min) on a treadmill (0.67 m/s, 0% grade), and average peak walking energy expenditure (mL/kg/min) during a fast-paced 400-m walk. A ratio of slow walking to peak walking energy expenditure (“cost-to-capacity ratio”) was calculated. Activity fragmentation was quantified as an active-to-sedentary transition probability (ASTP) using Actiheart accelerometer data. Linear regression models with ASTP as the dependent variable were used to test whether poorer energy cost and capacity were associated with higher ASTP and whether the associations differed by daily physical activity or age.

Results

After adjusting for demographics, body composition, comorbidities, and daily physical activity, every 10% higher cost-to-capacity ratio was associated with 0.4% greater ASTP (p = .005). This association was primarily driven by the least active participants (pinteraction = .023). Peak walking energy expenditure was only associated with ASTP among participants aged ≥70 years.

Conclusions

Higher cost-to-capacity ratio and lower energy capacity may manifest as more fragmented physical activity, especially among those less active or aged ≥70 years. Future studies should examine whether an increasing cost-to-capacity ratio or declining energy capacity predicts subsequent activity fragmentation.
Internet of Samples (iSamples): Toward an interdisciplinary cyberinfrastructure for material samples
Authors: Davies Neil , Deck John , Kansa Eric C , Kansa Sarah Whitcher , Kunze John , Meyer Christopher , Orrell Thomas , Ramdeen Sarah , Snyder Rebecca , Vieglais Dave , Walls Ramona L , Lehnert Kerstin
Published: May 2021

Sampling the natural world and built environment underpins much of science, yet systems for managing material samples and associated (meta)data are fragmented across institutional catalogs, practices for identification, and discipline-specific (meta)data standards. The Internet of Samples (iSamples) is a standards-based collaboration to uniquely, consistently, and conveniently identify material samples, record core metadata about them, and link them to other samples, data, and research products. iSamples extends existing resources and best practices in data stewardship to render a cross-domain cyberinfrastructure that enables transdisciplinary research, discovery, and reuse of material samples in 21st century natural science.
Testosterone Treatment Mimics Seasonal Downregulation of Dopamine Innervation in the Auditory System of Female Midshipman Fish
Authors: Perelmuter Jonathan T , Hom Kelsey N , Mohr Robert A , Demis Lina , Kim Spencer , Chernenko Alena , Timothy Miky , Middleton Mollie A , Sisneros Joseph A , Forlano Paul M
Published: May 2021

In seasonally breeding vertebrates, hormones coordinate changes in nervous system structure and function to facilitate reproductive readiness and success. Steroid hormones often exert their effects indirectly via regulation of neuromodulators, which in turn can coordinate the modulation of sensory input with appropriate motor output. Female plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus) undergo increased peripheral auditory sensitivity in time for the summer breeding season, improving their ability to detect mates, which is regulated by steroid hormones. Reproductive females also show differences in catecholaminergic innervation of auditory circuitry compared with winter, non-reproductive females as measured by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholaminergic synthesis. Importantly, catecholaminergic input to the inner ear from a dopaminergic-specific forebrain nucleus is decreased in the summer and dopamine inhibits the sensitivity of the inner ear, suggesting that gonadal steroids may alter auditory sensitivity by regulating dopamine innervation. In this study, we gonadectomized non-reproductive females, implanted them with estradiol (E2) or testosterone (T), and measured TH immunoreactive (TH-ir) fibers in auditory nuclei where catecholaminergic innervation was previously shown to be seasonally plastic. We found that treatment with T, but not E2, reduced TH-ir innervation in the auditory hindbrain. T-treatment also reduced TH-ir fibers in the forebrain dopaminergic cell group that projects to the inner ear, and likely to the auditory hindbrain. Higher T plasma in the treatment group was correlated with reduced-ir TH terminals in the inner ear. These T-treatment induced changes in TH-ir fibers mimic the seasonal downregulation of dopamine in the midshipman inner ear and provide evidence that steroid hormone regulation of peripheral auditory sensitivity is mediated, in part, by dopamine.
Design and performance experiment of radial inflow turbine expander for organic Rankine cycle system
Authors: Gou Yanan , Li Lei , Min Hong
Published: May 2021

Expander is the core component of organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system. Taking R245fa as the organic working fluid, the miniaturization design of radial inflow turbine expander with theoretical maximum output power 20 kW and rotational speed of 30 000 r/min is carried out. The deflector and the moving impeller are simulated and designed. The ORC system with preheater and superheater is built for performance analysis of the designed turbine expander. The effects of temperature, pressure and rotational speed on the output power, temperature drop and efficiency of turbine expander are studied experimentally. The experimental results show that with the increase of the inlet temperature, the efficiency of the turbine expander has a minimum value, but the output power keeps increasing gradually. The analysis shows that the lowest efficiency is caused by the deterioration of expansion due to the rapid increase of flow rate. The turbine expander has the maximum efficiency of 0.886 at the inlet temperature 393.15 K and the inlet pressure 1.2 MPa. When the rotational speed increases from 12 000 r/min to 28 000 r/min, the temperature drop increases from 17.2 K to 32.7 K, and the output power increases from 7.04 kW to 17.3 kW. With the increase of rotational speed, the thermal power conversion capacity and temperature drop increase, so the output power increases. The system efficiency increases with the increase of turbine expander efficiency and has the same change rule.
Psychosocial Stress Alters the Immune Response and Results in Higher Viral Load During Acute Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in a Pigtailed Macaque Model of Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Guerrero-Martin Selena M , Rubin Leah H , McGee Kirsten M , Shirk Erin N , Queen Suzanne E , Li Ming , Bullock Brandon , Carlson Bess W , Adams Robert J , Gama Lucio , Graham David R , Zink Christine , Clements Janice E , Mankowski Joseph L , Metcalf Pate Kelly A
Published: May 2021

Background

Although social distancing is a key public health response during viral pandemics, psychosocial stressors, such as social isolation, have been implicated in adverse health outcomes in general [1] and in the context of infectious disease, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [2, 3]. A comprehensive understanding of the direct pathophysiologic effects of psychosocial stress on viral pathogenesis is needed to provide strategic and comprehensive care to patients with viral infection.

Methods

To determine the effect of psychosocial stress on HIV pathogenesis during acute viral infection without sociobehavioral confounders inherent in human cohorts, we compared commonly measured parameters of HIV progression between singly (n = 35) and socially (n = 41) housed simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina).

Results

Singly housed macaques had a higher viral load in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid and demonstrated greater CD4 T-cell declines and more CD4 and CD8 T-cell activation compared with socially housed macaques throughout acute SIV infection.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that psychosocial stress directly impacts the pathogenesis of acute SIV infection and imply that it may act as an integral variable in the progression of HIV infection and potentially of other viral infections.
A novel risk score for in-hospital perioperative mortality of five major surgeries
Authors: Jia Hongxun , Wang Shan , Liu Jianchao , Li Lin , Liu Lihua
Published: May 2021

Background

Risk-scoring tools for perioperative mortality adjustment are essential for inter-hospital quality comparisons, which are still lacking in China. Existing scores had significant disadvantages when applied in managerial practice.

Objective

This study aimed to develop a simple risk score using highly accessible information that could appropriately adjust the perioperative mortality from major surgeries across tertiary Chinese public hospitals and provide a reference for other underdeveloped countries with the same need.

Methods

A study cohort from 19 hospitals was randomly split into a development set and an internal validation set in the ratio of 7:3. Another cohort from six hospitals was used as an external validation set. All data were obtained from the military-hospital public services database of the National Engineering Laboratory of Application Technology in Medical Big Data. Patients aged above 18 years undergoing one of the five categories of major surgical procedures between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2020 were identified. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to predict the risk of mortality and derive the risk score. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test were used to assess the discrimination and calibration of the model, respectively.

Results

The study set included 45 558 cases, divided into a development set containing 31 891 cases and an internal validation set with 13 667 cases. Another cohort with 14 956 cases was used as an external validation set. The final included predictor variables were age, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, condition at admission, admission route and the procedure. The predicted risk score ranged from −21.5 to 37.0 points. The model discriminated well in the development set, internal validation set, and external validation set. The AUC for them were 0.753 (Standard Error(SE) 0.016, 95% Confidence Interval(CI): 0.721,0.784), 0.790 (SE 0.025, 95% CI: 0.742,0.839), and 0.766(SE 0.019, 95% CI: 0.728, 0.804), respectively. P values in the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test were all above 0.05, indicating a good calibration.

Conclusions

This risk-scoring model was proved to have satisfactory performance, allowing the rapid and effective risk adjustment of perioperative mortality when comparing the surgical quality in tertiary hospitals in China and other underdeveloped regions.
Selective digestive decontamination with oral colistin plus gentamicin for persistent bacteraemia caused by non-carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a neutropenic patient
Authors: Spencer-Sandino Maria , Riquelme-Neira Roberto , Shropshire William C , Dinh An Q , González-Rocha Gerardo , González-Muñoz Paulina , Vera-Leiva Alejandra , Araos Rafael , Hanson Blake , Arias Cesar A , Munita José M
Published: May 2021

Background

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKp) have become an increasing public health problem worldwide. While most CRKp around the world harbour a carbapenemase enzyme, the clinical relevance of non-carbapenemase-producing CRKp (non-CP-CRKp) is increasingly recognized. Selective digestive decontamination (SDD) has been proven successful as a decolonization strategy for patients colonized with Gram-negatives in the ICU. However, it is not regularly used to treat invasive infections.

Objectives

To report the use of SDD as a useful strategy for managing recalcitrant CRKp bloodstream infections.

Patients and methods

We present a neutropenic patient with a recalcitrant bloodstream infection with non-CP-CRKp treated with SDD. Besides, genomic analyses of five isolates of non-CP-CRKp was performed.

Results

After 11 days of SDD treatment with oral colistin and gentamicin, bacteraemia was successfully eradicated. Genomic analysis indicates a fully carbapenem-resistant phenotype evolved in vivo and suggests that the mechanism of carbapenem resistance in our strains relates to gene amplification of narrow-spectrum β-lactamases.

Conclusions

Our report highlights that SDD might be a useful strategy to manage CRKp bloodstream infections, when intestinal translocation is the likely source of the bacteraemia. In addition, the development of a resistant phenotype during therapy is worrisome as therapies directed against these organisms are likely to favour the amplification process.
177 Quantifying Cortisol in Hair as a Chronic Stress Biomarker in Group-housed and Stall-housed Sows During Gestation
Authors: Everding Talia , Levesque Crystal L , Seddon Yolande , Perez-Palencia Jorge Y
Published: May 2021

The objective of the study was to determine hair cortisol concentrations in sows in two different housing systems. Sows (n = 66, parity 0–6) were housed at the SDSU sow facility and assigned to one of two housing systems, stalls (STL) or group pens (PEN). The STL sows (n = 34) were housed in gestation stalls from breeding until d111 ± 1.1 of gestation; PEN sows (n = 32) were moved to 3 pens approximately 24 h after breeding in a dynamic group sow housing system. All females were housed in stalls at least 5d prior to breeding. All sows were moved to farrowing crates at approximately d111 of gestation. Hair was shaved from the right hip within 5d of breeding (defined as d0). At d37, d74, and d111 of gestation the same area was shaved and hair collected; samples from d37 and d111 were analyzed for cortisol. In the statistical model, main effects of housing system, time, and their interactions were tested with parity as random effect. Sows were later assigned a parity group [0–1 (n = 23), 2–3 (n = 17), and 4–6 (n = 26)] to assess the interactions between parity and treatment. There was a treatment by parity interaction (P < 0.05) where parity 0–1 STL group had higher cortisol (75.6 pg/mg) than parity 0–1 PEN group (24.2 pg/mg) and no effect of housing on parity 2–3 and 4–6 groups. Across parity, STL sows had greater (P < 0.05) overall hair cortisol than PEN sows (49.4 vs 19.8 ± 8.0 pg/mg hair). Hair cortisol concentration tended to be lower (P = 0.06) at d37 than d111 (29.4 vs 39.8 ± 8.0 pg/mg) and no time by treatment interaction was observed. These results suggest that young sows experience greater stress in individual stall housing than in group housing and that cortisol increases with progressing gestation regardless of housing system.
179 A Comparison of Local Anesthetic Effectiveness in Reducing Pain Associated with Dehorning in Dairy Calves
Authors: Martin Miriam S , Kleinhenz Michael , Viscardi Abbie , Curtis Andrew , Johnson Blaine , Montgomery Shawnee , Coetzee Johann
Published: May 2021

Dehorning is performed on a high percentage of dairies in the United States. Concern for animal welfare has led to investigating pain mitigation during dehorning. The objective was to compare the effectiveness of bupivacaine liposome suspension, lidocaine, or lidocaine + meloxicam administered at dehorning. Fifty male Holstein calves, 10–14 weeks of age were enrolled and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatment groups: 1) bupivacaine liposome suspension block, oral placebo, cautery dehorn (BUP); 2) lidocaine block, oral placebo, cautery dehorn (LID); 3) lidocaine block, oral meloxicam, cautery dehorn (LID + MEL); 4) saline block, oral placebo, cautery dehorn (CON); and 5) saline block, oral placebo, sham dehorn (SHAM). Biomarkers were collected from 0 to 120 hours post-dehorning and included infrared thermography (IRT), mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT), and pressure mat gait analysis. Biomarkers were statistically analyzed using repeat measures with the calf being the repeated measure. There were no significant treatment differences for IRT measures. A treatment effect was observed for the mean difference of the right horn bud minus a control point which were -1.21 kgF, -1.41 kgF, -1.56 kgF, -1.65 kgF, and -1.68 kgF for the SHAM, CON, BUP, LID + MEL, and LID groups, respectively (P = 0.004). The BUP group did not differ from CON (P = 0.78) or SHAM (P = 0.07). A treatment effect was observed for gait distance means which were 182.05 cm, 189.69 cm, 195.77 cm, 199.54 cm, and 200.59 cm for the SHAM, BUP, LID + MEL, LID and CON groups, respectively (P = 0.04). The CON group did not differ from BUP, LID, or LID + MEL (P > 0.05) but did differ from SHAM (P = 0.02). These data show that administration of bupivacaine liposome suspension at the time of dehorning was not different than lidocaine or lidocaine + meloxicam.
180 Comparative Pharmacokinetics of Flunixin Meglumine and Meloxicam in Tilapia (Oreochromis Spp.)
Authors: Martin Miriam S , Smith Stephen , Kleinhenz Michael , Magnin Geraldine , Lin Zhoumeng , Kuhn David , Montgomery Shawnee , Coetzee Johann
Published: May 2021

Aquaculture is one of the largest growing sectors of the world food supply. There is evidence of pain perception in fish, but analgesic use in aquaculture is limited, as little information is available on the properties of analgesic drugs in fish. The objective was to investigate the comparative pharmacokinetics of flunixin administered intramuscularly and meloxicam administered intramuscularly or orally in tilapia. Two hundred-seventy fish were enrolled and assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups 1) flunixin meglumine administered intramuscularly at a dose of 2.2 mg/kg; 2) meloxicam administered intramuscularly at a dose of 1 mg/kg; or 3) meloxicam administered orally at a dose of 1 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected from 6 fish per treatment group at 14 timepoints out to 10 days post-drug administration. Plasma drug concentrations were determined using ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy. The mean and standard error of the plasma concentration were calculated for each treatment at each timepoint. The plasma concentration versus time data were analyzed with a non-compartmental approach using a commercially available software (Phoenix®, Version 8.3, Certara, Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA). Flunixin reached a mean maximum concentration (Cmax) of 4826.7 ng/mL at 0.5 h, had a terminal half-life (T1/2) of 0.5h, and an area under the concentration time curve extrapolated to infinity (AUCINF_obs) of 25,261.62 h*ng/mL. Intramuscular meloxicam had a T1/2 of 9.4 h after reaching a Cmax of 11.3 ng/mL at 2 h, with an AUCINF_obs of 150.31 h*ng/mL. Oral meloxicam has a T1/2 of 1.9 h after reaching a Cmax of 72.2 ng/mL at 2 h, with an AUCINF_obs of 400.83 h*ng/mL. In conclusion, flunixin, when administered intramuscularly, reaches sufficient plasma concentrations to potentially have an effect, while meloxicam when administered intramuscularly or orally at the given dosage likely does not due to the relatively low plasma concentration.
234 Effects of Housing Cow-calf Pairs on Drylots vs Pasture on Calf Performance and Behavior During the Receiving Phase
Authors: Myerscough Megan , Chapple Wes , Meteer William T , Shike Daniel W
Published: May 2021

The objectives were to analyze the effects of housing cow-calf pairs in drylots or pasture on calf performance and behavior through the receiving phase. Simmental × Angus (2 yr; 108/yr; 81 ± 15.3 d postpartum) spring-calving cows were stratified by age, BW, BCS, and calf sex and allotted to six groups/yr. Groups were randomly allotted to 1 of 2 treatments: drylot (DL) or pasture (PAST). After weaning, calves were shipped 262 km to a feedlot for a 42 d receiving period. All calves were fed a diet consisting of corn silage, wet distillers grains, corn, and grass hay during the receiving phase. Behavior was evaluated on d 1 and d 2 after arrival. Calf BW was measured on d 0, 21, and 42. Average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), and feed efficiency were also determined. The data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. On day 1, there was a treatment by time interaction for lying (P = 0.04). At h 2, 4, and 11 more PAST calves were lying. There was a tendency (P = 0.08) for PAST calves to spend more time eating. More DL calves vocalized (P = 0.03). On day 2, there were treatment by time interactions (P ≤ 0.02) for lying and walking. More PAST calves were lying at h 1, 2, 8, 9, and 12. More DL calves were walking at h 2, 11, and 12. Pasture calves had greater (P < 0.01) ADG and G:F than DL calves. However, the DL calves had greater (P ≤ 0.02) BW at d 0, 21, and 42. In conclusion, calf behavior at receiving was influenced by preweaning housing. Additionally, pasture calves had improved receiving phase ADG and feed efficiency but were still lighter than drylot calves after 42 d receiving phase.
11 Metal Amino Acid Chelates/complexes with Emphasis on Molecule Absorption and Efficacy Differences in Swine
Authors: Wedekind Karen J
Published: May 2021

The objective of this presentation will be to discuss differences in the molecular structures between various organic trace minerals (OTM) and inorganic trace minerals (ITM) and discuss how these properties impact stability, absorption, bioavailability and retention. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) lists several different categories of OTM including chelates, complexes and proteinates. Typical ligands include organic acids, amino acids, peptides and polysaccharides. It is widely known that bioavailability of ITM is low, primarily due to the presence of antagonisms such as phytate and/or fiber or excesses of other minerals. For this reason, inclusions of trace minerals (e.g. Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe) are often added in commercial livestock diets at 2–3-fold higher concentrations than recommended by NRC. Feeding highly bioavailable trace minerals is important. These minerals are required components of thousands of the proteins, enzymes and transcription factors that support a wide variety of biochemical processes in the cells and tissues of animals. These functions include gene regulation, cell growth and division, immune development and function, tissue development and integrity, reproduction and oxidative stress management. Low bioavailability of these trace minerals can reduce animal performance, immune function, reproductive performance and increase lameness. Numerous in vitro and in vivo methodologies have been used to compare bioavailability and demonstrate higher stability, tissue retention and digestibility of OTM vs ITM. Sow longevity is a key factor in commercial swine herd profitability. Reproductive problems and lameness are the most common reasons for premature sow culling from breeding herds. Compared to ITM, OTM reduced gilt and sow mortality 9–17% (P < 0.10), culling rate 20–35% (P < 0.01) and increased sow retention (through parity 3) 5–10%; (P < 0.01). Greater bioavailability translates to biological benefits to the producer, however, our findings demonstrate that not all OTM perform better than ITM.
131 Zilpaterol Hydrochloride and Heat Stress Each Alter the Cattle Adipose Transcriptome and Predicted to Alter Molecular Pathways After 21 Days
Authors: Reith Rachel R , Sieck Renae L , Grijalva Pablo Cesar , Diaz Duarte E , Schmidt Ty B , Yates Dustin T , Petersen Jessica L
Published: May 2021

Heat stress reduces livestock performance while supplementation of beta-adrenergic agonists (βAA) such as zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) improve production efficiency; both stimulate lipolysis. The objective of this study was to understand the effects (independent, interacting) of heat stress and ZH on the subcutaneous adipose transcriptome in fed steers. 24 Red Angus steers were assigned to thermoneutral (TN; THI=68) or heat stress (HS; THI=83) conditions and fed no supplement (NS) or ZH (8.33 mg/kg/day) for 21d in a 2x2 factorial. TN steers were pair-fed the HS daily average. Subcutaneous adipose samples were collected at day -3, 3, 10, and 21. RNA was isolated and sequenced using 3’ Tag-Seq reads to a depth of 3.6 million reads/sample. Transcripts were mapped to ARS-UCD1.2 and quantified. After quality control, differential expression (DE) analyses were performed in DESeq2 with a significance threshold (FRD) of 0.05. Pathway analysis was used to explore pathways affected by HS, ZH, and their interaction using DE loci (P < 0.05). The acute phase response signaling pathway was predicted to be activated at 3d, but inhibited at 10d and 21d by the combination of HS and ZH. At multiple time points, inflammatory pathways including those for interferon and IL-8 were predicted to be activated by HS. Mitochondrial function pathways including oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and TCA cycle II were altered by ZH. Adipose centric pathways for phospholipase-C and protein kinase-A signaling were altered by HS/ZH interaction while glycolysis was altered solely by HS. These data support the hypothesis that exposing cattle to HS conditions and ZH supplementation alters the subcutaneous adipose transcriptome, but not necessarily in an additive fashion. These data provide information regarding the supplementation of βAA in heat stress environments, especially if it mediates the effects of HS.
23 Effects of Rubber Matting on Cattle Locomotion Scores in Slatted Facilities
Authors: Dawson Cody , Henley Parker , Schroeder Adam , Hayes Courtney , Felix Tara , Shike Daniel W , McCann Joshua C
Published: May 2021

The objective was to determine effects of interlocking rubber floor matting in slatted indoor cattle feeding facilities on cattle locomotion. In experiment 1, Fall-born Angus × Simmental steers (N = 206; BW = 228 ± 34 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned to 32 pens. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: new Max Grip Animat matting (MG), new Animat Pebble matting (PEB), old Animat Pebble matting (OLD), and no matting/concrete slating (CONC). Steers were fed a common diet for 209 d with an average stocking density of 3.70 m2 per steer. Locomotion scores were assigned by two trained staff using a 0–3 scale of the Step-Up® Locomotion Scoring System (Zinpro, Eden Prairie, MN) throughout both experiments. There was no treatment by day interaction (P = 0.88) observed. Treatment affected (P < 0.01) locomotion scores with CONC being the greatest and MG, PEB, and OLD being lesser and not different from each other. Locomotion scores also increased (P < 0.01) over time. In experiment 2, Fall-born Angus × Simmental steers (n = 189; BW = 352 ± 43 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned to 21 pens. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: new Animat Pebble matting (PEB2), old Animat Pebble matting (OLD2), or no matting/concrete slating (CONC2). Steers were fed a common diet for 152 d with an average stocking density of 2.64 m2 per steer. There was no treatment by day interaction (P = 0.42) observed. However, both treatment and day affected (P ≤ 0.02) locomotion scores. Steers on CONC2 had the greatest locomotion score, while PEB2 and OLD2 were not different from each other. Locomotion scores were the greatest on d 152. Overall, results suggest new and old rubber floor matting improved locomotion scores of feedlot steers in slatted indoor cattle feeding facilities.