bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Reference Levels for Common Orthopedic Hand and Wrist Procedures Using Intraoperative Mini C-arm Fluoroscopy
Authors: Madhvani Kiran R. , Clark Matthew J. R. , Kocheta Alex A. J.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Diagnostic reference levels are radiation dose levels in medical radiodiagnostic practices for typical examinations for groups of standard-sized individuals for broadly defined types of equipment. This study aimed to contribute to national diagnostic reference levels for common hand and wrist procedures using mini C-arm fluoroscopy. Small joint and digital fracture procedure diagnostic reference levels have not been reported in significant numbers previously with procedure-level stratification.

Methods:

Data were collected from fluoroscopy logbooks and were cross-referenced against the audit log kept on fluoroscopy machines. A total of 603 procedures were included.

Results:

The median radiation dose for wrist fracture open fixation was 2.73 cGycm2, Kirschner wiring (K-wiring) procedures was 2.36 cGycm2, small joint arthrodesis was 1.20 cGycm2, small joint injections was 0.58 cGycm2, and phalangeal fracture fixation was 1.05 cGycm2.

Conclusions:

Wrist fracture fixation used higher radiation doses than phalangeal fracture fixation, arthrodeses, and injections. Injections used significantly less radiation than the other procedures. There are significant differences in total radiation doses when comparing these procedures in hand and wrist surgery. National and international recommendations are that institutional audit data should be collected regularly and should be stratified by procedure type. This study helps to define standards for this activity by adding to the data available for wrist fracture diagnostic reference levels and defining standards for digital and injection procedures.
A Customizable Information Quality Activity in Business and Management Courses: Recommendations for Research
Authors: Gerard Joseph G. , Lederman Reena E. , Greeley Jack P.
Published: March 2021

As business and management instructors, we increasingly struggle with student inattention to information accuracy and quality in our courses, especially when student-based research is required and misinformation is more prevalent. Without the time to teach information literacy (IL) skills, we created a series of information sourcing (IS) prompts that were small and flexible enough to be deployed anywhere we might need IL reinforcement. We describe this “IS plug-in,” share challenges surrounding its creation and successful implementation across multiple courses, and explain its grounding in information literacy theory. We then provide insights and recommendations for future management education research that arose from experiences with the unique IS plug-in approach and in-depth application of new research in IL. We provide recommendations for expanding the IL Framework’s use and measurement, and improving our understanding of authority and information versus belief.
Research and Test of Three-Pulley Noncircular Synchronous Pulley Transmission Mechanism with Minimum Slack
Authors: Chen Jianneng , Sun Xincheng , Wu Chuanyu , Xiao Dadu , Ye Jun
Published: March 2021

The noncircular synchronous belt drive mechanism has demonstrated certain achievements and has been used in special fields. Research regarding noncircular synchronous belt drive mechanisms has focused on optimization design and kinematic analysis in China, whereas two pulley noncircular synchronous belt transmissions have been developed overseas. However, owing to the noncircular characteristics of the belt pulley, the real-time variation in the belt length slack during the transmission of the noncircular synchronous belt is significant, resulting in high probabilities of skipping and vibration. In this study, a noncircular tensioning pulley is added to create a stable three-pulley noncircular synchronous belt driving mechanism and a good synchronous belt tensioning, with no skipping; hence, the non-uniform output characteristic of the driven pulley is consistent with the theoretical value. In the circular noncircular noncircular three-pulley noncircular synchronous belt mechanism, the pitch curve of the driving synchronous belt pulley is circular, whereas those of the driven synchronous belt and tensioning pulleys are noncircular. To minimize the slack of the belt length of the synchronous belt and the constraint of the concavity and circumference of the tensioning pulley, an automatic optimization model of the tensioning pulley pitch curve is established. The motion simulation, analysis, and optimization code for a three-belt-pulley noncircular synchronous belt drive mechanism is written, and the variation in belt length slack under different speed ratios is analyzed based on several examples. The testbed for a circular–noncircular–noncircular three-pulley noncircular synchronous belt transmission mechanism is developed. The test shows that the three-pulley noncircular synchronous belt drives well. This study proposes an automatic optimization algorithm for the tensioning pulley pitch curve of a noncircular synchronous belt transmission mechanism; it yields a stable transmission of the noncircular synchronous belt transmission mechanism as well as non-uniform output characteristics.
Isolation and characterization of antagonistic Paenibacillus polymyxa HX-140 and its biocontrol potential against Fusarium wilt of cucumber seedlings
Authors: Zhai Yang , Zhu Jiu-xiang , Tan Tai-meng , Xu Jian-ping , Shen Ai-rong , Yang Xie-bin , Li Ji-lie , Zeng Liang-bin , Wei Lin
Published: March 2021

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the strain Paenibacillus polymyxa HX-140, isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rape, to control Fusarium wilt of cucumber seedlings caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum.

Results

Strain HX-140 was able to produce protease, cellulase, β-1,3-glucanase and antifungal volatile organic compounds. An in vitro dual culture test showed that strain HX-140 exhibited broad spectrum antifungal activity against soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi. Strain HX-140 also reduced the infection of Fusarium wilt of cucumber seedlings by 55.6% in a greenhouse pot experiment. A field plot experiment confirmed the biocontrol effects and further revealed that antifungal activity was positively correlated with inoculum size by the root-irrigation method. Here, inoculums at 106 107 and 108 cfu/mL of HX-140 bacterial suspension reduced the incidence of Fusarium wilt of cucumber seedling by 19.5, 41.1, and 50.9%, respectively.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results suggest that P. polymyxa HX-140 has significant potential in the control of Fusarium wilt and possibly other fungal diseases of cucumber.
Selected nasogastric lavage in patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Gong Eun Jeong , Hsing Li-chang , Seo Hyun Il , Seo Myeongsook , Jun Baek Gyu , Park Jong Kyu , Lee Sang Jin , Han Koon Hee , Kim Young Don , Jeong Woo Jin , Cheon Gab Jin , Kim Min-Ju
Published: March 2021

Background

Risk stratification before endoscopy is crucial for proper management of patients suspected as having upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). There is no consensus regarding the role of nasogastric lavage for risk stratification. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of nasogastric lavage to identify patients with UGIB requiring endoscopic examination.

Methods

From January 2017 to December 2018, patients who visited the emergency department with a clinical suspicion of UGIB and who underwent nasogastric lavage before endoscopy were eligible. Patients with esophagogastric variceal bleeding were excluded. The added predictive ability of nasogastric lavage to the Glasgow–Blatchford score (GBS) was estimated using category-free net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement.

Results

Data for 487 patients with nonvariceal UGIB were analyzed. The nasogastric aspirate was bloody in 67 patients (13.8 %), coffee-ground in 227 patients (46.6 %), and clear in 193 patients (39.6 %). The gross appearance of the nasogastric aspirate was associated with the presence of UGIB. Model comparisons showed that addition of nasogastric lavage findings to the GBS improved the performance of the model to predict the presence of UGIB. Subgroup analysis showed that nasogastric lavage improved the performance of the prediction model in patients with the GBS ≤ 11, whereas no additive value was found when the GBS was greater than 11.

Conclusions

Nasogastric lavage is useful for predicting the presence of UGIB in a subgroup of patients, while its clinical utility is limited in high-risk patients with a GBS of 12 or more.
Subtle changes of the crystalline lens after cycloplegia: a retrospective study
Authors: Dai Cheng , Liu Meng , Lv Xiaodong , Li Binzhong
Published: March 2021

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the shape of the crystalline lens in terms of biometry and diopters before and after cycloplegia using the CASIA2 swept-source (SS) optical coherence tomography (OCT) system on the anterior segment.

Methods

This was a retrospective study. Children and adolescents (26 males and 29 females, aged 4–21 years) with simple ametropia were selected for optometry and CASIA2 imaging at 2 separate visits before and after cycloplegia. Diopter values were derived from the spherical power (S) obtained by optometry. Biometric parameters of the crystalline lens, including the anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior and posterior curvature of the lens (ACL and PCL), lens thickness (LTH), lens decentration (LD), lens tilt (LT), and equivalent diameter of the lens (LED), were measured by the CASIA2 system. The differences in these parameters after compared with before cycloplegia were determined, and their relationships were analyzed.

Results

Fifty-five participants (106 eyes) were initially enrolled. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the S (t=-7.026, P < 0.001), ACD (t=-8.796, P < 0.001), ACL (t=-13.263, P < 0.001) and LTH (t = 7.363, P < 0.001) after compared with before cycloplegia. The change in the PCL (t = 1.557, P = 0.122), LD (t = 0.876, P = 0.383), LT (t = 0.440, P = 0.661) and LED (t=-0.351, P = 0.726) was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). There was a significant (P < 0.05) correlation of the change in the S with that in the ACL (r = 0.466, P < 0.001), LTH (r=-0.592, P < 0.001), and LED (r = 0.223, P = 0.021) but not the PCL (r = 0.19, P = 0.051), LD (r=-0.048, P = 0.0628) or LT (r=-0.022, P = 0.822). Furthermore, the change in the ACD was closely related to the change in crystalline morphology. However, in children and adolescents, we found that the change in crystalline morphology was unrelated to age.

Conclusions

Changes in lens morphology after compared with before cycloplegia are mainly related to the ACL and LTH, but there is no difference in the PCL, LD, LT, or LED. In the adolescent population, change in the S is related to change in the ACL, LED and LTH. However, age is unrelated to the shape and tendency of the crystalline lens. Further research is required to determine whether the same conclusion applies to different age groups and different refractive states (myopia, hyperopia, emmetropia) .
Prevalence of problematic feeding in young children born prematurely: a meta-analysis
Authors: Pados Britt Frisk , Hill Rebecca R. , Yamasaki Joy T. , Litt Jonathan S. , Lee Christopher S.
Published: March 2021

Background

Difficulties related to eating are often reported in children born preterm. The objective of this study was to quantitatively synthesize available data on the prevalence of problematic feeding in children under 4 years of age who were born preterm.

Methods

Literature was identified from PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycInfo. The search was limited to English language and publication years 2000–2020. To be included in the meta-analysis, the article had to report the prevalence of problematic oral feeding within a population of children born prematurely (< 37 weeks’ gestation), and the child age at the time of study had to be between full-term corrected age and 48 months. For studies meeting inclusion criteria, the following data were extracted: sample size and subsamples by gestational age and/or child age at time of study; definition of problematic feeding; measures used for assessment of feeding; gestational age at time of birth of sample; child age at time of study; exclusion criteria for the study; and prevalence of problematic feeding. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate the prevalence of problematic feeding across all studies, by gestational age at birth, and by child age at time of study.

Results

There were 22 studies that met inclusion criteria. Overall prevalence of problematic feeding (N = 4381) was 42% (95% CI 33–51%). Prevalence was neither significantly different across categories of gestational age nor by child age at the time of study. Few studies used psychometrically-sound assessments of feeding.

Conclusion

Problematic feeding is highly prevalent in prematurely-born children in the first 4 years of life regardless of degree of prematurity. Healthcare providers of children born preterm should consider screening for problematic feeding throughout early childhood as a potential complication of preterm birth.

Systematic review registration number

Not applicable.
Recurrent variant c.1680C>A in FAM20C gene and genotype-phenotype correlation in a patient with Raine syndrome: a case report
Authors: Bajaj Shruti , Nabi Fazal , Shah Jhanvi , Sheth Harsh
Published: March 2021

Background

Bi-allelic mutations inFAM20Cgene are known to cause a rare genetic disorder- Raine syndrome (RS). The FAM20C protein binds calcium and phosphorylates proteins involved in biomineralization of bones and teeth. RS is recognized as an osteosclerotic bone dysplasia. It is characterized by distinctive facial features, generalized osteosclerosis and respiratory insufficiency along with periosteal bone formation. RS is typically described as being an aggressive skeletal dysplasia with death in the neonatal period or early infancy. However, in the recent past an increasing number of individuals having an extended life span along with a highly heterogeneous phenotype has led to classifying RS into short and extended lifespan categories.

Case presentation

We report a case of RS with antenatal fractures, facial dysmorphism and osteosclerosis without significant respiratory manifestations. The child has a relatively extended lifespan, whereby she died at 17-months of age. Clinical exome sequencing revealed a previously known, homozygous, nonsense variant c.1680C > A (p.Cys560Ter) in exon 10 ofFAM20C. Whilst the variant was initially classified as a variant of uncertain significance (VUS), through the latest release of gnomAD and GTEx data, this was subsequently re-classified as likely pathogenic. Furthermore, segregation analysis showed both parents to be carriers. In contrast, a previously reported case with the same variant had polyhydramnios, complex facial abnormalities and bright echogenic brain parenchyma with oval shaped skull and anterior flattening at 26 weeks of gestation.

Conclusion

The variant identified has been previously reported as a VUS. The present case provides further evidence towards the pathogenicity of the variant. A plausible genotype-phenotype correlation based on the location of the variant has been verified, wherein the position of a nonsense variant in the terminal exon ofFAM20Cgene, could have had a partial effect on the protein function, thereby resulting in a relatively milder phenotype and extended lifespan. Furthermore, the vast phenotypic variation on clinical comparison current case and a previously reported case, despite having the same genotype, could suggest an oligogenic effect and/ or environmental influence.
Changes over time in HIV testing and counselling uptake and associated factors among youth in Zambia: a cross-sectional analysis of demographic and health surveys from 2007 to 2018
Authors: Heri Aimé Bitakuya , Cavallaro Francesca L. , Ahmed Nurilign , Musheke Maurice Mubuyaeta , Matsui Mitsuaki
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Zambia is among the countries with the highest HIV burden and where youth remain disproportionally affected. Access to HIV testing and counselling (HTC) is a crucial step to ensure the reduction of HIV transmission. This study examines the changes that occurred between 2007 and 2018 in access to HTC, inequities in testing uptake, and determinants of HTC uptake among youth.

Methods

We carried out repeated cross-sectional analyses using three Zambian Demographic and Health Surveys (2007, 2013–14, and 2018). We calculated the percentage of women and men ages 15–24 years old who were tested for HIV in the last 12 months. We analysed inequity in HTC coverage using indicators of absolute inequality. We performed bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of HTC uptake in the last 12 months.

Results

HIV testing uptake increased between 2007 and 2018, from 45 to 92% among pregnant women, 10 to 58% among non-pregnant women, and from 10 to 49% among men. By 2018 roughly 60% of youth tested in the past 12 months used a government health centre. Mobile clinics were the second most common source reaching up to 32% among adolescent boys by 2018. Multivariate analysis conducted among men and non-pregnant women showed higher odds of testing among 20–24 year-olds than adolescents (aOR = 1.55 [95%CI:1.30–1.84], among men; and aOR = 1.74 [1.40–2.15] among women). Among men, being circumcised (aOR = 1.57 [1.32–1.88]) and in a union (aOR = 2.44 [1.83–3.25]) were associated with increased odds of testing. For women greater odds of testing were associated with higher levels of education (aOR = 6.97 [2.82–17.19]). Education-based inequity was considerably widened among women than men by 2018.

Conclusion

HTC uptake among Zambian youth improved considerably by 2018 and reached 65 and 49% tested in the last 12 months for women and men, respectively. However, achieving the goal of 95% envisioned by 2020 will require sustaining the success gained through government health centres, and scaling up the community-led approaches that have proven acceptable and effective in reaching young men and adolescent girls who are less easy to reach through the government facilities.
Methodology for triage of urologic surgical cases in the setting of a pandemic
Authors: Aboumohamed Ahmed , Gottlieb Josh , DeMasi Matthew , Barry Emily , Sankin Alexander , Watts Kara
Published: March 2021

Background

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 forced our healthcare system in the Bronx, New York to cancel nearly all scheduled surgeries. We developed a framework for prioritizing postponed urologic surgeries that was utilized once cases were permitted to be rescheduled. As many parts of our country experience first and second waves of this pandemic, our framework may serve as a resource for other centers experiencing restrictions on the scheduling of elective urologic surgeries.

Methods

As the COVID-19 pandemic started and peaked in New York, almost all of our scheduled urologic surgeries were cancelled. Each Urologist was asked to rank his/her cancelled surgeries by priority (Level 1—least urgent; Level 2—moderately urgent; Level 3—most urgent). A committee of Urologists assigned a subclass to Level 3 and 2 cases (3a—least urgent; 3b—moderately urgent; 3c—most urgent; 2a—lower priority; 2b—higher priority). The committee then reviewed cases by urgency to derive a final priority ranking.

Results

A total of 478 total urologic surgeries were canceled and categorized: 250 Level 1, 130 Level 2, 98 Level 3 (73 adult, 25 pediatric). Level 3c involved renal cell carcinoma ≥ T2b, high-grade bladder urothelial carcinoma, adrenal mass/cancer > 6 cm, testicular cancer requiring radical orchiectomy, and penile cancer. Level 3b involved T2a renal masses requiring nephrectomy, while high-risk prostate cancer and symptomatic nephrolithiasis were classified as 3a. Level 2 included testicular cancer requiring retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and complicated benign prostatic hyperplasia. Surgeries for urologic reconstruction, non-complicated nephrolithiasis, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence were considered Level 1.

Conclusions

Our disease-specific approach to surgical rescheduling offers appropriate guidance for triaging urologic surgeries. Our system can provide guidance to other institutions as COVID-19 cases surge in different regions and with the growing second wave.
Twelve years with a capitation payment system in Swedish dental care: longitudinal development of oral health
Authors: Andås Charlotte Andrén , Hakeberg Magnus
Published: March 2021

Background

Since 2007, patients receiving oral health care within the Public Dental Service in Sweden have had the possibility to choose between the traditional fee-for-service (FFS) payment system or the new capitation payment system, ‘Dental Care for Health’ (DCH). Payment models are believed to involve different incentive structures for patients and caregivers. In theory, different incentives may lead to differences in health-related outcomes, and the research has been inconclusive. This 12-year longitudinal prospective cohort study of patients in regular dental care analyzes oral health development and self-reported oral health in relation to the patients’ level of education in the two payment systems, and compares with the results from an earlier 6-year follow-up.

Methods

Information was obtained through a questionnaire and from a register from n = 5877 individuals who kept their original choice of payment model for 12 years, 1650 patients in DCH and 4227 in FFS, in the Public Dental Service in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden. The data comprised manifest caries prevalence, levels of self-reported oral health and education, and choice of dental care payment model. Analyses were performed with chi square and multivariable regression analysis.

Results

The findings from the 6-year follow-up were essentially maintained at the 12-year examination, showing that the pre-baseline caries prevalence is the most influential factor for less favorable oral health development in terms of the resulting caries prevalence. Educational level (≥ university) showed an increased influence on the risk of higher caries prevalence after 12 years and differed between payment models with regard to the relation to self-rated oral health.

Conclusions

Differences in health and health-influencing properties between payment models were sustained from 6 to 12 years. Strategies for making use of potential compensatory mechanisms within the capitation payment system to increase oral health equality should be considered.
Clinical observation of the regeneration process of defects after breast cancer resection
Authors: Li Jun-jie , Yang Ye , Wan Qi , Li Hui , Long Qi-ming , Zhang Pu-rong
Published: March 2021

Background

The present study aims to use two different kinds of filling materials, oxidized regenerated cellulose and gelatin sponge, to repair defects of breast-conserving surgery due to breast cancer, and compare the clinical efficacy, cosmetic effect and complication rate among groups.

Methods

A total of 125 patients, who had breast -conserving surgery due to breast cancer, were enrolled into the present study. Postoperative efficacy was assessed by a doctor and patient, according to the Harvard/NSABP/RTOG Breast Cosmetic Grading Scale.

Results

Among these patients, 41 patients received conventional breast-conserving surgery, and 84 patients received breast-conserving surgery plus filling implantation (41 patients in the oxidized regenerated cellulose group and 43 patients in the gelatin sponge group). All patients had small to medium sized breasts (cup size A and B). The average weight of tumor tissues was 56.61 ± 11.57 g in the conventional breast-conserving surgery group, 58.41 ± 8.53 g in the oxidized regenerated cellulose group, and 58.77 ± 9.90 g in the gelatin sponge group. The difference in pathological factors, average operation time, length of stay and local infection rate was not statistically significant among the three groups. 18 patients in the oxidized regenerated cellulose group and 15 patients in the gelatin sponge group were evaluated to have a good cosmetic effect by the surgeon and patient, while 12 patients in the conventional breast-conserving surgery group were evaluated to be have good cosmetic effect by the surgeon and patient. The cosmetic effects in the oxidized regenerated cellulose group and gelatin sponge group were comparable, and these were superior to those in the conventional breast-conserving surgery group.

Conclusion

The use of oxidized regenerated cellulose and gelatin sponge is a feasible approach for defect repair after breast-conserving surgery.
Analysis of long-term observations of the large group of Russian patients with Hunter syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type II)
Authors: Semyachkina Alla Nikolaevna , Voskoboeva Elena Yurievna , Nikolaeva Ekaterina Alexandrovna , Zakharova Ekaterina Yurievna
Published: March 2021

Background

This article presents the results of long-term observations and comparative analysis of genotype–phenotype features in a large group of patients (227 males and one female) with a severe, intermediate and mild form of Hunter syndrome, evaluating the quality and span of their lives, as well as their ability to social adaptation.

Methods

We used electrophoresis of glycosaminoglycans of urine, determination of the activity of lysosomal enzymes in plasma, in dried blood spots according to the generally accepted method and DNA analysis.

Results

The clinical symptomatology of 228 patients with Hunter syndrome was characterized by growth retardation, lesions of the bronchopulmonary, cardiovascular, nervous systems, etc. Thirty-five patients had an attenuated form of the disease. DNA was available from all patients. 19 patients from 10 families had a mild form of the disease. 42 patients from 41 families had an intermediate form of the disease. All other patients had a severe form of the disease. We provide brief clinical examples of some patients with a mild form of Hunter syndrome. Currently, 113 patients with Hunter syndrome receive enzyme replacement therapy (idursulfase or idursulfase beta).

Conclusion

The long-term study of the large number of patients with Hunter syndrome helped identify disease-associated variants leading to severe and mild forms of the disease. The treatment effect and successful social adaptation of patients with a mild form of Hunter syndrome were revealed.
Impact of breastfeeding interventions among United States minority women on breastfeeding outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Segura-Pérez Sofia , Hromi-Fiedler Amber , Adnew Misikir , Nyhan Kate , Pérez-Escamilla Rafael
Published: March 2021

Background

In the U.S., strong ethnic/racial, socioeconomic, demographic, and geographic breastfeeding (BF) inequities persist, and African American and Hispanic women are less likely to meet their breastfeeding goals compared to White women. This systematic review (SR) was designed to answer the question: What is the impact of breastfeeding interventions targeting ethnic/racial minority women in the U.S. on improving BF initiation, duration and exclusivity rates?

Methods

The SR was conducted following the Institute of Medicine Guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. The study protocol was developed and registered a priori in PROSPERO (ID#CRD42020177764). The electronical databases searched was MEDLINE All (Ovid). Search strategies were led by the team’s expert public health librarian using both controlled vocabulary and free text queries and were tested against a validated set of relevant papers included in existing reviews. The GRADE methodology was used to assess the quality of the studies.

Results

We included 60 studies that had randomized (n = 25), observational (n = 24), quasi-experimental (n = 9), or cross-sectional (n = 2) designs. The studies focused on populations that were multi-ethnic/racial (n = 22), only Hispanic (n = 24), only Black (n = 13), and only American Indian (n = 1). The study interventions were classified following the socioecological model: macrosystem/policy level (n = 6); community level (n=51), which included healthcare organizations (n = 34), The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) (n = 9), and community organizations/public health institutions (n = 8); and  interpersonal level (n = 3).

Conclusions

Policy and community level interventions delivered through WIC, healthcare facilities, and community agencies) are likely to improve BF outcomes among women of color. The combination of interventions at different levels of the socioecological model has not been studied among minority women in the U.S. Implementation science research is needed to learn how best to scale up and sustain effective BF interventions, taking into account the needs and wants of minority women. Thus, it is strongly recommended  to conduct large scale implementation research studies addressesing how to strengthen the different health and social environments surrounding women of color in the U.S. to improving their BF outcomes.
Molecular cytogenetic characterization and fusarium head blight resistance of five wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium partial amphiploids
Authors: Wang Hui , Cheng Shuwei , Shi Yue , Zhang Shuxin , Yan Wei , Song Weifu , Yang Xuefeng , Song Qingjie , Jang Bo , Qi Xiaoyue , Li Xinling , Friebe Bernd , Zhang Yanming
Published: March 2021

Background

Partial amphiploids created by crossing octoploid tritelytrigia(2n = 8× = 56, AABBDDEE) and Thinopyrum intermedium (2n = 6× = 42, StStJJJSJS) are important intermediates in wheat breeding because of their resistance to major wheat diseases. We examined the chromosome compositions of five wheat-Th. intermedium partial amphiploids using GISH and multicolor-FISH.

Results

The result revealed that five lines had 10-14 J-genome chromosomes from Th. intermedium and 42 common wheat chromosomes, using the J-genomic DNA from Th. bessarabicum as GISH probe and the oligo probes pAs1-1, pAs1-3, AFA-4, (GAA) 10, and pSc119.2-1 as FISH probe. Five lines resembled their parent octoploid tritelytrigia (2n = 8× = 56, AABBDDEE) but had higher protein contents. Protein contents of two lines HS2-2 and HS2-5 were up to more than 20%. Evaluation of Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance revealed that the percent of symptomatic spikelets (PSS) of these lines were below 30%. Lines HS2-2, HS2-4, HS2-5, and HS2-16 were less than 20% of PPS. Line HS2-5 with 14 J-genome chromosomes from Th. intermedium showed the best disease resistance, with PSS values of 10.8% and 16.6% in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Conclusions

New wheat-Th. intermedium amphiploids with the J-genome chromosomes were identified and can be considered as a valuable source of FHB resistance in wheat breeding.
Regulatory mechanisms, functions, and clinical significance of CircRNAs in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Lyu Lijuan , Zhang Shizhen , Deng Yujiao , Wang Meng , Deng Xinyue , Yang Si , Wu Ying , Dai Zhijun
Published: March 2021

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of endogenous regulatory RNAs characterized by covalently closed cyclic structure lacking poly-adenylated tails, and are capable of regulating gene expression at transcription or post-transcription levels. Recently, plentiful circRNAs have been discovered in breast cancer and some circRNAs expression profiles are specifically involved in the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is a type of malignant tumor defined by the lack of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression. Considering its clinical characteristics of high invasion, metastasis, poor prognosis, and lack of effective response to conventional chemotherapies or targeted therapies, it could be a promosing option to discover specific circRNAs as new targets for TNBC treatment. Meanwhile, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that circRNAs are dysregulated in TNBC tissues and are correlated with clinicopathological features and prognosis of TNBC patients. Furthermore, looking for circRNAs with high specificity and sensitivity will provide a new opportunity for the early diagnosis, clinical treatment, and prognosis monitoring of TNBC. Herein, we reviewed the biogenesis, regulatory mechanisms, and biological functions of circRNAs in TNBC and summarized the relationship between circRNAs expression and the clinicopathology, diagnosis, and prognosis of patients with TNBC.
Accurate determination of genotypic variance of cell wall characteristics of a Populus trichocarpa pedigree using high-throughput pyrolysis-molecular beam mass spectrometry
Authors: Harman-Ware Anne E. , Macaya-Sanz David , Abeyratne Chanaka Roshan , Doeppke Crissa , Haiby Kathleen , Tuskan Gerald A. , Stanton Brian , DiFazio Stephen P. , Davis Mark F.
Published: March 2021

Background

Pyrolysis-molecular beam mass spectrometry (py-MBMS) analysis of a pedigree of Populus trichocarpa was performed to study the phenotypic plasticity and heritability of lignin content and lignin monomer composition. Instrumental and microspatial environmental variability were observed in the spectral features and corrected to reveal underlying genetic variance of biomass composition.

Results

Lignin-derived ions (including m/z 124, 154, 168, 194, 210 and others) were highly impacted by microspatial environmental variation which demonstrates phenotypic plasticity of lignin composition in Populus trichocarpa biomass. Broad-sense heritability of lignin composition after correcting for microspatial and instrumental variation was determined to be H2 = 0.56 based on py-MBMS ions known to derive from lignin. Heritability of lignin monomeric syringyl/guaiacyl ratio (S/G) was H2 = 0.81. Broad-sense heritability was also high (up to H2 = 0.79) for ions derived from other components of the biomass including phenolics (e.g., salicylates) and C5 sugars (e.g., xylose). Lignin and phenolic ion abundances were primarily driven by maternal effects, and paternal effects were either similar or stronger for the most heritable carbohydrate-derived ions.

Conclusions

We have shown that many biopolymer-derived ions from py-MBMS show substantial phenotypic plasticity in response to microenvironmental variation in plantations. Nevertheless, broad-sense heritability for biomass composition can be quite high after correcting for spatial environmental variation. This work outlines the importance in accounting for instrumental and microspatial environmental variation in biomass composition data for applications in heritability measurements and genomic selection for breeding poplar for renewable fuels and materials.
Frequency of sodium channel genotypes and association with pyrethrum knockdown time in populations of Californian Aedes aegypti
Authors: Mack Lindsey K. , Kelly Erin Taylor , Lee Yoosook , Brisco Katherine K. , Shen Kaiyuan Victoria , Zahid Aamina , van Schoor Tess , Cornel Anthony J. , Attardo Geoffrey M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Since their detection in 2013,Aedes aegyptihas become a widespread urban pest in California. The availability of cryptic larval breeding sites in residential areas and resistance to insecticides pose significant challenges to control efforts. Resistance to pyrethroids is largely attributed to mutations in the voltage gated sodium channels (VGSC), the pyrethroid site of action. However, past studies have indicated that VGSC mutations may not be entirely predictive of the observed resistance phenotype.

Methods

To investigate the frequencies of VGSC mutations and the relationship with pyrethroid insecticide resistance in California, we sampledAe. aegyptifrom four locations in the Central Valley, and the Greater Los Angeles area. Mosquitoes from each location were subjected to an individual pyrethrum bottle bioassay to determine knockdown times. A subset of assayed mosquitoes from each location was then analyzed to determine the composition of 5 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci within the VGSC gene.

Results

The distribution of knockdown times for each of the five Californian populations sampled was non-parametric with potentially bimodal distributions. One group succumbs to insecticidal effects around 35–45 min and the second group lasts up to and beyond the termination of the assay (120+ min). We detected 5 polymorphic VGSC SNPs within the sampled California populations. One is potentially new and alternatively spliced (I915K), and four are documented and associated with resistance: F1534C, V1016I, V410L and S723T. The Central Valley populations (Clovis, Dinuba, Sanger and Kingsburg) are fairly homogenous with only 5% of the mosquitoes showing heterozygosity at any given position. In the Greater LA mosquitoes, 55% had at least one susceptible allele at any of the five SNP loci. The known resistance allele F1534C was detected in almost all sampled mosquitoes (99.4%). We also observe significant heterogeneity in the knockdown phenotypes of individuals with the identical VGSC haplotypes suggesting the presence of additional undefined resistance mechanisms.

Conclusions

Resistance associated VGSC SNPs are prevalent, particularly in the Central Valley. Interestingly, among mosquitoes carrying all 4 resistance associated SNPs, we observe significant heterogeneity in bottle bioassay profiles suggesting that other mechanisms are important to the individual resistance ofAe. aegyptiin California. Keywords:Aedes aegypti, Resistance, Pyrethroid, IPLEX genotyping, Voltage gated sodium channel, California.

Graphical Abstract
MSCs derived from amniotic fluid and umbilical cord require different administration schemes and exert different curative effects on different tissues in rats with CLP-induced sepsis
Authors: Chen Rui , Xie Yingjun , Zhong Xuan , Chen Fei , Gong Yu , Wang Na , Wang Ding
Published: March 2021

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are derived from multiple tissues, including amniotic fluid (AF-MSCs) and the umbilical cord (UC-MSCs). Although the therapeutic effect of MSCs on sepsis is already known, researchers have not determined whether the cells from different sources require different therapeutic schedules or exert different curative effects. We assessed the biofunction of the administration of AF-MSCs and UC-MSCs in rats with caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis.

Methods

CLP was used to establish a disease model of sepsis in rats, and intravenous tail vein administration of AF-MSCs and UC-MSCs was performed to treat sepsis at 6 h after CLP. Two phases of animal experiments were implemented using MSCs harvested in saline with or without filtration. The curative effect was measured by determining the survival rate. Further effects were assessed by measuring proinflammatory cytokine levels, the plasma coagulation index, tissue histology and the pathology of the lung, liver and kidney.

Results

We generated rats with medium-grade sepsis with a 30–40% survival rate to study the curative effects of AF-MSCs and UC-MSCs. MSCs reversed CLP-induced changes in proinflammatory cytokine levels and coagulation activation. MSCs ameliorated CLP-induced histological and pathological changes in the lung, liver and kidney. AF-MSCs and UC-MSCs functioned differently in different tissues; UC-MSCs performed well in reducing the upregulation of inflammatory cytokine levels in the lungs and inhibiting the inflammatory cell infiltration into the liver capsule, while AF-MSCs performed well in inhibiting cell death in the kidneys and reducing the plasma blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level, an indicator of renal function.

Conclusions

Our studies suggest the safety and efficacy of AF-MSCs and UC-MSCs in the treatment of CLP-induced sepsis in rats and show that the cells potentially exert different curative effects on the main sepsis-affected tissues.
Correction to: Dynamic changes of the fecal bacterial community in dairy cows during early lactation
Authors: Huang Shuai , Ji Shoukun , Wang Feiran , Huang Jie , Alugongo Gibson Maswayi , Li Shengli
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Effects of altitude on human oral microbes
Authors: Liu Fang , Liang Tian , Zhang Zhiying , Liu Lijun , Li Jing , Dong Wenxue , Zhang Han , Bai Su , Ma Lifeng , Kang Longli
Published: March 2021

Human oral microbes play a vital role maintaining host metabolic homeostasis. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is mainly characterized by a high altitude, dry, cold, and hypoxic environment. The oral microbiota is subject to selective pressure from the plateau environment, which affects oral health. Only a few studies have focused on the characteristics of oral microbiota in high-altitude humans. We collected saliva samples from 167 Tibetans at four altitudes (2800 to 4500 m) in Tibet to explore the relationship between the high altitude environment and oral microbiota. We conducted a two (high- and ultra-high-altitude) group analysis based on altitude, and adopted the 16S rRNA strategy for high-throughput sequencing. The results show that the alpha diversity of the oral microbiota decreased with altitude, whereas beta diversity increased with altitude. A LEfSe analysis revealed that the oral microbial biomarker of the high-altitude group (< 3650 m) was Streptococcus, and the biomarker of the ultra-high-altitude group (> 4000 m) was Prevotella. The relative abundance of Prevotella increased with altitude, whereas the relative abundance of Streptococcus decreased with altitude. A network analysis showed that the microbial network structure was more compact and complex, and the interaction between the bacterial genera was more intense in the high altitude group. Gene function prediction results showed that the amino acid and vitamin metabolic pathways were upregulated in the ultra-high-altitude group. These result show that altitude is an important factor affecting the diversity and community structure of the human oral microbiota.
Serum melatonin concentration in critically ill patients randomized to sedation or non-sedation
Authors: Oxlund Jakob , Knudsen Torben , Strøm Thomas , Lauridsen Jørgen T. , Jennum Poul J. , Toft Palle
Published: March 2021

Background

Abolished circadian rhythm is associated with altered cognitive function, delirium, and as a result increased mortality in critically ill patients, especially in those who are mechanically ventilated. The causes are multifactorial, of which changes in circadian rhythmicity may play a role. Melatonin plays a crucial role as part of the circadian and sleep/wake cycle. Whether sedation effects circadian regulation is unknown. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the melatonin concentration in critically ill patients randomized to sedation or non-sedation and to investigate the correlation with delirium.

Methods

All patients were included and randomized at the intensive care unit at the hospital of southwest Jutland, Denmark. Seventy-nine patients completed the study (41 sedated and 38 non-sedated). S-melatonin was measured 3 times per day, (03.00, 14.00, and 22.00), for 4 consecutive days in total, starting on the second day upon randomization/intubation. The study was conducted as a sub-study to the NON-SEDA study in which one hundred consecutive patients were randomized to sedation or non-sedation with a daily wake-up call (50 in each arm). Primary outcome: melatonin concentration in sedated vs. non-sedated patients (analyzed using linear regression). Secondary outcome: risk of developing delirium or non-medically induced (NMI) coma in sedated vs. non-sedated patients, assessed by CAM-ICU (Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit) analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

Melatonin concentration was suppressed in sedated patients compared to the non-sedated. All patients experienced an elevated peak melatonin level early on in the course of their critical illness (p = 0.01). The risk of delirium or coma (NMI) was significantly lower in the non-sedated group (OR 0.42 CI 0.27; 0.66 p < 0.0001). No significant relationship between delirium development and suppressed melatonin concentration was established in this study (OR 1.004 p = 0.29 95% CI 0.997; 1.010).

Conclusion

Melatonin concentration was suppressed in sedated, critically ill patients, when compared to non-sedated controls and the frequency of delirium was elevated in sedated patients.

Trail registration Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01967680) on October 23, 2013.
DRMaestro: orchestrating disaggregated resources on virtualized data-centers
Authors: Amaral Marcelo , Polo Jordà , Carrera David , Gonzalez Nelson , Yang Chih-Chieh , Morari Alessandro , D’Amora Bruce , Youssef Alaa , Steinder Malgorzata
Published: March 2021

Modern applications demand resources at an unprecedented level. In this sense, data-centers are required to scale efficiently to cope with such demand. Resource disaggregation has the potential to improve resource-efficiency by allowing the deployment of workloads in more flexible ways. Therefore, the industry is shifting towards disaggregated architectures, which enables new ways to structure hardware resources in data centers. However, determining the best performing resource provisioning is a complicated task. The optimality of resource allocation in a disaggregated data center depends on its topology and the workload collocation. This paper presents DRMaestro, a framework to orchestrate disaggregated resources transparently from the applications. DRMaestro uses a novel flow-network model to determine the optimal placement in multiple phases while employing best-efforts on preventing workload performance interference. We first evaluate the impact of disaggregation regarding the additional network requirements under higher network load. The results show that for some applications the impact is minimal, but other ones can suffer up to 80% slowdown in the data transfer part. After that, we evaluate DRMaestro via a real prototype on Kubernetes and a trace-driven simulation. The results show that DRMaestro can reduce the total job makespan with a speedup of up to ≈1.20x and decrease the QoS violation up to ≈2.64x comparing with another orchestrator that does not support resource disaggregation.
A retrospective analysis of the health and social situation of homeless people in Berlin: study protocol
Authors: Lech Sonia , Schenk Liane , De la Torre Castro Jenny , Schindel Daniel
Published: March 2021

Background

Homelessness is often described as both a driver and a consequence of poor health, social exclusion and economic marginalisation. The present protocol provides a detailed description of the study Examining the health situation of homeless people in Berlin: a retrospective analysis of data from the health centre for the homeless of the Jenny De la Torre Foundation from 2006 to 2020 (GIG study). The primary objective of the GIG study is to describe and analyse the social and health situation of homeless people in Berlin.

Methods

A retrospective secondary data analysis of an anonymous full census of medical records for the years 2006 until 2020 from a health centre for homeless people will be carried out. The main outcome is the description and analysis of the social and health situation of homeless people in Berlin. Total and cross-sectional sample characteristics will be presented in a descriptive analysis using Chi-Square Test, Mann-Whitney-U-Test or independent t-Test as appropriate to test (sub) group differences. Further, outcomes will be analysed using finite mixture modelling in order to distinguish different types of social and health conditions. Latent variable regressions will be applied in order to identify sociodemographic and disease-related factors associated with decreasing health conditions.

Discussion

Given the high number of homeless individuals in Germany, it is of great importance to examine their social and health situation in order to gain a better understanding of challenges and needs of homeless people and work on new approaches and solutions to effectively address these.

Trail registration

The study was prospectively registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (trial registration number: DRKS00021172). Registered 26 June 2020.