bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of intraocular anti-VEGF on cystoid macular edema associated with Henoch-Schonlein purpura-a case report
Authors: Pan Dongyan , Cui Xiao , Zhu Weiye , Qin Haifeng , Li Qing , Xu Bing , Wu Jin-hui
Published: February 2020

Background

To report a bilateral cystoid macular edema associated with Henoch-Schonleinpurpura.

Case presentation

A 21-year-old man presented a bilateral, painless, and bilateral blurred vision for 5 weeks with visual acuity (VA) of 6/12 on the right eye and 6/48 on the left. FA and OCT showed bilateral cystoid macular edema, and the fundus photograph showed retinal hemorrhages. Using intravenous dexamethasone could reduce macular edema, but it reoccurred shortly after switching to oral prednisone. Repeated intraocular injection of anti-VEGF in both eyes was performed and VA improved to 6/6 on the right eye and 6/7.5 on the left with the regression of edema after 6 months follow-up.

Conclusions

Intraocular anti-VEGF might be an alternative choice to glucocorticoid in cases of bilateral cystoid macular edema associated with Henoch-Schonlein purpura.
Sick-listed workers’ experiences with motivational interviewing in the return to work process: a qualitative interview study
Authors: Foldal Vegard Stolsmo , Standal Martin Inge , Aasdahl Lene , Hagen Roger , Bagøien Gunnhild , Fors Egil Andreas , Johnsen Roar , Solbjør Marit
Published: February 2020

Background

When returning to work after being on long-term sick leave, individuals may experience varying levels of motivation and self-efficacy. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a counseling style that aims to increase motivation towards change, and it may be useful in the return to work (RTW) process. The aim of this study was to explore sick-listed workers’ experiences with MI in the RTW process.

Methods

This qualitative study was part of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of MI on the RTW process, and it was administered by caseworkers at the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration. Sixteen sick-listed individuals, aged 33–60, participated in semi-structured interviews. All had a sick leave status of 50–100% for at least 8 weeks when interviewed and all had completed 2 MI sessions. The data was analyzed with systematic text condensation.

Results

Participants’ experiences of the MI sessions were categorized into three themes: (1) relationship with the MI caseworker, (2) normalizing sick leave, and (3) adjusting RTW strategies. The MI sessions were experienced as a positive encounter due to the supportive relationship that was built between the MI caseworker and the sick-listed worker. Being sick listed led to feelings of guilt and stigmatization, but acceptance and support from the MI caseworkers helped normalize the situation for the sick-listed workers. Furthermore, MI sessions allowed for personalized feedback and discussions on adjustments to their RTW strategies.

Conclusion

Sick-listed workers experienced MI as positive due to the good relationship that developed with the MI caseworker, how this normalized sick leave, and the help they received with adjusting their RTW strategies. Professionals working with individuals attempting to RTW may benefit from using MI as a method for helping sick-listed workers to RTW.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03212118 (registered July 11, 2017).
Cassava/peanut intercropping improves soil quality via rhizospheric microbes increased available nitrogen contents
Authors: Tang Xiumei , Zhong Ruichun , Jiang Jing , He Liangqiong , Huang Zhipeng , Shi Guoying , Wu Haining , Liu Jing , Xiong Faqian , Han Zhuqiang , Tang Ronghua , He Longfei
Published: February 2020

Background

Intercropping, an essential cultivation pattern in modern agricultural systems, increases crop yields and soil quality. Cassava and peanut intercropping systems exhibit advantages in solar utilization and cadmium absorption, etc. However, the inner mechanisms need to be elucidated. In this study, Illumina MiSeq platform was used to reveal the rhizospheric microbes and soil quality in cassava/peanut intercropping systems, and the results provided a reference for the application of this method in studying other intercropping systems.

Results

Both intercropping cassava/peanut (IP) and intercropping peanut/cassava (IC) systems significantly increased available N, available K, pH value, and urease activity, comparing with that in monocropping cassava (MC) and monocropping peanut (MP) system. However, there were few effects on the total N, total P, total K, available P, organic matter, protease activity, catalase activity, sucrase activity, and acid phosphatase activity. Both IP and MP soils contained more bacteria and fungi than those in the IC and MC soils, which were mainly made of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Intercropping remarkably increased the number of Nitrospirae in IP and IC soils comparing those in MC and MP soils. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that the abundances ofDA101,Pilimelia, andRamlibacterwere positively correlated to the soil quality. These results suggest that intercropping enhances the available nitrogen content of soil through increasing the quantity of rhizospheric microbes, especially that ofDA101andPilimelia.

Conclusions

The cassava/peanut intercropping system improves soil quality through increasing the available nitrogen content and abundance ofDA101,Pilimelia, andRamlibacterin the soil.
Efficacy of Ageratum conyzoides extracts against Giardia duodenalis trophozoites: an experimental study
Authors: Pintong Ai-rada , Ruangsittichai Jiraporn , Ampawong Sumate , Thima Kanthinich , Sriwichai Patchara , Komalamisra Narumon , Popruk Supaluk
Published: February 2020

Background

Giardia duodenalis causes giardiasis in humans, particularly in developing countries. Despite the availability of treatments, resistance to some of the commercial anti-Giardia drugs has been reported in addition to their harmful side effects. Therefore, novel treatments for giardiasis are required. In this study, we aimed to assess the in vitro activity of crude extracts of Ageratum conyzoides against G. duodenalis trophozoites.

Methods

Plants were classified into three groups based on their flower colors: white (W), purple (P), and white–purple (W–P). Plants were separately cut into leaf (L) and flower (F) parts. Changes in internal organelle morphology of trophozoites following exposure to crude extracts were assessed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In subsequent experiments, efficacy of the most active essential oils from crude extracts [half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) ≤ 100 μg/mL] against G. duodenalis trophozoites was tested. In vitro anti-Giardia assays using essential oils were performed in the same way as those performed using crude extracts.

Results

LW–P and FP extracts showed high activity (IC50 ≤ 100 μg/mL) against G. duodenalis trophozoites, with IC50 ± SD values of 45.67 ± 0.51 and 96.00 ± 0.46 μg/mL, respectively. In subsequent experiments, IC50 ± SD values of LW–P and FP essential oils were 35.00 ± 0.50 and 89.33 ± 0.41 μg/mL, respectively. TEM revealed the degeneration of flagella and ventral discs of G. duodenalis trophozoites following exposure to crude extracts.

Conclusion

Crude LW–P and FP extracts of A. conyzoides showed the highest activity against G. duodenalis. Exposure to crude extract induced changes in the flagella and ventral discs of G. duodenalis trophozoites, which play important roles in attachment to the surface of mucosal cells. Our results suggest that the tested extracts warrant further research in terms of their efficacy and safety as giardiasis treatment.
The IASP pain curriculum for undergraduate allied health professionals: educators defining competence level using Dublin descriptors
Authors: van Lankveld W. , Afram B. , Staal J. B. , van der Sande R.
Published: February 2020

Background

Improving pain education for undergraduate health professionals is hampered by lacking shared education outcomes. This study describes how educators and pain experts operationalize content and competency levels deemed necessary for a undergraduate pain education core curriculum for health professionals (physical and occupational therapists, nurses, psychologists).

Methods

Educators and experts on pain and pain education gave their opinion on content and competency level for each individual item of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) inter professional curriculum. Participants decided whether or not to include each item in the undergraduate curriculum. Items were included when > 70% of the respondents agreed. The required competency for each item was rated using ordinal Dublin Descriptors.

Results

Overall, 22 experts rated the curriculum, with > 70% agreement on inclusion on 62% of the IASP items. Within the IASP domain ‘Multidimensional nature of pain’ there was full agreement on the inclusion of 12 items. ‘Ethics’ was considered less important with only 1 item deemed necessary. There is a high number of items selected within the domains ‘Pain Assessment and measurement’ (78%) and ‘Management of Pain’ (74%). Considerably less items were chosen in the domain ‘Clinical Conditions’ (41%). For most items the median required skills and competency level was either Knowledge and Understanding, or Applying Knowledge and Understanding.

Conclusion

Overall, educators and experts in pain agreed on content and competency levels for an undergraduate pain curriculum based on the IASP. Defining a shared competency level will help improve definition of education outcome.
A study on users’ preference towards diabetes-related video clips on YouTube
Authors: Zhang Jin , Zheng Zhong , Wang Yanyan , Zhu Yifan
Published: February 2020

Background

Social media has arisen to be a new and important channel for information users for seeking and creating user-generated content. For health consumers, social media has long been regarded and employed as an important source to find health-related information and emotional support. This study investigated the characteristics of diabetes-related videos posted on YouTube, one of the most popular video-based social media platforms, and explored the factors influencing users’ preference towards the investigated videos.

Methods

A mixed research method including coding and negative binomial regression test was applied. Coding was utilized to identify the status of the diabetes-related video clips and the factors related to users’ attitude to them. Negative binomial regression approach was employed to detect significant relationships among the factors and users’ attitude.

Results

The researchers selected eight factors (e.g. number of views, post period, presenters’ gender, and subject) to represent the characteristics of the diabetes-related video clips. Eleven subjects were identified by examining the diabetes-related videos and three subjects, Treatment, Sign & Symptom, and Social & Culture, appeared the most frequently. Media type, presentation setting, post period, presenter role, and presenters’ gender affect the users’ positive attitude significantly. Post period, presenter role, and the Sign & Symptom subject and the Nutrient subject have significant influence on the users’ negative attitude.

Conclusions

Treatment, Sign & Symptom, and Social & Culture are the most popular subjects of the investigated video clips. The users are less likely to show their attitude to old videos. They prefer journalists and patients on videos but dislike male presenters compared with other presenters, and show more negative attitude towards the videos about nutrients. The findings of this study can be used to enhance the content creation of diabetes-related video clips for video contributors, the design and organization of the diabetes-related content for multimedia-based social media Website designers, and the information seeking and communication among health information users.
Cost of inappropriate antimicrobial use for upper respiratory infection in Japan
Authors: Tsuzuki Shinya , Kimura Yuki , Ishikane Masahiro , Kusama Yoshiki , Ohmagari Norio
Published: February 2020

Background

Antibiotics are often prescribed inappropriately to patients with upper respiratory infection (URI) in ambulatory care settings; however, the economic burden of such prescription has not been quantitatively assessed. Here, we aimed to evaluate the additional cost of antimicrobial prescription for URI at the population level in Japan.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational survey using longitudinal claims data between 2013 and 2016 obtained from JMDC Claims Database, which contains data from 5·1 million corporate employees and family members under the age of 65 years. Appropriateness of antibiotic prescription was assessed by a panel of six infectious disease physicians according to ICD-10 code in JMDC Claims Database. Total additional cost of antibiotic prescription for URI at the national level was estimated by weighting of age-structured population data.

Results

The annual additional cost of inappropriate antibiotic prescription for URI was estimated at 423·6 (95% CI: 416·8–430·5) million USD in 2013, 340·9 (95% CI: 335·7–346·2) million USD in 2014, 349·9 (95% CI: 344·5–355·3) million USD in 2015, and 297·1 (95% CI: 292·4–301·9) million USD in 2016. Three classes of broad-spectrum oral antibiotics (third-generation cephalosporins, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones) accounted for > 90% of the total additional cost.

Conclusions

Although a decreasing trend was observed, annual additional costs of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for URI could be a substantial economic burden in Japan. Appropriately prescribing broad-spectrum oral antibiotics might be an important issue to reduce unnecessary medical costs in Japanese ambulatory care.
Lung CD4+ Vα2.3+ T-cells in sarcoidosis cohorts with Löfgren’s syndrome
Authors: Darlington Pernilla , Kullberg Susanna , Eklund Anders , Grunewald Johan
Published: February 2020

Background

Sarcoidosis is diagnosed by a combination of typical clinical and radiological findings together with biopsy proof of non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas in affected tissues and/or the cell distribution in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). We aimed at investigating the usefulness of measuring the proportion of T-cell receptor (TCR) CD4+ Vα2.3+ T-cells in BALF as an additive marker to CD4/CD8-ratio to confirm the diagnosis.

Methods

From a register consisting of 749 sarcoidosis patients [Löfgren’s syndrome (LS) n = 274, non-LS n = 475] with information on Vα2.3+ T-cells, an expansion of CD4+ Vα2.3+ T-cells (CD4+ Vα2.3+ T cells > 10.5% in BALF) was seen in 268 (36%). Controls were healthy volunteers (n = 69) and patients with other pulmonary conditions (n = 39), investigated because of suspicion of sarcoidosis.

Results

A proportion of CD4+ Vα2.3+ T-cells in BALF > 10.5% was highly specific for sarcoidosis, with a specificity of 97% and with a sensitivity of 36% (p < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves show that testing for CD4+ Vα2.3+ T-cells in BALF was a more useable test in individuals with LS [area under the curve (AUC) 0.82, p < 0.0001] compared to the whole patient group (AUC 0.64, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

In this study, we show that an increased proportion of CD4+ Vα2.3+ T-cells in BALF is highly specific for sarcoidosis. This suggests that this T-cell subset could be used as an additional tool to the CD4/CD8-ratio to support the sarcoidosis diagnosis, particularly in patients with LS but also in patients with non-LS.
Labral calcification plays a key role in hip pain and symptoms in femoroacetabular impingement
Authors: Trisolino Giovanni , Favero Marta , Dallari Dante , Tassinari Enrico , Traina Francesco , Otero Miguel , Goldring Steven R. , Goldring Mary B. , Carubbi Chiara , Ramonda Roberta , Stilli Stefano , Grigolo Brunella , Olivotto Eleonora
Published: February 2020

Background

Hip osteoarthritis (HOA) is the most common hip disorder and a major cause of disability in the adult population, with an estimated prevalence of end-stage disease and total hip replacement. Thus, the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the early stages of the disease in young adults are crucial to reduce the incidence of end-stage HOA.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether (1) a relationship among the inflammatory status of labrum and synovium collected from patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) would exist; and (2) to investigate the associations among the histopathological features of joint tissues, the pre-operative symptoms and the post-operative outcomes after arthroscopic surgery.

Methods

Joint tissues from 21 patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI were collected and their histological and immunohistochemical features were correlated with clinical parameters.

Results

Synovial mononuclear cell infiltration was observed in 25% of FAI patients, inversely correlated with the hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score (HOOS) pain and function subscales and with the absolute and relative change in total HOOS. All the labral samples showed some pattern of degeneration and 67% of the samples showed calcium deposits. The total labral score was associated with increased CD68 positive cells in the synovium. The presence of labral calcifications, along with the chondral damage worsened the HOOS post-op symptoms (adjustedR-square = 0.76p= 0.0001).

Conclusions

Our study reveals a relationship between the histologic labral features, the synovial inflammation, and the cartilage condition at the time of FAI.

The presence of labral calcifications, along with the cartilage damage and the synovitis negatively affects the post-operative outcomes in patients with FAI.
No friends 1
Authors: Koerling Anna-Lucia
Published: February 2020

Winning entry to the Student Voice 2019. The article focuses on a personal encounter that I had as a medical student when I was sent off to ‘study’ a patient with a rare disease who had been admitted to hospital.
Genome sequencing of gut symbiotic Bacillus velezensis LC1 for bioethanol production from bamboo shoots
Authors: Li Yuanqiu , Lei Lu , Zheng Li , Xiao Ximeng , Tang Hao , Luo Chaobing
Published: February 2020

Background

Bamboo, a lignocellulosic feedstock, is considered as a potentially excellent raw material and evaluated for lignocellulose degradation and bioethanol production, with a focus on using physical and chemical pre-treatment. However, studies reporting the biodegradation of bamboo lignocellulose using microbes such as bacteria and fungi are scarce.

Results

In the present study, Bacillus velezensis LC1 was isolated from Cyrtotrachelus buqueti, in which the symbiotic bacteria exhibited lignocellulose degradation ability and cellulase activities. We performed genome sequencing of B. velezensis LC1, which has a 3929,782-bp ring chromosome and 46.5% GC content. The total gene length was 3,502,596 bp using gene prediction, and the GC contents were 47.29% and 40.04% in the gene and intergene regions, respectively. The genome contains 4018 coding DNA sequences, and all have been assigned predicted functions. Carbohydrate-active enzyme annotation identified 136 genes annotated to CAZy families, including GH, GTs, CEs, PLs, AAs and CBMs. Genes involved in lignocellulose degradation were identified. After a 6-day treatment, the bamboo shoot cellulose degradation efficiency reached 39.32%, and the hydrolysate was subjected to ethanol fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli KO11, yielding 7.2 g/L of ethanol at 96 h.

Conclusions

These findings provide an insight for B. velezensis strains in converting lignocellulose into ethanol. B. velezensis LC1, a symbiotic bacteria, can potentially degrade bamboo lignocellulose components and further transformation to ethanol, and expand the bamboo lignocellulosic bioethanol production.
Ticks and associated pathogens in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alanazi Abdullah D. , Nguyen Viet Linh , Alyousif Mohamed S. , Manoj Ranju R. S. , Alouffi Abdulaziz S. , Donato Ridolfi , Sazmand Alireza , Mendoza-Roldan Jairo A. , Dantas-Torres Filipe , Otranto Domenico
Published: February 2020

Background

Camel production in Saudi Arabia is severely affected by various diseases and by inadequate veterinary services. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) affect the health and wellbeing of camels consequently diminishing their productivity and performances. In addition, camels may act as hosts for TBPs (e.g. Anaplasma phagocytophilum) causing diseases in humans. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of ixodid ticks and molecularly investigate the associated pathogens in camels from Saudi Arabia.

Methods

Blood and tick samples were collected from camels (n = 170) in Riyad Province of Saudi Arabia. Ticks were morphologically identified, and blood of camels were molecularly screened for apicomplexan (i.e. Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp.) and rickettsial parasites (i.e. Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp.).

Results

Of the 170 camels examined, 116 (68.2%; 95% CI: 60.9–75.1%) were infested by ticks with a mean intensity of 2.53 (95% CI: 2.4–2.6). In total of 296 ticks collected, Hyalomma dromedarii was the most prevalent (76.4%), followed by Hyalomma impeltatum (23.3%) and Hyalomma excavatum (0.3%). Of the tested animals, 13 (7.6%; 95% CI: 4.3–12.8%) scored positive to at least one TBP, with Anaplasma platys (5.3%; 95% CI: 2.7–9.9%) being the most prevalent species, followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma sp., Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis (0.6% each; 95% CI: 0.04–3.4%). None of the camels were found to be co-infected with more than one pathogen. All samples tested negative for Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.

Conclusions

The present study reveals the occurrence of different tick species and TBPs in camels from Saudi Arabia. Importantly, these camels may carry A. phagocytophilum and A. platys, representing a potential risk to humans.
Probe-based multiplex qPCR identifies blood-meal hosts in Anopheles mosquitoes from Papua New Guinea
Authors: Keven John B. , Artzberger Georgia , Gillies Mary L. , Mbewe Rex B. , Walker Edward D.
Published: February 2020

Background

Determination of blood-meal hosts in blood-fed female Anopheles mosquitoes is important for evaluating vectorial capacity of vector populations and assessing effectiveness of vector control measures. Sensitive molecular methods are needed to detect traces of host blood in mosquito samples, to differentiate hosts, and to detect mixed host blood meals. This paper describes a molecular probe-based quantitative PCR for identifying blood-meal hosts in Anopheles malaria vectors from Papua New Guinea.

Methods

TaqMan oligonucleotide probes targeting specific regions of mitochondrial or nuclear DNA of the three primary Anopheles blood-meal hosts, humans, pigs and dogs, were incorporated into a multiplex, quantitative PCR which was optimized for sensitivity and specificity.

Results

Amplification of serially diluted DNA showed that the quantitative PCR detected as low as 10−5 ng/μl of host DNA. Application to field-collected, blood-fed Anopheles showed that the quantitative PCR identified the vertebrate hosts for 89% (335/375) of mosquitoes whereas only 55% (104/188) of blood-meal samples tested in a conventional PCR were identified. Of the 104 blood-fed Anopheles that were positive in both PCR methods, 16 (15.4%) were identified as mixed blood meals by the quantitative PCR whereas only 3 (2.9%) were mixed blood meals by the conventional PCR.

Conclusions

The multiplex quantitative PCR described here is sensitive at detecting low DNA concentration and mixed host DNA in samples and useful for blood-meal analysis of field mosquitoes, in particular mixed-host blood meals.
Object contour tracking via adaptive data-driven kernel
Authors: Sun Xin , Wang Wei , Li Dong , Zou Bin , Yao Hongxun
Published: February 2020

We present a novel approach to non-rigid object tracking in this paper by deriving an adaptive data-driven kernel. In contrast with conventional kernel-based trackers which suffer from the constancy of kernel shape as well as scale and orientation selection problem when the tracking targets are changing in size, the adaptive kernel can robustly achieve the adaptation to target variation and act toward the actual target contour simultaneously with the mean shift iterations. Level set technique is novelly introduced to the mean shift sample space to both cope with insufficient low-level information and implement the adaptive kernel evolution and update. Since the active contour model is designed to drive the kernel constantly to the direction that maximizes the appearance similarity, this adaptive kernel can continually seize the target shape to give a better estimation bias and produce accurate shift of the mean. Finally, accurate target region can successfully avoid the performance loss stemmed from pollution of background pixels hiding inside the kernel and qualify the samples fed the next time step. Experimental results on a numer of challenging sequences validate the effectiveness of the technique.
K-g-fusion frames in Hilbert spaces
Authors: Huang Yongdong , Yang Yuanyuan
Published: February 2020

K-g-fusion frames are generalizations of fusion frames, K-fusion frames and g-fusion frames. In this paper, we present some new characterizations of K-g-fusion frames and tight K-g-fusion frames, and give several properties of K-g-fusion frames by means of the methods and techniques in frame and operator theories. Then, we discuss the redundancy of K-g-fusion frames. Finally, we discuss the stability of K-g-fusion frames.
Stieltjes differential systems with nonmonotonic derivators
Authors: Frigon Marlène , Tojo F. Adrián F.
Published: February 2020

In this work we study Stieltjes differential systems of which the derivators are allowed to change sign. This leads to the definition of the notion of a function of controlled variation, a characterization of precompact sets of g-continuous functions, and an explicit expression of g-exponential maps. Finally, we prove a Peano-type existence result and apply it to a model of fluid stratification on buoyant miscible jets and plumes.
Molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical strains from the endotracheal tubes of patients with nosocomial pneumonia
Authors: Cabrera Roberto , Fernández-Barat Laia , Motos Anna , López-Aladid Rubén , Vázquez Nil , Panigada Mauro , Álvarez-Lerma Francisco , López Yuly , Muñoz Laura , Castro Pedro , Vila Jordi , Torres Antoni
Published: February 2020

Background

Among all cases of nosocomial pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus is the second most prevalent pathogen (17.8%). In Europe, 29.9% of the isolates are oxacillin-resistant. The changing epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nosocomial infections and the decreasing susceptibility to first-line antibiotics leave clinicians with few therapeutic options. The objective of our study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility, the associated molecular mechanisms of resistance and the epidemiological relatedness of MRSA strains isolated from the endotracheal tubes (ETT) of intubated critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) with nosocomial pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Methods

The antimicrobial susceptibility to vancomycin, linezolid, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, fusidic acid, gentamicin, quinupristin-dalfopristin, rifampicin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and tetracycline were measured. Resistance mechanisms were then analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Molecular epidemiology was carried out by multi-locus sequence typing.

Results

S. aureus isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, clindamycin, and fusidic acid. The most frequent mutations in quinolone-resistant S. aureus strains were S84L in the gyrA gene, V511A in the gyrB gene, S144P in the grlA gene, and K401R/E in the grlB gene. Strains resistant to erythromycin carried the ermC, ermA, and msrA genes; the same ermC and ermA genes were detected in strains resistant to clindamycin. The aac(6′)-aph(2″) gene was related to gentamicin resistance, while resistance to tetracycline was related to tetK (efflux pump). The fusB gene was detected in the strain resistant to fusidic acid. The most frequent sequence types were ST22, ST8, and ST217, which were distributed in four clonal complexes (CC5, CC22, CC45, and CC59).

Conclusions

High levels of resistance to second-line antimicrobials threatens the treatment of nosocomial respiratory infections due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus with decreased susceptibility to linezolid and vancomycin. The wide genotypic diversity found reinforces the central role of ICU infection control in preventing nosocomial transmission.
Community-based behavioral health administrator perspectives on sustainability of Dialectical Behavior Therapy: a qualitative evaluation
Authors: Quetsch Lauren B. , Herschell Amy D. , Kogan Jane N. , Gavin James G. , Hale Gaven , Stein Bradley D.
Published: February 2020

Background

Substantial resources have been invested in evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation in community settings; however, research suggests that EBPs do not always sustain over time.

Method

This qualitative study explored the perspectives of 13 community behavioral health agency leaders regarding the sustainability of an EBP 25 to 28 months following the original training period. Administrators from 10 agencies were interviewed to understand the complexities of the implementation process, sustainability of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and their recommendations to enhance implementation and sustainability.

Results

A content analysis revealed five emergent themes: treatment model opinions, resource concerns, staff selection/ turnover, population characteristics, and recommendations for future implementation.

Conclusions

These themes likely would be helpful in informing the design of future implementation and sustainability initiatives sensitive to the challenges of integrating EBPs in community settings.
Are large surveys of adult literacy skills as comparable over time as we think?
Authors: Vézina Samuel , Bélanger Alain
Published: February 2020

Recent literature shows that younger cohorts have lower levels of literacy ceteris paribus in Canada, the United States, Norway and other developed countries. Very few explanations are provided to justify the existence of this negative cohort effect. Yet this decline has serious implications for the economy, education system and society. In this paper, we focus on Canada and replicate the results published in the literature using the same methodology (synthetic cohorts). We use the same data from surveys of adult skills, namely the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALL) and the Survey of Adult Skills, a product of the OECD Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). Second, we conduct further analyses to better understand the effect of time on adults’ literacy skills. We then show that age has a negative effect on the literacy score, but also that a significant “period” effect (or rather a “survey” effect) can only be explained by a change in the instrument used to measure literacy skills from one survey to another. This article reveals that the negative cohort effect mentioned in the literature may be fallacious as it is exacerbated when the control for measuring instrument distortions is omitted. This paper contributes to advancing knowledge about the effect that age and cohort has on adult literacy levels in Canada. The results weaken the idea of a clear negative cohort effect; much of this effect would in fact be caused by a non-comparable methodology that systematically assigned individuals lower scores in the most recent survey cycles. These findings are important because they highlight the limitations of analyses that can be done with the synthetic cohort method using cross-sectional surveys on adult literacy skills not only in Canada, but also in all other countries where these surveys have been conducted.
(Swiss) GraphoLearn: an app-based tool to support beginning readers
Authors: Mehringer Hannah , Fraga-González Gorka , Pleisch Georgette , Röthlisberger Martina , Aepli Franziska , Keller Vera , Karipidis Iliana I. , Brem Silvia
Published: February 2020

We assessed the Swiss-German version of GraphoLearn, a computer game designed to support reading by training grapheme-phoneme correspondences. A group of 34 children at risk for dyslexia trained three times a week during 14 weeks, on top of their standard school instruction. The sample was divided into two groups of 18 and 16 children, who started training at either the middle or the end of first grade. We found beneficial training effects in pseudoword reading in both training groups and for rapid automatized naming skills in the group that trained earlier. Our results suggest that both the efficiency in phonological decoding and rapid access to verbal representations are susceptible to facilitation by GraphoLearn. These findings confirm the utility of the training software as a tool to support school instruction and reading-related abilities in beginning readers. We discuss ideas to improve the content and outcomes of future versions of the training software.
Influence of Pseudomonas fluorescens mutants produced by transposon mutagenesis on in vitro and in vivo biocontrol and plant growth promotion
Authors: Alsohim Abdullah S.
Published: February 2020

The fitness of microbes and their colonization efficiency in plants is significant for promotion of plant growth, but the mechanism between plants and bacteria in rhizospheric region is not clearly explained. This study focused on identification and characterization of some plant growth promoting biocontrol bacteria. A total of 94 bacteria strains were isolated and tested for different plant growth promotion activities and their antagonistic behaviors towards different pathogenic fungi. The isolated bacteria were categorized into 23 bacterial genera, using 16S rRNA. The most predominant genera of bacterial isolates were Pseudomonas (4 species) and Bacillus (6 species). The isolates (Qassim University Saudi Arabia (QUSA) 52 and 45) and their transposon mutagenesis mutants inhibited mycelium growth of Rhizoctonia solani, Alternria sp., and Colletotrichum sp. Isolates 52 and 45 of P. fluorescens and their mutants’ 52-M12, 45-M19, and 45-M20 yielded the highest dry weight and shoot, and root length in alfalfa plants. Furthermore, the efficiency of these bacterial isolates and mutants against R. solani was considerably higher than the control treatment.

Therefore, application of biocontrol agents can significantly control the soil-born fungal pathogen in alfalfa plants.
The distribution of Ohio’s Certificates to Recommend: who will “prescribe” medical marijuana?
Authors: Leeds Frederic Stuart , Levinthal Ryan K. , Alexander Morgan T. , Crawford Timothy N.
Published: February 2020

Background

Under Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program rules, Ohio physicians that recommend medical marijuana (MMJ) to patients must possess a Certificate to Recommend (CTR) from the State Medical Board. Although a pre-program state survey indicated that more than a quarter of Ohio physicians were likely to recommend MMJ, only 473 physicians obtained CTRs in the first year of the program, amounting to just 1.39% of the physician workforce. The purpose of this study is to evaluate demographic factors that influence a physician’s decision to obtain the CTR.

Method

Using physician demographic data extracted from Ohio’s databases of medical licensees and CTR holders, as well as the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile, prevalence ratios for CTR holders were calculated for specialty, medical degree (Doctor of Medicine, MD, vs. Doctor of Osteopathy, DO), age and gender. A multivariate model was implemented to generate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) reflecting the independent effects of specialty, degree, and age. To assess temporal variations in CTR acquisition, per-specialty CTR counts were also plotted as a function of program month.

Results

The best-represented specialties among CTR holders were Family Medicine (29.11%), Internal Medicine and its subspecialties (22.57%), and Anesthesiology (9.07%). Expressed as an adjusted per-specialty prevalence ratio in reference to Family Medicine, the dominant specialty was Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (aPR 2.08, 95% CI 1.34–3.24), with the lowest measurable prevalence ratios found in Pediatrics (aPR 0.17, 95% CI 0.10–0.30) and Surgery (aPR 0.33, 95% CI 0.22–0.50). DOs were more likely to obtain CTRs than MDs (aPR 1.72, 95% CI 1.39–2.15). The mean age of CTR holders was 54.03 +/− 11.43, vs. 51.13 +/− 13.38 for non-CTR holders (p < .0001). Although gender could not be included in the multivariate model, males were more likely than females to obtain a CTR (PR 1.54, 95%CI 1.26–1.89). A plot of per-month CTR acquisition by specialty demonstrated a fairly consistent specialty distribution of CTRs in the first year, as well as variations in overall CTR acquisition that may correspond to program-operational events.

Conclusion

Specialty, type of medical degree, and age all correlate independently with the likelihood of registering to recommend medical marijuana in Ohio. Specialty distribution of CTRs remained fairly consistent in the program’s first year, although overall CTR acquisition may be sensitive to program-operational events such as delays in dispensary opening or product availability.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy With Etoposide Plus Cisplatin for Patients With Pathologic Stage II Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumors
Authors: McHugh Deaglan J. , Funt Samuel A. , Silber Deborah , Knezevic Andrea , Patil Sujata , O’Donnell Devon , Tsai Stephanie , Reuter Victor E. , Sheinfeld Joel , Carver Brett S. , Motzer Robert J. , Bajorin Dean F. , Bosl George J. , Feldman Darren R.
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE

The relapse rate after primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for patients with pathologic stage (PS) IIA nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs) is 10%-20% but increases to ≥ 50% for PS IIB disease. We report our experience with 2 cycles of adjuvant etoposide plus cisplatin (EP×2) after therapeutic primary RPLND.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients with PS II NSGCT seen at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from March 1989 to April 2016 and who were planned to receive EP×2 were included. Each cycle consisted of cisplatin 20 mg/m2 and etoposide 100 mg/m2 on days 1 through 5 at 21-day intervals. Demographic characteristics, histopathologic features, therapeutic and survival outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

Of 156 patients, 30 (19%) had pathologic N1, 122 (78%) had pathologic N2 (pN2), and 4 (3%) had pathologic N3 (pN3) disease. The median number of involved lymph nodes was 3 (range, 1-37 nodes), and the median size of the largest involved node was 2.0 cm (range, 0.4-7.0 cm); extranodal extension was present in 69 patients (45%). Embryonal carcinoma was the most frequent RPLND histology, present in 143 patients (92%). One hundred fifty patients (96%) received EP×2, five received EP×1 and one received EP×4. With a median follow-up of 9 years, 2 patients (1.3%; 1 patient each with pN2 and pN3 disease) experienced relapse; both patients remain continuously disease free at more than 5 and 22 years after salvage chemotherapy. Three patients died, all unrelated to NSGCT, yielding 10-year disease-specific, relapse-free, and overall survival rates of 100%, 98%, and 99%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Adjuvant EP×2 for PS II NSGCT is highly effective, has acceptable toxicity, and incurs less drug cost than 2 cycles of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin. Inclusion of bleomycin in this setting is not necessary.
Surprising simplicities and syntheses in limbless self-propulsion in sand
Authors: Astley Henry C. , Mendelson Joseph R. , Dai Jin , Gong Chaohui , Chong Baxi , Rieser Jennifer M. , Schiebel Perrin E. , Sharpe Sarah S. , Hatton Ross L. , Choset Howie , Goldman Daniel I.
Published: February 2020

Animals moving on and in fluids and solids move their bodies in diverse ways to generate propulsion and lift forces. In fluids, animals can wiggle, stroke, paddle or slap, whereas on hard frictional terrain, animals largely engage their appendages with the substrate to avoid slip. Granular substrates, such as desert sand, can display complex responses to animal interactions. This complexity has led to locomotor strategies that make use of fluid-like or solid-like features of this substrate, or combinations of the two. Here, we use examples from our work to demonstrate the diverse array of methods used and insights gained in the study of both surface and subsurface limbless locomotion in these habitats. Counterintuitively, these seemingly complex granular environments offer certain experimental, theoretical, robotic and computational advantages for studying terrestrial movement, with the potential for providing broad insights into morphology and locomotor control in fluids and solids, including neuromechanical control templates and morphological and behavioral evolution. In particular, granular media provide an excellent testbed for a locomotion framework called geometric mechanics, which was introduced by particle physicists and control engineers in the last century, and which allows quantitative analysis of alternative locomotor patterns and morphology to test for control templates, optimality and evolutionary alternatives. Thus, we posit that insights gained from movement in granular environments can be translated into principles that have broader applications across taxa, habitats and movement patterns, including those at microscopic scales.
Peptide arrays incubated with three collections of human sera from patients infected with mosquito-borne viruses
Authors: Martinez Viedma Maria del Pilar , Kose Nurgun , Parham Leda , Balmaseda Angel , Kuan Guillermina , Lorenzana Ivette , Harris Eva , Crowe Jr. James E. , Pickett Brett E.
Published: February 2020

Background: Global outbreaks caused by emerging or re-emerging arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are becoming increasingly more common. These pathogens include the mosquito-borne viruses belonging to the Flavivirus and Alphavirus genera. These viruses often cause non-specific or asymptomatic infection, which can confound viral prevalence studies. In addition, many acute phase diagnostic tests rely on the detection of viral components such as RNA or antigen. Standard serological tests are often not reliable for diagnosis after seroconversion and convalescence due to cross-reactivity among flaviviruses.

Methods: In order to contribute to development efforts for mosquito-borne serodiagnostics, we incubated 137 human sera on individual custom peptide arrays that consisted of over 866 unique peptides in quadruplicate. Our bioinformatics workflow to analyze these data incorporated machine learning, statistics, and B-cell epitope prediction.

Results: Here we report the results of our peptide array data analysis, which revealed sets of peptides that have diagnostic potential for detecting past exposure to a subset of the tested human pathogens including Zika virus. These peptides were then confirmed using the well-established ELISA method.

Conclusions: These array data, and the resulting peptides can be useful in diverse efforts including the development of new pan-flavivirus antibodies, more accurate epitope mapping, and vaccine development against these viral pathogens.
Simulation of trends in the use of e-payment using agent based models
Authors: Worldailmi Elanjati , Ismianti Ismianti
Published: February 2020

Bank Indonesia (BI) as the central bank in Indonesia has launched a movement to use non-cash instruments in conducting transactions on economic activities. The majority of Indonesian people are increasingly ready to trade without cash or cashless society. The country's economic policy factors, the availability of various non-cash payments, and online sales and purchases, encourage the tendency to use non-cash transactions (e-payment). One way to find out these trends is to use a model. Models can help understand and explain real phenomena more easily and efficiently than directly observing. One model that can be used is Agent Based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS). By using ABMS, the development of models with complex behaviors, dependencies, and interactions can be developed more easily. ABMS is able to describe processes, phenomena, and situations. In this study, the factors that influence the tendency to use e-payment are obtained from various references. From these factors, then created a scenario as a sub-purpose of this model. In simulations using ABMS, detailed descriptions explained based on ODD Protocol elements can be more easily understood and complete. ODD systematically evaluates a model. The advantage is that ODD can improve the accuracy of model formulas and make the theoretical basis more visible.
Study on the chemodrug-induced effect in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells using laser tweezer Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Qiu Sufang , Li Miaomiao , Liu Jun , Chen Xiaochuan , Lin Ting , Xu Yunchao , Chen Yang , Weng Youliang , Pan Yuhui , Feng Shangyuan , Lin Xiandong , Zhang Lurong , Lin Duo
Published: February 2020

To explore the effect in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells after treatment with chemodrugs, Raman profiles were characterized by laser tweezer Raman spectroscopy. Two NPC cell lines (CNE2 and C666-1) were treated with gemcitabine, cisplatin, and paclitaxel, respectively. The high-quality Raman spectra of cells without or with treatments were recorded at the single-cell level with label-free laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy (LTRS) and analyzed for the differences of alterations of Raman profiles. Tentative assignments of Raman peaks indicated that the cellular specific biomolecular changes associated with drug treatment include changes in protein structure (e.g. 1655 cm−1), changes in DNA/RNA content and structure (e.g. 830 cm−1), destruction of DNA/RNA base pairs (e.g. 785 cm−1), and reduction in lipids (e.g. 970 cm−1). Besides, both principal components analysis (PCA) combined with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and the classification and regression trees (CRT) algorithms were employed to further analyze and classify the spectral data between control group and treated group, with the best discriminant accuracy of 96.7% and 90.0% for CNE2 and C666-1 group treated with paclitaxel, respectively. This exploratory work demonstrated that LTRS technology combined with multivariate statistical analysis has promising potential to be a novel analytical strategy at the single-cell level for the evaluation of NPC-related chemotherapeutic drugs.
Pulse front tilt control using non-collimated beams in a single pass grating compressor
Authors: Figueira Gonçalo , Braga Luís , Ahmed Sajidah , Boyle Alexis , Galimberti Marco , Galletti Mario , Oliveira Pedro
Published: February 2020

High power laser systems based on the chirped pulse amplification (CPA) technique make use of grating pairs to compress the pulse to a short duration. When designing the pulse compressor, it is normally assumed that good beam collimation is a strong requirement in order to avoid spatio-temporal couplings. We analyze the propagation through a single pass compressor without the good collimation approximation and show that this results in a compressed pulse exhibiting pulse front tilt, whose magnitude is proportional to the normalized distance to the beam waist, providing a simple mechanism for controlling the tilt angle. We perform experimental measurements in a large-scale CPA laser for a range of beam curvatures that confirm these results.