bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hemorrhagic diathesis and bone marrow aplasia secondary to lomustine overdose in a dog
Authors: Henker Luan C. , Kemper Regina T. , Bianchi Simone P. , Bandinelli Marcele B. , Pavarini Saulo P.
Published: May 2019

A 9‐year‐old mixed breed 13 kg spayed female dog was presented for evaluation of two masses in the right abdominal mammary gland region. Surgery was conducted to excise the masses. A grade I complex mammary gland carcinoma and high grade (grade III) mast cell tumor with an inguinal lymph node metastasis were diagnosed. Forty‐seven days after the surgical procedure, the mast cell tumor relapsed, and neoadjuvant treatment with lomustine (81 mg/m2) was prescribed. Thirteen days from initiation of lomustine therapy, the dog was re‐presented to the hospital with bloody diarrhea, hematemesis, epistaxis, an elevated rectal temperature, depression, severe dehydration, and marked dyspnea. The CBC showed severe thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. According to the owner, lomustine (45mg per os [PO]) was mistakenly administered daily for 10 consecutive days (total dose, 810 mg/m2). The dog died and a necropsy was performed. The main gross lesions consisted of severe multifocal hemorrhages in multiple organs, especially in the digestive system. Histopathologic evaluation revealed disseminated hemorrhages, as well as marked bone marrow aplasia. This report describes the clinical, hematologic, gross, and histologic findings in a fatal case of lomustine overdose in a dog.
Asymptomatic weeds are frequently colonised by pathogenic species of Fusarium in cereal‐based crop rotations
Authors: Suproniene S , Kadziene G , Irzykowski W , Sneideris D , Ivanauskas A , Sakalauskas S , Serbiak P , Svegzda P , Kelpsiene J , Pranaitiene S , Jedryczka M
Published: May 2019

Several Fusarium species cause harmful cereal diseases, such as fusarium head blight and crown rot, which, during pathogenesis, may result in significant grain yield and quality losses. Several species of agricultural weed are believed to be alternative and reservoir hosts for Fusarium spp.; however, studies have not comprehensively evaluated those weed species in cropping systems that may harbour these fungi. The objective of this study was to determine weed species in cereal‐based crop rotations that are asymptomatically colonised by Fusarium spp. We sampled all species of weed present in fields that were managed under six different crop sequences in 2015 and 2016. The study yielded 2326 single‐spore isolates of Fusarium spp. derived from various organs of asymptomatic weeds. Isolates were identified morphologically and then confirmed using PCR with species‐specific primers and/or sequencing of tef1α gene fragments. Isolates of nine Fusarium spp. were obtained from 689 of the 744 individuals collected that represented 56 weed species. Each weed species harboured at least one species of Fusarium, and >80% were colonised by 3–9 Fusarium spp. In total, we identified 27 dicotyledonous weed species that were previously undocumented as Fusarium hosts and 251 new weed × Fusarium species combinations were revealed. Consequently, there is a greater risk of negative Fusarium impacts on cereal crops than was previously thought. We suggest effective weed management and inversion soil tillage may help mitigate these impacts.
Impact of Indian mustard growth and incorporation on annual weed population dynamics and communities
Authors: Lefebvre M , Leblanc M L , Watson A K
Published: May 2019

Biofumigation from Brassica cover crops may be used to control soilborne pests and weeds. A study was conducted to understand the influence of biofumigation on key processes of annual weed population dynamics. Five combinations of Indian mustard (M) and oat (O) cover crop treatments were assessed in a 3 year field study at two locations in Québec, Canada. Treatments included four spring/fall cover crop combinations (M/M, M/O, O/M, O/O) and a weedy check control with no cover crop. Prior to mowing and incorporation of cover crops, weed identification, count and biomass measurements were recorded to evaluate the total weed density, to calculate the relative neighbour effect (RNE) and weed diversity metrics and to perform principal co‐ordinates analyses. Indian mustard cover crops had no impact on weed establishment in 2014 due to low biofumigant potential compared to the oat cover crop. In 2015 and 2016, Indian mustard isothiocyanate (ITC) production increased and weed establishment within the Indian mustard cover crop decreased. Moreover, post‐cover crop incorporation decreased the next year spring weed emergence. Allelopathic interference of Indian mustard was significant when plant tissues produced more than 600 μg of allyl‐ITC g−1. It is now possible to rationalise the use of Brassica cover crops and biofumigation for weed control with an enhanced understanding of the impact of biofumigation on key processes of weed population dynamics.
Interrelationships between Public Open Space, Common Pool Resources, Publicness Levels and Commons Dilemmas: A Different Perspective in Urban Planning
Authors: Ling Gabriel Hoh Teck , Ho Chin Siong , Tsau Kar Yen , Cheng Chin Tiong
Published: May 2019

Public open space (POS) is central to the environment, and oftentimes spatial and architectural designs are emphasised in urban planning as part of creating quality POS. However, such initial design and planning of POS may not adequately encapsulate the sustainability dimensions of the complex social-ecological behavioural patterns of POS consumption and management, hence resulting in space mismanagement, underinvestment, and quality degradation. This phenomenon is particularly true and relevant in the context of government/state-owned POS. Therefore, an objective of this perspective paper, coupled with the concepts of the publicness levels, is to provide a different understanding of exclusivity and subtractibility natures of POS, primarily using the theory of common pool resources (CPRs), which subsequently helps explain and rationalise the perennial, adversarial POS management, quality and sustainability status quo. This paper reveals that, instead of being considered as pure public goods, scarce POS owns two inherent attributes of CPR, namely non-excludable and subtractive (rivalrous) that are ultimately susceptible to social/commons dilemmas, covering the Tragedy of the commons (overexploitation), management shirking, free-riding, underuse, disuse, and moral hazard, which lead to degraded, unsustainable POS. The commons or CPR theory can indeed offer a new paradigm shift, making urban planners and landscape managers to embrace that the unexclusive natures of CPR-based POS are truly finite and depletable and thus vulnerable to POS dilemmas. Hence, to achieve quality, sustainable POS commons, effective governance in terms of consumption and consistent management is vital. For future research, urban design as a necessary societal role is suggested, which has established the need for effective allocation of POS management via an adaptive institutional property rights design.
Simulation and Performance Investigation of a Biomass Gasification System for Combined Power and Heat Generation
Authors: Herdem Munur S. , Lorena Giancarlo , Wen John Z.
Published: May 2019

The Blue Tower gasifier (BTG) is a promising and relatively new type of technology that can convert various organic materials into syngas. The process proceeds through a stage-reforming concept and uses heat carrier materials for indirect thermolysis. In addition, the modular design of this technology allows for scalability and ease of installation which can be applied to remote or off-grid communities. In addition, there is potential for the valorization of its gasification products to other useful chemicals. Knowing the potential advantages of this technology, the aim of this work is to introduce the BTG technology for potential application to remote communities and to investigate the effects of the main operational parameters on the performance of the system. In this study, we simulated a BTG system connected to a combined heat and power (CHP) plant using aspen plus with Fortran subroutines and given design specifications. The results obtained in this study were verified with reported data in the literature. The maximum electrical efficiency of the system was calculated to be about 25% for biomass with 5% moisture content, 0.5 steam to biomass ratio, and 900 °C reforming temperature. On the other hand, the highest overall system efficiency of the CHP system (sum of the electrical and the thermal efficiency) was estimated to be about 73% for biomass feedstock with 20% moisture content, 0.5 steam to biomass ratio, and 950 °C reforming temperature.
Ultrasonography findings in immunoglobulin G4-related lymphadenopathy: a report of two cases
Authors: Morisaki Tsuyoshi , Fukuhara Takahiro , Matsuda Eriko , Moritani Sueyoshi , Miyake Naritomo , Koyama Satoshi , Fujiwara Kazunori , Takeuchi Hiromi
Published: May 2019

Lymphadenopathy is frequently observed in immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease in some cases, and such cases are known as IgG4-related lymphadenopathy. The ultrasonography findings associated with IgG4-related lymphadenopathy have not been described in previous reports. Herein, we describe ultrasonography findings in two cases of IgG4-related lymphadenopathy in conjunction with histopathological findings. Combined ultrasound scanning with Doppler examination accurately represented the specific histopathological features of IgG4-related lymphadenopathy.
Influence of long chain branching on fiber diameter distribution for polypropylene nonwovens produced by melt blown process
Authors: Drabek Jiri , Zatloukal Martin
Published: May 2019

In this work, linear isotactic polypropylene (L-PP) and long-chain branched polypropylene (LCB-PP) miscible blend, both having comparable weight average molecular weight, zero-shear viscosity, and polydispersity index, were used to produce nonwovens via melt blown technology in order to understand the role of long chain branching in the fiber diameter distribution. Basic morphological characteristics of produced nonwoven samples have been determined using digital image analysis of scanning electron microscope images considering different magnifications to capture nanofibers as well as microfibers. At the same air flow rate, polymer flow rate, and temperature, the average fiber diameters were the same, 1.6 μm, but the coefficient of variation, CV, was greater for the linear PP than for the blend. Material elasticity was assessed by reptation-mode relaxation time, λ, determined by fitting of deformation rate dependent shear viscosity by Cross and Carreau-Yasuda models as well as via fitting of frequency dependent loss and storage moduli master curve by a two-mode Maxwell model. It was found that λ is higher for LCB-PP in comparison with L-PP and the Cross model gives a meaningful relaxation time while the Carreau-Yasuda model does not despite giving a better numerical fit. Extensional rheology was assessed by the strain rate dependent uniaxial extensional viscosity (estimated from the entrance pressure drop using the Gibson method). The infinite shear to zero-shear shear viscosity ratio η∞/η0 (obtained directly from the shear viscosity data measured in a very wide shear rate range) was shown to be proportional to the maximum normalized extensional viscosity at very high extensional strain rates, ηE,∞/(3η0). η∞/η0 was related to temperature and basic molecular characteristics of given polymers via simple equation. It was observed that extensional viscosity for both samples first decreases with increased extensional strain rate to its minimum value at 200 000–400 000 1/s and then increases to plateau value, ηE,∞ (corresponding to the maximum chain stretch) at about 2 ⋅ 106 1/s. At low deformation rates, extensional viscosity is higher for LCB-PP in comparison with L-PP, but the trend is switched at very high deformation rates; ηE,∞ (and also ηE,∞/3η0) becomes lower for LCB-PP in comparison with L-PP. These results suggest that high stability of LCB-PP blend can be explained by its higher stretchability at very high deformation rates (occurring at the die exit where an intensive fiber attenuation takes the place) and its lower stretchability at medium and low deformation rates, at which melt/air inertia driven bending instability called whipping occurs.
Polycystin 2 regulates mitochondrial Ca
2+
signaling, bioenergetics, and dynamics through mitofusin 2
Authors: Kuo Ivana Y. , Brill Allison L. , Lemos Fernanda O. , Jiang Jason Y. , Falcone Jeffrey L. , Kimmerling Erica P. , Cai Yiqiang , Dong Ke , Kaplan David L. , Wallace Darren P. , Hofer Aldebaran M. , Ehrlich Barbara E.
Published: May 2019

Enhanced mitochondrial function enhances cyst formation in an inherited kidney disease caused by loss of polycystin 2.
Protecting the organ of Corti from damage
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: May 2019

The LCCL domain of cochlin protects hearing by sequestering bacterial pathogens and stimulating innate immune responses.
Internalization of Erythrocyte Acylpeptide Hydrolase Is Required for Asexual Replication of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Elahi Rubayet , Dapper Christie , Klemba Michael
Published: May 2019

Nearly half a million deaths were attributed to malaria in 2017. Protozoan parasites of the genus
Plasmodium
cause disease in humans while replicating asexually within the host’s erythrocytes, with
P. falciparum
responsible for most of the mortality. Understanding how
Plasmodium
spp. have adapted to their unique host erythrocyte environment is important for developing malaria control strategies. Here, we demonstrate that
P. falciparum
coopts a host erythrocyte serine hydrolase termed acylpeptide hydrolase. By showing that the parasite requires acylpeptide hydrolase activity for replication, we expand our knowledge of host cell factors that contribute to robust parasite growth.
Complete Assembly of Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131 Genomes Using Long Reads Demonstrates Antibiotic Resistance Gene Variation within Diverse Plasmid and Chromosomal Contexts
Authors: Decano Arun Gonzales , Ludden Catherine , Feltwell Theresa , Judge Kim , Parkhill Julian , Downing Tim
Published: May 2019

Drug-resistant bacteria are a major cause of illness worldwide, and a specific subtype called
Escherichia coli
ST131 causes a significant number of these infections. ST131 bacteria become resistant to treatments by modifying their DNA and by transferring genes among one another via large packages of genes called plasmids, like a game of pass-the-parcel. Tackling infections more effectively requires a better understanding of what plasmids are being exchanged and their exact contents. To achieve this, we applied new high-resolution DNA sequencing technology to six ST131 samples from infected patients and compared the output to that of an existing approach. A combination of methods shows that drug resistance genes on plasmids are highly mobile because they can jump into ST131’s chromosomes. We found that the plasmids are very elastic and undergo extensive rearrangements even in closely related samples. This application of DNA sequencing technologies illustrates at a new level the highly dynamic nature of ST131 genomes.
Zinner and Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndromes: when unilateral renal agenesis meets genital anomalies
Authors: Briosa Filipa , Valsassina Rita , Mira Catarina , Zagalo Ana
Published: May 2019

Congenital unilateral renal agenesis is a relatively frequent condition at birth diagnosed mostly incidentally. Despite the excellent prognosis, unilateral renal agenesis is associated with an increased risk of other structural abnormalities, including genital malformations. The authors present two cases of asymptomatic adolescents with known congenital unilateral renal agenesis and associated genital malformations solely diagnosed during puberty—a man with Zinner syndrome and a female with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome.
Recurrence of herpes simplex virus endotheliitis in a Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty graft: mimicking fungal interface infection
Authors: Basak Samar K , Basak Soham
Published: May 2019

Recurrence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis is a problem of keratoplasty and the prognosis is often poor in spite of oral acyclovir (ACV) prophylaxis. This 64-year-old woman was a known case of recurrent HSV endotheliitis with irreversible corneal oedema in the left eye for 2 years. She underwent Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty with intraocular lens implantation under perioperative oral ACV and prednisolone. After 4 weeks, her cornea cleared with the best-corrected vision of 6/9. After 2.5 months, she presented with sudden photophobia and visual loss. An increasing focal endothelial lesion was noticed even after oral ACV. Suspecting fungal interface infection, anterior chamber tap was done for PCR for panfungal and viruses. It was only positive for HSV. Oral ACV was changed to oral valacyclovir. The patient responded dramatically within 2 weeks, and after 12 weeks, the lesion disappeared completely, leaving behind a faint scar with 6/9 p vision. Oral valacyclovir, a prodrug of ACV, may work better than oral ACV.
Reconnecting mothers and children after violence (RECOVER): a feasibility study protocol of child–parent psychotherapy in Australia
Authors: Hooker Leesa , Toone Emma , Raykar Vibhay , Humphreys Cathy , Morris Anita , Westrupp Elizabeth , Taft Angela
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Intimate partner violence detrimentally affects the social and emotional well-being of children and mothers. These two populations are impacted both individually and within the context of their relationship with one another. Child mental health, maternal mental health and the mother–child relationship may be impaired as a consequence. Early intervention to prevent or arrest impaired mother–child attachment and child development is needed. Dyadic or relational mental health interventions that include mothers with their children, such as child–parent psychotherapy, are effective in improving the mental health of both children and mothers and also strengthening their relationship. While child–parent psychotherapy has been trialled overseas in several populations, Australian research on relational interventions for children and women recovering from violence is limited. This study aims to assess the acceptability and feasibility of implementing child–parent psychotherapy in Australian families.

Methods and analysis

Using a mixed methods, prepost design this feasibility study will examine the acceptability of the intervention to women with preschool aged children (3–5 years, n=15 dyads) and providers, and identify process issues including recruitment, retention and barriers to implementation and sustainability. In addition, intervention efficacy will be assessed using maternal and child health outcomes and functioning, and mother–child attachment measures. Young children’s mental health needs are underserviced in Australia. More research is needed to fully understand parenting in the context of intimate partner violence and what works to help women and children recover. If the intervention is found to be feasible, findings will inform future trials and expansion of child–parent psychotherapy in Australia.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval obtained from clinical sites and the La Trobe University Human Research Ethics Committee (ID: HEC17-108). Results will be disseminated through conference proceedings and academic publications.
Suitability of the German version of the Manchester Triage System to redirect emergency department patients to general practitioner care: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Slagman Anna , Greiner Felix , Searle Julia , Harriss Linton , Thompson Fintan , Frick Johann , Bolanaki Myrto , Lindner Tobias , Möckel Martin
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To investigate the suitability of the German version of the Manchester Triage System (MTS) as a potential tool to redirect emergency department (ED) patients to general practitioner care. Such tools are currently being discussed in the context of reorganisation of emergency care in Germany.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Single centre University Hospital Emergency Department.

Participants

Adult, non-surgical ED patients.

Exposure

A non-urgent triage category was defined as a green or blue triage category according to the German version of the MTS.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Surrogate parameters for short-term risk (admission rate, diagnoses, length of hospital stay, admission to the intensive care unit, in-hospital and 30-day mortality) and long-term risk (1-year mortality).

Results

A total of 1122 people presenting to the ED participated in the study. Of these, 31.9% (n=358) received a non-urgent triage category and 68.1% (n=764) were urgent. Compared with non-urgent ED presentations, those with an urgent triage category were older (median age 60 vs 56 years, p=0.001), were more likely to require hospital admission (47.8% vs 29.6%) and had higher in-hospital mortality (1.6% vs 0.8%). There was no significant difference observed between non-urgent and urgent triage categories for 30-day mortality (1.2% [n=4] vs 2.2% [n=15]; p=0.285) or for 1-year mortality (7.9% [n=26] vs 10.5% [n=72]; p=0.190). Urgency was not a significant predictor of 1-year mortality in univariate (HR=1.35; 95% CI 0.87 to 2.12; p=0.185) and multivariate regression analyses (HR=1.20; 95% CI 0.77 to 1.89; p=0.420).

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest the German MTS is unsuitable to safely identify patients for redirection to non-ED based GP care.

Trial registration number

U1111-1119-7564; Post-results
Validity of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in Eritrean refugees living in Ethiopia
Authors: Getnet Berhanie , Alem Atalay
Published: May 2019

Background

Depression is among the top mental health problems with a major contribution to the global burden of disease. This study aimed at identifying the latent factor structure and construct validity of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale.

Participants and setting

A cross-sectional survey of 562 adults aged 18 years and above who were randomly selected from the Eritrean refugee community living in the Mai-Aini refugee camp, Ethiopia.

Measures

The CES-D Scale, Primary Care PTSD (PC-PTSD) screener, premigration and postmigration living difficulties checklist, Oslo Social Support Scale (OSS-3), Sense of Coherence Scale (SoC-13), Coping Style Scale and fast alcohol screening test (FAST) were administered concurrently. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to test prespecified factor structures of CES-D.

Result

First-order two factors with second-order common factor structure of CES-D (correlated error terms) yielded the best fit to the data (Comparative Fit Index =0.975; root mean square error of approximation=0.040 [90% CI 0.032 to 0.047]). The 16 items defining depressive affect were internally consistent (Cronbach’s α=0.932) and internal consistency of the 4 items defining positive affect was relatively weak (Cronbach’s α=0.703). These two latent factors have a weaker standardised covariance estimate of 33% (24% for women and 40% for men), demonstrating evidence of discriminant validity. CES-D is significantly associated with measures of adversities, specifically, premigration living difficulties (r=0.545, p<0.001) and postmigration living difficulties (r=0.47, p<0.001), PC-PTSD (r=0.538, p<0.001), FAST (r=0.197, p<0.001) and emotion-oriented coping (r=0.096, p˂0.05) providing evidence of its convergent validity. It also demonstrated inverse association with measures of resilience factors, specifically, SoC-13 (r=−0.597, p<0.001) and OSS-3 (r=−0.319, p<0.001). The two correlated factors model of CES-D demonstrated configural, metric, scalar, error variance and structural covariance invariances (p>0.05) for both men and women.

Conclusions

Unlike previous findings among Eritreans living in USA, second-order two factors structure of CES-D best fitted the data for Eritrean refugees living in Ethiopia; this implies that it is important to address culture for the assessment and intervention of depression.
B Part of It School Leaver protocol: an observational repeat cross-sectional study to assess the impact of a meningococcal serogroup B (4CMenB) vaccine programme on carriage ofNeisseria meningitidis
Authors: Marshall Helen S , McMillan Mark , Koehler Ann , Lawrence Andrew , MacLennan Jenny , Maiden Martin , Ramsay Mary , Ladhani Shamez N , Trotter Caroline , Borrow Ray , Finn Adam , Sullivan Thomas , Richmond Peter , Kahler Charlene , Whelan Jane , Vadivelu Kumaran
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Invasive meningococcal disease is uncommon but associated with a high-case fatality rate. Carriage prevalence of the causative bacteria,Neisseria meningitidis, is high in adolescents. A large (n=34 500) cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess the impact of a meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine on meningococcal carriage was implemented in the state of South Australia (SA) for year 10, 11 and 12 senior school students in 2017–2018. This study will assess the impact of MenB vaccine (4CMenB) on carriage prevalence in school leavers in SA, 1 and 2 years after implementation of the cluster RCT in adolescents. Measuring the impact of population programmes on carriage can assist in informing future meningococcal immunisation programmes such as targeted age groups and use of catch-up campaigns.

Methods and analysis

This repeat cross-sectional study will assess carriage prevalence in 2018 and 2019. All school leavers who attended year 12 in any school in SA in 2018 or 2019 will be invited to participate in this study. An oropharyngeal swab will be taken from each participating student and a risk factor questionnaire completed by the student following informed consent. Students will attend clinics at SA universities, technical colleges, and metropolitan, rural and remote government council clinics. Confirmed vaccination history will allow a comparison in carriage prevalence between vaccinated and unvaccinated school leavers. A sample size of 4096 students per year will provide 80% power to detect a 20% difference in carriage prevalence of disease-causing meningococci (defined as genogroup A, B, C, W, X or Y) between years.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Women’s and Children’s Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee. Results will be published in international peer review journals and presented at national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT03419533; Pre-results
Preoperative frailty and its association with postsurgical pain in an older patient cohort
Authors: Esses Gary Joseph , Liu Xiaoyu , Lin Hung-Mo , Khelemsky Yury , Deiner Stacie
Published: May 2019

Background and objectives

Chronic postsurgical pain in patients over 65 negatively impacts recovery, quality of life and physical functioning. In the community setting, chronic pain has been shown to be related to frailty, a syndrome more commonly seen in older adults and characterized by limited physiologic reserve and ability to withstand stressors. While frailty is an important preoperative risk factor for poor surgical outcomes in older adults, the relationship between frailty and postsurgical pain in this population has not been investigated. We hypothesized that preoperative frailty would be associated with greater odds of postsurgical chronic pain.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 116 patients older than 65 years old who underwent major elective non-cardiac surgery. Patients were assessed for frailty within 30 days prior to surgery using the FRAIL Scale assessment and pain was evaluated before surgery and at 3 months after surgery using the Geriatric Pain Measure.

Results

After adjusting for baseline characteristics, we found that frail patients were almost five times more likely to have intrusive postsurgical pain compared with patients who were not frail (OR 4.73, 95% CI 1.24 to 18.09). Intrusive preoperative pain and spine surgery were also associated with increased postsurgical pain (OR 10.13, 95% CI 2.81 to 36.57 and OR 4.02, 95% CI 1.22 to 13.17, respectively).

Conclusion

Although future studies are needed to establish a causal relationship between preoperative frailty and postsurgical pain, our findings suggest that older patients should have preoperative frailty assessments and frail older adults may need additional resources to improve postsurgical pain outcomes.

Trial registration number

NCT02650687
Irritable bowel syndrome is underdiagnosed and ineffectively managed among endurance athletes
Authors: Killian Lauren A. , Lee Soo-Yeun
Published: May 2019

Lower gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common among endurance athletes and can impair performance. Symptom characteristics are similar to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). No previous research has examined IBS diagnosis (medically or by diagnostic criteria) within this population. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of IBS among endurance athletes and examine their GI symptom management strategies. A previously validated, online questionnaire assessed IBS diagnosis, the meeting of IBS diagnostic criteria (Rome III or Manning), general GI symptoms, and symptom mitigation strategies of endurance athletes. The questionnaire was distributed to United States athletes completing a marathon, ultra-marathon, half-distance triathlon, or full-distance triathlon. Medically diagnosed IBS was reported by 2.8% of endurance athletes. The total prevalence of IBS (n = 430) was 9.8% (medical diagnosis and Rome III). Athletes with IBS experienced more frequent symptoms during exercise as well as at rest; however, only 47.6% had consulted a medical professional. Over 56% of athletes experienced at least 1 symptom sometimes, often, or always during training and competition and 18.6% had symptoms that sometimes or often interrupted/prevented training. Almost half (45.8%) of athletes and 80.0% of athletes with IBS reported trying nutritional modifications to help ease symptoms while 20.6% and 52.4% used over-the-counter medications, respectively.

Novelty Most endurance athletes who suffer from IBS are undiagnosed, while even more experience GI symptoms but do not fit diagnostic criteria. Despite using various symptom management methods, endurance athletes are still experiencing symptoms and could potentially benefit from current IBS-mitigating strategies.
Sirt6 stabilizes atherosclerosis plaques by promoting macrophage autophagy and reducing contact with endothelial cells
Authors: Wang Tingting , Sun Chuang , Hu Lang , Gao Erhe , Li Congye , Wang Haichang , Sun Dongdong
Published: May 2019

Sirt6 has been reported to play a protective role in macrophage foam cell formation, but whether Sirt6 controls atherosclerosis plaque stability and whether it can reduce the interaction between endothelial cells and macrophages remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Sirt6 on atherosclerosis plaque stability and the underlying mechanisms. We used Tie2-Cre transgenic mice as a Cre-lox tool to delete Sirt6 floxed sequences in endothelial cells during adulthood to establish Sirt6−/− mice. ApoE−/−:Sirt6−/− and ApoE−/−:Sirt6Tg mice were used in our investigation. After a 16 week high-fat diet, the mice developed markedly atherosclerotic plaques. Sirt6 knockout exacerbated atherosclerotic plaque progression in both size and stability. In vitro, murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells were treated with ox-low density lipoproteins for 24 h to simulate atherosclerosis. Furthermore, Sirt6 overexpression remarkably increased autophagic flux in macrophages and inhibited macrophage apoptosis. Moreover, Sirt6 overexpression inhibited the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and platelet selectin (P-selectin), leading to reduced infiltration of macrophages and foam cells. In conclusion, our study indicates a new mechanism-based strategy to therapeutically stimulate atherosclerosis plaque stability.
Physicochemical and biocompatibility analyses of surface-coated IN0.57SB0.43 thin films under aqueous conditions
Authors: Nishimoto Naoki , Fujihara Junko
Published: May 2019

InSb-based devices embedded in the human body can be utilized for biological applications, including the detection of biomagnetic fields owing to the high electron mobility of InSb, which is a suitable magnetic resistance element. In this study, the aqueous stability of In[Formula: see text]Sb[Formula: see text]/quartz prepared by RF magnetron sputtering was evaluated as the initial stage for use in biomedical devices. In[Formula: see text]Sb[Formula: see text]/quartz was coated with (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPT), as InSb was not stable under aqueous conditions. MPT coating did not affect the thin-film properties (such as surface morphology, crystal structure, and electrical properties) of In[Formula: see text]Sb[Formula: see text]/quartz. A cell viability assay confirmed the lower cytotoxicity of MPT-coated In[Formula: see text]Sb[Formula: see text]/quartz than that of bare In[Formula: see text]Sb[Formula: see text]/quartz because the MPT coating reduces the elution of indium from In[Formula: see text]Sb[Formula: see text]/quartz. In addition, the MPT coating essentially suppressed the deterioration of the thin-film properties under simulated physiological conditions. Therefore, MPT-coated InSb thin films are expected for use in temporary implanted biomedical devices.
XRD investigation of thermal degradation of some gamma-irradiated polyethylene terephthalate samples
Authors: Todica Mihai , Kovacs-Krauss Zoltan , Niculaescu Carmen , Mureşan-Pop Marieta
Published: May 2019

The modification of local structure of some commercial polyethylene terephthalate (PET) samples, gamma irradiated at different doses, was investigated by X-ray diffraction method before and after thermal treatment. Before the thermal treatment, the samples exposed to different doses of gamma radiations, does not show noticeable structural changes. However, the gamma exposure affects the thermal behavior of samples submitted to melting–cooling process. These modifications have been highlighted by X-ray diffraction, and confirmed also by thermal analysis and electron spin resonance spectroscopy.
Facilitating Human-Mobile Robot Communication via Haptic Feedback and Gesture Teleoperation
Authors: Che Yuhang , Culbertson Heather , Tang Chih-Wei , Aich Sudipto , Okamura Allison M.
Published: May 2019

In this article, we present a bi-directional communication scheme that facilitates interaction between a person and a mobile robot that follows the person. A person-following robot can assist people in many applications including load carrying, elder care, and emotional support. However, commercially available personal robot systems usually have limited sensing and actuation capabilities. They are not expected to function perfectly in complex environments, and human intervention is required when the robot fails. We propose to use a holdable mechatronic device to reduce the user’s effort in communication and enable natural interaction during the intervention. Our design of the holdable device consists of two parts: a haptic interface that displays touch cues to convey the robot’s failure status via asymmetric vibrations, and a command interface for teleoperating the robot follower with hand gestures. We experimentally evaluated the device and the communication strategy in two sets of user studies with a controlled environment and a physical robot follower. Results show that with the proposed method, users are able to perform their tasks better, respond to robot failure events faster, and adjust walking speed according to the robot’s limitations. We also demonstrate that users can successfully teleoperate the robot to avoid obstacles when navigating in challenging environments.
Robot Classification of Human Interruptibility and a Study of Its Effects
Authors: Banerjee Siddhartha , Silva Andrew , Chernova Sonia
Published: May 2019

As robots become increasingly prevalent in human environments, there will inevitably be times when the robot needs to interrupt a human to initiate an interaction. Our work introduces the first interruptibility-aware mobile-robot system, which uses social and contextual cues online to accurately determine when to interrupt a person. We evaluate multiple non-temporal and temporal models on the interruptibility classification task, and show that a variant of Conditional Random Fields (CRFs), the Latent-Dynamic CRF, is the most robust, accurate, and appropriate model for use on our system. Additionally, we evaluate different classification features and show that the observed demeanor of a person can help in interruptibility classification; but in the presence of detection noise, robust detection of object labels as a visual cue to the interruption context can improve interruptibility estimates. Finally, we deploy our system in a large-scale user study to understand the effects of interruptibility-awareness on human-task performance, robot-task performance, and on human interpretation of the robot’s social aptitude. Our results show that while participants are able to maintain task performance, even in the presence of interruptions, interruptibility-awareness improves the robot’s task performance and improves participant social perceptions of the robot.
The Philosophy that Guides our Science?
Authors: Stafford Tom
Published: May 2019

I come before you in this forum as the Jester in the Court of the Philosopher Kings.

Keeping in mind the medieval commensuration of the term ?fool" with ?jester" and you will have a closer appreciation of the self-deprecating point I seek to make in this sense. I am but a lay reader of the literature of philosophy. However much I appreciate it, enthuse over it, or embrace it as the principle upon which my science is grounded, all the same, I am a simple journeyman, to borrow from Eric Clapton's similar self-deprecation, when it comes to the field of philosophy.
Organization Improvisational Capability
Authors: Kung LeeAnn , Kung Hsiang-Jui
Published: May 2019

This study develops and validates an instrument for assessing organization improvisational capability (OIC) for potential use in future empirical studies. A definition of OIC and its dimensions are proposed based on an intensive literature review. An initial three-dimension, nine-item OIC scale derived from the literature is validated iteratively and then refined through a rigorous process into a two-factor, eight-item scale. The final scale demonstrates adequate psychometric properties, including reliability and convergent and discriminant validity. As such, this study contributes to a deeper theoretical understanding of the OIC construct and the appropriate application of such scales in future empirical studies. Future research on organization performance, agility, and strategy could utilize the proposed scale to study how OIC creates business value.
Comparison of Inhibitory Effects of Safflower Decoction and Safflower Injection on Protein and mRNA Expressions of iNOS and IL-1β in LPS-Activated RAW264.7 Cells
Authors: Liao Hui , Li Yuanping , Zhai Xiaoru , Zheng Bin , Banbury Linda , Zhao Xiaoyun , Li Rongshan
Published: May 2019

Objective. Safflower has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The two forms of preparations for safflower which are widely used in China are injection and decoction. The first step of the process for preparing an injection involves extracting safflower with water, which actually yields a decoction. This study is intended to investigate how the preparation process influences the anti-inflammatory activity of safflower in vitro. Methods. Five samples, including a decoction (sample 1) and an injection (sample 5) of safflower, were prepared according to the national standard WS3-B-3825-98-2012 and were analyzed by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH) method for comparison. Sample 1 and sample 5 were further tested by the Griess assay and ELISA for their effects on nitric oxide (NO) production and interleukin- (IL-) 1β content in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) activated RAW264.7 cells. The protein and mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and IL-1β were measured by Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR. Results. Sample 5 showed a significantly higher ORAC value and a lower half inhibitory concentration (IC50) for DPPH scavenging activity as compared to the other four samples (p<0.05). LPS significantly upregulated the mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS and IL-1β as compared to the solvent control (p<0.01). As compared to sample 1, sample 5 significantly decreased NO production, iNOS protein expression, and the contents of IL-1β mRNA and IL-1β protein at both 100 μg/ml and 200 μg/ml (all: p<0.05) and significantly downregulated iNOS mRNA expression at 100 μg/ml (p<0.05). Conclusions. Results of this study demonstrate that the safflower injection prepared according to the national standard has a significant effect of suppressing protein and mRNA expressions of iNOS and IL-1β as compared to its traditional decoction.
Whirl Sign and Midgut Volvulus: An Unusual Cause of an Acute Abdomen in an Adult Patient
Authors: Burke Eoghan P. , Saeed Munir , Mahmood Maham , Hayes Cathal , Salama Mohamed , Ahmed Ibrahim
Published: May 2019

We report the case of a 50-year-old lady who presented to the emergency department complaining of a two-day history of colicky right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain, which radiated through to her back, associated with nausea, anorexia, and two episodes of vomiting that day. She was found to be tender in the RUQ. Her blood tests were notable for an elevated white cell count. Initial impression was of acute cholecystitis. Ultrasound of her abdomen did not identify any features of acute cholecystitis; however, a large volume of free fluid was identified within the abdomen. CT of the abdomen/pelvis was obtained which identified dilated loops of small bowel, interloop ascites, and a whirl sign highly suggestive of midgut volvulus. During laparoscopy, the midgut volvulus was found to have resolved. No cause for the volvulus could be identified, and the patient was discharged home well on postoperative day two.
Advances in Hepatic Tissue Bioengineering with Decellularized Liver Bioscaffold
Authors: Rossi Erik Aranha , Quintanilha Luiz Fernando , Nonaka Carolina Kymie Vasques , Souza Bruno Solano de Freitas
Published: May 2019

The burden of liver diseases continues to grow worldwide, and liver transplantation is the only option for patients with end-stage liver disease. This procedure is limited by critical issues, including the low availability of donor organs; thus, novel therapeutic strategies are greatly needed. Recently, bioengineering approaches using decellularized liver scaffolds have been proposed as a novel strategy to overcome these challenges. The aim of this systematic literature review was to identify the major advances in the field of bioengineering using decellularized liver scaffolds and to identify obstacles and challenges for clinical application. The main findings of the articles and each contribution for technique optimization were highlighted, including the protocols of perfusion and decellularization, duration, demonstration of quality control—scaffold acellularity, matrix composition, and preservation of growth factors—and tissue functionality after recellularization. In previous years, many advances have been made as this technique has evolved from studies in animal models to human livers. As the field develops and this promising technique has become much more feasible, many challenges remain, including the selection of appropriate cell types for recellularization, route of cell administration, cell-seeding protocol, and scalability that must be standardized prior to clinical application.
Primary Mediastinal Choriocarcinoma in an Elderly Patient with Concurrent Goserelin-Treated Prostate Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Røge Rasmus , Simonsen Carsten , Petersen Astrid Christine
Published: May 2019

Mediastinal pure choriocarcinomas are exceedingly rare representations of germ cell tumours and are associated with a poor prognosis. To date, fewer than 20 cases have been reported. This current report describes an elderly patient who developed a large rapidly growing mediastinal tumour. Unfortunately, the patient expired before a definitive diagnosis could be reached. An autopsy revealed that the histomorphological features of the tumour showed two distinct tumour cell populations (syncytio- and cytotrophoblasts), and the diagnosis of choriocarcinoma was made. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a characteristic staining pattern in agreement with published studies. Here, we report a case of primary mediastinal choriocarcinoma in an elderly male with concurrent metastasizing prostate adenocarcinoma treated with long-term goserelin deposits, which, as we speculate, could have induced the choriocarcinoma.
Effects of Cardiac Hypertrophy, Diabetes, Aging, and Pregnancy on the Cardioprotective Effects of Postconditioning in Male and Female Rats
Authors: Babiker Fawzi , Al-Jarallah Aishah , Al-Awadi Mariam
Published: May 2019

Background. Aging, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), diabetes mellitus, and pregnancy are well-recognized risk factors that increase the prevalence of cardio-ischemic events and are linked to poor clinical recovery following acute myocardial infarction. The coexistence of these risk factors with ischemic heart disease (IHD) deteriorates disease prognosis and could potentially lead to fatal arrhythmias and heart failure. The objective of this study was to investigate the vulnerability of hearts with aging, LVH, diabetes, and pregnancy to ischemic insult and their response to pacing postconditioning- (PPC-) induced heart protection. Methods. Hearts isolated from aged, spontaneously hypertensive and diabetic male and female rats and hearts from pregnant female rats (n=8 per group) were subjected to coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion using a modified Langendorff system. Hemodynamics data were computed digitally, and cardiac damage was accessed by measurements of infarct size and cardiac enzyme release. Results. There were no significant differences in the vulnerability of all hearts to ischemic insult compared to their respective controls. PPC improved cardiac hemodynamics and reduced infarct size and cardiac enzyme release in hearts isolated from aged and spontaneously hypertensive female rats and female rats with hypertrophied hearts subjected to PPC (P<0.001). Aged or hypertrophied male hearts were not protected by PPC maneuver. Moreover, the protective effects of PPC were lost in diabetic male and female hearts although retained in hearts from pregnant rats. Conclusions. We demonstrate that aging, LVH, diabetes mellitus, and pregnancy do not affect cardiac vulnerability to ischemic insult. Moreover, PPC mediates cardioprotection in a gender-specific manner in aged and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Diabetes mellitus provokes the protective effects of PPC on both genders equally. Finally, we demonstrate that PPC is a new cardioprotective maneuver in hearts from pregnant female rats.