bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is there spatial segregation between reproductive groups of southern right whales along the coastline of southern Brazil?
Authors: Renault‐Braga Eduardo P. , Groch Karina R. , Simões‐Lopes Paulo C.
Published: March 2021

Santa Catarina State, in southern Brazil, is an important breeding ground for the southern right whale and it is possible to record mother‐calf pairs and unaccompanied adults that migrate to this coast to either give birth, mate, or socialize. From the geographical position of the sightings, spatial segregation was evaluated between mother‐calf pairs and unaccompanied whales. Using GAM, we analyzed 15 years of aerial survey data from 2003 to 2018. The study area (780 km2) was divided into 500 × 500 m grid cells. Whale count per grid cell was modeled using a set of explanatory variables. The explanatory variables of latitude, coast distance, seabed, and maximum SST were selected for both classes. However, coast type was also selected for unaccompanied whales, while coast linearity and bathymetric slope were additionally selected for mother‐calf pairs. The response curves fitted by models indicated a certain degree of spatial segregation, by which mother‐calf pairs remained closer to the coast, where the curve peak is reached at 500 m from the coast, compared to unaccompanied whales where the curve peaked near 1,000 m from the coast. Also, unaccompanied whales more frequently appeared in the southern boundaries of the study area, at latitudes south from 28.4°S.
A new take on organelle‐mediated stress sensing in plants
Authors: Dopp Isaac J. , Yang Xiaodong , Mackenzie Sally A.
Published: March 2021

Plants are able to adjust phenotype in response to changes in the environment. This system depends on an internal capacity to sense environmental conditions and to process this information to plant response. Recent studies have pointed to mitochondria and plastids as important environmental sensors, capable of perceiving stressful conditions and triggering gene expression, epigenomic, metabolic and phytohormone changes in the plant. These processes involve integrated gene networks that ultimately modulate the energy balance between growth and plant defense. This review attempts to link several unusual recent findings into a comprehensive hypothesis for the regulation of plant phenotypic plasticity.
Colonic diverticulitis in children: A retrospective study of 16 patients
Authors: Hatakeyama Tadashi , Okata Yuichi , Miyauchi Harunori , Hisamatsu Chieko , Nakatani Taichi , Nakai Yumiko , Bitoh Yuko
Published: March 2021

Background

Pediatric colonic diverticulitis (CD) is a rare entity. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of CD in children.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of children aged ≤15 years who were diagnosed with CD in our institution from May 2006 to November 2016.

Results

Sixteen patients were diagnosed with CD. All CD cases were observed to be solitary cecal diverticulitis; 14 cases were detected using ultrasound and the other two cases were diagnosed by computed tomography. Five patients were male (31.3%), and the median age was 12 years (range, 8–15 years). Initial symptoms were fever (temperature >38°C) in six (37.5%) patients, right lower quadrant abdominal pain in 16 (100%), anorexia in eight (50%), and nausea / vomiting in five (31.3%). A patient experienced persistent constipation; however, diarrhea was not observed as a clinical symptom in any patient. The median duration from symptom onset to admission was 1 day (range, 0–4 days), and the median length of hospital stay was 6 days (range, 4–10 days). All CD cases were treated with intravenous antibiotics. The median follow‐up period was 90 months (range, 37–163 months), and during this period, recurrence of CD was observed in three (18.8%) patients. At recurrence, antibiotics were administered in all cases.

Conclusions

In this study, all cases of CD were solitary cecal diverticulitis, and ultrasound was useful for the diagnosis of cecal diverticulitis in children. Non‐operative treatment should be recommended as an initial treatment for CD in children.
What we know about poleroviruses: Advances in understanding the functions of polerovirus proteins
Authors: Delfosse Verónica C. , Barrios Barón Maria P. , Distéfano Ana J.
Published: March 2021

Poleroviruses are economically important plant viruses that infect cereal, vegetable, and fruit crops, and cause serious yield and quality losses worldwide. In this review we summarize the current knowledge of the function and regulation of polerovirus proteins and mention the methods employed by the different bodies of research that have produced these advances. Major biochemical and biological properties of these viral proteins are discussed in the order in which their open reading frames are organized in the genome.
Evaluation of the susceptibility of modern, wild, ancestral, and mutational wheat lines to Septoria tritici blotch disease
Authors: Ajaz Sobia , Benbow Harriet R. , Christodoulou Thalia , Uauy Cristobal , Doohan Fiona M.
Published: March 2021

Globally, bread wheat production is threatened by fungal diseases, including the devastating disease Septoria tritici blotch (STB). Given the global importance of STB, and the difficulty in identifying novel sources of resistance to this disease, we screened a variety of wheat genotypes, including wild, ancestral, and mutagenized lines, for their STB response. This delineated a panel of wild wheat relatives and Watkins collection lines with exceptional resistance to a range of Zymoseptoria tritici isolates, some of which are highly virulent on modern, elite wheat varieties. Additionally, we characterized the STB susceptibility of 500 lines of the wheat cultivar Cadenza TILLING population and developed backcross derivatives of two TILLING lines that show dominant partial resistance to STB. These backcross lines are partially resistant to multiple isolates of Z. tritici, and, with the wild and ancestral lines identified, provide a useful reservoir of STB‐resistant germplasm for use in wheat breeding programmes.
Two Places for Causees in Productive IsiXhosa Morphological Causatives
Authors: Myler Neil , Mali Zoliswa O.
Published: March 2021

Productive morphological causatives in isiXhosa exhibit a case alternation with respect to the causee: it can be unmarked or instrumental. Much recent literature on similar alternations in causative constructions in other languages analyzes them as involving differences in the size or category of the constituent selected by the causative morpheme. We show that such an analysis cannot be extended to isiXhosa and that both alternants are verb‐selecting causatives. We propose instead that the alternation actually concerns the place in the structure in which the causee is introduced: in the specifier of the causative head itself in the unmarked‐causee construction, in a PP adjoined to the embedded verb phrase in the instrumental‐causee construction. This article thus adds to a growing body of evidence that the same thematic roles are not always assigned in the same syntactic positions.
Voice and Little v and VO–OV Word‐Order Variation in Chinese Languages
Authors: Sybesma Rint
Published: March 2021

This article addresses some issues related to Voice and little v. It does so by discussing and analyzing the variation that exists in the Chinese language family with respect to object placement (VO versus OV). It turns out that this variation can be accounted for straightforwardly as long as we assume, first, that Voice and v are sometimes split and sometimes bundled, even within one language, and, second, that Voice does not always select vP; it can also select VP.
Plasma pooling in combination with amotosalen/UVA pathogen inactivation to increase standardisation and safety of therapeutic plasma units
Authors: Bubinski Michal , Gronowska Agnieszka , Szykula Pawel , Kluska Kamila , Kuleta Ilona , Ciesielska Emilia , Picard‐Maureau Marcus , Lachert Elzbieta
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Assessment of the impact of pooling five single‐donor plasma (SDP) units to obtain six pathogen‐reduced therapeutic plasma (PTP) units on standardisation and the retention of labile coagulation factors.

Background

SDP shows a high inter‐donor variability with potential implications for the clinical treatment outcome. Additionally, there is still an existing risk for window‐period transmissions of blood borne pathogens including newly emerging pathogens.

Methods/Materials

Five ABO‐identical SDP units were pooled, treated with the INTERTCEPT™ Blood System (Cerus Corporation, U.S.A.) and split into six PTP units which were frozen and thawed after 30 days. The variability in volume, labile coagulation factor retention and activity was assessed.

Results

The variability of volumes between the PTP units was reduced by 46% compared to SDP units. The variability in coagulation factor content between the PTP units was reduced by 63% compared to SDP units. Moderate, but significant losses of coagulation factors (except for vWF) were observed in PTPs compared to SDPs.

Conclusion

The pooling of five SDP units to obtain six PTP units significantly increases product standardisation with potential implications for safety, economics as well as transfusion‐transmitted pathogen safety, making it an interesting alternative to quarantine SDP (qSDP) and pathogen‐reduced SDP.
Variant genotypes associated with reduced expression of RhCE antigens among Brazilian blood donors
Authors: Dezan Marcia Regina , Oliveira Valéria B. , Conrado Marina C. A. V. , da Rocha Mateus Cardoso , Luz Fabio , Gallucci Antonio , Pereira Alexandre C. , Krieger José E. , Rocha Vanderson , Mendrone‐Junior Alfredo , Dinardo Carla Luana
Published: March 2021

Background

The genetic diversity of the RHCE gene locus has been explored in diverse populations of different racial backgrounds. Data referring to the diversity of RHCE encoding weakened expression of C, c, E, and e in multiethnic populations is still incomplete.

Methods

Samples from Brazilian blood donors presenting reduced expression of C, c, E, or e on gel method were selected for the study. All exons and flanking introns of RHCE were genotyped though direct Sanger sequencing for the included donors.

Results

Sixty‐six donors were included: 23 with weak C, 22 with weak c, 6 with weak E, 14 with weak e, and 1 with weak c and E. Among the samples with weak C, the following altered RH*C were encountered: RHCE*CeMA (n = 3), RHCE*Ce941C (n = 1), and RHCE*CeVA (n = 1). RHD*D‐CE(4–7)‐D was detected in six cases, RHCE*CE was presumably present in five cases, and seven cases were unexplained. Two altered alleles underlay the weak c phenotype: RHCE*ceJAL (n = 20) and RHCE*ce340T (n = 2), and two altered RHCE justified weak e: RHCE*ceMO (n = 6) and RHCE*ceJAL (n = 8). Three variant RHCE were associated with weak E: RHCE*cEJU (n = 4), RHCE*cE382C (n = 1), and RHCE*cEIV (n = 1). The RHCE*cE905A justified one case of weak c and E.

Conclusion

We describe the distribution of RHCE variants found in association with weak expression of C, c, E, and e in blood donors of multiethnic origin, which differs in comparison to that previously reported for people of African or Caucasian descent.
Patient blood management – recommendations from the International Consensus Conference, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
Authors: Mueller Markus M. , Van Remoortel Hans , Meybohm Patrick , Aranko Kari , Murphy Michael F. , Carson Jeffrey L. , Wood Erica , Vandekerckhove Philippe , Seifried Erhard ,   for the ICC PBM Frankfurt 2018 Team
Published: March 2021

An International Consensus Conference (ICC) on PBM was held in 2018 to develop evidence‐based clinical and research recommendations for preoperative anaemia, red blood cell (RBC) transfusion thresholds for adults and implementation of PBM programmes. An international scientific committee (SC) defined 17 Population‐Intervention‐Comparison‐Outcome (PICO) questions for the three topics preoperative anaemia, red blood cell (RBC) transfusion thresholds for adults and PBM implementation. Based on these questions, an extensive literature search was conducted in four biomedical databases. The GRADE framework (= grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation) was used to develop a systematic approach to the presentation of evidence summaries and for making clinical recommendations. Three expert panels (EP) consisting of clinicians, scientists, nurses, patient representatives and methodologists were established and used these methods to develop recommendations driven by published evidence. Out of more than 17 500 literature citations, data from 145 studies were incorporated. The expert panel for preoperative anaemia developed 4 clinical and 3 research recommendations. A strong recommendation advices early detection and management of preoperative anaemia before major elective surgery. For RBC transfusion thresholds, 4 clinical and 6 research recommendations have been formulated. Two strong clinical recommendations for RBC transfusion thresholds comprise a haemoglobin concentration of <7 g/dl for critically ill, but clinical stable adult intensive care patients independent of septic shock and <7·5 g/dl for adults undergoing cardiac surgery. For the implementation of PBM programmes, 2 clinical and 3 research recommendations were developed. Research recommendations were formulated as encouragement of new studies to answer open questions. Due to the relative paucity of strong evidence‐based answers in current publications to the 17 PICO questions, additional research, an international consensus for accepted definitions and Hb thresholds as well as clinically meaningful end‐points for clinical studies are necessary. The 2018 PBM ICC defined the current status of PBM evidence and established 10 clinical and 12 research recommendations for preoperative anaemia, RBC transfusion thresholds for adults and implementation of PBM programmes.
Stresses in a Notched Strip Under Tension
Authors: Ling Chih-Bing
Published: March 2021

Although some approximate methods previously may have been used to calculate the stresses in a notched strip with or without the aid of photoelastic observations, no theoretical solution seems to have been developed. The author has now formulated such a solution for a strip under tension; the strip being notched by a pair of symmetrical semicircular arcs on its boundaries. Numerical examples of the solution have been worked out and compared with experimental results available.
A Brief on Biological Thermodynamics for Human Physiology
Authors: Dutta Abhijit , Chattopadhyay Himadri
Published: March 2021

Thermodynamics, the science of energy interactions, governs the direction of processes found in nature. While the subject finds wide applications in science and technology, its connection to biological sciences and in particular to bio-engineering is becoming increasingly important. In this work, after a brief introduction to the fundamental concepts in thermodynamics, we focus on its application in human physiology. A review of application of thermodynamics to the interaction between human body and environment is presented. Research works on biological systems such as the nervous system and the cardiovascular systems are summarized. The thermodynamics of metabolism is reviewed, and finally, the role of the subject in understanding and combating diseases is highlighted.
High sensitivity x-ray detectors based on 4H-SiC p-i-n structure with 80μm thick intrinsic layer
Authors: Liu Qing , Zhou Dong , Xu Weizong , Chen Dunjun , Ren Fangfang , Zhang Rong , Zheng Youdou , Lu Hai
Published: March 2021

In this work, a large size x-ray detector with a 25 mm2 active area is demonstrated based on a thick 4H-SiC p-i-n structure. The detector exhibits obvious merits of high photon sensitivity over 4 × 104 μC Gy−1 cm−2, good photon-response linearity, and high-temperature operation compatibility. Meanwhile, due to the ultralow leakage current level achieved, single photon detection performance for x-ray photons is further realized with energy resolutions of 1.1 and 4.9 keV at 5.9 and 59.5 keV, respectively. This work thus suggests the significant potentials of wide-bandgap SiC semiconductor for photon-resolved x-ray detection in a harsh environment.
Debaryomyces
is enriched in Crohn’s disease intestinal tissue and impairs healing in mice
Authors: Jain Umang , Ver Heul Aaron M. , Xiong Shanshan , Gregory Martin H. , Demers Elora G. , Kern Justin T. , Lai Chin-Wen , Muegge Brian D. , Barisas Derek A. G. , Leal-Ekman J. Steven , Deepak Parakkal , Ciorba Matthew A. , Liu Ta-Chiang , Hogan Deborah A. , Debbas Philip , Braun Jonathan , McGovern Dermot P. B. , Underhill David M. , Stappenbeck Thaddeus S.
Published: March 2021

Fungal aggravation

The gut microbiota includes not only prokaryotes, viruses, protists, and occasionally helminths, but also fungi. The role that fungi play in this symbiosis has long been overlooked. While investigating alterations to the gut microbiota in mice with mucosal damage and human subjects with Crohn's disease, Jain
et al.
discovered the fungus
Debaryomyces hansenii
localized to wounds in inflamed mucosal tissue (see the Perspective by Chiaro and Round). Impaired healing was associated with antibiotic treatment, overgrowth of the fungus, and subsequent induction of a type I interferon–CCL5 axis by macrophages. The fungus was observed within macrophages. Such persistent injury stimulus is a hallmark of inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It is not known whether this salt-tolerant fungus is a natural symbiont, but it is used in the food industry for surface ripening of cheese and meat products.

Science
, this issue p.
1154
; see also p.
1102
Using digital twins in viral infection
Authors: Laubenbacher Reinhard , Sluka James P. , Glazier James A.
Published: March 2021

Personalized computer simulations of infection could allow more effective treatments
Missense Mutations in the CrrB Protein Mediate Odilorhabdin Derivative Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Pantel Lucile , Juarez Paulo , Serri Marine , Boucinha Lilia , Lessoud Emilie , Lanois Anne , Givaudan Alain , Racine Emilie , Gualtieri Maxime
Published: March 2021

NOSO-502 is a preclinical antibiotic candidate of the odilorhabdin class. This compound exhibits activity against
Enterobacteriaceae
pathogens, including carbapenemase-producing bacteria and most of the colistin (CST)-resistant strains.
Activity of Fosfomycin and Amikacin against Fosfomycin-Heteroresistant
Escherichia coli
Strains in a Hollow-Fiber Infection Model
Authors: Portillo-Calderón I. , Ortiz-Padilla M. , de Gregorio-Iaria B. , Merino-Bohorquez V. , Blázquez J. , Rodríguez-Baño J. , Rodríguez-Martínez J. M. , Pascual A. , Docobo-Pérez F.
Published: March 2021

We evaluated human-like the efficacy of intravenous doses of fosfomycin of 8 g every 8 h (8 g/Q8h) and of amikacin (15 mg/kg/Q24h) in monotherapy and in combination against six fosfomycin-heteroresistant
Escherichia coli
isolates using a hollow-fiber infection model (HFIM). Six fosfomycin-heteroresistant
E. coli
isolates (four with strong mutator phenotype) and the control strain
E. coli
ATCC 25922 were used.
Semimechanistic Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Fosfomycin and Sulbactam Combination against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Mohd Sazlly Lim Sazlyna , Heffernan Aaron J. , Roberts Jason A. , Sime Fekade B.
Published: March 2021

Due to limited treatment options for carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
(CR-AB) infections, antibiotic combinations are now considered potential treatments for CR-AB. This study aimed to explore the utility of fosfomycin-sulbactam combination (FOS/SUL) therapy against CR-AB isolates.
An Antifungal Polycyclic Tetramate Macrolactam, Heat-Stable Antifungal Factor (HSAF), Is a Novel Oxidative Stress Modulator in Lysobacter enzymogenes
Authors: Yu Lingjun , Li Hui , Zhou Zaichun , Liu Fengquan , Du Liangcheng
Published: March 2021

PoTeMs are a family of structurally distinct metabolites that have been found in a large number of bacteria. Although PoTeMs exhibit diverse therapeutic properties, the physiological function of PoTeMs in the producer microorganisms had not been investigated.
Emergence of Parechovirus A3 as the Leading Cause of Central Nervous System Infection, Surpassing Any Single Enterovirus Type, in Children in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, from 2007 to 2016
Authors: Sasidharan Anjana , Banerjee Dithi , Harrison Christopher J. , Selvarangan Rangaraj
Published: March 2021

Picornaviruses, including
Enterovirus
species A to D (EV) and
Parechovirus
species A (PeV-A), are the leading reported causes of pediatric central nervous system infections in the United States. We investigated the molecular epidemiology of EV and PeV-A over 10 years in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from children seen at Children’s Mercy-Kansas City (CMKC) from 2007 through 2016.
Cryo-electron Microscopy Structure of S-Trimer, a Subunit Vaccine Candidate for COVID-19
Authors: Ma Jiahao , Su Danmei , Sun Yinyan , Huang Xueqin , Liang Ying , Fang Linqiang , Ma Yan , Li Wenhui , Liang Peng , Zheng Sanduo
Published: March 2021

An effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is critical to end the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, using Trimer-Tag technology, we were able to produce stable and large quantities of WT S-Trimer, a subunit vaccine candidate for COVID-19 with high safety and efficacy from animal and phase 1 clinical trial studies.
Original Antigenic Sin: the Downside of Immunological Memory and Implications for COVID-19
Authors: Brown Eric L. , Essigmann Heather T.
Published: March 2021

The concept of original antigenic sin (OAS) was put forth many years ago to explain how humoral memory responses generated against one set of antigens can affect the nature of antibody responses elicited to challenge infections or vaccinations containing a similar but not identical array of antigens. Here, we highlight the link between OAS and the germinal center reaction (GCR), a process unique to activated B cells undergoing somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination.
RETRACTED: Changes in soft drinks purchased by British households associated with the UK soft drinks industry levy: controlled interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Pell David , Mytton Oliver , Penney Tarra L , Briggs Adam , Cummins Steven , Penn-Jones Catrin , Rayner Mike , Rutter Harry , Scarborough Peter , Sharp Stephen J , Smith Richard D , White Martin , Adams Jean
Published: March 2021

Objective

To determine changes in household purchases of drinks and confectionery one year after implementation of the UK soft drinks industry levy (SDIL).

Design

Controlled interrupted time series analysis.

Participants

Members of a panel of households reporting their purchasing on a weekly basis to a market research company (average weekly number of participants n=22 183), March 2014 to March 2019.

Intervention

A two tiered tax levied on manufacturers of soft drinks, announced in March 2016 and implemented in April 2018. Drinks with ≥8 g sugar/100 mL (high tier) are taxed at £0.24/L and drinks with ≥5 to <8 g sugar/100 mL (low tier) are taxed at £0.18/L. Drinks with <5 g sugar/100 mL (no levy) are not taxed.

Main outcome measures

Absolute and relative differences in the volume of, and amount of sugar in, soft drinks categories, all soft drinks combined, alcohol, and confectionery purchased per household per week one year after implementation of the SDIL compared with trends before the announcement of the SDIL.

Results

In March 2019, compared with the counterfactual estimated from pre-announcement trends, purchased volume of drinks in the high levy tier decreased by 155 mL (95% confidence interval 240.5 to 69.5 mL) per household per week, equivalent to 44.3% (95% confidence interval 59.9% to 28.7%), and sugar purchased in these drinks decreased by 18.0 g (95% confidence interval 32.3 to 3.6 g), or 45.9% (68.8% to 22.9%). Purchases of low tier drinks decreased by 177.3 mL (225.3 to 129.3 mL) per household per week, or 85.9% (95.1% to 76.7%), with a 12.5 g (15.4 to 9.5 g) reduction in sugar in these drinks, equivalent to 86.2% (94.2% to 78.1%). Despite no overall change in volume of no levy drinks purchased, there was an increase in sugar purchased of 15.3 g (12.6 to 17.9 g) per household per week, equivalent to 166.4% (94.2% to 238.5%). When all soft drinks were combined, the volume of drinks purchased did not change, but sugar decreased by 29.5 g (55.8 to 3.1 g), or 9.8% (17.9% to 1.8%). Purchases of confectionery and alcoholic drinks did not change.

Conclusions

Compared with trends before the SDIL was announced, one year after implementation, the volume of soft drinks purchased did not change. The amount of sugar in those drinks was 30 g, or 10%, lower per household per week—equivalent to one 250 mL serving of a low tier drink per person per week. The SDIL might benefit public health without harming industry.

Trial registration

ISRCTN18042742.
Obesity in childhood, socioeconomic status, and completion of 12 or more school years: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Lindberg Louise , Persson Martina , Danielsson Pernilla , Hagman Emilia , Marcus Claude
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Children with obesity achieve lower educational level compared with normal-weight peers. Parental socioeconomic status (SES) impacts both a child’s academic achievement and risk of obesity. The degree to which the association between obesity and education depends on parental SES is unclear. Therefore, the primary aim is to investigate if individuals with obesity in childhood are less likely to complete ≥12 years of schooling, independently of parental SES. The secondary aim is to study how weight loss, level of education and parental SES are associated.

Design

Nationwide prospective cohort study.

Setting

Swedish national register data.

Participants

Children aged 10–17 years, recorded in the Swedish Childhood Obesity Treatment Register, and aged 20 years or older at follow-up were included (n=3942). A comparison group was matched by sex, year of birth and living area (n=18 728). Parental SES was based on maternal and paternal level of education, income and occupational status.

Primary outcome measure

Completion of ≥12 years of schooling was analysed with conditional logistic regression, and adjusted for group, migration background, attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity, anxiety/depression and parental SES.

Results

Among those with obesity in childhood, 56.7% completed ≥12 school years compared with 74.4% in the comparison group (p<0.0001). High parental SES compared with low SES was strongly associated with attained level of education in both children with and without obesity, adjusted OR (aOR) (99% CI)=5.40 (4.45 to 6.55). However, obesity in childhood remains a strong risk factor of not completing ≥12 school years, independently of parental SES,aOR=0.57 (0.51 to 0.63). Successful obesity treatment increased the odds of completing ≥12 years in school even when taking parental SES into account,aOR=1.34 (1.04 to 1.72).

Conclusions

Individuals with obesity in childhood have lower odds of completing ≥12 school years, independently of parental SES. Optimised obesity treatment may improve school results in this group.
One-year efficacy and safety of naloxegol on symptoms and quality of life related to opioid-induced constipation in patients with cancer: KYONAL study
Authors: Cobo Dols Manuel , Beato Zambrano Carmen , Cabezón-Gutiérrez Luis , Chicas-Sett Rodolfo , Blancas López-Barajas María Isabel , García Navalón Francisco Javier , Fírvida Pérez José Luis , Serrano Bermúdez Gala , Togores Torres Pilar , Delgado Mingorance Ignacio , Giraldo Marín Alexandra , Librán Oriol Anna , Paredes Lario Alfredo , Sánchez Mauriño Pedro , Higuera Gómez Oliver , Moreno Muñoz Diana , Huerta González Ibone , Sanz-Yagüe Almudena , Soler López Begoña
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Naloxegol is a peripherally acting µ-opioid receptor antagonist (PAMORA) for treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC). The main objective was to analyse the long-term efficacy, quality of life (QOL) and safety of naloxegol in patients with cancer in a real-world study.

Methods

This one-year prospective study included patients older than 18 years, with active oncological disease who were under treatment with opioids for pain control and Karnofsky≥50 and OIC with inadequate response to treatment with laxative (s). All the patients received treatment with naloxegol according to clinical criteria. The main efficacy objectives were measured by the patient assessment of constipation QOL questionnaire (PAC-QOL), the PAC symptoms (PAC-SYM), the response rate at day 15, and months 1-3-6-12, and global QOL (EuroQoL-5D-5L).

Results

A total of 126 patients (58.7% males) with a mean age of 61.5 years (95% CI 59.4 to 63.7) were included. PAC-SYM and PAC-QOL total score and all their dimensions improved from baseline (p<0.0001). At 12 months, 77.8% of the patients were responders to naloxegol treatment. Global QOL was conserved from baseline. A total of 28 adverse reactions, mainly gastrointestinal were observed in 15.1% of the patients (19/126), being 75% (21) mild, 17.9% (5) moderate and 7.1% (2) severe. Most adverse reactions (67.9%) appeared the first 15 days of treatment.

Conclusion

The results of this first long-term and real-world-data study in patients with cancer, showed the sustained efficacy and safety of naloxegol for the treatment of OIC in this group of patients.
Paediatric end-of-life care – symptoms and problems: parent assessment
Authors: Lykke Camilla , Ekholm Ola , Olsen Marianne , Sjøgren Per
Published: March 2021

Objective

Symptoms and problems (S&P) are under-reported in children in end-of-life care.

To target future interventions, the primary aim was to examine S&P in children in end-of-life care.

Methods

All parents, who lost a child under the age of 18 years due to life-limiting diagnoses in the period 2012–2014 in Denmark, were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire in 2017. In all, 152 (38%) children were represented by 136 mothers and 57 fathers. In the present study, parents’ assessments of S&P during the last month of life were restricted to children aged 3–18 years. Data were analyses by means of descriptive statistics.

Results

Children ≥3 years at the time of death were represented by 71 parents (48 mothers and 23 fathers) representing 56 out of the 152 children. Physical fatigue (93%), sleepiness (90%), poor appetite (87%), pain (84%) and nausea (84%) were the five most frequent symptoms reported by the parents. In all, 65% of the parents reported that satisfactory pain relief was obtained and 64% of the parents reported that the healthcare services to a large extent reacted quickly, when the child and/or family needed help. However, 46% of the parents experienced ‘mess-ups’ or sloppy services in the primary ward and 27% experienced that the children suffered from fear of death.

Conclusion

According to the parents, children with life-limiting diagnosis are highly symptomatic and have substantial problems during end-of-life care. Our findings indicate that systematic screening of S&P in children should be considered.
Association between routine measures of graft function and mortality in heart transplant recipients
Authors: Foroutan Farid , Malik Abdullah , Nelson Lærke Marie Sidenius , Steve Chun-Po Fan , Guyatt Gordon , Gustafsson Finn , Ross Heather , Alba Ana Carolina
Published: March 2021

Objective

To date, long-term graft dysfunction, an important cause of death after heart transplantation, has been defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤40% or right atrial pressure (RAP) of ≥15 mm Hg. Empirical associations between measures of cardiac function and mortality post-transplant remain, however, unestablished.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective two-centre cohort study of consecutive adults who underwent heart transplant between 2002 and 2017. We evaluated the association between LVEF and RAP and mortality, including rejection and cardiac allograft vasculopathy as additional time-dependent covariates using Cox proportional hazard models. We applied restricted cubic splines to both LVEF and RAP.

Results

Of 590 eligible heart transplant recipients, of whom 72% were male with a mean age of 49 years, 410 received their transplant at Toronto General Hospital and 180 at Rigshospitalet. We observed a 5% absolute risk increase for 1-year mortality, from 11% to 16%, when the LVEF dropped to 53% (HR 1.71 for LVEF of 53% compared with 60%, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.14) or when the RAP increased to 12 mm Hg (HR 1.49 for RAP of 12 mm Hg compared with 5 mm Hg, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.13).

Conclusion

In this study, we observed that small changes in graft function at any time post-transplant are associated with an increased mortality. Our results suggest that the current definition of graft dysfunction may underestimate patient risk of adverse outcomes.
Injury patterns and circumstances associated with electric scooter collisions: a scoping review
Authors: Toofany Manish , Mohsenian Sasha , Shum Leona K , Chan Herbert , Brubacher Jeffrey R
Published: March 2021

Background

Electric scooters are personal mobility devices that have risen in popularity worldwide since 2017. Emerging reports suggest that both riders and other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, have been injured in electric scooter-associated incidents. We undertook a scoping review of the current literature to evaluate the injury patterns and circumstances of electric scooter-associated injuries.

Methods

A scoping review of literature published from 2010 to 2020 was undertaken following accepted guidelines. Relevant articles were identified in Medline, Embase, SafetyLit and Transport Research International Documentation using terms related to electric scooters, injuries and incident circumstances. Supplemental searches were conducted to identify relevant grey literature (non-peer-reviewed reports).

Results

Twenty-eight peer-reviewed studies and nine grey literature records were included in the review. The current literature surrounding electric scooter-associated injuries mainly comprises retrospective case series reporting clinical variables. Factors relating to injury circumstances are inconsistently reported. Findings suggest that the head, upper extremities and lower extremities are particularly vulnerable in electric scooter falls or collisions, while injuries to the chest and abdomen are less common. Injury severity was inconsistently reported, but most reported injuries were minor. Low rates of helmet use among electric scooter users were noted in several studies.

Conclusion

Electric scooters leave riders vulnerable to traumatic injuries of varying severity. Future work should prospectively collect standardised data that include information on the context of the injury event and key clinical variables. Research on interventions to prevent electric scooter injuries is also needed to address this growing area of concern.
Timing and provenance of Paleoproterozoic supracrustal rocks in the central Thelon tectonic zone, Canada: implications for the tectonic evolution of western Laurentia from ca. 2.1 to 1.9 Ga
Authors: Davis W.J. , Sanborn-Barrie M. , Berman R.G. , Pehrsson S.
Published: March 2021

Depositional ages and provenance of metasedimentary rocks provide constraints on the architecture of the interface between the Slave and Rae cratons and processes related to the Thelon Orogen. Clastic rocks analysed from the central Thelon tectonic zone are Paleoproterozoic in age and not remnants of the Archean Yellowknife Supergroup (Slave Province), as originally considered. Two assemblages are recognized. An older clastic assemblage deposited after 2.09 Ga contains detrital zircon age modes of 2.3 and 2.17 Ga, with subordinate Neoarchean and Paleoarchean detritus. Its deposition is interpreted to predate Thelon magmatic activity given that (1) it lacks ca. 2.01–1.97 Ga detritus of Thelon magmatic origin, and (2) correlative clastic rocks occur as inclusions in Thelon plutons and contain ca. 2.0 Ga metamorphic monazite. This assemblage is correlative with both the Mary Frances and Rutledge River groups, establishing a >800 km long basin at ca. 2.1 Ga that received detritus from the western Rae and (or) Buffalo Head terrane(s). Separation from the Slave craton at this time is consistent with the absence of any Slave-affinity detritus. A younger assemblage deposited after 1.95 Ga and prior to 1.91 Ga contains mainly 2.02–1.95 Ga detrital zircon, age modes comparable with adjacent Thelon convergent-margin plutonic rocks. The younger assemblage records deposition of the uplifted and eroded Thelon magmatic arc in an intermontane or foreland basin setting during the later stages of post-collisional convergence. These U–Pb zircon data support a tectonic model for western Laurentia that reconciles differences between the Thelon and Taltson magmatic zones involving ca. 2.1 Ga rifting, ca. 2.01–1.97 Ga convergence, followed by <1.95 Ga thrust-driven exhumation.
Ribavirin shows antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and downregulates the activity of TMPRSS2 and the expression of ACE2 in vitro
Authors: Unal Mehmet Altay , Bitirim Ceylan Verda , Summak Gokce Yagmur , Bereketoglu Sidar , Cevher Zeytin Inci , Besbinar Omur , Gurcan Cansu , Aydos Dunya , Goksoy Ezgi , Kocakaya Ebru , Eran Zeynep , Murat Merve , Demir Nil , Aksoy Ozer Zeynep Busra , Somers Julia , Demir Emek , Nazir Hasan , Ozkan Sibel Aysil , Ozkul Aykut , Azap Alpay , Yilmazer Acelya , Akcali Kamil Can
Published: March 2021

Ribavirin is a guanosine analog with broad-spectrum antiviral activity against RNA viruses. Based on this, we aimed to show the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of this drug molecule via in vitro, in silico, and molecular techniques. Ribavirin showed antiviral activity in Vero E6 cells following SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas the drug itself did not show any toxic effect over the concentration range tested. In silico analysis suggested that ribavirin has a broad-spectrum impact on SARS-CoV-2, acting at different viral proteins. According to the detailed molecular techniques, ribavirin was shown to decrease the expression of TMPRSS2 at both mRNA and protein levels 48 h after treatment. The suppressive effect of ribavirin in ACE2 protein expression was shown to be dependent on cell types. Finally, proteolytic activity assays showed that ribavirin also showed an inhibitory effect on the TMPRSS2 enzyme. Based on these results, we hypothesized that ribavirin may inhibit the expression of TMPRSS2 by modulating the formation of inhibitory G-quadruplex structures at the TMPRSS2 promoter. As a conclusion, ribavirin is a potential antiviral drug for the treatment against SARS-CoV-2, and it interferes with the effects of TMPRSS2 and ACE2 expression.
The pipeline of data processing for TAIJI-1 space mission in the TAIJI program for the detection of gravitational wave
Authors: Jin Hong-Bo , Xu Peng ,   On behalf of The Taiji Scientific Collaboration
Published: March 2021

TAIJI-1 is a micro-gravity experiment spacecraft. The mission target is to verify some key techniques of the spacecraft payloads for the gravitational wave detection, which involve laser interferometer, gravity reference sensor, drag-free control technology, micro-propulsion system, super-quiescent spacecraft platform, etc. The verification of the data processing pipeline required by the next stage of TAIJI Program is also performed. In order to benefit from the joint observatory between TAIJI and LISA in the future, as a space mission, the science operations refer to the existing ESA and NASA standard models, which include the Mission Operations Center (MOC), the Science Operations Center (SOC), the Data Processing Center (DPC), etc. The data processing pipeline connects between SOC and DPC. The SOC obtains the level-0 data from MOC and DPC performs the data processing and distributes the level-2 and level-3 data to SOC. For TAIJI-1 mission, SOC and DPC are two subsystems, which are included into the named science application system (SAS). That is the one of the six-function systems, which operate Chinese space mission. MOC is relevant to the ground support system (GSS) and spacecraft control system, that are also the ones of six-function systems of Chinese space mission. The on-orbit experiment plannings are transported from SAS to GSS, that is similar to from SOC to MOC in NASA standard models. The computer construction and computer software are the basic elements of the SAS, that are constructed completely, before the TAIJI-1 was launched. After TAIJI-1 enters the orbit, the data processing pipeline begins to work and the experimental items of TAIJI-1 are performed in the pipeline. The basic functions, performances and optimization functions of the detection devices in the payloads are verified completely 3 months after launch. In the same time, the methods of data analysis and processing are also verified. As a result, the required indicators of key techniques of the spacecraft for the gravitational wave detection are justified. The data processing pipeline is also reasonable. The relevant codes for data analysis and processing will benefit the next stage of TAIJI Program.
Probabilistic Risk Analysis of Process Systems Considering Epistemic and Aleatory Uncertainties: A Comparison Study
Authors: Yazdi Mohammad , Golilarz Noorbakhsh Amiri , Adesina Kehinde Adewale , Nedjati Arman
Published: March 2021

The fault tree analysis (FTA) is one of the important probabilistic risk assessment tools that is extensively used in different industrial applications. However, the classical FTA has been widely criticized due to its ambiguity and vagueness in finding the probability of basic events (BEs), and accordingly, in computing the probability of top events (TEs). In this paper, we propose a new approach considering the integration of fuzzy set theory and evidence theory for handling both types of uncertainties, i.e., epistemic and aleatory. In addition, to estimate the probability of TEs alternatively, the normal distribution is applied. By performing a numerical example of risk assessment in a collapse case study for a common offshore facility platform, the effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated. Finally, in this study, the sensitivity analysis is also performed to represent the vulnerability of the causes and the interaction of different inputs, meaning that the proposed model is highly reliable and effective for real applications.
On Measurability of C[0, 1]: Countable Dense Set Approach
Authors: Boonpogkrong Varayu
Published: March 2021

In V. Boonpogkrong, On measurability of [Formula: see text], Thai J. Math. (accepted) we have proved that [Formula: see text] is measurable in a setting of a dyadic Henstock integral, where dimension sets are subsets of the dyadic rational. In this paper, we replace “dyadic rational” by “countable dense set” and use a setting of Henstock integral, where dimension sets are subsets of this fixed countable dense set. The collection of measurable sets in this new setting is smaller than that in the old setting. We still can prove that [Formula: see text] is measurable.
The Black–Scholes Equation with Impulses at Random Times Via Generalized Riemann Integral
Authors: Bonotto E. M. , Federson M. , Muldowney P.
Published: March 2021

The classical pricing theory requires that the simple sets of outcomes are extended, using the Kolmogorov Extension Theorem, to a sigma-algebra of measurable sets in an infinite-dimensional sample space whose elements are continuous paths; the process involved are represented by appropriate stochastic differential equations (using Itô calculus); a suitable measure for the sample space can be found by means of the Girsanov and Radon–Nikodym Theorems; the derivative asset valuation is determined by means of an expression using Lebesgue integration. It is known that if we replace Lebesgue’s by the generalized Riemann integration to obtain the expectation, the same result can be achieved by elementary methods. In this paper, we consider the Black–Scholes PDE subject to impulse action. We replace the process which follows a geometric Brownian motion by a process which has additional impulsive displacements at random times. Instead of constants, the volatility and the risk-free interest rate are considered as continuous functions which can vary in time. Using the Feynman–Ka[Formula: see text] formulation based on generalized Riemann integration, we obtain a pricing formula for a European call option which copes with many discontinuities. This paper seeks to develop techniques of mathematical analysis in derivative pricing theory which are less constrained by the standard assumption of lognormality of prices. Accordingly, the paper is aimed primarily at analysis rather than finance. An example is given to illustrate the main results.
On Computing Impulse Responses from Frequency-Domain Finite Element Solutions
Authors: Prinn A. G.
Published: March 2021

In acoustics, knowledge of the impulse response of a system is often important. While impulse responses may be measured, they may also be predicted using numerical methods. This work considers the generation of impulse responses from frequency-domain finite element solutions. It is shown that these impulse responses, obtained by inverse Fourier transformation, are noncausal. Through error analysis, it is demonstrated that the noncausality can be reduced by increasing the duration of a source signal used to excite a simulated system. It is found that increasing the source signal duration increases the dispersion-related phase error present in the simulated impulse responses. The findings of this study are used to simulate an impulse response for a system with a nonuniform, frequency-dependent, complex impedance boundary condition.
Qillah: A Morphological Extension for Identifying Plural-of-Paucity Arabic Words
Authors: Fuad Ahlam , bin Gahman Amany , Alenezy Rasha , Ateeq Wed , Al-Khalifa Hend
Published: March 2021

Plural of paucity is one type of broken plural used in the classical Arabic. It is used when the number of people or objects ranges from three to 10. Based on our evaluation of four current state-of-the-art Arabic morphological analyzers, there is a lack of identification of broken plural words, specifically the plural of paucity. Therefore, this paper presents Qillah (paucity), a morphological extension that is built on top of other morphological analyzers and uses a hybrid rule-based and lexicon-based approach to enhance the identification of plural of paucity. Two versions of the Qillah were developed, one is based on FARASA morphological analyzer and the other is based on CALIMA Star analyzer, as these are some of the best-performing morphological analyzers. We designed two experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed solution based on a collection of 402 different Arabic words. The version based on CALIMA Star achieved a maximum accuracy of 93% in identifying the plural-of-paucity words compared to the baselines. It also achieved a maximum accuracy of 98% compared to the baselines in identifying the plurality of the words.