bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
There is no dose–response relationship between allogeneic blood transfusion and healthcare-associated infection: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lv Yu , Xiang Qian , Lin Jia , Jin Ying Z. , Fang Ying , Cai Hong M. , Wei Qiong D. , Wang Hui , Wang Chen , Chen Jing , Ye Jian , Xie Caixia , Li Ting L. , Wu Yu J.
Published: March 2021

Background

The association between allogeneic blood transfusion and healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is considered dose-dependent. However, this association may be confounded by transfusion duration, as prolonged hospitalization stay increases the risk of HAI. Also, it is not clear whether specific blood products have different dose–response risks.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, a logistic regression was used to identify confounding factors, and the association between specific blood products and HAI were analyzed. Then Cox regression and restricted cubic spline regression was used to visualize the hazard of HAI per transfusion product.

Results

Of 215,338 inpatients observed, 4.16% were transfused with a single component blood product. With regard to these transfused patients, 480 patients (5.36%) developed a HAI during their hospitalization stay. Logistic regression showed that red blood cells (RBCs) transfusion, platelets transfusion and fresh-frozen plasmas (FFPs) transfusion were risk factors for HAI [odds ratio (OR) 1.893, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.656–2.163; OR 8.903, 95% CI 6.646–11.926 and OR 1.494, 95% CI 1.146–1.949, respectively]. However, restricted cubic spline regression analysis showed that there was no statistically dose–response relationship between different transfusion products and the onset of HAI.

Conclusions

RBCs transfusion, platelets transfusion and FFPs transfusion were associated with HAI, but there was no dose–response relationship between them.
The nutritional use of millet grain for food and feed: a review
Authors: Hassan Z. M. , Sebola N. A. , Mabelebele M.
Published: March 2021

Worldwide, millets are regarded as a significant grain, however, they are the least exploited. Millet grain is abundant in nutrients and health-beneficial phenolic compounds, making it suitable as food and feed. The diverse content of nutrients and phenolic compounds present in finger and pearl millet are good indicators that the variety of millet available is important when selecting it for use as food or feed. The phenolic properties found in millets compromise phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins, which are beneficial to human health. Moreover, finger millet has an exceptionally unique, more abundant, and diverse phenolic profile compared to pearl millet. Research has shown that millet phenolic properties have high antioxidant activity. The presence of phytochemicals in millet grains has positive effect on human health by lowering the cholesterol and phytates in the body. The frantic demands on maize and its uses in multiple industries have merited the search for alternative grains, to ease the pressure. Substitution of maize with pearl and finger millets in the diets of different animals resulted in positive impact on the performance. Including these grains in the diet may improve health and decrease the risks of diseases. Pearl millet of 50% or more can be used in broiler diets without adversely affecting broiler performance or egg production. Of late, millet grain has been incorporated in other foods and used to make traditional beverages. Thus, the core aim of this review is to provide insight and comprehension about the nutritional and phenolic status of millets and their impact on human and livestock.
Bayesian rock-physics inversion: Application to CO2 storage monitoring
Authors: Dupuy Bastien , Romdhane Anouar , Nordmann Pierre-Louis , Eliasson Peder , Park Joonsang
Published: March 2021

Risk assessment of [Formula: see text] storage requires the use of geophysical monitoring techniques to quantify changes in selected reservoir properties such as [Formula: see text] saturation, pore pressure, and porosity. Conformance monitoring and the associated decision making rest upon the quantified properties derived from geophysical data, with uncertainty assessment. We have developed a general framework combining seismic and controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) inversions with rock-physics inversion with fully Bayesian formulations for proper quantification of uncertainty. The Bayesian rock-physics inversion rests upon two stages. First, a search stage consists of exploring the model space and deriving models with the associated probability density function (PDF). Second, an appraisal or importance sampling stage is used as a “correction” step to ensure that the full model space is explored and that the estimated posterior PDF can be used to derive quantities such as marginal probability densities. Both steps are based on the neighborhood algorithm. The approach does not require any linearization of the rock-physics model or assumption about the model parameters’ distribution. After describing the [Formula: see text] storage context, the available data at the Sleipner field before and after [Formula: see text] injection (baseline and monitor), and the rock-physics models, we perform an extended sensitivity study. We find that prior information is crucial, especially in the monitor case. We determine that joint inversion of seismic and CSEM data is also key to properly quantifying [Formula: see text] saturations. Finally, we apply the full inversion strategy to real data from Sleipner. We obtain rock frame moduli, porosity, saturation, and patchiness exponent distributions and the associated uncertainties along a 1D profile before and after injection. The results are consistent with geology knowledge and reservoir simulations, i.e., that the [Formula: see text] saturations are larger under the caprock confirming the [Formula: see text] upward migration by buoyancy effect. The estimates of the patchiness exponent have a larger uncertainty, suggesting semipatchy mixing behavior.
Estimation of directional crack density and fluid properties from well logs in vertical wells
Authors: Xu Song , Tang Xiao Ming , Chen Ming , Su Yuan Da , Qian Yu Ping , Sun Dianqiang , Torres-Verdín Carlos
Published: March 2021

The study of elastic properties of fractured/cracked rocks has been an important subject of interest in seismology and geophysical exploration. Downhole logging provides a direct measurement of fractured rock properties in terms of elastic wave velocities and anisotropy. Most existing studies only provide qualitative descriptions of fracture properties as evidenced from the acquired measurements. To better use downhole measurements, we have derived a comprehensive theoretical analysis and developed an inversion technique to characterize fracture properties. Theoretical results for cracked rocks show that crack density, crack alignment direction, and crack filling materials are the three main fracture parameters that strongly affect the elastic wave properties of fractured rocks. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of the crack effects on elastic properties shows that the measured elastic moduli can be used to evaluate the crack parameters of cracked rocks. We assume that cracks with any orientational distribution can be divided into two parts: horizontal and vertical. Based on the theoretical analysis, we develop an inversion method to estimate fracture parameters from well logs acquired in a vertical borehole. We assume a rock-physics model for rocks that adds effective horizontal and vertical cracks that are filled with liquid in an isotropic background, the elastic and fluid properties of which are inverted from the measured logs. The inversion method enables the quantification of the directional crack density and crack-filling material when applied to field logging measurements acquired in fractured formations. Theoretically predicted fracture properties are validated with formation microresistivity scan logging data and are consistent with the interpretation results.
Perturbation of phase velocities in elastic orthorhombic media
Authors: Stovas Alexey , Roganov Yuriy , Roganov Vyacheslav
Published: March 2021

The parameterization of anisotropic models is very important when focusing on specific signatures of seismic waves and reducing the parameter crosstalk involved in inverting seismic data. The parameterization is strongly dependent on the problem at hand. We have developed a new parameterization for an elastic orthorhombic (ORT) model with on-axes compressional wave (P-wave) and shear wave (S-wave) velocities and new symmetric anelliptic parameters. The perturbation approach is well defined for P-waves in acoustic ORT media. In the elastic ORT media, the P-wave perturbation coefficients are very similar to their acoustic counterparts. However, the S-wave perturbation coefficients are still unknown. The perturbation coefficients can be interpreted as sensitivity coefficients, and they are important in many applications. We apply the second-order perturbation in anelliptic parameters for P-, S1-, and S2-wave phase velocities in the elastic ORT model. We find that when using the conventional method some perturbation coefficients for S-waves are not defined in the vicinity of the singularity point in an elliptical background model. Thus, we adopt an alternative perturbation approach that overcomes this problem. We compute the first- and second-order perturbation coefficients for P- and S-waves. The perturbation-based approximations are very accurate for P- and S-waves compared with the exact solutions, based on a numerical example. The reductions to transversely isotropic and acoustic ORT models are also considered for analysis. We also determine how perturbations in anelliptic parameters affect S-wave triplications in an elastic ORT model.
Stochastic quorum percolation and noise focusing in neuronal networks
Authors: Orlandi Javier G. , Casademunt Jaume
Published: March 2021

Recent experiments have shown that the spontaneous activity of developing dissociated neuronal cultures can be described as a process of highly inhomogeneous nucleation and front propagation due to the localization of noise activity, i.e., noise focusing. However, the basic understanding of the mechanisms of noise build-up leading to the nucleation remains an open fundamental problem. Here we present a minimal dynamical model called stochastic quorum percolation that can account for the observed phenomena, while providing a robust theoretical framework. The model reproduces the first- and second-order phase transitions of bursting dynamics and neuronal avalanches, respectively, and captures the profound effect metric correlations in the network topology can have on the dynamics. The application of our results to other systems such as in the propagation of infectious diseases and of rumors is discussed.
Blunt Chest Trauma and Regional Anesthesia for Analgesia of Multitrauma Patients in French Intensive Care Units: A National Survey
Authors: Blondonnet Raiko , Begard Marc , Jabaudon Matthieu , Godet Thomas , Rieu Benjamin , Audard Jules , Lagarde Kevin , Futier Emmanuel , Pereira Bruno , Bouzat Pierre , Constantin Jean-Michel
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND:

Chest injuries are associated with mortality among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and require multimodal pain management strategies, including regional anesthesia (RA). We conducted a survey to determine the current practices of physicians working in ICUs regarding RA for the management of chest trauma in patients with multiple traumas.

METHODS:

An online questionnaire was sent to medical doctors (n = 1230) working in French ICUs, using the Société Française d’Anesthésie Réanimation (SFAR) mailing list of its members. The questionnaire addressed 3 categories: general characteristics, practical aspects of RA, and indications and contraindications.

RESULTS:

Among the 333 respondents (response rate = 27%), 78% and 40% of 156 respondents declared that they would consider using thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) and thoracic paravertebral blockade (TPB), respectively. The main benefits declared for performing RA were the ability to have effective analgesia, a more effective cough, and early rehabilitation. For 70% of the respondents, trauma patients with a theoretical indication of RA did not receive TEA or TPB for the following reasons: the ICU had no experience of RA (62%), no anesthesiologist-intensivist working in the ICU (46%), contraindications (27%), ignorance of the SFAR guidelines (19%), and no RA protocol available (13%). In this survey, 95% of the respondents thought the prognosis of trauma patients could be influenced by the use of RA.

CONCLUSIONS:

While TEA and TPB are underused because of several limitations related to the patterns of injuries in multitrauma patients, lack of both experience and confidence in combination with the absence of available protocols appear to be the major restraining factors, even if physicians are aware that patients’ outcomes could be improved by RA. These results suggest the need to strengthen initial training and provide continuing education about RA in the ICU.
Comparing Central Venous Blood Gas to Arterial Blood Gas and Determining Its Utility in Critically Ill Patients: Narrative Review
Authors: Chong Woon H. , Saha Biplab K. , Medarov Boris I.
Published: March 2021

Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is used in critical care units to determine the degree of oxygenation, adequacy of ventilation, and the presence and severity of acid-base disturbances in the body. However, arterial puncture may result in complications, and the difficulty in acquiring arterial blood may delay care. Central venous blood gas (VBG) is a potentially more accessible alternative to ABG sampling. Current evidence suggests that pH and Pco
2 obtained via peripheral VBG correlate well with ABG measurement. Nevertheless, the value of using central VBG to guide clinical decisions or as a surrogate for ABG is unclear. The purpose of this review is to explore the relationship between ABGs and central VBGs in critically ill patients. We performed a MEDLINE search using the following search terms: venous blood gas, arterial blood gas, and central venous blood gas. We excluded studies that did not involve human subjects, and only pH and Pco
2 values were reviewed and examined from the studies included. All cited references from included studies were also reviewed to identify relevant literature. We identified 7 studies that met our criteria. In studies of hemodynamically stable patients, the mean difference between arterial and central venous pH and Pco
2 was 0.03 units and 4–6.5 mm Hg, respectively. However, in patients with circulatory failure, the difference between central venous and arterial pH/Pco
2 was 4-fold greater. We concluded that central VBG parameters of pH and Pco
2 are potentially good surrogates for determining arterial pH and Pco
2 in a stable patient without severe acid-base disturbances. Furthermore, central VBG can be used as a useful screening tool for arterial hypercapnia. In addition, we derived an adjustment formula for ABG conversion from central VBG: (1) arterial pH = venous pH + 0.05 units and (2) arterial Pco
2 = venous Pco
2 − 5 mm Hg.
Association Between Hyperbaric Bupivacaine Dose and Maternal Hypotension: Retrospective Database Study of 8226 Women Undergoing Cesarean Delivery Under Spinal Anesthesia
Authors: Weiniger Carolyn F. , Heesen Michael , Knigin David , Deutsch Frederic , Hilber Nicole , Avidan Alexander
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND:

Low-dose (≤8 mg) hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia during cesarean delivery results in reduced efficacy, yet as a secondary outcome was associated with reduced frequency of spinal-induced hypotension. Our primary aim was to investigate the relationship between hyperbaric bupivacaine dose and the occurrence of spinal-induced hypotension for cesarean delivery.

METHODS:

Retrospective study of cesarean delivery under spinal or combined spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine in 1 academic institution (2 centers—tertiary and district) from 2012 to 2018. Data were retrieved from the anesthesia information management systems (Metavision, iMDsoft, Tel Aviv, Israel) and the hospital information system, including potential confounding factors, maternal age and weight, hypertensive disease of pregnancy, single/multiple gestation, gestational age, vasopressor administration, planned/urgent surgery, position during anesthesia placement (sitting/lateral), and anesthesiologist seniority. Spinal-induced hypotension was defined as systolic blood pressure that either dropped >20% from baseline or <100 mm Hg. The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of spinal-induced hypotension according to hyperbaric bupivacaine dose. Logistic regression was used to characterize the association between the dose of hyberbaric bupivacaine and spinal-induced hypotension after adjusting for confounding factors.

RESULTS:

A total of 8226 women were identified. The hyperbaric bupivacaine dose administered was <9 mg for 2395 (29.1%), 9–9.5 mg for 1031 (12.5%), 10 mg for 4155 (50.5%), and >10 mg for 645 (7.8%). We used a cutoff (<10 vs ≥10 mg) to assess for the primary outcome, using multivariable logistic regression. The incidence of at least 1 spinal-induced hypotension episode was higher in patients who received ≥10 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine, 75.8% vs 62.9% for doses below 10 mg, P < .0001; however, even women with lower doses had hypotension. Hyperbaric bupivacaine dose <10 mg was associated with a lower incidence of spinal hypotension, adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.774, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.669-0.897, and P = .0006, adjusted for confounding factors.

Umbilical cord pH was available for 2684 (32.6%) cases. There were significantly more neonates with pH < 7.2, among women who received hyperbaric bupivacaine ≥10 mg (10.1%) versus women who received <10 mg (6.8%), P = .0032; however, in the adjusted model, hyperbaric bupivacaine dose ≥10 mg was not associated with pH < 7.2 and an OR of 0.955 (95% CI, 0.631-1.446, P = .829).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our major finding was that hypotension occurred at all doses of hyperbaric bupivacaine, yet occurrence of spinal hypotension was significantly associated with doses ≥10 mg after adjustment for potential confounders.
Vaping and E-Cigarette Use in Children and Adolescents: Implications on Perioperative Care From the American Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Pediatric Anesthesia, Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, and American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Authors: Rusy Deborah A. , Honkanen Anita , Landrigan-Ossar Mary F. , Chatterjee Debnath , Schwartz Lawrence I. , Lalwani Kirk , Dollar Jennifer R. , Clark Randall , Diaz Christina D. , Deutsch Nina , Warner David O. , Soriano Sulpicio G.
Published: March 2021

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or vaping use in adolescents has emerged as a public health crisis that impacts the perioperative care of this vulnerable population. E-cigarettes have become the most commonly used tobacco products among youth in the United States. Fruit and mint flavors and additives such as marijuana have enticed children and adolescents. E-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury (EVALI) is a newly identified lung disease linked to vaping. Clinical presentation of EVALI can be varied, but most commonly includes the respiratory system, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and constitutional symptoms. Clinical management of EVALI has consisted of vaping cessation and supportive therapy, including supplemental oxygen, noninvasive ventilation, mechanical ventilation, glucocorticoids, and empiric antibiotics, until infectious causes are eliminated, and in the most severe cases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Currently, although there is an insufficient evidence to determine the safety and the efficacy of e-cigarettes for perioperative smoking cessation, EVALI clearly places these patients at an increased risk of perioperative morbidity. Given the relatively recent introduction of e-cigarettes, the long-term impact on adolescent health is unknown. As a result, the paucity of postoperative outcomes in this potentially vulnerable population does not support evidence-based recommendations for the management of these patients. Clinicians should identify “at-risk” individuals during preanesthetic evaluations and adjust the risk stratification accordingly. Our societies encourage continued education of the public and health care providers of the risks associated with vaping and nicotine use and encourage regular preoperative screening and postoperative outcome studies of patients with regard to smoking and vaping use.
Association Between Antifibrinolytic Therapy and Perioperative Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Artery Stents Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Boswell Michael R. , Smith Mark M. , Frank Ryan D. , Brown Michael J. , Abcejo Arnoley S. , Kor Todd M. , Gulati Rajiv , Smith Bradford B.
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND:

Patients with existing coronary artery stents are at an increased risk for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) when undergoing noncardiac surgery (NCS). Although the use of antifibrinolytic (AF) therapy in NCS has significantly increased in the past decade, the relationship between perioperative AF use and its association with MACEs among patients with existing coronary artery stents has yet to be assessed. In this study, we aim to evaluate the association of MACEs in patients with existing coronary artery stents who receive perioperative AF therapy during orthopedic surgery.

METHODS:

A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted in adult patients with existing coronary artery stents who underwent orthopedic surgery from 2008 to 2018. Two cohorts were established: patients with existing coronary artery stents who did not receive perioperative AF and patients with coronary artery stents who received perioperative AF. Associations between AF use and the primary outcome of MACEs within 30 days postoperatively and the secondary outcomes of thrombotic complications, excessive surgical bleeding, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions were analyzed using logistic regression models. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to control for confounding. Secondary analyses examining the association between coronary stent type/timing and the outcomes of interest were performed using unadjusted logistic regression models.

RESULTS:

A total of 473 patients met study criteria, including 294 who did not receive AF and 179 patients who received AF. MACEs occurred in 15 (5.1%) patients who did not receive AF and 1 (0.6%) who received AF (P = .007). In weighted analyses, no significant difference was found in patients who received AF with regard to MACEs (odds ratio [OR] = 0.13, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-1.74, P = .12), thrombotic complications (OR = 1.19, 95% CI, 0.53-2.68, P = .68), or excessive surgical bleeding (OR = 0.13, 95% CI, 0.01-2.23, P = .16) compared to patients who did not receive AF.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this study are inconclusive whether an association exists between perioperative AF use in patients with coronary artery stents and the outcome of MACEs compared to patients who did not receive perioperative AF therapy. The authors acknowledge that the imprecise CI hinders the ability to definitively determine whether an association exists in the study population. Further large prospective studies, powered to detect differences in MACEs, are needed to assess the safety of perioperative AF in patients with existing coronary artery stents and to clarify the mechanism of perioperative MACEs in this high-risk population.
The development and stem cells of the esophagus
Authors: Zhang Yongchun , Bailey Dominique , Yang Patrick , Kim Eugene , Que Jianwen
Published: March 2021

The esophagus is derived from the anterior portion of the foregut endoderm, which also gives rise to the respiratory system. As it develops, the esophageal lining is transformed from a simple columnar epithelium into a stratified squamous cell layer, accompanied by the replacement of unspecified mesenchyme with layers of muscle cells. Studies in animal models have provided significant insights into the roles of various signaling pathways in esophageal development. More recent studies using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) further demonstrate that some of these signaling pathways are conserved in human esophageal development. In addition, a combination of mouse genetics and hPSC differentiation approaches have uncovered new players that control esophageal morphogenesis. In this Review, we summarize these new findings and discuss how the esophagus is established and matures throughout different stages, including its initial specification, respiratory-esophageal separation, epithelial morphogenesis and maintenance. We also discuss esophageal muscular development and enteric nervous system innervation, which are essential for esophageal structure and function.
Dynamic extrinsic pacing of the HOX clock in human axial progenitors controls motor neuron subtype specification
Authors: Mouilleau Vincent , Vaslin Célia , Robert Rémi , Gribaudo Simona , Nicolas Nour , Jarrige Margot , Terray Angélique , Lesueur Léa , Mathis Mackenzie W. , Croft Gist , Daynac Mathieu , Rouiller-Fabre Virginie , Wichterle Hynek , Ribes Vanessa , Martinat Cécile , Nedelec Stéphane
Published: March 2021

Rostro-caudal patterning of vertebrates depends on the temporally progressive activation of HOX genes within axial stem cells that fuel axial embryo elongation. Whether the pace of sequential activation of HOX genes, the 'HOX clock', is controlled by intrinsic chromatin-based timing mechanisms or by temporal changes in extrinsic cues remains unclear. Here, we studied HOX clock pacing in human pluripotent stem cell-derived axial progenitors differentiating into diverse spinal cord motor neuron subtypes. We show that the progressive activation of caudal HOX genes is controlled by a dynamic increase in FGF signaling. Blocking the FGF pathway stalled induction of HOX genes, while a precocious increase of FGF, alone or with GDF11 ligand, accelerated the HOX clock. Cells differentiated under accelerated HOX induction generated appropriate posterior motor neuron subtypes found along the human embryonic spinal cord. The pacing of the HOX clock is thus dynamically regulated by exposure to secreted cues. Its manipulation by extrinsic factors provides synchronized access to multiple human neuronal subtypes of distinct rostro-caudal identities for basic and translational applications.

This article has an associated ‘The people behind the papers’ interview.
Subways and Road Congestion
Authors: Gu Yizhen , Jiang Chang , Zhang Junfu , Zou Ben
Published: March 2021

We study whether subways alleviate road congestion by examining 45 subway line launches in China and by using detailed data on road speed. Our difference-in-differences estimation finds that in the first year after a subway line is launched, rush hour speed on nearby roads increases by about 4 percent. The effect is most prominent in initially congested roads and declines over distance to the new subway line. Evidence on road speed is corroborated with substitution patterns among modes of transportation. Using auxiliary data from Beijing, we calculate that the time savings for each automobile or bus commute from faster speed is worth US$0.10. (JEL O18, P25, R41)
In silico analysis of cross reactivity among phospholipases from Hymenoptera species
Authors: Emiliani Yuliana , Sánchez Andrés , Munera Marlon , Sánchez Jorge , Aparicio Dilia
Published: March 2021

Background: Phospholipases are enzymes with the capacity to hydrolyze membrane lipids and have been characterized in several allergenic sources, such as hymenoptera species. However, cross-reactivity among phospholipases allergens are little understood. The objective of this study was to determine potential antigenic regions involved in cross-reactivity among allergens of phospholipases using an in silico approach.

Methods: In total, 18 amino acids sequences belonging to phospholipase family derived from species of the order hymenoptera were retrieved from the UniProt database to perform phylogenetic analysis to determine the closest molecular relationship. Multialignment was done to identify conserved regions and matched with antigenic regions predicted by ElliPro server. 3D models were obtained from modeling by homology and were used to locate cross-reactive antigenic regions.

Results: Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 18 phospholipases split into four monophyletic clades (named here as A, B, C and D). Phospholipases from A clade shared an amino acid sequences’ identity of 79%. Antigenic patches predicted by Ellipro were located in highly conserved regions, suggesting that they could be involved in cross-reactivity in this group (Ves v 1, Ves a 1 and Ves m 1).

Conclusions: At this point, we advanced to the characterization of potential antigenic sites involved in cross-reactivity among phospholipases. Inhibition assays are needed to confirm our finding.
A new method for early detection of latent infection by ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ in citrus trees
Authors: Fujiwara Kazuki , Tomimura Kenta , Iwanami Toru , Fujikawa Takashi
Published: March 2021

Background: ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas) is a major causal agent of citrus greening disease. The disease primarily involves an asymptomatic, often latent infection of CLas. However, there is no effective technique to distinguish latent-infected trees from healthy ones. This study describes the development of a new detection method for latent CLas infection using cuttings.

Methods: Root tissues regenerated from cuttings using symptomatic and asymptomatic citrus trees were prepared for real-time a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test which was used to investigate latent CLas. When some of the regenerated roots were negative for CLas in the first real-time PCR assay, a subsequent cultivation in soils was performed using the CLas-negative cuttings. CLas development during cultivation was evaluated by a second real-time PCR assay using soil-grown roots from seedlings.

Results: Previously, CLas had not been detected from leaves of the latent-infected trees in our greenhouse by real-time PCR. In this study, however, CLas was detected at a moderate frequency from the root tissues of cuttings derived from the latent-infected trees, by the same PCR test. For cuttings with regenerated roots that tested negative for CLas by real-time PCR, CLas was frequently detected from roots grown in nursery soil with autoclaving, after cultivation for a month or more.

Conclusions: Latent infection with CLas was detectable by real-time PCR using root tissues regenerated by cuttings and roots grown in nursery soil with autoclaving. These results suggest that the new method of investigation would provide great opportunities for early detection of CLas in asymptomatic citrus trees from field surveys, and would accelerate the eradication practice of citrus greening.
Trajectories of Modern Study of Public Discourse (On the Base of English-Language and Russian-Language Covid Thematic-Oriented Texts)
Authors: Greydina N.
Published: March 2021

The study is devoted to topical issues of public discourse with a thematic focus of covid orientation. Of great importance is the choice of the methodological trajectory of the problem coverage for the objectification of the results obtained. Within the framework of the research article the essence of the strategy and tactics for the application of the methodological component is indicated based on the example of public discourse texts. The research methodology reflects the methods of content analysis (of content and structural character), intent analysis, and discourse analysis, the combination of which is an objective basis for a comprehensive study and understanding of public discourse of covid thematic orientation. This makes it possible to carry out a pragmatic description of the public discourse texts of covid thematic orientation on the basis of linguistic and non-linguistic representation.
Opioid-free anaesthesia for the surgical correction of abnormalities associated with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in five dogs
Authors: Martínez María Isabel Gómez , Fernández Miguel Ángel Martínez
Published: March 2021

Opioid-free anaesthesia is currently becoming more popular in human medicine, as it provides multimodal analgesia, affecting multiple nociceptive pathways without the use of opioids, in order to minimise opioid-related side effects. This article presents the cases of five dogs undergoing surgical correction of abnormalities associated with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, all of whom received opioid-free anaesthesia for surgery. All dogs received a bilateral maxillary nerve block with bupivacaine 0.5% and a combination of non-opioid analgesic drugs. Buprenorphine was allowed during the postoperative period, based on pain assessment. Three out of five dogs received buprenorphine 6–7 hours after the nerve block was performed. Opioid-free anaesthesia provided adequate conditions for surgery and no adverse effects were reported. Prospective controlled studies comparing opioid-free anaesthesia with opioid-based techniques are required to elucidate whether or not opioid-free anaesthesia confers objective advantages.
Parasites in the UK: trends and themes of 2020
Authors: Stokes Laura , Wright Ian
Published: March 2021

This article draws information from the European Scientific Counsel for Companion Animal Parasites UK and Ireland parasite forecasts, as well as other renowned sources to provide a roundup of companion animal parasitology's in 2020.
Raman spectroscopy for guidance of vulvar cancer surgery: a pilot study
Authors: van Doorn Helena C. , Barroso Elisa M. , Koljenović Senada , Ewing-Graham Patricia C. , Soares M. Rosa N. , van de Berg Nick J. , Schut Tom C. Bakker , Puppels Gerwin J.
Published: March 2021

For vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC), the mainstay of treatment is surgical removal with tumour-free margins. Surgeons still operate without objective tools that provide margin-status. This study assesses Raman spectroscopy potentiality for distinguishing ex-vivo VSCC from healthy tissue in 11 patients. Grid-based Raman maps were obtained from processed spectra. Water content and C-H band ratio (2,910-2,966 cm-1 / 2810-2890 cm-1) were calculated per spectrum and used as linear discriminant parameters. Healthy tissue was differentiated from VSCC with 0.90 discriminative power, 0.79 sensitivity and 0.86 specificity.This is an important step towards the development of objective tools for VSCC surgical guidance.
Room-temperature Fe:ZnSe laser tunable in the spectral range of 3.7–5.3 µm applied for intracavity absorption spectroscopy of CO2 isotopes, CO and N2O
Authors: Fjodorow Peter , Frolov Mikhail P. , Korostelin Yuri V. , Kozlovsky Vladimir I. , Schulz Christof , Leonov Stanislav O. , Skasyrsky Yan K.
Published: March 2021

We demonstrate an intracavity absorption spectroscopy system based on a broadband single-crystal pulsed Fe:ZnSe laser. The laser operates at room-temperature and is continuously tunable in the spectral range of 3.76–5.29 µm. The long-wavelength emission up to 5.29 µm is a record achievement for Fe:ZnSe lasers, to the best of our knowledge. The developed laser system is applied for measurements of gaseous absorption inside the laser resonator. We demonstrate sensitive detection of (i) CO2 isotopes in the atmosphere and in human breath, (ii) CO in breath (after cigarette smoking) and in the smoke of a smoldering paper, and (iii) N2O in a gas flow. The achieved detection limits are: 0.1 ppm for 12CO2 and 13CO2, 3 ppm for CO, and 1 ppm for N2O. The sensitivity of the current system is primarily limited by the short pump-pulse duration of 40 ns. Possibilities for sensitivity enhancement by up to a factor of 107 are discussed.
Cascaded frequency conversion under nonlinear stimulated Raman adiabatic passage: publisher’s note
Authors: Aashna Pragati , Thyagarajan K.
Published: March 2021

This publisher’s note contains corrections to Opt. Lett.
46, 1486 (2021)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.418085.
Strain engineering of digitally alloyed AlN/GaN nanorods for far-UVC emission as short as 220 nm
Authors: Gao Na , Chen Junxin , Feng Xiang , Lu Shiqiang , Lin Wei , Li Jinchai , Chen Hangyang , Huang Kai , Kang Junyong
Published: March 2021

Far-UVC light with emission wavelengths between 207 nm and 222 nm has shown significant potential for killing pathogens without damaging exposed human tissues and can be an alternative for safe sterilization. This work first reports on different compressively strained (AlN)
8
/(GaN)
2
nanorods constructing by strain engineering digitally alloyed GaN embedded in an AlN barrier. By controlling the atomically thin GaN well under increasing compressive stress, we use the top-down etching method to realize regular nanorod arrays based on (AlN)
8
/(GaN)
2
with different compressive strains in the GaN well. The emission wavelength is as short as 220 nm in the far-UVC, as expected by the theoretical calculations. We believe that this study will play an essential role in the design and fabrication of short-wavelength and high-efficiency LED structures with far-UVC emissions and potential use in effective, reliable, and safe UV disinfection systems.
activin-2 is required for regeneration of polarity on the planarian anterior-posterior axis
Authors: Cloutier Jennifer K. , McMann Conor L. , Oderberg Isaac M. , Reddien Peter W.
Published: March 2021

Planarians are flatworms and can perform whole-body regeneration. This ability involves a mechanism to distinguish between anterior-facing wounds that require head regeneration and posterior-facing wounds that require tail regeneration. How this head-tail regeneration polarity decision is made is studied to identify principles underlying tissue-identity specification in regeneration. We report that inhibition ofactivin-2, which encodes an Activin-like signaling ligand, resulted in the regeneration of ectopic posterior-facing heads following amputation. During tissue turnover in uninjured planarians, positional information is constitutively expressed in muscle to maintain proper patterning. Positional information includes Wnts expressed in the posterior and Wnt antagonists expressed in the anterior. Upon amputation, several wound-induced genes promote re-establishment of positional information. The head-versus-tail regeneration decision involves preferential wound induction of the Wnt antagonistnotumat anterior-facing over posterior-facing wounds. Asymmetric activation ofnotumrepresents the earliest known molecular distinction between head and tail regeneration, yet how it occurs is unknown.activin-2RNAi animals displayed symmetric wound-induced activation ofnotumat anterior- and posterior-facing wounds, providing a molecular explanation for their ectopic posterior-head phenotype.activin-2RNAi animals also displayed anterior-posterior (AP) axis splitting, with two heads appearing in anterior blastemas, and various combinations of heads and tails appearing in posterior blastemas. This was associated with ectopic nucleation of anterior poles, which are head-tip muscle cells that facilitate AP and medial-lateral (ML) pattern at posterior-facing wounds. These findings reveal a role for Activin signaling in determining the outcome of AP-axis-patterning events that are specific to regeneration.
An open label, randomized clinical trial to compare the tolerability and efficacy of ivermectin plus diethylcarbamazine and albendazole vs. diethylcarbamazine plus albendazole for treatment of brugian filariasis in Indonesia
Authors: Supali Taniawati , Djuardi Yenny , Christian Michael , Iskandar Elisa , Alfian Rahmat , Maylasari Roospita , Destani Yossi , Lomiga Adriani , Minggu Dominikus , Lew Daphne , Bogus Joshua , Weil Gary J. , Fischer Peter U.
Published: March 2021

Improved treatments for lymphatic filariasis (LF) could accelerate the global elimination program for this disease. A triple drug combination of the anti-filarial drugs ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazole (IDA) has been shown to be safe and effective for achieving sustained clearance of microfilariae (Mf) of the filarial parasite Wuchereria bancrofti from human blood. However, the triple drug combination has not been previously been evaluated for treatment of brugian filariasis, which accounts for about 10% of the global LF burden. This hospital-based clinical trial compared the safety and efficacy of IDA with that of the standard treatment (DEC plus albendazole, DA) in persons with Brugia timori infections on Sumba island, Indonesia. Fifty-five asymptomatic persons with B. timori Mf were treated with either a single oral dose of IDA (28 subjects) or with DEC plus albendazole (DA, 27 subjects). Participants were actively monitored for adverse events (AE) for two days after treatment by nurses and physicians who were masked regarding treatment assignments. Passive monitoring was performed by clinical teams that visited participant’s home villages for an additional five days. Microfilaremia was assessed by membrane filtration of 1 ml night blood at baseline, at 24h and one year after treatment. IDA was more effective than DA for completely clearing Mf at 24 hours (25/28, 89% vs. 8/27, 30%, P < 0.001). By 12 months after treatment, only one of 27 IDA recipients had Mf in their blood (4%) vs. 10 of 25 (40%) in persons treated with DA (P = 0.002). Approximately 90% of participants had antibodies to recombinant filarial antigen BmR1 at baseline. Antibody prevalence decreased to approximately 30% in both treatment groups at 12 months. About 45% of persons in both treatment groups experienced AE such as fever, muscle aches, lower back, joint and abdominal pain. These were mostly mild and most common during the first two days after treatment. No participant experienced a severe or serious AE. This study showed that IDA was well-tolerated and significantly more effective for clearing B. timori Mf from the blood than DA. Larger studies should be performed to further assess the safety and efficacy of IDA as a mass drug administration regimen to eliminate brugian filariasis.

Trial Registration: NCT02899936.
Identification of a novel conserved signaling motif in CD200 receptor required for its inhibitory function
Authors: Timmerman Laura M. , de Graaf J. Fréderique , Satravelas Nikolaos , Kesmir Çan , Meyaard Linde , van der Vlist Michiel
Published: March 2021

The inhibitory signaling of CD200 receptor 1 (CD200R) has been attributed to its NPxY signaling motif. However, NPxY-motifs are present in multiple protein families and are mostly known to mediate protein trafficking between subcellular locations rather than signaling. Therefore, we investigated whether additional motifs specify the inhibitory function of CD200R. We performed phylogenetic analysis of the intracellular domain of CD200R in mammals, birds, bony fish, amphibians and reptiles. Indeed, the tyrosine of the NPxY-motif is fully conserved across species, in line with its central role in CD200R signaling. In contrast, P295 of the NPxY-motif is not conserved. Instead, a conserved stretch of negatively charged amino acids, EEDE279, and two conserved residues P285 and K292 in the flanking region prior to the NPxY-motif are required for CD200R mediated inhibition of p-Erk, p-Akt308, p-Akt473, p-rpS6 and LPS-induced IL-8 secretion. Altogether, we show that instead of the more common NPxY-motif, CD200R signaling can be assigned to a unique signaling motif in mammals defined by: EEDExxPYxxYxxKxNxxY.
CD44 modulates metabolic pathways and altered ROS-mediated Akt signal promoting cholangiocarcinoma progression
Authors: Thanee Malinee , Dokduang Hasaya , Kittirat Yingpinyapat , Phetcharaburanin Jutarop , Klanrit Poramate , Titapun Attapol , Namwat Nisana , Khuntikeo Narong , Wangwiwatsin Arporn , Saya Hideyuki , Loilome Watcharin
Published: March 2021

CD44 is a transmembrane glycoprotein, the phosphorylation of which can directly trigger intracellular signaling, particularly Akt protein, for supporting cell growth, motility and invasion. This study examined the role of CD44 on the progression of Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) using metabolic profiling to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the Akt signaling pathway. Our results show that the silencing of CD44 decreases Akt and mTOR phosphorylation resulting in p21 and Bax accumulation and Bcl-2 suppression that reduces cell proliferation. Moreover, an inhibition of cell migration and invasion regulated by CD44. Similarly, the silencing of CD44 showed an alteration in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), e.g. an upregulation of E-cadherin and a downregulation of vimentin, and the reduction of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 signal. Interestingly, a depletion of CD44 leads to metabolic pathway changes resulting in redox status modification and Trolox (anti-oxidant) led to the recovery of the cancer cell functions. Based on our findings, the regulation of CCA progression and metastasis via the redox status-related Akt signaling pathway depends on the alteration of metabolic profiling synchronized by CD44.
Pluripotent stem cell model of early hematopoiesis in Down syndrome reveals quantitative effects of short-form GATA1 protein on lineage specification
Authors: Matsuo Shiori , Nishinaka-Arai Yoko , Kazuki Yasuhiro , Oshimura Mitsuo , Nakahata Tatsutoshi , Niwa Akira , Saito Megumu K.
Published: March 2021

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are susceptible to two blood disorders, transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM) and Down syndrome-associated acute megakaryocytic leukemia (DS-AMKL). Mutations in GATA binding protein 1 (GATA1) have been identified as the cause of these diseases, and the expression levels of the resulting protein, short-form GATA1 (GATA1s), are known to correlate with the severity of TAM. On the other hand, despite the presence of GATA1 mutations in almost all cases of DS-AMKL, the incidence of DS-AMKL in TAM patients is inversely correlated with the expression of GATA1s. This discovery has required the need to clarify the role of GATA1s in generating the cells of origin linked to the risk of both diseases. Focusing on this point, we examined the characteristics of GATA1 mutant trisomy-21 pluripotent stem cells transfected with a doxycycline (Dox)-inducible GATA1s expression cassette in a stepwise hematopoietic differentiation protocol. We found that higher GATA1s expression significantly reduced commitment into the megakaryocytic lineage at the early hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) stage, but once committed, the effect was reversed in progenitor cells and acted to maintain the progenitors. These differentiation stage-dependent reversal effects were in contrast to the results of myeloid lineage, where GATA1s simply sustained and increased the number of immature myeloid cells. These results suggest that although GATA1 mutant cells cause the increase in myeloid and megakaryocytic progenitors regardless of the intensity of GATA1s expression, the pathways vary with the expression level. This study provides experimental support for the paradoxical clinical features of GATA1 mutations in the two diseases.