bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GAAREIP: Indian Innovation of Caps and Personal Protective Equipment
Authors: Pandita Aakash , Gupta Girish
Published: June 2020

The world has recently been hit by a pandemic caused by the novel Coronavirus infection. The infection is highly contagious and possesses a significant risk for health care workers caring for the infected patients. With more than 200 countries being affected and around 3,00,000 deaths across the globe, the essential supply of masks and personal protective equipment has been falling short of the ever increasing need. In such crisis there is a need for innovating and designing endogenous masks and equipment to avoid compromise in care of the effected patients and for safeguarding the health of health care workers.
Quality Improvement at an Academic Cancer Center: Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Patients With Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Baz Rachid , Furman Roy , Simondsen Katherine , Stone Christine
Published: June 2020

Patients with multiple myeloma are at elevated risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), the second leading cause of death in patients with cancer, but physician adherence to VTE prevention guidelines is low. Several organizations partnered in designing and implementing a 2-year quality improvement (QI) program in a tertiary care/academic cancer center, to increase awareness of VTE prophylaxis for patients with multiple myeloma and thus improve adherence to prophylaxis guidelines and protocols. The QI arm included 2 chart audits, conducted 2 years apart, of unmatched cohorts of 100 patients with multiple myeloma. An Education arm included 2 grand rounds presentations, 3 web-based case discussions, and a patient education module. Twenty providers took part in the continuous QI arm. More than 1100 learners participated in the online cases; the patient education curriculum reached 112 multiple myeloma patients. The initiative proved helpful in defining barriers to guideline adherence and identifying data-driven practice improvement strategies for VTE prophylaxis. It also increased learner awareness of VTE guidelines, patient risk stratification, and optimal thromboprophylaxis strategies. There was a reduction in VTE events (primary clinical outcome) from 10% at baseline to 4% in the follow-up cohort, although this was not statistically significant. Higher rates of guideline-based prophylaxis were observed in low-risk patients, and a lower incidence of VTE was observed in multiple myeloma patients with a prior history of VTE. Additional research is needed to refine prophylaxis guidelines. With appropriate institutional support, this type of QI program can be readily adopted by other organizations to address practice improvement needs.
WhatsApp with Politics?!
Authors: Vermeer Susan A. M. , Kruikemeier Sanne , Trilling Damian , de Vreese Claes H.
Published: June 2020

With an increasing number of people, especially adolescents, using more private online platforms, such as WhatsApp, for news, an important question for democracy is whether such platforms can facilitate learning about politics and current events. In this study, we examine adolescents’ affective (emotions, feelings), behavioral (actions and behavioral intentions), and cognitive (political knowledge) responses to interpersonal political discussion on WhatsApp. We conducted a preregistered field experiment at six secondary schools in the Netherlands ( N = 230). We assigned respondents with strong ties to a WhatsApp group. For seven days, respondents received a link to an online political news item on a daily basis; and (1) either had to read or (2) read and discuss it. The results indicate that interpersonal discussion evokes stronger positive emotions and feelings, as well as issue-specific knowledge. In addition, elaboration on the content of political discussion was positively related to issue-specific knowledge. In this way, instant messaging apps may serve as a resource for engaging adolescents with politics and current events.
Racial Disparities in Police Use of Deadly Force Against Unarmed Individuals Persist After Appropriately Benchmarking Shooting Data on Violent Crime Rates
Authors: Ross Cody T. , Winterhalder Bruce , McElreath Richard
Published: June 2020

Cesario et al. argue that benchmarking the relative counts of killings by police on relative crime rates, rather than relative population sizes, generates a measure of racial disparity in the use of lethal force that is unbiased by differential crime rates. Their publication, however, lacked any formal derivation showing that their benchmarking methodology has the statistical properties required to establish such a claim. We use the causal model of lethal force by police conditional on relative crime rates implicit in their analyses and prove that their benchmarking methodology does not, in general, remove the bias introduced by crime rate differences. Instead, it creates strong statistical biases that mask true racial disparities, especially in the killing of unarmed noncriminals by police. Reanalysis of their data using formally derived criminality-correcting benchmarks shows that there is strong and statistically reliable evidence of anti-Black racial disparities in the killing of unarmed Americans by police in 2015–2016.
Disambiguating the benefits and risks from public health data in the digital economy
Authors: Cheung Sarah
Published: June 2020

This article focuses on key roles that the ill-defined concept of ‘public benefit’ plays in accessing the public health data held by the UK’s National Health Service. Using the concept of the ‘trade-off fallacy’, this article argues that current data access and governance structures, based on particular construals of public benefit in the context of public health data, largely negate the possibility of effective control by individuals over future uses of personal health data. This generates a health data version of the trade-off fallacy that enables widespread involvement of commercial actors in personal data, despite public concerns over commercial involvement in, and potential exploitation of, public health data. The article suggests that, despite ostensibly robust regulatory and governance structures, this publicly held data is potentially subject to similar logics of accumulation as seen elsewhere in the digital economy, highlighting the inadequacies of current data regulatory frameworks in the digital era.
Conceptualizing and Validating Organizational Communication Patterns and Their Associations with Employee Outcomes
Authors: Mikkelson Alan C. , Hesse Colin
Published: June 2020

Using Ritchie and Fitzpatrick’s conceptualization of family communication patterns, we developed a scale of communication patterns within an organizational context. Three studies (total N = 877) were conducted to develop the new measurement and demonstrate its psychometric properties. The item generation (Study 1) and the exploratory factor analysis (Study 2) revealed that conformity had both positive and negative dimensions. The confirmatory factor analysis (Study 3) demonstrated the strength of the factor structure for the two dimensions of conformity and the conversation orientation. Results indicated that positive conformity and conversation orientations were positively related to constructive employee outcomes (e.g., organizational commitment and employee engagement) and negatively related to detrimental employee outcomes (e.g., turnover intentions and burnout). The negative conformity orientation demonstrated the opposite relationship to employee outcomes. Finally, regression analyses indicated that interaction effects occurred between the conformity dimensions and the conversation orientation for several employee outcomes.
The intimate-mobility entanglement: Subaltern trajectories in the Haitian-Dominican borderlands
Authors: Blanco Masaya Llavaneras
Published: June 2020

This article argues that intimacy and human (im)mobilities are interrelated, and that this relationship is integral to the way borders function and are experienced. I propose the concept of intimate-mobility entanglement to describe this relationship of interdependence. Based on primary research conducted with Haitian domestic workers that work in the Dominican Republic (DR), the article illustrates how intimate labour functions as a driver and a strategy for human (im)mobility. The article characterizes the interactions between (im)mobility and intimacy as a relationship of entanglement that is observable in domestic work, childrearing, intimate violence, border crossing and access to the right to nationality. The article centers on the spatial trajectory of Marie, a Haitian woman who works as a domestic worker in a Dominican border town after having lived and worked in several towns in the DR for twenty years. Marie’s spatial trajectories illuminate how the intimate-mobility entanglement is integral to the Dominican border regime. Through individual interviews, participant observation and mapping Marie’s journeys through Haitian and Dominican territories, the article revisits her spatial trajectories and sheds light on the dual relationship between the intimate-mobility entanglement and the border regime. On the one hand, the entanglement intervenes in the way the border is reinforced in the actual border strip while it also stretches out into Dominican territory. On the other, the border regime conditions Marie’s labour, how she moves and settles down, and influences how intimate labours are carried out and experienced. Building on a tradition of feminist and subaltern geographies, as well as on mobilities literature, the article presents a contextualized analysis of the politics of subaltern mobilities and explains how intimacy and intimate labours are critical aspects of how borders work.
Potential Cytochrome P450 Drug‐Drug Interaction Among Adult and Adolescent Patients Undergoing Tonsillectomy
Authors: Nimmagadda Sai , Wong Stephanie Jung‐ying , Faria Madlin , Allen Paul , Faria John
Published: June 2020

Objective

To assess the frequency of potential drug‐drug interactions affecting cytochrome P450 (CYP)–mediated metabolism of opioids among adult and adolescent patients who underwent adenotonsillectomy.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care university hospital.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of 279 patients who underwent adenotonsillectomy at the University of Rochester. The discharge medication list was reviewed for all patients, and their postoperative medications were compared with a reference list published by the Food and Drug Administration and the University of Indiana’s Department of Clinical Pharmacology (Flockhart Table) to determine whether CYP‐inducing or CYP‐inhibiting medication was present.

Results

Out of 279 patients, 197 different medications were taken postoperatively. Approximately 70% of patients were taking 2 medications in addition to the standard postoperative analgesics (acetaminophen, hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, and/or ibuprofen). The 5 most commonly prescribed medications excluding the posttonsillectomy medications were oral contraceptives, ondansetron, amoxicillin, albuterol, and methylprednisolone. Four percent of patients were taking a medication that inhibits CYP3A4; <1% were taking a medication that induces CYP3A4; and 15% were taking a medication that inhibits CYP2D6.

Conclusions

Nearly 20% of the patients in this cohort were taking a medication that may alter opioid metabolism through induction or inhibition of CYP3A4 or CYP2D6. Some of these interactions have the potential to be more clinically relevant than others, particularly interactions that can lead to enhanced toxicity of opioids due to accumulation of active metabolites.
Peripheral perfusion index predicting prolonged ICU stay earlier and better than lactate in surgical patients: an observational study
Authors: Shi Xinge , Xu Ming , Yu Xu , Lu Yibin
Published: June 2020

Background

Peripheral perfusion index (PPI) is an indicator reflecting perfusion. Patients undergoing long time surgeries are more prone to hypoperfusion and increased lactate. Few studies focusing on investigating the association between PPI and surgical patients’ prognoses. We performed this study to find it out.

Methods

From January 2019 to September 2019, we retrospected all surgical patients who were transferred to ICU, Xinyang Central hospital, Henan province, China. Inclusive criteria: age ≥ 18 years old; surgical length ≥ 120 min. Exclusive criteria: died in ICU; discharging against medical advice; existing diseases affecting blood flow of upper limbs, for example, vascular thrombus in arms; severe liver dysfunction.

We defined “prolonged ICU stay” as patients with their length of ICU stay longer than 48 h. According to the definition, patients were divided into two groups: “prolonged group” (PG) and “non-prolong group” (nPG). Baseline characteristics, surgical and therapeutic information, ICU LOS, SOFA and APACHE II were collected. Besides we gathered data of following parameters at 3 time points (T0: ICU admission; T1: 6 h after admission; T2: 12 h after admission): mean artery pressure (MAP), lactate, heart rate (HR), PPI and body temperature. Data were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariable binary logistic regression and ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curves were performed to find the association between perfusion indictors and ICU LOS.

Results

Eventually, 168 patients were included, 65 in PG and 103 in nPG. Compared to nPG, patients in PG had higher blood lactate and lower PPI. PPI showed significant difference between two groups earlier than lactate (T0 vs T1). The value of PPI at two time points was lower in PG than nPG(T0: 1.09 ± 0.33 vs 1.41 ± 0.45, p = 0.001; T1: 1.08 ± 0.37 vs 1.49 ± 0.41, p < 0.001).

Increased lactateT1(OR 3.216; 95% CI 1.253–8.254, P = 0.015) and decreased PPIT1 (OR 0.070; 95% CI 0.016–0.307, P < 0.001) were independently associated with prolonged ICU stay. The area under ROC of the PPIT1 for predicting ICU stay> 48 h was 0.772, and the cutoff value for PPIT1 was 1.35, with 83.3% sensitivity and 73.8% specificity.

Conclusions

PPI and blood lactate at T1(6 h after ICU admission) are associated with ICU LOS in surgical patient. Compared to lactate, PPI indicates hypoperfusion earlier and more accurate in predicting prolonged ICU stay.
Tandem gene duplications drive divergent evolution of caffeine and crocin biosynthetic pathways in plants
Authors: Xu Zhichao , Pu Xiangdong , Gao Ranran , Demurtas Olivia Costantina , Fleck Steven J. , Richter Michaela , He Chunnian , Ji Aijia , Sun Wei , Kong Jianqiang , Hu Kaizhi , Ren Fengming , Song Jiejie , Wang Zhe , Gao Ting , Xiong Chao , Yu Haoying , Xin Tianyi , Albert Victor A. , Giuliano Giovanni , Chen Shilin , Song Jingyuan
Published: June 2020

Background

Plants have evolved a panoply of specialized metabolites that increase their environmental fitness. Two examples are caffeine, a purine psychotropic alkaloid, and crocins, a group of glycosylated apocarotenoid pigments. Both classes of compounds are found in a handful of distantly related plant genera (Coffea, Camellia, Paullinia, and Ilex for caffeine; Crocus, Buddleja, and Gardenia for crocins) wherein they presumably evolved through convergent evolution. The closely related Coffea and Gardenia genera belong to the Rubiaceae family and synthesize, respectively, caffeine and crocins in their fruits.

Results

Here, we report a chromosomal-level genome assembly of Gardenia jasminoides, a crocin-producing species, obtained using Oxford Nanopore sequencing and Hi-C technology. Through genomic and functional assays, we completely deciphered for the first time in any plant the dedicated pathway of crocin biosynthesis. Through comparative analyses with Coffea canephora and other eudicot genomes, we show that Coffea caffeine synthases and the first dedicated gene in the Gardenia crocin pathway, GjCCD4a, evolved through recent tandem gene duplications in the two different genera, respectively. In contrast, genes encoding later steps of the Gardenia crocin pathway, ALDH and UGT, evolved through more ancient gene duplications and were presumably recruited into the crocin biosynthetic pathway only after the evolution of the GjCCD4a gene.

Conclusions

This study shows duplication-based divergent evolution within the coffee family (Rubiaceae) of two characteristic secondary metabolic pathways, caffeine and crocin biosynthesis, from a common ancestor that possessed neither complete pathway. These findings provide significant insights on the role of tandem duplications in the evolution of plant specialized metabolism.
Proceedings of the 4th BEAT-PCD Conference and 5th PCD Training School
Authors: Gardner Laura E. , Horton Katie L. , Shoemark Amelia , Lucas Jane S. , Nielsen Kim G. , Kobbernagel Helene , Rubbo Bruna , Hirst Robert A. , Kouis Panayiotis , Ullmann Nicola , Reula Ana , Rumman Nisreen , Mitchison Hannah M. , Pinto Andreia , Richardson Charlotte , Schmidt Anne , Thompson James , Gaupmann René , Dabrowski Maciej , Mill Pleasantine , Carr Siobhan B. , Norris Dominic P. , Kuehni Claudia E. , Goutaki Myrofora , Hogg Claire
Published: June 2020

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an inherited ciliopathy leading to chronic suppurative lung disease, chronic rhinosinusitis, middle ear disease, sub-fertility andsitusabnormalities. As PCD is rare, it is important that scientists and clinicians foster international collaborations to share expertise in order to provide the best possible diagnostic and management strategies. ‘Better Experimental Approaches to Treat Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia’ (BEAT-PCD) is a multidisciplinary network funded by EU COST Action (BM1407) to coordinate innovative basic science and clinical research from across the world to drive advances in the field. The fourth and final BEAT-PCD Conference and fifth PCD Training School were held jointly in March 2019 in Poznan, Poland. The varied program of plenaries, workshops, break-out sessions, oral and poster presentations were aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of delegates, whilst also providing a collaborative platform to exchange ideas. In this final BEAT-PCD conference we were able to build upon programmes developed throughout the lifetime of the COST Action. These proceedings report on the conference, highlighting some of the successes of the BEAT-PCD programme.
Evaluation of the protective effects of icariin on nicotine-induced reproductive toxicity in male mouse –a pilot study
Authors: Ni Guochao , Zhang Xuhui , Afedo Seth Yaw , Rui Rong
Published: June 2020

Background

Nicotine, a pharmacologically active component of tobacco adversely affects the male reproductive system and fertility whereas icariin (ICA), the main active ingredient in Epimedium herba has been used in the treatment of several male reproductive problems. This study aimed at evaluating the protective or ameliorative effect of ICA against reproductive toxicity induced by intraperitoneal injection of nicotine in mice.

Methods

Using simple random allocation, forty male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (received 0.35 mL physiological saline via gastric gavage), nicotine (0.75 mg/kg BW/day intraperitoneally), ICA (75 mg/kg BW/day gastric gavage), and nicotine plus ICA (nicotine, 0.75 mg/kg BW/day intraperitoneally + ICA, 75 mg/kg BW/day gastric gavage) group. After 35 days of treatment, the mice were weighed, sacrificed, and their reproductive organs (testis and epididymis) were collected and examined for further studies.

Results

The nicotine-treated group showed significantly decreased epididymal sperm density and serum testosterone concentration relative to the control group. Nicotine also caused oxidative damage shown by significant reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and elevation in Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. ICA on the other hand, improved the reduction in sperm density, hormone levels, and activities of antioxidant enzymes altered in the nicotine treated mice.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that nicotine-induced reproductive toxicity and oxidative damage on male reproductive tissues could be attenuated by ICA.
URG4 mediates cell proliferation and cell cycle in osteosarcoma via GSK3β/β-catenin/cyclin D1 signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Yayun , Xi Yizhe , Chen Gang , Wu Xidong , He Maolin
Published: June 2020

Background

Osteosarcoma is one of the most common malignant bone tumors with the annual global incidence of approximately four per million. Upregulated gene 4 (URG4) expression in the osteosarcoma tissue is closely associated with recurrence, metastasis, and poor prognosis of osteosarcoma. However, the biological function and underlying mechanisms of URG4 in osteosarcoma have not been elucidated. This study aimed to explore the expression and underlying mechanism of URG4 in osteosarcoma.

Methods

The expression level of URG4 in osteosarcoma and normal tissues was compared using immunohistochemistry (IHC). PCR and western blotting (WB) techniques are used to detect URG4 mRNA and protein levels. Wound healing and Transwell analysis to assess the effect of URG4 on osteosarcoma cell migration and invasion. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and colony proliferation assay were performed to evaluate the effects of silencing URG4 on the inhibition of cell proliferation. The cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry, and a xenograft mouse model was used to verify the function of URG4 in vivo.

Results

URG4 was found to be highly expressed in osteosarcoma tissues and cells, and its high expression was correlated with advanced Enneking stage, large tumor size, and tumor metastasis in osteosarcoma patients. The proliferation in osteosarcoma cell lines and cell cycle in the S phase was suppressed when siRNA was used to downregulate URG4. URG4 promoted cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. WB verified that URG4 promotes cell proliferation in osteosarcoma via pGSK3β/β-catenin/cyclinD1 signaling.

Conclusion

URG4, which is high-expressed in osteosarcoma, promotes cell cycle progression via GSK3β/β-catenin/cyclin D1 signaling pathway and may be a novel biomarker and potential target for the treatment of osteosarcoma.
Simplified, minimally invasive, beating-heart technique for redo isolated tricuspid valve surgery
Authors: Lu Shuyang , Song Kai , Yao Wangchao , Xia Limin , Dong Lili , Sun Yongxin , Hong Tao , Yang Shouguo , Wang Chunsheng
Published: June 2020

Background

Redo isolated tricuspid valve surgery is associated with a high morbidity and mortality, and its optimal timing remains controversial. Hence, here we reviewed the early and midterm results of simplified, minimally invasive, beating-heart technique for redo isolated tricuspid valve surgery in patients at high risk.

Methods

A total of 32 consecutive patients underwent a redo isolated tricuspid valve surgery using minimally invasive, beating-heart technique through a right lateral thoracotomy in our center between June 2016 and April 2020. The mean age of patients was 57.4 ± 8.3 years, and 18 patients (56.3%) were women. The mean preoperative EuroSCORE was 7.8 ± 1.4 (range: 6–11). Follow-up was 87.1% complete, with a mean duration of 26.3 ± 12.3 months.

Results

Both in-hospital and 30-day mortalities were 3.1%. Tricuspid valve replacement with bioprosthesis was performed in 30 patients (93.8%), and the remaining two patients (6.2%) underwent tricuspid repair (annuloplasty and leaflet reconstruction). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 81.5 ± 29.0 min. The overall in-hospital duration and intensive care unit (ICU) times were 13.6 ± 7.6 days and 4.1 ± 2.8 days, respectively. Postoperative complications included prolonged ventilation in six patients (18.8%), acute kidney injury in three patients (9.4%), and neurologic event, wound infection, or permanent third-degree atrioventricular block, in one patient (3.1%) each. A total of 96.9% patients were discharged uneventfully. Four patients were lost to follow-up; there were no midterm deaths in patients who were followed up.

Conclusions

Simplified, minimally invasive, beating-heart technique for redo tricuspid valve surgery is both feasible and safe, and the early and midterm results are excellent.
Combination therapy of BCR-ABL-positive B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia by tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib and c-JUN N-terminal kinase inhibition
Authors: Xiao Xinhua , Liu Ping , Li Donghe , Xia Zhizhou , Wang Peihong , Zhang Xiuli , Liu Mingzhu , Liao Lujian , Jiao Bo , Ren Ruibao
Published: June 2020

Background

The Philadelphia chromosome (Ph), which leads to the creation and expression of the fusion gene product BCR-ABL, underlines the pathogenesis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and a fraction of adult and pediatric acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have shown a remarkable clinical activity in patients with CML, but their efficacy in treating Ph+ B-ALL is limited. Identifying additional therapeutic targets is important for the effective treatment of Ph+ B-ALL.

Methods

Activation of the JNK signaling pathway in human and mouse BCR-ABL+ B-ALL cells with or without dasatinib treatment was analyzed by Western blotting. JNK was inhibited either by RNA interference or chemical inhibitors, such as JNK-IN-8. The effect of JNK inhibition with or without BCR-ABL TKI dasatinib on BCR-ABL+ B-ALL cells was analyzed by the CellTiter-Glo® Luminescent Cell Viability Assay. The in vivo effects of JNK-IN-8 and dasatinib alone or in combination were tested using a BCR-ABL induced B-ALL mouse model.

Results

We found that the c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway is abnormally activated in both human and mouse BCR-ABL+ B-ALL cells, but the BCR-ABL TKI does not inhibit JNK activation in these cells. Inhibition of JNK, either by RNAi-mediated downregulation or by JNK inhibitors, could significantly reduce viability of Ph+ B-ALL cells. JNK inhibition by RNAi-mediated downregulation or JNK inhibitors also showed a synergistic effect with the BCR-ABL TKI, dasatinib, in killing Ph+ B-ALL cells in vitro. Furthermore, a potent JNK inhibitor, JNK-IN-8, in combination with dasatinib markedly improved the survival of mice with BCR-ABL induced B-ALL, as compared to the treatment with dasatinib alone.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that simultaneously targeting both BCR-ABL and JNK kinase might serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for Ph+ B-ALL.
Prevalence and impact of acute renal impairment on COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Xianghong , Jin Yiyang , Li Ranran , Zhang Zhongheng , Sun Renhua , Chen Dechang
Published: June 2020

Background

The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of abnormal urine analysis and kidney dysfunction in COVID-19 patients and to determine the association of acute kidney injury (AKI) with the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 patients.

Methods

The electronic database of Embase and PubMed were searched for relevant studies. A meta-analysis of eligible studies that reported the prevalence of abnormal urine analysis and kidney dysfunction in COVID-19 was performed. The incidences of AKI were compared between severe versus non-severe patients and survivors versus non-survivors.

Results

A total of 24 studies involving 4963 confirmed COVID-19 patients were included. The proportions of patients with elevation of sCr and BUN levels were 9.6% (95% CI 5.7–13.5%) and 13.7% (95% CI 5.5–21.9%), respectively. Of all patients, 57.2% (95% CI 40.6–73.8%) had proteinuria, 38.8% (95% CI 26.3–51.3%) had proteinuria +, and 10.6% (95% CI 7.9–13.3%) had proteinuria ++ or +++. The overall incidence of AKI in all COVID-19 patients was 4.5% (95% CI 3.0–6.0%), while the incidence of AKI was 1.3% (95% CI 0.2–2.4%), 2.8% (95% CI 1.4–4.2%), and 36.4% (95% CI 14.6–58.3%) in mild or moderate cases, severe cases, and critical cases, respectively. Meanwhile, the incidence of AKI was 52.9%(95% CI 34.5–71.4%), 0.7% (95% CI − 0.3–1.8%) in non-survivors and survivors, respectively. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was required in 5.6% (95% CI 2.6–8.6%) severe patients, 0.1% (95% CI − 0.1–0.2%) non-severe patients and 15.6% (95% CI 10.8–20.5%) non-survivors and 0.4% (95% CI − 0.2–1.0%) survivors, respectively.

Conclusion

The incidence of abnormal urine analysis and kidney dysfunction in COVID-19 was high and AKI is closely associated with the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 patients. Therefore, it is important to increase awareness of kidney dysfunction in COVID-19 patients.
Integration of proteome and transcriptome refines key molecular processes underlying oil production in Nannochloropsis oceanica
Authors: You Wuxin , Wei Li , Gong Yanhai , Hajjami Mohamed El , Xu Jian , Poetsch Ansgar
Published: June 2020

Background

Under nitrogen deficiency situation, Nannochloropsis spp. accumulate large amounts of lipids in the form of triacylglycerides (TAG). Mechanisms of this process from the perspective of transcriptome and metabolome have been obtained previously, yet proteome analysis is still sparse which hinders the analysis of dynamic adaption to nitrogen deficiency. Here, proteomes for 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 10th day of nitrogen deplete (N−) and replete (N+) conditions were obtained and integrated with previous transcriptome data for N. oceanica.

Results

Physiological adaptations to N− not apparent from transcriptome data were unveiled: (a) abundance of proteins related to photosynthesis only slightly decreased in the first 48 h, indicating that photosynthesis is still working efficiently, and protein amounts adjust gradually with reduction in chloroplast size. (b) Most proteins related to the TCA cycle were strongly upregulated after 48 h under N−, suggesting that respiration is enhanced after 48 h and that TCA cycle efflux supports the carbon required for lipid synthesis. (c) Proteins related to lipid accumulation via the Kennedy pathway increased their abundance at 48 h, synchronous with the previously reported diversification of fatty acids after 48 h.

Conclusions

This study adds a proteome perspective on the major pathways for TAG accumulation in Nannochloropsis spp. Temporal changes of proteome exhibited distinct adaptation phases that are usually delayed relative to transcriptomic responses. Notably, proteome data revealed that photosynthesis and carbon fixation are still ongoing even after 48 h of N−. Moreover, sometimes completely opposite trends in proteome and transcriptome demonstrate the relevance of underexplored post-transcriptional regulation for N− adaptation.
Evaluation of oral fluralaner (Bravecto®) for efficacy against nymphs of Amblyomma americanum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato)
Authors: Allen Kelly , Little Susan , Petersen Melissa , Gruntmeir Jeff , Barrett Anne , Herrin Brian , Starkey Lindsay , Sun Fangshi , Guerino Frank
Published: June 2020

Background

Amblyomma americanumandRhipicephalus sanguineus(sensu lato) nymphs commonly feed on and transmit pathogens to dogs (Canis familiaris). Control of immature and adult tick life stages is necessary to fully protect animals. We evaluated efficacy of oral fluralaner (Bravecto®) against induced infestations withA. americanumandR. sanguineus(s.l.) nymphs on dogs in two experiments.

Methods

In each experiment, 10 dogs were administered oral fluralaner chewable tablets one time on Day 0 at a targeted minimum dose of 25 mg/kg body weight and 10 dogs remained non-treated controls. Dogs were infested with two groups of 50A. americanumnymphs and two groups of 50R. sanguineus(s.l.) nymphs on Days -1, 6, 28, 56 and 84. At 48 h and 72 h post-infestation, nymphs were collected from dogs, assessed as live or dead, and enumerated into categories defining attachment and engorgement status. Fluralaner efficacy was determined in separate analyses against all live nymphs and against live-fed nymphs, i.e. live nymphs that were attached to dogs at the time of collection and/or were engorged. Fluralaner was considered effective when mean numbers of live ticks were reduced in fluralaner-treated dogs by ≥ 90%.

Results

Fluralaner efficacy against all live and live-fedA. americanumnymphs in the first experiment was > 94% on all collection days. Efficacy against all liveR. sanguineus(s.l.) nymphs in the first experiment was  > 96% on all collection days  excluding the 48 h counts for infestations on Days 28 (83.7%), 56 (82.9%) and 84 (86.7%); efficacy against live-fedR. sanguineus(s.l.) nymphs was > 95% on all 48 h/72 h count days. Fluralaner efficacy against all liveA. americanumnymphs in the second experiment was > 93% on all collection days for 8 weeks excluding the 48 h count for infestation on Day 56 (87.8%); efficacy against live-fedA. americanumnymphs was > 91% on all count days for 8 weeks. Efficacy against all liveR. sanguineus(s.l.) nymphs in the  second experiment was > 91% on all 72 h collection days  except for infestations on Days 28 (76.8%) and 56 (86.3%); efficacy against live-fedR. sanguineus(s.l.) nymphs was 100% on all 72 h count days.

Conclusions

A single administration of oral fluralaner to dogs is effective againstA. americanumandR. sanguineus(s.l.) nymphs for up to 12 weeks.
On $L^{2}$-boundedness of Fourier integral operators
Authors: Yang Jie , Chen Wenyi , Zhou Jiang
Published: June 2020

Let $T_{a,\varphi }$Ta,φ be a Fourier integral operator with symbol a and phase φ. In this paper, under the conditions $a(x,\xi )\in L^{\infty }S^{n(\rho -1)/2}_{\rho }(\omega )$a(x,ξ)∈L∞Sρn(ρ−1)/2(ω) and $\varphi \in L^{\infty }\varPhi ^{2}$φ∈L∞Φ2, the authors show that $T_{a,\varphi }$Ta,φ is bounded from $L^{2}(\mathbb{R}^{n})$L2(Rn) to $L^{2}(\mathbb{R}^{n})$L2(Rn).
Correction to: Population vulnerability to COVID-19 in Europe: a burden of disease analysis
Authors: Wyper Grant M. A. , Assunção Ricardo , Cuschieri Sarah , Devleesschauwer Brecht , Fletcher Eilidh , Haagsma Juanita A. , Hilderink Henk B. M. , Idavain Jane , Lesnik Tina , Von der Lippe Elena , Majdan Marek , Milicevic Milena S. , Pallari Elena , Peñalvo José L. , Pires Sara M. , Plaß Dietrich , Santos João V. , Stockton Diane L. , Thomsen Sofie Theresa , Grant Ian
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Optimal antenna locations of the VLBI Global Observing System for the estimation of Earth orientation parameters
Authors: Schartner Matthias , Böhm Johannes , Nothnagel Axel
Published: June 2020

To support monitoring subtle effects in the Earth system such as a mean sea level rise of 3 mm/year, a next-generation VLBI system, the VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS), has been developed and a new VGOS station network is being built. However, the geometry of the current VGOS network and its planned extension suffer from a lack of stations in the southern hemisphere. In this investigation, we identify optimal locations for additional VGOS radio telescopes with a new method based on bulk observing schedule generation and subsequent large-scale Monte-Carlo simulations. The location of the additional station is varied over 477 possible locations, homogeneously distributed over land areas on the globe. For each antenna location, several schedules have been generated and simulated to minimize the effects of scheduling and the randomness of simulations. Thereby, it is possible to judge, in which regions an additional VGOS station would have the biggest impact on the precision of the estimated geodetic parameters, in our case assessed by the repeatabilities of the estimated Earth orientation parameters (EOPs). To generate highly optimized schedules and to remove effects due to non-optimized scheduling, a total of 93 thousand schedules were iteratively generated, investigating over 300 billion scans and 2.4 trillion observations. Each schedule was further simulated 1000 times, leading to over 5 trillion simulated and analyzed observations. Although the optimum location of a future VLBI station depends on the EOP of interest and the geometry of the existing network, it is shown that the more the VGOS network grows, the more the lack of southern stations becomes prominent. The best location for an additional VGOS station for most EOP components and especially in the case of future VGOS networks would be the southern part of South America. It is further shown that the location of the additional antenna highly determines the expectable precision of the EOP estimates. For a 6-station network, the location of an additional seventh antenna can improve the precision of the EOP by a factor of 2.4 to 3.8. For an 18-station network, the location of an additional 19th station still improves the repeatability by a factor of 1.6. It is also found that adding a station at some locations will not improve the precision at all.
Correction to: Influence of population mobility on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic: based on panel data from Hubei, China
Authors: Jiang Junfeng , Luo Lisha
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Forest regrowth reduces richness and abundance of invasive alien plant species in community managed Shorea robusta forests of central Nepal
Authors: Khaniya Laxmi , Shrestha Bharat Babu
Published: June 2020

Background

Natural forests are generally considered to be less prone to biological invasions than other modified ecosystems, particularly when canopy cover is high. Few decades of management of degraded forests by local communities in Nepal has increased canopy cover and altered disturbance regimes. These changes might have reduced the abundance of invasive alien plant species (IAPS) in forests. To understand the status of IAPS in such forests, we studied two community managedShorea robustaforests (Sundari and Dhusheri) of Nawalpur district in central Nepal. In these two forests, vegetation sampling was done using circular plots 10 m radius at forest edge, gaps, and within canopy. Variation of IAPS richness and cover across these microhabitats were compared, and their variation with tree canopy cover and basal area analyzed.

Result

Altogether 14 IAPS were recorded in the study forests; among themChromolaena odorata,Ageratum houstonianum, andLantana camarahad the highest frequency.Mikania micranthawas at the early stage of colonization in Sundari Community Forest (CF) but absent in Dhuseri CF. Both IAPS cover and richness was higher at forest edge and gap than in canopy plots and both these attributes declined with increasing canopy cover and tree basal area.

Conclusion

The results indicate that increase in canopy cover and closure of forest gaps through participatory management of degraded forests can prevent plant invasions and suppress the growth of previously established IAPS inShorea robustaforests of Nepal. This is the unacknowledged benefit of participatory forest management in Nepal.
Serum electrolyte balance and antioxidant status of broiler chickens fed diets containing varied levels of monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Authors: Olarotimi Olumuyiwa Joseph
Published: June 2020

Background

The effects of dietary monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the serum electrolyte balance and antioxidant status of broiler chickens were assessed. In five replicates, a total of 300-day-old unsexed Abor–acre broilers were randomly allotted into six treatment groups containing varied levels of MSG at 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 g/kg diet, respectively. The experimental birds were fed ad libitum with clean water provided regularly for a period of 8 weeks. On the 56th day of the experiment, five birds per replicate were randomly selected and fasted overnight. Blood samples were collected from the wing veins for serum electrolytes analyses. Serum electrolytes such as sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and chloride (Cl−) as well as oxidative stress indicators assay such as total antioxidant capacity (T-OAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were determined using standard procedures. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance atα= 0.05.

Results

The results revealed that MSG inclusion above 0.75 g/kg diet significantly (P< 0.05) increased the serum Na+and K+concentrations of the broiler chickens when compared with birds on the control diet, whereas the serum Cl−concentration significantly (P< 0.05) decreased from 0.50 g MSG/kg diet inclusion level. On the other hand, MSG inclusion level above 0.50 g/kg diet increased the serum MDA concentration (from 2.60 ± 0.01 to 4.60 ± 0.00) of the birds while serum GSH-Px and T-AOC concentrations significantly (P< 0.05) reduced from 170 ± 0.28 to 120 ± 0.26 and 3.30 ± 0.01 to 1.70 ± 0.01, respectively.

Conclusion

Inclusion level above 0.50 g/kg diet could adversely offset normal physiological processes in broilers by predisposing them to renal dysfunction, coronary problem, and oxidative stress.
Correlation between ultrasound-guided percutaneous breast biopsy and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the breast for evaluation of solid breast lesions
Authors: Alabd Osama Lotfy , Alwarraky Mohamed Shawky , Taei Doha Maher , Eid Bayan , Gomaa Manal Ebraheim
Published: June 2020

Background

MRI’s role had been increasing in breast imaging. In this study, we evaluated the role of diffusion-weighted MRI in correlation with ultrasound-guided percutaneous breast biopsy for diagnosis of solid breast lesions.

Results

Sixty female patients were diagnosed by clinical examination and mammography and planned for ultrasound-guided breast biopsy. Diffusion-weighted MRI was done before the biopsy for results correlation. It was found that the diffusion-weighted MRI was valuable in evaluating solid female breast lesions, showing a sensitivity of 96%, specificity of 91.4%, positive predictive value of 100%, negative predictive value of 97%, and accuracy of 93.3% % compared to pathological results.

Conclusion

Diffusion-weighted MRI has a great role in evaluating solid breast lesions.
Interactive workshop to develop implementation framework (i-PARIHS) resources to support practice facilitation
Authors: Hunter Sarah C. , Kim Bo , Kitson Alison L.
Published: June 2020

Background

Practice facilitation is a method used to address the complexity associated with implementation of innovations into primary care. To provide support, we propose that the i-PARIHS (Integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services) framework could support practice facilitators. The i-PARIHS framework positions facilitation as a core element for successful implementation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide support to practice facilitators whilst simultaneously gaining feedback on what facilitators in practice need in regard to support with operationalising the i-PARIHS framework in practice.

Methods

This study involved the delivery of a 1-h workshop on the i-PARIHS framework at the 2018 International Conference on Practice Facilitation. The authors provided an overview of the i-PARIHS framework, how it can be used to support the facilitation of innovations into practice, and finally, attendees worked through facilitation scenarios and applied an i-PARIHS resource. At the end of the workshop, attendees were invited to participant in the research component, by completing a post-workshop survey on the workshop content and the i-PARIHS resource.

Results

Participants were highly engaged and enthusiastic about the workshop. Participants reported that an introduction to implementation frameworks was valuable and the example of how the i-PARIHS framework had been used in a previous project was helpful. Overall, this study identifies how framework informed facilitation helped participants feel more equipped to conduct systematic facilitation and that the development of i-PARIHS resources would be helpful in their everyday work.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the existence of implementation frameworks is not sufficient to provide support to those who facilitate in the real world. The current study introduced practice facilitators to the i-PARIHS framework, and the findings demonstrate the need to develop and refine existing i-PARIHS resources to support facilitation. Specifically, the next steps stemming from this study will be to (i) continue to utilize workshops for sharing and refining tools, (ii) allocate development efforts to tools that assist with planning, (iii) focus on tool provision mechanisms that keep user-friendliness in mind, and (iv) translate the i-PARIHS facilitation checklist from academic language into more practical and user-friendly language.
Exploration of morbidity, suicide and all-cause mortality in a Scottish forensic cohort over 20 years
Authors: Rees Cheryl , Thomson Lindsay
Published: June 2020

Background

Premature mortality among patients experiencing forensic care is high. This paper examines the morbidity and mortality of all Scottish high secure patients in 1992/1993 and followed up 20 years later through the context of recovery.

Aims

To explore morbidity and delineate which patients are at greatest risk of premature mortality. To assess the extent of suicide and unnatural deaths. To establish which factors, if any, appear protective.

Method

Health and mortality data were extracted from national data-sets and death categorised as premature or post-expected age. Standardised mortality ratios were calculated to explore natural, unnatural and suicide deaths with Cox regression conducted to explore baseline demographics and premature death.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 21.1 years, 36.9% (n = 89) died, at an average age of 55.6 years. Of these, 70.8% (n = 63) died prematurely. Men lost on average 14.9 years and women 24.1 years of potential life. Five lives (5.6%) were lost by suicide and three (3.4%) by unnatural means.

Conclusions

In contrast to other mainstream and forensic cohorts, high rates of suicide and accidental deaths were not apparent. Risk of premature mortality is high. A greater focus upon physical health by community and in-patient services is essential.
General practitioners’ and psychiatrists’ attitudes towards antidepressant withdrawal
Authors: McCabe Joanne , Wilcock Mike , Atkinson Kate , Laugharne Richard , Shankar Rohit
Published: June 2020

Background

There has been a recent rise in antidepressant prescriptions. After the episode for which it was prescribed, the patient should ideally be supported in withdrawing the medication. There is increasing evidence for withdrawal symptoms (sometimes called discontinuation symptoms) occurring on ceasing treatment, sometimes having severe or prolonged effects.

Aims

To identify and compare current knowledge, attitudes and practices of general practitioners (GPs) and psychiatrists in Cornwall, UK, concerning antidepressant withdrawal symptoms.

Method

Questions about withdrawal symptoms and management were asked of GPs and psychiatrists in a multiple-choice cross-sectional study co-designed with a lived experience expert.

Results

Psychiatrists thought that withdrawal symptoms were more severe than GPs did (P = 0.003); 53% (22/42) of GPs and 69% (18/26) of psychiatrists thought that withdrawal symptoms typically last between 1 and 4 weeks, although there was a wide range of answers given; 35% (9/26) of psychiatrists but no GPs identified a pharmacist as someone they may use to help manage antidepressant withdrawal. About three-quarters of respondents claimed they usually or always informed patients of potential withdrawal symptoms when they started a patient on antidepressants, but patient surveys say only 1% are warned.

Conclusions

Psychiatrists and GPs need to effectively warn patients of potential withdrawal effects. Community pharmacists might be useful in supporting GP-managed antidepressant withdrawal. The wide variation in responses to most questions posed to participants reflects the variation in results of research on the topic. This highlights a need for more reproducible studies to be carried out on antidepressant withdrawal, which could inform future guidelines.