bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and Neuroimaging Characteristics in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined versus Cardioembolic Origin: A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Tsivgoulis Georgios , Kargiotis Odysseas , Katsanos Aristeidis H. , Patousi Athanasia , Pikilidou Maria , Birbilis Theodosis , Mantatzis Michael , Palaiodimou Lina , Triantafyllou Sokratis , Papanas Nikolaos , Skendros Panagiotis , Terzoudi Aikaterini , Georgiadis George S. , Maltezos Efstratios , Piperidou Charitomeni , Serdari Aspasia , Theodorou Aikaterini , Ikonomidis Ignatios , Heliopoulos Ioannis , Vadikolias Konstantinos
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Evidence suggests that cardioembolism represents the underlying mechanism in the minority of embolic strokes of undetermined source (ESUS). In this population‐based study, we sought to compare the clinical and imaging characteristics as well as outcomes in patients with ESUS and cardioembolic stroke (CE).

METHODS

We included consecutive patients with first‐ever ischemic stroke (IS) from the previously published population‐based Evros‐Stroke‐Registry identified as ESUS or CE according to standardized criteria. Baseline characteristics, admission NIHSS scores, cerebral edema, hemorrhagic transformation, stroke recurrence, functional outcomes (determined by modified Rankin Scale [mRS] scores), and mortality rates were recorded during the 1‐year follow‐up period.

RESULTS

We identified 21 ESUS (3.7% of IS) and 211 CE (37.1% of IS) cases. Patients with ESUS were younger (median age: 68 years [interquartile range [IQR]: 61‐75] vs 80 years [IQR: 75‐84]; P < .001), had lower median admission NIHSS scores (4 points [IQR: 2‐8] vs 10 points [IQR: 5‐17]; P < .001), and lower prevalence of cerebral edema on neuroimaging studies (0 vs. 33.3%, P = .002). Functional outcomes were more favorable in ESUS at 28 (median mRS score: 2 [IQR: 1‐3] vs 4 [IQR: 4‐5]; P < .001), 90 (median mRS score: 1 [IQR: 0‐2] vs 4 [IQR: 3‐5]; P < .001), and 365 days (median mRS score: 1 [IQR: 0‐2] vs 4 [IQR: 2‐4]; P < 0.001). At 1‐year, the mortality rate was lower in ESUS (0% [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0‐13.5%] vs 34.6% [95% CI: 28.2‐41.0%]; P < .001); the 1‐year recurrent rate was also lower numerically (0% [95% CI: 0‐13.5%] vs 9.5% [95% CI: 5.5‐13.4%]; P = .140) but this difference failed to reach statistical significance due to the small study population.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical and neuroimaging profiles as well as clinical outcomes vary substantially between ESUS and CE indicating different underlying mechanisms.
A proposal for classification of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Morphology and status of HPV by immunohistochemistry and molecular biology
Authors: Rahimi Siavash , Akaev Iolia , Brennan Peter A. , Virgo Azarel , Marani Carla , Gomez Ricardo S. , Yeoh Chit Cheng
Published: August 2019

The current three‐tier grading system (well, moderate and poorly differentiated) used to morphologically classify head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is inadequate for categorisation of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) owing to the lack of prognostic value. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of a classification system for OPSCC based on morphology and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection status. Haematoxylin and eosin slides of 121 patients (100 M, 21 F, age range 40‐89 years) with OPSCC were reviewed and categorised as histological types I, II and III. The presence of HPV was assessed by immunohistochemistry with p16 and RNAscope In situ hybridization (ISH). The follow‐up period was 36 months. Ninety‐six patients were p16+ and clinical stage I. Patient survival with types I, II and III was 93%, 50% and 96%, respectively. Twenty‐five patients were p16−: 10 clinical stage I and 15 stage III. Amongst this group, no type I morphology was identified. At follow‐up, 65% of type II and 75% of type III patients were alive. All p16+ cases were also positive for E6/E7 mRNA high‐risk HPV by ISH, while 23 p16− cases were negative and two were positive. Cox regression identified three predictors of mortality: older age (HR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.06‐1.23, P = .001); female gender (HR = 0.22.95% CI 0.05‐0.88, P = .033); and type II morphology (HR = 13.1, 95% CI = 1.09‐157.0, P = .043). OPSCC morphological classification in three sub‐types, along with HPV infection status, seems to reflect the outcome of patients with OPSCC.
Outcomes and needs of health and education professionals following fetal alcohol spectrum disorder‐specific training
Authors: Reid Natasha , White Codi , Hawkins Erinn , Crawford Andi , Liu Wei , Shanley Dianne
Published: August 2019

Aim

Understanding professionals' views and needs can help advance service provision and improve future training opportunities, Therefore, the current study examined the experiences of Australian and New Zealand professionals who have attended fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)‐specific training and the impact of this training on their current practices.

Methods

A total of 52 health and education professionals from Australia and New Zealand completed an online survey that asked about their training experiences; changes in practice following training; their experiences implementing assessments in their workplace; and, for Australian professionals, their experiences of using the recently released Australian Guide to FASD diagnosis.

Results

Respondents described a range of perceived practice changes following training attendance. These included increases in: asking about alcohol use during pregnancy; providing referrals for assessments; providing assessments and consultation with other professionals regarding FASD diagnosis. Qualitative findings also demonstrated themes of increased knowledge, awareness and/or confidence about providing neurodevelopmental assessments and FASD diagnosis following training.

Conclusions

This is the first study to document training and practice experiences of Australian and New Zealand professionals in relation to FASD. Overall, training efforts were well received by professionals and were effective in changing professionals' self‐reported practice. Future investment in FASD‐specific training initiatives and increased resources to enable neurodevelopmental assessments for all complex presentations, including FASD, is warranted.
Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound for quantification of tissue perfusion in humans
Authors: Emanuel Anna L. , Meijer Rick I. , van Poelgeest Erik , Spoor Pien , Serné Erik H. , Eringa Etto C.
Published: August 2019

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound is an imaging technique that can be used to quantify microvascular blood volume and blood flow of vital organs in humans. It relies on the use of microbubble contrast agents and ultrasound‐based imaging of microbubbles. Over the past decades, both ultrasound contrast agents and experimental techniques to image them have rapidly improved, as did experience among investigators and clinicians. However, these improvements have not yet resulted in uniform guidelines for CEUS when it comes to quantification of tissue perfusion in humans, preventing its uniform and widespread use in research settings. The objective of this review is to provide a methodological overview of CEUS and its development, the influences of hardware and software settings, type and dosage of ultrasound contrast agent, and method of analysis on CEUS‐derived perfusion data. Furthermore, we will discuss organ‐specific imaging challenges, advantages, and limitations of CEUS.
Road side unit location optimization for optimum link flow determination
Authors: Liang Yunyi , Wu Zhizhou , Hu Jia
Published: August 2019

This study addresses the problem of road side unit (RSU) location optimization for optimum link flow determination. The error of link flow determination using RSU information comes from two sources: measurement error and inference error. The inference error is caused by the propagation and accumulation of measurement error during the link flow inference process. The direct problem formulation aiming to minimize the total error is impossible because the minimization of inference error has to be indirectly formulated as the minimization of the cumulative number of unobserved links. Further, for a given number of RSU, the decrease in the cumulative number of unobserved links results in the increase of the number of observed links, and thus results in the increase of measurement error due to data packet queueing delay. Therefore, for a given RSU installation budget, the balance between the two types of error needs to be optimized in order to achieve the optimum link flow determination accuracy. To fulfill this goal, the RSU location optimization problem is formulated as a bi‐objective nonlinear binary integer programming. This programming is constrained by complete link flow determination requirements. In order to accelerate computation, an efficient ε‐constraint method is designed to generate Pareto optimal frontier. The subproblem solved at each iteration is linearized using piecewise linear approximation and solved using a constraint generation method. The proposed model and the solution algorithm are evaluated through numerical examples. The results reveal that the Pareto optimal solutions achieved by the proposed model are at least not inferior to a non‐Pareto solution obtained in the baseline scenario. Further, both the measurement error and inference error associated with some of the Pareto optimal points are lower than those associated with the non‐Pareto optimal solution.
Effects of shyness and friendship on socioemotional adjustment during the college transition
Authors: Shell Madelynn D. , Absher Tiffany N.
Published: August 2019

This study identified (a) friendship changes during the first year of college, and how this change is affected by shyness, and (b) how shyness and friendship individually and in combination affect socioemotional well‐being. In Fall and Spring, first‐year college students reported on shyness, friendship quality and stability, internalizing symptoms, loneliness, and life satisfaction. There was substantial stability in friendships, particularly among shy students. A Person × Interpersonal Environment Interaction predicted socioemotional well‐being. Shy students with high‐quality versus low‐quality friendships reported lower internalizing symptoms. Although shyness was associated with increased loneliness and decreased life satisfaction, high‐quality friendships showed modest evidence of moderating these relationships. Many students maintained precollege friendships, but high‐quality friendships were particularly beneficial for shy students.
What would ecological climate change law look like? Developing a method for analysing the international climate change regime from an ecological perspective
Authors: Woolley Olivia
Published: August 2019

Statements and commitments made in the climate change treaties record the desire of their parties to preserve ecosystem functionality and situations that depend on this as an outcome of their collective response to global warming. Despite this, little attention has been given in climate law literature to the appropriateness of the legal framework they establish for achieving their stated ecological goals. This may be due in part to the lack of a method for analysing the climate change treaties from an ecological perspective. This article seeks to develop such a method by considering the key questions that States would need to answer when formulating a treaty for combating global warming in ways that advance goals associated with maintaining current structures and functions of ecosystems. It also identifies ways in which detailing of the Paris Agreement’s provisions could be used to promote ecosystem preservation as an outcome of international climate action.
Methodological considerations for linked blood donor‐component‐recipient analyses in transfusion medicine research
Authors: Roubinian Nareg H. , Kleinman Steven , Murphy Edward L. , Glynn Simone A. , Edgren Gustaf
Published: August 2019

In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to improve our understanding of the quality and effectiveness of transfused blood components. The expanding use of large datasets built from electronic health records allows the investigation of potential benefits or adverse outcomes associated with transfusion therapy. Together with information regarding blood donor demographics and component collection and manufacturing, these datasets permit evaluation of associations between donor or component factors and transfusion recipient outcomes. Large linked 'vein‐to‐vein' datasets provide the power to study exposures relevant to transfusion efficacy and safety, many of which would not otherwise be amenable to study for practical or sample size reasons. Analyses of these large donor‐component‐recipient datasets allow for characterization of the populations under study and provide an evidence base for future clinical studies. Knowledge generated from linked analyses has the potential to change the way donors are selected and how components are processed, stored and allocated. However, unrecognized confounding and biased statistical methods continue to be limitations in the study of transfusion exposures and patient outcomes. Given these challenges, results of observational studies of blood donor demographics, storage age and transfusion practice have been conflicting. This review summarizes statistical and methodological challenges in analyses of linked blood donor, component and transfusion recipient outcomes.
Deferred and deterred: a review of literature on the impact of deferrals on blood donors
Authors: Davison Tanya E. , Masser Barbara M. , Gemelli Carley N.
Published: August 2019

Background

Potential blood donors can be deferred due to concerns about the impact of the donation on their health or the safety of the blood supply. To date, we lack a comprehensive review of the impact of deferrals on donors and how to mitigate adverse effects.

Aims

The aim of this review was to describe the available literature on deferrals, with a focus on the impact of deferrals on donors’ subsequent behaviour, potential reasons for impact and the effectiveness of strategies to improve deferral processes and facilitate donor return.

Method

A narrative review of the literature on blood donation deferrals was undertaken.

Results

Deferral rates vary widely across different contexts, with female, younger, first time and minority donors more likely to be ineligible to donate. There is clear evidence that deferrals impact on future donation behaviour, particularly for those deferred at their first donation attempt. Deferral has a negative emotional impact if the deferral is permanent or related to positive test results, while emotions experienced at the time of a temporary deferral are related to donors’ willingness to return.

Conclusion

An understanding of the impact of deferrals from the donor perspective provides key information to improve the blood centre practices. There is preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of strategies to retain donors, including enabling the ineligible donor to make an alternative contribution, providing clear information about the deferral, notifying the donor when they can return to donate and addressing practical barriers to return.
Emotions and language in advertising
Authors: Bhatia Tej K.
Published: August 2019

It is widely acknowledged that advertisers employ primarily two types of persuasion strategies—rational vs. emotional—to persuade consumers to buy their products. While a rational appeal is driven by information processing by the conscious mind, in contrast, an emotional appeal is propelled by the unconscious mind or gut‐feeling(s), which has its own rewards and risks. The main goals of this paper are two‐fold: (1) to present a mechanism of encoding and decoding emotions rooted in the language; and (2) to identify linguistic markers and strategies of an emotional ad. In addition to imagery, the role of language in emotional advertising is undisputed. A linguistic analysis of monolingual as well as bilingual/multilingual ads is performed to show how language regulates desired emotional effects, identities, and appeals.
Multilingual advertising in the linguistic landscape of Seoul
Authors: Lee Jamie Shinhee
Published: August 2019

This study examines commercial signs in arguably the two most visited tourism districts in Seoul, namely Myeongdong and Insadong. It focuses on beauty and food businesses and analyzes featured languages and their content and roles in signage. This article argues that business types, specialized marketing focus, and intended sales pitch influence business owners’ linguistic choices. The findings of the study suggest that the beauty industry relies heavily on English in general, but the power of K‐Beauty popularized by ‘Hallyu’ (The Korean Wave) beyond Korea inevitably invites linguistic accommodation in the form of using Chinese and Japanese. In general, the business category of beauty features a more prevalent use of English than the gastronomic business in this study. Moreover, as an area specializing in traditions and cultural heritage, Insadong shows more signs exclusively in Korean than in Myeongdong.
Assessment and management of pain during dressing change in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: a best practice implementation project
Authors: Ren Ying , Luo Xiangrong , Xie Cuihua , Zhang Ping , Meng Min , Song Huijuan
Published: August 2019

Introduction:

Pain caused by dressing change has adverse effects on patients with a diabetic foot ulcer, including sleep disturbances, immobility, depression and anxiety. It is crucial that healthcare professionals use a standardized tool to assess and document pain during dressing change and then use this information to inform strategies to alleviate the pain.

Objectives:

The aim of this project was to implement evidence-based practice in assessment and management of pain during dressing change among patients with diabetic foot ulcers in an endocrinology unit in a tertiary hospital.

Methods:

The JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (JBI PACES) and Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) audit and feedback tool were used for auditing clinical practice and translating evidence into practice. A baseline audit was performed to assess compliance with six criteria, followed by the implementation of evidence-based interventions to improve compliance. The follow-up audit using the same audit criteria was conducted to assess the effect of targeted strategies on compliance with best practice.

Results:

The baseline audit revealed that compliance with evidence-based practice was low, with only one of the six audit criteria achieving a compliance rate above 60%. After brainstorming and synthesizing the literature, the project team identified barriers and strategies for implementing best practice. The follow-up audit showed improvements in compliance across all six criteria, although there was only a small improvement in one of the criteria. The compliance rate of the other five criteria improved to greater than 67%.

Conclusion:

A best practice implementation project that involved standardizing pain assessment and management, and delivering education materials to nursing staff and patients was completed using JBI PACES and GRiP. The project improved nurses’ compliance with best practice. Nurses attach importance to relieving patients’ pain when they perform wound care, while patients with a diabetic foot ulcer gain access to high-quality wound care. Future studies will be conducted to address new barriers that emerged during the follow-up audit.
Influence of the microstructure on the diffusion barrier performance of Nb-based coatings for cyclotron targets
Authors: Palmieri Vincenzo , Azzolini Oscar , Bemporad Edoardo , Felicis Daniele De , Johnson Richard R. , Renzelli Marco , Skliarova Hanna
Published: August 2019

The number of medical procedures involving the use of cyclotron-produced radionuclides is constantly growing year by year. The design and construction of the cyclotron targets appropriate for the production of the radionuclides of interest are the most challenging issues. The cyclotron targets for the medical radionuclide production suffer from two main corrosion problems: the corrosion due to proton-irradiated water and liquid metal embrittlement. The design of the target for radionuclide production limits the ability to select an ideal material that meets all of the following requirements: machinability or ease of construction, high melting temperature, high thermal exchange performance, excellent chemical inertness, etc. The use of thermally and mechanically suitable substrate materials protected by chemically resistant coatings can be a good compromise. These two corrosion problems can be attributed to the mechanism of diffusion by the aggressive particles through the protective coating. In this research, niobium has been chosen as the principal material for the design of thin film protective coatings. The coating microstructure was correlated to specific deposition parameters to provide chemical resistance to both proton-irradiated water corrosion and liquid metal embrittlement. Film densification and amorphization were pursued to achieve niobium-based thin films efficient as diffusion barriers to proton-irradiated water and liquid metal. The most important conclusions were that the performance of thin films as diffusion barriers varied dramatically based on various deposition parameters and deposition technologies. Among the configurations studied, only three are acceptable as anticorrosion coatings: niobium deposited on axis with unbalanced magnetron sputtering, niobium coated at a high sputtering rate and on a water-cooled sample holder, and the niobium-titanium alloy sputtered at a low argon pressure.
Atomic layer deposition of thin films as model electrodes: A case study of the synergistic effect in Fe2O3-SnO2
Authors: Kint Jeroen , Mattelaer Felix , Minjauw Matthias , Zhao Bo , Detavernier Christophe
Published: August 2019

Developing higher capacity electrode materials is a key challenge in battery advancement. Metal oxides undergoing conversion and/or alloying reactions offer high capacities, but suffer from volumetric changes and poor conductivities. However, combining several of these oxides can induce a synergistic effect, enhancing electrode characteristics. Using atomic layer deposition (ALD), carefully controlled model thin-film electrodes comprised of SnO2 and Fe2O3, and mixtures thereof are deposited to investigate length scales at which intermixing of the oxides is required to maximize this effect. ALD enables the synthesis of both intermixed structures and oxides where Fe, Sn, and O are mixed at the atomic scale and nanolaminated structures where Fe2O3 layer and SnO2 layers form a structure with well-defined interfaces. These model systems reduce the complexity of electrodes by eliminating the need for binders and additives and ensuring one-dimensional charge carrier diffusion. Using ALD enables us to study the influence of interfaces on electrode characteristics. It was found that intermixing of Fe2O3 and SnO2 at the atomic scale kinetically suppresses the alloying of Sn. In the nanolaminated superstructure, however, Sn alloying does take place, causing the well-defined interfaces to break down due to the volume changes brought about by alloying. As a consequence, the electrode capacity is rapidly fades, and thus, this structure type should be avoided. Here, the authors demonstrate that ALD is a unique tool with great potential for unraveling complex mechanisms in battery materials.
No effects of attention or visual perceptual load on cochlear function, as measured with stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions
Authors: Beim Jordan A. , Oxenham Andrew J. , Wojtczak Magdalena
Published: August 2019

The effects of selectively attending to a target stimulus in a background containing distractors can be observed in cortical representations of sound as an attenuation of the representation of distractor stimuli. The locus in the auditory system at which attentional modulations first arise is unknown, but anatomical evidence suggests that cortically driven modulation of neural activity could extend as peripherally as the cochlea itself. Previous studies of selective attention have used otoacoustic emissions to probe cochlear function under varying conditions of attention with mixed results. In the current study, two experiments combined visual and auditory tasks to maximize sustained attention, perceptual load, and cochlear dynamic range in an attempt to improve the likelihood of observing selective attention effects on cochlear responses. Across a total of 45 listeners in the two experiments, no systematic effects of attention or perceptual load were observed on stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions. The results revealed significant between-subject variability in the otoacoustic-emission measure of cochlear function that does not depend on listener performance in the behavioral tasks and is not related to movement-generated noise. The findings suggest that attentional modulation of auditory information in humans arises at stages of processing beyond the cochlea.
The effect of high-speed videoendoscopy configuration on reduced-order model parameter estimates by Bayesian inference
Authors: Deng Jonathan J. , Hadwin Paul J. , Peterson Sean D.
Published: August 2019

Bayesian inference has been previously demonstrated as a viable inverse analysis tool for estimating subject-specific reduced-order model parameters and uncertainties. However, previous studies have relied upon simulated glottal area waveforms with superimposed random noise as the measurement. In practice, high-speed videoendoscopy is used to measure glottal area, which introduces practical imaging effects not captured in simulated data, such as viewing angle, frame rate, and camera resolution. Herein, high-speed videos of the vocal folds were approximated by recording the trajectories of physical vocal fold models controlled by a symmetric body-cover model. Twenty videos were recorded, varying subglottal pressure, cricothyroid activation, and viewing angle, with frame rate and video resolution varied by digital video manipulation. Bayesian inference was used to estimate subglottal pressure and cricothyroid activation from glottal area waveforms extracted from the videos. The resulting estimates show off-axis viewing of 10° can lead to a 10% bias in the estimated subglottal pressure. A viewing model is introduced such that viewing angle can be included as an estimated parameter, which alleviates estimate bias. Frame rate and pixel resolution were found to primarily affect uncertainty of parameter estimates up to a limit where spatial and temporal resolutions were too poor to resolve the glottal area. Since many high-speed cameras have the ability to sacrifice spatial for temporal resolution, the findings herein suggest that Bayesian inference studies employing high-speed video should increase temporal resolutions at the expense of spatial resolution for reduced estimate uncertainties.
“Insider Dope” and NBA Trade Coverage: A Case Study on Unnamed Sourcing in Sport Journalism
Authors: Reed Sada , Harrison Guy
Published: August 2019

Past research has examined the use of anonymous sources in news content and its impact on perceived credibility. Studies applying these theories in the context of sport media consumption, however, are scant and outdated. This matters because sport media is consumed for different reasons from news and has a historically symbiotic relationship with the people and events it covers. The current case study explores sources in National Basketball Association (NBA) trade stories in both national news and sport-specific publications. The study found that about 82% of trade speculation was not credited to a source. Unnamed and named sources’ trade predictions were cross-referenced with the NBA transaction log to determine if the trades actually manifested before the trade deadline. Neither sources predicted trades well: Of the 95 unsourced, speculated trades, 14 actually took place. Of the 20 sourced speculations, four took place. There was no statistically significant difference between how well named and unnamed sources predicted trades.
The Blockchain Phenomenon: Conceptualizing Decentralized Networks and the Value Proposition to the Sport Industry
Authors: Naraine Michael L.
Published: August 2019

The sport industry has experienced significant technological change in its environment with the recent rise of Bitcoin and its underlying foundation, blockchain. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to introduce and conceptually ground blockchain in sport and discuss the implications and value proposition of blockchain to the sport industry. After a brief overview of blockchain and the technology stack, the mechanism is conceptually rooted in the network paradigm, a framework already known to the academic sport community. This treatment argues that the decentralized, closed, and dense mesh network produced by blockchain technology is beneficial to the sport industry. Notably, the article identifies blockchain’s capacity to facilitate new sources of revenue and improve data management and suggests that sport management and communication consider the value of blockchain and the technology stack as the digital footprint in the industry intensifies and becomes increasingly complex.
Membrane-associated periodic skeleton is a signaling platform for RTK transactivation in neurons
Authors: Zhou Ruobo , Han Boran , Xia Chenglong , Zhuang Xiaowei
Published: August 2019

A dynamic signaling scaffold

In neurons, many cellular processes are regulated by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), cell surface receptors whose activation can depend on other signaling pathways. Zhou
et al.
used super-resolution imaging to visualize colocalization of signaling proteins on the membrane-associated periodic skeleton (MPS) that is formed by actin, spectrin, and related molecules in the axons and dendrites of neurons. The colocalization of signaling proteins in different pathways leads to transactivation of RTK, which initiates intracellular signaling. In a negative feedback loop, the downstream signaling in turn leads to degradation of the MPS. Thus, the MPS is a dynamically regulated platform that coordinates signal transduction in neurons.

Science
, this issue p.
929
Changing conception
The Pursuit of Parenthood
Margaret S. Marsh and Wanda Ronner
Johns Hopkins University Press, 2019. 274 pp.
Authors: Cohen I. Glenn
Published: August 2019

A thought-provoking volume traces the medical, social, and political histories of in vitro fertilization
How humans changed the face of Earth
Authors: Roberts Neil
Published: August 2019

Archaeological evidence shows that anthropogenic changes began earlier and spread faster than previously estimated
Cadmium and Selenate Exposure Affects the Honey Bee Microbiome and Metabolome, and Bee-Associated Bacteria Show Potential for Bioaccumulation
Authors: Rothman Jason A. , Leger Laura , Kirkwood Jay S. , McFrederick Quinn S.
Published: August 2019

Bees are important insect pollinators that may encounter environmental pollution when foraging upon plants grown in contaminated areas. Despite the pervasiveness of pollution, little is known about the effects of these toxicants on honey bee metabolism and their symbiotic microbiomes. Here, we investigated the impact of selenate and cadmium exposure on the gut microbiome and metabolome of honey bees. We found that exposure to these chemicals subtly altered the overall composition of the bees’ microbiome and metabolome and that exposure to toxicants may negatively impact both host and microbe. As the microbiome of animals can reduce mortality upon metal or metalloid challenge, we grew bee-associated bacteria in media spiked with selenate or cadmium. We show that some bacteria can remove these toxicants from their media
in vitro
and suggest that bacteria may reduce metal burden in their hosts.
A Cost-Effective Method for Identifying
Enterobacterales
with OXA-181
Authors: Peirano Gisele , Matsumura Yasufumi , Nobrega Diego , Pitout Johann D. D.
Published: August 2019

OXA-181 is the second most common global OXA-48-like carbapenemase and is endemic in the Indian subcontinent. Molecular studies have shown that
Enterobacterales
with OXA-181 are often introduced into regions of nonendemicity. Distinguishing OXA-181 from other OXA-48-like enzymes often requires sequencing, which is rather expensive and time-consuming.
DNA Packaging and Genomics of theSalmonella9NA-Like Phages
Authors: Zeng Chi , Gilcrease Eddie B. , Hendrix Roger W. , Xie Yicheng , Jalfon Michael J. , Gill Jason J. , Casjens Sherwood R.
Published: August 2019

The 9NA-like phages are clearly highly related to each other but are not closely related to any other known phage type. This work describes the genomes of three new 9NA-like phages and the results of experimental analysis of the proteome of the 9NA virion and DNA packaging into the 9NA phage head. There is increasing interest in the biology of phages because of their potential for use as antibacterial agents and for their ecological roles in bacterial communities. 9NA-like phages that infect two bacterial genera have been identified to date, and related phages infecting additional Gram-negative bacterial hosts are likely to be found in the future. This work provides a foundation for the study of these phages, which will facilitate their study and potential use.
Nonstructural Protein 11 of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Induces STAT2 Degradation To Inhibit Interferon Signaling
Authors: Yang Liping , He Jia , Wang Rong , Zhang Xinheng , Lin Shaoli , Ma Zexu , Zhang Yanjin
Published: August 2019

PRRSV infection elicits a meager protective immune response in pigs. One of the possible reasons is that PRRSV antagonizes interferon induction and its downstream signaling. Interferons are key components in the innate immunity and play crucial roles against viral infection and in the activation of adaptive immune response via JAK/STAT signaling. STAT2 is indispensable in the JAK/STAT signaling since it is also involved in activation of antiviral activity in the absence of STAT1. Here, we discovered that PRRSV nsp11 downregulates STAT2. Interestingly, the N-terminal domain of nsp11 is responsible for inducing STAT2 degradation and directly interacts with STAT2 N-terminal domain. We also identified a crucial amino acid residue K59 in nsp11 since a mutation of it led to loss of the ability to downregulate STAT2. A mutant PRRSV with mutation of K59 had minimal effect on STAT2 reduction. Our data provide further insights into PRRSV interference with interferon signaling.
Intracontinental deformation within the India-Eurasia oblique convergence zone: Case studies on the Nantinghe and Dayingjiang faults
Authors: Wang Yang , Wang Yuejun , Zhang Peizhen , Schoenbohm Lindsay M. , Zhang Bo , Zhang Jinjiang , Zhou Renjie , Stockli Daniel F. , Seagren Erin G. , Wang Fei , Wu Lin
Published: August 2019

The most striking structural features in the interior of the Shan Plateau, southeast of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis, are a series of NE-trending faults that exhibit sinistral movement and an arcuate geometry. Their origin and tectonic evolution remain poorly understood. Furthermore, a switch in slip sense is recorded along many of these faults, but the timing of kinematic reversal is still unclear, hindering an understanding of the causal geodynamic mechanisms. We conducted an integrative study of apatite and zircon (U-Th)/He thermochronology, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, and structural and geomorphic analysis to decipher the evolution of two major NE-trending faults: the Nantinghe and Dayingjiang faults. At least three deformation stages are identified within the Nantinghe fault zone, including top-to-the-SE/ESE thrusting, dextral ductile strike-slip shearing, and sinistral movement. Zircon and apatite (U-Th)/He data, collected from the northeastern terminus of the Nantinghe fault, reveal rapid cooling in the early Miocene. Combined with the 40Ar/39Ar data from sinistrally sheared mylonite, left-lateral movement on the Nantinghe fault is inferred to have initiated as early as ca. 20 Ma. The Dayingjiang fault reactivated as a sinistral brittle fault along the dextral Yingjiang shear zone. A two-stage thermal history is identified along the shear zone, with prominent cooling during dextral ductile shearing in the early- to mid-Miocene followed by a lower-magnitude cooling episode at ca. 11 Ma caused by sinistral transtension along the Dayingjiang fault. The evolution of the Nantinghe and Dayingjiang faults suggests that the NE-trending fault system in the Shan Plateau may have developed along preexisting structures and underwent diachronous slip-sense inversion in the late Cenozoic. The northward advance of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis caused a major change in both the regional stress field and fault geometries in the eastern India-Eurasia oblique convergence zone, contributing to the inversion of fault kinematics.
The role of arc migration in the development of the Lesser Antilles: A new tectonic model for the Cenozoic evolution of the eastern Caribbean
Authors: Allen R.W. , Collier J.S. , Stewart A.G. , Henstock T. , Goes S. , Rietbrock A. ,   the VoiLA Team
Published: August 2019

Continental arc systems often show evidence of large-scale migration both toward and away from the incoming plate. In oceanic arc systems, however, while slab roll-back and the associated processes of backarc spreading and arc migration toward the incoming plate are commonplace, arc migration away from the incoming plate is rarely observed. We present a new compilation of marine magnetic anomaly and seismic data in order to propose a new tectonic model for the eastern Caribbean region that includes arc migration in both directions. We synthesized new evidence to show two phases of backarc spreading and eastward arc migration toward the incoming Atlantic. A third and final phase of arc migration to the west subdivided the earlier backarc basin on either side of the present-day Lesser Antilles arc. This is the first example of regional multidirectional arc migration in an intra-oceanic setting, and it has implications for along-arc structural and geochemical variations. The back and forth arc migrations were probably due to the constraints imposed by the neighboring American plates on this isolated subduction system, rather than variations in subducting slab buoyancy.
Pubertal boy presenting with mild disproportionate short stature
Authors: Pellegrin Maria Chiara , Tornese Gianluca , Barbi Egidio
Published: August 2019

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A boy aged 12 years was referred with short stature. He was born at term, of adequate weight (10–25th centile) and length (10–25th centile), which settled to just below the third centile from 18 months of age, with a growth deceleration in the last 6 months (growth velocity −2.1 standard deviation score, according to Tanner charts). He was otherwise asymptomatic. His mother’s height was 155 cm, and father’s height 158 cm, and he was growing near his target height centile (−2.26 SDS, <3rd centile).

On examination, his height was −2.22 SDS, with normal weight and body mass index (BMI). Pubertal stage corresponded to Tanner 2, with a testicular volume of 4 mL. His legs and forearms appeared shorter, with arm span/height ratio 0.93 (normal value >0.965) and sitting height/height ratio 0.56 (slightly above the normal upper value of 0.55). He resembled his father, whose wrists were abnormally curved (figure 1). The patient’s hand X-ray showed that bone age was similar to chronological age.

Figure 1

Disproportionate mesomelic short stature in the patient and in his father.

Questions

What is the most likely diagnosis?

Constitutional growth delay

Growth hormone deficiency

SHOX gene deficiency

Idiopathic short stature

Which diagnostic test should be considered?

How should this patient be managed?

Answers can be found on page 2.
Tube-ovarian abscess caused byRothia aeria
Authors: Taira Yusuke , Aoki Yoichi
Published: August 2019

Rothia aeriais a gram-positive amorphous bacillus and was discovered in the Russian space station ‘Mir’ in 1997. It shows phylogenetic similarity toActinomyces israelii, and as determined using 16 s ribosomal RNA gene analysisR. aeriais classified as a bacteria of the genusActinomyces. It was found to colonise in the human oral cavity, and there are some infectious reports but none specifies gynaecological infection. A 57-year-old woman, who had been continuously using intrauterine contraceptive device, presented with fever and lower abdominal pain. She was suspected tube-ovarian abscess caused byA. israelii, but the uterine cavity culture revealedR. aeriainfection. Considering surgical treatment, conservative treatment by intravenous benzylpenicillin and subsequently oral ampicillin for 6 months improved the abscess, and she has no recurrence for over 1 year.
Infective endocarditis due toGranulicatella eleganspresenting with musculoskeletal symptoms
Authors: Farid Saira , Esquer Garrigos Zerelda , Sohail M Rizwan
Published: August 2019

A 62-year-old man with essential hypertension and right L4-L5 hemilaminectomy was referred to rheumatology for evaluation of severe arthralgia and myalgia for 12 months. Review of symptoms was significant for night sweats and 20 pounds unintentional weight loss. Physical examination was significant for holosystolic murmur best heard at the cardiac apex of unclear chronicity. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated inflammatory markers, white blood cell count and B-type natriuretic peptide. Transoesophageal echocardiogram showed flail posterior mitral leaflet with severe mitral regurgitation and two vegetations (2.5×1 cm and 1.6×0.3 cm). Abdominal CT showed new focal splenic infarcts, and a brain MRI revealed subacute infarcts, consistent with the embolic phenomenon. Blood cultures grewGranulicatella elegans. The patient underwent mitral valve replacement surgery followed by 6 weeks of parenteral therapy with vancomycin and gentamicin, with full recovery at a 3-month follow-up.
Ossifying fibromyxoid tumor: a rare case
Authors: Umer Masood , Saeed Javeria , Ud Din Nasir , Hilal Kiran
Published: August 2019

Ossifying fibromyxoid tumour (OFMT) is a rarely occurring soft tissue neoplasm of mesenchymal origin. It is a rarely found tumour with intermediate behaviour and differentiation. Although it is mostly benign, malignant variants also exist. We are presenting a case of 32-year-old man presented in clinic with complaints of painless swelling in left distal thigh. After reviewing his X-ray, a diagnostic biopsy was planned which came out to be suspicious of solitary fibrous tumour. Other radiological workup was done and the patient was planned to undergo wide margin excision. The final histopathology showed a diagnosis of OFMT of soft tissue, atypical variant. The patient is under follow-up and is disease free. This type of tumour possesses potential of local recurrence and metastases; therefore, it is important to keep a long-term follow-up of patient.
‘Acute micro-coronary syndrome’: detailed coronary physiology in a patient with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Authors: Morrow Andrew J , Nordin Sabrina , O’Boyle Patrick , Berry Colin
Published: August 2019

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), otherwise known as stress cardiomyopathy, is characterised by acute, transient left ventricular systolic dysfunction with apical ballooning in the absence of obstructive epicardial coronary stenosis. The presentation of TC mimics that of acute myocardial infarction. More recently there has been a shift towards thinking of TC as a ‘microvascular acute coronary syndrome’. Our case is of an 82-year-old woman who presented with TC mimicking acute anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction in the context of sepsis. Slow flow noted in the left anterior descending artery prompted us to perform coronary physiology. Her fractional flow reserve was 0.91, with an index of myocardial resistance of 117 and a coronary flow reserve of 1.6. In combination these results are indicative of microvascular coronary dysfunction in the absence of significant epicardial stenosis.
Kerion of the pubis and vulva with bacterial superinfection: a rare occurrence
Authors: Saadia Adi , Reckhow Jensen , Rozenblat Mati , Last Omer
Published: August 2019

Kerion is a severe hypersensitivity reaction to fungal infection that is rarely seen in the groin. Frequent shaving of pubic hair and religious conservatism surrounding genital hygiene are common among Bedouin women in the Negev Desert, and may predispose to kerion. This case highlights the clinical course of a 20-year-old Bedouin woman who presented with severe kerion celsi of the pubis and vulva with secondary bacterial infection. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics, oral antifungal medication and wet topical dressings. The case outlines the risk factors and treatment for severe kerion celsi of the groin, as well as possible preventive measures that may reduce its incidence.
Rare case of cystic hygroma in the epidural space resulting in multilevel spinal cord compression
Authors: Payne Christopher , Gigliotti Michael J , Castellvi Alejandro , Yu Alexander
Published: August 2019

Lymphangioma, or cystic hygroma, involving the epidural space and spinal soft tissue, is a rare benign lesion consisting of an abnormal collection of lymphatic tissue isolated from the normal lymphatic system. This case report is the most extensive case of cystic hygroma involving the spine reported in the literature. A 23-year-old man with a history of cystic hygromas of the neck and thorax presented with bilateral upper and lower extremity weakness that progressively worsened over 3 months. A left hemilaminectomy from C4 to T5 with endoscopic exploration and cyst drainage was performed. At last follow-up, the patient was ambulating and returned to work. Aggressive decompression of mass lesions resulting in myelopathy, such as the spinal cystic hygromas, resulted in improved motor function as well as overall function status.
Goldenhar syndrome associated with genital tract abnormality
Authors: Benjamin Jennifer Christina
Published: August 2019

Goldenhar syndrome, also known asoculo-auriculo-vertebral syndrome, has been described since 1952. Traditionally, the syndrome has been described as having eye, ear, facial and vertebral anomalies. However, numerous case reports and reviews have highlighted multi-organ involvement, including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory system and urinary abnormalities. We describe a 13 years old who has a reproductive tract abnormality, which has not been reported previously as a finding of Goldenhar syndrome.
Displaced Salter-Harris I fracture of the distal ulna physis
Authors: Clesham Kevin , Piggott Robert P , Sheehan Eoin
Published: August 2019

A 10-year-old girl presented to the emergency department having sustained a fall onto an outstretched left hand while playing soccer. Clinical and radiographical assessment identified a Salter-Harris I distal ulna fracture, as well as a buckle fracture of the distal radius. The injury was closed, and she had no neurovascular deficits on examination. She was brought to the operating theatre the following morning for closed reduction under general anaesthesia. Image intensification was used to confirm anatomical reduction, and an above-elbow moulded plaster-of-paris cast was applied. Follow-up clinical assessment at 6 weeks confirmed healing of the fracture, and she proceeded to make a full recovery. This case describes the anatomy and physiology of such rare injuries and outlines treatment principles and potential pitfalls based on best available evidence.