bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In-Silico Pharmacological and Molecular Docking Studies of Natural Inhibitors form Musa Spp. On Vaca Gene a Vacuolating Cytotoxin Autotransporter
Authors: Rakesh N R , Gurumurthy H , Pradeep H K , Pradeep S , Gurumurthy D M , Sachin C L
Published: October 2020

The integration of computational with various bioinformatics software/tools/webservers and the molecular docking process is the current key point method in reducing the time for drug discovery and drug development from a Bioactive compound. Current Insilco Study considers the Bioactive Phytoconstituents from Musa species for our drug discovery process by using bioinformatics software to find out the analogs by following their related physicochemical properties for the structure-based drug design. The gastric bacterium H. pylori infect the gastric mucosa, and its eradication is associated with the prevention of ulcer reoccurrence. The significant Protein target from this species was a challenging task for finding, targeting, treating. Offering hope from the Bioactive compounds considered in line with already FDA approved Drug molecules against peptic ulcer causative organism’s special protein vacuolating cytotoxin autotransporter translated from vacA Gene. The recent challenge is to identify a drug moiety that will effectively work on the target protein. Usually, the Phytocompounds will not significantly cause a side effect. Sitosterol with docking score of -6.417 kcal/mol has promised to serve as vacuolating cytotoxin autotransporter inhibitor by blocking the autotransporter protein to the periplasmic space avoiding the toxin passage between periplasmic membrane which will avoid the gastric infections from H. pylori.
Experimental Analysis of Luffa Composite Material
Authors: Vijayendra Gopal Kumar , Fredrick Gnanaraj F , Vijaya Kumar K R , Andrew Nallayan W
Published: October 2020

In recent times maximum research is based on the composite materials. In the future, many engineering developments are based on the composite material. This research is entirely based on natural composite material. In this work, Luffa material is used for making composite materials in different proportions and its mechanical properties calculated. Luffa is a natural material with less cost and easily available material. Thus the main objective of this work is determining the best composition by comparing the properties of different compositions.
Performance and Emission Characteristics of VCR Diesel Engine with Pre Heated Lemon Grass Biodiesel as Fuel
Authors: Kotaiah Kolla , Periyasamy P , Prabhahar M
Published: October 2020

Under this experimental analysis the lemon grass oil was considered, it’s converted into biodiesel as lemon grass biodiesel methyl ester (LGB) through transesterification process. The Kirloskar TV1 was used as the reference fuel in the fuel injection system 4-stroke diesel engine. The lemon grass biodiesel methyl ester (LGB B20) blend B20 is selected because it nearest to the diesel value. The lemon grass biodiesel is preheated at 60°C temperature that is (LGB B20 preheating @ 60°C). The results of the test showed that LGB B20 kinematic viscosity and density gradually decreased with fuel temperature rise. The performance characteristics of Preheating biodiesel is increased the BTE and slightly reduce the BSFC at noted in the full load condition. And the emission characteristics at full load condition of CO, HC and smoke density as decreased, it was observed slight increase of NOx emission.
Real Time Design and Implementation of FPGA Based Timing and Control System for Wireless Radar Communication
Authors: Kamaraj P , Jagadeesh Kannan R
Published: October 2020

This paper introduces real time application of FPGA based Timing Control Signal Generation card for Active Phased Array Radar Transmit Receive modules wireless radar communication. Active phased array radars usually have Transmit-Receive (TR) modules located near to the antenna elements and all the TR modules are to be synchronized for proper operation of the radar system. The TCSG is the heart of radar system which is designed to provide interface for digital controls, analog parameter monitoring, and timing and control signals generation required for 1 kW TR Module operation. The main objective of TCSG is to control and monitor the field located TR modules remotely from the control and instrumentation room, usually far away from the antenna field. Each TCSG card is provided with unique IP address and port number to distinguish each card though they perform same kind of operations. After remote connection establishment, the TCSG card responds to the commands given for controlling or monitoring the TR module parameters. A PC based user interface allows sending controls and monitoring the health of the TR modules. The functionality of the TCSG card is verified with a test bench setup and the results shows that the TCSG card is working properly for all the user parameters. The proposed framework comprises of detailed design, architecture, visualization, implementation and integration on a 1 kW high power TR module for the radar communication. Simulation of various control pulses for radar real time operations are carried out using Vivado and updated to the real time application using Artix-7 FPGA.
An Evaluation of Effective Intrusion DoS Detection and Prevention System Based on SVM Classifier for WSN
Authors: Prabakaran K , Kumaratharan N , Suresh G , Epsiba P
Published: October 2020

The trending technology of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are broadly used in this recent earth for a greatest rate of purpose for the better worth of person living however owing to their energy constrains as well as utilization and problems as mentioned above, these WSN has their restriction in their intention as well as their practicality. The wireless sensor networks face main threat challenges such as Denial of Service (DoS) attack, flooding attack, replay attack. In this approach, we proposed an Intrusion Detection (ID) technique using Support Vector Machine (SVM). In the ID algorithm, we employ feature vector to constitute nodes. Such components consist of routing message number, varies destinations in sending and receiving routing packets, and similar source node. The similar source node consists of similar characteristics; the node of the similar category has the same features. Therefore, irregular nodes will be notable. The measurement result shows an introduced scheme attain higher rate of accuracy. Here, Ant colony Optimization (ACO) technique to choose best route between entire adjacent feasible routes from source to receiver node for data communication. The proposed approach enhances the network lifespan as well as discovers intrusion nodes in WSN.
Detect and Prevent Active and Passive Attack in Autonomous Mobile Network
Authors: Sivasankar C , Kumanan T
Published: October 2020

In Autonomous Mobile Networks (AMNs), nodes regularly collaborate as well as transmit all packets to facilitate out of range transaction. Though, in unfriendly surroundings, several nodes might reject for preserve their own senders or for intentionally disrupting regular communications. Ina addition, the node mobility to handles the active and passive attacks. To overcome these problems, in this article Detect and Prevent Active and Passive Attack in Autonomous Mobile Network (DPAP) is introduced. Here, faithful forwarder node is chosen based on the vicinity information as well as connectivity of node. The active attacker node is detected by three hop verification method. In addition, the Binomial Pascal triangle function (BPTF) is applied for concealing the node uniqueness as a result; it recognizes the passive attack in the AMN. The DPAP approach is measured by applying a network simulator-2 for recognizing the active and passive attacker in the AMN. Simulation output illustrates the DPAP offer better throughput and detection ratio in the AMN.
First-principle study on electronic and optical properties of (Al, P, Al-P) doped graphene
Authors: Zhao Kuo , Zhang Wenchao , Peng Lei , Jiang Min , Wang Wenqiang , He Xunjun , Wang Yi , Gao Laixu
Published: October 2020

First-principle calculations are used to study the electronic structures, electronic and optical properties of pure, phosphorus-doped, aluminum-doped, and co-doped graphene with phosphorus and aluminum. The results show that the band gap of graphene can be effectively opened as the carbon atoms were replaced by P and Al atoms, and a large band gap of 0.45 eV could be opened when the P and Al atoms co-replaced carbon atoms. In addition, the band gap could be also reached 0.40 eV when an Al atom replaces a carbon atom. When P is doped into graphene, the band gap value is only 0.12 eV. For co-doped graphene with phosphorus and aluminum, the lost number of the electrons which are around the aluminum (2.10 e) is smaller than that of the Al-doping graphene (2.27 e). However, the phosphorus atom loses less electrons (0.43 e) than that in P-doping graphene (1.40 e). Furthermore, the optical parameters of pure graphene and several other doped graphene systems were studied, including refractive index, dielectric function and absorption coefficient have been also calculated. These crucial results confirm existence of P, Al and P–Al doping induced in graphene is an effective method in band gap engineering. Our research provides the theoretical foundation of using the chemical doping with heteroatoms approach to improve the electronic and optical performances of graphene, expected to benefit the practical application of graphene in tunable optoelectronic devices.
𝐶₂-equivariant and ℝ-motivic stable stems II
Authors: Belmont Eva , Guillou Bertrand , Isaksen Daniel
Published: October 2020

We show that the stable homotopy groups of the

C
2

C_2

-equivariant sphere spectrum and the

R

\mathbb {R}

-motivic sphere spectrum are isomorphic in a range. This result supersedes previous work of Dugger and the third author.
Impact of endovascular reperfusion therapy in nonagenarians with anterior circulation large-vessel ischaemic stroke
Authors: Derraz Imad , Benali Amel , Ahmed Raed , Cagnazzo Federico , Dargazanli Cyril , Gascou Gregory , Riquelme Carlos , Corti Lucas , Lefevre Pierre-Henri , Bonafe Alain , Arquizan Caroline , Costalat Vincent
Published: October 2020

Background and Purpose

The benefit of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) among nonagenarians (90 years or older) is poorly documented. We aimed to investigate the clinical and imaging factors associated with good outcomes and mortality at 90 days in nonagenarians undergoing EVT for acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods

Data from a prospectively maintained institutional registry of consecutive AIS patients treated with EVT from January 2012 to December 2018 were retrospectively analysed. Comorbid conditions were classified with a modified version of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). The degree of disability was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Outcomes included good functional outcome (mRS scores of 0–3) and mortality at 90 days.

Results

Among 110 patients (age, 92.3 ± 2.5 years; men, 28.2%) treated with EVT, good outcome was achieved in 39 (35.5%) patients, successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction grades of 2b–3) was achieved in 78 (70.9%) patients and 38 (34.5%) patients died at 90 days. The functional outcome at 3 months was associated with pre-stroke status (CCI and pre-stroke mRS score). Successful reperfusion (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 11.6; 95% CI, 1.3–104.2; P = 0.03) and early neurologic improvement at 24 h (adjusted OR, 16.4; 95% CI, 5.2–51.5; P < 0.001) were independent predictors of a good outcome. Early neurological improvement (adjusted OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.02–0.23; P < 0.001) was an independent predictor of 90-day mortality.

Conclusions

Successful reperfusion therapy improves the functional outcome of nonagenarians who should not be excluded from EVT. The presence and severity of comorbidities should be considered in the procedural management of this vulnerable population.
Finding “Bright Spots”: Using Multiple Measures to Examine Local-Area Racial Equity in Cancer Mortality Outcomes
Authors: Scott Lia C , Bartley Shelton , Dowling Nicole F , Richardson Lisa C
Published: October 2020

In this article, we present a variety of measures that quantify equity in cancer mortality outcomes, demonstrate how the measures perform with various cancer types, and identify counties, or “bright spots,” that meet the criteria of those measures. Using county-level age-adjusted mortality rates for 2007–2016 from the National Center for Health Statistics, we identified counties that had both equitable and optimal outcomes for Black and White death rates across 5 types of cancer: cancers of the lung/bronchus, prostate, female breast, colorectum, and liver. The number of counties that met the criteria ranged from 0 to 442, depending on cancer type and measure used. Prostate cancer and male liver cancer consistently had the lowest number of “bright spots,” with a maximum of 3 counties meeting the most lenient criteria. This paper presents several ways to examine equity, using rate ratios and standard error measures, in cancer mortality outcomes. It highlights areas with positive progress toward equity and areas with a potential need for equity-focused cancer-control planning. Examining local areas of positive deviance can inform cancer-control programming and planning around health equity.
Molecular evolution of GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase, a key regulatory gene in plant ascorbate biosynthesis
Authors: Tao Junjie , Hao Zhuan , Huang Chunhui
Published: October 2020

Ascorbic acid (AsA) is a widespread antioxidant in living organisms, and plays essential roles in the growth and development of animals and plants as well as in the response to abiotic stress tolerance. The GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase (GGP) is a key regulatory gene in plant AsA biosynthesis that can regulate the concentration of AsA at the transcriptional and translational levels. The function and regulation mechanisms of GGP have been well understood; however, the molecular evolutionary patterns of the gene remain unclear. In this study, a total of 149 homologous sequences of GGP were sampled from 71 plant species covering the major groups of Viridiplantae, and the phylogenetic relationships, gene duplication and molecular evolution analyses of the genes were systematically investigated. Results showed that GGP genes are present throughout the plant kingdom and five shared whole-genome duplications and several lineage-specific whole-genome duplications were found, which led to the rapid expansion of GGPs in seed plants, especially in angiosperms. The structure of GGP genes was more conserved in land plants, but varied greatly in green algae, indicating that GGP may have undergone great differentiation in the early stages of plant evolution. Most GGP proteins had a conserved motif arrangement and composition, suggesting that plant GGPs have similar catalytic functions. Molecular evolutionary analyses showed that GGP genes were predominated by purifying selection, indicating that the gene is functionally conserved due to its vital importance in AsA biosynthesis. Most of the branches under positive selection identified by the branch-site model were mainly in the chlorophytes lineage, indicating episodic diversifying selection may contribute to the evolution of GGPs, especially in the chlorophyte lineage. The conserved function of GGP and its rapid expansion in angiosperms maybe one of the reasons for the increase of AsA content in angiosperms, enabling angiosperms to adapt to changing environments.
KIMI: Knockoff Inference for Motif Identification from molecular sequences with controlled false discovery rate
Authors: Bai Xin , Ren Jie , Fan Yingying , Sun Fengzhu
Published: October 2020

Motivation

The rapid development of sequencing technologies has enabled us to generate a large number of metagenomic reads from genetic materials in microbial communities, making it possible to gain deep insights into understanding the differences between the genetic materials of different groups of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, plasmids, etc. Computational methods based on k-mer frequencies have been shown to be highly effective for classifying metagenomic sequencing reads into different groups. However, such methods usually use all the k-mers as features for prediction without selecting relevant k-mers for the different groups of sequences, i.e. unique nucleotide patterns containing biological significance.

Results

To select k-mers for distinguishing different groups of sequences with guaranteed false discovery rate (FDR) control, we develop KIMI, a general framework based on model-X Knockoffs regarded as the state-of-the-art statistical method for FDR control, for sequence motif discovery with arbitrary target FDR level, such that reproducibility can be theoretically guaranteed. KIMI is shown through simulation studies to be effective in simultaneously controlling FDR and yielding high power, outperforming the broadly used Benjamini–Hochberg procedure and the q-value method for FDR control. To illustrate the usefulness of KIMI in analyzing real datasets, we take the viral motif discovery problem as an example and implement KIMI on a real dataset consisting of viral and bacterial contigs. We show that the accuracy of predicting viral and bacterial contigs can be increased by training the prediction model only on relevant k-mers selected by KIMI.

Availabilityand implementation

Our implementation of KIMI is available at https://github.com/xinbaiusc/KIMI.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Independent Contributions of Dorsolateral Prefrontal Structure and Function to Working Memory in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Evangelista Nicole D , O’Shea Andrew , Kraft Jessica N , Hausman Hanna K , Boutzoukas Emanuel M , Nissim Nicole R , Albizu Alejandro , Hardcastle Cheshire , Van Etten Emily J , Bharadwaj Pradyumna K , Smith Samantha G , Song Hyun , Hishaw Georg A , DeKosky Steven , Wu Samuel , Porges Eric , Alexander Gene E , Marsiske Michael , Cohen Ronald , Woods Adam J
Published: October 2020

Age-related differences in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) structure and function have each been linked to working memory. However, few studies have integrated multimodal imaging to simultaneously investigate relationships among structure, function, and cognition. We aimed to clarify how specifically DLPFC structure and function contribute to working memory in healthy older adults. In total, 138 participants aged 65–88 underwent 3 T neuroimaging and were divided into higher and lower groups based on a median split of in-scanner n-back task performance. Three a priori spherical DLPFC regions of interest (ROIs) were used to quantify blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal and FreeSurfer-derived surface area, cortical thickness, and white matter volume. Binary logistic regressions adjusting for age, sex, education, and scanner type revealed that greater left and right DLPFC BOLD signal predicted the probability of higher performing group membership (P values<.05). Binary logistic regressions also adjusting for total intracranial volume revealed left DLPFC surface area that significantly predicted the probability of being in the higher performing group (P = 0.017). The left DLPFC BOLD signal and surface area were not significantly associated and did not significantly interact to predict group membership (P values>.05). Importantly, this suggests BOLD signal and surface area may independently contribute to working memory performance in healthy older adults.
Rest Functional Brain Maturation during the First Year of Life
Authors: Lemaître Hervé , Augé Pierre , Saitovitch Ana , Vinçon-Leite Alice , Tacchella Jean-Marc , Fillon Ludovic , Calmon Raphael , Dangouloff-Ros Volodia , Lévy Raphaël , Grévent David , Brunelle Francis , Boddaert Nathalie , Zilbovicius Monica
Published: October 2020

The first year of life is a key period of brain development, characterized by dramatic structural and functional modifications. Here, we measured rest cerebral blood flow (CBF) modifications throughout babies’ first year of life using arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging sequence in 52 infants, from 3 to 12 months of age. Overall, global rest CBF significantly increased during this age span. In addition, we found marked regional differences in local functional brain maturation. While primary sensorimotor cortices and insula showed early maturation, temporal and prefrontal region presented great rest CBF increase across the first year of life. Moreover, we highlighted a late and remarkably synchronous maturation of the prefrontal and posterior superior temporal cortices. These different patterns of regional cortical rest CBF modifications reflect a timetable of local functional brain maturation and are consistent with baby’s cognitive development within the first year of life.
Distinct Representational Structure and Localization for Visual Encoding and Recall during Visual Imagery
Authors: Bainbridge Wilma A , Hall Elizabeth H , Baker Chris I
Published: October 2020

During memory recall and visual imagery, reinstatement is thought to occur as an echoing of the neural patterns during encoding. However, the precise information in these recall traces is relatively unknown, with previous work primarily investigating either broad distinctions or specific images, rarely bridging these levels of information. Using ultra-high-field (7T) functional magnetic resonance imaging with an item-based visual recall task, we conducted an in-depth comparison of encoding and recall along a spectrum of granularity, from coarse (scenes, objects) to mid (e.g., natural, manmade scenes) to fine (e.g., living room, cupcake) levels. In the scanner, participants viewed a trial-unique item, and after a distractor task, visually imagined the initial item. During encoding, we observed decodable information at all levels of granularity in category-selective visual cortex. In contrast, information during recall was primarily at the coarse level with fine-level information in some areas; there was no evidence of mid-level information. A closer look revealed segregation between voxels showing the strongest effects during encoding and those during recall, and peaks of encoding–recall similarity extended anterior to category-selective cortex. Collectively, these results suggest visual recall is not merely a reactivation of encoding patterns, displaying a different representational structure and localization from encoding, despite some overlap.
One Step Forward: Successful End-of-Treatment Outcomes of Patients With Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Who Received Concomitant Bedaquiline and Delamanid in Mumbai, India
Authors: Das Mrinalini , Dalal Alpa , Laxmeshwar Chinmay , Ravi Shilpa , Mamnoon Fatima , Meneguim Augusto C , Paryani Roma , Mathur Taanya , Singh Pramila , Mansoor Homa , Kalon Stobdan , Hossain Farah Naz , Lachenal Nathalie , Coutisson Sylvine , Ferlazzo Gabriella , Isaakidis Petros
Published: October 2020

Background

The Médecins Sans Frontières Clinic in Mumbai, India, has been providing concomitant bedaquiline (BDQ) and delamanid (DLM) in treatment regimen for patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) and limited therapeutic options, referred from other healthcare institutions, since 2016. The study documents the end-of-treatment outcomes, culture-conversion rates, and serious adverse events (SAEs) during treatment.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study based on routinely collected program data. In clinic, treatment regimens are designed based on culture drug sensitivity test patterns and previous drug exposures, and are provided for 20–22 months. BDQ and DLM are extended beyond 24 weeks as off-label use. Patients who initiated DR-TB treatment including BDQ and DLM (concomitantly for at least 4 weeks) during February 2016–February 2018 were included.

Results

Of the 70 patients included, the median age was 25 (interquartile range [IQR], 22–32) years and 56% were females. All except 1 were fluoroquinolone resistant. The median duration of exposure to BDQ and DLM was 77 (IQR, 43–96) weeks. Thirty-nine episodes of SAEs were reported among 30 (43%) patients, including 5 instances of QTc prolongation, assessed as possibly related to BDQ and/or DLM. The majority (69%) had culture conversion before 24 weeks of treatment. In 61 (87%), use of BDQ and DLM was extended beyond 24 weeks. Successful end-of-treatment outcomes were reported in 49 (70%) patients.

Conclusions

The successful treatment outcomes of this cohort show that regimens including concomitant BDQ and DLM for longer than 24 weeks are effective and can be safely administered on an ambulatory basis. National TB programs globally should scale up access to life-saving DR-TB regimens with new drugs.
Understanding inclusive growth at local level: changing patterns and types of neighbourhood disadvantage in three English city-regions
Authors: Hughes Ceri , Lupton Ruth
Published: October 2020

Rather than assuming there will be trickle down benefits, it is argued that efforts to promote inclusive growth should be rooted in an understanding of the experiences of different people and places. The article presents empirical analysis of changes in the ways that deprived neighbourhoods in three English city-regions are linked to the wider economy, drawing on a typology of residential mobility and population-level indicators of economic and social change. It proposes that contextualised analysis of spatial inequalities within city-regions can support the development of more explicit theories about how these inequalities are created and sustained, opening up opportunities to develop a theoretically informed, and more concrete, inclusive growth agenda.
A New Algorithm For Reconstruction Of A Computer-Generated Hologram (CGH)
Authors: Tripathy A K , Tripathy S K , Pattanaik S R , Das S K
Published: October 2020

A new algorithm based on cell orientation for construction of detour Fourier Transform Computer Generated Hologram (CGH) and reconstruction of original objects from the CGH is presented here. Uniqueness of this investigation is that, besides reconstructing original objects, using this proposed algorithm, these can also be reconstructed without using monochromatic light. This investigation thus finds its importance in encryption applications. The proposed algorithms are faster as compared to Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) algorithm and consumes less power.
Ethnic Media and Multi-Dimensional Identity: Pacific Audiences’ Connections With Māori Media
Authors: Ross Tara
Published: October 2020

This article explores issues of identity, hybridity, and media in an Aotearoa/New Zealand context by analyzing Pacific audiences’ affinity for and use of indigenous Māori media. It makes the case for broadening ethnic categorizations in media practice and scholarship to better account for multi-ethnic audiences’ identities and practices. And, by exploring Pacific audiences’ talk about a shared “Brown” identity, it suggests that Pacific peoples, particularly New Zealand-born youth, resort to a racialized “Brown” identity as a way to connect to multiple others in the New Zealand context—using Māori media as a “third space” of identity negotiation to do so. Finally, it argues for more overtly situated and localized research and theory-building to further tease out the uniquely South Pacific elements of these emergent identity practices.
M2 Macrophage-Derived Exosomal miR-590-3p Attenuates DSS-Induced Mucosal Damage and Promotes Epithelial Repair via the LATS1/YAP/ β-Catenin Signalling Axis
Authors: Deng Feihong , Yan Jin , Lu Jiaxi , Luo Min , Xia Pianpian , Liu Siliang , Wang Xuehong , Zhi Fachao , Liu Deliang
Published: October 2020

Background and Aims

M2 phenotype macrophages are involved in the resolution of inflammation and intestinal repair. Exosomes are emerging as important mediators of intercellular communication in the mucosal microenvironment.

Methods

M2 macrophages were transfected with or without miR-590-3p. Exosomes derived from M2 macrophages were isolated and identified. Proliferation and wound healing were tested in vitro and compared between groups. The mechanism involving LATS1, and activation of YAP and β-catenin signalling was investigated by using plasmid transfection, western blotting, immunofluorescence and luciferase reporter assays. The effect of exosomes in vivo was detected in dextran saline sulphate [DSS]-induced murine colitis.

Results

First, we demonstrated that M2 macrophages promoted colonic epithelial cell proliferation in an exosome-dependent manner. Epithelial YAP mediated the effect of M2 macrophage-derived exosomes [M2-exos] in epithelial proliferation. Moreover, miR-590-3p, which was significantly enriched in M2-exos, could be transferred from macrophages into epithelial cells, resulting in the enhanced proliferation and wound healing of epithelial cells. Mechanistically, miR-590-3p suppressed the expression of LATS1 by binding to its coding sequence and subsequently activated the YAP/β-catenin-modulated transcription process to improve epithelial cell wound-healing ability. miR-590-3p also inhibited the induction of pro-inﬂammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β [IL-1β] and IL-6. More importantly, repression of miR-590-3p in M2-exos resulted in more severe mucosal damage and impaired colon repair of mice compared with those in M2-exo-treated mice after DSS-induced colitis.

Conclusion

M2 macrophage-derived exosomal miR-590-3p reduces inflammatory signals and promotes epithelial regeneration by targeting LATS1 and subsequently activating YAP/β-catenin-regulated transcription, which could offer a new opportunity for clinical therapy for ulcerative colitis.
Ground Predator Activity-Density and Predation Rates Are Weakly Supported by Dry-Stack Cow Manure and Wheat Cover Crops in No-Till Maize
Authors: Rowen Elizabeth K , Tooker John F
Published: October 2020

Because it keeps land in production, conservation programs that focus on in-field habitat manipulations may help farmers better support predators than by building predator habitat around fields. We investigated two in-field habitat manipulations that benefit producers and soil quality: fertilizing with dry-stack cow manure and planting a wheat cover crop. We hypothesized that, compared with inorganic fertilizer and fallow plots, both treatments augment habitat and residue and support more small arthropods that can serve as alternative prey for larger predators. As a result, we expected manure and the cover crop to increase ground-active predators. In turn, these predators could provide biological control of pests. Each year in a 3-yr field experiment, we applied manure and in 2 yr planted a wheat cover crop. We found that both planting a cover crop and applying dry-stack manure increased the plant cover in May. In the last year, this translated to greater soil mite (Acari) density. At the end of the experiment, however, neither manure nor the wheat cover crop had increased residue on the soil surface. As a result, our treatments had inconsistent effects on predator activity-density, especially for carabids and spiders. We observed strong edge effects from neighboring grass alleys on carabid activity-density. Regardless of treatment, we observed high predation of sentinel prey. We conclude that even without cover crops or organic fertilizer, the stability of no-till maize and increased weeds in fallow treatments generate sufficient habitat complexity and alternative prey to support robust predator communities.
Ventricular arrhythmia burden during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic
Authors: O’Shea Catherine J , Thomas Gijo , Middeldorp Melissa E , Harper Curtis , Elliott Adrian D , Ray Noemi , Lau Dennis H , Campbell Kevin , Sanders Prashanthan
Published: October 2020

Aims

Our objective was to determine the ventricular arrhythmia burden in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients during COVID-19.

Methods and results

In this multicentre, observational, cohort study over a 100-day period during the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA, we assessed ventricular arrhythmias in ICD patients from 20 centres in 13 states, via remote monitoring. Comparison was via a 100-day control period (late 2019) and seasonal control period (early 2019). The primary outcome was the impact of COVID-19 on ventricular arrhythmia burden. The secondary outcome was correlation with COVID-19 incidence. During the COVID-19 period, 5963 ICD patients underwent remote monitoring, with 16 942 episodes of treated ventricular arrhythmias (2.8 events per 100 patient-days). Ventricular arrhythmia burden progressively declined during COVID-19 (P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with ventricular arrhythmias amongst the high COVID-19 incidence states was significantly reduced compared with those in low incidence states [odds ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54–0.69, P < 0.001]. Comparing patients remotely monitored during both COVID-19 and control periods (n = 2458), significantly fewer ventricular arrhythmias occurred during COVID-19 [incident rate ratio (IRR) 0.68, 95% CI 0.58–0.79, P < 0.001]. This difference persisted when comparing the 1719 patients monitored during both the COVID-19 and seasonal control periods (IRR 0.69, 95% CI 0.56–0.85, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

During COVID-19, there was a 32% reduction in ventricular arrhythmias needing device therapies, coinciding with measures of social isolation. There was a 39% reduction in the proportion of patients with ventricular arrhythmias in states with higher COVID-19 incidence. These findings highlight the potential role of real-life stressors in ventricular arrhythmia burden in individuals with ICDs.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry; URL: https://www.anzctr.org.au/; Unique Identifier: ACTRN12620000641998
Effectiveness of pictographs in improving patient education outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Wang Tongyao , Voss Joachim G
Published: October 2020

The objective of this review was to investigate process of pictograph development and the effectiveness of pictographs in patient education. We conducted searches in Medline/PubMed, CINAHL with full text, PsycInfo, ERIC and Cochrane Library with keywords: (pictograph or pictorial) AND (patient education) NOT (children or adolescent or youth or child or teenagers). After excluding manuscripts that did not meet inclusion criteria, 56 articles were included between the time of the last review on this topic (January 2008) and May 2019. There are 17 descriptive studies, 27 randomized control trial studies, 9 quasi-experimental studies and 2 unique literatures in the systematic review. Major goals of the studies are pictograph development or validation. The majority of manuscripts (n = 48) supported the approach. However, six studies did not find significant differences in the outcome. Differences in patient population, pictograph designs and author-developed outcome measurements made it difficult to compare the findings. There is a lack of evidence on validating information outcome measurements. This review demonstrated that implementing pictographs into patient education is a promising approach for better information understanding and health management. Pictographic interventions need to be carefully developed and validated with both the targeted patient population and the clinical experts.
Asymptotics for the Number of Simple (4a + 1)-knots of Genus 1
Authors: Miller Alison Beth
Published: October 2020

We investigate the asymptotics of the total number of simple $(4a+1)$-knots with Alexander polynomial of the form $mt^2 +(1-2m) t + m$ for some nonzero $m \in [-X, X]$. Using Kearton and Levine’s classification of simple knots, we give equivalent algebraic and arithmetic formulations of this counting question. In particular, this count is the same as the total number of ${\mathbb{Z}}[1/m]$-equivalence classes of binary quadratic forms of discriminant $1-4m$, for $m$ running through the same range. Our heuristics, based on the Cohen–Lenstra heuristics, suggest that this total is asymptotic to $X^{3/2}/\log X$ and the largest contribution comes from the values of $m$ that are positive primes. Using sieve methods, we prove that the contribution to the total coming from $m$ positive prime is bounded above by $O(X^{3/2}/\log X)$ and that the total itself is $o(X^{3/2})$.
Innovating health care: key characteristics of human-centered design
Authors: Melles Marijke , Albayrak Armagan , Goossens Richard
Published: October 2020

Human-centered design is about understanding human needs and how design can respond to these needs. With its systemic humane approach and creativity, human-centered design can play an essential role in dealing with today’s care challenges. ‘Design’ refers to both the process of designing and the outcome of that process, which includes physical products, services, procedures, strategies and policies. In this article, we address the three key characteristics of human-centered design, focusing on its implementation in health care: (1) developing an understanding of people and their needs; (2) engaging stakeholders from early on and throughout the design process; (3) adopting a systems approach by systematically addressing interactions between the micro-, meso- and macro-levels of sociotechnical care systems, and the transition from individual interests to collective interests.
Nephrotoxicity of teicoplanin-based combination therapy: focus on piperacillin/tazobactam and other anti-pseudomonal β-lactams
Authors: Tai Chih-Hsun , Shao Chi-Hao , Wang Chi-Chuan , Lin Fang-Ju , Wang Jann-Tay , Wu Chien-Chih
Published: October 2020

Background

The concurrent use of vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam increases the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) compared with vancomycin use with other anti-pseudomonal β-lactams (OAPBs). Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibiotic with lower nephrotoxicity than that of vancomycin. Whether the concomitant use of teicoplanin and piperacillin/tazobactam also increases the risk of AKI remains unknown.

Objectives

To evaluate the AKI risk between teicoplanin–piperacillin/tazobactam and teicoplanin–OAPBs.

Methods

This was a retrospective, propensity score-matched cohort study. Adult patients receiving teicoplanin-based combination therapy were included. OAPBs included cefepime, cefoperazone/sulbactam, ceftazidime, doripenem, imipenem/cilastatin and meropenem. Propensity score matching was performed to balance demographic and confounding factors. The primary endpoint was AKI during combination therapy.

Results

After propensity score matching, 954 patients (teicoplanin–piperacillin/tazobactam: teicoplanin–OAPBs, 1:3 matched, 243 pairs in total) were included for analysis. The mean age was 66.3 years in the matched cohort and 17.1% of patients had shock. Use of nephrotoxic medications (45.7% versus 48.7%) and baseline renal function (78.88 ± 31.26 versus 81.05 ± 31.53 mL/min/1.73 m2) were similar in the two groups. The median teicoplanin dose was 10.7 mg/kg in both groups. The groups did not differ significantly in terms of AKI risk (14.8% versus 14.2%, P = 0.815). However, the time to AKI appeared shorter in the teicoplanin–piperacillin/tazobactam group (4.64 ± 2.33 versus 6.29 ± 4.72 days, P = 0.039).

Conclusions

The combination of teicoplanin and piperacillin/tazobactam was not associated with an increased risk of AKI compared with teicoplanin and OAPBs.
Dissemination of NDM-producingKlebsiella pneumoniaeandEscherichia colihigh-risk clones in Catalan healthcare institutions
Authors: Marí-Almirall Marta , Cosgaya Clara , Pitart Cristina , Viñes Joaquim , Muñoz Laura , Campo Irene , Cuscó Anna , Rodríguez-Serna Laura , Santana Gemina , Del Río Ana , Francino Olga , Ciruela Pilar , Pujol Isabel , Ballester Frederic , Marco Francesc , Martínez José Antonio , Soriano Álex , Vila Jordi , Roca Ignasi ,   the MERCyCAT Study Group, Jove Pepa Pérez , Padilla Emma , Ballestero-Téllez Mónica , Zboromyrska Yuliya , Ángel Benítez Miguel , Clivillé Raquel , González Sabina , Calvet Iolanda , Gallés Carmen , Sauca Goretti , Martí-Sala Carmina , Pulido Ma Angeles , Vilamala Anna , González-Cuevas Araceli , Gené Amadeu , Trujillo Gloria , Madueño Joan Lopez , Raga Xavier , Gómez Frederic , Picó Ester , Sarvisé Carolina , Font Xesca
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To characterize the clonal spread of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates between different healthcare institutions in Catalonia, Spain.

Methods

Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disc diffusion. MICs were determined by gradient diffusion or broth microdilution. Carbapenemase production was confirmed by lateral flow. PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to identify the allelic variants of resistance genes. Clonality studies were performed by PFGE and MLST. Plasmid typing, conjugation assays, S1-PFGE plus Southern blotting and MinION Oxford Nanopore sequencing were used to characterize resistance plasmids.

Results

Twenty-nine carbapenem-resistant isolates recovered from three healthcare institutions between January and November 2016 were included: 14 K. pneumoniae isolates from a tertiary hospital in the south of Catalonia (hospital A); 2 K. pneumoniae isolates from a nearby healthcare centre; and 12 K. pneumoniae isolates and 1 E. coli isolate from a tertiary hospital in Barcelona (hospital B). The majority of isolates were resistant to all antimicrobial agents, except colistin, and all were NDM producers. PFGE identified a major K. pneumoniae clone (n = 27) belonging to ST147 and co-producing NDM-1 and CTX-M-15, with a few isolates also harbouring blaOXA-48. Two sporadic isolates of K. pneumoniae ST307 and E. coli ST167 producing NDM-7 were also identified. blaNDM-1 was carried in two related IncR plasmid populations and blaNDM-7 in a conjugative 50 kb IncX3 plasmid.

Conclusions

We report the inter-hospital dissemination of XDR high-risk clones of K. pneumoniae and E. coli associated with the carriage of small, transferable plasmids harbouring blaNDM genes.
Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cell cultures by peptide-conjugated morpholino oligomers
Authors: Rosenke Kyle , Leventhal Shanna , Moulton Hong M , Hatlevig Susan , Hawman David , Feldmann Heinz , Stein David A
Published: October 2020

Background

As the causative agent of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 is a pathogen of immense importance to global public health. Development of innovative direct-acting antiviral agents is sorely needed to address this virus. Peptide-conjugated morpholino oligomers (PPMO) are antisense compounds composed of a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer covalently conjugated to a cell-penetrating peptide. PPMO require no delivery assistance to enter cells and are able to reduce expression of targeted RNA through sequence-specific steric blocking.

Methods

Five PPMO designed against sequences of genomic RNA in the SARS-CoV-2 5′-untranslated region and a negative control PPMO of random sequence were synthesized. Each PPMO was evaluated for its effect on the viability of uninfected cells and its inhibitory effect on the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in Vero-E6 cell cultures. Cell viability was evaluated with an ATP-based method using a 48 h PPMO treatment time. Viral growth was measured with quantitative RT–PCR and TCID50 infectivity assays from experiments where cells received a 5 h PPMO treatment time.

Results

PPMO designed to base-pair with sequence in the 5′ terminal region or the leader transcription regulatory sequence region of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA were highly efficacious, reducing viral titres by up to 4–6 log10 in cell cultures at 48–72 h post-infection, in a non-toxic and dose-responsive manner.

Conclusions

The data indicate that PPMO have the ability to potently and specifically suppress SARS-CoV-2 growth and are promising candidates for further preclinical development.
On-Line HP(LC)-GC-FID Determination of Hydrocarbon Contaminants in Fresh and Packaged Fish and Fish Products
Authors: Srbinovska Ana , Conchione Chiara , Lucci Paolo , Moret Sabrina
Published: October 2020

Background

Fish products can be contaminated with mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH), mainly as a result of environmental contamination (wild fish) or contaminated feeds (farmed fish). Packaged products may also be contaminated with polyolefin oligomeric hydrocarbons (POH), which, depending on the packaging, storage condition, matrix composition, and fat content, may migrate relatively easily from the packaging to the food.

Objective

A rapid, solvent-sparing method for determining hydrocarbon contaminants in fish products was developed, validated, and applied to farmed and wild fish products (both fresh and packaged samples, stored under different conditions).

Method

Microwave-assisted saponification (MAS) was used in combination with on-line LC-GC-flame ionization detection (FID).

Results

The proposed method showed quantitative recovery, good repeatability, and high sensitivity. Farmed salmon had variable mineral oil saturated hydrocarbon contamination (from 0.5 to 4.3 mg/kg), accompanied by mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (maximum 1.4 mg/kg), while wild salmons had no detectable contamination. Samples of one farmed salmon and a swordfish, both sliced and packed under vacuum, resulted contaminated with POH migrated from the packaging. POH migration was also evident in a ready-to-eat meal.

Conclusions

The proposed method showed good performance characteristics in terms of recovery, repeatability, and LOQ. Fatty fish products are more prone to contamination with hydrocarbon contaminants.

Highlights

MAS allows for rapid and efficient sample preparation. An LC-GC-FID method for MOH/POH determination in fish products was validated. Fish products may be contaminated with variable amounts of hydrocarbon contaminants.
Genetic variability and connectivity of the Mexican long-nosed bat between two distant roosts
Authors: Pourshoushtari Roxanne D , Ammerman Loren K
Published: October 2020

Genetic variability generally is associated with adaptive potential of species and can be assessed using microsatellite markers. Mexican long-nosed bats (Leptonycteris nivalis) are endangered, migratory nectarivores thought to be experiencing population declines. Despite historical and current tracking efforts, migratory connections among roost sites remain elusive. Our objective was to assess the genetic variability and connectivity of two of the most geographically separated populations of L. nivalis currently known—a mating roost in central Mexico used from September to March, and a maternity roost in western Texas used by adult females and their young from June to August. Twelve loci developed for L. yerbabuenae and four for Glossophaga soricina amplified L. nivalis DNA; of those 16 loci, seven (all from L. yerbabuenae) were useful in genetic analyses of 113 individuals. High levels of genetic variation in L. nivalis from the two sites were not significantly different and no substructure was detected between these two roost sites separated by more than 1,200 km. Further, we recovered evidence of close relationship (parent–offspring) in nine pairs of juveniles captured at the northern roost and adults from the southern roost, confirming a connection between the two locations. For this endangered species, the level of variation detected, the lack of a recent bottleneck, and estimates of effective population size, are encouraging for future recovery. Management plans aimed at conserving Mexican long-nosed bats should recognize the need for managing these bats as a single population and conserving foraging and roosting habitat along migratory routes to reduce population fragmentation.