bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Association Between Total Relative Value Unit and 90-Day Mortality After Noncardiac Surgery: A Hospital Data Registry Study
Authors: Oh Tak Kyu , Song In-Ae , Choi YoungRok
Published: June 2020

Objective. The total relative value unit (TRVU) of surgery reflects surgical complexity. However, its impact on mortality after noncardiac surgery has not been identified. This study aimed to investigate the association of TRVUs for surgery with postoperative 90-day mortality in adult patients who received planned, elective noncardiac surgery. We hypothesized that higher TRVU was associated with an increase in 90-day mortality after noncardiac surgery. Method. This retrospective cohort study analyzed medical records of adult patients admitted to a single tertiary academic hospital between January 2012 and December 2018 for planned elective noncardiac surgery. The primary end point was 90-day mortality. Results. A total of 112 606 patients were included. Among them, 561 patients (.5%) exhibited mortality within 90-days. In the multivariable model, an increase of 10 000 points of TRVUs was not significantly associated with 90-day mortality (odds ratio: .98, 95% confidence interval: .93 to 1.04; P = .536). Additionally, when it was divided into 4 quartile groups (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4), Q2, Q3, and Q4 group of TRVUs were not associated with 90-day mortality compared to the Q1 group of TRVUs ( P = .058, .984, and .237, respectively). In receiver-operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve of TRVUs for a 90-day mortality rate was .61. Conclusions. In conclusion , TRVUs were not associated significantly with a 90-day mortality rate after noncardiac surgery and have a low predictive ability for 90-day mortality after noncardiac surgery alone.
Modified Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection Procedure for Limited Rectal Prolapse: A Viable Alternative to the Delorme Operation
Authors: Chen Hua-Xian , Chen Zu-Qing , Huang Liang , Han Chang-Peng , Dou Ruo-Xu , Ren Dong-Lin , Lin Hong-Cheng
Published: June 2020

Purpose. The optimal surgical approach for full-thickness rectal prolapse (FTRP) remains controversial. In China, patients with limited FTRP (<5 cm in length) are usually managed by perineal surgery. We retrospectively assessed the outcome of Delorme’s procedure and compared it with modified stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR). Methods. The study was conducted in 2 public tertiary referral centers in China with modified STARR or Delorme's procedure performed by experienced surgeons. Outcomes assessed recurrence, operative times, blood loss, complications, length of hospital stay, and continence and constipation scoring. Results. Between December 2012 and May 2019, 65 patients were assessed, including 48 with modified STARR (group 1) and 17 with Delorme’s procedure (group 2). The median follow-up was 22 months (range, 3-86 months). The mean operative time for group 1 was 37.4 ± 17.5 minutes vs 74.3 ± 30.6 minutes for group 2 ( P < .001). The blood loss for group 1 was significantly lower than that for group 2 (17.4 ± 15.9 mL vs 27.8 ± 16.7 mL, respectively; P = .028). There was no significant difference between groups in recurrence (group 1 18.8% vs group 2 23.5%; P = .944) with no effect of operation type. Both procedures showed improvement in constipation and continence scoring with a similar impact. Conclusions. Modified STARR and the Delorme operation are comparable in managing limited FTRP with superior results in operative time and blood loss for STARR.
Garment customization big data–processing and analysis in optimization design
Authors: Ji Yong , Jiang Gaoming
Published: June 2020

In order to adapt to the expansion and transformation of the garment customization, big data is increasingly used in the online customization process. The aim of our research was to propose a method of tailoring clothing throughout the early stages of personal design and product development. This approach improves the understanding of garment fitting by analyzing individual preferences, and also helps designers capture user needs more quickly and deal with them more accurately. Our approach is built upon garment customization using unsupervised approach to learning visual compatibility from clothing data sets. For the garment definition, a competitive analysis was made to identify garment custom process. Then, training model was applied in personal customization environment while examining the links through machine learning module. Indeed, garment customization with big data provides new insights into garment customization, in terms of effectively optimizing the combination of mix-and-match clothing choices as well as generative learning of fashion design.
Rethinking higher education for Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey
Authors: Fincham Kathleen
Published: June 2020

Within the Middle East and North Africa region, more than 5,600,000 Syrian refugees are currently registered with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) as seen here https://www.unhcr.org/. Amongst university-aged refugees, only a small fraction (Jordan – 8%, Lebanon – 6%, Turkey – 1%) are currently enrolled in higher education. This paper, based on empirical qualitative research with Syrian refugee youth, is a critical investigation into their access to, and experiences with, higher education opportunities provided for them by local and international partners. Using interview and focus group data, the paper examines the availability, accessibility, acceptability and adaptability of higher education opportunities currently on offer for Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. The paper argues that while access to higher education is increasing for refugees within the Syrian context, accessibility, acceptability and adaptability of these opportunities to the needs of refugees remains problematic. In this way, higher education often falls short of enabling refugees to live lives that they have reason to value.
Coronavirus disease 2019 and stroke in Iran: a case series and effects on stroke admissions
Authors: Mehrpour M , Shuaib A , Farahani M , Hatamabadi HR , Fatehi Z , Ghaffari M , Moghadam NB , Aghamiri SH , Mansouri B , Assarzadegan F , Lima BS , Hesami O
Published: June 2020

Objective

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has affected healthcare systems around the globe and massively impacted patients with various non-infectious, life-threatening conditions. Stroke is a major neurological disease contributing to death and disability worldwide, and is still an ongoing issue during the pandemic. Here we investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak on stroke manifestations, treatment courses, the outcome of stroke patients, and the hospitalization rate in a referral center for stroke management in Tehran, Iran.

Methods

We extracted data regarding 31 stroke patients (10 patients with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019) and compared the demographic and pathological characteristics of the patients with or without coronavirus disease 2019 infection. The association of demographic/pathological characteristics of stroke patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and a corresponding period during the previous year (49 patients) and an earlier period during the same year as the pandemic (50 patients) was also evaluated.

Results

The absolute number of admissions decreased about 40% during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Except for the stroke severity (P = 0.002), there were no significant changes in the demographic and pathological characteristics of the stroke patients during the three studied periods. A significantly higher mean of age (75.60 ± 9.54 versus 60.86 ± 18.45; P = 0.007), a significant difference in the type of stroke (P = 0.046), and significantly higher stroke severity (P = 0.024) were observed in stroke patients with coronavirus disease 2019 compared with those of stroke patients without coronavirus disease 2019. Treatment approaches, duration of hospitalization, and mortality rates did not differ significantly.

Conclusions

This report shows that the pandemic caused the number of acute stroke admissions to plummet compared to other periods. Although the pandemic did not affect the treatment plans and care of the patients, stroke cases with coronavirus disease 2019 had higher age, more large vessel ischemic stroke, and more severe stroke. Further studies are urgently needed to realize the probable interaction of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the neurologic disease.
A facile synthesis of polysubstituted furo[2,3-d]pyrimidinones and 1,2,4-triazole-fused derivatives
Authors: Gao Hai-Tao , Ma Jun-Kai , Hu Yang-Gen , Wang Hong-Mei
Published: June 2020

In this paper, a series of polysubstituted furo[2,3- d]pyrimidinones, including 1,2,4-triazole-fused derivatives, are synthesized via aza-Wittig reactions of iminophosphoranes, under mild conditions.
A one-pot synthesis of 2-aminothiazoles via the coupling of ketones and thiourea using I2/dimethyl sulfoxide as a catalytic oxidative system
Authors: Zhang Qian , Wu Jiefei , Pan Zexi , Zhang Wen , Zhou Wei
Published: June 2020

A series of 2-aminothiazoles is prepared in moderate-to-good yields by the direct coupling of ketones and thiourea using I2/dimethyl sulfoxide as a catalytic oxidative system. This method avoids the preparation of lachrymatory and toxic α-haloketones and the use of an acid-binding agent, thus providing a more convenient approach to 2-aminothiazoles compared to the Hantzsch reaction.
Theorizing the Social Through Literary Fiction: For a New Sociology of Literature
Authors: Váňa Jan
Published: June 2020

When analyzing literary fiction, most cultural sociologists still accept the well-established boundaries between the literary and the sociological, thus leaving literature stripped of its aesthetic qualities. Instead, I propose a new approach that focuses on the process of meaning-making as it occurs within the interaction between the reader and the novel in a given socio-historical setting. This allows analysts to capture those aspects of understanding social experience which are usually ‘lost in translation’ between fictional and sociological genres. My major claims are that, first, when referring to social experience, both sociological and literary texts employ aesthetic devices to mediate understanding for the reader. Second, within the literary genre, the understanding of social experience relies much more on the emotional engagement of the reader through a reading process facilitated by these aesthetic devices. Third, to benefit methodologically and epistemologically from the lyrical understanding of social experience mediated by literature, cultural sociologists must be particularly sensitive to the subtlety and ambiguity of meanings mediated by the aesthetic. The methodological advantage gained is the analysis of deeper cultural meanings grounded in, yet also going beyond, an emotionally and existentially experienced social reality, which is intersubjectively shared and filtered by various groups of readers and cultural intermediaries. The epistemological advantage gained by overcoming the assumed inferiority of literature is that cultural sociological research unlocks a whole new area for understanding the meanings of social life, especially its non-discursive dimensions. The research model I propose for a new sociology of literature adopts the landscape of meaning concept developed by Isaac Reed in combination with the aesthetic structuralism of Czech linguist Jan Mukařovský. This model will be demonstrated through an interpretive analysis of the Czech novel Sestra (published in English as City Sister Silver) by Jáchym Topol.
The impact of participatory arts in promoting social relationships for older people within care homes
Authors: Dadswell A , Bungay H , Wilson C , Munn-Giddings C
Published: June 2020

Aims:

Loneliness and social isolation negatively affect wellbeing and quality of life. Despite the proximity of others, older people living in care homes often experience loneliness and social isolation. The impact of participatory arts on wellbeing is widely acknowledged; however, relational impacts have received less attention. This article explores the impact of participatory arts in care homes on the social relationships between older people and older people and care staff.

Methods:

‘Creative Journeys’, an initiative led by Essex County Council, provides opportunities for older people living in care homes to participate in arts activities. In this study, three arts organisations (reminiscence arts, seated dance, and orchestral music participation) delivered participatory arts in three homes. Stage 1 of the research comprised mixed-methods case studies in each home. Stage 2 involved an online survey across care homes in Essex to provide a broader perspective, with follow-up interviews in three further homes, and a focus group with the arts organisations. Findings presented here focus on the qualitative data around the impact of participatory arts on the social relationships in care homes between older people and older people and care staff.

Results:

Participatory arts enhanced social relationships between older people and between older people and care staff in care homes. Through engagement in shared experiences leading to increased communication and interaction, participatory arts facilitated social connectedness between residents, and changed the relationship dynamics between older people and care staff, thus promoting reciprocity.

Conclusion:

Participatory arts enable older people to express themselves creatively, and make meaningful contributions to their social relationships. Policy makers and those working in the care sector should consider including participatory arts as an integral and necessary component of quality care for older people living in care homes.
Butanolic Extract of Noni Inhibits Proliferation, Inflammation, and Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) Expression in Cultured Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Matsui Takanori , Ishibashi Yuji , Sotokawauchi Ami , Isami Fumiyuki , Abe Yumi , Yamagishi Sho-ichi
Published: June 2020

Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) plays a central role in smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and inflammation, being involved in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We have previously found that butanolic extract of noni, a tropical plant belonging to the family Rubiaceae, exerts anti-inflammatory effects on endothelial cells exposed to advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Here, we examined the effects of noni extract on oxidative stress production, growth, and inflammatory reactions in PDGF-BB or AGE-exposed SMCs. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cell proliferation, and adhesion were measured by a fluorescent dye, a colorimetric agent, and labeled THP-1 cells, respectively. Gene and protein expression was evaluated by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Butanolic extract of noni reduced ROS production, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) expression, and proliferation in, and THP-1 cell adhesion to, PDGF-BB-exposed SMCs. Gene expression and protein level of receptor for AGEs (RAGE) were significantly decreased by noni extract in SMCs. Furthermore, AGEs significantly increased PCSK9 mRNA and protein levels in SMCs, which were inhibited by noni extract or an antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. Our present study suggests that butanolic extract of noni not only inhibits the PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and inflammatory reactions in SMCs through its antioxidative properties but also reduces PCSK9 levels in AGE-exposed SMCs via suppression of RAGE expression. Butanolic extract of noni may play a protective role against atherosclerosis.
Experimental Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Resveratrol as an Antioxidant in Colon Cancer Prevention
Authors: Rytsyk Olha , Soroka Yurii , Shepet Iryna , Vivchar Zoriana , Andriichuk Iryna , Lykhatskyi Petro , Fira Liudmyla , Nebesna Zoia , Kramar Solomiia , Lisnychuk Nataliya
Published: June 2020

According to the WHO, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and the third most common cancer is colorectal. A significant etiological factor for carcinogenesis might be oxidative stress. Chemoprevention by consuming natural antioxidants has great perspectives in the struggle to control cancer because it is available and affordable for the wide population. Studies by diverse research groups discovered that grapes, as well as grape-based products, are exceptional sources of the polyphenolic compound resveratrol, which has powerful antioxidant properties. Despite the great number of publications on the anticancer effectiveness of resveratrol, they were all aimed at studying its action once the condition was established. This experiment was the first to study the dynamics of the anticancer activity of resveratrol in the development of chemically induced colorectal cancer. Administrating resveratrol along with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) during 30 weeks led to the inhibition of oxidative stress manifestations, in particular, lipid peroxidation. Our research showed that the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in blood serum was 85.1%, 214.6%, and 276.9% lower on the third, fifth, and seventh months of the experiment in the group of rats that obtained resveratrol, compared with the animals affected only by DMH. In the fifth month of the experiment, we noticed that the GPx activity in blood serum was 1.54 times higher than the DMH-control level. During the next 8 weeks, this indicator decreased. The activity of glutathione reductase increased by 2 times in the seventh month, compared with the DMH-control. Histologically resveratrol decelerated the development of the tumor. After 30 weeks of experiment, rats that were receiving only DMH had developed colon adenocarcinoma in situ. In contrast to them, morphological changes in the colon tissue of the animals that obtained resveratrol + DMH could be characterized as signs of mucous colitis.
Massive intrapericardial cyst: A rare cause of chronic cough
Authors: Raja Shariff Raja Ezman Faridz , Kasim Sazzli
Published: June 2020

We present a unique case of massive intrapericardial cyst manifesting as chronic cough, which highlights the unique presentation of this rare condition. Although uncommon, intrapericardial cyst should be considered in cases of chronic, non-productive cough, especially in the absence of lung pathology. The role of multi-modality imaging remains essential for early detection of the condition and monitoring for potential complications.
Perioperative management of patients undergoing penile prosthesis surgery in the UK: A survey of current practice
Authors: Ellul Thomas , Bullock Nicholas , Steggall Martin , Brown Gareth
Published: June 2020

Objectives:

This study aimed to define contemporary perioperative management of patients undergoing penile implant surgery in the UK.

Methods:

All consultant urological surgeons responsible for the insertion of penile prostheses in the UK were invited to complete an online survey comprising of 25 questions relating to surgeon demographics, patient selection, preoperative work-up, intraoperative management and postoperative care. Anonymised responses underwent descriptive statistical analysis, with particular focus on measures employed to reduce the risk of perioperative infection.

Results:

Of the 34 invited surgeons, 26 (76.5%) responded to the survey. The majority reported undertaking between 10 and 30 cases in 2018 ( n=17; 65.4%). A total of 23 (88.5%) respondents reported employing a threshold for diabetic control, although the exact limit varied between surgeons. Most respondents ( n=22; 84.6%) reported routinely sampling urine for microscopy, culture and sensitivity. All but one ( n=25; 96.2%) reported routinely performing cavernosal washouts, with the most common solution being a mixture of gentamicin and vancomycin (42.3%). All reported routinely giving intravenous antibiotics on induction of anaesthesia, and although there was no clear consensus, most surgeons preferentially used an aminoglycoside in combination with one other agent (including penicillins or teicoplanin).

Conclusion:

The variation in current perioperative management demonstrates a potential need for the development and introduction of evidence-based guidelines to standardise practice nationwide. Level of evidence: 5
When does research end? The emotional labour of researching abjection
Authors: Thorneycroft Ryan
Published: June 2020

In this article, I ask the question: when does research end? I am motivated to engage with this question because I still labour over my doctoral research that I completed a few years ago. Feelings of guilt, shame, and above all, abjection, continue to haunt my subject position of researcher and academic. I seek to trouble the idea that research has clear beginning, middle, and end points, and I reflect on the politics, labour and emotion involved in conducting research, particularly when it involves understandings and experiences of violence. I expose how theoretical and pragmatic decisions, as well as incidents and accidents, leave mnemic traces on our bodies. I demonstrate how personal, theoretical and methodological decisions are complexly intertwined in research, and I argue that it is incumbent upon researchers to think through what they research, why they do it, its effects, and consequences – for researcher, researched, and society.
Caregiver and Pediatric Health Care Provider Views on Social Needs Identification
Authors: Swamy Padma , Monterrey Ana C. , Wood Margaret S. , Troisi Catherine L. , Greeley Christopher S.
Published: June 2020

Background: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians address the social determinants of health (SDOH) through research, community partnership, and policy development. Objective: This study aimed to identify the unmet SDOH of the patients served by the Pasadena-Pediatric and Adolescent Health Center (PA-PAHC) and to understand provider perspectives on screening for SDOH. Methods: The PA-PAHC is a low-income pediatric clinic in southeast Houston. A cross-sectional survey eliciting potential SDOH concerns was administered to caregivers of children presenting for their well-child exam, along with pediatric residents and staff/faculty. Staff/faculty and residents were asked about their perceptions of SDOH screening. Statistical analysis calculated frequencies for categorical data and mean/median for continuous variables. Secondary data analysis consisted of chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: A total of 110 caregivers, 22 residents, and 21 staff/faculty participated in the study. Caregivers listed health care access the most frequently (15.5%), followed by childcare, school, and immigration status as SDOH concerns. Residents (31.8%) and staff/faculty (23.8%) also identified health care access as a concern. When comparing topic selection by survey role, there was no statistically significant difference among the 3 groups ( P = .257). Residents were more likely to indicate that screening was more time-consuming than were faculty/staff ( P = .004). Conclusion: Staff/faculty and residents agree that SDOH affect child health and screening is valuable in the patient encounter. There were no differences in the needs identified by the 3 groups. Further evaluation to assess caregiver perspectives on standardized SDOH screening versus obtaining routine social history needs to be undertaken.
Modeling Two-Sided Matching Considering Agents’ Psychological Behavior Based on Regret Theory
Authors: Wang Rong , Xu Li , Zameer Hashim , Solangi Yasir Ahmed
Published: June 2020

Two-sided matching problems are common and crucial parts of human activity; the psychological behavior of agents is an important factor that should not be ignored in such problems. However, existing academic research has not considered the psychological behavior of agents in two-sided matching models. Therefore, this study develops a method for determining the most satisfactory results for agents on both sides of a matching problem that considers agents’ regret aversion behavior as measured using linguistic preference information. Initially, the preference utility and regret values are computed based on regret theory; then, the perceived utility values of each agent are obtained. This two-sided matching model has been established to maximize matching satisfaction without waste using the minmax method. Finally, a practical example is discussed to demonstrate the feasibility and validity of the proposed method.
Tournament Mobility in Mathematics Course-Taking Pathways
Authors: Hanselman Paul
Published: June 2020

This visualization represents the structure of mathematics course opportunities as seen in the progress through middle and high school for one cohort of students in Texas. Trajectories are consistent with a tournament mobility regime in which there are repeated opportunities to fall behind but almost none to catch up. Pathways are also characterized by staggered starts, with differences in when students begin the mathematics sequence that have consequences for ultimate attainment. The structure of mathematics opportunities provides many points where trajectories diverge, and these branching points disproportionately sort economically disadvantaged students into less advanced pathways.
The Irony of MedWatch and the FAERS Database: An Assessment of Data Input Errors and Potential Consequences
Authors: Veronin Michael A. , Schumaker Robert P. , Dixit Rohit
Published: June 2020

Health care delivery revolves around accurate documentation, with data management free from error. A seemingly insignificant typographical error can cause short- and long-term problems that may lead to inaccurate records and misinformation. This report presents an overview of input errors in the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). The focus is on errors and inconsistencies in reporting of drug names in the FAERS database, initiated through input of the MedWatch reporting system. The consequences from erroneous data input—in this case, drug names—can have an impact on data integrity, research, and patient safety.
Spermine promotes pulmonary vascular remodelling and its synthase is a therapeutic target for pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: He Yang-Yang , Yan Yi , Jiang Xin , Zhao Jun-Han , Wang Zhe , Wu Tao , Wang Yong , Guo Shan-Shan , Ye Jue , Lian Tian-Yu , Xu Xi-Qi , Zhang Jin-Lan , Sun Kai , Peng Fu-Hua , Zhou Yu-Ping , Mao Yi-Min , Zhang Xue , Chen Ji-Wang , Zhang Shu-Yang , Jing Zhi-Cheng
Published: June 2020

Pathological mechanisms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remain largely unexplored. Effective treatment of PAH remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to discover the underlying mechanism of PAH through functional metabolomics and to help develop new strategies for prevention and treatment of PAH.

Metabolomic profiling of plasma in patients with idiopathic PAH was evaluated through high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, with spermine identified to be the most significant and validated in another independent cohort. The roles of spermine and spermine synthase were examined in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and rodent models of pulmonary hypertension.

Using targeted metabolomics, plasma spermine levels were found to be higher in patients with idiopathic PAH compared to healthy controls. Spermine administration promoted proliferation and migration of PASMCs and exacerbated vascular remodelling in rodent models of pulmonary hypertension. The spermine-mediated deteriorative effect can be attributed to a corresponding upregulation of its synthase in the pathological process. Inhibition of spermine synthasein vitrosuppressed platelet-derived growth factor-BB-mediated proliferation of PASMCs, andin vivoattenuated monocrotaline-mediated pulmonary hypertension in rats.

Plasma spermine promotes pulmonary vascular remodelling. Inhibiting spermine synthesis could be a therapeutic strategy for PAH.
Deep learning in finance and banking: A literature review and classification
Authors: Huang Jian , Chai Junyi , Cho Stella
Published: June 2020

Deep learning has been widely applied in computer vision, natural language processing, and audio-visual recognition. The overwhelming success of deep learning as a data processing technique has sparked the interest of the research community. Given the proliferation of Fintech in recent years, the use of deep learning in finance and banking services has become prevalent. However, a detailed survey of the applications of deep learning in finance and banking is lacking in the existing literature. This study surveys and analyzes the literature on the application of deep learning models in the key finance and banking domains to provide a systematic evaluation of the model preprocessing, input data, and model evaluation. Finally, we discuss three aspects that could affect the outcomes of financial deep learning models. This study provides academics and practitioners with insight and direction on the state-of-the-art of the application of deep learning models in finance and banking.
Dissection of the genetic basis of oil content in Chinese peanut cultivars through association mapping
Authors: Liu Nian , Huang Li , Chen Weigang , Wu Bei , Pandey Manish K. , Luo Huaiyong , Zhou Xiaojing , Guo Jianbin , Chen Haiwen , Huai Dongxin , Chen Yuning , Lei Yong , Liao Boshou , Ren Xiaoping , Varshney Rajeev K. , Jiang Huifang
Published: June 2020

Background

Peanut is one of the primary sources for vegetable oil worldwide, and enhancing oil content is the main objective in several peanut breeding programs of the world. Tightly linked markers are required for faster development of high oil content peanut varieties through genomics-assisted breeding (GAB), and association mapping is one of the promising approaches for discovery of such associated markers.

Results

An association mapping panel consisting of 292 peanut varieties extensively distributed in China was phenotyped for oil content and genotyped with 583 polymorphic SSR markers. These markers amplified 3663 alleles with an average of 6.28 alleles per locus. The structure, phylogenetic relationship, and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated two subgroups majorly differentiating based on geographic regions. Genome-wide association analysis identified 12 associated markers including one (AGGS1014_2) highly stable association controlling up to 9.94% phenotypic variance explained (PVE) across multiple environments. Interestingly, the frequency of the favorable alleles for 12 associated markers showed a geographic difference. Two associated markers (AGGS1014_2 and AHGS0798) with 6.90–9.94% PVE were verified to enhance oil content in an independent RIL population and also indicated selection during the breeding program.

Conclusion

This study provided insights into the genetic basis of oil content in peanut and verified highly associated two SSR markers to facilitate marker-assisted selection for developing high-oil content breeding peanut varieties.
Genomic background and genetic relationships between boar taint and fertility traits in German Landrace and Large White
Authors: Brinke Ines , Große-Brinkhaus Christine , Roth Katharina , Pröll-Cornelissen Maren J. , Henne Hubert , Schellander Karl , Tholen Ernst
Published: June 2020

Background

Due to ethical reasons, surgical castration of young male piglets in their first week of life without anesthesia will be banned in Germany from 2021. Breeding against boar taint is already implemented in sire breeds of breeding organizations but in recent years a low demand made this trait economically less important.

The objective of this study was to estimate heritabilities and genetic relationships between boar taint compounds androstenone and skatole and maternal/paternal reproduction traits in 4′924 Landrace (LR) and 4′299 Large White (LW) animals from nucleus populations. Additionally, genome wide association analysis (GWAS) was performed per trait and breed to detect SNP marker with possible pleiotropic effects that are associated with boar taint and fertility.

Results

Estimated heritabilities (h2) were 0.48 (±0.08) for LR (0.39 ± 0.07 for LW) for androstenone and 0.52 (±0.08) for LR (0.32 ± 0.07 for LW) for skatole. Heritabilities for reproduction did not differ between breeds except age at first insemination (LR: h2 = 0.27 (±0.05), LW: h2 = 0.34 (±0.05)). Estimates of genetic correlation (rg) between boar taint and fertility were different in LR and LW breeds. In LR an unfavorable rg of 0.31 (±0.15) was observed between androstenone and number of piglets born alive, whereas this rg in LW (− 0.15 (±0.16)) had an opposite sign. A similar breed-specific difference is observed between skatole and sperm count. Within LR, the rg of 0.08 (±0.13) indicates no relationship between the traits, whereas the rg of − 0.37 (±0.14) in LW points to an unfavorable relationship. In LR GWAS identified QTL regions on SSC5 (21.1–22.3 Mb) for androstenone and on SSC6 (5.5–7.5 Mb) and SSC14 (141.1–141.6 Mb) for skatole. For LW, one marker was found on SSC17 at 48.1 Mb for androstenone and one QTL on SSC14 between 140.5 Mb and 141.6 Mb for skatole.

Conclusion

Knowledge about such genetic correlations could help to balance conventional breeding programs with boar taint in maternal breeds. QTL regions with unfavorable pleiotropic effects on boar taint and fertility could have deleterious consequences in genomic selection programs. Constraining the weighting of these QTL in the genomic selection formulae may be a useful strategy to avoid physiological imbalances.
Characterization of the transcriptional divergence between the subspecies of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: Campbell Malachy T. , Du Qian , Liu Kan , Sharma Sandeep , Zhang Chi , Walia Harkamal
Published: June 2020

Background

Cultivated rice consists of two subspecies, Indica and Japonica, that exhibit well-characterized differences at the morphological and genetic levels. However, the differences between these subspecies at the transcriptome level remains largely unexamined. Here, we provide a comprehensive characterization of transcriptome divergence and cis-regulatory variation within rice using transcriptome data from 91 accessions from a rice diversity panel (RDP1).

Results

The transcriptomes of the two subspecies of rice are highly divergent. Japonica have significantly lower expression and genetic diversity relative to Indica, which is likely a consequence of a population bottleneck during Japonica domestication. We leveraged high-density genotypic data and transcript levels to identify cis-regulatory variants that may explain the genetic divergence between the subspecies. We identified significantly more eQTL that were specific to the Indica subspecies compared to Japonica, suggesting that the observed differences in expression and genetic variability also extends to cis-regulatory variation.

Conclusions

Using RNA sequencing data for 91diverse rice accessions and high-density genotypic data, we show that the two species are highly divergent with respect to gene expression levels, as well as the genetic regulation of expression. The data generated by this study provide, to date, the largest collection of genome-wide transcriptional levels for rice, and provides a community resource to accelerate functional genomic studies in rice.
Refining the transcriptome of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum using amplification-free RNA-seq
Authors: Chappell Lia , Ross Philipp , Orchard Lindsey , Russell Timothy J. , Otto Thomas D. , Berriman Matthew , Rayner Julian C. , Llinás Manuel
Published: June 2020

Background

Plasmodium parasites undergo several major developmental transitions during their complex lifecycle, which are enabled by precisely ordered gene expression programs. Transcriptomes from the 48-h blood stages of the major human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum have been described using cDNA microarrays and RNA-seq, but these assays have not always performed well within non-coding regions, where the AT-content is often 90–95%.

Results

We developed a directional, amplification-free RNA-seq protocol (DAFT-seq) to reduce bias against AT-rich cDNA, which we have applied to three strains of P. falciparum (3D7, HB3 and IT). While strain-specific differences were detected, overall there is strong conservation between the transcriptional profiles. For the 3D7 reference strain, transcription was detected from 89% of the genome, with over 78% of the genome transcribed into mRNAs. We also find that transcription from bidirectional promoters frequently results in non-coding, antisense transcripts. These datasets allowed us to refine the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs), which can be variable, long (> 1000 nt), and often overlap those of adjacent transcripts.

Conclusions

The approaches applied in this study allow a refined description of the transcriptional landscape of P. falciparum and demonstrate that very little of the densely packed P. falciparum genome is inactive or redundant. By capturing the 5′ and 3′ ends of mRNAs, we reveal both constant and dynamic use of transcriptional start sites across the intraerythrocytic developmental cycle that will be useful in guiding the definition of regulatory regions for use in future experimental gene expression studies.
Effect of deletion of gene cluster involved in synthesis of Enterobacterial common antigen on virulence and immunogenicity of live attenuated Salmonella vaccine when delivering heterologous Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen PspA
Authors: Liu Qing , Shen Xuegang , Bian Xiaoping , Kong Qingke
Published: June 2020

Background

Enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) is a family-specific surface antigen shared by all members of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Previous studies showed that the loss of ECA results in Salmonella attenuation, indicating its usefulness as a vaccine candidate for Salmonella infection, but no studies have shown whether the mutation resulting from the deletion of the ECA operon in conjunction with other mutations could be used as an antigen vehicle for heterologous protein antigen delivery.

Results

In this study, we introduced a nonpolar, defined ECA operon deletion into wild-type S. Typhimurium χ3761 and an attenuated vaccine strain χ9241, obtaining two isogenic ECA operon mutants, namely, χ12357 and χ12358, respectively. A number of in vitro and in vivo properties of the mutants were analyzed. We found that the loss of ECA did not affect the growth, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) production and motility of S. Typhimurium wild type strain χ3761 and its attenuated vaccine strain χ9241 but significantly affected the virulence when administered orally to BALB/c mice. Furthermore, the effects of the ECA mutation on the immunogenicity of a recombinant S. Typhimurium vaccine strain χ9241 when delivering the pneumococcal antigen PspA were determined. The result showed that the total anti-PspA IgG level of χ12358 (pYA4088) was slightly lower than that of χ9241 (pYA4088), but the protection rate was not compromised.

Conclusions

ECA affects virulence and benefits the Th2 immunity of Salmonella Typhimurium, therefore, it is feasible to use a reversible ECA mutant mode to design future Salmonella vaccine strains for heterologous protective antigens.
Complete plastome sequencing resolves taxonomic relationships among species of Calligonum L. (Polygonaceae) in China
Authors: Song Feng , Li Ting , Burgess Kevin S. , Feng Ying , Ge Xue-Jun
Published: June 2020

Background

Calligonum(Polygonaceae) is distributed from southern Europe through northern Africa to central Asia, and is typically found in arid, desert regions. Previous studies have revealed that standard DNA barcodes fail to discriminateCalligonumspecies. In this study, the complete plastid genomes (plastome) for 32 accessions of 21Calligonumspecies is sequenced to not only generate the first complete plastome sequence for the genusCalligonumbut to also 1) Assess the ability of the complete plastome sequence to discern species within the group, and 2) screen the plastome sequence for a cost-effective DNA barcode that can be used in future studies to resolve taxonomic relationships within the group.

Results

The whole plastomes ofCalligonumspecies possess a typical quadripartite structure. The size of theCalligonumplastome is approximately 161 kilobase pairs (kbp), and encodes 113 genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Based on ML phylogenetic tree analyses, the complete plastome has higher species identification (78%) than combinations of standard DNA barcodes (rbcL + matK + nrITS, 56%). Five newly screened gene regions (ndhF,trnS-G,trnC-petN,ndhF-rpl32,rpl32-trnL) had high species resolution, wherendhFandtrnS-Gwere able to distinguish the highest proportion ofCalligonumspecies (56%).

Conclusions

The entire plastid genome was the most effective barcode for the genusCalligonum, although other gene regions showed great potential as taxon-specific barcodes for species identification inCalligonum.
Identification of a novel ERF gene, TaERF8, associated with plant height and yield in wheat
Authors: Zhang Lei , Liu Pan , Wu Jing , Qiao Linyi , Zhao Guangyao , Jia Jizeng , Gao Lifeng , Wang Jianming
Published: June 2020

Background

Ethylene Responsive Factor (ERF) is involved in various processes of plant development and stress responses. In wheat, several ERFs have been identified and their roles in mediating biotic or abiotic stresses have been elucidated. However, their effects on wheat plant architecture and yield-related traits remain poorly studied.

Results

In this study, TaERF8, a new member of the ERF family, was isolated in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Three homoeologous TaERF8 genes, TaERF8-2A, TaERF8-2B and TaERF8-2D (named according to sub-genomic origin), were cloned from the common wheat cultivar Chinese Spring. The three homoeologs showed highly similar protein sequences, with identical AP2 domain. Whereas homoeologs sequence polymorphism analysis allowed the establishment of ten, two and three haplotypes, respectively. Expression analysis revealed that TaERF8s were constitutively expressed through entire wheat developmental stages. Analysis of related agronomic traits of TaERF8-2B overexpressing transgenic lines showed that TaERF8-2B plays a role in regulating plant architecture and yield-related traits. Association analysis between TaERF8-2B haplotypes (Hap-2B-1 and Hap-2B-2) and agronomic traits showed that TaERF8-2B was associated with plant height, heading date and 1000 kernel weight (TKW). The TaERF8-2B haplotypes distribution analysis revealed that Hap-2B-2 frequency increased in domesticated emmer wheat and modern varieties, being predominant in five major China wheat producing zones.

Conclusion

These results indicated that TaERF8s are differentially involved in the regulation of wheat growth and development. Haplotype Hap-2B-2 was favored during domestication and in Chinese wheat breeding. Unveiling that the here described molecular marker TaERF8-2B-InDel could be used for marker-assisted selection, plant architecture and TKW improvement in wheat breeding.
Effect of caudal ketamine on minimum local anesthetic concentration of ropivacaine in children: a prospective randomized trial
Authors: Wang Huai-Zhen , Wang Ling-Yu , Liang Hui-Hong , Fan Yan-Ting , Song Xing-Rong , She Ying-Jun
Published: June 2020

Background

Caudal ketamine has been shown to provide an effective and prolonged post-operative analgesia with few adverse effects. However, the effect of caudal ketamine on the minimum local anesthetic concentration (MLAC) of ropivacaine for intra-operative analgesia is unclear.

Methods

One hundred and sixty-nine children were randomized to five groups: Group C (caudal ropivacaine only), Group K0.25(caudal ropivacaine plus 0.25 mg/kg ketamine), Group K0.5(caudal ropivacaine plus 0.5 mg/kg ketamine), Group K0.75(caudal ropivacaine plus 0.75 mg/kg ketamine), and Group K1.0(caudal ropivacaine plus 1.0 mg/kg ketamine). The primary outcome was the MLAC values of ropivacaine with/without ketamine for caudal block.

Results

The MLAC values of ropivacaine were 0.128% (0.028%) in the control group, 0.112% (0.021%) in Group K0.25, 0.112% (0.018%) in Group K0.5, 0.110% (0.019%) in Group K0.75, and 0.110% (0.020%) in Group K1.0. There were no significant differences among the five groups for the MLAC values (p = 0.11). During the post-operative period the mean durations of analgesia were 270, 381, 430, 494, and 591 min in the control, K0.25, K0. 5, K0.75, and K1.0groups respectively, which shown that control group is significantly different from all ketamine groups. Also there were significant differences between K0.25and K0.75groups, and between K1.0groups and the other ketamine groups.

Conclusions

Adding caudal ketamine to ropivacaine prolong the duration of post-operative analgesia; however, it does not decrease the MLAC of caudal ropivacaine for intra-operative analgesia in children.

Clinical trial registration

ChiCTR-TRC-13003492. Registered on 13 August 2013.
A preliminary assessment of vital-signs-integrated patient-assisted intravenous opioid analgesia (VPIA) for postsurgical pain
Authors: Sng Ban Leong , Tan Daryl Jian’an , Tan Chin Wen , Han Nian-Lin Reena , Sultana Rehena , Sia Alex Tiong Heng
Published: June 2020

Background

We developed a Vital-signs-integrated Patient-assisted Intravenous opioid Analgesia (VPIA) analgesic infusion pump, a closed-loop vital signs monitoring and drug delivery system which embodied in a novel algorithm that took into account patients’ vital signs (oxygen saturation, heart rate). The system aimed to allow responsive titration of personalized pain relief to optimize pain relief and reduce the risk of respiratory depression. Moreover, the system would be important to enable continuous monitoring of patients during delivery of opioid analgesia.

Methods

Nineteen patients who underwent elective gynecological surgery with postoperative patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine were recruited. The subjects were followed up from their admission to the recovery room/ ward for at least 24 h until assessment of patient satisfaction on the VPIA analgesic infusion pump.

Results

The primary outcome measure of incidence of oxygen desaturation showed all patients had at least one episode of oxygen desaturation (< 95%) during the study period. Only 6 (31.6%) patients had oxygen desaturation that persisted for more than 5 min. The median percentage time spent during treatment that oxygen saturation fell below 95% was 1.9%. Fourteen (73.7%) out of 19 patients encountered safety pause, due to transient oxygen desaturation or bradycardia. The patients’ median [IQR] pain scores at rest and at movement after post-op 24 h were 0.0 [2.0] and 3.0 [2.0], respectively. The average morphine consumption in the first 24 h was 12.5 ± 7.1 mg. All patients were satisfied with their experience with the VPIA analgesic infusion pump.

Conclusions

The use of VPIA analgesic infusion pump, when integrated with continuous vital signs monitor and variable lockout algorithm, was able to provide pain relief with good patient satisfaction.

Trial registration

This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov registry (NCT02804022) on 28 Feb 2016.