bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural competency in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: practitioner guidelines
Authors: Williams Monnica T. , Rouleau Traleena M. , La Torre Joseph T. , Sharif Noor
Published: October 2020

This article provides clinical guidelines for basic knowledge and skills essential for successful work with clients who have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) across ethnic, racial and religious differences. We emphasise multiculturalist and anti-racist approaches and the role of culture in shaping the presentation of OCD in clients. Several competencies are discussed to help clinicians differentiate between behaviour that is consistent with group normsversusbehaviour that is excessive and psychopathological in nature. Symptom presentation, mental health literacy and explanatory models may differ across cultural groups. The article also highlights the possibility of violating client beliefs and values during cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and subsequently offers strategies to mitigate such problems, such as consulting community members, clergy, religious scholars and other authoritative sources. Finally, there is a discussion of how clinicians can help clients from diverse populations overcome a variety of obstacles and challenges faced in the therapeutic context, including stigma and cultural mistrust.

Key learning aims

(1)

To gain knowledge needed for working with clients with OCD across race, ethnicity and culture.

(2)

To understand how race, ethnicity and culture affect the assessment and treatment of OCD.

(3)

To increase awareness of critical skills needed to implement CBT effectively for OCD in ethnoracially diverse clients.

(4)

To acknowledge potential barriers experienced by minoritized clients and assist in creating accessible spaces for services.
Evaluation of sequential applications of quizalofop-P-ethyl and florpyrauxifen-benzyl in acetyl CoA carboxylase-resistant rice
Authors: Sanders Tameka L. , Bond Jason A. , Lawrence Benjamin H. , Golden Bobby R. , Allen Thomas W. , Bararpour Taghi
Published: October 2020

Information on performance of sequential treatments of quizalofop-P-ethyl with florpyrauxifen-benzyl on rice is lacking. Field studies were conducted in 2017 and 2018 in Stoneville, MS, to evaluate sequential timings of quizalofop-P-ethyl with florpyrauxifen-benzyl included in preflood treatments of rice. Quizalofop-P-ethyl treatments were no quizalofop-P-ethyl; sequential applications of quizalofop-P-ethyl at 120 g ha−1 followed by (fb) 120 g ai ha−1 applied to rice in the 2- to 3-leaf (EPOST) fb the 4-leaf to 1-tiller (LPOST) growth stages or LPOST fb 10 d after flooding (PTFLD); quizalofop-P-ethyl at 100 g ha−1 fb 139 g ha−1 EPOST fb LPOST or LPOST fb PTFLD; quizalofop-P-ethyl at 139 g ha−1 fb 100 g ha−1 EPOST fb LPOST and LPOST fb PTFLD; and quizalofop-P-ethyl at 85 g ha−1 fb 77 g ha−1 fb 77 g ha−1 EPOST fb LPOST fb PTFLD. Quizalofop-P-ethyl was applied alone and in mixture with florpyrauxifen-benzyl at 29 g ai ha−1 LPOST. Visible rice injury 14 d after PTFLD (DA-PTFLD) was no more than 3%. Visible control of volunteer rice (‘CL151’ and ‘Rex’) 7 DA-PTFLD was similar and at least 95% for each quizalofop-P-ethyl treatment. Barnyardgrass control with quizalofop-P-ethyl at 120 fb 120 g ha−1 LPOST fb PTFLD was greater (88%) in mixture with florpyrauxifen-benzyl. The addition of florpyrauxifen-benzyl to quizalofop-P-ethyl increased rough rice yield when quizalofop-P-ethyl was applied at 100 g ha−1 fb 139 g ha−1 EPOST fb LPOST. Sequential applications of quizalofop-P-ethyl at 120 g ha−1 fb 120 g ha−1 EPOST fb LPOST, 100 g ha−1 fb 139 g ha−1 EPOST fb LPOST, or 139 g ha−1 fb 100 g ha−1 EPOST fb LPOST controlled grass weed species. The addition of florpyrauxifen-benzyl was not beneficial for grass weed control. However, because quizalofop-P-ethyl does not control broadleaf weeds, florpyrauxifen-benzyl could provide broad-spectrum weed control in acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase–resistant rice.
Numerical Investigation of Wellbore Methane Leakage From a Dual‐Porosity Reservoir and Subsequent Transport in Groundwater
Authors: Rice Amy K. , McCray John E. , Singha Kamini
Published: October 2020

Three‐dimensional, multiphase simulations are used to analyze migration of methane leakage from a hydrocarbon wellbore. The objective is to evaluate the relevance and importance of coupling fast, advective transport of methane through fractures with slower, diffusive transport in the shale matrix below a freshwater aquifer on water quality assuming dual‐domain mass transfer (DDMT) in the reservoir by using the multiple interacting continua (MINC) as implemented in TOUGH2. The conceptual model includes a methane gas‐phase leak from a wellbore 20–30 m below an aquifer; multiphase, buoyant transport through shale partially saturated with brine; and, after methane leakage reaches groundwater, multiphase transport under varying lateral groundwater flow gradients. Results suggest that DDMT affects the rate of methane reaching groundwater by (i) providing long‐time secondary storage in less‐mobile pore space and (ii) creating larger methane‐plume diameters than those predicted by a single‐domain advection‐diffusion equation. Compared to models without DDMT, these factors combine to increase methane flow rates by an order of magnitude across the base of the aquifer 100 years after leakage begins. In the simulated aquifer, dissolution of gas‐phase plumes leads to bimodal aqueous‐phase methane breakthrough curves in a simulated water well 100 m downstream from leakage, with peak concentrations appearing decades after a 1‐year pulse of leakage. The major implication is that DDMT in the reservoir can explain newly discovered methane concentrations in water wells attributable to older leakage events. Therefore, remediation of abandoned or legacy wells with wellbore integrity loss may be necessary to prevent future incidents of groundwater contamination.
Anion Diffusion in Compacted Clays by Pore‐Scale Simulation and Experiments
Authors: Wu Tao , Yang Yuankai , Wang Zhifen , Shen Qiang , Tong Yanhua , Wang Moran
Published: October 2020

Accurate understanding of diffusion of anionic radionuclides in different clays is significant to predict long‐term performance of high‐level radioactive waste (HLW) repositories. The importance of electrical double layer (EDL) on anionic tracer diffusion in different clays has been studied by both through‐diffusion experiments and pore‐scale simulations in this work. The through‐diffusion experiments measured the effective diffusion coefficient and the accessible porosity of Re (VII) in compacted montmorillonite, Na‐bentonite, and illite/smectite mixed layer (I/S) at different salinities. The results showed that the accessible porosity and the effective diffusion coefficient of Re (VII) in montmorillonite and Na‐bentonite were similar but lower than those in I/S under the same conditions. For mechanism analysis and predictions, a pore‐scale modeling was implemented to simulate the diffusion of anions in compacted clays. In the simulations, the characteristics (porosity, density, and total surface area) of microstructures of montmorillonite and I/S were used to regenerate three‐dimensional pore structures numerically by a Quartet Structure Generation Set method. The Re (VII) diffusion was then simulated by directly solving coupled Poisson‐Nernst‐Planck equations via the lattice Boltzmann method. The diminished effect of EDL was therefore calculated and compared with Donnan and multiporosity models. As EDLs overlap in compacted clays, the Donnan model overestimates the influence of EDL on Re (VII) diffusion, while the multiporosity model underestimates it. The pore‐scale modeling, which captures the structure of overlapping EDLs automatically, can simulate the diffusion of anionic radionuclides in compacted clays without any fitting parameters.
Effect of Plate Length on Subduction Kinematics and Slab Geometry: Insights From Buoyancy‐Driven Analog Subduction Models
Authors: Xue K. , Schellart W. P. , Strak V.
Published: October 2020

Subduction style is controlled by a variety of physical parameters. Here we investigate the effect of subducting plate length on subduction style using laboratory experiments of time‐evolving buoyancy‐driven subduction in 3‐D space. The investigation includes two experimental sets, one with a lower (~740) and one with a higher (~1,680) subducting plate‐to‐mantle viscosity ratio (ηSP/ηM). Each set involves five models with a free‐trailing‐edge subducting plate and variable plate length (20–60 cm, scaling to 1,600–4,800 km), and one model with a fixed‐trailing‐edge subducting plate representing an infinitely long plate. Through determining the contact area between subducting plate and underlying mantle, plate length affects the resistance to trenchward motion of the subducting plate and thus controls the partitioning of the subduction velocity (vS) into the subducting plate velocity (vSP) and trench velocity (vT). This subduction partitioning thereby determines the subduction style by controlling the dip angle of the slab tip once it first touches the 660 km discontinuity. The low ηSP/ηM models display two subduction styles. Short plates (≤40 cm) induce a higher subduction partitioning ratio (vSP/vS), promoting trench advance and slab rollover geometries, whereas longer plates (≥50 cm) lead to a lower vSP/vS, producing continuous trench retreat and backward slab draping geometries. In contrast, the high ηSP/ηM models exclusively show trench retreat with draping geometries, as the high ηSP/ηM enables less slab bending before its tip touches the 660 km discontinuity. Our study indicates that future modeling work should consider the effects of plate length on the style and evolution of subduction.
Evaluating Stratospheric Tropical Width Using Tracer Concentrations
Authors: Shah Kasturi S. , Solomon Susan , Thompson David W. J. , Kinnison Douglas E.
Published: October 2020

Quantifying the width of the tropics has important implications for understanding climate variability and the atmospheric response to anthropogenic forcing. Considerable effort has been placed on quantifying the width of the tropics at tropospheric levels, but substantially less effort has been placed on quantifying the width at stratospheric levels. Here we probe tropical width in the stratosphere using chemical tracers, which are accessible by direct measurement. Two new tracer‐based width metrics are developed, denoted here as the “1σ method” and the gradient weighted latitude (GWL) method. We evaluate widths from three tracers, CH4, N2O, and SF6. We demonstrate that unlike previously proposed stratospheric width methods using tracers, these metrics perform consistently throughout the depth of the stratosphere, at all times of year and on coarse temporal data. The GWL tracer‐based widths correlate well with the turnaround latitude and the critical level, where wave dissipation occurs, in the upper and midstratosphere during certain months of the year. In the lower stratosphere, the deseasonalized tracer‐based widths near the tropical tropopause correlate with the deseasonalized tropopause‐height based metrics. We also find that tracer‐tracer width correlations are strongest at pressure levels where their chemical lifetimes are similar. These metrics represent another useful way to estimate stratospheric tropical width and explore any changes under anthropogenic forcing.
Effects of Terrain and Landmass Near Fujian Province of China on the Structure and Propagation of a Long‐Lived Rainband in Typhoon Longwang (2005): A Numerical Study
Authors: Li Yuanlong , Wang Yuqing , Lin Yanluan , Fei Rong , Gao Jianyun
Published: October 2020

A ~14‐hr long‐lived spiral rainband in Typhoon Longwang (2005) produced catastrophic rainfall in Fujian Province of China on 2 October 2005. In this study, the effects of terrain and landmass near Fujian on the structure and propagation of this rainband are investigated through high‐resolution numerical simulations. Results show that although the terrain and landmass near Fujian played a marginal role in the formation of the rainband, both greatly affected the structure and propagation of the rainband. Namely, convection in the upwind sector of the rainband tended to be maintained and locked up near the coastline in the control experiment with both the terrain and landmass near Fujian retained, but shrank more inland with the terrain near Fujian flattened, and further inland with the landmass near Fujian replaced by the virtual ocean. It is found that due to the land‐sea surface roughness contrast, the upstream tangential winds from ocean would be substantially decelerated over land and thus induced a local subgradient force onshore near the coastline. The radially inward agradient force and the subsequent surface friction helped maintain the moisture convergence, and thus convection and the cold pool in the upwind sector of the rainband near the coastline. Although the orographic lifting and blocking effects were found to be marginal to the moisture convergence in the rainband, the terrains near Fujian enhanced the deceleration of surface winds, enhancing the effect of land‐sea surface roughness contrast on low‐level moisture convergence and thus the lockup of the upwind sector of the rainband.
Storm Time Plasma Pressure Inferred From Multimission Measurements and Its Validation Using Van Allen Probes Particle Data
Authors: Stephens G. K. , Bingham S. T. , Sitnov M. I. , Gkioulidou M. , Merkin V. G. , Korth H. , Tsyganenko N. A. , Ukhorskiy A. Y.
Published: October 2020

The k‐nearest‐neighbor technique is used to mine a multimission magnetometer database for a subset of data points from time intervals that are similar to the storm state of the magnetosphere for a particular moment in time. These subsets of data are then used to fit an empirical magnetic field model. Performing this for each snapshot in time reconstructs the dynamic evolution of the magnetic and electric current density distributions during storms. However, because weaker storms occur more frequently than stronger storms, the reconstructions are biased toward them. We demonstrate that distance weighting the nearest‐neighbors mitigates this issue while allowing a sufficient amount of data to be included in the fitting procedure to limit overfitting. Using this technique, we reconstruct the distribution of the magnetic field and electric currents and their evolution for two storms, the intense 17–19 March 2015 “Saint Patrick's Day” storm and a moderate storm occurring on 13–15 July 2013, from which the pressure distributions can be computed assuming isotropy and by integrating the steady‐state force‐balance equation. As the main phase of a storm progresses in time, the westward ring current density and pressure increases in the inner magnetosphere particularly on the nightside, becoming more symmetric as the recovery phase progresses. We validate the empirical pressure by comparing it to the observed pressures from the Van Allen Probes mission by summing over particle fluxes from all available energy channels and species.
Optimization Strategies for in Situ Groundwater Remediation by a Vertical Circulation Well Based on Particle‐Tracking and Node‐Dependent Finite Difference Methods
Authors: Zhu Qi , Wen Zhang , Zhan Hongbin , Yuan Songhu
Published: October 2020

Both theory and application of multispecies reactive transport for in situ groundwater bioremediation involving a vertical circulation well (VCW) are not fully understood despite its importance and common usage in aquifer remediation practices. This study proposes novel approaches including two methods for design and remediation prediction of a VCW system, which involves multispecies, multiphase, and microbially enhanced reactive transport process. One is particle‐tracking method, which depicts the trajectories of particles released from an injection chamber; the other is node‐dependent finite difference (NDFD) method, which describes the advection‐dispersion process based on the inflow and outflow directions at each node. The numerical results demonstrate that the particle‐tracking method works well by yielding a useful index, that is, the recovery ratio, which helps optimize the in situ preliminary remediation screening. When biochemical parameters, dispersivities, and in situ contaminated conditions are known after the preliminary screening, the NDFD method performs better than the conventional Laplace transform finite difference method in terms of describing multispecies reactive transport with multiple phases in a VCW system. The proposed particle‐tracking method and NDFD methods are employed to elucidate different effects of factors such as injection mode, hydraulic conductivity anisotropy ratio, distance between injection and extraction screened intervals, and injection/extraction rate on recovery and removal ratios. Our findings suggest that both methods are effective tools for optimization and prediction of VCW remediation in an anisotropic aquifer.
A Fourier Series Solution for Transient Three‐Dimensional Thermohaline Convection in Porous Enclosures
Authors: Tabrizinejadas Sara , Fahs Marwan , Ataie‐Ashtiani Behzad , Simmons Craig T. , di Chiara Roupert Raphaël , Younes Anis
Published: October 2020

Thermohaline convection (THC) in porous media is frequently investigated using the problem of porous enclosure. Most of the existing modeling‐based studies are limited to 2‐D simulations, because 2‐D assumption is widely used to deal with computational requirement of 3‐D numerical solutions. Analytical solutions serve as an alternative to deal with computational requirement of numerical solutions. Existing analytical solutions of THC are mostly limited to 2‐D and also under steady‐state regime. In this work, we develop a meshless 3‐D semianalytical solution for the problem of THC in a porous box under crossed thermal and solute gradients, for both steady state and transient regimes. The semianalytical solution is developed using the Fourier series (FS) method applied to the vector potential form of the governing equations. The extension to transient solutions represents an important technical feature of this work, as the applications of the FS method to density‐driven problems have been limited to steady‐state conditions. The FS solution is validated against a finite element solution obtained using COMSOL Multiphysics. Numerical experiments show the worthiness of the developed FS solution as a benchmark because it clearly allows making distinction between different numerical techniques. The effects of governing parameters on three‐dimensional THC have not been investigated previously. We perform a detailed parameter sensitivity analysis to address this gap. A vortex convective flow is observed and the orientation and intensity of the flow is sensitive to the gravity number. The increase in the temperature gradient reduces the salinity flux.
Correction: Whole-blood expression of inflammasome- and glucocorticoid-related mRNAs correctly separates treatment-resistant depressed patients from drug-free and responsive patients in the BIODEP study
Authors: Cattaneo Annamaria , Ferrari Clarissa , Turner Lorinda , Mariani Nicole , Enache Daniela , Hastings Caitlin , Kose Melisa , Lombardo Giulia , McLaughlin Anna P. , Nettis Maria A. , Nikkheslat Naghmeh , Sforzini Luca , Worrell Courtney , Zajkowska Zuzanna , Cattane Nadia , Lopizzo Nicola , Mazzelli Monica , Pointon Linda , Cowen Philip J. , Cavanagh Jonathan , Harrison Neil A. , de Boer Peter , Jones Declan , Drevets Wayne C. , Mondelli Valeria , Bullmore Edward T. ,   the Neuroimmunology of Mood Disorders and Alzheimer’s Disease (NIMA) Consortium, Pariante Carmine M.
Published: October 2020

We have corrected this Article post-publication, because Dr. Cattaneo’s affiliation details were originally incorrect (she was affiliated with three institutions but is in fact only linked to one: Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia). These changes reflect in both the PDF and HTML versions of this Article.
Multiple myeloma and SARS-CoV-2 infection: clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of inpatient mortality
Authors: Martínez-López Joaquín , Mateos María-Victoria , Encinas Cristina , Sureda Anna , Hernández-Rivas José Ángel , Lopez de la Guía Ana , Conde Diego , Krsnik Isabel , Prieto Elena , Riaza Grau Rosalía , Gironella Mercedes , Blanchard María Jesús , Caminos Nerea , Fernández de Larrea Carlos , Senin María Alicia , Escalante Fernando , de la Puerta José Enrique , Giménez Eugenio , Martínez-Barranco Pilar , Mateos Juan José , Casado Luis Felipe , Bladé Joan , Lahuerta Juan José , de la Cruz Javier , San-Miguel Jesús
Published: October 2020

There is limited information on the characteristics, prognostic factors, and outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) hospitalized with COVID-19. This retrospective case series investigated 167 patients reported from 73 hospitals within the Spanish Myeloma Collaborative Group network in March and April, 2020. Outcomes were compared with 167 randomly selected, contemporary, age-/sex-matched noncancer patients with COVID-19 admitted at six participating hospitals. Among MM and noncancer patients, median age was 71 years, and 57% of patients were male; 75 and 77% of patients, respectively, had at least one comorbidity. COVID-19 clinical severity was moderate–severe in 77 and 89% of patients and critical in 8 and 4%, respectively. Supplemental oxygen was required by 47 and 55% of MM and noncancer patients, respectively, and 21%/9% vs 8%/6% required noninvasive/invasive ventilation. Inpatient mortality was 34 and 23% in MM and noncancer patients, respectively. Among MM patients, inpatient mortality was 41% in males, 42% in patients aged >65 years, 49% in patients with active/progressive MM at hospitalization, and 59% in patients with comorbid renal disease at hospitalization, which were independent prognostic factors on adjusted multivariate analysis. This case series demonstrates the increased risk and identifies predictors of inpatient mortality among MM patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Impact of age on sorafenib outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma: an international cohort study
Authors: Hajiev Saur , Allara Elias , Motedayеn Aval Leila , Arizumi Tadaaki , Bettinger Dominik , Pirisi Mario , Rimassa Lorenza , Pressiani Tiziana , Personeni Nicola , Giordano Laura , Kudo Masatoshi , Thimme Robert , Park Joong-Won , Taddei Tamar H. , Kaplan David E. , Ramaswami Ramya , Pinato David J. , Sharma Rohini
Published: October 2020

Background

There is no consensus on the effect of sorafenib dosing on efficacy and toxicity in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Older patients are often empirically started on low-dose therapy with the aim to avoid toxicities while maximising clinical efficacy. We aimed to verify whether age impacts on overall survival (OS) and whether a reduced starting dose impacts on OS or toxicity experienced by the elderly.

Methods

In an international, multicentre cohort study, outcomes for those aged <75 or ≥75 years were determined while accounting for common prognostic factors and demographic characteristics in univariable and multivariable models.

Results

Five thousand five hundred and ninety-eight patients were recruited; 792 (14.1%) were aged ≥75 years. The elderly were more likely to have larger tumours (>7 cm) (39 vs 33%,p < 0.01) with preserved liver function (67 vs 57.7%) (p < 0.01). No difference in the median OS of those aged ≥75 years and <75 was noted (7.3 months vs 7.2 months; HR 1.00 (95% CI 0.93–1.08),p = 0.97). There was no relationship between starting dose of sorafenib 800 mg vs 400 mg/200 mg and OS between those <75 and ≥75 years. The elderly experienced a similar overall incidence of grade 2–4 sorafenib-related toxicity compared to <75 years (63.5 vs 56.7%,p = 0.11). However, the elderly were more likely to discontinue sorafenib due to toxicity (27.0 vs 21.6%,p < 0.01). This did not vary between different starting doses of sorafenib.

Conclusions

Clinical outcomes in the elderly is equivalent to patients aged <75 years, independent of dose of sorafenib prescribed.
Semaphorin 7a is a biomarker for recurrence in postpartum breast cancer
Authors: Borges Virginia F. , Hu Junxiao , Young Chloe , Maggard Jaron , Parris Hannah J. , Gao Dexiang , Lyons Traci R.
Published: October 2020

Breast cancer is a global health threat and cases diagnosed in women during the years after childbirth, or postpartum breast cancers (PPBCs), have high risk for metastasis. In preclinical murine models, semaphorin 7a (SEMA7A) drives the metastatic potential of postpartum mammary tumors. Thus, we hypothesize that SEMA7A may drive metastasis of PPBC in women. We report that SEMA7A protein expression is increased in PPBCs compared to their nulliparous counterparts in our University of Colorado cohort. Additionally, tumors from PPBC patients with involved lymph nodes and lymphovascular invasion were higher on average suggesting a potential role for SEMA7A as a prognostic biomarker. Consistent with this hypothesis we identify a level of SEMA7A expression in tumors that can predict for recurrence. We propose SEMA7A as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for PPBC patients, who currently lack strong predictors of outcome and unique targeted therapy options.
Pre-diagnostic biomarkers of type 2 diabetes identified in the UAE’s obese national population using targeted metabolomics
Authors: Fikri Asma M. , Smyth Rosemary , Kumar Vijay , Al-Abadla Zainab , Abusnana Salahedeen , Munday Michael R.
Published: October 2020

Currently, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity are major global public health issues, and their prevalence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are among the highest in the world. In 2019, The UAE diabetes national prevalence was 15.4%. In recent years there has been a considerable investigation of predictive biomarkers associated with these conditions. This study analysed fasting (8 h) blood samples from an obese, normoglycemic cohort and an obese, T2DM cohort of UAE nationals, employing clinical chemistry analysis, 1D 1H NMR and mass spectroscopy (FIA-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS) techniques. The novel findings reported for the first time in a UAE population revealed significant differences in a number of metabolites in the T2DM cohort. Metabolic fingerprints identified by NMR included BCAAs, trimethylamine N-oxide, β-hydroxybutyrate, trimethyl uric acid, and alanine. A targeted MS approach showed significant differences in lysophosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylcholines, acylcarnitine, amino acids and sphingomyelins; Lyso.PC.a.C18.0, PC.ae.C34.2, C3.DC..C4.OH, glutamine and SM.C16.1, being the most significant metabolites. Pearson’s correlation studies showed associations between these metabolites and the clinical chemistry parameters across both cohorts. This report identified differences in metabolites in response to T2DM in agreement with many published population studies. This contributes to the global search for a bank of metabolite biomarkers that can predict the advent of T2DM and give insight to its pathogenic mechanisms.
Efficient trajectory optimization for curved running using a 3D musculoskeletal model with implicit dynamics
Authors: Nitschke Marlies , Dorschky Eva , Heinrich Dieter , Schlarb Heiko , Eskofier Bjoern M. , Koelewijn Anne D. , van den Bogert Antonie J.
Published: October 2020

Trajectory optimization with musculoskeletal models can be used to reconstruct measured movements and to predict changes in movements in response to environmental changes. It enables an exhaustive analysis of joint angles, joint moments, ground reaction forces, and muscle forces, among others. However, its application is still limited to simplified problems in two dimensional space or straight motions. The simulation of movements with directional changes, e.g. curved running, requires detailed three dimensional models which lead to a high-dimensional solution space. We extended a full-body three dimensional musculoskeletal model to be specialized for running with directional changes. Model dynamics were implemented implicitly and trajectory optimization problems were solved with direct collocation to enable efficient computation. Standing, straight running, and curved running were simulated starting from a random initial guess to confirm the capabilities of our model and approach: efficacy, tracking and predictive power. Altogether the simulations required 1 h 17 min and corresponded well to the reference data. The prediction of curved running using straight running as tracking data revealed the necessity of avoiding interpenetration of body segments. In summary, the proposed formulation is able to efficiently predict a new motion task while preserving dynamic consistency. Hence, labor-intensive and thus costly experimental studies could be replaced by simulations for movement analysis and virtual product design.
In situ structure of virus capsids within cell nuclei by correlative light and cryo-electron tomography
Authors: Vijayakrishnan Swetha , McElwee Marion , Loney Colin , Rixon Frazer , Bhella David
Published: October 2020

Cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM), a key method for structure determination involves imaging purified material embedded in vitreous ice. Images are then computationally processed to obtain three-dimensional structures approaching atomic resolution. There is increasing interest in extending structural studies by cryo-EM into the cell, where biological structures and processes may be imaged in context. The limited penetrating power of electrons prevents imaging of thick specimens (> 500 nm) however. Cryo-sectioning methods employed to overcome this are technically challenging, subject to artefacts or involve specialised and costly equipment. Here we describe the first structure of herpesvirus capsids determined by sub-tomogram averaging from nuclei of eukaryotic cells, achieved by cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) of re-vitrified cell sections prepared using the Tokuyasu method. Our reconstructions confirm that the capsid associated tegument complex is present on capsids prior to nuclear egress. We demonstrate that this method is suited to both 3D structure determination and correlative light/electron microscopy, thus expanding the scope of cryogenic cellular imaging.
Anti-GD2-IRDye800CW as a targeted probe for fluorescence-guided surgery in neuroblastoma
Authors: Wellens Lianne M. , Deken Marion M. , Sier Cornelis F. M. , Johnson Hannah R. , de la Jara Ortiz Fàtima , Bhairosingh Shadhvi S. , Houvast Ruben D. , Kholosy Waleed M. , Baart Victor M. , Pieters Annique M. M. J. , de Krijger Ronald R. , Molenaar Jan J. , Wehrens Ellen J. , Dekkers Johanna F. , Wijnen Marc H. W. A. , Vahrmeijer Alexander L. , Rios Anne C.
Published: October 2020

Neuroblastoma resection represents a major challenge in pediatric surgery, because of the high risk of complications. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) could lower this risk by facilitating discrimination of tumor from normal tissue and is gaining momentum in adult oncology. Here, we provide the first molecular-targeted fluorescent agent for FGS in pediatric oncology, by developing and preclinically evaluating a GD2-specific tracer consisting of the immunotherapeutic antibody dinutuximab-beta, recently approved for neuroblastoma treatment, conjugated to near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dye IRDye800CW. We demonstrated specific binding of anti-GD2-IRDye800CW to human neuroblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo using xenograft mouse models. Furthermore, we defined an optimal dose of 1 nmol, an imaging time window of 4 days after administration and show that neoadjuvant treatment with anti-GD2 immunotherapy does not interfere with fluorescence imaging. Importantly, as we observed universal, yet heterogeneous expression of GD2 on neuroblastoma tissue of a wide range of patients, we implemented a xenograft model of patient-derived neuroblastoma organoids with differential GD2 expression and show that even low GD2 expressing tumors still provide an adequate real-time fluorescence signal. Hence, the imaging advancement presented in this study offers an opportunity for improving surgery and potentially survival of a broad group of children with neuroblastoma.
Prevalence and determinants of uterine rupture in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Alemu Addisu Alehegn , Bitew Mezinew Sintayehu , Gelaw Kelemu Abebe , Zeleke Liknaw Bewket , Kassa Getachew Mullu
Published: October 2020

Uterine rupture is a serious public health concern that causes high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in the developing world. Few of the studies conducted in Ethiopia show a high discrepancy in the prevalence of uterine rupture, which ranges between 1.6 and 16.7%. There also lacks a national study on this issue in Ethiopia. This systematic and meta-analysis, therefore, was conducted to assess the prevalence and determinants of uterine rupture in Ethiopia. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for systematic review and meta-analysis of studies. All observational published studies were retrieved using relevant search terms in Google scholar, African Journals Online, CINHAL, HINARI, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and PubMed (Medline) databases. Newcastle–Ottawa assessment checklist for observational studies was used for critical appraisal of the included articles. The meta-analysis was done with STATA version 14 software. The I2 test statistics were used to assess heterogeneity among included studies, and publication bias was assessed using Begg's and Egger's tests. Odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was presented using forest plots. A total of twelve studies were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of uterine rupture was 3.98% (95% CI 3.02, 4.95). The highest (7.82%) and lowest (1.53%) prevalence were identified in Amhara and Southern Nations, Nationality and Peoples Region (SNNPR), respectively. Determinants of uterine rupture were urban residence (OR = 0.15 (95% CI 0.09, 0.23)), primipara (OR = 0.12 (95% CI 0.06, 0.27)), previous cesarean section (OR = 3.23 (95% CI 2.12, 4.92)), obstructed labor(OR = 12.21 (95% CI 6.01, 24.82)), and partograph utilization (OR = 0.12 (95% CI 0.09, 0.17)). Almost one in twenty-five mothers had uterine rupture in Ethiopia. Urban residence, primiparity, previous cesarean section, obstructed labor and partograph utilization were significantly associated with uterine rupture. Therefore, intervention programs should address the identified factors to reduce the prevalence of uterine rupture.
Improved NDVI based proxy leaf-fall indicator to assess rainfall sensitivity of deciduousness in the central Indian forests through remote sensing
Authors: Singh Beependra , Jeganathan C. , Rathore V. S.
Published: October 2020

Quantifying the leaf-fall dynamics in the tropical deciduous forest will help in modeling regional energy balance and nutrient recycle pattern, but the traditional ground-based leaf-fall enumeration is a tedious and geographically limited approach. Therefore, there is a need for a reliable spatial proxy leaf-fall (i.e., deciduousness) indicator. In this context, this study attempted to improve the existing deciduousness metric using time-series NDVI data (MOD13Q1; 250 m; 16 days interval) and investigated its spatio-temporal variability and sensitivity to rainfall anomalies across the central Indian tropical forest over 18 years (2001–2018). The study also analysed the magnitude of deciduousness during extreme (i.e., dry and wet) and normal rainfall years, and compared its variability with the old metric. The improved NDVI based deciduousness metric performed satisfactorily, as its observed variations were in tandem with ground observations in different forest types, and for different pheno-classes. This is the first kind of study in India revealing the spatio-temporal character of leaf-fall in different ecoregions, elevation gradients and vegetation fraction.
A step-down photophobic response in coral larvae: implications for the light-dependent distribution of the common reef coral, Acropora tenuis
Authors: Sakai Yusuke , Kato Kagayaki , Koyama Hiroshi , Kuba Alyson , Takahashi Hiroki , Fujimori Toshihiko , Hatta Masayuki , Negri Andrew P. , Baird Andrew H. , Ueno Naoto
Published: October 2020

Behavioral responses to environmental factors at the planktonic larval stage can have a crucial influence on habitat selection and therefore adult distributions in many benthic organisms. Reef-building corals show strong patterns of zonation across depth or underwater topography, with different suites of species aggregating in different light environments. One potential mechanism driving this pattern is the response of free-swimming larvae to light. However, there is little experimental support for this hypothesis; in particular, there are few direct and quantitative observations of larval behavior in response to light. Here, we analyzed the swimming behavior of larvae of the common reef coral Acropora tenuis under various light conditions. Larvae exhibited a step-down photophobic response, i.e. a marked decrease in swimming speed, in response to a rapid attenuation (step-down) of light intensity. Observations of larvae under different wavelengths indicated that only the loss of blue light (wavelengths between 400 and 500 nm) produced a significant response. Mathematical simulations of this step-down photophobic response indicate that larvae will aggregate in the lighter areas of two-dimensional large rectangular fields. These results suggest that the step-down photophobic response of coral larvae may play an important role in determining where larval settle on the reef.
Automatic evaluation of degree of cleanliness in capsule endoscopy based on a novel CNN architecture
Authors: Noorda Reinier , Nevárez Andrea , Colomer Adrián , Pons Beltrán Vicente , Naranjo Valery
Published: October 2020

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a widely used, minimally invasive alternative to traditional endoscopy that allows visualisation of the entire small intestine. Patient preparation can help to obtain a cleaner intestine and thus better visibility in the resulting videos. However, studies on the most effective preparation method are conflicting due to the absence of objective, automatic cleanliness evaluation methods. In this work, we aim to provide such a method capable of presenting results on an intuitive scale, with a relatively light-weight novel convolutional neural network architecture at its core. We trained our model using 5-fold cross-validation on an extensive data set of over 50,000 image patches, collected from 35 different CE procedures, and compared it with state-of-the-art classification methods. From the patch classification results, we developed a method to automatically estimate pixel-level probabilities and deduce cleanliness evaluation scores through automatically learnt thresholds. We then validated our method in a clinical setting on 30 newly collected CE videos, comparing the resulting scores to those independently assigned by human specialists. We obtained the highest classification accuracy for the proposed method (95.23%), with significantly lower average prediction times than for the second-best method. In the validation of our method, we found acceptable agreement with two human specialists compared to interhuman agreement, showing its validity as an objective evaluation method.
Mosaic fungal individuals have the potential to evolve within a single generation
Authors: Tyrrell Maura G. , Peabody Diane C. , Peabody Robert B. , James-Pederson Magdalena , Hirst Rachel G. , Allan-Perkins Elisha , Bickford Heather , Shafrir Amy , Doiron Robert J. , Churchill Amber C. , Ramirez-Tapia Juan Carlos , Seidel Benjamin , Torres Lynes , Fallavollita Kathryn , Hernon Thomas , Wiswell Lindsay , Wilson Sarah , Mondo Erica , Salisbury Kathleen , Peabody Carrie , Cabral Patrick , Presti Lauren , McKenna-Hoffman Kelsey , Flannery Michele , Daly Kaitlin , Haghighat Darius , Lukason Daniel
Published: October 2020

Although cells of mushroom-producing fungi typically contain paired haploid nuclei (n + n), mostArmillaria gallicavegetative cells are uninucleate. As vegetative nuclei are produced by fusions of paired haploid nuclei, they are thought to be diploid (2n). Here we report finding haploid vegetative nuclei inA. gallicaat multiple sites in southeastern Massachusetts, USA. Sequencing multiple clones of a single-copy gene isolated from single hyphal filaments revealed nuclear heterogeneity both among and within hyphae. Cytoplasmic bridges connected hyphae in field-collected and cultured samples, and we propose nuclear migration through bridges maintains this nuclear heterogeneity. Growth studies demonstrate among- and within-hypha phenotypic variation for growth in response to gallic acid, a plant-produced antifungal compound. The existence of both genetic and phenotypic variation within vegetative hyphae suggests that fungal individuals have the potential to evolve within a single generation in response to environmental variation over time and space.
Quantifying semi-volatile organic contaminants in solution by internal standard addition method requires prompt addition of the internal standards
Authors: Otim Ochan , Rocha Jesus
Published: October 2020

The precision and accuracy of quantifying semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in solution by GC/MS, particularly when volume errors are unpredictable or difficult to control, are improved by utilizing internal standards (IS). Not obvious though is the extent to which timing IS addition affects measurement. To illustrate this fact, the mean concentrations of 60 SVOCs (40 or 80 μg/mL) in two identical solutions into which IS were added at different times are compared in this study. In one solution, IS were added promptly on preparation (reference); in the other, IS were added after 36 days of incubation (treatment). To investigate the role that temperature might play here as well, equal fractions of each solution were incubated at − 20 °C, 4 °C or 22 °C. Results, as determined by one-way ANOVA, show that there were no differences between the reference solutions at the beginning and after 36 days (F3,236 = 0.244, p = 0.865), but that significant differences exist between the reference solutions collectively and the treatment irrespective of temperature (F6,413 = 6.76, p = 1.99e−06). These results, confirmed by a post hoc analysis, suggest that uncertainty is introduced into SVOC quantitation when internal standards are not added promptly into SVOCs solutions on preparation.
Low prevalence of end plate junction failure in danish patients with lumbar disc herniation
Authors: O’Neill Søren Francis Dyhrberg , Fidelman Jonas Morten , Haarup Linne Steinar , Lund Christian , Konner Mikkel Brunsgaard
Published: October 2020

The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of endplate junction failure in a smaller cohort of Danish patients with lumbar disk herniation and compare this to the previously published data from India. Consecutive patients seen in a large regional hospital spine-care unit, with a clinical presentation suggesting a lumbar disk herniation with concomitant radiculopathy and confirmatory recent MRI were included. Additional imaging by CT was performed as part of the study and these were analyzed with specific attention to endplate junction failures. For ethical reasons, the number of participants was kept to a minimum and a total of 26 patients were included. The prevalence (n = 5) of endplate junction failure was found to be statistically significantly lower than that previously reported. Our findings do not echo those previously reported in an Indian population: Endplate junction failure was indeed observed, but at a significantly lower rate. We discuss potential reasons for the difference in findings with due attention to the weaknesses of the current study.
A novel nomogram predicting the risk of positive biopsy for patients in the diagnostic gray area of prostate cancer
Authors: Hou Guang-Dong , Zheng Yu , Zheng Wan-Xiang , Gao Ming , Zhang Lei , Hou Niu-Niu , Yuan Jia-Rui , Wei Di , Ju Dong-En , Dun Xin-Long , Wang Fu-Li , Yuan Jian-Lin
Published: October 2020

The roles played by several inflammatory factors in screening for prostate cancer (PCa) among gray area patients, namely those with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels between 4 and 10 ng/ml, have not been completely identified, and few effective diagnostic nomograms have been developed exclusively for these patients. We aimed to investigate new independent predictors of positive biopsy (PB) results and develop a novel diagnostic nomogram for this group of patients. The independent predictors of PB results were identified, and a nomogram was constructed using multivariate logistic regression analysis based on a cohort comprising 401 Gy area patients diagnosed at Xijing Hospital (Xi’an, China) between January 2016 and December 2019. The predictive accuracy of the nomogram was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the nomogram was calibrated by comparing the prediction with the observation. The performance of the nomogram was further validated using an independent cohort. Finally, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) > 4.11 and red blood cell distribution width (RDW)-standard deviation (SD) > 42.9 fl were identified as independent protective predictors of PB results, whereas PSA density (PSAD) > 0.141 was identified as an independent risk predictor. The nomogram established using PSAD, LMR, and RDW-SD was perfectly calibrated, and its predictive accuracy was superior to that of PSAD in both internal and external validations (0.827 vs 0.769 and 0.765 vs 0.713, respectively). This study is the first to report the importance of LMR and RDW-SD in screening for PCa among gray area patients and to construct an exclusive nomogram to predict the individual risk of positive 13-core biopsy results in this group of patients. With superior performance over PSAD, our nomogram will help increase the accuracy of PCa screening, thereby avoiding unnecessary biopsy.
Association of short term exposure to Asian dust with increased blood pressure
Authors: Ishii Masanobu , Seki Tomotsugu , Sakamoto Kenji , Kaikita Koichi , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Tsujita Kenichi , Masuda Izuru , Kawakami Koji
Published: October 2020

Air pollution causes hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. Asian dust (AD) reportedly induces asthma or acute myocardial infarction along with air pollution, but its impact on blood pressure (BP) is unknown. We investigated the association between short-term AD exposure and BP fluctuations in 300,952 individuals whose BP was measured during April 2005–March 2015 and divided them into AD and non-AD groups based on visitation for AD-related events. AD’s occurrence, air pollutants’ concentration (suspended particulate matter, SO2, NO2, photochemical oxidants), and meteorological variables (mean ambient temperature, relative humidity) were obtained from a monitoring station; AD events correlated with decreased visibility (< 10 km). We observed 61 AD days, with 3897 participants undergoing medical check-ups. Short-term AD exposure at lag day-0 was significantly associated with higher systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and pulse rate (PR) risk (β = 1.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35–2.35 for SBP, β = 2.24, 95% CI 1.88–2.61 for DBP, β = 0.52, 95% CI 0.14–0.91 for PR) using multi-pollutant model. Population-attributable fractions exposed to AD were 11.5% for those with elevated SBP (SBP ≥ 120 mmHg) and 23.7% for those with hypertension (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg). This study showed a strong association between short-term AD exposure and increased SBP and DBP.