bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An uncharacterized clade in the DMSO reductase family of molybdenum oxidoreductases is a new type of chlorate reductase
Authors: Barnum Tyler P. , Coates John D.
Published: July 2020

The dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) reductase family of enzymes has many subfamilies catalysing unique biogeochemical reactions. It also has many uncharacterized subfamilies. Comparative genomics predicted one such subfamily to participate in a key step of the chlorine cycle because of a conserved genetic association with chlorite dismutase, implying they produce chlorite through chlorate or perchlorate reduction. We determined the activity of the uncharacterized enzyme by comparing strains in the phototrophic genus Rhodoplanes that encode either a typical perchlorate reductase or the uncharacterized enzyme. Rpl. piscinae and Rpl. elegans, which encode perchlorate reductase, grew by using perchlorate as an electron acceptor. In contrast, Rpl. roseus, which encodes the uncharacterized enzyme, grew by chlorate reduction but not by perchlorate reduction. This is the first report of perchlorate and chlorate being used as respiratory electron acceptors by phototrophs. When both chlorate and perchlorate were present, Rpl. roseus consumed only chlorate. Highly concentrated Rpl. roseus cells showed some perchlorate consumption, but chlorate consumption occurred at a 10‐fold higher rate. Together, these genomic and physiological data define a new group of chlorate reductases. Some organisms encode both this chlorate reductase and a perchlorate reductase, raising new questions about the physiology and evolution of chlorine oxyanion respiration.
Do Auditors Accurately Predict Litigation and Reputation Consequences of Inaccurate Accounting Estimates?
Authors: Gimbar Christine , Mercer Molly
Published: July 2020

To effectively manage audit risk, auditors must correctly predict the potential litigation and reputation consequences associated with inaccurate accounting estimates. Accurate predictions are critical because underestimation of negative consequences leads to excess legal exposure and overestimation leads to overauditing. Our paper examines whether auditors correctly anticipate these litigation and reputation outcomes. We provide manager‐ and partner‐level auditors with case facts from an auditor negligence lawsuit and ask them to predict the proportion of juries that will return verdicts against their firm. We then compare auditors' predictions to the actual verdicts we observe when we provide the same set of case facts to mock jurors who deliberate as part of juries. We find that auditors overestimate the likelihood of negligence verdicts, especially when audit quality is relatively high. Our supplemental measures help explain the reasons for this overestimation: auditors tend to underestimate jurors' perceptions of audit quality and willingness to attribute inaccurate estimates to situational factors. Finally, we examine auditors' predictions about how a news article about the litigation will affect their reputation with the general public. Similar to our litigation results, we find that auditors tend to overestimate the article's negative impact on auditor reputation. Collectively, our findings suggest that auditors overestimate litigation and reputation consequences resulting from inaccurate accounting estimates. This overestimation is consequential as it leads to inefficient allocation of audit resources.
Comparing traditional and Bayesian approaches to ecological meta‐analysis
Authors: Pappalardo Paula , Ogle Kiona , Hamman Elizabeth A. , Bence James R. , Hungate Bruce A. , Osenberg Craig W.
Published: July 2020

Despite the wide application of meta‐analysis in ecology, some of the traditional methods used for meta‐analysis may not perform well given the type of data characteristic of ecological meta‐analyses.

We reviewed published meta‐analyses on the ecological impacts of global climate change, evaluating the number of replicates used in the primary studies (ni) and the number of studies or records (k) that were aggregated to calculate a mean effect size. We used the results of the review in a simulation experiment to assess the performance of conventional frequentist and Bayesian meta‐analysis methods for estimating a mean effect size and its uncertainty interval.

Our literature review showed that ni and k were highly variable, distributions were right‐skewed and were generally small (median ni = 5, median k = 44). Our simulations show that the choice of method for calculating uncertainty intervals was critical for obtaining appropriate coverage (close to the nominal value of 0.95). When k was low (<40), 95% coverage was achieved by a confidence interval (CI) based on the t distribution that uses an adjusted standard error (the Hartung–Knapp–Sidik–Jonkman, HKSJ), or by a Bayesian credible interval, whereas bootstrap or z distribution CIs had lower coverage. Despite the importance of the method to calculate the uncertainty interval, 39% of the meta‐analyses reviewed did not report the method used, and of the 61% that did, 94% used a potentially problematic method, which may be a consequence of software defaults.

In general, for a simple random‐effects meta‐analysis, the performance of the best frequentist and Bayesian methods was similar for the same combinations of factors (k and mean replication), though the Bayesian approach had higher than nominal (>95%) coverage for the mean effect when k was very low (k < 15). Our literature review suggests that many meta‐analyses that used z distribution or bootstrapping CIs may have overestimated the statistical significance of their results when the number of studies was low; more appropriate methods need to be adopted in ecological meta‐analyses.
Deficiency of Intestinal α1‐2‐Fucosylation Exacerbates Ethanol‐Induced Liver Disease in Mice
Authors: Zhou Rongrong , Llorente Cristina , Cao Jinling , Gao Bei , Duan Yi , Jiang Lu , Wang Yanhan , Kumar Vipin , Stärkel Peter , Bode Lars , Fan Xuegong , Schnabl Bernd
Published: July 2020

Background

Fucosyltransferase 2 (Fut2)‐mediated intestinal α1‐2‐fucosylation is important in maintaining a symbiotic host–microbiota relationship and can protect against several pathogens. Intestinal dysbiosis is an important factor for the progression of experimental ethanol (EtOH)‐induced liver disease, but the role of Fut2 in modulating the intestinal glycocalyx during alcohol‐associated liver disease is unknown. We investigated the role of Fut2‐mediated intestinal α1‐2‐fucosylation for the development of alcohol‐associated liver disease.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry staining was applied to evaluate α1‐2‐fucosylation in duodenal biopsies from patients with alcohol use disorder. Wild‐type (WT) and Fut2‐deficient littermate mice were subjected to Lieber–DeCarli models of chronic EtOH administration and the chronic‐binge EtOH diet (NIAAA model).

Results

Intestinal α1‐2‐fucosylation was down‐regulated in patients with alcohol use disorder. Lack of α1‐2‐fucosylation in Fut2‐deficient mice exacerbates chronic EtOH‐induced liver injury, steatosis, and inflammation without affecting EtOH metabolism. Dietary supplementation of the α1‐2‐fucosylated glycan 2′‐fucosyllactose (2′‐FL) ameliorates EtOH‐induced liver disease in Fut2‐deficient mice in the NIAAA model. Despite no direct effects on growth of Enterococcus faecalis in vitro, intestinal α1‐2‐fucosylation reduces colonization of cytolysin‐positive E. faecalis in the intestine of EtOH‐fed mice.

Conclusions

Intestinal α1‐2‐fucosylation acts as a host‐protective mechanism against EtOH‐induced liver disease. 2′‐FL is an oligosaccharide naturally present in human milk that could be considered as therapeutic agent for alcohol‐associated liver disease.
Management of adrenocortical carcinoma in Western Australia: a perspective over 14 years
Authors: Leong David , Nyantoro Munyaradzi , Shedzad Hira , Robins Peter , Henley David , Ryan Simon , Nguyen Hieu , Lisewski Dean
Published: July 2020

Background

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare but aggressive form of endocrine neoplasm that confers a poor prognosis. To date, the only Australian data published is from New South Wales. This paper describes our experience in Western Australia with a focus on surgical approach and outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients treated for adrenocortical carcinoma in Western Australia over 14 years was performed.

Results

Over the 14‐year period, a total of 33 patients underwent surgery for adrenocortical carcinoma. Resection outcomes were superior in an open en bloc approach with an 85% R0 margin (P = 0.007). Local recurrence rates were lowest in an open en bloc approach (11%) compared to laparoscopic (75%). Multivariate analysis showed that an en bloc resection is highly correlated with an R0 resection (P < 0.05) and significantly associated with lower (odds ratio = 0.06) local recurrence (P = 0.009). Higher volume surgeons (>5 cases) had lower operative times and blood loss. Compliance with mitotane was significantly improved with close monitoring of levels. The European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENSAT) stage at presentation was most predictive of long‐term survival with 100% of stage I patients alive compared to 53% of stage II, 25% of stage III and 17% of stage IV patients at the end of the follow‐up period.

Conclusion

An open en bloc approach with a low threshold for multi‐visceral resection performed by high volume surgeons have improved outcomes in local recurrence, operative times and blood loss.
Current status and future perspectives of minimally invasive surgery in gallbladder carcinoma
Authors: Liu Fei , Wu Zhen‐Ru , Hu Hai‐Jie , Jin Yan‐Wen , Ma Wen‐Jie , Wang Jun‐Ke , Li Fu‐Yu
Published: July 2020

Background

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is the most common biliary tract malignancy, which is characterized by easy local invasion, lymph nodes metastasis, local vascular invasion. Hence, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) can be performed in a limited number of patients. In our study, we reviewed the current studies on laparoscopic surgery (LS) and robotic surgery (RS) for GBC and analysed the limitations and difficulties of MIS for GBC.

Methods

Multiple electronic databases were used for a systematic literature retrieval. All studies involving MIS of GBC were included (up to August 2019).

Results

A total of 24 studies were included, of which 18 studies involved LS for GBC and six studies concerned RS of GBC. For LS, 16 studies contained relevant information of T stage, and 323 patients (98.8%) had T3 or lower stage; the average rate of R0 resection, conversion, postoperative complications and mortality was 95.3% (range 80.5–100%), 1.9% (range 0–16.7%), 13.4% (range 0–33.3%) and 1.0% (range 0–10%), respectively. For RS, four studies contained relevant information of T stage, and all patients were T3 or lower stage; the average rate of R0 resection, conversion and postoperative complications was 96.8% (range 81.8–100%), 5.5% (range 0–14.8%) and11.9% (range 0–36.4%), respectively. In addition, no patient had perioperative mortality.

Conclusions

MIS for GBC is limited to highly selected patients and is considered to be technically feasible in experienced surgeons. However, improvements in technical and instrumental are needed to reduce the associated postoperative complications and implantation metastasis, and to promote MIS in the treatment of GBC.
Liver involvement is not associated with mortality: results from a large cohort of SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients
Authors: Ponziani Francesca Romana , Del Zompo Fabio , Nesci Antonio , Santopaolo Francesco , Ianiro Gianluca , Pompili Maurizio , Gasbarrini Antonio ,   “Gemelli against COVID‐19” group
Published: July 2020

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection is frequently associated with liver test abnormalities.

Aims

To describe the evolution of liver involvement during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and its effect on clinical course and mortality.

Methods

Data of 515 SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients were collected at baseline and during follow‐up, last evaluation or death. Stratification based on need for hospitalisation, severe disease and admission to intensive care unit (ICU) was performed. The association between liver test abnormalities (baseline and peak values) and ICU admission or death was also explored.

Results

Liver test abnormalities were found in 161 (31.3%) patients. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were increased in 20.4%, 19% and 13.6% of patients, respectively. Baseline liver test abnormalities were associated with increased risk of ICU admission (OR 2.19 [95% CI 1.24‐3.89], P = 0.007) but not with mortality (OR 0.84 [95% CI 0.49‐1.41], P = 0.51). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) peak values were correlated with risk of death (OR 1.007 [95% CI 1.002‐1.01], P = 0.005) along with age, multiple comorbidities, acute respiratory distress syndrome, ICU admission and C‐reactive protein. Alterations of liver tests worsened within 15 days of hospitalisation; however, in patients with the longest median follow‐up, the prevalence of liver test alterations decreased over time, returning to around baseline levels.

Conclusions

In SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients without pre‐existing severe chronic liver disease, baseline liver test abnormalities are associated with the risk of ICU admission and tend to normalise over time. The ALP peak value may be predictive of a worse prognosis.
Are differences between social classes reduced by non‐symbolic numerical tasks? Evidence from the ELFE cohort
Authors: Fischer Jean‐Paul , Thierry Xavier
Published: July 2020

Background

Young children's mathematics abilities may be divided between symbolic and non‐symbolic skills. Lower performance of SES disadvantaged versus advantaged children has already been established in symbolic math.

Aim

This study aimed to verify the effect of children's SES category on non‐symbolic mathematical (numerical) performance.

Sample

The main sample comprises 4,955 children from the French longitudinal study, ELFE, tested when they were in the nursery school (4‐ to 5‐year‐olds).

Method

The distinction between symbolic and non‐symbolic math skills based on the specific math assessment items used in the present study was verified on a larger sample. The SES‐related difference in non‐symbolic math skills was then examined in the ELFE sample only.

Results

The children's performance in non‐symbolic maths is significantly and almost as strongly correlated with their family's income and their mother's level of education as their performances in symbolic maths. Linear regression mixed‐effects modelling shows that the score in non‐symbolic maths (out of 100) of children from families with below median income is 3.8 points lower than that of their peers from families with above median income.

Conclusion

Children from disadvantaged SES backgrounds perform significantly lower than those from advantaged backgrounds in non‐symbolic maths. Even if non‐symbolic math skills retain an educational interest, they should not reduce the importance of symbolic math skills in young children.
Displacement, Encroachment and Settlement: Interrogating Kyu in Peri‐Urban Yangon
Authors: Roberts Jayde Lin
Published: July 2020

This article interrogates the meaning of kyukyaw, often shortened as kyu, a Burmese word that is used as both a verb—to occupy or encroach—and a noun—squatter or slum. This deployment of language demands attention because kyu evokes strong negative sentiments, despite its ambiguity. The rapid pace of change in post‐junta Myanmar has compelled both the elite and the marginalized to seek rightness through the notion of rule of law, even though customary practices have not adhered to the strictures of manmade law. Through the personal narratives of residents in Hlaingthaya Township in Yangon, this article raises questions about rightful settlement in unclear legal frameworks.
In‐patient obesity diagnosis, use of surgical treatment and associated costs by payer type in the United States: Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample, 2011 through 2014
Authors: Rajbhandari‐Thapa Janani , Ingels Justin B. , Chung Sae R. , Thapa Kiran , Chen Zhuo , Zhang Donglan
Published: July 2020

This study aims to examine the trend in the diagnosis of obesity and the use of surgical treatment in in‐patient settings as well as per person and national costs associated with the surgical treatment of obesity. We conducted cross‐sectional and trend analyses of in‐patient obesity diagnosis and surgical treatment for obesity using data from the National Inpatient Sample (2011‐2014) of adult patients in the United States aged 18 years and older. We studied the rate of in‐patient obesity diagnosis among hospitalized patients, the rate of bariatric surgery among patients diagnosed with obesity in the hospital, and the costs associated with surgical treatment. Trend analyses showed a statistically significant increase in the proportion of (a) hospitalized patients diagnosed with obesity, and (b) bariatric surgery among those diagnosed with obesity and among different socio‐demographic and insurance groups. Despite the increase in the national in‐patient cost, the average in‐patient cost per hospitalization associated with bariatric surgery decreased from 2012 to 2014. With the increase in the rate of diagnosed obesity and bariatric surgery among hospitalized patients and the decrease in the average in‐patient cost, future research should address the short‐ and long‐term cost‐effectiveness of bariatric surgery on chronic diseases.
Exploring shared surgical decision‐making from the patient's perspective: is the personality of the surgeon important?
Authors: Bisset C. N. , Dames N. , Oliphant R. , Alasadi A. , Anderson D. , Parson S. , Cleland J. , Moug S. J.
Published: July 2020

Aim

The aim was to determine the importance of a colorectal surgeon's personality to patients and its influence on their decision‐making.

Methods

We present a two‐part mixed methods study using the Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public (GRIPP‐2) long form. Part 1 was an online survey (25 questions) and Part 2 a face‐to‐face patient and public involvement exercise. Part 1 included patient demographics, details of surgery, overall patient satisfaction (net promoter score) and patient views on surgeon personality (Gosling 10 Item Personality Index). The thematic analysis of free‐text responses generated four themes that were taken forward to Part 2. These themes were used to structure focus group discussions on surgeon–patient interactions.

Results

Part 1 yielded 296 responses: 72% women, 75.3% UK‐based and 55.1% aged 40–59 years. Inflammatory bowel disease (45.3%) and cancer (40.2%) were the main indications. 84.1% of respondents reported satisfaction with their surgical experience (net promoter score). Four key themes were generated from Part 1 and validated in Part 2: (i) surgeon personality stereotypes (media differed from patients' perspective); (ii) favourable and unfavourable surgical personality traits (openness, conscientiousness, emotional stability preferred over risk‐taking and narcissism); (iii) patient–surgeon interaction (mutual respect and rapport valued); (iv) impact of surgeon personality on decision‐making (majority unaware of second opinion option; management of postoperative complications).

Conclusion

Patients believe surgeon personality influences shared decision‐making. Low levels of emotional stability and conscientiousness are perceived by patients to increase the likelihood of postoperative adverse events. Further work is required to explore the potential influence of surgeon personality on shared decision‐making and postoperative outcomes.
Increased long‐term mortality after emergency colon resections
Authors: Fahim M. , Dijksman L. M. , van der Nat P. , Derksen W. J. M. , Biesma D. H. , Smits A. B.
Published: July 2020

Aim

Emergency surgery is a known predictor for 30‐day mortality. However, its relationship with long‐term mortality is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of emergency surgery compared with elective surgery on long‐term survival.

Method

Data from the Dutch Colorectal Audit and the Dutch Cancer Centre registry of a large nonacademic teaching hospital were used to analyse outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for colon cancer from 2009 until 2017. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression were used to assess the effect of emergency surgery on long‐term mortality with adjustment for patient, tumour and treatment characteristics.

Results

A total of 1139 patients with a median follow‐up of 40 months (interquartile range 23–65 months) were included. Emergency surgery was performed in 158 patients (14%). The 5‐year survival after emergency surgery was 46% compared with 72% after elective surgery. After adjusting for baseline differences there was an independent and significant association between emergency surgery and increased long‐term mortality (hazard ratio 1.79, 95% CI 1.28–2.51, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Emergency surgery for colon cancer seems to lead to a significantly increased risk of long‐term mortality compared with elective surgery. Detection and treatment of early symptoms that can lead to emergency surgery might be the way forward.
Uterus Transplants and the Potential for Harm: Lessons From Commercial Surrogacy
Authors: Barn Gulzaar
Published: July 2020

The human uterine transplant (UTx) is being developed as a procedure to alleviate absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI). In light of recent UTx advances in India, I suggest that key ethical concerns would emerge if this procedure were to become established as part of India’s liberalised assisted reproduction industry. On evidence‐based projections, UTx would be likely to harm vulnerable populations in two key ways. Firstly, I suggest that a commercial model for uteri procurement is primed to develop due to various structural factors that facilitated the boom in commercial surrogacy remaining in place, despite commercial surrogacy having been outlawed. I outline ways in which Indian commercial surrogacy arrangements exhibited exploitation and suggest that a commercial UTx model would be similarly exploitative, with many background features of exploitative surrogacy remaining constant. The second way in which the development of UTx in India might pose harm is through the difficulty in obtaining proper informed consent, even under altruistic arrangements. I argue that structural factors, including a cultural deference to doctors, lack of medical understanding displayed by vulnerable populations, and a privatised healthcare system with little regulatory oversight, would render it difficult to obtain proper informed consent from living donors. Further, factors peculiar to UTx, such as its experimental nature, and the unknown and novel risks and harms it poses, heighten this difficulty. Accordingly, UTx in India would be unlikely to meet the Montreal criteria for the ethical feasibility of uterine transplantation and should thus raise ethical alarm.
Diabetes, obesity and COVID‐19: A complex interplay
Authors: Vas Prashanth , Hopkins David , Feher Michael , Rubino Francesco , B. Whyte Martin
Published: July 2020

With the accumulation of observational data showing an association of metabolic co‐morbidities with adverse outcomes from COVID‐19, there is a need to disentangle the contributions of pre‐existing macro‐ and microvascular disease, obesity and glycaemia. This article outlines the complex mechanistic and clinical interplay between diabetes and COVID‐19, the clinical and research questions which arise from this relationship, and the types of studies needed to answer those questions. The authors are clinicians and academics working in diabetes and obesity medicine, but the article is pitched to an audience of generalists with clinical experience of or interest in the management of COVID‐19.
Decreased risk‐taking and loss‐chasing after subthalamic nucleus lesion in rats
Authors: Breysse Emmanuel , Meffre Julie , Pelloux Yann , Winstanley Catharine A. , Baunez Christelle
Published: July 2020

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is known to play a role in the control of impulsivity of action and in impulsivity of choice under certain conditions. In order to assess its influence on decision‐making under uncertainty, we have tested here the effects of bilateral STN lesions in rats performing a probability discounting task (PDT) and a “loss‐chasing” task, both tasks assessing risky decision under uncertainty, but one in a positive context (probability to obtain a larger reward) and the other in a negative context (risk for a larger loss). The PDT measures the choice between a small certain and a large uncertain reward. Conversely, in the “loss‐chasing” task, animals choose between accepting a small certain loss versus risking a larger but uncertain penalty. The results show that STN lesions reduce risk‐taking in both the PDT and the loss‐chasing task, suggesting that STN inactivation could decrease risky decision‐making whatever the nature of the outcome in an ambiguous context. Interestingly, opposite results were found in a small number of animals for which the lesions extended to the area dorsal to the STN (in the zona incerta), such that these animals increased choice of the uncertain option in the PDT. These results confirm the specificity of STN involvement in these processes and may provide explanations for some side‐effects reported in patients when STN manipulations extend to the Zona Incerta. They also support the choice of the STN as a target for the treatment of impulse control disorders in Parkinson’s disease and in obsessive compulsive disorders.
Discovery of linear ubiquitination, a crucial regulator for immune signaling and cell death
Authors: Iwai Kazuhiro
Published: July 2020

Ubiquitination is a reversible post‐translational modification that regulates function of conjugated proteins by decorating with ubiquitin chains—polymer of ubiquitin—in most cases. The discovery of linear ubiquitin chains and the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC) ubiquitin ligase complex can be considered as paradigm shift in the ubiquitin research because the linear ubiquitin chain is generated via the N‐terminal Met of ubiquitin, although the other ubiquitin chains are generated via one of seven Lys residues in ubiquitin. Moreover, ubiquitination is distributed throughout eukaryotic kingdoms; however, no linear ubiquitination could be found in lower eukaryotes including yeasts. Although the involvement of ubiquitination in proteolysis is well‐documented, linear ubiquitination plays crucial roles in immune signaling and cell death regulation. Moreover, dysregulation of LUBAC‐mediated linear ubiquitination underlies various human diseases including autoinflammation and cancer. Here, I introduce how linear ubiquitination was discovered and outline a brief history of linear ubiquitination research.
An algorithm for fast critical plane search in computer‐aided engineering durability analysis under multiaxial random loadings: Application to the Carpinteri–Spagnoli–Vantadori spectral method
Authors: Marques Julian Marcel Enzveiler , Benasciutti Denis , Carpinteri Andrea , Spagnoli Andrea
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a new algorithm to implement the Carpinteri–Spagnoli–Vantadori (CSV) multiaxial fatigue criterion for random loading and to shorten the computation time. This goal is achieved after calculating the exact expressions of stress spectral moments in every rotated plane, which allow the maximum variance and expected maximum peak of normal/shear stress to be computed directly. This permits the new algorithm to determine the five rotations of the critical plane without using ‘for/end’ loops (which represent a slow numerical operation), although some information on stress signals examined is lost. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the advantages of the new algorithm in comparison with its standard version, which are particularly remarkable when considering the stress output of all finite element model nodes. The approach behind the new algorithm can be extended to other multiaxial spectral criteria that use angular rotations or direction cosines to locate the critical plane or the direction of maximum stress variance.
Fatigue life evaluation of tension‐compression asymmetric material using local stress–strain method
Authors: Chen Jiwei , Yao Weixing , Gao Daiyang
Published: July 2020

In this paper, the low‐cycle fatigue characteristics of cold‐drawn steel were investigated under strain‐controlled uniaxial fatigue load. Cyclic softening was observed throughout fatigue life except for the initial relatively short period which exhibited cyclic hardening. Positive mean stress was found under fully reversed strain loading, indicating that there was a significant cyclic asymmetry. A modified local stress–strain method was proposed to estimate fatigue life of notched tension‐compression asymmetric material. In order to verify this method, fatigue experiments on two kinds of notched specimens with different notch radius were carried out under constant and block load spectrum. It was found that the modified local stress–strain method was more accurate than the traditional ones, the maximum relative error between predicted and experimental fatigue life was less than 6%.
Effects of LAB inoculant and cellulase on the fermentation quality and chemical composition of forage soybean silage prepared with corn stover
Authors: Cheng Qiming , Li Ping , Xiao Bingxue , Yang Fuyu , Li Daxu , Ge Gentu , Jia Yushan , Bai Shiqie
Published: July 2020

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the silage quality of forage soybean‐corn stover silage in the south of China. Forage soybean were combined manually with corn stover by ratios of R1 (25:75), R2 (50:50) and R3 (75:25) in fresh weight (FM) and ensiled in bag silos for 60 days at room temperature (20–25°C). All silages were treated without (control) or with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant (G, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus buchneri, 105 cfu/g, of FM), cellulase (C, 0.02% of FM) and C + G. R1 silage had appropriate V‐score value with high lactic acid content and low pH value and ammonia‐N (NH3‐N) content, undetectable levels of propionic acid (PA) and butyric acid (BA). C and C + G reduced undesirable microorganisms of aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds, resulting in improved nutritive value of R2 silage, as indicated by lower neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents, and higher crude protein content, in vitro ruminal dry matter digestibility, gross energy and metabolizable energy values as compared to the control. Additives did not improve the quality of R3 silage with high pH value and NH3‐N content, BA and PA contents and undesirable microorganism counts. These results confirmed that high‐quality silage produced from mixtures (25:75) of forage soybean and corn stover in the south of China; additives (especially for C + G) could enhance the silage quality of forage soybean‐corn stover (50:50); and high proportion (>75%) of forage soybean was difficult to ensile.
Virus interruptus: An Arendtian exploration of political world‐building in pandemic times
Authors: Gardiner Rita A. , Fulfer Katy
Published: July 2020

Building upon a series of blog posts and conversations, two feminist scholars explore how political community, trust, responsibility and solidarity are affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic. We explore the ways in which we can engage in political world‐building during pandemic times through the work of Hannah Arendt. Following Arendt’s notion of the world as the space for human togetherness, we ask: how can we respond to COVID‐19’s interruptions to the familiarity of daily life and our relationship to public space? By extending relational accounts of public health and organizational ethics, we critique a narrow view of solidarity that focuses on individual compliance with public health directives. Instead, we argue that solidarity involves addressing structural inequities, both within public health and our wider community. Finally, we suggest possibilities for political world‐building by considering how new forms of human togetherness might emerge as we forge a collective ‘new normal’.
Incidence rate, predictors and outcomes of interruption of HIV care: nationwide results from the Belgian HIV cohort
Authors: Van Beckhoven D , Florence E , De Wit S , Wyndham‐Thomas C , Sasse A , Van Oyen H , Macq J ,   the Belgian Research on AIDS, HIV Consortium (BREACH)
Published: July 2020

Objectives

We aimed to study the incidence rate, predictors and outcomes of HIV care interruption (HCI) in Belgium.

Methods

We analysed data for adult patients with at least two HIV care records in the Belgian HIV cohort between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2016. An HCI episode was defined as 1 year without an HIV care record. The HCI incidence rate was analysed using Poisson regression, return to HIV care using a cumulative incidence function with death as a competing risk, and viral load (VL) status upon return to HIV care using logistic regression.

Results

We included 16 066 patients accounting for 78 625 person‐years of follow‐up. The incidence rate of HCI was 5.3/100 person‐years [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.1–5.4/100 person‐years]. The incidence of return to HIV care after HCI was estimated at 77.5% (95% CI 75.7–79.2%). Of those who returned to care, 43.7% had a VL ≤ 200 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL, suggesting care abroad or suboptimal care (without an HIV‐related care record) in Belgium during the HCI, and 56.3% returned without controlled VL and were therefore considered as having experienced a real gap in HIV care; they represented 2.3/100 person‐years of follow‐up. Factors individually associated with HCI were no antiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake, lower age, injecting drug use, non‐Belgian nationality, male gender, not being a man who has sex with men, a shorter time since HIV diagnosis, no high blood pressure and CD4 count < 350 cells/µL.

Conclusions

This study highlights the need to investigate return to care and viral status at return, to better understand HCI. Identified predictors can help health care workers to target patients at higher risk of HCI for awareness and support.
Book Review of Disruption in the Audit Market: The Future of the Big Four, Financial Failures & Scandals: From Enron to Carillion, and The Future of Auditing
Authors: Li Lina
Published: July 2020

This article provides a concise review of the three books, Disruption in the Audit Market: The Future of the Big Four (ISBN: 978–0367–220‐66‐2), Financial Failures & Scandals: From Enron to Carillion (ISBN 978–036‐7,220‐73‐0), by Prof. Krish Bhaskar and Prof. John Flower, together with Mr. Rod Sellers, and The Future of Auditing (ISBN: 978–0367–220‐66‐2) by Prof. David Hay.
Pharmacy services and role development in UK general practice: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Savickas Vilius , Foreman Ellie , Ladva Anmol , Bhamra Sukvinder K , Sharma Ravi , Corlett Sarah A
Published: July 2020

Background

The ‘Clinical Pharmacists in General Practice’ (CPGP) pilot provided a template for general practice pharmacy professionals’ (GPPPs) roles encouraging NHS England to fund >2000 practice-based pharmacists. However, many GPPPs work outside the CPGP initiative and little is known about the services they provide.

Objectives

To explore services provided by all UK GPPPs (pharmacists/pharmacy technicians), including the types of services, perceived benefits and barriers to role development.

Methods

A 26-item electronic questionnaire was developed using SurveyMonkey and piloted during cognitive interviews. A cross-sectional survey was conducted via social media, primary care organisations and emails to CPGP pilot sites between November 2018 and March 2019. Three reminders were sent 1 week apart.

Key findings

Ninety-one complete responses were received (81 pharmacists; 10 technicians). Over 80% of pharmacists provided clinical services, such as medication reviews or management of long-term conditions. More pharmacists within CPGP pilot managed repeat prescribing requests (P = 0.035). Technicians took responsibility for primarily non-clinical roles, including commissioning or safety alerts/drug recalls. A third of GPPPs wished to develop care home services. Perceived benefits of GPPPs’ services included improved utilisation/development of professional skills, identifying medicines-related issues and reduction in medication waste. Respondents were satisfied with professional relationships but reported workload issues, limited patient awareness of their roles and restricted opportunities to contribute to service development, which was associated with unsatisfactory support/mentorship (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

General practice pharmacy professionals deliver clinical and non-clinical services which may benefit patients, general practice and the healthcare system. General practices and national organisations should provide GPPPs with tailored support and exploit the combined strengths of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to tackle increased workload.
Development of a questionnaire to assess the quality of service trajectories in autism spectrum disorder from families' perspective
Authors: Rivard Mélina , Mello Catherine , Mercier Céline , Lefebvre Christine , Millau Marie , Morin Marjorie , Morin Diane , Abouzeid Nadia , Chatenoud Céline
Published: July 2020

Background

ETAP‐1 was created to evaluate the quality of services trajectory from families’ perspective. The items of ETAP‐1 were developed from previous studies on integrated care, existing quality assessments, and consultations with families and experts in evaluation and in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Method

The questionnaire was completed by 200 parents of children aged 5 and under who were recently diagnosed with ASD or intellectual disability. Of these, 183 received diagnostic evaluation through a clinic specialized in ASD; the other 17 underwent diagnostic evaluation in hospital settings.

Results

Factor analysis supported the a priori dimensions of quality and distinctions between experiences before and during diagnostic evaluation. The instrument had high internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity with other measures and was sensitive to differences in service delivery models.

Discussion

ETAP‐1 is useful in organizing information on families’ experiences throughout their services trajectories and according to a dynamic perspective.
Impact of left common pulmonary veins in the contact force versus cryoballoon atrial fibrillation ablation (CIRCA‐DOSE) study
Authors: Larsen Jacob M. , Deyell Marc W. , Macle Laurent , Champagne Jean , Sarrazin Jean‐Francois , Leong‐Sit Peter , Badra‐Verdu Mariano , Sapp John , Khairy Paul , Andrade Jason G.
Published: July 2020

Background

Concerns remain regarding the effectiveness of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using the fixed diameter noncompliant cryoballoon in the presence of a left common pulmonary vein (LCPV). We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of PVI performed by contact force–guided radiofrequency (CF‐RF) versus second‐generation cryoballoon‐based ablation in patients with LCPV.

Methods and Results

We enrolled 346 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and randomized them to CF‐RF or cryoballoon ablation. Pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy was not assessed before enrollment, and there were no exclusions based on PV anatomy. All patients received an implantable cardiac monitor. LCPV was observed in 13.6% of patients (47 of 346). Left atrial time and fluoroscopy time did not differ between those with and without LCPV (p = .58 andp = .06, respectively). Freedom from any atrial tachyarrhythmia at 1 year was observed in 46.8% with LCPV and 54.5% without LCPV (p = .06). In those with LCPV, the freedom from any atrial tachyarrhythmia did not differ between those randomized to CF‐RF or cryoballoon ablation (hazard ratio for recurrence: 1.19, 95% confidence interval: 0.53–2.65,p = .69). In those with LCPV, the AF burden was reduced to a similar extent with CF‐RF and cryoballoon ablation (99.7% vs. 99.5%, respectively;p = .97).

Conclusions

In this randomized clinical trial, the presence of an LCPV was associated with a trend towards higher rates of arrhythmia recurrence following PVI. No significant difference in arrhythmia recurrence was observed between patients with LCPV randomized to cryoballoon ablation or CF‐RF ablation, suggesting that either ablation modality is suitable in this population.
Autophagy regulation is an effective strategy to improve the prognosis of chemically induced acute liver injury based on experimental studies
Authors: Hu Chenxia , Zhao Lingfei , Shen Miaoda , Wu Zhongwen , Li Lanjuan
Published: July 2020

Acute liver injury (ALI) induced by chemicals in current experimental studies is characterized by inflammation, oxidative stress and necrosis, which can greatly influence the long‐term outcome and lead to liver failure. In liver cells, different autophagy forms envelop cytoplasm components, including proteins, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria and lipids, and they effectively participate in breaking down the cargo enclosed inside lysosomes to replenish cellular energy and contents. In general, autophagy serves as a cell survival mechanism in stressful microenvironments, but it also serves as a destructive mechanism that results in cell death in vitro and in vivo. In experimental animals, multiple chemicals are used to mimic ALI in patients to clarify the potential pathological mechanisms and develop effective strategies in the clinic. In this review, we summarize related publications about autophagy modulation to attenuate chemically induced ALI in vitro and in vivo. We also analysed the underlying mechanisms of autophagy regulators and genetic modifications to clarify how to control autophagy to protect against chemically induced ALI in animal models. We anticipate that selectively controlling the dual effects of hepatic autophagy will help to protect against ALI in various animals, but the detailed mechanisms and effects should be determined further in future studies. In this way, we are more confident that modulating autophagy in liver regeneration can improve the prognosis of ALI.
D1 receptor‐mediated endogenous tPA upregulation contributes to blood‐brain barrier injury after acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Wang Yan , Wang Xiaona , Zhang Xinyu , Chen Shuang , Sun Yanyun , Liu Wenlan , Jin Xinchun , Zheng Guoqing
Published: July 2020

Blood‐brain barrier (BBB) integrity injury within the thrombolytic time window is becoming a critical target to reduce haemorrhage transformation (HT). We have previously reported that BBB damage was initially damaged in non‐infarcted striatum after acute ischaemia stroke. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear. Since acute ischaemic stroke could induce a significant increase of dopamine release in striatum, in current study, our aim is to investigate the role of dopamine receptor signal pathway in BBB integrity injury after acute ischaemia using rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model. Our data showed that 2‐h ischaemia induced a significant increase of endogenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in BBB injury area and intra‐striatum infusion of tPA inhibitor neuroserpin, significantly alleviated 2‐h ischaemia‐induced BBB injury. In addition, intra‐striatum infusion of D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 significantly decreased ischaemia‐induced upregulation of endogenous tPA, accompanied by decrease of BBB injury and occludin degradation. More important, inhibition of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha with inhibitor YC‐1 significantly decreased 2‐h ischaemia‐induced endogenous tPA upregulation and BBB injury. Taken together, our data demonstrate that acute ischaemia disrupted BBB through activation of endogenous tPA via HIF‐1α upregulation, thus representing a new therapeutic target for protecting BBB after acute ischaemic stroke.
Calpain‐2 plays a pivotal role in the inhibitory effects of propofol against TNF‐α‐induced autophagy in mouse hippocampal neurons
Authors: Li Ying , He Zhiyong , Lv Hu , Chen Wei , Chen Jiawei
Published: July 2020

Calpains are calcium‐dependent proteases and play critical roles in neuronal autophagy induced by inflammation. Propofol has been reported to exert anti‐inflammatory effects in neurons. We aimed to identify whether and how propofol‐modulated calpain activity and neuron autophagy in response to tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Mouse hippocampal neurons were pre‐treated with propofol and exposed to TNF‐α. Autophagy was evaluated by fluorescent autophagy assay and by measuring LC3I and LC3II expression. Intracellular calcium concentration was measured by fluorescent assay. Calpain activation was measured by calpain activity assay. The protein expression of intracellular signalling molecules was detected by Western blot analysis. Compared with untreated control neurons, 40 ng/mL TNF‐α treatment for 2 hours induced neuron autophagy, which was attenuated by 25 μmol/L propofol. TNF‐α induced intracellular calcium accumulation, the phosphorylation of calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CAMK II) and calpain‐2, calpain activation and lysosomal cathepsin B release as well as tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) truncation. These effects were alleviated by propofol, calcium chelator, CAMK II inhibitor, calpain‐2 inhibitor, calpain‐2 siRNA transfection and N‐Methyl‐d‐aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Propofol, via NMDA receptor, inhibited TNF‐α‐mediated hippocampal neuron autophagy. The mechanism may involve calcium and calcium‐dependent signalling pathway, especially CAMK II and calpain‐2.
Genome‐wide comparison of Carnobacterium maltaromaticum derived from diseased fish harbouring important virulence‐related genes
Authors: Roh HyeongJin , Kim Bo Seong , Lee Mu Kun , Park Chan‐Il , Kim Do‐Hyung
Published: July 2020

Although Carnobacterium maltaromaticum has been used as a probiotic in fish, it was reported to cause disease for the first time in Korea. The objective of this study was to understand the differences between pathogenic and non‐pathogenic strains. Pathogenicity was tested by challenging rainbow trout with C. maltaromaticum ATCC35586 and 18ISCm isolated from diseased fish, and DSM20342 isolated from a dairy product. We also compared 24 genomes of C. maltaromaticum strains plus the genome of our isolate 18ISCm sequenced in this study. Only the strains from diseased fish caused high mortality with severe histopathological changes. Although all strains shared more than 90% of Ko_id, wecC and xtmA were found only in strains from diseased fish. Interestingly, only strains from diseased fish harboured two wecC paralogs involved in the production of D‐mannosaminuronic acid which is a major component of a well‐known virulence factor, teichuronic acid. Two wecC paralogs of 18ISCm were increased when they were co‐cultured with trout blood cells, suggesting that wecC genes might play a role in virulence. The results of this study show that strains isolated from diseased fish are different from strains derived from food in terms of pathogenicity to fish and the presence of virulence‐related genes.