bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Features of electronic polarizability and approach to unique properties in tellurite glasses
Authors: Komatsu Takayuki , Dimitrov Vesselin
Published: December 2019

Tellurite glasses showing unique properties such as low phonon energy and high linear and nonlinear optical properties have been considered as promising materials for photonic device applications. The present article reviews the current status of the electronic polarizability in binary and ternary tellurite glasses and approaches their unique properties. Tellurite glasses consisting of basic modifier oxides (eg, Na2O, ZnO) and basic conditional glass forming oxide (TeO2) exhibit the features of high electronic polarizability and weak chemical bond strength, that is, refractive index‐based large oxide ion polarizability αO2‐(no), large optical basicity ∧(no), small interionic interaction parameter A(no), and small single bond strength BM‐O. The values of αO2‐(no), ∧(no), and A(no) in several tellurite glasses containing WO3, Nb2O5, and Bi2O3 were estimated in this article, and a good correlation was confirmed between ∧(no) and A(no). Unique properties of low glass transition temperature, fragile structural relaxation behavior, poor mechanical properties, high third‐order nonlinear optical susceptibilities in tellurite glasses were discussed from the point of electronic polarizability.
How I investigate basophilia in daily practice
Authors: Feriel Joffrey , Depasse François , Geneviève Franck
Published: December 2019

Basophilia is a rare disorder of the complete blood count (CBC) and its management in daily practice remains unclear. Two main factors explain this situation. On the one hand, the reliability of the basophil count is insufficient, whether it is performed by a microscopic slide examination or by a hematology analyser. On the other hand, our knowledge of conditions associated with basophilia is largely based on few case reports and on reviews that refer to older reviews. The association between basophilia and myeloid neoplasm, especially chronic myeloid neoplasm, is well established. Conversely, there are conflicting data on some benign medical conditions and it remains unclear where basophilia may be present. In this review, we have investigated the medical literature to define which medical conditions can lead to basophilia and which cannot, and we propose a practical approach to manage basophilia divided into 3 steps. First, we have to check the real existence of the basophilia by getting rid of spurious basophilia. Then, we have to look for symptoms that suggest reactive basophilia and for clue of a neoplastic cause. Finally, in case of suspicion of a myeloid neoplasm or persistence of the basophilia in the absence of a reactive cause, we have to decide which examinations need to be prescribed to confirm a neoplastic basophilia.
Prevalence of hyperglycaemia without previously recognised diabetes mellitus in the emergency department and subsequent management: a retrospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Seneviratne Epa Dilan , Ng Elisabeth , Schneider Hans‐Gerhard , Nagalingam Vathy , Bach Leon A. , Sztal‐Mazer Shoshana
Published: December 2019

Background

Australian hospital data on hyperglycaemia without previously known diabetes are lacking.

Aims

To determine the prevalence of hyperglycaemia without previously recognised diabetes among all patients screened in the emergency department (ED). Secondary aims are to describe the extent of haemoglobin A1c testing for evaluation of new diabetes, adequate glucose monitoring, treatment of significant hyperglycaemia and documented follow‐up plans.

Methods

Patients presenting to ED at the Alfred (tertiary hospital in Melbourne) have undergone screening random plasma glucose (RPG) with their first plasma biochemistry since 2015. Of the 16 268 adults screened from July to December 2015, a retrospective, cross‐sectional study was undertaken evaluating those with hyperglycaemia (RPG >7.8 mmol/L) but without previously recognised diabetes as determined from coding data. After patient records were reviewed to correct for coding errors, a nested cohort of 200 such patients were further evaluated. Glucose monitoring was deemed adequate if undertaken for ≥48 h. Significant hyperglycaemia (RPG >11 mmol/L) was considered appropriately treated if insulin/hypoglycaemic agents were prescribed. Documented follow‐up plans were acceptable if found in the discharge summary.

Results

Among all patients screened, 1178 had hyperglycaemia without coded diabetes. After adjusting for coding errors, the prevalence was 5.2%. Within the nested cohort, only 7.5% had a follow‐up haemoglobin A1c ordered, 9.5% underwent adequate glucose monitoring, 6.5% had appropriate treatment of significant hyperglycaemia and 2% had documentation of a follow‐up plan.

Conclusions

Hyperglycaemia without previously recognised diabetes is commonly seen and justifies ED screening. However, management of newly detected hyperglycaemia in these patients is suboptimal and requires improvement.
Keeping the body in mind: A qualitative analysis of the experiences of people experiencing first‐episode psychosis participating in a lifestyle intervention programme
Authors: Watkins Andrew , Denney‐Wilson Elizabeth , Curtis Jackie , Teasdale Scott , Rosenbaum Simon , Ward Philip B. , Stein‐Parbury Jane
Published: December 2019

The life expectancy gap experienced by people living with severe mental illness is primarily a result of cardiometabolic disease that is often exacerbated by side effects of antipsychotic medication. Commencement of atypical antipsychotic medication is commonly associated with weight gain. The Keeping the Body in Mind programme has demonstrated that early intervention with lifestyle activities can attenuate this weight gain and potentially improve long‐term health outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of young people who participated in the Keeping the Body in Mind programme, a targeted lifestyle intervention programme. A qualitative approach was used employing a semi‐structured interview format. The interview schedule included questions related to four topics: aspects of the programmes that were useful, attributes of staff members that influenced the programme, changes in attitudes towards their own physical health, and suggestions for programme improvements. Interviews were recorded with duration ranging from 40 to 65 min. Thematic analysis was used to detect and assemble codes. These were then synthesized and classified into themes. Eleven participants were interviewed (seven males), aged between 18 and 25 years. Thematic analysis revealed four main themes: the role of physical health in mental health recovery; the importance of staff interactions; the value of peer interaction; and graduation to a sustainable healthy lifestyle. Study participants reported that they valued the programme for both their physical health and mental health recovery.
The old‐age pension law in Mexico: The promise of poverty in old age?
Authors: Colín Francisco
Published: December 2019

In 1997, Mexico replaced its main old‐age pension system with an individual capitalization system. In 2021, the first people subject to the new system will retire. Using a model that projects demographic and labour variables and using Monte Carlo simulations, the findings of this study show that in 2051 the percentage of men not having a pension will increase from 38 per cent to 59 per cent, and that of women from 44 per cent to 66 per cent. The replacement rate for the average Mexican worker will fall from 70 per cent to 30 per cent. The numbers of people in extreme poverty will increase by almost 2.8 million, representing 9.44 per cent of the population. Alternative scenarios are proposed that involve increasing the contribution rate and raising the retirement age.
Whole exome sequencing identified a homozygous novel variant in CEP290 gene causes Meckel syndrome
Authors: Zhang Rui , Chen Shaoyun , Han Peng , Chen Fangfang , Kuang Shan , Meng Zhuo , Liu Junnian , Sun Ruliang , Wang Zhiwei , He Xiaohong , Li Yong , Guan Yuanning , Yue Zhengfang , Li Chen , Kumar Dey Subrata , Zhu Yuanfang , Banerjee Santasree
Published: December 2019

Meckel syndrome (MKS) is a pre‐ or perinatal multisystemic ciliopathic lethal disorder with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Meckel syndrome is usually manifested with meningo‐occipital encephalocele, polycystic kidney dysplasia, postaxial polydactyly and hepatobiliary ductal plate malformation. Germline variants in CEP290 cause MKS4. In this study, we investigated a 35‐years‐old Chinese female who was 17+1 weeks pregnant. She had a history of adverse pregnancy of having foetus with multiple malformations. We performed ultrasonography and identified the foetus with occipital meningoencephalocele and enlarged cystic dysplastic kidneys. So, she decided to terminate her pregnancy and further genetic molecular analysis was performed. We identified the aborted foetus without postaxial polydactyly. Histological examination of foetal kidney showed cysts in kidney and thinning of the renal cortex with glomerular atrophy. Whole exome sequencing identified a novel homozygous variant (c.2144T>G; p.L715*) in exon 21 of the CEP290 in the foetus. Sanger sequencing confirmed that both the parents of the foetus were carrying this variant in a heterozygous state. This variant was not identified in two elder sisters of the foetus as well as in the 100 healthy individuals. Western blot analysis showed that this variant leads to the formation of truncated CEP290 protein with the molecular weight of 84 KD compared with the wild‐type CEP290 protein of 290 KD. Hence, it is a loss‐of‐function variant. We also found that the mutant cilium appears longer in length than the wild‐type cilium. Our present study reported the first variant of CEP290 associated with MKS4 in Chinese population.
In Anticipation of the Inevitable: Preparing Older Americans for Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Starks Monique Anderson , Alexander Karen
Published: December 2019

This editorial comments on the article by Druwe et al. in this issue.
Pre‐orogenic upper crustal softening by lower greenschist facies metamorphic reactions in granites of the central Pyrenees
Authors: Airaghi Laura , Bellahsen Nicolas , Dubacq Benoît , Chew David , Rosenberg Claudio , Janots Emilie , Waldner Maxime , Magnin Valérie
Published: December 2019

Pre‐kinematic greenschist facies metamorphism is often observed in granites and basement units of mountain belts, but rarely dated and accounted for in orogenic cycle reconstructions. Studying pre‐kinematic alteration is challenging because of its usual obliteration by subsequent syn‐kinematic metamorphism often occurring at conditions typical of the brittle–ductile transition. It is, however, to be expected that pre‐kinematic alteration has major implications for the rheology of the upper crust. In the 305 Ma‐old Variscan basement of the Bielsa massif (located in the Axial Zone of the Pyrenees), successive fluid–rock interaction events are recorded in granites below 350°C. Combined microstructural and petrographic analysis, low‐T thermobarometry and in situ U–Th/Pb dating of anatase, titanite and monazite show extensive pre‐orogenic (pre‐Alpine) and pre‐kinematic alteration related to feldspar sericitization and chloritization of biotite and amphibole at temperatures of 270–350°C at 230–300 Ma. This event is followed by a second fluid–rock interaction stage marked by new crystallization of phyllosilicates at 200–280°C and is associated with the formation of mylonitic shear zones and fractures parallel to the shear planes. U–Pb anatase and monazite ages as well as the microtextural relationships of accessory minerals suggest an age for this event at 40–70 Ma, consistent with independent regional geology constraints. The Variscan basement was therefore softened at late to post‐Variscan time, at least 150–200 Ma before the main Alpine shortening while Alpine‐age compression (c. 35–50 Ma) leads to the formation of a dense net of mylonites. The associated deformation, both distributed at the scale of the Bielsa massif and localized at decametric scale in mylonitic corridors, precedes the strain localization along the major thrusts of the Axial Zone. The Bielsa massif is a good example where inherited, pre‐orogenic upper crustal softening controls the deformation patterns in granitic basement units through low‐grade metamorphic reactions.
How to best utilize the line of ligaments and the surface volume coefficient in facial soft tissue filler injections
Authors: Casabona Gabriela , Bernardini Francesco P. , Skippen Brent , Rosamilia Gianna , Hamade Hassan , Frank Konstantin , Freytag David L. , Sykes Jonathan , Onishi Emy C. , Cotofana Sebastian
Published: December 2019

Background

Recent advances in facial anatomy have increased our understanding of facial aging and where to best position facial soft tissue fillers.

Aim

Aim of this study was to investigate a novel injection protocol which makes use of concepts like the line of ligaments or the surface ‐ volume coefficient.

Materials and Methods

A total of 306 Caucasian patients (270 females, mean age 45.1 ± 11.4 years; 36 males, mean age 45.9 ± 11.6 years) were retrospectively investigated after the injection following a standardized protocol. This protocol comprised a total of six boluses and one retrograde fanning injections in the infraorbital area utilizing a 22G and a 25G blunt‐tip cannula, respectively. Medial midfacial distances were measured using skin surface landmarks and compared after the injection of the partial and the total algorithm.

Results

Distances between the dermal location of the lateral SOOF and the dermal location of the mandibular ligament increased by 0.17 ± 0.11 mm with P < .001, to the corner of the mouth by 0.20 ± 0.09 mm with P < .001 and to the nasal ala by 0.20 ± 0.11 mm with P < .001. The repositioning of the facial soft tissues resulted also in a decrease of the height of the lower eyelid by 0.49 ± 0.13 mm with P < .001.

Conclusion

The results revealed that utilizing these novel anatomic concepts, a mean amount of 0.32 cc high G‐prime soft tissue filler injected in the lateral SOOF can change midfacial distances by an average of 0.19 mm.
Clinical evidences of benefits from an advanced skin care routine in comparison with a simple routine
Authors: Messaraa Cyril , Robertson Nicola , Walsh Melissa , Hurley Sarah , Doyle Leah , Mansfield Anna , Daly Lorna , Tansey Claire , Mavon Alain
Published: December 2019

Background

The use of a skin care routine is commonly promoted by the cosmetic industry, yet there is a lack of clinical evidence to support this practice over the use of a single skin care product.

Aims

In the present study, we aimed at showing the clinical benefits of using a comprehensive skin care routine vs a simple one.

Methods

Skin micro‐/macro‐topographic, skin color, and superficial/deep hydration were collected at baseline and after 4 weeks of use, on forty‐nine women randomly allocated to two groups. The first one followed the use of an advanced routine (AR: Cleanser/Toner/Eye cream/Serum/Day & Night cream), while the other group was instructed to use a simple routine (SR: Cleanser & Day cream).

Results

Hemoglobin heterogeneity was found to be significantly reduced only in the SR group. However, the AR outperformed the SR when it comes to improving superficial hydration, deep hydration, skin roughness, mean pore area, melanin heterogeneity, and crow's feet wrinkle depth. A significant increase in skin brightness from baseline was only recorded when using the AR while both routines significantly improved the nasolabial wrinkles.

Conclusion

These findings advocate for using a relevant daily routine as it demonstrates the visible skin benefits over a short period, while driving the creation of habits for the prevention of aging signs.
The implementation of the Handicapping Labio‐Lingual Deviation index on access to orthodontic care
Authors: Caplin Jennifer , Rozgony Alexandria , Farhi Matan , Viana Grace C. , Al‐Grouz Malik , Belavsky Benjamin Z.
Published: December 2019

Objectives

In 2017, the state of Illinois changed the system by which they define severe malocclusion from the DentaQuest Orthodontic Criteria Index to the Handicapping Labio‐Lingual Deviation Index (HLD). The purpose of this study was to compare subjects who were submitted for coverage under either the DentaQuest Orthodontic Criteria Index or the HLD index to see if a difference exists in the number of subjects who received coverage and the type of malocclusions that were covered.

Methods

All subjects evaluated for orthodontic coverage by the Illinois Department of Human Services for treatment at the University of Illinois, College of Dentistry during the years 2016 and 2017 were included in this study. One hundred consecutively approved and 100 consecutively denied subjects from both 2016 and 2017 were selected for further analysis.

Results

There was a statistically significant decrease in the overall rate of approval in 2017 compared to 2016. No difference was found in the approval rate of Class I, II, or III subjects, but there was a significant decrease in the approval rate of subjects with impacted teeth.

Conclusions

The implementation of the HLD index has significantly decreased access to orthodontic care for Medicaid patients in Illinois.
Access to Primary Care Physicians and Mortality in Washington State: Application of a 2‐Step Floating Catchment Area
Authors: Amiri Solmaz , Espenschied Jonathan R. , Roll John M. , Amram Ofer
Published: December 2019

Objective

To measure access to primary care physicians (PCPs) using a 2‐step floating catchment area and explore the associations between access to PCPs and mortality related to all‐causes, cancers, and heart disease in Washington State.

Methods

An ecological study employing generalized linear regression models of access to PCPs and mortality rates in 4,761 block groups in Washington State in 2015. To measure access to PCPs, we used a 2‐step floating catchment area approach, taking into account area‐level population, supply of PCPs, and travel time between PCPs, as well as area‐level population with a distance decay function.

Results

A 1‐unit increase in PCP access score was associated with a reduction of 4.2 all‐cause deaths per 100,000 people controlling for socioeconomic characteristics. A 1‐unit increase in PCP access score was associated with a reduction of 2.7 cancer deaths and a reduction of 2.1 heart disease deaths per 100,000 people controlling for socioeconomic characteristics.

Conclusions

Better access to PCPs was associated with lower mortality from all‐causes, cancers, and heart disease. The 2‐step floating catchment area approach can help with the identification of PCP shortage areas, the development of rural residency programs, and the expansion of the physician workforce in Washington State and other regions.
Prevalence and Severity of Alcohol and Cannabis Use Across the Urban‐Rural Continuum in the Michigan National Guard
Authors: Coughlin Lara N. , Walton Maureen A. , McCormick Richard , Blow Frederic C.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The National Guard provides critical support both domestically and abroad with soldiers dispersed throughout America and spanning the urban‐rural continuum. To determine if location‐specific interventions may be needed, we compared the prevalence and severity of cannabis and alcohol use among National Guard members across localities.

Methods

Michigan National Guard members were enrolled (N = 2,746) during drill weekends as part of a larger randomized behavioral trial. Cannabis (ASSIST; prevalence = 5%) and alcohol use (AUDIT; prevalence = 82%) were compared using hurdle regression models across locality status after adjusting for covariates.

Findings

Prevalence of cannabis and alcohol use was predicted by locality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.913, 95% CI: 0.838‐0.986, P = .029; AOR = 0.963, 95% CI: 0.929‐0.998, P = .038, respectively), with more use in urban localities. Neither severity of cannabis nor alcohol use was predicted by locality status.

Conclusions

Prevalence of cannabis and alcohol use in the National Guard is differentially elevated across localities with higher prevalence in more central, densely populated areas. Findings may inform future work considering accessibility and utilization of prevention and treatment services for Guard members across the urban‐rural continuum.
Characteristics of the Sahara as a meteorite recovery surface
Authors: Aboulahris Maria , Chennaoui Aoudjehane Hasnaa , Rochette Pierre , Gattacceca Jérôme , Jull A. J. Timothy , Laridhi Ouazaa Nejia , Folco Luigi , Buhl Svend
Published: December 2019

We describe the geological, geomorphological, and paleoclimatic setting of the Sahara of North Africa in particular, focused on the main meteorite dense collection areas (DCA; Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya). We report on the outcome of several meteorite recovery field expeditions in Morocco and Tunisia since 2008, by car and by foot, that applied systematic search methods. The number of meteorites collected is 41 ordinary chondrites and one brachinite. The statistics of unpaired ordinary chondrites indicates that H chondrites are more abundant (21) than L chondrites (12), while LL chondrites are rare (2). Our meteorite density estimates for Tunisia and Morocco are in the order of magnitude of 1 met km−2. An estimate of the total maximum number of meteorites that could be recovered from the Sahara is 780,000 meteorites. We selected 23 meteorites from Aridal, Bou Kra, Bir Zar, and Tieret DCAs for 14C dating. The results show a wide range of terrestrial ages from 0.4 to more than 40 kyr with a majority of meteorites showing ages between 0.4 and 20 kyr. The weathering degree of these meteorites is ranges from minor (W1) to strong (W4). The highest weathering grades result from repeated oscillations between high and low humidity in the Sahara. However, there appears to be no correlation between weathering grade and terrestrial age of meteorites.
The emotive effect of government branding on citizens' trust and its boundaries: Does the personal relevance of the policy issue matter?
Authors: Alon‐Barkat Saar
Published: December 2019

Recent studies have demonstrated the potency of government branding to enhance citizens' trust in government organizations and policies. In addition, studies have pointed to the detrimental implications of this emotive effect, mainly its ability to compensate for organizations' poor functioning, and accordingly to elicit undue trust. In light of these concerns, this study explores the boundaries of governments' persuasion of citizens through branding and symbolic communications. Building on social psychology and marketing research, I hypothesize that citizens are less susceptible to persuasion by branding the more they perceive the policy issue as personally relevant. I test this expectation through a survey experiment, focused on air pollution policy in Israel, exploiting the natural variation in the perceived personal relevance between citizens residing in a polluted area in the country and others. The results indicate that even high levels of perceived personal relevance do not attenuate the effect of symbolic brand elements. This means that the boundaries of persuasion and manipulation through branding are wider than expected.
Evaluation of the contribution of teosinte to the improvement of agronomic, grain quality and yield traits in maize (Zea mays)
Authors: Wang Qingjun , Jiang Yi , Liao Zhengqiao , Xie Wubing , Zhang Xuemei , Lan Hai , Hu Erliang , Xu Jie , Feng Xuanjun , Wu Fengkai , Liu Yaxi , Lu Yanli
Published: December 2019

Teosinte, an ancestor to modern maize, displays an excellent performance regarding resistance to stress, but its yield potential has rarely been reported. To evaluate the potential contribution of teosinte to maize improvement, two maize–teosinte backcrossed recombination inbred line (RIL) populations and their corresponding test‐cross hybrids were planted for trait assessment. In RN and ZP RIL populations, the average coefficients of variation of 31 agronomic traits were 9.14% (Range, 0.38%‒25.21%) and 6.85% (Range, 0.55%‒27.73%), respectively. The correlation coefficients of 13 common shared traits between RIL populations and test‐cross hybrid populations ranged from 0.10 to 0.60 and from 0.06 to 0.72, respectively. A total of 39 and 3 recombined inbred lines, and 29 and 47 test‐cross hybrids exhibited higher yields than their checks (RP125, Zheng58, CD189 and ZD958) with the BLUP data, respectively. Furthermore, four test‐cross hybrids including RN034/SCML1950, ZP068/Chang7‐2, ZP079/Chang7‐2 and ZP122/Chang7‐2 showed a more stable yield performance, with yield gains of +7.07%, +3.64%, +5.83% and +3.82% over checks, respectively. In conclusion, teosinte could serve as an alien germplasm for maize breeding.
Skin Cancer Awareness Among 1 271 Black Africans in South Africa
Authors: Wright Caradee Y. , Wallace Melissa , Mistri Preethi , Wernecke Bianca , Kapwata Thandi
Published: December 2019

Little is known about levels of awareness and perceptions of skin cancer among Africans living in Africa. This study assessed skin cancer awareness among 1271 deeply pigmented South Africans. Participants (n = 642 males vs n = 629 females) were aware of skin cancer (79%) with more females than males being aware of skin cancer (P = 0.02). Majority of all participants had never checked their skin for signs or symptoms of skin cancer (90%). Palms of hands and soles of feet were the least recognized anatomic sites for skin cancer development, despite these sites being the common sites for acral lentiginous melanoma in individuals with deeply pigmented skin. Results suggest a need for targeted skin cancer awareness among population groups with dark skin on identification, screening, and early detection, professional training for healthcare personnel and content on skin cancer in deeply pigmented skin in medical curricula.
Photoprotection by Workwear: Ultraviolet Protection Factors for Artificial Radiation from Welding Arcs
Authors: Bauer Stefan
Published: December 2019

Photoprotection by clothing is one of the most effective protective measures against solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and the related concept of UV protection factors (UPF) for fabrics has proven itself for decades. Although immense work has been carried out regarding factors influencing textile sun protection, the idea of UPFs for artificial UVR, if necessary with different action spectra, is payed little attention. In this work, a modified UPF equation is proposed utilizing welding arcs and the ICNIRP action spectrum. These welding UPFs (wUPF) were calculated for some workwear as a function of welding power, technique and welded material. No wUPF welding power dependence existed. By means of normalized standard emission spectra, that were further clustered with regard to welding technique, it was found that the wUPF depends exclusively on the fabric’s transmittance and the ICNIRP weighting function yielding a reduced wUPF formula. Finally, a comparison of solar and welding UPFs, based on either their full or reduced equations, is discussed.
The Value of Buy‐Online‐and‐Pickup‐in‐Store in Omni‐Channel: Evidence from Customer Usage Data
Authors: Song Peijian , Wang Quansheng , Liu Hefu , Li Qi
Published: December 2019

The buy‐online‐and‐pickup‐in‐store (BOPS) service has been widely treated by retailers as an important omni‐channel initiative. However, few studies have attempted to quantify the impact of BOPS usage on subsequent purchase behaviors or examine the critical roles of offline stores in the value generation of BOPS. Thus, through 25,724 BOPS instances used by 16,202 unique customers via a hybrid retailer, this study investigated the impact of customers’ BOPS usage on their online and offline purchase frequency and purchase amount. The moderating effect of offline store factors was investigated based on data from a focal retailer consisting of 110 stores in four cities. Using a combination of propensity score matching and difference‐in‐difference (DID) identification, our research found the significant positive effects of BOPS usage on offline purchase frequency and online purchase amount. We also found nuanced moderating effects of offline store characteristics (i.e., store density, product variety, and competition intensity) in the influence of BOPS usage on purchase behaviors. Our study thus generates important theoretical and practical implications for omni‐channel operations.
At‐home sperm testing for epidemiologic studies: Evaluation of the Trak male fertility testing system in an internet‐based preconception cohort
Authors: Sommer Greg J. , Wang Tanran R. , Epperson Jon G. , Hatch Elizabeth E. , Wesselink Amelia K. , Rothman Kenneth J. , Fredriksen Laura L. , Schaff Ulrich Y. , Behr Barry , Eisenberg Michael L. , Wise Lauren A.
Published: December 2019

Background

Semen quality assessment in population‐based epidemiologic studies presents logistical and financial challenges due to reliance on centralised laboratory semen analysis. The Trak Male Fertility Testing System is an FDA‐cleared and validated at‐home test for sperm concentration and semen volume, with a research use only sperm motility test. Here we evaluate the Trak System's overall utility among men participating in Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO), a web‐based study of North American couples planning pregnancy.

Methods

US male participants aged ≥21 years with ≤6 months of pregnancy attempt time at study enrolment were invited to participate in the semen testing substudy after completing their baseline questionnaire. Consenting participants received a Trak Engine (battery‐powered centrifuge) and two test kits. Participants shared their test results via smartphone images uploaded to online questionnaires. Data were then linked with covariate data from the baseline questionnaire.

Results

Of the 688 men invited to participate, 373 (54%) provided consent and 271 (73%) completed at least one semen test result. The distributions of semen volume, sperm concentration, motile sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total motile sperm count were similar to 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) semen parameter data of men in the general population. The overall usability score for the Trak System was 1.4 on a 5‐point Likert scale (1 = Very Easy, 5 = Difficult), and 92% of participants believed they performed the test correctly and received an accurate result. Lastly, men with higher motile sperm count were more likely to report feeling “at ease” or “excited” following testing, while men with low motile sperm count were more likely to report feeling “concerned” or “frustrated.” Overall, 91% of men reported they would like to test again.

Conclusions

The Trak System provides a simple and potentially cost‐effective means of measuring important semen parameters and may be useful in population‐based epidemiologic fertility studies.
Screening for reproductive biomarkers in Bactrian camel via iTRAQ analysis of proteomes
Authors: Wang Qi , Zhang Quanwei , Gan Ze , Li Haijiang , Yang Yang , Zhang Yong , Zhao Xingxu
Published: December 2019

Bactrian camel is an ancient and precious species of livestock; that is, unique resources exist in the desert and have important economic and scientific value. In recent years, the number of Bactrian camels has declined sharply. Due to its long reproductive cycle and seasonal oestrus, the mechanism of oestrus is unknown. To identify candidate biomarkers of reproduction, we performed a comprehensive proteomic analysis of serum from Bactrian camel in oestrus and non‐oestrus, using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. We identified 359 proteins, of which 32 were differentially expressed: 11 were up‐regulated and 21 were down‐regulated in samples from camels in oestrus. We validated the differential expression of a subset of these proteins using qPCR and Western blot. Gene ontology annotation identified that the differentially expressed proteins function in cellular processes, metabolic processes and immune system processes. Notably, five of the differentially expressed proteins, PCGF5, histone H1.2, RBP4, FOLR1 and ANTXR2, are involved in reproductive regulatory processes in other animals. KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated significant enrichment in several cardiac‐related pathways, such as ‘dilated cardiomyopathy’, ‘hypertrophic cardiomyopathy’, ‘cardiac muscle contraction’ and ‘adrenergic signalling in cardiomyopathy’. Our results suggest that candidate biomarker (PCGF5, histone H1.2, RBP4, FOLR1 and ANTXR2) discovery can aid in understanding reproduction in Bactrian camels. We conclude that the profiling of serum proteomes, followed by the measurement of selected proteins using more targeted methods, offers a promising approach for studying mechanisms of oestrus.
‘Omics’: The new language in medicine that we all must learn
Authors: Moodley Yuben , Yang Ian A.
Published: December 2019

Find the whole series here
Emilio Uranga’s Análisis Del Ser Del Mexicano: De‐colonizing Pretensions, Re‐colonizing Critiques
Authors: Alberto Sánchez Carlos
Published: December 2019

This essay introduces and defends Emilio Uranga's philosophical intervention in his 1952 text, Análisis del ser del mexicano. Here, to begin with, a case is made that the Análisis can be read as an effort at decolonizing philosophy. This is followed by a consideration of recent criticisms of “la filosofía de lo mexicano,” which naturally extend to Uranga's text, since this is the philosophical tradition in which we find it. Finally, a defense is given against these critiques and a suggestion is made that in order to properly understand the Análisis it is crucial that one understand both its liberatory impulse and its method.
The evolutionary history of parasitic sucking lice and their rodent hosts: A case of evolutionary co‐divergences
Authors: Bothma Johannes C. , Matthee Sonja , Matthee Conrad A.
Published: December 2019

Parasites are often dependent on their hosts for survival and dispersal and this led to a hypothesis that the evolution of obligate permanent host‐specific parasites specifically will show phylogenetic congruence with their hosts. To investigate the factors influencing parasite evolution, mitochondrial‐ and nuclear DNA sequence data were used to test for genetic co‐divergences between Hoplopleura and Polyplax lice occurring on four rodent taxa associated with the Aethomys/Micaelamys rodent complex. Mitochondrial DNA haplotype networks drawn from 24 rodents and 74 obligate permanent lice supported the existence of at least eight genetically distinct parasite lineages. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses showed considerable congruence between the phylogenies of the parasites and their hosts, and these finding were also partly supported in a fair amount of overlap in the timing of divergences. Jane co‐phylogenetic reconstructions illustrated that co‐divergences are the most parsimonious solution to explain the evolution within Polyplax, and also within Hoplopleura. Based on mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequence distances of >13% between strongly supported monophyletic parasite lineages, coupled to some unique morphological features detected for both lice taxa occurring on Micaelamys granti, we propose that the taxonomy of Polyplax and Hoplopleura studied herein is in need of revision. In addition, our findings provide examples of perfect topological co‐divergence between parasites and their hosts, and in doing so also provide circumstantial evidence for co‐evolution between these permanent host‐specific parasites and their hosts. We argue that the signal of co‐divergence is partly enforced by limited opportunities for host switching events across the landscape.
Dos asignaturas en un solo proceso de enseñanza. Innovación pedagógica en la formación de arquitectos
Authors: González Moreno Maritza , Portero Rico Ada Esther , Machado Fajardo Ricardo , Cristóbal Fariñas Mirelle
Published: December 2019

¿Por qué la vinculación de dos asignaturas en un solo espacio de enseñanza-aprendizaje es una innovación pedagógica racionalizadora?
La estrategia metodológica que materializa la innovación referida es una propuesta de fundamento histórico-cultural sustentada en la pedagogía cubana. Se emplea el análisis documental para el diagnóstico, la modelación para el diseño y el ajuste de contenidos en la estrategia y técnicas para medir la satisfacción de los estudiantes y conductores del proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje. El resultado obtenido es la asimilación activa del contenido de dichas asignaturas mediante la aplicación de los métodos de la ciencia en el levantamiento del patrimonio cultural de la Facultad de Arquitectura, los cuales se plasmaron en recursos informáticos que devinieron en medios didácticos para ambas asignaturas. Los productos conseguidos por los estudiantes son fichas de objetos patrimoniales y juegos didácticos reusables para la promoción del patrimonio cultural universitario. Se concluye que en la dinámica del desarrollo científico técnico se impone la racionalización del tiempo y la innovación en los métodos didácticos para una formación integral-productiva del profesional, por lo que las asignaturas adquieren un carácter significativo y se propicia la aparición de futuras líneas de investigación para la racionalización pedagógica curricular y alternativas metodológicas para el protagonismo estudiantil
Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus NSs Interacts with TRIM21 To Activate the p62-Keap1-Nrf2 Pathway
Authors: Choi Younho , Jiang Zhongyi , Shin Woo-Jin , Jung Jae U.
Published: December 2019

Tick-borne diseases have become a growing threat to public health. SFTSV, listed by the World Health Organization as a prioritized pathogen, is an emerging phlebovirus, and fatality rates among those infected with this virus are high. Infected
Haemaphysalis longicornis
ticks are the major source of human SFTSV infection. In particular, the recent spread of this tick to over 12 states in the United States has increased the potential for outbreaks of this disease beyond Far East Asia. Due to the lack of therapies and vaccines against SFTSV infection, there is a pressing need to understand SFTSV pathogenesis. As the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response affects viral life cycles, a number of viruses deregulate Nrf2 pathways. Here we demonstrate that the SFTSV NSs inhibits the TRIM21 function to upregulate the p62-Keap1-Nrf2 antioxidant pathway for efficient viral pathogenesis. This study not only demonstrates the critical role of SFTSV NSs in viral pathogenesis but also suggests potential future therapeutic approaches to treat SFTSV-infected patients.
Tryptophan Metabolism Activates Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Mediated Pathway To Promote HIV-1 Infection and Reactivation
Authors: Zhou Yan-Heng , Sun Li , Chen Jun , Sun Wei-Wei , Ma Li , Han Yang , Jin Xia , Zhao Qing-Xia , Li Taisheng , Lu Hongzhou , Qiu Xiu , Wang Jian-Hua
Published: December 2019

Cellular metabolic pathways that are altered by HIV-1 infection may accelerate disease progression. Dysfunction in tryptophan (Trp) metabolism has been observed clinically in association with accelerated HIV-1 pathogenesis, but the mechanism responsible was not known. This study demonstrates that Trp metabolites augment the activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, to promote HIV-1 infection and transcription. These findings not only elucidate a previously unappreciated mechanism through which cellular Trp metabolites affect HIV pathogenesis but also suggest that a downstream target AHR may be a potential target for modulating HIV-1 infection.
Diversity in Natural Transformation Frequencies and Regulation across
Vibrio
Species
Authors: Simpson Chelsea A. , Podicheti Ram , Rusch Douglas B. , Dalia Ankur B. , van Kessel Julia C.
Published: December 2019

Naturally transformable, or competent, bacteria are able to take up DNA from their environment, a key method of horizontal gene transfer for acquisition of new DNA sequences. Our research shows that
Vibrio
species that inhabit marine environments exhibit a wide diversity in natural transformation capability ranging from nontransformability to high transformation rates in which 10% of cells measurably incorporate new DNA. We show that the role of regulatory systems controlling the expression of competence genes (e.g., quorum sensing) differs throughout both the species and strain levels. We explore natural transformation capabilities of
Vibrio campbellii
species which have been thus far uncharacterized and find novel regulation of competence. Expression of two key transcription factors, TfoX and QstR, is necessary to stimulate high levels of transformation in
Vibrio campbellii
and recover low rates of transformation in
Vibrio vulnificus
.
The Generalized Matrix Decomposition Biplot and Its Application to Microbiome Data
Authors: Wang Yue , Randolph Timothy W. , Shojaie Ali , Ma Jing
Published: December 2019

Biplots that simultaneously display the sample clustering and the important taxa have gained popularity in the exploratory analysis of human microbiome data. Traditional biplots, assuming Euclidean distances between samples, are not appropriate for microbiome data, when non-Euclidean distances are used to characterize dissimilarities among microbial communities. Thus, incorporating information from non-Euclidean distances into a biplot becomes useful for graphical displays of microbiome data. The proposed GMD-biplot accounts for any arbitrary non-Euclidean distances and provides a robust and computationally efficient approach for graphical visualization of microbiome data. In addition, the proposed GMD-biplot displays both the samples and taxa with respect to the same coordinate system, which further allows the configuration of future samples.
Ex vivo repair and renal auto-transplantation for treatment of a renal artery aneurysm after endovascular failure
Authors: Veiga Carlos , Machado Rui , Nunes-Carneiro Diogo , Almeida Rui
Published: December 2019

Renal artery aneurysms are rare and typically found incidentally. Risk of rupture drives the incentive for repair, which can be achieved by both open and endovascular techniques. Ex vivo repair with renal auto-transplantation is recommended for complex aneurysms involving distal or multiple arteries. Here we describe a successful treatment of a renal artery aneurysm after previous endovascular treatment failure. A multi-layered stent was left misplaced inside of the aneurysm. Ex vivo repair with renal auto-transplantation allowed for complete aneurysm exclusion. With increasing use of endovascular techniques, failure of endovascular treatment might become a common indication for ex vivo repair in renal artery aneurysms.
Ventricular arrhythmia and tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in Gitelman syndrome, hypokalaemia is not the only culpable
Authors: Al Banna Rashed , Husain Aysha , Al-Ghamdi Bandar
Published: December 2019

Gitelman syndrome (GS) is an autosomal recessive tubulopathy recently implicated in cases with ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), the latter being considered linked to electrolytes’ imbalance. However, a direct causal relationship is considered to be an oversimplification for a complex molecular dysfunction. Recent work has suggested a degree of microvascular dysfunction in patients with GS that might be attributed as a mechanism of arrhythmia. We report a case of GS presenting with VAs complicated by cardiomyopathy. The high load of premature ventricular contractions that were attributed to the hypokalaemia has masked the presence of the left ventricular (LV) outflow tract tachycardia. Her LV systolic function recovered after successful electrophysiology ablation procedure. Atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia was discovered incidentally during the study and was ablated successfully.
Senescence marker activin A is increased in human diabetic kidney disease: association with kidney function and potential implications for therapy
Authors: Bian Xiaohui , Griffin Tomás P , Zhu Xiangyang , Islam Md Nahidul , Conley Sabena M , Eirin Alfonso , Tang Hui , O’Shea Paula M , Palmer Allyson K , McCoy Rozalina G , Herrmann Sandra M , Mehta Ramila A , Woollard John R , Rule Andrew D , Kirkland James L , Tchkonia Tamar , Textor Stephen C , Griffin Matthew D , Lerman Lilach O , Hickson LaTonya J
Published: December 2019

Objective

Activin A, an inflammatory mediator implicated in cellular senescence-induced adipose tissue dysfunction and profibrotic kidney injury, may become a new target for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and chronic kidney diseases. We tested the hypothesis that human DKD-related injury leads to upregulation of activin A in blood and urine and in a human kidney cell model. We further hypothesized that circulating activin A parallels kidney injury markers in DKD.

Research design and methods

In two adult diabetes cohorts and controls (Minnesota, USA; Galway, Ireland), the relationships between plasma (or urine) activin A, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and DKD injury biomarkers were tested with logistic regression and correlation coefficients. Activin A, inflammatory, epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) and senescence markers were assayed in human kidney (HK-2) cells incubated in high glucose plus transforming growth factor-β1 or albumin.

Results

Plasma activin A levels were elevated in diabetes (n=206) compared with controls (n=76; 418.1 vs 259.3 pg/mL; p<0.001) and correlated inversely with eGFR (rs=−0.61; p<0.001; diabetes). After eGFR adjustment, only albuminuria (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.09) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (OR 6.40, 95% CI 1.08 to 38.00) associated with the highest activin tertile. Albuminuria also related to urinary activin (rs=0.65; p<0.001). Following in vitro HK-2 injury, activin, inflammatory, EMT genes and supernatant activin levels were increased.

Conclusions

Circulating activin A is increased in human DKD and correlates with reduced kidney function and kidney injury markers. DKD-injured human renal tubule cells develop a profibrotic and inflammatory phenotype with activin A upregulation. These findings underscore the role of inflammation and provide a basis for further exploration of activin A as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in DKD.
Spatial variations in gut permeability are linked to type 1 diabetes development in non-obese diabetic mice
Authors: Joesten William C , Short Audrey H , Kennedy Michael A
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To determine if spatial variations in gut permeability play a role in regulating type 1 diabetes (T1D) progression.

Research design and methods

Spatially resolved duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and large intestine sections from end-stage T1D non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice were probed by immunohistochemistry to quantify zonulin levels as a measure of gut permeability in early-progressor and late-progressor NOD mice in comparison with non-progressor NOD mice and healthy NOR/LtJ control mice.

Results

Zonulin levels were elevated in the small and large intestines in early-progressor and late-progressor NOD mice in comparison with non-progressor NOD mice and healthy NOR control mice. In early-onset mice, elevated zonulin levels were maximum in the duodenum and jejunum and decreased in the ileum and large intestine. In late-progressor mice, zonulin levels were elevated almost evenly along the small and large intestines. In non-progressor NOD mice, zonulin levels were comparable with NOR control levels in both the small and large intestines.

Conclusions

Elevated zonulin expression levels indicated that gut permeability was increased both in the small and large intestines in NOD mice that progressed to end-stage T1D in comparison with non-progressor NOD mice and healthy NOR control mice. Highest elevations in zonulin levels were observed in the duodenum and jejunum followed by the ileum and large intestines. Spatial variations in gut permeability appeared to play a role in regulating the rate and severity of T1D progression in NOD mice indicating that spatial variations in gut permeability should be investigated as a potentially important factor in human T1D progression.